Film Forward April 2007

FILM FORWARD
Wisconsin’s Expert on Film, Technology, Events, Festivals & More…
In A YouTube Galaxy Not To Far
Away... By Courtney Collins
"I'm not even a Star Wars fan - but I love
Chad Vader!" These are the sorts of comments I've been hearing since episode 1 of
"Chad Vader - Day Shift Manager" first appeared on YouTube in July of last year. I
think comments like this are testament to
the fact that the series' writers Matt Sloan
and Aaron Yonda have managed to pull off a
Star Wars parody that isn't just a "parody."
The series chronicles the trials and triumphs
that face "Chad Vader," Darth Vader's lesserknown and less charismatic younger brother
who manages a grocery store. "Chad Vader"
has been featured on Good Morning America,
written up in the New York Times (and
countless other newspapers worldwide), and
most recently nominated as Best Series in
the first annual YouTube awards. It's garnered over 13 million views on websites like
YouTube and MySpace.
Aaron and Matt have been collaborating as
Blame Society Productions on short films for
Opening Credits Ready to Roll
over six years - since about the time they
met at ComedySportz, the now defunct
M a d i s o n i m p r ov
group. Aaron had
been writing and
filming his cable
access show "The
Splu Urtaf Show"
since 1993, and
Matt had been acting in theatrical
productions.
They've had several
films appear in regional and national
film festivals, several of which have
won various awards, but their popularity
skyrocketed with the success of Chad Vader.
I never saw the Star Wars movies when I
was a kid - it was only over a year ago that I
first saw all six movies and I had just begun
to "get into" Star Wars when.. continued on
page 3...
By David Fantle
For years, the prospect for Wisconsin becoming a player in the $60 billion annual
U.S. film economy seemed pretty blurry. With the passage last year of sweeping
film incentives, the picture is coming more into focus.
When Wisconsin’s film incentives take effect Jan. 1, 2008, it will catapult the
state from virtually “worst to first” in film friendliness. Thanks to the visionaries
in state government who recognized this opportunity and took the lead: Lt. Governor Barb Lawton, State Sen. Ted Kanavas – they receive top billing! The supporting credits could roll on for a while, but they should include, Sen. Alberta
Darling, former Rep. Curt Gielow, and more recently Sen. Lassa and Rep. Strochota. continued on page 4
1
Publisher/Editor
William P. Zenobia
Will-Zen Film Investments
[email protected]
3215 Golf Road
Suite 114
Delafield, WI 53018
414-690=3386
VP Marketing
Wayne Clingman
Guest Editorial
Dave Fantle
I would like to start this issue by thanking those who have taken their time to
contribute to “Film Forward” .
Film Forward was developed to focus
on people from different areas of our
business as well as those who are in
the entertainment industry. No article is
unworthy and we welcome the challenge of those who read our paper.
I would like to give special thanks to the
Rock Agency. As an actor I have been
represented by the Rock Agency for the
past five years and have enjoyed getting to know them.
In the past couple of weeks Film Forward was put into a position to help one
of our fellow contributor’s
(Scott
Robbe). We found ourselves faced with
a dilemma when it came to resources. I
contacted Raquel Repka of the Rock
Agency for some help. Raquel graciously offered her time and efforts in
helping us accomplish our goal and
helping a good friend. Thank You
2
We have entered a time of change in
Wisconsin. There are those who contribute time as volunteers, some contribute money, and others are building
sound stages around the state to help
us all realize the same dream and
goals.
While I write this article I can name several instances where people who want
to see film come to this WI are doing
what they can, and in most cases getting very little for their efforts.
There are those on the other end of the
spectrum who for political reasons or
personal reasons don’t want to see the
fruits of our labor.
I ask you, who is willing to fight for what
they believe. Are you all talk, or do you
really want to see good things come to
WI? If your not just a talker, get involved
with someone who is active in the film
community. I am constantly surprised at
how large the film community is, when I
continue to meet people who are pursuing their dreams. Let’s have those
same people achieve those dreams
here at home. Let’s stop sending our
talented people to NYC, or LA.
Let’s stop telling film companies to go to
another state. If you don’t know where
to start, start by contacting Sen. Russ
Decker who is holding up SB24 from
coming before the Joint Finance Committee which he Co-Chairs.
