Tucson Film Scene

2007-04-06T00:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know...I have no real good reason to not blog in like 3 months, but I have been busy (like always) working on interviews, footage, and editing podcasts for "The Gene Generation", a cyber punk film that's coming out this Fall.

So I guess going to college is starting to pay off for me, but I still have so much more to learn and the L.A. lifestyle is something to get use to...*cringe. I love the people I met out here...it's the only way I can do my work...working with people I love that is. :). I'm just grateful that I still have reasons to go back to Tucson, visit the UA, and all the friends that have helped me along the way...and still do to this day. There a bunch of people I know that believe in revitalizing the film scene in Tucson. There's probably a whole blog for that later. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this podcast.

The Gene Generation Podcast Episode #1 (With Andy from Combichrist and Pearry Reginald Teo, Director):

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST (just follow this link):

http://web.mac.com/pearry/iWeb/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html

Also check out the official GENE GENERATION myspace page:

www.myspace.com/genegeneration

Hope you all do what you love. I'm starting to like what I do. :)

2006-12-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

Soon to be Alum, Still a Media Bum

So when I started college and joined the Air Force ROTC (Reserved Officer Training Corps) program, I never thought I would be into movies and journalism like I am now. I just wanted to make it through college alive, and with a degree. But what I learned after five and a half years of college is that there's no guarantee for a degree unless I really wanted it and stayed motivated. Hoo-rah! (Ah, the ROTC days still linger in the back of my mind.)

I thought that the military would keep me motivated and would keep me busy enough to keep the hair-brained ideas out of my mind. My hair-brained ideas won in the end. I love movies and mass media! I love thinking up scenarios and news ideas in my head. I think of good plot lines when I go to bed. If I did anything else I would be dead...Okay, I thought it was funny that the first two lines rhymed. I just had to add the third one to get the maximum cheese effect.

Five and a half years of school! Phew...And I'm almost done. What I learned is that graduating in four is too short. (20/20 did a report that 5 years is the new 4-year program...since kids have jobs, need to pay off financial aid...yadda yadda.)Although I might be defending myself here, I must say that I wasn't a slacker. I just wanted to try everything in order to shack off any residue of doubt that what I do once I graduate is what I want to do for the rest of my life...Dun,dun,DUN! I start sweating when I think of that dreaded sentence. I knew that I can't do what my parents tell me to do (granted I take suggestions, but I'm an adult. I am! I am! I am!), I couldn't take to heart everything my teachers told me to do (sometimes students can surprise them with new insight), and I can't listen to all the doubts that go swirling around in my head...too tiring.

So what did I do in college? Everything...Everything I wanted to do. Let's see...

Freshman Year

Joined Air Force ROTC -The first day I had to wear my uniform our colonel told us that we couldn't wear them for a while because that day was 9/11/2001. Everyone was scared. We potentially might have been targeted. But us uniform-wearing ROTC kids were fine...the whole nation wasn't.

UATV Floor Manager-The first semester that UATV was given floor space by KUAT (PBS) to do student shows was my Freshman year. I did on-campus news segments and had a blast.

Classic Freshman Year Binge-Partying-Yes. Yes. I partied a lot my Freshman year. But the Navy ROTC cadets made me with all their cool desert bon-fire partying! If you haven't been to one, I highly recommend. Ask who about it? Go where? ...Don't ask, dont tell. :)

Sophomore Year

Gearing up for Camp- I trained hard my sophomore year in order to be in shape for training camp (happens to all ROTC cadets between their Sophomore and Junior year..typically). -So I trained with the Army PT class and got my ass kicked. You'll appreciate a day of rest way more when you run up and down each step of UA stadium within an hour. Sounds easy? Try it!

Camera Glued to Hand- Everything I did my Sophomore year in school, I had to bring my camera along with me. Whether I filmed a campus event, or brought it to the detachment and annoyed the hell out of the captain. I found a good story out of everything!

First Stupid Mistake, but Not the Last- So I got engaged to someone that was going to be in the air force like me when I graduated. Yeah, that didn't happen. What I realized is doing something that seems exciting because you're defying the world, yet not adult enough to tell your parents is a bad thing. Yeah, I really wasn't listening to my instincts on that one.

Near Fatal Crash-I got in a really bad wreck. I was hit by a Lincoln Continental (big boat car) head on whilst waiting to make a left turn. Wasn't my fault, but I couldn't finish the semester since I missed a week and a half of school. So one semester of school down the drain. I felt I needed it.

