Blood on the screen

I hadn't told many people that Blood Feast director Herschell Gordon Lewis planned to slit my throat last night. Just enough for a conviction if the stunt went wrong.

The gash-gag was the two Andys' idea -- Andy Lalino and Andrew Allan of Film Ranch Intl., a local horror flick production company. They figured having the Godfather of Gore killing me would be a great finish to last night's Blood Feast screening and Q&A with Herschell and producer David Friedman at the Gasparilla Film Festival. My editors have thought the same about any number of events.

Anyway, the Andys rigged me up with a fake blood tube with a plastic syringe I'd push slowly, releasing a stream of red, red krovy (Clockwork Orange fans know what I mean) at my throat. Kind of like Sweeney Todd without the singing. Herschell would be "goaded" by a bogus question about critical dismissal of his movies then give me a too-close shave.

The evening was wonderful, with around 175 horror fans gathering at a pre-show reception -- excellent job of turning a stairway landing into a great party site, GFF gurus -- and laughing at all the right places during the movie. Herschell and David were delightful during the Q&A. Everyone seemed to be having a ball.

When time came to give Herschell his cue question, I fumbled with readying the blood rig, trying not to be noticed by the audience. Herschell made a slashing motion with a plastic Egyptian knife and I started pumping the plunger, screaming bloody murder. The audience cheered but I barely noticed since the plunger was jammed.

I pushed harder and it came free. Too free. The fake blood missed my throat and splashed onto Herschell standing behind me.  He reflexively ducked backward. The spray continued onto the screen, creating a perfect kill-splash pattern for CSI training. I heard the crowd that time, a blend of grossed-out groan and admiring moan that must be why folks like the Andys make their movies.

The screen cleaned up faster than Herschell.

I immediately recalled Herschell telling me last week about wanting to deck a fan in Baltimore who splashed fake blood on him as a surprise. He was incredibly gracious, accepting my gushing apologies and the two Andys giving him a damp paper towel bath (see photo).

Hoping to get more photos -- perhaps some video -- of the whole messy affair posted later.

Comments

[tampafilmfan]

I think it worked out better this way! Your not knowing about the blood on the screen at first, then remarking to the audience "It didn't work the way it was supposed to!" A few seconds of suspense as the audience waited for you to turn around and see the screen...c'mon Steve...then finally you turned, saw the blood spatter, did a double take, pointed and said "Wow!" (or words to that effect) while we all clapped and cheered.

It was absolutely wonderful just the way it was. Good job on the entire Q&A and on bringing "Blood Feast" to the GFF's attention.

[steveS]

Hahaha. This was the talk of the Festival yesterday. Persall got nominated for a special effects award afterwards. (not)

Great fun.