random thoughts • coming attractions • euphoric visions • misc ephemera

life is getting real interesting lately, isn't it?

Monday, November 1, 2010

Chiller Cha Cha



Okay, there's surreal and then there's surreal.

I made my first ever appearance yesterday at a Horror/Sci-Fi convention - the Chiller Theatre Expo at the Hilton in Parsippany, NJ. I came prepared with an eye-catching banner and a large pile of 8x10s to sign. Given the huge roster of celebrity guests, I figured I would be tucked away in one of the many small rooms the attendees wander in and out via a long corridor.

Well, as it turned out, Tracy Lords couldn't be there on Sunday. So Kevin Clement ( aka Mr. Chiller and the producer of the event) generously put me at her table. It was in the A-List staging area. Going around the room sitting to my left was Nancy Allen, Kimberly Brown and Patty Duke-Astin. To my right was Patricia Quinn (Magenta), Charlotte Lewis, Theresa Russell, Appolonia, Cheryl Tiegs, Ralph Macchio, Leslie Ann Warren, and John Astin. Opposite my table across the floor was LeVar Burton, Richard Roundtree and Linda Blair.

And then there was Sean Hannon... LOL!




Needless to say, I didn't really belong in that lineup (much as I would have liked), and I ought to have been in the back rooms with the cast of the original "Night of the Living Dead" or alongside the guy who played Mike Tee Vee in "Willy Wonka".



As you might guess, many of the attendees on a celebrity hunt who passed by my table looked at the banner, the photo and me and walked on, not at all sure who I was or what "Fire & Ice" was. Oh, and if you are one of them, go to my earlier blog entry of Oct 14, "Return of the Ice Lord". It will 'splain everything.

Anyway, it was a little disheartening, and with a small shrug, I was prepared for a long day ahead. But the few fans who knew I was going to be there, bringing with them a copy of the film on Blu-ray for me to sign, really made my day. Two of them were eager to start a campaign to get me in the Robert Rodriguez remake. And one guy completely floored me when he walked up and said "You did 'Deja Vu', right?" He was referring to my 3D thesis film. He apparently googled my name and found the link to my 3D work and watched it.

Yeah, it was a strange and wonderful experience, and I learned a lot about how to do this more effectively in future. One of the attendees suggested that I also consider doing the Comic Cons, as there might be more recognition and appreciation of Frazetta's name in that crowd.

But what a cool adventure (thanks again Kevin!!!) and what better way to spend Halloween than chatting with Magenta from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"?! My friend James was just getting used to the camera when he took this blurry shot, but I still think its great because it looks... well, time-warped!