Dread Alert Podcast

Dread Alert Media
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The Dread Alert Podcast explores the darkest corners of horror literature, film, and media through in-depth conversations and interviews with the creators behind the fear. Co-hosted by Vince and Sara of Dread Alert Media, the show dissects the craft of storytelling, the psychology of dread, the impact of these stories, and the cultural roots of horror. Featuring exclusive interviews with authors, filmmakers, and genre innovators, The Dread Alert Podcast is where fans and scholars of horror come together to uncover what truly makes us afraid.   The Dread Alert Podcast is a part of the Dread Alert Media Network.  https://linktr.ee/dreadalertmedia

  1. 1d ago

    The Next Cult Horror Comedy? | Interview with Weekend at the End of the World Director Gille Klabin

    What happens when two idiot best friends try to flip a cabin, only to be interrupted by the apocalypse?  In this episode of The Dread Alert Podcast, Vince sits down with visionary filmmaker Gille Klabin (The Wave) to discuss his latest sci-fi horror comedy, Weekend at the End of the World. Starring Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, The State), this hilarious, genre-bending indie film explores male friendship, family trauma, and cosmic dread—all on an ultra-low budget. Gille takes us deep into the making of the film, sharing: Behind-the-scenes indie filmmaking secrets: How they shot a feature film in just 12 days without overtime. Visuals & VFX: Balancing neon purple lighting, Lovecraftian vibes, and doing all the visual effects in Blender without using AI. Directing & Cast Culture: Creating a fair revenue-share model for the entire crew and working with comedy legend Thomas Lennon. Fun details: The hilarious truth behind having a dedicated "fart consultant" on set! If you're a fan of Shaun of the Dead, indie horror, or bold sci-fi comedies, this interview is packed with practical advice for filmmakers and insights for movie lovers. Timestamps  00:00 - Intro & Unfiltered Impressions of Weekend at the End of the World 01:08 - Film Logline: Idiots, Real Estate & The Apocalypse 02:21 - Gille Klabin's Journey: From Home Movies to The Wave & Feature Films 06:05 - Visual Style: Choosing Neon Purple Over Green Screen Dread 09:49 - Behind the Credits: Yes, There Was a "Fart Consultant" 11:25 - Creating a Positive On-Set Vibe with a 27-Person Crew 16:45 - Independent Film Equity: Equal Pay & Revenue-Share Model 25:31 - Working with Comedy Legend Thomas Lennon (The State, Reno 911!) 31:45 - Filming in 12 Days & On-Set Improvisation 38:28 - Hands-On VFX: Busting the "AI Slop" Myth & Journalistic Ethics 51:19 - Themes of Male Friendship, Self-Actualization & Idealism 57:59 - Gille's Favorite Horror-Comedy & Ultimate Horror Influences 01:03:04 - Where to Watch & Upcoming Projects Follow Gille and Weekend at the End of the Workd Follow Gille Klabin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilleklabin/ Follow the Film: https://www.instagram.com/weekendattheendoftheworld/ Connect with Dread Alert: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DreadAlertMedia  Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  2. 4d ago

    CJ Leede Returns! Writing Horror at The Stanley Hotel: HEADLIGHTS & Stephen King Homage

    Author CJ Leede (Maeve Fly, American Rapture) returns to Dread Alert as our very first returning guest to talk about her new supernatural detective novel, HEADLIGHTS! In this episode, Vince and CJ sit down to discuss: The Pitch & Premise: A strange setup involving people waking up on Colorado highways wearing someone else's skin with a stranger's hair around their tongues.Researching HEADLIGHTS: Spending nearly five years on forensic details, procedural elements, and consulting authenticity readers to capture compound trauma and the veteran experience.Exploring Death & Nature: How grief, ecological sprawl,Keystone species like wolf reintroductions, and Colorado's landscape shaped the book's core questions about mortality and our place in the world.Leaning into The Shining: Balancing homage to Stephen King’s classic, researching in a haunted room at the Stanley Hotel, and capturing the "madness of art".Road Trips & Cryptids: CJ's recent trip to the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant and hanging out with Clay McLeod Chapman in Vermont.TIMESTAMPS: 01:10 - What is HEADLIGHTS? Genre Mashups & The Setup  05:03 - Deep Forensic Research, Male Protagonists & Compound Trauma  12:00 - Processing Grief, Ghosts & DNA  15:16 - Leaning into The Shining & Staying at the Stanley Hotel  23:37 - Ecological Horror, Denver Sprawl & Keystones  28:06 - Road Trips: Point Pleasant, Mothman & Horror Retreats  35:36 - Vulnerability, Being Seen & Favorite Supernatural Detectives  45:03 - What’s Next: Short Stories & Book Four Follow CJ Leede Follow CJ Leede on Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceejthemomentBuy Headlights wherever books are soldConnect with Dread Alert: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DreadAlertMedia  Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  3. Sep 25

