production & pre-production
CANDIDS!
BELOW:
The director checks out framing

ABOVE and BELOW, right:
The director cases the joint...
BELOW, left:
On the set for the very first scene shot: (l.-r.) producer, director, actor...


BELOW:
The director makes up James Brewster for a scene early in the film (Elissa Neil at left)...

....and LEFT:
Richard Lee Porter for one of the final scenes
PRE-PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTION CANDIDS and PUBLICITY photos, 1980 (below)


RIGHT:
director McKeown in Dods' basement studio/workshop "riding" the large, elaborate metal armiture of the mother Spawn with its cast-sculpture skulls (designed and built by Dods and awaiting its musculature and dermis)

RIGHT:
The director setting up the "leper" shot in Charles' room

BELOW:
creating rain (director at far right)
RIGHT:
Millie (Ethel Michelson) and Bunny (Judith Mayes) standing by on the set


RIGHT:
director, cinematographer, and crew set up toothsome shot

The crew creates a rainy day during the New Jersey drought of 1980-81 (the director wields the garden hose, right)

BELOW:
director (with FX man Dods at left, rear)
Harvey, Ted, Doug; a break in filming scene 2


ABOVE:
the director, believing "more is more," adding blood between takes

ABOVE:
more publicity - the attic climax


ABOVE:
the original theatrical poster, art by Tim Hildebrandt