To start of the New Year, I posted this asking people to introduce themselves. If you haven't read through the thread or responded to it, give it a go as there are some remarkable people visiting the site.
One thing that struck me was how many folks said they had written and produced / directed / acted in an original movie. Many short films, but also some full-length movies. So a request:
If you've been involved in the production of an original movie, short or full-length, would you please post in comments some background about the movie, its IMDB link (if available), a VIMEO or YouTube link (if available)?
I thought it would be cool to profile these movies on GITS, provide some exposure, and hopefully engage in some creative back and forth with the movie's creators about what they learned in the process and so on.
Again if you've written a script that got produced as an independent short or feature, or you were involved directly in the production of a movie, please post information in comments along with links.
And while you're at it, please provide an email address where I can send some follow-up questions.
I'll be posting an example later today.
Monday, January 4, 2010
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Hi -- well, happy to oblige with the request!
I co-wrote and directed "The Proper Care & Feeding of an American Messiah." Main website is http://www.americanmessiah.com and it's on IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762127/ (and you can search iTunes to download it there).
My short film, "Clean Freak," is available on Vimeo at http://www.vimeo.com/8427550. It's a short comedic doc.
And my latest feature film (wrote and directed) is "Endings." It's not complete yet, but the trailer is on Vimeo here: http://www.vimeo.com/3820227 and it's on IMDb here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262892/
Thanks for providing the opportunity to make people aware of these...
Yes! I co-wrote the story, and starred in, a Bourne-style action short called "Drafted", available in three parts here:
Drafted, Part 1
Drafted, Part 2
Drafted, Part 3
I've been trying to get more attention to this on Youtube. I'm not much of an actor but my friend, who directed it, is quite brilliant with editing and cinematography so it's worth a look.
Further questions can be addressed to "jdhyperspace@yahoo.com"
I was a Cyclops in Jared Hess's (Napoleon Dynamite) newest feature Gentlemen Broncos. It didn't do well and was only released on two theatres but it was such a different script and different movie than anything else. I love the movie not only because I worked on it but it's awesome to see someone that is doing exactly what they want. Jared Hess lives in SLC and he writes and directs movies he wants to make. He carved out his own path and that's inspiring to me. Here is a link to the IMDB of the movie: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1161418/
Hmm...does it count if your film is going to be made very soon?
'Three' (comedy) is a short I wrote ages ago about three hitmen who discover they have been sent to kill one another. In a stalemate, they have nothing to do but talk out their differences.
No footage or official website yet but post and teaser here - http://writewithhonour.blogspot.com/2009/11/three-short-film.html
Looking forward to seeing people's work :)
I was the producer, sound recordist, driver, actor and still photographer on the world famous movie "The Day the Women Took Over or I Was a Teenage Neo-Impressionist" (that is the official title of the movie) aka "The Pig Movie".
And to my knowledge it is still the only movie in the world that is made my entirely of left-handed actors and crew.
The Day the Women Took Over or I Was a Teenage Neo-Impressionist (1998)
Cool. Love this site.
I wrote/directed/edited a feature called "Phasma Ex Machina." It's a supernatural sci-fi about a young man who invents a machine to communicate with the dead. The script was a finalist for the McKnight Fellowship and the rough cut was one of ten films in the entire nation to be accepted into the IFP Filmmakers Lab.
I literally finished it a few months ago and it should be hitting the festival circuit in mid 2010. Fingers crossed...
You can check out the trailer, blog, etc at http://www.phasmamovie.com/ and you can reach me at matt@mattosterman.com.
@Chris Hansen: I will be featuring both of your full-length feature films in a post later today.
I think I'll feature everyone else who responds - one per day - on GITS until we get through each movie.
Hi Scott, I wrote a 24 episode webseries called "The Black Dawn." We're working on releasing it as a feature film and it's actually been picked up as a tv show in various small markets around the country. So it's a strange experience as a writer, having something I wrote end up as a webseries, a feature, and a tv show!
Check out the webseries at www.theblackdawn.com
and my contact is brianjeffreywalton@gmail.com
Scott - major thanks to you for that! I can use all the marketing help I can get, LOL
Hey Scott, Long time reader, first time writer. I missed the chance to introduce myself in that earlier thread as I was away from the computer for a few days, but I'm happy to answer.
