 |
|
FRAME by FRAMENews and commentary from Russell Johnson and Twenty One Productions. |
|
|
|
Dennis Darklighter
 The promo machine kicks off! We will be on our local radio station WKQQ 100.1 on Wednesday June 6th with none other than RISE OF THE TROOPERS own Dennis Darklighter, better known locally as Dead Air Dennis on Double Q. We will be on with Dennis and we'll have some free DVD's to give away. We will be on around 3:00 PM. TUNE IN! And if you are not in the local area you can stream the show on your computer!VISIT WKQQ ONLINE!
CRISTO
 In the wake of the success of ON THE LOT contestant and local boy done good Jason Epperson, (still in the top 15!) I like to spread news on successes of other filmmakers as well. Justin R. Durban, (you can see him in the pictures below), has just finished a new short film called CRISTO. The film itself is not online for viewing since it is currently making the rounds on the festival tour and to keep from getting disqualified we'll just have to wait to see the final product on a wide scale. However, I have seen the film and quite frankly it's some of Durb's best work. He assembled quite a good team of people and put together a well directed and produced short film. Like much of Durb's work it's high drama and tension. The script went through 9 re-writes, had to have some people pitch in at the 11th hour for some SFX but he pulled it off. We'll keep you posted on it's festival rounds and then when it's available for wide release. I enjoyed it very much and I think most people will as well. Again congrats on a job well done! Also, I would encourage everyone to head over to the ON THE LOT website and check out Jason Epperson's short comedy film that he short back here in town. The judges universally slammed it for it's portrayal of the lead character. I think they completely misconstrued the whole thing. I for one thought it was funny and well done and the majority of viewing agreed that it was one of the best films done. CHECK IT OUT HERE.
Photos from Celebration IV
Well, I promised images from the floor of the convention and here is just a few with many more to come. Chad Perkins who took all of these photos is putting together a video blog that we should have up in a few days. Until then enjoy!  From l-r: Chad Perkins, Justin R. Durban, David Cottingham and Mat Raney.  The speeder. And no this isn't the one we rented for Rise of the Troopers.  Some guy and a red Trooper.  Don't know who these people are but who doesn't dig a chick who can wield a lightsaber?  Mat encounters another trooper! Only thinking to himself,"Dude you must be so friggin' uncomfortable! Photos by Chad Perkins
Off the Lot
I speculated a few posts ago on what I thought would be a poor showing for the new FOX reality TV series On The Lot. Well, so far I was right but even I didn't think it would be this bad. In it's debut after a lead in by American Idol the show drew a 3.9, then it's 2nd episode airing 3 days later fell to a 2.1 and finally airing in it's regular time slot with no American Idol lead in it fell even further to a 1.3. I said that I would be interested in the show primarily since I am a filmmaker but thought as a general viewing audience, people just wouldn't care. Being a filmmaker is not something everything thinks than can do but more specifically they don't dream of doing it. It's expensive, it's time consuming, all and all it is very hard! Anyone can go to a bar and sing karaoke or grab a hairbrush, prance in front of a mirror and sing along to their favorite music. No one grabs a fake movie camera and pretends to shoot, edit, direct and distribute a film. Only people like me, the 50 who made it on the reality show and the thousands that entered the competition do. I know that sounds like a lot and there are millions more who have the same dream as all aspiring filmmakers. So there are a lot of us out there but we are not the norm. Look, I work in an office environment and for the same company for close to seven years. Everyone here knows I aspire to be the next Steven Spielberg but quite honestly no one cares and nor should they. Sure, many find it fascinating that I make movies but that's about it. No one wants to watch me do it and even fewer will actually take the time and effort to come see my movies once their finished. Even if I send them a link to a movie of mine on the web do they watch. If I give them free tickets to come to the premiere screening at the local movie theater I have rented for one showing of a finished movie do very many show up. Initially, it is fascinating but quickly it deteriorates into, "Can it really be that good if he did this with local