Interview – Joseph A Federico

Kent Godley Announced as Newest Southern Gothic Book Model

August 7, 2019August 7, 2019
by josephafederico

Kent Godley chosen as Joseph A. Federico’s next book cover model.

Per my last article on Medium, I briefly discussed what I look for in terms of choosing a book cover model, and what I had looked for in the past for Voudou Juice.

Sure, the men that are sought after have to meet certain criterion – all depending upon what “mood” I’m in, mind you – and also, you know, be willing to get creative with the style of photo shoot the theme of the book requires. Plus, they must have a kind heart and able to tell a non-verbal story that will be read by the masses.

I’m always looking for the next model to don a cover, and well, also always being on creative overdrive, I constantly have a new story concept that’s bubbling-up inside of me. There will never NOT be a story inside of me. Now, having the time to write and publish said pieces is another conversation…

The latest project I’ll be working on is a standalone novella, of course, weaving in southern Gothic folklore and duh, Voodoo and Hoodoo traditions. And the man I chose, without giving TOO much away, to don the cover is a sweet southern boy named Kent.

Not only am I honored to be working with such talent, but he and I seem to get along swimmingly, which makes the process all that much easier.

TO ALL THE OTHER YOUNG MEN THAT ARE IN QUEUE TO BE COVER MODELS, i.e. for Voudou Juice: Origins, Voudou Juice: Final Sip, and many, many others, don’t fret…your time is coming and I have NOT forgotten about you.

So, with that said and without further adieu, I’d love to finally introduce you to Kent Godley. Here’s his story…

“Hello World, My name is Kent Godley, and I am an aspiring musician/artist. I grew up in a small rural town (Smoaks), located in South Carolina. As of 2019, the population is literally between 100-150 residents. There is a whole lot of nothing to do here, and I would only suggest you retire in these here parts.

“Just like everywhere else, there are good and bad aspects of a hometown. And I will most definitely start with the good. There is more than enough peace and quiet with (some) beautiful southern scenery. You will, more than likely, see people riding four wheelers to get where they need to go.

“People often wave at each other not knowing who the other one is. Southern hospitality would be considered “rich” in small towns, but especially in mine. The downfall to living in such a small town can be linked together for many reasons, though.

“The closest major city would be over an hour away. One must travel almost thirty minutes to get groceries and so on. All in all, I would say that I enjoy living in rural town, but there just isn’t any opportunity for me here.

“I grew up listening to country music, partying at bonfires with friends and family, and waking up before the sun had risen to go fishing. The smell of Barbecue and beer would fill the air of many residents’ homes after hunters would come home to their wives/significant others. Children would gather together and play until the moon shined bright. Grandmothers would be whipping up Sunday lunch with aromas of fried chicken, freshly brewed sweet tea and cakes for days. I often still participate in outings like those mentioned, and will always cherish them. However, there needs to be a lifestyle change sometime, right?

“As told by my family, I was a ‘mess’ growing up. I had so much energy with many aspirations as a child, and quite a bit changed once I began school. I was called “gay,” not even knowing what that fully meant. I even “dated” a few girls from middle to high school.

“As time passed, I came to realize exactly what “gay” specifically meant to me. I developed a ‘closeted’ liking to the same sex with no one I thought was even remotely attractive at my high school. I was never really confronted about my sexuality, bullied, or teased because of it.

“I have always been the type of person that will tell you or reveal what I think you should know about me, if necessary. I personally do not think one’s sexuality is more important than what they have to offer as an individual.

“So, after my high school graduation, I indirectly came out as “gay” thanks to an ex-girlfriend. She was, supposedly, upset at me for breaking up with her. We’ve all been there, right? Right?

“My world was definitely shaken up, but I survived the blow just as I have survived events in my past. Some of my family members had a difficult time accepting the fact that I turned out gay, and some still cannot accept it. I have reached a point in my life where I no longer feel the need to explain myself. And my sexuality is definitely a part of it all. It’s MY story.

“Southern Tradition has ‘taught’ me many things by just simply observing. Isn’t that what people do when they aren’t the center of attention? They observe at family gatherings, weddings, funerals and so forth in many different settings. All of those events I mentioned are for the living.

“And with that said, and with every experience lived, there will forever be three sides to a story; my side, your side, and the cold, hard truth. I would like to uncover past, present and future LGBTQ+ stories that are southern in nature, based on encompassing love to those who need it the most.

“While working with Joseph on this specific project, I feel the possibilities are endless. Not everyone is as fortunate as the next, nor as smart or privileged. I would like to project my image in the form of a spiritual hologram to create a manifesto for those who are strong enough to know the truth.”

To learn more about Kent, his character or the upcoming southern Gothic thriller, you may message me here.

Happy haunting, y’all, and I’ll see you on the other side.

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Garrett Hnatiuk: the actor on a mission

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019
by josephafederico

Howdy, cowboy. World, meet Garrett Hnatiuk.

Garrett Hnatiuk. You’ve heard of him. He’s a fluid, masculinity-breaking badass who’s looking for his next artistic role. Oh, and you’ve seen him on “Slasher” season 3. Without further ado, I’d love introduce you to a beautiful soul.

Joseph A. Federico: You portray strong male figures in the work you’ve done to-date, right? How are you breaking stereotypes and ideals on masculinity moving forward?

Garrett Hnatiuk: Masculinity is funny. I grew up in a town where you had to wear this kind of shit like armour. It took a lot of re-socialization for me to realize the dangers of what toxic masculinity can amount to, often without the person even realizing it. So, to me, as a pretty fluid person, masculinity became redefined.

