Thursday 21 March 2019

Interview with Peter Stray - Director of Alien Party Crashers


John Carpenter and Joel Schumacher were big influences on Peter Stray’s script for Canaries, now being released in the US as ‘Alien Party Crashers’.


 I imagine you must be a real horror buff, sir – there’s some great nods in this!

Thank you for noticing! Hopefully there are homages without becoming fromages.   I watched a lot of John Carpenter prior to shooting, plus The Lost Boys definitely influenced the tone and look. Shooting in the Jaws locations was partly a nod and partly as I’m lucky enough to know people who live there, but we didn’t want to do anything like outright replicate shots.


When did your love of the genre begin – and was it through films, books, video-games?

Definitely film - I think early kid scares from Temple Of Doom, Arachnophobia and even The Goonies played a part in getting into light- hearted horror as a thrill-ride. Now I think about it, my / our generation got some content that kids nowadays would never be allowed to watch!


Did you always intend to make movies?

I trained as an actor but I was always fooling around with VHS video cameras and even learned to edit on the big VHS editing banks.


How much have the likes of George Romero and Stephen Herek influenced your own work?

They’re top filmmakers - Romero can’t not influence horror. But for inspiration, I looked more to John Carpenter, Joss Whedon or Katherine Bigelow honestly! And it’s not just horror directors - a lot of my character banter is inspired by writer directors like Hal Hartley - I recently showed him the film and he loved it!


How would you describe this movie? It’s definitely got the funnest ‘plot’ of a recent horror-sci-fi movie!

Thank you! I think a big part is that Wales is sort of an underdog in the UK and doesn’t get featured internationally “playing itself” very much - so I wanted to feature some great Welsh characters alongside Americans and Brits...


Could you imagine doing the movie without today’s effects?

I can but it would take longer! I met the legendary Douglas Trumbull recently and was really interested in the idea of doing a film w old fashioned model work, though I thought Milk VFX (oscar winners for Ex Machina) did a great job of realizing my UFO design


I imagine there’s been some real perks having a GAME OF THRONES star do the movie? What kind of doors did it open?

Pub doors!  - Seriously Robert Pugh is a legend. He was very generous with his time and has come to several screenings. And let’s not forget Kai Owen from Torchwood. All the cast in this are great and whether you know them or not, hopefully you will soon.


Is there a sequel planned?

Oh yes. Double yes. I’m interested in investors and we are talking to several people about this. I love these characters and will continue this in any format - including me drawing a “graphic novel” in crayon.

Get on iTunes now!

Buy on DVD from Amazon.com Here
Also on Digital from Amazon.com



Wednesday 20 March 2019

Interview with Michael Ventrella - By David Kempf

When did you first become interested in writing?

Always. Even as a kid I was writing stories for my family. In High School, I started a humor magazine for the school and wrote a musical comedy the drama department worked on. I wrote for the college newspaper. I edited my law school newspaper. I started a magazine called “Animato” about animated films. I wrote for live action role-playing games and published gaming books and guides. And of course, as a lawyer, I write a lot of briefs and memos.

About a dozen years ago, I decided to finally write that book I’ve always wanted to write.  I was thrilled when a publisher bought it. A minor publisher, yes, but you have to start somewhere.


How did you get involved in fantasy?

I was an early Dungeons and Dragons player in college, having already been a fan of fantasy literature. (I’m so old that the game didn’t even get started until I was in college.) I was the DM most of the time, writing the adventures. Among my regular group were Mark Waid, who later went on to be one of the most successful comic book writers of our day, and Bud Webster, who had many stories published in various SF and fantasy magazines.

Then, in 1989, I helped start one of the first major fantasy live-action role-playing games out there. We’re still around; I have chapters all over the US and Canada.  (http://www.AllianceLARP.com)


Does your job as an attorney influence your writing?

Everything influences writing. As a lawyer, I have to be organized and meet deadlines so maybe he discipline I’ve gained from that has helped.


Tell us how you came up with the concept of a vampire politician.

