FESTIVALS: September 2007 Archives

Hey Everyone.

Just a quick note to update and say ‘sorry’ for not keeping up on the blogs. Things are in full swing with a party every night, festival promo, planning for the screenings etc. And not to sound flippant with the ‘party’ mention, but… well, there are a lot of parties. And myself, Madison and Bri are doing everything we can to get the word out. I’ll be filling you in soon.

That said, just wanted to officially announce that CENTIGRADE will be screening a half hour LATER than originally scheduled. 9:30pm is now the official screening time. After that, we are having the Centigrade AFTER PARTY at Lickerish (903 Davie Street @ Hornby - right around the corner from the theatre). We figure the theatre will let out at around 11:00pm and we’ll all go around the corner for a martini and appys.

So, once more.

CENTIGRADE - Screens SUNDAY Oct. 7th (9:30pm) with AFTER PARTY @ LICKERISH - 903 Davie Street @ Hornby

and then again Monday the 8th (4:30pm).

Thanks everyone. C.

Hey Gang.

Just a reminder that CENTIGRADE will be screening as part of the Vancouver International Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 7th at 9:00pm. VANCOUVER PREMIERE!! WITH an ‘after party’ at 11:00pm at a club/bar on Granville St. a block or so from the theatre TBA (inking venue now).

Anyway. Get your tickets early. Only 10 bucks. CENTIGRADE is playing at the Pacific Cinemateque (small theatre - 2 shows) and will DEFINITELY sell out.

The second screening is the very next day (Monday) at 4:00pm.

That’s it for now. Thanks for putting up with my boredom inspired musings as we count down the clock.

See ya soon.

C.

Made a movie last year with Tom Cavanagh (great guy, hope you’re well Tom).

Sort of a twist on an old genre. A couple lives happily together. Careers are in full gear. All is well. Until, a kid finds it’s way into the fold. It’s only supposed to be ‘temporary’ of course, but still the kid causes havoc and creates massive problems for all involved. But at the end of the day, the couple falls in love with the little rat and all live happily ever after.

Great premise.

Twist? The couple is gay. And the ‘kid’ is gayer. (Gayer?)

Let me put it another way. The couple consists of two very ‘straight’ acting gay guys. The ‘kid’? Off the chart flamer. And so, the kid makes good on totally cramping their ‘low profile’ status.

In one scene, the ‘uncles’ have to go to the school because the kid has gotten in trouble for trying to kiss another boy. And they have to explain to the little tiger that kissing boys isn’t exactly appropriate.

I loved working on this film. Without a doubt the highlight of my 2006. The director Laurie Lynd was exceptional to work for. Paul Brown, producer, was a delight. It’s not often where you work on a film with such passion behind it. That is independent film. Sticking your ass on line for material you believe in. I believed in the film and the people behind it.

But I suppose what I loved the most about it was the fact that it wasn’t preachy. It wasn’t some stupid ass ‘gay message’ movie. There was no agenda to the script. It was just about two guys who found themselves in what is usually a very tame and heartwarming genre.

Well, it screens tonight in Toronto.

My first film to screen at the Toronto International Film Festival and I have to miss it. Working jPod tomorrow (the tv show I’m on) and I simply could not get away.

Therefore, I wanted to send out a giant ‘good luck’ and ‘heal a leg’ to everyone attached to that film. I wish it all the success in the world and count myself damn lucky to have been a part of it all.

Kick ass guys.

C.

ps. Breakfast With Scot is also coming to the Vancouver Festival early in October!! See you there!

Colin Cunningham in Centigrade, © Turn Up the Heat Productions, 2007

What an idiot.

I’ve been so caught up in the minutia of all this film stuff that I didn’t even have the brains to properly announce….

We’ve been invited to screen at this years VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!!!!

Come on out to the show!

Festival Dates - Sept. 27 to Oct. 12th.

CENTIGRADE SCREENS - Sunday, Oct. 7th and Monday Oct. 8th.

Hope to see you there!!

Summer’s coming to an end. Feel it?

You can always feel it. Doesn’t matter how hot or cold it is, what the barometer says, or the fact that the kids are going out to buy new pencils. It’s intuitive. You just know…

That was your last snow cone.

And slowly, no matter where you are, fall begins to whisper. Into the trees and once crowded beaches. It’s a melancholy time. A romantic time. Hands down the most romantic time of the year. And of one’s life when you really think about it.

Spring? Spring is the time for humpin’!!

But, Fall…. oh, Fall. That’s the bitter sweet time. The ‘walk and cuddle’ time. The good bye time.

