Good evening, folks! (Actually I'm just assuming it's evening where you are as you read this - I really have no way of actually knowing WHAT time it is)... Welcome to our first edition of The OOB Archives - Multi Media!
I'll be posting random articles culled from this now long-defunct publication I did in the late 80s... just for, as my Out Of Bodies buddy Mark would say "shits and giggles!" Our first random stop - an article by another Out Of Bodies brother, Joey Vento - first published October 1987 - titled...
The man who proved to many that school doesn't have to be a living hell!
by Joey Vento
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Roy taught us how to write better screenplays and treatments as well as introducing us to such celebrities as Al Kildore (known for the Rocky and Bullwinkle comic strip), Harry Hamlin (actor from Clash Of The Titans), and Tom Savini (make-up artist for such classics as Dawn Of The Dead and Creepshow).
During my time in Roy's class I wrote three screenplays, blew off someone's hand for a film, andcracked some of my finest jokes! The thing is, Roy Frumkes was into everything his students were into. He just knew how to have fun.
I remember getting such good advice from him about my animation and just about anything. He was like a friend, not just a member of the faculty.
His class included such friends as Daniel Banic, Athur Forte, and some guy I only knew as Tom - who by the way shared my fascination with dimensional animation. There were a lot of friends and associates in the old days, and I remember how great it was to see everyone getting so creative at Mr. Frumkes' sessions. His class was definitely worth waiting for!
To demonstrate to our readers just one example of the craziness that went on in that class, one has to look to the time that Tom Savini came to visit our session.
I think Savini had just finished his make-up effects for DawnOf The Dead and had brought with him several decapitated heads and other bloody body parts from other films. Everyone was so excited! Anyway, Roy had introduced Tom to the class, as everyone applauded. Roy and Tom then sat down for a discussion and some classroom questions. The entire session was a joy to behold up to this point.
Suddenly, Savini had stood up as if to make a point about something. As we were all staring attentively he held up his arm and with a very sharp razor blade proceeded to slit his wrist. Bright red blood poured out of this freshly cut wound and streamed down his arm like a river. We all were shocked to say the least.
My friend Artie dropped his cigarette out of his mouth as I stood up to get a better look. A few pretty girls in the front row immediately had to leave the room for obvious reasons. Roy Frumkes was laughing of course, since this was all an elaborate joke planned out from the start, courtesy of him and Tom Savini.
I must tell you that I couldn't stop laughing myself, once I knew how the trick was devilishly set up. Savini had then explained to us that his wrist was cut using a fake razor with blood built into it - sort of like a syringe - a simple but nauseating effect.
After everyone had a good laugh, and some much needed coffee we all talked a little bit more with Mr. Savini and then said goodbye. It was a day I would never forget. Thanks to Roy Frumkes many of days in his class were like this - unexpected and surprising.
Well, the days and months passed, and we all did quite extraordinary in his course. I came away from this incredible learning experience with a new perspective about the was a teacher could make a difference in just how interested you become.
I also have the good fortune of knowing that Roy was more than my instructor, he was a damn good friend.
***Roy Frumkes had produced a tribute to the film "Dawn Of The Dead" in which he himself appears as an extra. (...an extra ghoul that is - you may know him as the pie in the face ghoul!)
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