Universal Studios Art Contest

 All you artists out there who are classic monster fans, here's your chance to prove your stuff and win great Universal prizes in the process.

Read the rules carefully before entering, especially paying attention to medium, size, and subject matter. Good luck!!!

ILLUSTRATE YOUR OWN VERSION OF A UNIVERSAL STUDIOS CLASSIC MONSTER

Contest Rules

1. One artistic entry per person is allowed.

2. Participants: All amateur artists welcome. Open to U.S., Mexican, Canadian and British citizens only.  Two age groups will be considered – up to 14 years of age, and 15 years of age and up.

3. Size Requirements: All submitted Artwork entries must be created on a maximum size of 8 1/2” X 11” and must be created on a flat paper material – no three-dimensional sculptures are allowed for this contest..

4. Medium: All artwork must be created entirely by the submitting artist. All two-dimensional hand-manipulated forms for art medium are acceptable. Oils, Acrylics, Pastels, Charcoal, Water Colors, Pencils, and Crayons are acceptable.  We will not accept any Computer Design, Computer Illustration, or digitally manipulated designs. No Commercial Photo Lab work will be accepted. All Artwork must be original – but must be photographed and e-mailed per number five below.

4. Subject Matter:  An original artistic rendering of ONE of Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, The Bride of Frankenstein, The Phantom of the Opera, The Wolf Man, or The Creature from the Black Lagoon.  This should be the artist’s completely original conception of the character, and not based on any previous versions that have appeared in film, TV, comics, or any other artistic medium.

5. Label all artwork with your name, medium used, age, and complete address, phone number, and e-mail address and e-mail it to: universalmonsterclub2012@yahoo.com.

6. Judging:  Will be done by a jury of prominent local Hollywood makeup artists and will be held prior to the October 2, 2012 release date of the Universal Classic Monsters – The Essential Collection set.

7. Dates:  All submissions MUST be received by September 30, 2012.

8. Prizes: One Grand Prize will be awarded for each age group— each Grand Prize winner will win the complete Essential Collection set plus the Jack Pierce – Universal Monsters Bust created by Art of Clay plus a person-to-person phone call with a Hollywood monster maker.  Five runners-up for each age group for each character included will win an Essential Collection Set.

9. Display: The top entries will have their collective artwork reproduced in high quality, full-color resolution and will be available for display on the Universal Monster Club website.

10. Note: All entries together with all of the entrant’s right, title and interest in the copyright for the work, shall become the sole property of Visionary Cinema upon submission. The entrant represents that each entry is the exclusive and original work of the entrant.  Universal Studios Home Entertainment will not be responsible for displaying any artwork that does not win a prize nor be responsible for offering feedback about any and all artwork.

More than just Books - The Nashville Public Library

I've recently spotlighted some can’t miss Nashville treasures here on the blog – the Belcourt Theater and Cult Fiction Underground at Logue’s Black Raven Emporium - both places you’ll want to frequent often if you’re a film fan in Nashville, TN. I want to continue that series of Nashville treasures today with a look at the NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The library is one of those places that everyone is familiar with but never thinks of when it comes to entertainment. Oh, yeah, that place with the books. Well, yes, technically it IS that place with the books, a tremendous collection of books, to be exact, but the Nashville library is so much more than just that. It also offers an amazing assortment of magazines, newspapers, music, movies, audiobooks and more that you can check out if you’re a resident of Davidson County.

But if you’re not a resident of Davidson County (and I’m not) you should still be keeping an eye on the Nashville Public Library for the great events happening there.

For instance, there are THE COURTYARD CONCERTS, a series of FREE concerts on Tuesdays featuring musicians and bands of all musical genres. Just check out this list of artists that have performed so far this year: The WannaBeatles, Nick Nixon, Gypsy Hombres, Radio Daze, and Riders in the Sky.

Remaining acts scheduled this year are:

Sara Sant'Ambrogio, September 18, 2012 11:45am - 1:00pm

The Steel Drivers, September 25, 2012 11:45am - 1:00pm

Rachel Rodriguez, October 2, 2012 11:45am - 1:00pm

Jason D. Williams, October 9, 2012 11:45am - 1:00pm

Check out this link for details.



