Edit 6/10/07
The internet has brought upon the DIY Indie Movie Maker much opportunity. Opportunity to market, distribute, and here lately, opportunities to raise funds. I now share with you some of my research in ways to fund your indie movie. Fair warning, you gotta be prepared. You've gotta have that finished script, you've gotta have a prepared cast and crew list, you've gotta know your budget, how, when, and where you are making this movie, and how you plan on getting it seen and make your money back.
note: I haven't tried any of these sites yet, so proceed with caution. If anyone has tried any of the below listed or have any further info feel free to comment and let me know. Always good to avoid scams. As the great Peter Vincent said on more than one occasion, "Forewarned is forearmed."
FilmTies
http://www.filmties.com
Social networking combined with indie funding. They raise money through advertising revenue for indie filmmakers.
Fundable Films
http://fundablefilms.com/
A place where filmmakers can gain monetary support and valuable feedback.
Indie Fliks
http://www.indiefliks.com
Offers accredited investors movie investing opportunities, and the connections that count in the rapidly growing independent movie market.
Movie Money
http://www.movie-money.us/
Bringing filmmakers and investors together. Especially with this one, you're eventually going to be dealing directly with investors, so you better be ready and you better know your shit.
IndieGoGo
http://www.indiegogo.com/
Where people don't just choose the movies to watch, they choose the movies to make.
Examples of movies trying to fund their movies online.
A Million Dollars and a Movie
http://www.amilliondollarsandamovie.com/
Buy a square or click on ads and help this guy raise money to make his movie.
The Indywood Project
http://www.indywoodproject.com/index.php
Another site selling off squares. Llyod Kaufman, Ken Russel, and JR Bookwalter are apparently already attached to the project and looks like they've already sold quite a few squares.
A Swarm Of Angels
http://aswarmofangels.com/
A groundbreaking project to create a movie for 1 million and give it away to over 1 million people using the internet and a global community of members.
Fund My Movie
http://www.workprint.com/fundmymovie/
Hey, ya never know.
Please Fund My Film
http://www.pleasefundmyfilm.com/
You know the drill.
Drink Me Pictures
http://www.drinkmepictures.com/
A great way to spend 10 bucks.
Cinema Shares
http://www.cinemashares.com/index_fullscreen.html
Buy stock in the movie FUNGI.
Make A Movie Happen
http://www.makeamoviehappen.com/
They've raised over $300,000.00
The 1 Second Film
http://www.the1secondfilm.com/
A film anyone can produce for $1.00
I'm posting this as well as the previous post about advertisers funding indies, for my fellow indies but also as a note to myself, because I am about to embark on my own fundraising efforts for a production I am currently finishing up the script for. More details to come.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Ad Cash For Indies
Recent article from the L.A. TIMES.
Advertiser cash flows to indie film projects
Companies seek a bond with audiences beyond product placement.
By Lorenza Muñoz, Times Staff Writer
June 1, 2007
Advertisers have long linked up with Hollywood by placing their products within films or trotting out stars as their official sponsors. But some companies are now going a step further, investing directly in movie productions in the hopes of striking even deeper connections with film audiences.
In what could be the latest trend in the financing of independent films, Unilever brand Dove has agreed to invest $3 million — about one-fifth of the budget — into "The Women," the first theatrical movie by Diane English, the creative force behind the hit television series "Murphy Brown." Gatorade, the sports drink maker, quietly put up $3 million for the production of "Gracie," a story about a girls soccer team that is coming out this weekend.
"With low-budget movies you have to have different ways to create marketing efficiencies and leverage your ability to fund them," said Andrew Shue, producer of "Gracie." He said the seed money from Gatorade enabled him to raise an additional $7 million from a hedge fund. "This is absolutely something in the future for these kinds of movies that are smaller budget and under the studio threshold."
Independent studio Lions Gate has been discussing potential producing partnerships with several corporations.
The investments are crucial for independent producers struggling to cobble together funding for their movies. National brands can give smaller movies a broader marketing appeal and can often give them the aura of a bigger studio movie.
Some Hollywood executives, however, are skeptical that corporate financing will grow into a broader movement. They point to the experience of PepsiCo Inc.'s Mountain Dew, which invested nearly $4 million in the snowboarding documentary "First Descent." The film grossed only $988,368 in worldwide ticket sales, although Mountain Dew was less interested in making a box-office profit than reaching a specific demographic: snowboarders.
"I don't see any signs that it's a significant trend," said Steve Gilula, chief operating officer of Fox Searchlight. "But it is interesting to see another source of funds flowing into filmmaking."
Some talent agencies, however, see an opportunity. ICM has hired a former marketing executive to look for potential deals to marry brands with the agency's clients.
"When it's a perfect fit, it isn't a stretch, it is organic," said Lori Sale, head of global branded entertainment for ICM, who put Dove and English together for "The Women." "It's very much matchmaking: What does the brand do for the movie? What does the movie do for the brand?"
Typically, the major studios partner with corporations to market big-budget movies, as DreamWorks Animation did with McDonald's for "Shrek" and as Sony Pictures did with NASCAR for "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."
But in today's increasingly fragmented market, with digital video recorders enabling viewers to skip TV commercials, advertisers are desperate to find new ways to reach people.
"Three million dollars is not a big deal for these people," said Claudia Caplan, chief marketing officer of Mendelsohn Zien Advertising in Los Angeles. "Everybody is trying to find new ways to reach consumers."
The companies view investment in niche movies as a way to promote a lifestyle, rather than a brand. Dove, for instance, plans to launch a marketing campaign for "The Women" that plays off of its "Campaign for Real Beauty," which garnered attention in 2004 with innovative ads featuring real women of all shapes and sizes in their underwear.
"The movie will give us an opportunity to reach women in a real way," said Kathrine O'Brien, Dove's marketing director. "It addresses the challenges that women face in society today."
English plans to create a director's blog for the Dove website, http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com . In addition, she will make a short film for the site that will chronicle the making of "The Women" featuring the movie's stars and crew.
With "Gracie," Gatorade saw a way to increase its reach with young girls, the target audience. "Consumers get turned off when film or TV shows become too commercial," said Dustin Cohn, director of strategic innovations for Gatorade and Propel, a fitness water. "We didn't want to say 'put X amount of drink shots or X amount of branding in the movie….' We did not get involved in the film to make a film. It is about leveraging an asset to help communicate our support for women in sports."
The sports drink manufacturer has produced 9 million 15-packs with a picture of the movie's lead, Carly Schroeder. The packs also have information to receive an instructional soccer video featuring soccer stars Mia Hamm and Landon Donovan.
Neither Dove nor Gatorade demanded product placement in the films in return for their investments. However, the soccer players in the movie will be drinking Gatorade, Shue said. "She wasn't going to be slugging down milk," he said. And three Gatorade executives will receive a producing credit.
English has not ruled out the possibility of inserting a Dove product into the film if it fits seamlessly into a scene. A remake of the 1939 classic comedy, "The Women" is set in contemporary New York and stars Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith and Candice Bergen.
"I was being very, very careful about this," said English, who also wrote the screenplay. "I didn't want to be put in a position where the product was running the show. Their campaign is about reaching out globally to women and girls about self esteem and empowerment and that is what we are saying in our movie."
Although the company will not get a producing credit, Dove is entitled to a certain percentage of the profit once the $15-million investment in the movie is recovered.
Advertiser cash flows to indie film projects
Companies seek a bond with audiences beyond product placement.
By Lorenza Muñoz, Times Staff Writer
June 1, 2007
Advertisers have long linked up with Hollywood by placing their products within films or trotting out stars as their official sponsors. But some companies are now going a step further, investing directly in movie productions in the hopes of striking even deeper connections with film audiences.
In what could be the latest trend in the financing of independent films, Unilever brand Dove has agreed to invest $3 million — about one-fifth of the budget — into "The Women," the first theatrical movie by Diane English, the creative force behind the hit television series "Murphy Brown." Gatorade, the sports drink maker, quietly put up $3 million for the production of "Gracie," a story about a girls soccer team that is coming out this weekend.
"With low-budget movies you have to have different ways to create marketing efficiencies and leverage your ability to fund them," said Andrew Shue, producer of "Gracie." He said the seed money from Gatorade enabled him to raise an additional $7 million from a hedge fund. "This is absolutely something in the future for these kinds of movies that are smaller budget and under the studio threshold."
Independent studio Lions Gate has been discussing potential producing partnerships with several corporations.
The investments are crucial for independent producers struggling to cobble together funding for their movies. National brands can give smaller movies a broader marketing appeal and can often give them the aura of a bigger studio movie.
Some Hollywood executives, however, are skeptical that corporate financing will grow into a broader movement. They point to the experience of PepsiCo Inc.'s Mountain Dew, which invested nearly $4 million in the snowboarding documentary "First Descent." The film grossed only $988,368 in worldwide ticket sales, although Mountain Dew was less interested in making a box-office profit than reaching a specific demographic: snowboarders.
"I don't see any signs that it's a significant trend," said Steve Gilula, chief operating officer of Fox Searchlight. "But it is interesting to see another source of funds flowing into filmmaking."
Some talent agencies, however, see an opportunity. ICM has hired a former marketing executive to look for potential deals to marry brands with the agency's clients.
"When it's a perfect fit, it isn't a stretch, it is organic," said Lori Sale, head of global branded entertainment for ICM, who put Dove and English together for "The Women." "It's very much matchmaking: What does the brand do for the movie? What does the movie do for the brand?"
Typically, the major studios partner with corporations to market big-budget movies, as DreamWorks Animation did with McDonald's for "Shrek" and as Sony Pictures did with NASCAR for "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."
But in today's increasingly fragmented market, with digital video recorders enabling viewers to skip TV commercials, advertisers are desperate to find new ways to reach people.
"Three million dollars is not a big deal for these people," said Claudia Caplan, chief marketing officer of Mendelsohn Zien Advertising in Los Angeles. "Everybody is trying to find new ways to reach consumers."
The companies view investment in niche movies as a way to promote a lifestyle, rather than a brand. Dove, for instance, plans to launch a marketing campaign for "The Women" that plays off of its "Campaign for Real Beauty," which garnered attention in 2004 with innovative ads featuring real women of all shapes and sizes in their underwear.
"The movie will give us an opportunity to reach women in a real way," said Kathrine O'Brien, Dove's marketing director. "It addresses the challenges that women face in society today."
English plans to create a director's blog for the Dove website, http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com . In addition, she will make a short film for the site that will chronicle the making of "The Women" featuring the movie's stars and crew.
With "Gracie," Gatorade saw a way to increase its reach with young girls, the target audience. "Consumers get turned off when film or TV shows become too commercial," said Dustin Cohn, director of strategic innovations for Gatorade and Propel, a fitness water. "We didn't want to say 'put X amount of drink shots or X amount of branding in the movie….' We did not get involved in the film to make a film. It is about leveraging an asset to help communicate our support for women in sports."
The sports drink manufacturer has produced 9 million 15-packs with a picture of the movie's lead, Carly Schroeder. The packs also have information to receive an instructional soccer video featuring soccer stars Mia Hamm and Landon Donovan.
Neither Dove nor Gatorade demanded product placement in the films in return for their investments. However, the soccer players in the movie will be drinking Gatorade, Shue said. "She wasn't going to be slugging down milk," he said. And three Gatorade executives will receive a producing credit.
English has not ruled out the possibility of inserting a Dove product into the film if it fits seamlessly into a scene. A remake of the 1939 classic comedy, "The Women" is set in contemporary New York and stars Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith and Candice Bergen.
"I was being very, very careful about this," said English, who also wrote the screenplay. "I didn't want to be put in a position where the product was running the show. Their campaign is about reaching out globally to women and girls about self esteem and empowerment and that is what we are saying in our movie."
Although the company will not get a producing credit, Dove is entitled to a certain percentage of the profit once the $15-million investment in the movie is recovered.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Horror Junk!
I've never had so much fun getting a bad review. These guys crack me up!
I absolutely agree with much of what they're saying about the non-existant horror element. Not to worry guys, I'm working on it. Check these guys out at horrorjunk.net
I absolutely agree with much of what they're saying about the non-existant horror element. Not to worry guys, I'm working on it. Check these guys out at horrorjunk.net
Monday, June 4, 2007
Sunday, June 3, 2007
I won't lie
it's a struggle. It's a struggle to be truely independent. To be truely DIY. When it comes to marketing the movie (Monster Cops: The Midnight Special) I assume full responsibility of EVERYTHING. I have to do all of the marketing. The emails, the press releases, the individual press releases tailor made for specific genres, crowds, and publications. Getting the word out about the different screenings, communicating with all the fests, cons, and venues about each screening. Keeping the website updated. And Myspace is a whole other thing by itself. Communicating with people through Myspace, keeping up with bulletins, and advertising on Myspace. I create the fliers, the posters. I mail them out, along with all the Press Kits, and DVD Screener Copies. And all this in between working that day job. I'm trying to do the job of an entire marketing department.
