sorta sordid (but not really)

just a quick update re: Icebreaker. as the myspace contest came to a close there were accusations of tampering and fraud and on-line conspiracies spreading like wildfire. mostly, a bunch of the filmmakers appeared to be getting bombarded with negative votes by supporters of this or that other film, empty myspace accounts were being created for the sole purpose of inflating/deflating voting percentages, people were turning off their voting functions so as to preserve their high scores, etc. basically, it was kind of a mess and a lot of people got all twisted around about it.

so, the good people at fox and the pga opted to dismiss the voting process entirely and make an independent assessment of which 12 entries should proceed to round 2. this is currently in process and the expected due date for the result is still TBD. in fact, almost everything (which, btw, you can purchase from our sidebar!) about this contest is still TBD - including the revised rules and regulations!

so, basically, thank you to everyone who watched the film and gave us a positive vote and passed the link along to their friends. we do appreciate it. and, even though none of this counts toward whether or not we'll make it into the next round, please do continue to share the film with anyone who might enjoy it.

best,
mtk

"Pretty Good" Raves USAToday!

Whitney Matheson of USAToday's pop culture blog, Pop Candy, had some kind words for our short film, Icebreaker , as voting for the Storyteller Challenge was coming to a close...

check out her post here.

i told you so.

UPDATE:
Icebreaker is offline for now while we send it out to festivals. it will reappear in some form again. we promise.

ORIGINAL POST:
friends,

below is our new film, JEFFERSON - ICEBREAKER.

we've submitted it for a contest on myspace (www.myspace.com/storytellerchallenge). and, since it's a contest, obviously the more people that watch the film, the better our chances of rolling into the semi-finals and getting some nice exposure.

for those of you who have myspace accounts, if you enjoy the film, we would definitely appreciate a nice comment and a positive ranking. and if you really enjoy the film, we would love for you to pass the link along to anyone else you think might like it or maybe even post/mention it on your blog or website, if you're feeling generous.

thanks, and enjoy!

Storyteller

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in case you didn't know...

"Icebreaker" Teaser

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coming soon... and we do mean soon.

also: DVDs of our charming debut feature, almost everything., are still available and reasonably priced! please support our promising young group of filmmakers with a modest purchase today. thanks!

something cool.

something very cool is on the way next week.

if you don't have a myspace acct, now would be a good time to sign up for one.

thanks.

Available Now

We have the DVDs in hand! All pre-orders will ship before the end of the week. Thanks for your patience.

SHOP!

hi!

in case you haven't noticed, we've set up a new section to your right... it's called SHOP! as you can see, this is where we're going to start selling dvd copies of almost everything.

just an fyi on the timeline... the release date is expected to be september 25th. but, if you're antsy, you can pre-order it now by clicking the "buy it!" button and we'll try to ship it sooner rather than later.

dvds will also be available on our myspace starting the 25th, and, eventually, on our redesigned homepage when it's finished (very soon - we promise).

that's all the news for now, but keep on eye out for additional dvd releases in the upcoming months as well as updates on all our current projects.

-m

tuesday night screening!

the director's cut of our acclaimed short film this song will be screening at the living room theaters in downtown portland on tuesday night. come see it with an audience - it's free!

VIDEO.

as promised, we've polished up and posted some clips from recent musical events that we recorded.

for your convenience:

Laura Gibson (with the Portland Cello Project) - "Hands in Pockets"



Laura Gibson (with the Portland Cello Project) - "The Longest Day"



Jonah - "Intermission Is Over"



Jonah - "The Joy of Drowning"

what gives?

it has recently been brought to our attention that we've been neglecting the blog. good point.

so... what's been going on this summer?

almost everything.: the dvd is almost nearly done. i promise. we're finishing up some graphic design stuff for the packaging and then it's off to the duplication factory. we're expecting a september 17th release, at which point it will be available for sale on website, blog, and myspace.

live shows: as i think i've already mentioned, we got a few more under our belt this summer, including laura gibson (at holocene with the portland cello project), and jonah (at the crystal ballroom). look for clips of those to show up on-line very soon.

