tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13295032973986869262024-03-06T01:19:44.785-08:00La Petite MorgueKelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-48466608959768738732015-04-13T14:04:00.003-07:002015-04-13T14:04:44.570-07:00Hiatus ContinuesLA PETITE MORGUE wishes our Artistic Director, Chelsea Holland, all the best of luck with her move to L.A.<br />
<br />
The future of LA PETITE MORGUE is uncertain, but we appreciate your interest and support. We hope to someday resume making horror happen - whether in NYC, or in a new home on the West Coast.<br />
<br />
<3,<br />
LPM BoardKelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-25176886980066896932014-10-23T13:05:00.001-07:002014-10-23T13:07:25.588-07:00Eric LaRocca's Top 10 Horror Films - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2014/09/eric-laroccas-top-10-horror-films-part-1.html">Read Part 1</a> for Films 10-6. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As I mentioned in <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2014/09/eric-laroccas-top-10-horror-films-part-1.html">Part 1</a>, I am by no means suggesting that the following cinematic works are the most flawless representations of the genre and deserve to trump all other horror films. These films merely resonated with me on a personal level and are still greatly influential on my path as a young writer and enthusiast of the art form. These are films to which I look for inspiration. My hope is that you will read the list, check out some of the films, and develop and share your own opinions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">And here's my final 5!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">5.)
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hellraiser-Midnight-Madness-Blu-ray-Higgins/dp/B0053TWV78/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1409782328"><b>Hellraiser</b> </a></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">(1987)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Written
& Directed by Clive Barker - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring
Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY73Ra__lj69RyO4MWtLorTHjKlpw3uyJy1ibW_j9yP5rZF49hyEs0J-jktIOO586DMvMRxue0ZM6fDdSSYdlGUhPK9kqpbfAYTLXJQzWXRH1yY40seUR_-bUNxN9JrZDdptyyq3KuOCLL/s1600/hellraiser+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY73Ra__lj69RyO4MWtLorTHjKlpw3uyJy1ibW_j9yP5rZF49hyEs0J-jktIOO586DMvMRxue0ZM6fDdSSYdlGUhPK9kqpbfAYTLXJQzWXRH1yY40seUR_-bUNxN9JrZDdptyyq3KuOCLL/s1600/hellraiser+poster.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When
Clive Barker crash landed on the literary landscape in the early 1980’s with
the release of his collection of original short stories entitled <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Books-Blood-Vols-Clive-Barker/dp/0425165582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409782353&sr=8-1&keywords=books+of+blood">The Books of Blood</a></i>, horror icon Stephen
King predicted Barker to be “the future of horror.” While of course Barker’s
stardom unfortunately never matched the level of King’s, his work is
incomparable and in many ways outshines much of King’s work with a poetry in
his prose and an astoundingly unique ingenuity in the presentation of his terrifying
material. Prior to releasing <i>The Books of
Blood</i>, Barker had been directing low-budget independent films and touring
England with his fringe theatrical troupe, The Dog Company. In fact, many of
the plays they presented that Barker had penned predicted many of the themes
Barker would later explore in his successful commercial feature films. For
instance, Barker’s homage to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS7rykF5bOg">Grand Guignol</a> theatre, <i><a href="http://www.clivebarker.info/plays.html">Frankenstein in Love</a>,</i> predicts <i>Hellraiser</i>
with grisly depictions of torture, most importantly with a scene in which a central character is flayed
alive in front of the audience. Regardless, it was Barker’s directorial debut with <i>Hellraiser</i> that solidified his name as a bona fide Master of Horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUokAhyphenhyphend_M1FZG3HcyJuuhqaAR8Qn-JC-0Aqwb9JLMCamUHV_Lt8R6rdecvRGdW7USy3KmfjjUqoWdQQ4jIIEW4GmorgZxOJpZLjBhyToKctkxAMaBhLZgls7xGki2zTpUs-lZZKjDZ-p/s1600/hellraiser+still+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUokAhyphenhyphend_M1FZG3HcyJuuhqaAR8Qn-JC-0Aqwb9JLMCamUHV_Lt8R6rdecvRGdW7USy3KmfjjUqoWdQQ4jIIEW4GmorgZxOJpZLjBhyToKctkxAMaBhLZgls7xGki2zTpUs-lZZKjDZ-p/s1600/hellraiser+still+1.jpg" height="216" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWD23_pyOGU">Hellraiser</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">was adapted by
Barker from his novella, “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hellbound-Heart-A-Novel/dp/0061452882/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409786561&sr=8-1&keywords=the+hellbound+heart">The Hellbound Heart</a>.” The plot follows a seeker of infinite pleasure who solves a mysterious puzzle box that opens up a sadomasochist world
of Hell administrated entirely by an infantry of demonic sadists, known as the
Cenobites. After his corpse is reanimated from the Cenobites' dimension devoted to pain by receiving a single drop of blood,
he forces his married ex-lover to bring him human sacrifices in order to fully
regenerate his strength.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/P7TWm3Akw-s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">While
the plot of <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkx3pd5ULJs">Hellraiser</a> </i>is
refreshingly unique in its own merit, it is Barker's competent direction and
brilliant cinematography that turn the piece from a run-of-the-mill demon horror
picture (a tired subgenre sodomized by uninspired horror directors by the 1980's) to a matchless work of art. The images with which Barker assaults his
audience are both profoundly beautiful and yet unquestionably unique with their
ingenuity and horror. Much like his literary work, Barker contradicts
astounding beauty with astonishing disgust. Not only are the visuals a treat
for the eyes with their artistry, but the characters are fascinating and
operate realistically in an otherwise fantastical world. His characters are
wealthy with real human needs and wants that effectively propel the development
of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTHbDBljfTSYKhv9QitVVkI6B8HR-TXgAihJeRnILZsV7-oKf2HPbmWlKFkj_oZG2YUp3L-49d9jie1XwcGHoUr9Np88snDZWa9bk80J0Gssnxt0RO52FoeC9N_FvL-ABN3o6u1mIg_tD/s1600/hellraiser+still+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheTHbDBljfTSYKhv9QitVVkI6B8HR-TXgAihJeRnILZsV7-oKf2HPbmWlKFkj_oZG2YUp3L-49d9jie1XwcGHoUr9Np88snDZWa9bk80J0Gssnxt0RO52FoeC9N_FvL-ABN3o6u1mIg_tD/s1600/hellraiser+still+2.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"We'll tear your soul apart."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82WdBU3rcVk">Hellraiser</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: small;">is truly
unmatchable in its creativity and flawless delivery of fantastical </span>monstrosities<span style="font-size: small;">. While Barker’s later films excelled too in their individuality and inventiveness, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Hellraiser</i><span style="font-size: small;">
is by far Barker’s crowning achievement and a venerated yard stick by which all
other directorial debuts in the horror genre should be measured.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f3wWPybuwZpw7efK3FlzYbdQKkft4nmEZiSEzTy8YRZIsmJHyOExZO2RXZ2hCUS4bMol8qhhpcyUOsldedftYHASKf2sHotUHRkrmtLQgL87ukn58agwhXeT9wHZuH9Tb3ZX-dCrr_Ks/s1600/hellraiser+still+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f3wWPybuwZpw7efK3FlzYbdQKkft4nmEZiSEzTy8YRZIsmJHyOExZO2RXZ2hCUS4bMol8qhhpcyUOsldedftYHASKf2sHotUHRkrmtLQgL87ukn58agwhXeT9wHZuH9Tb3ZX-dCrr_Ks/s1600/hellraiser+still+3.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;">4.
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Audition-Collectors-Blu-ray-Ryo-Ishibashi/dp/B002C8YSCE/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;sr=&amp;qid=">Audition</a> </b>(<i>Ôdishon</i>) (1999)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Directed
by Takashi Miike - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Written
by Daisuke Tengan - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Based
on the novel by Ryû Murakami - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring
Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Tetsu Sawaki</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FFwsI9ttkLVEoNL2p8vwJLBFelp-0AetbC9-hgB0OI3NIgGk2HRnEVoq8GBCtD3BcrCBv7JOFhRlT3PQX9J84M3O-r7xYH7myG1Y3ZdkEKZHN1dZqiXLX9neoz4AfPWzp5Tm7RNTq0ty/s1600/audition+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FFwsI9ttkLVEoNL2p8vwJLBFelp-0AetbC9-hgB0OI3NIgGk2HRnEVoq8GBCtD3BcrCBv7JOFhRlT3PQX9J84M3O-r7xYH7myG1Y3ZdkEKZHN1dZqiXLX9neoz4AfPWzp5Tm7RNTq0ty/s1600/audition+poster.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Very
few films have prompted a physical upset or uneasiness in my demeanor upon
first viewing. Unfortunately, not much disturbs me or makes me cringe. Takashi
Miike’ <i>Audition</i>, however, is a film
that will sicken even the most experienced connoisseur of extreme cinema.
Miike is internationally regarded and well-known for his explorations into very
taboo territory. <i>Audition</i> is one of
the very first films that gave him international exposure as this widely
polarizing provocateur. Since the 1999 theatrical release of Audition, Miike
has gone on to direct films with subjects spanning from pedophilia to incest to torture to abortion. His 2007 contribution to Showtime’s Masters of Horror, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGlQ_pkujwA">Imprint</a></i>, was denied television broadcast
from the network for its explicit content. None of his recent projects,
however, have replicated the eeriness or repugnance he so skilfully masters in <i>Audition</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oTGqDcw-st72Xbcy5ewSuPganU3wO-Ukm3oLK0KEydJbO5fQjTkrwBoA-hb3bkDgp6K1SWt7-fDCN2fDYeEvdIXJ-yjN-iIBwA2Cvx6N6ytCSuB06eDjdKnQzr3cGK4bqoNEq8Hs4zso/s1600/audition+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oTGqDcw-st72Xbcy5ewSuPganU3wO-Ukm3oLK0KEydJbO5fQjTkrwBoA-hb3bkDgp6K1SWt7-fDCN2fDYeEvdIXJ-yjN-iIBwA2Cvx6N6ytCSuB06eDjdKnQzr3cGK4bqoNEq8Hs4zso/s1600/audition+1.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
film concentrates on a widower who, with the help of a friend, sets up a fake audition
in order to meet his next wife. Out of the many hopeful applicants, he meets a
young woman that immediately enchants him with her demure and polite
temperament. He discovers too late, however, that she is not entirely as she
seems and that she harbors a horrifying secret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UPgA88v0aDU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Unlike
most horror films, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbTSIyCjjyA">Audition</a> </i>succeeds
at steadily building tension in order to provide a truly impressive climax. Many critics have argued that the film moves too slowly; however, Miike
operates with a thoughtful exactness and builds suspense for an unforgettable final fifteen minutes. In fact, U.S. horror filmmaker Eli Roth confessed he
mirrored Miike’s slow-burning method of direction and story development in
order to build toward an effective finale with his gruesome U.S. directorial debut, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLxonzr9Iew">Hostel</a></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kzlOo1Z4Xv93AabT6uG3eGLbh_2kIeEYVEjd6iEYy-5vCl2NgVgqYdXz-1T-Pbyfw3-6XT8W80H1RLRKQgEzF8FMghNrccZCOXPBDem3IWRNK2tbuWvcfy8MXXhakQkOTBQwHY7CRUdB/s1600/audition+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kzlOo1Z4Xv93AabT6uG3eGLbh_2kIeEYVEjd6iEYy-5vCl2NgVgqYdXz-1T-Pbyfw3-6XT8W80H1RLRKQgEzF8FMghNrccZCOXPBDem3IWRNK2tbuWvcfy8MXXhakQkOTBQwHY7CRUdB/s1600/audition+2.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
finale contains
some of the most disturbing and gut-wrenching visuals one will ever experience
in contemporary horror cinema. Miike’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP2mdqcfqC0">Audition</a> is a frightening and eerie descent into relationships and obsession. I believe <i>Audition’s</i> merit and horror stem from
the unassuming fact that it is simply <i>too real</i> for most viewers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr3dPVBPpUpsACNaulci0eYqF46FD4ChAWvUAyExI8-CBq9ItOcYhT5HHRFFTc_XEj8mJilsJuDzGRgeBe6eGNA8rK-WRCcp8KLIY-ePiFAz4_Pog2Hw3xkj-3wDYvr1svC5D0g0qRZre/s1600/audition_blu-ray_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr3dPVBPpUpsACNaulci0eYqF46FD4ChAWvUAyExI8-CBq9ItOcYhT5HHRFFTc_XEj8mJilsJuDzGRgeBe6eGNA8rK-WRCcp8KLIY-ePiFAz4_Pog2Hw3xkj-3wDYvr1svC5D0g0qRZre/s1600/audition_blu-ray_1.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;">3.
<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Antichrist-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray-Willem/dp/B003KGBISO/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1409782561">Antichrist</a> </b>(2009)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Written
& Directed by Lars Von Trier - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring
Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2NklldjYPkWyaaU2yLjoTTelmGFaVWoNV0iGQx0_QC68KFZVHA-9h-wEcqDOOTBq_C_exuHP06HeXTZexgPBCkRKuOYLggAXnvZcBuXNSb1GrCa-PQMOVPL4cuDePL4Z-aAZwXZYDFWN/s1600/antichrist+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2NklldjYPkWyaaU2yLjoTTelmGFaVWoNV0iGQx0_QC68KFZVHA-9h-wEcqDOOTBq_C_exuHP06HeXTZexgPBCkRKuOYLggAXnvZcBuXNSb1GrCa-PQMOVPL4cuDePL4Z-aAZwXZYDFWN/s1600/antichrist+poster.jpg" height="400" width="291" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“Nature is Satan’s Church.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lars
von Trier is an enigmatic and widely criticized figure operating on the
landscape of modern cinema. Most who hear his name might immediately recall his
controversy at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival when at a filmed press conference
he made several very inappropriate comments concerning Hitler and the
Holocaust. Well before the scandal at Cannes went viral, however, von Trier was
known in most cinematic circles as an exceptional provocateur. His first and
only horror film, <i>Antichrist</i>,
exhibits this deeply ingrained propensity in von Trier to shock, appall, and
disturb his audience. The film is unquestionably one of the most artistic and
yet disturbing works of horror cinema.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-Sh5MdwpoZWqwL5E6ZJ7gd69JZzYByjAXlxkSFDi5fzxhZrpg_zGtkNEx9d8ltNgYSBR9RC6R-HfJTLawuzUZPcGs99e_8MlJsbDTtYHtD9vI0qiS0U9ZFobtGE_pXPa4eI57ZZU7cU3/s1600/antichrist+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-Sh5MdwpoZWqwL5E6ZJ7gd69JZzYByjAXlxkSFDi5fzxhZrpg_zGtkNEx9d8ltNgYSBR9RC6R-HfJTLawuzUZPcGs99e_8MlJsbDTtYHtD9vI0qiS0U9ZFobtGE_pXPa4eI57ZZU7cU3/s1600/antichrist+1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
film’s premise is fairly uncomplicated and seemingly uninspired. (That seems to be a running theme in most effective horror films, doesn't it? After all, fellow writers, less is more!) After the
tragic death of their newborn, a married couple (Williem Defore and Charlotte
Gainsbourg) retreat to their cottage in the woods in order to grieve and repair
their disintegrating marriage. Before the healing can begin, nature takes a
turn for the worse and they are pitted against one another in a grisly clash of
the sexes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/LO-TNfPzh_k/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/LO-TNfPzh_k&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/LO-TNfPzh_k&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Although
</span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzjJeAzJx2c">Antichrist</a>'</i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">s striking and experimental </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">cinematography</span><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> is reminiscent of early Ingmar Bergman and clearly indicative of its inspiration from "art-house" pictures, it clearly owes a debt to traditional “cabin in the wood” horror
films, such as </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU92dtYrF9I">The Evil Dead</a></i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">. Not
only does it borrow eeriness from traditional types of horror pictures, it is noticeably
heavily influenced by the modern torture-porn movement with its gratuitous and
over-the-top scenes of mutilation and sexuality. What sets </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Antichrist</i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> apart from the rest is its striking visuals, von Trier’s
intelligent direction, and astonishing performances by the two-person cast.
