Raising the Stakes (2005)

Steve and Bob are two guys who enjoy their fanboy role-playing lifestyles a bit too much. Their obsession with vampire role-playing games leads them to decide to become vampires and get ... See full summary »

Director:

Justin Channell

Writer:

Justin Channell

Stars:

Josh Lively, Zane Crosby, Ryan Stocking

Cast

Credited cast:
Josh Lively	...	Steve
Zane Crosby	...	Bob
Ryan Stocking	...	Maxwell Selwyn
T.J. Rogers	...	Chad / Homeless Guy
Jordan Hess	...	Mario
Drew Smith	...	Mike
Nino Mancino	...	Sex Offender Marty
Jessica Togias	...	Jessica
Ellie Santy	...	Julie
Jeff Channell	...	Store Clerk
Nick Shomo	...	Alex
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Michael Benzo	...	Ding Dong Ditcher #1
Justin Channell	...	Ding Dong Ditcher #2 / Robert Mesko / Panda Guy
Richard Crosby	...	Ding Dong Ditch Victim / Guy Eating a Sandwich / Tazer Guy (as Richard 'Nips' Crosby)
Chuck Deem	...	Blind Guy

Storyline

Steve and Bob are two guys who enjoy their fanboy role-playing lifestyles a bit too much. Their obsession with vampire role-playing games leads them to decide to become vampires and get revenge on a world that doesn't understand them. Unfortunately for them, it takes a bit more than cheap Halloween makeup to scare people, so their attempts just lead to even more ridicule and physical harm. But that all changes when they discover a dealer of the occult named Maxwell Selwyn who can give them want they want: a potion that will turn them both into vampires. They fork over the money and sure enough, their dream comes true. They set out to finally get revenge on the world that rejected them... only to find they were better off with the cheap makeup.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to ed mcmahon | 

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Taglines:

There's a sucker born every minute...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

There was a very small crew on the film, usually only consisting of two people. During many occasions, Justin Channell was the only crew member and had to find a way to set up shots, direct, and run sound at the same time.

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Quotes

Ding Dong Ditch Victim: Holy shit, the vampires are here!

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Alternate Versions

The version shown at most public screenings and in the early screener DVD release includes a short scene when Steve and Bob exit the Quick Mart at the beginning. The scene was cut by director Justin Channell choice, due it's lack of purpose and the fact it contained a reference to Scary Movie 2, which was unknown to Channell until after the DVDs had been made.

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Connections

References Bloodsucking Freaks (1976)

User Reviews

Raising the Stakes ups the Ante

Holy sweet suffering crap! This movie rocked my world and had me laughing my balls off for hours. I think I knew some guys like these back in high school. There's nothing like a couple nerd vampires that just can't catch a break, tooling around town getting their asses kicked to get a smile on your face. I got this screener at the office and didn't do a lick of work done all day once I stuck it in my computer. I think the UPS guy got a bit of a shock when he came by for a pick-up and heard the screaming and gunfire coming from my desk. Super nice to see the cameo from the always awkward Lloyd Kaufman too! The phenomenal dialog and killer ska soundtrack made my day. Absolutely wicked. -Mike Union Label Group

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 2005 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Fairmont, West Virginia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$110 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IWC Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

62 min (Remastered Director's Cut Edition)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1