Interview with Photographer April A. Taylor

April A. Taylor's Post-Apocalyptic Princess

April A. Taylor is an internationally published and exhibited dark art horror photographer from Detroit, Michigan whose work has been featured in over 50 galleries, books, magazines, DVDs, calendars, websites, conventions and events. Her recent publication credits include Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy, Darkfaery Subculture Magazine and WU Magazine. Over the next year her work is slated to appear in several more books and magazines in two different countries, including the horror anthology What Fears Become (featuring authors such as Piers Anthony and Ramsey Campbell).

We had the absolute pleasure to interview April A. Taylor, which fortuitously landed during Women in Horror Month! She uses her long-term love affair with all things horror to create dark art, horror and fine art photography which is described as “unique, unusual and unconventional”. Below you can read about her cinematic photographs, how she feels about women breaking into (and taking over) the “boy’s club” of horror, her most prized possession, what kind of art she has hanging in her home and just how fortunate she feels to spend her days covered in fake blood and call it work.

Fatally Yours: Hi April and welcome! When did you become interested in the field of photography?

April A. Taylor: Hi Fatally Yours, it’s my pleasure to speak with you today! I’ve been interested in photography since I was very young, to the point where I usually joke about coming out of the womb with a camera in my hand. I didn’t become serious about it until 2007, though.

Fatally Yours: How would you describe your photographic style?

April A. Taylor: The grittiness of many of my photographs has often been referred to as looking like it’s from the ‘70s and although that wasn’t intentional, I definitely see a lot of the style of the ‘70s in my photographs. In addition to which, I’m not content to take photographs at the same angles that most photographers do; I’ve been known to lay in greasy railroad tracks and climb trees just to get a different perspective on something.  And those photographs are almost always the ones that become fan favorites so my willingness to get my clothes dirty and, at times, to take what some would call “a risk” has definitely been a good thing, and has defined a lot of my work and my style.

Fatally Yours: Horror obviously plays a large part in your art. What made you want to focus on dark art and why? 

April A. Taylor: I’ve been in love with horror movies and novels since way before it was probably age appropriate. When I started focusing more seriously on photography, I was instantly drawn to the dark side of humanity. It didn’t take long for me to connect that with my love of horror. Each of the photographs has a dual meaning; the meaning you see on the surface, which is the more basic horror story, and a back story that is usually rooted in social commentary. Horror/Dark Art just makes the most sense to me and speaks to me the most.

Fatally Yours: I’m really struck by the vividness of your photographs, which really helps them stand out from other horror art. What inspired you to use this mode of expression? 

April A. Taylor: Most horror/dark artists use starkness to express the horror in their images. I chose to go in the exact opposite direction with the majority of my work by infusing it with bright, vivid colors. The intention behind this was to make the photographs feel more real to the viewer, in order to allow them to feel as if they’re seeing the scenes happening right in front of them.

Fatally Yours: Can you tell us how you go about creating the back story and characters for your photographs? 

April A. Taylor: The basic storylines come from a number of different places; some are inspired by things I encounter in real life, some come while sitting still and rooting through my blood-soaked imagination and others come from the models (for example, She’s Dead is based on a poem written by model Shannon Waite). Once a basic storyline is selected, I create a back story for the character(s) that is fleshed out enough to allow me to inhabit their headspace during a shoot. I also make sure that the basic concept has a dual meaning (societal commentary) as I never shoot gore just for the sake of gore.

Fatally Yours: What is your creative process before, during and after a shoot? 

April A. Taylor: Once a storyline is selected, a model(s), costuming, props and a location are chosen. Based on those, other elements of the shoot fall into place organically. On the day of a shoot I listen to music that allows me to inhabit the headspace of the character(s). Once I’m on set, I walk the model(s) through the basics of the storyline and any specific poses/actions that I want to capture. My sets are typically run more like a movie set in that the model(s) actually acts out the scenes that are captured instead of just holding a pose. I experiment a lot on set, in that I don’t just capture what was already in my head, I also capture any new ideas that come to mind during the shoot and also anything that the model(s) wants to try out. Once the shoot is done, I use music to stay in the headspace of the character(s) during the editing process in order to best bring out what the character(s) was trying to say in the shoot.

Fatally Yours: Which one of your characters would make the most interesting dinner guest? 

April A. Taylor: That depends on what you’re serving, as they all have, shall we say, particular tastes in food. But in all seriousness, probably either the unnamed character from Loss of Innocence, as that character is the manifestation of the beaten down (but never broken) spirit of the city of Detroit or the Princess of Decay from A Twisted Fairytale, as she’s torn between two different personalities and that would definitely make for some interesting conversational twists.

Fatally Yours: What do you hope to accomplish/express through your art? 

April A. Taylor: I seek to shed light on the darkness within all of humanity. Most people try to hide their darkness; I think it’s better to bring it to the forefront in order to examine it.  I hope that my photographs will make people pause for a second and think. Sometimes people are visibly jarred by looking at my photographs and since the point of art is to evoke an emotion in someone, be that a good emotion or a bad emotion, I take it as a compliment whenever someone has a strong reaction of any kind.

Fatally Yours: What equipment do you work with?

April A. Taylor: I use Canon equipment and do the majority of my Dark Art shoots with a wide angle lens, as opposed to the more traditional usage of a portrait lens, which is part of why my photos have a different “feel” to them.

Fatally Yours: How does digital manipulation play a part in your art? 

April A. Taylor: Aside from enhancing colors and sometimes adding what I’ve dubbed “bleed frames” I don’t really use a lot of digital manipulation. All of the makeup that you see was really on the models and the props and background were all really there during the shoot, too. I prefer to capture things for real whenever possible as I believe that a viewer can tell when something has been altered, no matter how well done it is, and that keeps them from really believing in the photo.

Fatally Yours: What was the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?

April A. Taylor: Probably the photo from the Post-Apocalyptic Princess set that features the princess holding an oriental fan while standing in front of the Michigan Central Station (which is an abandoned train station in Detroit, MI).

Fatally Yours: If you could choose a horror icon as a subject for your photographs, who would it be and why? 

April A. Taylor: The child in me that grew up loving the original A Nightmare on Elm Street says Freddy Krueger and Nancy Thompson, but the one person working in horror that I’ve always looked up to is Clive Barker, so it would be very interesting to photograph him.  His work has always pushed boundaries and I admire his courage to be completely open about who he is with the entire world.

Fatally Yours: Music usually plays an important role in the creative process. What is your favorite kind of music to listen to? 

April A Taylor: When I’m not creating I tend to listen to Alternative and Indie music, with a lot of my time spent listening to the two latest albums by Green Day. But when I’m creating, I listen to music that helps me inhabit the headspace of the character(s). For example, the theme song for Mine is “Lights Out” by Breaking Benjamin. Sometimes my day to day music does inspire me (a Green Day song led to the creation of the Nuclear Series) but for the most part I tend to put on something with a heavier/darker feel to help me create a Dark Art piece. Fortunately I have a very diverse collection of music, so there’s something on my iPod for just about any scenario.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel women in your business get the proper recognition when compared to their male counterparts? How about women in the horror industry as a whole? 

April A. Taylor: There are not many women in my specific niche of the horror genre, but as with just about any industry, men do unfortunately seem to get more recognition. The horror industry has long been known to be basically a “boys club” and this can be seen through the disproportionate number of working male to female directors, writers, etc. Things like Women in Horror Recognition Month are shedding light on this issue, though, and independent film festivals such as BleedFest are making it easier for female filmmakers to get their work in front of the public eye.

Fatally Yours: What women do you admire?

April A. Taylor: I admire every woman who is working really hard to break into the long standing “boys club” that is the industry of horror and I give special props to Rachel Talalay for all of her work within the industry. I admire the women in history who have stood up for women’s rights and civil rights. And I admire the women in my personal life who do amazing things daily, such as my aunt who spends almost all of her spare time making hats and scarves to donate to the homeless.

Fatally Yours: Who are some of your favorite photographers?

April A. Taylor: I really love the non-landscape work that Ansel Adams did earlier in his career.  I find that a lot of the other work that I’m really drawn to is being produced by people who have no interest in actually having a career as a professional photographer. There are a lot of really talented people out there who have shared their stuff with me, some who have been kind enough to say that mine inspired theirs, and I love to look at photography of all kinds/from all fields.

Fatally Yours: Recently, have you come across any new artists whose work you’ve absolutely fallen in love with? This can include photographers, filmmakers, musicians, etc. 

April A. Taylor: Although I wouldn’t say I came across him recently, one of my absolute favorite artists is Chris Mars. His work inspires me greatly. As to musicians and other artists, I constantly seek out new work and seem to have a new favorite song and movie every other day, so any list of recent favorites would be extremely long. However, my current favorite song is “A Walk Through Hell” by Say Anything and the last movie I saw that I really loved was Buried.

Fatally Yours: What is your most prized possession? 

April A. Taylor: Aside from my camera I’d say my iPod. Music is one of the few things in life that I really don’t think I could live without.  The second runner up would be my passport because I want to see, and photograph, the entire world.

Fatally Yours: If you weren’t a photographer, what would you want to be and why?

