My Interview With Writer Jason Hughes.

Let's talk music, Gore, and Books with my friend Jason Hughes.  ** Jason i'd just like to say my condolences to you, and to remind you that your friend is in a better place and you can always shoot me a text- sorry for your loss**

Chris: Jason, first please tell us where you're from?

Jason: I grew up in Texas. I've lived there most of my life there. I went to college at the Tom Savini Special Effects Program in Pennsylvania, where I graduated in 2004.

Chris: You started out as a drummer in local death metal bands, how did you transition to becoming a writer?

Jason: I've always been into writing, since as long as I can remember. I've been into Horror literally since I was born. I started writing short stories based on films in around the fourth grade. When I was in Jr. High, I had written a short story called Nightcrawlers, about some grave robbing kids in Florida. My Teacher liked it and wanted to publish it in the local paper, but wanted me to censor it. I refused and it went unpublished. I revised it today as a comic book series for adults.

I was first published in 1995, and played drums then as well. Music, Horror and Special Effects have been a passion for as long as I can remember. With this being said, (mostly dark toned) Metal, Horror movies and True Crime/ Horror novels are all active influences on my writing.

Chris: For any interested fans out there, can they find any recordings of you playing the drums or for those bands?

Jason: Haha, possibly. They are rare, but they are out there. I was in three bands in the nineties and early 2000's. The first was called Unborn Death. Unborn Death does not have any recordings available. The second band was called Necrofetus. We had one cheaply recorded demo made, but I doubt anyone can find it. Stripped of Skin was a regurgitated birth of Necrofetus. We have three demos out if one is lucky enough to find them, ha. Two are on cassette and one is one CD.

Necrofetus had a pretty big following and was the premiere Death Metal band in the town where I'm from. Stripped of Skin had an immediate following because of Necrofetus' reputation. Necrofetus played local shows, while Stripped of Skin went on to open for national acts such as Goatwhore, Skinless, Cephalic Carnage, Prophecy, TON and Disgorge among others.

Chris: Now you're a very strong supporting of the West Memphis 3, what are your thoughts on their overturned cases?

Jason: Yes. I have supported The West Memphis Three since 1996, when Paradise Lost aired on HBO. I also add the case to my stories to get the word out, and add a sense of realism with current events to my works of Fiction. I have been very active in getting the word out through media and printing the official t-shirts for Rock For Freedom Weekend 2008, and donation shirts for the defense fund.

Technically, their cases have not been overturned. They were released under a deal called The Alford Plea. This fucked-up deal with the State of Arkansas granted them the ability to walk free with time served, while pleading that they are innocent of the crime, but with the knowledge that the state sees them as guilty. They are not able to sue the state under this bargain. Jason [Baldwin] did not want to take the deal at first, but did it to save Damien's life.

I am glad that they are free, but they need to be exonerated as well. They did not commit the murders in which they have been accused of, and the guilty is still walking free. I encourage everyone to watch the documentary series, Paradise Lost (I: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills, II:Revelations (even though it is a slight detour in the case, due to the new findings) and III: Purgatory. There are several books on the case available as well with more on the way (Devil's Knot by Mara Leveritt, being the most informative), with another documentary called West of Memphis and two Hollywood produced films that are in production (one which is based on the above mentioned novel, Devil's Knot). EXONERATE THE WEST MEMPHIS THREE

For more info on the case, go to www.wm3.org

Chris: You are also a big supporter of controversial director Nick Palumbo and his seminal film Murder-Set-Pieces, do you feel that gore like that is acceptable by today's standards?

Jason: Ha, who cares if it's acceptable? It is to the fans, and that's who most Writers and Directors work for in the long run. As with Musicians, without fans, they would not have a job. I think Nick pushes the boundaries beyond most other filmmakers out there today. Personally, I don't think it's the gore of M-S-P that gets to people. There are many aspects of the film to shock one's senses. Gore is the least on the list, and only a fair amount is used in the film.

Chris: What is you favorite horror film of all time?

Jason: I have a few for different reasons; The Amityville Horror (1979) is one, because along with The Town That Dreaded Sundown, it made me the Horror fan/ Writer I am today. The original Last House on the Left, (the original) I Spit on Your Grave, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Exorcist have been favorites of mine growing up (each have their own catagory)... and today, Murder-Set-Pieces (the banned in the U.S. and beyond, uncut version, of course) is my current favorite. Each play their own little influential mile stone of their time.

