Making Horror Movies Is Scary

Well, I finally did it!  I filmed a walk-on part in the latest horror movie from the great people at Darkstone Entertainment.

As way of history, I first got involved in the film making business when Steve Black related that he was in the teaser trailer for a remake of the "worst movie ever made".  It was filmed in Virginia, where Steve was a part-time actor appearing in numerous episodes on the Investigation Discovery Channel.   See if you can spot Steve running away from zombies!



My thoughts went back to those good ole summer days spent watching Dr. Shock bring us all the classic horror flicks from WPHL 17 Philadelphia in the early 70s.

One of those flicks was the monstrously cheaply made "Plan 9 From Outer Space" by the notorious Ed Wood.  To be able to be involved with a remake of the film meant to honor the previous director AND maintain the fun and humor of the whole thing, was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.  I invested just enough to become an Associate Producer on the film and get my name up on the big screen for the first time ever!

The film caused quite a stir in the horror movie world and was greeted with enough acclaim to ensure that Writer, Director John Johnson had an easier time with funding for his follow-up film, "The Dark Net".  I still invested in the film and was honored with a walk-on role as an Assistant to the Mayor of the beseiged town of Nilbog, with three lines of dialog!

Writer, Director John Johnson. Photo by Barb Black.

Waiting my turn to "shine" Photo by Barb Black.

Filmed on location in Buena Vista, Virginia. Photo by Bark Black.

Makeup artist and camerawoman Mariah Smith Johnson

Let's just say that I am not an actor.  I had "starred" in my Senior Class Play 41 years ago, but I have very little recollection of the whole thing.  I only messed one line up in three performances of the Peter Sellers Classic, "The Mouse That Roared".  Not so with this one, though...

They tell me the several takes are enough to piece together usable film. I don't know how?  I honestly wasn't nervous at all until the word "action" was spoken, and then I was a babbling, forgetful middle-aged podiatrist way out of his league.  Oh well, I did this in a homage to Steve Black, who would have made a very fine star in either of these films.  He's laughing at me now from above.

The Premiere of the film will be in June, with VOD and DVD sales to follow.  I will keep all of you up-to-date.   I have arranged a viewing in York with the Director following its first showing in Virginia.  Maybe a few lucky members of our group can make a party of it that day?  I will be in an uncharacteristically good mood.

My Movie Producer Career Is Gaining Steam

The third movie that I have helped to produce is coming soon.  And it has a big Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golf) connection.

To be honest, for the last two films, I have only participated in the crowdsourcing to get them made.  In the Bannister: Everest On The Track film, I helped fund the musical score for the film.  In an indirect group link to the movie, Nick K. worked with Roger's son in London.



But I was a full-fledged Associate Producer for the 2015 remake of the worst movie ever made, Plan 9 From Outer Space, from Ed Wood, who was played by Johnny Depp in the movie about him.



You can see my IMDb entry here.  And I am committed to the possible sequel to this science fiction/zombie movie.  In a link to our group, Steve Black appeared in the original trailer for the movie. Plan 9: 2015



Now, the latest of "my film projects" will be coming to the screen.  It stars our group's Hanna Humphreys' father, Joe Humphreys.  We are excited to release the official trailer for Live the Stream: The Story of Joe Humphreys - currently an official selection of Breckenridge Film Festival 2018 and Chagrin Documentary Film Festival 2018.


Live The Stream: The Story of Joe Humphreys - Official Trailer from Nomadic Studio on Vimeo.

5 Track Alumni (Golfers), 11 PSU Degrees And 29 Years

In rooting through my childhood home, I came across a wedding album I didn't know existed.  I thought it was lost to posterity just like my medal from the 1977 PIAA Track Championships.  But alas, there it was with pics of the wedding party including my brother, 2 sisters, my wife and her two brothers and the Best Man, who is my blog muse!  We were married 29 years ago at Eisenhower Chapel and had the first ever wedding reception at the newly built Atherton Hotel.  Man, how time flies.

Steve Black, sisters Sue and Beth, Barb, me, Rob Whiteside, brother John and Gary Black.

