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My History of Halloween & Horror: Part II

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part II

In My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I, I discussed my childhood and the ways my family fostered my love for all things spooky. In Part II I want to give an overview of my professional background. I am more than just an enthusiast – my jobs have given me insight into the inner workings of the film, haunt, and Halloween industries. Amazingly, I have made a living doing what I love. As a result I have acquired a vast knowledge base to help my eerie endeavors. I am a Halloween/horror professional!

Using that USC Film Degree

I have always liked the phrase “movie magic”. There is something magical about sitting in a darkened room full of strangers, coming together through a shared experience. Films can transport you into a fantastic world that reflects the best and worst of society. They can help you to look through the eyes of someone whose life is drastically different from your own and grow in understanding. Being on a film set is also magical. A team of highly talented individuals come together for a shared goal of creating a unique world for others.  

Both Sides of the Filmmaking Process

Following film school, I spent a few years dabbling in post-production. I honed my editing skills with the very non-horror “Prune Like a Pro” Youtube series, editing over 180 plant and nature-related videos. I also worked for two professional post-production/marketing companies, where I learned about the process of creating trailers and other marketing materials for film & television. My favorite experiences were learning how professional editors created marketing materials for the remake of Carrie, Full Moon Features films, and other scary fare. Although editing felt satisfying – like solving a gigantic jigsaw puzzle – I realized that sitting alone in a dark room staring at a computer for hours upon hours was not the job for someone as social as me.

So, I switched to the opposite side of the filmmaking process. I worked with the BlueCat Screenplay Competition first as a reader, then Competition Coordinator, and finally as their Social Media Coordinator. Spending my days reading hundreds of screenplays and learning from a top-notch mentor gave me new perspectives on crafting a script. There are so many talented horror writers from around the world, and so many amazing horror stories just waiting to be produced! I, however, am decidedly not a writer, and I wanted something more hands-on and collaborative.

My History of Halloween & Horror: Filmography

You can’t get more hands-on and collaborative experience than on a film set. I love to be both in front of and behind the camera. Luckily, I have had ample opportunity for both! Check out some of my works:

 

Features:

Howard the Doc or: How I Learned to Start Quacking and Love the Bomb – Self

9 Ways to Hell (2022) – Director (“Gluttony”), Actress (“Gluttony”)

Who Was Buffalo Bill? (2016) – Director, Actress

Killer Party (2014) – Script Supervisor

Fable: Teeth of Beasts (2010) – Production Assistant

 

Shorts:

Not Pregnant (2016) – Actress

Safe & Sound (2015) – Actress, Writer, Producer

Under the Bed (2015) – Writer, Actress, Producer

Fade to Black (2013) – Actress

Goth Girl: Season 2, Episode 11 (2010) – Actress

My History of Halloween & Horror: An "Event-ful" Life

Growing up, my Dad and I drove up to 7 hours away to attend horror movie conventions. From Chiller Theater in New Jersey, to local Buffalo-area cons, we went to every one we could, speaking to filmmakers and celebrities (and collecting autographs for the movie room). Additionally, we attended non-horror fare: toy train shows, air shows, toy collectable conventions, etc. I had a lot of fun attending conventions and always thought of them as nice ways to spend a weekend. They were just fun little diversions, and I never gave them too much consideration outside of that.

I never thought to volunteer for one until my senior year of college, where I had the opportunity to go to Las Vegas for Fangoria’s Trinity of Terror convention. I skipped a day of classes and got the cheapest hotel room I could find so I could spend the weekend working the event. The experience was electrifying. During the show I worked with the event videographer and interviewed Malcolm McDowell, John Waters, my childhood idol Kritsy Swanson, George Romero, and more.  Unfortunately, the event is known in certain circles as “the best convention no one attended” so I never got the chance to work that event again. 

ScareLA: SoCal's Premiere Halloween Convention

Struggling to survive for a few years after college kept me from working for free again, but all that changed in 2013 when I stumbled across a Facebook page for a new upcoming Halloween convention right in LA (so no hotel room required). I sent them a Facebook message and a day later received a response. I didn’t know it then, but this opportunity would change the entire course of my life.

