During the Boys of Summerville premiere, Brooks Benjamin mentioned that they would post an eBay auction for the "Summerville Welcomes You" sign that was used in the movie. During the premiere, it was signed by the cast and crew in attendance, and now... it can be yours forever!
And best of all... 100% of the final price will go to the charity: A PLACE TO BARK, which is a no kill animal rescue center in Portland, TN.
This place works on donations and isn't government funded, and can definitely use your help! We were hoping to leave the charity portion blank so the buyer could choose which charity he or she wants, but alas... eBay says we cannot... So we found A PLACE TO BARK and Lee Loo, Brook's and Jackie's wonderful German Shepherd mix (who makes a cameo appearance in the movie) agreed... it will be the perfect charity!
So, go to the eBay listing and place your bid now! You'll get to own a piece of Summerville, a piece of indie movie history, and help out our little furry friends in the process!!! Happy bidding, and please forward this email to everyone you know!
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On April 17, 2008, the Boys of Summerville, came to Knoxville. Regal Downtown West provided a great venue for the cast, crew, and director Brooks Benjamin, to unveil the entirely locally shot production. In addition to the cast/crew, actor James Hampton and his wife/actress Mary Deese were in attendance to show their support of the film.
Introductions were given by Mary Martin, Chief Executive Assistant to Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Michael Barnes, Executive Director for the East Tennessee Television & Film Commission. The film opened to a completely sold out crowd (300 + people). Michael Barnes said, “This is a great event for the Knoxville film community, and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a locally produced film”.
Following the premiere, the night continued at the official after party hosted at the Knoxville Museum of Art. Party guests/media had the chance to meet & greet the cast and director. The premiere and after party were sure signs that the film community in Knoxville is alive and well, and ready for more opportunities to showcase locally shot productions.
Written by Anthony Embry
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By popular request: here are some shots of the bands who had music in the Boys of Summerville on the red carpet Premiere last Thursday!]
All images except 11:11 (from their MySpace page, photog not known): Please give photo credit to www.KnoxvilleFilms.com. Thanks!
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Click on thumbnails for a 1K JPEG. If you would like to repost these images please add a photo credit for www.KnoxvilleFilms.com. Thanks!
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Congratulatuions to the entire cast & crew of Boys of Summerville on a tremendous film and a star filled premiere from Knoxville Films!
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Don't forget the red carpet action begins tonight at 5:15pm! The stars from the movie will arrive in limos and will be posing for the paparazzi in their full Hollywood splendor! The screening begins at 7pm at Regal Downtown West.
Live at 5 will be doing a live remote from the red carpet at around 5:10 so be sure to set your Tivo to record that! Tonight's screening is SOLD OUT! We will add an update if and when a second screening is added.
And of course, Knoxville Films will be on the red carpet bringing you photographs and blogs live from the event. It promises to be a magical night with the stars!
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Every once and awhile a movie comes around that is so powerful, it has the power to change everything. In a world filled with movies about cops, teenage sex, and war, comes a movie about returning home, friends reunited, and of course--soft ball. That movie is Boys of Summerville.
Boys of Summerville is simply the best soft ball movie ever made. Here's what the critics are saying:"...a heart warming romp though the beautiful small cities of Tennessee... Benjamin's second work is pure cinematic gold..." -LA Times
The red carpet Premiere for Boys of Summerville takes place tonight! The limos begin rolling onto the red carpet at 5:15pm and the show starts at 7pm. The 7pm screening is SOLD OUT but there is rumor of a possible second screening. Keep an eye on Knoxville Films for details!
"...Summerville is a perfect book end to Point of Fear... instead of killing people, they are all united in killing the other team... stunning..." -USA Today
"Casey Payne and Allison Varnes heat up the screen again. The sparks fly like softballs heading to the outfield. Brilliant performances..." -NY Times
"The best softball movie ever" -Sports Illustrated
"I laughed, I cried, it was better than Cats" -Homeless Guy
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Creative. Visionary. Pansy.
