Get the latest score from Howlin' Wolf Records “DON'T GO IN THE HOUSE”, “HOLIDAY HELL” and “GOOD TID

Interview with The Blanks - The Build Up!


So There is a time in your life when you get true greatness, such a true greatness and today that happened when "The Blanks" walked onto my stage. Four guys surrounding me like they were going to point their fingers and laugh at, but not these guys from the this international sensation. Now could I get such a great opportunity to talk with these stars of stage, television and stardom... well the truth is I asked. With the great support of Adam Sloat and some friendly follow ups, we were able to bring to you this groundbreaking and yet entertaining chat. Now what I am saying that will make this different is, that it's the four of them at the same time, same place... same site.

I stole this from their official site:

No instruments, no problem.

News flash: A cappella is hip! Leading this pack of cool is a quartet of friends, The Blanks, who appear on the worldwide syndicated television show Scrubs as "Ted's Band." In a case of life imitating art (or is it art imitating life?), the group was written into the script as a quartet of friends who like to sing a cappella music. Bizarre, huh? Group member Sam Lloyd played the recurring role of character "Ted Buckland" on all nine seasons of Scrubs on NBC and later ABC, now airing on Comedy Central, TV Land, WGN, and a host of other local/regional channels just in the US. Sam is joined by Paul F. Perry, George Miserlis and Philip McNiven. In 2004, The Blanks released their debut CD, "Riding the Wave" (Parody Records). In 2008 they began touring. In 2008 they also made shirts. 



Based in Los Angeles, The Blanks perform and sing family‐friendly (cool) entertainment with plenty of (hip) musical and sketch comedy. They sing a cappella versions of popular TV show theme songs ranging from "Charles In Charge" to "Six Million Dollar Man," and commercial jingles like "By Mennen." They've put words to songs without lyrics, such as the "Good Old Days," the theme from The Little Rascals. The only instruments besides a ukulele you'll find on stage are talking toys ‐ that's right, four grown men who still play with action figures. Not ones to rest on their laurels nor teeter on the edge of rebellion and artistic bravado with their choice of deodorant commercials, the Blanks wrote some original numbers that sound like songs even they might want to cover! You haven't seen anything quite like it before. They love to sing, entertain and make people laugh, so their shows include skits, antics, choreography (the kind a 5-year old could memorize), talking toys as lead singers, and costume changes. 

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A note on the costume changes: they're not Cher, and they're not Madonna. Because… They're men! Men who sing. Men who dance. Men who'll make the milk you're drinking spray right out your nose with a funny glance.

To tell the story of the Blanks is to tell the tale of four unique individuals that didn't find each other through a reality show contest, Craigslist ads, Social Networking, or even the fallout of doomed bands fighting over the drummer's red M&M's (thus no drummer allowed). Asked individually if this was their dream gig, they might hesitate, but as a collective whole it's pretty clear that there was some cosmic kismet at work. 



And as long as the kids dig it and the adults enjoy it, The Blanks will keep singing it….

Interview with The Blanks - Here It Is!!


Set the scene: I walk down to my office as I hear the some voices, and one screams, "hey man don't eat all those chips"... My pace picks up because the door to my office is locked, and it's like 3am in the morning. I shuffle the doorknob to warn the intruders I am a force to be dealt with... the door swings open [dramatic music]. You ever seen raccoons in your backyard that you flicker light into their eyes, well that is what I saw... four guys scarfing down the last crumbs of the bag of chips. A little jolt as we got our focus to the situation as I came to realize it was my good friends "The Blanks", I can call them friends... cause I can. As I greet... George, Paul, Sam, and Philip... welcoming them to my little internet office... It went something like this: 

[2vs8]: Please tell us a little more about you, that is not on the website, the real you?





We are George [George Miserlis], Paul [Paul F. Perry], Sam [Sam Lloyd], and Philip [Philip McNiven], just four average small-town kids who had a dream to sing acapella on a medical sitcom.   But once success hit, like so many pop idols in mega-star boy bands, we each got pigeonholed, given labels like The Cute One, the Bad Boy, the Good-Looking Idiot and the Shy Loner with the Large Doll Collection.  But we’re more than that.  For example we all enjoy scrap-booking, and are avid falconers.

[2vs8]: Careers outside of the band, any telemarketers or snake oil salesman?

