My First MIDSUMMER SCREAM: A Weekend Celebrating All Things Horror

Horror has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but my relationship with the genre goes much deeper than simply enjoying scary movies. Growing up, movies became an escape for me, especially during some of the more traumatic moments of my childhood. Horror, strangely enough, became one of my favorite ways to wind down. You might think someone who experienced scary things in real life would want nothing to do with them on screen. Oddly enough, I found myself fascinated by the stories, characters, monsters, and lore within the genre. Horror wasn't something I wanted to run from; it was something I couldn't get enough of and always found myself running toward.

That love of horror followed me well into adulthood. It eventually led me to start the “I Love Horror Podcast,” where I’ve spent the past six years talking with filmmakers, actors, and creators about the genre we all love. Despite all the incredible experiences the podcast has given me over the years, there was still one horror event I had watched from afar for a few years and always wanted to experience for myself. That event was the event of all horror events: Midsummer Scream.

This year, I finally had the chance to cover Midsummer Scream in Long Beach, California, and the trip meant more than just attending a horror convention. I traveled by myself for the first time in almost 10 years. My wife and I usually take trips to Disneyland together, so heading to California alone was a big step for me in many ways. As soon as I got to my hotel, I truly felt like a “shark out of water”, my horror-loving version of the traditional “fish out of water” story.

Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long before seeing a familiar face. The day I landed in Long Beach, one day before Midsummer Scream officially began, I met up with longtime friend and past podcast guest Jax Skellington, an actress from “Pillow Party Massacre” and talented musician who also provides the intro song for the podcast. We had lunch at The Ordinarie Tavern, and there was something special about sitting across from one of the first people I connected with early in my podcasting career and simply sharing some laughs. It was a great way to settle into Long Beach before the insanity of the weekend began.

Walking into Midsummer Scream for the first time the next day was like stepping into another world, one where horror fandom, elaborate cosplay, and enough horror merchandise to completely destroy my bank account surrounded me in every direction. Think of the “Pure Imagination” scene from “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” only instead of candy and chocolate, there were decapitated heads, severed limbs, monsters, and plenty of gore. The only thing missing was a river of blood. Granted, considering the amount of makeup effects and stage blood throughout the convention, we probably weren't that far away from one.

The main floor had so much to take in that I honestly didn't know where to start. There were booths dedicated to major film studios like Universal Studios and Lionsgate, along with local haunted attractions like The Queen Mary, which, for an extra spook factor, I seriously considered staying at during my trip.

Of course, one of the biggest attractions at Midsummer Scream is the collection of walkthrough haunts. I explored the area and got a taste of what they had to offer, but it was also where I learned one of the biggest lessons from my first Midsummer Scream: there simply isn't enough time to do everything. Between interviews, panels, exploring the show floor, reconnecting with friends, and trying to take in as much of the convention as possible, I didn't get to experience the haunts the way I wanted to. Next year, they're going straight to the top of my list.

One of the first things that immediately caught my attention was the Paramount Scares/FANGORIA “Scream”-themed Bradley Video Store, so naturally, I had to check it out. The experience included a Ghostface photo op and a mini video store walkthrough that immediately took me back to the glory days of Blockbuster Video. That nostalgia hit especially hard for me because I actually worked at a few Blockbuster stores when I was younger and still miss that atmosphere immensely.

As someone who remembers spending way too much time wandering through video stores and browsing the horror section for something new to watch, there was something incredibly nostalgic about seeing rows of VHS cases and that old-school rental-store aesthetic again, only this time with a “Scream” twist.

The theming was incredibly cool, with little details throughout the store that made it feel like you had stepped into an actual video rental shop from another era. Of course, having Ghostface hanging around made this particular video store a little more dangerous than the Blockbuster I remembered growing up. At least I don't remember any slashers hanging around that weren't already on the shelves.

