Okay, so I was going to try and blog daily during production, but that was waaaay too ambitious a thought. What I'm now going to try and do is a weekly blog about production and post.
WEEK ONE went pretty smooth. We have a really great cast & crew. Most I've worked with before, but we do have several shiny new faces onboard too, and they have worked out well so far.
Only major issue is we somehow broke my Letus Extreme 35mm adaptor on the third day of the shoot. Didn't drop it. Didn't hit it. Not sure what happened. But the inside mirror cracked. Luckily, my filmmaker friend Russ Pond owns a Letus as well and so we're now using his until mine gets repaired (which is hopefully very soon).
This week was a six-day week, so today we're all resting (well, I'm actually working on "Pink" and a few other things), but this coming week is a five-day week. We're doing the typical 12 hour days and for the most part hitting that petty well.
One of the coolest things about this shoot is we're actually editing along the way. Cliff Richhart is on-set editor. This is the first time I've done this and I must say it is greatness. Having a rough cut of the scenes you shot in the morning THAT AFTERNOON is a huge help.
Until next week...
-Blake
So we start principle photography tomorrow on the new WB web series "Exposed". I'm going to try and post some blog entries along the way. But if you've ever worked on any film project you know that time is always short, so I'll do the best I can.
Today we're doing our last minute stuff after three weeks of pre-pro. I'm about to go home and watch the Cowboy game to clear my mind. But afterwards I have to work on my shot list and storyboards for tomorrow. So, no adult beverages during the game. We'll maybe one or two.
Anyway, we've got a great cast and crew onboard for this show so I am confident will have something really good for world to see in about three weeks. Now whether the world watches is another story! :)
-Blake
Interesting article on "web video" studios...
http://adage.com/webvideoreport/article?article_id=130448
From the piece:
Hollywood is gearing up to create what would be the first big Web hit. However, when an online show finally does break out into mainstream popularity, it may not come from traditional entertainment companies.
Rather, the most successful Internet television programs could emerge from a handful of online TV networks that already are producing high-quality episodic content for the Web, day in and day out.
IMHO, there have already been several "web hits" such as "Prom Queen", "Ask A Ninja", "Lonely Girl 15", etc... (and "Pink" hasn't done half bad either). :)
-Blake
Gearing up to shoot our new WB web series "Exposed" on 9/8/08. Here are two teasers promoting the new site...
Check it out TheWB.com.
-Blake
If you're an actor please do the following:
1. PUT A DEMO REEL ONLINE FOR PRODUCERS TO SEE
2. BE ABLE TO VIDEOTAPE YOURSELF FOR AN AUDITION
We live in the "Internet Age", yet I'm constantly surprised that actors do not have an online reel, or that they can't shoot video of themselves. I understand if you don't have footage for a reel - okay. But you should AT LEAST have a MySpace page with pictures, resume, etc. Yeah sure, if you have an agent they'll have this stuff too. But market YOURSELF.
And today with productions happening all over the map it is IMPERATIVE that you have a way to tape an audition. I use the word "tape", but today there are tons of "tapeless" options out there such as the Flip Mino. It is about the size of a phone and shoots excellent video - especially for online. Tons of YouTube folks use this camera. It's only $180. A small investment to be able to easily tape and upload or send auditions. If you don't have a Myspace page or a personal web site, then just upload audition to YouTube. You can easily pull it down afterwards.
If you're serious about acting, then you should be serious about getting acting jobs. And these two small things can greatly help.
-Blake
Nice mention of our new show "Exposed" in Variety today...
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117990615.html
Check it out when you have a moment.
-Blake
Check out the latest teaser video from "88 Hits" right now on YouTube. Show premieres 09.09.08.
-Blake
Got this notice today from Revver...
We're featuring your video "88 Hits" on Wednesday, 8/13 on RevverLive, our new live web show produced in collaboration with LiveVideo.com. The hour-long show airs live daily at 1pm PST and features the best and most conversation-sparking Revver videos, with rotating hosts using LiveVideo's robust social video platform to interact with viewers in real-time via video and text chat.
The immediacy with which fans can participate in conversations about your videos makes this a unique opportunity for audiences to engage with your work and with each other, and is a great way to help you promote your work. Feel free to join in on the coversation or watch from the sidelines to see what viewers think by checking out the show here (if it's not live, check out the archived episodes):
http://www.livevideo.com/liveshow/Revverlive
Tell all your friends to log in and watch live and comment! ALSO, since the show is produced daily in Hollywood, we'd love to have any of you LA-based creators come in to the studio on the day of the show to introduce your video and talk about it a bit with the show's host and viewers.
If you're able to tune in, we recommend creating a LiveVideo account with the same username as your Revver account and then joining the chat so that host and viewer alike can interact with you.
Let us know if you have any questions about this, or want to get involved in the show!
So that's pretty cool. I hadn't heard of this kind of thing before, online anyway. I'll be tuning in, and if you can check it out or visit their show archive to listen later.
-Blake
Hulu is owned by FOX and NBC. So we're very happy to have "Pink" on the site. Later in September it will all be in HD too (and will eventually include our new Season 2 episodes).
Check it out:
http://www.hulu.com/pink-the-series
Thanks!
Blake
So this is not filmmaking per se, but it does deal with visual effects...
Some of the fireworks during the Olypics opening ceremony were evidently fake! Hmmm. I realize it's entertainment, but it's also a "news" event. So that is really close to crossing the line IMHO.
Read entire story here.
-Blake
UPDATE 8/12/08: So, another fake out by the Chinese! Now they're saying the little girl who sang during the opening ceremoney didn't really sing! They pulled a Milli-Vanilli on the entire world... read it here.
If you haven't checked out Vimeo yet, you should. It's another one of many web video sharing sites - but this one is different. Mainly because it is one of the first to allow users to upload HD video. And it also plays it back for viewers in a streaming flash player that looks really good.
I have a new page on the site:
www.vimeo.com/blakecalhoun
I currently have the first "DIY's Guys" episode up and the "88 Hits" teaser (this was shot in SD though).
Anyway, definitely check out the site when you have a moment. Oh, and also be sure to click the "full screen" option on the lower right hand side of the HD player, that way you'll get the full HD experience. :)
-Blake
First few days of casting have gone well for "Exposed". We're continuing to cast this next week too. So if you are an interested actor, or know of an actor who fits one of the roles. Please contact me at loudpics[@]yahoo.com.
See previous post down this page for character descriptions.
The main roles we need more folks to audition for are ALICIA, HENRY and CARLOS.
Thanks,
Blake
I found this story to be interesting and pretty funny too...
August 6, 2008 - MEXICO CITY -- This weekend, thousands of Mexicans will line up at theaters to see "The Knight of the Night," "Super Agent 86" and "The End of Time." Never heard of them?