Far to much has been put into this effort
to allow it spoil on a tree like rotten fruit.
The time for action is now, you just have
to decide if you like ripe fruit or rotten
fruit.
the guys told me about the Chad Vader idea last summer. I
was so excited about it and wanted to be involved in any capacity that I could. I'm engaged to Aaron and have appeared in
some of his films in the past and have helped out with his and
Matt's projects "behind the scenes," but I really wanted to play
a bigger part in making Chad Vader happen. I started doing
organizational things, like scheduling, recruiting actors and extras, and reserving locations, thus becoming the producer of
the series. Tona Williams, who is married to Matt, has been involved in past Blame Society films as cinematographer, and is also responsible for the camera work
and art direction of Chad Vader. She too has been doing various "behind
the scenes" work for Matt and Aaron in the past few years - most notably creating and maintaining the website for Blame Society Productions
(www.BlameSociety.net) . But this was the first time the four of us have
really worked together as a team, and it's been so much fun to work together as two couples and as a foursome of friends. We've also been really
fortunate to work with talented regional actors and crew members. Each
episode takes at least two five or six hour nights, and sometimes more for
episodes that are filmed at locations other than the Willy Street Coop (the
Madison grocery cooperative that has been kind enough to let us use the
store as the series' primary location). Everyone volunteers their time, and we couldn't
be luckier. A recent highlight was the appearance of Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz in
episode 6. His office contacted us to let us know that Mayor Dave was a fan and that
he'd love to be in an episode, which of course we took him up on!
Season 1 consists of eight episodes, the last of which we filmed in late March. Matt and
Aaron recently appeared on VH-1's 40 Greatest Internet Superstars, and just returned
from working with Mike Nelson and Kevin Murphy of Mystery Science Theater 3000 fame
for their latest endeavor "Rifftrax." Rifftrax is a website from which you can download humorous audio commentary that plays in sync along to popular movies, such as
Lord Of The Rings, The Matrix, and The Phantom Menace. Rifftrax invited Matt and
Aaron to San Diego last week to record a track which features the voice of Chad. Aaron
and Matt also filmed their own special episode of Chad Vader featuring both Kevin Murphy and Mike Nelson, which should be available online within the next few weeks.
We'll be taking a short break from filming the series, but plan on beginning preparations
for Chad Vader - season 2 within the next few months. It's been a hectic, but extremely
rewarding and exciting year for us!
Rifftrax will be releasing audio commentary for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, featuring commentary by "Chad Vader," on Friday, April 6, via Rifftrax.com. The first season
of Chad Vader - Day Shift Manager will be released on DVD by Blame Society Productions sometime in late April.
SENATOR DECKER “WHERE’S OUR BILL!!”...
CALL SENATOR RUSS DECKER TODAY AND ASK HIM - WHERE IS OUR BILL? - SB24?- WHY IS NOT
BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW? WE NEED HIS PROMPT ACTION NOW - CALL
SEN. DECKER AT 608-266-2502 - REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT FOR SB24 !
IF YOU HAVEN’T CONTACTED SENATOR DECKER IT’S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY IN ORDER TO KEEP
FILM IN WISCONSIN MOVING FORWARD. PLEASE CONTACT HIM ASAP!!
3
Opening Credits Read to Role (continued from page 1.)
The cast behind the grassroots effort
called Film Wisconsin to make this all
happen is even longer. Since I’m limited for space (sort of like an Oscar
acceptance speech), let me just thank
George Tzougros and Scott Robbe and
all members of the Film Wisconsin
“core” working group.
But the work is far from done. In
many ways, it’s just starting. While
there continues to be an effort to
move the effective date of the incentives earlier (Senate Bill 24), these
efforts have been stymied by Sen.
Russ Decker, who refuses to place this
bill on the Joint Finance Committee
agenda, which he co-chairs. We’re not
giving up. Starting earlier would mean
jobs and new economic impact pouring into a state that has lagged in job
growth (including seriously high unemployment with specific segments of
our population) and is beset with
“brain drain.” The industry also presents opportunities for us to market
the beauty and diversity of our state
through the worldwide reach of film.
