THE ABC's OF WOMEN IN HORROR: F IS FOR...

To celebrate Women In Horror Recognition month, Day of the Woman is celebrating by compiling the ABC's of women in horror.  

TODAY'S PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTER: F

I've never known someone to be offended by the term "superfan".  If we're talking all things Texas Chainsaw Massacre, then Krystal Fancey Beck is the undisputed queen of all things Leatherface related.  Making her rounds as of late as the "girl with the hitchhiker blood splatter tattoo", Krystal Fancey Beck is one of the most dedicated fangirls I've ever witnessed.  When she's not adding to her INSANE collection of Texas Chainsaw Massacre memorabilia, she is the artistic mind behind The Zombified.  "The Zombified is an alternative online store featuring original Halloween and horror inspired artwork for the darkly inclined."  Selling her artwork in forms of everything from prints, jewelry, pins, pocket mirrors, cards, and clothing, Krystal Fancey Beck helps deliver a feminine touch to an often times overly masculine genre.  Her work is sensational and her gallery proves so by showcasing an individual who went as far as to having Krystal's work tattooed on their body.  She doesn't stop with creating art just for horror themed goodies, either.  Krystal Fancey Beck is also the writer, illustrator of her own comic book Hallowhaus.    

Whatever happened to Fay Wray? That delicate satin dramed fraaaaaaaame.  Sorry, Rocky Horror nerdgasm just escaped there for a second.  In 1926, American film association: Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers chose Fay Wary as one of the "WAMPAS Baby Stars". These were a group of women who the WAMPAS believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. Wray signed to various film companies and it was under these deals that Wray was cast in various horror films, including Doctor X (will build his creatureeee) It was her deal with RKO Radio Pictures where she made some of her most memorable and iconic films. Wray was paid $10,000 dollars to play the iconic famous blonde damsel in King Kong. The film was a commercial success, has become one of the most influential pictures, and was actually the film that saved RKO from bankruptcy. Wray's role would become the one with which she would be most associated.

Yesterday, I featured this next woman in horror's sister.  Today, it's all about Brenda Fies.  Brenda Fies is a producer, writer, editor, and director. While I may not have been privileged to view much of her work, I will say that her short film Distraught is one of the creepiest and most hilarious horror shorts I've ever seen.  Brenda is the right hand woman and co-founder of the monthly female centric film festival Bleedfest, as well as an empowering figure for women everywhere.  To quote the sisters off of their website, "Female filmmakers are not “hobbyists”. They’ve worked full time on their movies for an average of three to five years, usually in a Second Shift after their full-time paying job where they make 29 cents an hour less than their male co-workers. Many of these dedicated female filmmakers have given up having children and getting married to have the ability to afford the time and money it takes for filmmaking. Most have invested and lost their life savings, and have film school student loans hanging over their heads (the average film school now has a 50/50 gender matriculation)." Finally, a woman looking for the advancement and equality of female filmmakers!

 

Obviously, there are PLENTY of women and films that have yet to be uncovered, but who knows...maybe they'll make an appearance under another letter.  Stay tuned to Day of the Woman for a continuation of this series and

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