Click on the link below for a feature story on Beautiful Noise from the Sarasota / Longboat Key Observer:
http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/A-and-E/0330201111004/The-noisemaker
Thanks Heidi!
________________________
Jay flew in with his drummer, Bill Whitacre, last night to prep for Friday's Beautiful Noise Live! Concert in Sarasota. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Cosimos Too! then headed out to the legendary Five O'Clock Club to catch the Tony Tyler Band in action. Tony's band is backing Jay & Danielles' sets at tomorrow nights' concert at the Riverview H.S. Performing Arts Center...and they are set to rock the venue. Rehearsals happening this afternoon and all day tomorrow prior to the 8:00 pm show. Looks like a really good crowd will be on hand for the kickoff event of our Beautiful Noise marketing extravaganza. Really looking forward to Danielle, Chris McCarty, Dean Johanesen, Bud Buckley and the rest of the gang performing songs from the movie Live, followed by Jay's dynamic Neil Diamond show.
I could use a Diamond-fix Friday night. Everybody needs a little "Sweet Caroline" every now and then...
ST
Beautiful Noise Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Beautiful Noise Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchells' classic "Free Man In Paris" is a featured song in our Musical-Drama, but as the Countdown continues toward our April 9th World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival, Joni's hit "Both Sides Now" has been playing non-stop in my head. A friend asked me today how I felt as we near those Opening Night audiences and the Q&A sessions that follow each screening. I honestly haven't had time to dwell on any of that 'cause we're buttoning up post production and prepping for the big Beautiful Noise Live! Concert event in Sarasota this Friday night. But the question lingered all day and got me thinking about the magnitude of my first feature film being screened to over 1,500 people at a world-class film festival in a few days. As a result, Joni's lyrics from Both Sides Now ring out and set the reflective mood I'm in:
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at Life that way...
I admit it. Among other things, I'm a hopeless romantic...but I don't apologize for that 'cause it fuels my writing and enabled me to pen Beautiful Noise in a way that helps me tell the Story I wanted to tell. I'm anxious to see how people respond to the film and I carry a heavy load knowing that the decisions I made making this movie affect the forward motion of the careers of my terrific Cast & Crew...and my own. But I do love the process and I am proud of what we've accomplished - and this dream to create a full-blown indie production company here in Sarasota has become a reality. Now we're about to be judged, and...
Now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
Making this movie is the hardest thing I've ever done. I mean, it's just been unbelievable what it took to see this through to this point...and as noted in the previous blog post, it's just the end of the beginning. Now the real heavy lifting takes place trying to raise the needed capital to promote our film and Sarasota indie filmmaking around the world. But I'm a believer. I was relentless in my pursuit of the goal to make a high quality, low budget film here on the Suncoast and I know I made a lot of new friends and no doubt a few new enemies along the way. But that's what it takes to make positive things happen. You keep moving forward no matter what and hope that people understand and embrace the effort. The rest is up to the Universe and the movie gods.
I've looked at Life from both sides now
From Win & Lose and still somehow
It's Life's illusions I recall
I really don't know Life at all
In the final analysis, this movie won't make or break me and my BN Team. After all, nobody knows what the future holds - but I can say one thing with complete command and authority. This process has been a teachable moment in my life. Win or lose, I've learned a lot...and the most important thing I've learned is...if you never ever give up and never ever give in you can succeed beyond your wildest dreams and inspire those you love and work with to do the same - and that action can be life-changing for them. At that point it doesn't really matter how many critics love our movie or how much the worldwide grosses are a coupla years from now. What matters most is I did my best, I saw it through, I'm going to continue to make entertaining, marketable feature films the rest of my life and some members of my Cast & Crew will benefit immensely from their time spent with me creating Beautiful Noise. And for that I'm eternally grateful.
ST
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at Life that way...
I admit it. Among other things, I'm a hopeless romantic...but I don't apologize for that 'cause it fuels my writing and enabled me to pen Beautiful Noise in a way that helps me tell the Story I wanted to tell. I'm anxious to see how people respond to the film and I carry a heavy load knowing that the decisions I made making this movie affect the forward motion of the careers of my terrific Cast & Crew...and my own. But I do love the process and I am proud of what we've accomplished - and this dream to create a full-blown indie production company here in Sarasota has become a reality. Now we're about to be judged, and...
Now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
Making this movie is the hardest thing I've ever done. I mean, it's just been unbelievable what it took to see this through to this point...and as noted in the previous blog post, it's just the end of the beginning. Now the real heavy lifting takes place trying to raise the needed capital to promote our film and Sarasota indie filmmaking around the world. But I'm a believer. I was relentless in my pursuit of the goal to make a high quality, low budget film here on the Suncoast and I know I made a lot of new friends and no doubt a few new enemies along the way. But that's what it takes to make positive things happen. You keep moving forward no matter what and hope that people understand and embrace the effort. The rest is up to the Universe and the movie gods.
I've looked at Life from both sides now
From Win & Lose and still somehow
It's Life's illusions I recall
I really don't know Life at all
In the final analysis, this movie won't make or break me and my BN Team. After all, nobody knows what the future holds - but I can say one thing with complete command and authority. This process has been a teachable moment in my life. Win or lose, I've learned a lot...and the most important thing I've learned is...if you never ever give up and never ever give in you can succeed beyond your wildest dreams and inspire those you love and work with to do the same - and that action can be life-changing for them. At that point it doesn't really matter how many critics love our movie or how much the worldwide grosses are a coupla years from now. What matters most is I did my best, I saw it through, I'm going to continue to make entertaining, marketable feature films the rest of my life and some members of my Cast & Crew will benefit immensely from their time spent with me creating Beautiful Noise. And for that I'm eternally grateful.
ST
Monday, March 28, 2011
Beautiful Noise - the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Picked up the Master of our BN Soundtrack from Steve Connelly of Zen Recording and shipped it off to the company creating our CD's and Download cards. But before that epic activity I sat by myself in my production office and listened to the album start to finish. 18 songs filled with memorable lyrics and melodies and incredible performances from our Cast washed over me for over an hour. Beautiful Noise soars every time one of these songs is performed in the movie...yet when the album is listened to without interruption a different kind of experience unfolds...one that allows you to conjure up your own images of what the songs mean. In the context of the movie...these songs, collectively, literally make the film what it is...an entertaining and meaningful cinematic experience...at least from my completely biased point of view. But even without the film, these songs and this album serves as a wonderful example of what the Gift of Song can do to heal, inspire and transport us to a place where only Music can take you. Based on that prospect alone, buying this Soundtrack could be the best ten bucks you ever spent.
I'm proud of our movie and really excited about how the album turned out. You can purchase it this weekend at our BN Live! Concert in Sarasota Friday night or online this weekend at http://www.beautifulnoisethemovie.com/. Please let me know what you think of it.
ST
I'm proud of our movie and really excited about how the album turned out. You can purchase it this weekend at our BN Live! Concert in Sarasota Friday night or online this weekend at http://www.beautifulnoisethemovie.com/. Please let me know what you think of it.
ST
Sunday, March 27, 2011
End of the Beginning
I've been going flat out around the clock since the moment I stepped off the red-eye from L.A. Friday morning. It's hard to believe that today - Sunday, March 27, 2011 - is the last day of post-production on Beautiful Noise. Yesterday I approved the final pass of color correction and special effects and last night Marc and I edited in the revised End Credits. I can't say enough good things about the incredible job Courtney Penna & Brett Jones did on the cc & vfx...as now, coupled with the work I did all week with Dolby sound supervisor and master-mixer Dino Herrmann, the film looks and sounds like a completely different movie. For weeks now we've had a tremendous response from all those who were invited to critique various rough cuts of BN, but I can already tell from the quick review I had with Marc during the credits session that something amazing has taken place. Not only do all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly, but the effect of fitting them all together has created something new and fresh. It's now...finally...the movie I set out to make.
