September 30th, 2009
Jesse Pomeroy’s “worldfullofnothing”, a feature drama centered on an internet suicide hoax, was an official selection at the 2009 Naperville Independent Film Festival this past week. Jesse and I attended, along with the Executive Producers, and we picked up nominations in three categories: Best Feature (Producers Jesse Pomeroy, Markus Innocenti), Best Actress (Angela Bozier) and Best Director (Jesse Pomeroy).
Saturday night’s Gala Award ceremony brought indie film-lovers out from all over the Chicago area. Roger Ebert received an emotional welcome, Karen Allen (Raiders of the Lost Ark) was there to hand over the Best Actress award, and Jim Peterik (Survivor, .38 Special) performed a rousing acoustic version of his “Eye of The Tiger” which got the audience suitably pumped to rise up to the challenge of a rival.
“worldfullofnothing” lost out to G.R. Kearny’s “Handicapped” for Best Feature, but in a tense, Oscar-worthy moment, the announcement for Best Director came down to two words. Jesse Pomeroy.
Much excitement ensued from the “worldfullofnothing” table as Jesse collected a handsome trophy (fabricated by the same folks who make the better-known Academy Award) — and I learned that it is a good feeling to stroll around the after-party with an award under your arm.
Naperville is a fest still in its infancy, but organizers Glessna and Edmond Coisson, Daniel Nigg and Gary Pradel are working hard to create a must-go-to fest in the Mid-West.
Now, if they could just sort out the catastrophe that calls itself American Airlines, all would be good in the world.
September 19th, 2009
That lovely and talented Manchester lass, Ms. Laura Shields, was spotted clubbing in Hollywood tonight and gave “The Missing Link” a name-check. Laura plays ‘Ana’ in the caveman comedy, adding the kind of glamor it is hard to imagine in pre-historic times. She’s also featured in Maxim’s 2010 calendar - not, however, wearing the cavegirl bikini she wears in “Link”. To see that, you’ll have to wait a little longer - so, for now, her she is night-clubbing.
Laura Shields in Hollywood
August 20th, 2009
Heard the one about the producer-writer-director who made a 20 minute short feature on 35mm? Received wisdom, to hear the industry-speak, is that investing $5,000 on a “short” and producing it on ‘film’ no less, is about the stupidest thing a filmmaker can do. But guess what - the filmmaker in question has made $35,000 so far in domestic and international distribution.
That’s a return on investment few filmmakers get to see, so I think there’s a new paradigm being put into place. “And what is that”? you ask. People are getting used to seeing stories told in a very short time frame. Thank you, You Tube. It’s no longer a weird stretch to watch a “short”.
Which brings me to filmmaker Hannah Cowley and her debut short feature, “Flame of The West”. A sparkling debut mentored by Jane Campion (yes, that Jane Campion) and executive produced by your humble servant. “Flame of the West” was made for a small ‘two-figure’ sum. It has, so far, garnered a ‘three-figure’ sum in North American distribution fees, giving Hannah a substantial ROI.
Hannah talks about the film in an interview with Emrhys Cooper of Mamma Mia! fame. You can watch it here.
Emrhys Cooper gets intimate with Hannah Cowley
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July 21st, 2009
The views on You Tube for the “Stop It, Said The Raven” promo trailer have blasted through 17,000 in just over a week, due largely to the appearance of former Miss Switzerland Nadine Vinzens. And with Comic Con coming up, anything to do with “The X-Files” Dean Haglund (attached to play Dr. Dale Webster) is bound to attract some attention. All of which shows the power of “name attachments” and the far-flung reach of the web into niche interests. We live in exciting times.
Stop It, Said The Raven
July 21st, 2009
Congratulations to Jesse Pomeroy and to everyone involved in “worldfullofnothing”. In a single day we garnered a positive review at filmsnobbery.com where the reviewer predicted the movie may be destined to become a ‘cult classic’ and then we heard that the film is an Official Selection at the Naperville Independent Film Festival, Illinois, September 19-26.
http://filmsnobbery.com/2009/07/20/world-full-of-nothing/#more-715
I’ve got a feeling distribution may be just around the corner!
July 10th, 2009
The amusement continues. A quick trawl through You Tube brought this gem to the surface. The Spanish Language trailer for my debut movie, “Murder Story” (aka “Relato Criminal”).
Enjoy!
\”Murder Story\”, the Spanish Dub
June 1st, 2009
Windtalker Productions is producing a teazer/sizzle reel of feature suspense thriller “Stop It, Said The Raven”.
Producer-Screenwriter Phil Aslaksen assembled a hard-working cast and crew for the one day shoot on location in Torrance and Palos Verdes, California. Markus Innocenti directed with Nadine Vinzens in the role of “Savannah”. An excellent supporting cast included Alina Andrei as “Felicia”, Lee McDermott as “Ronny”, Janine Foster McKenna as “Armynel” and Phil Aslaksen as “Erik”.
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May 25th, 2009
After 17 long years, it has finally happened. My work has been pirated. Trawling the deep seas of the internet, I came across postings of a “rave” I co-produced - and filmed for a documentary - back in June 1992.
The event was “The Earthquaker” — an all-night rave party held at Dalleagles Farm, Scotland. With some of the top technos dj’s and artists of the time, Europe’s largest circus big top filled up with 15,000 people dancing to a 120K sound system with the most advanced sub-woofer array in the world. Hard-core ravers came from all over the UK, Europe, the USA and as far away as Japan. The lighting and laser rigs were bigger than anything seen at any rave before or since.
Original Flyer for "The Earthquaker"
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April 19th, 2009
Dean Haglund, who memorably played Lone Gunman Richard “Ringo” Langley in the X-Files, has confirmed that he will play eccentric psychiatrist Dr. Dale in “Stop It, Said The Raven”, for Windtalker Productions. Markus Innocenti is set to direct.
Dean Haglund
“We’re very excited that Dean has come onboard”, says Windtalker’s Phil Aslaksen, “his presence in our cast elevates our project and positions us to broaden our target audience”. Aslaksen wrote the screenplay and, in addition to his producer and stunt co-ordinating duties, will also play the role of “Erik” in the forthcoming production.
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April 17th, 2009
Last night, in a secret ceremony at an undisclosed location on Fairfax and 3rd, Markus Innocenti was inducted into the Writers Guild of America (west).
“I am unable to reveal the exact nature of what took place,” Innocenti said, early this morning,”other than I am now a part of something bigger than myself. And older. Much older. And bigger.”
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