At the same time I'm planning out the next production. What am I doing next? What do I need to do to help supplement the advertising and marketing? Will I be working on a Monster Cops Webisode next or am I going straight into planning on raising funds for the next Monster Cops movie. Part of the marketing agenda is to create video blogs to help let people know just what all this Monster Cops business is about. And here I am scrounging for time to work on that.
There are times I find myself stretched thin. Honestly in these past few weeks especially I'm tearing my hair out. It does get to me. I do look forward to having a budget and being able to pay people to actually show up and do a job. I'm tired of relying on other people and being let down. All of us indies go through it. But I'm starting to feel like I've been through it more times then necessary. I'm ready for professionals. Or at least people that want to be there. People who are as enthused about doing this as I am. And the thing is the people you work with sometimes are enthusiastic, they want it like you do. But when you aren't paying, the bills, the jobs, school, and everything else you aren't providing take precedents. And you can't be mad at them for it, it's just how it is. I should know, I have a day job.
But I'm willing to bust my ass for my vision. And I can't expect other people to bust their ass for my vision. At least not without a paycheck.
Until I can get to that money and that crew, I have to do things on other people's time, and do as much of this MYSELF as possible. Honestly I'm getting cranky not having produced anything in a while, and trailers and origami tutorials don't count. Gotta work on stuff to practice, to hone my chosen craft, and to help with the marketing. So right now in this very post, I promise, by hook or by crook, I will have produced something worth while before this month is over.
But hey, I can't be too down. The movie is available on AMAZON.COM and we are officially listed on IMDB.com.
At the same time I'm planning out the next production. What am I doing next? What do I need to do to help supplement the advertising and marketing? Will I be working on a Monster Cops Webisode next or am I going straight into planning on raising funds for the next Monster Cops movie. Part of the marketing agenda is to create video blogs to help let people know just what all this Monster Cops business is about. And here I am scrounging for time to work on that.
There are times I find myself stretched thin. Honestly in these past few weeks especially I'm tearing my hair out. It does get to me. I do look forward to having a budget and being able to pay people to actually show up and do a job. I'm tired of relying on other people and being let down. All of us indies go through it. But I'm starting to feel like I've been through it more times then necessary. I'm ready for professionals. Or at least people that want to be there. People who are as enthused about doing this as I am. And the thing is the people you work with sometimes are enthusiastic, they want it like you do. But when you aren't paying, the bills, the jobs, school, and everything else you aren't providing take precedents. And you can't be mad at them for it, it's just how it is. I should know, I have a day job.
But I'm willing to bust my ass for my vision. And I can't expect other people to bust their ass for my vision. At least not without a paycheck.
Until I can get to that money and that crew, I have to do things on other people's time, and do as much of this MYSELF as possible. Honestly I'm getting cranky not having produced anything in a while, and trailers and origami tutorials don't count. Gotta work on stuff to practice, to hone my chosen craft, and to help with the marketing. So right now in this very post, I promise, by hook or by crook, I will have produced something worth while before this month is over.
But hey, I can't be too down. The movie is available on AMAZON.COM and we are officially listed on IMDB.com.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
To the men and women serving all over the world. I thank you so very much for the job you do and the sacrifices you have made for my freedom. Thank you on this memorial day.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Contest Roundup 23
Updated May 31st, 2007
Ok so it's not actually the 23rd time I've posted a Contest Roundup, but it sure feels like it. As usual these are posted by order of dealine. Deadlines are in ( ).
If I hear of more contests within the next few weeks, I will update this post, otherwise I'll just post Contest Roundup 32.
Acceptable TV
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://acceptable.tv/
Briobox $50,000 Contest
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://www.briobox.com/index.php
OurStage Video Contest
(Monthly Deadlines)
http://www.ourstage.com/go/vidopp
IGFDN Vegas DVD COntest
(Soon)
http://www.igfdb.com/news.php
Nintendo Short Cuts
(June 6th, 2007)
Create a three-to-five minute film incorporating Nintendo
http://www.nintendoshortcuts.com/
John Woo's Stranglehold
(June 25th, 2007)
Write, produce, and direct your own short film tribute to John Woo of no more than 2-1/2 minutes.
http://www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame
Bytecaster Video Presentation Contest
(June 29th, 2007)
http://www.bytecaster.com/contests/presentation/index.aspx
Mr Clean Scenes
(June 30th, 2007)
http://www.mrcleanscenes.com/mrclean/en_US/mclanding.do
XLNTads Contest
(June 30th, 2007)
http://www.xlntads.com/contest/
Comedy Central/Atom Films Test Pilots
(July)
Your TV pilot can download you five grand and maybe even your own development deal. Your pilot must be between one and five minutes in length and be a maximum file size of 100 MB.
http://www.comedycentral.com/events/test_pilots/index.jhtml
Heinz Top This TV Challenge
(August 6th)
http://www.topthistv.com/
One Minute Film Festival
(September 1st, 2007)
http://www.minutefilmfest.com/2007/home.htm
Ok so it's not actually the 23rd time I've posted a Contest Roundup, but it sure feels like it. As usual these are posted by order of dealine. Deadlines are in ( ).
If I hear of more contests within the next few weeks, I will update this post, otherwise I'll just post Contest Roundup 32.
Acceptable TV
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://acceptable.tv/
Briobox $50,000 Contest
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://www.briobox.com/index.php
OurStage Video Contest
(Monthly Deadlines)
http://www.ourstage.com/go/vidopp
IGFDN Vegas DVD COntest
(Soon)
http://www.igfdb.com/news.php
Nintendo Short Cuts
(June 6th, 2007)
Create a three-to-five minute film incorporating Nintendo
http://www.nintendoshortcuts.com/
John Woo's Stranglehold
(June 25th, 2007)
Write, produce, and direct your own short film tribute to John Woo of no more than 2-1/2 minutes.
http://www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame
Bytecaster Video Presentation Contest
(June 29th, 2007)
http://www.bytecaster.com/contests/presentation/index.aspx
Mr Clean Scenes
(June 30th, 2007)
http://www.mrcleanscenes.com/mrclean/en_US/mclanding.do
XLNTads Contest
(June 30th, 2007)
http://www.xlntads.com/contest/
Comedy Central/Atom Films Test Pilots
(July)
Your TV pilot can download you five grand and maybe even your own development deal. Your pilot must be between one and five minutes in length and be a maximum file size of 100 MB.
http://www.comedycentral.com/events/test_pilots/index.jhtml
Heinz Top This TV Challenge
(August 6th)
http://www.topthistv.com/
One Minute Film Festival
(September 1st, 2007)
http://www.minutefilmfest.com/2007/home.htm
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Call For Entries
Washington, D.C.'s Horror Film Festival ~ YEAR LONG EXPOSURE!
Friends of “The Spooky Movie” on MySpace can pay the following discounted fees for their shorts or features:
$15.00 – First Look (June 8)
$20.00 - Early (July 6)
$25.00 – Deadline (August 3)
$30.00 – Extended (August 24)
The 2007 Spooky Movie Film Festival is looking for horror, sci-fi, fantasy, fan films, thrillers, slashers, monsters, chillers, comedies with a morbid or odd bent, grindhouse, and even documentaries and animated work. Shorts and feature length - indie, underground and experiments! Send them on in!
THE 2007 SPOOKY MOVIE FILM FESTIVAL
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Special Screening in Baltimore!
Catch the special midnight screening of Monster Cops: The Midnight Special at Balticon 41. Baltimore's Science Fiction Convention.
The convention is at Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD. and will take place May 25 - 28, 2007 Memorial Day Weekend.
The Midnight Special will be screening Sunday Night at Midnight at the convention.
For more info and directions to the Con, see their site at:
BALTICON.org
The convention is at Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD. and will take place May 25 - 28, 2007 Memorial Day Weekend.
The Midnight Special will be screening Sunday Night at Midnight at the convention.
For more info and directions to the Con, see their site at:
BALTICON.org
Thursday, May 17, 2007
WE KILLED!
Thanks to Curtis over at the SPOOKY MOVIE FILM FESTIVAL. He's done a tremendous job of helping me out in spreading the word about Monster Cops: The Midnight Special. The Spooky Movie Film Fest in Fairfax, Virginia was one of our first Official Selections for last year. This past Saturday March 12th, Curtis screened MC:TMS again this time at ARTOMATIC Art/Media Convention in Arlington, Virginia.
He just messaged me to tell me that the movie "KILLED". Which made me feel good. YAY! Also he says he's got the movie scheduled for another screening for the final Saturday in June in Hagerstown, Maryland. Glad we're getting screened a plenty in the DC area. Thanks a bunch Curtis. I'm glad you and the Spooky Movie Film Fest enjoy the movie so much.
He just messaged me to tell me that the movie "KILLED". Which made me feel good. YAY! Also he says he's got the movie scheduled for another screening for the final Saturday in June in Hagerstown, Maryland. Glad we're getting screened a plenty in the DC area. Thanks a bunch Curtis. I'm glad you and the Spooky Movie Film Fest enjoy the movie so much.
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Fright Channel
So let's get this straight. A few years back The Horror Channel announced it's launch. After delay after delay, set back after set back, they kinda sorta seemed like they were headed somewhere. Then eventually we ALL realized that it was really going nowhere. Then came Fangoria.TV, which is great, but is mainly confined to broadband braodcasting, which is fine, and they've got some great stuff, but still not a linear cable channel with normal programming. So FEARnet was created, which actually turned out to be a Video on Demand Channel only available on Comcast. Monsters HD has always been around and I always heard good things about, but alas, it's an HD only channel. Months back NBC Universal made the announcement they were forming their own horror channel called CHILLER. The closest thing to a 24 hour cable channel like Monsters HD, but of course, only available to Direct TV customers. What sucks is I had Direct TV back in Texas, dammit. Here, we can't get it.
Now it is important to me to have a horror channel for two main reasons. One, as a horror fan I've been dying to see programing to satisfy my horror fix. Two, as a Indie Horror Moviemaker, it's one more possible outlet to show my work. Now I'm hesitant to spread the word or even talk about a NEW horror network because I've already had my heart broken several times when it came to this subject. As a fan I've just been handed disappointment after diappointment, and not to mention I've had past dealings with one or more of the above networks about Monster Cops being developed into a show and then just subsequently dicked around. So there is reason for my hesitation in posting about the following.
There is a new venture into the world of horror networks, this one entitled THE FRIGHT CHANNEL. Great name, really, great ideas they are putting forth, but honestly, I've heard it all before. But I have to admit their approach is unique and quite intruiging. This is direct from their website:
The Fright Channel™ aims to be the nation’s premiere television network of choice for the horror fan inside us all. Programming will consist of classic monster movies, original documentary and narrative series, classic horror TV shows, and world premiere events of brand new works from today’s burgeoning horror masters. What sets The Fright Channel apart from the countless other attempts at the same goal is that we will bring together the many different local programming entities (currently serving isolated communities) under a united banner. Starting with part-time broadcasts with ever-increasing frequency on a continuingly growing number of stations, The Fright Channel will benefit from the “snowball effect,” eventually reaching every area of the country. This loose cooperative of “affiliates,” self-governed and autonomous, will, by its very existence, gain collective bargaining power in the television industry and allow its leap to major cable provider distribution. As a united group, The Fright Channel will be able to take content directly to the fan on local channels and will share programming content, allowing once-isolated talents to reach a national audience. With its totally unique platform and original approach, The Fright Channel is already “the world’s greatest all-horror network” created by the horror fan for the horror fan.
In other words they are going to start off buying air time in select cities, showing the same programming (Bi-weekly I've heard) and hopefully gain steam from there, eventually covering the entire country and expanding their air time, eventually getting popular enough to be able to become it's own network on it's own channel. Honestly I think it's a great idea and not too dissimilar to what I had in mind for Monster Cops The Series. But we shall see. I have to give the guys kudos for the second paragraph I read in their "about" section.
The Fright Channel began life as The Horror Channel in 1999 and is the abnormal brainchild of TV veteran Rob Claridge. Sadly, though we were first out of the gate, lack of initial funding and the ascension of a similarly-named online entity (good luck and keep going, guys!) sidelined the project for many years. New developments in the cable industry and a resurgence in the genre afforded a new opportunity for life and the project was fortified and re-imagined as The Fright Channel.
