Private Project

The Xxtra Deadd

A husband-and-wife musical duo unwittingly summon a psychotic record producer back from the grave and will do whatever it takes to stop him…except maybe calling the police.

  • Stewart McLain
    Director
  • Stewart McLain
    Writer
  • Stewart McLain
    Producer
  • Kate Houle
    Producer
    A Cut Above
  • Kate Houle
    Key Cast
    "Dana"
    First Person
  • Rob Houle
    Key Cast
    "Lenny"
    First Person
  • Clark Cranston
    Key Cast
    "Shandy Blaine"
  • Jessica Haessly
    Key Cast
    "The Psychic"
  • Ben Olejniczak
    Key Cast
    "Carl"
  • Ian Moore
    Key Cast
    "Lafayette Lord (Older)"
  • Collin Catalano
    Key Cast
    "Chuck Miller"
  • Shan Fiorello
    Key Cast
    "Arlene"
  • Clark Cranston
    Key Cast
    "Comic Shop Owner"
  • Charlie DeVillers
    Key Cast
    "Simon Rose"
  • Joanna Dane
    Key Cast
    "Jazz Lady"
  • Thomas Killian
    Key Cast
    "Lafayette Lord (young)"
  • Jacob Snitgen
    Key Cast
    "Jerry Most"
  • Natalie Hoffman
    Key Cast
    "Holly Grundy"
  • Sam Birkett
    Key Cast
    "Simone Bailey"
  • Israel Del Toro (Delivery Guy)
    Non-Speaking Roles
  • Patricia Brogan (Waitress)
    Non-Speaking Roles
  • Niamh Brogan (Barback)
    Non-Speaking Roles
  • Abby McLain (Betsy Spring)
    Non-Speaking Roles
  • Rob Houle
    Composer
    Conjure X, A Cut Above, A Patient Man, Against the Night, R.V.,Charlotte, All I Want, Going Attractions, The Spellbook, Just Due
  • Stewart McLain
    Editor
  • Jake Yingling
    Sound Mixer/Boom Op
  • Zach Wilson
    Makeup Effects
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Horror
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 13, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,243 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
  • Slash Bash
    Kaukauna
    United States
    October 13, 2023
  • Weirdfest
    Okanagen
    Canada
    August 31, 2024
    Weirdest International Film
Director Biography - Stewart McLain

Stewart shot his first movie on an 8mm video camera when he was 11 years old. Upon viewing his work for the first time he was crushed to discover that it looked nothing like the James Bond movies on which it was based. It looked garish. Ugly. Fake. He erased it. (He regrets that now. It was probably cute.) He asked his father why it didn't look like a real movie. His father replied that it probably had something to do with lighting. Seven years later his father paid for that comment by means of tuition remitted to the excellent film program at Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL. That was in the year 2000.

After spending many years a performer and educator in the field of his other great love, music, Stewart made the decision to turn his focus back to film-making, beginning with music videos for Camille Bloom and Carter Hulsey. The Xxtra Deadd is his first foray into narrative film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Xxtra Deadd was originally meant to exist for one night only: October, Friday the 13th, 2023. It was an experimental production, a camp/horror vehicle written for that specific night, a movie whose plot was resolved through a live musical performance by the actors in the film. One night. One show. Finis.

Of course, as H.P. Lovecraft said, “That is not deadd which can eternal lie.” (or something like that)

Featuring members of Wisconsin-based bands Before Dawn, Modern Haunting, and Disconapse, The Xxtra Deadd dances on the graves of 1980s horror films and gives you a big, wet, sloppy kiss before dying…again.