Here we go...
June 10, 2009

We got films to make!

Even though it shifts between 50 and 70 degrees in Chicago, it is summer! And that means The Junction's got a lot to do. There's a music video in the works (you'll see that soon) and another short film. The first short will have a screening this year which will be a mini event in itself. And soon we'll be submitting Daylight for funding (you'll hear plenty about that).

Keep in touch and stay tuned. There'll be plenty to see by the end of the summer.

Professionals
May 12, 2009

If I could make movies with my friends for the rest of my life, I would.

Hands down.

You wouldn't have to bribe me or anything. I know that's not the cool thing to say. I'm supposed to say that I want to work with Spielberg or Coppola or Denzel or something like that. And I do. But from being around a few successful productions I always notice everyone on crew are friends of each other and have been friends for a while. It makes shooting easier and makes long days shorter.

And the truth is, professionals, true professionals, are a pleasure to work with. They push you creatively while keeping it light hearted. Because you can't be creative without giggling every now and then. Thanks to all my friends who helped with the latest production.

Special shout out to Santa Leal of www.santaleal.com. She shot pictures the day of our last shoot. They are all beautiful (as usual). Contact her for your next shoot.

Or else you're just stupid.

See. Professional!

It's a wrap...almost
May 3, 2009

We came. We shot. We...didn't have enough time to get it all in 2 days! A cast and crew of 12 of the most brilliant people I know converged on the fabulous Burlingham Studios in Evanston, Illinois to begin shooting a 5 to 7 minute epic beyond compare. Yes, we finally got together to shoot our short. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the space except till 6pm. 8 hours is not a lot of time in the movie world.

Fortunately, what we did get was wonderful. Pics from the shoot to come. We'll be officially wrapping before the end of the month when we converge again to finish 2 scenes. And then...

Casting
April 10, 2009

We've found our female lead. It is the wonderful Ms. Kelley Moseley (aka Kfleye).

Now, we've gotta lock down the male lead.

Doing casting calls, you get to see just how hard things are for actors. Especially black actors...or any actor that's not "mainstream".

Actors send in resumes for any movie no matter what the description.Maybe my casting call wasn't descriptive enough, but at the very least I know what it DIDN'T call for. When you send a casting call for a 25-30 year old slim black guy and get headshots of 50 year old bodybuilders, you know times are hard. So many actors (many of them actually good), so few parts. Well, there's always "Daylight"!

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This is it!
April 4, 2009

Making movies is time consuming.

What's even more time consuming is trying to find the time to make a movie. Well, I've finally found the time to make movies. Over the last 2 years I've written 3 scripts, directed and/or edited a few documentaries and have been working on a number of different commercials and music videos.

Unfortunately, I haven't had much time to let a lot of people know about what I'm doing. I haven't had much time to sleep let alone share the miraculous happenings and weird twists and turns of making these films.

Well, today I've officially taken time. Welcome to the trials and tribulations of a filmmaker. You'll see new projects, stuff that inspires me, things coming from friends and fellow colleagues that I think everyone should know about. Also there's a "bootleg" section (I don't know WHERE that stuff comes from) and a download section for giving away free music and other related Knicknacks.

Think of this as my own little variety show with a few invited special guests now and then. If you're interested in participating, funding, acting, etc. in any of the projects listed in Pre, Pro or Post production, contact me here.

Thanks and enjoy the ride.

-Keith Purvis
(aka The BrandNew)