Saturday's #thisiscrazylove2016 goes to someone who may won’t be expecting it all.
I have been able to successfully watch from start to finish five scary movies in my life.
In order they are:
The Exorcist
Halloween
The Evil Dead (original)
Cabin in the Woods
LWA: All Saints’ Eve
I know the reason for this has to do with one movie and one episode of Tales From the Darkside.
The movie that placed me in a state of dread for all things scary is an embarrassing one. It’s a movie called “Happy Birthday To Me.” I watched parts of it online recently when I finally tracked down the movie from moments I remembered after seeing segments of while the babysitter was watching it back in 1982 in our house. I was hiding around the corner of the couch trying to sneak a peak at the slasher film through the parting of my fingers. I literally searched, “man gets killed by weight set in garage.” I should also note that after seeing the parts I saw I didn't even like watching "Little House on the Prairie" because Melissa Sue Anderson was in the movie.
A couple of years later I saw “Tales From the Darkside: Inside the Closet” and it freaked my sh*t out, as the kids like to say.
Today I worked with a couple of film people on a day shoot and the energy and creativity seemed a rewarding balm for my soul after pouring out my insecurities in yesterday’s post. Between set ups we’d share great segments of film and television we’d enjoyed over the years and why they meant something to us. It was rarely about story and specific scenes and more about choices made with shots, camera angles, sound and lighting.
Then tonight as I sat and pondered who would be today’s recipient of #thisiscrazylove2016 I thought of someone I know who has done the opposite of all my shortcomings. With that said, I give crazy love today to Rick Prince.
I met Rick through my wife about thirteen years ago. We were dating and she introduced me to her cousin Rick. Our appreciation for cinema was a common bond but where I have only seen five horror movies, Rick has seen the ALL. If he saw “Happy Birthday To Me” he was probably a young boy sitting on the edge of the couch and after seeing the TFTD episode he most likely went immediately to his room with pad and pencil to sketch the little monster living in the small room upstairs waiting to feed on the curious and unsuspecting college student.
I mentioned that one of the five movies I’ve seen is "LWA: All Saints’ Eve.”
Rick's Creature Feature he just finished. This woman wasn't so scary after all. I mean, once I met her in person after his special screening.
That’s Rick’s feature film he made last year.
Let me be absolutely clear on this point. I am not a fan of scary movies. AT ALL. I was nervous to see his movie in a room full of people because I don’t like jumping. And I jump a lot! Ask my wife. She takes great joy in me jumping during a suspenseful scene on a prime time drama.
I’m an easy scare.
The reason I share this love with Rick today is the simple fact that he has, all of his adult life, done what he dreamed of doing. He goes for it. Always focused on the next way to entertain people.
He goes to Cosplay events but he doesn’t go as a character from a movie. He redefines the character and makes it his own.
This Transformer stand about 8 feet tall. Think of the dedication it takes to put on this suit and walk around all day at an event. I'm tired thinking about it.
Cyborg Darth Maul. Come on!!! Rethink Episodes 2 and 3 with this dude instead of Count Dooku. I want a remake!!!!
He works in prosthetics and make up but uses those mediums to push the lines of what is possible and like a mad scientist He works countless hours to see the ins and outs of his idea to bring them to completion.
Like I said, a mad scientist.
And all that scary gore loving fanatic lives inside a kind, gentle loving man who is willing give back to anyone who wants to learn.
He works with young artists and mentors them, giving them pointers and guiding them to their own desired objectives.
Because of my wife I can call him family but because of who he is I am able to call him a friend.