April A. Taylor: A cinematographer, which is something that I may eventually branch into. I’m too strongly connected to telling a story through a visual format to not have some form of a camera in my hands.

Fatally Yours: What kind of art do you have hanging in your home? 

April A. Taylor: I have a lot of Halloween related art (most of it throwbacks to “classic Halloween” from the ‘30s – ‘50s).  I also have several pieces from artist Matt Busch.

Fatally Yours: You also shoot many haunted attractions. What is your favorite haunted attraction you’ve visited and/or shot and why? 

April A. Taylor: I have many favorite haunts around the country, but probably the best one I’ve ever been to is The 13^th Gate in Baton Rouge, LA. It is the most lovingly detailed haunt I’ve ever seen and, for obvious reasons, the visual presentation of a haunted attraction is very important to me. As far as just having a really fun and unusual experience, though, The House of Shock in New Orleans wins hands down for their full body contact style of haunting.

Fatally Yours: And lastly, one of my favorite questions to ask…What are some of your favorite horror movies? 

April A. Taylor: I have so many favorites!  Here are the ones that come to mind immediately:  A Nightmare on Elm Street (the original) parts 1 & 3, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Evil Dead, Fido, Shaun of the Dead, all of the Romero zombie movies, Hellraiser, [REC], Cube, Saw (parts 1 & 2), Halloween (the original), Trick R Treat, 1408 (the director’s cut), The Collector, Cabin Fever and The Human Centipede.

Fatally Yours: Let me sneak one more question in here…can you tell us about the next series you are going to shoot or any other projects you have lined up? 

April A. Taylor: Although I have several sets lined up, I typically don’t discuss them in advance. I will say, though, that a few popular sets are going to have continuations, one of which will probably really surprise the fans with the direction that it’s going to take.  As to publications, appearances, etc., some of my darker Fine Art pieces will be featured in an upcoming horror anthology entitled What Fears Become. Some of my work will also be seen in an upcoming short horror film entitled CathARTic, written and directed by Devanny Pinn.  I will also be making appearances this month at Con Nooga in Chattanooga, TN and MystiCon in Roanoke, VA and then in April at Motor City Nightmares in Novi, MI.

Fans can see more of my work at www.aprilataylor.com and can get sneak peaks of upcoming shoots, exclusive content & discounts, etc. by “liking” the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aprilataylorphotography.  Thanks, Fatally Yours!

Interview with Wicked Apple Jewelry Artist Lin Pyatt

Lin Pyatt has always loved horror. She grew up on spending long nights with Hammer films and reading horror books. However, she never thought she’d be able to incorporate her love of horror into her work until recently…

Lin started Wicked Apple jewelry studio to produce her unique mixed-media art. She only recently began using horror themes in her jewelry, and realized she could combine her two loves of horror and art!
Along with Wicked Apple, Lin runs the non-profit The Carpe Noctem Foundation, where she combines her degree in Museum Studies with her love of horror.

Fatally Yours: How and when did you fall in love with horror? 

Lin Pyatt: As early as I can remember, honestly! I may be betraying my age, here, but I saw It’s Alive in the theater… of course I was very young. I religiously watched a program called Terror Theater which featured classic horror camp. I also watched Night Gallery, Outer Limits, The Night Stalker, Hammer Films, and read horror comics. Anything horror-related! Even horror coloring books! My heroes were always Dracula, and the like. Those poor hunted monsters!

Fatally Yours: What does horror mean to you? 

Lin Pyatt: That is a good question… it means things that frighten you, or evoke fear, terror, make you wonder what is out there. Horror is supposed to frighten us, in both a primal and metaphysical sense, make us examine our fears, and ourselves. But I agree with John Carpenter, in the sense that horror may introduce elements that make us think the horror is ‘out there’ somewhere, but really it is within us. We are the monsters. We use horror, at times, I think, to put it ‘out there’ and make it something tangible, so we can try to exorcise it.

Fatally Yours: How do you incorporate “horror” into your designs?

Lin Pyatt: For my jewelry I use classic images of horror, or things that evoke the darker side, gothic, classic horror. I have been making horror-ish fused glass pendants and hair flowers, and my new collage pendants are a great creative outlet, too. I might add a dark touch or element to something normally bright and shiny.

Fatally Yours: What other things influence your designs? 

Lin Pyatt: My first major was anthropology, so world culture and design elements are a large part of it. Steampunk, which has some dark elements, and even some classic designs, early Hollywood, dark fantasy is a big one, too! Even Disney, which has some pretty dark stuff in there!

Fatally Yours: What inspired you to start your own jewelry company and embrace such a dark aesthetic? 

Lin Pyatt: I have always designed jewelry. I started when I was little, making presents for people, and I had so many requests that I eventually began selling pieces. I just incorporate what I love into the designs, Horror being a large part of that. Wicked Apple, the name, came out of the historical idea of the dark, forbidden fruit, the same ideas that Disney used with Snow White’s poisoned apple.

Fatally Yours: What challenges have you faced and overcome with running Wicked Apple?

Lin Pyatt: Well, I’ve changed the name three times, mainly due to changing my approach, the events I do, etc. It’s a lot of work. You’re always arranging for the next show. Working for yourself means you do everything – advertising, books, planning, designing – everything! I’m also in grad school, so I’m busy already… one major challenge. Also, the economy right now isn’t treating small businesses very well.

Fatally Yours: If you could choose anyone, living or dead, to model Wicked Apple jewelry who would it be and why? 

Lin Pyatt: I think I’d make an amazing ring for Vincent Price to wear or a stunning necklace for Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Steele, or earrings for Simone Simon! But I’d love to see anyone today in these pieces, particularly people who have a wild, fun side, like Dee Wallace, Deborah Harry, Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Cassandra Peterson, Natalie Portman, Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu, Madonna, Thora Birch, Brinke Stevens… (Ooh, and the men: Johnny Depp or Robert England, Malcolm McDowell  - whoever would be willing!)

Fatally Yours: What elements can female designers bring to horror-themed accessories that is different than males’ designs?

Lin Pyatt: Well, obviously ‘girl’ themed accessories: hair ribbons, hair flowers – that is something I love to focus on. It is a large part of my line and something that I love, although it is feminine (which, I’ve never really thought of myself as ‘girly’) those can definitely have both the humorous horror and creepy horror elements. Jewelry itself is in general, more feminine, anyway. I think we soften it, make it more concrete. Women are actually way more likely to accept the reality of horror (we see ‘blood’ and deal with horrific things more than men, I’d say).

Fatally Yours: Tell us a little about your horror non-profit, The Carpe Noctem Foundation. What are your goals with the non-profit and how will you accomplish them?

Lin Pyatt: It was formed as a nonprofit, public foundation to “promote the study of the significance and purpose of Horror in cultural mythology and folklore, both historical and modern”. We plan to open a gallery/museum to feature and promote horror artists of all types (film, painting, etc) and explore how horror is an expression of cultural and personal fears, and examine the purpose and importance of it as a genre. Once we receive our 501(c)(3) we plan to hold many events to help with fundraising in order to promote horror art forms of all kinds!

Fatally Yours: What women do you look up to and admire and why?

Lin Pyatt: I have always had trouble identifying with feminine images and females. Most of my friends were male, and I never thought of myself as feminine. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve really explored that side…

Growing up, I guess it was Marlene Dietrich (who rode the line of femininity herself!), and scream queens like Simone Simon and Barbara Steele.

As for women in the horror business: I recently chatted with Dee Wallace, and she is just fabulous! Great personality and great attitude – I can see why she has been so successful for so long. I also met Meg Foster, who is such a sweetie, and a wonderful person. I admire anyone who can do things their own way and succeed.

Fatally Yours: What advice would you give women who want to start their own company?

Lin Pyatt: Do tons of research! Get as much market research info as you can: demographics, etc. But most importantly, do what you love, so your heart can be in it, because if you don’t you’ll be miserable. Don’t just start a business to ‘work for yourself’. Figure out what you want to do, or love to do, and incorporate that in.

Fatally Yours: What’s the last extremely disturbing horror movie/book you saw/read?

Lin Pyatt: Disturbing, in a good way? Well, a while back I saw the Japanese horror film Audition. Amazing, and very creepy, because it is so very realistic. One of these ‘this could happen!’ films! Pan’s Labyrinth, or The Ring for the same reasons. More about how terrible we all are to each other – again, WE are the monsters.

Fatally Yours: What’s one horror movie you think is HIGHLY underrated?

Lin Pyatt: Shadow of the Vampire immediately comes to mind – it is one of the most brilliant films ever made. Also, an older film called The Crawling Eye, which has a great story but a terrible name. Or even misunderstood films, like American Psycho or Ninth Gate.

Fatally Yours: What are your favorite horror films, books, etc.?

Lin Pyatt: Films: Shadow of the Vampire of course, the Hellraiser series (or almost any Clive Barker), Universal monster films and classic horror, anything with Vincent Price! I love almost all of them, really, even old, cheesy ones.


Books: I love short stories, so, almost all anthologies, Cthulhu mythos, etc.

Comics: The old House of Mystery series!

Art: Mark Ryden, Virginie Ropars, Lori Earley, Chris Mars, Travis Louie, Lisa Phoenix, I could go on and on…

Fatally Yours: Do you have any new designs you’d like to tell us about?

