Friend of trippin‘ TRAVIS BETZ, continues to make waves with his wonderfully, whimsical, dark, funny and utterly original filmmaking endeavors.  We just caught his awesome latest feature THE DEAD INSIDE (coming to the LOS FELIZ 3 cinemas next month – don’t miss it!) at the Phoenix Film fest this past weekend where he most deservedly won the BREAK OUT FILMMAKER AWARD (go, Travis!)  and now he’s up for another big opportunity which guarantees to preserve his soul.  We all win when the good guys do, so vote once a day at the following link and make a difference:

http://www.youtube.com/creators?x=nextup_1KsUBlXRm1g

Need more convincing?  Check out some of his great shorts he makes every week at his receptionist job co-starring construction paper.  This guy’s my hero – and he should be yours, too.  Please support him!

Yesterday as I dropped my manuscript off with FedEx, down to the wire, but deadline met nonetheless, I had 2 immediate thoughts:  first – “Whoa, you’re a Red Hot Chili Pepper! (Flea was jogging past. We exchanged an odd, sustained look at one another. I don’t know what was going on in his head, but having been writing a bug-laden story all weekend, I was reminded of a moment in Close Encounters of the Third Kind when Richard Dreyfuss looked at a pile of mashed potatoes on his plate and declared, “This means something.”  Clearly I, too, was delirious, but I digress.)  The second thought was, I must call Stephanie at once!

For the past couple of years I’ve had regular meetings with Steph, frequently  accompanied by her delightful partner Alec, at our favorite café, Figaro’s on Vermont Street (you may have seen it in a Bank of America commercial, but to me it is my own little slice of Paris right here in Los Feliz.)  We each nurse a cappuccino (and, on special occasions one of their amazing confections – best bakery in town!)  for hours as we discuss life, art, and philosophy, sharing anecdotes of our latest triumphs and challenges.  I am always inspired and delighted by these discussions and this one was long overdue as we have all been so crazed with our respective projects and the lives that they lead.

I am pleased to share that Steph and Alec’s chaos has been of the most glorious kind.  Their beautiful film The Red Machine is taking the indie film world by storm, culminating in a recent glowing review from Roger Ebert himself!  This is a triumph for us all.  The Red Machine is a true labor of love and proof positive that craft, artistry, innovation, determination and intelligence beat out over budget and fancy bells and whistles any day.

In many ways Camp Mental Slapstick and Camp Deviant could not be more different, and yet our journeys keep bringing us to the same revelations.  Steph and I met online just after we’d shot trippin’ and just prior to principal shooting for The Red Machine. We met in person when she kindly took me in when during my 2nd week in L.A. when a fire forced me to evacuate my apartment and she generously offered me accommodations. Since then we have grown up together with our respective art in many ways and continue to.

There are so many different ways to be a successful artist, but yesterday’s meeting once again has me convinced there’s only one real reason – passion.  Steph and Alec are filled with it and it shows in their lives and their art.  I am lucky to have them in my life and excited to share their world with you.  So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the amazing minds of Mental Slapstick…

1.  Please introduce yourself

We’re Stephanie Argy & Alec Boehm, writer/directors.

2.  How did we happen to meet?

Devi and Steph were introduced by actor Lee Perkins, who thought that that two chick directors would have lots to chat about.  We started e-mailing back and forth — and it turned out Lee was right!  Then Alec wanted to know what Devi and Steph were talking about, so he joined the conversation, too.

3.  What were you doing then?

We were in post on an 11-minute short film called Gandhi at the Bat, which is a mock-newsreel about the little-known (and totally fictional) incident when Mahatma Gandhi pinch-hit for the New York Yankees in 1933.  (Lee played the notorious Philadelphia Athletics catcher Mickey Cochrane — we met him when he auditioned for that movie, then we cast him as one of the two leads in our first narrative feature, The Red Machine.)

