FantasyTown

FantasyTown turned out spectacularly. John and Mike Frenden know how to make film, and the actors they choose to work with were uniformly good. No wonder that, for the second year in a row, John's film earned the "Audience Favorite Award!" It also got the overall award for costumes.

I played Hal Haynes, Court Clerk. Just a few lines, but character development was crucial. Of course I did what I usually like to do--select my own wardrobe: jeans, jacket, white shirt, string tie, cowboy boots, ten gallon hat and half-specs; as well as beard and hair parted crisply down the middle.


That's John Frenden to my right in the screen shot, and Jason Glick to my right.

The film included saloon girls, Indians (speaking in native language) on horseback, school kids, cowboys and one of the best swamp monsters in movie history (played by Jim Cernanec, Jr). It was shot on location at Fry Family Farms and Museum of Western Reserve Farms and Equipment in Richfield, Ohio.

See the movie here: (http://www.youtube.com/actorloganfry).

Swamp Thing I

Finished 48 Hour Film Project filming on Saturday. What a blast! Of course I can't post a comment until the screening on Thursday--just let me say that John Frenden, and his brother Mike, were superb; as were the cast and crew. Seven times better than last year--and it takes some mighty fine filmmaking to beat "Alien Robot Invasion." .

The Intervention

I just got back from the first night's shoot of Lara Klaber's "The Intervention." I play the role of the dead body. Hope I pulled it off. We got to a nice house in Cleveland Heights at 6:30 PM, but waited for the sun to go down before the actual shoot began.

Nice equipment, and a dolly track set up in the living room, turning the corner into the dining room. The furniture was removed, as well as the rug--there will be blood!

The movie is a CSU student project. One of the best I've seen: a girl with dissociative personality disorder is released from an institution, and while being helped by her psychiatrist and family--murders them all. Kristen Deyling plays the central role of Daphne, but has three sisters and a brother who co-occupy her headspace. Very nice acting.

For me, the challenge was playing a dead body. I could have just lay there, but I wanted to achieve a more sinister look. I needed to lie still with eyes wide open and mouth agape. Not easy to hold eyes open for an extended period of time while the camera rolled.

We wrapped at about 10:30 PM. Time to wash off the blood.

Color

The trailer for "Color" is up. This is Cory Sheldon's film involving corporate intrigue and unusual human sensory capabilities: Lux Davis is a tetrachromat.

I had a small role as a private physician--six lines. Primary filming was nearly two years ago. The trailer looks great (I'm not in it, though). Here it is:

http://vimeo.com/4182964

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Satisfied

Dave just sent me a copy of the "Unsatisfied" via e-mail, DVD to follow. It's short but interesting. I'll post it in as soon as I get the go-ahead.

Just Psycho

Untitled "Eliot Ness documentary" rapped at 1:45 AM. A strange shoot at an old mansion in Lakewood. A couple outside scenes; then it started to rain. Still good for mood; but tricky for electrical. And keeping lighting and cameras dry. On the other hand, we got some million dollar scenes for free.

Then inside for some light butchering--but no real bodies. Finally the interrogation. What kind of doctor wears his hat in the house? Well this one did. Good for shadows and contrast on my face. I also got a big, bushy moustache. No one will recognize me in this film.

John Frenden looks good as Ness. He nailed the look. Looking forward to the final cut.

Torso Murder Psycho

This came as a surprise. John Frenden (who produced "Alien Robot Invasion") e-mailed early this morning. Would I like to play Dr. Francis Sweeney, the infamous "torso murderer" - filming tonight in Cleveland? John's doing a historical documentary based on Cleveland's Eliot Ness for a competition. I'll need to pull together some props; color my hair and pull together wardrobe--but I'm up for it.

Talked with John this morning. Filming at his office. He said not to worry about script. It will be an interrogation. Just come in character. Insane doctor--torso murderer.