A tribute to John Polonia
John Polonia passed away. For those who are unaware, he, along with his
brother Mark (the Polonia Brothers) are famous for making low-budget
genre films and are notorious for being among the first to successfully get
a homemade shot-on-video feature into major chain stores.
Although I never personally met the man, the influence made by the films
that he and his brother created (such as FEEDERS and SPLATTER FARM)
has definitely had a huge affect on DIY film makers such as myself. He left
the world far too soon and the world is sadder for it.
-Brett Kelly, actor/director Kingdom of the Vampire, My Dead Girlfriend
brother Mark (the Polonia Brothers) are famous for making low-budget
genre films and are notorious for being among the first to successfully get
a homemade shot-on-video feature into major chain stores.
Although I never personally met the man, the influence made by the films
that he and his brother created (such as FEEDERS and SPLATTER FARM)
has definitely had a huge affect on DIY film makers such as myself. He left
the world far too soon and the world is sadder for it.
-Brett Kelly, actor/director Kingdom of the Vampire, My Dead Girlfriend
words from the indie-film community
I can honestly say that I am floored with the news of the passing of John
Polonia. Growing up, he was a hero in my eyes, and I'm sure a hero to many
others. He proved to me that with enough hope and determination, one can do
anything. But, more importantly, I remember him as being a very warm, funny,
enthusiastic man, one who had a refreshing and almost child-like viewpoint.
He was an unselfish teacher of indie filmmaking for me, and he was an
underrated artist . He encouraged me to
follow my dreams, and I will never forget that. To his wonderful wife, brother
Mark, and family,
my prayers are with you.
Rest In Peace John
-Jeff Dylan Graham, actor Dead Clowns, Hellbound:Book of the Dead
Polonia. Growing up, he was a hero in my eyes, and I'm sure a hero to many
others. He proved to me that with enough hope and determination, one can do
anything. But, more importantly, I remember him as being a very warm, funny,
enthusiastic man, one who had a refreshing and almost child-like viewpoint.
He was an unselfish teacher of indie filmmaking for me, and he was an
underrated artist . He encouraged me to
follow my dreams, and I will never forget that. To his wonderful wife, brother
Mark, and family,
my prayers are with you.
Rest In Peace John
-Jeff Dylan Graham, actor Dead Clowns, Hellbound:Book of the Dead
This just tears me to pieces. Such sad news. An
inspiration to all those who said, "I wanna make a
movie," and a kind, kind man.
-Joe Sherlock, director; Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires
inspiration to all those who said, "I wanna make a
movie," and a kind, kind man.
-Joe Sherlock, director; Bloodsucking Redneck Vampires
I can only echo the sentiments here from those who admired John for his
determination in cranking out film after film and, even more, the
sense of fun and lack of pretension he brought to it. Even more he was a
genuinely good man, generoius and supportive, and I'll miss him a lot.
-Brett Piper, director Bite Me, Psyclops, Screaming Dead
determination in cranking out film after film and, even more, the
sense of fun and lack of pretension he brought to it. Even more he was a
genuinely good man, generoius and supportive, and I'll miss him a lot.
-Brett Piper, director Bite Me, Psyclops, Screaming Dead
Photos supplied by Pop Cinema
I was deeply saddened to learn of John Polonia's untimely passing. He and his
brother Mark are part of our "unofficial" family of video moviemakers that started out in
the DIY video scene using VHS camcorders in the '80's. This is truly a great loss to
our "family." I know from talking with fans over the years that John was such an
inspiration to so many, and the Polonia Brothers have always been an unstoppable
force in the scene. The few times I spoke to both John and Mark directly it was
always a pleasure. John has the reputation of being one of the nicest, most
down-to-earth individuals, no matter where he was---at home, on the set, or at a rare
convention appearance. I'm glad that John never gave up on his dreams and lived
life to the fullest while he was here, again, an inspiration for everyone. My thoughts
and prayers go out to his family. -Tim Ritter, director of Truth Or Dare and
Reconciled Through The Christ
brother Mark are part of our "unofficial" family of video moviemakers that started out in
the DIY video scene using VHS camcorders in the '80's. This is truly a great loss to
our "family." I know from talking with fans over the years that John was such an
inspiration to so many, and the Polonia Brothers have always been an unstoppable
force in the scene. The few times I spoke to both John and Mark directly it was
always a pleasure. John has the reputation of being one of the nicest, most
down-to-earth individuals, no matter where he was---at home, on the set, or at a rare
convention appearance. I'm glad that John never gave up on his dreams and lived
life to the fullest while he was here, again, an inspiration for everyone. My thoughts
and prayers go out to his family. -Tim Ritter, director of Truth Or Dare and
Reconciled Through The Christ
"I met John a few times – mostly brief meetings at horror conventions, but once time they came
to my home, both him and Mark, and screened their movie “Bad Magic” for me. The whole time,
John and Mark referred to it, lovingly, tongue-in-cheek, as their “latest Crap-O-Rama”. To all the
filmmakers out there making b-movies, take note – John, often with his brother Mark or Jon
McBride, knew how to make a b-movie. I enjoyed his work and looked forward to each new
effort more than ANY Hollywood studio effort. “Crap-O-Rama”? I think not. Hollywood delivers
crap, the same old crap, over and over and over again. John made movies that, despite their
low budget, were always 100% entertaining and unique.
