Interview with Tom Sullivan by David Kempf

When I was a young teen, I saw the first EVIL DEAD movie and it scared the hell out of me. I equally enjoyed the sequels EVIL DEAD 2 and ARMY OF DARKNESS.

Tom Sullivan worked as a effects artist in makeup and stop motion animation in both EVIL DEAD sequels.
Tom is a lifelong fan of horror and fantasy movies and is very popular with art collectors seeking to purchase EVIL DEAD related art. It was fun to interview Tom about his past accomplishments and future plans in the horror field.

INTERVIEW WITH TOM SULLIVAN

By David Kempf

Tell us why you became so interested in the world of horror.

Because the world of horror became interested in me. Before Evil Dead I was a good, shy, Eagle Scout who never got into trouble, abhorred violence and the horror films I'd seen scared the crap out of me.
I wanted to make movies like Ray Harryhausen and with their sensibilities. Gore and horror was a self forbidden genre for me.   I didn't even want to see James Bond films until I was in High School because of the violence I thought  they might contain.  I eventually saw Thunderball and got it.

It wasn't until I met Bill Baetz and David Hurd who were putting together there H.P. Lovecraft inspired film called The Cry of Cthulhu that I actually started to read horror fiction.   For my first read, I thought Lovecraft was wild and a lot of fun.  The film, from my point of view was Lovecraft meets Harryhausen.  It was to be a live action/stop motion horror/adventure film using every practical and optical effects available. It would have been epic.

Evil Dead was a whole other animal.   I had to jump in and see all the horror films I could to figure out what the hell I was going to do.  Fortunately Sam Raimi insisted us Book of the Deaders' saw films at Drive Ins and learned all we could about what works and what doesn't .  Sam said and I believe him that you can learn more from a bad film than what you can steal from a good film.

The good stuff you steal (and Sam sure did) is recognizable by hardcore film fans. While the improvements you make on a failed idea have a germ of originality to it.

But horror films still scare the crap out of me.


Do you prefer watching horror films or reading horror novels? 

I'd rather watch them.  I'm a film maker at heart.  I do love horror comics, especially EC, Creepy and EERIE from the good ol' days.


Tell us about your earliest inspirations.

In art it was Steve Ditko and Frank Frazetta in that order.  I loved Spider-Man and discovered those comics first.

Ditko's figures were supremely animated and anatomically and proportionally correct for the most part.  An artist friend turned me onto Frazetta in High School and I've never been the same since.
Nowadays I love all artists over all times.

In film making, Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen are my giants.  I saw King Kong when I was 5 and The 7Th Voyage of Sinbad when I was in the third grade.   I had to do this stuff.  I have a Mom who let me stay up late, even on school nights so I could see these on TV.    These films were miracles to me.


How did you become involved with THE EVIL DEAD?

My wife, Penny went to Michigan State University and we lived on campus.  One day I read about the MSU Creative Film Making Society having a screening so I went.  I met Sam and Ivan Raimi and Rob Tapert, the roommate of Ivan Raimi.  From there we hit it off and I showed my special effects reels and artwork to them.   Sam, being the resourceful film maker he is, kept a lookout for other's talents to broaden his palette.
  And he put me to good use.  I did sound effects for his Super 8mm, full length feature, It's Murder as well as a flyer with a drawing I did.

Then came Within the Woods, Sam's horror film designed to impress investors to make a feature horror film.

And it worked.

I was called in to make a prop dagger and other items found in the grave of an Indian Medicine Man. I also designed and did the make up and gore effects.  It's a hard core horror film with supernatural elements.  A very good sketch for Evil Dead.


Who do you think THE EVIL DEAD series remains so popular with the fans?

Because of the kinetic action, comedy and gore Sam put in them.  He made us all look good.  I've found these days that fans are discovering the Evil Dead series backwards.  Army of Darkness has been the most shown because it's the least violent. A snip of the "F" bomb that Ash drops is gone and it's almost family friendly.  Most people are seeing Army of Darkness, telling there more worldly friends about it and then they seek out Evil Dead 1 and 2.  There is also the fact that the tones of each film is different than the others so everyone has their favorite.  I would guess it's usually the episode they saw first.


What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as an artist so far?

I would have to split that between my work on Evil Dead and my illustrations for Chaosium Inc.  I painted covers and did pen and ink illustrations for there role playing game books for their H.P. Lovecraft inspired, THE CALL OF CTHULHU.   I kept my originals and copyrights and am selling prints of them as well as prints of my Book of the Dead from Evil Dead and the Lost Pages from Evil Dead 2.


