Is the horror community in trouble?

A Very hearty and warm welcome BACK (from the demented ashes) that was once this glorious little neck of the interwebs known as Distorted Memories. I've clearly missed the hell out of you fiends, it's been an extremely rough seven (SEVEN-HOLY SHIT MAN!) years since we last touched base, but i'll keep my pre pandemic family health emergieces, moves, and close calls to myself for now, and i truly hope that all of you are doing well in this new crazy world we live in - absoutlety no poliictical commentary here. So now that the boring re-introduction is out of the way, lets start by disscuing the plague from hell, and NO my friends i'm not talkin' about the 'rona, what i'm talking about is far, far more frightening and worse than a twenty-five cent taco on taco tuesdays, it's(are you ready?...). Hollywood's inane ability to create new magice, new ideas, and they keep remaking, reimaginging the classics and absoutely taking a major dump on our beloved monsters from yester year, unless that is you liked the remake of IT, Pet Semetery, Godzilla Vs King Kong, Cabin Fever, Jacob's Ladder, to name but a few. Some are obviously good, a few are even great, but the majority are tailiored towards the younger generation who have very little to no knoweglegde of the original film\source material, and that my friends is tragic, we as the edler statesmen have to teach our younger horror fans that these films exsited decades before, were based on comics, short-stories,books, legends, and aren't merely Social Media era flash in the pan films to forget about next week.

Author Dutin LaValley's perosonal journey with CROHN'S DISEASE **PLEASE DONATE TO HIS MEDICAL EXPENSES, LINK IS AT THE END OF THE POST**

   Dustin LaValley is the author of several books within dark fiction, and writer of several films, short and feature. Though his work may fall into dark fiction, many are at home in action, erotica, thriller, and cross-genre. His collection of micro-short stories, Odds and Ends: An Assortment of Sorts is now free on Amazon, where it spent 13 months in the Top 100. His latest novel, Swallowed: A Hypersexual Romance, is available from Blushing Books and has been called "Down n’ dirty heavy metal erotica." by Decibel Magazine. More recently, Kirkus Reviews called his work a "Gritty gem." His latest film, Human Wreckage, a post-apocalyptic survival tale is currently making the rounds of the film festival circuit. Two others, a short, dark drama and a feature thriller are in pre-production at this moment. He and his work have been featured in/on PBS, Yahoo News, 3AM Magazine, Rue Morgue, Fangoria, NPR, Dallas Morning News, Corsicana Daily Sun, Decibel Magazine, Horror News and Dread Central among other outlets.
        Dustin is currently on bed-rest due to a severe and life-threatening intestinal disease, Crohn's Disease. His latest upper and lower GI series showed Crohn's has taken over his GI tract, from throat to J-Pouch. (He had his colon and rectum removed in 2005 due to Ulcerative Colitis and pre-cancer, his "fake" rectum is made of small intestine, called a J-Pouch, for its shape.) After losing part of his health care last year, his medical bills are piling up, and he's found himself in collections. 
       With ER visits twice monthly, doctor's visits (General Practitioner, Gastro-Intestinal), and several tests and medications, he's been unable to keep up with both monthly bills (phone, car, rent, etc.) and medical. This has also limited his treatment options. Having to forgo tests, medications, and treatments that aren't covered and not within financial reach. Such as a radiation-free MRI and a pill-camera ($1,200 plus the $100 salt tablet pre-test). With a bill of over $500 from his GP alone for the month of August, and several thousand for his GI, he and his family have reached out to friends, readers, and strangers for donations to see that he gets the proper treatment, that his disease does not spread further than it already has and that his health does not decline further.
       Being on a 24/7 hemorrhage watch, he must be monitored at all times, checked up on during sleep, and visit the ER if any stool is dark black, which indicates blood. (The lighter the stool, the less blood.) Per request of his GI doctor, he was recently denied a hospital stay to be fed though an IV, a two-week treatment to help the GI tract mend. As the treatments and tests further, so do the bill(s). He and his family are reaching out to anyone who can donate to his fundraiser, to help with paying off medical bills and other direct issues associated with his health. Please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/dustinsibd to read me and to donate. Any amount, small or large, is appreciated, as is sharing the link.

Click here to support Urgent - Help Dusty Beat IBD! by Dustin Lavalley

www.gofundme.com

The Birth Of A Horror fiend.

