American Homestead Film

Where Do We Go From Here....A Letter from the A Lazy H Gang

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 09:38:55 -0700

“In the long run [people] hit only what they aim at.” - Henry David Thoreau

(With apologies to Thoreau for paraphrasing his words.) The American Homestead team has had to push filming to next year. That said, we have had an amazing year - and we wanted to share our successes with you.

We managed to get a sizable way toward our fundraising goal - and simply ran out of time for shooting in good weather. We will be staying in contact with our leads and continuing to develop new ones through the year.

We had great coverage from several agents and interest from A-list actors. We expect to be able to attract great talent for the film.

We learned a lot about development - things that will carry us forward through AH and beyond.

Mostly, we came together as a team, through some pretty rough patches. Our loyal supporters (that’s you!) were enormously helpful in keeping our spirits high.

Keep us in your thoughts as we continue our quest to bring this beautiful story to the silver screen. And look for more announcements this Winter as we reach our goal.

Cheers!

Tim & Mary, Joe & Phill, Mandi, and the whole crew.

Hey. This is important. Take a look: Hans Zimmer Writes Song...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:12:02 -0700

Hey. This is important. Take a look:

Hans Zimmer Writes Song in Dedication to Aurora Victims | ComingSoon

Donate and download the song here.

(via: popculturebrain)

How awesome is this outfit photo series inspired by legendary...

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:29:13 -0700

How awesome is this outfit photo series inspired by legendary movies, by Candice Milon?! Can you name all the movies?

(via: brain-food)

Well. We have been holding onto this epic TDKR featurette for a...

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:31:31 -0700

Well. We have been holding onto this epic TDKR featurette for a week or so now; but in light of last night’s events in Aurora, CO it feels far less important than we once thought. As such we to turn to a the film’s director long-time hero of ours, Christopher Nolan, who responded (in part) saying,

“I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me.”

Movies are our life. They transport us to another time and place, provide comfort and give us joy when we need it the most. That said, watch the video and get yourself amped. While doing so, remember to keep those affected by the senseless act in your thoughts and do something nice for someone today, yeah?

[via: thedailywhat, youtube]

Whoa. This is by far one of the coolest things we’ve seen....

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:39:19 -0700

Whoa. This is by far one of the coolest things we’ve seen. I mean, every cinephile needs a Film Map in their life, right?

From the artist’s website:

A street map made up of over 900 film titles including cinema classics such as Lost Highway, On the Waterfront, Jurassic Park, Reservoir Dogs, Carlito’s Way, Nightmare on Elm Street, Valley of the Dolls and Chinatown.

The Map, which is loosely based on the style of a vintage Los Angeles street map has its own Hollywood Boulevard and includes districts dedicated to Hitchcock and Cult British Horror movies. Like most cities it also has its own Red Light area. There’s an A-Z key at the base of the Map listing all the films featured with their release dates and names of the directors.

(via: paulsheer, goodtimeforpie)

Hell on WheelsSeason 2 Premiere August 12 Get excited,...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:24:57 -0700

Hell on Wheels
Season 2 Premiere August 12

Get excited, folks.

(c/o: hoursuponhours)

File Under: Things We Enjoy Lion being filmed and recorded for...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:23:19 -0700

File Under: Things We Enjoy

Lion being filmed and recorded for MGM screen credits in 1928.

(via: fungazi)

IndieGogo Projects We Love: LOVE: AS YOU LIKE IT…a...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:12:22 -0700

IndieGogo Projects We Love:

LOVE: AS YOU LIKE IT…a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy AS YOU LIKE IT set in San Francisco!

From the indiegogo campaign page:

Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” meets Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” in this bold, feature-length adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic comedies, “As You Like It.”

Directed by University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts graduate Marika Sonja Cotter, “LOVE: As You Like It” will take viewers on a wild ride through San Francisco’s hip, artsy and culturally diverse Mission District as a dynamic group of characters struggle with what it means to love, and to be loved.

Cotter’s goal is to approach Shakespeare naturally - in terms of language and performance - but to maintain a highly-stylized visual perspective. She finds inspiration in the films of Kenneth Branagh, Wes Anderson, Baz Luhrmann, and Richard Curtis, and she looks forward to sharing her interpretation with the Shakespeare and cinema communities.

************************

The remaining $2,500 that we are asking for is going to help us complete principal photography and move into post production:

- camera, grip and lighting rental costs

- sound recordist and equipment

- transportation/travel costs

- daily meals for cast and crew

If we are not able to raise the entire $2,500, we will move ahead and shoot as much as we can, adjusting the script and making more cuts in order to complete filming. We are hoping to avoid this compromise, however, as we’ve already had to make many cuts and any more would likely affect the story.

You’ll notice some perks there on your right. Any amount donation DOES make a huge difference and we hope to show our gratitude by offering some interesting perks such as producer credit on IMDB and screening tickets to our premieres in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Every little bit helps folks, so do what you can!

