It's time for TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!!!

  It's the first weekend in May, and you know what that means.....it's time for TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!!  I'll be in Dallas all weekend celebrating at the best Horror Con in North America!  This will be my 11th year in a row to attend!   I won't be posting again until next week, so check back then.   Is anyone reading this going to Texas Frightmare Weekend?  Or better yet, is anyone reading this at all?!  Ha!

TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND is here!!!

  There will be no new posts for the next few days, as I am headed down to Dallas, TX to take in the sights and sounds of TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!   This will be my 9th year in a row to attend, and it is always a blast!  I'll tell you all about it upon my return!  


Thanks,

Zombie Hayes

I'm back from TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2015!!

  As usual, I had an awesome time!  I met some great celebs and saw some great films at the screenings.  I'll get all my pics together soon and do a full report in the next few days.  Until then, if you are new to the 4H blog, welcome!  If you are here because you picked up one of my cards at the TFW event, please leave a comment and let me know!   Thanks!!

Sorry for the lack of posts this week....

 
  It's been a very busy week this past week, and the last few nights have been tied up with packing and preparing for the 10th annual TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!!  I can't believe another year has past and it's time for the convention again!   I'll be back next week with more blog posts.

  If any of you are going to this year's TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND, leave me a comment and let me know! 

I'm back from Texas Frightmare Weekend!!

 I am back from this year's TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND and I had a blast, like always!  This is such a fun event, and once you start going you will be hooked!   Expect a few review in the next few days after I get all my pics sorted out! 

Check out the first trailer for Billy "Bloody Bill" Pon's upcoming film, CIRCUS OF THE DEAD!

  I have been looking forward to this film for a long time!  Some of you might remember me mentioning CIRCUS OF THE DEAD back when I did my review of Billy Pon's short film, DOLL BOY  (see review here).  Doll Boy is a character that is in the full length feature, CIRCUS OF THE DEAD.   Billy Pon is a fairly new name among horror fans, but soon he will be mentioned among the greats, in my opinion.  You can tell "Bloody Bill" is a fan of the horror genre, and knows what us horror fans want to see in a horror film.  I love the fact that he embraces the old grindhouse style of horror film. 
  I have been eager to see a trailer for this film for a while now, and now we finally have our chance to see one!  Fangoria.com has the exclusive first look at the trailer for CIRCUS OF THE DEAD! 

Here is the basic plot synopsis taken from the fangoria.com article:

Family man Don’s visit to an old, rundown big top circus and chance encounter with a nihilistic group of clowns leaves him fighting for his life and the lives of those he loves. As Don becomes drawn deeper into lead clown Papa Corn’s games, he comes closer to the edge of reason and sanity. Armed with guns, knives and a ’68 Camaro, the clowns lead Don on an all-night crime spree through oil-soaked West Texas. Papa Corn’s wild ride brings blood, gore and mayhem to all he encounters.

Check out the trailer and let me know what you think!  CIRCUS OF THE DEAD will have it's world premiere at this years Texas Frightmare Weekend, May 2-4!


CLICK HERE to ready the Fangoria.com article and watch the trailer!

Then, check out these other great sites:

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of director Bloody Bill
CLICK HERE to visit the official facebook page of CIRCUS OF THE DEAD
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of CIRCUS OF THE DEAD

The 4H blog is back on the air!

  My computer is back up and running, and I am back from another successful trip to the annual TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND down in Dallas, TX!   I will have a full report and pics posted in the next few days hopefully.   So, expect daily (hopefully) postings to resume starting now!

Also..if any of you have run across my blog by picking up a postcard or business card on one of the swag tables at the convention this past weekend, leave me a comment below and let me know! 

Thanks everyone!
Zombie Hayes

The 4H list of Horror Convention Tips and Tricks!

  I am gearing up for the upcoming Texas Frightmare Weekend in Dallas, TX  (May 3-5), and I have been talking with some great folks on the TFW Facebook page, many of which are going to their first Horror Convention.  I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the tips and tricks I have learned throughout the years while attending these conventions.  So, here are my main tips and tricks for all you Horror Con rookies out there!   Let me know if you have any specific questions, and if anyone has any other tips to add, please leave a comment below!  


