Interview with Chris Carmack

Chris Carmack is playing the role of Dennis in the 3D thriller “Shark Night 3D”.  Besides acting, Chris also has a passion for music and even contributed songs to the film “The Butterfly Effect 3”. “Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Chris about working on the film “Shark Night 3D“.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background on your character Dennis in the film?
Chris Carmack: Dennis is a local dive instructor that is a bit off his rocker. He is one of those backwoods guys who rides around on four wheelers shooting guns. Dennis’ ex-girlfriend comes up to the lake for the weekend to relax not knowing Dennis would be there.  The same goes for Dennis since he was not expecting her there either. It’s clear though that they have some unfinished business.

MG: What do you look for when you approach a character?
CC: It tends to be there in the script. If you respond to the script then you’re responding to all the characters. If you are responding to all the characters then you can definitely respond to one character. When I read the script I thought it was a lot of fun and it looked like a great movie. The characters we really drawn out and identified and I loved the role of Dennis. I love playing bad guys.

MG: Over all was the job pretty intense physically?
CC: It was. Anytime you are working with water you are going to up the fatigue factor. Working in the tank had its own difficulties. There was a lot of chlorine in the water burning everyone’s eye’s but at the same time it was a controlled environment making it easier to shoot. When we got into the lake the water is easier to swim in but you’re dealing with waves and wind. There is no winning with water.

MG: Did you get to do a lot of one on one with the animatronic sharks?
CC: It didn’t seem like there was a lot of one on one. When they were on set they were the stars of the show. They were really cool awesome creatures and there is a whole team of people working them. I think the person who got the most face time with the sharks was Sara Paxton.

MG: Did you have a lot of creative freedom working with David R. Ellis?
CC: David was a lot of fun and he gave me a lot of room to work. You also had the reassurance that if something was going in the wrong direction, he would pull you back. David was definitely a blessing when we got around to the action stuff as those scenes can sometimes grind to a halt and cause some headaches. David is an expert and we sailed through stuff pretty smoothly.

MG: On the film “The Butterfly Effect 3” you wrote and performed a few songs. How did that come about?
CC: (Laughs) I’m a musician as that’s my other passion even though I don’t make a living at it. I always have my guitar with me on set and always happy to perform for those interested. I was working with director Seth Grossman and he had mentioned he wanted to put some bluesy type tunes in the background of some of the bar scenes. He asked if I had any music he could use and I told him I did and that he could use any of my songs but I wanted to have a guy I play with sing on one of the songs as he has a really great voice. I sent Seth a recording and he loved it.

MG: Do you have any other upcoming projects?
CC: There are always some balls being juggled in the air. I can’t really say too much until things are 100%

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: carmack, chris, interview

A MEDIAMIKES EXCLUSIVE – On the set of “The Avengers”

If you travel to the city of my birth, Cleveland, Ohio, you will find many great things to see downtown. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Progressive Field. Cleveland Browns Stadium. New York City.

You read that right. Smack dab in the middle of downtown Cleveland the new Disney/Marvel Films production of “The Avengers” is going full force, with Hollywood doing it’s best to turn “C-Town” into the Big Apple.

From what I can tell, parts of New York City have been badly damaged. Piles of rubble and vehicles, including a city bus, are strewn across East 41st Street (one quibble with the production if I may – the “East 41st Street” sign was large and purplish – not what you’d normally see if you visited Times Square. If these scenes are, in fact, set in New York City – the bus and taxi cabs bear New York state license plate – let’s be accurate).

“The Avengers,” starring, among others, Robert Downey, Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L. Jackson and Jeremy Renner, is scheduled to open on May 4, 2012.


A vacant city bus rests against a pile of rubble.

Note the New York State license plate.

 Taxis stacked liked pancakes.

More destruction.  Note the sign on the Parking Garage reads “Premium
      Parking for Grand Central.”

On Set.

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Interview with Ridley Pearson

Ridley Pearson is the author behind Disney’s “Kingdom Keepers” series. He has also co-written the “Peter and the Starcatchers” series with Dave Barry, the latest being “Bridge to Neverland”. Ridley is currently hard at working writing his fifth novel in the “Kingdom Keepers” series. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Ridley about his books as well and what is planned upcoming.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background on how your started the “Kingdom Hearts” series?
Ridley Pearson: The first book came out of a visit I took with my family to the parks. On the way out I looked back and saw all these people leaving after the fireworks but none of the characters were leaving. It occurred to me that what do those characters do during the 12/13 hrs that the park is closed? I had kind of a “Toy Story” moment…where the door to Andy’s room closes and the toys come to life. I thought that since the characters didn’t come out with us that they could be in this protracted twenty year battle for whether the villains or the good characters controlled the park. I talked with Disney about the idea and they had some legal concerns about not wanting anyone or thing to be harmed in the park. I totally understood that and through a series of coincidences I ended up one day seeing this holographic disk that worked when light was shined on it. I thought then that the kids in the story could be these holograms and that anything that happened to them would hurt. The attorneys at Disney thought it was a great idea and we went with it. I generally do a lot of research for my novels and after about a month of trying I was granted full access to the Disney Park. It was and continues to be a really fun experience. Some of the things in the book were real experiences I had while touring the park when it was closed.

MG: Do you have a favorite book from the series to date?
RP: It would have to be book five, which I am working on right now. (Laughs) Recently I have been on four Disney cruises and on two of those they let me down into the engine room, crew quarters and several other off limit places so that’s what I am trying to bring to life in the new books.

MG: When can we expect the new book?
RP: The first of the cruise books will come out April 2012. We are currently discussing moving the publishing date of the second cruise book up to Oct. 2012 or April 2013.