Chris: Now you have an array of books and short stories out, if one were to start reading Jason Hughes what one do you suggest?

Jason: My novel, WITHOUT NOTICE, is available now at Barnes&Noble and Amazon.com. It is aimed at an adult audience. I also have a bestselling short story called Someone Still Lives Here. Unlike the novel, this short story is suitable for the entire family. I can't tell everyone what to start with, but they may choose from most of my released material at my Amazon store here:

http://www.amazon.com/Jason-Hughes/e/B0087FG4SM/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_nu_Il3Xpb0C6ED94

Chris: You have a new novel coming out, care to shed some light on it?

Jason: I'll spread some darkness about it, ha... It's called THE 13th TOLL of TWELVE DARK CHIMES. It will be released in two parts by Trestle Press. Part II is called Terminal Intrusion. It is a violent Paranormal story with elements of family Drama, voyeurism and True Crime.

Chris: You true story behind the AmityVille Murders screenplay was optioned, whatever came of that?

Jason: Yes, it's called 112 OCEAN AVENUE. It was optioned in 2007 by a hack company called Riwayat Films, and their hack owner, named Brian Coposky. It has had interest by a lot of other companies as well since then. Right now, it is in the hands of a major studio that is working on two other True Crime films by my second favorite Author (first favorite True Crime Writer). I will let the public know when I find out more from the company, but I am very excited about its current occupant.

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

Jason: Watch out for THE 13th TOLL of TWELVE DARK CHIMES and THE 13th TOLLof TWELVE DARK CHIMES II: TERMINAL INTRUSION...

COMING SOON by TRESTLE PRESS

I also have several new short stories that will be out in different anthologies and some other films that are in pre-production. I am writing a collaborative novel with Simon Critchell called 21:24. Look for that next year sometime. Visit my Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JasonHugheshorrorauthor or my Amazon link above for more info.

WITHOUT NOTICE

http://www.amazon.com/Without-Notice-ebook/dp/B0071EY17Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1333759176&sr=1-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/without-notice-jason-hughes/1109212023

$4.99

CHEAP!

“5 STARS”

*****

"The story is worth the read, trust me."
-Stephen W. Roberts, Author, Editor/ The Dark Fiction Spotlight


"WITHOUT NOTICE is a truly great read and a book that you won't want to put down!"
-House of Horror Magazine


"Jason Hughes [WITHOUT NOTICE] took me for a whirlwind of shock, horror and mystery. I often wondered what would happen next to Amanda and actually started to feel sorry for the woman....
Don't be distracted when reading this book or you will miss what good writing is."
-Terry Morgan, Sonar 4 Landing Dock Reviews


"WITHOUT NOTICE takes the reader on a journey of intrigue and eclectic terror. Jason Hughes stitches together a bloody flesh mask of horror as we follow the life of forlorn lover Amanda. After Amanda realizes her fiance has been unfaithful she moves into Graystone Castle Apartments where she meets a handful of interestingly devious characters. While Amanda circles the alcohol, drug induced; proverbial drain, tenants are being killed off. One by one they are picked off in horrific ways. The tenants grow leery of each other, suspicious of the person down the hall. The intensity builds to an exciting conclusion that leaves the reader gasping for air.


Hughes pros are almost poetic in style, reminiscent of some of the great's with a modern twist. His descriptions of terror are vivid as if you were watching them on the big screen. He makes you feel uncomfortable in that you are sucked into the emotions of his protagonists very being. You feel for her, but want to reach into the book and slap her at the same time.


Overall, this book is a great read for adults. I wouldn't recommend this for anyone under the age of 18 as there are some gratuitous sex scenes and graphic violence. But for those of us that thrive on these things, I think you will get a gut wrenching kick out of WITHOUT NOTICE."

-Nate D. Burleigh, Author of Sustenance

The best book I have read this YEAR~!

"WITHOUT NOTICE" by Jason Hughes is by FAR the best book I have read this year. The action and suspense continue to build with each page, and just when you least expect it, something ELSE happens~! He had me at the first three words of the book. I can't wait to read more of Jason's work. I have found a new HORROR author that I am in love with~!!