I laughed out loud at "good luck and keep going, guys!" An obvious jab at The Horror Channel.
It's kind of a guerrilla approach Mr. Claridge is taking. Which appeals to me. But I'll be keeping my armor on while carrying all this with a grain of salt. I hope this one works out. I think I speak for most of the die hard horror fans as well as the indie horror makers out there when I say, we are sick of being dicked around, we are sick of empty promises, and we are ready for a real horror channel that everyone can have access to. We'll see how it goes.
They launch in July on Friday The 13th in New York and L.A. and possibly other areas. If you want to help them out, the best way is to go to THEFRIGHTCHANNEL.TV and take the survey. Also email them directly and let them know you want the channel in your area. Email them your cable providers name and address at IWantTFC@thefrightchannel.tv
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Funny Or Die
I'm loving these new rash of sites that are forcing you to choose between the good videos and the crap. I love Youtube and all, but since they accept everything submitted you have to dig through alot of crap to find what you're looking for, or to even find something decent.
Especially when digging for comedy, you have to put up with someone doing a horrible stand up comedy routine with bad sound in the attic of their parents house, and you happen to stumble across it because they had the nerve to tag their video as comedy, funny, or humorous.
Well, enter Funny Or Die. Which some of you may already know about. Will Ferrell's and Adam McKay's FUNNYORDIE.COM. A site in which you watch a video and you must rate it at the end, is it FUNNY? Or should it DIE? Why do I bring this up? Because I have posted our beloved Dinosaur Killers 3000: Music Mountain, on the website. I submit it to you here for your consideration. Is it funny? Or should it die? I'm proud to say that since submitting the video last night we've gotten fairly high ratings. Yay!
Another site that is currently running something similar, but not really, is OURSTAGE.COM. Here you can choose a category where you can watch music videos or comedy videos or other videos for you to vote on. Choose to "JUDGE", pick a category to judge, and then they will give you two videos to watch. Once you've watched at least 30 seconds of each video you have to choose which one is better, and by how much, as explained above the two videos. They give you 30 seconds for each video, because alot of the videos submitted you'll only be able to stand for that long.
I have submitted THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL Trailer under the COMEDY Category, and out of 139 or so vids in that category, I am proud to say that we are 3rd for this months contest. Every month winners receive a cash prize, so help us out if you can. Lord knows I'd be putting that money right back into advertising for The Midnight Special. Click this link:
ourstage.com/judge
Make sure you've selected COMEDY as the "channel" and start watching videos. What sucks is you can't just go directly to the video and rate it, you have to go through the videos they send you and choose the best, so if you decide to watch for our video, you'll have to judge two videos at a time until you get to ours. At the same time it's a great way for each video to get seen and judged.
When you do come to The Midnight Special Trailer, if the video opposite us happens to be, in your opinion, better then our trailer, then by all means, please vote their video as the best. Other indie moviemakers are out there busting their asses getting these videos out and they deserve due credit for that. The spirit of ourstage.com is to bring the best videos to the winners circle. If it's us, then great. If it's someone else, great as well, just as long as it's someone who worked hard and really did have a great video.
Especially when digging for comedy, you have to put up with someone doing a horrible stand up comedy routine with bad sound in the attic of their parents house, and you happen to stumble across it because they had the nerve to tag their video as comedy, funny, or humorous.
Well, enter Funny Or Die. Which some of you may already know about. Will Ferrell's and Adam McKay's FUNNYORDIE.COM. A site in which you watch a video and you must rate it at the end, is it FUNNY? Or should it DIE? Why do I bring this up? Because I have posted our beloved Dinosaur Killers 3000: Music Mountain, on the website. I submit it to you here for your consideration. Is it funny? Or should it die? I'm proud to say that since submitting the video last night we've gotten fairly high ratings. Yay!
Another site that is currently running something similar, but not really, is OURSTAGE.COM. Here you can choose a category where you can watch music videos or comedy videos or other videos for you to vote on. Choose to "JUDGE", pick a category to judge, and then they will give you two videos to watch. Once you've watched at least 30 seconds of each video you have to choose which one is better, and by how much, as explained above the two videos. They give you 30 seconds for each video, because alot of the videos submitted you'll only be able to stand for that long.
I have submitted THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL Trailer under the COMEDY Category, and out of 139 or so vids in that category, I am proud to say that we are 3rd for this months contest. Every month winners receive a cash prize, so help us out if you can. Lord knows I'd be putting that money right back into advertising for The Midnight Special. Click this link:
ourstage.com/judge
Make sure you've selected COMEDY as the "channel" and start watching videos. What sucks is you can't just go directly to the video and rate it, you have to go through the videos they send you and choose the best, so if you decide to watch for our video, you'll have to judge two videos at a time until you get to ours. At the same time it's a great way for each video to get seen and judged.
When you do come to The Midnight Special Trailer, if the video opposite us happens to be, in your opinion, better then our trailer, then by all means, please vote their video as the best. Other indie moviemakers are out there busting their asses getting these videos out and they deserve due credit for that. The spirit of ourstage.com is to bring the best videos to the winners circle. If it's us, then great. If it's someone else, great as well, just as long as it's someone who worked hard and really did have a great video.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Holy Crap!
It's been alot of hurry up and wait trying to get through the details of putting this little indie film on DVD. And after trying to get the DVD cover design just right, deciding on the disc graphic, proof reading the hell out of everything, double and triple checking the disc, sending off to CUSTOMFLIX, and then awaiting the proof copy for my approval, FINALLY, we are on DVD.
Got the proof copy yesterday, a week late, but I'm not complaining, I'm just so excited to have my work more widely available to the public. Woke up just in time to see the FedEx truck guy pull up. Met him outside where he gleefully handed me the package. The sun was shining, rainbows formed over head, and a blue bird sat on my shoulder as I accepted the package. It felt good, that package. Nice and firm. A real feeling of excitement and satisfaction holding that package. This is sounding bad isn't it? Mr. Blue Bird flew away as I headed inside. Lemme tell ya, was I excited. I almost didn't want to open it just to prolong the excitement. I love getting mail anyhow, and this was just quintuple all that. Tore into it to find what I've been dying to see.
Understand I designed the cover and the disc design, the menu, the disc layout, etc. I give them the files and master disc, they make the entire packaging happen. Once they make it happen they send me the proof, which is exactly what the customer will recieve when they order it. So not only do I get to finally see the movie I've been busting my ass on for years now reach the next level, but I also get to see what was once just files on my computer, turned into a full professional package, as well as experience what the customer will experience, though I doubt any of you who may purchase my movie will be jumping up and down in your kitchen doing old school Arsenio Hall dog barking noises and gestures, as I was doing yesterday.
I'M A DORK!!!!
Lemme tell ya, Customflix is a dream come true for us DIY, Indie Moviemakers. Through them our movie will be listed on IMDB, it's going to available through Amazon.com in a few weeks, it'll be available for download to your home computer, through your XBOX, or if you have a TIVO. Thanks to Customflix for all that, and also without them the following pics would not be possible.
Ooooh, spine labeling, SEXY!
That's right bitches, a REAL LIFE BARCODE!
No crappy computer printed sticker labels here!
Check out one of the ad banners, which I'm sure you have, if you're on my Myspace. Yes, that's right, a dollar from every DVD sold goes to a Cancer Charity as per our mission to create and heal!
More dorkiness.
And now all we have to do is tell the world about it. So there is much much much much work to be done.
Do me favor, and tell everyone you know about it. Check out our site MONSTERCOPS.COM, to see all the trailers and clips, and decide for yourself if you'd like to get a DVD copy of our little Comedy Horror flick. Fair warning though, it's actually more of a Comedy. But it's funny as hell.
Pardon me, I have to go tell the world about it now.
Ahem.... scuse me, um... world?
Got the proof copy yesterday, a week late, but I'm not complaining, I'm just so excited to have my work more widely available to the public. Woke up just in time to see the FedEx truck guy pull up. Met him outside where he gleefully handed me the package. The sun was shining, rainbows formed over head, and a blue bird sat on my shoulder as I accepted the package. It felt good, that package. Nice and firm. A real feeling of excitement and satisfaction holding that package. This is sounding bad isn't it? Mr. Blue Bird flew away as I headed inside. Lemme tell ya, was I excited. I almost didn't want to open it just to prolong the excitement. I love getting mail anyhow, and this was just quintuple all that. Tore into it to find what I've been dying to see.
Understand I designed the cover and the disc design, the menu, the disc layout, etc. I give them the files and master disc, they make the entire packaging happen. Once they make it happen they send me the proof, which is exactly what the customer will recieve when they order it. So not only do I get to finally see the movie I've been busting my ass on for years now reach the next level, but I also get to see what was once just files on my computer, turned into a full professional package, as well as experience what the customer will experience, though I doubt any of you who may purchase my movie will be jumping up and down in your kitchen doing old school Arsenio Hall dog barking noises and gestures, as I was doing yesterday.
I'M A DORK!!!!
Lemme tell ya, Customflix is a dream come true for us DIY, Indie Moviemakers. Through them our movie will be listed on IMDB, it's going to available through Amazon.com in a few weeks, it'll be available for download to your home computer, through your XBOX, or if you have a TIVO. Thanks to Customflix for all that, and also without them the following pics would not be possible.
Ooooh, spine labeling, SEXY!
That's right bitches, a REAL LIFE BARCODE!
No crappy computer printed sticker labels here!
Check out one of the ad banners, which I'm sure you have, if you're on my Myspace. Yes, that's right, a dollar from every DVD sold goes to a Cancer Charity as per our mission to create and heal!
More dorkiness.
And now all we have to do is tell the world about it. So there is much much much much work to be done.
Do me favor, and tell everyone you know about it. Check out our site MONSTERCOPS.COM, to see all the trailers and clips, and decide for yourself if you'd like to get a DVD copy of our little Comedy Horror flick. Fair warning though, it's actually more of a Comedy. But it's funny as hell.
Pardon me, I have to go tell the world about it now.
Ahem.... scuse me, um... world?
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Contest Round up AGAIN! Update
Major updates to the last contest round up post. Scroll down to the post or click this link: http://onespartan.blogspot.com/2007/04/contest-round-up-again.html
Friday, April 27, 2007
A Small Delay
Ok so there is a small delay on the DVD release, gotta fix a few glitches, but the good news is that it shouldn't be too long. So hold your horses if you're looking to buy a DVD. We'll be posting it everywhere as soon as it is available.
- P
- P
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Batter up
My first inclination is to write the following words to start off this post: "This has been the hardest couple of days."
But that would be incorrect. It has been indeed, but really the collective difficulty is that of more than just a couple of days. I posted once on this roller coaster of emotion and drama. The pain of being a no-budget indie moviemaker combined with the pain that accompanies dealing with death and the responsibility of consoling the ones you love. This is fucking hard.
The ups and downs are in such separation that it fools you into thinking everything is ok. Then the emotions hit you. The memories hit you. You fight to get to a point where you are positive about everything, and as a husband I hope to God that the laughter me and my wife share is an indication that things are better. Then it hits. You go from trying to celebrate a life, to going back to wondering what it is you could have done differently. How could I have saved Brenda? How can I be better suppporting my wife?
And then the movie making pursuit, which is something that was set into motion before all this, hits you with it's realities and responsibilities. The DVD release is supposed to be tomorrow. The marketing must continue. And new pressures have arisen. And once again because of the Birthday Wish Syndrome I will not reveal right away what those pressures are. But it's something that needs to be done. Needs to be tried for.
All this happened yesterday. Yesterday was one of the hardest days in this journey through grieving and trying to be an artist/entrepeneur. My heart breaks in two when Juli gets hit hard with the grief. Yesterday was no exception. It's a horrible thing to hear your wife in pain. It's a horrible feeling not knowing if what you are doing is enough for your wife. I hate hearing her in such pain. But it's only been 6 months since her mother died, and there is no manual on how to grieve. There is no manual on when to expect the grief to hit and leave and hit again. I know there is much strength being gained by both of us. But like a muscle being pushed to it's limits, our resolve is being tested in much the same way. When the relief comes it comes with laughter and positivity because we are at heart people who return to love and positivity. But somedays that's just a set up for the fall.
We hit the ground pretty hard yesterday. But of course we bounce back. We fought our way back to the positive. Much hugging ensued, much leaning on one another, as a couple should and as we so often do. Juli is better for now. But it's left me drained. And as I find myself in the recovery period of this emotional workout, that's when the weight of a new challenge arises. It's something exciting. It's something I feel I need to embark on, but at the same time it puts me right back into the heart of being a no-budget, DIY moviemaker. It may very well be something I need, but right now there is alot to figure out and in a short period of time.
