We've Wrapped on 8 Days in Arnold, CA

We had a VERY productive 8 days of shooting up at the cabin location in Arnold. We shot 16 pages of the script in the first two days - incredible! To put that into perspective, a major studio production will average about 4 pages a day (if they are efficient).

We started the week with Carl Lumbly and Brian Degan Scott, and then had to take a break as Carl was called away to the new NBC TV show Trauma.

During the break we took the opportunity to put some locals to work as extras, shooting them in the neighborhood as they rake their pine needles. This is a constant source of work and exercise in Arnold, as the needles NEVER stop falling. The cool thing during that time was that a local reporter, Kate Gonzales of the Calaveras Enterprise, visited the set and wrote up a nice story. You can read all about The Nominated Top Story, as they have an online version of the paper.

Toward the end of the week we had Jette Newell, Soren Oliver and Julia Smyth join us for two days of great work and hilarious times. We had a lot of fun shooting the scenes with these fine actors, despite the sub-45 degree weather. There was a lot of quick taking off and putting back on of jackets and sweaters between takes.

So, we beat the snow for the most part, as 98% of the exteriors in Arnold have been taken care of. We will visit the mountains once or twice more, but only for 2 days at a time, and mostly indoors.

Next up for us are two days of shooting in the fabulous Backdoor Lounge in Fremont, CA. It's a small bar that will play the perfect double for a small-town mountain watering hole.

As a note, we are still looking for extras for the LA bar scene and the "red carpet" scene (both will be shot in the Bay Area).

Thanks for following along and supporting the cause. It's exciting to actually be shooting this thing, and always fun to hear your feedback and comments!

Cheers,
Dan

My Hometown Paper Writes Me Up

Howdy Everyone.

I was born in fabulous Fremont, California. Home to such notables as MC Hammer, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley. Heck, even the Quarter Pounder from McDonald's was invented in Fremont.

So, when the local Fremont newspaper, The Argus, came calling for an interview with me regarding the movie, I was honored and excited. If you'd like to give it a read, you can click to check out The Story. I think Matt Artz did a very nice job - and most of it is true!

As a side note (like this isn't really the reason for this whole thing), we've begun shooting the movie. we've just knocked out a few scenes here and there, but so far it's been a blast and the footage is terrific.

I hope to post a few scenes soon to give everyone a sneak peak, so stay tuned.
cheers,
Dan

Nominated Auditions: Callbacks at the San Francisco Digital School of Filmmaking

Mike Banks created this video from the
audition callbacks which took place
at the San Francisco School of
Digital Filmmaking.

It looks like it was a lot of fun. I
wish I could have been there!

If you want to be a part of it, watch
for upcoming details on how to be an
extra in some of the bigger scenes.
Information will be coming soon to the
blog and website.

In the meantime.,.

Fundraising for the Movie

Back in June, Mickey Monroe helped The Movie
Fundraising Cause by helping to promote
my Peace Within Recording. Click the link for
details, and maybe even get yourself a copy.

Now I have a new way to assist Dan, and his Non-Profit
Educational Films of America which is sponsoring
the film.

I have published a children's story, and a portion of the
proceeds will be donated to his organization. To learn
more about it, visit CrushProofCar.com, and/or watch
the video below.

If you have any other ideas for cooperation and partnership,
feel free to contact Dan or myself, and let's see what we
can create! :-)

Brian Degan Scott Returns: SF Area Scenes to be shot soon!

Well, Brian Degan Scott has returned triumphantly from New York
City and the off Broadway showings of the play he was in:
Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party.

Below are several links and mentions in the press.

One that was particularly cool was from the NY Post which suggests
a possible comparison between the play and Urine Town. What you
may know is that Urine Town also showed during the NY Fringe Festival
and was picked up for an off-Broadway and then Broadway run.

Not too shabby. :-)

I am sure Dan wishes him and the cast well with
future possibilities, but after the film gets shot
first! (More details to come, as there will be filming
this month, and next.)

In the meantime, here's the press.
Congrats Brian!

TimeOut
(http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/theater/77756/new-york-international-fringe-festival-theater-review)

New York Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08132009/entertainment/theater/terms_of_infringement_184246.htm

Village Voice Blog
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2009/08/news_roundup_th_2.php

NewYork.Decider.com
http://newyork.decider.com/articles/body-fluids-and-jazz-hands-5-shows-to-see-at-the-f,31493/

NY Magazine
http://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/58294/

NewYorker
http://www.newyorker.com/arts/events/theatre/2009/08/10/090810goth_GOAT_theatre

New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/arts/09weekahead.html?_r=3&scp=1&sq=abraham%20lincoln's%20big%20gay%20dance%20party&st=cse

Search and Find: Nominated the Movie

Just for the fun of it...
for those of you who
enjoy Search and Finds.

(Click on picture for larger
image to print.)

All Wine, No Cheese!

We had a terrific fundraiser the other night at Fremont's best wine bar, Vida y Vino! Owner Audrey Scott (2nd from left in photo) was as gracious as ever and the crowd was fantastic.

Many of the cast members showed up, including co-star and veteran of TV & Film, Carl Lumbly. Carl was greeted by a throng of fans, and he proceeded to "hold court" for the next two hours. The best, and most excited fan was one of the waiters at Vida, who promptly told Carl that his girlfriend had just given him all 4 seasons of Alias on DVD. He had just watched them all, and couldn't believe that Dixon (Carl's character name) was in the wine bar! He was thrilled to get an autograph, and a picture on his phone, which he immediately sent to his girlfriend.

The movie gained many new supporters who are excited to follow along as we charge headlong into shooting in three weeks. Events like this really underscore the grass-roots effort we are employing to get the movie produced, and we are so grateful to everyone who has helped out.

Other notables in attendance were Fremont City Councilman Bill Harrison, and cast members Greg Cala, Ken Newman, Gary Neil, Julia Smyth & Mark Flores (the last 2 not in photo). The movie's star, Brian Degan Scott was absent only because he is currently in New York performing in the hilarious hit play Abe Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party.

We have great momentum, but need to continue to push to meet our budget goals. As always, you can donate to the film by going to the Nominated Sponsor Page (nominatedthemovie.com/donate.htm). We have non-profit sponsorship, so this is a charitable contribution and a write-off! Every little bit helps, so please be encouraged by the fact that even small contributions count.

Lastly, when we move the production to Arnold, CA at the end of September, we are hoping to get a generous soul to donate their RV or 5th wheel trailer as a make-up and actors resting area. It would not need to be driven the entire time, but merely parked at the location. If you're willing, just email me at dan@nominatedthemovie.com - it's also a charitable contribution.

Thanks again to everyone!! We'll be filming more soon, so check back regularly for footage and other updates.

Dan