Horror Comedy’s Bridal Party Jitters

The horror comedy genre has been a staple of late-night TV and streaming services for years. Notable successes include Tucker & Dale vs Evil and What We Do in the Shadows. Vanessa Marano’s upcoming film, Ring Leader, promises to shake things up with its unique blend of horror and comedy.

Ring Leader follows a group of bridesmaids as they face their darkest fears on the eve of the big day. According to Marano, who will both produce and star in the film, the project is an homage to her own experiences being part of bridal parties. “It’s ‘Bridesmaids’ meets ‘Send Help,’” she quips, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Marano has built a successful career as an actress in shows like Switched At Birth. Her production company, Calabrian Rhode, has been gaining momentum with projects like the Netflix Original romantic comedy The Royal Treatment. Teaming up with British Columbia-based director Jason Lapeyre, Marano is pushing the boundaries of horror-comedy.

Lapeyre’s track record includes genre features such as Cold Blooded and I Declare War. His partnership with Marano on Ring Leader indicates a growing trend in women taking on leadership roles behind the camera. As Marano mentioned in her interview with Variety, she founded Calabrian Rhode in 2018 with her mother and sister – a rare instance of female-led production company.

The tax incentives in British Columbia play a crucial role in making Ring Leader a commercially viable film without sacrificing passion or vision. This allows filmmakers to make movies at a realistic scale without breaking the bank. With more productions moving north of the border, it’s clear that Canada is becoming an attractive destination for filmmakers.

Ring Leader will be filming in British Columbia, but its unique blend of horror and comedy makes it difficult to predict how audiences will react. The movie’s success raises questions about representation in Hollywood. With more women taking on leadership roles behind the camera, what does this mean for the future of filmmaking? Will we see a shift towards more female-led productions?

The Frontières Co-Production Market, where Ring Leader will be presented to genre buyers and industry professionals, unspools July 22-25 at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal. This could be the movie that breaks the mold of horror-comedy. Marano’s experience as an actress and producer also sheds light on the challenges women face in the industry.

Marano’s success story is a rare one, and it’s clear that more needs to be done to promote female-led projects. The curtain closes on Ring Leader, but for Marano and Lapeyre, this is just the beginning of their journey as filmmakers. With more projects in the pipeline, it’s clear that these two have a bright future ahead of them.

Marano’s own experiences being part of bridal parties are reflected in the movie’s blend of horror and comedy. This raises questions about our society: why do we find humor in the darkest moments? Ring Leader is a movie that will leave audiences talking long after the credits roll.