  

  As a writer (or for that matter, anyone affiliated with the world of horror) they will at some point no doubt get asked "when did you become a horror fan, what book, film, tv show, event spawned that creature in the night".    I'm writing this to tell you my story.   I remember being a young kid in Waltham, Massachusetts (if you've ever been there, you'll know it's a place between shithole and hell), but what they did have going for it besides the ample gangs was a huge public library. I ate up every title i could find of the Goosebump Series by R.L. Stine, but i needed more, i wanted more, so i politely asked the  librarian whom i should set my peepers on next. She smiled and pointed me in the short story collection part of the library, i lumbered over and started flipping through stacks of classic Authors, King, Bradbury, Poe, Lovecraft, the list goes on.
           That's when i hit pay dirt,  holy shit a creepy looking baby on the cover of this book, with a name i was vaguely familiar with at the time (hey i was only 11 years old people). The title of my next written adventure was: the small assassin by Ray Bradbury.  I thanked the librarian, who i swear had an evil grin on her face.  I rode my bike home as fast as i could and wondered what strange tale awaited me. Finally reaching home i put my bike away and take off for my room with my new prize in hand. I open the book and the aroma of a decades old book hits my nostrils, i inhale deeply that "old book" smell and begin to read.  
        Years later when I was in High School, we had a Ray Bradbury appreciation week  for his birthday and what was one of the many stories that we read that week? Of course The Small Assassin, it still captivated me all those years later and it still does to this very day. Bradbury had a way with not only words, but with emotions, he made you scared stiff, he made you look under your bed for something you damn well knew wasn't there. I remember my English teacher giving us an assignment on this short story, she wanted us to write an alternative ending and explain how we came to that conclusion and why?
       I had no problems writing a new ending to this story, but i felt odd i must say. I was treading on a horror (and Sci-Fi) icons work with my high school drivel?  How dare I, is all i can hear Bradbury say as I write out my version of his published work.  So i finish my three page ending to his story and hand it in with much reluctance, it's like a kid getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar.   Well to my amazement my teacher loved it, so much so she actually entered it in a contest for me on writing. I won, i am proud of that and I know Ray would be, but i'm still looking under my bed for that monster thats sure to grab me.....
        

Giving other writers advice on their work

 I once in a while get asked by friends and strangers alike to read their scripts and short stories. As a writer, I'm of course used to picking up mistakes no matter how major or minor, and inconsistencies. But that inlays the problem, do you as a writer be brutally honest with your friend(s) and these strangers? My simple anwser is yes, you should never sugar coat another persons work if they are asking for criticism. You should be tackful by delivering such news, I'll give you an example: "hey Jeff, I know you have the serial killer hiding the closet and he changed clothes in there. But you have it pouring out, in fact your victims car gets stuck at one point, don't you think the killer would've been dragging mud all through the house?" See, nice and not offensive plus you give them an idea to use what you suggested.

     If you get asked by people and agree to read their work, you don't want to be labeled a prick, so take the high road. Give them the dead honest truth, but always explain it in detail why it doesn't fit/make sense, remember this work is their baby and they're very protective of it as we are of our own work. 

      If they ask you to correct it or edit, at that point you should have a written contact drawn up so it clearly states you worked on that project. Of course there are numerous times where you'll do stuff for free because it's a close friend, ect. In closing if a fellow writer comes to you asking for help and you have the time, please by all means help them. But never lead a writer astray by leaving them in limbo by never looking at their work, that's bad for business. 

My Interview With Cyndi Crotts

You like Pin-ups? Horror movies and female directors? Goooooood, let's talk shop with Cyndi Crotts then.

Chris: Cyndi, First can you please tell us where your from?

Cyndi: Well I was born in SC but I grew up traveling around the US with my parents. from age 7 till about age 16 I was always going from state to state...my parents work was the reason we moved so very much. I'd say I have lived in over 13 states and at least traveled through about all of them...lol

Chris:  You seem to do a little bit of everything, directing, producing, acting, modeling- what do you get the most joy out of?  

Cyndi: I get the most joy from acting. That is my number one passion out of everything. I love playing different characters and trying new things with them. It's like getting to play dress up all the time...lol...Acting is the most fun.

Chris: Being a women director in a mostly male dominated field, do you feel you have an edge with telling your story from a different perspective? 

Cyndi: Well from what I have heard, they say some of the best filmmakers are women. I would say it all depends on the type of film you do...which I feel that is what really makes a person stand out from the crowd. Being as majority of filmmakers are male, I'm sure being a female director, people tend to pay more attention to the film she has done and critique it more than they would any others...just because.

Chris: Now you own your own productions company, can you tell me about that?

Cyndi: Yes I started my own production company called Traveling Brat Productions, LLC I started it mainly because of my 2 web shows that I'm going to be doing. Then of course my film came along that I wrote and so that will be produced under my company as well. It's still fairly new right now but will still just be a small company. Unless something major comes about it, it will mainly be used to produce my 2 web shows that I will start up in 2013.

