Saturday 29 December 2018

Interview with Tony Timpone - By David Kempf


When did you first become interested in writing and film?

I was interested in film pretty much since I was born. My parents liked taking the kids to drive-ins and movie houses fairly regularly, and we loved watching old movies together at home too. I was lucky that Mom and Dad never took me to a Disney film. Instead, we went to Hammer and American International Pictures movies. Then studio fare like the original PLANET OF THE APES films, JAWS, THE OMEN, THE SENTINEL, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, STAR WARS, etc. Soon I started writing about the movies I enjoyed and began cutting up my valuable back issues of FAMOUS MONSTERS to create my own “Monster Book.”


How did you get involved in fantasy/horror?

During high school, I became more serious about writing about genre films. Inspired by magazines like FAMOUS MONSTERS, STARLOG and FANGORIA, I dreamed of being published someday. I created a fanzine in high school while president of the Sci-Fi Club called FANTAZINE, where I penned articles and interviews. The first one I did was with Tom Savini! As I teenager, I would attend horror and sci-fi conventions and meet celebrities. Various STAR WARS and STAR TREK actors would also let me interview them, and before I even graduated from New York University, a STARLOG knockoff called ENTERPRISE INCIDENTS bought my Anthony (“C-3PO”) Daniels interview. Legendary editor Forry Ackerman had helped me land the sale.


How did you begin your career with Fangoria?

I first joined the FANGORIA staff in July of 1985. It was my first job out of college. I had been freelancing to Fango’s sister publication STARLOG during my last year at NYU, so I got an early foot in the door. I networked my way into the job. I began as an Editorial Assistant, but within a month on the job, editor David Everitt decided to move on. Since I was fresh out of college and this was my first job in publishing, I was a little too green to take over the job myself. So I served as Managing Editor to Dave McDonnell (STARLOG’s chief), who took over as Editor until I got my wings. The following year I was promoted to Editor in Chief. Back then I thought that I would be with the company three years and move on. But since this was always my dream job, I never wanted to leave. I actually enjoyed getting up in the morning to go to work.


Why do you think horror and fantasy books and movies remain so popular?

In such a grim world, we need an escape. Horror films are a way of conquering our fears, and fantasy and sci-fi are wish-fulfillment mind trips.


Why do you think horror is so criticized and censored?

Horror is the “bad boy” of cinema. Just like parents warned their kids about rock and roll in its early days, horror was always a forbidden. Moral guardians feel they have to protect us from these films, but they only make them more desirable to their fan base.


What do you think the difference between American horror and British horror is?

British horror has always excelled in the Gothic and quiet horror. Period pieces and the like. Brit horror has been less mainstream and cookie-cutter than US studio horror. Though the recent wave of British horror hits, like THE DESCENT, 28 DAYS LATER, EDEN LAKE, the Ben Wheatley films, etc., seem to capture the flavor of the best of 1970s independent American horror. The differences are a lot subtler now, as British filmmakers aim to capture the American audience.


What are your favorite horror books?

Early Stephen King (THE STAND, ’SALEM’S LOT, THE SHINING, IT, etc.), Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN, the stories of H.P. Lovecraft, Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter books, several Ramsey Campbell novels like NAZARETH HILL, Clive Barker’s BOOKS OF BLOOD, etc.


What are some of your favorite horror movies?

All the usual suspects. I love all kinds of horror movies from classic monster pictures, to the Hammer greats, to the AIP Cycle, to slasher films, to the diabolical devil movies (ROSEMARY’S BABY, THE EXORCIST and THE OMEN). There is a rich tradition and variety of horror films and I am open minded enough to embrace them all. As the new century began, I was most impressed with the horror films that began pouring out of Japan (RINGU), South Korea (recently TRAIN TO BUSAN), and Spain (THE NAMELESS).


What do you consider your greatest accomplishment during the Fangoria years?

I made FANGORIA a household name. Took it out of the underground and made it mainstream, but without losing its edgy voice and attitude. The mag became slicker, more professional. At the same time, I supervised the brand’s expansion into movies, conventions, DVD, VOD, books, TV, etc.


What was your favorite part of Weekend of Horrors?

It was always a huge thrill to welcome horror’s greatest on our stages. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would meet such childhood heroes as Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Jack Nicholson, George Romero, Anthony Perkins and countless others who appeared with us. I have always found horror celebrities to be the most friendly and normal people out there. Same goes with the fans. I am always touched when I meet fans who tell me how important the conventions were to them. My work with Monsterpalooza captures that Fango con magic and has taken it to a whole new level, in terms of presentation and scale.