These are just three of the words that have been used to describe child genius director, Brooks Benjamin. In this Knoxville Films exclusive, the former circus performer turned independent film mogul shares the secrets of his life growing up in small town Harrogate—as a girl.
We meet up with Brooks in Portafino, a small town outside of Milan on the Italian Riviera. Brooks and his new wife (they were married on the Internet earlier today) have just purchased their latest real estate gem, a 22,000 square foot "cottage" high in the cliffs of Portafino. Brooks has clearly made the most of his "modest income" earned from Point of Fear. Throughout the interview, Benjamin sips on Grappa as three young village boys take turns rubbing his enormous feet.
Knoxville Films Question #1: Tell us about your life growing up as a girl in Harriman and why you chose to become a man?
BB: One of my earliest memories as a little girl was watching the movie "Glen or Glenda" with my older sister, who later went on to become one of America's bravest firemen, and really felt myself connect with that "little guy inside me". Fifteen years and three surgeries later (one to remove the undeveloped symbiotic twin growing inside my bowels), that little man was removed and I was completely in debt. However I thought to myself... "I've come this far with it, why not go ahead and finish what I started.
KF Question #2: In their review of Point of Fear the New York times said that "Benjamin directs the cast with a light and gently touch like that of a mother cow suckling her calf". Do you think this gentle touch comes from your true feminine inner being?
BB: I remember reading that! It wasn't until I went to New York to do a book signing for "From Brook to Brooks, Adding a Letter and, Oh, So Much More" when I actually saw a mother cow sucking on a cafe (a cozy little bohemian place... Star... something or another). I thought the poor thing had latched onto the water spigot on the side of the building, but after I went over to inspect her, I found out she was, in fact, ingesting some milk that had been leaking through some cracks in the foundation. Clever girl, she was. But, to answer your question, I do feel like a cow, sometimes, leading my small children to graze at the craft services table. Only to call off lunch 25 minutes early to put them back out to work in the fields. It's the "little mother in me" (which makes me think I need to go have that checked again...).
KF Question #3: It is rumored that Point of fear was made for $22.87 and it went on to gross over $200 million worldwide. Do you intend to share any of the profits with the cast and crew?
BB: The $200 million it had grossed was virtually entirely in Canada, so I think after the exchange rate it actually ended up being more like 75 cents. However, I held up my end of the bargain and I made sure each cast member with a speaking role, red hair, 3 nipples, and previous military experience (in any country bordering Australia) got their share of the kitty.
KF Question #4: In Boys of Summerville, much of the plot centers on softball. Why is it called soft ball? Have you ever been hit on the head with a soft ball? They are not very soft…
BB: While collaborating with Rodriguez on the script we began to throw around the idea of really bringing in the history of the game... get down to the fun facts that the audience will really get a kick out of. We discovered that the word "soft" is actually derived from the French word "souffle", which is what the original game used when it began in France. A teammate would hold a souffle in his hand and hurl it at an opposing player, who would then try and eat as much of the dessert as he could. If he could finish the dish before the Pincher (later changed to pitcher when the game came to America) could run and tag the Eater's bottom, he would score a point. If he was pinched before he could finish it, the eater had to run around (bases were later added in) the court while the Pincher would chase him yelling (in French), "Pincez 
Votre Fond", which later translated to something we couldn't figure out. So I let Rodriguez get back to his chores and I finished the script that we began.
KF Question #5: Juggling a tight budget and a short production schedule is demanding and can tax even the most seasoned director. Briefs or boxers?
BB: Boxers. Which do allow me to more freely juggle my tight little budgets and short schedule.
Written by Knoxville Films' Celebrity Correspondent, Michael Samstag
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Casey Payne arrives in the lobby of the Hilton Airport lounge looking tired and unshaven after a red eye flight from LA. He's late for the interview. Very late. He wears dark wrap around sunglasses and chain smokes two, sometimes three cigarettes at a time.