Whether Sen. Decker comes around is
yet to be determined. What we do
know is that we have a lot of work to
do in marketing the state to potential
filmmakers, building a crew base, establishing infrastructure and funding
and opening
YOU NEED A GUN? A ZOMBIE?
OR SOME SPECIAL EFFECTS THAT
WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN
YOU MOVIE CONTACT:
JIM BETTS, JR.
PO Box 270112
Milwaukee,WI 53227
414-329-0355
4
the Film Wisconsin office. All of these
things are taking place in anticipation
of the Jan. 2008 start date, or hopefully sooner. Our biggest need is film
office funding. Sponsorship opportunities abound. Contact me for more
information.
There’s no question that filmmakers,
most based on the east and west
coast are looking for a “new face” in
the form of a new U.S. location to
work. Since the buzz was generated
about our incentives, we have received some 100 inquiries from production companies representing some
$100 million in production work. If
Sen. Decker budges, we have the opportunity to possibly win a couple of
$10 million dollar films for the state
yet this year, including the Beacon
Pictures production of “The Poker Kid,”
the true story of
Madison poker phenom Phil Hellmuth
Jr. If not, we’ll be closed for business
until Jan. 1, 2008. But times goes
quickly and we have a lot of work to
do!
This drama is still being played out,
but we’re optimistic that this will have
a happy ending with many awardwinning sequels in the future.
David Fantle is vice president of public
relations for VISIT Milwaukee and a
member of the Film Wisconsin task
force. He can be reached at
[email protected].
DO YOU KNOW WHO SENATOR
DECKER IS? DO YOU KNOW WHY FILM
MAY NOT COME TO WISCONSIN?
CALL SENATOR RUSS DECKER TODAY AND
ASK HIM - WHERE IS OUR BILL? - SB24?WHY IS NOT BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW? WE NEED HIS
PROMPT ACTION NOW - CALL SEN.
DECKER AT 608-266-2502 - REGISTER
YOUR SUPPORT FOR SB24 !
Music, Lights, Editing by
Duane L. Martin - Rogue
Cinema
Music can really set the
whole mood and feel of a
scene. Making the right
choices for the music you
use in the various scenes
is so important, because if
you screw that up, you
end up shooting yourself
in the foot. Always make
sure that the music you
choose or write for a
scene is appropriate, not
obnoxious and flows well
with the rest of the music
in the film. Continuity of
musical style is also important. Keep the musical
style consistent so the
viewer doesn't feel like
he's being hammed over
the head with a mishmash
of sound. The most important thing however, is
to lower the volume level
of the music when people
are talking, so you can
actually hear what they're
saying. No matter how
much you like the music
you wrote or chose for a
scene, it's never as important as the dialogue
and should always be
subtle and understated
while people are talking.
The only exception to this
would be if the scene actually calls for it to be
otherwise. For example,
someone and his neighbor
arguing over the neighbor's loud music while it
plays in the background
and half drowns out their
5
argument. In a situation
like that it's ok, otherwise, keep it down.
Poor Lighting:
How can you enjoy a
movie if you can't see it?
I've seen lots of movies
that use darkness and
poor lighting to "set a
mood" while totally ignoring the fact that the
viewer can't see anything
that's going on. What
good is setting a mood if
the viewer can't enjoy the
film because he can't see
it? The only mood that
creates is a bad mood for
the viewer who spent
money to see your film.
There are ways to give
the impression of darkness while still allowing
the viewer to see what's
going on. I believe these
are called day for night
shots, meaning they're
shot in the day, so you
can see what's going on,
but they're shot or processed in a certain way so
it looks like it's evening.
This technique is especially useful for those who
shoot on digital video because it allows you to
keep your visual quality
higher since you don't
have to shoot in actual
darkness, thereby avoiding the low-light video
noise that so many cameras are prone to. Even
the high end, multithousand dollar cameras
suffer from it, but nowhere near as much as
the consumer and prosumer level cameras that
the lower budget filmmakers just starting out
would tend to use.
If you're unsure of how
do achieve proper lighting, there are many tutorials for filmmakers online. Just do a search and
you should be able to
come up with a plethora
of information on how to
achieve a wide variety of
lighting looks and effects.
