Why the movie SCREAM worked

Horror movies and teenagers go together like chocolate and milk.

There are several contributing factors to why this is a match made in hell ... but the bottom line is this: Teenagers have the most expendable income. There's really no sense it bitching about either. You where once a teenager who watched movies marketed to your teenage self.

Don't hate.

Unfortunately, starting with my generation, censorship and paranoia among parents got really out of hand. (Thanks Tipper!) People started protesting the very thing they grew up watching and this has made it harder for anyone under 17 to see an "R" rated film.

So studios feel they are more less forced into releasing PG-13 bullshit. I know the rating makes the adults roll there eyes and NOT want to go see the movie but let's face it ...we are not the ones with a $100 + a week allowance. When your casting that hot new WB actor and your soundtrack is filled with top 20 rock hits ... your gonna make damn sure that your target audience (that has the most money to blow) is able to see the film.

It's just good business sense right?

How quick studios are to forget past formulas that worked ...

13 years ago, Wes Craven (master of the teenage horror film) put out a little movie called SCREAM. Now this is smack dab in the middle of the 90's A.K.A. the Tipper "fuck face" decade. Mainstream horror films had been teetering at the box office. Most people seemed more interested in Richard Gere and his awkward "romantic" stories.

Craven was not snowed by any of this and busted out a RATED R horror film geared towards teenagers. -Or perhaps a better phrasing would be ... the inner teenager. Just a closer look at SCREAM reveals Craven's well crafted plan to attract his original teenage audience. (Which by the time SCREAM was shot, was well into adulthood.) Sure the movies takes place in high school but the cast was made up of actors way past their teenage years. The movie had the rock n roll soundtrack but it featured artists like Nick Cave. In fact the whole movie reeked of 92' despite it coming out in 96'.

There in lies the key ... to make a truly successful horror movie, you must appeal to the inner teenage self of the generation that just got DONE with being teenagers. You have to make adults spend their money like teenagers. Get them excited about something and then make it GOOD. Trust me the current teenager will find a way to get into the "R" horror film. If there's enough hype, they will come ... in masses. In an 13-16 year olds eyes the R rating is even better because it's forbidden.

There goes that PG-13 theory.

Sucka.

<3

Nos

SAW

Greetings Scars fans!

This past week I had the pleasure of watching SAW VI with my dear friend Jason Christ.

To be fair I don't really consider the SAW movies to be horror films. Instead they fall under this weird grouping of dramas that are terror driven. Nothing super natural, just extreme things that could happen in real life.

But I understand thats like splitting hairs ... so we'll just roll with it.

The SAW franchise has been a favorite of mine throughout this past decade. In a time when we saw (and are still seeing) A lot of fucking remakes, it was nice to have something with an original story. - Yes I know it's not 100% original but it's something that's NOT frame for frame been made before.

SAW was clever ... and I truly didn't see the ending coming. Plus it has Cary Elwes from PRINCESS BRIDE! Neat!

SAW II The story really started to develop in this one and I really got hooked into the characters.Donnie Wahlberg did an especially amazing job. This movie also really shot Shawnee Smith up the chain!

SAW III This third installment is so damn gross, I still want to vomit when that pig scene comes on! I think this one is my favorite thus far ...

SAW IV In a really bold move they kill off almost everyone who's been a main player in the first three movies. The plot starts to thicken and get a little confusing. I think fans start to really wonder how they're gonna pull more off but left curious over the identity of Jigsaw's new disciple.

SAW V This is by far the weakest of the series and really plays out more like a transitional piece. But that fucking twist at the end! Costas Mandylor! Jesus that was amazing.

SAW VI So here we are ... it's 2009 and 6 gruesome films in. I wasn't sure what to expect and curious to see had they tie everything together. I was not disappointed! Brutal traps, more insight into Jigsaw's wife, got to see what was in that damn box, AND they left it open for a 7th ... naturally.

I really can't think of any series thats held up like SAW has. I'm really looking forward to the next one but I do hope they stop making them before that get bad. -but I've been saying that since the second one! I guess as long as it keeps making money, they will keep putting them out.

Then it will be time for the remake :P

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Trick r' Treat *review*

This October has been a weird one for me .....

It's my favorite time of year (bet ya couldn't guess that one!) and I'm normally participating in every little thing the holiday has to offer. 2009 however, has been way more productive than usual. Everything has been going great and moving really fast ... but that also means the work load has been upped by about 100%. So things like putting out Halloween decorations and going to haunted houses have been put aside this October.

So here I am in the mid-west, a place made for fall, surrounded by pretty orange and yellow leaves and NOT feeling Halloween. Or at least that's how I was until I watched Trick 'r Treat.

Hands down this is simply one of the best Halloween movies I've ever seen. It's the tradition of Creepshow but has it's own original story. The child actors in are particularly good and seemed to really be into it! Then you have the over all look of the film .... which is absolutely stunning and feel like a story book. Trick 'r Treat pulled me right back into the Halloween spirit and reminded

me why I love this time of year. I felt like I was 5 years old again .... so scarred that something was

under my bed but secretly hoping whatever it was, it would take me with it.

Trick 'r Treat is really one of those movies that becomes an instant classic in your home. I plan on watching it

again tomorrow night, while I pass out candy to the little trick or treaters.