I heard someone say “Those politicians are all a bunch of bloodsuckers!” and I thought “Hmmm…”

I was mostly interested in what it would be like for a politician to be able to charm anyone to do their bidding, so the book is much more about power and its abuses than it is your traditional vampire book. It’s a political thriller more than a horror thriller, but it also has a lot of humor. All my books do. I think humor is a part of life, and stories just aren’t real if people aren’t sometimes making jokes and doing stupid things that in retrospect are funny. Still, my books aren’t comedies. People die. Bad things happen.


Tell us about your collaboration with Jonathan Maberry. 

I met Jonathan just after my first novel came out and he was very encouraging and invited me to his monthly coffeehouse down near Philadelphia. It was about a 90 minute drive for me, but worth it. I learned so much from him about pacing and storytelling, and I took a few courses from him over the years. I’m so glad for his current success and jealous that he was able to move to sunny California, where he teases me with photos of the weather.

A few years ago, we were talking about Sherlock Holmes and I mentioned that I was starting work on an anthology of “what if” Sherlock stories:  What if Sherlock were an alien? Born in the middle ages?  A woman? A child? And so on. He was intrigued and asked to work with me on it, and who am I to say no to Jonathan? We’ve since had two anthologies of Sherlock stories published by Diversion books (“Baker Street Irregulars” and “The Game is Afoot”), and it’s also available in audio books at the following link - amazon.com)



Jonathan is also working with me on my latest project: A “what if” book about the Beatles. We’re using a kickstarter campaign and, as I write this, have about a week left. (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/667435382/across-the-universe-tales-of-alternative-beatles)


How would you classify the genre you write about?

I guess light-hearted adventure with reluctant every-day heroes. Closer to “Guardians of the Galaxy” than “Black Panther.”

But mostly I like breaking expectations.

My first two novels are young adult fantasy novels, which take the “hero with a prophecy” and turn it on its head. What if there was a great prophecy but the wrong guy is identified as the prophesized one? So in “Arch Enemies” and its sequel “The Axes of Evil” a young bard with no special skills has to figure out a way to solve the mysterious prophecies using only his wits while, of course, many people try to stop him and kill him to prevent him from doing so, unaware that he really isn’t “the one.” Can’t say more without huge spoilers.

“Bloodsuckers: A Vampire Runs for President” involves crazy conspiracy-minded people who claim that the presidential candidate is a vampire. No one takes them seriously, of course, including the main character, a reporter who likes the candidate’s politics. Then there’s an assassination attempt, and the reporter is framed for it and discovers the truth while being rescued by these same “conspiracy nuts.” The only way he can prove his innocence is by proving vampires exist, but that’s difficult when he’s public enemy #1 on the run while some of the vampires are trying to kill him.

My latest is “Big Stick” – a steampunk adventure featuring Teddy Roosevelt and Mark Twain. The main character is a black woman in 1898 America. I wanted someone who had real hardships to be accepted at the time but who could overcome the adversity to stop a national conspiracy to assassinate the president.

There are also a bunch of short stories, many of which feature the characters from the first two novels.




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

We all like to just imagine fun “what if” stories, don’t we? To believe in make-believe?  This also applies to superhero stories and science fiction.

And we sometimes all like to be scared and to know deep down that everything is actually fine, it’s just pretend.


What inspires your stories?

Oh, what doesn’t?  I’m always interested in political struggles, whether in a fantasy world, the modern day, or in Teddy’s time. Who has power, who doesn’t, and how people use their power to keep it. 

But mostly, I just think “Wouldn’t it be cool if…”?


What are your favorite monsters?

Do politicians count?


What are your favorite horror and fantasy books?

I’m more a fantasy person than a horror person … I prefer a good thriller to a horror story if you get the difference.

My favorite fantasy writers include David Eddings, Tad Williams, Jody Lynn Nye, and George R.R. Martin (who hit me with a stick jokingly when I predicted the “Hodor” plotline. Seriously, read about it here:  https://ventrellaquest.com/2016/05/24/hodor/)

As for thrillers, no one beats Jonathan Maberry. Seriously, I’m not sucking up. I have lots of writer friends, but he’s one whose books I grab as soon as they’re released and read instantly.


What are some of your favorite horror movies?