Over Editing and Proper
Editing:
When you make a film,
you're telling a story. If
that story is edited together in such a way that
it becomes confusing to
the viewer or just flat out
annoying to watch because the scenes are
jumping around so much
that visually the movie
becomes nothing more
than a blur of mindlessly
quick edits, then you're
pretty much guaranteed
not only bad reviews, but
also irritated viewers who
won't want to see any
more of your films. Over
editing a film can kill it
just as fast as a film
that's under edited.
An under edited film is a
film that holds on it's
shots and scenes way too
long, leaving the viewer
bored and looking for the
fast forward button. An
example of this can be
found in various Takashi Miike films, where he'll have a shot of someone just sitting,
or walking somewhere or whatever for several minutes. There's nothing else going on...just
several minutes of a single, unedited shot that can be cut down to several seconds with a
fast forward button. Shots like that don't set a mood, they just make the viewer bored and
antsy.
Another problem I've seen more times than I can count are films that have a conversation
between two people, shot with one camera. Each person is shot delivering their lines individually and the scene is edited to cut back and forth between them. The unfortunate effects
of this are two-fold. First, the conversation becomes disjointed because of the timing differences between each person's lines of dialogue. If you don't get the timing down in the editing just right, you can end up with a result that doesn't sound like a single fluid conversation, but more like what it actually is - two separate dialogue recordings edited together in a
rather awkward way. The other problem you end up with is a constantly fluctuating background noise level. This particular problem however can be avoided by recording the dialogue as tightly and as isolated as possible, and
then recording a solid
background noise track, which is then mixed
just enough to
mask any disjointment in the dialogue edits. When doLocations:
ing this however, you have to make sure
that the timNorthern Wisconsin
ing, inflections in the speech and everything else in
Southeast Wisconsin
the actual dialogue and the edits are
worked out
Wayne Clingman
seamlessly, otherwise you'll just end up
correcting one
262-632-5336
problem while leaving another.
Another editing problem comes into play when filmmakers leave in scenes that are pointless, don't work or are just flat out unnecessary. I can think of one film in particular that
suffered from this problem. The film ended up being around three hours long or a bit more
because the filmmaker basically included every single scene he shot rather than taking the
time to make a tightly edited film which told a concise and well paced story. Needless to say,
by the time I was finished watching said film, I was ready to put a bullet in my head. Not
only did he include every single scene, but there were several, completely unnecessary
montages included in those scenes who's only purpose seemed to be to give you something
to watch while a full song played in the background. If you want to make a music video,
then make one, but don't hog up screen time in an actual film with it.
Some films have the opposite problem. They'll edit down, or edit out completely scenes that
were necessary in the telling of the story, which then leaves the viewer confused and
scratching their heads. Make sure that you watch your film after you edit it, and definitely
make sure that everything's in there that needs to be in there. Think of it this way. You
speak English. If I type the sentence, "I lke mvies vry mch," you know what I'm saying because your brain fills in the missing letters as you read it. Now think of the viewer as someone who doesn't speak English and can't fill in the letters. You can sit there and watch the
final edit of your movie and fill in the gaps as you watch it because you know the story and
it all makes sense to you, but you always have to keep in mind that you're not making a film
so you can sit around and watch it. You're making it for other people to watch, so make sure
all the letters are there so they're not sitting there scratching their heads, wondering what's
going on.
6
The dance is characterized by smooth,
flowing, sensual movements of the
torso and hips, alternated with stacThe art of belly dance has become
cato shaking and shimmies. As Milwaupopular as a fun and creative form of
kee instructor and performer Shaia
exercise. It is now offered at many
says, "Belly dance is tremendously
YMCAs, recreation departments, and
popular, because it is sensuous, it will
dance studios throughout Milwaukee
tone your core muscles, has great
and the suburbs.
aerobic benefits, and is the most fun
way to stay in shape that I have found."
