"THE MAKING OF"

Hammering the Fests

2010-04-24T12:28:00.001-07:00

Next round of submissions!

AFI, Austin, Hollywood and Telluride.

Keep fingers crossed! These are the top tier fests.

Other cool news: Josh's short Pier 41 was accepted for competition in the narrative category at the HSU Film Fest. Might win several awards today!

Last week, we had the local premiere of Suza's feature A River of Skulls at the Arkley Center. (They have a SUPER nice projector.) Great turnout!

And now we're all up to our eyes in preproduction for Suza's next feature, Flea.

ONWARD!!!

New Trailer!

2009-12-11T22:39:00.000-08:00

The "John McClowski" trailer, specially customized for that special method actor narcotics cop.

Enjoy!

First Review! 8.8/10

2009-10-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

Microfilmmaker.com critiqued the movie! Dig it!

8.8/10

Pow!

Some warm-fuzzy tidbits:

"I absolutely love it."

"Classic indie filmmaking."

"A hilarious film."

Also, submissions are out to Slamdance, Seattle and CineQuest festivals.

In other exciting news, I just got back from a 40 day feature western film shoot. A River of Skulls, written and directed by Suza Lambert Bowser, and starring Kelly Nixon and Erik Rhea (all from TMO!)!

I was the director of photography! Excitement!

It's off to Sundance!

2009-08-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

Submitted via withoutabox.com, paid for, packed, and ready to mail.

We had a clamshell case with our nice dvd wrap artwork ready to go, but it turns out Sundance is so eco-friendly, all they want is a dvd in a sleeve and a confirmation number. Not even the application! No superficial nonsense for them! (We did make a nice on-disc print though. I hope they won't disqualify us for wasting ink.) I look forward to the day when I can submit a film (video) via telepathy. Way faster than FTP.

We also mailed a copy to microfilmmaker.com- a great little site that provides professional critiques of Super Low Budget films. They gave Remote Control Grandpa an 8/10! AWESOME!

FINAL CUT!!!

2009-08-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

I said before that it was done, but I LIED.

NOW it's done.

(Sorry.)

The "Fine Tooth Comb" phase took a bit longer than expected, but fear not- every single tangle has been eradicated, and the bedhead successfully smoothed out. TOTALLY ready for the class picture.

Within the next 48 hours, our little 85 minute wonder will be on its merry way to Park City, Utah. That's right, we're submitting to Sundance. WHAT. Don't think we'll get in? Well THINK AGAIN; I've got a little secret up my sleeve. It's called AWESOMENESS, and this movie is literally exploding with it.

Normally I don't do this, but I'm feeling especially awesome right now, so I'm going to share a super secret with you.

RECIPE FOR AWESOME

One part Cool
One part Funny
Two parts Hella

Beat on high for 12 months. Chill before serving.

Delicious.

FREE SCREENING!

2009-03-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

Great news! Producer Joshua D. Nelson has secured a venue for us to screen The Making Of!
You are cordially invited to come experience all 85 glorious minutes of our hilarious true* story about the little filmmaker that could.
We don't have an MPAA rating yet, but if I had to guess, I'd give this movie a hearty PG-13.

WHAT: A Work-in-Progress Screening of The Making Of

WHERE: Van Duzer Theatre at HSU.

(Click here for directions)

WHEN: April 20th, 6:15pm (arrive early to get good seats!)

COST: FREE! (Donations (that help the filmmakers!) will be accepted at the door.)

Bring friends! There's over 800 seats! :D

All the Best,
Matt

PS- Not sure you'll like it? Watch the first eight minutes of the film here!

*not true

IT'S DONE!

2009-03-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

We've finished making The Making Of! It has been made.

Now we're going to start submitting to festivals!

Watch the first 8 minutes!

2008-12-17T13:25:00.000-08:00

Editing had been going swimmingly the past few months. The mixing and color grading are really looking and sounding swell. We're still raising money in anticipation for the "festival circuit" (and so everybody can get paid in full), so if you'd like to invest in this upcoming smash hit megablockbuster indie sensation, please contact me!

As a super special holiday bonus, I've uploaded a big clip from the movie for all to see! I'd love your feedback too; please leave comments!

Enjoy!

(CLICK HERE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE)

Quick Side-note...

2008-09-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

We made a super awesome video for the Humboldt Visitor's Bureau. It's a parody of the Christian the Lion Reunion video, featuring Bigfoot.
EDIT - 3/6/09 - Our video has over 150,000 hits! NICE.
Dig it on YouTube.
And look at the comments! :D

That's a wrap!!!

2008-09-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

On September 6th, the 10th day of shooting, we finished production of the movie!
I had promised earlier that I would perform a Celebratory Cartwheel (having never executed one before), and I delivered, baby! I didn't even hurt myself! Eff yeah!!!
Now I'm going to barricade myself in my apartment and finish editing the rough cut. We might have to get together one more time for some reshoots and pick up shots, but production was so Ianfficient*, we probably won't have to.

Check out more pics on my Facebook page.

*The Script Supervisor Ian was so efficient, a new word was created in his honor.

