Posts Tagged ‘IndieFlix’

IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast and 2010 Olympics: A Conversation with “Appointment in Vancouver” Producer Seth Caplan and Director Anna Christopher with Special Guest Olympic Skier Casey Puckett Hosted by Lois Fein

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

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IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast


“Here’s looking at you – the independent filmmaker”

Every Tuesday. A conversation with IndieFlix independent filmmakers –
producers, writers, actors, directors.

  • Listen NOW by clicking PLAY below

 
icon for podpress  IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with Seth Caplan, Anna Christopher and Casey Puckett hosted by Lois Fein [43:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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  • Play Podcast Puzzle
  • Name That Voice
  • Meet Host, Lois Fein

1/26/10 Podcast:

The Seth Caplan and Anna Christopher Interview

seth_picIMG_2689_1

with Special Guest:

2010 Olympic Skier Casey Puckett
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Appointment In Vancouver -- Trailer

(1/26/10) (Total time -- 43:40)

What’s inside The Seth Caplan and Anna Christopher Interview

with Special Guest 2010 Olympic Skier Casey Puckett?

  • Listen to the Movie: Appointment in Vancouver (0:59)
  • “The only thing that would keep Casey Puckett from doing the Olympics
    is flat out getting injured.”  (2:12)
  • How the heck do you get front row seats to watch Casey Puckett race Skier Cross
    in the 2010 Olympics?  (3:41, 5:30, 6:08)
  • Anna and Seth: The Katherine Hepburn-Spencer Tracey team of filmmakers?  (4:32)
  • “What’s important to me in producing projects is always finding a good story,
    a good narrative…excellent characters who face big challenges.”  (6:41)
  • Casey Puckett’s journey to his record-breaking 5th Olympics  (8:09)
  • What makes Skier Cross so dangerous?  (9:02)
  • “What defines ‘greatness’ is how you deal with things beyond your control.”  (9:27)
  • Does Casey Puckett have to win the gold on February 21st?  (10:55)
  • “I saw in Casey what I feel about filmmaking – just a complete dedication
    to doing something that so many people would give up on.”   (12:08)
  • Is Casey Puckett ready for “Dancing with the Stars”?
    (12:47, 32:30, 34:35, 35:07)
  • How to find and tell the most compelling story in a documentary  (13:59)
  • It’s all about the journey to the Olympics  (15:42)
  • The most challenging aspect of making Appointment in Vancouver  (16:32)
  • “The finished film looks outstanding.”  (17:56)
  • How to see Appointment in Vancouver  (18:55)
  • Casey Puckett’s first interview after his January 10th World Cup injury (19:35)
  • Can Casey recover?  (20:38)
  • “He did the surgery that was necessary to get me back on the snow.”  (21:42)
  • “How much pain are you in?”  (21:53)
  • “Even without my ligaments I might still be able to perform,
    but it’s going to be a challenge.”  (22:27)
  • What will it take for Casey to “go for the gold” and make it?  (23:38)
  • Casey’s reaction to Appointment in Vancouver  (24:40, 34:05)
  • “If you didn’t feel pain, you wouldn’t be alive.”  (25:05)
  • What goes through Casey’s mind before the start of a race?  (25:20)
  • “In the first few seconds, either you’re looking at someone’s butt in front of you
    or an open course.”  (26:15)
  • “All of a sudden you’re going 50 mph…you have to trust
    that your body is going to do what you visualized.”  (27:20)
  • “I’m gonna state a goal: I’m gonna win that medal.”   (28:05)
  • “I go to win, and hopefully this course might work out for me, especially,
    if I can get my shoulder back.  I mean I was a wreck.  I was in the operating room
    two days ago….I just came up against a whole other challenge,
    but the good thing, the good news is that when I went down, I was on top.”  (29:22)
  • “A week ago, I was pretty sure my year was over – that I wasn’t going to be able to ski in the Olympics… I still have hope.”  (30:32)
  • Does ANYONE have extra tickets to the Olympics for Seth and Anna?  (31:15, 38:06)
  • “Casey, you ski on February 21st.  What happens February 22nd?”  (31:42)
  • Post-injury interview: a discussion about Casey with Producer Seth Caplan
    and Director Anna Christopher  (36:06)
  • Seth Caplan’s “Gold Medal”  (38:36, 40:07)
  • Anna Christopher’s  “Gold Medal”  (40:53, 41:43)
  • “We’ve been editing Appointment in Vancouver at breakneck speed
    to make the film available to the public before the Olympics.”  (41:25)

STILL FROM
Appointment_in_Vancouver

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Play “IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle” (1/26/10):


Play “IndieFlix Name That Voice” (1/26/10):


Meet Indieflix Podcast Host: Lois Fein

seattle-songwriter-1111

Lois Fein is IndieFlix Filmmaker Interviewer,
Podcaster, and Host for
IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Lois is a recording artist, songwriter, and performer.
Her songs “It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon”
are featured on IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Listen to more of her music from her debut CD
Step Into the Water at: www.LoisFein.com

_________________________________________________________

Podcast Music Credits: “As Time Goes By” (Herman Hupfield);
It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon” (Lois Fein
)

_________________________________________________________

audio-technica-logo111skype_logo111

Today’s edition of IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast was recorded with
audio-technica’s AT2020 USB Cardoid Condenser Microphone,
Skype™
and CallBurner; and edited and mastered with
Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH™’s WaveLab Studio 6
.

steinberglogo111wavelabstudio6logo111
_________________________________________________________

indieflixlogo111-1

This edition of IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle and
IndieFlix Name That Voice
is sponsored by IndieFlix -
“Connecting people through movies.”

