2012 WiH Massive Blood Drive PSA

Every February, we're inviting you to come along with us to bleed for Women in Horror. It's an incredibly good cause and something that many of us find off putting and terrifying. Time to face our fears and help out those who need us. Time to be fearless like the badass bitches we've come to love and idolize. For more information, please visit the official page for Women In Horror Month.

Great job to everyone who made their own Blood Drives PSAs, got a group together to donate, and hosted their own bloodletting. The only way to replenish our blood banks is through donors and it's really cool of everyone who went out to make a donation!

Every year, to celebrate Women In Horror month, we Twisted Twins encourage the world to donate blood. Why? Cuz you can't think horror without thinking blood, and what better way to celebrate than giving back in a way that honors the fearless horror heroines we all adore.

So, time to be brave and bleed.

Blood.

It's in you to give.

Cast:

Tristan Risk
John Emmet Tracy
Paul Anthony
Sylvia Soska
Jen Soska

Crew:
Cliff Hokanson
Randy Jablonka
Todd Masters
Amelia Smart
Jason Ward
Andrea Dulmage
Ana-Cristina Byrne
Jarret Read
Joe Klymkiw
Justin Drake
Rod Matheson
Chris Cullen
Pete McBeth
www.twistedtwinsproductions.net/
www.womeninhorrormonth.com/

~Jen & Sylv

Twisted Twins Bling for Women In Horror Month by Hot Chick Physics

"This listing is for a set of two earrings.
One pair of earrings are made with black ear wires and black chain. Small drops of blood red genuine coral hang suspended from the chain. These earrings are just past 2 1/2" long.
The other pair are made with black ear wires and black chain. Small banded onyx and blood red glass hangs suspended from the chain. These earrings are about 2 1/2" long.

This style is one in a Limited Edition series inspired by women in horror. These fabulous Jen and Sylvia earrings are named after Jen and Sylvia Soska, directors of Dead Hooker in a Trunk and the forthcoming American Mary."

Women In Horror Recognition Month is fast approaching - February 2012 is almost upon us. For those of you reading this blog thinking - whoa, what? - WiH Month was brainchild by dear friend and complete horror feminist badass, creator of Ax Wound Zine, Hannah Neurotica to celebrate the our favourite ladies contributions to the genre not only in front of the camera, behind the camera, but also in every artist way that the genre lives, breathes, and creeps into your nightmares.

Why do we need a Women In Horror Recognition Month? Are you familiar with Alice Guy, the first director of non-fiction and pioneer of early cinema? Probably not. How about Jovanka Vuckovic, the former editor, now killer horror director, of Rue Morgue whose true horror love and balls bigger than most of us who brought the Canadian magazine to its gory glory? Or Sally Menke who left us too soon - the femme fatale who cut your favourite flicks, she was Tarantino's editor and a total badass? Hopefully this isn't the first time you're hearing these names, but sadly for a lot of people it would be. These women are huge to the genre and like can be seen most evidently in the situation with Alice Guy, women weren't in jobs like those, so many of her contributions - over 700 films that she was involved in - were contributed to any part of her team that was a man because in the early 1900s, that's how shit went down.

On a personal note, when we first started submitting DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK to festivals, we faced a lot of rejection on title alone, getting the response that 'we don't screen those kinds of films.' Eli Roth introduced us to Hannah, having a feeling we'd hit it off (we did famously) and when she started WiH, it spawned film festivals around the world and gave DHIAT its first screenings. It's promoted independent artists as well as paid tribute to the ladies that fought hard to get us where we are today.


There are many ways to celebrate WiH Month - the film festivals and submitting projects and attending are a big one. Jen and I host a worldwide Massive Blood Drive every February encouraging folks to forgo their phobia and donate blood to save a life (each donation helps three people). Make some artwork, tell a friend, blog about people who inspire you - there are many ways to get involved. One extremely cool way, that I'm honoured to be a part of, is Tonjia Atomic of Hot Chick Physics' jewellery line promoting independent horror artists. (see sweet-ass bling above)


Who is this talented, beautiful jewelry making lady? Allow her to introduce her self and her slick as hell company. Creating your own business, making your ambitions into a reality, and running like a boss is the highest form of appeal in my books.

"Hello! Tonjia Atomic here. I’m the creator of Hot Chick Physics. I make all of the jewelry that you see here by hand. Most items are one-of-a-kind or limited edition. I also make custom items. Feel free to send me an email via the address that you will find on the contact page if you’d like to talk about multiple orders or custom orders.