Name some of your favorite horror books.

With the exception of The Shining about the only horror fiction I've read is Lovecraft.  I was drawn to The Shining because I'd heard Kubrick was making his film adaptation.    I was chomping at the bit at how he was going to do the moving animal shaped shrubs.  Spoiler alert.  He passed on that.


Name some of your favorite horror films.

Robert Wise's The Haunting is the Citizen Kane of horror films.   It spells out the format for great horror. It sure influenced Sam Raimi.  I would recommend any horror director study that film as it does not have a drop of blood. No ghosts are seen but the audience is convinced they are there.  It's the classic demonstration of what writing, photography, art direction, sound, editing can do without the shock of gore or a reliance on special effects.  I guess I just dismissed my film career in special effects.


Why do you think horror movies and books remain popular?

Spectacle of a dark side.  I think horror films are the most morality focused entertainments out there.  Films about vampires, ghost, exorcisms, monsters, serial killers etc. all reach out to the audience who fill in there own morality. They either identify with the victims or the monster.  The filmmakers usually plot that out but we know who is good and evil.   And being entertaining events, sometimes evil can be fun to watch.  Me, I like good stories and love it when my disbelief is suspended for a good movie or book.  And that is a huge challenge for the creators.


Do you think the growing trend of self-publishing is a good or bad thing?

Since I want to self-publish a couple of Coffee Table Art Books of my stuff, I'm going to go with good thing.
I should be finding out more about self publishing.   I figure if I put my pages from the Book of the Dead in there I'll sell a bunch of them.


What are your latest projects?

I have put some of my talented friends to work producing replicas of my props from the Evil Dead films. Official Bookbinder of the Dead and Evil Dead Historian, Patrick Reese handstitches the Book of the Dead replicas.  His work is amazing and to make my sloppily designed book binding work, Pat has worked out an elaborate and difficult technique that makes his bindings durable and artistic.   Moldmaker of the Dead, the talented Steve Diruggiero casts the covers for the Books as well as the high quality resin Kandarian Daggers of the Dead.  He also makes Mini Books of the Dead from a sculpture I did of the Book of the Dead, 1/4 scale for one of Pat's Evil Dead 2 model figures.

Film maker and friend, Ryan Meade has made a DVD documentary about my life and career called INVALUABLE.  We had amazing help from my Evil Dead friends and the reviews are glowing.   It is available at:


Any Advice?

Watch movies, think for yourself. Try thinking for yourself while you're watching a movie and eating popcorn at the same time.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself and you work.

At the age of five years old Tom saw the original King Kong and his genetic structure was changed forever. After verifying with his Mother that Kong was made in the United States he announced his intention to be a film maker.

Art and film have occupied his time ever since and in 1979 Tom began work on Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead.  To everybody’s surprise the film eventually became a cult classic    and Tom worked on Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn and the Army of Darkness. Tom Also was a sculpturer on Chris Walas’s The Fly Part 2.

After The Fly experience Tom returned to his home in Marshall, Michigan and returned to his career in Illustration. He created paintings and drawings for role playing game books based on the writings of H. P. Lovecraft for Chaosium Inc.

Anchor Bay,  the DVD distributors contacted Tom to design Book of the Dead packages based on his Book of the Dead created for the Evil Dead films.  Suddenly Tom was back in show biz.

Since then Tom has been acting in films and The Dread reunited him with his Evil Dead comrade Ellen Sandweiss.  Tom also helped out with the effects rigging the death scene for Ellen’s character.

Tom and Official Bookbinder of the Dead and Evil Dead Historian, Patrick Reese, tour around American horror film conventions with the Tom Sullivan Art Print and Replica Gallery. Featuring archival quality prints of Tom's Evil Dead, H.P. Lovecraft and other Horror and Fantasy art.

http://www.darkageproductions.com/news.php

Film News (UK): HorrorShow.TV acquires UK rights for Lucky McKee’s THE WOMAN.

Horror-themed VOD platform TheHorrorShow.TV is set to make a bold venture into physical distribution with its first 'all UK rights' acquisition, THE WOMAN. The film, starring Pollyanna McIntosh (Filth, White Settlers) will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and limited edition steelbook editions on August 18, with a brand new audio commentary by director Lucky McKee, who's latest film All Cheerleaders Die receives its UK premiere at FrightFest in August.