This is a chance for me to really get to say what it is I was trying to say with The Midnight Special. But how do I do that with even less than what I had in Texas?
I need to hit this one out of the park. DIY again. Solo. One guy tryin to play all positions in a ball game. I don't know what made me think before that this was over. Like somehow, the DVD was gong to come out and I would proceed with the business plan and the next project would be with a budget and a professional crew instead of just me running around doing everything.
But it looks like I'm going to have to do this a couple more times. But this time around I have to do it better that I ever had. It's going to take a little money (from lord knows where) but it's mainly going to take a whole lot of creativity and sweat. This is all about pressure and time, and the latter I don't have too much of.
Gotta sell some DVD's. Gotta find out what my assets are here. I need sleep.
Time to find out what exactly one spartan can do.
But that would be incorrect. It has been indeed, but really the collective difficulty is that of more than just a couple of days. I posted once on this roller coaster of emotion and drama. The pain of being a no-budget indie moviemaker combined with the pain that accompanies dealing with death and the responsibility of consoling the ones you love. This is fucking hard.
The ups and downs are in such separation that it fools you into thinking everything is ok. Then the emotions hit you. The memories hit you. You fight to get to a point where you are positive about everything, and as a husband I hope to God that the laughter me and my wife share is an indication that things are better. Then it hits. You go from trying to celebrate a life, to going back to wondering what it is you could have done differently. How could I have saved Brenda? How can I be better suppporting my wife?
And then the movie making pursuit, which is something that was set into motion before all this, hits you with it's realities and responsibilities. The DVD release is supposed to be tomorrow. The marketing must continue. And new pressures have arisen. And once again because of the Birthday Wish Syndrome I will not reveal right away what those pressures are. But it's something that needs to be done. Needs to be tried for.
All this happened yesterday. Yesterday was one of the hardest days in this journey through grieving and trying to be an artist/entrepeneur. My heart breaks in two when Juli gets hit hard with the grief. Yesterday was no exception. It's a horrible thing to hear your wife in pain. It's a horrible feeling not knowing if what you are doing is enough for your wife. I hate hearing her in such pain. But it's only been 6 months since her mother died, and there is no manual on how to grieve. There is no manual on when to expect the grief to hit and leave and hit again. I know there is much strength being gained by both of us. But like a muscle being pushed to it's limits, our resolve is being tested in much the same way. When the relief comes it comes with laughter and positivity because we are at heart people who return to love and positivity. But somedays that's just a set up for the fall.
We hit the ground pretty hard yesterday. But of course we bounce back. We fought our way back to the positive. Much hugging ensued, much leaning on one another, as a couple should and as we so often do. Juli is better for now. But it's left me drained. And as I find myself in the recovery period of this emotional workout, that's when the weight of a new challenge arises. It's something exciting. It's something I feel I need to embark on, but at the same time it puts me right back into the heart of being a no-budget, DIY moviemaker. It may very well be something I need, but right now there is alot to figure out and in a short period of time.
This is a chance for me to really get to say what it is I was trying to say with The Midnight Special. But how do I do that with even less than what I had in Texas?
I need to hit this one out of the park. DIY again. Solo. One guy tryin to play all positions in a ball game. I don't know what made me think before that this was over. Like somehow, the DVD was gong to come out and I would proceed with the business plan and the next project would be with a budget and a professional crew instead of just me running around doing everything.
But it looks like I'm going to have to do this a couple more times. But this time around I have to do it better that I ever had. It's going to take a little money (from lord knows where) but it's mainly going to take a whole lot of creativity and sweat. This is all about pressure and time, and the latter I don't have too much of.
Gotta sell some DVD's. Gotta find out what my assets are here. I need sleep.
Time to find out what exactly one spartan can do.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Monster Research Videos
The idea behind the Monster Cops movies is simple. Take a mockumentary look into the lives of monster killers. So basically Cops vs. Monsters. Of course it would have that comedy twist, so really it's more like Reno 911 vs. Monsters. With THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL I feel we accomplished the mockumentary type comedy. As far as the monster portion, I feel we did ok. We didn't reach the full potential of what I had in mind. This is something I fully plan on remedying for the next feature for sure.
The monsters I have in mind are the usual, Zombies, Vampires, and Werewolves. But my stipulation is that they look scary and real. I mean something that would actually scare you or gross you out if you saw it live. A motto I plan on sticking closely too is, if it looks fake live then it'll look fake on camera. Since much of what we are going to shoot is going to stick closely to reality TV/cinema verite, then I want what the camera sees to look as realistic as possible. I don't want you for one second to look at a zombie and think some guy in stage make up. I don't want you for one second to to look at a Vampire and think that the plastic fangs are about to fall out, (unfortunately some of our scenes look that way to me in TMS). And when you see the Werewolf footage, I want you think that we may actually have gotten a large beast like creature of some kind.
Monster Cops is a comedy with realistic scares. At least that's what it should be. The comedy comes from us, the cops. The monsters will remain scary. In other words, you will never see a wise cracking zombie or tap dancing Werewolf. Part of my vision for the franchise is to feature amazing monster footage with decent thrills. Suffice it to say we've got alot of work to do for the next movie, and much money to raise. But I am confident. Until then I'll keep looking for sources of inspiration. Many of these sources come in the form of Online Video.
I am blown away by the videos I've seen of the WALKING WITH DINOSAURS LIVE EXPERIENCE. This is definitely a show I want to see desperately. The following videos give you a glimpse inside this amazing show. My jaw dropped when I saw the brilliant work these people have put into these live action dinosaurs. I'm personally in awe because these are excellent examples of the kind of "monster fx" I'm looking to inspire the next Monster Cops feature. Especially the Velociraptors. The way they move is the way I would love to see a Werewolf or Demon move in the next movie, especially when we shoot it the way we're going to shoot it.
EDIT: What I thought were Velociraptors are actually the Baby T-Rex and the LILIENSTERNUS. Still amazing though.
Walking With Dinosaurs Workshop
Walking with Dinosaurs, The live experience '07 in Brisbane
Walking With Dinosaurs Live Experience. Check out the official site. Lord knows I'll be checking up on those US Tour Dates.
The next video is an example of animatronic dinos sans inside operator. I think.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan
Disney animatronics, as seen on the Travel Channel. I actually have the full program recorded. I watch it often.
And more videos on more Horror/Halloween based fx/animatronics. The Pumpkin and Rock monsters are creatures I'd consider using in Monster Cops plotlines. If we could make it work realistically.
Pumpkin Monster Animatronics at Transworld Halloween Trade Show
Rock Monster Animatronics at Transworld
The following costume by Gore Galore is amazing. I'm definitely considering contacting them to help with costuming.
Freakenstein by Gore Galore
This costume was made for a LARP gig. Amazing work.
Stone Golem
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Contest Round Up. AGAIN!
EDITED 4/29/07
Bust out that video camera and get crackin!
(Deadlines in parenthesis)
Ratatouille Comedy Contest
http://www.myspace.com/ratatouille
Acceptable TV
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://acceptable.tv/
Filmaka Film Competition
(Rolling Deadlines, Currently "The Secret" April 30th)
http://www.filmaka.com/index.asp
Briobox $50,000 Contest
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://www.briobox.com/index.php
OurStage Video Contest
(April 26th)
http://www.ourstage.com/go/vidopp
Lonely Planet TV's Travel Video Contest
(May 15th 2007)
http://www.lonelyplanet.tv/competition.aspx
MTV Movie Awards Movie Spoof Contest
(May 21st, 2007)
http://mtvmovieawards.yahoo.com/spoofs/
Love My Library Video Contest
(May 25th 2007)
http://www.gale.com/librareo/
Bytecaster Video Presentation Contest
(May 30th, 2007)
http://www.bytecaster.com/contests/presentation/index.aspx
"Chub City® In Action" Film Contest
(May 31st)
http://www.iplayaz.com/
John Woo's Stranglehold
(June 25th, 2007)
http://www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame
Mr Clean Scenes
(June 30th, 2007)
http://www.mrcleanscenes.com/mrclean/en_US/mclanding.do
Heinz Top This TV Challenge
(August 6th)
http://www.topthistv.com/
One Minute Film Festival
(September 1st, 2007)
http://www.minutefilmfest.com/2007/home.htm
Bust out that video camera and get crackin!
(Deadlines in parenthesis)
Ratatouille Comedy Contest
http://www.myspace.com/ratatouille
Acceptable TV
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://acceptable.tv/
Filmaka Film Competition
(Rolling Deadlines, Currently "The Secret" April 30th)
http://www.filmaka.com/index.asp
Briobox $50,000 Contest
(Rolling Deadlines)
http://www.briobox.com/index.php
OurStage Video Contest
(April 26th)
http://www.ourstage.com/go/vidopp
Lonely Planet TV's Travel Video Contest
(May 15th 2007)
http://www.lonelyplanet.tv/competition.aspx
MTV Movie Awards Movie Spoof Contest
(May 21st, 2007)
http://mtvmovieawards.yahoo.com/spoofs/
Love My Library Video Contest
(May 25th 2007)
http://www.gale.com/librareo/
Bytecaster Video Presentation Contest
(May 30th, 2007)
http://www.bytecaster.com/contests/presentation/index.aspx
"Chub City® In Action" Film Contest
(May 31st)
http://www.iplayaz.com/
John Woo's Stranglehold
(June 25th, 2007)
http://www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame
Mr Clean Scenes
(June 30th, 2007)
http://www.mrcleanscenes.com/mrclean/en_US/mclanding.do
Heinz Top This TV Challenge
(August 6th)
http://www.topthistv.com/
One Minute Film Festival
(September 1st, 2007)
http://www.minutefilmfest.com/2007/home.htm
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Thursday, April 12, 2007
New Review!
Yet another amazing review, this time from Chad Connolly over
at
at
He gave us a great blurb that I will surely be putting on posters.
"The Midnight Special is truly one of the freshest and most hilarious films to come out of the (horror/comedy) genre."
Wow! Thanks Chad!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
DVD RELEASE APRIL 27th
Monster Cops: The Midnight Special was initially supposed to be on DVD by the end of this week, Friday The 13th (woulda been cool) but due to a few set backs (as always) we'll be pushing back the official release to April 27th.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Basic Paper Engineering
Here we go again. I do play with paper alot. It's what I turn to help me think. it also helps that people like to watch them on Metacafe. This one has inspired a short movie idea. Enjoy.
Pop up Talking Puppet
Pop Up Talking Puppet - Funny bloopers are a click away
Pop up Talking Puppet
Pop Up Talking Puppet - Funny bloopers are a click away
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Eli Roth's Grindhouse Trailer
Thanksgiving from ELI ROTH
Warning. Explicit content.
He really nailed that late 70's early 80's slasher feel. And they actually used music from Creepshow. LOL.
Bob Clark
He probably won't be remembered as the greatest director ever. And most may not even know who he is. But to me, he was someone that influenced my love for the movies. His movies definitely influenced the way I look at movies. For sure he contributed to most of our enjoyment of Christmas.
Bob Clark, director of such bombs as Rhinestone, such mediocre fare as Baby Geniuses, and such classics (classics to me anyways) as Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, the original Black Christmas, Porky's, Turk 182, and A Christmas Story, He died this past Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Times reports that director Bob Clark and his 22-year-old son Ariel were killed Wednesday in an early morning collision along a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.
Mr. Clark I'm so sorry for you and your son. I'm sorry for your family. I'm sorry I never got to tell you what an inspiration Turk 182 was to me. Thank you for your work dear sir. I really appreciated it.
Bob Clark, director of such bombs as Rhinestone, such mediocre fare as Baby Geniuses, and such classics (classics to me anyways) as Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, the original Black Christmas, Porky's, Turk 182, and A Christmas Story, He died this past Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Times reports that director Bob Clark and his 22-year-old son Ariel were killed Wednesday in an early morning collision along a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.
Mr. Clark I'm so sorry for you and your son. I'm sorry for your family. I'm sorry I never got to tell you what an inspiration Turk 182 was to me. Thank you for your work dear sir. I really appreciated it.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
DIE HARD 4.0 Live Free Or Die Hard
Trailers below. I'll post later about my obsession with Die Hard. But I will say that even as a die hard DIE HARD fan, I was only merely interested seeing as how it may not be as great as the others minus direction by John McTiernan (or even Renny Harlin) and minus an amazing score from the late great Michael Kamen. Now after watching the trailers (posted below), I'm VERY excited.
