DVD might be in the works

Things have been going well here at EGTTR. I recently finalized the new title of the next film..."The Brave and the Kind" and started story outlines. Thanks to all the great feedback from friends and mentors that are helping to shape the film.

In distribution news, Indipix.net and I are working on perhaps having the film available for download through their website. What's great about Indiepix is that they give you free software that helps you download the film straight to a DVD right at home. It's faster and easier to get my film onto DVD for living room viewing. PLUS, If all works out, Randall, Holland, and I will be doing the commentary track to be included with the new menu and a few extras. They are a great site that represents some really wonderful indie films. Stay tuned to this blog and sign up for the newsletter on the home page for updates! :-)

Finally in screening news. All is a go and the first "preview" will be showing at Troy Night Out. Check out the store front at 260 Broadway, Troy, NY. I'll be around interviewing for Zine and handing out info/collecting for our charity HATAS. The first REAL screening will be at The Crooked Lake House this Saturday at 7PM. Stop in for some food from their excellent menu and watch the film on a plasma screen...very high tech. :-) Thanks to Paul Vincent and Paul Franchini for having us and allowing us to shoot there in the first place.



Crooked Lake House



Here are the screening dates:

November 30th - storefront preview of screening schedule and film at TROY NIGHT OUT.
December 1st - screening at the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park 7PM
December 7th - First Friday screening in Albany at UAG 9PM
December 8th - Albany Screening at CDFI 8PM
December 15th - Saratoga Film Forum screening 8PM

Iceland

Sorry for the gap in blogs this month. Just went to Iceland via my brother's house in Purchase and it's been a long 6 days. First off...I love my brother to death, but his party made me realize a very sad thing. Most people don't want to change the world, they'd rather consume it, live in it, and say nothing against it...as long as their quality of life is not threatened. Don't get me wrong, most of Neil's friends are awesome, loving people, who I love hanging out with, BUT, the swarm of rowdy, drunk, assholes that showed up to his party made it hard for me to focus...causing panic. This, coupled with two misplaced shots of REALLY good Tequila, and I'm a bumbling mess trying to find a mental foothold in a world I once thought I had figured out. However, it has helped me realize a few things and for that it was completely worth it. I had a blast Neil and would do it again. :-) Thanks to you and all your friends...the cool ones.;-)



Then it was on to Iceland. What can I say about Iceland...I love pretty much everything about this country and I only saw the very tip. A friendly country with warm people, smart views on family, education, and energy. Not a skyscraper in sight and the temperate climate means it never gets really below 20 degrees, even though it's in the Arctic Circle. Rae and I sampled the local food and rented a car one day for a trip around the "Golden Circle"





My only wish is that I had more money and a longer stay. The 10:30 AM sunrise with 5 hours of sunlight a day took a bit getting used to. However, the only other place I've ever felt more at home at was Ireland. There is something incredibly sad about always feeling like a visitor or alien in your own country. I'm getting quite sick of the feeling and looking to remedy that as soon as possible.

cheers
John

New Film With Book Planned...Thanks Jon Katz

So after a photo/computer lesson at Bedlam Farm. Jon has convinced me of not just making one book, but two books. There is a book publisher down in Troy that helps you self publish and I think that's the best way to go with my upcoming photo "tri-series". Raeanne is designing a brand for all three ideas to fall under; we would then make a book of the three series and use it to seek representation in galleries across the country. As for the next film, shooting has already begun with some back story/interview stuff starring my grandfather. The book to accompany this film would talk about the process of going from your first feature to your second feature. Jon felt that there is a process and idea that I'm working on and haven't quite defined for myself..why else would I be making another film with similar subject matter. He's right and I think it will make a nice piece to bridge the two. Can anyone say dual disc DVD with book supplement...I can. :-)


cheers
John

Here is an image of series I'm starting to research...it's called 2050 and involves in- camera masking of miniatures...more to come.

HATAS at Crossgates November 17th-18th

If you're in the Albany area this weekend, stop by the Crossgates Mall, and after shopping pop on over to the HATAS Gingerbread House Extravaganza. HATAS is our charity for the film screenings and this event is sure to please. It's even a bigger plus if you have children, who will most certainly want the sugar.:-)

Cheers
John

Final Screening Postcard

These are the postcards for the screenings designed by the talented Raeanne Wright! Hope to see you at one of the shows.

