Amanda Norman
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Up and Coming Horror Icon Bill Oberst Jr
Meet who I believe will one day become a well known horror icon, Bill Oberst Jr.
I came across Bill’s work in the demo reel featured below, which really does freak me out, but fortunately, speaking with Bill, he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with and you can see our conversation below. He’s also agreed to allow me to take his horror portrait when he’s next in the UK and I can’t wait to do this.
Bill gave me permission to use the photo above and in his own words….
‘Of all the pics I have done, this one captures who I really am best of all. I love that there is an online community where dark (but sweet) souls like you and I can be ourselves. That’s why I love being a horror actor so much. It is a place I can be who God made me to be and not worry about being judged as "weird."’
You’re not weird Bill, your HORROR acting is bloody amazing!
Q: When are you coming to the UK for your horror portrait?
A: I love your horror portraits! And I hope to be back over soon. My stepmum is from London and has a flat in Hampton Hill where my sister lives. I am a big fan of British horror and toured in THE WOMAN IN BLACK awhile back onstage. Maybe the exposure on your blog will help me book a UK film gig. I can’t wait to come back over.
Q: More and more people are calling you a horror icon, but who is yours and why?
A: Lon Chaney Sr. without a doubt. Sure, he was from eons ago and many of his films are lost, but what we have shows a true dark artist who tried to bring humanity to the monstrous; who tried to show the soul in the horrible and the beauty in the things we call hideous. That is my passion, too. It’s my goal in every role.
Q: Do you prefer gore or classic horror?
A: Classic horror hands-down. I like horror of the body and of the mind. Gore only shocks for a moment. But horror that strips us to the naked fear we all feel when we hear a noise at 3am – that’s the real stuff. Good horror is about what all humans universally fear.
Q: You told me that you would love to pose for a dark portrait of mine when you’re next in the UK. My models naturally show one of the following: – witch, vampire, werewolf or monster. What do you think my lens will reveal about you?
A: The monster yearning to be accepted. My sympathies have always been with the monster.
Q: What is it like to work with Drew Daywalt who I believe is going to be one of the greatest writer/directors in horror?
A: Drew Daywalt is one of the kindest souls you will encounter; a loving, doting father, a devoted husband, a follower of Jesus (as I am,) a good and decent man. And yet he gets behind the camera and creates such sublime horrors! I love his dichotomy. He is gifted in 1,000 ways and it is a gift from above for me to have been able to work with him.
Q: Finally, if you had one wish/dream come true, what would it be?
A: That someone somewhere might feel less alone and less strange because of my work. Humans are very cruel creatures and I am no stranger to ridicule. I would wish that by portraying the darker side of humanity, I might show that there is light. And there is hope. That is my wish and that is my prayer. Darkness recognized is danger avoided.
2010 Horror genre film demo for Los Angeles-based actor Bill Oberst Jr.
SITE: http://www.billoberst.com
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2454994/
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/billoberstjr
Update 20/07/2011
OVERTIME – Teaser 2
Here’s a 60 second teaser of the creepy, psychological movie Bill is working on now titled Overtime. What do you think?
Personally, I think it looks really good and the teaser isn’t giving anything away.
Overtime: Teaser 2 from Thomas Mentel on Vimeo.
This will be the final teaser/glimpse of Overtime until after post-production is finished. Color isn’t final by any means, but does reflect what might come to be.
What is Classic Horror?
You might have read that my photography and jewellery is inspired by my love of Classic Horror, but what is my definition of classic horror?
Simply put….
‘Classic horror are the films of yesterday that today still stand the test of time. No CGI, just music, lighting effects and a good story that together builds a powerful atmosphere that you won’t forget’.
I’ve done quite a few posts featuring my favourite classic horror movies and below is my list of classics that should never be forgotten and by no means is this list complete. I’m sure you will add yours.
It worries me when Hollywood and the like make re-makes for the younger generations with all of their CGI and 3D technology that the originals will never want to be watched by future generations. This is one of my reasons why I fully support Richard Gladman’s Classic Horror Campaign and I highly recommend that if you’re a fan of classic horror, you visit the campaign’s website and show your support. Click here for Classic Horror Campaign and look out for future double bill events coming your way and you can then join in on the fun.
Where I’ve wrote about my favourite movies in the past, they will link up to the relevant post for further reading.
This list isn’t in order of preference and feel free to add your thoughts and favourites.
Halloween
John Carpenter’s 1978 film starring Donald Pleasence and Jamie Curtis is one film that scared me simply because Carpenter created a monster called Michael that would never die. What was Michael hiding behind that mask of his?