Junior Year

Public Service- I needed a change in my life so I started by making a change in other's peoples lives. I wasn't in ROTC anymore. The car wreck made me realize that I can't plow on and do things perfectly in order like they do in the military...As admirable as that is. I was a much more of a creative person than that. So I logged 900 hours of volunteer service my Junior year by helping troubled youth and over-achieving youth, sticking them together, and watching them miraculously get along and teach each other.

Video Nation- I made a lot of short films my junior year in college and I enjoyed every friggin second of it. As for the content? Let's just say that it was experimental. Think Kill Bill, but way, way bad.

The Other Side of the Family-I never met my mom's side of the family before, so I convinced her it was time. So, barely knowing any Spanish, I went to Argentina and had a blast finger gesturing and laughing (whether we understood eachother or not)with family. The experience was like Lost in Translation meets Sideways. I got lost in the undefined beauty in a strange new homeland, yet it was an easy and end enchanting transition for me because I fell in love with the food, people, and landscapes. Many times while sight-seeing I realized that I had to finally put the camera down in order to catch the nuances that is part of real life...not that I wasn't living it before, but I realized then that no souvenir, picture, or thought can capture the vast new expanses of a perfectly natural and rugged landscape.

Senior Year

Film for Thought- I volunteered all my weekends to Access Tucson in order to learn everything about control room equipment, hosting skills, and remote truck shoots for charitable events. I got my finger slammed in a three-inch metal video truck door once, but I was so happy as a camera person, I worked the rest of the day...whimpering here and there.

At The Capitol-Interning at the state capitol was a little nerve racking at first. I really didn't want to get on any senator or rep's bad side, but it wasn't hard to do since I was the fly on the wall videotaping all the political proceeding and hearings for various bills and amendments. I put filmed and put together video packages for Legislative Weekly and had a lot of good free meals from lobbyists.

2nd Senior Year-I concentrated more than ever on fine-tuning my writing skills (One day I want to write screenplays), which I never learned in Freshman English. I took various classes like producing and film history classes. I was selected as to be a student producer on UA first 35mm project...Life was starting to make a lot more sense to me. We got a lot of good and new professors last year.

2nd and a Half Senior Year-This semester I know I'm ready to leave. With the skills I've learned in producing (in school and during summer internships) I knew that I want to be a film producer and my healthy hobby will be to produce important news projects whenever I can.

I realize now that if I'm not busy, I'm just sitting on the couch. So I rather be doing something all the time because I feel that laziness is an exponential downward spiral. But that's not the killer of any college graduate hopeful...The killer is loneliness. Whenever I felt down, at first I never reached out for help because I thought I was too needy. But with the support system I have now I realize that I couldn't have made it through college without my friend, family, and foe (they can inspire you too!)

Through many different spiritual journeys (I went to every single holy house in college...I enjoy Buddhism), many different personal obstacles (but I've had many beautiful friendships along the way), and I've had many day and night jobs (every where from boring engineering assistant jobs to gentlemen's club bartender).

The one thing that has been consistent is that I have created a lot of good stories along the way and that I love to document and share everything to anyone who has a caring ear. Go figure, I have been doing what I love all along...I'll worry about making money for it a little bit later. Make sure that it's all good now.

Now watch the final version of the music video I worked on! If you want to know how I got involved read my last October blog!

2006-11-27T18:55:00.000-08:00

Catscan Journalists on the Border

I had the pleasure to travel to Nogales, AZ last Wednesday before Thanksgiving. At first I was a little cranky about taking the whole trip since I didn't want to get all tired out before Turkey-Day. The result of the trip was that I was so much more thankful for the things I have in my life which is an endless bounty of wealth compared to those who desperatley need to support themselves and their families every day.

2006-11-20T09:47:00.000-08:00

Carmen Mercer, Vice President of the Minutemen

When I visited the newly erected wall in the border town of Naco, AZ, my classmates Aaron, Erin, Mike, and myself had the chance to meet Carmen Mercer, who started the minuteman project with President Chris Simcox five years ago.

The reason why I decided to get involved in such a project is, as I stated in my last blog, to be able to report as comprehensively as I can on a very important, national issue. So on top of the interview with Carmen (the later plan is to interview the immigrants at the No More Deaths tent in Nogales, I will put my producing skills to work and put together two videos that will show, quite literally, both sides of the fence.

