Mania Fest 2003: Masters of Horror Panel

Featuring Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven, Stuart Gordon, Rob Zombie, and Eli Roth

Tobe Hooper:: This was my second in-person encounter with him; let me just say that I adore Tobe Hooper. He makes me think of that cute little guy everyone knows who never quite put the 60s behind him. I'm particularly overjoyed when he refers to "dudes" and says things are "cool".  So what is Mr. Hooper up to these days? Well he just wrapped on one film, and before that finished up his own remake of the Toolbox Murders. Rumor has it he's also joined a board for a new all horror television channel, along with Wes Craven and John Carpenter. Tobe's a busy, busy boy as always, and I can't wait to see his latest projects. Note: I also can't wait to stop hearing people ask him what he thinks of the new Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake; leave the man be already.

Wes Craven: Say what you will about Wes Craven and his films, the man is pure genius. I've had a silly crush on Wes since I was about ten years old. He's very polite and professional, and has a look about him as if he's hiding some devious little secret; or maybe someone farted, I'll never know for sure. Regretfully, I was unable to attend ManiaFest's evening event featuring Wes: A screening of The Hills Have Eyes. Wes is working on a troublesome project at the moment, but promises something good in the future.

Stuart Gordon: What a jolly man! Oh my, I will have to try to sit down and do an interview with this man one of these days. You remember Reanimator I'm sure? Stuart has a booming voice, and is not afraid to speak his mind; my kind of people. He's been doing a lot of direct to video films as of late. He's hoping that his latest, King of the Ants, will get to play in theatres. Yes, I must interview him, hear that Stuart?

Rob Zombie Ahhh…the Zombie man himself. He was added fairly last minute to this panel, and I'm so glad he was. I always think of Rob as an equal, another horror fan, someone I can relate to. (Except that I'm nowhere near that cool and never will be, but a girl can dream). I remember being a young girl in the Midwest snapping photos of Rob for a music 'zine back in the White Zombie days, and check him out now; in the company of horror masters with his own film House of 1,000 Corpses. This is a beautiful thing. Rob had lots of great stories to tell and kept me laughing the whole time; whether he was talking or just nervously fidgeting and playing with his beard. He says he's finishing up the script for the House of 1,000 Corpses sequel and that he hopes to begin shooting in the beginning of 2004. I'm giddy with glee.

Eli Roth: This kid has some major energy and is a true horror enthusiast! I want some of what he's on. He knows his horror inside and out and there's nothing that warms my heart more than to see a real horror fan get out there and put out a quality horror flick and be just as excited about it as the rest of us. Of course I'm talking about his debut film, Cabin Fever. Go check it out if you haven't already, and watch out for lots of oozing, gooey, horrific goodness. Eli's got major plans with several new projects coming up, as well as his new production company for low budget horror films made the way they should be. He's teamed up with Boaz Yakin and one of my favourite people, Scott Spiegel to form Raw Nerve Productions; go Eli! I stick Eli Roth very high on my list of people I NEED to interview.

And that's pretty much a wrap for me. I had an excellent time and I can't wait to get more interviews up, hopefully with some of the above mentioned folks. -Aine

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