Behind the Scenes of 'Epic Ink'- 'Friday the 13th'

Photo Courtesy A&E

BY NOWAL MASSARI

A few months ago, Deanna Uutela, creator of Living Dead Magazine, friend and boss, approached me to be a part of a new tattoo reality tv show. "Epic Ink," centers around Area 51 Tattoo, where shop owner/Captain, Chris 51, has made an inked nerd oasis in the small town of Springfield, Oregon. Naturally, she said, that I was the first person that sprang to mind when they requested a paranormal themed piece, as I am the "paranormal expert" for Living Dead Magazine. When Harold Ramis passed away, I wanted to get a memorial tattoo of him as Dr. Egon Spengler, which was perfect.

I went to the Area 51 website to check out their artists, because getting a portrait tattoo requires a seriously talented artist. While browsing through each artists portfolio, my eyes nearly exploded out of their sockets. These guys (and gal, Heather Maranda!) are like the X-Men of tattoo artists: EFFING BAD ASS. They are also part of an elite group of artists worldwide, that are licensed by LucasFilm. However, there was no question in my mind as to who would be tattooing me. None. Chris Jones was my dude. He eeked out the others because he actually had a "Ghostbusters" piece in his portfolio, so I knew what his Egon looked like and I needed it. Unfortunately, we don't always get what we want and my original idea wasn't going to be able to air on the network. Serious case of the sads. After tossing around a few ideas, since I thought it had to be paranormal in theme, I was asked if I had any other ideas for a piece...something I had been wanting for awhile. Why, yes I did!

Destination America's New Series 'Alaska Monsters' Premieres September 12

Courtesy Destination America

Premiering on Friday, September 12 at 9 p.m. ET is the all-new series from Destination America, "Alaska Monsters." Check out all the details below from the announcement and let us know if you'll be tuning in for some creature goodness. Click here to watch a sneak peek of the series.

-Larissa Mrykalo

Press Release via Destination America:

Within the Last Frontier lies a region known as the Alaska Triangle, spanning 200,000 unforgiving square miles where more people go missing per capita than anywhere else on earth. Treacherous terrain and unforgiving natural elements have stopped many in their tracks, but some Alaskans hold onto the idea that mysterious monsters snatched them up. Unidentified crypto-creatures wander the state covered by millions of acres of dense wilderness and are known to lift and reposition trees with ease, create seismic activity with their minds, and even decapitate humans with one bite. Destination America’s new series "Alaska Monsters" travels with a team of native outdoorsmen, who call themselves the Midnight Sons, as they investigate the harsh Alaskan forest in a quest to uncover proof of frightening monsters thought to be living there. "Alaska Monsters" series premieres Friday, September 12 at 9/8c on Destination America.

"I Survived a Zombie Apocalypse" Coming to BBC Three

Courtesy The Telegraph

While some people may be "over" the zombie phenomenon, there is no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. According to BBC and Deadline, the virus has infected the world of reality television and will soon be shambling onto screens in the form of a game show.

In a nod that fans of George A. Romero will be sure to appreciate, the show takes place in a zombie infested mall a la "Dawn of the Dead." The ultimate goal of the show, as with any zompoc media, is to survive the hordes until the Army shows up to rescue you. To make things interesting, if a contestant is bitten on the show, they are taken out of the game in a particularly gruesome manner. Here are a few more details via the BBC:

Haunted House Reality Series Heading to ABC

Courtesy: Bloody Disgusting

An exclusive over at The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that a new unscripted haunted house reality series is heading to ABC. Details surrounding the unnamed series are being kept a secret but the project has been sold by Warner Bros. president of unscripted reality and programming, Mike Darnell. Prolific “Insidious” producer, Jason Blum and his Blumhouse productions are slated to be the project’s executive producer.

More details came thanks to Variety, “Variety has confirmed that the project currently has a pilot order at the Alphabet and will deal with haunted houses, a seemingly endless area of focus for nonfiction cable nets, with Travel Channel, Syfy and others offering haunted house fare.”

According to THR, the collaboration between ABC and Blum “…marks a reunion with ABC, where Blumhouse produced the found-footage horror series 'The River' with 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli in early 2012. Though that project ultimately was short-lived, the company has continued to beef up its horror portfolio, with franchises that include 'The Purge' and 'Insidious.'”

We'll keep you updated on any more developments but what are your thoughts on this show's potential?

-Larissa Mrykalo