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Friday, November 1, 2024
Alien Invasions
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'In space, no one can hear you scream...'
Ellen Ripley
Artwork by Caducado
With the moon setting on HALLOWEEN 2024, it's time to turn the calendar to November 1st. That means wishing you all a Happy Samhain! Samhain runs through November 1st, and marks the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or "darker half". To finish off HALLOWEEN, and being the dark half, I couldn't think of a darker place to explore than outer space.
Artwork by Clivemasteir
I'll never forget being about 8 or 9 years old at summer camp. During the nightly campfire, instead of telling ghost stories, the counsellors were all telling stories of aliens coming to earth. I didn't know why at the time, but it all made sense later in the evening...
After the fire, we all headed to the dining hall for 'night snack' before heading to bed. Just as we started enjoying our brownies and milk, one of the counsellors came screaming in yelling that the aliens had landed. We all rushed out outside, looked up, and saw one of the cabins all light up. On top was a silver rocket shaped ship with two little green men walking on the roof.
Of course we were all terrified, frightened as only an imaginative eight year old could be. I couldn't stop shaking, even after being told it wall a huge prank the counsellors had set up to scare us. It took me awhile to get over that counsellor created scare,. Throughout the rest of the summer, even when I got home, I feared I might be abducted. I had a few scary walks, then runs, home from my evening baseball games. It also however, began my fascination with outer space, aliens, and life beyond the stars and what we on earth are able to see.
Artwork by badsign769
That night when I was just a kid was the seed for today's theme. Of course this is FH, so there also had to be a connection to the male form. Stories focused on the male form are often connected to themes of vulnerability, bondage and body exploration. So many books and films, both adult, and mainstream, have weaved those themes into stories. Some are simply meant to sexually stimulate, others are meant to stimulate our minds and our imaginations, and those childhood fears of being abducted.
Over the next two pages, enjoy a trip to space, with some of my favorite alien themed projects, including a few hot hunks being taken, stripped, prodded and probed. In the name of alien science of course! Check out more on the NEXT PAGE HERE:
Artwork by domino6713
Creamerie
Got Milk?
I'd never heard of 'milking men' until seeing this scene from the New Zealand based Sci-Fi comedy Creamerie. Maybe I should have, once I started to research, it seems a fairly common term, and for some, a common practice. It's also something that happens in many 'stories' about men being abducted by aliens.
I know I'm cheating a little here by including this scene, as the television show isn't about aliens. Although Creamerie is set in the future, it's about a viral plague that has swept the earth. Within just a few weeks, it has eradicated 99% of the planets men. That means, the remaining 1% need to be protected.
By protected, we mean kidnapped, tied, forced to watch porn and provide sperm to ensure the survival of the species. Although not in outer space, the scene is erotically terrifying, and the best example of a scene of 'milking men' that I could find. Although not milked, the show features actor Jay Ryan, who've I've posted about several times on the site before. Ryan might be best known in the US for his turn on in the 2012 version of Beauty & the Beast.
Torture or Pleasure???
Crashlands: Evil Has Landed
'Tell him our stay has been ruined by some.. thing!'
Matthew
When a young married couple rents an Airbnb to celebrate their anniversary, they have no idea what awaits them on the other side of the front door. In the supernatural thriller Crashlands, Carrie and Matthew, (Taylor Alea' James and Matthew Simmons) want a nice quiet weekend. One with time to relax, hit the beach, and enjoy the meteor shower expected the following day..
Unbeknownst to the couple, the short-termed rental had a disturbing visitor arrive the night before... With short films, you have to use your time wisely, you don't have an hour and a half to build tension and tp unveil story. Director Carlos Suarez quickly sets the tone in the films opening scenes. We're introduced to Mr. Hawkins, (Tom Young) the rental's owner, as well as the uninvited, and unwanted houseguest.
Crashlands is about 14 minutes long, and maintains an high level of intensity from beginning to end. The special effects are impressive for a short film, and the acting outstanding. The most difficult role is that of the alien visitor, and actor London Smith does a great job maintaining a terrorizing tone throughout the film. Director Carlos Suarez skillfully tells the story with an ending that could also be just the beginning of the visitor's reign of destruction.
What inspired Crashlands?
Carlos Suarez: Stephen Spielberg's Close Encounters and War of the Worlds for sure. I have always been a fan of the unknown and aliens, making Crashlands was definitely a way to explore the genre.
Was it a difficult or long process from script to screen?
Writing the script is always a challenge, but luckily my team and I were able to knock out the script in one month.
What was the casting process like?
I got very lucky casting this film. I had the pleasure to meet Matthew Simmons, London Smith and Tom Young at a casting event. And thankfully Matthew referred me to Taylor Alea' James, our leading actress. Without this talented cast, Crashlands wouldn't be as big of a success as it has been. I am very grateful for them and my entire team behind the camera, Blake Pichon and Jorge Jimenez.
So how did I discover Crashlands, and it's director Carlos Suarez? Well, through images of the male form of course. When I decided on an Alien theme for this Halloween, I contacted Tom from TR Pics about some ideas I had floating around. Tom had a better idea, instead of a Alien themed shoot, how about spotlight a Halloween shoot featuring the h ot sci-fi director of an Aliened themed film. Check out that shoot below!
