Sunday, July 17, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Because a van with no windows doesn't say "serial killer" enough
And the interior view:
Some cargo needs to be locked off from the driver.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Lessons Learned
One advantage of writing some of these low-budget films is that you learn your lessons the hard way.
Blockbuster online has some reviews posted, and here's an example:
Who'da thought that killing the dog 20 minutes into the movie might have some undesirable side effects?!
Some reviewers actually do like the emotionality of it -- but clearly several were not expecting the DVD with the cute, happy dog on the cover to turn into a FESTIVAL OF DEATH.
And, it really is something of a festival of death. We start in a cemetery, dog dies around 20 minutes in, then ghost dog and ghost dad *both* leave hero kid at end of movie.
My subsequent kids/family films are a tad less morbid.
Blockbuster online has some reviews posted, and here's an example:
Awful This movie was stated to be a family kids movie. This had my 6 yr old girl crying all night. Not a movie for kids if they love animals. The quality is horrible.
Who'da thought that killing the dog 20 minutes into the movie might have some undesirable side effects?!
Some reviewers actually do like the emotionality of it -- but clearly several were not expecting the DVD with the cute, happy dog on the cover to turn into a FESTIVAL OF DEATH.
And, it really is something of a festival of death. We start in a cemetery, dog dies around 20 minutes in, then ghost dog and ghost dad *both* leave hero kid at end of movie.
My subsequent kids/family films are a tad less morbid.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Career indecision
While there are many practical disadvantages to starting screenwriting at 38, one advantage is that you feel like you're in your 20s at 45.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
For free advertising on the internet, cast stars with a high nerd-Q-factor
My last four movies got almost no press. But this one isn't even on IMDb yet and we got:
DreadCentral
geektyrant
Horrorbid
HorrorAsylum
BloodyDisgusting
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
I'll finally get some street cred -
- amongst all my Buffy/Angel fan friends. Charisma Carpenter is starring in my movie!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Deadly Sibling Rivalry
Somehow the blurb ended up on-line for the next movie going into production:
Evil twins! How can that not be awesome?
This will shoot in February, but I couldn't get the timing right so I won't be out there at the beginning. I might be out there again first week of March and catch the tail-end of the shoot, though.
This is one I'm the sole writer on. However the base concept came out of a kind of machine. The bosses made up a list of different Lifetime-y concepts (each basically described in about as much depth as the above blurb), then ran them through a sort of internet focus group to see which ones were most appealing to their demographic. Apparently that makes network executives far more comfortable when they say, "go with that one".
I'll likely be starting in on another one of these Lifetime-style films before too long -- but this time an actual remake of a Lifetime movie from the 90s! I was a tad surprised too. TV movies get remade?!
The producers are also trying to get involved with SyFy this year and make a movie for them. They are desperate to do this because they are all males.
It is hard, however, to get into business with SyFy. I have a theory that this is because most producers, writers, and directors are male, and if they're going to do a low-budget TV movie, they all want to do something like giant piranha tarantulas.
I know I do.
After a wife and mother falls into a coma following a car accident, her troubled twin sister steals her identity to start over with a new life. Problems arise, however, when the comatose woman's daughter gets suspicious.
Evil twins! How can that not be awesome?
This will shoot in February, but I couldn't get the timing right so I won't be out there at the beginning. I might be out there again first week of March and catch the tail-end of the shoot, though.
This is one I'm the sole writer on. However the base concept came out of a kind of machine. The bosses made up a list of different Lifetime-y concepts (each basically described in about as much depth as the above blurb), then ran them through a sort of internet focus group to see which ones were most appealing to their demographic. Apparently that makes network executives far more comfortable when they say, "go with that one".
I'll likely be starting in on another one of these Lifetime-style films before too long -- but this time an actual remake of a Lifetime movie from the 90s! I was a tad surprised too. TV movies get remade?!
The producers are also trying to get involved with SyFy this year and make a movie for them. They are desperate to do this because they are all males.
It is hard, however, to get into business with SyFy. I have a theory that this is because most producers, writers, and directors are male, and if they're going to do a low-budget TV movie, they all want to do something like giant piranha tarantulas.
I know I do.
Friday, January 07, 2011
My home away from home?
Park Motel on Google
Adding the text below if you can't read the picture:
JohnPic - Sep 23, 2009
Hell hole This place is so bad and over-run by whores/day laborers, it's used in tv/movies as a go-to "Crack hotel" Filthy sheets, owners mill around the parking lot at night/early AM preventing any chance at sleep. Dog-faced lady tends weeds on back wall, and screeches like a banshee the minute it's "Chekooooo" time,. Better off sleeping in your car-safer, less chance of scabies. The proverbial "Turd in the Punchbowl" in an otherwise nice neighborhood. Days Inn 2 doors up is a much safer alternative. You've been warned.
Dmitry - Mar 18, 2008
The worst motel I've ever been... The worst motel I've ever been... If you like japaneese horror films you might like this place otherwise I would strongly recommend to find other place to stay. =)
Adding the text below if you can't read the picture:
JohnPic - Sep 23, 2009
Hell hole This place is so bad and over-run by whores/day laborers, it's used in tv/movies as a go-to "Crack hotel" Filthy sheets, owners mill around the parking lot at night/early AM preventing any chance at sleep. Dog-faced lady tends weeds on back wall, and screeches like a banshee the minute it's "Chekooooo" time,. Better off sleeping in your car-safer, less chance of scabies. The proverbial "Turd in the Punchbowl" in an otherwise nice neighborhood. Days Inn 2 doors up is a much safer alternative. You've been warned.
Dmitry - Mar 18, 2008
The worst motel I've ever been... The worst motel I've ever been... If you like japaneese horror films you might like this place otherwise I would strongly recommend to find other place to stay. =)
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