Okay, quick blog. This is just to clear some things up for a few people because I'm getting sick of implications.
For those who don't know, I took some time off from working a day job for about 5 months. Ami had just scored a decent job and we figured it up to find that we'd be able to live off of her income for at least a little while. Being the supportive wife that she is, we made a deal where she allowed me to focus on my art if that when a certain time span ended, I'd get some sort of job to start pulling my weight again.
For some reason, a lot of people thought that by me staying at home and not working a 9 to 5 that I was somehow just a lazy ass who did nothing. Well, I'll have you know that I've been busting my ass for these past months trying to get my film off the ground. Anyone who works in this field knows how much work is required to go into such a task and I found myself being able to focus on it without any other distractions. You have to plan, you have to budget, you have to rehearse, you have to send e-mail after e-mail, make phone call after phone call, write and re-write, lock locations, put together a pitch package, work on your business plan, plan and hold fundraisers, find investors, and so on. This takes time. On top of that, being the good and responsible person that I am, I also did ALL of the house work around the apartment. I know we only have a one bedroom, but Jesus can it get messy and quick. All of this kept me busy throughout my days and I feel like I'm closer to achieving my dream because of it. Thank my lucky stars that I have someone like Ami willing to do such a thing for me.
Have we suffered for it? Yes, at least a bit. I was planning on doing a lot more work as an extra on some of the TV shows around here and promotional gigs, but there wasn't a lot. We don't have a lot of money to play with, but every artist must suffer for their art. I'm lucky enough to have a woman by my side who's willing to suffer with me.
The time frame has ended and I'm pretty much working full time as a substitute teacher. I'm also actually really enjoying it. So, the wait feels rewarding. I am also still busting ass on my movie. I have a date set in my head and I plan on making it happen this time.
This was an agreement between my wife and I. It's really no one's business but our own. However, I felt I needed to share.
So, please. People I meet, people I know, good friends even...stop implying that I was being some kind of slacker because I took time off from work to focus on my art. That was not the case and really, you have no idea in the end. You implying such things just pisses me off.
Thanks.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Update on Billi & Theodore
Hello all.
So, I have an announcement to make about Billi & Theodore that may disappoint some, but we at Short Pictures Independent feel very positive and excited about this. I have decided to push the start date on production back a few months to early 2011. Now, I know we pushed it back once already, back when we were really gunning for a December 2009 start date. However, in this situation, it was more my choice to push it back instead of being forced to push it back because of lack of funds.
Let me explain. I have someone very close to me who believes in me and wants to support me willing to invest some money into the project to make this thing happen. However, they can't do said investing until early next year. Seeing that some of our leads on investors are dragging their feet and our Kickstarter page is moving at a trickle, it only makes sense to delay our start date to a time where we know we'll have some money to do it.
On that same note, I have also decided to kill our Kickstarter page to make the move over to Indiegogo. The positives to this decision are based upon the fact that whatever you raise through Indiegogo, you get to keep. There isn't a silly time limit and it isn't all or nothing. This makes me feel a lot better about it. If we only end up raising $2,000 of our overall goal, at least we get to keep it and put it towards the film! I hope everyone who has pledged a donation will take the time to "transfer" said donation to the Indiegogo page found here:
http://www.indiegogo.com/Billi-Theodore
To those of you who have pledged, you will be receiving a personal message from me explaining the situation and I hope it will persuade you to take the time to give the amount you intended to give on our Indiegogo page.
So, yeah, things are looking up! It finally seems as if this movie is happening, but not exactly when we imagined it. That's the movie industry though, unfortunately.
I hope everyone will continue their support for this project and will continue to help us try to make this dream of ours a reality.
Thanks for reading.
So, I have an announcement to make about Billi & Theodore that may disappoint some, but we at Short Pictures Independent feel very positive and excited about this. I have decided to push the start date on production back a few months to early 2011. Now, I know we pushed it back once already, back when we were really gunning for a December 2009 start date. However, in this situation, it was more my choice to push it back instead of being forced to push it back because of lack of funds.
Let me explain. I have someone very close to me who believes in me and wants to support me willing to invest some money into the project to make this thing happen. However, they can't do said investing until early next year. Seeing that some of our leads on investors are dragging their feet and our Kickstarter page is moving at a trickle, it only makes sense to delay our start date to a time where we know we'll have some money to do it.
On that same note, I have also decided to kill our Kickstarter page to make the move over to Indiegogo. The positives to this decision are based upon the fact that whatever you raise through Indiegogo, you get to keep. There isn't a silly time limit and it isn't all or nothing. This makes me feel a lot better about it. If we only end up raising $2,000 of our overall goal, at least we get to keep it and put it towards the film! I hope everyone who has pledged a donation will take the time to "transfer" said donation to the Indiegogo page found here:
http://www.indiegogo.com/Billi-Theodore
To those of you who have pledged, you will be receiving a personal message from me explaining the situation and I hope it will persuade you to take the time to give the amount you intended to give on our Indiegogo page.
So, yeah, things are looking up! It finally seems as if this movie is happening, but not exactly when we imagined it. That's the movie industry though, unfortunately.
I hope everyone will continue their support for this project and will continue to help us try to make this dream of ours a reality.
Thanks for reading.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
SXSW - Day Six
Need to catch up?
