My New Movie Pal Having done lots of no budget shows for public access TV, I've always had a soft spot in my heart for low and no budget film makers. I recently bought three no budget movies directed by a guy on Long Island called Pat Bishow. Each movie is a shot-on-video production, parodying 1960s and '70s television shows. The films are El Frenetico and Go-Girl; a masked wrestler superhero parody,The Girls from H.A.R.M.;a Charlie's Angels spy show with 3 Asian women in the leads, and It's a Haunted Happenin'; a Josie and the Pussycats rock and roll haunted hose comedy. In my emails from Bishow when I bought the films, he seemed genuinely pleased I'd want his films, and when the films arrived , I was pleased I did. He threw in a t-shirt, a set of lobby cards, some postcards, and all three videos had tons of behind the scenes additions. This is marketing at a grass roots level, not a corporate media blitz. In one of the taped extra features, Bishow mentions that Blair Witch Project cost $100,000 to make, while The Girls from H.A.R.M. cost $2,800. His films look much better than the budget. They are well shot, well acted and have great music. They are also very funny. Also, these films would probably be G or PG rated if submitted to the MPAA.
With the market being flooded with awful amateur no budget shot-on-video horror and gore garbage, a guy like Bishow is a real treasure. His films have a warm nostalgia, a great sense of humor, and you might even want to show them to your grandma. Keep up the good work Pat, I'll be following your career. BTW, see the Amusement Films link to check out Pat's movies.