Gregory Lamberson's Blog, page 21
October 24, 2012
Buffalo Screams 2012 Wrap-Up
Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival has come and gone (although we'll be doing follow up work for the next week). This year we ran for five days, October 17th - 21st, at a new venue, Dipson Theaters Market Arcade Film and arts Center, located in downtown Buffalo; our official hotel was the Comfort Suites Downtown, conveniently located on the same block. The Bijou Bar & Grill and the bar at TGIF definitely saw increased business thanks to our visiting filmmakers (hell, WIL Keiper alone should have been named MVP at TGIF), and it was great to hear so many of them complimenting the city (some took in a Bills game).
The new venue allowed us to take advantage of MAFAC's spacious lobby, and the vendors seemed pleased with their business; people attending other films bought merchandise as well. We polished off the last of the T-shirts with our old logo, which was nice; our way is the future!
Debbie Rochon was our Honorary Chairperson, and she conducted almost all of the Q&A sessions after the films and did a great job (all of those years producing and co-hosting Fangoria Radio served as great prep!). To have someone of Debbie's caliber interacting with filmmakers and audience members is an ingredient few festivals can claim, and we thank her for a job fabulously done.
Paige K. Davis from POP Cinema Studios/Alternative Cinema was another guest. She presented SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST and CRIMSON: THE MOTION PICTURE, two local films which POP has acquired for DVD distribution, and had advance copies of SNOW SHARK for sale (and sold them out); SNOW SHARK will be available February 19th and CRIMSON one month later, in March.
For the second year in a row Paige conducted a fascinating and informative talk on DVD distribution; those smart enough to attend learned a lot.
Chris Seaver, the creator of more short films and zany low budget features that I can count, screened his latest opus, SEXQUATCH, and did a wonderful Q&A with those Buffalonians who didn't watch the Buffalo Bills' home game on Sunday. Chris received our Genre Spirit Award (or will when we mail it to him) and gave an outstanding acceptance speech which really addressed what it means to be an independent filmmaker.
For the second year in a row, we were fortunate that several filmmakers attended the festival and brought people with them (the BILLY'S CULT team was a model of support, and I really wish local filmmakers would take a cue from their efforts). Sam Qualiana, the writer/director/star of SNOW SHARK, was a guest, but he would have had a strong presence even if he hadn't been, because he was on screen in many of the local films, in a variety of roles.
We had a great program of films of all lengths from all around the world, not to mention the world premiere of Chris Alexander's BLOOD FOR IRINA, an experimental horror film which may not fit everyone's definition of a horror flick, but represents our goal to present a diversity of entertainment and to show just how much variety there is in the horror genre. EXHUMED also defied the norm, and the audience loved it. I could go on and on, listing them all, but that's what program books are for, I'm proud of the selections, thrilled that so many filmmakers attended, and pleased that our patrons enjoyed the program.
Buffalo Screams is committed to fostering new talent, and several local filmmakers stepped up to the plate. Louis Winters of KITCHEN KOMBAT established himself as a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. It was great to see him accept the award for Best Student Film in front of his mother. Check out Kitchen Kombat:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398697496826587&set=a.393736280656042.108006.224258610937144&type=3&theater
Another filmmaker, Doug Bush, and his wife Julie came from Binghamton to screen their eco-horror monster flick DEMON MESSENGER even though it was scheduled opposite our awards dinner (they made it in time to receive Ron Chamberlin's award for Best Special Make-Up Effects). Doug showed me a trailer for his next film, and I know we'll be seeing him again.
Ted Haynes of the new outfit Stellar International Motion Pictures, sponsored our first Faux Grindhouse Trailer competition, and the results were sensational; every filmmaker who participated delivered the goods, and I can honestly say that the locals I know not only rose to the occasion, but did their best work. Phil Marinucci from Niagara Falls, Ontario, who received our Filmmaker to Watch Award last year, won the $500 prize for his amazing entry, MOTHERFUCKING ZOMBIE KILLERS, which you can watch right here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152206872460257
Rod Durick and Paul McGinnis won Best Western New York Genre Film for their hilarious Grindhouse entry THE CAMPER, which you can watch here:
http://youtu.be/qTPmtmVwmaU
Rod, who won our Best Western New York Special Make-Up Artist award last year, has grown as a filmmaker in such a short period of time that I know we can expect even greater things in the future. We had already decided to give Paul our Local Hero Award before we saw THE CAMPER. He was nominated for Best Actor for his work in that short, an honor in itself considering he went up against actors in features (Ian Brooker won for his outstanding work in THE CASEBOOK OF EDDIE BREWER from the UK). And then the real surprise came: Canadian writer and filmmaker Joseph O'Brien, who served as the Guest Judge for our Original Screenplay competition (thanks, Joe!), selected Paul's screenplay KILLER RACK as the Best Original Screenplay. Without any planning, this became Paul's year, and people who know him couldn't be happier.