Our official wedding photo.

Blog Muse Rob Whiteside toasting us.  Wish I could remember what he said. Something about "What took you so long", I suppose.

Recipes And Another Steve Black TV Show

I don't really have much right now as we await the NCAA Finals and the #11 PSU Mens performance next week.  So I figured a couple of delicious chicken recipes were in order.

First up is a deep-fried version of Kung Pao Chicken!  (You knew that was coming, didn't you?)

And another spicy chicken dish I happen to love is Bojangles Roasted Bites.  Here's a simple recipe that makes a tasty dish right in your own oven or air fryer.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts
3-4 Tablespoons of oil for marinating

and...

2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Cut chicken breasts into chunks or bites.
2. Place seasonings and oil in bowl and mix till well coated.
3. Place on edged baking sheet (to cook it in its own juices).
4. Bake in oven preheated to 375 F for 12 minutes, flip, then bake for an additional 12 minutes.

And last but not least is another television movie starring 800U's Steve Black.  In this one he stars as the lead FBI agent in the reenactment of the bizarre Pizza Delivery/Neck Collar Bomb/Bank Robbery case in Erie.

Stephen Dwight Black 11/16/1958 - 4/1/2017

Stephen Black's funeral mass was celebrated at St. Bridget's Church in Richmond, VA on Friday, May 19, 2017.  It was a beautiful service celebrating the life of a very uniquely talented friend and family member.

Among Steve's talents were entirely self-taught musical abilities on bass guitar and keyboard,  Steve appeared in the very first band to perform at the PSU Dance Marathon, Milo Thunder and the Road Hogs.  He was also the bass guitarist in Paul Sousa's first PSU band with Ted Lyon on lead guitar.

Later Steve turned to acting.  His credits include multiple parts in John Adams: The Mini-Series ( Steve actually appeared next to star Paul Giamatti on the front page of the USA Today article about the series!) and multiple appearances on the television channel Investigation Discovery.  He appeared annually as George Washington in Richmond's historical reenactment of Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech.

I include multiple examples of Steve's acting gigs.  I hope you will view them and say a prayer for him and his twin sister Barbara.

Wicked Attraction: Live Free or Die - Steve had a large part in this episode as the boyfriend and chief suspect in the murder of his girlfriend. (Hint: he didn't do it!)




Monsters and Mysteries in America: The Mill Race Monster - Steve plays a bemused cop doubting everything about the reports from teenagers about a 7-foot tall green monster.  He actually ad-libbed the bit eating and drinking coffee and the director liked it and left it in.

The Magenta Shamrock:  NOT SAFE FOR WORK due to sexual content (not by Steve!) Steve has only a brief appearance in this well-made short film, which is, in the end, a kinda sorta love story.

The Gravediggers: Hang 'em High:  This was a self-directed and self-written short film about the hanging of Nathan Hale. Steve appears as one of the gravediggers and you can spot Gary Black playing a Redcoat! 


 

No Wind For My Sails

It has been a tough week for me.  After last week's horrible news, I had to carry on through a very horrible week at my work too.  And my wife's week was much worse than mine.  So, if the blog has suffered a little bit, my apologies many times over.  Thanks to our newest officer for posting the interesting tale of the Barkley Marathons.


Stephen Black's last acting gig was as George Washington in the reenactment of Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" speech.  This is currently being performed at St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, the original setting for the real thing.  Steve's memorial service will be happening at the same church sometime in May.  I will post this again when details are firmed up.

Steve even had the opportunity to toast the newest beer from the Stone Brewing Company portraying George Washington with Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry in tow.  Maybe the first time in history that the three of them carpooled!

Please stop by the obituary and add a remembrance of Steve.  These things help the grieving family and friends more than you know.  I will also post links to Steve's other acting gigs in the future.

Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and Patrick Henry  toast the new ale.

Holiday Season Includes Happy Cat Herders Day! Who Knew?

 Be sure to vote in the first Semi-Final of the Performance of the Year on the left sidebar of the full web-site! 3 days left before the second appears!!