    Nightmares on Autopilot: Making Autonomous with BigSquid Films

    Save 20% on Fangoria Merch and New Subscriptions at https://shop.fangoria.com/DreadAlertMedia or with code DREADALERTMEDIA In this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, host Vince sits down with returning friends and indie filmmakers Kyle Valle and Erin Áine of BigSquid Films. They dive deep into their new project, Autonomous, a cutting-edge, vertical-format horror film released exclusively on the indie streaming platform Screamify. Inside the Episode: The Inspiration Behind Autonomous: How real-world autonomous vehicles and rideshare tech sparked the concept for a claustrophobic, high-tension horror film.Shooting in Vertical: Kyle breaks down the technical hurdles of shooting vertically, handling massive custom camera rigs, and adapting storyboarding for mobile-first storytelling.Chasing Waymos in Atlanta: Hear the chaotic, behind-the-scenes story of tracking down actual autonomous vehicles, guerilla-style filming in cul-de-sacs, and re-creating custom car props.Character & Performance: Erin shares her approach to portraying complex, grounded characters and navigating a tense, continuous argument locked inside a moving vehicle.AI & The Future of Indie Filmmaking: A thoughtful discussion on technology's impact on human relationships, the ethical boundaries of AI in art, and balancing modern tech with indie film craft.Where to Watch: Watch Autonomous: Stream it now on the Screamify app.Behind the Scenes: Check out the mini-documentary Behind the Screams: Autonomous on Screamify to see how the team pulled it off!Follow the Crew: Follow BigSquid Films on Instagram at @BigSquidFilms and @ZombieConMovie.Connect with Dread Alert Media: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DreadAlertMedia Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  4. Sep 23

    Making the Cabin Scream: Double Danger on Legacy and Distortion in Evil Dead Burn

    On this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, host Vince sits down with Xavier and Douglas, the composing duo known as Double Danger, to talk about their work on the score for Evil Dead Burn. The duo discusses their approach to joining the iconic Evil Dead franchise, detail how they honored the legacy of previous compositions while introducing modern, distorted textures, and share what it was like treating the film's primary location as its own living character. They also dive into their close collaboration with director Sébastien Vaniček right from the script phase, working alongside the sound design team to build tension and jump scares, and how their DIY, self-taught musical backgrounds shaped their approach to film scoring. Topics Covered: Respecting vs. Subverting Franchise Heritage: How Double Danger took elements from previous Evil Dead scores—including Joseph LoDuca's work—and twisted them using heavy distortion, pitched string instruments, and experimental textures to forge a modern identity.Conceptual Scoring: Why double bass was used to embody the house itself, and how haunted vocal performances were layered to symbolize family legacy.Collaboration and Process: Developing the musical palette with director Sébastien Vaniček long before filming began in New Zealand, working seamlessly with the sound design department, and receiving creative encouragement from producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.Standout Tracks & Influences: A breakdown of key score moments, including "Where Is It?" and "To Your Perfect Family" featuring vocals by Julien Casarino (Psycup), plus the duo's personal favorite horror films.Physical Release Details: Updates on where to stream the soundtrack and details regarding the upcoming double vinyl release via WaterTower Music featuring artwork by Steve Reeves.Links & Resources: Follow Double Danger on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doubledangermusicListen to the Score: Available now on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms.Pre-Order the Vinyl LP: https://waxworkrecords.com/collections/all/products/evil-dead-burn Connect with Dread Alert: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DreadAlertMedia  Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  5. Sep 20