SXSW - Day One
SXSW - Day Two
SXSW - Day Three
SXSW - Day Four
SXSW - Day Five
Day six was hump day during the festival and was the first group of films my good friend Nathan Minger was able to join me for. He was pretty tired and it was his first day in Austin, so we didn't see as many films as I would have normally seen, but we saw some great ones.
The Films
-----------------------------------------
THIS MOVIE IS BROKEN
I was a moderate fan of Broken Social Scene before seeing this. I had heard some of their songs prior to the film and knew about them, but this film helped my interest grow. The reason I was so excited to see this flick was because of the concept. Basically, it's a concert film for BSS combined with a narrative film. So, the filmmakers filmed a concert of Broken Social Scene's in Montreal (I believe) and then filmed a scripted "feature" film that ties into the concert film.
The narrative part of the film tells the story of Bruno and Caroline, who just woke up next to each other after having a one night stand. However, Bruno has been into Caroline for a long time and has always tried to make a move. After they wake, he finds out that she's moving to France for school and he must think of a way to spend her last day in Canada together and to reveal his true feelings to her. That's where the concert plays in.
My biggest problem with the film is that the story isn't that interesting. It's an awesome idea to make a concert film more entertaining (if you're not that into straight concert films, that is), but if this movie was on its own without the greatness of Broken Social Scene to back it up, it would have been generic and on the verge of rubbish.So, as a film, it's pretty forgettable, but as a concert film with that little touch of story, it's pretty entertaining. It's a nice break from the music.
I give the film a 7 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
GET LOW
I knew very little about this movie before waiting in line for the screening. I read the synopsis, but all I really knew was that Bill Murray was going to be there in person and that was enough for me. Then, come to find out, Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek was attending as well. Score!
The film tells the story of a small town and the hermit, named Felix Bush (Robert Duvall), who lives on the outskirts. His reputation isn't the best as many stories have been spread over the years. Felix decides to throw a "funeral party" for himself pre-death so that he can hear all the stories that have made him a legend. So, he goes to Bill Murray's Frank Quinn, the local funeral director, to make it happen.
It's a really touching film, showing how perspective plays into what people spread about others. One little rumor can explode and ruin someone's reputation. In some cases, this sort of spreading of lies can make someone more myth than man. That has certainly happened to Duvall's Felix.
Everyone is at the top of their games in this flick. Duvall gives a layered, mysterious performance that pulls you in and makes you curious to find out more. Murray is great as always and plays the comedic relief terrifically. Sissy Spacek plays her role rather sweet, her character (Mattie Darrow) being someone who cared for Felix before the incident that ruined his life took place. Spacek has a way of playing Mattie as being reserved, but still obviously having feelings for Felix, allowing them to show every once in a while. They were all just great.
This is certainly a character piece that's very, very charming. I'd love to see it again.
I give the film a 9 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
SUCK
This movie is great. It tells the story of a rock band, touring through Canada, and their struggle with their female bassist (I think?) who has just become a vampire. Seeing how much everyone loves her and how awesome she rocks, members of the band start to debate if they should all make the jump to the vampire lifestyle. Gigs in shitty bars, thirst for blood, a vampire hunter played by Malcolm McDowell, and eventually a battle with the original vamp who turned them are nothing for a rock n roll band.
This movie is just good times. It obviously doesn't take itself too seriously and is more comedy than horror, but it works rather well, especially seeing how vampires these days are being played too melodramatically. I applaud the filmmakers for making vampires fun while giving a rock n roll flair and filling this flick with tons of laughs.
I give the film an 8 out of 10.
That's a wrap on day six!
SXSW - Day One
SXSW - Day Two
SXSW - Day Three
SXSW - Day Four
SXSW - Day Five
Day six was hump day during the festival and was the first group of films my good friend Nathan Minger was able to join me for. He was pretty tired and it was his first day in Austin, so we didn't see as many films as I would have normally seen, but we saw some great ones.
The Films
-----------------------------------------
THIS MOVIE IS BROKEN
I was a moderate fan of Broken Social Scene before seeing this. I had heard some of their songs prior to the film and knew about them, but this film helped my interest grow. The reason I was so excited to see this flick was because of the concept. Basically, it's a concert film for BSS combined with a narrative film. So, the filmmakers filmed a concert of Broken Social Scene's in Montreal (I believe) and then filmed a scripted "feature" film that ties into the concert film.
The narrative part of the film tells the story of Bruno and Caroline, who just woke up next to each other after having a one night stand. However, Bruno has been into Caroline for a long time and has always tried to make a move. After they wake, he finds out that she's moving to France for school and he must think of a way to spend her last day in Canada together and to reveal his true feelings to her. That's where the concert plays in.
My biggest problem with the film is that the story isn't that interesting. It's an awesome idea to make a concert film more entertaining (if you're not that into straight concert films, that is), but if this movie was on its own without the greatness of Broken Social Scene to back it up, it would have been generic and on the verge of rubbish.So, as a film, it's pretty forgettable, but as a concert film with that little touch of story, it's pretty entertaining. It's a nice break from the music.
I give the film a 7 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
GET LOW
I knew very little about this movie before waiting in line for the screening. I read the synopsis, but all I really knew was that Bill Murray was going to be there in person and that was enough for me. Then, come to find out, Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek was attending as well. Score!