I hope all of you have a fantastic Halloween .... and if your feeling a bit pessimistic, watch your

old favorite horror film.

STAY DEAD

Nos

A Test ....

Trying to sync this thing up with FACEBOOK ... which is interesting because I'm horrid with computers. :P

But while we're on the subject, feel free to "become a fan" a FACEBOOK and "follow" me on Twitter. I update + post new pics on those more than Myspace these days.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nos/107382796833

http://twitter.com/GOREWHORENOS

Xo

The Vampire's Assistant *review*

Greetings SCARS readers!

So instead of going to watch SAW VI this weekend, I opted for the movie version of one my favorite books.

The CIRQUE DE FREAK 12 book series has always been a bit underrated. It's one of the more original Vampire stories out there and I personal enjoy it even more than *gasp* Harry Potter. I was very excited to see it was gonna be made into a movie but worried on how they would approach it.

The story is odd in that it's geared toward the 12-15 year old crowd, yet it doesn't really deal with the normal clichés associated with the genre. Also the lead Vampire, Mr. Crepsley, is not an

easy character to peg and would require just the right actor. - And as much as John C. Reilly cracks

me up, Vampire, is not something that immediately comes to mind when I think of him.

Yet he and the rest of the movie pleasantly surprised me!

Unfortunately Universal Studio had an obvious lack of faith when it came to this movie ...

opening weekend and it was only housed in one theater. I also felt that I was at an advantage

having already read the whole series. The movie moved pretty fast and I think would be hard

to follow if you didn't know the story going in. I know they had to condense because there's

no way you could make ALL 12 books ... but the quality suffers a bit from the jump cuts.

(Maybe this will be fixed when it hits DVD.) The film is shot beautifully and John C.

Reilly makes an AMAZING Mr.Crepsley. Fans of book series have much to be happy about!

But I'm not sure if it's going to take off .... which is sad because I think there's a lot that could

be done with it.

:(

Next week I shall indulge in SAW VI and report back.

STAY DEAD

Some early Halloween goodies for you ...

Dear SCARS readers,

Just wanted to post a few quick updates :)

*First there is a brand new preview trailer up for the CINEMA EDGE AWARDS that I'm pretty damn proud of:

http://wickedpixel.com/

If your interested in entering and have questions feel free to e-mail at: gorewhorenos@gmail.com

*Secondly I'm working on some brand new sexy photos for the November issue of SCARS!

*And last but most certainly not least ... I am working on the first ever Nos website :)

http://myblackumbrella.com/

More soon lovers ...

STAY DEAD!

Nos

The Horror Business

Greetings SCARS readers!

So much as been going on in my life lately, I have greatly neglected my blog!

Late September/early October has proven to be very fruitful. There are so many new opportunities on the horizon and 2010 looks like it's going to be even more beautiful than 2009.

Yet there's something that's really been bothering me as of late .....

I've been working extremely hard at all this since I was 18 years old. Nothing has ever come "over night" or in just a week, month, or even a year. In order to have any level of success, you have to make certain sacrifices. This means not always going out on Friday night, not going to every show, not getting to see friends/family a lot, and NOT spending money on bullshit.

It seems I keep running into these would be participants of the "horror business" who have NO concept of commitment, sacrifice, or endurance. They want things to just fall into their lap in a week. When that plan inevitably folds ... so do they.

And these are the same people who will bitch, whine, and complain when YOU get something that they didn't. I don't know how many times someone has asked how I got to do this or that - only to act surprised when I tell them that I WORKED for it.

So it's like this: The horror business (or the "art" business in general) is not for everyone. Sometimes you have to take a little dip in to see if it's right for you ... and there's nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is KNOWING that you have no intention of doing what you've set out to do, yet still continue to ride the coattails of everyone around you.

It's brutal out there and you really need to be in this for the right reasons. Otherwise your just going to end up pissed off that you spent that much time on something you've grown to hate.

If there's one common theme to this blog it's DO WHAT MAKES YOU FUCKING HAPPY. Seriously if being a stay at home mom fills you with joy .. do it. If you want to work your way up the corporate ladder ... clime away. If living in the the middle of nowhere and never talking to a single soul ever again makes you feel at peace .... nothing is stopping you.

But whatever it is, you're gonna have to work for it too.

Deal with it.

It's called life.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

My Documentary

Back in ye ol' 2004, while in the midst of working on DEADWOOD PARK, I also shot a feature length documentary called WELCOME TO EIDOLON CROSSING: THE MAKING OF DEADWOOD PARK.

Until now the piece has primarily been used for promotion. (Sending it out to investors, potential actors and the like.) EIDOLON CROSSING has never seen the light of DVD yet and has never been publicly available ... until now!

Exclusively at Amazon.com you can now download and see my labor of love:

http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Eidolon-Crossing-Making-DEADWOOD/dp/B002K945K0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-video&qid=1253138302&sr=8-2

This was my first feature length piece and I'm very proud of it :)

I hope you enjoy it!

STAY DEAD

Nos

Cinema Edge Awards!

Greeting SCARS readers!

I have some great news for the independent filmmakers out there!

Wicked Pixel Cinema and distributor VCI Entertainment have teamed up to bring you THE CINEMA EDGE AWARDS.

This is your chance to win a distribution deal for you feature length film!

PRESS RELEASE:

The Cinema Edge awards is seeking features and short films that display outstanding creative innovation.Lower budget films are encouraged - whether your movie cost $250,000 or $25, it has the same chance of winning.

