Blood Moon Rising Magazine

INSIDE LOOK 2

To check out 2008
Institute of Horror,
Science Fiction and
Fantasy, click here.

Behind The Screams of

The Institute of Horror, Fantasy
& Science Fiction 2009

By AL J. Vermette


The day was March 28th 2009 and the place the Queens Library in Flushing NY. The
event in question was the 2nd Annual “The Institute of Horror, Fantasy & Science
Fiction” hosted by “Blood Moon Rising’s” sister publication “The Horror Writer.” The
event, a celebration of all three genres played host to author readings, an art gallery
and film showings throughout the day. This Queens New York library in and of itself
is not your local little book depot but a massive house of books, lecture rooms and a
full size movie theater that seats over 200 people. This was the same place used for
last Halloween’s BMR “Blood Fest” show and the setting for 2009s “Blood Fest: Horror
Show & Rock Party.

The days events opened with the Art Gallery and Authors room at 11:30 within the
lecture room. By the way, this was the same room where I conducted my workshop.
series last Summer.

At 12:15 the authors were all moved into the main auditorium to begin the main part of
the show. One by one each author did a reading from their work....mostly novels and
one who read from his Simpson’s comic that he wrote with very entertaining Simpson
character voices. The authors were all brought up on stage three at a time to sit at
the stage table provided and talk about themselves, their work as well as read from
their novels and such. Your truly was the events moderator and worked the standing
stage mic keeping the event flowing.

Long time BMR writer and friend Paul Kale came and had his work read by BMR editor
and Sapphire Publications co-founder Shoshona Strier acting as guest reader. She
also read for me as well, chapter 16, of my new novel “Dark Soul Rising.” The author's
reading portion of “The Institute of Horror, Fantasy & Science Fiction” ran for almost
two hours and then it was time for Part Two of the event......Films.

The films for this year’s Institute included episode #1 from the TV series “Zombie
Hunters: City of The Dead” with part of the cast joining me on stage for a Q&A with the
fans. The shows creator and director Patrick Devaney was joined by fellow hunters
Christopher Murphy and the shows make-up artist Mike Scardillo. Many of the “Blood
Moon Rising” fans were waiting to see “Zombie Hunters: City of The Dead” and
contacted us days before telling us that they couldn’t wait to see the show at our event.

It was on the film set of the newest episode of Zombie Hunters shot three weeks
before The Institute that I got to meet the man behind the TV series “Sci/Fi Ninja
Theater.” He like me was doing behind the scenes work for his show and also joining
in as one of the walking dead. It was here that I asked Vinnie Vlado to come and be
part of “The Institute of Horror, Fantasy & Science Fiction” and shoot anything he liked
for one of his up coming shows. We also showed various montage episodes of his
show as his fans loved each and every moment of it.

Making its world film debut at the Institute was “Lucan: The Defender.” The short film
based on my fantasy chapbook series and directed by Tom Bender. The movie
version of the book series brought the werewolf hero to life as he battled evil knights
and one large harry creature called Gorgo. Tom did a fine job shooting my script and
it was fun to showcase the film before a live crowd and hear them cheer afterwards.
The cast join me on stage to take a bow and a Q&A. The cast included Louie
Poveromo, Diana DeSanto, Danny Jones and BMRs very own D.W. Jones who played
the evil Lord Tyrannous. You BMR fans may remember that for last years Institute we
did a live stage production of Lucan, seen now on You Tube under (Lucan Battle)
you can find it. To my delight, people really dug the Lucan film and told me so after
the films were over in the last part of the event The Meet & Greet After Party.

The Meet & Greet part of the event was a chance for fans to talk with all the artist,
authors and film makers. We gave out cake and little donuts as a sort of celebration
for having done a fine show. It was also the debut of my newest novel “Dark Soul
Rising” and I met with new fans and signed copies of the book until all were sold out. I
also signed copies of Lucan books and a few “The Horror Writer” as well. Good day in
all.

By the days end and when it was all over and was a little sad to see things end.
Although we will be doing it all again next year and our big Halloween show “Blood
Fest” awaits us on October 24th I still will long for this event and will see you all next
time.

I would like to personally thank the following people who helped make this
day succeed: Shoshana Strier for reading for myself and Paul Kale, D.W.
Jones for his help in the Author & Artist room, Michele Jones for her work as
staff photographer, the authors and artist who participated, for all the family
who showed their support and all those who showed up to make this day a
success!