Later today I will sit alone with Marc and watch Beautiful Noise from start to finish from a moviegoers' point of view. Wendy's orders. I could tweak this forever, but now it's time to watch it without interruption and see and hear how it all washes over me. If something really jumps out and takes me out of the moment I know Marc can still go in and adjust...but otherwise, today is the last time I'll see this movie before we share it with the masses. I'm already starting to get the same feeling I had the day after we completed principal photography when I was overwhelmed with a cascade of relief, joy and depression all at the same time. The only saving grace is I have no time to dwell on any of those feelings because my full attention will turn tomorrow to prepping for the Beautiful Noise Live! Sarasota Concert next Friday at Riverviews' Performing Arts Center; leading my BN Team in an all-out effort to promote our World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival starting April 9th; booking our US & European Movie & Concert promotional tour and - best of all - setting up our pre-production dates for the back-to-back filming of the Beautiful Noise prequel - Serenade and the sequel - Heartlight...both of which I'm filming back-to-back this summer and fall right here on Florida's Suncoast.
Tony Bennett is famous for stating that he's never worked a day in his life 'cause singing to him is his Bliss...it's not work. I can identify. I've been very fortunate in my life to have been able to pursue many different opportunities...some that were given to me...some that I created. But nothing remotely compares to my journey to become a Filmmaker and the creation of this movie out of thin air . I feel like an athlete who has given everything he has to help his Team win the Game and who left every ounce of effort he had out on the playing field...or artists like Neil Diamond or Bruce Springsteen, who just absolutely give it up and who pour their heart and soul into every single concert performance, leaving the stage only after they've given their all. I've been in the front row to see those guys empty their vessel in front of thousands to deliver the most memorable performance they possibly can. When they walk off that stage wringing wet you know they had nothing left to give...and win or lose...they shared a piece of their soul with you.
That's exactly how I feel. I can't do any more. I'm all in...and either way it goes, my BN Band of Filmmakers and I have emptied the tank. The result of our collective effort will be on display come April 9th at the Sarasota Film Festival and then at film festivals and showcases around the world. I can't wait to sit in the audience on Opening Night with my Cast & Crew and experience everything that has become Beautiful Noise...The Movie.
ST
Later today I will sit alone with Marc and watch Beautiful Noise from start to finish from a moviegoers' point of view. Wendy's orders. I could tweak this forever, but now it's time to watch it without interruption and see and hear how it all washes over me. If something really jumps out and takes me out of the moment I know Marc can still go in and adjust...but otherwise, today is the last time I'll see this movie before we share it with the masses. I'm already starting to get the same feeling I had the day after we completed principal photography when I was overwhelmed with a cascade of relief, joy and depression all at the same time. The only saving grace is I have no time to dwell on any of those feelings because my full attention will turn tomorrow to prepping for the Beautiful Noise Live! Sarasota Concert next Friday at Riverviews' Performing Arts Center; leading my BN Team in an all-out effort to promote our World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival starting April 9th; booking our US & European Movie & Concert promotional tour and - best of all - setting up our pre-production dates for the back-to-back filming of the Beautiful Noise prequel - Serenade and the sequel - Heartlight...both of which I'm filming back-to-back this summer and fall right here on Florida's Suncoast.
Tony Bennett is famous for stating that he's never worked a day in his life 'cause singing to him is his Bliss...it's not work. I can identify. I've been very fortunate in my life to have been able to pursue many different opportunities...some that were given to me...some that I created. But nothing remotely compares to my journey to become a Filmmaker and the creation of this movie out of thin air . I feel like an athlete who has given everything he has to help his Team win the Game and who left every ounce of effort he had out on the playing field...or artists like Neil Diamond or Bruce Springsteen, who just absolutely give it up and who pour their heart and soul into every single concert performance, leaving the stage only after they've given their all. I've been in the front row to see those guys empty their vessel in front of thousands to deliver the most memorable performance they possibly can. When they walk off that stage wringing wet you know they had nothing left to give...and win or lose...they shared a piece of their soul with you.
That's exactly how I feel. I can't do any more. I'm all in...and either way it goes, my BN Band of Filmmakers and I have emptied the tank. The result of our collective effort will be on display come April 9th at the Sarasota Film Festival and then at film festivals and showcases around the world. I can't wait to sit in the audience on Opening Night with my Cast & Crew and experience everything that has become Beautiful Noise...The Movie.
ST
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Inspiration from The Greek
Staying over one additional day in L.A. 'cause the Dolby Surround Sound sessions were extended the moment I heard post-production sound mix master Dino Herrmann play keyboard with some of Dean Johanesen's gorgeous guitar score for Beautiful Noise. I got so wrapped up in Dino's performance that I went back through the film and looked for other areas where Dean's score could be enhanced with piano and strings. The little spaces we found didn't seem like much at first glance, but by the time Dino and I zeroed in on them they became incredibly critical pieces of music that bridge dramatic sequences. Can't tell you how much I love meshing the sights and sounds of the movie together. The collaborative process is something I not only welcome but absolutely crave...and the Teamwork involved to bring the world Beautiful Noise is paying off immensely as I craft the final cut of my vision of the film.
For inspiration to start this last day of the Sound Design and final mix in the City of Angels I had Dino drive me up the street from his studio to a music venue that has always held a special attraction and reverence to me - the Greek Theatre - home of Neil Diamond's legendary "Hot August Night" shows and albums. Walking around the Greek, a beautiful 5,000 seat amphitheatre nestled in the most amazing locale I've ever seen, was nothing short of a religious experience for me. I played that classic vinyl album so many times all those years ago that all I had to do was stroll around the venue and let the total recall of every song from those live recordings wash over me. It was an amazing experience as my vivid imagination kicked into overdrive and transported me back to a time and place in my life where all my dreams and ambitions were all spread out in front of me.
Beautiful Noise the Movie is not about Neil Diamond in any way, shape or form and none of his songs are in the film...but those who know me well understand that everybody has a musical oasis in their life where they go to seek inspiration, guidance, pure enjoyment or to be healed from difficult circumstances that crop up - that's the magic of Music - and for me, the music and lyrics of Mr. Diamond have been a part of my DNA since my teens - so his musical vibe instinctively informs everything I do creatively. So the Story I've written and directed and the original songs I've chosen most definitely appeal to my senses and passions as surely as Neil's songs appeal to and represent his take on Life and Love. And that's the connection. Diamonds' songs move me...period. And this movie moves me emotionally in the same way. I hope that everyone who experiences Beautiful Noise comes away from it feeling something real. Love it...hate it...laugh...cry...identify with a character or two...groove to the music...whatever. I just hope it grabs you in some way. Then I know my Team and I have done our job.
Please let me know when you see it. Either way it goes, the feedback will be much appreciated.
I'm still learning.