I loved every one of them.
I’ll miss him and his efforts."
-Ron Bonk
SRS Cinema LLC
to my home, both him and Mark, and screened their movie “Bad Magic” for me. The whole time,
John and Mark referred to it, lovingly, tongue-in-cheek, as their “latest Crap-O-Rama”. To all the
filmmakers out there making b-movies, take note – John, often with his brother Mark or Jon
McBride, knew how to make a b-movie. I enjoyed his work and looked forward to each new
effort more than ANY Hollywood studio effort. “Crap-O-Rama”? I think not. Hollywood delivers
crap, the same old crap, over and over and over again. John made movies that, despite their
low budget, were always 100% entertaining and unique.
I loved every one of them.
I’ll miss him and his efforts."
-Ron Bonk
SRS Cinema LLC
I met the Polonia brothers years ago when we were all excited about the possibility of shot-on-video
movies being a way to get stuff out into the world and seen. Mark contacted me originally -- I was
always
impressed by how those guys sought out other filmmakers. They had an exuberance, a joy in
putting a project together, which starkly contrasted with my own pessimism.
We flew Mark out to Wisconsin once, to do effects on the Video Toaster (remember the graphic of the
baseball pitcher? -- State of the Art, baby). Much later, we flew him out to L.A. to edit some crappy
Full Moon movie, and he got to see me blow up at a producer in my living room. A story he'll be able to
NOT tell his grand kids about. I only got to meet John once, on a trip out to Polonia-ville, but it was
immediately obvious that those guys were a team unlike any other I had met, except for maybe me
and Picardi. But you can pick your friends, not your family -- the Polonia brothers were literally born to
make movies together. A LOT of movies.
They never seemed to sit around and ask WHY they were doing it. I was asking myself that very
question
yet again yesterday while editing, when I got the shocking news about John. I guess there's an answer
right there --
we are all of us only here for awhile, so why not get a camera and run around in the woods with some
hair glued to your face?
I almost never say this with a straight face, but we are the dreamers of the dream. And sadly this week,
we're a man down.
And in closing, let me just say that Splatter Farm remains one of the greatest titles
anybody ever put on a movie...
-Don Adams, movie maker; DOZERS, JIGSAW, VENGEANCE OF THE DEAD
movies being a way to get stuff out into the world and seen. Mark contacted me originally -- I was
always
impressed by how those guys sought out other filmmakers. They had an exuberance, a joy in
putting a project together, which starkly contrasted with my own pessimism.
We flew Mark out to Wisconsin once, to do effects on the Video Toaster (remember the graphic of the
baseball pitcher? -- State of the Art, baby). Much later, we flew him out to L.A. to edit some crappy
Full Moon movie, and he got to see me blow up at a producer in my living room. A story he'll be able to
NOT tell his grand kids about. I only got to meet John once, on a trip out to Polonia-ville, but it was
immediately obvious that those guys were a team unlike any other I had met, except for maybe me
and Picardi. But you can pick your friends, not your family -- the Polonia brothers were literally born to
make movies together. A LOT of movies.
They never seemed to sit around and ask WHY they were doing it. I was asking myself that very
question
yet again yesterday while editing, when I got the shocking news about John. I guess there's an answer
right there --
we are all of us only here for awhile, so why not get a camera and run around in the woods with some
hair glued to your face?
I almost never say this with a straight face, but we are the dreamers of the dream. And sadly this week,
we're a man down.
And in closing, let me just say that Splatter Farm remains one of the greatest titles
anybody ever put on a movie...
-Don Adams, movie maker; DOZERS, JIGSAW, VENGEANCE OF THE DEAD
I never met John, but when I had heard he passed away a shock-wave of sadness went through
me. I always enjoyed their movies and they always seemed to have somuch fun doing them,
which to me is so very important.
It is so very sad, he was taken from this world far to
early. My prayers are with his family.
John Bowker, Director Platoon of the Dead, The Evilmaker
me. I always enjoyed their movies and they always seemed to have somuch fun doing them,
which to me is so very important.
It is so very sad, he was taken from this world far to
early. My prayers are with his family.
John Bowker, Director Platoon of the Dead, The Evilmaker