Yosef Colin
From Changeling Venue
Contents |
Overview
Common Alias(es): Joseph Collins (professional name), "Lord Shadow" (recurring film character)
Given Name: Yosef Colin
Location: New-New Amsterdam
Age: 93, Appears early 50s
Seeming: Fairest
Kith: Shadowsoul
Court: Autumn
Mantle: Autumn * * * *
Virtue: Prudence
Vice: Sloth
Concept:
- Pre-arcadia: Struggling actor
- Durance: Jester and Messenger for Aftiel, King of the Twilight
- Post-arcadia: Film producer
Mask: A tall, handsome man of Eastern European (Romanian) descent, pale skin, dark piercing eyes and light blonde hair streaked with grey.
Mien: His skin turns ash grey and his ears are subtly pointed. His yellow hair is coarse and unmanageable.
Relevant Mechanics: Striking Looks 4, Fame 2, Wyrd 4, Allies: Film Industry
History
Basic Timeline:
- 1914: Born in County Cluj, Transylvania.
- 1918: Transylvania is assumed into the greater nation of Romania
- 1921: Fire set in father's theater leaves family nearly destitute
- 1923: Family arrives in New York City
- 1927: Attempts to break onto Vaudeville stage
- 1931: Abandons Vaudeville, begins working as a film projectionist
- 1933: Arrives in Hollywood, California
- 1936: Cast as title character in The Lord of Shadows
- 1937: Returns to Romania to complete location shooting of The Lord of Shadows; The film's director (a loyalist) drags Joseph into the Hedge, where he is taken by the Kingdom of Twilight
- Durance: Joseph first serves as a jester to Aftiel, performing at his whim and suffering cruel punishments if he fails to please his Keeper. Later, Joseph is made court courier, relaying his Keeper's wishes to the various denizens of the Kingdom of Twilight and is similarly punished if he ever tarries too long.
- Escape: While traversing the Kingdom of Twilight, he feels compelled to follow a star that appears on the horizon. He traces it to a section of the Kingdom that resembles a city draped in darkness.
- 1977: Breaks out of the Hedge in New York City, in the midst of the blackout of July 13th, becomes a student of the Autumn Sovereign, Zelda Swanson, eventually joining the Autumn Court.
- 1978: Re-establishes his identity as Joseph Collins, stars as a heroic leading man in Chainsaw Bob 4: Debt and Axes, produced by Trauma Films
- 1979: Named "Hottest new face of '78" by Fangoria Magazine. His sudden rise in popularity earns him the court's attention and he replaces Zelda as Autumn Sovereign.
- 1980: Joseph's character from Debt and Axes re-appears as a deranged serial killer in Laughing in the Dark. produced by Trauma Films. The movie's chilling, psychological terror makes it a cult favorite.
- 1982: Stars in Laughing in the Dark 2: Asylum of the Damned, produced by Trauma Films. Like many horror sequels, it appeals more to the gore and slasher fans.
- 1984: Stars in Laughing in the Dark 3: Gurney Journeys, produced by Trauma Films. While nearly as successful as its predecessor, it lacks the originality of previous films.
- 1986: Has a small role in Laughing in the Dark 4: Plague of Madness, produced by Trauma Films. It is almost universally panned by critics and sneered at by fans.
- 1988: In a half-hearted attempt to resurrect two dying franchises, stars in Chainsaw Bob vs. the Laughing Terror, produced by Trauma Films. While appreciated by die-hard Trauma fans, it is generally considered the death knell for both characters.
- 1989: David Colin, Joseph's younger brother and only blood relative, dies of a heart attack at age 72. Joseph is devastated by his loss.
- 1990: Loses the Autumn Crown to Alexander Delapore in a Hedge Duel
- 1992: Purchases the rights to 1938's The Lord of Shadows and releases a remastered version on home video through Trauma Films. Calling himself a film historian, he provides a detailed commentary track on the Laserdisc release.
- 1994: Pens a new script for a high-budget re-make of The Lord of Shadows, begins the arduous task of selling it to studios.
