Rock and Shock

If you already saw Waterborn's blog, you know about Rock and Shock. It's an annual festival in Worcester, MA where vendors, rock bands (this year was Insane Clown Posse) and actors from horror films get together with thousands of fans to celebrate the horror film genre. I was there last year and it even spawned the 2old2play Pop Culture Series, when Waterborn interviewed the lead singer of the Murderdolls.

I spent all day today again this year. I admit, I was slightly disappointed that Jon Bernthal and Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead were pulled last minute, because AMC wanted them in New York. However I spent about 15-20 minutes chatting with the mother of Addy Miller. If you watched The Walking Dead you will certainly recognize her:

Her mother told me all about the day they spent filming with Frank Darabont and how her daughter got the part in the first place. After getting a quick autograph she agreed to a photo with my son:

We also waited in line for close to 2 hours to meet Mr. Robert Englund, Freddy Krueger himself. The more well-known actors like Englund and Gary Busey charge separately for an autographed photo and a picture with the actor, so I only got autographed photos from both. But he posed with the photo he signed for me!

He was extremely busy the whole time I was there, but in the 2 minutes or so that he was signing the photo he came off as a very kind and friendly guy. I had about as much contact with Gary Busey, who was far more intimidating than Freddy Krueger, but didn't seem quite as friendly.

Though he wasn't the biggest actor at the con, I had to make it a point to visit Miko Hughes. I was born in 1979 so I grew up alongside his TV and movie roles - Gage in Pet Sematary, the little snotty bastard on Full House, Heather Langenkamp's kid in Wes Craven's New Nightmare, and the "Boys have a penis, girls have a vagina" kid in Kindergarten Cop. He was also very friendly, and a bit out there, but was willing to talk to us for awhile about being a massively successful child star from the age of 2.

We also got a posted signed by the supporting case of Inkubus, a new horror film premiering tonight at the con. Waterborn called me and said he had an extra ticket, and I was incredibly tempted to ditch the wife and kids so I could check it out but I needed a ride home.

First, Glenn Ciano (director of Inkubus):

Also, my friend Dee with Joey Fatone (also known from NSYNC):

Although I want to hate everything boy band related, he was actually a wicked nice guy.

They had some very talented artists there, like a girl who draws cheap cartoon portraits. Here's my son with a $10 sketch of him and his little brother, zombiefied:

There were so many people there that I didn't get to see Waterborn, but we spoke on the phone a few times today. I will be heading back to Worcester tomorrow with my camera gear so we can shoot a couple interviews. Check his and my blog within the next couple weeks, and we should have some VERY cool new videos for the 2old2play Pop Culture Series.