Visceral Reflections

Fresh from California, this is my celebration of Viscera the event as well as the experience. Feel free to follow me in my journey as I make my first trip West.

I am fortunate enough to have been involved in one of the most selfless, supportive and inspirational projects of my lifetime. When Shannon Lark approached me to join the staff of the 2011 Viscera Awards, I was flattered and appreciative but I had no way of knowing how my own life would be enriched. I've had my share of involvement with charitable organizations and I work for a non-profit but Viscera is something special. Blah, blah I know. Of course I think it's special. But this is not a product of loyalty or ass-kissing. I refer to a fact that was proven to many this past Sunday night. That is the event.

Now put all of that together with my first trip to California and you have the experience. Yes, I am from Georgia but it's not that I was blown away by “Big City Life.” On the contrary. I didn't really experience the city, for one, and secondly, I'm from Atlanta. I get how the city works and I'm not impressed. That's why I live in Athens. While it can be lovely to visit (New York is one of my favorite places on Earth), the adage exists for a reason. I wouldn't want to live there. Plop me just outside so I can go at my leisure and we have a deal. Think the relation of Athens to Atlanta. Sold. 

No, what touched me most was the amount of generosity, hospitality and sincerity that I found everywhere I tread. Throughout the entire trip I found myself reflecting on this. Here it comes. Are you paying attention? My friends, while focused to the point of exhaustion on the workings of the coming celebration, also managed to find time to ensure that my first visit West was a pleasant one. Who the hell saw that coming? I didn't think I'd be sleeping in the bathtub and eating dropped avocado skins or anything but I damn straight didn't expect to feel so pampered. Hell, we were busy. But they did it. And here I sit hang-jawed. 

The magic really came together on the night of the festival. All the hard work, the months of planning, and the hours of lost sleep contributed by the amazing team at Viscera blossomed into a beautiful, well mannered child. Shannon's initial dream for Viscera was alive and well in front of me. And thanks to the amazing hearts and talents of Heidi Honeycutt, Stacy Hammon, Annette Slomka, Shersy Benson, James Morgart, Andrew Shearer, Matt Orsman, Irene Langholm and countless volunteers and behind-the-scenes Fairy Ghoul-Mothers/Fathers...it was perfection.

By this point in our journey you are likely wondering what hallucinogenic I have chosen this evening. Rest assured I gush by nature. It is who I am. If you have ever experienced my ravings, then this comes as no surprise (“Jack Chop” or Grace anyone?). I find beauty in passion of any sort and beauty awakens my spirit. I am the chick who cries when I watch the Jaws documentaries. Why the hell do you think I consider myself so lucky to be involved anyway? Viscera does what I think we should all do for the sake of art in general, particularly the genre we love. 

Horror has long been looked down upon, cast aside or simply ignored. That present situation is okay with many. Some feel that making the mainstream take notice of what we've known from the beginning will make it less special, perhaps sell it out. A true fan knows how much bullshit stands behind that statement. The love of horror, like any other passion, comes from within the individual. No one can take that from you regardless of how twinkly or generic it is. The creation of vapid, time-wasting, watered down entertainment does nothing to prevent Leatherface from ripping teens to shreds. And Hitchcock's pulse-pounding suspense tales will live forever no matter how different characters attempt to recreate those timeless roles.

Now is the time to prove we are more than they believe us to be. Why? Because we deserve it. I live in the fucking Bible Belt. I walk with my head high, tattoos, horror stickers, tee shirts and all but you know people still lose jobs over this stuff. That disturbing fact of life has recently hit close to home. That shit's not right. The expression of art in its many forms, no matter the audience or medium, is important to the continued growth and health of our society. In other words, you suppress artists and everything goes to Hell.

Basically, people need to get off their moral high-horses and open their tight little brains. And Viscera, with all its beauty and respect for art, is precisely my chosen avenue to make that happen.

I would like to extend a heart-felt “congratulations” to the dynamic group of filmmakers whose work was on display. Without these dedicated artists, we would have nothing to rejoice. You should all be proud of your achievements and I wish you nothing but the best in the future. Thank you, Everyone, for helping me to realize what is possible when enough like-minded individuals, gender aside, work together. 

Thank you to all the new friends who helped make my experience so enjoyable. And a special thank you to the many friends I have known for years and never had the opportunity to meet in person. And finally, thank you to my super support system on the home front.  Patrick and Jen are my rock and my hard place. 

Because of this sojourn, I have a renewed enthusiasm for my chosen form of expression and my creativity has been rejuvenated. This is only the beginning. See you all next year.