This has been around the Internet for awhile but it still blows me away. This kid has mad skills!
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After nearly two gruelling hours on the road, we stop to shop and eat in Asheville. It was delicious. Too bad we still had ten-hours of driving left to do!
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RootClip.com - New Collaborative Short Film site!
0 comments Published by KdoubleA on Friday, May 2, 2008Rootclip is live - for real this time! We've been through the beta, learned some things, changed some things, and now it's all repackaged and a whole lot prettier (for the ladies, of course) and we feel like it's a better user experience all the way around. Check it out!
For you Lame-o's that don't know what Rootclip is all about, here is the Cliffs Notes version:
We shoot the first 'chapter' in a story. You (the users) are then to shoot the following chapters, each one continuing the story started by chapter 1, or the 'rootclip' (clever, I know). The user community votes on the submissions and every 2 weeks a new chapter contest begins. There are 4 chapters that are open to the public, with the 6th and final chapter acting like a 'finals' of sorts. The chapter 2,3,4 and 5 winners are the only ones eligible to submit a video for the final scene, which will be chapter 6 and take home the grand prize.
We've upped the prizes too. The chapter winners (bi-weekly) receive a $500 VISA gift card, and the 'final scene' winner gets the pleasure of meeting myself, Erik Luchauer, Nick Hollensbe, and Michael Moore. Yes THAT Michael Moore, and it will be at the Traverse City Film Festival in Traverse City, MI August 1-3. We cover flight, room and food, so just bring your pretty face and a friend.
Here is the video for Chapter 1, and it's your job to continue this story at rootclip.com
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This is a wonderful, though somewhat long, animation from Blur Studios. It's been all over the Internet but it's worth one more post for those who might not have seen it yet. Enjoy!
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Man, I can't wait for the new Batman movie. I saw this very dramatic poster online and had to share.
Now that I'm looking at it, though, I find myself wondering...
"What caused this devastation in Gotham?"
"Wouldn't the Joker have burned his own image into the side of this building?"
"Did the Batplane crash into it? If so, Batman must have used his Batparachute to get to the ground before the debris from the flaming building."
Movie posters usually tell a bit of the story or convey an emotion from the film. What am I supposed to get from this image? That Batman likes to pose in front of flaming edifices (or is that edifi)?
My hypothesis - this poster was created by the Riddler. Now my young friend, if we can only puzzle out the clue...
Jeff Reed
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Anyone been around long enough to remember this? I found myself singing this song this morning, so I looked it up. The mark of a great ad-campaign is to remember it 30 years later. Who remembers the lyrics to the "crying indian" spot?
"We have met the enemy and he is us."
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Wildly Popular 'Iron Man' Trailer To Be Adapted Into Full-Length Film
0 comments Published by MSamstag on Saturday, April 19, 2008
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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If you have not heard of the nifty music player Pandora yet--do yourself a favor and go check it out. It's 100% free and it's a really smart, intuitive site.
Now if you don't like music, it's probably not a site you would be interested in. However, if you do like music--check it out!
I'm not sure how the thing works but it will figure out what kind of music you like and it will astound you. It's probably powered by some sort of weird voodoo magic.
Don't take my word for it--try it! http://www.pandora.com/
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Back in February we showed you "When Time Stood Still". Today I found a new short from ImprovEverywhere.com entitled "Food Court Musical".
Enjoy
From ImprovEverywhere.comFor our latest mission, 16 agents staged a spontaneous musical in the food court of a Los Angeles shopping mall. We used wireless microphones to amplify the vocal performances and mix them together with the music through the mall’s PA system. We filmed the mission with hidden cameras, mostly behind two-way mirrors. Apart from our performers, no one in the food court was aware of what was happening.
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Triumph the Insult Dog Bashing Star Wars Fans
2 comments Published by MSamstag on Saturday, March 8, 2008
