Over a dozen stars and directors of Horror & Sci-Fi movies came to Topeka Friday morning to promote their movies and a local film festival. Photos and interviews were held at The Break Room, 911 S. Kansas Ave. The group had a lot of fun laughing and joking with each other, and talking about their movies and upcoming projects, as they were interviewed by Billy Wonka (aka Chris Schultz).
Jules Theresa and Jason Brooks, stars of Friday the 13th Vengeance, talked about the upcoming release of the movie. A portion of the movie will be shown at the film festival Friday evening. Brooks will be doing photo ops in costume as Jason from Friday the 13th Vengeance.
Jules Theresa and Jason Books talked about their new film, Friday the 13th Vengeance.
Suzanne Snyder, who arrived from California with her fellow star Jill Schoelen, has been in several movies (Weird Science, Killer Clowns From Outer Space, Night of the Creeps, Fools Rush In) and TV shows, including Silver Spoons, Riptide, and Seinfeld. The two also have a current project together, a show called Sugar and Scream.
Jill Schoelen, left, and Suzanne Snyder talked about their films and a new project they are working on. At right is local director Gary Piland, of Roaring Rat Films.
The various celebrities came from places like Seattle, Philadelphia, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco and Columbus, OH. Many knew each other from various movies, but some were meeting for the first time. For many, it was their first trip to Kansas. Unlike some Hollywood stars, they were a down-to-earth bunch of folks who seemed to really enjoy their visit to Topeka, including a trip to the Evel Knievel Museum.
It was noted by one in the group that they are not Hollywood Box Office Stars, and mostly are in it “for the love.” But there are many loyal fans who love the movies and will show up to see them in person.
It’s all part of the 15th Annual Slash and Bash Horror/Sci-Fi Film Festival, brought to you by Keith “The Critic.” This year promises to be the biggest ever, as the event includes over 20 movies, plus movie shorts and personal appearances by over 20 Horror & Sci-Fi stars and directors.
Suffice it to say there will be a lot of “terrible” and “horror-ific” fun going on tonight and Saturday in Lawrence!
The event is being held at the DoubleTree hotel, 200 McDonald Drive in Lawrence, Ks. Movie showings begin Friday at 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday, then 9 a.m. Saturday until midnight. Saturday will also include talks by celebrity guests.
The film stars and directors have come in from all over the country, and attendees will be coming from several states as well. Some attendees are also expected to be in “Cosplay” costume.
The list of stars & celebrities who will be present for autographs and pictures include:
Paul T. Taylor – Hellraiser Judgement
Destinie Orndoff – Red Eye
Jason Lively – Night of the Creeps
Ali Ferda – The Sleeper
Kent Wagner – The Walking Dead
Jill Whitlow – Night the Creeps
Tristan Clay – Red Eye (Director)
Todd Sheets – Clownado Writer/Director
Jill Schoelen – The Stepfather
Jessica Cameron – Truth or Dare
Steve Marshall – Night of the Creeps
Suzanne Snyder – Night of the Creeps, Killer Clowns from Outer Space, Weird Science
Kitten Rose Ramirez –
Terrible Tim – Drive In Movie Maniacs
Antwoine Steele – Clownado
Dilynn Harvey – Clownado
Allan Keyser – Night of the Creeps
Jules Theresa – Friday the 13th Vengeance
Joe Manco – The Torturer
Many short films have been submitted and several have been selected for showing, including the Award Winning ’Dead Celebrities.’
The film showing schedule is as follows:
Jules Theresa – Friday the 13th Vengeance
Aug. 16th
6:15 p.m. – The Stepfather
8:00 p.m. – Night of the Creeps
9:40 p.m. – Hellraiser Judgement
11:10 p.m. – Red Eye
12:50 a.m. – Piranha
2:30 a.m. – Tucker & Dale vs Evil
4:10 a.m. – Maximum Overdrive
5:50 a.m. – Nightmare Sisters
Aug. 17th
8:00 a.m. – The Ghost and Mr. Chicken
9:15 – Interview with Suzanne Snyder, star of Weird Science
9:40 a.m. – Weird Science
11:15 a.m. – Slash and Bash Short Movie Showcase
12:30 p.m. – Hell Town
1:30 – Interview with Ali Ferda, star of The Sleeper
2:10 p.m. – The Sleeper
3:15 – Photo opp with “Jason Voorhees”
3:50 p.m. – Zombie Tattoo Parlor
4:30 – Interview with Jill Schoelen, star of Popcorn, When A Stranger Calls Back
5:00 p.m. – Popcorn
6:40 p.m. – Little Spark Films
7:20 p.m. – Truth or Dare
8:30 – Interview with Jules Theresa and Jason Brooks, stars of Friday the 13th Vengeance
9:00 p.m. – Friday the 13th Vengeance
10:30 – Interview with cast of Clownado, including local star Dilynn Harvey
10:40 p.m. – Clownado!
Admission is $20 at the door for both days, or $10 for Friday only, and $15 for Saturday only.
Sponsors and Vendors include Metro Voice, TV25, 785 Magazine, Health & Wellness Magazine, EverythingTopeka.com, Drive-In Movie Maniacs, Vintage Stock, Rees Fruit Farm, Topeka BluePrint, Jerimiah Allan/Keller Williams Realty, Healing Smiles, Twisted Vines Winery, KC Horror Club, Allan-Coleman, Big Time Bail Bonds, DoubleTree, Roaring Rat Films, Topeka Haunted Woods, Forest Park Retreat Center, WREN Digital Media, Local Media Collective, Pat the Plumber, Atomic Cotton, Configuration Boxes, Tatting by Liz, AHA Moment Marketing and Social Butterflies from Kansas.
Other film festivals from Keith The Critic are coming up:
- Slash ‘n Bash Topeka – October 25 – 26, 2019, at The Break Room, Topeka
- Alfred Hitchcock Double Feature – October, at the Haunted Woods in Topeka
- It’s A Wonderful Life and The Grinch – December, at Rosewood Event Venue, Topeka
Behind the whole event is Keith “The Critic” (Keith Van Sickle) who began his career as a film critic nearly 25 years ago, giving reviews on WIBW radio and later Country Legends 106.9, where he was also the promotions director and morning show producer. He joined forces with Randy Guzman creating “The Aisle Seat” which had a successful run on KTWU. Topics spanned from recently-released movies to local entertainment to celebrity interviews; talking to some of the biggest names in the industry including Tom Cruise, Billy Bob Thornton, Will Farrell and Dakota Fanning.
For questions email Keiththecritic@hotmail.com or visit www.slashandbashfestival.com.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice News
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