Commenting on the VOD platform's new venture, TheHorrorShow.TV's David Hughes said, "Having celebrated our site's first birthday by uploading our 200th horror film, we are hugely excited about this new acquisition, which heralds our entry into the physical market with a lavish all-formats edition of Lucky McKee's brilliant 2011 horror film, The Woman. Of course, TheHorrorShow.TV is primarily a digital platform, but the physical side of film distribution shows no signs of slowing down, and we want to give horror fans as much choice as possible about how they consume their favourite genre."

The film's director, Lucky McKee, commented: "I am delighted THE WOMAN has found a new home in the UK with The Horror Show.TV. With this new edition, fans will get a chance to watch the film along with me, as I have recorded a brand new commentary track within the home that inspired the story."

Andrew van den Houten, who produced the film through his Modernciné company, added: "Modernciné is thrilled to be bringing The Woman back to audiences in the UK with our new partnership with TheHorrorShow.TV"

TheHorrorShow.TV will offer the film as a digital exclusive, and plans to include the film in its forthcoming subscription service, which will make many of the existing 200+ films available at TheHorrorShow.TV – including many digital exclusives – available to subscribers for £4.99 per month.

TheHorrorShow.TV is the first UK-based video-on-demand streaming service specialising in horror and fantasy films.  Run by David Hughes and filmmaker and entrepreneur Jack Bowyer, the pay-as-you platform offers top-flight features, popular classics, cult favourites and edgy underground titles to stream or download via computers/ laptops and Android and iOS-based smartphones and
tablets Fans can also select short films from the 99p “Short Stack” feature

http://www.thehorrorshow.tv/

FILM NEWS (UK): Film4 FrightFest 2014 welcomes THE GUEST to open its 15th year.

This year’s Film4 FrightFest gets off to a nerve-shredding start with the UK premiere of Adam Wingard’s killer thriller THE GUEST, starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) and rising star Maika Monroe (The Bling Ring, It Follows).

Wingard said today: "FrightFest movie goers are some of the most diehard genre enthusiasts in the world. Naturally i am delighted that The Guest will be opening this year’s festival".

 

Alan Jones, co-director of FrightFest added: "Film4FrightFest has a grand tradition of always opening its banner August event with a forward-looking and directional attraction. So we couldn't be more delighted to showcase Adam Wingard's dazzling horror thriller THE GUEST to put the stamp of approval on our move to the Vue cinema in Leicester Square”.

 

SYNOPSIS: A brilliant homage to 1980s action flicks, THE GUEST opens with the Peterson family struggling over the loss of their oldest son, Caleb, to the war in Afghanistan, They find some solace when an unexpected visitor knocks on its door. David (Dan Stevens), a steely eyed and charismatic soldier who was recently discharged, is welcomed into their home when he comes to fulfill a promise he made to his fallen comrade. Siblings Anna and Luke are at first reluctant to accept David’s presence, but he soon wins them over. Though he appears to be the perfect houseguest, a mysterious and sinister chain of events causes Anna to question whether David is actually whom he claims to be.

 

The film is written by Simon Barrett (You’re Next, A Horrible Way To Die), and also stars Sheila Kelley (Matchstick Men), Leland Orser (Taken), Lance Reddick (The Wire) and Brendan Meyer. It is being distributed in the UK by Icon Film Distribution.

 

Film4 FrightFest 2014 has moved to the prestigious Vue West End and the full-line up will be jointly announced on Friday 27 June, along with details on when and how to buy Festival passes and individual tickets.

 

Plus…For the first time ever in the UK, Claudio Simonetti’s GOBLIN to score DAWN OF THE DEAD and SUSPIRIA LIVE.

 

FrightFest will be co-presenting, alongside One Inch Badge, two special concerts featuring Claudio Simonetti’s GOBLIN.

For the first time ever in the UK, Claudio Simonetti’s GOBLIN will be performing live scores for George Romero’s DAWN OF THE DEAD and Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA on consecutive nights at the Union Chapel, Islington, London N1 2XD

 

On Monday 18th August they will be scoring ‘Dawn of the Dead’ - accompanying the NMS Records, German, English Language version of the film, and on Tues 19th August, ‘Suspiria’ – accompanying the CDE, Italian, English Language version. Doors open at 7pm. Audiences must be aged 18 and over.

 

Tickets are on sale now from http://www.seetickets.com/artist/goblin/321495

 

FrightFest pass holders have been offered a special discount. The code can be found on the FrightFest website www.frightfest.co.uk

Emily Booth's Selkie - First Poster Revealed

This is a first look at the poster artwork for the dark fairytale SELKIE, Emily Booth's stunning debut short film, in which the Horror Channel presenter takes on the producer, writer and lead actress roles.