HORROR CONVENTION SURVIVAL TIPS:

1.  First and foremost, make sure you bring lots of money.  But...spend it wisely and budget for what you want.  For example, check off all the celebrities you want to meet and get autographs from.  Autographs range anywhere from $20-$40 a pop at most conventions.   So, average about $30 an autograph.    After you have that total, then bring more for t-shirts and merchandise you might want to buy.  Also, bring the cash with you at the very beginning.  Most hotels will have an ATM in them, but the lines at the ATMs can be long and the ATMs can run out of money with so many people using them at one time.   Also, bring smaller bills...probably nothing larger than a $20.  The autograph tables appreciate if you use exact change and it keeps the lines moving quicker.  A lot of the merchandise tables will take credit cards also, so you can use those when you can to save your cash for the smaller companies' tables that might not take credit cards.

2.  Bring a backpack to carry all your stuff in.  Even if you don't take much, you will pick up a lot of stuff from around the convention like DVDs, T-shirts, and other merchandise.  You will definitely need something to carry everything in.  

3.  When bringing DVDs to be autographed, leave the actual DVD and the Plastic case at home.  Just take the cover art paper insert since that is most likely what you will be having signed.  No need for the actual plastic case to be taking up all the room in your back pack and adding extra weight to it.     The best way to keep your DVD covers protected is to take a 3-ring binder filled with those clear plastic top loader sleeves/pages.   Keep the DVD insert in these before and after you get them signed.  But...be careful and make sure the ink is dry on your autograph before you put it back in the sleeve so you don't smear it!   These pages are also the perfect size for the 8x10 photos you can purchase from the celebs.  Again, just be careful when putting them in the sleeve and make sure the ink is dry as to avoid smearing.

4.  Speaking of autographs, I find it is a great idea to take your own Sharpies with you.  If you want the guest's autograph to be a certain color, bring that color Sharpie with you in case that certain celeb doesn't have it.  Most guest will have about every color Sharpie there is, but some just bring the standard black and silver.  So don't hesitate to ask if you want them to sign using a color Sharpie that you provide.

5.  If you are bringing posters to be signed by any of the celebs, you will obviously want to bring them in a poster tube.  I find it a good idea to label on the outside of the tube which poster it is along with the names of who you are wanting to get the signatures of for that poster.  You can use the normal cardboard tubes, or if you want to store all your posters in one tube, you can get one of the larger, plastic poster tubes like these found on amazon.com.

6.  I know it's too late for this year's TFW, since the hotel is sold out, but always try to get a hotel room at the hotel where the convention is being held.   You might could save a few dollars by staying at a different hotel a little ways away, but believe me...you are not going to want to drive back to your hotel late at night  (especially if you are doing the midnight film screening), and especially if you have had a few drinks.   It is much better to just be able to hop on the elevator and head to your room.  Also, after being on your feet all day, it is nice to just be able to head up to your room for a bit during the day to take a rest or a quick power nap before the evening film screenings.  It's also nice to be able to take some stuff back to the room after you purchase it so you don't have to carry it around all day. 

7.  Bring lots of snacks.  If you are staying at the hotel, you might just want to plan on breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant  (it can be pretty pricey).   Save some $$ and just eat some snack type foods for a light lunch during the day.  Also, last year at TFW they had a snack bar set up downstairs with the convention that had some pretty reasonably priced food and drinks, so take advantage of that for some of your meals.
 
8.  Make sure to bring comfy clothes, most importantly, comfy shoes.  You are usually on your feet most of the time, so make sure you have shoes that will be comfortable to walk around in all day.  Also, don't be afraid to dress up in a costume.  It is always lots of fun to see everyone dressed up and you will usually get lots of photo requests...you will be a  mini-celebrity for the weekend!  Speaking of photos, obviously you do not want to forget your camera!


Well...that is all I can think of right now.  If any of you have any hints/tips that you have learned at conventions in the past, leave a comment and let everyone know! 

Thanks, and have fun!!

I'm baaaaaack!

I'm back from another successful trip to the TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!!  This was my 3rd year in a row to attend this particular event, and it is my favorite of all the conventions I have attended.  I can't wait until next year!! 

Well, I said I would be back with a full report, but that will have to wait.  My camera was not working, so most all the good pics my buddy and his wife took with their camera.  As soon as they can get all those pics to me, I will post some for you all to see. 

I can report though, that I had a really fun time!!  I met lots of cool celebs, including Freddy himself, Robert Englund!  I also got to meet Director Tom Six and actor Dieter Laser from THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE.  They were a lot of fun, very cool, down to earth people.  I also got to meet one of my favorite directors, Japan's own Yoshihiro Nishimura and got to see a screening of his latest film, HELLDRIVER!

