Tiverton Filmmaker Finishes Horror Anthology 'Hometown'

Could this terrifying experience happen in your hometown?

That's what independent filmmaker Jay Byrne asks his audience in his shocking old-fashioned, low budget horror anthology "Hometown." It premieres next month. The movie was filmed in Tiverton, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford and Raynham, and the 10 to 11 members of the cast and crew are local.

"I've been a horror film fan for years," Byrnes said in an interview Thursday. "We're just trying to get our name known. I used a lot of friends and family members. They've always wanted to be a part of it."

The 1993 graduate and native said this is the first full-length feature film he's made. Filming for "Hometown" began on March 4, 2011 and finished on Feb. 23 of this year. It's structured into three short stories within 72 minutes.

In the film's first story "The Abduction of Jordan," a young man gets abducted by a pair of amateur criminals. Trapped with little hope of escape he tells three horrific stories revolving around his hometown. In "The House on King Road," a woman discovers the terrifying truth that lurks in her own home. In "The Request," an unfortunate individual summons a demon to help solve his problems. Finally, in "The Sitter," a mother leaves her child with a woman who has much more disturbing things on her mind. 

Byrne said "Hometown" is actually began as a script for "Something to Turn Your Stomach" in 1994. Frustrated with the group he was working with, he left the project but said he still had the film bug. He decided to pull out the old script and rewrite it.

"I'm a huge fan of 70s and 80s-type horror films," Byrne said, citing influences like Joan Collins from "Tales From The Crypt" and directors William Cooke and Paul Talbot.

Byrne added he's submitted his film to a couple film festivals and he's already working on the script for the next movie.

Watch the trailer for "Hometown" at this link (WARNING: It contains graphic footage and suggestive language): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3NIDYeQa74.

To get a first look at Hometown, check out these upcoming events:

1. Byrne will have a booth where he will be selling copies of "Hometown" and talking with horror fans at: Southcoast Toy and Comic Show, Sunday May 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and at the Seaport Inn and Marina, 110 Middle Street
Fairhaven, MA. http://www.southcoasttoyandcomic.com

2. The official premiere screening is free of charge at: Brooklyn Coffee and Tea House, Saturday May 12, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., 209 Douglas Ave. Providence, RI. http://www.brooklyncoffeeteahouse.com/index.html

An "Cold Lights" was filmed in Little Compton recently.