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Column by Heather Thompson Horror special ejfects artist Tom Savini visits UNCA Contributing Writer Meredi Wagner-Hoehn Staff Writer [email protected] Dark Days 2000 Fatience create.s true terror, Director: Marc Singer accordinj; to acclaimed horror movie actor, director and special In Dark Days, Docuraentarian Marc Singer goes effects artist Tom .Savini. underground for this hilarious and astounding docu­ "Anybody can jump up and mentary about the dozens of homeless people living go, that scare lasts like under the street by the Amtrak rails near Penn Sta­ two seconds. The best scares tion. They enter their homes through a man-sized come from suspense, when you hole covered by a rug in an alley. They live in fairly show the threat and then the hero, sturdy one-room shacks, or hou.ses. Some have elec­ which is usually a woman if it is a tricity and they use water from a leaking pipe to take horror movie," Savini said. "That showers. Most of them are former or current drug is the beginning of the scare that abusers, and through the course of the film the viewer learns about lasts all the way until the culmi­ their lives, how they got down there, how they get income and if they nation -she either escapes or the plan to leave at any time. I love this documentary, not only because of thing grabs her, or you fathom Photos Contributed by Don Diefenbach it’s subject, but because Singer was not a filmmaker. He used his own money to make this film to create a source of income for the people nothing's there behind the door Tom Savini, renowned horror .spe­ he lived with in the tunnels so that they could eventually get out. The and then the thing is behind her. cial effects artist, spoke at UNC soundtrack is all original music by DJ Shadow. There are some tough That can last a long time. Hut Asheville last Thursday in the Hu­ scenes to watch, but there are also several hilarious scenes. My favor­ you have to be careful because if manities Lecture Hall, which was you wait tLiving Dead. above, is one of Savini’s creatures Friday the Uth. Creepshow. The from the movie Creepshow. Huniinf<, The I’rowler and Ma­ Pan’s Labyrinth niac. 2006 Savini also created the Tom Director: Guillermo del Toro Hut, the Hollywood horror Savini’s Special Make-Up Ef­ expert told an audience at UNC fects Program in Pennsylvania, Pan’s Labyrinth was directed by creator of night­ Asheville last Thursday that he which is a 16-month strenuous mares, Guillermo del Toro (no relation to Benecio). was actually initially drawn to degree program. Del Toro studied makeup effects under the great Dick comedy. “They learn animatronics. Smith (The Exorcist) before becoming a director. The "1 loved the Marx Hrothers They learn hair work - most film takes place in Spain in 1944 and follows the expe­ and the Stooges. Horror was just make-up artists don’t know any­ riences of a young girl who is forced to live with her more serious and had more of an thing about hair work. Gradu­ mother and step-father (a captain of the Spanish army). effect on me when I was a kid. I ate from my school and you can In order to survive these times, she delves into a fantas­ believed that /• rankeii.stein. Ihe weave a toupee,” Savini said. tical world where she is believed to be the princess of the underworld, Wolf Man and The Mummy were Students can work not only in lost to her parents long ago. OK, it sounds like a lot it could be a bor­ real," Savini said, referencing the the film industry, but in prosthetic ing epic, but I assure you it is not. I saw this in theaters at a 4:10 p.m. ‘40s lilms from directors James labs, museums and toy compa­ showing and couldn’t get it out of my head and had to go back the same and say, ‘Sex Machine, how did Whale, George Waggner and Karl ond that you can do lots of things nies with this degree, according evening at 9:10 p.m. and see it again. The visual stimulation that one Treund respectively. “Laughing you get the bullets into the gun?’ well." to Savini. receives from viewing Pan’s Labyrinth cannot compare to anything was great, but being .scared - it I’m looking at this person and Anne Slatton. who teaches F'or a man who knows all the else I’ve seen. Yes, it’s subtitled, but if you have a problem with that did something that 1 watited to do I’m saying, ‘You know, it’s only a film genres and film criticism secrets and makes a living of cre­ then you’re already missing out on a majority of the world’s films. to people." movie,’" Savini said, referencing clas.ses at UNCA, said trying dif­ ating fear in other people, he still They can’t all cater to Americans. Ofelia, played by Ivana Baquero, is