Horror,science-fiction, crime thriller, and other "non-mainstream" entertainment are especially encouraged. Audacity and shock value are considered positive attributes in this contest. However, quality of execution earns as many points as bold innovation and daring exploration.

You may submit a feature film (60 minutes or longer) or a short film (59 minutes or shorter), or multiple of either or each.

FEATURE FILMS WIN:

The movie that wins Best Feature will receive a standard home video distribution contract from an established and experienced distribution company, namely VCI Entertainment.

SHORT FILMS WIN:

The movie that wins Best Short will be included as a bonus feature on the DVD release of the Best Feature, greatly broadening the audience for the winning short, and providing much exposure.

Want more info? Click on the gory picture of my face!

(And yes ... that is the photo I suffered for!)

If you have any other questions ... drop me a line: gorewhorenos@gmail.com

STAY DEAD!

Nos

The hardest shoot ... ever.

Greetings SCARS readers!

Sunday was a pretty extreme day for your favorite Gore Whore.

I'm working on a top secret project for Wicked Pixel Cinema. It's going to be BIG and AMAZING - so when they asked me to participate in it, I said "HELL YES".

Now I can't give anything away yet but today was set for shooting video and stills for this project. The location was a place we lovingly refer to as "The death farm". It's where we shot most of SAVAGE HARVEST 2 and parts of DEADWOOD PARK. Director/actor Jason Christ's family own the property and runs the family farm off of it - so there's all kinds of cows and shit. There is also this little creek bed, deep inside the land, that Mr.Eric Stanze thought would be the most amazing place to shoot. He also thought I would look wicked cool naked, covered in WET flour and fake blood ...

So we decided to get the stills first. I stripped down and immersed myself with the flour mixture. At first first it wasn't so bad ... a little slimy sure but nothing I couldn't handle. About half way through the stills the flour started to harden, becoming rather uncomfortable. Within 20 minutes the mixture had become like a second skin that was cracking and pulling with every breath I took. It started to feel like I had a band-aid covering my whole body and it was getting peeled off slowly. In short, it was a big pile of suck.

By the time we got to the video part, I was in tears with every step I took. I did my best to hang in there but I eventually had to just stop because everything was too painful. Then I went to wash off and I couldn't get the shit off of me! So I had to try and put my clothes on over the dried goop. I got my pants on okay but it was so painful trying to get my shirt back on I just said "fuck it" and wrapped a towel around myself. The ride home was a long one and I tried not to make direct eye contact with the people in cars next to me.

It took an hour and half in a HOT shower to get everything off. I still didn't have it all out of my hair by the time I went out to eat ... thank jebus for colorful scarves. I'm told that everything looked great and in the end that's what ya do this crazy shit for! But for the record: covering your talent in wet flour is NOT a good plan ... however it does look pretty bad ass. I'm sure all of you will enjoy it.

So stay tuned for updates on this AMAZING project!

And while your on the world wide web, feel free to vote for me :)

Thank you all for the support! When I'm knee deep in gunk I think about you guys and I get through it :)

*group hug*

STAY DEAD!

Nos

ABBA + The end of summer

Greetings SCARS readers!

I know summer technically goes till the end of August but kids are back in school, summer tours are ending, and my fall endeavors have started to take over.

The summer of 09' was epic. Television went digital. Famous people died. The 6th Harry Potter film came out. I graduated from cosmetology school, worked on two movies, traveled this country, and took many pretty photos.

How do you end the most important summer ever? ABBA. Gold.

Yes, you herd me. This blog, after all, is titled Confessions of a Gore Whore. Seeing ABBA was an unexpected surprise, like finding a bag of melted chocolate in your car.

The whole thing came about during a hot August afternoon. My younger cousin and I where at the Decatur Celebration watching one of her favorite bands play. After the show she informs that ABBA GOLD will be performing that night, to which I respond "SHUT THE FUCK UP!". Sure enough at 9:45 the ABBA was set to play. How could I resist?

I'm proud to report that it was every bit the freak show I had hoped for. Drunk forty somethings having some sort of a religious experience. A woman with her hands in the air, dancing in circles, sobbing. People holding hands and belting out the words to FERNANDO. - I had really underestimated the raw power of ABBA and their fan base.

The show was performed in all the 70's glory too! White and gold spandex outfits, glitter head bands, and even go go boots. The energy was truly amazing. I wasn't expecting this kind of heart .... it got me thinking about the end of summer.

Late July, early August is naturally a sad time. As kids it was the end of our summer, as adults it's the end of our childhood. For one reason or another, many people I held close to my heart pass away during this time too. Every August I always long for things that simply don't exist anymore. But then there these little moments that wash over us ... remind us of who we use to be. For that split second you're right back where you're from and it's a beautiful thing.

That's what those people at the show were feeling. In that forty-five minutes, they were sixteen again. Fucking Dancing Queens ... all of them.

And you know what? They probably all needed that.

******************************************************************

I know my adventures are for from being over. 2009 keeps getting better and better, even with the bullshit that pops up.

Sometimes it's just nice to have silly summer evening and forget about life for minute.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Safety First.

So after a conversation I had this week, I feel the need to address something important. I know a lot of new and would be models/actresses read this blog. I love you ladies and I want you to be safe! Modeling/acting should be a healthy and positive experience for you.