If I've peaked your interest about Crashlands, you can watch it for free on Youtube HERE:
The Alien Conductor: Carlos Suarez by TR Pics
'When I was 16 I watched Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead and it changed my life.'
Whenever I interview a artist, I'm curious about who or what inspired them to get started. With a film director, I fascinated to learn the films that inspired them. Early influences are like makers that we don't, or maybe more specifically, we can't forget. I was marked by so many movies and so many books when I was younger. I was also inspired by so many visuals. Not only images of the male form, but also movie posters and promotional images.
I was also marked by Halloween, and especially the experiences I had as a kid and a teenager. I love that FH allows me to bring so many of those markers together, especially at Halloween. Tom from TR Pics is one of my favorite chroniclers of the male form. Not only are his images erotic and bold, Tom's use of color and light also brings to mind some of the iconic images of celebrities I used to save and collect when I was growing up in the 80's.
Tom's first shot with Carlos Suarez was back in 2017. Tom remembers that Carlos was creatively up for almost anything. Carlos arrived with a variety of different clothing options, so they shot some fashion, some fitness, and even some Pride shots during that first shoot. Their next shot was a year later, and Carlos wanted to do some 'pool' shots with a focus on health. Thanks to a mutual friend, they had a lovely pool to use, and also really nice personal gym.
With Tom getting busier with many new models, and Carlos busy with movie making, it wasn't until this past September they were able to shoot again. Tom says it was like old times. Tom describes Carlos as 'just the sweetest guy, very giving, a little quiet, but has definite ideas.' For this shoot, Carlos brought some props and a mask, and wanted to capture some fun, Halloween themed shots.
Not all behind the scenes creative, Sci-Fi directors and alien conductors want to come out from the behind the curtains. Carlos Suarez however, not only came from behind the curtain, but then proceeded to rip them off. Carlos shared his thoughts on modeling and shooting with Tom, as well as his experience as a movie lover turned movie creator, writer and director.
How did you first connect with Tom?
I first met Tom when I came across his Instagram profile over seven years ago. I really enjoyed his work so I soon became a fan. I have always wanted to model but just never really had an opportunity to do it. Working on films takes up most of my time. I was looking for images mainly to use for social media but also for personal use.
Did you have any boundaries around what you were comfortable shooting?
Yeah, I was comfortable with everything except full frontal nudity. I'm shy that way.
What was your favorite part about working with Tom and your time with him?
I have to admit the first time I collaborated with Tom I was very nervous. I didn't have much experience modeling but Tom kindly helped me through it and made me very comfortable in the studio.
What inspired the Halloween themed shoot?
I love Halloween. I have always wanted to do something creepy/sexy, something with barely any boundaries because working with Tom is a blast
Do you have a favorite Halloween memory?
Yes, my friends got married on Halloween a few years ago. All my buddies from high school that I had not seen in a while were there. It was a fun night and a great reunion. I understand that is not scary but still my favorite Halloween memory.
As a writer, director and filmmaker, what films inspired you growing up?
When I was 16 I watched Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead and it changed my life. My zombie fever started and I couldn't wait to make my own zombie flick. 28 Days Later was also a great influence in my filmmaking journey. Running zombies really freaked me out and I found them so interesting.
At what point did your dream of making a movie start to become a reality?
My friends and I wrote and made a movie just for fun called The Lotto Ticket back in 2009. At that point in my life I had never filmed a short film. This was my first experience working with a script and actors, who were really just my best friends. I learned a lot and it definitely was the beginning of bringing all my movie ideas to life. Soon after I made my first zombie flick, Infected.
Was it difficult to get started, finding funding and resources?
Funding is always the one of the biggest obstacles in any production. I like to plan accordingly and self fund my projects. -You seem to love Horror and sci fi, do you know where that comes from? Growing up I was really into horror films. Chucky, A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Halloween Series just to name a few. These films have definitely influenced my love of horror. Films like The Fifth Element and The Matrix are some of my favorite sci fi films and also have a big influence on me.
Curious what Ceashlands scene was the most difficult and the surprisingly easiest to film?
The driving sequence at the beginning of the film was quite a challenge. Any scene involving a moving vehicle and dialogue is not easy to film. The shots tend to be very shaky and audio is not always the best. The opening scene shoot went rather smoothly. I am not a fan of night shoots so I was really worried prior to filming the scene but luckily it all went great.
I loved the tone you set with the opening scene, is it harder to begin a film as a director, or end it? Ending it is harder. The story, the characters, It all has to come to a great conclusion and sometimes I find it difficult to do. I like to leave it to the audience's imagination, especially with Crashlands.
If you could intern with, or work beside one current famous director, who would it be?
Christopher Nolan, I am a huge fan of his work and style of filmmaking.
After watching Crashlands, which of your films would you suggest a fan check out next?
You can check out a couple of my horror and supernatural shorts, Devil's Mask and The Passenger. All are now streaming on Dario Studios, my official site and on the YouTube Channel.
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