talent?, or I don't have the 7 minutes it takes to watch your film online," and mainly they find it cute that I make movies. "Good job!" "That's awesome!" "I'll watch it as soon as I get a chance." I'll even give them a free professionally packaged and produced DVD. Rarely do they actually watch it. Sounds like a lot of bellyaching from me I know but really it's not. It's OK, I get that and I expect it as well. The fact is, I may just be a terrible filmmaker. The reality is that no matter how well produced, shot, edited and acted until you are Steven Speilberg no one really looks at you like a filmmaker or honestly even cares. They look at you as a hobbyist, a very enthusiastic movie lover and nothing more. You are not one of the "big boys" so how could you possibly make a movie that's as good as something I would see in the multiplex? This is why On The Lot, has done so poorly. American loves the singer, the athlete and the movie star, everyone can envision themselves as one of them. However, they don't love the director, the producer or the editor. They don't even know who they are or what they do, so how can they relate? I have been on local TV several times, been in the paper, interviewed time and time again, but until I am the Kentuckian who is in front of the camera such as Ashley Judd, George Clooney, Johnny Depp or even Chuck Woolery, media coverage of my exploits as a filmmaker will always draw poor ratings and so will On The Lot. Labels: filmmaker, movies, On The Lot, Steven Speilberg
Day 1 of Celebration IV
I got a few calls from David Cottingham yesterday about what was happening at Celebration IV. Tons of visitors, lots of Stormtroopers, rumor has it that Raney even got a photo with a sexy female Stormtrooper. Dave said that there seemed to be a lack of bikini clad Leia's running around but given time I'm sure they'll be around. The guys should be sending me some photos today and I'll get them posted as soon as I do. Later in the afternoon the guys grabbed the DVD's of RISE OF THE TROOPERS and hit the convention floor. They were a bit more selective than in previous years, searching out people in costume and 4 day passes to give DVD's to. They were trying to get them into hands that seem a bit more on the hardcore fan side to help spread the word about R.O.T.T. Mat Raney did get a meeting with actor Brandon Molale. Molale is best known from his scene-stealing performance as Kevin Ward, the arrogant NY Jets quarterback in Mr. Deeds and as Blazer in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. He has appeared in over two dozen feature films: Mission: Impossible III, The Guardian, The Longest Yard and many many more. Stayed tuned. Up next photos from the convention.
 It's been a long time coming but RISE OF THE TROOPERS is now online and available to view! We have posted it on several sites and we have even broken it up into formats so you can watch the whole movie as one file or for those with shorter viewing habits we have it posted in 3 separate chapters. FOLLOW THE LINKS FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE! Watch movie in 3 part chapters on YouTube Watch FULL LENGTH movie on IFILM Watch FULL LENGTH movie on BRIGHTCOVE Watch movie in 3 chapters on MYSPACE 
Be Nice
 My last post I discussed my rebellious nature rearing it's head in a place that demands subservience. But today I get to pass along the rewards of playing nice. Our local newspaper The Lexington Herald-Leader and their entertainment columnist Rich Copely has quoted me in his blog Copious Notes. Rich has been a big supporter of local films and entertainment since his arrival at the paper. He interviewed me by phone when we released The Unknown Discovery 2 years ago and interviewed both Dave and I when he wrote a piece on the local film making community. Now I know that at the very least he has seen my blog and even contacted me about the post I made about the FOX show On The Lot and our local filmmaker Jason Epperson who made the show and I am happy to report has made it to the 3rd round! Rich has sent me an email about the post and I described to him my opinion and assessment of the first show. Next thing you know I'm being quoted, credited and given a link to my blog for doing so. That doesn't really play much into my theme of playing nice because I am genuinely being nice to Rich. That's not hard to do he is a good guy and I'm not being phony in saying so. However this does go to show how things can work out in a very competitive industry where every one is looking for a little buzz, a little press coverage and being nice and honest has payed off for me and Twenty One in more ways than one. Here's