30 Day Film Fund Raising - Or Else!

Time and Money. That's all it takes to make a film. Ask my filmmaking friend Mike Flanagan, creator of the awesome film "Oculus".

Well, okay, maybe that's not all you need. You need talent, perseverance, and, among many other things: a way with people. But Time and Money are required no matter what. And I don't know anyone who has too much of either commodity.

So what's a filmmaker to do...?

Enter Kickstarter.com a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers... anyone who has an idea or an endeavour can use it to search for their cabbage patch full of leafy greenbacks.

Mike is prepping "Absentia", his fourth feature film, and his first horror film since the multiple award winning "Oculus" (featured on "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Vol. 1").

He's raising funds in "pledge drive" style, with a project page and both a funny pitch video (you gotta see it) and a scary trailer. If you've seen "Oculus" you know Mike can do scary. For me, the revelation was that Mike can also do funny. Good on ya!

Filmmakers and fund-seekers should check out the project page - AND PRONTO! As of today he's got 25 days left to raise the funds.

If I'm reading the site correctly, unless he raises 100% of his goal by the deadline the pledges go away. You can pledge as little as $5, or go whole hog. Don't worry, you won't be the first to pledge. So far over 80 film friendly folks have put their shoulders to the project's wheel.

Here's a taste of the info about "Absentia":

"Absentia" represents a rare kind of horror movie: one that doesn't rely on gratuity, gore, violence, and cheap shocks. Instead, it operates under the philosophy that if you combine fleshed out, realistic characters with a thought-provoking storyline, and then weave in elements of universal psychological fear, the result is what makes great horror films like "Let the Right One In," "The Descent," "The Exorcist" and "Session 9" possible.

After all, what you DON'T see is always scarier than what you DO....

The film also represents the inaugural feature film of Fallback Plan Productions, a company formed by Justin Gordon and Morgan Peter Brown to give creative opportunities to writers, directors, and actors still laboring on the fringes of an industry that can be impossible to infiltrate. The philosophy is simple ... if you're having a hard time getting your foot in the door, make your own door!

Shot on the revolutionary Canon 5D Mark II, "Absentia" will begin principal photography on June 21, 2010 in Glendale, CA.

Katie Parker (“The Young and the Restless”), Courtney Bell (“Step Up 2: The Streets”), Dave Levine (“Charmed”), Morgan Peter Brown (“Nailed”), and Justin Gordon ("What's Bugging Seth") are attached to star.

Lots more info about the film and the pledge funding model on the site links.

Enjoy. Benefit. And let 'em know Mighoul sent ya...

LINKS:
Mike Flanagan Film
Absentia Kickstarter page
Fallback Plan Productions

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A Haunting We Will Go

If you're into haunting for fun, profit, or even no-for-profit then you owe it to yourself to come and hang out at the Canadian Haunters Convention taking place Friday May 7 to Sunday May 9, 2010 at the Parkway Convention Centre in Saint Catharines, Ontario.

This is the first Canadian event of its kind - and it's a... wait for it... FREE EVENT! (Why should our Southern neighbours have all the haunting fun?)

So, bring the kiddies. Just be sure you leave with as many as you brought.

To celebrate this inaugural event we're taking a ghoulish road trip of sorts. Some of the members of the Black Widow Hearse Club will gather at the Canadian Haunters Convention to showcase a handful of our club's coaches on the trade show floor.

Not only can you see these vintage beauties up close, but you'll be able to talk to their drivers. Now that's scary.

So, bring the kiddies. Just be sure you leave with as many as you brought.

One of our BWHC founders, Wayne Mallows, is one of the weekend's VIPs. He'll be presenting a practical seminar on "Creating Memorable Characters". Check the event web site for all the gruesome goings on.

Apart from being rather memorable himself, Wayne has a new novel, "Whitechapel Road - A Vampyre tale", that will be available for purchase and autographing during the weekend at his booth (#203), conveniently located near the Black Widow Hearse Club exhibit.

So, bring the kiddies. Just be sure you leave with as many as you brought.

And, of course, I'll be at the hearse display with copies of our fear-bulous DVD collection: "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits", and some creepy cool Crypt Wear...

Check the convention website for all the events & times. There's a whole lot of planned for the weekend. The trade show floor is open to the public. The seminars are paid/ticketed events.

Scare you there on the trade show floor.