I started Hot Chick Physics in 2005 to create fun and unique jewelry that expresses my eclectic tastes. I love dark mysterious items that harken to an earlier time in history and bright brilliant colors that pop out and grab attention. If you like vintage antiques, kawaii, dollhouse miniatures, candy, filigree, gunmetal, silver, glitter, or glam then you have come to the right place!
Hot Chick Physics: for all your trashy-classy, witchy-kitschy, gothic-diva, punk-princess accessory needs."

Other artists included right now are Kelsey Zukowski (actress & director, THE HAZED, WORDS LIKE KNIVES), Lianne Spiderbaby (writer for Fangoria, co-host & creator of the web series Fright Bytes), L. C. Cruell (director, 31), Barbara Peeters (writer & director, HUMANOIDS FROM THE DEEP), Christine Parker (director, FISTFUL OF BRAINS, A FEW BRAINS MORE), Karen Lam (director, DOLLPARTS, STAINED), and Julie O'Connor Ufema (director, CAVEAT).


Check her site out here and get your self a sexy piece, ladies, and, gents, hook up the psychotic blood loving babes in your life with some thoughtful, artful pieces. Thank you to Tonjia for creating these pieces and including Jen and me in the lineup. Fucking awesome!!

~Sylv

Shannon Lark

"The love of exploiting everything terrible in life makes me excited to get up in the morning. It turns the horror into love and beauty, the negative into sheer positive." ~Shannon Lark

If you look at the woman above and see only a beautiful vision spattered in blood comfortably cradling a chainsaw, you haven't even begun to scratch the surface of the exquisite creature that is Shannon Lark. It is with great honor that I bring her to the attention of those of you who already know and adore her and to introduce her to those of you who are a little late to the horror scene.



Shannon caught world wide attention as the first ever Fangoria Magazine Spooksmodel. A vision that effortlessly combines beauty with strength and power, she is so much more than a pretty face. Shannon has been a reigning champion for gender equality and advancement of the female role in horror cinema, standing at the forefront of the evolving genre of cinematic horror with her tireless contributions. A talented writer, dancer, director, producer, editor, actress, and professional Scream Queen, Shannon Lark is the Co-Director/Founder of the Viscera Film Festival (along with the sensational Heidi Martinuzzi), Founder/Adviser and former CEO of The ChainSaw Mafia.

Let me speak for a moment about the incredible Viscera Film Festival. Among the films, played a stunning piece titled "LIPSTICK". It was provocative, sexually charged, and with moments of mutilation that had even the most hardened of gore hounds shifting uncomfortably in their seats. I remember thinking, "oh my God. Who is that woman?" The film, a collaboration between Shannon and the very gifted Stacie Ponder, told the tale of a woman who had been so severely mentally abused and damaged that she believed she was good for only for sex. The result was a series of sexual mutilations and self loathing with a climactic moment so shocking, that even yours truly crossed her legs and had to force herself to keep watching. The film is a must see.

Seeing a stage performance of ROMEO AND JULIET at a young age, Shannon's destiny was set. No, not with that mushy, lovey, dovey bullshit. We're talking BLOOD, boys and grrls. She got a taste for the red stuff and the rest is pretty much history. It is nothing short of an esteemed honor and pleasure to know miss Lark. She conducts herself with incredible professionalism. A combination of brilliance, business savvy, talent, grace, professionalism, strength, and, of course, beauty, Shannon Lark perfectly embodies what brings more and more women into this business. That feeling we all had as little girls staring at the heroines of cinematic past with child like awe saying, "I want to be her."

~Jen

Women In Horror Recognition

I am in pre-production, so I realize what a crazy promise this is to try to make, but here goes -- there are twenty eight days in February which is Women In Horror Recognition Month. I will use this opportunity and these days to recognize and maybe even introduce you to some fantastic females that are inspirations on the horror industry.


I'll see you here tomorrow the first lady of the month. See you then. Happy Women In Horror Month! Thank you to all the incredible women who have inspired me and made me feel strong. I hope you enjoy.

~Sylv

Bleedfest Returns with a Very Special Women in Horror Month Edition

BleedFest Hosts Blood Drive and Women in Horror Month Screening Event

Take a look at the two incredible women above. Boys and grrls, it's an honor for us to know these women. Brenda (left) and Elisabeth (right) Fies are not only incredibly gifted film makers, but also strong feminist voices, festival creators and heads of the gore~geous Bleedfest, and pretty much two of the coolest people currently walking the Earth. Bleedfest has become a bloody force to be reckoned with and is back with a vengeance this February. This month is a VERY special month as WOMEN IN HORROR month is on us again. Time to celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of women and to give a little back. Not only will this month's edition be in honor of Women In Horror, they will also be giving back. How they find the time to be SO radcore is beyond me.