While stopping for lunch in the beautiful London-ish town of Bisbee, my classmates and I had a chance to ask Mercer several questions in between chowing down on some delicious burgers and pasta. We had no time to try the micro-brews, but in exchange we got a great interview.

CatScan: What is your background?

Mercer: I'm and immigrant from Germany and I recieved my greencard in 1972.

CS: How did you get involved with the minutemen?

M: Well, Chris and I have been friends for several years and after the events during 9/11 I wanted to do my part in securing the nation. PResident Bush stated that after 9/11 we must secure our borders so we're just picking up the slack.

CS: What is the minuteman's job?

M: We are basically extra pairs of eyes and ears on the border for the minutemen. There are a lot of places that have heavy traffic for immigrants and drug trafficking. Often times we pick up people that have been beaten up and/or rapped before they even cross the border. Often times, coyotes or human traffickers will drop people off on the U.S. side and then they have to walk another 100 mile to get to Tucson. After walking for so long, they're just happy to see us or anybody.

CS: Have you ever had to hurt or detain anyone?

M: No. The minutemen have to operate within law which means that we can only report seeing people trying the cross. Over the five year we have been in operation no weapons have ever been used. In the first two years we had people just sit down when they see us because they thought that we could detain them. Then they realized that we could only report them and nothing else so they would often just run right past us.

CS: When do you think the minutemens presence on the border will end?

M: You know, about every six months I asked Chris (Simcox) if we're close to getting what Bush and the government already promised us. A secure border. After two years, you stop asking.

2006-11-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Building a Border in Naco, AZ

About three weeks ago I went down to Naco, AZ to be a P.A. (basically a gofer) on a second unit shoot for Penn and Teller's Bullshit, a political commentary project that kind of mirrors the Daily Show. When sitting next to the Director of the shoot (let's call him Pike) Pike had me take minutes of everything that we shot and made sure everyone was hydrated. Real fun. But the good part of the whole experience which made me miss the Presidential Inaguration at the UA, is that I felt that no matter if I'm supporting the Left or Right that it was my job to report.

In between shooting, running cables, and writing notes I couldn't help but ask Chris Simcox, the president of the minutemen, a couple of questions. My instinctual journalism side always comes out even if it's not my interview. So, in between tapes I dared ask Chris a question which got me into a lot of trouble with Pike. He pulled me aside and said, "Hey Steph, don't interupt me during an interview." And I was surprised and replied, "Oh, I thought we were in between tapes." Then he said, "I know, but I'm always setting up questions and trying to catch him off guard."

"What do you mean?" I asked. Then Pike explained to me that the whole goal of the show is to make people look stupid so that whoever opposes the minutemen can prove their point. For the rest of the shoot I kept quiet and made sure to only give out water and not questions. Pike was right...I was there to just do my job and get paid $126 for a day of grunt work.

What I got out of the whole experience was that I felt, more than ever, that I had a job to do. Report news in the most comprehensive way possible as a journalism student. It's my job to learn what's out there and share my experiences with an intelligent and eager audience that wants to know the truth as much as I do. The only problem is, the more I work on the Border Issue the more untangible the "truth" is. Not that I don't know what's wrong or right, but rather the many people that have opinions on the issue are all intelligent and have put a lot of thought and emotion into the issue.

So what is my goal for this story? -Not to turn the border issue into a political satire and not to pour my own emotional spin onto an important issue, but to bring journalism back where it belongs and hopefully get the attention of the audience that stopped watching when news stations started fighting. I think people know what I mean.

I am the daughter of a mother that immigrated from Argentina. I'm a recently registered independent when I use to be Democrat. I'm more confused then ever when I watch local news and compare it with worldwide news coverage. I have a sign in my front yard that reads "Humanitarian aid is never a crime." -And I chose to report on someting where, at the very least, in other countries I would get thrown in jail for.

This will be one of many stories that my fellow online journalism classmates will write. We have all made the commitment to report on border issues. All the stories will be unique since it's impossible to write the same exact story since we all write differently, but will have one binding component to this issue...To learn and share everything...the job of any true journalist.

