Tri-City Film Info & Interview

Don’t let the geographic limitations of the name fool you.

Yes, it’s true that Tri-City Film covers the local indie film scene in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area of Southern Ontario. What isn’t as obvious is that they go beyond their titular borders covering Guelph, and even… (gasp) Toronto! [more on that later]

In fact, as site creator and lead scribe David Briggs points out:

“The point of Tri-City Film is to help connect people interested in local film to what local filmmakers are doing. Anyone producing film in and around these cities is encouraged to contact us and keep in touch. If someone is working on something great, or is putting together a festival or compilation that may be of interest to Tri-City Film readers, then we will certainly cover it.”

The web site is a focal point for local and related indie filmmakers and film fans.

David accepts ideas and submissions for articles, interviews, photos, casting calls, crew postings, film festivals, and “other works that would jazz up the site”. If you’re a creative indie filmmaker here’s your showcase shot.

So, if you’ve got something indie going on, get it on Tri-City Film and see what can happen.

And, while you’re visiting the site, feast your squinties on the interview with yours cruelly [this is the Toronto connection cunningly mentioned earlier]. I hear that David transcribed our recorded interview in vampire blood. Cool. Enjoy.

And keep supporting indie filmmaking – wherever it may be.

LINKS:
Tri-City Film
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits

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Panel & Screening Schedule at World Horror Convention

I'm stoked about guesting at the World Horror Convention 2009 in Winnipeg, MB. Looking forward to meeting some great local filmmakers & horror fans. The WHC runs from April 30 to May 3. I'll be there May 1-3.

In addition to wall to wall screenings of cool horror shorts & features - including past winners of the Tabloid Witch Awards - there will be a daily Filmmaker's Bloc.

The Filmmaker's Bloc will feature 3 horror films (1 feature plus 2 shorts) followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers. Topics will include horror, filmmaking, distribution, and the festival circuit.

Expect a different discussion each time, as well as a vigorous Q&A session during each bloc. Winnipeg is, after all, a top filmmaking town in Canada. So bring it on!

See you there in the dark...

PANEL: Thomas M. Sipos, Los Angeles-based director of the Tabloid
Witch Awards horror film contest & festival, and actor in "The Ancient Law"; Kelly L. Young, Seattle-based writer of "H.P. Lovecraft's Strange Aeons"; and Miguel Gallego, Toronto-based writer/director of "The Crypt Club".

"H.P. LOVECRAFT'S STRANGE AEONS" A Miskatonic University professor combats an evil sorcerer trying to bring back the demonic "Old Ones"to Earth. Based on H.P. Lovecraft's "The Thing on the Doorstep." Directed by Eric Morgret. Written by K.L. Young. Cast: J.D. Lloyd, Erick J. Robertson, Angela M. Grillo, Jerry Lloyd, Peter Anthony Holden. (USA, 78 minutes)

"THE ANCIENT LAW" A magical, evil king kidnaps a young man's bride and child. Thus begins the man's quest. Dark fantasy. Directed/written by Erasmo Romero III. Cast: Jesus Guevara, Anthony Scavone, Jennifer Apon, Thomas M. Sipos, James Rollyson. (USA, 23 minutes)

"THE CRYPT CLUB" Three Goth girls desecrate a cemetery on a snowy night. An old-fashioned spook tale. Directed/written by: Miguel Gallego. Cast: Alison Pill ("Milk", "Pieces of April"), Jessica Greco ("Earth: Final Conflict", "Goosebumps"), Michele Duquet ("Earth: Final Conflict", "Kaw"), Kerry Segal. (Canada, 23 minutes)

The Filmmaker's Blocs are currently scheduled:
Fri. May 1 from 8 pm to 11 pm
Sat. May 2 from 4 pm to 7 pm
Sun. May 3 from 10 am to 1 pm

WHC LOCATION:
Marlborough Hotel
331 Smith Street (downtown)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

LINKS:
World Horror Convention 2009
Tabloid Witch Awards
The Crypt Club

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Guess Who's Guesting at the World Horror Convention 2009?

Sure, the World Horror Convention was founded as a mostly literary event. Once a year the scribes who create horrifying works of literature gather together to celebrate with each other and with the fans. But, over the past couple of years, the cinematic contingent of the horror universe has slowly been creeping into the party.

Since last year in Salt Lake City, Thomas Sipos, of the Hollywood Investigator and the Tabloid Witch Awards, hosts the convention's screening room where he presents the best horror films from the Tabloid Witch awards, along with a few surprises. He's lined up more than a dozen hours of scary feature and short film programming for the 4 day event.

This year, since the WHC takes place in Winnipeg there's a special Canuck bias to Thomas' screaming screen's offerings. And justifiably so. Canadian's have been shocking the world since Fay Wray went on that blind date with that tall, hairy, royal guy.

