mostly nonfiction and bakersfield news | November 13th, 2009
Two Films Have Sneak Peek At Bakersfield Comicon 2
I showed up late to the second annual Bakersfield Comicon. I was riding in the Hectic Films van getting a literal “Bird’s Eye View” with filmmaker Rickey Bird who was looking for some kind of attachment that could be used between a Mac computer and a projection screen. Don’t ask. He was frustrated, but all worked out after a brief foray to Radio Shack and a Jack In The Box restaurant. Apparently all is well in the world of filmmakers after a cheeseburger.
We eventually made out way to the Doubletree Hotel where Bakotopia was hosting the comic-con (that’s how they spell Comicon). We went straight to the Hectic Films booth where it was all mayhem: actors, filmmakers, goofiness and a table full of goodies.
I then followed along as Spike TV’s “Deadliest Warrior,” and movie “The Lackey” director Shaun Piccinino (yes he does it all!) passed out fliers for a sneak peek of his gangster-hitman film. “The Lackey” is being shot mostly in Bakersfield. Think dark alleyways in Old Town Kern and quaint city streets that capture Bakersfield’s hodge podge of Sixties and Seventies downtown architecture.
Watch the zaniness unfold:
See, while Bakersfield isn’t all that beautiful, it’s got a vibe that’s great for filmmakers. Piccinino is also a dangerous character in the Hectic Films zombie flick “Phase Two.” Clips of that movie were up for sneak peeks as well. So blend hitmen and zombies and the weird nature of filmmakers with a comic book convention and you have a wacky world of people in costumes, makeup, and out for some collectible fun.
I was the host during the filmmaker panel and got to talk to the hot up-and-coming actress Jessica Erin Sylvia, as well as comedic action-movie actors Matt Thompson and Robin Steffen. Good times. The movie clips were fast paced. The house was full of curious film fans, and there was a genuine buzz in the air as Hectic Films had outdone themselves in their ability to work on interesting films and network with Los Angeles filmmakers and actors.
I later spoke with Sylvia about her acting in an upcoming Mothman film for the Sci-Fi Channel. With all the Mothman stories I’ve been telling lately in my book “Random Obsessions,” it was a weird conversation just waiting to happen. Of course some rather gruesome events happen in the film that’s set in swampy backwoods West Virginia. But I better not give away the plot or what happens to Sylvia in the made-for-TV flick.
On a personal note, I got to meet former MAD Magazine cartoonist Sergio Aragones inside the actual Bako Comicon event. He’s a childhood hero of mine in the world of irreverent art. I passed him a copy of my book “Random Obsessions” that talks about him in the intro and how he inspired me as a kid. He in turn handed me a copy of the book “Wertham Was Right” (2003) that he illustrated. I should add he also signed an original copy of a a MAD Magazine U.S. map that he illustrated decades ago. Matt Munoz had presented me with the artifact from my youth at Borders Bookstore in Bakersfield earlier this year at a book gig.
Talk about a day of magical moments. It was filled with many, as after I left I then got to celebrate my son Jordan’s 20th birthday.
More info:
www.hecticfilms.com
www.thelackeymovie.com
Actress-model Jessica Erin Sylvia with actor Matt Thompson of Phase Two
Matt Munoz of where? and Rickey Bird behind the screen at Bako Comicon
Me in the middle (Nick Belardes) with film stars Matt Thompson and Jessica Erin Sylvia*****************************
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