We caught up with Troma Entertainment's Lloyd Kaufman at the B-Movie Fest in Franklin, IN (be sure to check it out) and he was kind enough to pose with Dark Carnival organizer Dave Pruett, and indulge us in our shameless plug. THANKS LLOYD!!
WHERE: Bloomington, Indiana (home of the Indiana University Campus) at multiple venues, including a vintage drive-in and 1930's era movie theater...
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ABOUT US:
The third annual Dark Carnival is a week-long celebration of horror themes in art, music, live performance, and indie films from all over the world.
Dark Carnival Film Festival 2009
FILM SCREENINGS:
Dark Carnival is now taking submissions! We'll be screening more than 30 of the best independent horror films from all over world, divided into multiple screening sessions over four days at four different venues!
To submit your film, visit WWW.DARKCARNIVALFILMFEST.COM
FESTIVAL EVENTS:
The original Grand Guignol Theater was founded in Paris in the late 1800s and was famous for its short horror plays featuring gory special effects in their notoriously bloody climaxes.
Popular long before the advent of Hollywood, these plays were the precursor to the modern horror film.
Dark Carnival is pleased to present our tribute to these early horror shows with our own unique twist - a bloody hybrid of live theatre and cinema - grindhouse style, in a joint production with the Bloomington Playwrights Project. The show will run three nights, beginning Monday, September 28 at 11PM. WARNING: The venue is small, and there WILL be blood - so get there early to get a good seat, (and wear something you can throw away.)
What better way to celebrate the history of horror cinema than by honoring those late-night horror hosts who brought the movies right into our homes (and our nightmares.) Dark Carnival will be presenting horror host appearances throughout the weekend, but the party kicks-off Thursday night at the Starlite Drive-In, with special schlock cinema screenings hosted LIVE (or DEAD) by your favorite creatures of the night.
Come see Bloomigton's own Dr. Calamari and Baron Mardi, Spooky Brucey, and many more! This is an event like you won't see at any other horror film fest.
Be sure to check back over the next several weeks as we announce our horror host line-up, and a special once-in-a-lifetime appearance you won't want to miss.
Special Effects, Screenwriting, Stunts...
Whether you're an up-and-coming filmmaker or just a fan, Dark Carnival has a great line-up of presentations and workshops.
Meet Bill Wieger who created special effects for such horror/sci-fi classics as Blade and Species. Bill will be talking about his experiences as an effects artist.
If you're thinking about making you're own movie, learn the ins and outs of indie filmmaking from George Bonilla, a successful writer, producer, and director from ZP International Films. George's workshop last year was a huge hit, and he's agreed to come back and do an even bigger one for 2009.
Meet actor, writer and stuntman Jim O'Rear, whose work includes George Romero's Day of the Dead, as well as Star Trek 4, Lethal Weapon 3, and more.
Jim will be presenting a screenwriting seminar, and will also talk about his acting and stunt work on a variety of mainstream and indie film projects.
GUESTS:
This year Dark Carnival takes a look behind the scenes, with the artists and filmmakers behind such horror/sci fi classics as Blade, Species and Dawn of the Dead as well as much anticipated indie films like HELL-EPHONE and It Came From Trafalgar. Below is a list of currently booked guests but be sure to check back often for updates, because just like in years past, you can bet we'll have some surprises!
Bill Wieger: SFX Artist: Blade, Species
Bill Wieger first became fascinated with special effects growing up in the 1970s with films like Jaws, Star Wars and Alien, and it was at that same time he discovered his artistic talent.
Although he started college majoring in marine biology, he knew his true passion was art and changed paths after his sophomore year. Bill graduated with a degree in Theater Arts and enrolled in effects make-up courses by Dick Smith who created the make-up effects for The Exorcist.
A few years later, Bill got his first big break when he met famed effects artist Chris Walas (Gremlins, The Fly) and went to work for him at his studio in California. There he helped create effects for several films, including Thinner, Steel, Space Truckers, Blade, and Species.George Bonilla: ZP International Films
George Bonilla is an accomplished writer, actor and director - and the creative genus behind the successful indie production company ZP International Films.
ZP International released its first feature film, Zombie Planet, in 2004 - followed by a sequel, Zombie Planet II :Adam's Revenge, in 2005.
