Trick or Heat
In 2022 a new horror convention called CreepIEcon came to the Inland Empire of SoCal (hence the capitalized “I.E”), and it was small but attracted a decent enough crowd to warrant a second show, called CreepIE Aftermath, in September of 2023. Now both shows have evolved to attract a larger talent pool, more vendors and an ever-growing collection of attendees from out-of-state, and even a few international guests. What began as a local curiosity has grown to attract thousands of fear fans and even some Oscar-caliber celebrity talent.
On the third and final day of CreepIE Aftermath, warm summer weather attracted some appropriately dramatic skies.
This year, CreepIE Aftermath has really stepped up its game. The event moved up from late September to July 10th through July 12th. At first I was worried if my wife and I could fit it into a hectic month, which includes going to San Diego Comic Con on July 22nd, and a return to Star Trek Las Vegas on August 6th. However, when I saw the talent pool, I changed my mind. This year’s show includes many of the usual vendors and attractions (Art’s Sideshow, Fear Farm), but it also had some truly remarkable guests, including Cheech & Chong, Robert Patrick, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Oscar-nominees Brad Dourif, Virginia Madsen, Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino, and many more…
Phobic Photo Ops
As you walk into the Ontario Convention Center (across the street from Ontario Airport with plenty of hotels), there are a number of photo ops, a few of which are often tailored to the show’s special guests.
Since Brad Dourif (“Child’s Play” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Exorcist III”) and his actress daughter Fiona Dourif were on-hand for a special, separately-ticketed screening of “Child’s Play” on Saturday the 11th, there was Chucky merch and cosplayers everywhere–as well as a photo op with a five-foot Chucky.
With the legendary groundbreaking comedy duo of Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong attending for a limited window of time on Saturday afternoon, a large doobie with a glowing tip awaiting fans seeking a bit of California-legal ‘herbal refreshment.’
Tucked in a booth within the Exhibit Hall was a “Son of Lurch” photo op booth, featuring Sean Cassidy, the lookalike son of the late actor Ted Cassidy (“The Addams Family,” “Star Trek,” “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” and many others). Made up to accentuate the facial features he shares with his father, Sean Cassidy is a real estate lawyer. When I asked if he’d ever used his stature for intimidating adversaries in court, he laughed that he no longer takes court cases, but that he had done so in the past.
Art’s Sideshow
At most CreepIECons, there is usually a darkened room filled with various recreated scenes for photo ops, with posed mannequins and lighting for guests to take their pictures in mockup sets from their favorite horror movies. This event’s Art’s Sideshow was a little different. It featured a walk-thru exhibit with a guide who took small groups through a small, dark maze of sets inspired by “The Exorcist,” featuring mannequins of the possessed child Regan MacNeil and the two priests who did their best to rid her of the demon ravaging her body.
A demon-possessed Regan MacNeil leaps up to scare the hell out of some uninvited guests…
Unlike past exhibits, there were a few genuine screams from attendees, as guests weren’t sure if Regan was a stationary mannequin or a live cosplayer–who’d leap up and scare attendees. This year’s attraction was a lot more effective than the static sets of past shows.
The Fear Farm
The Fear Farm exhibit, a small sample of the company’s annual Halloween shows in Hesperia, California and Tempe, Arizona, featured combinations of lights, noise, and jump-out ghouls, zombies and other creepy denizens of darkness to get your ghost. I took a video (uploaded to my wife’s YouTube channel, Sacred Geometry), but it’s better in person, of course. Hope this gives a terrifying taste…
Mystery Media
There were also rooms filled with old comic books, and collectible VHS tapes, which are making a serious comeback with younger folks trying to recreate the glory days of Blockbuster Video stores, most of which shut down when they were born. One room featured a photo op couch under neon lights, with racks of vintage VHS tapes.
Back in the 1990s, I only used VHS tapes out of necessity to time-shift my favorite shows for later viewing and for renting movies that weren’t yet on laserdisc. Nevertheless, today’s kids seem genuinely enamored by them, for some reason.
As someone who was of working age in the 1980s and 1990s, I can honestly say I was glad to see VHS tapes go the way of the Dodo bird, as higher-quality laserdiscs were my preferred home video format back in the 1990s. Nevertheless, I respect this generation’s curiosity for seeing movies as we oldsters saw them–in 240 ill-defined scanning lines of interlaced horizontal resolution. However, I’m sticking with my DVDs and Blu-Rays, thanks…
The Exorci–er, Exhibit Hall
Inside the convention center main entrance and to your left is the large the Exhibit Hall, aka the Dealer Hall, where hats, t-shirts, books, costumes, masks, collectibles, toys, posters, hand-crafted wares and other ghoulishly groovy merch can be found. The Hall also had several widely-spaced rows of celebrities signing autographs for fans (other autographs were given across the hall in the main ballroom), as well as a fast food cafeteria in back (along with other eateries in the convention center and food trucks outside) to feed the appetites of hungry horror hounds.