YOU ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF A CAVE: our voluptuously-titled short film about dudes playing d'n'd is still in post-production. we've got a solid rough cut and are taking the time to make sure it's absolutely top notch before we set it free. look for some kind of release (youtube? myspace? funny or die? dvd?) in october.

big and new: part of the reason for the lack of updates is... we've just shot a new short! it's a very sharp dark comedy called Icebreaker. i know what you're thinking: if you were working on something, and it was worthy of discussion, why did you not discuss it? honestly, we didn't have the time. the script came together really fast (actually during pre-production on YOU ARE STANDING IN FRONT OF A CAVE) and seemed like it would be easy enough to shoot - a single location, one scene, with about 8 speaking parts.

unfortunately, the pre-production turned out to be not so simple... we initially tried to get it all together to shoot at the end of may, but that just didn't work out. so, we rescheduled for july 28/29 and got to work. casting notices went out and locations inquiries were made and pre-production basically ran full speed from june 1 - july 27. for those of you counting, that's nearly two months of pre-production work on basically a 10-minute short. obviously, there were a few speed bumps along the way, but having wrapped the film, i can honestly say that we've got something really great here and i'm excited to finish it up and get it out there. that's about all i'm going to say on Icebreaker for now... keep an eye out, though, for updates as post-production gets going.

so, that's what's been up. sorry to keep you in the dark. we'll try not to let it happen again.

nt nt,
m

promises promises

so...

i really don't have much new to say. but i also don't want to leave you all out in the dark.

um... the dvd. yeah, i'm working on that. as previously (though somewhat sarcastically) mentioned, i've got a couple of sidebars that i'm finishing up for the disc. hopefully (though no promises (despite the title of this blog)), i can wrap those up within the next two weeks and then start burning off discs for everybody.

besides that: keep on eye on our myspace and youtube for more streaming internet video action coming soon. possibly including: more goofy behind-the-scenes p&r clips, some live concert footage of jonah and laura gibson, our new almost-finished short film, you are standing in front of a cave, and maybe some other random awesomeness.

also, we hope to have info on the next big production soon. we're considering production dates, scouting locations, and eyeing actors right now.

pretty decent.

we had a really good turnout for the screening last week. everyone pretty much laughed where they were supposed to laugh and cried where they were supposed to cry and twelve people passed out during the invasion of normandy battle scene (luckily we had ambulances standing by (take that speilberg!)).

if you were unlucky enough to have missed the screening, keep your ear to the grindstone. we may or may not set-up an encore.

for those of you who were promised dvds - sit tight! i've got a couple of enhancements i want to make to the film and a two-hour gag reel to add. homemade dvds should start burning around the 15th and be delivered shortly thereafter. [edit: plans for homemade dvds have been abandoned in favor or professional duplication! dvds currently available for sale (see our "SHOP!" sidebar) and will ship no later than Sept 25.]

for those of you who were not promised dvds, but really really want one... drop me a line/make me an offer: headmaster@grammarschoolpictures.com

that's all i got.

public notice

poster design by isaac holk

almost everything. screening. finally.

To Whom It May Concern:

Grammar School Pictures is pleased to announce a free screening of almost everything.

5th Ave Cinemas (510 SW Hall St - Portland)
Friday, April 27 at 7:45pm

The screening is open to the public, so feel free to invite family/friends/business associates/anyone who might be
interested.

Additionally, if anyone hasn't seen the trailer for the film, it can be viewed at our website, myspace, or youtube.

