I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL at Edinburgh Fringe

To anyone in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival this year, I must wholeheartedly recommend I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL (from writer-composer Sean Matthew Whiteford and director Rachel Klein), a horror-comedy-rock musical and true love letter to the VHS era. A Faustian romp, chock full of demonic hair metal, dances to the death, teenagers making bad decisions, and extremely catchy tunes... it's giving PROM NIGHT 2, CARRIE, BLACK ROSES, and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, just one of the tightest, leanest, meanest pieces I've seen in a while. This spooktacular fugue of '80s excess opens tonight (August 3rd) and runs through August 22, nightly at 10:30p at theSpaceUK @ Niddry Street – Upper Theatre. Tickets here!

The World to Come!

I'm proud to announce a new project on which I served in the minor but inspirational role as "kitsch consultant." It's called THE WORLD TO COME, and it's an epic, episodic post-apocalyptic musical podcast series which imagines a post-internet, post-literate society having returned completely to the oral traditions, and where age-old genre fandom has achieved the urgency of religion. Different factions include the Hepburners of Whiteway (old Hollywood), the Fansci Folk of Queensrealm (Sci-Fi and Fantasy), The Criterione Collective of Soderburg (art film), the Snookis of the Real Isle of Staten (reality TV), and Los Escandalistas of Boogietown (telenovelas), among others. Written by Erik Ransom, composed and orchestrated by Andy Peterson, and directed and showrun by Rachel Klein, it's been the COVID-19 project of dozens of New York theater professionals who refused to sit idly by and wait for their industry to recover, and you can learn more about their process through this interview with the writer.

There are four episodes already available for download (of what will be season one's twelve total), and I cannot recommend it enough: it's addictive, hilarious, and sophisticated, full of grand world-building and packed with easter eggs, and it's a must-listen for anyone who ever loved anything from STAR TREK to MY DINNER WITH ANDRE to ROCKY IV. You can listen or download for free, wherever podcasts are available, or by following this link.

GIRLFRIEND FROM HELL––The Musical!

There's a new theatrical musical coming soon from my compatriots Sean Matthew Whiteford (writer), Rachel Klein (director), and Brian Campione (producer) that I must plug: it's called GIRLFRIEND FROM HELL, and it's the Real McCoy, the '80s throwback VHS madness that you deserve, equal parts ROCK N' ROLL NIGHTMARE/DEMON KNIGHT/BLACK ROSES/HELLO MARYLOU: PROM NIGHT 2/NIGHT OF THE DEMONS/etc. and some of the most fun I've had at the theater!

Spooky Fest V: The Spooky Zone Screening!

"Five more days to Halloween, Halloween, Halloween..."  If that HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH reference wasn't enough to grab your attention, then let me lay this on ya: For your consideration: on Monday, October 29th (and in a reprise showing on November 1st) there will be a screening of The Spooky Zone, the latest installment of Video Mass' Spooky Fest, a horror festival/collective I've been involved with since Spooky #1, way back in 2012. This time around, I made some writing and editing contributions to projects by Robyn Nielsen, Rachel Klein, Juliet Abtahi, and Joseph Colmenero. Get your tickets now, before they're lost between "the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge!"
Spooky Fest V: The Spooky Zone - Trailer from Video Mass on Vimeo.

When: October 29th, 2018, at 9:45 PM
Where: Syndicated Bar, 40 Bogart Street, Brooklyn, NY
How Much: $7, with tickets available here.

"The Summoners" on The Monster Channel

In association with the Philadelphia Unnamed Film Festival (PUFF), my short horror film "The Summoners" will be streaming online on The Monster Channel, an online television network whose goal is to "recreate the vibe of the great era of independent television, the local TV station, the UHF channel, the progressive public access channel of the 70s/80s/90s." The film will appear in a block of PUFF-curated films on October 17th at 8:00PM and 11:00PM, October 22nd at 12:00AM, and October 23rd at 12:00AM.

Credits for "The Summoners":
Featuring (in order of appearance) Hermes, Jillaine Gill, Katie Lee Hill, Travis Artz, Robyn Nielsen, and The Man-Beast.
Directed, written and edited by Sean Gill. Produced by Sean Gill and Rachel Klein.  Cinematography by Ryan Garretson. Music by Jesse Carlson. Costume Design and Choreography by Rachel Klein. Ms. Nielsen's Gown by Elena Kanagy-Loux. Mask of The Man-Beast by Juanita Cardenas.  Special Thanks to Dario Argento, Happy Faces, Cornelius Loy, Christopher Pike, and Jake Thomas. 

"Video Mass Mixtape #2" Screening Tonight

Described as a "screening of hidden gems, never-before-seen films," Video Mass' Mixtape #2: Rarities and B-Sides will be screening tonight, August 10th, at 9:00 PM at Videology (308 Bedford Avenue) in Brooklyn.  

