What: Crypticon Minneapolis 2010, Horror Media Convention
When: November 5-7
Where: Bloomington Sheraton
Cost: $10-85
Halloween is over. No more candy, no more mutilated pumpkins, no more spiked heels walking through 28-degree weather. Now the real freaks come out, in full force and in sincerity. Crypticon, now in its fifth year, is coming to town this weekend, beckoning die-hard fans of all things gruesome.
Starting in 2006 as a small event in Medina, Minn. with just a few indie horror films to be seen, Crypticon has evolved into an all-encompassing montage of deliciously horrifying activities.
âÄúTheyâÄôve added live bands the last two years, along with other fun events like FX demos, costume contests and dinner with the stars,âÄù said Don âÄúOf the DeadâÄù Hinrichs, organizing committee member.
The films still make up a large part of the event, with âÄúSalvation by BloodâÄù and âÄúStrip Club SlasherâÄù among the headliners. Some legendary horror films even have their actors in attendance, including Jeffrey Combs from âÄúThe Frighteners,âÄù âÄúHouse on Haunted HillâÄù and several âÄúStar TrekâÄù incarnations.
MinnesotaâÄòs own Scarlet Salem, beloved horror film eye candy and star of âÄúIncest Death Squad,âÄù will be there, among others. The blonde bombshell, who has also appeared in recent issues of âÄúGirls and CorpsesâÄù and âÄúShockâÄù magazines, will be at the event to meet with all her drooling fans.
âÄúThis will be my fourth Crypticon and it just keeps getting better,âÄù Salem said. âÄúItâÄôs always a great time. I love conventions because you get to meet the fans, hang out, screen your movies and showcase all your new projects. ItâÄôs definitely a great place to be if youâÄôre a huge horror fan, like myself.âÄù
Despite the fact that sheâÄôs got a career devoted to scaring the pants off her viewers, and seeing some of the most disgusting and scary things imaginable on set, some horror films have stuck with Salem. Her favorite flick remains, to this day, âÄúPet Sematary.âÄù
âÄúThe child, Gage Creed, is the creepiest thing if you ask me,âÄù Salem said. âÄúJust freaks me out. IâÄôll never get over that [movie].âÄù
Coupled with the films will be informative workshops. Topics range from tips on how to make skin look like itâÄôs just been through a butcher shop, to how to write horror novels to how to be as good a horror actress as Dee Wallace (âÄúThe Hills Have EyesâÄù). And, of course, there will be convention actors making sure you have as uncomfortable an experience as possible.
âÄúLast year one of our regulars, a guy named Chuck, had one of the best Freddy Krueger costumes I have ever seen,âÄù said Hinrichs. âÄúHe hid in the playhouse by the pool, some kids came up and Freddy popped out and scared a group of grown women by chasing them waving his claw at them.âÄù
This yearâÄôs fest will feature âÄúa very scary Pinhead costume from Hellraiser that should get some screams,âÄù Hinrichs said.
If any of your terror fetishes were left unsatisfied over the Halloween weekend, rest assured youâÄôll get your fill at Crypticon.
