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Among other consumer benefits, one major upside to the increasing niche-ification of popular culture has been the continuing emergence of esoteric micro-genres of film and TV. Twenty years ago, you might not necessarily think of “horror documentaries” as its own subgenre. Sure, there were documentaries that maybe fell a little more on the creepy/unsettling side, but it was rare that a nonfiction film would be tailored to appeal to a horror-first genre audience. Now, of course, things are different. In recent years, a robust tradition of terrifying nonfiction films have emerged, many as terrifying – or even more eerie – than their traditional narrative counterparts.
Among other consumer benefits, one major upside to the increasing niche-ification of popular culture has been the continuing emergence of esoteric micro-genres of film and TV. Twenty years ago, you might not necessarily think of “horror documentaries” as its own subgenre. Sure, there were documentaries that maybe fell a little more on the creepy/unsettling side, but it was rare that a nonfiction film would be tailored to appeal to a horror-first genre audience. Now, of course, things are different. In recent years, a robust tradition of terrifying nonfiction films have emerged, many as terrifying – or even more eerie – than their traditional narrative counterparts.
- 7/27/2023
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: UTA has signed director, producer and writer Joshua Zeman — a leading voice in the true-crime storytelling space — with plans to find him new opportunities in documentary filmmaking, narrative directing, digital content and more.
Zeman is best known for his critically acclaimed debut feature Cropsey, as well as such series as The Killing Season (A+E Networks), Murder Mountain (Netflix) and The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness (Netflix).
Co-directed with Barbara Brancaccio, Cropsey watches as the filmmakers delve into the mystery surrounding five missing children and the real-life boogeyman linked to their disappearances. The Killing Season sees Zeman and Rachel Mills examine unsolved serial killer cases, while Murder Mountain looks at crime surrounding the marijuana industry in Humboldt County, California. And then, there’s The Sons of Sam, which looks at journalist Maury Terry’s conspiratorial thinking surrounding the infamous Son of Sam murders.
Zeman most recently departed from...
Zeman is best known for his critically acclaimed debut feature Cropsey, as well as such series as The Killing Season (A+E Networks), Murder Mountain (Netflix) and The Sons of Sam: A Descent into Darkness (Netflix).
Co-directed with Barbara Brancaccio, Cropsey watches as the filmmakers delve into the mystery surrounding five missing children and the real-life boogeyman linked to their disappearances. The Killing Season sees Zeman and Rachel Mills examine unsolved serial killer cases, while Murder Mountain looks at crime surrounding the marijuana industry in Humboldt County, California. And then, there’s The Sons of Sam, which looks at journalist Maury Terry’s conspiratorial thinking surrounding the infamous Son of Sam murders.
Zeman most recently departed from...
- 3/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet will star in and produce a movie about the OneCoin Ponzi scheme titled “Fake!” for MGM, according to an individual with knowledge of the project. MGM acquired the property for producer Jennifer Todd under her first-look deal with the studio.
Scott Z. Burns will write and direct the project and produce with Todd. “Fake!” will reteam Winslett and Burns, the latter of whom wrote the screenplay for 2011’s “Contagion,” the pandemic thriller that also starred Winslett.
“Fake!” is based on the upcoming book of the same name by Jen McAdam with Douglas Thompson and tells the true-life story of McAdam and her involvement with the OneCoin Ponzi scheme. McAdam will executive produce the film adaptation as well.
According to Cointelegraph, OneCoin was founded in 2014, and the Bulgaria-based company followed the typical structure of a multilevel marketing scheme — but with a twist. There were no products or memberships to be peddled; instead,...
Scott Z. Burns will write and direct the project and produce with Todd. “Fake!” will reteam Winslett and Burns, the latter of whom wrote the screenplay for 2011’s “Contagion,” the pandemic thriller that also starred Winslett.
“Fake!” is based on the upcoming book of the same name by Jen McAdam with Douglas Thompson and tells the true-life story of McAdam and her involvement with the OneCoin Ponzi scheme. McAdam will executive produce the film adaptation as well.
According to Cointelegraph, OneCoin was founded in 2014, and the Bulgaria-based company followed the typical structure of a multilevel marketing scheme — but with a twist. There were no products or memberships to be peddled; instead,...
- 10/9/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Oscar winner Kate Winslet has boarded Fake! a project that MGM has acquired for producer Jennifer Todd under her first look deal at the studio.
