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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