ST
For inspiration to start this last day of the Sound Design and final mix in the City of Angels I had Dino drive me up the street from his studio to a music venue that has always held a special attraction and reverence to me - the Greek Theatre - home of Neil Diamond's legendary "Hot August Night" shows and albums. Walking around the Greek, a beautiful 5,000 seat amphitheatre nestled in the most amazing locale I've ever seen, was nothing short of a religious experience for me. I played that classic vinyl album so many times all those years ago that all I had to do was stroll around the venue and let the total recall of every song from those live recordings wash over me. It was an amazing experience as my vivid imagination kicked into overdrive and transported me back to a time and place in my life where all my dreams and ambitions were all spread out in front of me.
Beautiful Noise the Movie is not about Neil Diamond in any way, shape or form and none of his songs are in the film...but those who know me well understand that everybody has a musical oasis in their life where they go to seek inspiration, guidance, pure enjoyment or to be healed from difficult circumstances that crop up - that's the magic of Music - and for me, the music and lyrics of Mr. Diamond have been a part of my DNA since my teens - so his musical vibe instinctively informs everything I do creatively. So the Story I've written and directed and the original songs I've chosen most definitely appeal to my senses and passions as surely as Neil's songs appeal to and represent his take on Life and Love. And that's the connection. Diamonds' songs move me...period. And this movie moves me emotionally in the same way. I hope that everyone who experiences Beautiful Noise comes away from it feeling something real. Love it...hate it...laugh...cry...identify with a character or two...groove to the music...whatever. I just hope it grabs you in some way. Then I know my Team and I have done our job.
Please let me know when you see it. Either way it goes, the feedback will be much appreciated.
I'm still learning.
ST
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Everyone Needs A Dino
I'm two 18-hr days into the final sound mix in L.A. and I'm convinced more than ever that Beautiful Noise is absolutely going to amaze people on so many levels...but none more than the Sound Design! Dino Herrmann is any Director's best friend and an absolute genius when it comes to the final stereo and dolby sound mixes we're creating. Recommended by co-producer/editor Marc Alcorn, Dino has taken our film to a new level. Sitting beside him throughout this final stage of the movie to direct and approve his work has been both educational and emotional. Educational because I now know all the possibilities that exist to enhance the sound quality of my films; emotional because I never really knew for sure how the combination of the final cut of the film and the final sound mix would hit me. Marc and I edited for months using the most basic tracks of the songs...so as I sit here in Dino's home studio watching BN on a huge screen and listening to the fully produced songs blasting through his incredible speaker system, it's like watching the film for the very first time. And it's just an undescribable rush. I couldn't be happier with the overall sound of our film and I'm grateful to have a pro like Dino on our BN Team. His outstanding work on our movie elevates both the cinematic experience of our audiences and the potential of securing worldwide distribution.
Danielle popped in to Dino's studio this afternoon between college classes and cut her background vocals to a wonderful Dean Johanesen composition titled Backroads...a song Jay sings at a pivotal point in the film. Danielle, as always, nailed her vocal and also completed some ADR work on some of her dialogue on location. It's apropo that Danielle cut both the first and last vocal on our Soundtrack.
Today's other Huge Smile was brought on by the notification by the FilmDayton folks that Beautiful Noise has been selected to be screened at the Dayton Film Festival May 20-22. I'm really happy my family and friends from my old hometown will be able to see the movie.
ST
Danielle popped in to Dino's studio this afternoon between college classes and cut her background vocals to a wonderful Dean Johanesen composition titled Backroads...a song Jay sings at a pivotal point in the film. Danielle, as always, nailed her vocal and also completed some ADR work on some of her dialogue on location. It's apropo that Danielle cut both the first and last vocal on our Soundtrack.
Today's other Huge Smile was brought on by the notification by the FilmDayton folks that Beautiful Noise has been selected to be screened at the Dayton Film Festival May 20-22. I'm really happy my family and friends from my old hometown will be able to see the movie.
ST
Sunday, March 20, 2011
BN Executive Producer - Wendy Williams
Writing this blog post at 30,000 feet while I'm jetting to L.A. to direct the 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound mix for our musical-drama. There's so much happening now in these last two weeks of post-production I could post new info every coupla hours...
As I write this the Color Correction process is wrapping up in Sarasota; the Soundtrack CD is being mastered and the CD art work is in final design; VIP invitations to our World Premiere are being readied for Suncoast-based investors; the Beautiful Noise Live! Band is deep into the rehearsal process for our April 1st concert at Sarasota's Riverview Performing Arts Center; and forward planning on our international film festival marketing is in full swing. Thank God I'm flying cross-country tonight...it gives my cellphone and brain a little time to rest up.
The biggest news this past week is that my friend and film consigliere, Wendy Williams, decided to join our Beautiful Noise Team as our Executive Producer. Wendy, a Suncoast resident, is among the most sought-after Line Producers & Production Managers in Hollywood - and she's a HUGE addition to our film. Wendy's experience in the movie biz working with the biggest Directors, Producers & Stars in all of filmdom and her association with every major studio instantly gives Beautiful Noise a direct pipeline to the decision makers who determine which indie films get picked up for Distribution. While that guarantees us zero in terms of signing a deal, it does guarantee that we'll be noticed by the right people - so our movie will at least get a look-see by the powers that be at some point in the process. This new development, coupled with our aggressive film festival marketing strategy, really gives us a lot of momentum and positive buzz - as Wendy is not the type to put her name, passion or industry contacts on the line unless she believes heart and soul. She has watched my Team work our tails off for months as we worked through every challenge every indie film faces and she paid close attention to the kind of people I brought on board to craft our film. Wendy may work all over the globe on $100-200 million dollar films 10 months a year, but at her core she's still a filmmaker who started on the ground floor and worked her way up - so she truly appreciates seeing a Sarasota-based movie like ours struggle and succeed against the odds.
Wendy's decision to join us is not an 'honorary role'. She's hands-on and was with me at 8:00 am this morning helping me make crucial decisions on the final edit and color correction. Wendy is a game-changer for us. I was determined to make this movie my way no matter what challenges came up - but having Wendy at my side to guide us through post-production and the distribution process lightens my load and instantly makes us a real 'contender'. Her involvement gives us the kind of credibility in Hollywood circles that no amount of money could by. She believes in me, in my Cast & Crew and in all things Beautiful Noise. And we believe in her.
It's both an honor and privilege to have this multi-talented filmmaker as our Executive Producer.
Here's the list of a few of the major movies and TV series' Wendy has on her long list of Hollywood credits. Look 'em up and check out the Directors and Stars she's worked with. She has some amazing stories about the "studio system" and her journey to the top echelon of major league filmmaking.
Beautiful Noise is her first indie film she has executive produced.
Rise of the Apes (unit production manager) (post-production) Thanksgiving, 2011
As I write this the Color Correction process is wrapping up in Sarasota; the Soundtrack CD is being mastered and the CD art work is in final design; VIP invitations to our World Premiere are being readied for Suncoast-based investors; the Beautiful Noise Live! Band is deep into the rehearsal process for our April 1st concert at Sarasota's Riverview Performing Arts Center; and forward planning on our international film festival marketing is in full swing. Thank God I'm flying cross-country tonight...it gives my cellphone and brain a little time to rest up.
