Jennifer Cooper on the Twisted Twins

"Jen and Sylvia Soska - It Takes More than Just Good Looks to Get Them to Where They Are Now. They Work Hard, and Still Have Fun!" 

- Jennifer Cooper

Read the whole article here.

-Sylv

Digital Horror Twisted Twins

Jennifer Cooper has got her copy of Digital FilmMaker Magazine which features Jen and me on the cover, talking about body modification and horror. Please check it out!

-Sylv

The Sweetest Thing

It's a pleasure just to be nominated, but it's DAMN sweet to win. We have been given the distinct privilege of having our PENNY DREADFUL DIARY honored with the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award.

Two fold. We were announced by the wonderful and talented Sean Thompson, of Spooky Sean's Sinful Bloggery, and the oh-so-lovely Jennifer Cooper, of Jennifer's Bodies Film Festival and Musings Of A Morleysaurus.

Thank you so much, my dear friends. It's makes us so happy to, in addition to all that film business, to be able to maintain our personal blog which ranges from covering our latest film ventures to our own personal stories and everywhere in between. Thank you for reading. It's an amazing feeling to be able to personally connect with so many people.

There are rules that go along with this award...

1) Thank and link to the person who nominated you.
2) Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3) Pass the award to 12 of your blogging buddies.
4) Notify the recipients

Now I hope I am allowed to include those who have nominated me because it would be impossible to carry on with out doing so. So I shall. It's my blog, after all. My rules.

*insert maniacal laughter here*

SEVEN RANDOM FACTS ABOUT OURSELVES

1) Sylv's favorite Ghostbuster is Dr. Peter Venkman. Mine is Dr. Egon Spengler. *sigh* Oh, Egon...

2) We're Hungarian. Though we've never returned to the "homeland", our first language was Hungarian. We didn't speak much English until we had to attend school. We learned English by watching TV.

3) We used to volunteer as camp counselors at a children's horse camp. We're very good riders and used to teach kids how to ride. We haven't been riding in far too long.

4) We still have and love our favorite childhood toys. Sylv has a stuffed lion in a plain white T named "Tigey" and I have my Roger Rabbit.

5) We know every word and every lyric in Little Shop of Horrors and tried in vain on many an occasion to put it on as a school play. No one shared our enthusiasm. The fools. We had a cat named "Seymour" after Krelborn.

6) We're both brow belts in mixed martial arts.

7) We both think monkeys are Godless, violent, little bastards and would never go near one that is free range.

And the 12 Winners as chosen by us Twisted Twins (in no particular order)...

1) MARGARET BIRD: The blog of the third member of our Triforce. Talented film maker, masterful musician and composer, and BFF, CJ Wallis. I could write volumes about this man's un-ending, awesome-y, awesome-ness, but I can imagine you get my drift. He's outstanding and his work, thoughts, inspirations, aspirations, and upcoming projects are all here.

2) CIGARETTES AND REDVINES: The definitive P.T. Anderson resource and a site that CJ Wallis has been looking after for years and years. I know you love this cinematic genius and perhaps this is a site that you have previously been unaware of. Look no further. For the latest, breaking news on all things P.T., look no further. And you're welcome.

3) THE JADED VIEWER: If you take a read of the site you'll quickly learn the Jaded Viewer reviews the world of horror, splatter, gore, cult, grindhouse, trash, b-movie, erotica, indie, asian and exploitation films. But what gives him a very special place in our demented little hearts is that he was the first blogger ever to review anything to do with our DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. In fact, he reviewed and posted our very first trailer. We've loved him ever since.

4) LICK MY LIT: Yes, you did read that right. Provocative, brilliant, informed, and opinionated is our honorary third sister, Hannah Neurotica, of Ax Wound Zine and founder of Women In Horror month. Hannah is a talented writer, reviewer, interviewer, and all round artist. I am grateful everyday that she has come into our lives. Now you can welcome her and her blog into yours.

5) SPOOKY SEAN'S SINFUL BLOGGERY: Of course I must include the incredibly talented Sean Thompson, of his Sinful Bloggery. He is an outstanding writer and I am so happy to be able to also call him our friend. Please do treat yourselves to a read of his work. His stories are wonderful and the world is just that much better now that they're being published. Certainly a man to keep an eye on and both if you can spare them.