Fall has always represented great longing to me. But, I’ve never been quite sure of what. Can’t say that it’s entirely nostalgic for it’s a feeling I can remember even as a young kid. But it’s clean. Still. The parks and patios begin to hush. And people once again begin to go inside their homes. Their clothes. Their heads.

Fall is natures invitation to fall… or to re-fall in love. Good luck.

But what the hell does that have to do with movies? Not a friggin’ thing. Unless of course you’d like me to recommend a few great romantic classics.

Green Dolphin Street - 1947 (Lana Turner/Van Heflin)

Roman Holiday - 1953 (Gregory Peck/Audrey Hepburn)

Somewhere In Time - 1980 (Christopher Reeves/Jane Seymour)

When Harry Met Sally - 1989 (Meg and Billy)

Dead Alive - 1992 (Tim Balme/Diana Penalver)

Okay, maybe not When Harry Met Sally, but if you haven’t seen at least three of those, you should cancel your membership at the local Ballbuster Video and sign up at an outlet that actually carries movies. (And if you can actually find a copy of Green Dolphin Street, give me a shout. I’ll pay top dollar.)

But the number one pic for the coming season has got to be the biggest heartwarming romantic comedy of the year.

CENTIGRADE.

A man. A trailer. A match made in Canada. Forbidden love is an itch than runs deep. (You can get a powder for it, but the clinic isn’t open on Mondays.) So get your check books ready, ‘cause the ‘road to hell’ is coming to a television, movie theater or even your computer, soon!!!

We’ve had massive feedback thus far, YIPPEEEE!!!, but we’ve also just begun and don’t want to screw up any potential distribution stuff. Granted, we’re off to one hell of a start. Competition in Montreal, etc. (I still have to remind myself how incredibly hard that was to do. Especially from a rough cut.) Anyway. Just hang on for any of you that are hoping for a copy or screening in your own home town.

Therefore, enjoy your ‘fall’ everyone. Go on a long walk. Alone or with a friend. Track down your very first girfriend or boyfriend. Go through some old photos. Hold hands. Make your spouse breakfast in bed. Kick a dog in the face.

Shock somebody.

C.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Press conferences are strange things.

Based on the principals of ceremony, fuss and optimism, the organizers of any great festival collect themselves in front of a podium, make announcements, thank the festivals’ (most generous) sponsors and essentially, cut their hard earned ribbons and celebrate.

These are people who have essentially spent the last year preparing for what will transpire over the course of the next 16 days. And they have much to be proud of. That, and from such individuals, you really get the feeling that they care about film. From the producers to the production assistants. They put a value on story. It’s ability to shape the world. And, dare I say it. Consider the motion picture to be an ‘art form’.

I think very little of the business side of film, but it was nice to be reminded of a few things. The detached optimism one has when experiencing ‘film’ from the other side of the screen is a special thing. But to take that feeling and go through all the hassle of creating a festival around it is pretty cool indeed. That, and one can only spend so long in this business before you get caught up in the nasty side of things. After a while you might actually forget the day, long ago, when you would have sold a lung just to be near it.

It’s good to remember.

Unfortunately, even the clearest pools can become contaminated by the first hand reaching for a drink. Such was the message upon our arrival at the door.

My ‘name’ was on a list of filmmakers. And it was the only name. But ‘with me’ were Madison Graie (Producer) and Jonathan Tyrrell (Editor) and with the exception of Derrick Garland, these people are the very heartbeat of Centigrade. Anyway, my name was checked off, but Madison’s and Jonathan’s were not there. And so, the young lady (who was very nice) at the door began to ‘add’ Jonathan and Madison to the list.

It took only two seconds for ‘someone’ to notice it, dart over and say, “Whoa. What’s going on?”

The young gal at the door explained the situation to which was was replied, “Well, you need to know that we don’t have room for your guests.”

No introduction. No welcome. No hello.

Nothing.

Feeling obligated, I simply replied that, “They’re not my guests. They’re the filmmakers.”

“Oh, well we may not have room for them and you need to understand. So, just so you know. You probably won’t… Oh, and I’m ‘____’ by the way. Just so you know.” And walked off.

This woman had been the one e-mailing us back and forth for the last couple weeks. The one we’d spoken to over the phone. And the one, who in a few broken sentences, rendered herself completely irrelevant.

Why do I bring this up?

