INDIE MEETUPS, MOVIE MAVERICKS, HORROR HOMES & more

Hi ,

Welcome to our 6th amazing newsletter. And to all those who attended our first MONTHLY MEETUP (Thurs. April 4th) at the BIGFOOT LODGE last night, thanks so much for making it the absolute success that it was. More on that below.

In this issue we'll also be chatting with genre acting legend CHRISTINE NGUYEN, about her career, her struggles and her unique perspective on the business. Plus we'll be looking at another of Los Angeles' HIDDEN GEMS. Remember don't forget to click on all the photos and highlighted text in this issue - for lots of extra info and rare footage links. 

Now, as they say, on with the show…

 OUR FIRST "BIGFOOT LODGE" MEETUP

What can I say about our first BIGFOOT LODGE MEETUP? It was more of a success than I could ever imagine. So many old and now new friends turned up. I was expecting around 10 people, but within 30 minutes of starting our event I counted over 60 people! Thanks to one and all! We definitely have an amazing and vibrant filmmaking community here.

This is now officially a monthly event - THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH. And at the BIGFOOT LODGE EAST in Los Feliz (Los Angeles, CA). Whether you're a horror film fan, artist, filmmaker, writer or you just want to make new friends, join us for HAPPY HOUR (5.00pm-8.00pm)

BIGFOOT LODGE, 3172 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039.

We'll be posting a FACEBOOK Event page for our 2nd event in a few weeks time, when our next Newsletter comes out.

We're open to one and all. There's usually ample parking - both in front and in the nearby streets. And the management said you can bring your own food too.

Glad so many of you found it both fun and productive - I know one attendee found an acting gig, and another found a scriptwriter for a project. How's that for success!

So again, thanks for making this such a success and here's to our next horror-themed meetup! (details in our next NEWSLETTER).

Miles Flanagan

#hollywoodhorrorfest #boobsandblood #bigfootlodge #hhfmeetup

 CHRISTINE NGUYEN - A MOVIE MAVERICK 

If you’re a fan of contemporary exploitation films you’ll know CHRISTINE NGUYEN. She has been a firm fixture in the industry, always in demand and working consistently in many notable and diverse productions, including GET HIM TO THE GREEK, DEXTER, VOODOO DOLLS, VIGILANTE DIARIES, TARZEENA, TWILIGHT VAMPS, HOUSE OF LIES and BITCH SLAP.

CHRISTINE not only acts, but has also branched out into modeling and more recently producing (for her feature film GIRLS, GUNS and BLOOD).

What CHRISTINE has in abundance is staying power. Celebrating that, CHRISTINE was honored as WOMAN OF THE YEAR at 2019’s BOOBS & BLOOD Film Festival in Los Angeles. We were pleased to get the chance to chat with CHRISTINE recently as she was in production on her latest feature film.

B&B: As usual you’re an in-demand actor. You’re never afraid to try something new. Is that part of the reason you’ve had such a consistent and successful career?

CN: Well, I think to have longevity as an actor, you have to really love the art of acting in its purest form. You can't go into this industry looking for fame or fortune as your primary goal because they may never come. But the satisfaction you get whenever someone enjoys or is moved by your performance is the carrot that will always keep you coming back for more.

B&B: How was your childhood and upbringing? Do you think that formed your passion for the business?

CN: Most people would never think it, but I was raised in a very conservative and strict Asian family with very first generation Asian sentiments towards life. Usually in our culture that means becoming a doctor, engineer or lawyer. I consider myself to be a black sheep in this respect. When I was growing up, I didn't have many role models for what I'm doing today. There were not that many Asian actors featured in cinema or on television worldwide outside of Asia. In this respect, I see myself as a maverick and a groundbreaker for those who came after me. 

B&B: At the BOOBS & BLOOD Festival you mentioned your family came to the US as boat people refugees from South Vietnam. Can you tell us more about that and how old were you then?

CN: Yes, I was a refugee from Vietnam where we fled from after our country fell to the Communists. I was only 13 months old at the time. My full Vietnamese name is Thuy Ha Nguyen. Thuy stands for "sparkling" and Ha stands for "river."

B&B: What a beautiful name. Is the picture of the baby in the press cutting about your family coming here really you?

CN: Yes, that picture is me in the newspaper article.

B&B: This is what America is all about, and you are a prime example of what still makes America the special place it is - to quote Emma Lazarus, ”Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” The USA is made and continues to be made of successive generations of hard working immigrants from across the globe - all here to make a better life for themselves, their families and the nation as a whole.

CN: I am definitely a living testament to the American Dream.

B&B: Fully agree with that. Your Mother and Grandmother were clearly hugely positive influences on you. Can you tell me a little about both - their characters, personalities, history?

CN: My Mother and Grandmother were both extraordinary and strong women. I owe all that is noteworthy and good about me to them. They both came to the United States and raised children single-handedly without the assistance of a husband. They were fierce and they were survivors; but they also held themselves elegantly and taught me to always be a lady and respect myself.