Awards are nice, but they should be viewed as icing on the cake, not an end game. We want to show the best independent films from around the world, and try to bring attention to them.
Keep screaming!
The new venue allowed us to take advantage of MAFAC's spacious lobby, and the vendors seemed pleased with their business; people attending other films bought merchandise as well. We polished off the last of the T-shirts with our old logo, which was nice; our way is the future!
Debbie Rochon was our Honorary Chairperson, and she conducted almost all of the Q&A sessions after the films and did a great job (all of those years producing and co-hosting Fangoria Radio served as great prep!). To have someone of Debbie's caliber interacting with filmmakers and audience members is an ingredient few festivals can claim, and we thank her for a job fabulously done.
Paige K. Davis from POP Cinema Studios/Alternative Cinema was another guest. She presented SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST and CRIMSON: THE MOTION PICTURE, two local films which POP has acquired for DVD distribution, and had advance copies of SNOW SHARK for sale (and sold them out); SNOW SHARK will be available February 19th and CRIMSON one month later, in March.
For the second year in a row Paige conducted a fascinating and informative talk on DVD distribution; those smart enough to attend learned a lot.
Chris Seaver, the creator of more short films and zany low budget features that I can count, screened his latest opus, SEXQUATCH, and did a wonderful Q&A with those Buffalonians who didn't watch the Buffalo Bills' home game on Sunday. Chris received our Genre Spirit Award (or will when we mail it to him) and gave an outstanding acceptance speech which really addressed what it means to be an independent filmmaker.
For the second year in a row, we were fortunate that several filmmakers attended the festival and brought people with them (the BILLY'S CULT team was a model of support, and I really wish local filmmakers would take a cue from their efforts). Sam Qualiana, the writer/director/star of SNOW SHARK, was a guest, but he would have had a strong presence even if he hadn't been, because he was on screen in many of the local films, in a variety of roles.
We had a great program of films of all lengths from all around the world, not to mention the world premiere of Chris Alexander's BLOOD FOR IRINA, an experimental horror film which may not fit everyone's definition of a horror flick, but represents our goal to present a diversity of entertainment and to show just how much variety there is in the horror genre. EXHUMED also defied the norm, and the audience loved it. I could go on and on, listing them all, but that's what program books are for, I'm proud of the selections, thrilled that so many filmmakers attended, and pleased that our patrons enjoyed the program.
Buffalo Screams is committed to fostering new talent, and several local filmmakers stepped up to the plate. Louis Winters of KITCHEN KOMBAT established himself as a force to be reckoned with, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. It was great to see him accept the award for Best Student Film in front of his mother. Check out Kitchen Kombat:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398697496826587&set=a.393736280656042.108006.224258610937144&type=3&theater
Another filmmaker, Doug Bush, and his wife Julie came from Binghamton to screen their eco-horror monster flick DEMON MESSENGER even though it was scheduled opposite our awards dinner (they made it in time to receive Ron Chamberlin's award for Best Special Make-Up Effects). Doug showed me a trailer for his next film, and I know we'll be seeing him again.
Ted Haynes of the new outfit Stellar International Motion Pictures, sponsored our first Faux Grindhouse Trailer competition, and the results were sensational; every filmmaker who participated delivered the goods, and I can honestly say that the locals I know not only rose to the occasion, but did their best work. Phil Marinucci from Niagara Falls, Ontario, who received our Filmmaker to Watch Award last year, won the $500 prize for his amazing entry, MOTHERFUCKING ZOMBIE KILLERS, which you can watch right here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152206872460257
Rod Durick and Paul McGinnis won Best Western New York Genre Film for their hilarious Grindhouse entry THE CAMPER, which you can watch here:
http://youtu.be/qTPmtmVwmaU
Rod, who won our Best Western New York Special Make-Up Artist award last year, has grown as a filmmaker in such a short period of time that I know we can expect even greater things in the future. We had already decided to give Paul our Local Hero Award before we saw THE CAMPER. He was nominated for Best Actor for his work in that short, an honor in itself considering he went up against actors in features (Ian Brooker won for his outstanding work in THE CASEBOOK OF EDDIE BREWER from the UK). And then the real surprise came: Canadian writer and filmmaker Joseph O'Brien, who served as the Guest Judge for our Original Screenplay competition (thanks, Joe!), selected Paul's screenplay KILLER RACK as the Best Original Screenplay. Without any planning, this became Paul's year, and people who know him couldn't be happier.
