Sophia and Michael’s 2020 in Review
2020. Well, it’s over. We could go on forever about all of the horrible suffering, much of it due to neglect, failure, and maliciousness, but we’ll try and reflect on the positive things we personally found and did in a … Read More
Sophia directs Bloodhound – available on Arrow Player (An ancient vampire is stuck in the body of an angry chihuahua)
During the pandemic we adopted a very special chihuahua-mix, King Ghidorah the Dog. It became evident along our journey that he was actually an ancient vampire is stuck in the body of an angry chihuahua! We made this mini-documentary about … Read More
Sophia interviewed for filmmaking documentary: Microbudget Marauders Too
Sophia was interviewed about being a microbudget genre filmmaker for the documentary, Microbudget Marauders Too. “What is a micro budget film? Have you ever come across a super low budget movie on a streaming platform and thought, Wow, how is … Read More
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 11 with Bob Rose – December 11, 2020
Episode 11 with Bob Rose – December 11, 2020 Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein of Launch Over share insights into the creative process, discussing and analyzing the movies they watch and the movies they make. [ Without Your Head … Read More
Michael makes a cameo in the St. Patrick’s Day segment of Happy Horror Days (2020)
Michael appears as Mr. Keane in Bel Deliá’s St. Patrick’s Day segment.
My First Horror Movie Ep. 83 w/ Sophia and Michael talking about A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 and The Stuff
My First Horror Movie Ep. 83: Michael Epstein & Sophia Cacciola (Launch over Productions) [Instagram] [Twitter] [Facebook] https://www.youtube.com/sledgehammerhorror?fbclid=IwAR1uOUheQ3SK8Hmxby8EY7_qnZVWoBvoTzXxkjDc2c-1UhsiCNeJ59whhYw
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 10 with Stephen Stull – November 20, 2020
Episode 10 with Stephen Stull – November 20, 2020 Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein of Launch Over share insights into the creative process, discussing and analyzing the movies they watch and the movies they make. [ Without Your Head … Read More
Sophia and Michael appear in the Zoom film, Candemic: Secret Werewolf Saga
The Rhino Crate Presents a Troy Minkowsky Film “Candemic: Secret Werewolf Saga” Michael Epstein – Sophia Cacciola – Josh Teale – Kayla Caulfield – Victoria Paradis – Richard Chandler Music by James Force Recorded & Edited by Dennis Maler Titles … Read More
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 9 with Aaron Barrocas – October 23, 2020
Episode 9 with Aaron Barrocas – October 23, 2020 Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein of Launch Over share insights into the creative process, discussing and analyzing the movies they watch and the movies they make. [ Without Your Head … Read More
Sophia and Michael collaborate with Without Your Head’s Neal Jones on short documentary, Umbilicus Desidero
Earlier this year, Neal Jones’ body was forever changed by a surgery. This 4-minute, satirical doc explores how Neal’s life has changed. Shot by Sophia and directed and edited by Michael, the film features family guest appearances by Neal’s mother, … Read More
Sophia and Michael help shoot Direct To Video, a documentary about the early-mid 90’s “Direct To Video” horror films – Out now!
Sophia and Michael have been working with director Dustin Ferguson to help shoot his forthcoming documentary, Direct to Video, a 2019 documentary about the early-mid 90’s “Direct To Video” horror films! Check out some of the interviews we’ve helped on! … Read More
Night Kisses: Launch Over Short Film Scores: Volume 1
Launch Over Short Film Scores: Volume 1 by Night Kisses Film Scores: Volume 1 contains all of the odds and ends of Launch Over produced (or tangential) short films and feature films for which we’ve made small contributions by Night … Read More
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 8 with Catherine Capozzi – October 9, 2020
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 8 with Catherine Capozzi – October 9, 2020 Sophia Cacciola and Michael J. Epstein of Launch Over share insights into the creative process, discussing and analyzing the movies they watch and the movies they make. [ … Read More
Michael interviewed for The Horror Anthology Handbook out on October 27th! Pre-orders now
I am honored to be included in the “words of wisdom” section of this fantastic guide to horror anthologies! We’ve done quite a lot of microbudget anthology work in the past few years and I’m definitely excited to see the … Read More
Sophia appears on Not Suitable for Anyone Podcast to discuss Clickbait
Sophia had a great time going into a thematic deep-dive of Launch Over’s horror-satire, CLICKBAIT with the podcast, Not Suitable for Anyone! Full of spoilers, so watch the film then listen to the podcast! Not Suitable for Anyone is a podcast … Read More
Michael edits Izzy Lee’s “Disco Graveyard” – playing at festivals now!