In short, we adore these women and LOVE Bleedfest!! Here's what you have to look forward to this month!!

Monthly female genre film festival BleedFest is throwing an epic event February 6th, 2011 in honor of Women in Horror Month. There will be a Blood Mobile parked outside the CAP Theatre from 10:30am-4:30pm. Donation appointments can be made by clicking on this link: http://bleedfest.givesblood.org All donors are eligible for half off tickets to the BleedFest Film Festival until the event is sold out, in addition to a pint for a pint Baskin Robbins coupon.
The BleedFest WiHM screening event begins at 11am and ends at 4:00pm. There will be three red carpet opportunities with a dozen press partners and photographers from Getty Images and PR Photos. The event will feature an open bar with Bloody Marys. Screenings include short horror films written, directed, and produced by female filmmakers, including wunderkind Xstine Cook, international filmmaker Ana Almeida, tyro horror writer/director Tyrell Shaffner, festival stalwart Susan Bell, BleedFest co-founders Elisabeth Fies and Brenda Fies, Lori Bowen with a short and a music video, alumna Marichelle Daywalt with the world premiere of THE MANY DOORS OF ALBERT WHALE starring Tara Cardinal and Kit Williamson. The feature film is the US premier of SLAUGHTERED, a slasher whodunit by Australian writer/director Kate Glover. VIP guests include Lil Zane, award recipients Katt Shea and Stacy Title, genre journalist Nic Brown from Kentucky, underground filmmaker Lori Bowen from Florida, actresses Tara Cardinal and Michelle Tomlinson, and horror director Kevin Tenney. Carl Manes of I Like Horror Movies will reprise his popular horror trivia with giveaways. A showing of Dark Art and Fine Art will be available for purchase by internationally renowned horror photographer April A. Taylor.
The Awards Show will include the audience’s choice for best short in competition, and Elisabeth Pinto will receive the Best Producer Award. Horror icon Katt Shea will be given the Inanna Trailblazer Award. Stacy Title will be awarded the Inanna Best Social Statement Award. The Inanna Award was designed exclusively for BleedFest by amazing horror filmmaker and mask-maker Neal Harvery of Rubber Gorilla.



BleedFest sponsors are Film Radar, Werewolf for Hire.com and B Movie Man, WriteWord PR, Burris Image, Monster Island Resort, Rubber Gorilla, Christina Wickers.com, Love That Rebecca.com.



BleedFest operates on donations, and is holding an IndieGogo Fundraising campaign at:

http://www.indiegogo.com/BleedFest-Film-Festival-genre-movies-by-women



BLEEDFEST BLOOD DRIVE

Date: 02/06/2011

Time: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

Organization: BleedFest

Location: CAP Theater - Blood Mobile

Address: 13752 Ventura Blvd.

Collection Goal: 20 pints with 2 donors per 15 minutes



BleedFest Film Festival

February: WOMEN IN HORROR MONTH



Sunday February 6th, 2011

TIME: 11am-4:00pm



Location: CAP Theatre

13752 Ventura Blvd.

Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

$10 cash at door for all day ticket and open bar

http://www.BleedFest.com



Special Appearances by Lil Zane, Katt Shea, Stacy Title, Lori Bowen, Tara Cardinal, Kevin Tenney, Michelle Tomlinson, Nic Brown. Schedule subject to change, personal appearances dependent on schedule.



11am-11:10am RED CARPET, MIXER



11:10am-2:20am PARTNERSHIP AWARD RESCREENING

HORROR OF OUR LOVE by Dave Reda (7 minutes)



11:20-11:30am TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Inanna Award presented to Katt Shea



11:30-11:50pm AWARD: Best Female Producer

NIGHT OF THE HELL HAMSTERS Produced by Elisabeth Pinto (17 minutes)



11:50-12:00pm AWARD: Best Social Commentary

Inanna Award presented to Stacy Title



12:00-1:25pm SHORTS: In Competition

*******Ballots given to audience*************



SUCKATHUMB by Xstine Cook (10 minutes)

THE PATCHWORK MONKEY by Susan Bell (10 minutes) Q & A

ESSENGER by Lori Bowen (4 minutes)

AFTERSHOCK by Lori Bowen (3 minutes) Q & A Lori Bowen

MIRROR MIRROR by Sophia Segal (4 minutes) Q & A

MEOW by Sarah Brown and Cyriak Harriss (3 minutes)

A NOIVA (AKA: THE BRIDE) by Ana Almeida (7 minutes)