Then there is the SALON @615 series of writers who appear at the library to speak about their new work, and once again, this is FREE. Next up, on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 is Actress/author Molly Ringwald speaking about her fiction debut "When It Happens To You." Molly Ringwald is also the author of the bestseller “Getting the Pretty Back: Friendship, Family and Finding the Perfect Lipstick.” Book signing will follow talk.

Molly Ringwald - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 6:15 PM

Cost: Free. Tickets will be available on TicketsNashville beginning two weeks prior to the event, for a convenience fee of $2.50

See link for details

Ticket distribution begins at 5:45 p.m.

How’s that for a cool free event? The library does this regularly - Just take a look at the upcoming authors they’re bringing in to speak and meet the public:

Irene Goldman-Price (My Dear Governess) and Jennie Fields (The Age of Desire) -A Talk on Edith Wharton - September 20, 2012 6:15 PM

Michael Chabon - Pulitzer Prize Winner Michael Chabon discusses his latest novel - Telegraph Avenue. Talk begins at 6:15 p.m., with signing to follow. - October 2, 2012 6:15 PM

Caroline Kennedy - author/editor of eight bestselling books on constitutional law, American history, politics, and poetry. She will be signing her latest work, Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of JFK - October 9, 2012 1:00 PM

Louise Erdrich - author of thirteen novels as well as volumes of poetry, short stories, children's books, and a memoir of early motherhood. She will be discussing her latest novel, The Round House - October 9, 2012 6:15 PM

Dennis Lehane - author of Shutter Island and Mystic River, discusses his latest novel, Live by Night. The novel is set in the Prohibition-era, told through the eyes of a charismatic young gangster who is on the rise - October 23, 2012 6:15 PM

Mem Fox - Australia's best loved picture-book author. Her first book, Possum Magic, has sold over four million copies and is still the bestselling children's book in Australia, 29 years after its publication - November 5, 2012 6:15 PM

Emma Donoghue - bestselling author of Room, discusses her latest collection of short stories. Astray contains fourteen fact-inspired stories about travels to, in and from North America - November 13, 2012 6:15 PM

Barbara Kingsolver - author of fourteen books (including include short stories, essay collections, poetry, and seven novels), discusses her latest novel, Flight Behavior. The novel takes on one of the most contentious subjects of our time: climate change. With a deft and versatile empathy she dissects the motives that drive denial and belief in a precarious world - November 27, 2012 6:15 PM

Jon Meacham - Pulitzer Prize winner Jon Meacham will discuss his latest work Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power - December 13, 2012 6:15 PM

And the list goes on and on. Visit this link regularly for details and a list of upcoming guests. Last year they brought actor Jeffrey Combs in to perform his one man play Nevermore. It was an amazing performance and a HUGE crowd showed up, so much so they filled a second overflow room. I got there early and got into the main theater, however!

Speaking of the theater, the library screens feature films regularly there which are, again, FREE. Coming up this October are some movies that horror fans out there will enjoy:


Saturday, October 6, 2012

2:00 PM The Car (1977) - Movies @ Main Gets ScaryAuditorium - Main Library

Saturday, October 20, 2012

2:00 PM Island of Lost Souls (1932) - - Movies @ Main Gets ScaryAuditorium - Main Library

Check out this link for schedule/details

Also returning this October is something that I look forward to EVERY Halloween – the LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW shadow puppet play. I‘ve been telling my good friend John Davis, the most ardent Halloween enthusiast I know, about this for years, and he has yet to take me up on it. This year, John! Trust me, this is something very cool and even though it’s a kids’ play it has an ending that must be seen to be believed. Creepy, spooky Halloween fun. What could be better this time of year? It takes place 4pm on the last two weekends of the month, the 19th, 20th, 26th, and 27th. Mad Science approved! Highly Recommended!!

Finally there is the Nashville Library podcast, the LEGENDS OF FILM PODCAST. Hosted by Bill Chamberlain, this is a series of in-depth conversations with award winning directors, producers, screenwriters, actors and others in the film industry that you monster-kids will love. Bill really knows his stuff and has interviewed a variety of guests including Walter Hill, Stuart Gordon, Philip Kaufman, Sara Karloff, Larry Cohen, Joe Dante and many more. This podcast is available through itunes and you can find them on the library webpage here. In addition there is also a second podcast from the library called the Popmatic Podcast, and links to it are on that page as well.

