Misplaced Pages

Eric Red: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 19:17, 6 April 2008 editVegaDark (talk | contribs)Administrators19,093 edits once again, re-add references section← Previous edit Latest revision as of 15:46, 6 June 2024 edit undoVegantics (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users13,125 edits removed Category:American film directors; added Category:Film directors from Pennsylvania using HotCat 
(118 intermediate revisions by 79 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American screenwriter and director}}
'''Eric Red''' (born '''Eric Joseph Durdaller''' on ], ], in ]) is a ] and ], best known for writing the ] classics '']'' and '']''.
{{Infobox person
|name = Eric Red
|image =
|caption =
|birthname = Eric Joseph Durdaller
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|02|16}}
|birth_place = ], U.S.
|occupation = Screenwriter, film director
}}
'''Eric Red''' (born '''Eric Joseph Durdaller'''; February 16, 1961) is an American ], ] and ], best known for writing the ] films '']'' and '']'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/107749/Eric-Red|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512014744/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/107749/Eric-Red|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 12, 2008|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=]|date=2008| title=Eric Red |access-date=May 26, 2012}}</ref> as well as writing and directing '']''.


==Biography==
Red attended the ] and graduated in 1983. His thesis script, '']'', was produced in 1986, and is considered a cult-horror classic.


===Early life===
A major studio remake of '']'' was released in 2007, with Red on board as a consultant.
Red was born in ], the son of Nancy (née Pickhardt) and Cornelius Gerard Durdaller.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/3/Eric-Red.html |title=Eric Red Biography |work=filmreference.com |access-date=May 26, 2012}}</ref> He attended the ] and graduated in 1983.


===Screenwriter career===
== Film discussion ==
The first film written by Red was '']'', a ] he produced and directed while a student at the ].<ref name="Buried">{{cite web|url=https://http |title=Interview with Eric Red |publisher=Buried.com |date=March 30, 2001 |access-date=August 21, 2011 |author=staff |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114075411/http://http// |archive-date=January 14, 2016 }}</ref> He went broke trying to get national distribution for the film and had to drive a cab in ] for a year to recoup.<ref name="]">{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/eric_red/biography.php | title=Eric Red Biography | publisher=Rotten Tomatoes | access-date=August 21, 2011}}</ref>
Some genre fans see three of Red's films, ''The Hitcher,'' ''Body Parts'' and ''Bad Moon,'' as a "Classic Monsters" series, a discussion which has taken place on various horror-themed message boards. To whit:
*''The Hitcher'' can be seen as a ] analogy, as the lead villain (portrayed by ]) uses a somewhat homoerotic psychological method of seducing the hero character (portrayed by ]) into becoming like him. In vampire mythology, vampires often used seduction to lure victims into receiving their bite, thus turning the victim into a vampire, as well.
*''Body Parts'' can be seen as an analogy for both ] and ]. The story's lead character (portrayed by ]) loses his arm in an auto accident and receives a replacement appendage from an executed serial killer during an experimental surgery. Later, the seemingly executed killer, with support from the doctor who performed the surgery, returns to reclaim the appendages donated to various amputees so that she might stitch him back together from the body parts (a la Frankenstein's monster). After receiving the donated arm the lead character soon begins to suffer nightmarish visions, uncontrolled rage and violent outbursts -- a releasing of his "inner evil," as it were. This would satisfy the same ] aspects of the Mr. Hyde analogy, while the character's profession (a criminal psychologist) would satisfy the Dr. Jekyll aspect.
*''Bad Moon'' is, of the three films, the most straightforward in respect to how it reflects upon the "classic monsters" analogies. The lead character (portrayed by ]) is inherently the same character as played by ] in the original film, ]. Both become victims of their curse when bitten by werewolves, and both struggle to keep their animal urges from surfacing, to little effect. Also worth considering is that that the werewolf legend itself could also be seen as a starting point for Jekyll and Hyde, as both deal with normally civil people falling victim to their murderous inner demons, whatever the trigger may be.


His AFI thesis script, ''The Hitcher'', was produced in 1986. A major studio remake of '']'' was released in 2007 with Red as a consultant.<ref></ref> From the '80s through the '00s, his subsequent produced screenplays were ''Near Dark'', ''Cohen and Tate'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''.
==Selected filmography==
*'']'', writer/director (2008)
*'']'', writer (2008)
*'']'', writer/director (1996)
*'']'', writer/director (1996)
*'']'', writer/director (1991)
*'']'', writer (1990)
*'']'', writer/director (1989)
*'']'', writer (1987)
*'']'', writer (1986)
*'']'', writer/director (1986)
*'']'', writer/director (1981)


==Fatal car crash== ===Director career===
The first feature film directed by Red was ''Cohen and Tate'' in 1987. He subsequently directed the films ''Body Parts'' (1990), ''Undertow'' (1995), ''Bad Moon'' (1996) and ''100 Feet'' (2008).


