Originally Published  on March 28, 2014 for Biff Bam Pop

The following is an open letter to horror fans everywhere:

Hi there. How ya doin’? Surviving? Got your taxes done? Good.

Boy, sure are an awful lot of projects asking for your support via crowdfuding, aren’t there?

Kickstarter. Indiegogo. Crowdfunder. It can be a challenge finding the ones to donate your money to.
Well, I’m about to point you in the direction of one that is more than worthy of your attention.

Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie, two-fifths of the Astron-6 collective, are collaborating on the upcoming horror flick, THE VOID. It’s not a sequel, remake or reboot, but an original horror flick. And they’re reaching out for help in funding the extensive practical FX budget.

You heard me. Practical.
Rubber. Latex. Slime.
Just like Dad used to make (and if that’s true, congrats on having a way-cool dad).

We’ve heard it (and probably said it ourselves) in our little circle.
” I wish they still made monster movies with practical FX. I’m so sick of CGI. Etc, etc.”

To save time (and valuable wordspace) , I’m just going to leave this here for your perusal.

I know, right? Kinda takes the wrinkle outta your shorts, donnit?

You want a return to the glory days of THE THING, AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, THE FLY?
You want more “body” in your “body horror”?
Well, here it is. And you can help make it happen.

As I type this, THE VOID has 10 days left in the campaign. And they’re close. So close, you can practically smell the latex from here. Take a look at a handful of the perks available for the taking.

Can’t afford the bigger donations? Got a penchant for doodles and prose?

May I present The Book Of The Void.

“THE BOOK OF THE VOID is a project to more tangibly involve all of our patrons with the world of the film. Pledge at any perk level (including a new bare-bones $10 entry-level donation) and you’ll receive a blank template upon which you’ll be encouraged to fill up with creepy sketches and disturbing prose. Send the page back to us and we’ll include the page in an on-screen film-prop diary belonging to a member of the mysterious cult that figures in THE VOID”.

You’re probably asking yourself right now, ” Ron, why the hard-sell?”

Because I am a firm believer in the art of cheerleading. I believe (when it comes to art) that it’s more important to support the things you like than to rant about the things you hate. I also believe it’s even more important to support the things you want.

Original horror. Practical FX.
You KNOW you want this. I know I do.

Scrounge up your pocket change, forego that “half-latte, non-caff frappucino” for a couple of days (but don’t skip out on the bills – that’s not doing anybody any good).

Have I stoked the flames of philanthropy yet? If so, head on over HERE and give what you can.

Thanks for your time and consideration, Horror Nation. Together, we can make a better (and slimier) world for future generations.

Sincerely,
Ron McKenzie
Writer and monster junkie