Cemeterror 2012
Meet the Director and Creator of Cemeterror 2012
Donald Spera and his Mom, Carol
My Introduction to a yard-haunt…
I was recently introduced to Valerie via the Sarasota Chalk Festival and she asked if I would consider photographing an event. She told me this particular attraction is set up and manned by a group of volunteers and some of the proceeds go to the JDRF. It has been many years since I have participated in anything Halloween… other than remembering to turn off any lights that might welcome a stray trick-or-treater to my door, so I thought it might be something different and possibly fun. My main reason for agreeing is I’m a push-over for a cause and it’s my small way of giving back to the community.
A few days before my appointment, armed with little information about Cemeterror (other than an address) I Google mapped it. A house popped up on the screen. I did the 360 degree spin to see if there was more. Nope. A house. No warehouse, no dark scary barn. Visions of neighborhood kids draped in bed sheets who popped out from behind the bushes and trees yelling boo started to fill my mind.
It was still daylight when I arrived and a handful of people were milling about. I approached a man seated outside the front door. He was quietly rocking back and forth, puffing on a cigarette. I introduced myself to Donald Spera, homeowner and ringmaster of Cemeterror. Donald impressed me as not one for small talk so I decided to explore.
Backstage…
Inside the house, my eyes adjusted to find a room full of actors in various stages of make up and costuming. The place was buzzing with activity. I spotted Valerie at the make-up table where she and Priscilla were applying scabs, scars and any other sort of prosthesis to make one horrid. The table they worked from held all kinds of goo, glue, paints, and brush imaginable. The walls behind them were a patchwork of still images representing the completed characters. As I watched Carla spray painting an actors face, my opinion of a neighborhood yard haunt started to change. I’m in no way an expert on theatrical make-up but as I watched this capable crew dab and paste and as I scanned the actors who had already made their visit to the make up chair, I could have easily watched them work their magic all night.
I pried myself away and entered a room with racks full of wonderful costumes. I imagined being a kid again and what fun it would be to have access to such a room. Who shall I be today? The appeal of Halloween I had lost as an adult was beginning to return.
I began my search for a willing subject to photograph. I spotted “Sharon Needles” who was in full costume and asked if she would go with me for some pictures. Sharon had a look that would make Nurse Ratched look like one of those sweet little volunteers running around in candy stripes . We headed into the haunted pathways of Cemeterror with all its props and special effects Ted and the team had set up. It didn’t take long before many others from the cast joined in, ready to pose.
After an all too short photo session I went outside to find the sun had retired, giving way to an oh so perfect evening for a yard haunt. The night air was cool with a light breeze making the assorted stage lighting dance and twinkle. The moon was just about as abundant as the excitement and anticipation on the faces of those that were starting to fill the yard. I watched as more and more eerie silhouettes were making their way down the darkened street towards Cemeterror 2012 bringing with them a sense of community that seems to me, all too often forgotten.
Waiting for entry to the attraction was an experience in itself. Madame Zelda’s sideshow included the troupe from the South Florida Belly dancers . Bethsheba, Fina, Nizana and Karen were shimmying and shaking while Misha and Firefly (Spiral Enterprises) energized the crowd with their fire dance. Dolly Dearest, Ghoul Ghoul Girl, Medusa, Demental , and all rounded out the side-show.
Yes, my preconceived idea of this yard haunt was totally wrong. As I was taking pictures, I heard squeals from those that were inside and I watched as the line at the entrance fill with people of every age and description, I was transported back to my childhood. To the place that loves mystery and the unknown. Wondering what is waiting around the next darkened corner ready to throw a playful scare into you.
If you missed 2012, make a point to mark you calendar for 2013. You wont be disappointed. You may even decide to become a part of Cemeterror.
Thank you Don and to the cast and crew of volunteers. You were a pleasure to meet and a pleasure to photograph.
Your Guides…
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Mort U Ary… Mark
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Morgue N… Toby
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Wood E Coffin… Victor
The Cast:
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Zelda… Dragonfly
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Chucky… Devon
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M Balma… Richard
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Sharon Needles… Mary
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Nocturnibus… Terry
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Rig a Mortis… Ralph
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Jenna Side… Mya
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Bloodonna… Avril
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Die Anne… Trista
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Hellda… Avery
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Gore Jess… Marc
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Seymore Dead Peoples… Steve
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Killery… Carol
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Graven… Dom
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Scarecrow… Rob
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Ima Dead One… Vanessa
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Fool of Fortune… Gary
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Dolly Dearest… Hillary
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Elsa… Robin
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Sinister Sister… Susan
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Bea Dead… Courtney
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Morticia… Carolyn
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Medusa… Amelia
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Demental… Olivia
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Ghoul Ghoul Girl… Meaghan
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Lady Gruesome… Kayla
Read more on Cemeterror…
To: 2012 Chalk Festival volunteers
As Circus City comes to an end
Monday night, November 5: I sit at my computer going through video clips and images from the last month, my mind is numb and one image looks like the next. I swallow and I feel a lump in the back of my throat… hinting at a cold sure to follow. I’m too tired to will it away or fight it.