4.  What are you doing now?

We just finished our feature The Red Machine. It had its world premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October and will soon be appearing at the Santa Fe Film Festival, then in Prescott Arizona, then at the Sedona Film Festival. (Editor’s Note:  actually this interview is embarrassingly outdated now. They have been traveling the world as their film continues to play at fests all over garnering awards and critical acclaim.  They had their European premiere at the prestigious Edinburgh Film Festival and have won “Best Feature,” “Best Screenplay” and “Audience Award” among many others at various fests, and are enjoying a limited, but growing  theatrical run as well. Congrats, Guys!)

5.  How would you describe your work?

Elegant frippery.

6.  Who/what are your artistic influences?

Howard Hawks, Tom Waits, the Coen Brothers, Edward Hopper, Greene and Greene, Alfred Hitchcock, Richard Feynmann, Buster Keaton, Nancy Mitford, the Beatles (Alec), Real Tuesday Weld and Gogol Bordello (Steph), Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Elliot Erwitt, the Marx Brothers (especially Harpo), Monty Python, Elvis Costello, Stanley Kubrick, XTC, P. G. Wodehouse, Kurt Vonnegut, Jac Zinder, Twyla Tharp, Lenny Bruce, Charlie Chaplin, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen (up through Zelig), They Might Be Giants, the Los Angeles Lakers (Showtime era), Chick Hearn.   (Devi should be on the list too, but if we put her on, everyone will just think we’re sucking up.)

7.  What is your major goal in life?  How are you planning to achieve it?

To tell stories.  We’re doing it!

8.  What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits?  Drawbacks?

We’re really still learning about them, but it does seem that the more you put in, the more you get out.

9.  What else should people know about you?

We were born in the same hospital (different mothers) and met when Steph was 13 and Alec was 15.  Also, people ask if we fight when we’re co-directing — we don’t.

Usually on Easter, Agustin and I cook a rabbit and watch zombie films – just seems fitting somehow.  After all, Jesus was like the ultimate re-animated dude and the bunny, well that should be self-explanatory.

Alas, A’s on the other side of the country and I’m steeped in work up to my eyeballs , so no rabbit/zombie soup for me.

However, this evening I get to take a brief respite as a guest on the podcast of filmmaking fest buddy Travis Betz, flickfights .  Which reminds me, I’ve been horribly remiss with our FRIENDS OF tRIPPIN’ section on the blog.  So, without further ado, I give you TRAVIS BETZ, friend of trippin’ and so much more…

I’m often asked at film festivals, “Are you a fan of the Dairy Queen in Mishawaka, Indiana?” To which I generally respond, “Admittedly, I’m more of a Ritter’s Custard Stand kind of girl.”  This usually makes me quite popular with the boys, but little did I know when I met Travis at Shriekfest this past fall, that his father owns the aforementioned Dairy Queen.  D’oh!

Nonetheless, he forgave me and I had the divine pleasure of meeting one of my new heroes.  After enjoying his truly stunning, and wonderfully original 4^th feature, Lo (a little “I Heart Huckabees” / Wristcutters – A Love Story, a touch of Buffy (TV series, that is), a  dash of early Peter Jackson, and a whole lotta Travis) we had a splendid chat in the parking lot about filmmaking in Indiana and the joy of watching horror films, comparing notes on some of our faves.  More importantly, we became Facebook friends which prompted me to follow his super awesome blog and check out his weekly online series The Receptionist (on which he will elaborate shortly.)

Travis is what I want to be if I ever grow up (and even if i don’t.)  He is a TRUE filmmaker.  He does it for the love of it, he does it constantly, he does it well, and he does it his way (which totally rocks.)  Don’t believe me?  Check out THIS LINK (Lo trailer) and THIS LINK (zombie sexual frustration short he shot one afternoon just for kicks) and THIS LINK (from new friends at Cinemeh) to get a sample, and read THIS BLOG ENTRY.  Then stop whining about how hard and miserable it is to be an independent filmmaker and just be one already (and have fun with it, dammit!).   Only then will you be worthy to become  a Travis disciple.  Hallelujah, Travis, now bestow upon us your wisdom…

Please introduce yourself.

Howdy! I’m Travis Betz and I am a dangerously unhinged bastard.

How did we happen to meet?