SYNOPSIS:
When a fisherman (Joseph Rye) finds a treasured Selkie's skin on the beach a mysterious woman (Emily Booth) is summoned to his house, but after a lifetime of enslavement she determines to reclaim her true mythical identity. A haunting adult fairytale based on Celtic myth.

Emily assembled her own team for the project including concept artist Danny McMahon (who came up with the original drawings of the Selkie creature) and SFX artist Robbie Drake (Nightbreed, The Seasoning House). It is directed by her brother, Simon Booth.



Watch out for news of its World Premiere screening…

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Interview with Chris Alexander By David Kempf

Chris Alexander is the Toronto-based editor of Fangoria magazine and film critic with the Toronto Film Association. In the past he had written for the Metro News, Rue Morgue, The Dark Side, and was the editor of Kiss: Monster, the official magazine of the rock band Kiss. Alexander also resurrected the long dormant Fangoria sister magazine Gorezone and developed a line of limited edition magazines under the "Fangoria Legends" banner. Alexander has also worked as a radio personality for AM 640, Toronto's The John Oakley Show from 2004 to 2009 and for Rue Morgue Radio from 2004 to 2007. He has composed music for several horror films and productions such as the radio drama series Fangoria's Dreadtime Stories featuring Malcom McDowell. In 2006 Alexander participated in the Raging Boll stunt in Vancouver, boxing genre filmmaker Uwe Boll. His 2012 film Blood for Irina won the Best Experimental Feature Film award at the 2013 PollyGrind Film Festival.

On a personal note, I am a lifelong fan of Fangoria Magazine. It is an unapologetic and fearless publication for millions of true horror fans around the world. Horror is sometimes an ugly word in many literary and film circles today. Sometimes authors and filmmakers change the word horror to "thriller" or "mystery" but they're just sugar coating what it really is. I would like to thank Chris for taking the time out of his busy schedule for Masters of Horror U.K.. It was a great pleasure to interview someone who enjoys horror as much as I do.

--

Tell us why you became so interested in the world of horror.

I cannot tell you why, but I can tell you how. I discovered the blood, metal and black leather of Gene Simmons on the cover of LOVE GUN and got lost in the guts of the House of Frankenstein wax museum in Clifton Hill. Both experiences were deeply affecting. I was terrified but curious as to WHY I was terrified. Thus launched an obsession. My love of comics turned into a love of horror comics which developed into an infatuation with movies, poster art, Halloween costumes, weird toys. Movies were my salvation and all the questions I had about life and death were explored in horror and fantasy films. That and I have always had a very sharp imagination and in these works of darkest dread I found satiation. I never did drugs, I did film. I also loved and still love music and again, in cinema I was exposed to image, literature and music in one 90 minute package. And of course, I discovered FANGORIA as a child which put everything into focus and legitimized all of my interests.


Do you prefer watching horror films or reading  horror novels?

I am a sensory person in the sense that sound and image are what affect me most. I am, of course, a writer by trade. But I am a visual writer, I think. I write with music and description. So I DO love to read, love it. But these days, with my staggering work schedule and my three children, I simply do not have the time to read as much as I would like. Films will always be my first and most profound love.

Tell us about your earliest inspirations.

As I mentioned, KISS and classic horror film imagery. The 1978 version of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS alternately ruined my life and put me on a path to learn more about the bizarre and fantastic in cinema. TOMB OF DRACULA comics were a serious obsession. And vampires. I used to watch DARK SHADOWS re-runs with my Great Granny. I’m still a vampire enthusiast. I adore the idea of vampires. I’ve always been a lone wolf, too. An observer of people and culture and always feeling like an outsider. So I indentified with the idea of the vampire and the isolated life they lead. Plus I just adore the sensuality of the vampire and LOVE the look of red blood on white skin and white surfaces.


How did you become editor of Fangoria?

I had been making a living as a writer and critic for RUE MORGUE for years as well as serving as critic and journo for various newspapers. I had my own radio segment on a Toronto AM station. I was a guest on MTV often. I had something of a name before I started freelancing for FANGORIA. In 2009 I got in a bad car accident and was in a bit of shock when, out of nowhere, I got the call asking if I would like to try my hand at editing the magazine. I did. And here we are, almost 5 years later. I started a new line of FANGORIA Legends mas and brought back GOREZONE too, which is one of my greatest thrills.


Who do you consider to be the most influential horror writer of this generation?