MG: Have you been approached about a movie version of the books?
RP: Disney and I have been in discussion on that for seven years. Things have been hot and cold depending on who has the throttle at that time so right now he are hearing that there are discussion of a movie being made where the rides come to life with kids in the park. That’s good news but the bad news is its probably not going to be based on the books. Disney makes great movies but it’s sad that it’s not going to be based off the book. Maybe things will change so you never know.

MG: Can you tell us about your latest novel with Dave Barry titled “Bridge to Neverland”?
RP: There is some great news with about this series, as the first book “Peter and the Starcatchers” was turned into a stage play this winter off Broadway.  It was so successful that it is being considered for a Broadway run as well as the possibility of a film version of the book as well, which would be way cool. The fifth book “Bridge to Never land” isn’t really a Starcatcher’s book as it’s a new set of characters and it takes place in present day time. What Dave and I did was we based the book off the idea of what if some kids discovered something that led them back to our “Peter and the Starcatchers” book series and they find that it’s all real. It’s a heck of a story and I think readers will find it fun. In a away it’s an extension of “Peter and the Starcatchers” however rightfully so Disney Books are looking at it as a standalone novel. I think anyone who enjoyed the “Starcatcher” series will get a big jot out of this book.

MG: What has been your involvement with the play?
RP: Lucky for the play we had no creative involvement in it what so ever! (Laughs) I’m a big theater buff and I asked for access to their process which they gave Dave and me. We got to sit in on the meetings with Rick Elice, who co-wrote “Jersey Boys”, as well as with the producers for Disney Theatrical Productions. They have done an amazing job. So often in the adaptation world the original creator is often disappointed with how their work is adapted. That is usually because a 500 page book being shrunk down to 40 pages is going to have things left out. In this case Rick Elice is way smarter and way funnier than Dave or I. In this case we are both standing back wishing we could put our names on that. We are very very lucky.

MG: How do you split your writing between adult writing and young adult writing?
RP: Creatively there is very little difference. I think that if you try to write down to kids they will sniff you out and throw you across the room every time. Dave and I…and when I write alone, we try to write engaging books with real life characters. In my crime novels I write more in an R-rated manner than when I am writing for young adults. You have to write a book where people care about the characters and in my opinion a plot that pulls you along. There really is no difference other than the content differences.

MG: What can you tell us about the “Rock Bottom Remainders”?
RP: That’s where Dave and I met now 20 years ago. It’s a goof ball band of authors that get together and raise money for charity. We are really bad on stage but Bruce Springsteen played with us one time and he told us not to get any better because if we did we would just be another lousy garage band. We are below a lousy garage band that’s how bad we are. It’s a lot of fun and we have met so many great people. The band is made up of me, Stephen King, Dave Barry, Mitch Albom, Roy Blount Jr., Greg Iles, Kathi Kamen-Goldmark, Matt Groening, James McBride, Amy Tan and Scott Turow. We do the band for good causes and we have a great time doing it.

 

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Filed Under: Author Interviews Tagged With: interview, pearson, ridley

Chris Cornell Appearing on Relativity’s “Machine Gun Preacher” Soundtrack

Relativity Music Group to Release Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for Relativity’s Machine Gun Preacher, Featuring Lead Track

 “The Keeper” Written & Performed by Chris Cornell

Score composed by Asche & Spencer

Soundtrack available September 20th, 2011

 (Beverly Hills, Calif.) August 29, 2011– Relativity Music Group is pleased to announce the release of the original motion picture soundtrack for Golden-Globe® nominee Marc Forster’s Machine Gun Preacher, featuring the original song and lead track “The Keeper,” written and performed by Grammy®-award winning musician Chris Cornell and co-produced by Alain Johannes (Great Expectations) and Chris Cornell. Machine Gun Preacher stars Gerard Butler and is based on the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who finds faith leading him on a path to help the children of East Africa.

“The Keeper” will premiere on Chris Cornell’s website (http://www.chriscornell.com) today giving fans the chance to “Donate to Download” to Sam Childers’ Angels of East Africa charity for the first 24 hours; the charity is dedicated to the rescue, restoration and enablement of children caught in the crossfire of the Lord’s Resistance Army – a rebel military group in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan. On Tuesday, August 30th the song will be available for sale on iTunes®.

Forster said, “We were thrilled when Chris wrote this beautiful and heartfelt song for us. The first time I heard ‘The Keeper,’ I immediately saw it in the movie.  Chris was able to articulate the essence of Sam’s story.”

The Machine Gun Preacher soundtrack features 15 score cues performed and composed by acclaimed musical group Asche & Spencer (Monster’s Ball) and accompanied by a 60-piece Slovak National Symphony Orchestra. The symphony was recorded in a historic facility outside Vienna Austria in the town of Bratislava. Vladimir Martinka conducted the session which was orchestrated by Sean McMahon & David Shephard.

The soundtrack will be available both physically at music retail stores and digitally at iTunes® on Tuesday, September 20th. On the physical version of the Machine Gun Preacher soundtrack, “The Keeper” will appear in two forms featuring an extended version of the song as it appears in the film. On the iTunes® version of the soundtrack, the original demo of “The Keeper” will be featured as a bonus track.

Machine Gun Preacher will be released by Relativity Media in New York and Los Angeles on September 23rd and will expand markets in the weeks to follow.

Click here hear the song by “The Keeper” by Chris Cornell:
Chris Cornell – The Keeper by chriscornell

For additional information on the film, please visit:
http://www.machinegunpreacher.org/movie/

 

ABOUT MACHINE GUN PREACHER

Machine Gun Preacher is based on the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who finds faith leading him on a path to East Africa.  Shocked by the mayhem in Sudan, Childers becomes a crusader for hundreds of refugee children. Inspired to create a safe haven for the multitudes fleeing enslavement by the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, he restores peace to their lives and eventually his own.  Directed and produced by DGA and Golden Globe®-nominee Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Monster’s Ball) and written by Jason Keller (Relativity’s Untitled Snow White Project), the film stars Gerard Butler (300) in a tour de force performance, alongside a powerful ensemble cast including Michelle Monaghan (Due Date), Kathy Baker (Cold Mountain), Oscar®-nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road), Madeline Carroll (The Spy Next Door) and breakout actor Souleymane Sy Savane (Goodbye Solo). Producing are Relativity’s Robbie Brenner, Safady Entertainment’s Gary Safady and Craig Chapman, and GG Filmz’s Deborah Giarratana.