 

Someone sent me a link the other day to wish me a Happy Cat Herders Day!  Thanks!

 

 

 

Randy Moore originally coined the moniker for my efforts to entice all Penn State Track and Field Alumni to the Reunion and Coach Groves Golf Tourney created by Clark Haley in 2002.  And it is certainly an apt title.  Here's to hoping all of you help entice others to this year's event held in conjunction with the Big Ten Outdoor Championships.

 

 And following the holidays, my movie will be available in DVD format!  Get your copy at Walmart.  Or you can order a copy via Amazon now.  Be sure to look for my first appearance ever on the Big Silver Screen in the credits at the end!

 

 

 

PLAN 9 releases on physical media! The long awaited day has finally come. Plan 9 will be released JAN 5th, 2017 in 2600 Walmart stores. But if you wanna get it early Amazon has it available NOW!!!

To get a your copy via Amazon here is the link (https://www.amazon.com/Plan-9-Brian-Krause/dp/B01INNMZVM/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1481784288&sr=1-3&keywords=plan+9) .

The Disc will be loaded with extra features including…

• Commentary Track - Director and cast discuss the film.

• Criswell Predicts. 5 Episodes of a web series that leads up to the first scene of the film.

• Plan 9: Super 8 - DP shots behind the scenes on a Super 8 camera

• Film Competition - Two shorts hosted by the real John Johnson.

• Teaser Trailer - shot two years before the film was made.Be sure to look for 800U's very own Steve Black in this Teaser Trailer!

• Bloopers & Outtakes

• Mini Doc - short interviews with the cast from the film.

Updates On Television And Movies A Day Before NCAA Indoor Nationals

So the "I hate to love them and love to hate them" site LetsRun.com has some previews of the middle distance and distance events at the NCAA Indoor Championships.  Both Robby Creese and Brannon Kidder are mentioned in the articles that generally slobber over whomever is the "coffee of the day", this time Edward Cheserek.and Cristian Soratos.

Mile Preview

3000M Preview

DMR Preview

And I checked out brother-in-law Steve Black on yesterday's Premiere of The Mill Race Monster on Destination America's Monsters and Mysteries in America series.  He did a bang up job as a somewhat skeptical policeman at the initial reports of the monster by 3 scared girls.  Realism was enhanced with the cup of coffee in his hand! (I have to watch it again. He thinks he was eating a donut too!) The production values on the episode are really astounding, and it was formatted just like the very popular Forensic Files episodes.  The narrator's voice can cut butter like a heated knife and the fog and graphics are top-notch. The monster itself was so-so, and I think should have never been shown as in the original Halloween movie. Steve later again appears as Officer Charlie blocking monster-hunters from entering the park with baseball bats and shot guns. "Stand back. Nothing to see here."  Steve says the best part of acting is the access to the set buffets.  When I said I read several people questioning the sightings as a hoax with even a confession from a kid with a mask and a blanket, Steve said "Thank that kid for the good paycheck!"

I actually purchased the episode on YouTube through Google and can watch it again any time I want to!  I can't post it, but in the mean time here's Steve as an FBI Agent in the Pizza Delivery/Collar Bomb story in Erie PA episode of Investigation Discovery's FBI Criminal Pursuit episode "Deadly Game"

And I am officially on The Big Screen with the premiere of Plan 9 in Australia.  As an Associate Producer, I will soon be reaping the rewards of the movie industry!  This is a campy, gory remake of the worst movie ever made by Ed Wood (portrayed by Johnny Depp in the movie Ed Wood).

Martin Landau and Johnny Depp

The real Ed Wood and Bela Lugosi

PSU Is 800 U: Television Edition

Check out 800 U's very own Steve Black tonight on the Destination America presentation of "The Mill Race Monster" at 9:00PM and again at Midnight. It's part of the station's Monsters and Mysteries in America series.

"In Columbus, Indiana a swampy beast's terrifying attacks lead to the largest monster hunt in U.S. history."

Steve plays Officer Charlie in the reenactment of the bizarre event from 1974.