Paul F. Perry:  I once worked in a factory putting glue onto flypaper, but I didn’t stick to it.
Sam Lloyd:  I used to be trainer for a dog, but it didn’t sit well.
Philip McNiven:  I wanted to be a tennis instructor, but I lacked the follow-through.
George Miserlis:  I teach English as a Second language to foreigners, but it’s hard to make them talk good.

[2vs8]: If you could have a dinner party with famous dead people, who would you invite?

Philip McNiven:  Everyone picks Jesus, Mohammed, Leonardo da Vinci, and Hitler.  But if I’m having a dinner party, I want guests to bring a nice dish.  And Da Vinci’s risotto, to be honest, is mediocre at best.
Paul F. Perry:  Mother Theresa does a surprisingly good tiramisu.  She does anything well that you don’t need all your teeth to eat.
George Miserlis:  I hear Hitler makes a nice blintz.  His blintz-kreig, he calls it.
Sam Lloyd:  I’d invite Coco Chanel.  She makes all the dead people smell real nice.
Philip McNiven:  And here’s a tip, never serve brains.  Once those dead get into that, the party’s over.

[2vs8]: What scares you more puppets with strings or without?

It’s funny how often we get this question.
Sam Lloyd:  Puppets are scary when move by themselves without an operator.
Paul F. Perry:  Chucky.
George Miserlis:  Oh, I know, I can never set foot in a Chucky Cheese.  Just the thought of that puppet making those pizzas.
Philip McNiven:  The scariest puppet was Roberto Benigni in that Pinocchio movie.
Paul F. Perry:  Puppets with strings are soothing.  Puppets with a Dixieland brass section are terrifying.

[2vs8]: When did you know what you wanted to do, that led you to here "The Blanks"?


When did we know we wanted to tour the world as members of an acappella group?   We started small, with a silly song at a party, trying to impress a girl.  That led to another party, and then to a tv show, which happened to run for nine years before expanding into syndication.  Then we started getting fan mail from places like Platteville, WI.  So we went there and did a show.  Now we are heading to play a sold-out hall in Vienna, the city of Mozart and Liszt.  All of this, and we’re still trying to impress that girl.

[2vs8]: If you could be a super hero or super villain, which one and what would be your powers and why?

Sam Lloyd:   I’d be Super Interview-Answer-Man, and my power would be to answer all questions in a witty and informative way.
Paul F. Perry:  Dude, go for a power you don’t already have.
Sam Lloyd:  Thanks, man.
George Miserlis:  Can I say my Mom?  The way she raised me was super.
Sam Lloyd:  Dude, you can’t be your mom, that’s a little psycho.
Philip McNiven:  I’d like to be Captain BlowMyself.  I’d have the ability to – well, you get the idea.

[2vs8]: Something your mother caught you doing, that you said was something else... only want to know the "something else"?

Sam Lloyd: I was embarrassed to be caught reading the New York Review of Books in bed, so I told my mom that I was masturbating.
Paul F. Perry: I often tell people I’m saving the world.  But I’m usually just being Captain Blowmyself, bent over under a desk, trying to – well, you get the idea.

[2vs8]: People say this is my best feature and why… nothing to do with the last question?

Paul F. Perry:  Our best feature is the film we made of “Guy Love”.  You can find it on YouTube.
Sam Lloyd: My best feature is my ability not to repeat myself. Not to repeat myself, that’s my best feature. 
George Miserlis:   My best feature is my thick, glossy mane of luxurious hair.
Philip McNiven:  Me too.  It’s just mine grows on my back.

[2vs8]: If you could tell someone something about anything, what would that be and why?  

  
We’d say that if you like the Blue Man group, or Cirque de Soleil, but are tired of toilet paper on your head and French Canadians on trapezes and want something fresh, come see the Blanks.  It’s a show for all ages, from 6 to 96.  Even at 97, you’ll enjoy the show, because frankly, it’s nice to get out.
A few hours has passed...
I heard a whistle blow and the guys had to be on the next plane to Germany and another sold out show. I wanted to thank them all for the time and a shout out to Adam Sloat for making this all happen, he is the man making it all happen behind the scenes. So best of luck to all the guys... maybe a xxl new logo shirt, signed autograph and backstage passes when they are in Chicago... wink!