ScareLA was the “premiere Halloween convention in SoCal” (a tagline I championed from year-one) from 2013 – 2018. I started as an assistant to one of the event’s founders on the show floor. A month before the event I left my job at a post-production house so I had far too much time on my hands to prep for the event. My 50+ page event binder with every single detail about the event impressed management and the next year I was on payroll as the Exhibitor Coordinator. By year three I was a close assistant to both founders of the event – even working with them on projects outside of ScareLA. 

Starting in 2016, I became the Exhibition Producer for ScareLA’s final three years. In addition, I coordinated the event’s Screening Room, showcasing filmmakers from around the world.

Lifelong Lessons

My co-workers and mentors at ScareLA instilled in me many key lessons that I still hold in my heart:

  • The desire to showcase talented local artists & artisans
  • Bringing together creative individuals from a multitude of disciplines and utilizing their talents in new ways
  • Breaking down cliques and egos that often divide people in the horror/Halloween communities
  • Fostering emerging talent and empowering new creators
  • Identifying trends in the industry to better provide experiences that audiences are craving
A New Perspective

Until ScareLA, I had never even thought that the events industry could be a career path for me. I usually associated careers in events more along the lines of party planning, wedding planning, or catering. This event showed me that I could make a living creating interactive spooky experiences. After two years of ScareLA, I stopped looking for full-time film work in post houses or studios and decided that the flexibility and fun of the events world was the best fit for me.

ScareLA will forever hold a special place in my heart. I am very proud of the event we created and all the talented individuals we supported and highlighted during the years of the event. Our model has since inspired other events around the country. 

A Pro of Cons

Although one event may take an entire year’s worth of work to produce, to pay the bills, a person usually needs more than just one event. That variety is what makes the events industry so dynamic and exciting. It also allows me to constantly bring new techniques and ideas to all the events I work with. 

I have been involved in a number of events and trade shows in Southern California – specializing in horror, Halloween, and cinema. Highlights include:

  • Cine Gear Expo LA, NY, & ATL – Exhibitor Director (2015, 2017 – Present)
  • TD Events – Events Assistant (2017 – Present)
    • Oscars Governors Ball
    • Emmys Governors Ball 
    •  ADG Awards 
    • Politicon 
    • Disney DCPI Booth at D23 (2017)
  • Lightbox Expo – Exhibitor Floor Lead (2019), Discord Moderator (2020)
  • LA Times Festival of Books – Operations Bookworm (2016 – Present)
  • HauntX – Exhibitor Coordinator (2019)
  • WhedonCon/Hellmouth Con – Assistant to Vendor Manager (2019, 2022)
  • Politicon – Exhibitor Coordinator (2016)
  • Days of the Dead LA – Celebrity Handler / Show Floor Volunteer (2013, 205)
  • LA Horrorfest – Ticketing Volunteer (2012)

Screamfest is the largest and longest-running horror film festival in the U.S. I have been a proud volunteer with this festival since 2013. The event highlights horror filmmakers from around the world for 9 crazy days each October.  They also host monthly Fears & Beers movie nights with classic horror favorites.

Recently, I have also been their Volunteer Coordinator. I oversee a group of 20+ horror film fans who work together to support the fest. It is a joy to have worked with such kind and dedicated team members for all these years. Plus I get to meet new friends each year! 

Looking for something scary to watch? Check out their Youtube channel or read some of my past Film Friday posts:

My History of Halloween & Horror: Haunt Industry

Rounding out my experience in the horror/Halloween world is having worked in professional haunted attractions.

Delusion

I spent a season with Delusion for their production of “Masque of Mortality” in 2013. Over the summer I helped build/paint/set up the venue and then worked behind the scenes for the finale room for the haunt’s limited-time run. This was my first taste of the professional haunt industry. I loved how it blended a haunted house and theatrical production. Watching how each group and performance was timed to allow actors to weave from scene to scene was awe-inspiring. I have heard that I can briefly be seen at work in the behind-the-scenes footage of Delusion in the special features of the Haunters: The Movie DVD. Let me know if you spot me!

