Traildance Film Fest: Tons of Movies, Tons of Fun

Hey everyone, Saturday night I drove about an hour south of my house to Duncan, OK and attend the 2011 Traildance Film Festival. This award-winning festival is quickly becoming a major player on the film fest circuit. Everything was absolutely top-notch, from the support staff, film selections, film maker Q&A's, to the vendors and the facilities.

Since I drove down Saturday I missed allot of the movies I wanted to screen, which of course screened Friday night. But I did get to see the following films...

• The Devil's Toy (short)
• Eagles in the Chicken Coup (feature - not horror, but friggin excellent
  The Last Trick or Treater (short) - That's the upper pic with Darla Vanskike, the director, Dana Pike, producer/actress and two other cast members from the film
• Death Before Dawn (short)

At allot of these festivals I attend...I believe...their success COULD be measured by the quality of vendors they can get to attend. Fortunately I knew most of them there and they made the weekend a ton of fun for my wife and myself. I have to give a quick shout out to a few of them..

Felix Matos, an amazingly talented artist from Oklahoma City...Felix, I'm still laughin dude.

Dennis McDonald, a gifted horror writer from the Tulsa area. Which our own Johnny Thunder is going to write a review after he has finished reading the book.

Joe Garcia, from FastCustomShirts.com. I bought a bad ass HP.Lovecraft shirt at his booth.

Stephanie Evans, her Day of the Dead art is very cool indeed.

Woman tries to reanimate dead sister's corpse

This story is straight of a horror flick, gang.......

Gary B's: This Week in Horror History (Jan. 31-Feb.6)

Good morning my horror brethren, it’s time for your weekly dose of “This Week in Horror History”…

Jan. 31:
1998 – Ringu - released theatrically in Japan
2003 – Final Destination - released theatrically

Feb. 1:
1947 – Scared to Death - released theatrically
1977 – Suspiria - released theatrically in Italy

Feb. 2:
1969 – Boris Karloff dies (b. 1887) this should be a national day of morning
1995 – Donald Pleasence (actor Dr. Sam Loomis in Halloween) dies

Feb. 3:
1995 – In the Mouth of Madness - released theatrically
2006 – When a Stranger Calls - released theatrically

Feb. 4:
1940 – George A. Romero was born
2000 – Scream 3 - released theatrically
2005 – Boogeyman - released theatrically

Feb. 5:
1906 – John Carradine was born (d. 1988)

Feb. 6:
1946 – The Spinal Staircase - released theatrically

Trail Dance Film Fest

Hey everyone, tomorrow I am drving down to Duncan, OK for the 5th Annual Trail Dance Film Festival to screen a few of horror movies. I will be screening these award-winning films...click the links to watch the trailers and to see the awards they have accumulated.

TRUE NATURE: (Feature - an amazing film I got to see at the Oklahoma Horror Film Fest)

A gripping combination of family drama and supernatural thriller, TRUE NATURE harkens back to the edgy fare of Polanski, Kubrick, and American films of the 1970s. This chilling tale of the American Dream gone awry examines the destructive power of guilt and the desire for redemption in a modern-day family that has been blessed with every advantage, but pays a heavy price for its comfort.

THE DEVIL'S TOY: (Short)

Two young boys are about to discover the mystery behind a jack-in-the-box recovered 65 years ago from a Nazi concentration camp.

DEATH IN CHARGE: (Short)

The Grim Reaper is mistaken for a babysitter and learns a thing or two about life when left with a precious 9-year-old girl.

THE LAST TRICK OR TREATER: (Short - I designed the one-sheet and DVD packaging)

Be careful who you bully inthis life, you may pay for it later with your own.

I will hopefully give my review on Monday, if I make it out of the backwoods of Oklahoma....ALLLLLIIIIVVVVEEEEE!!!!

Hauntcast #27: Randy Bates interview!

That right, boils and ghouls - Hauntcast 27: In Smell-O-Vision is here!