Chris:  You were in a film "Brainjacked" that to me was very entertaining, care to share any cast stories?

Cyndi: LOL....Mainly mine are funny to me....lol...This was my first role that I had to play a drugged up mother being sexually used as a play thing by her husband and his friends, so to speak. It was very intense for me and I was really nervous at first. Once I got to know everyone and the actors I was in the scene with, I became more comfortable. Funny though how during the scene’s I blocked out what was really going on at those particular moments and the only words I heard was Action and Cut…LOL

This was a great film to be a part of and I'm glad I took the opportunity when I did.  Andy Lalino & Andrew Allen wrote and produced this film and Andrew was also the director. These two were such great guys to work with. They were very professional and easy going and I would be honored to work with them again on another one of their films. What an awesome duo they are. 

Chris: You've been recognized as a Woman In Horror from the Women In Horror community, does that make you proud?  

Cyndi: Yes, it does. I feel really good inside and I can say I am now really a part of something special. Being part of this organization and a team player with others who share a lot in the film community is a real honor to me. I am so looking forward to getting started more into this organization. I'm still new to the team but they have made me feel so much a part of things already.

Chris: What is your favorite horror convention to go to? 

Cyndi:  Well so far it would have to be Spooky Empire in Orlando, FL and Days of the Dead in Indianapolis, IN. Honestly these are the only 2 conventions I have had the pleasure of attending so far. Eventually I'll be getting out to more of the convention circuit once a couple of the films I'm in start hitting the festivals. It takes time for these things to happen but once it does, it will be crazy for sure...lol

Chris: Where do we see Cyndi 5 years from now?  

Cyndi: Still in the acting business but with more films in the festivals and you will see more of me traveling around the convention circuit. Plus there is also Viscera and Women In Horror Month organizations that I am involved with now and by that time, I should really be getting things going an working more in with these organizations. So there's lots to go in 5 years. It's all really just started this year for me so you got me at the right time for this question :-)

Chris: Do you have any plugs you'd like to make?

Cyndi: Always.....

I would like for everyone to go over and LIKE the facebook page for the new upcoming horror film that I am in "CREEPY CRAWLY". It will make it's world premiere at the Freak Show Horror Film Festival during the Spooky Empire Horror Convention held at The Hilton Orlando, in Orlando, FL. on October 27th 2012. This is a film by Jason Daly & Robert J. Massetti. Jason is the Writer & Director of the 6 time award winning film "Beware" you can check out the website for it here here http://www.bewarethemovie.com Robert is best known for his films Phobias, Realms of Blood and the Fear Girls video series. Here is his website, http://www.fearnet.com/home.htm

Here is the facebook fanpage for CREEPY CRAWLY - http://www.facebook.com/creepycrawlymovie

Also go check out the facebook fanpage for my film "Hells Little Angels" and LIKE the page when you visit. This is my very first film that I wrote and will be directing and acting in as well. My company Traveling Brat Productions will be producing the grindhouse horror feature film. We just finished up our teaser trailer for our film and we haver it posted up on our facebook fanpage as well.  We still have a little ways to go before we are fully funded but we are pushing to shoot sometime in early 2013. Here are some links for everyone to check out on the film.

Facebook fanpage fro HLA - http://www.facebook.com/HellsLittleAngels?ref=ts

Here is the teaser trailer for my film on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTYUtPWDGG8&feature=share

I'm also cast in a brand new comic book series that is coming out Sept 2012 called "The Vengeance of Sleepy Hollow" The issue #1 will also be available this month as well for people to purchase. I have a cameo appearance in this very first issue but you will see more of me in this series in future issue to come of this series. This comic is designed, written and produced by Bobby Ray Akers Jr of Dead of Night Entertainment & Dennis Willman of Iron Dead Studio's.

Here is the facebook fanpage for the comic book http://www.facebook.com/SleepyHollow2012
Here is the link for those who would like to purchase the issue #1 Origins - http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7585

Then there is my blog site called CYNDILAND. Come be a fan and LIKE my blog to keep up to date with all my new and up coming projects. Also be sure to check out some of the  other indie projects that I post up as well of others that are in the business. I like to help other indie artist out as well by posting up their projects from time to time. Which you can catch all those on Friday - Sunday!!! So come be a fan and hit the LIKE button when you visit my blog. CYNDILAND.....GET ADDICTED!!! All Things Independent. "Helping to spread the word, one indie artist at a time" Here is the link to that - http://cyndicrotts.blogspot.com/

 

News: Film Fest & script related

First off our script (Irenia Guajardo and Myself) is in consideration for ShriekFest Film Festival, we'll know next if we are accepted or not (that's how this process works, and it's granted a long one but can be a very rewarding one). Anyway next week is when hopefully i get to post we have positive news from the Film Fest.