__________________________________________________________

1/26/10 PODCAST ANSWERS:

THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle (1/5/10) is
“All of the Above”

THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Name That Voice (1/5/10) is
“Paul Fitzgerald -- Director, Actor, Writer of Forgiven”

__________________________________________________________

1/26/10 Edition -- IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast

I met filmmakers who had risked their lives to tell their stories-Dubai Int’l FF.

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Duabi Int'l Film Festival - one of the theater lobbies.

Well, here I go again it seems that every time I blog I announce I’m going to post regularly and then I don’t.  I have so much to share but lack the time and discipline.  So, I am going to try something new and just see how it goes each day.

I am in Dubai at the time of this posting. I spoke on a panel at the Dubai Int’l Film Festival today. Now I am packing.  I have to be in the hotel lobby by 5am. I skipped the gala due to work back home and frankly I’m not feeling well.

The first leg of my flight is 17 hours direct to LA then 2.5 hours to Seattle.  I can’t wait to get home. This has been an incredible trip for me personally and professionally.  IndieFlix was somewhat of a little darling here at the festival. We represent hope for these filmmakers who have in some instances risked their lives to tell their stories.  They are passionate, kind, driven and open to learning and trying anything to get their films out into the world.  These films are beautiful, moving and can connect people.  I heard great success stories from both male and female filmmakers experimenting with their content.  They should be on these panels next year.

On a personal level I leave Dubai filled with the sincere warmth and generosity of the people who checked on me just enough to make me feel special but not spoiled.  The level of professionalism here is impressive.  Everyone speaks english.  I was introduced to so many talented filmmakers.  It will take me a week to go through the discs of films and biz cards.  I look forward to adding even more cultural, edgy fare to the IndieFlix library.

Back to packing…

Dubai!

Scilla

IndieFlix CEO

IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with The Book of Caleb Indie Filmmaker Matthew Von Manahan Hosted By Lois Fein

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

Matt Head two

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IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast


“Here’s looking at you – the independent filmmaker”

Every Tuesday. A conversation with IndieFlix independent filmmakers
– producers, writers, actors, directors.

  • Listen NOW by clicking PLAY below

 
icon for podpress  IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with Matthews Von Manahan [24:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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  • Play Podcast Puzzle
  • Name That Voice
  • Meet Host, Lois Fein

12/08/09 Podcast:

The Matthew Von Manahan Interview

Matt Head one

A conversation with filmmaker Matthew Von Manahan
- director and writer of The Book of Caleb

The Book of Caleb - Trailer

(12/08/09)   (Total time: 24:15)

What’s inside The Matthew Von Manahan Interview?

  • Listen to the Movie: “The Book of Caleb” (0:53)
  • The mythic quality of “The Book of Caleb” soundtrack  (2:55)
  • The Hero’s Journey & Joseph Campbell’s influence  (4:40)
  • The Call to Adventure  (5:37)
  • “The flaw of the unselfish character”  (6:10)
  • The essence of men & friendship  (7:05)
  • Without the common goal, guys start to deteriorate  (8:10)
  • The Perfect “10″  (8:35)
  • “It’s surreal to watch something that came out of your head”  (9:28)
  • How to make an incredible cast  (10:21)
  • Paul Gleason, the principal from “The Breakfast Club”  (12:12)
  • “The Book of Caleb” -- Paul Gleason’s last film  (13:35)
  • Working with Paul Gleason  (14:24)
  • “There are parts that surprised me”  (15:28)
  • For the Holidays: Who would most enjoy receiving “The Book of Caleb”  (16:30)
  • What’s next for Matthew Von Manahan?  (18:19)
  • The first (alcohol-infused) road trip (19:29)
  • Ford, Edison & Firestone: “They invented the modern vacation”  (20:05)
  • “I’d like to see The Millionaires’ Club made into a film…Everyone seems
    to love the concept.”  (21:20)
  • Matthew Von Manahan’s wish for the New Year 2010  (21:58)

STILL FROM THE BOOK OF CALEB

Book of Caleb STILL

Play “IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle” (12/08/09):


Play “IndieFlix Name That Voice” (12/08/09):