The packed Humanities lec­ characters from his films Friday ferent fields makes a professional has his nightmares. fantastic. Mercedes, maid of the captain, is played by Maribel Verdu the 13th, Halloween and From ture Hall st(K)d as evidence of stronger. Savini was a combat photogra­ of Y tu Mama, Tambien, is one of the toughest female characters I’ve Savini's extensive fan base here Dusk Till Dawn. "If you believe "It’s a natural progression as pher in the Vietnam War. seen in a long, long time and Sergi Lopez (who plays the much hated Jason is a real character walking at UNCA. an artist to try new things, espe­ "I find safety behind the cam­ captain) will send chills up your spine and not just because he gets fish "One E)f the great things ahtTut around, you’re being trained to be cially if you’re in the business era," he said. “To be there and see hooked with a knife. If you haven’t seen this...'WHY NOT? stupid." Tom (Savini) is the timeless na­ for a long time," .Slatton said. that, you have to be able to turn ture of his appeal," said mass Savini created the Jason and “Either to try to have more con­ your emotions off” Annie Hall Michael Myers characters as a communication associate profes­ trol if you’re an actor ~ you work Despite claiming reality scares 1977 sor Don Diefenbach. "In the late make-up and special effects artist; with a lot of directors and learn him the most, he lists The Exor­ Director: Woody Allen he acted as the character Sex Ma­ ‘70s and the early ‘80s, when he a lot of stuff and then you want cist, Aliens and the 1959 origi­ chine, who had a pistol strapped Annie Hall is not my favorite Woody Allen film, (it’s was really blowing the industry to try it out yourself, or you want nal of House on Haunted Hill to his groin. ^ Love and Death) but it is one of his more popular films right open, consuming it at the to take your personal experience as movies that frightened him I and it is very, very fiinny. Staring Diane Keaton as An­ time I was thinking, ‘Oh, well Savini’s resume for special and translate it into a different art most. nie Hall, and Woody Allen as Alvy Singer, a neurotic (to this is great now and then there'll effects includes 22 films; for act­ form." He labels The Passion of the say the least) comedian who falls in love with her, TTie be something later.' Jason and ing, 16 films; for directing, one Through his various positions, Christ as the horror film of the story is about the ups and downs of the relationships that zombies, I don’t know what it feature film and three television the horror Jack-of-all-trades has century. Alvy has had in the past and present. Carol Kane {Taxi, is, but just like Frankenstein and shows. learned an infinite number of ter­ Though many people write off A Dog Day Afternoon) is one of my favorite past wives Dracula, going back to the ‘30s, "My father could do any­ rifying tricks that help in the in­ the fantastical fear in horror films of Alvy as .Allison. Everyone’s favorite, Christopher Walken, plays his work from the ‘70s and ‘80s thing. He did many things. He dustry. as silly or unnecessary, Diefen­ Annie s brother and is undoubtedly one of the best characters in the is the .second wave of classic hor­ was a carpenter, a bricklayer, a "If you can make people be­ bach sees validity to zombies and film. I’ve seen this movie at least 15-20 times and it’s funnier every ror.’‘ plumber, an electrician, an artist, lieve there’s a bone structure vampires. so I grew up thinking you’re sup­ time I watch it. You’re either a Woody Allen fan or you aren’t. I am. Diefenbach not only watched under something, you can scare "It’s the roller-coaster ride posed to do lots of things well. And I don't care if he married his adopted daughter. Big deal. Mia Savini’s films as a teenager, but them. Aliens is a good example," concept. It is a safe experience So I’m a photographer, make-up Farrow slept with Satan, so they’re even, right? Annie Hall won four he afso acted as a zombie in one Savini said. and yet also scary, and they raise artist, sculptor, painter, actor, di­ Oscars, including Best Picture. Here’s one of my favorite quotes to ot them. Da\' of the Dead, in Savini has written two books, a lot of questions. These zombies rector, writer,” Savini said. “Ver­ entice you, You know, I was having lunch with some guys from NBC, 1985. Grande Illusions and Grande Il­ are metaphors for something else. satility is frowned upon in the so I said, ‘Did you eat yet or what?’ And Tom Christie said, ‘No, jew?’ “Ja.son's a hero. Michael My- lusions II, that both explain his They’re saying profound state­ industry. If you can do one thing Not ‘Did you?’