THRENODY by Tyrrell Shaffner (12 minutes) Q & A

THE MANY DOORS OF ALBERT WHALE by Marichelle Daywalt (5 minutes) Q & A



*******Ballots collected from audience*************



1:25pm-1:45pm BREAK: Open Bar, Red Carpet, Mixer



1:45-2:04pm WORKS IN PROGRESS

HARD TO DO by Elisabeth Fies & Kit Williamson (8 minutes)

PSYCHOSEXUAL by Elisabeth Fies (8 minutes)



2:04pm-2:15pm PARTNERSHIP AWARD

HOME by Cam McCulloch (11 minutes)



2:15pm-2:25pm AWARD CEREMONY

Award presented to Marichelle Daywalt

Award presented to Tara Cardinal

Inanna Statue presented to Cindy Baer (Audience’s Choice from December)

Inanna Statue presented to the Audience's Choice



2:25-2:35 BREAK: Open Bar, Bathroom Break



2:35-4:00pm FEATURE

SLAUGHTERED written and directed by Kate Glover (83 minutes)

Everyone's getting slaughtered in the pub tonight!

Do NOT miss this incredible festival!! They really should've had you at "open bar" and believe me, boys and grrls, there's nothing like a Bloody Mary after giving a pint of blood. Totally hits the proverbial spot.

XO,
Jen

February Preview

February is home to Women In Horror Recognition Month, but what exactly does that mean? Before we move further into this question, let's take a moment to look at who we're sharing February with. February is also home to these other great causes--

Black History Month (in Canada and the US)

Heart Month (in Canada)

Raynaud's and Scleroderma Awareness Month (in the UK)

American Heart Month (in the US)

AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month (in the US)

National Children's Dental Health Month (in the US)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 3rd Feb - 9th Feb (in Canada)

Tinnitus Awareness Week, 4th Feb - 10th Feb (in the United Kingdom)

Contraceptive Awareness Week, 11th Feb - 17th Feb (in the United Kingdom)

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week, 21st Feb - 28th Feb (in Australia)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 6th Feb - 12th Feb (in Canada)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 24th Feb - 1st Mar (in the United States)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 25th Feb - 2nd Mar (in the United Kingdom)

Give Kids A Smile Day, 1st Feb (in the United States)

National Wear Red Day, 6th Feb (in the United States)

Sexual Health Awareness Week, 14th Feb - 21st Feb (in Australia)

National Condom Day, 10th Feb (in the United States)

Sexual and Reproductive Health Day, 12th Feb (in Canada)

National Donor Day, 14th Feb (in the United States)

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, 14th Feb (Worldwide)

National Impotence Day, 14th Feb (in the United Kingdom)

There is a huge focus on human rights to liberty, life, and health here and I think that is amazing. Please take this time to make yourself aware of these causes - especially the ones you may have never heard of before. In example, scleroderma -- which is a horrible sickness not enough of us are aware of the fight against. It's an awful one and it needs to be put away for good. Here is a great foundation that great research for the cause, the Scleroderma Research Foundation.


With the Women In Horror recognition and celebration, we thought of (well, Jen thought of...) a cool concept that not only embraces a very special element of horror (blood) but also raises awareness to something that people find scary (donation) that is actually a bloody good cause... a Massive Worldwide Blood Drive. Here, our good friend and fellow PSA participant, Jennifer Cooper speaks Women in Horror --



A new PSA, but more of a healthy tune to inspire those scaredy cats amongst us to have some bravery, some humor, and get yours (and as many butts as you can take with you) down to your local blood bank is on its way. It will feature some ladies from the horror scene from around the world that have the balls to bleed for a cause and they are huge inspirations.


So, back to the original question. What is Women In Horror Month actually about? Power, unity, respect, acknowledgment, feminism, horror - where we started, how far we've come, and the bodies (I use the term 'bodies' figuratively as in the issues we have fought against - our right to vote, sexism, and the constant battle of medieval notions of what women are 'supposed to be', etc.) left in our wake. This is a month to recognize women like Mary Harron, Mary Lambert, Kathryn Bigelow - who are behind the camera, directing incredible work. Outdated are the days were women are a tit-flash here and an ass cheek there, then off to the male characters to save the day. I think there is a gross misconception that horror degrades women rather than empowering them and that is a great deal in direct result to some of the films out there. The genre is filled with lots of films - some remarkable and meaningful, some an utter waste of time where you feel bad for all involved.


