It's HERE!!

DER STEINFROSCH comes to Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah KY Thursday October 27th at long last. It's taken the better part of two years to drag this thing out into the open where I could get a good clean shot at it.
This film took a little longer to make than I originally thought it would. Once I started to see how cool it was going to be it meant I had to really try to make it as kickass as I could. It's a simple little film that you could let your grandma watch but it's got some sharp edges.

I was blessed to have a handful of supportive individuals that helped me literally make something out of nothing. Musicians, artists and actors that I'm eager to work with again. Come to the October 27th show and meet and listen to them-have a beer, listen to some cool tunes and get to watch a wild little flick with a giant Nazi devil frog with a pitchfork try to kill a guy. What's not to love about that?

If you're a filmmaker, come out to see the show. I'd like to meet you and talk. We need to whip the W. KY film scene in the butt. We've got an awesome (see above)indie cinema that needs some films to show. And we've got enough locations in this state we could replicate pretty much anywhere on earth.
One last little bit of bragging...we did a test screening. I felt like Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters when the mothership pops over Devil's Tower. And the sound? Pretty intense. If you know what I'm talking about I made this movie for both of us!Thanks again for taking a look. And be on the lookout for DER STEINFROSCH!

Maiden Alley Cinema in Paducah KY will be the site of the DER STEINFROSCH sneak preview. This is significant to me because many of the most kickass films I've ever seen have been at Maiden Alley. They're in tune with the independent film scene and are going to allow us to do something special.

This will be a event besides the first reveal of the three foot Nazi divil frog in action. We're going to be featuring live music by musicians who contributed to the DER STEINFROSCH soundtrack and after the film we'll have a Q&A with the filmmakers and cast. You'll be able to tell us what you think before we kick STEINFROSCH out on the film festival road. Stay tuned for exact date and details.

The German Frog advances.

A big thanks to my crew on the Nazi shoot. We needed a few shots of Adolph Hitler and some troopers for a WW2 flashback sequence. Steve Schwetman, who brings a background of working in film and live theater to the table suited up as Hitler. I had given Steve a documentary DVD to study and WHOA...he nailed the evil that Hitler was. Brad Lynn and Dustin Lynn took the roles of our troopers and just like Steve they really brought our Nazis to life.

Another talented pro on board was photographer Kim Comer Jackson. Kim's like the guy at the circus with the plates spinning on sticks. She's a blogger, a photographer and the marketing director of a heavy equipment company. I caught some of her work on Facebook and she was generous enought to join us in the heat early on a Saturday morning. Great production photography!

Just a few more of the talented folks who've helped bring the three foot devil frog to life. Next time you'll get to meet some more creatives and a find out about a sneak preview showing and YOU are invited! Stick around. It's going to get wild.

Things is happnin'.

DER STEINFROSCH production is still cooking. I'm working on FX shots when we're not wrapping up frog fights and Hitler reenactments.

Not long ago if you had told me I'd have gotten a permit to shoot a scene with Adolph Hitler, German soldiers and MP40 machine guns at our local riverfront I'd have questioned your ability to reason but it happened. A big thanks to the Paducah KY PD and the Dept. of Parks and Recreation. It helped we didn't have any firing weapons going off or needed any roads blocked. An out-of-the-way location didn't hurt. Neither did the EARLY start time.

I can understand the city's concerns as far as liability is concerned.
ANYTIME you're shooting and firearms are involved whether they nonfiring or otherwise communication with local law enforcement is ESSENTIAL.

Making the necessary arrangements in advance means we were able to not only get our shots in short order but because I had scouted the location ahead of time at the same time of day when we'd film on shooting day I was easily able to direct my nazi minions in effectively. When I was a kid my dad said he had learned the "Seven P Principle" in the Navy. I still use it...

1.Proper
2.Prior
3.Planning
4.Prevents
5.Piss
6.Poor
7.Performance

Another big thanks to my volunteer crew. Next post I'll give you the 411 on the folks that made my little sequence featuring the most hated man in history come to life. Thanks for stopping by.

Celtx...powerful and free scriptwriting tool.

In every aspect of the production of DER STEINFROSCH I've done some pretty intense homework. Proper script formatting and structure were no exception. When you present your story to others there's just "the right way and the wrong way". Celtx is the right way and not only offers access to scripting tools that are powerful but free. You can download Celtx free from the website. The software gives scriptwriting apps as well as those for notes, storyboarding, credits and more. For a few bucks you can purchase additional images for putting a more polished look on your storyboards. You can even buy arrows for actor or camera movement cues. I'm pretty hands-on so when it comes to storyboarding I draw my own. However, when it came time to transfer DER STEINFROSCH from pen to PC to print, Celtx was the software I used. It's awesome and if you're interested in putting a script together it's a great way to get in the game.

Find out more at the Celtx site here...http://celtx.com

Another artist joins the team.

Another talented musician is lending a hand to the production of DER STEINFROSCH. Chris Black (aka Grandpa Black) has just released a new album. He's also agreed to allow the use some of his material for the soundtrack as well as contribute film-specific material. His new cd, 'ILLINOIS, KENTUCKY and TENNESSEE' is in my player now and deserves your listen. If you live in the Paducah area you can grab a copy at Kirchhoff's Bakery and Deli, Etcetera Coffee House or Music Zone in Lone Oak. Find out more or order a cd here..

http://www.myspace.com/grandpablack

Music for this film has been a critical point for me. I wanted unique. Something 'with a local flavor' sounds cliched but with the contributions of the artists who have agreed to be a part of this project the music echoes with the heart of this part of the country and doesn't come off like the music on a used car commercial. Music and sounds are probably more important than picture for an effective film. People can put up with lame, out-of-focus images or poorly exposed camerawork. Music and sound can, when used with taste, propel a film into the realm of unforgettable. With the help of the talented musicians I've assembled this project takes another step closer.

Stay tuned. Der Steinfrosch is bringings the jams.