FRIDAY THE 13TH Fan-Film A Go!

After the success of the fan film HALLOWEEN: RETURN OF THE SANDMAN, director Ron McLellen and Southlan-Films are gearing up to take on Jason Voorhees in an all new fan film based on the FRIDAY THE 13TH franchise. Over the last week McLellen and company have been filming parts of a teaser trailer that are currently on You Tube at - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX3Nh2Hd98Y

I am working on the film as production manager but I will also have a larger role in the film as an actor than my character in the previous film. It should be a blast and I'll keep you informed about the film as details are made available.

Filming on BETWEEN LOVE & A HARD PLACE Comes To an End :(

“ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL”
 

As we all know, all good things come to an end and as such principal photography on the Unique Production BETWEEN LOVE AND A HARD PLACE.  After 16 days of on location filming the indie production which was written by Regina Wells (based on her original stage play) closes its production offices as it enters the third and fourth phase of production which is post-production and marketing, respectfully.  As production manager on the film I have very little else to do on the film now that the physical process is over.

Produced by Unique Be’Ans and co-directed by Wells and Brent Brooks (of Blank Stage Productions) BETWEEN LOVE AND A HARD PLACE was a tough production shoot but between the two directors they put together an amazing team of talented technicians and personnel that far exceeded my expectations.  Despite the rushed shooting schedule and the long hours we were able to complete the film in the allotted schedule and come out with our sanity intact (which is the best thing that could have happened).

This being the first faith-based film I’ve ever worked on there were many challenges that I had to face as a filmmaker and story teller.  The same can be same of any other type of film but with faith-based films, just like dramas on very sensitive material, a different aesthetic has to be applied than that of other genres (say comedies, horror, or action films).  This is a drama with familial themes that warrants a more sensible eye tone.  This is not a bad thing as there was much fun and hilarity had on the set between both cast and crew and since we were on location the cast and crew were able to bond in a way that surpasses simply being on set as “work horses.”  One of the best things about this production was the fact everyone knew they were working on an independent film and each person did what they had to do to accomplish the end game which is to have a finished film that everyone can be proud of and this is what every young (and seasoned) filmmaker wants.

Filmmaking is a long process that takes many people (from many different walks of life and experience) from beginning to end and it’s always a miracle when one finishes principal photography (I’ve been on several that stopped in mid production and never even finished filming), so, it was with great satisfaction that I was happy to be on set on January 3, 2010 when BETWEEN LOVE shot its final “martini” shot.  It was a monumental occasion for not only the cast and crew but for Wells and  Brooks who completed their first (of hopefully many) collaborations.  It was also the night that the crew was able to take their official crew picture for the film (which many times on indie films it never gets done).

We must all take a moment to congratulate director Regina Wells for writing the screenplay and opening her story up to the more judgmental medium of film.  Unlike the theatre and stage arts (which can be re-imagined and re-interpreted with each subsequent production), film is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any story.  It is a rare occasion when a film is remade, so, we hope we all got it right the first time.  We must also bow our heads down to the remarkable cast that was assembled for the film – Bern Nadette Stanis, Irone Singleton, Canton Jones, Kaira Akita, and Nina Nicole, among many others, that dedicated their time and talent to the production.  Although we worked with several seasoned professionals, this production gave many local actors the opportunity to star in the film (many of which starred in the original stage production).   Another huge contribution to the production is the excellent technical crew assembled by Brent Brooks (and even more crew from Wells) many of which have worked before on other productions.  The production crew was professional and exceeded expectations and managed to work as a cohesive whole to make the film look the best that it could be.  Chief among the crew were Randy Stewart (director of photography) and Byron Erwin (art director and editor), among many others.

We should also thank the Executive Producers of the film who believed and had faith in Wells’ vision enough to put up the funds to produce the film.  Without these people there may never have been a film and many of us would have never had the opportunity to come together and meet and work together.

Working on BETWEEN LOVE has been an extraordinary experience not only for me but other members of the production as well.  It was one that as hard as it was at the beginning it was well worth the hard work because it reminded me that all hard journeys end in great achievement.  Where would we be without the great accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther King, Jr., Geronimo, Queen Elizabeth, Joan of Arc, and most importantly Jesus of Nazareth?   There is no great benefit if there is no great hardship and there is no greater hardship than filmmaking.

As we each go into our next endeavor, whether it be filmmaking or something else, let us take a few moments to bow our heads and give thanks for the work we’ve done and the work we’re bond to do.

EPISODE 1007 Is Now On Line!

The newest episode to the on line series is finally up on Vimeo!  This episode spotlights an interview with actress Paige Ireland whom I first worked with on the Southlan-films production CREATURES OF THE NIGHT and then subsequently hired as the lead for MISS KITTY & ME and its companion THE OLD WOMAN & THE PARK.DIARY OF A FILMMAKER - (EPISODE 1007)