David A. Prior (October 24, 1955 – August 16, 2015) was an American director, screenwriter, and producer.[1] Prior started his career with the horror film Sledgehammer (1983), and the action film Killzone (1985). Shortly after, he co-founded Action International Pictures (AIP),[2] his first directorial effort with this enterprise were Deadly Prey, Aerobicide, and Mankillers released in 1987. Subsequently, Prior made action films until the late 1990s.

David A. Prior
Photo of David A. Prior on a film set, taken between 2007 and 2015
Born(1955-10-24)October 24, 1955
DiedAugust 16, 2015(2015-08-16) (aged 59)
Occupation(s)Film director, screenwriter, producer
Years active1983–2015
RelativesTed Prior (brother)

Many of these films would star his bodybuilder brother Ted, and many of their collaborations became cult films.

From 2000 to 2006, Prior went on a hiatus. From 2007 to his death in 2015, he continued directing films including Lost at War (2007), Zombie Wars (2008), Night Claws (2012), Deadliest Prey (2013), and Relentless Justice (2015).

Career edit

1983-1985: Early films edit

In 1983, Prior made his directorial debut with the horror film Sledgehammer. Katie Rife of The A.V. Club said the film "has the distinction of being the first shot-on-video slasher movie. That film established patterns that would persist throughout Prior’s career, namely, extremely low budgets, hammy dialogue, outrageous action, and, most importantly, the presence of his brother Ted".[3]

In 1985, he directed the action film Killzone.[3]

1987-1999: Action and horror film director edit

Around this time Prior met by veteran producer, and director David Winters and with him the founded Action International Pictures also known as AIP. In 1987, Prior's directorial efforts that AIP released were the horror film Killer Workout,[4] the action films Deadly Prey, and Mankillers. The made for VHS film gained a second audience two decades later as cult film that found its way on the internet.[5][6]

In 1988, he directed Operation Warzone, an American Vietnam War film, Night Wars and Death Chase.[7]

In 1989, he directed Rapid Fire, Future Force a science-fiction film starring David Carradine,[8] and Hell on the Battleground.

In 1990, he is credited as the director of following films White Fury, Invasion Force, The Lost Platoon, Lock 'n' Load, Invasion Force, Future Zone,(Future Force's sequel) and The Final Sanction. That year, he was credited with the screenplays for Born Killer and Deadly Dancer.[9][10]

In 1991, he produced Dark Rider and The Last Ride. That year, he wrote and directed Raw Nerve.

In 1992, he wrote and directed the film Center of the Web, starring Robert Davi, Tony Curtis, Charlene Tilton, and Charles Napier.[11] He also produced Armed for Action and Blood on the Badge, both starring Joe Estevez.[12][13]

In 1993, AIP was rebranded West Side Studios, to signal that the company would work with bigger budgets and become more mainstream.[14] With the advancements of the company, Prior directed two films. One of them is Double Threat, with Sally Kirkland and Andrew Stevens.[15] The other horror-thriller film Night Trap (which won a Gold Award at the WorldFest Houston for best Fantasy/Horror), starring Robert Davi.[16][17]

In 1994, he directed the thriller Raw Justice (which won a Bronze Award at the WorldFest Charleston for best Theatrical Feature Film – Dramatic), starring Pamela Anderson, David Keith, and Robert Hays.[18][17]

In 1995, he directed Felony and Mutant Species. Also that year he wrote Codename: Silencer.

In 1997, he produced The P.A.C.K..

In 1999, he directed Hostile Environment with Brigitte Nielsen, Matthias Hues, and Darren Shahlavi.

2000 to 2015: Hiatus and final projects edit

From 2000 to 2006, Prior was on an hiatus.[19]

In 2007, Prior returned to directing with Lost at War.[19]

On March 15, 2009, Prior's Zombie Wars, a zombie apocalypse film, screened at the first Paranoia Horror Film Festival.[20][21]

He also wrote the screenplay of The One Warrior released in 2011.

In 2012, he directed the bigfoot horror film Night Claws, starring Reb Brown.[22]

In 2013, he wrote and directed Deadliest Prey, a sequel to Deadly Prey.[23][24] On making a sequel, Ted said that he and David "decided to do a sequel based on fan mail, screenings, and all that stuff. I’ve talked to lot of fans of the movie, and after having all kinds of ideas thrown at us, Dave and I have decided to stick to the basic formula as the original. Fast pace and hard hitting."[25]

In 2015, he was as writer for the screenplay of David Winters's Dancin': It's On!.[26] Also he wrote and directed Relentless Justice starring Leilani Sarelle.[27][28]

Death edit

Prior died on August 16, 2015, at the age of 59. His death was described by his brother Ted as "a long battle of failing health".[29]

