What’s Up Lovely (Production Update 1)

March 15, 2009 – Pre-production officially begins

For the past few weeks, I’ve been writing like crazy. I’m at the point now where the creative collective (Jenn Dees, Jason Varner and myself) are reviewing our story and mainly streamlining the structure into a series of dramatic beats. What does this really mean? Mainly, that we’re trying to create the most interesting story to tell for Luci’s journey.

In the meantime, Jason Varner (DP) and I are gearing up, prepping for a new approach to filming for us. For my previous feature, NY Lately, every shot was planned. In fact, my past 4 films I’ve always planned meticulously — so this new film is taking me outside my comfort zone which is exciting and scary. I love the challenge.

Jason and I are using 2 cameras (shooting simultaneously) while also not planning to block the action very much. Everything captured will be raw in both performance and movements. It’s exciting to think of what can happen using this method. Think of it as more of a documentary crew going out and capturing something live — as it happens. Except that in this case, everyone will know the story, it’s just how it unfolds will be a mystery.

We are also currently casting and location scouting for the film. There’s some serious legwork that needs to be done prior to shooting — which starts in about 3 weeks.

WHAT’S UP LOVELY WEBSITE

“WHAT’S UP LOVELY” – New Website and Poster

This is the new feature film project I am working on — shooting begins in late April. Lots to do. Currently casting, location scouting and finishing up the scene work with some talented collaborators.

Details on the story and teaser pics can be found on the official website: CLICK HERE

Stay tuned for more updates!!

Research from the Lab (Day Five)

Film Six:
Last Life in the Universe

Film Seven:
Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus

100 Films To See (If You Haven’t Seen Them) – RECAP

The comprehensive list…

How many have you seen?

How many do you want to see?

Want more? Let me know.

Remember, these aren’t my Top 100 of All Time — just lesser known films that I enjoy.

1930′s
It Happened One Night (1934)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)

1940′s
His Girl Friday (1940)
Bachelor And The Bobby-Soxer (1947)
My Favorite Brunette (1947)

1950′s
Rear Window (1954)
The Court Jester (1955)
Written On The Wind (1956)
Shadows (1959)

1960′s
Band Of Outsiders (1964)
The Hidden Fortress (1958)
Il Posto (1961)
The Great Escape (1963)
Le Samorai (1967)
Stolen Kisses (1968)

1970′s
Le Circle Rouge (1970)
Vanishing Point (1971)
Walkabout (1971)
Coffy (1973)
Day For Night (1973)
The Last Detail (1973)
The Paper Chase (1973)
Paper Moon (1973)
California Split (1974)
Chinatown (1974)
The Towering Inferno (1974)
Nashville (1975)
Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975)
Assault On Precinct 13 (1976)
That Obscure Object Of Desire (1977)
Opening Night (1977)
Rolling Thunder (1977)
Capricorn One (1978)
Interiors (1978)
Long Weekend (1978)
The Castle Of Cagliostro (1979)
Manhattan (1979)
Meatballs (1979)

1980′s
Dressed To Kill (1980)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Blow Out (1981)
They All Laughed (1981)
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)
Fanny And Alexander (1982)
The Thing (1982)
Tootsie (1982)
The Verdict (1982)
My New Partner (1984)
Fandango (1985)
Matador (1986)
Shadows in Paradise (1986)
Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)
No Way Out (1987)
The Untouchables (1987)
Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (1988)
Glory (1989)

1990′s
Miami Blues (1990)
Husbands and Wives (1992)
The Last Of The Mohicans (1992)
The Mambo Kings (1992)
The Player (1992)
Carlito’s Way (1993)
Short Cuts (1993)
The Last Seduction (1994)
Chungking Express (1994)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Blue In The Face (1995)
Devil In A Blue Dress (1995)
Smoke (1995)
From Dusk Til Dawn (1996)
Out Of Sight (1998)
Run Lola Run (1998)
Samurai Fiction (1998)
The Iron Giant (1999)
The Limey (1999)
Ratcatcher (1999)

2000′s
George Washington (2000)
In The Mood For Love (2000)
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
Jump Tomorrow (2001)
The Last Kiss (Italian Version) (2001)
Lovely And Amazing (2001)
City Of God (2002)
Dirty Pretty Things (2002)
In America (2002)
Just One Look (2002)
Narc (2002)
Ping Pong (2002)
Talk To Her (2002)
All The Real Girls (2003)
The Man Who Copied (2003)
Remember Me, My Love (2003)
The Room (2003)
Before Sunset (2004)
Dear Frankie (2004)
Maria Full Of Grace (2004)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Volver (2006)
Dismal (2008)
New York Lately (2008)

100 Films To See (If You Haven’t Seen Them) – Part 4

Here are the last 25 films (#76-100) — listed by year:

(Click on the titles for the IMDB entry – Trailers/Clips Included When Available)

76. Bringing Up Baby (1938) – Charming leads, witty and physical comedy at the top of its game — they don’t make them like this anymore

77. Bachelor And The Bobby-Soxer (1947) – The snappy, sharp dialogue crackles in this overlooked gem — see a teen-aged Shirley Temple as well. One of Cary Grant’s best!!

