What happens at TFW, stays at TFW! We’re just warming up with this month’s guest additions with the announcement of two from Robert Rodriguez’s SIN CITY!

MICHAEL MADSEN

Michael Madsen is equally adept at portraying heroic as well as villainous characters. There’s something in the way he delivers his lines with an underlying aggression masked behind his gravelly tones that makes you feel very uneasy about his true intentions! Not only did Michael Madsen appear in the wildly explosive Robert Rodriguez feature, SIN CITY, but his career is filled with iconic films like Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill Vol 1 & Kill Bill Vol 2. Additionally, Madsen is featured in Mulholland Falls, Donnie Brasco, Thelma and Louise, Oliver Stone’s The Doors, Wyatt Earp, Species (and Species 2), Die Another Day, Scary Movie 4 and a recurring role on the hit TV show 24.

Who can forget Madsen’s Mister Blonde in Reservoir Dogs as he playfully danced around a tied-down and terrified police officer, slicing him with a knife and splashing gasoline all over the petrified man, all to the cheery tunes of Stealers Wheels’ “Stuck In the Middle With You.”

In addition to his film work, Madsen has contributed dialogue to two of Sony PlayStations’s biggest-selling games, Grand Theft Auto 3 and Driv3r, as well as writing several books of his own poetry.

PATRICIA VONNE

Stop by the official TFW Forum or our Facebook page and join us in welcoming Michael Madsen and Patricia Vonne to Texas Frightmare Weekend!

Texas Frightmare Weekend is proud to announce a “Tour of Italy” with three legends of Italian horror cinema!

Lamberto Bava gained much of his experience from his father, legendary cinematographer, special effects designer and director, Mario Bava. Lamberto entered filmmaking as his father’s personal assistant starting with the film Planet of the Vampires. He even co-wrote the screen play for Beyond the Door II. As assistant director he helmed the Italian classics Kill Baby, Kill, Bay of Blood, Hatchet for the Honeymoon as well as Inferno and Tenebre with Italian master Dario Argento.

His directorial debut came with Macabre followed by followed by A Blade in the Dark and Devilfish which was playfully lambasted by Mystery Science Theater 3000 for it’s “so bad it’s good” qualities. He also directed the critically acclaimed giallo Delirium.

However, Lamberto Bava enjoyed the most commercial success with the gore classic Demons (produced by Dario Argento) which finds a a group of people trapped in a West Berlin theater infected by ravenous demons. The demon plague spreads, all set to a rocking 80′s soundtrack featuring Motley Crue, Billy Idol, Saxon, Scorpions, Accept and more. He quickly followed up with the sequel Demons 2 starring Asia Argento and TFW 2008 guest Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni.

Lamberto later returned to “giallo” thrillers with Delirium and directed TFW 2012 guest Joanna Pacula in Body Puzzle.

Ruggero Deodato is the director of the controversial Italian horror film Cannibal Holocaust. This film single handedly invented a new subgenre that would be copied by films like Canibal Ferox, Mountain of the Cannibal God, Eaten Alive and more. Cited by some as being the first “found footage” film, Cannibal Holocaust inspired a current craze of films like Paranormal Activity, [REC], Quarantine, Cloverfield and countless others. Upon it’s release Cannibal Holocaust was banned in several countries for it’s graphic scenes of gore and animal cruelty. Deodato was even arrested and tried when officials suspected that certain footage featuring mutilated and murdered bodies were real. He was was exonerated after the actors were paraded into the courtroom alive.

In addition he also directed House on the Edge of the Park and Body Count both starring the recently deceased David Hess (Last House on the Left) and Cut and Run.

Despite the controversy surrounding his films there’s no arguing the influence they have had on fans and filmmakers alike. We’re pleased to welcome Ruggero Deodato to his first ever southwest horror convention appearance!

Sergio Stivaletti is the regular special effects designer/make up artist of Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava and Michele Soavi. His fantasically gruesome creations are the visual candy that in part made Dario Argento’s Opera and Michele Soavi’s Dellamorte Dellamore (Cemetery Man) the great films that they are. Perhaps his greatest efects work is from Lamberto Bava’s Demons and Demons 2.

His directorial debut came with The Wax Mask, a film based on a story by Gaston Leroux (The Phantom of the Opera) with a screenplay by Dario Argento and Lucio Fulci. His current project is Dracula 3D starring Rutger Hauer and directed by Dario Argento.

To submit your film for consideration at Texas Frightmare Weekend please fill out the submission form and send your film to the address on the form.

• The deadline for submissions is April 30th.
• Submission of your film does not guarantee that we will screen it.
• Please submit DVDs only.
• We cannot return your DVD.
• We will consider films of any length.