Charlotte Gainsborgh won the highly coveted Best Actress at the Cannes Film
Festival for her performance in this film. There is a vulnerability in Dafoe in
Gainsbourg’s characters von Trier exploits that is refreshing and unique.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6t4Gkv7TGaB-TxgneOKkrHiO1hFU8f14HR1dvV17W0ybqmzixkYJP41gstwOH38ws1FAw2QsX8grfefJNnmXUQJsPwq2NZ18VjvjwfcaCuKY_5hx1tfcx5qCrgWBxuG2Ann2yKfCThf4/s1600/antichrist+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6t4Gkv7TGaB-TxgneOKkrHiO1hFU8f14HR1dvV17W0ybqmzixkYJP41gstwOH38ws1FAw2QsX8grfefJNnmXUQJsPwq2NZ18VjvjwfcaCuKY_5hx1tfcx5qCrgWBxuG2Ann2yKfCThf4/s1600/antichrist+2.jpg" height="168" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"Now I could hear what I couldn't hear before. The cry of all the things that are to die."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">During
the press tour promoting <i>Antichrist</i>,
von Trier confessed he penned his original screenplay as a method to recover
from a very serious depression. While the film’s storyline is bleak and
discouraging at best, this cheerlessness translates into arresting images as
well. There is some exceptional camera work in this picture that commendably
enriches the increasing strangeness. The film solidifies von Trier as a master
at steadily building effective eeriness until the picture reaches a level of
demented lunacy that very few other horror films have accomplished. Although
many film scholars analyze the piece and argue whether the film is about
misogyny or the inherent evilness of nature, the film is unquestionably a
frightening examination of the natural world and the brutality of basic human
nature. Without spoiling the grisly treats newcomers will encounter in the
picture, <i>Antichrist</i> is a remarkable
visual experience that will remain with you long after.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP5-7E69UU2kjq4AHOhCG_rvtbyM7ieF0k3VxxLDfFFcSkK0Yn1o8rpc_dluzNdl2WzRWbQoy49fdaiwUpoDxK3SA7V17q7s8AYW8HpmKgxqyCedaleLCQyFtrkyqSy-S-PqRStj0CStA/s1600/antichrist+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYP5-7E69UU2kjq4AHOhCG_rvtbyM7ieF0k3VxxLDfFFcSkK0Yn1o8rpc_dluzNdl2WzRWbQoy49fdaiwUpoDxK3SA7V17q7s8AYW8HpmKgxqyCedaleLCQyFtrkyqSy-S-PqRStj0CStA/s1600/antichrist+3.jpg" height="151" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;">2. <a href="http://www.mondo-vision.com/possession.php">Possession</a> (<i>The Night the Screaming Stops</i>)
(1981)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Directed
by Andrzej Zulawski - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Written
by Andrzej Zulawski & Frederic Tuten - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring
Sam Neil, Isabelle Adjani, Heinz Bennent</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XZwOOXEJO1kl1u9kV1KrT-hVQD33TNYRA0xpsVI6TWS-eOoww8prvg5tWNSdd6gkKY8po2M-d5c5_JGP9J4AAFOTLhOsEpDYRseiS-bdNXjM4dovHP89Gjg6oXTIM3YO4csrA5TgYMH-/s1600/possession+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XZwOOXEJO1kl1u9kV1KrT-hVQD33TNYRA0xpsVI6TWS-eOoww8prvg5tWNSdd6gkKY8po2M-d5c5_JGP9J4AAFOTLhOsEpDYRseiS-bdNXjM4dovHP89Gjg6oXTIM3YO4csrA5TgYMH-/s1600/possession+poster.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing
can prepare even the most experienced </span>film-goer<span style="font-size: small;"> for the psycho-sexual depravity that saturates Polish-born director Andrzej Zuwalski’s 1981 flamboyantly grotesque masterpiece, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Possession</i><span style="font-size: small;"> (alternatively titled, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">The Night the Screaming Stops</i><span style="font-size: small;">). </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w_as6vq9HQ">Possession</a> </i><span style="font-size: small;">is without a doubt the most
atypical horror film ever created and is, in my opinion, a masterwork (albeit
obscure) achievement in film-making. On one hand, it is an intelligent art-house
film that achieved critical praise and won top prizes at well-respected film
festivals, most notably at Cannes. On the other hand, it is regarded as a provocative
piece of exploitation cinema that upset audiences so deeply with its high-octane gruesomeness that it was heavily censored for commercial release (truncated from 124
minutes to a meager 90 minutes run time) and was subsequently banned and listed on the
original roster of possibly impoundable films, otherwise known as the notorious
</span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.realmofhorror.co.uk/nasties.htm">Video Nasties</a></i><span style="font-size: small;">. Many film scholars
find it difficult to categorize the piece as simply drama, horror or suspense.
As all elements are contained within the picture, it is obviously an expertly designed hybrid of
all three. </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Possession</i><span style="font-size: small;"> is a film to
which I return time and time again for inspiration, insight, and creativity. It
is unquestionably the strangest and yet most exciting film I have ever
encountered.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApQJhsFeNfaYHAbrj_6RjU6tTxXS20MAn4arcq2c44_cNkR0oa6eaKacfDMJwnMtpeXqHP7D40G3UM5n18XDKRzQCJzkpN6_htcvF9WxG1OneVHEdFE2La0S9AFbXzLhh-vsPD1xelIWF/s1600/possession+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApQJhsFeNfaYHAbrj_6RjU6tTxXS20MAn4arcq2c44_cNkR0oa6eaKacfDMJwnMtpeXqHP7D40G3UM5n18XDKRzQCJzkpN6_htcvF9WxG1OneVHEdFE2La0S9AFbXzLhh-vsPD1xelIWF/s1600/possession+1.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"I can't exist by myself because I'm afraid of myself, because I'm the maker of my own evil."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao1ltHDGxn4">Possession</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">explores the inherent duality in basic human nature with regard to good and evil by following the
disintegration of a marriage after an unassuming husband returns home from a
secretive business trip and finds his wife dissatisfied and lobbying for a divorce.
Suspicious of her increasingly bizarre and hysterical behavior, he trails her
and discovers she harbors a secret lover and a gruesome secret that forever
changes the dynamic of their relationship.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xxVdtYAs8-w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obZNkXsToZU">Possession</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="font-size: small;"> is flooded with
sumptuous visuals, disturbing themes and electrically charged performances from the entire cast. Isabelle
Adjani confessed to a French magazine long after </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Possession</i><span style="font-size: small;"> had been released and consequently censored that it took her many years to mentally recover
from performing the role of Anna. Her unwavering commitment to the character is
more than evident in the film’s most infamous and mesmerizing sequence in which Adjani’s
character suffers </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DRMc5yixEU" style="font-size: 12pt;">a complete psychotic breakdown in an underground subway tunnel</a><span style="font-size: small;">. Her dementedly </span>hyper-kinetic<span style="font-size: small;"> movements and speeches add to the intensity of
the picture and are deeply unnerving to watch. In fact, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Possession</i><span style="font-size: small;"> shares many similarities with the previously mentioned </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Antichrist</i><span style="font-size: small;"> as while their unconventional
methods of communicating their story confound and disturb most audiences, both films deal
with good and evil revolving around a singular female character.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyWDMf5CKsBSSFFGyH6QWAAALacsPZ-mjOrmI19yY-vs3jDgIEJszzLysXHhlkMBy4Rl_zlFsivPjeXDNsiVzqeWS0vYI_sJbHElELJjmUO_0-DawheatCs0R0985FKEmI5K4kUugeqjR/s1600/possession+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyWDMf5CKsBSSFFGyH6QWAAALacsPZ-mjOrmI19yY-vs3jDgIEJszzLysXHhlkMBy4Rl_zlFsivPjeXDNsiVzqeWS0vYI_sJbHElELJjmUO_0-DawheatCs0R0985FKEmI5K4kUugeqjR/s1600/possession+2.jpg" height="253" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">What
truly makes </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xi628PEziw">Possession</a> </i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">the anomaly is
its thoughtfulness with regard to the expression of its themes. Zuwalski sets his film
against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall when East and West Germany were disconnected.
Like the wall, the characters are segregated from one another and operate
strangely, unable to effectively communicate. The film also examines the
dichotomy between good and evil and expresses this contrast in Cronbergian
manner where both evil and good are distinctly made flesh. This corporeal
representation of an otherwise metaphysical concept was engineered by special
effects master Carlo Rambaldi (famous for his work on Steven Spielberg’s </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">E.T.</i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtU30BiMFmFkruXrsLX6RaJnPXmbVZXVEOh_82a9-PvtjZHwI8dHOtfJKEFBF4sEqss-JosorRbErHT2fbCrEGczf9hmQq_XgRDNVyjuMqx9m-inPWLb2vC06AMBqgLZgw2XT2uWbTvq5/s1600/possession+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtU30BiMFmFkruXrsLX6RaJnPXmbVZXVEOh_82a9-PvtjZHwI8dHOtfJKEFBF4sEqss-JosorRbErHT2fbCrEGczf9hmQq_XgRDNVyjuMqx9m-inPWLb2vC06AMBqgLZgw2XT2uWbTvq5/s1600/possession+4.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Although I've read countless essays and analyses concerning the film, I’m still slowly digesting the piece and I appreciate new subtle aspects of the film upon every viewing. While Zuwalski’s film may repulse or bewilder you upon initial watching, it will force you to interact, engage, and think. That’s precisely what commendable horror should do. </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Possession</i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> is an experience like no other and remains an extraordinary watermark in </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">film-making</span><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> that has yet to be matched and most likely never will be.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rs9ioiwfNp8PBY2jFal8a3Cu99Xp2WRHD04GNaMYM5EEkz2LixR3RA3csV-4JlPMuhO-jXyGuIVwDj9dcJhOMcPsmM4LH6f60CwvkHjgA31WR6Mm9d56I6iwA6d0aLG4A5Skpwutc1Qi/s1600/possession+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rs9ioiwfNp8PBY2jFal8a3Cu99Xp2WRHD04GNaMYM5EEkz2LixR3RA3csV-4JlPMuhO-jXyGuIVwDj9dcJhOMcPsmM4LH6f60CwvkHjgA31WR6Mm9d56I6iwA6d0aLG4A5Skpwutc1Qi/s1600/possession+3.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; text-align: justify;">1.
</span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New'; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Martyrs-Blu-ray/dp/B004C00EM8/ref=tmm_blu_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1409782938">Martyrs</a> </b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; text-align: justify;">(2008)</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Written
& Directed by Pascal Laugier - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring
Morjana Alaoui, Mylène Jampanoï, Catherine Bégin</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjkVs2k7wFKaQKfRGWQgiC3SRdx5ki6B1C9QqTGMTcAugafievRLexgiEkEZ5MYNDm7ULCLU9EUZVYLUvIcJPldNtf_6-uNUyh-hQjX-bcj6MWhUpsJYzx2bv5zMzO5BLapsFHGPJ_bsj/s1600/martyrs+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjkVs2k7wFKaQKfRGWQgiC3SRdx5ki6B1C9QqTGMTcAugafievRLexgiEkEZ5MYNDm7ULCLU9EUZVYLUvIcJPldNtf_6-uNUyh-hQjX-bcj6MWhUpsJYzx2bv5zMzO5BLapsFHGPJ_bsj/s1600/martyrs+poster.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">Perhaps you've heard of </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Martyrs</i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">. Perhaps
you’re familiar with the viral buzz surrounding the piece when it was first screened in 2008 at
various film festivals across Europe and North America where hordes of
gore-hound lovers stumbled or were carried out from theatres to vomit or
temporarily relieve themselves from the onslaught of visual carnage. </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Martyrs</i><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> is the most difficult film I've ever sat through and, in turn, is the greatest horror film I've ever seen. Its
incessant violence is administrated with a systematic precision that takes the
viewer down a rabbit hole into the depths of human depravity from where there
is no </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">discernible</span><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;"> escape.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIROsGfke8V_Aw_fGBbp9-rhzu9XT-DzXn-1UiKNTmxQcqKjw9n9x9fm5Y6w_0DXJ67_RAInoD8iINl9ubiacPD7bvRIL_Mi__AkyPcyZiBWnHDC0PzFjez6RyTnySvWwbb1By-7swaxRH/s1600/martyrs+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIROsGfke8V_Aw_fGBbp9-rhzu9XT-DzXn-1UiKNTmxQcqKjw9n9x9fm5Y6w_0DXJ67_RAInoD8iINl9ubiacPD7bvRIL_Mi__AkyPcyZiBWnHDC0PzFjez6RyTnySvWwbb1By-7swaxRH/s1600/martyrs+1.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To
summarize the film would be absolutely detrimental to those who have yet to see
the piece. The less you know the heavier and greater the impact will be. In
fact, I viciously envy those who have yet to experience this incredible work and, therefore, often
live vicariously through friends to whom I screen the film. In short, the film
revolves around a troubled young woman’s revenge against those who kidnapped her
and tortured her as a child. That’s all you need to know. If you’re the least bit curious,
please simply watch the film and do not investigate any further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-7Qx2dT-lUw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The
film’s director, Pascal Laugier, stressed that while the piece is mechanically
connected to the modern torture-porn movement, the piece is in fact the
antithesis of films such as <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hostel-Unrated-Widescreen-Cut-Hernandez/dp/B000EHRVP6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409782968&sr=8-3&keywords=hostel">Hostel</a></i> as
the gratuitous violence in Laugier’s film has a distinct motivation and is used
to emphasize a certain social or philosophical issue. He contends that the film
is not simply about “torture,” but instead about “pain.” This pain is an
emotion commonly felt among those who witness this film as the piece sledgehammers filmgoers with grisly image after another. Although some insist that the film
shocks for the sake of shocking, many find that the piece has a specific
persistence and in many ways scrutinizes the very nothingness of everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllh-9nngnm6OGoks2B_ULIXpFFKZgsV51X5w-Th_5npUBRt8ljqWBzMYHYGkTfq6YSb-of0ZmSVokaBhqkq0ttlWscAQIt_9LJCmGPbKyAFRYvkMUELbDLz5YW-Up-KIJy5LNKKIo7dOR/s1600/martyrs+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllh-9nngnm6OGoks2B_ULIXpFFKZgsV51X5w-Th_5npUBRt8ljqWBzMYHYGkTfq6YSb-of0ZmSVokaBhqkq0ttlWscAQIt_9LJCmGPbKyAFRYvkMUELbDLz5YW-Up-KIJy5LNKKIo7dOR/s1600/martyrs+2.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My
admiration of the audacity and ferocity of this film knows no bounds and, in
fact, I subtly paid tribute to <i>Martyrs</i>
by naming the two female characters in my 2014 Best of Fresh Blood piece, <i>Parasite</i>, after the two leading
characters in this film. <i>Martyrs</i> is
not merely a film where one sits, stares at the screen, and mindlessly absorbs
the bloodshed. The film is a thought-provoking installment in modern cinema. What
astonishes me so greatly about <i>Martyrs </i>is its uncanny ability to illicit a
reaction from me no matter how many times I view it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I'm convinced that this piece is not a mere
hyped-up hybrid of philosophy and torture porn that will eventually weaken and
give way to newer and more sadistic efforts in filmmaking. Laugier’s picture is
timeless and the bleakness of the depravity represented in this piece will be
difficult to match. <i>Martyrs</i> is a
gateway drug that leads the viewer by hand into a realm of unforgettable debauchery
and anguish that will disturb even the most calloused viewer of horror cinema.
You have been warned. However, the pain, very much like the agony the characters experience throughout the film, is transcending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX4uOuqtM1ivmIH5gMpzGWhv6kMbhhYc13ViBzY1sy9pNqi0SRDlKBk8_YZCjSm_PwA9rH_7ejiVNOSJ1o3k37JQkJmi_l_cRKj_wn9bKjHqX8gBmyuN5MgBP2FWyKNYcENWJav-eNGOc/s1600/martyrs+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX4uOuqtM1ivmIH5gMpzGWhv6kMbhhYc13ViBzY1sy9pNqi0SRDlKBk8_YZCjSm_PwA9rH_7ejiVNOSJ1o3k37JQkJmi_l_cRKj_wn9bKjHqX8gBmyuN5MgBP2FWyKNYcENWJav-eNGOc/s1600/martyrs+3.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">-- <a href="https://twitter.com/ejlarocca">Eric LaRocca</a></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045551081842380465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-4059330339067101272014-09-29T07:53:00.000-07:002014-10-23T13:07:48.955-07:00Eric LaRocca's Top 10 Horror Films - Part 1<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>[Editor's Note: Eric LaRocca is a playwright and writer, whose short play <b>Parasite</b> was one of the 2014 Best of Fresh Blood festival. His fiction has been published in <a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/Fiction/May2013/EricLaRocca/Eric.html">The Horror Zine</a>, <a href="http://www.lastwritesdmd.com/e-j-larocca/">Dark Moon Digest</a>, <a href="http://sanitariummagazine.com/Issue_8/">Sanitarium</a>, and several <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7134334.Eric_LaRocca">anthologies</a>. This is his first post for La Petite Blog.]</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At a very young age I
respected and admired the art form of the horror genre. Perhaps I responded so
intimately to horror considering the fact that the genre is widely criticized
and rebuked by most mainstream audiences and at a very young age I too felt very
disenfranchised and unequal to my peers. Perhaps I responded to the genre
because horror is an art form that has struggled desperately to be taken
seriously and I too felt very ineffectual and disrespected in my youth.
