Barak Epstein

Infobox actor


name = Barak Epstein
imagesize =
caption =
birthname =
birthdate = June 27, 1979
location = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
spouse =
occupation = film director, producer, screenwriter & actor
yearsactive = 1999 - present
website =
footnotes =
awards = 2004 B-Movie Film Festival
Best B-Movie
Best Director
"Prison-A-Go-Go!"
2001 Deep Ellum Film Festival
Best Comedy
""

Barak Epstein (b. June 27, 1979) is an American film director, writer, producer, and actor. Epstein's body of work is considered to mostly consist of B-grade or grindhouse films. The three films that he has directed include: "", "Prison-A-Go-Go!", and "Blood on the Highway".

Early Film Career

Epstein's first job in the film industry was working as an intern on the 1999 film, "Boys Don't Cry". He has worked on several films made by Troma Entertainment inlcuding "". Epstein appeared in Lloyd Kaufman's 2005 DVD set, "Make Your Own Damn Movie!" while on the set of "Prison-A-Go-Go!" The numerous crew positions that Epstein has held include: gaffer, camera operator, editor, assistant director, production manager, director of photography, and special effects assistant.

Feature Film Directing Career

Cornman: American Vegetable Hero

Epstein's debut as a director came with 2001's "", an action-comedy film on which he also served as a producer and writer. "Cornman" was about a loser whose ability to communicate with corn makes him become a crazy super hero. After which he battles the evil villain, Dr. Hoe, who wants to own all the corn in the world. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0295206/plotsummary Cornman: American Vegetable Hero (2001) - Plot summary ] ] The tagline for the film was, "Justice is coming.... for the Corn!". [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0295206/ Cornman: American Vegetable Hero (2001) ] ] The film went on to win the award for Best Comedy Film at the Deep Ellum Film Festival in 2001. [http://www.cornman2.com/]

Prison-A-Go-Go!

In his next venture as a director, Epstein tackled the women in prison film genre with 2003's "Prison-A-Go-Go!" Mostly, the film was a parody of the grindhouse sub-genre, telling the story of sweet Callista who is abducted for "scientific" reasons. It is up to her brainy sister Janie to solve the mystery and attempt a rescue. But the only clue leads to a wild and notorious prison in the Philippines, where committing a crime may be the only way in. [ [http://www.wipstudios.com/prison/info.html Prison-A-Go-Go! - INFO ] ] The film starred bigger names than his last feature, the cast included Rhonda Shear, Mary Woronov, and Lloyd Kaufman. The film won four awards at the B-Movie Film Festival including Best B-Movie, Best Director, and Best Actress (Rhonda Shear). [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339534/awards Prison-A-Go-Go! (2003) - Awards ] ]

Blood on the Highway

In 2008 Epstein co-directed with Blair Rowan the comedy-horror film, "Blood on the Highway". The film was about three twenty-something kids on a road-trip who have a gastrointestinal mishap with their map and accidentally wander into Fate, Texas, only to find the town populated by bloodthirsty, dimwitted vampires. A brutal run-in with two carnivorous convenience store clerks leads the three to take refuge with the town's only surviving humans and prepare for battle with an army of the undead. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1094294/plotsummary Blood on the Highway (2008) - Plot summary ] ]

Filmography

Director

* "" (2001)
* "Prison-A-Go-Go!" (2003)
* "Blood on the Highway" (2008) (with Blair Rowan)

Writer

* "" (2001)
* "Prison-A-Go-Go!" (2003)

Actor

* "" (2001)
* "The Tunnel" (2001)
* "I Wish My Beer Was as Cold as Your Heart" (2003)
* "Caffeine Headache" (2003)

Producer

* "" (2001)
* "Zombie Campout" (2002)
* "I Wish My Beer Was as Cold as Your Heart" (2003)
* "Caffeine Headache" (2003)
* "Prison-A-Go-Go!" (2003)
* "Blood on the Highway" (2008)

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0258428|name=Barak Epstein
*amg name|id=2:413844|name=Barak Epstein
* [http://www.barakepstein.blogspot.com/ Barak Epstein's Official Blog]
* [http://www.wipstudios.com/ Barak Epstein's Production Company]
* [http://www.cornman2.com/ Official Website for "Cornman: American Vegetable Hero"]
* [http://www.wipstudios.com/prison/index.html Official Website for "Prison-A-Go-Go!"]
* [http://www.bloodonthehighway.com/ Official Website for "Blood on the Highway"]