They also had clamshell VHS cases featuring different horror movies that let guests win various pieces of merchandise. I decided to pick something completely at random and somehow ended up choosing a horror comedy I've always loved, “Vampire in Brooklyn.” Unfortunately, there was no prize inside my VHS case, but I walked away with something arguably more nostalgic: my very own Bradley Video Store membership card.

They had me write my name on the card and laminated it right there, turning it into a fun little memento I could take home. It's one of those small convention souvenirs that probably means more to me than something I could have simply bought at a booth. Throw in a free copy of FANGORIA Magazine, and it was a pretty great way to kick off my first Midsummer Scream.

One of my favorite parts of any convention is always the vendor floor and artist alley. I get immense joy from walking through what feels like a gallery of terror created by other creative people and seeing all the different ways horror has inspired them. There were so many incredible vendors throughout the weekend, including Tee No Evil, Crude Inc., Trick or Treat Studios, FANGORIA, Bloody Disgusting, Creep-O-Rama, Discount Cemetery, Art by Cheyne, Lucky Hellcat Art, Sandrade Illustration, and many more.

I spent hours going back and forth between vendors, discovering new artists, revisiting booths I had already convinced myself I was done spending at, and somehow leaving with even more. By the end of the weekend, I had managed to snag T-shirts, posters, artwork, stickers, collectibles, celebrity autographs, and enough other horror merchandise to make packing for the flight home an entirely different kind of nightmare.

My first night at Midsummer Scream also gave me one of those moments where I had to remind myself how surreal doing the podcast has become. I was invited to attend the Storm King Comics VIP event celebrating “CATHEDRAL,” the graphic novel and companion music project from the world of Storm King Comics. The event alone was an incredible way to spend my first night at the convention, but it became even more memorable when I got to meet John Carpenter. I felt a bit like a little kid eagerly waiting to meet Santa Claus. I hung out while people talked to him, waiting for a moment to say hi and show my appreciation for his work in horror. I always try to bring up a random movie or work I’ve enjoyed instead of the typical fan favorite when I meet celebrities. So, when I finally got my chance to go over and say hi, I had to mention one of my favorites of his, “Body Bags.” He laughed and said thanks. Very nice about it, and we took a selfie. After that, I chilled for a bit at the VIP event, enjoying the music and people hanging around.

There are certain names in horror that almost feel larger than the genre itself, and Carpenter is absolutely one of them. This is the filmmaker behind “Halloween,” “The Thing,” “They Live,” “The Fog,” and countless other movies and scores that helped shape not only horror, but my own love of it. Standing there with John Carpenter was one of those rare moments where the podcaster in me disappeared for a second and the lifelong horror fan completely took over. Out of all the memories I brought home from Long Beach, meeting Carpenter is one I know I'm going to be talking about for a very long time.

The next day, my Storm King Comics experience continued when I sat down to interview Sandy King, founder and editor of Storm King Comics and co-author of “CATHEDRAL” alongside John Carpenter and Sean Sobczak. We talked about the comic, the world they created for “CATHEDRAL,” and what it took to bring the project to life. After meeting Carpenter the night before, sitting across from Sandy to discuss the project made the entire Storm King Comics experience one of the biggest highlights of my weekend.

Of course, Carpenter wasn't the only horror icon being celebrated throughout Midsummer Scream. One of the biggest themes of this year's convention was the 30th anniversary of Wes Craven's “Scream.” The celebration brought together cast members Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Jamie Kennedy, Roger L. Jackson, Joseph Whipp, and Lee Waddell, along with Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, composer Marco Beltrami, and many others tied to the film's legacy.

The weekend included panels celebrating “Scream,” along with booths where cast members could meet fans and sign autographs. Because everyone was so popular, I could only stop by Skeet Ulrich's booth to say hello and get an autograph before he, too, was listed as “at capacity” for fans. If there was ever any doubt that people still love “Scream” three decades later, Midsummer Scream erased it quickly.