When you wear it like armour, it weighs you down. So. when it comes to character choices, I think naturally they become imbued with a sort of looseness, a freedom. I like fucking with masculine characters, making choices that show the complexities of how the character interprets their actions.

Kind of off topic, but kind of on topic at the same time, I also love villains and watching how actors choose to portray villains. It can get so complex and I think that’s what is interesting to watch. Look at the film “Get Out” All around, I thought it was so well done, but the choices made by the actors was so fucking interesting. The young, white brother, Caleb Landry Jones!? Fuck, he was creepy, but his choices were so engaging.

JAF: There’s a strong resemblance to Johnny Depp and Kurt Cobain in your style. Is that what you originally set out to emulate when you broke into acting or was it by chance? Do you reflect on their lives as an influence in how you live yours?

GH: Indeed, and I hear this often! I don’t quite try to emulate any of these people, though I love Kurt and Johnny so hard. But, I think a lot of artists are influenced by the works of people they grew up watching. It kinda seeps into your DNA if that makes sense.

And I’m a serious ‘90s kid. What feels right and looks right becomes kind of synonymous with them and their work. I also love mashing styles: Marilyn Manson with River Phoenix, or flower pixie with acid death cults. I think it’s important not to try to exist as a reproduction of another artist, though. Sometimes, it just happens naturally, but you really have to stay true to your individuality. That’s what’s most defining.

JAF: Speaking of acting, you broke into the industry by accident, right?

GH: Yeah, I studied at the university of Manitoba in Winnipeg, where I grew up. I studied psychology for a whole bunch of years and did some pretty serious research work…all while taking film course electives! And they changed me, goddamn.

I met some ridiculously talented and bizarre film gurus in Winnipeg (Guy Maddin and George Toles) and they laid the foundations of the art for me. Guy Maddin was interested in casting me for this tiny role in his film “Keyhole,” and I said yes, of course. I had to go through a lot of union stuff from there, but soon, I started going out for more roles; somehow, I booked a few of them.

I started to get a more visceral taste of the film world and I fell in love. There are so many wheels turning on every set, and to create the magic that comes from all the moving parts is the most beautiful thing in the world, I think.

JAF: Dish a bit about your character on Netflix’s “Slasher,” season 3. Are you still in touch with fellow cast members, such as Robert Cormier?

GH: I got to play such an absurd character in the third season. I basically act as a ploy to establish Cassidy’s promiscuous personality. We have a real intense sex scene, and then after, I basically confess my undying love, she reveals her real age and “motivations.” Then, I get in a tiff with her Nazi-loving dad and shortly book it out of there.

It was great working Genevieve DeGraves (Cassidy); she’s exceptionally talented. She’s so cool.

And Dean McDermott was like one of the most engaging people to work a scene with. He would improvise lines with me, which left me having to be spontaneous with the moments. That’s how really creative acting works, I think.

I also originally auditioned for the character, Kit, which would have been the biggest trip to play. He’s this bisexual, drug-addled punk dude that’s all fucked up most the time. I worked so hard on it, but in the, end Robert Cormier got it.

He does a damn incredible job, too. I think he really captures the nature of this wild card character. “Slasher” is neat in the way that they re-use characters from every season to the next, but in completely differing roles. One season, you’ll be a villain, and in the next, you’re a saint. If they continue the series, I’d love to see what I would come back as.

JAF: What’s on deck for the famed Mr. Hnatiuk? Acting-wise and beyond…

GH: As of next, I’m just looking at pushing my boundaries…involving myself in projects that challenge me. I’ve really gotten into the photography medium or at least working with different photographers. You can do so much with an image, create fantastic characters.

I met this lovely woman at a party, and she wanted to adorn me in flowers, so I said yeah, let’s make something weird with it.

Before that, this artistic director asked to lather me in drag and traverse the inner working of my psyche, so we shot that.

I’m also in the very early stages of production for a short film I’m looking at taking on. It’s a desperate and gritty venture into street kid culture and prostitution in a downtown metropolis. I’m looking to cast and work with a variety of the LGBT community, whom have faced the challenges of growing up in such a way and how they navigate their family relationships. Eventually, I would love to push this into feature length.

In general, I am open to working with like frequencies, with people that want to create art that challenges. As an artist, this is what I want to invest myself in.

For more information on Garrett or to book him, click here for his IMDB page and here for his demo reel.

If you’d like to participate in an interview with Joseph A. Federico, click here.

Into horror? It’s time for “American Horror Story: 1984.” Read more…

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Do You Voudou?

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019
by josephafederico

Which city inspired you to write your first novel?

I’m a self-taught writer. Nobody trained me, I never took a professional class and I didn’t even go to school for it. Here I am, 36, and being compared to Anne Rice all these years later. Just wow. Do you know how humbling that is?

My boyfriend and I co-wrote our first book together back in 2011, the year
IMAGES OF AMERICA: GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP (now available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble) was published by Arcadia Publishing. It took approximately two years to conduct research and submit a manuscript, then we spent another two years after the publication date on a press tour.

We didn’t write the historical nonfiction coffee table book to make our first million – hell no – not in today’s economy – but rather to learn about a lost city and deeply connect with a community. And that’s exactly what happened, and it was oh-so-rewarding. Still is to this day, to be honest.
And with that said, that’s originally what led me starting on my trek to historical preservation and educating myself on local folklore…namely in America’s south.

Ah, the southland. I tell readers and fans that my inspiration for VOUDOU JUICE began when I was basking on the shores of Myrtle Beach back in 2012, and I just so happened to be drinking a mixed cocktail of the same name when the characters started talking to me.

