TV NEWS: Horror Channel revives Hammer double-bills for Friday nights

Vampire vixens, creepy castles, mouldy mummies, satanic sadists and Lee & Cushing on top show.  Yes, its Hammer heaven as the UK ’s number one TV destination for all things horror presents a HAMMER DOUBLE-FEATURE SEASON, which broadcasts from Sat Feb 1 – Feb 22 @ 9.00pm.

Here is the line-up:

Sat 1 Feb @ 21:00 – DRACULA: PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1966)

This sequel to the 1958 The Horror of Dracula sees the supposedly dead Count Dracula back in bloody business once his trusty servant Klove entices the English Kents - Charles (Francis Matthews), brother Alan (Charles Tingwell), and their wives, Diana (Suzan Farmer) and Helen (Barbara Shelley), inside his welcoming castle. Directed by Terence Fisher, this is seen as the “quintessential Hammer horror"


Sat 1 Feb @  22:45 - SCARS OF DRACULA (1970)

Directed by Roy Ward Baker, this popular sequel to Taste the Blood of Dracula stars Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, who spreads his evil from his mountaintop castle. When libertine Paul Carlson disappears one night, his brother Simon and girlfriend trace him to the area, discovering a terrified populace. They make their way towards the sinister castle and its undead host. Also stars Dennis Waterman.


Sat 8 Feb @ 21.00 – FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN (1967)

Directed by Terence Fisher, this popular feature stars Peter Cushing as Baron Frankenstein, who discovers a way of trapping the soul of a dead person. Frankenstein believes he can transfer the soul into a recently deceased female (Susan Denberg) to restore her to life. This is one of the most critically acclaimed Hammer films and Martin Scorsese cites this as one of his favourite films.


Sat 8 Feb @  22.50 - FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL (1974)

The aged Baron Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing) is housed at an insane asylum where he has been made a surgeon, where, under the alias of Dr. Carl Victor, uses his position to continue his experiments in the creation of man. Filmed at Elstree Studios in 1972 but not released until 1974, it was the final chapter in the Hammer Frankenstein saga of films as well as director Terence Fisher's last film.


Sat 15 Feb @21:00 – THE MUMMY’S SHROUD (1967)

Directed by John Gilling, the film stars André Morell and David Buck as explorers who uncover the tomb of an ancient Egyptian mummy. (played by stuntman Eddie Powell, Christopher Lee’s regular stunt double), brought back to life to wreak revenge on his enemies. It was the third of Hammer's four Mummy films, and the last to feature a bandaged mummy. It was the final Hammer production to be made at Bray Studios.


Sat 15 Feb @  22:45 - BLOOD FROM THE MUMMY’S TOMB (1971)

This was the swan song for director Seth Holt, who died before filming finished. An expedition, led by Professor Fuchs (Andrew Keir), find the tomb of an evil Egyptian princess. Her preserved, still-bleeding severed hand sports a dazzling ruby ring. Several years later, Fuchs gives the ring to his daughter Margaret (Valerie Leon), who slowly begins to take on the malevolent traits of its original wearer.


Sat 22 Feb @ 21:00 – THE DEVIL RIDES OUT (1968)

The powers of good are pitted against the forces of evil in this gripping tale of Satanism, based on the best-selling 1934 novel of the same name by Dennis Wheatley. Written by Richard Matheson and directed by Terence Fisher, the film stars Christopher Lee, Charles Gray, Niké Arrighi , Leon Greene and Patrick Mower. Christopher Lee has often said that of all his vast back catalogue of films this is his favourite


Sat 22 Feb @ 22:50 - TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER (1976)

Directed by Peter Sykes, this was the second of Wheatley's "black magic" novels to be filmed by Hammer, following The Devil Rides Out and stars Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Honor Blackman, Nastassja Kinski and Denholm Elliott. Wheatley disliked the film because  it did not follow his novel and found it obscene. Wheatley told Hammer Production that they were not to make another film from his novels ever again


Other highlights during Feb include the UK TV premieres of SAWNEY: FLESH OF MAN (Fri 21 Feb @ 22:55) and SHARKZILLA (Tues 25 Feb @ 16:00). Plus there is the Network premiere of OPEN WATER (Fri 7 Feb @ 22:50)

TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138
www.horrorchannel.co.uk | twitter.com/horror_channel

Interview with Robert Friedrich by Jon Donnis

Robert Friedrich, originally born in Slovakia, started his writing career in Egypt, where he has been living since his 13th Birthday. He always had a vivid imagination, but the courage to show it to the world came much later. It was't easy, and took some pain, guts and ton of misfortune to arrive to this point. After a time of aversion and a path of unexpected circumstances he harnessed everything within him and stepped up to do things which he really wanted, liked and enjoyed.

He is writing in a different range of formats, from lyrics, flash stories, and short stories and Novellas. Even though the horror genre, which is about the long lasting fight between good and evil, Robert took it to an entirely new level. Adding many psychological characteristics, open ends, confusing twists and new settings. All of which slowly developed as a new paradigm Sci-fi/Horror/Drama; enclosing also urgent issues and happenings within the life of individuals as well as humankind.
His approach can surely change the perspective of readers, not only widen but also illuminate the possibilities and ways. Illuminate them with Darkness unlike found in any other Fiction genre.

