Dead Silence (2007)

Director:

James Wan

Writers:

Leigh Whannell (screenplay)
James Wan (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

16 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

You scream. You die.

Plot:

A widower returns to his hometown to search for answers to his wife's murder, which may be linked to the ghost of a murdered ventriloquist.

Plot Keywords:

Ventriloquist | Ghost | Package | Doll | Detective

Cast

Ryan Kwanten	...	Jamie Ashen
Amber Valletta	...	Ella Ashen
Donnie Wahlberg	...	Det. Lipton
Michael Fairman	...	Henry Walker
Joan Heney	...	Marion Walker
Bob Gunton	...	Edward Ashen
Laura Regan	...	Lisa Ashen
Dmitry Chepovetsky	...	Richard Walker
Judith Roberts	...	Mary Shaw
Keir Gilchrist	...	Young Henry
Steven Taylor	...	Michael Ashen
David Talbot	...	Priest
Steve Adams	...	1941 Detective
Shelley Peterson	...	Lisa’s Mom
Enn Reitel	...	Billy (voice)
Fred Tatasciore	...	Clown (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Austin Majors	...	Michael Ashen (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
James Wan

Writing credits
Leigh Whannell		(screenplay)
James Wan		(story) &
Leigh Whannell		(story)

Produced by
Mark Burg	....	producer
Gregg Hoffman	....	producer
Oren Koules	....	producer
Peter Oillataguerre	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Charlie Clouser

Cinematography by
John R. Leonetti		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Michael N. Knue

Casting by
Barbara Fiorentino
Linda Lamontagne
Rebecca Mangieri
Wendy Weidman

Production Design by
Julie Berghoff

Art Direction by
Anastasia Masaro

Set Decoration by
Christina Kuhnigk

Costume Design by
Denise Cronenberg

Makeup Department
Lance Anderson	....	sculptor lab work
David R. Beecroft	....	key hair stylist
François Dagenais	....	prosthetics designer (as Francois Dagenais)
Paulina Harcus	....	hair stylist
Fina Khan	....	second hair assistant (as Fina Kahn)
Jo-Ann MacNeil	....	makeup artist
Leslie Ann Sebert	....	key makeup artist (as Leslie A. Sebert)
Patrick Baxter	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Glen Griffin	....	special makeup effects & sculpting (uncredited)
Nicole Michaud	....	dummy fabricator: AFX Studio (uncredited)
Nicole Michaud	....	project coordinator: AFX Studio (uncredited)
Mariko Sakata	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Toby Sells	....	special makeup effects artist: Lab Work (uncredited)
Dave Snyder	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Dennis Chapman	....	production manager
Frank Cuomo	....	post-production supervisor
Virginia Landis Albertson	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michael T. Burgess	....	daily assistant director
Sarah Campbell	....	second assistant director
Chi Fung	....	assistant director: reshoots
Chi Fung	....	first assistant director
Joel Hay	....	second second assistant director
Nick Lopez	....	trainee assistant director
Andrew Shea	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Gordon Brown	....	head painter
Greg Chown	....	storyboard artist
Avril Dishaw	....	buyer
David Joseph Doblinger	....	assistant set decorator
Britt Doughty	....	trainee assistant art director
Donavon Drummond	....	on-set dresser (as Donovan Drummond)
Jeff Helgason	....	key scenic painter
David Joseph	....	assistant set decorator
Arlene Lott	....	first assistant art director
Kenny Meinzinger	....	property master
Dan Norton	....	set designer
Arlene Savan	....	set dresser
John Subotich	....	leadman
Michael Tawton	....	leadman
Richelle Wilks	....	second assistant art director
Matt Wladyka	....	set dresser
Toni Wong	....	assistant property master