I am not in the slightest bit interested in what I’d call “violence porn.”  A good suspense is better. You know – The Shining, Alien, The Thing, Silence of the Lambs, Night of the Living Dead … and, since I like humor as well, Shaun of the Dead.


What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as an author?

As an editor of short-story anthologies, I’ve been able to work with authors I’ve always loved and read: Spider Robinson, David Gerrold, Jonathan Maberry, Jody Lynn Nye, Lawrence Watt-Evans, Allen Steele, Steve Miller, Sharon Lee, Keith DeCandido, Gail Z. Martin …


Do you have any advice for new writers?

Lots. Too much to list here. My blog is full of stuff I’ve learned along the way (which is why it’s called “Learn from My Mistakes”). Go to the blog and scroll down the right side for “Mike’s Comments.”  https://michaelaventrella.com


What is your opinion of the new self-publishing trend?

It depends.  If you are hiring professionals to edit your work, design the covers, and otherwise make it look and read like a book coming from one of the major publishers, then more power to you.

Too often though, new writers get all excited about their first book and self-publish it and then wonder why it doesn’t sell well.

It’s so hard to look at your own work objectively. Everyone thinks their children are prettier and smarter than everyone else’s. Trust me on this – I wrote stuff years ago (before self-publishing was really a thing) and sent it off to various magazines and agents and got a bunch of rejection letters. Looking back on what I wrote then, I see that it deserved to get rejected, but I wasn’t experienced enough to realize that. I’m so glad I didn’t have the opportunity to self-publish it and embarrass myself and possibly taint any future work I would do.

Writing is like playing an instrument or learning a sport or learning to sculpt. You’re going to suck at first. You get better the more you write. Be patient and work hard and then send your work out to see who likes it. If no one wants to buy it and publish it, then maybe they’re telling you something. Maybe you shouldn’t publish it, either. Keep writing. You’ll get better.


What are your current projects?

1. The Beatles anthology called “Across the Universe” (mentioned above)
2. A sequel to the non-fiction book I wrote about the Monkees’ music (seriously). Hey, it sold pretty well, and the publisher wants one on their solo careers.
3. A non-fiction book called “How to Argue the Constitution with a Conservative” with illustrations from Washington Post editorial cartoonist Darrin Bell. Should be out within a few months; still in the editing stage.
4. A sequel to “Big Stick” where Teddy gets involved in the Spanish-American War, but it’s not about what you think it’s about
5. A new shared world anthology that I’m working on with a noted fantasy author. Can’t reveal details yet.


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

I love it when readers tell me they couldn’t put my book down and were surprised by the twists and turns. I try so hard not to have predictable characters and plotlines, and that pleases me the most. I also like it when people tell me that at various points, they were scared shitless or literally laughed out loud.

On my web page, you can read reviews of all my books, read interviews I have done with other authors, and read my advice columns for new writers. https://michaelaventrella.com

Friend me on Facebook and Twitter for more, but stay away if you hate puns or liberal politics!

Competition: Win Leprechaun + Leprechaun Returns on DVD


Leprechaun + Leprechaun Returns are released on DVD 1st April in a double pack.

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis
Horror’s smallest terror is back to reclaim the treasure that’s been lost for 25 years in LEPRECHAUN RETURNS. With Mark Holton reprising his role from the cult-classic LEPRECHAUN (1993), this deadly, wisecracking franchise is back in all its gory glory and now available in a new double DVD pack with the original movie LEPRECHAUN from 1st April.


When the sorority sisters of the Alpha Upsilon house decide to go green and use an old well astheir water source they unwittingly awaken a pint-sized, green-clad monster. The Leprechaun wants a pot of gold buried near the sorority house, but first he must recover his powers with a killing spree—and only the girls of AU can stop him…


This brand new outing from the classic franchise will be available on DVD in a new double pack with the original movie LEPRECHAUN. Go back to where it all began… J.D. Beding and her daughter Tory (Jennifer Aniston) take a break at a summer house which is unfortunately located on the site of an evil leprechaun's stolen gold - and the leprechaun will stop at nothing to get it back! J.D., Tory and local boys Nathan, Alex and Ozzie team up to prevent the leprechaun's trail of magic and murder as he tries to drive them away from his treasure.

