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ScareLA 2017 “When Monsters Come Together” An Interview With Founder Lora Ivanova

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With Halloween rapidly approaching, about four months out now, this means ScareLA is even closer. ScareLA has become known as the world’s first summer Halloween Convention featuring educational programming, presentations, celebrity guests, and vendors. Outgrowing its home for the past two years at the Pasadena Convention Center, the unique Halloween convention will be setting its roots in a much larger and centralized location – The Los Angeles Convention Center. 

Check out our interview below with ScareLA founder Lora Ivanova and see what the premiere Halloween convention has to offer this year, you’ll be glad you did! #StayScary

“ScareLA’s 2017 theme, “Monsters Come Together,” celebrates diversity, unity, and tolerance. Created to bring people together in a celebration of the scary and unusual, the convention aims to build and strengthen community ties across diverse groups, backgrounds, and interests.” – ScareLA.

 

 

ScareLA Links

ScareLA 2017 Webpage        ScareLA Facebook         ScareLA Instagram          ScareLA Twitter

 

 

Interview With ScareLA Founder Lora Ivanova

“When Monsters Come Together.”

Ryan T. Cusick: Hi Lora! I love hearing your voice because I know that its “Almost Time!” [Laughs] It is hard to believe that we are already back again,

Lora Ivanova: [Laughing] I know time flies!

RTC: So I’ve heard that you have moved to a new space?

LI: Yes, this is really exciting big news, it is the LA Premiere Venue [LA Convention Center]. The show had originally started downtown, so I have always wanted to try and mix that atmosphere. I always feel that we need to be agnostic to all the neighborhoods here in LA and that is the only place where we can do that. We can welcome the west-siders, the east-siders, the people from the south and the people from the north to come down to Los Angeles. This has kind of been my dream ever since we moved up to Pasadena to reclaim our spot in the heart of Los Angeles and take over the biggest venue in town.

RTC: How much more space?

LI: We are going to be over 200,000 square feet. We are going to be taking over the entire West Hall, so we are going to take the big show floor there. A significant change is going to be making the show more immersive and interactive than it has ever been. This is the biggest space we have ever been in so now we can bring these Panels, Classes, and Presentations under the same roof and keep everybody close together.

RTC: That will be really nice, this will actually be my first time at that facility, I have never been to the LA Convention Center

LI: Oh, wow! It’s quite different, there are bit more nooks and crannies to explore. Since it is a big open show floor, we are going to be creating everything from scratch; there will be no buildings for us to play off of. We will be building the entire thing from people’s imaginations and nightmares.

RTC: A haunt that you had last year was the Iron Witch. Are you going to have a similar haunt this year?

LI: We are doing something even more creative and crazy. So basically what we are doing this year is dividing the entire 200,000 square foot hall into two parts. One of them we are dedicating to the day of Halloween, Which is everything that you need to do to prepare yourself for Halloween. Go to panels and presentations to learn about events, get your makeup done by some of our artists; you can purchase merchandise and costumes; you can learn how to dress up your house or maybe learn how to make a creepy creature. From there on you will move into the night of Halloween. Over a third of the space will be dedicated to the night of Halloween, and we will be introducing for the first time the little town of “ScaryWood.”

RTC: Ooh!

LI: Which will have its own little neighborhood that you can trick or treat in. It will have different areas throughout the space that you can really be kind of immersed and dropped into the middle of summer of the middle of downtown Los Angeles, be dropped into this fantasy world the night of Halloween.

RTC: Wow, that just sounds like A LOT of fun!   

LI: I am very excited!

RTC: A unique idea too.

LI: We are also bringing out some of the biggest attractions out on the show floor. So what we did with the Iron Witch, we did our own self-produced haunt, but it felt as though it was not big enough, and we always want to do BIGGER and better things. Instead of trying to do more little haunts we are actually going to have a full sized haunted house on the show floor from a new attraction that is looking to build in the LA area, it will have the giant arena style with zombies, and it will have an interactive experience. Things are getting bigger across the board.

RTC: Do you plan on having more vendors than you have had in the past?

LI: Yeah, I think we are going to hit at least 250 vendors. I know that we are going to have more than we have had in the past. We are focusing on more of the experience side this year, not necessarily looking to grow the vendor floor; we are trying to grow more of the actual elements of the show. But I think that we will most definitely end up having more this year.

RTC: As far as any guest are you able to say if you are having any this year?

LI: We have not pushed a big focus, particularly on guests this year. We are actually going to have some of the biggest names in horror coming to the stage and doing presentations and panels. We will have some signings; I want to make sure what is unique about our show is really the fun fact for when you meet your idol, it is a moviegoer experience. So instead of flopping into a booth and getting something signed, you actually get a chance to listen to them speak, you get an opportunity to interface with them, you get the chance to watch maybe the movie that they are famous for, and watch a Q & A with them at the end. So we are doing more with that type of lineup.

RTC: Wonderful, we all love panels.

LI: I always want to make sure that Halloween in my mind has not always been about the convention, it has been about the fans. It has always been about the people creating the experiences; it has never really been about famous people, it has really been about expressing yourself, bringing out your real corky visions that usually hide in your day-to-day job. So this what we want to focus on this year, so the theme is: “Monsters Come Together, ” And we want to celebrate diversity. All of us embracing our dark side all of us expressing our thoughts to the fullest.

RTC: I do believe that is what sets you apart from the standard type of conventions that have been popping up all over the world. Lora, thank you so much it was great speaking with you today.

LI: It was great chatting with you.

RTC: Take Care. 

ScareLA Founder – Lora Ivanova.

 

 

-About The Author-

Ryan T. Cusick is a writer for ihorror.com and very much enjoys conversation and writing about anything within the horror genre. Horror first sparked his interest after watching the original, The Amityville Horror when he was the tender age of three. Ryan lives in California with his wife and twelve-year-old daughter, who is also expressing interest in the horror genre. Ryan recently received his Master’s Degree in Psychology and has aspirations to write a novel. Ryan can be followed on Twitter @Nytmare112

 

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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