Among the short films will be two by yours truly, including ESCAPE FROM STATEN ISLAND and MUSTACHE PARTY.   Admission is free!

"420 Fest: Higher Channels" Screening Tonight

420 Fest Trailer from Carl Conway Maguire on Vimeo.

Described as "an evening of late night cable television programming with a particularly dazed demographic in mind," Video Mass' 420 Fest will be screening tonight at at Videology (308 Bedford Avenue) in Brooklyn.  

Among the more than 25 short films will be two by yours truly, including FANNY THE FRUGAL FOODIE and VISIT GRAND CANYON.   Tickets are five dollars and available here, and the entire program will be screening four times: at 7:00 PM, 8:30 PM, 10:15 PM, and 12:00 AM.

THE SUMMONERS screening tonight at SpookyFest II!

It's my party and I'll die if I want to...  In THE SUMMONERS, four teens get more than they bargained for when they dabble in the occult.

THE SUMMONERS, my new collaboration with Rachel Klein, will premiere tonight, Monday, October 27th, as a part of Video Mass' Spooky Fest II.  It's a free event at Videology (308 Bedford Avenue) in Brooklyn, and the sixteen film program will be screening twice: once at 8:30 P.M., and again at 9:45. Come check it out and start yer Halloween week off right!

Credits:  Directed and Produced by Sean Gill and Rachel Klein.
Featuring (in order of appearance) Hermes, Jillaine Gill, Katie Lee Hill, Travis Artz, Robyn Nielsen, and The Man-Beast.

Written and edited by Sean Gill.  Cinematography by Ryan Garretson. Music by Jesse Carlson. Costume Design by Rachel Klein. Ms. Nielsen's Gown by Elena Kanagy-Loux. Mask of The Man-Beast by Juanita Cardenas.  Special Thanks to Dario Argento, Happy Faces, Cornelius Loy, Christopher Pike, and Jake Thomas.

Sean Gill and Rachel Klein's THE SUMMONERS at Spooky Fest 2014

Seven more days till Halloween, Halloween, Halloween....  THE SUMMONERS, a new horror short I co-directed with Rachel Klein, will be premiering on Monday, October 27th as a part of Video Mass' Spooky Fest II.  It's a free event at Videology (308 Bedford Avenue) in Brooklyn, and the sixteen film program will be screening twice: once at 8:30 P.M., and again at 9:45. Come check it out and start yer Halloween week off right!

Video Mass Presents Spooky Fest II: Video Massacre from Carl Conway Maguire on Vimeo.

THE EVERLASTING VINTAGE and GIRLS BEFORE SWINE at the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts

My time-travel horror short The Everlasting Vintage as well as my collaboration with Rachel Klein, Girls Before Swine, will be screening this year as official selections at the 19th Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts at the Theater for the New City in Manhattan.  The screening begins at 7:45 P.M. on Saturday, May 24, and the theater is located at 155 First Avenue, between 9th and 10th Streets.  This is a free event!

10 Years of Junta Juleil!

 
 Photo by Ashley Kate Adams.

A big thank you to all who performed and for those who came out to celebrate ten years of Junta Juleil!
For those who couldn't– enjoy this montage, entitled simply "Take My Breath Away":


10 Years of Junta Juleil: "Take My Breath Away" from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

10 Years of Junta Juleil– Tomorrow!

One last plug for an event ten years in the making: hosted by myself and co-founder Jillaine Gill, the night will pay tribute to ten years of Junta Juleil Productions and feature the RKP ensemble's dancers (Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Danielle Marie Fusco, Robyn Nielsen, Brian Rubiano, & Eric Schmalenberger), a short play with Jillaine Gill and Amanda Peck, a celebrity roast of Junta Juleil with Kerryn Feehan, a prose reading by Joe Stipek, a poetry reading by yours truly, and a series of short and feature-film excerpts (dating back to the very beginning, with clips from never-screened fare like Mather Point, In Search of Wenders, and Schizophrenic Love Cinema).
This only happens once every ten years, so don't miss it!

Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

The details:
When: 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 17th, 2014

Where: The Wild Project in Manhattan (195 E. 3rd Street between Avenues A&B)
Run-Time: Approximately 90 minutes
How much: $15, and available here.

10 Years of Junta Juleil This Friday!

This Friday, Junta Juleil Productions celebrates its Ten Year Anniverary!  In honor of the occasion, I'll be hosting a celebration at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St between Avenues A & B) in Manhattan on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15 and are available here for pre-sale.  The evening will include screenings of short films, excerpts from features, live theatrical performances, crazed readings, a roast, and rare, never-before-seen material from the musty, dusty archives of Junta Juleil!


Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Coming in January 2014: 10 Years of Junta Juleil Productions

Most of my longtime readers will know that Junta Juleil's Culture Shock is not my only creative outlet. Though this blog celebrated its five-year anniversary this fall, my film and theater production company– Junta Juleil Productions– has been around for quite a bit longer, and this January it will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary.  In honor of the occasion, I'll be hosting a celebration at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St between Avenues A & B) in Manhattan on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15 and are available here for pre-sale.  The evening will include screenings of short films, excerpts from features, live theatrical performances, crazed readings, and rare, never-before-seen material from the musty, dusty archives of Junta Juleil!

So if you're interested in seeing what I'm up to when I'm not writing about Charles Bronson, break-dancing, Van Dammage, or Carpy-mania (as a side note, the Poor Man's Carpy series ain't over yet!), then you should come out and see the show– or at least watch this 10 Year Anniversary video I've put together:

Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Thanks to you all for your support through the years!

DEAD DREAM MACHINE on NY1

Everyone's favorite local channel has been running a feature plugging my latest theatrical endeavor, THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!  

Time Warner Cable customers can watch the clip here.

This is the last weekend you can see THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE: get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!

New Trailer for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE

Dead Dream Machine: Trailer from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

There are still two more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the other trailer I made here, and get more information here!

More praise for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

More reviews are in!

New York Magazine names it a "Critics' Pick" and says: "In this very strange play, a mad scientist has built a machine that extracts dreams from a young woman’s brain. At the finale every night, a crew of alt-venue stars—drag queens, born-to-showbiz kids, burlesque artists— all join in on a goth performance of a Nick Cave tune."

Downtown Traveler says:  "New York City has no shortage of Halloween attractions...but if you are looking for more high-brow entertainment– with a decidedly anti-Wall Street bent– head to Brooklyn for Dead Dream Machine.  This off- off- off- Broadway show features a talented cast and scenes that range from hysterical to bizarre... a uniquely Brooklyn production that combines elements of burlesque, acrobatics, puppetry and bondage. ... so hysterical, offbeat and downright bizarre [some segments] played over and over in my mind throughout the weekend.  ...You’ll feel trendy just for attending this show."

Brooklyn Spaces says:  I was lucky enough to catch a press preview of ...the incredible Dead Dream Machine... and it RULES. Go!"

Courtesan Macabre says:  "I had the pleasure of trekking out to East Williamsburg (Bushwick) NY last night to experience the new production, The Dead Dream Machine... It was disturbing and made you squirm... [director Rachel Klein] mixes style and sensuality into her visual storytelling."

My Entertainment World says:  "Consistently entertaining. ...a series of both horrifying and comedic skits.  ...the ensemble of The Dead Dream Machine was remarkable.  ...I enjoyed living the nightmares produced by the The Dead Dream Machine."

There are still two more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!

Praise for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

The reviews are in!

Flavorpill says: "The Dead Dream Machine is a thoroughly entertaining compendium of dark skits ranging from a teenage horror spoof to a hilariously foul-mouthed puppet show to gothic burlesque ballets and aerialists... [Sean Gill's] creepy projections on an old red velvet curtain complete the Silencio-scene-in-Mulholland-Drive vibe."

Time Out New York names it a "Good Odds" pick: "a boundary-dissolving horror show, which includes magic, puppetry, aerialism and live song and dance... the imaginative Rachel Klein directs and choreographs."

Black Book Magazine says: "The show stars various luminaries from the alternative stages of New York City... The whole shebang is directed and choreographed by the amazing Rachel Klein... this is amazing. You must go."

City Guide says:  "...this Brooklyn-based show pumps the horror genre through a mad-scientist’s dream-extracting device, spinning out musical numbers, a zombie dance, aerialists, puppetry and assorted luminaries from the City’s alternative stages – all profoundly nightmarish."

Broadway Spotted says: "... the best parts of old school horror movies [are] the comedy, and when Machine connected to that, it was gold... with Halloween coming up it is just the right kind of show to get you into the spooky spirit!"

There are still three more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!  Our luminary guest shamans for this weekend include Mx Justin Vivian Bond (September 26th), Lady Rizo (September 27th), and Michael Musto (September 28th)!

GIRLS BEFORE SWINE today at the Coney Island Film Festival

Girls Before Swine, a short film I directed with Rachel Klein, will be screening today as an official selection at the 2013 Coney Island Film Festival.    We'll be screening as a part of Program 14 at the Coney Island Sideshow (1208 Surf Avenue) Sunday, September 22nd at 4:00 p.m.  Tickets are $7 and are available at the box office today.  For more details, go here.
 
It stars Aimee DeLong, Jillaine Gill, Meghan Holland, Joe Stipek, Robyn Nielsen, Scooter Pie, David F. Slone, Michael Porsche, Brian Ferree, and Megan O' Connor.  Hope to see some of you there!

DEAD DREAM MACHINE opens to previews tonight, September 18th!

Details HERE and tickets HERE!  I hope some of you can make it out.

(More reviews forthcoming– it's been a busy couple of weeks.  Don't worry, I have plans for the Halloween season!)