Besides writing, Robert also enjoys metal music, movies, and games. He builds his encyclopedic information bank in this reference and uses his experiences from a wide range of activities which he had to go through; multicultural behavior, stress control, diving, translations, marketing, hotel management etc. Robert also creates his own covers and trailers. He speaks English, German and a bit of Arabic, besides his native language Slovak.


Welcome to Masters of Horror Rob, it is a pleasure to welcome you here and get to know you a bit better.

1. As I mentioned in the introduction you are originally from Slovakia but now you are living in and writing in Egypt, how did you end up moving from Slovakia to Egypt?

Well, Jon, the reason is fairly simple. Back in 2004 we moved here, me and my mother, because she got married to a new man, an Egyptian which we met on our 2003 vacation. Obviously at that age (I was 13) there was not much choice for me, either stay or move. I decided to take the step forward and moved here.

To make it clear, I’m not planning to stay here though; I lived here for quite long enough.  I decided to relocate back to Slovakia, to my city, and to continue my writing from there. My move back to Slovakia should by all accounts happen by summer.


2. How did your interest in writing first manifest and why did you end up writing Horror and Sci fi?

The first, solid manifestation can be traced back to 2004/2005. That is when I came up with the first, original concept of a story, complete from start to finish. Interestingly enough, that manifestation is coming to life in my new Novella; Seed of Evil, which will be released quite soon. However, the writing itself did not come until 2013, but this and many other concepts were already pilling up year after year.

As for the genre itself, from a very young age I was a big fan of Sci-fi Horror. It started when I was about 6 with Alien 3, Species, Total Recall, and Carnosaurus. These genres, especially mixed, redefine and take the stories to completely new levels - unbound by limitations and censorship. It was only a matter of time when the first concept story and my urge to write would meet in a genre I love and am fascinated with.

3. Who would you say has most inspired your growing up with regards to your writing, and is there anyone you really consider to be a hero of yours in this genre?

Difficult to say, it wasn’t just people who inspired me, it goes way beyond the ordinary stereotype of heroes. Let me name the three important factors of all.

One - Writers like John W. Campbell Jr. and his amazing and cult famous Novella: ‘Who Goes There’. Released back in 1938, it was a Sci-fi/Horror defining story and imagery. Everyone else probably knows it under its current form “The Thing”, everything shocking, you remember from the 1982 Movie, is in the book, and more.

Two - my uncle, even though he is not a writer, he is a VFX artist for movies. Some of which include Pandorum, Alien vs. Predator, Iron man 3, Gravity and many others. His unshakable determination and hard work in a field he loves, well it literally inspires me to follow my dreams even more.

Three - Metal music, because it does not back down and never gives up. It unites the outsiders and makes them strong, it pushes on the fact that each and every one of us should believe in one’s self, go after own dreams, and not to take shit from others.

It’s a medium that is always present, does not give in to criticism and mainstream views and shows that it is our uniqueness what makes us great. It takes flaws and helps turn them into something we can use for our advantage. It never backs down under pressure and stands tall, always.

All this and more helped me to grow into my goals and to write as I feel. In the end, everyone is a hero in following their own dreams.


4. For a writer you look quite young, how would you describe your success so far with regards to your writing, and where would you like to see yourself in 5 years, in 10 years and in 20 years time?

Writing is hard, and an ever changing and ever increasing experience. Frankly I think I only scratched the surface of what I can do.  The more I learn, experience, and achieve on the way, the more I incorporate in my future writings. Every book, every story is a step further. I learn about myself and also share it as a priceless personal experience with each and every single reader.

Well, since it took many years for me to finally start writing, I have collected many possible story ideas and will keep refining them and writing them down.  Besides that, as the future comes, I also want to write screenplays and take my visions to the medium of motion pictures. Where else my creativity and vividness will take me, I am not sure yet, but wherever it will be, I will keep doing it in way I love and enjoy.


5. What do you say is the worst criticism you have ever received in your writing and what did you take from that criticism and how did you use it to make yourself a better writer?

We all have to deal someway with criticism and/or rejections. The way I see things - there are 7 billion people out there, each one with a different opinion. You can never please everyone, but you can please yourself and fans.

I have nothing to categorize as worst criticism, just criticism, but I shall mention two which stood out.

First - for my first novella that it’s a non-linear story and it does not give everything right up on a silver platter.

The fun fact is, that it was the point of the novella. It’s a journey which unravels the further you go and also leaves things to your imagination.

Second - not to use too much of gruesome details so I would not offend people who might not take it well while reading it.

That only pushed me to continue doing it, horror and especially my writing is uncensored, just like life. There is no magic censorship button in life to hide you from the gruesome details. In the same way I take my writing, if someone thinks its unsettling or disturbing well that was the goal. You can always skip that part; no one forced you to read it. All my writings are adult-oriented and they will stay so. In this vein, if I managed to unsettle critics and cause them to be frightened and/or to experience a range of other emotions, then I know I have succeeded.


