Candyman – ‘What scares Tony Todd most?’ Harrison asks the Candyman Star!!!
As The Candyman you scare a lot of people. If you could nail down to one thing – what scares you the most? Harrison age 15
Tony Todd – Politics is very frightening right now, particularly in the States. We have countries being divided and everything starts at the top. So I can’t wait for that cycle to refresh itself and regurgitate. That’s really frighting.
I remember growing up in the 70’s and the 80’s where people were actually more unified than now. Its really divisive.
A lot of people say that actors should shut up speaking politically. But I can’t do that because I was political first.
So I will not be silenced.
I wish there was more harmony in the world and less confusion.
Arrow FrightFest – Harrison talks Horror Movies with the FrightFest Boys, Alan Jones, Ian Rattray, Paul McEvoy and Greg Day!!!
(Photo Credit: Julie Edwards)
What film made you fall in love with the horror industry and why was it so special?
Alan Jones – It was the lurid posters that hooked me, always suggesting what they really couldn’t deliver, but you hoped they would time and again. That’s why I have a vast collection of the sleaziest and most shocking.
Horror is special because it can define us, for what scares each of us is so individual and personal. So when we meet someone to share that with, it’s a connection for life, the reason why FrightFest is such a tight community.
Ian Rattray – The Exorcist scared me silly when I first saw it. So much that I slept with the light on for a couple of weeks.
Paul McEvoy – It was DON’T LOOK NOW…..still my favourite horror film of all time…I watched it when I was far too young……the ending absolutely terrified me……I had to go and sleep in my parents bed that night as the ending played over and over in my mind……The film is an absolute masterpiece – but I still get terrified by that ending!
Greg Day – FROGS with Ray Milland. I was fourteen and had got into a late night horror bill at the then ABC in Hastings. I stuffed tissue paper into my shoes to make me appear taller.
I was transfixed and immediately fell in love with the horror genre.
If you could pick three films from this year’s FrightFest line up that defines the highest quality of Horror filmmaking in 2021 – what films would they be and why?
Alan Jones – SOUND OF VIOLENCE, THE ADVENT CALENDAR, THE SADNESS because they each move the genre into a new direction, the first two using disability in very clever and meaningful ways, the latter because just when you thought you couldn’t watch another pandemic movie, a new sexual wrinkle adds an incredible shock factor.
Ian Rattray – SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT – just because it is so much fun. BOY#5 – because something so good was made for so little. PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND – because it star Nicolas Cage and when he goes full on Nicolas Cage it is a sight and sound to behold
Paul McEvoy – A difficult one to pick just three from our bright bouncing babies…but of pushed..
DAWN BREAKS BEHIND THE EYES..a wonderful film that throws your expectations……this will look phenomenal projected up on that huge screen. THE SADNESS…which could / should be called THE MADNESS…absolute jaw-dropping insanity from start to phenomenal finish. THE LAST THING MARY SAW…a sombre, atmospheric tour de force from a sensational new talent.
But..can’t I have …KING KNIGHT / OFFSEASON/ THE RETALIATORS etc etc…
Greg Day – SOUND OF VIOLENCE – a film where sound is the vision, SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS – a true gory belter from Kazakhstan. (Think Carry on DELIVERANCE) and PRISONER OF THE GHOSTLAND – a brilliant Nic Cage aside, this is a surreal feast for the eye, worthy of Jodorowsky.
What adjective best describes the film festival and why?
Alan Jones – FABULOUS
Ian Rattray – Friendly. If you talk to others attending, they respond and many a friendship has resulted.
Paul McEvoy – EXCITING! Because as our audience have learnt overt years ..there is NOTHING better in the world than sitting in a dark room, surrounded by your friends and like minded souls watching and experiencing something together. And to any folks coming for the first time…we hope you enjoy the experience!
Greg Day – Shared. Everyone shares their experience, their warmth, their passion for the films.
Choose one aspect of the festival for why youngsters age 18-25 years love being at FrightFest?
Alan Jones – Because you always meet the genre stars of tomorrow today.
Ian Rattray – Discovery. Take a chance on some of our discovery Strand films, which are often the best films in the festival and who may just discover the hidden gem.
Paul McEvoy – Similar answer to the previous question, the atmosphere is unique, electric and SO very different to any other festival or film going experience. And we hope that it proves inspirational to young people to go out – be creative in any field and have fun doing it. Oh…and the free promo stuff! 🙂
Greg Day – The buzz. And Ian Rattray swearing on stage.
ARROW VIDEO FRIGHTFEST CINEWORLD LEICESTER SQ. LONDON (26 – 30 AUGUST 2021) – ARROW VIDEO FRIGHTFEST DIGITAL EVENT (1 – 5 SEPTEMBER) TO BOOK TICKETS CLICK HERE!!!
(Arrow FrightFest is Strictly a 18 Years + Film Festival)
Arrow FrightFest 2021 Official Digital Programme Live Now CLICK HERE!!!
FrightFest Digital Programmes 2011 – 2021 CLICK HERE!!!