It’s an all time classic as the music was spooky and eerie and you can’t tell me that you never jumped once when feeling compassion for Jamie’s character, hoping that she will survive. The original version of Halloween is a classic and I would be extremely disappointed if future generations only got to see the sequels.
Exorcist
Absolutely shocking and damn right scary for it’s time. Heads spinning, green puke, scary eyes and OMG that voice that you will never forget!
I can’t believe that I advised my daughter who was 19 at the time to watch this movie and she came back telling me that her and friends couldn’t stop laughing at it and that it was rubbish. OMG! What does this say about generations younger than me?
Cujo
Awwwww, what a cute little puppy….
Is something you won’t say in this film.
The little boy in this film made it for me. Remember when he was having that asthma attack and they’re trapped in the car by the rabid St Bernard that’s drooling down the windscreen just waiting to rip them to shreds? Click here for previous post titled ‘Horror No Go Zone’ for a video clip.
Salem’s Lot
‘You’ll enjoy Mr Barlow and he will enjoy you’.
I’ve wrote so much about this vampire movie made for television that I’m simply going to list the posts that feature Salem’s Lot.
The Legend of Hell House
Again, the music, the settings and that horrid black cat really make this movie an all time classic horror.
So, it’s now up to you to share your favourite classic horror movie and why.
Classic Horror Campaign Meet Up in Manchester?
As you may or may not be aware, the Classic Horror Campaign held its first meet up in London yesterday (April 22nd 2011) with a horror double bill event, which went extremely well. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend as London is too far away and very costly, but it does highlight the need for a similar event up North.
So who would be interested in coming to Manchester on a Friday?
Please let me know by replying below. If you have a problem replying here, get on Twitter (http://twitter.com/AmandaNorman) and let me know there. Alternatively, get in touch with Richard Gladman the founder of the campaign and let him know. He can be reached on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/horrorcampaign)
The meet up would be a chance to watch a great classic horror movie and to network and meet fans of classic horror in a fantastic Victorian pub, which is close to the central train stations of Manchester and has an Ibis hotel roughly 2 minute walk away if that.
The Manchester Classic Horror Venue
The Lass O Gowrie on Charles Street in Manchester, has it’s roots in cult TV and film and is the perfect setting for a classic horror event due to it’s Victorian charm. The management team are very keen to support the campaign and inform us that upstairs they have a 40 capacity seating area dedicated to screenings. For further information about the Lass O Gowrie, please visit their website by clicking here.
At this stage, I’m just sending out a feel for the event and your ideas are most welcome, so please get in touch!
What is The Classic Horror Campaign?
Remember the old films of horror that used to be presented in a double bill on BBC 2 many years ago that were introduced by Dr Terror?
We want to see the return of these films on the television and below I’ve copied a few comments from the online petition, which you can sign by clicking here.
Further information about the campaign can be found on the official website http://www.classichorrorcampaign.com
Name: Rebecca Webber on May 7, 2010
Comments: I am 31 and I LOVE these types of films, having only discovered them a couple of years ago. Bring them back so a whole new generation can see how great they are”
Name: Neil Snowdon on May 10, 2010
Comments: Without such double bills there would be no League Of Gentlemen… need I say more? We need another generation of twisted comedy writers.
Name: Steven Grainger on Mar 7, 2011
Comments: some of the best horror came out of England, let’s put it back in public eye
Name: Omar Usman on Apr 12, 2011
Comments: I think it is a good idea to bring back old horror movies so that the next generation gets to see them. With all these remakes, it is good for the next generation to see the originals.
Don’t Hide in The Closet
Is it just me or is it only American’s who have massive walk in closets that are NOT a good place to hide from the bogeyman?
We’ve seen Jamie Curtis hiding in a closet, but now that I’m trying to think of closet scenes from other horror movies, I can’t think of anything else other than Halloween. I’m sure you will come up with a few.
In Drew Daywalt’s latest horror short, The Closet, two daughters are in for a Birthday surprise off their mother.
I love the short movies that Daywalt Fear Factory produce as they all have something that makes me smile at the end. The build up to the finale is tense and the timing is spot on and often I’m left wanting more, which is a good thing. For a fan of classic horror, these short horror movies are a breath of fresh air and they shouldn’t be missed. Below are a couple of my favourites, but if you want to see all of them, visit the Daywalt Fear Factory on Youtube by clicking here.
The Bad Cookie
The Ninja Clown below was created when Drew was a member of the wonderful FEWDIO team. Please visit Fewdio.com by clicking here.