MotorCity Nightmares
Weekend of Horrors
Written by: Michael LeBlanc
The 2010 Motor City Nightmares show took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Novi, Michigan the weekend of April 23rd-25th, 2010. This same group of organizers had previously put together a successful and fun show in July of 2008 also in Novi, Michigan.
It’s very rare that horror or genre conventions are put on in the Detroit area. This was a very welcome return for all Michigan horror fans. After a couple of false starts, the show was on track and the guest list was announced. At that point my excitement began.
Sadly, PJ Soles canceled the evening before due to a television pilot she was called in to film. And horror hostess Ivonna Cadaver canceled at the last minute.
This year I was assisting my friend Don England in his booth for his company, Slaughtered Lamb Studio. Being there for the entire weekend is the only way to do it. I love being in the action. Something is always happening and you never know who or what you’ll see at any moment at a horror convention.
The show was very well put together. The show’s organizers really out did themselves with this years show. They went above and beyond to make sure that each and everyone of their guests, staff, vendors and paying attendees felt very welcome at the show. Putting on a show like this is very stressful and a great deal of work. I never saw anyone involved behind the scenes frowning or being unprofessional in anyway. They were a class act.
Admission to the show was $20 a day for Friday and Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Weekend passes were also offered for $50 and GoldPass tickets were $75. Every hour there was a raffle with exciting horror prizes being given away to the lucky ticket holders. And a horror art contest was held with 20 pieces of grisly artistic goodness on display for attendees to vote for a winner.
The weather was cold gloomy and rainy all weekend. This helped to bring in more show attendees I believe.
There were two film rooms playing films throughout the weekend. The featured films were independent horror films and local television horror hosts Wolfman Mac of Wolfman Mac’s Chiller Drive-In and The Ded Dave Show presenting episodes of their shows.
The going rate for autographs at this show was $20 at most of the guest tables. As far as I know, no one at this show was charging for taking photos with fans.
The 2010 Motor City Nightmares show took place at the Sheraton Hotel in Novi, Michigan the weekend of April 23rd-25th, 2010. This same group of organizers had previously put together a successful and fun show in July of 2008 also in Novi, Michigan.
It’s very rare that horror or genre conventions are put on in the Detroit area. This was a very welcome return for all Michigan horror fans. After a couple of false starts, the show was on track and the guest list was announced. At that point my excitement began.
Sadly, PJ Soles canceled the evening before due to a television pilot she was called in to film. And horror hostess Ivonna Cadaver canceled at the last minute.
This year I was assisting my friend Don England in his booth for his company, Slaughtered Lamb Studio. Being there for the entire weekend is the only way to do it. I love being in the action. Something is always happening and you never know who or what you’ll see at any moment at a horror convention.
The show was very well put together. The show’s organizers really out did themselves with this years show. They went above and beyond to make sure that each and everyone of their guests, staff, vendors and paying attendees felt very welcome at the show. Putting on a show like this is very stressful and a great deal of work. I never saw anyone involved behind the scenes frowning or being unprofessional in anyway. They were a class act.
Admission to the show was $20 a day for Friday and Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Weekend passes were also offered for $50 and GoldPass tickets were $75. Every hour there was a raffle with exciting horror prizes being given away to the lucky ticket holders. And a horror art contest was held with 20 pieces of grisly artistic goodness on display for attendees to vote for a winner.
The weather was cold gloomy and rainy all weekend. This helped to bring in more show attendees I believe.
There were two film rooms playing films throughout the weekend. The featured films were independent horror films and local television horror hosts Wolfman Mac of Wolfman Mac’s Chiller Drive-In and The Ded Dave Show presenting episodes of their shows.
The going rate for autographs at this show was $20 at most of the guest tables. As far as I know, no one at this show was charging for taking photos with fans.
We arrived Friday afternoon about noon and began setting up our display. Within five minutes, I looked up to see Tom Savini walking by in a pair of jogging pants and a wife-beater t-shirt. I said, “Hello” and he responded back happily. This was a good sign…Tom Savini’s in a good mood. I know Tom is often mentioned as being “crabby” or “bored” at the shows. I’ve met Tom many times now and I’ve never had a bad Tom Savini experience myself.
Soon many of the guests were arriving to set up their tables. Many of the “Night of the Living Dead” guys walked by us with smiles on their faces. They were all very friendly as they’ve always been.
After finishing up our display, we decided to get a bite to eat before the show began. On our way back from lunch as we walked by the front of the hotel, I looked up and saw William Forsythe standing in front of me smoking a cigarette. I said, “Hello” and he nodded a greeting back to me. My fan boy star struck-ness was now in full gear. As we walked past the hotel restaurant, my friend Don pointed out Tiffany Shepis sitting a table eating her lunch. The convention feeling was in full bloom now.
I decided that it might be a good idea to go over to as many guests as I could and get my photo taken with them before the show opened and it got too busy. Don agreed to take the photos for me.
Soon many of the guests were arriving to set up their tables. Many of the “Night of the Living Dead” guys walked by us with smiles on their faces. They were all very friendly as they’ve always been.