Meet Indieflix Podcast Host: Lois Fein

seattle-songwriter-1111

Lois Fein is IndieFlix Filmmaker Interviewer,
Podcaster, and Host for
IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Lois is a recording artist, songwriter, and performer.
Her songs “It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon”
are featured on IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Listen to more of her music from her debut CD
Step Into the Water at: www.LoisFein.com

_________________________________________________________

Podcast Music Credits: “As Time Goes By” (Herman Hupfield);
It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon” (Lois Fein
)

_________________________________________________________

audio-technica-logo111skype_logo111

Today’s edition of IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast was recorded with
audio-technica’s AT2020 USB Cardoid Condenser Microphone,
Skype™
and CallBurner; and edited and mastered with
Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH™’s WaveLab Studio 6
.

steinberglogo111wavelabstudio6logo111
_________________________________________________________

indieflixlogo111-1

This edition of IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle and
IndieFlix Name That Voice
is sponsored by IndieFlix -
“Connecting people through movies.”

__________________________________________________________

11/17/09 PODCAST ANSWERS:

THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle (11/17/09) is
“Open Hand Reel”

THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Name That Voice (11/17/09) is
“Scott Macklin -- co-director and co-writer of Masizakhe”

__________________________________________________________

12/08/09 Edition -- IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast

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IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with Freedom State Filmmaker Cullen Hoback Hosted By Lois Fein

Monday, October 26th, 2009

cullentakenbyharrysmaller-2

podcast111indieflixlogo111-1stream111

IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast
“Here’s looking at you – the independent filmmaker”

Every Tuesday. A conversation with IndieFlix independent filmmakers –
producers, writers, actors, directors.

  • Listen NOW by clicking PLAY below

 
icon for podpress  IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with Cullen Hoback Hosted by Lois Fein [25:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

podsub12111poddown12111itunes112111

  • Play Podcast Puzzle
  • Name That Voice
  • Meet Host, Lois Fein

10/27/09 Podcast:

The Cullen Hoback Interview

Cullen two

A conversation with independent filmmaker Cullen Hoback -
director and writer of Freedom State

Freedom State - Trailer

(10/27/09) (Total time – (25:37)

What’s inside The Cullen Hoback Interview?

  • Listen to the Movie: “Freedom State”  (0:52)
  • Cullen’s “eye for the (ab)normal”  (1:46)
  • Committing yourself to a “mental-rest home
    for the eccentric”  (2:26)
  • Finding the edge/end of the world  (3:48)
  • Making a film you want to watch over and over  (4:57)
  • What does “Freedom State” mean to Cullen?  (5:24)
  • “Sometimes you need to stir your life up”  (6:19)
  • “I need space”  (6:45)
  • The tragedy and beauty of “the human condition”  (8:55)
  • Who is crowding Cullen’s personal space?  (9:43)
  • “Freedom State” is one of the top sellers
    of Amazon VOD – why?  (10:50)
  • The False Apocalypse  (11:48)
  • “I blend improv into well-rehearsed scenes”
    and “happy accidents” occur  (14:38)
  • Cullen’s next film explores “What is real?  What is not?”  (17:04)
  • Audience reaction to “Freedom State”:
    “This is my new, favorite film!”  (19:23)
  • Cullen’s influences – directors and films (20:40)
  • “Finding a sense of purpose through imagination”  (22:52)
  • STILL FROM FREEDOM STATE

    STILL Freedom State

    Play “IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle” (10/27/09):


    Play “IndieFlix Name That Voice” (10/27/09):


    Meet Indieflix Podcast Host: Lois Fein

    seattle-songwriter-1111

    Lois Fein is IndieFlix Filmmaker Interviewer,
    Podcaster, and Host for
    IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
    Lois is a recording artist, songwriter, and performer.
    Her songs “It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon”
    are featured on IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
    Listen to more of her music from her debut CD
    Step Into the Water at: www.LoisFein.com

    _________________________________________________________

    Podcast Music Credits: “As Time Goes By” (Herman Hupfield);
    It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon” (Lois Fein
    )

    _________________________________________________________

    audio-technica-logo111skype_logo111

    Today’s edition of IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast was recorded with
    audio-technica’s AT2020 USB Cardoid Condenser Microphone,
    Skype™
    and CallBurner; and edited and mastered with
    Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH™’s WaveLab Studio 6
    .

    steinberglogo111wavelabstudio6logo111
    _________________________________________________________

    indieflixlogo111-1

    This edition of IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle and
    IndieFlix Name That Voice
    is sponsored by IndieFlix -
    “Connecting people through movies.”

    __________________________________________________________

    10/13/09 PODCAST ANSWERS:

    THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle (10/13/09) is
    “Singing karaoke at Passim”

    THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Name That Voice (10/13/09) is
    “All of the Above”

    __________________________________________________________

    10/27/09 Edition – IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast
    indieflixlogo111-1

Now Playing: The New & Improved IndieFlix!

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

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In the wee hours of Monday, October 12, the bleary-eyed IndieFlix staff bid farewell to the old site and ushered in the new.

