Dread Central Explained

Dread Central
Commercial:Yes
Type:Horror news, interviews, reviews
Language:English
Owner:Dread Central Media, LLC
(Epic Pictures Group)
Editors:Mary Beth McAndrews, Josh Korngut
Country Of Origin:United States
Current Status:Online

Dread Central is an American website founded in 2006 that is dedicated to horror news, interviews, and reviews. It covers horror films, comics, novels, and toys. Dread Central has won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website four times and was selected as AMC's Site of the Week in 2008.

History

Dread Central was founded on July 4, 2006.[1] When a venture to create a horror-themed cable television channel stalled, the web team left and established their own news site.[2] [3] In 2012, a negative review posted by Scott Foy attracted controversy when Foy and the film's director, Jim Wynorski, engaged in a verbal altercation online.[4] On September 30, 2019, Jonathan Barkan announced he was stepping down as editor-in-chief. As of December 2021, Mary Beth McAndrews is now Editor-in-Chief and Josh Korngut is managing editor.[5]

Website

The site's staff use horror-themed aliases. The website has a broad focus, and it covers both mainstream and fringe topics that range from horror films to comics to toys. Besides reviews and news, they also host several podcasts.[6] Steve Persall of the Tampa Bay Times states, "if it gushes blood or desecrates flesh, Dread Central covers it."[7] The site is oriented toward a male demographic and favors edgy, exploitative films.[7]

After 10 years, Dread Central became reader-supported via Patreon.[8] This would make Dread Central the first genre news site to switch from being ad-supported to being crowd supported.[9] Celebrity supporters include John Carpenter,[9] Gale Anne Hurd,[9] Sid Haig,[10] Adam Green,[10] and Darren Lynn Bousman.[11]

Other ventures

In 2007, Dread Central and VersusMedia announced Horror D'Oeuvres, a competition for independent short films.[12] [13] In 2008, the site partnered with several other prominent horror sites and studios in a horror-themed auction to raise money for the Entertainment Industry Foundation.[14] In 2013, they partnered with Gas Lamp Museum and the San Diego Ghost Hunters to organize a ghost hunt at the William Heath Davis House. The proceeds went toward upkeep for the historic site.[15] Also in 2013, they began offering the "Box of Dread", a random package full of merchandise delivered monthly to subscribers, one of whom is randomly chosen to receive a "special edition" valued at $250.[16]

CineMayhem

See main article: CineMayhem. CineMayhem, a film festival for independent genre films, was founded by Heather Wixson in association with Dread Central's Indie Horror Month. The festival, whose inaugural date was March 2–3, 2013, is presented in Thousand Oaks, California.[17] The festival is backed by Scream Factory, Sideshow Collectibles, Magnet Releasing, and Breaking Glass Pictures.[18]

Reaper Awards

See main article: Reaper Award. Dread Central and Home Media Magazine present the Reaper Awards annually for the best home video releases and direct-to-video features.[19] It is held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and is hosted by Steve Barton, co-founder of Dread Central.[20]

DREAD

In 2017, Dread Central Media was acquired by Epic Pictures Group. The independent studio announced it would be launching a new distribution label specializing in horror films released in theaters and on demand.[21] [22] On January 29, 2019, the label was renamed DREAD. Their first in-house produced film, The Golem, will be the first film under the DREAD Originals banner.[23] [22]

DREAD Podcast Network

The DREAD Podcast Network consists of a variety of diverse, free audio series celebrating all things horror.[28] Podcasts on the network include:

DreadXP

DreadXP was founded in 2019 by Dread Central founder Jon Condit and overseen by editor in chief Ted Hentschke as a video gaming website with a focus on editorial, reviews, podcasts, and original streaming content.[35] In 2020, DreadXP turned to video game publishing with the release of Dread X Collection, an anthology of horror video games created by several indie developers.[36] [37] In early 2024, it was announced that Hunter Bond and Brian Clarke would be taking charge at DreadXP.[38]

Games published

YearTitleDeveloper(s)
2020Dread X Collection
2020Dread X Collection 2
2020Dread X Collection 3
2021Dread X Collection: The Hunt[39]
2021SpookwareBeeswax Games
2022[40] Akabaka
2022Dread X Collection 5[41]
2022The Mortuary AssistantDarkstone Digital
2022Mirror ForgeMystiveDev
2022Iron Lung (Nintendo Switch port)[42] David Szymanski
2023Red TapePollaris Studios
2023Amanda the AdventurerMANGLEDmaw Games
2023My Friendly NeighborhoodEvan Szymanski
John Szymanski
2024Akabaka
2024Dread DelusionLovely Hellplace
2026Paranormal Activity: Found FootageDarkStone Digital

