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