“… The story really caught my attention from the beginning and held it through to the end. That's why I am giving this five stars, because it is a great tale and suspenseful with a poetic grit to it. Had me from the beginning until the absolutely horrific surprise ending. Great job for this author and I expect we shall see more from him in the future."

SOMEONE STILL LIVES HERE

http://www.amazon.com/Someone-Still-Lives-Here-ebook/dp/B007KFTFEA/ref=zg_bsnr_155751011_16

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/someone-still-lives-here-jason-hughes/1109708144?ean=2940014266055

*****5 STARS*****

“Jason Hughes hits a line drive right into your heart with this creepy tale. His pros accurately reflect the love of parents for their Autistic child as the story unfolds into a chilling tale of angst whilst the parents frantically try and figure out what else could be wrong with their son. The conclusion doesn't jump out at you, more than confirm your suspicions. I recommend this tale to anyone who wants a good wholesome chiller for the entire family to enjoy.”

-Nate D. Burleigh
Author of Sustenance

*****5 STARS*****

"I just finished reading Someone Still Lives Here this morning. I definitely recommend this book for all ages. I plan on reading the story again with my nephew. Jason Hughes did an awesome job with this spooky and creepy but yet heartwarming story. Billy is a little autistic child whose parents feel like he is slipping farther away from them,but what is causing such a tremendous change in Billy? I encourage you to read the story to find out. I will definitely be checking out more of Jason Hughes' work."

$.99

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My Interview With Shriekfest Founder: Denise Gossett

My interview with horror's leading lady: Denise Gossett. 

Chris: Denise, please tell my readers where your from? 

Denise: Originally born in North Carolina, then Wisconsin, then Illinois, then Florida, then CA.

Chris: You're the creator of shriekfest horror & sci-fi film festival, what sense of accomplishment does that give you? 

Denise: I think it's a bigger deal than I know...to me it's just a little festival that I run...hee hee, sometimes it's hard to comprehend that we get submissions from every country out there!  And it amazes me when I travel how many people know the festival.

Chris: Can you tell us on average how many entries you get and how the selection process works? 

Denise: Well, we stopped counting years ago, but my guess would be 300 plus per major category. Every year I have around 40 judges who help narrow it down and then I have finalist judges who help pick the finalists and the winners.  We have voter sheets that break every category down...it's a pretty lengthy process.  I take a peek at everything to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Chris: Your first film was a indie horror movie, but you're last film was a major Hollywood production starring Mel Gibson, can you tell us the difference between shooting an indie film compared to a major Hollywood production? 

Denise: Well, obviously the budget, which changes how you are treated, how many takes you can have, your dressing rooms, your pay, the food you eat, the places you stay, wardrobe, makeup, etc.  Other than that, making a movie is basically the same...the bigger budgets just have more toys, more crew, better production value in general. 

Chris: Speaking of Get The Gringo, how was it to work with Mel Gibson? 

Denise:Amazing, he is an extremely talented person.  Very giving as an actor, always coming up with ways to make the scenes bigger/longer.  I really thought it was great how he made everyone very comfortable.  The same can be said for Bob Gunton, Peter Stormare, and Scott Cohen too...all top notch professionals.  I had a wonderful time working with all of these fine actors!

Chris: What are your thoughts on the current horror climate in Hollywood? 

Denise: Well, there are way too many remakes and way too many of the same kinds of movies coming out.  It's really sad...I feel like I see better films coming into Shriekfest than the studios are releasing.  The studios should really just stop making them and hunt down some of these glorious indie films and release them!  There is so much undiscovered talent out there!

Chris: Who would star as you in a movie about your life?

Denise:  hmmm....good question.  Perhaps my daughter if she is in to acting when she's older.  :)  I pray she doesn't catch that bug.

Chris: What are your thoughts on the revival of 3D in movies? 

Denise: I think it can be great, but I also feel like it is a fad, the current hot thing, but will fade out soon.  It has in the past.   The past always repeats itself.

Chris: Where do we see Denise Gossett in 5 years? 