We always strive to bring attendees the most admired icons from our beloved genre. This time, we think we’ve out done ourselves.

We’re honored to announce that Piper Laurie will make her FIRST EVER horror convention appearance at Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012!

Piper Laurie’s Oscar nominated role of Margaret White, mother of a shy young psychic girl named Carrie, set the standard for eccentric religious zealot roles of the future. However, this was not her first Oscar nomination and it wasn’t her last. Her first came with the role of Paul Newman’s girlfriend in the classic film, The Hustler. The third came with Children of a Lesser God.

Not counting Carrie, horror fans probably know Piper best from genre films like Robert Rodriguez’s The Faculty, as well as Ruby, Dario Argento’s Trauma and 27 episodes of Twin Peaks. She’s played Aunt Em in Return to Oz with TFW alumni Fairuza Balk, starred alongside the two Corey’s in Dream a Little Dream and can be seen in Hounddog with Dakota Fanning.

Most recently she starred with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Rainn Wilson and Natalie Portman in the drama-comedy Hesher. Needless to say, we’re honored to welcome Piper Laurie to Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012!

We’re overjoyed to announce that Kim Darby is joining us for Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012! The Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress earned her first acting roles as a teenager, starring in episodes of television shows including Dr. Kildare, The Eleventh Hour and The Fugitive. After more work in television and film, she won the role of Mattie Ross opposite John Wayne’s U.S. marshal Rooster Cogburn in True Grit.

Horror fans know her best from the made for TV movie Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. Long unavailable in the home video market it has recently been re-released as a Special Edition DVD due to the highly anticipated Guillermo del Toro 2010 remake. She’s also starred with John Cusack in Better off Dead, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers and and episode of Star Trek titled Miri which has been hailed as one of the strongest and most gripping episodes of the original Star Trek.

EXCLUSIVE TEACHING ENGAGEMENT!

Most importantly, Kim will teach the first announced of our 2012 series of extremely popular Frightmakers 101 classes! Still inspired by the techniques she learned as a young actress studying with Tony Barr, Ms. Darby has been using her wealth of experience to teach film acting and directing for over ten years at higher learning institutions and as a private instructor.

Kim will present two (2) four hour classes over the weekend titled Acting for Film. These classes will fill up fast so don’t wait to enroll. For all the details and to enroll just click here.

As promised we’re pleased to present the next two TFW guests in celebration of the Halloween season!

Join us in welcoming Nancy Allen and Anthony Michael Hall to Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012!

We’re excited to announce that Anthony Michael Hall will be appearing at TFW 2012! As one of the “brat pack” he can be seen in the John Hughes classics Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Weird Science. Hehas also starred in National Lampoon’s Vacation with Chevy Chase and was a regular on Saturday Night Live. Horror fans most likely recognize Hall from Edward Scissorhands, Tales from the Crypt and as Johnny Smith in Stephen King’s long running series The Dead Zone.

Nancy Allen’s first feature film was the Jack Nicholson vehicle The Last Detail and was followed by Forced Entry starring Tanya Roberts. But it was her role as Chris Hargensen in Stephen King’s Carrie that set the standard for all “uber-bitch teenager” roles to come. She appeared in I Wanna Hold Your Hand and, for the next few years, appeared only in De Palma films: Home Movies, Dressed to Kill, and with John Travolta in Blow Out. She also hosted the ahead of it’s time 1984 horror documentary Terror in the Aisles with Donald Pleasence which is now available as a special feature on the recently released Halloween II Blu-Ray.

In 1987 she set another standard as tough but feminine policewoman Officer Anne Lewis in the sci-fi cult film RoboCop, and later reprised the character in RoboCop 2 and RoboCop 3. After the success of RoboCop, she appeared in Poltergeist III and Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return. Some of her earlier films include 1941 with John Belushi, Strange Invaders and The Philadelphia Experiment.

As we continue our month long celebration of all things spooky we’re proud to announce the next FIVE guests for Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012!

Don’t forget to tune in on HALLOWEEN DAY for the most exciting announcement yet.

Traci Lords exploded on the scene in 1986 via a tabloid TV feeding frenzy. America was fascinated with the eighteen-year old sexpot who reportedly had starred in dozens of hardcore porn movies and dared seek a legitimate acting career.

Traci starred in TFW alumn Roger Corman’s sci-fi cult hit, Not Of This Earth as well as John Waters’ Cry Baby, Blade, Zac and Miri Make a Porno and I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell. She can also be seen in a series of guest starring appearances on such popular television shows as Nash Bridges, Tales From The Crypt, Roseanne, Melrose Place and Married With Children. Lords’ musical aspirations lead her into a parallel career as a singer/songwriter. Harper Collins published her autobiography Traci Lords Underneath It All.

