by Alicia Hollinger

Burbank, CA (Pop CultureToday) – 6/24/13 -- Richard Matheson, a prolific science fiction writer best known for the original "I Am Legend," the novel that inspired "The Incredible Shrinking Man," "Somewhere in Time," and classic episodes of the "Twilight Zone," died suddenly Sunday at the age of 87, just days before he was to be honored at this year's Saturn Awards.

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films had planned to award Matheson the Visionary Award at this year's ceremony on Wednesday. Instead it will be presented posthumously and the 39th Annual Saturn Awards will be dedicated to his memory.

“We are heartbroken to lose a writer of towering talent, unlimited imagination and unparalleled inspiration,” said Academy President Robert Holguin.  “Richard was a genius whose visions helped bring legitimacy and critical acclaim to science fiction and fantasy. He was also a longtime supporter of the Academy, and everyone associated with The Saturn Awards feels emptier today to learn of this enormous loss.  Richard’s accomplishments will live on forever in the imaginations of everyone who read or saw his inspired and inimitable work.”

Celebrity attendees expected include:
·  J.J. Abrams (director, Star Trek: Into Darkness; producer, Revolution)
·  Amy Acker (Much Ado About Nothing, The Cabin in the Woods)
·  Julie Adams (1954’s The Creature from the Black Lagoon)
·  Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad)
·  Zoe Bell (Grindhouse: Death Proof, Django Unchained)
·  Shane Black (director, Iron Man 3, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
·  Moon Bloodgood (Falling Skies)
·  Barry Bostwick (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cougar Town)
·  Wayne Brady (How I Met Your Mother, Let’s Make a Deal)
·  Israel Broussard (The Bling Ring)
·  Derek Connolly (writer, Safety Not Guaranteed, Jurassic Park 4)
·  Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
·  Brett Dalton (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Keith David (Cloud Atlas, The Bible, The Thing)
·  Lexa Doig (Continuum)
·  William Friedkin* (director, The Exorcist, Killer Joe)
·  Vince Gilligan* (creator, Breaking Bad)
·  Ellen Greene (Little Shop of Horrors, Hannibal)
·  Clark Gregg (Marvel’s The Avengers, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Laurie Holden (The Walking Dead)
·  Doug Jones (Falling Skies, Fantastic Four)
·  Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon, Ted)
·  Eric Knudsen (Continuum)
·  Eric Kripke (writer/producer, Supernatural, Revolution)
·  Katie Leclerc (Switched at Birth)
·  Richard Matheson* (writer, The Twilight Zone, I Am Legend, Duel)
·  Lara Parker (Dark Shadows TV series)
·  Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf)
·  Lance Reddick (Saturn Awards Host, Fringe, White House Down)
·  J. August Richards (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Drew Roy (Falling Skies)
·  John Savage (The Deer Hunter, Hair)
·  Kathryn Leigh Scott (Dark Shadows TV series)
·  Quentin Tarantino (director, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds)
·  Colin Trevorrow (director, Safety Not Guaranteed, Jurassic Park 4)
·  Anna Torv (Fringe)
·  Lenny Von Dohlen (Twin Peaks, Electric Dreams)
·  Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)
·  Joss Whedon (director, Marvel’s The Avengers, Much Ado About Nothing)
·  Noah Wyle (Falling Skies)
 

Hollywood, CA (Hollywood Today)10/25/12 — The L.A. Horror Fest makes its debut this weekend October 26 and 27th just in time for Halloween at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. The new entry in the expanding universe of film festivals was founded by two Chicagoans, James Groth and Thomas Schroeder, and will be part film festival and part convention.

Horror films will screen all day and evening, while attendees can also learn more about elements of the filmmaking process with panels of filmmakers, actors and makeup artists. Outside vendors will be selling their wares and memorabilia, street actors will entertain, and talent will sign autographs.

Attendees are encouraged to come in costume and compete for various awards and party down with a DJ and live music in the “Beer, Blood & Wine Garden.” The event will be broadcasting live throughout the day with interviews of the stars in front of the camera and the behind-the-scenes talent. Hosting will be horror writer/director Mark Vadik of “Cyrus, The Mind of a Serial Killer” fame and actress Sarah Agor, reality TV regular on “Scream Queens.”

The festival will mark the Los Angeles premiere of “Greystone Park,” the first feature film of director/writer/actor Sean Stone, son of Oliver Stone, prior to the closing night Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 27. Stone will also be featured in a Q&A panel along with other talent from the film.

For more info, the full schedule of events can be found at http://www.lahorrorfest.com

The festival is sponsored by Creative America, a grassroots organization uniting the entertainment community and others against content theft. Creative America brings together actors, directors, craft professionals, editors, cinematographers, small businesses that service the industry, studio employees and others who make a living in and care about film, television, and other creative industries and believe that creativity and innovation deserve to be protected. Visit www.creativeamerica.org to learn more.