ABOUT RELATIVITY MUSIC GROUP

Relativity Music Group was formed in 2009 under the leadership of Happy Walters, President of Music and Rogue Sports.  Over the past two years, the music division has provided music supervision, music publishing catalogues and soundtrack services for films produced and/or financed by Relativity Media and other major Hollywood studios, including such titles

as: Bridesmaids, Beginners, Dear John, Repo Men, Couples Retreat, A Single Man, Love Happens, Biutiful, The Adjustment Bureau, Zombieland, Brothers, 30 Rock, A Perfect Getaway, Limitless, The Fighter and many others.

Looking ahead, Relativity Music Group will release the following soundtracks in 2011 including: The Debt, Hanna, Like Crazy and Immortals.

Relativity Music Group plans to release 15-20 soundtracks per year via its licensing and distribution agreement with ADA/Warner Music Group.

ABOUT CHRIS CORNELL

Chris Cornell is a rock icon whose music career has spanned more than two decades as a multi-Grammy® award-winning musician, universally-acclaimed singer, songwriter and lyricist. An innovator and trailblazer of the 90’s grunge movement, Cornell seduced audiences with his richly melodic voice as the frontman for the Seattle band Soundgarden. Later, celebrated side project Temple of the Dog brought Cornell together with Pearl Jam members Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Eddie Vedder. Cornell also collaborated with three other musical pioneers from rap-rock’s Rage Against the Machine to create the multi-platinum supergroup Audioslave. Cornell has seen success in his solo career with the release of “Euphoria Morning” and his latest solo release “Scream.” Cornell’s offerings in music have also segued to cinema. Having contributed solo songs to movie soundtracks from Great Expectations (“Sunshower”) to Mission Impossible II (“Mission 2000”), he became the first American male singer to write the theme song for the James Bond franchise with “You Know My Name” in Casino Royale.

ABOUT ASCHE & SPENCER

Asche & Spencer is one of the leading theatrical and commercial scoring companies in the United States with studios in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, founded by composer/creative director Thad Spencer and former member of the alternative-country sensation The Jayhawks. Asche & Spencer’s well-chosen collaborations include Marc Forster’s Oscar®-winning film Monster’s Ball, and critically-acclaimed Stay. Asche & Spencer also worked on the Oscar®-nominated documentary War Dance directed by Sean Fine and The Onion Movie.

 

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Filed Under: Music Tagged With: appearing, chris, cornell

Allied Faith & Family Celebrating 1st Anniversary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLIED FAITH & FAMILY CELEBRATING 1ST ANNIVERSARY

Unique Faith & Family Marketing Division Builds on Its Success with Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures, and Accelerates into its Second Year with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, August 25, 2011 – Allied Faith & Family (AFF), the division of Allied Integrated Marketing dedicated to serving the faith & family audience, is marking the first anniversary of its launch with new projects and new clients, expanding beyond theatrical releases into home entertainment.

AFF’s co-founders, Tom Allen and Kellie Barnes, believe the division’s success has been driven by its unique approach and capabilities. “AFF focuses on the higher values and messages contained in quality films, while also encouraging greater communion between Hollywood and the faith community,” explains Allen. Barnes added, “With faith-based representatives in 21 offices nationwide who interact with religious leaders and communities in each market, we bring a unique mix of relationships, expertise and integrity to our campaigns that has really resonated with both our clients and the faith community.”

Allied Faith & Family has been retained by Lionsgate to design and execute a major promotional campaign for its upcoming motion picture WARRIOR, slated for nationwide release on September 9.

AFF was also recently signed by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment to market several of that studio’s DVD/Blu-ray/digital releases to the faith audience, including the hit animated feature film RIO and the family dramas BREAKING THE PRESS and THE 5TH QUARTER.

This past Spring, Allied Faith & Family teamed with another Allied division – Allied Hispanic – in marketing the theatrical release of the comedy-adventure RIO to families across North America. From the creators of the top-grossing ICE AGE series, RIO has taken in over $143 million at the domestic box office and became available on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and Digital Copy on August 2, setting a home entertainment record as the biggest-selling family title ever for an August release as well as remaining No. 1 on DVD and Blu-ray charts for its second and third weeks.

Starring Drew Waters (“Friday Night Lights”), BREAKING THE PRESS will arrive on DVD on September 20 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and the street date for THE 5th QUARTER, starring Andie MacDowell and Aidan Quinn, is August 30.

Starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton and Nick Nolte, Lionsgate’s WARRIOR speaks directly to both the faith and military markets, where AFF sees considerable overlap. The intense family drama explores the themes of redemption and reconciliation against a backdrop of a mixed martial arts tournament involving two estranged brothers who must face their recovering alcoholic father, their troubled early home life, and each other.

“These are precisely the kinds of movies we seek out,” states Allen. “We are advocates for the faith and family audience who encourage the Hollywood studios to produce more films like this to enrich the culture.”

AFF co-founder Kellie Barnes describes WARRIOR as one of the best action-dramas she has seen in many years. “It’s a great family story told from a Judeo-Christian worldview. It represents the best of what Hollywood can be and respects our audience with its high-level artistry.”