Regardless, since childhood I have done all I can to study the genre and
educate myself by watching and reading the masterworks and miscarriages of this
widely lesser appreciated genre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">This list is certainly not
conventional. Perhaps you’re entirely unfamiliar with some of these films. Some
of you might even be saying, “Where’s <i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otPyEsObI1M">Rosemary’s Baby</a></i>? Where’s <i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDGw1MTEe9k">The Exorcist</a></i>? What
about <i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps8H3rg5GfM">Psycho</a></i>?” I am by no means
suggesting that the following list of cinematic works are the most flawless
representations of the genre and deserve to trump all other lists of horror
films. These films merely resonated with me on a personal level and are still
greatly influential on my path as a young writer and enthusiast of the art
form. These are films to which I look for inspiration. My hope is that you will
read the list, check out some of the films, and develop and share your own
opinions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: large;">10. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Ladder-Tim-Robbins/dp/B003TRMLQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872580&sr=8-1&keywords=jacob%27s+ladder">Jacob’s Ladder</a></b> (1990)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Directed by Adrian Lyne - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Written by Bruce Joel
Rubin - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring Tim Robbins,
Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Ladder-Tim-Robbins/dp/B003TRMLQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872580&sr=8-1&keywords=jacob%27s+ladder" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pq11AlDFN0d7Lp3JLTO4EEOvWmEIiv7U9Wm5LSXm-WUVK338wuptPQc1yZhKzBR9szhuPOIAxSkpjfpYBh6nBYREYOIQfGaIFKa4gaTNf1PnUErWczOV6M0SB5pbfryF4Ijj7hVMVjZ_/s1600/jacob's+ladder.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Coming in at number 10 on
my list is what I consider to be the greatest psychological horror film of all
time – Adrian Lyne’s <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Ladder-Tim-Robbins/dp/B003TRMLQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872580&sr=8-1&keywords=jacob%27s+ladder">Jacob’s Ladder</a></i>.
Lyne’s surreal and frightening exploration into the depths of a troubled human
mind concentrates on a veteran of the Vietnam War, Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins),
who is mourning the loss of his child while relentlessly being tormented by unusual
flashbacks and nightmarishly grotesque hallucinations. Struggling to preserve
his sanity, he struggles to decipher the truth and reality of his past and
present while contending with his dreams and concept of death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Ladder-Tim-Robbins/dp/B003TRMLQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872580&sr=8-1&keywords=jacob%27s+ladder" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwwrbrcPG5IgnhiUyc0xQRW6hrEWqD2PzjRdIgIegh010fAiNCtjxcaz7XkriUS1obYWhdmgYXku5TrSIc5st928-faOzU9SrUtBrmAnxGyH5S7Hr4q_U5GWjigqcj5xaCD1R-rhxenTo/s1600/jacob's+ladder+2.png" height="216" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt;">While the film excels with regard to cinematography and stellar performances by the cast, the film is particularly exceptional at disorientating the viewer so that we, the audience, experience and respond to the very same confusion Jacob experiences with every nightmarish vision. Many who have viewed the film already might agree that the film is the cinematic equivalent of a “bad trip.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsCtXy-JECk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Opinions are certain to be
divided when it comes to reflecting upon and analyzing this film. Some consider
it a work of genius and true testament to the sub-genre of psychological horror
while others dismiss it as disappointing and absurd. Regardless, I consider the
film a visceral and somber excursion into the realm of psychological horror
with profoundly engaging characters. The film’s intelligence is principally
exemplified in its aptitude to effectively shift between moments of astounding
eeriness and overwhelming despair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacobs-Ladder-Tim-Robbins/dp/B003TRMLQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872580&sr=8-1&keywords=jacob%27s+ladder" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD-0oTpApKoWKRdkoqxuGIC5FlLZIHXYgNp-Q7OwygXPXHCulg9jpJbE6rEO-NwzsI3WIlIkYBts9X3-UlsaZZHqbBYsyKUgSZBFL0r-brOjcwCUfdiHErAytW6WD1yvVrt852HH4UHRy/s1600/jacob's+ladder+3.png" height="213" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: large;">9. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Unrated-Beatrice-Dalle/dp/B00125WATQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872635&sr=8-1&keywords=inside+dvd">À l'intérieur</a></b> (<i>Inside</i>)
(2007)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Written & Directed by
Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring Alysson Paradis,
Béatrice Dalle</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Unrated-Beatrice-Dalle/dp/B00125WATQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872635&sr=8-1&keywords=inside+dvd" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigULzWk-b5OWQcs64Ow45rOtPBBZn78Nl3hOrfjoGtADCNiPIHUeGRxz9GVLxSl5vFEVqWEgc9tOEQ1-aP80qadhL_Pehoekma4Z37M_IdBjEEhMFgPyE8ShuyknBU86xVRwY7lBz4gstL/s1600/inside+poster.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">In recent years, French
directors have revamped the methods in which the present effective horror to
the masses by removing the subtle creepiness of classic masterpieces such as <i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzbGtjtfZwA">Les Diaboliques</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> (The Devils) (1955) or </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGNFynNqJ2A">Les Yeux Sans Visage</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"> (Eyes Without a
Face) (1960) and replacing the predictable delicateness of French horror with
torrents of arterial spray. A new sub-genre in the field of horror has since
been developed by the French aptly entitled, “New French Extremity.” These
films, though not all exclusively restricted to the horror genre, are a new and
far more audacious wave of film-making that show explicit violence/carnage and
graphic depictions of sexuality. Understandably, most of these films cause
controversy upon their release and are subsequently censored greatly. Bustillo
and Maury’s <i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Unrated-Beatrice-Dalle/dp/B00125WATQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872635&sr=8-1&keywords=inside+dvd">À l'intérieur</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> (<i>Inside</i>) is,
without a doubt, a prime example of the horrifying lengths to which “New French
Extremity” can go.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Unrated-Beatrice-Dalle/dp/B00125WATQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872635&sr=8-1&keywords=inside+dvd" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EkrUrNXxq7aF5Gu6zKCjcrFVnVb5xp-r8xl6a-NX4L5WFVszx896Usmfs_QQl8-XnOMQhIG4f_GuArzY1V-KECxCrfoSSPG0Vl7qpwDRlnK9vPRrvQOeu83eleG3ssQdNaeULobJ2Dmy/s1600/inside+1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">The premise of <i style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Unrated-Beatrice-Dalle/dp/B00125WATQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872635&sr=8-1&keywords=inside+dvd">À l'intérieur</a></i> is fairly straightforward.
A young pregnant woman is stalked in her house by a mysterious female assailant
who wants her unborn child. While the idea is simple, the film is an engaging
and frightening 82 minute jaunt into unadulterated terror. Tapping into our
inherent fear of any personal haven being desecrated by an outside and
seemingly unstoppable force, the film is a captivating spin on the tired home-invasion sub-genre. The film especially taps into deeply ingrained fears in the female psyche regarding attachment to, and permanent separation from, newborns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ibP9PUdEmwk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Unrated-Beatrice-Dalle/dp/B00125WATQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872635&sr=8-1&keywords=inside+dvd">À l'intérieur</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> is a ferocious and
unrelenting assault on the eyes with countless portrayals of graphic mutilation
and torture. It is possibly one of the most disturbing and unsettling films you
will ever see and is not to be missed if you enjoy your films wet with copious amounts of redness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07EvsYrpo533AJ6OwJdg5jbBMFKD328dXDr143KvWAkwKJh8E-cVeEm66DJYU5Frtf8mZeWG_FFQGlKKzDDVDBZMMfFfo6qQrGs6vPdN2_3X-vvNOQqA0KMlhiPeB-JBOuMwnUh-SS9fI/s1600/inside2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07EvsYrpo533AJ6OwJdg5jbBMFKD328dXDr143KvWAkwKJh8E-cVeEm66DJYU5Frtf8mZeWG_FFQGlKKzDDVDBZMMfFfo6qQrGs6vPdN2_3X-vvNOQqA0KMlhiPeB-JBOuMwnUh-SS9fI/s1600/inside2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: large;">8. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suspiria-Two-Disc-Special-Edition-Jessica/dp/B000S0GYRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872783&sr=8-1&keywords=suspiria">Suspiria</a></b> (1977)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Directed by Dario Argento - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Written by Dario Argento,
Daria Nicolodi - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring Jessica Harper,
Stefania Casini, Alida Valli</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8728s7jttDO2qmJ9FqbEvAgxl2CX6EqL-EF4BoK2dVKXtP6xt22wDQB0RQzMqPkF-s5gx-ovA4CVKyC-NzwFfpGtCwB1pg5Ll0rX8HTqgl7jeJidj6F0p4um2mC9E4UP4QA29210EDy4/s1600/suspiria+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8728s7jttDO2qmJ9FqbEvAgxl2CX6EqL-EF4BoK2dVKXtP6xt22wDQB0RQzMqPkF-s5gx-ovA4CVKyC-NzwFfpGtCwB1pg5Ll0rX8HTqgl7jeJidj6F0p4um2mC9E4UP4QA29210EDy4/s1600/suspiria+poster.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Italian director Dario
Argento is quite possibly one of the last remaining classic masters of horror
who has significantly contributed to the contemporary growth and evolution of
the genre. While the Rome-born director is often classified among most film
enthusiasts as “the Italian Alfred Hitchcock,” I’ve never understood the
comparison as Hitchcock pieces are the most meticulously calculated story-lines, whereas Argento’s catalog of work emphasize sound and artistic vision as opposed to the development of coherent plot and character. Nonetheless, as a work of cinematic
art, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suspiria-Two-Disc-Special-Edition-Jessica/dp/B000S0GYRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872783&sr=8-1&keywords=suspiria">Suspiria</a></i> is an awe-inspiring feat
in film-making with a cornucopia of surreal and grotesque imagery that is not
easily forgotten.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suspiria-Two-Disc-Special-Edition-Jessica/dp/B000S0GYRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872783&sr=8-1&keywords=suspiria" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkQtACNPi6bBEgv1am91NcWexdR10P8zphyphenhyphenV_CbOJGW_mb5wddKkpw3ZMgKcTkWGTxrrL_r8tSNexs7abrxzecBCAFT72TxsLPDp-vtfaPYaJkNNDPvTcIJSe9lM_60xge60gtM-_YCG5/s1600/suspiria+1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The plot follows a young American ballet student (Jessica Harper) who has recently transferred to a
prestigious German ballet academy and soon discovers that the school is directed
by a coven of witches. Horror author Ramsey Campbell has said that <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suspiria-Two-Disc-Special-Edition-Jessica/dp/B000S0GYRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872783&sr=8-1&keywords=suspiria">Suspiria</a></i> could easily be described as, “the first punk horror movie.” In fact, many have agreed that <i>Suspiria</i> is
comparable to a Walt Disney fairy-tale. This comparison stands to reason as
several film historians have asserted that Argento modeled his original
screenplay after <i>Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_8zbV_fFkYs/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_8zbV_fFkYs&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_8zbV_fFkYs&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Although Argento went on
to primarily direct giallo thrillers (<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9-ZHm-n0RY">TheCard Player</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyU0q86GClk">Trauma</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M65XeIKQss">The Stendhal Syndrome</a></i>), he maintained a
visual aesthetic in <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suspiria-Two-Disc-Special-Edition-Jessica/dp/B000S0GYRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872783&sr=8-1&keywords=suspiria">Suspiria</a></i> that has
not since yet been matched in horror cinema. While creating some of the most
inventive and outlandish death scenes in cinematic history, Argento accentuated
lavish and garish colors that enhanced the quality of the visuals and rendered
every scene surreal in its nature. Today, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suspiria-Two-Disc-Special-Edition-Jessica/dp/B000S0GYRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872783&sr=8-1&keywords=suspiria">Suspiria</a></i>
remains a cult classic and is primarily popular among those who prefer the more
alternative and avant-garde type of cinema. Regardless, the film is a
masterpiece of sight and sound and features one of the greatest and most unique
scores ever written for film by progressive rock band, Goblin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj24BJsJTjUXf5y2vv5pJqjbuDbZ7rHWoPvsFF9Z5nDJZMoAYCdvZ_-8wRs9iJOiNx6SdIB3SdP3VfOcWwrACD9DOig5cE8SlEU3lkmOcs5QhI_BO4vZPG4gUt16YRVzyjGyJEBm7ueBYv/s1600/suspiria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj24BJsJTjUXf5y2vv5pJqjbuDbZ7rHWoPvsFF9Z5nDJZMoAYCdvZ_-8wRs9iJOiNx6SdIB3SdP3VfOcWwrACD9DOig5cE8SlEU3lkmOcs5QhI_BO4vZPG4gUt16YRVzyjGyJEBm7ueBYv/s1600/suspiria.JPG" height="170" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: large;">7. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Man-Rupert-Everett/dp/B000F3UA8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872905&sr=8-1&keywords=cemetery+man">Dellamorte Dellamore</a></b> (<i>Cemetery
Man</i>) (1994)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Directed by Michele Soavi - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Written by Giovanni Romoli - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring Rupert Everett,
François Hadji-Lazaro, Anna Falchi</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-6THJd05btnkPzTeEKfCdvq0q-VYxDSoMfunCvnsBEHIkgJ5HS2CE4ARzVoNV4R5hP-n5rgpv71AxVuF0ikUO1LFcV9RS94jy6EOHaLe_NNKLMMa83R8777GIuGaEiQ2S4GW7UU19cEf/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-6THJd05btnkPzTeEKfCdvq0q-VYxDSoMfunCvnsBEHIkgJ5HS2CE4ARzVoNV4R5hP-n5rgpv71AxVuF0ikUO1LFcV9RS94jy6EOHaLe_NNKLMMa83R8777GIuGaEiQ2S4GW7UU19cEf/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore.jpg" height="400" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">One of Argento’s most
promising and talented protégés was a young Italian director by the name of
Michele Soavi. The young Soavi was an assistant director on several of
Argento’s pictures, such as </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2pKtQ4mLHk">Tenebrae</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">,
</span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt93yZUgJNQ">Phenomena</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">, and </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cNjTdFHL8E">Demons</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">. It wasn’t long before Soavi stepped out from behind
Argento’s shadow and helmed production of his directorial debut, a highly
underrated slasher entitled </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs7PHsWzvwE">Stage Fright</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">.