6. You also write poetry, how would you describe your poetry and what made you first decide to try and get your poetry published?

Variety.  As I mentioned before I gathered many concepts for stories, and had attempts at lyrical writing before, but never went with that end. My poetry is a part of me, and each one varies in form. Some are dark; some are inspired by life or even videogames. There are few funny ones, just to release that need for a little comic relief.

I decided to publish them when I was finishing my 2nd book, the short stories anthology that already had two sequels and will have more in the coming years. It reaped into a right moment to finally release my lyrics/poems for the world, too. Writing for me is a form of release, not just of stories but emotions and thoughts that have gathered up inside me, which gives space for new ideas to be formed once they are set free.


7. What can you tell me about future projects you have planned?

Right now my 6th book is nearing its release, Seed of Evil which I mentioned earlier. Besides this novella a few old and new ideas wait in line. Am also working on my 4th anthology of short stories, it will be a long one. I have already planned to pen the sequel to Seed of Evil. One newer idea is still in the process.

I just need to see how things will go after. I do have an order, in which I write my projects, but sometimes things change and I end up writing another one, while keeping the former idea in line. I can say; many new and unsettling ideas have seeded themselves within me and are literally begging to be released.

I look forward to new challenges.


8. If you could change one thing about your life and specifically your career as a writer so far, what would it be?

Everything that is in the past is there for a reason and I would never change anything. When it comes to the future, it’s all in my hands to mold and shape in my way. If there is something I want or would want to change, be sure I am already working toward that goal.  For example I am working on moving out of Egypt. Nothing comes out of the blue but being positive, determined and focused does help. Everything is always a work in progress in the end.


9. If you could meet one person living or dead that you think could help you with your horror writing who would it be and why?

Very complicated question, since there are many people I would like to meet. Right now though, I can’t think of any “one” particular person I would wish to meet.


10. I would like to finish off with quick fire questions.

Freddy Krueger or Jason Voorhees? – Jason Voorhees

Michael Myers or Pinhead? - Pinhead

Zombies or Vampires? - Vampires

Alien or Predator? - Alien

Stephen King or Clive Barker? – Clive Barker

Jaws or Jurassic Park? – Jurassic Park

I would like to thank Robert Friedrich for taking the time to answer my questions, and I would also like to wish him all the luck and success in the future with his writing and other projects.
If you would like to find out more about Robert Friedrich then you can do so using the following links.

Thank you Robert.
Jon Donnis

Links:
Amazon.com Profile
Facebook Profile

And here are some direct links to Roberts books on the UK Amazon site too

FILM NEWS ( UK ): FILM4 FRIGHTFEST AND 4DIGITALMEDIA CO-HOST THE UK PREMIERE OF 'IRON SKY: DICTATOR'S CUT'

Film 4 FrightFest and 4Digital Media are delighted to announce the UK premiere of IRON SKY: DICTATOR'S CUT, ahead of its special collector's STEELBOOK DVD release on February 10th 2014.

IRON SKY: DICTATOR'S CUT - featuring an additional twenty minutes of never seen before footage, will screen with Director Timo Vuorensola and Producer Tero Kaukomaa in attendance at a special one off event at the Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square on Saturday 1st Februay 2014 at 6.00 PM.

The films director Vuorensola said, "This is the cut that I always wanted for the film - I can't wait for everyone to see this version, it's crazier,bigger and more fantastical than the first!"

On behalf of Film4 FrightFest co director Ian Rattray added "FrightFest are very pleased to be co-hosting this event with 4Digital Media.. We know our fans will love this event and it's always a pleasure to be back at the Prince Charles Cinema - FrightFest's spiritual home"

IRON SKY, a partly fan funded feature, stormed box office charts last year causing widespread buzz for perhaps one of the most surreal storylines in cinema history. This new DICTATOR'S CUT is bigger and better, with this one-off screening followed by a Q&A with the director and producer team behind IRON SKY.

The event will include special meet and greets, signing opportunities, one of a kind FRIGHFEST posters and chance to purchase signed copies of the film on limited edition, special steelbook format AHEAD of its general release on February 10th... Tickets, £13.50 and £11.00 for members are available from the Prince Charles Cinema or on line at www.princecharlescinema.com/events/events.php?seasonanchor=ironskydc

Interview with Rocky Wood - By David Kempf

Introduction:
Rocky Wood lives in Melbourne, Australia and is the author of major works about Stephen King. Three of these were nominated for the Horror Writers Association’s Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction, including Stephen King: The Literary Companion, which won the 2011 Award.
He is also the author of two graphic novels, one of which – Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times – was awarded the Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel.

A freelance journalist since the 1970s, his articles have been published all over the world, including on subjects such as UFOs, the security industry and popular culture.He served as a Trustee of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) from 2008 to 2010; was elected President of the HWA in 2010, and re-elected in 2012. He is also an Active member of the International Thriller Writers and a founding member of the Australian Horror Writers Association.

