15 minute read
WHAT ABOUT THE MEN?
TODD STARUCH
BY TAMMY VREELAND
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Today I get to interview a person who usually does the interviewing! However, you are going to find out quickly that Todd Staruch, is a Jack of All Trades with possibly a secret identity!
In fact, I didn’t realize how many hidden talents Todd had until I started to try to put a timeline of what I did know about him for this interview only to find out so many things he did or does branches off into several directions I didn’t realize!
So, help me out here, Todd. Let’s create this timeline together. My timeline in getting to know you was through the cons. I knew you wrote, you directed, you did interviews, etc. But that timeline, when we met, came in much later.
Let’s start at the beginning. How did you get interested in doing film festivals?
Todd: Well, to be honest, a dozen or so years ago, I didn’t even know that local festivals or independent filmmaking was even a thing. I mean, I of course was aware of the giant festivals like Cannes or Sundance, but I had no idea that there were small events, and local people making movies. Then I met a bunch of guys from NY who had made an awesome indie film called “The Super.” We became friends and then they asked me to play a zombie in one of their movies, and from then on, I was hooked on indie filmmaking!
Tammy:Wow, I never knew that I’ll have to check it out! Just like you, I knew nothing about the smaller cons. Then, at my first one, I met Tom Ryan who then introduced me to you at my second one. Like you, I became hooked! I alluded at the beginning of you having a secret identity. What I meant by that is most probably do not know, besides your passion for the film industry and other interests, what your full-time day job is! I like to tease you of having a Clark Kent persona, mind telling us what your day job is?
Todd: I am an IT (Information Technology) consultant. My company specializes in providing retailers with hardware and software to help manage and secure their corporate networks. I personally specialize in the payment card field, where we install hardware and software to process credit card payment.
Tammy: I’m sure some will be surprised at that. I know I was! Now, throughout the rest of the interview, we will see you as the Superman I see you. A Super Dad, a Super Brother, a Super Son, a Super Friend. You see where I’m going with this whole cute analogy.
But there’s also a lot of substance to what I am alluding to, by all the things you do besides your work life and private life. Let’s take example your event called Grindhouse. about movies, comic books and such. I was mulling around the idea of doing something similar in northern NJ when I was at my friend’s restaurant/bar with the same group of NY filmmakers I mentioned before. One of them said, “You know, this would be a good place to watch horror movies!”
So, I asked the owner, who I had known since grade school, if we could schedule a film screening and she said yes. I expected maybe a handful of people to show up, but we had about 20 people! From there it just grew into the event that we have today, which is a two-day juried film festival, combined with live entertainment.
Tammy:To have started out with such humble beginnings, it’s an impressive event! If I am correct, last year was your 10th Anniversary! Congratulations, your baby is still growing!
So, besides your day job and the Grindhouse, you are also an author! When did writing become part of your life? And are you strictly a screenplay writer or do you write a story first, then turn it into a screenplay?
How did that come to be and what is it?
Todd: It all started about a decade ago when my good friend Rob Dimension ran something called the PA/NJ Horror Film Club. A bunch of folks would gather in the back room of a comic book store in Bensalem, PA.
We would watch an indie horror film and then sit around and talk about it. Then we would just hang out and talk Todd:Well, to be fair, I really don’t consider myself an author. In my mind, that does a disservice to people such as yourself, who make a living with their writing. I do enjoy the process of writing a screenplay, but I am a long way from calling myself a screenwriter. Back in college, I did write a couple of short stories that I am currently converting into screenplays, so we’ll see how that goes!
my mild manner Clark Kent, but I disagree! It takes strength in being able to write, let alone format, into a movie! All of which you have done!
The way I see it, you are someone who has a passion for something. Then shares that passion with others, to writing, then you went on to directing! Was that just a natural order of things for you? Ultimately, knowing that was where this was all taking you, or was it a surprise to you?
Todd: Honestly, I never really mapped it out in my mind. I went from being a PA, lugging gear around for friends, to having small roles in indie movies, to becoming a producer with Theatre of Terror and it just felt right to try my hand at writing and directing. Again, my “real” job pays the bills, so the filmmaking side of my life is just something I do for the joy of it, and I never really know what’s next.
Tammy: Your guess is as good as mine! You constantly amaze me with your new projects that you have going on! Recently, you have even won awards! Mind letting us know more about them?
Todd: The film “Splinter”, which is an original story by me, and was directed by my buddy Tom Ryan and produced by Theatre of Terror, recently won the Kevin Smith Home Grown Film Award at the prestigious Garden State Film Festival, and I was very proud of that!
My own short films “The Bonds of Friendship” and “Nana” both had successful festival runs and I am proud of those films as well. I do want to take a moment to give a shout out to everyone I have worked with on any film. It’s definitely a team effort, and I appreciate everyone’s involvement!
Tammy: That’s awesome, good for you! As for your teams, what amazing and talented people you have involved in your projects! I’ve seen the interaction and there is a mutual respect which carries over into your films, something you all can be proud of!
You mentioned earlier you were even an actor! Can you tell us more about your acting?
Todd: My first role was as a zombie in my friend Liam’s film “Survive” and that was a lot of fun because we had a lot of gross makeup and effects and stuff. My first big speaking role was in a short film called “Rapt,” which was written by Russ Hackett and Jerry Janda and also directed by Tom Ryan. I’ve been in other stuff here and there and it’s always a lot of fun!
Tammy: So far you have a day job, you are a host and promoter, a writer, a director, an actor and when I first met you, you were also interviewing the stars at the cons!
How did that all come about?
Todd: Well, I kind of just stumbled into that. I had my website, horrornerd. net and people kind of knew who I was through my events and social media, so I just applied for a press pass at a horror convention in New Jersey and it was approved, much to my surprise!