Yes, that happens to writers once in awhile, and when inspiration beckons, you ride that wave for as long as you can and get a few good pages of prose down on paper.

So, the book I was writing was a summer project and I broke out the handwritten manuscript once every few weeks or when the mood felt right. It wasn’t often, trust me. Not until I went to New Orleans in 2014 with my best friend.

One visit to Oz – one of the best nightclubs off Bourbon Street – and the story I thought I wanted to tell took on an evolved life of itself. New characters were born out of a drunken stupor, as Go-Go Boys in skimpy outfits pranced around my being and the hardcore thumpa pulsed through my chest.

I went home three-and-a-half days later, and wrote my ass off. I prayed the experiences I lived in the Crescent City wouldn’t soon be forgotten, so I could weave them into my book. The pen was on fire and my inspiration carried me through.

2017, April 13th to be exact, was when VOUDOU JUICE was officially released to the general public. The amount of pride I felt, like a father who’s partner had just given birth to a healthy baby, was beyond compare.
Furthermore, sure I was happy and proud of myself, but I had fallen into a slight depression. I was hurt and sad that my characters were no longer mine, that I’d no longer have deep conversations with these beings I created out of nothingness.

Another trip to New Orleans was in order. ASAP. Let’s go, drink and be merry. So, with my best friend who’d showed me around the city in 2014, off I went, back to my beloved Big Easy.

The trip would be longer than a week this time around, and there was more anticipated intrigue around every corner.

After my book signing at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter, I’d gone out to celebrate…for several hours. Around 6pm CST, a lovely young man picked us up via Uber.

He was a doll, spewing off local ghost stories he’d heard over the years, and making us laugh. Then he suddenly began telling us about the Old French Opera House…the location of the now-Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter. Say what?

“So, you had a book signing?” the gentleman asked. Excited and still riding the high of the event, I was only too happy to discuss it. “Yes,” I replied…nervous. The Uber driver then explained that a fire had broken out at the Opera House in 1919, after a rehearsal of “Carmen.” On December 4th, the Creole mecca had been burned to the ground. And where did the fire start, you ask? Right at the exact location I had my book signing, by the concierge station.

Little did I know how frighteningly haunted that place was, and how lucky I’d been to host my book signing in that location, caked in dark history.
My best friend turned to me in disbelief as my unhinged jaw returned to my top lip. She smacked me with delight and said, very slowly, “That’s it, babe. That’s the story you came here to get. You have to write that in your new book.”

And write I will. That cab ride back from Magazine Street will forever haunt me in the most beautiful way. And I will weave that ghost story into VOUDOU JUICE: ORIGINS…a followup to my breakout novella.

I’m looking at a 2020 launch date, as it’s naturally set in 1920s New Orleans. My heart never will quite be the same after visiting that crazy little city, and I’m sure it will flutter in different ways after my next visit, too.

VOUDOU JUICE is on sale for $18.00. You may purchase a copy by calling (973) 289-3517; online ordering options available soon. Head to JosephAFederico.com for further details.

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Fitness Guru Kyle Wells

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019
by josephafederico

Hi, I’m Kyle Wells.

As soon as I was born, I was carted off to an incubator for the first two weeks of my life. I was born without my esophagus connected to my stomach, a weak left lung weak left lung, not to mention being bow-legged and pigeon-toed for my formative years. I wore corrective shoes and a brace between my legs every night before I went to bed until I was 4, and I was on a nebulizer until I was 5. My parents used to have to flush out the built-up mucus in my sinuses. Ew.

Needless to say, nobody was calling me the next Jerry Lewis, and even as a kid, I innately knew that. Physical activity was a challenge growing up, but I was a headstrong little bastard. It was especially tough for my parents to tell their child that he might not be able to keep up with the other kids because one of his lungs couldn’t pump oxygen to the heart the way it should, or that he wouldn’t be able to run like the other kids because of the shape of his legs. So, instead they didn’t, and that decision molded my life.

Physicality became a challenge for me – if a friend ran faster than me, then I was going to train until I was faster. If my cousin was flexible, I’d learn to contort myself as well as she could. If my older brother was doing a backflip on a trampoline, then I was going for a double backflip. It’s amazing what insecurity can do even as a child (or perhaps especially as a child).

The strength, the body control and the manipulation of gymnastics became an obsession throughout my childhood. By the time I was 11, I was the men’s state gymnastics champion in my state, Kansas, two years running and in the top 5 in a 6-state region. I took this tenacity and work effort to all facets of my life throughout my childhood and early adulthood. But adulthood loomed large, and I conformed to what was expected of me.

I felt the need to be what other people defied as success. I studied Business Administration in Spain, where I did everything from intern at the US Embassy to help found my university’s student government body. It was a long 6 years after graduating that I realized marketing, while interesting, wasn’t my passion, and it was time to get back to my passion.

Fitness has always been an interest of mine, but overcoming physical obstacles is really what drives me. I’m in it for that visceral, life-changing feeling – that feeling when a client avoids knee surgery through properly engaging in exercise. I’m in it for the client that realizes at the end of her first 5k that this is only the first of many walls to break through. I’m in it to help reverse the bone density decline that causes my clients’ joint pain. I’m in it for the client that realizes age is only a number.

That passion for transformative fitness is what pushes me as a trainer, and coupling that with education, I understand how to transfer that passion onto others. Through my nationally accredited person training certification, as well as other specific certifications and specialties in Myofascial Release, functional fitness, injury prevention, athletic training, and studying to become a physical therapist, I have helped empower countless clients to take back control of their bodies. The body controls the mind as much as the mind controls the body. Fitness goes far beyond muscles, sets and reps; fitness is a life of transformation and growth both mentally and physically. It is nature at its finest, and I am happy to be a part of that.