Allied Faith & Family made headlines earlier this year for conceiving and executing an original campaign of prayer support and Christian advocacy for Justin Bieber, which contributed to the box office success of Paramount’s JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER. The acclaimed campaign covered 30 markets and accentuated the film’s clean, wholesome nature while engaging the faith press with compelling stories about the actual faith lives of Justin, his mother and his manager.

Other recent Allied Faith & Family projects include a campaign targeting mega-churches nationwide for Sony Pictures’ JUMPING THE BROOM, which opened as the top comedy at the box office on Mother’s Day weekend 2011, and a groundbreaking campaign for the Broadway musical MEMPHIS, which won four Tony Awards in 2010, including “Best Musical”.

About Allied Faith & Family
A dynamic marketing group, Allied Faith & Family serves the increasingly media-engaged market known as “Religious America” as well as the broader family marketplace through a network of 21 field offices. Dedicated to reaching and activating faith- and family-based communities, Allied Faith & Family has to date brought motion pictures as diverse as RIO, JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER, JUMPING THE BROOM, Tyler Perry’s WHY DID I GET MARRIED TOO? and BABIES to faith & family audiences across North America. Allied Faith & Family is a division of Allied Integrated Marketing, a full-service integrated marketing firm focused on the entertainment industry and consumer brands. For more information, please visit http://www.alliedim.com.

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: 1st, allied, anniversary, celebrating, faith, family, ...

“BKO: Bangkok Knockout” Kicks It’s Way to Blu-Ray and DVD

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF “BORN TO FIGHT” COMES “BKO: BANGKOK KNOCKOUT”

Only The Strong Will Survive In This Action-Packed Movie Kicking Its Way To Blu-ray Disc And DVD August 30 From Magnolia Home Entertainment Under The Magnet Label

“The action is extreme, extremely dangerous and extremely fun.”
– Twitch Film

“Bangkok Knockout is everything director Panna Rittikrai markets it to be.”
– Rotten Tomatoes

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – When a group of old friends come together they end up doing more then talking about the past in BKO: Bangkok Knockout, arriving on Blu-ray Disc and DVD August 30 from Magnolia Home Entertainment under the Magnet label. From Director Panna Rittikrai (Ong Bak 2, Ong Bak 3, Born To Fight), Thai action cinema legend, action superstar and mentor to many of today’s top martial arts legends including Tony Ja (Ong Bak), Dan Chupong (Dynamite Warrior) and Jija Yanin (Chocolate), BKO: Bangkok Knockout takes fight sequences to a whole new levelwith its “wham-bang succession of grueling, no-rule fights” (Hollywood Reporter).

A group of marital arts students attend a reunion party to reminisce about their ‘fight club,’ but this reunion is not all fun and games when some of the members are kidnapped by a group of deadly assassins, leaving the remaining members to save their friends in the ultimate battle for survival. Packed with death-defying action and highlighting a range of martial arts disciplines from Muay Thai to Capoeira, Kung Fu to Tai Chi, the BKO: Bangkok Knockout Blu-ray Disc and DVD features explosive bonus materials including behind the scenes, making-of and trailer. The Blu-ray Disc and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $29.98 and $26.98, respectively.

Synopsis
Panna Rittikrai is a legend in Thai action cinema. With credits as director of
Born to Fight and stunt coordinator for such classics as Ong-Bak and Chocolate, he was also the star of many action films in the 70s and 80s. Rittikrai is well known for being a famous mentor to some of the top action superstars working today including Tony Jaa (Ong-Bak), Dan Chupong (Dynamite Warrior) and Jija Yanin (Chocolate). BKO features a range of martial art disciplines at its best when a group of “fight club” friends, whose styles vary from Muay Thai, Capoeira to Kung Fu and Tai Chi, must join forces and fight for their lives in a daring rescue of a kidnapped friend.

Bonus Features
The Making of BKO: Bangkok Knockout
Behind the Scenes
Trailer

DVD Basics
DVD Price: $26.98
Street Date: August 30, 2011
Running Time: 106 mins
Catalog: 10416
MPAA Rating: R

Blu-ray Disc Basics
Blu-ray Price: $29.98
Street Date: August 30, 2011
Running Time: 106 mins
Catalog: 10417
MPAA Rating: R

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Filed Under: Film Headlines Tagged With: bangkok, bko, bluray, dvd, kicks, knockout, ...

Interview with David R. Ellis

David R. Ellis is the director of the upcoming 3D thriller “Shark Night 3D”. He is no stranger to action as he directed the films “Snakes on a Plane” and “The Final Destination”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with David about working on “Shark Night 3D” and what we can expect from him next.

Mike Gencarelli: How did you originally become attached to “Shark Night 3D”?
David R. Ellis: I had done “The Final Destination”  in 3D which ended up doing really good. Those attached to the “Shark Night” project wanted to make this film in 3D as well. I had been attached to the project for some time prior to the film being made. I was the only person out there that had done a full live action 3D movie. They brought me in to meet with the producers and I pitched to them what my vision for the film was. They immediately attached me to the film and from there they started to pitch the film for funding with my name attached to it.

MG: What can we expect from the film?
DRE: There is a lot of comedy and fun in this film. It’s not a horror but it is a scary. The film is rated PG-13 however we really pushed the envelope with what we could get away with. The film plays like an R rated movie but we just don’t cuss or have boobs in it. We don’t really need that to make a scary movie. I don’t think boobs are that scary. Maybe some are. (Laughs) During our test screenings we made people jump and scared them but they also had a lot of fun with the movie. We spent time developing the characters and we have a great young cast. I like finding young actors and giving them a shot such as Chris Evans who I had in “Cellular”. I think everyone in this film are going to be big stars in their own right and I was very lucky to get them before they broke out.

MG: There has been rumors, can you tell us if Ving Rhames will be in this film reprising his role from “Piranha 3D”?
DRE: Ving Rhames is not in the movie. There have been a lot of rumors that he was going to be in the film but those are all not true.