...jew eat? Jew? You get it? Jew eat?” er’s is a hero. It’s amazing, they secrets and magic tricks of the ments about our own culture, our (fans) will come up to my table well, they don’t believe for a sec­ trade. Any of these flicks sound good to you? own lives." Check them out at Ramsey Library. URTV offers unique showcase of local talent Alexandra Minor definite community there. Someone gineer. As varied as Mount Dun­ Staff Writer is always willing to help you with chian area, as far as it being rich m [email protected] geon’s material are, so are the peo­ your show,” said Megan McKis- culture, the new and the old seem ple who make up its crew. sack. Mount Dungeon’s 28-year- to be coming together,” Blackwell “John Blackwell our sound guy URTV’s Mount Dungeon old video jockey and video editor. said. broadcasts a handpicked selection Robin.son said except for mi­ was working in rock clubs before Mount Dungeon airs new epi­ of ItKal bands, bringing viewers you and I were bom," Howard sodes Thursday nights at 11 P-^’- nor sponsorship, the crew works said. eclectic studio performances, ex­ completely on a volunteer-basis, Some upcoming shows will fea­ perimental background video foot­ although its members display a se­ Howard said his method of in­ ture Stephanie’s ID, Ear Pwr and age and interviews. rious time commitment to the proj­ terviewing varies with each band the Ahleuchatistas. “There wasn’t any other show ect, and possess a range of relevant depending on their level of seri­ Thursday, Mount Dungeon like this on television as far as I professional expierience. ousness and his level of prepared­ will hold a viewing of The Se­ knew, and I thought we might as “Megan says she spends 10 ness, since as he pointed out, all cret B Sides from the show at the well be the people to jump on­ hours a week editing. She does the interviews happen in their Asheville Pizza Brewing Com­ spare time. board and be the first to do it." said the most work out of any of us, I pany on Merrimon Avenue at Ben Robin.son. Mount Dungeon's would say. She does all the edit­ “I have discovered that you can p.m. 29-year-old prixlucer. who said he ing, all the background and color IXlOTO CONTRIBITED Bl’ J.J. JaC'KSON, PHOTOGRAPHER FOR MOVNT DuNGEON get much better answers out of a “It would be great if tnoK came up with the show the day he correction. She makes sure every­ motivated female singer-songwrit­ UNCA and Warren Wilson stu­ heard URTV would open. Above, Matt Howard. Mount Dungeon's host, left, interviews Blue Col­ er, than you can out of a pack of thing kxiks right," Robinson said. lar (irove, a local band. dents got involved with the sta Mount Dungeon functions as Each show takes roughly a 20-something dudes,” Howard tion,” McKissack said. said. a no-budget prixluction. which month and a half to finish. A Hat McKissack said. and does camera work on Mount URTV largely makes possible lighting scheme enables evenness In order to ensure continually Dungeon. The deeper relevance of Mount through subsidized studio space. across the blue screen. All other unique programming on Mount The crew said they hold no fa­ Dungeon seems to lay in the moti­ Eor more information or URTV’s Web site ranked Mount elements are added during post- Dungeon, the musicians selected voritism among past bands they vated attitude of its producer and to watch past episodes, Dungeon as the station’s most well prtxluction. represent a variety of genres. have featured. staff, and their faith in the local head to the show’s Web site at received show of last year. "I think that the show comes off "Well, whatever band lobbies ”I like all the bands. They’re music scene of Asheville. http:llmountdungeon.com. “URTV’s facilities are really as psychedelic becau.se of the use the hardest to get on does. We try automatically my favorite band for “There’s a whole lot going on Eor information on state of the art for a U)wn this size. of the older graphic styles and just and go for eclecticism. We don’t being on my show," Robinson said. in the music world in Asheville. I how to be featured as a musician They have a fully functioning tele­ the visual information overload of w ant the same type of bands week Other crew members include think that the quality of music has or band on Mount Dungeon se vision studio from cameras to great the moving background images after week. ” said J.J. Jackson, who Matt Howard, the show’s host, improved steadily during the past message via Myspace, computers to do edit;..p. and the performance of the b. a. r k- '' c 'laiid ^elections and John Blackwell, the sound en­ few years. The historical back­ at http.i/www.myspace.comJmoun ground for music from the Appala- dungeon.