For the first couple of events, though, I was behind the camera, and I had a different host. Unfortunately, we had a falling out and while I was looking for a replacement my dad said, “You know all of these celebrities and you know every movie and every show they have ever been in, so why don’t you just do the interviews yourself?”
My dad usually knows what he’s talking about, so I gave it a try and had a blast, so now I do interviews at multiple shows every year. Truly, I am just a fan at heart who gets to do some really cool stuff, and sometimes I do wonder, “How the heck did I get here???”
Tammy: That’s what I love about you! You have fun with all these things. And let me tell you, your father was right! I was so nervous about my own interview with you. But you made it so easy and when it was all done and said, you made me look like I knew what I was doing, lol! No wonder you are such a hit with all the stars!
For all those wonderful interviews, you have created a YouTube channel and a website for them. Where can our readers find them?
Todd: Well, I am a social media whore, so I am not that hard to find. You can find me under my real name just about everywhere, and on YouTube you can find my channel at https://www.youtube. com/c/TheHorrorNerd. My website is www.horrornerd.net. Which reminds me, I neglect my site far too much and
I really need to get back to it!
Tammy: Oh please, I don’t know how you do it! We’ll be at a con, you’ll take a picture and within 5 minutes it’s posted! I swear its magic - takes me days to find the time and I have way fewer things going on than you!
Hopefully our readers now have some sort of idea of how complex and talented you are, but I saved one last thing that I think really puts you over the top. The real reason I think you wear a cape!
You are involved in charity work. Scares that Cares. In fact, it’s one of the reasons I wanted to put you in this month’s article! Could you tell us about what the charity does and how our readers could maybe participate in such a worthy cause?
Todd: Scares That Care is a registered 501c3 charity organization that is very close to my heart. Founder and CEO Joe Ripple has become a dear friend over the years and he and the rest of the staff do an amazing job raising money to help ease the financial burden for families who are dealing with catastrophic illnesses or injuries.
Each year, we host several events to raise money for the cause, and there are also a lot of online/virtual fundraisers every year.
For more information, people should visit www.scaresthatcare.org or https:// www.facebook.com/ScaresThatCarePage.
Tammy: A very worthy cause and what I like is that they have events throughout the year, not just this time of year. Please, check them out not only is it for charity but the people involved are amazing and it’s just a great time for the whole family! There you have our Clark Kent turned Superman after work hours, Todd Staruch. I can’t thank you enough, Todd, for letting us see a glimpse of all the amazing things you do!
Todd: Thank you so much Tammy! It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you these last few years!
Tammy:Pleasure has been all mine! Even though I may use a little kryptonite on you once in a while, you are a Superman, through and through!
I’m sure I’m not the only one that realizes your story is far from over! It will be interesting to see what you will come up with next!
Until then, I wish you the very best as I carefully reach over the cape you wear, to hand back the microphone to where it belongs!
FROM SHELTER LIFE TO FOSTER HOME TO FOREVER HOME!
BY ELLEN FELDMAN
Meet Bosco, our very own foster fail story!
Bosco came to ACS from Louisiana through our transport partner St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center – North Branch. Shelter life was immediately hard on Bosco and he started to exhibit behavioral issues. Not only was Bosco struggling with other dogs, but he was having trouble trusting strangers as well. We saw him start to aggressively guard his food and toys and excessively stress pace around his kennel, causing him to lose weight.
Our team created a behavioral plan for Bosco and began the steps necessary to help him feel more comfortable at the sanctuary. Unfortunately, no matter how much you try, some dogs find the shelter environment too stressful to make significant progress. Bosco was one of those dogs, and he needed to get out of the shelter to reach his full potential.
Bosco developed a particularly strong bond with one of our staff members, Nikki, so she stepped in and began working with him extensively. It wasn’t long until Nikki was convinced she had to foster him in her home. Bosco showed immediate progress when he was brought to his foster home filled with three other dogs, three children, and two adults.
In less than three weeks, Nikki and her family decided Bosco was a “foster fail” and he became a full time member of their family. In his new home he continues to train and learn, making more progress than ever before. Bosco no longer guards his food or toys and is even getting better about meeting strangers! We never thought it would be possible, but Bosco is fully comfortable eating in the same room as his other dog siblings. When Bosco and his three sisters aren’t cuddling on the couch, they’re playing his favorite game of tugof-war! Bosco has truly found the best home with one of our own and is now living his best life!
Bosco came to us from our transport partner St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center – North Branch.
· Bosco was originally from Louisiana.
· Bosco spent nearly a year with no interest so he was transferred to our Wellsboro facility in the hopes that being seen by a different community of people might help him find his forever home.
The transfer was difficult for Bosco and he developed some behavioral issues. He started to aggressively guard his food and toys and was very slow to trust strangers. He was aggressive towards other dogs, especially around food.
Wellsboro didn’t have a behavior program as extensive as East Smithfield so he was transferred back
· He started to excessively pace around his run and started losing weight. All from the stress of the kennel
· A behavior plan was designed for him and the staff began his training.
· No matter how much training you do, some dogs find the shelter environment too stressful to make significant progress. This applied to Bosco. He needed to get out of the shelter. strong bond with one of our staff and she began working with him extensively while she talked to her husband and kids about the possibility of fostering him.
· Nikki and her family decided to foster Bosco and took him home.
· Bosco immediately began to make progress in his new foster home and around Nikki’s 3 other dogs and 2 children. decided that Bosco was a “foster fail” and that they would adopt him and make him part of the family
· Bosco continues his training and is making much better progress in his forever home. He no longer guards his food or toys and is even getting better about meeting strangers. Bosco’s favorite way to pass the time is playing tug with his 3 dog sisters.
· He can now eat in the same room as other dogs which is something we never thought would be possible.
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