THE CAST:
Erik Rhea...Tom Banks
Kelly Nixon...Herself/Victory Girl
Suza Lambert Bowser...Beverly/Feminista
Rick St. Charles...Konrad Tiltenzumer
Christopher Hatcher...Jeff/Justice Man
Mathew Roscoe...Himself/Tormento
Jason Bone...John McClowski
Leslie Ostrom...Megan Riker
Pryncz Lotoj...Uncle Marv
Dave Hamilton...Gaelon Davis
Silas Knight...Sandor Stockfleth
Thomas Tucker...Kong Fu Sensei
Genny St. Charles-Monet...Sarah Banks
Jenner Cohune...Gloria
Steve Brown...Dentist #1
Jabari Morgan...Dentist #2
Mark DuPre...Fred
Jake Weinstock...Steve
Tisha Sloan...Elaine
Bob Wells...Executive
Brandy Rose...Bicyclist
Lee Ritter...Poet #1
Denise Ryles...Poet #2
Lorna Brown...Poet #3
Tyler Hooker...Poet #4
Danielle Hewitt...Poet #5
Andrew Campbell...Poet #6
Ian Strope...Poet #7
Lacy-Jean Rhodes...Student #1
Joshua D. Nelson...Student #2
Matt St. Charles...Student #3

Byron Stocum...Himself

Police Officer...Rodney Dickerson

News Anchor...Dave Silverbrand

Trailers! (in HD!)

2008-06-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

The trailers are ready! HD versions now available too!
The theatrical trailer is more traditional- blazing fast, full of punchlines, and contains every funny part from the movie. (Don't worry though- we ran the script through a Laugh Calculator and it totaled 257 LOL's. This trailer only has 12.) If you're strapped for time, watch this one.
The promo trailer was created to exemplify the style and pacing of the feature. Thus the length. And the slower pace. And, and the credits. Now that I think about it, it's not really a trailer at all. I probably should've called it something else, but it's far too late for that now.
Enjoy!

Theatrical trailer on YouTube! (2 minutes)
Promo trailer on YouTube! (8 minutes)
720p HD versions here!

Click here for investment opportunities!

New poster! New wallpaper!

2008-06-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

Right-click and "Save As" to download!
Wallpaper sizes:
1920x1200
1280x1024
1024x768

Trailer in the can!

2008-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we knocked out all eight gut-busting pages for the promotional trailer. It was totally awesome. People were a little nervous; "It's Fri the 13th lol." I reassured them that I didn't believe in luck- good or bad, and promptly administered swift kicks to the groin to anyone who didn't share my optimism. Needless to say, we nailed the trailer without a hitch, and as I take a break from editing to post this, my sides are still sore from laughing. Ha! Excitement.

The moral of the story is: I actually do believe in luck, by this definition: being prepared for opportunity when it comes (and kicks you in the nuts).

Check out frames here! And behind-the-scenes (making of The Making Of) pics here!

The Leads are Cast!

2008-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

We've selected the lead roles! An amazing ensemble. Right now we're preparing for the 10 minute trailer shoot, and after that we'll be wrapping up the full cast! Stay tuned!

Casting Call 2/2

2008-05-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

The initial casting phase is complete! We had over 60 incredible people audition. Next step: watch the six hours of footage and invite the best of the best of the best for a callback!
The pieces of the giant puzzle are starting to fall into place!
Check out pics from the second day here.

Casting Call 1/2

2008-05-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

The first casting call was a HUGE success. There were SO many amazing, talented people. I was blown away. I kept having to bite my tongue during auditions to keep from laughing (in a good way; with people, not at them), and yada yada yada, everything still tastes like rubber.
A special thank you to all who made this day rad.
Check out pics here!
If you missed the first call, there's still one more:
SATURDAY THE 24TH, 12PM-2PM, same place- 5th & A Eureka (in the Moore's Sleepworld building)

OPEN CASTING CALL annoucement!

2008-05-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

SYNOPSIS: The Making Of is a mockumentary that documents the trials and tribulations of novice producer Tom Banks and his ragtag film crew as they struggle to make a movie. The sole financier of the movie, Tom's uncle Marvin, is a hyper-frugal control freak. Even though his intentions are good, his unexpected budget-cutting ends up crippling the film. As the production spirals ever downward, Tom begins to wonder if his dream will ever be achieved. The Making Of chronicles the making of a movie that never gets made.

This is writer/director Matt St. Charles' second feature. His first, Remote Control Grandpa, is totally awesome and you can check it out at www.remotecontrolgrandpa.com
Also take a look at some of his thoroughly entertaining short films and commercials at this website- especially LOOSE CANNON, a spinoff of one of the characters from The Making Of!

You can also read the blog of The Making Of here! (SO meta!)

The Making Of will be shot in high definition at 24p.

WHO: Roles for men & women ages 18-65!

WHEN:
Sunday, May 18th, 12pm-4pm
Saturday, May 24th, 12pm-4pm

WHERE:
North Coast Casting, #7 5th street at the corner of A, Eureka
(Next to Moore's Sleepworld)

WHY: Credit, copy, meals, a warm smile and a hearty handshake... and pay (pending).

