Local makes second take on horror

After landing a job as a young actor working on “The Wonder Years,” Huntington Beach native Rocky Costanzo’s acting career looked bright. The young Costanzo was fascinated by the world of filmmaking he had landed in.

Costanzo soon started spending his time with the directors and technicians working on the show and found his true passion was working behind the camera.

“I dug it so much that the interest in being an actor faded away,” Costanzo said.

Costanzo dedicated himself to learning the craft and founded LifeLine Entertainment after film school. The studio will premiere its fourth film, “Amhurst,” at Huntington Beach Central Library Saturday.

“Amhurst” is a supernatural thriller — LifeLine’s second foray into the horror genre. 2005’s “Hallowed” was more of a traditional slasher flick, but the positive attention the film garnered after being distributed by Universal subsidiary UMVD convinced Costanzo he should give horror another shake.

Costanzo said LifeLine has been approached by several smaller studios that have requested screenings of “Amhurst.” It’s a new experience for the independent filmmaker who said he could hardly get a studio to give him the time of day with his first movie.

While he’s excited for the attention his films are getting now, Costanzo wasn’t surprised at the initial snub.

His teachers at the Los Angeles Film School taught him that film is one of the most competitive businesses to enter.

Which is fine by Costanzo. He’s more interested in independent movies than the mainstream Hollywood scene.

“I like indie films. Even if a big studio wanted to hire me to do the next big blockbuster, I don’t know if I’d be interested,” he said.

Independent film attracts Costanzo because there’s less guidance from a studio that’s concerned with profits.

This allows the director more control over the creative process.

This is especially important to Costanzo, who hopes to conquer all genres, a laStanley Kubrick — Costanzo’s film hero.

“There’s no rules, you can do the film you want,” Costanzo said.

Executive Producer Roy Thomasson said the cast is excited to finally see the fruits of their labors.

“This will be the very first screening of the movie, and a lot of the cast has been patiently — a little bit impatiently — waiting for it to come out,” Thomasson said.

Thomasson said LifeLine Entertainment has brought all the movie premiere trimmings to Huntington Beach. There will be a red carpet entrance for the cast exiting limos as well as searchlights and a large marquee.

There will even be a sprinkling of celebrities like comedians Dane Cook and Tom Green.

“It’s going to be a really cool event,” Thomasson said. “We’re bringing Hollywood to Huntington Beach.”