The Die Hard movies always had 5 things that I looked forward to. Bruce Willis Wise Cracks, Kamen's Score, Great Action, Smart Action, and that over the top vibe. Hey 4 outta 5 ain't bad.
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id='mediaPlayer' name='mediaPlayer' displaysize='4' autosize='-1'
bgcolor='darkblue' showcontrols="true" showtracker='-1'
showdisplay='0' showstatusbar='-1' videoborder3d='-1' width="560" height="360" src="http://microsites2.foxinternational.com/uk/diehard4movie/trailer/trailer_msn_hi.wmv" autostart="true" designtimesp='5311' loop="true">
I'm sorry, but did they just blow up the Capitol building?
Holy crap.
I love that they used Beethoven's 9th in this trailer. Granted it's a rock version, but hey, it sounds cool, and it's always a pleasure to hear Beethoven while watching Bruce shoot stuff.
http://www.diehard4movie.com/
The Die Hard movies always had 5 things that I looked forward to. Bruce Willis Wise Cracks, Kamen's Score, Great Action, Smart Action, and that over the top vibe. Hey 4 outta 5 ain't bad.
standby='Loading Microsoft Windows Media Player components...' type='application/x-oleobject'>
pluginspage='http://microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/download/'
id='mediaPlayer' name='mediaPlayer' displaysize='4' autosize='-1'
bgcolor='darkblue' showcontrols="true" showtracker='-1'
showdisplay='0' showstatusbar='-1' videoborder3d='-1' width="560" height="360" src="http://microsites2.foxinternational.com/uk/diehard4movie/trailer/trailer_msn_hi.wmv" autostart="true" designtimesp='5311' loop="true">
I'm sorry, but did they just blow up the Capitol building?
Holy crap.
I love that they used Beethoven's 9th in this trailer. Granted it's a rock version, but hey, it sounds cool, and it's always a pleasure to hear Beethoven while watching Bruce shoot stuff.
http://www.diehard4movie.com/
Monday, April 2, 2007
Monster Cops:TMS Denver Screening
MONSTER COPS: THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL will be screening in Denver, Colorado on Saturday April 21st, 2007 at 12:30pm. At STARFEST/HORRORFEST.
If you're in the Denver area feel free to swing by the con/fest and checkout all the events including our movie.
Check up on the full schedule here.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
April Fools Day
A day I don't like very much. But here's something I do like:
Features Tom F. Wilson and my fav, Debbie Foreman. (sigh)
Features Tom F. Wilson and my fav, Debbie Foreman. (sigh)
Friday, March 30, 2007
DC First Look at Grindhouse
I am beyond excited about this movie. Here's a review from those lucky bastards over at Dread Central. Pretty much what I was expecting. So very excited! Mainly because of Planet Terror, but I gotta tell ya, I'm truely excited about the trailers. Click the DC banner for the review.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Still Rollin
I don't like to post negative and I always try to post positive. Sometimes I'll give in to the ways of self empathizing, I mean that is a part of life and what a blog is so often used for. But I hate posting when I'm down. Too many posts like that and I sound like I'm constantly feeling sorry for myself. It just comes off as whiney, which is always a big turn off for me when it comes to blogging or reading other's blogs.
So I'll go a week without posting much of anything. It's still a rough road we're on since Brenda passed away. And I'll say this much, Juli is definitely on the road to healing, and I'm still grappling with much I didn't deal with early on. Issues and feelings that do have to do with Brenda's passing, but also to do with my own family. I'm worried about my father's health, my mother's sanity in dealing with it, as well as my own perspective on the entire matter. She says my father is fine, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to worry. It one big jumble of concern, Mom and Dad, Brenda's passing, Juli and her family, as well as my own day to day stress, and let's not forget this whole indie movie making thing.
But it's all going to be ok. I've got my head up, and it's not like it's something I can't handle. Still rollin.
Thankfully I have great distractions. Juli and I still have a great sense of humor and this whole indie thing, as stressful as it can be, is still very much a great thing.
My movie, Monster Cops: The Midnight Special, will be headed out to DVD soon. Also we've got 3 screenings coming up in 3 different citys. At the end of April in Washington, D.C. as well as at Starfest/Horrorfest convention in Boulder, Colorado. Also a Dallas screening at the scifi con known as FENCON IV, in September. Exact dates and times coming soon. I'm working on more screenings as well as maintaining the course with the marketing agenda. So far so good, we'll see how it all goes.
More to post later.
So I'll go a week without posting much of anything. It's still a rough road we're on since Brenda passed away. And I'll say this much, Juli is definitely on the road to healing, and I'm still grappling with much I didn't deal with early on. Issues and feelings that do have to do with Brenda's passing, but also to do with my own family. I'm worried about my father's health, my mother's sanity in dealing with it, as well as my own perspective on the entire matter. She says my father is fine, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to worry. It one big jumble of concern, Mom and Dad, Brenda's passing, Juli and her family, as well as my own day to day stress, and let's not forget this whole indie movie making thing.
But it's all going to be ok. I've got my head up, and it's not like it's something I can't handle. Still rollin.
Thankfully I have great distractions. Juli and I still have a great sense of humor and this whole indie thing, as stressful as it can be, is still very much a great thing.
My movie, Monster Cops: The Midnight Special, will be headed out to DVD soon. Also we've got 3 screenings coming up in 3 different citys. At the end of April in Washington, D.C. as well as at Starfest/Horrorfest convention in Boulder, Colorado. Also a Dallas screening at the scifi con known as FENCON IV, in September. Exact dates and times coming soon. I'm working on more screenings as well as maintaining the course with the marketing agenda. So far so good, we'll see how it all goes.
More to post later.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Get a Spartan Body
The only workout that seems like it would get you into that Spartan Soldier 300 shape.
www.p90x.com
Get ready for some major intensity, actually, you may want to find another workout to get you into decent shape before embarking on p90x.
www.p90x.com
Get ready for some major intensity, actually, you may want to find another workout to get you into decent shape before embarking on p90x.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
VIDEO ROUND-UP and CONTEST ROUND UP!
Never ever ever underestimate the power of editing. Case in point the creative individual who runs under the name of AMDS Films. Check out all his stuff on Youtube. AMDS FILMS http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=amds
Excellent excellent work. Back in the day I use to do something smiliar with my fav movies, reedit them, combine them, Remix them, or as the kids are calling it nowadays "Mash ups". But what this guy is doing is amazing. Terminator Vs. Robocop Episode 1 is my fav and Neo Vs. Robocop is my second. I gotta say, him inserting himself into Garden State was pretty neat. Great stuff!
TERMINATOR vs ROBOCOP Episode 1
I love not only how well it's edited, but also the mashup with the scores is GREAT!
Great ending too! I haven't been this blown away by a FanFilm/Mashup since BATMAN: DEAD END
TERMINATOR vs ROBOCOP Episode 2
NEO vs ROBOCOP
3 DAYS IN ROMANS
It's that time of year again folks. Time for the STAR WARS FAN FILM CHALLENGE. If you didn't know about it, click on the link, get your creative Star Wars fan film juices goin and send in your submissions. This is one of those I know about every year but never get a chance to do. My fav since 2003 has been the one called "PINK 5" starring my favorite Valley Girl Jedi, Stacy.
AtomFilm's and LucaFilm's STAR WARS FAN FILM CHALLENGE
And while your at it here's some more heads up on other fun little video contests for all my fellow movie makers. Make something and submit, you just might win something.
VMIX has 3 contests for you to enter, if you dare.
- THE DO IT YOURSELF DOC CONTEST
- THE BEST ROOMMATE PRANK CONTEST
- GOLDRUSH MUSIC VIDEO CONTEST
And here is more for ya:
- istockphoto's THE FUTURE IS NOW CONTEST
- GRAB EM BY THE SACK VIDEO CONTEST (I swear that's really the name)
And I can't believe Carson Daily is actually good for something. Check out the following for constant video challenges and chances to create and win.
- CARSON DAILY'S IT'S YOUR SHOW
If most of the challenges are about to be done, just wait and new ones will be posted.
Excellent excellent work. Back in the day I use to do something smiliar with my fav movies, reedit them, combine them, Remix them, or as the kids are calling it nowadays "Mash ups". But what this guy is doing is amazing. Terminator Vs. Robocop Episode 1 is my fav and Neo Vs. Robocop is my second. I gotta say, him inserting himself into Garden State was pretty neat. Great stuff!
TERMINATOR vs ROBOCOP Episode 1
I love not only how well it's edited, but also the mashup with the scores is GREAT!
Great ending too! I haven't been this blown away by a FanFilm/Mashup since BATMAN: DEAD END
TERMINATOR vs ROBOCOP Episode 2
NEO vs ROBOCOP
3 DAYS IN ROMANS
It's that time of year again folks. Time for the STAR WARS FAN FILM CHALLENGE. If you didn't know about it, click on the link, get your creative Star Wars fan film juices goin and send in your submissions. This is one of those I know about every year but never get a chance to do. My fav since 2003 has been the one called "PINK 5" starring my favorite Valley Girl Jedi, Stacy.
AtomFilm's and LucaFilm's STAR WARS FAN FILM CHALLENGE
And while your at it here's some more heads up on other fun little video contests for all my fellow movie makers. Make something and submit, you just might win something.
VMIX has 3 contests for you to enter, if you dare.
- THE DO IT YOURSELF DOC CONTEST
- THE BEST ROOMMATE PRANK CONTEST
- GOLDRUSH MUSIC VIDEO CONTEST
And here is more for ya:
- istockphoto's THE FUTURE IS NOW CONTEST
- GRAB EM BY THE SACK VIDEO CONTEST (I swear that's really the name)
And I can't believe Carson Daily is actually good for something. Check out the following for constant video challenges and chances to create and win.
- CARSON DAILY'S IT'S YOUR SHOW
If most of the challenges are about to be done, just wait and new ones will be posted.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Grindhouse Trailer Contest. WINNERS!!!!
Seriously, you have no excuses. I post about it all the time. I tell moviemakers just starting out the same things over and over. With todays technology you literally have no excuses not to make and distribute your own movie for little to no money. I've done that with The Midnight Special and I'm already on the road to distribution. But this particular theme is reiterated when you look at some of the incredible entrys for the Grindhouse Contest.
In order to promote the movie Grindhouse, they created a contest asking movie makers everywhere to create their own trailers for a fake Grindhouse movie. The 3 finalists have been chosen and one of those is the winner. After watching all three I am simply blown away. Incredible stuff. Keep in mind that these are fake trailers for Grindhouse movies, they are supposed to exhibit the very essence of a Grindhouse flick. Sex, violence, horror, action, and all the cheesiness you could ask for. What follows is some of the best tributes to campy, cult, B-movies and exploitation flicks and all 3 of them excellently put together.
I am very very impressed.
THE DEAD WON'T DIE
Impressive make up fx. And I laughed my ass off at the random naked chick with the gun. This feels like Motel Hell, I Spit On Your Grave, and it feels like a Fulci Film. This is what I want the Monster Cop zombies to look like.
MAIDEN OF DEATH
This one was just well done overall. Feels a bit like The Crow meets I Spit On Your Grave.
And the winner is ...
HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN
The title alone warrants a win. This one really nailed that Grindhouse feel. Now I feel like watching Death Wish. Is that even on DVD?
Amazing job guys!
In order to promote the movie Grindhouse, they created a contest asking movie makers everywhere to create their own trailers for a fake Grindhouse movie. The 3 finalists have been chosen and one of those is the winner. After watching all three I am simply blown away. Incredible stuff. Keep in mind that these are fake trailers for Grindhouse movies, they are supposed to exhibit the very essence of a Grindhouse flick. Sex, violence, horror, action, and all the cheesiness you could ask for. What follows is some of the best tributes to campy, cult, B-movies and exploitation flicks and all 3 of them excellently put together.
I am very very impressed.
THE DEAD WON'T DIE
Impressive make up fx. And I laughed my ass off at the random naked chick with the gun. This feels like Motel Hell, I Spit On Your Grave, and it feels like a Fulci Film. This is what I want the Monster Cop zombies to look like.
MAIDEN OF DEATH
This one was just well done overall. Feels a bit like The Crow meets I Spit On Your Grave.
And the winner is ...
HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN
The title alone warrants a win. This one really nailed that Grindhouse feel. Now I feel like watching Death Wish. Is that even on DVD?
Amazing job guys!
