DO NOT READ FROM THE BOOK BOUND IN HUMAN FLESH follows a young woman whose late-night shift takes a terrifying turn when she’s abducted by a man obsessed with a forbidden spell book. What begins as a kidnapping spirals into a nightmarish ritual — one that blurs the line between grief, obsession, and the undead.

The short is both a standalone story and a prequel for our feature, ZOMBIE SLUMBER PARTY. With FLESH, we aim to capture the same dread and darkly playful spirit that defines ZSP — much like Jennifer Kent did with THE BABADOOK and Andy Muschietti with MAMA.

Australia has a long history of groundbreaking horror films — from the Ozploitation era in the ’70s all the way to the current golden Age of horror coming out today. Steven and the creative team  want this film to be part of that history. What makes FLESH different is that it’s carving out brand-new territory. They’re calling it the first-ever COSMIC SLASHER film.

With its mix of gruesome horror and dark humour, FLESH stands as a complete tale on its own while setting the stage for the chaos to come in ZOMBIE SLUMBER PARTY.

Film Trailer:

https://youtu.be/Y2UHfLYRr-A

One of the movies that inspired FLESH and ZOMBIE SLUMBER PARTY is RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, specifically its soundtrack – from THE CRAMPS to THE DAMNED to 45 GRAVE’S iconic ‘Partytime’. It’s pure punk. Iconic.

Music is just as important in ZOMBIE SLUMBER PARTY, and — as it’s a prequel — Steven and the crew behind this venture, want to give a taste of that in FLESH. If they’re lucky enough to exceed their  main goal, the extra funds will help them secure the rights to a punk cover of a classic ’70s hit.

The track  they’re looking for adds something strange, playful, and surprisingly poignant – the kind of moment that will stick with you long after the credits.

But music licensing can be expensive. Hitting their stretch goal would make it possible to acquire and include this track — adding a layer of energy and emotion that lifts the film to another level.

To help spread the word, to promote this film or if you are interested in donating please check out this link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/do-not-read-from-the-book-bound-in-human-flesh#/

Non- Joy Media photos courtesy of Steven Boltz.

The post Spoken Word Episode 54: Steven Boltz, Do NOT Read from the Book Bound in Human FLESH! Film Crowd Sourcing. appeared first on Spoken Word.

The first guest James has is Actor and Writer Richard Mealey as they discuss Richard’s new show for Melbourne Fringe Festival, Othello and lots more….

A new theatrical work written by Richard Mealey (My Failed Career, FryPan), a frightening allegory of conditioning and control.

When Jeph (Mealey) wakes up in the hospital, he finds himself confronted by Doctor Sidney (Sass Pinci, Dark Arcadia, FryPan) forcing him to face his greatest insecurities; but the deeper they go, the tighter Jeph feels the pull of the rope.

Elephant Rope is a horror comedy exposing uncomfortable truths, the trappings of depression, and the brutal reality of getting better.

For tickets: https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/elephant-rope

The post Spoken Word: Episode 53: Richard Mealey: Elephant Rope: Melbourne Fringe 2025. appeared first on Spoken Word.

This is an archived show that I originally did back in 2020 during COVID and lockdowns, but have edited the show down a bit and added some more music at the end. This content was originally used on Radio Monash, Clayton Campus.

The post Spoken Word: Episode 52: Franz Kafka Special Episode appeared first on Spoken Word.

The post Spoken Word: Episode 51: Laura Fisher; Why Not Believe in Everything?-Melbourne Fringe Festival, 2024. appeared first on Spoken Word.

This week on Joy Spoken Word, James spoke to Brian Walsh,  a psychologist psychotherapist and documentary film maker in his private practice since 1990. He has Professional Training in Somatic Psychotherapy, and prior background in Rehabilitation Services as practitioner and manager.

Brian and James discussed the reality of drug addiction, the realities of heroin, trauma,  and the effects of addiction on the loved one’s of people who are addicted.

Brian and James also discussed the history of heroin and the history of addiction and the drug trade.

If any thing in this podcast has triggered or caused any issue please go to the Joy external support page for help: https://joy.org.au/support/

Click here for Youtube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmhbRRt1fhs

The post Spoken Word: Episode 50: Brian Walsh: Heroin: Addictionary: New Documentary. appeared first on Spoken Word.

James spoke to Es Foong, one of the poets involved in the Melbourne Sonic Poetry Festival.

The festival is a community-based grassroots poetry and spoken word festival based in Melbourne / Naarm.

The festival’s  aim is to connect poetry and spoken word practitioners of all varieties, audience members, gig organisers, convenors and facilitators in a celebration of poetry and the spoken word. We would like to create entrances for gigs, artists and the poets out there quietly writing and reciting. We seek to create pathways for people who need poetry in their lives and don’t know it, and provide space for people to share their stories. One of their core ideals is to  also  serve micro-communities that deserve to exist.

Es Foong (Waffle Irongirl) is a poet, flash fictionista and spoken word performer living on the land of the Wurundjeri people. Their poems have appeared in Australian Poetry Journal, Rabbit Poetry, Kalliope X and the Best of Australian Poems 2022 anthology. They have performed on poetry stages including La Mama Poetica and Queensland Poetry Festival 2022. On-stage, they are the poetic analogue of heavy-metal karaoke. Off-stage, they eat identity labels for breakfast. Their debut poetry collection “Clot and Marrow” was released from Recent Work Press in September 2024.

Book tickets: https://sonicpoetryfestival.com/home

https://sonicpoetryfestival.com/program/embodied-poetry-in-performance

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The post Spoken Word: Episode 48: Bound in Poetry (LGBTIQA+ Shibari and Poetry); Sonic Poetry Festival-Black Spark Cultural Centre appeared first on Spoken Word.

Step into Jasmine’s Shadow Realm: Sax, Puppetry, and Immersive Verse

Actor, poet, and dopamine-seeking wild child Jasmine is set to dazzle audiences with her new show, ‘Inner Demons Poetry Session No. 3’; Accompanied by saxophonist Amelia
Mulqueen and her demon puppet.

‘After battling heartbreak, neurodivergence, and my inner demons, I found love in improving my mental health; this performance shines a light on our hidden parts,
fostering self-compassion and understanding’ – Jasmine Downing’

Jasmine promises an evening of spontaneous poetry, original music, and dark, personal explorations of the psyche.
In her previous shows, Hummingbird Poetry Sessions No. 1" at The Butterfly Club and "Sunflower Poetry Sessions No. 2; at Club Voltaire, Jasmine uniquely dueled with Chat GPT in a robot helmet and conducted interviews with her growth persona, blending puns and profound narratives.

The heart of the show lies in audience participation. Jasmine’s interactive, typewritten poetry invites the audience to contribute their own words, which are then woven into the
fabric of the performance.

Dates: 18th and 19th October
Time: 7:30pm-8:30pm

Booking: Visit melbournefringe.com.au

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The post Spoken Word: Episode 46: Georgia Ketels, Recollection-New Queer Theatre Experience appeared first on Spoken Word.

Phoebe is featuring at a very special event this week for pride.

Phoebe Greaves is an emerging poet and curator in Naarm, and current host of Crockpot Poetry. In her writing, she considers questions of connection, ephemera, and bodily experience. In addition to poetry, Phoebe debuted her first textile-based group exhibition at Unassigned Gallery titled ‘Thread of my Body, Thread of my Bed’ in February of 2024. As host of Crockpot Poetry at Unassigned Gallery, Phoebe curates a monthly line-up of poets and musicians, as well as a free open mic section.

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