The biggest news this past week is that my friend and film consigliere, Wendy Williams, decided to join our Beautiful Noise Team as our Executive Producer. Wendy, a Suncoast resident, is among the most sought-after Line Producers & Production Managers in Hollywood - and she's a HUGE addition to our film. Wendy's experience in the movie biz working with the biggest Directors, Producers & Stars in all of filmdom and her association with every major studio instantly gives Beautiful Noise a direct pipeline to the decision makers who determine which indie films get picked up for Distribution. While that guarantees us zero in terms of signing a deal, it does guarantee that we'll be noticed by the right people - so our movie will at least get a look-see by the powers that be at some point in the process. This new development, coupled with our aggressive film festival marketing strategy, really gives us a lot of momentum and positive buzz - as Wendy is not the type to put her name, passion or industry contacts on the line unless she believes heart and soul. She has watched my Team work our tails off for months as we worked through every challenge every indie film faces and she paid close attention to the kind of people I brought on board to craft our film. Wendy may work all over the globe on $100-200 million dollar films 10 months a year, but at her core she's still a filmmaker who started on the ground floor and worked her way up - so she truly appreciates seeing a Sarasota-based movie like ours struggle and succeed against the odds.
Wendy's decision to join us is not an 'honorary role'. She's hands-on and was with me at 8:00 am this morning helping me make crucial decisions on the final edit and color correction. Wendy is a game-changer for us. I was determined to make this movie my way no matter what challenges came up - but having Wendy at my side to guide us through post-production and the distribution process lightens my load and instantly makes us a real 'contender'. Her involvement gives us the kind of credibility in Hollywood circles that no amount of money could by. She believes in me, in my Cast & Crew and in all things Beautiful Noise. And we believe in her.
It's both an honor and privilege to have this multi-talented filmmaker as our Executive Producer.
Here's the list of a few of the major movies and TV series' Wendy has on her long list of Hollywood credits. Look 'em up and check out the Directors and Stars she's worked with. She has some amazing stories about the "studio system" and her journey to the top echelon of major league filmmaking.
Beautiful Noise is her first indie film she has executive produced.
Rise of the Apes (unit production manager) (post-production) Thanksgiving, 2011
ST
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Opening & Closing Credits
So many people to thank for helping us bring Beautiful Noise to the masses. It's 4:15 am Saturday morning and I'm late getting the credit info to Marc & Ralph so they can configure and place the info in the film. As I take a moment in this pre-dawn hour to buckle down and review exactly where the Opening credits go in the timeline and carefully review the endless list of people and companies that need to be recognized in the End credits, I'm both amazed and grateful at the sheer volume of support our production has garnered. Everyone listed was instrumental in the making of the film. Everyone listed said "Yes" when we needed it most. It's overwhelming to think back and wonder how we could have ever made it through the storm of creating an indie Musical-Drama without these terrific people. Words can't express what they all mean to me...so I'll think of something special to do for them as a small token of my gratitude for answering the call...
My thanks to everyone who have bought tix to our Sold Out 7:00 pm show for our April 9 World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival. I understand there's a few tix left for the 2nd screening at 9:15 pm that same night...and of course they're also screening Beautiful Noise 4 more times during the festival...so come join us in downtown SRQ before the SFF ends if you miss our Opening Night screenings and Premiere Party at Ceviche.
Special Thanks also to Lenny & Gino and all our friends at WTMY AM 1280 in Sarasota for the great support and the live interview opportunity. I'm back on another show this morning at 9:30 am to chat about the BN concert and World premiere, so listen in or stream it live for your viewing pleasure.
Big news to announce in a Press Release next Monday about an important new member of the Beautiful Noise Team. I'll fill you all in later today on that. For now, I've gotta get moving on these credits and get 'em to the BN Team before they wake up...as I promised to email the info to them so they could finish their work by Noon tomorrow...I mean today.
ST
My thanks to everyone who have bought tix to our Sold Out 7:00 pm show for our April 9 World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival. I understand there's a few tix left for the 2nd screening at 9:15 pm that same night...and of course they're also screening Beautiful Noise 4 more times during the festival...so come join us in downtown SRQ before the SFF ends if you miss our Opening Night screenings and Premiere Party at Ceviche.
Special Thanks also to Lenny & Gino and all our friends at WTMY AM 1280 in Sarasota for the great support and the live interview opportunity. I'm back on another show this morning at 9:30 am to chat about the BN concert and World premiere, so listen in or stream it live for your viewing pleasure.
Big news to announce in a Press Release next Monday about an important new member of the Beautiful Noise Team. I'll fill you all in later today on that. For now, I've gotta get moving on these credits and get 'em to the BN Team before they wake up...as I promised to email the info to them so they could finish their work by Noon tomorrow...I mean today.
ST
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Media Matters
Lots to do before I catch a flight to L.A. in a few days to complete post production on the film. So far every phase of Beautiful Noise took place here on the Suncoast...but the one thing I can't do here in Sarasota is add Dolby Surround Sound to all the audio tracks...which is such a huge thing for a Musical...so I'm SoCal-bound soon to direct the Final Mix of a Musical-Drama that I'm extremely proud of. But first, I'm editing the opening & end credits; presiding over a crucial Sarasota & St Pete film festival marketing meeting Friday so our BN Team can help our movie get the most mileage out of our Official Selections to these great events; and I'm finishing off the week preparing for the media onslaught that's about to take place.
Tomorrow morning I'll appear live on Sarasota's WTMY 1280 AM to promote the film and the April 1st Beautiful Noise Live! Concert - then I'll work with Mandy on copy for the radio spots and discuss the upcoming slate of print and TV interviews lined up for Jay, Danielle, Kimber and me. It's really great watching the media sources from Ft Myers to Venice and from Sarasota to St Pete getting so charged up about BN. Shooting the film entirely on location here in southwest Florida automatically gets the media's attention...but now that word is seeping out that we might have a 'sleeper hit' on our hands just serves to create an even bigger buzz. A positive response from our hometown audiences and media will go a long, long way to help me showcase BN around the country and indeed in overseas markets.
Mandy and I attended the Sarasota Film Festival's Sponsors & Media Reception yesterday and we were greeted warmly by the film fest folks and local feature writers. Everyone is anxious to see the movie. I still couldn't believe my eyes when I paged through the Film Guide that listed all the Movies, Documentaries and Shorts set to screen at the SFF. Most every film is being screened twice, but Beautiful Noise was the only one scheduled for a record-setting six showcases from April 9 to 17. I knew we had a shot to make the cut to get into this world-class film festival...but I never dreamed we'd be embraced the way we are...and our 7:00 April 9 World Premiere screening is already Sold Out! Pretty cool stuff...
As to the publicity side of things, don't let anybody kid you...the media matters. It's important for you up-and-coming indie filmmakers to work hard to meet with every media source of any kind that's willing to discuss your film. From the terrific local newspapers to the TV stations right down to the high school radio stations...you just have to work tirelessly to promote your film whenever the opportunity presents itself. It's all an indie production can do just to make the film...so in most cases there's zero budget for marketing. Don't let that sobering thought depress you. Tweet and Facebook your tail off like there's no tomorrow and accept every invitation to talk about your movie. You can get the word out and you can find the audience for your film...but you have to be as relentless to get the attention of the media as you were to get your movie made. Actually, even more so.
One look in the mirror tells me I need to get my tan together fast and lose the bags under my eyes before our World Premiere and the media spotlight shines on us. That brief window of media attention has to help us launch our movie and build for the future...so I suspect that it might be helpful to the cause if the writer/producer/director of the film looks vibrant and is able to articulate all the wonders of making Beautiful Noise without dropping off to sleep in the middle of an interview!
Gotta pace myself. Once the sprint of completing post production is over next week...it's right back to running the marathon of marketing the film. It's a race that needs to be won and there are no shortcuts. Just peaks and valleys to negotiate. I'm thankful I grew up playing ice hockey. Indie filmmaking is a full contact sport...and vivid memories of those winning, ultra-competitive years of my youth guide and serve me well today on this Beautiful Noise Journey.