Galatea, a professional belly dancer
and instructor in Germantown, MenoThis popularity has resulted in an inmonee Falls, and West Bend explains,
crease in local belly dance perform"Belly Dance has many physical and
ances, as well as classes. Dancers perpsychological benefits. It's a low-impact
form regularly at area restaurants, fesdance style that improves muscle
tivals and expos, including the Wisconstrength and flexibility, balance, possin State Fair. For example, a rare opture, and body awareness." It's not just
portunity to see an internationallyyour body that benefits from belly
famous master belly dancer, Alexandra
dancing. Galatea adds, "The mental
King, takes place on May 5, 2007, in
effort needed to learn and correctly
Menomonee Falls. She will star in a
execute the movements allows the stubelly dance performance showcase,
dent to focus entirely on themselves,
featuring dancers and drummers from
leaving day-to-day concerns to momenMilwaukee, Chicago and Madison. For
tarily fade away." It is a great stress
more information about the show, visit
reducing activity, giving women the
dreamdancelive.org.
opportunity to do creative exercise in
a supportive learning environment
For more information about
that fosters friendship and camarabelly dance classin your area
derie.
visit galateadancer.comr
is on the prowl milwaukeebellydance.com.
The ancient art of Egyptian belly
Also check with your local
dance, called Raks Sharki, or Dance and coming soon! YMCA, recreation departof the Orient, is said to be the oldest Women’s and men’s apparel ment, or dance studio. And,
and most universal dance of all. Its featuring original graphics enjoy yourself, as you
origins trace back to the Middle East, created by really cool artists! shimmy your way to fun and
the Mediterranean and Africa. Hisfitness, the belly dance way!
John Balsley
Topcat
torical evidence shows Egyptian
Allison Healy
Dreamdance, Inc. Presents An
tomb paintings from 14 BC depicting
Ania Jalosinka
belly dancers, as well as Persian
Evening of Belly Dance Starring
Kelly Brown
paintings from 12 AD. The dance was Mitch Mortimer
Alexandra King
considered sacred, danced by
One-night-only performance
women for women, and not intended
on May 5, 2007 at 8:00PM, at
to be seen by men at all.
North Junior High Audito rium, in Menomonee Falls.
Oriental dance is uniquely designed
For more information confor the female body, with an emphatact Denise White at 262sis on abdominal muscles and hip
253-0508.
moves. It is elemental and earthy,
traditionally done with bare feet
that are well-connected to the
ground.
Shimmy Your Way to Fun and Fitness Belly Dance! by Denise White
Topcat
Experience something “Magical”
Wear clothing that reflects who you are.
414-731-4393
www.topcatshack.com
7
A Beginning of a Beautiful Relationship by
Wayne Clingman
Back in April 2005 a few men and
women gathered in a Dinner in Madison, to talk about what we could do
to either save the Wisconsin Film Office or failing that make one of own
creation. I no longer have the sign in
sheet but I can recall many of those
there that day, we were not Greek
Hero’s holding a pass nor were we
Gathered around “a Stiff Made of Paper”, no we were simple men and
women faced with a task.
Some after attending a meeting or
two dropped away, some never attending anything send everything
from helpful advice to Death Threats.
A few sat back and toss darts condemning anything they could not
control or make money on the rest of
us after gathering like-minded folk
moved boldly forward, have done the
incredible, we without paid lobbies
(The blood suckers left fast) had a Bill
written passed and signed!
Helped a lot that we have great leadership Helped that Film Wisconsin is
for anyone who wants to pitch in.
Yes there is work and lots of it that till
needs to be done. First among them
is helping to educate Senator Decker
that AB 24 should be brought to a
vote TODAY! (if you have not called
him please do (608) 266-2502.
However the day is coming and that
right soon where we will be saying,
“Wisconsin is open for business, Film
Business!” Please join us as we move
forward, “ON WISCONSIN!”
ICFLM Rockets Beer Drinkers in
Space to Success! by Frank
Delle
In 1983, a group of friends working
at Disney building EPCOT made a
movie. None of them had ever
made a feature-length movie before, but they used their creative
talents, project management skills
and sense of teamwork from Disney to create Beer Drinkers in
Space.
The movie took nine
months to complete and consumed
their lives and their homes as they
constructed spaceship interior sets
in family rooms, bedrooms, and
garages.
Elaborate models and
pyrotechnics were shot. The script
was transferred to cue cards and
the intrepid movie makers popped
open a few beers and got in front
of the cameras to shoot this camp
comedy feature.
The movie took aired on a few cable TV systems around the country
8
(including Green Bay, Wisconsin!)
But because the filmmakers were
so exhausted from their ordeal,
there was no promotion of the
movie and the project ended.
Then, in 2006, Beer Drinkers in
Space writer and director Frank
Delle revisited the movie by finding
everyone involved in the project
and interviewed them for a new
documentary.