Universal Studios Hollywood: House of Horrors

In 2014 I was able to call Dracula, the Wolfman, and Frankenstein’s Monster colleagues while working at Universal Studios Hollywood as a House of Horrors Attraction Host. I enjoyed entering the lot every morning, donning a uniform with a Dracula or Frankenstein poster image on the back, and helping to scare the living daylights out of tourists. Adding little flourishes to the safety spiel was a highlight of my day: “Please remember to hold onto everything you do not want to lose while in the attraction – such as hats, glasses, loved ones…”

I also loved to tease the scaredy-cat of each group. They would typically cling onto someone at the back and as they entered the attraction, I would whisper, “Our monsters like the ones at the back the best”. 

Haunted Attraction Network

After working with Philip Hernandez at ScareLA, I admired his dedication to the haunt industry and the way he truly wanted to help haunters spread the word about their events. Philp’s Haunted Attraction Network is the leading news resource for haunted attractions. Reaching up to 100 million people, HAN informs, connects, and educates a wide global audience from enthusiasts to professionals. Since 2020 I have been a regular contributor to the website & weekly newsletter. You can also see me featured in a few of our videos (like Springtopia LA) and podcast episodes. Subscribe to the HAN weekly newsletter to read my weekly news updates. 

I Love My History of Halloween & Horror

My history of Halloween & horror has touched every aspect of my day-to-day life from family to friends to my career. I have experienced every facet of the industry – content creation, events, haunts themselves, and more. These experiences have given me unique insights into the industry, and help me to highlight the best of the best.This blog is an opportunity for me to share news, events, and more that promote horror and Halloween. I hope to bring together other like-minded fans and creators so we can become a unified community of the macabre and spooky. After all, I truly believe Halloween is not a holiday you celebrate alone. Stay spooky, and stay tuned for more on TheHorrorOfBeingEmily.com.

Want to know more about me?

Emily Louise Rua on IMDB

Read My Short Stories in Haunters Tale: Volume II

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I

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Categories
Emily News

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I

My History of Halloween & Horror: Part I

The Horror of Being Emily serves as a creative outlet for my love for all things scary and spooky. I hope that through sharing news, recommendations, and opinions I can spread awareness for talented artists and vendors, promote Halloween, and empower others to join the Halloween & horror community. There are many amazing blogs covering these topics already, so what makes my perspective different or suggestions credible? I am fortunate to have experienced the Halloween & horror industry as both a fan and a professional. I really do add spookiness to all aspects of my life! So to help you understand my perspective on this interesting world, here is my history of Halloween & Horror:

Homemade Halloween Costumes Sparked Creativity Early

Every child loves Halloween, but my parents went above and beyond to foster my love for the holiday and all the creativity that comes from it. From my first Halloween, my Mom created intricate handmade Halloween costumes and accessories. (She would later become a professional costumer & seamstress.)

Little Emily Godzilla on Her First Halloween in a Costume Made by Her Mom

She took inspiration from popular costumes and my interests over the years to craft unique costumes with attention to detail. When I was a witch as a toddler, she made a matching handmade doll for me to carry. When I couldn’t decide whether to be Daisy Duck or a princess, the Princess Daisy Duck costume was born.

Two images of "Princess Daisy Duck" and an image of my second Halloween costume, a witch with a matching doll.

The process to create these costumes took weeks, sometimes months. She would start with sketches, create a mock-up, and then use fabric, foam, and wire to make costumes that grew more elaborate each year. No idea was too silly or out of reach – although some took more planning and interpretations than others. Even peculiar requests like being our family’s black cat, Colette Uno Rua (a.k.a. “Pookie”), resulted in a fantastic giant cat costume.

A homemade black cat costume. Our black cat (right) for scale.

These early lessons not only gave me basic sewing skills that continue to assist me in my creative efforts, but also taught me how to look at things a different way. And come up with unique solutions on a budget!

Fated For Horror From the Start

My Dad is a life-long horror fan and couldn’t wait to pass along that love as soon as I could watch movies & tv. Very early on he introduced me to the best monster movies ever made: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman, and Godzilla. I knew all their characteristics and weaknesses by heart in case I ever met one out in the field. My Dad and I watched horror movies on broadcast tv, VHS, and even old 8mm film prints on a dusty old projector.

