Penguin Classics On Air: Vampires on Paper: The Enduring Appeal of Vampires in Literature.

This month we are showing Vampires on Paper: The Enduring Appeal of Vampires in Literature.

In this episode, Penguin Classics Editor, Elda Rotor interviews Twilight expert Donna Freitas about the appeal of Stephanie Meyer’s vampire series and how it compares to Emily Bronte’s enduring classic Wuthering Heights.

Elda then speaks with Dacre Stoker, a direct descendent of Bram Stoker, and Ian Holt, authors of Dracula: The Un-Dead, who explain why Dracula and other vampires are such popular characters in literature. Alan Walker introducers listeners to The Magician by W. Somerset Maugham on “Reading the Classics from A to Z.” Stephen Morrison offers up the opening to Bram Stoker’s Dracula in his segment, “First Pages.”

“Penguin Classics On Air” is part of Penguin Group (USA)’s recently launched “From the Publisher’s Office” Online Network. It is hosted by Penguin Classics Editorial Director Elda Rotor and features in-depth conversations on new, timely, and rediscovered classics. Other features include, “Reading the Classics from A to Z”, a delightful review by Alan Walker, Senior Director of Academic Marketing, on one of the classics he has recently read , and “First Pages”, a sampling of a featured classic read by Associate Publisher Stephen Morrison

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/publishersoffice/radioroom/0909/pcoa/vampires.html

Pop Rocks: Zombies Vs. Vampires Is This Generation's Beatles Vs.Stones

Another take on Zombies vs Vampires

Zombieland topped the box office last weekend with $25 million, a respectable haul for a relatively low-budget horror-comedy whose biggest star (Woody Harrelson) hasn't top-lined a movie in over ten years. By comparison, the first installment in the Twilight series opened a year ago to the tune of $69 million.

It would go on to gross almost $200 million domestically, a total Zombieland won't come within brain-eating distance of. I point this out in order to draw attention to the disparity in the current popularity of bloodsuckers and brain/flesh-eaters, and to explain why this is actually a desirable state of undead affairs.

Vampires have a much richer history, it's true. Ancient cultures like Persia and Rome all have some version of bloodsucking spirit, but the vampire in its current incarnation really became popular in Eastern and Central Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/10/zombieland_vampires.php

True Blood: Casting Werewolf Alcide and Psycho Ex-Girlfriend

We've been hearing about a bunch of new characters coming on board for the third season of True Blood but so far, only Tony winner Denis O'Hare has been cast to play Russell Edgington, the King of Mississippi. Now Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello reports that casting is underway for Werewolf Alcide, who debuted in the third Sookie novel Club Dead and will be prominently appearing on the new season of the HBO series, and his psycho ex-girlfriend Debbie Pelt.

While the specifics about Werewolf Alcide have not been disclosed, the casting people behind True Blood have made it known that Debbie Pelt would be played by a 20 to 30 something knockout and is described as "sporty and spiteful, with black hair."

Off the top of my head, I think that Shannyn Sossamon, Alyssa Milano, Sarah Brown or Milla Jovovich would be plausible fillers for the character of Debbie, whom True Blood creator Alan Ball describes as "bad news." To refresh your memory, Sossamon is known for her role as Coraline on Moonlight, Milano appeared as Phoebe Halliwell on Charmed and most recently as Billie on My Name is Earl, Brown currently plays Claudia Zacchara on ABC soap General Hospital and Jovovich is popularly known as Alice in the Resident Evil movies.

Speaking of Sossamon, wouldn't it be great if Alex O'Loughlin was cast as Werewolf Alcide? I highly doubt that he'll be available though since he's currently starring on the CBS medical drama Three Rivers. I guess a little Moonlight reunion is just wishful thinking so I shouldn't even be hoping that Jason Dohring would get the part either.

What are your thoughts on Werewolf Alcide and Debbie Pelt? Do you have any suggestions on which actor to cast?

read on: http://www.buddytv.com/articles/true-blood/true-blood-casting-werewolf-al-31668.aspx

Why Zombies Make Better Horror Movies Than Vampires

The battle of the undead on the big screen has been under way for some time now, and after months of hearing that vampires are taking over pop culture, it seems like we shouldn't quite put our friends the zombies (no, not those ones) down for the count. Over at Newsweek, Sarah Ball put together a few reasons as to why zombies will never beat vampires in a pop-culture zeitgeist-off thanks to our long-standing love-affair with the pale tortured types. But just this weekend, audiences proved that when it comes to the walking dead, the zombies still have what it takes to bring in the crowds.

