--- title: "New York Indie Production Outfit Abandons Vampire Heist Film Plans" url: https://noti.group/new-york-indie-production-outfit-abandons-vampire-heist-film-plans/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Entertainment" published: 2026-11-13T11:58:28.000Z updated: 2026-11-13T23:47:32.342Z id: 8a6e4de4-1fe9-485f-8473-bb11c17d1b75 source: "The Hollywood Reporter https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-red-ink-pulled-off-a-single-take-1940s-vampire-thriller-1236754579/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/new-york-indie-production-outfit-abandons-vampire-heist-film-plans/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # New York Indie Production Outfit Abandons Vampire Heist Film Plans Incline Studios has shifted its focus after being forced to abandon plans for a darkly satirical vampire heist film due to disruptions caused by the L.A. fires. A New York indie production outfit has shifted its focus after being forced to abandon plans for a darkly satirical vampire heist film. Incline Studios, founded by filmmakers Benjamin J. Murray and Michael Christensen, had been gearing up to launch with the ambitious project Blood Bank. The script for Blood Bank envisioned an alternative timeline where a vampire virus had infected the population years before, leading to government-backed discrimination against minority communities. Christensen's vision was deeply rooted in this dark premise. The film's underground gang of dissidents aimed to stage a daring raid on the city's blood reserve. With pre-production well underway, the L.A. fires hit, causing significant disruption and loss for several people involved in the project. "Several people involved lost their homes," Christensen recalls, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The production team knew they had to reassess their plans. Incline Studios was heavily invested in upstate New York, having spent significantly on equipment and personnel there. Initially, the plan had been to shoot Blood Bank in Syracuse to take advantage of state tax incentives. However, with costs mounting and resources dwindling, Murray and Christensen decided to pivot rather than abandon ship entirely. Their solution was to create a prequel set within the same fictional world as Blood Bank but with key differences. This new project would be cheaper and faster to produce, allowing Incline Studios to salvage its investment in upstate New York without writing off the entire operation. The team behind Red Ink made a bold decision to pivot from their original plan and opt for a single-location shoot, significantly reducing costs and timelines while still aiming to create a big-budget feel. To achieve this, they drew inspiration from the Netflix hit Adolescence, adopting a unique oner approach that unfolds in real time without any cuts. This unbroken sequence adds to the film's tension and suspense, keeping viewers engaged throughout. The result is Red Ink, a low-budget noir-inspired newsroom thriller with a supernatural twist, vampires are lurking in the shadows. The story takes place over a single morning in November 1949 at Verity Press, a New York Times-style newspaper in the heart of New York City. As editor-in-chief Bob Hoover navigates his team through the chaos, he's about to break the biggest story of his career: a mysterious virus is spreading globally, leaving a trail of bloodlust and death in its wake. Reports are emerging of people infected with this deadly virus, characterized by their insatiable hunger for raw flesh. With Billions actor Toby Leonard Moore taking on the lead role as Bob Hoover, Verity's editor-in-chief, Red Ink has all the makings of a gripping thriller, a celebrated war photographer turned newsroom leader, Pulitzer-winning credentials, and a city gripped by fear. As the deadline for publication looms large, Bob Hoover faces a daunting decision - how will Verity frame its story and shape the national narrative in the process? Pressure is mounting on Hoover from his publisher, Walter Nash, who is being leaned on by Senator Conrad to exploit public fear and justify a government crackdown. This senator's ambitions are clear: he wants to use the news to further his own agenda. The eight-day shoot for Red Ink was an impressive feat of logistical planning, bringing together a diverse ensemble cast that includes Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Tommie Earl Jenkins, Eugene Cordero, and Oona Laurence. "We had three days prep and an eight day shoot," Christensen reveals. "It was really a labor of love, for everyone involved." Despite the challenges, the result is a gripping thriller that promises to captivate audiences. The filmmakers drew inspiration from classic thrillers of the period, including the 1952 Humphrey Bogart film Deadline USA, in which Bogart plays a newspaper editor fighting to save his publication. This particular touchstone was a clear influence on the making of Red Ink. To achieve the illusion of a single take, Murray employed the DJI Ronin 4D camera system, used previously on Adolescence. The filmmakers assembled the final version from around 13 shots, each lasting between eight and ten minutes. The slate of films from Incline is expanding with Engaged, an adventure comedy set in Malta that draws comparisons to Indiana Jones in terms of tone. We're looking to fill a void in the independent film market for movies that strike a balance between mainstream appeal and original storytelling, says Murray, highlighting their desire to create content that resonates widely. Christensen agrees, stating that they aim to revitalize the indie space by producing films that challenge conventions and offer a refreshing change of pace. --- Source: [The Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/how-red-ink-pulled-off-a-single-take-1940s-vampire-thriller-1236754579/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/new-york-indie-production-outfit-abandons-vampire-heist-film-plans/