WOMAN OF THE WEEK: REBEKAH MCKENDRY

When it comes to women in horror, it doesn't get much more impressive than Rebekah McKendry.  As the current Director of Marketing for Fangoria magazine, Rebekah McKendry is living proof that bad-ass horror fans come in all forms, vagina included.  Rebekah wasn't always the horror professional.  Before she hit it big with Fangoria, she had a full-time position as a public school teacher. McKendry taught film and English at a high school just outside of Washington, D.C.  Unfortunately, teaching wasn't for her and she sought out to find her true calling.  After moving to New York City, Rebekah found herself working for the New York Horror Film festival.  She would meet many staff members of Fangoria in this process and began to work part-time for Fangoria Radio as a researcher.  Working her way through a number of different positions including writing and assistant producing, she became the Director of Marketing.  As the DM, she works with cross promotions, sponsorships, advertising, conventions, fan relations, and merchandising, just to name a handful of her responsibilities.  To top it off, while doing all of this, she's still a contributing writer.
 
With a B.A. in Film, Master's in Media Education, Master's in Film, and is in progress for a PhD in Media and Film, (that makes her soon to be Dr. McKendry for those playing at home) Rebekah has more than proven her street cred as a film guru.  Her personal musings can be found on her blog on the Fangoria site is called Bekah’s Confessions, and she's contributed to many books as well.  This past April, Rebekah McKendry had been selected as a new host of the popular horror web show INSIDE HORROR, joining the ranks of current hosts Elric Kane and Staci Lane.  As a producer, writer, director, and show host, Rebekah McKendry has achieved what just about every little horror girl has always dreamed of.  She has found a way to work within the medium that she loves, and is respected for it.  Rebekah McKendry is a force to be reckoned with and one of the queens of the horror journalism world.  No one does it like Rebekah McKendry and she has truly paved the way for female horror writers/journalists to come.  We at Day of the Woman salute you.  

WOMAN OF THE WEEK: KAT SHERIDAN

Red headed siren, Kat Sheridan discovered a passion for acting at 6 years old. Since then, she trained in classical theater, starred in several productions (from Shakespeare to Vaudeville), and even directed a play "The Good Doctor" by Neil Simon. She has B.A. in Theater Arts, has experience in improv comedy, belongs to the Actor's Co-Op, and has workshopped with the Lifebook acting group. Later expanding her range to film and television, she starred in a promotional commercial for Showtime's Lock N Load reality show, appeared in a music video, short films, and recently completed her first feature film as a principal actor, The Red House, a horror film premiering in 2012.  The Red House (not to be confused with any of the other films of the same name) is brought to us by Greg Avellone and Johh Otrin (of Friday the 13th fame). The premise involves attractive young people going to a cabin in the woods, and not surprisingly, find themselves involved with mayhem and madness. A lover of all things nerdy and genre oriented, Kat Sheridan is more than just another girl trying to make a name for herself in the business.

Kat enjoys physical performance due to her extensive stage combat background, including single sword, broad sword, rapier & dagger skills, as well as bull whip training. She has has also done modeling work for publicity campaigns for online, film, and music projects. Ms. Sheridan has worked on several comedies and dramas, but also enjoys genre work such as period pieces, science fiction and fantasy. Outside of entertainment, Kat enjoys sailing offshore of Seattle, driving cross country, and horse-back riding. Sheridan took the initiative and sought me out to tell me about her new project with The Red House, but it was upon my other research that I decided to deliver Kat Sheridan the coveted honor of Woman of the Week.  Not only an actress and model, Kat is also a producer of quite possibly one of the coolest fangirl projects I've ever seen. She's currently producing a comedy web series online about comic con culture and people who dress up as "cosplayers".  I'm excited to see what else Kat Sheridan has up her sleeve and hope to watch her career continue to blossom.

You can follow her on

 Twitter, Facebook, Blogspot,  

Youtube, and IMDB.

