Fantom Fest 2014 in San Antonio, TX

http://www.fantomfest.com/

I was very excited to be able to return to the Menger Historic Hotel to vend at the Fantom Fest 2014.  This hotel is beautiful and situated right across the street from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio, TX.  As a previous night auditor there, I can tell you without a doubt that this place is truly haunted... but I was made to sign disclaimers and documents preventing any public discussion of my 'paranormal experiences'.  You'll just have to read the book "Histories & Mysteries of the Menger" for the fluffier versions. I'm hoping at some point that they do allow a TV show to do a ghost hunting episode investigation there.

History & Mystery of the Menger Historic Hotel  on Amazon.com.

 My vending table at Fantom Fest, featuring handmade organic herbal goods, candles, jewelry, and magickal supplies.  Because it was a ghost hunting event, I focused on cleansing and protection.

Because there were Cosplay, Gaming, and Comic conventions going on simultaneously, I decided to dress up as myself- a Witch.  Just put on my regular clothes and popped on my pointy hat!

I was very busy setting up and vending so I was not able to take any of the classes or workshops given by the many celebrity speakers.  I did really enjoy myself though and want to thank my friends who stopped by and my brother who helped me so much that weekend.  I met all of the paranormal guests at least briefly.  For the most part, they were just really down to earth cool people. They brought their books, their art, and their stories to teach and entertain us. There were a few disappointments... I think being on TV or radio shows gave certain folks an inflated sense of ego, but hey, that is their luggage to haul around.
There was a guy making the most realistic vampire fangs I have ever seen. They were $100 but Hollywood quality. I passed on those (I think I would injure myself somehow) but bought several books and a St. Michael's medal that had been blessed at the Vatican. These were available at noted paranormal radio host's Dave Schrader's table (pictured below). We joked that even though he didn't know exactly who blessed the medals- the Pope or not- even a janitor working at the Vatican is sanctified!  I've been listening to Mr. Schrader's radio show for years- Darkness on the Edge of Town now usually shortened to Darkness Radio 

 Both Dustin Pari of TAPS and psychic Dakota Lawrence were very nice guys and great to meet!

 

 Robert Murch, an expert, collector, and artist of Ouija Boards was great. He had some really beautiful work at his table and gave me an ear load about working with the djinn. Very knowledgeable and interesting guy!

He brought both classic rare boards as well as many handmade pieces.  The snakeskin leather planchettes were gorgeous.

It was good to see psychic medium Jen Devellier again!  I met her last year at a Day of the Dead Paranormal event downtown. She was kind enough to sign one of her books for me.  Local horror author Tim Miller was there. After hearing that his writing was so graphic that Amazon.com wouldn't carry it, I had to pick up a few titles.  I'll let you know how that goes when I get some time to read those.  I really nice guy had helped my brother and I push my giant wagon train of boxes and display pieces into the vendors room before the event. Turns out that this was San Antonio's local Leather Face who is at so many conventions!  Thanks so much dude!  He scared the crap out of my mom once at MonsterCon. She was good natured about it and I have pics.

I also got to meet Steve Santini and his very sweet wife from the show Deals from the Darkside! He was named most extreme escape artist by Ripley's Believe it or Not and has been seen on Stan Lee's show Superhumans.  A fellow deep freak with a heart of black gold! Loved meeting them both. He had a table with a few curious antiques such as a chastity strap, a very evil looking iron mask, and various torture devices and chains.

Some of the other costumes seen about the event:

Grimdeva's Zombie Gig

I had the opportunity and great fortune to be cast as one of the zombie hoard that attacked the 2012 Game Stop Convention in San Antonio.  A rampaging herd of 200 brain hungry undead converged on the unveiling of the Call of Duty 2: Black Ops game promo... which of course features ZOMBIES!  The whole casting process was super secret and we were lead to believe it was a fairly obscure movie or commercial being shot in the area.  Turns out it was a much higher profile and budget Gaming Con.  Awesome!!!  I love geeks, I'm a geek girl.  I volunteered my brother and my dad as well. 

I initially didn't want to go to the casting, thinking there'd be ton of people standing in a line under the blazing Texas sun.  My last attempt to get into a Comic Convention was like this and I literally got burned.  I'd always wanted to be an extra in something but it just seemed unlikely for some reason.  Anyway, through contacts I've made in a local Thelemic group and vending, my name and my blue hair popped up on the producer's radar.  I got a few calls and finally went in.  They took one look at us and said 'Wow you're hired!'.  My family is tall, large, and uhh well intimidating.  Although we are very nice actually. Compliments like big, mean, and bald were showered upon my father.  'Everything is bigger in Texas'. They were thrilled when I said yes after being asked if I had any more like him at home. 

I was speaking with Dean Karr - you probably know some of his work  http://www.deankarr.com/   He's got a many many MTV videos, fashion campaigns, commercials, etc under his belt.  Willie Nelson, Marilyn Manson, Tommy Hilfiger, bla bla...

So we got mug shots and promised not to breath a word. We weren't told what we were doing or where we'd meet or shoot at.  I luuuvv secrets!  The night before the event we met at the convention center for rehersal- or should I say boot camp.  We found out that night what the event was, the executives we were attacking, and our places in the shambling hoard.  This was extremely physical, long walking, huge flights of stairs, and repeating the actual 2 minute show over and over.  We kept it up until midnight and then had to return at 5am for makeup.  My brother was a character zombie onstage going after the keynote speaker.  My father was the 'big zombie' in aisle C and I was the lead zombie in the same aisle.  My goal was to shamble and hiss my way up to the stage, interacting with the crowd.

After about 2 hrs of restless sleep, we showed up for the makeup.  It took hrs and was an incredible experience.  A room full of 100 zombies, about 25 makeup artists, hair, wardrobe people, and security.  The costumes and some of the face peices were from the TV version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Many local special effects people from San Antonio & Austin, including that one guy that was on Faceoff (name?).  Great people, great talent, the coolest effects.  Amazing how much goes into a 2 minute zombie event.  I had a full face piece with shloads of glue, goop, powder, paint, and ky jelly for ooze.  I had my clothes shredded and dirt rubbed all over me (crushed brick powder).  My hair- omg. 

My brother Eric was a character zombie on stage- the guy who didn't make it to Prom night.

My dad was wearing one of the vampire brow pieces from the Buffy show.

I was a hideous hag zombie.  My boobs kept popping out of my costumes and guys were still hitting on me... even with that face!  Wow.

After the actual storming of the convention, we were stationed out by the buffet area for photo ops.  Anyone could be torn apart or body surfed for free by the zombies.  This was my favorite part of the day which went on from 4am to 5pm.  Dean was awesome, very down to earth and cool.  We got Dunkin Donuts and pizza through the day.  Met lots of local talent and artists.  Amazing experience- and we got paid $$$!  yay!!!

Family portrait!  Maybe this should be our holiday card this year.  I have a caption: "2012 Zombie Apocalypse? Been there, done that."