Denise: Aw, if only I had a crystal ball.  But seriously,

 I will be starring in studio movies and tv shows and loving every minute of it.  I really am alive when I am on a set.    I will work when I want to work and travel and enjoy my family the rest of the time.   If Shriekfest is still going I won't be the one running it, possibly overlooking it, but it's a lot of work and I will soon want to retire from that aspect.  I hope it will be huge and I will have found the perfect person/people to carry forth what I have accomplished with it thus far. 

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

Denise: Always....:)  thanks.  Shriekfest is Oct 4-7 this year...come on down, I'd love to meet you!  Of course, my Mel Gibson movie "Get the Gringo" will be out on DVD/Blu Ray July 17th, so, check that out please.  I will be starring in The Cellar Door 2 in the near future and am currently taking meetings for other future projects. 

Find me on facebook,, twitter, I love to stay in touch and meet new people.  www.denisegossett.com  and www.shriekfest.com

Thank you so much Chris, this was wonderful chatting with you!

My Interview With Fangoria (Editor In Chief) Chris Alexander

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

Chris Alexander: I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. And with the help of technology, I edit FANGORIA - as well as dabble in other media - from my office just outside the city limits.... 

Chris: Chris A., Who inspired you to become a writer? 

Chris Alexander: A desire to communicate. To me, music, film, writing...it's all the same, it's all music...it's all rhythm. It's all creating a world that invites, entertains, provokes. I always knew I could write since I was a little boy. And when I started getting rewarded for my work - gold star from teacher - that was it. By reading, by watching other people read, actor's act, listening, observing and grafting onto writer's I liked, I found a style that imitates my speech patterns. That style owes as much to beat poetry as it does the late Chas. Balun. That's important - find your style, don't repeat words, learn NEW words, always expand your vocabulary, always try to get BETTER.... 

Chris: You've worked for the two biggest names in horror publication, how do they differ in content and marketing styles?  

 Chris Alexander: RUE MORGUE gave me my first taste of having a following for my thoughts and writing. The company itself was on the upswing, growing rapidly and knocking down its competition when I was there. It felt like you were part of something but by the same token, it was like a club. FANGO is old blood and by the time I got there, it was in need of a fresh coat of paint, which I have tried to do by making the horror mag that I'd like to read. Comparing the two from my point of view...there is none. At RM I was just a writer. At FANGO I have creative control....obviously the latter wins for me!

Chris: As an avid reader of your former column in Rue Morgue, are there plans of ever bringing it back to a larger audience in Fangoria?  

Chris Alexander: I like to think that the little column in RM - Schizoid Cinephile - has been expanded to the point that its all over FANGORIA....every page of the mag is personal to me and that was the point of the column, to defend and get people excited about cinema that meant something to me, to others. To find interesting angles in common stories, always defy expectations.  Plus, I write SO much of the mag now....it feels like a refined version of that column, which i cannot ever read today because it feels so sloppy and immature!

Chris: You composed the Music for Rodrigo  Gudiño's series of short films would you like to talk about that experience? 

Chris Alexander: Negative. Rod bought one of my pieces 'ORGAN GRINDER' for his short film THE DEMONOLOGY OF DESIRE. I liked the film and I thought my track worked well. 

Chris: You also have an album coming out through an independent music company correct?  

Chris Alexander: Already out from 2M1 records...it's called MUSIC FOR MURDER and it's a collection of some of my favorite pieces of music that I've been quietly making over the last decade.  

Chris:  What through your mind when Tony Timpone gave you the reigns at Fangoria? 

Chris Alexander: The reigns were handed over to me from publisher Tom DeFeo and then VP Scott Licina but it was with Tony's blessing. Tony is a hero to horror, a guy who kept a mag chugging along against the odds for years. A legend. I still defer to Tony in many cases. He's a total pro. What went through my mind was HOLEEEEEE FUCKING SHIIIIIIIIT! No really. I mean, I still don't believe that this is my job....it still hasn't quite hit me. FANGORIA is mythical and yet here I sit, making it, every month. Working with Mike Gingold, Bill Mohalley...legends of horror print media. Surreal. 

Chris:  You've revamped Fangoria's look, and over all feel, was it important to make your mark immediately?  