So lets get real for a second.

I have been working in this field for 7 years now. A large part of it has been film work. (both behind and in front of the camera) A large part of it has also been naked and in "adult" situations. When I'm filming a movie there are ALWAYS multiple people on set. I have NEVER been on set with just me and the director. Sometimes I ask for a "closed" set in which only the necessary people are in the room. This is perfectly acceptable and I've never had any director or producer contest it. Things are always kept extremely professional and I have never felt like my performance has suffered.

Modeling is a slightly different situation in that you don't need as many people on set. (It's not like you're running sound and generally the photographer lights his own set.) Depending on what your shooting there may be a make up/hair stylist and even someone running wardrobe. Other times it will just be the photographer on set.

I want to get something crystal clear here: In either case, you have the RIGHT to bring an escort.

It's about what makes YOU comfortable and able to do your best work. For some girls that's going alone to a shoot ... and that's fine too so long as it's your decision to do so. Personally, I always have an escort/assistant/travel companion the first time I shoot with anyone new. 9 time out of 10 they drive me to the location, look things over, shake hands with the director or photographer and then leave until we're done shooting. Other times they stick around for the whole thing and quietly read a book in the next room.

Anyone who makes you feel that you're stupid for doing this is full of shit.

Trust me, I've been on both sides. I've had actresses bring escorts that have almost burnt down the studio. Does that mean I no longer allow escorts on my set? Of course not. It just means that if someone is being a douche bag, I ask them to step out until we're done shooting. There's no reason what so ever that the director/photographer can't at least meet with your escort.

It's also one thing for the director/photographer to openly discuss the situation with you and another for them the flip out the moment you mention bringing someone else. If they are getting angry with with you, saying condescending things about you, or telling you that you're not a "real" professional ... END THE CONVERSATION RIGHT THERE. You don't need to put up with that bullshit - and that's just what it is, BULLSHIT. You have to really ask yourself if this is type of person you want to be working with. Someone who won't even talk to you about your concerns or even listen to what you are saying. Someone who will belittle you because of your choices.

No gig is worth that.

However YOU need to be understanding too. One the reasons directors/photographers get upset about escorts is that models do bring the wrong people with them. Remember this is about your comfort ... so if you feel uncomfortable undressing in front of your father, you really shouldn't bring him to your nude scene. If your lover is the extremely jealous type you might feel self conscious if they're lurking around. If your best friend is gonna talk on the cell phone the whole time and eat all the food ... they might not be the best choice either. Whoever you bring needs to be professional, courteous, and invisible.

It's a great big, fun world .... there just happens to be a lot of shit heads.

Be safe.

Love you.

Nos

Philly + L.A.

This past week was completely nuts ... and I loved every minute of it!

*On Sunday I flew out to Philly.

*Monday my mother and I hit up a mall the size of a third world country. I may have geeked out over the couture boutiques more than once.

*Tuesday I visited the Mutter Museum. (http://www.collphyphil.org/mutter.asp) This place has an amazing collection of dead things. We're talking fetus babies in jars, conjoined twin skeletons, skulls that has been hit with an ax, and preserved bloated colons. I loved it.

I also stoped by Eastern State Penitentiary. This was the first ever Penitentiary and is the 3rd most haunted building in the U.S. - I didn't see any ghosts but the whole thing was very creepy and intriguing. The audio tour was even narrated by Steve Buscemi!

*Wednesday I flew from Philly to L.A. and was picked up in the airport by THE Eric Spudic. (http://www.myspace.com/spudicsmovieempire) Grabbed a some burgers from In and Out, then spent the rest of the night watching bad movies with Heidi. (http://pretty-scary.net/)

*Thursday was my shoot with Chad Michal Ward. (http://www.digitalapocalypse.com/) I have been in love with his work for many years now and it was amazing to finally shoot with him.

We started off shooting some sexy military girl photos and ended the shoot with me covered in baby powder, spit, and gore! I can't wait to see how they turned out :)

It was great to work with another artist who "gets" horror. I've had many photographers tell me that I was disgusting because of the photos/movies I've made. With Chad, I didn't have to hold back.

*Friday Spudic drove me back to the airport and I made my way back to St.Louis.

Now I have jet lag.

But I love what I do ... and in the end that's what counts.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Texas

Greetings SCARS readers!

I just got back from 3 days of insanity and adventure!

For about 6 months, I've been planing a shoot for my company APPLE WORM PRODUCTIONS to promote the upcoming website. Naturally I employed the services of LITHIUM PICNIC (www.lithiumpicnic.com) who is one of my all-time favorite photographers. I also teamed up with SINched (www.getsinched.com) because they make THE most amazing corsets ever and I love them.

Since I was going to be in Houston shooting with Mr.Picnic anyway ... I decided to hire him to shoot my entry fro the N.A.H.A. awards too. (N.A.H.A. awards being a HUGE hair styling competition.) I picked the theme "sideshow freaks" and bribed Sarah Swofford, Pandora Genocide, and Kaila Marie into letting me transform them into said freaks.

Sarah Swofford lives in Dallas, so Houston is about 4 hours away for her. St.Louis, where the rest of us live, is 14 hours away.

I somehow fit me, all my hair crap, a full sized mermaid tail (courtesy of www.robotmonkeylab.com), a large sword, 2 models, and all our "necessities" in my tiny yaris.

