Red Scream Films

Red Scream Films and Buffalo’s Haunted Terminal

“Prison of the Psychotic Damned,” a 2006 offering from the independent production house Red Scream Films, presents a familiar horror trope: a group of ghost hunters venturing into an abandoned location with a dark history. In this instance, their destination is the Buffalo Central Train Terminal, a place rumored to have witnessed over two hundred deaths. This review aims to delve beyond the surface scares, exploring the film through the history and vision of Red Scream Films, the individuals who brought this project to life, and the critical and audience reactions it garnered. By examining these facets, we can gain a deeper understanding of this independent horror endeavor and its place within the broader landscape of low-budget genre filmmaking.

The Scream Begins: The Genesis of Red Scream Films

Red Scream Films operates out of Buffalo, New York, and was founded by David R. Williams. Williams’ background includes a formal study of “Media Study” at the State University of New York at Buffalo , suggesting a foundational understanding of the filmmaking process. His roles extend across producing, directing, and writing , indicating a significant personal investment and a likely driving creative force behind the studio’s projects. This multi-faceted involvement is a common characteristic of independent filmmaking, where resources often necessitate individuals taking on multiple responsibilities. This can foster a distinct artistic vision but also presents challenges in terms of workload and potential limitations on production scale.

Behind the Screams: The Creative Team

The directorial reins of “Prison of the Psychotic Damned” were held by D.W. Kann , while the screenplay was penned by David R. Williams. The cast features Melantha Blackthorne as Kansas, Daiane Azura (credited as Demona Bast) as Aurora, Noel Francomano as Nessie, Susan Adriensen as Rayna, and James Vaughn as Jason. These actors embody the ghost-hunting team that ventures into the terminal. Examining the filmography of Red Scream Films reveals a consistent engagement with the horror genre. Other productions around the same period include “FrightWorld,” also released in 2006. This simultaneous release of two horror films in the same year suggests a period of intense creative output or a strategic focus on establishing a presence within the genre.

A Filmography of Fear: Red Scream Films’ Productions

Looking at the broader filmography of Red Scream Films, a clear pattern of dedication to horror emerges. Titles such as “Red Scream Nosferatu” (2009), “Red Scream Vampyres” (2009) , “Disintegration” (2015) , and “Cleric” (2014) illustrate a sustained commitment to exploring various facets of horror, from classic monster themes to psychological thrillers and even science fiction-infused horror. This focused approach likely allows the studio to cultivate a specific audience and develop a brand identity within the independent horror scene. David R. Williams’ continued involvement as a writer and producer across these projects underscores his pivotal role in shaping the studio’s creative direction. The description of “Red Scream Vampyres” as featuring “erotic grotesque” elements hints at a potential inclination towards more adult or transgressive themes within their horror narratives. “Prison of the Psychotic Damned,” being an earlier work in their filmography, can be seen as part of this ongoing exploration of the horror genre. Its focus on a supernatural investigation aligns with certain later productions, while its likely low budget might distinguish it from potentially more polished or stylistically distinct works like the steampunk-influenced “Red Scream Nosferatu.”

Into the Terminal: Plot and Premise of “Prison of the Psychotic Damned”

“Prison of the Psychotic Damned” centers on five ghost hunters led by Professor Rayna Bloom (Susan Adriensen), who embark on an overnight investigation of the infamous Buffalo Central Train Terminal. This location, with its reported history of over two hundred deaths, serves as the central stage for their paranormal pursuit. The team includes Rayna’s cameraman, Jason (James Vaughn); a psychic named Aurora (Daiane Azura); a trust-fund goth princess named Kansas (Melantha Blackthorne); and Rayna’s friend Nessie (Noel Francomano). The film’s synopsis suggests that their expectations of a routine ghost hunt are quickly shattered as they encounter more sinister forces within the terminal’s confines. The presence of character names like Kansas, Aurora, and Nessie, along with the later appearance of figures such as Dr. Necrophilia (Michael Ciesla) and torture victims (Crystaline Miller and Jessica Grangier) , hints at a descent into more extreme and macabre horror elements as the narrative unfolds.

