Seiren–an ambitious, stylish short, written and directed by Kat Threlkeld, moves at a brisk pace and feels a bit like a new, very welcome installment of Tales from the Crypt.

The striking Sayla Vee de Goede plays Abigail, a model bitten while on a shore-side photo shoot with a laidback, flirtatious photographer (Arnaldo Lavres).  Initially dismissive, the effects of the mysterious bite soon become too profound to ignore.  Far from solely sinister, there are a number of light touches and moments of humor in the symptoms of the new transition, especially in Abigail’s consuming habits, as evidenced in a memorable restaurant scene with her concerned friend (Mallory Palmer) who may be in over her head.

Capably handling the performance demands of the increasingly horrifying change, de Goede delivers strong work.  Really well executed, very solid creature effects add to her character: the bite wound, nails, teeth, and gill FX are all remarkably well done for a short.  Overall, the best makeup FX in recent memory from a micro-budget short, courtesy of Lisa Wilde, Heather Funk, and beauty makeup from Heather Hollett French.  Seiren also features very effective sound design, especially in the latter half.

Seiren signals Threlkeld as one to watch–a promising, rising director and writer.  Her photography background lends itself to the composition of some great visuals courtesy of cinematographer Rodney V. Smith and work by Angel Navarro III–including artful underwater photography.  A high level of craft and artistry is on display throughout, both on a creative and technical level.  Definitely worthy of further attention and festival play.

Cory Graham @ 2015

I’ve always had a knack for getting out of impossible situations.  Some might dismissively attribute it to my looks. My expressive eyes, long hair, pale skin, and curvy, yet fit figure have even afforded me a few alternative modeling opportunities.  But my looks–that’s just a distraction. I’m clever. Savvy. Observant. Skilled.  After all, this isn’t getting out of a parking or speeding ticket.  This is about outwitting and overpowering and ultimately bringing down a serial killer.  Multiple killers and sociopaths. Each one unique and different and every time, I’m in for the fight of my life–literally.  This time I’m locked in my own trunk, headed to a killer’s lair.  I’m in my mid twenties and by all rights should be enjoying a drink out or a glass of wine and Netflix at home.  But instead, on a Friday night, I’ve dedicated my life to this–taking down and taking out some of the craftiest bastards on the planet.  A slayer of those who slay.

I’ve been patrolling local parking decks and garages late at night for days now, almost a week.  Hoping to find him. On of the last of my locations for the night, I pulled up to the ticket booth at the exit, defeated.  Assuming that maybe he had moved on to new hunting grounds elsewhere.  The older gentleman attendant with the bushy mustache was no longer there and a younger guy was in his place.  I rolled down the window, handed him my ticket.  He studied it for a moment.  Then pointed to the rear of my car. “Maam, you’ve got a tail light out. Might want to take a look at that. ” I smiled politely. “Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll have it checked out first thing on the way to work.” He leveled his gun at me. “Step. Out. Of the vehicle. Pleassse. ” A wide grin swept across his face, revealing unusually straight teeth, with sharp, pointed incisors.  My gaze was immediately drawn to them.  “Admiring my teeth, are you?” he inquired smugly.  “What are you, a fucking vampire?” I asked, with a mix of mock fear and genuine adrenaline coursing through my veins.  His grin faded to a knowing, thin smile.  “No, not all, but I will tear your throat out all the same, in due time.  My own little Lucy.  Only you won’t live as one of the undead.  I promise though, I’ll try to keep you alive as long as I can, keep you from bleeding out. That way I get to savor every second.  Now open the trunk and get in.” He exited the booth, the ajar door revealing a flash of the slumped bloody body of the old man with the bushy mustache.  He pressed the gun to my temple. I complied.

And we were off, with him in the driver’s seat and me in my own trunk.  For how long, I don’t know.  Seconds feel like minutes, minutes feel like hours when you’re a captive.  Rather than trying to gauge time, I’ve trained myself to take in every sensory detail I can–whether I’m blindfolded, hooded, or in a trunk.  Changes in light that might indicate a wooded area or tunnel.  The sounds of the roadway or off-road terrain.  Gravel, smooth asphalt, or the intermittent bumpy clack-clack of a highway.  Fortunately, I had chosen my car as one which has a partial fold down backseat–“Great for ski equipment!” as the salesman touted.  It might afford me an early way out of this ambush…

Cory Graham–2015

The Minions (Short Film) Mini-Review

In The Minions, an ambiguously mysterious and tantalizing 11 minute short from director Jeremiah Kipp, an encounter along the urban “Witches’ Path” leads William (Lukas Hassel) to an inebriated young woman (Robin Rose Singer) and her friend (Cristina Doikos) struggling to keep her upright and get her home.  His assistance of the lovely, intoxicated, and intoxicating Katrina (Singer) comes to darker ends upon arriving at the apartment.