With so much happening throughout the weekend, I surprisingly only made it to two panels, but both were ones I genuinely wanted to see. The first was the “V/H/S Halloween: Home Haunt” panel, which was particularly special because it featured past podcast guest Sarah Nicklin. The panel also featured Josh Goldblum (producer of the V/H/S franchise), Micheline Pitt-Norman (‍Co-writer and director of the "Home Haunt" segment), R.H. Norman (Co-writer and director of the "Home Haunt" segment ), and ‍Carleigh Herbert (Makeup Department Head of the "Home Haunt" segment ). After speaking with Sarah on the podcast, sitting in the audience and watching her discuss “Home Haunt,” one of my favorite segments from the V/H/S franchise, created another fun full-circle moment that kept happening throughout the weekend.

The other panel I made sure not to miss was “Last Podcast on the Left” (featuring Ed Larson, Henry Zebrowski and Marcus Parks). Anyone familiar with me or the podcast probably knows how much I enjoy the Last Podcast Network crew, so getting the chance to watch them live at Midsummer Scream was an easy decision. Between the laughs, the horror discussion, and reconnecting with several people from the network throughout the convention, it was the perfect panel for this trip. I also had many chances to stop by their booth, hang out, and even get my picture taken with the three of them. It was my first chance to meet Henry and Marcus, so that was an extra bonus to my trip.

As much as I went to Midsummer Scream to experience everything the convention had to offer, one of the biggest reasons the weekend meant so much to me was finally getting to meet people in person who had previously appeared on my podcast.

Over the years, some of those guests have gone from being people I interviewed to people I genuinely consider friends within the horror community. Typically, I do Zoom calls with my guests, so it was incredibly rewarding to finally stand face-to-face with people I had spent hours talking with through a microphone and reminisce about the ridiculous conversations, horror discussions, and fun moments we had shared on their episodes.

Throughout the weekend, I reunited with several past guests and friends, including Rob Oakey, producer from Last Podcast on the Left's “Side Stories”; Jackie Zebrowski (from the Last Podcast Network's“Who's the Bitch,” “Page 7,” and “Romantasy Deep Dives”); Geoff Adams (from Crude INC); Audrie Nightmare; Nathan Baesel (star of the cult found-footage horror film “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon” and its upcoming sequel), Sarah Nicklin (from “V/H/S Halloween: Home Haunt”), and Ed Larson (co-host of “Last Podcast on the Left,” “Side Stories,” “The Brighter Side Podcast,”, “Movie Stories” available only on their Patreon, and“HGx2” on LPN TV).

I also had the chance to reconnect with Samuel Santiago from Truly Disturbing, who gave me my first opportunity to start reviewing horror with his first horror review site. Writing for him inspired me to reach for more in the world of horror I’ve enjoyed so much, which is what inspired me to start my podcast. Also, being surrounded by people who have supported me, inspired me, made me laugh, and helped shape different parts of my journey in horror media meant just as much to me as any autographs, panels, or pieces of merchandise I brought home. I went to Long Beach expecting a horror convention. I came home realizing Midsummer Scream was something much more personal than that.

Horror was once an escape I could disappear into when I needed it most. Years later, that escape somehow has turned into a podcast, friendships, conversations with people I once only knew from movies, television, music, and horror media, and now a weekend surrounded by thousands of people who understand exactly why this genre means so much to me.

Maybe that's why Midsummer Scream felt less like a convention and more like a kind of horror Utopia. I went there by myself, completely outside my comfort zone, and left already thinking about next year. So, whether Anaheim is a short drive or a plane ride away for you, if you've ever wanted to experience what it feels like when an entire community comes together to celebrate everything strange, scary, bloody, creative, and wonderful about horror, I highly recommend making the trip.

Thanks to everyone I met, laughed with, interviewed, reunited with, or shared the convention floor with for making my first Midsummer Scream unforgettable. Hope to see you in Anaheim next year. I spent years watching horror from the outside looking in, and for one unforgettable weekend at Midsummer Scream, it finally felt like I was exactly where I belonged.

Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the"I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!