Casey has just returned from an intense three week press junket for the Boys of Summerville. He is clearly exhausted and his hands tremble to hold his triple Grey Goose on the rocks steady as we begin the interview.
Casey Payne: Sorry I really hate flying. Have you been waiting long?
Knoxville Films: Nah, just a few minutes... Do you mind if we begin? (He nods while taking a big hit off the enormous vodka drink). My first question is, you seem to be pigeon holed into movies about baseball and soft ball. Is this hurting your career at all, do you feel limited as an actor in any way?
CP: No as a matter of fact I am thrilled that people will think I am athletic, just between you and me I have zero athletic ability
KF Question #2: How would you characterize your working relationship with director, Brooks Benjamin?
CP: Who? Any relation to Jason Benjamin?...Brooks, Brooks Benjamin? Sorry not ringing any bells.
KF Question #3: Have you seen the movie yet? What did you think?
CP: Yes I've seen a rough cut of it. It looked great everyone did a fantastic job.
KF Question #4: Given the huge success of your last four movies, what's in the future for you? Is there any truth to the rumor of you retiring early?
CP: Well being a world success as I am, sometimes you got to stop and think, Am I too successful? Am I too rich? Then I realize, that there's no such thing as too successful or too rich, plus if I retire who will my millions and millions of fans go and watch. I must continue for them.
KF Question #5: How do you want the world to remember Casey Payne?
CP: As a humble, down to earth man, who is perfection in the flesh.
Written by Knoxville Films Celebrity Columnist, Michael Samstag
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There's lots of reasons to love Allison Varnes and not just because she's a beautiful and gifted Actor, she's also an avid supporter of the independent film scene here in East Tennessee, despite her new found fame. As the countdown to the much anticipated "Boys of Summeville" Premiere begins, we pose five Questions to Allison Varnes just weeks the end of after her well publicized relationship with Brad Pitt.
We catch up with Allison in Prague where she is working with Sam Ramey on another blockbuster movie about baseball scheduled to Premiere in the summer of 2010. Allison is dressed in a victorian dress and corset and sips fresh squeezed mango juice while a PA fans her with a palm frond. Fame has changed her.
Knoxville Films Question #1: You play Sam in BOS who has a romantic interest with the character Peter Davis, played by Casey Payne--according to People magazine there was a pretty steamy on-set romance as well. Was your on-set relationship the cause of your break up with Brad?
Allison Varnes: The very idea of me on set with all of that testosterone was too much for Brad's ego. I can't say that I blame him. Have you seen our cast?
KF Question #2: After the enormous success of Popcorn Boy, you turned into a recognizable celebrity pretty much over night. How have you been coping with your new found fame and fortune and do you think your success in Popcorn Boy help the box office for BOS?
AV: I knew I'd made it when I was recognized at Lowe's and they insisted on carrying my plants for me. And yes, every now and then one of the multitudes of people who saw Popcorn Boy will call out my name in public, which is a bit much at times, but you know, it comes with the job. If I know my Popcorn Boy fans, and I think I do, I can pretty much guarantee that they'll come out in droves for the BOS Premiere.
KF Question #3: Who will you be wearing on the red carpet on Thursday?
Issa London.
KF Question #4: If you and were stranded on a deserted island and could choose only one character from the movie to co-habitate with, who would it be and would the human race survive?
AV: Without a doubt, I would choose Rocky. He has more charisma in his mullet than most men will have in their lifetime. Mankind wouldn't make it, but we'd be rocking out to Air Supply.
KF Question #5: What would you like to say to some of the people in Knoxville that you have forgotten, now that you are famous celebrity star?
AV: What people?
Written by Knoxville Films Celebrity Columnist, Michael Samstag
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In a disturbing and exclusive interview with Knoxville Films, Brooks Benjamins' little brother details a pattern of abuse and violence between him and his big brother, Jason Benjamin. Is Brooks Benjamin really 'some kind of monster'? Warning this article is rated UV for Unusual Violence.