Care to learn more about Kyle Wells or want to be featured on this website next? Click here to contact Joseph A. Federico.

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Back Room NYC

May 22, 2019May 23, 2019
by josephafederico

Through a decrepit gate and down a true New York City alleyway, lies one of the city’s best kept secrets. But, you need a password to get in, otherwise the man at the door may mistake you for a grimy barrel buster. And you better be ready to drink like gangsters and flappers did in the Roaring Twenties.

Be prepared to get blown away the second you step through a thick Jazz Age door with a peephole in the center of it. Your eyes will adjust, trust me, and the music will carry you into a sweet, deep dream of days gone by. You’re at The Back Room. Go order a cocktail.

I had the pleasure of being invited to one of two original Prohibition-era speakeasies in Manhattan, on the Lower East Side, by the bar’s Event Coordinator, Megan. And what a show they put on! Megan, for one, was a gracious hostess, and the bartenders, namely Alex, had a steady hand and creative sense of mixology.

I’ll get to the meat and potatoes in a few minutes, but let’s start with the good stuff, first…the hooch. The Back Room serves cocktails in white cups and saucers and its beer in paper bags, just as they would have back in Lucky Luciano‘s day (one infamous gangster who frequented the space). Alex, our bartender, said, “Our cocktails are creative mixes based off of original ’20s drinks.” They were just strong enough that should you have 3 or 4, you’ll be half in the bag, doing “The Charleston” down the road, attempting to catch your Uber.

I also asked Alex if The Back Room had ever really been raided back in its heyday, and how the barkeepers managed to rid the location of any traces of alcohol. He gave me a definitive, “Yes!” and proceeded to say that the bar used to have holes underneath each bottle of booze. Once word got out The Back Room (once a part of Ratner’s) was under attack, a bartender would manage a contraption, allowing the hooch to drop into the New York City sewer system. The bar had a room in the cellar that housed backup alcohol for the following night’s happenings. And that was that.

Now, as promised, here are your meat and potatoes… an exclusive interview with The Back Room’s Event Coordinator, Megan:

Tell us about how you became the bar’s Event Coordinator:

I have been working for The Back Room since we opened (as The Back Room) in September 2005! I originally started here as a cocktail waitress. I resonated with the owner, manager, staff and space right away.

The owner, John Barounis, is very old school. Over time, he saw that I was responsible, organized and bossy, so he gave me more and more responsibilities. He eventually offered me the position of Event Coordinator, along with the titles of Manager and Daily Operations.

How long have the current owners actually owned the bar?

Since September 2005. The first event we had was a Pearl Jam party. That was our opening night!

This is an odd question, but have you been witness to or heard of any hauntings at the bar?

Oh yes! We have a few spirits in the lounge. There is a women who hangs out by the mirrors in the women’s bathroom.

We also have a not-so-nice older gentleman. Some of the more superstitious bartenders would leave a shot of scotch for him before he/she left for the night.

One of the earlier managers used to burn sage!

And every once in awhile, you catch a view of something in the mirror or something falls down for no reason. The lights are ALWAYS doing strange things. But, I think that the spirits must be fond of me, because they leave me alone.

What’s the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the bar since you’ve started working there? Anything related to its infamous patrons?

Meyer Lansky used to use the back of Ratner’s, which is now The Back Room, to host his “business” meetings.

Speaking of its past, tell us more about when Bugsy Siegel, Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky ran amuck. What did they like to drink?

Alcohol was illegal during Prohibition. They were drinking coffee!

We’re approaching 2020. Anything big planned for the bar?

There are always surprises. I’m sure something big will happen. But, they are often last minute or without a lot of notice.

We hosted U2, Adele, Robert Plant and Paul McCartney for events. In every case, I had about a month or less to plan! That’s part of the fun of working in the space.

But mostly, we will continue to provide all of our customers with excellent customer service in a beautiful location with a fun, speakeasy vibe.

What are some major upcoming events our readers should know more about?

We have will continue to host our Monday night jazz nights. We have hosted this event continuously, every Monday, for the last seven years! Svetlana and The Delancey Five are our in-house band.

And The Delancey Five did NOT disappoint! That night, approximately a week ago when I attended the event, The Back Room had special guest, Edith Hazel, as the front woman. Her sweet, deep, and sultry voice rang true, similar to that of a Prohibition-era starlet’s. The girl can sing.

Have you attended New York City’s The Back Room? Strap on those spats and slick your hair, because boy, oh boy, are you in for a swingin’ time!

(photographic credit: Troy Hahn)

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Miss Kenishia Green the Actress

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019
by josephafederico

Kenishia Green was born on August 19th, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and later came to the United States at the age of 10. While attending high school in Reading, Pennsylvania, she developed a love for performing. She later went on to study acting and directing at DeSales University, where she graduated, and eventually went on to pursue her craft in New York City.

Since relocating to the big city, Kenishia has been the host of the highly popular New York music television show, “Video City TV” for the past three years. She has had key acting roles in Shilo Media’s “South Brooklyn”(Bounce TV), “Money and Violence” (TIDAL), “Brain Games” (Discovery Channel), “Deadly Devotion” (Discovery Channel), and “Unfaithful” (OWN).

Kenishia’s current work includes the Bollywood Psychological Thriller, “Mirror Game,” which is streaming on NETFLIX. She also plays Melody in the upcoming true crime murder story, “Wisper,” set to hit festivals and other media outlets. She is also blessed to be portraying Belinda Ali in the Chuck Wepner Biopic, “Brawlers.” Both will be released in theaters in 2019.