Lin Pyatt: I just began doing mini collage fused glass pendants! They are even more unique than my regular fused glass due to being a collage of mainly ‘found’ elements. I am making many new ones for the upcoming shows!

Fatally Yours: What can we expect from you, Wicked Apple and Carpe Noctem in the future?

Lin Pyatt: I intend to expand the jewelry line with more accessories, and more men’s stuff! I also intend for the Horror Museum and Gallery to help form a more cohesive ‘Horror community’, and promote horror as a genre.

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you and your designs?

Lin Pyatt:

Wicked Apple’s Facebook page
Wicked Apple’s online store site
The Carpe Noctem Foundation Facebook page

Interview with Photographer Paula Burr

A lifelong fascination with stopping time and telling a story in just one image has begun to pay off for photographer Paula Burr, who founded Killer Eye Photography. A 2007 graduate of the prestigious Brooks Institute, Paula interned in Manhattan with renowned image-maker Mark Seliger.

In the two and a half years since, she has contributed her style and focus to numerous print and online work. She has recreated the infamous shower scene of Psycho for Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs, Driftwood) and been head still photographer for Anthony DiBlasi’s cinematic adaptation of Clive Barker’s Dread.

Paula’s work was most recently published in new issues of The Burlesque Times, the UK fashion magazine Milk Cow, and in all the advertising for The International Horror and Sci Fi Film Fest 2009. Recent websites featuring her work include Shocktillyoudrop.com, Bloody-Disgusting, and Dread Central, Fatally-Yours. Other endeavors include artistic and abstract stills for Adam Barnick’s upcoming documentary What is Scary? (2011) as well as lighting and videographer work for the upcoming DVD extras for Adam Green’s thriller Frozen.

While favoring the macabre and culture underground, Killer Eye Photography has expanded its passions to everything from weddings to headshots to travel photography, Paula remains committed to finding those images that will stick with you for a lifetime.

Fatally Yours: How did you fall in love with the horror genre? 

Paula Burr: I think I fell in love with the idea of horror before I realized that it was a genre. The feeling as a kid while watching scary movies: A monster lurking outside your window, someone watching you, zombies walking the streets, the unknown. I love all the elements that “horror” brings. I also love the idea that a scary movie can be funny.

Fatally Yours: What does horror mean to you? 

Paula Burr: There are so many ways horror has crept into my own life. For me horror means creating an image that makes people think what the hell is she doing, Or pushing an idea to the edge. I have a deep love for horror because I feel that horror reaches people on a personal level. If I am able to leave an imprint on someone from my imagery, good or bad, if I am able to provoke a feeling I have done my job.

Fatally Yours: How and when did you get involved in the horror genre?

Paula Burr: Being a photographer, I have met many creative, wonderful people. I guess about 2005 is when I really tried to sink my teeth into the genre. I started doing interviews for a horror website and eventually just started talking with people. That led me to conventions and photographing people in the horror world. I eventually met a man by the name of Spooky Dan. We ended up hanging out at Comic Con one year and its all history after that. I owe Dan so much respect, credit and thanks for helping me out and making me put myself out there in the world. He would always tell me “I can introduce you but it’s up to you to do the rest.”

Fatally Yours: What is one thing you’ve done within the horror genre that you are most proud of?

Paula Burr: Working on Dread was an amazing time in my life. The first time I met Clive Barker, I handed him a business card and told him that one-day I hoped to work together. Working with Anthony DiBlasi on Dread was pretty close. Being able to go to eat, sleep, and breathe horror was just life changing. Shooting stills on a film is what I love to do, and then to be able to work with such an amazing crew on Dread was just a dream come true. Not to mention the crew was a giant family so it made it that much more enchanting.

Fatally Yours: How would you convince people who aren’t horror fans to give the genre a try?

Paula Burr: I really believe that there is something for everyone out there in the genre. You can nail down a list to a specific “taste of horror” per individual. You don’t have to watch something that is all blood and guts if you’re not into it. I think that horror films give the audience something to chew on, whether it be a Romero film that is talking about current social trends to a psychological thriller, I’m a believer that you are missing out on a good time if you don’t go see a scary movie in the theater.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel women in horror get the proper recognition when compared to their male counterparts?

Paula Burr: Yes, I do. When I think of the final battle in movies, I mean its great to see men just smearing each other over the pavement, but when a woman is kicking ass there is just that added sassy finesse. I think there is always room for women to show the ability that they are just as good as the male counterpart and sometimes look better doing it.

Fatally Yours: As a woman in horror, have you found it harder to be taken seriously in a genre that seems to be dominated by males? 

Paula Burr: Mostly I think I am taken pretty seriously. My tattoos probably help that a little bit. When someone looks at me and asks me about horror and sees my Frankenstein or Bates Motel sign, they seem to automatically think I’m into it.  Even though the genre seems dominated by males, I don’t use that as a reason to deter me from getting what I came for. I’m a very determined individual and if being a woman puts me into a situation for being the underdog, I try that much harder. I think any woman who has a strong enough character and the ability to adjust to get the job done can make it and be taken seriously. I really am a firm believer in standing on your own; maybe I don’t have balls, but I do have backbone.

Fatally Yours: Since you’ve been involved with the horror genre, have you noticed a change in women’s roles within horror whether it be roles in horror films, women behind the camera, women writers, etc.?

Paula Burr: I think there have been more women getting involved with the genre. Scream queens, actresses and women ready to get down and dirty for the part. Whether it be in front or behind the lens I know that I have been introduced to a lot more ladies wanting to “play dead” since I started shooting. Also I have been searching for it longer. The more I dig for models and such, the more I find a larger variety of women who are into the genre.

Fatally Yours: What women in horror do you admire? 

Paula Burr: I had to think on this one. First there are so many woman that I am probably forgetting at the moment, and most that come to mind straight away are in front of the lens. I think Kathryn Bigelow is amazing. I loved Near Dark and, even though her new film The Hurt Locker is not horror, it’s a great film. Women actresses who have memorable roles for me are: Sigourney Weaver in Alien, Heather Langenkamp in Nightmare On Elm Street, Sissy Spacek in Carrie, Angela Bettis in May. There really are so many that I could name.

Fatally Yours: If you could photograph one woman from the horror genre, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Paula Burr: Barbara Steele, Cassandra Peterson. I would love to have Elvira in my portfolio. She’s just amazing. Barbara I would want to photograph coming out of a coffin just because she has been quoted as saying she never wants to climb out of a coffin again.

Fatally Yours: What inspires, influences and motivates you?

Paula Burr: My friends, people and the process of creating something new inspire me. I’m always talking to others about similar ideas and endeavors, witnessing them go out there and giving it everything they got inspires me to keep pushing. I have a Grace poster hanging up in my room that was signed: “Don’t fucking give up.” I look at that everyday. That’s great motivation. You have to fight for the things you love. Watching my friends work their asses off and get it done is amazing.

Fatally Yours: What are your favorite horror films and books?

Paula Burr: Oh man, so many. I read some King, Clive, William Gibson. But I find myself reading vampire books and yes I read and liked the Twilight series. As for Horror films: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Videodrome, and Repulsion come first to mind.

Fatally Yours: Outside of horror what do you enjoy doing?

Paula Burr: I photograph pin-up, macabre ideas for fun, so when I’m not swimming in horror I am probably working on a creative project. There are so many things really. I love to snowboard and take my dog hiking. Watching movies, watching bad movies with great people.

Fatally Yours: What are your goals for yourself within the horror genre?

Paula Burr: I would love to be the go to photography gal. The horror genre is so much fun, I would like to be able to photograph all that I can. From film stills to portraits, promo pieces for film, movie poster creation. Shooting the characters of movies is kind of like directing my own mini-film, one frame at a time.

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you?

Paula Burr: You can reach me at www.killereye.com. New website is launching soon so stay tuned!

Interview with Artist and Comic Book Author Dame Darcy

Dame Darcy - "Many Hands" by Marcelle DuJour

Dame Darcy is known worldwide as an illustrator, writer, fine artist, musician, filmmaker and animator. She had the pleasure to do illustrations for writers Alan Moore (DC comics), Poppy Z. Brite, Trina Robbins (Women In Comics), and fashion designers Anna Sui (NYC), Jared Gold (LA), CWC, and Coi Girl Magic (Tokyo) among others.

Her TV series, Turn Of the Century, won many awards for the movies and animations made in collaboration with Lisa Hammer and additional filmmakers and is currently being distributed.

Dame Darcy is presently on her 17th issue (and counting) of Meat Cake, her long standing comic book title published by Fantagraphics. She has also released several graphic novels, including Frightful Fairytales (published by Ten Speed Press 2002), Dame Darcy’s Meat Cake Compilation (Fantagraphics Books 2003), The Illustrated Jane Eyre (Putnam Penguin USA 2006),  Dollerium Book and DVD (Presspop, Tokyo 2007) and Comic Book Tattoo, a comic compilation illustrating the songs of Tori Amos (Image Comics 2008) among other compilations.