I did some shorts in film school years ago, but hadn't directed anything since until about two years ago when I did BOOTH GIRLS, which is a 10-minute short about a model's first day of work as a booth girl at Comic Con, dressed as a comic book super hero whom she has admired since she was five. She soon finds out that it's not as fun and innocent as she expected as throughout the day Emily is faced with crazed fans, leering weirdoes, power-mad staff, and a cast of colorful spokesmodels. Among her challenges: a Warrior Princess model who plays for keeps, a Slave Leia superfan, and a convention organizer gone mad with power.
We were a finalist at the 2008 Dragon*Con film festival, and you can find our (admittedly primative) website here.
I'm dying to do another short, but other obligations, mostly financial, have hampered that. My goal is to do at least one this year though.
You can reach me via email at: adam[at]boothgirlsmovie.com (with the "[at]" obviously standing in for an "@"
I wrote and directed (produced and co-edited too but who wants to be a credit hog?) a gritty, dark neo-noir titled The Face of the Earth. It can be seen here on Vimeo. Here are my IMDb credits too.
I can say with all honesty and humility that the film was far too ambitious for its own good. That said, it was an intense learning experience and I wouldn't change that for anything.
Anyone? How are you guys making your links clickable? Adding in some html tags?
@David,
To learn more about adding links to a blog post comment you can follow this link:)
Scott: thanks for asking.
A few years ago I put together a sketch comedy show with a bunch of talented NYC area actors. It was called "Plywood TV", and here's a link to a few of the sketches that I put on Youtube:
Plywood TV
(Hey, it works! Many thanks for the link, JD!)
Name's Matthew O'Brien. I posted information on my background in Scott's mixer he hosted a few days ago.
Also included a link to a short film I wrote. Did a little acting in it as well (the lead!).
Here's the link:
BEEP
My good friend (and boss) and I were in Vancouver editing video content for a concert tour, and we both have been working on ideas for short films. He wants to break in to directing, while I want to break in to screenwriting.
After a few philosophical debates over when the right time to make a movie is ($$$, the right equipment, the "perfect" script), I challenged us to come up with something simple but effective that we could shoot in our hotel. After some brainstorming we came up with Beep.
We had no equipment. No lighting. Nothing. Just his Canon 7D, a few lenses, and the gorgeous Hotel Vancouver to set our scene.
So the movie you watched was shot entirely on the 7D. All lighting was the actual source lighting in the space plus a few flashlights. Lamps in the room, the TV, the hallway sconces. That's it.
All sound was recorded in-camera.
Apple ProRes 4444
Final Cut Pro 7
After Effects
And this week we're editing an extended version. The current version was entered in the Nikon Festival, and the TRT had to be 2:20.
Check out the short. Let us know what you think. We hope to take the extended cut out to some festivals and get to work on our next project as soon as possible.
And thank you, Scott, for allowing us aspiring filmmakers to put ourselves out there. 'Preciate it.
Gonna try this one again...
Long time reader, first time writer. I discovered the site a few weeks ago and have been trying to catch up. A friend pointed me in your direction when I was asking about other screenwriting blogs. I missed the chance to introduce myself in that earlier thread as I was away from the computer for a few days, but I'm happy to answer.
I'm the proud writer/director of BOOTH GIRLS, which is a 10-minute short about a model's first day of work as a booth girl at Comic Con, dressed as a comic book super hero whom she has admired since she was five. She soon finds out that it's not as fun and innocent as she expected as throughout the day Emily is faced with crazed fans, leering weirdoes, power-mad staff, and a cast of colorful spokesmodels. Among her challenges: a Warrior Princess model who plays for keeps, a Slave Leia superfan, and a convention organizer gone mad with power.
I'm embarrassed that I didn't post my movie's IMDB page when I put this up earlier. We've got a talented cast, so please check out other things they've done if you want to see more of them.
You can reach me via email at: adam[at]boothgirlsmovie.com (with the "[at]" obviously standing in for an "@"
ugh... sorry about spamming the board everyone. My first post hadn't shown up on my computer. Scott, can you delete it? Since I'm signing in via Wordpress, I can't delete my old messages.
Forgive me all, I wasn't trying to double post. Guess it goes without saying I'm new to Blogger. This is why I don't comment more often, I guess.
Hey Scott. We must be of one mind because this Friday I was planning on featuring a bunch of shorts by my friends at "Chad, Matt & Rob." They're scheduled to release a new short tomorrow on their site here.
