Halloween Horror Nights 2009 at Universal Studios
The Chiller-Eyegore Awards launch Universal’s Halloween Tradition
The creative folks at Universal Studios Hollywood love to launch their Halloween Horror Nights with the annual Eyegore Awards. It is an event which honors the stars and filmmakers who have made a lasting mark in the horror genre. And everybody always has a screaming good time.
This year the tradition continued with the denizens of fright flicks and mayhem movies walking the blood-red carpet in front of the Globe Theater at the Universal tour center where the ceremony took place.
Returning as the emcee, Corey Feldman (Lost Boys, Friday the 13th) announced that the Eyegore Awards have expanded thanks to the Chiller network, the home for horror on cable TV. Chiller joined in the festivities and had a film crew on hand to shoot the event to give their viewers a taste of celebration.
Feldman welcomed everyone and joked, “This is the only show in Hollywood where we openly reward people for stabbing their colleagues in the back!” He added, “This is the only awards show where, instead of thanking your agent, you thank your inner demon.”
Feldman was funny, and so were the guests of honor, even though they were some of the creepiest villains ever seen on the screen. When Tobin Bell, who plays Jigsaw in the Saw film series, picked up his award in the “Repeat Offender” category, he insisted that he really has a tender side.
Another villain receiving the scary-looking Eyegore trophy was Noah Segan, for his nightmarish work in Deadgirl, hailed as a new cult classic in the genre. “Now I have an award to go next to all my restraining orders,” Noah joked.
Also getting the spotlight was a behind-the-scenes horror movie master who has brought heart-thumping moments to life on screen. Rick Baker is the six-time Academy Award-winning special makeup effects artist, who was the Eyegore recipient of the Jack Pierce Award, named after Universal’s legendary makeup artist.
Baker was deeply moved by the honor and said, “How cool it is to actually be at Universal Studios, the home of the classic horror films, and to get this award with Jack Pierce’s name on it, the guy who did Frankenstein’s monster makeup. Pierce was my first idol. He was the reason I do what I do.”
Baker’s special effects makeup work has left an indelible impression on audiences with the films An American Werewolf in London, Men In Black, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and many others. His latest project is The Wolfman for Universal Pictures starring Benicio Del Toro.
Another Eyegore winner, Rob Zombie was called the “Master of Mayhem” thanks to his film The Devil’s Rejects. Zombie revealed he has enjoyed the Eyegore event from its humble beginnings. In awe of being on the same stage with Zombie was Drew Daywalt, who won the Chiller short film competition for his little horror flick Bedfellows.
And it was nice to see that the Halloween Horror Nights’ creative director John Murdy was acknowledged for the outstanding work he and his team have done to create Universal’s very scary attraction. It’s being presented at the theme park on weekend nights from now until Halloween.
After the Eyegore ceremony the winners and guests dispersed into the night at the theme park to enjoy the attractions. There was a “Terror Tram” back lot experience and six new scare zones. A “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” production was ultra-fun, along with the “Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute,” a mini-musical that was a fun homage to the cult film. Mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the other famous Rocky Horror characters rocked the night away.
Four new maze experiences were also part of the intense nighttime “live” horror presentations. The “Saw: Game Over” maze experience is based on the Saw film franchise. “Halloween: The Life and Crimes of Michael Myers” is a maze based on the Halloween films. The “live” multi-sensory horror experience, “My Bloody Valentine: Be Mine 4 Ever,” is based on the 2009 movie. And “Chucky’s Fun House” is a fresh, flesh-and-blood incarnation of the horror movies that featured the “Demonic Doll from Hell.”
All created to make the 2009 Halloween Horror Nights so frightfully fantastic!
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