===Novelist career===
On ], ], Red was involved in an automobile collision on ] in ]. Red, driving a ], hit the back of a stopped ] at a red light. When the Honda's driver, Kenny Hughes, got out to speak to Red, the Jeep began driving forward, propelling the damaged car into the intersection. Because Hughes had set his ] before he got out, the Honda's passenger (Hughes's girlfriend, Aine Behan), was able to escape. The Jeep then crossed Wilshire and crashed through the window of a ] bar. One patron, 34 year old Noah Baum<ref> - with links to stories about the crash</ref>, was fatally crushed against the bar by the Jeep. Another, 26 year old David Roos, suffered massive internal injuries and died the following day. There were few indications that the Jeep had braked at any point, and Red seemed lucid immediately afterward, but then tried to commit ] at the scene, and has since claimed to have suffered a ]. ] authorities ultimately declined to file criminal charges against Red, but Red's driver's license was automatically suspended by the DMV<ref></ref>. Although Red tried to discharge his responsibility for the crash by filing for bankruptcy in Texas, the federal bankruptcy judge determined that Red acted intentionally in driving into the pub "in a fit of uncontrollable rage," causing the deaths of the two men<ref></ref>. A Santa Monica jury thereafter awarded over a million dollars to the families of the two deceased young men, although Red has refused to pay the judgment. The finding that Red had acted intentionally was confirmed in both federal <ref></ref> and state courts of appeal<ref></ref><ref> - Death Race</ref>.
Eric Red published his first novel, ''Don't Stand So Close'', in 2011. His subsequent published novels are ''The Guns of Santa Sangre'' (2013), ''The Wolves of El Diablo'' (2017), ''It Waits Below'' (2014), ''Noose'' (2018), ''Hanging Fire'' (2019), ''White Knuckle'' (2015), ''Strange Fruit'' (2014), ''Branded'' (2021) and ''The Crimson Trail'' (2021).

===Car crash===
Following a car accident, Red crashed his truck into a crowded bar in Los Angeles on May 31, 2000, resulting in the deaths of two patrons. After the incident, Red apparently exited his vehicle and ] by slitting his own throat with a piece of broken glass. News reports from the time stated that he had suffered from ] with occasional blackouts.<ref name="Piccalo">{{cite news|last=Piccalo |first=Gina |title=Driver Who Plowed Into Pool Hall Has History of Blackouts |work=] |date=September 23, 2000 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-23-me-25541-story.html |access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref> Among the witnesses were three retired FBI agents that were a few feet from the point of impact, with one stating for the police statement that Red appeared "wake and alert". Red survived the incident, was taken to the hospital under an alias and was released weeks later. It was disclosed at the investigation that Red was driving on a suspended license due to a collision the previous year while his insurance was lapsed, with Red stating to police that he did not know his license was suspended (he had renewed it in the last month of 1999). He later disclosed that he had lied to police, assuming that a stop would lead to his arrest. Thick skid marks from the front tires were spotted inside the bar.

No criminal charges were brought against Red, but a jury in a civil suit awarded monetary damages to the families of the victims, which challenged his claim of being treated for syncope by Dr. Herbert A. Rubin, who recanted these claims in his deposition. During the civil trial, he announced his move to Austin, Texas to find employment and later filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy for the second time in his life (having done so in 1995). The suit, which awarded over a million dollars to the families of the two men killed in the accident, was appealed to state and federal courts, which confirmed the original jury finding.<ref name="Cullum">{{cite news|last=Cullum |first=Paul |title=Death Race 2000 |work=] |date=January 12, 2006 |url=http://www.laweekly.com/2006-01-12/news/death-race-2000 |access-date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography==
'''Short films'''
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
! Editor
|-
| 1981
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1986
| ''Telephone''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
|}

'''Feature films'''
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
|-
| 1986
| '']''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1987
| '']''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1989
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1990
| '']''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1991
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1996
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2007
| '']''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2008
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
|}

'''TV movies'''
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Director
! Writer
|-
| 1993
| '']''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 1996
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|-
| 2015
| '']''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
|-
|}

==Bibliography==
*''Containment'' (2005)
*''Don't Stand So Close'' (2011)
*''The Guns of Santa Sangre'' (2013)
*''It Waits Below'' (2014)
*''Strange Fruit'' (2014)
*''White Knuckle'' (2015)
*''The Wolves of El Diablo'' (2017)
*''Noose'' (2018)
*''Hanging Fire'' (2019)
*''Branded'' (2021)
*''The Crimson Trail'' (2021)
*''Stopping Power'' (2021)


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0714599}}

{{Eric Red}}


{{Authority control}}
*{{imdb name|id=0714599|name=Eric Red}}
*Interview with Eric Red about 100 Feet and Nightlife


{{DEFAULTSORT:Red, Eric}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Red, Eric}}
]
]
]
] ]
]
]
]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 15:46, 6 June 2024

American screenwriter and director
Eric Red
BornEric Joseph Durdaller
(1961-02-16) February 16, 1961 (age 63)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, film director

Eric Red (born Eric Joseph Durdaller; February 16, 1961) is an American screenwriter, director and novelist, best known for writing the horror films The Hitcher and Near Dark, as well as writing and directing Cohen and Tate.

