by Erika McCarden
for Altadenablog
Friends of the Altadena Library welcomed local author Paul M. Sammon as a guest speaker at its monthly Board Meeting on Monday, June 7.
Sammon stopped by the Library’s Community Room to discuss his work in the film industry, and sign his latest books: Conan the Phenomenon – a collection of the many stages and developments of the Conan character, with the cover illustrated by the late Frank Frazetta; and the updated Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner – a view of the inner workings of modern Hollywood and difficulties faced on-set.
“I’m a local, and I’m so thrilled and honored to be here,” Sammon said.
A science fiction and fantasy enthusiast, Sammon was nine years old when he read his first Conan story written by Robert E. Howard. He credits his parents for his love of film and writing.
Sammon’s love for writing led him to author many published short stories, and have articles featured in The American Cinematographer, The Los Angeles Times, and Cinefantastique. And while climbing the ladder within film, he worked as a director, special effects coordinator, and vice president, rubbing elbows with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, John Landis, David Cronenberg, Philip K. Dick, Art Cruickshank, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“I’ve been very fortunate over the years. I created a unique position for myself before the studios caught on – working in Universal’s marketing department, producing and directing short promotional films, organizing ad campaigns, and producing electronic press kits ” said Sammon. “Most of the Seventies I spent breaking into film and writing, which are the dual careers I’ve somehow managed to maintain since then.”
He credits Star Wars and Jaws as the defining moments of film that changed the technology and marketing of the industry.
“Back then, I was traveling to dozens of science fiction, comic book and Star Trek conventions, solely to publicize Universal genre films – a time when conventions weren’t really entertaining movies for advertisement,” said Sammon.
Films Sammon worked on include RoboCop, Platoon, The Black Hole, and Conan the Barbarian, where he also met and befriended an up-and-coming actor – Arnold Schwarzenegger. The two remain close friends today.
“Back then Arnold told me that he was going to leave acting to become a politician one day. He said he’d be a Governor, or President of the United States. Amazing,” said Sammon.
Ed note: we are proud to welcome our new correspondent, community journalist Erika McCarden.
by Erika McCarden
for Altadenablog
Friends of the Altadena Library welcomed local author Paul M. Sammon as a guest speaker at its monthly Board Meeting on Monday, June 7.
Sammon stopped by the Library’s Community Room to discuss his work in the film industry, and sign his latest books: Conan the Phenomenon – a collection of the many stages and developments of the Conan character, with the cover illustrated by the late Frank Frazetta; and the updated Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner – a view of the inner workings of modern Hollywood and difficulties faced on-set.
“I’m a local, and I’m so thrilled and honored to be here,” Sammon said.
A science fiction and fantasy enthusiast, Sammon was nine years old when he read his first Conan story written by Robert E. Howard. He credits his parents for his love of film and writing.