[MarkAP]

A few more guests added - original post edited.

[Mr. Monster]

They make it easier and easier to skip this every year.

[XombiTom]

Really? Not excited at the potential to hear John Carpenter speak? You must've had one hell of a bad experience at FoF to have such a hate-on for this Barry...

[Nallix]

You can see John Carpenter at Flashback Weekend, as well as a 30th Anniversary screening of The Thing. I have never been to FoF but I've heard so many bad things about how it's handled that I probably never will.

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monster

They make it easier and easier to skip this every year.

Was there something about the phrase "John Carpenter" that you didn't quite understand?

I repeat.

John.

Carpenter.

Let that sink in for a minute.....

[JaMaL]

I'm really honored to be coming back with the Rue Crew this year!!!

[MarkAP]

Originally Posted by Nallix

You can see John Carpenter at Flashback Weekend, as well as a 30th Anniversary screening of The Thing. I have never been to FoF but I've heard so many bad things about how it's handled that I probably never will.

To be fair, last year was one of the best organized and run FanExpo's and FoF's I've attended. All problems from the previous years had been addressed.

[The Gore-met]

Originally Posted by Nallix

I have never been to FoF...

Exactly.

[Nallix]

Originally Posted by The Gore-met

Exactly.

Thank you for removing the rest of my quote and using it out of context. Word of mouth is incredibly important when it comes to deciding to fly to another country for a horror convention. If I keep hearing fans complain about the convention I will be reluctant to spend my money on it, especially when I can see the same guest in a location that won't cost me as much for travel.

[The Gore-met]

Originally Posted by Nallix

Thank you for removing the rest of my quote and using it out of context. Word of mouth is incredibly important when it comes to deciding to fly to another country for a horror convention. If I keep hearing fans complain about the convention I will be reluctant to spend my money on it, especially when I can see the same guest in a location that won't cost me as much for travel.

I put your quote in the exact context it should be seen - baseless, and consequently worthless.

A number of people on this board volunteer their time and energy to try to make the Festival of Fear portion of Fan Expo an interesting and positive experience, so your arrogant nonsense merely displays a callous disregard for our collective effort.

[Mr. Monster]

Originally Posted by XombiTom

Really? Not excited at the potential to hear John Carpenter speak? You must've had one hell of a bad experience at FoF to have such a hate-on for this Barry...

Several. I still won't watch a Wes Craven movie. Well, unless David Hess is in it. That dude was all class.

I don't think it's worth what it costs in time or money. Yes, John Carpenter is an amazing guest, and yes, it does suck that I won't be there for it. But as much as I love his movies, it's not worth it to me to spend hours in line for Q&A's and autograph, not to mention the "photo op". I can hear him speak whenever I want. Hell, pick the right DVD and I can hear him talk to Kurt Russell for 90 minutes! And it won't ruin any of my perceptions of the man.

My comment was really directed at the rest of the guest list though. Just doesn't appeal to me. It's so "Hollywood". (not trying to keep it indie or anything, I just don't care to spend $50 to meet Rose McGowan, or whatever else these people who've been in 1 thing I liked are gonna charge). I had thought I might go on the Thursday just to check out the poster vendors (and to try and see Gillian Anderson in person.. Hey, didn't we use to have a smiley with hearts for eyes?) but the more I think about it, once you factor in the $25 ticket price (which wouldn't let you hear Carpenter speak), gas, parking, food, aggravation, etc., it's just cheaper to pay the shipping on ebay.

Anyways, enough with the hate. Sorry to keep lashing out. I wish I didn't, but I'm just angry all the time and I don't even know why.

[ruemorgueman]

The last two Festivals Of Fear were so disorganized, it was ridiculous. I had a problem with one loud mouth security guard who yelled at my son. You can yell at me all you want, but when its my child I have a big problem with that. I was there the last time the Toronto fire marshal shut down the show for two hours because of overcrowding. When it comes to money over peoples safety thats where I draw the line.

[MarkAP]

Originally Posted by ruemorgueman

I was there the last time the Toronto fire marshal shut down the show for two hours because of overcrowding.

That didn't happen last year, it happened in 2010... and as I mentioned, 2011 was the best one I've experienced since I started going in 2006.

I would say that FoF is the sole beacon of "organized" during the craziness of FanExpo. Based on my experiences, RM staff have always been on their game, and know what's up.

I wouldn't say the same thing for Hobbystar's volunteers however... Hobbystar's staff is largely unorganzied.. RM FoF's not at all.

[The Gore-met]

Originally Posted by MarkAP

That didn't happen last year, it happened in 2010... and as I mentioned, 2011 was the best one I've experienced since I started going in 2006.

I've attended 24 of the 26 days Rue Morgue has been at Fan Expo over the last nine years (I skipped Saturday last August because I was booked for events the other three days and Sunday of the March Fan Expo because I wasn't). One day nearly two years ago there was a colossal clusterfuck admitting attendants. Let's not make it more than that. As Mark points out, last year was fine.

[ruemorgueman]

Rue Morgue is a big enough establishment to put on their own horror themed convention. Perhaps they should consider it.

