Slash your way through the glut of films, fans and celebrities at this weekend's convention

Since launching in Indianapolis a year ago, HorrorHound has grown faster than a werewolf's sideburns under a full moon.

The three-day convention -- comprising horror film celebrities, vendors and screenings -- made its Pittsburgh debut earlier this year, and will arrive in Detroit in October. But its home base remains Indy, where the event's organizers plan to continue hosting it every March and August. Why here?

HorrorHound Magazine, the event's namesake and promotional partner, is published out of Cincinnati. According to editor Nate Hanneman, Cincinnati just wasn't a right fit for a new convention.

"I have worked in collectibles for 10 years now, and I go to a lot of comic book conventions," he said. "The Cincinnati market seemed to die five or so years ago."

Hanneman's friend Bill Philputt, an Indianapolis native, runs a talent booking agency called Re-Evolution Booking out of Los Angeles. Philputt suggested they bring in his roommate, Brad Miska, co-founder of the popular horror Web site Bloody-disgusting.com, and launch HorrorHound in the Hoosier state.

"I was thinking I could go into Indy and do a show really cheap," Philputt said. "So I talked to Nathan and said, 'Why don't we use the HorrorHound name to promote the convention, and then bring in Brad, who runs the biggest Web horror entity, and then me, one of the biggest celebrity bookers doing conventions."

Philputt began rubbing shoulders with celebrities in the 1980s. At Carmel High School, the young music fan interviewed touring rock bands for makeshift magazines he made in printmaking class.

"I would go wait by the back door of the old Ritz, or sometimes Market Square Arena," Philputt said. "I had run-ins with Kiss, Metallica and other big bands, and became friends with them."

Philputt's obsession with rock stars led to a career on the road with heavy metal stalwarts like Anthrax, Pantera and Moetley Cruee. "I worked with these bands as a merch person, guitar tech, tour manager and personal assistant," he said. "I got the chance to work with the Who, and basically followed the lead singer around and helped him with anything he needed."

The constant travel wore on Philputt, so the manager/promoter settled down in Los Angeles, where he began booking celebrities for comic book, horror and sci-fi conventions.

His contribution is a big part of HorrorHound's appeal. Unlike conventions where celebrities are brought in for a quick appearance and then whisked away, HorrorHound makes sure its celebrities stay for the long haul. And the quality of names has steadily improved. Last November, Philputt managed to lure John Landis to Indianapolis, where the legendary director signed autographs and participated in a Q&A session for a documentary about his classic film "An American Werewolf in London."

This weekend's HorrorHound will feature more than 25 actors, directors and make-up artists, and includes some of the convention's biggest names yet, including Jason Mewes (famous for playing the foul-mouthed stoner Jay in Kevin Smith's films), Jake Busey (son of Gary and star of "The Frighteners" and "Starship Troopers") and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante.

Although many of the other celebrities appearing aren't household names, they're deeply revered by hardcore horror fans.

"The one we were most excited about getting was Dick Miller," Philputt said. "He has done a lot of Joe Dante movies, including 'Gremlins' and 'The Howling,' and he is one of our favorite actors."

Such celebrities are the biggest draw for fans, who delight in the chance to get their photos snapped with their cinematic heroes. According to Philputt, celebrities enjoy it, too -- once they come around to the idea.

"A lot of the actors, you go and offer them something, and they are like, 'I'm not at the point of my career where I need to do that,'." Philputt said. "It's like, 'Don't write it off.' A lot of the people who come still work."

And the biggest thrills often happen after the curtain has closed on official convention festivities.

"Once the show starts winding down, everybody starts talking about where to go eat. In Indy it's usually the Red Lobster across the street. Later, all of the celebrities usually end up at the hotel bar. It's a way for fans to hang out with whoever might be there. Last time, people were like, 'Oh, my god, there's Candyman and he's getting a beer!' People love it."

- By Matt Gonzales / Indy.com correspondent

HorrorHound Weekend

Where: Marriott Indianapolis East, 7202 E. 21st St.

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 29, 11.a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 5.p.m. Aug. 31.

Cost: $50 for a weekend pass, or $20 per day ($15 on Sunday).

Info: www.horrorhoundweekend.com

HorrorHound highlights

Celebrities: Jason Mewes, Jake Busey, Joe Dante, Dick Miller, Doug Jones, Belinda Balaski, Zack Galligan and others.

Stuff: Shop at dozens of vendor tables for horror DVDs, T-shirts, posters and more.

Screenings: Films include "It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To," "Murder Loves Killers, Too," "Let The Right One In," "Pulse 2" and "Feast 2," "Shiver" and "Dance of the Dead," the last of which Bloody-disgusting.com recently awarded a rare 10-out-of-10 review.