MG: We have spoke to the whole cast and they have been telling us that you are one of the best directors to work with and you have this unique approach to directing; can you tell us about that approach?
DRE: Well I pay them to say that [laughs].  No seriously, when I cast actors I cast people who have the ability to adopt the part and who can get into the role. I like to then give them free reign in designing that character from what they want to wear and what props they may want to use. Making a movie is not brain surgery so my sets are a lot of fun to work on. I come very prepared and we have fun while getting our work done. At the end of a movie it’s sad because we made a new family and you have to leave that. Keeping everything light is key. Appreciating everyone working on the film for what they contribute and not yelling and or screaming is important as well because at times we were shooting in miserable conditions but by keeping it fun everyone stepped up to the plate and did a great job.

MG: How much of the film features animatronic sharks and how much was CGI?
DRE:  It’s probably 40% animatronics and 60% CGI. We used the animatronic sharks when they had to interact with people. When a scene was really difficult we used the CGI sharks.  The CGI has really come a long way and looked great, especially since I was directed the second unit on “Deep Blue Sea”.  The technology from then to now is amazing. The sharks look great!

MG: How do you “Shark Night 3D” differs from your other 3D film “The Final Destination”?
DRE: This one was more difficult because we were shooting on the water. When you are using 3D cameras you have one camera for the left eye and one for the right. They are very bulky and underwater they are very big so it’s technically tough for the crews. I think 3D films need to be shot in 3D nd not converted in post production, as I feel you don’t get the depth. I call that ‘2 and a half D’. What they have now that we didn’t have for “The Final Destination” are 3D monitors. You get to watch everything in 3D as its being shot. Before you had to shoot then put it into a computer and watch it in a trailer later on.

MG: Can you tell us the story behind the issues with the film’s title?
DRE: The working title of the film was “Shark Night 3D”. We were always hoping that we would come up with something that was catchier. On a weekly basis we had production meetings where I would try and get the crew to suggest different titles. Ultimately when the film was bought after we were done there was some research to change the title but in the end the film is what it is and the title was fitting.

MG: Do you prefer shooting in 3D or do you find it more difficult?
DRE: I love 3D and its depth. I think a lot of films use the really gimmicky type 3D that throws stuff into the audience. We didn’t do that. We used the 3D to put the audience inside the world of the shark and to have the sharks in the audience. The gimmicks work for some movies as 3D is an interactive experience. I think 3D is a great application and it’s going to be around for a long time. It may not be for every film but for the right film if it’s used correctly it’s an awesome experience.

MG: You just cast Milla Jovovich in “Bad Luck”. Is this going to be your next project?
DRE: I don’t think that is going to be my next project. We had Milla on board at one point and she really loved the part however her schedule and my schedule didn’t line up so she doing some other things right now. I really like her and want to work with her in the future. I have several projects that I am attached to that are in various stages so I am waiting and taking a break for things to develop more. I have taken on a Universal film titled “R.I.P.D” which stands for Rest in Peace Department. I am going to direct all the action on that film and we are in Boston prepping for that film that starts shooting Sept. 9. I like going back and working on second unit because you don’t have all the headaches or pressure but you get to shoot all the fun stuff.

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: 3d, david, director, ellis, interview, night, ...

Interview with Kittie’s Mercedes Lander

Mercedes Lander is one of the founding members of the all female Canadian heavy metal group Kittie. The bands 6th studio album “I’ve Failed You” will be released on August 30th via E One Records. Mercedes took time before the bands show in Syracuse, NY to talk with Media Mikes about the new album as well as what it was like touring with the Insane Clown Posse.

Adam Lawton: What can you tell us about the new album “I’ve Failed You”?
Mercedes Lander: “I’ve Failed You” was basically written over a 3 month period starting in January and ending around April. We took about 3 weeks to record the album which went really smoothly. The record is super personal. Us as a band and as people have really gone through a lot since out last album “In the Black” A lot of life changing experiences took place and I think this album touches on each of those.

AL: This album seems to definitely have a more angry/edgy feel to it can you tell us about that?
ML:  I wouldn’t call it angry. I would call it maybe a little bit more remorseful to be honest. The album maybe angry sounding and our last album was a really heavy album but as the band progresses and as we become better musicians and song writers the music tends to get a little more extreme. All around the album is definitely heavier.

AL: Other than being more personal how do you feel “I’ve Failed You” compares to your previous releases?
ML: I don’t think there really is any comparison. When we go in to write albums I don’t think we have it in our minds to try and top the previous album. We are just writing music and I think everything we have ever written is different. I think we have a lot of different influences that we all wear on our sleeves. What seems to end up happening is that with the last album we spent two years on the road touring and playing every night which has allowed us to get tighter as a band and as a unit so it’s been a natural progression.

AL: “I’ve Failed You” seems to be a much more musical album and features some very prominent guitar solos. Can you tell us about that?
ML: “In The Black” featured guitar solos as well and we kind of look at that as the foundation of what our recording should be. With “I’ve Failed You” we are building on that foundation. Riff wise the songs on the new record are much more complex.

AL: Do you have a favorite track off the new album?
ML: I have a lot! “We are the Lamb” is one of my favorite songs as well as “Time Never Heals”. It’s funny because I still haven’t memorized all the new song titles. When we are working in the studio we have working titles for the songs so it takes me some time to get them all down by name.

AL: How has this tour compared to portions of the last where you toured with Insane Clown Posse?
ML: That is like apples and oranges and you just can’t compare that. People don’t really understand why we did that tour but it makes perfect sense to me. We got to play to people that had nothing to do with the metal scene what so ever and we crushed every night. We sold a ton of merchandise and CD’s and we made a lot of new fans as well. If I wanted to sit and play to the same people all the time it’s eventually going to start to suck. We did three support tours on the last run and I think that did a lot for the band.