Everybody has their personal preferences (and man I love those bloodsuckers), so even though I've watched more vampire content than I care to remember (I even sat through the pilot of The Vampire Diaries), and I'll always be a dedicated 'fan of the fang', I think that sometimes those drooling bumbling walking corpses might be better suited (at least these days) to the world of horror. Here's why:

After the jump: my top 3 reasons Zombies (might) make better horror movies.

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The Blood Has Spilled - the 2009 International Vampire Film Festival Line-Up

New Orleans, LA. October 6, 2009 - The Vampire Film Festival (Vampire Fest) is finally coming home! “After two years in Los Angeles we wanted to permanently move the festival to the city most connected to the vampire myth - New Orleans. This glorious city is a place of mystical allure, the city where Anne Rice rethought the myth of the vampire. With its Gothic architecture, above the ground graves, voodoo and colorful history, New Orleans is the perfect location to celebrate the vampire myth and build the foundation for an annual must attend film festival event,” announced Festival Director, Asif Ahmed.

The 4- Day Vampire Festival slated for Oct. 23- 26 will showcase films, a vampire ballet, a New Orleans Jazz Style Funeral and a French Quarter scavenger hunt.
Over 50 films will screen from over 11 countries this month in New Orleans. Vampire Fest has declared 2009 the Year of the International Vampire and will screen films from Japan, Spain, France, Italy, Norway, Austria, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. We will screen films that could be classified in the context of vampire, supernatural, the bizarre, the grotesque, the mysterious or the desolate. The legend of the werewolf is interconnected with that of vampire and Vampire Fest is open to films of the Gothic, zombie, werewolf or ghost genre.

“This will mark Vampire Fest’s first time in NOLA!” Mary Beth Romig, Director of Public Relations and Communications for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, recently declared, “We are excited to welcome the Vampire Film Festival to what we think is the perfect city for showcasing this genre. With our reputation for being one of America's most haunted cities and our rich history, we feel our city will be the perfect backdrop for the festival this year and for many years to come, adding another exciting and unique festival to the line up of great events in New Orleans."

The lineup screening at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center is as follows (tickets are now on sale at www.vampirefest.com):

True Blood Music Video of the Day :Running up that hill by Placebo

Running up that hill by Placebo LYRICS

Thanks, AandIShow

True blood's Anna Paquin new video : Video Q&A: Los Angeles Trick 'r Treat Panel

On Sunday, October 4, under a full moon, a crowd lined up around the block for ShockTillYouDrop.com and the New Beverly Cinema's screening of Trick 'r Treat. Regardless of the fact that it was arriving on DVD and Blu-Ray on Tuesday, October 6, guests were eager to see the anthology horror film on the big screen.

Star Anna Paquin (True Blood) was spotted in the audience, as was Seth Green, Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica, Dollhouse) and composer Douglas Pipes.

After receiving a thunderous applause post-screening, this writer took to the front of the theatre to join Dougherty, Penikett and Pipes for a Q&A. Audience members who chimed in with a question of their own scored a DVD copy of Trick 'r Treat.

Below, you'll find highlights from our discussion as Dougherty talks about the creation of the film, his iconic character "Sam," and sequel plans!

watch here

Armchair Casting Director: 'True Blood' welcomes a Debbie Downer

From EW

You’re gonna have a field day with this one, people — I know I did. True Blood is looking for a twenty- to thirtysomething knockout to play season 3 werewolf Alcide’s psycho ex-girlfriend, Debbie Pelt. So who comes to mind when you hear that she’s described as sporty and spiteful, with black hair that wouldn’t be out of place on an Afghan at a dog show? Who comes to my mind is…

Milla Jovovich: Though she’s the heroine in the Resident Evil flicks, haven’t her angular features and kickass bod always made you think “bitch on wheels”? Just me? Really? Well, she’s still been known to try out the odd shag from time to time.

Katharine Isabelle: How perfect an option is this Supernatural alum? She’s gorgeous, snarky, and in the first of the Ginger Snaps movies, she didn’t just play a werewolf’s honey, she played the werewolf herself. Top that, Shakira!

Shakira: Come to think of it, the hip-swiveling ”She-Wolf” might not be a bad choice for the role. Certainly, her animal instincts are the stuff of legend. Then again, how would Alan Ball feel about a Debbie who talks like Charo?

read on

Alexander Skarsgard: Let Me Hear You SCREAM!!!

Alexander Skarsgard grabs onto a man’s chest in the most awesome shot taken during Fantastic Fest 2009.

