Monster Mania Maryland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is my first experience at the Monster Mania Convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland. I have been a fan of horror movies since I watched Friday the 13th, Part 1, in the early 80s.
As a first-time attendee, Monster Mania Con 2012 in Hunt Valley was an absolute revelation into the world of horror, and it left me utterly enchanted. From the moment I stepped into the convention, I knew I was in for a monstrous treat.
The atmosphere was electrifying, with an army of horror enthusiasts converging to celebrate their love for all things spooky and macabre.
The sheer variety of activities and attractions made every moment an adventure. The convention floor was a treasure trove of horror memorabilia, collectibles, and artwork that had me wide-eyed with excitement.
The celebrity lineup was nothing short of legendary. Meeting horror icons face-to-face was an unforgettable experience, and the stars were not only approachable but also genuinely enthusiastic about sharing stories and connecting with fans.
My autograph book is now a prized possession adorned with signatures from some of the biggest names in the genre.
Navigating the convention floor was like entering a haunted mansion filled with surprises. The vendors’ stalls were a horror lover’s dream, offering everything from vintage posters to creepy dolls and handmade masks.
I couldn’t resist splurging on a few unique items that now serve as eerie reminders of my inaugural Monster Mania experience.
The panels and Q&A sessions provided an insightful peek behind the curtain of the horror industry. Directors, actors, and special effects artists shared their craft, making me appreciate the artistry that goes into creating the spine-chilling tales that keep us on the edge of our seats.
Monster Mania Convention 2012 Hunt Valley
Tomorrow will begin the second season of Weirdo October.
If you are unfamiliar with Weirdo October, let me explain a little.
Besides personal growth, I am a big fan of the Paranormal. Ever since childhood, I have enjoyed horror movies, haunted hayrides and houses, and Halloween.
This weekend, I took my family to Monster-Mania Con in Hunt Valley, and we had a total blast. It was fantastic to see my favorite Horror celebrities up close and personal and hear them talk about what it was like making movies.
Growing up in the ’80s with cable television, my friends and I often watched horror movies. The ’80s had the most various films and music, bar none.
Dave Hagan and his sons own monster Mania Con.
Madman Marz
I’m not a fan of ‘remaking old school movies,’ however, I would like to see the iconic movie ‘Madman’ remade. I loved this classic horror film, the location, the characters, the scenery, and who could forget T.P., Max, and Richie?
Madman is in my top three favorite horror movies of all time.
I love the ‘campy’ feel of the movie.
I like zombie movies, and I like genre movies a lot. To watch. Less so to make, I think. But I grew up on that stuff. I would just grow up watching a lot of horror movies, a lot of slasher movies and then zombie movies.
-Jonathan Levine
Who was at MMC Hunt Valley in 2012?
Gunnar Hansen – The Original Leather Face from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The Ladies of Elm Street – Heather Langenkamp, Lisa Wilcox, Amanda Wyss, and Tuesday Knight.
Jamie Kennedy – Scream.
John Kassir – The Voice of the Crypt Keeper – Tales from the Crypt.
Traci Lords – Has a movie out titled Excision. She’s still very hot, by the way. 🙂
Edward Herrman – The Lost Boys.
And many more celebs, horror make-up designers, and vendor tables selling horror merchandise. There is a large room where vendors set up their inventory for sale, and I enjoy walking around the room, seeing all the cool merch, and talking with the vendors.
The most extraordinary things about Monster-Mania were the fans who dressed up. I didn’t take as many pictures as I should have, but I will add them.
I also love the Questions and Answers segment that is usually held hourly. Being able to ask the stars questions and hear about their life on the “Big Screen” is a huge bonus, especially hearing about what it is like to film a movie.
The Question &Answer segment usually lasts about 45 minutes.
The most memorable Q&A was with Gunnar Hansen about making The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in 1974. The budget for the film was approximately $140,000, and director Tobe Hooper had to use relatively unknown actors.
Because of the low budget for the film, the actors and crew had to work long hours, up to sixteen hours a day, seven days a week.
The temperatures in Austin Texas, where the film was shot, were humid and between 95 to 100 degrees every day. The movie grossed 30 million at the box office.
The dinner scene at the end was filmed for over 20 hours. The meat on the table began rotting and smelling awful. In the final scene after Sally escapes, you see Leatherface dancing with the chainsaw.
According to Gunnar, he was so tired and fed up with the making of the movie that he couldn’t take it anymore and he was just letting off some steam.
At the end of the scene, Gunnar tosses the chainsaw into the nearby fields.
There are tons of YouTube videos with the cast from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre doing Q&A segments if you’re interested.
I am so glad I was able to listen to Gunnar recap his experience with making one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. Sadly, Gunnar passed away on November 7, 2015.
Guests I Would Like to See at a Future Monster-Mania Con
- Danny Trejo
- Tony Todd
- Warwick Davis
- Bruce Campbell
- Jill Terashita
- Hal Havins
- Alvin Alexis
- Jennifer Connelly
- Tony Todd
- Kate Beckinsale
- Eliza Dushku
- Linnea Quigley
- Pam Grier
- Cerina Vincent
- Vera Farmiga
- Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Paul Ehlers
There is just something about the paranormal that gets me going. It is like knowing there is more to this world than what the five senses tell us.
Subjects such as aliens, bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, psychics and intuitives, and ghosts and hauntings are topics that I thoroughly enjoy learning about.
So, October is dedicated to Weird Topics, and I am asking you to send me your paranormal experiences and Weird Topics that you would like to share with my audience.
I have already gotten several responses from readers who have – or are in the process of submitting their paranormal blog posts to me to publish on Mazzastick.
Conclusion
Monster Mania Con 2012 in Hunt Valley exceeded all expectations, and as a first-timer, I was left with a newfound appreciation for the horror community.
The camaraderie, the scares, and the sheer fun of the event have me eagerly anticipating the next Monster Mania Con.
If you’re a horror enthusiast, this convention is a must-attend—prepare for an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness! ???️
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