- 1996: Returns again to Romania to film Lord of Shadows for the sakes of authenticity and frugality.
- 1997: Near the end of shooting, Joseph explores the woods where he was first abducted and discovers Ras, living in the wilderness. He becomes her mentor and agrees to bring her with him to America to teach and protect her.
- 1998: Lord of Shadows premiers, produced by Trauma Films but distributed through Joseph's own company, Shadow Play Studios. It becomes a sleeper hit.
- 1999: Directs The Beast Woman, starring a talented new actress named Iliana Roman, produced by Shadow Play Studios. It is an instant success.
- 2000: Shadow Play Studios purchases Trauma Films.
- 2002: Directs Beast Woman of Boston, starring Iliana Roman. While not as successful as its predecessor, it gains a strong cult following in the northeastern U.S.
- 2004: Directs and stars in Lord of Shadows II: The Return. While not as well-received by critics as its predecessor, it is a far greater financial success,
Current Activities: Though no longer in a position of power, Joseph remains an active member of the court of New Amsterdam. he also runs Shadow Play Studios, which he has transformed from a producer of b-grade grindhouse horror to a more respectable independent film studio, at least in his own opinion. Many of his films focus on mythological imagery because he takes most of his stories directly from other Changelings, portraying terrifying abductions and brutal durances on-screen.
Background: Joseph is one of the 'old men' of the New Amsterdam Freehold, having first escaped the Hedge three decades ago. He appears middle-aged, but still handsome and in decent physical shape. Since his loss of the Autumn Crown, he has taken an advisory role within the Autumn Court, particularly after Paul Swann took the throne in 2006. He continues to travel all over the world, making the best living he can off of others' fear.
Associations & Associates
- Shadow Play Studios: Executive Producer and Director
- Ras - Former student, actress and lover: "She has a fierce beauty and a dominating presence. To know her is to love her. To scorn her is to invite death."
Character Inspirations
-Books-
- The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi by John Kenneth Muir
- If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell
- All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger by Lloyd Kaufman, James Gunn, and Roger Corman
What's been said about him
Feel free to add something your character has said about Joseph Collins/Lord Shadow.
"He kept his oaths to me throughout the years, never once faltering. He continues to serve our city and the Leaden Mirror as best he can. And he remains dependable and honest, at least with me. Had Yosef chosen otherwise, the Ashen Court in New York City could have been torn apart. I truly respect him, even though he is wrong about so many important things..." Alexander Delapore
"Collins is a wonderful film maker. His style in his early works is an excellent example of the use of shadow, and his almost intimate direction of Iliana Roman is superb. Even LotS 2, still shows moments of true utter terror. The goal, for amateurs, like myself, is to learn from his greatest works, without falling into the same, over-commercialized, traps"~ Franklin Nicholas, http://www.bloody-disgusting.com, 2005
"Yosef? He is not only my director in the world of film, but a good friend. He's brilliant in anything that he should set his mind to. Anything. You should hear him in front of a crowd, it's absolutely inspiring." Iliana Roman
Rumors
- Joseph has spared no expense to keep his Fetch alive, just so he can continue to psychologically torture the poor creature.
- Joseph and Zelda might have become romantically involved shortly after his arrival in 1977. The creepiness of this rumor depends greatly on how old you may believe Zelda to be.
- Joseph had a brief affair with Miracle Milly in the 70s. This rumor persists despite his categorical denials.
- Joseph has ties to The Scarecrow Ministry and has given money and equipment to aid their cause.
- Joseph is in talks with Mira Blade to star in his next feature film.
Wanted Ties
- Changelings who have worked for Trauma Films or Shadow Play Studios
- Changeling who want films made about their characters, stories, or memories of Faerie
- Members of the Court of the Moon (seeking goodwill ties)
- Members of the Autumn Court in the NE Region from the 1980s onward
- People who've seen his movies (fans or critics)
- Former lovers
OOC Info
Name: Neil Buchalter
Camarilla #: US2002023720
Region: North East
Domain: NY – 004 - D: Children of the Lost Eden