Scott Z. Burns, who won rave reviews for his 2019 political drama The Report about idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones and his investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, will write and direct, and he’ll produce with Todd. Fake! reps a reteam between Winslet and Burns, the latter who wrote the 2011 pandemic Steven Soderbergh-directed movie Contagion in which the actress starred. Winslet will also produce Fake!
Fake! is based on the book by Jen McAdam with Douglas Thompson, based on the true-life story of Jen McAdam and her involvement with the OneCoin Ponzi scheme. The book is currently being shopped around to publishers for this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. McAdam will executive produce the movie.
OneCoin was promoted...
Scott Z. Burns, who won rave reviews for his 2019 political drama The Report about idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones and his investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, will write and direct, and he’ll produce with Todd. Fake! reps a reteam between Winslet and Burns, the latter who wrote the 2011 pandemic Steven Soderbergh-directed movie Contagion in which the actress starred. Winslet will also produce Fake!
Fake! is based on the book by Jen McAdam with Douglas Thompson, based on the true-life story of Jen McAdam and her involvement with the OneCoin Ponzi scheme. The book is currently being shopped around to publishers for this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. McAdam will executive produce the movie.
OneCoin was promoted...
- 10/9/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
On A&E’s The Killing Season tonight, the team investigate the Daytona Beach serial killer — and end up uncovering a horrific threat involving truck-stop prostitutes across the country. Documentarians Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills are in Florida as they probe the unsolved Daytona Beach case, in which three prostitutes and a fourth woman were killed between December 2005 and December 2007. All four are thought to have been victim to the same killer, along with three other possible victims. During filming, Zeman and Mills have a chance encounter with the daughter of one of the victims — which leads them to investigate the...read more...
- 11/26/2016
- by Julian Cheatle
- Monsters and Critics
The remains of five young women were found in the marshes alongside Gilgo Beach, a remote spit of land on the south shore of Long Island, between December 2010 and March 2011. Parts of five more bodies were discovered in the same area the following month. Detectives theorized the murders were the work of a serial killer but turned up no suspects. The cases went cold and stayed cold. Police were accused of obfuscation and corruption, charges that would later prove true.
But there was something else, perhaps, hindering the investigations. The first five victims were identified as escorts, women who advertised their services online. Did police slack on solving the cases because they considered sex workers culpable for their own murders? How do you square a TV crew member, reporting on the search at Gilgo Beach, being overheard to say, “I can’t believe they’re doing all this for a...
But there was something else, perhaps, hindering the investigations. The first five victims were identified as escorts, women who advertised their services online. Did police slack on solving the cases because they considered sex workers culpable for their own murders? How do you square a TV crew member, reporting on the search at Gilgo Beach, being overheard to say, “I can’t believe they’re doing all this for a...
- 11/12/2016
- by Nancy Rommelmann
- Indiewire
The Long Island serial killer case brought fear to the public, and the crime spree has never been solved. Enter A&E’s new documentary series The Killing Season, which revolves around the infamous events. Each of the eight episodes takes a closer look at the case as reporters Rachel Mills and Josh Zeman tackle clues, look at the case’s leads, and also explore other serial murder files. Fans of real life crime series and those with an interest in the Long Island killer and victims are eagerly anticipating its premiere on November 12, 2016. Here are ten things you can expect
The Killing Season: 10 Things To Expect...
The Killing Season: 10 Things To Expect...
- 11/12/2016
- by Nat Berman
- TVovermind.com
A&E Network To Premiere New Original Docu-series “The Killing Season” Saturday, November 5th At 9Pm Filmmakers Josh Zeman And Rachel Mills Delve Into The Unsolved Long Island Serial Killer Case And Others With The Help Of Amateur Cyber-sleuths Executive Produced By Academy Award-winning® Filmmaker Alex Gibney A&E Network’s gritty new docu-series “The Killing Season” …
The post New Docu-series “The Killing Season” Saturday, November 5th at 9pm first appeared on Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...
The post New Docu-series “The Killing Season” Saturday, November 5th at 9pm first appeared on Hnn | Horrornews.net - Official News Site...