Don’t be dead. The dead are dumb. Be weird. Written, directed, produced & narrated by Izzy Lee Produced by Steve Johanson Edited by Michael J. Epstein Composed by Shayne Gryn Executive Producers: Josh Malerman, Paul Furio, Christopher D. Grace, Sarah … Read More
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 5 – Blood of the Tribades Q&A hosted by Neal Jones – September 4, 2020
Launch Over Podcast: Episode 5 – Blood of the Tribades Q&A hosted by Neal Jones – September 4, 2020 Neal Jones of Without Your Head hosts a very special Q&A with the cast and crew of Blood of the Tribades. [ Without Your … Read More
Michael appears on the Flush Studios Podcast
I had a fantastic time chatting with Josh Stifter of Flush Studios (check out their Patreon) about a variety of things, including being creative during the pandemic. Check it out! Flush Studios Podcast · Filmmaker/Musician Michael J Epstein
Sophia, Michael, and King Ghidorah the Dog make MILKSODA, a fan-film tribute to SODAMILK
SODAMILK mixes soda and milk for you. We mix milk and soda.
Michael appears in the Super-VHS-shot film, The Shackling
Michael appears as one half of the “couch TV couple” with Geena Matuson in Reel Groovy Films’ John Hartman’s The Shackling. Possibly the only Super VHS feature film being released in the world, in 2020. Synopsis: During the mid … Read More
Sophia is included in book 1000 Women in Horror
Sophia was interviewed for the new book, 1000 Women in Horror 1895-2018 by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. It is available in hardcover and paperback. Blowing a kiss back through time and space from Aaliyah to Jill Rae Zurborg, 1000 Women in Horror, … Read More
Sophia plays bass and sings on new Drab band EP and video
Why Don’t Women Like Me by Drab Sophia played bass in a band in Boston called Drab. They just released an EP, WHY DON’T WOMEN LIKE ME, of lost material that was recorded in 2016 before Sophia moved to Los … Read More
Sophia and Michael produce horror-comedy short, Half-Cocked – playing at festivals now!
We had the pleasure of producing Aaron Barrocas’s horror-comedy short, Half-Cocked! Screenings: Sick ‘N’ Wrong – Aug 10, 2019 – CityArts Orlando – Orlando, FL Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival – Aug 23, 2019 – Dipson Theatres Eastern Hills Cinema … Read More
Sophia and Michael on the Indie Infestation Podcast!