Those are the literal translations of the Spanish titles given to "The Dark Knight," "Get Smart" and "The Happening," examples of the marketing tactics that can leave cinephiles baffled as Hollywood reaches out to increasingly important foreign audiences.
Depending on the nation, moviegoers are watching Steve Carell of "Get Smart" in "Max the Menace" (France), "Agent Smart: Casino Totale" (Italy), "Is the Spy Capable or Not?" (Taiwan), or "Confused Spy" (China).
Titles often are tweaked to suit local tastes. Last year's comedy hit "Knocked Up" was given the gentler title "Slightly Pregnant" in Roman Catholic Peru and the gloriously blunt "One Night, Big Belly" in China.
Hollywood has taken a more active role in translating its titles in recent years, says David Weitzner, a former chief of worldwide promotion for 20th Century Fox and Universal. Some films make half of their money overseas, and studios are increasingly doing "global launches" to generate buzz.
"We have to pay much more attention to the foreign market than we used to," Weitzner says.
The translations used to be left to foreign film distributors, with dubious results. Some titles gave away key plot points, such as when "Rain Man" became "When Brothers Meet" in Latin America.
U.S. film titles for foreign movies often are odd, too. "Open Your Eyes," a Spanish film about a man in suspended animation, became "Vanilla Sky" when it was remade with Tom Cruise.
-Blake
Good article called "They're Spinning Their Own Web" in the LA Times about web series productions. I know several of the filmmakers, distributors, agents, etc. mentioned... good group of folks.
THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD and television and film producers see eye to eye about hardly anything these days, yet on one thing they can agree: The Web is the battleground.
Talks between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have ground to a halt, and a possible work stoppage looms. But as the parties caucus with their lawyers and negotiators over next steps, production on the very thing that divides them -- entertainment created for new media platforms -- continues at a fever clip across town.
Click here to read entire article
-Blake
We had a Street Team (aka Hot Chicks) at Comic-Con handing out and applying temporary PINK tattoos. They supposedly handed out around 4000 and applied 1000. I didn't get to go to the event, but it looks like it was a good time...
We're now casting for "Exposed" - the new web series for TheWB.com.
Primarily looking for these roles:
1. Henry - Caucasion/20-25/Athletic
2. Alicia - Hispanic/18-22
3. Chase - Caucasion/20-25
4. Gail - Caucasion/18-22
5. Carlos - Hispanic/40-50
6. Dimitri - Caucasion (Russian)/17-21
7. Ulanyov - Caucasion (Russian)/45-55
8. Priest - Caucasion/40-60
We also have a lot of day player roles we'll be announcing soon too.
If you are interested please send an email to loudpics[@]yahoo.com with your headshot and a link to your demo reel, if available.
Thanks!
Blake
Pretty cool...I'll have to give this a try!
Video Cam Super Trick! - video powered by Metacafe
-Blake
Okay, so Netflix is, well, Netflix. They are not and were not a huge player in Independent film financing and distribution, but they tried to be. And now they're closing Red Envelope's doors.
I'm sure they'll still look at indie films for Netflix distribution, but it sounds like not near as much as they once did. The article below says they are shutting down the operation because they "didn't want to compete" with Hollywood studios (their customers). While I'm sure there is a slighty bit of truth to that statement, that is not the real reason. Let's be honest here. They weren't making their money back. That's it. And that's the problem with almost all independent film today. It's a great artistic outlet - I love watching indie film (and making them). But if you want to eat you can't survive making independent films. And not that Netflix wasn't surviving - they just weren't making money. That's my take anyway, and as usual I could be wrong. Decide for yourself...
------------------------
July 24, 2008 - By ANICK JESDANUN -- NEW YORK -- The movie-rental service Netflix Inc. is closing a small unit that finances independent movies, partly to avoid competing with Hollywood studios with which it partners for DVD and Internet distribution. The financial impact on the company will be small, and only four out of about 400 employees are losing their jobs.
But the move could make it more difficult for smaller producers to find homes for their movies. Netflix' Red Envelope Entertainment had focused on bringing less-commercial projects to a broader audience. The unit acquired or helped finance independent films, distributing them in movie theaters as well as in the regular Netflix channels -- DVD by mail and online streaming.
Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said the company began the unit as an experiment about two years ago, but ultimately decided that financing movies was not its forte. He said filmmakers still have plenty of outlets for financing and distributing movies, "and we don't need to do that to get great titles on Netflix."
Swasey said the company weighed the fact that it was often in the same room with studio partners at film festivals, and "we didn't want to compete" with them.
Movies distributed through Red Envelope -- named for the red envelopes used to ship Netflix DVDs -- include "Sherrybaby," "No End in Sight," and "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2Days." Red Envelope typically partnered with a larger company for theatrical release.
-------------------------
-Blake
I always like to see film production and film financing out of Texas and I hope this one succeeds. But I've known several groups trying this over the years and none have worked out (yet). This one might have the right ingredients though based on the below article. You have true money managers running the investment fund (with an existing client base), and then "movie" people running the production side. It could work...
So you wanna be in (independent) pictures? Now you can, for $50,000
Fort Worth money manager launches fund with hopes of hitting upon the next 'Juno’
By JIM FUQUAYjfuquay@star-telegram.com
By some estimates, 7,000 to 8,000 independently produced films are completed each year. Most never see the light of a projector bulb.
But some do, and a few, most recently Juno, go on to pull in millions of dollars at the box office, video store and syndication. Now a Fort Worth money manager wants to give well-heeled investors a shot at participating in a winner without taking too much of a bath on the inevitable losers.
Riley Hutto Wealth Management said it has created Independent Film Capital Llc., in partnership with Los Angeles-based IndieVest, a 2-year-old firm that will review scripts and oversee film production and distribution. Riley Hutto’s job is find people with at least $50,000 to invest in independent films.
Bill Riley and Greg Hutto started their firm in January after working together in the investments industry for a decade. They are the first in what IndieVest founder Wade Bradley hopes will be a stable of investment advisers who will offer his company’s films to accredited investors, generally described as individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 million.
Investing in movies
Riley said the path to Independent Film Capital started when he was looking for alternative investments — instruments other than stocks and bonds — to offer his clients.
Big foundations and endowments put sizable portions of their assets in real estate, commodities and private equities, he thought, so why not offer something similar to affluent investors?
Movies got into the picture when he met Bradley, a venture capitalist who was looking for financial support for his company. Bradley’s concept is to take some of the risk out of film investing by forming a kind of "one-stop shop" that connects investors with film projects that he has screened and — perhaps most importantly — can assure distribution in theaters.