It took years of planning and months of preparation, with an especially frustrating last few hours to make the final push. Ian D. and web guru Aaron Krill were in the office all weekend, until 5 a.m. that morning, preparing to go live before Scilla left the US for the Power to the Pixel conference in London.

One look at their exhausted faces and you’d think they just gave birth!

The new IndieFlix is user-friendly and aesthetically appealing. It’s a lot easier to find films on the new site, now that you are able to browse by extremely specific categories and narrow search results for shorts and features. But the most exciting part is that now IndieFlix users can participate in the film conversation by posting thoughts and comments on films they’ve seen, create their own profiles and build wish lists.

IndieFlix filmmakers also have more options to personalize their space on the new site, with new filmmaker bio links on their film profile pages. They can add personal biographies, a list of their previous works and production notes in that space. More great interactive features for filmmakers are coming soon, so keep checking back in to see what’s been updated.

The goal of it all is to build an indie film community online and bridge the gaps between filmmakers and their audiences. We want to make it easier for customers to find the exact film they’re looking for and provide a forum for them to talk about it and interact directly with the filmmakers. Before, we were unable to manipulate much of the site content, but now we really can create the store we all want to shop at and the kind of community we want to belong to, and hope you do, too.

Please browse our new storefront and be sure to send us any site tips or suggestions. There are new features slowly filtering through our testing stages and exciting new features will keep coming, so stay tuned!

IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with Squeegee Bandit Filmmaker Sandor Lau Hosted By Lois Fein

Monday, September 28th, 2009

sandor_lau_director_headshot_2

podcast111indieflixlogo111-1stream111

IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast


“Here’s looking at you – the independent filmmaker”

Every Tuesday. A conversation with IndieFlix independent filmmakers –
producers, writers, actors, directors.

  • Listen NOW by clicking PLAY below

 
icon for podpress  IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast with Sandor Lau Hosted By Lois Fein [29:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

podsub12111poddown12111itunes112111

  • Play Podcast Puzzle
  • Name That Voice
  • Meet Host, Lois Fein

9/29/09 Podcast:

The Sandor Lau Interview

sandor head second

A conversation with independent filmmaker Sandor Lau
- director, writer, and co-producer of Squeegee Bandit

Squeegee Bandit – Trailer

(9/29/09)  (Total time – 29:15)

What’s inside The Sandor Lau Interview?

  • Listen to the Movie: “Squeegee Bandit”  (0:53)
  • “New Zealand’s only Chinese Hungarian-American”  (1:30)
  • How Sandor got to New Zealand  (4:02)
  • “Behaviors of a Backpacker”  (4:50)
  • Long-distance adventure trips  (5:21)
  • “You spend your entire life walking backwards”  (6:24)
  • “Your ancestors are your guides in your life”  (7:22)
  • What prepared Sandor for the making of  “Squeegee Bandit”  (8:07)
  • Street-corner window washers  (9:05)
  • “I remember the moment I met Starfish”  (11:06)
  • His outlandish stories  (11:52)
  • “This is a guy who gets into adventures all the time”  (13:27)
  • Documentary: “It’s like the ‘found poetry’ of the film world”  (14:27)
  • What surprised Sandor  (15:10)
  • “The beauty of human beings is not in their perfection,
    but in their flaws – their contradictions”  (15:43)
  • Starfish’s reaction to “Squeegee Bandit”  (17:02)
  • On the margins of western society  (18:27)
  • Maori 101: A short history of the Maori people  (20:02)
  • What makes Maori language, culture, and storytelling so special?  (23:05)
  • Sandor’s favorite scene in “Squeegee Bandit”  (25:26)
  • “My Oregon Trail”  (26:26)


STILL FROM SQUEEGEE BANDIT
starfish_2

indieflixlogo111-1

Play “IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle” (9/29/09):


Play “IndieFlix Name That Voice” (9/29/09):


Meet Indieflix Podcast Host: Lois Fein

seattle-songwriter-1111

Lois Fein is IndieFlix Filmmaker Interviewer,
Podcaster, and Host for
IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Lois is a recording artist, songwriter, and performer.
Her songs “It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon”
are featured on IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Listen to more of her music from her debut CD
Step Into the Water at: www.LoisFein.com

_________________________________________________________

Podcast Music Credits: “As Time Goes By” (Herman Hupfield);
It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon” (Lois Fein
)

_________________________________________________________

audio-technica-logo111skype_logo111

Today’s edition of IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast was recorded with
audio-technica’s AT2020 USB Cardoid Condenser Microphone,
Skype™
and CallBurner; and edited and mastered with
Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH™’s WaveLab Studio 6
.

steinberglogo111wavelabstudio6logo111
_________________________________________________________

indieflixlogo111-1

This edition of IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle and
IndieFlix Name That Voice
is sponsored by IndieFlix -
“Connecting people through movies.”