It's Mega-Submission Sunday! Our Members Are the Best

As our ranks have grown, along with the enthusiasm for our purpose, I have been receiving more and more submissions for posts.  I can't tell you how great I find all of them.  I truly appreciate each and every idea, even the nasty ones that occasionally come in.

Rather than space them out and make my week's posts easier than ever, I'm going to present them all at once, like the Idiot I am.  We are truly gaining momentum and will surely have the largest and most active Track and Field Alumni Group in the World shortly.

First, let's pat ourselves on the back a little bit.  When Director of Youth Development Artie Gilkes alerted me to Elizabeth Herndon's victory and world record at the recent First Annual Beer Mile World Championships, we scooped everyone with the knowledge that she was a Penn State Track and Field Alumni (Golfer).  That's despite the fact that I couldn't immediately get a post up due to the constraints of an unfair world.  So thanks, Artie.  A job well done.  Burrrrp...

Second, our Tennessee connection, or should I say one of our Tennessee connections, Dick Geiger, brings us word that Joe Kovacs has won USATF's Al Oerter Award as Thrower of the Year!



Third, with Christmas coming there had to be some Holiday-themed runs, and our William and Mary link Brian Mount happened to be a course marshall at the Chambersburg Christmas Dash For Cash when all 3 Fullers dashed by at the front of the pack at 3 miles.  I have somehow misplaced the actual results he sent me, but will be reporting them in an addendum when I can find them.  I think he said Brian Fuller was in the lead as he blurred past.

The Winning Team, full of Fullers.

Fourth, PSU is 800 U's Steve Black finished filming an appearance as Officer Charlie in the Destination America Network presentation of "The Mill Race Monster", part of its Monsters and Mysteries Series. This will air in the Spring of 2015.  Steve has other appearances coming:

• AMC's "The Turn" episode 4.
• "Liberty or Death"  -300 appearances.

And I haven't even gotten to all of them!  Next up, A true Rusty Boots story.

Movies I Have Helped To Be Made

I have given money to only 2 (and quite different!) movie projects in my time here on Earth. And both are nearing completion and distribution to the masses.

The first is Everest on the Track, about Roger Bannister's epic sub-4 minute mile. It is just in time for the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of that day. I joined 301 people in funding the last bit of production on this worthy project.



The other is Plan 9, a remake of the world's worst movie by Ed Wood.  I'm actually an Associate Producer on that one and have my name up on the big screen for the very first time.  Big news coming on that one!  Keep your eyes out for them both at a theatre near you!



Remember, that's 800 U's very own Steve Black running away from zombies at the 1:28 mark and Monument Avenue (scene of Tyler McCandless's recent 2nd place finish) in Richmond at the 2:20 mark.

The Original Dance Marathon And They Are Just Making Science Up Now

A fair number of you somehow knew that Steve Black was in the very first band to play at the very first Four Diamonds Fund Dance Marathon in the White Building in 1979 (oh so many years ago). (The Dance Marathon actually started in 1973, but the Four Diamonds Fund came in in 1977. The White Building was first used in 1979.  I was kind of surprised that so many knew Stave was involved.  Steve played bass guitar for Milo Thunder and the Road Hogs.  My efforts to find anyone else involved in the band or photos were in vain however.  And for you youngsters, there wasn't YouTube either! Man, I wish there was YouTube! I remember being there in the rather small crowd with just a few others cheering on the dozens of dancers.  Things have really changed, haven't they? I probably gave them a $1 bill for the cause.  Which was probably my week's expense money.

On the Science Front, another "scientific" study now shows 4 types of heel strikes in distance runners.  As if.  I can't tell you how ticked off I get when "scientists" talk about midfoot strikers (there is no such thing) and now atypical heel strikers. The gist of the whole foot striking thing is It Does Not Matter how you strike the ground.  Speed up and you will magically change! If you break the tape ahead of your rival running on your hands, you will still be declared the winner.  Trying to change running styles by any large degree is fraught with disaster. Switching from one kind of injury pool potential to another injury pool potential does no one any good. The injuries are often worse after switching.  But don't take my word for it, I'm only a lone voice in the wilderness without any semblance of relevance.*

