From Vintage Seance to Salem & Binx

Well folks, it's time for a change. After blogging on Vintage Seance for ten whole years now, I feel ready to give what Vintage Seance has been a new home, a new name, and a bit more TLC too - but not to worry it's still the same little ol' me behind the blog...

Meet Salem & Binx.

(Click Below)

For all things festive.

For the last year, I've been absent from Vintage Seance, working on an entirely new website, a brand really, called Salem & Binx. Much like Vintage Seance it'll include lots of blogging about Halloween, but in addition will include blogging about all of our favorite party holidays: New Year's, Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!


Think of Salem & Binx as your go-to guide for all things holiday. Seeing as there’s always a holiday on its way, or at least four beautiful seasons to live by, Salem & Binx is a one of a kind lifestyle blog offering everything from tips on entertaining, festive merch’ favorites, and so much more…

And that's not all - there’s plenty more entertainment where that came from - Salem & Binx Present… is the all-new accompanying podcast to Salem & Binx. Join me, the Salem & Binx blogger, and my co-host and bestie Ashley W., as we discuss our culture's favorite holiday movies and explore seasonal cinema...

Feel free to subscribe to Salem & Binx and you'll be one of my contacts! Now, I promise not to bombard you with tons of annoying emails, only once in a little while will I send one with a number of recent updates in it. And if you'd like to be able to comment on the blog, become a member! All you need to do it sign up in the members tab and you can comment on any posts you like, follow other members, and create your own profile!

After working on the website and blog for a whole year now - and only developing the podcast within the past few months - I've only recently made Salem & Binx live to the public. So far, we've got two episodes, a few blog posts, and a website that's still somewhat under construction, but it's a process and it's coming along. 

Although part of me is sad to not be blogging on Vintage Seance any longer, I am very proud of the new home my work and blogging will now have - it allows me to expand on what Vintage Seance has always been into something that offers much more in the way of entertainment, finding and sharing the incredible work of others, and of course the opportunity to produce a holiday-movie-themed podcast - I must say, I see it as a win-win-win. 

To you, my awesome handful of loyal readers and followers, you guys are what have kept Vintage Seance what is has been, and are what have made it into what it's becoming! Your support has inspired me to keep following my dreams into becoming something in-between a wannabe Martha Stewart and a wannabe Elvira, with a playful edge, and I hope that you will continue to follow me in my next adventure. 

And of course, if that's too involved for you - not to worry we're on all the social stuff to make it even easier to keep up:

Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest

PLUS you can subscribe to Salem & Binx Present... which is available on: Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Overall, I want to thank the lot of you awesome folks for making this such a fun and meaningful project to me - a blog that has allowed me and my work to grow - sincerely, thank you. Here's to always keeping in touch, to always having something to celebrate, and most importantly, to all things festive! 🥂

Astonishing Legends

   I'm only recently getting into the fun world of listening to podcasts - and boy have I been missing out on some great work! One podcast in particular has been getting my full attention lately, and that is Astonishing Legends.

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

   I have been commuting up to Hollywood a few times a week now and although Orange County isn't too far, and you wouldn't think it would take so long to get there - traffic is pure hell. So thankfully, I have Scott Philbrook and Forrest Burgess to keep me company with their exploration into some of the world's most fascinating legends, stories about the paranormal, and some of history's biggest mysteries.

   I've been listening to other paranormal podcasts too, but somehow I always end up going right back to Astonishing Legends. There's just something about listening to these two guys hash out the intricacies of some of these ever-mysterious legends, and they do so in well-researched detail so you really feel you're getting as much of the story as possible. They take a look at each of their cases, tales, and legends with both an open mind, and a logical one, so there's always a fun sense of mystery, yet a satisfying sense you have an idea (or several) of what really happened there.

(Image Source: Bloody Disgusting, by pUmpkinhead666) 

   At some point, I'll have to share more links to some of their other intriguing episodes, but in light of the recent release of The Mothman of Point Pleasant (special thank you to my good friend Pumpkin Rot for bringing this new documentary to my attention), I figured I'd share a few links to their recent series of episodes, which also discusses the legend and theories regarding the infamous Mothman. Again, I love how in-depth their research is, and how they break down bits and pieces of these complex mysteries we have wondered so much about; their "Mothman" series of episodes is no exception.

Click on the images for links to each episode of the "Mothman" series, Part 1:

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

Part 2:

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

Part 3: 

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

Part 4 A:

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

Part 4 B:

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

Here's a recent follow up episode (which I very much enjoyed): 

"Richard Hatem, Screenwriter of the Mothman Prophecies"

(Image Source: Astonishing Legends)

For more interesting podcasts, visit their main page: AstonishingLegends.com

For All Things Overlook...

Stumbled upon this gem today...  

Still one of my favorite books, and one of my favorite films, despite how different they are. For all things Overlook, visit: theoverlookhotel.com

A few more goodies from the site that made my morning:

How we all feel about it not being Halloween time yet...

What Happened to the Wonder

Going along with my previous post about movies in our ever-constant CGI era, I was happy to browse on Pumpkin Rot's blog: What's Brewing, to find a recent and relative post discussing  practical special effects. Couldn't agree more with his point of view too! 