Soavi’s crowning achievement, however, would come in 1994 with the release of
the comedy-horror film, </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Man-Rupert-Everett/dp/B000F3UA8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872905&sr=8-1&keywords=cemetery+man">Dellamorte Dellamore</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">
(commonly referred to as simply </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Cemetery
Man</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXcVrhbpmKquTPV9QM2I1R_xHHt4qDDHp2qDT4CndW2k1wftCBsfajyJMawJdIYVXQar5Jokxw7qTHJR9qlvwSfDNXeU4WzlZ5xXsV9FwepaiU_qwmNtqa6Uj7DmsH51MsijxgFK9nVuv/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXcVrhbpmKquTPV9QM2I1R_xHHt4qDDHp2qDT4CndW2k1wftCBsfajyJMawJdIYVXQar5Jokxw7qTHJR9qlvwSfDNXeU4WzlZ5xXsV9FwepaiU_qwmNtqa6Uj7DmsH51MsijxgFK9nVuv/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore+2.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"I'd give my life to be dead."</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Based on the 1991 novel by
Tiziano Sclavi (author of </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Dylan Dog</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">),
</span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Man-Rupert-Everett/dp/B000F3UA8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872905&sr=8-1&keywords=cemetery+man">Dellamorte Dellamore</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> is indisputably
the most atypical zombie film ever made. In total honesty, zombies have never
generated a great deal of interest in me. I can certainly understand why shows
like </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1v0uFms68U">The Walking Dead</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> and films such
as </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpuNE1cX03c">Dawn of the Dead</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> garner public attention
and critical acclaim; I simply have never been interested in the tropes of the
quintessential zombie film. Regardless, </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Man-Rupert-Everett/dp/B000F3UA8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872905&sr=8-1&keywords=cemetery+man">Dellamorte Dellamore</a></i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"> is the ultimate exception.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XbQaRP0m2HE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The film follows the
plight of a disgruntled and lonely cemetery caretaker (Rupert Everett) who
desperately searches for love while defending a small Italian town from an infantry
of zombies. Although the plot may sound uninspired and disappointing, the film
is anything but. Soavi’s masterpiece artfully combines elements horror with
hilarious comedy, all the while offering the audience a catalog of exciting and
engaging characters and visionary cinematography.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXvsLJks8YwnZuhslaPbrSVmG2R68CqHB3JVlv3Vwhv6o5o_8U2hhugQKiSJ845ERsoBzSBPDsWIxKQNd5GtS2S3A1ni6SsdH9d0w-oF1TzrJIANCGvDRDW8F3blAmw2wnxO5oRl93w4H/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXvsLJks8YwnZuhslaPbrSVmG2R68CqHB3JVlv3Vwhv6o5o_8U2hhugQKiSJ845ERsoBzSBPDsWIxKQNd5GtS2S3A1ni6SsdH9d0w-oF1TzrJIANCGvDRDW8F3blAmw2wnxO5oRl93w4H/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore+3.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The film’s intelligence is
not merely limited to its host of surreal and symbolic cinematography. The
piece’s true intellect is observed in its articulation of several very
relatable human issues, such as the actuality of being alive and connecting and
interacting with others. The film touches on these issues even while maintain
an often difficult balance between horror and comedy. Perhaps I responded so
intimately to the piece compared to other zombie offerings simply because <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cemetery-Man-Rupert-Everett/dp/B000F3UA8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409872905&sr=8-1&keywords=cemetery+man">Dellamorte Dellamore</a></i> is chiefly about
“the living” as opposed to “the dead” and artfully analyzes the human
experience and difficulty of connecting with our living brethren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2kEqNzbkYYyOkOfdxFfrKUAcXzGma2lhZKo0hyphenhyphenhnJ8gO2PM5btMgTTmdWiliHOISuWq4QRH-j83pMHvwaI9ShT2PEXuQvJdIvsNeIdf1f7fxIo4JqrzD_wJ4H_mNwwqJ1e0BgunMPRsA/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2kEqNzbkYYyOkOfdxFfrKUAcXzGma2lhZKo0hyphenhyphenhnJ8gO2PM5btMgTTmdWiliHOISuWq4QRH-j83pMHvwaI9ShT2PEXuQvJdIvsNeIdf1f7fxIo4JqrzD_wJ4H_mNwwqJ1e0BgunMPRsA/s1600/dellamorte+dellamore+4.jpg" height="251" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"><span style="font-size: large;">6. <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Videodrome-The-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873294&sr=8-2&keywords=videodrome">Videodrome</a></b> (1983)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Written & Directed by
David Cronenberg - </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Starring James Woods,
Deborah Harry, Sonja Smits</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa5lDEZ-m2f_wnLs5JeOeKplAaq4QX1mjFEcCOjfmSJNexy09q47rb7NNjIA36nd06UOM9tEf8dd5GzuOJMVnZnTRBVV6bsEXFmjPxXbPX6-Waiur8FQa0P998gjK85FK6Z8IdFfU1NYg/s1600/videodrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHa5lDEZ-m2f_wnLs5JeOeKplAaq4QX1mjFEcCOjfmSJNexy09q47rb7NNjIA36nd06UOM9tEf8dd5GzuOJMVnZnTRBVV6bsEXFmjPxXbPX6-Waiur8FQa0P998gjK85FK6Z8IdFfU1NYg/s1600/videodrome.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">“Long live the new flesh.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Although Cronenberg’s 1983
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Videodrome-The-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873294&sr=8-2&keywords=videodrome" style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Videodrome</i> </a> is commonly classified as
a science-fiction film, many film scholars would agree that the piece is a critical
work in the development of the “body horror” subgenre. For those who aren’t
familiar with the subgenre, “body horror” commonly deals with and explores the
decay and degeneration of the human body. These works primarily deal with, but
are not limited to, disease, decay, parasitism, self-mutilation, transformation,
etc. Such notable films exploring this seemingly unconventional subgenre
include <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf99ouvFBJw">Alien</a></i>, <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvaqm76Q4fY">Cabin Fever</a></i>, and <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ftmr17M-a4">The Thing</a></i>.
For those of you who came to <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-best-of-fresh-blood-2014.html" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Best of Fresh Blood 2014</a> – my piece, <i style="font-size: 12pt;">Parasite</i>, was a piece heavily influenced by the ideas and tropes commonly associated with “body horror.” Cronenberg,
however, is the undisputed master of body horror. His catalog of films includes
fascinating explorations into the realm of the human body and its inherent fragility
with regard to disease, infection, and decay. </span></div>
<i style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Videodrome-The-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873294&sr=8-2&keywords=videodrome">Videodrome</a></i> is possibly his most captivating and sensational work in
the body horror sub-genre.<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS7rmNB09gyExprSiaaM7941f55RvcU3gqCC5cw3FePcYvE-B7b5MVwMsW8V1p8533EYgXuAYTyh3YrMv7NZRLqpIbOEvCZcwt0K2ohlbDq9QSMdasopn11Nl6UhM5TzgumsJG_n-6Xaq/s1600/videodrome+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS7rmNB09gyExprSiaaM7941f55RvcU3gqCC5cw3FePcYvE-B7b5MVwMsW8V1p8533EYgXuAYTyh3YrMv7NZRLqpIbOEvCZcwt0K2ohlbDq9QSMdasopn11Nl6UhM5TzgumsJG_n-6Xaq/s1600/videodrome+2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"I am the Video Word made Flesh."</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;">Cronenberg's screenplay follows the president of a small television station (a young James Woods)
who discovers a broadcast signal displaying non-stop graphic depictions of
mutilation, torture, and sex. As he gradually uncovers the origin of this undiscovered
signal, he slowly descends into a hallucinatory realm where he struggles to
decipher grotesque fantasy from reality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/UFHey3utk0I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Videodrome-The-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873294&sr=8-2&keywords=videodrome">Videodrome</a></span></i> is by no means a
conventional film and will, therefore, indeed not appeal to most. Those
anticipating a film with a tight, concise, coherent narrative and immediately likable characters will undoubtedly be disappointed. Those, however, with more
eccentric film tastes who appreciate films with a point of view that emphasize
certain social issues through ostentatious symbolism will be exhilarated. In short, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Videodrome-The-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873294&sr=8-2&keywords=videodrome">Videodrome</a></i> is a piece that emphasizes the
horrifying effects of relentless media consumption and the hazards associated
with ever-expanding technology. In fact, the film rings truer today than
perhaps it did when it was released in 1983. It is a daring, audacious and
explosive journey into dark territory and also features some of the most
inventive and captivating special effects in film history designed by acclaimed special effects artist, Rick Baker (famous for his work on <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uw6QPThCqE">An American Werewolf in London</a></i>). <i style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Videodrome-The-Criterion-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B003KGBIRK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873294&sr=8-2&keywords=videodrome">Videodrome</a></i> has a distinct philosophy and therefore, like the signal
broadcast in the piece, is dangerous in nature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgGjGfNVD35vcxraHf_GbARu6CuMIUPyjiQQ8iaGrOx4HSMrk1KKlvg2kWd_RRm85LM_PoknMer4j3OT5s6Bxoe4UvQQcl0eKWHu0kIt2jw850_f3gaExTMAS76DUBlLz9s0CacM6FtoB/s1600/videodrome-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgGjGfNVD35vcxraHf_GbARu6CuMIUPyjiQQ8iaGrOx4HSMrk1KKlvg2kWd_RRm85LM_PoknMer4j3OT5s6Bxoe4UvQQcl0eKWHu0kIt2jw850_f3gaExTMAS76DUBlLz9s0CacM6FtoB/s1600/videodrome-1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: large;">Honorable Mention: <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mouth-Madness-Blu-ray-Sam-Neill/dp/B00DBNLAZW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1409873357&sr=8-2&keywords=in+the+mouth+of+madness">In the Mouth of Madness</a></b> (1994)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>Directed by John Carpenter - Written by Michael De Luca - Starring Sam Neil, Julie Carmen, Jurgen Prochnow</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm_SH_7iLE43tSvPkEAJjZJDIb7nfS7zomfb-7dCCNIBUBBJSOjpA-MoH6GiWe2iBhMdOvg3_5ECd3FHphYE6RAmyCnwxKG-Ha680yhOqYtQiVnuj8gPVo3JHe1BPsqoEOga5w7vo8OLe/s1600/in+the+mouth+of+madness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjm_SH_7iLE43tSvPkEAJjZJDIb7nfS7zomfb-7dCCNIBUBBJSOjpA-MoH6GiWe2iBhMdOvg3_5ECd3FHphYE6RAmyCnwxKG-Ha680yhOqYtQiVnuj8gPVo3JHe1BPsqoEOga5w7vo8OLe/s1600/in+the+mouth+of+madness.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Have you read <i>Sutter Cane</i>? If not, consider yourself fortunate. John Carpenter's final installment in his Apocalypse trilogy (preceded by <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ftmr17M-a4">The Thing</a></i> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVEC-fslvGQ"><i>Prince of Darkness</i></a>) is a frightening homage to Lovecraft as he guides the viewer into another dimension of indefinable terror.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_PFcOeM_Usk/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_PFcOeM_Usk&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_PFcOeM_Usk&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Check back soon for Part 2 where I discuss my Top 5! In the meantime, you can also check out <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2012/05/kellies-favorite-horror-films.html">Kellie's Favorite 15 Horror Films</a>, or <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2013/02/top-10-scariest-women-in-film.html">Chelsea's Top 10 Scariest Women in Film</a>! Or, feel free to leave me some comments and let me know what you think of the films I mentioned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Courier New;">--<a href="https://twitter.com/ejlarocca">Eric LaRocca</a></span></i></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045551081842380465noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-16997116493785359602014-08-14T08:05:00.001-07:002014-08-14T08:09:24.696-07:00Current Volunteer Opportunities<div style="text-align: justify;">
Want to get more involved at LPM? Right now, we need volunteers to: </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Scout locations for upcoming events, shows, and parties. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Help us write and shoot a series of short videos encouraging people to donate and help fund live horror. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Sell program ads to local businesses, or arrange for trades - we'll give them a program ad in exchange for free rehearsal space, program printing, etc. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Design merchandise for our <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.spreadshirt.com/">SpreadShirt store</a>, and create stickers and other swag we can sell or give to donors. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Create flyers and postcards for upcoming events. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Solicit donations that can be used as donor incentives and gifts from horror-themed businesses and service providers (i.e. "Donate $25 to La Petite Morgue and receive a Zombie Mafia CD"). </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Design a new template/layout for our <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/">website/blog</a>,<a href="http://lapetitemorgue.tumblr.com/">tumblr</a>, etc. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Blog about horror - most importantly, live horror - and help us build our blog's readership. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Preview and review upcoming horror events in local and online media. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Represent La Petite Morgue at horror conventions and other events. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If any of this appeals to you, please write to: <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=lapetitemorgue@gmail.com">lapetitemorgue@gmail.com</a> - send a short note telling us about your relevant skills and what kind of project you would like to take on.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of these projects can be done from the comfort of your own home or office, and they don't take a big time commitment. If you are a student, we are willing to fill out the necessary paperwork so you can earn school credit. We are also willing to write you a glowing letter of recommendation if that would be useful. (If that wouldn't be useful, we will buy you a pizza and some beer, which we're pretty sure is useful to everyone.)</div>
</div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-57111074950954981902014-07-23T15:05:00.001-07:002014-08-14T08:08:07.887-07:00Why Horror is HARD...<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are universal challenges faced by those who produce live entertainment, especially those who do so in New York City. The rising cost of performance space. The financial commitment involved in facilitating a rehearsal process. Audiences with ever-shrinking disposable income and a myriad of alternate entertainment options. The psychological exhaustion of encouraging communication and mediating disputes in an art form defined by the necessity of collaboration.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Indie and amateur producers face yet more challenges - first and foremost, the question of how to keep actors, directors, and technicians motivated when no one is being paid for their time and talent. How to find, borrow, make, or steal that which the company needs, but which the company cannot afford to buy. How to walk the line between imitating professional theatre and presenting yourself as the cheap and fun alternative to same.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The past two years have given me plenty of time to reflect on the challenges of producing, but I found myself motivated to share with you some observations about the challenges that are unique to the production of live horror in NYC. Here are some of the reasons I've noticed why being Executive Producer at La Petite Morgue is the hardest job I've ever loved:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Special Effects...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sure, lots of shows use special effects, but I would argue that special effects are uniquely crucial in the horror genre. Hitchcock said, "There is no horror in the bang - only in the anticipation of it." Creating suspense depends on the writing, directing, and acting, and if those elements aren't top-notch, all the fake blood and squibs money can buy won't make a play scary. But, I would argue that what Aristotle referred to as <i>spectacle</i> is more important in this genre than any other. The dramatic climax of a play needs to be satisfying for the audience. If the dramatic climax of a play is a violent murder, then the audience is likely going to want to see that murder - usually with as much detail and realism as possible. The Greeks may have been fans of off-stage violence and gore, but most modern audiences feel they need to see it to believe it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1XW6DpVo4BLfp12fmfrmWwdSIwGsIHjBivctMGPnBpROJiYLNTztDCF7ScaYlPBYml5i7B_hkRglWL8CwswfxFh3FHYYRnDyWTNZhzpwTsvSFNZSIIgbzHKCDAmMF2jXo0bK2IyDAimy/s1600/oedipus-rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1XW6DpVo4BLfp12fmfrmWwdSIwGsIHjBivctMGPnBpROJiYLNTztDCF7ScaYlPBYml5i7B_hkRglWL8CwswfxFh3FHYYRnDyWTNZhzpwTsvSFNZSIIgbzHKCDAmMF2jXo0bK2IyDAimy/s1600/oedipus-rex.