Do indies make money?
How many independent films actually make money?
Hard numbers are difficult to come by, because although box-office receipts can be had, movie budgets and distribution expenses are rarely public. Likewise, ticket sales are only a part of a film’s earnings. Video rentals and sales, plus TV licensing, can far outearn the original box office.
In 2007, 751 newly released films played in theaters at some time during the year, according to The Numbers, an industry news service. Right in the middle of those films, as ranked by box-office receipts, was Broken English, a romance distributed by Magnolia Pictures, the company owned by Dallas entrepreneur Mark Cuban and partner Todd Wagner.
Broken English played in 41 theaters at its peak and grossed just under $1 million during the year, according to The Numbers.
Cuban, in an e-mailed response to the Star-Telegram, said that as challenging as it is merely for an independent film to get produced and distributed, "doing any box office at all . . . is even more difficult."
Distribution in the nation’s more than 5,000 theaters is a huge hurdle. About 600 films a year are rated by the Motion Picture Association of America for U.S. distribution. Big studios produce 200 to 250 of those. Independents vie for the rest of the spots.
IndieVest, as part of its pitch, guarantees distribution. Bradley said his strategy is to first place a film in 25-50 theaters the first week. That keeps down his distribution costs, the biggest being production of prints and advertising, collectively termed P&A.
"At the end of the day, we decide whether it’s gaining traction," he said of a film’s early screenings. If it is, he ups distribution to perhaps 200 theaters, then 500, up to as many as 1,500 theaters.
Starring Steve Buscemi
IndieVest principals include Mark Burton, who was executive producer for Water, nominated for an Oscar last year in the foreign-language-film category.
Its advisory board includes actors Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Boogie Nights) and Liev Schreiber (The Painted Veil, TV’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation).
Bradley said the company is about to start filming its first project, titled Saint John of Las Vegas, featuring Steve Buscemi, the hapless and horny kidnapper-turned-murderer in Fargo.
The film has a $10 million budget. That’s considered relatively low in the business these days, but enough to provide a shot at bankable personnel and a competent script.
A "moderate" scenario detailed in investor materials envisions the film bringing in $21.6 million in net revenue and returning about $6.5 million to investors. Under a "low" scenario, it brings in just $3.4 million and returns nothing.
Cuban said in his email that he tries to improve an independent film’s economics by distributing it via his own Landmark Theaters, Magnolia Video and HDNet, the high-definition television channel he launched in 2001. He just started a new strategy of releasing films first on HDNet’s video-on-demand service, hoping to build some buzz before the film’s theatrical premiere.
"Leveraging the promotion of the VOD on cable and satellite allows us to be more precise in our P&A spending, which in turn leads to profitability on not all, but more of our releases," Cuban wrote.
Harold Vogel, principal of Vogel Capital Management in New York and author of Entertainment Industry Economics, said investing in movies is not for the faint-of-heart.
But he thinks IndieVest is going about it the right way.
"I admire the innova- tiveness of their structure," Vogel said, because it provides the equivalent of a reality check on a filmmaker’s hopes.
Riley Hutto added its own wrinkle to risk management by packaging investments in units that include five different films. Averaging out the returns of several movies, Riley said, should lessen the chance of suffering a total loss while boosting the chance of landing a hit.
Vogel also liked that idea.
"That’s the correct approach," he said. "Never invest in just one film. The smart way is to get a portfolio of projects that spreads the risk.
Riley said his Independent Film Capital project has been well received by clients.
"They know it’s risk capital, and it’s fun," he said. "If you’re an investor, your name is on the credits as one of the producers."
Click here to see actual article at Fort Worth Star-Telegram site.
-Blake
Been meaning to post this for a while...
The new show I'm producing/directing is called "Exposed" and will premiere online at www.theWB.com. The site needs Beta Testers right now to help build the new community. It's a very cool website (yeah, I joined).
You can already watch hit shows like "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", "One Tree Hill", "Friends", "The O.C.", "Gilmore Girls", etc. and soon you'll be able to see their new "Original Content" for the web - and one of the shows is "Exposed". There are five others premiering too.
So definitely go and register and help spread the word.
-Blake
A few years back I directed a feature film called "HIT". It did pretty well at film festivals, with critics, etc., but I never landed a full-fledged distribution deal. Yeah, I had some offers here and there but they really were not very good. In fact, I've been planning to do a self-distribution release of the film for a while now.
Well, since I've had some recent success with "PINK" online I've decided to release a web series version of "HIT" called "88 HITS". We're also talking to some folks about pitching it as a traditional TV show down the line too. But for now, we will premiere the first webisode in September on YouTube, Revver, and several other places along with the main website www.mobumentary.com.
Right now you can check out the promo for the upcoming release here and here.
You can also watch it right here:
The web series is being created from the current footage and storyline of the feature film. It will be an abbreviated version - in a way a promo for the actual film, which by the way will be available on DVD this fall too (probably late fall). I hope the web series will get enough attention to get folks to check out the full feature - and even better to get the opportunity to make either new episodes for the web - or again create a new pilot for traditional television.
One last thing, we're also premiering a completely new spin-off show called "The DIY's Guys" starring the same characters from "HIT". It's a Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement series with a twist. A mob twist, and a punch, maybe a kick, etc. You get the idea. :) This show will start on 08.05.08. Click here to see the YouTube Channel page for it.
Definitely check this stuff out when you have a moment. Thanks!
-Blake
This is a link to a blog posting of Mike Curtis. Great rant on indie film...
From the piece:
“Of the 5,000 films submitted to Sundance each year—generally with budgets under $10 million—maybe 100 of them got a U.S. theatrical release three years ago. And it used to be that 20 of those would make money. Now maybe five do. That’s one-tenth of 1%. Put another way, if you decide to make a movie budgeted under $10 million on your own tomorrow, you have a 99.9% chance of failure.”
Check out entire article here. Definitely worth a read.
-Blake
New film from David Fincher (who I really like) shot digitally on The Viper camera. But beyond the great visuals I think the story is very interesting. Stars Brad Pitt.
Watch it here
-Blake
June 30, 2008 - Google, which has largely stayed away from producing its own content, is experimenting with a new method for distributing original material on the Web, and some Hollywood film financiers are betting millions that the company will succeed.
In September, Seth MacFarlane, creator of an American television series called "The Family Guy," will introduce a carefully guarded new project called "Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy." Unlike "Family Guy," which airs on the Fox television network, this show will appear exclusively on the Internet.
The innovative part involves the distribution plan. MacFarlane cut a deal with Google under which the company will syndicate the program using its AdSense advertising system to thousands of Web sites that are gathering places for MacFarlane's target audience, typically young men. Instead of placing a static ad on a Web page, Google will place a "Cavalcade" video clip.
