Fangoria Convention L.A. 2007

[bodian26]

For the second year in a row, it was a three day affair as opposed to two days and we all got word that next year it will be at the L.A. Convention Center in April instead of the Burbank Marriott (or Hilton, whichever it is called with each passing year) in late May/early June.
Friday started out great, with a fairly decent crowd but one could feel that by Saturday (with Rob Zombie and Henry Rollins appearing), we were going to be in need of some oxygen masks and massive air conditioning, sorta like a middle school dance actually.
There were booths with all kinds of goodies, from t-shirts and Foreign and rare dvds to artwork, make-up schools and a woman who created doll drawings, books and a family of actual dolls. You just know these dolls talk to her in her house with each passing minute of the night. You should have seen her face light up when I suggested she create a family tree for her dolls. You'd swear you saw a literal lightbulb go off above her head. Needless to say, I gave her my card because true, fun crazies are very hard to come by... and her doll work is fairly astounding, I must say.
One of the first panels saw the writer, Jace Anderson and actress, Corralina Tassoni discussing Dario Argento's "The Third Mother." This film was not shot like "Suspiria" or "Inferno," because Dario feels like he has been there, done that. A clip was then shown from the film, depicting a woman getting rammed up the vagina and through her mouth with a spear. Thank you, everybody and good night.
Wow, that woke the audience up. I talked with Jace afterwards about how she got hired for the gig having only written "The Toolbox Murders," for Tobe Hooper. She told me that her and her co-writer were stopping by the editing of Tobe's Masters of Horror episode and they met Dario. He asked to read a script of theirs and wa-lah, they're writing the third part of the "Three Mothers," film. To quote from "Blue Velvet": "It's a strange world, isn't it?"
A little later, Frank Darabont and Thomas Jane took the stage with Bernie Wrightson to discuss their work on Stephen King's "The Mist." I asked Frank what it was like to go from directing composed films like "Shawshank" and "Green Mile" to something chaotic like "The Shield." His response? "With great relish." He then talked about how directing that episode helped him learn about intensity of the camera and of the edit in order to nail the tension of King's story. His episode of "The Shield" was great so I am looking forward to seeing what he meant. He's still pissed about what Branagh did to his "Frankenstein" script saying Branagh "fucked him" on that as he simulated being shot in the heart with an arrow. I spoke with him afterwards jokingly asking him to confirm that the reason he was booted off "Indiana Jones 4" was because he wanted to bring Short Round back. His answer? "Actually I wanted to tell a real story and George said no." Interesting.
Thomas Jane backed it up saying he was not going to come back to the Punisher because he wants to play character rather than spectacle.
Then Doug Bradley (Pinhead) showed up and charmed the audience with his quiet humor. I talked with him after asking why on earth Pinhead sounds so different with each passing film rather then the general he was in the first two. He answered that after the first two films, the sound people lost the notes for how to achieve Pinhead's voice and got lazy about it as each film was made. That is just lame, if you ask me. There is no excuse in this digital age to fail at what Clive Barker was able to achieve in 1987. At least Doug got to have a kick ass time at the Living Dead Girls Concert that night and a complimentary buffet breakfast in the morning, where myself and my friends were also.
The next day, Heather Langenkamp (Nancy from "A Nightmare on Elm St.") showed up and was charming and funny and said she would like to work more as an actress, but until then she's happy working in special effects with her husband. She said she is in talks about having a Nancy doll made soon and told one person she can not remember what Johnny Depp kissed like. It looked like she was going to be signing for free, but then word got out she was only signing for $40 so many people went home disappointed. It certainly doesn't look like she is in desperate need for cash.
Eli Roth and Bijou Philips took to the stage next to hype "Hostel 2." Eli was his usual funny, name dropping self and you could tell he was psyched about this film. I agree with many things he has to say about the horror genre, but I just wish he had as much talent as ego is all. I feel someone like Neil Marshall has more talent overall at the moment, but his crowd at the convention was a third of what it was for Eli's. In a deep voice (which Eli confirmed was his in the trailer): "Thanksgiving."
Man, Michael Madsen took to the stage next with Rachel ("Bully") Miner and Amber ("Buffy", "Chance") Benson next and he could not stop holding the mic to his mouth and saying in a deep voice, "Thanksgiving." They were talking about a new comic series that Michael Madsen is writing. It was entertaining and afterwards, Madsen took my "Reservoir Dogs" dvd I had and put a Fu Man Chu beard on Tim Roth. Fantastic. And meeting Amber was an absolute pleasure. Honestly, it would be great to see her in more films and as a director too.