Trade Show Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 7 from 7 pm - 10 pm
Saturday, May 8 from 8:30 am - 5 pm
Sunday, May 9 from 9 am - 2 pm

And bring the kiddies. Just be sure you... aw, you know.

LINKS:
Canadian Haunters Convention
Black Widow Hearse Club
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits
Wayne Mallows

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The Romance of Zombie Building

Need a unique Valentine’s Day gift?

Perhaps something on the creepy, slimy side of the romance meter?

Mom always said she preferred hand-made gifts to store-bought presents.

So here's your chance.

Why not give your boo-loved a ghoulish, hand-made Zombie Puppet in your own disfigured image to remember you by while you're out on the prowl for brains...

Better yet, why not give each other a Zombie Avatar?!

Well, your slurred prayers have been answered.

Matt Ficner presents a Creepy Puppet Project WORKSHOP!

BUILD-A-ZOMBIE!
Saturday February 13th 2010
At Matt’s home studio, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Join in the one-day workshop fun of making your own rod-style zombie puppet.

Participants will be given a puppet rod rigged skeleton base to build up gooey bits of flesh and stretch rubbery skin over. Eyeballs, teeth, tattered clothes and other rotten bits will also be provided!

$350 per participant
SPACES ARE LIMITED!

For detailed directions and bookings contact:
workshops@mfproductions.ca

KEEPING IT CREEPY!

LINKS:
Matt Ficner Productions

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The Paranormal Show at the Paper Mill Theatre

It's that time of year again. Time to shake off the new year's cobwebs and turn to face the long, dark nights and wonder, "What's out there?"

My close fiend Scott McClelland (Carnival Diablo) has just the thing to focus your other-worldly ponderings: The Paranormal Show is back!

As Scott puts it,

"The Paranormal Show is a Spectacular assortment of Supernatural experiments and a bizarre twist on Sideshow Feats that will make you question everything you thought you understood about REALITY.

Take a trip down the rabbit hole and into a world of the Supernatural, a world unlike your own. Witness experiments that will bend and warp reality, giving you a glimpse into a world where science has no place.

Loaded with audience participation and laughs galore, this show is a unique experience for everyone. Mind-boggling mysteries abound... you may have paid for an entire seat... but you'll just be using the edge of it during the Show!

Join Vladimir Eisengrimm as he attempts to contact the ghosts that haunt Todmorden Mills and unveils Edison's Machine to Talk to the Dead!

Don't miss this astounding show!"

PLAYING THREE NIGHTS ONLY

Thursday January 21st, Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd at The Paper Mill Theatre (Todmorden Mills) in deepest, darkest Toronto, ON.

Doors open at 8pm. The show starts at 9pm sharp!

Tickets are $30.00, available at the door on the evening of each performance.
No Reserved seating, so arrive early to get a good seat!
PARKING IS FREE

The Paranormal Show
at The Paper Mill Theatre
67 Pottery Road (Todmorden Mills)
Toronto, Ontario

For more info, check out www.theparanormalshow.net

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Keep Your Eyes Peeled for AAAAAH!! Shorts on Tonight's "Crash & Burn"

Tonight's episode of "Crash & Burn" (10 pm EST on Showcase), entitled "Lawyers, Guns & Money", is special for so many reasons. This episode re-unites Enrico Colantoni ("Galaxy Quest", "Flashpoint", "Just Shoot Me") with his co-star from "ZOS - Zone of Separation", Michelle Nolden, as a couple with an extreme approach to marriage counseling.

Without giving away the episode, let's just say that Enrico's SWAT buddies from "Flashpoint" aren't far away. Nuff said.

The series' 8th episode also marks the broadcast licensing debut of not one -- but two -- of the short horror films from "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits, Volume 1".

Eagle-eyed indie horror fans will catch glimpses of Christopher Alan Broadstone's "My Skin!" and Anthony Falcon's "The Ninth Entry" as part of a background montage on Enrico's editing console early in the episode.

If you like what you see and want more indie horror from indie filmmakers check out the collection at www.aaaaah-films.com - now on sale for $9.95.

If you miss tonight's airing check Showcase's show listings for re-broadcasts on Friday and Sunday evenings.

And, keep watching "Crash & Burn" because in episode 10 there's a cameo appearance by a certain 'Twisty Mustache Man' in the opening spot from Protected Insurance. Snidely Whiplash ain't got nothin' on me...

LINKS:
Crash & Burn
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits

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