Gasoline the graphic novel has an accompanying music release by her current band Death By Doll on Emperor Penguin Records entitled Gasoline. Dame Darcy is also adapting Gasoline into a screenplay. Her next graphic novel projects are Hand Book for Hot Witches and The Excorsisters. She’s also developing an online game based on her illustrations.  Her fine art is currently represented by Sloan Fine Art in New York City.

Fatally Yours: When did you become interested in art?

Dame Darcy: I originally started drawing/writing books (sequential art) at the age of 2. My Dad is an artist, so is my uncle, brother, and a lot of my family. We are related to John Wilkes Booth and many of the guys in my family look like him (like a handsome villain) I contribute a lot of my family’s talent and good looks to Booth but also the craziness. I loved the books my family had on Klimt and Rossetti and the other pre-Raphaelites, Dada, (my first word was dada) Victoriana, and Faeiry tales Greek myths and legends.

They also had a lot of feminist literature and contemporary poetry books and faeiry rock music. My favorite bands that I consider my children’s albums that influenced my psychedelic subconscious are that song by the Stones about the girl with rainbow hair, Donovan’s A Gift From a Flower to a Garden, The Kinks song “Victoria,” The Zombies, Tiny Tim’s album God Bless Tiny Tim, The Beatles’ White Album and bluegrass classics like Doc Watson, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, etc.

My dad plays banjo and taught me when I was 10 how to play and at 5 how to play autoharp. We used to play shows together and he was in a band then too.

We lived in Idaho. Not a very artistic place.

Fatally Yours: What kind of films, books and comics did you read growing up that influenced and continue to influence your work?

Dame Darcy: I loved Alice in Wonderland and the Oz books series. Pippi Longstocking (all the books and the movies), I loved Tales From the Crypt and Edward Gorey. I liked the show Night Flight. Creature Feature would show lots of fun stuff on Friday nights. I kind of thought my family was like the Addams Family and that I would grow up to have an Addams Family of my own which I currently always have incarnations of.

The movies that made me think I would grow up and have a place in the world are Time Bandits, Neverending Story, Beetlejuice, Splash, Twilight Zone The Movie, Carrie (which was like my high school experience), Flash Gordon, Eraserhead, Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the movie Popeye, Watership Down, The Last Unicorn was so much like my life and it is STILL like my life. The Last Unicorn is wandering around with that depressing Cat Stevens song or whatever it is searching for her unicorn sisters while the other characters in the movie fuck with her. Finally a curse is put on her, she becomes human (i.e. The fantasies of childhood are broken and you realize you will have to take on all the human crap of being a woman) and when the unicorn turns into a girl, I looked JUST LIKE the girl, it was sick. Then finally she gets to the ocean and joins her other unicorn sisters who come out of the ocean in a wave and gallop together free. I moved to the coast, near the ocean, like San Francisco and NYC and met the other freaks.

Movies that have influenced me as an adult are Barry Lyndon by Kubrick, Terry Gilliam, anything by Todd Haynes. Michel Gondry does good contemporary work, Spike Jonze does good movies as well. I love those really Dada Betty Boop cartoons from the 20′s that Cab Calloway sings on, Night Of The Hunter where Lillian Gish plays an old Christian lady battling a demented preacher with a shotgun while she sings a hymn in harmony with him. This movie stars a doll. Beauty and The Beast by Cocteau, The Blue Angel with Marlene Deitchrich is also a great cabaret film and is sort of like the movie Freaks I just realized. The Devils by Ken Russell 1971, an account of the apparent demoniacal possession of the 17th-century nuns of Louden, climaxing in the burning of their priest as a sorcerer. There is the cutest cabaret scene in it where a gorgeous gay boy plays the Venus Di Milo. This is also like the 1971 release of Wicker Man. A lot of the best movies came out in 1971. Dark and psychedelic.

I think Interview with a Vampire is the most hilarious movie in the planet! Just a laugh riot all the way through. Speaking of vampire movies, Valerie and her Week of Wonders is THE BEST! Salem’s Lot is the scariest. Herzog does a great Dracula too with Klaus Nomi (he is also the star of a documentary called My Best Fiend) and the one where William Defoe plays Dracula is awesome, Shadow of the Vampire. These two were obviously based on the original movie Nosferatu. And lest we not forget The Hunger. That movie I clung to like a life raft when I was a teen in Idaho. I want to see Let The Right One In but have not yet.

I always draw the endless pages and commission designs while watching movies, and crafting.  I watched Gone with the Wind (which is a costume drama AND an apocalyptic movie all in one) over and over for a month one time. I just didn’t care to see anything else. The song that the slave men sing in that movie as so poignant and creepy it sends chills up my spine.

Fatally Yours: What sparked your interest in creating your comic book, Meat Cake?


Dame Darcy: I began self publishing Meat Cake when I was 17. It was picked up by Fantagraphics in 1991 when I was 19 and Fantagraphics is releasing a graphic novel compilation of Meat Cake with stories up to issue 10 I think. I am currently on issue 18 and am reissuing out of print Meat Cake issues as part of my new self publishing company Dame Darcy Publishing Ink, found at Dame Darcy.com. Anyone can get them directly from me on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/damedarcy.

I had this dream place, a little sea coastal town called Sobriety Straight where freaks lived together. A mermaid that thought death was funny and liked to flirt with and torture men. Hindrance (a hindrance to Perfidia) and Perfidia (meaning two-faced), a Siamese twin that was always fighting with itself (I am a Gemini on the cusp of cancer, need I say more). Richard Dirt, named for the pen name I once considered when I thought I would create an alter ego like George Sand the lady Victorian writer did, but instead I created a comic book alter ego which I am really glad I did not make my pen name Richard Dirt, that is sooooo confusing! Strega Pez is a hard working gal who is also an orphan, when she was born she came from her mother’s throat, thus killing her, and was cursed by only being able to talk through her throat on Pez. I invented this character because I felt like I always had to work mundane jobs like that before I became a freelance artist. Later Strega Pez becomes a world renowned scientist and invents invisible strong string made from goat’s milk and spider webs and gets out of poverty. Friend the Girl is inspired by Louise Brooks and is a good friend, she has a boyfriend named Friend the Boy. Wax Wolf is a cad zombie werewolf made from real wolf hair and wax who is the undead so is killed thousands of times in different ways and always comes back.Granny was once a flapper mobster moll who puts poison in her cookies out of habit. Scampi the Selfish Shellfish is Richard’s pet. And then there’s the sundry pirates and hot sailor lads from the port town.

Fatally Yours: Besides being well-known for Meat Cake, you also make dolls, create music, design clothes, create fine art, make graphic novels, are a filmmaker and are a cartoonist. How and why do you find yourself pursuing so many different avenues of creativity?


Dame Darcy: I always wanted to make feature films, which combine music, animation, film and are themselves fine art. So until I get my big break I make everything separately and keep pitching my feature film concepts which are based on graphic novels.

Fatally Yours: How would you describe your art and artistic style?

Dame Darcy: Like a demented tortured Gypsy that wants to escape this place and time into a faeiry fantasy world near Atlantis. Place beyond place time out of time.

Fatally Yours: Your art contains many Victorian motifs. What attracts you to the Victorian period? Do you ever find yourself gravitating to other eras?


Dame Darcy: Did you know that glass (like glass windows) is always in a permanent liquid form? This is why the stained glass of the Byzantine churches have some images where the colors have melted from one frame into the next. And also why the cut glass windows in the craftsman house I grew up in were warped from the windows slowly melting over 100 years. It’s always this way in old houses.

The Victorian era is a romantic and tragic place at the dawn of industrialization. Mother earth had not been completely slaughtered yet then. Women were oppressed but there was a chivalry to it all too. As a kid I had nostalgic longings and still do for the smell of Victorian cotton curtains blowing in the half open window of an attic room while it’s raining outside on the roses and ivy that have grown to cover the dirty, spider webbed glass that is slightly warbled from the glass slowing melting over time.

In my graphic novel Gasoline the Witch family lives in a post apocalyptic utopia which is in a simultaneously existing time /space mirroring this one. I am writing a new one called Gold Leaf about how I channeled my past life as a Druid in 500 AD. It is called Gold Leaf because that what the illuminated letterers of the time used, and will be drawn as if stained glass windows were panels of a comic book (which is essentially what they are). Other than that I am currently in the process of publishing my latest graphic novel, The Hand Book For Hot Witches. It is modern, but touches a lot on ancient magic lore and is basically a practical guide to magic of all lineages.

Fatally Yours: When you first started out, did you encounter any gender bias as a woman in a mostly male-dominated world of comic books and graphic novels? Or were people pretty open to your ideas, regardless of your gender? Do you find your gender makes a difference in how people view you nowadays?


Dame Darcy: Again, I feel like The Last Unicorn because I am well aware that the comic book world and feature film and animation world is a boys’ club. In a way it’s good to be different and naturally stand out from the crowd, but at the same time my people are the gothic Lolita fashion and weirdo darkwave music scene which doesn’t necessarily know or care about comix. To fix this problem and combine all of it I am creating a special Doll Game which will be seen soon on Dame Darcy.com and whose details I can not disclose yet.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel that your art has a feminist subtext? Please explain.