Tuesday morning I wake up. As I take a swig from the Dayquil bottle, a SRV tune plays over and over in my mind. “The sky is crying”. The weather has been fair all week and the very last day… rain? I don the familiar OJ volunteer shirt one last time.
The un-sung heroes
This year was my first “behind the scenes” look at the Sarasota Chalk Festival. Sunday’s in October were reserved for those who would “get their hands dirty”. It was a prop day and we painted circus posters, wrapped people in packing tape and took on any other task that needed to be done.
Friday nights were were set aside for informal meet and greets where we would all cram into Denise’ home, chat, nibble and laugh.
None of this prepared me for the first day of the festival when I reported to volunteer HQ. The hub… the go to place for everything festival related.
I think back to a group of young wide-eyed volunteers reporting for duty. As they were waiting to get their official orange volunteer shirt, I saw it on their faces. Eager to please… but not quite sure of what to expect. These young people could be doing anything but they were here volunteering their time. Admirable.
That is the reason for this video. While I’m was working on it, I had one regret. I didn’t get every volunteer in the video. There will be a thousand photos of the festival, the art and the artists. But you guys are the un-sung heroes of the whole thing. I make a vow to do better next year.
I was part of the photography team headed by David Taylor. There wasn’t a lot of time to get to know each other but we got to meet. I’m sure we will run into each other out there shooting and our week at the festival has given us a common bond. Each one of you have your own style and it was a pleasure watching you all in action.
Thank you Cold Sun Productions:
I can’t say I was stalking you but I was watching how you work all week. This particular day you were on top of the scaffolding overlooking Kurt Wenner’s piece and that was where I wanted to be. As you grabbed my tri-pod and camera helping me over the top of the scaffolding, I jokingly mentioned that I could handle my little handy cam and wrapped it around my wrist. As we chatted all I wanted to do was get a hold of your video camera and see for myself the difference between shooting on my budget and yours. It was probably nothing to you but it was like a revelation to me when you said how you remembered shooting a whole video with a hanycam. That little statement gives me hope. Till then, I will happily plug along on what God has given me. By the way… YOUR WORK IS AWESOME!!!
From Cold Sun Productions…
The artwork on buildings will be in progress after the festival and the art on the street has been allowed to fade away over the next month. But until next year the crowds, the artists, and the festival atmosphere are all gone.
To be a part of the Chalk Festival experience go to the Sarasota Chalk Festival website and sign up.
Sarasota Chalk Festival
Excitement and inspiration mingled with the unexpected
A potent blend that fills the air around Burn’s Court each year during the Sarasota Chalk Festival. If you get a real good dose while viewing the amazing art, you may end up volunteering (which is what happened to me). At this point you have purchased a ticket on board the crazy train so be ready for anything. As a volunteer be ready to…
Get your hands dirty
I was a bit apprehensive as I showed up on our first “Get your hands dirty” Sunday. Yes, I want to help but I’m a photographer, not an artist. As I watched Beverly wrapping packing tape around the willowy Emer, I waited for my assignment. Visions of the Jet Puff marshmallow filled my mind as I thought of my over 50 body being wrapped in packing tape. Oh PLEASE, don’t ask me to get wrapped!
Somewhat relieved, I found myself agreeing to do a circus poster. As Denise showed me how to graph out the 6′ x 9′ canvas, I was secretly imagining how bad it was going to turn out. Never painting anything on canvas I kept thinking about how these posters will be in full view at the festival. I wasn’t sure my pride could handle seeing someone snicker as they viewed my amature art. I fought the urge to run as I took a few laps around the canvas trying to decide just where to begin. Five little words became my mantra… “you can’t mess it up”. That’s what Denise told me as she walked away. I believed her.
And so it is. She just has a way about her. She smiles her smile and makes you believe that pulling the moon out of the sky is possible. That’s what leaders do.
Get Involved
The festival is put together by an energetic group of volunteers and there is so much to do to bring the vision to life. I guarantee there is a job for you to do and you will be made to feel welcome and appreciated.
2012 Sarasota Chalk Festival
Kowal and company are gearing up for the 5th annual Sarasota Chalk Festival and this year’s event will be true to form in keeping with the tradition of excellence we’ve come to expect.
“How can this be” you say? My reply, “you must not know Denise”! She sees it in her mind, then rallies her talented band of cohorts into making it happen. Her unstoppable, can do attitude is contagious and inspiring.
Which bring’s me to my next point.
What’s your talent?
Visit the Sarasota Chalk Festival website and fill out an application to volunteer.
More on the Sarasota Chalk Festival:
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