*I'm a 27 year practicing podiatrist with Board Certification in both Surgical and Non-Surgical Orthopedic Podiatric Medicine.  I'm also a published biomechanics student, studying various foot types and foot strike patterns relating to injury rates. (Medicine and Science in Sports and Medicine) And you thought I was just a mediocre Blogger!  Don't get me started, and stay off my lawn....  hee hee hee

Eugene Bound! And More 800 M Silliness

So far, eight Nittany Lions are into next week's NCAA Championships.  There is even one day left to go in the Prelims, including the Mens 1500 M and the Women's Javelin. As I had hoped, three of the qualifiers will travel to Oregon for the 800 M!

1. Melissa Kurzdorfer in the Discus.
2. Melissa Kurzdorfer in the Hammer!
3. Michael Shuey in the Javelin.
4. Mahogany Jones in the 100 M.
5. Mahogany Jones in the 200 M!
6. Kiah Seymour in the 400 M Hurdles.
7. Natalie Bower in the 3000 M SC.
8. Casimir Loxsom in the 800 M.
9. Brannon Kidder in the 800 M.
10. Ricky West in the 800 M.

And speaking of 800 M, here's former 2-lapper Steve Black's latest episode in his Web Series, The Grave Diggers! 

More Zombies and Physics, even TOGETHER!

"My" Zombie Movie has finished production and is soon coming to a DVD or Theater near you.  Plan 9 is a remake of the "worst movie ever made", Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space.  I will be listed in the credits as an Associate Producer.  I haven't seen it yet, but you can see the trailer here:

Plan 9 Teaser Trailer from Darkstone Entertainment on Vimeo.

That's Steve "PSU is 800 U" Black in the blue polo shirt running away from the zombies.  Steve also just filmed the role of Detective Gibson in the Cindy McKay episode of Discovery Investigation Channel's series "Pretty Bad Girls" coming in 2013.

Another Zombie Film just finished production.  This one was made in the bowels of CERN by students.  It seems the Higgs Boson causes Physicists a few more problems than anticipated!

Also Physicists explain what the problem is with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.*

*Mild content warning.  This is from The Onion, so no real physicists were involved.

Let's Start a PSU Track Alumni All-Star Band!

We certainly have at least one lead singer with "Jumpin" Paul Souza.  Steve "800 U" Black played bass guitar for the headline band at the very first Dance Marathon.*  He also played bass guitar in Paul's first PSU band!**
And here's our first lead guitarist, Pete Bortolotti.***

How about some other nominees for our band in the Comment Section!!

* For bonus points and a PSU Track Alumni iron-on patch, what was the headline band's name?
**  For another PSU Track Alumni  iron-on patch, what was Paul's first PSU band's name?
*** The best nickname for Pete also garners a patch!

The Penn State Track Alumni Universe is Vast and Varied

With the Olympics out of the way, we can again concentrate on more mundane things!  And there is no lack of things going on in the expanding Universe that is PSU Track Alumni (Golf).

• Two actors have been active as of late.  Steve Black finished taping of another role as Father of the Bride in ID Discovery Channel's series "Happily Never After".  And Mike Pfaff has been very active lately winning awards and filming a myriad of movies.  Check up with him via his newsletter at http://mikepfaff.mailerlite.com/e3k3l0.
• The real Kenyan and Ethiopian Distance Runners apparently weren't in London, they were in Chambersburg, PA!  Ryan Foster and Kara Millhouse joined them for the Tom Ausherman 5 Miler.