Thanks Guys!
Jeremy

Chemical Burn: I Sold My Soul To Satan

I Sold My Soul To Satan [Documentary]
Chemical Burn
http://www.chemicalburn.org/
Release Date: 11/8/11

Story: Zombies, Vampires, Witches and Demons - NOTHING is off limits in La La Land. Thousands of Hollywood hopefuls lineup around the block to be selected to strike a deal with Satan himself in order to achieve the unattainable stardom they so desperately seek. The turnout yields not only dedicated actors and musicians who can’t get a break, but a legion of seemingly successful people willing to sign in blood not to attain immortality or world peace - but for material things like money, houses, cars and diamonds or even lesser things like a gun you never have to re-load. Ultimately, Kai Blackwood, an aspiring rock star is chosen and embarks on a nefarious path of real-life occult practices following the instructions laid out in the ancient book ‘Le Grande Grimoire’ and proceeds to LITERALLY sell his soul to the Devil.

My Two Cents: At first I didn't know what to think about this, I watched with some level of disbelief asking myself why someone... anyone would want to do this. As I kept watching it became more clear as the world is falling apart we all want something more, something we cannot always have and Kai Blackwood will soon realize... it's not always better. It's all about the experience, the journey it can be rough... not as rough as this can be. I found this to be entertaining, sometimes spooky [especially the goat] I can say my road is paved with my steps and "no need for the devil".

Jeremy [iZombie] 

Worst Movies Ever Blogfest!

Worst Movies Ever Blogfest! 
Host by: Alex J. Cavanaugh
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com

Top 10 "Chick Flicks" Worst Movies!
"From A Guy's View"


Before you go flying of the virtual handle, let me explain my thinking... these films made millions of dollars and I had no interested in seeing any of them. Now you may have loved them for many different reasons, I am one of those people that said... ugh, no! Mostly cause the are considered "Chick Flicks" and for me if something isn't being blown up or a hint of a giant fighting robots... well this is were I say again, ugh, no!

These are the ones I had to sit and watch and they are not in any particular order and I gave you an option for another film [though some are just as girlie]:


AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
alt: Somewhere In Time [love story that gets killed by a flip of a coin, sort of a spoiler]

DIRTY DANCING
alt: Red Dawn [yes they were both in it]

FOOTLOOSE
alt: Coyote Ugly [the girls look much better in a wet t-shirt]

TITANIC
alt: What's Eating Gilbert Grape [big things sink near the end,
I know that was really bad]

FLASHDANCE
alt: White Nights [well they dance for their lives, too]

PRETTY WOMAN
alt: Streets Of Fire [I would pick this for any boy meets prostitute movie]

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING
alt: Moonstruck [a much better crazy family]

JERRY MAGUIRE
alt: Legend [if it's a fantasy film, why not go with Legend...
you know the truths/rumors about Cruise]

THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY
alt: Heartbreak Ridge [well at least they are outside in both]

STEEL MAGNOLIAS
alt: Weekend At Bernie's [think about it]
--------------------------------------

 Now a few movies that were considered
"WORST", that I loved...

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959)
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
Monster A Go-Go (1965)
Howard the Duck (1986)
Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)
Cool as Ice (1991)
Showgirls (1995)
Glitter (2001)
From Justin to Kelly (2003)
Disaster Movie (2008)

So if you made it to the bottom here, that means you just didn't click out... when you read "worst chick flick" list. For several reasons cause you are lover of the films, you might be a lady or your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband [maybe all] are looking over your shoulder, saying "you best not believe this list"... It's all in good fun, good clean fun... now I am off to read more about the return to television of "Sex In The City".
-Jeremy

The Cry - Soundtrack

Howlin' Wolf Records Presents:
http://howlinwolfrecords.com/

The Cry
a film by: Bernadine Santistevan

Composed By: Dean Parker
Released in 2011
Limited Edition: 500
Available: Howlin' Wolf Records


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As the innocent charged beginning slowly switches to a stare into somewhat of a darker place as you and I whimper in the middle. The Cry soundtrack offers over an hour of score to that is a great subtle feeling that helps bring light to the film. So I encourage you all to listen to some of the samples, and snag this up before it's gone.

Interview with: Dean Parker [Composer]

Dean Parker
Composer

[2vs8]: Tell us a little of your music career, how did you get started?