Cheers
john

November 30th - Storefront preview of screening schedule and film at TROY NIGHT OUT.
December 1st - Screening at the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park 7PM
December 5th - UPSTATE INDEPENDENTS GALA - clips
December 7th - First Friday screening in Albany at UAG 9PM
December 8th - Albany Screening at CDFI 8PM
December 15th - Saratoga Film Forum screening 8PM

SARATOGA FILM FORUM SCREENING!

Well it's confirmed, I will be screening the film at the Saratoga Film Forum for a one night only/meet the filmmaker type event. All money that would have gone to me for the film, will now be going to the charity HATAS. Very exciting. The schedule stands as this so fat:


November 30th - storefront preview of screening schedule and film at TROY NIGHT OUT.
December 1st - screening at the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park 7PM
December 5th - UPSTATE INDEPENDENTS GALA - clips
December 7th - First Friday screening in Albany at UAG 9PM
December 8th - Albany Screening at CDFI 8PM
December 15th - Saratoga Film Forum screening 8PM

Thanks to the Film Forum and thanks to all that have been sending me feedback...it's VERY helpful! :-)


Cheers
John

UI Gala confirmed...We have a charity!

SCREENING UPDATE! Talked With Kevin Craig West of Upstate Independents and it looks like we'll have some clips in the show. I will be there collecting for charity...what charity you say.

HATAS
Homeless and Travelers Aid Society

I couldn't think of a better charity/film pairing. It's an organization that helps Capital District people survive. Be it homelessness, mental illness, or drug abuse. AND it's right here in the Capital Region....so the money doesn't go to some far off cause. Stay tuned for more info and hopefully more dates (if the demand is there. :-)

Cheers
John


Nov 30th - storefront preview of screening schedule and film at TROY NIGHT OUT.
December 1st - screening at the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park
December 5th - UPSTATE INDEPENDENTS GALA - clips
December 7th - First Friday screening in Albany at UAG
December 8th - Albany Screening at CDFI
December 11th - Crandall Library - still pending

John gets a weekend off...Toonces happy?

So in this hectic life I often find myself with not one spare moment that hasn't been planned. Don't get me wrong, it's absolutely wonderful to have my life filled with great moments with awesome friends and family. After hearing of a friends loss this past Wed (hang in there buddy) I spend most of my Friday contemplating what's important. I've often said life is becoming transparent....and it is. BUT, you need to always take time to count your blessings and reaffirm your priorities; Rae and I are doing just that this weekend. I ask if Toonces is happy simply because she likes attention, but not this much, she can sense we're looking for meaning and knows she can only supply some of it. A look that says "get a life" is all I need from her.


Cheers
John

You Tube...no substitute for a good ole' fashion screening

So because of the special YouTube "10min rule" I've been posting up pieces on myspace and "my foxsearchlight" a few groups at a time. The final 4 pieces are up, but remember...you can always download the entire film on the website for free...instead of watching crappy YouTube vids. The social networks have been great as instruments for getting the word out about the film, however, their impact on society and human interaction are pretty horrible. Plus I'm SO sick of getting friend requests from the same girl with no clothes on and getting my account hacked so that all my friends think I'm selling Macy's or Avon. At least Facebook only sends your info to the CIA. ;-) This 10 min rule reaffirms my notion that people are getting less and less interested in well made, long format, internet content. We are one monkey hair away from watching the next season of "Ow my balls" on internet repeat. (Idiocracy joke) Does a film like mine even have a place in a word where internet content is 2 min snipits of TV shows, people's idiotic video responses, and fan trailers? Have we already gone too far and given way too many people the power to express themselves to everyone in the world instantly. Are we spreading intelligence, or are we spreading mediocrity. Your thoughts?

In other exciting news, a week of screenings in the Albany area is in the works for the first week of December. Playing at exciting venues and events, it promises to be a blast. PLUS, the suggested 2-5 dollar donation is also being given away to charity. The charity is almost finalized, but it will be a charity that helps local people survive the winter. If you've seen the film you know that's a good choice in charity. If you haven't seen the film, well then you just need to download yourself a copy. (or email me...I'll send you one if you're in dire straights.)

here are some of the dates so far:

Nov 30th - storefront preview of screening schedule and film at TROY NIGHT OUT.
December 1st - screening at the Crooked Lake House in Averill Park...part of the film was shot here.
December 5th - UPSTATE INDEPENDENTS GALA - clips/entire film...STILL PENDING
December 7th - First Friday screening in Albany at UAG
December 8th - Albany Screening at CDFI
December 11th - Crandall Library - still pending as well

If you can think of any other place to show, or of a killer charity...send it my way. I leave you with a promo image of the film.

Cheers
John
AND REMEMBER
Download us...share us...blog us...link us...