AL: Can you give us any updates on the Poisoned Black clothing line you and your sister/band mate were involved in?
ML: We really don’t know what’s been going on with that as we have been really busy so are time has been somewhat limited.

For more info on Kittie you can go to www.kittierocks.com and be sure to check our album review of “I’ve Failed You” as well as our review of the bands Syracuse, NY show.

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Filed Under: Music Interviews Tagged With: interview, kitties, lander, mercedes

Concert Review: Kittie “I’ve Failed You Tour 2011” Syracuse, NY

Kittie “I’ve Failed You Tour 2011”
Date: Thursday, August 25th 2011
Venue: The Lost Horizon, Syracuse, NY

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Kittie brought their growling vocals and rumbling rhythm section to the historic Lost Horizon venue in Syracuse, NY on what turned into an extremely hot night for the Canadian band. Opening up the show were local bands Kill the Maestro, Armed with Valor, and Capricorn Black followed by the tours direct support bands Diamond Plate and Dirge Within. Even though crowd numbers seemed to vary throughout the course of the night which was probably due to the extreme temperatures inside the club and or combined with the kick off of the NY State Fair happening just a few miles away Kittie put on a stellar show proving to the fans in attendance that they had in fact come to the right place.

I had some reservations about attending the show at The Lost Horizon solely on the fact that the club really isn’t the nicest or most fan friendly place to watch a show. However I was very surprised on arrival as the club seemed to have received a face lift both inside and out. The choice of opening bands was fitting and those who played most notably Armed with Valor and Dirge Within did a great job entertaining the crowd and fighting through the heat. Kittie played an extremely tight set which included songs of their newest album “I’ve Failed You” as well as fan favorites such as “Spit” and “Funeral for Yesterday”. The girls did not disappoint and even though you could tell they were suffering some from the heat they fought through and really brought it to the Syracuse crowd. A big thank you goes out to the band as well as Neil and Bill who were responsible for making this coverage possible.

Be sure to check out our interview with Mercedes Lander as well as the album review of “I’ve Failed You”

Set List:
1.) I’ve Failed you
2.) My Plague
3.) Looks So Pretty
4.) Oracle
5.) Spit
6.) Never Again
7.) Cut Throat
8.) Wiaw
9.) Sorrow
10.) Flower
11.) Pussy Sugar
12.) Empires (Part 2)
13.) Funeral For Yesterday
14.) What Have I Done?
15.) Forgive & Forget
16.) We Are The Lamb

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews Tagged With: 2011, concert, failed, kittie, ny, review, ...

Interview with Joshua Leonard

Joshua Leonard is known best for his role in “The Blair Witch Project” and his recent breakout role in “Humpday”. Joshua also spends his time writing and directing. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Joshua about his work on “Shark Night 3D” and also his upcoming projects.

Mike Gencarelli: Can you give us some background on your role in “Shark Night 3D”?
Joshua Leonard: I play Red, who is a bad guy. I have some top secret shark like teeth that I fashioned for the role and he is just a backwoods redneck. Its type casting. (Laughs) I also have this cool neck tattoo that reads “Trust no Bitch”.

MG: How long did the process of shooting take?
JL: I was in Shreveport for about a month working off and on. Luckily for me I’m a bit of a poker player and we were close to some casinos.

MG: How do you feel this film compares to other recent 3D films?
JL: I haven’t seen any of the recent 3D stuff. I’m sure I will end up seeing this one at some point and evidently the sharks in this film are killer!

MG: How was it working with Vera Farminga in “Higher Ground”?
JL:  It was one of the better filming experiences of my life. Vera is someone who I esteem highly as an actor long before we made the movie together. I was very lucky that she had seen something I had worked on and liked it. We met one day in Los Angeles and I think it was the first time I had ever been hired in the room. It was the easiest meeting of all time. She and her husband are really salt of the earth people. I feel people do press and always say how people are nice and great to work with because that’s what we are obliged to do. You never really know when some is not the greatest. Vera is one of the most genuine people I have ever met in my life. It’s very rare that you find someone that is both talented and genuine. I think normally a person has one or the other but very rarely do they have both. Vera really took to directing like a fish in water. She knew what she wanted and the story was not only something she had been working on for quite some time but it was very near to her heart. I think every note she gave any of us as actors was about finding more humanity and depth in the characters that we were playing. It was like summer camp as an actor.

MG: Can you tell us about your other film “The Lie” which you star in as well as co-wrote and directed?
JL: Unfortunately for audiences this film is the Josh Leonard show. (Laughs) It’s a passion project of mine based on a TC Boyle story that I fell in love with that I read in the New Yorker and ended up optioning it for a film. It was something that was coming right on the heels of the film “Humpday” that I did. I was looking for something of mine own that I could invest myself in and I found this one.  I sent the story to my producing partner who really dug it. From there we went about assembling what I think is the best crew and the greatest most talented cast. A lot of them are friends and/or people I have worked with before so it was very much the antidote to something we do quite a bit and that is waiting around to make a movie. This wasn’t a big movie but it was something we knew we could pull together quickly as we had a lot of the resources and the talent at our finger tips. Shooting took about three and a half months. The film is a dark comedy that we put a lot of heart into. The premise may be somewhat off putting to some as it’s about a guy who is experiencing a premature mid-life crisis. One day in an effort to get out of work the main character creates a horrible lie which becomes the catalyst for all the other events which happen throughout the films progression. Co-starring with me is Jess Weixler and Mark Webber along with Jane Adams and Garry Bednob. The cast is really cool and very indie. The film should be out late October or early November.

MG: You also have another film titled “A Spectacular Regret”; can you tell us about that?
JL: That’s one of those films that I kind of mentioned earlier as we have been sort of waiting around for a long time to make it. The film has come together so many times and then fallen apart that I have no clue when that thing is going to get made. We just kind of stopped talking about it.

