A FIRST LOOK AT INDEPENDENT HORROR-COMEDY “THE NIGHT SHIFT”
Pre-production is well underway for Mobile, Alabama based filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films’ independent feature “The Night Shift”, and now you can get your first look at the film’s lead characters. Coinciding with an overhaul of the official website for “The Night Shift”, an online gallery has been added featuring publicity photos of the lead characters, Rue Morgan, Herbie West and Claire Rennfield as portrayed by Khristian Fulmer, Soren Odom and Erin Lilley, respectively. Also available to download from the site are two official desktop wallpapers for “The Night Shift” featuring the leads facing off against the film’s menacing creatures.
The film and filmmakers have received a great deal of support, encouragement and positive buzz from the online community and are looking forward to getting production underway this summer. The feature is based on Fighting Owl Films' short film of the same name which proved an online hit, was positively reviewed in "Fangoria" magazine's online edition earlier in 2009 and has screened in several festivals across the United States.
A supernatural adventure-comedy, “The Night Shift” centers on Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless corpse, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents in, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leaves Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!
For over 30 years, the art duo of Peter McGough and David McDermott have been living as though it’s the end of the 19th century. From a townhouse in the East Village they created their art by candlelight, lived without modern appliances and traveled through Manhattan on horseback complete with top hats and the finest couture from nearly a century ago.
As painters, photographers, playwrights and filmmakers, the artists came of age during the same East Village art scene that made superstars of Keith Haring (their one-time roommate) and Julian Schnabel (who’s championed their work). Notorious in their own right and exhibited locally through Chelsea’s prestigious Chime & Reid Gallery, McDermott & McGough have been the subjects of countless stories told both in print and oral legend.
Though the artist’s are quick to dismiss the notion of dandyism, with the success of Lord Whimsy’s The Affected Provincial’s Almanack, which is being made into a movie starring Johnny Depp, and the trend of throwback American gentlemen attire and etiquette, hopefully more people will be introduced to the beautiful and artistic world that McDermott & McGough have created.
Fabulas Panicas was a comic book made by the great filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky from 1967 - 1973. I found these images at Routine Investigations, which is an extremely well done blog.
This is a subject that hits home with me. You know how classic music is so great and persists through the ages? Why can't film be like that?This is a subject that hits home with me. You know how classic music is so great and... more
You've heard of the millennials haven't you? They are the new gen-x. The new breed that has been weened on computers, iPods, Twitter, iPhone apps, you name it. Well Arin Crumley is what I'd call a millennial poster boy. No offense Arin. But this is the guy that Faye Dunaway calls her digital guru, and with damed good reason.
I saw Arin last year at the Film Independent Directors' series forum, where he talked about his film, Four Eyed Monsters (already ancient history - it's been out since 2005). This is an awesome film, if for no other reason than the way in which it was made. Arin (with some wedding video experience) decided to document his online courtship with artist Susan Buice (an awesome individual in her own right). He arranged to meet her for the first time after an online encounter (this was before Facebook - the Middle Ages). But being the filmmaker maniac that he is, he stalked her with his video camera instead and eventually sent her the videos (I can related to that), which evolved into a non-speaking art media only communicative relationship - it gets fucking nuts at this point. You have to see the film.
Anyway, the film is about how he made the film, while it's also about their relationship, which - OK no spoilers - it's just too good. The thing is if you're a filmmaker you have to see this film. You have too.
It gets better. Arin and Susan collaborated to self distribute the film through the use of MySpace and YouTube where they posted clips of behind the scenes stuff, including their relationship, and all the in-fighting typical in beginner film crews. But the amazing thing is that they succeeded in distributing it, even to theaters, and even getting two nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards, all of this on their own using mainly the internet and social networking. Ergo, digital guru.
Cut to the chase, four years later, Arin has teamed up with web developer Kieran Masterton to create a full out web initiative to allow any filmmaker to basically do what Arin and Susan did with Four Eyed Monsters, and a lot more.
If you think of yourself as any kind of 21st century artist, you can not not check this shit out.You've heard of the millennials haven't you? They are the new gen-x. The... more
A video Portrait of Artist Joe Mangrum creating a sand painting filmed by Repertorium Films
The Artist also has a book of images available at http://www.joemangrum.comA video Portrait of Artist Joe Mangrum creating a sand painting filmed by Repertorium... more
New for SUNDANCETWENTYTEN this year's festival will dispatch eight filmmakers with their films to eight cities, January 28, 2010. No word on which films or filmmakers will be chosen yet. But we do have a list of cities and theaters:
* Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI
* Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
* BAM, Brooklyn, NY
* Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL
* Downtown Independent, Los Angeles, CA
* The Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, TN
* Sundance Cinemas Madison, Madison, WI
* Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco, CA
The 7th Annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) drew to a close on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood. More than 26 awards were presented to the top filmmakers this year. The Festival received more than 250 submissions from junior high schools, high schools, colleges, universities and private film schools worldwide, including such countries as Vietnam, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Romania, Israel, Canada, Australia and the USA.
