Hello again fellow Deadites!  This weekend I decided to get my fix by queuing up a screen ode to a legendary Haunt.  It’s time to plummet into Hatter99′s SCREAMING Room.

Hat ON.

The Rocky Point Haunted Attraction

Rocky Point Haunted House.  I never had the pleasure of seeing this former Haunter’s Mecca in the flesh, as it shut its doors shortly after the 2006 Halloween season, before I entered the industry, but from what I’ve heard and read it was one hell of a house.  While I am a bit bummed that I didn’t get to experience this legendary attraction that veteran haunters discuss with a deeply-mysterious reverence, all is not lost.  Before it was dismantled, a group of filmmakers shot a nifty little flick there called House of Fears.  It’s not a documentary…No, they took it a step up on the Meter-O-Fun.  It’s a full-length, scripted horror film shot within the attraction about some teens who decide to have some fun inside the fictionalized “House of Fears” on an off-night.  

House of Fears The Movie (Filmed at Rocky Point Haunted House)

Little do they know that the owner of the haunt (played by real-life Rocky Point owner and Haunt Industry Queen Cydney Neil) has just imported an ancient relic as a prop, which brings your darkest fears (personified by the horrors within the attraction) to life.  You can probably guess where the plot goes from there, but if you’re expecting cheesy acting and dollar store scenery you’re dead wrong.  The acting and dialogue are surprisingly good, and the sets shot within the Rocky Point attraction itself are of course top-notch.  It’s also nice to watch a film that gives equal screen time to showcasing the haunt with its behind-the-scenes workings that will appeal to those interested in the industry alongside a nice helping of blood and scares.  For those who were able to experience the attraction before it closed, the film will serve as a fond remembrance.  For those of us who didn’t venture through its doors, the film provides an abridged but valuable glimpse into this spectral legend.  If you’re interested in haunted attractions and keen on some fun, I highly recommend it.  Plus, if you still subscribe to Netflix streaming after the recent pricing debacle, you can sit back, relax, rot away, and watch it instantly right now.  

Hat OFF.

The Haunting Truth (Hauntumentary)

The Haunting Truth a Documentary (AKA “Hauntumentary”) is where you can go inside the minds of those who from childhood began a life that would lead them to be a part of the Halloween Industry. Find out how Halloween has a business side that hardly anyone knows about and prepare to learn the history of haunted attractions, in this heart stopping, scream inducing documentary, called “The Haunting Truth”. We are ready to share our scary history!

(CLICK HERE TO HEAR CLIFF ALLEN TALK ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY ON ROTTING FLESH RADIO #240)

“Mixing personal and business has never worked in the past and doesn’t work in the present. In this documentary, we’ll invite our audience to experience the year round business side of a popular fun loving celebration as well as the second largest holiday, Halloween; from the concept, to the building of an attraction, to opening night and finally the tear down, “The Haunting Truth” will be revealed. Cliff Allen is the best person to bring this topic to the world because he has been behind the scenes for more than thirteen years and has seen how it has affected those in the industry.”

“This documentary will examine the lives of haunted house owners, from the time they were children and what kind of families they came from up until the present. Going over their jobs, if needed on top of the haunted attraction that they run, their relationships and interests; exploring their education and just over all getting to know what makes them tick and get into this Halloween business. “The Haunting Truth” will delve into different attractions from haunted houses, yard haunts, theme/scream parks, mazes and many more. All of these are explored with interviews, video footage and pictures.”

The Heartstoppers Haunted House

Now as a Haunter, Enthusiast, Halloween Fan or more, we know you are loving this idea, right? Well you can also pull this project forward with your own help getting involved. It will take the entire Haunt Industry to bring this project full circle for all to enjoy. Cliff Allen has said: “The funding you can help with will go to paying the experts who can take this film to the finish line. Now I’m asking for your help in becoming part creating a historical document that will be seen by many for years to come.”