Dame Darcy: I am a hardcore feminist so I wrote The Hand Book For Hot Witches, here’s what it’s about…. I also created the EZ Bake Coven which I encourage everyone to join and post and enact on the forum and in real life…again here’s the Manifesto for that too…I made these things because WE NEED THEM!

Hand Book For Hot Witches: Combine graphic novel with a “how to” guide, add a dash of cook book and a fairy sprinkle of witch spell, wrap it all up with women’s history and you have the Hand Book For Hot Witches. This is a girl’s guide to the apocalypse. This book addresses the unique needs women have, and covers heavy issues like sustainable living once water, heat, and food have become scarce. It harkens back to an ancient time when women lead as the herbalist healers, nurturers and disciplinarians of the community. But also looks to the future and gives advice on how to handle crisis in a time of global extremes and addresses mood fluctuations and how to handle inner turmoil.

Hand Book For Hot Witches addresses our need for self defense. It celebrates and acknowledges our inherent power of creativity, intuitiveness, and every female’s role as a conduit to the spirit realm.

This guide book is for girl scouts grown up and facing the realities of surviving in the jungle of today’s political society with complex ecological implications. And  gives them simple answers through philosophy, skill, crafts and song to deal with these issues one step at a time through comics, fully illustrated step by step how to’s, in depth text with spot illustrations and resource guide.

Most of women’s history is blotted out from the pages of society. Hand Book For Hot Witches recognizes and profiles “witches” who stood out of the crowd changed the world and fought for not just the rights of women but for humanity and for justice. This book will help their legacy live on.

There are many “how to” books, and post petroleum guides of how to live sustainably. The Hand Book For Hot Witches stands out from the rest because it has a unique view that addresses the needs of women. Although it brings up topics that at some times are hard to face, the visual style and literary sense of humor make these overwhelming concepts and problems easier to handle and thus easier to solve.

This book is here to inspire individuals to make a change and inform them how to do it. It’s also here to empathize with the current situation the world is in and does not ignore the symbiotic relationship that women have to Mother Nature. Respecting the earth is respecting womankind, and respecting yourself.

The information and insight within is something daughters, mothers, and grandmothers can all relate to, connect with, and remember. To proactively create a future so all girls can inherit a legacy.

The E Z Bake Coven has been going for 10 years now, and now has an exciting new look. We are creating a forum to profile artists and a place for ladies (and the men who worship the Goddess) to live chat, video blog, and even create their own local covens virtually and in reality. It is located in the EZ Bake Coven section of Dame Darcy.com

Fatally Yours: What elements do female artists offer that differ from males’ perspectives?


Dame Darcy: The sense of entitlement that all women, the earth, animals and all plant life is here to serve “man” was invented by Christian white guys a while ago and just because it’s been the mainstream way of thinking for a long time, does not now nor never was right.

Jocks think this way and to this I say “FROCKS NOT JOCKS” they do not think or consider the perspective of women or other races and to this I say “I AM THE CRACKER ATTACKER” and women are bitches who are not feminist and do not see other ladies as their sisters. So they I say “WITCHES NOT BITCHES”.

Fatally Yours: What women in your industry do you admire and why?

Dame Darcy: Natasha Rambova, [who] was born Winifred “Winnie” Kimball Shaughnessy on January 19, 1897. [She] grew up to not only to be the creatrix of Hollywood [to] its biggest and most influential star Rudy Valentino, but also is the inventor of the Art Deco style. She was a costume and set designer, artistic director, screenwriter, producer, actress, fashion designer, and was also influenced by German Expressionism. She earned more than her husband Valentino, who had notoriously bad contract deals and had a career due to her styling and marketing of him. Their break up and his death ensued when the big money guys at the studios wanted to take her influence away. She designed for a film Nazimova wrote titled, A Doll’s House. Rambova’s designs for the movie Salome were seen as extremely daring and risqué. She based them off drawings by Aubrey Beardsley for Oscar Wilde’s version. Plus look up her photo she is the hottest and most beautiful witch ever. Truly amazing! Also the German animatoress Lotte Reiniger and her film Die Abenteuer des Prinzen Achmed (1926), the first feature-length silhouette animation. Really ladies, I’m not kidding look this up and watch it somehow, it will change your life.

Fatally Yours: What advice would you give women who want to pursue a career in art?


Dame Darcy: LIFE ALIGNED WITH PASSION

When you have a big or unusual goal you may be daunted by trying and failing a million times, but just keep throwing your work out into the public and researching who to talk and pitch your ideas to /show your art. And keep going. The way big ideas get made into reality is by trying time and time again, each try is one try closer to manifesting your goal. No one manifests anything who didn’t try and your convictions will make all obstacles fall away of their own accord.

So many people when they ask, “What do you do?” they mean, “What do you do to make money?” They are trying to judge who you are by what you do to make an income. To which some people take offense if their passion does not make them money and does not align with their work.

If you choose to favor your passions above and beyond all else and stay committed, the life of your choosing will manifest.  Daily responsibilities and expectations arise all around you.

Fatally Yours: What are your favorite dark works of art, horror books, comics, etc.?

Dame Darcy: I love Suhiro Maruo , a Japanese graphic novelist who does stories about a dark circus and vampires. The Strange Tale of Panorama Island is his latest book. Sandman series by Neil Gaiman was always a beautiful but sad story and From Hell about Jack the Ripper written by Alan Moore has an extremely enlightening section in the back pages about the dark occult underbelly that London’s streets and politics are based on. His latest book Promethia has very enlightening occult information. I have always admired Ralph Steadman’s drawing style and was inspired by Sue Coe in my early days. I also as previously mentioned Charles Addams’ Addams Family comics and Edward Gorey’s comics as a kid. Egon Sheile illustrations/paintings look so contemporary and Francis Bacon is a beautiful sicko and just had an amazing exhibit at the Met in NYC last summer. Hans Bellmer (the one who did those weird sculptures of dolls) also did illustrations which were amazing as well. Aubrey Beardsley of course. All Art Nouveau.

Fatally Yours: Who are your current favorite artists?

Dame Darcy: Camille Rose Garcia, Joe Coleman, Joanne [Burke] of Chromium Dumb Belle is a genius! Kime Buzelli. Marcelle DuZama , Matthew Barney , Cindy Sherman, I love Grandma Moses (but she’s not current) Christy Kane, Jared Gold, Adam Dugas, Machiene Dazzle, Madeline Von Forrester and so much more but I’m going crazy.

Fatally Yours: If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a comic book or graphic novel, who would it be and why?

Dame Darcy: O M G ! It would be to illustrate Alice in Wonderland. Also, I LOVE Hunter S. Thompson, Urusala K. Leguinn and Philip K. Dick. I would love to turn any of their books into graphic novels.

Fatally Yours: Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to talk about?

Dame Darcy: I already mentioned myself publishing company Dame Darcy Publishing Ink, The E Z Bake Coven, my darkwave band Death By Doll’s upcoming album Goth As Fuck, Meat Cake comic book series, Gasoline graphic novel,  Hand Book For Hot Witches, Turn Of The Century DVD of my TV show was just re-released. All my current and past multimedia projects and current shows and events can be seen at Dame Darcy.com and can be acquired at my Etsy store which is the arts/crafts section on dd.com

Fatally Yours: What goals do you hope to accomplish in 2010?

Dame Darcy: To live in a state of enlightened tranquility. To learn Spanish, to learn how to sail, to find my home, or at least get an idea of where it is, to have my feature film go into preproduction, to get the biggest publishing deal possible for Hand Book For Hot Witches, to master and release Death By Doll’s new album, to start my doll game , to make the EZ Bake Coven Forum the best it can be, to get a licensing deal for my designs, and to make my 84 year old doll Isabelle finally happy so she can stop bitching at me.

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you?

Dame Darcy: For everything me go to: www.damedarcy.com

And I also want to thank my business partner and Gemini twin Vincent D. Dominion. He is an artist as well and you can check him out at myspace.com/vincentdominion

Thank you for everything and best wishes and magic blessings to you!

Interview with Central Valley Horror Club Founder Kaci Hansen

Kaci Hansen is an artist, musician, writer, performer, dancer, director and special effects makeup artist, with a passion for all things horror, who tries to find as many ways as possible to integrate her love of the genre in with everyday life. Kaci was one of 13 lucky finalists in Fangoria Magazine’s nationwide search for their 2010 Spooksmodel, where she came in first place in the first fan-voting segment of the contest.

Kaci works with Nothing is Safe Films where she not only acts, writes, and directs, but also aids in production and special effects makeup. She recently completed her roles in The Orchard and Side of the Road, and is working on a five-part film project called The Apartments where she not only stars in one segment, but also directs her own segment and aids in FX/makeup on all of the segments.

Kaci also founded and dances with Central California’s first and only horror-themed dance troupe, The Horror Dolls.

In 2008 she founded the Central Valley Horror Club (the first and only horror-themed organization in Central California), who host numerous horror-themed events throughout Central California, including free movie nights and concerts. This past year, Kaci and the Central Valley Horror Club hosted their city’s first-ever Zombie Ball, Vampire Ball and Monster Mash. The Central Valley Horror Club has had an enormous amount of support from the community, being featured in several in publications, and hopes to continue offering horror themed entertainment for a long time to come.

