Underground Horror Radio was fortunate enough to interview Andrea
Albin, Owner of ADA Management Group, Producer at Fatality Films and the
founder of Fatality Fest, West Palm Beach’s first Horror Convention. The
convention will be held at the West Palm Beach Marriott on June 7-9, 2013.
Check out the Fatality Fest website for
details.
UHR What is it about the Horror
Genre that fascinates you to work in it?
AA: My mother once told me that adrenaline is what drives us. She
said that if you're scared, you're motivated to do just about anything in your
power to beat that fear. That's probably where my love of the genre mostly
comes from; my love of being scared. I genuinely love frightening things- be it
ghosts, serial killers, or other things that go bump in the night. I'm a rare
form that enjoys having my heart race and breaking into a cold sweat. Honestly,
I feel as if the horror genre is one of the most emotional. It's hard to
explain- but when it comes down to it, I feel as if I get more from a horror
flick than any other type of film. But it has to be done right. I'm very picky
about the work that fascinates me.
UHR: How did you get
the title of Ms. Disgusting?
AA: I had been writing for Bloody-Disgusting for about three months
and had pumped out a ton of feature articles. Every time you refreshed the
front page, there I was. I was surfing through the message boards one night and
someone had said I was the 'Ms. Disgusting' to editor in chief Brad Miska's
'Mr. Disgusting.' It just kind of stuck. Not the coolest of nicknames, but when
you work in horror it could most definitely be considered honorable!
UHR: What do you
think the hardest part of screen writing is, the process of writing
or the selling and producing part?
AA: They're both equally
hard, but any writer will tell you that the creative process is tough. Diving
into your characters, giving them life- it's one of the most rewarding and yet
one of the hardest jobs you'll ever have. Every time I'm writing a new
screenplay, I lose myself in the moment. I become those characters. And it's
tough. Even after you finish the writing process you're still latched onto your
script as if it's a part of you. And I guess that's what makes the selling and
producing equally as difficult- part of you has to let go to make it happen.
I'm working on a script right now that has literally been a part of my life and
my career for the past six years. Hopefully I can let this one go in a few
weeks.
UHR: What is Fatality Films?
AA: I had this crazy idea that I wanted to own a production company
and work on projects from the bottom up. My producing partner, Scott Spiegel,
jumped on board and now we're putting together eight feature films and some
television projects. We're operating under the idea that low cost doesn't have
to be low quality- and I have every intention of staying true to my word.
UHR: If you had to pick what is the top three Horror/Scfi Movies you
love?
AA: I'm definitely more of a horror nerd- so I'd have to say my top
three films are...
1. The Exorcist- It was the first horror film I ever saw. I guess you could say it kick started my obsession.
2. Hostel- To this day, I have yet to figure out how Eli put together such a magnificent film.
3. Halloween- The original. Not the Rob Zombie remake, though I think he's a talented filmmaker and one of the few not to ruin a franchise with a re imagination.
1. The Exorcist- It was the first horror film I ever saw. I guess you could say it kick started my obsession.
2. Hostel- To this day, I have yet to figure out how Eli put together such a magnificent film.
3. Halloween- The original. Not the Rob Zombie remake, though I think he's a talented filmmaker and one of the few not to ruin a franchise with a re imagination.
UHR: Do you like remakes? If you were going to make a remake
what movie would you like to do?
AA: I'm not a huge fan of remakes. I feel as if there are so many
top-quality ideas out there that remakes just aren't what Hollywood is made of.
Are there some that I've enjoyed? Absolutely- but whatever happened to
originality? I'm a firm believer that remakes are nothing more than a money
move to the studios.
It is funny though- if I were to ever take the director's chair and choose a film to remake, it would be Intruder. Not just because Scott is my producing partner, but because I feel as if you could reach a whole new generation with a film such as that. It was incredibly well made, but a remake could do it justice.
It is funny though- if I were to ever take the director's chair and choose a film to remake, it would be Intruder. Not just because Scott is my producing partner, but because I feel as if you could reach a whole new generation with a film such as that. It was incredibly well made, but a remake could do it justice.
UHR: What inspired you to make Fatality Fest?
AA: Over the years my firm, ADA Management Group, has represented
several individuals who frequent the convention circuit. I spent a good chunk
of time since 2011 on the road with some of these clients and it's been a
whirlwind of the good, the bad and the ugly. We took note of everything that we
thought we could do better- and two years after the idea originated, we
announced Fatality Fest! It was a long time in the making and we are THRILLED
to be bringing a quality event to the area. By this time next year, we'll
already be two events in. Aside from our West Palm Beach show, we are also
planning a show in Montana and two additional locations in 2014. It's the train
that just doesn't stop!
UHR: Of all the Major cities in Florida (Jacksonville ,Orlando, Miami, Tampa)
What was it about West Palm Beach that made it the city to host
Fatality Fest?
AA: When I was 19, I moved to the West Palm Beach area and fell in
love. It's a big city, but at the same time it has a small town feel. Being
that I'm originally from Montana, it was a place I easily adapted to- and what
better place to hold a convention than right by the beach? It's minutes away
from the best restaurants, shops- we couldn't have asked for a better location.
The other reason we chose West Palm Beach is because we wanted to establish our event based upon quality, not location. There are so many amazing events already in the cities you've mentioned, we thought it was best to establish ourselves elsewhere.
UHR: Last Question: In your opinion what do you think is better?
Make
a Movie or a TV show? By that I mean to Film, write and produce for it.
AA: Film and television are SO different from one another. As a
producer and screenwriter by trade,
I'd have to say my first love will always be in film- but it would be killer to be a show runner.
I'd have to say my first love will always be in film- but it would be killer to be a show runner.
Thank
you, Andrea, for your time.
Visit Fatality Fest on Facebook to keep up with all of the great things coming to the convention!
