The moment I knew…
I grew up in a pretty conservative home. Not a bad home by any means, but a home where not a lot of “taboo” (for the late 80s - early 90s) topics were discussed. But, let me say right now, my dad rules. From music, to art, film, theater, concerts and everything in between, my dad loves to support the creative. The man has never ever been shy about what we listen to, watch, participate in or show interest towards. I remember being 8 years old and my sister reading the Thomas Harris book “The Silence of the Lambs” (my sister is 10 years older than I am) while I sat next to her reading a comic book, and my dad from the doorway, not even in the room, whispered “Clarice [pause], Clarice [pause], have the lambs stopped screaming” and my sister jumping at least 2 feet off the bed. It was at that moment that I was enthralled with the idea that a few words could scare someone that bad.
Now, I won’t make a comment about whether or not The Silence of the Lambs is horror or how Sir Anthony Hopkins’ face taking up the entire movie screen till this day is burned into my mind, but what I will comment on is that feeling that always gets me when it comes to seeing certain films, certain genres of movies and why I love sharing in the experience with others. There are few other moments where the collective raw emotions of a group of people can so palpable be felt then in theater watching a scary movie. Sure live sports, may have suspense and action, but the cheers and high fives pale in comparison to the gasps and shrieks of terror that come with a good jump scare. It’s something magical, something that can’t be appreciated until experienced.
Let’s jump to 2009; I was going about my day when I saw that Slash Film published an article on a new horror film being released in only 25 cities, BUT they were asking fans what cities should be next. To top things off if you helped get people to vote on your city and demand your local theater would bring the film in you got your name IN THE CREDITS! This was unheard of, unbelievable if you will. Deep inside of me there was this quiet thought “you could have your name on a film credit”. It became my all encompassing passion for the days and weeks to come. Anyone have a guess on which film that was?
…Paranormal Activity
I begged, pleaded, convinced and paid for friends and family to lend their voice and request the film come to my hometown. And you know what, it freaking did. I will never forget taking up almost an entire row at the theater with people I personal had a hand in them coming to see this with me. This film I knew next to nothing about, but the atmosphere, the vibe as the kids say today, was electric - it was on fire. There was a moment when I looked across at my friends and family and saw every jaw open and ever single person scared out of their skulls and it was my own little personal bliss. A moment that I will cherish forever - a point in time where we all shared a collective fright, and man o man was it a blast!
And this is sort of the reason why we made Hacker Horror Nights, so that in some small way, through these crazy connections we call the internet, we get to share once more in that collective fright. I hope that wherever you are in the world, whatever you enjoy watching, whatever makes your skin crawl for just a moment you know we are right there with you and we are all in it together! Welcome home to Hacker Horror Nights.
-g0rd0