Many of the signature Kipp elements are here: stylish visuals, rich atmosphere, a sense of unease created in the midst of sinisterly, yet beautifully composed shots; an evocative score, strong use of setting and locations, committed and fearless work from the cast members.

More about the experience than narrative, this is a visceral piece, intriguing.  Much like the work of director Terrence Malick, the journey of the viewer through the lushly sensory piece is central.

New York casting directors would be wise to utilize Lukas Hassel, who makes a very effective and nuanced leading man.  A compelling, eerily seductive off-screen voice over from Lauren Fox (as Abigail) delivered to the reflective lead is very effective.  Actors Fox and Hassel, producer Lauren Rayner, and writer Joseph Fiorillo are return collaborators from The Days God Slept, another Kipp short that deserves a look.

My reviews of earlier shorts from Jeremiah Kipp may be viewed here:

https://coryfilm.com/2011/11/04/jeremiah-kipp-a-filmmaker-worth-checking-out/

Cory Graham 2014

Rather than being grim, A Grim Becoming embraces elements of farce and screwball comedy, in a decidedly more zany approach to horror.  Tonally, it is more in tune with early Sam Raimi (and Evil Dead 2) and Peter Jackson’s early work like Dead Alive, than say, Final Destination, in its approach to Death.  Directed and co-written by Adam Steigert, the film charts the journey of beleaguered executive Raphael (Brandyn T. Williams) and his accidental becoming of a Reaper and the multitude of colorful characters he encounters and impacts along the way.

Michael Sciabarrasi is a great discovery, turning in a standout performance as the creepy, funny, and charismatic Magoo, who haunts and assists Raphael with navigating the waters of his newfound abilities as a Reaper.  Both in performance and the design of the character, this is the kind of figure franchises are built around.

In indie horror, where modest budgets reign, the ability to attract marquee names often boils down to a few key areas: juicy roles that allow an actor to create a strong impression in just a day or few days of shooting, getting to explore comedic territory not as often visited, and the opportunity to play against type.  Each are present here, with a memorable supporting cast of familiar faces, many getting to display strong comedic chops. Melantha Blackthorne (who has very expressive eyes) amuses nicely with a quirky performance as wife to Bill Oberst.  Oberst is good as always, here as a kinky, repressed husband and father of the aptly named Looney family.  Great kooky character work from both.  Britt Griffith does a nice job with his role as a douchey business rival to Raphael, once again far removed from Ghost Hunters.  Lynn Lowry turns in a fun and playfully sexy performance as Mother, half of a role-playing couple on vacation.  Devanny Pinn delivers solid, grounded work as a grieving, suicidal girlfriend.  Jessica Cameron plays the club hopping Life as a jaded, somewhat amused socialite.

Melyssa Jade is charming as cute Carrie, possible romantic interest and assistant to Raphael.  And in the tricky role of bratty, sarcastic teen October, Aryn Fitzgerald is quite good, as is Tara Swicicki as her mother.  Local talent add flair in smaller roles and bit parts.

A fun flick with a strong ensemble,  A Grim Becoming is more interested in tickling your funny bone than being bone-chilling.  It’s a welcome treat.

–Cory Graham 2014

Rather than focusing on actresses in horror, or the term “Scream Queens”, I wanted to take a look at the past and present of women in horror–in creator capacities–particularly writers and directors.

The Soska Sisters (Sylvia and Jen) of Twisted Twins Productions have been the subject of much praise and buzz for the stylish and intriguing “American Mary” (featuring Katharine Isabelle) and previously brought us “Dead Hooker in a Trunk”.  The twins have also achieved a certain iconic status for their enthusiastic, dynamic personalities, touring and promoting “American Mary” at many festivals and cons.  They’ve spearheaded the Massive Blood Drive PSA shorts, recently released slasher sequel “See No Evil 2”, and have further cemented their relationship with WWE Films by directing the prison action thriller “Vendetta.”  They are also attached to helm a new adaptation of comic “Painkiller Jane.”

