My Turn to Blog - A message from the Producer

So, my girl name Carrie decided to get on me for not taking some time out to blog. Then my boy Jeff decides to jump on the bandwagon and get on me too...yeah, yeah....I'm trying people. So, today is my first blog. And it is going to be about winning. I like that topic today.

The process of making a film is damn hard, arduous at times, so much so that the last thing you want to do after a long day of negotiation and scheduling and phone calls, is talk about your feelings....i don't think I'd make the best blogger (smile). However, once you make it over the hump of getting it in the can, the movie that is, well that is when the real fun begins and the process of sharing your baby with the world happens. Film festivals, special screenings, screener copies being sent to people who are too lazy to come and see it with a live audience...the whole nine. I guess I should preface that comment by saying, it's only fun if you've made a good movie. Otherwise you get a serious of No, after No, rejection letters, from festivals, buyers, your cousin ray ray who thinks he knows what makes and good movie and what doesn't.

Well, its can be annoying and fun all at the same time. The nervous tickle you feel when the lights go down in a big theatre and the crowd goes silent in anticipation of the feature presentation. Will they laugh at all the right jokes? Will they get up and leave? Will the film (or in our case Digibeta Master) skip or stall? Its weird. Well I went through that this past week, when my first feature film Universal Remote had its LA premiere at the Hollywood HD/DV Film festival.

And I'm smiling.

Mainly because my first feature film won its first major win...the best comedy award at the Hollywood HD/DV Film festival. This festival is the The HHDFF is the premiere showcase for film shot in the digital format. Our Thursday night screening there broke the festival attendance record with an SRO audience of 200 plus. Some 40 or more people were turned away at the door. If you were one of those people, we apologize. The audience response was fantastic with people generally agreeing that we made an edgy, smart and funny movie that plays no favorites and takes no prisoners.

We've also been accepted into three other festivals so far including: the San Fernando Valley Film Festival, The DiY Film Festival (Los Angeles) and the ReelHeart International Film Festival in Toronto. Yeah, I finally have an excuse to go to Toronto finally. I'm probably the only producer i Los Angeles that hasn't spent anytime up there.

The animated Short Film "That Darn Jesus" has also been accepted into all three festivals, making it a busy time for me and Gary (the films' writer/director).

So there you have it. A little update, and my first blog ever! Wow, that wasn't' so bad. Only took me about 10 minutes and I didn't even have to talk about my feelings at all.

Well, I guess i should say that win rocks and I'm still smiling from ear to ear.

Until next time, everyone who cares, please give big kudos to Jeff and Carrie for calling me out for not sharing stuff with the world. To Carrie: I'm blogging girl, I'm Blogging!

Now, back to making movies.

Cheers,
Kibi
Producer (Universal Remote)

UNIVERSAL REMOTE WINS BEST COMEDY AT HOLLYWOOD HD FEST!

Our very own "Universal Remote" was selected Best Comedy Feature at the Hollywood HD Film Festival in Los Angeles Yesterday. The HHDFF is the premiere showcase for films shot in the digital format.

The March 29th screening broke the festival attendance record with an SRO audience of 200 plus. Some 40 or more people were turned away at the door. If you were one of those people, we apologize but you can't be on FEMA time.

The audience response was fantastic with people generally agreeing that we made an edgy, smart and funny movie that plays no favorites and takes no prisoners.

There were unconfirmed reports that at least three people busted a gut and one person shot diet coke through his nose while laughing.

There will be another screening soon for buyers so anyone who didn't get to see the film will have another chance.

Also, our film and it's animated short "That Darn Jesus" were selected for the ReelHart Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.

Thank you all again-- and "Gladiator" to you all.

Gary Hardwick - Director