    As I mentioned before, I think CGI can be great when combined with practical special effects, but these days the industry relies only on CGI and it's a real shame. There's something to practical effects in that they give us, as children, as viewers, and as horror/Halloween fanatics, a sense of wonder. We wonder how these effects were done, and when we watch them enough, study them enough, learn about them enough, we feel a sense of hope that one day we can be creators too. That we can envision our own monsters, manifest them, and present them to our viwers, whether they are a theatrical audience or our dear trick or treaters on the block.

    The complaint I hear from people my age is that "old" movies have special effects that look "fake." In my opinion, it is that fakery that is the magic. That stage craft and artistry that made me curious as a kid. I suppose the first movie that made me wonder was Nightmare Before Christmas. I was eager to know how stop-animation was done from every angle, literally, and years later I too made a few stop-animated shorts which I have shared here on the blog several times. In fact the older I get, the more I appreciate and admire practical effects.

    I watch Beetlejuice, for example, and again am taken by the bizarre and out-there stop-animated "sandworms," everything behind the brick wall, and of course "the wedding clothes" scene. Sometimes I just appreciate the fact that Edward Scissorhands' had actual scissor-hands. Or how about the blood spilling from the elevator in the Overlook Hotel? Or Regan crawling backwards down the stairs? Church's guts and glowing eyes. Just the fact that Michael Myers' mask was originally a William Shatner mask - and you'd hardly know it. Johnathon Brewster's face in Arsenic and Old Lace. The chocolate syrup in Psycho! The corn syrup in Carrie (as opposed to computer blood in the remake)! The fin, alone, in Jaws... the list goes on. And it can only keep going on, if the industry could just incorporate more practical effects alongside their CGI obsession. All we can do is be creators ourselves.

For more on the set photos, view my board: On the Set!

Goodies and Gifts

    While recently browsing through my favorite Etsy artists, I gladly visited Dame Darcy's shop. Over the years this artist has been one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to the rare, yet intriguing genre of southern gothic. She is a talented, witchy, and a one of a kind artist who performs, illustrates, and sells incredible handmade goodies!

View DameDarcy.com today!

When I saw her 2016 Witch Calendar, I had to indulge...

    I was so excited when I purchased this gem, I decided to send a short heartfelt message to the Dame herself, just to say hi and remind her that her art is just as amazing as ever. I also thanked her for allowing my film crew and I to use her version of Down in Willow Garden, "Mercury Wine," in the credits of our film Avery Parrish Thieves. For more of her tracks, indulge here!

     Soon I received a response that made my heart leap! Dame Darcy was flattered and in turn shared both Avery Parrish Thieves and Séance on her social media sites, along with personally complimenting my work. As if I wasn't already feeling so flattered and happy, I became even more so when I received the witch calendar... along with an adorable gift...

There's nothing more rewarding than making great friends through great art. Cheers to all who agree, in the mean time, when it comes to Dame Darcy: Like, Follow, Read! 

Many Many Michaels...

Pinterest Link

Disney World's Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular!

  The 90's kid in me is freaking out about how great this show is! Disney always brings out their villains for Halloween, but hasn't brought out the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus ever, as far as I know. When I worked at Disneyland, Halloween time approached and I kept asking myself why we didn't have face-character Sanderson sisters with their own meet n' greet. Needless to say, I couldn't be happier now that they've brought them into Disney World (fingers crossed they'll one day come to Disneyland), in a live stage show, no less (with a brief prologue narrated by Thakery Binx)!

Luckily, I found the show on YouTube, I'd watch it now, if I know Disney they'll find it soon and take it off asap. Enjoy!

Krampus, Coming to Theatres Soon

Looking forward to Dec. 4, 2015! Thank you Pumpkin Rot, for sharing this link to the official trailer for Krampus, Michael Dougherty's new movie (with an exceptional cast, I might add) about the notorious Christmas devil. For more information on the ghoul, here's a neat National Geographic article I found that breaks it down. 

Click below and enjoy the trailer!

The Manor is Back!

My friend Johnny of Love Manor has posted a nice little teaser, letting us know there is more wickedness to come... Enjoy!

Don't forget to "Like" Love Manor on Facebook!

And visit Lovemanor.com for more tricks and treats! 

Rest In Peace: Wes Craven

Thank you, Sir, for giving us the best nightmares we could ever ask for. 

Goosebumps

Liking this trailer for the new Goosebumps movie! I think Jack Black will make a perfect R. L. Stine. I wish they'd made the effects look more practical than CGI, similar to the cheesy ones in the Goosebumps series, but that's just me. Still looks like it will be a great trip down memory lane.

The VVitch

Not sure whether to be excited (because this looks amazing as hell), or to be mad since I've been writing a story somewhat similar to this for years now... Damn it, it looks so good though!

Rest In Peace James Horner

Very sad to hear about the passing of composer James Horner. 

I watched a great piece of footage in my Film Music course last year of Horner conducting the orchestra for Something Wicked This Way Comes. I got chills watching the piece come to life (so wishing I could find that footage now!) - he really knew what Halloween sounded like. 