The film tells the story of a small town and the hermit, named Felix Bush (Robert Duvall), who lives on the outskirts. His reputation isn't the best as many stories have been spread over the years. Felix decides to throw a "funeral party" for himself pre-death so that he can hear all the stories that have made him a legend. So, he goes to Bill Murray's Frank Quinn, the local funeral director, to make it happen.
It's a really touching film, showing how perspective plays into what people spread about others. One little rumor can explode and ruin someone's reputation. In some cases, this sort of spreading of lies can make someone more myth than man. That has certainly happened to Duvall's Felix.
Everyone is at the top of their games in this flick. Duvall gives a layered, mysterious performance that pulls you in and makes you curious to find out more. Murray is great as always and plays the comedic relief terrifically. Sissy Spacek plays her role rather sweet, her character (Mattie Darrow) being someone who cared for Felix before the incident that ruined his life took place. Spacek has a way of playing Mattie as being reserved, but still obviously having feelings for Felix, allowing them to show every once in a while. They were all just great.
This is certainly a character piece that's very, very charming. I'd love to see it again.
I give the film a 9 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
SUCK
This movie is great. It tells the story of a rock band, touring through Canada, and their struggle with their female bassist (I think?) who has just become a vampire. Seeing how much everyone loves her and how awesome she rocks, members of the band start to debate if they should all make the jump to the vampire lifestyle. Gigs in shitty bars, thirst for blood, a vampire hunter played by Malcolm McDowell, and eventually a battle with the original vamp who turned them are nothing for a rock n roll band.
This movie is just good times. It obviously doesn't take itself too seriously and is more comedy than horror, but it works rather well, especially seeing how vampires these days are being played too melodramatically. I applaud the filmmakers for making vampires fun while giving a rock n roll flair and filling this flick with tons of laughs.
I give the film an 8 out of 10.
That's a wrap on day six!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
SXSW - Day Five
Need to catch up?
SXSW - Day One
SXSW - Day Two
SXSW - Day Three
SXSW - Day Four
And yet again, I've taken for-fucking-ever to post the next in my series of SXSW blogs. By the time I'm done with these, it'll probably be SXSW time again. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. There's only three more after this! We can do it! You just gotta believe!
Enough excuses, here's blog five!
The Films
-----------------------------------------
TINY FURNITURE
In earlier installments of this blog series, I had said that Cyrus was my favorite film from the festival. Well, honestly, I don't know if that's necessarily true and it's only because of this film right here.
Tiny Furniture tells the story of a young woman named Aura, played by the film's writer/director Lena Dunham, fresh out of college and who has moved back to New York City to live with her mother and sister. She went to school in Ohio for film and has had moderate YouTube success with one video. She's lost and doesn't know where to go from here.
What I love right off the bat is that this is a film about this woman who isn't necessarily drop dead gorgeous (though she is cute), isn't really looking for a relationship, and is trying to figure out the next step in her life. It's really feminist in that regard. The next step isn't to find a man who could possibly figure it all out for her like many movies with female leads showcase. It's about her taking control of her emotions and desires. It's an amazing character piece in that regard.
Every character in her life is fully realized and the actors playing them are brilliant, especially the mother and sister played by Dunham's own family members. There's a chemistry there that couldn't be present if it were not for them being related. The other characters represent different parts of Aura's life and give layers to the emotions represented. It's just an all around great cast who know how to mix the drama and comedy really well.
For this only being Lena Dunham's second feature, she has a hell of a future ahead of her that I'm currently really jealous of. Her film was a huge inspiration for me and I hope to have similar success.
I give the film a 10 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
NARRATIVE SHORTS 3
These two flicks are the ones that really stick out in my mind from this section of shorts.
CIGARETTE CANDY
A soldier returns home from Iraq with a lot of weight on his shoulders...obviously. His family is throwing him a little cook-out to celebrate his return. He's haunted by this beautiful teenage girl who keeps giving him seductive glances and his father who's pushing for him to give a speech on the good things they're doing in the war that aren't true. Seeing the inner struggle of the lead character is fascinating and the actor playing him is top notch.
KELPThe story of a man who leaves his wife and family for kelp. Yes, the strange plant found in large masses of water and yes, it's pretty hilarious.
-----------------------------------------
LE DONK AND SCOR-ZAY-ZEE
I was really looking forward to this mocumentary starring Edgar Wright regular Paddy Considine. However and disappointingly, it was only moderately funny. There's a lot of potential here, but it doesn't quite get there for me. It's not one to skip entirely, but it's certainly not bursting at the seems with laughs.
I give the film a 7 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
PASSENGER PIGEONS
This is going to be a film I remember for a very long time. Not really because of the film itself, but because of the circumstances I saw the film in.
Imagine you're a filmmaker who has had some success. You've made a few iconic films others look to for inspiration. Now, imagine you're sitting in the audience of a film that's largely influenced by your style. Wouldn't that be trippy and surreal? Well, that's sort of what happened in this film.
Passenger Pigeons is a film largely influenced by the work of David Gordon Green. The southern style, the slow burn storytelling, the multiple storylines converging...all felt like a lesser piece of Green's work. And I'm sure you can guess by now that David Gordon Green was in the audience a few rows ahead of me. I really wanted to pick his brain after the screening just to see what he thought. That would be hella weird for me as a filmmaker, personally. Though, I can admit, I hope to have this experience someday.
