Ominous Origins

Women In Horror | Somica Spratley

In the world of horror, there are so many faces behind the scenes that make things work, that helps the machine run smoothly, and one of those faces is Somica Spratley. She is a visual effects and makeup artist with a flare for the creative. Not only is Somica a woman in horror, but she’s also a woman of color, and so much more. We all know that labelling people based on gender and skin color is a cliche, but when it comes to the film industry, it can still very much be an obstacle, even in 2020. However, that doesn’t hold her back, and in fact she uses what some might perceive as a disadvantage to her advantage. There aren’t many women who work in visual effects, or at least not many who get the opportunity, but Somica has used her talent and every tool in her skillset to help her achieve what many others only dream of.Through her talent, she has risen to become a well known, and well respected artist in Alabama, from working on sets to helping others hone their skills, Somica’s empire is quickly growing. In the interview she tells about her struggles, and successes, and how she’s overcome the stereotypes of the film world and beyond. Sadly, it’s not easy for anybody in this industry, but Somica proves that with hard work and dedication, you can overcome any biases that may befall you.Of course her career doesn’t end with makeup and effects, Somica is a woman with all the ambition in the world, and in 2016 she made her directorial debut. She’s also a member of her local union, IATSE 798Below you can find some of her work, which is outstanding. I highly encourage you to check out her portfolio, as this is what Women in Horror Month is all about. The women behind the scenes, the ones who aren’t front and center, but are ultimately the heart and soul of any production.Somica’s website is: https://www.somicaspratley.com/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Women in Horror | Kino McFarland

One of the reasons why I love celebrations like Women in Horror Month so much is due to all the amazing and interesting people I get to meet, and today I got to chat with one of the most fascinating women I’ve ever had the pleasure of interviewing. Kino McFarland is a multi-talented performer, writer, filmmaker, and well, everything, and she even has a stage name, Kino B. Demented! How cool is that? While Kino’s mainstay is sideshow performances, where she does everything from eating fire to walking on glass, and even acts as a human dartboard, she also has an incredibly powerful short story published on her website (which you can find below) based on her own life experiences. She also shines a new light on what it is to be an extreme performer, boasting a masters degree to her belt - which is far more education than I have. She’s incredibly creative and intelligent, and that also shows in her passion for filmmaking. Her microshort, Witch Hunt, was shot very barebones using nothing more than the camera on her phone. Resourcefulness is a quality that not many people can say they have, especially when it comes to making films. It just goes to show that bigger isn’t always better, and that sometimes a little ingenuity can go a long way.Kino is a very passionate woman, and she has a lot of great stories and insights to share, and so I encourage you to listen to the interview, but also take a look at her works online and in person if she’s in your town performing. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it a million times: without Women in Horror Month, I may never would have heard of Kino, or other women like her, with limitless talents and creativity to share.You can find Kino at any of the links below:https://www.kinomcfarland.com/https://www.kinobdemented.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnw0tj5-_Es&t=1sSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Women in Horror | The Horror Spinsters

Before I get into the article, I would like to welcome The Horror Spinsters to the Morbidly Beautiful podcasting network, and they just happen to be today’s interview for Women in Horror Month! Kelly and Jess are two Canadian girls who absolutely love horror, especially in the feminist sense. They release their cast, I Spit On Your Podcast, on the last day of every month, and they talk about everything from horror movies to TV shows, and everything in between. Generally they have some kind of theme attached to the episodes as well. Don’t let the name fool you though, The Horror Spinsters aren’t you stereotypical versions of a spinster, in fact it’s a term they love, and are taking back, which is something we chat about in the interview. Feminism is important to them, from words, terms, and labels, to what it means in the realm of horror. Speaking of terms, words, and labels, I absolutely adore the name they’ve chosen for their podcast. It exemplifies everything they’re about, and it’s really quite awesome!But during the interview, they were kind enough to chat to me about their passions, their podcast, and what WiHM means to them. They have a lot of great insights and some excellent opinions on a variety of topics. These are two girls you will most certainly want to keep an eye out for when they make their debut later this month on Morbidly Beautiful!Keep an eye out on Ominous Origins for some more great interviews in the coming days and weeks. The response to being interviewed has been outstanding, and I’m truly honored to be able to chat with these wonderful women of horror. In fact, the number of people I’ve gotten to talk to has been so high that the release schedule will be increased by the end of the month, so look out for Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays for now, leading into the last week which might just feature an episode a day! It’s exciting stuff!You can find the Spinsters of Horror below:https://www.spinstersofhorror.com/Instagram: @venal_anatomica@spectralJessPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Txm2abybvVXBo9jZS091y Or anywhere you find your PodcastsOminous Origins Merch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Women In Horror | Stephanie Malone