Friday, March 9, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Strictly Background
I love this business. This is one of those docs that reminds me of how much fun it all is, and how everyone has a dream. Don't ever take your background for granted.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
NIGHT OF THE COMET!!!!!
First off I have to say that I actually really enjoyed Hostel. And although I really don't have much desire to see part 2, I did enjoy what Eli Roth is saying about HOSTEL II.
6 Reasons Why Hostel Part II Will Mess You Up By Eli Roth
6 Reasons Why Hostel Part II Will Mess You Up By Eli Roth
- In the first movie it was the three guys, but in Hostel Part II the violence is harder to watch because it’s all aimed at women. And any violence aimed at women is always gonna have a sexual element...
- Hostel Part II goes much deeper. It shows you who runs the torture chambers – the shadowy figures who are in control. Everything you need to know about the corporation is right here. And it’s fucking terrifying.
- It also looks at it from the other angle: how do people get from seeing this shit advertised on the web to standing in a torture chamber cutting someone up? The people doing it are normal guys, like you and me...
- I don’t hold back on this one. The Unrated DVD of Hostel went to No1 but I only had 30 seconds of extra material to put in. This one, I’m filming it all: the sickest shit you’ll ever see. The censor’s are gonna flip.
- I show you all the blood, because I fucking love that stuff. But with Part II, I want more suspense. I love it in the first movie where the guy is dragged along the corridor: the dread. Here, the whole fucking movie’s like that.
- There’s one scene in this film that’s gonna change horror history. Even the guys from [effects company] KNB looked away as we shot it, and those guys live and breathe that shit. It’s special. I’m really proud!
In my moviemaking opinion THAT's how you market a movie. Kudos to you Mr. Roth. You've actually got my semi interested.
More importantly ....
My world has just gotten a whole lot brighter. And here is why:
New on DVD. NIGHT OF
This movie is on my list of flicks I can watch all day long. Friday August 23rd 1985, Patrick spends entire day watching Night Of The Comet, pausing only once to watch a special episode of Macgyver that night. I love this movie, and it's not just because Kelli Maroney is frickin hot as a cheerleader with a sub machine gun.
And if you hadn't heard the news GUESS what's coming out from Lions Gate Home Video later this year. That's right bitches, It's THE mutherfuckin MONSTER SQUAD!!!!! Don't believe me, read this: http://www.movieweb.com/dvd/news/57/17857.php
WOLF MAN'S GOT NARDS!!!!
Oh what? What's that you say? Patrick's movie MONSTER COPS: THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL will be released on DVD on FRIDAY APRIL 13th? HOLY CRAP? REALLY!?
Yes.
I'm working on the special features as we speak. APRIL FRIDAY THE 13th, get your copy at monstercops.com, customflix.com, or amazon.com. It'll be available for digital download through amazon.com in June, and then we'll hit Blockbuster and Netflix before end of Summer. And all this year we'll still be hitting screenings at fests and conventions, including ...
ALL-CON DALLAS Sci-Fi/Fantasy/ Convention
March 17th
STARFEST/HORRORFEST Denver, Colorado
April 20-22 (Date and time pending)
More to come.
Goddamn, I love this movie making shit!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The Goodbye Girl
Sometimes it's good to be reminded of things. I think that's what makes forgetting such a precious necessity. You experience something incredible only to be reminded of it's greatness later in life. Such is the case with Neil Simon.
I mean really how can one forget the incredible work of Neil Simon. But when you go through life's roller coaster and experience more and more, it's easy to forget almost anything that isn't constantly around you. Tonight, my wife watched The Goodbye Girl for the first time. And for me it was like the first time as well. I'd only seen it twice before and it had been a long time. Upon watching the movie, I started to beat myself up for forgetting how good this movie is and how great Neil Simon is. But then I realized just how much fun I was having remembering and reliving all these great things. Great writing by Neil Simon. Great direction by Herbert Ross. Marsha Mason was charming and that little girl was hilarious. It's funny, it's witty, it's charming, it's smart, it's Richard Dreyfuss at his best, and possibly one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.
And I needed it. I needed to be reminded of that spark, that light, that charisma. I needed to be reminded that life isn't just a roller coaster of emotion, ups and downs, but ins and outs, lefts and rights, brilliance and even more brilliance. The power of writing and performance and the power of the movies. I needed to be reminded of that as a writer, and I was. Now I just need to let the rest of me know.
Well it's for sure now that I need to reacquaint myself with the works of Neil Simon. I'll start with more movies. Biloxi Blues and Lost In Yonkers for sure. And I have a need to watch one of my favorite Dreyfuss/Detective movies, The Big Fix.
I now have for you my continuing education in origami, in video form of course.
The paper rose in color.
Paper Rose - The most amazing home videos are here
And the talking sheet of paper. Which isn't being received too well. I think it's because I unleash my craziness a little too much on this one. Go figure.
Make A Talking Sheet Of Paper - The best home videos are here
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired
I guess I was jinxing things when last I posted about being sick.
I'm finally past my fever, cough, and cold. Just in time for some sort of stomach virus. I know it's mostly stress related. Induced by the current mood. Going to my second funeral in 5 months doesn't help. And still sinking back into sadened memories of the recent past. A local cop died, a friend of the family past away, and another commited suicide. And you never know when Juli will sink into that place where she does nothing but think about her mom. The only thing I can do is hold her. And somehow I feel like I'm not being a good enough husband, simply because I've been too sick to really hold her as tight as I want to. And I keep worrying about my Father and how my Mother is dealing with him. I also worry about Juli's Father and how he's dealing with recent tragedies. Can't help but let it all get to me sometimes.
So many details and tragedies and odd and eerie things to post about. But I'm too God Damned tired. Too tired of living though all this stuff to relive it in a blog. And I haven't even gotten to the part where I have to deal with the traditional stress that accompanies DIY Distribution. Such is the life of an indie movie maker. But honestly it could all be so much worse. Even with all the crap going on and going down, I can still look at the fact that I made a movie, and most importantly I've got Juli.
And it's not all Shitsville all the damned time either. We make plenty of time to laugh and remind ourselves of the more positive aspects of life. We're goofy people, so even after the crying and suffering, a stupid joke is somewhere around the corner to lighten the mood. If you're ever down and out, just sing "Dick in a Box" to yourself and your day gets brighter. The song is medicinal.
Gotta get off my ass pretty soon though. The DVD for The Midnight Special will be headed out on April 13th. Much marketing to do. Also must prepare for the ole wedding anniversary as well as Juli's Bday. Gotta get some gifts ready.
The Midnight Special will be screening at ALL-CON (sci-fi, fantasy, convention) in Addison, Texas, March 18th. Wish I could be there.
I'm finally past my fever, cough, and cold. Just in time for some sort of stomach virus. I know it's mostly stress related. Induced by the current mood. Going to my second funeral in 5 months doesn't help. And still sinking back into sadened memories of the recent past. A local cop died, a friend of the family past away, and another commited suicide. And you never know when Juli will sink into that place where she does nothing but think about her mom. The only thing I can do is hold her. And somehow I feel like I'm not being a good enough husband, simply because I've been too sick to really hold her as tight as I want to. And I keep worrying about my Father and how my Mother is dealing with him. I also worry about Juli's Father and how he's dealing with recent tragedies. Can't help but let it all get to me sometimes.
So many details and tragedies and odd and eerie things to post about. But I'm too God Damned tired. Too tired of living though all this stuff to relive it in a blog. And I haven't even gotten to the part where I have to deal with the traditional stress that accompanies DIY Distribution. Such is the life of an indie movie maker. But honestly it could all be so much worse. Even with all the crap going on and going down, I can still look at the fact that I made a movie, and most importantly I've got Juli.
And it's not all Shitsville all the damned time either. We make plenty of time to laugh and remind ourselves of the more positive aspects of life. We're goofy people, so even after the crying and suffering, a stupid joke is somewhere around the corner to lighten the mood. If you're ever down and out, just sing "Dick in a Box" to yourself and your day gets brighter. The song is medicinal.
Gotta get off my ass pretty soon though. The DVD for The Midnight Special will be headed out on April 13th. Much marketing to do. Also must prepare for the ole wedding anniversary as well as Juli's Bday. Gotta get some gifts ready.
The Midnight Special will be screening at ALL-CON (sci-fi, fantasy, convention) in Addison, Texas, March 18th. Wish I could be there.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Monstercops.com
Website has been redone. In the process of updating all of the pages, so bare with me. Monster Cops now has it's own blog. Also I'll be adding more fun stuff and new videos.
Monstercops.com
Monstercops.com
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
WOW!
This is going to be quite cryptic, but perhaps someday I will explain. Right now I just need to document the fact that at this moment, I am quite humbled.
I've got a lot of interests, hobbies, practices. But tonight I witnessed a mastery of something that I thought I was pretty good at. And I am just blown away. I thought what I was doing was pretty spectacular, and now I've witnessed someone who can run circles around me. I am in awe, inspired, and humbled all at once. It's the kind of thing that really makes you realize that you need to concentrate on what you're good at and leave the rest to others who have the skills to take the game to a level you never dreamed. Play your own game, not someone elses.
I'm gonna take the spectator role in this show. I'll stick to making movies. I wish I could say what it was that I was dabbling in, but I'm just to thunder struck right now to go on. I'll just head on back to my little movie land and leave that other stuff to the pros.
Whew.
I've got a lot of interests, hobbies, practices. But tonight I witnessed a mastery of something that I thought I was pretty good at. And I am just blown away. I thought what I was doing was pretty spectacular, and now I've witnessed someone who can run circles around me. I am in awe, inspired, and humbled all at once. It's the kind of thing that really makes you realize that you need to concentrate on what you're good at and leave the rest to others who have the skills to take the game to a level you never dreamed. Play your own game, not someone elses.
I'm gonna take the spectator role in this show. I'll stick to making movies. I wish I could say what it was that I was dabbling in, but I'm just to thunder struck right now to go on. I'll just head on back to my little movie land and leave that other stuff to the pros.
Whew.
High Pitched Advertising
Saw this first on Matt Dentler's blog. Sony came up with an interesting way to advertise for the movie THE MESSENGERS. Utilizing high frequencies in commercials. I thought this was an interesting approach. Glad there are still some people in movie marketing still using the old noggin.
Here's an article all about it.
Here's an article all about it.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Candy Hearts and Knowing Your Movie
I'm just now, right at this moment, getting over being sick. As a matter of fact I'm still sick, and feeling a bit better, and most likely jinxing things by jumping the gun in posting this. It's been a bit of a rough week. The last time I was sick was back in October when Juli's mom died. So there was a bit there where I was reliving some things that really didn't really need reliving. Add in some other things. The father of an old friend of Juli's had passed away, Juli's Grandmother isn't doing all that well, and our old next door neighbor and a dear friend to me and Juli, and to Juli and her family long before I was in the picture isn't doing much better either.
I was quietly dealing with a small bout of depression, but I had a nice little cough and headache to keep me preoccupied. Juli ended up breaking down the other night. This vibe of illness, death, and depression seemed to swallow us this week. It has been a bit heartbreaking, but we've gotten really good a dealing with this kind of thing. The only thing that kept Valentine's Day from sucking was the simple fact that we have each other. And I decided to be silly super husband and brave the cold cold weather in my sick sick body to hunt down Juli's favorite candy hearts. Undercover of getting dinner and DVDs of course. That made her happy. At least I hope it did.
I'm not use to being sick. I don't really get sick that often. And when I do get sick I tend to want to still work on stuff. Especially movie stuff. So I spent the past few days struggling through a sore throat, annoying cough, stuffy nose, and sinus headaches, planning out screenings, fest entries, and convention screenings.
Thanks to Crystal for reminding me of what our exact demographic is and for pointing out conventions as a place to target our core audience. Monster Cops: The Midnight Special is, after all, Cult, Horror, SciFi, Comedy, Action. So it does reach a wide range of people. Thing is I was mainly working the Horror and Comedy crowds in my agenda. I had conventions in mind, but I was aiming mainly for horror themed cons. For some reason it didn't even occur to me to that our core audience would also be interested in general scifi fandoms. I had missed the SciFi aspect of The Midnight Special. I mean I knew it was there, but I was mainly concentrating on the two things The Midnight Special are at the forefront, Horror and Comedy.
Film Threat put out there "Top Ten Tips To Distributing Your Movie" years ago. In one section they mention Truly Understanding Your Film. The section talks of filmmaker Mark Bosko making his movie "Killer Nerd". Mr. Bosko thought he was making a simple horror film, but when he was distributing and marketing he discovered a new niche for the film, Horror Comedy. I don't know how you couldn't know from the title, Killer Nerd. But it's a good tip to truly identify what your movie is. Makes it much easier for you to identify who your audience is.