The film itself was okay. The acting and story was a bit dry and the sound wasn't really that great, but it was somewhat engaging. It's probably my least favorite David Gordon Green flick. Oh...wait...
I give the film a 6 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
SKATELAND
Skateland was a film that got a hell of a reception at SXSW. The filmmaker behind it was from Austin, so all his friends came to the screening and hooted and hollered throughout. It was a tad annoying, but I could feel the excitement in the air for their friend and I could respect it.
The film, however, was only okay. A lot of people have been praising it as a modern Dazed and Confused. I couldn't really shake the feeling that it was nothing more than a Dazed and Confused rip-off. I mean, it was pretty good, but I've already seen the film once and done way better by Linklater. Plus, the lead guy was pretty awful. I couldn't really stand him.
I like the work that went into making it feel like the 70s, I liked the story for the most part, and the side characters could be entertaining. I would just rather watch Dazed, though.
I give the film a 7 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
THE LOVED ONES
Now, here's a movie that took it's love for a certain type of film and genre and made something new out of it. The Loved Ones is a horror flick that tells the story of a boy who refuses to go to prom with the weird girl in school and the crazy hell he has to pay for doing so.
This flick, lovingly crafted in Australia, really took me by surprise. I knew nothing about it, honestly, and when I was in the middle of it, I couldn't help but smile the whole time. It's one of those horror films that doesn't take itself too seriously, but still provides something extremely fucked up and cringe-worthy. There's laughs, there's tension, there's gore, and there's a badass ending. What more could you ask for from an awesome flick like this?
I give the film a 9 out of 10.
And day five is a wrap!
SXSW - Day One
SXSW - Day Two
SXSW - Day Three
SXSW - Day Four
And yet again, I've taken for-fucking-ever to post the next in my series of SXSW blogs. By the time I'm done with these, it'll probably be SXSW time again. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. There's only three more after this! We can do it! You just gotta believe!
Enough excuses, here's blog five!
The Films
-----------------------------------------
TINY FURNITURE
In earlier installments of this blog series, I had said that Cyrus was my favorite film from the festival. Well, honestly, I don't know if that's necessarily true and it's only because of this film right here.
Tiny Furniture tells the story of a young woman named Aura, played by the film's writer/director Lena Dunham, fresh out of college and who has moved back to New York City to live with her mother and sister. She went to school in Ohio for film and has had moderate YouTube success with one video. She's lost and doesn't know where to go from here.
What I love right off the bat is that this is a film about this woman who isn't necessarily drop dead gorgeous (though she is cute), isn't really looking for a relationship, and is trying to figure out the next step in her life. It's really feminist in that regard. The next step isn't to find a man who could possibly figure it all out for her like many movies with female leads showcase. It's about her taking control of her emotions and desires. It's an amazing character piece in that regard.
Every character in her life is fully realized and the actors playing them are brilliant, especially the mother and sister played by Dunham's own family members. There's a chemistry there that couldn't be present if it were not for them being related. The other characters represent different parts of Aura's life and give layers to the emotions represented. It's just an all around great cast who know how to mix the drama and comedy really well.
For this only being Lena Dunham's second feature, she has a hell of a future ahead of her that I'm currently really jealous of. Her film was a huge inspiration for me and I hope to have similar success.
I give the film a 10 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
NARRATIVE SHORTS 3
These two flicks are the ones that really stick out in my mind from this section of shorts.
CIGARETTE CANDY
A soldier returns home from Iraq with a lot of weight on his shoulders...obviously. His family is throwing him a little cook-out to celebrate his return. He's haunted by this beautiful teenage girl who keeps giving him seductive glances and his father who's pushing for him to give a speech on the good things they're doing in the war that aren't true. Seeing the inner struggle of the lead character is fascinating and the actor playing him is top notch.
KELPThe story of a man who leaves his wife and family for kelp. Yes, the strange plant found in large masses of water and yes, it's pretty hilarious.
-----------------------------------------
LE DONK AND SCOR-ZAY-ZEE
I was really looking forward to this mocumentary starring Edgar Wright regular Paddy Considine. However and disappointingly, it was only moderately funny. There's a lot of potential here, but it doesn't quite get there for me. It's not one to skip entirely, but it's certainly not bursting at the seems with laughs.
I give the film a 7 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
PASSENGER PIGEONS
This is going to be a film I remember for a very long time. Not really because of the film itself, but because of the circumstances I saw the film in.
Imagine you're a filmmaker who has had some success. You've made a few iconic films others look to for inspiration. Now, imagine you're sitting in the audience of a film that's largely influenced by your style. Wouldn't that be trippy and surreal? Well, that's sort of what happened in this film.
Passenger Pigeons is a film largely influenced by the work of David Gordon Green. The southern style, the slow burn storytelling, the multiple storylines converging...all felt like a lesser piece of Green's work. And I'm sure you can guess by now that David Gordon Green was in the audience a few rows ahead of me. I really wanted to pick his brain after the screening just to see what he thought. That would be hella weird for me as a filmmaker, personally. Though, I can admit, I hope to have this experience someday.
The film itself was okay. The acting and story was a bit dry and the sound wasn't really that great, but it was somewhat engaging. It's probably my least favorite David Gordon Green flick. Oh...wait...