Amazingly enough we didn't kill each other. We did however have crazy road adventures ... like almost getting blown up by a burning van and icky gas stations with cool wolf stickers.

We got into Houston around 8:30 p.m. I crashed for 1 hour and then headed to Mr.Picnic's studio to shoot. SINched was there with not only a corset but a whole beautiful outfit made just for me :) The extremely talented Lalo of Lalo Arts did my hair and makeup ... and kept me looking good throughout the shoot. And then Picnic worked his magic and the shoot turned out really great! I got back to the hotel room around 3:30 a.m. and didn't wake up till the afternoon.

Saturday evening the models and I made our way back over to the studio. From 5 to 10 it was non-stop hair/makeup styling and shooting. I'm really happy with how everything turned out and the ladies did so well! We went back to the hotel room and crashed for a few hours and then it was time to embrace the open road again.

I got a little bit of sleep in and then woke up early this morning for a hair class. I learned the "Tokyo Drift" which is really just a stylish mullet. -But mullets a really in right now, so I'll be doing a lot of them this fall at the salon.

Now it's catch up time before I hit Philly and then L.A. :D

STAY DEAD!

Nos

mid summer update

Hello SCARS readers!

It's hard to believe it's already July 15th! This summer is going by wicked fast which kinda makes me sad ... I'm enjoying it too much!

One of the many cool things I've gotten to be part of is ZIVITY.

There is fact we all have to face: Sometimes erotic photography is really bland and not worth your time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE looking at photos of pretty naked girls. -Hell I enjoy BEING the pretty naked girl too! But when the photos look rushed and uninspired ... they do nothing for me.

Zivity.com is nothing like that and I adore it. The photography collection is stunning.You should check it out ONLY if you want to see me and other pretty girls naked!

The FIVE edit is coming along very well! I'm about half way done with the first cut. Still a ways to go but it's getting there! I'm really happy with the results too. My cast gave 110 % and it shows on screen!

As I type this blog Eric Stanze is working his butt off on RATLINE post-production. Every now and then I get a look at the footage and I'm really loving what I see! Book mark the official website for updates as they unfold:

This Friday I'm packing up and heading out on my first real road trip since I graduated from school. I'm off to Huston, TX to work with the world famous LITHIUM PICNIC (lithiumpicnic.com) and the fantastic clothing designer SINched. We haven't all collaborated since 2006 so it's long over due. I'm also putting together a top secret hair project while I'm there. I don't want to give anything away but in involves pretty girls like Sarah Swofford, Pandora Genocide, and Kaila Marie. (Kaila Marie is "Kayla" from the previous blog post)

Then it's a week of editing, then on to Philly, and THEN L.A.!

And then summer will be over :(

But the fall of 09' is looking pretty damn good too. I'll be the centerfold in the September issue of SCARS MAGAZINE !

STAY DEAD!

Nos

My birthday blog

Hello SCARS readers!

This is my first annual birthday blog post! Are you super excited? Good.

I am 25 today.

Many people seem to get upset over this number, I am proud to report I am not among them. I wasn't really sure how I'd feel today but as it turns out I am eerily calm. Like a Hindu cow - or however that saying goes.

Anyways a quarter of my life is over.

I'd like to think of it as smooth sailing from here ... but that might be a load of crap. I do know I'll be doing whatever the hell I want for the next 75 years and I highly encourage all of you to do the same. Life really is fucking short. - And that's if you get a 100 years.

So here it goes:

*If you are not the person you where at 18 ... good.

*If you are not happy with your career choice .... get a new job.

*If you are not happy with the people you've surrounded yourself with ... find new people.

It's what I've learned in 25 years anyway.

Well that's my birthday message! Thanks for reading :)

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Past, Present, and Future.

There was a time when not everything had been done already.

In this magical time filmmakers didn't seem very afraid to take risks. Great art was made and devout fans followed. Then somewhere along the line movies started to repeat themselves and (most) filmmakers lost their balls.

And it seems the horror genre is still recovering from it.

I feel a large part of problem is the total lack of faith directors/actors/producers have in horror. I've herd it many times: "Horror movies are the lowest form on entertainment.", "I'm a real actor so I don't do horror films.", "Horror films never have a real plot" and so on...

I've never been entirely sure where this mentality comes from. Horror films, historically, make good money. In fact it's one of the only genres of film that appreciates in value over time. Think about it: How many times have you seen a NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD lunch box, a Freddy action figure, or a SUSPIRIA t-shirt and bought it? I rest my case.

Horror is also one of the genres where you can be in one film for ten minutes, as child, and twenty years latter still sell your autographs at a conventions. - And those snarky little comets about Horror movies never having a plot? Well I can't even begin to list all the goddamn films that prove those statements wrong.

However, with all that being said, we as horror advocates have made it very easy for people to draw critical opinions in the last ten years. I sometimes feel that even those who love horror don't respect it enough to make a descent movie. I'm not going to get into name calling here but I think those certain titles are easy enough to find.

If you know you've made a pile of shit, why do you release it? Why not just bury it in the back yard and start over? You're not doing anyone any favors, including yourself, by putting out a terrible movie. -And for the record I'm not bashing the b-movies or the trash films .... I'm referring to the unwatchable garbage floating around out there.