2006-10-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Making a Music Video

Why would three girls stand in the middle of an abandoned highway? To stop a bad-ass dude in a El Camino, seduce him, and take off with his car...That's why! It's all part of the plot for the new music video entitled "Super Hero Mother-Fucker Superman" which was shot with the collaboration of L.A. and Tucson crew.

So you might ask what does a media arts student do on the weekends? Make movies of course! We have no time to sleep...really, we dont when we're spending 12 hours on a Saturady and Sunday to make a project look good. This past weekend I have had the rare opportunity to help produce and be the 2nd Assistant Director on a music video.

After two weeks of scrambling to secure Old Sonoita highway as the location...The seemingly endless search for models on Model Mayhem (the myspace-type forum for models), and having the port-o-potties sent to the wrong location (Oy Vey!), all and all the video turned out awesome and our team was able to crank out 80 different shots in one weekend!

Here's some photos taken during production:

photos from Teo/Ward Production

Photos taken by Jackie Lee James

The music video was made possible by a Director/Producer/Writer friend of mine, Pearry Reginald Teo, who is currently in post-production on his first hollywood feature "The Gene Generation". On the "Allhelluja" (name of the band) music video project he served as the producer and 1st Assistant Director. Chad Michael Ward was the director of the music video who is breaking into the directing business.

It was fun working with Pearry since I got to see first hand how a professional gets a crew to stay on task and gets the project done. Pearry is origionally from Tucson and so was the Director of Photography, Darin Meyer, a UA alum in Media Arts.

Right now the music video is in the editing process, but both Tucson and L.A. crew look forward to seeing the final product of a challenging and fun shoot.

For more information on Pearry and Chad's projects, check out:

Teo/Ward Productions

2006-10-19T00:35:00.000-07:00

Sick of the Same Old Horror Movies?
...There's "Mercy"

2006-10-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

Documentary Film Has Heart...Without Borders

Sarah Sher is not only a lyrical story teller and filmmaker with her projects, she is an advocate against human injustice. When she entered her short, "Have Coffin, Will Travel" in the Loft's "Gong Show" and was declared the winner with dubious applause, she humbly accepted the prize... A 100 dollar check and a chance to get her filmed screened before a regular feature at the Loft. Why is she the winner? Well, contrary to my thoughts (from my last blog) on how the "Gong Show" audience only goes for comedies, this time they chose something undeniably captivating, quirky, and endearing...

"...Let the universe create its usual miracles." - Dale Clark

What's the Short About?

On September 11, 2001, eight American children lost their lives because of an act of terrorism. Since that day, approximately eight thousand children of Afghanistan and Iraq have lost their lives as a result of war. Dale Clark, an 83 year old artist and activist from Bisbee, Arizona, respectfully remembers all of these children. With his Children’s Memorial he hitchhikes with a coffin to bring attention to these children. While hitchhiking and pushing the coffin through town, he makes himself vulnerable to stimulate dialog and inspire faith in humanity.

Sarah Sher smiles while declared the best filmmaker for the month of October at the Loft's "Gong Show".

For more information on Sarah Sher and her projects, check out her website at:

red eagle post

2006-10-12T14:52:00.000-07:00

Five UA Filmmakers, Four Different Stories, Three Questions, Two Festivals
One Goal...To Inspire

Puro Mexicano & Reel Inspiration, which are two different names for a weekend full of short film screening, look for inspiring documentary and narrative films about the good in our world. There's a special "Celebrating Cultural Diversity Award" for the filmmaker who best incorporates cultural heritage and traditions into their story...And this year, it was harder than ever to choose who won with fellow classmates and friends who I know that have made beautiful films.

Before I tell you who won what, check out their entries and star profiles!

JUST COFFEE

SYNOPSIS
From the coffee fields of Chiapas, Mexico to the urban streets of Douglas, Arizona, this documentary examines a small organization’s desire to alleviate immigration through just priced coffee sales – their effort eventually allowing Mexican natives to reconsider their journey over the border.

FILMMAKER'S BIO
Roberto Gudiño is currently attending the University of Arizona where the will receive his B.F.A. in Film and Television Production in 2007. He has written, directed and photographed several short films such as Toy Soldier, Polvo, Have Been, and Share This. Share This was selected for the Damah Film Festival in Culver City, California and No Festival Required in Phoenix, Arizona.