By the time I was four, I had rented Chopper Chicks in Zombietown so many times from our local video rental shop, my Dad decided to just start buying movies to save money. Thus our horror, sci-fi, and fantasy film collection began. We bought all sorts of spooky films beginning with VHS tape and transitioning to DVDs and Blu-rays as technology progressed.

As of March 2021, our main collection is nearing 3,000 titles. I have my own, 600+ film collection (with many duplicates) as well, since it is hard to borrow films when I live across the country.

As I grew older my Dad and I started to go to every horror movie convention within 8 hours of Western New York and he introduced me to filmmakers, makeup artists, and actors. He encouraged me to make my own films, enroll in afterschool writing courses, and pursue art.

Lessons in Creating the Fantastic

When I was about six years old, I wanted a swing set – one of those rickety PVC pipe swings with a metal slide attached. So my dad went above and beyond to make something wonderful. He researched all the playgrounds in Western New York, had me describe my fantasy play area, and then built me a two-story castle. It contained swings, a curly slide, tunnels, a climbing net, a playhouse, puppet theater, and working drawbridge. Where others may have taken the easy route, my Dad created an extraordinary world for the imagination to thrive. That experience transformed my understanding of what was possible. It showed me that we can make the world a fantastic place through hard work and creativity.

My father also taught me about building fantastic places through my favorite part of the Halloween industry – haunted houses. I cut my teeth on haunted attractions with The Haunted Catacombs in Buffalo, New York and a variety of year-round horror wax museums in Niagara Falls, Canada. When available we also took lights-on tours to see how the monsters were made and the sets constructed. Then, each year I could choose one haunt within a 7-8 hour drive to visit. We traveled to the Eastern State Penitentiary, Spooky World (Foxboro, Massachusetts), haunted hayrides in Canada, and more. I am thankful we were able to see so many unique styles of haunts and now classic attractions. From professional to home haunts, there was always something to learn and inspiration for future projects.

Becoming a Horror Filmmaker

A post production supervisor in her natural habitat.

I am forever grateful for the help and guidance of my professors, and their patience as I turned in project after project with odd themes and characters – everything from monsters under the bed to a peculiarly possessed chair. Film school is not essential to becoming a filmmaker, but for me this opportunity helped me to refine my craft and give me the scholarly tools to add depth and meaning to my works.

Why My History of Halloween & Horror Matters

My history of Halloween & horror – especially these early years – has shaped my approach to the holiday & genre. I will always associate Halloween and horror with creativity, family, and endless possibilities. I create this blog to highlight news, events, and more that I find noteworthy. Having spent my entire life researching, enjoying, and participating in these areas, I strive to sift through the enormous amount of information and content out there so you can find some of the best in one place: TheHorrorOfBeingEmily.com.

Stay spooky!

 

Want to know more about me?

Emily Louise Rua on IMDB

Read My Short Stories in Haunters Tale: Volume II

Follow My Latest Film – 9 Ways to Hell

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Games Legends & Lore Other Games

Hyaku Monogatari – One Hundred Candles

Hyaku Monogatari – One Hundred Candles

Hyaku Monogatari – One Hundred Candles (also referred to as “One Hundred Stories” – a literal translation from Japanese), is a traditional Japanese parlor game. Traditionally played on the eve of a full moon in the summer (a time Japanese folklore names as ripe with spirit activity), the game consists of a group of friends telling scary stories, and legend dictates that the evening culminates with the appearance of a spirit.

The exact origins of the game are unknown; records of the game can be found as far back as the 1600s, but the game is believed to be far older than that. Historians believe that the game originated among the samurai class as a test of courage. The book Yurei Attack! The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide by Hiroko Yoda and Mike Alt suggests that based on the name, “Hyaku Monogatari”, the game may have been based on a supposedly true story of an 11th century invasion of Kyoto by supernatural beings, “The Hundred Demons’ Night Parade”.

The tales of the supernatural and folklore that were told during these games became known as “kaidan”

Supplies

The game requires the following elements:

1. 100 candles – they must be slow-burning and able to stay lit for up to eight hours

2. A space with three rooms or two rooms with a long, dark hallway separating them

3. A group of friends with 100 scary stories to tell between them

4. A low table

5. A mirror

6. In the earliest versions of the game all the players must wear blue robes or clothing. In modern times, this requirement has been dropped, though there have been fewer spirit sightings in modern times – best to keep as close to the original as possible!