We had a great time talking with Joe and Zane at Indie Infestation about some of our projects, the state of the world, and our (okay, just my) desire to start a billion-dollar Thundarr the Barbarian franchise. On this week’s … Read More
Clickbait Facebook watch party Q&A archive with cast and crew from 5/30 hosted by Without Your Head
Without Your Head Presents Watch Party Movie Night Q&A Saturday Night May 30th – Clickbait feature film screening and cast/crew Q&A! (other ways to watch Clickbait) Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/withoutyourheadhorror/ Audio Only http://withoutyourhead.com/viewnews.php?autoid=110834 https://www.facebook.com/events/248303849724177/ https://launchover.com/launch/clickbait/
Michael is the editor on the Watch Clark music video, “Consider the Titanic”
Michael had the pleasure of working with director Izzy Lee and artist Watch Clark as editor for the “Consider the Titanic” music video. Backscatter Effect by Watch Clark
Sophia is cinematographer and Michael is gaffer/cam op on Tara Price’s Tea Time
Tea Time IMDb – TMDb – Letterboxd – Facebook During her tea party, a little girl loses her temper and things get bloody. Featuring pro-wrestler Rob Van Dam (WWE Champion, ECW World Heavyweight Champion.) Festivals: WINNER – BEST COMEDY SHORT … Read More
Sophia is cinematographer on Alice Bag “Sister Dynamite” music video
The title track and second single from the Alice Bag’s forthcoming record SISTER DYNAMITE out May 8th 2020 on In The Red Records. Available for pre-order at: www.intheredrecords.com! Crew Directed by: Marise Samitier Director of Photograhy: Sophia Cacciola Steadicam Operator: … Read More
Women of Rock Oral History Project interview with Zia McCabe
Zia McCabe Interviewed by Tanya Pearson Cinematography by Sophia Cacciola Edited by Michael J. Epstein
Michael does audio post-production work on Manos Returns, the sequel to Manos: The Hands of Fate! Now streaming!
Now streaming on Amazon Prime https://amzn.to/2Wi2aye Manos Returns will make its world premiere at Crypticon Seattle, Friday, May 4 at 9 pm as part of the North West filmmakers showcase. I had the great pleasure of doing the sound mix … Read More
Sophia performed with Bring Us Your Women March 8, 2019 at The Somerville Theatre – LIVE VIDEO
Sophia will be performing with Catherine Capozzi and Axemunkee and friends to celebrate icons Mary Magdalene, Sirens, and the world premiere performance of Medusa! (About the previous performances) We also helped produce all of the videos that will accompany performances. … Read More
Sophia, Michael, and John Campopiano interviewed by Kellen Pembleton on Kellen’s Petty Talk Show podcast
We had a great time chatting with our good friends Kellen Pembleton and John Campopiano for an episode of Kellen’s Petty Talk Show. We talk about projects we’ve worked on, learn more about John’s amazing documentary work, and we’re only … Read More
Bring Us Your Women – the music and film!
Sophia and Michael are featured on the new Bring Us Your Women album, a project led by Catherine Capozzi. The album release also coincides with a film anthology, with a short film by one of 13 filmmakers from around the … Read More
Sophia and Michael make a brief appearance in HARLEY QUINN & BIRDS OF PREY: Princess Rap Battle
Our friends over at Princess Rap Battle have made another fantastic video. We have worked on a number of their past videos. For this one, we are just bar attendees in a few scenes. If you don’t blink, you might … Read More
Michael directs “Pride” segment for SINS – now out on blu-ray via Darkside Releasing
Darkside Releasing blu-ray available now Sick ‘n’ Wrong Film Festival – 2020 – Orlando, FL (Winner: Weirdest Boner Award) – Watch the archive of the Q&A for block at Sick ‘n’ Wrong Sick ‘n’ Wrong Video Interview on Without Your … Read More
Michael directed segment for the 2021 UK anthology, “I am an Addict”
I Am an Addict from Darkside Releasing on Vimeo. Blu-Ray available via Darkside Releasing “I AM AN ADDICT” is an upcoming horror anthology film, directed by Rob Ulitski, Mary C Russell, Michael J. Epstein, Harry George Bartholomew, Sam Mason Bell, … Read More
Sophia and Michael’s 2019 in Review
2019! Weird year. We drove our van cross-country to pick up the last of our possessions in Boston and then we took up permanent residence in Hollywood (moving out of Los Feliz). We shot a lot of movies, and we … Read More
Michael works on Princess Rap Battle – DOROTHY vs ALICE: Princess Rap Battle (Emily Kinney, Ryan McCartan, Whitney Avalon) and The Queen of Hearts vs. The Wicked Witch (Alyssa Preston, Whitney Avalon)
I had the pleasure of working playback on the Princess Rap Battle! I had previously also worked on other shoots. Check out their Youtube channel, Facebook page, and Patreon! I mostly helped with playback, but here I am being … Read More
Show Us Your Shot – Find out how we faked a car hit in Half-Cocked over at B&H!