Awards are nice, but they should be viewed as icing on the cake, not an end game. We want to show the best independent films from around the world, and try to bring attention to them.
Keep screaming!
October 23, 2012
RIP Spidey
Many in the Buffalo area and beyond are saddened by the sudden passing of Shannon "Spidey" Wheeler on Sunday. Shannon was only 33, and he graduated from ITT Technical Institute's animation program in 2011. As you can guess from his nickname, he loved Spider-Man. He also loved karaoke, and rap fashion, and God - probably not in that order. His mother died a year ago in an accident, and he leaves behind a young daughter, Caitlyn. He always had a smile on his face, and he was a hell of an artist.
Last month he posted on Facebook, "Today my mind is thinking of many things going on with life, Caitlyn, my family, my friends, friends I wish I still had around, work, and feeling LOST...very LOST....why? I don't like this feeling..going to visit the man upstairs this weekend cuz I feel I need some more time with him :)"
Sadly, this is how I'll remember Shannon - as a nice, truly sweet guy who always seemed happy in person - but revealed a lot of frustration and unhappiness when he shared his thoughts online. He considered his mother his best friend, so her death left a big hole in his life, and although I don't know what his most recent relationship status was, he often seemed miserable in that area. And then there were his health issues: he had diabetes, and he was in and out of the hospital many times, often from stress.
I met Shannon in connection with SLIME CITY MASSACRE, through our mutual friend John Renna. He did some storyboards for me, and helped John arrange the assistance of Sangria's, a restaurant which provided free dinners to our visiting cast. He disappeared early in the shoot - hospital stay - but came back. He loved working on the film, and getting to know the actors. He drew portraits of the leads in their "slime head" makeup and had a great time meeting Lloyd Kaufman, and over the last three years I lost count of how many times he thanked me for allowing him to be part of the film. Thank you, Shannon.
Not long after the film, a club owner beat the hell out of Shannon for no good reason. Restitution was paid, but the incident never should have happened; Shannon was fragile, harmless, and a good soul. I avoided events held at that club and never had anything to do with the owner. I'm glad it's gone now.
I only saw Shannon twice over the last year and a half, once at his mother's funeral and once at the stag party for a mutual friend. Just a day or two before his death, I had actually been thinking of a funny comment he made at that party: some of the guys were comparing bald spots and receding hairlines, and he sat there, cap backwards and gold chair gleaming, and said to me, "You'll never lose that big Q-tip on your head."
And now he's gone, and I'm sad that he never seemed to find the happiness he needed, except from family and friends, which he valued, and from his daughter, who will grow up never really knowing him. It's hard to put a positive spin on that, except for this: Shannon set a real example for people - he refrained from judging them or taking sides in arguments, and he tried to avoid negativity. These were his favorite quotes:
"With great power, comes great respect" - Uncle Ben (Spiderman)
"Life is like a box of chocholates, you never know what your gonna get" - Forrest Gump
"IF YOU CAN'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN....."
I hope he found some peace on that "visit to the man upstairs" last month, and that he's fully at peace, and happy, now.
Last month he posted on Facebook, "Today my mind is thinking of many things going on with life, Caitlyn, my family, my friends, friends I wish I still had around, work, and feeling LOST...very LOST....why? I don't like this feeling..going to visit the man upstairs this weekend cuz I feel I need some more time with him :)"
Sadly, this is how I'll remember Shannon - as a nice, truly sweet guy who always seemed happy in person - but revealed a lot of frustration and unhappiness when he shared his thoughts online. He considered his mother his best friend, so her death left a big hole in his life, and although I don't know what his most recent relationship status was, he often seemed miserable in that area. And then there were his health issues: he had diabetes, and he was in and out of the hospital many times, often from stress.
I met Shannon in connection with SLIME CITY MASSACRE, through our mutual friend John Renna. He did some storyboards for me, and helped John arrange the assistance of Sangria's, a restaurant which provided free dinners to our visiting cast. He disappeared early in the shoot - hospital stay - but came back. He loved working on the film, and getting to know the actors. He drew portraits of the leads in their "slime head" makeup and had a great time meeting Lloyd Kaufman, and over the last three years I lost count of how many times he thanked me for allowing him to be part of the film. Thank you, Shannon.
Not long after the film, a club owner beat the hell out of Shannon for no good reason. Restitution was paid, but the incident never should have happened; Shannon was fragile, harmless, and a good soul. I avoided events held at that club and never had anything to do with the owner. I'm glad it's gone now.
I only saw Shannon twice over the last year and a half, once at his mother's funeral and once at the stag party for a mutual friend. Just a day or two before his death, I had actually been thinking of a funny comment he made at that party: some of the guys were comparing bald spots and receding hairlines, and he sat there, cap backwards and gold chair gleaming, and said to me, "You'll never lose that big Q-tip on your head."