MG: You have been both in front of the camera and behind. Which do you prefer more?
JL: It all depends on the project. The great thing about being an actor is that no matter how much of your heart you put into the thing you are still just punching the clock. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want but also when you have a story you want to tell and you know no one else is going to do that it’s very exciting to be able to do that. I absolutely love directing and I am excited to do it again. That said it’s also great to go and do a gig like “Shark Night” doing a character role that I can have some fun with and then go play some poker when it’s all done. I feel really lucky that I am getting to walk in both worlds.

 

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: interview, joshua, leonard

“Shark Night 3D” Interview Series

When you put the works shark and 3D in the same title, you immediately have my attention. “Shark Night 3D” is about seven people who spend a weekend at a lake house in Louisiana’s Gulf area where their vacation quickly becomes a nightmare of hellish shark attacks. The film is set to be released September 2, 2011. Media Mikes will be tracking this film a lot and had a chance to chat with a few of the cast members. We will be posting more cast interviews each day leading up to the films release.


Alyssa Diaz
Chris Carmack
Chris Zylka
Christine Quinn

Damon Lipari
David R. Ellis
Dustin Milligan
Joshua Leonard

Joel Moore
Sara Paxton
Sinqua Walls

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Filed Under: Featured, Film Headlines Tagged With: 3d, interview, night, series, shark

Interview with Alyssa Diaz

Alyssa Diaz is co-starring in the role of Maya in the film “Shark Night 3D”. She is also currently co-starring in ABC Family’s TV series “The Nine Lives of Chloe King”. Also look for Alyssa later this year in the action film “Red Dawn”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Alyssa about working on “Shark Night 3D” and also her upcoming projects.

Mike Gencarelli: What drew you to the role of Maya in “Shark Night 3D”?
Alyssa Diaz: I have always been fascinated with sharks. They terrify me! I thought it would be a fun film to do seeing the film is based on all these different species of sharks and its 3D! It just seemed like a really fun project for the summer.

MG: Can you tell us what it was like working with David R. Ellis?
AD: I had a great time working with David! He is such a sweetheart and he really knows what he is doing. David is a genius when it comes to water. He is just so laid back and cool to work with.

MG: How was it working with sharks as your co-stars?
AD: They are tough guys but they work hard and at the end of the day all they want is a bloody mary [laughs].

MG: Did you work at all with the animatronics sharks?
AD: I did some of the work with those. They are amazing because they are free swimming and they work off a remote control. They have actual shark teeth in them which were cutting some of the stunt guys. They are so life like it’s crazy.

MG: Overall what was the most challenging part of the film for you?
AD: Getting into the swamp water in Louisiana! On my last day of shooting we started at 5am and I was in a boat with my stunt double and the water was like glass. I had said I wasn’t too sure about the situation and my stunt double asked why as she had thought it was perfect out. I told her this is when all the creatures come out. Just as I’m about to get into the water I start to hear all these gasp’s coming from the other boats. I looked out and I see this big huge thing floating on the water. I couldn’t really comprehend what it was because I grew up in Los Angeles, so I’m a city girl. All of a sudden the thing I thought was a log disappeared. Our stunt crews were all ex-Navy Seals so they rode out on Jet Ski’s to check everything out. All of a sudden one of the guys yells back “That’s a big motherf#$%@^” It ended up being a 14 foot alligator, so we drove to a different section and I got in the water and did my scene.

MG: Did the movie being shot in 3D pose any difficulties for you?
AD: Yes and No. The 3D cameras are huge, so the set up takes a little bit longer. There was also trouble mounting them to the boats because they were so heavy. By the end of the day the cameraman’s feet were in the water holding it. It was a really adventurous shoot.

MG: Can you tell us about your role as Jasmine in “The Nine Lives of Chloe King”?
AD: That’s a show for ABC family and Jasmine is the Morpheus to Chloe King’s world. She is Chloe’s mentor. Jasmine is a bad ass girl!

MG: Can you tell us about your upcoming role in “Red Dawn”?
AD: Working on that was fun and it was action packed. There was a lot of fun and interesting fight choreography. It’s a drama/action piece where these teens have to fight back after their parents are killed during a World War III type scenario.

MG: How does working on something like “Red Dawn” compare to working on “Shark Night 3D”?
AD: They both are so different but intense. “Shark Night”, I was training with ex-navy seals in the water and for “Red Dawn”, I was training with Marines. I’m going to be ready for the apocalypse.

 

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: alyssa, diaz, interview

Interview with Damon Lipari

Damon Lipari is playing the character Keith in David R. Ellis 3D shark thriller “Shark Night 3D”. Damon is also working on another cool film called “Boggy Creek”. Media Mikes had a chance to chat with Damon about working on “Shark Night 3D” and his upcoming projects.

Mike Gencarelli: What was it like working with David R. Ellis?
Damon Lipari: David is one of those directors that you can tell really enjoys what he does. Everyday he’s on set he makes comments about how he has the greatest job in the world. When I auditioned I originally went for one of the leads but they didn’t think I was right, so David brought me back to play the role of Keith. The minute I met him I had this feeling that it would be so cool to work with him. You meet certain people that don’t have that movie star status and they are just so cool and chill.

MG: What can you tell us about your character Keith?
DL: I’m not going to sugar coat Keith’s character too much, so basically my character and his girlfriend Jess open the film and get you from point A to point B. Keith is a guy that lives in a camper along the lake and one day while swimming and…. well I am not going to give anything away but there are sharks.