Sound Department
Randy Babajtis	....	sound designer
Jeremy Balko	....	adr mixer
Robert Batha	....	assistant sound editor
Jeanette Browning	....	adr recordist
Al Buchok	....	boom operator
Roman Alexander Buchok	....	cable puller
Kelly Cabral	....	supervising sound editor
Paul Timothy Carden	....	dialogue editor
Robert Carr	....	sound mix technician
Melissa A. Corns	....	sound effects editor
Mark DeSimone	....	adr mixer: New York
Brian Dunlop	....	adr recordist
Mike Filippov	....	cable puller
Mike Filippov	....	second boom operator
Brent Findley	....	assistant sound editor
Douglas Ganton	....	sound mixer
Scott G.G. Haller	....	dialogue editor
Brian Hanish	....	boom operator
Spencer Johnson	....	sound editor
Doc Kane	....	adr mixer
Cody King	....	sound editor
Richard Kitting	....	foley editor
Ken Kobett	....	sound re-recording mixer
Shawn London	....	sound editor
Andrew Morgado	....	foley mixer
Mike Olman	....	sound re-recording mixer
Sarah Payan	....	dialogue editor
Vic Radulich	....	dialogue editor
Shelley Roden	....	foley artist
Alexander Shapcott	....	daily sound assistant
Edward M. Steidele	....	foley artist
Lauren Stephens	....	sound designer
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
Chris Trent	....	foley mixer
Jerry Trent	....	foley artist
David F. Van Slyke	....	sound effects editor

Special Effects by
Warren Appleby	....	special effects coordinator
Tim Barraball	....	special effects key: physical effects
Jason Board	....	special effects shop foreman
David A. Brooke	....	special effects crew
Andrew Clarke-Meneguzzi	....	special effects technician
Subha Dasgupta	....	special effects assistant
Michael Innanen	....	special effects technician
David Reaume	....	special effects technician
Jason Detheridge	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Michael Becki	....	digital compositor
Barb Benoit	....	digital compositor
Dennis Berardi	....	visual effects producer: Mr. X Inc.
Kristy Blackwell	....	compositor
Dan Carnegie	....	animator: Mr. X Inc.
Erik Charlebois	....	visual effects artist: Mr. X
Cyril Frederick Chu	....	matte painter/compositor
Shawney Cohen	....	CG supervisor (as Sean Cohen)
John Daro	....	digital intermediate editor
Rob Del Ciancio	....	digital compositor: Mr. X Inc.
Bonnie Dickson	....	digital compositor
Robert Greb	....	digital compositor
Annu Gulati	....	digital compositor: Mr. X Inc.
Benny Min Huang	....	lighting artist
Benny Min Huang	....	texture painter
Ian MacLeod	....	digital artist
Elliot Mallon	....	digital effects artist
Sarah McMurdo	....	visual effects production manager: Mr. X Inc.
John J. Miralles	....	digital compositor
Martin Mueller	....	digital compositor: Mr. X Inc.
John Norris	....	business affairs: The Aaron Sims Company
Matt Ralph	....	digital artist
Darcy Reno	....	senior systems administrator (as Darcy Bangsund)
Avi Salem	....	rotoscope artist
Geoff D.E. Scott	....	visual effects
Aaron Sims	....	concept artist
Michael Stewart	....	digital compositor: Mr. X Inc.
Hoa Tran	....	digital effects artist: Mr. X Inc.
Jean Phillipe Traore	....	Flame artist
Aaron Weintraub	....	visual effects supervisor: Mr. X Inc.
Brianne Wells	....	visual effects coordinator: Mr. X Inc.
Fiona Campbell Westgate	....	visual effects producer: Mr. X Inc.
Kyle Yoneda	....	effects animator