Knoxville Films' Movie Violence Correspondent, Michael Samstag reports:
Jason Benjamin is not just another pretty face. In fact, he's anything but pretty. Jason is best known for 'putting out fires' in Oak Ridge--whatever that means. It's also rumored that he's been a cop, ballet dancer, female impersonator, Chipendale dancer, and now it surfaces in the Knoxville News Sentinel Sunday paper--he fancies himself an ACTOR. Who is Jason Benjamin? Knoxville Films readers want to know.
In true Hollywood form, little brother and prominent filmmaker, Brooks Benjamin has cast his big brother in his upcoming summer blockbuster "The Boys of Summerville". Look out Baldwin's there's a new band of brothers in town. Now join Knoxville Films as we dare to take you where no other East Tennessee paper would go (for very well founded reasons)--into the locker room with Jason Benjamin!
Knoxville Films Question #1: In a recent Metro Pulse article your brother is quoted as saying that he "enjoyed beating you up for a change". What does that mean? Did he abuse you in any way?
Jason Benjamin: Most of the cast and crew never knew that every time Brooks got mad at someone he made me do push ups until I collapsed. Then, he would put on his wife's high heeled shoes and walk on the back of my legs. It was very painful and to this day I can't stand to hear a woman in high heeled shoes walking in gravel. Oh yeah, he made me do push ups in a gravel parking lot.
KF Question #2: Several actors have described the atmosphere on the set as "relaxed and laid back". Is that how you remember it? How would you characterize the overall mood ?
JB: I guess you weren't really writing down what I just said to you when you asked me that first question. Are you making a grocery list? I was terrified the whole time I was working on that movie.
KF Question #3: Who is your little brother more like--mild mannered Bruce banner or the green and gnarly Hulk?
JB: He is exactly like the green and gnarly Bruce Banner. Oh, with a little bit of Attila the Hun thrown in.
KF Question #4: According to IMDb, you were paid almost $750K for your role in BOS. Is there any resentment from the rest of the cast that was paid meager low-budget SAG rates?
JB: I don't think they knew how much I was paid. Of course, none of them had the director walking on the back of their legs in high heeled shoes whenever he got angry. His feet are so fat that his pinky toes hung out the side and touched my legs every time he took a step. It was awful. He should have paid me millions of dollars.
KF Question #5: Why is your name a registered trade mark? Was there some fear of your brother trying to steal your first name too?
JB: Yes. I had to get an attorney last year. I went to Brooks and asked him if I could have my name back. He didn't want to give it up. He actually made me trade him my birthday for it. Now he gets two cakes and two presents every year. At least I've got a name...I've got a name.
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Interview with Brooks Benjamin, "Boys of Summerville"
0 comments Published by MSamstag on Sunday, April 13, 2008
This week we will be running a series of blogs about the "Boys of Summerville" in celebration of the Premiere this coming Thursday, April 17 at Regal Downtown West.
We kick off the series with an interview with Brooks in the Metro Pulse: Metro Pulse Q&A and an interview by Betsy Pickle on KnoxNews.com: Summerville on KnoxNews.com
Related Posts:
Boys of Summervile Premiere
Boys of Summerville Trailer
All BOS Posts
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“Boys of Summerville” to Premiere at Regal Downtown West
0 comments Published by MSamstag on Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 7pm
An Indie Comedy Feature filmed entirely in East Tennessee
Hot on the heels of his successful 2006 Film Festival circuit movie “Point of Fear”, a thriller, Writer/Director Brooks Benjamin of Harriman, Tennessee, began scribing “Boys of Summerville”, a comedy. “Comedies have always been my first love when it comes to movies” says Benjamin.