 Visit the library webpage to find out about all of these and even more cool events happening at the Nashville Library. You won’t regret it and if you make it out for any events tell them Dr. Gangrene sent you! The Nashville Public Library is located at 615 Church Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37219. There is a parking garage that offers free parking for the first hour and tickets can be validated at the desk for special events.



The Abominable Dr. Preston

Check out this incredible cover for upcoming issue #29 of LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS. This wonderful illustration of Vincent Price as The Abominable Dr. Phibes was done by my pal Jeff Preston. Now here's the thing about Jeff that makes this even more impressive... He works in MARKERS! Yes, markers. Ink. Like you use on school projects. And this is what he achieves.

Now this particular piece was a mixed media piece, illustrated in markers and finished digitally. Look at that use of color, the shadow play on his face,  subtle shadings. Color me impressed!

To find out more about Jeff or to hire him for your next project, check out his website at: http://jeffpreston.net/

Cult Fiction Underground!! and the Black Raven Emporium

A couple of days ago I posted about the Belcourt Theater in Nashville. Well, today I want to tell you guys about another of Nashville's treasures, Logue's Black Raven Emporium, home of Cult Fiction Underground. Run by owner Robert Logue and his wife Cemile, the Black Raven Emporium is a wonderfully quirky shop offering a unique assortment of goodies ranging from vintage clothing and custom t-shirts to used books, DVDs and more. As my friend Randy Fox wrote  in a 2011 article about the Black Raven in the Nashville Scene newspaper -  Think classic department store filtered through 30 years of goth-punk-retro culture. 

The store is located at the corner of Trinity Lane and Gallatin Rd. in East Nashville. On the other side of the building is our favorite tattoo shop, LONE WOLF Body Art. A terrific article about both businesses ran in the March-April issue of the East Nashvillian magazine. (Ben, by the way, is the guy who did my first and only tattoo. I wouldn't have trusted it to anyone else. He is an amazing artist as are all the artists at Lone Wolf. Highly recommended).

But as if that wasn't enough, below the Black Raven lurk even more delights. That's where monster kids in the Nashville area thrill weekly to a creepy and kooky blend of movies in the Cult Fiction Underground! Robert Logue and Bob Slendorn are partners in this subterranean cinematic adventure which consists of a small cozy theater and well stocked bar. It is a truly cool place to hang out and they are showing some fantastic features - everything from classics like Phantasm and Lemora to not-so-classics such as Gorgo and Wild Zero. They also hold special events like the H.P.Lovecraft art show, which featured matching Lovecraft short films shown throughout the evening. 

Check out this interview with Cult Fiction partners Logue and Slendorn at the Monsters from the Basement page here 

Any place that hangs a Barnabas portrait on the wall is ok by me!!

So definitely swing by the Black Raven Emporium for the Cult Fiction Underground some Friday or Saturday night. It is a guaranteed good time with good people. 

Mad Science approved - upcoming films are:

Brain Damage - Sept 21-22, 2012

Basket Case - 28-29, 2012

Basket Case! Yes!! I will definitely be there!!

Abbott and Costello Meet the Belcourt Theater!

I went to the Belcourt Theater's free screening of ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN Saturday night and had a fantastic time. The weather was picture perfect, with just a nip in the air. This movie was the final film in their Saturday Outdoor Cinema series, and there was a really good crowd, maybe 150 people in total.

For these free events the Belcourt screens films in the parking lot, projected onto the building. The movies are all on film, 16mm usually, accompanied by vintage cartoons, commercials, and short films. People bring lawn chairs and food and it's a family friendly event. They were supposed to show CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON earlier this year but mother nature wasn't so kind that evening, and it got rained out. Bummer (Ironic, the creature cancelled due to water...). I ran into a number of friends down there and had a great time. It was my birthday the following day, so this was a great early birthday present.