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Universally acknowledged masterpiece? Yes. But some kid in the 4th row <br />is rolling his eyes because he thinks that blood looks like Kool-Aid.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pretend you're directing a play. And that play ends with a brutal stabbing. You want your actor holding a knife that looks sharp enough to cut through human flesh. But if you ask an actor to hold a knife that is <i>actually</i> sharp enough to cut through human flesh, you run the risk of it <i>actually doing that</i>. Directors and producers have a responsibility to ensure that their actors are 100% safe - while simultaneously making the audience believe that those same actors are in terrible danger. Stage combat is complicated enough in the average play, but in horror, we add a variety of weapons, sometimes even guns, into the mix. For example, this year's festival shows featured the following weapons: a knife, a box cutter, a letter opener, and a phone (bashed over someone's head to knock him unconscious). You'd be surprised how much time I personally spent trying to add just enough foam padding to the bottom of the phone so that Blayne didn't accidentally slip one night and give Ryan a concussion, but not so much that the audience would find themselves wondering, "Why does the bottom of that phone look like a giant marshmallow?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone in the audience knows, intellectually, that one actor is not actually slitting the throat of the other actor with a box cutter, in a room full of witnesses. They know it. And yet... when the stars align, and the effect works perfectly, they still <i>see</i> that happen. Intellectually, they know that what they are watching is not real. But seeing something happen has an effect on you, separate from the intellectual reaction your brain is aware of. And, if everyone has done their job properly, then with a little bit of blind luck, someone sitting in the audience can have a real, visceral, emotional reaction to something that they simultaneously know is make-believe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a beautiful thing when that happens, and it's a shame that it can't happen every time. But there are so many things that can go wrong. The blood looks too watery. The blood looks too red. Or - and this is an issue that plagued the <i>Parasite</i> cast - the blood pack just doesn't burst when it's supposed to. You can practice breaking a blood pack a hundred times, and get it right every time. And then you can go up on stage and do it the exact same way, and it just doesn't break. Having more money to spend on special effects can mitigate the chances of technical snafus, but they cannot completely eliminate them. Horror films have the benefit of shooting, and re-shooting, and editing a scene until it's absolutely perfect. Theatre happens live. Which means it will almost <i>never</i> be perfect. If you're very, very lucky, then every once in a while, it will be <i>close enough</i>. And that is magic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>...And Other Issues Related to the Suspension of Disbelief</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the 2013 festival, one of the plays we produced was one I wrote. It was called <i>Hold Still</i>. It involves a painter who murders his subjects. Early in the play, his latest victim observes that it's eerily quiet in his loft, and he explains that he has had his apartment sound-proofed, because he requires silence for his work. Later, when she begins to scream for help, he quips, "Sound-proofing, remember?" It's the "No one can hear you scream!" moment of the play. And I thought it was pretty creepy - until the first performance, when I realized what a terrible mistake I had made. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is never. Ever. <i>Ever</i>. Silent. In Manhattan. And when the actor is supposed to say, "It's so quiet!" and then a car alarm goes off, somewhere in the distance, or a door slams on the ground floor, or two women in the stairway start having a loud conversation in Croatian... It is very, <i>very</i> hard for the other actor to reply, "Yes, I had the place sound-proofed" without bursting into hysterics, and/or causing the audience to do so. In New York City, someone can pretty much always hear you if you decide to scream, and you can pretty much always hear other people, doing something. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maybe someday, we'll find a performance space that actually is sound-proof, and the spooky silence of a play like <i>With You</i> or <i>Bloody Mary</i> won't be constantly interrupted by sirens, raucous laughter, and/or someone's iPhone. In the meantime, we have to trust the audience to meet us halfway, use their imaginations, and get wrapped up in a dark, quiet, creepy play about forgotten graveyards and isolated cabins in the woods, despite actually being surrounded by the most crowded, brightest, and loudest city in America. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Fear is Subjective...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some fears are nearly universal. There are a lot of fears that are considered to be the result of evolution, hard-wired into our brains from years of survival. Being afraid of large predators, disease-carrying bugs, heights, and other things that can kill or maim you is really just good common sense - so those tend to be the most popular phobias. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But fear can also be highly subjective. One person's panic attack is another person's complete indifference. Some people find <i>The Blair Witch Project</i> terrifying - other people find it boring, or downright annoying. I've laughed at the up-staters who warn me to be careful walking through parts of Manhattan after dark - but it's equally hilarious to take a born-and-raised Manhattanite out into the wilderness (where it is <i>actually dark</i> and <i>actually silent</i> and there is literally no one around for miles to hear you scream) and watch them <i>completely lose their minds</i>. Some people are profoundly unnerved by zombies, while others find them ridiculous and can't help but giggle at their brainless undead moaning. Some people are terrified by ghosts and supernatural monsters, while others are more creeped-out by true-crime and biographies of history's greatest psychopaths. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For example: Chelsea Holland is afraid of Big Bird.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You know what? I'm going to give you a second to wrap your minds around that sentence. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Chelsea Holland... </i>is <i>afraid...</i> of <i>Big Bird</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yep. That's right. <i>Big Bird</i>. You good? Okay, moving on.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If Chelsea ever writes a horror play in which Big Bird is the villain/monster/antagonist, I'm sure it will be a wonderful, brilliant, prize-winningly suspenseful masterpiece of the macabre. But, given that I watched <i>Follow That Bird</i> with near-religious enthusiasm every day between the ages of three and six, I am going to have a hard time feeling anything but affection for the big yellow guy. And I'm <i>very</i> easy to frighten. Ask anyone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81eIRMSN15luMbRakRFN5Yhja7myJBVFXZo_o4QWCwd3nElVsl-O5NkkEQrlF4QShcg2e2NyMocQkjxqVcqJYQaOe68qS4ck1oGON1BHHbR-ttORsDouz_6SsHSqmdRD-F5PiMsx_guiY/s1600/Big_bird_book_kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81eIRMSN15luMbRakRFN5Yhja7myJBVFXZo_o4QWCwd3nElVsl-O5NkkEQrlF4QShcg2e2NyMocQkjxqVcqJYQaOe68qS4ck1oGON1BHHbR-ttORsDouz_6SsHSqmdRD-F5PiMsx_guiY/s1600/Big_bird_book_kids.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Why is Chelsea afraid of Big Bird?"<br />"I think a psychiatrist would have a FIELD DAY with that question."</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The bottom line is, even if our audience were full of 'fraidy-cats, not every horror play has the potential to scare every person in the room. And our audiences are made up primarily of New Yorkers - a group of people who have taught themselves to play chicken with speeding cabs, scoff at the threat of street crime, and walk past a horde of zombies without batting an eye. (After enough trips through Times Square, you just start to assume that every weird thing you run into is just another <a href="http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/walking-dead-zombies-prank-nyc-pedestrians-1201090356/">viral marketing campaign</a>.) As a demographic, you people are <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/soccer-hockey-times-square-2011-8">famously fearless</a>, and generally, <a href="http://media.trb.com/media/photo/2010-09/56204183.jpg">pretty</a> <a href="http://www.ivillage.com/possible-reasons-why-shark-riding-subway/7-a-543855">freaking</a> <a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1588243.1390439294!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/article_970/panda.jpg?enlarged">unshakeable</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>...and Laughter is Contagious</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aanoBbtkMig">interview with Christopher Krovatin</a>, the playwright of <i>Tiperary</i> mentions that one thing horror and sex have in common is that when things go wrong, it's generally hilarious. Is it because of all the adrenaline involved? Is it because of all the tension and anxiety? Is it because those are situations in which people tend to take themselves very seriously? For whatever reason, there's a thin line between fear and hilarity. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even if nothing goes wrong on stage, you can find yourself suddenly faced with an audience full of people who are snickering instead of shivering. Some people laugh when they're angry, or crying, or yes, even terrified. A fair number of people find that they sometimes laugh when they're uncomfortable or nervous. And once one person laughs, another usually joins in. We have a natural urge to break the tension we're experiencing, especially in a group setting. We have an urge to fit in with those around us, and we do so by mirroring the behavior of others. We really are just monkeys in shoes, after all.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, laughter spreads quickly through an audience. It's a beautiful thing in comedy, but in horror? When the bloody stabbing goes from brutal to campy, it's generally considered <i>bad</i>. So, the challenge is bigger than just "don't screw up", the challenge is finding a way to make groupthink work for instead of against you, and find ways to make fear as contagious as amusement. I haven't figured it out yet, but if you have any ideas, let me know.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That actually applies to everything I've mentioned above. If you have any ideas about how we at La Petite Morgue could be doing a better job of scaring you witless, we want to hear them. Your opinions matter, and maybe you have an idea we've never heard before. Leave a comment, or better yet, send us a play that requires no special effects, no onstage violence, and is universally creepy from start to finish - even with car alarms going off in the background. Yes, that's probably impossible. But it's important to have an ideal to strive for. </div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-3803356921989854112014-07-20T12:51:00.000-07:002014-07-20T13:04:53.404-07:00We Survived! <div style="text-align: justify;">
On behalf of LA PETITE MORGUE, I'd like to once again thank everyone who made this year's Best of Fresh Blood Festival possible:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Board</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The festival directors, who went above and beyond to bring these pieces to life with no budget to speak of, and hardly any production support </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Sanguine Society </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The festival actors who always behaved like professionals (despite not being paid) - especially Vito Trigo, my fight choreographer, and Amanda White, my unofficial PA </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Everyone who donated to the fundraising campaign, and all our other donors </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The super-supportive festival playwrights (3/4 of whom were at EVERY performance!) </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">All the actors who have performed at all the Fresh Blood events </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Our wonderful volunteer PSM, Claire Fishman </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Our volunteer SM, Joe Brofcak </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Our wonderful makeup and special effects designer, <a href="http://proportionalexcitability.thecomicseries.com/comics/">Margaret Donahue</a></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">All the lovely playwrights who have submitted their bloody awesome horror plays in the past two years </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Steve Barrett, for the awesome photography, and the desk! </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And finally, thank you to everyone who supported the festival by buying a ticket! Without an audience to terrify, it's not theatre, it's just a bunch of weirdos playing make-believe - so thank you for playing with us! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.254717437985984.1073741828.128925977231798">BOFB 2014 Photo Album</a> is on facebook. If you want to see more photos, or if you have photos to share, just leave a comment, or e-mail them to: lapetitemorgue@gmail.com</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you didn't get a copy of the program, you can <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/aicr60n9lg8h9vs/2014%20Best%20of%20Fresh%20Blood%20Program%203.0.pdf">download a PDF program</a> - and if you didn't have a chance to buy a sweet LPM T-shirt, you'll have another chance at our next event. Just give us a month or two to recover first. This live horror thing is exhausting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
With Undying Love From One of Your Semi-Fearless Leaders,</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
Kellie Powell</div>
<div>
<div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span></div>
</div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-24424473379340419222014-07-14T16:30:00.000-07:002014-07-18T23:41:35.912-07:00THE TIME FOR FEAR IS HERE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">DON'T MISS THE BEST OF FRESH BLOOD 2014</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>FINAL PERFORMANCE</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Saturday, July 19 at 8:00 PM</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Stage Left Studio - 214 West 30th Street</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OAe7SjIgAG3VR3sOlUhgAWt2DrJ_Br1XQAHgprdywMgPTpv3hBZ-wiyKR-DDY0sH7vFsDUok_XBLE_FKThCGKMhkQQJLEY8YpjrjA34EoqcRu0F-c5SQuqR9Z4n5sbssfy2Ob4ll4NcC/s1600/The+Catch+handshake+sq.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mOlX4Fi7isNMHS0cjoezSPjxas5vnyits-ybQsZiZBh2msdPI0ttH1U1qWDMA0M4daQoVxLToxFbZG6Ju-F2AfG-Uk8KI0nAQ3oEl21Kj2EquddNkz57eQxIxby6PuZ5ubM6fJB0u4xV/s1600/Tiperary+handcuffs.png" height="400" width="397" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUox4i2CglDEHdIReQysY5tAIjgnViHiY-odQ-77CkElzPicBMyqG8vcG0m2pkO2uQDZ9os18FvyGB4TlPSKHTDKdfPsZVEgu9y2n-7MOesAuiql1EtQMZcSvrnzSXK4RnD754EMR4GIE/s1600/PARASITE+sq.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqPPbQPWpAfWj9VN_kLeKz4jR5MKKd2lS_Jvem98yxxHj-lk6VUbr3mBiwTW7npJ_5rlH1WnidQxhrlmQsJcKas_YDiWV7Eat04dYPqQ6p6rD3P8GJZvsJVObAHsDfhA3ae_-70jo1vAn/s1600/Jester+skeleton.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-80563622661064979142014-07-09T11:52:00.001-07:002014-07-16T19:16:08.710-07:00Meet Christopher Krovatin: Fighting the Good Fight Against Boredom<div>
<b><i>Tiperary</i> Explores Horror Movie Tropes in an Original Context </b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In just fifteen pages, Christopher Krovatin's play <i>Tiperary</i> touches on kink negotiation, suspension of disbelief, the fetishization of virginity, and sexualized violence against women in the horror genre. Artistic Director Chelsea Holland chose this play to direct for the <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">Best of Fresh Blood</a> festival, and the first performance is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/487023264732263/">Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The play centers on Nick and Diana, a married couple, who are attempting to navigate the intersection of sex and violence as they role-play a slasher-movie fantasy scenario. And, just as some horror movies (or plays) can be inadvertently hilarious when things go wrong, Diana's sexual fantasy is continually interrupted by hilarious failures. It seems reality just can't compete with the idealized scene the couple is trying, at times desperately, to create. We interviewed playwright Christopher Krovatin to ask him about his inspiration for the play, his greatest fears, and the challenges of writing horror.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/aanoBbtkMig?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The scenario that Diana describes is fairly specific, but it also hints at some familiar horror movie genre tropes. Early slasher movies established the convention - now more of a cliché than a rule - that if someone has sex in a horror movie, they'll be dead by the credits. Only the virginal female (the "Final Girl") has any hope of escaping the killer. Diana's fantasy casts her as the virginal female, and her husband as a hungry-for-revenge murderer. The specific motive she gives the killer is actually rather similar to Mrs. Voorhees' motive in the original <i>Friday the 13th</i>. By exploring horror movie tropes and exploiting audience expectations, Christopher Krovatin has created a thoroughly original, thought-provoking, and frequently hysterical play.<br />
<br />
