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It's Just A Game

Brianna (Hannah Cohen-Lawlor) is a shy, bashful teen who is constantly getting humiliated by the other girls in her social circle. Her circumstances change when she is kidnapped by a bizarre theatre cult intent on summoning an ancient witch.

  • Daniel Emery Taylor
    Director
    The Hospital
  • Daniel Emery Taylor
    Writer
    Camp Massacre
  • James Azrael
    Producer
    Farewell Darkness
  • Amanda Strickland
    Producer
  • Hannah Cohen-Lawlor
    Key Cast
    "Brianna"
  • Leah Hudspeth
    Key Cast
    "Sister Amelia"
  • Rachel Fiona Marshall
    Key Cast
    "Skullgirl"
  • Sarah Kopkin
    Key Cast
    "Ruby"
  • Nadine Forbes
    Key Cast
    "Claire"
  • Cassandra Bryson
    Key Cast
    "Mother Murder"
  • Alex Zuko
    Key Cast
    "Brother Marco"
  • Daniel Emery Taylor
    Key Cast
    "Brother Thaddeus "
    The Retrun of Swamp Thing
  • James Azrael
    Key Cast
    "Brother Julius "
    The Hospital 2
  • Amanda Strickland
    Key Cast
    "Vee"
  • Alica Clark
    Key Cast
    "Jade"
  • Chris Steele
    Key Cast
    "Joel"
  • G Larry Butler
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Peterson "
  • Tobias Elmore
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Azo"
  • Elisha Williams
    Key Cast
    "Joy"
  • Daniel J. Pico
    Editor
    Cabin Fever: Patient Zero
  • Matthew Festle
    Sound Design
    Lunch Ladies
  • William Schweikert
    Director of Photography/Cinematographer
    Union, The Hospital, Camp Massacre
  • Mallory Ivy
    Assistant Director
  • Daniel L. Bamberg
    Sound Mixer
  • Matthew Festle
    Sound Design / Foley
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Horror, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 22 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 27, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • World Premiere
    Naperville
    United States
    December 1, 2018
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Daniel Emery Taylor

Daniel Emery Taylor got his first taste of movie magic at the age of eight as an actor when he landed the role "Darryl" in the campy 80's cult favorite THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING. Film entranced him and he was unable to walk away. Years later, Taylor found himself unhappy with what he saw coming out of the independent film scene and decided to write and direct his own feature film, THE HOSPITAL, a relentless, brutal tale of terror. This was followed up with the features CAMP MASSACRE, a horror comedy, and THE HOSPITAL 2. In 2016, Taylor launched his own production company, Debtor Entertainment. IT'S JUST A GAME is its inaugural film.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9198295/

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Director Statement

From the mind of Daniel Emery Taylor, an actor best known for THE RETURN OF SWAMP THING and a writer/director best known for THE HOSPITAL and CAMP MASSACRE, comes a twisted tale of teenage bullying, jealousy, angst, and a bizarre theatre cult intent on summoning the spirit of an ancient witch. Taylor's solo directorial debut, IT'S JUST A GAME is an ethereal, haunting psychological thriller with a Giallo sensibility. A tale that is as fresh as it is indescribable. Taylor promises a change of direction from his previous work. "I wanted to present something that nobody else could: something born solely in my mind. Sure, you can see my influences - you can see the Argento, the Refn, the Raimi, the Hitchcock - but I am pleased that what I have is uniquely Daniel Emery Taylor."

IT'S JUST A GAME reunites Taylor with some of his frequent collaborators: producer James Azrael, director of photography Bill Schweikert, and sound mixer Daniel L. Bamberg. "Aside from the friendships I have with these great people, they work hard and do exemplary work. You really couldn't ask for better people to have your back." Helming the post-production team is editor Daniel J. Pico (CABIN FEVER: PATIENT ZERO, FAREWELL DARKNESS). "This is my first time working with Daniel and I am absolutely astonished at his artistry. You often think of editing as being very technical but his vision is every bit as big of a part of this as James and mine are." Taylor also brings back actors G Larry Butler and Alicia Clark, both of whom had turns in THE HOSPITAL and CAMP MASSACRE. "They're phenomenal. I didn't want to do this without having them both involved."
He seems most excited when talking about some of the new talent he worked with. "Hannah Cohen-Lawlor is the star of this film - in more ways than one. A prodigious performance. One day she will be a star and I will take full credit for discovering her, haha. Rachel Fiona Marshall as Skullgirl absolutely shines and stands to join the echelon of great horror character actors. Leah Hudspeth was recommended to me by most everyone I knew and I couldn't be happier that I cast her. The performances that she and Alex Zuko give is electric. They have tremendous chemistry. They're sexy, funny, and scary ... pretty much everything you want in this kind of project."