GIRL ON FILM

Storytelling is my passion, film is the vehicle and after graduating from UCF, I was hired by the Sundance Film Festival.  I trudged through snow to happily consume it – or have it consume me.  Currently, I am the marketing and public relations manager for the Florida Film Festival and Enzian, Central Florida’s only art house theater showcasing independent film year-round.  Everyday the good, bad and quirky of the indie film world flops on my desk and it’s in this column that I’ll spoon out my personal musing on it to you.

Sex & Cinema on our Hallowed Streets…
We’ve all heard it before from both sexes; Halloween is an excuse for women to wave their “get out of jail” free card, not only dressing especially provocative in the name of ghoulish celebration, but also turning any costume or character into its naughty, ultra-sexy alter ego.  My stance?  Heck yes!  And to those who choose to pass judgement… you can go choke on a garter belt.

My personal choice for Halloween costumes frequently stem from film, and are usually characters that exude a bit of sass and sex inherently. Unfortunately, I’ve executed them all with disasterous results.

Mia Wallace – PULP FICTION
I ...chose to portray the hip, whip smart Jack Rabbit Slims-burger-and-dance-loving Mia rather than the overdose-adrenaline-shot-piercing-the-heart Mia – although I did see a few of those Mias around (the needle dangling below the bold, red dot was an obvious, yet nice touch).  My white shirt held up fine but within two shakes of a lamb’s tail, it was the slick, black wig that fell short.  It became a haggard clump of synthetic fibers which inadvertently evolved my costume into the wrecked, awkward-drive-home-after-being-stabbed-through-the-breast bone Mia.

Rollergirl – BOOGIE NIGHTS
I ...hadn’t worn four-wheel skates since I was less than five feet tall and a bundle of innocence, and I was excited to bastardize this wonderful childhood toy into a mode of transporting sexyback.  The hope was that after I laced up my pair of white vintage skates, which matched a fitted throwback onesie, I’d be an explicit force gliding around each party, beaming with the charm of an honorary member of adult film’s elite squad.  The fact is, after strapping on my wheels of fun, I was over eight feet tall and awkwardly towered over everyone in a daunting heap of groovy, porn star fail.

Elvis Costello – circa This Year’s Model album
I realize he’s not from film, and to quickly recount my poor delivery:  Hat on, I looked like Michael Jackson.  Hat off, I looked like the male-centric partner of a lesbian relationship on her wedding day.  My quick-fix solution before the Russian Circles show began at BackBooth?  Slapping on a HELLO MY NAME IS sticker that featured, “Elvis Costello,” scrawled as its title.  At least it was a pretty bad ass show and I discovered I looked sorta cute in large, black-rimmed glasses.

This year’s costume ideas have been narrowed down to the following finalists, and I’m determined not to muck these up:  Leeloo from THE FIFTH ELEMENT, Lola from RUN LOLA RUN, or Dr. Gonzo from FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS.  But let’s be honest, I’m best suited to party hop in a tight tank top and combat boots, than to try to convince fellow revelers (and myself) that I have any resemblance to dopey-eyed Benicio del Toro.  Plus, finding a dreadlocked orange wig is a challenge I excitedly accept.

Now that the issue of whom to portray while partying is fairly solved, it’s time to address where.  If you like to stretch your merriment over the entire month of October…. like I do… The Enzian and its outdoor full-service bar, Eden Bar, is just the place to call your Halloween home for the next 30 days.  With a mash up of classic and cult holiday must-sees playing; DAWN OF THE DEAD, CHUCKY and more, and a watering hole that serves food and drinks until late into the night, you’ll certainly get your fix for freaky fun this year at this ideal spot for undead alcoholics and film lovers.  To view the entire line up of films, drink specials and Haunted Swamp tour dates and times, visit Enzian.org.
    Also note, coming in costume, well executed or otherwise, is welcomed with little to no judgment.

Wanna argue film and other things?  Follow me on Twitter @JordanaEM