Click here to buy from Amazon (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED


Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 08-04-19
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Monday 18 March 2019

FRIGHT NIGHT and THE FINAL GIRLS leads Horror Channel's April line-up


Coming up in April, Horror Channel premieres two playfully affecting horror comedies that both pack a mighty punch.

Todd Strauss-Schulson’s entertainingly subversive slasher fantasy THE FINAL GIRLS, receives its UK TV premiere on Fri 19th April, 9pm, whilst Tom Holland’s voracious vampire classic FRIGHT NIGHT will get its Channel premiere on Sat 13th April, 9pm.

Also, on Friday 12th April, 9pm, there is a TV first for Takashi Shimizu’s turbulence-driven supernatural thriller FLIGHT 7500, starring Amy Smart and Ryan Kwanten.

Plus, In an petrifying scare-packed month, there are channel premieres for Peter Dukes’ solve-or-die horror ESCAPE ROOM (Friday 5th April, 9pm), Colin McCarthy’s darkly murderous OUTCAST starring James Nesbitt (Sat 6th April, 9pm), James Watkins’ spine-chilling remake THE WOMAN IN BLACK, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Sat 20th April, 9pm), Kim Henkel’s twisted sequel TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION, starring Matthew McConaughey and Renée Zellweger (Sat 26th April, 10.35pm),  and Pete Walker’s cult psycho-shocker SCHIZO ((Sat 27th April, 9pm),


Horror Channel: Be Afraid
TV: Sky 317 / Virgin 149 / Freeview 70 / Freesat 138

Competition: Win Next of Kin on Blu-ray

Next of Kin from Tony Williams arrives for the first time on UK Blu-ray + download and on-demand on 25 March 2019

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on Blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis
Directed by Tony Williams this 1982 Ozploitation classic stars Wolf Creek’s John Jarratt alongside Jackie Kerin and Robert Ratti and gets the high-def treatment complete with extensive special features including director and cast commentaries, Not Quite Hollywood extended interview and commentary from its director Mark Hartley, interviews from the documentary and two short films from Tony Williams. The film is set for release on 25 March 2019.

Linda Stevens has just inherited Montclare, a retirement home left to her by her late mother. When she finds a diary belonging to her mother, she discovers tales of strange goings in within the old mansion – taps turning themselves on and off, candles lighting and mysterious voices in the night. When history begins to repeat itself Linda’s nightmares are just the beginning. Montclare hides a dark secret and Linda is in mortal danger, can she unlock the mystery before it’s too late?

Click here to buy from Amazon (Opens in a new window)

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 01-04-19
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

Monday 4 March 2019

Interview with Minty Comedic Arts by David Kempf


When did you first become interested in writing and movie analysis? 

From a very young age I’ve always loved writing stories, I loved making up characters and wacky situations, when I was 8 at school I created a character called ‘Ninja Duck’ who of course was a crime fighting duck who used ninjutsu, hey it was the time of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I first discovered I liked analyzing movies at 10, and it’s not so much I liked it but something that naturally happened to me. All the other kids at school were talking about a movie called ‘Ace Ventura Pet Detective’ and how funny it was and re-enacting scenes and saying lines from the movie and I hadn’t seen it. I wanted to join in and asked my parents to rent it for me from the video store, and this is controversial but after watching it I felt outraged, I just felt what I had seen just wasn’t funny. It was obnoxious, and I was sitting on my bed in my bed room and my brain was reviewing the movie and calculating what it was exactly about the movie I didn’t like, and why it didn’t work for me. What redeeming features it had, how good was it from a film making perspective and yes without knowing it I had written my first review, only it was in my head. Apologies to those who love Ace Ventura.


How did you get interested in watching Fantasy/ Horror? 