Reception

Dread Central was chosen as AMC's Site of the Week, in 2008.[6]

It was nominated for Total Film's Best Horror Blog, in 2010.[43]

It won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website for the years 2009-2012.[44] [45] [46] [47]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dread Central Turns 7!. Barton. Steve. Dread Central. 2013-07-04. 2013-11-26.
  2. Web site: Viva La DreadCentral! The Horror Channel DEAD!?. Bloody Disgusting. 2006-06-18. 2013-11-26. October 8, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061008204532/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/6634/. dead.
  3. Web site: Behind The Scenes Photos From Nacho Cerda's The Abandoned At The Re-Launched Dread Central. Brown. Todd. Twitch Film. 2006-07-05. 2013-11-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221827/http://twitchfilm.com/2006/07/behind-the-scenes-photos-from-nacho-cerdas-the-abandoned-at-the-re-launched.html. December 2, 2013. dead.
  4. Web site: 'Piranhaconda' Director Lashes Out at Critic. Singer. Matt. Indiewire. 2012-06-20. 2013-11-26.
  5. Web site: Dread Central Announces New Editor-In-Chief And Managing Editor. December 13, 2021.
  6. Web site: Site of the Week: Dread Central. Neuman. Clayton. AMC. 2008-02-14. 2013-11-26. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001739/http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2008/02/site-of-the-wee-9/. dead.
  7. News: In Gore They Trust. Persall. Steve. Tampa Bay Times. 2007-03-09. 2013-11-26.
  8. Web site: Barton. Steve. Help #SaveDreadCentral – Show Your Support!. Dread Central. December 12, 2016. January 4, 2017.
  9. Web site: Couch. Aaron. Kit. Borys. How Dread Central's "Hail Mary" Campaign to Stay Open Could Change Genre Journalism . The Hollywood Reporter. December 21, 2016. January 4, 2017.
  10. Web site: Barton. Steve. Patreon Exclusive: Adam Green, Arwen, and Sid Haig Talk #SaveDreadCentral. December 21, 2016. January 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106012132/http://ww.dreadcentral.com/news/204260/patreon-exclusive-adam-green-arwen-sid-haig-talk-savedreadcentral/. January 6, 2017. dead.
  11. Web site: Barton. Steve. Patreon Exclusive: Darren Lynn Bousman and Joe Knetter Talk #SaveDreadCentral. December 16, 2016. January 4, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170106012119/http://ww.dreadcentral.com/news/203764/patreon-exclusive-darren-lynn-bousman-joe-knetter-talk-savedreadcentral/. January 6, 2017. dead.
  12. Web site: DreadCentral.com and VersusMedia Team Up to Find THE Best Independent Short Horror Films. Wells. Michael. 2007-08-17. 2013-11-26.
  13. Web site: Open Call for Horror shorts!!. Walkuski. Eric. JoBlo.com. 2007-04-12. 2013-11-26.
  14. Web site: Horror-Themed Charity Auction This Saturday. UGO. 2008-10-08. 2013-11-27. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203022405/http://www.ugo.com/movies/horror-themed-charity-auction-this-saturday. 2013-12-03.
  15. Web site: Go ghost-hunting (for real!) with Dread Central in San Diego. Fangoria. 2013-07-11. 2013-11-26. December 2, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202234417/http://www.fangoria.com/new/go-ghost-hunting-for-real-with-dread-central-in-san-diego/. dead.
  16. Web site: Are You Brave Enough to Open the Box of Dread?. Miller. Ryan. JoBlo.com. 2013-08-27. 2013-11-26.
  17. Web site: Thousand Oaks revels in Indie Horror "CineMayhem" this March. Zimmerman. Samuel. Fangoria. 2013-02-13. 2013-11-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221752/http://www.fangoria.com/new/thousand-oaks-revels-in-indie-horror-cinemayhem-this-march/. December 2, 2013. dead.
  18. Web site: 2013 CineMayhem Official Film Lineup Announced. Burkart. Gregory. Fearnet. 2013-02-18. 2013-11-26.
  19. Web site: Voting Is Open for the 2012 Reaper Awards. Castillo. Sara. Fearnet. 2012-09-18. 2013-11-26.
