FOLLOW! To The Beast Wishes Side!

Please join me over at the BEAST WISHES Blog!

THE OFFICIAL BEAST WISHES BLOG!

And as Sukura the sorceror would say, "FOLLOW! FOLLOW!"

Thanks!

Follow The BEAST WISHES Blog!

I've been spending a lot more time on the BEAST WISHES Blog these days. Please come follow me, Trish Geiger, Bob and Kathy Burns and the rest of the BW team at this location:

THE BEAST WISHES BLOG!

Lots of big news about the film and our other upcoming projects! Follow!

BEAST WISHES to screen at WonderFest 2012!

Our documentary BEAST WISHES will be screened on both Saturday AND Sunday at this year's WonderFest in Louisville, Kentucky! Filmmakers Frank Dietz and Trish Geiger will be on hand to present the film and answer questions from fans. Join us at the Crown Plaza Hotel on May 26 and 27 for a great weekend of sci-fi, fantasy, models, toys, special guests and BEAST WISHES!


http://www.wonderfest.com

AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON director

John Landis on the set of BEAST WISHES with filmmakers

Trish Geiger and Frank Dietz.

BEAST WISHES is coming soon!!

BEAST WISHES, our documentary about Bob and Kathy Burns, is getting close to release time! The film is in edit right now, following a last minute slew of interviews last weekend - John Landis, Joe Dante, Greg Nicotero and John Goodwin. We now have a total of 24 guest stars, not including our subjects, Bob and Kathy. We've just added composer Rani Sharone to our team, and we're starting a new blog dedicated to the journey of our film. Stay tuned for more info about our premiere screening and convention appearances!

Help The Bob Burns Movie Get Off The Ground!

Hello friends and fans of Bob & Kathy Burns!

As you may heard, Trish Geiger and I are producing a documentary film about Bob and Kathy Burns, and how they have inspired so many people to pursue their own dreams. BEAST WISHES will explore how these two amazing folks became the goodwill ambassadors of sci-fi fandom, and how their joy has influenced generations of artists, writers, directors and fans.

We want to make this project a quality production, utilizing a professional crew and an experienced documentary editor. This, of course, requires funding. So, with Bob and Kathy's blessing, we have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds we need to complete our film.

Kickstarter is a highly successful online platform by which creators can pitch their projects, and anyone can contribute to it's set goal. In return, the project offers rewards to those who pledge, from DVD's to T-shirts to trips to visit the stars in Los Angeles. The bigger the pledge, the greater the rewards.

But Kickstarter is an "all or nothing" program. If we reach our set goal in the set time, we get the money. If we don't reach it, we get nothing, and the pledges are not collected. It's that simple. Trish and I have set our goal at the absolute minimum needed to shoot, although we could use more for promotion and distribution of the completed film. So we have 20 days to raise $11,000, or we go back to square one.

If you would like to help us reach our goal, please visit our project page. There you will be able to watch a short test video we've created that gives an idea of the film's content, plus more information about BEAST WISHES, and a list of the cool rewards available for contributors.



http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1824891397/beast-wishes-the-bob-and-kathy-burns-movie

Of course we understand if you are unable to donate, for whatever reason. If you can't, perhaps you could assist us by sharing our mission with others who might be able to help out. Either way, you would have the extreme gratitude of myself, Trish, and of course Bob and Kathy Burns.

This is going to be - as Bob would say - a "really, really cool" project. We would all love to have you join us on this great adventure.

Thank you, from all of us, for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Frank Dietz
Trish Geiger

The Chicken Monster Chronicles Finale

Okay, I know, I've been away for awhile. Sorry. Ain't life like that sometimes?

Anyway, here is the photo you've been waiting months for. The Chicken Monster, as he looks today, living in a bad monster movie prop retirement home (my garage).

More posts, more often, coming soon! Thanks!

The Chicken (Monster) Chronicles Part 2

Recently uncovered photos of The Chicken Monster reveal what life was like for the horrendous hen during and after it's debut in THE EDGE OF HELL, which was my original title for what became ROCK N' ROLL NIGHTMARE. The initial cut of the movie and the Canadian VHS release retained that title. Why was it changed? You'll soon be able to read all about it, as John Fasano and I are preparing to publish a book that tells the whole story of our "Canadian Four" horror films of the 1980's. The working title is "Rock N' Roll Zombie Nightmares," and is scheduled for release later this year.

In the meantime, here are some never-before-seen photos of the beloved Chicken Monster:

A nice profile shot, set upon a can of "Friendly Plastic"

Frank holding the Chicken Monster (insert joke here).

In my makeup studio for work on BLACK ROSES,
The Chicken Monster can be seen roosting above the
alarm clock. One of the RNRN Squid Monsters

can be seen at the top of the photo.