Then Henry Rollins showed up to chat about "Wrong Turn 2." It was as this moment that some doofus went out the wrong door to grab a smoke and set off the fire alarm. No one moved and kept listening to Rollins talk about the film with the director. My girlfriend was next in line to meet Amber Benson and she turned to me and said, "I will burn if I have to. I am not getting out of line now." Luckily, there was no fire and we didn't have to evaculate but it took several minutes before the alarm was shut off. Rollins was not happy about the noise levels. It ruined the clips being shown.
Rob Zombie showed up later in the day with Sheri, Scout Taylor-Compton, Danielle Harris and a few others to talk about "Halloween." The only clip that was shown was the trailer that everyone I'm sure has seen by now, since Rob is still working on the film. I talked with him afterwards about whether or not he changed anything during the filming in order to go against or up the ante of what was said about his script on the net. His response? "No, since everything I read on the net is completely untrue of anything that is actually in the script. I wanted to respond to it all, but felt in the end, why should I? It's not true and there would be no point in defending the film to anyone who thinks otherwise. Everyone will see it who wants to and then they'll know the truth." In my opinion, I do feel that people over analyze now before a single shot of film has been developed and I'm glad to see Rob has this attitude.
Adam Green came out to talk his great slasher film, "Hatchet." He was in great spirits but was rather irked at first because the announcer introduced him as Adam Green. The announcer also introduced Scout Taylor-Compton as Scott. Green, came out, rocked the audience and said to everyone that if we all keep supporting remakes and bad PG-13 horror films, Hollywood will keep making them. That reminded me of several years ago when John Landis told me, "The only trend is economic. A movie comes out, does well and everyone says, 'Ooh, lets make that film again.'"
The audience loved Adam and they loved the clips of "Hatchet." Hopefully his next film, "Spiral" comes out this year too. This talented director has been hiding in the shadows for too long now.
On Sunday, Russell Mulcahy, the director of the original, "Highlander," film and the upcoming, "Resident Evil 3" collapsed backstage and had to be rushed to the hospital. Everyone around me was thinking great thoughts about him and we all wish him the best.
Thora Birch came out afterwards and she was reserved, but well spoken as she talked about her film, "Dark Corridors." I asked her what her feelings were on the original ending of "American Beauty," and she said that while she missed the entire end subplot and her scenes that embodied them, she feels that the ending chosen was the right one. Thora is most likely right but it would be great to see her and Wes on trial for Kevin Spacey's murder and singing Beatles' songs in jail.
Mick Garris came on soon afterwards and said there will be a Masters of Horror season 3.
Neil Marshall was reserved but informative as he walked us through his plot of "Doomsday." It centers around a virus that takes over Scotland whereupon England builds a wall around the country to protect the world and isolate the host country. Years later, a form of the virus is found elsewhere in the world and a group of people must climb the wall into Scotland to find a possible cure. Sounds like a lot of fun and knowing Marshall's work, it should be worth seeing. Too bad very few people came out to see him speak.
Finally, Clive Barker came out and talked with us about the horror genre and his upcoming work. He has several movies he is working on, either as a writer or a producer. He could not speak that well, for his voice sounded rather hoarse but he was able to tell us that he is working on new stories from the world of "Cabal," is still determined to bring to the screen, "The Thief of Always," and thinks instead of a sequel/remake to "Candyman," Hollywood should first make, "Buttman."
You heard it here folks. Lets see, what else happened. I found out on Thursday from Bill Maher's head writer on "Real Time," that Veronica Mars had been cancelled the same hour they were picked up for a new season on HBO. My girlfriend got Clive Barker to happily sign her ripped jeans and I was able to take a group of friends to see "Rocky Horror" for the first time (for them) in the middle of West Hollywood and that was a great show.
If you have never been to a Fangoria Convention, it is a blast. I mean half of the cast from "Last House on the Left," and the director of "Feast," were casually walking around. Heck, one year Hulk Hogan was walking around. You never know who you are going to meet and connect with there and that is what makes the whole experience fun and insane.