Tomorrow morning I'll appear live on Sarasota's WTMY 1280 AM to promote the film and the April 1st Beautiful Noise Live! Concert - then I'll work with Mandy on copy for the radio spots and discuss the upcoming slate of print and TV interviews lined up for Jay, Danielle, Kimber and me. It's really great watching the media sources from Ft Myers to Venice and from Sarasota to St Pete getting so charged up about BN. Shooting the film entirely on location here in southwest Florida automatically gets the media's attention...but now that word is seeping out that we might have a 'sleeper hit' on our hands just serves to create an even bigger buzz. A positive response from our hometown audiences and media will go a long, long way to help me showcase BN around the country and indeed in overseas markets.
Mandy and I attended the Sarasota Film Festival's Sponsors & Media Reception yesterday and we were greeted warmly by the film fest folks and local feature writers. Everyone is anxious to see the movie. I still couldn't believe my eyes when I paged through the Film Guide that listed all the Movies, Documentaries and Shorts set to screen at the SFF. Most every film is being screened twice, but Beautiful Noise was the only one scheduled for a record-setting six showcases from April 9 to 17. I knew we had a shot to make the cut to get into this world-class film festival...but I never dreamed we'd be embraced the way we are...and our 7:00 April 9 World Premiere screening is already Sold Out! Pretty cool stuff...
As to the publicity side of things, don't let anybody kid you...the media matters. It's important for you up-and-coming indie filmmakers to work hard to meet with every media source of any kind that's willing to discuss your film. From the terrific local newspapers to the TV stations right down to the high school radio stations...you just have to work tirelessly to promote your film whenever the opportunity presents itself. It's all an indie production can do just to make the film...so in most cases there's zero budget for marketing. Don't let that sobering thought depress you. Tweet and Facebook your tail off like there's no tomorrow and accept every invitation to talk about your movie. You can get the word out and you can find the audience for your film...but you have to be as relentless to get the attention of the media as you were to get your movie made. Actually, even more so.
One look in the mirror tells me I need to get my tan together fast and lose the bags under my eyes before our World Premiere and the media spotlight shines on us. That brief window of media attention has to help us launch our movie and build for the future...so I suspect that it might be helpful to the cause if the writer/producer/director of the film looks vibrant and is able to articulate all the wonders of making Beautiful Noise without dropping off to sleep in the middle of an interview!
Gotta pace myself. Once the sprint of completing post production is over next week...it's right back to running the marathon of marketing the film. It's a race that needs to be won and there are no shortcuts. Just peaks and valleys to negotiate. I'm thankful I grew up playing ice hockey. Indie filmmaking is a full contact sport...and vivid memories of those winning, ultra-competitive years of my youth guide and serve me well today on this Beautiful Noise Journey.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
"Holly Holy" and then some...
Our April 1st Beautiful Noise Live! Concert is going to be a barnburner. I spent the afternoon working with our Sarasota-based All-Star band that will back up Danielle in the show (after what promises to be an amazing opening set from BN co-star Chris McCarty) - then they will perform with Jay for his entire Neil Diamond Concert. All I can say is that this is a show you can't afford to miss if (a) you wanna hear most of the songs from the movie sung live by our Cast members & (b) you wanna see the worlds' #1 Diamond performer (save for Neil himself) perform Neil's greatest hits with a band that will have you on your feet and dancing in the aisles all night long! It's gonna be a ton of entertainment for the $20 ticket and a chance to get a sneak preview of the Soundtrack & Movie as we'll be showing snippets of the film throughout the concert event at Sarasota's Riverview H.S. Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are on sale now at http://www.beautifulnoisethemovie.com/.
The first show of the BN Live! World Tour. Don't miss it when we showcase the movie and bring the concert to your city!
ST
Tickets are on sale now at http://www.beautifulnoisethemovie.com/.
The first show of the BN Live! World Tour. Don't miss it when we showcase the movie and bring the concert to your city!
ST
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"Beautiful Noise" - already a Sell Out!
Huge news today. This morning I learned that the initial screening of our World Premiere at the Sarasota Film festival on April 9th is already Sold Out! SFF tix don't go on sale to the public until Friday, but since we were blessed with a record-setting 6 screenings of BN by the programmers, the festival allowed me to conduct a pre-sale promotion this week. As a result, the 7:00 pm screening has sold clean and the 9:15 show that follows it is well on its way to a sellout as well. Thank God there's 4 more screenings scheduled...as I know the buzz is getting stronger every day about Beautiful Noise. My P/R- Marketing Director is under siege for tickets to our Opening Night screenings and the Premiere Party afterward at Ceviche in downtown Sarasota. What a wonderful dilemma...
To top off the day I just received the happy news that Beautiful Noise has just become an Official Selection of the SUNSCREEN Film Festival happening in St. Pete, Florida April 13-17! What more can I say? We're on a roll!
ST
To top off the day I just received the happy news that Beautiful Noise has just become an Official Selection of the SUNSCREEN Film Festival happening in St. Pete, Florida April 13-17! What more can I say? We're on a roll!
ST
Monday, March 14, 2011
"Play Me" - The Story Of His Life
Spending time plotting our marketing strategy with our Executive Producer, Wendy Williams, never fails to turn into an all day session where I learn more about the movie biz than you can learn in a year at film school. This highly regarded Hollywood producer & production manager has been my consigliere on Beautiful Noise almost from the start - and after working closely with my Team for months to help us shape the film, I was thrilled when she agreed to come on board as our Exec Producer. Wendy's credits include movies with $100 million + budgets and working with some of the top Directors and Actors in Hollywood, so it's a rare and special treat that she has joined our troupe and is guiding us on our Indie Journey.
At the end of our World Premiere planning session today, Wendy asked me about the slate of movies I'm readying for production in the next few years. One of them is a film titled Play Me - a fictional story based loosely on the life of our BN star, Jay White. I think I can make a terrific Musical based on Jay's trials and tribulations on his way to becoming the world's #1 Neil Diamond Tribute artist. Wendy loved the idea but came up with the better angle to go for broke and make a no-holds-barred documentary about Jay and his Diamond career. Play Me will be shot this summer as we follow this talented performer around the world as we promote Beautiful Noise and showcase the Beautiful Noise Live! Concert event. Wendy's right. Jay's story need not be fictionalized as the truth is better than fiction in his case. So we'll be documenting everything on our US & European movie concert tour this year and capture Jay's incredible Story...the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of it. It's going to be a gripping true-life drama and one helluva Musical piece...as we'll be capturing Jay's live performances as he tours with his movie co-stars.
Play Me will be shot and edited before I start principal photography this fall on the Beautiful Noise prequel & sequel - Serenade & Heartlight. Can't wait to get started.
ST
At the end of our World Premiere planning session today, Wendy asked me about the slate of movies I'm readying for production in the next few years. One of them is a film titled Play Me - a fictional story based loosely on the life of our BN star, Jay White. I think I can make a terrific Musical based on Jay's trials and tribulations on his way to becoming the world's #1 Neil Diamond Tribute artist. Wendy loved the idea but came up with the better angle to go for broke and make a no-holds-barred documentary about Jay and his Diamond career. Play Me will be shot this summer as we follow this talented performer around the world as we promote Beautiful Noise and showcase the Beautiful Noise Live! Concert event. Wendy's right. Jay's story need not be fictionalized as the truth is better than fiction in his case. So we'll be documenting everything on our US & European movie concert tour this year and capture Jay's incredible Story...the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of it. It's going to be a gripping true-life drama and one helluva Musical piece...as we'll be capturing Jay's live performances as he tours with his movie co-stars.