I studied classical guitar and music theory at school and the conservatorium and this was a foundation. I formed rock bands and played in other peoples bands in Newcastle, Australia. I was writing songs form an early age and did a stint as a singer songwriter for several years in my 20s. I have always been interested in conceptual art. At university I studied drama and found employment with local theaters companies writing music and creating sound designs. I was self-studying a library of composers mostly the 20th century group of Schoenberg, Messiaen, Shostakovich, Bartok, Glass, Xenakis, Webern, Berg, Penderecki, Arvo Part, Cage, Babbitt. I was writing a lot of serial compositions - I still like serial compositions. Not so much now but back then I often seemed to be departing in musical directions and exploring this direction as much as I could. Where many musicians and composers find a genre (they are good at) and stick to it I explored down different musical roads - all styles - folk, rock, blues, jazz, country, contemporary. I never picked out film scoring composers in particular but I liked the bold and memorable scores of Xenakis, Barry, Morricone. I started writing music for video designs I was creating for theater. In 1998 in New York I started assisting Carter Burwell in New York.

[2vs8]: With the score for "The Cry" being released from "Howlin' Wolf Records", how did the process start from meeting the director Bernadine Santistevan to scoring and finally produced?

I was introduced to Bernadine by writer and director Lisa France. The music score for “The Cry” has two periods of creation. First off the film was an urban psychological suspense thriller. I finished the score this way. I think it was a few weeks later Bernadine decided to go back to edit the film and refocus the movie. The film changed a lot in this process and I then re-scored the film. Some intrinsic elements of the music stayed in the new score and some significant new elements were created. The film was now an adult horror story. I made some vocalized sampled instruments from Bernadine’s voice, played a lot of guitar and bass, recorded some percussion and mixed most of the music in my home studio. For this second scoring of “The Cry” there was never any reason for the music to be anything other than as tension filled and fear inducing as possible.

[2vs8]: Much of your career has been working with Composer Carter Burwell [True Grit, Twilight Saga] how did this come-about and how does it feel to be working with one of most well-known composers of the last 20 years?

That is true. Most of my early work was in a fringe sort of avant-garde bohemian theatrical world. I was performing, writing and producing at a level most people encounter only if they go looking for it. Carter was looking for an assistant and we crossed paths in New York via an ad Carter had placed in the Village Voice. I got the impression he was looking far and wide for someone to assist him. He offered me the job and for a few years I sort of tried out the job and continued to live in New York city and was pretty pleased that it seemed like I had made a place for myself in the Big Apple. I was not that sure the job was really a job or that I would stay in New York. I don’t think much about working with such a well-known composer as most of my time is spent solving immediate and long term logistical, producing and technical issues that arise from one film score to the next. With regard to Carter’s acclaimed career for myself I am pleased to be contributing to music and helping to producing work that I feel is genuine.

[2vs8]: Outside of composing and working with composers, what else do you do either for fun or work.. or both?

I am often involved in musical or theatrical projects - composing, sound designing or performing. I have recently directed some plays. I perform in bands now and then. I have an alter ego called The Bass Player From Handjob who has a small book of original poetry called “Splitting Hairs” and I get the chance now and then to perform this brief act in some downtown New York venues. I like to have some kind of live performance in my life. I dig the immediacy of life on stage. I like the rehearsal process. Creating film scores is about going back over and over again until something is just right, or at least just as the director wants it. On stage life takes on a physically direct experience. Performing is a mental, physical and creative task I like that.

[2vs8]: Are you hoping to see more of your score work come to being released maybe with the help from "Howlin' Wolf Records"?

Sure. The joy with the score to “The Cry” comes from the effort Wall Crumpler and Bernadine Santistevan put into producing the work. When Wall approached me to release the score at first I thought that the score was so purpose specific to the film I did not know what it would be like as soundtrack. But Wall acted as a fine producer and did the hard work of listening to a large amount of material I sent him - score, outtakes, sketches, alternate themes - and guided me with suggestions as to what to include and how to best present the music. Also Wall knows the horror score genre and I feel I have a fantastic score released.

[2vs8]: Music makes the movie come alive, what score would be playing for background music in your life?

Can I choose outside of film scores? Nothing is background music in my life. Some moments AC/DC and other moments the most experimental compositions by the serial composers.