__________________________________________________________

9/15/09 PODCAST ANSWERS:

THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle (9/15/09) is
“Brooklyn”

THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Name That Voice (9/15/09) is
“All of the Above”

__________________________________________________________

9/29/09 Edition – IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast

DIY Marketing is Norm for Indie Films

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Here at IndieFlix we make it our mission to help filmmakers find their audiences. Oftentimes it’s easier said then done  – maneuvering through the waters of online social networking and specialty groups can be daunting with mixed results. Even if you find that niche, the payoff of all your hard work may only be evident over time – and usually time is a film’s worse enemy. No one wants their film to die somewhere on a shelf  but chasing a fleeting online audience takes time.

A recent New York Times article about indie film marketing focuses on this very issue – offering tips on everything from using Facebook and Twitter to making friends with the hotel concierge who could maybe say the right thing to the right person during a film festival.

“Anvil! The Story of Anvil”

“Anvil! The Story of Anvil” director Steve Ludlow took out a second mortgage on his house to pay for the documentary. But his online marketing techniques landed endorsement from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, a VH1 deal and over 150 screenings nationwide.

It seems that the key to great film marketing is to identify your audience, use creative ways to find them online, be willing to explore unfamiliar groups or companies and take a chance with people you may never meet in person. On top of it all, filmmakers need a large dose of confidence to pull it all off.

It makes me admire people like Ryan Gielen, director of The Graduates. He spent his own money traveling across America promoting his film on college campuses with special screenings and promotions. That word-of-mouth paid off and his film has done well on IndieFlix, iTunes and Amazon VOD.

There are no road maps to follow in this new marketing world, no step-by-step instructions on how to make your indie film a success. But as ambiguous and daunting as it all can seem, the only fool-proof advice is to market the hell out of your movie and work on it for as long and as hard as you possibly can.

The more effort you make, the more people know about your film, which is sometimes all you can ask for.

As marketing director at IndieFlix, I go through these motions daily – cold-calling special interest groups and browsing relevant websites to connect with people who will genuinely enjoy the film I’m promoting.

While it requires a lot of work and patience, it does pay off and for every 10 e-mails I send, that one I get back might be exactly what the film needs to survive.

What filmmakers can do to help me market their films is stay in contact – to research different ideas on their own and help me brainstorm ways to connect with their audiences. That way, I can work on their behalf with a clear idea of what they want and where they see their film going.

For me, the New York Times article legitimizes the work we’re doing at IndieFlix and that grassroots advertising can be effective if it’s done well, as long as you keep trying and experimenting.

It’s challenging but not impossible.

A message from Will, employee extraordinaire!

Monday, August 17th, 2009

indieflix-text-logo

Hey there, Indie Faithful.

So, I guess I should start by introducing myself.  Hi, my name’s Will, it’s nice to meet you.  I’m a college student who’s been lucky enough to work with IndieFlix this summer, as well as a few times earlier in the year as well (can you say spring break?).  Unfortunately, the bright, sunny (not to mention absurdly hot) summer has just about run its course, and I have to leave my idyllic life of film and fun for the arctic tundra I call home for most of the year.

I’m not saying I’ll be gone forever, and knowing our CEO Scilla, she’ll probably have me doing something for IndieFlix at some point or another.  But for now, I’m headed off on my own, and I figured I’d take advantage of my immanent departure by writing a really mean blog post about all the folks here.

Alright, not really.  As it turns out, there’s not a lot I can say against these guys.  They’re all great, and while I could probably spend a good while waxing complimentary about the five (or so) dedicated coworkers that make up team IndieFlix, I figure my last time would be better spent talking about the rest of my experiences here (sorry Ian).

Now, there’s one thing I’m pretty sure most of you’ve got on your minds: film, specifically good ole fashion indie flicks.  As it turns out, when I first started this gig, I knew practically nothing about the mainstream film industry, let alone indie films.  Compared to some of the people (resident film savant Mike comes to mind), I still know practically nothing, but I think I’m starting to get the hang of things.

I’ve learned there are many good independent films out there, and many, many more bad ones.  Fortunately for all of you, we don’t let any of the latter onto our site, so don’t worry about that bit too much.  The second bit is this: the most talented filmmaker in the world, with the best cast in the world and the best equipment in the world making the greatest movie in the world with the best script in the world can all still come to naught, unless they have two important things.  And wouldn’t you know, I’m about to tell you what those things are.

First, you need distribution.  Now, this part can be tricky, but it’s not too hard to find if you know where to look (insert indieflix homepage link here?  Kidding; the point of this isn’t advertising, I promise).  Again, that part we can take care of.  But the second thing you need, that’s the really tough one.  Simply enough, you need people.

I’m not talking about cinephiles or auteurs, art students or the friends and family of the director.  I’m talking about you, the average folk (unless of course you’re actually one of the aforementioned groups, but then…well…screw it, I’m talking about you too).  Embarking on a journey to watch independent film can be a scary thing.  It’s sort of like going into an unexplored jungle in search of ancient riches; there could be all the riches in the world in that jungle, but you won’t find them unless you have a map or a guide (and you don’t want to be eaten by tigers either).