WOMAN OF THE WEEK: CHLOE GRACE MORETZ

To the right of this text is the face of a girl that has been proving herself time and time again across numerous genres, but she got her start like most great actresses, in the world of horror.  At only fourteen years old, Chloë Grace Moretz has 39 acting roles to her name and was recently voted the "Favorite Movie Star Under 25" over the four main castmates of the Harry Potter films at the People's Choice Awards.  With her should be trademarked buxom lips and expressive eyes, Moretz has taken on (and completely owned) a vast majority of roles and showed her acting chops each and every time.  Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the new face of a screen starlet.  The difference between Moretz and most of the child actors in her age range, is that she possesses the acting talent to pass the puberty funk and transcend into a highly respected adult actress. Not many child stars can make the leap, but Chloë is well on her way to doing so.  She is highly respected for her decisions to play unconventional and challenging roles and even more so for portraying them with such prowess and elegance. However, we mustn't forget her roots. Let us take a journey back to where she got her start.

At only eight years old, Chloë Grace Moretz held her own alongside powerhouse performers Melissa George and Ryan Reynolds as the youngest of the Lutz children, Chelsea.  She may have won over audiences with her adorable little voice and big blue eyes, but it was her innate ability to convey innocence in the most horrific of circumstances that proved she was far more than a cute little girl.  Moretz's character was a beacon of supernatural activity and the sole individual able to see the ghostly little girl, Jodie.  She did her own stunts, her own screams, and easily gave the most believable of all of the performances in the remake.  Yes, Ryan Reynold's abs were shown up by an eight year old.

Fast forward a few years, and you can spot Moretz in the horror films Room 6, Wicked Little Things, Hallowed Ground, and The Eye.  It was in 2010 that Moretz earned herself a spot in the geeky fankid's hall of fame with her performance as "Hit-Girl" in the superhero flick, Kick-Ass. Adorable, mouthy, heavily armed, and highly combative, Moretz blew audiences away with her insane action moves and line delivery.  I'm sorry, but not every 11 year old can pull off the line "Show's over motherfuckers" while retaining some badassery.  Moretz did it with strength and conviction.  I've yet to see a superhero movie since the release of Kick-Ass showcase even a fraction of the impressive factor of Hit-Girl.

As one of the biggest self proclaimed fangirls of Let The Right One In, my heart broke when they announced the American remake in the works.  The only thing that kept me somewhat sane was knowing they had cast Moretz as my beloved Eli. A good friend of mine said it best, "the only problem with Let Me In is that Let The Right One In exists." I have to agree. Moretz may have been far too female and conventionally beautiful for Eli, but she acted the hell out of the role.  She gave a beautifully executed performance and deserves any and all praise given to her. She kept the heart of a character fans the world over cherish, and I admire her for staying true to something I hold so near and dear to my heart.

Ladies and Germs, this is what staying power looks like.  Now, I'm not about to be the one who says that many child stars rest solely on their cute looks and tiny voices, (I'm looking at you Fanning Sisters) but this is the real deal.  My only hope is that Chloë Grace Moretz never forgets what helped skyrocket her to the fame she has and keeps a loving relationship with the horror genre.  One of my biggest complaints about modern horror is the inability for anyone to cast an actress for something more than her face and body, and Chloë is the total package.  We as horror fans should be encouraging more casting decisions like this and maintain some clout within the film community by producing films with quality performances instead of relying on FX and jump scares.  She's got a bright future ahead of her and I cannot wait to see what else she comes up with.  Her next role in "our realm" will be in the Tim Burton gothic/myster film Dark Shadows out May of 2012.

IT'S THE PJ SOLES BLOGATHON!!!

Today launches what I hope to be a fantastic week dedicated to the highly underrated but always appreciated, PJ Soles.  We're going to start things off on Day of the Woman by showcasing the article that started it all, the very first Woman of the Week ever written on DotW.