[2vs8]: What is the biggest misconception of working within the film industry?

Challenging question epistemologically. Film itself is a misconception of truth. There is no truth in film yet the task of the film it seems to me is to compel the audience to keep watching and to “believe” what they are seeing and hearing. Even before that the task of the film is to make an audience feel they should come to watch, enjoy or escape one’s own self designed conscious thoughts with this spectacle of a movie. I think film achieves this by somehow attempting to deliver a kind of truth - but there is no truth. The biggest misconception I have experienced is that the film industry can at times present a piety about the truth contained in the film that is a misconception - perhaps a marketed and planned misconception. I feel the film industry is truly only concerned with the survival of the film industry. Most of us working in the film industry seem to be there by choice and for that I am grateful. I should qualify these statements to experiences in the business perhaps known as "the industry" which is maybe motivated differently to a truly independent film. Also I think that I had from my early years an idealistic view of movies, movie stars and the meaning of life and my understanding of the truth is currently non-material (supernatural) and a film is in the end a material replication of some creative thoughts.

[2vs8]: What are your thoughts on music/scores with a "download only" option from companies will this hurt the music industry?

I don’t think so but I am not a music distributor. The music industry has been reshaped by the world wide web over the last 15 years but it seems to finding a new footing. Apparently the “single” song release is making a comeback as downloaders can now choose just a song or two they like. This seems good as I always liked the greater risks and creativity that writers and composers seemed to enlist to create a great single.


[2vs8]: Who inspires you?

There are so many. I like each day to have inspiration in it. Life is good I am inspired by whoever I am with at the time.

[2vs8]: The last score or musical artist you listened too that you would recommend?

In the car today after four songs from The Backyardigans who I and my two sons like I listened to Morricone “The Battle Of Algiers.”

[2vs8]: What is next... life, music, personally?

I have an interest in cartomancy. Coming up musically is the score for Bernadine’s next film “Wolf Dog.” I feel the score offers a great opportunity to combine a strong melody with some thematic textures. I hope this is the perfect combination to produce a great piece of music. Later in the year I will assist Carter Burwell on the next Twilight saga film called “Breaking Dawn.”

ABC's New Fall show "Once Upon A Time"

Greetings...
I have been busy posting interviews and I forgot to do much else, so as you can see I am catching up on some reviews from the mother of all bad to good films "CHEEZY FLICKS". Also I have been very quiet about some of the newest fall season shows, this one intrigues my senses.


 Tagline: Centers on a woman with a troubled past who is drawn into a small town in Maine where the magic and mystery of Fairy Tales just may be real. 

Synopsis: The series is loosely inspired by the classic fairy tale stories except set in the present day, hence the series name. The stories hold a key to the mystery that will draw a bail bonds collector and the son that she gave up for adoption 10 years earlier to a New England town called Storybrooke, Maine. This town is actually a parallel world in which fairy tale characters look like normal people and don't remember their true identities or anything about their true lives.

Face of the Screaming Werewolf (1964)

Face of the Screaming Werewolf (1964)
Cheezy Flicks

No one is safe with a  screaming werewolf on the loose in the big city!

Experimenting in hypnotic regression to past lives, Dr. Edmund Redding has discovered that Ann Taylor is a reincarnated Aztec woman. Via her recovered memories, she is able to lead Redding and his associates to a hidden chamber in the Great Pyramid of Yucatan, where they hope to find the lost treasure of the Aztecs. Instead, they find two mummified bodies - one of a modern man and the other of an ancient Aztec mummy/werewolf and only one is still alive. The supernatural creature escapes and menaces the city that night...

What can I say, I love films like this and glad they don't get lost over the time... by no means is a great film. The transfer of this from whatever source is okay, but once again I find myself enjoying it on a rainy day filled in black and white.

Doctor Blood's Coffin (1961)

Doctor Blood's Coffin (1961)
Cheezy Flicks

After being expelled from medical school in the big city, Dr. Peter Blood returns to his childhood home in Porthcarron, a remote village in Cornwell. Where he is free to continue his dangerous and unauthorized experiments on people. While his father, the small towns doctor, is excited about his sons arrival, the mysterious disappearances of several citizens and medical supplies have the entire town on edge.