78. Rear Window (1954) – A true classic that modern audiences have rarely scene.

79. Band Of Outsiders (1964) – This film inspires me to this day. So bold and unconventional.

80. Le Samorai (1967) – A nice character study set in the criminal world

81. Manhattan (1979) – a true classic that is often overlooked for his other work

82. Meatballs (1979) – 70′s comedy at its best — “It just doesn’t matter….it just doesn’t matter….it just doesn’t matter!!”

83. The Thing (1982) – It shocks me to know that there are a lot of people out there who still haven’t seen one of the best horror films of all time

84. My New Partner (1984) – Hard to find on video — but grab it if you can. Funny, touching and original.

85. Shadows in Paradise (1986) – Charming and offbeat Finnish film about the lower class. Very different, but good.

86. Long Weekend (1978) – Haunting and a wonderful slowburn of a film

87. No Way Out (1987) – Wonderful thriller that introduced Costner to the world — amazing performance from Hackman

88. The Untouchables (1987) – De Palma on the top of his game — great performances all around

89. The Last Of The Mohicans (1992) – a beautiful old-fashioned adventure & love story with gorgeous cinematography and lush score — almost a throwback to films from the Golden Age

90. Carlito’s Way (1993) – Underrated and often forgotten — this one is among the top gangster films of all time – watch for an unrecognizable Penn

91. Smoke (1995) – Original with great performances

92. Blue In The Face (1995) – Incredible companion piece to SMOKE — story goes that the filming was so much fun that they did this second film which is mainly comprised of improved sketches. These films have to be watched together.

93. From Dusk Til Dawn (1996) – All sorts of goodness in the film — the visuals are amazing. Juliette Lewis and Clooney steal the movie! A great ride — probably Rodriguez’s best next to DESPERADO. I cleary remember half the audience in the theater freaking out not knowing it had vampires in the film. And everyone left the theater laughing and having a great time.

94. Ratcatcher (1999) – If you haven’t seen this film — see it now. Wonderful, dark and inspiring.

95. George Washington (2000) – David Gordon Green’s debut feature — such an original voice

96. Dil Chahta Hai (2001) – One of the best films that mixes comedy, drama and music sequences ever put to film

97. All The Real Girls (2003) – Beautiful, lyrical and one of Deschanel’s best performances

98. The Room (2003) – Yes I’m serious. See Tommy in all his glory. There are actual monthly midnight screenings in Los Angeles. I’ve seen it at least 10 times now.

99. Dismal (2008) – shameless plug

100. New York Lately (2008) – of course I had to list this as well

NEW YORK LATELY – Theatrical Trailer from Kitchen Table Films on Vimeo.

Many of you may have already seen these films. But I hope you find one or two that you haven’t seen — and find interesting.

I’d be glad to make a “100 More Films To See” if I get enough demand.

Go. Watch. Enjoy.

Here We Go Again….

I’ve got some exciting news to share — I will be shooting my next feature film WHAT’S UP LOVELY in late April all around New York.

It will star the amazing Jenn Dees who previously worked with me on NEW YORK LATELY as “Veronica Darling”.

It will feature the talented camera work of Jason Varner who’s been collaborating with me on many projects since 2005.

The project is a departure for me in terms of both subject matter and technical approach. I’ll be doing some challenging experimental camera techniques — as well pushing the actors and myself to do some creative storytelling in a non-structured way.

Details will follow with production blogs from the set. Needless to say, I’m extremely excited.

This one’s gonna be shot fast and dirty. And hopefully the look of it and subject matter will be edgier and take me places I never thought I’d go.

Is this enough of a tease?

Good.

CLICK HERE for the WHAT’S UP LOVELY website. More information to follow about the film in the coming months. Stay tuned!!

Research from the Lab (Day Four)

Film Five:
Small Change

MOVING PICTURES MAGAZINE features my article “An Indie Life”

I was asked to be a guest contributor for MOVING PICTURES MAGAZINE‘s website about my experiences with NY Lately and the festival experience so far.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE “AN INDIE LIFE”

Research from the Lab (Day Three)

Film Four:
The Swimmer

Film Five:
Frozen River

Research from the Lab (Day Two)

Film Two:
George Washington

Film Three:
Fat Girl