After finishing up our display, we decided to get a bite to eat before the show began. On our way back from lunch as we walked by the front of the hotel, I looked up and saw William Forsythe standing in front of me smoking a cigarette. I said, “Hello” and he nodded a greeting back to me. My fan boy star struck-ness was now in full gear. As we walked past the hotel restaurant, my friend Don pointed out Tiffany Shepis sitting a table eating her lunch. The convention feeling was in full bloom now.
I decided that it might be a good idea to go over to as many guests as I could and get my photo taken with them before the show opened and it got too busy. Don agreed to take the photos for me.
Gary Streiner was standing near his table as I approached him. I asked if it would be all right to take a photo and he happily posed with me. Gary Streiner is one of the nicest and friendliest guests that I’ve ever met at a horror convention. I spent nearly two hours over the course of the weekend taking to him about “Night of the Living Dead” and The Living Dead Festival held in October for the past two years in Evans City, PA.
As I walked away from Gary Streiner, William Forsythe was setting up his photos on his table. I took a photo with him and made some small talk before moving on. William Forsythe was someone I was looking forward to meeting and it was a very good experience in doing so. He’s a very soft spoken and low-key man. He comes off as a very cool cat and that he is.
Tiffany Shepis greeted us before we even reached her table. She’s full of energy and a very happy person. She posed with me for a photo and signed a calendar for me. Throughout the weekend at various times I passed Tiffany or she came by our table. Each time she said, “Hello” and gave us a big smile. I had heard how nice she was in person and I couldn’t agree more. She’s a very fun and beautiful lady.
I had meet Tom Savini numerous times over the years, but I had never had my photo taken with him. I approached him and asked if he would mind. Without pausing a second, he came out from behind his display with a big smile and took a few photos with me.
As I walked away from Gary Streiner, William Forsythe was setting up his photos on his table. I took a photo with him and made some small talk before moving on. William Forsythe was someone I was looking forward to meeting and it was a very good experience in doing so. He’s a very soft spoken and low-key man. He comes off as a very cool cat and that he is.
Tiffany Shepis greeted us before we even reached her table. She’s full of energy and a very happy person. She posed with me for a photo and signed a calendar for me. Throughout the weekend at various times I passed Tiffany or she came by our table. Each time she said, “Hello” and gave us a big smile. I had heard how nice she was in person and I couldn’t agree more. She’s a very fun and beautiful lady.
I had meet Tom Savini numerous times over the years, but I had never had my photo taken with him. I approached him and asked if he would mind. Without pausing a second, he came out from behind his display with a big smile and took a few photos with me.
Charles Craig, who played the newscaster on the small b&w television that Ben finds up stairs in “Night of the Living Dead”, was seated at his table with a prop microphone. I went behind the table and he stood up holding the microphone and posed for a picture with me. Charles Craig was a very nice man. He seemed very excited to be at the show and it showed.
With these photos taken, we returned to our table to greet the show attendees that were due to be let in at 5pm when the doors opened.
Friday’s attendance was not huge. It was moderate and steady throughout the evening. We did fairly well at our table. It was a typical Friday evening crowd.
During the show, I went out on floor and took a photo with Jim Krut. Jim played the helicopter zombie in “Dawn of the Dead”. Jim was very friendly and I had the chance to talk with him for a while about “Dawn of the Dead.”
Seated at Charles Craig’s table was Jim Cirronella who produced the excellent, “Night of the Living Dead” documentary, “Autopsy of the Dead”. We ended up talking for about a half hour or more about the film. He also shared some news about some very exciting future Romero related projects he’s working on.
The show ended at 10pm. We left for the evening to get some rest for Saturday’s 10am opening.
With these photos taken, we returned to our table to greet the show attendees that were due to be let in at 5pm when the doors opened.
Friday’s attendance was not huge. It was moderate and steady throughout the evening. We did fairly well at our table. It was a typical Friday evening crowd.
During the show, I went out on floor and took a photo with Jim Krut. Jim played the helicopter zombie in “Dawn of the Dead”. Jim was very friendly and I had the chance to talk with him for a while about “Dawn of the Dead.”
Seated at Charles Craig’s table was Jim Cirronella who produced the excellent, “Night of the Living Dead” documentary, “Autopsy of the Dead”. We ended up talking for about a half hour or more about the film. He also shared some news about some very exciting future Romero related projects he’s working on.
The show ended at 10pm. We left for the evening to get some rest for Saturday’s 10am opening.
Saturday morning the show opened to a small crowd of people waiting at the door. Within an hour the place was packed with horror fans looking to part with their hard earned cash.
We did very well at our table on Saturday. There were slow spots and then big rushes. The table was paid for by early afternoon. That’s always a good feeling early in show.
On display for Saturday only was the impressive sculpture work of local artist, Bob Causey. His busts of “David” from “The Lost Boys” and “The Tall Man” from “Phantasm” stood out very life like. His full body sculpture of Heath Ledger’s “The Joker” from “The Dark Knight” was a sight to be seen. In fact, when I walked in the showroom, I thought it was a person in a costume at first glance. Bob Causey’s work is simply breath taking.