Advertising will be incorporated into the clips in varying ways. In some cases, there will be "preroll" ads, which ask viewers to sit through a TV-style commercial before getting to the video. Some advertisers may opt for a banner to be placed at the bottom of the video clip or a simple "brought to you by" note at the beginning.
MacFarlane, who will receive a percentage of the ad revenue, has created a stable of new characters to star in the animated series, which will be served up in 50 two-minute episodes.
For a more substantial fee, MacFarlane has been working with advertisers to animate original commercials that will run with "Cavalcade." Although they would not reveal any of the advertisers, both Google and MacFarlane said several deals were among the largest in the history of AdSense, which made its debut in 2003.
Google until now has only dabbled with distributing original content. In May, it announced a deal with The Washington Post to distribute real estate listings from the newspaper's Web site in a similar manner.
But the partnership with MacFarlane marks a bigger step into the distribution business, one that, if successful, could send shock waves through the entertainment business. "Cavalcade" is not only from a high-profile Hollywood talent, but also carries a multimillion-dollar production price tag, which is by far the largest amount spent on original Internet content to date.
"We feel that we have re-created the mass media," said Kim Malone Scott, director of sales and operations for AdSense.
Until now, budgets for original Web video programs have generally peaked in the low six figures, because creators have not been able to figure out a business model that allows for higher spending. Either advertisers have not wanted to pay, or it has been too difficult to attract a large enough audience to support the cost of television- or movie-quality work.
But Media Rights Capital, a boutique production company that invests about $400 million a year in movies, television and Internet episodes, thinks it has figured out a sustainable business model with the Google Content Network. Every time someone clicks on one of the syndicated videos, the associated advertiser pays a fee, with shares going to MacFarlane, Media Rights, Google and the Web site that generated the click.
"We believe the revenue could be formidable," said Karl Austen, a lawyer who worked on the deal. "What is exciting is that this is a way to monetize the Internet immediately. Instead of creating a Web site and hoping Seth's fans find it, we are going to push the content to where people are already at."
Media Rights sells the advertising inventory. Asif Satchu, the company's co-chief executive, would not reveal how much advertisers were being asked to pay, except to say that it is "significantly higher" than if they were placing the same ad with AdSense.
Endeavor, a Hollywood talent agency, helped shepherd MacFarlane through the negotiations, which got started during a recent gap in the animator's contract with 20th Century Fox. MacFarlane said he wanted to take a stab at an original Internet program because he was feeling constrained by the "taste police" - the Federal Communication Commission.
Sitting in his office wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, MacFarlane described feeling stifled as a comedian by a crackdown in recent years on what the FCC saw as unsuitable language and stories on American television. MacFarlane said he believed that the public's appetite for raunchy humor and coarse language was only expanding and that television networks like Fox were having a harder time, in part because they had to tread carefully.
Each "Cavalcade" installment is different, a typical one titled "Mad Cow Disease." The clip, which is 38 seconds long, opens with a news anchor reporting on an outbreak of the disease in a dry fashion, detailing the debilitating effects of eating tainted beef. The clip cuts to a bull and a cow seated in a tidy kitchen with giant steaks on their plates.
MacFarlane, 34, has more at stake than just adding some more money to his already sizable fortune. (His new contract with Fox, signed this spring, is valued at nine figures.) Part of the goal is to use the venture as a testing ground for new material and a way to ignite attention. At the very least, "Cavalcade" will become a DVD, but the hope is that part of the series will register with audiences and perhaps lead to television or even animated movie projects.
Indeed, in a watch-what-you-want, when-you-want world, the standard processes of rolling out new television programs is breaking down. Even a decade ago, putting a new show on a network schedule would ensure wide exposure; people would either respond or they wouldn't. Today, with dwindling television ratings, creators like MacFarlane have to find new ways of introducing new material.
Nobody knows how content can catch fire in unexpected ways more than MacFarlane. In 2002, "Family Guy" was canceled for poor ratings after running for three seasons. But the irreverent series continued to make new fans through DVD sales.
In 2005, the network reversed itself, citing strong DVD sales, and "Family Guy" has gone on to be one of the biggest comedy hits on American television.
Originally published by The New York Times Media Group.
(c) 2008 International Herald Tribune. All rights Reserved.
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Stuff is starting to get a lot more interesting with this Internet thing. It might actually catch on one day...
-Blake
My last feature film KILLING DOWN is slowly starting to pop up in places around the globe. As you know distribution is very difficult to get and then once you do get it (if you get it) it's usually a slow go for the film to be released.
Sold the foreign rights back in fall of 2006 (at the American Film Market) and just two months ago it was released in Greece on DVD (several other territories have been sold, but movie has just not been released yet). That's it so far, until now.
My friend Julio Cedillo, and on of the leads of KILLING DOWN was in Mexico last week on a film shoot. He went back to his hotel to get some rest, turned on the TV and low and behold KILLING DOWN was on Movie City - I assume this is like a premium cable channel in Latin America. This is the first I'd heard of the film showing up on television. And it's pretty cool I must say. Never happened to me before in the 12 years I've been trying to get stuff produced and sold. So we're all pretty pumped about it. As a matter of fact, Julio was so pumped he actually took a picture of the TV screen. Thanks Julio!
If anyone else is traveling abroad and sees the movie on TV or in a DVD store, etc. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'm very interested to hear how it plays to audiences. I pretty routinely check IMDb.com for comments, reviews, ratings, etc. and they too are starting to trickle in.
BTW, the U.S. DVD will tentatively be released December 3rd this year.
So hopefully over time people will get a chance to check out the movie and enjoy it. As a filmmaker that's really all you can hope for.
-Blake
Good article in the WSJ about Bollywood bringing capital into Hollywood (mainly India's Reliance Big Entertainment to invest in DreamWorks).
One of my entertainment attorney's Mark Litwak is quoted in the story...
Foreign financiers are one set of investors who have knocked on Hollywood's door for years, trying to make money by financing films -- a nearly impossible task. "Frankly, most movie deals don't make a lot of financial sense because while some films make money, most films either break even or lose money," said Mark Litwak, an attorney who works on film financing.
Click here to read entire piece.
-Blake
This is very interesting and relevant for "Pink" and mobile distribution...
June 20, 2008 - LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--QuickPlay Media, a leading provider of mobile TV and video solutions, has revealed the results of an independent Market Tools survey focused on mobile TV and video consumption in the UK.
The research found that there are several barriers preventing people from consuming TV and video content on their mobile phones, including a lack of awareness of the mobile TV and video services offered (44%) and cost (33%) ��" the latter, a barrier that is set to erode as 'all-you-can-eat’ data plans become more prevalent in the market place.
