indie wednesday

Welcome to the first Indie Wednesday (which may need to be moved to Friday to facilitate a better moniker).  Either way, we gather here to celebrate fellow indie filmmakers who are doing it on their own and doing it well.  Today we take a look at the work of Seth Worley.  Seth is a close friend of the incredibly talented Cinema Cycle (whose music we often beg to use in our own productions).

I believe that is the connection that originally led me to the video above.  This particular video is the original The Time Closet short film that spurred a popular 16 part web series by the same title, which then spurred a career-turn headed straight up for Mr. Worley.  Walk Softly Films salutes you, Seth Worley and hopes to someday join you on that ladder to bigger and better things.

news and notes 8.27.12

The late Jerry Nelson with Count Von Count.

Welcome to the first News and Notes column of the Regularly-Scheduled Era!  If you hadn't heard, from this point forward we will have a News and Notes column available bright and early every single Monday no matter how much or how little is going on in WSF land.  This will be the perfect spot to check in on what we're up to and learn what you can expect from us over the rest of the week, whether it be more posts or new videos or both.

This week's column is dedicated to Mr. Jerry Nelson, the latest puppeteering legend to leave us from the house that Jim Henson built.  We lost him last Thursday at the age of 78.  You'll recognize Jerry as the voice of the Count, Fraggle Rock's Gobo, and Kermit's nephew, Robin.  Some of you are well aware of my love for all things Muppet and what an effect they had on my childhood and I can definitely say that the Count took his turn as my favorite character on Sesame Street.  I particularly remember a bit where the Count was a contestant on a game show called "Squeal of Fortune."  It's a strange game bordering on pig cruelty, but the Count won and when it was time to pick a prize, he chose the pig.  You made us laugh, Jerry, and taught us a few things along the way.

Now, on to the business at hand.  What is happening in the WSF compound this last week of August?  First of all, we're busy.  My birthday is this week and I'll be turning... nevermind.  Right now, we've got some great footage waiting on deck for a certain retro, sci-fi web series.  I expect to start sifting through all the Space Cops video and logging it on the computer this week as well as possibly shooting a special pickup scene with Dino Rivera (aka Michael Startzman) aka Father José.  You heard me, right.  The wait is over (sort of); José makes his in-episode debut.  I'll be sure to tweet visual proof when it happens.  Just watch the Episode 1 intro if you have questions. The serious editing on Episode 4 is likely to start next week.  There are lots of goodies to be had as we lead up to Episode 4, but I'll tease you with those later.

Wednesday we start another weekly feature here on the blog.  On "Shout Out Wednesdays" (I have two days to come up with a better title), we'll introduce you to fellow indie / microbudget filmmakers we like by featuring one of their videos and giving credit where it is due.  So, now you have an excuse to visit us at least two days a week!

You can also expect our third VHessays installment later this week.  Here's your hint:  an 80's movie with a video game tie-in (and probably not the one you're thinking of).  If you aren't familiar, VHessays are film analysis essays (with WSF flavor) of movies that made a big impact on us when we were kids.  The Rocky IV essay is huge in Russia.  No, seriously.

A 3 Ladies behind-the-scenes featurette is still on the way.  (Featurette sounds awfully fancy, right?)  It could happen at any time, but I won't make any promises for this week.

UPDATE:  How could I forget?? We're supposed to find out this week if 3 Ladies made it into the Rivers Edge International Film Festival!  Everybody do us a favor and keep your fingers crossed.  If you remember our posts from last November, you know we love that trip to Paducah!

