|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia Creepers Frequently Axed Questions.
Virginia Creepers is a full length documentary currently in production during the Spring and Summer of 2008. Here are a few of the basic FAQs about the film . . .
Q: What will the movie cover?
A: Virginia Creepers explores three basic aspects of the horror host tradition (including contemporary hosts) in Virginia:
The History and Traditions
The Personalities and Characters
The Fan Experience
Beyond this, we are also trying to get at why these shows matter to people, how they inspire and affect viewers and how the Virginia tradition has contributed to pop culture.
Q: Who will be in the film? What shows will be in the documentary?
A: The quick answer is pretty much everyone! As of April 2008, we are still researching and reaching out to make contact with people, but we are currently planning to discuss the following shows. If you want to learn more about the program, click the orange links. (We will add more info as we can . . .) :
Shock Theater--Richmond (1958-1960). Witch Hazel appears to be the first Virginia host ever . . . and maybe the second female host in the country after Vampira. We are talking with Anna Inge Jump at the moment, and hope to make the trip to California to cover this aspect of the story.
Shock Theater--Hampton/Norfolk (1959-1962). Jerry Sandford hosted this program as "Ronald," a response to "Roland," and was wildly popular. We have extensively interviewed him.
Shock Theater/Cobweb Theater/Monsterpiece Theater--Richmond (1970-1982). Otherwise known as The Bowman Body show! Bill Bowman and several of the Bowman Body's cohorts from this period are in this film.
Creature Feature--DC/Northern Virginia/World Wide Web (1973-present). Rising from his coffin for over 30 years, ground breaking host Count Gore DeVol (Dick Dyszel) was the last on DC airwaves and the first ever on the internet!
Slime Theatre--Charlottesville (1973-1978). We will be speaking to both hosts of this show, Mr. Slime (Howard Meagle) and Dr. Sludge (Pat Bauley) as well as artists Tom Blaylock and Marc Cline who contributed to the show's freaky design.
Dr. Madblood's Movie/Dr. Madblood's Night Visions/Madblood Presents--Norfolk/Elizabeth City (1975-2007). Various members of the Madblood gang plus the good doctor (Jerry Harrell) himself appears in the film.
Chamber Theater--Hampton/Norfolk (1984-1986). The Keeper (Rick Clark) hosted scary movies for two years in the chamber with a great finale in a real graveyard and will be speaking about his experiences.
Dr. Gruesome's Movie Morgue--Richmond (1987-1996). Dr. Gruesome (Mark Bartholomew) and Skeeter (Matt Pak) hosted monster films largely on Fox 35 in Richmond and have a summer special planned, in fact. We have visited their lab and have some great video.
Dr. Sarcofiguy's Spooky Movie--Northern Virginia. (1995-present). Still churning out episodes as well as hosting original horror film fests, Dr. Sarcofiguy (John Dimes) is a riot, and will be volunteering his time for the documentary.
Cinema Insomnia--Virginia Beach/Roanoke. (2003-2004; 2006-present). Briefly syndicated in Virginia Beach in the early part of the decade, Mr. Lobo, a California host, is now appearing in Virginia markets on AMGTV. He represents the new breed of horror hosts and we will talk to him about his remarkable show.
Monster Madhouse--Northern Virginia. (2004-present). Karlos Borloff, monster hunter (and apparently monster collector!) has one of the most energetic shows today and has even appeared on the Tonight Show. We'll be working with him as well.
Various and Sundry--we are also investigating shows in smaller markets or those that simply have been forgotten. This is one place we could use your help.
Q: When will the movie come out? Will it be in theaters? How can I buy it on DVD?
A: Well, some of this is subject to change, but right now, this is what we expect to do:
-
Virginia Creepers will be released sometime in 2009. We are investigating some showings at film festivals and horror cons in early 2009 with the most likely DVD release date sometime in August or September.
-
DVDs can be pre-ordered below right now! The official retail price will be $20, but if you want your copy fast and cheap, you can order now for $15 including shipping! Just click here.
-
DVDs will also be available through Amazon.com and several other retail venders in the state.
Pre-order Virginia Creepers at the lowest price ever!
Virginia Creepers will arrive on the shelves in early October, just in time for Halloween. The regular price will be $20 plus $4 shipping and handling. However, you can beat those rates and get the DVD first by ordering now!
Pre-order the DVD for just $15 ($11 + $4 S&H)!
Q: Who is making this film?
A: The film comes to you from Horse Archer Productions, the same people who brought you Hokie Nation (about Virginia Tech's fan experience) and Why Old Time? (a documentary about Old Time music and its devotees). Horse Archer is located in Christiansburg, Virginia and in addition to producing documentaries, they are also a commercial video production house.
Virginia Creepers is produced by Sean Kotz and Chris Valluzzo and directed by Sean Kotz. Kotz was fortunate to grow up in two locations in Virginia, enabling him to see Bowman Body, Dr. Madblood and Count Gore De Vol as a youngster.
Filming in the De Vol Dungeon, May 2008.
Q: Can the fans help?
A: You betcha! If you have questions or want to contribute information or ideas, send them to sean@horsearcherproductions.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
© 2008, Horse Archer Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.