Stunts
Leigh Bianco	....	stunts
Brad Bunn	....	stunt rigger
Scotty Cook	....	stunt double
Shelley Cook	....	stunt coordinator
Blair Johannes	....	stunt performer
Liise Keeling	....	stunt double
Joanne Leach	....	stunts (as Jo Anne Leach)
Patrick Mark	....	stunts
Layton Morrison	....	stunt rigger
Ron Muise	....	key stunt rigger
Billy Oliver	....	stunt double
Edward A. Queffelec	....	stunt performer
Robert C. Shannon	....	water safety
John Stoneham Jr.	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Miranda Jade	....	stunt double (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Neil Andrews	....	key aerial rigger (as Mongo Andrews)
Carlo Bellini	....	camera loader
Dave Bouskill	....	rigging gaffer: re-shoots
Rocky Brown	....	rigging electrician
Michael Carella	....	additional photographer
Michael Carella	....	camera operator: "c" camera
Yvonne Collin	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Tim Davis	....	video operator
Federico De Marco	....	second assistant camera
Cylvan Desrouleaux	....	second assistant camera: "c" camera
Neil Fraser	....	grip
Howard Galbraith	....	best boy (as Howie Galbraith)
Michael Galbraith	....	gaffer
Ben Gervais	....	video operator
Michael Gibson	....	still photographer
Philip A. Giglio	....	electrician
Brian E. Hill	....	grip
Mark Hryma	....	aerial director of photography
Mark Hryma	....	camera operator: Wescam camera
Andy Jekabsons	....	first assistant: "c" camera
Jason Klein	....	grip
Jim Krauter	....	rigging best boy
Derek Lang	....	video assist operator
Jim MacCammon	....	lighting technician
Rod MacNeil Jr.	....	electrician
Beth Nobes	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Douglas Novis	....	rigging best boy
Mike Ohorodnyk	....	best boy grip
Jeff Petro	....	assistant camera: Wescam camera
Michael Plant	....	generator operator
Herb Reischl Sr.	....	electrician
Ron Renzetti	....	dolly grip
Brent Robinson	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera, re-shoots
Brent Robinson	....	underwater first assistant camera
Robert C. Shannon	....	dive supervisor
Dave C. Sheridan	....	camera operator: "b" camera (as Dave Sheridan)
Tom Starnes	....	rigging gaffer
Robert Stecko	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Dean Stinchcombe	....	first assistant camera
Samuel Turturici	....	grip (as Sam Turturici)
Ron Yolevsky	....	key grip
Matt Kiskis	....	grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Lisa Baylin	....	casting assistant
Robin D. Cook	....	casting: Toronto
Kristi Daniels	....	casting intern
Elizabeth Dionne	....	casting manager
Samantha Finkler	....	casting associate
Amber Horn	....	casting assistant
Cheryl Kloner	....	additional voice casting
Linda Lamontagne	....	additional voice casting
Jane Rogers	....	extras casting
Lindsey Samilian	....	casting intern

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Patricia Boulden	....	assistant costume designer
Christopher Hargadon	....	costume breakdown supervisor
Kim Porter	....	costume truck supervisor

Editorial Department
Mel Friedman	....	first assistant editor
Christian Kinnard	....	editor: title sequence
Alexandra Leviloff	....	assistant editor: avid
Aaron Marshall	....	first assistant editor
Rui Martins	....	telecine operator
John Nicolard	....	digital intermediate supervisor
Mila Patriki	....	dailies colorist
Charles Ryan	....	assistant editor
Bill Schultz	....	digital intermediate executive
Walter Volpatto	....	digital intermediate colorist

Music Department
Mark Bensi	....	music editor
Lise Richardson	....	preview music editor