Please bring headshot/resume if possible.

For more info and to register (optional), call North Coast Casting at 442-0952 or visit their website.

CLICK HERE FOR CHARACTER PROFILES!

Also, just for your fyi, we have an official title: THE MAKING OF! Thanks for voting!

Go vote! (On the title.) (It's on the right.)

2008-04-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Five days left to vote on the title!
Okay, here are my thoughts on each candidate. I love The Greatest Story Never Told, because it fits the story perfectly; it's about a film crew that fails to make their movie. So their story is never told. The story about their story is told (our story), but not the story they wanted to tell. But The Making Of is also a perfect fit; we'll shoot our movie as if it's the making-of video for the dvd for their movie. And since their movie never gets finished, the Making Of is all they're left with. It's also kind of a mysterious title too:
"I'm gonna go see The Making Of."
"The making of what?"
"I don't know, and the curiosity is killing me."
"Well now I want to see it."
SCORE.
Another plus would come from the real making-of video we'd make: The Making Of The Making Of. Awesome.
What I don't like about The Greatest Story Never Told is that it sounds like a parody of The Greatest Story Ever Told. Which it most certainly is not. I almost want to toss Jesus into the script because the title is so cool.
What I don't like about The Making Of is that it might be difficult to find online. "Greatest Story Never Told" returns 139,000 results on Google, but "The Making Of" pulls up 4,920,000. Whoof. That's the problem, lots of movies have a making-of featurette. Anything can have a making-of movie about it. And it gets worse- imagine this movie on the marquis at a theater. If there's another title after The Making Of, both movies are screwed.
"Oh look what's playing, honey- The Making Of No Country For Old Men."
"Why would I want to see the making-of? I haven't even seen the movie yet."
"Me neither. I wonder why it's not playing here anymore."
Hopefully no one would be that dumb, but what scares me is that dumb people are the target audience for our movie. Sigh.
Go vote on the title!!!

LOOSE CANNON complete! Watch it now!

2008-03-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hard-boiled narcotics officer John McClowski vows revenge against drug lord Zeus after the death of his partner. Classic action-packed buddy cop parody!

It's April Fool's day, but this is no joke! It's nearly seven minutes of adrenaline-rushing, heart-pounding, adjective-packed cinema!

Click here to access the 720p HD version.

I pity the fool that passes this up! (The April Fool! Er, right?) Again, this is not a joke, this is very, very real.

Pictures of LOOSE CANNON!

2008-03-29T23:46:00.000-07:00

The short is 99.9% complete. Should be up in the next few days!
In the meantime, here are some awesome stills!
Enjoy!

LOOSE CANNON short film shoot

2008-03-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

The shoot was great! Super funny stuff. Super good footage. And pizza.
It was a very spontaneous shoot. We were able to pull some good friends out of hibernation to help out, and it all came together beautifully!
I cut together a rough edit today, and it's SUPER FUNNY.
Picture of McClowski kicking in a door courtesy of Tyson Ritter.

New Short Film with Loose Connections

2008-03-15T17:49:00.000-07:00

"Bullshit!" You say to yourself, out loud. "Why are you filming a short when your momentum is so high on your feature?"
"Because I'm a crazy asshole," I respond telepathically. "I'm reckless, overly spontaneous and have no respect for priority. But goddamnit, I get the job done."

It's called Loose Cannon, and it features one of GSNT's lead characters, Supercop John McClowski, a personal favorite of mine.
You can read the script here.

The Master Plan

2008-03-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

Basic List of Steps to Make This Movie:

WRITE IT, REWRITE IT, REWRITE IT AGAIN. GET IT TIGHT. KEEP IT FUNNY.
ATTACH CAST AND CREW. CASTING CALL!!!
FORM AN LLC PRODUCTION COMPANY
BUSINESS PLAN (PACKAGE FOR INVESTORS):

STORYBOARDS, SYNOPSIS, MISSION STATEMENT
BUDGET TOP SHEET
RESUMES OF KEY MANAGEMENT TEAM AND TALENT
PHOTOS, POSTER ARTWORK, PRODUCTION SCHEDULES/STORYBOARDS
SCREENPLAY

DETERMINE UNITS
RAISE MONEY
PRESS/PUBLICITY - VARIETY/HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
PRODUCTION
POST PRODUCTION
FESTIVALS
SELL!

I'm going all the way with this one, baby.

First draft complete!

2008-03-08T14:41:00.000-08:00

The project tentatively titled "The Greatest Story Never Told" has a finished first draft! I'm super excited. The night I finished it I blazed through about 30 pages in a caffeine binge. That was fun. Amazingly I was able to sleep rather well afterwards. Now I'm off to rewrite the crap out of it. Some friends are helping me out, and there are some really hilarious ideas being throw around. Before long I think we'll have a polished piece worthy of printing!
Gearing up for Phase 2: Approaching Investors!
(P.S.- those aviators are Photoshopped on! I'm so proud!)