Harrison talks to the Team Behind Disney’s Hotel New York The Art of Marvel!!!
Invite and Hamper of Gifts to Celebrate the Opening of the new Disneyland Paris Hotel New York The Art of Marvel!!!
Caroline May (Creative Director Walt Disney Imagineering), Thomas Muller (Set Designer Walt Disney Imagineering Paris), Pilar Hamil (Director, Disney’s New York Hotel – The Art of Marvel).
Liam Brazier (UK Artist).
Spider-Man Picture signed by Liam Brazier!!!
Harrison Enjoying his Disneyland Paris breakfast during the virtual Launch!!!
Disney’s Hotel New York – The Art of Marvel – The first hotel in the world dedicated to MARVEL artworkis open now at Disneyland Paris!!!
The Banishing – Harrison talks Ghost Stories and Religion in Horror with Director Christopher Smith!!!
If you could Direct a remake of any classic Horror – which film would you choose and why?
I’ve often thought about doing a remake of Nosferatu. I’ve always loved the design of the Count in that film. Even when it was remade with Klaus Kinski or used in Salem’s Lot, there is something inherently scary about the Nosferatu vampire. I think Nosferatu would be the perfect way to reboot the vampire genre.
Have you or anyone close to you ever had a paranormal experience and if so what happened?
No. Sorry for the boring answer but to me all supernatural events are actually events that are happening within the mind of the person. That’s why I love The Shining so much. The hotel is Jack Torrence’s mind. If someone tells me they’re haunted I take it to mean they’re not well.
I always find ghost stories far scarier to watch than slasher movies. Do you agree with this and if so what do you think it is about ghost stories that makes them so scary?
I actually find slasher movies more scary but I find ghost stories more interesting. Ghosts are essentially you being tormented by your own past. Something of the past is invading the present, just like bad memories, though in their scariest manifestation.
Why do you think religion is regularly used to enhance the scare factor of so many horror movies?
I think religion is in human DNA, whether your are a believer or not. Anything that successfully taps into that deeply ingrained belief, unsettles something within us and makes us uncomfortable. There’s also something inherently filmic about rituals of any kind.
The ending of The Banishing makes it feel very open to a sequel. Are there any plans to develop the story further?
I certainly would like to explore Harry Reed more, as I believe Shaun Harris created a really interesting character. For me the end is very much about the awakening of violence both within the characters and the world as a whole. The idea that prejudice can all too easily be dug up and harnessed within people to revolting ends.
The Pandemic has given people extra time to be creative. Has the extra time been useful to you and do you think the quality in the films made over the coming years will be better due to Filmmakers having more time to develop their ideas?
Only time will tell. I imagine there will be a spate of twisted films, although you never can tell, perhaps people are so tired of feeling miserable that swathe of comedies are about to flood the market!
Christopher Smith’s THE BANISHING HITS UK CINEMAS AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS MARCH 26TH – Review CLICK HERE!!!!
Harrison talks strange sounds and best venues to play with Flex FM DJ Jodie Weston!!!
What’s your favourite song to play as part of your DJ set and at what point in the set do you play it?
Jodie Weston – I love the song “Losing It” by Fisher, that’s always a good one to get people on their feet and great crowd engagement. I usually drop it right in the middle of my set to keep everyone involved
If you could co-produce a track with any other DJ who would it be and why?
Jodie Weston – Probably Joel Corry because he has a reality tv background like me. I think it would be a good collab!
He has a huge fan base, so the song would deffo be a massive hit!
What has been the strangest sound you’ve ever had when mixing tracks and why did it happen?
Jodie Weston – Oh sometimes the decks can play up and go into an emergency loop where the track is stuck on the same 4 beats of music and keep going round and round. Of course it always seems to happen at the worst point imaginable!
When that occurs it’s very stressful as it can be a problem with a cable around the back or a usb, but you don’t know until you try a few different things, which takes time and sometimes the cdjs need to be switched off completely or reset. It happened to me on my 3rd ever radio show and my heart sank. I tried to style it out by laughing it off which is probably the best way to deal with it. One of the team came running in to help me reboot the equipment but yeah it definitely made my heart skip a beat and I was anxious for the rest of the show!
What’s the easiest and the hardest thing about DJ’ing?
Jodie Weston – The easiest thing for me is picking the tracks because I’ve always had a good ear for music and know how to manipulate moods through music. I know which songs are going to make people happy, reflective, full of life, nostalgic etc and which songs sound good together or have a similar vibe.
The hardest part is knowing which part of the song to transition at and when to take the original track out, but after you’ve dj’d for awhile especially in a particular genre of music like I play (house), songs tend to have drops at particular points of the song and it’s always good to take the original track out just before the drop of the new song because It makes the transition to the next track really clean!
Where are your top 5 places to DJ?
Jodie Weston – I have played at embargo Republica in Chelsea that was super fun, it’s where a lot of the Made In Chelsea cast hang out!