6) MUSINGS OF A MORLEYSAURUS: Truly a woman after my own heart. Jennifer Cooper is a horror nerd but as we all know nothing is more chic than geek. It's our time. Her blog is a personal favorite of ours and chalk full of keen wit, delicious turn of phrase, and the latest on horror and geek culture. A definite book mark blog for all.

7) THE BLOOD SPRAYER: Okay, it's not just a blog, but a full awesome ass site of reviews, interviews, news, and collective radity. I love the whole lot of the Blood Sprayer crew. They are masters of horror and know their shit. A special shout out goes to our outstanding friends who have been so good to us at the Blood Sprayer: Zach Shildwachter, Kristy Jett, Wes Allen, James Cortez, Shawn Savage, and Ted Brown. Now go to the site and enjoy a steaming cup of boom storm in your faces (I ensure you it's a good thing).

8) ZOMBIES DON'T RUN: Chuck Conry is wicked. From the moment we read his blog name we were in agreement. REAL zombies don't run and Chuck is the man. He's one of our beloved Horrorphilia gents, too. We love his writing style and his blog is a must stop shop for all things horror.

9) SLAMMED & DAMNED: The official blog of sensational writer Theron Neel. He was one of the very first to take a chance on and review our DEAD HOOKER. He is an astounding writer, reviewer, and interviewer. He also writes for FanGirlTastic. And he's fan~fucking~tastic himself. Any horror lover should certainly take a looky loo and enjoy.

10) FROM MIDNIGHT, WITH LOVE: Written and maintained by "The Mike". An absolutely phenomenal blog that was recently nominated for the 2010 "Best Blog" Rondo. Yes, there is a definite and indeed deliberate "horror" theme amongst these blogs, but the horror community is made up of some of the greatest people there are. We're avid readers of FMWL.

11) THE LIBERAL DEAD: The Liberal Dead is an independent horror entertainment site, ran by fans, for fans. Justin LaLiberty, Shawn Savage, and Ted Brown are horror fans and that's what makes them so damn good at what they do. They love horror and we love them right back.

12) THE ALBIN WAY: Andrea Albin is one badass bitch. She writes for the delicious STIFF Magazine, reviews, and interviews. We've met only recently but we've fallen for this talented femme fatale and her gore~geous way with words. Recently she spoke with us and the always wonderful Eli Roth. You can check that out right here.

Now I KNOW I haven't included everyone I adore. 12 is a lot, but just not enough in this case. Forgive me if you're not in this list, you're still on my "heart" list and that's not too shabby.

In closing, thank you for this distinct honor and I hope all you readers have seen a few new cool blogs to check out.

X's and O's,
Jen

Happy Women In Horror Recognition Month!

It's February 1st and that means it's now officially WOMEN IN HORROR MONTH!! The month is brain child of feminist, horror writer, and all 'round badass bitch, Hannah Neurotica of Ax Wound Zine.

The month is filled with women in horror being recognized and celebrated with special events, articles, podcasts, radio shows, interviews, film festivals, and charitable events. To find out about these events, check out them out HERE. Nothing near you? Well, why don't you do something yourself? Start an event and spread the word!

How else can you take part ANY time in February ANYWHERE in the world? You can give blood! We Twisted Twins started the Women In Horror Massive Blood Drive in celebration of Women In Horror. You can't really think "horror" without thinking "blood" and it's a way we can be strong like the heroines of horror that first make little girls say, "I wanna be her!" and give back. Every TWO seconds someone needs blood and there is no substitute.

This year, we joined forces with some very amazingly talented Women (and gentlemen supporters) of Horror...

THE SCARLET ENDING

Our music is an original song by the Scarlet Ending. The Scarlet Ending is a six piece Indie band from Syracuse, New York. The group is fronted by identical twin sisters Kayleigh Goldsworthy (Vocals, Guitar, Violin) and Kaleena Goldsworthy (Vocals, Piano, Accordion, Pennywhistle, Melodica, Ukulele), with Jon Tedd (Guitar, Vocals), Jess Hafner (Cello, Synthesizer), and Aaron Garritillo (Bass Guitar). Loosely defined as indie rock, The Scarlet Ending offers a blend of pop with cabaret, the grit of dive bar rock with the charms of three part harmony. Treat yourselves to a little listen of their wonderful music HERE.

CJ WALLIS

The video is directed, shot, cut, and choreographed by CJ Wallis of FortyFPS Productions. CJ is a director, writer, film maker, composer, musician, producer and one of the many men that are strong supporters of women in horror. We will also be working together on AMERICAN MARY. He supported us Twisted Twins before we even began calling ourselves the Twisted Twins and it has been an honor and a pleasure to be able to collaborate with not only a gifted artist, but a great friend.