As a lifelong horror fiction fan, it was great to interview Rocky. It was very generous of him to take the time to be interviewed by Masters of Horror U.K.

Interview with Rocky Wood By David Kempf

Tell us how you came involved in working with the Horror Writers Association.

I joined in 2005 after Cemetery Dance acquired my Stephen King: Uncollected, Unpublished for publication. I quickly found the HWA to be a valuable adjunct to my career and their members to be collegial, warm and welcoming people. I have always believed in giving back and have served on the Boards of numerous industry bodies and community groups over 35 years, including in leadership capacities. So I decided to ‘gave back’ by offering to serve on the Board. I was elected to the Board in 2008 and as President in 2010 (and re-elected in 2012).


How did you become president of the association?

Deborah LeBlanc, my predecessor asked if I would be willing to serve as President when she decided to retire at the end of her second term. I agreed and was the sole nomination!


Are you the first person in Australia to be president?

Yes, I’m the first Australian to serve. HWA is a truly international organization, with members in Europe, Canada, Japan, Russia, South America and Africa, as well as the United States.


How many short stories have you written? 

One! I have written non-fiction as a freelance journalist since I was 18, and two graphic novels in recent years but I rarely write fiction. This gives me even greater respect for those who do.


Tell us about your earliest inspirations.

I read widely as a child and a teenager. I was fascinated by the UFO phenomenon and the theory that this planet has been visited in the past by extraterrestrials. I began writing articles about that and was quickly given a national newspaper column. I also began writing about the security industry, in which I worked. I was inspired by the great nonfiction writers and important nonfiction books such as The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, The Making of the President 1960 etc.

As to fiction I read widely across genres but the three authors I followed closely were Stephen King, Robert Ludlum and James A Michener.


What is it like to collaborate with Stephen King?

As you’d expect he is very professional but he also has a great sense of humor and is really easy to work with.


King said you know more about his work than he does. Do you have an eye for detail or just a huge fan of his books?

Both. In my professional career and in following Steve’s work I am known for my eye for detail. My typed notes, single spaced in 9 font exceed 7000 pages – and as you would expect they are organized and cross referenced. So, while I’m an uber-fan I also have the files and information to give me access to most everything one would want to know. History of Castle Rock? Check. Roland’s eye colour? Check. Roads in and out of Derry? Check? Danny Torrance’s birthdate (check, within a range, as it never specified). What cars characters drive? Check. Businesses in Frazier, New Hampshire? Check. Links between King’s works – check. And on it goes.


Do you consider yourself a mentor to other artists?
Tell us about your daily (or nightly) working routine.

I have specifically mentored a handful of writers, and others in the ‘business’ of writing. But my major way of paying back is to lead the HWA.

Each day I deal with my email first (as much of it originates in Europe and the US I generally have a backlog when I wake up). Next, writing to any deadlines – I don’t think I’ve ever missed one and I plan to keep it that way. Next, any general writing or research, depending on which has priority that day. Sometimes, I can’t write much more without research, for instance. Social media gets its turn during down times.


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

I’d say Stephen King: Uncollected, Unpublished and its three subsequent editions. One day, both Steve and I will be gone, but hopefully this book will help inform future readers, researchers and critics much more fully about Steve’s canon than would otherwise have been possible.

I am also just finishing a 2014 update to that book that’s going to stretch to about 100 manuscript pages. New information comes to hand constantly as I research, so that book is like a living project. Access to King to clarify obscure questions helps too!


Name some of your favorite horror books. 

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Bradbury), I am Legend (Matheson), The Haunting of Hill House (Jackson), Ghost Story (Straub), The Pine Deep trilogy (Maberry), Swan Song (McCammon). And of course my list of King would be endless, but my top picks from him are The Stand, Bag of Bones, It, The Green Mile, Salem’s Lot, The Shining and The Dead Zone.


Name some of your favorite horror films.

Kubrick’s version of The Shining, Pet Sematary, The Day of the Triffids, The Others, Carpenter’s Halloween,


Why do you think horror movies and books remain popular?

Horror is the original form of storytelling. As early humans gathered around camp fires on the African savannah, or in European caves surely elders told stories about the dangerous world that surrounded them – full of horrific dangers from wild animals, inexplicable weather events and hostile geography.

Today, in the relative safety of modern society, horror stories speak to our most base fears. But they also give us a chance to live out scary and horrific scenarios from the perspective of observer – we can always close the book, or turn off the DVD. Still, many people do suffer horrific episodes in their lives or those of people they know – untimely death, physical, sexual and psychological violence, health issues such as cancer and horror perhaps addresses these issues more fully than any other type of fiction. And, some people just like to be scared!

The best horror stories are those with the best writing – a great story, well told, with memorable characters. I suspect many horror readers and viewers are willing to wade through works that are not up to that high standard in search of tales that speak to them, or their fears, directly.


What are your latest projects?

My illness now precludes from taking on a book length project. I’ve just completed an article about the influence of the western genre on Stephen King’s fiction. I believe that will be in the January issue of Dark Discoveries. And I’m working on an update to Stephen King: Uncollected, Unpublished.