Here is another piece I have always loved, not only because I admire Horner's work on Jumanji (one of my favorite movies), but because this one makes me remember Robin Williams and his great performance in the film. Missing him, too. 

Click Below:

Goosebumps: The Movie

   Been so looking forward to seeing this final product and was happy to find a few photos on IMDB. I love Jack Black already, but also really hope that writers Carl Ellsworth (Red Eye, Disturbia) and Scott Alexander (Ed Wood, 1408) capture the spookiness and campiness of our other favorite spooky book series! 

It Follows: To Review or To Rant?

    Just saw the movie a few days ago and have to say it was... interesting. I feel so weird about it because I love a lot of it, but also hate a lot of it, too. There were such cool moments and then such awful/unexplained/trite ones. When I left the theatre, I felt like "we get it, It Follows, you're trying to be the urban outfitters of horror films..." But then again, I couldn't get that cool music out of my head!

   First of all, like I said, the music was great! At least the main theme was. It felt eerie and old school, like it paid homage to horror classics of the 70's and 80's. But there were other bits of music that felt weird, like the scene where she puts her make up on in the mirror. It seemed forced, like it was trying to be quirky and awkward - it took me out of the unity of the film, like I wasn't along for the ride anymore, and instead on the outside looking in, and being irritated.

   The production design was straight out of the 70's and 80's too, which is a cool choice, everything was old school and vintage, but again it felt heavily forced as if the filmmakers relied on it to keep the story interesting. If it were me, I'd just place the movie in the 70's or 80's and not care too much about being "hipster" - just tell the story, if it's better set in another era, go there! I would have liked it a lot better if they had committed to that.

   There were great filmmaking/story decisions and then horrible ones back to back. I loved (although it was sad and scary) the part where she leans out of the car and her hand touches the wild flowers on the ground, and then when she passes out, her hand falls on the flowers- beautiful. But then so much of the movie is filled with dissolves and weird cuts that again feel forced and awkward. There were a lot of moments that felt off or unexplained pulling me out of the story over and over too, so it was hard for me to care about the characters.

   Speaking of characters, what the Hell? I'll start with those who were actually believable: Kelly (the sister), Greg, Paul, and Hugh. They weren't likable characters (accept Kelly) but at least they were written better and did a great job acting-wise. Everyone else irritated me so much! Jay, kept making one mistake after another so I just kind of hated her by the end, which really shouldn't happen since she's the protag'. The character I truly hated, more so than anything, even more so than the scary "followers," is Yara, the quirky girl with the glasses. She just felt so trite and forced. Like we get it, you're the weird one. But be something more than that. Especially in a scary movie where you all need help. I guess I'll chock it up to bad writing. So weird that some characters are written well and others aren't.

   The overall story is a neat idea, but it's a bit flawed - maybe. Let me explain (or explore). While watching it, I wondered if this was some kind of statement on rape or promiscuity. If it's about rape, is it that when you're a victim of rape, things will never be the same, that you now attract a darkness that can come after you and find you once again? Scary! And/or that you'll forever be treated terribly by others, is that what "follows"? A bad reputation? Same with if it deals with promiscuity. Reputation, again? Or hell, even a statement about STD's? Am I giving this movie too much credit, thinking it's about something much deeper than it really is? If so, then that's a bummer. I'm just trying to like it, I guess.

   The other thing that's tricky is that "It" appears in the form of some person that only the victim (Jay) can see. The problem with this is that it deals with strangers and clones - two archetypes no one in an audience really cares about. We don't know them or know what they're capable of and therefore they aren't scary. Mystery and faked identity is scary and awesome, don't get me wrong, but show me what they do! Luckily, in the beginning we see a girl, who is being followed, get killed - ok now we know what they can do, so the "followers" should be scary. The reason they're not however, is because we see them, and they are in the form of clones, which just doesn't work (especially the Yara clone, like please die already!) That being said, the one clone that was truly scary for me was the one that appeared as the dead girl from the beginning. This made me wonder if perhaps all of the followers are actually people (or in the form of people) the "It" has killed, which is fucking awesome! The only problem is that it came up out of nowhere and then was never discussed. It wasn't clear so I'm not sure if it is part of the story, or if I'm just making crap up. If it is not part of the story, then why WOULD it be scary for Jay to see the previously dead girl from the beginning - she didn't know her, so it's not scary.

   What I do like about It Follows, is that it is not you're typical horror film, and not a cheesy slasher (although who doesn't love one of those once in awhile). I love that many parts of it are eerie and they worked with it, they really focus on that mood and it's the strongest part of the movie, carrying the story all together (cause Lord knows the characters didn't). Just before my friend and I saw the film, I was telling her that I wished scary movies used eerie-ness and spookiness as a general tool throughout films and less cheesy gore, so I do have to say that this made me have a lot more respect for the film. It was beautiful, eerie, and suspenseful, three things I really like. However, it just needed more. Alright, enough about what I think, what are your thoughts on the movie? Why is everyone so in love with it?