I think they're traveling today so they might not get a chance to comment while this post is still getting a lot of eyes. They have several shorts up on the site currently, including Roommate Alien Prank Goes Bad (over 12 million views!) and a few Choose Your Own Adventure shorts.
Never let it be said I don't shamelessly promote my friends.
I'm enjoying watching everyone else's work and am glad there's so many posting.
I made a short relatively recently called A Public Service Announcement, which is available on the IMDb page for the short.
I've got some other stuff coming up, but it's, you know, still coming up.
Hi. I moved out to California in 08 to attend film school. (Ran out of money and am now back in Arkansas.) While in school, I wrote and directed a short - a light comedy romantic thing.
The only moment I want to point out is the hand of the 50ft woman clawing at the main character's head during the opening credits. It's something I was proud of when I thought of it but most don't notice it. Oh, and there's a bull fight in a grocery store. But that you'll notice.
Grocery List.
bdn (brian d neill)
When my wife was in DP school, she said she was struggling a bit with certain aspects of production. So I told her that the best way to learn is to DO. I told her we could take a joke, script it is a live action short, and shoot that and she would get some good experience from it. And the result is this silly short:
http://www.b-scenefilms.com/aquarium.html
It was just a lark on a Sunday with friends. But it got her listed on IMDB. Go figure...
We have another 10 minute, MUCH more ambitious short in the works. She also just finished work on the first episode of a romantic comedy series that she is now posting.
I consider myself mostly a writer but plan on shooting a script I'm writing soon. I made this little piece using a Nikon D90 shooting only stills. Stop motion and time lapse. Enjoy!
Tree Trimming Surprise
@J: I posted about Gentlemen Broncos here. Perhaps too quirky for a mainstream audience.
@Neil: When "Three" is done and available as video online, let me know.
@David: Just go ahead and post the URL. Folks will copy/paste to get there.
@Matthew: I'll be featuring your short "Beep" tomorrow (Tuesday) at 1PM PST right here on GITS.
@William Speruzzi: You're short film ("The Face of the Earth") will post on Wednesday at 1PM PST.
Everyone else -- I'm working my way through the posts. Happy about the response, it's just I have my real jobs to manage, too.
Thanks for all the input! I'm enjoying watching your films!
Scott
Thanks for the heads up on posting. If you have any questions for me as you prepare the post, my e-mail is in my blogger profile (matthew.thomas.obrien@gmail.com)...
Looking forward to seeing Beep on GITS. Thanks!
That's great! Thanks Scott.
I too can be reached at wsperuzzi@gmail.com for any questions or info.
I just found this site today and hate to pimp my work so soon, but since you asked...
My brother and I wrote and directed a feature called DANGEROUS CALLING. It's a thriller about a Pastor and his wife who move to a small town to pastor a new church. They end up butting heads with the sweet widow lady who runs the church, and she goes a little crazy and tries to kill them.
IMDB Page
Trailer
Dangerous Calling Website
Our Blog - We wrote a lot about the making of the film - search the archives.
It's being released on DVD February 9th. It should be available at most major retailers (or so our distributor tells us.) You can preorder it on Amazon here.
Scott, I'm really impressed with your blog. I've added it to my feeds and will be making it a daily read.
I guess I should also mention that we've got a ton of short films on our blog. We've got pretty much everything we've made on there dating back to 1989 and our first short which was a remake of BACK TO THE FUTURE. I was 11 and my brother was 8. We've been at this for a while. :-)
My friends and I just formed BAY 51. We JUST produced a comedy short (that I wrote!) that we hope to turn into a web series.
It's being edited now and we are aiming to release that (along with a spec/fan music video I shot last year for Kanye West's Coldest Winter) later this month.
Here are the two videos I made for my Advanced Film class:
The Magic Lamp http://vimeo.com/6091732 (4:30)
A lamp might save this girl's life.
I guess it's a dramatic short with fantastical elements :)
BlackBox http://vimeo.com/4108444 (4:24)
A short documentary about BlackBox, Inc. a student-run, hip hop based, nightclub at Princeton University.
I wrote and directed a short film the other year called "Aquarius of Hearts."
