Ky Fields
“...but after coming across so many talented creatives I knew I wanted to do more. Tell the story of how these creators fell in love with the genre like I did. What sparked their creativity? What keeps them going? I felt as if I found my purpose in the community besides turning people into monsters with my makeup effects.”
What is your favourite genre of horror?
I think my favorite genre of horror is 70’s horror (if that counts). I love Black Christmas, The Exorcist, A Clockwork Orange, Halloween, The Omen; all of those films. I feel like you really saw a reflection of how the country felt post-Vietnam with the heightened violence in 70’s horror. Similar to the reflection in post 9/11 Horror films.
What movies would you recommend in that genre?
I ALWAYS recommend The Omen , and Black Christmas. Overall (beyond the scares and concept, I think The Omen is just a beautifully made film. Black Christmas is an underdog film, a lot of people credit Halloween as one of the first popular slashers films but it owes a lot of its influences and credit to Black Christmas.
What are your favourite horror movies?
My favorite Horror films change bi-weekly because I have so many films that I love. As of recently, these are my top 5.
Halloween (1978)
Deep Blue Sea
Hereditary
Get Out
The Gallows
What was the last horror movie that actually scared you?
It is a tie between Shudders Host, and Hereditary. I remember watching Hereditary in the theatre with such a blind eye as to what the film was about or who Ari Aster was. I COULD NOT SLEEP FOR TWO DAYS AFTER WATCHING THAT MOVIE. The scene where Annie is chasing Peter and he runs up into the attic and she is banging her head repeatedly on the door still haunts me three years later.
What is your favourite moment from a horror movie?
My favorite moment from a horror movie is from Jordan Peele’s Us when Elisabeth Moss character is getting attacked by her tethered and she speaks to Ophelia (a fictional Amazon Alexa Prototype) and says “Ophelia Call the police” and the robot replies “Playing Fuck The Police by NWA”. I remember jumping out of my seat in the theatre because it was like YES! Finally, an example of how your white privilege won’t always be there to save you.
Why is horror special for you?
It’s the strangest thing because I find so much peace in Horror films. It's so complex, so much more than just entertainment. Fear is something that we all experience, we can all relate, it brings us together. No matter what gender identity, sexual orientation, or Race; I think we can all agree that if we come across a chainsaw-wielding cannibal then we will run for our lives.
What character in a horror do you relate to most and why?
Karla Wilson in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), Karla was a supportive friend, a lovable partner, and had an overall great personality. She also didn’t go out without a fight. Even as a kid, I always saw a lot in myself in her character.
How do your friends and family feel about your horror obsession?
I grew up very religious so I was restricted on a lot of things that I could participate in. Around my senior year of high school going into college, I was more outward with my love for Horror. My parents were not as supportive in the beginning but once they saw that Horror brought me a lot of happiness they became more supportive. My friends have always been down with my obsession. Most of my holiday and birthday gifts are Horror related. They always send me Horror memes on social media or (my favorite) call me when they want to talk about the newest Horror film that comes out or want more insight on a concept. It makes me really happy that they trust my expertise and opinion.
When did you fall head over heels in love with the horror genre?
After watching Final Destination (2000) at the age of 6, I never really looked at Horror the same. I think that was the day that I fell in love with Horror. The concept, the kills, everything. I couldn’t use the restroom by myself for weeks because of the shower death scene with Tod. It stuck with me, and I was so young thinking about the fact that the “killer” in the film was just death. Something that we will all have to face. It's insane. That movie really changed my life.
Do you have any Halloween traditions?
I’m a special effects makeup artist so I am usually booked getting everyone else ready for the holiday festivities. Usually, after painting faces all day and turning folks into monsters I just kick back with a bottle of tequila, a bowl of candy, and watch Halloween (1978).
If you could go back in time and experience the midnight premiere of any horror movie, what would you choose?
The Exorcist, without a shadow of a doubt. I just want to experience a taste of the mania and culture-shifting the film had on viewers at that time. Even if I was just a fly on the wall.
What's the spookiest place you've ever visited?
I try to stay away from spooky places BUT I think the spookiest place I’ve ever been was the communications building at my college. It had this eerie feel and smell to it. Ironically, that was where we would host our annual campus haunted house. It was very fitting.