I met Devi at the 2009 Shriekfest Film Festival in Los Angeles. She was at the screening of my Demon love story, LO. Afterwards we struck up a conversation and found out we are both spent a good amount of time in the same Indiana town. Hoosier pride leaked from our pores…and that was that.

What were you doing then?

When? When I met Devi? Like I said above, I was screening my feature comedic love story with demons type horror-romp at the festival. We won the audience choice award! How fun is that? Well, maybe you had to be there, but it was fun. At least I had fun. Yes. Fun. Lo had a successful run in 2009 on the festival circuit and was picked up by Synkronized distribution for a 2010 DVD release!

What are you doing now?

Thanks for asking! Currently I am knee-deep in two projects. One is a web series I run called THE RECEPTIONIST. A new short film each week made entirely out of construction paper and using myself as the only actor. The other is my latest feature film. I am currently in pre-production for THE DEAD INSIDE, a ghost possession musical. (note:  Travis wrote this months ago, he has since wrapped on The Dead Inside and is currently editing.  So, in the time it takes some of us to post a blog, others complete entire feature films AND post regular blog entries!)
Check out The Receptionist here: http://www.facebook.com/l/02123;www.youtube.com/thereceptionist
Follow The Dead Inside here: http://www.facebook.com/l/02123;www.travisbetz.com

How would you describe your work?

If David Lynch put an ad on Craig’s List seeking a gang bang, and the cast of Sesame Street answered it. Whatever strange child is produced from the mess of fabric and flesh would most likely be the poster child of my work. I try with each project to do something very different from my last. Something people haven’t seen before. The things that interest me most are love and death…so there’s usually those themes dripping in fun!

Who/what are your artistic influences?

Hmmm…this question always produces a boring laundry list of filmmakers I love and admire. It’s best to say that all movies influence me to some degree. Even really bad movies have their merit in shaping the way I might approach a subject or a particular shot. There’s a good amount to learn from both auteurs and amateurs.

What is your major goal in life? How are you planning to achieve it?

Wow! Do people actually have MAJOR goals? Sounds so important. I think that at the end of my life, if I’m able to look back on all that I created and feel a sense of satisfaction then I’ll be good. To achieve that feeling I will simply continue to make the kind of movies that interest me, and hire the casts and crews of people I consider both artists and friends. Really to just have a damn good time.

What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits? Drawbacks?

2009 was my first year on the circuit. I really enjoyed myself. If nothing else, film festivals are great opportunities to meet like-minded people and talk about film. I think that even the smallest of exposure for your film is something good. Maybe your film only ever touches one of the twelve people that came to your screening…but damn it, you just touched one person! Not physically…unless they are attractive…and it’s consenting….of course.

What else should people know about you?

Ummm….I put peanut butter on my pancakes, I love to sing, I have zero athletic skills and I can’t be trusted with a credit card.

The manager at our favorite liquor store offered us a nice bottle of wine for a ridiculously low price warning us that about 1 in 4 of the bottles had bad corks, so it was sort of a gamble.  He went on to explain how one must always have a back-up bottle of wine or two because you can never really know for sure how a bottle’s bound to taste even if it’s supposed to be great. The fellow said once upon a time he’d drink the bottle regardless, feeling it was wrong to waste it.  But now he realizes life is too short for bad wine and if it’s still no good after breathing for 20 minutes, he tosses it. Agustin and I were musing how this is not unlike movies…

How many times have we put one in the dvd player or even gone to the theater only to have to turn it off (or walk out) within the first 20 minutes.  Once upon a time we used to endure the entire 2 hours, committing to the experience.  But now if it’s not even suggested it will “taste better with breathing” within the first 20 minutes, we’re outta there.  Life’s too short for bad movies.

Unfortunately, it seems fewer and fewer films are passing the 20-minute test these days.  Is it really so hard to write an engaging story with compelling characters?  So many features have about 20-minutes of story stretched out into 90 minutes trying to rely on eye candy alone as filler.  Please, folks, heed Bob Dylan’s sage advice…

What kills me the most is that the best films I’ve seen this year have been out on the fest circuit and many will not get the opportunity to see the inside of a mainstream theater.  Audiences are missing out and the filmmakers who should be awarded for a job well done are virtually ignored.