I am headed to Texas Frightmare Weekend!!!

There wont be any new posts for the next few nights, but I will return in a few days with a full report from the TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!!  Click HERE to take a look at the guest list to see who all I am going to meet!  This will be my 3rd year in a row to attend TFW, and I am super excited!!  Are any of the 4H readers going to be there? 

2 new guests confirmed for TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2011!

Two new guest have been announced for appearance at next year's TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND! Actor Dieter Laser and Director Tom Six from the awesome film, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, will be on hand to meet and greet at next year's TFW event! This is a very rare U.S. appearance for both of these great guests.

The TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND horror convention and film festival will be April 29-May 1, 2011.

TOM SIX hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhDIETER LASER

CLICK HERE to visit the official website of TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND and purchase your tickets today!!

TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2011--first guests have been announced!!

The first guests for TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2011 have been announced, and it is already turning out to be quite an impressive line up of Horror stars!!! Next year's TFW will be held April 29 - May 1, 2010 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Irving, TX (DALLAS). I have attended the past two TFW's and have had a blast each time, so I will be at next years again for sure!


Here is the current list of guests that have been announced so far:




MICHAEL BALDWIN - Phantasm I, III, IV









CLIVE BARKER - Creator/director of Hellraiser and Nightbreed







DOUG BRADLEY -- Pinhead from the Hellraiser films






DON COSCARELLI -- Director of Phantasm I-IV, BubbaHo-Tep









ROBERT ENGLUND - Freedy Krueger himself!!








ASHLEY LAURENCE- Hellraiser







ANGUS SCRIMM- The Tall Man from the Phantasm films





Next year's guest lineup is already looking great! This is just the start, though. Many more guests will be announced all the way up to showtime! I will bring you more guest announcements as I get them! I hope to see you at TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2011!!

I'm baaaack!

That's right, I am back from the 5th annual Texas Frightmare Weekend, and had an awesome time as expected. I am still coming down from meeting all the great stars this weekend....and hey, did this really happen??

This picture doesn't seem real to me.....I can't believe I got to meet this living legend, George Romero!!

Stay tuned for more pics in the next few days! I will also do a run down about all the great films I saw screened and some new actors and actresses I met that you need to keep an eye on!!

TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND is finally here!!

After months and months of waiting, I am super excited that TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2010 is finally here! It seemed like it would never get here and now it has arrived. I am off to Dallas and I hope to meet some of my blog readers there! I am also super excited about meeting all the guests such as George Romero, John Carpenter, Bill Moseley, and Sid Haig just to name a few. So, I probably wont have time to do any new posts over the weekend, but check back on Monday and I should have some pics from the weekend posted. In the meantime, for newer readers of the 4H blog, take some time to check the archives section and look back at some older posts. Have a great weekend, and if you are going to be at TFW, be sure to stop me and say HI!

Pic from TFW 2009. Me with Bobbi Sue Luther and Jana Kramer from LAID TO REST

4 new guests added to this years TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND!!

I have another quick TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND update for you! 4 new guests have just been announced...they are:


ALBERT PYUN - Director of CYBORG, NEMESIS, LEFT FOR DEAD, POSTMORTEM, SORCERERS, BULLETFACE, etc.





CYNTHIA CURNAN - Writer of BITE!, TALES OF AN ANCIENT EMPIRE, SORCERERS, etc.






DEREK MEARS - Actor from THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2 (2007 remake), FRIDAY THE 13th (2009 remake), numerous TV show spots, and the upcoming PREDATORS film and FRIDAY THE 13th 2.




LAR PARK-LINCOLN - Actress from FRIDAY THE 13th VII, HOUSE II, GRAVESTONED, and the upcoming FRIGHTLAND



These are great additions to this years already tremendous line up! These new guests, along with those previously announced (JOHN CARPENTER, GEORGE ROMERO, BILL MOSELEY, SID HAIG, DOUG BRADLEY, ELVIRA, BETSY PALMER, MARGOT KIDDER, etc) are making this years TFW become one of the best ones in years!! I have already bought my tickets and can't wait for TFW which is April 30th - May 2nd, 2010. Anyone else going to this? I would love to meet some readers of the 4H blog there!