Theatre Bizarre…Halloween will never be the same

Usually my posts fall under one of the tagline topics – music, monsters or mayhem. Theatre Bizarre qualifies under all three. In spades.

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The elusive master of ceremonies, Zombo the Clown.

Theatre Bizarre was one of the things that made me first take notice of Detroit as a possible relocation city. It’s the perfect example of the thriving arts and counterculture scene here, and this is one hell of a party that everyone should experience once in their lifetime. Actually, you should experience it every year.

I don’t know what this year’s budget was, but the budget for 2008’s party was $70,000. That is not a typo kids. 70,000 dollah. That buys you one hell of a lot of entertainment, as well as your refillable beer mug for the night. Three stages of music, burlesque and sideshow acts, haunted house, fire artists, hook suspension sideshows, bonfires, AND free beer (well, free after you pay admission.) A chance to see this dark carnival in it’s full glory is worth the price of admission alone.

And if you are even thinking of checking it out next year — and you are crazy if you aren’t — get your tickets early. This event sells out every year, and every year it is selling out quicker. It is hands down the hottest ticket in Detroit around Halloween, and I daresay, perhaps the hottest ticket all year round.

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I heard many people say the same thing — after Theatre Bizarre, the
actual Halloween holiday was an anti-climax. Judge for yourself, say I.
Come out next year and thrill to the obscene, from dusk till dawn…


The Graves selected for After Dark Horrorfest

The_graves_love_comics-440x679 Among the films featured this year in the After Dark Horrorfest is the Brian Pulido directed flick "The Graves," starring Tony Todd, Bill Moseley, Clare Grant and Jillian Murphy. I was lucky enough to get to shoot some studio shots for the website. The movie also features a cameo appearance by Calabrese, a great horror punk band based in Phoenix and one of my first clients.

From the website:

Present
day. Arizona. Megan and Abby Graves are inseparable sisters that
couldn’t be less alike. Megan is a self-assured, naturally attractive,
ass kicker. Abby is a cute, caustic, Hot Topic Goth who’s afraid of her
own shadow.

They do share a few things in common: a life-long
obsession with comics, pop culture and rock ‘n’ roll. Simply put, they
are beautiful geeks.

In a few days, Megan will start a new job
in New York. To send her off in style, the Graves sisters go on a wild,
pop culture bender that includes a trip to uncharted Arizona in search
of a kitschy roadside attraction.

Instead, they’re lured to
Skull City Mine, a weather-beaten, abandoned mine town that harbors
terrifying secrets. It appears to be haunted — Its twisted caretakers
are murderous — Victim’s souls are ripped right out of their bodies –
and that is only the beginning…

When Megan suffers a mortal
wound, Abby must save her sister, but to do so, she must confront her
fears and unlock the mystery of Skull City alone.

Can Abby survive Skull City’s threats? Can she rescue Megan or are they doomed to a fate much worse than death?

This didn't end up being the official poster, but created quite a stir, including Mr. Gaiman himself posting it on his blog.

If you want to check out the trailer, go to the official website.

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Brian Pulido directing Clare Grant and Jillian Murphy at the photo shoot. And the final result:

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And for the record, not only can pretty girls be geeky and in to comics, but they can be silly too. You have to love photo shoot outtakes.

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