I was shocked to see signs that the Murdoch-ian Empire is starting to crumble. In addition to Fox news viewership declines, other branches of his agit-prop machine are hurting:
Murdoch did not provide many details on the company’s cost cutting, but said one example was the merging of back-office operations of his two high-profile New York holdings, The Wall Street Journal and tabloid daily the New York Post.
He also plans to close 10 of the 17 U.S. printing plants that produce the Journal.
I can only imagine the mix of stuffy WSJ folk mixing with the Post’s motley crew of degenerates…
In other interesting tidbits - I just wrapped up the Laurel Films demo reel:
in addition - The Director called and left me a voice mail - we might have a very interesting project in January…
We are very proud to announce that “Sovereignty” will be awarded the honor of Best Narrative Short Film at the Peace on Earth Film Festival in Chicago this weekend! And then you’ve got 4 big chances to see “Sovereignty” in NY, LA, Chicago and Canada in the coming 5 weeks!
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This weekend “Sovereignty” keeps on churnin’ along as we head to the Peace on Earth Film Festival this Sunday 8/31 at 6pm in beautiful Chicago, IL. Click here for directions.
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Two weeks later, we go international at the Non-Violence International Film Festival in Onterio, Canada on September 14th, 19th and 20th. Click here for showtimes and directions.
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Then… we swing back to New York for for the exciting Coney Island Film FestivalSeptember 26-28. Check back for showtimes and directions.
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And finally, (for now) if you happen to be one of those rare film buffs in the tiny hamlet of Hollywood, CA we will be in the prestigious Artivist Film Festivalwhich takes place October 2-5. Check back for showtimes and directions. We sure hope you can make it to one of these screening and support our little film that could!
Great news! For the second time in three years, Heather Dilly will be given the award for Best Actress at the Long Island International Film Expo, this time for her stunning work in the darkly comedic short film, “Sovereignty”. (Last time it was for her work as the down-and-out April in the award-winning short film “The Look Away Life”. Watch it now!)
Come on out and see the award-winning “Sovereignty” THIS THURSDAY July 10th at 9:30pm at the Long Island International Film Expo. Click here for directions.
We are also very proud to announce that our next stop will be the prestigious, Rhode Island International Film Festival in early August which is the only New England Festival that serves as a qualifier for the Short Film Academy Award. Keep an eye out on the website for dates and times and if you are in the area, please come by and support us!
Also check out our website for pics from our great run at the Hoboken Film Festival with stars like Billy D. Williams, Costas Mandylor and more!
Just got an email from The Director - ‘Sovereignty’ our red-headed child of a movie, will be playing at The Hoboken International Film Festival!
Get out your PATH train passes and go check out the labor of love that captivated so much of last year. Its from May 30th thru June 5th and tickets are only 9 bucks.
So, I get an email from The Director, asking for votes to get a short he acted in to play on PBS.
The fun part, is that he plays a bartender.
Since I’ve known the man, he’s always had the bar biz as a ‘day job’ and is damn good at it, personable, funny, quick and a real pro - plus he’s a good looking guy, so the ladies obviously flock to him when he lays on the charm.
But, as we’ve become friends, I’ve also gotten to know him as an actor, his methodology - how he translates what is in a script to what is captured on film and the thought processes behind it.
Granted; I’ve seen him more behind the bar than in front of the camera, but mostly that is due to not having a TV and a passion for the barley and hops products that is legendary… BUT to see him acting as a bartender; well my friends - that is indeed a special treat…
Been busy with other endeavors, but also have been keeping an eye on ‘Sovereignty’ - if you just so happen to be in CA the end of February, do check it out:
Looks like the one thing I swore NEVER to do again…
I hate to admit it…
I’m going back to work. Monday.
Nothing as corporate minded as what I’ve done in the past - but still, its a job - with a boss, and regular hours.
Looks like the vacation is over kids…
In the meantime; I’ve got a handful of small projects for Laurel Films, a bit of voiceover work for the Powers Studios and paintings to wrap up. I also got a very creative letter from Ninjascott, detailing his 2007 and the adventures he had last year. Have to admit, the man is funny and wildly creative. Maybe I can do something in the same vein - comic book style.
Also - must catch up with The Director - looks like ‘Sovereignty’ got into the Cinequest Film Festival - the first of many, no doubt.
I started a collaborative project to help celebrate said season.
And we had the ‘Sovereignty’ Premiere party / Fundraiser.
It. was. freakin’. awesome.
The best part was seeing just what we are about to unleash on the world. Having been so involved with the edit, I had gotten used to the jokes, numbed to the poignancy, and it was refreshing to see the audience get so involved.
Even better was the animated discussions that followed as soon as the lights came up.
I cannot wait to see how this does in the festival circuit.
I love Premiere parties, and I’m lucky enough to have two in 2 weeks time. Last night was the ‘Wedding Video / The Hitman Always Rings Twice’ screening, down at Sugar, a familiar venue for screening - the Premiere for ‘Like a Springsteen Song‘ was held there. (a cautionary note: in the linked post I cuss like a sailor)
Premiere parties are great because I imagine the camaraderie is a lot like being on a chain gang, serving time or being in the service - its long hours, grueling work, long boring stretches in between fierce frantic bouts of action. And seeing those people in a more relaxed setting, to actually enjoy the outcome of our effort - its all the more enjoyable.
The Executive Produce, Scott Powers, was milling about, taking photos of everyone, setting up the posters I had designed for everyone to sign and have a copy - also quite the thrill, seeing one’s own work in print, as well as on screen. After a while, Mr. powers made a welcoming introductory speech, had our DP Mr. Brooks (to my readers aka Ninjascott) say a few words and started the films.
Its weird - normally I get sucked into a film just because being an artist my eye is inherently drawn to the moving image. When I see something I worked on, its doubly so. I remember exactly what I was doing when I see a scene, so when an actress is onscreen making out with what looks to be a waiter, I remember being on a dirty restaurant floor, aiming a shotgun mic while hoping that some rat or other vermin wouldn’t come scrambling out of one of the dark niches and bite me on the ass, causing me to yell out and ruin the take… This time it was triply so, as several scenes were filmed in my apartment, as well as a couple of my paintings made their onscreen debut. (Ninjascott had decided at the last moment to make the male lead in ‘Hitman’ into an artist because I had so many paintings laying about, and I had to give an impromptu coaching about how to handle a brush)
When the house lights came up, we all jumped into fervent discussion about what we saw, what we liked. Ninjascott’s scripts were praised all around. Capt. Ron’s lighting was amazing (I would have never thought that so much light was needed to make it look like nighttime). There is nothing quite like the discussion of film geeks, especially those who work in the industry…
It hit doubly so, the next morning, when I saw an email from Ninjascott, who had posted my info into a listserve for film and theater types:
A good friend and colleague of mine who is an affordable and sane photoshop wizard has, at my urging, put together some pieces he has done on his web site.
If you are in need of a great poster, post card or invitation, please hang on to Fletch’s info which I will paste here!
The Director & I had a MASSIVE email session last night - if you got multiple invites to the premiere and didn’t want them; my apologies - to the rest, I hope to see you there. Hey, for $25, its free food, booze and a movie - who can argue??
The best part is that my gag reel will be the ‘crowd warmer’, and I’ll be filming the party for an update on the Laurel Films site.
These are the latest updates on the latest paintings - I must have the house one done by Christmas, as it is a present - the girl at the window I want done because I have another pose from this set that I want to do, plus a completely different pose that has my artistic imagination in thrall. Damn, I kinda hope that I don’t have to get a job, I’ve got way too much to do.