This week, we are featuring P.J. Soles. While she has quite a resume ranging from television to the silver screen, she is being glorified for her two most recognizable roles in the horror genre. [Not to say Rock 'N' Roll High School wasn't awesome].  P.J. Soles got her BIG moment in horror as most memorable playing red hat wearing bitch Norma Watson in the adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie.  Norma was a wonderful little toadie to the queen bee of bitchery Chris Hargensen.  Norma is infamous for being the first person to laugh at the pig's blood covered Carrie White at the prom (all while still wearing that damn red hat). That first laugh is what sparked the haunting reprise of Margaret White pleading "They're All Going To Laugh AT You".  P.J. really kept herself in character, as she received an actual injury on set.  When Carrie starts to kill off all those who tormented and laughed at her, a firehouse begins spraying wickedly around the gym.  Norma is infamously hit in the face with the hose and drops down on the floor (still wearing that damn hat).  The scene we have all witnessed on film was P.J. Stoles actually having her eardrum burst by the water and passing out on the floor.  Talk about commitment to a role!  

On the night of October 31st, 1978, one Lynda Van Der Klock had planned to meet up with her friends [Annie Blackett and her boyfriend Paul] at the Wallace resident for some "fun". Little does Lynda know, Annie has been murdered by Michael Myers. Thus, sets us up for one of the most iconic scenes from Halloween ever.  

Lynda has sex with her boyfriend Bob when he goes downstairs for a beer.  While he is downstairs Michael pins him to the wall with a knife.  He then disguises himself as Bob by wearing a white sheet over his head and Bob's glasses. Lynda of course believes it to be Bob and begins to flash him her breasts. Now, as a completely heterosexual female, P.J. Soles looks pretty decent naked, especially for the 70's.  She gets up to call her buddy Laurie Strode to see if she knows where Annie and Paul are.  The second that Laurie picks up, Michael Myers grabs the phone cord and strangles Lynda with it. Of course Laurie assumes its a prank call and just hangs up the phone. Lynda falls dead and Laurie finds them later on.  Now for those who are thinking I'm a complete moron for describing one of the most infamous scenes that "everybody" knows about; there is a method to my madness. People don't realize how iconic P.J. Soles helped make that scene.  Go check your local Hot Topic or Spencer's gift store to discover that you yourself can have your very own Michael Myers [wearing bed sheet and glasses] figurine. Now, this scene may not have been as wonderful without Soles.  The role of Lynda was specifically written for Soles after John Carpenter had seen her in Carrie, and because of the way she said "totally".  Without P.J. Soles, or the character of Lynda, this scene may never have even taken place.

A band originating from my hometown even has an album dedicated to her. Check out Local H's album "What Ever Happened to P.J. Soles?"

P.J. Soles will forever live in infamy as one of the most treasured women in horror. Everyone recognized her as dying in all of the horror films, but it is my goal to put a name to a face. Thank-you P.J. Soles for being wonderful, and making such classic films all the more memorable.  

JUNE 26TH-JULY 2ND: THE PJ SOLES BLOGATHON!

Yes! An entire week dedicated to you!

It was back in February of 2009 that Day of the Woman started the popular "Woman of the Week" feature, and I started things off with the showcase of my personal favorite Scream Queen, PJ Soles.  It hit me a while back that I wanted to do a blogathon and after consulting with a handful of womanizers and my trusty comrades in the MGC, that I have made the executive decision to host Day of the Woman's very first blogathon-an entire week dedicated to PJ Soles.  

During the last week of June and the start of July, Day of the Woman will be the home base for all things PJ Soles.  Anything and everything written for the blogathon will be showcased HERE on Day of the Woman and there will be gratuitous publicity for your site. If you want to take part in the festivities, just pop up one of these handy dandy banners somewhere on your blog and link it back to Day of the Woman. It's that simple!   

If you want to join in, drop me an email at 

BRITTNAHJADE@gmail.com

just so I can get an idea of how many articles we'll be linking to for the week.

WOMEN OF THE WEEK: THE SOSKA SISTERS

Your eyes do not deceive you, this IS the return of Woman of the Week here at Day of the Woman.  From this moment on, Day of the Woman will no longer be plagued with absences due to school work or other outside forces, and BJ-C is going to kick off the reboot full force by showcasing not one, but two of the horror industry's greatest female assets.

Unless you've been living under a rock, it's safe to say that Jen and Sylvia Soska are currently two of the fastest growing horror icons.  The Twisted Twins are known for their Women In Horror Recognition Month Blood Drive videos, multiple short films, and of course-Dead Hooker In a Trunk. 