What is your favorite haunted attraction?

Universal Horror Nights in Orlando is the ultimate scream. You need at least two visits to experience it all.


Tell us briefly about Fangoria Radio. 

That was one of the highlights of my career. Every Friday night, from 10 pm to 1 am, hosts Dee Snider, Debbie Rochon and myself interviewed the best in horror. Right in the heart of NYC. We had bands in the studio, amazing guests (Mel Brooks, Bruce Campbell, Robert Englund, Rob Zombie, Quentin Tarantino… the excitement never stopped!), fans calling in, crazy contests… Alas, our satellite radio show became too expensive to produce, so after four successful years, we went off the air.


Do you have any advice for new filmmakers?

Just do it. The technology to make movies is cheaper and more accessible than ever, and horror is more popular than ever. So many outlets to get your work out there, so make your dreams and our nightmares happen.


What is your opinion of the new crop of independent films?

Great stuff out there. HEREDITARY, for example, was one of the best and scariest movies in years. I also loved indie hits like THE WITCH and IT FOLLOWS. So much great work is being done these days.


What is it like to meet your heroes?

A dream come true. They are so approachable and friendly. I truly am blessed to have made a career in horror.


What are your current projects?

Consulting and writing for the relaunched FANGORIA magazine. Hosting and assembling panels for the two California Monsterpalooza conventions. Programming movies for #1 genre festival Fantasia in Montreal. Hosting horror movies screenings in NYC. Hope to be producing a few horror movies in 2019, like ZOMBIE WEDDING, as well as two- non-horror movies, PUMPING UP and GRAND AVENUE.


Please in your own words, write a paragraph about yourself & your work. 

This is my recent bio.

Tony Timpone served as Fangoria editor-in-chief from 1987-2010 before moving on to manage the company’s Video on Demand and DVD divisions. As a co-host/producer, Timpone worked on Fangoria Radio for Sirius XM Satellite Radio for four years. In the 1990s he helped guide the first three FANGORIA feature films to the screen: Mindwarp, Children of the Night and Severed Ties. In 2004 Timpone served as associate producer to Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments and was a producer on the syndicated 1990s special The Horror Hall of Fame. For 2018’s 7-part cable documentary series AMC Visionaries: Eli Roth’s History of Horror, Timpone worked behind the scenes as a writer and researcher and in front of the camera as a commentator for each episode.

Timpone has been a frequent media spokesman for the horror industry, making appearances on over 100 TV and radio shows, DVD supplements and documentaries. Since 1998, he has been the Co-director of International Programming for Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival. Currently he moderates and programs panels for LA’s gargantuan Monsterpalooza conventions; produces Blu-ray disc extras; serves as a programmer and consultant to the NYC Horror Film Festival; and runs Dread Central’s screening series Dread Vision. Timpone was also hired as Vice President to the emerging Horror Equity Fund (www.horrorequityfund.com). You can follow him here: @tonytimpone1

Monday 17 December 2018

Horror Channel goes nuts in January with a BLOODY CRAZY SEASON


Madness, mayhem and adult babies! Horror Channel goes nuts on Saturday nights in January with a BLOODY CRAZY SEASON, a celebration of out-there modern horror, headlined by the UK TV premiere of ATTACK OF THE ADULT BABIES, directed by Emmerdale star Dominic Brunt. This outrageous and hilarious satire stars a whole host of TV favourites including Andrew Dunn, Kate Coogan, Joanne Mitchell, Charlie Chuck and Sally Dexter. The season also includes the UK TV premiere of Lowell Dean’s blood-soaked werewolf caper ANOTHER WOLFCOP and the channel premiere of wacky zombie rom-com IBIZA UNDEAD, starring Cara Theobold and Emily Atack. Topping off the season with copious amounts of slimy gore is Jacob Vaughan’s comedy horror BAD MILO!



Sat 5 Jan @ 21:00 – ATTACK OF THE ADULT BABIES (2017) *UK TV Premiere
The aftermath of a shocking home invasion forces three frightened family members to break into a remote country manor and steal Top Secret documents. Little do they know that the stately pile is also the clandestine venue where a group of high-powered elderly men go to take refuge from the stresses and strains of daily life by dressing up in nappies and having abevy of beautiful nurses indulging their every perverse nursery whim. Nor do they realise this grotesque assembly is compelled to refuel the world’s economy by very sick and monstrous means.  As the bodily fluids hit the fan, the bloody carnage and freaky weirdness escalates.