Michael Greenspan was presented with the Inspiration Award for his achievements since winning an award for his film “The Legend of Razorback” at the very first ISFFH in 2003. Michael is currently directing the feature film “Wrecked,” starring Adrien Brody who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “The Pianist” in 2002.
Throughout the Festival, filmmakers had the opportunity to mingle with each other and industry professionals. Each screening segment was followed by a question and answer period encouraging the filmmakers to actively engage the audience in discussion to further build their enthusiasm, self-confidence and public speaking ability.
Michael Greenspan handed out this year’s awards along with the ISFFH Founder and President, Robin Saban. The winners were Best Junior High School Claymation: “Fabio” directed by Jared Harris; Best Junior High School Animation: “Astronuts: Lunar Mission” directed by Kaya Ogmen; Best Junior High School Docu-Animation: “The Resister” directed by Noah Schneider; Best Junior High School Music Video: “The Lie” directed by Joshua James; Best Junior High School Documentary: “Homelessness in the United States” directed by Sarah Marshall and Rose Johnson; Best Junior High School Drama: “Letters to Lincoln” directed by Robert Rickert; Best High School PSA: “Listen to the Truth” directed by Brendan Michaelson; Best High School Music Video: “Hideaway” directed by Kerry Furrh; Best High School Documentary: “Omer” directed by Emma Strebel; Best High School Drama: “In The Dark” directed by Sam Medina; Best High School Comedy: “2 People” directed by Adam Buchsbaum; Best High School Claymation: “Lucky” directed by Max Maddox and Brady Serwitz; Best High School Animation: “Super Gecko!” directed by Yuko Takeoka; Best Foreign Language High School Dark Comedy: “You and I are About to Die” directed by Idan Shamay; Best Foreign Language High School Documentary: “Between Two Worlds” directed by Nina Kardashov and “Shay-El” directed by Tomer Buskila; Best Foreign Language High School Drama: “A Long Way Down” directed by Lior Levi and Shay Eyal; Best Foreign Language Drama: “Elkland” directed by Per Hanefjord and “In the Dark” directed by Alex Fazeli; Best Animation: “Mushroom” directed by Robby Sanguinetti; Best Documentary: “One Sister at a Time: Positive Women's Stories” directed by Deborah Craig and Veronica Deliz; Best Sci-Fi: “S.S. Humanity” directed by Matthew Ladensack; Best Horror/Thriller: “The 4th” directed by eNKee Nguyen; Best Dark Comedy: “Delaney” directed by Carles Torrens; Best Comedy: “Fiasco” directed by Nadia Hamzeh; Best Children Drama: “Rocket” directed by Phillip Austin Wilson; Best Drama: “Open Your Eyes” directed by Susan Cohen; and Grand Jury Award: “Beholden” directed by David Jibladze. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers!
The ISFFH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers, please visit the ISFFH website for more information on this important event and to support the festival www.isffhollywood.org.
We thank the following sponsors for supporting the next generation of filmmakers. American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, CISCorp, LA 411, Saban Enterprises, Marilyn Bradbury, Rotary Club of Studio City and Sherman Oaks, Gloria and Lou Weintraub, Creative Handbook, Actors Certified Training, A Matter of Pixels, Turkla.com, Entertainment Partners, NoHoArtsDistrict.com, and LAGrip.com.The 7th Annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) drew to a close... more
Houston We Have A Problem is a feature documentary about America's voracious appetite for oil from the insider's perspective of the Energy Capital of the World - Houston Texas. The film explores our dangerous addiction to oil through candid insights from the Barons, Wildcatters, CEO's and Roughnecks that comprise the world of Big Oil. Oilmen on oil addiction.Houston We Have A Problem is a feature documentary about America's voracious... more
Mobile, Alabama based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films is set to produce an independent feature in the city utilizing local talent. The feature, titled “The Night Shift”, is based on Fighting Owl Films' short film of the same name which proved an online hit, was positively reviewed in "Fangoria" magazine's online edition earlier in 2009 and has screened in several festivals across the United States.