One of the best-looking small vendor booths had to be this black-light booth of graphics, stickers and day-glow skeletons!
Would you like to start off with a little finger food, and maybe some chilled cerebrum…?
Cheech and Chong’s likenesses were available to buy as masks, while both attended the show as guests, too!
The “Dom And Gabby’s Toys and Charms” booth was where I went looking for a keepsake for a friend’s daughter, who’s a young “Chucky” fan. Not only did I find a great collectible figure, but they threw in a free sticker, too!
“This doll is a place for the soul to survive…”
One of my favorite annual watches for Halloween is producer Spike Lee‘s “Tales from the Hood,” a 1995 spin on British horror anthology flicks from the 1960s and early 1970s, such as “The House that Dripped Blood,” and “Tales from the Crypt” (not to be confused with the TV series). As I walked through the Exhibit Hall, I came across a guy who works for a company which makes quality collectible figures from 3D scans of original props. Among the original, screen-used props in their collection were the actual stop-motion dolls from the segment of the movie called “KKK Comeuppance,” which featured a collection of dolls inhabited by the souls of dead slaves that seek to drive a Klansman politician out of their former plantation house.
Receiving the dolls from one of the movie’s producers, the proud owner (I didn’t catch his name–my bad!) holds one of his prized, screen-used dolls from “Tales from the Hood.”
These are 32-year old props, yet they were in surprisingly great shape, despite the understandable wear and tear over time. Seeing these stop-motion puppets reminded me of when I first saw Don Corleone’s screen-used desk from “The Godfather” in person three years ago. I’d like to thank the dolls’ current owner for his generosity, and if he reads this, I hope he drops his name in the comments section so I can give he and his company a proper shoutout.
Stars of Stage and Screams…
The assortment of celebrity guests this year was incredible, and rivaled the talent pools of larger shows I’ve attended. Each celebrity sets their own prices, so if you want more than a single celebrity meet-and-greet, bring a good chunk of cash, or have a Venmo, ApplePay or other payment app ready, since payment methods differ from guest to guest. If the guest is currently popular, there might be a long wait too, so bring patience as well. I’ve been attending fandom conventions for several decades, and my only advice is to treat the celebrity guests as people, not action figures. Current economic realities have naturally raised meet-and-greet prices (acting is a gig-based career), but one or two autographs, prepaid photo ops, or even at-table selfies (if available) shouldn’t set fans back too much.
Robert Patrick (“Terminator 2,” “The X-Files,” “Fire in the Sky”) and I jokingly quoted a few lines together from the scene where his T-1000 liquid metal Terminator asks John Connor’s foster for a photo. I had him sign my 35-year old copy of the Terminator 2 screenplay softback book (which I’ve somehow managed to keep in near-mint condition over the years). In the next booth, Patrick shared a big, warm hug with his “X-Files” costar, Annabeth Gish, who was also signing that weekend. Genuinely nice guy. And despite that hooded, eagle-eyed stare he made famous in T2, I’m pleased to say he didn’t kill anyone.
Had an encounter with Joanna Cassidy (“Blade Runner,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” “Star Trek: Enterprise”), and we had a nice chat about her re-filming scenes from “Blade Runner” for its Final Cut edition in 2007, which included pantomiming her stunt double’s moves as she crashed through a window. Her face was later digitally mapped onto her stunt double’s face in a seamless transition. We also talked about her recent interview with host Steve Kmetko on his celebrity podcast, “I’m Still Here” on YouTube, where she gave refreshingly honest answers to questions on her life and career. Cassidy had an artistic vibe about her, and I had the feeling she and my wife would get along famously.
Meeting actor, restauranteur Danny Trejo (“Blood In, Blood Out,” “From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Machete”). I had him autograph his autobiography “Trejo,” cowritten with actor Donal Logue (“Blade”). I expected the usual shoulder-to-shoulder selfie, but Trejo immediately takes your hand in a warm handshake. He’s very personable, especially with kids. I told him my wife and I really want to try one of his restaurants soon (“Trejo’s Tacos,” and others), and he said “Please!” I was so taken by his affability, I almost forgot my signed copy of his book (!). Danny Trejo is a down-to-earth guy who’s really been to hell and back. Read his book!
Met Marty’s mom, actress/director Lea Thompson (the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Spacecamp,” “Red Dawn”). Her directorial credits include “Star Trek: Picard,” “The Goldbergs,” “Resident Alien” and the indie film, “The Year of Spectacular Men.” She signed an autograph photo for my teenaged godson, saying “To Joshua, you’re a dream boat!” The line to see her was excruciatingly long, due to photo op breaks and a quick refresher for Thompson herself, but she gave each fan a quality meet-and-greet.