If you wish to get involved, stay informed, or just cannot wait for this project to be finished and playing on your television, you can find out more at: www.TheHauntingTruth.com

“The Haunting Truth” a Documentary (Trailer) from Cliff Allen on Vimeo.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL TEASER TRAILER

American Independent Filmworks

a.i.f.’s Acting Bootcamp will teach you what film producers & directors are looking for! You’ll learn from industry pros like Dee Wallace (E.T., Cujo, The Howling and more), Kelli Maroney (Night of the Comet, Ryan’s Hope, Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Brooke Lewis (iMurders, Ms Vampy), Parrish Randall (The Quick and the Undead, Possum Walk), Anthony Brownrigg (Red Victoria) and Mel House (Psychic Experiment aka Walking Distance).

Available spaces are now on sale. The Actors Boot Camp event will be conducted JULY 9TH thru JULY 23RD in TEHUCANA, TX. (only 30 minutes from Waco, Tx./90 minutes from Dallas, Tx.) at the TRINITY INSTITUTE, the shooting location of the original “DON’T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT”.

MEALS AND HOUSING PROVIDED.

*SHUTTLE SERVICE AVAILABLE FROM THE AIRPORT UPON REQUEST FOR A SMALL ADDED FEE. If you wish to join THE ACTORS BOOT CAMP in JULY, simply email AIF at: aifilmworks @ gmail.com

Universal's Recent Reboot of THE WOLFMAN

This brings us to the next way of hollywood…remake a film, then if it doesn’t do well, reboot it. Yes, the infamous word called a “reboot” is way for hollywood to start over again shortly after the recent remake. Look at Batman, Superman, now Spiderman and others. And this is also true for the Wolfman.

Universal is looking to “reboot” the Wolfman franchise once again. Now the recent remake wasn’t horrible, they feel it can be done better yet again. So instead of following the continuing story of Mr. Talbot, they will once again be looking at a remake, reboot, re-imagining, or like we like to call it….ran out of ideas new film.

Let’s cross our fingers nad hope it may be something to prove us wrong.

Con Carolinas 2011

First off for you haunters who heard Tom Devlin on Rotting Flesh Radio, and saw him on the SyFy Channel Show “Face Off” know that one of his competitors was Conor McCullagh. Well Connor will be at the Con Carolinas as their Film/Media Special Guest. He will be talking with fans, friends and about FX and Make-Up. And the lineup continues with such names as John Billingsley, Bonita Friedericy, Carla Ulbrich, Justin Chung, Ghost Trek Cast & Crew, David H. Lawrence XVII, Addy Miller, Brinke Stevens and more.

Conor McCullagh from SyFy's Face Off

All in all, if you cannot make your way to Ohio this weekend for MHC, then you should drive on over the the Con Carolinas event and kick off summer right with your chosen Sci Fi / Horror Bang!

For more information about the Con Carolinas event visit: www.ConCarolinas.org

ABOUT CON CAROLINAS:
ConCarolinas is a general multi-genre multi-media convention. We called ourselves a sci-fi convention but in truth we cover all speculative fiction – science fiction, fantasy and horror. It hosts a variety of fandom related events and guests, including gaming, discussion panels, costume events, music events like Klingon Karaoke, charity auction, SCA events, fan groups like the 501st Stormtroopers, Starfleet, and Klingon Assault Group, and something different every year.

Ghost Trek Poster

Phoenix Fear Con 2011

“Summer Frights”
Phoenix FearCON IV Film Festival and Convention
MADCAP Theaters
730 South Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281.
Saturday,May 21st 2011 — Noon-after midnight.
Showcasing the best horror cinema from around the world

Presented by Trash City Entertainment
Tickets: $15 Advance $20 Day of Event
SPECIAL VIP TICKETS: $35.00
(VIP will include special VIP seating at all screenings, front of the line access, special laminated pass and swag)

Tickets available online at www.phxfearfilmfestival.com and
www.phoenixfearcon.com

Featuring the World Premiere of several feature length and short films, screening at our event. Cast and Crew of many of the films will be in attendance for Q&A and panel discussions

USA Premiere! “Eaters” – a zombie film, coming straight out of Italy. Directed by Marco Ristori & Luca Boni. Produced by Uwe Boll.

