Monty Python Day: The Cult of Python...
Long Black Veil: Vampyre reunion
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And now for something completely different…
Huge
fans of Monty Python, the Costume Network crew was most excited for the casting
call and after-party associated with a new Monty Python related film project.
Based on the life of Python founding member, Graham Chapman (the guy who played Arthur in Holy Grail and the Savior in Life of Brian), a Hollywood based production company, Hippofilms, has optioned the rights to the story and is in midst of a three city casting tour.
Working with the Graham Chapman Archives, Hippolfilms has identified a story
worthy of the telling with considerable human interest and humor. In deference
to Chapman's favorite and oft-consumed beverage, the working title of the project
is "Gin & Tonic - The Movie".
Once a married medical student on-track for a traditional existence and all the "success"-related accoutrements, Chapman suddenly dumped his career and wife as he came to terms with his goals and homosexuality. Until his eventual death of cancer, the film will follow his rollercoaster life through his founding of and great successes with Monty Python (while drinking non-stop). Living a wacky existence, scenes from his life should play out with much pythonesque style. As a long-time fan, I pray for artful writing.
Very psyched for the possibilities of this, potentially over-the-top, day, the Costume Network crew got to work…
With
some costumes already created for a 1999 Halloween Parade group theme, we set
to work cutting coconuts ('Holy Grail's' "horses") and constructing
a most ambitious costume. Joining several coconut-clomping knights, virgins,
Tim the Enchanter and a Knight who says Ni! was to be the Black Beast of AAAaaaaarrrghhh
whose animated character chases King Arthur & co. until the untimely demise
of the off-screen animator.
With ridiculousness in our hearts, we set out in full costume to participate in the Broadway area auditions. Not competing for any specific role, per se, our mission was simple. Mayhem and Mockery.
After an adventuresome march through Times Square (where the Black Beast terrified
a baby), we arrived to discover a long line of would-be actors. Many were serious
artistes nervously twitching as they awaited their shot. Others were better
described as "enthusiasts" with and without formal actor training.
The latter category tended towards costuming and oft-repeated python-skit renditions.
Amongst these in-character enthusiasts were an equal mix of film and "Flying
Circus" TV show characters.
Once we arrived, things got a tad livelier.
Accosting the line-folks with various, "Ni's!!!", AAAaarrgghss!" and attacks from the Killer Rabbit (with "big, nasty, pointy teeth"), we did our thing until we were ushered into the audition room.
While the production and Chapman foundation folks rolled with laughter, we hammed for the photographers and a Channel 9 news crew. While some eyes rolled with mocking disbelief, most in the room were obviously impressed with the artistry. It was an interesting audition, to say the least.
That
evening, with an expanded cast that included four more virgins (spank me!) and
a witch (burn her!), we marched through the East Village and descended on the
Telephone Bar. Advertising a free Gin & Tonic for each attendee, the bar
was packed with all shapes and sizes of Python fans. Despite the relatively
few costumers and the lack of access to the Producers who were holed up in the
VIP room, the party was memorable and entertaining.
The best moments included the award ceremonies (where the winners were given spam) and some musicians who led the crowd in a festive assortment of MP songs.
On the whole, we bless this project. The Hippofilms guys are good people who
will, I am sure, do an admirable job with this production. The only concern
is that they may be missing an opportunity with the enthusiast community.
Understanding the potential, Hippofilms has indicated an interest in a "making of" documentary but did not direct camera crews to cover the antics of the enthusiasts. Additionally, while they had promised the participants many photos, their website, www.ginandtonicmovie.com, shows only a few and uses software that does not allow for downloading. Finally, the site does not link to other MP fan sites or photogalleries (our "Monty Python" gallery has many excellent pics).
All
that said, we hope Hippofilms is successful. Graham Chapman was a true genius
and the Monty Python gang created a phenomenon like none other. All serious
fans dearly miss him and them.
Please do us proud, boys.
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More photos in the gallery's Monty Python Section
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The Vampyre Culture is awake and well…
In the dark urban underground of New York City, and other cities in the US, Europe and Asia, there are creatures who roam the night with fangs, fabulous fashions and unique philosophies that go back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Structured in tribes, houses and courts, these groups come together to perform rituals and socialize with others of their kind.
Such
was the Long Black Veil event. Once a staple of the Goth Scene's regular fetish
party rotation, this LBV capped a weeklong reunion of the group's far-flung
founders and members. As the night darkened, these fabulous creatures arrived
sporting fantastic fashions and an air of dark magic.
Not purporting to be undead reborn into a life of blood sucking, "Living Vampires" are a stand-alone subculture that embraces the darker side of the human spirit with a variety of philosophies, rituals and fetishes.
With tentacles that reach into the Goth and BDSM communities, the Vampyre subculture
is a world that embraces the many fictionalized works of Bram Stoker, Anne Rice
and others, while developing their own codes of conduct that bring meaning and
structure to their lives.
Generally speaking, this is a well educated and well-read group of souls who have found community with others who gravitate toward the night, gothic fashions and the concept of "feeding" on the energies of others.
In a time when blood-drinking has become too risky, Modern Vampirism, is about intimately giving and taking vital life energies. Embracing an aesthetic and a type of sexual fetishism, this open-minded group has a strict set of codes that are followed by a growing movement.
As
a "mundane" outsider who has dallied with a number of subculture movements,
I find this world to have its own enticements. As can be read about in the vampyre
opus "V" by Father Sebastian and spiritualist Michelle Belanger, I
see that there is much that is intriguing and good about this world.
As the night deepened, the luminaries took to the stage. Father Sebastian and Michelle Belanger moved things along while Father Vincent watched over the movement that he and Sebastian had invigorated. Vampire Don (Don Henry) from the Sci-Fi Channel's reality series was also at hand as the movement's resident celebrity.
Throughout the crowd, there were other court leaders, minor officials, jewelry
designers and "fangsmiths". Everywhere there was an elegance and sultry
flirtations.
While some were guarded or even dismissive around mundanes, most were eager
to discuss the why's and how's of this underground movement.
I got the feeling I was being recruited.
(to be continued...)
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More photos in the gallery's Vampyres Section
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