It is that time again. Time for me to get bloggin. I am never very consistant with this stuff, but hey I am here now so lets hope I can keep the momentum. As most of you have heard, I have just finished shooting my first ever web series. It is called "Father Time is a Bastard and Mother Nature is a Bit of a Bitch." It is a comedy, but is also has documentary/reality elements. The scenes with actors were a breeze, the ones with regular non actor types wasn't so easy. But I will talk about that in future posts.
For a while now I have been talking in bits and bites about the concept of Guerrilla Film making, from my perspective. Everyone has different methods, approaches, ideas so it is important to realize that what I talk about is just the way I do it.
This particular piece has had many challenges, but so far, knock on wood (I am tapping my head) I have been able to overcome. There is most definitely a method to creating film with little or no budget...or is it a madness? I guess that is for the individual to decide. But more on that later, I am just blogging to catch you all up on Hired Gun and let you know I will talk about the experience.
"Father Time..." deals with the concept of aging. What does it mean to be 50 today as opposed to the age 50, 30 years ago? It turned out to be a bit of a personal journey, since I turned 50 last year. It is an interesting age.
The plan is to start releasing episodes around the end of January 2012 and hopefully they will go viral. If they go viral the "Father Time..." team feel confident we can drum up sponsors to help pay for more episodes.
Going Viral will need support from all you folks reading this, and the friends you share it with. It is an experiment in other forms of funding. To be able to create content and perhaps making a living doing it. This isn't always the case for television, film and content creators in Canada. What you can do is join the Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter @BastardTime and when it comes out on YouTube, watch it, watch it more then once and share it with your friends.
I will try and be more regular on posts. Next up for Hired Gun is the second in a series of documentaries under the "For the Record" strand...this time it will be "For the Record Featuring Blackie and The Rodeo Kings" This will then hopefully be followed by a feature film called "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck."Till next time...stay young, because age is JUST a number.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
It has been so long, and now I have so much to talk about and so little time.
Okay, where do I start. Hmmm, perhaps I will tell you about my upcoming projects. I have off course been talking my head off, about my feature film "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck". We are attempting to round up some name talent including; Adam Beach, Gene Simmons and Iggy Pop. Yeah you guessed it...comedy.
I am about to start working on another, in the "For the Record..." series. This is tough, who to do next. I would love to do Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, but had very little luck getting a hold of someone with the band. I will keep trying.
I went to the Banff Television Festival and pitched APTN. They seemed interested. I am proposing we do a 2 hour long, art film about the pairing of African Americans who where escaping slavery in the U.S. and aboriginal people and how this union created such a strong force that it helped define the shape of North American civil liberties. It will be a strong social message told through, music, dance and animation. An organic, indigenous version of Pink Floyd's "The Wall".
I am also working on projects about Canadian buskers, A group of Edmonton young people that are gay and a web series about the process of aging. The aging thing is a comedy.
While working on all this I just completed a great promotional video for Alberta Education, I am about to start on a series of videos for both The Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association and the County of Red Deer and I am feeling good about a music video for a great local talent Brian Macleod.
Throughout all this, I also took two weeks to get away to beautiful Victoria. My wife (Silvana) was there at a conference and I tagged along...all I can say is Tr es Groovy.
Well, okay a lot of stuff, but I didn't say much. Please join the Stella Facebook Page.
I am about to start working on another, in the "For the Record..." series. This is tough, who to do next. I would love to do Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, but had very little luck getting a hold of someone with the band. I will keep trying.
I went to the Banff Television Festival and pitched APTN. They seemed interested. I am proposing we do a 2 hour long, art film about the pairing of African Americans who where escaping slavery in the U.S. and aboriginal people and how this union created such a strong force that it helped define the shape of North American civil liberties. It will be a strong social message told through, music, dance and animation. An organic, indigenous version of Pink Floyd's "The Wall".
I am also working on projects about Canadian buskers, A group of Edmonton young people that are gay and a web series about the process of aging. The aging thing is a comedy.