The 33-year-old Swedish stud is set to make an appearance at the 4th annual “SCREAM” Awards, which will tape on Saturday, October 17 in Los Angeles. The two-hour extravaganza will premiere on Spike TV on Tuesday, October 27 @ 10PM ET/PT.

Other True Blood cast and creators who will be on hand include Alan Ball, Stephen Moyer, Anna Paquin and Sam Trammell.

Tobey Maguire will also present the tribute for the Comic-Con Icon Award.

The two-hour extravaganza will also feature the full cast of Twilight with a world premiere of footage from New Moon as well as the reunited cast of Battlestar Galactica.

Read more: http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/10/05/alexander-skarsgard-let-me-hear-you-scream/#ixzz0T60avBai

Hey Truebies : Group reading of Bram Stocker's Dracula

It's time to read it again and here is a chance to group read it together

Infinite summer just did a group read of Infinite Jest and now is turning their sights on Dracula.

Check it out here http://infinitesummer.org/dracula/archives/9

All the chapters are posted in very nicely readable pdfs ( for free -there is no copyright on the book) I've posted the first one below and have put the first 4 chapters on our scribd page.

Here is the forum I will open a thread on our forum if anyone is interested in getting a discussion group together on our page.

Here is the reading schedule

Fri, 10/02 Chapter 1: Jonathan Harker’s Journal
Sat, 10/03 Chapter 3: Jonathan Harker’s Journal
Sun, 10/04 Chapter 4: Jonathan Harker’s Journal
Mon, 10/05 Chapter 5: Letter From Miss Mina Murray To Miss Lucy Westenra
Tue, 10/06 Chapter 6: Mina Murray’s Journal
Wed, 10/07 Chapter 7: Cutting From “The Dailygraph”, 8 August
Thu, 10/08 Chapter 8: Mina Murray’s Journal
Fri, 10/09 Chapter 9: Letter, Mina Harker To Lucy Westenra
Sun, 10/11 Chapter 10: Letter, Dr. Seward To Hon. Arthur Holmwood
Mon, 10/12 Chapter 11 Lucy Westenra’s Diary
Tue, 10/13 Chapter 12: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Wed, 10/14 Chapter 13: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Thu, 10/15 Chapter 14: Mina Harker’s Journal
Sat, 10/17 Chapter 15 Dr. Seward’s Diary
Sun, 10/18 Chapter 16: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Mon, 10/19 Chapter 17 Dr. Seward’s Diary
Tue, 10/20 Chapter 18: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Wed, 10/21 Chapter 19: Jonathan Harker’s Journal
Thu, 10/22 Chapter 20: Jonathan Harker’s Journal
Fri, 10/23 Chapter 21: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Sun, 10/25 Chapter 22: Jonathan Harker’s Journal
Mon, 10/26 Chapter 23 Dr. Seward’s Diary
Tue, 10/27 Chapter 24: Dr. Seward’s Phonograph Diary
Wed, 10/28 Chapter 25: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Thu, 10/29 Chapter 26: Dr. Seward’s Diary
Sat, 10/31 Chapter 27: Mina Harker’s Journal

Chapters will be posted here too HERE

draculachapter01
Chapter 2 HERE
Chapter 3 HERE
Chapter 4 HERE

Anna Paquin: interview for 'True Blood’

from Telegraph UK

It seems like only yesterday that Anna Paquin was a shy 11-year-old clutching her Oscar for 'The Piano’. But just look at her now – the star of the hit new vampire drama 'True Blood’, and blissfully engaged to her leading man.

Anna Paquin was nine years old when she first became famous for her role as Flora in The Piano, and 11 as she stood smiling and gasping in silence for a full 20 seconds at the podium to receive her Oscar for it. In True Blood, Channel 4’s new HBO hit, Paquin, now 27, has morphed into the telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse. She runs around in tiny shorts, and has bleached blonde hair and a lot of steamy sex with a vampire named Bill.

The first episode sets out its stall to shock, featuring a couple getting amorous strung from a meat hook while watching vampire sex on video. But it has been a huge success in America, winning Paquin a 2009 Golden Globe for best actress in a television drama. It is now HBO’s third most popular series, after The Sopranos and Sex and the City. To add to the mix, and to the delight of the tabloids, in August Paquin got engaged in real life to her vampire lover, the English actor Stephen Moyer. He is 40, she is 27 and they divide their time between his house near Hampstead and hers in Los Angeles. The 'most serious 15-year-old ever’ – her own description – has certainly grown up with a vengeance.