Her current role is portraying Gabrielle, on the popular digital Series, “Situationships,” which is currently streaming on the large platform, BET.COM. She’s a supporting lead in Byamhouse stage production, “Will I Ever Get Married,” which showcased at the Dempsey Theater in Harlem, and is scheduled to hit the stage again, in Hyattsville, Maryland this spring. She has several short films and projects geared up to release for 2019.

For questions regarding Ms. Green’s roles or to be featured, click here.

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In appreciation of “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark”

March 9, 2019March 9, 2019
by josephafederico

Originally published by Actor/Singer, Manuel Caneri (2017)

I had just started high school as a freshman in the fall of 1988. Elvira was hitting the pinnacle of her success as the “Mistress of The Dark.” Her ghoulishly beautiful face was gracing the ads of booze products, Halloween costume knickknacks and late night talk shows. Living in Northern California, I did not have access to her formative years on “Movie Macabre,” the B-movie hosting gig which propelled her to fame. This was a two-fold disappointment in my teen years as I was desperately curious to see more of Elvira AND to have more exposure to the low budget horror films which I was increasingly becoming more infatuated with (read: obsessed). In the age before Netflix and YouTube, it was more challenging to get your hands on these Z-grade treasures.

Needless to say, it was to my great excitement that Elvira released her first feature length film in the fall of 1988. I saw the movie on a Saturday afternoon, the day after its release. It was the 1:00pm showing (I have the memory of an elephant) and for the next 96 minutes I was swept into Elvira’s world and I ate up every second of it. Here was a love letter to creature features enveloped in a joyously silly, high spirited comedy. And, here also, was Elvira in all her delightfully devilish glory. I fell head over spiked black heels in love with the “Mistress of The Dark,” a single sided love affair that continues to this day (as of this writing, I have an Elvira wallet in my back pocket).

I only saw the film in theatres one time. It didn’t do much business at the box office and sadly vanished from theatres prematurely. When it was released on video a few months later, in true movie nerd fashion, I rented the film almost every single weekend thereafter. The clerk who worked at City Video took pity on my weekly rental habit and very kindly offered to sell me a used (mostly by me) copy of the movie for $12. With zero hesitation I took him up on his offer and for years to come I wore out the videocassette subjecting everyone from my sister and my parents to my childhood friends (and any other unsuspecting bystander who crossed my path) to experience the delicious exploits of Elvira.

The film finds our heroine quitting her lackluster job as a horror hostess at an obnoxious TV station and heading to Falwell, Massachusetts for the reading of her great aunt Morgana’s will. Upon her arrival she is greeted with shock and dismay by the conservative town residents but is able to befriend the local teens, in addition to capturing the attention of the hunky owner of the local movie theatre. Hoping to receive big bucks as part of her inheritance to finance a Vegas show, she is instead given a rundown house, a recipe book and poodle named Alconquin (whom she renames Gonk after giving him a punk rock make over) . Unbeknownst to her, the harmless recipe book is in actuality a tome of magic spells which her shady Uncle is hell bent on getting his hands on for dubious conjurations. It all culminates in a pastiche of vicious gossipers, demon attacks and musical numbers.

Cassandra Peterson and company didn’t set out to make an epic masterpiece with “Elvira: Mistress of The Dark.” It’s a simple, lighthearted and slightly naughty comedy and never assumes to be anything more than that. And that is one of the keys to its lovability. It embraces its silliness and gleefully celebrates it. Sure, I’m a huge fan of sophisticated cinema like the work of Hitchcock or Orson Welles et al, but I also have a massive sized soft spot for the camp talents of Roger Corman and the giddy, even juvenile humor of low brow comedies like The Sweetest Thing and Dirty Love (yes, the one with Jenny McCarthy… there, I said it.) Critics were harsh and movie goers didn’t turn out upon its initial release but thankfully through the years the film has gained a sizable cult following in addition to some very dedicated fans.

The movie works so well mostly due the fact that its protagonist is immensely likeable. She’s a fictional character who has existed in the real world years before the movie was actually made. The difference this time is that Elvira is now a full-fledged character with a backstory and a fuller, cohesive personality. Sexy and bawdy? Yes. But also tough, flawed and overwhelmingly endearing. As expected, the movie rests on her shoulders (and her ample cleavage) and she carries it with confidence and a heaping ton of charm. She’s also a terrific comedienne. Peterson spent the early part of her career as a member of the Groundlings, the famed LA comedy troupe, and she brings a knack for delivery and timing to the character. Shockingly she was nominated for a Razzie Award and many reviewers criticized her as being a bad actress. I believe it’s because they were clueless about who Elvira was and how the character operated and that Peterson, much like Paul Reubens and Pee Wee, was creating a larger than life fictional persona.

Another noteworthy trait worth mentioning is that Elvira is a feminist hero. Hear me out! She unapologetically enjoys her body and her sexiness but she’s also fiercely independent and maneuvers around her obstacles without ever needing help from a man. When a letch crosses her path, she kicks his ass and puts him in his place. She demands respect without having to compromise her behavior or her image. She’s in charge baby!

The film makes good use of some delightful character actors. Edie McClurg, an ’80s staple famous for her cameos in John Hughes comedies and supporting roles in TV sitcoms, is Chastity Pariah, the town’s detestable busy body. She’s funny and clearly enjoying her turn as a colorful antagonist. W. Morgan Sheppard wisely plays it straight as Elvira’s brooding-come-demon uncle, the real villain of the piece. Daniel Greene is easy on the eyes as burly love interest Bob and Susan Kellerman is the jealous, faux breasted Patti. There’s also the late Jeff “Kenickie” Conaway as one of Uncle Vinny’s slimy henchmen, a bossy, grouchy Pat Crawford Brown (“Shut up Leslie!”) and some affable young actors as the teens at Elvira’s side.