On the last day of the convention, I decided to go for broke and meet as many as the guests as I could, so I got a photo op with Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino (“Mighty Aphrodite,” “Final Cut,” “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion”). She told me that she used her sister’s voice for Romy, but pitched it down. I remember seeing “Romy & Michele” theatrically in 1997 and loving it. The two lead characters are indefatigable optimists who always have a good time together, whether others join them or not.
My final celebrity meet-and-greet was actress Virginia Madsen (“Dune,” “Candyman,” “Sideways”). She was delightful. Had a great chat about the 2004 movie “Sideways” (for which she was nominated for an Oscar), and of which I’m a big fan, and how its characters might’ve ended up after the movie’s ambiguous ending. Madsen thinks her character Maya lived happily ever ever with Miles (Paul Giamatti), but I told her I think she left him and moved on. She laughed and told me that’s exactly what director Alexander Payne told her! I think Maya was too good (and smart) for Miles.
Actor Steven Dorff (“Blade,” “The Gate,” “Fear.com”) was also at the show, and while I loved “Blade” (my wife and I saw it when we were dating back in 1998), you have to be careful not to overspend at these shows. Pick your meet-and-greets ahead of time.
Comedy legends “Cheech & Chong,” aka Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, were also at the show for a narrow window of time (noon to 3 pm) for one day (Saturday), and the crowds to see them went up and down the staircase to the convention center’s second floor. My wife and I have another chance to meet Cheech Marin this fall with a prepaid meet-and-greet at his live show, so I regretfully had to pass; a real shame since I grew up listening to their comedy albums and still have many of their sketches memorized verbatim. To those who live in SoCal or plan on visiting, Cheech Marin has a fantastic museum of contemporary Chicano art in downtown Riverside, California called “The Cheech” and it is a world-class art museum–my wife and I have attended several times, and it’s worth a day’s visit.
I would’ve also loved to have met actor Brad Dourif (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Dune,” “Child’s Play,” “Exorcist III,”), but throughout the entirety of the weekend, his autograph table was surrounded by a solid square of people waiting to meet him. I knew I’d have to spend half a day or more waiting to meet him, so I had to demur on that one.
Creepy Cosplayers
And of course, there were the cosplayers. Cosplayers are the heart and soul of any fandom event, and here were a few of them who crossed my camera. Enjoy.
Excellent “Beetlejuice” cosplayer, topped off with the shrunken head and cockroaches!
‘Captain Spaulding’ cosplayer (“House of 1,000 Corpses”) dresses for the 4th of July, with a little “Chucky”-themed cosplayer.
Loved the coat and the bloody hook! He told me he’d just met Virginia Madsen, who costarred in “Candyman” (1992).
A cosplayer from “The Exorcist,” who did her own makeup, which included dried toilet paper for the vomit effects. Her brother (behind her right shoulder) came dressed as Father Karras.
An excellent cosplay of “Roz” from Pixar’s “Monsters Inc” movies.
What horror convention is complete without a good Michael Myers cosplayer from the “Halloween” franchise?
You have to respect dedicated cosplayers who wear full facial masks made of rubber in summer SoCal heat!
This fan made her impressive floral cosplay dress from the “Wicker Man”-like horror movie “Midsommar” (2019).
All of my photos and video from the convention can be found in this Flickr link.
Summing It Up
This year’s CreepIE Aftermath show was, without exaggeration, the best one yet–even besting its parent show, CreepIECon. 1988’s “Child’s Play” dominated the show, with a separately-ticketed screening of the movie with star Brad Dourif in attendance on Saturday night. The celebrity talent pool this year was stronger than ever, with some Oscar-caliber talent. The entire event seemed to step up its game, including an “Exorcist”-themed Art’s Sideshow, an effective Fear Farm, and broader inclusion for nostalgic sci-fi and fantasy films, such as “Back to the Future” (with several of that film’s cast attending).
Advance ticket prices range from $75 for a standard weekend pass (Friday night, Saturday & Sunday) to $253 for a VIP weekend pass, and that cost is a relative bargain, considering what this up-and-comer convention has to offer for both horror and mainstream sci-fi/fantasy fans. CreepIECon and its sequel show have both grown considerably over four years. It’s already given the deflated WonderCon in Anaheim a serious run for local money, and could easily eclipse it in the future, despite being just a ‘horror’ show.
I look forward to what’s in store for next year’s CreepIECon and CreepIE Aftermath.
Even though I normally like celebrating Halloween stuff in the autumn, the stuff that we can still celebrate in other seasons still have their special fascinations. And after all, the Werwulf movie is coming at Christmas. I suppose we can all afford to be quite flexible. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Mike.
And I agree that Halloween in autumn is optimal, but in my heart, the Halloween season is year-round. 😉