About 4321 Films
4321 Films is a San Francisco-based motion picture company that specializes in all aspects of production. Founded in 2000 by creative partners Dan West and Rick Popko, the duo was responsible for writing, producing and directing the critically acclaimed cult horror/comedies Monsturd (2003) and RetarDEAD (2008). Satan’s Orgy of Blood, written, produced and directed by Dan is currently in production, and Satan’s Peak, written by Rick and Dan and executive produced by Rick is currently in preproduction.
Rick and Dan met in 1984 while attending St. Helena High School in St. Helena, CA. While there, they wrote and filmed together using any camera equipment they could get their hands on, including beta, VHS, Super 8, Hi-8, and super VHS. In 1986, they were commissioned to write the feature length comedy Halloween is Cancelled for Francis Coppola’s now defunct Commercial Pictures. While the movie was never made, the two continued to collaborate on scripts and sketch comedy shorts until 1998. In 1999, Rick and Dan got their hands on a Canon GL1 miniDV camcorder, and upon seeing the quality of the picture it produced, they decided it was time to stop asking for Hollywood’s permission and start making their own movies, beginning with Monsturd. The sequel RetarDEAD followed a few years thereafter. Both movies are currently distributed domestically and internationally through Brain Damage Films and can be found on Amazon Prime, Tubi, YouTube, Troma Now and other streaming channels.
After a short hiatus, Rick and Dan collaborated on the feature-length screenplay Satan’s Peak, and Rick, acting as executive producer, is currently in preproduction. After Satan’s Peak, Dan penned Satan’s Orgy of Blood, which is currently in production and being produced and directed by Dan.
4321 Films is a San Francisco-based motion picture company that specializes in all aspects of production. Founded in 2000 by creative partners Dan West and Rick Popko, the duo was responsible for writing, producing and directing the critically acclaimed cult horror/comedies Monsturd (2003) and RetarDEAD (2008). Satan’s Orgy of Blood, written, produced and directed by Dan is currently in production, and Satan’s Peak, written by Rick and Dan and executive produced by Rick is currently in preproduction.
Rick and Dan met in 1984 while attending St. Helena High School in St. Helena, CA. While there, they wrote and filmed together using any camera equipment they could get their hands on, including beta, VHS, Super 8, Hi-8, and super VHS. In 1986, they were commissioned to write the feature length comedy Halloween is Cancelled for Francis Coppola’s now defunct Commercial Pictures. While the movie was never made, the two continued to collaborate on scripts and sketch comedy shorts until 1998. In 1999, Rick and Dan got their hands on a Canon GL1 miniDV camcorder, and upon seeing the quality of the picture it produced, they decided it was time to stop asking for Hollywood’s permission and start making their own movies, beginning with Monsturd. The sequel RetarDEAD followed a few years thereafter. Both movies are currently distributed domestically and internationally through Brain Damage Films and can be found on Amazon Prime, Tubi, YouTube, Troma Now and other streaming channels.
After a short hiatus, Rick and Dan collaborated on the feature-length screenplay Satan’s Peak, and Rick, acting as executive producer, is currently in preproduction. After Satan’s Peak, Dan penned Satan’s Orgy of Blood, which is currently in production and being produced and directed by Dan.
Dan West
Rick Popko
4321 Films Productions in the News
The Owl Light Picture Show podcast (4.30.24): Special Guests Dan West and Rick Popko
Cracked.com (1.7.2024): 23 of the Most Ridiculous Movies Ever Made
CBR (10.16.22): 10 Least Frightening Horror Villains
ShortList (9.9.2024): The best B-movies of all time: the craziest B-Movies revealed
Fantasy Literature (10.2.2023): Six Schlocky Horror Excursions
Collider (8.15.2023): 10 Most Ridiculous Movies of All Time, According to Reddit
Zenless Popcorn (11.18.2021): Halloweek #2: Interview – Rick Popko and Dan West
Horror Screams Video Vault (5.6.21): 4321 Films Debuts Novelization of the Cult Hit Monsturd
Screen Rant (3.4.21): 9 Worst Horror Movie Titles Of All Time, Ranked
Realm of Horror (2.28.21): Novelization of the Cult Hit “MONSTURD”
Paste Magazine (2.26.21): Alice Cooper: Still Making Detroit Music and Telling Detroit Stories
Horror Society (2.25.21): Toilet Bowl Cult Classic “Monsturd” Receives Novel Adaption
Flickering Myth (11.19.20): They Came From the Crapper: 5 Horror Movies to Watch on World Toilet Day
IndieWire (3.20.2014): The Awesomely Punk Rock Filmography of Jello Biafra
Complex (10.31.2013): The 25 Most Unintentionally Funny Horror Movie Villains
Movie Feast (3.28.2012): No-Budget Nightmares: Interview with RetarDEAD directors Rick Popko and Dan West
IOL (10.31.2011): Too horrible to bear (from South Africa)
AV Club (10.13.2011): The InstaFlicka podcast crew on Netflix, beer, and horror movies
Total Film (4.4.2011): 50 Weirdest Movie High Concepts
SF Weekly (7.2.2008): Putting the Fun Back in Funeral
San Francisco Examiner (7.11.2008): A campy B-movie to end all B-movies
San Francisco Chronicle (7.10.2008): ‘RetarDEAD’: Gory horror sequel premieres
Wired (2.21.2008): Indie Zombie Flick Gives Away Theme Song to Remixers