Read on

Loving True Blood In Dallas: Lullaby song by The Dixie Chicks

Lullaby song by The Dixie Chicks LYRICS
Thanks, FallnHavenInc

EyeCon Celebrity Autograph Conventions

EyeCon Celebrity Autograph Conventions is proud to announce the launch of the first ever fan convention based on the popular television series True Blood. The convention will give fans the opportunity to gather with each other and celebrate this breakout new series. The convention will feature celebrity guests, bands, artists, vendors, Q&A’s, parties, contests, panels, fan films, photo shoots, video games, blood drives and more.

The celebrity guest list includes:

* Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte)

* Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds)

* Allan Hyde (Godrick)

* Ashley Jones (Daphne)

* Mehcad Brooks (Eggs)

More guests will be added soon. Keep track of all the updates at www.eyeconfla.com/trueblood
The convention hours of operation are:

Friday: 4:00pm - 1:00am
Saturday: 10:00am - 1:00am
Sunday: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Tickets are currently available online, pricing is as follows:

General Admission Friday: $10, Saturday: $40, Sunday: $40
3 Day Weekend: $80
Silver Weekend Pass: $110
Gold Weekend Pass: $135
Platinum Weekend Pass: $295

Special rates are available for all attendees who stay at the host hotel. Hotel information and room rate information can be found at www.eyeconfla.com/location.html


A little about us: EyeCon is a fan-friendly multi-genre celebrity autograph convention for science fiction, horror, television and movie fans! We have been running successful fan conventions since 2006, bringing fans closer to the stars they love and providing enriched fan experiences for their favorite television shows and movies. There will be Celebrity Autograph sessions, Celebrity Photo Op sessions, a Celebrity Banquet, a Cocktail Party with the stars, a Fangbanger's Ball, Panels, Games, Guitar Hero, Celebrity Breakfast auctions, Blood Drives and so much more! There will always be something to do during the busy, fun-packed weekend!

Our goal is to bring the celebrity guests together with their fans in a relaxed atmosphere with the most exposure possible. At EyeCon, it's like a family reunion. We hope to see you there and look forward to an amazing, memorable weekend! For more information and updates visit: www.eyeconfla.com

Alexander Skarsgård on starring in both Generation Kill and True Blood

From Telegraph UK

Alexander Skarsgård, the star of HBO’s biggest hit since The Sopranos, talks about his sudden success and having a famous father.

Channel 4 is giving both True Blood and Generation Kill their first airings on terrestrial television on Wednesday, one straight after the other. It’s an odd juxtaposition, because apart from the fact that they are both made by the American cable company HBO, they could scarcely be more different – True Blood, a tale of vampires coming out of the closet in the Deep South, is a fantastical, at times hilarious chunk of modern gothic; Generation Kill, based on real events and people, is a painstakingly realistic seven-part depiction of life for an elite detachment of US Marines in the first phase of the Iraq War.

The one constant between them is the Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård, 33. He plays a 1,000-year-old Viking vampire in True Blood, and a laconic US marine sergeant in Generation Kill, but he steals the show in both.

Skarsgård’s True Blood character Eric Northman is ‘funny and confident but also lethal’, he says. Eric is more anti-hero than hero – a blood-sucker with an entrepreneurial bent who runs a nightclub, Fangtasia.
read on

Project Paranormal with Charlaine Harris by Penguin Group

Clarion Ledger talks to Tanya ( Kenya ) Wright

COLUMBUS — In 2006, when Tanya Wright first penned the script for a very personal film she hoped to one day make, she had never heard of Columbus.

But while in the city to meet a business partner, the native New Yorker and Los Angeles-based actress had what one might call a Possum Town epiphany.

"I was here, and we were talking about making a couple of movies," said Wright, who plays the character Kenya in the HBO series True Blood.

"I had this script I wrote several years ago that was very dear to my heart. We actually weren't going to make this one any time soon (but) I looked out the window one day and realized this is the perfect place to shoot this movie, just perfect in every way."

Butterfly Rising was Wright's directing debut and what she calls a passion project inspired by an experience in her own life.

"My brother, Barron Wright, died suddenly in 2005, and I was ... changing, wide and deep. My attraction to butterflies during this period of my life was strong. A butterfly - with its four stages: egg, caterpillar, cocoon and, finally, butterfly - is the result of a metamorphosis, the complete transformation."

read on

True Blood Music Video of the Day: Clocks by Coldplay

Clocks by Coldplay LYRICS
Thanks, ninjastars134