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OPTIMIZED FOR 1024x768 RESOLUTION FEO NEWS FOR SUMMER
2006: AWARDS
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AUGUST AUG! 31
Joseph Stefano Moves On Screenwriter Joe Stefano, best known (and no perhaps about it!) for his screenplay, PSYCHO, died yesterday at the age of 84. The power of the story, based on the the very real Ed Gein (whose gruesome life also inspired THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, DERANGED, and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, among others) brought fame and fortune to the four main people who were associated with it. Robert Bloch, who wrote the novel; Joeseph Stefano, who adapted Bloch's novel for the screen; Alfred Hitchcock, who directed the movie, and Janet Leigh, who played the tragic Marion Crane. it also brought fame, but not fortune, to actor Anthony Perkins, who played the shy Norman Bates. Though Joseph Stefano continued to write Horror screenplays (EYE OF THE CAT, SNOWBEAST, THE KINDRED, PSYCHO IV), none came close to Psycho. While Bloch's book and Stefano's screenplay are nearly two different stories, the men had no animosity toward each other. When Joseph won the Writers of America Award for Psycho, Robert Bloch presented it to him. QUICK BITE After Dark Horrorfest is coming to 35 cities across the country on November 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 13.
Two of the most well thought out, complex, and technically advanced rides at Disney theme parks have always been The Haunted Mansion (at its conception, considered impossible to build) and The Pirates of the Caribbean. While the Haunted Mansion works best prior to the Christmas Holidays when A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS characters and themes are grafted haphazardly onto and into the ride. True, the movie was a deserved flop, but for 9 months out of the year, the Haunted Mansion still works its spooky magic! Pirates of the Caribbean was a ride-to-movie that needed no Horror, yet PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL was all about curses and zombies and dead men who did, in fact, tell tales. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST was filled with some of the most gruesome creatures that have ever hit the screen. In 1993, filming began in preparation for Disney's California Adventure ride: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The short clips contained within the ride were directed by Joe Dante (PIRANHA, THE HOWLING, GREMLINS, HOMECOMING) and starred, as Rod Serling, Horror writer Robert S. Rhine (MY BRAIN ESCAPES ME, SATAN'S 3-RING CIRCUS OF HELL). The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride site, Service Elevator.com is now up and running. Some of the original footage of Robert Rhine (replaced later by digitally manipulated clips of Rod Serling) are back. Check out ServiceElevator.com. And while you're at it, see the following fansites for The Haunted Mansion: DoomBuggies.com. The Pirates of the Caribbean: TellNoTales.com.
From Gris Grimly Here, in the rollicking rhymes of Laura Leuck and the gruesomely silly illustrations of Gris Grimly, is a truly memorable Christmas tale. Please check the TOUR page on the Mad Creator website for Fall Signings and annual Art Show starting in October. The NEW Merchandise is available on our website. We finally have NEW Mad Creator shirts with the "evolved" MCP Logo, NEW patches, buttons, sticker decals, work shirts, tote bags, and more. Mad Creator Productions is still working hard to complete "Cannibal Flesh Riot!" Unfortunately, we are not going to make the Screamfest LA Film Festival deadline. Everyone is still working hard and we feel that making sure everything is just as Gris wants it is better than rushing to meet the deadline. So we will have to wait until next year for the film festivals. The public screening is going to be on November 16th. Time and place to be announced soon. Gris just completed an exclusive t-shirt for Netherworld in Atlanta, GA. Make sure to check out their website this Fall to get your hands on one. He is also providing the artwork for the Screamfest Horror Convention program that all attendees will receive. Gris and the Mad Creator Crew will be returning to Screamfest in Orlando, FL this year. Check the website for more details. And last but not least Gris is creating a large selection of new paintings that will be for sale for his art show this Fall at the Van Eaton Galleries. The theme is Halloween and Christmas- but not combined- instead celebrating the darker edge of each seperately. Stay tuned for more details soon...