One of the most buzzed about horror films of 2014 was “The Babadook”, directed by Jennifer Kent.  The realm of indie horror has proven to be a welcoming landscape for strong, young female filmmakers such as the Soskas, and other exciting new voices including  Axelle Carolyn (“Tales of Halloween”), Tammi Sutton (“Sutures” “Killjoy 2”, the upcoming “Whispers”), Elisabeth Fies and Brenda Fies (“The Commune”), Shannon Lark and Lori Bowen (co-directors of “I Am Monster”), Tara Alexis, Tonjia Atomic, Jennifer Campbell, Michelle Fatale, Tara Anaise (“Dark Mountain”), Amy Lynn Best, Tara Cardinal, Nicole Kruex,  Devanny Pinn, Ama Lea (the Annie Leibovitz of horror icon photography), Yelena Sabel, Elske McCain (“Jessicka Rabid”), Jill Sixx Gevargizian (“Call Girl” and “The Stylist”), Peilin Kuo (“Prescott Place”), Izzy Lee (“Postpartum”), Briony Kidd, Emilie Flory, Lia Scott Price (also a novelist), Reyna Young, Staci Layne Wilson (of Dread Central and “Fetish Factory”), Heidi Lee Douglas, Lou Simon, and Jovanka Vuckovic (former editor of Rue Morgue and director of shorts including “The Captured Bird”).  Vuckovic will be helming the upcoming Clive Barker adaptation “Jacqueline Ess” featuring Lena Headey.

A new generation of women horror writers and directors are getting widespread geographic representation–from Chicagoans Claire “Fluff” Llewellyn and actress/writers of “What they Say” Heather Dorff and Kelsey Zukowski (“Within These Walls”, also “Words Like Knives” actress/writer);  Canadians Karen Lam (“Evangeline”, “Doll Parts”), Nadine L’Esperance (“No Pets Allowed”), Maude Michaud (Dys-), Manda Manuel, Jovanka Vuckovic, Jessica Cameron (“Truth or Dare”, “Mania”), Gigi Saul Guerrero, and the Soskas;  southern filmmakers Emily Hagins (“My Sucky Teen Romance”), Goldie Fatale, Andie Noir, Shauna Tackett, and Blair Richardson (‘Kitty, Kitty”); and those covering horror across the pond: Germany’s Cat la Belle (ThrillandKill.com) and Scotland’s Jennifer Cooper (Musings of a Morleysaurus/Jennifer’s Bodies).

Bloggers, journalists, commentators, and film site reviewers such as Rebekah McKendry (of Fangoria and and director of several shorts), Heidi Honeycutt (Planetfury.com, PlanetEtheria.com, and Viscera and Etheria Film Fests), Hannah Neurotica (Ax Wound: Gender and the Horror Genre, Women in Horror Month), Stacie Ponder (Final Girl), Molly Celaschi and Kelsey Zukowski (each previously of Horror Yearbook), Dai Green (HorrorNews.net and several podcasts), Jennifer Cooper, Cat la Belle, B.J. Colangelo (Day of the Woman), Kate Davis (HorrorHound), Heather Wixson, Camilla Jackson, Erin Lashley (Deep Red Rum), Rebekah Herzberg, Mallory O’Meara, Dolls of Despair, The Horror Honeys, Stephanie Wytovich, and story writer Nicole Sixx each bring great passion, knowledge of horror/suspense, and nostalgia for a life’s memories of growing up on horror and genre fare to their perspectives on the industry and its product.

Podcasts have grown in popularity with Char Hardin (Charred Remains), Francy Weatherman, Rebekah Herzberg, Nicole Sixx, Karen Zombora, Claire Connolly (Midnight Spookshow), and Rebekah McKendry’s Killer POV among those.  Writers Alexandra West (of blog Scare Tactic, ShockTillYouDrop, and Rue Morgue)  and Andrea “Hellbat” Subissati (examining horror from a cultural and sociology perspective) host The Faculty of Horror podcast.