What advice can you give to new writers seeking publication? 

Write every day, knowing that you can improve your writing every single day. Challenge yourself. Read widely. Network, network, network. Believe in yourself while considering advice from mentors and successful writers you would like to emulate. Choose from that advice wisely. Join a local writers group and a national one (or more) that represents your main genre. And, as Stephen King says, adverbs are not your friend!


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

Rocky Wood lives in Melbourne, Australia and is the author of major works about Stephen King. Three of these were nominated for the Horror Writers Association’s Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction, including Stephen King: The Literary Companion, which won the 2011 Award. He is also the author of two graphic novels, one of which – Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times – was awarded the Bram Stoker Award® for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel. He is President of the Horror Writers Association.

You can find him at
www.rockywoodauthor.com

-------------------------


About the interviewer: Novelist David Kempf

David Kempf has written over fifty short stories, many of which deal with themes of horror fiction. He has won several writing awards including first place in the short story competition of Millersville University's Lemuria magazine. Two of his short stories were selected in the 2007 publication of The Grackle, his graduate school's literary magazine. David is featured on two short fiction websites, one American and one British. He holds an M.S. from Chestnut Hill College and a B.A. from Millersville University. David resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with his wife and his son. Dark Fiction is his first novel. His latest book The Petsorcist mixes humor and horror.

You can find out more about David Kempfs new book and also buy at the following links

US.
Amazon.com

UK.
Amazon.co.uk

Interview with Navot Papushado (Director of "Rabies" & "Big Bad Wolf")

This month Horror Channel is showing the UK TV premiere of RABIES, the first slasher to come out of Israel, One of its directors, Navot Papushado (left), took time out to chat about this movie and its equally horrifying shocker Big Bad Wolves due to be released in the UK in January 2014.


RABIES is broadcast on Saturday Dec 28 at 10.50pm.

Q: Have you always been a big horror fan?

NP: Oh yes! We grew up in the 80s and watched everything that came out of the US . We grew up on Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and Wes Craven and John Carpenter, everything that came out of the US . Later on we discovered European and Korean cinema and obviously the Coen Brothers and Tarantino.

Q:: Did your classification system ever censor these films?

NP: No, actually the opposite. The Israeli censorship board don’t take any notice of horror films, for example Piranha 3D came out in Israel at the same time that Rabies did and we got rated 18 and above, whilst Piranha 3D for 14 and above. Kick Ass got 12 and above! I think it has to do with Israeli audiences not being that keen on horror films, even the big US horror films like Saw, Hostel and Paranormal Activity don’t do very well.

Q: Where did the idea for Rabies come from?

NP: We decided we wanted to get rid of the serial killer character and decided that we wanted to have all of the other characters kill each other, so there had to be more than the motive of running away from a serial killer so we had to write more complex characters therefore everyone would need a background story. Everyone would have a motivation to kill. The first story we wrote was the one about the Cop who always leaves messages for his wife who never answers and then he leaves this horrible one and then she answers (laughs) so we realised we had to write all the others to match that dramatic element and character development and that’s how Rabies was born.

Q: Did the script change much from the first draft to the shooting script?

NP: No, we pitched it to a couple of producers, we showed them the draft and they were like, “OK, let’s wait for Government funds” but we didn’t want to do that. Then we met a guy who said, “How much do you want?” and we said an amount and he said, “OK I’ll give you half!” Then he asked, “How many days do you need?” and so we told him at least 20 and he said, “I’ll give you 15!” We got the green light from that script and just went out and shot it.

Q: Was it a tough shoot?

NP: Yes and no. We didn’t realise it at the time that it was tough as it was our first feature even though we had done a few shorts before. But it was a shoestring budget and everyone on set was less experienced than us so we had to hide this from the actors!

Q: Did you have any actors in mind when writing the script?

NP: Yeah, a couple of them. Actually when we pitched we told the producer that we wanted all these actors and they pointed out that we didn’t have that kind of money and we told him not to worry and that we’d take care of that!

Q: Rabies has a very strong story, do you think that helped reach out to audiences?

NP: Thank you very much. One thing is we cast all A-list actors from Israel so it was like seeing Kate Blanchet or Tom Cruise in a horror movie so Rabies was kind of an event. It was more than a horror movie, everyone wanted to see their favourite actor get murdered, or something like that (laughs)

 Q: Do you think one of its greatest assets is that most of the effects are practical and old school?

NP: Yeah, even on Big Bad Wolves there is only one shot that lasts only three or four seconds that we had to use visual effects. We believe in getting everyone done on the set.

Q: What did the critics think of Rabies when it was released in Israel?

NP: I think they were split. The older critics didn’t quite get it. They also don’t like violent films so they don’t like Tarantino films or Korean films for example. The younger critics, and when I say younger I mean under 45, they all loved it and gave it 5 stars, they loved it. It was a critical success and a box office success. There was an older critic whom we admire, considered to be the most acclaimed critic in Israel who writes for a newspaper whose logo is, “A Newspaper for Thinking People”, and he loved it! It gained a cult status through VOD and DVD sales.