Playing Hyaku Monogatari :

For the initial set-up, pick one room to make comfy for your guests and another (preferably far away down a dark corridor)to fill with 100 candles. In the candle-filled room, also set up a low table and a mirror. Make sure this room is as dark as possible, so the only light will come from the lit candles. Right as your party begins, light all the candles.

The group arranges themselves in the non-candle-filled room and each participant will take  a turn telling the scariest story they can think of. Stories can be about ghosts, monsters, real-life horrors, etc. Each story should only be about 3-5 minutes in length (as you have 100 to get through in the evening – this game does take about 8 hours of your night).

After each story, the teller must walk alone to the candle room and extinguish one candle flame.  He or she must then kneel by the table and look into the mirror for one minute. This might not seem like a challenge for the first few trips, but as the night wears on, the room becomes darker and the scary stories begin to put one in a fearful state of mind.

After the 100th tale and the final candle is extinguished, the spirits are said to appear in the mirror. Will your group be brave enough to face them? Many groups choose to end their evening at the 99th tale to avoid welcoming the spirits into their homes.

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Categories
Legends & Lore News

Friday the 13th 2015

Friday the 13th 2015

Friday the 13th is considered by most to be the unluckiest day of the year. In 2015, we have three Friday the 13ths to survive; a rare situation – most recently, it occurred in 2012 and it will not occur again until 2026.

In celebration of this superstitious day and paraskevidekatriaphobists everywhere, here are a few of the most common legends and lore associated with Friday the 13th:

Origins of 13 as an Unlucky Number

Thirteen is often considered an unlucky number in many cultures. In Christian mythology, thirteen men gathered at the last supper – with the thirteenth guest, Judas Iscariot, betraying Jesus shortly thereafter. (Coincidently, Jesus was then crucified on a Friday).

Norse mythology also includes an unlucky dinner celebration by 12 gods and a 13th party crasher, Loki, god of mischief and trickery.

Another theory of why thirteen is shrouded in so much superstition is its relation to a “complete” number, twelve. We have twelve months, our day is divided into two twelve hour segments (a.m. and p.m.), there were twelve apostles,  twelve gods of Olympus, twelve tribes of Israel, etc. Thirteen adds one more to this perfect number, breaking the completeness.

Friday as an Unlucky Day

Maritime folklore deems Friday as an unlucky day in general (regardless of the numerical day of the month it falls on). Sailors believed it an ill omen to begin a voyage on a Friday.

Christianity has many examples of the unluckiness of Friday. Aside from being the day on which Jesus was crucified, Christian mythology also places these events as occurring on Fridays: Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden, the death of Adam and Eve, and the destroying of the Temple of Solomon.

Predating these Christian beliefs, even Norse mythology has a slight aversion to the day. The day was named after the Norse goddess Freyja (also known as Frigg), the goddess of love, beauty, wisdom, war, death, and magic. Most likely because of the connection to war, death, and possibly magic (which usually wasn’t filled with cute unicorns and happiness in those days), Fridays were considered poor choices for weddings.

Actual Events Occurring on Friday the 13th

So, is the 13th actually an unlucky day? Of the many scientific studies on the subject, none have factually proven that the day is “unlucky”. Of course, if you become overly paranoid and frantic, you do risk in creating a self-fulfilling prophesy, but there are not concrete links to increase in “unlucky” accidents on Friday the 13th.

However, history does have some varified morbid occurrences on Friday the 13th. For example, on a Friday the 13th in 1307, King Philip IV of France raided the homes of the Knights Templar and arrested thousands of men (a very bleak and horrific occurrence). Additionally, Tupac Shakur, Julia Child, and Tim Russert (beloved news anchor from Buffalo, New York) all died on a Friday the 13th.

In the end, we all have our own beliefs and superstitions. To some Friday the 13th is a horrible day filled with nervousness and fear, to others, it is just a regular end of the workweek day. Either way, I hope that you have a wonderful day today and only a few black cats cross your path.

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