So here is a call to action for a film that most definitely passes the 20-minute test.  In fact, it’s one of the top 5 films I saw last year (I saw hundreds).  I spent much of it with tears streaming down my cheeks from laughing so hard (as did much the rest of the audience.)

Fortunately, IFC had the good sense to pick it up and it’s getting a limited theatrical run and is currently available on demand (for a mere $3 – find it online or on cable).   The film is called The Overbrook Brothers (I wrote about hanging with ridiculously talented supporting actor, Mark Reeb, when I was  at the Bendfilm fest here). Incidentally, I highly recommend not watching the trailer first as it has spoilers.

The film is directed by John Bryant whose short film “Oh My God” (online here) is one of my all-time fave shorts.  It is nothing like Overbrook aside from the fact that it, too,  nearly made me pee my pants laughing.

This is a film you can rent by yourself, with your friends, family, even your grandparents if they don’t mind a bit of language and adult humor (and let’s face it, most grandparents like that stuff even more than we do!)  There is honestly something for everybody 13 and older.  Please support their film and I suspect you will thank me for the recommendation. If you rent it and don’t enjoy it, I owe you a drink next time we meet up, fair enough?

I get a lot of e-mails from strangers.  Some lead to lasting friendships, others to restraining orders.  Somehow I knew there could be nothing bad about an e-mail from a fellow by the name of “Tex Massacre” requesting copies of my films for reviews.  This is how I met Tim Anderson several years ago.

It wasn’t until this summer at Comic-Con when we finally met in person.  In the meantime, he wrote some of my fave reviews of Confederate Zombie Massacre! and Teenage Bikini Vampire.  It’s always a thrill to have somebody write a review that indicates he’s seen the movie I’ve set out to make – recognizing small details, homages, stylistic choices, etc.

So, in thanks for his wonderfully supportive reviews over the years, I’d like turn the tables for a change and review Tim’s latest producing effort  2:22 which he shared with me this summer and is already having a good life on the fest circuit (congrats, Tim!)

2:22

Imagine a contemporary ‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar‘ story set in an off-kilter ‘True Blood-esque’ world and related in a ‘The Hangover-esque’ sort of structure as our heroine remembers patches of the decadent night that leads up to this dark little horror thriller’s fun climactic pay-off.  The sickly hues create an effective nightmare ambiance that feel a bit reminiscent of a grittier ‘The Hunger.‘ The tone and storyline are set-up most effectively with a woman awakening under questionable circumstances – is she drunk, has she been raped?  Something is clearly wrong, a fact made all the clearer when she vomits up blood.   (Don’tcha just hate it when that happens?) Tara Lightfoot was both well cast in the lead role and well shot. We see her transition from a Barbie doll-esque party girl in the club to this skinny, jaundiced looking hag with ghastly complexion in the bathroom. Special kudos to Tim and director Steven Shea for not sexualizing her nudity, but rather making it and her horrific until her journey is complete.  The end is very satisfying, a fresh perspective on a familiar story.

That’s Tim’s movie in my words.  Now here’s Tim in his words…

1. Please introduce yourself

Hi, I’m Tim Anderson, I’m the DVD Managing Editor of Bloody-Disgusting.com as well as the Producer of several horror films.

2. How did we happen to meet?

Devi and I met in person for the first time and the 2009 San Diego Comic Con, however, we’d had an online rapport for about 2-years before that when I first covered her films “Confederate Zombie Massacre” for The Hacker’s Source Magazine and “Teenage Bikini Vampire” for Bloody-Disgusting.

3. What were you doing then?

At Comic-Con?  I was hanging out near the Troma booth when I get a text from my friend Terry Cronin, the programming director of the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival.  He told me Devi was at his booth and that I needed to come over ASAP.  I put down my copy of “Direct Your Own Damn Movie” and made much haste…

4. What are you doing now?

Facebooking, Twittering and generally disregarding the actual work I need to get done.   Actually, I’m developing a feature film script with 2 partners which we plan to pitch this December.  I’m also coordinating a festival run for our award-winning short film “2:22″ which just World Premiered at the prestigious SITGES Film Festival and had its North American Premiere at Screamfest LA.