A supernatural adventure-comedy, “The Night Shift” centers on Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless corpse, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents in, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leave Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!
The short film’s positive reception coupled with the disillusionment with Hollywood’s current output of remakes and reboots encouraged the filmmakers to pursue their dream of turning the original “The Night Shift” into a feature length adventure film. Thomas Smith, the film’s writer/director and co-producer, is hoping to recapture some of the cinematic magic of the 80s Amblin films he grew up with that had a lasting influence.
“Growing up as a child of the 80s, the world depicted on film had a completely different atmosphere,” Smith says. “The films possessed a graininess and lived-in look that added an extra dimension of realism. There also seemed to be a greater emphasis on character and storytelling and less of the headache-inducing flash and sensory overload that’s become so commonplace today. It was the era of ‘Gremlins’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, films everyone could enjoy, not just children or adult audiences. That’s what we’re hoping to recapture with ‘The Night Shift’.”
The independent feature has secured its cast. Returning from the short to reprise their roles of Rue Morgan, Claire Rennfield and Herbie West are Khristian Fulmer, Erin Lilley and Soren Odom, respectively. New additions to the cast include Andrew Crider as Adramalech, the villainous vengence demon with an affinity for western wear, Jordan Woodall as Curly and Jonathan Pruitt as the mysterious Captain Roderick Blake. The film, currently in pre-production, is expected to begin shooting in May 2010.
Arin Crumley's new project to set up a cutting edge film self distribution website has succeeded in getting it's initial round of funding through Kickstarter (http://bit.ly/3jvU0).
A lot of filmmakers spend a lot of money entering festivals in hopes of finding distribution. But the reality is that their chances are very slim. Even at Sundance where a few hundred films are selected from about 6000 entries, only one or two are typically funded for distribution. OpenIndie is designed as an alternative to that crap shoot. One thing you do need though is an audience. If your film has an audience of a few thousand, you'll have a good shot at making out with something like OpenIndie. The idea is that you sign people up on a mailing list and they are notified when enough people in their area create the demand for a screening at a theater.But there's a lot more to it (http://blog.openindie.com/).
The website will have the following up and running by March:
# Import emails/zipcodes of their fans so those people can be messaged about near by screenings
# Have a URL for their film where people that they can spread around allowing people to "request" a screening of their film.
# Allow members of OpenIndie to create screenings of any each film complete with RSVP functionality for each film
# Host of a screening can collect donations at the screening and then transfer online to the filmmaker.
# A URL where films can receive donations from audience directly.
# Information about which cities have the most requests for a given film.
Phase two is now in gear which will raise additional funds for the following objectives:
# Filmmakers can adjust the maximum percentage that hosts are able to withhold as their cut.
# Filmmakers will be able to enable certain regions or provide access for screenings to be booked in any region.
# Filmmaker gains ability to auto approve each screening or chose to manually approve.
# A calculation built into the license that describes what an academic or institutional environment must pay the filmmaker based on an assessment of what that institution is charging.
# Filmmaker will be able to list public speakers available to be booked and adjust the fee each person must be paid by the host as well as provide a percentage split of donations collected at the screening that go to the guest speakers.
# Filmmaker will be able to assign percentages that must be shared by the Host on the selling of digitally reproducible physical goods at screenings. For example the host being able to print posters to sell, burn DVDs to sell, screen print the films logo at screenings or sell a USB drive that contains the film.
Got a film project you want to self distribute? Check it out.Arin Crumley's new project to set up a cutting edge film self distribution... more
The Film Industry is bustling in our region with financial incentives, locations to suit every desired backdrop, accommodating city services and expert support from us, your Greater Philadelphia Film Office.
But, don’t take our word for it. See for yourself why Greater Philadelphia is the best site for film & video production in the country!The Film Industry is bustling in our region with financial incentives, locations to... more
Robin Saban, Founder and President of the International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) is pleased to announce Michael Greenspan as the recipient of the Inspiration Award at the 7th annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood.
Michael Greenspan graduated from York University in Toronto, Ontario and then from the American Film Institute in 2002 with a Masters in directing. Michael’s thesis film, The Legend of Razorback, turned out to be a surprising success. It won over fifteen different awards at film festivals across the country, aired on national television and most importantly, got him representation in Hollywood.
In November 2003, The Legend of Razorback won the first award ever given by the ISFFH. After the ceremony, a stranger in the audience offered Michael a job teaching filmmaking to elementary school kids. At first, Michael was hesitant but later accepted. Michael teaches an advanced stop-motion animation class and live-action filmmaking class for film students age six to twelve. He has shot over three hundred live-action shorts, music videos and stop-motion animated movies.