Our first interview on the journey through the wonderful Women in Horror Month is a very special one. If you’ve listened to the podcast in the last year or so, you would be familiar with Morbidly Beautful’s website, and that website is founded by one Stephanie Malone. When I think of Women in Horror, she’s one of the first names to pop into my mind. She’s the creator, content provider, and editor-in-chief of the site, and she, more than anybody, deserves to be in the spotlight this week.During the interview, we chat about her passion for horror, and specifically women in horror. She tells us about her past, her experiences in horror and film, as well as what got her started on the road to what is now Morbidly Beautiful. Stephanie is a great person full of positive vibes and it was great to sit down and chat with her.In case you’re unfamiliar with what Women in Horror Month is all about, I encourage you to look into it further, but in the meantime, it’s all about just that - women in horror. Sadly, all too often women are overlooked or underrepresented in such a male dominated field. I know, I know, I’m a male myself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t support my fellow creators and horror lovers. Everybody deserves a chance, regardless of gender, race, creed, or anything. That’s what I love so much about the horror genre - it’s filled with some of the nicest and supportive people around. So, please, enjoy the interview with Stephanie, and all the ones to follow this month!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Banshee

This week is the last day before we hit February, and with February comes the illustrious Women In Horror Month! In honour of that kicking off tomorrow, I have a myth for you in the realm of that - the Banshee. One of the most well known and famous of spirits, this wailing harbinger of death laments her song as a warning to those who are about to meet an untimely demise, or those close to you. If you hear a shrieking cry in the middle of the night, I have some bad news for you...Nevertheless, the Banshee has origins in the Celtic regions of the world, namely Ireland and Scotland, with a touch of Wales as well, but we're focusing mainly on the former two. Though the exact origin of the Banshee is unknown, her wails have been heard - and documented - as far back as the 1380's, and her story has evolved greatly since then too. She was once a fairy spirit who would lament at funerals, and days prior, weeping for the lost souls. However, as time went on, she evolved into more of a ghost story than anything, which is a shame. She was never meant to be malevolent, but rather an empathic creature. Her form has changed as much as her story as well, ranging from a beautiful young siren, to a wretched old hag haunting the nights.All in all, this has been a very interesting look into some Irish and Scottish lore. For more information, you'll just have to listen to the cast!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Jersey Devil

I can’t believe it took me the long to do the Jersey Devil. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a fascination with New Jersey. Don’t’ ask why, I’m well aware of the states reputation. Nevertheless, the allure of the hockey team, Kevin Smith films, and coastline has always been there – oh, and of course the Jersey Devil. In the same tier as Bigfoot and Loch Ness, the Jersey Devil ranks as one of the premier cryptids out there, with a history dating back to the 1700’s. With a legend that old, and that rich, there’s got to be a lot to talk about, and boy is there, and somehow I managed to keep the cast to just 25 minutes. It may be something I explore later on as well. From the Leeds’ family, to the mythological figure of Mother Leeds and her 13th son, to the geological location of the Pine Barrens and curses, this legend has it all. Like with any good origin story or legend the Jersey Devil has a lore rich in actual history, with historical figures such as Daniel Leeds and Benjamin Franklin being involved in the possible creation of the myth, to the supernatural in a cursed birth. Like I said, it has everything, and it’s all available in this easily digestible episode; so, enjoy!Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Highway of Tears

The Highway of Tears – what’s there to say on the topic? Well, a lot. For those unfamiliar with the massive stretch of highway in the middle of British Colombia, it’s a tragic and terrible story that is ongoing to this day. It’s a series of cases involving Canada’s Indigenous population that have largely gone unsolved, and some date back to the 1960’s. Over the course of the last 60 years, many women and young girls have gone missing or have been murdered along that length of road, with the official count being 18, but local residents claim it to be well over 40. Sadly, it’s not an isolated problem with Canada’s indigenous population, as that community of people have faced struggles for decades, if not more. However, the highway of tears, with its infamy is one of the deadliest places in the country for women and girls, especially for those of First Nations heritage. Listen to the podcast for more information and stories behind this terrible place, this dark spot on Canada’s history.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Beast of Bodmin Moor | Alien Big Cats

It’s time for a lesson in the ABC’s… No, I trust you know your alphabet, I’m talking about Alien Big Cats. These aren’t some extra-terrestrial tentacle beings that look like cats, but rather regular old exotic cats, like pumas or leopards that have somehow found their way to a part of the world in which they simply do not belong. From these ABC’s stems countless myths and legends, and even inspired (to a degree) a classic Sherlock Holmes tale. These cats roam the highlands and fields of places all around the world, but today’s stop takes us to jolly Ol’ England, to a place in Cornwall called the Bodmin Moor, where a beast has been sighted for years, and on more than one occasion. Despite the lack of hard evidence, people swear that something stalks the scenic plains. In the episode, we’ll talk about different theories, as well as the likelihood of something like this living so far from its natural habitat.Our sponsor: www.morbidlybeautiful.comMerch: www.redbubble.com/people/HorrorShotsYouTube: Horror ShotsTwitch: www.twitch.tv/horrorshotsplaysWebsite: www.horrorshots.comInstagram: horrorshotsphotographyTwitter: @horrorshotsprodFacebook: HorrorshotsPatreon: www.patreon.com/horrorshotsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Ominous-Origins-1. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.