We hope to see you there.

m @ gsp

fin.

we've finished shooting for "You Are Standing..."

the footage looks promising. ballman did very well for his first stab at directing. knapp hopefully didn't suck too bad in front of the camera. mike was terrific. alicia was fantastic. and our crew and extras were real troopers... thanks to them:

gerald a lewis - director of photography
peter huszagh - production audio
mollie knapp - extra
victoria gallagher - extra
jake powell - extra

also, big thanks to miranda at holden's bistro for hosting us on sunday afternoon. (check out their happy hour menu - it's great!)

we'll have more info on where and when you might see the finished project soon...

You Are Standing In Front of a Cave - Day 1

with day 1 on our new short film wrapped, we thought we might share some photos from the evening's shoot.

joe shows off the script.

matt studies the script.

peter and gerry set up.

mike explains the various ins and outs of role playing games.

joe makes a point.

mike hits his mark.

joe frames the shot.

over black

hi.

so, i've got this scene i wrote a while back that is meant to be the opening scene for a feature length screenplay. mostly, it's just been sitting on my computer for more than a year - i've made notes on different aspects of potential stories and characters and kind of messed around with it a bit, but nothing's really driven it forward yet. but i like this one scene... so, i thought i would share it with you, dear reader.

please. enjoy.


-----------------


OVER BLACK:

STEVE
Okay what's the situation here?

CROSSING GUARD
He's having a heart attack.

STEVE
Cardiac arrest. Okay. Everyone clear back.
You kids, step back please. Thank you.

FADE IN:

EXT IRVINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - AFTERNOON

STEVE, 32, and a little scruffy in his wrinkled EMT uniform, is on his knees looking over the obese PRINCIPAL ALLRED, 52, who is laying unconscious on the pavement in the middle of the crosswalk.

Steve takes a deep breath.

STEVE
Okay.

He moves in and starts performing CPR - counting in WHISPERS to himself.

Thirty or so SCHOOL CHILDREN stand in a circle around Steve, watching him work. The CROSSING GUARD, 57, in his yellow vest looks over Steve's Shoulder.

Steve continues WHISPERING as he pushes on Allred's chest. He goes in for mouth-to-mouth, blowing into the obese man. No response.

The Crossing Guard furrows his brow.

CROSSING GUARD
Nothing's happening.

Steve ignores him.

The Crossing Guard leans in closer.

CROSSING GUARD
Maybe you're doing it wrong.

STEVE
Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to please
step back now.

The Crossing Guard ignores him. Steve continues with the chest compressions. He goes in for another breath.

No response.

Steve starts again with the chest compressions.

CROSSING GUARD
Are you pushing in the right place?

STEVE
Yes I'm pushing in the right place! I told
you - step back.

He looks toward the ambulance that's parked just past the circle of children.

STEVE
Kai, I'm gonna need a hand with this one.


EXT. AMBULANCE - CONTINUOUS

KAI, 31, is sitting in the back of the ambulance, with the back doors open, just out of view of the fallen principal. He's talking on a cell phone.

KAI
No, I love you the most.
(beat)
No I don't want to hang up first, you hang
up first.

In the distance, Steve comes up from giving another breath and, as he starts compressions again, turns toward the ambulance.

STEVE
Kai, I'm serious. He's starting to look like
a fucking Smurf. Bring the paddles.

KAI
(shouting back to Steve)
I'm warming them up right now, buddy.
(into phone)
But I don't want to let you go.

STEVE
Kai!

CROSSING GUARD
Who's he talking to?

A few of the children turn to look at the ambulance.

KAI
(into phone)
Okay, honey. I have to go save this man's
life now. I'll call you in three minutes.
I love you I love you I love you.
(beat)
You too. Bye.

Kai closes the phone.


EXT. THE CROSSWALK - CONTINUOUS
Steve in giving another breath - he finishes and comes back up, desperation in his eyes.

No response.

The Crossing Guard SIGHS and shakes his head.

STEVE
What is your problem, jerk off?

CROSSING GUARD
He's dying, asshole. Do something!

Steve starts the compressions again.

Kai pushes his way through the circle of children carrying the debfribulator, the Crossing Guard stares at him.