A large part of the movie was filmed at the Warner Bros studios in Burbank, California. The Midwest Street area of the backlot stood in for Falwell, Massachusetts. These sets have been used in countless other films such as The Music Man and The Monster Squad in addition to standing in for Hazzard County in The Dukes of Hazzard television program. The façade of Elvira’s house was located just steps away from the town square area. Sadly it was torn down recently during a studio expansion. I was able to view these sets a few times when I took the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. My friends and I made the tour guide stop the oversized golf cart when we passed by Elvira’s house. We ran up to the façade and took photos on the porch while a gaggle of German tourists waited less-than-patiently for us to resume the tour. Incidentally, it has been erroneously reported on various web sites that the movie was filmed on the Back to The Future square on the Universal lot and that Elvira’s residence was the same house used in The Munsters. Both of these instances are not correct but I can see why some casual viewers might mistake the two as they look quite similar in their layout and design.

Cassandra Peterson tried for many years to make a followup this little gem and after many false starts, she was finally able to self-finance Elvira’s second big screen adventure. Filmed in Romania, Elvira’s Haunted Hills is a playful homage to the Roger Corman Poe films of the 60’s which starred the late, great Vincent Price. As a big fan of those classic films, I appreciated and enjoyed the movie. It would be unfair to expect any other Elvira movie to rekindle the giddy charm of her first celluloid foray.

I can’t say “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” made me think deeply about life or made me discover some hidden truth of the human condition but what it has done for me might be even better than all that. It made me laugh and it made me happy. And it continues to do so upon every viewing. What more could you ask for?

Until next time, “unpleasant dreams”…

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The McBryant Mission

January 20, 2019January 20, 2019
by josephafederico

My next guest blogger is a young, southern man who has a dream and a big heart. His name is Logan Bryant, and this is his story…

So, what’s the McBryant Mission exactly? “Two guys with a dream to bring quality craft beer right to where you’re going. No need to come find us, because we’re going to bring it right to your favorite bar or restaurant. No joke. Real Amarillo craft. Real beer. Real good. Early stage start-up.”

Now, that right there is our Facebook “about” section, telling you what we are all about, but honestly, there might just be more to say about it. Let’s dig in.

My business partner and long-time friend, Patrick McKnight, and I came across this idea in our dusty, little-big city-town thing called Amarillo, Texas. We entered the sphere of brewing with almost zero collective experience between the two of us, other than a couple other attempts, successful ones, I might add, at him making a few different types of alcohol.

I happened to stop over to his apartment, with whom he shared with his daughter and another roommate, late one night after getting off working at a local pizzeria. You see, I was, I am, and I may still be a pizza guy. I know, I know… tough job, and somebody has got to do it… but, I digress. I can get into that more later.

Mead, moonshine, and then finally beer: These are the alcohols that were experimented with for Patrick to truly learn and absorb the fermentation process. Fermentation is simply the process of microorganisms called yeast, converting the sugars in a wort (the sugar-filled mixture that eventually becomes the alcohol) into carbon-dioxide and alcohol. Neat, huh?

My role in this is simply one of materializing the idea that is now McBryant Brewery. The logo, the money, the marketing, etc. THIS is my domain. I leave making the alcohol, the recipes, the subtle nuances that makes our beer… well, just darn good… to my brewmeister deluxe. Funny story.

So, apparently, you need to take a class or get a certificate or something to become an actual” Brewmaster”, so, I decided to fill the spot with a made-up title for now. Titles are just titles, right? His product that comes from his level of experience blows my mind. He is able to look at a recipe without EVER having tried it once, and tell me exactly what he would change to get the flavor profile he was envisioning.

Hey, whatever works. I get a good product, and he gets some good fun out of it. Win, Win. I touched upon myself just a little bit in the last paragraph, but I didn’t give you a full picture of who I am and what I’m about. That’s what THIS paragraph is for. My name is Logan Bryant, and I am a 22-year-old man born in Lubbock and raised in Amarillo. I’ve been around, can’t you tell? I work at a locally-owned pizza shop (La Bella Pizza on Olsen) here in town, and have been doing so for about the past 3-4 years.

Working for a locally-owned business for so long and seeing the ins and outs of a small business operating had always intrigued me, and is more than likely what spurred me to say “screw it, let’s do it” with McBryant. Now, what exactly spurred me on to brew beer? Well, like I had previously stated, I knew one of my best friends knew how to make pretty decent alcohol, and with minimal accommodation, too. Before I had even thought though, I must tell you the short, simple, and sweet story of what made this come to life.

Yes, I get two paragraphs about myself. What did you think this was? I was a boy who could never seemingly sit still; I was always the class clown. If anyone said anything at all that I could make a witty remark to, it just had to leave my mouth in an attempt to make others laugh. I wasn’t always in trouble, but that may not seem obvious with the preceding statement.

Being that outgoing character helped me stick around longer in service industries, hence my stretch at La Bella pizza, with which I’m still (gratefully) employed until this brewery gets its wings. My outgoing nature plopped me right into a barserver position at work whenever they decided to expand their current small pizza shop into a neighboring building (it’s in a shopping strip, so the buildings are literally RIGHT next door to one another), by cutting a couple of door-sized holes in the wall between our shop and the new expansion.

