Liam Lockhart, interim associate chairman of The Film School, is teaching his International Horror Cinema class for the third time this spring semester. While the film lineup from previous semesters may change, Lockhart has promised that some of his more “obscure” favorites will be in store: The Devil’s Backbone, Lunacy and Wreck among others. Jackalope Magazine interviewed Lockhart to discuss both the class and his love of horror cinema.   Jackalope Magazine: Can you start off by telling us a bit about your attraction to the horror genre? Why teach such a class? Liam Lockhart: I was going to say, you know a lot of people ask me ‘why horror as a topic?’ And I can tell you, for years when I was working in Hollywood, you know cutting stories for people or mixing films for them, invariably you’d get into conversations and they’d say ‘so what’s your favorite genre of films?’ And I would always kind of turn my head, put my hand in front of my mouth, cough and say ‘horror.’ They’d say, ‘what?’ And I would go, ‘horror.’ They’d go, ‘no, I can’t believe you like horror films, you seem much too sophisticated, much too intelligent.’ They obviously didn’t know me. [Laughs]… but for years, I was always in a position where I had to defend my love of horror films. And so when I finally found myself in the position to teach I thought, ‘well, OK, now here’s a chance.’ I thought if nothing else, I can prove to myself that I’m not alone in my love for horror films… This is only the third time now that I’ve offered this class and it’s been full to capacity. This way I know I’m not alone, I know there are other...

Along with pumpkin carving and dorm decorating, the Halloween tradition of indulging in favored horror films is popular at SFUAD. However, Paranormal Activity and Insidious won’t be found among this student body of artists. The students interviewed at SFUAD revealed an appreciation for classic horror films, and many offered up their own reasons for finding value in movies such as Psycho, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Shining. “I’m not into the mainstream horror films because I just feel like everything is gimmicky,” says Graphic Design major Caleb Ortega. “I think those films serve mainly as an easy adrenaline rush and I’m just not interested in it. The Shining actually fits into a genre of horror that is really thoughtful, it’s really planned out. The horror aspect comes more from the eeriness of detail.” Ortega went on to discuss the visual aspects of the film. He finds its visual intricacy particularly enticing as a visual artist. “All the visuals in this film are done intentionally,” Ortega says. “I don’t think there is a lot in the film that is overlooked. Every detail is planned for the purpose of that shot and the purpose of that shot. As a graphic designer, I feel they were very successful in making the setting authentic but shifting enough elements to throw you off subconsciously.” Ortega’s Graphic Design peer Brandon Schmidt is also a horror fan who has specific tastes within the genre of horror. Schmidt enjoys watching horror films close to Halloween, but feels they will be horrible nine times out of ten. Nonetheless, Schmidt makes an effort to seek out the exception to the rule. He looks for movies that showcase good storytelling and genuine human emotion. This is why he gravitates toward Psycho as a reference point for good horror. “Psycho is special...

SFUAD and Santa Fe offer plenty of choices for Halloween. Here are a few picks. For extensive Halloween calendar listings, check out this round-up from SantaFe.com and these choices from The Santa Fe Reporter. October 31 “Break the Piñata”  Celebrate Halloween with the Photography Department by breaking a big scary piñata on the Marion Courtyard. Feel free to come in costume. 5 pm Trick or Treat If you want to feel like a kid again, trick or treating is always a good option. SFUAD offers a campus-wide Trick or Treat at various departments from noon to 1 pm. If you prefer to do it off campus, consider Canyon Road, where, from 4 to 6 pm, some galleries like Canyon Road Contemporary Art or Gallery 822 will have their doors open. Needless to say, being in a costume is essential.  Movie Night! What is a Halloween night without a touch of horror movies? For those who don’t want to leave the campus, The Screen will play the original Nightmare on Elm Street at 10.30 pm. The Lensic Performing Arts Center will screen the classic The Man Who Fell to Earth at 7 pm. And The Jean Cocteau Cinema offers the Vincent Price thriller House of Wax at 6:30 pm as a special benefit for The Santa Fe Film Festival, with a costume contest and Mistress of Ceremonies Victoria Price. The Jean Cocteau also will screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the late show at 11 pm, and throughout the weekend (costumes also welcome for Rocky Horror!) November 1-2 Once Halloween ends, the Mexican tradition marking “Dia de Muertos” (Day of the Dead) begins. Gerard’s House will offer a celebration and memorializing event from 4-6:30 pm featuring performances by Wise Fool and The Santa Fe Symphony, with...