WONDEFEST 2010: Predators, Zombies & More! I can finally talk about it!

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

Hey Guys,

I've been working with Dave Connover and Donnie Waddell at WONDERFEST over the last few years. This year some of my programing ideas have become a reality, and I've been dying to share them with you guys for months, but I wanted to wait until the website was updated and the guest list was 100% confirmed.

I've been buddies with Harry Knowles at Ain't It Cool News for about 10 years, so this year I dropped his name in the hat as a Wonderfest guest. He has always wanted to meet Bob Burns (in fact, he's almost a junior version of Bob), so I thought we might be able to kill two birds with one stone. When I visited Austin in December to attend his annual Butt-Numb-A-Thon I was able to talk to him about it in person. Not only is he a major model kit fan, but so are his friends, director Robert Rodriguez and Nimrod Antal, director of the new "Predators" film. They wanted to come too!

So this year we'll be getting an advanced preview panel on "Predators" two months before its release date thanks to Harry, Robert, Nimrod and Greg "Mr Awesome" Nicotero. That means Greg may be showing us cool Predator masks, props and who knows what else! There is also a planned "Attack of the Superfans" panel with Harry, Greg and Bob Burns! If that weren't enough, we'll be doing a Dan O'Bannon tribute with several "Return of the Living Dead" cast members and production designer William Stout. Need more cool stuff? Not a problem. Cortlandt Hull and Dennis Vincent from the Witches Dungeon will be debuting their new documentary, "THE AURORA MONSTERS: The Model Craze That Swept the World!" on DVD for you to purchase at the show! It's hosted by Zacherley and features the only interview ever with artist JAMES BAMA.

Word I'm getting on the street is that Cortlandt and Dennis have recently discovered a guy who worked at Aurora that nobody knew about that has an amazing stash of unproduced Aurora artwork and prototypes, including Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless! So they may be bringing that stuff as well!

All of this and more! Even though Robert Rodriguez's name isn't officially on the website yet, he has already expressed interest in coming. This will be a first convention appearance for Robert, director of such films as "Terror Planet," "Sin City" and "From Dusk Til Dawn" among many others and we are thrilled to have him join our little family. He's currently very busy making "Machette", producing "Predators" and developing new projects and we know his time is valuable, so perhaps Dave Connover is waiting to make sure his schedule is free to commit to the weekend. As you know, working industry professionals are very busy!

I'm also happy to report that fantasy artist Ken Kelly is returning. If you're a KISS fan, you know Ken's work very well. All other Wonderfest family members and lurkers in the Old Dark Clubhouse will be here again this year too! You know who you are! This includes the illustrious Raymond Castile and the UMA! Much more info to follow!

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

Check out the website for further guest info:

http://wonderfest.com/guests.html#NimrodAntal

Stay tuned. There's much more in the works. Screenings of "Return of the Living Dead" (in Louisville, the city where it all took place!) with cast members in attendance! A possible Dr Gangrene Horror Host show! Rondo Awards!

I'm not kidding. There's so much cool stuff in the works that it boggles the mind! This could be the Wonderfest to end all Wonderfests!

[Jscareshock]

That is one show I keep meaning to attend.  WOnderfest, I'll get there yet.

The COrtlandt Hull and Dennis Vincent AURORA docmenatry will be well worth the trip.  I saw some edits from the piece and it is way fantastico!!

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

Wow, I didn't expect this little interest in discussing Wonderfest here on the UMA. I hope this isn't a harbinger for attendance this year, as I think this will be one of our best shows ever.

[typhooforme]

Oh, there'll be plenty of interest in W-fest!  I think maybe the March Maskfest/HorrorHound, which will be coming up before we know it, might be attracting folks' attention at present.  I'm looking forward to meeting Jim Karen at W-fest--that will be a HUGE treat!  And any time I get to spend with Bob & Kathy Burns and with Dennnis and Cortlandt is always pure gold.  The new Witch's Dungeon film is something I've been watching the progress of for some time now--it will be TERRIFIC!  The bits that have been previewed at other events are great--absolutely unique material NO ONE ELSE has!

[The Drunken Severed Head]

I'm looking forward to Wonderfest!

[michblk]

Do you think the kit level will be down due to Uni's crack down on things?

BK

[raycastile]

That sounds magnificent.  I'm looking forward to it.  Not to nitpick, but I feel I must remind everyone that the UMA Display is a collaborative effort.  The "illustrious" Raymond Castile would be a brown diaper stain without the amazing leadership, sacrifice and elbow grease provided by Terry Ingram, Jeff Prepisuch, Andy Williams, Bobby Beeman, Elizabeth Haney, Robert Taylor, Max Cheney and all the other fine folks who have helped out, like Jane, Nicole, Paul, Elizabeth's family, and John Mitchell who designed the display.

[raycastile]

Right now, my attention has to be focused on MaskFest.  We have a display to put on there.  Once that is behind us, we can worry about Wonderfest.  From a planning perspective, that is the way I have to organize my brain.  One show at a time.  After MaskFest, I'll be babbling about Wonderfest frequently, whooping people up, causing a commotion.

Oh, there'll be plenty of interest in W-fest!  I think maybe the March Maskfest/HorrorHound, which will be coming up before we know it, might be attracting folks' attention at present.  I'm looking forward to meeting Jim Karen at W-fest--that will be a HUGE treat!  And any time I get to spend with Bob & Kathy Burns and with Dennnis and Cortlandt is always pure gold.  The new Witch's Dungeon film is something I've been watching the progress of for some time now--it will be TERRIFIC!  The bits that have been previewed at other events are great--absolutely unique material NO ONE ELSE has!

[raycastile]

One more little thing.  My new short film, THE DEVIL AT LOST CREEK, will be shown at Wonderfest.  So there is another reason to attend!

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

Thanks Guys! We spend a whole year planning this stuff, and I was just bursting at the seams wanting to open the secret envelope on some the guests that I was personally involved with programing on some level. I'm looking forward to Horror Hound/Mask Fest too. They, of course, have a ridiculously awesome guest list, and the gathering of Horror Hosts looks amazing. I'll update the Wonderfest thread over the course of the next few months when I find out anything new. Thanks for the UMA support!

Rod

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

Just a little Wonderfest 2010 update: Joe Moe and Frank Dietz have been added to the guest list.

Also, the after hours films and events are looking really impressive. Co-producer Joe Moe will be presenting Bruce Dickenson's "Red Velvet" with Henry Thomas and Kelli Garner. Saturday Night looks amazing. First we'll be watching "The Aurora Monsters" documentary followed by UMA's own Raymond Castile's "The Devil at Lost Creek" topped off by a live spookshow with Dr. Gangrene who will be doing a live Chiller Cinema presention of "It Conquered the World". In the past, Dr. Gangrene has brought life-sized versions of the on-screen monsters to the stage, so I'll be holding my breath waiting to see if he attempts to recreate Beulah for us to marvel at.

Also, the Sunday Banquet promises some TOP SECRET looks at "Predators" that no one else in the world will have seen.

[michblk]

Thanks for the update Rod, I'm not sure if I'll be there, but I'm trying.

BK

[gracebuster]

It sounds like it is gonna be a GREAT time!

[MonsterArt]

It's sure to be another great Wonderfest. I'll be moderating the RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD Q&A, with my friends James Karen, Linnea Quigley and William Stout. Dr. Gangrene was missed last year, so we're very pleased to have him back this year with another whacky live show. Plus the Rondo Award ceremony and of course the UMA Display!