As is with anything in life, I’m always interested in the fact that you have people that truly subscribe to the greatness of an event, art form or idea. Then there are those who only come on board to bathe in the wash of flash bulbs. The ‘coordinator’ slash ‘artiste’. The ‘all access’ temp worker. The pay rolled wannabes who grip their clip boards and walkie talkies just a tad too tightly. The power trip.

Granted, we have a short at this years festival, not a feature (then again, it’s better than most damn features but so what?). It is a festival. Try being festive.

Such people are only a small handful (thank God) but they are always there. The ones who could care less about the spirit of film but who once met the receptionist for Telefilm Canada at a party attended by Don McKellar. They only recognize the artistically ‘relevant’ and in an instant you’re back in junior high school.

But we’re stoked just the same. It’s so nice to be able to enjoy this festival as locals. It’s our home town and we’re going to have a blast. Right now we’re scheduled to screen on Sunday, October 7th and Monday the 8th. Sunday in the evening and Monday in the afternoon.

Which is great because if it works out, we’ll hold an after party and invite everyone from the theater to come out and have some fun. (Well, maybe not everyone.)

You know, I love Vancouver, but this town can be so uptight it’s suffocating. Vancouver is the only city in the world where you can light up a crack pipe on the steps of City Hall, but they’ll bounce your ass into jail should you get caught riding your bicycle around the sea wall without a helmet.

It’s very strange living here. Vancouver is such a liberal town and there’s nothing in the world colder or more elitist than the artsy fartsy liberal. And I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s fear. Vanity. I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because many of them here dislike religion (well, Christianity really.) And not that I’m any big fan of holy water and pipe organs, but perhaps it explains the greater value put on all things ‘artistic’. Who needs God when you can make a chair out of marshmallows?

But I don’t need God to know there’s big money in it. Tax payer money. Everyone out here knows that if you want some cash, write a script about sex, suicide or heroin (victim based storylines). The commercially driven distributors won’t touch them. But the arts councils and film funds love that crap. The judicators for almost every cash granting body in Canada are off the chart liberals. Not hippies mind you. Socialists. Artistes. Antidepressants. Cater to their prejudice and politic and you can clean up. (On other peoples money of course.)

And I say “SIGN ME UP!!” baby. I’m an equal opportunist. Give me that 3 million dollars for my next film and I’ll wear the Che’ Guevara t-shirt. Tell you that Hitler was a great vegetarian. Nelson Mandela isn’t a Ghadaffi loving communist and that George Bush is a genius. Just give me the script. I’ve been selling soap for years.

I suppose we could have kept going. Hit up the government and played the game. And we probably would have if I didn’t suck so bad at it. I just can’t stand selling out to some college brown shirt who thinks he’s qualified because he once saw The Conformist and Rules of the Game.

Ah. But what the hell do I know?

Think I’ll re-read Pauline Kael’s review of Last Tango in Paris and hit the sack.

‘Night.

Last time I had a film at the ‘Dan Hoover’ International Film Festival was with Zacharia Farted. A film that Damon Vignale, myself and Madison produced. Directed by Michael Rohl, it was a hit at the festival and none of us had ever been treated better. Van-, I mean ‘Dan’ rolled out a red carpet for us and we’ll never forget it.

8 years later, I’m back with a short. My Directorial debut and I wonder if anyone will even notice. Shorts are kind of off the radar and it’s all the harder inviting people out to see your film. And not to be pessimistic, but few people really care. Appearances to such screenings are mostly obligatory. And it’s a gamble to boot. The screening could fall on a Monday afternoon or a Tuesday morning. You want important people to come out, but you’ve got to be careful. Politics should never be mixed with expectation, and yet, that’s exactly what you’re doing. It’s never something I feel comfortable with.

“Hey. Want to come and see my play?” You can almost hear the groans. Oh, shit. I don’t want to see this guys stupid play/movie/art show. I’d rather just sit home and watch Dancing With Midgets. It’s a short film for Christ’s sake. Which means I’ve got to sit through 70 minutes of other peoples crap before getting to the film I said I’d come to see. God, I really don’t want to go.

And then YOU get all bent out of shape when they don’t show. “Huh, Steve ‘said’ he was going to come. But I don’t see him. Fine, screw that guy. Next time he asks me for something, he can kiss my ass.”

Ridiculous.

Now, I’ve been down this road a thousand times and I honestly DON’T hold it against it anyone should they not make it. But still, I ‘do’ remember those that did. And that is enough for me to be aware of how sensitive it can all be.

You spend an entire year of your life on something and now you want to unleash it on the world. We’re all human and so you do, consciously or unconsciously, seek validation from peers and professionals alike. You want to prove yourself.