CROSSING GUARD
Where've you been?

KAI
(to crossing guard)
Sir, I need you to step back.
(to Steve)
What's the situation?

STEVE
He's having a heart attack, what does it
look like. Are those things juiced up?

KAI
Yeah, ready?

Kai preps the paddles.

Steve pulls off Allred's clip-on tie and rips open his shirt.

KAI
Clear!

Kai hits him with the paddles. Allred flinches and COUGHS.

KAI
Alright. He's going to be alright, everybody.

The children all MOAN.

Steve stands up and EXHALES LOUDLY. He drifts away from Allred and Kai.

Kai leans forward and pats Allred on the cheeks.

KAI
You okay, old man? You awake?

Allred's eyes flutter open.

KAI
It's okay. You're going to be fine.

The Crossing Guard stands up and looks off, muttering:

CROSSING GUARD
Nice work, assholes.

Steve turns to face him.

STEVE
What did you say?

The Crossing Guard glares at him Steve.

CROSSING GUARD
He almost died.

Steve steps over and punches the Crossing Guard in the nose, knocking him to the ground. The children all CHEER and LAUGH.

Steve pushes his way through the crowd of children, storming toward the ambulance.

Kai jumps up and helps the crossing guard to his feet, grabbing his arm.

KAI
Are you okay, sir. Are you in need of
medical assistance?

CROSSING GUARD
He punched me. That asshole just punched me.

Kai continues to hold the crossing guard's arm.

KAI
Let's not rush to conclusions, sir. It's
been a difficult and draining day for all of
us. Maybe you should just sit down and take
a deep breath.

The Crossing Guard pulls free of Kai's grip.

CROSSING GUARD
I'm gonna sue you, asshole. You're ass is mine.

Steve doesn't look back, he just keeps walking.

KAI
(to crossing guard)
Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to watch your
language - there are young children present.

CROSSING GUARD
Oh, fuck you.

The Crossing Guard throws down his flag and storms off toward the school.

2-short

nothing new at all to report on almost everything. but, trust me, you'll be the first to know when we do have news.

besides that, i just thought you might like to know that we're back into production mode. the last weekend of march we'll be shooting a fun little short film tentatively titled you are standing in front of a cave. it will be joe ballman's directorial debut and featuring the fine acting talents of michael johnson. it's loosely tied to This Song, which you can download here. i'd tell you more... but i don't want to. needless to say, we'll let you know how it all turns out.

we've also got a second short film that we just finished writing today. this one is called icebreaker. i'm also not quite ready to say anything about this one - except that it's hilarious!

more details coming soon...

also: check out some new links we just posted --->

under construction

so... just in case anyone is still reading this and interested, our official website has been simultaneouly shrunk and expanded. we're in the process of remodeling our web presense, so all you've got to see right now is a pretty new splash page. however, on that splash page we've posted some downloadable video. if you opt to download some video from the page, please be patient - we couldn't bare to post super small low-quality clips. also, please note that one of the videos is the brand new never-before-released director's cut of our highly acclaimed short film, this song.

check it out.

update this!

the neverending project.

it's mostly done. but it's been mostly done for several months now... just some fine tuning left. correcting a few of the closing credits. perfecting the home-burned dvd just a little further. securing final rights to some of the music. etc etc etc.

new things currently being considered:

there's a fantastic idea for a 13 episode, 30 minute television series. we've got some notes for the pilot episode and a nice outline for the full season.

there's a new feature script for which pages are being written and re-revised and bickered over on a semi-regular basis. the top-secret story may or may not involve the following: hand grenades; anti-government uprisings; dairy farmers; weird europeans; the mending of father-son relations; semi-obscure languages; country regulations regarding alcohol sales and consumption; trapeze. needless to say it's going to warm your heart and kick your ass.

there's a neato little short that is semi-related to the television series and involves role-playing games.

there's a music video for a terrific local musician.

back to work...
m