So many people have fought, are fighting, and will fight for feminism. For the concept that men and women are created equal and should be respected equally. There is a change coming and each and everyone of us have to be responsible for that change. You don't have to take a shitty part that you hate or work on a film that is fluff, if you don't want to. The industry not giving you something challenging with substance? Create your own films with your won characters and be a part of what you want to see changed. As the brilliant Hannah Neurotica (of Ax Wound Zine who this event is the brainchild of) so perfectly said:

"If I have ever been sure of anything in this life it is that the last thing women need recognition for is their breasts, just as we do not need a month to raise awareness about porno films ending in women getting a hot load of cum shot all over their face lifts."

Read the whole article where Hannah alongside Heidi Marinuzzi speak feminism and the real message of Women In Horror here on the incredible (and shame on you if you don't creep this site daily) Fangirltastic.


Let's raise awareness of what women have contributed and continue to contribute to the genre. Let's recognize the women standing on the front lines, saying the things that some of us haven't found our voice to say yet.


Let's celebrate the strong female characters - Ripley, Regan, Laurie Strode - that make us feel strong who we grow up wanting to kick ass like. The month is almost upon us. Stay tuned.

~Sylv

Horror Makes Me Feel Strong

When my sister and I were little girls, we stood out because we are identical twins. It's unusual and the unusual attracts attention. As we got older, we developed a deep love for horror. That fueled the perception of our strangeness. Fitting in as a young person is difficult in anyone's life - we made it through, unscathed, if not for being spat on and called witches a few times.

We had resigned to the thought that we were odd girls and that that would make us somewhat outcast from the general public. I hadn't been introduced to the horror community yet. Hannah Neurotica's genius idea - Women In Horror Recognition Month - changed that loneliness into a realization of comradity through the event. You may not know this, but the horror community consists of the best people on the planet.



The second annual WiH Month is fast approaching - this February - and is coming strong. Everyone is invited to play. You can screen your projects at different WiH film festivals, you can make a poster to raise awareness, you can make any type of art to promote and celebrate what women in horror has meant to you, you can even bleed. Twisted Twins Production will be having our second annual Massive Blood Drive this February and we want you to be a part of it.


Everyone is getting pretty excited about Women in Horror Month. Want in? Good, because we want you involved too! Start getting excited and make some plans - let's make this event huge.

~Sylv

Bleeding for Women In Horror Month

This coming February has been designated as the first ever Women In Horror Recognition Month. It shall be the first of many.

As we all know, women are an important part of film in all genres and the horror film industry is no exception. Yes, women do get a lot of recognition for the good they do and the legacies they leave behind, but Women In Horror have yet to be recognized in a manner such as this. And we're not just talking about the busty B movie bombshells that get covered in blood and gore while fighting passionately against the forces of darkness. The true legends...

What would Alien films have been without the talented miss Ripley? Who could scare the living crap out of grown men as easily as the possessed Regan in Exorcist? Or what about the brilliant female director, Mary Harron, who put herself on the front lines to take on an enraged group of feminists and bring us American Psycho?

And where does the blood come in? Well, you can't think "horror" without thinking of blood and guts and since we're quite attached to our vital organs, we Twisted Twins got to thinking about how we can give back in a way that honors Women in Horror and has a massive impact on the world. The answer seemed simple. Blood. After all, it's in you to give.

So, this February, we're inviting you to come along with us to bleed for Women in Horror. It's an incredibly good cause and something that many of us find off putting and terrifying. Time to face our fears and help out those who need us. Time to be fearless like the badass bitches we've come to love and idolize.

So, who can give?

You CANNOT donate if...
*You have traveled outside of the Canada and US, some countries are okay, but you must check in advance.
*You have been to the dentist in 2 to 3 days prior to donating.
*You have gotten a tattoo or piercing in 6 months prior.
*You have received an injection or FLU SHOT 2 days prior.

*You MUST feel completely well.
*You must be between 17 and 61 years of age.
*If you drink, you CAN donate.
*If you smoke marijuana, you CAN donate.
*If you are gay, you CAN donate.

For other questions, please don't hesitate to ask! We, ourselves, will be donating as well, of course! If you wish to come with us, let us know! We will be revealing our date of donation as we get closer to the date.

To book your appointment, call 1-888-2-DONATE (366283). Please book in advance by at least a couple of weeks.

And record your donation! We want PHOTOS, MESSAGES, and VIDEOS of you giving blood! PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE WHO CAN PROVE THAT THEY BLED FOR WOMEN IN HORROR!!

Should you have a FACEBOOK account, you can join the group HERE.

This event IS NOT limited to those in Vancouver. WHEREVER you are, we want you... to bleed for us. Let's paint the planet RED.