AN INDIE LIFE » Death of the Dead http://grking.com FILMMAKER GARY KING'S THOUGHTS ON LIFE, FILM AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN HIS HEAD Fri, 18 May 2012 18:59:22 +0000 en hourly 1 Scriptchat Transcript http://grking.com/2011/03/28/scriptchat-transcript/ http://grking.com/2011/03/28/scriptchat-transcript/#comments Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:27:58 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=10677 I was a guest on #ScriptChat (via Twitter) this past Sunday to talk about my experiences on bringing your script to life.  ScriptChat is an amazing networking community of screenwriters who chat, share and learn about the wonderful process of writing.  Learn more about this group here.

It was great connecting with so many talented and enthusiastic writers.  The hour quickly flew by and I spent about 30 extra minutes trying to catch up to all the questions.  I started off the chat letting everyone know I was planning to share the “here’s what I did” more than the “how to” as I don’t believe there’s ever only one way to get a film made.

Click here to read the full transcript of tweets…

A huge thanks for the Scriptchat Creators (Jeanne Veillette Bowerman, Mina Zaher, Zac Sanford, Jamie Livingston, Kim Garland) for giving me this opportunity.  I had a blast.

Related Videos I created for the event:
Part 1: Directing your own script
Part 2: Directing someone else’s script
Part 3: Directing without a script

]]> http://grking.com/2011/03/28/scriptchat-transcript/feed/ 0 From Script to Screen (Part 2: Directing someone else’s script) http://grking.com/2011/03/14/from-script-to-screen-part-2-directing-someone-elses-script/ http://grking.com/2011/03/14/from-script-to-screen-part-2-directing-someone-elses-script/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:22:07 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=10492 Here’s Part 1: Directing your own script

I will be a guest on #ScriptChat (Sunday: March 27th – 8pm EST) to talk about my experiences on bringing your script to life.  Learn more about this group here.

Here’s the second video sample of bringing a script to life on the screen. This is a sequence from DEATH OF THE DEAD penned by Bo Buckley.  It features the gifted actress Christina Rose and Logan Fry (the perfect straight man for this situation).

As you can see, Christina brings a lot to her performance of “Wanda” that isn’t written on the page.  We also changed the action a bit in which Wanda runs with the Old Man away together (instead of turning to see that he’s already got a head start on her).

During our shoot that day, I noticed birds sitting on some telephone wires and thought it’d be cool to have them “dramatically” fly away just as our two characters make a dash for it — so I waited until I believed the actors nailed the take and then had our AD (Assistant Director) make loud noises to stir the flock away.  It was a “one-time deal” so I’m glad they flew away exactly when we needed them.

The last part of the scene was changed due to budget limitations.  I didn’t believe we had the body count needed to pull off hoards of zombies coming out from everywhere – nor did we have the time to get the type of coverage to make it work as written.  We basically streamlined the gist of the scene — to make Wanda feel threatened and in danger — and shot it in basically one setup.

And last but not least, I added a pickup shot later in which I wanted to pay homage to a “cult classic” to bookend the scene which gets a great response from the audience every time.

Please note: Click the icon with 4 arrows (located at the bottom right hand corner of the video window — next to the VIMEO logo). This will expand the image to FULL SCREEN so you can read the text of the script much easier.

This scene Inspired the bookend to our sequence

Next Up: Directing a treatment (when there is no script)

]]> http://grking.com/2011/03/14/from-script-to-screen-part-2-directing-someone-elses-script/feed/ 6 A Little Sizzle…. http://grking.com/2011/03/10/a-little-sizzle/ http://grking.com/2011/03/10/a-little-sizzle/#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:52:13 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=10451 My latest sizzle reel…years in the making. These clips and scene work feature a TON of talented performers and crew people I had the honor to work with over the past few years.