5. How would you describe your work?

I never sleep and am constantly pulled in 765 different directions.   I’ve been an artist in every capacity and I find that time not spent creating is time wasted.  To that end, I write for 3 or 4 places at any given time, paint, create films, music and pretty much socially interact with friends and family as much as time allows.

6. Who/what are your artistic influences?

Cinematically, they fall into a category of foreign/art house and American Independent and Horror filmmakers.  The gamut is run from Dario Argento and Krzysztof Kieślowski to Richard Kern, Nick Zedd, Russ Meyer and Buster Keaton.  Artistically, I am most influenced by Popism.

7. What is your major goal in life? How are you planning to achieve it?

I simply want to make great cinema.  I’m working to achieve that every day.  Reading, writing and developing.  But more that that, it’s my dream that all of my talented friends achieve their goals with me as well.  To that end, I try to assist them in whatever capacity I can to see them achieve success.

8. What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits? Drawbacks?

Entry fees and travel expenses are the drawbacks, and politics..those are all obvious.  But, I think film festivals are truly what you make of them.  Go.  Push your agenda. Make friends.  Network.  Be humble.  All these things will help you succeed.  Also, research festivals before you submit.  Seems obvious, but people don’t do it.

9. What else should people know about you?

I once hit Britney Spears in the head with a chair.  I accept no responsibility for her actions after that.

I met the inimitable Maria Alexander back in my San Francisco days many moons ago.  Our beloved shared mentor Sam Scribner referred to us fondly as the “Evil Twins.”  At the time we were both risqué blondes who often donned black latex so I suppose it was a fitting title.

Maria is a true “Wild Thing” not unlike the purse she carries (and nothing like the whiny version featured in Spike Jonze’s utterly disappointing movie.)   She’s a brilliant writer whose fantasy world does things to one’s imagination that are surely illegal in many states.  Yay!

Her wicked sense of humor is almost as naughty as her daring wardrobe and infectious laugh.  Even her voicemail message tells you this lady has style and she damn well knows how to use it.

But there is nothing I can say about Maria that will be nearly as fun as how’s she apt to put it, so allow me to defer to the Magnificent Mistress of the Merry Macabre herself…

1.  Please introduce yourself.
I’m Lady Euthanasia, the Sweetpea of Darkness, Queen of the Wild Things, She Who Wears the Fabulous Boots, Lady Flashheart (Wwwoooof!), Runs With Scissors, Dances with Werewolves, A Smart Tart with a Big Heart, Betty Page’s Stunt Double…

…or, as most people know me, I’m Maria Alexander, dark fiction and humor author.

2.  How did we happen to meet?

We met about 13 years ago at a screenwriter’s group run by the late screenwriter Sam Scribner up in San Francisco. We bonded in a taxi over how Darth Vader was our sexual awakening. The rest is, as they say, history!

3.  What were you doing then?

Screenwriting. Making boys cry. Not necessarily in that order.

4.  What are you doing now?

Still writing, but mostly dark fiction and humor — at the same time, even. Also, these days I seem to be making one boy and two cats pretty damned happy.

5.  How would you describe your work?

Evil. Touching. Sexy. Funny.  And, most of all, original.

6.  Who/what are your artistic influences?

Life. Then, Julio Cortazar. Blackadder. Douglas Adams. Neil Gaiman. Edith Wharton.

7.  What is your major goal in life?  How are you planning to achieve it?

To be read. To make an impression. And to live life the way I drink margaritas — too fast, too much, without regrets.

8.  What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits?  Drawbacks?

Film festivals are fantastic venues, especially for short films. I first saw the awesome black and white, silent  CALL OF CTHULHU at a film festival. I can’t think of any real drawbacks. Are there some? Can you tell I’ve never been in one?

9.  What else should people know about you?

For a living, I write for The Mouse. Pixie dust and all. And the Mouse websites I write for have won major Internet awards. How weird is that?