I give the film a 6 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
SKATELAND
Skateland was a film that got a hell of a reception at SXSW. The filmmaker behind it was from Austin, so all his friends came to the screening and hooted and hollered throughout. It was a tad annoying, but I could feel the excitement in the air for their friend and I could respect it.
The film, however, was only okay. A lot of people have been praising it as a modern Dazed and Confused. I couldn't really shake the feeling that it was nothing more than a Dazed and Confused rip-off. I mean, it was pretty good, but I've already seen the film once and done way better by Linklater. Plus, the lead guy was pretty awful. I couldn't really stand him.
I like the work that went into making it feel like the 70s, I liked the story for the most part, and the side characters could be entertaining. I would just rather watch Dazed, though.
I give the film a 7 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
THE LOVED ONES
Now, here's a movie that took it's love for a certain type of film and genre and made something new out of it. The Loved Ones is a horror flick that tells the story of a boy who refuses to go to prom with the weird girl in school and the crazy hell he has to pay for doing so.
This flick, lovingly crafted in Australia, really took me by surprise. I knew nothing about it, honestly, and when I was in the middle of it, I couldn't help but smile the whole time. It's one of those horror films that doesn't take itself too seriously, but still provides something extremely fucked up and cringe-worthy. There's laughs, there's tension, there's gore, and there's a badass ending. What more could you ask for from an awesome flick like this?
I give the film a 9 out of 10.
And day five is a wrap!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Billi and Theodore on Kickstarter!
Okay, so I know I have been awful with keeping up with this thing. I had a series of blogs reviewing what I saw at SXSW, but I never had the time to finish them off. It's not to say that I never will, but I really felt the need to post this blog seeing that you all can help me make my dreams a reality and that there has been some confusion on how it works.
So, as many of you know, I wrote a screenplay last year called Billi and Theodore which I tried to film in December. Because of investors backing out and other elements, it just didn't work out.
Now, we're trying again! We've made a page on Kickstarter, a website which allows most anyone to post their project with the idea of it being funded in three months. People interested in helping the project make a donation through the site. The makers of the project will provide incentives to people who donate various amounts.
However, the idea behind the site is that it's all or nothing. If the project doesn't reach it's goal by the end date, then the makers get nothing. On the flip side, no money is taken from the people donating until the project reaches it's end date and is successful.
With my project, I'm trying to get $11,000 by October 11th at midnight. Unless that goal is met, I get no money whatsoever and anyone who donates will only have their money taken out of their account on October 11th if that happens. We are already 3% there, but I know we should be doing better.
We really appreciate everyone spreading the word on the project, but I also hope that everyone posting links will also give at least $10 to the cause. We figured it up and if only 600 of my 670 friends on Facebook gave merely $19 towards the project, we would be well funded. Seeing that some very generous backers have already given more individually, that makes the amount even less.
Enough of me blabbing. I will let my pitch video and Kickstarter page do the rest of the talking. I hope that, now having a better understanding on how it all works, you will all put a little bit towards making my dream a reality.
For everyone who has ever believed in me, helped me, or supported my dreams and aspirations...I need your help now more than ever.
Thanks!
Billi and Theodore on Kickstarter!
So, as many of you know, I wrote a screenplay last year called Billi and Theodore which I tried to film in December. Because of investors backing out and other elements, it just didn't work out.
Now, we're trying again! We've made a page on Kickstarter, a website which allows most anyone to post their project with the idea of it being funded in three months. People interested in helping the project make a donation through the site. The makers of the project will provide incentives to people who donate various amounts.
However, the idea behind the site is that it's all or nothing. If the project doesn't reach it's goal by the end date, then the makers get nothing. On the flip side, no money is taken from the people donating until the project reaches it's end date and is successful.
With my project, I'm trying to get $11,000 by October 11th at midnight. Unless that goal is met, I get no money whatsoever and anyone who donates will only have their money taken out of their account on October 11th if that happens. We are already 3% there, but I know we should be doing better.
We really appreciate everyone spreading the word on the project, but I also hope that everyone posting links will also give at least $10 to the cause. We figured it up and if only 600 of my 670 friends on Facebook gave merely $19 towards the project, we would be well funded. Seeing that some very generous backers have already given more individually, that makes the amount even less.
Enough of me blabbing. I will let my pitch video and Kickstarter page do the rest of the talking. I hope that, now having a better understanding on how it all works, you will all put a little bit towards making my dream a reality.
For everyone who has ever believed in me, helped me, or supported my dreams and aspirations...I need your help now more than ever.
Thanks!
Billi and Theodore on Kickstarter!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
SXSW 2010 - Day Four
Need to catch up?
SXSW 2010 - Day One
SXSW 2010 - Day Two
SXSW 2010 - Day Three
Been a while, hasn't it? Some would probably give up on doing a series of blogs on a month old film festival, but not me. I stick to what I say I'm going to do and flippin' do it. The only reason this wasn't done sooner is because I was trying to complete a screenplay for a competition called "Script Frenzy." Now that I've heard some rather good news, I've become a little distracted in the creative front of my life. I'm trying to focus on something a little more important than the screenplay I started. Plus, I was writing what I considered to be a pretty good idea that probably needed a bigger budget for a lower budget. Some things might have been a little compromised. I'll revisit it someday. Now, onto the fest.
Day four was my first true full day of movies. At this point, I should have just changed my mailing address to the Alamo Drafthouse because I was living there for the rest of the week. I saw some great full lengths and a lot of shorts (which is going to be a pain for me to write about).