Michael is now directing the feature film Wrecked, starring Adrien Brody. Wrecked is a psychological thriller written by long-time collaborator, Christopher Dodd. It’s the story about a man trapped in a car at the bottom of a ravine who can’t remember who he is or how he got there. They will be shooting deep in the lush forests just outside of Vancouver. Christopher Dodd and Michael have also adapted the coming-of-age comedy/drama, The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, based on the novel by Joshua Braff. Michael will also direct.
Michael has also written and directed an original web series for Ghost House Pictures, and wrote, produced and directed the pilot for an Internet documentary series. He also wrote, directed and edited a national commercial for a major league sport.
Michael’s earlier films Fishtales and Lost And Found were received with critical acclaim in Los Angeles and Palm Springs and won awards in Toronto and Montreal. They continue to air nationally on Canada's CBC.
Hollywood is the capital city of the entertainment world. The ISFFH offers student filmmakers from all over the world a unique opportunity to gain the recognition of film industry leaders. It is a forum for student filmmakers to showcase their independent films in Hollywood. This event at the epicenter of the film industry puts these students face to face with working Directors, Producers, and other industry professionals throughout the event, giving them the invaluable opportunity to promote themselves and their films.
After years of work in film and theater and passionate about the opportunity to offer student filmmakers well-deserved recognition for their talents, entertainment industry veteran, Robin Saban founded the International Student Film Festival Hollywood , focused solely on students in September of 2003.
The ISFFH is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of others. For more information about the ISFFH, to donate, sponsor or to purchase your Festival tickets, please visit our website www.isffhollywood.org
The ISFFH is sponsored by Diamond Cinema, American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, CISCorp, Saban Enterprises, Marilyn Bradbury, Rotary Club of Studio City and Sherman Oaks, Gloria and Lou Weintraub, Creative Handbook, Actors Certified Training, A Matter of Pixels, Production Hub, Discmakers, Turkla.com, Entertainment Partners, NoHoArtsDistrict.com, and LAGrip.com.Robin Saban, Founder and President of the International Student Film Festival... more
The Drive Smarter Video Contest (http://www.drivesmarterchallenge.org/contest/) invites anyone with a camera to submit a two-minute video illustrating one or more of the Drive Smarter Challenge campaign’s gas- and money-saving tips to compete for a $5,000 grand prize.
The goals of the campaign are to encourage people to drive smarter, reduce their gas consumption and drive fewer miles by combining errands, biking, telecommuting, walking, carpooling, or taking public transit.
The first 80 entrants whose videos meet the contest criteria will receive a $25 ExxonMobil Gift Card and a Car Care Council Car Care Guide. Once the contest judges select the finalists, the public will vote for the winners of these prizes:
• Grand Prize: $5,000
• Second Prize: Choice between one VIP NASCAR Race Package (two tickets and two garage/pit passes to a NASCAR race event) or one VIP Indy Racing League Package (two tickets and two garage/pit lane passes to an Indy race event, plus a ride in a specially modified Indy car driven by a pro driver);
• Third Prize: Whichever prize package hasn’t been selected by the second prize winner (either the VIP NASCAR Race Package or the VIP Indy Racing League Package);
• Fourth Prize: Transportation Efficiency Package: A set of 4 Michelin Energy Saver All Season Tires (or comparable tires for the winner’s vehicle), one-year AAA membership, and two Silver Spoke League of American Bicyclists memberships.
Nina Paley, indie filmmaker and entrepreneur, talks about how making your film available for free, as in free downloads, actually promotes it to the point of a lucrative sales profit. It seems counter to what we've been brought up to believe in our law and order capitalism where ownership and copyright equate to money in the bank.
The key point that Nina makes is that she still holds the copyright, so that no one else can distribute her film exclusively as their own. That way, when others copy or distribute ii, it is effectively advertising for her product. She then can make money on the DVDs and associated merchandise including some items that she personally endorses with a signature. That part cannot be copied. She says that many people who buy the film strive to make sure they buy it from her because they want to support the artist and not just some ripper.
Yet the traditional distribution companies and media outlets shy away from her because their legal departments cannot fathom distributing something they don't own. However, those distributors willing to go for it are making money on her film.
