1) What was your first experience with horror, and at what age?
My first experience with horror films was as a child, about four. My mom and I would watch all the Universal classics, The Twilight Zone and Dark Shadows, that Gothic soap opera. It was a chance for me to stay up later than my sister. I would sneak down the stairs so as not to wake her and get an intriguing look at horror.
2) What attracted you to horror initially?
At first, like I said, it was a chance for me to stay up late and spend time with my Mom. But it felt good to get scared. Like when we see the Frankenstein monster for the first time, or covering my face, peeking with one eye open, when Boris Karloff enters through the door of Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory backwards and turns around to a close up. Or any close up of Bela Lugosi's eyes. Shriek!! There’s no better feeling in the world than that. I always pictured myself in one of those horror films, or any horror film. Maybe as a zombie. I was a child perfecting my zombie creep around the house, mastering my moans and groans and quoting lines from my favorite horror films or characters in them. "They’re coming to get you, Barbara!" I felt like I was doing or watching something kids my age weren't supposed to. I felt like I was a four-year-old rebel.
3) How did the people you were growing up around react to your blossoming fandom?
Nobody understood. Nobody could. When kids my age were watching Disney films, I was watching Halloween or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. When they were watching Arnold Schwarzenegger films, I was watching Freddy Krueger. There was nobody like me who I knew when I was growing up. It made me feel different, unique -- and I loved it.
4) What is your favorite horror film, star and director?
Hmmm! My favorite horror film. That would probably be the original 1931 Frankenstein. You've got to love the whole mad scientist playing God thing. No better power than that. My favorite actors would be Karloff and Lugosi. Oh, and I just thought of another: Karen Black in a strange sort of way. Director is tough. There are so many good ones. But to name a few on a vast spectrum, Stanley Kubrick, George A. Romero, Tobe Hooper and Rob Zombie. Of course, this depending on if I was in a subdued or psychotic mood.
5) Do you have a favorite subgenre?
All subgenres. The weirder the better. I have tons of B-horror movies. They are the best because they have little money to work with. The less money, the more inventive you become.
6) Are there any films or subgenres you really do not like?
I hate chick flicks! Enough said.
7) What is the last horror film you saw? What did you think of it?
I rented Drag Me to Hell. Ugh! No comment.
8) How do you express your fandom in everyday life?
I buy or rent the strangest, most out-there movies. I look for the most bizarre titles and buy them. The people I buy or rent from must think I am a psychopath! I have lots of horror T's. Tattoos. I love skulls. I always carry one with me of some sort. Besides, of course, the one between my shoulders.
9) Do you go to conventions or socialize with other fans regularly?
No, I don't. Not my scene.
10) Do you know people in your personal life who are also fans?
Nope, not really.
11) Describe your horror film/merchandise collection. Do you have a most prized item?
I have a wide range of films from classic horror, zombie films, slasher films, to B-horror. You name it. If it's weird, I probably have it. And if I don't, I'll make sure I get it. My most prized item would probably be my Universal Horror DVD collections. I could watch them over and over. Every time I watch them, it is still so amazing and fresh to me. I still find myself wide-eyed shouting "It's Alive! It's Alive!"
12) Do you think there are certain traits horror fans generally share?
Well yes, to some extent. We love a medium which is defined by some to be low budget, violent, not mainstream. So to some point, you can say we are not the norm. We are not really looking to fit in, nor do we care to.
13) Can you describe why you are a horror fan?
Sure I can. I like being frightened. I get sucked into it. I like the shock factor, to the point where I am really taken and believe something I see in a movie can really happen. Well, in the case of deranged individuals, it can. Look at serial killers. I put nothing past the human mind or the supernatural. It’s all about the rush you get when your adrenaline is flowing, your heart is pounding, and you just want it to never end.
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