  20. Web site: The 2010 Reaper Awards. Duran. Marco. DVD Verdict. 2013-11-26.
  21. News: Epic Pictures To Launch Dread Central Presents; Robert Galluzzo To Run It. Ramos. Dino-Ray. 2017-10-12. Deadline. 2018-06-16. en-US.
  22. Web site: Introducing - Dread Central Presents! - Dread Central. www.dreadcentral.com. October 12, 2017. en-US. 2018-06-16.
  23. News: Dread Central Presents is Now DREAD and We've Teamed Natasha Kermani and Brea Grant For LUCKY!. Barkan. Jonathan. 2019-01-29. www.dreadcentral.com. 2019-02-01. en-US.
  24. Web site: Therkelsen. Michael. Review: Josh Hasty's "CANDY CORN" (Thee Throwback Film of Halloween 2019). Horror Society. September 12, 2019. June 1, 2021.
  25. Web site: Ditched Epic Pictures . epic-pictures.com . 20 January 2022 . en.
  26. Web site: Terrifier – Dread Central Presents Poster Premiere! Release Date Announced!. Barton. Steve. December 12, 2017. Dread Central. June 1, 2021.
  27. Web site: Millican. Josh. We're Releasing 3 New Horror Movies: SACRIFICE, UNCLE PECKERHEAD, and LA CASA!. Dread Central. June 18, 2020. June 1, 2021.
  28. Web site: DREAD Podcast Network . 2023-03-21 . Dread Central . en-US.
  29. Web site: Condit . Jon . 2021-03-17 . DEVELOPMENT HELL joins the DREAD Podcast Network New Episode Drops Next Week . 2023-03-21 . Dread Central . en-US.
  30. Web site: Chernov . Matthew . 2021-10-26 . 12 Horror Movie Podcasts to Make You Scream . 2023-03-21 . Variety . en-US.
  31. Web site: Codas . Marcos . 2021-02-18 . FRIGAY THE 13TH Horror Podcast Joins the DREAD Podcast Network! . 2023-03-21 . Dread Central . en-US.
  32. Web site: Millican . Josh . 2021-06-23 . GIRL, THAT'S SCARY Is Now Part of the DREAD Podcast Network! . 2023-03-21 . Dread Central . en-US.
  33. Web site: McAndrews . Mary Beth . 2022-06-13 . 'Kim & Ket Stay Alive... Maybe' Celebrate Their 200th Episode With First-Ever Sammie Awards . 2023-03-21 . Dread Central . en-US.
  34. Web site: Millican . Josh . 2021-04-21 . POST MORTEM WITH MICK GARRIS Is Now Part of DREAD Podcast Network! . 2023-03-21 . Dread Central . en-US.
  35. Web site: Hentschke . Ted . 2019-08-30 . Announcing DREAD XP - Gaming Content By Gamers For Gamers . 2023-01-09 . Dread Central . en-US.
  36. Web site: Beresford . Trilby . 2020-04-09 . Epic Pictures to Launch Gaming Venture With Playable Horror-Themed Trailers (Exclusive) . 2023-01-09 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  37. Web site: 2020-04-09 . Introducing: The Dread X Collection . 2023-01-09 . DREAD XP . en-US.
  38. Web site: Wood . Justin . 2024-01-18 . New Year, New DreadXP . 2024-02-07 . Dread Central . en-US.
  39. Co-produced by David Szymanski
  40. Web site: 2022-02-11 . This Lovecraftian Visual Novel Is The Perfect Valentine's Day Game For Monster-Fuckers . 2023-01-09 . Kotaku . en.
  41. Web site: Wilson . Mike . 2022-02-07 . Twelve Indie Devs Announced for 'Dread X Collection 5', Due in April . 2023-01-09 . Bloody Disgusting! . en-US.
  42. Web site: Iron Lung for Nintendo Switch . 2023-04-24 . Nintendo Official Store . en-us.
  43. Web site: 2010 Blog Awards: Best Horror Blog. Total Film. 2009-12-01. 2013-11-26.
  44. Web site: 'District 9,' biography of Lugosi and Karloff, Rue Morgue take top Rondo honors. RondoAward.com. 2010-05-15. 2013-11-26.
  45. Web site: 'The Black Swan,' restored 'Metropolis' and 'Art of Hammer' take top Rondo honors. RondoAward.com. 2011. 2013-11-26.
  46. Web site: Vincent Price tribute, 'Island of Lost Souls' take top Rondo Award honors. RondoAward.com. 2012. 2013-11-26.
  47. Web site: 2012 RONDO AWARDS ANNOUNCED!. Janisse. Kier-La. Fangoria. 2013-04-09. 2013-11-26. December 2, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232335/http://www.fangoria.com/new/2012-rondo-awards-announced/. dead.

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