The demand for consumers to watch mobile TV is there, with 65 percent of respondents stating that they are willing to spend time watching an advertisement if it meant that the mobile TV or video content they consume is free or discounted. On the other side of the coin, if mobile TV and video were to be charged for, 22 percent said that they would prefer a pay-per-use business model and 13 percent outlined a preference for an additional monthly subscription that would deliver the content without advertisements.
"Operators across the world have invested heavily in improving their network structures to handle high-speed data transfer, but as an industry it seems that we are challenged by the last hurdle in marketing and selling these innovative data-based services to the public. There is a clear lack of awareness by end-users about what services they can enjoy, and what it will cost them to start watching," commented Wayne Purboo, CEO of QuickPlay Media.
Purboo added "The survey shows that perceived cost is a key barrier to mobile TV and video consumption in the UK so one option for operators and content owners is an advertising-based mobile TV and video offering ��" a solution that we have successfully rolled out with some of our customers in other parts of the world. Furthermore, the shift by European operators to offer unlimited data packages will start to remove the barriers for consumers to test and adopt data-based services such as mobile TV and video."
Two in five people have watched TV and video content on their mobile phone, with many now regularly using such services. 18 percent of those that have tried a mobile TV and video service watch on a weekly basis, with more than a third watching almost on a daily basis.
For consumers that are currently using mobile TV and video, the research highlights that as many as 46 percent have used it at home, an interesting statistic considering that consumers have other platforms available to them, such as TV and computers, to consume TV and video content. In relation to this, 30 percent stated that they would watch mobile TV and video in between activities and 28 percent said it was a service that they used while in transit.
Other interesting findings of the survey include:
Nearly half of respondents (44%) do not know if their mobile operator even offers a mobile TV and video service and a third (33%) of those questioned cited cost as the main barrier for not accessing mobile TV.
Two-thirds (65%) of consumers said they are willing to watch an advertisement on their mobile phone in order to access free or discounted TV and video content.
41% of consumers have already watched TV or videos on a mobile phone, with 18% of those consumers watching more than once a week
As many as 33 percent have watched TV or video on their mobile for up to 60 minutes or longer.
41 percent of those surveyed would consider the ability to pause and resume content a deciding factor in whether or not they would watch longer forms of content, such as a full-length movie, on a mobile device.
72 percent do not recall having viewed advertisements on their mobile handset. For those that had 53 percent said these were received as SMS/text ads, and 34 percent said that they were video ads.
When compared against the results of a US study of mobile consumers with comparable demographic profiles the results were very similar suggesting that habits and preferences of consumers, as well as the maturity of both markets, reflect each other.
All very interesting, especially the part about people not minding ads to get "free" content. This is good. Now maybe I can actually get paid for all this work. :)
-Blake
It really sucks to be in independent film right now. Another "indie" label has bit the dust...
June 5, 2008 - LOS ANGELES -- Paramount Pictures said Wednesday it will combine its marketing, distribution and production functions with indie label Paramount Vantage. Rob Moore, vice chairman of Paramount Pictures, said in a statement provided Wednesday that the combination of the two Los Angeles-based units of Viacom Inc. will be more efficient.
The merger will initially result in the loss of three executive positions, said a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.
It was unclear if further jobs might be lost or when the combination will occur, the person said.
Paramount Vantage, which produced the double Oscar-winner "There Will Be Blood" released last year, is the latest indie movie label to be merged into the larger operations of the same company.
Time Warner Inc. said last month it would close its Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures film studios and eliminate 70 jobs.
That followed the layoff of 450 people at New Line Cinema, which was absorbed into Warner Bros.
These companies of course call their "indies" under $25 million (or so), which doesn't compute to true indie filmmakers - BUT, I'm not talking about production here. I'm talking DISTRIBUTION which is the end game and in reality the hardest part of the entire process.
For example, I finished my last indie feature film back in 2006. Got foreign distribution rather quickly (which is not the normal case I assure you), but we just signed a domestic DVD deal in the last few months. So two years to sell the film. And we're actually lucky. 95% of all indie films NEVER SELL. Even films that play at Sundance.
Indie filmmaking is a lot of fun. But as a business model it has never been good and with these recent events it's virtually dead I'm sorry to say.
-Blake
Hey ANY press is good press! "Pink" got a small mention in the Hollywood Reporter today...
Check it out here.
I didn't realize the series was a "cult hit". :)
-Blake
The first Netflix player has been released and it looks like a really good start. It's called the Netflix Player by Roku.
Check out a review here at CNET
It's only $100 and then whatever your monthly Netflix subscription rate is. So in essence the movies you download and watch are "free".
Box has HDMI and component out and it's also wireless or can be connected to a network. Video quality is so-so, but you're streaming instantly off the web so it really depends on your broadband connection speed. The CNET review has more details.
Again, I say a good start. They will improve on it soon and in the not too distant future HD movies will be available instantly too. In years to come this will be as common as any technology you can think of. We'll say "remember when we had to go to the video store (or receive them via mail) to rent a movie"?
It'll be here before you know it.
-Blake
Good article this morning in USA Today featuring many talent agents, including the guys at UTA they rep me and "Pink". Also, they interview several filmmakers who have current or upcoming web projects online (however, ahem, they didn't talk to Mike or myself about "Pink" - I think we need a new publicist). ;)
"There's a huge cultural change going on out there," Nadler says (from UTA). "The model of how people consume their entertainment is totally up in the air."
That's not the only thing up for grabs. The foundation of Hollywood's dominance in pop culture and the entertainment industry is being threatened by the democratizing force of the Internet, which posits that anyone with a snappy idea and a video camera can dish up features to the masses.
As a result, top Hollywood agencies such as UTA, Endeavor and Creative Artists Agency are diligently mining the Web for raw talent. The process quickly has become as crucial to entertainment talent scouts as trawling smoky comedy clubs or screening obscure movies has been for generations.
Click here to read full article
-Blake
Fan of "This Is Spinal Tap"? How about the lead singer Nigel Tufnel?
Check out these new interviews with him about Stonehenge - and I'm not talking about Spinal Tap's song either... ;)
GOOD STUFF.
-Blake
P.S. After following above link, click on Nigel's image on the left side of the page to open videos.
Always thought of him as an "outsider" inside the Hollywood studio system. Great filmmaker and actor that will be missed.
-Blake
"Foreign Body" is the name of a new web series and a new book by legendary author Robin Cook ("Coma"). The web series premiered yesterday...
http://www.foreignbody.tv/
Definitely check it out.
It's produced by my friends Big Fantastic. They also produced "Prom Queen" (among many other web series). They are really the pioneers of the serial web space - at least for higher-end, quality, dramatic shows.
