CBC’S SHORT FILM FACE OFF

I am thrilled to share the news that my directorial debut, ROOM SERVICE, has been selected by the CBC to represent the Maritimes in this year’s SHORT FILM FACE OFF! Each year, the CBC selects 9 short films from across the country to duke it out for a chance at winning $40k in production funding.

And guess what? It’s all going to be broadcast on national television this August where YOU will then have a chance to vote for your favourite film! Pretty neat, huh?

It’s just about time to get #VoteRoomService trending.

More info, including the rest of the filmmakers & panelists: http://www.cbc.ca/shortfilmfaceoff/

Updated: May 3, 2013: I just created a Facebook event page for the TV taping on the 13th, which includes info on how to get free tickets!
http://www.facebook.com/events/532976963415686/

BUNKER 6

Today’s Chronicle Herald dished some details about Greg Jackson‘s feature directorial debut, BUNKER 6 (Link: Filming of Bunker 6 thriller starts in Debert).

Bunker 6 tells the story of Grace, who has lived in Nuclear Bunker No. 6 since she was a young girl. After the death of Lewis, her mentor, father figure and the bunker’s technician, Grace is left to take charge of the mechanics. As things begin to break down all around her and thoughts of the outside world haunt her, she must continue her struggle not just to survive, but to live.

The wonderful cast has been revealed, and I am very happy to be a part of it. In the bunker, I’ll be joined by Andrea Lee Norwood (my prey in GAME), Molly Dunsworth (HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN / ROOM SERVICE), Jim Fowler, Shelly Thompson & Daniel Lillford.

I’m actually just heading out the door right now on my way to Debert (where we’re shooting in a legitimate bomb shelter from the 50s), so please pardon the abrupt nature of this post.

Chronicle Herald link: http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/634800-filming-of-bunker-6-thriller-starts-in-debert

THANKS AFF / LUNENBURG SCREENING!

Above, myself and Vanessa Walton-Bone, star of my short film ROOM SERVICE, glam it up at the Atlantic Film Festival’s closing gala held this past Thursday.

Why did it take me almost an entire week to trudge back to the computer and write a post thanking the AFF? Because I don’t know if I’ve ever been quite so exhausted in all of my life. Thank you AFF for testing the limits of human endurance.

Also: thank you AFF for featuring my directorial debut, ROOM SERVICE, n’ stuff. That was awfully nice of you.

Those of you who know me know just how much it meant for me to have this film play here in Halifax. For those of you who don’t know me, please know that Halifax is as much a part of me as anything could possibly be, and it means everything to me to share this film with my peers here in Halifax.

Thanks for the experience, AFF. Looking forward to many more.

In other ROOM SERVICE news, the film will be playing in my home-home-town of Lunenburg County next Wednesday and Thursday the 3rd and 4th of October at Empire Theatres Bridgewater as part of the Lunenburg County Film Series.

**I will be in attendance on Thursday evening, introducing the films and eating popcorn.**

I couldn’t have wished for a better 2012 release to be paired with as we’ll be playing before the ever-so-whimsical feature film BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, which I am madly in love with ever since seeing it last month.

Tickets are $8 and the screenings start at 7:00pm.

Here’s the Facebook Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/447264695324035/

Until next time, wash up, ye’ stinkers!

Update – 10/3/12: I wanted to add a photo of the crew who helped make ROOM SERVICE. Left to right, my Cinematographer, Liam Higgins, my Producer, Andrew Hicks, meee, and my Assistant Director Ian Burns. And yes, I chose them all based solely on their gentlemenly good looks.

“ROOM SERVICE” IN THE AFF!

Today, I am so damn proud to announce that ROOM SERVICE, my first film as a writer and director, has been accepted to the 32nd Annual Atlantic Film Festival!

The film tells the story of a woman (Vanessa Walton Bone) confronting her husband’s mistress (Molly Dunsworth) in a motel room with unexpected results.

From day one, this was my goal, to play the AFF and show this film to the community my community in Halifax.

ROOM SERVICE will be playing Tuesday, September 18th, 7:00pm at Park Lane Cinemas as part of the CBC Atlantic Shorts Gala. Tickets available here: http://atlantic.bside.com/2012/films/cbcatlanticshortsgala0_atlantic2012_atlantic2012 The festival runs from September 13th to the 20th in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In the best interests of staying in “the know”, the official ROOM SERVICE Facebook page has been launched @ facebook.com/RoomServiceFilm so give us a Like there and a Follow @RoomServiceFilm on Twitter!