[ThirstyFly]

Originally posted by bodian26
On Sunday, Russell Mulcahy, the director of the original, "Highlander," film and the upcoming, "Resident Evil 3" collapsed backstage and had to be rushed to the hospital.

Sounds like the first signs of a zombie outbreak too me!

Seriously though, hope he's okay. The RE movies are a guilty pleasure of mine.

[XCoRyX]

Fangoria cons have a good line-up BESIDES the one nearest me - go figure, haha.

[teenkiller]

At least we still got MM, Chiller, and even Horrorfind is relatively close. Fango sounded like a blast bodian26. Glad you had a blast! Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[EVILxxx]

I believe that is the way Barker speaks. I've heard him in a handful of interviews and he is always very hoarse.

[Ratlehed]

Thats awesome you got to meet Rob Zombie. Hopefully after Halloween comes out he makes his way to the east coast cons..

[teenkiller]

Originally posted by Ratlehed
Thats awesome you got to meet Rob Zombie. Hopefully after Halloween comes out he makes his way to the east coast cons..

Well I spoke to some security person at MM and he pretty much told me that they would never get Zombie or Sherri to make an appearance because the crowd would get too big and they wouldn't be able to accomodate them. It sucks because they are the two main people I need to sign my Devils Rejects banner! Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[Ratlehed]

Originally posted by teenkiller
Well I spoke to some security person at MM and he pretty much told me that they would never get Zombie or Sherri to make an appearance because the crowd would get too big and they wouldn't be able to accomodate them. It sucks because they are the two main people I need to sign my Devils Rejects banner! Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

The Chiller Theatre might be able to get them. Thier convention is quite larger than MM.

[teenkiller]

I'll keep my fingers crossed on that one. I have never been to Chiller and don't even know where it is. I have heard that it is quite disorganized over there though. If they get the right guests though I would be willing to try and make the trip. Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[XCoRyX]

Originally posted by teenkiller
At least we still got MM, Chiller, and even Horrorfind is relatively close. Fango sounded like a blast bodian26. Glad you had a blast! Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

Yeah...we definetly got a nice number of cons in name...but sadly as of late their all getting the same 13 guests repeatedly,where-as stuff further away seems to be grabbing some more unique name.s

[bodian26]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=2034346532

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=2034344496

My question about David Lynch made it on to the following video:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=2034349452

[teenkiller]

Cool links man. Thanks for those. I enjoy watching those type of Q and A sessions so I linked your thread here to the Halloween thread in the Upcoming Horror section so people there could see what Zombie had to say. Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[XCoRyX]

Them links are good stuff dude,thanks...really makes that con look like alot of fun. If expenses are ever well in my damn life i'd love to make it out to one and in LA in general.

I noticed how Rob said he almost shot a whole movie for Werewolf Women of the S.S. .... why don't they just release that itself?He said hes got 45 mins or so, just add some extra in.

[bodian26]

Creation, the company that Fangoria typically goes through to host their conventions has today listed a number of autographed banners on ebay.
I have no affilation with either company, except myself having written/directed a few independent horror films (IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL DIE IF I WANT TO, HOLLOW ETERNITY, etc.) and shorts, but I thought all of you who have never made it to a convention would be interested in taking a look at some of these autographed banners.

PHANTASM: MOVIE CAST AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER-5 SIGNATURES!
Autographed by: Gloria Lynn Henry, Bill Thornbury, Kathy Lester, Reggie Bannister & Don Coscarelli
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125261055

CLIVE BARKER: HEATHER LANGENKAMP: SHAWNEE SMITH AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125262622

HELLRAISER: CLIVE BARKER AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125264168

HELLRAISER: PINHEAD: DOUG BRADLEY AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125266773

SAW MOVIES: AMANDA: SHAWNEE SMITH AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125267846

WRONG TURN 2: HENRY ROLLINS AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125268689

KILL BILL: RESERVOIR DOGS: MICHAEL MADSEN AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125269587

GHOST WORLD: DARK CORNERS: THORA BIRCH AUTOGRAPH FANGORIA CONVENTION BANNER
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=250125270570

[ParileseMonster]

Sounded cool bodian thanks for sharing. My husband and I like to go to those con's in LA but did not make the trip this year. Driving from Sacramento to LA can be exhausting.

Anyway, Clive Barker has never been that horse. I watched his intro to Night Breed on my tape recently and he did not talk like he has been smoking on some type of wicked pipe for several years. But, now he has and sounds awful and he used to be cute. Oh well.

[bodian26]

Sacramento to LA should only take about 6 hours; ironically enough the same length of time it takes to drive from Monterey, Ca to LA when Monterey is three hours south of Sacramento.
Clive, the last couple of years seems to be getting more tired by life and sick than ever before. I actually was concerned that he was dying or something.
When I look back over the years of him talking in person, on commentaries, etc, he really seems to be getting worse with each passing year and I truly hope he is okay because he is a tremendous talent and human being.

[ParileseMonster]

That is still a lot of time driving, depends on the day and who you are I guess.