Among the films featured will be my own film, "The Crypt Club", fresh from a fantastic sold out screening at NYC's Latin Horrorphiles 2 night.

Yep. Thomas invited me to attend the Convention as his guest, and I'm thrilled to say that I'll be attending the WHC from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3. Between screenings we'll hold panel discussions and Q&As on horror films, our own films, and filmmaking. Should be some creepy good fun and (dare I say it?) informative.

I'll be traveling light, but I will have as much Crypt Club and "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits" swag with me as my pack mule can haul. The tough part is getting the mule a coach seat on an Air Canada flight.

So there you have it. Come for the chills, stay for the thrills. Looking forward to meeting & greeting horror fans and filmmakers alike.

The World Horror Convention is an annual gathering of professionals in the horror industry; publishers, authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, dealers and, of course, horror fans. WHC serves as both an industry insider's networking event and a chance for fans of the genre to get together, meet some of the creative talents in the field, and generally spend a weekend celebrating All Things Scary.

LINKS:
World Horror Convention 2009 site
World Horror Convention main site
Tabloid Witch Awards site

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Rare screening of The Crypt Club

Thanks to the good folks at Latin Horror - especially to Edwin Pagan - "The Crypt Club" is now part of the Latin Horror Horrorphiles #2 screening in New York City.

"The Crypt Club" is an official selection of more than 45 international film festivals, winning 18 awards, including awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography (Walter Pacifico), and Best Original Music (Nicholas Longstaff).

The film was retired from public screenings after airing in Canada on the national filmmaker showcase program "Canadian Reflections".

So don't miss this rare chance to experience "The Crypt Club" as it is meant to be seen - in a darkened theatre on a big screen.

LATIN HORROR, in association with NEWFILMMAKERS, presents the NewLatino Filmmakers Screening Series at Anthology Film Archives - "The HORRORphiles #2 - Scaring up a Revolución," featuring the work of emerging Latino/a directors working within the genre of horror.

NewLatino Filmmakers is the best and only independent Latino “cinematheque” showcase in New York City -- now in its 7th year! Docs, shorts & features. "Come early, stay late, pay one price."

So what's playing at the screening? Glad you asked.

In addition to "The Crypt Club" (starring Alison Pill from "Milk", "Dan In Real Life", and "Pieces Of April") there are several other short films including: "434" by Leonard Zelig & Javier Perez-Karam, "My Wife Is A Zombie" by Monica Winter Vigil, "3:52" starring America Ferrera ("Ugly Betty") by Shawna Baca, and "Blood Drips" by Pepper Negron.

Headlining the bill is the Spanish/Argentina co-production "El Niño De Barro" (The Mud Boy) by Jorge Algora. We screened this film to a packed house at last year's Toronto Hispano-American Film Festival.

And - as if that weren't enough creepy Hispanic goodness for ya - they also have a Trailer Spotlight to showcase teasers & trailers of upcoming works by talented Latin Horrorphiles. Que bueno!

Latin Horror Horrorphiles #2
The Crypt Club Official Web Site

Can Films From AAAAAH!! Survive Dai's Dissection?

Dai Green, the Dark Doyenne of DVD Delights at www.HorrorNews.net, dissects the films of "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Volume 1".

In the 02/19/09 entry of her "What's the Bloody Deal?" column she selects Christopher Alan Broadstone's "My Skin!" and my own "The Crypt Club" for closer inspection.

So, after honing her verbal blades, what does Dai have to say? Well, now that you ask, here's a self-serving sample:

Christopher did a great job of making this film something that you can watch more than once and enjoy each time you do. With a great script, beautiful camera shots, and a wonderful actor at the helm, this short proves that short horror films are an important, and sometimes even more worth watching, part of the horror film industry!

Can you see me blushing in the dark? That's the kind of praise we're looking for when we select films for "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits".

Thanks Dai for agreeing that what we're doing is worth watching. And I'll never, ever forget that the correct pronunciation of your first name rhymes with 'Day', not 'Die'. (Fifty lashes with a wet cat 'o nine tails)

And what does Lady Dai have to say about "The Crypt Club"? I'll let you enjoy that read on your own. Suffice to say that vivid memories of teen angst play a key role.

Volume two is in the works. Send in your short indie horror films before it's too late...

HorrorNews.net

AAAAAH!! featured in Toronto Sun

At last!

I did an interview in September of 2008 for Roger Pierce of BizLaunch for the Toronto Sun's career section on new entrepreneurs. The idea was that, since I deal in spooky stuff, the newspaper would run the article during October to tie into the whole Halloween vibe.

However, the Sun's editors kept bumping the article in favour of stories about single-moms and daycare services. Yawn. Real spooky-like.