It was during film school that the flame beneath The Soska Sisters was ignited, and started a horror revolution.  When the funding for one of their final projects was pulled, the twins continued on and created the film with their own cast and crew, on their own time, and paid for it out of their own pockets.  In the trend of Grindhouse, the twins created a "fake trailer" for a film containing all of the "inappropriate" subjects their school had listed.  It was then that the twins joked to eventually turn the fake trailer into an actual film, and so was the birth of Dead Hooker In A Trunk. 

When I say that these women created a film, I mean they CREATED a film. The sisters both took part in the film by directing, producing, starring in, and performing the stunts for the film.  Not only are these women bad ass enough to create a film, they even do their own stunts.  DHIAT has completely taken the horror world by storm and has easily become a fan favorite by both reviewers, filmmakers, and festivals.  The film currently holds an underground sensation status and seems to be developing as a cult classic already.  Dead Hooker In A Trunk and The Twins themselves were even praised by Eli Roth who went on record saying, "you should check out the Soska sisters, who made a film called Dead Hooker In A Trunk. They made it low budget and it's fucking awesome. It's really violent and the stunts are superb. They are two Canadian twin sisters who made a feature that they wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. And it's fantastic."  Everyone knows that Eli Roth is a total doucher, so impressing him was no easy feat.  The Soska sisters however, blew him away.  

After the success of Dead Hooker In A Trunk, The Twisted Twins embarked on their newest film adventure, American Mary.  Not only is this another time for the sisters to showcase their skills as filmmakers, but they've also managed to nab Katherine Isabelle (of Ginger Snaps fame) as their leading lady.  The film is set to shoot this summer and I cannot express my excitement.

To put it simply, Jen and Sylvia Soska are quite possibly the two most inspirational women for the female horror fan of the new millennium.

WOMAN OF THE WEEK: NEVE CAMPBELL

In celebration of tonight's release of SCRE4M, Day of the Woman is going to feature one of the premiere Scream Queens of the 1990's.  Although Neve Campbell doesn't have a laundry list of horror films to her resume, her portrayals as Bonnie in the witch movie The Craft and her role as Sidney Prescott in the SCREAM franchise have permanently earned her a spot in the hearts of horror fanatics everywhere. 

Born in Guelph, Ontario, Neve Campbell was the daughter of a yoga instructor/psychologist and a high school drama teacher.  Her grandparents ran a theatre company in the Netherlands and performed as well.  It was only logical that Neve would also found herself bitten by the acting bug.  Her parents divorced when she was two years old and she resided most of her childhood with her father.  When she was nine years old, she moved into the National Ballet.  When she was around fifteen years old,  Neve Campbell switched her focus from dancing to acting and performed at the Canon Theatre's production of The Phantom of the Opera. 

Her first widely released film was for The Craft.  Starring alongside Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Christine Taylor, and fellow SCREAM actor Skeet Ulrich, Neve Campbell played telekinetic "Bonnie", one of the four members of the coven shown in the film.  Surprisingly, the most memorable scene from Bonnie's character wasn't performing witchcraft, but rather the painful treatment she endured to try and get rid of the burn scars plaguing her back.  After the scars were treated due to witch magic, the character takes a major switch from playing such a shy and insecure girl, to a cocky and conceited girly-girl.  The flawless character switch Neve managed to portray was highly impressive and a sure signal for the talent she possessed within.  

It was later that year when Neve Campbell would secure her spot in the horror movie hall of fame.  Joining the ranks of Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Thompson, and the like, Neve Campbell emerged as the fresh faced final girl of Wes Craven's SCREAM.  Campbell revisited her role three times in all of the sequels from the original film.  Apparently Drew Barrymoore was intended to star in the film, but due to scheduling conflicts, the role was given to Campbell instead.  Wes Craven saw her performance on the television show Party of Five and is quoted to say "She could best embody a character who was "innocent" but also able to handle herself while dealing with the demanding physicality and emotions of the role".  Neve actually almost didn't take the role after finishing The Craft, but was willing to do so as it would be her first feature starring role.  It's safe to say that she made the right decision in taking the job.  Her role as Sidney Prescott even earned her a Best Actress award at the 1997 Saturn Awards.  Over ten years from her first performance as Sidney Prescott, Neve Campbell is returning to the big screen for one final hurrah with the rest of her SCREAM companions.  SCRE4M opens in theatres everywhere tonight. 