Biography

Early life

Red was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of Nancy (née Pickhardt) and Cornelius Gerard Durdaller. He attended the AFI Conservatory and graduated in 1983.

Screenwriter career

The first film written by Red was Gunmen's Blues, a short he produced and directed while a student at the AFI Conservatory. He went broke trying to get national distribution for the film and had to drive a cab in New York City for a year to recoup.

His AFI thesis script, The Hitcher, was produced in 1986. A major studio remake of The Hitcher was released in 2007 with Red as a consultant. From the '80s through the '00s, his subsequent produced screenplays were Near Dark, Cohen and Tate, Blue Steel, Body Parts, The Last Outlaw, Undertow, Bad Moon and 100 Feet.

Director career

The first feature film directed by Red was Cohen and Tate in 1987. He subsequently directed the films Body Parts (1990), Undertow (1995), Bad Moon (1996) and 100 Feet (2008).

Novelist career

Eric Red published his first novel, Don't Stand So Close, in 2011. His subsequent published novels are The Guns of Santa Sangre (2013), The Wolves of El Diablo (2017), It Waits Below (2014), Noose (2018), Hanging Fire (2019), White Knuckle (2015), Strange Fruit (2014), Branded (2021) and The Crimson Trail (2021).

Car crash

Following a car accident, Red crashed his truck into a crowded bar in Los Angeles on May 31, 2000, resulting in the deaths of two patrons. After the incident, Red apparently exited his vehicle and attempted suicide by slitting his own throat with a piece of broken glass. News reports from the time stated that he had suffered from Syncope with occasional blackouts. Among the witnesses were three retired FBI agents that were a few feet from the point of impact, with one stating for the police statement that Red appeared "wake and alert". Red survived the incident, was taken to the hospital under an alias and was released weeks later. It was disclosed at the investigation that Red was driving on a suspended license due to a collision the previous year while his insurance was lapsed, with Red stating to police that he did not know his license was suspended (he had renewed it in the last month of 1999). He later disclosed that he had lied to police, assuming that a stop would lead to his arrest. Thick skid marks from the front tires were spotted inside the bar.

No criminal charges were brought against Red, but a jury in a civil suit awarded monetary damages to the families of the victims, which challenged his claim of being treated for syncope by Dr. Herbert A. Rubin, who recanted these claims in his deposition. During the civil trial, he announced his move to Austin, Texas to find employment and later filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy for the second time in his life (having done so in 1995). The suit, which awarded over a million dollars to the families of the two men killed in the accident, was appealed to state and federal courts, which confirmed the original jury finding.

Filmography

Short films

Year Title Director Writer Editor
1981 Gunmen's Blues Yes Yes Yes
1986 Telephone Yes Yes Yes

Feature films

Year Title Director Writer
1986 The Hitcher No Yes
1987 Near Dark No Yes
1989 Cohen and Tate Yes Yes
1990 Blue Steel No Yes
1991 Body Parts Yes Yes
1996 Bad Moon Yes Yes
2007 The Hitcher No Yes
2008 100 Feet Yes Yes

TV movies

Year Title Director Writer
1993 The Last Outlaw No Yes
1996 Undertow Yes Yes
2015 Night of the Wild Yes No

Bibliography

  • Containment (2005)
  • Don't Stand So Close (2011)
  • The Guns of Santa Sangre (2013)
  • It Waits Below (2014)
  • Strange Fruit (2014)
  • White Knuckle (2015)
  • The Wolves of El Diablo (2017)
  • Noose (2018)
  • Hanging Fire (2019)
  • Branded (2021)
  • The Crimson Trail (2021)
  • Stopping Power (2021)

References

  1. "Eric Red". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  2. "Eric Red Biography". filmreference.com. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
  3. staff (March 30, 2001). "Interview with Eric Red". Buried.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. "Eric Red Biography". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  5. EyeForFilm.co.uk -Interview with Eric Red about 100 Feet and Nightlife
  6. Piccalo, Gina (September 23, 2000). "Driver Who Plowed Into Pool Hall Has History of Blackouts". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  7. Cullum, Paul (January 12, 2006). "Death Race 2000". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved March 21, 2024.

External links

Films directed by Eric Red
Categories: