Attention horror convention attendees! Like going to horror conventions? (Of course you do, or that opening statement wouldn’t have attracted your attention). Want to see a convention with a diverse guest line up? Tired of the same old guest lists that most other cons offer? If you answered yes to the above questions then you’ll want to attend Monster Mash Expo! Monster Mash Expo is an ambitious new convention coming to Indianapolis, IN this December 16-18! The Wyndham in West Indianapolis will be invaded by the innovative Monster Mash Expo!
Headlining the convention will be a first ever reunion for the 1999 documentarian style thriller, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Included in the reunion will be the film’s lead trio of Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams. Also writer/directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez will be on hand to share their experiences creating the “Citizen Kane of found footage films”. (With all due respect to CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST). What makes this unique, bewitching gathering even more special is that it will be the only time that the cast will be making an appearance together! So don’t miss this Monster Mash exclusive!
Like directors? Monster Mash has you covered! You’ll be pleased to know that Monster Mash has assembled a group of directors that will make B-horror movie fans explode! TOURIST TRAP director David Schmoeller will be making his very first convention appearance! TOURIST TRAP is often regarded as one of the creepiest horror films of all time. The eerie music from Italian composer Pino Donaggio, the macabre make up effects from Bob Burns, and Chuck Connors with a shotgun make this film one of the most original and disturbing horror films of all time. Schmoeller also directed the 1989 direct to video powerhouse PUPPET MASTER, from Full Moon Pictures. He also was brave enough to direct Klaus Kinski in the 1986 thriller CRAWLSPACE, produced by Charles Band. Other notable Schmoeller films include THE ARRIVAL, and NETHERWORLD, both starring RE-ANIMATOR actor Robert Sampson. David looks forward to his very first convention, and will have plenty of goodies for fans to check out, including some original masks from TOURIST TRAP.
Insane Kinski and burdened David Schmoeller
Another director that you don’t see too much at conventions is Jeff Burr. “The king of b-movie sequels” will be making a rare appearance at Monster Mash! Burr is best know in the horror world for directing LEATHERFACE, the 1990 follow up to Tobe Hooper’s landmark “TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE films. Although Burr had a very difficult time making the film, he is more than happy to chat it up with fans about his Texas blood bath of a film. My personal favorite Jeff Burr film is the underrated 1987 horror anthology FROM A WHISPER TO A SCREAM, starring Vincent Price. The film was released under the title THE OFFSPRING, but was later released on DVD by MGM under its original title. Burr was on fire, pumping out piles of horror movie sequels in the late 80s and early 90s, including PUMPKINHEAD II, PUPPET MASTER 4 and 5, and STEPFATHER 2. Most recently Burr directed DEVIL’S DEN, starring DAWN OF THE DEAD’s Ken Foree, and GUN OF THE BLACK SUN, starring Richard Lynch. Don’t miss your chance to meet one of the most underrated horror directors!
FROM A WHISPER TO A SCREAM poster
Other directors appearing at Monster Mash include SUBSPECIES, TERRORVISION, and VAMPIRE JOURNALS director Ted Nicolaou. Ted began his career in the 70’s working with Tobe Hooper on TCM, and David Schmoeller on TOURIST TRAP. He then went on to work as a film editor for many of Charles Band’s Empire Pictures. Nicolaou is best known to horror fans as the director of the ground breaking vampire film series, SUBSPECIES, from Full Moon Pictures. NIGHT OF THE DEMONS and WITCHBOARD director Kevin Tenney will also be on hand to discuss his string of cult horror films from the 80s. Join Fred Olen Ray, the cult director of one of Phil Fasso’s favorites, HOLLYWOOD CHAINSAW HOOKERS, and EVIL TOONS, as he talks about the grindhouse era of film making.
Ted Nicolaou introduces Monster TV to the world
What would a horror convention be without scream queens? Well, there sure isn’t a shortage of them at Monster Mash! The Ultimate scream queen from RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, Linnea Quigley will be on hand, along with vampire vixen Denice Duff (SUBSPECIES film series). There are just too many horror beauties to mention, but other scream queen scarlet’s include Tiffany Shepis (ABOMINABLE), Michelle Tomlinson (BRAIN DEAD), Debbie Rochon (DEAD AND ROTTING), Holly Fields (WISHMASTER 2), and KILLJOY 3, CONTAGION, and WEREWOLF IN A WOMEN’S PRISON goddess Victoria De Mare, making her very first Midwest convention appearance! That’s just a small list of scream queens that will be appearing at Monster Mash!
BLAIR WITCH reunion, cult movie directors, and scream queens! Nope, that’s not all! Monster Mash will also feature a handful of convention favorites including Dee Wallace (THE HOWLING), Leonard Lies (DAWN OF THE DEAD ’78), Ron Milkie (FRIDAY THE 13th ’80), and the female cast members from George A. Romero’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Plus Betsy Baker, Ellen Sandweiss, and Sarah York from Sam Raimi’s THE EVIL DEAD. Not to mention Stephen Geoffreys (FRIGHT NIGHT), and Jim O’Rear (DAY OF THE DEAD).
Con regulars
Some rare and first time convention stars that you can find at Monster Mash include Kirsten Baker (FRIDAY THE 13th part 2), Donna D’Errico (CANDYMAN 3), Emily Bergl (THE RAGE: CARRIE 2), among others!
Rare guests
Emmy nominated, and Sturgis award winning composer Richard Band will be a special guest at Monster Mash! Band is best known for his collaborations with Stuart Gordon, including RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, CASTLE FREAK, and THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM. Other films that Band provided music magic for include TROLL, DEMONIC TOYS, METAL STORM, TERRORVISION, and DOCTOR MORDRID, all productions of Full Moon Pictures.
In addition to its enormous guest list, Monster Mash will also feature special Christmas themed vendors, horror vendors, Q&A panels, screenings, and a unique beauty pageant. So get away from the holiday hustle and bustle, and enjoy a chillingly wonderful weekend at Monster Mash Expo!
–Dominic Mancini