Q: If you had made Rabies before Big Bad Wolves would you have approached it differently.

NP: That’s a really tough question. Rabies is Rabies because of the time it was shot, because of the budget when it was shot and the ideas that we had at the time and our approach. Rabies was shot hand held in the woods because that is the genre. You have to shoot films and edit films to fit the genre so I’m really pleased with everything we did with Rabies.

Q: Would you make Rabies 2?

NP: Oh, maybe when I’m old and Rabies has gained such a cult status and they give me $10 million dollars and a budget for $100 million dollars (laughs).

Q: Are you pleased Rabies is being shown on the Horror Channel?

NP: Yeah, defiantly. We are huge fans of the UK . The UK has been so kind to us over he last couple of years starting from FrightFest from two years ago when they showed Rabies. You really can’t compete with the British audience. They are fanatics, they love horror films. The screening of Big Bad Wolves earlier this year in front of 1,300 people was incredible. We are extremely happy with what’s going on in the UK with our films. You guys seem to get us!

Q: So what are you working on at the moment?

NP: We are promoting Big Bad Wolves which is coming out in the UK in January and working on a couple of projects here in Israel that we are starting to push and also receiving a few scripts from the US. We are writing a spaghetti western that’s set in the early 40s and a few science fiction scripts.

Q: Navot Papushado, thank you very much.


TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138
www.horrorchannel.co.uk | twitter.com/horror_channel

TV News: Horror Channel goes down under for season of outback slashers

Plus,  there are network premieres for Victor Salva’s box office smash JEEPERS CREEPERS, HALLOWEEN 2 and Steven Spielberg’s TV cult classic SOMETHING EVIL

Horror Channel presents an OZploitation season on Fridays @ 22:55 from Jan 4 2014, featuring a dark collection of the best of Australian contemporary horror, Grisly with a capital ‘G’.


Fri 3 Jan @ 22:55 – STORM WARNING (2007)
                                               
On a weekend boating trip a couple become lost in a heavy storm and end up in a desolate swamp. They come across a decrepit house and discover a large crop of marijuana, suggesting the owners might not welcome their accidental arrival.

Fri 10 Jan @ 22:55 – SAVAGES CROSSING (2011)

When a flood rages around them, a group of strangers are forced to take shelter in an outback roadhouse. But the danger lurking within is far greater than the threat from outside. As the water level rises, so does the tension, as the line between the hunter and the hunted starts to blur.

Fri 17 Jan @ 22:55 – ROAD TRAIN (2010)

Four young people are on a camping trip in the outback. Nina and Craig are enjoying a close relationship, but there's tension between Marcus, and Liz Out of the blue, the quartet find themselves menaced by a road train that runs them off the road.

Fri 24 Jan @ 22:55 – CRAWL (2011)

Claustrophobic heat and brooding tension seep from the screen in this chiller set in an unknown rural town. Seedy bar owner Slim Walding hires a mysterious Croatian hit man to murder a local garage owner. but the plan backfire when an innocent waitress becomes involved.

Fri 31 Jan @ 22:55 – WOLF CREEK (2005)

The Ozploitation season finishes with director Greg McLean’s much acclaimed debut feature – a pulsating, stomach-churning tale based on the true story of the ‘Back Packer Killer’ who held the outback in a grip of early 90s terror. Stars John Jarratt, Cassandra Macgraph and Kestie Morassi. Watch out for the sequel in 2014

Wed 22 Jan @ 16:00 –SOMETHING EVIL (1972)

Considered a cult TV classic, Spielberg showed early signs of his cinematic genius in this possession story of a married couple with two young children whose farmhouse turns out to be inhabited by demons. The oldest child becomes possessed and begins to torment his family and their friends. When the mother begins to sense that something may be wrong with her son, her husband and friends think she is going insane.

Sat 11 Jan @ 22:50 – JEEPERS CREEPERS (2001)

Writer/director Victor Salva came up trumps with this smash-hit teen-slasher flick, produced by Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope studio. Trish and Darry are road tripping home from college across the U.S. After being menaced by a trucker, they see a man dumping a human body into a drainage pipe. Investigating, they become the intended prey of an indestructible, supernatural creature hell-bent on eating them.

Sat 25 Jan @ 22: 45 – HALLOWEEN 2 (1981)

Certainly gorier than the original, Halloween II is the second instalment in the Halloween series and is a sequel to Carpenter's Halloween, picking up where it had left off, set on the same night of Oct 31, 1978 as the seemingly unkillable Michael Myers continues to follow Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) to a nearby hospital while Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence) is still in pursuit of his patient.


TV: Sky 319 / Virgin 149 / Freesat 138
www.horrorchannel.co.uk | twitter.com/horror_channel

Interview with Stephen R. Coar by David Kempf

Stephen R. Coar has been a teller of stories all his life.

One of seven kids, he took to the dinner table spotlight most evenings, telling tale after tale.