Play Me will be shot and edited before I start principal photography this fall on the Beautiful Noise prequel & sequel - Serenade & Heartlight. Can't wait to get started.
ST
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A Sprint To The Finish Line
Spent the day at the rehearsal of our Sarasota-based Beautiful Noise Live! band that's prepping for the April 1st concert at Riverview's Performing Arts Hall and afterwards mapped out the Gameplan for the June/July segment of our combined Movie & Concert showcase Tour to Ireland and the UK with band leader Tony Tyler, a terrific Suncoast musician/singer/songwriter. Everyone's excited about taking the show on the road after the inaugural Sarasota concert...
Today's light schedule was a rarity as from here on out it's going to be a sprint to the finish until our BN World Premiere on April 9th at the Sarasota Film Festival. Pulling together the final elements of post-production on the film; prepping for the BN Concert; overseeing the mastering, production and release of our Soundtrack album; executing the opening stages of our international marketing campaign, polishing the BN Serenade prequel screenplay and outlining preproduction on that new project - it's all happening at once. Can't wait to dig in and finish Strong!
ST
Today's light schedule was a rarity as from here on out it's going to be a sprint to the finish until our BN World Premiere on April 9th at the Sarasota Film Festival. Pulling together the final elements of post-production on the film; prepping for the BN Concert; overseeing the mastering, production and release of our Soundtrack album; executing the opening stages of our international marketing campaign, polishing the BN Serenade prequel screenplay and outlining preproduction on that new project - it's all happening at once. Can't wait to dig in and finish Strong!
ST
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Dream Team & Getting to "Yes!"
Another hectic day working with my post production Team to ready the Final Product for our April 9 World Premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival. I signed off on Dean Johanesen's killer music score that complements the 18 songs in the film...and I worked with Mandy on ticket details for both the first screening of the movie as well as the April 1st BN Concert at Riverview's PAC in Sarasota. Our Foley Sound Effects Editor Brett Jones and Soundtrack mixing engineer Steve Connelly are working closely with our L.A.-based Dolby Surround Sound Supervisor Dino Herrmann to finish that critical process - and our ace Colorist Courtney Penna is working her magic to color correct some footage that needed a little touching up to bring out the vibrant hues of the Suncoast scenery featured in our film. Meanwhile, editor Marc Alcorn is busy working with me to create the new Trailer and debating whether he's going to sport a tux at the Premiere or go for that slightly less formal "Sarasota Casual Cool" look.
Yes folks - the patients are taking over the asylum.
You could safely say that our BN Team is working at full throttle and starting to understand the magnitude of our achievement - being selected to screen a record 6 times at the SFF! It's just the kind of incredible start I was hoping for as we begin our international film festival tour. I can't begin to tell you the feeling I have inside watching these half-crazed, completely exhausted, true-blue indie film fanatics and friends ply their seemingly unlimited skill set on Beautiful Noise.
If you first time indie producers/directors are wondering how I was able to bring this Dream Team together working with such a limited production budget, let me enlighten you here and now.
First - stop listening to the naysayers that tell you there's no way you can afford hiring super-talented people to score your movie...color correct your film...add Foley sound effects...get that helicoptor shot you're dying to do...licence songs by legends like Joni Mitchell for your Soundtrack...shoot your film with hi-tech cameras like the Red Cam...add Dolby Surround Sound...etc. Get away from those people who don't share your vision with a Passion fast. When it comes to making your movie, they're either in...or they're in the way.
Second - don't take no for an answer. Ever. Don't compromise on anything relating to the look and feel and sound you want for your movie. Just don't do it. If you do, you'll work your ass off for weeks and months and live with a result the rest of your life that you know deep down could have turned out differently...if you'd only stood your ground and fought with everything you've got to find a way to make your movie your way.
The way to make the impossible happen is to simply ASK FOR THE HELP. That's the secret formula. Cast your inhibitions aside and understand that you have to go through a ton of No's to get to that one "Yes!". And then you have to go through many more No's to get to the next "Yes!". And so on...until you get what you need to make the movie you have running endlessly in your head and pounding incessently in your heart. Seek out the most highly-skilled people; sincerely share the Story of your movie and your hopes for the film; ask for their help; make a deal that fits your immediate budget restraints and their future payday potential if everyone does their best work - and then ask then and there for a Yes or No.
Ask and you shall receive...if they believe in you.
I asked an incredible number of people to help me make Beautiful Noise. Some said no right away for various reasons that simply don't matter. Some said yes right away but then bailed for reasons that simply don't matter. Some said yes right away and stuck with me through thick and thin to get BN made...and it's those happy, crazy, fanatical people who shared my vision and that will soon listen to that Opening Night audience respond enthusiastically to their work. Then those triumphant warriors will cheer on their fearless and likewise happy, crazy and fanatical leader of the band as I tuck our film under my arm and showcase it at every film festival and special screening that will embrace us - seeking exposure to our movie and soundtrack album and the best avenues to secure worldwide distribution deals on our behalf.
3) Burn your ships in the harbor and make certain that there's no way for your armada to turn back and retreat when the going gets tough. Keep moving forward and remember that your Cast & Crew needs your leadership and encouragement to get them what they all want - which is to quit their day job and make movies full time someday!
So this is a teachable moment that can be applied to most any worthwhile endeavor.
Remember - remove yourself from anyone with negative waves; ask for the help you need; never give up or give in and keep moving your Dream forward at all costs until it becomes your Reality.
If I can do it...you can do it.
ST
Yes folks - the patients are taking over the asylum.
You could safely say that our BN Team is working at full throttle and starting to understand the magnitude of our achievement - being selected to screen a record 6 times at the SFF! It's just the kind of incredible start I was hoping for as we begin our international film festival tour. I can't begin to tell you the feeling I have inside watching these half-crazed, completely exhausted, true-blue indie film fanatics and friends ply their seemingly unlimited skill set on Beautiful Noise.
If you first time indie producers/directors are wondering how I was able to bring this Dream Team together working with such a limited production budget, let me enlighten you here and now.
First - stop listening to the naysayers that tell you there's no way you can afford hiring super-talented people to score your movie...color correct your film...add Foley sound effects...get that helicoptor shot you're dying to do...licence songs by legends like Joni Mitchell for your Soundtrack...shoot your film with hi-tech cameras like the Red Cam...add Dolby Surround Sound...etc. Get away from those people who don't share your vision with a Passion fast. When it comes to making your movie, they're either in...or they're in the way.
Second - don't take no for an answer. Ever. Don't compromise on anything relating to the look and feel and sound you want for your movie. Just don't do it. If you do, you'll work your ass off for weeks and months and live with a result the rest of your life that you know deep down could have turned out differently...if you'd only stood your ground and fought with everything you've got to find a way to make your movie your way.
The way to make the impossible happen is to simply ASK FOR THE HELP. That's the secret formula. Cast your inhibitions aside and understand that you have to go through a ton of No's to get to that one "Yes!". And then you have to go through many more No's to get to the next "Yes!". And so on...until you get what you need to make the movie you have running endlessly in your head and pounding incessently in your heart. Seek out the most highly-skilled people; sincerely share the Story of your movie and your hopes for the film; ask for their help; make a deal that fits your immediate budget restraints and their future payday potential if everyone does their best work - and then ask then and there for a Yes or No.
Ask and you shall receive...if they believe in you.
