The 2010 edition of the San Diego Comic Con International exploded on the scene July 22nd, as colorful and spectacular as the nightly fireworks display over the city’s Sea World park, threatening to burst the fortress-like walls of the San Diego convention center as over 126,000 fans packed the building and Famous Monsters of Filmland was there in the heat of the action!
Little could Comic Con founder Shel Dorf have imagined that the convention would grow to such monstrous proportions when he organized “The Golden State Comic Con” in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel back in 1970. Comic books are still the heart and soul of Comic Con, but over the years as the convention has grow
n, it has embraced related media like magazines, toys and Hollywood, itself, where the studios roll out news about their big, upcoming titles. And the late, founding Editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine Forrest J Ackerman would have undoubtedly been proud to see and hear about the re-birth of his beloved periodical, and the fact that news of future plans for the FM brand vied for fan excitement, on par with the excitement generated by things like the announcement of the final cast of the AVENGERS movie!
NO REST FOR THE FM TEAM
Fresh and invigorated from their own Famous Monsters Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana a short two weeks earlier, the FM crew, led by Publisher/Owner Philip Kim, Editor-In-Chief Michael Heisler, and Editor Jessie Lilley, collectively and tirelessly spoke with thousands of fans that visited the FM booth over the five day event.
FAMOUS MONSTERS IS BACK—BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER
Fans eagerly approached the FM booth and picked up copies of Famous Monsters numbers 250, the special tribute issue to Forrest J Ackerman, and 251, the official re-launch issue. Comic Con was the only place readers could get all of the fabulous variant covers under one roof if they wished. Eyes popped and jaws dropped as fans who remembered the magazine from their childhood approached the FM booth, recognizing the famous Famous Monsters logo. All had stories and fond reminiscences to share of which issue was their first, found at their respective local drug store magazine racks. Fans who are now parents delightfully showed the new Famous Monsters off to their children, introducing a whole new generation to their favorite monster mag. Famous Monsters and it’s fans may have grown up, but the child within has remained very much alive!
As magazines, posters, t-shirts and FM-branded apparel flew off the tables and shelves, the FM booth was visited by many stars and celebrities through-out the convention. Longtime fans of every stripe in entertainment, like writer-director Frank Darabont, wrestler Jerry Lawler, actor D.B. Sweeney and many other stopped by to wish the new venture and re-launch well. Lucky fans could have Bela Lugosi, Jr. or FM cover artist William Stout autograph their magazines or prints of FM covers for free.
BEYOND THE PAGES OF FM: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT
But the big
news concerning Famous Monsters could hardly be contained as rumor swirled to such a degree that Harry Knowles (of Ain’t It Cool News) had to blurt out an announcement at the Expendables panel he moderated on Thursday, just moments before introducing stars Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis to avid action fans: that he, himself, the one-and-only Harry Knowles, has become Editor-In-Chief of the Famous Monsters of Filmland website! The agreement between Knowles and FM publisher Philip Kim was signed at the FM booth earlier in the day, creating a memorable historic moment for fans present to witness it. Although it’s too early to reveal details about the FM website under Knowles editorship, expect on all-new Harry Knowles, very different from the one we’ve come to know and love at Ain’t It Cool News. As Knowles himself wrote at his site recently, “What you’ll see is a lot of Passion for the classics…To create a place for Families, Kids and Geeks like us (to) share a loving passion for the fantastic odd things that make us all the nieces and nephews of FJA (Forrest J Ackerman).” 
(left to right) FM website Editor-In-Chief Harry Knowles, Philip Kim.
The news of Knowles stewardship of the Famous Monsters website (to be launched in October, coinciding with Fantastic Fest) was elaborated upon during the FM panel discussion on Friday afternoon.
The FM panel, moderated by yours truly, included the FM team of Philip Kim, Michael Heisler and Jessie Lilley and special guests Bela Lugosi, Jr., artist William Stout, film producer Ted Chalmers, and filmmaker Joe Moe.