SHANNON LARK

Shannon Lark is the living personification of the best qualities of a woman in horror: brilliance, beauty, strength, fearlessness, and that "I wanna be her" je ne sais pas. Widely known for her role as the first ever Fangoria Magazine Spooksmodel Shannon continues to pave the way for women in the evolving genre of cinematic horror. She is a director, writer, dancer, actress, and professional Scream Queen. Along with fellow femme fatale Heidi Martinuzzi (of the wicked awesome FanGirlTastic), she heads the first ever women only horror film festival, Viscera Film Festival, an annual event showcasing horror cinema as exclusively created by women. Her anthem of “Bring your daughter to the slaughter” is the siren song to the male dominion within commercial horror cinema. Shannon runs The Chainsaw Mafia (a website for reviews, news, and articles as well as for networking writers, filmmakers, and various artists within the horror genre) a production company focused on horror film and splatter theater.

MAUDE MICHAUD

Maude Michaud is a beautifully gifted fellow Canadian director, film maker, director of photography, writer, and photographer. Even though she is a huge horror fan, she loves to explore a variety of genres in the films she directs, which results in an eclectic body of work including: horror dramas, slightly surreal quirky tales, and explorations of unconventional relationships. Over the years, she independently wrote, directed and produced over 15 short films and video projects, both personal projects and commissioned works. Her work has screened as part of the Young Cuts Festival (Montreal & Toronto), the Wreck-Beach Film Festival (Barrie, Ontario), the Short Film Corner during the Cannes Film Festival (Cannes, France), the Montreal Fetish Film Festival and the International Teen Movie Festival in Toronto.

MARICHELLE DAYWALT

Marichelle Daywalt is one of the incredible female film makers we met during last years Viscera Film Festival. Her twisted and disturbing short film, MOCKINGBIRD, was among the top films of the festival and a personal favorite of ours. She has recently worked with Scream Queen extraordinaire, Tara Cardinal on her latest short, The Many Doors of Albert Whale which we are just dying to see.
Also, as an independent consultant for Arbonne.com, for the month of February, 15% of all orders placed at Arbonne.com using her referral ID #18707479 (or by phone with her directly) will be donated to the Red Cross!

BRENDA AND ELISABETH FIES

Brenda and Elisabeth Fies are a pair of sister film making and festival heading femme fatales. They are the co-creators and festival heads of the incredible monthly sensational film festival, BLEEDFEST. Directing, producing, writing, and acting are just a few of their many talents. They are a powerful voice for women in horror and a force to be reckoned with. It is an absolute honor to be able to call these ladies friends.

JENNIFER COOPER

Jennifer Cooper is an amazing writer and artist. She has been a huge supporter of Women in Horror. She worked along side of the wonderful Nia Edwards-Behi on the Ghouls On Film Festival of 2010 that marked the VERY first festival in the world to show our demented first born child, DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. This year she will be bringing DHIAT at LONG last to Scotland at her gore~geous festival cheekily named JENNIFER'S BODIES.

Also featured in the video are your trulys, the Twisted Twins, co-creators of the WiH Massive Blood Drive and story/concept creators for this video, alongside the talented Sierra Pitkin (who many of you will recognize from JUNO and most recently recognize from RUNAWAY).

And who is captivating creature making a very special appearance? Well, that's our Mary. Yes, in this WiH Massive Blood Drive PSA we feature all the talents of these artists AND reveals the actress that will be taking the title role of our highly anticipating up coming film, AMERICAN MARY.

That's right. Happy Women In Horror month!! Let's start this mother fucker off with a BANG!!

Bloody Soaked Best!
Jen and Sylv

Starting Women In Horror Recognition Month off with a Bang!

This year we'll be doing our part to start Women In Horror recognition month off with a bang! For any late comers to the party, Women In Horror month is February, with world wide celebrations, film festivals, and special events!!

How will we be celebrating this year? Just with a little PSA for our MASSIVE BLOOD DRIVE. It happens all month long, world wide, wherever you are, whenever you can. Just donate blood. That's all. It's that easy. Send us proof via photos and video, and you'll be rewarded. Last year, we began getting behind this very worthy cause in celebration of WiH month and this year we are happy to be continuing this proud tradition with a new WiH Blood Drive video with very special appearances from incredible women in horror.