Chris Alexander: Yes. Again, I wanted to make a fun, exciting somewhat experimental horror and cult film magazine that honored its history and classic feel while forging ahead into a more unpredictable terrain. I like taking chances... and that doesn't mean making it GORIER and more EXPLICIT...it means challenging people's conceptions as to what a horror film is and can be.

Chris:   Where do we see Chris Alexander in 5 years? 

Chris Alexander: Who knows? My kids and family are everything to me, the mag is everything to me,  music is my spine...and now I'm dabbling in filmmaking so I hope to be a better, stronger, smarter version of what I am now. I still don't feel like I've peaked and at the age of 37, that's a good way to feel!

Chris: What are your thoughts on the current state of horror in Hollywood? 

Chris Alexander: Same as it ever was! With horror, you always need distance....once you remove the politics, the trends and the commercial cynicsm we can view Hollywood horror with clearer eyes and appreciate it more. Movie have ALWAYS been about making money, always about getting bums in seats, eyes on screens, popcorn in guts. I always say give ANY horror movie 10 years and it looks better than it did when it was released.  If you're asking about how I feel about remakes, I don't care. I love what I love. Plus most classic films were riding commerical tides from popular films, remakes or ripoffs or homages. I mean look closely and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is a rip off of DELIVERANCE. NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD is a direct rip off of Matheson's I AM LEGEND and the first adaptation, THE LAST MAN ON EARTH! So none of it bothers me....in fact, I just watched the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET remake again in cable last week and didn't hate it nearly as much as I did theatrically....so time, distance, and circumstance - I think horror works BEST at home, alone, late at night - are key to loving and embracing all horror.

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

Chris Alexander: Hmmmmm....yes! The only thing I love more than horror is the band KISS. I'm happy to say I am the editor and Fango is the publisher of the new KISS: MONSTER magazine, a real labor of love that is out now and can be ordered via www.fangoria.com. Buy it!  

My Interview With the Owner of online store (The Raven's Room)

Let's talk woman's clothing and accessories with a good friend of my shall we.

Chris: Krista, can you tell me where you're from?


I am from the Boise, ID area.





Chris: And your company is based out of there as well?



We are mainly based out of Nampa, ID.




Chris: For anyone that doesn't know what you sell can you please tell us?



We make handmade, upcycled, and revamped items such as hair accessories, clothing, home decor, skin care items, and wedding bouquets. We also do custom orders upon request.





Chris: I see you cater to the alternative woman, the one that's into horror, metal, punk, ect, is this done on purpose? 

For the most part, yes, this is done on purpose. My partner and I love to look beyond the norm and we enjoy providing unique items for our customers. Our slogan is "So Original, So You..." and we try to keep strong to it.








Chris: I must say i love you're skull hair clips, there fantastic; who comes up with your designs?


I actually came up with that design. For most of our items my partner, Taraya, and I collaborate to see what we can   come up with. But, there are some items that are of our own minds





Chris: Who gave you the inspiration to start your own company?


Taraya and I are basically house wives that got sick of the day to day routine and we wanted more out of life. We sat  down one day to figure this problem out and we came up with The Raven's Room as our solution to the dull and the drab.



Chris: What was your favorite horror movie growing up as a kid?

As a kid, I wasn't much into horror, but my whole family was. So if I had to pick one, I would say "It". That was '  terrifying to me as a kid. lol



Chris: I also know you like metal, do you use that to infuse different designs in your clothing and accessories?

try to on some items, but from a business point of view I have to keep in mind that a lot of people are not like me and just  because I'm obsessed with something doesn't mean that other people will be equally infatuated.



Chris:  Where do we see Krista in 5 years?


In 5 years I hope to still be running The Raven's Room,but at a much stronger level, finishing with college, and what the  hell, probably have a couple of kids! lol



Chris: Do you have Plugs you'd like to make?



Taraya Rizzo is my partner in this whole shenanigan and our website:   http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheRavensRoom

our facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/theravensroom 

twitter: @theravensroom

My Interview With: All Things Horror Contributor (Chris Hallock)

Let's chat some horror shall we with one of New England's best on the subject.

Chris: Chris, Please tell us where your from?

Chris Hallock: Hi, Chris. Thanks for considering me for the interview! I'm originally from the hills of gorgeous West Virginia, but my home is now in the Boston area because I wanted to be closer to my Celtics.