The entire Scream Team is back along with Chris' interview with Randy Bates from The Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride and Pennhurst Asylum!

Humpty Dumpty 3D

Humpty Dumpty 3D is "the story of two backwood hicks, The Brakk Brothers, who capture an alien female scientist collecting plant samples in the swamp behind their ram-shackled house. They keep her captive in a room under the house and ultimately abuse her. After months of captivity, she escapes into the swamp. Before she dies, she gives birth to a half human-half alien monstrosity who exacts revenge on the Brakk Brothers for what they did to his mother."

David Ellis will direct from a script by Billy Majestic.

Check out the official site, which includes production design info, graphic novel preview and trailer. Thanks to STYD for the head's up on this one.

This could be fun!

Face Off begins tonight on SYFY

Hey everyone, just a quick note to remind you to set your DVR's for Face-Off on the SYFY channel at 9 p.m. CST tonight. And to root for my buddy, Tate Steinsiek (he is the guy leaning forward on the left side of the couch with the beard and leather jacket).

Here is the down and dirty on the show again....this is taken from the SYFY Channels web page.

Face Off is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special-effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination that allows them to create amazing works of living art. The contestants are tasked with elaborate feature challenges including executing full body paint make up on models and creating their own horror villain. Not only will the show incorporate effects make-up, it will include a wide range of skill sets including prosthetics, 3-D design, sculpting, eye enhancers, casting and molding. Each episode involves incredible reveals of the competitors' finished work, and the drama of one contestant being sent home by the panel of expert and celebrity judges. It all culminates in one winner and one grand prize that will launch a career.

The vampire "subculture"

Here’s an article on the popularity of the vampire “subculture.”

Personally, I’m waiting for the whole hillbilly cannibal subculture to take off...

Congrats to Rick Baker - Oscar nominee for The Wolfman

Old news at this point, but I was remiss in not congratulating Rick Baker for being nominated by the Academy for Best Makeup for The Wolfman.

Good luck!

Hauntcast at Transworld

Four fifths of the Scream team will be at Transworld this year - Chris, Rev,Denny and I will be in the house and hanging. Looking forward to the event, checking out the awesome vendors and classes, and meeting other haunting and Halloween freaks.

Anyone else going?

"Poe" drama pilot greenlit by ABC

Deadline is reporting that ABC has greenlit a pilot for a drama titled "Poe".

The proposed series is described as "a crime procedural following Edgar Allan Poe, the world's very first detective, as he uses unconventional methods to investigate dark mysteries in 1840s Boston."

If done right, this could be a cool new show assuming the network picks up the pilot.

Vincent Price: This Is Your Life!

Here is another flash from the past....my personal horror hero...Vincent Price

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Enjoy!!!

"Evil Dead" remake

This is still bouncing around and very much alive.

I was kind of hoping they'd drop the idea and do a part 4.....

Army Reservists Train Inside The Boneyard

Here's a really cool story.

Army reservists used The Boneyard Haunted House to help them train. Kick-ass!

Thanks to DarkLore on HF for the head's up.

Boris Karloff: This Is Your Life

Here is a really cool flash back of Boris Karloff when he was on the television show..."This Is Your Life"

Click here...

Gary B's: This Week in Horror History (Jan. 24-31)

Good morning my horror brethren, it’s time for your weekly dose of “This Week in Horror History”…

Jan. 24:
Nothing notable on this day

Jan. 25:
1943 – Tobe Hooper (dir. Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Mangler, etc.) was born

2000 – The Dead Hate the Living! - released on DVD

2005 – All Souls Day - released ton DVD

Jan. 26-29:
Nothing notable on these days

Jan. 30:
1976 – Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma (a.k.a. 120 Days of Sodom) - released theatrically

Jan. 31:
1998 – Ringu - released theatrically in Japan
2003 – Final Destination - released theatrically

Haunters Video Awards

Yo yo yo, all you home haunting cool ghouls! Head's up - the dead-line for submissions for the Haunters Video Awards has been extended to February 15th!