I first met Greg Lamberson on the film fest circuit.  He remembers it as being the Halloween Horror Picture Show in Tampa (and he’s probably right), though I could have sworn it was at Genghis Con in Pittsburgh.  I remember talking with him shortly after I’d conducted an interview with H.G. Lewis and him being impressed because I was the first chick he’d met who was into Lewis’ gory oeuvre.

Whatever the case, I immediately liked Greg.  Something that never ceases to amaze me is how so many people who devote their art to the horror genre are among the nicest and most intelligent folks I meet.  Here’s a prolific writer, filmmaker and supporter of others in his same field – a fun irony – the “Slime Guy” is anything but slimy.   Greg was super generous in introducing me around when I was new on the circuit and has been an immense supporter of my work, reviewing it on Fearzone and in his book Cheap Scares, offering valuable advice and being a good friend.

Check out his music video, check out his  trailer, check out his books and see why Greg’s got a long, steady track record in a world where flashes in the pan are far too common.  I know I’m just one of many who eagerly await to see Slime City Massacre hit the big screen.

Here’s Greg…

1.  Please introduce yourself

I’m Greg Lamberson, the writer-director of SLIME CITY, UNDYING LOVE, NAKED FEAR, and now SLIME CITY MASSACRE.  I’m also the author of JOHNNY GRUESOME, PERSONAL DEMONS, and CHEAP SCARES! LOW BUDGET HORROR FILMMAKERS SHARE THEIR SECRETS.

2.  How did we happen to meet?

We met at the Halloween Horror Picture Show, a small film festival in Florida.  Debbie Rochon and Lee Perkins were there too, and now they’re in SLIME CITY MASSACRE.  You never know how even the smallest festivals could lead to something down the road.

3.  What were you doing then?

I was screening SLIME CITY, which had just been released on DVD for the first time (it was just released with my other films as GREG LAMBERSON’S SLIME CITY GRINDHOUSE COLLECTION) and hawking an early edition of PERSONAL DEMONS.

4.  What are you doing now?

I’m in post production on SLIME CITY MASSACRE and editing my two novels for 2010, THE FRENZY WAY and DESPERATE SOULS.

5.  How would you describe your work?

I’d call my early three features primitive, although they’ve each developed a following.  The new film, SCM, is much harder to describe: it’s a 70s science fiction film, an 80s splatter flick, a 90s action flick, and has a political subtext that could have only been born in this decade.  My novels are a different story; they’re packed with BIG action scenes that would intimidate Joel Silver.

6.  Who/what are your artistic influences?

I think we’re influenced by everything we’re exposed to, good or bad, but I like Jack Arnold, George Romero and Abel Ferarra as filmmakers, and David Morrell and William F. Nolan as authors.  And I’ll have a completely different answer tomorrow.

7.  What is your major goal in life?  How are you planning to achieve it?

I want to inflict horror on the world, preferably through entertainment. I write novels that are published and make movies that receive at least some sort of distribution; I’ve never self published or self distributed.  For the last two years, I made my living as the editor of FearZone.com, a heavily trafficked website which won’t make it to 2010 because of the economic crisis the Republicans have created.

8.  What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits?  Drawbacks?

They’re fun if you can afford to attend them.  It’s hard to do with a negative balance in your bank account and a child to raise.  I hope to attend a bunch in 2010.  I’ve been to great film festivals, like the Beloit International Film Festival, where the whole town turned out, and to terrible ones, which I won’t name.  More than anything, it comes down to whether or not the festival director cares about what he’s doing.

9.  What else should people know about you?

Dread Central just posted 4 character sheets from SLIME CITY MASSACRE and wrote, “Greg, you are one sick fuck!”

I’m not sure how it’s possible, but I don’t remember the precise moment I met Heidi Martinuzzi in person.  I knew of her through her website Pretty-Scary as well as the two amazing reviews she’d written for our films Teenage Bikini Vampire and Confederate Zombie Massacre!, but I don’t quite recall the actual moment of “Heidi, meet Devi. Devi, meet Heidi.”   I suspect there might have been some alcohol involved.   I also seem to recall at some point being in a crowded elevator in which she nonchalantly inquired if I ,too, ever suffer from those pesky oozing sores in my nether-regions.  One is never bored in the company of Heidi, especially not in an elevator packed with unsuspecting strangers.

