Meeting the "Big Time" Director

I got a chance to sit in on a screening of the new film "Funny People", which stars Adam Sandler. It was written, directed and produced by Judd Apatow. Judd is in the midst of the hottest producing streak in Hollywood right now, with such hits as Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Superbad and I Love You Man. The screening was in front of the first "regular" audience, so Judd was in attendance to take questions and get feedback from the group. Here's what I took away from that event:

1. The work just begins once a movie is shot. There's a ton of PR and travel that must be done when a movie is released.

2. There are still some very nice people in Hollywood. Judd is a legitimate star, and he could not have been a more generous person with his time.

3. Nothing beats a really good story - which "Funny People" is. The best acting and directing in the world cannot cover up a bad story.

4. Comedy and emotion are a great combination. That is why I'm so excited about my story! When you can make 'em laugh and cry in the same movie, you've got something.

So, I'm more fired up than ever about making a movie. We just finished casting and we have an outstanding group of actors. I think they're gonna help me become a big time director. I'll tell you all about them next post!
Dan

"Local" Press heating up for the Production

As we draw closer to the actual shooting (especially in the Arnold, CA location), the excitement and support grows. I've been getting many calls from local shops, Realtors and residents asking how they can lend a hand to the movie - and I thank you all for the offers! The easiest way for individuals to contribute is to enter the Executive Producer Essay Contest - it's fun, cheap and might get you a big fat movie credit!

Speaking of individuals, I'd like to publicly thank Elizabeth Alraune for all the help she had given this project. If you get a chance, you should check out her writing project called Letters of Love. She's a talented writer and great friend to know!

Lastly, we just got a write-up in a newspaper up in Arnold. The Calaveras Enterprise is doing two stories on the project, and how we are including local residents & businesses. You can read the complete story of Nominated in Arnold, which is hot-off-the-presses today.

thanks!

Dan

Having some fun with Social Media

As you know, Nominated the Movie uses Twitter actively.
Dan Pavlik is great at knock off videos,
and wanted to have some fun with Twitter.

They have a video that you can view
that is on their homepage when you
are not logged in.

If you view it, you will see just
how good this video is!

Enjoy.

Mickey Monroe Finds Work!

Since Mickey seemed like he wanted to help me
announce my new Peace Within recording, he
made this commercial for me.

It's not quite what I had in mind, but I admire
the attempt. Sales of this recording will help
benefit Educational Films of America, the
non profit that Dan set up. Please consider taking
a look at the page linked and see if it might
be for you, and perhaps someone (or several
"someones") you know. It's only $1, it should help
with feeling more peaceful, and it helps support a
great cause.


please click here for more info & to order
(http://jolope.com/peace-within.html)
For fun, you can also
take a survey
about what you think of
Mickey Monroe as a Spokesperson. :-)

Nominated Auditions and Request to Spread the Word!

(On Left Brian Degan Scott/On Right Dan Pavlik)

This week Dan Pavlik, the writer/director of Nominated, will be holding auditions for the film. He has had to arrange for a second day of auditions, and sadly has had to turn people away.

Dan would love to see everyone, but it's just not possible. For a person in that position, it certainly is a good problem to have.

Should he not be able to find what he needs during the two days of auditions, there will be other possibilities to pursue. So, if by some chance you aren't scheduled for any of the upcoming auditions, stay in touch, as you never know.

Working in conjunction with J.E. Talent, a San Francisco based talent agency that has been helping with the administration of the casting process, and feeling like he has many talented people to choose from, Dan is certain he'll get some really great fits for the roles.

While I'd love to be there during the process, I won't be able to, however, Dan is likely to have some behind the scenes footage, and maybe some pics, to share afterward that you and I will both be able to see. :-)

One role that won't be auditioned those two days is that of "film sponsor." You can help to get this movie made without an audition by going to the Nominated Sponsor Page, and submitting your 150x150 advertisement. As the momentum builds, there will be more traffic to the site, and you will have the benefit of all of those who come after you. Plus you get to be a part of, and contribute to, something pretty special.

Ok I am biased but, once you get to know these guys, you will be, too. (Listen to interviews with Dan Pavlik and Ken Newman, available now in the right column of this blog. Next week I will interview Brian Degan Scott)

Other bigger advertising/sponsor opportunities still remain, and Dan is being just as creative in that regard as he is in his filmmaking, so if you are interested, or know of someone who could be, click here to "tell a friend"

Last but not least, ALL help is welcome, even if it is just spreading the word. Please share with people what is going on with the movie. You never know who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone's aunt's, cousin's son that could really benefit from being a part of this somehow, even if it is just for him to spread the word to his best friend's sister's mother's best friend of 20 years who happens to work for a big studio that would love to talk to Dan about this film, and others already simmering...and he would have you to thank for it. Wouldn't that be special? (so saith the Church Lady).