WOMAN OF THE WEEK: Emily Marie Harris (Avianna Cosplay)

Continuing with my pattern of featuring local women, I've decided to showcase another lady hailing from the Leatherneck country of WIU and give you all a little taste of the ever-inspiring, Emily Marie Harris.  Emily is the mind and creator of the online/cosplay persona Avianna.  While Emily has concocted a slew of character representations in the like of Harley Quinn, Lady Gaga, Wenda (from Where's Waldo?), Neofeo from Chrono Cross, and countless characters from Silver Star Story Complete, it is her obvious obsession with the Silent Hill series that has brought her here today.  In case you haven't been keeping up on your daily dose of Day of the Woman (shame on you if you haven't), a week or so ago I did a write-up on my experiences with survival horror video games, focusing on Silent Hill: Homecoming.  From that write-up, I've found myself completely OBSESSED with the Silent Hill video games and have begun really appreciating everything to do with the series.  Ignoring such a powerful creator right in my own back yard would be foolish, and Emily Marie Harris is one of the best of them all. I've creeped through her photos and chosen my favorites to show you all right here.  Enjoy.

PRIS as seen in BLADE RUNNER

DAHLIA MASON as seen in 

SILENT HILL: SHATTERED MEMORIES

DAHLIA GILLESPIE as seen in SILENT HILL

ROBBIE RABBIT as seen in SILENT HILL

ANNA IVA: ORIGINAL STEAMPUNK DESIGN

yes, it's a motherfrenching

SIAM as seen in  

SILENT HILL: HOMECOMING

You can find out more about Emily Marie Harris and her cosplay character
Avianna by checking out her website HERE
or clicking any of these fun buttons
:)

WOMAN OF THE WEEK: Danielle Ruggiero

As Women in Horror recognition month comes to a close, it took me a while to figure out just who I'd want to feature for my final Woman of the Week for this monumental month.  I brainstormed classic Scream Queens, female directors, and countless other women who have already made a huge impact in our genre.  That's when it hit me.  Why should I feature someone who has already gained plenty of notoriety when I can turn the focus to a woman working her way to make a tremor in the horror genre.  You most likely haven't heard of this week's woman, and that's the point.  Not only is she a native of the Chicago burbs, but this is ANOTHER girl from my pageant circuit with a penchant for all things horror.

Meet Danielle Ruggiero.  Danielle is a 22 year old up-and-coming hair and makeup artist.  If you were to take one look at her, you'd most likely immediately assume that she's just some pretty blonde girl with a cosmetology degree and a life of prom up-dos and twenty dollar haircuts ahead of her.  Just so you know, you'd be wrong.  While Danielle makes a living working as a hair stylist, she has mad chops and a huge desire to make the movie monsters that fill our nightmares.  I asked Danielle what exactly drew a "girl like her" to a genre like this, and her answers were not only surprising, but inspiring.

Ever since I was a little girl I have had an interest in scary movies and Halloween and all that it entails. Of course as a little girl I feel like I more tortured myself due to the simple fact that I would stay up and watch these movies and then wouldn't sleep because I was too scared. Ha... As I got older I grew to love them and love Halloween ( which is actually my favorite holiday )... You don't see a lot of girls interested in this field of work... and when everyone asks me what I want to pursue in this career they are somewhat shocked when I respond by saying that I love all the blood and gore. The pretty stuff is just something to do and get the money flow... but I have a true passion for the special effects aspect of it all.....it just all fascinates me! Obviously me being in Chicago is hindering me from working on films or things like that, that I would possibly be doing in California.. but I am a working a few student films and getting my feet wet here because I don't want to be like everyone else and be an aspiring starving artist JUST TO BE IN CALIFORNIA. There are plenty of jobs out here... and I want to prove to all of them that a special effects makeup artist can survive out here. 

The Eye looks very "Freddy Acid Face in Return of the Living Dead" to me. Agree?