Don't look into it I promise you you want be happy... this is a boogie, boogie of popcorn. Blood runs thick in this "don't look into it"


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Invasion Of The Blood Farmers (1972)

Invasion Of The Blood Farmers (1972) 
Cheezy Flicks

Somewhere off an old country road in a sleepy little town in upstate New York, a young woman is terrorized by a group of rural farmers primarily interested in a harvest of bodies and blood. We Warn You! Don't eat before you see this DVD and you'll have nothing to lose!

Ever just want to go to a small town and relax... well you can, but not in this place. Pools of running red and disappearing people makes it a drive thru only type of place. This film is just fun, don't expect to leave wanting more... nope you will just smile. 

Destination Inner Space (1966)

Destination Inner Space (1966)

Strange goings on at the site of an experimental underwater laboratory as a mysterious object of unknown origin is detected in the area. A group of researchers investigate and come face to face with the object, a large automated extraterrestrial probe. They board the craft and discover a small object at first considered to be some sort of instrument package, which they take back to the lab for closer inspection. It is then that events take a turn for the worse. Revealing Mistakes: You can see the reflection of the diver's mask behind the creature's eye sockets. In addition, when the creature attacks the support ship captain, he is wearing boots. Later, as he is swimming, his feet are webbed. As he swims, you can see the outline of his air tank in the hump beneath his dorsal fin.

21 Questions: Airik Aguirre

Airik Aguirre
Zombies, Zombies, Zombies

I wanted to point out that I am jealous of this man and envy him at the same time, he has one of the most successful zombie sites on the planet. If I could steal one ounce of is energy to the attention to detail and dedication to his ever popular site. Maybe someday he will put me on his payroll after he and his site reach record numbers. So as always I encourage you all to check out his site, but don't like it too much... cause I want you to come back to me. Don't make me use my Jedi Mind Trick! 

-Tell us about your career and what you are currently working on or involved with?
As of right now I still have a day job which is pretty out there. I work in a mental health hospital where we take care of mentally disabled violent adults. It does get a little tiring doing it day to day so as soon as I get home I work on my Zombies Everywhere site. Home of all things awesome and zombie related! We also have a Facebook page!


-Is this what you thought you would be doing with your life, what was your first passion?
I never thought I would be perusing the whole zombie writing thing, but as soon as I wrote my first article for my blog, I knew it was something I was very passionate about. I just want to bring the world all the fun and excitement that zombie movies have brought me over the years.

-To whom do you credit your success to, who gives or gave you the most support?
It all goes to my fans! They are super supportive and honestly I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them and all their love.  Thanks everyone!

-If you could meet or work with [living or dead], who would that be and why?
If I had to choose to meet one person it would probably have to be Bill Nye The Science guy. I remember watching him all the time as a kid and he is the one who inspired me to always have a thirst for knowledge!

-What would you like to be remembered for 100 years from now?
That one guy who wrote about all that awesome zombie stuff.

-Who inspires you?
My inspiration for everything would have to be my dad. He was always constantly working the graveyard shifts, yet still had time for my brother and I during the day. That's an amazing parent right there!

-How are things different today, than the same day 1 year ago?
These days I have something to work towards. I always got to keep pumping out new material for my fans to enjoy and when I make them happy, it makes me happy.

-What is the last song you bought or listened to in your musical device?
The last song I listened to would have to be Sleep Now In The Fire by Rage Against The Machine. Those guys rock!!

-Last good film you had seen, and the best movie you would recommend to someone asking?
Oh there is no question about this one. The final Harry Potter movie. I sat there the entire time just going oooo and ahhhh. Even if you aren't a harry potter fan, you will enjoy the hell out of this flick!

-What is the single greatest moment in your life?
When I discovered that the fans of my work surpassed the 1000 mark! :)

-Favorite Horror Film?
Insidious. The only movie in a very long time to give me nightmares...

-Favorite Book?
The Zombie Survival Guide. Probably the reason I started writing about zombies in the first place.

-Favorite Song?
Police Truck by the Dead Kennedys. Gotta stay old school punk man. lol.

-Favorite Film Character?
Even though he is only in like 2 scenes in the entire Star Wars saga, Boba Fett for sure!

-Favorite Film Composer?
Quentin Tarantino. I always enjoy every single one of his movies!