Seriously, it so much easier to help than people realize. The little things add up. So even if you don't think you can help financially, or feel that sponsoring would benefit you, just letting someone else know about what's going on is perfect.

Happy Father's Day to those fathers out there - and in particular Dan, Brian, and Ken. May some beautiful and amazing things happen between now and Father's Day 2010!

Nominated Audition Date Scheduled

Audition Date: June 25th
Time: 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Location: San Francisco
Click here for
updated role list & downloadable sides
where you will find additional
information about the
roles and process.

Oh, and btw, here is another entry
for the Executive Producer Contest:

Listen, Sleazeball - if anyone deserves a
free ride on your gravy train to success,
it's obviously me. Not to sound vindictive,
but if you don't think I'm Executive
Producer material, then you can take
your superficial promises of IMDB credits
and shove them where the glimmer of
validation doesn't shine!
(Executive Producer Essay Contest)

It's All About Brian Degan Scott

"...'Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party'...
is an...ambitious mashup of burlesque anarchy,
elaborate narrative intrigue, serious
sociopolitical themes and campy dance interludes.
Plus sheer gamesmanship -- the audience votes
each night to determine the three-part show's
performance order. It shouldn't all hold together.
Yet somehow this frequently ingenious, hilarious
contraption does."
- Dennis Harvey, Variety

Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party, the critically
acclaimed play written by Aaron Loeb, was performed
in San Francisco last November through January and has
now been selected for a run at the New York
International Fringe Festival (Fringe Festival Website)
from the 15th until the 31st of August.

So...What does this have to do with the movie Nominated?

It just so happens that this play also has a major role in
moving the filming of Nominated from August to September
because one of its actors - Brian Degan Scott - is also
a key actor in Nominated. Well, ahem, the *star,* really.
And, since Brian, like the rest of us, has yet to figure out
how to clone himself, he can't be in two places at once.

The yearly festival, showcasing hundreds of performances
from around the world, has produced many Off Broadway
hits including Urine Town (which subsequently moved to
Broadway and was nominated for 10 Tony Awards),
Dog Sees God, Charlie Victor Romeo and the musical
adaptation of Debbie Does Dallas (for more Fringe success
stories go to FringeNYC Success).

The exact dates and venue specifics for Abraham Lincoln's
Big Gay Dance Party have yet to be established, but as
soon as the details are known, I'll post them here, in
case you will be able to go see Brian perform in NYC.

According to Dan (for first time readers, the writer and
director) Brian performing Off Broadway is an exciting
development, and allows more time for pre-production and
creative fund raising for the budget - which includes the
Executive Producer Essay Contest. (Have YOU entered yet?)

And since this entry seems to be all about Mr. Scott,
(I certainly hope it won't go to his head) remember
that he will also be a guest on World of Perspective
Radio with Elizabeth Alraune (yours truly) on
the 30th of the month. See the right sidebar for
details, and to listen. You will have a chance to
call in and speak with him, and if you miss it live,
you can come back afterward, and download the podcast.

If you would like to learn more about the play, here are
a few links to visit:

Fringe Festival Website
http://www.fringenycdata.com/basic_page.php?ltr=A

Variety Review
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939221.html?categoryid=33&cs=1&query=Abraham+Lincoln%2527s+Big+Gay

SF Chronicle Review
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/15/DDFM14LD13.DTL

Broadway Worldcom Review
http://broadwayworld.com/article/Abraham_Lincolns_Big_Gay_Dance_Party_Ends_117_20090109

Chad Jones Theatre Dogs Review
http://www.theaterdogs.net/2008/12/14/review-abraham-lincoln

Goldstar Events
http://www.goldstar.com/events/san-francisco-ca/abraham-lincolns-big-gay-dance-party.html

Yelp.com Audience Review
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Abraham+Lincoln%2527s+Big+Gay+Dance+Party&ns=1&rpp=10&find_loc=San+Francisco%252C+CA

Rah! Rah! Shish, Boom, Bah!
Go Brian, Go!

PS If You'd like to buy tickets, go to this page.
(They're only $15!)