a little tip to all aspiring small town filmmakers who, like me, don't have the benefit of making it On The Lot. When you live in a relatively small town and there are only a handful of press people who can shine a spotlight on you every once in a while it is very beneficial to make those connections and keep them. No it's not the N.Y. or L.A. Times, it's not the NBC nightly news and it's not even a big time radio interview but it is all we have and we are thrilled that they take even the smallest amount to time to give us a few lines of ink or a precious few moments of airtime. For small filmmakers like us that equates to being On The Lot. For most of us it may be closest we ever come to it. In the immortal words of Dalton, in the classic 1989 film, Roadhouse: "All you have to do is follow three simple rules. One, never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected. Two, take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it's absolutely necessary. AND THREE BE NICE. "
Breaking Rank
 I'm getting older. We all are. But sometimes you start to feel it and for me that's not a good thing. Film making is my passion and being independent is a very freeing feeling. I spent my younger days as a rock singer and lived in L.A. for a short while trying to make my rock and roll dream come true. When I turned 21 I was living it. I didn't have a day job. I partied every night, didn't have a care in the world, other than how to pay rent, eat, etc. But other than that I was doing something about my dream and although it was a struggle I was trying the only way I knew how and giving it everything I have. Now I DO have a "day" job, a wife, 2 beautiful daughters and I follow the rules. Making films and designing all the art and graphics for our company and films is where I have total creative control. That's where I am free to be my own boss and follow my dream of film making the only way I know how. Giving it the best that I have. Even though I separate those two aspects of my life, two separate worlds, something happened the other day at my responsible, paying the bills and supporting my family job that made me feel young again. Realizing that my independent and free form creative soul DOES run through every fiber of both my worlds and that they are not so separate after all. My boss calls me into her office and has a sit down chat with me. Now I've never been a "corporate" guy but I didn't rattle my cage enough to concern anyone that I wasn't part of the team and that I could be counted on. I did make it to art director so I wasn't Brando that's for sure. However on this particular day my boss had a different tone and it was one of concern to be sure although she didn't make it obvious. In recent weeks I have been given the task and freedom to work on some solo projects that would all play into the company's "big picture" in the long term. My boss had just returned from her meeting with her boss and said that my particular publication that I am art director of was off track. The design was getting sloppy and erratic. She said that her boss felt that she was mostly to blame. That she was letting things get out of hand. She explained that she was going to be more hands on the next few months to get reign things in. "You are still doing a great job and I trust you and your skills," she said and this was a management strategy that would ultimately make me a better art director and designer as well. Long story short. The truth is that subscribers are not renewing and management is getting nervous. Where to start? Layout and design. Who's in charge? Me. Who's doing their own thing? Me. Who's not answering to anyone the way every other subordinate is? Me. Who's not justifying their actions and who do we need to reign in? Me. I was upset at first and then I realized after some serious thought that my indie spirit was shining through. For the first time in a long time I wasn't following the rules but trying to blaze my own trail. For the first time in a long time I felt my creative and free form soul touching everything I do and connecting every area of my life. It made me realize that person had never left me and deep down I wasn't a fraud. OK, it wasn't quite a magnificent rebel uprising but it felt like one to me, if even for the very briefest of moments. I'll play nice. I'll do what I have to do so that management won't be keeping an eye on me. Hey, I need my job and so does my family. Compromise and compliance isn't the Achilles heal of an artist. Only failing to recognize that it's still lies within you is. Remember, you have to expose the wizard of Oz every now and again. Heres to you Brando!