In fact, one might easily pass her off as but the eternal life of the party.  She’s always surrounded by admirers, wine glass in hand, sharing a round of risque, often self-deprecating jokes that might suggest she is but a lovable drunken ditz.  But don’t be fooled.  Underneath her sexy party girl exterior lies the soul (and brain) of a bookish librarian (okay, a hip, cool librarian perhaps, but still…)   An academic, a writer, a tireless supporter of  women in horror, a promising filmmaker and a fine journalist, Heidi makes a ton of hard work look effortless and fun.  But all work and no play is not her style, so enough of my babbling.  It’s time for some sarcastic quips from Heidi herself…

1.  Please introduce yourself

I’m Heidi! I have known Devi for a few years now and I love her filmmaking style. I’m a journalist and web designer, and I love horror films.

2.  How did we happen to meet?

I thought Devi was an albino* child, until I got up close.  At that point I pocketed the money I had been about to give her out of charity and started sharing obscene jokes with her.

3.  What were you doing then?

I was sadly, doing the same thing I am now only I was younger.

4.  What are you doing now?

Getting my master’s degree so I can share intellectual jokes with Devi, since we ran out of obscenities.

5.  How would you describe your work?

awesome, fun, challenging, unlucrative (is that a word? it is now!)

6.  Who/what are your artistic influences?

Early Riot Grrrl flyers, expressionism, Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

7.  What is your major goal in life?  How are you planning to achieve it?

To control all humanity and bend it to my will; by training apes to do simple household tasks, starting a line of loin-cloth apparel, and creating a cult that revolves around worshipping an ancient atom bomb (still active! be careful!)

8.  What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits?  Drawbacks?

Film festivals suck because the good ones never let anyone in and they cost too much, and the shitty ones – no one cares about.

9.  What else should people know about you?

I voted no on California prop 8 and think marijuana and prostitution should be legalized in California to save our dwindling state economy

* for the record, we prefer to be called “people of translucence”

So, let’s be honest we all do it from time to time.  There’s no need to be ashamed.  Once in a while we just get the urge to Google ourselves.  It’s only natural.  And it can lead to beautiful things.  For example, I discovered that our film Confederate Zombie Massacre! was to play at the MegaCon Convention last January.  Cool, only I hadn’t submitted CZM to a fest in ages.  How’d that happen?

Actually it’s a common occurrence.  Once your film hits its “tipping point” it tends to develop a life all its own.  I’m always discovering we’ve screened at this fest or that and it’s always a nice surprise.  I usually just shrug and smile, but curious, this time I decided to follow up.  I wrote to the programmer and asked how this all came about.  I’m so glad I did.  We’ve been in touch ever since and finally got to meet in person last summer.

Terry Cronin is the kind of guy who when you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he answers, “A noted raconteur” (see below, I jest not.)  How cool is that?  From comics to film fests to funky cooking shows, he’s a contemporary Renaissance hipster with a charming “Woodstock-ian” approach to art – let’s all just get along and help each other as we go, you know?  Clearly he means what he says, for in his following interview meant to introduce and promote his work he spends half of it promoting mine (Thanks, Terry – check’s in the mail – it’ll bounce of course, but it’s the thought that counts, right? )

And heeeeeeere’s Terry….

Please introduce yourself.

Hey I’m Terry Cronin, program director of the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival and the Megacon Indie Film Expo. I also publish the horror adventure comic Students of the Unusual.

How did we happen to meet?

We finally met at Comic-con this year but I had become aware of your work from recommendations by Tim Anderson (i.e. Tex Massacre)  and we showed your film Confederate Zombie Massacre! at Megacon.

3. What were you doing then?

At Comic-con we had a booth for Students of the Unusual and you came by as part of your promotional tour for Death In Charge. We also got to meet your star Gillian Shure who knocked our socks off in the role of the mother!

4. What are you doing now?

Sitting in front of my computer– recovering from the successful 11th annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival where we showed both Death in Charge and I Spit on Eli Roth!  Most everyone had a wonderful comment about how great Death in Charge was and how the intricacies of the ending were set-up so ingeniously. Kudos by all!

