The candles are lit, the blankets are out and the 90’s slashers are on – Halloween season is finally here, folks! It’s officially one of my favourite months and this tips us nicely into the rest of the year, in my opinion. I love hunkering down with a hot drink and playing a horror game or two (I highly recommend Supermassive Games’ The Quarry!), yet when you’re crafting away and can’t tear yourself away from your project, it can prove a little challenging.
Thankfully, I’ve got some picks to keep you entertained as you work your way through the month of October with some of my personal favourites, alongside a new kid on the block. But as always and before we begin, please be sure to check your advisories and content warnings before diving in!
📖 Audiobook – Your Favourite Scary Movie – Ashley Cullins
What a happy find this one was on my Spotify feed! I’m always checking my ‘For You’ feeds or my suggested listens and Your Favourite Scary Movie: How the SCREAM Films Rewrote The Rules Of Horror was such a thrill to find. Once I’d discovered that it was also narrated by Roger L. Jackson himself, the voice of Ghostface, it was an immediate listen for me.
As soon as the credits rolled on my first viewing of Scream, it was an immediate favourite of mine for the Slasher genre. Little did I know just how much it took to get that movie from page to screen.
Thankfully, journalist and Scream fan Ashley Cullins has done us horror fans proud, here. In exclusive interviews with prolific Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson and more, Cullins delves into the filmmaking process, its original title choice and the well-documented production issues.
Cast members Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Jasmine Savoy Brown and many more are featured, alongside many heartwarming and insightful tales of time spent with visionary director, Wes Craven.
Your Favourite Scary Movie… is incredibly well-researched and dripping with interesting facts and funny anecdotes, such as tales regarding David Arquette’s artistic side, Drew Barrymore’s genius for that incredible cold open, and alternative plot lines for its many films. It’s a must listen for Scream fans everywhere, not to mention a real treat for movie buffs in general, as it really gives us a peek behind the somewhat elusive curtain that is Hollywood. There’s many things to ponder over when crafting away listening to this one, but the main question remains: what’s your favourite scary movie?
🎙️Podcast – Horror Queers – Bloody FM
It’s been well documented here in The Craft Room (and in this very post!) that I’m a lover of a good horror movie, and I certainly love a movie breakdown. So when I was looking for some new podcasts a fair few years ago, I struck gold with Horror Queers. Both talented and hilarious, Trace Thurman and Joe Lipsett co-host the podcast, selecting movies and TV shows to discuss with LGBTQ+ themes.
Throughout my years of listening, Trace and Joe have covered some of my favourite horror movies, including Scream, with an episode chatting to prolific screenwriter Kevin Williamson, Sorority Row and even more somewhat niche selections, such as Lindsay Lohan’s I Know Who Killed Me.
They take us through box office budgets, production tales of woes and wins, offering in-depth plot discussions on what they loved and what they didn’t.
Both writers for renowned horror site BloodyDisgusting, they offer insightful critique with plenty of laughs along the way. Plus, as a freelance writer myself, I find it forever interesting to hear about their work for SXSW and other gruelling film festivals.
Covering a plethora of horror with subgenres galore, the Horror Queers episode list is bursting with gems that are sure to keep you laughing and nodding your head in agreeance in between stitches. Be sure to check out their Patreon for exclusive content, including the latest horrors. It’s worth checking our for their Gale Weathers/Courteney Cox/Neve Campbell tier systems alone!
💿Album – Making Time – Jamie Woon
I featured Jamie Woon last year for November’s picks with his debut album, Mirrorwriting. Back in July, Jamie announced his return to music and to say I was thrilled is an understatement. After an almost decade-long absence, his latest album (released today, woo!), 3, 10, Why, When breaks that silence.
Making Time was Jamie’s last full release back in 2015 and an album that’s stayed in my rotation. However it’s always around this time of year that I’m spinning his music that little bit more.
Much like Mirrorwriting, Making Time showcases Jamie’s thought-provoking and pensive lyrics, along with his beautifully rich vocals and arrangements.
Movement, Forgiven and Dedication are, without question, my favourite tracks on the album. All three tracks offer different tempos and moods, all wrapped with Jamie’s lyricism and soulful harmonies that help tie that perfect bow.
I’d highly recommend heading back through Jamie’s Woon’s discography, including his highly-applauded EP, Wayfaring Stranger. His individuality continues to shine through on an album such as the above and, even before hitting play on 3, 10, Why, When, I know that it will on this latest project, too. I think we all have a handful of artists that we know are an instant listen and Jamie Woon is one of those artists for me. If you do take a listen, I truly hope you throughly enjoy what he has to offer.
Thanks for joining me for this month’s picks! Catch you next month for some more audio delights 🎧 In the meantime, make sure to tell us what your favourite scary movie is over on our socials…📞