In 2009, Kaci began working with Comic Book Divas on her very own horror-comic, titled Kaci Hansen Presents… The comic will be available for purchase in early 2010 through ComicBookDivas.com

Kaci is currently in the process of writing music with her band The Homicidal Housewives, doing various horror conventions promoting The Horror Dolls and Kaci Hansen Presents…, and is working on various screenplays for films that will soon be available from Nothing is Safe Films.

Fatally Yours: How did you fall in love with the horror genre? 

Kaci Hansen: It actually began at a young age, when I fell in love with television shows of a darker aesthetic, such as The Addams Family and The Munsters. I would often stay at my great-grandparents’ house, and they didn’t have cable, so I often would watch reruns of these shows. I was always a big fan of the Halloween season and all of the spooky things that accompanied the holiday. What can I say? I ate the monster cereals for breakfast as often as I could, with Count Chocula being my favorite (it has since shifted over to Boo Berry).

My parents are actually huge horror fans, and they would always make me watch films with them. I would be absolutely terrified, sitting with my hands covering my eyes, occasionally peeking through my fingertips…and as scared as I was, I couldn’t get enough of it. As I got older, my interests peaked even further; my mom would always tell me, “It’s not real, you don’t need to be scared,” so naturally, I was fascinated that one could obscure that line between reality and fantasy, and create such an emotional and visual impact on the viewer. I believe that is what intrigued me to get involved in special FX artistry, prop making and development, and eventually, writing and directing my own projects.

Fatally Yours: How and when did you get involved in the horror genre?

Kaci Hansen: Many people just did not (and still do not) understand my fascination with the genre. I’d often bring up films or scenes from movies, and people would stare blankly at me, not having a clue what I was even referring to. I decided to change that, so in 2008, I founded Central Valley Horror Club – the first and only horror organization in Central CA. I began having free, public all-ages movie nights at a pizza place, so I could meet other horror fans, and hopefully ‘convert’ a few more. Our first event brought in over 60 people, and the support has been continuous! One thing we really try to touch on is playing lesser-known movies, to expose them to new horizons within the genre.

In 2009, I decided to introduce my city to something else they had never experienced before – horror-themed concerts and events. I hosted Central CA’s first Zombie Ball, Vampire Ball and Monster Mash in 2009. To say that I was humbled by the support and appreciation that the community showed towards my efforts, would be an understatement. I literally receive emails every week asking when the next event will be.

In 2009, I also formed The Horror Dolls, which is the first and only horror-themed dance troupe in Central CA. I wasn’t sure how the community would react to it, but a local publication actually featured us on the cover of their October 2009 issue, and wrote an entire article on us.

I also became involved with Nothing is Safe Films in 2009, where I not only act, but I also write, direct and do makeup/FX. I had a small role in the films The Orchard and Side of the Road. I am currently working on a project titled The Apartments, where I am acting in one segment, writing/directing another segment, and doing makeup for all of the segments. It’s been a tedious project, with a lot of hiccups, but it’s been so much fun working on the set. We have a good group of people at Nothing is Safe; I love them.

I have a horror comic coming out through ComicBookDivas.com in early 2010, called Kaci Hansen Presents…Hello Dollies.

Fatally Yours: What is one thing you’ve done within the horror genre that you are most proud of?

Kaci Hansen: I would have to say that forming Central Valley Horror Club would be exactly that. Hearing people thank me for making fun, affordable and unique events in our area makes all of the hard work and planning worth it. People would often complain that there was nothing ‘cool’ or ‘fun’ to do here, and it was my goal to change that. And I truly believe that I have.

Fatally Yours: How would you convince people who aren’t horror fans to give the genre a try?

Kaci Hansen: I always suggest watching a really, really cheesy horror flick – the kind that make you smile, even if it’s not supposed to. My recommendations would be Slumber Party Massacre II or Dead Alive…not that I think those are necessarily considered cheesy, but I have witnessed them bring smiles to the faces of many.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel women in horror get the proper recognition when compared to their male counterparts?

Kaci Hansen: It really depends on what role you’re referring to. In the past, it seemed that films written or directed by women were not taken too seriously, but I have seen what appears to be a tremendous change as of late. With film festivals like VISCERA, the creation of Women in Horror Month, and the unity between females involved in the genre, that is rapidly changing.

Fatally Yours: As a woman in horror, have you found it harder to be taken seriously in a genre that seems to be dominated by males? 

Kaci Hansen: Actually, quite the opposite. Occasionally, people seem to be taken aback a bit at first, but once they talk with me and see what a passion I have for the genre and what I do within it, they seem to hold a lot of respect for me, what I do, and why I do it. From time to time, people still seem surprised that Central Valley Horror Club was founded by a woman; they love it.

Fatally Yours: Since you’ve been involved with the horror genre, have you noticed a change in women’s roles within horror whether it be roles in horror films, women behind the camera, women writers, etc.?

Kaci Hansen: Absolutely. I’m really excited that more women are getting recognition for being behind the camera and utilizing their creative sides.

Fatally Yours: What women in horror do you admire?

Kaci Hansen: Oh, there are so many, and for so many reasons…I’ll end up typing here all evening if I don’t narrow it down to one! I’m going to go with Bette Davis for this answer. I recently watched Dead Ringer again, and just love the way she could turn-on/turn-off that crazy, psychotic side yet appear so kind and sweet directly after…much like her role in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? I have always admired her work.

I also love the iconic horror hostesses – Vampira and Elvira. Most people seem to only like one or the other, but I think they’re both great.

I also want to take this time to give a huge thank you to Hannah Neurotica for her efforts for Women in Horror Month, Shannon Lark for her efforts with The Chainsaw Mafia and VISCERA, and all of the other amazing women out there who are taking action every day to unite us all.

Fatally Yours: What inspires, influences and motivates you?

Kaci Hansen: Every film I watch is an inspiration to me to work hard, and to do my best. I always try to remind myself that EVERY film used to be an idea in the back of someone’s head; it was all up to them to put forth the effort to execute the idea.

I also just flat-out love what I do, and seeing how I’ve made a change in the community here really makes me happy. Seeing the support that Central Valley Horror Club has gotten is enough to make me continue working hard to enrich our city for horror fans.

Fatally Yours: What are your favorite horror films and books?

Kaci Hansen: This is the question I’m asked the most, and it’s always the most difficult one to answer!
I already mentioned my love for Slumber Party Massacre II…and if you can’t enjoy a guy who looks like the love-child of Andrew Dice Clay and an Elvis-impersonator swinging around a guitar with a drill on the end of it, then I don’t know what to tell you. I really love The Tingler, Mr. Sardonicus, House on Haunted Hill (you’ve gotta see the RiffTrax version of it!), Night of the Demons (1 and 2), Demons, Sleepaway Camp, Day of the Dead, Dead Ringer, The Gates of Hell, Return of the Living Dead…the list goes on and on.

Fatally Yours: Outside of horror what do you enjoy doing?

Kaci Hansen: I’m a Fine Art major, so all things related to art really interest me. I really love graphic design, web design, cooking and baking. JELL-O brains seem to be a staple in my household. I love animals (I have four dogs, and one kitty). I’m very close with my little brother (he’s 10) and have done a splendid job with exposing him to the genre so far. He actually led our zombie walk that took place before our Zombie Ball. I also love music – whether it be listening to it, playing it (I play guitar/keys), or going to a concert.

Fatally Yours: What are your goals for yourself within the horror genre?

Kaci Hansen: Just to do whatever I can to help artists, filmmakers, actors and actresses to get involved and recognized, and to unite other horror fans. Also, to continue bringing fun and exciting horror-themed events to the area. I really would like to get more involved with acting, as I have really enjoyed being in front of the camera as much as being behind it.

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you?

Kaci Hansen: Feel free to add me on Facebook, or on Myspace. My website, www.kacihansen.com, is currently being renovated, and with all of my projects going on, it’s taking me a little more time than I anticipated.

Central Valley Horror Club on Facebook
Central Valley Horror Club on Myspace
The Horror Dolls on Facebook
The Horror Dolls on Myspace
Kaci on IMDB

Interview with Journalist Jovanka Vuckovic

Jovanka Vuckovic is an award-winning writer, artist and film critic who hails from mixed disciplines; she studied Physical Anthropology at McMaster University and spent five years as a digital effects artist at CBC Television, where she earned a Gemini Award for Best Visual Effects. She also studied genre film and literature in depth during her seven-year tenure as the Editor-in-Chief of Rue Morgue Magazine. Vuckovic is currently writing a genre tome for a major publisher and prepping her first film, The Captured Bird.

Fatally Yours: How and when did you fall in love with horror? 

Jovanka Vuckovic: My mother always says that I’ve loved monsters since before I could speak. When I could hold a crayon, I’d draw monsters. When it was my turn to choose a video on movie night, I’d run for the horror section of the video store. It’s just always been in my blood. I can’t explain it. When it comes to horror, I feel like Lt. Ripley in Alien 3 when she says, “You’ve been in my life for so long, I can’t remember anything else.”

Fatally Yours: What does horror mean to you? 