Transportation Department
Whitney Byron	....	transportation captain
Gordon Ionson	....	transportation captain
Orest W. Muz	....	transportation coordinator
Ian C. Harris	....	daily driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Kevin Alakas	....	second assistant accountant
Gerry Alfonso	....	first assistant accountant
Troy Begnaud	....	assistant: Mr. Hoffman
David Booth	....	laser film recording
Cathy Cavadini	....	looping group (as Catherine Cavadini)
Adam Chuckryk	....	stand-in
Donald Colafranceschi	....	production assistant: re-shoot
Chad Cole	....	assistant: Mr. Burg & Mr. Koules
Patricia Cowmeadow	....	on-set supervisor
John DeMita	....	adr loop group
Judi M. Durand	....	adr loop group (as Judy Durand)
Jeff Fischer	....	adr loop group (as Jeffrey Todd Fischer)
Peggy Flood	....	adr loop group
Neil Floyd	....	production assistant
Peter Freeman	....	programmer
Anneliese Goldman	....	adr loop group
Charmaine Hamp	....	stand-in
Lauren Hassard	....	set medic
Zoe Raye Hegedus	....	adr loop group
Dawn Howat	....	second assistant accountant
Bruce A. Hutchison	....	re-shoots coordinator
Barbara Iley	....	adr loop group
Kyle Kitagawa	....	production secretary
Daamen J. Krall	....	adr loop group
Candace Kunderman	....	trainee accountant
Nick Lopez	....	set production assistant
Jim Lovisek	....	animal wrangler
Taylor Masamitsu	....	adr loop group
Darin McLeod	....	assistant location manager
Nancy Melo	....	assistant: Mr. Wan
Luis M. Mendoza	....	assistant location manager (as Luis Mendoza)
Pete Michaels	....	ventriloquism instructor: Ms Roberts
Gabrielle Nadeau	....	production assistant
Pete Nilson	....	caterer: second unit
Carol Pears	....	script supervisor
Synderella Peng	....	title designer
Monica Perez Gelbman	....	post-production accountant
Lori Pumputis	....	production coordinator
David Randolph	....	adr loop group
Kathryn Remlinger	....	assistant: Mr. Wan
Ryan Robertson	....	main title producer
Susan Silo	....	adr loop group
Michael Stoyanov	....	assistant production coordinator
Alan Sutton	....	fire safety coordinator
Elaine Thurston	....	production accountant
Dave Tommasini	....	pilot: Wescam helicopter
Michael Tough	....	location manager
Karen Tyrell	....	unit publicist
Lisa Vella	....	assistant to producers
Al Vrkljan	....	armorer
Larry David Wilson	....	production assistant
Garson Yu	....	title designer

Thanks
Gregg Hoffman	....	in memory of

Production Companies

• Universal Pictures
• Twisted Pictures (uncredited)
• Evolution Entertainment (uncredited)

Distributors

• Toho-Towa (2008) (Japan) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2007) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (2007) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (2007) (UK) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2007) (Argentina) (all media)
• Universal Home Video (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD) (unrated)

Special Effects

• AFX Studios (special make-up effects)
• Mr. X (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production
• FotoKem Digital Film Services  digital intermediate
• Hand Prop  props supplied by
• Lakeshore Records  soundtrack
• Movie Armaments Group  firearms supplied by
• Pivotal Post  Avid editing equipment provided by
• Sonic Magic  sound post-production
• Sound Satisfaction  foley recording facilities
• Toronto Film Studios  movie studio
• Wilshire Stages, The  ADR recording facility
• yU+Co.  titles

MPAA:

Rated R for horror violence and images.

Runtime:

89 min | 92 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #42784) | Singapore:PG | UK:15 | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | South Korea:18 | Australia:M (unrated version) | Australia:M | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Elora, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

"Billy" was not only the name of one of the dummies in this movie, but also the name of the puppet used by the Jigsaw killer in the "Saw" movies, also created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Detective Lipton confronts Jamie at his father's house, the perspiration on the left side of the Detective's face alternates between dry and wet between shots.

Quotes:

Children's Rhyme: Beware the stare of Mary Shaw / She had no children only dolls / And if you see her in your dreams / Be sure to never ever scream.

Movie Connections:

References Saw (2003)

Soundtrack:

Lucky in Love

Not Too Bad

I had no interest in seeing this movie, but my buddy wanted to see it so we went to go and see it. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't so much scared, but it was indeed very creepy. This movie almost reminds me of Pennsylvania legend "Bloody Mary". Donnie Walberg definitely plays the guy you love to hate, and of course the ending is good. So hey if you want a good thriller, then I say check it out. If you know you're seeing a girl that's VERY jumpy, then guys definitely take her so she can jump into your arms because this is a good type of movie for that. Not as much gore as I would have liked, but it was definitely fun to see. And of course check out the Jigsaw Puppet.

Yes this is short, yes it's sweet but hey isn't less more?