Starks takes on executive producer role for Troma-produced flick 'Sweet Meats'

Sep. 26—Filmmaker P.J. Starks, who runs the local independent film company Blood Moon Pictures alongside Eric Huskisson, has been hard at work on the company's upcoming full-length horror feature "New Fears Eve." But he also recently took on a new role as one of the executive producers of another project — NKY Films' "Sweet Meats."

The horror comedy film by Ricky Glore and Nicholas Hiance revolves around Bobby Sweet, a country music legend and restaurateur, who opened up his first Sweet Meats restaurant with his wife in 1978 that eventually gained traction and popularity, according to the film's Indiegogo page

But how did the restaurant take off so quickly and "what makes the meat so darn sweet" are questions moviegoers will be confronted with, according to Indiegogo.

"It's kind of a throwback," Starks said about the film. "The movie (is) like 'Motel Hell' and 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.' It even has some bits and pieces of (nodding) its head to (films) like 'Sweeney Todd' and things."

It was announced at the end of August that Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma Entertainment will come on board as executive producers and also help with the distribution of the film.

Kaufman, known for directing and writing Troma's cult classics such as "The Toxic Avenger" and "Tromeo and Juliet," is also slated to make an appearance in the film.

Starks has been friends with Glore for a few years, and initially was talking with Glore about another project.

"(Ricky) was doing another movie called 'Open House,' and it too was a horror comedy musical," Starks said. "... I had offered and (said), 'Anytime you're doing something, I'm always down for helping out.' "

The "Open House" project ultimately fell through because of funding issues.

Glore then mentioned the idea of "Sweet Meats" to Starks and asked him to join the project as an executive producer. Starks was uncertain at first as he was in the middle of raising funds and beginning filming for "New Fears Eve."

"(Ricky) said, 'OK, well when I start the fundraising for this new (film), I'll let you know and we'll find out if we're able to do it when it comes time," Starks said.

Glore followed up with Starks regarding his availability near the end of filming for "New Fears Eve" when he was raising funds for its post-production.

Starks signed on to the film before Troma became involved, but said the film fits into the company's previous offerings.

"It's very much in line with the type of films that you've seen in the heyday of Troma," Starks said.

Filming began over the weekend at the Wilder nightclub Bobby Mackey's Music World, which has been featured on Travel Channel/Discovery+ series "Ghost Adventures" due to its history as a slaughterhouse and has been described as one of the "most haunted places in America."

Starks said the location is "interesting."

"(There's) lots of character," he said. "We were down in the basement area where the slaughterhouse used to be, and (there's) lots of areas where things are like vicariously (placed).

"It looks like it's about to fall apart ... but aesthetically, it works perfectly."

Starks said being associated with Troma on the project is a personal highlight.

"I'm a Troma fan. I grew up on those movies," he said. "I've probably seen 'Chopper Chicks in Zombietown' and 'The Toxic Avenger' a gazillion times.

"(It) was definitely (the) icing on the cake (when Troma got involved)."

Starks said the film, which is based in the late-1970s, will be appreciated by comedy, horror, Troma fans and more.

"Ricky did write a really good script. It is really funny," he said. "The movie is full of really zany, off-the-wall characters — think 'Napoleon Dynamite' with some of them. The way (Ricky) wrote the script, he managed to write some ... random characters that come into the story here and there and there's a lot of nuance to them. They're very bizarre and they definitely help carry the film along and add a lot more comedic depth to the movie.

"I think it's something that people (will enjoy)," Starks said.

Information regarding the film's release will be announced at a later date.

For more information or for anyone interested in helping fund the film, visit the "Sweet Meats" Indiegogo page at indiegogo.com/projects/sweet-meats-a-troma-produced-horror-film#.