This is the crux of DIY filmmaking distribution. The days of Hollywood studio deals that leave filmmakers in the dust while many middlemen reap the profits is coming to and end. Is this their rapture?Nina Paley, indie filmmaker and entrepreneur, talks about how making your film... more
Godfather was just a job he took to support the fam. He says in this interview he always regretted not writing and directing his own stuff. Now he's finally got around to this dream with Youth Without Youth and now Tetro. Although, I believe The Conversation, probably my favorite film of all time, was also all his.
You might not think Coppola is an indie filmmaker having worked for studios on many of his films. But he has gone head to head with them and has broken out on his own, creating Zoetrope in San Francisco with George Lucas and a few other USC film school grads, early in their careers, to escape the L.A. madness.
This is a two part interview on last night and tonight, 8/4/09 on Tavis Smiley.Godfather was just a job he took to support the fam. He says in this interview he... more
Lance Weiler (http://workbookproject.com) collaborates with other DIY filmmakers to figure out how to self distribute their films. Lance didn't like the idea of distributors taking all his profits, and so distributed his films on his own. In this video he discussed discovery with other similar filmmakers. Discovery is about how to get an audience discovery your film.
One of the things you cannot do without as a self distributor is a large audience, starting with at least 1000 people, not counting only your friends. We see people get huge audiences with some crappy stuff they post on YouTube, so how hard can it be?Lance Weiler (http://workbookproject.com) collaborates with other DIY filmmakers to... more
Four Eyed monsters is a film about the making of itself (it's almost Charlie Kaufman-esque). Two young artist-filmmakers meet and document their lives, in the process turn it into a feature film and web vlog, which garnered enough audience support to parlay with theaters to show their film. This got them qualified and nominated for two Independent Spirit awards.
Plus it's a totally cool film.
Here's a run down of their process:
* Small, Low Budget (”Amateur” filmmaking) - Arin was a wedding videographer; Susan, a waitress/artist
* Went to SlamDance hoping for distribution – did not happen
* Created blog
* Told that film would be hard to market without any recognizable star power
* Realized iPod might be a good venue
* Created Video podcasts about the film to build their audience
* Worked – blogs, Myspace etc. showcased them, helped publicized
* Got coverage all over which continued through their endeavors.
* Connected with audience threw these podcasts
* Online audience helps with getting feedback, helped shaped their
* Audience got interest in watching film, asked to see it
* They collected zip codes and emails knowing this would help target their screening/distribution
* People are subscribed & watching videos through various venues (e.g. Youtube, Itunes), not a website, so they always put “go to our website” at the end of each video
* Send email to people in related area to invite to IndieWire showcase
* Many people showed up, people were invested in them, asked friends to go – phenomenon
* 1 request from filmmakers = 1 ticket sold
* Created Map with requests = a type of social network around people who were interested in their film – self-fulfilling prophecy
* Then began cold-calling theatres suggested to them, to screen film (didn’t always work… But it did – sometimes!)
* Showed the film in 6 major cities (LA, Chicago, NY, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston) every Thursday at 8pm in the month of September (2007, I believe)
* 1691 were at the screening
* Arin and Susan were able to prove that they had an audience, could make money
* Industry averaged 7 people per screening /”Four Eyed Monsters” averaged 70
* Then they were able to open in the theatre
* They got sponsorship and
* Got nominated for a Spirit Awards (previously inelligible since they didn’t screen in theatre)
* Screened in Second Life
* Began selling DVDs.
* Looked a new tactics to further propel (and pay back the money on their credit card they used to fund the film. Money they got now paid for operations, expenses etc.)
* Uploaded film to YouTube for free. Asked them to join Spout and the filmmakers would get $1 per person who joined (that + ad revenue from Youtube = $50,000) (Note: 10MPH is doing something similar)
* 1 million views, plus boosted DVD sales
* Online attention landed them a $100,000 broadcast & retail release
* Ignited interest foreign markets
* Then posted film to MySpace
* Saw more boost
* (since their film was available online and it resulted in sales) Suggest: why not offer low-quality version online and then then high quality for purchase
* Suggest allowing people to translate (dotsub)
* One Store – they sell stuff off their websites (DVD, t-shirts – used BSide)
* Google can teach you everything (search and you will find) (Takes time, but you can)
* MySpace was first step
* Was struggle, but wanted to justify making another film – now they can do these things while making the next filmFour Eyed monsters is a film about the making of itself (it's almost Charlie... more
The first film by the self-critically acclaimed duo of Mark (Trenkle) and Marcus (Chapman). Be gentle. Contact us at Onceiproductions@gmail.comThe first film by the self-critically acclaimed duo of Mark (Trenkle) and Marcus... more
