Ok...

I have a good friend named Steve Myers. For over twenty years, Steve has entertained literally thousands of kids and families as a professional "Santa Claus."

His suit, hat, belt and boots are authentic and hand-made. His wig and beard were designed and made...hair by hair...by the same lady who made the hair and beard for Tim Allen in the movie "The Santa Claus." The whole reason for this is to give his clients the best looking Santa Claus for their dollar...a most authentic possible experience, because Steve believes that if you are going to do something, do it absolutely 100 percent correct.

Steve has a website that he has personally designed. There's nothing that is not on that site that Steve has not written himself. The photos...some taken by me...show the true example of his professionalism.

Now, comes along an individual who both Steve and I know. This individual is advertising himself as a "Santa for many years," but this is his FIRST YEAR. He's advertising that he'll do shows for free, because "he believes in seeing a smile in children's eyes." But I want you to look at something. This is the "About Santa" page that Steve has created...read it over carefully...

http://www.santasteve.com/Santasteve/About_Santa.html


****NOW***

Look at this page that this copycat has created....

http://www.therealclaus.com/About_Santa.html


It burns me up that this obvious fraud can't even come up with his OWN DESCRIPTIVE INFORMATION. VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CUT AND PASTED OFF OF STEVE'S SITE!

Hey...I know...It's a stupid santa clause site that people will rarely go to, and yes, someone will actually waste their money by booking this fraud. But it's the simple fact that this guy is doing nothing more than riding the coattails of someone who, for the lack of a better term, is a "true" Santa Claus.

Do you want to book a party with an individual who will obviously steal from others?

Just ask him to send you a copy of what his FACE looks like. I'm sure Wal-Mart got their $3.50 for a fake fiber beard.

Research wisely, folks...You get what you pay for.

So, with Horrorfind Weekend 10 coming up just a few short weeks away, I thought I'd drop everyone a note and tell you that Horrorfind Weekend is a great place to party and have fun with some truly wonderful people!

Sure...there will always be those who will try to not have a good time, and want EVERYONE to know about it. But Horrorfind is a great convention run by great people, who try very hard to put on a great show.

So come on out August 15th, 16th and 17th, and have a great time!

If you need more information, go to www.horrorfindweekend.com

After seeing both national and world-wide distribution on four of their
first five features, Timewarp Films, LLC will be holding open auditions fori
ts sixth project, tentatively entitled "Sealed Fates." This horror anthology project
is slated to begin filming in late June. Several roles are available for both men
and women, all races are welcome. Respectfully, no roles for children are available
at this time.

This is a non-union production, shooting on weekends with deferred pay, but
meals will be provided. A DVD copy of the completed project will also be
provided to each actor. 

We will be holding auditions at "The Days Hotel Timonium," 9615 Deerco
Road, Timonium, Maryland, 21093. The audition dates will be Sunday, June
8th from 9:00 a.m until 5:00 p.m.; and then the following Saturday, June 14th 
from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00p.m.  

The audition will be a cold read. 

The audition is an open call. No appointments or time slot reservations are
 necessary. 

Please bring a headshot and resume; however you MUST audition to be
considered for a role. 

Please do not call the hotel with any questions. All questions can be
answered by Director Joe Ripple, via email at; timewarpfilms@comcast.net 

For more information about our company, please visit

www. timewarpfilms.com

Character Breakdowns

"Deborah Mason"
(Female, 25-40)
She dresses for success and takes her career seriously. She's new to management and hasn't dealt with difficult employees before; though she's confident she can handle whatever comes her way.

"Charles Vanderhaven"
(Male, 30-60)
Extremely detail oriented and paranoid, Charles is a textbook example of obsessive compulsive disorder. His only friend in the world is his dog, Pixie. He would do anything, ANYTHING, to ensure her safety. Other humans just inconvenience him; he wants nothing to do with them.

"Harold Becker"
(Male, 28-40)
A blue-collar man through and through. He has no patience for intellectuals who think they're better than he is. He's old fashioned, and will go to great lengths to protect his family.

