Browsing Tag

indie film

Film, Pop Culture

Help Bring What We Do in the Shadows to ‘Merica!

Last year, I saw one of the funniest movies ever.

I’m often full of hyperboles, but I’m not shitting you here.

It’s called What We Do in the Shadows and stars the film’s writers and directors, New Zealanders Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement.

I watched the film at SXSW 2014 (it initially premiered at Sundance 2014), and I nearly crapped myself. From laughter. Not the free SXSW tacos.

Imagine This is Spinal Tap but with lovable vampires from New Zealand.

Are you imagining it?

Now imagine yourself riding a horse bareback with Fabio.

For the past 11 months, I’ve anxiously awaited the US release of What We Do in the Shadows. I even tweeted at the film’s official Twitter account, @deliciousnecks, hoping for some answers. I was told that a release would come very soon.

So, that brings me today.I was tooling around Kickstarter and was surprised to discover a campaign posted by Jemaine Clement asking for funds to do a US release for What We Do in the Shadows.

I had two (more…)

February 10, 2015 by
Film, Pop Culture, Writing

Have You Seen Holy Hell?: The First Film to Premiere on the iPad is Making Waves in Interactive Media

So, y’all have heard about the first ever iPad movie, Holy Hell, shot in good ol’ Austin, TX, right?

If you haven’t been following this cutting-edge series, the final chapter of the film will be released today and you should check it out so you can become one of the cool kids that can  say, “Yeah… I just watched the first ever movie made for the iPad,  SO WHAT?”

In celebration of the final chapter’s debut, the filmmakers are offering the entire film FOR FREE this Friday, January 11th and Saturday, January 12th.

The film has been getting a lot of buzz in the film and tech industries, with its own flashy SXSW Interactive panel to add to its long list of cool factors.

The feature stars Edwin Neal (TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE), Kenneth Wayne Bradley (DRIVE ANGRY), Barbara Chisholm (FAST FOOD NATION) and Ellie McBride (TREE OF LIFE), and was directed by director Rafael Antonio Ruiz, who is currently voyaging the festival circuit with his acclaimed short A Quiet Girl’s Guide to Violence (more…)

January 8, 2013 by
Austin, Film, Pop Culture

SXSW Official 2012 Film Line-Up

SXSW just released their official 2012 film line-up yesterday and there are a lot of goodies.

Over the next weeks, I will be posting about some  of the must-see films of the year.

In the meantime, check out the list of films below.
Narrative Feature Competition:

Booster

  • Director & Screenwriter: Matt Ruskin
  • When Simon’s brother is arrested for armed robbery, he is asked to commit a string of similar crimes in an attempt to get his brother acquitted.
  • Cast: Nico Stone, Adam DuPaul, Seymour Cassel, Kristin Dougherty, Brian McGrail
  • (World Premiere)

Eden

  • Director: Megan Griffiths | Screenwriters: Richard B. Phillips & Megan Griffiths | Story by: Richard B. Phillips & Chong Kim
  • A young Korean-American girl, abducted and forced into prostitution by domestic human traffickers, joins forces with her captors in a desperate plea to survive.
  • Cast: Jamie Chung, Matt O’Leary, Beau Bridges, Jeanine Monterroza, Scott Mechlowicz
  • (World Premiere)

Gayby

February 2, 2012 by
20-Something, Film, Music, Pop Culture

The Indie-Urban Existential Crisis

I’m reaching an age where it takes a lot for me to stay focused and interested in contemporary independent film and music.

I’m reaching an age where unless a film has a point or a song is originally written, displays some sort of individual talent and doesn’t sound like a band I heard back in the 60’s-90’s, I fall asleep, turn it off, or get up and leave.

This sort of behavior does not make it easy for me to go to the theater with friends or listen to music recommendations. Because of this, I’m absolutely not in the know on what is indie-urban popular, because, well, most of the time I think it’s absolute shit.

This goes against the idea of being a “hipstercrite”, I guess. I really can’t go on and on about how I hate Lana Del Rey, talk about what movies are currently hot at Sundance or manifest Ryan Gosling memes.

The alternative, the irreverent and the ironic is my bag, but lately I’m finding a lot of it forced and showing lack of skill. More often than that, I’m finding (more…)

January 24, 2012 by
Film, Hipstercrite Life

Rudy’s Barbershop Loves Loves Her Gun

So check this.

We partnered with one of my all-time barbershops on our film, Loves Her Gun.

Rudy’s Barbershop is featuring our little movie as one of their Rudy’s Saves projects. Every year, the company selects an artistic endeavor to support and this year they chose us! Rudy’s supported artists in the past like Shepard Fairey, OJAS, Eric Elms, KAWS, and our lead actress Trieste Kelly Dunn.

We’re so stoked to be working with Rudy’s. When I lived in LA that was the only place I got my hair cut. At the Melrose store, I always enjoyed looking at the cut-outs of scantily clad 70’s men. Rudy’s is the original hipster barbershop.