    Who’s Watching: Tim Kasher on Found Footage Rules, Dark Comedy, and Horror Cinema

    We sat down with musician, screenwriter, and director Tim Kasher (frontman of Cursive and The Good Life) to break down his found footage horror-thriller, Who’s Watching.  Tim shared the decade-long journey of bringing the film to life, how his background in songwriting shapes his screenwriting process, and the fine line between dark realism, humor, and audience complicity in found footage cinema. They dive deep into the ethics of mockumentary filmmaking, building empathy for detestable lead characters, and why the 2020s might be the best decade for horror since the 1980s. Plus, Tim shared his favorite horror classics, his thoughts on The Blair Witch Project, and what he’s cooking up next, including new music and a werewolf script.  Who’s Watching hits select theaters and VOD on September 18th via Dark Sky Films.  Timestamps / Key Chapters:01:40 – Authentic Band Life & Writing What You Know 02:47 – Songwriting vs. Screenwriting: Storytelling Across Formats 05:53 – Accidental Humor, Realism, and Tonal Balance in Horror 08:15 – Designing Caleb: Creating Empathy for a Detestable Protagonist 12:15 – Transitioning from Drama (No Resolution) to Found Footage 14:42 – The Rules & Code of Ethics of Found Footage & Mockumentary 18:04 – Diegetic Music: How Caleb’s Bass Riffs Became the Score 21:30 – Audience Complicity, Surveillance Culture, and Retribution 26:00 – Written in 2010, Timely Today: Incels, Meta Glasses, & Tech Paranoia 31:10 – Favorite Found-Footage Movies & Hidden Gems (Host, Lookie Lou, Frogman) 33:35 – The Blair Witch Project Nostalgia & Tattoo Talk 35:50 – Top Horror Picks: An American Werewolf in London & Modern Classics 38:40 – Stage Horror, Paranormal Activity on Broadway, & The 2020s Horror Renaissance 40:46 – Release Details, Where to Follow Tim, & Future Projects (New Cursive & Werewolves!) Links & Resources Mentioned:Follow Tim Kasher on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timkasher/Listen to Cursive & The Good Life: Available on all major streaming platforms. Rent or Purchase Who's Watching  https://linktr.ee/whoswatching Connect with Dread Alert:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/DreadAlertMediaSupport the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  6. Mar 12

    The Lens of Fear: A Deep Dive into Bodycam with Clayton Moore

    In this episode of the Dread Alert podcast, Vince welcomes cinematographer Clayton Moore to discuss his latest project, the found footage horror film Bodycam. Releasing on Shudder on March 13th, Bodycam offers a unique perspective on cosmic horror through the lens of police body cameras. Clayton shares insights into his long-term creative partnership with director Brandon Christensen and how they transitioned from traditional filmmaking techniques to the immersive, high-speed world of found footage. The conversation dives deep into the technical and creative challenges of shooting a film where the actors themselves operate the primary cameras. Clayton explains the methods used to maintain a sense of realism and verisimilitude while exploring heavy cultural themes such as police accountability and addiction. This episode also dives into the visual effects process, the night vision technology, and the subtle lighting techniques used to keep the film grounded in reality. Episode Highlights Found Footage Innovation: How literal police body cams were used to create an intimate and intense POV experience.Creative Collaboration: The history of Clayton Moore and Brandon Christensen's partnership, spanning four feature films.Horror Influences: A look at the lineage of found footage, including nods to The Blair Witch Project and Grave Encounters.Cinematographer's Role: Clayton defines the role of a cinematographer as the chief visual storyteller and the right hand to the director.The Shudder Connection: Discussion of the film's upcoming release and why Shudder remains a premier destination for horror fans.About Clayton Moore Clayton is an accomplished cinematographer, who most recently shot the Shudder Original horror films "Night of The Reaper", "Bodycam", "The Puppetman" and "Superhost" with long time collaborator Producer/Director Brandon Christensen.  Previously, he lensed “It Stains the Sands Red" collaborating with cult horror favorites The Vicious Brothers Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz. Clayton has also lensed numerous independent short and feature length films, documentaries, episodic television, and a wide variety of commercial and music video projects.  Clayton holds a BA degree in film production, and an AA degree in graphic design.  Along with being a freelance cinematographer, he also owns and operates his production company, PointSourceProductions. Follow Clayton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claytonmooredp/ Watch Bodycam on Shudder Bodycam premieres officially on Friday, March 13th, exclusively on Shudder.   Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  7. Feb 9