And we also have a little extra treat in store for everyone. We'll have an appearance by... (wait for it) the actress who will be taking the title role in our upcoming film, AMERICAN MARY. Yes, on February 1st via our site, you will not only have an amazing new Blood Drive video featuring some incredible ladies with original music from the Scarlet Ending, (if that's not enough for you!) you will also meet our Mary. And this, boy and grrls, is going to be some very big fucking news.

Horror Community prepare to go bat shit crazy.

Stay Tuned...

1/2/2011

Right here.

Jennifer's Bodies

Once upon a time ago, the world had never seen a little film called DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK. It's first cut was two hours long, a but rough around the edges, but still its heart and soul were intact. Last year, Women in Horror month marked the dawn of a new day. DHIAT premiered not only at one festival, but TWO celebrating WiH month.

The first was the GHOULS IN FILM festival held in the UK (special thanks to miss Nia Edwards-Behi) and the second was the DOA PRETTY SCARY BLOOD BATH film festival in Texas (special thanks to the wonderful Andrew Rose).

Cut to now. We have arrived firmly in the future. WiH month has grown greatly in ONE year. Now small feat by any means. Props to WiH month creator, our beloved sister, Hannah Neurotica. The month has returned with a plethora of new festival delicacies and I want to take the time to announce that our beloved DEAD HOOKER IN A TRUNK is a' comin' for you, Scotland! The very appropriately named film festival from the very lovely Jennifer Cooper, boys and grrls, here come's JENNIFER'S BODIES.

"I shall be hosting the Scottish premier of my gore-geous Canadian twinlings Jen and Sylvia Soska’s acclaimed debut feature, Dead Hooker in a Trunk. I saw this film last year at Ghouls on Film (this was the UK premier) and it is just so downright awesome and I’ve been going on about it ever since that I thought argggh, this has never been shown in Scotland… I shall take away its Scottish virginity, mwahahaha." ~Jennifer Cooper



She'll be announcing the full line up in February along with more festival details. If you have a submission, get in touch with this very lovely lady asap. Heck, drop me a line, I can get you in touch her.

For more on Women in Horror month and the WORLD WIDE events taking place and how you can take part, check out the official site HERE.

Bloody Best!
Jen

February Preview

February is home to Women In Horror Recognition Month, but what exactly does that mean? Before we move further into this question, let's take a moment to look at who we're sharing February with. February is also home to these other great causes--

Black History Month (in Canada and the US)

Heart Month (in Canada)

Raynaud's and Scleroderma Awareness Month (in the UK)

American Heart Month (in the US)

AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month (in the US)

National Children's Dental Health Month (in the US)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 3rd Feb - 9th Feb (in Canada)

Tinnitus Awareness Week, 4th Feb - 10th Feb (in the United Kingdom)

Contraceptive Awareness Week, 11th Feb - 17th Feb (in the United Kingdom)

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week, 21st Feb - 28th Feb (in Australia)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 6th Feb - 12th Feb (in Canada)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 24th Feb - 1st Mar (in the United States)

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 25th Feb - 2nd Mar (in the United Kingdom)

Give Kids A Smile Day, 1st Feb (in the United States)

National Wear Red Day, 6th Feb (in the United States)

Sexual Health Awareness Week, 14th Feb - 21st Feb (in Australia)

National Condom Day, 10th Feb (in the United States)

Sexual and Reproductive Health Day, 12th Feb (in Canada)

National Donor Day, 14th Feb (in the United States)

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, 14th Feb (Worldwide)

National Impotence Day, 14th Feb (in the United Kingdom)

There is a huge focus on human rights to liberty, life, and health here and I think that is amazing. Please take this time to make yourself aware of these causes - especially the ones you may have never heard of before. In example, scleroderma -- which is a horrible sickness not enough of us are aware of the fight against. It's an awful one and it needs to be put away for good. Here is a great foundation that great research for the cause, the Scleroderma Research Foundation.


With the Women In Horror recognition and celebration, we thought of (well, Jen thought of...) a cool concept that not only embraces a very special element of horror (blood) but also raises awareness to something that people find scary (donation) that is actually a bloody good cause... a Massive Worldwide Blood Drive. Here, our good friend and fellow PSA participant, Jennifer Cooper speaks Women in Horror --



A new PSA, but more of a healthy tune to inspire those scaredy cats amongst us to have some bravery, some humor, and get yours (and as many butts as you can take with you) down to your local blood bank is on its way. It will feature some ladies from the horror scene from around the world that have the balls to bleed for a cause and they are huge inspirations.