I know!  I’ve been there!  That’s me!  Or, was me, more specifically.  This isn’t an IndieFlix plug, or an advertisement.  I haven’t gotten any instructions as to what I should write about, my boss-superior-people have no idea what I’m working on.  They told me to write something, and I figured if I could send out one message, this one would be it:

Independent film is great, even if it is a little daunting.  Maps can be badly drawn, and without a guide you’re pretty much on your own, but unless you give it a shot, you’re not  going to get anywhere.  Sure, it takes a little practice, and you’ll wind up with some stuff you’re not too fond of before you perfect your personal system, but isn’t everything like that?

Well, I meant to end this far-too-longwinded post with an inspirational quotation I’m pretty sure is out there, about losing every time you don’t something or other, but perhaps unsurprisingly I wasn’t able to locate it.  It was probably by Abraham Lincoln.  Or Muhammed Ali.  Maybe Gandalf.

So, thanks for your time.  Hopefully it was worth your while.

Cheers,

W

The Crimson Mask by Elias Plagianos

Friday, August 14th, 2009

The Official Movie PosterThe film is called “The Crimson Mask”:

In a couple of days I will celebrate my two month anniversary with IndieFlix. In working here I’ve already seen a lot of movies, trailers and read a lot of synopses.  I have seen some really good films and some bad films have made their way across my desk. There have also been films that have come in that I absolutely love.

A couple days ago a new film came in that really clicked with me. It has a nice darkness throughout the film, an extremely good story, a nice twist at the end and for a noir style film very good acting. Great characters and their development are exemplary.

The film is called “The Crimson Mask” by Elias Plagianos, here is the quick synopsis of it:

Two Desperate Men, from different worlds, find themselves unwitting pawns in an ancient ritual. Greed, lust, pride, anger and envy have consumed the lives of Thomas Caine, a seemingly wealthy businessman and Parker, a down on his luck pro wrestler. Both are overwhelmed with insurmountable debts and struggling to break free by any means. As their lives quickly unravel, so does an age-old secret conspiracy that leads the two men down a deadly path of redemption.

Just got an email from Elias and had to quickly and gladly change this paragraph.

“The Crimson Mask” will officially be joining the IndieFlix family and I could not be more delighted. We are looking at a mid-September release.

The film has also been cleaning up awards early in its festival run.

It has received Best Feature at: Long Island International Film Expo, Hoboken International Film Festival, Twin Rivers Film Fest and Jersey Shore Film Festival, Elias Plagianos winner for Best First Feature Film Director at the Rainier Film Festival, Audience Award Winner at Kent Film Festival, Robert Clohessy, winner for Best Lead Actor at the Long Island International Film Expo, Elias Plagianos winner for Best Editing at Long Island International Film Expo and the Hoboken International Film Festival and finally, Robert Clohessy, winner for Best Supporting Actor at the Hoboken International Film Festival.

Elias has many festival screenings around the country and you’ll be to check them out at the following:

August 14th @ 10 PM  :
Washougal International Film Festival
Washougal, WA, outside Portland, OR

August 24th @ 7PM:
DISNEY LAND : INDIE FEST USA
AMC 12 Theaters
Downtown Disney, Anaheim, CA

September 2nd / 3rd time TBA
Greek Cultural Center
Astoria, NY

September 11th @ 2 PM
Southern Winds Film Festival
Shawnee , OK

September 15th @ 7PM
The Players Club – VIP (Invite ONLY)
New York, NY

September 18th @ 9pm
Route 66 International Film Festival
Springfield, IL

September 19th @ 7pm
Village Picture Shows Cinema “ INDIE WEEK”
Manchester, VT

September 20th @ 3:30 PM
Kansas International FIlm Festival
Overland Park, KS

September 18th – 20th
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
Big Bear Lake, Ca

Check out the website for trailers and other information: http://www.thecrimsonmask.com/

Stay Tuned for The Next Act

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Hey there, Indie Faithful.

You may have noticed a few things about our site. She’s not running as fast as she used to, her banner’s looking a little bit droopy, and when you search for something the results aren’t always what they once were. Don’t worry, it’s not you, it’s us. We know things are tough right now, but happier times are just around the corner, we promise. As you all know (or should know, if you’ve been reading our weekly WebBlast), a brand new, shiny site has been in the works for a while now, and it’ll be up and running any day.

Or at least, that’s what our tech crew keeps telling us. The truth is we’ve been hearing promises that our website will be up “by the end of the week” since the end of June, and it seems like the site’s still a ways away. Believe us, we probably spend a little bit more time on the site than you do, and we don’t like it any more than you.

Unfortunately, it seems like we’re just going to have to get used to it for now. But that’s the bad news. The good news is that the site is coming along, slowly but surely, and when it comes, it’ll be a real humdinger. Assuming, of course, that’s something all you readers would want.