Sat 12 Jan @ 21:00 – IBIZA UNDEAD (2016) *Channel Premiere
Three best friends, Alex, Az and Jim, head to Ibiza for their first lads holiday. Unfortunately, tagging along is Alex's unimpressed ex-girlfriend Ellie. Arriving on the island, the lads dump Ellie and head to San Antonio to start their week of sun, sea and debauchery. Soon they end up in a club, run by local gangster Karl, where the attractions aren't all alive - they're zombies! Due to Jim's drunken antics the zombies escape, and soon all hell breaks loose and no one on the party island is safe.

Sat 19 Jan @ 21:00 – ANOTHER WOLFCOP (2017) * UK TV Premiere
Alcoholic werewolf cop Lou Garou springs into action when an eccentric businessman with evil intentions seduces Woodhaven's residents with a new brewery and hockey team in this outrageous horror-comedy

Sat 26 Jan @ 21:00 – BAD MILO! (2013)
Duncan Hayslip leads a pretty normal life. But trying to start a family with his wife and being demoted has led to severe stomach pains. As his anxiety mounts, he consults a New Age hypnotherapist, who immediately discovers the cause of his problem. A cute bloodthirsty creature is living in his lower intestines and every time Duncan gets stressed, it crawls out of his rectum to feed on the flesh of those riling him up.


Other channel premieres in January include: Cody Calahan’s shocking body horror LET HER OUT, starring Alanna LeVierge, Kevin Smith’s brutal action thriller RED STATE, starring John Goodman and Ti West’s The Shining slacker-style indie sensation, THE INNKEEPERS.


Fri 11 Jan @ 21:00 – LET HER OUT (2016) *Channel Premiere
Twenty-three years after her hooker mother tried to kill her in the womb Helen (Alanna LeVierge) remains damaged psychological goods, a mind-set that worsens when she suffers a traumatic head injury in an accident. Awakening in hospital, it’s discovered that Helen has a tumour in her brain causing her to experience dark visions, disembodied voices and the omnipresence of a strange young woman. Soon, lost in a walking nightmare, it becomes clear that whatever is inside her cracked psyche will stop at nothing to get out.

Fri 18 Jan @ 21:00 – RED STATE (2011) *Channel Premiere
Responding to an inviting online invitation for sex, three teenagers travel to Cooper’s Dell However, their schoolboy fantasy turns sinister as Christian extremists, led by a twisted preacher (Michael Parks), hold them captive in a compound. As the Pastor and his congregation embark on a reign of terror, forcing the boys to witness executions before being prepared for their own death, Federal Agent Joseph Keenan (John Goodman) and his team arrive, armed, dangerous and ready to bring them all down.

Fri 25 Jan @ 21:00 – THE INNKEEPERS (2011) *Channel Premiere
After 100 years of silver service, The Yankee Pedlar Inn is shutting its doors for good. The last remaining employees – Claire and Luke – are determined to uncover proof that the hotel is haunted. As the Inn’s final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of amateur ghostbusters begins to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the establishment’s long unexplained history.


Horror Channel: Be Afraid

TV: Sky 317 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 70 / Freesat 138

Website: http://www.horrorchannel.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horrorchannel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/horror_channel


Wednesday 5 December 2018

First look at CURSED The Series!


A teaser has just been released from the pilot episode for a new paranormal comedy titled CURSED, from Head Above Water creator Connor Fairclough and award-winning producer Tristan Barr.

Ever been interrupted by an interdimensional force of evil whilst on the toilet? Or had to take responsibility of a possessed doll when you haven’t even mastered personal responsibility? Had to distance yourself from a clingy demon spirit in the form of a clown? Isaac and Ned have, and they're not overly thrilled about it.

CURSED is a horror-comedy series that parodies the clichés and techniques typically found in the horror genre, similar in style to Shawn of the Dead. Shot with the intention of an online release, CURSED draws influence and satirises such horror films as The Conjuring, IT, The NUN, and Annabelle.

The story follows Isaac (Kyle McCallion), who releases a curse on himself after fiddling with a Ouija Board one drunken night. Through each episode, he and his useless housemate Ned (Omar Al-Sobky) must deal with countless paranormal hauntings whilst managing their daily mundane lives.

“The show was born out of my amusement when watching various horror movies and placing myself in scenes, begging the question, what would I do if faced with different entities of evil?” creator and writer Connor Fairclough says.

Connor reunites his “Head Above Water” cast that can be seen on Channel 9 and Stan, including Elliot Loney who plays ‘Perry’ an unassuming but aspirational entity and Neel Kolhatkar who plays “Charles D” a pompous real estate agents assistant.

Official premiere date of CURSED to be announced soon via the CURSED social accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @cursedshow and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CursedShow