Editor-In-Chief Michael Heisler revealed the fabulous cover art for upcoming issues 252 and 253, respectively, and teased the audience with hints of the rich content to come. A rousing discussion with future website editor Harry Knowles ensued, with talk of the synergy and relationship that the website will have with the print magazine. Again, no detailed plans were revealed as all is “top secret” at the moment, but the relief of finally being able to talk about the FM website after months of negotiations was palpable and felt by all on the panel.
The connection to FM’s past was touched on with humor and reverence when FM’s unofficial Ambassador of classic horror, Bela Lugosi, Jr. spoke, along with long-time Forry Ackerman friend and caretaker Joe Moe, sharing stories with the audience and speaking of their unwavering support of the new Famous Monsters of Filmland.
As the brief hour allotted to the panel discussion sped by, FM owner Philip Kim was able to sketch some of the amazing future plans, which include (beyond the new website in October) other manifestations of FM in New Media, including the possibilities of web-based video content and a host of other FM-related projects still on the drawing table. 
(left to right) Mark Redfield and Frank Darabont at the Famous Monsters booth at Comic Con.
Famous Monsters of Filmland is back, and the future looks bright indeed for all fans of the fantastic, both in print, on the internet, and in the world of filmed media, both traditional and new.
Had Forrest J Ackerman lived to see this amazing revival of one of the most important aspects of his life’s work come this far, and reach even farther into the immediate future, I think he’d be very proud. Speaking for myself and the rest of the FM team, we’re extremely proud to continue to serve, and to keep the legacy alive for fellow fans, and for the new fans just discovering all things Famous Monsters.
-Mark Redfield
San Diego, 2010
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FAMOUS MONSTERS COMIC CON PANEL HERE!
Candidates Praise Bargaining Partnership with AFTRA and
Reaffirm Commitment to One Union for Performers
Los Angeles, (August 4, 2010) – Seeking to extend its majority coalition on SAG’s National Board of Directors, Unite for Strength today announced its slate of 35 candidates running for election to the SAG National and Hollywood Division Boards. In addition to 15 incumbent Hollywood Board members, the UFS slate features numerous first-time candidates, including veteran actor Ron Perlman and noted comedian/actor Jeff Garlin.
“I’m inspired by our candidates,” said SAG President Ken Howard, who was elected on the Unite for Strength ticket in 2009. “These are smart, dedicated SAG members who are passionate about protecting actors. They represent the diversity of our membership and I know they’ll be terrific leaders if elected.”
Referring to the joint TV/Theatrical-Exhibit A Contract talks set to begin September 27, Jeff Garlin said, “Thanks to Ken and UFS, SAG and AFTRA have teamed up to negotiate the TV and Film Contracts, putting us in a much stronger position than last time, when we were divided. It’s hard to believe nearly a quarter of SAG’s board wanted to negotiate separately again, but the key to staying strong is to elect more board members who see the importance of working together. That’s why I’m running.”
Ron Perlman added “I became a professional actor in 1973. I’ve done just about every type of work possible in this business and it’s never made sense that my jobs were covered by separate unions. With digital video fast becoming the state of the art in filmmaking, splitting work between SAG and AFTRA goes way beyond senseless; it is unacceptable. The only ones who benefit from that division are our employers and we have to put a stop to it. Performers deserve one union that covers all their work, period – and I’m running for the SAG board to help make it happen.”
Unite for Strength was formed in 2008 after then Guild President Alan Rosenberg and his Membership First allies repeatedly attacked AFTRA, leading to the breakdown of joint bargaining and a subsequent SAG contract stalemate. In response, UFS ran its first slate of board candidates in September 2008, successfully taking control of SAG’s National Board with a coalition of board members from across the country. In 2009, running on a platform of strengthening ties with AFTRA, the group won a majority of contested board seats and elected Ken Howard as SAG President and Amy Aquino as the Guild’s Secretary-Treasurer.