I asked an incredible number of people to help me make Beautiful Noise. Some said no right away for various reasons that simply don't matter. Some said yes right away but then bailed for reasons that simply don't matter. Some said yes right away and stuck with me through thick and thin to get BN made...and it's those happy, crazy, fanatical people who shared my vision and that will soon listen to that Opening Night audience respond enthusiastically to their work. Then those triumphant warriors will cheer on their fearless and likewise happy, crazy and fanatical leader of the band as I tuck our film under my arm and showcase it at every film festival and special screening that will embrace us - seeking exposure to our movie and soundtrack album and the best avenues to secure worldwide distribution deals on our behalf.
3) Burn your ships in the harbor and make certain that there's no way for your armada to turn back and retreat when the going gets tough. Keep moving forward and remember that your Cast & Crew needs your leadership and encouragement to get them what they all want - which is to quit their day job and make movies full time someday!
So this is a teachable moment that can be applied to most any worthwhile endeavor.
Remember - remove yourself from anyone with negative waves; ask for the help you need; never give up or give in and keep moving your Dream forward at all costs until it becomes your Reality.
If I can do it...you can do it.
ST
Friday, March 11, 2011
Posters, Press & Party Plans
Today was spent on a critically important element often underworked by indie film producers - Marketing the Movie. Our Marketing & P/R Director Mandy Watters and I met all day with media outlets to set up the final ad blitz to promote the fast approaching "Beautiful Noise Live!" concert on April 1st at the Riverview H.S. Performing Arts Center. The concert, featuring film co-stars Danielle White, Chris McCarty & Jay White, promises to be a barnburner as they'll be performing songs from the movie before Jay's full-blown Neil Diamond Concert after intermission. The BN Concert Tour will play everywhere the movie is showcased...from Sarasota in April to Dublin and the UK in June to who knows where the rest of the year? The concert is a great way to expose the films' killer Soundtrack and gives me an added promotional feature to leverage. I think it helps set us apart from other indie feature films in a major league way...and helps us sell a ton of Soundtrack CD's and other movie-related merchandise.
A lot of time was also spent on Poster design for the film. I worked with BN Teammates Ryan Lebar & Ralph Barnette to develop a variety of posters that will be used on the international film festival circuit. It's a really important part of the process and I'm very happy with the first round of posters the guys and I came up with...with a big assist from our ace Production Consultant...veteran Hollywood producer Wendy Williams, a Suncoast resident when she isn't managing a crew of hundreds on a $100 million dollar film set somewhere in the world.
We're also hearing from a lot of Suncoast media outlets who just got word of our "Official Selection" to the Sarasota Film Festival and who want to do feature stories, preview the film and interview me and the stars of BN. Thank God Mandy is coordinating the media requests 'cause it's all coming at us now fast and furious...which is a good thing! I'm just grateful I found the perfect person to efficiently and professionally handle those critically important requests and relationships with the media. Mandy is a superstar addition to our BN Team.
We also met with the GM of the Ceviche Restaurant & Bar in downtown Sarasota to secure the entire 3rd floor of the hugely popular eatery and nightspot for our long-awaited World Premiere Party after the April 9 screenings. It's the perfect spot for Cast & Crew and our invited guests to gather after "Beautiful Noise" debuts on the big screen for the first time - and a great place to mingle with the growing legion of sponsors and fans of our indie production. I'm inviting everyone who attends the 7:00 & 9:15 screenings of BN on April 9th to join us at our otherwise private celebratory gathering at Ceviche to hang with the Cast & Crew all night. Live band, good food and drink, and a night we'll remember the rest of our lives. It's all part of the process of indie filmmaking. Work Hard...Play Hard...then crank it up again and start pre-production on the next movie this summer. I can't wait...
I love the marketing side of the movie biz. It's such a kick to see so many people and numerous Suncoast media organizations get so excited about "Beautiful Noise"... even though at this point they're reacting to my endless amount of enthusiasm for what my BN Team created and the overall potential of the film. Soon everyone will be able to see what the excitement is all about and whether the movie can live up to all the hype.
I'm a Believer that it will.
ST
A lot of time was also spent on Poster design for the film. I worked with BN Teammates Ryan Lebar & Ralph Barnette to develop a variety of posters that will be used on the international film festival circuit. It's a really important part of the process and I'm very happy with the first round of posters the guys and I came up with...with a big assist from our ace Production Consultant...veteran Hollywood producer Wendy Williams, a Suncoast resident when she isn't managing a crew of hundreds on a $100 million dollar film set somewhere in the world.
We're also hearing from a lot of Suncoast media outlets who just got word of our "Official Selection" to the Sarasota Film Festival and who want to do feature stories, preview the film and interview me and the stars of BN. Thank God Mandy is coordinating the media requests 'cause it's all coming at us now fast and furious...which is a good thing! I'm just grateful I found the perfect person to efficiently and professionally handle those critically important requests and relationships with the media. Mandy is a superstar addition to our BN Team.
We also met with the GM of the Ceviche Restaurant & Bar in downtown Sarasota to secure the entire 3rd floor of the hugely popular eatery and nightspot for our long-awaited World Premiere Party after the April 9 screenings. It's the perfect spot for Cast & Crew and our invited guests to gather after "Beautiful Noise" debuts on the big screen for the first time - and a great place to mingle with the growing legion of sponsors and fans of our indie production. I'm inviting everyone who attends the 7:00 & 9:15 screenings of BN on April 9th to join us at our otherwise private celebratory gathering at Ceviche to hang with the Cast & Crew all night. Live band, good food and drink, and a night we'll remember the rest of our lives. It's all part of the process of indie filmmaking. Work Hard...Play Hard...then crank it up again and start pre-production on the next movie this summer. I can't wait...
I love the marketing side of the movie biz. It's such a kick to see so many people and numerous Suncoast media organizations get so excited about "Beautiful Noise"... even though at this point they're reacting to my endless amount of enthusiasm for what my BN Team created and the overall potential of the film. Soon everyone will be able to see what the excitement is all about and whether the movie can live up to all the hype.
I'm a Believer that it will.
ST
BN World Premiere - Sarasota Film Festival - April 9
It's official! The World Premiere of "Beautiful Noise" happens Saturday, April 9th at 7:00 pm at the Sarasota Film Festival. I couldn't be happier for my Cast & Crew. All the hard work is resulting in not one but an unprecedented six screenings at our hometown film fest! I'm honored by the embrace of the programmers who selected our film to showcase in one of the worlds' most prestigious film festivals.
Tonight we mixed the last 3 Soundtrack songs before I head to L.A. to oversee the 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound mix. I can't wait to be standing at the back of the theatre on Premiere Night to watch the faces of our audience as the Story unfolds and as the Soundtrack soars and envelops them. It promises to be a memorable evening.
Tonight we mixed the last 3 Soundtrack songs before I head to L.A. to oversee the 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound mix. I can't wait to be standing at the back of the theatre on Premiere Night to watch the faces of our audience as the Story unfolds and as the Soundtrack soars and envelops them. It promises to be a memorable evening.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
If You Know What I Mean
I recently received some incredible news about our film that I've been restrained by the powers that be to tell you about...but all that changes tomorrow. Once the media is officially alerted, then I get to tell you all about it. Sorry for the tease. It's just that it's been a tough day dealing with all the plates my post-production Team have twirling at hyperspeed up in the air to meet our deadlines, so just taking a moment to contemplate the expected response about our World Premiere plans has me Smiling.
