Filmmakers Gary Smart and John Campopiano join the Capes and Tights Podcast for Episode 218 on April 9, 2025. To prepare for the conversation, we have compiled seven films or miniseries by Smart and Campopiano you should watch.
Smart is the writer and producer of such titles as Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser (2015); You’re so cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night (2016); RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (2021); What an Institution! The Story of Police Academy (2020); Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story (2024)–which he also directed; and more!
Campopiano is the writer and producer of Snapper: The Man-Eating Turtle Movie That Never Got Made (2022); Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary (2017); Georgie (2019); and more. Campopiano also produced RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (2021); Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story (2024); and Stream (2024).
Together the pair co-wrote and produced Pennywise: The Story of IT (2020).
Smart and Campopiano worked together on the recently released Art Attack! The Dissection of Terrifier 3, a documentary following the filming of Damien Leone‘s third Terrifier film which was released in 2024.
RoboDoc: The Creation of Robocop
An in-depth look into the groundbreaking franchise and featuring new interviews with cast and crew, including Hollywood icons such as Peter Weller, Diane Robin, Ronny Cox, Nancy Allen, Ray Wise, director Paul Verhoeven & more.
Directed by Smart, Produced by Smart and Campopiano.
WATCH ON ROBODOC ON AMAZON
Snapper: The Man-Eating Turtle Movie That Never Got Made
The untold story of Snapper, an unfinished early 90s film about a man eating turtle that wreaks havoc on a lakeside community in New England. Through unearthed behind-the-scenes set footage, photos, newly digitized film reels of daily footage, and never-before-told stories from the filmmakers, this short documentary tells the story of an idea that almost became a reality. The film also provides a window into the local Boston special FX makeup and horror communities of the 1980s and 1990s.
Directed and Produced by Campopiano.
WATCH SNAPPER ON AMAZON
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story
A classically trained actor and director, Robert Englund has become one of the most revolutionary horror icons of our generation. Throughout his career, Englund starred in many well-known movies, but shot to super-stardom with his portrayal of supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. This unique and intimate portrait captures the man behind the glove and features interviews with Englund and his wife Nancy, Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Tony Todd, Heather Langenkamp and more.
Written, Directed, and Produced by Smart.
WATCH HOLLYWOOD DREAMS & NIGHTMARES ON AMAZON
Pennywise: The Story of It
A documentary surrounding It (1990), based upon the Stephen King novel of the same name, which featured a notorious villain known mostly as Pennywise.
Directed by Campopiano. Produced by Campopiano and Smart.
WATCH PENNYWISE ON AMAZON
Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary
Unearthed & Untold shows the making of the 1989 film Pet Sematary. It contains interviews with several cast and crew members who participated, including the main actors, director Mary Lambert and the producers. The film also contains several “behind the stage” scenes.
Directed and Produced by Campopiano.
WATCH UNEARTHED & UNTOLD ON AMAZON
You’re So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night
An extensive look at the making of Fright Night (1985) and Fright Night Part 2 (1988) featuring exclusive interviews with cast and crew members, rare photographs, behind-the-scenes footage and more.
Written and Produced by Smart.
WATCH THE STORY OF FRIGHT NIGHT ON AMAZON
Art Attack! The Dissection of Terrifier 3
Art Attack dives into the making of Terrifier 3, exploring its shocking practical effects, Art the Clown’s rise, and its bold impact on modern horror.
Co-Directed and Produced by Campopiano and Smart.
