The Direct Current #2: Cine-Excess Conference & Dark Academia

 

Hello my lovely underlings,

I have just returned from a trip overseas, where I perused England's finest gallows, gothic architecture, greasy spoons and Wetherspoons. If you hear any rumors about a new plague going around, just know that it was already there when I arrived, and I had nothing to do with it. 

The occasion for the trip was to attend this year's Cine-Excess Film Festival and Conference in Birmingham, England. The theme of this year's conference was "Re-Animated: Reviving Cult Film’s Dead Objects" and I was invited to present at the in-person symposium, on the panel "Multimedia Excess: Animation, Television and Theatre". 

I presented a 20 minute paper entitled “Ghosts of Televisions Past: Horror Hosting and Nostalgia in the Internet Age” where I discussed the tradition of horror hosting, its characteristics and the ways that it is being adopted by modern-day creators, who use nostalgia and retro media practices as a means of resisting or counteracting the effects of streaming and the internet on media.

In creating my presentation, it was a challenge to explain horror hosting, which is a uniquely American tradition, to an international audience. I wanted to make sure I established the format and its history, including the significance of the tradition to the horror genre and industry. I had the advantage of presenting to fellow horror nerds who were more likely to be familiar with Elvira and Joe Bob Briggs at the very least. I added in multi-media elements like clips from horror hosting shows and leaned on our common cultural understandings of horror to help explain the information.

My first draft of the presentation was about 10 minutes too long, which is unsurprising as a person who chronically over-explains with too many details. In the end, I cut my presentation down to the following outline:

• Framing my research (Shockwave Documentary)
• What is horror hosting?
• Horror hosting timeline
• About the shows
• Characterizing the horror host
• Impact of the trend
• Factors for connection
• Internet horror hosts and streaming culture:
• Appointment television, curation, nostalgic media, retro production and fandom

This outline overlapped quite a bit with the 40-page paper I wrote to accompany the Shockwave documentary as my master's project, with new additions to adapt the information to the conference's theme. Overall, I argued that some characteristics of modern horror hosting shows, (namely appointment television, curation, nostalgic media, retro production and fandom) are subversive and disruptive in the current streaming/internet media landscape.

The "Multimedia Excess: Animation, Television and Theatre" panel had fairly diverse presentations, and I really enjoyed seeing the connections between our topics, seeing how theater and comic books and animation are all parts of horror history that interact with and impact media such as horror hosting. I presented last on a panel of four, and was really happy with how my presentation went. I was so grateful for the opportunity to present, and it was extra special because I was able to discuss horror hosting and spotlight some of my favorite horror hosts and the work that they're doing.

Over the course of my research and filmmaking for the Shockwave documentary, one of the things that has stuck out to me the most is how valuable it is to feel understood by the people you are working with. In this sense, Cine-Excess was an ideal first conference experience because I was able to present to people with similar passions, interests and experiences who understood my approach to research and media. I felt so grateful to be received and welcomed so graciously to this sector of the academic world, and it filled me with a lot of hope that I can bring my own perspective to my work and still be taken seriously. 

Even outside of the conference, connecting with my fellow delegates and having so many lovely discussions about life and horror was so special to me, and I'm so grateful to the organizers of the conference, my horror colleagues, and everyone else who supported me on the journey to Birmingham.

As a side-note, I was interested to find that English people seem to be much more accepting of goth people than I am accustomed to. This makes sense considering the history and roots of the subculture are so grounded in the country, but it was a welcome surprise to me regardless. During dinner with a family friend and their guests, an older English gentleman remarked to me excitedly "I've never met a goth academic before!" and when I responded with some surprise, he told me not to worry, because I had been quite well received. This interaction, as small and silly as it might sound, made me feel quite empowered to continue my work while expressing myself and my interests without shame.

Overall, my journey through Cine-Excess reminded me that not only is there an audience for my work, it can also serve as an excellent opportunity to connect with those who have similar passions and interests (whether horror host, academic, or some other strange creature). Whenever my confidence wavers (usually upon opening Linkedin) I must remember that I am in good company, with other horror academics and creatives who each have a unique perspective that gives their work value.

Those who are sensitive to cheesy displays of sentimentality are now warned that they may wish to skip the following statement: When I began my research for the Shockwave documentary, the concept of community stood out to me as a common thread through which I could explore as a means of understanding horror hosts and the tradition in general. The thing that I did not anticipate, but that I am most grateful for now, is the extent to which the community has embraced and accepted me in the process. These are the things that motivate me the most: opportunities for connection, for uplifting community, and adding value to a tradition that I care deeply about.

I am happy to say that I have regained access to my editing software, so production work should be starting up again soon! My progress may be slow these days, but it will remain steady.  Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me this far! I promise to shock and terrify you for many years to come. Stay tuned for updates, both on this blog, and on my social media channels.

So goodnight, whatever you are...

And I'll see you in your dreams!

Mausolena