Jamie Blanks obit

‘Urban Legend,’ 

‘Valentine’ Director 

Jamie Blanks Has 

Passed Away

 

He was not on the list.

Australian horror filmmaker Jamie Blanks passed away suddenly at his home in Melbourne on Monday. He was 54.

Blanks made his feature directorial debut on the slasher Urban Legend, which he followed up with Valentine. He went on to helm Storm Warning and the remake of Long Weekend.

Blanks was also an accomplished composer and editor, in addition to an advocate for aspiring filmmakers and a supporter of the horror community.

Blanks’ family shared a statement on social media: “His death was unexpected, despite some ill health in recent years. and comes at a time when Jamie was preparing to direct another film. He was still very active supporting other filmmakers and developing his own projects.

Anyone who was lucky to know Jamie was immediately struck by his talent, kindness, humanity, generosity of spirit and boundless enthusiasm for what he did in life but also – so importantly – for the people around him. This big, beautiful heart of his eventually gave way.

We’re imagining him now in a better place, chatting up a storm about horror movies and music with many others he loved and admired who have passed before him. Honour him by watching one of his films or John Carpenter’s The Fog (a favourite film that inspired him to become a filmmaker) or listening to one of his music scores.”

Our hearts go out to Blanks’ wife, Simone, and son, Oliver, along with the rest of his family, friends, and fans.

Director

Silent Number (1993)

Urban Legend (1998)

Valentine (2001)

Storm Warning (2007)

Long Weekend (2008)

Composer

The Abbarant (1991)

Storm Warning (2007)

Long Weekend (2008)

Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010)

Needle (2010)

Crawlspace (2012)