Other Features: True Nature dir. Patrick Steele / Skew dir. Sevé Schelenz / Shorts from around the world!

Featuring special appearances by
Scream Queen Tiffany Shepis
Special Musical Guest: VOLTAIRE
PLUS! Special Q&A Panel Discussion about Stop Motion Animation with Voltaire
performers: Fancy Pants and Tom Tuerff
AZ Rhythm Connection Tribal Drummers
Zombie Belly Dancers – Shahrinaz
Gillian Payne – SPECIAL FX Makeup Demonstrations!
Kaos Funeral Car and Cremator – Custom Hearse Exhibit
Thrill the World Zombie Dancers
Zombie Runway Fashion Show
Awesome Merchandise Vendors
Silent Auction with fabulous items donated by our merchandise vendors, Full Moon Features plus McFarlane Toys (*Auction benefits our charity KidTIX)

Best Creature or Makeup Costume Contest – $300 prize for best in show -Thanks to Instant Renters.com The largest independent Horror Film Festival in Arizona. As an independent film festival and convention, we are committed to presenting only the best in independent horror feature and short films from around the world. That fact alone has made the Phoenix FearCON Film Festival one of the most popular convention type film festivals in Arizona. We expect a record turnout this year and are hoping to be able to break records as well as introduce the horror fans to some fantastic new films not yet released.

This event is a horror film festival and convention. This is our 4th year doing this event and in May of 2011, we have grown and expanded over a busy weekend in the heart of a busy, bustling city. This street is nestled in the center of town in Tempe Arizona (Mill Avenue & University.

Get more on the event at: http://www.phoenixfearcon.com

Scott Rosenberg

The film is going to focus on a family that is having issues adjusting in a new town. In addition they hire a different kind of man in the Hauntrepreneur (much like the Kelly Allen Book for Haunters to start up their own event ), to help it. This odd individual tries to bring them all closer together by creating, building and making a Haunted House that is full of an odd cast of characters.

So far the film is been rallied as a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory type of film. (This is something I am all for!)

This is one of many ventures we will be seeing from Platinum Dunes in them moving beyond the remakes and shotty films to a full fledged original movie house. They are currently wrapping up the OUIJA movie as well. Lots of spookiness going on at the studios.

We will keep you tuned in as the film develops and us haunters truly get something to be proud of on the big screen.

For the Official Press Release Visit the Hollywood Reporter Article Here

“Independent horror films have always been a passion of mine, now I finally have a chance to share these films with others,” says Newell, coordinator of Queen City Scare Fair and founder of Meridian Grindhouse Association. This event will allow top rated films from the festival circuit to connect with a new audience in the south. “Really, it’s a theater for the people here,”
Smith says. “The theater is very important to the city of Meridian and the people, and we just need to keep as much activity as we can in the theater.” Smith believes that the QCSF will draw a whole new audience into the historic Temple Theater. The QCSF will give its guests the chance to judge new independent Horror Films and award the first ever “Queen City Townie” award.

The Queen City Scare Fair will open it‘s doors at 7 pm on the 22nd and 10 am on the 23rd.

For more information on the event, vendors and more visit: www.TempleTheaterMeridian.com. You can also friend them on Facebook at: Facebook.com/Meridian Grindhouse

ABOUT THE TEMPLE THEATER MERIDIAN:
By the early 1920s, the Meridian membership of the Hamasa Shrine had outgrown their building and wanted a larger facility that would not only accommodate their needs for the various meetings and ceremonies they conducted – but also as a multi-purpose facility to serve the community. Architect Emile Weil was engaged to design the building – as he was already well known for his grand designs. Mr. Weil delivered a plan that met the Shrine’s expectations – and perhaps even more. Construction began in 1923 – with the Grand Ballroom being completed in November 1924. The Shrine moved in and conducted it’s meetings and ceremonies there while the rest of the building was being completed. The building today is much the same as originally built -exterior in Moorish Revival style with the interior featuring Byzantine motif decorations with exceptional attention to details. Being built on a corner allowed each part of the building to enjoy it’s own street access – the theater facing onto 8th Street; while the ballroom is accessible from 24th Avenue. The theater’s construction was completed some months later – taking it’s place as a truly grand facility that rivaled any in the nation – In fact when completed in 1928 – the Temple’s stage was second in size only to the Roxy Theater in New York. However – for the first few months after completion – the only entertainment available were the occasional traveling show and wrestling matches.

