Horror movies &stuff Interviews Terror Film Festival Director Claw
We recently talked with Claw, Director of the Terror Film Festival which kicks off this October in Philadelphia Pennsylvania beginning on October 21st through October 25th. The festival covers many genres of film ranging from Horror, to Fantasy, to Sci-fi, Drama, and Thriller...but covers Horror first and foremost. The event will also feature a screenplay and filmmaking competition, where up and coming talent in both fields have an opportunity to win the coveted Claw Award. In this chat, we dissect the event, it's roots and beginnings, and get the scoop on it's hostess...Princess Horror!
MR. H:First off, tell us and everyone else what the Terror Film Festival is, when did it start, and how long has it been going?
Claw:Well, Terror Film Festival started in 2006 and we're gearing up for our 3rd edition this year. We're a film festival made for people who love to make and watch great horror, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller and drama films. We also host an excellent world-class screenwriting competition. And to be honest, our fest is run a lot different than everyone else. We focus more on the artist and their careers and that usually takes us WAY past the actual festival run itself. We also push heavily for helping our creative artists and getting their movie in front of audiences and industry alike.
MR. H:What separates TFF from other film festivals such as Sundance, South by Southwest, and Tribeca?
Claw:Well, aside from a lot of miles, I don't know if we're that different from Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. They all happen to be similar to ours in that they focus on true art and creativity. I haven't really stopped to compare us to others, but going on what I've seen, Sundance seems to place artistic expression first, Tribeca the same, and SXSW the same. And so does TFF. We fight constantly to ward off the evils of becoming just another status quo fest who simply exists as a business venture for revenue stream. Sure, we love money as much as the next person, but we love art more.
MR. H:Have you guys always been stationed in Philly?
Claw:Yeah. Philly is our home town and we love it.
MR. H:If you ever decide to take the festival on the road, where would you like to take it?
Claw:Probably LA, NYC, and Australia. They seem to have the right vibe for what we try to present. Art, craft, passion, love, and creativity.
MR. H:This year's Festival is being held the week before Halloween. Has this always been a TFF tradition?
Claw:Oh, yeah. We intentionally plan it that way. It's all part of the excitement leading up to Halloween. And plus, it gives us so much creative license to put on a real spectacle for our audiences and attending creative artists. Plus, we get to utilize a very well hidden energy of the universe. The whole rising feeling of togetherness that a holiday like Halloween generates. You can FEEL the electricity growing in those last two weeks of that month.
MR. H:What past horror celebrities (actors, actresses, directors, writers, producers) have you had to show up at your festival in it's existence up to this point?
Claw:Well, I don't know if it's just horror celebs here. We've had Leo Rossi (Halloween, Maniac Cop), Scott Currie (Painted Zebra Releasing, Malevolence), and of course, Princess Horror. But we've also had celebs from general filmmaking and other industries, as well. Like Steve Kwasnik, Mark DeGaetani, Ted Simon, Tony Luke, Jr., etc. But the REAL celebrities are the up and coming filmmakers and screenwriters. We get a lot of people just as they are on the cusp of greatness. And like to shove them over that line!
MR. H:Who's on the early slate this year, as far as celebs go - to attend TFF?
Claw:Just Princess Horror so far for this year. I'm sure there'll be more tho, but it usually happens as the fest grows nearer and they start contacting us. We try not to get too wrapped up in courting talent. That way it stays fresh and exciting for us. Plus, we get to keep the focus where it belongs. On the filmmakers and screenwriters. We believe it's really their time to shine.
MR. H:You have a screenwriting and filmmaking competition at the festival where you award prizes to fledgling screenwriters and filmmakers. But do you also show yet-to-be-distributed or released films at the event also?
Claw:Yes, to all of that. We don't have any restrictions on who gets screened other than it has to be a killer film. Pardon the pun. And we always get special privilege to show exclusive screenings of films that no other festivals get permission for. So it's always a good mix of films. Pro, indie, amateur. Doesn't matter. But the film has to be great. And they usually are.
MR. H:What films do you have scheduled to debut at this year's TFF?
Claw:Oh, I can't answer that yet. We don't make our selections until September of each year and we're very tight lipped about it until the actual selections are announced.
MR. H:Tell us about the event hostess Princess Horror, what's her background, where'd you find her, and was she receptive to the gig at first?
Claw:Ah yes, the Princess. Where do I begin? She's great!! Her background is in filmmaking/acting/ballet/singing. A lot of people don't know it, but she's an actual classically trained dual range opera singer. I met her on a movie shoot where she was an actress. But she stood out so damned much that I started talking to her and BAM, I HAD to have her in the fest. It was just right! When you find true talent and the "it" factor, you have to work with it. It's compelling. And it just lights up the whole performance beyond belief.