SHORT VERSION

EXTENDED VERSION (featuring scene work) – psssst my cameo is at 04:03…I’m in the ski mask

FILMOGRAPHY:
HOW DO YOU WRITE A JOE SCHERMANN  SONG (2011)
DEATH OF THE DEAD (2010)
WHAT’S UP LOVELY (2010)
DISMAL (2009)
NEW YORK LATELY (2009)

]]> http://grking.com/2011/03/10/a-little-sizzle/feed/ 0 AINT IT COOL reviews DEATH OF THE DEAD: “delivers a lot of laughs” http://grking.com/2011/01/27/aint-it-cool-reviews-death-of-the-dead-delivers-a-lot-of-laughs/ http://grking.com/2011/01/27/aint-it-cool-reviews-death-of-the-dead-delivers-a-lot-of-laughs/#comments Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:16:12 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=10224 We got a glowing review from one of the top film sites in the country!

“…delivers a lot of laughs...” – AINT IT COOL NEWS



READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
MORE INFO ON THE FILM

]]> http://grking.com/2011/01/27/aint-it-cool-reviews-death-of-the-dead-delivers-a-lot-of-laughs/feed/ 1 DEATH OF THE DEAD Comic in the works http://grking.com/2010/10/27/death-of-the-dead-comic-in-the-works/ http://grking.com/2010/10/27/death-of-the-dead-comic-in-the-works/#comments Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:15:24 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=8994

Here are preliminary sketches by the uber talented Brian Maze for an upcoming comic book for DEATH OF THE DEAD.

Needless to say I can’t wait!

]]> http://grking.com/2010/10/27/death-of-the-dead-comic-in-the-works/feed/ 1 The 2010 Flyway Experience http://grking.com/2010/10/26/the-2010-flyway-experience/ http://grking.com/2010/10/26/the-2010-flyway-experience/#comments Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:30:07 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=8917 Had another great year at the Flyway Film Festival!  I had the honor of screening 2 films (WHAT’S UP LOVELY and DEATH OF THE DEAD) this time around.  Both showings were pretty packed for this intimate festival tucked away in the charming town of Pepin and Stockhom, Wisconsin.

Both films had great feedback!

@BillElverman tweeted that WHAT’S UP LOVELY is “an artistic masterpiece, Jenn Dees gives best indie performance of year so far…”

@loopmovie said that DEATH OF THE DEAD “out Troma’d TROMA!”

I couldn’t ask for anything better than those reactions.

This event was pretty epic in a major tweetup of artists and the like: @kingisafink @shericandler @BillElverman @gavinbjames @TWEAK @jakestetler @Philontilt @loopmovie @Emergencegrrl @Flywayfilmfest @Andrew_James @WTLTE @JayCheel @Hunterweeks

Disclaimer: this pic is not copied and pasted from the King Is A Fink production blog

I caught a bevy of interesting films.  As always there wasn’t enough time to catch everything.  See my previous post for one of my faves of the fest — COOKING WITH GERRY by Jay Cheel.

I also managed to be the first person in Pepin to see the TILT trailer — I was in the theater doing some A/V testing for my screening when it was also tested. I can’t wait to see it.

Such a great venue and audiences at Flyway!!

I also found out that being a stalker is not easy.  So disappointing when you can’t get that “clear shot” that you wait hours for (see sample pic below).  I had my chance but dropped the ball by not focusing my camera!

Julie Keck and Jessica King of Kingisafink

Phil Holbrook lost his car keys again.  Checking the box to make sure they’re not in there.

I got to catch up with Andrew James of ROW THREE.  I briefly hung out with his band of brothers (Jay Cheel, Matt Gamble of WHERE THE LONG TAIL ENDS) — and they also interviewed me.

Click here to listen to my interview with ROW THREE

Andrew and me

I had the honor of winning the 1st annual “Spirit of Flyway” award.  They describe the recipient as someone who embodies the passion of indie filmmaking while supporting and/or sharing the works of others.  I could have named so many other deserving people in the room — so it’s a great deal to me that I was named first.  The great thing is next year I get to help decide the award winner and do the hand-off.

One of the best perks is I was given an Axe as my reward

Thanks to Rick and Diana Vaicius and all the amazing volunteers for putting on a great festival. Can’t wait to return in 2011!!