 Tonight FOX airs it's new reality series, ON THE LOT, and I for one am looking forward to it. A guy I know and David has known ever longer Jason Epperson is one of the semi-finalists on the show. Local boy done good! I sent in the trailer for 12 STEPS NOWHERE and obviously did not make the show. I will be puling for Jason though and I wish him all the luck in the world! Now, I said I am looking forward to the show but I doubt America as a whole or a general TV audience is. PROJECT GREENLIGHT, the original reality show about film making, failed as did all the films that were a project of the show. I don't think this will fare much better in the long run. Everyone dreams of being a music star, actor or sports star but people on a whole do not dream of making films. There are many who do but we are a niche not a generality. I mean aside from Steven Spielberg, Tarantino and maybe a dozen or so other famous film directors, you'll be hard pressed to find an average American who dreams of being a film maker rather than the next American Idol, the next Michael Jordan or the next Meryl Streep, Al Pacino or Johnny Depp or that can name 3 or more actual directors. I may be wrong but I am talking about the "average" viewer not even someone who enjoys movies on a more than just a cursory level. That said I do hope that the show is successful. It's good for film makers in general if it does, more exposure on young indie filmmakers and hopefully more studios will be on the lookout for new talent. Even though I don't believe that this show will resonate with the general public viewing audience I know that competition is fierce in the world of film making and we could all use a little more help and exposure to the people who can make BIG things happen for small indie film makers. So to all the semi-finalist on the show good luck and even more luck to the show itself. Everybody needs their first break! Labels: film, filmmaker, FOX, On The Lot, reality TV
That's a Wrap
 Mat and Josh out of the Trooper suits. Last night we gathered with many of the cast and crew of Rise of the Troopers and had our first screening. The viewing went great and I always enjoy an opportunity to thank all those involved in making our movies.  From l to r: Mat Raney, Josh Bentley, Russell Johnson, David Cottingham and Harold Littrell. Next week producer David Cottingham, writer/actor Mat Raney and Chad Perkins will be heading out to L.A. for Celebration IV. There they are going to distribute 500 DVD's of ROTT. I will be here posting on the events happening out at Celebration IV. We'll have plenty of photos and news about what's happening at the convention. In the meantime we are planning some promotional events for the film's official release.
Bay...More Than Meets The Eye.
 While I can say that Michael Bay has never been my favorite director or even someone I aspire to be like as a director, I will say this, he knows action. And while that statement may, in and of itself be considered by many as to what the whole problem many people have with Michael Bay is, all action, no substance, all form, no function. You can't dispute the fact that action is HIS game, we are all merely spectators. I didn't enjoy The Island as much as some people did. To me it was all about "the sweeping panoramic shot" and nothing more. The only thing I did enjoy about it was Scarlett Johansson. Wow, she looked good in that movie, no question (and seriously to Maxim magazine; Lindsey Lohan #1 ahead of SJ at #3, are out of your mind?) But beyond that I thought it spelled out what Michael Bay seems to be to many people. Now, rumor has it Bruce Willis openly has a problem with him as well. Read that HERE. I digress. What I did like from Bay was The Rock and Bad Boys. Also, I haven't seen this but, apparently he directed a Playboy Video Centerfold of Kerri Kendall in 1990. I would watch it though and props to Michael on that gig! Again, I digress. The reason I bring all this up, the love and mostly hate affair, the industry, many movie fans and online pundits seem to have with Bay is, I just watched the new Transformers trailer on Yahoo! and all I can say is; WOW, THAT LOOKED COOL AS SHIT! And for a movie like Transformers that's what it is and should be! Transformers is about gigantic fighting robots with human allies and enemies and by the looks of the trailer Bay will deliver. The story is simple and the action and CG is high. That's Bay's forte and because of it I think the movie will be huge. Steven Spielberg's credibility as executive producer doesn't hurt either. Like him, love him or loathe him, he is what he is and he makes no apologies for it. Got to respect him for that at least. Transformers may be summer-movie-popcorn tentpole-CG-all action, no story-fluff but I for one am looking forward to a Michael Bay movie. Don't say that often but in this case it applies. So sue me. Bay maybe a robot himself constructed by the major movies studios to make these types of movies. It's possible. Maybe that's why Transformers looks so cool! Labels: Bad Boys, Michael Bay, Scarlett Johansson, The Rock, Transformers
Too Long?