Here's a thought: How about we all try our best to put out GOOD and CREATIVE art? Let's have some respect for the horror film! There's no reason we can't see a "second coming". Not all the good ideas have been taken and there's still time to grow a pair!

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Xo

Nos

STAY DEAD

It's tattooed across my knuckles. I end all my posts with it. I LIVE by it. -But I've never really sat down and told the story behind STAY DEAD. Until today ....

It all started in ye old 2005. I was working at a rather soul crushing day job to make ends meat. In fact, "soul crushing" might be putting it lightly ... long days in a small cube, under florescent lights, having people scream at me about their cell phones. The manager's where even worse. One of the plucky old birds, who really had it in for me, was in the habit of giving me daily speeches about how this was the BEST I could hope for. She also told me that my tattoos where disgusting and that one of my family members was going to hell because he killed himself.

2005 was a stupid year.

I decided to drink it all away on New Years Eve. At some point in the evening a sharpie was found and things got written on naked bodies. Needless to say I was one of said bodies ....

I walked to a guy and asked him the write something on my knuckles. He thought about it for a minute and then wrote STAY DEAD across my fingers. - It was like a light bulb went on.

I looked at him and all he said was "It's you."

The next morning it was still on there and I was still in love with it. It was me. I started writing it on everything ... my new creed. Then came the day I ditched work and got it permanently inked on me. And everything got better after that.

STAY DEAD means be true to yourself and dead to the world. No matter what.

It's on my knuckles because I'm a lifer.

Nothing to hide.

Nothing to go back on.

Just me, my art, and my mission. From here till I rot.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Summer of 09' update

Greetings SCARS readers!

As promised, the summer of 2009 is crazy busy. RATLINE director Eric Stanze is knee deep in his paper edit and we are shooting one more scene at the end of this week!

We did wrap the shoot but I found some amazing new talent hiding in the depths of Decatur, IL. Her name is Kayla and she IS the next big thing. You just don't know it yet. Stay tuned for more updates on her ...

RATLINE the official website is up !!! Check it out at:

http://www.wickedpixel.com/ratline/

FIVE, the movie I wrote/produced/directed/shot, is going full speed ahead in the edit room now! It's not a horror movie but I feel the horror fans will still enjoy it. The movie stars Jim VanBebber(DEAD BEAT BY DAWN, MANSON FAMILY), Amanda "Apnea" Pemberton (PLAY BOY, SUICIDE GIRLS, INTERNATIONAL FETISH MODEL), and Ugly Shyla (ALT MODEL, DOLL ARTIST, SOUTHERN BELL)

Speaking of Ugly Shyla ... if don't know who she is by now, you need to.

She makes surreal fine art dolls that are to DIE for. She's also an extremely an accomplished model and performer. One of the last true American artists!

http://www.uglyart.net/

and

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5433260

So the rest of June will be taken up by RATLINE and FIVE.

In July I will resume travel and will be shooting with LITHIUM PICNIC and CHAD MICHAEL WARD ... among others.

I've also started a fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nos/107382796833

add me for exclusive photos/updates you won't see anywhere else.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE

Very near and dear to my black little heart is a film called THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.

First discovered it while I was in high school and just cutting my teeth on *good* horror movies. I remember the images of what I saw (or rather what I thought I had seen) haunted me for days. A couple years went by and I revisited the film and to my surprise it was not nearly as gory as I had remembered it. I brushed it off and the movie has had a permanent place in viewing rotation ever since.

I've noticed that in conversations about the "goriest movie you've ever seen" MASSACRE tends to be one the first 3 movies out of someones mouth. The first couple times I herd this I just let it go ..... but over the years I've herd it SO much I feel I need to address it publicly:

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.

I've counted. There are 4.5 blood spill scenes in the movie.

1.) Ed Neal cuts his palm in the van.

2.) Ed Neal cuts Paul Partain on the arm in the van.

3.) Marilyn Burns get the tip of her finger cut for grandpa.

4.) Gunnar slips and cuts his own leg with chainsaw.

.5) Paul Partain does squirt blood while getting hit with the chainsaw ... HOWEVER you do not see chainsaw contact.

The opener has a couple of slimy corpses and there are assorted body parts in the house. But when you really sit and watch it ... MASSACRE has less gore than JURASSIC PARK.

This is not a slam on the movie in anyway. In fact it's the greatest complement one can give to a horror film. It didn't need gore to scare the fuck out of you. Those horrible things you have in head after watching are all implied ... a masterful trick played on you, the viewer.

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE truly stands the test of time. To this day it's hard not to be uneasy while watching it, even if it's for the 40th time.

Truly amazing.

STAY DEAD!
Nos

When you've seen to much .....

A few weeks ago I had the experience of watching MARTYRS directed by Pascal Laugier. 

Now my personal taste in movies does lean to the extreme side of things. Fulci and Ferrara take up a lot of space on my shelves. The cover of NECKROMANTIC will soon be tattooed on my leg  and I can watch CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST while eating pizza. Not much phases me these days in terms of gore. 

However in the last five years, these incredibly mean torture films have been flooding the market. Some I have liked and some I'm rather neutral on .... but something about them continues to bother me. I wasn't able to put a finger on it for a long time. Then I saw MARTYRS.

