Once Bitten 1999
A quirky 1999 horror short that blends unintentional camp with raw, DIY energy, *Once Bitten* started as a passion project turned vampire drama but emerged as a nostalgic time capsule of indie filmmaking.
Director: MJ Dixon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Once Bitten (1999) about?
*Once Bitten* follows a man's ill-fated quest to become a vampire, shot through the lens of a borrowed college camera with all the sincerity of a midnight film project. The result is a low-budget horror short that prioritizes heart over scares, featuring a cast of friends including David Mills and Jennifer Cooper alongside director MJ Dixon himself.
Who directed Once Bitten?
MJ Dixon directed *Once Bitten*, helming this micro-budget horror short as both filmmaker and occasional actor.
Who stars in Once Bitten?
The small cast includes director MJ Dixon in a rare on-screen role, alongside friends David Mills and Jennifer Cooper, who bring a community-driven energy to the project.
Is Once Bitten (1999) worth watching?
As a curiosity rather than a polished horror film, *Once Bitten* holds niche appeal for fans of DIY cinema and unintentional camp. Its 8-minute runtime and raw aesthetic make it a quick watch, though its true value lies in its backstory rather than its scares.
How long is Once Bitten?
*Once Bitten* has a runtime of 8 minutes.
About Once Bitten (1999): The Quirky Horror Short That Never Went As Planned
A quirky 1999 horror short that blends unintentional camp with raw, DIY energy, *Once Bitten* started as a passion project turned vampire drama but emerged as a nostalgic time capsule of indie filmmaking. Shot on borrowed SVHS equipment, director MJ Dixon's micro-budget experiment captures the earnest, awkward charm of youthful ambition, following a man's misguided attempt to transform into a vampire—complete with his friends playing supporting roles in a story that leans more toward drama than terror. The grainy, low-fi aesthetic and earnest performances give it an endearingly flawed authenticity, like a horror film preserved in amber.
Hidden away for decades and later rescued from obscurity, the film's true appeal lies in its behind-the-scenes story: the blending of amateur filmmaking with personal memories, where a college camera and youthful camaraderie accidentally birthed a cult curiosity. Though far from polished, *Once Bitten* offers a glimpse into the raw, unfiltered creativity of filmmakers starting out, wrapped in a horror-tinged package that's equal parts earnest and unintentionally hilarious.