While working on all this I just completed a great promotional video for Alberta Education, I am about to start on a series of videos for both The Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association and the County of Red Deer and I am feeling good about a music video for a great local talent Brian Macleod.
Throughout all this, I also took two weeks to get away to beautiful Victoria. My wife (Silvana) was there at a conference and I tagged along...all I can say is Tr es Groovy.
Well, okay a lot of stuff, but I didn't say much. Please join the Stella Facebook Page.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Independent Film, Independent Music and a little bit of Politics!
It’s been a while since I contributed to my blog. I really didn’t have anything to say up till now. This off course isn’t true; I always have something to say. Not always relevant to anyone, but that has never stopped me before. I tend to be just a tad lazy.
Okay, so what is going on? Where do I start? Let’s start with Bill Bourne. On March 12th, I had my first screening of the film “For the Record Featuring Bill Bourne” at Fargos at Capilano. It was a huge success, a packed house, I loved it. Fargo’s is a great spot for a screening. It has 6 screens the food is great and you can get everyone drunk before the screening. Next up, For the Record was nominated for a best documentary over 30 minutes at this year’s Alberta Film and Television Awards. What else? Okay, For the Record is now available on Kerf Music, and I did an interview with Peter North of CKUA. I have to tell you, I have been a Peter North fan for a long time. I miss his column in the Journal very much. It was such a pleasure talking to someone who just knows so much about roots music and he liked the film so it was win, win. If you’re interested in listening to the interview you can tune to CKUA on Sunday from 3-4pm and again for the rebroadcast on Tuesday from 6-7pm. Finally on the For the Record front, I am sure you know that Bill has signed with True North Records, and I just started talks with True North about distributing the documentary.
What’s up with Hired Gun? Well there is a lot going on. I am busy with a bunch of corporate videos. I am looking at doing a few interesting shows. I am working with a Country Duo named Myrol. Mother and Daughter team (think Judds without the drama) they are a kick ass country band, and they are doing a concert in Lithuania in August. So we want to document this, but it will be tough with such a short time span to raise the budget...and I really want to go to Lithuania. I am also talking to Laura Vinson an aboriginal performer who has been doing some interesting stuff, about creating a surreal, concert film of aboriginal stories and folklore. This could be fun. Also, I am writing a script for a short film I am going to do this fall. It is go to explore the concept that people are saying NO to aging once they hit 50 and my feature film “Stella’s dead and in the Back of the Truck” is in development with the plan to go to picture in the spring/summer 2012.
So you are now kind of up-to-date.
I have talked of film, music and now the dreaded politics. We are less than a week away from the next federal election and frankly I am a bit worried. I do not hide my thoughts on this, my vote is based on what a party will do for the arts, specifically the film and television industry. I assume all parties will have a handle on healthcare, education, seniors need and all those important social issues. So the defining elements are film and television funds, how they feel about the CRTC and their policies on dealing with broadcasters. The film industry made just under 5 billon dollars last year and to say it isn’t a major industry in Canada is to be ignorant, so damn it you politicians start supporting it. The Conservatives truly suck in my opinion. The Liberals are better, but for me I am liking the NDP. Yup, the older I get the more socialistic I become. I want a party that will protect Canada and its unique identity, which is told through film and television. I want a party who is concerned about the economy and stimulating that economy, but mostly I want a party that does all that without forgetting about the people who live here. What makes Canada great is that we are a little bit rock and roll and a little bit country...we are capitalists who look after our own. So that is my two cents...get out and vote, vote for what you feel and let’s hope this election will move us toward building a better Canada.
I think on that note I am going to stop. I am going to start distributing a Hired Gun newsletter regularly, in the next while, so if you’re interested go to my website and subscribe to the newsletter.