Using these new
interviews, as well as photographs, raw footage, behind the
scenes footage and clips from the
movie, Frank created Keep Drinking Men! The Story of Beer Drinkers in Space.
The hour-long documentary takes
an affectionate look back at Beer
Drinkers in Space and gives long
overdue recognition and awareness
for everyone involved in the
project. The documentary has lots
of laughs, looking back at the
filmmakers’ inexperience, but it is
also inspirational for anyone considering making their own lowbudget movie.
In 2006, Keep Drinking, Men!
screened at several film festivals
around the country, including the It
Came From Lake Michigan Film
Festival in Racine, Wisconsin.
Frank Delle traveled from Florida to
Racine to screen the documentary
and the movie and to take questions from the audience. It was
during the ICFLM Film Festival that
Frank Delle met Jason Paul Collum,
another filmmaker in attendance.
Jason had his movies distributed
by Tempe Video and Frank had already sent Keep Drinking, Men! to
Tempe for consideration. Jason
called Tempe on behalf of Frank
and asked them to look for the
Beer Drinkers in Space screener.
A week later, Frank received word
from Tempe Video that they
watched the screener and wanted
9
to distribute Beer Drinkers in
Space and Keep Drinking, Men!
The Story of Beer Drinkers in
Space on DVD. Beer Drinkers in
Space will be available in July at
many online retailers like Amazon,
Borders, Barnes and Noble, Circuit
City, Net Flix and Critic’s Choice.
The success of this project may not
have happened if not for the graciousness of the It Came From
Lake Michigan Film Festival’s director, Wayne Clingman and the
networking of the terrific professionals he had in attendance.
Frank and his team refer to Keep
Drinking, Men! as “the little documentary that could” and are surprised and grateful for its success.
More information is available at
www.beerdrinkersinspace.com
GOOOD BLOOOD by Jim Betts, Jr.
For my first article on Special Effects Make-Up for the low budget filmmaker I figured I’d concentrate on the fake blood and the different types you can make for
different purposes.
I find in most low budget films people tend to just pour some Karo syrup in a bowl
and mix in red food coloring which is a common misconception among effects people in the industry of Low Budget Filmmaking. The basics are the first steps to selling any effect and blood is the most easily screwed up. Blood can be used to sell an
effect as well as hide the fakeness of other effects that either didn’t turn out as well
as hoped or just doesn’t look good on camera.
Well start with a basic blood recipe:
"Basic Good Tasting Blood"...
2 cups of white corn syrup (for thickness and as a base)
1 cup of water (for thining effect)
10 table spoons of maize flour (makes the blood less translucent)
10 tea spoons red food coloring (for color)
5 drops blue food coloring (for color)
A few drops concentrated mint (for taste)
This recipe can be used in your actor’s mouth or for pretty much any use you can
think of. I do suggest the mint if it is to be used in the actors mouth though. Be
pre-warned though this does tend to stain skin, clothes and certain materials.
This blood should be used when your actor will be in the same position or when you
want it to look like the blood has been there for awhile. This blood will actually
change color as it dries from a real red arterial blood to a brownish red as it dries.
This is perfect to use if say you have a bullet hit and your going to use the same
wardrobe throughout the production as it will look like actual blood drying.
"Drying Clotting Blood"...
1-2 handfuls of Nesquick (or other cocoa milk mix)
1 cup of water
2 cups of White Karo Syrup
30 drops of red food coloring
5-6 drops of blue food coloring
The last blood I will go through is what I like to call "Gore" Blood. This is a blood
that is used when you want it to stay in a position for a very long time, Such as in a
wound or on a laceration. This is perfect also if you are doing a zombie movie and
have any sort of gut pulling or gut munching as it really heightens the look of your
intestines.
"Gore and Guts Blood"...
2/3 cup Oriental Dipping Sauce "Cherry" (oriental section of most grocers)
1/3 cup Water
1/2-1 Teaspoon Red Food Coloring
(depending on redness needed)
2 or 3 Drops Green or Blue Food Coloring
1/3 cup Chocolate Sauce (optional - to darkend the blood)
continued on page 12
10
“Orsen Welles by
James Niebur
23rd Hour....