- 10/29/2016
- by Horrornews.net
- Horror News
"I'm scared to death of that man," says a woman in reaction to a photo. The chilling moment is captured in an exclusive clip from The Killing Season, a new documentary series that premieres on A&E Network with back-to-back episodes Saturday, November 12 at 9:00 p.m. E.S.T. Here's the official verbiage: A&E Network's gritty new docu-series The Killing Season from Executive Producer Alex Gibney follows documentarians, Joshua Zeman (Cropsey) and Rachel Mills as they investigate one of the most bizarre unsolved serial killer cases of our time -- ten dead sex workers discovered on Gilgo Beach, Long Island. Authorities believe these killings are the work of the Long Island Serial Killer, who after five years remains at large. Forging relationships with cyber-sleuths, journalists and victim's...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/28/2016
- Screen Anarchy
"There are far more serial killers than we ever imagined in our nightmares." A&E has released a new preview for their upcoming series The Killing Season. The docuseries follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills "as they investigate one of the most bizarre unsolved serial killer cases of our time -- ten dead sex workers discovered on Gilgo Beach, Long Island."Read More…...
- 10/25/2016
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
We return with the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s feature includes a new trailer for Repentance and Rockabilly Zombie Weekend, details on the Sundance Next Fest Lineup, Eat Men Like Air, Mindless, and much more:
First Rockabilly Zombie Weekend Trailer: “When Becky and Grant arrive at their rockabilly-themed wedding, despite warnings of a West Nile Virus outbreak, things go horribly wrong as the mosquito-spread virus spawns zombies, who begin feeding on the wedding guests as well as the other locals. The two newlyweds have to escape along with their family and friends if they ever want to live to see their honeymoon!
Rockabilly Zombie Weekend is a new feature length horror thriller with a rocking twist on the modern zombie film. It’s currently being released on DVD on July 1st, 2014 through Green Apple Entertainment. The film (as well as other merchandise) can...
First Rockabilly Zombie Weekend Trailer: “When Becky and Grant arrive at their rockabilly-themed wedding, despite warnings of a West Nile Virus outbreak, things go horribly wrong as the mosquito-spread virus spawns zombies, who begin feeding on the wedding guests as well as the other locals. The two newlyweds have to escape along with their family and friends if they ever want to live to see their honeymoon!
Rockabilly Zombie Weekend is a new feature length horror thriller with a rocking twist on the modern zombie film. It’s currently being released on DVD on July 1st, 2014 through Green Apple Entertainment. The film (as well as other merchandise) can...
- 6/29/2014
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Director Josh Zeman's Killer Legends - a documentary exploration of the truth behind a quartet of popular urban legends from the helmer of the acclaimed Cropsey - hits DVD on July 1st and we've got a trio of DVD copies to give away to lucky Twitch readers!Along with producer and co-host Rachel Mills, Zeman here looks into the historical basis for four urban legends: The Candyman, The Babysitter And The Man Upstairs, The Hookman and The Killer Clown. Check out the pair of teasers we released for the film below and email me here for your chance to win a DVD. Remember to include your mailing address!...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 6/20/2014
- Screen Anarchy
The documentary Killer Legends will be available on DVD nationwide July 1st from Breaking Glass Pictures, and right now we have your chance to score a copy on us for free. That's right... free. You don't have to do a damn thing other than click for details!
To enter for your chance to win, just send us an email at contests@dreadcentral.com including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
This contest will end on at 12:01 Am Pt on June 30th.
Killer Legends follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate four timeless legends that continue to haunt the American public. Directed by Zeman, the documentary examines the urban legends of The Candyman, The Killer Clown, The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs, and The Hookman.
The DVD release (Srp $19.99) will also include seven special features on the legendary quartet.
Joshua and Rachel travel to Houston,...
To enter for your chance to win, just send us an email at contests@dreadcentral.com including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest.
This contest will end on at 12:01 Am Pt on June 30th.
Killer Legends follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate four timeless legends that continue to haunt the American public. Directed by Zeman, the documentary examines the urban legends of The Candyman, The Killer Clown, The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs, and The Hookman.
The DVD release (Srp $19.99) will also include seven special features on the legendary quartet.
Joshua and Rachel travel to Houston,...
- 6/11/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
This year's crop of fictional horror films has been pretty disappointing so far, but maybe the documentary Killer Legends, available on DVD nationwide July 1st from Breaking Glass Pictures, can add some chill to our hot summer months.
Killer Legends follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate four timeless legends that continue to haunt the American public. Directed by Zeman, the documentary examines the urban legends of The Candyman, The Killer Clown, The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs, and The Hookman.
The DVD release (Srp $19.99) will also include seven special features on the legendary quartet.
Joshua and Rachel travel to Houston, Texas, where they explore the tainted candy legend parents fear every Halloween. In Columbia, Missouri. they compare The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs legend to the unsolved murder of Janett Christman - a babysitter found murdered in 1950. In Texarkana, Texas, the filmmakers investigate the real-life case...