Send in your 4-5min video of your yard display, haunt, how-to, walk through etc. Each video will be included in the DVD set.

FTP Server: ftp://www.davisgraveyard.com
Username: hauntersvideo
Password: Password1

Just create a folder and copy your video file along with a document that contains your info. Common file formats include but are not limited to AVI, MPG, WMV, MOV. Please try to create videos that are 720×480 NTSC DVD quality in 4:3 ratio.

You can also attach the video files to an email with the subject 2010 Haunters Videoand send to hosts@davisgraveyard.com

If you have created a playable DVD then just send it in the mail. You can also place your video file on a DVD and send it instead of uploading if that is too slow or doesn’t work for you.

Mail to:
Jeff & Chris Davis
8703 SE 43rd Ave
Milwaukie, OR 97222

Make sure to include your name, haunt name, city/state, and website if you have one.

C'mon, be a cool ghoul and submit now! Support this kick-ass event and share your awesomeness with your fellow haunters.

A big scream-out and thank you to Jeff & Chris!

Good luck!!

The Beast With Five Fingers

That's what came to mind as I read this really weird story about "alien hand syndrome"................

Fun Size (2011)

Anybody in the mood for a Halloween-themed teen comedy this year? No?

Well, too bad. TV dude Josh Schwartz ("The O.C.", "Gossip Girl" & "Chuck")is set to direct Fun Size from a script by Max Werner.

What be the theme? Glad you axed - the film will center on "a sarcastic teenage girl who is forced to take her little brother trick-or-treating on Halloween, then loses him and must find him before their mother finds out." Filming starts shortly and Parmount is hoping to get this in theaters in time for All Hallows.

Could be cool and fun. Or could be an annoying disaster. We shall see.

B-Movie Bags

If you know a certain lady who is into horror as much as we are, then check this site out. Artist and creater Julia Griffin, based in Ayrshire, Scotland, has some of the most killer hand painted purses I have seen, she is a trully talented artisan.

This is from the site:

B-Movie Bags is quite simply an homage to the Illustrative Artists of the 30's, 40's, 50's & 60's whose work often appeared on the Horror & B-Movie genre advertising posters of Universal Studios, RKO Radio & many others. Julia has selected a number of her favourite film posters from across these decades to hand paint on to great vintage handbags from the same era. The bags & images are thoughtfully paired together & hand painted using a good quality leather paint for a professional & durable finish. The result is a surprisingly authentic, functional & totally unique piece of Pop Art.

Check out her website...

Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown

Hey, gang - check out this cool link.

Watch Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown, a 90 minute documentary, over at SnagFilms.

Gary B's: This Week in Horror History (Jan. 18-24)

Good morning my horror brethren, it’s time for your weekly dose of “This Week in Horror History”…
Jan. 18:
2002 – Long Time Dead - released theatrically in the UK

Jan. 19:
1809 – Edgar Allen Poe born (d. 1849)
1990 – Tremors - released theatrically
1996 – From Dusk Till Dawn - released theatrically

Jan. 20-21:
Nothing notable on these days

Jan. 22:
2000 – Ring-O: Birthday - released theatrically in Japan

Jan. 23:
1981 – Burial Ground: The Nights of Terror - released theatrically
2004 – The Butterfly Effect - released theatrically

Jan. 24:
Nothing notable on this day

Cool hoodies

Check out these kick-ass horror and comics/sci-fi hoodies. I really dig the Jason one.


The possibilities are endless!

Mummy on the loose!

"Residents in Cypress are on alert after a man has been seen running around the area dressed as a mummy."

Haunter gone wild? LOL.

Doll Houses with an EVIL Twist

Do your kids play with doll houses? Are they into Halloween and all things twisted like the rest of us? If so, they will have one of these on their Christmas/Birthday lists.

