Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping the work of AJTheIllustrator and HeidiMaetrix into the ol’ VCR.
Let’s get personal for a minute, friends. We all know I have a very specific writing style and very unique voice. I can’t help it; it’s just how I am as a person. For years, I’ve struggled with rejection. In fact, I was even rejected by Rotten Tomatoes last year because of my voice.
However, I’ve really come into my own as a writer over the years. And, it’s thanks to creators like Heidi and AJ.
AJ’s account first hit my radar as I was scrolling through Instagram one night. Their short film that depicts Scream directed by Wes Anderson was recommended to me between posts, and I was immediately obsessed. You can not only see but feel the fun these two have collaborating together, and I really think it speaks to the power of friendship.
They remind me of all the silly fake horror movies I would make with my friends throughout high school, but, y’know, good.
AJ and Heidi’s collaborative and individual content is simply brilliant and innovative. (Not to mention they’re some of the nicest humans I’ve ever interacted with).
The horror space, and honestly, the pop culture space as a whole, has so often been dominated and gate kept by male writers and creators. The good news is, creators like Heidi and AJ are paving the way for the future of horror creators.
I’ve been feeling particularly inspired lately because of their masterfully crafted content. Additionally, it makes me not feel as alone within the horror space because of my voice. The future of horror and content creators is diverse. It’s female and non-binary and LQBTQIA+ and BIPOC.
It’s not just cis, straight, white men blogging from their basement anymore (no offense if you’re decent and those things). It’s colorful and unique and funny. It doesn’t have to be a straight-forward review, nor does it have to be a traditional homage. You can blend genres and references.
Horror has always represented a nice group of misfits and outcasts looking for a place to belong, and I think we sometimes forget the genre’s roots. Horror is for everyone, not one specific group.
Remembering that and continuing to support all of our favorite horror directors and content creators is how horror has been able to thrive the past few years. We still have a long way to go, but I can’t think of a time when we’ve had the amount of horror content we have now.
Now, don’t get it twisted. I’m not here to say I’m one of the voices creating a space for others. I just like writing about pop culture. But, I’m also not going to stop writing in my particular voice. And none of you should either.
If you’ve ever been told your style isn’t “a fit” or “isn’t polished,” keep writing. Keep creating. Keep making content. Creators like Heidi and AJ are showing the world their unique voices, so show the world yours.
Y’know, as long as you aren’t spewing hateful rhetoric. We don’t take kindly to that around these parts.
Follow AJ at @AJTheIllustrator on Instagram and Heidi @heidimaetrix on Instagram to support their content.
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