Next up, in the final Chicken (Monster) Chronicles segment, the answer to the question eveyone is asking: Where is the Chicken Monster today?

The Chicken (Monster) Chronicles Part 1

The Chicken Monster was created for a what was to be a funny moment in our classic ROCK N' ROLL NIGHTMARE (1987). I started by buying and roasting a small chicken. After letting it cool, I made a mold of it's top side. The underside had to be sculpted in clay, to create the mouth, lips and eyeball. We ran foam latex pieces from the molds, and then I glued in all the teeth, which I had created with Sculpey, a bake-dry sculpting material. Once it was all put together, it was painted to replicate an actual leftover chicken by Vinny Modica. Here is what the final puppet looked like before we shot the film:

And here is how he appeared in the finished movie:

More about this beloved cinematic poultrygeist to come...

Anne Francis 1930 - 2011

Goodbye, my dear friend. You were fabulous a hundred different ways.

From left to right: Sara Karloff, Donnie Waddell, Anne Francis, Frank Dietz, Carol Bauman. Taken on a trip to the Louisville Zoo.

Bacon

I love bacon. My favorite is Pancetta, from a shop called Boccalonne in San Francisco. I wanted to draw bacon today. But it didn't come out very well, so I drew Boris Karloff instead.

Happy Turkey Day!

Enjoy a big, fat bird...

Zombie Nightmare Resurrected!

At long last, the 1986 cult classic ZOMBIE NIGHTMARE has arrived on DVD! Now available at Amazon.com, this was my first starring role, playing "Detective Frank Sorrel" opposite Adam West as "Captain Churchman." Also starring Tia Carrere, John-Mikl Thor, John Fasano and Shawn Levy. Extras include brand new interviews with me and my old pal Fasano, and a full-length audio commentary which alone is worth the price of the DVD.

Order your copy today at Amazon: Zombie Nightmare

A Little Advice From Betty Armstrong

Fay Masterson schools me about danger...

Lugosi Lives Eternal!

Just because I felt like it. Bela Lugosi, rendered in vine charcoal, as Count Dracula from my favorite movie of all time, ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN. I consider Bela's performance in this film to actually be superior to the original 1931 DRACULA.

The Sketchy Things Website Revamped

Come visit the remodeled sketchythings.com. It's cleaner and neater. Like when your folks made you clean your room, only more fun.

Moderating The Living Dead

This year celebrated the 25th anniversary of Dan O'Bannon's classic RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD.  I had the great pleasure of hosting two reunion panels, one at Monsterpalooza in Burbank, CA, and one at Wonderfest in Louisville, KY. Here are a couple of shots from both shows, courtesy Bill Edwards and Shawn Tabor.

Monsterpalooza -From left to right:

Frank, Don Calfa, Thom Matthews, James Karen,

Clu Gulager, Beverly Randolph, William Stout,
Tony Gardner, Jewel Shepard and Brian Peck.

Wonderfest - Frank, James Karen,

William Stout and Linnea Quigley

Too bad we didn't enjoy ourselves, huh?

Even More Recenter Activities!

My computer very recently had a fatal meltdown, which kept me from posting for a bit, but all is back to normal. So here are a few more shots of recent events in my crazy Monster World!

Signing at the San Diego Comic Con with actor Redfield
and director Larry Blamire.

Panel discussion with James Karen at Wonderfest 2010.

Hanging with Ain't It Cool News' Harry Knowles...

...and the lovely and talented Belle Dee Bilbrey.

FAMOUS MONSTERS LIVES!

Here's a look at the program cover I did for the first FAMOUS MONSTERS Convention in 17 years, held last month in Indiana! It was great fun to be able to include old friends and acquaintances like Ken Foree, Tom Savini, Bill Hinzman, Sharon Cecatti and, of course, Uncle Forry Ackerman. Big thanks to Jessie Lilley, Michael Heisler and Phil Kim for giving me the opportunity to participate in the resurrection of the magazine that started it all. Here's to a long and successful run!

Recent Activities!

Between screenwriting and artwork, things have been rather busy lately. But there has been a little time for fun with good friends. Here a few photos of recent play time...

David J. Schow's birthday celebration. R.A. Maliahoff, Frank Darabont and his friend Adina,
myself, Bernie and Liz Wrightson.

R.A., Cathi Holland, myself, Tom Holland, David Schow and Dave Parker.

Schow, Dietz, Darabont and Drew Struzan.

At Monsterpalooza with Don Calfa (photo by Beverly Randolph).

My LOST SKELETON RETURNS AGAIN cast-mates Susan McConnell,
me and Trish Geiger at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Peter Cushing

Just because. You know what I mean.