And yet, you can’t get caught up in any of it, regardless of the out come.

If it flops, doesn’t mean it’s a bad film. And if it’s a massive success, doesn’t mean it’s a good one. So, at the end of the day, you’ll never really know. All you can do is judge things on whether or not the film holds any merit to you.

And it does.

Therefore… and why the hell not… Let it make a fortune. In fact, even if it sucks, I hope it makes a fortune. I’m sick of taking the philosophical high road. I’ve never had a ‘hit’ that carried any kind of significant financial reward. They’ve all put me in the poor house. It’s been hell trying to pay people back. Investors in various projects, etc.

Would I trade it all away for material goods? Hell no. But it really would be nice to make some headway as a filmmaker. To be able to reward people for their generosity. To pay my crews what they’re worth. Buy myself a friggin’ shack somewhere. A new car for the folks. You know the drill. Instead, every dime I make goes back into this damned business.

The other day myself, Madison and her hubby James all went to the fair and they had this massive house there that they were raffling off. A mammoth thing that everyone was lined up to take a tour of. Anyway, we decided to wait in the line and take the tour. Well, the home was gorgeous and I thought to myself, “I want this.” Granted, who wouldn’t. But I’m so sick of the basement suites I find myself in for the sake of my dream. It would be so nice to make a couple of bucks and to actually live in a ‘home’ of my own.

I don’t know if any of you are familiar with Vancouver, but a condo is now around 800,000 for a thousand square feet. That’s a million bucks with taxes and the like. Who the hell can afford that? Not me.

Like I said, I make a good living for a single guy, no kids etc. But I also live with the girlfriend, drive a second hand car and other than a student model saxophone, I don’t own much.

But, I ‘can’ make the odd movie, and finance it on a working actors wage. I am living my dream and when I finally come to my senses… God, am I lucky. I still have a family. And it’s a family that laughs its ass off when we’re together. And we get together often. I can have Kelsey Grammer call my mom from set to say hello. Shoot guns with Arnold Shwarzenegger and spend some quality time chatting up The Fonz (Hope you’re well Henry). I’ve got my friends, girlfriend and people important to me.

So, who the hell am I to complain? In fact, you know what? To hell with the house. It can wait. I’ve been blessed with the greatest people in the world, love them like mad, and to have any one of them over to my basement suite, is to turn it into the Taj Mahal.

Didn’t win anything at Palm Springs. And it looks like we’ll have to settle for the honor of being in competition in Montreal. They announced the winners a couple of days ago on their web sites and we were no where to be found. Ah well. That’s okay. I’m not disappointed. (May the people there give birth to two headed lizards.)

Oh! There’s something I wanted to say to everyone. I really wanted to thank those of you who have written in on this site to ‘comment’. I’ve read them all and really appreciate it. Granted, nobody has said, “You suck.” yet, but there’s still time.

We have one more ‘confirmed’ festival to hit before the summer ends, but I can’t tell you what it is. They’ve asked us not to say anything until they make formal announcements. So, all I’ll say for now is that it rhymes with ‘Dan Hoover’.

I can only hope that the film might open a door or two for me, Madison and anybody else who lent a hand to it. If the film gets good buzz, then it will be of benefit to even the volunteers who are looking for some credibility on their new resumes. God knows I can’t do this acting thing forever and I need to start looking ahead. I’m not getting any younger. Time to cover my bases, broaden my horizons. Hope it’ll help.

Oh, I also wanted to mention to anybody who may have the ‘old’ copy of the film, that come the next time you see me, please bring it and I will exchange it for the completed film.

That said, listen gang. If anyone has an idea or knows someone who might be able to help us, I’m all for it. Whether it be a publicist in a festival city where the film is playing. To a couch to crash on because the hotels are simply too expensive. Sure, I make a couple of dollars working as an actor, but I can promise you that every single dime is going towards the film and it’s marketing. My checks come in and I sign them over to Visa. It’s as simple as that.

So, if anyone has any idea. Or knows someone at a big studio. Or a friend at Miramax, I don’t know. Facebook? MySpace? Anything you guys can do to get the word out.

That’s it for now.

It’s hard to write a blog. You want it to be interesting but not make it a wank. That, and there’s not a whole hell of a lot going on at the moment. If anything, after Montreal and Palm Springs, we’re a bit wiped out. Needed some down time. But I’m going to try to keep this up. I think it’s important.

Anyway. Out for now everyone. All the best.

C.