Show Notes
John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread We're kicking off our new retrospective series, John Carpenter: The Shape of Dread, with a two-part look at ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13. This week, we examine the early life and formative influences of John Carpenter, tracking his upbringing and his time at the University of Southern California before he jumped into his second feature assignment. We break down the initial development of the script and how Carpenter adapted classic Western tropes for a contemporary, urban landscape. We also follow the production timeline through the logistics of securing financing and assembling the essential cast and crew, including the casting of Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston. Part 2 drops next week, covering the chaotic shoot and the film's enduring legacy.
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Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy. This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne & Justin Bishop. Image: "Portrait of John Carpenter.jpg" by Kyle Cassidy, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified from original. This derivative work is also licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. For episode archives, merch, show notes, and more, visit cinemashock.net
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