Went out to Montana de Oro state park in California and filmed it.
http://www.vimeo.com/2865943
No budget, wrote in a day, shot in one day. I think it came out pretty good... I also have a few other videos at www.vimeo.com/cameronalexander
cameronalexander.ca@gmail.com
OK, I haven't produced a short film or video ... so this note is simply an acknowledgement of inspiration.
A manager friend of mine has been pushing me for over a year to get busy and "get out there." She is a strong advocate of multi-platform writing and production/promotion via the net. Including comics, combo novella/novel-action animation/live action series, trailers and the like.
Reading Scott's earlier GITS post, then all of these wonderful comments -- which I plan to enjoy thru GITS and exploration on my own -- started a fire. Another intrepid hyphenate may be in the wings. Ideas are popping already, and I have pro friends and educator friends who can help right here in Orlando. Thanks, everyone, for the nudge and the inspiration.
Last year I co-wrote Man Overboard which was produced and is currently being distributed independently by the production company.
The official site is here:
http://www.manoverboardmovie.com
The IMDB page is here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1186829/
The film was shot in Pasadena, CA at my co-writer's boat shop. When brainstorming ideas we wanted to write something that could be shot on a very low budget and we would try and raise the money for the production. Since my writing partner owned a boat shop we figured this would be a great location for a story and would also help keep production costs down.
In the end we ended up helping the producers raise a significant portion of the film's budget and the fact that we had the main location all set for free was a big selling point.
The movie turned out very well (in my opinion) and the script that we wrote was the script that they shot for the most part - a big difference from some of the other scripts that I've sold.
Happy to answer any questions. You can email me at info (at) sellingyourscreenplay.com
Ashley at
SellingYourScreenplay.com
THE ACADEMY
They are society’s flotsam, murderers, sociopaths, criminals bred for Darwinian survival. Culled together, a select group of convicted youths are given a second chance by a shadowy organization: The Academy. They will be trained to become efficient weapons of death, honing the very thing that made them outcast into a valued asset. They are divided into classes, trained as a unit for three years and isolated from everyone and everything else. The final exam? Over 100 square kilometers, classmates must track down and eliminate each other until only one remains. The rules: They cannot engage each other in public places, in front of witnesses, or harm or cause harm to innocent bystanders. Highly trained and with limited time, friend will kill friend, enemy slaughter enemy across a populated urban backdrop. This is The Academy. Let the exam begin.
© Copyright 1999 - 2008 by IDIOM Inc. & Kenneth Barr. All Rights Reserved.
On a recommendation from one of my trusted cast members I dropped in to talk briefly about our feature pilot "The Academy". You can check out previews and clips at:
Our Company Site: www.idiomfilms.ca
or YouTube:Academy Trailer 01
The film became a labour of love for most everybody involved, and we completed it just a couple months ago after an extended post production period. In bringing it to market though we've run into some "issues" not on the quality, or acting, or effects or anything that makes a film, but simply that we possess "No Name Actors". This is the go-to response I've been receiving for about a month now, and our little film-family are just looking for some honest assessment.
Good or bad I feel that we've made an entertaining picture which I hope people enjoy. For more information visit the site above or email: info@idiomfilms.ca
At the moment I'm working on several short films (and possibly a play) but I'm trying to get my current short into some festivals. I have a short clip up on IMDB right here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1537984/
It's called "Two Way Street" and is basically a battle between Death and some poor girl who was killed trying to get to an icecream shop.
Hi Scott,
I posted earlier about my project Grocery List.
I noted a link to vimeo.com but I finally decided to get the HD version up on youtube. (I didn't really want to break it up into 2 parts, but it does look better.)
So here are the two links.
Grocery List part 1 of 2
Grocery List part 2 of 2
My email is brian@brianneill.com if you have any questions. thanks
bdn
Hey Scott!!
My friends and I just made a short video series called The Birthday Party: An Interactive Adventure -- it's sort of a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure-style story for the internet.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDn0ow8EzcU
It's a series of 13 videos total (3 of which are Easter Eggs), hope you like it.
My email is matt@chadmattandrob.com
Thanks a lot!!
Hi Scott, thanks for doing this. It's fantastic to encourage writers to tackle their own film projects. Gives you a completely new perspective if you haven't done it before.
"A Country Wedding" was the first film project I worked on as a producer/director/editor. It was also the first short script I've written.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx12u10Hyww
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1561317/
I subsequently wrote the feature version, so our goal now is to get that one made.
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