Award-winning TV writer, Karen Moore, premiered her first short film, Volcano, at Toronto International Film Festival this year. Karen has had an extensive career in television, writing and producing for shows like Mary Kills People (Hulu) and Workin’ Moms (Netflix/CBC). Find out more about her journey to directing in our interview below!

Hello Karen, congratulations on your short film, Volcano! Can you tell us what your movie is about? What inspired the story?

Thank you! Volcano is about two old friends– Jess and Hannah– who meet up for drinks at a tiki bar and are struggling to connect on this particular night. The film is a funny tug-of-war conversation between the two of them that goes off the rails, revealing a darker underbelly. The story is inspired by my experiences with female friends and one particular romantic relationship. 

Victoria Dunsmore stars in the movie, The Last Porno Show, which has just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. The film is unique and challenges the audience, and Victoria talks to us all about it. Read more below!

Hello, Victoria, thank you for talking to Defective Geeks! Tell us about your upcoming movie, The Last Porno Show, and how did you get involved with the project. What about it appealed to you the most and what can people expect when they watch it? 

The Last Porno Show follows aspiring actor Wayne, who inherits a seedy, run-down porn cinema from his estranged father. Initially wanting nothing to do with the building, he attempts to sell it, but has a change of heart after auditioning for an art film. On a whim, he bases his character on the persona of his late father, which is what ultimately wins him the lead role in the film. He then falls down a method actor rabbit hole, reenacting memories from his childhood (all set in the old porno cinema), and it all gets pretty crazy from there. 

Rosie Mae and Pastel Supernova, collaborate to launch Burlesque Uni, a fitness studio designed to teach the art of burlesque dance. The school is a 10-week program for students looking to further their dance and
performance skills, but also welcomes students of all-levels. Read more about what inspired these women to start their own studio below.

Thank you so much for taking the time and answering my questions. Tell us more about Burlesque Uni and each of yourselves as dancers. What was the story behind the two of you opening up this studio? 

Rosie and Pastel: Burlesque Uni is a studio designed for dancers to explore the world of showgirls through the art of burlesque and various dance and fitness classes. The studio was opened as the city was lacking a space that not only focused on burlesque but also included extensive dance training that could lead to working showgirls. 

On the last day of San Diego Comic-Con, while the lines were still long and arduous for all the outdoor activations, I managed to catch NBC’s Superstore photo opp when it didn’t have a line. They built a cute installation inside the Hard Rock Café of a mini-Superstore where you can have your photo taken as Employee of the Month. It was a nice way to wrap up the weekend!

Amazon Video had one of the biggest activations at San Diego Comic-Con this year, promoting their shows such as The Expanse, The Boys and Carnival Row. Also– they were handing out free snacks like churros and pretzel bites. You know I enjoy a free snack during Comic-Con!

For the past few years, the geek world takes over San Diego’s Gaslamp area with quite a few activations. This year, we saw long lines for Detective Pikachu and for Brooklyn Nine-Nine right across the street from the convention center. Fans were able to immerse themselves in their fandom in the best way possible!

The activation game was all over San Diego Comic-Con this year. I checked out the Pennyworth London Underworld activation at the Oxford Social Club– which captured the style and mood of the television show (airing now on EPIX). You are led into a speakeasy style space with music, as well as a cigar-shaped chocolate… if you so desire! Attendees had a taste of the mysterious Raven Society as well as receiving a hand-written poem.

Check out our collection of photos below!

Batman Beyond celebrates 20 years since it premiered in January 10, 1999. I was 15 years old when the show first aired on the WB Network, and I vividly remember getting excited for this show. I immediately fell in-love with the series from the very first episode and had been a loyal fan since then– to this day!