Before I really get into this let me just say; MARTYRS is an exceptionally made film. It is beautifully shot and extremely well acted. The FX are flawless and Pascal Laugier has much to be proud of. Most people who read this blog will probably like this movie. It was just the end of the line for me personally.

The movie starts out with a young girl, named Anna, chained to a chair. She escapes and finds her way to a orphanage where she befriends another young girl, Lucie. Their adult lives are consumed with finding Anna's absuser and when they do, the movie takes an extreme twist. (Which I will not give away) The combination of the powerful performances given by Morjana Alaoui and Mylene Jampanoi with completely brutal human on human violence made me ill. By the end of the movie I was having an anxiety attack. 

Then it hit me: These movies have no supernatural element. There isn't any real revenge. No moral to the story. No historical basis. Just humans doing horrible things to each other for 2 hours straight. And I've simply had my fill of it.

Do I think these movie are wrong? Of course not. I am a huge advocate of free speech and self expression. These types of films just effect me in a very negative way and I can no longer watch them. For several days afterwards, I found myself super sensitive to any gore or violence. I started to get a little worried ... Had this movie pushed me to far? Was I completely done with all things horror? Would I even be able to do a violent photo shoot again?

Deciding to test myself a couple days ago I chose the Fulci's ZOMBIE. As soon as the classic score started to thumb through my speakers, I was home.  

"I was cured all right" and I haven't  been able to wipe the evil grin off my face since.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Why do vampire films ...suck?

So when I'm not writing in my SCARS blog, trolling for hot chicks on myspace, and telling you my every waking move on twitter, I'm hanging out on BlueBlood.net. Blue Blood is a pretty interesting alt community that has some amazing members on the forums. 

Now I can't remember how the subject came up (it was probably on twitter) but the question of zombie vs. vampire films had been invading the on-line world.  My stance on the matter is that vampire films have a great potential but often fall short .... however zombie films tend to nail it. (Most of the time.)

But why? Shouldn't the "creatures of the night" be at the top of the horror food chain ?

I posted the question on the Blue Blood forums and got some great response. Two opinions that really stuck out to me where: 

From Aza:

"I'm not sure if the two can be compared. I mean, what exactly was the last Vampire flick that actually tried to be a "horror" movie? Nowadays, vamps just aren't monsters anymore; they're porn stars. Seriously, who do you know who's still afraid of vampires? My guess is no one, because thanks to White Wolf and "Underworld" and other institutions that over-theorized vampire culture, people either want to be vamps or fuck vamps... or both.

Nobody I know personally wants to be a zombie, and no one in their right mind would ever want to fuck one. Zombies have no culture, no politics, no romantic tendencies; there's nothing to detract from their image as monsters. Zombies can still frighten people because they haven't been over-pussified.

My personal opinion: Zombies all the way!"

 

From keiko:

" Vampires haven't been scary since Bella Lugosi. But there also hasn't been a GOOD vampire movie since him either. Way too cheesy. Hell they've started marketing the blood suckers to teeny boppers. bleh. 

I still have nightmares about Zombies. Especially when my roomie is playing Left for Dead on the other side of the drywall. Runners scare the bejeesus outta me. Shamblers at least you can out run... or at least out run the slowest of the other survivors. 28 Days was properly freakifying and as always there's Romero zombies that make going to the mall too often a little harrowing, esp on Saturday afternoons."

It's a very sad truth that we've taken the monster out of the vampire. I'm sure when Twilight premiered, Bram Stoker turned over in his grave. 

Filmmaker Eric Stanze also pointed out that vampire movies tend to not have much in the way of special effects .... whereas even bad zombie movies have amazing makeup work. 

*sigh*

Guess I'm just gonna have to make a real vampire movie someday ......

Till then, might I suggest these films of the bats that don't ....err...suck.

1. Martin by George A. Romero 

Funny how the zombie king could also make one the most innovative vampire films.

2. Shadow of the Vampire by E.Elias Merhige

A great sleeper film that goes into the legend behind the film Nosferatu.

3. Nosferatu (both the 1922 and the 1979 versions) By  F.W. Murnau and Werner Herzog

Both stunning films .... and the first may have even stared a real vampire!

4. Near Dark by Kathryn Bigelow

My personal favorite of the 80's vampire boom.

5.  Ravenous by Antonia Bird

Some don't see see this as a vampire film . I do. You should watch it and report back to me.

6. Last Man on Earth by Ubaldo Ragona

Sorry kids ... Vincent Price does in better than Will Smith any day!

Honorable mentions go to the 1990's Interview with the Vampire and Dracula.

STAY DEAD!

Nos

Mother's day

Hello SCARS readers!

Mother's day has nothing to do with this post, except for the fact the I'm writing it from my mom's house. It's in a haunted town in Illinois... pretty cool huh?

Well if you've been keeping up you know that Wicked Pixel was representing at the TEXAS FRIGHTMARE.Everyone made it back, only slightly hungover. This week director Eric Stanze and actor/producer Jason Christ drove out to Philly for the FINIAL shots of RATLINE. which means soon Eric will be diving into what we like to call "post-production hell".

-Which is where I'm at right now with FIVE.

Good times my friends, good times.

But really this month is all about making it to next month, so bring it on! June ushers in the summer and we all have to be ready for it ....