Killer Legends follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate four timeless legends that continue to haunt the American public. Directed by Zeman, the documentary examines the urban legends of The Candyman, The Killer Clown, The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs, and The Hookman.
The DVD release (Srp $19.99) will also include seven special features on the legendary quartet.
Joshua and Rachel travel to Houston, Texas, where they explore the tainted candy legend parents fear every Halloween. In Columbia, Missouri. they compare The Baby-Sitter and the Man Upstairs legend to the unsolved murder of Janett Christman - a babysitter found murdered in 1950. In Texarkana, Texas, the filmmakers investigate the real-life case...
- 6/2/2014
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
Urban Legends, as scary as they may be are really just warnings for something much more dangerous, the reality that started it all. Every town has it's Legends and every neighborhood has it's Boogeymen. Breaking Glass Pictures and director Joshua Zeman bring to us the real life Horror documentary Killer Legends. Zeman, along with his fellow filmmaker Rachel Mills go on a quest to uncover the truth about Urban Legends. The documentary is coming in…...
- 5/30/2014
- Horrorbid
Stars: Joshua Zeman, Rachel Mills | Written and Directed by Joshua Zeman
Review by Scott Clark of Cinehouse
In 2010 Joshua Zeman’s Cropsey investigated the point where folklore and real life merge. Killer Legends builds on Zeman’s fascination with the true-crime origins of urban legends, exploring how such tales are manufactured and perpetuated.
From the start it’s a far more accomplished piece of investigatory work than Cropsey, the scope and depth of analysis provides genuine insight into what kind of circumstance can queue the inception of contemporary folklore. For such purposes, Zeman picks the most popular urban legends: the hook handed killer on Lover’s Lane, the babysitter and the call from inside the house, the razor blades in the Halloween candy, etc. For each of these popular folk tales Zeman, and his research partner Rachel Mills, strip back the façade to find the real and often-unsettling truth behind the legend.
Review by Scott Clark of Cinehouse
In 2010 Joshua Zeman’s Cropsey investigated the point where folklore and real life merge. Killer Legends builds on Zeman’s fascination with the true-crime origins of urban legends, exploring how such tales are manufactured and perpetuated.
From the start it’s a far more accomplished piece of investigatory work than Cropsey, the scope and depth of analysis provides genuine insight into what kind of circumstance can queue the inception of contemporary folklore. For such purposes, Zeman picks the most popular urban legends: the hook handed killer on Lover’s Lane, the babysitter and the call from inside the house, the razor blades in the Halloween candy, etc. For each of these popular folk tales Zeman, and his research partner Rachel Mills, strip back the façade to find the real and often-unsettling truth behind the legend.
- 5/17/2014
- by Guest
- Nerdly
Attention, New York! Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn has been developing its "Signature Series" program for some time, including revisiting the more mainstream ‘70s pornography for "Nitehawk Naughties", which will continue into the summer months.
Now, their "One Nite Only" series will highlight nine upcoming films including artist and music documentaries, re-releases and anniversaries, restorations and classic repertory films.
Tonight at 9:30 P.M. Et, Nitehawk presents a special One Nite Only screening of the new horror documentary Killer Legends in celebration of its upcoming March 16 premiere on the Chiller Network. The event includes a Q&A with filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills moderated by Fangoria’s Sam Zimmerman. If you enjoyed the documentary Cropsey from Zeman and are in or around Brooklyn this evening, Killer Legends looks to explore the true origins of urban legends on a much grander scale than the more intimate, personal exploration in Cropsey.
Killer Legends...
Now, their "One Nite Only" series will highlight nine upcoming films including artist and music documentaries, re-releases and anniversaries, restorations and classic repertory films.
Tonight at 9:30 P.M. Et, Nitehawk presents a special One Nite Only screening of the new horror documentary Killer Legends in celebration of its upcoming March 16 premiere on the Chiller Network. The event includes a Q&A with filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills moderated by Fangoria’s Sam Zimmerman. If you enjoyed the documentary Cropsey from Zeman and are in or around Brooklyn this evening, Killer Legends looks to explore the true origins of urban legends on a much grander scale than the more intimate, personal exploration in Cropsey.
Killer Legends...
- 3/13/2014
- by Drew Tinnin
- DreadCentral.com
Chiller TV will debut its newest special, "Killer Legends," on Sunday, March 16th. It is hosted and directed by Josh Zeman (Cropsey) and explores true crime stories behind popular urban legends. Right now we have another Exclusive clip from the show for you to check out!