As an adult he has been heavily involved in live theatre-acting, directing, and writing children's plays for the theatre he helped begin, the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn-the most successful theatre in southern New Jersey.

A longtime member of the National Storytellers League and the New Jersey Storytellers League, he also volunteers a few hours each month to read some of his original short stories.

Interview with Stephen Coar

By David Kempf

Tell us how you became involved in the theater?

I have been involved in stage theatre from a very early age.  My high male soprano / tenor voice and some very basic dance training gained me entry into many lead roles in musicals all the way through my school years and later into community college and local theatres.  My natural flair for humor in all life’s conundrums brought work in straight comedies, too.


Please tell us why you decided to pursue writing novels at this point in your life?

I had always been a writer of one kind or another since my role of chief writer and editor of my monthly elementary school paper in Jacksonville, Florida.  I filled the same jobs at Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ.  Due to my resume, the editors of a Jersey Shore paper where my family moved hired me.  For two years I wrote my own personal column for a weekly newspaper in Cape May Courthouse, NJ commenting on what my eyes and ears found were the little things that made the  town and the region so unique.
After a near fatal auto accident left me permanently disabled with a brain injury I was for the most part a stay at home dad, (but happy to be alive). Since I was alone with the house and my word processor and most of all ‘TIME’, the tiny, huge question I’d kept to myself for 15 years was suddenly front page center!
COULD I WRITE A BOOK???


How you ever written any short stories? 

Many and for many magazines over the decades, (and I even got paid). My 2nd book is actually an anthology of short shorts, 18 in all.


Tell us about your earliest inspirations.

My family of two brothers and four sisters, seven of us in all, made for a wondrous childhood. Yes, it was the 50’s and the 60’s and we were at times wacky and raucous, but because our parents grew up when they did there were standards. Mealtimes were at 7:30 am, and 6:00 pm during the school year. While we ate fresh made breakfasts mother somehow created seven brown bag lunches that went out the kitchen door clutched in our little fists on the way to the bus stop. The largest of all inspirations was my youth.

My second biggest influence was my 8th grade teacher, one Mrs. Haas. By that time I was 14 years old and thought I knew lots about the way things were.  Mrs. Haas set me and many, many others straight about that over her decades in a classroom.  With her soft spoken lessons she daily helped open the miracle of books to us as well as the miracles of the human heart. I shall never forget her.

How did you come up with the idea for THE DEADLY TRACK?

There is a very easy, exciting, and personal answer to that question! When my older brother Allen and I were invited in the early 1960s to spend a summer month on our Uncle Jerry’s farm in Pennsylvania, there was no question of us flying.  We lived in Jacksonville, Florida and were maybe nine and twelve years old. No, no!  It was decided that there was a much better and safer plan. (Uh oh.) We were too young to know where this was headed).  We were put on a train in downtown Jacksonville for a one stop only overnight ride to Philly’ 30th St. Station where we would be met by the open, waiting arms of our dear Grandmom and Aunt Annette.

As we boarded and took our seats our Dad brought the train’s head porter to us and in a very serious voice he told the man we were traveling alone and were his responsibility. He said he understood. Then he pulled the man close and over us. “Here is the plan for tomorrow morning,” Dad said. “You’re tickets say you are traveling to the North Philly Station. That’s the 2nd stop in Philadelphia.”  He glared at the porter for a nod. He nodded to us, saying, “Right, when I say Philadelphia the 2nd time that’s when it’s time for you to get off. And I’ll get you’ bags for you.”

To make a long train ride short, as they say, we rolled northward through the night. As the sun rose we went to the dining car and ate breakfast.  As that was digesting with us back in our seats, we noted our porter crossing down the aisle and announcing, “Next stop, Philadelphia / Camden.  Philadelphia / Camden next stop. Very few departed the train and off it went again. We were so excited we couldn’t speak, but we each pointed an index in the air and mouthed, “That’s one.”

Well, the rest is history, of course.  History even in the archives of the Philly FBI! The passing porter next yelled, “30th Street Station, Philadelphia.”

Well, we bounded out our seats, not waiting to be helped with our bags, and hopped off the train onto a very crowded and underground platform, nothing like the one from which we’d left. But there was even worse to confront. No Grandmom or Aunt Annette. We wandered up an escalator to behold a sight unlike any we’d ever imagined; the enormous domed interior ceiling of the station had to be close to the Vatican’s in our minds. But our awe was soon overtaken by our fear and worry.

Meanwhile, once the train was permanently stopped and emptied by authorities at North Philly Station and a full unsuccessful search could be made, someone had the bright idea that maybe we got off a stop early. It was probably no more than a few hours but it seemed a lifetime to two small brothers in a very large city.
I have never ridden on another train since!

But I have always been fascinated by them even so!


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

Some of my musical stage work, using mostly my natural acting and singing talents and only some dance instruction. I met my wife while performing in theatre. And of course, though it took some years due to my injuries, my two self-published books are right up there.


Name some of your favorite books. 

Lonesome Dove;  The Da Vinci Code;  The Road;  The Story of Edgar Sawtelle;  The Help;  Never Have Your Dog Stuffed; Angela’s Ashes; any fiction by James Lee Burke; The Source.


