Horror Convention Fun; Collectables, Autographs and More

Even if you are not a Horror enthusiast, conventions like the Texas Frightmare Weekend in Dallas, Texas are an interesting way to spend a weekend. If you do get into horror it is a great way to spend a weekend.

• First off, you can dress up in your Halloween costume and nobody cares. That in it self can be liberating.
• Second there are a lot of interesting panel discussions not only on horror but on film making in general.
• There are panel discussions on related fields often used as fodder for Horror Movies such as crypto zoology.
• If you are a collector of comic books or autographed photos or other autographed memorabilia, a horror convention is a pretty good place to meet actors you don't even relate to horror movies. For a price and sometimes for free you can get a photo, an autograph and your picture taken with the stars.
• You can also run into some pretty famous film makers and writers, who are willing to talk with fans and movie makers about the art and science of the films they have made.

If you have a Goth in your life, a person who enjoys the dark and opulent clothing and life style depicted in many period and modern horror novels, these conventions are really the places to do your gift shopping. They have more interesting and authentic items for sale than you can find in most any shop you have in your home town.

For all the blood and gore you see faked on video, film, posters and special effects displays there is a surprising amount of good will and jocularity among the crowd.

Horror has a huge fan base. The conventions are well attended and there are usually plenty of free posters and buttons available for the price of admission.

Have you ever wanted to be in a movie, or do special effects? Well, the conventions are a great place to network. The independent film makers who produce their own films frequent these conventions to promote their films and they might just be your ticket to living your dreams.

I don't think of myself as a horror aficionado. My taste runs in the vein of "Tales of the Crypt," "The Twilight Zone," "Army of Darkness" and "Idle Hands." I am not into the blood and guts. I like moves that have more suspense than actually seeing the gore. When I think about it, and to be honest, I don't think about it too much, I think of myself in terms of Sci-fi and Fantasy rather than horror. So,. when my friends invited me to go to a few conventions over the past few months I was stunned to find that I found them enjoyable.

I met some really friendly and kind hearted people who were passionate about this art form. I found people who were out of the house, following their dreams and exploring aspects of life that many of us shun and they were doing it all in a tongue in cheek manner.

At this event I met some very famous actors like Clint Howard, the object of a childhood crush, ( between you and me.) and I also met famed Troma Film writer, director, and producer of over 1,000 "B" movies including "Toxic Avenger," and author of the book, "Make your Own Damn Movie, " Loyd Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman lectured and also graciously posed for a photo with fans including my friend and I.

I met the screen writer of "Night of the Living Dead," John Russo,.who is also a writer, director, producer and actor. I didn't even know he was the legend until after we talked a while. Mr. Russo ws only one of over a dozen famous horror icons at the convention. I purchased one of the comic books he now writes and he signed it along with a photo from the movie era. These will both be excellent gifts for my daughters' collection. This isn't the type of stuff you find at your local mall. Who knows? It may actually go up in value.

Over all, I found that Horror Conventions like the one I attended in Dallas are well worth your time. It is a fun way to explore the genre and has deepened my appreciation for a style of film making that is accessible to the masses and still open to budding film makers everywhere. If nothing else, it is a sensory feast for the eyes, as you see so many unusual looking people gathered in one location, some in costume and some just unique in their own skin and not a scary one in the bunch. Shhh, you didn't hear that from me.