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Showing posts from February, 2009

Regional filmmaking going global

I've always thought that regional filmmaking was the future. This tells us abuot "Nollywood." The filmmaking community in Nigeria. We sort of have this in the United States. Take a look at some studios and distributors such as "Tempe Video" . Nothing new, and I'm sure as time goes by there will be more "Nollywoods".

The Auditions

I held auditions 4 months before we started shooting Deadly Obsessions. I had originally wanted to shoot sometime in July, but August wound up as a better month for all of us. Before that I looked through hundreds of head shots that were mailed to me after putting a casting notice in Backstage. I found a rehearsal hall in Manhattan near 23rd street, and that's where I held it. My wife, and my father-in-law Sal went with me, and that day we saw a couple of actors. Phyllis set-up a small spread of bagels, and coffee and we began casting early after 9 AM. I had emailed, and/or sent the actors sides of the script. The sides were of two scenes and I was casting for the four main characters. This scene is of Karen Stanion , and Irene Glezos reading. Karen is playing the part of Rebecca, but in the film she plays Lisa. Michelle Verhoeven eventually played Rebecca, and I'll put that audition up next. Since the scene is long I figured I break it up here. I think through this clip you

Time to kick the tires, and light the fires!

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What is he talking about? I guess that's what your saying about now. Actually it was a line from " Independence Day " that Harry Connick Jr . says to Will Smith . Hey since I'm such a cinephile you know a movie quote was the only way I could express myself. Okay buddy I got the line, but what do you mean by it? Simple. I need to make a film. What film?, and what type of film I can only surmise would be a documentary of sorts. Who of you ask? Well I figured I start with my dad. I've been obsessed about his life since he became sick, and then passed away. Dad wasn't the most talkative person around, and he was pretty obstinate, but he was dad and we loved him. So what has this got to do about film making? Dad would say if you're a filmmaker "make me a film". It's that simple, and since my resources are stretched at the moment I figured I better do something that was a bit personal. I have been writing on and off about a man who suffers from Alz

The Wrestler (2008)

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Okay where do I begin? " The Wrestler" is a movie filled with heart & brutality, and it is Mickey Rourke 's portrayal of Randy 'The Ram' Robinson that makes this film what it is. There are also great performances by Marisa Tomei as Cassidy, and Evan Rachel Wood as Stephanie Robinson. Darren Aronofsky is the director of this film and again like with Pi and Requiem for a Dream Aronofsky creates a world that you cannot take your eyes off of. When you think the film is going one way Aronofsky takes you in a different direction. There is so much that could have gone wrong with this film that doesn't. Robert D. Siegel wrote the "Wrestler", and in it their is a lot of truth in it. The film is about Randy 'The Ram' Robinson who after twenty years is still wrestling. Only this time it's to smaller crowds, and less money. Robinson works in a supermarket, and lives in a trailer park. He frequents a strip club where Marisa Tomei 's c