This was a fun position that didn’t require much effort at first, due to the new nature of the bar-side dining area. Eventually, I had started getting more people coming in and from all over the country too! Some even came from other parts of the world, as Amarillo just so happened to be on their route to where their final destination was. Props to route 66 for that, because one encounter with one customer would end up changing my life, and the life of my brewmeister, fundamentally.

A woman walked in and hurriedly asked me what we had that was local. I responded to her with all of our local Texas brews that we carried, and she simply said “No, I meant from here.” She meant from Amarillo. I had to respond with an unfortunate tone, telling her that we did not carry anything from the local breweries.

See, all of the breweries in town are set up as brew pubs. Brew pubs make their own beer, yes, but they only sell it out of their own storefront, basically forcing people to find them on their own, to get some new craft beer. I, in that moment, came up with the idea to brew our own beer. The pieces all fell into place, and I thought that with my graphic design knowledge, minimal marketing knowledge, and a dash of ambition, that maybe… just maybe… we could start our own little grass-roots operation. Our mission is to get good beer where you already go to get your beer.

Here we are now… 1,100 followers on Instagram, 250 likes on Facebook and ambitious as hell. I won’t say I didn’t pay my way, because… well, I did. Now, I don’t “buy followers” or “buy likes;” I utilize a tool that makes marketing for me just a little bit easier on me personally; it’s called Marketing Tools, and is an app on Play Store and iTunes. This was done so that when we are able to legally sell our products, we already have people looking at us and want to buy. Can you blame me?

SO, we will keep pushing until the dream is realized. Once you figure that out about anything you want to do with yourself, you can make miracles happen.

Even with the seemingly small numbers of support that we’ve garnered over that last few weeks/months, we are overwhelmed with the LEVEL of the support we actually have received, and cannot tell you how blessed we are to be living in this wonderful time with all of you wonderful people.

So, take this stereotypical start with us in my dad’s garage, and make it worldwide. What do you say?

As they say in Texas, “Thank you, pardner.” Thanks for the read, and be sure to go check us out and support what we are doing!

Much love, much beer,

Logan Bryant
Owner, McBryant Brewery

To be the next guest blogger on JosephAFederico.com, click here.

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Spiritual Guidance by Maricela Duarte

January 20, 2019January 20, 2019
by josephafederico

The next guest blogger on JosephAFederico.com is my friend, Maricela Duarte. Continue below to read her fascinating story and be sure to contact her for a spiritual follow-up!

My childhood was normal to say the least. You know, everyone has stories of imaginary friends and tall tales of events that happened during sleepovers. Well, my events never took place over at someone’s Halloween party. I had always been somewhat of the ‘odd’ or ‘different’ child in our family.

I remember the earliest experience being around the age of 3. I was in our small apartment living room and I remember it being a bit dark; a sofa and a window was right behind it to my left, and to my right was the front door. I remember playing with a green tennis ball on the floor, and then I saw a quick shadow followed by some low whispers. I also remember being interested in Armageddon. Every morning, I’d ask my mom if a day would be the ‘end of the world,’ then run outside and stare up at the sky as if something were going to happen.

A few years later, our family moved into a home in Pico Rivera, California, and that is where everything for me began. No day or night was quiet for me; there was ALWAYS something or someone around trying to get my attention. From silhouettes of men in brown robes, to women in white dresses crossing between walls in our bedroom, and even small creatures hanging off my bed at night and scattering on the floor… no night was inactive.

Although those events were not frightening, I would bring it to my mother’s attention to which she would order us to clean out the storage from underneath our beds, because she was then certain the crawling creatures were mice. I lived with all of those apparitions for about a year or so when one night, I was completely frightened of what showed up to greet me.

I remember I woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. We had the type of light in the hallway that would have to be turned on from the opposite end (not closest to our bedroom). I tried waking up my twin to ask her to join me, so that I would not be alone, but she insisted that she didn’t have to pee, and I would just have to make the tumultuous journey down the hall alone. Holding my breath, and knowing something was waiting for me, I slowly walked out of our bedroom and started making my way down the long hall.

Nothing was off at first, taking another unsteady step closer to the light switch. I started noticing two red eyes starring right at me from our bay window in our living room. I thought to myself that it may be outside of the window. I took another few steps, and as I got closer to the living room area, to my amazement, I noticed that the eyes were on top of my parents record player INSIDE our home in front of the bay window. That’s where I froze.

This thing was possibly the size of a medium-sized small dog breed, with gray skin and ugly-looking paws. It was squatting down, looking straight at me with nothing but what looked like a smirk on its face. I never made it to that light switch, but instead ran straight into the bathroom and quickly locked the door, sat in our bathroom for about what felt like a lifetime (more like 45 minutes).

I waited until I sensed that this thing had backed up away from the door, although I knew it wasn’t out of the house. Once again, I held my breath and counted to three before throwing open the bathroom door and booking it straight for my bedroom. I turned my head right before entering my room where I saw this thing on the floor with that same disgusting smirk again.

After that night, what I thought was a curse to live with just became harder and harder to deal with. Since I had no one to show me how to set boundaries, and when to allow entities to come into contact with me, life was full of ups and downs. I acted-out a lot during this time of my young life, and was angry all the time, probably because I never really slept.

I tried to talk to my parents about everything, but just ended up keeping it to myself after the constant ‘it was just a dream’ excuses. Being of the old world, my parents stuck to many old habits of lecturing and scolding. For example, if we misbehaved, they would tell us that our “Guardian Angel had left us and the Devil would be pulling at our feet tonight,” so, that just added to my fear.