You Should Watch This (Of The Day): 88:88 [The short is]...

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:40:38 -0700

You Should Watch This (Of The Day): 88:88

[The short is] currently a semifinalist in YouTube’s Your Film Festival, and it’s easy to see why.

This quick sci-fi flick has a slow burn, but a stellar payoff. Voting for this movie (and the other 49) ends on Friday, July 13.

Follow-up with an amazing interview between New York film writer and visual artist Caspar Newbolt and director Joey Ciccoline.

(via: black book, thedailywhat)

Big Announcement Of The Day: New American Homestead Trailer! We...

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:14:10 -0700

Big Announcement Of The Day: New American Homestead Trailer!

We have a brand spanking new trailer, gang! The latest showcases the stunning Montana landscapes set to a beautiful composed score (also new). Thanks to our editor extraordinaire, Art Freed, for all his hard work!

Take a look and let us know what you think!

Photo of the Day: Annual Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City,...

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:29:04 -0700

Photo of the Day: Annual Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City, Montana.

Photo by: George Burgin (Billings, Montana), Miles City, Montana

(via:smithsonianmag)

Happy Sunday, folks.

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:57:35 -0700

Happy Sunday, folks.

Producer's Viewpoint: The Heartless Premiere

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:40:00 -0700

We asked producer/line producer Sam Messe to share his thoughts on The Heartless premiere and boy did he answer. Take a look at what he says about his experiences during the event:

In a USC School of Cinematic Arts screening room, filmmakers, colleagues and friends recently came together for a night of festivities to celebrate the completion of Brandon Doo’s zombie film, The Heartless.

The film went into production in early February 2012 after a series of location scouts, script development and intense pre production over the preceding five months. A crew of 30 went out to the Salton Sea and shot for five days at two main locations. Between endless walks from the hotel to the iconic Cali Mart Express, a sampling of the various types of iceberg lettuce available in the area and one incredible night of live music at Slab City, the hard working and dedicated production crew finished the film on schedule and on budget.

Coming back to Los Angeles, Brandon and the producers moved into post production. The film went from rough cut to fine cut and finally, picture lock. Music had to be composed and put into the film. ADR and sound mixing took place. Visual effects were designed, created and added to the film. By early June, the film was nearing completion and plans began to come together for a screening for cast, crew, and friends.

On the night of the premiere, guests arriving mingled together, admiring some of the props brought from the shoot and discussing current projects. Present at the screening were the main characters Brian Smolensky (“The Man”) and Christina Napier (“Girl”) along with Robbie Corbett, Stunt Coordinator and Zombie #1. Many of the production crew, family and friends were there including Mark Farney (Cinematographer), Brant Duncan (Visual Effects) and Spencer Plamondon (Production Designer). After Brandon’s quick introduction and thank you to all those present, than it was time to dim the lights and roll the film!

It was an incredible, special evening for all involved. This will be the first of many dynamic and exciting projects from an up-and-coming director. The proof is in this heartfelt quote from Brandon Doo following the screening, “I have seen The Heartless countless times. Watching it tonight, surrounded by my friends, felt like it was the first time I had ever seen the film. The Heartless has been a colossal event in my life. And we are just beginning.”

Thanks for your great insight, Sam. We love hearing about passionate filmmakers and movies (especially small ones)! It takes a lot of dedication and creativity and we appreciate everyone who contributes along the way.

As we said before, keep your eye out for The Heartless in the coming months. Brandon and co. are developing the feature and festival submissions are underway!

Last night the gang at A Lazy H headed down to USC School of...

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:24:00 -0700

Living Inside

Costumes

Brandon introducing the film

Phill, Brandon, Sam & Joe

Q&A from the projection booth

Cast & Crew!

Last night the gang at A Lazy H headed down to USC School of Cinematic Arts for the premiere of fellow filmmaker Brandon Doo’s zombie-pacolypse short, The Heartless. Brandon teamed up with Distant Thunder Films (the Brothers Mataresse can be found here) to make this great film and we couldn’t be more proud of the end result!

Cast, crew, family and friends gathered at the George Lucas building (thanks, Andrew Richards!) for the viewing followed by a Q&A session with writer/director/producer Brandon, producers Joe and Phill Matarrese, and Producer/Line Producer, Sam Messe.

The boys spoke about the shooting experience, the wonders of the Saltan Sea, and what comes next for The Heartless (Spoiler Alert: A full-length feature).

After the screening the gang headed to a reception at the Cat N’ Fiddle Pub & Restaurant in Hollywood for specialty “Zombie Killer” cocktails, good food, and even better company.

Thanks to all who came and a big congrats to everyone who contributed. We can’t wait to see what Brandon does next!