In my case I just didn't really look at it, and I would've missed a good opportunity to really get to the core audience of people who love Cult, Horror, Comedy, SciFi, Action movies. This is why I have specific people I call when I need data or assistance. Crystal is great with PR, and when I hit a point where I knew I needed to re identify our core audience in order to figure out everything I needed to supplement my agenda, I knew to call Crystal. She really hit the nail on the head with the SciFi Cons. Also helps that she's worked a few in her time.
What's great with alot of these cons is they seem open to screening indie movies. Many of them have just started their own little film festivals or at least have a video or screening room that runs movies through out the con. Even if it isn't an official screening, at least your movie will screen through out a convention run and you have the potential to reach hundreds of people. It's mainly just about having some sort of presence around your core audience. Also cons love to hand stuff out for free. Send them any promo items, especially ones with your URL on them (monstercops.com) and they'll be sure to put them in the hands of many if not all of their attendees. I'm documenting the entire process for a future article on Indies working with Cons.
Don't know how many cons Monster Cops: The Midnight Special maybe screening at, but I know it will be a couple at least. This will definitely be a great supplement to the festival screenings as well as the theatrical screenings we're going to organize.
Still have a ton of things to put together before we start getting people to the website. That is the big key here, getting people to the website, monstercops.com. this is where they will get to know the movie, get to love the movie, and then eventually where they will want to buy the movie.
To do:
- Update trailers. Cutting together a new trailer to supplement the official trailer.
- Upload clips of the movie. Must give the people a sample of the film if they're just coming to the site without having seen it at the screening. Gotta let them know what they're missing out on.
- Video Blogs. Gotta let the people know about the filmmaker. If they know you, they'll be more inclined to buy from you and support your efforts. At least I hope.
- Update all links and pages and put up some new content. Gotta keep em coming back for something until the DVD release.
- Must prep all marketing materials, fliers, cards, promo items, etc. for the conventions and possible other events.
- Still got a bunch more press kits and DVD screeners to make and burn.
- Still have a bunch of festivals to submit to.
OK gonna work on the site a bit, and email a few more cons.
Ooh, I hear the cough medicine calling me.
I was quietly dealing with a small bout of depression, but I had a nice little cough and headache to keep me preoccupied. Juli ended up breaking down the other night. This vibe of illness, death, and depression seemed to swallow us this week. It has been a bit heartbreaking, but we've gotten really good a dealing with this kind of thing. The only thing that kept Valentine's Day from sucking was the simple fact that we have each other. And I decided to be silly super husband and brave the cold cold weather in my sick sick body to hunt down Juli's favorite candy hearts. Undercover of getting dinner and DVDs of course. That made her happy. At least I hope it did.
I'm not use to being sick. I don't really get sick that often. And when I do get sick I tend to want to still work on stuff. Especially movie stuff. So I spent the past few days struggling through a sore throat, annoying cough, stuffy nose, and sinus headaches, planning out screenings, fest entries, and convention screenings.
Thanks to Crystal for reminding me of what our exact demographic is and for pointing out conventions as a place to target our core audience. Monster Cops: The Midnight Special is, after all, Cult, Horror, SciFi, Comedy, Action. So it does reach a wide range of people. Thing is I was mainly working the Horror and Comedy crowds in my agenda. I had conventions in mind, but I was aiming mainly for horror themed cons. For some reason it didn't even occur to me to that our core audience would also be interested in general scifi fandoms. I had missed the SciFi aspect of The Midnight Special. I mean I knew it was there, but I was mainly concentrating on the two things The Midnight Special are at the forefront, Horror and Comedy.
Film Threat put out there "Top Ten Tips To Distributing Your Movie" years ago. In one section they mention Truly Understanding Your Film. The section talks of filmmaker Mark Bosko making his movie "Killer Nerd". Mr. Bosko thought he was making a simple horror film, but when he was distributing and marketing he discovered a new niche for the film, Horror Comedy. I don't know how you couldn't know from the title, Killer Nerd. But it's a good tip to truly identify what your movie is. Makes it much easier for you to identify who your audience is.
In my case I just didn't really look at it, and I would've missed a good opportunity to really get to the core audience of people who love Cult, Horror, Comedy, SciFi, Action movies. This is why I have specific people I call when I need data or assistance. Crystal is great with PR, and when I hit a point where I knew I needed to re identify our core audience in order to figure out everything I needed to supplement my agenda, I knew to call Crystal. She really hit the nail on the head with the SciFi Cons. Also helps that she's worked a few in her time.
What's great with alot of these cons is they seem open to screening indie movies. Many of them have just started their own little film festivals or at least have a video or screening room that runs movies through out the con. Even if it isn't an official screening, at least your movie will screen through out a convention run and you have the potential to reach hundreds of people. It's mainly just about having some sort of presence around your core audience. Also cons love to hand stuff out for free. Send them any promo items, especially ones with your URL on them (monstercops.com) and they'll be sure to put them in the hands of many if not all of their attendees. I'm documenting the entire process for a future article on Indies working with Cons.
Don't know how many cons Monster Cops: The Midnight Special maybe screening at, but I know it will be a couple at least. This will definitely be a great supplement to the festival screenings as well as the theatrical screenings we're going to organize.
Still have a ton of things to put together before we start getting people to the website. That is the big key here, getting people to the website, monstercops.com. this is where they will get to know the movie, get to love the movie, and then eventually where they will want to buy the movie.
To do:
- Update trailers. Cutting together a new trailer to supplement the official trailer.
- Upload clips of the movie. Must give the people a sample of the film if they're just coming to the site without having seen it at the screening. Gotta let them know what they're missing out on.
- Video Blogs. Gotta let the people know about the filmmaker. If they know you, they'll be more inclined to buy from you and support your efforts. At least I hope.
- Update all links and pages and put up some new content. Gotta keep em coming back for something until the DVD release.
- Must prep all marketing materials, fliers, cards, promo items, etc. for the conventions and possible other events.
- Still got a bunch more press kits and DVD screeners to make and burn.
- Still have a bunch of festivals to submit to.
OK gonna work on the site a bit, and email a few more cons.
Ooh, I hear the cough medicine calling me.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
COOK OFF!
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COOK-OFF!
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And feel free to add them to your friends list if you have a Myspace. Tell everyone.
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This movie features Deidrich Bader, Jordan Black, Jennifer Elise Cox, Ben Falcone, Roy Jenkins, Phil Lamar, Steve Little, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Cathryn Michon, Neicy Nash, Markie Post, Jack Plotnick, Christine Rose, Romy Rosemont, Gary Anthony Williams, Jane Edith Wilson With featured appearances by: Louie Anderson, Gavin McLeod, Sam Pancake, Melissa Peterman, Marcia Wallace, Cedric Yarbrough.
Friday, February 9, 2007
To The Universe
I declare to you that I am an adventurer. A bringer of the light. The courier between dreams and action. I connect the molecules to the light. For I am the light. But then again aren't we all?
I hope my fellow CWGers and knowers of "The Secret" were doing what they needed to do 7:00 am this past Tuesday. Rock the fuckin house ya'll. Namaste to all you bad ass mother fuckers out there. Namaste.
And special thanks to my fellow indie that posted this on the LJ Filmmaking community. Right on time.
"The film of the future will be shot by adventurers...The film of tomorrow appears to me as even more personal than an individual and autobiographical novel, like a confession, or a diary. The young filmmakers will express themselves in the first person and will relate what has happened to them: it may be the story of their first love or their most recent; of their political awakening; the story of a trip; a sickness, their military service, their marriage, their last vacation...and it will be enjoyable because it will be true and new... The film of tomorrow will not be directed by civil servants of the camera but by artists for whom shooting a film constitutes a wonderful and thrilling adventure. The film of tomorrow will resemble the person who made it and the number of spectators will be proportional to the number of friends the director has. The film of the future will be an act of love."
-Francois Truffaut
Smart guy. ;)
I hope my fellow CWGers and knowers of "The Secret" were doing what they needed to do 7:00 am this past Tuesday. Rock the fuckin house ya'll. Namaste to all you bad ass mother fuckers out there. Namaste.
And special thanks to my fellow indie that posted this on the LJ Filmmaking community. Right on time.
"The film of the future will be shot by adventurers...The film of tomorrow appears to me as even more personal than an individual and autobiographical novel, like a confession, or a diary. The young filmmakers will express themselves in the first person and will relate what has happened to them: it may be the story of their first love or their most recent; of their political awakening; the story of a trip; a sickness, their military service, their marriage, their last vacation...and it will be enjoyable because it will be true and new... The film of tomorrow will not be directed by civil servants of the camera but by artists for whom shooting a film constitutes a wonderful and thrilling adventure. The film of tomorrow will resemble the person who made it and the number of spectators will be proportional to the number of friends the director has. The film of the future will be an act of love."
-Francois Truffaut
Smart guy. ;)
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Gigantipithicus in Kentucky
For reasons passing understanding, I found myself deep in research for a screenplay having to do with the following subjects. Gigantipithicus, Waverly Hills Sanatorium, and Fort Knox.
It all started innocently enough. I decided to leave for work early today, and then found myself entranced by The History Channel. This happens often. If it's not The History Channel, it's The Food Network. If it's not The Food Network, it's FitTV, mainly because I have a very unhealthy obsession with Namaste Yoga. I dare you to turn on a show where three hot chicks do hot yoga poses in a relaxing environment, and then try to change the channel, it's fuckin impossible. The History Channel had a special on The Gold Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, the design of the place, the history, the mystery, and the background of the Depository itself as well as Fort Knox Military Base next door. I'm a sucker for almost any show on building and design or military history and training and weapons or any kind of conspiracy, and this show had all of that goin on. So I popped in a tape and let it record as I left for work.
I had told my wife when she got home to just stop the tape, because the show should be finished by the time she got home. I went to work, got off work, got a bit of shooting done for some needed dialogue scenes for something I shall speak of later, and then got home after midnight. Did the usual, kissed the wife good night (she has to get up early), ate, showered, and then got on the computer as I rewound and watched the recorded program. And this is what happens often. I record a program on Discovery or History, and then I end up recording 4 hours worth of stuff because the tape doesn't get turned off til later. In this case Juli didn't get home til later, so the Fort Knox documentary was not the only program on the tape. It happens all the time with me. I watch the program I initially intended to watch, and then I continue to watch the following programs, and then somehow in my head I try to connect all of the programs subject matter into a story.
It never fails. I learn a bunch of stuff and immediately my brain goes, "Now how can this be turned into a script?" Ask me some other time about when I watched the show on Mega Freighter Ships and then watched that show on the History of licorice, yeah, it was a pretty fucked up plot. What normally happens is, I write a few notes down, and then forget about them as I get back on track with the business at hand. Not this time. For some reason I just couldn't get this little twisted plot out of my head.
It popped into my brain as I was watching the documentary on Fort Knox. Great stuff in this little doc. Covered everything from what is known about the depository, like how much Gold it may hold and how secure and guarded the area is, to what is not known, like speculation on the security measures of the place and whether or not the building is holding the Roswell Aliens. They also talked about Fort Knox Military Base, the training facility and how many modern day weapons are tested there. This was already turning all sorts of wheels in my head. I won't tell you details, because I hardly ever discuss scripts I work on. It's that whole birthday wish syndrome again. If I tell you it won't happen.
Suffice it to say I had this great visual story goin on and I was getting very excited with every intriguing detail from this doc. I will say that I'm thinking of something horror sci-fi based. And along those lines, it clicked in my head. Fort Knox, Kentucky. What else do you think of when you hear the word Kentucky Patrick? CHICKEN! How about a horror movie about Fried Chicken in Fort Knox? Ya know, like the Roswell aliens come to life, escape Fort Knox and turn all the soldiers into killer alien buckets of fried chicken?
OK not really.
What I did think of was, Waverly Hills Sanatorium. I started to wonder how far apart these two locations were. Was Fort Knox anywhere near Louisville where Waverly was located? I got REALLY curious. If you know nothing about Waverly Hills Sanatorium, all I will say is that most people call it THE MOST HAUNTED PLACE ON EARTH. Now click this link for more info. Pretty creepy stuff.
My brain started trying to tie the two subject together. Fort Knox conspiracies, Waverly Hills ghosts. Did some digging. Fort Knox wasn't too far away from Waverly, but they weren't right next door to each other. Still, close enough for me to put something together. And the plot I was conjuring in my head was just insane. It screams, action, horror, sci-fi. Very much along the lines of an old movie called The Keep. I would say go rent this movie, but it's extremely hard to find. It's a heck of a cast, and it's a Michael Mann horror movie.