One of my friends on Facebook shared this link with me and I thought it was too good to not share with my haunted brethern here at the Frolic.

This guys creates THE BEST haunted themed doll houses I have ever seen. Click here and check out the detail in his work.

Melting-head cake

A friend of mine forwarded this link to me, and I knew it would be right up all haunters' alleys.

Mondos limited "Dracula" Poster

Mondo, the Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art boutique, is a monster of a brand. In a climate of oft-tedious and redundant one-sheets, they’re employing some of the most exciting artists today to craft images for films, both classic and contemporary, that we can all be proud to hang on our walls. We’re delighted to debut the latest in their Universal Monsters series, a limited edition and absolutely stunning poster for the immortal DRACULA.

Created by a marriage between the drawing of Russian-born Vania Zouravliov (who does beautiful work at the London-based

Big Active) and the text of Aaron Horkey (who was responsible for Mondo’s TRUE GRIT piece), the DRACULA print is elegant and eerie, and really something to behold.

DRACULA will come in regular (black & white) and variant (color) editions, which both go on sale tomorrow at a random time (which will be announced via Mondo’s Twitter, @MondoNews) at their official site. The regular is priced at $60 and limited to a number of 330, while the variant, of which there will only be 65, will cost $110.

Gary B's: This Week in Horror History (Jan. 10-17)

Hello all, sorry I am posting late, I was out sick yesterday and could not muster the energy to even log on…

Jan. 10:
Nothing notable on this day

Jan. 11:
2005 – Resident Evil 4 - released on GameCube

Jan. 12:
1940 – The Invisible Man Returns - released theatrically
1990 – Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III - released theatrically

Jan. 13:
1939 – Son of Frankenstein - released theatrically
1974 – The Satanic Rites of Dracula - released theatrically
1995 – Demon Knight - released theatrically

Jan. 14:
1981 – Scanners - released theatrically

Jan. 15:
1915 – Der Golem (The Golem) - released theatrically

Jan. 16:
1948 – John Carpenter – Director - born
1965 – The Outer Limits – ends its run on television

Happy birthday George Zucco

Happy birthday to actor George Zucco (1886–1960).



He appeared in genre films including The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), The Mummy's Hand (1940), The Monster and the Girl (1941), The Mad Monster (1942), Dr. Renault's Secret (1942), The Mummy's Tomb (1942), Dead Men Walk (1943), The Mad Ghoul (1943), Voodoo Man (1944), The Mummy's Ghost (1944), Return of the Ape Man (1944), House of Frankenstein (1944), The Flying Serpent (1946) and Scared to Death (1947).

Chris Baker on Hauntcast's future

Please take time to listen to Chris' message regarding his decision to charge a buck for the show, and for more about the future of Hauntcast.

We've been saying this for a while now, but it's time to nut up or shut up, and there ain't no goin' back, boils and ghouls. It's up to you.

Thanks.
Johnny Thunder

The Walking Dead - Blu-Ray & DVD specs - March 8th

Thanks to DC for carrying the official press release about the March 8th drop of The Walking Dead Blu-Ray & DVD.

From the Press Release

Take a walk on the undead side, as the groundbreaking, genre-bending AMC® original series “THE WALKING DEAD” rises again when Anchor Bay Entertainment releases the Blu-ray™ and DVD of the hit show that wowed both critics and audiences. The SRP for the March 8 release is $49.99 for the Blu-ray™, and $39.98 for the DVD. Pre-book is February 9th. Both the “THE WALKING DEAD: The Complete First Season” Blu-ray™ and DVD contain all 6 episodes of the first season on a 2-disc set and are packed with special behind-the-scenes featurettes and insightful extra footage.

Nominated for a Golden Globe® for Best Television Series - Drama, “THE WALKING DEAD: The Complete First Season” breathes new life into the zombie genre as it unfolds a post-apocalyptic saga that follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln, Love Actually), who searches for a safe haven and, hopefully, a new home, far from the undead that now roam the earth hungry for human flesh. Each episode explores the challenges of life in a world overrun by zombies, and the toll it takes on the survivors who now find themselves going to extremes just to see another day. In this horrific world gone mad, each turn brings new surprises and dangers, as the survivors try to regain some semblance of a normal life.