And now he's gone, and I'm sad that he never seemed to find the happiness he needed, except from family and friends, which he valued, and from his daughter, who will grow up never really knowing him. It's hard to put a positive spin on that, except for this: Shannon set a real example for people - he refrained from judging them or taking sides in arguments, and he tried to avoid negativity. These were his favorite quotes:
"With great power, comes great respect" - Uncle Ben (Spiderman)
"Life is like a box of chocholates, you never know what your gonna get" - Forrest Gump
"IF YOU CAN'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN....."
I hope he found some peace on that "visit to the man upstairs" last month, and that he's fully at peace, and happy, now.
October 18, 2012
Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival: Thurs Oct. 18th Schedule
The first night of Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival was a big success. We opened with DUMMY, a short written by Michael Calvillo, followed it with another short, BLUE HOLE, and then celebrated the world premiere of Chris Alexander's debut feature, the experimental horror film BLOOD FOR IRINA, attended by the cast and crew. I'm proud to have opened the fest with such an esoteric film, a work of real vision - as many of us know, horror is about much more than horny teenagers getting scalped.
For our second block, we screened KITCHEN KOMBAT, a fantastic short directedby local filmmakers Louis Winters, who's proven himself to be one of the most talented filmmakers in the area. Then we screened MONOPHOPBIA, co-written by Debbie Rochon, David Marancik, and Scott Perry; Debbie and David co-starred (lively performance, David!), and Scott directed. Next up was SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, the best attended film of the night; naturally the audience loved it!
Our last block consisted of the short Spanish film HISTORIA MUERTA (a substitute for EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, which would not play in the Blu-ray player; we'll try to get that in later) and the ghost feature REVENANT, possibly the scariest film of the festival; I'm glad the audience liked it.
Our Honorary Chairperson Debbie Rochon conducted most of the Q&As a sensational job! How many genre film festivals can say they had someone of Debbie's caliber (and experience, due to her years at Fangoria Radio) interviewing filmmakers on a stage before an audience?
Paige K. Davis, our guest from POP Cinema/Alternative Cinema, was in the house. POP distributed my films SLIME CITY, UNDYING LOVE and NAKED FEAR, and recently acquired SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST and CRIMSON: THE MOTION PICTURE (both produced locally, and both screening at Buffalo Screams). I can't stress this enough: Paige works for an actual DVD distributor with a history of distributing indie genre films created by WNY filmmakers - if you live in this area and fancy yourself a genre filmmaker, and don't take this opportunity to press a DVD of your work into her hand, then you must not be serious about having your work seen by anyone outside this region. She'll be here for the entire festival. Last night she brought a case of SNOW SHARK DVDs (which won't be available to the public until February 19, 2013) and almost sold out of them the first night. Paige will give a talk about distributing indie fare this Saturday.
ARTVOICE has published the second half of an article previewing the fest:
http://artvoice.com/issues/v11n42/film_feature
Here's our schedule for tonight:
Thurs 10/18
5:00 – 7:00
Horror/Comedy Short: HELL’S BELLS (14:45)
Horror Short: WHOM GOD HELPS (15:32)
Local Medium Length Horror: COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE MOVIE (69:00)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE MOVIE is a short slasher feature (with a high body count!) from the Rochester area. I have no idea if anyone from the film is coming to do a Q&A, but it's possible! The film is definitely worth checking out.
7:30 – 9:30 (2 Q&As)
Local Horror/Comedy Short: DE-FANGED: DECLINE OF THE VAMPIRE (6:00)
Rod Durick, Sam Qualiana, Paul McGinnis. Local short.
Showcase: Local Feature: CRIMSON: THE MOTION PICTURE (97:00)
This Niagara Falls production has screened in a couple of bars, but this is the first time it will screen in a theater, and director/co-writer Ken Consentino will be on hand.
9:55 – 11:40
Horror Short: JUST LIKE YOU (2:25)
A super short from Thomas Norman, creator of GITCHY.
Horror/Comedy Feature: ZOMBIE eXs (1 hr: 42 mins)
Hilarious, action-packed zombie film in the vein of SHAUN OF THE DEAD, with a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Admission: $8.00 per block, $20.00 for the whole day.
Location: Dipson Theaters Market Arcade Film & Arts Center, 639 Main Street, Buffalo
Parking: M&T parking lot on Washington, behind the theater; 100% validation at the theater.
For our second block, we screened KITCHEN KOMBAT, a fantastic short directedby local filmmakers Louis Winters, who's proven himself to be one of the most talented filmmakers in the area. Then we screened MONOPHOPBIA, co-written by Debbie Rochon, David Marancik, and Scott Perry; Debbie and David co-starred (lively performance, David!), and Scott directed. Next up was SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, the best attended film of the night; naturally the audience loved it!
