Down for the Count – A horror film by Tyler Turner

Sponsored Feature: Outlaw Society Productions, Bigg Sarge Entertainment, Crimson Red Visuals

Down for the Count is an upcoming action horror film written and directed by Tyler Turner.

Watch the trailer here!

Returning from a lengthy military deployment, Mac hopes to resume his life, but his girlfriend Shanna’s distant behavior raises suspicions. These suspicions are confirmed when Mac discovers Shanna in the company of another man, The Count, leader of a militant vampire faction. In a shocking turn of events, Shanna bites Mac, transforming him into a vampire, claiming that she had to do it, and he soon finds himself at the mercy of the Count’s ultimatum: work for him and say he’s “Down for the Count” or face death. Mac reluctantly agrees to do his bidding.

Forced into the grim trade of a Blood Dealer, Mac navigates the grimy streets, distributing blood to the forgotten vampires lurking in the shadows.

Amidst the despair, a fortune teller named Deja offers a glimpse of hope: a vision of Mac rescuing Shanna from the clutches of the vampire mafia, broadcasted on an old television. Empowered by this knowledge Mac embarks on a perilous quest to break free from the Count’s grip and rescue Shanna. Along the treacherous journey, he confronts the malevolent forces of the vampire mafia, battles monstrous adversaries, and unearths his own inner strength.

In a final showdown against the Count, Mac undergoes a transformative evolution, transcending his vampiric nature to emerge as a symbol of hope in a world consumed by darkness. Guiding humanity towards salvation, Mac’s journey becomes a testament to the enduring power of redemption and love amidst chaos and despair.

A Q&A with director Tyler Turner

Hi Tyler, We’re excited to have you with us to discuss your upcoming action horror film Down for the Count. The film fuses military action and vampire horror into one unique experience. How did you come up with the concept?

The concept originated from an idea I had for a hip-hop music video. I envisioned the artist dealing blood vials to vampire buyers in the shadowy corners of the city. The artist would wear chrome vampire teeth and smoke blood through a vaporizer while rapping. Although we didn’t end up creating the video, I felt these visuals were too compelling to pass up. So, I began writing the script, and the rest is history!

Were you inspired by any other vampire horror films?

Yes! I immersed myself in vampire cinema, watching everything from early classics like Nosferatu and Bela Lugosi’s Dracula to Keanu Reeves in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and even Leslie Nielsen in Dracula: Dead and Loving It. I absorbed as much as I could, taking notes on anything that stood out to me, from style and aesthetic to storyline and performance.

Blade was definitely a significant inspiration, but I would say I was most inspired by John Carpenter’s low-budget, high-impact films, notably They Live. The idea of a global cabal, in this case, vampires, ruling the world while humanity remains ignorant, deeply influenced my concept. Another major influence was the movie Spawn, particularly its locations and themes. For the style and aesthetic of the villainous characters, we drew a lot of inspiration from Hellraiser and Mandy.

I immersed myself in vampire cinema, watching everything from early classics like Nosferatu and Bela Lugosi’s Dracula to Keanu Reeves in Bram Stoker’s Dracula and even Leslie Nielsen in Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

Down for the Count indie horror film by Tyler Turner

Tell us about the team involved in the making of the film and how you came together.

Our initial team, known as the RIIP Squad, formed at film school in Orlando, Florida. This group of friends includes Tyler Turner (Director), Xander Veguilla (Producer/DP), Stephen Freitas (Producer), Jeremiah Moss (Music Supervisor), and Tito Ruiz (Actor), who all brought their unique skills to Down for the Count.

Together, while in school, we created the short horror film Murdercycle (2019), centered around a blood-fueled motorcycle that possesses its rider. We had some success on the festival circuit with Murdercycle, which led to us receiving support from our Executive Producer, Kyle Turner, to pursue Down for the Count.

As team members relocated to Los Angeles, they built connections that led us to Robert Déon of Bigg Sarge Entertainment. Known as Sarge, he played a pivotal role in assembling our team, both cast and crew, many of whom have military backgrounds.

What was the casting process like? Did you have actors in mind for roles from the beginning?

The casting process for Down for the Count was a blend of planned choices and exciting discoveries.

We saw Jataun “Juice” Gilbert through a short film and immediately recognized him as the perfect fit for the lead role of Mac. Juice embodies all the qualities of an action hero with a unique flair, making him ideal for the character.

Robert Déon took on the role of Sarge, a character named after himself. He drew from his extensive 20-plus years of military experience to portray the Drill Sergeant from Hell—militant and utterly terrifying. He was originally conceived as a masked collector for the Count but evolved into a standout character.

Scott Williams, cast as the Count, was found through an actor/audition site. Initially envisioned as a mob-like character, Scott’s deep and demonic interpretation inspired us to reimagine the Count as a figure reminiscent of Hellraiser—dark, mystical, and uniquely captivating. Scott brings a look and style to the Count that is unparalleled.

From the outset, we envisioned Victor “Tito” Ruiz as Viper—a badass vampiric bounty hunter from hell who works for the blood mob. We tailored the character around Tito’s appearance and demeanor, creating a formidable adversary for Mac.

JonGlen StillSmoking, cast as Will, a Biker Shaman, was discovered through a Facebook post. He journeyed from the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana to Los Angeles by train and was as cool as his name suggests. He delivers an outstanding performance in the film.

Through the casting of Sarge and Juice, we assembled the rest of our ensemble, including Anngel Joy (Shanna), LeJon (Deja), and Madden Kingston Smith (Darnell), who each brought their own unique talents to the project.

What core ideas or themes do you hope viewers will take with them after experiencing the film?

We aimed to confront pressing real-world issues: the insidious grasp of capitalism, the harrowing reality of child abduction, the pervasive influence of the military-industrial complex, and the devastating impact of drug abuse. The backdrop of the homelessness epidemic underscores the plight of society’s marginalized, their loss of community resonating with the vampires’ own isolation.

At the heart of our story lies Mac, a blood dealer caught in the machinations of an underground militant vampire faction. Through his journey, we explore the duality within us all—the capacity for both darkness and redemption. As Mac grapples with his inner demons, he discovers a path to self-awareness, a beacon of hope echoing from an advanced ancient civilization, raising profound questions about our ancestors and our own purpose.

We aimed to confront pressing real-world issues: the insidious grasp of capitalism, the harrowing reality of child abduction, the pervasive influence of the military-industrial complex, and the devastating impact of drug abuse.

What were your main objectives when you set out to make Down for the Count?

Our goal was to reinvent the vampire genre with new styles and the theme of paralleling blood lust and drug addiction. We aimed to achieve this through practical effects, such as chrome fangs and vampires vaporizing blood and exhaling red clouds. Additionally, we strived for a raw, documentary-style atmosphere using real sets and locations, including filming in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and Skid Row. By immersing viewers in this authentic environment, we aimed to deepen the impact of the film. Above all, we aimed to craft a saga that is not only entertaining but also imbued with purpose, using the art form as a means to explore and uncover profound truths about the human condition and the nature of the universe.

Follow @downforthecount.movie on Instagram and visit the official website at downforthecountmovie.com.