So, back to the original question. What is Women In Horror Month actually about? Power, unity, respect, acknowledgment, feminism, horror - where we started, how far we've come, and the bodies (I use the term 'bodies' figuratively as in the issues we have fought against - our right to vote, sexism, and the constant battle of medieval notions of what women are 'supposed to be', etc.) left in our wake. This is a month to recognize women like Mary Harron, Mary Lambert, Kathryn Bigelow - who are behind the camera, directing incredible work. Outdated are the days were women are a tit-flash here and an ass cheek there, then off to the male characters to save the day. I think there is a gross misconception that horror degrades women rather than empowering them and that is a great deal in direct result to some of the films out there. The genre is filled with lots of films - some remarkable and meaningful, some an utter waste of time where you feel bad for all involved.


So many people have fought, are fighting, and will fight for feminism. For the concept that men and women are created equal and should be respected equally. There is a change coming and each and everyone of us have to be responsible for that change. You don't have to take a shitty part that you hate or work on a film that is fluff, if you don't want to. The industry not giving you something challenging with substance? Create your own films with your won characters and be a part of what you want to see changed. As the brilliant Hannah Neurotica (of Ax Wound Zine who this event is the brainchild of) so perfectly said:

"If I have ever been sure of anything in this life it is that the last thing women need recognition for is their breasts, just as we do not need a month to raise awareness about porno films ending in women getting a hot load of cum shot all over their face lifts."

Read the whole article where Hannah alongside Heidi Marinuzzi speak feminism and the real message of Women In Horror here on the incredible (and shame on you if you don't creep this site daily) Fangirltastic.


Let's raise awareness of what women have contributed and continue to contribute to the genre. Let's recognize the women standing on the front lines, saying the things that some of us haven't found our voice to say yet.


Let's celebrate the strong female characters - Ripley, Regan, Laurie Strode - that make us feel strong who we grow up wanting to kick ass like. The month is almost upon us. Stay tuned.

~Sylv

You Know What Next Month Is...?

"Last February saw the start of something ever so slightly special, the first annual Women in Horror Awareness Month. The brainchild of the wonderfully demented and perfectly peculiar, Hannah Neurotica, Women in Horror month is our way, collectively working together to let the world know that there’s more to women in horror than just tits and scream queens. And that, SHOCK HORROR…this isn’t a new thing!!! The only difference is that now we’re standing up and letting everyone know that we’re here, and in all capacities."

Damn fucking rights, miss Morleysaurus. That time is almost upon us - February, Women In Horror Month. People are already excitedly planning what they will do and how they will celebrate. Jen and I are beyond honored to have our WiH-inspired Massive Blood Drive and us mentioned in this awareness-raising, well-written, and bitingly witty article written by the utterly fantastic, Jennifer Cooper. Thank you for getting the word about WiH and saying such kind words about the film --

"One of my favourite things about Ghouls on Film was having the chance to see the almighty awesomeness of Dead Hooker in a Trunk!!! This underground tribute to the good old grindhouse days is one of the most fun movies I’ve seen in the past few years. Directed by and starring the gore-geous sick and brilliant Soska sisters, DHIAT is a wonderful example of girl power in the industry."

Also --

"Jen and Sylvia Soska have fully embraced this awesome month, setting up a blood drive and encouraging everyone to Bleed for Women in Horror, how morbidly delicious right!?!. This is something that the girls will be doing again this year I’m rather excited to have been asked to be part of their video to advertise this bloody mission. Mwah!"

Huge humble thanks. And thank you to everyone who is participating in this upcoming Women in Horror Month. There is just this faction of society that has some sad misconceptions of the horror community and women's involvement/portrayal in it -- and this a great opportunity to get together with other horror fans (because that's what we all really are) and celebrate our favorite ladies in the genre. Because in what other genre is a woman the final girl and also Regan?

You can be a part of it. Febraury is our month-long call to all to forget about any ill feelings towards sharp and pointy and give some of that red stuff to folks that really need it. The Massive Blood Drive starts February 1st, worldwide. All you have to do is go to your local Blood Donation Facility and make your donation. There is a huge need for blood and healthy donors are the only source.


For those of you that need more convincing, as the above quote stated, there will be a new PSA to get you in the mood. There will be song. Stay tuned.

~Sylv