    1   1/21   Abiyo Endale          418 M 28 24:05 24:06  4:50 
    2   2/21   Mikael Testaye        419 M 26 24:09 24:10  4:50 
    3   1/15   Eyobalenu Woldeseio     3 M 30 24:12 24:12  4:51 
    4   3/21   Demesse Tefera          8 M 29 24:16 24:17  4:52 
    5   2/15   Tatiku Aboset         343 M 30 24:19 24:19  4:52 
    6   4/21   Will Christian        161 M 29 24:22 24:23  4:53 
    7   5/21   Boniface Biwott       302 M 26 25:50 25:51  5:10 
    8   1/9    Ryan Foster             6 M 23 26:07 26:08  5:14 
    9   2/9    Kevin Brandon         341 M 22 26:11 26:12  5:15 
   10   6/21   Eshetu Tilahun        345 M 27 26:24 26:25  5:17 
   11   3/9    Tim Wertner           272 M 23 26:54 26:54  5:23 
   12   1/11   Kara Millhouse          4 F 22 27:09 27:09  5:26 

•  Tyler McCandless ran the Falmouth Road Race.

   Here he is about 1:30 into this video. 

Steve Black Debuts His New Web Series "The Gravediggers"

Steve Black (PSU is 800 U!) has been acting for several years now and decided to make his own web series called "The Gravediggers".  My father called me excitedly one day to say he just saw Steve in a TV show, the one about the Pizza Delivery Guy who had a bomb strapped to his neck.  He previously appeared in the John Adams series on PBS.  And he just got his screen actors guild card, so he has the Union behind him now!

As an extra special bonus, see if you can find Gary Black in the short film!

"The Gravediggers: Hang Em High"
"The Gravediggers: Business is Slow"

Steve Black (PSU is 800 U!) Appears in 3 More Crime Dramas

Steve Black continues his busy acting career on Discovery's Investigation Channel's various series.

1. He appears as the Lead Investigator Gerald Clark in the series "FBI-Criminal Pursuit" on the bizarre case of the pizza delivery collar bomb robbery in Erie in 2003.  The show can be seen in May/June at 10 PM.
2. Steve also plays Chris McGowan on the Series "Wicked Attraction".
3. He also plays a gravedigger in an educational video on "The Execution of Nathan Hale" which we will bring you right here on this blog in June.
4. In the past Steve has appeared in many TV series and miniseries, including the epic "John Adams" where he even made the front page of USA Today next to Paul Giamotti.

And don't anyone forget my very own entry into the world of Hollywood (sort of!) as an Associate Producer of the remake of Plan 9 From Outer Space, Ed Wood's worst movie ever made.

Degrees of Separation

Steve Walsh, PSU '01, was just hired as the (Men's and Women's) Track and Field (and Cross-Country) Coach at William and Mary.  Steve is not only a great ex-PSU runner, but one heck of a good golfer also.  The chains that links William and Mary, PSU and our humble group are quite strong.  Coach Groves coached at W and M from 1958 1956 (via the Wand M site!) to 1968, before beginning his 38 year tenure at PSU.  Brian Mount ran with Gary Black, Steve Black and others at State College High and then at W and M.  While there, he ran with Zeb Stewart while Zeb was there at Grad School, (before being banned from Colonial Williamsburg for Life!).  Following graduation, Brian meandered to suburban Philly where he joined a running club run by our own Bob Gabel (past winner of the Golden Putter!).

I had the pleasure of golfing with Steve at last year's tourney.  I hope he can find time to golf with us again.  That's him all the way on the right, avoiding Ted Lyon and Coach at all costs!  A special tip of the cap to Jeff Sanden for the info.  That's him next to Ted and Coach!

PSU is Still 800 U

Ryan Foster defended his 800 M title at the Indoor Big Ten Mens Track and Field Championships in Minnesota on Sunday, keeping the interest up for a great 4 X 800 Relay at Penn this year. Congrats Ryan, keep it up. Tell the rest of the middle distance gang we're pulling for them too.

In other 800 M news, Steve Black will be appearing in another upcoming film, The Magenta Shamrock, playing one of the lead roles. He has recently appeared in the trailer for the remake of the "worst movie ever made" (Plan 9 from Outer Space). He has also recently appeared in an episode of The Bureau, many television commercials and the miniseries John Adams.

I took the whole family to the Women's Big Ten champs and all were impressed with Shavon Greaves, Fawn Dorr and Bridget Franek's efforts on the first day. My dad, a long-time track aficionado, was also impressed with the chess-like strategy involved in getting the victory. He was impressed with the entire coaching staff and the organization involved.