5. How would you describe your work?

I write and publish the Students of the Unusual comic book, run film festivals, and promote a new cooking show called Adventure Chefs.

6. Who/what are your artistic influences?

EC Comics, Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers, The Pogues, Gary Jennings, Jorge Alderete, Jorge Calamato, J Chris Campbell, Julia Lichty, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Rupert Murdoch, Benjamin Franklin

7. What is your major goal in life? How are you planning to achieve it?
To become a noted raconteur and help other people along the way.

8. What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits? Drawbacks?

They are great resume builders and networking engines! Sometimes fun but not always enough true affection!

9. What else should people know about you?

I like to talk the talk and even walk the walk!
Keep on rockin’ there ain’t no stoppin’!

I met Richard Purves at the Burbank International Film Festival.  I seem to recall among my first words to him were, “I’ll take a look at yours if you take a look at mine.”  I was referring, of course, to our respective films that were screening on the same day.  We’ve been friends ever since.

He had popped across the pond (from the U.K., that is) with Alex Parsons, his composer.  Kenny and I spent a fun afternoon with these delightful Brits, sharing filmmaking war stories and what-not.  It’s always a bit of a crap shoot befriending somebody at a fest before you see his film, because there’s always the chance you’ll wind up in the awkward position of seeing his film and not liking it and having to come up with something positive to say on the spot.

Fortunately, Mayfly absolutely blew me away.  Talking to Richard beforehand, I was expecting sort of a quirky, amusing Sci-fi satire or parody due to his wry sense of humor (for example, his state-of-the-art cell phone has this feature that makes it into a toy gun with various gunfire sounds which he’d use to “shoot” people – real and imagined – as we got into impassioned discussions about the challenges of being a struggling artist.

However, I was dead wrong about his film.  It’s quite elegant really.  Intelligent and heartbreaking, simple yet poignant.  It features really great performances and looks far more expensive than its limited budget would suggest. So let this be a lesson to us all – never pre-judge a film by its filmmaker.

I’ve since met up with Richard on 2 more occasions.  He traveled to London to catch a screening of Death in Charge at Sci-Fi London, then again to Whitby to our screening at the Bram Stoker Film Festival – how supportive is that?  I won’t divulge the premise to his next film, but based on the pitch he shared, I’m most impressed.  Keep an eye out for this talented director.  I suspect he’s gonna freak us all out (in a great way) real soon – yay!

Please introduce yourself.

Greetings!  I’m Richard Purves, a 30-something year old struggling broke filmmaker who moonlights as a contract IT engineer.

How did we happen to meet?

Our actual first meeting is a little hazy for me but for certain it was at the 2009 Burbank International Film Festival.  It was my first festival with my first film getting its world premiere screening so I pretty much was running on adrenaline for the entire time.

I remember this force of nature help me round up people for my premiere screening and being extremely grateful that she did.  Later on I found out her name was Devi and we swapped business cards.

What were you doing then?

World Premiere Screening of my sci-fi short film “Mayfly”.

What are you doing now?

I’m trying to find some sort of 9-5 job to pay the bills as I co-develop my feature film script.

How would you describe your work?

Harsh? Unforgiving? Nah, I’m not going to try. I’ll let the audience decide.
So far it’s been pretty positive.

Who/what are your artistic influences?

James Cameron, Peter Jackson, Darren Aronofsky

What is your major goal in life?  How are you planning to achieve it?

To get my US visa, move out there permanently and make feature films. I’ve got a couple ideas on the boil and one script in serious development right now. I’ve got meeting(s) arranged next Jan with various people in L.A.

What do you think of film festivals – what are the benefits?  Drawbacks?

I like them generally. It’s a good chance to see films, meet people and generally hobnob about. I just wish it wasn’t such a lottery to pay for entry and maybe get in. I also wish I had more frequent flyer miles to make traveling less expensive!

What else should people know about you?

I’m completely insane? I think you have to be to even think about a career in this business. I’m also highly motivated and probably one of the most ambitious and competitive people you might meet.  I’ve had to be just to get this far.