I love DJing on radio (Flex FM) because I get to interact with the listeners and talk whilst playing my favourite songs
I played at a boat party on the river Thames just before the lockdown, that was a fun experience especially as the boat was swaying side to side!
I would love to play in Las Vegas one day as it’s my favourite city in the world, that’s the ultimate goal!
I would also love to play at Creamfields because that’s the creme de la creme Of Uk Dance Music Festivals, that place is huge!
Catch Jodie Weston’s new show ‘The Dollhouse’ on Flex FM!!!
Bugs Bunny’s 80th Birthday – Who is ‘Doc’? Harrison and Con talk to Looney Tunes Exec Producer/Showrunner Peter Browngardt!!!
What’s been the weirdest Looney Tunes Comedy idea you’ve been pitched for a Cartoon? Con age 13
Pete Browngardt – That’s a tough one. Maybe the weidest one was when Daffy and Bugs brains get exchanged. They get switched. So now they have their personalities in different bodies.
With Bugs Bunny being 80 years old – In what way is it easier to make the cartoons now and is there anything that’s harder to do with Bugs Bunny cartoons today? Harrison age 15
Pete Browngardt – It’s definitely not easier to do now. Any time you’re making a cartoon that there are classic cartoons out there from the past – it’s always very scary and challenging to try and make something that’s as good as those classics. The hardest thing is just trying to make them as good as the classics – with being able to draw the characters as well. And animate them as well and tell stories as well.
If Bugs Bunny lived in the real world what job do you think he would do? Con age 13
Pete Browngardt – That’s a good questions. The thing about Bugs is he’s so good – he would do so many jobs. So maybe he would be like a temp employee where he could work a different job every day.
Who is ‘Doc’? Harrison age 15
Pete Browngardt – I think ‘Doc’ is whoever Bugs is talking to. So it could be you, it could be me, it could be anybody if Bugs come up and talks to you. He’s referring to you as Doc!!!
Kidzcoolit:Bugs Bunny’s 80th Birthday Part 2: Con and Bex talk to the Birthday Boy Bugs Bunny CLICK HERE!!!
Kidzcoolit:Bugs Bunny’s 80th Birthday Part 1: Con and Bex talk life as Bugs with the voice of Bugs Bunny Eric Bauza CLICK HERE!!!
Catch the Birthday Boy ‘Bugs Bunny’ on Boomerang!!!
The Rifleman – Harrison Discusses The First World War, Russian Revolution and Wartime Parallels with Director Dzintars Dreibergs!!!
Do you consider ‘The Rifleman’ a World War 1 or Russian Revolution movie? Harrison age 15
Dzintars Dreibergs – There is no Russian Revolution without WW1. The great war was catalyst for people to realize the stupidity of the war in order to re-evaluate the need own rights and not living in delusional words of god like Kaisers and Czars. But foremost – I consider this to be movie of young boy during the war, the recognition how messy and unjust it has always been. At the age of 16 you have crazy jokes, need for love and the war is just some crazy background that makes you mature so much faster.
What was the most shocking fact that you learned while researching the film? Harrison age 15
Dzintars Dreibergs – How fast we forget things. I never felt how recent was WW2 – I have lived longer than its distance till my birthday, yet I never felt how close it was. We tend to forget tragic things but it brings very bad habits in not learning from our past mistakes.
None who experienced war in its core would ever consider it to be a solution to anything, however, somehow violence is still present.
And one more thing – you cannot defeat those who fight for their homes.
Have you ever heard stories from veterans from this period of the war/revolution and what was your opinion on their accounts of the hardship endured by the people of Latvia? Harrison age 15
Dzintars Dreibergs – Latvia was the battleground. There was no choice to decide – to fight or not to fight, it is just – which army will mobilize you. You fight for some ideas of crazy rulers while you just want to get back home, to family.
Riflemen met the next war after just 20 years of peace. After the Soviet occupation they never had chance to speak freely about the freedom fights during WW1 thus they were never properly honoured.
However I read all the possible memoirs, letters in order to understand them – to see how alike they were despite that they are photographed on black and white film.
When you made The Rifleman – did you expect it to have the appeal it’s had outside of Latvia? Harrison age 15
Dzintars Dreibergs – We all are same. We want to love and be loved. None of us want to experience the tragedies with our closest ones. There is no difference where the fighting occurs but I hoped that international audience would be interested to see how the war looks from the battleground.
We tried to make film – how it would feel from the first person’s view and I am happy that people around the world can associate with this young boy.
The worlds not a great place right now – what parallels can you see between now and during the period that the film is set? Harrison age 15
Dzintars Dreibergs – First, the world is in the great place now. We live better than ever. We fight for human values which is impossible mission during the war. Many memories of soldiers tell how hard it was to live with themselves after they discovered animals within themselves, we can do sad things when fight for survival becomes real.
However, the sad part is that still there are state leaders that can convince people to kill for some ideology, leaving other’s nothing else but to defend and then starting long and crazy circle of many tragedies. I hope the world can learn from the history and stop this nonsense.
The Rifleman in Showcase Cinemas 26/7/20 – Review CLICK HERE!!!
