As Vampire Cowboys’ aesthetic has evolved throughout the years, our intrepid band of theatrical baddies has made a name for itself for a variety of techniques including genre-bending storytelling, montage sequences, digital shorts, elaborate fight choreography, inventive costumes, etc. And amongst that eclectic conglomerate of foul-mouthed dialogue and gratuitous girl-power Kung Fu is one of our most lauded elements, David Valentine’s consistently clever puppet creations. From “Puppet Jesus” to universe crushing aliens to last year’s hysterical “Fuck You Puppet”, David’s collaborations with Vampire Cowboys has always been met with huge audience applause, critical acclaim, and one very very impressive Henry Hewes Design Award nomination. And after seven seasons of spicing up our stages with sultry side dishes, with “Alice in Slasherland”, David’s creations are being moved from hors d'oeuvres to one of the show’s main courses. With multiple demons and monsters to create, we have given David a fun menu of surprises that he’s already meeting with some of his best work yet. VC Nation, get ready to have your minds blown.
In your own words, what is “Alice in Slasherland”?
“Alice in Slasherland” is a bloody battle between good and evil. I do wonder which ones are the real bad guys though...high schoolers or hell demons...they both sort of fit into the same category. Each year Qui seems to write a play with more crazy challenges for me as a puppet designer. It's so fun to see what seemingly impossible tasks Qui and Robert come up with! The best part about working with Vampire Cowboys is every single year I’m motivated into new territories with puppet design and the technology that best suits the shows. I think “Gremlins” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch” have a large influence on how I'm getting these various characters to move for Alice.
If you were a slasher, what weapon would you use to conduct mayhem? What would be your name? Who would be your chosen victims? What would be your origin?
Weapon of choice would be a whole bag of sterile meat-cleavers and surgical knives, drills, saws etc. All very shiny and silver. My name would be the "Drill Butcher." My chosen victims would only be rapists (I’m sort of a super hero, but mainly a killer). My origin would be a completely normal upbringing. I just snapped. (snaps) Like that.
What’s the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you (paranormally speaking)? Any good ghost stories to share whether a personal experience or a good scary story you’ve heard.
When I was pretty young at night while in bed I would hear a deep growl of a breathing that sounded as if it was coming from upstairs. I always thought it was going to be a rabid wolf or dog or something. The breathing was so irregular which made it much more unsettling.......I later realized it was my brother in the room across the hall way SNORING!
The best scary story I've ever heard though was about a girl alone on a camping trip in the forest. I know, dumb right from the start! She was a very dedicated nature photographer which meant she would often go on weekend camping trips by herself. She had her own tent and all the perfect equipment to pull this off. On this particular weekend she was very excited because she had captured some of the best work she’s ever done, think National Geographic in quality. She was thrilled to get home and develop the photos. That next Monday however while in the dark room as she was checking out all the photos she had taken. Somewhere in the middle of the roll of film was one single photo taken of her sleeping alone in her tent.
What is your zombie apocalypse escape plan?
I feel like I started planning for this when I was a kid. Even though I didn't know it. I have a wide variety of baseball bats in my garage and basement. I have a wooden samurai sword. I have a Lord of the Rings’ "Sting" replica. I have a gas mask. I have coveralls. I have lots of spandex. A whole lots of canned foods. Multiple pounds of string cheese and years worth of peanut butter. Nintendo Wii. A camera... seven guitars. uhm...I think I'm just naming things in my room now. OH! A lawn mower would be good too.
What scares you?
Vomit. Being puked on. Or stepping in it.
Why should people see “Alice in Slasherland”?
Because the entire cast is hilarious and awesome. Also because puppets play a major role in this one!
For more info on “Alice in Slasherland”, CLICK HERE!
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