This week's choice for "Reel of the Week" is one of the best reels we've seen in a long time. It is already becoming pretty popular on Youtube, with over 11 thousand views in less than a few months. It belongs to Stevie Ryan.
Stevie's Youtube Channel HERE
Stevie's Myspace Page HERE
Stevie's Twitter HERE.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Paramount Enters the World of Microbudget Filmmaking
It seems the rumblings in the indie film world haven't fallen on deaf ears outside of it. According to IndieWIRE, Paramount recently formed a business model to make 20 micro-budgeted features all for a combined budget of $1 million. While we in the trenches of the micro budget, DIY filmmaking realm figure out better, grassroots ways to use the internet to reach out to our audience, Hollywood likes the way we sound. They even have the performance of last years break out smash hit Paranormal Activity to look up to, and now they feel they can do it again. And with the right amount of marketing dollars and Tinseltown machinery, maybe they can. What do you think? Feeling the sense that you, indie in spirit and approach, are being watched?
"After effectively abandoning specialty films, Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures is expected to officially unveil a new division for micro-budget movies today. Dubbed Insurge Pictures, the unit has one million dollars fueling its films. 10 movies are on tap in the first year at a budget of just $100,000 each.
A formal announcement of the division could come as early as this morning, according to one source.
Said to be headed by Amy Powell, the studios’ SVP of Interactive Marketing, Insurge is emerging in the wake of the tremendous success of “Paranormal Activity,” which was shepherded to success last year by Powell and Paramount’s new media team. Similarly, the new division will utilize grassroots approaches to support their films.
Rather than scouring for finished films at festivals like South by Southwest, which opens tomorrow in Austin, Insurge is currently scouting for filmmaking teams to produce a slate of projects for Paramount. They hope the movies will serve as a low budget proving ground for new talent and intend to release the movies theatrically."
Read the rest of this piece HERE.
"After effectively abandoning specialty films, Hollywood studio Paramount Pictures is expected to officially unveil a new division for micro-budget movies today. Dubbed Insurge Pictures, the unit has one million dollars fueling its films. 10 movies are on tap in the first year at a budget of just $100,000 each.
A formal announcement of the division could come as early as this morning, according to one source.
Said to be headed by Amy Powell, the studios’ SVP of Interactive Marketing, Insurge is emerging in the wake of the tremendous success of “Paranormal Activity,” which was shepherded to success last year by Powell and Paramount’s new media team. Similarly, the new division will utilize grassroots approaches to support their films.
Rather than scouring for finished films at festivals like South by Southwest, which opens tomorrow in Austin, Insurge is currently scouting for filmmaking teams to produce a slate of projects for Paramount. They hope the movies will serve as a low budget proving ground for new talent and intend to release the movies theatrically."
Read the rest of this piece HERE.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Jace Nicole Nominated for Best Actress
Cookies & Cream star Jace Nicole has been nominated for Best Actress at Betrayal Fest 2010 for her work on the highly innovative, split screen short film The Charl(Y)ie Factor, directed by the prolific, fiercely talented Richard Johnson, who was also nominated for best director, best cinematographer, and best editor. Here is a link to their nomination announcement, as well as a great new article on the film itself from FilmEveryDay.com , after the jump:
Professional and creative growth is a beautiful thing to watch.
For the past couple of years, those of us who frequent DVXUser.com and the Festivals have had the pleasure of watching Richard J. Johnson, and his filmmaking, develop right in front of us.
Click HERE to download and view “The Charl(Y)ie Factor”
As much as I try not to bring hopes and expectations into the “theater” with me when viewing these shorts, when I see a film from Johnson and Joystick Films, well I can’t help but raise the bar in my own mind. (Sorry, Richard. It may not be fair, but it is what it is.) Whether it’s Quest Fest, Time Fest or Monster Fest, his films have continued to show an increasing level of maturity and execution. His latest entry, “The Charl(Y)ie Factor,” is no exception.
On a technical level, Johnson’s film is nearly flawless. The cinematography and editing are almost perfect, no small feat considering the creative split-screen approach. The entire film is presented in the form of dual shots on screen, allowing us to see both sides of the action. It also allows us to see what’s going on outside of the conversation our two main characters are having, a view which, by the end of the film, they wish they had.
Johnson’s touch with talent has become transparent, with the audience almost always accepting that these characters are real, even when we know they can’t possibly be. The dialogue feels natural and the performances organic, not forced at all.
For the past couple of years, those of us who frequent DVXUser.com and the Festivals have had the pleasure of watching Richard J. Johnson, and his filmmaking, develop right in front of us.
Click HERE to download and view “The Charl(Y)ie Factor”
As much as I try not to bring hopes and expectations into the “theater” with me when viewing these shorts, when I see a film from Johnson and Joystick Films, well I can’t help but raise the bar in my own mind. (Sorry, Richard. It may not be fair, but it is what it is.) Whether it’s Quest Fest, Time Fest or Monster Fest, his films have continued to show an increasing level of maturity and execution. His latest entry, “The Charl(Y)ie Factor,” is no exception.
On a technical level, Johnson’s film is nearly flawless. The cinematography and editing are almost perfect, no small feat considering the creative split-screen approach. The entire film is presented in the form of dual shots on screen, allowing us to see both sides of the action. It also allows us to see what’s going on outside of the conversation our two main characters are having, a view which, by the end of the film, they wish they had.