I’ve always loved fantasy movies from as early as I can remember, even as a toddler I can remember watching VHS tapes of movies that my parents had taped off the TV like Ghostbusters, Goonies, Star Wars and the Indiana Jones movies. I loved them but the one tape that stood out to me from the bunch and got me completely consumed with love of fantasy and movies in general was Superman III (yes I know it’s not the most popular one of the bunch but I was a kid). I was just so intrigued by the idea that Superman can be two people and how he can go from Clark Kent to Superman and be the same guy but so completely different, looking at it from the perspective of an adult it’s a credit to the talents of Christopher Reeve. As for horror well this is more interesting, when I was about five I walked passed the living room at the family home in England and saw my eldest sister. She would have been a teenager at the time sitting on the couch all by herself watching a movie. I walked in and saw a shark fin on the TV screen, my parents ran in and carried me out and said I was not to watch the movie, it was a movie called ‘Jaws’ and children aren’t allowed to watch it or they will get in trouble. My parents then walked away thinking they had deterred me but I snuck back in the room and hid behind the couch my sister was sitting on and looked up at the TV screen. When I looked up it was the moment when ‘Jaws’ attacks the beach and the very moment I looked up was the shot of the man’s severed leg sinking to the sea bed. That right there was my introduction to horror; I had never seen anything like it before, it had the most profound effect on me. I was terrified but needed to see more, I gave a scream, my parents came back in the living room and told me that if I watch the film Jaws will come after me and eat me, and no joke for about a month I was scared of having a bath and sinks and taps in general out of fear Jaws was going to come out of them and get me, but it was that fear that was part of the joy of it all if that makes sense?


Is this a full time job?

No I wouldn’t say so, it takes a lot of my time and I enjoy it greatly because I love sharing my thoughts and perspectives of movies and I love the ability to communicate with people as communicating with people in real life is something I really struggle with . So it’s nice that YouTube has allowed me that platform of communication but I have other creative ventures that also takes my time that I’m trying to get off the ground. I do lots of photography and love taking pictures of natural settings/ landscapes and city graffiti or as I call it Street Art, depending on if it’s not crap and not just a squiggle. I also make a lot of graphic design artwork, which I’ve been doing for a very long time, way before the videos, and that is also another venture I’m trying to explore. For me never having a moment when I’m not being creative or making something isn’t really an option as I feel like I always have to be doing something.


How would you Classify the genre you most enjoy watching? 

Well the genre I enjoy the most is those crazy feel good 80’s movies which I think most people tend to like, you know movies like ‘Back to the future’, ‘Gremlins’, ‘Ghostbusters’, ‘Teen Wolf’,’ Bill and Ted’, etc. I think that in the 80’s there was a boom in fantastical movies that were outlandish, very pop (for their time) and were designed to make you feel good and happy and optimistic, and I guess this was a retaliation to the 70’s when cinema was very dark and gloomy. So that’s how I would classify the genre, it’s like pop candy, very high in sugar with hyper-activeness, very sweet, looks and tastes good and is so addictive people even now are trying to replicate the recipe.


Why do you think Horror and Fantasy books remain so popular?

Because ever since the dawn of our existence we have loved telling stories and passing tales on to our young, from illustrations on the walls of caves from many thousands of years ago, to the creation of theater, to people sitting around the camp fire sharing tales and stories. We love to get enthralled into a landscape of make believe and tales that aren’t a reflection of our own lives but ones we can observe and psychologically live through. I think books for hundreds of years have been the main gateway to access this story telling phenomena to the stage where it’s naturally part of our day to day life routines, like car keys and bathrooms. And why horror and fantasy? Because people love getting a kick out of the unexplained, unfathomable, and terror, that’s why we go on scary rides at carnivals. I think there is something very healthy and positive about reading horror and fantasy books and am sure it will continue.


What inspires you the most about movies?

It would have to be the creativity, the fact that what you are watching has come from someone’s mind, the fact that someone wrote the story and that people crafted whatever particular movie you may be watching, made the sets, created the effects etc. I guess I really appreciate movies as modern art forms. Just look at The Shining, the whole movie is one walking talking masterpiece of art, so much, so that nearly 40 years later we still can’t seem to figure out exactly what the movie is about and are still trying to decipher the damn film. I love that power that movies have that they can bring that passion out in people and can motivate and inspire people. So to sum it up with a simple sentence the fact that movies tend to have very positive impacts on people’s lives and I guess become a part of their lives


What do you think the difference between American Horror and British Horror movies are? 

