Teenage Exorcist / Witch Academy
Added on Friday, October 15, 2021 Posted by Robert Bettens
Dragon’s Domain Records presents music composed by Chuck Cirino for TEENAGE EXORCIST and WITCH ACADEMY, two horror comedies from the composer’s extensive filmography. TEENAGE EXORCIST was written by Brinke Stevens and Ted Newsom, from a story by Fred Olen Ray
Dragon’s Domain Records presents music composed by Chuck Cirino for TEENAGE EXORCIST and WITCH ACADEMY, two horror comedies from the composer’s extensive filmography. TEENAGE EXORCIST was written by Brinke Stevens and Ted Newsom, from a story by Fred Olen Ray, starring Brinke Stevens, Eddie Deezen, Oliver Darrow, John Henry Richardson, Tom Shell, Elena Sahagun, Robert Quarry and Michael Berryman. WITCH ACADEMY was directed by Fred Olen Ray, written by Mark Thomas McGee and stars Suzanne Ager, Priscilla Barnes, Michelle Bauer, Veronica Carothers, Ruth Collins, Don Dowe, John Henry Richardson and Robert Vaughn.
Released in 1991, TEENAGE EXORCIST tells the story of Diane, a neurotic, repressed grad student who moves into a cursed mansion and finds herself possessed by the house’s demonic master. Transformed into a raven-haired seductress, Diane begins to search for a virgin sacrifice for her master. Her sister and brother-in-law, along with an Irish priest, her boyfriend, and a pizza delivery boy arrive and try to save Diane and exorcise her demon. Directed by Grant Waldman and written by Brinke Stevens (who also stars) from a story by Fred Olen Ray, TEENAGE EXORCIST began as a project Ray intended to make. Having known Chuck Cirino from two of those previous three movies he’d worked on with Ray (as well as his directorial debut earlier that same year, THE CHANNELER), producer Grant Waldman brought him in to compose the film’s score. Cirino, an expert electronic musician and composer, had recently added an Roland D50 synthesizer to his array of electronic equipment, and used it for the first time on this score.
Released in 1995, WITCH ACADEMY, also known as LITTLE DEVILS, tells the story of Leslie Perkins, who is trying to pledge to an exclusive college sorority while the other members come up with twisted new ways to humiliate her and keep her out. However, the Devil has other plans for Leslie and helps transform her into one of his emissaries of temptation. But why has the Devil taken an interest in her? WITCH ACADEMY was the eleventh film Cirino had scored for Fred Olen Ray as director.
Chuck Cirino did not start his career as a composer, but rather as a programmer in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania for a Public Access cable TV station, where he learned how to create TV shows by himself, without a crew. In his spare time, he experimented with the station’s video equipment and created a series of genre productions that allowed him the opportunity to learn how to incorporate special effects into his work. After relocating to California, Cirino transitioned into directing high-end special effects television commercials. His first work as composer was for the 1980 cult film GYPSY ANGELS, which starred Vanna White and Richard Roundtree. Since then he has scored films for Roger Corman, directed music videos for bands like Earth, Wind & Fire and The Dickies’ KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE, and has recorded over 40 music soundtracks for feature films including SORCERESS, HARD TO DIE, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST, and many others. Most recently, he has scored A DOGGONE CHRISTMAS, A DOGGONE HOLLYWOOD and A DOGGONE ADVENTURE.
Chuck has worked as a producer, director, filmmaker, videographer, animator, special effects technician, editor, and composer. He executive produces and directs WEIRD TV, a television series featuring weird Americans, bizarre news, unbelievable events and outlandish skits. Chuck’s credits also include executive producer and director of the Sci Fi Channel projects, WORLDWIDE WEIRD and WARPED IN SPACE, and BABERELLAS, an independent Sci Fi feature distributed by Xenon Pictures.
Dragon’s Domain Records is excited to bring TEENAGE EXORCIST and WITCH ACADEMY to compact disc for the first time, presented on two CDs, mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland with exclusive liner notes by author Randall Larson, with the participation of the composer and writer/director Fred Olen Ray.