Our last block consisted of the short Spanish film HISTORIA MUERTA (a substitute for EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, which would not play in the Blu-ray player; we'll try to get that in later) and the ghost feature REVENANT, possibly the scariest film of the festival; I'm glad the audience liked it.
Our Honorary Chairperson Debbie Rochon conducted most of the Q&As a sensational job! How many genre film festivals can say they had someone of Debbie's caliber (and experience, due to her years at Fangoria Radio) interviewing filmmakers on a stage before an audience?
Paige K. Davis, our guest from POP Cinema/Alternative Cinema, was in the house. POP distributed my films SLIME CITY, UNDYING LOVE and NAKED FEAR, and recently acquired SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST and CRIMSON: THE MOTION PICTURE (both produced locally, and both screening at Buffalo Screams). I can't stress this enough: Paige works for an actual DVD distributor with a history of distributing indie genre films created by WNY filmmakers - if you live in this area and fancy yourself a genre filmmaker, and don't take this opportunity to press a DVD of your work into her hand, then you must not be serious about having your work seen by anyone outside this region. She'll be here for the entire festival. Last night she brought a case of SNOW SHARK DVDs (which won't be available to the public until February 19, 2013) and almost sold out of them the first night. Paige will give a talk about distributing indie fare this Saturday.
ARTVOICE has published the second half of an article previewing the fest:
http://artvoice.com/issues/v11n42/film_feature
Here's our schedule for tonight:
Thurs 10/18
5:00 – 7:00
Horror/Comedy Short: HELL’S BELLS (14:45)
Horror Short: WHOM GOD HELPS (15:32)
Local Medium Length Horror: COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE MOVIE (69:00)
COMMUNITY SERVICE: THE MOVIE is a short slasher feature (with a high body count!) from the Rochester area. I have no idea if anyone from the film is coming to do a Q&A, but it's possible! The film is definitely worth checking out.
7:30 – 9:30 (2 Q&As)
Local Horror/Comedy Short: DE-FANGED: DECLINE OF THE VAMPIRE (6:00)
Rod Durick, Sam Qualiana, Paul McGinnis. Local short.
Showcase: Local Feature: CRIMSON: THE MOTION PICTURE (97:00)
This Niagara Falls production has screened in a couple of bars, but this is the first time it will screen in a theater, and director/co-writer Ken Consentino will be on hand.
9:55 – 11:40
Horror Short: JUST LIKE YOU (2:25)
A super short from Thomas Norman, creator of GITCHY.
Horror/Comedy Feature: ZOMBIE eXs (1 hr: 42 mins)
Hilarious, action-packed zombie film in the vein of SHAUN OF THE DEAD, with a Q&A with the filmmakers.
Admission: $8.00 per block, $20.00 for the whole day.
Location: Dipson Theaters Market Arcade Film & Arts Center, 639 Main Street, Buffalo
Parking: M&T parking lot on Washington, behind the theater; 100% validation at the theater.
October 17, 2012
Parking for Buffalo Screams/MAFAC
Today is the first day of Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival, which plays at the Dipson Theaters Market Arcade Film and Arts Center through this Sunday. Join us this evening for three feature films: the World Premiere of BLOOD FOR IRINA, a beautifully shot experimental horror film written and directed by Chris Alexander, editor of FANGORIA magazine and produced by David Goodfellow; both gentlemen will be in attendance, along with the stars of the film. We're also showing SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST, written and directed by our guest Sam Qualiana; and the terrifying ghost film REVENANT, which really delivers the goods. Each film will be accompanied by one or two shorts; MONOPHOBIA, starring and co-written by our Honorary Chairperson, Debbie Rochon, screens with SNOW SHARK. The terror begins at 5:15 pm, come straight after work!
The address of the Market Arcade Film & Arts Center is 639 Main Street in downtown Buffalo. As you'll discover, there's no traffic on Main Street in that stretch because of our trolly. Your GPS should take you onto Washington Street, which runs parallel to Main. The front entrance of the theater faces Main, the rear entrance faces Washington - and an M & T Bank parking lot which is where you want to go. Parking is $3.00, but the theater offers 100% validation. Bring your parking voucher inside and collect your reimbursement when you get your ticket at the concession stand. Guests and attending filmmakers should first go to our table and pick up your badges. See you there!