As a last order of business, if you'd like to contribute to the production of future short films or Space Cops episodes, our Donation Button is still open and every dollar counts.  A post is coming about a big idea and opportunity for you to boost your business and for me to raise the 3 grand needed for a new editing computer.  Stay tuned.

r.i.p. tony scott

Tony Scott with Tom Cruise

One of the things we like to talk about here on the WSF blog are films and filmmakers that inspired us; movies that made our eyes bug out and locked an ear to ear smile on our faces for a couple of hours.  Tony Scott (brother of Ridley Scott), certainly managed to do that more than once with his impressive filmography.  Tony was known for the kinetic action and high-speed edits he brought to the screen.  The man had range and knew how to entertain with films like Beverly Hills Cop II, Man on Fire, and the vastly underrated Spy Game.  If you haven't seen Spy Game, drop it in your NetFlix qeue this week.  Some great work by Redford in that one.  But, the two Tony Scott movies that stick out most to me are Days of Thunder and, of course, Top Gun.

There's just something about Days of Thunder and its style and Cole Trickle that you can't get out of your head.  It's one of those movies that just sticks with you.  Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall make a great pair and Michael Rooker's Rowdy Burns was a great foil with depth who ends up becoming inspiration for Trickle in the end.  There are some legitimate moments of character development buried under all the racing and filmmaking style, but if there's one thing that Days of Thunder taught me that I will never, ever forget, it is this:

Cole Trickle:   ...this [SOB] just slammed into me.
Harry Hogge:  No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he rubbed you. And rubbin, son, is racin'.

Then we have Top Gun; an absolute pitch-perfect slice of euphoric 80's action.  If you walked out of that film and didn't want to be a Navy fighter pilot, there may be something wrong with you.  I know Kenny Loggins wasn't the only one who was jumpin' off the deck, shovin' it into overdrive.  Top Gun had incredible action sequences with real F-14 Tomcats the likes of which we'd never seen.  It had unashamedly goofy segments like shirtless, blue jean cutoff volleyball set to a Loggins song that sealed the scene's infamous place in cinematic history.  Although most guys could have probably done without the Maverick/Kelly McGillis sillhouetted love scene, there are other moments in this film I would go so far as to call iconic.  For example, who hasn't seen or even participated in a recreation of the acapella You've Lost That Loving Feeling from Top Gun's bar scene?

In short, Tony Scott gave us moments and images that will never leave us.  I can't think of anything more gratifying for a filmmaker.  Our prayers go out to his wife and sons.  Thank you for contributing to our dreams, Mr. Scott.  I'm not sure what drove him to the spot he found himself in last night, but it's another reminder of the things that are precious in life.  And a reminder that success is a truly subjective measurement that each of us defines for ourselves.

And remember, the next time some SOB in your life slams into you...  he rubbed you.  And rubbin', son, is racin'.

SC:4 shoot report 2

Well, hello there.  The last time I saw you we were talking about our Space Cops Episode 4 shoot.  Would you like to hear the rest of the story?  (attn:  Paul Harvey Estate, no trademark infringement was intended.  Please don't sue me.)  Where were we...?

Kitt from Knight Rider, the A-Team van, Airwolf, Street Hawk, the Fall Guy's truck, the General Lee...  In the 80's, a TV show wasn't worth it's salt without at least one righteous vehicle involved and Space Cops is no exception.  You're already familiar with the beastly machine known as The Interceptor.  In short order, you'll be equally awed to behold Bo Jingles' 1977 Winnebago (thanks to Mr. Craig Bell).  It is an amazing guest spot and you better believe we will try to find a recurring role for such a fine RV.  The 'Bago not only played a part in an amazing action sequence but was also the location for the Cops' most emotional scene to date.

Glimmer + Zanthar = Trouble

As we entered the afternoon hours, we shot a number of scenes that some of you will be very excited to hear about and I can't blame you.  I don't want to spoil it, but Episode 4 marks the return of the Glimmer Gang!  Kyle Lange and Aram Martin reprise their roles as the curious henchman.  Their shorts got shorter, their gold got glimmerier, and the boys turned in a performance that will further develop the mystery of Glimmer.  And what Space Cops episode would be complete without at least a cameo from everyone's favorite Venutian troublemaker, Zanthar?