Video segment webisodes, such as writer Jill Killington’s video review blog “Jill Kill”, have led to a new generation of horror hostesses that are more review and interview focused.  Actress Bianca Barnett Kyne completed a first season of WTF (Watch These Films) reviews.  Filmmaker Blair Richardson assumes the horror hostess persona of “Blair Bathory” for “Fear Haus”–an online short film spook-showcase.

Love her or hate her, Stephenie Meyer, along with J.K. Rowling, have been the two most influential females in popular culture in the last decade.  Female fiction writers, especially in the horror and fantasy genres, wield undeniable influence.  From Meyer’s “Twilight” series (with screenplays by Melissa Rosenberg) to Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse/”True Blood” source material,  Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” epics, L.J. (Lisa Jane) Smith, whose series “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Secret Circle” have both been translated  to TV; Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy novels, Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series, Nancy A. Collins, Poppy Z. Brite, Christine Feehan, and the grand vampire and witch matriarch, Anne Rice.  Also of note are Lois Duncan’s suspense tales and S.D. (Stephani Danelle) Perry’s Resident Evil novels, which run more closely to the video game source material.  And much of modern horror fiction is owed to the horror classics of Shirley Jackson (“The Haunting” and “The Lottery”) and Mary Shelley (“Frankenstein”).

On the film side, the late Debra Hill was a pioneer for female producers and writers, scripting and producing with John Carpenter the classic films “Halloween” (and “Halloween II”) and “The Fog”.  Carpenter’s films became a strong source for female talent–Debra Hill, strong heroines onscreen, and utilizing the late, great composer Shirley Walker.  Sandy King Carpenter has been a frequent collaborator and producing partner with husband John.

Mary Lambert helmed “Pet Sematary” (and its sequel) and was the first female director of a Syfy Channel Original Movie.  Rachel Talalay directed “Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare”, “Ghost in the Machine”, Lori Petty in “Tank Girl”, and episodes of tv series “The Dead Zone”.  Kathryn Bigelow directed influential cult fave “Near Dark” before being honored as the first female Best Director by the Academy for “The Hurt Locker”. Diablo Cody, Oscar Original Screenplay winner for “Juno”, brought life to “Jennifer’s Body” (directed by Karyn Kusama, who also did the strong femme-centric films “Girlfight” and “Aeon Flux”).  Kimberly Pierce tackled the 2013 “Carrie” remake and Katt Shea (the thriller “Poison Ivy” w/Drew Barrymore) took on the 1999 original Carrie follow-up, “The Rage: Carrie 2”.  The late Antonia Bird directed the cannibal horror “Ravenous” and Mary Harron helmed and co-scripted “American Psycho” with Guinevere Turner (writer of “Bloodrayne”).

Prolific screenwriter Jace Anderson (“Mortuary”, “The Toolbox Murders”, “Mother of Tears”), writer/director Jennifer Lynch (“Chained”, “Surveillance”, “Boxing Helena”) and producers Marianne Maddalena (frequent collaborator with Wes Craven), Julie Corman, and Gale Anne Hurd (from “Aliens”, “The Terminator”, to “The Walking Dead”) also deserve mention.  Further on the scripting side, are Cassandra Peterson (writer/improviser of alter ego icon Elvira), Jane Goldman (“The Woman in Black”), Lisa Hughes, and Jennifer Derwingson (“Z Nation”).  Jane Jensen (the Gabriel Knight series) and Roberta Williams (“Phantasmagoria”) were pioneers in interactive adventure game storytelling.

Julie Plec has become one of the most sought after and powerful writer/producer/creators of supernatural TV– co-creating “The Vampire Diaries” for the CW, along with its successful spin-off “The Originals”, and the psychic powered teens drama “The Tomorrow People”.

And genre fave actresses are moving behind the camera, with Danielle Harris directing horror satire “Among Friends” (scripted by cast member Alyssa Lobit, writer of the upcoming “Mindless”).  Kristina Klebe enrolled in film school at NYU and wrote and directed her first short “As Human as Animal”.  Angela Bettis directed frequent collaborator Lucky McKee in “Roman” and worked on a segment for “The ABC’s of Death”.  Asia Argento has followed in her father Dario’s footsteps, working extensively as a director, which has become her primary career focus.  Axelle Carolyn wrote and directed both the short “The Halloween Kid” and the feature mystery “Soulmate.”  Debbie Rochon has helmed the horror allegory “Model Hunger.”  Jennifer Blanc-Biehn has moved into the role of frequent producer and directed “The Girl” and “The Night Visitor”.  Lynn Lowry, Jessica Cameron, and Devanny Pinn have also taken the reigns as director.

