Kurt Sayenga is a writer, director, and showrunner who has become a leading force in horror documentary filmmaking. Kurt made a name for himself with series like Eli Roth’s History of Horror, The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time, and Horror’s Greatest, where he brings a scholar’s eye and a fan’s passion to the genre’s most iconic moments. In this episode, we delve into Kurt’s journey from punk-rock zine publisher to award-winning documentarian, his approach to keeping horror history fresh, and his insights on the past, present, and future of the horror genre. Please enjoy this conversation with Kurt Sayenga!

• The Mummy (1932)
• The Architects of Fear (The Outer Limits, 1963)
• Carrie
• Horror Express
• Don’t Look Now
• Nosferatu (2022)
• Beau Is Afraid
• Magnolia
• Silence of the Lambs
• Se7en
• Terrifier 2
• Barbarian
• Companion
• Heart Eyes
• The Stuff
• Dr. Strangelove
• Videodrome
• The Fly
• The Exorcist
• Cell (Stephen King)
• Hereditary

• Kurt Sayenga
• Quentin Tarantino
• Rob Zombie
• Greg Nicotero
• Edgar Wright
• Eli Roth
• David Lynch
• Mario Bava
• Dario Argento
• Lucio Fulci
• Takashi Miike
• Nicolas Roeg
• Ari Aster
• Paul Thomas Anderson
• David Cronenberg
• Stephen King
• Robert Eggers
• Jordan Peele
• David Dastmalchian

• The Misfits
• The Cramps
• Gun Club
• Fugazi
• Minor Threat

• IMBd: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1012131/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermeneuticcircle/
• Website: https://www.kurtsayenga.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-sayenga-57961a8/

On this episode we dive deep into the making The Invisible Raptor with writer and star Mike Capes and producer Nic Neary. The film is a hilarious, Amblin-inspired horror-comedy that delivers big creature-feature thrills (without ever showing the creature itself).

Mike and Nic share how the movie originated as a 3 AM idea, the journey from script to screen, and how they secured funding and distribution in a competitive indie film market. They also get into guerrilla filmmaking tactics, crafting a compelling pitch package, boosting production value with amazing locations and handling on-set crises. Please enjoy this conversation with Nic Neary and Mike Capes.

• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Ghostbusters (1984)
• The Goonies (1985)
• Indiana Jones franchise
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• Jaws (1975)
• Airplane! (1980)
• The Naked Gun (1988)
• Gremlins (1984)
• Super Troopers (2001)
• Speed (1994)
• Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
• Ghostbusters II (1989)
• Terrifier (2016)
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• Teen Wolf

The film industry is oversaturated with scripts, projects, and ideas—pitching something uniquely is essential. The Invisible Raptor team understood that a script alone wouldn't grab attention, so they built a compelling pitch package with costumes, action figures, a movie poster, and a humorous pitch video. These tangible assets made the project feel real to investors, giving it momentum before it was even funded. A script isn’t always enough—filmmakers should create visual, physical, or digital materials to showcase their vision, commitment and enthusiasm.

Conventional wisdom tells indie filmmakers to write “contained, low-budget” scripts—but the Invisible Raptor team ignored that advice. They wrote a film with a dinosaur theme park, elaborate effects, and car chases, then figured out how to make it work through resourcefulness, networking, and persistence. Finding an affordable dinosaur amusement park seemed impossible—until a chance conversation with John Stamos led them to the perfect location. Discovery Cube Science Center in Anaheim, where Stamos’ sister worked, had everything they needed—including a giant animatronic dinosaur that pooped, which fit the script perfectly.

By piecing together multiple assets through favors the team gave the movie a much bigger scope than its budget should have allowed. Don’t let financial limitations stifle your creativity—write the best version of your story, then problem-solve to bring it to life.

Filmmaking is grueling, especially on an indie production where long hours and tight budgets push everyone to their limits. The Invisible Raptor team knew that keeping morale high was just as important as hitting their shots. A positive, energized set prevented burnout and kept the production moving forward, even when challenges arose. They understood that even one toxic crew member can derail everything. That’s why they were selective in hiring—not just bringing on trusted friends, but choosing people who truly supported the vision. Negativity spreads faster than positivity, so keeping the right energy on set meant keeping the right people around.

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On this episode of The Nick Taylor Horror Show, we’re joined by journalist and horror scholar David Katznelson. Known for his meticulous exploration of the horror genre’s history, David shares details behind a fascinating project where he watches and analyzes every horror movie from the 1970’s. His most recent focus has been 1974—a pivotal and hauntingly transitional year in horror.

From Texas Chainsaw Massacre to forgotten gems like Help Me, I’m Possessed, David’s work breaks down the evolution of horror, how societal chaos like the Vietnam War shaped the genre, and what makes 1974 a landmark year for the genre. We also discuss his upcoming book on 70s horror and the enduring impact of directors like Tobe Hooper. Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or a filmmaker looking for historical inspiration, this episode is a treasure trove of insights into horror’s rich legacy.

Movies Discussed

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre
• Help Me, I’m Possessed
• It’s Alive
• Deranged
• Black Christmas
• Flesh for Frankenstein
• Blood for Dracula
• Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires
• Cannibal Holocaust
• The Friday the 13th franchise
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise (including Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III and Texas Chainsaw 3D)
• Exorcist-inspired films (The Sexorcist, Legacy of Satan)
• 70s exploitation films (Vampyros Lesbos, Blood Splattered Bride)
• Mother of Tears (2007)
• Dark Glasses (2022)
• Longlegs (2024)
• The Substance (2024)
• Strange Darling (2024)
• Evil Dead Rise (2023)
• Heretic (2024)
• Terrifier 3 (Upcoming)
• Barbarian (2022)
• Renfield (2023)
• Jason X (2001)
• The Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf (1985)
• Cannibal Holocaust (1980)

Directors & Filmmakers Referenced

• Tobe Hooper
• Andy Warhol
• Paul Morrissey
• Herschell Gordon Lewis
• Dario Argento

Books & Projects

• David’s upcoming book on 70s horror
• The Dybbuk (classic Judaic horror)

Music Referenced

• The Misfits
• Bauhaus
• The Damned
• Japanese noise music

Platforms & Newsletters

• David Katznelson’s Substack: The Signal from David Katznelson

• IMBd: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10775975/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakiedog/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/oakiedog
• Substack: https://oakiedog.substack.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-katznelson-3a1601/