NEWS RELEASE Friday, August 07, 2015
San Diego, CA

Casualty Films today announced that Pre-Production for their newest Film “Time Free Dentistry” has begun. All of the Principal Photography is being shot in San Diego. Returning to work together again as a Team is screenwriter Joseph Luna, Director of Photography is Terry Adams, Director Alex Robles and Producer Matt Morgan.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to make another Film. We’re back!” said Producer Matt Morgan. “As usual, we have another outstanding group of Actors and more than half the Crew from our previous Film “The Brazilian Affair” has signed on again. You know, I think that says a lot about a Production Company when many of the same Crew Members return to work alongside you.”

Morgan also went on to say, “With our team in place, we’re starting Rehearsals in 2 weeks along with several pre-production meetings so it’s all systems go.” The film “Time Free Dentistry” is a Sci-Fi Comedy about a Dentist who experiences a horrible first day at work. He quickly learns how a small, dentist office may change the future of dentistry but unknowingly creates havoc in the office. With the use of proprietary technology, Time Free Dentistry has a device that will change the industry if not the world.

Casualty Films also has the aforementioned film “The Brazilian Affair” due for its World Premiere here in San Diego, the Venue will be forthcoming in several weeks.

Look for more updates coming in the near future.

So, as we begin our latest short, Casualty Films is looking for a PA to assist us with the promotion of the film with Social Media in support of the Crowdfunding Campaign (bonus if you’ve done an Indiegogo or Kickstarter!) We are looking for someone who has time to work with us as this is a micro budget film. However, we can give you a stipend which we will be happy to discuss when we met. So, if you have some Mad Skillz with FB, Twitter, Vines, Google+, Foursquare, etc. please reach out to us as we’d love to chat with you about your abilities and any ideas that you might have.

We are a small production company with a core group made up of a Director, Writer, DP and Editor who has successfully funded 2 previous projects with Crowdfunding (Traveling Through Life & The Brazilian Affair) which are now in Post and scheduled for World Premier’s this Summer.

Looking forward to talking soon.

Cheers!

I’m sure that I’ll get bad-mouthed for posting this, why bother, right? Well, there is a very telling indicator why Hollywood Films are so bad. There’s absolutely no originality in Tinsel Town. For instance, let’s take One-Sheets (Movie Posters.) Now, I *love* One-Sheets and have some from the 50’s. They’re awesome. But now days, not so much. So, it’s time for show and tell! The following is just how little creativity there really is at the Studios. For your approval, I give you the 15 Over-Used Movie Poster Clichés. http://www.dailyinspiration.nl/has-hollywood-lost-its-creativity/

Do you ever feel like you’re seeing the same movie poster again and again? You probably are. They just recycle these designs:

If your film is a “big independent film” then go with that really loud yellow. This shows you’re a true maverick!

A romantic comedy? Heck, have the Woman wear a red dress!

For the ultra-dramatic back-shot, how about the tried and true lonely hero/vigilante silhouette? Bonus points for bad-assery if he’s wearing a hat!

Got a horror flick that you want to scare the bejesus out of audience with? Then use the huge, looming eye as the go-to movie poster. Ooooooh, scary!!!

Animals movie posters always use dark blue and have some thin, white text in capital letter. They’re typically seen in a profile shot or from the back. Don’t forget to put in a huge white moon too!

What if your Film is about Justice and Law? Use the blindfold dude!

It’s a Tom Cruise picture? No problem. A side shot of him. He’s got a great profile!

A simple one, if your actors are brave and heroic then super impose text.

Okay, what about a tough-love relationship? Piece of cake, just have them standing back to back!

If your movie is really poignant and touching then just use the silhouette in front of the ocean while faces float in the clouds. Make sure to invoke those pastels too.

If you see a black and white poster with a flaming red blasting out then you can bet it’s an action flick. Expect at the very least…5 explosions.

But if it’s comic book-like, then use a high style with a weaponry focus combining black and white with red block text. Much more effective!

The standard person running down the middle of a street should more than likely be blue. And it’s a safe bet that it’s a a thriller type of movie as well.

Now don’t be hating on me because I’m a bit partial to this one. The poster is dominated by faces created out of elements of the film.