I apologize now for how short these reviews are going to be. Obviously, long reviews take more time and I want to try and get these blogs done quickly.
The Films
-----------------------------------------
SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
Official site!
This is a simple piece, but one that seemed to speak to me the loudest. There's three main story lines being told throughout the film, none of which are incredibly complex. However, seeing the lives these people long to have or that they want to give to others really shows a complexity.
My favorite storyline concerned Eli, played excellently by the lead singer of The Shins James Mercer, who longed for the day where he didn't have to work a shitty job with an asshole boss. What can I say, I related greatly. He spends most of his free time with his step grandfather. They seem to be best friends and his grandfather has a car which he needs to use quite often. Hearing the grandfather talking about love and how he outlived those he was married to gives this film a power unlike any other I saw at the fest. You get invested into these characters and they say these profound, yet simple, epiphanies and it just astounds you.
It's amazing to me how the simplest person can have the greatest grasp on life while everyone else is trying to make it all so complex and this film represents that idea quite well. This being Matt McCormick's first feature is a true achievement. It's just a beautiful little flick that I'd love to add to my movie collection. Lets hope they get a distribution deal soon!
I give the film a 9 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
Narrative Shorts 1
There were eight shorts in this category and I will only be highlighting the ones I loved.
BIKINI LIGHTERS
It's amazing to me how many times a coming of age story can be told, but in various different ways. In this short, a boy is becoming aware of his sexuality because of some lighters that display women in bikinis. He also notices a teenage girl making out with her boyfriend. This, of course, comes back to bite him in the arse. Great little flick here.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
My absolute favorite short from the festival. It has my sensibilities and it's amazingly funny. It's about a guy who jokes around with his girlfriend about sleeping with her best friend who happens to be a dude. He begins to worry when his girlfriend starts to play along over a pancake breakfast. Great, great short!
SNAPSHOTS
Seven love stories that were gorgeously shot in New York. This is what New York, I Love You should have been. Though, the lack of any homosexual love kind of dampers it for me (if you're going to have seven different stories, you really couldn't find room for ONE gay love story?).
GIRLS NAMED PINKY
Oh, what a twist! This is a great little short with a hell of a twist.
-----------------------------------------
Narrative Shorts 2
Again, I'm only going to highlight the ones I absolutely loved.
HAVE YOU SEEN MY HAIR?
Trippy short right here. It all takes place from the point of view of someone who has lost their hair. It was originally going to be a commercial for a hairstylist in New York, but evolved into something so much more. You need to see it to believe it.
BLACK OPS ARABESQUE
Hilarious! When you're backed into a corner by men with guns wanting the little girl you have sworn to protect, what are you going to do? Dance, of course!
THE BIG FIDDLE
A complex, intertwining film that glued my eyes to the screen till the shocking end. There's so much going on that it's hard to explain. So, just try to search this film out!
-----------------------------------------
STRANGE POWERS
Official site!
I'm not going to lie to you; I have never heard of The Magnetic Fields until I saw this documentary. I had unknowingly heard some of their songs before, but I would have never been able to tell you that they performed them. I am glad I saw this film merely for the fact that I now know who they are and how great they are.
This documentary focuses primarily on Stephin Merritt, lead singer, song writer, and general performer of awesomeness for The Magnetic Fields. He's such a layered artist and though it might seem hard for many to relate to him because of his hard outer shell, he's actually pretty easy to care about as a subject. He just wants to make the music he wants to make and fuck all the naysayers. He wants to love who he wants to love without being judged. He is Stephin Merritt and if you don't like it, get the fuck out. That's his attitude and I loved it. I want to be his best friend, honestly.
This is a well made doc that showed me the greatness of a band I might have missed if I hadn't taken the chance to see it (and it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Earthling being filled up).
I give the film an 8 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS
Official site!
Here is a film I was looking forward to greatly and was the first disappointment I experienced at the fest. It tells the story (I use the word story loosely) of a psychic who is forced to live with various ghosts who have yet to cross over to the after life. This film was made primarily to showcase the songs of a band Califone, who play three of the ghosts who are featured often. The coolest part about this screening was the fact that Califone actually played live as the movie screened behind them. They were awesome. Unfortunately, the movie did not live up to the experience for me.
My biggest problem is how it seems that the film has no real focus. We have parts of a story with the psychic, random interviews with a select few ghosts, and then long and drawn out musical sequences with the band Califone. It doesn't mesh and it left me feeling really unsatisfied. I mean, it could have worked, but no one told them certain parts of the whole was just stupid. I'm all for artistic expression, but this is one piece of art I just can't appreciate. It's choppy, sloppy, and all over the place. The music, however, and the experience I had with the band playing live was great. Watching the film without Califone would have been truly terrible.
I give the film a 4 out of 10.
And day four is wrapped!
SXSW 2010 - Day One
SXSW 2010 - Day Two
SXSW 2010 - Day Three
Been a while, hasn't it? Some would probably give up on doing a series of blogs on a month old film festival, but not me. I stick to what I say I'm going to do and flippin' do it. The only reason this wasn't done sooner is because I was trying to complete a screenplay for a competition called "Script Frenzy." Now that I've heard some rather good news, I've become a little distracted in the creative front of my life. I'm trying to focus on something a little more important than the screenplay I started. Plus, I was writing what I considered to be a pretty good idea that probably needed a bigger budget for a lower budget. Some things might have been a little compromised. I'll revisit it someday. Now, onto the fest.