The address of the Market Arcade Film & Arts Center is 639 Main Street in downtown Buffalo. As you'll discover, there's no traffic on Main Street in that stretch because of our trolly. Your GPS should take you onto Washington Street, which runs parallel to Main. The front entrance of the theater faces Main, the rear entrance faces Washington - and an M & T Bank parking lot which is where you want to go. Parking is $3.00, but the theater offers 100% validation. Bring your parking voucher inside and collect your reimbursement when you get your ticket at the concession stand. Guests and attending filmmakers should first go to our table and pick up your badges. See you there!
October 14, 2012
Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival: Wed Oct. 17th Schedule
With the WARD'S ISLAND film shoot wrapped and New York Comic Con, where I'm a guest, winding down, it's time to turn my attention to the Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival, which runs Wed Oct. 17th - Sunday, Oct. 21st at our new venue, the Market Arcade Film and Arts Center in downtown Buffalo. Actually, my attention has been on the festival all along, through the production of two feature films, the publication of two novels, and attending three major cons (Chicago Comic Con and FanExpo Canada being the other two). This year's festival will be bigger than ever, with Honorary Chairperson Debbie Rochon and guests Paige F. Davis from POP Cinema, Rochester filmmaker Chris Seaver (screening SEXQUATCH and receiving our Genre Spirit Award), and Lockport filmmaker Sam Qualiana, a previous recipient of our Filmmaker to Watch Award and winner of last year's Best WNY Horror Short. I want to thank my partner, Chris Scioli, for all he's done for this year's edition, as well as our volunteers, Dave Setlik, who designed all of this year's graphiocs; Jenn Rodman Brown, who handled our Google Plus postings; and Mackenzie Lambert and Michael O'Hear.
On to this year's schedule, beginning with Wednesday! As in the past, we group together shorts and features into "blocks" of programming. This year we have 17 blocks, and 47 films in total. Admission is $8.00 per block, or $20.00 per day Wed - Fri (3 blocks) and Sunday (4 blocks) and $25.00 for Saturday (4 blocks). Advance tickets are on sale at:
http://marketarcade.dipsontheatres.com/
Wed 10/17
BLOCK 1
5:15 – 7:00
Showcase: Horror/Comedy Short: DUMMY (9:00)
Earlier this year the world lost a wonderful author, teacher, friend and family man, Michael Louis Calvillo. We're proud to present this fiendishly clever short film that Michael wrote as a tribute to his passion for the genre.
Horror Short: BLUE HOLE (12:00)
Most of the horror shorts we receive our comedies, or at least black comedies. BLUE HOLE is an exception. This is a horror film, screening at a horror film festival, and it's scary and well made.
Experimental Horror Feature: BLOOD FOR IRINA (70:00)
This short feature film marks the directorial debut of Chris Alexander, the editor of FANGORIA magazine, and we're pleased that Chris will be attending the screening, along with producer David Goodfellow and some of the cast, so look for a lively Q & A after the show. BLOOD FOR IRINA tells the story of a the last days of a woman who may be a vampire, in the tradition of Jean Rollin's films. We're excited to have this film: we love to show the diversity of the genre, and any time we can schedule a mixture of art, exploitation, horror, and cult films, we're happy. We chose this as our opening feature for a reason, and I hope people make an effort to get down to MAFAC early.
BLOCK 2:
7:30 – 9:20
Local Student Film: KITCHEN KOMBAT (5:13)
Every year brings surprises, and this year this little film was a big one - hilarious, gory, and brilliant, heralding a major new talent in the Buffalo region. I can't wait to see it with an audience.
Horror/Comedy Short: MONOPHOBIA (10:13)
Our Honorary Chairperson Debbie Rochon stars in this film which she co-wrote with her co-star, David Marancik, and with director Scott Perry; all three will be in attendance, and this film is HILARIOUS.
Showcase: Local Horror Feature: SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST (80:00)
Two years ago, Lockport, New York resident Sam Qualiana received our Filmmaker to Watch Award. Last year, he won our Best WNY Horror Short award. This year he makes a triumphant return to Buffalo Screams with his first feature, SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST. Because I produced the film, it is ineligible for competition, but we're pleased to show the film on a big screen, introduced by our guest Paige Davis from POP Cinema, the company that acquired the film for DVD distribution (February 2013).
BLOCK 3
9:50 – 11:43
Int’l Horror/Comedy Short: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (14:00) - Switzerland
Every year Buffalo Screams more international horror films, which delights us; our goal is to be a true international film festival. This short horror comedy from Switzerland is a true joy.
Horror Feature: REVENANT (99:00)
In 2010, the feature M screened at Buffalo Screams. It was co-directed by Shane and Derek Cole, who grew up in Jamestown, New York. M was released on DVD as MUTILATION MAN, and Derek returns to Buffalo Screams with this truly frightening ghost story which brilliantly interprets the iconic imagery of ghosts - it's a wonderful film, don't miss it.