And last but not least, SEX!!! Put some shapely, female legs spread in an upside down V and put your protagonist standing under them. Or staring at them. Point your guns at the bad guys through them. A myriad of gorgeous gams, just look at the endless possibilities!

So, why are Hollywood films are so bad?

That’s how I would describe the 87th annual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards aka The Oscars was Founded in 1927. The notion of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) began with Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He wanted to create an organization that would mediate labor disputes and improve the industry’s image. So, on a Sunday evening, Mayer and three other studio big-wigs – actor Conrad Nagel, director Fred Niblo, and the head of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, Fred Beetson – sat down and discussed these matters. The idea of this elite club having an annual banquet was tossed around, but there was no mention of awards just yet. They also established that membership into the organization would only be open to people involved in one of the five branches of the industry: actors, directors, writers, technicians, and producers. (from Wikipedia)

The Oscars are something that I look forward to every year. A friend mentioned that it’d be fun to have a party to watch it at, I’m sure that I’d like to either attend or hold one myself. We’ll see next year. But I have been watching over the years and wasn’t exactly thrilled with the overall performance. While there were some humorous moments, some of the WTF moments just didn’t sit right with me. The moment that Neil Patrick Harris walked out in his underwear was pretty funny. I thought immediately of “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston but it was also a tribute to Micheal Keaton in Birdman. The balls it took to do that! No pun intended. Not sure I could do it at my age, if I were in a bit better shape, hell ya, I’d be happy to show off my… okay you get the picture… Speaking of Birdman, I enjoyed the movie. And its not a Superhero movie either. As dark comedies go, it was pretty damn good. It’s also a bit ironic that former Batman star Michael Keaton played the titular role of a washed up former veteran of superhero movies vying to find acceptance as a true artist. The editing that made it look as one long take was a pretty amazing accomplishment. If you’ve not seen it, I highly recommend it from the technical standpoint as well as the story. It most definitely deserved the accolades and awards. Too bad Keaton didn’t win. Apparently he had started to take the speech out of his pocket when they announced the winner and then looked down as it went to Eddy Redmayne for “The Theory of Everything” which is one I’ve not seen either but will do so as it comes out on video.

I understand why Sean Penn said what he said because he and Director Alejandro González Iñárritu did the movie 21 Grams, so they have history. Iñárritu said the comment was hilarious. It was just a bit jarring so perhaps I’m losing my sense of humor? lol But I thought it fell flat. Some of the jokes like the one NPH said about “American Sniper” and Oprah made no sense. I was surprised that Clint Eastwood didn’t get any awards for his film. But I did post this on Facebook about Bradley Cooper: “The more I think about it, the more upset I am that Bradley Cooper was snubbed at The Oscars on Sunday. Hear me out. I know Cooper did not portray the kind of character or take on the kind of role that the snobs in Hollywood typically care for–it didn’t fit the traditional “Best Actor” mold. There was lots of violence in the film; he spent most of the movie brandishing a gun, and yes, the character was portrayed as something of a superhero in a situation with much bigger political issues at play that the movie only grazed. But his sensitive portrayal of the scars his character endured–both physical and emotional–brought an unexpected pathos to a character who could otherwise have easily just been a cartoon character. Yes, he used a firearm. Yes, his partner was a little wooden. Yes, the accent was a little distracting at times. But none of those things should have disqualified Cooper from gaining the well-deserved recognition for breathing such life into a character that enthralled us all. You know it. I know it. Deep down in their hearts, the Oscar voters know it. This year’s best performance was Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon.”

Yes, I’m being funny and I really loved “Guardians of the Galaxy” as it was space opera at it’s best. The Marvel Studios juggernaut continues unabated, even though it’s not considered award worthy (maybe for Special VFX) but the film was fun to watch. I’m looking forward to then sequel and all the movies that are coming in 2015. Hopefully the Oscars will be a better show next year. You know, if they had Jack Black host? But I’m not sure I’d want to see him in his tighty whities.

For those of you who didn’t watch the Oscars, Graham Moore who is the screenwriter for the film “The Imitation Game” said “Stay Weird, Stay Different” when he accepted his Oscar. Don’t worry, I’ll get to that whole Hot Mess (The Oscars) in a separate blog post but I wanted to touch base on what Graham said. Here’s the gist of it:

“In this brief time here what I want to use it to do is to say this: when I was 16 years old I tried to kill myself because I felt weird and I felt different and I felt like I did not belong. And now I am standing here, and I would like this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she’s weird or she’s different or she doesn’t fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do.

