Artist Feature – Samuel Shin

Rabbit in Red’s Featured Artist for February is the Los Angeles-based freelance illustrator Samuel Shin.

To see more of his work, follow @smlshin on Instagram and visit samuelshin.com.

10 Questions and Artworks with Samuel Shin

What’s your favourite scary movie?

I have two. JAWS and SCREAM. JAWS started my obsession with film and opened the doors for my fandom of films. I know it’s not just horror, but I had to include it. It’s also my all time favorite film ever. The first SCREAM is iconic and I believe there’s a reason why its legacy has lasted this long. In a genre where sequels killed horror movie franchises, I feel the SCREAM film franchise survived and made a lasting impact because despite some of the flaws each entry made the effort to be a good film.

What’s your favourite horror artwork you’ve created?

Another question with two answers! Again JAWS and SCREAM. I quite enjoy painting Roger Kastel’s iconic JAWS shark. That image is forever planted in your head whenever you think of JAWS. Same goes for Ghostface. I find his mask and his robe simple but effective. Nothing over the top about it. 

Favourite horror movie character?

Jamie Kennedy’s Randy Meeks. He was us the film nerds and the audience. Kevin Williamson’s script described him as “A witty jokester who elevates geek to coolness.” That could not have been more accurate. He is probably the coolest nerd/geek portrayal in cinema ever. I also am quite fond of Neve Campbell’s Sidney. She is up there with Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode. Both are the epitome of “final girl” done right. Vulnerable, but yet strong and brave. They’re survivors. 

If you could bring one horror movie character back to life, who would it be?

This answer is going to be a bit of a cheat, cause I think killing off Randy in SCREAM 2, was ballsy and it showed that no one in the film is safe, and at one point I thought David Arquette and Courteney Cox were goners. Made the film a little more unpredictable as Craven and Williamson didn’t play it safe so that’s something I can respect about this franchise. BUT, a part of me would have liked to see Randy make it to at least one more film and get the girl(Sidney) and then get killed off by SCREAM 3 or something, but it is what it is. 

What film do you think deserves a sequel that never got one?

I have multiple answers for this. I always thought Sam Raimi’s DRAG ME TO HELL could have gotten a sequel. I was curious what was in store for Justin Long’s character and how he would get out of that predicament. BUT I also would have loved to see what Neill Blomkamp would have done with his direct sequel to ALIENS. I only consider Scott’s ALIEN and Cameron’s ALIENS to be cannon. The story ended for me in ALIENS as I disregard and really despise the rest of the films that came after. Another is the 28 DAYS/WEEKS LATER series. I feel I need one more film to get a conclusion and a sense of closure, cause by the end of WEEKS, it seemed the infection spread through Paris and other countries. 

Favourite horror movie scene?

Seeing Ben Gardner’s head in JAWS. The timing of it all is brilliant, scared the crap out of me in my first viewing. 

Least favourite scene?

I think John Carpenter’s THE THING is a solid film, but I have never been more grossed out watching any of the alien scenes with the practical VFX and makeup. THE THING is a film that is very hard for me to stomach. Truthfully, I don’t ever need to see it again. The defibrillator scene in particular is just gnarly. 

Favourite kill scene?

The opening kill with Drew Barrymore in SCREAM. Craven delivers a pitch-perfect opening kill that I believe is the standard. Back in the day, I can’t imagine how shocked the audience was seeing the film thinking Drew would be a main character that would survive the ordeal only to be brutally murdered in the opening scene. She is quite the movie star in the film compared to her castmates at the time so all bets were off at that point. Kudos to her for wanting to be that opening kill too.

What horror film do you think is overrated?

SAW. Truthfully I just couldn’t get on board with those films. They felt tedious and one noted. 

What horror film do you think is underrated?

I actually enjoyed the 2016 BLAIR WITCH film. It’s beat for beat the same film as the original, but the difference is, this time the characters are being chased. When stuff goes down, it’s effective and tense. More lore is explored with the Blair Witch and I kinda bought into it. I think TRAIN TO BUSAN also deserves more love. It’s got everything you want in a zombie film but with a boasting emotional core to it.

To have your work featured or if you know a talented horror artist, email info@rabbitinred.com.

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