Lodi woman hoping to scare up votes to benefit PALS
A Lodi woman is showing off her theatrical makeup skills in the hopes of raising money for PALS (People Assisting the Lodi Shelter).
April Chavez, 27, is competing in the 2017 Horror Girl Competition put on by the Sacramento Horror Film Festival this week. Winners get to represent the Sacramento Horror Film Festival in their advertising for an event later this year and also donate half the proceeds from the contest to a charity of their choice. The other half helps fund the Sacramento Horror Film Festival.
Chavez first became interested in the Sacramento Horror Film Festival after she went to a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show in Sacramento. The Film Festival group who puts on the show created a welcoming atmosphere were visitors could be themselves, have fun and promote theatrical art.
She’s also a fan of many horror movies.
“I like the classics. You cannot go wrong with ‘Psycho.’ I like the ones that keep you on the edge of your seat like ‘Wrong Turn,’ ‘Vacancy,’ and ‘Fear.com.’ I really like the thriller/horror aspect of it,” she said.
Chavez later noticed an event listing on Facebook about the competition and thought she would give it a try. She has enjoyed doing theatrical-type makeup as a hobby and has had an interest since middle school.
Her submission to the contest includes a photo of a costume she wore two years ago that she calls a “living-dead girl.” The costume features half of her face and neck painted as a skeleton with other half featuring normal makeup.
“I only used eyeliner, I just blended with regular brushes,” she said.
In coming up with a charity to donate to, Chavez wanted it to go to someone local and thought about her stepdad’s love of supporting pit bulls.
“People think they’re cruel animals but they’re really sweet,” she said. This is her first go at trying to raise money for a good cause and she hopes she can provide to PALS.
The winner will not only get to donate to a local cause and be a part of the marketing for the film festival event, but she will be illustrated by artist Gianluca Mattia for the festival and receive VIP tickets to the remaining events in 2017.
What is unique about this competition is that, because it is a fundraiser, the public must provide a donation to vote with a minimum of $5 for five votes. Votes can be made at https://my.360photocontest.
com/horrorgirl2017. The voting ends on March 3 at 8 p.m. The Sacramento Horror Film Festival has its own goal to raise a total of $2,000 and has raised a little over $1,000, so far.