Eli Cordova is currently attending the University of Arizona where he will receive a B.F.A. in Media Arts and B.A. Theatre Arts with an emphasis in directing. He has directed several short films such as Park Bench, A Letter from Vietnam, and Stigma as well as worked several theatre productions such as Scenes from an Execution, Henry IV, and Romeo and Juliet. Eli is currently in production for his senior thesis film.

MARIPOSA CANYON

SYNOPSIS
Saddened over his mother’s recent death, a young man ventures to the mystical Mariposa Canyon to release her ashes.

FILMMAKER'S BIO
Benjamin Daniel Lobato is was a senior Honors student at the University of Arizona. He is a recipient of the SLAVIN Award for Excellence in Media Arts. He also has recieved the Imagen Awards, which honors positive Hispanic portrayals in the media.

2 MEN FROM IRAQ

SYNOPSIS
This current documentary which was selected for the 2006 Reel Inspiration Film Contest, tells the story of two Iraqi men while living under the rule of Saddam and how they escaped the country.

FILMMAKER'S BIO
Justin Mashouf is a fourth year BFA Media Arts student. Justin’s short documentary, Morning Submission, was included on the winner’s reel of the 2005 Pure Inspiration Film Contest. The film has played at screens around Tucson and various community centers. Hi

87 TOPAZ

SYNOPSIS
A grandson remembers his grandfather's life, his love of cars, and the loss he experienced in his final years as he succumbed to Alzheimer's disease. Personal writings, old photographs, and super 8 home movies are gracefully intertwined with digital video in a meditation on memory, record-keeping, and automobiles.

FILMMAKER'S BIO
Bill Kersey was born in Fargo and grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota. He graduated in 2005 from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Media Arts. His award-winning short films have been screened at numerous festivals around North America.

2006-10-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

The "Gong Show" at the Loft
How It All Began
Photos by Joel Yohn

So you might be wondering what a gong and local independent movies have in common. The gong show! -Started by an innovative team at the loft, the show has become one of the few projects that exhibit local talent.

Some people hate it, some people love it. But whichever way you look at it the gong show has attracted many talented filmmakers and the less talented critics (drunken hecklers in the audience).

What is it?

A showcase of locally produced films that are given three minutes to prove themselves. If the audience likes the flick, then they wont yell "Gong!" when a red spot light indicates the end of the three-minute grace period of silence. If the audience does not like the short film, then well they yell "Gong!" followed by a longer "GOOOONG!" (if the movie is really bad) -The movie abruptly stops rolling and the attentive people in the projection booth put on the next flick.

Note: The word "gong" becomes highly addictive to drunk people and some people just can't help but say it simply because they're bored or they want to go down in history as the loud guy in the audience who yelled "Gong!" before anyone else...lengendary, let me tell ya'.

Max Cannon's friend Mike excitedly sounds the gong for his first time. Cannon just had a baby so his close buddy filled in the prestigious role for the month of October.

Cannon, the regular host, dazzles the audience with his gonging abilities.

I interviewed J.J. Giddings, one of the creators of the show…

Cat Scan: Why a “Gong Show”?

J.J: Well we researched what other theatres were doing and thought this would be a good idea.

CS: Does the gong have a name?

J.J.: It’s the “Crispen Glover Memorial Gong”. Crispen came to the Loft to perform a show and it had a red spotlight in it. We now use that same type of spot light to shine on the gong after three minutes of each short.

CS: What have you done before this that you think has helped come up with these original ideas?

J.J.: I was an editor in New York and I worked in promotions. When I came here I worked my way up the ladder and now I run the website and calendar. But for our special events to be successful, we have to put in the extra hours. About 60 a week. You know we’re a non-profit art house?

J.J. celebrates his birthday at the Loft. He feels part of a creative family at the art house.

C.S.: Yeah. A community supported type thingy. So what does that mean?

J.J.: We all have to put in the extra work.

C.S.: It seems to a lot of people that there’s a bias among the audience over what’s popular. It seems that comedies are more popular. What do you think?

J.J.: I know people think there’s a bias. The truth is that drama is a lot harder to pull off.

C.S.: No one has put it that way before.

J.J.: Yeah.

If interested in checking out the gong show, show up the first Friday of each month. And visit the website for special events:

The Loft

2006-10-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

Stephanie's Top 5 Questions for Bruce Campbell
...But You'll Have to Read this Story First! ...Or
Skip Down to the Bottom.

Bruce Campbell visits the Loft Cinema in Tucson, AZ as part of his booksigning tour for his book, Make Love: the Bruce Campbell way.