After the event with the gargoyle-like creature, that is when I started feeling the frequency of Spirit. The voices were still far off, and it always sounded like someone had the television on in a back room at just the right volume to know the television was on, but not loud enough to hear it.

The energy was always intense, and sometimes, I found myself getting completely dizzy and falling over. I would get constant visions of the past rushing through my head, especially around the older side of town. Once we moved to Colorado, things calmed down a little. But, being that we were only 12 when we moved out there, little did I know the ghosts that waited for me in good ‘ol Denver.

I always wondered why my childhood home had such an overpowering energy to it, and that was answered by Mrs. Moreno, a beautiful neighbor we had growing-up in Cali. One summer, when we went back to visit some family, she sat down with us and spoke about growing-up in the neighborhood of Pico Rivera. The story was that before our home was built, there stood the last church of Pico Rivera as property of Mexico, before it was purchased by the United States. That immediately explained the women in white dresses and the men in brown robes.

Fast forward to my teenage life. The home we moved into was built around the 1940s, but we feel that the ground itself was haunted. I would constantly get scratching at my bedroom window, my bedroom lights would always be flipped on in the middle of the night, thundering/banging on my front door in the middle of the night, as well as orbs flying inside and outside our home. My twin sister once followed an orb outside in the middle of the night, trying to see whatever this thing was! She, of course, found absolutely nothing.

When my husband (then-boyfriend) and I moved into our first apartment together; that’s when my Guides really started to push me into awareness. I fell onto dark times then, self-medicating myself with marijuana and excessive drinking, because then, I had a reason to hear the voices… I just chalked it up to the drugs.

Needless to say, I’ve been clean a little over ten years now, and have been working on helping to understand what is really out past the veil that we cannot see with our own two eyes. I strive to help others start their healing process through council and Reiki, and I use my gifts. I’m now grateful for them and find it amazing to see the things and hear the things and sense the things that are all around us all the time.

I can now teach my kids and so many others, how to set proper boundaries, not just try keeping away negative forces, but also keeping away negative people and situations. Meditating and speaking to myself is part of my normal life now, and it keeps me sane. I still get a few nightly visitors, but all in all, I have grown to a point where I can set the proper intentions and lay down the law for anything that tries to come into my home.

Now, I have created my own business to help others spiritually by clearing homes, spaces and people, that have unexplained activities and/or attachments. I bring in many different tools and allies, and follow my Angels’ guidance and intuitions using many forms of plants, flowers, oils, smudges and so much more.

I truly believe that I was given this gift in order to receive the experiences that I did, and use it to help others.

If you would like to reach me, you can find me on Instagram @m.d.traditionalllc, or by email, at mdtraditional@gmail.com. Our web page is www.beyondmediums.com for any paranormal issues you find yourself having.

For more information or to be Joseph A. Federico’s next guest blogger, click here.

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Talk About Acting with Adler Hyatt

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018
by josephafederico

My third guest, the young, handsome and talented Adler Hyatt, is an actor. See, I’m attempting to spotlight all walks of life and professions in this here blog series.

Read on, because things are about to get interesting…

Whether I knew it or not, I was always a performer growing up. I always loved playing as TV characters when on the playground as opposed to football. When I discovered the stage, I was hooked. My journey took me all the way from my New Orleans home to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to get my bachelor’s degree in Acting. I dedicated my life to the role of a performer, and I wish I could go back and teach myself all the things I know now… to make my personal course a little smoother.

The biggest question I had as a young performer is, “What is my method?” I thought I should know what I needed to do to prepare myself for a role naturally, but an actor’s method is a unique thing. It’s like a fingerprint, but even more personal, since it can’t truly be categorized. The one thing every person in the entire industry will tell you about acting, is that an honest performance is key to every lock for actors.

To get an honest performance, you need to have a grasp on your process. But, which process is the right fit? I’m a firm believer in the fact that different people need different things to be able to access the pool of emotional openness needed for that honesty. Whether you are a Stanislavsky Savant or a master of “The Method”, the constant truth of acting is trueness in the emotion, in the scene, in the character. To find this trueness, one needs to find what way the character fits into their personal process and method.

I know actors that give tear-jerking performances after light skimming of the words, and actors that discover honesty in the words after in-depth textual analysis and a breakdown of the scene through bookwork. Neither of these actors are better than the other; they both are simply using different processes to open their portrayal of the characters to the audience.

For myself, I always thought that my need for bookwork was a weakness… that the actor that needs to put more effort into the book is not as effective as an actor that just releases their emotion to the world with ease, but that isn’t the case. If it gets you where you need to be as a performer, bookwork is a fantastic tool.

Now, one of my favourite things to do when getting new characters is the bookwork, whether it is necessary or not. It helps me find the person in the character and that person is what I can bring to the stage or screen or radio or wherever I find myself as an artist. What the audience receives is the most important part of the job of an actor. How the actor gets there is the process.

A lot of the words are interchangeable: process, method, technique; they all, in essence, mean the same thing. What we need to remember as actors, is that all the feeling, and working and connecting is done to bring ourselves and the character together. Whether that is done by being the character or being yourself and knowing how to inflect delivery to get the desired sound and physicality.

The best thing is what works for the individual. An actor’s method cannot be dogma. Through my own training, I picked and chose pieces from each of the famous methods we studied until I discovered what brought me emotional trueness as a performer. Doing this not only helped me find my own truth as an actor, but I also discovered personal growth as a human being.

Sincerely,
Adler Hyatt

Care to be my next guest blogger? I’d sure like to have you on! Email josephafed@yahoo.com for your chance…