“THE WALKING DEAD” is based on the popular Image Comics’ comic book written by Robert Kirkman. The series premiered on AMC Fearfest Halloween night and immediately became the most watched drama series in cable’s history among Adults 18-49 with 3.5 million viewers. It also gained a following among critics (from People to Vanity Fair) who have hailed it as one of the best new series of the year.

Special Features
• The Making-of "The Walking Dead" featurette
• Inside "The Walking Dead": Episode 1-6 featurette
• A Sneak Peek with Robert Kirkman featurette
• Behind-The-Scenes Zombie Make-Up Tips featurette
• Convention Panel With Producers
• "The Walking Dead" Trailer

Extra Footage
• Zombie School
• Bicycle Girl
• On Set With Robert Kirkman
• Hanging With Steven Yeun
• Inside Dale’s RV
• On Set With Andrew Lincoln

Groovy!

Moseley is Manson

Looks like the soon to start filming project Manson Girls has found its titular killer -

Bill Moseley.

Works for me.

Happy B-Day Johnny Thunder

Just wanted to wish my scary brother from another mother a VERY Happy Birthday. May all your Evil wishes come true.

Hauntcast Subscriptions

Hey, gang - just a reminder and head's up about the Hauntcast subscriptions that Chris is offering.

Go to the Subscriptions section of the page for all the details. There are a number of options available, with some really great deals on merchandise and vendor discounts.

If you have already subscribed, thanks from everyone involved with the show. If you have not yet subscribed, but you enjoy the show and want it to keep going, please head on over to the site and subscribe, and then get another one for a friend (or two).

Again, the only way that Chris will be able to continue with the show is to have the listeners' support. He will be making a decision in the next month or so regarding Hauntcast's future, so please do not wait to support the show.

Thanks,
Johnny Thunder

Gary B's: This Week in Horror History (Jan. 3-9)

Happy New Years everyone, it’s time for Gary B’s “this week in Horror History”.

Jan. 3-5:
Nothing notable on these days

Jan. 6:
2006 – Hostel - released theatrically
2006 – BloodRayne - released theatrically

Jan. 7:
2005 – White Noise - released theatrically

Jan. 8:
1988 – Return of the Living Dead II - released on VHS

Jan. 9:
Nothing notable on this day

SFX Reality Show to Air Jan. 26

Hello all, I am excited to inform you about a NEW reality show, Face Off, which premiers on the SYFY channel Jan. 27. I am very fortunate to know one of the contestants, Tate Steinsiek, an awesome SFX artist whose has his studios right hear in Oklahoma City.

Here is the SYFY channel write up about the show...

Face Off is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special-effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination that allows them to create amazing works of living art. The contestants are tasked with elaborate feature challenges including executing full body paint make up on models and creating their own horror villain. Not only will the show incorporate effects make-up, it will include a wide range of skill sets including prosthetics, 3-D design, sculpting, eye enhancers, casting and molding. Each episode involves incredible reveals of the competitors' finished work, and the drama of one contestant being sent home by the panel of expert and celebrity judges. It all culminates in one winner and one grand prize that will launch a career.
To determine who emerges victorious, Syfy has signed three-time Academy Award winner Ve Neill (Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands) and Hollywood veterans Glenn Hetrick (Heroes, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files) and Patrick Tatopoulos (Underworld, Independence Day, Resident Evil: Extinction) as Face Off's judges. Actress McKenzie Westmore hosts the series, bringing poise and a rich history to her role as part of the Westmore family, whose name is synonymous with the makeup effects field.

Click hear to see Tate's audition tape... or you can check out his web site at Ill Willed Productions, he is trully an amazing SFX artist.