Khanh Doan and Francile Albright star in Safe Passage.

Lakedance, the Sundance of Idaho.

On Halloween night, “Safe Passage” will play just before a special screening of George A. Romero’s 1968 horror classic “Night of the Living Dead.” They’re calling it “Horrors on the Lake” and they’re absolutely right!

How’s that for a trick-r-treat?

So, come on all you Spokanites, all you Post Fallsters, you Coeur d’ Alenians, show your civic pride for one of your own, getting out and getting it up.

7PM Halloween Night at the Panida Theater. That’s in Sandpoint, Idaho right off the shores of the deep and chilling Pend Oriellle Lake.

More info on Lakedance and the “Horrors on the Lake” screening here.

PS
I’d love to see you in the dark!

Ever heard of Pahrump, Nevada?

Nevermind the fine dining and the quiet country atmosphere less than an hour outside of Vegas, this little town with a funny name is a spectacular mix of deserts and mountains with a wealth of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, biking, camping, exploring, golfing, hunting, skiing and horseback riding. Considered Nevada’s scenic gateway to Death Valley, it’s also home to the state’s first winery, Pahrump Valley.

And, more importantly, the High Desert Shorts International Film Festival, now in its fourth year.

But I know what you’re thinking… wine from Nevada? Yes. Apparently. Probably tastes like Vegas, your hickey and a hangover in a bottle.

The point is, on November 6th and 7th, “Safe Passage” will screen in the Horror/Sci-Fi category vying for the coveted Lulu prize. Yes, the Lulu, distant cousin to the Oscar.

The final winner in each category (Animation; Drama; Comedy; Science-Fiction/Horror; Documentary and Music Video), selected by a jury, will receive a cash prize of $100; a custom award and a signed, numbered, limited edition, commemorative poster as will the people’s choice winner, selected by popular audience vote. By the way, the decisions of the Judges are final! FINAL!

This year’s films will be showcased in the Events Center of the Pahrump Nugget–which I’m guessing is a casino–whose management has generously donated the space. Thank you Nugget Management! You’re the best.

Keep your fingers crossed folks, ’cause everyone knows, I want a fucking Lulu sitting on my mantle come Christmas time! Not just so I can say “Keep your hands off of my Lulu!” but because I’ve never won anything with any of my films. YET!

Lulu, I want you to be my first!

Come on, baby, come home to daddy!

Amore
Shawn

“Safe Passage” was made with the help of the Seattle International Film Festival, who essentially commissioned the piece as a part of their Fly Filmmaking Challenge. Now in its 10th year, the Fly Films supply three narrative Seattle filmmakers the goods and services necessary to make a short film, provided that the filmmakers adhere to certain rules: 4 days to shoot, 5 days to edit, 2 days to post; then there’s these fine print details: all films must be shot on black and white 16mm film; an iconic Seattle location must appear in the film, as must the director in the form of a cameo.

Film! Whoo-Hoo!

The finished product screened twice during SIFF 2009 and once at Rawstock.

I describe the short in this way: “It’s a horror film shot on the monorail.” Or, to put it more philosophically, “It’s a metaphysical thriller that examines the nature of man, as told through two women.”

I’m in the process now of raising money to make the DVD so that I can send it out to festivals, distributors and perhaps school groups whom I hope will use the film to discuss its various themes of right and wrong, good and bad, and personal responsibility.

“Safe Passage” will screen on Sunday September 6th at 1PM in the SIFF cinema.

From the Bumbershoot web site: “This year’s Fly Filmmaking Challenge takes SIFF audiences back to the basics. Three narrative filmmakers will make Serling, Chandler and Cocteau proud as they expand and hone their expertise, working with classic B&W 16mm film. Adding an extra dimension to the Fly Film experience, this year’s documentarians, will capture a stylish, behind-the-scenes perspective about the productions.”

Thereafter, we hope to send it off into the ‘real’ world where it will play a number of film festivals beyond Seattle. That’s the hope anyway.

In the meantime, Jonathan Houser and I are hosting a special fundraising screening of the film in hopes of raising some completion funds. This means we’re hoping to cover the costs of duplicating, printing and manufacturing the DVD as well as covering some of the costs of sending it out to many other festivals where the entrance fees can add up quickly. For example, I spent over $1000 submitting my second film “A Night in the Sunlight” to film festivals all over the world.

This soiree is a no-pressure opportunity to see the film, socialize and party with the cast and crew… and maybe drop a few coins to the cause.

We’ll have beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres and lots of good company. Please join us.

Saturday August 22, 8PM until whenever at Jon’s loft in Pioneer Square.

PS. Even if you’ve already seen the film, this screening will have all new surprises!

Now in its fifth year, Rawstock continues to support the local film community by programming local films. They’re also getting larger. They’re still at ACT theater but now their screenings are taking place in the larger Falls Theater.

This Rawstock features new films from Calvin Lee Reader, David Lowery and myself.

Also known as the Fly Films, the challenge supplies the filmmakers with in-kind donations of goods and services that also includes a script, a genre, 7 rolls of film and a promise to screen twice during the festival as well as a kick-ass, all-access pass for screenings, festival events, beer, wine, women and a shortcut to the front of the line!

In short, enough impetus and stimulus to make a movie. And so I did. Along with my many talented friends including Mark Price (producer), Jonathan Houser (director of photography), Amanda Bontecou (unit production manager), Darlene Sellers (craft services, script supervisor), Heath Ward (1st assistant director), Sarah MacAaron (production bad-ass), Amy Enser (sound recordist) and Tony Tibbetts (editor).

Not to mention all of the new friends I made along the way including Jeff Tolbert (composer), Michael Raymond (screenwriter), TJ Davis (visual effects), Brian Loso (special effects), Josh Stanton (1st assistant camera), Dave Moscicki (gaffer) and Dusty Edwards (sound recordist), to name a few.

This was also an excellent opportunity to work with a handful of the fine actors I know: Khanh Doan, Robert Manning Jr and, for my money, the finest living actress who never works enough–Francile Albright.

To make it a challenge, there had to be rules, here are some of them.

SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking Challenge Rules:

* All narrative films will be shot on 16mm film
* Documentary will be digital
* An iconic Seattle location must appear in each film
* Filmmaker must make a cameo appearance in their film
* Five days for pre-production
* Four days to shoot
* Five days to edit
* Two days for post-production

More on the challenge from the SIFF press release:

The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge captures the essence of independent filmmaking by condensing the process into a breakneck production schedule with precise limits on resources. Each team plays by the same rules with little time and little money, relying on an abundance of passion to make their creative mark — on the fly.

“The SIFF Fly Filmmaking Challenge provides a unique opportunity for local filmmakers to showcase their talent with specific time and resource restrictions to inspire ingenuity, creativity, and skill,” says SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence. “The burgeoning Seattle filmmaking community plays a vital role in supporting this program by fostering a spirit of independent cinema that’s as engaging for film lovers as it is for filmmakers. We’re all looking forward to seeing what emerges on the big screen in May.”

Fly Filmmakers must include an iconic Seattle location, and in a nod to Alfred Hitchcock, they are also tasked with stepping out from behind the camera to make a cameo appearance. From that inspiration they have just four days to shoot and five days to edit, with a documentary crew shadowing their movement to catch all the creativity. Set visits can be arranged for a first-hand look at the creative and technical challenges facing the SIFF 2009 Fly Filmmaking crews.

The movie is now in the can. I’m extremely proud of it, in fact, I would say that this is the most satisfying creative adventure I’ve ever embarked on.

Two screenings during the 35th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. Both at the Egyptian Theater on Capitol Hill.

May 25th 4PM
June 10th 4PM