The series runs through August 4th, and the the new book comes out right after the show ends. A very nice piece of marketing brought to us all by Michael Eisner and his company Vuguru. Pretty cool.
-Blake
This is a new term to me... "Upfront". I'm just learning about this although I've actually known what it was, just not the actual name.
An Upfront is an event the networks put on to showcase their new series (ie. pilots) to advertisers. But it goes beyond just series these days. For example, NBC Universal has many, many offerings to buyers...
(Zucker was eager to remind advertisers that) "you can buy mobile, you can buy digital, you can buy cable ... you can buy Olympics, you can buy football -- you can buy the Super Bowl -- you can buy Hulu.com, you can buy integrations into our films, you can buy integrations into our theme parks."
That's a lot of stuff for them to consider!
NBC is doing things differently this time around - and of course they need to on the network TV side of things. They're pretty much dead last in the ratings.
So why am I interested in this? Well, with the recent work I've been doing on "PINK" and with the new series I'm doing for Warner Bros. we're involved with Upfronts. For "PINK" it's really only geared towards the Internet (for now) and attracting a sponsor. This will happen in the next several weeks. For "Exposed" (the WB show) it happened last week in NYC. Our show was mentioned with all the other shows - current and upcoming - on The CW Network and on the new WB.com website ("Gossip Girl", etc.).
In the above mentioned quote from Jeff Zucker, he talks about Hulu.com. NBC owns this with FOX (I believe that's correct) and we are right now finalizing a deal to have Season One of "PINK" roll out there this summer before Season Two premieres (also on Hulu.com and elsewhere).
Here's a link to the entire story on the NBC Upfront, called "NBC Leading a Different Upfront Change". It's very interesting to see how all this stuff works.
Now I just need to make sure our shows are really good. :)
-Blake
Been very busy recently with the post-production on PINK. We're trying to get all 25 episodes cut by the end of this month - rough cut that is. Then finished by mid next month (or so). It's a ton of work. Basically we're editing a feature length project. But it's all going very, very well. Everything (pretty much) is cutting together nicely.
Oh sure, we have the occasional moment of, "Why didn't I get a close-up shot of that?" - or, "Stage line, what stage line? Let's just flop the shot to make it work". But that happens on every show I've ever done. And anyway, keeps things interesting in the edit. :)
BTW, we've now decided the new episodes will launch in AUGUST. Can't give a firm date yet, but it will very likely be mid-month. We also will have a very cool announcement soon about an event in July to promote the series. Can't wait to share this!
For now though it's back to the dark editing dungeon...
-Blake
Two good videos on YouTube from the Roger Waters show last night...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufrl3R1E6Sk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs2X6Egg-ak&feature=related
The pig went right over our heads as you can see from my photos in previous post. But the videos really tell the story!
-Blake
Best concert I've seen in ages. No warm up band. First set Pink Floyd greatest hits and a few solo songs. 15 minute intermission. Then "Dark Side of the Moon" played front to back. Greatness...
We've been so busy shooting the new season of "Pink" - and trying to get the word out on our Webby Nominee for Best Drama: Individual Episode - that we failed to mention we already won an Honoree Award for Best Drama Series.
Check it out
Okay, okay, so it's not an nomination or a win, but it is a pretty cool deal. With over 10,000 entries they selected the top 15% for the Honoree Award. So we'll take it!
In just three short days on May 6th we'll know if we won the Webby for Episode 7 "Feels Like the First Time", and we'll know about the Webby People's Voice Award.
Last thing on award talk - we've got a chance for an Emmy nomination too. The main awards were announced last week and they'll announce the new media ones very soon. Our collective fingers are definitely crossed. :)
I know we JUST wrapped shooting the next round of "Pink", but there's no time to rest. Our next show "Exposed" for Warner Bros. Television is in pre-production and will shoot in early summer.
Here's a snipet from a press release put out today...
“We want to continue the Warner Bros. tradition of authentic voices creating compelling programming for this new digital canvas,” said Craig Erwich, Executive Vice President of Warner Horizon Television, who also oversees TheWB.com on behalf of the Studio. “The office water cooler has moved, and fans of TheWB.com can instantly engage with our content and interact with one another through the site, through the Facebook application, or on their own web sites and blogs. We are working with some of the finest talent in our business to create powerful and innovative programming that will fuel this community.”
TheWB.com will feature an exclusive slate of original series from creative talent such as director/producer McG (the upcoming “Terminator 4,” “Supernatural,” the “Charlie’s Angels” films) and writer/producer Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl,” “Chuck,” “The O.C.”), among others, launching on the site within the first year. All original content for TheWB.com will be released under the Studio 2.0 banner, WBTVG’s division for original digital programming, both live-action and animation, created for broadband and wireless.
McG is partnering with production team Big Fantastic (“Prom Queen”) on “Sorority Forever,” an innovative mystery/drama that peeks behind the walls of one of the most intriguing secret societies in the world: the sorority. Separately, McG is also teaming up with the creators of the hit Internet series “Pink” on “Exposed,” a thriller about a college student haunted by a hidden past and trying to remain undercover.
Read the entire release here.
Craig Erwich is the studio exec we work for along with the folks at McG's company. Pretty fun stuff!
-Blake
We need your help! PLEASE VOTE for "Pink" at the Webby's "People's Voice Awards"...We've dropped to 3rd Place!!!
http://pv.webbyawards.com/
You have to register but it only takes a few seconds.
Thank you!
We wrapped production on PINK 2.0 last night. Cast and crew did a great job! Here are a few stills from the last week...
I'll post more info soon. Right now trying to get caught up on sleep!
-Blake
Wrapped our first week of shooting for the next round of "Pink" episodes on Saturday. Had a very smooth week. We shot all of the "Adult Nate" scenes with lead Natalie Raitano. I really hope the second week goes as well.
Here are a few pictures from the week...
Will give a detailed report once we wrap the entire shoot.
And please don't forget to VOTE for "Pink" at the Webbys People's Voice Awards!
-Blake
Saw this today online in PARADE...
George Clooney may earn $20 million per movie, but he's a rarity. Overall, the median wage for actors in the U.S. is less than $12 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As for the rest of the crew, they're clearly doing it for the glamour, not the money.
The median wage for a movie or television writer is just $5,000 a year.
A costume designer or makeup artist can earn more than $2,000 a week. But since work comes on a project basis, year-round employment is not guaranteed.
Production assistants typically earn just $8 an hour.
TV show directors can earn upward of $35,000 for a single one-hour episode -- if they hit it big.
We start principle photography tomorrow morning on the next round of "Pink" episodes. Shooting 25 more over the next two weeks.