Okay, so what is going on? Where do I start? Let’s start with Bill Bourne. On March 12th, I had my first screening of the film “For the Record Featuring Bill Bourne” at Fargos at Capilano. It was a huge success, a packed house, I loved it. Fargo’s is a great spot for a screening. It has 6 screens the food is great and you can get everyone drunk before the screening. Next up, For the Record was nominated for a best documentary over 30 minutes at this year’s Alberta Film and Television Awards. What else? Okay, For the Record is now available on Kerf Music, and I did an interview with Peter North of CKUA. I have to tell you, I have been a Peter North fan for a long time. I miss his column in the Journal very much. It was such a pleasure talking to someone who just knows so much about roots music and he liked the film so it was win, win. If you’re interested in listening to the interview you can tune to CKUA on Sunday from 3-4pm and again for the rebroadcast on Tuesday from 6-7pm. Finally on the For the Record front, I am sure you know that Bill has signed with True North Records, and I just started talks with True North about distributing the documentary.
What’s up with Hired Gun? Well there is a lot going on. I am busy with a bunch of corporate videos. I am looking at doing a few interesting shows. I am working with a Country Duo named Myrol. Mother and Daughter team (think Judds without the drama) they are a kick ass country band, and they are doing a concert in Lithuania in August. So we want to document this, but it will be tough with such a short time span to raise the budget...and I really want to go to Lithuania. I am also talking to Laura Vinson an aboriginal performer who has been doing some interesting stuff, about creating a surreal, concert film of aboriginal stories and folklore. This could be fun. Also, I am writing a script for a short film I am going to do this fall. It is go to explore the concept that people are saying NO to aging once they hit 50 and my feature film “Stella’s dead and in the Back of the Truck” is in development with the plan to go to picture in the spring/summer 2012.
So you are now kind of up-to-date.
I have talked of film, music and now the dreaded politics. We are less than a week away from the next federal election and frankly I am a bit worried. I do not hide my thoughts on this, my vote is based on what a party will do for the arts, specifically the film and television industry. I assume all parties will have a handle on healthcare, education, seniors need and all those important social issues. So the defining elements are film and television funds, how they feel about the CRTC and their policies on dealing with broadcasters. The film industry made just under 5 billon dollars last year and to say it isn’t a major industry in Canada is to be ignorant, so damn it you politicians start supporting it. The Conservatives truly suck in my opinion. The Liberals are better, but for me I am liking the NDP. Yup, the older I get the more socialistic I become. I want a party that will protect Canada and its unique identity, which is told through film and television. I want a party who is concerned about the economy and stimulating that economy, but mostly I want a party that does all that without forgetting about the people who live here. What makes Canada great is that we are a little bit rock and roll and a little bit country...we are capitalists who look after our own. So that is my two cents...get out and vote, vote for what you feel and let’s hope this election will move us toward building a better Canada.
I think on that note I am going to stop. I am going to start distributing a Hired Gun newsletter regularly, in the next while, so if you’re interested go to my website and subscribe to the newsletter.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
For the Record-Featuring Bill Bourne
I am very, very excited. I am finally screening my documentary film "For the Record Featuring Bill Bourne". I am such a huge fan and I am quite pleased to be able to call Bill a friend. I guess I am a bit of a star gazer.
I had the same thing happen a few years ago when I did a documentary on Mae Moore and her husband Lester Quitzau. Wow, what great folks. I can't believe that so much talent can be found in one person. The best part, these are Canadian singer/songwriters.
Well not to drone on, please accept this as my personal invitation to come and join us at the screening. It will be happen on Saturday, March 12Th at the Fargos at Capilano, here in Edmonton. I am going to suggest you buy your tickets in advance, you can get them through me, just call 780 497 0089 or 780 450 0717. Why I am suggesting buying early is not only because we might sell out, but advance tickets will entitle you to both drink and food discounts. I am providing a link to the Facebook event page or if you can't make it you can always visit my website and order the DVD from there. Have your own copy, why not, but 2 its a great gift.
Ciao!
I had the same thing happen a few years ago when I did a documentary on Mae Moore and her husband Lester Quitzau. Wow, what great folks. I can't believe that so much talent can be found in one person. The best part, these are Canadian singer/songwriters.
