Spooky Empire Orlando 2011

My wife and I attended another Spooky Empire convention in Orlando, FL. We’ve been going to this event since around 2006 when it was originally called Screamfest. This year was unbelievable. We had a blast! There were more guests this year than ever before. Film guests included Malcolm McDowell (Clockwork Orange), Clive Barker (Hellraiser, possibly his last appearance due to health issues), Doug Bradley (Pinhead), Lance Henriksen (Aliens), Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator), Tony Todd (Candyman), Butch Patrick (The Munsters), Sam Trammell, Kristin Bauer and Mariana Klaveno (True Blood), Stephen Chiodo, Edward Chiodo, Charlie Chiodo, Suzanne Snyder, Grant Cramer, Mike Martinez and Harrod Blank (Killer Klowns from Outer Space), Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus and David Della Rocco (The Boondock Saints), and many others too numerous to mention here. (Click on all photos for a larger view.)

I was really happy to see a Killer Klowns from Outer Space reunion. All three Chiodo brothers, Stephen, Edward and Charlie were there, along with Suzanne Snyder (as Debbie), Grant Cramer (as Mike), Harrod Blank (plays a killer klown) and Mike Martinez (also a killer klown). Everyone was very affable, genuine and willing to answer all of our questions.


Chiodo Bros., Killer Klowns from Outer Space Table. Many great works of original art and collectibles.



During the Killer Klowns Q&A panel, a sequel was officially announced for The Return of the Killer Klowns from Outer Space (in 3D). The Chiodo brothers mentioned the new picture will be half a sequel and half a re-make. They joked that it would be a four-part trilogy. The Killer Klowns will have real makeup and foam rubber appliances. They will not be CGI. Everyone yelled, “Thank God!” It will have 3D images that really pop out like the older films used to. The 3D will be unlike the newer films which seem to just show a bit of depth and texture.


Killer Klowns from Outer Space Q&A panel with the Chiodo brothers, Susanne Snyder, Grant Cramer, Harrod Blank and Mike Martinez.



Back at their table, I asked Edward Chiodo if they ever considered creating a Killer Klowns Christmas special that was stop-motion like the classic Rankin/Bass Christmas specials. He said they have been working on something like that, but it turned out to be longer than a half hour special. How incredibly amazing would that be, to have those characters in stop-motion? I’m already thinking of all kinds of collectible merchandise. I told him that I had thought of a scenario where the klowns are like The Grinch. They don’t understand Christmas. They end up eating everyone’s Christmas ornaments and putting people in cotton candy cocoons. Towards the end, they discover the true meaning of Christmas and become good, but the klowns can’t help themselves and start acting mischievous all over again. Ed chuckled at my story and told me that hopefully their new Killer Klowns features will all get released. First things first, they want to release the new film sequel by the end of 2012, maybe into 2013.

I think the Chiodo brothers are extremely creative, brilliant and humble guys. They keep busy and are always working on projects. Sometimes people never realize some of the great work they’ve done, like creating the mouse dioramas for the film Dinner for Schmucks or doing the stop-motion for Elf, claymation for The Simpsons and the marionettes for Team America, just to name a few.

Here is a photo of me with the Chiodo brothers. I am now the proud owner of a Killer Klown, one-of-a-kind replica. This head is from an original mold used for the film. It’s personally hand-painted and signed by the Chiodo brothers. The klown heads can be seen in the shot with Debbie getting dressed in the bathroom, only to be attacked by these creepy klown creatures. They pop out of the laundry basket, the medicine cabinet and the toilet.


Killer Klown replica from original mold.



In 2006, the Chiodo brothers brought with them actual screen-used props to Spooky Empire. It was called Screamfest back then. They didn’t bring them this year probably due to their fragility. Here are a couple of photos I took from that event. They are clearly showing signs of age, but it was great to see them.

Animatronic head named “Ears”, with the biker who lost his head after breaking Shorty’s bike, and another Killer Klown head.



We also met Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton from Re-Animator. Both were incredibly nice. We then attended the Q&A panel for Re-Animator, where they spoke about making the film. I was surprised to hear that it was shot in only 18 days!

Re-Animator Q&A with Barbara Crampton and Jeffrey Combs.



We met Sam Trammell, Kristin Bauer and Mariana Klaveno, from the HBO series True Blood. They were all great to talk with. The True Blood Q&A was interesting. They all had a great sense of humor. They answered everyone’s questions about how it felt to shoot scenes in the nude or semi-nude, some of their favorite scenes, how many hours they might be on a set and many other topics.

True Blood Q&A featuring Sam Trammell, Kristin Bauer and Mariana Klaveno.


In the vendor room there are plenty of collectibles and goodies, including creations from my friend Terry Cruikshank. This year he paid tribute to the Killer Klowns. Terry has many well sculpted items that he created and hand-painted himself. I own a couple of them. If you’re interested, take a look at his website here. If you don’t see a character there that you are interested in, contact him, as he does custom orders as well.

Terry Cruikshank Collectibles, along with his Killer Klowns tribute.