Day four was my first true full day of movies. At this point, I should have just changed my mailing address to the Alamo Drafthouse because I was living there for the rest of the week. I saw some great full lengths and a lot of shorts (which is going to be a pain for me to write about).
I apologize now for how short these reviews are going to be. Obviously, long reviews take more time and I want to try and get these blogs done quickly.
The Films
-----------------------------------------
SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
Official site!
This is a simple piece, but one that seemed to speak to me the loudest. There's three main story lines being told throughout the film, none of which are incredibly complex. However, seeing the lives these people long to have or that they want to give to others really shows a complexity.
My favorite storyline concerned Eli, played excellently by the lead singer of The Shins James Mercer, who longed for the day where he didn't have to work a shitty job with an asshole boss. What can I say, I related greatly. He spends most of his free time with his step grandfather. They seem to be best friends and his grandfather has a car which he needs to use quite often. Hearing the grandfather talking about love and how he outlived those he was married to gives this film a power unlike any other I saw at the fest. You get invested into these characters and they say these profound, yet simple, epiphanies and it just astounds you.
It's amazing to me how the simplest person can have the greatest grasp on life while everyone else is trying to make it all so complex and this film represents that idea quite well. This being Matt McCormick's first feature is a true achievement. It's just a beautiful little flick that I'd love to add to my movie collection. Lets hope they get a distribution deal soon!
I give the film a 9 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
Narrative Shorts 1
There were eight shorts in this category and I will only be highlighting the ones I loved.
BIKINI LIGHTERS
It's amazing to me how many times a coming of age story can be told, but in various different ways. In this short, a boy is becoming aware of his sexuality because of some lighters that display women in bikinis. He also notices a teenage girl making out with her boyfriend. This, of course, comes back to bite him in the arse. Great little flick here.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
My absolute favorite short from the festival. It has my sensibilities and it's amazingly funny. It's about a guy who jokes around with his girlfriend about sleeping with her best friend who happens to be a dude. He begins to worry when his girlfriend starts to play along over a pancake breakfast. Great, great short!
SNAPSHOTS
Seven love stories that were gorgeously shot in New York. This is what New York, I Love You should have been. Though, the lack of any homosexual love kind of dampers it for me (if you're going to have seven different stories, you really couldn't find room for ONE gay love story?).
GIRLS NAMED PINKY
Oh, what a twist! This is a great little short with a hell of a twist.
-----------------------------------------
Narrative Shorts 2
Again, I'm only going to highlight the ones I absolutely loved.
HAVE YOU SEEN MY HAIR?
Trippy short right here. It all takes place from the point of view of someone who has lost their hair. It was originally going to be a commercial for a hairstylist in New York, but evolved into something so much more. You need to see it to believe it.
BLACK OPS ARABESQUE
Hilarious! When you're backed into a corner by men with guns wanting the little girl you have sworn to protect, what are you going to do? Dance, of course!
THE BIG FIDDLE
A complex, intertwining film that glued my eyes to the screen till the shocking end. There's so much going on that it's hard to explain. So, just try to search this film out!
-----------------------------------------
STRANGE POWERS
Official site!
I'm not going to lie to you; I have never heard of The Magnetic Fields until I saw this documentary. I had unknowingly heard some of their songs before, but I would have never been able to tell you that they performed them. I am glad I saw this film merely for the fact that I now know who they are and how great they are.
This documentary focuses primarily on Stephin Merritt, lead singer, song writer, and general performer of awesomeness for The Magnetic Fields. He's such a layered artist and though it might seem hard for many to relate to him because of his hard outer shell, he's actually pretty easy to care about as a subject. He just wants to make the music he wants to make and fuck all the naysayers. He wants to love who he wants to love without being judged. He is Stephin Merritt and if you don't like it, get the fuck out. That's his attitude and I loved it. I want to be his best friend, honestly.
This is a well made doc that showed me the greatness of a band I might have missed if I hadn't taken the chance to see it (and it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Earthling being filled up).
I give the film an 8 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
ALL MY FRIENDS ARE FUNERAL SINGERS
Official site!
Here is a film I was looking forward to greatly and was the first disappointment I experienced at the fest. It tells the story (I use the word story loosely) of a psychic who is forced to live with various ghosts who have yet to cross over to the after life. This film was made primarily to showcase the songs of a band Califone, who play three of the ghosts who are featured often. The coolest part about this screening was the fact that Califone actually played live as the movie screened behind them. They were awesome. Unfortunately, the movie did not live up to the experience for me.
My biggest problem is how it seems that the film has no real focus. We have parts of a story with the psychic, random interviews with a select few ghosts, and then long and drawn out musical sequences with the band Califone. It doesn't mesh and it left me feeling really unsatisfied. I mean, it could have worked, but no one told them certain parts of the whole was just stupid. I'm all for artistic expression, but this is one piece of art I just can't appreciate. It's choppy, sloppy, and all over the place. The music, however, and the experience I had with the band playing live was great. Watching the film without Califone would have been truly terrible.
I give the film a 4 out of 10.
And day four is wrapped!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
SXSW 2010 - Day Three
Not caught up on days one and two?