Some of our hopes, and I same some now instead of most due to the results, were pinned on being part of the online competition for Star Wars fan films on atomfilms.com. Those hopes are now dashed. We did not make the cut. At all. We aren't even on list of total films on the site. Disappointing, yes but I still believe the film will do big things. With all the video sites out there we can at least cast a much broader net on the net. I was talking to David and we both agreed that our assumption on why we were not included was due to length. "Rise of the Troopers," runs a whopping 21 minutes. As most you you know that is an eternity on the web. However, due to the pacing of the film it is an especially brisk 21 minutes and I realize that with in a span of 2 sentences I have completely contradicted myself. Such is the nature of the web. Attention spans are short, yet we thought and still do think the films views a lot faster than the final number of minutes suggests. We'll just have to trust that it will play that way. It may be a hurdle and my be something we look into as placing on the web in parts for more views. I'm not sure how this is going to effect our coverage on Celebration IV but the guys will still be going and our hopes for ROTT will be to generate significant buzz while out there. Tomorrow night is the cast and crew premiere of the film and I'll be posting reactions and photos from that event. Hopefully it won't be too long... Labels: celebration IV, rise of the troopers
This is a 60 second music video for "The Killers" Read My Mind, contest on Brightcove.com. It was directed by longtime friend of Twenty One Jared Smith. You can watch it here or head over to Brightcove.com. Labels: Brightcove, contest, The Killers
Good news from those who have been a big part of Twenty One from the beginning. Jared Smith who has worked on several of our films and was my very first AD on The Midnight has announced the launch of Moon Tower Films. This quote is directly from their web site: Moontower Films was founded by Jared Smith and Brandon Waite as a vehicle for thier film projects.  So be sure to show some love and head over to their site and check out what they have going on. Jared is one of the genuine "good guys" in the business and I and all of us wish him and Brandon the very best! Labels: film, indie, Moon Tower Films, productions
FINALLY...The Finales!
When LOST debuted almost 3 seasons ago I admit I watched very little TV. On most occasions I watched out of boredom more than anything else. Now since LOST I watch because I MUST and because I have DVR. Those 2 things, serialized dramas and DVR have hog tied me to my television set and I am looking very forward to the season finales. Quite frankly, I need a break, I need a hiatus. It's a lot of work and very time intensive with these shows. While I love most of them many are shows that I have so much time invested into I can't just walk away. LOST started it all in my home. Now add 24, HEROES, SMALLVILLE (that one is a friend's fault), HOUSE, MY NAME IS EARL, THE OFFICE, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, DIRT, THE SHIELD and many other not so mentionable shows, not to say that DIRT is something I am proud of, that have become part of my TV watching addiction. Not to mention the plethora of reality TV shows my daughter adds to our limited space on the DVR. It's insane and I know it but I am an addict and I don't want help I just want my dealer to go away for a few months and leave me alone. In the meantime I can just go back to my NETFLIX addiction for the summer and welcome back the networks come fall. My TV owns me and I know it might get worse. But I can quit anytime I want. Well as soon as I find out what happens on HEREOS and 24....and maybe LOST. Labels: 24, finales, Heroes, Lost, Smallville, The Office, TV
It's 6 am and I just got back from my morning walk with my dog Milli, not short for Millicent but Millimeter...film...Ha...Ha...no? Coincidentally in the six plus years of film making I have never shot one frame of film stock. Which brings me to this. The Red Digital Cinema Camera!  The snail like transition from film to digital is about to switch gears to a blistering pace because of this camera and it's technology. I know I am not breaking any news by writing about this but with this camera and this technology it pretty much assures that I will never shoot on film stock and by the looks of this neither will even the die hard digital haters out there. I am by no means a techophile but this camera and it's technology is quite simply amazing! Warning high tech content ahead! This is directly from the Red Digital Cinema Camera's website. Which if interested I highly suggest you visit. LOTS of cool stuff to see there. MYSTERIUM™: DATA TO BURN 4520 X 2540 pixels... DATA TO BURN. At the heart of RED lives the 12-megapixel Mysterium™ CMOS sensor, Super 35mm sized, with unparalleled fidelity and flexibility. It combines low noise with superior charge capacity for dynamic range and color fidelity that allows you to finally have a no excuse option to 35mm film. DIGITAL SUPER 35MM Record 2540 progressive at up to 60 fps RAW. With 4520 X 2540 pixels, Mysterium™ puts pure digital Ultra-High Def in the palm of your hand. Mysterium™ with RED ONE™ also supports on chip down-sampling all the way down to 1080p and 720p. Field and selective focus as found in film cameras. Mysterium™ boasts a greater than 66db Signal to Noise Ratio thanks to its large 29 sq. micron pixels. And 12,065,000 pixels deliver resolution that can only be called Ultra High Definition. Labels: Camera, Cinema, Digital, Red, Technology
The Future's So Bright....
