‘Gouge Away’: A Lost Film Come To Life [Giallo Julian’s

This is a shining example of the power of indie horror filmmaking.

Got another one in store for y’all, Fright Fiends! We’re taking a look at Jeff Frumess’s second feature film. It also happens to be a sequel to an earlier flick of his that was never finished. Sounds like the beginning of a Creepypasta, doesn’t it? Let’s talk a bit about — Gouge Away!

“Tony the Stamper is about to uncover a nasty secret when his mentor Stanley goes missing amid a hazardous narcotic gas that has flooded the city streets.”

Frumess said on the production:

“Gouge Away started its life as another film called Wash Away, which began production March 6-8 of 2020… Days before the world shut down. We had only completed around 20% of the film. Ultimately, it permanently halted production and made certain creative obstacles impossible at that point in time.”

March 2020 was when the Covid-19 pandemic hit full force, grinding the production of many films to a halt, along with live cinemas, travel, and everything else that goes into making and marketing films. And, you know, everything else in the world. 

“On the one year anniversary, I was mourning the incomplete film when I made a promise that somehow, some way, I would see it through — it was an empty promise because I had NO IDEA how I could possibly resume work for a myriad of reasons… Until I was taking a shower and it hit me like a bolt of lightning: If I can’t make the movie I started out making, then I will make the what-happened-to-Laura-Palmer–Twin-Peaks-mystery-thriller-horror sequel and change the name from Wash Away to Gouge Away!”

With this newfound inspiration to finish the film one way or another, Frumess and his crew — Matt Ritacco, Jack Wheeler, Zack Spicehandler, Renee Mandel, Dave Street, Chris La Vigna, Brandon “Bones” Parker, Greg “The Bankrobber” Anderson, Jeaninne Frumess, Jacob Trussell, and Tristan Leclere — accomplished just that. Unfortunately, the journey to the movie’s completion wasn’t without loss.

“In the 2.5 years since we completed the film, co-stars Renee Mandel, Dave Street, and Greg Anderson passed away. This film is dedicated to them, who always fought and persevered through tough times. They taught me the most valuable lesson in both life and independent filmmaking: Never. Give. Up. It is one of the core themes of this film, and I hope that it is a lasting example for anyone out there who thinks they cannot overcome the creative obstacles they may be struggling with.”

My heart goes out to Mandel, Sheet, and Anderson’s loved ones. I promise to cover every bit of this film’s release in honor of the hard work everyone has done to bring this project to fruition, despite every setback and every loss along the way. The struggles Indie creators face —in filmmaking, in writing, in performing, in all aspects of the process — are great and many. Furmess, his crew, and every single other creator out there who’s persevered through all these hardships, bringing your visions to life for all of us to see: sincerely, thank y’all so much for that.

Gouge Away actually had its premiere not too long ago as part of the Genreblast Film Festival hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse. Once I hear more on its wider release, I’ll let you know immediately!

Until next time… Ciao, friends!

Giallo Julian’s Twitter – Facebook

This Spotlight is dedicated to Renee Mandel, Dave Street, and Greg Anderson.

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