See <i>Tiperary</i> by Christopher Krovatin for yourself - along with four other terrifying plays at <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">The Best of Fresh Blood</a>, July 17-19 at Stage Left Studio.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b>-- Claire Fishman</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div>
<b>Christopher Krovatin is Why I've Read Yelp Reviews of Sex Stores</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When you're producing or directing or otherwise working on a horror play, you get used to carrying around things that, were someone to stop and search you, might appear rather odd. (I remember one day when I was carrying a hammer, Tupperware containers of what looked like blood, rubber gloves, cleaning wipes, and several yards of plastic sheets such as you would use if you were painting - or disposing of a body.) You get used to being the recipient of weird looks from the next table over at the diner where you and your Artistic Director are discussing everyday office supplies which could be used as weapons of gruesome murder. And you get used to the idea that anyone who happened to be monitoring your browser history probably thinks you are a sick, twisted freak. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday, thanks to Christopher Krovatin, and his play <i>Tiperary</i>, Chelsea and I discovered one more side effect of producing that might take some getting used to, as we studied the Yelp reviews for local adult boutiques. That's right, kids, La Petite Morgue made its first official company expedition to the local BDSM shop. What can I say? The script for <i>Tiperary</i> calls for a few <i>very</i> specific items that we just couldn't find at <a href="http://www.newyorkcostumes.com/">Halloween Adventure</a>! We wanted to video the momentous occasion, but the store had numerous signs explaining that photography was prohibited. So, I only managed to take one quick shot. Behold:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvyhYTiNSaxRJ8_uGYXo2DiJ6Suf3nwWlTwkvtdzh0ZF2TiNO4mcFWWQEVNPRjQXhY9dIMcNRH1scdaHBW45fM-2F3KU44SB_zM5HIwcMV6m_M_J_nVOcZbermYWMGmmDKotTF8VUUECm/s1600/Hunting+for+Props.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvyhYTiNSaxRJ8_uGYXo2DiJ6Suf3nwWlTwkvtdzh0ZF2TiNO4mcFWWQEVNPRjQXhY9dIMcNRH1scdaHBW45fM-2F3KU44SB_zM5HIwcMV6m_M_J_nVOcZbermYWMGmmDKotTF8VUUECm/s1600/Hunting+for+Props.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>A producer's work is never done.</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We actually did manage to cross one item off our Props To Find list, but the experience was harrowing. The sales clerks were pushy and prone to over-sharing. Which you would think would not be a tremendously successful sales strategy in their industry - but what do I know? I was tempted to write a Yelp review of my own, but anyone monitoring my computer is already perplexed enough by my browser history... and besides, with the <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">Best of Fresh Blood</a> Festival only nine days away, I've got too much else to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b>-- Kellie Powell</b></div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-76500873299892244452014-07-05T11:56:00.000-07:002014-07-05T12:06:15.312-07:00Meet Devlin Giroux: Bucking the Trend<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>JESTER Explores the Ambiguity Between Reality and Imagination</b><br />
<br />
My first introduction to Devlin Giroux's play <i style="font-family: inherit;">Jester</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">was in the audition room. Stephen Cedars,</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Jester</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">'s director, asked actors to perform an impromptu dance. He asked them to evoke fear <i>indirectly</i> - to be creepy and unsettling, rather than aggressive, towards the person they were tasked with "entertaining". That's where I came in. Stephen needed someone for the auditioners to scare, so as the reader, I sat across from each of them, while they attempted to terrify me with their portrayals of the Jester. And terrify they did! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, when I read the full script, I further understood why the Jester is so eerie. Marie, the character whom the Jester haunts, may or may not actually be seeing the Jester. The ambiguity in Giroux's play between what is real and what is imagined adds to the overall uneasiness that the play provokes. This is especially evident in that Marie is being held in a mental health facility, and everyone there seems to believe she's hallucinating. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Devlin Giroux lives in Michigan, so I couldn't interview him in person, but he was kind enough to answer some questions about his play, his fears, and the challenges of writing horror:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Q0oCeTd1dc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Distinguishing between reality and imagination is a concept that has often appeared in psychological horror films. One example that comes to mind is the 1968 classic, Roman Polanski's <i>Rosemary's Baby</i>. Throughout the film, Rosemary's paranoia grows as she fears that her child has been promised as a Satanic sacrifice. For viewers, a large part of what makes this film scary is that we don't know whether what Rosemary believes is the truth or a delusion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Uncertainty about reality continues to show up in more recent psychological horror films, touching on a wide array of topics. <i>The Others </i>(2001) features a woman who fears there are ghosts living in her house. In <i>Flightplan</i> (2005), a woman on an airplane is convinced her daughter was kidnapped, but everyone on the flight claims they never saw the child. <i>Black Swan</i> (2010) explores the gradual mental decline of a ballet dancer as she becomes increasingly paranoid and competitive.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite different portrayals of psychological horror, all of these films and <i>Jester</i> explore what happens when the truth isn't easily discernible. While zombies and vampires and ghosts are certainly scary in their own right, there's something particularly frightening about being unsure of what is real and what is not. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is especially scary when coupled with a disbelief on the part of others, like in</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">Jester</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Only Marie sees the</span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jester, and so she essentially has to confront her fear on her own, in the face of skepticism. In doing so, she also has to face herself, which might be the most frightening thing of all. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>--Claire Fishman</b></span></div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-5716533844965747002014-07-03T11:57:00.001-07:002014-07-16T19:19:53.628-07:00Faces of Fear: Meet the Cast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDHxy5cT_XjY2toCEK4xbsFGCY5q6vMJqY53UFB0AKXQCSzWUfgvFHpp2ptw8PxPdUbzEZ9SV_OvgPyFhTB4texeJo4U3iy7JJMpxIOZemdGcRLDGMYyGIOMG9AigMWen1TsCkqKSHnsA/s1600/Lauren+and+Aaron+First+Read.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDHxy5cT_XjY2toCEK4xbsFGCY5q6vMJqY53UFB0AKXQCSzWUfgvFHpp2ptw8PxPdUbzEZ9SV_OvgPyFhTB4texeJo4U3iy7JJMpxIOZemdGcRLDGMYyGIOMG9AigMWen1TsCkqKSHnsA/s1600/Lauren+and+Aaron+First+Read.jpg" height="286" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The faces in this photograph might SEEM like the faces of two relatively typical, moderately attractive, perfectly happy young performers. But don't let that fool you! These are only two of the doomed souls who have wandered into a labyrinth of terror from which there is no escape.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They thought they were auditioning for another evening of new one-act plays by another Off-Off-Broadway production company - but what they found themselves involved in was much, much worse!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you to the latest of La Petite Morgue's helpless victims: The Cast of <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">The Best of Fresh Blood</a>!</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" height="12" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwIiDuTuJYlTvs36HWUjqB5Z-Wv8a_zjtnytakN21IcHzhgURu9B4SFm9wr2Hlf1srUUmGoxfzhakR0hcLozIG_-R10momrY_tNTtt2szXm-K5rElgXVAk6SEKLmPuv3PNo4EVzIFVscN/s1600/Chelsea+Holland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwIiDuTuJYlTvs36HWUjqB5Z-Wv8a_zjtnytakN21IcHzhgURu9B4SFm9wr2Hlf1srUUmGoxfzhakR0hcLozIG_-R10momrY_tNTtt2szXm-K5rElgXVAk6SEKLmPuv3PNo4EVzIFVscN/s1600/Chelsea+Holland.JPG" height="200" width="156" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqb7A5OrnOUp_Ij2p12mqvUQdKcxcfxbWzkPnIoRvqLD8vnn9UMPB47lOvI_bZaJjMFpoHIUHKCYyENLAisXqG7Yd7_hjy7RUspkdBHYNnJpKJEyi9aQwDL-60aZ8emxEfCys2sxortQV/s1600/Vito+Trigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vito Trigo" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqb7A5OrnOUp_Ij2p12mqvUQdKcxcfxbWzkPnIoRvqLD8vnn9UMPB47lOvI_bZaJjMFpoHIUHKCYyENLAisXqG7Yd7_hjy7RUspkdBHYNnJpKJEyi9aQwDL-60aZ8emxEfCys2sxortQV/s1600/Vito+Trigo.jpg" height="200" title="Vito Trigo" width="156" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>No 'safe word' can save you from the horrors of...</i><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TIPERARY</span></b><br />
<i>Written by Christopher Krovatin<br />
Directed by Chelsea Holland</i><br />
<br />
<b>Starring:<br />Chelsea Holland & Vito Trigo</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Last year, Chelsea directed </i>Lovesick<i> by Christine Croyden, and Vito strangled his estranged sister in </i>Hold Still<i>. But now, together, they face a new horror: Marriage.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<i style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2ToOJtdnl0oVNyt-zkeBqDaBqm6zfc5HL2rDYxApc7aHinjyGMMcXLlSF0CvCe9OXqiDW0B8cxRUrk04xTXIfjv5sa1feSLAY4oGGtV0SfviA3WwcMLOe1fX3G2LRcFhpbYIerlXpl5D/s1600/div.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2ToOJtdnl0oVNyt-zkeBqDaBqm6zfc5HL2rDYxApc7aHinjyGMMcXLlSF0CvCe9OXqiDW0B8cxRUrk04xTXIfjv5sa1feSLAY4oGGtV0SfviA3WwcMLOe1fX3G2LRcFhpbYIerlXpl5D/s1600/div.png" height="12" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7RwXb13pH_Eo2wwQUKELnjmDa803cjfPZM8B_sXwah0QKbcvXGfRpXYcgp6uK9omdonK2f6M5Sttt-Fl4JTFsyuz8aw1CngFoiJfx5-2N-p6GP6Her0ara7cdotD-ssWtTNhnFnoGpHk/s1600/Lillian+Ancheta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lillian Ancheta" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7RwXb13pH_Eo2wwQUKELnjmDa803cjfPZM8B_sXwah0QKbcvXGfRpXYcgp6uK9omdonK2f6M5Sttt-Fl4JTFsyuz8aw1CngFoiJfx5-2N-p6GP6Her0ara7cdotD-ssWtTNhnFnoGpHk/s1600/Lillian+Ancheta.jpg" height="200" title="Lillian Ancheta" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm8_D81indZZxI6bvwEtiClGXgF9gMIvWKFEPWzZPLLbooPoFwWPPtOMfawfjn_CKrZAazhyGgXvqaeMyi0_HhVE37fS854cgPbTr2hSlx0sQCNf7aiRZ8liEPYjOxxQdrV2eP_vC7akh/s1600/Amanda+White+BGM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amanda White" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm8_D81indZZxI6bvwEtiClGXgF9gMIvWKFEPWzZPLLbooPoFwWPPtOMfawfjn_CKrZAazhyGgXvqaeMyi0_HhVE37fS854cgPbTr2hSlx0sQCNf7aiRZ8liEPYjOxxQdrV2eP_vC7akh/s1600/Amanda+White+BGM.jpg" height="200" title="Amanda White" width="152" /></a></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Love has a way of getting under your skin.</i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PARASITE</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Written by Eric LaRocca</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Directed by <a href="http://www.notmyshoes.net/">Kellie Powell</a></i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>Starring:</b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><a href="http://www.lillianancheta.com/">Lillian Ancheta</a> & Amanda White</b></b><br />
<b><b><br /></b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Long-time Scream Queen Amanda, and Fresh-Blood First-Timer Lillian, face off as former lovers whose failed relationship is about to have a body count.</i></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #404040; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2ToOJtdnl0oVNyt-zkeBqDaBqm6zfc5HL2rDYxApc7aHinjyGMMcXLlSF0CvCe9OXqiDW0B8cxRUrk04xTXIfjv5sa1feSLAY4oGGtV0SfviA3WwcMLOe1fX3G2LRcFhpbYIerlXpl5D/s1600/div.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2ToOJtdnl0oVNyt-zkeBqDaBqm6zfc5HL2rDYxApc7aHinjyGMMcXLlSF0CvCe9OXqiDW0B8cxRUrk04xTXIfjv5sa1feSLAY4oGGtV0SfviA3WwcMLOe1fX3G2LRcFhpbYIerlXpl5D/s1600/div.png" height="12" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbbyUUR4XiDcQ8TD8aQJlVDa3vqeY9EY_-mZQGxyTNhI-brO_X00bf22FMNegSt56PVMx14dNvk-I93qQ16Nz612_sOtY14NaTeMJ4MJmjMhg4rDZoSh-fUiwD697UAw5hyOqO5oQTEAD/s1600/Ryan+Barker+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ryan Barker" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbbyUUR4XiDcQ8TD8aQJlVDa3vqeY9EY_-mZQGxyTNhI-brO_X00bf22FMNegSt56PVMx14dNvk-I93qQ16Nz612_sOtY14NaTeMJ4MJmjMhg4rDZoSh-fUiwD697UAw5hyOqO5oQTEAD/s1600/Ryan+Barker+Headshot.jpg" height="200" title="Ryan Barker" width="142" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiWeFWVVeeK-do-wgreUCDsOYcfJtvhJs7kJtVsMQhPB2UBbR75AN6jaVC5GY4ClQg3PkprJIeWgiSndEX8ZtOGNTg5NrfD5-JOLOVkTDnmWp-dsffAUXYkKHqVQ3t59qMfyvnL561dlH/s1600/Blayne+Levin+Headshot.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blayne Levin" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiWeFWVVeeK-do-wgreUCDsOYcfJtvhJs7kJtVsMQhPB2UBbR75AN6jaVC5GY4ClQg3PkprJIeWgiSndEX8ZtOGNTg5NrfD5-JOLOVkTDnmWp-dsffAUXYkKHqVQ3t59qMfyvnL561dlH/s1600/Blayne+Levin+Headshot.jpeg" height="200" title="Blayne Levin" width="157" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFogDQKHWc8UJqazqwzA_gw_Uad7YQXWOyiKyO9xcu5rVoVBfGGDK1wINxlqK9Vq8ooJoGOGcYy8uZfZjxcKo6WyfYS0AJw5YnTfhoyhB2i0k9VSRy6KojbgB9eguIFWD6QsnmmyTA2U-/s1600/Toshi+Nakayama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Toshi Nakayama" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFogDQKHWc8UJqazqwzA_gw_Uad7YQXWOyiKyO9xcu5rVoVBfGGDK1wINxlqK9Vq8ooJoGOGcYy8uZfZjxcKo6WyfYS0AJw5YnTfhoyhB2i0k9VSRy6KojbgB9eguIFWD6QsnmmyTA2U-/s1600/Toshi+Nakayama.jpg" height="200" title="Toshi Nakayama" width="152" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If you can see him, it's already too late.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">JESTER</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Written by Devlin Giroux</i><br />
<i><i>Directed by Stephen Cedars</i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>Starring:</b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><a href="http://www.theryanbarker.com/">Ryan Barker</a> ~ <a href="http://www.blaynelevin.com/">Blayne Levin</a> ~ Toshi Nakayama</b></b></div>
<b>
</b></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Marie is haunted by a hallucinatory court jester who communicates solely with pantomime. She has been confined to a mental ward for her own safety - but no one can protect her from her own mind.</i></div>
<div style="color: #404040; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" height="12" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKP9Qsgva4s7d0FTiOHbEfOIXStrz4goCPsckVhWazOkO0GnKWL0vaG8nHsWC8i8L9LaeWaVlLt6MKJUvup3z_rTgnyjAiYfHm5OAomKvrF2PJIUq9LyqgtamwpHQlqEQVpb6grVJPz1A/s1600/Lauren+Maykut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lauren Maykut" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKP9Qsgva4s7d0FTiOHbEfOIXStrz4goCPsckVhWazOkO0GnKWL0vaG8nHsWC8i8L9LaeWaVlLt6MKJUvup3z_rTgnyjAiYfHm5OAomKvrF2PJIUq9LyqgtamwpHQlqEQVpb6grVJPz1A/s1600/Lauren+Maykut.JPG" height="200" title="Lauren Maykut" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqw7KRS9HPL4sDXwQWGxRjIlWibJS82xNOLHV9F9P2-XPlOzu_LBgMosZyElX6hyphenhyphenzUq1X30BUr7AMLVU7qb6yIZS36X-QlbGVopzJRefhUTGfSWGGnTm58srPcBAOwFu-o0BrzUAu1z_G/s1600/Aaron+Morton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aaron Morton" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqw7KRS9HPL4sDXwQWGxRjIlWibJS82xNOLHV9F9P2-XPlOzu_LBgMosZyElX6hyphenhyphenzUq1X30BUr7AMLVU7qb6yIZS36X-QlbGVopzJRefhUTGfSWGGnTm58srPcBAOwFu-o0BrzUAu1z_G/s1600/Aaron+Morton.jpg" height="200" title="Aaron Morton" width="153" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To have everything you've ever wanted - you'll have to live with...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE CATCH</span></b><br />
<i>Written By Ria Hill<br />Directed by Jolene Noelle</i><br />
<br />
<b>Starring:<br />Lauren Maykut & Aaron Morton</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>These newcomers are about to learn that when you make a deal with the Devil, sooner or later, someone has to pay the ultimate price.</i></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: 20px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" height="12" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div style="color: #404040; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G0CtpnobsFAayl08vi3gsVHlva-MfdKPCAdLMZKc073ASGshfWu3Aqn8Wp5ZMzQY0HqmHsnAm2XmFQmuueiV64NRz_CsSxzWETb5cKiYtx3BuMTV4L9p0J6q2eaLF9Omy6B7kJX11aE2/s1600/Ashley+Biel+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ashley Biel" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G0CtpnobsFAayl08vi3gsVHlva-MfdKPCAdLMZKc073ASGshfWu3Aqn8Wp5ZMzQY0HqmHsnAm2XmFQmuueiV64NRz_CsSxzWETb5cKiYtx3BuMTV4L9p0J6q2eaLF9Omy6B7kJX11aE2/s1600/Ashley+Biel+Headshot.jpg" height="200" title="Ashley Biel" width="152" /></a></i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltdsXwYOSKtMd4VUEthvFF-Ucae63HCZgv-TO6MK2bKP4whSlYE2YwKxKEzJR8FtdOnDKcLb0PxK3pgygJ1MaSZ5r-9nPXaaOXsfHsuSbb7FsJwgwRmlPd6VHtLP654KBXGkDWHMffIa9/s1600/Julia+Sinclair+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Julia Sinclair" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltdsXwYOSKtMd4VUEthvFF-Ucae63HCZgv-TO6MK2bKP4whSlYE2YwKxKEzJR8FtdOnDKcLb0PxK3pgygJ1MaSZ5r-9nPXaaOXsfHsuSbb7FsJwgwRmlPd6VHtLP654KBXGkDWHMffIa9/s1600/Julia+Sinclair+Headshot.jpg" height="200" title="Julia Sinclair" width="161" /></a></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Think your cost of living is high? Try moving to the apartment...</i></i></div>
<i>
</i><b></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">IN THE BASEMENT </span></b></b></div>
<b>
