NBCUniversal’s Chiller and Asian American Film Lab Host Halloween Spooktacular

NEW YORK - Oct. 31, 2014 - PRLog -- NBCUniversal’s Chiller and the Asian American Film Lab™ (“Film Lab”), joined forces to host a Halloween Spooktacular at the NBC Experience store in Rockefeller Plaza on Thursday night.

Thomas Vitale, Chiller’s EVP of Strategic Operations and Syfy’s Original Movies, kicked off the evening with opening remarks.  Vitale has been with Syfy for 20 years and not only started the Syfy original movies, but is responsible for Sharknado and Sharknado 2.

Guests came in costume and enjoyed a screening of Ghost Daughter, directed by Zao Wang. Wang, also the winner of last year’s NBC Shorts competition and segment director of the Chiller original movie (anthology horror) 5 States of Fear, answered audience questions about the horror genre and his filmmaking career, in a panel moderated by Film Lab President and actor Jennifer Betit Yen.  Justin Smith, Chiller’s Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions, also appeared to offer attendees valuable advice and insights on how to pitch a project in development.

Wang, when asked about his reasons for joining the panel, explained, “I want to share my film and the filmmaking experience with the audience, and hopefully it'll add something fun and provocative for everyone on this Halloween.”

After the screening and panel, guests networked over a catered Korean dinner generously sponsored by APA@NBCUniversal.  Of course, there was also a costume contest with prizes ranging from goodie-filled tote bags to gift certificates for dinner on the town!

Following the party, many guests went to watch the season finale of the Film Lab’s television series, Film Lab Presents (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3591302/) and several expressed enthusiasm over Chiller’s all-day Halloween marathon of classic horror movies.

Upcoming Film Lab events include a performance reading and workshop of new and emerging filmmakers and writers on November 6^th, a screening and panel on diversity in media at the Time Warner New Media Center on November 13^th and a Holiday Fundraising Gala in December (type into browser: eepurl.com/5RwN5).

About ChillerTV

Chiller is an entertainment brand dedicated to delivering round-the-clock scares with its commitment to producing diverse and high-quality horror content.  Chiller’s eclectic slate of adrenaline-fueled, soul-stirring entertainment includes a broad offering of original movies and specials, genre films, documentary and reality shows (Scare Tactics) and some of the most thought-provoking and suspenseful series ever on television (The River, Dead Like Me, Tales from the Darkside, Outer Limits).  With its recently-created Chiller Films initiative, Chiller also produces feature films for select theaters and On-Demand.  Chiller network is currently available in 40 million homes.  To learn more, visit: www.chillertv.com.  Chiller.  Scary Good.  Chiller is the home to original productions from some of the most acclaimed and respected creators in the horror world. Original movies include The Boy with Elijah Wood’s SpectreVision (2015); Animal,produced with Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films; the adaptation of the W.W. Jacobs classic The Monkey's Paw;  Beneath, from writer/director Larry Fessenden, the award-winning documentary The American Scream from filmmaker Michael Stephenson (the man behind Best Worst Movie); Dead Souls, from the novel by Michael Laimo; and Remains, from the critically lauded graphic novel by Steve Niles.

About Asian American Film Lab

The Film Lab began in 1998 as collaborative of New York-based filmmakers whose goals were to hone their craft and to share their knowledge, experience and resources. The membership has grown to comprise professionals, artists and other talented individuals who all share the common goal of creating great film and promoting Asian American filmmakers and other filmmakers of color, and the visibility of their stories and characters in film and television.  The Lab now runs monthly programs to promote gender and ethnic diversity in film and television.

The Asian American Film Lab and Jennifer Betit Yen created AAFL TV in August 2013 to address an explosion of interest in diverse, original creative content along with a corresponding rising level of dissatisfaction with mainstream programming for a lack of diversity and/or perpetuation of racial stereotypes.  AAFL TV partnered with NYCMedia, New York City’s flagship media station, to begin airing a television series entitled “Film Lab Presents,” consisting of 30 minute episodes of racially diverse original contemporary entertainment content in January 2014.  The Film Lab currently airs television series, hosted by Jennifer Betit Yen, on NYCLife and CrossingsTV.   Season II is directed by Ryan Hayward.  Season III will begin November 20, 2014, and will be directed by William Alexander Runnels.

The Film Lab is run under the direction of President Jennifer Betit Yen.  Board members include Edwin Wong, James Kyson, Aaron Woolfolk, Aurora Betson, Daryl King, Erik Lu, and Perry Tsao.

The Film Lab’s other programming includes filmmaking workshops with industry professionals, screenwriting contests, and film competitions, including the annual 72 Hour Film Shootout.  This annual competition, now in its tenth year, has inspired hundreds of filmmakers by helping nascent talent take brave steps towards a filmmaking career.

The Asian American Film Lab is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
asianamericanfilmlab.org (view past Shootout films on “AAFL TV”)

info@film-lab.org