2006 Press

HorrorHound Magazine, Winter 2006/2007

As the pipe organ plays, slowly she emerges from the mist and fog letting out a bloodcurdling scream proclaiming "I Am . . . Vampira". For many years she has slumbered and is now ready to return again thanks to director, Kevin Sean Michaels, who has put together the documentary film, Vampira: The Movie. The film, based on Maila Nurmi's persona Vampira, chronicles her contributions and legacy as the first horror hostess in 1954, her memorable role in Plan 9 From Outer Space and many of her personal Hollywood stories. Some names attached to this film include: Vampira herself, Forrest J. Ackerman, Sid Haig, Jerry Only (of the Misfits), Kevin Eastman, Julie Strain, horror film historian and distinguished film documentarian, David J. Skal and even Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson . . . HorrorHounds may remember a certain lawsuit years ago involving Elvira being sued by Vampira. It may seem odd that she appears in this film, however, here is what the director Kevin Sean Michaels had to say about Peterson's appearance: "That's true. It is a touchy subject, but the speculation about the lawsuit should end with this movie. It's an interesting story and it's better that Cassandra tell it than having a cheesy voice-over. It's a matter of fairness to the people involved and the audience. Lawsuits happen in real life. It's like death . . . it happens." A host of horror hosts from across the country also make cameos as well as legendary host John "The Cool Ghoul" Zacherle. The movie will begin touring film festivals starting October and for the subsequent year. Local Horror Hosts are encouraged to help out at the screenings in different cities by contacting Vampira: The Movie's MySpace page. Kevin Sean Michaels extends "I hope to see all my vampiric friends out there on the road." So, HorrorHounds show your support for the 'mistress to the horror kids' and go see this film.

The New York Times, December 17, 2006

(Excerpt)

It was at one such [horror convention] show in October that Mr. [Steve] Dash met Alexia Anastasio, 25, a Northport artist and filmmaker, and Kevin Sean Michaels, 36, of Queens, also a filmmaker. As the respective creative forces behind CAMP Festival and Vamp Productions, they have brought several events to the Cinema Arts Center and are the co-presenters of today's event.

Ms. Anastasio, who also works at the arts center as a graphic designer, included films by several colleagues in the showcase, "to make it like a group effort," she said. Her own film, "Church 4 Sale," a ghostly story about the breakup of a lesbian couple, will be screened, as will Mr. Michaels's "The Last Days of Rik Mortis," a glam rocker-meets-zombie morality tale. (Those relationships never end well.)

Full article.

Raven Entertainment Promotions,
October 11, 2006

Excerpt from interview by Heather Burke:

HB: Hi Kevin. How are you doing?

KSM: Very well. The Toronto Film Festival was a big success, promotion-wise. We turned the red carpet black everywhere we went. Thank you, Mick Jagger.

HB: How did you get in to directing? Is Vampira your first movie?

KSM: Yes, it's my first documentary, but I have been making movies since I was a kid with a Super 8mm camera. The first movie I did was a parody of a silent movie.

HB: Is there a certain director that you really look up to?

KSM: Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Films, and I'm usually looking up to him because I'm down on my knees. Kidding, I worked with Lloyd for three years and learned a lot. He makes an appearance in VAMPIRA: THE MOVIE.

HB: Why did you want to do this documentary?

KSM: I was always fascinated with Vampira since seeing PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE as a kid. Who was she? Why didn't she speak? It was like Greta Garbo, that persona that you can't touch. Most people who have seen PLAN 9 remember her exclusively. I was a big fan of Elvira as a kid, too. I was reading magazines like Fangoria about Horror Hosts and its tradition. Three years ago, I made a decision that I should seek out Maila Nurmi. Everyone I spoke to told me that she'd be impossible to find. Go to the McDonald's in Silverlake (West Hollywood) and look for her, an actor friend instructed. But instead, I finally got an address and started writing back and forth with her. We found we shared the same dry wit. Once we became good friends, I suggested that we should begin recording all her great Hollywood stories. It's funny: Someone emailed me and asked me if she speaks in my movie...could we make a documentary with her as a mute?

Read full interview.

Horror-Fanatics.com, June 26, 2006

We just found out today that Bill "Choptop" Moseley (House of 1,000 Corpses, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) has completed his segment with director Kevin Sean Michaels for VAMPIRA: THE MOVIE. Bill chants and channels the great Vampira while playing a mean theremin!!! The music is for an upcoming top secret recording project. The segment was taped at Travis Dickerson's recording studio in Chatsworth, CA.