David A. Prior

David A. Prior (October 24, 1955 – August 16, 2015) was an American director, screenwriter, and producer. Prior started his career with the horror film Sledgehammer, and the action film Killzone (1985). Shortly after, he co-founded Action International Pictures (AIP), 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.

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

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

1983-1985: Early films 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".

In 1985, he directed the action film Killzone. 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.

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

In 1989, he directed Rapid Fire, Future Force a science-fiction film starring David Carradine, 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.

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. He also produced Armed for Action and Blood on the Badge, both starring Joe Estevez.

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

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.

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

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.

In 2013, he wrote and directed Deadliest Prey, a sequel to Deadly Prey. 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."

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

Death 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".

Filmography Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes1983 Sledgehammer First shot-on-video slasher movie1985 Killzone 1987 Mankillers Killer Workout Also editor Deadly Prey 1988 Operation Warzone Night Wars Death Chase 1989 Jungle Assault Also cameo role as "Drug Runner" Rapid Fire Also casting director Hell on the Battleground Future Force 1990 Lock 'n' Load White Fury Born Killer Also second unit director Invasion Force Also uncredited cameo as "Director in final shot" Future Zone Also editor The Final Sanction Deadly Dancer 1991 That's Action Documentary filmAlso editorThe Lost Platoon Raw Nerve 1992 Center of the Web 1993 Double Threat Night Trap 1994 Raw Justice 1995 Mutant Species Felony Body Count 1997 The P.A.C.K. 1999 Hostile Environment 2007 Lost at War Also editor 2008 Zombie Wars 2011 The One Warrior 2012 Night Claws Also editor 2013 Deadliest Prey Also editor, casting director and cameo role as "Man in Van" 2015 Dancin': It's On! Posthumously released Rentless Justice Uncredited executive producer and also editorPosthumously releasedAssassin's Fury Incomplete; Also editorShot in 2015. Production halted by Prior's death.

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

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