In Which We Do Some Coastal Log-Rolling, And Make More Promises That We Probably Won't Keep...



First things first, I wanna remind those of you in the L.A. and NYC areas that there are several films screening that were shot here in the Midwest. Those of you in the NYC area can attend the Hoboken International Film Festival, which kicks off this weekend - THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN screens on Saturday, June 5th, if you'd like to see it on the big screen (instead of, say, on your t.v. via Starz VOD; or on your computer screen via Netflix streaming).

THE ONLY GOOD INDIAN




Monday, June 7th is the date for THE BATTLE FOR BUNKER HILL, Kevin Willmott's new film (though, actually it was shot before INDIAN). It previously screened at the Atlanta Film Festival in April - here's a podcast featuring an interview with Kevin about the film, and Dan Hoyt's review on the Helium website.

THE BATTLE FOR BUNKER HILL



Those in the L.A. area planning on attending the Dances With Films festival may want to reserve some tickets for the screening of LAST BREATH on Tuesday, June 8; Ty Jones' thriller/drama that's starting to hit the festival circuit after winning the Audience Favorite award at the Omaha Film Festival.


I slacked on the blog a bit mainly due to so many other things; mainly looking for work... paying work. I've also been working on a couple of feature scripts and other things, but those are ventures that may potentially pay off Some Bright Day - Way.... WAY Off In The Future, where things can look pretty bright or dark, depending on how good the coffee is in the morning. In The Right Now, it's pretty fucking Hard -- but then, it usually has been.

I've also been watching a wide variety of films at home, since it's way cheaper than going out and the selection is much better than what's in the theaters. So, I turn to what the unemployed and obnoxiously vocal do in Tough Times -- blog about movies. Yes, I know -- how original. You're lucky that it's not about music... now that I've reached the plateau of Bitter Old Man, I no longer recognize what or who the Hell is playing in the clubs that the kids are listening to.

It's pretty fun no longer trying to be Cool...

So for the few of you following my rantings (THANK YOU every last one of you!), I should repay your kindness by providing more content a bit more often -- Facebook has largely been the recipient of the quick hit & run snark, illustrated by link - maybe a little of that will still get here, but I have to try harder - especially when I demand it from others.

LAST BREATH Logrolling

In light of its premiere at KC FILMFEST next Saturday, here's a ton of stuff related to the film. For a synopsis and info about the film, check out the website, which has a trailer.

Here's a behind the scenes featurette:



and for more wacky behind-the-scenes action, check out 'The Joys of Lo-Budget Filmmaking' series.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8

Here's my collection of pics from the set of LAST BREATH.


Watch 'em, enjoy 'em, and come stoked for the premiere!

KC Filmfest 2009

It used to be known as the Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee... apparently they have combined forces with another local festival. The emphasis is on local work, or work that has local ties.

For the past few years, it's usually been that I've been unable to make the festival due to working on some production scheduled at the same time. This year, there's incentive to attend, like the productions that I worked on:








So, this is a big event for me... usually there's only one project that gets screened, but it's a rare occurrence to see several all at once. In some instances, festival screenings may be the only exhibition that the work gets -- it's happened on a few films that I've been on. As I've stated before; you go onto a film hoping to get paid, but in indie film, even if you get paid, it's not a lot... I like to be able to see the finished product, and if you're lucky, it turns out to be good or better than you expect.

So, hit the KC FILMFEST if you have the chance. It kicks off next Wednesday - I'll of course have plenty to say about the films after I see them... maybe I won't piss off too many people.

After the Storm


LAST BREATH wrapped principal photography on the last weekend in April - there's still some pickups to be done, but for the most part, it's done. And it looks as though I'll be working on the film NEVER SUBMIT, which shoots in KC later this month.

Most of my time would be spent finishing one project and prepping for the other - in addition to that, I'm also doing a bit of basement cleaning. We got flooded during the week of rain, and although it wasn't quite as bad as it could've been, there's lots of soaked stuff to throw out and it looks like our washing machine and dryer will need to be replaced.

Home!!!

Taking a short break from the filming of LAST BREATH - there's more to do over the next few weekends, but in the short term, it's nice to get away from cold, dank warehouses in 20 degree weather for awhile. My cats are certainly appreciative of my being around, as well as family members.

Notwithstanding, I took the chance to pick up a couple of longly-awaited DVDs - The Second Season of TWIN PEAKS, which I'll start to crack next week, and the original version of BEDAZZLED, with Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, of which Jaime Weinman over at Something Old, Nothing New, has some good things to say.

If the weather lets up (it's been rainy and cold all day), I might get out the riding mower my aunt recently bought and give the yard a buzz.

The Joys of Lo-Budget Filmmaking, Parts 7 & 8



More clips from the shoot... the light is at the end of the tunnel and we finish warehouse shooting this week - sometime. Then we go into week-ends.

Part 7


Part 8

The Joys of Lo-Budget Filmmaking, Part 6


The importance of a set with a dry floor cannot be stressed enough...

PART 6

The Joys of Lo-Budget Filmmaking, Parts 4 & 5

More LAST BREATH production clips:

PART 4


PART 5

The Joys of Lo-Budget Filmmaking, Parts 2 and 3

More behind the scenes treats from LAST BREATH, currently in production.


PART 2

PART 3

"I (heart) Last Breath"

On our first day off after the first week of shooting on "Last Breath".

By sheer coincidence, the big thing on YouTube the past week was the appearance of some choice behind the scenes footage of the making of David O. Russell's "I (heart) Huckabee's", featuring a pissed off Lily Tomlin, and Russell throwing a tantrum on set.

As anyone who's worked in film can tell you, this sort of bad behavior is nothing new... However shocking it may be to people, one thing to keep in mind is that Lily CAN vent her frustrations, being what they call "above the line" and not worry too much about her job prospects. For "below the line" personnel, they could merely fart in the wrong direction when the director is in a bad mood, and then they're gone - and have acquired a reputation.

Here, in the following clip, is probably the best example I've seen to illustrate the relationship between Directors and Producers:

The Joys of Lo-Budget Filmmaking, Part 1

(now also on YouTube)

(Actually, they're just testing a stunt effect - No Actors Were Harmed!)

Another slow week...

Actually quite a bit has happened. My attention has not been on practically anything for the past few days. Last Friday, I took the day off to attend the free dental clinic held in Topeka - I had two teeth that needed extraction and as fees go, you can't beat 'free'. Even with the painkillers, it's still distracting - the feeling is similar to teething, but there's nothing to actually chew, and to do so would be worse than the teething sensation.

I'm officially on the crew for Ty Jones' upcoming feature, LAST BREATH, which starts shooting in March... just got the word last night.