Of fiction? I’ll say the most influential writer is Richard Matheson, god rest him. His 1954 novella I AM LEGEND not only re-invented the vampire, it invented the idea of the zombie as a cannibal plague. Romero admittedly stole the idea of IAM LEGEND for NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Everyone else stole from Romero. And now, the zombie is the most prominent monster in all of the liberal arts. Outside of that, I’d say that Matheson’s blend of humanity and metaphysics has been copied by every good (and bad!) writer in the genre. He was and is a King.


What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as a writer so far?

I’ve written thousands of features and have interviewed all of my heroes. I am proud of most of my work in the written word. But there are certainly stand-outs in the pack. I’m just not sure what they are. I write lots and almost 100% of my wordplay, from the smallest DVD review to the most elephantine feature is personal and often a mirror of something I’m going through, an experience, an emotional or intellectual state. I love writing but it’s all like music to me. And once I’m done with the words, I give them up and walk away. I almost never re-read my own work.

Tell us about your movies Blood for Irina and Queen of Blood. 

I made IRINA as an experiment to create an existential vampire film that reflected my appreciation of Jean Rollin and Werner Herzog and their relationship with natural locations. Something dark, sensual, strange. The film cost nothing. But was screened around the world, internationally distributed and critically well reviewed. And won several awards. I was happy enough with it that I made a sequel/companion film in QUEEN, which is an attempt to further a kind of style I am forging and to create a kind of mythology in the allegorical character of the vampire Irina, played by the beautiful Shauna Henry. As with IRINA I co-shot, cut, directed and composed the music for QUEEN OF BLOOD. But this time I had big locations, a professional costume designer and the presence of my hero, rock star Nivek Ogre from the band Skinny Puppy, which was a remarkable experience.


Do you see yourself more as a filmmaker of a journalist?

Image, sound and word are all the same to me. They are vessels to create an environment. They are languages. I just enjoy creating worlds in various mediums, whatever they may be. And at the end of the day, the most important thing for me is to be in love with the art of communication and imagination. The minute it becomes a chore, is when I walk.


Name some of your favorite horror books. 

As I mentioned I AM LEGEND is the greatest story ever told, in my opinion. Early Stephen King, especially SALEM’S LOT. The brilliant Michael Slade, of course, may be the greatest writer of psychosexual horror in history and yet, many are unfamiliar with him (him being the psuedonymn of Vancouver lawyer Jay Clarke). I urge everyone to explore Slade. Starting…NOW.


Name some of your favorite horror films. 

Romero’s DAWN OF THE DEAD is a perfect film. As is the afformentioned 1978 Kauffman remake of INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. Laughton’s NIGHT OF THE HUNTER. I think TAXI DRIVER is a masterpiece of horror. Herzog’s NOSFERATU. Kumel’s DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS. Fulci’s CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD. Argento’s PHENOMENA. Any Hammer film, especially if Terrence Fisher or Freddie Francis is directing. Cronenberg’s SHIVERS and THE BROOD. The original THE WICKER MAN. O’Bannon’s RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD. D’Amato’s BEYOND THE DARKNESS. Rollin’s LIPS OF BLOOD….the list is long, sir, so very, very long!


Why do you think horror movies and books remain popular?

Because we are all going to die, many of us violently or in great pain. We are highly evolved and we are terrified by this inescapable reality. None of iit makes sense. Life makes no sense. Think about it all too much and you’ll lose yourself in a great, black cosmic abyss. Horror films and books take us to that abyss…but then kick us back out into the sunlight. In my experience, horror fiction has a positive impact on people. It shows us the worst so we can adore and appreciate what we have…

So because of that, horror will always be important and vital to what and who we are.


 Do you think the growing trend of self-publishing is a good or bad thing?

I will tell you this: I get sent 10 books a week and I almost always wary of them. It is, of course, the same as indie filmmakers making pictures and self-distributing. A double-edged sword. A great thing, anyone can write a book. But without a good editor and a clear understanding of the intended audience...well, let's just say I've encountered more unfortunate self-published books than successful ones.


What are your latest projects?

Well, QUEEN OF BLOOD is leaking out to festivals, with a European premiere scheduled for Italy in August and a DVD releases some time in the fall. I have another film I am planning as well. I started FANGORIA Musick, a small digital-download label running off the FANGORIA site. My TWILIGHT ZONE book is almost done. DELIRIUM and GOREZONE are in production and we just wrapped FANGORIA #334, giving me no time to breathe before launching in #335. And my three kids, of course. They are my greatest projects.

What advice can you give to new writers seeking reviews in magazines like Fangoria?

Come up with a great marketing packages. A great press package with something that DEMANDS we read the book. There's plenty of product and very few eyes to lock on them at niche print mags like FANGO. So be LOUD with the work...do something interesting.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.