But enough bitching and moaning.

The article, entitled Scary Small Business, saw the light of day on Wednesday January 28, 2009. Wish I'd known in advance so I could've salvaged some print copies for my parental units. (Okay, just a bit more bitching and moaning.)

The article is currently available on-line - but I'm not sure for how long. So click to it ASAP before they change the link to something about a dog walking service for the left-handed.

If you've ever considered starting a small business be sure to check out BizLaunch. They provide loads of free information, seminars, links, etc. for anyone seriously considering the entrepreneurial life.

Toronto Sun's "Scary Small Business" Article
BizLaunch

Contest for (Horror) Lovers

We're barely into the new year and already looking ahead to St. Valentine's Day. Yes, that special day when you get to curl up with your favourite other and think monstrous thoughts.

But what to do on that magical evening to get in the mood?

Well, for horror lovers this year it's easy. You can turn down the lights, get close and watch a free copy of AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Volume 1, thanks to the fearsome folks at ObscureHorror.com. They've got more reviews on obscure and hard to find horror films than you can shake a stick insect at.

For your chance to win the free DVD visit their contest page. You'll find the answer to the skill testing question in plain site within the interview with yours cruelly.

Then send an e-mail with the answer to contest@aaaaah-films.com. Be sure to include the word 'OBSCURE' in the subject line so the web-monster knows no to trash your response.

The contest draw takes place during the Winter Feast of the Rodent Shadow - I mean, Groundhog Day, February 2, 2009. That way the DVD will arrive in plenty of time for a happy St. Valentine's Day. Awwww, so romantic...

Enjoy the interview & the horror reviews - and beast of luck.

ObscureHorror.com

Three Severed Thumbs Up

When it rains it pours. And I'm thanking my personal deity for that.

Within a week I've received links to three top-knotch reviewers praising AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Volume 1. Each of these three worthwhile sites post some heavy duty articles about horror and the fantastic.

From the wilds of Utah, John Morehead at TheoFantastique gave AAAAAH!! a solid recommendation, and he touched the soft spot in my corroded heart by setting the review next to his remembrance of Forrest J Ackerman. Coming from a member of the venerable League of Tana Tea Drinkers his review carries a lot of Nile water for me.

Also today, Jill Cooper from Killer-Works.com in Chicago & Toronto posted her review of AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, along with a trailer and links. I appreciate that she touched on each of the collection's seven films to demonstrate the variety of horror films that we're showcasing.

Dead Harvey from Vancouver weighed in last week with a review and a lengthy interview with yours cruelly. And they're running a contest giveaway with the answer found in the text of the interview. Check it out ASAP to get your entry in on time.

Happy reading.

TheoFantastique review
Killer-Works review
Dead Harvey review, interview, and contest

Dead Harvey Review, Interview & Contest

So, what does Dead Harvey have to say about AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits? (Do you honestly think I'd let you know about it if he hated it?) If you assume that because Harvey is dead he has nothing to say you're grievously mistaken. He's quite talkative. For example, here's what he has to say about himself:

"Dead Harvey is a resource for both independent horror filmmakers and fans. We hope to keep people informed of new developments in the industry, as well as bringing attention to new and worthy independent horror films and film festivals."

Not bad for a guy with severe rigor mortis. Hardly saw his lips move.

The Dead Harvey site is stuffed (STUFFED, I tell you) with information, articles, interviews, resources, reviews and more. I don't know when he sleeps. Harvey must have died of exhaustion.

Anyway, D.H. just posted an interview with me where we talk about stuff other than AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits. Sure we talk about the DVD (can't miss a chance to do that), but we also discuss the indie horror scene, indie filmmaking struggles, and more. Riveting reading to be sure.

And that leads us into the CONTEST! (Yay! Free stuff!)

In a bold move D.H. is running his first ever contest. The answer to the skill testing question is buried in the interview. Sneaky, eh? Well, the answer can be found not that far into the interview. We're cruel, not sadistic. Simply e-mail the answer to D.H. and his decaying hand will pick a winner at the end of December.

And what does the lucky contest winner get for his/her/its trouble? Visit Dead Harvey and see...

Dead Harvey blog site

TWiG Interview - Indie Filmmaking: What you need to know

Just had a lengthy phone interview with Pierce "The Punk" Derks from This Week in Geek (TWiG). We spent about an hour talking indie filmmaking, everything from finding financing through to distribution strategies. Really good questions. And I'm told my responses were none too shabby either.

The interview podcast will be posted on the TWiG site in December. Watch (listen?) for it and groove on the other interviews already posted. These guys are seriously deep into gaming, films, comics - all things geek. Yes, geek is the new black. Try and keep up, eh?

I'll let you know the podcast posting date & exact URL as soon as I get the word. Over and out for now.

TWiG site