BTW, I'm the director and actually make less than $8 an hour. Pretty glamorous, huh? :)
-Blake
CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
What are you voting for? Well, PINK is up for a "People's Voice Award" at the Webbys too. It's kinda like the People's Choice Awards. The audience votes on it's favorites.
PINK is up for best DRAMA: INDIVIDUAL EPISODE
You vote on the Webby Awards site. You do have to register, but it's quick and painless. Please help us out and go vote!
Thanks!
Blake
Just found out "PINK" has been nominated for a Webby Award in the category DRAMA: INDIVIDUAL EPISODE. Click here to see all nominees in Video Category. Our listing is about half way down page.
The Webby Awards are the the "Academy Awards" for the Internet, so it's a pretty cool thing!
Awards are June 10th in NYC. So fingers crossed!
-Blake
If you're in Dallas and are attending the AFI Film Festival stop by today and check out a panel I'm on...
WEBISODES, SCHMEBISODES
What Happened to Writing for Feature Films and Telelvision?
5:30pm
Co-hosted by Dallas Screenwriters Association
How does Internet distribution affect entertainment writing? Did the writer's strike change anything? Will writers earn income from "non-traditional" media?
Moderator: Elliot Kotek, Moving Pictures Magazine
Panelists: Blake Calhoun, Creator, "Pink"; Jim Hart, Screenwriter; and Brad Keller, Fireside Entertainment
And tomorrow I'm on another one...
THE INDIE PAYBACK REALITY
The Real Truth Behind the Cost, Risk and Prospects for the Independent Film Today
5:30pm
Co-hosted by Dallas Producers Association
This discussion will center on what to know before you start spending your hard-earned cash to make your dream feature film project.
Moderator: Corey Scholibo,"The Advocate"
Panelists: Charles Acosta, Arrival Pictures; and Additional Panelists TBA
I'm one of the "Additional Panelists TBA". :) Check them out if you can!
-Blake
It's been a great three weeks or so doing auditions for the next seasons of "Pink". Today we held our last ones and we'll be announcing the final cast next week.
Heck, our shoot starts in just over two weeks, so we gotta get things squared away!
This was one of the more extensive castings I have done. On my prevous projects I have typically cast folks I've either worked with before, or were referred to. It's worked out very well too. But this time I had to cast "college age" actors. All my friends now are pretty much in their late 20s to early 40s, so college doesn't really fit. But it's been a good experience and I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of fresh faces. Since "Pink" is a low budget show I acted as the Casting Director, so I've been involved from the very beginning. This is good though. I'm directing another web series in the next few months and will be going through the same process again. A lot of the actors I've seen recently are being considered for the new show as well. Hopefully it will help expedite that casting!
BTW, If anyone knows of a "college age" Matt Damon PLEASE let me know. We will need someone like that for the lead in the new show. More details will follow.
For now though it's back to "Pink". We kinda need to finalize the scripts now too. :)
-Blake
Check out this interview on TorrentTV with, uh, me! Show originally aired on satellite channel G4TechTV. Out promoting "Pink"...
PINK on TorrentTV
Add to My Profile | More Videos
Thanks!
Blake
Interesting article on the idea of artist (filmmakers, painters, musicians, etc.) finding 1000 True Fans to make a living. Obviously very relevant to online video.
What are "True Fans"? Read to find out
I love the idea. Being in control of your content and making a living is great. My only issue with his thesis is what is a "living"?
From the piece:
I am suggesting there is a home for creatives in between poverty and stardom. Somewhere lower than stratospheric bestsellerdom, but higher than the obscurity of the long tail. I don't know the actual true number, but I think a dedicated artist could cultivate 1,000 True Fans, and by their direct support using new technology, make an honest living.
From a filmmaking perspective, I think this is a stretch (due to cost of production), although he does suggest you'd likely need more True Fans (like 5000) to make a run at it.
What I'm trying to do with my web series "Pink" is find those True Fans, but also explore traditional distribution and marketing to find even a broader audience (without sacrificing too much creative control) and make a good living doing so.
-Blake
Thought I'd shared some cool press regarding our web series "Pink". The show was recently acquired by Santa Monica-based company Generate, run by former WB Network CEO Jordan Levin. We're now gearing up to produce 25 more episodes to be released over the summer...
Hollywood Reporter:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/
business/news/e3ic8069f8098734cd40e0f68323f74fca5
Variety:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981872.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1
NewTeeVee:
http://newteevee.com/2008/03/04/generate/
Broadcasting & Cable Magazine:
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6538138.html?desc=topstory
MediaWeek:
http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003719379
TV Week:
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/03/
generate_lands_6_million_in_fu.php
If you haven't seen the show please check it out. First 10 episodes are online now.
-Blake
Online video sharing site Revver has been acquired by, and now merged with social networking site LiveVideo.com (owned by one of the Myspace founders Brad Greenspan).
Full press release here.
I'm just glad they're still afloat! Rumor was times were getting tough for them. In my opinion Revver is one of the best video sites on the web. If you haven't checked them out, please do! It's where "Pink" was discovered afterall. :)
-Blake
We are casting for Season Two of "Pink" and are primarily looking for "college age" actors and actresses. If you would like to audition and are in the Dallas area please send your headshot/resume to loudpics@yahoo.com.
Thanks!
Blake
Good stuff... enjoy!
Unbelievable f**king cameos...
These should/could do good things for online video viewership.
-Blake
This year's Oscars seems to lack a lot of buzz to me. I've virtually heard no one talking about them, except for of course entertainment type shows, etc. Usually some friends of mine have an Oscar watching party and people enter a pool to win prizes. This year? None.
I was at a dinner party last night and the Oscars didn't even come up. Heck, we talked about the easement on the side of my house - but no Oscars. I'm a filmmaker too and they didn't really cross my mind.
The question is why?
My guess is that most "regular folks" haven't seen many, if any, of the nominated films. I've personally only seen "Juno", "No Country for Old Men", and "Atonement". Of course out of these films only "Juno" has been a hit, grossing over $120 million so far. Also I think the writer's strike might have put a bad taste in people's mouths for Hollywood in general. And of course for a while we didn't even know what kind of Oscar show there'd be if the strike had continued.
Are these the reasons? Maybe. Maybe not.
As a filmmaker I am interested in seeing who wins, but if I wasn't in the business I'd probably be watching a re-run of Gilligan's Island instead. Now that's entertainment. :)
-Blake
Cool Yahoo News section called "People of the Web" featuring a story "How to make a zombie for $50 or less"... there's an article AND a video to watch.
Nice info for indie filmmakers and fans alike...
Check it out!
-Blake
Check out this great podcast (from "On The Page") interview with Mike Maden, the writer of our web series "Pink"...
http://blip.tv/file/635227
-Blake
Where have all the good times gone?