-Favorite Thing In Your Home?
My laptop! Keeps me connected and provides me hours of entertainment

-Favorite First Pet?
My basset hound dogs Flash and Sally. They are so fat and lazy, but we just love them to death!!

-Favorite Coffee Or Tea?
I like my sugar with coffee and cream

-Favorite Phrase?
Nut up or shut up- Tallahassee (Zombieland)

-Favorite Hiding Place [Not that we are looking]?
In my own mind!

-If you could tell someone something someone told you, "words to live by" what would that be?
Don't ever let anyone ever tell you how to live your life. You just be you and people will love it!

It's not the cute in front, it's the creature behind...
that you should worry about!

21 Questions: Britnie Morrison

Britnie Morrison
Artist/Design

-Tell us about your career and what you are currently working on or involved with?
During the day, I'm just your normal everyday work zombie, plugging away in a mall. (ahhh) But most of the time I actually spend my time making soap and other fun creations.

-Is this what you thought you would be doing with your life, what was your first passion?
Not at all, haha, my first passion was actually fashion merchandising. I used to make dresses for girls in high school.

-To whom do you credit your success to, who gives or gave you the most support?
My parents have always been there for me growing up and even now, but I would have to say Cian (my other half) gives me the most support in anything I crazily decide to do that week.

-If you could meet or work with [living or dead], who would that be and why?
I would meet Saw Rockwell or Les Claypool, they are both amazing artists but they both seem like just normal dudes when their not doing their thing. I like that. Like we could all sit down and have a couple beers.

-What would you like to be remembered for 100 years from now?
Making some sort of difference in the world whether it be small or not. Just to know that I did something with my life.

-Who inspires you?
This is going to sound completely cliche, but it's my mom. She is a tough gal, she'll tell you how it is yet she is still such a sweet person. She hasn't had the easiest life, but she's always smiling and working her ass off. I was always taught, you don't get something for nothing.

-How are things different today, than the same day 1 year ago?
I have to GO to work today. I used to work from home until it almost drove me crazy. And I think I had more hair and sanity, kids. ‘Nuff said.

-What is the last song you bought or listened to in your musical device?
The last thing I bought was best of Blind Melon and listened to it over and over again. Brought back some memories.

-Last good film you had seen, and the best movie you would recommend to someone asking?
The last GOOD film? I really like X-men first class, that was probably the last. And my favorite movie I would recommend to anyone who hasn't seen it is Reservoir dogs.

-What is the single greatest moment in your life?
The first time Cian and I kissed. Cheesy I know, but it still makes me smile.

-Favorite Horror Film?
Ooo, toughy. Surprisingly it's not a zombie movie, my favorite horror movie is actually Teeth. The best cautionary tale for men. Or Slither, don't know. I could watch them both all of the time.

-Favorite Book?
Lullaby by Chuck Palahnuik

-Favorite Song?
Let's stay together by Al Green (there's nothing this song can't do to me) Cian could use it to have me commit murder. Okay, not really.

-Favorite Film Character?
Ash, gotta love Bruce Campbell 


-Favorite Film Composer?
Danny Elfman

-Favorite Thing In Your Home?
My laptop, because I'm always on it.

-Favorite First Pet?
Theodore, my fire-bellied newt. And he's still alive. Crazy!

-Favorite Coffee Or Tea?
Tazo Zen green tea, its spearmint and lemongrass.

-Favorite Phrase?
That's what she/he said. I can't help myself, it's involuntary now.

-Favorite Hiding Place [Not that we are looking]?
My car. I love to just drive around sometimes, but now that's a pretty expensive habit.

-If you could tell someone something someone told you, "words to live by" what would that be?
Don't spend your life on anything other than to be happy, cause that's all there is to life. Then you die. 


Interview with: Bernadine Santistevan

Bernadine Santistevan 
Director/Writer/Producer

- What is the inspiration for "The Cry" and where do you go from here?
I grew up in a small village in New Mexico and was told tales of La Llorona--a Medea-like ghost in the Latino community--as a child.  Like all the other kids, I believed she was real, and she absolutely terrified me. When I finished high school I was given the opportunity to leave my village to go to school abroad.  I left New Mexico, but La Llorona never left me. 

After grad school and while working in venture capital in New York City, I decided to make The Cry.  Logically, my decision made no sense. It was like throwing a wrench in my finance career.  But making this film was my dream, so I took the leap.