Most recently, Traci has been preparing her new single Last Drag (on iTunes October 25th) for release as well as a video for the single directed by Zalman King. About the single Traci says, “It’s about being addicted to something that you  know is not good for you, but being drawn to it. You gotta have it!”

Traci Lords will appear at TFW 2012 on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5th.

Barbara Crampton is perhaps best known for her role in the iconic film Re-Animator. This and her many portrayals in genre films such as Body Double, Chopping Mall, From Beyond and Castle Freak have made her part of horror movie history. Most recently she’s appeared in You’re Next that is currently getting rave reviews at festivals across the country. YOU’RE NEXT features a family being hunted by a group of sadistic murderers at a reunion getaway. Currently, Barbara will is working on Rob Zombie’s Lords of Salem. She will play “Virginia Cable”, a camera operator for a local kid’s show at Salem Public Access TV called “Lobster Joe’s Fishy Fun Show”.

Joanna Pacula’s performance as Irina Asanova in Gorky Park is ranked #57 on Premiere magazine’s ’100 Greatest Performances of All Time’. As an accomplished model she has appeared on the cover of Vogue twice. She’s also ranked #9 in FHM magazine’s ’100 sexiest women of all time’. Her horror credits include playing a Russian scientist in Virus with Jamie Lee Curtis, Warlock: The Armegeddon with TFW alumn Julian Sands, The Kiss, Roger Corman’s Dinocroc and Lamberto Bava’s Body Puzzle. She was featured in Marked for Death with Steven Segal as an expert on Jamaican voodoo and gangs and played Doc Holiday’s lover in Tombstone.

Speaking of Tombstone, it appears that we’ve inadvertently booked a mini reunion for the film. Joanna will be joined by previously announced Tombstone stars Michael Rooker, Michael Biehn and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson!

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Charlie Spradling starred in several horror features including Puppetmaster 2, Meridian and Bad Channels for Charles Band and To Sleep with a Vampire and Twice Dead for TFW 2011 guest Roger Corman. She can also be seen in Mirror, Mirror starring TFW alumn Karen Black.

Tate Steinsiek is an award winning Writer-Director, and SFX Make Up Artist, and founder of FX Company Ill Willed Productions. Recently he was a finalist on SYFY’s Make Up Challenge Competition show FACE OFF. Tate‘s work quickly established him as a creative force, and fan favorite. His work consistently won him the praise of such industry heavy hitters as Ve Neil and Patrick Tatopolous. Since FACE OFF, Tate has gone on to assist Neil on THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN, and is currently in development for an upcoming graphic novel and feature film based on his terrifying character, HIM. Tate, and his company Ill Willed Productions, have been coordinating SFX in films for over a decade. His recent credits include Saturday Night Live, Law and Order, The Amazing Spiderman, History Channel’s Clash of the Gods, and SYFY’s upcoming Piranhaconda. Check out www.illwilled.com for images and updates on his work.

Three of the most notorious madmen in the annals of American horror are coming to Texas Frightmare Weekend 2012!

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Bill Moseley’s portrayal of Choptop in Tobe Hooper’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is scary and hilarious at the same time. The same can be said of his role as Otis Driftwood in Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects. That’s why we think that casting him as Drayton Sawyer was a brilliant move on behalf of the producer’s of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (2012). Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention his roles in Repo! The Genetic Opera, Carnivale, Halloween, the Grindhouse faux trailer Werewolf Women of the SS and Dead Air. Bill attended the very first Texas Frightmare Weekend in 2006 and we consider him to be part of the family. The…er…SAW family that is!

Making his very first appearance at Texas Frightmare Weekend is the original Leatherface Gunnar Hansen!

Gunnar Hansen was the original Leatherface in Tobe Hooper’s classic 1974 film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. A role that likely changed his life forever. Over the years Gunnar has starred in several horror films including Mosquito, Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, Brutal Massacre and Chainsaw Sally.

Gunnar recently confirmed on his official website that he will have a role in the upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, which is scheduled for release in October 2012. “I’m looking forward to being back on the set and hearing the cheerful whine of a chainsaw again.” says Gunnar. “I won’t say what role I’m playing — something has to be a surprise — but it will be worth the wait. I know this is going to be a great movie.”

Fright fave Derek Mears returns to Texas Frightmare Weekend. His Friday the 13th “2009″ portrayal of the hockey masked slasher brought new life to the character of Jason Voorhees. You’ve also seen this 6′ 5″ actor in an episode of Masters of Horror, Predators (as “Classic Predator”), The Hills Have Eyes 2, MacGruber and most recently Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.