#87: Rebirth of Monster Island Resort
Why did it take me so long to make an episode? A personal note. Thanks for listening!
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The Online Radio Show That Goes Bump in the Night!
Why did it take me so long to make an episode? A personal note. Thanks for listening!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
I’m glad you got that out there, and I hope it helps you get back on track to go on. I can only imagine how tough it is to put on an event of any kind: film festival, gallery show, convention. I go to a lot of those events, but rarely get to stop and think about how the organizers are feeling once the smiles and handshakes are over. I’m thankful to have you as a friend and a supporter, and I want you to know I appreciate how much work and heart and soul you put into Horrible Imaginings, even if I can’t quite comprehend the magnitude of it. Happy Thanksgiving, and stay scary!
Hi James! Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. I really went back and forth over whether or not to post this episode, going so far as to obtain the perspective of others. Anyway, I am grateful for your words and your continued support!
Hi Miguel, I discovered your podcast a month and half ago and really want to tell you how much I appreciate the work you do. I’ ve been shotgunning a few of your eps a week and loving ever moment of it, especially the horor host eps. You know it’s so easy to just listen to something like Monster Resort and not acknowledge the work like I should. Let me take the time to rectify that and tell you that seeing a new episode today made me smile.
BTW good luck with getting Black Rainbow to San Diego. I have the DVD and I can only imagine how amazing this movie would be on the big screen and with and audience.
Wow, what an amazing comment to leave me. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know you enjoy the show. I hope to have a few more horror hosts on in the near future. Please let me know what you think of episodes in the future–you make everything worth it! I hope Beyond the Black Rainbow happens, but there doesn’t seem to be too much interest, unfortunately. We’ll see! Thanks again!
Miguel
Miguel, you are an important cornerstone of the modern horror community. Because of your love and understanding of the subject matter there is a champion and advocate for horror filmmakers and our films. You provide a place for us to be appreciated, a voice for us to be heard, and a place for intelligent discussion. The creation and presentation of a film is very difficult. Most people interested in making films will give up if not extremely passionate or supported in some way. Recently, I have lost my dear Mother and I am having a great deal of difficulty in continuing with my film work. It is the support of you and people like you that help give me the determiation to continue. In turn I extend myself to you and support you. You are a great asset and what you do is of great importance. Your insightful understanding of the underappreciated artform is a great talent. Thank you for all you do and please continue.
I’ve said this privately, but I’m going to say it publicly, too: I think both MIR and HIFF are amazing achievements and I’m so glad they exist. MIR isn’t just my favorite horror podcast, it’s my favorite podcast period. And HIFF isn’t just an amazing horror festival, it’s an amazing cultural event. I wish I had been able to do more than promote it this year.
And thank you for sharing your experience in this particular episode. It’s important beyond your personal catharsis (though that is important) because I think it articulates a fairly common experience that programmers, producers, filmmakers, publishers and artists have. You’re not the first festival programmer I’ve known, so I knew it was physically, emotionally and financially exhausting work where the programmer needs to be in at least 2 places at once– even before the event. That you do so much with very few volunteers and no sponsors is mindblowing to me. But I think a lot of people haven’t really thought about what the work entails and I really appreciate your sharing your experience. I also hope that the sharing has been cathartic.
As always, *hugs*
Okay don’t take this the wrong way but you are making me think of the scene between Don Corleone and Johnny Fontane or Michael and Fredo in The Godfather. I want to slap you around a little and say wake up, stop your whining, and damn those idiots who don’t appreciate what you do or those lame ass filmmakers who don’t have the passion and soul to support the very thing they want to be a part of. You know that you are simply doing what you have to do because you are a horror fan. And this is something that you have to do no matter what. You would be showing horror films on a street corner or or in a stadium, it doesn’t matter because that’s what you have a passion to do. You know there are people who deeply appreciate what you do and yes probably more who don’t get it. But don’t even concern yourself with them because you are doing this because you are on a mission (not from God perhaps but a mission nonetheless). And if you ask you will find a core of horror fans who will support you — financially, emotionally, and with running the festival — but you can’t be afraid to ask very specifically for that help. I know you wanted things to run perfectly and they didn’t but great films were shown and people had a great time so the end result is something to be very proud of. So I’m going to play mom right now and tell you to brush yourself off and pick yourself up and don’t be deterred in pursuing your dream. Sorry, if that was a little bit of tough love but you know what I mean. So… how can we start helping with next year’s festival or your next quarterly screening?
Hey, buddy. Good soul bearing – it’s worth it to let that shit out every once in awhile. You know I appreciate what you’ve done here – hell I pimp your Film Fest every chance I get. Just the other day I was wearing my Horrible Imaginings shirt and a gothy chick at Staples asked me what it was and I told her all about it. Who knows, maybe a new fan! You’ve also inspired me to try my hand once again at my own horror podcast – The Horror Show – starting in January. And without you I never would have made new friends in the film community and I’m hoping that pays off soon! You’re a good guy, and I’d hate to see you lose your mind about this, so just know you have support out here, even if it’s not a GIANT foundation, it’s a solid one.
Any film festival is so difficult to put together and to make perfect. There is something to be said about doing personnel planning, finding and negotiating for a venue, and continuing to build an audience. And yes, you are building an audience, but there are so many aspects and reasons why it is difficult and yes, San Diego doesn’t exactly scream horror community at first pass (or second and third) but there are horror fans here and I think that there is a place for this festival in a city that has a lot of film festivals.
Even large festivals like Tribeca, Sundance, Telluride, Palm Springs, and Toronto go through festival pains, but what endures is the desire and passion for cinema, and that you have my friend. As long as you stick to the guiding principles of what this festival means to you and to your audience, you can find ways to grow and improve the festival. And, don’t think that projection mistakes don’t happen to the big fests. At the 50th NY Film Festival, they opened with a new Brian DePalma film, PASSION that had to be canceled because the DCP would not play, and they could not even see the film and Mr. DePalma was in the audience. (I think I already told you that story, but I just wanted to reiterate that it can happen at any time).
The fact that you spoke on this, and opened up your heart to us about this is proof positive that you care about your work, and that is all that any of us can ask of you. Keep on doing this, and there will always be support.
Never give up, never surrender! Don’t ever let a bunch of egotistic people get the better of you. My friends and I had a great time and can’t wait for your next event. Screw the rest.
Dude, wish I would have heard this sooner! The technical difficulties and speed with which you recovered from them only go to show what dedication and passion you have for the festival. Anyone who was present before the start of the showing can attest to your frantic but controlled resolve, and given the potential for disaster, the show went off without a hitch as always once the replacement was found. As a cineaste, I took no issue with the compromised picture or sound, and I simply sat back and enjoyed what I considered to be an excellent line-up of original (and more importantly) localized Horror. The thing I admire most about Horrible Imaginings is the time and consideration put in to the selection process, and the exposure given to local filmmakers. There is a Horror presence in San Diego, but one that may not listen to KPBS or read local periodicals enough to realize that such a fantastic show exists in their own backyard. With continued support and word of mouth, the fire will catch. I only regret my own inability to commit more time, money, and energy to the cause due to my own commitments at home with a young, growing family. If I did not have an exhausted wife at home with a newborn, I would sleep in the theater! Know that support is only an e-mail or a call away, though, Miguel! I would love to participate more in the screening and selection process, funding, and promotion, and as the kids continue to grow older I hope to be able to fight the good fight with you. You have my support man, and sorry for the empty seat on Sunday!