Stay weird, stay different, and then when it’s your turn and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along.”

His whole speech I could really relate to; these words meant a lot because I too tried to take my life when I was 15. It was a really difficult time for me. I was confused, out of control and a Rebel without a Clue. It was hard to fit in when you felt like you’re not like others. I wasn’t a Jock, or a Brain or any of these other cool kids.

I was a tall, skinny dork, not the handsome, dashing suave guy that you all know and love. lol For me, it was awkward asking out girls because I didn’t have a whole lot of experience and luck. That eventually changed but I still get a little tongue tied when talking to a woman on the phone asking them for a date now almost 40 years later (yes, I’m dating and I’m 50. Deal with it! lol) It’s a lot of pressure on a guy because we don’t want rejection. For the women, it’s much easier because women have multiple choices as there’s probably more than one guy that she may choose from. But I digress…

Being a teenage was a relatively short time but a lot of those experiences helped to forge who I was. Also a stint in the Marines was a huge advantage. But I experienced some things that made me fell isolated and longing to belong. I won’t go into the details but you know what I’m talking about if you were someone who didn’t fit in in High School. Or you’ve seen TBC. I remember seeing it for the first time, it was actually at a Drive-In Theatre in Orange County and I was dating a young lady who said that I had to see this movie. It was a double feature with St. Elmo’s Fire. Cool huh? I remember that she was very beautiful and it was raining. Other than that, the windows got a little fogged up so that’s all I remember. lol

Like always, Movies have been a big part of my life. Making films is a passion that really gives me purpose and meaning in my life. For me, I would love to do this full time and give up my day job. It would be something that I could do for the rest of my life and have the best time. It’s for the love of story-telling. I love The Silver Screen and I want to add back to the world some of the same magic that I’ve taken from the works of others. I feel like I’m doing something important. I only wish that I had pursed this earlier in my life. I’m not saying that I can’t do it now but I would have liked to have started sooner so that I’d be further along in my Film Career.

While I haven’t seen “The Imitation Game” yet, it sounds like a great film. I hope that someday I can perhaps work on a film that enjoys success and the accolades that has gotten. Maybe next time…

HORROR FILM WISDOM:

1. When it seems that you've killed the monster, never check to see if it's really dead.
2. If you find that your house is built upon or near a cemetery, was once a church used for black masses, had previous inhabitants who went mad or committed suicide or died in some horrible fashion or who performed necrophilia or satanic practices, move away immediately.
3. Do not search the basement, especially when the power has just gone out.
4. If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they do not know, or if they speak using a voice other than their own, shoot them at once. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. Note: it's unlikely they'll die easy, so be prepared.
5. When you have the benefit of numbers, never go alone.
6. If you're searching for something which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, leave the room immediately if you value your life.
7. If you're running from the monster, you will most likely trip or fall. If you are female you will.
8. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (God help you if you recognize this one), the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine, especially if it is called Derry.
9. If your car runs out of gas at night, do not go to the nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help.
10. If something bad is chasing you, bear in mind that when you try to start your car, no matter how reliable the vehicle is normally, you'll have to crank the engine over many times before it will fire up.
11. People arriving to rescue you generally get ambushed by the monster, so don't rely on them as your only means of escape. In fact, expect to be surprised and delayed by encountering their flayed corpse at some point.
12. Do not call the police as they are either evil and will turn you in or will not believe you and laugh at you. Either way, you must handle the problem yourself.
13. If you are using a gun to combat the all-comsuming evil, it is a good idea to quickly find a new means of defense, because no matter how much ammo you have, you'll run out just before you kill the monster (unless your name is Ash, in which case, you'll never have to reload).
14. If you have defeated the monster, pay close attention to the camera, if it pans away for no apparent reason at all, get the hell out of there.
15. Skeptics are always proved wrong in some horrible, nasty, painful way. Be a believer.
16. If you are a child, don't panic! Monsters only attack overly horny teenagers. Children can NOT be killed in a movie, only possessed or absorbed. So cheer up!
17. If you've beaten the monster into a bloody pulp and you're sure he must be dead, take the opportunity to dismember, burn, eat, blow up or otherwise utterly destroy him.