Nashville is truly lucky to have a gem like the Belcourt theater. It's the oldest independent theater in Nashville. It opened in 1925 as a silent film house, was the home of the Grand Ole Opry at one point, as well as the Nashville's Children's theater. But it's been the Belcourt since 66' - a fine year, I must say!

I wnat to thank the Belcourt for bringing fantastic classic and independent films to Nashville, and encourage everyone to keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of the lineup for the 2nd annual Hellcourt Twelve Hours of Terror marathon!! Date and films will be announced soon - I'll be your host once again for this event, and I got a peek at the list of films recently... let's just say you guys are in for a treat, to say the least!!

Show Announcement

Hey guys - just wanted to let you all know I have some good news and some bad news regarding the show.

First - the good news - this Halloween I will be hosting a 2-hour prime time Halloween Special on Saturday, October 27th. It will be prime time, 7-9pm, on Nashville's CW58!

Now the bad news - next week, Sat Sept 15, will be the last week of the current show, Dr. Gangrene Presents. It's been a fantastic year with 43 episodes produced in a single season, definitely our most productive year ever!! BUT all good things must come to an end and it's time to move on to other creative ventures. There are many other projects Cameron and I want to pursue, and I feel I've done about all I can on local TV. I will be repackaging these shows into a 30min format and syndicating them, so Doc G will actually be seen in other markets again, and we're in plans to place them back on local television here in reruns.

So while it's the end of one chapter it's the beginning of another. Thank you to all of you who have given me so much support and feedback over the years. It's been 13 years of mad science and mayhem in Music City, and you guys are the reason I kept the show on the air for so long. It isn't goodbye, merely farewell for now while I head on to other adventures!! Stay Mad!! Doc Gangrene

Movie Night Equals Fight Night Most Nights

I almost hesitate to go to movie theaters anymore, as it almost always turns into a confrontational situation. People are so damn inconsiderate that it makes the experience trying to say the least. I know I sound like some grumpy old fart complaining that, “In my day people didn’t act like that,” but nowadays it’s not just the talking but texting that one has to put up with.

 And here’s the thing – it isn’t just teenagers doing it. I almost expect that from them. It’s the adults too. Here’s my most recent movie-going experience, you tell me if I was out of line…

My son and I went to a matinee of TOTAL RECALL. It was not opening weekend, as I intentionally waited a couple of weeks so as to somewhat avoid crowds. It was a Sunday afternoon around 3:00. We got there early, grabbed some popcorn and headed into the theater. Only a few couples were in there.  We took a seat center screen, back row. All was fine until the movie started. That’s when an older couple – I’m guessing in their 60s, came in late and decided to sit on the back row a few seats down from us. Not only were they late to the movie but they stopped halfway up the stairs to discuss where to sit. I can understand being a couple of minutes late, things come up and maybe they had car trouble or something. But just grab a spot people, you’re late, plop your ass in the first spot you find.  Strike one. Okay, no big deal, minor annoyance. Back to the movie. 

As mentioned, they sat on the row a few seats down from us. They then begin talking to one another. I figured they were just getting their bearings and would settle down promptly. The guy took out something that sounded like a potato chip bag and opened it, crinkling it loudly. I ignored this, as again, I figured they would settle down soon enough. Then the talking started up again. And continued. And continued. I waited as long as I could then finally had just had enough. I nudged my son and motioned for us to move. I stood up and said, in a normal speaking tone, “Let’s move, Luke, since these two won’t stop talking.” Strike two. We moved all the way to the opposite end of the aisle from them.

You’d think most people get the hint, but not these two. They kept right on talking throughout the picture as if they were sitting on their fuckin living room couch. I finally leaned over toward them and said, “Shh. Stop talking Please.” Strike three. My patience was done at this point and I was seriously about to go get an usher. But no, I thought, why should I miss part of the movie because of someone else’s rudeness?

The talking started up again. After about 5 minutes of this I got up, walked to the end of the aisle directly in front of them, leaned over the seats in front of them and said, “If you two don’t stop talking I am going to get an usher. This is ridiculous. I can hear every word you’re saying. Stop talking PLEASE.”

