Delivering Authentic Shocks: Stephen Cognetti Discusses 'Hell House LLC: Lineage'
The Hell House LLC series, created by filmmaker Stephen Cognetti, has captivated audiences since its debut in 2015. This franchise, known for its found footage style and atmospheric tension, has grown significantly over the years.
Birth of a Horror Phenomenon
- Hell House LLC (2015) marked the beginning of the series, a low-budget found footage horror film that gained a cult following due to its unique storytelling and chilling atmosphere.
- The film's success encouraged Cognetti to expand the narrative, leading to sequels that further explored the haunted world of the Abaddon Hotel.
Expanding the Universe
- Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018) continued the story, delving deeper into the mysteries surrounding the hotel. This installment built upon the initial success, introducing new characters and plotlines.
- Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire (2019) further expanded the universe, enhancing the mythology of the Abaddon Hotel and its connections to other locations.
- Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023), available on Shudder, marked a departure from the primary storyline by focusing on the origins of the horror series, maintaining the found footage style.
Influences and Locations
- The series draws inspiration from classic horror themes and the found footage genre, which has been popularized by films like The Blair Witch Project.
- The early films were set at haunted attractions, with the first three films primarily filmed at the Waldorf Estate of Fear in Carbon County. The later films, including the latest installment, were filmed in the Scranton area, utilizing local settings like the Fern Hall Inn for Hell House LLC: Lineage.
Evolution of the Found Footage Format
- Initially, the series adhered strictly to the found footage genre, which added to its realism and tension.
- For Hell House LLC: Lineage, Cognetti opted to abandon the found footage format in favor of a more traditional narrative style. This change allowed for a broader scope and more complex storytelling, reflecting Cognetti's desire to create a film that would be best experienced in theaters.
Future Plans and Influences
- Despite hinting that Hell House LLC: Lineage might be the final installment, Cognetti has left room for future developments, stating he would never say never to continuing the series.
- Currently, Cognetti is working on new, standalone projects, indicating a shift towards exploring different narratives outside the Hell House LLC universe.
The Hell House LLC series has become iconic for its blend of horror and storytelling, with its evolution reflecting both the growth of the franchise and the ambitions of its creator, Stephen Cognetti. Cognetti's writing process involves a focus on scares, characters that audience cares about, and a cohesive, structured story.
Hell House LLC uses the found footage format to investigate how the opening night of a haunted house attraction turned into a living nightmare. Cognetti knew that as an indie filmmaker, he'd have to do things on his own terms for his first film. He didn't lean towards in-depth outlines when writing, instead preferring the draft process for adding layers to his scripts.
A recurring Edgar Allan Poe-ish tune can be heard throughout the series, a musical element that Cognetti helped create. Haunted house attractions have been a significant part of American culture since the late 60s, particularly during Halloween season.
Hell House LLC: Lineage hits theaters on August 20, and fans are eager to see how the series continues to evolve. Stephen Cognetti's childhood interest in filmmaking was sparked by 80s action films like The Abyss and Aliens, and he was particularly inspired by James Cameron. His love for horror was solidified after watching The Exorcist, which had a significant impact on his career. Stephen King's novels, especially The Stand, also had a profound influence on Cognetti's interest in horror. Disneyland's The Haunted Mansion is another touchstone in scaring visitors in a visceral way, inspiring Cognetti's approach to horror filmmaking.
- Hell House LLC (2015) marked the beginning of the series, a low-budget found footage horror film created by filmmaker Stephen Cognetti that gained a cult following due to its unique storytelling and chilling atmosphere.
- The film's success encouraged Cognetti to expand the narrative, leading to sequels such as Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018) and Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire (2019) that further explored the haunted world of the Abaddon Hotel.
- Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor (2023), available on Shudder, marks a departure from the primary storyline by focusing on the origins of the horror series, maintaining the found footage style.
- The series draws inspiration from classic horror themes, the found footage genre popularized by films like The Blair Witch Project, and elements from American culture, particularly haunted house attractions.
- For Hell House LLC: Lineage, Cognetti opted to abandon the found footage format in favor of a more traditional narrative style, allowing for a broader scope and more complex storytelling.
- Stephen Cognetти's writing process involves a focus on scares, characters that audience cares about, and a cohesive, structured story.
- Despite hinting that Hell House LLC: Lineage might be the final installment, Cognetti has left room for future developments, indicating a possible continuation of the series.