MG: How was it working with Christine Quinn?
DL: Christine is awesome. The first time I met her was at the audition. She is such a pretty girl and once you get to know her you can see she has some acting chops and she can certainly scream. She did really well and she’s got a good head on her shoulders. She is from Texas and there’s something about those Texas girls that make you fall in love with them. When I met her during our call back we walked out together and Christine looked over at me and says “Oh we got that”. She was just so excited and celebrating like she had got the part already.

MG: How was it working with the sharks?
DL: I have done some stunt stuff before but never with sharks. I have been attacked by several different types of animals.  One of my first movies ever was called “Vampire Bats” where I was attacked by puppet bats and CGI created bats. In terms of the shark, they brought out some model sharks so you had something to look at but in one situation I had to pretend. I had to learn the movements from a guy they brought in to teach us how to move if we were jerked a certain way by a shark. Without giving anything away it wasn’t difficult but it was a learning experience in how these creatures move and pray upon things. I know David has some stunning experience as he started back in the 70’s and worked his way up to where he is now and that’s probably why he enjoys his job so much. That’s also why the studios feel comfortable giving him $30 million dollars because he knows action and how to make things look good.

MG: What can you tell us about another film you have coming out titled “Boggy Creek”?
DL: When I got the call for that film they told me we would be shooting in a place called Uncertain, Texas. The film gets posted on imdb.com that the location is unknown and people had to tell them that there is an actual place called Uncertain [laughs]. Back in the day in the Boggy Creek area, people had been going missing and animals were being found ripped to shreds. This is the town where they have the Annual Big Foot convention every year, so stuff has actually happened there and that’s where we filmed the movie. I had been working on “Shark Night” and they moved us to the location of a giant wave pool, which was the same one used in “The Guardian” which I had a role in. Once that was done they shipped us off to a new location which was none other than Uncertain, Texas. I never thought I would be back to that town ever again! “Boggy Creek” comes out on DVD September 13th. I’m interested to see it as I haven’t seen any of the film what so ever. I kind of like it that way not seeing the films before they are done as I like to be surprised. Everything in this film was built from the ground up by Phil Nichols. There is no CGI at all. When we first left to go out and start shooting, my girlfriend in the movie played by Stephanie Honore asked the director for some reason if Big Foot had a penis. The director kind of laughed it off but came back and said he didn’t get any sleep that night thinking about if Big Foot had a penis or not. So they decided to put a penis on Big Foot. Each part of the costume was pieced on the actor’s one piece at a time. What you see is what you get in “Boggy Creek”.

MG: Do you enjoy working in the horror genre?
DL:It seems I have to like it as that’s what I usually end up getting. I get asked a lot what my next role is and they immediately say something along the lines of “oh you die again”. I seem to die in everything I ever book, which is pretty funny. Everything has been horror roles up until recently when I had a part on the series “Memphis Beat”. I get shot but I don’t die! They seem to be shooting a lot of horror movies here in Louisiana these days.

 

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Filed Under: Film Interviews Tagged With: damon, interview, lipari

Interview with Christopher Laudando & Scott Meaney

Christopher Laudando & Scott Meaney are the creators of the science fiction graphic novel “Constellation Park”.  “Constellation Park” is sci-fi-fantasy-superhero adventure that will forever change the way you look at the stars! Media Mikes had a chance to chat with these guys about their graphic novel and find out what inspires them.

Mike Gencarelli: Tell us how you come up with the idea for “Constellation Park”?
Christopher Laudando: The idea was inspired by anxiety disorders. We wanted to center a story on a character that thought he was suffering from hallucinations but was actually seeing flashbacks of events that happened to him in the past. However, (spoiler alert!) our main character quickly learns that he is from another dimension.
Scott Meaney: That is the hardest question to answer with this Graphic Novel, the book felt like it actually wrote itself. I think it is just our collective love of the way the 1980’s idealized fantasy movies and how they almost weren’t made for kids.

MG: The book was independently produced, what was your biggest challenge?
CL: The biggest challenge was preventing Scott from going completely insane. He co-wrote this story as well as illustrating the entire book. Madness.
SM: For me, it was drawing 84 pages. It is an endurance test. The writing is fun for me. The drawing is all consuming focus. I get grumpy.

MG: Where did you get the inspiration for the characters?
CL: Like most people my age, I was raised on Spielberg and Lucas films. Characters from their movies completely molded my way of thinking. I would be lying if I said there isn’t any Star Wars sprinkled into the characters of Constellation Park. I also wanted to incorporate my take on the importance of having true friendship. Our story really is about three lonely strangers that ultimately save each other by simply coming into one another’s lives.
SM: Harold Mephisto Jr. is based loosely of Gene Wilder in a few of his roles. Film and literature is a big inspiration for me. “Delorean Grey” is a nod to “Back to the Future” and “Oscar Wilde” at the same time. A strange mash up, I guess.

MG: Why should people pick up a copy of this?
CL: So I can plan my retirement! {Comedic Pause…} But really folks… The story is a lot of fun. I think no matter what type of genre you are a fan of there is something that you can connect with in this book.
SM: It’s unlike anything you have ever experienced…and I need to eat.

MG: When can we expect a follow-up to “Constellation Park”?
CL: We are currently in the process of writing the second installment. It should be out sometime in 2012. “Constellation Park” is going to be a three-book saga. Sound familiar??
SM: I am actually drawing it now as Chris and I write it. A few pages exist in pencil form.

MG: When is the movie adaption coming out?
CL: As soon as a higher power lifts the ban on miracles for Staten Island residents.
SM: Hopefully very very soon. The comic was meant to be very cinematic.

MG: Besides writing, what else do you enjoy doing?
CL: Listening to 90s rock music and watching movies from that era. It was a great time in pop culture. I plan on brainwashing my daughter into believing the same.
SM: Art, music, and conversation. I dunno friend me on facebook and you can read my bio [laughs].

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Filed Under: Art/Theatre Tagged With: christopher, interview, laudando, meaney, scott
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