At least half the directors I have worked with in film and theater have been female.  They have come into directing from a variety of creative backgrounds: acting, choreography, cinematography, playwriting, and teaching drama.  As a producer, I will work to champion original, strong, and unique female voices and aid in bringing their visions to the screen.  And I hope to see more female crew entering the industry as editors, DP’s, and composers (like The Lazarus Effect’s Sarah Schachner).  Many female journalists, festival programmers, photographers, painters, illustrators, costume designers, make-up artists (many appearing on “Face Off”), and gore/creature-FX creators, currently express their creativity in the horror industry.  And that’s not to mention the number of women creators in comics/graphic novels and television.  So, while wrongly held preconceived notions like “Women can’t be funny…or women can’t do horror” may linger in some minds, a new generation of rising female talent will hopefully erode the last traces of such incorrectly held views.

–Cory Graham@2011, updated 2015

The engaging short “Prescott Place”  from director/writer Peilin Kuo evokes the feel of a 40’s melodrama as told through the lens of an episode of The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone.  Alexis Iacono, in a dual role as damaged starlet Jane Prescott yearning for a next role and the return of her lover, communicates with and confides in her “Babydoll” (also Iacono) created in her likeness, which may have a life of its own.  Wearing an elegant partial Phantom of the Opera style mask to hide a set injury, the actress pines for lost stardom, holed up in the country manor of the title.

Along with its atmospheric black and white color palette, the look of the cinematography (by Lance Kaplan), production design, costumes, score, dialogue, and acting all contribute to a feel of period authenticity.  As in her strong work in The Black Dahlia Haunting, Iacono once again exhibits the timeless feel of a woman from another era with classic Hollywood glamor.  Sadness and possibly psychosis are on display as the actress Jane and an eerie, entertaining, and creepy deadpan delivery from the Babydoll is memorable as well.  While having shades of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, the performances are not over the top.  This is great work from Iacono and it’s difficult to envision another actress in the role(s).
Marc Balfour is compelling and convincing as The Lover in his portrayal of a leading man/matinee idol from the era who has some shocking discoveries to make.
Twists and some dark humor come into play.  In a nice touch, the estate uses a dollhouse for its exterior shots and the house-as-prison metaphor is effective.  A startling injection of color, resembling lustrous Technicolor of the era, marks a transition with The Lover turning on a lamp switch.  Recommended for fans of film noir and anthology shows, “Prescott Place” is viewable for free at:  http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/prescott_place
–Cory Graham@2013

I had been looking forward to seeing The Black Dahlia Haunting for a while and was fortunate to catch a free screening of the film at this Sunday’s Days of the Dead Los Angeles Convention.

Written and directed by Brandon Slagle (who also appears onscreen as catalyst Malcolm),  the film has much to offer for fans of the paranormal, as well as true crime and horror fans.  Set in the present day, the film features period flashbacks that explore the life and death of Elizabeth Short, who was labeled by the media as The Black Dahlia.

The Black Dahlia Haunting has the look and feel of a considerably more expensive film.  Sporting a sleek, atmospheric look and feel,  seamless stock footage and guerilla-style shooting at famous Hollywood/L.A. locations (such as Griffith Observatory) are employed to great effect in creating a sense of place.   The modern day location where the Dahlia’s body was found is also featured as the site of a ghostly encounter.

Strong performances are delivered across the board in this look at the intersection of the past and present.

The film centers on Holly–played by Devanny Pinn, who delivers a standout performance as a young woman who comes to LA to visit her blind brother Tyler (an effective Noah Dahl) in a mental institution.  I was surprised to learn of Dahl’s young age–born at the end of 1997–as  his performance shows a maturity beyond his years.  Pinn’s transition to being under the influence/possession of Short is intense and well done.  A shower encounter between the ghost and Holly manages to be both creepy and somewhat erotic.

Short is brought to life by Alexis Iacono as a gritty, flawed individual and the character is not placed on a pedestal as seen in many previous incarnations.  Iacono’s Old Hollywood looks and take on Short create a portrait of a woman whose beauty disguises a less refined woman making her way through Tinseltown.

