John Cabrera on Horror Movies

If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan and spend more than a few minutes on the Web these days, chances are good that you’re familiar with the amazing John Cabrera (“Brian) and his vast online presence.

When I spoke with him last year for The Gilmore Girls Companion, we touched a bit on horror movies, mostly because I was finishing up my most recent book, The New Horror Handbook, which covers horror movies of the last 15 years.

Some people love horror flicks, some can’t stand them. I found out then that John is very particular about the horror he can comfortably tollerate. (Translation: the dude actually has some sensitivity in an increasingly jaded world.)

Yesterday, I was happy to discover that he finally expounded on his personal horror threshold on his blog. As the author of book about horror movies, I’m often asked to explain why today’s horror flicks are so brutal, and who the audience is for them. I found John’s detailed personal analysis pretty interesting in that respect. Enjoy!

Kelly Bishop: The Anti-Emily

I’m not sure what I was expecting when I spoke with Kelly Bishop this afternoon. Yes, I know these are actors who have played many different roles throughout their professionals lives. But she is just so good at breathing life into Lorelai’s perpetually-disappointed, ever-disapproving mom, Emily. Yes, I will admit that a part of me was worried that I was going to get that “more beer, Luke” tone of Emily’s, and then of course I would have to break down and cry. (There’s just no coming back from that during an interview…)

Imagine my relief when she turned out to be as gracious and witty as her on-screen persona is stern and dismissive. I’m very appreciative of her wonderful insights into everything from the reason for Emily’s behavior to the 16-hour days she regularly endured during the series. Special thanks for many entertaining behind-the-scenes stories about the making of Gilmore Girls.

For more on the wonderful Kelly Bishop, please visit this information-packed Web site about her career, created by friend of The Gilmore Girls Companion Cira.

Book Interview stats

Number of interviews transcribed: 20 (of 34)

Total word count of interviews transcribed: 125,783

Edward the Great

(photo courtesy TheWB.com)

The word “gravitas” is thrown around a great deal these days. However, when you see Edward Herrmann perform, you realize just what the word means. When he completely latches on to the essence of a role like that of Richard Gilmore, it’s like watching someone crystallize a thought or emotion in mid air.

It was an enlightening experience speaking with him this morning. My thanks go to him for his unique perspective on the making of Gilmore Girls, colored as it is by years spent perfecting his craft, his own passion for what he does so well, and a no-nonsense sensibility that helped me better understand the creative process behind Gilmore Girls.

Current Book Research Stats

Number of interviews transcribed: 13 (of 31)

Total word count of interviews transcribed: 81,285