A Sussex filmmaker has created his latest movie in a haunted house.
Jonathan Sothcott has created a horror film involving a terrifying serial killer in a story about a "venetian style" fortune-telling machine, The Harbinger - which is the title of the film.
The Harbinger has been produced by Sussex-based company Shogun and was filmed just two minutes out of Hailsham, in a real haunted house in Polegate.
Mr Sothcott, who co-owns Shogun Films, said that during the filming process, there were strange noises throughout the building, including footsteps and a "funny" ringing bell, which startled an actress.
"Making a horror movie at a haunted house ads to the mood," he said.
Mr Sothcott sung the praises of the Pavilion, saying the Hailsham theatre was a "real heart of the community".
"To have something so beautiful there is really remarkable," he said.
"This is very much a screen that is open to the public."
Horror fans in Sussex have the chance to see the film two days before its public release, on August 8 at the Hailsham Pavilion.
The film follows Julia, who is the lone survivor of a satanist serial killer’s rampage, and who is drawn back to the killer’s house for a ghost-hunting television show.
Inside, the crew finds a fairground fortune-telling machine possessed by the killer’s spirit.
After each member seeks their fortune from the machine, they become trapped by dark forces that threaten to resurrect the murderer.
When talking about the inspiration behind the film, Mr Sothcott said that he and his wife were walking down the promenade in Hastings when a Zoltar fortune-telling animatronic came to life.
"That’s really scary, we should do a horror movie about that," he said.
The fortune-telling machine in the film, The Harbinger, was made using practical effects.
It is a puppet that can be controlled by humans to bring it to life.
Mr Sothcott expressed that people are so used to CGI that it is good "to go for an old school effect when you can".
"There are so many horror movies now, so to try and find an original concept for one is quite hard," he added.
Actress Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott, Jonathan's wife, plays Julia in the film.
"We work really well together," Mr Sothcott said.
He highlighted how involved Jeanine is in the filmmaking process.
"If she’s not in the scene, she is helping out with the catering."
Mr Sothcott released Helloween last year.
Shogun also advocates for physical media and has previously released several vinyl, CD soundtracks, and books.
Peter Woodward stars as the terrifying serial killer Henry Decker and Nick Nevern as The Harbinger.
For The Harbinger, a special blue ray edition has been created .
"We try really hard to load it with extras, so people aren’t just buying a DVD."
When asked about making the movie, Mr Sothcott said it was a pleasure to work with everyone on set.
"It is so much fun, I can honestly say The Harbinger was the happiest shoot I’ve ever had."
"I grew up loving movies, and I am very lucky to do what I do."
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