Fans of Ghost Hunters will get to see a decidedly different Britt Griffith deliver a compelling performance as a seemingly sympathetic doctor with a dark side and connection to the original killing.  Griffith capably handles both sides of the character and the sharing of much of the story’s exposition.

Cleve Hall (of Syfy’s Monster Man) exhibits menace and perhaps a somewhat conflicted relationship toward killing (at moments gleeful and yet eyes brimming with tears at others) as the captor and torturer of The Black Dahlia.

Brandon Slagle convincingly portrays a man troubled and haunted by uncovering a desert dagger/murder weapon which retains a powerful supernatural influence that is exerted upon him.

Jessica Cameron has a memorable cameo as a pre-Marilyn Monroe Norma Jeane who advises/consoles Short after Short attempts an improvised abortion.

Theories about the crime are incorporated and subtly interwoven with the larger story arcs.  Twists and turns abound in The Black Dahlia Haunting and the film is worth a second viewing.

–Cory Graham @ 2013

Narrative in video games has become a subject of much discussion lately–and rightfully so.  Video games can provide some of the most emotionally intense experiences in media because of their immersion into a world with rich experiences for players to discover.  What makes video games/computer games unique is the sense of “agency” and control that the player is given–the power to shift the direction of the experience through gameplay.

Decisions have consequences.  This is strongly felt in games such as Telltale’s The Walking Dead and Mass Effect (from Bioware). Characters remember your actions and the course of the story shifts based on the choices you make.  It’s not uncommon to experience “regret” upon seeing the unintended consequences and impact your decision has upon a character in the story.  Unlike the “Choose Your Own Adventure” stories from childhood, it’s not as simple as flipping back or forward a few pages to choose a different path.  The game moves onward and the player is left to wonder about what might have been done differently.

Emotional resonance comes from characters in which you’ve invested either responding to, benefiting, or suffering from (sometimes dying because of) your actions.  Controlling the protagonist of the story also places the player into the shoes of that central character as they make discoveries–sometimes awe-inspiring, joyous, or heartbreaking.  Deciding which character to save can become an agonizing decision the player is left to face.

Backstory in games can be conveyed in interesting and unique ways.  Discovering letters, audio logs, diary entries, memos, emails, videos, etc.  can provide information about what has happened to the supporting characters in the story and the game world as it existed, prior to the player’s entry.

The player can also choose to linger in a particular environment as long as the game will allow–and sometimes indefinitely–soaking up all the rich sensory details of a unique, fantastic place.  Signage, displays, advertising, graffiti, architecture, ambient noise, overhead conversations, and music (period music or lush game scores) can all help to create an incredibly vivid sense of place for the player.  Game series such as Bioshock and Myst have especially excelled in this regard.  Myst featured the tagline “The Surrealistic Adventure that Will Become Your World.”  And appropriately so.  Bioshock and Bioshock 2 showcased the failed 1950’s Art Deco undersea “Utopia”  of the undersea city of Rapture and the 1912 floating city in the clouds–Columbia–was the setting of Bioshock Infinite.  Worlds of great beauty can be seen in games such as Journey and Flower.

Games such as Dead Space, Resident Evil, and Silent Hill (among others)  immerse players in dread-filled, sinister atmosphere-soaked worlds and environments where they are menaced by creatures in such a viscerally strong way that the experience can sometimes be “too much” for certain players.  It’s too nerve wracking to continue on for some.  Unlike in a traditional horror story, the player is responsible for surviving the onslaught and has to fend off the dark forces–perhaps single-handedly.  Hiding one’s eyes from a jump scare or scary image in a game at the wrong moment can lead to the death of the player, whereas a film continues on without consequence.

Some games feature open worlds for the player to discover–visiting certain locales freely and often in the order the player wishes–versus having a strict, linear narrative, where the player is moved along a clearly defined path predetermined by the game designer.

Video games can also use the storytelling techniques of a Hollywood film by featuring “cutscenes” or cinematics—usually non-interactive scenes that give the sense of scale and scope of a big-budget Hollywood movie.  These epic scripted moments can drive the story forward in a way independent of the gameplay.

And much like in independent cinema, indie games afford players innovative, quirky, and artistic visions (via modestly priced experiences) that are free from much of the tinkering and restrictions that a larger film studio/game publisher might exert.