I love movies and weird culture. Always have, always will. So I work like a dog to make sure that people will know this, so that after I shuffle off, there will be document of that passion. That's all!



http://www.fangoria.com/new/author/chris-alexander/
http://www.fangoria.com

Film News (UK): Livid and Deadheads get UK TV premieres on Horror Channel

Horror Channel gets some gaellic-flavoured supernatural chills this June with the UK TV premiere of LIVID, the highly-rated and unusually twisted gothic nightmare from ‘Inside’ directors Julien Mauray and Alexandre Bustillo. It will be aired on Saturday June 14, 10.50pm. This really is one to watch.

Synopsis: Lucie (Chloe Coulloud) is facing her first day as a trainee in-house caregiver. She visits Mrs Jessel (Beatrice Dalle), an old woman who lies in a cerebral coma in her large desolate house. Chloe discovers that the disabled former dance teacher supposedly has a treasure hidden somewhere in her foreboding home, Lucy and her friends, William and Ben, decide to search the creepy mansion in the hope of finding it. But their hunt will lead them into a horrifying supernatural series of events that will unlock a dark secret of unspeakable horror.

Horror Channel is also showing the UK TV premiere of the outrageous 2011 zom-com DEADHEADS. The debut feature from the Pierce Brothers is a return to 1980’s style comedy adventure movies like ‘Back To Future’ and ‘Goonies’.  This is broadcast on Saturday June 21, 10.50pm.

Synopsis: We follow zombie slackers Mike and Brent as they travel across country to find the former’s old girlfriend and love of his life. But will those nasty bounty-hunting agents with a secret agenda catch them before they do? As a zombieland Abbott and Costello, actors Michael McKiddy and Ross Kidder’s chemistry and timing are superb in this Road Trip of the Living Dead that’s hilarious fun and surprisingly sweet. Also starring Markus Taylor and Natalie Victoria.

 

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138

www.horrorchannel.co.uk | twitter.com/horror_channel

FILM NEWS (UK): The Dead 2: India gets new poster for Cannes

The Ford Brothers, the British director, writer and producer team behind the acclaimed THE DEAD 2: INDIA, the first-ever International production of a zombie film shot in India, have revealed new artwork ahead of their arrival in Cannes.

The film, represented by Jinga Films, will be screening on Thursday, ahead of a planned Zombie invasion of the famed croisette on Sunday, in celebration of the genre. The film opens in the States, courtesy of Anchor Bay, this fall.

Filmed in five weeks, in locations across India, including Rajasthan, Delhi and Mumbai, THE DEAD 2: INDIA is a Ford Brothers Film by Latitude Films, in association with Road Trip Pictures and stars Joseph Millson, Meenu, Anand Goyal, Sandip Datta Gupta & Poonam Mathur. It is written and directed by Howard J Ford & Jon Ford and produced by Howard J Ford. Executive Producer is Amir Moallemi, Special & Visual Effects by Dan Rickard, Special Make-Up Effects by Stuart Browne & Max Van De Banks. Director of Photography is Jon Ford and Music is by Imran Ahmad

HorrorShow.TV recruits Scott Weinberg and adds 70 titles to its growing portfolio.

Film News (UK): HorrorShow.TV recruits Scott Weinberg and adds 70 titles to its growing portfolio.

Award-nominated VOD destination TheHorrorShow.TV has cranked up its editorial content by hiring renowned horror critic Scott Weinberg to the new TheHorrorShow.TV blog where his reviews of new and upcoming horror films will be accompanied by news, previews and updates on a wide variety of new and retro horror films, including those available to stream and/or download via TheHorrorShow.TV

TheHorrorShow.TV's David Hughes said today: "There are so many great horror films in the works right now and it takes someone as plugged in as Scott to sort the gold from the garbage. Scott will join us doing what he does best: writing knowledgeable, informed and well-written reviews of all the latest horror films, including many of the titles showing at TheHorrorShow.TV"

The burgeoning company, created in 2013, is also adding over seventy more titles, bringing its total to 160. These include:

Birth of the Living Dead (12th May). A documentary that shows how George A. Romero gathered an unlikely team of Pittsburghers to shoot his seminal film: 'Night of the Living Dead'. Directed by Rob Kuhns and featuring Larry Fessenden, Mark Harris and S. William Hinzman

The Pit, aka Jug Face (9th June). Larry Fessenden pops up again, this time as a nasty hillibilly, in this 2013 supernatural shocker written and directed by Chad Crawford, involving incestuous teenagers and a nasty creature in a pit.