There you have it. Read about this year's Buffalo Screams in Artvoice, which gave it the cover story:
http://artvoice.com/issues/v11n41/film_feature
And in the Buffalo News:
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20121012%2FGUSTO%2F121019746
Also, here are our award nominations:
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni38251834/
On to this year's schedule, beginning with Wednesday! As in the past, we group together shorts and features into "blocks" of programming. This year we have 17 blocks, and 47 films in total. Admission is $8.00 per block, or $20.00 per day Wed - Fri (3 blocks) and Sunday (4 blocks) and $25.00 for Saturday (4 blocks). Advance tickets are on sale at:
http://marketarcade.dipsontheatres.com/
Wed 10/17
BLOCK 1
5:15 – 7:00
Showcase: Horror/Comedy Short: DUMMY (9:00)
Earlier this year the world lost a wonderful author, teacher, friend and family man, Michael Louis Calvillo. We're proud to present this fiendishly clever short film that Michael wrote as a tribute to his passion for the genre.
Horror Short: BLUE HOLE (12:00)
Most of the horror shorts we receive our comedies, or at least black comedies. BLUE HOLE is an exception. This is a horror film, screening at a horror film festival, and it's scary and well made.
Experimental Horror Feature: BLOOD FOR IRINA (70:00)
This short feature film marks the directorial debut of Chris Alexander, the editor of FANGORIA magazine, and we're pleased that Chris will be attending the screening, along with producer David Goodfellow and some of the cast, so look for a lively Q & A after the show. BLOOD FOR IRINA tells the story of a the last days of a woman who may be a vampire, in the tradition of Jean Rollin's films. We're excited to have this film: we love to show the diversity of the genre, and any time we can schedule a mixture of art, exploitation, horror, and cult films, we're happy. We chose this as our opening feature for a reason, and I hope people make an effort to get down to MAFAC early.
BLOCK 2:
7:30 – 9:20
Local Student Film: KITCHEN KOMBAT (5:13)
Every year brings surprises, and this year this little film was a big one - hilarious, gory, and brilliant, heralding a major new talent in the Buffalo region. I can't wait to see it with an audience.
Horror/Comedy Short: MONOPHOBIA (10:13)
Our Honorary Chairperson Debbie Rochon stars in this film which she co-wrote with her co-star, David Marancik, and with director Scott Perry; all three will be in attendance, and this film is HILARIOUS.
Showcase: Local Horror Feature: SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST (80:00)
Two years ago, Lockport, New York resident Sam Qualiana received our Filmmaker to Watch Award. Last year, he won our Best WNY Horror Short award. This year he makes a triumphant return to Buffalo Screams with his first feature, SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST. Because I produced the film, it is ineligible for competition, but we're pleased to show the film on a big screen, introduced by our guest Paige Davis from POP Cinema, the company that acquired the film for DVD distribution (February 2013).
BLOCK 3
9:50 – 11:43
Int’l Horror/Comedy Short: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH (14:00) - Switzerland
Every year Buffalo Screams more international horror films, which delights us; our goal is to be a true international film festival. This short horror comedy from Switzerland is a true joy.
Horror Feature: REVENANT (99:00)
In 2010, the feature M screened at Buffalo Screams. It was co-directed by Shane and Derek Cole, who grew up in Jamestown, New York. M was released on DVD as MUTILATION MAN, and Derek returns to Buffalo Screams with this truly frightening ghost story which brilliantly interprets the iconic imagery of ghosts - it's a wonderful film, don't miss it.
There you have it. Read about this year's Buffalo Screams in Artvoice, which gave it the cover story:
http://artvoice.com/issues/v11n41/film_feature
And in the Buffalo News:
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20121012%2FGUSTO%2F121019746
Also, here are our award nominations:
http://www.imdb.com/news/ni38251834/
October 8, 2012
Guesting at New York comic Con October 11th - 14th
I'll be a Literary Guest at New York Comic Con this week, Oct. 11th - 14th; you'll find me at the Medallion Press booth signing copies of TORTURED SPIRITS (just released), THE FRENZY WAR, and all of my other novels. Medallion is also giving away free "ashcans" (slick chapbooks featuring sample chapters from my latest two books) which I am delighted to sign.
I attended NYCC back in the 90s, before these things were so big. Last year 105,000 people attended the show, making it the largest of its kind on the East coast. This year, tickets are already sold out. I haven't even looked at the guest list; this is the third big show Medallion has taken me to this year, and you grow accustomed to seeing celebrities at tables.
The last events I had in NYC were a screening of SLIME CITY MASSACRE at the Anthology Film Archives and the DVD Release Signing at Forbidden Planet. I'm always happy to go back, and so are Tamar and Kaelin. We hope to squeeze in as many friends and family as we can in a limited amount of time, and it's always a pleasure to spend time with the Medallion team.