Strong voice acting can also bring video game characters to life, with many stirring and memorable performances being delivered by talent in this arena.  Mark Hamill’s the Joker is a particular standout, in the Batman Arkham series.   And unique, distinctive visions from game designers/creators  often feature game scripts with sharp dialogue and surprising twists as well.  Both laughter and tears can be evoked when playing because of these two traditions from the theater–acting and storytelling.

Whether every game is capable of being classified as art is debatable.  However, what cannot be denied is some games are capable of providing experiences as rich, resonant, and powerful as creative expressions in other entertainment mediums–whether literary, theatrical, television, music, or film.  Games are interactive multimedia in the best sense of the word–incorporating video, text, and music and drawing from the rich history of multiple media to craft some of the most compelling entertainment available today.

–Cory Graham @2013

Rather than focusing on actresses in horror, or the term “Scream Queens”, I wanted to take a look at the past and present of women in horror–in creator capacities–particularly writers and directors.

The Soska Sisters (Sylvia and Jen) have been the subject of much praise and buzz for the stylish and intriguing “American Mary” (featuring Katharine Isabelle) and previously brought us “Dead Hooker in a Trunk”.  The twins have also achieved a certain iconic status for their enthusiastic, dynamic personalities, touring and promoting “American Mary” abroad.  They’ve completed production on slasher sequel “See No Evil 2.”
The realm of indie horror has proven to be a welcoming landscape for strong, young female filmmakers such as the Soskas, and other exciting new voices including Tammi Sutton, Elisabeth Fies and Brenda Fies (The Commune), Shannon Lark, Tara Alexis, Tonjia Atomic, Jennifer Campbell, Michelle Fatale, Amy Lynn Best, Tara Cardinal, Nicole Kruex, Axelle Carolyn, Devanny Pinn, Ama Lea, Yelena Sabel, Elske McCain, Lia Scott Price (also a novelist), Staci Layne Wilson (of Dread Central), and Jovanka Vuckovic (former editor of Rue Morgue and director of shorts including The Captured Bird).

A new generation of women horror writers and directors are getting widespread geographic representation–from Chicagoans Claire “Fluff” Llewellyn and actress/writers of “What they Say” Heather Dorff and Kelsey Zukowski (also “Words Like Knives” actress/writer);  Canadians Lianne “Spiderbaby” Mac, Karen Lam (Evangeline, Doll Parts), Nadine L’Esperance, Maude Michaud, and the Soskas; southern filmmakers Emily Hagins (My Sucky Teen Romance), Goldie Fatale, Andie Noir, Blair Richardson, and Shauna Tackett; and those covering horror across the pond: Germany’s Cat la Belle (ThrillandKill, Horrorpilot) and Scotland’s Jennifer Cooper (Musings of a Morleysaurus/Jennifer’s Bodies).

Bloggers, journalists, and film site reviewers such as Lianne (Spiderbaby) Mac and Rebekah McKendry (of Fangoria and Fearnet), Heidi Honeycutt (Planetfury.com, PlanetEtheria.com, and Viscera and Etheria Film Fests), Hannah Neurotica (Ax Wound), Molly Celaschi and Kelsey Zukowski (each previously of Horror Yearbook), Dai Green (HorrorNews.net and several podcasts), Jennifer Cooper, Cat la Belle, Stacie Ponder (Final Girl), Erin Lashley (Deep Red Rum), Rebekah Herzberg, Dolls of Despair, and story writer Nicole Sixx each bring great passion, knowledge of horror/suspense, and nostalgia for a life’s memories of growing up on horror and genre fare to their perspectives on the industry and its product.

Podcasts have grown in popularity with Char Hardin (Charred Remains), Francy Weatherman, Rebekah Herzberg, Karen Zombora,  Claire Connolly (Midnight Spookshow), and Rebekah (and Dave) McKendry’s Killer POV among those.  Writers Alexandra West (of blog Scare Tactic)  and Andrea “Hellbat” Subissati (examining horror from a cultural and sociology perspective) have launched The Faculty of Horror podcast.

Video segment webisodes, such as scribe Lianne Spiderbaby’s smart and funny “Fright Bytes” and writer Jill Killington’s charming and clever video review blog “Jill Kill”, have led to a new generation of horror hostesses that are more review and interview focused.  Jill has also launched a new video streaming show on TRadioV called Kill Baby Kill that she co-hosts.  Lianne has written a soon to be published book on Grindhouse Girls.  Actress Bianca Barnett completed a first season of  WTF (Watch These Films) reviews.