Mr Jones (21st June). A disturbing, Lynch-esque twist on the found footage sub-genre, which marks the promising feature film debut of Karl Mueller. Be prepared for a nightmare world of mayhem, madness and mind-bending terror.

TheHorrorShow.TV is the first UK-based video-on-demand streaming service specialising in horror and fantasy films.  Run by David Hughes and filmmaker and entrepreneur Jack Bowyer, the pay-as-you platform offers top-flight features, popular classics, cult favourites and edgy underground titles to stream or download via computers/ laptops and Android and iOS-based smartphones and tablets Fans can also select short films from the 99p "Short Stack" feature – one of many more innovative and interactive features planned to roll out in 2014/2015.


http://www.thehorrorshow.tv

Interview with William F. Nolan By David Kempf

William F. Nolan is a living legend. He is the author of hunrdreds of stories of science fiction and horror. Although perhaps best known for writing the novel "Logan's Run" with George Clayton Johnson, Nolan has had an extremely prolific writing career. He has had a long association with the movie industry. He co-wrote the screenplay for the horror movie "Burnt Offerings," a 1976 film starring Bette Davis and Karen Black.

Nolan has written for such magazines as Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Rogue and Dark Discoveries. He has also enjoyed great writing success with nonfiction, prose and poetry.

Nolan has won the Edgar Allan Poe Award twice and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Horror Writer's Association. In 2002 he was voted a Living Legend in Dark Fantasy by the International Horror Guild.

As a lifelong fan of Nolan's amazing work, it was an honor to have the opportunity to interview him. Nolan spoke about his many past achievements as well as his current and future projects.

I would like to acknowledge Jason V. Brock and Ray Garton for their help in contacting William F. Nolan for this interview.

Interview with William F. Nolan

By David Kempf

Tell us why you became so interested in science fiction and horror.

As a boy, in high school back in Kansas City, I discovered the science fiction work of H. G. Wells: The Time Machine, War of the Worlds, and Island of Dr. Moreau and so on. Those are the works that got me interested in science fiction.

My interest in horror began in the same period when I read Algernon Blackwood’s The Willows. From then on, I was hooked.


Do you prefer writing short stories or novels?

I’ve written only one horror novel, Hell Tracks, and have no real intention of writing more.

However, I have written several other novels, embracing science fiction, and even a Western. Since I have had more than 200 short stories published, it’s obvious that I prefer the short form.

A novel is like a trip through the woods in which one can follow various paths and then return to the central road. With a short story, you enter the woods at one end and go straight through. For me, I like the direct effect of a short over the convoluted approach of a novel to tell the story.


Tell us about your earliest inspirations.

Beyond Wells and Blackwood, I grew up reading Ray Bradbury and the Westerns of Max Brand. I have the largest collection of Max Brand in the world, and my Bradbury collection of some 40 plus years is now housed at the Bowling Green State University Department of Popular Culture. They acquired my collection in 1981.


How did you and George Clayton Johnson come up with the concept for Logan’s Run?

I came up with a concept when I was asked by Charles Beaumont to give a talk at his UCLA class on writing in the mid-1960’s. The topic was the difference between social fiction and science fiction. So I took the social concept of “life begins at forty” and turned it around. What if life ends at forty? In my talk I pointed out that in social fiction, a man might turn forty and then run off with a showgirl, have a mid-life crisis… but in science fiction, he has to face some real threat, technologically or in a future society that demands euthanasia at forty.

Later, I discussed the concept with George Clayton Johnson and we decided that it would have more impact if the age was lowered to 21. George wanted to immediately create a screenplay, but I felt strongly that it should be a novel first. George acquiesced, and we rented a motel room to remove distractions and for three weeks we took turns at the typewriter. The rest is history.


Do you see that novel as more of a critique of religion or tyrannical government?

Actually, it’s a critique of both, but only sub-textually. On the surface, it’s a hunt-an-kill action adventure.


Were you satisfied with the movie version?

In a word: no. MGM totally ignored the subtext in favor of clichéd action. The old man played by Peter Ustanov was an unnecessary contrivance. He kills the picture in mid-stride. Who cares about the names of all those cats? The picture slows to a halt.

However, it’s a good popcorn movie and many people love it.


Why is the remake taking so long?

Good question. I wish I had the answer. Thus far, it’s had twelve scriptwriters and four directors and each time, the deal has fallen through. Why don’t they just shoot the book?

I just hope I live long enough to see it!


Was the movie Burnt Offerings as scary as you envisioned it when you wrote the screenplay?