"Sally"
(Female, 21-60)
Deborah's assistant. She's overworked because of her own desire to get ahead, but lacks the skills to get much further than assistant. And her passive-aggressive, sarcastic nature doesn't help.

"Shane Foster"
(Male, 30-50)
Foster is a mafia "Hitman," who's been contracted for one last assignment for his boss. He had been previously promised that he would never have to do anything like this again, but his loyalty is so great that he accepts the offer. Foster has ice in his veins, but this latest assignment has limitations that he must follow, which compounds his frustration.

"Eric Litchfield"
(Male, 45-65)
Litchfield is a corporate America man, been a business man all his life. He hasn't let his career get to him, though. He's very friendly, conversational and outgoing. He's one of three men trapped in an elevator, but even so, this doesn't rattle him, and he can find humor in virtually any situation. He's the kind of guy almost anyone can like.

"Ravi Sinjaad"
(Male, 25-45)
Sinjaad's family is originally from India, but he came to America at a very young age. He is hard working, but somewhat timid, and does not like enclosed spaces. He gets nervous easily, and every once in awhile comes up with funny quips…that he doesn't realize are funny.

"Don Buccini"
(Male, 55-75)
A mafia powerhouse, Don Buccini is THE major player in the area he controls. He is ruthless, vengeful, and yet has a soft side for those who have supported his rise to power. He looks upon "Shane Foster" as his second son.

"Dominick Buccini"
(Male, 23-30)
Spoiled, angry and incredibly vicious, Dominick is the typical psychopath that would kill someone just to watch them die…and then will run and hide behind his father's mafia empire. He can't wait for his father to be gone, however, because he has plans…BIG plans…for the role that he will assume. He hates "Shane Foster."

"Darlene Spencer"
(Female, 18-25)
She is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, taunted by the ghostly image of a woman that haunts her dreams. She also hears voices that are beginning to influence her -- leading her to contemplate suicide.

"Lindsay Campbell"
(Female, 21-35)
An impressionable woman, but a bit of a drama queen. She's happily married, but always worried her husband will leave her, because she feels that she's never good enough. She currently takes antidepressants, and looks at her new home as a fresh start on her life.

"Jason Campbell"
(Male, 21-35)
Geeky computer guy, always upbeat. Husband of Lindsay, he no doubt loves his wife, but gets frustrated by her almost constant need for attention. Even so, he will step up and protect her when she needs it.

"Bonnie Hanson"
(Female, 28-40)
 Polite and friendly real estate agent -- though noticeably phony -- she treats her clients with respect, but never strays from her goal: selling the house and making lots of money.

"Maddy Hatfield"
(Female, 30-50)
 An old-fashioned, devoted wife. Maddy is painfully aware of her husband's contempt for her. She longs for his affection, but constant failure is wearing her down.

"George Hatfield"
(Male, 30-50)
 Ignorant, abusive and controlling, he hates all women, including his wife, Maddy, and only interacts with them when he wants food or sex -- and sometimes he doesn't ask. He takes.

There are many other smaller speaking parts and extra roles available.

 

 

 

Hosted By: Joe Ripple/Timewarp Films LLC.
When: Sunday Jun 08, 2008
at 9:00 AM
Where: The Days Hotel Timonium
9615 Deerco Road
Timonium, Maryland|21 21093
United States
Description:
Joe Ripple/Timewarp Films LLC.

Click Here To View Event

Hello!

In June of this year, I had the honor of putting together a benefit for Don Dohler's sister, Joy. Don was my business partner in my film production company, Timewarp Films, and he passed away in December of last year. The benefit did very well, and the family was pleased with the love and support that they recieved for Joy.

After the benefit, I was asked if I would ever have a similar benefit again. One of the greatest attributes that we as human beings possess, is our caring and giving nature...despite what you see on the news.

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do. Could I pull off another benefit, and if so, where would I send the proceeds? I have decided that with the love, help and support of the horror-genre community, that I would have another benefit. One that would benefit many. Why the horror-genre community, you ask? Because they do care, and they do support my ideas and goals, and they do want to make a difference. They are no different than those who prefer romantic films, or action movies or any other form of entertainment.

