The Ghosts of Edendale (2003)

Director:

Stefan Avalos

Writer:

Stefan Avalos (writer)

Genre:

Horror | Western | Thriller

Tagline:

Some people are dying to make it in the movies.

Plot:

A young couple moves into a neighborhood obsessed with the frightening silent movie history that took place 80 years before...

Plot Keywords:

Phantom | Nightmare | Ghost Boy | Hollywood California | Model

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Paula Ficara	...	Rachel
Stephen Wastell	...	Kevin
Andrew Kirsanov	...	Nolan / Ghost Man (as Andrew Quintero)
Keith Fulton	...	Julian
Louis Pepe	...	Alex / Party Guest
Patrick Hasson	...	Fred
Nathan Lum	...	Ghost Boy
Ethan Grant	...	Andrew
Jay Brown	...	Homeless Man
Robert Lane	...	Edward Habert
Maureen Davis	...	Rose
Cynthia King	...	Beautiful Blonde
Arthur Guzman	...	Cowboy Ghost
Conor McCarthy	...	Ghost Photographer / Party Guest
Terry A. O'Connell	...	Ghost Making Fire / Party Guest
Christine Charters	...	Ghost with Jewelry Box / Party Guest
Scott Hale	...	Ghost Man
Michael Kowalski	...	Ghost Man
Casey Schatz	...	Ghost Man
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Clark	...	Party Guest
Marianne Connor	...	Party Guest
Stephen J. Croke	...	Party Guest
Amy D'Alio	...	Party Guest
Anthony Happel	...	Party Guest
Esther Jantzen	...	Party Guest
Cailin McCarthy	...	Party Guest
Christopher Morden	...	Party Guest
Shannon Paapanen	...	Party Guest
Joseph Wicen	...	Party Guest

Directed by
Stefan Avalos

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Stefan Avalos		writer

Produced by
Marianne Connor	....	producer
Stephen Wastell	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Vincent Gillioz

Cinematography by
Lukas Ettlin

Film Editing by
Stefan Avalos

Production Design by
Marianne Connor

Costume Design by
Kristen Anacker

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Amy D'Alio	....	second assistant director
Robert Lane	....	first assistant director

Sound Department
Stefan Avalos	....	sound designer
Frank Bradley	....	sound
Marianne Connor	....	sound
Arthur Guzman	....	sound
Michael Kowalski	....	sound effects
Andy Martin	....	additional sound effects

Visual Effects by
C.J. Bao	....	digital artist
Diego Gorlato	....	CG artist
Scott Hale	....	visual effects supervisor
David Polcino	....	digital artist

Camera and Electrical Department
Greg Cervantes	....	grip
Stephen J. Croke	....	best boy
Robert Fuchs	....	grip
Tony Gagliardo	....	grip
Robert Gunnerson	....	grip
Arthur Guzman	....	grip
Scott Hale	....	grip
Patrick Hasson	....	grip
Angela Lemmon	....	grip
Sara Mohazzebi	....	grip
Jon Myers	....	Steadicam operator
Brian Newman	....	grip
Shannon Paapanen	....	key grip
Joseph Wicen	....	gaffer
Joseph Wicen	....	key grip

Thanks
Miriam Byrd-Nethery	....	in memory of
Clu Gulager	....	special thanks
Sebastian Rotstein	....	special thanks
Lance Weiler	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Mixville 02

Distributors

• Lightyear Entertainment
• New Select (2003) (Japan) (video)
• Sunrise Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language

Runtime:

USA:90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #40878) | Germany:18 | UK:15 | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mixville 02

Quotes:

Kevin:Don't take sides. I guess you're just gonna have to look at me as the bad guy.

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Soundtrack:

Hurry Music (for Duels)

Doesn't stand a ghost of a chance

As much as I would love to give the cast and crew credit for this independent effort, I can't recommend it. In fact, in many ways this is the epitome of what's wrong with most indie films: bad acting, clumsy direction, poorly developed characters and a threadbare script.

"The Ghosts of Edendale" has an interesting premise. A couple, hoping to strike it big in the entertainment industry, moves into a neighborhood where Hollywood history was made during the silent era. They encounter quirky neighbors who seem to know a bit too much about them. The man becomes increasingly strange as his obsession with his script grows, while the woman becomes increasingly alienated by his coldness, frustrated by her modeling career, and spooked by the visions she sees in the house.

Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. "The Ghosts of Edendale" fails to build any suspense, the actors lack passion for their roles, and the script is burdened with clichés about Hollywood being a "tough town." When the filmmakers run out of ideas about where the story should lead, they pile on embarrassingly bad digital effects in a failed attempt at dramatic tension.

I will continue to support independent efforts — especially in the frequently disappointing horror genre — but films like this really try my patience. John Cassavetes made remarkable indie films 30 years ago, but it seems today anyone with a camcorder, a handful of friends and a free weekend is becoming a filmmaker.

To the independent visionaries with ideas, I say: More power to you. To the cast and crew of "The Ghosts of Edendale," I say: Better luck next time.