After this how I have Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival, and then I'm completing THE JULIAN YEAR and starting the next Jake Helman novel.
I attended NYCC back in the 90s, before these things were so big. Last year 105,000 people attended the show, making it the largest of its kind on the East coast. This year, tickets are already sold out. I haven't even looked at the guest list; this is the third big show Medallion has taken me to this year, and you grow accustomed to seeing celebrities at tables.
The last events I had in NYC were a screening of SLIME CITY MASSACRE at the Anthology Film Archives and the DVD Release Signing at Forbidden Planet. I'm always happy to go back, and so are Tamar and Kaelin. We hope to squeeze in as many friends and family as we can in a limited amount of time, and it's always a pleasure to spend time with the Medallion team.
After this how I have Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival, and then I'm completing THE JULIAN YEAR and starting the next Jake Helman novel.
New Werewolf Film: WARD'S ISLAND
I spent the month of September and part of October working as 1st Assistant Director on a big werewolf film called WARD'S ISLAND, which filmed in Buffalo doubling as New York City. You may remember that I worked as the Line Producer and 1st AD on Debbie Rochon's MODEL HUNGER in July; in August I turned down the chance to line produce Troma's RETURN TO THE CLASS OF NUKE EM HIGH because it was too soon after MH, but I've always wanted to work on a werewolf film, and this one came along at the perfect time financially (meaning I was broke).
Chris Ray, son of filmmaker Fred Olen Ray, is the producer, and the film had a large SAG cast of familiar names. We had to sign Non Disclosure Agreements, so I can only reveal what's already been reported/posted, but I will say that this film should appeal to readers of my novels THE FRENZY WAY and THE FRENZY WAR, and millions of people will see it.
The Buffalo News reported that the three leads are Craig Sheffer (NIGHTBREED), Ariana Richards (JURASSIC PARK) and Dennis Haysbert (President Palmer). Maybe they are, and maybe they aren't!
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120918/CITYANDREGION/120919050/1010
Kate Vernon, who played Tigh's wife on SyFy's recent BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, Tweeted a little more info:
"I'm shooting a movie! WARD'S ISLAND. Starring Dennis Haysbert, Ernie Hudson, Craig Scheffer, Bill Duke & Ariana Richards!"
Maybe Kate was telling the truth and maybe she wasn't! Maybe that wasn't even Kate. Maybe I've never even met Kate. Who's Kate?
Buffalo Rising was on hand to videotape a car stunt for the film:
http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/10/wards-island---car-crash-video.html
Hopefully there will be a press release soon, or an IMDB listing. In any case, I learned a lot on the shoot and thank Chris for the opportunity. Sam Qualiana of SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST (coming to DVD on December 11th) was the 2nd AD, as he was on MODEL HUNGER, and I got to work with a lot of local people who were hired as cast, crew, and extras. I'm happy to have been part of what is no doubt the biggest film to have been shot entirely in Buffalo thus far, and can't wait to see it.
Chris Ray, son of filmmaker Fred Olen Ray, is the producer, and the film had a large SAG cast of familiar names. We had to sign Non Disclosure Agreements, so I can only reveal what's already been reported/posted, but I will say that this film should appeal to readers of my novels THE FRENZY WAY and THE FRENZY WAR, and millions of people will see it.
The Buffalo News reported that the three leads are Craig Sheffer (NIGHTBREED), Ariana Richards (JURASSIC PARK) and Dennis Haysbert (President Palmer). Maybe they are, and maybe they aren't!
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120918/CITYANDREGION/120919050/1010
Kate Vernon, who played Tigh's wife on SyFy's recent BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, Tweeted a little more info:
"I'm shooting a movie! WARD'S ISLAND. Starring Dennis Haysbert, Ernie Hudson, Craig Scheffer, Bill Duke & Ariana Richards!"
Maybe Kate was telling the truth and maybe she wasn't! Maybe that wasn't even Kate. Maybe I've never even met Kate. Who's Kate?
Buffalo Rising was on hand to videotape a car stunt for the film:
http://www.buffalorising.com/2012/10/wards-island---car-crash-video.html
Hopefully there will be a press release soon, or an IMDB listing. In any case, I learned a lot on the shoot and thank Chris for the opportunity. Sam Qualiana of SNOW SHARK: ANCIENT SNOW BEAST (coming to DVD on December 11th) was the 2nd AD, as he was on MODEL HUNGER, and I got to work with a lot of local people who were hired as cast, crew, and extras. I'm happy to have been part of what is no doubt the biggest film to have been shot entirely in Buffalo thus far, and can't wait to see it.