Name some of your favorite films. 

My Favorite Year; The Bucket List; Awakenings; Dave; Crazy Heart; Doubt; Witness; When Harry met Sally; Chicago.


Name some of your favorite plays. 

Agnes of God; Sleuth; J.B. by Archibald Macleish; The Foreigner; Noises Off; Les Miz; Sweeney Todd;  anything by Neil Simon; Crimes of the Heart.


Why do you think thriller movies and books remain popular?

Escapism, pure and simple.


What are your latest projects?

I am preparing an outline for a subtle political thriller. Think all lotteries in the world are universally banned……. Except one!  And it is run globally by only one enormous, gargantuan, conglomerate; larger than any combination of countries………. for it must be.
Details? Read the book.


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

My Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, has been not only a strain on me but on every one of my friends, family, and associates for 20 years now.  The percentages of marriages that survive an injury such as mine, is only 5% to maybe 10%. I must keep busy to make myself seem useful to our home. I am a good house husband. Hey, I kill the bugs!!!

I find I can only manage to keep solid focus on my writing for spells of two hours.  Then I must take breaks. I admit to taking nearly two years to complete The Deadly Track, with one re-write and a full professional edit.

If you are in the US you can buy the book at the following link
http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Track-Ride-Against-Time/dp/1432795546

For those of you in the UK you can use the link below.

FILM NEWS: ( UK ) Drew Cullingham’s full-frontal apocalypse nightmare THE DEVIL’S BARGAIN gets download release

Unseen. Uncertified. Unmissable. Drew Cullingham (UMBRAGE: THE FIRST VAMPIRE, BLACK SMOKE RISING) has written and directed a savage, psychological portrait of love, lust and the end of the world, which will be available to watch from Mon Jan 17, 2014, via www.distrify.com and https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilsBargain for just £3.99.

It’s 1974 and Earth is about to be obliterated by a massive asteroid. Adi (Jonnie Hurn) and his young wife Ange (Chloe Farnworth), haunted by memories of the death of their son, journey to the idyllic rural setting where he was conceived, determined to shed clothes, inhibitions and psychological traumas before the planet is destroyed forever. But the arrival of Luca (Dan Burman), a charismatic and mysterious young photographer, turns what’s left of their world upside-down and the horror to come is of biblical proportions.

Cullingham told us: “It was made on a shoestring budget in twenty-four hours over
four days, using an experimental ‘pinhole’ technique to give it a unique look. Containing copious amounts of full frontal nudity, the mantra for this film has been: No money. No clothes. No fear”.

A Disparado and Monk3ys Ink Films production, written and directed by Drew Cullingham, produced by Drew Cullingham & Ian Manson, co-produced by  James Fisher & Andrew Mackay. Starring Jonnie Hurn, Chloe Farnworth & Dan Burman.

WARNING: THIS FILM CONTAINS FULL FRONTAL NUDITY

Film News ( UK ): Movie Mogul’s supernatural horror thriller THE SLEEPING ROOM goes into production

Production Company Movie Mogul (Panic Button, Shortcuts To Hell) announced today that shooting on supernatural thriller THE SLEEPING ROOM begins on Wed Dec 4, for a three-week shoot on location in Brighton .

Starring Leila Mimmock (Becoming Human), Joseph Beattie (Hex) and Julie Graham (Tower Block), this intense tale of Victorian revenge is written by Ross Jameson, Alex Chandon and John Shackleton and directed by Shackleton with Jake West directing the ’Mutoscope’ action sequences. Director of Photography is Simon Poulter, (Panic Button).

Set in present day Brighton, THE SLEEPING ROOM is the story of Blue (Leila Mimmock), a call girl who falls for a new client, Bill (Joseph Beattie) But the real attraction for Blue is Bill’s apartment and a mysterious room that seems to hold the key to the dark secrets of her family’s past – a room that is about to unleash terrible physical and supernatural forces. Nobody will escape unless a score for a heinous crime is settled.

The cast also includes David Sibley, Chris Waller, Christopher Adamson and Mike Altmann. A Movie Mogul production, it is produced by Gareth I Davies and John Shackleton. Production Designer is Lorna Gay Copp, Costume Designer is David Blight, Production Manager is Tansi Inayat. Editor is John Gillanders and Bang Post Production are handling picture and sound.

John Shackleton, said today: “Support for the film has been first rate and we are immensely proud to be surrounded by such a talented cast and crew, particularly given the huge budget restraints, which we are operating under. Brighton is proving to be not only a wonderfully cinematic place in which to shoot, but also a very accommodating town in which to house a production”.

THE SLEEPING ROOM is the first film to be crowd funded for equity over at  
https://www.seedrs.com/startups/the-sleeping-room

The Walking Dead 4x08 Promo "Too Far Gone" (HD) Mid-Season Finale

The Walking Dead 4x08 "Too Far Gone" (Mid-Season Finale) - After things begin to calm at the prison, Rick and the group face imminent danger.