Rudy’s interviewed Geoff and I about writing and making the film. Somehow David Byrne and Pee-Wee Herman got mentioned.

If you’d like to learn more about our partnership with Rudy’s and read our interview, go here.

If you want to get the most awesomest haircut on the planet, check out the list of Rudy’s locations here. Rudy’s is located in Seattle, (more…)

January 12, 2012 by
Film, Pop Culture, Writing

CSI- Legoland

You’ve seen the Youtube hit Mario, right? RIGHT?! Like who hasn’t? When it premiered at SXSW 2011 it blew up the Youtube like cray-cray. Who doesn’t love a dramatization of the life and loves of an Italian-American plumber? Well, the director behind Mario is back with another delightful gem. Local director and Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” honoree Joe Nicolosibrings us CSI: Legoland.

Check it out!

*Warning- This video contains graphic images of Legos being decapitated. Viewer discretion is advised.

October 21, 2011 by
Austin, Hipstercrite Life, Writing

Beyond 6th Interview

On Sunday I was interviewed by the wonderful gang over at Beyond 6th.

Beyond 6th is a weekly love letter podcast to Austin. Hosts @EddieCantu @BriDraffen @JustinTArthur and @WadeofHonor interview local artists and talk about what is going on in this marvelous city. I had a blast meeting with them and I highly recommend subscribing to their podcast.

I met Beyond 6th in a swanky apartment above 6th Street. Did I think I would have the same fate as Paul Allen? Maybe. But that didn’t stop me from forgoing the beer they offered me before the interview and digging into the sweet, sweet sweet tea vodka. As you will notice, at some point in the interview I have difficultly finishing thoughts and sentences.

Listening to yourself is never a fun experience, but I was happy to notice that I didn’t sound like Kermit the Frog over the podcast. Not that Kermit the Frog sounds shitty, I mean, who the f doesn’t love Kermit the Frog? But Kermit is not sexy, you know? I’ve been striving for the (more…)

October 20, 2011 by
Film

We’re Almost Finished Making a Movie!

We just wrapped our Austin shoot onLoves Her Gun. The gang is now en route to NYC in a Winnebago that looks like this:

Our three week shoot in Austin has been awesome. We had so many wonderful cast and crew helping to make this movie something special. The footage looks great and we had some amazing talent in front of the camera. Our lead actress, Trieste Kelly Dunn, has starred in the IFC filmCold Weather, the indie hit Vacation!, and starred on the law drama Canterbury’s Law. Here is a picture of Trieste getting bruised by our make-up artist Liz Rische.

photo by Brandi
Our lead actor, Francisco Barreiro, happens to be one of the hottest talents coming out of Mexico City and we are so lucky to be able to work with him. His last movie, We Are What We Are, a film about a cannibalistic family living in LA, premiered in Cannes and Fantastic Fest last year!
 
Our film also stars the absolutely adorable Austin-based actress Ashley Spillers and NYC writer/director/actor (more…)
September 22, 2011 by
Film, Pop Culture

When Movie Productions Go Bad

Working on a low-budget indie film is new to me. When I worked in Hollywood I worked for big people and therefore there was big money put into the films (in other words I worked on pieces of crap). Everything was taken care of on set- food, transportation, accommodations- and you only had to worry about your own duties and not making eye contact with ANYONE.

On a low-budget, guerrilla-style indie feature, none of this applies. Typically cast and crew wear many hats, eat homemade meals, and sleep on air mattresses. As stressful as it sounds, it can be a lot of fun because the ego involved in Hollywood is nonexistent. Everyone is the same and all working towards the same goal. They’re working on the project because they believe in it.

Currently we have 6 people sleeping in a 3 bedroom house with only 1 bed and 4 couches including one couch from the set of Tree of Life. We are all sleep-deprived and pushed to the max. Daily needs like eating, showering, and peeing have gone out the window. (more…)

September 9, 2011 by
Film

Loves Her Gun

Holy crap, we’re making a movie!
I can’t believe it’s actually happening.
One day Geoff and I were writing a treatment, next thing I know we’re starting production.
Today we’re on day 5 of production. Some of us have gotten very little sleep.
From the support of friends and fans, we were able to reach our US Artists goal. We have a terrific cast and crew on board whose talents have been showcased in Cannes, Sundance, and SXSW. Trieste Kelly Dunn (Cold Weather, Canterbury’s Law) is playing our flawed heroine and Francisco Barreiro (We Are What We Are) as our loveable knight in hipster armor.

So besides being the co-writer and general extra hand on set, I’m also handling all the social media and PR for the film. If you have a moment, please check out our Tumblr page which we will update with photos, videos, and fun stories about independent filmmaking. Same with our Facebook page. I also finally set up an Instagram page which I’m having so much fun with!

I will update more later. (more…)

September 6, 2011 by