The hair-raising two-hour event, which begins at 8 Pm Et, focuses on four timeless urban legends that haunt the psyche of the American public. This horror documentary follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate the true crimes that may have spawned these urban legends while exploring how these myths evolved and why we continue to believe.
The documentary probes the following legends:
The Candyman: The film takes viewers to Houston, Texas, to explore the legend of tainted candy that strikes fear in parents every Halloween. Though the legend is prolific, in actuality there is only one documented case of a child dying...
The hair-raising two-hour event, which begins at 8 Pm Et, focuses on four timeless urban legends that haunt the psyche of the American public. This horror documentary follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate the true crimes that may have spawned these urban legends while exploring how these myths evolved and why we continue to believe.
The documentary probes the following legends:
The Candyman: The film takes viewers to Houston, Texas, to explore the legend of tainted candy that strikes fear in parents every Halloween. Though the legend is prolific, in actuality there is only one documented case of a child dying...
- 3/7/2014
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Back in 2009 director Josh Zeman created something of a stir with his dark and disturbing documentary Cropsey, a deconstruction and exploration of the real life basis of an urban legend from his home town. And Zeman is back now and mining similar territory with his upcoming Chiller backed follow up Killer Legends.Along with producer and co-host Rachel Mills, Zeman here looks into the historical basis for four urban legends: The Candyman, The Babysitter And The Man Upstairs, The Hookman and The Killer Clown. Want a taste of what's coming? We've got an exclusive Killer Legends trailer for you here. Titled Imitation of Death, this one focuses on the Hookman segment of the film and the so called Moonlight Murders that occurred in Texarkana in...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 3/4/2014
- Screen Anarchy
Having grown up in Brooklyn, New York, I can tell you first-hand there's no shortage of cool things to do. Well, if you're in the city that never sleeps, we are about to add something to the ever expanding list of coolness - we are giving away two tickets for the upcoming screening of "Killer Legends"!
Nitehawk Cinema (in Williamsburg/Brooklyn) presents a special one night only screening on Thursday, March 13, at 9:30 Pm of the new horror documentary Killer Legends" in celebration of its upcoming March 16 premiere on the Chiller Network.
The screening will also include a Q&A with filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills moderated by Fangoria’s Sam Zimmerman!
To enter for your chance to win, just send us an E-mail Here including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest and inform the winner by 5 Pm on Tuesday, March 11.
The...
Nitehawk Cinema (in Williamsburg/Brooklyn) presents a special one night only screening on Thursday, March 13, at 9:30 Pm of the new horror documentary Killer Legends" in celebration of its upcoming March 16 premiere on the Chiller Network.
The screening will also include a Q&A with filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills moderated by Fangoria’s Sam Zimmerman!
To enter for your chance to win, just send us an E-mail Here including your Full Name And Mailing Address. We’ll take care of the rest and inform the winner by 5 Pm on Tuesday, March 11.
The...
- 3/4/2014
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
On Sunday, March 16th, Chiller TV will debut its newest special, "Killer Legends," hosted and directed by Josh Zeman (Cropsey), which explores true crime stories behind popular urban legends. Right now we have an Exclusive clip for you to check out!
The hair-raising two-hour event, which begins at 8 Pm Et, focuses on four timeless urban legends that haunt the psyche of the American public. This horror documentary follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate the true crimes that may have spawned these urban legends while exploring how these myths evolved and why we continue to believe.
The documentary probes the following legends:
The Candyman: The film takes viewers to Houston, Texas, to explore the legend of tainted candy that strikes fear in parents every Halloween. Though the legend is prolific, in actuality there is only one documented case of a child dying from tainted candy: 8-year-old Timothy O’Bryan.
The hair-raising two-hour event, which begins at 8 Pm Et, focuses on four timeless urban legends that haunt the psyche of the American public. This horror documentary follows filmmakers Joshua Zeman and Rachel Mills as they investigate the true crimes that may have spawned these urban legends while exploring how these myths evolved and why we continue to believe.
The documentary probes the following legends:
The Candyman: The film takes viewers to Houston, Texas, to explore the legend of tainted candy that strikes fear in parents every Halloween. Though the legend is prolific, in actuality there is only one documented case of a child dying from tainted candy: 8-year-old Timothy O’Bryan.
- 2/28/2014
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
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