Horror film funded by selling deaths

LOS ANGELES -- With Halloween just around the corner, why go out to see a horror movie when you could be in one?

Touting it as "the first horror film funded by the victims," Lead Balloon is offering the experience of getting killed in a horror movie to those who pledge donations to the production.

The film, "Dr. Bonesaw," is the story of a patient who escapes a massacre at a mental institution, only to unleash her own bloodbath upon a lusty hospital staff, with -- you guessed it -- her bonesaw hand. The film's Web site, http://www.drbonesaw.com, offers a gory preview and behind-the-scenes videos.

"We want to be able to share the experience of making the movie with the people who made the film possible," says producer Jesse Vigil. "There's NASCAR Camp and Rock Star Camp, so think of this like Horror Movie Camp."

The pledge drive is facilitated by Kickstarter.com and so far seems to be working: A large portion of the film has already been funded by complete strangers.

The fundraising site offers different rewards for contributing to the film, such as attending rehearsals, getting credits in the movie, visiting the set, getting copies of the DVD and getting invitations to the wrap party and premiere. You can even get your band on the film's soundtrack or be featured on the DVD commentary track.

"It's always been a fantasy of mine as well," says producer Patrick Mullen. "These movies make dying look like so much fun. To be like Johnny Depp getting eaten by a bed in 'Nightmare On Elm Street?' That's a good day in anyone's book."