Well to me I think English horror tends to be very old school, take the Hammer horror movies for example, they had creepy haunted castles, lightening in the background, accents raging from posh to cockney, usually set in the 1800’s. I guess this was a trend set by Dracula and other such tales that ensued but that’s just a guess. Then along came three important Americans that actually changed and modernized the horror landscape, those being Stephen King who thanks to Salem’s Lot, took the vampires out of Transylvania and put them in a modern American setting. Stanley Kubrick who took the creepy ghosts in the old haunted house full of cob webs and bones and put the ghosts in a modern hotel in his Shining movie and of course Steven Spielberg who created the modern suburban ghost story with Poltergeist. So I think with America it’s all about putting the horror in the here and now. I think even modern British horror films have an old school feel about them in terms of presentation for example ‘Caliber’ or ‘Dog Soldiers’, whereas American ones do tend to feel more polished and modern. Also I think American horror does tend to be more ground breaking and pushes boundaries after all look at Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Wes Cravens Nightmare on Elm Street, a new age of provoking horror which lead to the video nasty censorship in Britain in the 80's. Sadly, here in Australia we don’t really have a large selection of horror movies. I think the one that is most recognizable and the one that everyone asks me to talk about is ‘Wolf Creek’ which I think was made as a retaliation of the real life shock and fear created by what was known as ‘The Backpacker Murders’ which took place in Australia in the early 90's. Once again, that’s speculation though.


What are your favorite horror books?

Ah great question, now this is kind of cheating but I just love, and I mean love love love love love the 1950’s horror comics, you know the Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror and all that lot. I often visit a comic book store in Melbourne and buy a heap of graphic novels that are comprised of several issues of these comics, and each time I read a different story it never fails to leave me either shocked, or appalled (in a good way). I love the inventiveness and imagination, and the stories weren’t just about being gross and horrific just for the sake of it. They often had lessons in them about not being selfish or greedy, be kind and caring to others, always be honest, and never be deceitful. They were basically telling readers not to be an asshole and that life is better if you’re a decent human being and if you’re cruel to others then that cruelty you inflict on others will come back ten folds upon you, yea they could get pretty grim. That’s the power of storytelling, a story that can leave you with so many emotions and thoughts and feelings. One story that deeply affected me with these comics was the tale of an old man who wore a top hat who spent his life and a park bench challenging passers-by to a game of chess and each game without fail he would win. The word of his Chess genius ways spread and an organization wanted to hold an event to show case the old man’s Chess playing abilities, but he kept refusing and didn’t want the attention. He just wanted to live a quiet life playing Chess on his park bench and he was basically bullied into it, and at the start of the event the anthem started to play and the old man didn’t want to take his top hat off and people were giving him looks.  so instead of taking it off, he shot himself in the head with a gun he had in his pocket and it turned out underneath the top hat was like a joined twin double head on top of his own head. The story made me so sad, because he just wanted a simple life and didn’t want people to know his secret and because he was forced into this situation he felt he had no way out. I told the man at the comic book store how I felt about that story and he said “yes but isn’t it good that that one single story made you feel all those emotions.”


What are some of your favorite horror movies?

My favorite horror movie of all time is Poltergeist, I saw it for the first time when I was 13, it scared the hell out of me, and there are certain things about the movie I have really come to appreciate about it more in my adult life, namely the Jerry Goldsmith score. I mentioned it in a previous video but what it is about Poltergeist is its power, for example in the scene where Carroll Anne gets pulled into the other side through her closet Goldsmiths music is so epic. It’s almost Biblical and God like, its displaying that something beyond our compression and real of understanding is happening in this otherwise mundane suburban home, that really intrigues me and creeps me out. It’s actually my dream to go to America and visit the poltergeist house and film an episode of me standing out the front of it, I don’t maybe a 10 best Haunted Houses in movies list. My other two most favorite horror movies of all time is The Shining and An American Werewolf in London.


What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? 