This year, Unite for Strength was instrumental in reviving SAG’s historic bargaining partnership with AFTRA. The group also made progress toward its goal of permanently uniting SAG and AFTRA as a single performers’ union when Ken Howard and AFTRA President Roberta Reardon established The Presidents’ Forum for One Union. Candidate and UFS co-founder Ned Vaughn noted, “Recent history has proven that competing with ourselves is a terrible mistake. Actors are facing serious challenges ahead and we need to be as strong and united as possible to protect our livelihoods – that means one union for all of us. The President’s Forum is a crucial step in that direction and I’m excited to be part of it.”
Ballots will be mailed to SAG Hollywood Division members on August 24, 2010. Ballots are due and results will be tabulated on September 23, 2010.
The candidates running on the Unite for Strength slate are:
Michelle Allsopp
Scotty Caldwell
Gabrielle Carteris
William Charlton
Assaf Cohen
Mimi Cozzens
Ellen Crawford
Bertila Damas
Patrick Fabian
Jeff Garlin
Jason George
Clark Gregg
Jon Huertas
Sam Jaeger
Clyde Kusatsu
Christine Lakin
Dawnn Lewis
Donal Logue
Gilles Marini
D.W. Moffett
Marisol Nichols
Jenny O’Hara
Michael O’Keefe
Michael O’Neill
Conrad Palmisano
Ron Perlman
Tara Radcliffe
Dileep Rao
Sarayu Rao
Woody Schultz
Bill Smitrovich
Mandy Steckelberg
Marcia Strassman
Stacey Travis
Ned Vaughn
For more information, visit www.uniteforstrength.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
"John Barrymore as Svengali" by Mark Redfield (2010)A splendid version of the ultimate psychological thriller "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" is on stage at the Spotlighters Theatre through Oct. 27.
This excellent new adaptation by the show's producer, director and star, Mark Redfield, in collaboration with actor Stuart Voytilla, is faithful to the original Robert Louis Stevenson novel. The very sophisticated, intellectual work presents, as Stevenson intended, the fascinating tale of the good and evil warring within us in the form of a good, old-fashioned mystery.
Redfield's production under the banner of New Century Theater is the best of its kind this reviewer has ever seen. All the parts are perfectly cast down to the most insignificant character.
Although originally written for the proscenium stage, the work plays well in the limited confines of the arena theater.
The classical language is vintage Stevenson. The mood is eerie, spooky and chilling. Scenes have intriguing symbolic and abstract undertones. The sparse, black-and-white surrealistic imagery designed by Redfield and carried out by scenic artist Kelly Phillips is extremely effective.
Redfield's direction is masterful -- practically flawless. Every actor has a proper attitude for his or her role and all interact beautifully -- always making important eye contact.
Timing and character development are superb and the suspense is hair-raising.
The marvelous fight sequences were arranged by Lewis Shaw.
Set in 1890 London, the play opens with the accounting of the dastardly deeds of a man called Hyde, a beastly, brutal creature without remorse or pity.
The evil Hyde, somehow, has access to the house of the kindly Dr. Henry Jekyll. Franklin Utterson, Jekyll's longtime loyal lawyer, is worried that his friend is under some dark 
threat by this man who has committed a number of foul crimes. He enlists the aid of others to unravel the puzzle.
Dr. Jekyll is a man of inherited wealth. Imbued with a deep feeling of compassion for the less fortunate, he divides his time between the poor hospital wards and his private practice.
Impressed with Darwin's evolution theories, he engages in research to determine the biological base for the good and evil in man. He wants to set loose and separate the shadowy elements of the primitive human psyche. He eventually finds these qualities in the form of the pernicious Hyde.
Redfield plays both roles. As the upright, uptight, gentle Jekyll and the horrifying Hyde crouching ape-like and wild-eyed around the stage, he is magnificent. A consummate professional artist, Redfield's attention to the finer details of his character is matchless.
Not a bad review; I have a feeling that somehow my writing partner, Stuart Voytilla, and I, always imagined the story somewhat cinematically. Working on the play, and the first year working with my theater company New Century Theater, were certainly some creatively (and personally) grand times. One of the most thrilling and satisfying in my little career. More on the play in future articles coming up.