    On the script writing front, i just completed my rough draft of "Hurtful Deeds" a short script that's a little sick bastard of a script.   That being said i can't wait to dig into it and edit it, but that'll be in a week or so as i give it time to "fester" (let the mistakes show themselves and bring new ideas to it).  In the meantime i have a short story i'm busy editing to hopefully have finished soon so all of you can read it.   I need to take a moment and thank Irenia Guajardo for helping through my dark days with this cancer i've been diagnosed with; without her pushing me back into the light of writing i don't know where i'd be right now- so thanks!      **stay tuned for news on my script, the short story and the Film Festival this week** 

My interview with Rue-Morgue Writer/contributor (John Bowen)

 Let's chat with the king of cheese cinema shall we :)    Mr. John Bowen.  

Chris:John, Please tell my readers where you are from?

John: I was born in Dallas but raised in Kingston, Ontario, a mid-sized town about halfway between Toronto and Montreal. I moved to Toronto in 1990 but for the past few years I've been dividing my time between there and Kingston.

Chris: Who inspired you to become a writer?

John: I can't think of any specific writer who set me on this course, even though there are plenty I like. If I were to credit anyone, it would probably be several psychologists and therapists who helped me through a learning disability I had as a kid. Without them, I probably wouldn't be doing this at all.

Chris: How did you get the job at the prestigious Rue Morgue Magazine?

John: The mag had been in existence for about a year and a half when I first picked up a copy and noticed it was based in Toronto. I basically just cold-called Rodrigo Gudino, who was running it with just a few other people back then. He asked me to send in a sample review, so I did one on Phantasm: OblIVion which was still relatively new at the time. He liked it and I went to meet with him and we hit it off immediately. Among other things, we discovered that my favourite AC/DC song - What's Next to the Moon - was also his, so maybe that's what clinched it. Anyway, that was spring of 1999 and I've been in every issue since.

Chris: You took over the column Chris Alexander used to do, how did it feel filling his shoes?

John: That all happened so suddenly that I really didn't have time to think about it in those terms until after it was underway. He was certainly very popular with readers, but the initial response to my column was generally positive, so I wouldn't say I was intimidated by the prospect. What really amazed me was the number of people who thought it was the result of a serious rivalry between us, because of all the swipes we used to take at each other in print. The truth is, we did that strictly for fun and the editors urged us not only to keep it up but actually get steadily more vicious, which is why it went from arguments over Jess Franco to speculations about penis size. Truth is, we were friends and also fans of each other's work. Still are, I guess, although I haven't seen him in ages.

Chris: You aim to review not only obscure films but sometimes out right terrible ones, is cheese cinema in your blood?

John: Horror cinema in general is in my blood, which is why I love indisputable classics like The Exorcist, slightly flawed gems like Phantasm, well-executed trash like Humanoids From the Deep and really entertainingly bad stuff like Invasion of the Blood Farmers. Of course, it's generally that last category that winds up in my column a lot of the time, because so many cheesy anti-classics are still largely undiscovered. But mainly I'm just interested in covering things I think are overlooked, no matter what the reason is.

Chris:What was the worst film your eyes ever barred witness to?

John: I guess that's down to what you mean by "worst." There's a slasher film called Axe 'Em that Last Chance Lance reviewed in his column a few years ago which manages to fall into the netherworld between entertainingly bad and downright unwatchable because it's so fucking incompetent. The Swarm is still probably the most entertainingly awful big-budget film I've ever seen - definitely one of a kind.

Chris:On your Facebook profile it states you're a musician care to elaborate A little?

John: I've been playing guitar in bands quite a bit longer than I've been writing, which is why I'm so stinkin' rich. For the last 19 years I've been with the Pariahs, Toronto's loudest, dumbest band. Three full-length albums and an EP. We mainly just play locally and occasionally elsewhere in southern Ontario, although we've also toured the UK a couple of times. Over the years we've gigged with the Ramones, the Deftones (a few years before anyone heard of them), Therapy?, the Headstones, the Guess Who and loads more.

Chris:What are your thoughts on the current 3D craze?

John: It has it's place but only when done properly. It's already on its way out, and I'll be glad when it's over.

Chris: Does John Bowen survive the zombie Apocalypse?

John: HAH! Only if I have the good fortune to pass out in a safe place. Otherwise I probably wouldn't even wake up until I was half eaten.

Chris: Do you have any plugs you'd like to make?

John: Independent video stores everywhere - God bless 'em.