B&B: How difficult was it to get into the business?

CN: I have to say that I consider myself extremely blessed. I started by doing a few commercials here and there in Texas where I am originally from.

B&B: Was there a moment when you could feel your career moving into high gear?

CN: The moment I got to Los Angeles. That’s when my career took on an exponential life of its own. I think this was because I came to LA knowing that failure was not an option for me. When I got here, I was and still am a beast when it comes to work. No job, no role was ever too small. I took everything that came my way and in the course of doing so laid so many irons in the fire that I built a reputation for being dependable, passionate and professional. Qualities I think creatives look for when they are casting. I worked a lot so my career took off. And as the saying goes in the industry, the best way to get a job is to already be on a job.

B&B: Oh, I agree with that. The work ethic and simply being professional is never to be underestimated. Over the many projects you’ve done what director would you say has most influenced your career - and how have they helped?

CN: That’s easy. I’d have to say Fred Olen Ray. He’s really helped shape my career. He was the first director that ever wrote a script with me in mind. He is also the director I have worked with the most, starting from my second ever movie. 

B&B: You obviously have a great working relationship with Fred. What makes him such a good director to work with in your opinion?

CN: Fred is great to work with because he really works with his actors. He gives us solid direction and keeps shooting takes until they’re done right. I appreciate that because we are working towards the same goal, making a great picture. He also pushes you to do some things that may not be in your comfort zone because he believes in you. He had me singing in the very first movie I ever did with him in a starring role. (Eyes wide) So, I basically grew up in this industry and on the screen with him. It was because of all his movies I starred in that I became known on television and became popular with the general public. For that I will always be grateful.

B&B: Career-wise, do you have a preference - producing, acting or modeling?

CN: My first preference will always be acting. I enjoy producing but not all the headaches that come with it, especially on the financial side. I am terrible with numbers. As far as acting and modeling, I love them both because they give me the opportunity to create a beautiful or at least memorable moment in time that will live beyond me. However, acting challenges me more because it depicts all the senses.

B&B: How do you feel your acting has changed since you began? What have you learned about the craft?

CN: Through the years I have become much more tuned into my characters through on set training and working with more seasoned actors. Also, through my training and classes I have learned to dive deeper into each and every scene and character I am working on. Acting is reacting and you have to live the most out of your personal life so you can draw from those experiences to be able to convey those same feelings off the screen to your audience.

B&B: What do you still want to achieve professionally, any dream projects?

CN: I would love to star in my own dramatic television series and be the lead in an action, suspense film.

B&B: Yes, I can definitely see you as a lead investigator.

CN: So could I! I like roles where women are strong and have power. I did a few episodes of CSI, but I was always on the other side of the investigation. I played a witness at a brothel and I body-doubled for a murder victim for an episode, so every time you saw a picture of her in the show, that was my body, as well as the one in the morgue.

B&B: So to wrap up the interview, any advice for up and coming actresses? Things they should definitely do and things they shouldn’t?

CN: Work as much as you can with as many people as you can. Live your life to the fullest so you have moments you can draw upon for your work. And most of all, never give up if you love what you do.

#christinenguyen #fredolenray #boobsandblood #hhfnewsletter

 LA'S HIDDEN GEM - THE HALLOWEEN HOUSE

Tucked away at 1000 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA 91030 is the famous MICHAEL MYERS HOUSE, also known simply as the HALLOWEEN HOUSE. From John Carpenter's classic HALLOWEEN (1978).

And if you turn around from the very same location you'll see even more HALLOWEEN locations, including the hardware store, and main city strip.

Plus, you never know who'll you discover visiting the house (this is LA of course!). A while back, I was driving by the house and had to stop, as I saw a group of masked Michael Myers clones gathering outside.

On investigating I discovered they were visiting LA to promote their fan-made tribute short, YOU CAN'T KILL THE BOOGEYMAN. And were going to showcase it at MONSTERPALOOZA.

So check out their fun short and see you in 2 weeks for another LA HIDDEN GEM.

#halloween #michaelmeyers #michaelmeyershouse #darkcrownfilms

AND FINALLY …

 B&B MAGAZINE - BACK ISSUES 

Don’t forget there are still back issues of our beautiful, coffee table art & culture B&B magazine available online. New issue coming soon.

Check then out here:

https://www.magcloud.com/browse/magazine/1652452

 FESTIVAL 'DISCOUNTED' PRICING ENDS SOON 

We're still accepting discounted submissions for both our 2024 festivals through FILMFREEWAY. HHF "Regular" pricing till April. 26, and B&B "Regular Pricing" till June 27th.

https://filmfreeway.com/BoobsandBlood

https://filmfreeway.com/HollywoodHorrorfest

So spread the word and get your friends to subscribe to this essential and always fun newsletter.

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That's it for now. Speak to you all in two weeks time. And maybe even at the BIGFOOT LODGE.

If you have any feedback or questions, just reach out.

Cheers,

Miles

Festival Founder/Director

hollywoodhorrorfest.com

boobsandblood.com

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