AUG! 29 HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAY TO -
AUG! 28
From Scott Goldberg Peter Iasillo (SKINNED DEEP, SPOOKIES) who plays Mark Hunter in THE FOREST HILLS was recently interviewed by Dark Spider for Blood Manor! The link to the interview is at YouTube. Also, I will be on hand with Special FX Makeup Artist John T. Farley at the 2006 Fangoria Weekend of Horrors in Secaucus, New Jersey promoting our upcoming films from September 29th to October 1st, 2006 at The Crowne Plaza. More information at CreationEnt. AND From Rick Spears Comic Book Resources has a huge 10 page preview up of the NEXT Gigantic Graphic Novel HELLCITY by Macon Blair and Joe Flood! IF IT'S CREEPY IT'S HERE The Creepyflix library boasts popular hot hits as well as rare, out of print and cult classics - movies the "big guys" don't even know about! "Our selection runs the gamut from slashers to creepy stop-motion animation films," says founder Jourdan McClure. "We carry everything from Quay Brothers films to the works Jan Svankmajer; from Mario Bava to Michael Bay — we love it all. This is why our catalog is akin to that of a serious collector, and is literally growing by the day. Creepyflix is out to redefine the term eclectic." Creepyflix was founded by fans, for fans. The idea came about when McClure noticed a dearth of DVD rental places that catered to the serious genre aficionado. "Most rental establishments carry the same films," he notes. "Of course they have genres, but their catalogs are almost identical." The Creepyflix team is comprised of genre fans, moviemakers, professional film historians, and, McClure adds, "Driven fan-boys!" HAPPY HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO- Actor Billy Boyd (URBAN GHOST STORY, LORD OF THE RINGS, SEED OF CHUCKY) who is 38. And on Sunday - Writer Ira Levin (A KISS BEFORE DYING, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE STEPFORD WIVES, THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL, DEATHTRAP, SLIVER) is 78. Writer Drew Silver (THE VAMPIRE WITHIN: THE BEGINNING) is 30. Actor Alexa Vega (TWISTER, THE GLIMMER MAN, SPYKIDS, SPYKIDS 2, SPYKIDS 3D) is 18.
AUG! 25 HAPPY
HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO-
AUG! 24
Oh, the horror of stupidity! Averatec is a notebook computer company. They are not one of the top notebook computer companies. From reading about their newest contest, they don't intend to even try! According to their brand new spanky contest, "When it comes to style, it's not about the chips beneath your notebook cover. It's about what's "on" your notebook, and how much of your personality it reflects." I have to disagree. My "style" is determined by lag time and how quickly I can beat down an alien; dodge a monster, and take cover from a grenade launcher. Averatec "thinks different". And they wonder why they aren't a leader in notebook computers. But all that is naught but an introduction to their new contest which is, Design Your Own Averatec Notebook Computer! Check out their Contest Page.
So the voters (presumed Averatec owners) think that the coolest design for the Averatec is to make it look just like an Alienware notebook computer! Yeah, it would be pretty cool if other people THOUGHT you had a kick-ass computer!
Now Averatec has promised, according to their contest, that the winning design will actually be made into a new Averatec notebook computer! How in the hell are they going to do that without licensing the design from Alienware? If you are actually reading this on an Averatec computer, MAN, do you have my sympathy. UPDATE: Last week, the winning "Alien" Averatec design had thousands of votes. This week it is down to 200+??? Minutes later, it was up to 350 and counting. I don't know where the votes went from last week, but it's rising back up to the top. QUICK BITES For more information, go to the official website, LAConIV.org. If you plan to be in Los Angeles in September, then howz about this? If you have something going on in your town, state, country, basement, and I haven't covered it, then it's because YOU haven't told me about it! Contact me at: HAPPY
HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO-
AUG! 23 From Writer's Digest The Grand-Prize winner will receive $3,000 (that's $2 - or more - per word). For guidelines, prizes and to enter online, click here. Plus, the 1st - through 25th - place manuscripts will be printed in the 7th Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition Collection, published by Trafford Publishing. Click here to learn more about this special collection and to reserve your copy today. QUICK BITE
THIS WEEK'S HORRIFIC SERMON I am constantly asked variations of this question: "where are the black horror writers?" So rather than attempt to pontificate on issues that black writers may face, what obstacles pros may face, or how to best market to the under-served black reading market - I thought that I would ask a mix of seasoned pros and up-and-comers. This round-table discussion will be running all week. Come check it out: mauricebroaddus.com/blog.htm.