FLYWAY HIGHLIGHTS:
- finally meeting or catching up with some amazing filmmakers and film supporters
- people quoted my films (WHAT’S UP LOVELY, DEATH OF THE DEAD) back to me
- someone told me that I inspired him to go make his movie
- Audience member bought WHAT’S UP LOVELY DVD after the screening and said “I want to show this to my friends”
- the local town support and attendance, their hospitality, the fest swag bag & t-shirt….and the pie
- being inspired from hearing about everyone’s future projects

One of the memorable moments of my trip was visiting the hometown (Rochester, Minnesota) that I grew up in — but hadn’t been back since 1978.  One of my wonderful neighbors still live in their original house – it was surreal to see them and talk about fond memories of my childhood.  I remember them being much taller.

The Staneks

Related Sites:
FLYWAY FILM FESTIVAL website
FLYWAY Facebook Page
FLYWAY Twitter Page
Snapshots from the festival by DP/Producer Jeremy Wilker

]]> http://grking.com/2010/10/26/the-2010-flyway-experience/feed/ 2 DEATH OF THE DEAD takes on New Jersey! http://grking.com/2010/10/18/death-of-the-dead-takes-on-new-jersey/ http://grking.com/2010/10/18/death-of-the-dead-takes-on-new-jersey/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:22:25 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=8817

I’m excited to announce that FETE FILMS — an emerging film screening series — will be presenting DEATH OF THE DEAD on November 18, Thursday at 7pm in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Both Christina Rose and myself will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening.  We hope to see you there!

LOCATION:
Paul Vincent Studios – MAP
49 Harrison St
Hoboken, New Jersey

TIME: 7pm-10pm – cocktails/mingling before and after the screening
COST: $5

More info on Fete Films

“…a mash-up between a Zucker Brothers comedy and a Troma film…manages to have audiences laughing out loud while retaining a surprising amount of heart not commonly seen in the genre…” – SOUND ON SIGHT

“…destined to be an instant classic…” – THE CREEPTURE FEATURE HORROR SHOW

“…Christina Rose is spot on brilliant…” – THE JADED VIEWER

“…comedic gold…” - ROW THREE

DEATH OF THE DEAD – Teaser Trailer from Gary King on Vimeo.

]]> http://grking.com/2010/10/18/death-of-the-dead-takes-on-new-jersey/feed/ 0 First full DEATH OF THE DEAD review rolls in http://grking.com/2010/10/05/first-full-death-of-the-dead-rolls-in/ http://grking.com/2010/10/05/first-full-death-of-the-dead-rolls-in/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:20:57 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=8591 REEL TO REEL’S Tyler Baptist writes:

“…a mash-up between a Zucker Brothers comedy and a Troma film…manages to have audiences laughing out loud while retaining a surprising amount of heart not commonly seen in the genre…”

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW

CLICK HERE to find the review also covered on SOUND ON SIGHT

]]> http://grking.com/2010/10/05/first-full-death-of-the-dead-rolls-in/feed/ 1 Reel to Reel Radio Interview (Dark Bridges Fest) http://grking.com/2010/10/03/reel-to-reel-radio-interview-dark-bridges-fest/ http://grking.com/2010/10/03/reel-to-reel-radio-interview-dark-bridges-fest/#comments Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:37:24 +0000 Gary King http://grking.com/blog/?p=8540

Here’s a 2-part interview that Reel To Reel radio did with Christina Rose and myself during our visit to the Dark Bridges Film Festival’s screening of DEATH OF THE DEAD.  Special thanks to hosts Skot Hamilton and Tyler Baptist for including us on their show — and for staying after the screening even though it was very late at night.

Here’s a teaser…..during the interview Christina and I hint at our next film project in the works for after “SCHERMANN SONG“.

CLICK TO LISTEN

Part 1: Interview before our midnight screening

Part 2: Interview after the screening (around 3am)

]]> http://grking.com/2010/10/03/reel-to-reel-radio-interview-dark-bridges-fest/feed/ 1