Earning my Silver Play button on YouTube. All my life I’ve never won an award or trophy or certificate or anything saying “job well done.” I struggle with certain things due to being on the autism spectrum and having certain learning disabilities, I was always told by teachers and doctors that I won’t really amount to anything and no joke at Parent teacher Interviews events at school (which is when parents meet up with teachers to talk about the child’s progress). The teachers would often flat out tell my parents I was “dumb”, hey, it as the 90’s a completely different time. So it’s nice to have this special unique thing that actually acknowledged that I’ve achieved something and done a good job. I hate to give a Hallmark Card answer but I hope that my other great accomplishment is being a good son/ brother/ uncle, special shout out to my dear sweet sister Beckie.


Do you have any advice for new writers? 

I don’t think I’m in a position to be handing out advice as I’m only a YouTuber with 160k subs. So I’m no ‘Pewdie Pie’ but if I was, I would say you just need to engulf yourself with a ridiculous amount of determination and set out knowing you will be the best that you can be no matter how much others may put you down for it. Each time you have a setback use it as a motivation to keep going and to do better, but above all enjoy yourself, if you’re not having fun then what’s the point? Fill what you do with your own love and passion.


What is your opinion on current YouTubers? 

Ah man I love YouTube and there are some channels that I adore, yes I do like the movie and review related ones. I’ve always adored The Angry Video Game Nerd, I can still remember seeing his ‘Back to the Future’ review for the first time and it changed my life and made me discover this strange world of online video reviews. I really enjoy ‘Oliver Harper's Retrospective Reviews’ and I’m glad I discovered his channel. It showed me and I think others in the YouTube video review community that movie reviews don’t have to be the comical screamy shouty sketches like you would get from the Nerd and the Critic. I really liked how he uses an almost documentary style, I every now and then chat with Harper and consider him a friend and I know he’s working on a documentary at the moment so best of luck to him. I also love videos that aren’t anything to do with movies, I love ‘Exploring with Josh’, who is this young lad with an almost Vanilla Ice hair doo who goes to abandoned places and just looks around, he’s even been to Chernobyl which is amazing. There’s an Australian channel called ‘How Ridiculous’ which is basically three very funny guys dropping things from great heights, and I love it. I think there are many wonderful and talented people on YouTube and I’m thankful the YouTube platform is there so I can see these peoples content and what they have to offer the world.


What are your current Projects? 

Well basically just being a decent person and ready to lend a hand where I can, I plan to keep making videos, trying different kind of videos here and there and I like to keep things fresh by out of nowhere reviewing a movie no one would have ever thought I would do. Every day I get at least 30 requests of movies to look into which is really nice because it’s nice to know what I’m doing is having a positive effect on people, so please keep them requests coming. I’m thinking about starting an art show with some of my artwork and calling it ‘Expectations’ or some artsy title like that which will make me look unique and intelligent when in reality I don’t really know what I’m doing, jokes aside I just hope people will enjoy my art pieces. And I hope to continue to learn more about photography and perfect the craft of it, but I think photography is something of a side project for me, if anything more of a hobby.


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

Minty Comedic Arts is (hopefully) a fun positive place and experience where all are welcome where lovers of pop culture can get together and celebrate movies (and pop culture in general). I like to think I have a unique take on movies and love to share my thoughts and opinions on them by unearthing information I have found out about them. In order to get more understanding about said movies so we can maybe get an inside into their creative processes, if anything explore a movies DNA, after all movies are kind of like time capsules of the time they were made in so maybe we can learn more about the world at that time in general. I like to mainly focus on movies that I feel have been over looked over the years. I want people to watch these underrated films and, to give them a fair go. I think there are movies out there that have been shrugged off as being no good as they didn’t make much money in the box office or no one understood them at the time. It could also be because they came out at the same time as bigger franchise movies, I like to get those movies (and put them on public display) and show that they do have merit. Above all I hope I make people happy. I know I just talk about Pop Culture but I know how tough the real world is. My message is a simple one, no matter how tough things get, no matter how sad your heart may feel at times, no matter those tears that roll down your face, just remember this one thing, everything will be ok, the best is still to come.


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10 Amazing Facts About SwampThing by Minty Comedic Arts