Dave and I did podcast #24 last night and we discussed the final review of "Rise of the Troopers," a little about the DVD, and some TV and film talk. One thing of great importance to me is to get this blog going again and to the best of my ability on a daily basis. Which leads me to the future of my blog and indirectly the rest of our blogs. We have a lot of things going on at the end of this month and well into the summer. We are taking "Rise of the Troopers" out to L.A. and will be at Celebration IV. Since I can not go with the guys this time around I will be reporting on the events going on out there. The guys will give me regular updates, photos and so on and I will be posting them daily. I'll keep you updated on the release of the DVD, after parties with cast and crew and possibly some interviews, pics and more. If the film does well, which we completely expect, more news will be posted here. So stick with me we have lots to talk about! Labels: celebration IV, podcast, rise of the troopers
$151 Million Dollars!
It's no secret that I am a HUGE Spiderman fan! Since I can remember he has been MY superhero. I love superheroes in general and followed the majority of them in the mid to late 70's and even again I was very heavily involved in comics from the early 90's and tapered off to a mere above average fan not long after. So Spidey 3 hits theaters and shatters box office numbers. Cool! I loved it but not as much as 2 and just slightly better than 1. But as a comic book franchise Spiderman has it locked up and really reinvented that genre of movie. I do have my criticisms of 3 but not because there wasn't enough action as some claim. If that's what you want go see Grindhouse. Spiderman is one of the few movie franchises that maintains a good balance of action, drama and comedy. Don't tell me Bruce Campbell isn't gold in all 3 pics! No my problem was Sandman. That story line is A: not true to the comics at all and outside of Venom there was no "real" villian. I was even okay with the Harry Osbourne redemption story, but they should have really focused on Venom. The effects were fantastic on that but there is no explanation about the alien symbiote other than a few passing lines of dialogue between Peter and Professor Connors. Ultimately there was just too much going on. They need to get back to 1 bad guy or risk becoming "Batman and Robin" rubber nipples and all. Nobody wants that! I am glad to see it set records and continue it's box office dominance! Again, I love Spiderman. Hopefully with the upcoming movies, Transfromers, Pirates, Harry Potter, Shrek, The Bourne Ultimatum and so on this will be a blistering summer movie season! Can't wait! Labels: comic books, Grindhouse, Spiderman, Venom
Rise of the Troopers!
Last night I sat down with the gang and watched the "almost" finished version of "ROTT" and it was great! After viewing a completed movie it always reminds me what all the had work is for and worth. People were laughing so hard that you couldn't hear half the time. No matter. It is a movie that will need multiple viewings. It clocks in at roughly 21 minutes. By today's standards of short films, it's an eternity, but quite literally in numbers only. The movie is so dense and moves at such a blistering pace you would never guess it's that long. So a few more polish tweaks and then we get the DVD ready for L.A. More on that next time and what will be packed onto the DVD when it's released! |
Links
Previous Posts
Archives
 
© 2007 TWENTY ONE PRODUCTIONS, All Rights Reserved
STAR WARS and all associated characters, logos and other elements are the property of LucasFilm Ltd.
This production is a "Fan Film", and as such no profit can be made from the presentation or distribution of this film.
This film is not for sale.
STAR WARS is a Registered Trademark of LucasFilm Ltd.
|
||||
