FANGORIA's 16th annual Weekend of Horrors Convention, held in conjunction with Creation Entertainment in Pasadena, California on August 17-18 definitely proved that the horror genre is not only alive and well... but also thriving. It wasn't only the new movies that were touted, (FEARDOTCOM, FATAL KISS) or the SAINT SINNER movie panel with Clive Barker, or the special award ceremony for George A. Romero, but the total enthusiasm of the sold out audience.
The Fangoria conventions always have big name actors and directors discussing their latest projects, that's half the fun in attending, but the fans were also responding positively to the new ways the horror genre is expanding. Comic books, rock music and wrestling have always had their place with the shock fans, but now there are more supporters than ever buying and keeping these arts alive. The rock group STATIC-X has a new comic out called STATIC-X: MACHINE while artist Rafael Navarro has created SONAMBULO, a masked wrestler who is the ultimate LA underground detective. SONAMBULO's first adventure is GHOST OF A CHANCE.
The dealer's room was full of the usual Goth accoutrements plus new DVDs (NEAR DARK - 2 disc set), books and games (LORD OF THE RINGS) and several new online and print magazines featuring horror, fantasy fiction and art such as the well produced THE LATE LATE SHOW. But probably the best deal in the dealers' room was the unscheduled appearances of a few celebrities caught wondering around. Director John Landis attended the Clive Barker panel then toured the room checking out the latest model kits and buying DVDs while graciously signing autographs and answering questions from fans and friends. Director Mick Garris (THE STAND and THE SHINING) also signed autographs and posed for pictures.
Do you want to go on a vampire hunt in San Francisco? Then book a tour with Vampiress Mina Harker who has been living in San Francisco since 1897 when Count Dracula banished her from London. The tours have proved so successful that playwright/actress Kitty Burns will soon be expanding her haunts to Los Angeles and then on to New York. Which proves that every one loves a good ghost story... or in this case vampire tales.
Writer Larry Wilson (BEETLEJUICE, ADDAMS FAMILY and TALES FROM THE CRYPT) held a special Sunday seminar on writing horror movies. But if any interested writers already have a script they could submit it to the contest held by SCREAMFEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL (October 17 20, 2002) in Los Angeles. The festival has contests not only for writers, but also for all types of horror films. Several new films will be showcased at the festival such as VAMPIRE CLAN, which is based on a real murder case involving a gang of teenagers who believed they were real vampires.
Our account of the Weekend of Horrors event continues tomorrow in Part 2.
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