Orson
An infection is spreading rapidly through the midwest in a place
Welles
called Racine, WI. They have instituted military checkpoints and a
was born in
curfew to try and contain the infection; however some surroundKenosha, Wising areas have been reporting signs...
consin, but
moved to Chicago
It’s only been 32 hours and we are getting reports of a disas a very young boy.
tress call from Military Checkpoint Delta.... It seems they
Whenever asked about
have deployed a team of five elite mercenaries in an efhis birth place, he stated
fort to stop the infection and assist the Delta...
he was born in “the Chicago
area.” When pressed for the
Four hours later the mercenaries have not found
specific city, he refer to it as a
Delta, but a group of survivors. In an effort to
“vast cultural wasteland.” Yet, we
survive they stay together in hopes of being exin Wisconsin embrace him as one of
tracted from the diseased city before it’s too
our own, and his birthplace in Kenosha
late..
is designated as a preserved landmark.
Welles is a giant of the film industry, and
The sun rises and the darkness falls. A
for only a handful of films. Chiefly, this
new day has begun. Take it by the
status comes from his very first movie, Citizen
horns and embrace the challenge.
Kane, which was released by RKO studios in 1941.
The challenges you faced yesterday
A monumental achievement on several levels, this
may still be there, but it doesn’t
study of a businessman’s rise in the world of journalhave to control you. Smile your
ism and his eventual descent into madness was said to be
way through the day and
an unflattering portrait of William Randolph Hearst, who
things will get better with lithad any mention of the film banned from his newspapers.
tle effort. Do something
This caused the movie to have limited release, and even more
nice for someone you
limited box office success. Of course these limitations did not
don’t know and you’ll
keep it from being hailed over generations as the greatest movie
reap the reward. Tell
ever made.
those close to you,
Of course to claim any film as the best from all eras and nations is difyour proud of
ficult as nobody has seen every other movie. Citizen Kane, however, still
them, and move
tops most Best Film lists as almost a given prerequisite. It is likely Welles’
forward....
greatest cinematic achievement, with his studying of time and space, his use of
Anonymous
deep focus, and his mysteries about the human psyche, all combining in what can
easily be considered among the most masterful creations in film history.
Welles continued to work, but never matched the achievement of his first effort.
The family dynasty epic The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) was butchered by studio
editors (and later restored for cultural and historical preservation). Even in its truncated
form, it is preferred by some even to Citizen Kane. Great noir classics like The Lady From
Shanghai (1946) and Touch of Evil (1958) and his performance in Carol Reed’s masterful The
Third Man (1949), are embraced, but never seem to undermine the impact of Citizen Kane, which
has maintained its firm and lofty position over generations.
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It is oddly interesting that Citizen Kane also allows Welles that status of being among the only filmmakers active during Hollywood’s golden age that are still talked about today (the others being John
Ford and Alfred Hitchcock), while too casually overlooking equally talented directors even when limiting one’s appreciation to American movies.
Welles himself became an unfortunate self-parody. While his explorations into Shakespeare on film,
his brilliant-but-flawed efforts like The Stranger (1946) and Mr. Arkadin (1951), and his myriad of
performances in films of others, from the deep drama of Martin Ritt’s The Long Hot Summer (1958)
to the comedy of Bud Yorkin’s Start the Revolution Without Me (1969), all had some interest, his
career ended badly. Toward the end of his years, his greatest status was as a talk show ranconteur,
his work soon relegated to shilling wine on TV commercials and filling in as guest host on daytime gab
fests. This writer vividly recalls Welles guesting for Merv Griffin when comedian Andy Kaufman
showed clips of his pro wrestling exhibition. After the clips, a clearly bemused Welles intoned, “that
can only be described as an experience.”
Orson Welles died in 1985
Call For Entries
October 26 - 28, 2007
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
For Information & Entry Form - www.itcamefromlakemichigan.com
Good Blood by Jim Betts, Jr. (continued from page 10...)
As I said above this is perfect for any of your really gory chest or abdominal
wounds as well as the deep cuts and lacerations on an actors face arm etc. As
this blood stays in place and does not run like a normal runny and watery blood.
Thats all the room I have for now so remember........The More Blood The
Better!
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6312 Monona Dr
Madison, WI 53716
http://therockagency.com
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