AN ABOMINABLE DVD TROY, MI – It has been sighted over 42,000 times in 68 countries. It is a creature of myth and legend, but has eluded scientific study and capture. He goes by many names in countries spanning the globe: Yeti, Sasquatch and the infamous Bigfoot! We've hunted it for years, vainly searching for positive proof of its existence. But what happens when it decides to hunt us? Anchor Bay Entertainment, an IDT Entertainment Company and horror's best friend, proudly announces the October 3rd DVD release of ABOMINABLE, a terrifying excursion into the Bigfoot legend. Directed by Ryan Schifrin, who was recently featured on ABC's "Nightline" as "the future of horror". Boasting a stellar cast including Lance Henriksen (TERMINATOR, ALIENS, NEAR DARK, ALIENS vs PREDATOR), Jeffrey Combs (Re-ANIMATOR, THE FRIGHTENERS), Matt McCoy (DEEPSTAR SIX), Rex Linn (CSI MIAMI [TV]), the late Paul Gleason (DIE HARD), Dee Wallace-Stone (THE HOWLING, CUJO, THE FRIGHTENERS) and Tiffany Shepis (THE HAZING) with cover art from legendary poster designer Drew Struzan (BLADE RUNNER, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, HELLBOY), ABOMINABLE on DVD will also provide hours of hair-raising value-added bonus features including deleted and extended scenes, outtakes and bloopers, behind-the-scenes footage and much, much more. Written and directed by Schifrin, ABOMINABLE centers on Preston Rogers (McCoy), a paraplegic bound to a wheelchair and haunted by the memories of the mountain climbing accident that took both his mobility and his wife. Newly released from the hospital, he travels with an aide to a remote cabin in the woods, hoping for some relaxation and possibly some psychological closure. Amid the peace and quiet of the forest, Preston begins seeing things, or specially, some thing. When a group of young girls staying at a nearby cabin begin to experience violent – and ultimately lethal - attacks, Preston witnesses them but cannot find anyone to believe his incredible story. Preston must summon all his courage and determination to battle a monster that no one believes actually exists! In addition to its notable cast, ABOMINABLE features an equally impressive roster of behind-the-camera talent, with a score by Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated composer Lalo Schifrin (Mission Impossible, Rush Hour, Dirty Harry), special effects makeup by Oscar™ nominee Christien Tinsley (The Passion of the Christ, Pearl Harbor, XXX), Director of Photography, Neal L. Fredricks (THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, EL INTERMEDIO) and sound design by the multi-Academy Award winning Skywalker Sound (JURASSIC PARK, Titanic, Star Wars and INDIANA JONES). Ever since its Spring theatrical release and May airing on the Sci-Fi Channel, ABOMINABLE has garnered critical kudos from TV Guide magazine, Cinescape magazine, Daily Variety, Fangoria magazine and FeoAmante.com. ABOMINABLE has been officially selected for this year's FANTASTIC FEST in Austin, Texas which takes place Sept. 21-28. at the Alamo Draft House Cinema in Austin, Texas. This is the premiere festival presented by Harry Knowles, Ain't It Cool, Cinemuerte, and SXSW to create a festival of the best new Sci-Fi, Horror, Fantasy, and genre films from all over the world. If you're in the neighborhood, come join director/writer Ryan Schifrin and myself and some of the cast and crew (to be announced). Special features on the Abominable DVD include such beastly goodies as:
Visit the official ABOMINABLE website.
COMIC SPAWNS DOLLS SPAWN COMIC The newest line of Spawn action figures takes the traditionally dark character of Spawn and his ruthless adversaries and completely transforms them into the hero and villains of a hyperkinetic, high-energy action/adventure series in the tradition of your favorite Saturday morning cartoons! Such a transformation deserves an online feature like no other. In the past few weeks we've posted Spawn 30 character bios and a glossary to get you primed. This week it gets even better with an eight-page online comic - just the beginning of even greater things to come. For complete information go to Spawn.com. HAPPY
HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAY TO -
AUG! 22 From Del Howison On Sunday August 27th at 2:00 p.m. Dark Delicacies will host a signing for author Charlaine Harris who will be signing her books DEFINITELY DEAD and DEAD AS A DOORNAIL. Joining her will be author Julie Phillips signing her book JAMES TIPTREE JR.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon. Dark Delicacies is located at HAPPY
HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO -
AUG! 21
THE 22ND ANNUAL L. RON HUBBARD ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Well, writing and illustrating - no poetry. The 22nd Annual L. Ron Hubbard Achievement Awards were held last night at the Aerospace Museum here in San Diego. I received an invite because I've submitted short stories to the associated Writers of the Future writing contest. I never won or anything, but I'm not bitter. Continued at Blog/MySpace.com/LunarWindFarm.
