8/10
Close enough to my dream to succeed
17 August 2011
Everyone has that one sort of idea they'd like to see be brought to film, and one of mine, is someone who brings along a camera to a film convention and videotapes their travels, interviews, autographs, finds, etc. Then releases it via Createspace onto the internet. Youtube sensations Shawn C. Phillips and M.J. Kelley did something like that in their film Around the Country, but I doubt there is a film quite like mine in existence.

Of course there are probably hundreds of Youtube videos on the subject, but how much can you show in a ten minute Youtube video. My idea would take up to an hour, at least. Fangoria: Weekend of Horrors is a yearly convention that takes place all across the United States in major cities. This documentary takes place in 1986, and was shot in Los Angeles, California, where the convention draws the biggest crowd.

We get interviews from horror masterminds such as Freddy Kruger (Robert Englund), director Wes Craven, and even the Queen of Scream, Elvira. All the interviews are authentic, and are shot more like a teenager with his camera rather than a set up, rehearsed documentary.

The dialog we get from the interviewees is engaging. Englund talks about how he can go from playing a dream-jumping serial killer, to a lawyer overnight if he wanted too. And Wes Craven talks about how horror has lived throughout his life. We get a lot of attention brought to these actors, directors, and special effects artists.

The only thing the film lacks is consumer opinion. I would've loved to see authentic footage of regular people just showing off what they bought, talking about what piece of memorabilia they were looking for, or what people were thinking about buying. We get some consumer interviews, but most of which isn't very deep, and doesn't go very far. Clearly this is more about the actors than the fans, but it would've been nice to see some more of the convention thru regular people's eyes.

Fangoria: Weekend of Horrors also gives a good overview or why people love horror films. Some people love a good scare, the fantasy of it, the imagination, the feel, the look, the actors, etc. What do I like? I just like the imagination that can be brought to the genre. The 2000's have been nothing but a bore in the world of horror, with only few films passing on the level of creativity and execution.

Wes Craven states that all you need with horror is a good idea. You can shoot in a rural area so permits aren't needed, get some equipment, a few College kids, and a great imagination for your idea and you can begin. He's right. And that's what I love about horror. It's so simplistic, and at various times, its accomplished big goals. That's one reason I keep coming back.

Starring: Forrest J. Ackerman, Rick Baker, Robert Englund, Elvira, and Wes Craven. Directed by: Mike Hadley and Kerry O'Quinn.
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