    The Huntsman Is More Than a Serial Killer Thriller | Deep Dive Interview

    Today we’re talking about The Huntsman (2026), an excellent serial killer thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the end credits.  We sat down with director and co-writer Kyle Kauwika Harris, actor Brent Bailey, and executive producer Frank J. Malinoski to talk about the film which hits VOD on February 10th. The conversation explores how a tightly constructed serial killer thriller evolves from novel to screen, the creative philosophy behind grounded performances, and the filmmaking choices that shape tension without relying on genre clichés. The guests dive into visual influences ranging from David Lynch to Jonathan Demme, discuss adapting complex characters for film, and break down the layered themes of guilt, suspicion, jealousy, and toxic love that drive the story. You will also hear behind the scenes insights about shooting some of the intense sequences, building a morally ambiguous character, and crafting a world where everyone feels like a suspect. If you are interested in filmmaking craft, psychological thrillers, horror adjacent cinema, or thoughtful genre analysis, this episode offers a deep look at the creative process behind an independent crime thriller. The Huntsman arrives on Video On Demand February 10: https://epic-pictures.com/film/the-huntsman   Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

  8. Jan 26

    Horror Nerd and the Art of Laughing at Fear with Samantha Hale

    In this episode of the Dread Alert Podcast, we sit down with comedian Samantha Hale to talk about her horror themed comedy special Horror Nerd, now available on Video On Demand. Samantha is one of the only stand up comedians building an entire hour around her lifelong love of horror. In this wide ranging conversation, we explore how horror shaped her childhood, her relationship with her parents, and ultimately her voice as a performer. From growing up across the street from the Poltergeist house to bonding with her dad over movies she probably watched too young, Samantha breaks down how fear, nostalgia, and humor are deeply connected. We also dig into the craft of horror comedy, the overlap between building a joke and building a scare, and why horror and comedy work so well together. Samantha shares her writing process, her experiences navigating fandom as a female horror fan, and her love for conventions, Halloween culture, and the strange comfort horror brings to so many of us. This episode covers:  Horror Nerd and the idea of horror as identity  Why horror and comedy are a perfect match  Growing up immersed in horror films and fandom  Female perspectives in horror culture  Convention stories and iconic horror figures  The emotional core beneath genre obsession  If you love horror movies, horror comedy, film culture, or thoughtful conversations about why we are drawn to the dark, this episode is for you.  Watch Horror Nerd: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/samantha-hale-horror-nerd/umc.cmc.1t3kldkhkkkpbks3kz8dofuv6 Follow Samantha Hale: https://www.instagram.com/thesamanthahale/ THe Horror Nerds Podcast: https://horrornerdscomedypodcast.com/    Support the show Follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or for more horror hot takes and reviews!

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About

The Dread Alert Podcast explores the darkest corners of horror literature, film, and media through in-depth conversations and interviews with the creators behind the fear. Co-hosted by Vince and Sara of Dread Alert Media, the show dissects the craft of storytelling, the psychology of dread, the impact of these stories, and the cultural roots of horror. Featuring exclusive interviews with authors, filmmakers, and genre innovators, The Dread Alert Podcast is where fans and scholars of horror come together to uncover what truly makes us afraid.   The Dread Alert Podcast is a part of the Dread Alert Media Network.  https://linktr.ee/dreadalertmedia

Information

  • Creator
    Dread Alert Media
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dread Alert Media
  • Show Website
    Dread Alert Podcast