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Interesting. Usually we have to wait until AFTER the convention before the complaints start pouring in. This year, they're THREE months early!

[JaMaL]

Ha!!

[Draccenstein]

typically every year we wait for a specific date for the guests to be announced. This year FE has been releasing the info here and there. Does RM have a few guests still to be announced on a specific date or is what we know it?

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Originally Posted by Draccenstein

Does RM have a few guests still to be announced on a specific date or is what we know it?

I dunno. I can ask next time I go in. But when it comes to FOF, I'm pretty much as out of the loop as anyone else.

[MarkAP]

Originally Posted by Draccenstein

typically every year we wait for a specific date for the guests to be announced. This year FE has been releasing the info here and there. Does RM have a few guests still to be announced on a specific date or is what we know it?

My guess is yes... Even when the "specific date" roll-out used to occur, RM still released a bunch of guests in the months and weeks leading up to it.
It seems like Hobbystar is releasing small groups of guests every week for each genre.

[The Gore-met]

Originally Posted by Stuart Feedback Andrews

I dunno. I can ask next time I go in.

I did that, there are more guests being lined up.

[Llama]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monster

once you factor in the $25 ticket price (which wouldn't let you hear Carpenter speak)

They actually fixed that last year as well. You didn't need the weekend pass to get into the Q&A stuff.

Last year was probably the best I've ever seen it organized and I've gone at least one day every year since FOF existed. I may look at the schedule and just pick a day this year instead of the whole weekend. Possibly it's part of getting older but I can only take so much of the actual convention no matter how well it's organized. I wouldn't miss any of the offsite events, always a highlight of the weekend.

[mR. BuNgLe]

I'm looking forward to the upcoming offsite announcements. A JC screening/Q&A is a must!

[Draccenstein]

Originally Posted by The Gore-met

I did that, there are more guests being lined up.

ah, very good to hear. thanks for the answer

[XombiTom]

Originally Posted by Mr. Monster

Several. I still won't watch a Wes Craven movie. Well, unless David Hess is in it. That dude was all class.

I don't think it's worth what it costs in time or money. Yes, John Carpenter is an amazing guest, and yes, it does suck that I won't be there for it. But as much as I love his movies, it's not worth it to me to spend hours in line for Q&A's and autograph, not to mention the "photo op". I can hear him speak whenever I want. Hell, pick the right DVD and I can hear him talk to Kurt Russell for 90 minutes! And it won't ruin any of my perceptions of the man.

My comment was really directed at the rest of the guest list though. Just doesn't appeal to me. It's so "Hollywood". (not trying to keep it indie or anything, I just don't care to spend $50 to meet Rose McGowan, or whatever else these people who've been in 1 thing I liked are gonna charge). I had thought I might go on the Thursday just to check out the poster vendors (and to try and see Gillian Anderson in person.. Hey, didn't we use to have a smiley with hearts for eyes?) but the more I think about it, once you factor in the $25 ticket price (which wouldn't let you hear Carpenter speak), gas, parking, food, aggravation, etc., it's just cheaper to pay the shipping on ebay.

Anyways, enough with the hate. Sorry to keep lashing out. I wish I didn't, but I'm just angry all the time and I don't even know why.

LOL...(not laughing at your post, but the last line, unless it's for serious, then get help...)

I totally get where you're coming from. I took a step back from the blinding awesomeness that is John Carpenter being there to look at the whole thing. The financial side of things, you're absolutely right, it's a crazy-ass amount of money that you end up spending for this kind of thing. And with all the hubbub getting there, finally getting in and then slowly pacing behind anime kids that take up the whole aisle is frustrating. I guess it's just part of the experience and aside from that one year with the Saturday entrance craziness/delays, I can easily deal with it and it's never really got me THAT upset.

For me, the payback of the stuff I pick up on the floor and the panels I've seen there completely outweighs any of the crap that sometimes comes up. I can definitely deal with the madness one more year to see he who brought In the Mouth of Madness...

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Originally Posted by XombiTom

and then slowly pacing behind anime kids

Dude. That is the ONLY reason I ever go....

[Anonymouse]

who cares what the rest of the guest list looks like. it's John Fucking Carpenter. if that isn't enough to get some of you clowns excited then nothing will.

[Ashley O]

I was actually thinking I would get to come this year, but it turns out that was all a lie.

[XombiTom]

Originally Posted by Stuart Feedback Andrews

Dude. That is the ONLY reason I ever go....

You are indeed a sick man...

[Flesheater]

Damn it...the three of us that went to FoF to see Argento said we'd never go back unless it was Carpenter. I might just have to visit Canada once more...the VIP pass to see the guest of honor is quite appealing. The cost is not however...I believe we paid $250 for the Argento VIP and upon arriving they were selling them for like $100 at the door.

If FoF wasn't held along side a Comic/Video Game convention it would be a nice event to attend...but I couldn't handle the comic/video gaming attendees as well as the volunteer staff that was unaware what a VIP pass was. It is nice to hear that most of the complaints have been resolved so possibly a future FoF visit might unsour my opinion.