From Lance Weiler HEAD TRAUMA is the story of George Walker, a down and out transient, who travels back home after a 20-year absence only to find the house where he spent his summers, condemned and slated for demolition. George initially wants to fix up the house and sell it quickly, but after he takes a header, he begins to experience a series of disturbing nightmares. The nightmares depict the murder of a girl by a strange hooded figure. Slowly elements from the nightmares begin to cross over into George's reality until he comes face to face with the hooded figure and discovers the true identity of the dead girl. The house that George is trying to save becomes a character within the movie. In order to find the right location, over 60 abandoned houses were scouted. "You would not believe what we saw in some of the abandoned houses. Rotting food, blood stained walls, even rooms full of fecal matter. The most haunting aspects of any of the houses were all the items that were left behind - piles of clothes, shoes, kid's toys, papers, pills, bizarre photos, drawings, journals, records, bills, needles, and bullet casings. In most cases it looked like whoever was in the house had left in a hurry, running away from something." comments Weiler. The Prescott house was chosen for its natural light and overall creepiness; not to mention it did not smell as bad as most of the other houses. HEAD TRAUMA is a psychological horror film that pushes the envelope on what is possible within an independent feature film. "HEAD TRAUMA is a very ambitious independent feature film. There are aerials, underwater sequences, stunts, cable-cam shots through treetops, and we even flooded an abandon This coming summer HEAD TRAUMA will take the concept of "independent" to a new level. In true independent fashion Lance will self distribute HEAD TRAUMA theatrically to 15 cities across the country, leading up to the DVD's national release on September 26th. "To me the real issue is getting the work seen. The revolution in making films has already occurred, anyone with a camera and a dream can make a movie. But the real issue is will anyone be able to see it? Distribution has always been an obstacle but now certain advancements in technology are allowing filmmakers to reach a wider audience. For HEAD TRAUMA I've created a hybrid distribution approach that involves traditional outlets mixed with new tech and best of all allows me to retain the rights to work." Says Weiler Lance Weiler is a critically acclaimed award winning writer / director. His digital feature, THE LAST BROADCAST, is currently distributed in over 20 countries. It has the honor of being the first all digital release of a motion picture. It recently finished a run on HBO and IFC. Lance is recognized as a digital pioneer for the way he makes and distributes his work. He's been featured in Time and Forbes and on television programs such as Entertainment Tonight and CNN. Wired Magazine called Lance "One of Lance has just finished his newest feature entitled HEAD TRAUMA, which is fresh off its world premiere at the prestigious LA FILM FESTIVAL. Starting August 18th HEAD TRAUMA will kick off its national theatrical run and then on September 26th it will hit stores nationwide on DVD. Currently, Lance is developing a number of television and film projects. August 18th - Portland
Actor Carrie-Anne Moss (THE SOFT KILL, LETHAL TENDER, THE MATRIX, MEMENTO, RED PLANET, THE ANIMATRIX, THE MATRIX RE-LOADED, THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, SUSPECT ZERO) is 39. Look for Carrie in the upcoming Horror flick, FIDO. And in 2007's Thriller, DISTURBIA. And on Sunday - Actor James Marsters (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER [TV], HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL [1999], STRANGE FREQUENCY 2, ANGEL [TV]) is 44. Look for his upcoming Thriller, SHADOW PUPPETS. And on Saturday - Mr. "Drama" himself, Actor Kevin Dillon (REMOTE CONTROL, THE BLOB [1988], TRUE CRIME, STAG, HIDDEN AGENDA, MISBEGOTTEN, OUT FOR BLOOD, POSEIDON [2006]) is 41. Actor Angus Scrimm (SWEET KILL, PHANTASM, THE LOST EMPIRE, PHANTASM II, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST, MINDWARP, SUBSPECIES, PHANTASM III, VAMPIRILLA, WISHMASTER, PHANTASM IV, INCIDENT ON AND OFF A MOUNTAIN ROAD) a happy 80th birthday! Horror writer John Passarella (WITHER, WITHER'S RAIN) who is 45.