</b><i></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Written by <a href="http://www.juliaraemaldonado.com/">Julia Rae Maldonado</a> </i></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Directed by Shannon Lippert </i></i></div>
<i>
</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Starring: </b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>Ashley Biel & Julia Sinclair</b></b></div>
<b>
</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><br /></b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Two years ago, Ashley '</i>Lost a Lot of Blood<i>' for the Fresh Blood Fundraiser. Now she returns as a musician who wants to get out of her lease - too bad she signed in blood...</i></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
<div>
<div>
<div style="color: #404040; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #404040; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGDMTKmhTg7CsdfkrShu8UwCLx7um1v0mMv9emXgQsBZHKSvl6ceGDdaxDTM87N-0HCqsuXdh9ej8DoObYFyVwCpBKDXMkrrGKfoq1Ez5mDMJDTL2dgZcTc2MQvRJ0qhn0TubxvKmGn3x/s1600/div.png" height="12" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #404040; line-height: 20px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #404040; line-height: 20px;">
</div>
These twelve actors will face their greatest fears - terrifying killers, mythic monsters, demonic hallucinations, and even kinky sex - to bring you an unforgettable evening of terror! Performances are July 17 at 7pm, July 18 at 8pm, and July 19 at 8pm at Stage Left Studio, NYC. <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">Buy your tickets now!</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-88941559667306246092014-07-01T11:18:00.000-07:002014-07-05T12:16:44.402-07:00Meet Eric LaRocca: The Playwright Prodigy<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some of you may already know that when we choose the plays we want to read at Fresh Blood, we contact the playwrights to give them the good news, and invite them to the reading. Many of our submitting playwrights live in other states, and sometimes even other countries, so I've grown accustomed to having playwrights decline because of distance. But when I contacted Eric LaRocca, to tell him that we wanted to read his submission <i>Parasite</i> at the November 2013 edition of Fresh Blood, I received a response I had never received before. He asked if he would be able to get into the Dressing Room Boutique & Bar - because he wasn't 21 yet. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you haven't read or seen <i>Parasite</i>, you won't understand how truly shocked I was by this response. First of all, it is a very <i>mature</i> play. Subtle, sophisticated, provocative, gritty... (<i>filthy</i>, actually...) and it was written by someone who couldn't legally drink alcohol?!? My mind was blown. Second, it seemed <i>unfair </i>somehow that someone so young could write something so <i>good</i>. Personally, I started writing plays when I was sixteen. But my plays... - how should I put this? - they sucked. I think most writers would freely admit to being at least a little embarrassed by our early work. But <i>Parasite</i> had none of the trademarks of an "early" play. I had to conclude that: 1.) Eric must have gotten a very early start as a writer. Obviously much earlier than me. And 2.) that La Petite Morgue was very fortunate that such an insightful, intellectual, and acerbic young writer had decided to write horror for the stage. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Subsequently, we chose <i>Parasite</i> as one of the plays we would fully produce for the <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">Best of Fresh Blood </a>festival. Eric took the time to answer some questions about his play, fear, horror, and the phenomenon of decay. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/E57TU6QGjgY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: CourierFinalDraft; font-size: 16px;">"Humans can learn a lot from parasites. Their size doesn’t work against them the way you might think it would. It actually inspires a creativity and a perseverance that’s unparalleled in any other species. </span><span style="font-family: CourierFinalDraft; font-size: 12pt;">They’re
a lot like humans in their nature. More than you’d imagine. You see, the
propagation of the species is imperative to the growth of the genus. But, they
have to be very precise with where they deposit their eggs."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: CourierFinalDraft; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-- Anna in </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Parasite</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: CourierFinalDraft; font-size: 12pt;">
</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: CourierFinalDraft; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: CourierFinalDraft;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Parasite</i> is a play with two characters: Anna (played by Amanda White), a deeply troubled doctoral candidate who mutilates herself after becoming convinced that her infected tattoo is the key to winning back her lover, Lucie (played by Lillian Ancheta). The play touches on several absolutely horrifying phenomena, from the everyday (exploitative relationships), to the psychological (<a href="http://delusion.ucdavis.edu/delusional.html">delusional parasitosis</a>), to the inexplicable (and the incredibly gross). If you want to get a taste of how horrifying this play will be to watch, I've been compiling a collection of <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/notmyshoes/parasite/">photographs of infected flesh</a>, self-inflicted wounds, DIY tattoo removal, and other really gross things that you probably shouldn't look at if you are at all squeamish, or ever want to enjoy food again. The examples are extreme, but the everyday horrors of decay (and exploitation) are an omnipresent force - as Eric so vividly reminds us. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5YZ2DYGgAO4eSpGVKTk3yQudZqGQ8pUZYyuDy_sVy9ievs87Em67dAU-y6O7k4nU9xMXbmhad0p9z1EfK0SzgtCHeoCP-UUuAN08BQHffW1Ol2wuVHXPC3gUSGfEQZN3b9r4sdObXrgo/s1600/parasite+poster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="PARASITE by Eric LaRocca" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5YZ2DYGgAO4eSpGVKTk3yQudZqGQ8pUZYyuDy_sVy9ievs87Em67dAU-y6O7k4nU9xMXbmhad0p9z1EfK0SzgtCHeoCP-UUuAN08BQHffW1Ol2wuVHXPC3gUSGfEQZN3b9r4sdObXrgo/s1600/parasite+poster+2.jpg" height="640" title="PARASITE by Eric LaRocca" width="416" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Check back soon for more interviews with the Best of Fresh Blood playwrights, and don't miss <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/">The Best of Fresh Blood</a> festival, July 17-19 at Stage Left Studio. </div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-1435062259777807982014-05-22T11:00:00.003-07:002014-07-16T20:12:32.481-07:00Auditions for The Best of Fresh Blood<div style="text-align: justify;">
Are you an actor who is interested in performing in the Best of Fresh Blood Festival, this July 17-19? Good news! The directors will be holding auditions by appointment on Sunday afternoon, June 8. If you are interested in booking an audition slot, you'll write to: <a href="mailto:LaPetiteMorgue@gmail.com">LaPetiteMorgue@gmail.com</a> and send us:</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Your head-shot/photo</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Your acting/theatre resume</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">A short message, detailing your availability on Sunday, June 8 in the afternoon (approx. 1pm - 5pm)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We'll respond with an audition time and location. At the audition, you'll perform a short (90-120 second) monologue. You may also be asked to read sides, but we will do our best to send those to you ahead of time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are not available on June 8, you can still be considered for casting. You should still send us your photo and resume, and if possible, send us a short video of yourself performing a monologue - ideally a horror-related one, where you show us how scared or scary you can be!<br />
<br />
The Plays & Characters:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<i>Tipperary</i> by Christopher Krovatin, directed by Chelsea Holland<br />
Diana - A woman in her 20s/30s, who enjoys attempting to enact complicated sexual fantasies involving a psychotic killer with her husband.<br />
Nick - Her husband, who tries his best, but has a hard time understanding Diana's macabre obsession.<br />
<br />
<i>The Catch</i> by Ria Hill, directed by Jolene Noelle<br />
Katie - A very religious, very emotional young woman in her 20s.<br />
Travis - Her agnostic boyfriend, attempting to comfort her.<br />
[<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/gpwhds4jmzc4t9d/thecatch-excerpt.pdf">Read Excerpt</a>]<br />
<br />
<i>Parasite</i> by Eric LaRocca<br />
Lucie - 25-35, a lesbian, attempting to persuade her former lover to divorce.<br />
Anna - 25-35, Lucie's ex-lover, believes she has been infected with a parasite, has a history of mental illness.<br />
[<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/10vn502mosbka8l/parasite-excerpt.pdf">Read Excerpt</a>]<br />
<br />
<i>Jester</i> by Devlin Giroux<br />
Marie - early 30's, has been confined to a mental hospital after having a miscarriage and attacking her husband.<br />
Dr. Wallace - her psychiatrist, an older man in his 40s or 50s.</div>
<div>
The Jester - Marie's hallucination, he is mute and communicates through pantomime. Dance or Movement experience preferred.<br />
[<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/2kyhwzlhs248b58/Jesterexcerpt.pdf">Read Excerpt</a>]</div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-79129635780782419582014-03-25T14:00:00.002-07:002014-07-16T20:13:28.097-07:00The Best of Fresh Blood 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
LA PETITE MORGUE is proud to announce our selections for <a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/" target="_blank">The Best of Fresh Blood 2014</a>! We have received over 270 submissions, and since the Fresh Blood reading series began in August 2012, we have shared over FIFTY short horror plays with our audience. Every playwright who has had their work read at Fresh Blood should be proud of their work. Narrowing down our choices was very difficult, but we are pleased to be producing the following works of horror this July:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://freshblood.brownpapertickets.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW5NLFP4VC8L1b9mq6jfgkKhljo2JO_QbGaxvQGxZq_8yM30bagNW2fG1hKt5NjSb8oImhhwXNgI7fpZT2YXfUeMvGTJaYWVU3q6drbmSAl7IYPzeHGl9t-8nK9Qf9o3iXR-53sycDFoO/s1600/The+Best+of+Fresh+Blood+2014+HR.jpg" height="640" width="435" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The next step is to <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2014/03/seeking-fearless-directors.html" target="_blank">recruit some fearless directors</a> - so, if you know any masochists with God complexes, please, <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2014/03/seeking-fearless-directors.html" target="_blank">send them our way</a> - and once we have built our team, we will be announce our audition dates!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, don't forget to join us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/649475115118465" target="_blank">Wednesday, May 7</a> - in your best blood-splattered formal wear! - for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/649475115118465" target="_blank">A Night to Dismember: The Fresh Blood PROM</a>, at 8pm at The Dressing Room in lower Manhattan.</div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-16778592748490692962014-03-25T13:56:00.003-07:002014-03-25T14:29:10.569-07:00Seeking Fearless Directors<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have the dates! We have the times! We have the shows! And now we need the directors to bring The Best of Fresh Blood to life! If you are interested in directing, you can send your resume to: <a href="mailto:LaPetiteMorgue@gmail.com">LaPetiteMorgue@gmail.com</a>. If you're not sold on the idea, here's some more information:
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>What We're Offering:</b> </div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Your choice of scripts. </b>We
will let you read the selected scripts and choose the one you like best. If you don't like any of the scripts, no hard feelings! We'll still keep your resume on file for next time. You won't get stuck directing a script you don't like. That's for people who are getting a paycheck.</li>
<li><b>Fancy lighting and a real sound system. </b>The space (<a href="http://www.stageleftstudio.net/" target="_blank">Stage Left Studio</a>) has very fancy lighting, plus a projector and a sound system. No need to bring your own
heat lamps or run the sound cues off your iPod - LPM is moving up in the world<a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8121853696/hCEA678B6/" target="_blank">!</a> </li>
<li><b>Air conditioned performance space.</b> If you've ever done a show in July that didn't offer AC, you realize how important this is.</li>
<li><b>An assistant. </b>Not only do you get to boss around your actors (that <i>is</i> why Kellie directs plays), you also get to boss around (within reason) a wannabe future director - someone with limited directing experience who wants to study at your feet, learn from you, and more importantly, be on book when actors call "Line?"</li>
<li><b>Help finding props and costumes. </b>We can't promise to reimburse you for all of your expenses, but we can promise to help you buy, beg, borrow, and/or steal what you need from our vast network of fans and horror enthusiasts.</li>
<li><b>Marketing, publicity, and programs.</b> Yes, we want you to invite your family and friends. When it comes to indie theatre, word of mouth is the most important form of marketing. But the burdens of writing the press release, printing the programs, running the box office, sucking up to critics, and otherwise attempting to drum up an audience is on the company, not on you. </li>
<li><b>A special effects makeup designer/artist. </b>To handle any special effects makeup your show may need! (<i>Not</i> to do your laundry. Pervert.)</li>
<li><b>All the Fake Blood you can drink. </b>It's sticky, but delicious!<b> </b></li>
<li><b>We can help you find your cast</b>, but you are
under <b><i>no obligation</i></b> to use "our" actors. If you have friends you want to
work with, you can skip the auditions and recruit them.</li>
<li><b>You determine your own rehearsal schedule</b>, with the exception of a communal first read-through (TBA), tech rehearsal/dress rehearsal (July 16), and performances (July 17-19). </li>
<li><b>You get to see the other shows for free.</b> Depending on how fundraising goes, you might even be able to bring a guest.</li>
<li><b>Our undying gratitude.</b><b>*</b></li>
</ul>
But wait, there's more!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>A sweet Letter of Recommendation</b> and/or the ability to list Kellie and/or Chelsea as a Professional Reference<b>. </b>(I have been a reference for two people, and <i>both</i> were hired.
That means: <i>I have a 100% success rate</i>.)<b> </b></li>
<li><b>Swag. </b>Your very own BOFB Poster <b>or</b> a custom-made LPM T-Shirt.</li>
<li><b>A credit on your resume. </b>You can say that you directed a
reading in Manhattan! You don't have to tell anyone that you did it in
exchange for a Bloody Mary and a high five!</li>
<li><b>A Bloody Mary and a high five.</b> </li>
<li><b>First shot at being hired for paid directing gigs</b> in the future if/when the company offers any.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>*</b> Previously defined <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/p/please-give-us-money.html">here. </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Your Qualifications:</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Free of conflicts for <b>July 16-19, 2014</b>.</li>
<li><b>Personal traits:</b> Organized, reliable, <b>punctual</b>, flexible, and ridiculously brave.</li>
<li><b>Leadership Skills</b> - otherwise known as The Ability to Boss People Around When They're Not Getting Paid To Do What You Say.</li>
<li><b>Willing
to rehearse in Creative Places</b>, or pay for your own rehearsal space. (Previous LPM shows have rehearsed in: director's apartments, public parks, bars, coffee shops, lobbies, and large hallways.) We will be providing the space for the communal auditions,
communal first read-through, tech/dress rehearsal, and performances. We will help you as much as we can to find cheap or free rehearsal space. But ultimately, you have to be willing to shell out some dollars, or rehearse in your kitchen. This is NYC, after all. </li>
<li><b>Previous directing or stage managing experience</b>, in some capacity. </li>
<li>Ability to catch bullets in your teeth, and leap tall buildings in a single bound.<b> </b>(Just seeing if you're paying attention.)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We hope that you will consider directing for La Petite Morgue. We would hate for you to miss out on the fun!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<3,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
LPM </div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-48631832662571458852014-03-10T10:45:00.001-07:002014-03-10T10:45:24.313-07:00Upcoming Fresh Blood Themes!Hey, scary playwrights!<br />
<br />
It gives me great pleasure to announce that we are currently seeking horror & suspense plays for the following themes:<br />
<br />
"Revenge Served Cold"<br />Submissions due by: March 24, 2014<br />Reading: April 2, 2014<br /><br />"Prom Night"<br />Submissions due by: April 16, 2014<br />Reading: May 7, 2014<br />
<br />
Make sure to review our general <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2012/07/script-submissions.html">submission guidelines</a>, then send your play to: <a href="mailto:lapetitemorgue@gmail.com">lapetitemorgue@gmail.com</a><br />
<br />
<3,<br />
LPMKelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-21715251166551295242014-03-06T18:42:00.001-08:002014-07-05T12:31:20.976-07:00"Seven Years" by Margaret DonahueDid you miss Fresh Blood last night? Check out this video of the La Petite Morgue crew reading <i>Seven Years</i> by Margaret Donahue!