 Chris: You're a multi-talented artist, you've been a producer, a screenwriter and a film festival director- how do you manage  your time?

Chris Hallock: I don't know if it's management of time so much as management of my ADHD. I've always had my hand in multiple projects, always been extremely active and interested in so many different things. When I was younger I'd write comics, play in some bands, make improv horror videos with my friends. There wasn't much going on in my hometown, so we made our own fun. The seeds were planted there. I never feel comfortable unless I'm working hard on something I really love, whether that means I wake up at 3 am with a hankering to polish a film review, or skipping my lunch break at work to knock out a shot list. I'm not satisfied unless I'm completely exhausted at the end of the day. The key for me is that I don't beat around the bush when things need to get started.

Chris: I know you just finished a film recently, can you give us any details about it?

Chris Hallock: There are two short film projects that I worked on in the fall that are still awaiting editing. One of them is tentatively called "Anmoore at Night" which is a relationship drama that happens to have a monster in it. It was shot by James Carr, and stars Alexa Panico and my good friend Stef Snyder who went above the call of duty for me when another actor pulled out at the last minute. I went home to West Virginia to shoot that one.

The other project is called "Residue", another relationship drama in which one half of an estranged couple might or might not be a ghost. This was also shot by James Carr, and stars Emily King. Emily is a real trooper and a seriously great talent. She endured hours of being tied to a chair in a basement. This one is also still being edited, mostly because I couldn't afford extra space for the HD files.

Chris: Your a columnist for the internet site All Things Horror, how did that come about?

Chris Hallock: All Things Horror started up a few years after I met my good friend Mike Snoonian. When I first moved to Boston, I met Mike through a music messageboard. He was hosting "horror movie nights" at his apartment in Allston and I sorta invited myself over. I fell in love with that whole crew, and still hang with a lot of those folks. Everyone would bring a movies, we'd put it to a vote, and  project the winner on the wall. It was really fun! We did a zombie walk together when Land of the Dead came out, which was a real highlight at the time.

After a few years of going to shows and films with Mike, he approached me about writing for a site devoted to the horror genre. I jumped at the chance. We've expanded to doing our own screenings of independent film. It's something I take a great deal of pride in. We've been at it for about three years.

Chris: Your an indie comes first guy, but i have to know if Hollywood knocked on your door would you answer?

Chris Hallock: Haha, I'm not holding my breath on that one. I have no interest in pursuing that at all. Everything I need is right here in Boston. I don't compromise very well, and would not fit in. I'm not receptive to dumb ideas.

Chris:  What are you're thoughts on the current state of horror in Hollywood right now?
I'm going to try to refrain from being overly negative here, but it's not good, Chris. It's not good at all, haha. There are several things that tick me off about Hollywood. One is the lack of creativity and originality. But that's always been a problem in the entertainment biz, whether it's movies or music or books. I'm not a fan of producing a few dozen bloated mega-productions when that money could fund vast amounts of smaller-scale, higher-quality work. The whole model, the whole monopoly Hollywood holds over everything needs to go. It's not enough that they own all the theaters. Now they want to own all the projectors. Next they will want to own and control the very air we breath. Occupy Hollywood, I say!

Chris: Who inspires both as a filmmaker and as a writer?

Chris Hallock: I don't know if there's one particular person who inspires me. My girlfriend Sarah absolutely encourages me in all my pursuits, and is always there to lend a hand on anything. I'm inspired by people who are out there in the trenches, those folks that work 9-5 jobs, raise families, and still manage to find time to make a short film or write a novel. People who overcome odds to create inspire me.  

Chris: What horror movie started you're love for the genre?

Chris Hallock: I can cite a couple of movies that were catalysts from when I was really young like The Brain That Wouldn't Die or numerous Godzilla movies on Chiller Theater out of Pittsburgh. However, my clearest memory - the spark of it all - was absolutely John Carpenter's Halloween. I was in first grade, and I remember it being on cable or possibly network TV, and I was hiding under a blanket on the couch pretending to be asleep. I kept peeking through the covers and I was TERRIFIED. My mom would leave the room periodically to do laundry in a remote laundry room of our apartment complex, and I was just petrified that Michael Myers would get her. Ever since, I've tried to recapture that feeling and have come close only a couple of times. Halloween still scares the hell out of me!