So...what about the benefit. Well, I needed a name, and thus "Scares That Care" has now been born. With this endeavour, I hope to raise as much money as I can -- openly -- and with the greatest effort I can muster to benefit as many as I am allowed.

The proceeds will benefit  -- pending their approval of my proposal --

The Johns Hopkins Pediatric Cancer Center.

The benefit will be held on or about June 14th, 2008.

 

I'll be posting bulletin updates as we progress, but if you know of anyone that might be able to help out with horror-related merchandise, donations or physical goods, please have them drop me an email at scares_that_care@yahoo.com

 

I might not ever become famous as a horror film director, but that doesn't mean that I still can't try to help out those who really need it.

 

Thanks for reading this.

 

Joe Ripple

 

 

 

 

Ok. Here we go.

I'm constantly amazed at the poor quality photos that most people post online to "represent" themselves. Handheld camera phones, digital cameras shot into mirrors...with the (ugh!) flash reflecting back into the lense, or a photo shot by a friend that not only shows the person, but their dirty unkempt bedroom as well.

Here's what I've observed about most of the photos.

Women; generally show off their boobs or cleavage, buns/legs and abs. Then their face...in that order. Sometimes the shot shows from just above the knees to below the chin, omitting her entire head. Mannequin, anyone?  For whatever reason, most of the photos I've seen are taken in her bedroom, home bathroom or "the club." On a few occassions it's necessary to display herself bent over, leaning on the hood of a car, with the booty sticking at the camera.

Men; generally shot from the waist up, shirt off, wearing a baseball hat and seashell choker necklace....and holding a beer.

Now, please don't get me wrong. I'm all for sex appeal. I'm definately not a prude or the like when it comes to provacative images. I'm concerned with the quality of the photos that I'm seeing...not the content. I recently observed a photo of a beautiful young lady who took her own picture in a mirror. The problem was that she didnt bother to clean the mirror first! You could see the big toothpaste speckles on the mirror. Nasty...not sexy.

Don't get me started about flashes overexposing the images, or not enough light to properly show the persons features. Or the fact that someone shook the camera just as the picture was snapped to throw the person out of focus.

Ask yourself this question. "Why am I putting my photos online?"

If it's to attract a mate -- or to show up your new hottie's ex-girlfriend, shouldn't they be the best photos you can get? If you want to be an actor, model, dancer (classical or exotic), or professional musician -- you better get the best promo shots you can.

Do youself a favor.  Put a hold on some of your vices and get some great quality photos that you can use to really show who you are as a person. At least there won't be any toothpaste speckles on the mirror, we won't see your dirty laundry in the background, and we can leave your head in the photo as well!

Please be safe. Drop me a line when you're ready.

There's something to be said about overcast days. I like driving around in my car, listening to Evanesence, and observing. For me, there is a total feeling that everything suddenly becomes equal. While the sun provides us with warmth, it also allows us to see colors -- colors which can ultimately be determined as powerful, seperate and demanding. A dark, cloudy day transforms the landscapes into varied colors of black and white, which for me as a photographer is much more revealing. Trees, cars and other things need to try harder to become noticed. People's moods tend to become more bland and somber. The pseudo-darkness that hangs overhead like a blanket somehow makes me feel comforted...normal, if you will. It's as if the relative weather outside is a direct mirror reflection of how I feel inside most often.

With black and white photography, you achieve the same result. The subject becomes much more revealing, therefore, much more powerful. Not saying that this type of photography is sinister in nature, (although it can be made to look that way,) but it strips us of a certain layer of ego or vanity, and allows us to see ourselves in a truly soulful sense. A direct capture of ourselves or the item being photographed with feeling. Take a study of a black and white photo...don't just look at it...but study it. Can you draw an inference of what feeling the person had? What emotion? Do you feel comforted by studying the path in the forest that was shot in black and white, or are you in amazement by photos like those shot by Ansel Adams and others?

Just my thoughts about what makes black and white images so iconic in nature. It's as if the make up of the person or landscape has been stripped away, and you get a peek into it's soul.

Joe