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HfkMvDdXC4Q" width="560"></iframe><br />
And don't forget to join us April 2 for the next edition of Fresh Blood!Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-76438989684639277602014-02-18T13:50:00.000-08:002014-02-20T15:16:06.433-08:00Seeking New Hunting Grounds, and other plans in the worksPlanning has begun for the next edition of <b><i>The Best of Fresh Blood</i></b>. If you weren't around last April, The Best of Fresh Blood is where Chelsea and I choose the best plays from this year's reading series and decide which ones to fully stage, with sets, lights, costumes, props, special effects - the works!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://igg.me/at/freshblood/x/144284">We've launched a fundraising campaign to help with our expenses</a>, but there are lots of other things we need your help with. First and foremost, we're looking for the right venue. It has to be on the cheap side, but with enough room backstage to hold our fabulous actors, ideally without giving them claustrophobia. The ideal venue would be centrally located in NYC, with a dark and creepy atmosphere, a lobby or waiting area for patrons (as opposed to making people wait in stairways). If you work at a venue - or you just happen to own an abandoned butcher shop in Midtown - we want to hear from you!<br />
<br />
Also, if you're interested in volunteering your time and energy to direct or stage manage a play, or help with a technical or design element, feel free to let us know. Actors, standby for <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2012/06/auditions.html">audition announcements</a>. And playwrights, it's not too late to <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2012/07/script-submissions.html">send your scripts</a>, we still have a Fresh Blood or two left this year!Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-47213720859218743862013-11-08T12:00:00.003-08:002013-11-08T12:00:59.567-08:00New Deadly Nights VideoDo you like music videos where hipsters die bloody? Then watch and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DmG6bFQTHQU" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
Follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeadlyNights">Deadly Nights on facebook</a> for updates.Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-42865126202426795312013-11-07T11:02:00.003-08:002013-11-07T11:10:00.533-08:00News From Our Performers & Writers<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last night, we held our second edition of Fresh Blood at The Dressing Room Boutique & Bar, featuring plays by <b>Trystin Bailey</b>, <b>Ria Hill</b>, and <b>Eric LaRocca</b>. If you missed the fun - or you're just hungry for more - check out these upcoming events:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Aleks Merilo</b>, writer of <i>Bloody Mary</i>, will see Sanguine Theatre Company premiere his new play <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/485784"><i>Exit 37</i></a>, November 7-10 & 13-17. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chelsea Holland</b> is featured in <i><a href="http://26th.abcsofdeathpart2.com/entry/m-is-for-mammary/">M is for Mammary</a></i>, a short film from the "The ABC's of Horror" competition, now available for viewing online.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Adriana Jones</b> will be singing in <i><a href="http://13.performa-arts.org/event/cally-spooner">And You Were Wonderful</a></i>, a new musical production, November 8-10 at the National Academy Museum.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Molly Lisenco</b> performs with her comedy group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/701251366568976/"><i>The Internet Disagrees With You</i></a>, November 8 in Astoria. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Elizabeth Weitzen</b> stars in <a href="http://www.wemightbesuperheroes.com/"><i>We Might Be Superheroes</i></a>, a campy-fun web series by Amusement Films.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lisa Huberman</b>, writer of <i>Ghost-Busted</i> and <i>Heart/Succor</i>, will have her short <i>Life Play</i> read as part of New Light Theatre's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/241709225985747/">Dark Room Series</a>, November 14 & 15 at Access Theatre. </li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, on the off-chance that you're in New Jersey and enjoy suspense plays, make sure you check out<a href="http://www.passagetheatre.org/"><i> True Story</i></a> by EM Lewis at Passage Theatre in Trenton, November 7-24.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If anyone has any short horror plays that are related to PROM, please send it immediately to: <a href="mailto:lapetitemorgue@gmail.com">lapetitemorgue@gmail.com</a> - The next edition of Fresh Blood will be on Wednesday, December 4, so check back for details, my little ghouls and goblins!</div>
<br />
<3,<br />
LPMKelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-72373033891731367682013-10-03T08:44:00.004-07:002014-07-05T12:32:28.116-07:00November Theme: It's Crazy!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next month's Fresh Blood theme will be Lunatics & Lost Souls. Send us your short horror plays about mental illness, psycho killers, hallucinations, the institutionalized & the incarcerated. Please send your plays to <a href="mailto:lapetitemorgue@gmail.com">lapetitemorgue@gmail.com</a> by October 26; readings will be held November 6. </div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-75901412412953120732013-08-29T08:30:00.000-07:002013-08-29T08:30:42.761-07:00News From Our Performers & Writers<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a busy time of year for La Petite Morgue's actors and playwrights! In addition to the latest installment of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/409488035826233/">FRESH BLOOD</a></b> on September 4 at Happy Ending, these are a few shows this month featuring familiar faces:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Adriana Jones</b> opens her one-woman show <b><a href="https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/Vivien-On-The-Rocks/Overview"><i>Vivien On the Rocks</i></a></b> on September 5 at Theatre Row.</li>
<li><b>Amanda Berry</b> is performing in <b><a href="http://newlighttheaterproject.com/oedipus-project/"><i>The Oedipus Project</i></a></b> with New Light Theater, September 5-15. </li>
<li><b>Lisa Huberman</b>'s <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/403751096391213/"><i>LIFE PLAY</i></a></b> premieres as part of the new competitive one-act festival at The Secret Theatre, September 6, 8, 13 & 15. Lisa is the author of <i>Heart/Succor</i> and <i>Ghost-Busted</i>, as well as an LPM guest-blogger.</li>
<li><b>Joe Brofcak</b>'s <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/187382598108369/"><i>I Can Build You</i></a></b> will be presented by the Endangered Artists Sanctuary, September 11-15 at the Producers Club. You may remember Joe's plays <i>In Sickness</i>, <i>Endless Tomorrows</i>, and/or <i>The State</i>. <i>I Can Build You</i> is directed by frequent-Fresh-Blooder <b>Yuriy Pavlish</b>, and the cast includes <b>Joe Caintic</b> and <b>Aaron Kapner</b>.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also want to mention that <b><a href="http://www.deaddreammachine.com/"><i>The Dead Dream Machine</i></a></b> is playing September 18 - October 13 at La Luz. Make sure you check it out - us horror people have to stick together.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Are you involved with a show this month in the NYC area that you'd like us to mention? Drop us a line at: <a href="mailto:lapetitemorgue@gmail.com">lapetitemorgue@gmail.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And don't forget to submit your ghostly new short plays for <b>FRESH BLOOD: Conversations With Dead People</b>. The deadline to submit is September 21, and the selected plays will be read on October 2. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<3,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
LPM</div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-24233844827750921882013-08-22T10:43:00.002-07:002014-07-05T12:34:15.631-07:00Upcoming "Fresh Blood" Reading Events<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Hey, writers! You only have
two days left to submit your short "Break-Ups From Hell" horror play for us to read at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/409488035826233/">Fresh Blood on Wednesday, September 7</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">We're also accepting plays to read at Fresh Blood on Wednesday, October 2, when our theme will be "Conversations With Dead People". The deadline for that theme isn't until </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">September 21. Even if you don't have a short horror play with ghosts in it just lying around, you still have time to write one especially for us!</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">We at La Petite Morgue are always accepting submissions for our Fresh Blood Reading Series, which takes place the first Wednesday night of each month at 8pm at <a href="http://happyendinglounge.com/">Happy Ending Lounge</a>. Please read our <a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2012/07/script-submissions.html">full submission guidelines</a> and send your submission to: <a href="mailto:LaPetiteMorgue@gmail.com">LaPetiteMorgue@gmail.com</a></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">And don't forget to join us for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/409488035826233/?ref=22">Fresh Blood: Break-Ups From Hell</a> on Wednesday, September 7 at 8:00, which will feature <i>In The Basement</i> by <a href="http://www.theatreeast.org/Associate-Company-Members.html">Julia Rae Maldonado</a>. You get to see our lovely acting ensemble read new works of horror, drink, and give us your opinion on the ones you'd like to see us produce. There is no charge for admission, and it's a great way to get involved in making horror happen in NYC. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Until then - stay scary, New York!</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><3, </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">LPM</span>Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-66295703888920344212013-08-01T08:55:00.002-07:002013-08-01T08:55:54.796-07:00Add This to Your Psycho Beach Party Playlist<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/y_VNo4Gnb-U" width="420"></iframe>Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-77413425468227647142013-03-22T10:00:00.000-07:002013-03-29T09:32:05.119-07:00Guest Post: Overcoming the Desensitization of Horror Fans<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jacob Mielke is the author of the horror play </span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Sacrifice</span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">. This is his first guest post for La Petite Blog.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></b></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don’t know if you guys know this, but writing horror plays is kinda hard. It’s not so surprising, really. Just look at the horror genre in the film industry today. When was the last time you saw something truly scary? I’m talking “Oh my goodness I must cover my eyes and plug my ears lest this madness force me to evacuate bowel and bladder right here while I sob like a soap opera star watching <i>Titanic</i>” scary. <br />
<br />
The last time I watched something that scary, I was fourteen. I was locked in a dark room in a dark house while <i>The Grudge</i> played on a TV that I couldn’t turn off or even turn down (Don’t ask). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAeIQX-O_NEpujZII3VvtEmkSIrQAowb77ORPdzcpzWFve7l4WyyKAgQLKFojiAUg1MuX_OlN-STeergh_f09v7qbnmhsRpFzsNKPTxIL5a3H_OECghuhW6iuQtbNdPXXoLItRlDH66-o/s1600/the+grudge+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAeIQX-O_NEpujZII3VvtEmkSIrQAowb77ORPdzcpzWFve7l4WyyKAgQLKFojiAUg1MuX_OlN-STeergh_f09v7qbnmhsRpFzsNKPTxIL5a3H_OECghuhW6iuQtbNdPXXoLItRlDH66-o/s320/the+grudge+3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today, I can watch that and worse with no problem at all. I am a victim of something far scarier than any horror movie…desensitization (Cue recorded scream of B-Movie actress from the fifties). <br />
<br />
We horror fans have a (usually) inevitable result of our love of horror; we cease to scare easily. This poses a particular problem for people who specialize in entertaining audiences with horror (Like me, damn it); how are we supposed to scare an audience that’s already seen it all, heard it all, bathed in the blood of it all? <br />
<br />
It’s ultimately up to everyone to find their own way of making it work but I have my own techniques that I’m willing to share with the world since so few theaters make good horror theatre and I can’t afford to drive to New York every month to see shows by La Petite Morgue (wink wink). <br />
<br />
<b>Technique # 1: </b>Create characters the audience connects with and likes, place them in high-tension, suspenseful situations, <i>then</i> mutilate the shit out of them. Kind of self-explanatory, really. If the audience doesn’t like the characters, then there’s no reason for them to care whether they live or die, and all the suspense is gone. As Alfred Hitchcock once said: “There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.” So, loss of suspense is kind of a show-killer. <br />
<b><br />Technique # 2: </b>Bloody blood all over the bloody place. Blood on the walls, blood on the floor, blood on the characters, blood in the characters’ hair, blood in the stage manager’s coffee and sometimes even blood on the audience. Don’t get me wrong, gore effects do not make or break a show. If something isn’t scary, blood won’t make it scary but if something is scary, then blood can help make it even scarier. No offense to the theaters who can’t afford blood effects, but some of the suspense and illusion is lost when the character carving unholy symbols into his body is doing so via his mad miming skills. <br />
<br />
<b>Technique #3: </b>Audience participation. This is a controversial tactic and sometimes requires the signing of a release form but there’s no way to get an audience clenched up faster than to break the fourth wall a little and include them in the hijinks. Example: I once saw a show with actors planted in the audience. They slumped in their seats as if dead and were covered in dried blood. This alone was enough to unsettle people and almost no one wanted to sit near them. They also looked wildly uncomfortable when the corpses stood up and made their way to the stage. Boom, the audience is held in suspense before the damn show even starts. That was a masterful use of suspense. If it had been thought up by me, I’d say it was perfect. <br />
<br />
Horror audiences just don’t scare like they used to. I remember a time when one could stage <i>Dracula</i> and people would be genuinely frightened by it. These days, <i>Dracula</i> is usually presented as more of a drama than anything else. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAweyjI1iW5TiiRAcI-Q8zz9u0LwL9jcYs9aKzdnIL_Xj0wwswS0Ldr_hK5ZYTlT903sj9VDjNxn-Tr1j-8KCZvtwS32SXwI2p13-qPUgVlDudZ8RRL7FTEJyxphf0Iaov6P_wh6WvbFv_/s1600/dracula+stage+production.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAweyjI1iW5TiiRAcI-Q8zz9u0LwL9jcYs9aKzdnIL_Xj0wwswS0Ldr_hK5ZYTlT903sj9VDjNxn-Tr1j-8KCZvtwS32SXwI2p13-qPUgVlDudZ8RRL7FTEJyxphf0Iaov6P_wh6WvbFv_/s320/dracula+stage+production.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This Dracula is scary, but not in the way he intends.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You have to really work to overcome that desensitization. Show them something they’re not used to. Bring them out of their comfort zones. Do they expect to be scared by going to see a play and then sitting quietly in the audience until it’s over? No, of course not. So, make sure that’s not all they’re doing. </div>
Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1329503297398686926.post-41609785478630462402013-03-13T08:36:00.000-07:002013-03-13T08:36:29.865-07:00Guest Post: Good Girls Don't Write About Decapitations<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>72</o:PixelsPerInch>
<o:TargetScreenSize>1024x768</o:TargetScreenSize>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Lisa Huberman is the author of the horror play <i>Heart/Succor</i>, which premiered at Fresh Blood in July 2012. Her monologue </b><b><i>Easy Breezy Blood-Sucking</i> was performed at Bloody Gore-geous Monologues in February 2013.</b></span><i> </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>-KP</b></span><i><br /></i><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The scariest movie I ever saw as
a kid was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Little Mermaid</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That’s weird, right? For most
people it’s something like<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> It</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Halloween</i> or the wood-chipper scene from
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fargo</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Straight-up horror never really appealed to
me-- I guess I’ve always liked being different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As a plucky redhead with
ambitions of being a singer, it’s not hard to see why I identified with the
fiery, headstrong Ariel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b></span>Just like Ariel
felt out of place in her undersea world, I felt out of place in suburban
Ohio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus she had an irrational
attachment to her collection of useless shit—a legacy that I carry on to this
day, much to my dad’s chagrin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Looking back to the film there’s
lot that’s cringe-worthy. Take awkward 90s-era racism with the red-lipped
“blackfish” in the “Under the Sea” sequence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then there’s the regressive gender politics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike the sensible, level-headed Belle and
the cool, acerbic Jasmine of later Disney films, who keep their romantic
counterparts at bay with their wits, Ariel is kind of the worst romantic role
model ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Girlfriend is so boy-crazy
she puts herself and her entire marine kingdom in jeopardy for the
self-centered pursuit of a dude with whom she has literally never had a
conversation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gxnMAL9Ww9pN4Q2ZL7-OuuvF-Niio6QHtBw5het4wZ6-JYo42yv_mMD7AbGm4lvA7aw3RDym8pNXKiwH7EjUD5jhoWs8hVrswAdcQouv3TexS5B1vSUdJCQVclUfHDIlSRk00JrX4l5N/s1600/ariel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gxnMAL9Ww9pN4Q2ZL7-OuuvF-Niio6QHtBw5het4wZ6-JYo42yv_mMD7AbGm4lvA7aw3RDym8pNXKiwH7EjUD5jhoWs8hVrswAdcQouv3TexS5B1vSUdJCQVclUfHDIlSRk00JrX4l5N/s320/ariel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ariel refuses to take "He's just not that into fish," for an answer.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But while the film is not
perfect, for me it’s also extremely primal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the rousing, reggae numbers, the Kingdom of Triton is an extremely
dangerous one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only does King Triton
face constant threats to the peace from below the sea in Ursula the sea witch
(<a href="http://lapetitemorgue.blogspot.com/2012/06/hiding-crazy-with-lisa-huberman.html">whose death scene I’ve commented on previously</a>), but also from the human world
above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When arguing with Ariel about
whether she should be allowed to go to above the surface, Triton cries something
to the affect of, “Do you think I want my daughter snared in some fisherman’s
hook?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Their whole conflict is meant to
be metaphorical— in Ariel, we’re supposed to see the typical teenage girl
struggling with her father about questions of prejudice and parental
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for some reason, at six or
seven, this image gripped me. And while the film itself never put Ariel in any
real danger, Sebastian spends an entire song fleeing the knife of a French
chef, and misses being devoured by Prince Eric’s manservant by a heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea that in another version of the
story, Ariel— who I had come to know, love and-- could be captured by a fisherman
and gutted and devoured like just another fish fascinated terrified, and
disturbed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
And in my idle hours, I started
imagining those possibilities— poor Ariel dangling in a net, Ariel being
auctioned off in the fish market, Ariel trapped in some crate in the chef’s
kitchen, watching the knifes being sharpened, the smells of a marinade wafting
through her nostrils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would be
going through her mind, I wondered-- how she might try to reason with her
captors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The scenes would rarely move
beyond that point—I’ve never been much for blood, guts, or gore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the trapped feeling that interested
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That moment when the protagonist
realizes she has gone too far in her ambitions, strayed from the path, and passed the point of no return. Nowadays, we’re told by our parents and self-help
books that we can learn from our failings— in high school I once saw a poster
that said “It’s okay to make mistakes:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that’s why pencils have erasers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to believe it, but we’ve been hard-wired for millennia with
cautionary tales about the perils of curiosity, from the Biblical Eve biting an
apple and being cast out of Eden, to Pandora opening a box and letting terror
into the world, to Persephone eating the food of the dead and being condemned
to spend half the year in the Underworld, to Little Red Riding Hood revealing
her destination to the stranger that devours her grandmother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Towards the end of “The Little Mermaid,”
King Triton takes Ariel’s place in the Faustian bargain with Ursula and our
heroine is forced to watch her father transform into one the shriveled,
krill-like creatures doomed to spend his life at the bottom of the sea witch’s
lair because of her own impulsive actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prince Eric comes to her rescue in the end (again, regressive gender
politics), but the threat feels real nonetheless: one false move and you’ll go
too far, upset the balance of the universe, and the world— or at least your world— will
never be the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ5GZEMSl0lkJmm7OXZA__g8-vkYIOE2kxnuWOafk0FqvU5ejd_YS95nU4DxuZagwZZ4xeGO7aVN_yDGuJe1hjqwieOBNb6s-35OusApXH3dcEeQq_xw32Kt6rg-XPNaXd7Ljn1iGFZ5K/s1600/ursula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ5GZEMSl0lkJmm7OXZA__g8-vkYIOE2kxnuWOafk0FqvU5ejd_YS95nU4DxuZagwZZ4xeGO7aVN_yDGuJe1hjqwieOBNb6s-35OusApXH3dcEeQq_xw32Kt6rg-XPNaXd7Ljn1iGFZ5K/s320/ursula.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"You can kill me, but you'll never kill The Patriarchy!"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The battle here is not so much
between a physical life and death of the body, but innocence and survival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the Donner party question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>do you let yourself die of starvation in the
wilderness or do you make a meal of your comrades’ corpses for the possibility
of another day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For most of my life these
thoughts stayed mostly in my own head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In seventh grade I stopped sharing my genre stories after my parents
became disturbed when they read a story I wrote called “Dream No Evil.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For my parents, the mind that created these
stories didn’t square with the sweet little girl who played softball and wrote
editorials in the school paper about having too much homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like King Triton, my parents didn’t want to
think of me at such a young age being caught up in the fisherman’s net of fear
and depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So for the next decade, I burrowed these images away and reserved my messed-up fantasies to the
contents of my mind, gaining occasional relief in the occasional Angela Carter short
story or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buffy</i> rerun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ve enjoyed writing for La
Petite as an opportunity to explore this emotional space. In last year’s “Fresh
Blood” festival, I had short play that featured a new vampire contemplating her
first kill as she meets cute with a hipster on the L train. Our heroine must
balance her physical need for human blood with her attraction to this boy, who,
in another story, in another reality, could be the Harry to her Sally, the Joel
to her Clementine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the original Hans
Christian Anderson tale, the prince never does realize the mermaid is the one
who saved his life on the beach, and because three days have passed, she will
soon die and become sea foam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
sisters obtain a knife from the sea witch that will allow her to turn back into
a mermaid if she kills the prince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
now she has a choice:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in addition to
letting go of her humanity, in order to survive she must also accept the fact
that a happy ending can no longer be part of her story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now that’s scary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Kelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493759907421774119noreply@blogger.com0