Author-turned-filmmaker—in addition to editor, actor, musician and screenwriter—John Skipp (pictured) has a history of being entrenched in the horror genre, and this remains true now more than ever.

Although many films in the 1970s dealt with the horror of the Vietnam War and the affected soldiers’ difficult return to “normal” life in the United States (LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, DEATHDREAM, TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE), BLOOD FREAK (playing tonight at Nitehawk Cinema's VHS Vault!) certainly isn’t one of them.

“A big novelty surprise comes with each purchase,” Peter Cushing slyly says as The Proprietor in FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE (1973). If he had a Snidely Whiplash mustache to twirl, he would. Were he a lesser actor, he would rub his palms together with evil glee. But he’s Peter f’n Cushing, and all he needs is a glance. Even from across the decades and, well, beyond the grave, he’s still got gravitas.

Most home invasions have to do with taking people’s property, but the villains of IN THEIR SKIN are after something more. The film, originally titled REPLICAS (see review here), arrives in theaters this Friday, and its creators and cast discuss it below.

IN THEIR SKIN, while as intense as home invasion requires, also provides a neat spin in the motives of its invaders, one that explodes in a show stopping scene Fango is exclusively giving you a peek at—accompanied with words from director Jeremy Regimbal—below.

The world of horror certainly is a diverse and multi-faceted entity. For those in it for the blood, there’s plenty of gore and guts to go around. For those who seek something more substantial, a vast universe can be found beyond its grimy facade. Horror is a genre driven by passion. Those who operate within its boundaries are fueled by a love for the macabre and an overwhelming desire to create. Nowhere does the spirit of independent filmmaking flourish like it does here. No other genre can boast the type of loyalty and devotion like the kind found amongst the widespread community of horror fans. There are many who celebrate these distinguishing traits, but few who have gone to as great a length as Douglas Schulze. An independent filmmaker who works primarily in fright flicks, Schulze is also the co-founder of Michigan’s THE MOTION PICTURE INSTITUTE.  His journey from fan to filmmaker is relatable to anyone who's ever thought of picking up a camera and is both an inspiration and  example of what the world of horror is all about. Now, his latest feature hits the 2012. New York City Horror Film Festival

Continuing our conversation with Barry Levinson, director of the found-footage ecological horror film THE BAY (now in limited release and on VOD), which began here…