Next, our first-time cameraman Zack Hubbard stepped in front of the camera to introduce the German Aerobiciser character.  When you work with the Walk Softly Films gang (as is the case with most small indie crews), not only do you have to pull double duty, but often triple or quadruple.  I literally lost track of how many jobs Kristie Martin had to fill; craft services, script supervisor, prompter, actor, makeup artist, etc, etc, etc.  (By the way, Zack brought inspiration to a small part and may change exercise as we know it in the modern era.)

Near the end of the day we got a visit from Danville's finest!  That's right.  Apparently some... "concerned citizen" made a call to the local Police and told them that there were men with paintball guns running amok on Dillehay Street.  In actuality, we were taping a Space Cop / Glimmer Gang confrontation that involved Don and Jonny's IPS ray guns and the Glimmers' earth guns (airsoft pistols).  The moment was captured for all time time by none other than Brandon Long.  A fine picture indeed as the future and present collide.  As expected, the officers were very cool and understanding and we thank them for not putting us in the clink.  (The Chief doesn't do well in confined spaces.)

Sean Cook after a day with WSF

We can't wait to bring this episode to you and we'll let you know as the edit develops.  I believe if there's one lesson we learned, it is not to cross Don Geronimo or you'll end up looking like this.  Keep checking in here and on Facebook for all the latest news and videos as we will hopefully have plenty on the way leading up to a Space Cops party.

SC:4 shoot report

First of all, let me say Saturday was fantastic.  Did you follow it on the Twitter machine?  The Man Upstairs graced us with weather that was too good to be true for the middle of August, which meant no one went into heat stroke under wigs and mustaches and pleather jackets.  Add to that a full house of talented cast and crew that I love to be around and you have the makings of a great day.

Things got started at about 8am when Allen and I squeezed into our IPS issue pants and Allen's better half, Kristie Martin, wasn't far behind with enough drinks, snacks, and Burke's donuts to keep the whole gang going all day.  Clutch.  Todd Sheene arrived and we prepped for our first shots of the day:  80's frisbee fun-times with Emily Carter and she nailed it; chasing that frisbee like nobody's business.  She also had to be hit on by Jonny Ritz, but hey, what lady hasn't been there?

Todd is method.  Don't get near him once the 'stache goes on.

Next, it was time for the fellas to "mustache up" because Sean Cook was in costume and ready to make his Walk Softly Films debut.  And what a debut it was; a star turn.  His portrayal of the heinous Bo Jingles may play havok on your nightmares for years to come.  Sean had to work fast because he had obligations elsewhere at 1pm, which meant we let him go at about 1:05.  (Sorry, Sean.)  In spite of that, the guy absolutely hit a home run for us and we really did work at a good pace all day.

Check back in soon for Part 2 of our Shoot Report, including our run-in with the real police which was caught on camera.  And that isn't all.  We have so much content coming in the next few weeks, you'll think you're on the wrong website.  A new Space Cops episode is just the tip of the iceberg.  We're going to have new free media, more VHessays, behind-the-scenes video from the 3 Ladies shoot and more.

The projected budget of Space Cops' fourth episode is about $300 so, hey, does anybody need a few dozen Cannonball DVD's?  If you do, by all means visit our store.  In the meantime, the Space Cops edit is set to begin post-haste on a borrowed computer, so get excited!

space cops saturday

The boys in pleather are back.  This Saturday is a full-on Space Cops shoot and you can follow all the action LIVE with behind the scenes photos and updates as they happen.  We're going to blow up all forms of social media and this time it's going to be even better because Mr. Todd Sheene is joining in and this shoot isn't a state secret like 3 Ladies, so there will be many more revealing photos and stories to tickle your fancy.  You won't want to miss it, so go fire up the tweeter machine and crank the instagrammer, here are the accounts you need to follow right now:

TWITTER:    WSF_Scott   and   WSF_Allen

INSTAGRAM:    wsf_todd     wsf_allen     wsf_scott

Do us a huge favor by following and by bullying your friends until they do the same!  We need an audience so we can keep doing this.