Finally these numbnuts got the message. By this time I was totally annoyed, and to top it off the movie sucked. But maybe it would have sucked a little less without dealing with distractions from grown adults.  

You know who I blame for this the most? The theaters. They KNOW this is an issue, yet they refuse to do anything about it.If you know there is a problem, rectify it. Make people stop disrupting the movie or kick them out without refund. Put a stop to this. By not taking action on this issue theaters are actually ENCOURAGING this behavior

Ever heard of the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin? Well, they are a theater that takes this issue seriously. They have a strict ZERO TOLERANCE FOR TALKING AND TEXTING policy. From their website:

“We have zero tolerance for talking or cell phone use of any kind during movies, and we aren't afraid to kick anyone rude enough to start texting their friends during a show right out of the theater.”

Bravo. Did you see the PSA they made about this issue? This followed an incident that happened last year, in 2011. A patron decided to ignore this policy and was subsequently ushered out of the theater for using her cell phone during the movie. She then called the theater and left an angry, rambling, and drunk sounding message about it. Bad move. Here’s the Alamo’s PSA:

This was played before every movie afterwards, and for all I know they still play it before movies. Here’s what Tim League, founder and CEO of the Alamo had to say on the issue:

When we adopted our strict no talking policy back in 1997 we knew we were going to alienate some of our patrons. That was the plan. If you can't change your behavior and be quiet (or unilluminated) during a movie, then we don't want you at our venue. Follow our rules, or get the hell out and don't come back until you can.

Ma'am, you may be free to text in all the other theaters in the Magnited States of America, but here at our "little crappy ass theater," you are not. Why you may ask? Well, we actually do give a f*$k.

Sincerely,

 Tim League
founder/CEO
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Tim League, you’re my hero! Huge props to the Alamo for taking a stand on this issue and doing what’s right. Look, this isn’t just a case of me being an asshole. I shouldn’t have to confront someone every time I go to the theater, and I should be able to enjoy the movie without interruption.

I ran across an entry on the Alamo blog recently that indicates this issue that is starting to be taken seriously. APPLE has apparently filed for a patent for a chip that goes in iphones. As mentioned in their blog, if a phone is used within a certain vicinity of a text free zone, “certain features may be disabled or enabled. Specific mention is made within the abstract of academic settings and, yes, movie theaters.”   Read the blog here

That sounds like a perfect solution. It would disable the texting feature, perhaps the backlight and ring as well. As long as the vibrate feature still works people could still get a call in the event of an emergency. Problem solved.

Not everyone is onboard with this way of thinking. Again in another Alamo blog post, Tim League talks about a move underway from some theaters to designate certain screenings as texting screenings, where viewers are free to text away. He goes on to make an argument why this is a bad idea, and I agree with him. It sets a bad precedent. Look, kids CAN go an hour and a half without texting. It won’t kill them, and perhaps they’ll learn how to properly view a movie instead of half-assed distractedly watching.

This policy hasn’t hurt the Alamo’s attendance any and I venture to guess their attendance has actually risen after instituting this policy. Here’s hoping a few more theaters follow suit. I know that here in Nashville I attended a midnight screening of Halloween 4 at the Belcourt theater back in 2009. Some jackass one row in front of me decided to use this screening as his own personal Mystery Science Theater opportunity. Several people in the audience asked this guy to PLEASE stop, but no luck. His commentary lasted throughout the movie. This was before my current vendetta against talking and texting had kicked in full bore. I actually sat through the film and didn’t confront him, something I’m not sure I’d do nowadays
.

Afterwards I wrote the Belcourt and told them about this experience. I don’t know if it was in response to my email or not, but they have since adopted a no distractions policy too. They don’t put up with it and like the Alamo, aren’t afraid to eject people from the theater.

It isn’t difficult to do the right thing folks. Put your cell phone on vibrate and stick it in your pocket. If it rings, get up and answer it in the lobby. It isn’t that difficult.

To quote Jason Shawhan,Belcourt employee, from a recent midnight movie screening... “As soon as you take out that phone everyone sitting behind you thinks you’re an asshole.” Well said, Jason!

 The Belcourt Theater, Nashville's PREMIERE movie theater!! Check out this great article about the Belcourt here