I decided to go back out on the floor during the few slow periods to get some more photos and signatures from the guests. I had meet many of them at previous shows, but I decided to take some updated pictures with them anyway.
We did very well at our table on Saturday. There were slow spots and then big rushes. The table was paid for by early afternoon. That’s always a good feeling early in show.
On display for Saturday only was the impressive sculpture work of local artist, Bob Causey. His busts of “David” from “The Lost Boys” and “The Tall Man” from “Phantasm” stood out very life like. His full body sculpture of Heath Ledger’s “The Joker” from “The Dark Knight” was a sight to be seen. In fact, when I walked in the showroom, I thought it was a person in a costume at first glance. Bob Causey’s work is simply breath taking.
I decided to go back out on the floor during the few slow periods to get some more photos and signatures from the guests. I had meet many of them at previous shows, but I decided to take some updated pictures with them anyway.
I had my photo taken with John Russo, Russ Streiner, George Kosana and Bill Hinzman from “Night of the Living Dead”. All of these gentlemen are always very friendly and fun to talk with. I even helped George Kosana fit his cigars into the band of his hat so he could look like the Sheriff from “Night of the Living Dead” when people get their pictures taken with him.
Kane Hodder nearly broke my neck the last time I met him. He would grab your neck and lift you up when he posed for pictures. This year he seemed very low-key and friendlier. We took a photo and happily my neck wasn’t crushed this time.
I also made my way over to the table of director’s Gary Jones and Josh Becker. Both super nice guys and very willing talk at length about their films or anything you wanted to talk about. I took a photo with them and had them sign some DVD slipcases.
The show closed for the evening at 7pm. A V.I.P party was being held at 8:30pm hosted by Ded Dave and featuring the band The Amino Acids. I didn’t attend the party due to prior commitments. My friend Don did attend for a while and said that many of the shows guests were in attendance and having a great time. The party wrapped up about 10:30pm and many moved on to the hotel bar for more fun and games.
Kane Hodder nearly broke my neck the last time I met him. He would grab your neck and lift you up when he posed for pictures. This year he seemed very low-key and friendlier. We took a photo and happily my neck wasn’t crushed this time.
I also made my way over to the table of director’s Gary Jones and Josh Becker. Both super nice guys and very willing talk at length about their films or anything you wanted to talk about. I took a photo with them and had them sign some DVD slipcases.
The show closed for the evening at 7pm. A V.I.P party was being held at 8:30pm hosted by Ded Dave and featuring the band The Amino Acids. I didn’t attend the party due to prior commitments. My friend Don did attend for a while and said that many of the shows guests were in attendance and having a great time. The party wrapped up about 10:30pm and many moved on to the hotel bar for more fun and games.
The big news Sunday morning was that due to a broken hot water tank at his home in Pittsburgh, Tom Savini had to leave the show a day early to rush home to get that problem under control. And Kane Hodder also had to leave a day earlier due to the start of a new film project on Monday morning. It was in his contract to not be there on Sunday, but I never saw it advertised on the website or at the show on Friday or Saturday. So, a few fans were a bit let down that both guests were not there on Sunday.
Sunday started out slow and then it picked up a bit in the early afternoon before slowing down again. The show was to run 11am to 5pm. By 3pm, some of the guests and vendors were starting to break down their displays. After 3:30pm the show was pretty much clearly nearing its end. And by 4:30pm most of the guests were gone and we decided to break down our display. We were in our cars on our way home by 5pm.
All in all, I think it was a great show and I had a really fun weekend. The group behind this show did a fantastic job and I thank them for all their hard work. I’m really looking forward to next year’s show that is scheduled for April 15-17, 2011. This showing is said to be in the planning stages already with a very impressive guest list to be announced in early 2011.
Sunday started out slow and then it picked up a bit in the early afternoon before slowing down again. The show was to run 11am to 5pm. By 3pm, some of the guests and vendors were starting to break down their displays. After 3:30pm the show was pretty much clearly nearing its end. And by 4:30pm most of the guests were gone and we decided to break down our display. We were in our cars on our way home by 5pm.
All in all, I think it was a great show and I had a really fun weekend. The group behind this show did a fantastic job and I thank them for all their hard work. I’m really looking forward to next year’s show that is scheduled for April 15-17, 2011. This showing is said to be in the planning stages already with a very impressive guest list to be announced in early 2011.
MotorCity Nightmares Weekend of Horrors
http://www.motorcitynightmares.com
April 23rd-25th, 2010
The Sheraton Hotel - Detroit/Novi
21111 Haggerty Road
Novi, MI 48375
Back to Convention Reports
http://www.motorcitynightmares.com
April 23rd-25th, 2010
The Sheraton Hotel - Detroit/Novi
21111 Haggerty Road
Novi, MI 48375
Back to Convention Reports