SXSW 2010 - Day One
SXSW 2010 - Day Two
Day three was the first day I had the opportunity to see multiple movies and was also the last full day Ami could attend with me, sadly. It was a bright, sunny, 70 degree weather day. A perfect day to spend in a dark theater.
Towards the middle of the day, the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar started to get busier and we were forced to miss one of the movies we were waiting for. So, we didn't see as many as I would have liked, but we still saw a good amount.
The Films
-----------------------------------------
THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN SLEEPOVER
Official site!
This was one of the films I was looking forward to seeing the most originally. I saw the trailer about a week before SXSW and it looked really good. The film itself was good for the first half. After that...not so much.
This is a film where the filmmakers got amateurs for the lead roles. Where most filmmakers either know how to make the amateurs believable or know how to elevate some other areas of the film to make up for the lack of actual actors (see Soderbergh's Bubble or Van Sant's Elephant), the director behind this piece couldn't make it work in his favor. After about half way through the film, the "acting" started to grate on me. I can only stand so much of the lead boy's blank stares as he's searching for the girl of his dreams, or the indie girl's coy head turn and smile, and so on before it began to wear on me.
My biggest problem with this movie is the storyline involving the Scott character, creepily searching out these twins who are much younger than him and who he heard had a crush on him when he was a senior and they were freshmen in high school (he is now in college). I absolutely HATED this storyline. HATED it. Brett Jacobsen is an incredibly annoying actor (at least in this) and I would groan whenever he would come on screen. His storyline is just...pathetic, creepy, and pointless. I really, really, really hated it. Guh.
Besides some other leaps of logic that seem to escape these kids (okay, so you got nailed with an egg on your chest and you walked all the way home to wash your shirt with a wet wash rag and not just change it? Really?) there are some points I liked. Most of it involved the indie girl who I referenced above (sorry, I can't find her name/character on IMDB). Her story really engaged me at times, but again her acting started to wear on me. So, even she lost me after a point.
It had potential, but lazy filmmaking hurt the film overall. Ami liked it though, so I wouldn't say skip it completely. If it interests you, check it out! I do wish there was an option to skip that twin storyline altogether, though.
I give the film a 6 out of 10.
-----------------------------------------
ANIMATED SHORTS
Seeing that there were twelve shorts in whole, I'm only going to highlight my absolute favorites.
THE ORANGE
More info!
A short about an almighty orange and its life on Earth. The animation was so simple, but the story so grandiose. What if God was in an orange on Earth? That's essentially the story and it works very well. Quite funny to boot.
BYGONE BEHEMOTH
More info!
A claymation about an out of work movie monster. Think Godzilla if Godzilla was an old struggling actor. It's very poignant and quite sad. The filmmakers put a lot of emotion into this short. It tugged at the heart strings pretty hard. Damn you, CGI! Why must you put all these practical effects monsters out of business?
THE COW WHO WANTED TO BE A BURGER
More info!
Hilarious! The crude animation and use of trumpet to give the cows voices works brilliantly. Seeing this little calf working out to try and become a hamburger is pure gold.
THE ART OF DROWNING
More info!
A rotoscoped short about a man drowning and how he's not seeing his life flash before his eyes much like everyone says he should. The voiceover raps philosophic while we see these beautiful animations animated over live actors. It's a wondrous little piece that worked well for me.
ONE SQUARE MILE OF EARTH
More info!
I love animals that talk and act like people (hence coming up with Fox and Bear). So, my love for this short is pretty self explanatory. Two guys playing all the characters makes it even better. It's just funny, funny stuff.
DOWN TO THE BONE
More info!
Absurd, grotesque, and hilarious. Need I say more?
-----------------------------------------
JIMMY TUPPER VS. THE GOATMAN OF BOWIE
Official site!
This was my first midnight screening at SXSW and luckily I got into everyone I tried to get into. This one really set the bar high, though. It's a found footage movie in the vein of The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield, but where those films feel a bit fabricated, this film actually did not.
This tells the story of Jimmy Tupper, the friend no one really likes and who everyone's confused as to why he's there. He drinks too much, smokes too much, and just generally annoys his friends. One night, Jimmy passes out because of too much drinking and won't wake up. So, his friends decide to teach him a lesson and dump his passed out body in the middle of the woods. The next day, they go searching for Jimmy to find him angry as all hell and screaming about being dragged through the woods by the Goatman of Bowie (a real urban legend apparently). Of course, no one believes him. So, Jimmy sets up camp with a camera to prove everyone wrong.
The filmmaker, Andrew Bowser, said that there are sections of the film where he only did one take and when he got back to watch the footage, the mini-DV fucked up and screwed up the audio. Any other director would go back and shoot it again, but seeing that he wanted this "found footage" to feel as real as possible, he left it in and it actually works! It was hilarious because it's this scene where Jimmy Tupper (also played by Andrew Bowser) is cursing his friends and his shitty life with a heartfelt monologue and all you hear is every other word as he paces around his campsite. It was really funny. Also, there's a part of the film at a graduation as if Jimmy's using a tape someone already used before. It was great and worked quite well.
What really won me over was the climax and the ending in general. It's just so Goddamn great, man. I don't want to ruin any of it for you in case this does get its deserved proper distribution. Just know that it's awesome and that it calls for a great sequel.
I give the film a 10 out of 10.
And with that, day three is wrapped!
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