Well not to drone on, please accept this as my personal invitation to come and join us at the screening. It will be happen on Saturday, March 12Th at the Fargos at Capilano, here in Edmonton. I am going to suggest you buy your tickets in advance, you can get them through me, just call 780 497 0089 or 780 450 0717. Why I am suggesting buying early is not only because we might sell out, but advance tickets will entitle you to both drink and food discounts. I am providing a link to the Facebook event page or if you can't make it you can always visit my website and order the DVD from there. Have your own copy, why not, but 2 its a great gift.
Ciao!
Monday, January 10, 2011
2011-Winner or Loser?
2010, good year, no complaints. Now, what will 2011 bring? Will the good year continue or will it be a dud? I did a lot of different things in 2010. My favorite was the documentary I did on Bill Bourne called "For the Record with Bill Bourne" quick plug you can buy your own copy on my website.Now 2011...I have some huge plans. I really want to do my first feature film. It will be called "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck". Its a comedy that mixes live action with animation and will have a killer soundtrack. I also want to do another "For the Record." This time I would like to focus on "Blackie and the Rodeo Kings." I also want to a documentary on my generation, the generation that refuses to age. Perhaps another short film. The idea I have is based on a photo shoot series a friend of mine does called "Thrash the Dress".
So that is what is on my mind in January of 2011, ill all this happen, will part of it happen, will there be other ideas or will the year go to shit? I don't know, but I think I would be happy if half of this happens, okay I would be thrilled if I get to do one of these.
I also got interviewed by a fellow from the
So that is what is on my mind in January of 2011, ill all this happen, will part of it happen, will there be other ideas or will the year go to shit? I don't know, but I think I would be happy if half of this happens, okay I would be thrilled if I get to do one of these.
I also got interviewed by a fellow from the
Edmonton Journala few weeks ago. The story appears in tomorrows paper, and I like it...check it out.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
It has been a busy time...
Business had been good. I have been working on just a load of interesting stuff. I am in post production on a series of instructional videos for a company called Marsulex. The videos deal with the safe handling when unloading dangerous chemicals such as Sulfuric Acid, Aqua Ammonia and the likes. Okay it has been very dry but I met some interesting people and that is always a good thing.
Next we just finished two days of shooting for Shell Canada, actually for their London, England office. We had to shoot b-roll and some dramatics leading up to a bad truck crash that happened a couple years ago...I was totally blown away by the mad effect skills of master DP Wes Doyle.
Next I am writing a series of videos that we will be shooting at the end of the month for Alberta Education. Did you know that a lot of new teachers quit the profession in the first 5 years. The videos outline some programs that have been implemented to keep these teachers around.
Then I am starting to work on a series of videos that will become part of an installation piece at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. This is a grand job, I am so interesting in aboriginal stuff.
I am also about to launch a series of screenings throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta of my new documentary film "For the Record Featuring Bill Bourne" it is available for purchase on my website so please feel free to check it out.
As you can see busy times...I am also in development on my first feature film "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck" and I think I am going to do another short in the very near future.
Enough talk, have a great day all.
Next we just finished two days of shooting for Shell Canada, actually for their London, England office. We had to shoot b-roll and some dramatics leading up to a bad truck crash that happened a couple years ago...I was totally blown away by the mad effect skills of master DP Wes Doyle.
Next I am writing a series of videos that we will be shooting at the end of the month for Alberta Education. Did you know that a lot of new teachers quit the profession in the first 5 years. The videos outline some programs that have been implemented to keep these teachers around.
Then I am starting to work on a series of videos that will become part of an installation piece at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. This is a grand job, I am so interesting in aboriginal stuff.
I am also about to launch a series of screenings throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta of my new documentary film "For the Record Featuring Bill Bourne" it is available for purchase on my website so please feel free to check it out.
As you can see busy times...I am also in development on my first feature film "Stella's Dead and in the Back of the Truck" and I think I am going to do another short in the very near future.
Enough talk, have a great day all.
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