Filmography edit

Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
1983 Sledgehammer Yes Yes No First shot-on-video slasher movie
1985 Killzone Yes Yes No
1987 Mankillers Yes Yes No
Killer Workout Yes Yes Co-producer Also editor
Deadly Prey Yes Yes No
1988 Operation Warzone Yes Yes No
Night Wars Yes Yes No
Death Chase Yes Yes No
1989 Jungle Assault Yes Yes Executive Also cameo role as "Drug Runner"
Rapid Fire Yes Yes Yes Also casting director
Hell on the Battleground Yes Yes No
Future Force Yes Yes No
1990 Lock 'n' Load Yes Yes No
White Fury Yes Yes No
Born Killer No Yes Executive Also second unit director
Invasion Force Yes Yes No Also uncredited cameo as "Director in final shot"
Future Zone Yes Yes No Also editor
The Final Sanction Yes Yes No
Deadly Dancer No Yes No
1991 That's Action Yes Yes Executive Documentary film
Also editor
The Lost Platoon Yes Yes No
Raw Nerve Yes Yes No
1992 Center of the Web Yes Yes No
1993 Double Threat Yes Yes No
Night Trap Yes Yes No
1994 Raw Justice Yes Yes No
1995 Mutant Species Yes Yes Yes
Felony Yes Yes No
Body Count No Yes No
1997 The P.A.C.K. No Yes Executive
1999 Hostile Environment Yes No Yes
2007 Lost at War Yes Yes Yes Also editor
2008 Zombie Wars Yes Yes Yes
2011 The One Warrior No Yes Executive
2012 Night Claws Yes Yes Yes Also editor
2013 Deadliest Prey Yes Yes Yes Also editor, casting director and cameo role as "Man in Van"
2015 Dancin': It's On! No Yes No Postmothusly released
Rentless Justice Yes Yes Executive Uncredited executive producer and also editor
Postmothusly released
TBA Assassin's Fury Yes Yes Yes Uncompleted; Also editor
Shot in 2015 before his death with post-production being stopped cause of that.

Executive producer only edit

  • The Last Ride (1991)
  • Presumed Guilty (1991) (Co-executive; Uncredited)
  • Dark Rider (1991)
  • Armed for Action (1992)
  • Blood on the Badge (1992)

Assistant director edit

  • Space Mutiny (1988) (Uncredited director: BellerIan Sequences)
  • The Hostage (1998)

References edit

  1. ^ Massaccesi, Francesco (March 31, 2011). "Intervista a David A. Prior" (in Italian). www.nocturno.it. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  2. ^ "R.I.P. David A. Prior Dies At Age 59". Bloody Disgusting. August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "R.I.P. David A. Prior, direct-to-video legend and director of Deadly Prey". The A.V. Club. August 18, 2015. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  4. ^ "Blu-ray Special Features Revealed for KILLER WORKOUT, SHOCK 'EM DEAD & More". Daily Dead. August 7, 2015. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  5. ^ "INTERVIEW: David A. Prior from Deadly Prey | Cinedelphia". cinedelphia.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Rigney, Todd (August 18, 2015). "Killer Workout Director David A. Prior Passes Away". Dread Central. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  7. ^ Budnik, Daniel R. (2017). "Operation Warzone". '80s Action Movies on the Cheap. North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-7864-9741-6.
  8. ^ Budnik, Daniel R. (2017). "Future Force". '80s Action Movies on the Cheap. North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-7864-9741-6.
  9. ^ Now and Then We Time Travel: Visiting Pasts and Futures in Film and Television, By Fraser A. Sherman - Page 208 Future Zone (1990)
  10. ^ Comeuppance Reviews, 5/15/2018 - Invasion Force (1990)
  11. ^ "Center Of The Web | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  12. ^ "Armed For Action | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  13. ^ "Blood On The Badge | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  14. ^ Klein, Richard (February 26, 1993). "AIP renamed West Side Studios". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "Double Threat | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  16. ^ "Mardi Gras For The Devil | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  17. ^ a b "Davis Winters". Dance Mogul Magazine. July 1, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  18. ^ "Raw Justice | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  19. ^ a b "Direct-to-Video Pioneer DAVID A. PRIOR - The Career Restrospective [sic]". We Are Movie Geeks. September 12, 2018. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  20. ^ Gingold, Michael (March 5, 2009). "CA's Paranoia Fest debuts with strong movie lineup". Fangoria. Archived from the original on April 5, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  21. ^ Dendle, Peter (2012). The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia: Volume 2, 2000-2010. McFarland Publishing. pp. 232–233. ISBN 978-0-7864-6163-9.
  22. ^ Standal, Jeanne (November 22, 2012). "First trailer & poster for Apex Predator aka Night Claws!". FilmoFilia. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  23. ^ Tal, Tim (January 28, 2014). "Director David A. Prior talks "Deadliest Prey" (exclusive)". BZFilm.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  24. ^ "THE MUSCLE OF HORROR RETURNS! An Interview with David Prior: Deadly Director". Tavern of Terror. February 9, 2014. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  25. ^ "Interview with cult B-action film actor Ted Prior". August 15, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  26. ^ Dancin' It's On! (DVD). Hannover House. 2014. HH4468.
  27. ^ "David A Prior |". Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  28. ^ "INTERVIEW: Bristol Bad Film Club speaks to David A. Prior, director of Deadly Prey". Bristol Bad Film Club. September 16, 2014. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  29. ^ JonathanBarkan (August 17, 2015). "R.I.P. David A. Prior Dies At Age 59". Bloody Disgusting!. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.

Works cited edit

  • Dendle, Peter (2012). The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia: Volume 2, 2000-2010. North Carolina: McFarland Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7864-6163-9.
  • Budnik, Daniel R. (2017). '80s Action Movies on the Cheap. North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc. ISBN 9780786497416

External links edit