Southern Oregon Horror Film ‘IT CALLS’ Begins Production in Roseburg and Bandon

Spiderking Studios has begun production on its sixth feature film, a psychological cosmic horror project being filmed across Southern Oregon.

The film, titled IT CALLS, began shooting in mid-May and is expected to finish principal photography on Aug. 1. Filming locations include the Coquille River Lighthouse at Bullards Beach near Bandon, Sherm’s Thunderbird in Roseburg and the Roseburg Public Library.

The crowdfunded film is being produced on a $10,000 budget and is the studio’s largest project so far.

Director Jake Tranter said the production has grown well beyond the scale of the studio’s previous films, despite working with a relatively small budget.

“Between filming on the Oregon coast, bringing in Eileen Dietz, coordinating hundreds of submissions from interested extras, and pursuing both a festival run and worldwide distribution, all on a $10,000 budget, this has easily been our biggest undertaking yet,” Tranter said.

The film follows Charles, a man struggling with the death of his partner in a drunk-driving crash. After leaving his former life behind and moving to a quiet coastal town, Charles begins experiencing visions, voices and other events that cause him to question what is real.

Josh McDonald plays Charles.

The cast also includes Stephanie Jones, James Lucier III, Myrna Sands, Garrett Williams, Catherine Lassesen, Brad Allen, Andrew Laniohan, Cherakea Randall, Shane Hayes and Joseph Ziegler.

Nearly the entire cast and crew are from Southern Oregon. A small number of extras also traveled from Coos Bay after hearing about the studio’s casting call.

The production also includes actress Eileen Dietz, best known for her work as the face of the demon Pazuzu in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist.

Tranter first met Dietz while interning on film sets before directing his own projects. He later cast her in a smaller role and decided to bring her back for a larger part in IT CALLS.

“We flew her in from Hollywood, arranged her accommodations and worked directly with her manager, just as you would with any professional actor,” Tranter said.

Behind-the-scenes videos from the production have also gained attention online, with clips from the film’s development receiving millions of views across social media.

Although principal photography is scheduled to end Aug. 1, Tranter said the studio may return for a limited number of pickup shoots afterward.

Post-production is expected to take about a year.

The studio had initially hoped to submit the film to festivals in time for the upcoming Halloween season but narrowly missed several submission deadlines.

“We’d rather take the extra time than rush the final product,” Tranter said.

Spiderking Studios plans to submit the finished film to festivals before pursuing wider distribution. The long-term goal is to secure a theatrical and streaming release.

A local screening is also planned at Roseburg Cinema. Depending on the eventual distribution agreement, the studio hopes to organize a regional theater tour with cast appearances in communities across Oregon.

Test screenings may also be held at Roseburg Cinema before the film’s official premiere to gather feedback from local audiences.

Additional opportunities are still available for people interested in working with Spiderking Studios. Another extras casting call for IT CALLS is expected to be announced within the next several weeks.

Those interested in future casting or production opportunities can sign up at https://tinyurl.com/cacp6s4a.

More information and production updates are available at www.spiderkingstudios.com. The film can also be followed on IMDb at https://tinyurl.com/msrrwn77.