Oregon Twins' First Film A Minor Hit

The Hollywood-based production company that hired Rob and Neil Taylor to make a horror movie gave the twin brothers from Oregon City $1,500 and some simple instructions: do whatever you want -- just be sure it's really bloody. Thirteen months later, the Taylors completed "Evil Cult," a 90-minute feature shot mostly around their home, with a cast made up of family and friends and a gory body count.

"Evil Cult" is about a loner named Neil Stryker (played by Rob) who encounters an apocalyptic cult that harbors a dark secret. Those who refuse to join get their brains melted, their bodies mangled, and then they are stuffed into cages.  When the cult decides it can't win over Stryker, sparks fly, and the carnage meter shoots off the scale.

Shooting began, but it quickly became clear that they would have little artistic control over the final product, so the Taylors returned the $1,500 advance. Costs rose to $15,000 as the brothers bought a Sony DSR200 digital video camera and an Apple G4 computer. For editing, they used Apple's Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects software.

Their initial movie deal soured, so the brothers signed on with IndieDVD, an independent film-distribution company based in Kirkland, Wash., that offered the artistic control the brothers had sought.  Two days after its release Nov. 11, more than 800 orders were placed for "Evil Cult," said IndieDVD producer Kimberly Daniels. 

"That's a good start, especially since I don't think these actors are really well known," she said. Her company made 2,500 copies, a standard first-production run. "Evil Cult" is available online at Amazon.com and Best Buy.

Buy the movie here.

Source: Oregon Live