So I've pretty much got a whole plot in my head just based on what I've got. But of course I continue watching the tape. What comes up next? A documentary on Fried Chicken. Just kidding.
It was a documentary on Gigantipithicus. Jeez, am I even spelling that right? Let's just call him G. G was basically the real life King Kong. A gigantic ape that lived ages ago. A relic of the past. The show did talk to people who believed there was some connection between G and Sasquatch. Fuckin Sasquatch. I swear to God I just can't get away from him. I attract it, I do. I can't turn on the TV without running into a show on Bigfoot. And I have to watch it. Monster sightings and conspiracies are like candy to me. I don't buy into the majority of it, and I'm more inclined to NOT believe in Bigfoot's existence, but I love this stuff anyhow. And more so lately because alot of what I'm trying to do with the Monster Cops movies is based on monster sighting footage. I'm obsessed with creating Monster Sighting footage. Can't wait to show you the next movie.
Anyhow. So now my brain is trying to cram Sasquatch into a supernatural, military, movie that takes place in Kentucky. Might as well throw in a subplot about The Colonel's Fried Chicken.
Part of it is just me trying to avoid the research I have to do on Video Compression and Mpeg2 DVD creation, yadda, yadda. It happens. I can't work on 1 thing. I have to work on 5 things. But seeing as how Haunted Fort Sasquatch is now number 6, looks like this goes on the back burner. But I'm getting back to it though. I REALLY like this plot I've got goin.
Great, now I want some fried chicken.
Oh yeah, try locating Waverly Hills Sanatorium on Google Maps, and see if you get creeped out like I did.
It all started innocently enough. I decided to leave for work early today, and then found myself entranced by The History Channel. This happens often. If it's not The History Channel, it's The Food Network. If it's not The Food Network, it's FitTV, mainly because I have a very unhealthy obsession with Namaste Yoga. I dare you to turn on a show where three hot chicks do hot yoga poses in a relaxing environment, and then try to change the channel, it's fuckin impossible. The History Channel had a special on The Gold Bullion Depository in Fort Knox, the design of the place, the history, the mystery, and the background of the Depository itself as well as Fort Knox Military Base next door. I'm a sucker for almost any show on building and design or military history and training and weapons or any kind of conspiracy, and this show had all of that goin on. So I popped in a tape and let it record as I left for work.
I had told my wife when she got home to just stop the tape, because the show should be finished by the time she got home. I went to work, got off work, got a bit of shooting done for some needed dialogue scenes for something I shall speak of later, and then got home after midnight. Did the usual, kissed the wife good night (she has to get up early), ate, showered, and then got on the computer as I rewound and watched the recorded program. And this is what happens often. I record a program on Discovery or History, and then I end up recording 4 hours worth of stuff because the tape doesn't get turned off til later. In this case Juli didn't get home til later, so the Fort Knox documentary was not the only program on the tape. It happens all the time with me. I watch the program I initially intended to watch, and then I continue to watch the following programs, and then somehow in my head I try to connect all of the programs subject matter into a story.
It never fails. I learn a bunch of stuff and immediately my brain goes, "Now how can this be turned into a script?" Ask me some other time about when I watched the show on Mega Freighter Ships and then watched that show on the History of licorice, yeah, it was a pretty fucked up plot. What normally happens is, I write a few notes down, and then forget about them as I get back on track with the business at hand. Not this time. For some reason I just couldn't get this little twisted plot out of my head.
It popped into my brain as I was watching the documentary on Fort Knox. Great stuff in this little doc. Covered everything from what is known about the depository, like how much Gold it may hold and how secure and guarded the area is, to what is not known, like speculation on the security measures of the place and whether or not the building is holding the Roswell Aliens. They also talked about Fort Knox Military Base, the training facility and how many modern day weapons are tested there. This was already turning all sorts of wheels in my head. I won't tell you details, because I hardly ever discuss scripts I work on. It's that whole birthday wish syndrome again. If I tell you it won't happen.
Suffice it to say I had this great visual story goin on and I was getting very excited with every intriguing detail from this doc. I will say that I'm thinking of something horror sci-fi based. And along those lines, it clicked in my head. Fort Knox, Kentucky. What else do you think of when you hear the word Kentucky Patrick? CHICKEN! How about a horror movie about Fried Chicken in Fort Knox? Ya know, like the Roswell aliens come to life, escape Fort Knox and turn all the soldiers into killer alien buckets of fried chicken?
OK not really.
What I did think of was, Waverly Hills Sanatorium. I started to wonder how far apart these two locations were. Was Fort Knox anywhere near Louisville where Waverly was located? I got REALLY curious. If you know nothing about Waverly Hills Sanatorium, all I will say is that most people call it THE MOST HAUNTED PLACE ON EARTH. Now click this link for more info. Pretty creepy stuff.
My brain started trying to tie the two subject together. Fort Knox conspiracies, Waverly Hills ghosts. Did some digging. Fort Knox wasn't too far away from Waverly, but they weren't right next door to each other. Still, close enough for me to put something together. And the plot I was conjuring in my head was just insane. It screams, action, horror, sci-fi. Very much along the lines of an old movie called The Keep. I would say go rent this movie, but it's extremely hard to find. It's a heck of a cast, and it's a Michael Mann horror movie.
So I've pretty much got a whole plot in my head just based on what I've got. But of course I continue watching the tape. What comes up next? A documentary on Fried Chicken. Just kidding.
It was a documentary on Gigantipithicus. Jeez, am I even spelling that right? Let's just call him G. G was basically the real life King Kong. A gigantic ape that lived ages ago. A relic of the past. The show did talk to people who believed there was some connection between G and Sasquatch. Fuckin Sasquatch. I swear to God I just can't get away from him. I attract it, I do. I can't turn on the TV without running into a show on Bigfoot. And I have to watch it. Monster sightings and conspiracies are like candy to me. I don't buy into the majority of it, and I'm more inclined to NOT believe in Bigfoot's existence, but I love this stuff anyhow. And more so lately because alot of what I'm trying to do with the Monster Cops movies is based on monster sighting footage. I'm obsessed with creating Monster Sighting footage. Can't wait to show you the next movie.
Anyhow. So now my brain is trying to cram Sasquatch into a supernatural, military, movie that takes place in Kentucky. Might as well throw in a subplot about The Colonel's Fried Chicken.
Part of it is just me trying to avoid the research I have to do on Video Compression and Mpeg2 DVD creation, yadda, yadda. It happens. I can't work on 1 thing. I have to work on 5 things. But seeing as how Haunted Fort Sasquatch is now number 6, looks like this goes on the back burner. But I'm getting back to it though. I REALLY like this plot I've got goin.
Great, now I want some fried chicken.
Oh yeah, try locating Waverly Hills Sanatorium on Google Maps, and see if you get creeped out like I did.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Guerrilla Marketing Gone Right
So the hot topic right now is the supposed terror threat in Boston, that actually turned out to be a marketing campaign for Adult Swim's Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
So lemme get this straight. Someone saw one of these things:
So what did they think the Joker sent his henchmen out to plant these things all over Gotham as well as the greater Boston area? I heard about electronic devices being spread around and thought, of course I would think someone was planting a bomb, but then I saw what they looked like and thought, this is what made Boston freak out and close down an interstate. I understand being on the side of caution, but come on, did someone really think that terrorists took the time to be creative and come up with some sort of logo to match their terror?
I've read 5 different blogs that said that it was a guerrilla marketing stunt gone wrong. What are you kidding me? This is the most successful guerrilla marketing tactic this year. Who cares if they got arrested? The two guys who were hauled off in handcuffs certainly didn't. They were all smiles. Why? One, because they knew they did nothing wrong, and two, because IT WORKED!!!! People are blogging about it. The news is eating it up. And those that did not know who Aqua Teen Hunger Force was certainly know now. Are you telling me that Adult Swim isn't going to use this to their advantage? These are the same people who bring you ROBOT CHICKEN as well as a cartoon about a talking beverage and fries.
I will say this though. Boston sure does have their shit together when it comes to reacting to a possible terrorist threat. The two guys were released from custody today and Turner Broadcasting has made an official apology. But I'm fairly certain they ain't too sorry. Especially after we see a rise in ratings on Adult Swim.
And what about those 9 other cities where these things were planted? I'll say either we've got 9 cities that can take a joke, or 9 cities highly under prepared for a terrorist attack from a mooninite.
If you go to the Adult Swim Homepage, there is a posted apology. But if you're familiar with Adult Swim, it's kind of hard to read this without hearing a tone of sarcasm followed by a small chuckle.
So lemme get this straight. Someone saw one of these things:
So what did they think the Joker sent his henchmen out to plant these things all over Gotham as well as the greater Boston area? I heard about electronic devices being spread around and thought, of course I would think someone was planting a bomb, but then I saw what they looked like and thought, this is what made Boston freak out and close down an interstate. I understand being on the side of caution, but come on, did someone really think that terrorists took the time to be creative and come up with some sort of logo to match their terror?
I've read 5 different blogs that said that it was a guerrilla marketing stunt gone wrong. What are you kidding me? This is the most successful guerrilla marketing tactic this year. Who cares if they got arrested? The two guys who were hauled off in handcuffs certainly didn't. They were all smiles. Why? One, because they knew they did nothing wrong, and two, because IT WORKED!!!! People are blogging about it. The news is eating it up. And those that did not know who Aqua Teen Hunger Force was certainly know now. Are you telling me that Adult Swim isn't going to use this to their advantage? These are the same people who bring you ROBOT CHICKEN as well as a cartoon about a talking beverage and fries.
I will say this though. Boston sure does have their shit together when it comes to reacting to a possible terrorist threat. The two guys were released from custody today and Turner Broadcasting has made an official apology. But I'm fairly certain they ain't too sorry. Especially after we see a rise in ratings on Adult Swim.
And what about those 9 other cities where these things were planted? I'll say either we've got 9 cities that can take a joke, or 9 cities highly under prepared for a terrorist attack from a mooninite.
If you go to the Adult Swim Homepage, there is a posted apology. But if you're familiar with Adult Swim, it's kind of hard to read this without hearing a tone of sarcasm followed by a small chuckle.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
9:00 am
And I still haven't gone to bed yet. Why? Because I'm obsessed with movie marketing and self distribution.
My father has made a full recovery. So now that I can breath a little easier about that, I can continue to pester myself about details on the current front.
Just a few notes. As soon as I go to sleep, I'll have to get up 6 hours after that to run errands. Good things it's my day off. Also have to settle a few details, but it looks like maybe hopefully possibly we've got a lead on a screening here in Winston Salem, NC. for The Midnight Special. We shall see how and if it happens. Hopefully today also marks the day I get to actually begin to work on updating some videos and the sites. This means new trailers for TMS and a ton of footage that's begging to be turned into two video blogs and DVD extras for TMS. We are also one step closer to bringing TMS to DVD. After today I'll know for sure if it's going to be March or April for a release date. And we begin the process of platform theatrical releases and screenings. But more on that later.
A couple of notes as far as marketing is concerned. I'm taking a few notes from foureyedmonsters.com and theindywoodproject.com.
Hey look. A bed.
My father has made a full recovery. So now that I can breath a little easier about that, I can continue to pester myself about details on the current front.
Just a few notes. As soon as I go to sleep, I'll have to get up 6 hours after that to run errands. Good things it's my day off. Also have to settle a few details, but it looks like maybe hopefully possibly we've got a lead on a screening here in Winston Salem, NC. for The Midnight Special. We shall see how and if it happens. Hopefully today also marks the day I get to actually begin to work on updating some videos and the sites. This means new trailers for TMS and a ton of footage that's begging to be turned into two video blogs and DVD extras for TMS. We are also one step closer to bringing TMS to DVD. After today I'll know for sure if it's going to be March or April for a release date. And we begin the process of platform theatrical releases and screenings. But more on that later.
A couple of notes as far as marketing is concerned. I'm taking a few notes from foureyedmonsters.com and theindywoodproject.com.
Hey look. A bed.
Monday, January 29, 2007
According to my bro, Dad is fine. He's stable and was moved out of ICU and to a hospital closer to their house. So it looks like everything's ok for now. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
I now go to spend some quality time with my wife. She insists on watching this horror movie that scares the crap out of her and she refuses to watch it alone.
Off I go to be super husband guy.
I now go to spend some quality time with my wife. She insists on watching this horror movie that scares the crap out of her and she refuses to watch it alone.
Off I go to be super husband guy.
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