Just an update from the Set of “The Brazilian Affair.” It’s been a couple of really productive shooting days. We resolved an actor issue prior to the shoot beginning on the following Saturday and have got 3 out of the 4 shooting days completed. Our final day of shooting will be Saturday, November 22nd at the other location in El Cajon. We started up on Saturday for our 2nd day and it was a pretty busy day; we have been shooting approximately 3 pages a day which seems like it’s a bit of a slow pace. However, with setting up the shot, lighting, sound, it starts to eat up the time, but it’s absolutely critical.

Our DP has all the tools he needs and has been masterful in his photography. We’ve got some spectacular shots and I can’t wait to get to them in Post. Mostly I’m running around the “Compound” where we were shooting at as it’s a pretty big spread. I’m either getting Actors to Makeup or taking them from Makeup to the Set. Since they gave me a Walkie Talkie I’m pretty much guiding the Cast/Crew as they arrive. I’m also handling Craft Services as well so making the trips into town for food was just part of the job. I’m really good at stretching our money and we had some great meals. Usually I’d take someone along to help and keep me company as it’s about a hour round trip. Picked up sandwiches from a Deli in Lakeside for lunch and NY Giant Pizza for Dinner. The happiness and well being of my Cast & Crew is paramount to me. A happy crew is a productive crew.

The hosts have been just the best you can imagine. They’ve nicknamed the place “Olivers’ Last Resort” which is so apropos and it’s just a filmmakers Paradise. The views of the hills and Lake Vincente are spectacular, there’s a putting green, driving range, Helipad, Pool/Jacuzzi and all the accoutrements that come with a house like this. We were given pretty much free reign to do what we needed utilizing the available amenities and taking over the garage as our base of operations. We shot by the Pool, in the House, we even got to use the Master Bedroom for the Makeup Artists area. It’s such an amazing place with the most wonderful and fun hosts. But we’re done shooting at this location. Leaving was bittersweet, we loved it there but we’re sad that it’s over.

The shoot overall was great on Sunday as well. We had some of the closing scenes and there was a lot of Blood to add to the actor but it worked great. I was exhausted by the time I got home on Sunday night at 10pm and had to get up for my day job at 5am. Even though it’s a bit grueling for me, it’s worth as I’m so happy that the shoot has been just flawless. It’s amazing that we haven’t had any major difficulties, technical or otherwise. We’ve had a couple of miscommunications but other than that, it’s been just bliss to film this. There’s just been so many coincidences that it can’t be all chance. How could some many things go right? I kept expecting it to rain or that we have something get broke. But the Cast/Crew have been amazing. The DP and I were talking about how we’ve pushed ourselves on this project. Originally it was supposed to be an easy screenplay and instead we ended up with a 19 page epic. We’ve gone way past where I thought we would be and by testing ourselves and our limits, we are seeing what we can accomplish which has been tremendously rewarding and a little terrifying all in the same moment.

There’s been these serendipitous moments that have become pretty much the norm. We had a minor crisis that involved one of our actors and due to some restrictions that were placed on us by a certain Guild (you know who you are…) we had to replace the actor. What they were telling us would have effectively killed our film and for us to have to abide by their restrictions would have been suicide both financially and artistically. I told the Cast & Crew that we agonized over the decision for several days but in the end it was a choice that we made and stand by. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one. So with the advent of Social Media and with me becoming more familiar with how to use it, the replacement process was pretty simple and effective. Within 72 hours we had found our replacement. He did a bang up job, fit right in with us in “The Wild Bunch” and gave us some of the more humorous moments in the film.

We have one more day of shooting this Saturday from 3pm till midnight and then the principal photography is done. We’re hoping to have the editing done by the end of January and screen it at the Wrap Party on Saturday January 24th if all goes well. Speaking of editing, I’m doing all of the normal editor duties as well as the Visual Effects/CG, etc. It’s not really my forte when it comes to color correction and we want to farm this part of it out. So, we are going to need a Colorist or Color Correction specialist.

I jokingly refer to this post with a line from a song that was originally done by Tiny Bradshaw as there are newer renditions of it from the Yardbirds and Aerosmith that were done. But I think this project is like a Tank that keeps on rolling. It’s just unstoppable. Can you believe it? 😉

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