Love her or hate her, Stephenie Meyer, along with J.K. Rowling, have been the two most influential females in popular culture in the last decade.  Female fiction writers, especially in the horror and fantasy genres, wield undeniable influence.  From Meyer’s “Twilight” series (with screenplays by Melissa Rosenberg) to Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse/”True Blood” source material,  Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” epics, L.J. (Lisa Jane) Smith, whose series “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Secret Circle” have both been translated  to TV; Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy novels, Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series, Nancy A. Collins, Poppy Z. Brite, and the grand vampire and witch matriarch,  Anne Rice.  Also of note are Lois Duncan’s suspense tales and S.D. (Stephani Danelle) Perry’s Resident Evil novels, which run more closely to the video game source material.  And much of modern horror fiction is owed to the horror classics of Shirley Jackson and Mary Shelley.

On the film side, the late Debra Hill has to be seen as a pioneer for female producers and writers, scripting and producing with John Carpenter the classic films Halloween (original and II) and The Fog.  Carpenter’s films became a strong source for female talent–Debra Hill, strong heroines onscreen, and utilizing the late, great composer Shirley Walker.  Mary Lambert helmed Pet Sematary (and its sequel) and was the first female director of a Syfy Channel Original Movie.  Rachel Talalay directed Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Ghost in the Machine, Lori Petty in “Tank Girl”, and episodes of tv series “The Dead Zone”.  Kathryn Bigelow directed influential cult fave Near Dark before being honored as the first female Best Director by the Academy for The Hurt Locker.  Diablo Cody, Oscar Original Screenplay winner for Juno, brought us the infamous “Jennifer’s Body” (directed by Karyn Kusama, who also did the strong femme-centric films Girlfight and Aeon Flux).  Kimberly Pierce tackled the 2013 Carrie remake and Katt Shea took on the 1999 original Carrie follow-up, The Rage: Carrie 2.  The late Antonia Bird directed the cannibal horror “Ravenous” and Mary Harron helmed and co-scripted “American Psycho” with Guinevere Turner (writer of Bloodrayne).

Screenwriter Jace Anderson (Mortuary, The Toolbox Murders, Mother of Tears) and producers Marianne Maddalena (frequent collaborator with Wes Craven), Julie Corman, Sandy King Carpenter (producing partner with husband John), and Gale Anne Hurd (from Aliens, The Terminator, to The Walking Dead) also deserve mention.

Julie Plec has become one of the most sought after and powerful writer/producer/creators of supernatural TV– co-creating The Vampire Diaries for the CW, along with its successful spin-off The Originals, and the psychic powered teens drama The Tomorrow People.

And genre fave actresses are moving behind the camera, with Danielle Harris directing horror satire “Among Friends” (scripted by cast member Alyssa Lobit).  Kristina Klebe is enrolled in film school at NYU and directed her first short “As Human as Animal”.  Angela Bettis directed frequent collaborator Lucky McKee in “Roman” and worked on a segment for The ABC’s of Death.  Asia Argento has followed in her father Dario’s footsteps, working extensively as a director, in addition to her acting.  Axelle Carolyn directed the short “The Halloween Kid” and feature mystery “Soulmate.”  Debbie Rochon has helmed the horror allegory “Model Hunger.”  Jennifer Blanc-Biehn has moved into the role of frequent producer.

At least half the directors I have worked with in film and theater have been female. They have come into directing from a variety of creative backgrounds: acting, choreography, cinematography, playwriting, and teaching drama.  As a producer, I will work to champion original, strong, and unique female voices and aid in bringing their visions to the screen.  And I hope to see more female crew entering the industry as editors, DP’s, and composers.  Many female journalists, festival programmers, photographers, painters, illustrators, costume designers, make-up artists, and gore/creature-FX creators, currently express their creativity in the horror industry.  And that’s not to mention the number of women creators in comics/graphic novels and television.  So, while wrongly held preconceived notions like “Women can’t be funny…or women can’t do horror” may linger in some minds, a new generation of rising female talent will hopefully erode the last traces of such incorrectly held views.

–Cory Graham@2011, updated 2014