Jovanka Vuckovic: Escapism, entertainment and joy are words that come to mind. Besides being a great springboard to exorcise our own fears and anxieties, the horror genre is a really creative arena to work in. It can be extremely thoughtful or just downright fun, or both.

Fatally Yours: You are most well known for being the former editor of Rue Morgue, but how did your career in horror start?

Jovanka Vuckovic: My career in horror began when I studied forensic anthropology in university and realized that there is a stark difference between what happens in real life and what happens on paper. Working with the dead gave me the perspective I needed to really appreciate living, which only made me appreciate my beloved horror films and literature that much more. There was the horror of my real life and the cathartic escapism and highly conceptualized violence that movies offered. Seeing what a real body looks like after it’s been dredged out of the sewer system by a roto rooter suddenly makes zombies, vampires and werewolves kind of silly – pure entertainment. Also, I was better able to relate to the anxieties sublimating in more thoughtful genre movies – that existential dread that some movies possess – I understood it and felt a profound connection to such films.

But I guess formally my “career,” as the public knows it, started with Rue Morgue. Before I took over the reigns there, I was an erudite fan like everyone else. I had done a lot of unpublished writing because I was a digital special effects artist (which I did for 5 years after I left forensics) and had a lot of time on my hands as my machine rendered shots. So I wrote about horror. Not reviews per se, but my own philosophical leanings on the genre. I had already been volunteering and traveling to conventions with Rue Morgue in my spare time so I knew them quite well. I was trying to help the fledgling, bi-monthly Canadian fanzine grow by attending events and getting the word out about the country’s only horror periodical. I noticed the magazine didn’t have very many female contributors and felt that needed to change so I eventually sent some writing samples to the previous editor, who felt I had a hidden talent for writing, was honest as hell and knew a lot about horror – three things he was looking for in an editor. The more he read the more he became convinced I was the person that should take over the magazine. He offered me the job as Managing Editor about three months later, just as I was about to move to LA for a gig at a high profile effects shop. I thought about it for a little while and eventually took a pay cut of over ¾ of my paycheck to work for the Rue Morgue. I thought it should at the very least be an interesting experience for a few years. So I took the job as Managing Editor and two and a half years later, I was the Editor-In-Chief. In my seven-year tenure at Rue Morgue, I investigated and studied the genre in-depth, sort of like a massive university research project. When you watch, read and listen to horror day-in, day-out for that many years, you end up becoming an expert on it – especially if it was already something you’ve loved your whole life. As cliché as it is, you really can achieve anything you want in the world if you set your mind to it. One day I was a digital effects artist, the next day a magazine editor. Now I’m about to be a mother, an author and a filmmaker. What a trip life is! I’ve never been happier and more certain that I’m on the right path than I am right now.

Fatally Yours: What was your biggest challenge in your position as editor of Rue Morgue?

Jovanka Vuckovic: Getting the issue out on time every month. That was a constant challenge. I dreaded my deadline more than my period and both came once a month!

Fatally Yours: Why do you think the horror genre has primarily been a boy’s club?

Jovanka Vuckovic: What hasn’t been a boys club? I recently saw a news blurb that stated women made 74% of what men made who were doing the same jobs last year. It’s hard to believe, but women are still discouraged from some occupations. Filmmaking is one of those occupations. It’s always been a technical art and women have traditionally been discouraged from the technical arts. And since horror films are made the same way all films are, it tends to be no different in that regard. I’d love to think that there will be total equality in the horror community some day but there will always be those lug heads that make it difficult for us. The guys who feel they need to comment about a woman’s appearance on message boards or ask for nude photos. That happened to me quite a lot. Some people are just ignorant and that will unfortunately never change. The trend here is objectification. Whether you make a horror movie, run a magazine, write horror fiction or make horror music, there will always be that handful of people out there that want to reduce your value as a contributor by making comments about the way you look while they’re commenting on what you do. This rarely happens to men. Their work is judged solely on the merits of the work. I mean, when do you ever read men arguing whether Stephen King is hot or not online? It ain’t happening. His appearance doesn’t come into the picture, which is the way it should be. At any rate, when it comes to horror, it’s just one of those interests – along with comic books, sci-fi, toy collecting, motorcycling and enjoying strip clubs – that women have traditionally been discouraged from being a part of. These were male-dominated boys clubs for a long time. Thankfully, things are slowly changing. At the very least, it’s nice to know that now over 50% of filmgoers are women, which means the ladies are shelling out for scary movies just as much as men are.

Fatally Yours: Have you noticed an increase in women getting involved in the horror genre? Do you think women’s roles in horror, both behind and in front of the camera, are changing?

Jovanka Vuckovic: Definitely. I’m seeing way more women at horror conventions now than when I first started going to them, and some of these ladies are more than just fans, they are starting up their own websites, small presses, fanzines and making independent films. It’s great to see more women who believe they don’t have to take their clothes off to be a contributing member of the horror community.

Fatally Yours: What elements can female filmmakers/authors/journalists/etc. bring to the horror genre that are lacking in males’ perspectives?

Jovanka Vuckovic: I wouldn’t say the male perspective is totally lacking per se, but that’s just my point of view. Unlike a lot of mainstream female critics, I don’t think of horror films as inherently misogynistic or unsympathetic to women. There are many different types of horror films, so I’m obviously reticent to generalize them. There have even been plenty of horror movies that deal with “women’s issues.” Perhaps with women at the helm, those issues might be dealt with a little more sincerely and with more authenticity. But I wouldn’t say that a woman could do a better job depicting the horrors of pregnancy and motherhood any better than The Brood, The Bad Seed, Inside and Grace have, and they were all directed by men. I think sometimes people take horror films a little too seriously. Without question, there are those films that merit academic inquiry, but I’ve never entirely embraced the “feminist” perspective on horror films. While I agree with some of it, I don’t always see the machete as the fleshy knife that penetrates the unwilling woman. Sometimes a knife is just a knife.

Fatally Yours: Do you think it’s harder for women to be taken seriously in a genre that seems to be dominated by males? 

Jovanka Vuckovic: Yes, I do. That’s because some men still look at us as sexual objects, regardless of the position of power we are in.

Fatally Yours: Do you ever get annoyed at how women in horror movies always end naked or with their clothes ripped off? Do monsters not like men’s abs?!

Jovanka Vuckovic: The modern scream queen seems to pride herself in getting naked, so no, it doesn’t really bother me. But I don’t rent movies just because there are naked broads in it; I guess that’s the difference between most male viewers and myself. I want and expect more from my horror films, which is why I love movies like The Thing so much. There’s not a single vagina in it and it remains one of the best genre movies ever filmed. Actually, now that I’ve said that, I suppose you could find a vagina or two somewhere on The Thing if you looked really hard. [Laughs]

Fatally Yours: What horror movie would you say is equally fair in terms of men being objectified or at least, losing the same amount of clothes?

Jovanka Vuckovic: I really don’t search out movies that have an express interest in evening the gender odds so I’m not the best person to ask. I’m most interested in stories that are well told. I don’t think I would get any more enjoyment out of watching a bunch of men being stalked, stripped and slashed than I would women. It’s formulaic and boring. This, to me, is the greatest downfall of the slasher subgenre, which tends to produce derivative pictures that aren’t very thoughtful. But I will say that there is assuredly still a gender bias in the entertainment industry as a whole when it comes to nudity. For example, Mick Garris once expressed to me that he came up against some unfair censorship while making Masters of Horror: he was told that female frontal was okay but male was not. He’s a pretty progressive guy and he understands the television business is male dominated, but even he had to laugh about the fact that dicks are just out of the question. Apparently dicks make men uncomfortable. Try to wrap your head around that one.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel you’ve become desensitized to stereotypical scenes in horror like the half-naked girl screaming and running for her life in slow motion? Or are these types of familiar horror tropes still effective and necessary? 

Jovanka Vuckovic: The former. I’m bored of seeing that sort of thing in the movies. While I can appreciate its efficacy in past films, I’d like to see the horror film EVOLVE.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel that other people view women as being “soft” and not able to endure horror as well as men? How do you fight this stereotypical view?

Jovanka Vuckovic: I find it amusing anyone would think that a creature that bleeds for seven days out of each month and doesn’t die would be disturbed by the sight of a little karo syrup and red dye. It’s interesting to note that in the experience of most tattoo artists, they will tell you that the majority of people who pass out or puke from pain or nervousness are men, not women. Us women are made of much tougher stuff than some give us credit. As a woman who is six months pregnant and planning a totally natural, unmedicated home birth, I can say with total assurance that I am not afraid of anything, not the least of which a little fake blood. The day men can give birth is the day I’ll stop thinking of them as the weaker sex.

Fatally Yours: What women in horror do you admire and why?

Jovanka Vuckovic: I admire every woman who’s contributing to the genre without selling herself out. But I’d love to see more women making movies. There are plenty writing horror fiction, but I’d like to see more ladies infiltrate the film business.

Fatally Yours: What advice would you give women who want to become involved in the horror genre?

Jovanka Vuckovic: Work hard and don’t ever get used to the taste of shit. Self-respect is everything. I had to deal with sexist bullies almost daily in the magazine business. But I found the best way to deal with them is to stand your ground, be honest and fair to yourself and do things on your own terms – not theirs. Your integrity and self-respect is worth more than a lousy paycheck or anything those people have to offer.

