Midnight Syndicate Films, in partnership with Hollywood FX producer Robert Kurtzman and his company, Precinct 13 Entertainment, began production on “The Dead Matter” feature-length, horror-suspense film, this week, in Crestline, Ohio. Chardon, Ohio-based director and producer Edward Douglas � founder of the nationally-recognized Halloween horror music act Midnight Syndicate � is remaking his original version of the film into Northeast Ohio’s largest locally-produced and independently -funded film, scheduled for release in 2008. Filming is scheduled for the entire month of August.

Headlining the rest of the cast is Andrew Divoff of ABC’s “Lost”, television star Jason Carter and horror film veteran, Tom Savini. Divoff (Vellich), most recently known as the eye-patch-wearing rogue Mikhail Bakunin on ABC’s “Lost”, has acted in “Wishmaster”, “Air Force One” and Precinct 13’s “The Rage” (2007). In addition to films, Carter (Ian) has appeared in television shows including “Babylon 5”, “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Charmed”. Savini (Sebed) is a 30-year veteran in the horror film genre with roles in “Dusk Till Dawn”, “Dawn of the Dead”, and most recently, Quentin Tarantino’s and Robert Rodriguez’s “Grindhouse”.

Additional lead actors include Sean Serino (Gretchen), Westlake, Ohio-native Tom Nagel (Mike), CB Spencer (Jill) and Brian Van Camp (Mark). Midnight Syndicate voiceover artist Christopher Robichaud, originally from Chardon, Ohio, will reprise his role of Frank from a 1996 version of “The Dead Matter”.

In addition to the main cast, two horror host legends will contribute to lineup: Dick Dyszel, better known to fans as Count Gore De Vol and Cleveland's Big Chuck Schodowski, a 47-year television veteran and personality.

“Having Big Chuck on board adds to the showcase of local talent contributing to the film,” said Edward Douglas. "It’s great because I grew up watching his shows, and many of the movies he featured inspired my early interest and education in the horror film genre. I'm really excited to have him and the Count on board."

Douglas added, “I love Ohio and truly believe the tremendous talent pool here. It has been my dream to have the opportunity through Midnight Syndicate Films to do my part in making films of quality in this region.”

Except for six LA-based actors, virtually all of the cast and crew are originally from, or currently reside in Ohio, including Nagel and Robichaud. The filming will take place in and around Crestline, Ohio � the hometown of Robert Kurtzman (writer/producer of “Dusk till Dawn” and co-founder of the KNB EFX Group) and Precinct 13 Entertainment Studios.

About “The Dead Matter”

Why Rule the Living When You Can Control the Dead?

“The Dead Matter” tells the story of a vampire relic with occult powers that falls into the hands of a grief-stricken young woman who will do anything to contact her dead brother. The film is an updated remake of the 1996 film that Edward Douglas produced and directed for $2,000. Midnight Syndicate will score the film and plans to release multiple soundtrack CDs in conjunction with the tentative film release date in 2008.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us, having worked 10 years toward the goal of positioning ourselves to remake “The Dead Matter” in a large-budget, full-scale production,” said Douglas. “We’ve taken our time to fully develop the story, and attract top talent, to deliver the best film possible for both our current fans and all fans of the horror genre."

Gavin Goszka, “The Dead Matter” music supervisor, added, "The soundtrack CD will be in the style of Midnight Syndicate releases, and integrate new material and atmospherics to allow listeners to explore the dark and supernatural world created in the film.”

Complete information is at TheDeadMatter.com and on IMDB. Also, don't forget to check out The Dead Matter at MySpace