They say good things come to those who wait, and this particular case is no exception. The gentlemen in the technology department (aka the Man Cave) have finally given a very early version of a pre-proto-beta site for the rest of us to try to break, and the improvement is significant. We’d be lying if we told you the new site is better than sliced bread, or that it brings you your slippers and the paper every morning, but we’re not lying when we say it does almost everything else.

The site is everything Web 2.0: it’s sleeker, simpler, more powerful and easier to use. For the aesthetes among you, we’ve overhauled our look, keeping the same core theme and wiping away all the unnecessary noise, while our more utility-minded friends will find the new layout far easier to navigate, search, and shop. But the most exciting part of the new site is what we can do for you filmmakers out there.

We know we’re not perfect; over the years we’ve accumulated a rather lengthy list of suggestions for how we could make the experience better for filmmakers. With the site, we’re hoping to address those issues, at least as much as possible. We’ve overhauled the process for filmmaker sign-up, meaning those of you who haven’t joined up with us yet will find it easier than ever before to do so, and those of you we’ve already been fortunate enough to have the pleasure of working with will find submitting films far simpler, and hopefully more enjoyable.

That’s all, folks. Hope you enjoyed the show. Stay tuned; we guarantee you won’t want to miss this next act.

-Team IndieFlix

The Lovely Bones Coming Soon!

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

After watching the trailer for The Lovely Bones and reading the book a couple of years ago, I think the trailer looks really good and I’m really excited to see the movie.  It’s definitely going to be different from the book, but the way the book was written would be really hard to create a movie from.  I was reading a post about the film and it talks about if the movie is too lovely, comparing to the book.

The question on the post from The Guardian asked if the afterlife seem to be too lovely since then teen in the movie was murdered in a trouble way. I think that people are reading too much into what happens in the afterlife, if there is even an afterlife.

For those people that don’t know what this film is about, it’s about a girl that was murdered and she is narrating the story from heaven trying to help her family and friends find out who killed her. I think that the book was a very well done book and I’m excited to check out the film when it comes out. Check out the trailer!!!

A still from Peter Jackson's upcoming film The Lovely Bones


Even for a short, “Thompson” captures a lifetime

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Thompson Poster

“Thomspon” was a Jury Award Winner at SXSW 2009, an Official Selection at the Los Angeles Film Festival, and everyone please look out for upcoming screenings at the ‘Free Range Film Festival’ and ‘Doc Point’ in Helsinki!

Jason Tippet’s film “Thompson” packs a lot of punch for a short about two slow-moving high school friends from Newhall, California. Matt and Ryan have known each other since second grade and are quickly approaching adulthood without much of a game plan. They both love dirt bikes and fire, neither are very ‘cool’ according to the dictations of their peers and going fishing is their only priority.

They are so seemingly average that in person you might not think twice about these two but onscreen they could be poster children of a sleeping generation. Their commentary on life is juvenile at times but easy to appreciate and almost sweet. There is a great moment in the film where Ryan looks over at a huge butterfly lawn decoration someone pinned to a tree and talks about his desire to have a real one for a pet. It was hilarious and spontaneous and I laughed out loud. This film has such a simple yet thoughtful charm that makes it hard to resist… and you almost want to find them and hang out with them. Almost.

NewFlix Tuesday July 15, 2009

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

This Week’s New Releases:
Horror

Gasoline Blood Gasoline Blood
SYNOPSIS: (Short Film)
Summer 1979. A young girl, her boyfriend and younger brother arrive in the middle of nowhere to find a disused warehouse, ideal as a location for a horror film that one of them is shooting. However they soon find themselves dealing with more than they bargained for – in the shape of a gang of mad zombie in-breds.

Watch STREAMING $1.95
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Eel Girl
SYNOPSIS: (Short Film)
In a secret military laboratory, a scientist has become obsessed with the half-human half-eel creature he’s studying. When she beckons him to her, it’s the call of a siren …
Film Festival Screenings:
Austin Film Festival Official Selection
deadCENTER Film Festival Official Selection
Oxford Film Festival Official Selection

Watch STREAMING $1.95 Purchase the DVD $5.95
Happy Holidays Comedy Happy Holidays
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
Three childhood friends unexpectedly reunite in their New England hometown the week before Christmas. Now in their mid-thirties, it’s the first time Patrick, Alden and Kirby have been in the same zip code since their high school graduation. Each of them is at a different crossroads in his life and facing difficult hurdles. They pick up right where they left off, returning to a simpler time- before obligations, politics and agendas- but has life taken them too far to make that even possible?

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95
Arizona Seaside Arizona Seaside
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
The delightfully seedy Arizona Seaside motel serves as the momentous intersection for a supposed animal-rights do-gooder, a blue-collar Kazakhstan immigrant with dreams of stardom, and assorted underworld characters in this offbeat comedic gem. But as each encounters the other, they all get more than they bargained for. Written and directed by Pil Pilegaard, the film stars Alexandra Hunter, Richard Thorne, Jacob Witkin and Hugh Mason.