Photographs and Caption by Joel Yohn

Story by Stephanie Joyce

No one can really tell what Bruce Campbell, cult-classic actor and writer, was thinking as he poses in this picture. Perhaps he's striking a pose like Elvis since his book signing was accompanied by a film where his character believes that he's Elvis while waiting to die in a retirement home in "Bubba Ho-Tep." Or maybe, as my friend Yohn pointed out, Bruce simply might be contiplating the insights of his underwriter.

Bruce graciously did a Q & A session with the eager Tucson audience right after he signed his 505th book for the night. I was number 495, but I got lucky since I only had to wait 45 minutes before getting my book signed at the sold-out event.

Trick: Wait four and a half hours before you go to a book signing...that way you avoid the longest lines...at least that's what worked for me.
I didn't have a ticket to see the movie which is key to getting my book signed and attend the Q & A. So I had to push some people aside to buy a ticket from a lady who bought too many. I paid her two dollars extra on top of the normal $8 admission. I would have gladly paid more or punched one of the many drunken (The Loft sells beer) abnocious men who were waiting in line to see Bruce.

Here you can see Bruce, protected by an older woman bodyguard who is cracking her knuckles. "Step on the other side of the table and this lady will give it to ya' buddy," said Bruce. (Not really)

This picture was taken while "Bubba Ho-Tep" was playing and Bruce signed hundreds of more books and paraphanalia for the Tucsonans who couldn't afford a movie ticket or weren't stealthy enough to get one from a drunken geek....

No way they were getting mine! Even if I did have several beers and a self-proclaimed Bruce Campbell geek, or "Breek"...I just made that up.

"Hey, you're not Michael," Bruce says to me as he's siging his 495th book. I just shrugged and replied "Yeah, well, my bro is a huge fan, not that I'm not, but...I could only afford one book." -Real smooth.

So after I got my booked signed I sat down in the audience and a couple of drunken Breeks getting their books signed later, the Q & A started.

Top 5 Questions of the Night
Question 1

Q: Have you already filmed you're cameo for "Spiderman 3"?

A: What makes you think I'm even going to be in the third one?
(Oh Bruce. He's a sarcastic one...He's only been in the first two and is best buds with Sam Raimi, the director.)

Question 2

Q: How did you like working with John Carpenter in "Escape from L.A." and has he thought about working with you again?

A: It's not like John Carpenter wakes up in the morning and says, "What can I do today with Bruce Campbell?" -And it's not like I wake up every morning and go, "I wonder what John's doing today?" -I'm a B-actor.
("But we love you!" -Many audience members shout out.)

Question 3

Q: Will you be in our movie!? (One audience member shouts out as I, a movie producer, sit up in my seat.)

A: What's your budget?

(The girl in the audience makes a zero sign with her fingers.)

Bruce: Screw that! I'm not going to sit around the movie set while you kids run around trying to learn how to make a movie.
(The audience breaks out in laughter and applause.)

Bruce: Now, if it was at least one million...You can fork it over baby.
(I write a note down to myself...Must Make One Million Dollars...)

The audience is mezmorized by Bruce...Were you there?

Question 4

Q: When is "Evil Dead 3" coming out?

A: It's in pre-production right now and I'm not even going to be in it.

(The audience boo's)

Bruce: Yeah. And it's going to star Ashton Kutcher...
(The audience boo's louder)
...No one wants to see me, an old guy, run around in a scary movie. If anything they'll cast me as the old guy in the local store in the woods and my one line would be, "You kids better be careful...I heard that cabin is haunted."

Question 5 (My Question)

Q: Are your shows ever going to come out onto DVD? ("Brisco County Jr." and "Jack of All Trades")

A: Oh yeah...Those shows were so successful, they both lasted a season. The reason why "Bubba Ho-Tep" came out onto DVD was because it was successful in the theatres. So remember, if you want to see any of my stuff in the future you have to support it in the theatres. The distribution companies look at those ticket sales and see if it's worth it.

(It would be to me, Bruce. It would be to me...And everyone else that was in the audience that night.)

Bruce calls it a night after six hours of book-signing and questions. He looks a little annoyed, but gorgeous. Yohn got a really awesome picture of Bruce in front of the Loft sign. "Later baby."

Update: What a Bruce Campbell fan I am! Both of his shows ARE on DVD. -He should've gave me a straight answer...But it adds to the charm that is Bruce.