Since then George has gone on to write and direct several acclaimed indie films, including Redwood Justin:Vampire Hunter in 2006 and The Edison Death Machine which was honored with the Best Special Effects award at the 2006 Fright Night Film Festival.
ZP International's latest film, the police drama / horror film, HELL-EPHONE, recently wrapped production and is being made ready for a festival run. In 2008, George Bonilla's work was honored when he was named the KENTUCKY FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR at the Fright Night Film Fest.
George has developed an incredible insight into indie filmmaking, having managed to finance his projects, distribute them - and make money! He'll be at Dark Carnival to share his experiences in a special Filmmaking Workshop you won't want to miss!
Jim O'Rear - SFX Artist: Day of the Dead
Jim O'Rear has been involved in the entertainment industry for over twenty five years, beginning his career on tour as The Youngest Professional Magician with David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone Jr., and The Great Tomsoni and opening for acts like Cheap Trick and John Anderson.
With his "magical" background and having been trained in New York at The American Academy Of Dramatic Arts, it was only natural that Jim move into the realm of film, television, and theatre where he has worked steadily as an actor, stuntman, and special make-up effects artist on such projects as Day Of The Dead, Star Trek 4, The Vampire Wars, Lethal Weapon 3, Creature Feature, Hayride Slaughter, Cop & ½, Psycho Beach Party, Evita, Little Shop Of Horrors, No Retreat No Surrender 3, Mortal Kombat: Conquest, and many more.
Jim has worked with a variety of actors including Martin Sheen, Burt Reynolds, Mel Gibson, Amanda Plummer, Maximillian Schell, Robert Englund, Jon Voight, Chris Sarandon, and others.
Also an accomplished screenwriter, Jim has written and sold a number of horror-related screenplays, including The House Of Pain (in development with Robert "Freddy" Englund, Gunnar "Leatherface" Hansen, Tom "Friday The 13th" Savini, Bill "ChopTop" Moseley, and Debbie "Scream Queen" Rochon).
Pre-production has just begun in Los Angeles on his new screenplay, Hellbreak, featuring an all-star horror cast.
MERCHANDISE AREA:
Visit our vendor area & check out awesome horror merchandise, including toys, t-shirts, books, movies, props, art, and autographs.
An awesome Dark Carnival fan film, shot by Dave DePrave who visited us from the UK.
Dave, you rock man!
Who I'd like to meet: If you have an independently made horror film, we'd like to see it!
There are no restrictions on your experience level as a filmmaker, and no restrictions on your status in the entertainment industry in order for you to submit a film, or to be considered for an award.
Dark Carnival Film Festival's Friend Space (Top 32)
Hey check out the teaser trailer for our new Zombie movie Broken Springs on youtube and comment. We need all the help we can get so please spread the word like the H1N1 virus. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqEmaPf7pAc
hope you are having a great event, i wish i could be there but im currently working on a Film called Monitor as well as helping out at the GoreZone Weekend of Horror at the end of the month. Take care guys, all the best. hopefully i'll see you all again next year. Dave Deprave
Really bummed I'm missing the fest and that I didn't have a film to submit this year. But... I am in pre-production on an awesome new horror short called NIGHT OF THE PUNKS: an 80's style throwback in the vein of Return of the Living Dead. It's going to be a blast. I hope to have it done in time for Dark Carnival 2010!!
For more information and to help out with the production, visit http://www.nightofthepunks.com!
Good luck with the fest! -Irrational Films "Downsized" Official Selection 2008
Mudd Miller Productions is currently looking for producers, investors, cast and crew for the highly anticipated upcoming horror project Bad Girls Burn In HELL! Interested? Let me know! Also, check out my critically acclaimed new horror film Bloodstained Romance! It has recieved worldwide distribution and can be found at Netflix, Amazon, and Singahe.com! Check out the trailers in my videos! Spread the Red, MUDD
Thank you so much for adding .. I wish you all the best & its an honor to have you in my friends circle.. & say hi anytime you'd like.. Have a wonderful day!!
Meet Bill Wieger who created special effects for such horror/sci-fi classics as Blade and Species. Bill will be talking about his experiences as an effects artist.
