I arrived at the Marriott Indianapolis East around noon on Friday and found out there there was a table available for me. I figure that I could turn my visit to my mother into a business trip since I had all of my "stuff" with me for my appearance at Cinema Wasteland, the following weekend. So I go set up in the "Media Hosts" room, right next to the beautiful and "leggy" Amy Beers (WOW! Hubba, hubba!).
Working next to Amy was a lot of fun and optically rewarding, but it was hard to concentrate on my work! Of course, I just have to report that she was looking at one of my Santa photos and stated, "That pose makes it look like you have a big package!"
Later, she asked for *that* photo for our autograph exchange, so I wrote on it, "QUIT LOOKING AT MY JINGLE BELLS!"
Unfortunately, Amy was moved to another location later (Hmmm, I hope I didn't chase her off!) and then some other folks moved into her spot. Ironically, it was an online horror movie host (The Fright Channel) from the Boston area -- the irony is that I traveled over 15 hours to meet folks who normally are only 30 minutes from me! We had fun together too, and I was interviewed by Uncle Death.
I always have fun at these things and there are certain faces that I recognize from previous conventions. I saw Kitsie Duncan, Shannon & Michelle Feaster Sally (the zombie cheerleader) and the folks from the Italian Zombie Movie From Cinema Wasteland; Ken Foree (who I met at my first horror convention, Dark Xmas), Dick and Cathy Warlock (from the Darkwoods Horror Convention) and Chris Roe (who manages a number of the stars and I met at Rock 'n' Shock). I also had a chance to meet the aforementioned Eileen Dietz and Sid Haig and hung out with Beth Wren (who I met at the Famous Monsters of Filmland, last year) and Jamie Van Tuyl (who I met that weekend). I also ran into my friend David Rhoads (who was there to provide security) and almost "got lucky" with a wonderful young lady who had a fantasy about "hooking up with an older guy -- especially one that looks like Santa!"
I managed to sell some autographed photos, t-shirts, and videos and meet lots of fans and network with makeup artists, illustrators and other filmmakers -- the real justification for attending these weekend events!
"The Vampire Santa" made his usual convention appearance in the bar and convention areas on Saturday night after the dealer room closed down and was photographed with some of the convention goers. (I want to especially thank Beth Wren for running out to buy me a white shirt when I realized that I had forgotten mine!)
As is usual for me, I like to stay over Sunday night, after the convention ends. It is an opportunity to "kick back" and have a few drinks and spend some time with the actors and vendors after most of the convention goers have left and the atmosphere is "relaxed". This particular Sunday was just as much fun for me and I eventually found myself sitting with a lovely young lady and makeup artist named Donna. Naturally, I was my usual flirtatious self and one of the illustrators at the table drew a "fantasy" photo for me of Donna sitting on my lap. It was such a great drawing, I have to show it off here and thank my friend, Charles Gratner for drawing it!It was my first HorrorHound Weekend and I hope it isn't my last. I had a wonderful time and felt that I added to the experience for the convention goers as I performed my typical "roaming jester" comedy and made my Santa appearance. I don't normally pay the vendor fees at horror conventions because I have very limited income as an actor and comic. However, I will jump in my car and go to almost any event that invites me as a guest as long as my expenses are covered. I don't require a "guaranteed minimum" and only want to ensure that my travel and hotel expenses are covered and that I have a table for my memorabilia.
It is my hope to get back to Indy soon. I have recently made contact with friends from my high school class and college that have expressed an interest in seeing me appear. Perhaps the good folks organizing the Days of the Dead convention will invite me to appear in July. I've got my fingers crossed!
Sal