I don't know about you, but I'd take this one home for a night ;)

Danielle clearly puts her money where her mouth is and has quite the portfolio developing.  For more information on Danielle's work, you can "LIKE" her facebook page

 

Danielle Ruggiero-Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

KRISTY JETT: THE HORROR FAN'S KNIGHTESS IN MONSTER T-SHIRT ARMOUR

Kristy Jett is no stranger here on DotW, and she's surely becoming a household name for the die-hard horror fan.  When she's not running around conventions, cranking out amazing articles as the "First Lady of Filth" for The Blood Sprayer, lending her talents out to countless other printed horror media outlets, and being the most energetic member of the Fright-Rags family, Kristy Jett is righting all of the wrongs in the horror world.  Yes, my friends...a WOMAN is behind the patrol of all things proper for the horror industry.  Whether it's exposing journalists of their plagiarism, correcting the spelling and grammar of horror bloggers, putting douchebag directors in their place, or coming to the aide of any horror fan in need, Kristy Jett is the girl you want in your back corner.

While I could go on for days on the countless injustices Kristy has corrected, she has recently gone above and beyond the call of duty.

A man named John Gray was supposedly putting on the mother of all F13 conventions, Camp Blood.  This convention was to host over 70 guests ranging from the original F13 film and even people from the television series.  For a Crystal Lake Camper, this sounded too good to be true...and it was.  There were tons of celebrities that not only had never heard of the convention (let alone agreed to be a part of it), the date was pushed to a different occasions (and refunds were NOT given), and he was altering people's posts on forums to make himself look better.  This is just the tip of the iceburg, but Kristy did full coverage of it over at The Blood Sprayer. 

When Kristy saw this injustice, she didn't just pout her face and write an angsty facebook status with the caps key locked on, she actually DID something.  She didn't go about her business and sit back, she knew something had to change.  While most people in the horror blogging world are too busy using their time to write half-ass reviews of shitty movies or kissing asses to hack-job directors simply because they know how to personalize a mass e-mail...Kristy Jett actually DID something for the horror community out of the kindness of her heart without the hopes that it would bring her some sort of e-celebrity.

PARAPHRASED FROM BLOOD SPRAYER.COM

• Kristy has teamed up with Bill Philputt and Adolfo Dorta, the creators of Days of The Dead, a convention which takes place July 1st-3rd in Indianapolis, Indiana to give back to the fans who have been taken advantage of. Bill and Adolfo have generously offered to honor any tickets for Camp Blood at their convention. In addition to that generous offer, they are in discussions with another convention to try and get the same offer to allow fans a variety of shows to choose from to redeem their Camp Blood tickets. All we need is proof that you purchased for Camp Blood like a Paypal receipt,etc.
•  
• The Rock N Shock Convention which takes place in October in Massachusetts will also honor Camp Blood tickets.  With Bill, Adolfo and Don Hinrichs, creator of Crypticon Minneapolis, [they] are organizing an auction, all proceeds will be split equally to affected fans from Camp Blood. The auction will consist mainly of Horror celebrity autographs, but will also include Horror memorabilia. [They] are accepting any donations fans would like to make to this auction, look on your shelves and find it in your heart to donate to this cause. Fans helping fans.
•  
• Last, [they] will be accepting donations to add to the auction fund in the hopes that combining all of that, our fellow fans will receive the money they so generously paid to John Gray, who has given every excuse in the book as to why he cannot refund them. 
•  
• Donations can be made via Paypal to bloodsprayertmcirca1986@gmail.com.
•  
• Any questions about any of the details for ticket redemptions to Days of The Dead, the auction or donations can be directed to: bloodsprayertmcirca91986@gmail.com
•  
• [They] hope to have the auction take place by the end of February, depending on how long it takes donations to get to us. But rest assured, there will be no excuses. Our one hope is that between the auction and donations we can make the roughly $3500 it will take to refund these customers. Granted this figure could change, but that is the goal right now.

So you see, women don't have to be an actress, a director, or a something of the media sort to make a difference in the horror community. You just have to have passion for the genre and a selfless heart.  We need more women like Kristy Jett.  Thank-you, Kristy for all that you've done.