MR. H:Is Philly really a big horror town? Many horror films have been filmed there, but are the people of Philadelphia real big on the horror genre as a whole?
Claw:Yeah, I think so. There's a lot of closet horror hounds in Philly. Don't know why, but it's true. But you see, it's the stigma that shrouds horror that I think makes it so. I think horror gets a bad rap as not being a "legit" art form. Even tho Romero is huge, Tony Todd is huge, and Shyamalan is huge. Hitchcock, Poe, Shelley, and so on. They're classics, and they're all horror. Yet, most people still don't wear their "horror flair" proudly on their sleeve. But they're out there. And they're in Philly too.
MR. H:Are you aware of any filmmakers or screenwriters who entered their work into TFF currently working on the independent horror scene as writers, directors, or both?
Claw:Oh, God, yes! TONS of them. We have so many alumni that have submitted again or are just going after their dreams with so much passion, that it's clearly evident that they will not let ANYTHING stop them from doing what they love. John Faust, Brian Lonano, Jennifer Oaks, Dave Campfield, Taryn Hough, Mike D'Anna, the brothers McManus, Joe Randazzo, Kevin Corcoran, Paul Campion, etc. The list goes on and on. And like, Campfield is completing post on his new feature, D'Anna sold his film to Lionsgate and now has five in development, Macera is now shooting with Willie Nelson, DeGaetani is on his next feature, Mike Turner is shooting his new flick. They just won't be stopped. And it's all GREAT NEWS!!
MR. H:Are there any plans currently to expand TFF into any other parts of Pennsylvania in the near future?
Claw:Well, I can't really talk too much about that yet. Plans are in the works to do some major expansion next year. We have a couple of great directions we're heading in. But I can't release that info just yet. But when it happens, everyone will hear about it.
MR. H:What will attendees at this year's TFF see that wasn't present in previous years?
Claw:Oh, now, I can't reveal that! It's a surprise!! We have so many cool surprises lined up, but they have to remain just that. Surprises. It's what makes us so different from all the rest. So many fests I've been to have the same old boring usual programming and activities. And they just promote the hell out of it all. And it gets old. We prefer to mix it up creatively. Little kamikaze goodies that you never see coming. And it thrills our audiences to no end. Some of the stuff we've spring on our attendees is spectacular. Some thought provoking. And some really hits their heart and makes them sigh. It's like watching a great movie and not knowing that really cool thing was going to happen. And like a great movie, you don't want to hear the plot before you see the film. Cause it ruins the fun of it for you.
MR. H:Can you give your best pitch to all those horror fans in netland about why they should specifically attend this years Terror Film Festival above all the previous years TFF's?
Claw:Wow, tough one. How do I tempt without showing some skin? Hmm. I think I'll start with what two people have told me about their personal feelings on TFF. And let me warn you beforehand, these are gonna sound sappy. But if I have to choose between sappy and the rest of the world...I'll take sappy any day. Here goes.
The first person wrote to me saying, "...and as I stood there watching the final crowd exit from the final film, I was so happy knowing we would all be in a bar together just a few minutes from now laughing it up and enjoying the memories, but I was also saddened. Because I knew that TFF had come to a close. And even though there were so many good times had and new friendships made, I felt sad inside seeing it all end. It really was great. And it really was like nothing else".
And the second person told me just the other day, "I come to your festival because it makes me feel so good inside. I've never had an experience like this before. I met people from France, LA, Tennessee...I had such a great time. Everyone is so nice."
It's hard to forget when people talk to you with that much genuine honesty, appreciation, and preciousness. Terror Film Festival changed their lives forever. They gained confidence, a sense of unity, and sheer joy and satisfaction. And most of all, they felt accepted and loved. How do you describe that without sounding like a jackass? I KNOW! It's sounds so corny!! But I'm not kidding! It's unreal what some people have told me!! So, I guess for all the filmmakers and screenwriters and lovers of the best films out there, all I can truly say from my heart is, regardless of what you like or what you hate, you won't be disappointed in Terror Film Festival in the least. Because this isn't a job to us. We LOVE what we do.
In closing, I wanna say that TFF is going to do something this year that has never been done before at any festival anywhere. And you're gonna walk away feeling like you've just been handed the keys to Heaven itself. And with a little luck (crossing my fingers) it will help make this world a better place for all of us to live in, and especially, in the way you live your own life from that moment on.
End. Check out TFF on the web at their official
site!
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