Want More Bruce? You Breek! Check Out...

The Bruce Campbell Official Website

2006-09-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

As headshots and resumes overflow my email inbox, my dining room table, and my mailbox for my current short film project, I thought to myself, "how did I get so successful in getting the resources I need to be a big time short film producer in Tucson?" Well, it didn't happen overnight, that's for sure. And this is the first and last time I will toot my own horn since I think local aspiring filmmakers like myself will get something out of this.

When I started out my five-and-a-half year era of higher learning I didn't know what I wanted to do. I just knew that I didn't want to have a serious job in business and law and I didn't want to do what my parents thought was an acceptable job. Just what does that mean anyway? I don't even think they know half the time. From the time I was in third grade up until recently, my parents would always tell me that I was the one that would excel in the family because I was smart and energetic. What pressure.

I started out college as a communications major since my parents and I decided it was a safe bet for my future. I added media arts as my second "default" major (that's how I explained it to my parents) just in case I found communication to be too boring. And it was way too boring for me. I just couldn't ponder the falisies of communications too long before I wanted to stab someone for asking, "Do you have the time?" -And then I would think to myself, "My preconditioned training in communication has taught me to acknowledge that you meant to ask me, 'what time is it?' which is only implied in our culture. Of course I have the time, but you made me think to much to want to give it to you!"

I realize now that I the things that I thought I would never really do in my life, I am in fact doing. Business and law do come into play, especially in filmmaking. And communication? That's all you do if you want to produce film. But filmmaking isn’t just business as usual. A lot fun and dynamic factors are presented to you for any given situation. For example, what is the number one job of the producer? The top two things that a producer does (that’s a lot more difficult than you think) is finding creative content and finding a crew to make that content a visual reality.

The creative content part is very difficult since there’s a lot of shitty scripts and ideas. But when a producer stumble upon some written content that’s at least decent or good, then they need to attach a director that they trust will make it thematically and visually stunning. The rest of the crew is really important too since they need to compliment the enthusiasm of the producer/director team and they have to be invested in the project. So what does that mean in the local independent filmmaking level?

Often times, producers and directors do a little bit of everything. Often times when I buying food for the whole crew or doing budgeting work on a film I ask myself, “Isn’t this the job for Craft Services or Assistant Director work?”…yadda, yadda. The sooner I got over the fact that I don’t have the budget to hire everyone on that would be on a traditional Hollywood set, the sooner I realized I needed to pull my resources together and use what the local community has to offer.

Here in Tucson the community is still excited about doing film. In L.A., for instance, the same locations have been used some many times for filming purposes so that business owners wont give you a deal for filming at their establishment. It’s typically $1,500 to $3,000 a day for an average street location there. While in Tucson I contacted Colossal Caves and DeGrazia, which are two historical and breathtaking locations, and shot on location for practically free. We paid a couple of hundred dollars for the locations which respectfully covers electricity costs, since we plugged in our lights into their power, and hires personnel to stay overtime to help be security while our film team shot overnight. We had a small budget for food, but why pay when many local vendors are excited to donate food towards the making of a film and will gladly take a “special thanks” in the credits as payment. These are just a couple of things that local film producers can’t be timid about.

Local filmmakers, and any filmmaker for that matter, need to be able to articulate what they need from different vendors and location and get them excited in their film project. It’s ultimately a guerilla filmmaker’s (someone who makes films fast, cheap, and efficient) job to get the whole crew excited about doing a project.

Here are a couple of tips in creating and completing a successful film project:

-Know your content and crew…If you read a script that you believe in or if you meet someone that did an awesome, gun-ho job that you were impressed with (and I mean this is a person that is doing the grunt work back when you were a peon in the film industry) never let that connection go. They might become more knowledgeable in some aspects then you are and quite possibly more successful. Admit it…You can’t thank the Academy just yet.

-Be aware that you are not the best…Yet…In this industry you really need to leave your ego at the door. There’s a lot of people that think that they are better than you and you should go right on letting them think that…and pick their brain about what they think they know better than you so you can also get the edge. Remember, filmmaking is not a competition. It’s a display of your artistic talents and visions that shouldn’t be compromised by what you think is better or worse than your own projects.