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95
High Society: A Pot Boiler High Society: A Pot Boiler
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
A dialogue-driven, rapid-fire comedy about three contentious roommates and their hapless guests, two lovely ladies and a very unfortunate intruder. Over the course of a long evening, we encounter vicious oneupmanship and poetically profane barrages to ‘impress’ the ladies, interspersed with frequent bong-binges. Crafted in the rich ’stoner’ tradition, our heroes and heroines struggle to retain their dignity and protect their innermost insecurities.

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95

NewFlix Tuesday July 7, 2009

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

This Week’s New Releases:

Thriller

The Fugue The Fugue
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
Nora Dunn is a struggling artist desperately trying to recover from a childhood trauma, but her life is turn upside down when she is haunted by the vision of a long dead childhood friend. Is the spirit a hallucination or a foreshadowing of something worse to come? It is up to Dan Tsang, a young police detective to solve the mystery and save Nora before it is too late.

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95

Dark Comedy

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The Stanton Family Grave Robbery
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
The death of their father is the jumping-off point for this original comedy about three brothers looking to reconnect. Against his wishes, their father is buried in Texas. The older two siblings decide to take matters into their own hands, starting by kidnapping their baby brother and digging up their father’s coffin to return it to Oklahoma. Featured at the Austin Film Festival and the deadCenter Film Festival.
Film Festival Screenings:
Austin Film Festival Official Selection
deadCENTER Film Festival Official Selection
Oxford Film Festival Official Selection

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95
Casi 10 Documentary Casi 10
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
After nearly 10 years, Pol, a bartender in New York, is finally able to go to his hometown, Barcelona. For half an hour, we accompany him through his emotional homecoming. None of his family and friends is expecting him- while he lived in NY illegally, he couldn’t even think of leaving the country, and he decides to keep his return as a surprise.

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95
LSD Finding Our Voices: Stories of American Dissent
SYNOPSIS: (Feature Film)
Dissent has brought about the greatness of the American dream, from the declaration of independence to civil rights, from the end of slavery to the enfranchisement of women. Today we are faced by a new tyranny… a war which the US government started in Iraq, a war that is costing tens of thousands of lives, and betraying the ideals and international reputation that for many Americans is the source of their national identity. New voices of dissent have, since before the war began, been raised to call the government to the standards of justice and democracy on which this country was founded. Finding Our Voices tells the stories of 8 of these courageous people. From a mother who lost her son at the WTC 9/11 and didn’t want his legacy to be one of more innocents dying to a US Congressman … from a diplomat to soldiers who served in Iraq, from a minister to other activists…this film reveals the sacrifice and motivation of 8 very different Americans who spoke out for peace.

Watch STREAMING $4.95 Purchase the DVD $9.95

Drama- Crime

Vuth Learns to Rock Vuth Learns to Rock
SYNOPSIS: (Short Film)
A Taiwanese rock and roll guru teaches a Cambodian named Vuth about Motorhead, the Ramones, the Kinks, Led Zeppelin, and more in this provocative cross-cultural documentary…watch as Vuth hears rock music for the first time!

Watch STREAMING $1.95 Purchase the DVD $5.95

To watch IndieFlix Films on Amazon VOD for the special price of 99-cents

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Amazon VOD

To watch IndieFlix Films on Amazon VOD for the special price of 99-cents CLICK HERE (Valid July 7-11)

As part of this promotion AmazonVOD will be offering the online rental for 99 cents starting tomorrow and extending through Saturday. If you rent any of the films via AmazonVOD for 99 cents you will have a week to begin watching the film and 24 hours to watch or finish the film once you begin. You can also watch it as many times as you wish within a 24 hour period once it begins. No word yet if this special is carrying over to the download purchase. The DVD price will remain unchanged though Amazon regularly discounts it a dollar or so on their own.

If you’ve already seen any of these films or own a copy, be it digital or DVD, please check out the promotion for we’re not the only film being featured.

Other than that, we hope everyone had a wonderful and safe July 4th weekend and we’ll talk to you all soon.

Team IndieFlix

The Long Way Home: A BigFoot Story Check It Out!!

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

The Long Way Home: A BigFoot Story

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Multiple award-winning Bigfoot Docu-Drama

Down-and-out former Miami Herald reporter D.J. Galloway finds himself facedown at his favorite watering hole in Southbeach when, out of nowhere, flashing across the T.V. is a breaking news story about Bigfoot sightings in D.J.’s hometown of Indian Camp Mountain in North Carolina. In a moment of clarity, D.J. decides to pack it up and move home and begin reporting these outbreaks in an effort to resurrect his career, re-connect with his roots and potentially reveal the greatest story ever. This feature film has it all: A Bigfoot, of course, but also a character named “Cornbread”, a snake handler, a drag queen, hundreds of dead chickens, and real salt of the earth southern locals who add a unique, gritty charm to a film you will be hard pressed to forget.