My new focus is on writing and directing films that not only entertain, but also inspire positive social change. 
    
- What are some of the challenges of making a movie and the process of doing so?
There are so many challenges.  I’ll spare you the War and Peace and give you my Cliff’s Notes version.  

Challenge #1:  Write an awesome story. I had a bear of a time writing the original script for The Cry.  It wasn’t until I met a Booker Prize-winning author that I realized why.  He asked me my reasons for writing this script, and my answer was “to save a legend that is disappearing from my culture.” He then turned to me and said, “You’ll only be able to write a good script once you figure out why you are doing this FOR YOU.  Because that’s the only way you’ll be able to write from your heart.” His words totally freed me.

Challenge #2: Show me the money.  Getting money for a film is tough.  Really tough.  Especially if you: a) have never made a film before; b) don’t have any “A-list” actors attached; and c) don’t have a distribution deal in place. In the end, I managed to pull in the financing, but only after changing the script from a more traditional tale of La Llorona to a contemporary, urban story.

The biggest lesson I learned when it comes to reeling in investors is to find folks who are passionate about your project.  Don’t just try to sell them on the money they might make.

- How do you go about casting for a project? Do you see the character in your head, then find the face? Or vice-versa?
For the original script of The Cry, I had actors in mind when I was writing.  Once I realized that perhaps the only way to get my film made was to modify the script significantly, I proceeded with no actors in mind and later found the actors that fit the roles.

With my current film, Wolf Dog, I only have one actor, with non-actors rounding out the rest of the cast.  There’s something quite special about working with non-actors--an honesty and authenticity that is quite inspiring. 

- With the score for "The Cry" being released from "Howlin' Wolf Records," how did you seek out Dean Parker and were you involved with the production of its release?
As Dean mentioned, I was originally introduced to him by my dear friend and talented filmmaker, Lisa France.

Although I’m a big fan of horror films, I’ve never been that thrilled with most of the horror film music out there.  Working with Dean presented a wonderful opportunity to create something that was different.  Something that was “elegantly haunting.” 

Also, it was important to me to integrate some of the musical flavor of New Mexico.   Because Dean had explored and was adept at composing a wide range of musical genres, this was something that he was easily able to do.  I absolutely love his guitar rendition of the traditional La Llorona song.

Last but not least, since the final script was an urban story, I felt that adding in a more contemporary version of the La Llorona song would be great.  This led to me directing the performance by Del Castillo and Patricia Vonne of “The Ballad of La Llorona Fe”--the final song on our soundtrack and a tune that totally rocks. 

Once Wall from “Howlin’ Wolf Records” got the ball rolling, together, Dean and I produced the release of The Cry soundtrack.   It’s been great working with both Dean and Wall on this release.

- Tell us a little history about you that led you to making films.
Storytelling is a tradition in my culture.  Venture capital is not.  I’ve merely come back to my roots.  

- What is one of your favorite props from "The Cry" that you have kept and why [can we see a photo]?
At the time of the shoot, I was in need of a new mattress and happened to remember this while we were filming Detective Scott’s (Christian Camargo) bedroom scene.  So when we were done with the scene, I had my crew schlep the mattress over to my apartment, and I’ve been sleeping on it ever since.   Now that I think about it, the same mattress does a cameo in my current film, Wolf Dog.

- What things can we see from you coming soon?
Wolf Dog…a film about our connection with animals.   I am happy to be working again with Dean on the score. 

- Who is the biggest asset in your life?
 Paco Sosa…speaking of our connection with animals.

- Looking out your window, what do you see and how would you film it?
I see my garden.  I’m throwing a flower planting party in two weeks where my New York friends will have a chance to get their hands dirty.  If I had six months and half a million dollars, I’d get my animator for Wolf Dog to create some 2-D stop motion of the event. (After you see Wolf Dog, you’ll understand what I mean.)   

- Words of wisdom handed down to you that you would pass along…be it about life, film-making or crossing the street? 
Everyone says filming kids and animals is a “no-no.”  In The Cry much of cast was under the age of 6, and in Wolf Dog my lead actor is a dog--with a body double, and his co-stars are a pack of wild Arctic wolves.  My advice is never take “no-no” for an answer.