Initially, I was disappointed by the critical response. Through the years, however, it has emerged as a cult classic. Was it scary enough? I would hope so. I think Dan Curtis did a great job of bringing my screenplay to life.


In the book How to Write Tales of Horror, Fantasy and Science Fiction, you point out the importance of grabbing the reader’s attention. You said to do it in the first sentence or two of the story. That’s because of the competition books face with movies and TV (and the internet and video games). Do you think it’s more important than ever to have a grabbing first sentence that involves the reader from the start?

Absolutely! In our hurry-up world, the writer must grab the reader’s attention immediately.

When I served as managing editor for the short-lived Gamma magazine, I would not spend a lot of time reading submissions. I would open the envelope, slide the manuscript out enough to read just the beginning, and if it didn’t impress me in the first paragraph, I’d just slide it back into the envelope and send it back.


Who do you consider to be the most influential writer of your generation?

Well, Ray Bradbury of course.

I once told Ray that he had probably influenced more writers of his generation and subsequent generations than any other writer of the 20th century – maybe rivaled only by Ernest Hemmingway.


What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as a writer so far?

Logan’s Run is my calling card and my greatest commercial accomplishment. Personally, I feel that my greatest artistic accomplishment is spread out over my 200 short stories.


Name some of your favorite horror books.

Bradbury’s Dark Carnival, Golding’s Lord of the Flies, and, most certainly, Thomas Harris’s Silence of the Lambs.


Name some of your favorite horror films.

In know I’m old-fashioned, but I really love the classics: the original Frankenstein with Karloff as the monster, and Dracula with Lugosi as the dark count.

Later films that really impressed me, include Alien and David Cronenberg’s The Fly. Truly horrific.


Why do you think horror movies and books remain popular?

People love to be scared. They want to sit in a theater or on their couch, safe from vampires, werewolves, zombies and ghouls, while still enjoying the thrills.


What are your thoughts regarding the rise of electronic publishing?

Honestly, I love the feel of a real book. I love to hold it, the way it smells, and to be able to sit and enjoy it anywhere I want without having to worry about a battery. However, I realize that my opinion is becoming ever less popular, and I do welcome the new opportunities for readership that the electronic frontier provides.


Do you think the growing trend of self-publishing is a good or bad thing?

It’s both. Good because it gets a lot more out there for people to read, bad because many of them are subpar, poorly written, and don’t really deserve publication in any form.


What are your latest projects?

I’m working on several short stories. I also have a new Logan novel in the works with Jason V Brock. Also, Jason and I plan to edit several new anthologies together.


What advice can you give to new writers seeking publication?

My advice is this: put your butt in the chair, lower your hands over the keys, and type, type, type! If you keep writing, you will gain the experience needed to make quality. Or at least, eventually, you’ll write something half-decent.

And you must read widely: Cheever, Capote, Bester, Hemmingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Thurber, Hammet, Chandler, and S. J. Perlman, for a start. Aspiring writers should read outside their comfort zone, not just the leaders of their field, but everything of quality. Never limit yourself to one genre.


Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your work.

Although I am best known for coauthoring the novel Logan's Run, with George Clayton Johnson, I have written literally hundreds of pieces, from poetry to nonfiction, to prose, for many publications, such as Sports Illustrated, Rogue, Playboy, Dark Discoveries, Nameless[disambiguation needed], and others. I had a long career in the movie industry, primarily working for Dan Curtis, and co-wrote the screenplay for the 1976 horror film Burnt Offerings which starred Karen Black and Bette Davis.

I have been a prolific editor of collections (by others), and anthologies, most recently co-editing two anthologies with my friend, filmmaker, and writer Jason V Brock: "The Bleeding Edge" (2009), with stories from fellow writers Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, John Shirley, Dan O'Bannon, and several others, and "The Devil's Coattails" (2012), which featured Ramsey Campbell, S. T. Joshi, Richard Selzer, Earl Hamner, Jr., and so on. I also teamed up with Bluewater Productions for a comic book series, "Logan's Run: Last Day", released in 2010, and comics based on two other properties: "Tales from William F. Nolan's Dark Universe" (featuring stories adapted by me and Brock), and "Sam Space" (both out in 2013).

I twice won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America. I was voted a Living Legend in Dark Fantasy by the International Horror Guild in 2002, and in 2006 I was bestowed the honorary title of Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. In 2010, I received the Lifetime Achievement Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association (HWA). In 2013 I was a recipient, along with Brian W. Aldiss, of the World Fantasy Convention Award in Brighton, England.

WEBSITE:
http://www.williamfnolan.com