Johnson’s touch with talent has become transparent, with the audience almost always accepting that these characters are real, even when we know they can’t possibly be. The dialogue feels natural and the performances organic, not forced at all.
Read the full piece HERE.
Jace Nicole's exclusive, highly interactive Fan Page HERE.
Jace Nicole on Twitter HERE.
JACE, YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE US PROUD!!!!!
One Way or Another Productions LLC
Twenty Bucks
Tom's Corner:
Twenty Bucks
Twenty Bucks
(1993, Keva Rosenfeld, dir.)
This one's a hidden gem of a film.
In 1993, a film which had been written in 1935 finally made its way to the screen. Endre Bohem wrote the spec script for this baby way back when, and his son Leslie found it roughly 50 years later. This film has a dynamite cast, with stellar performances from everyone involved.
The film follows the path of a twenty dollar bill with a lucky serial number as it interacts with (and sometimes changes) the lives of over a dozen people. This film grabbed me before I even saw it. This premise is so interesting and unique (unlike a LOT of what Hollywood churns out these days). It lets you go nearly anywhere.
The bill is chased by a homeless woman (Linda Hunt), ends up in the hands of a soon to be married young man (Brendan Fraser in his fourth role), a stripper (Big Love's Melora Walters), a teenager celebrating his birthday (Kamau Holloway) and his girlfriend (ER's Vanessa Marquez), a bumbling crook (Steve Buscemi) and his by the book partner (Christopher Lloyd), an entrepreneur (David Schwimmer), a man playing bingo (Matt Frewer), and finally, an aspiring writer (Elisabeth Shue).
The sheer amount of incredible performances in this movie will blow your mind, but I'd like to talk about one in particular. When we think of Christopher Lloyd, we may remember him as Reverend Jim on “Taxi,” or Doctor Emmet Brown in “Back to the Future.” But here, we see Lloyd as a crafty, cool, calm and collected criminal. Though his screen time is limited, he leaves a distinct impression, and his character could have a movie all on his own.
This movie is what a series of vignettes should be. The actors all bring believability to their roles and are engaging. Sharp eyed viewers will catch little teases of characters before their official introduction into the movie, as well as cleverly hidden background shots of money related items. I loved every minute of this film, and have seen it dozens of times. So now it's your turn. See this movie and drop a comment on your favorite player.
This one's a hidden gem of a film.
In 1993, a film which had been written in 1935 finally made its way to the screen. Endre Bohem wrote the spec script for this baby way back when, and his son Leslie found it roughly 50 years later. This film has a dynamite cast, with stellar performances from everyone involved.
The film follows the path of a twenty dollar bill with a lucky serial number as it interacts with (and sometimes changes) the lives of over a dozen people. This film grabbed me before I even saw it. This premise is so interesting and unique (unlike a LOT of what Hollywood churns out these days). It lets you go nearly anywhere.The bill is chased by a homeless woman (Linda Hunt), ends up in the hands of a soon to be married young man (Brendan Fraser in his fourth role), a stripper (Big Love's Melora Walters), a teenager celebrating his birthday (Kamau Holloway) and his girlfriend (ER's Vanessa Marquez), a bumbling crook (Steve Buscemi) and his by the book partner (Christopher Lloyd), an entrepreneur (David Schwimmer), a man playing bingo (Matt Frewer), and finally, an aspiring writer (Elisabeth Shue).
The sheer amount of incredible performances in this movie will blow your mind, but I'd like to talk about one in particular. When we think of Christopher Lloyd, we may remember him as Reverend Jim on “Taxi,” or Doctor Emmet Brown in “Back to the Future.” But here, we see Lloyd as a crafty, cool, calm and collected criminal. Though his screen time is limited, he leaves a distinct impression, and his character could have a movie all on his own.
This movie is what a series of vignettes should be. The actors all bring believability to their roles and are engaging. Sharp eyed viewers will catch little teases of characters before their official introduction into the movie, as well as cleverly hidden background shots of money related items. I loved every minute of this film, and have seen it dozens of times. So now it's your turn. See this movie and drop a comment on your favorite player.
- Tom Trombley
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Reel of the Week: Stephanie Parrott
This week, our Reel of the Week is from actress Stephanie Parrott.
Stephanie's Official Website HERE.
Stephanie's Official Website HERE.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Last Chance to See Hostage Person
Today is the last day that Brian Ackley's wonderful short film Hostage Person will be available. The film, shot by Roy Nowlin Jr., produced by Rik Andino, and written, directed, & starring Brian Ackley, will have its last online viewings tonight, before the film is removed and placed in the special features section of the Uptown DVD Collector's Edition Release, coming soon.
Uptown will have its East Coast Premiere on June 2nd, at the Anthology Film Archives as part of the NewFilmmakers Spring Series.
See Hostage Person exclusively HERE.
Uptown will have its East Coast Premiere on June 2nd, at the Anthology Film Archives as part of the NewFilmmakers Spring Series.
See Hostage Person exclusively HERE.
Netflix Will Stream More Indies
Netflix Signs Instant Streaming Deals with Indie Distributors
Beverly Hills, Calif. - Online DVD rental service Netflix (NASD: NFLX) on Monday announced deals with a number of independent film distributors that will increase the size of its library available for instant streaming to its subscribers. The new deals with The Criterion Collection, Gravitas Ventures, Kino Lorber, Music Box Films, Oscilloscope Laboratories and Regent Releasing will make around 300 new titles available for instant streaming.
Original report found HERE.
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