In late 2006, after the script had been completed, money was being raised, Keith McDaniel (Clinton 12, Secret City – The Story of Oak Ridge) was brought onboard as Executive Producer and actors began being interviewed for roles in the production. While all of that was going on; locations had to be scouted and secured, an experienced local crew had to found, and last, but not least, food services for the hungry talent and crew had to be located.
By early 2007, Benjamin had set June as the time-frame for the filming of “Boys of Summerville”. His actors and actresses set about doing rehearsals. And not just for their vocal utterances of the script. Many of the parts included physical prat-falls, playing softball against actual local softball teams (for real) and even jumping on a trampoline whilst holding onto a canned beverage. “Everybody seems to be having a great time with this picture” observed Keith McDaniel in May of ’07.
The first of 22 shoot days began on June 4th, 2007. High Definition was chosen as the format of the film. Over the next month, Benjamin and crew crisscrossed Middle-East Tennessee: Oak Ridge, Alcoa, Maryville, Kingston, Harriman, and Rockwood would be the towns and communities where hilarious scenes would be shot. The actors, actresses, ball fields, restaurants, a jet airplane, cars, houses, businesses and a host of other locations were used to bring a wonderfully funny script to life.
Throughout the shoot, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) talent came to and performed on the “Boys of Summerville” sets here in East Tennessee. Some of them very familiar names in our local communities: David Dwyer of Maryville, TN (October Sky, Remember the Titans, We Are Marshall, etc), David Keith of Knoxville, TN (An Officer and a Gentleman, Behind Enemy Lines, Daredevil, etc). The other SAG actors are Natalie Canerday (October Sky, Walk the Line, Slingblade), Catherine Campion (North Country, Sex and the City), Kevin Michael Walsh (My name is Earl, King of Queens), Wes Murphy of Maryville, TN (Heaven and Hell, The Work and the Glory III), and Eddie Nickerson (Batman & Robin, Heaven and Hell). Comedians Rodney Hood and Todd Justice made a stop to make a cameo appearance in the movie. Other out-of-town talent included Barry Battles and Griffin Hood.
“One of the characters in the movie Charles “Buddy” Davis, was based on my father, Charles Davis Benjamin, who passed away from cancer in 2000. I wanted to make a movie as a tribute to him, and since he loved comedies and softball so much, I thought this would be a perfect movie to make”
Additional information and advance tickets for the premiere may be purchased through www.boysofsummerville.com. Tickets may also be purchased on the night of the premiere, Thursday, April 17th, at the Regal’s Downtown West theater box office.
The movie will begin at 7:00PM.
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This is the official trailer for Boys of Summerville, Lycan Entertainment's newest feature film. Written and directed by Brooks Benjamin and starring Casey Payne, Allison Varnes, and Wesley Murphy. The film was shot entirely in East Tennessee using local crew and talent. There are memorable cameos by Natalie Canerday and Knoxville's own, David Keith.
Boys of Summerville
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1:45 - 3:20 pm
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Many local actors and crew members spent the month of June on the set of Brooks Benjamin's latest feature film, Boys of Summerville. Shooting wrapped on June 30th.The film's logline is: Peter Davis (Casey Payne), a big city business man, begrudgingly goes back to his little hometown of Summerville to settle his late father's estate. When he gets there, he finds himself once again seduced by the pace of the small town life as well as caught up in the one thing Summerville prides itself on: Softball. While Peter renews his hometown friendships with Murr (Brad Bumgardner), Rocky (Wesley Murphy), as well as many other eccentric characters, he finds himself falling for Summerville all over again... and also for a new face in town, Samantha (Allison Varnes). As Peter is torn between his new life up north and his old one down south, he is forced to make a decision on what is more important to him: The security of what he has, or the memories of what he almost lost.
Brooks and 1st AD Jackie Barnes did an amazing job casting the film and bringing the town of Summerville to life. You can expect to see Boys of Summerville around the summer of 2008. You can find them online at www.summervillemovie.com or www.myspace.com/boysofsummerville.
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