-Never bad mouth anyone, ever…Seriously, this is a big one. I heard a story about how once upon a time there was a fellowship that believed in making films together in Tucson. But like Lord of the Rings, some of the fellows got greedy and split into their own filmmaking tribes. Long story short, they all still live here and hear about every bad little thing that the other group is saying about them because Tucson is a small town and it’s really two degrees of separation in this town rather than six. This really just ties in with the last tip to leave your ego at the door. Egos can be damaged by bad-mouthing, but friendships and partnerships are way harder to repair.

-Explore…On top of doing your preferred job in film, try doing something different like make-up, wardrobe, acting. It's really important (and fun) to explore other people's duties on a film set because you learn new skills and you gain a new-found apprecition for all the elements that go into making a movie.

The following pictures were used by permission by Yuri Makino, Director of "Alma." A short 16mm shot in Tucson. I was the head wardrobe person for the film. The short film is slated to premier early next spring at local art houses.

Never be afraid to explore what the Tucson film scene has to offer and even though some filmmakers might be cold to you at first, ask them questions! They might have eaten bad sushi and their sour faces might just be an expression of newly acquired intestinal worms.

-Some THINGS you should check out:

-Tucsonfilm.com (They list every film project currently going on in Tucson)
-IFASA (Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona, they hold mixer for local filmmaker to meet and exchange cards, ideas, etc.)
-Tucsonstage@yahoogroups.com (A good place to find talent)
-Misty’s Productions (All your rental filmmaking equipment needs can be found here)
-Craigslist.com, -Tucson, under Film/Media (Post wanted adds for crew and talent!)

That’s all for now. If you have any more questions about filmmaking, feel free to email me at sbjoyce@gmail.com.

2006-08-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday the Tucson Fox Theatre presented an encore screening of local film makers John Higgins and Justin Kreinbrink's feature length film The Decoy which sold out on it's first screening back in June. But enough about those guys. They're awesome and they know it.

The new and tantalizing addition to the screening of the gun-slinging, tobacco-chewing western was the guerilla-film making-brewed short film showcase which was screened before the feature. The shorts Dark West, Alone and last -but not my least favorite- (actually, I liked all of them) Visors Down which was produced by Stephanie Joyce. Oh wait, that's me!

So the day in the life of an aspiring big-time producer would consist of finding good content to make into a film, finding good people to make a film, and networking, networking, networking. Seriously, there's a whole lot of networking going on but there will be more on that in my next blog, "The Ins and Outs of Independent Filmmaking in Tucson" or "Get Naked! We're Making a Movie." Something like that...

Before the film showcase extravaganza, people met in the lobby of Club Congress for an informal film mixer sponsored by IFASA (Independent Film Association of Southern Arizona). Mixers like these are a very valuable tool for any film student or bum with a camera or monkey's who dream that they had opposable thumbs so they can press record on a camcorder. And the last category is a club actually; in short they call themselves MWDTTHATSTCPROAC. What do you expect from an acronym made up by monkeys. They don't speak English. There is no cover or entry fee for these mixers. Everyone is welcome. Including monkeys.

Of course, tickets to see the films at The Fox do cost money - $10 for general admission, $25 for a pair of people in balcony loveseats. The price for tickets might have contributed to the fact that there were only 200 people that showed up to the screening. Sounds like a good amount, but not for a theater that can seat 1,200 people. Then again, slacking slothy students slowly succumbing to school since seen something on the silver screen. I just saw V for Vendetta. I love alliterations. "Slothy" isn't a word. I'm not as smart as that guy in the movie. The sexy one with the mask.

The best part of the night was that people applauded our attempt to make a short in an attempt to turn it into a feature. A lot of filmmakers do that in Tucson. They make a trailer or a short with the hope that in turns into a feature because some big production guy might see it in the film festival circuit and throw money at you while weeping at your true cinematic genious.

That's about it for what went down on the night of August 26, 2006.

The guys in the picture below here at three dudes from the short Dark West. If you want to know their names, you can ask around and figure it out. You have the picture. You can parade around in a cowboy/sheriff's outfit and ask people, "Have you seen this man?" Or you can check out their profiles by visting darkwestmovie.com.

If you have any questions about Visors Down, the short I worked on, you can email me at sbjoyce@gmail.com.

Or you can try contacting the director and shake your fists at him via email since he hasn't given me any promotional photo stills to put on this blog for your viewing pleasure.

Derek: visorsdownmovie@gmail.com