Chris: What is your ultimate goal?

Chris Hallock: Still figuring that out, Chris. I'd like to be a really good drummer someday. I'd like to finish everything I start, but that's not likely to happen, haha. I guess just to keep passionately

doing what I'm doing until I die.

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

Chris Hallock: Well, since you asked, Chris...

I'm very excited about a number of events we have planned for All Things Horror Presents. We're hosting the premiere of the Etheria Film Festival, a festival that features the best sci-fi and fantasy films created by women. The idea is to increase awareness and expand opportunities for women working in film as directors, writers, and producers. That event will be held on Saturday, September 15 at the Somerville Theater from 4 pm - 10:30 pm.

In October, Mike and I do a larger event for the Halloween Season called Shudder Fest. Last year we screened some great indie films Absentia, I Didn't Come Here to Die, The Corridor, and Ashes, as well as a lot of cool short films. That event will take place at the end of October.

http://www.allthingshorroronline.net

http://www.etheriafilmfestival.com

http://allthingshorrorpresents.ticketleap.com/etheria-film-festival/

Thanks for the interview, Chris!

My Interview with the minds behind Shock Horror Magazine (part 2- Jason Miller)

This is my interview with Arts Department Editor Jason Miller who works for Shock Horror Magazine. So let’s talk art shall we.

Chris: Jason, please tell my readers a little about yourself, where you’re from?

Jason: Well hello, a little about me… I’m from a little town just outside northwest London, called Watford. I was brought up on a steady diet of comic books, films and rock music. From as early as I can remember, when asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I always responded with the answer “a comic artist”. I had an early introduction into horror movies, which came from my grandfather, who used to use ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ to try and get me to bed, when I stayed at my grandparent’s house. It didn’t work, I just fell in love with the genre. So as time went on I started to mix my two loves more and more. So along with Shock Horror I also work as a freelance artist, mainly working on horror related stuff. In my spare time my favourite things to do include spending time with my fiancé, my son and best mates, drinking beer, watching grown men wrestle about in spandex, and listening to dirty metal and music from the deep south.

Chris:  Who came up with the ideas for your terrific page layouts?

Jason: As a rule I design the layouts for the magazine. If something comes to me that is really out there, I always run it by Dean (the editor) before I proceed. I think myself and Dean have quite a similar vision for the mag so I like to think he trusts me with his baby lol! I always wait for the articles to come in and then I will use a mix of my knowledge of the film/ band/ artist etc and also the information gained from the article to design my layout.

Chris:  As an artist, who gives you inspiration?

Jason: Wow, you may have just opened a can of worms right there hahaha! Surprisingly a lot of the artists that influence me and I love, my work doesn’t actually resemble what they are doing, except the fact we both work in the horror realm. First off, would be Tony Moore, obviously he was the original artist on the ‘Walking Dead’, he also has the amazing ‘Fear Agent’ which, if you haven’t read, everyone should check it out, you know what, if you see Tony Moore’s name on a comic or trade, just buy it, because you won’t be disappointed by the art. Secondly I’d say David Hartman, he is the artist responsible for a lot of Rob Zombies stuff, he also did the art on the ‘American Witch’ video for Mr. Zombie. David has a lot of really amazing pieces, I just love his style, use of colour and his eye for gore and guts! An artist I have just really started to get into is Greg Capullo, he worked on ‘Haunt’ and the lastest DC52 ‘Batman’ his work is sublime. Another artist is Gary Pullin, his horror artwork is brilliant. You can just tell he loves the genre, every piece of his you would love on your wall. For the rest I’ll just list as we will be here all night otherwise hahaha… Jacen Burrows, artist on ‘Crossed’, Jeff Zornow, he does a lot of the Fright Rags t-shirts and also is the artist on the ‘Demons’ comic, Corlen Kruger, twisted pin up artist, I love his retro style. Okay now I really just will list hahaha: Brett Parson, Franchesco, Leinil Yu, Jim Lee, Tim Seeley, Martin Abel, Bryan Baugh, Adam Hughes and Dan Mendoza, plus a whole heap of people I’ve probably forgotten lol! You did ask lol!