[MarkAP]

Not FoF guests... but some Sci-Fi ones (and random 90210 reunion at the same time..)... Christopher Lloyd is pretty cool.


http://campaign.r20.constantcontact....WxurxcIg%3D%3D

[MarkAP]

http://www.fanexpocanada.com/horror-guests/tom-noonan/

http://www.fanexpocanada.com/fan-exp...ibit-and-more/

[JaMaL]

I just wanna comment on the FRANKENWEENIE exhibit... FUCK YES!!!!!

[jaysaw]

Every year FoF looks so appealing. It's just ashame it falls the exact same time as frightfest. Money is always the problem though. The guests look pretty cool this year, but i hear what Mr Monster is saying. The price to get autographs is a major sticking point and sometimes the guests aren't always everyone's cup of tea.
The price for the STAR guest is alittle shocking sometimes, but if your willing, then good on ya.

With frightfest (unless your a complete douche and hound them bad) you can get pretty much anyone's john hancock (sans paying). But then it's a film festival rather than an expo.

[MarkAP]

Looks like the full guest-list has been updated!
http://www.rue-morgue.com/events/festival-of-fear

Some very cool additions!
Alan Howarth, Astron-6, Julian Richings and a bunch more. Plus, the awesomely random addition of Booker T.

[Llama]

Wow! The addition of Howarth with Carpenter headlining is very cool!

[XombiTom]

Originally Posted by Llama

Wow! The addition of Howarth with Carpenter headlining is very cool!

Yeah - I'm really hoping there's something that happens musically as an event between those 2. Would blow my mind to see Halloween played with live musical accompaniment...

[Nonsense]

a WWE wrestler?? LMAO...ok then.

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Originally Posted by jaysaw

Every year FoF looks so appealing. It's just ashame it falls the exact same time as frightfest.

Will you be our man at FRIGHTFEST this year and give us a full report on the Mortuary? I've always wanted to check it out (maybe one of these days) so maybe we can live vicariously through you?

[Llama]

Yikes, the cost went up quite a bit this year. It's going to be $103 including the service fee for a weekend pass.

[jaysaw]

Originally Posted by Stuart Feedback Andrews

Will you be our man at FRIGHTFEST this year and give us a full report on the Mortuary? I've always wanted to check it out (maybe one of these days) so maybe we can live vicariously through you?

I'll give it a go. i can certainly chalk up the reviews of the films showing and i normally take a few pictures, so i'll give it a whirl.

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

Originally Posted by jaysaw

I'll give it a go. i can certainly chalk up the reviews of the films showing and i normally take a few pictures, so i'll give it a whirl.

Perfect. You're our man across the pond!

[MarkAP]

ALAN HOWARTH TO ROCK THIS YEAR’S SHOCKTAIL PARTY
With only 37 sleeps ’til this year’s Festival of Fear, we’re elated to announce this year’s SHOCKTAIL PARTY – FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 at The Courthouse (57 Adelaide St. E.) – will feature famed composer ALAN HOWARTH performing music from such John Carpenter classics as HALLOWEEN, CHRISTINE, THEY LIVE, and more! Advance tickets are now available from Suspect Video (605 Markham St. – Toronto) and the RM House of Horror (2926 Dundas St. W; weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) for just $20

WHAT’S BLOOD FOR, IF NOT FOR SCREENING?
Also during the 2012 Festival of Fear, join us for a special screening of CANDYMAN, featuring star TONY TODD in-person, SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 @ 9 p.m. at the TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King St. W.)! See the movie that Film Freak Central called, “one of the best of the end-of-the-eighties/start-of-the-nineties body modification films.” One night only! Advance tickets available for just $15 from Silver Snail (367 Queen St. W), Suspect Video (605 Markham St.) and the RM House of Horror (2926 Dundas St. West; weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

[Stuart Feedback Andrews]

I noted that we have another Carpenter coming this year....

JENNIFER Carpenter from Dexter. Excellent.

[XombiTom]

I'm really pumped that there's something musical happening involving Howarth. Wonder what the Carpenter event will be? Anyone have any insider info?

[MrGone]

Wait... Is there no after party on the Saturday night like there normally is every year??? Say it ain't so, that's usually the highlight of the weekend in some ways :(

[Nonsense]

There's gotta be a Saturday night party.

[Draccenstein]

do you need a deluxe pass to get into the on-site panels, workshops and Q&As?

[MarkAP]

Originally Posted by Draccenstein

do you need a deluxe pass to get into the on-site panels, workshops and Q&As?

I am pretty sure that single day passes will get you into panels and q&a's.
On the FanExpo site it says that day passes are "all access".

Kinda related - not the actual schedule - but some of the onsite events are listed... Some of the panels look fun.
http://www.fanexpocanada.com/horror-attractions/

[MarkAP]

http://www.rue-morgue.com/2012/07/ti...s-now-on-sale/

Seems like no Saturday party.

Still Friday night works for me - and a Saturday screening works nicely too.
Wished there were a closing night event. I always loved those. Really helped wrap up the weekend nicely.