Well, last night they were in Dallas. I went to the Van Halen concert at the American Airlines arena and it was great. Really good show. I almost bought a shirt. I didn't, but if I had school today I would have (don't tell me you didn't do that).
Funny thing is last time I saw Van Halen (the original group) was in Dallas in 1984. Ah, the good old days. It so happened that was the LAST TIME the band played together before their recent reunion (minus a few failed attempts over the years). BTW, this was of course not the "complete" original group. Bassist Michael Anthony is not on the tour. There are still hard feelings between him and Eddie regarding Sammy. So, Eddie's teenage son Wolfgang is playing in Michael's place. And he did a nice job. Kinda weird to think he wasn't even born when the band played in Dallas last.
It was very cool to hear all the favorites like "Jamie's Crying", "Dancing In The Street", "Atomic Punk", "Beautiful Girls", "Pretty Woman", etc., etc. They ONLY played David Lee Roth era songs. And they actually played a lot of deep cuts and B-side kinda stuff. Heard a rumor Eddie had to re-learn some of the songs! They even did "Ice Cream Man", which I don't recall seeing before - and it's one of the only songs Roth actually plays guitar on (he's good too).
A couple very cool things in this show that you very rarely see in today's newer bands are the presence of a Guitar Solo and Drum Solo. These are pretty much lost arts today. Now don't get me wrong. I love music from "modern" bands. And really as most folks know Nirvana was the band that killed the guitar solo - and since then (the early 90s) most bands don't do that. Which isn't a bad thing either. It's just nice to see an act that is SO focused on the lead guitar. And it's nice to be at a show that does the old routine of having a drum solo and then a guitar solo so the other guys can go take a piss and do a line of coke. Well, maybe not coke anymore for these guys. More like drink a coca-cola or a glass of ice tea.
But that's a good thing. The band seems like they're in a great place.
Eddie and Dave are definitely fit - for any age - but especially for being 53. Last night was actually Eddie's birthday and David got the crowd to sing Happy Birthday to him. That was fun. Eddie looks better now (since rehab) than he did 15 years ago.
One video-related thing I can share is they had a huge screen behind the stage that was basically just a projected image of the show (in HD). It was great though because otherwise we'd never been able to see much. Why? Well, we were in the nose bleed seats big time. I'd never sat that high up (can you say VERTIGO?). I don't want to sit there again either. You can't see. Heat rises, so it was real hot. And all the pot smoke rises, so it was hard to breathe at some points (especially when some dude fired up some skunk weed and then a cigar!).
In the end I had a blast and I'm looking forward to seeing them again in another 24 years. Talk about nostalgia (though, they're actually coming back to Dallas on March 3rd, so I might just go then).
But I think first I WILL get that shirt so I can show all my friends I went to the show last night. Of course today you don't have to actually go to the show to get a shirt. You can just buy it online. And while you're at it you can see the bootleg video of the show too, on YouTube.
I kinda miss 1984.
-Blake
This is an excellent talk by producer/director J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Cloverfield, etc.). A must watch for filmmakers out there. Thanks to Stu Maschwitz at the Prolost Blog...
WATCH VIDEO
-Blake
D-Day Invasion with only 4 guys? Eat your heart out Steven Spielberg...
See what can be done today with a little (or a lot) of imagination? GREAT STUFF!
-Blake
I'm taking some time off, so just wanted to say Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to everyone!
Thank you for reading my blog and supporting my various projects this past year. It's really been a good one!
A lot of cool stuff to look forward to in 2008 with "Pink", "Killing Down" and several other projects (at least one more web series and another feature film).
Talk to you next year! :)
-Blake
AFI AWARDS 2007 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
AFI has just announced the official selections of AFI AWARDS 2007, AFI's almanac that records the year's most outstanding achievements in film and television. Ten AFI Movies of the Year and 10 TV Programs of the Year have just been determined by the juries.
The honorees are listed below in alphabetical order, with my comments next to them:
AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR--OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (haven't seen it)
THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (nope, haven't seen it)
INTO THE WILD (loved this film, not a Sean Penn fan either, but it's great)
JUNO (planning to see it this weekend)
KNOCKED UP (wife has seen and loved it)
MICHAEL CLAYTON (looked boring to me, but heard it was good)
NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (loved 85% of the movie, last 15 minutes or so lost me a bit, but still very good - Josh Brolin was excellent)
RATATOUILLE (not a huge animation fan, but looks good)
THE SAVAGES (haven't seen it, but I really like Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman)
THERE WILL BE BLOOD (not out yet, but I'm a huge fan of Paul Thomas Anderson)
AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR--OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
DEXTER (my favorite current show, love it, and sad this season is over)
EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS (never seen it)
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (great show and shot in Texas)
LONGFORD (never heard of it)
MAD MEN (good show, though only watched part of it)
PUSHING DAISIES (I like the look, haven't watched entire episode)
THE SOPRANOS (my previous favorite show, great final season)
TELL ME YOU LOVE ME (haven't seen it, heard there's a lot of nudity so been meaning to check it out)
30 ROCK (is this still on TV?)
UGLY BETTY (I'm a Selma Hayek fan for sure, but only watched this show a few times)
Pretty impressive list of winners. I just need more time to go to the movies and watch TV. Thank goodness for Tivo (but I still don't have time to watch all the recorded shows!). :)
-Blake
A lot going on right now...
1. KILLING DOWN - my latest feature film is being distributed throughout Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. Still not sure when it will be showing up on DVD in these places, but it has to be very soon. Also, our domestic release should be this spring. We're very close to doing a DVD deal.
2. PINK - the web series is really doing well. We've now had 3.5 million views on YouTube alone. All told (on Myspace, iTunes, Revver, Metacafe, BlipTV and YouTube) we've had over 4 million views. This all since September - but really since Halloween. We've had several meetings regarding the future of the show, and should have some news by Christmas as to the direction (whether we'll be producing Season Two on our own again, or whether another company will come on board as a partner). Either way we hope/plan to shoot in February.
3. NEW "UNTITLED" FEATURE FILM - the new feature project is moving along well too. Not quite ready to release details of the film, but our script is done, we have an excellent casting director, and our financing is almost in place. In addition, we're already talking to several well-known actors about the project. If all goes well we could be rolling cameras by March - but that's probably too ambitious (see #2 above).
4. NEW WEB SERIES - we're actually looking at possibly TWO new web series. Details coming soon. The first one (which a lot of the footage already exist) will likely be released online in January 2008. The other one we're in talks about for later next year.
Whew! Like I said, a lot going on and a lot to keep up with. Luckily I'm pretty good at multi-tasking. :)
-Blake
