Lately, we've heard a good bit of the following: "Cool independent horror films are gone. They're not being made anymore." That's just not true, all you have to do is look in the right place. For one of those right places, just take a look to Michael D. Fox. Fox is a writer, director, producer, editor and damn near any other job title that needs getting done during any of Independent Edge Film's productions. You haven't heard of Independent Edge? You're quickly becoming a minority. Here are just a few comments about a couple of their indie horror flicks:

Raves for VAMPS: DEADLY DREAMGIRLS

"The violence is graphic, the story is suprisingly thoughtful, and the strippers are gorgeous... this story does a crafty job of encouraging the viewer to, at times, root for the wrong team." VAMPEROTICA MAGAZINE

"Check it out!" -- Joe Bob Briggs, NEW YORK TIMES PRESS SYNDICATE

Winner, Best Screenplay. B-MOVIE THEATER AWARDS

More great reviews for EVIL AMBITIONS

"Check it out... every single female role is a drop-dead gorgeous woman." Joe Bob Briggs, NEW YORK TIMES PRESS SYNDICATE

"...a fun movie, one of the best NIGHT STALKER episodes that was never made...some really cool special effects." CULT MOVIES

Formally established in 1997, Independent Edge is rapidly making a huge name for themselves and Fox is a large part of the reason why.

Born in rural Ohio, Fox took a love of writing and performing off to college, where he earned a BFA in broadcasting and film while working his way through as a pay-tv salesperson and stand-up comic. Upon achieving his first degree, he was promoted to sales management, overseeing up to 30 sales and customer service representatives. He then moved on to advertising, where he worked as a copywriter, account executive, and broadcast production manager.

"I have a Master's Degree in Mass Communication and have taught production techniques, production management, aesthetics, and film history at three different universities," Fox said. "And yes, my family is just THRILLED that I've chosen to make B-movies with scantily clad nubiles in them."

Fox edited and co-wrote, directed, and produced his first flick Vamps: Deadly Dreamgirls, with B+ Productions partner Mark Burchett. It was the winner of the Best Screenplay at the B-Movie Theater Awards, and garnered strong global reviews from publications such as The New York Times Press Syndicate.

It all sounds like a glamorous life doesn't it -- directing killer horror flicks, surrounded by stunningly beautiful women and getting great reviews from Joe Bob Briggs. It probably is, but it doesn't mean you don't demean yourself just a bit to reach your goals. Fox will tell you the dorkiest job he ever had was as an encyclopedia salesman but since the money earned helped finance Vamps and Evil Ambitions, you do what you gotta do.

Photo courtesy of Independent Edge Michael D. Fox (right) with Tom Savini at Imaginecon 2000.

"I'll admit I didn't start out necessarily wanting to do genre films. I have several pieces in development that are more 'A'-oriented, however I knew going in that if you're working with limited budgets, genre is the way to best insure that your investment is recouped, and that's always the first concern. The road to larger budgets is paved with profitable previous projects. And besides, I still contend that there's nothing 'inferior' about 'B' films, so long as the filmmaker tries to bring some 'A' creative sensibilities to the project. A perfect example: Alfred Hitchcock. One of the most influential film makers of all time, a literal master of camera positioning and editing, and what's he best remembered for? Chick gettin' stabbed in a shower. Sounds pretty 'B' to me!

Several of his other favorite directors are Stanley Kubrick, Francis Ford Coppola and John Ford.

Given how difficult it is to get strict-budget indie films distributed and reviewed, the great reviews and critical acclaim could be somewhat of a surprise.

"Part of my overachieving neurosis is a hyper critical eye when it comes to my work. I'm honestly never pleased with it, so it's always a surprise and downright inspiring when I see positive reviews," Fox said. "What's really great is the response that we've gotten from folks who have purchased our work. (No insult intended to the critics out there, but the assessment of the folks who have dropped cash to view our features are the ones we're most concerned about.) We've NEVER gotten a return from someone who purchased one of our flicks from our website, and that's just phenomenal."

It's hard to imagine someone doing anything other than making horror movies when he describes his worst memory as the following:

"Watching a braindead redneck 12 year-old taking his obnoxious dirt bike and repeatedly running over a defenseless ground hog, oblivious to it's tortured screams. I'm ashamed to this day that I just stood there trout-mouthed," Fox said. "The other kids thought I was a freak when I buried the pieces."

This guy was made to make horror movies...even his parting words reflect it.

"No, it wasn't just the wind... It NEVER is."