Chris:  Tell me how did you get the job at Shock Horror Magazine?

Jason: I came on board early on, when Dean was forming the idea of making Shock. Dean was working at another horror mag, I shall not name, I had sent him some samples of my layout work and artwork relating to that mag, which I guess he liked, as when he started looking to make Shock into a reality he approached me about coming on board as the creative editor. Which I jumped at, had we been in the same room, I’d have probably torn his arm off! Dean and I spoke at length about how we wanted Shock to look and our concept behind it. We always wanted it to be a horror culture magazine rather than your run of the mill horror film mag.

Chris:  What was your favorite horror movie as a child?

Jason: My favourite horror movie as a child, was probably ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’. That was the one that popped my cherry so to speak, so I have to say that. It was the first horror movie that grabbed me and awoken me to what was out there.

Chris:  Where do we see Jason if there is a Zombie Apocalypse?

Jason: Protecting my family, lets face it, I’m a massive zombie geek, who better to protect them. Also I would probably fighting the urge to go look for people that have wronged me in life, so if they have been turned I can chop their heads off hahaha!

Chris:  Do you look to fellow artists like Gary Pullin of Rue Morgue fame for any inspiration into your designs and layouts of your magazine or do you prefer to do your own thing?

Jason: I think it would be a pretty evident lie if I said I didn’t look to Gary for inspiration once upon a time. His work on Rue Morgue was amazing! But that is as far as it goes. I really do, do my own thing. I always said to Dean, I wanted to keep the magazine organic and keep producing fresh looks for each article we did, I would hate to just do a standard three text column layout, pasting the odd picture in, how boring. I take it as a massive compliment to even have my name mentioned in the same setting as someone like Gary, it shows me that we are really doing something people like. It’s also testament to what I am attempting with Shock, in regards to layout, when people like yourself take interest enough in my work to discuss it with me.

Chris:  I asked Dean this and i'll ask you, what are your thoughts on the current state of horror in Hollywood?

Jason: I think Hollywood level horror is pretty shocking right now. We are just getting slapped with remake after remake and the worst part is that now they have finished with the big franchises, they are now tackling the lesser known films, such as ‘Fright Night’, what next ‘Punk Rock Zombies’?!?! There is so much potential with horror at the moment, so many fantastic directors are appearing, such as Ti West, Adam Green, Michael Dougherty, James Wan and of course Rob Zombie (to name a few), why not give them a huge budget for an original project, rather than releasing another rubbish rom com with 50 different actors in based loosely around a seasonal event. I wouldn’t even mind the big four franchises getting some fresh films out, but enough remakes, enough origin stories, how many times can they re-launch a series. The worst part is, horror doesn’t even need a huge budget, it just needs to be fresh and challenging for it to work. That’s really where Hollywood gets it wrong, they want instant returns in this financial mess we are all in, new horror released around Halloween time will always give you a return, no question. They just got to let these guys off the leash. For good horror you have to wade through indy film after indy film to find a few decent ones, there are a few decent ones out there believe me! I do think Hollywood could learn a lot from the French and Spanish at the moment, but rather than making poor reproductions of their films, look to them for what can be achieved on a low budget! Rant over hahaha!

Chris:  Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Jason: Wow 10 years… I’d like to say alive, a few pounds lighter and still to be retaining my hair hahaha! Seriously tho, hopefully still working on Shock Horror, surely by then we would have taken over the horror world. I wouldn’t mind a few horror comics with my name attached to be out there as well. Other than that, I’m quite a simple man, I’d like to be (finally) married, have a couple more kids that I can mold into mini versions of me and just to still be providing for my family.

Chris:  Finally thank you for this interview Jason, and if you have any plugs or websites to talk about please do so now sir.

Jason: No thank you for wanting to interview me. It’s been fun! Well I’ll obviously push shockhorrormagazine.com and also my own art site which is truetilldeath.net

On my personal art site you can contact me for commissions etc. Also I am appearing in a zombie book coming out this year. Its huge! Literally, it has over 150 artists involved, with a lot of big names thrown in there. Its entitled ‘The Zombook’ and you can pre-order it from amazon.co.uk now!

Once again thank you for interview and thank you to everyone for reading Shock Horror!