Is Martin Scorsese Giving Up Film For Digital? We Hope Not

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:15:00 -0700

Earlier this week /Film reported that Martin Scorsese was switching mediums for his upcoming movie, The Wolf of Wall Street. Obviously there were a lot of strong reactions to this…being film aficionados, we figured the Brothers Matarrese had some thoughts about one of their hero’s seeming abandonment of film for digital (as the article suggests). We asked; they answered.

Here’s Joe’s response:

First of all, Mr. Scorsese didn’t say it himself, it’s all speculative from the point of view of his editor, the great Thelma Schoonmaker. She is an amazing editor, but in my mind, her quote about it being bitter sweet bugs me. I hear a lot of people say “If I could shoot on film, I would, but (insert excuse here)”. I’m not buying that any more. When you have directors like Christopher Nolan standing up for his medium of choice and editors like Michael Kahn talking about how editing on a movieola isn’t any slower than editing digitally it makes me really see who the true artists are.

When you have editors like Lee Smith talk about how sometimes he’s called a “dinosaur” (near the end of the article), but he still has an issue with DIs (digital intermediate) it makes me home for the future.

I see it as a choice between clay and marble. An artist should be free to choose between mediums as they like, and not be forced one way or the other. Artists still sculpt in marble, even though clay is much faster, cheaper and easier. Other artist sculpt in clay. And some switch between mediums for what they are trying to get across.

So when someone says that an artist will only use a single medium for ever more based on a choice for a current project, I tend not to listen. Especially when it’s not a quote from the artist (though any artist who chooses a medium because it’s “cheaper, faster and easier” is no artist in my mind).

And that is my reaction to an article. It’s making a mountain out of a non existent mole hill.

Joe

Must Watch of the Day: Last year Joe and Phill were lucky...

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:52:00 -0700

Must Watch of the Day:

Last year Joe and Phill were lucky enough to work on a short film, Boy by Topaz Adizes (Laredo, Texas; Trece años; City), which it is now available on Vimeo (and has received 14,000+ views in just a few days). The film follows a 10 year old who spends the day with his father and experiences a rite of passage that will forever change him.

Shot on 35mm anamorphic with 9 people total (including actors) all with available light (no lights or electricity), it is beautiful and touching short, and is a testament to film and independent cinema.

The boys accompanied it to the premiere at Cannes Film Festival - a life altering experience, for sure. Joe says, “[i]t was a pleasure to work on and magnificent to see in the theater at the festival….Boy is a beautiful film and I’m happy to finally be able to show everyone.”

Happy Thursday. Here’s a little Steve Martin to help get...

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:21:08 -0700

Happy Thursday. Here’s a little Steve Martin to help get your day going. Because, why not?!

Steve Martin speaks to the 1978 Warner Bros. Records sales convention.

(via: jakefogelnest)

A Little Bit of Afternoon Fun: Yesterday we told you Joe and...

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 14:36:36 -0700

A Little Bit of Afternoon Fun:

Yesterday we told you Joe and Mandi hit the LA Film Fest for a screening of Pixar’s Brave. From what we hear it was a wonderful movie and great movie-going experience. Mandi highly recommends heading to the theater opening weekend!

Today, Pixar released its first movie prequel, Monster University. There may not be any Boo, but we’re pretty excited about another great installment in the Pixar collection.

Trailer: Pixar’s Monsters University - June 21

Directed by Dan Scanlon, with the voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Ken Jeong, Kelsey Grammer, Rob Riggle, and Julia Sweeney.

While Pixar’s track record with sequels is inconsistent, one could argue that the source material here is a lot better than it was for ‘Cars 2’. ‘Monsters University’, on the other hand, is a prequel which leads to its own set of issues (in that we already know how the story ends). The spot itself is clever and funny though, so there’s no reason to doubt this will be a success.

Oh, and one more thing: Crystal reportedly gave them so much material that they cut 4 versions of the trailer, so click through to the source link if you want to watch them all.

(via: popculturebrain: Coming Soon)

"Let’s all go outside and do something worth filming."

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:35:39 -0700

“Let’s all go outside and do something worth filming.”

- Brad Eshbach

This is my new mantra.

(via balltillifall)

Ours too. Now go do something wonderful today!

"I’m a film geek; I was raised on movies. And there come these times in life where you just get to a..."

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:52:08 -0700

“I’m a film geek; I was raised on movies. And there come these times in life where you just get to a spot when you feel like movies are betraying you. Where you’re right in the middle of true, painful life. Like, say, somebody could be sitting in a room somewhere, watching their father die of cancer, and all of a sudden it’s like, no this isn’t really happening, this is something I saw in Terms of Endearment. You’re at this moment where movies are betraying you, and you resent movies for maybe taking away from the painful truth of what’s happening to you.”

- Paul Thomas Anderson. From “Interview with Paul Thomas Anderson.” Magnolia: The Shooting Script. New York: Newmarket Press, 2000. 205. (via stayforthecredits)