In 1927 the Hamasa Shrine struck a deal with the Saenger Theater chain that would begin the process of allowing the Temple to fulfill it’s potential. Signing a lease/management contract made the Saenger brothers of New Orleans responsible for bringing movies and other entertainment to the Temple Theater for the next 40 years. As part of their “upgrades” made to the theater, a 3 manual 8 rank Robert Morton Theater Pipe Organ was installed to accompany the silent movies of the time. Even though the silent era didn’t last much longer, the organ continued to provide a lot of entertainment. During the next 40+ years thousands of movies and hundreds of famous (and not so famous) entertainers would grace the Temple with some of the finest entertainment available anywhere in the world.

In 1973 the Hamasa Shrine undertook a general restoration project which ranged from repairing damaged plaster, cleaning and painting, reupholstering the seats and replacing the carpets. Since then and until recently – the Temple Theater has seen only limited use, and only nominal maintenance – and the building was put up for sale.

In February 2009, a deal was struck between the Shriners and a semi-retired business man from Dallas. Roger Smith stepped forward – and has purchased the entire facility – Theater and Ballroom – and has committed to not only bringing the Temple back to it’s former splendor, but to create and present a rich and full calendar of events and entertainment.

Hola Film Fiends and Deadites!

Yes, it’s that time again for chips/salsa, tacos, corona’s, Martguerita’s and Mexican Horror! Mexico has a distinctive flair for some very classy horror movies and in honor of that, and in honor of Cinco de Mayo, here is my homage to that genre.

For my Old Mexican Horror Film, I present: The Curse of the Crying Woman



For my New film, I present: Kilometer 31

For my Blue Film, I present: Santo vs Las Mujeres Vampiro

Well Film fiends and Deadites enjoy your CdM and have a dirt siesta.

This is Jigsaw Jim and I am outta here!

OFFICIAL RELEASE:Horror Realm, Pittsburgh’s modern horror convention, teams up with the Oaks Theater to present a program highlighting independent horror films on March 13, 2010 beginning at 10 PM.

The program begins with trailers for upcoming independent horror productions, followed by a screening of Welcome to Deer Creek, winner of the 2009 Horror Realm Feature Film Competition. The film was written and directed by Jim Roberts, a Kent State University student from Brecksville, Ohio. Welcome to Deer Creek tells the story of a small town’s populace turning into crazed killers during the annual corn celebration. Bastards of Horror declares Welcome to Deer Creek “the independent equal of Peter Jackson’s Dead Alive”.

A question and answer session with Roberts as well as fellow filmmaker Rick “of the Dead” Fusselman of DSK Productions follows. The final offering of the evening will be Holy Sh*t…Zombies!, a horror comedy that Fusselman concedes is “as un-PC as possible” and will “insult every demographic possible”. The film follows two slackers as they fight off zombies and is an indirect sequel of DSK’s 2005 film, Toxic Shock Zombies. Gross Movie Reviews raves “it is unlike any zombie film you have ever seen”.

Tickets for the program can be purchased at the door the night of the event for $5. Each paid admission will be eligible for a prize drawing for a pair of weekend passes to the Horror Realm Convention in September 2010.

Details on the convention can be found at: www.HorrorRealmCon.com. NOTE: While the films are unrated, due to the content, violence, blood and gore, it is recommended for adult audiences only (age 18 and up). The Oaks Theater is a gloriously refurbished, 430-seat single screen movie house located at 310 Allegheny River Boulevard in Oakmont, PA. For questions about the venue, please call (412) 828-6311 or visit the theater’s web site at www.TheOaksTheater.com.