AUG! 18 QUICK BITE Firefox Crop Circle. HAPPY
HORROR THRILLER BIRTHDAYS TO-
AUG! 17
ARGH! MUTANT HYBRID MONSTERS! Hybrid Mutant! No, I'm not talking about the latest fuel efficient Toyota, I'm talkin' varmints! Where else but in Stephen King country would you expect to hear about such a monster? According to the Associated Press - a name you can trust since last week - in their story Hybrid Mutant Found Dead In Maine residents of Turner, Maine are "wondering if an animal found dead over the weekend may be the mysterious creature that has mauled dogs, frightened residents and been the subject of local legend for half a generation." Continued at Blog/MySpace.com/FeoAmante.
WINNERS EVERYWHERE The winners of the "Look For Me" Scavenger Hunt contest were drawn at the 8-hour launch party for EYES EVERYWHERE at Horrorfind Weekend on August 12 (Picture galleries: matthewwarner.com/photo). The prizes will go into Friday's mail. Here's a rundown on who won what: matthewwarner.com/eyes. Congrats to everyone who deciphered last newsletter's clue as to the location of the hidden eyeball at FeoAmante.com: "As the review shows, this book has moore eyes everywhere than can be gaged."
Reviews So far (thankfully), it hasn't received a negative review. Click matthewwarner.com to read raves from places like Publishers Weekly, ChiZine, Horror World, Horror Fiction Review, Craig's Book Club, G-Pop, and Horror Drive-In.Matthew Warner Appearances & Signings: September 15 at 7 p.m.: The Bookstack, Staunton, VA September 22: Marvin Ward Elementary School, Winston-Salem, NC October 6-8: Context 19, Columbus, OH October 14: Book 'Em, Waynesboro, VA
MAGIC MICHAEL I want to let everyone know that there's a new interview up at HORROR-MOVIES.CA. Also, tomorrow afternoon, this FRIDAY AUGUST 18th, from 4:00 - 6:00 About Ed Craft:
AUG! 16 From Scott Essman
Of the affair, Sara Karloff said, “I think the Art Institute is fabulous, and the celebration of 75 years of Frankenstein is just a tremendous honor to Mary Shelley, to the film and to my father’s legacy. I thought it was just absolutely wonderful, and I had a marvelous time.” The occasion was Summer Studio 2006, a chance for high school students from across the country to strut their stuff and get a taste of what a creative education at The Art Institute is like. In addition to field trips to Warner Bros. Studios, social activities, a world premiere and wrap party for the students’ original film and transportation and housing accommodations, the workshop allowed attending students to choose one of The Art Institute’s current degree programs and work with instructors in that department to simulate the production of this Hollywood blockbuster.
In a nod to Doctor Frankenstein’s laboratory, the room in which the main ceremony took place was decorated by up-and-coming Interior Design students to look like a 1931 monstrous visage. Just outside in the main atrium, Culinary Arts students tricked out a buffet with monster-themed foodstuff, topped off by a series of Frankenstein Monster busts fabricated in chocolate with special food molds. In a nearby lab, the school’s potential Industrial Design enthusiasts had re-sculpted the original Karloff-as-Monster head in clay. Advertising students designed a poster and ad campaign celebrating the year-long 75th anniversary celebration of the movie while Graphic Design students designed a mini-magazine and print elements based on the movie’s original text and art. In the Media Arts and Animation department, students created a short comic computer-animated Frankenstein sequence, and Game Art and Design developed a concept for a new Frankenstein video game.
If that all weren’t enough to get the message home that FRANKENSTEIN is back and bigger than ever, Hollywood makeup legends Rob Burman and wife Jennifer McManus (MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS) re-created a walking (and moaning) Frankenstein Monster character in the personage of San Diego performer Matt Thompson. Standing over seven feet tall, Thompson, nee Frankenstein’s Monster, prowled the grounds of the hallowed Art Institute, even handing certificates of completion to the 54 students who attended the week-long program. Sara Karloff concluded by commenting to a new generation of students and fans appreciating her father’s work three-quarters of a century ago. “Certainly from a family position, I’m delighted to have my father’s work introduced from generation to generation. For cinema history, I think it’s important to have a film with the stature of Frankenstein introduced from generation to generation. I’m delighted to see The Art Institute doing just that and [having] the various disciplines being introduced to all the different aspects of Frankenstein—both Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the film itself.” HAPPY
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