A Haunted Backdrop: Cinematography in the Terminal

The Buffalo Central Train Terminal itself plays a crucial role in the film. Its Art Deco architecture and long history of abandonment provide a naturally unsettling and visually interesting backdrop, perfectly suited for a ghost story. This choice of location likely served a dual purpose for a low-budget independent film: it offered inherent atmosphere without the need for extensive and costly set construction. The grand yet decaying spaces of the terminal, with its long corridors and shadowed corners, could have been effectively utilized to create a sense of unease and isolation. While an article in Buffalo Rising might have offered further details on the production’s use of this location , its inaccessibility limits a full understanding of this aspect. Nevertheless, the terminal’s unique character undoubtedly contributes to the film’s overall ambiance. Given the film’s likely budgetary constraints, the cinematography probably relied heavily on the inherent atmosphere of the terminal to create a sense of claustrophobia and suspense. Techniques such as low-key lighting, tight framing within the enclosed spaces, and perhaps even handheld camerawork could have been employed to enhance the raw, immediate feel often associated with independent horror productions.

Critical Silence: Lack of Formal Reviews

The critical and audience reception of “Prison of the Psychotic Damned” appears to be overwhelmingly negative. On IMDb, the film, listed as “Prison of the Psychotic Damned: Terminal Remix,” holds a very low rating of 2.3 out of 10, based on 194 ratings. This score suggests widespread dissatisfaction among viewers. Information from Rotten Tomatoes, which could have provided a formal aggregation of critical opinions, is unfortunately inaccessible. However, the extremely low IMDb rating strongly implies a lack of positive critical attention as well.

Audience Verdict: A Scream of Disapproval

Audience sentiment mirrors this negativity, with the same low rating of 2.3 out of 10 on IMDb indicating that the film did not resonate well with a significant portion of its viewers. One Amazon customer review offers a more nuanced perspective, noting a slow beginning but mentioning the inclusion of topless nudity and graphic gore later in the film. This suggests that while the overall experience might have been lacking for many, the film might have found a niche audience seeking extreme content. The reviewer also pointed out discrepancies in the widescreen format between the DVD and a streaming version, which could further impact viewer satisfaction.

Conclusion: A Damned Experience?

In conclusion, “Prison of the Psychotic Damned” appears to be a product of Red Scream Films’ early dedication to the horror genre, heavily influenced by the vision of its founder, David R. Williams. The film’s premise, set within the naturally eerie Buffalo Central Train Terminal, held the potential for atmospheric horror, but the overwhelmingly negative reception from both critics and audiences suggests that the execution may have fallen short. While the film might cater to a specific niche interested in explicit content, its low rating indicates broader issues with narrative, acting, or production value. The journey of Red Scream Films as an independent horror studio, as evidenced by their continued output in the genre, highlights the challenges inherent in low-budget filmmaking. Ultimately, “Prison of the Psychotic Damned” serves as a reminder that even with a compelling setting, a film needs strong execution across all its elements to truly captivate and terrify its audience.

Table: Red Scream Films – Selected Filmography

Title	Year of Release	Director	Genre
Prison of the Psychotic Damned: Terminal Remix	2006	D.W. Kann	Supernatural Horror
FrightWorld	2006	Unknown	Slasher/Supernatural Horror
Red Scream Vampyres	2009	Unknown	Erotic Horror
Red Scream Nosferatu	2009	Unknown	Vampire/Steampunk Horror
Cleric	2014	Unknown	Sci-Fi Horror
Disintegration	2015	Unknown	Psychological Thriller

Table: “Prison of the Psychotic Damned” – Key Crew and Cast

Role	Name
Director	D.W. Kann
Writer	David R. Williams
Kansas	Melantha Blackthorne
Aurora	Daiane Azura (Demona Bast)
Nessie	Noel Francomano
Rayna	Susan Adriensen
Jason	James Vaughn
Torture Victim	Crystaline Miller
Torture Victim	Jessica Grangier
Dr. Necrophilia	Michael Ciesla
Necro-Doctor’s Assistant	Kelly Budniewski
Cannibal Surgeon	Kidtee Hello
Orderly One	Terry Kimmel