"Beautiful Noise" is in the final stages of The Countdown and is about to take flight. I couldn't be more proud of all the terrific people slaving away to complete the Soundtrack; color correct some footage; add the final Foley sound effects and - the icing on the cake - adding the 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. There's a countless number of unsung heroes on our movie...so be sure to stay seated during the end credits to read their names. My dedicated Midnight Pass Productions Team is proving once and for all that low budget, high quality and hugely entertaining feature films CAN be produced right here in Southwest Florida.
On the "Beautiful Noise Live!" Concert front, I'm happy to announce that we have a new Sponsor and ticket outlet - The Open Pub & Restaurant - located at 8579 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Swing by for some great food and your favorite beverage and pick up your tickets for the upcoming April 1st concert at Riverview's Performing Arts Center in Sarasota. You don't wanna miss Danielle & Chris singing songs from the movie and Jay's world-famous full-blown Neil Diamond show. Come join us! It's gonna be the kickoff to a memorable month in the lives of my entire "Beautiful Noise" Team...if you know what I mean.
ST
"Beautiful Noise" is in the final stages of The Countdown and is about to take flight. I couldn't be more proud of all the terrific people slaving away to complete the Soundtrack; color correct some footage; add the final Foley sound effects and - the icing on the cake - adding the 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. There's a countless number of unsung heroes on our movie...so be sure to stay seated during the end credits to read their names. My dedicated Midnight Pass Productions Team is proving once and for all that low budget, high quality and hugely entertaining feature films CAN be produced right here in Southwest Florida.
On the "Beautiful Noise Live!" Concert front, I'm happy to announce that we have a new Sponsor and ticket outlet - The Open Pub & Restaurant - located at 8579 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Swing by for some great food and your favorite beverage and pick up your tickets for the upcoming April 1st concert at Riverview's Performing Arts Center in Sarasota. You don't wanna miss Danielle & Chris singing songs from the movie and Jay's world-famous full-blown Neil Diamond show. Come join us! It's gonna be the kickoff to a memorable month in the lives of my entire "Beautiful Noise" Team...if you know what I mean.
ST
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Beautiful Noise - The Soundtrack of a Lifetime
As we enter the final days of post-production on the movie and start shifting into our international Film Festival & 'Beautiful Noise Live!' Concert mode, I'll do my best to post updates on this Directors' blog daily. There's a lot happening all at once now, so I think it's important to detail the daily happenings, the good stuff as well as the challenges, so that other fledgling indie filmmakers can get a glimpse of what this filmmaking process is really all about...at least from my perspective. The daily blow-by-blow account will also no doubt delight my family and friends who, I'm told, love reading of my epic struggle to leap the final hurdles that lead to the finish line. They all have a wicked sense of humor as they enjoy seeing me sweat it out while I navigate my way through this maze. It's not like the old days when everything came so easy to me and I could make things happen at will. Creating 'Beautiful Noise' with my Cast & Crew has been the absolute hardest work I've ever done in my life...and among the most rewarding.
Last night was a high water mark for the Soundtrack. Danielle has already put her own unique spin on a piece that has become her characters' Theme song by delivering a terrific lead vocal on "Godspeed". Then Brett Jones, a key member of our BN Production Team, came up with the idea of adding a Gospel Choir to the mix. It was a stroke of genius. Brett joined me, "Godspeed" songwriter Dean Johanesen and BN co-producer Ralph Barnette at the Trinity Christian Fellowship Center in downtown Sarasota last night to record their incredible choir singing the backup vocals for the song. It was a night I'll never forget. The gospel choir worked for hours with us to get it just right...and believe me...the Better Angels in all those present brought out the best in us. I can't wait to hear this song in a theatre with Dolby Surround Sound! It's amazing...and it will be an unforgettable moment in our film.
We have a couple of important media announcements coming this week about the Soundtrack Release date and our World Premiere. Thanks for following along...and please help us spread the word about our movie when you see it or hear the Soundtrack album. I think we have a "Contender"...so very soon the success of the film in finding its global audience is going to be a matter of film festival marketing, special showcases, live concert events and, with your help, massive social media networking.
Here's a list of the songs. It's truly the Soundtrack of a Lifetime because it appeals to such a wide demographic...from kids to baby boomers to seniors...there's something there for everyone. Every lyric and melody has a specific purpose and actually propels the Story. There's no fluff or filler tunes here...just great songs from great songwriters performed with a passion and spirit by an incredible Cast that will blow you away...guaranteed.
Stay tuned for some big news this week about all things "Beautiful Noise". Meanwhile, here are the song titles.
"BEAUTIFUL NOISE" SOUNDTRACK
1. Doin’ Another Day
2. Easy
3. Butterfly
4. Coming On Strong
5. Maybe You’ll See Me When I’m Gone
6. Sorry
7. Lonely Hearts
8. Goodbye To Eleanor
9. The Story Of Us
10. Joy
11. Backroads
12. One More Song In Me
13. Fly Away
14. Last Dance
15. Free Man In Paris
16. Godspeed
17. Relax
18. Believe
Steve
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A Soundtrack that's "Coming On Strong"
I love movies...and I especially love movies that move me emotionally as a result of a Soundtrack that literally elevates the film and takes it to a higher place. The Story of "Beautiful Noise" has a special feel to it, an emotional journey that will make you laugh, perhaps make you cry, and for sure make you think about certain elements of Life. But the Soundtrack...well, it's one of those things that simply transforms my Story into something more - something that will stick with you - something you'll talk about enthusiastically when people ask you what you thought of the movie. I just finished working with Suncoast singer-songwriter Dean Johanesen on the music score, that is to say the 'incidental music' that helps put emphasis on critical moments in the film or that simply bridges certain sequences. It was Dean's first crack at composing for a narrative feature film - and with a little help from his favorite Director, he knocked it out of the park. Dean's fantastic guitar work coupled with the songs showcased in the film by a variety of fabulous singers, songwriters and musicians causes me to gush without hesitation about the incredible Soundtrack we've created. It will absolutely blow you away with its range, its content and with its incredible musical and vocal performances by all involved.
I'm releasing the Soundtrack album in advance of the "Beautiful Noise" World Premiere at an upcoming spring film festival - in fact, it will be on sale for the very first time at our April 1st "Beautiful Noise Live!" concert event at Sarasota's Riverview Performing Arts Center. VIP Reserved Seat ticket holders will not only have the best seats in the house, but they also receive a free download of the entire movie Soundtrack as part of their ticket purchase. General Admission patrons will have a chance to buy the Soundtrack at the concert as well...
In the coming weeks before our premiere we'll be posting a new Trailer and Music video on our Home Page here on the website...so keep checking back for the latest news flashes that will start coming fast and furiously very soon. We're proud of our Musical-Drama and we hope you'll enjoy all the songs as much as we do. It's an album of tunes that takes "Beautiful Noise" to a rare place that most indie films never experience by adding a dimension that only the Gift of Song can deliver. From Joni Mitchells' legendary classic "Free Man In Paris" that's absolutely crushed by Jay, to Kimber Clevelands' beautiful ballad "Maybe You'll See Me When I'm Gone" performed soulfully by Danielle; to the magic that is Chris McCarty singing his composition titled "Believe", to Kimber's no-holds-barred send up of her amazing "Coming On Strong" - believe me...you're in for a rare treat at your local cinema or from your ITunes download when you hear this Soundtrack!
Get ready to be amazed with what you see and hear.
From start to finish...it's truly all a "Beautiful Noise".
Steve
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