Fatally Yours: What’s the last horror movie that made you think “this is some effed up shiznit!”? 

Jovanka Vuckovic: The Human Centipede. That’s some truly “effed up shiznit.”

Fatally Yours: Besides working on building a lovely family (congrats on the pregnancy!) what upcoming projects are you working on?

Jovanka Vuckovic: I’m currently working on a big coffee table book for a major publisher on the history of zombies. It’s something I started before I left the magazine and have to finish before Violet, my baby, comes in May. It’s been like a huge research project but I’m having fun doing it. I’m also working on my first short film, The Captured Bird, which is being executive produced by one of my heroes. He’s a great man who genuinely wants to see people he believes in succeed. I won a grant for about half of the funding to make the film and we’re sourcing the rest right now, so we should be shooting by the end of the summer. It’s sort of a poetic, dark fable… with monsters. It’s definitely unconventional. Those are the kind of movies I’m interested in making. My producers and I are building a website for the film where people will be able to find out more about The Captured Bird and even be able to get involved in it. I am really fortunate to have so many talented filmmakers and artists on board with this project. My friends in the horror community have really stepped up to the plate for me and I owe them all big time. That’s all I can say at the moment but there should be a formal press release in the next month or so. For now, I’ve got this book, a bunch of other writing projects I can’t discuss at the moment, and a baby to give birth to first!

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you?

Jovanka Vuckovic: They are in construction at the moment but thecapturedbird.com and jovankavuckovic.com will be up and running soon. In the meantime, feel free to add me on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.

Interview with Costume Designer and Makeup Artist Aly Greaves

Aly Renee Greaves hails from the northern suburbs of Chicago and works as a freelance costume designer and makeup artist in Chicago as well as resident designer for a large suburban community college. She is an ensemble member at Strawdog Theatre Company and Wildclaw Theatre. When not in the theatre, she knits like crazy, reads and draws comics, collects and creates for fashion dolls, writes scripts, and records podcasts. She has two podcasts: Undead America, Adventures in the Whedonverse and Alyrenee’s Copious Spare Time: A Hobby Hootenany podcast.

Fatally Yours: How and when did you fall in love with horror? 

Aly Greaves: I’ve been a big fan for a long time. I remember watching Alien at much too young an age and being very concerned for the kitty not the humans. I went as a skeleton for my kindergarten Halloween party. I read Shining at age ten (leaving me with an unhealthy fear of topiary bushes). My first job was at the Dairy Queen and there was a comic book store next door. I began trading ice cream for Clive Barker comics and the obsession with horror was firmly entrenched. I have always been crazy for ghost stories too.

Fatally Yours: What does horror mean to you? 

Aly Greaves: I enjoy that adrenaline rush when something really spooks you. I feel that a good healthy scare reminds me of why I am alive. Horror is also an excellent way to make social commentary (i.e. Night of the Living Dead) as well as wrestle with personal demons (i.e. Frankenstein). Horror drags you kicking and screaming out of your safe little bubble…something everyone needs now and then.

Fatally Yours: Why do you think the horror genre has primarily been a man’s domain?

Aly Greaves: Well since nearly everything was a man’s domain at some point…it’s no surprise. Mostly I think that the horror (and the porn industry) has become the last refuge for the misogynists of the world who know that there will always be an audience for sado-sexual violence. Personally the horror that scares me and interests me the most rarely involves buxom women in the woods being chased by maniacs with axes. And while I do enjoy some old school horror films for cheeky appeal, I will never watch the torture porn out there. The only way to wrestle the industry away from the clutches of the XYs is for smart women to get into writing, producing, and directing and for the female horror audiences to give as much support to these books, films, TV, internet media, etc. as possible so that we might have more Kathryn Bigelows and less Rob Zombies.

Fatally Yours: Even though women seem to be getting more and more involved behind the scenes in horror, why do you think there are fewer female horror directors, writers, producers, etc. in the genre than males?

Aly Greaves: I think women in the business fear being pigeonholed by the genre. I also think that the production companies have little to no imagination when it comes to new ideas. Every few years you will see something break into the scene that is vaguely new and then they will beat that idea to death (i.e. Grudge III, Final Destination 18 whatever). The only way we will see more women in the business is if more women see horror as a valid genre and pursue it, support it, and create for it.

Fatally Yours: What elements can female filmmakers/authors/journalists/etc. bring to the horror genre that are lacking in males’ perspectives?

Aly Greaves: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein…the body horror of that story is so haunting. The thought of man taking the power of new life into his own hands (and away from women) creeps me out to no end. I think that women have also knocked the idea of horror through social oppression out of the park (think Shirley Jackson’s Lottery or Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale).

Fatally Yours: Do you think it’s harder for women to be taken seriously in a genre that seems to be dominated by males? 

Aly Greaves:  Right now the struggle is for the entire genre of horror to be taken seriously…all parties are equally scoffed.

Fatally Yours: Do you ever get annoyed at how women in horror movies always end naked or with their clothes ripped off? Do monsters not like men’s abs?!

Aly Greaves: Yes, I get very annoyed by this. Though in the recent My Bloody Valentine remake, the naked blonde won my respect through the sheer tenacity and ridiculous length of the naked fight while wearing stripper platform shoes.

Fatally Yours: What horror movie would you say is equally fair in terms of men being objectified or at least, losing the same amount of clothes?

Aly Greaves: Rocky Horror? Ha ha. Gosh, I cannot even think of one. True Blood on HBO pays fair attention to both the sexes in a wonderfully non-offensive but still sexy way. Supernatural is all about the hotness of the Winchester Boys (though sadly they rarely remove their shirts). In the land of diet horror: Interview with a Vampire is all about pretty boys and the Twilight films have lots of boys with no shirts.

Fatally Yours: Do you feel that other people view women as being “soft” and not able to endure horror as well as men? How do you fight this stereotypical view?

Aly Greaves: Childbirth. You try it boys….

Fatally Yours: What women in horror do you admire and why?

Aly Greaves: Elizabeth Hand writes smart horror. Shirley Jackson scares the be-jebus out of me. Charlaine Harris writes great sexy fluff (she’s my anti-Laurell K Hamilton…who’s work I cannot stand). Kathryn Bigelow kicks serious ass and still holds the title for best-vampire-movie-ever in my opinion.

Fatally Yours: What has been your most challenging costume or makeup dilemma and how did you overcome it? 

Aly Greaves: The monsters and fantastical elements in our plays thus far always require a ton of attention and budget. So the trickiest thing is always making everything look good when a chunk of your time and resources are going to be devoted to a costume and effect that will be on stage for like ten seconds.

Fatally Yours: Where did you learn costuming and makeup artistry? Did you ever think you’d apply these skills in a horrific way? 

Aly Greaves: Well I used to make bullet holes with morticians wax and watched The Making of Michael Jackson’s Thriller every chance I could get as a kid…so it really seemed inevitable. I got into costumes and makeup officially at Knox College when I got a work study job sewing in the costume shop. I was hooked and quickly changed my major to theatre.  From there I went on the graduate school for Costume Design at Carnegie Mellon University. While there, my wonderful professors and advisors were Barbara and Cletus Anderson…who worked on the George Romero and the Stephen King films shot in and around Pittsburgh. So it really always seemed meant to be…

Fatally Yours: What advice would you give women who want to become involved in the horror genre?

Aly Greaves: Get a diverse education and sample all of the horror out there: books, comics, films, television, etc and then find your taste. Find people who you can work with and start making it on your own.

Fatally Yours: What’s the last horror movie that made you think “this is some effed up shiznit!”? 

Aly Greaves:  Quarantine was disturbing (that compound leg fracture…man that was gross) and Descent is so haunting and freaky. I love a good CHUD in a movie.  Plus spelunking sounds like my worst nightmare. Midnight Meat Train was messed up in a wonderfully Barker way. Sigh, I love him so. I adored Drag Me To Hell…that was such a roller coaster…when the old lady was like gumming her…shudder…messed up!

Fatally Yours: What’s one horror movie you think is HIGHLY overrated?

Aly Greaves: Hostel, Saw, any of the Rob Zombie remakes are complete crap…

Fatally Yours: What are your favorite horror films, books, etc.?

Aly Greaves: I love Cabal and the film version Nightbreed. Novels: Carmilla, Frankenstein, Coraline, Bag of Bones by Stephen King. I am a huge Buffy devotee. Supernatural is great fun. Films: The Descent, The Thing, Alien, Dawn of the Dead…

Fatally Yours: What is your ultimate goal while working in the horror genre?

Aly Greaves: I would love to get horror the respect it deserves.

Fatally Yours: What upcoming projects are you working on?

Aly Greaves: William Peter Blatty’s Legion for Wildclaw…and I am working on a stage adaptation for Wildclaw. I am also working on a film script with Brian Amidei. I also have an idea for a horror related craft book that I am developing.

Fatally Yours: Where can people find more info on you?

Aly Greaves:  I have a blog/podcast called Alyrenee’s Copious Spare Time…and a Buffy podcast called Undead America.