Find out how we faked a car hit in Half-Cocked over at B&H! In this segment of Show Us Your Shot, director Aaron Barrocas discusses how the production team of the horror-comedy short film Half-Cocked was able to create the illusion, safely, … Read More
Sophia and Michael help shoot Jimmy Eat World “555” music video
We had the great pleasure of working with directors Michael Gill and Jimmy Eat World’s Jim Adkins to bring to life Jim’s Overseer KLARRG and his minions (portrayed by Mr. Mark Jude Sullivan). We handled lights and camera. Make-up artist Renae … Read More
Michael edited Izzy Lee’s new weirdo existentialist film, The Obliteration of the Chickens
Synopsis: The universe does not care. The abyss is stupid. Narrated by author Bracken MacLeod, this Herzog-inspired fever dream uses 100% stock footage to reflect on the banality of existence. Written, directed & produced by Izzy Lee Narration by Bracken … Read More
Clickbait is out on VOD in the US! (plus trailer and reviews!)
Clickbait (2018) A college student who will do just about anything for Internet fame is kidnapped by a fan, and her reluctant roommate is the only one who can save her in this horror satire of popularity culture. Score available … Read More
Sophia and Michael shot a Hollywood guerrilla music video for City Bros
Michael J. Epstein We shot a Hollywood guerrilla music video for City Bros! Check it!
Shawna Shea Film Festival 2019 includes: Half-Cocked, Re-Home, The Dial Tone of Doom, Umbilicus Desidero (Winner: Best Short Doc), and The Obliteration of the Chickens (Winner: Best Editing Short)
Very excited that several of our films are playing the wonderful and important Shawna Shea Film Festival!!! GET TICKETS HERE Umbilicus Desidero – Thursday, Oct. 3 Starlite Gallery 129 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA – 7:30 PM (w/Reed Unbound: The … Read More
Sophia and Michael interviewed on Indie Infestation podcast at GenreBlast
Speaking of GenreBlast Facebook – Twitter – All Episodes Sep 13, 2019 Well it is time to make your weekend a supersized excellent weekend with the latest monster sized episode of Indie Infestation. Joe, Zane and good ‘ole Cookie Lips Lombardo … Read More
Michael is cinematographer and editor on GreatDaeg (Daeg Faerch) “HOT AF” music video
Hot AF – GreatDaeg (OFFICIAL MOVIE) ProdBy DNMRKBOOM Directed by KellenPembleton ShotNEdited by Michael J. Epstein Featuring Mickey Faerch as Poe &Alexa Carreno as GothGirl Car courtesy E. John Damasco
Michael works as Production Coordinator on Whitney Avalon’s “Waiting For That Dance” (Agent Carter Avengers Endgame Song) music video
Check out the ever-talented Whitney Avalon‘s latest music video for the Agent Carter Avengers Endgame Song, “Waiting For That Dance” I had the pleasure of helping out on crew on this video! We’ve worked with Whitney a few times before as well, … Read More
Toot Strudels – the self-heating toaster pastry America needs!
Great news for fans of Clickbait’s self-heating toaster pastry, the Toot Strudel! You can buy Toot Strudels t-shirts… …and take the Toot Strudels personality quiz to find out which Toot Strudel you are! You can also learn the secret past … Read More
GenreBlast 2019 recap / Q&As with The Dial Tone of Doom (Catherine Capozzi Best Score WINNER), Half-Cocked (Pat Healy Best Actor Nomination), Umbilicus Desidero (Best Micro-Short Nomination), and Re-Home (Izzy Lee Best Director Nomination)
We had a great time at GenreBlast 2019! The Dial Tone of Doom’s Catherine Capozzi won the award for Best Score Short Film! There are Q&A recordings from both of our blocks – Re-Home/Half-Cocked/The Dial Tone of Doom – Umbilicus … Read More