******************************************************************

It looks like I'll be performing 2 nights this month at the WAY OUT CLUB in St.Louis. It's been way to long and I'm so pumped for these shows! I use to get gigs in front of bands like 45 GRAVE. Once after a show I guy came up to me and said "I just want you to know, you hit me in the head with an entrail and it was totally hot."

I miss those days! But that's what happens when you make a movie and then go back to school.


STAY DEAD!
Nos

House bound.

Hello SCARS readers ....

No, I'm not on house arrest but it sure feels like it.  I have one more month left at school and it's time to "buckle down" and get shit done. Only it seems I'm missing out on fun things ..... things like traveling down to Texas with Wicked Pixel Cinema for FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND and meeting Dick Miller. 

Best to look at this time as the calm before storm. I do have many things in the works and in a few months I'll probably be sad that I'm not sleeping anymore. So today I'm cleaning my house and stalking people on myspace. Later this week I will be working on FIVE and hopefully put a big dent in it.

It looks like my gory burlesque show will be making a triumphant return to The Way Out Club this month! I'm so happy to be on stage again and show my new sets .... it's been almost 2 years! Then it's on to NASHVILLE to shoot with the amazing John Donegan. 

STAY DEAD!

Nos

What turns ya on?

Hello SCARS readers!

This Friday, I had the honor of grossing out the owners/students of the hair school I attend. You see we had a hair show going on with a "circus" theme. I chose to step outside of the box and add a slight element of gore to the mix. Nothing crazy, just some bloody eye bandages and painted on stitches - over all pretty tame. But since it was not a bright happy ray of sunshine ... there were some neigh sayers. (I do after all live in the mid-west.)

However the models I fired to do the show seemed overly thrilled to be made into my creations! One of the models had never done anything even close to gory and she just lite up! I mean she acted like freakin little girl during her first Halloween!

First she wanted the biggest, baddest mohawk up do. Then she wanted to carry one the manikin heads around with her. (The school owner shot that down, since apparently we are in middle school and it's not like I, you know, PAID to be there or anything.) Lastly this model got the amazing idea to fake choke me during the final walk of the show. Amazing.

This lady normally impersonates Julia Roberts at big corporate parties ... now she's pretending to choke me in front of yuppie bankers, dressed like a corpse. Truly, fucking, amazing.

But this isn't the first I've seen the phenomenon. In fact it happens every time we get someone new on set and ask them to get gory. They LOVE it. I mean really love it. So much in fact, that when we try and wipe them down before they go home, they insist on staying gory so they can freak out someone in the drive-through. 

So what is it about the red, red kroovy that makes people so damn happy? 

I was talking with Eric Stanze about this and he suggested that people love it so much because it lets them deal with their own mortality in fun, safe environment. I agree that plays a major part of it ... but I think it's filling the need for something else. That something else being chaos.

Most humans, whether they admit it or not, thrive on some level of chaos. It makes us feel needed and alive. Like there is a fucking purpose after all. When you choose to be covered and in fake blood and run around ... you are choosing chaos. You are choosing something out of the normal rat race. It's liberating.

So in a way ... we horror filmmakers our offering a public service. *wink*

I tell the owner of my school to put that in her pipe and smoke it! 

(That was my 4:20 joke for the day.)

**************************************************

Other things you must look at after reading this blog:

http://www.fearnet.com/blogs/surviving_cinema/index.html

Mr.Stanze writes about my movie FIVE and the amazing UGLY SHYLA.

http://www.gobstoppermovie.com/

Fucking amazing.

http://www.hank3.com/

A Nos favorite.

STAY DEAD!

<3>

Easter 2009

Hello SCARS READERS!

Easter, the day of our Lord, is always a strange time for me. I remember really liking it as a kid and nowadays it's normally just awkward. Unlike Thanksgiving, when every ones eating, or Christmas, when every ones getting presents, Easter is the sobering holiday when you have to deal with loved ones head on. - I hope yours went without a hitch.

It was also a sad day because we lost Marilyn Chambers. She's been an inspiration of mine and my heart goes out to her family.

**************************************

Today I'm getting ready for my RATLINE interview. I can't believe we have one day left of shooting (Friday) and we're already doing recap interviews. this project has moved along really quick. Which is kinda nice for a change. 

We added some great people to our team during RATLINE. Trevor Williams has done a kick ass job stepping in as production designer and B.T.S. director! Bob Nealon has done so much for the FX department and overall "watching out" for us it's amazing. It takes most new people a few projects before they really fit in. These guys felt like family from the start. 

I also wanna brag on Mr.Jason Christ. He's not new to Wicked Pixel. In fact he's one of the "originals". But in the last few years Jason has been stepping out from behind the camera and getting in front of it. He's the lead in RATLINE and has done nothing short of a stealer performance. I'm so happy for him and I can't wait for all of you to see him shine! 

RATLINE also stars Emily Haack, a personal favorite. She won me over with her first film SCRAPBOOK and continues to amaze me on RATLINE. Her fans will not be disappointed!

And I can't end this blog without giving mad props to the charming Sarah Swofford.  She is an actress you've got to keep your eye out for! I'm so happy she joined us for RATLINE and I know she's got great things coming her way ....

******************************************

A big CONGRATULATIONS to my Friend Philip Warner A.K.A. LITHIUM PICNIC for his picture getting the cover of BIZARRE MAGAZINE! You should pick up a copy for yourself and stare at the beautiful MOSH.

STAY DEAD!

Nos