                              

Again, a huge thank you to the official Thank You Club of folks who either donated funds, or helped us in any, many other ways. Your names will be in the credits. Pinky swear.

Also thank you to Samantha Wilson, Mauralea Austin, my crew Andrew Hicks, Ian Burns, Liam Higgins, Maria DeRozari, Lauren Bell and Egg Films who are currently assisting us in giving our film the final polish it needs to play this and many other fests.

If you see me in the next few weeks, there’s a big likelihood that I’ll have a huge, dumb grin plastered on my face.

ALSO: Josh MacDonald‘s GAME (GameShortFilm.com), which I have a part in, will be playing as part of Atlantic Shorts 3 on Saturday, September 15th at 9:20pm.

So honoured to be a part of this, hope to see you at the fest!

“ROOM SERVICE” MAKING-OF PT. 2

Pictured above: Perhaps the dirtiest mutton-chops that ever did chop.

Remember a few weeks when I uploaded a behind-the-scenes video that was password protected and solely for the enjoyment for those of you who donated money to my directorial debut ROOM SERVICE?

Well it’s time to reward my freeloading fans as well, as you can now watch the ROOM SERVICE Making-Of video even if you didn’t donate funds (it’s okay… I know you donated your prayers)…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8WxQ2qLnA 

For those of you who are members of “The Glen Matthews Thank You Club”, I’ve uploaded a second video to thank you for your contribution to ROOM SERVICE. You should have received an email with a password that allows you to watch the video below…

http://vimeo.com/32930548 

That’s all for now! Members of “The Club” (yeah, we’re cool enough to call it that) will be privy to a rough cut of ROOM SERVICE in a few weeks! Fun, right? Right? I hope it’s fun. You’re so fickle…

“ROOM SERVICE” MAKING-OF

The time has come to reward those who helped me out in my time of filmmaking need. If you are one of the lovely people who contributed to my endeavor, you should have already received a message from myself, accompanied by a link to a video, the ROOM SERVICE Making-Of video and a password which enables you to enjoy the splendors.

If you haven’t received anything from me yet, then head on over to the Contact page and send me a line. Got the password? Well then enjoy below…

For those of you who weren’t in the fortunate position of having extra cash to hand over to the production, fret not, I’ll be posting a collection of set photos here on the blog sometime soon.

Varying splendors for everyone!

“ROOM SERVICE” SHOT

I am happy to announce that as of 2:00am this morning, ROOM SERVICE, my first legitimate short film that I’ve written and directed, is “in the can”. That’s film-speak for “my film is shot… hoo-ray”.

I’m not trying to discount any of my previous directorial offerings, MUGSHOTS, SEPARATE WAYS, or JOG OR DIE, but I mean it when I say that ROOM SERVICE is my first shot at making a legitimate film with a budget, a professional cast, a professional crew operating professional gear. This is a far cry from me, my friends, and a Hi-8 camcorder making dick jokes.

ROOM SERVICE, which tells the story of a Wife confronting her husband’s mistress in a hotel room, will enter post-production shortly and endure a lengthy editing process. I’m so incredibly pleased with what we filmed over the past two days, we’re going to take our time getting everything right.

I would like to thank my cast (a million times over), Vanessa Walton Bone, Molly Dunsworth, Samantha Wilson and Mauralea Austin, as well as my crew, my Assistant Director, Ian Burns; Producer, Andrew Hicks; Director of Photography, Liam Higgins; Sound, Lauren Bell; and Wardrobe, Maria DeRozari. Thank you all for going above and beyond in helping me realize my vision.

For those of you who have helped me in the funding department, I haven’t forgotten about you. You’re now officially a part of the “Thank You Club”. I’ll be sending you a behind-the-scenes video in a few days, and as time goes on, I’ll be sharing a rough-cut or two for your private viewing pleasure. Nothing but the best for my family.

In related news, ACTRA Toronto’s monthly magazine, Performer’s, gave us a shout-out for our crowd-sourcing endeavour. Fun fun!

That’s all for now, I’m still coming down from the seemingly eternal high of directing a script that I wrote. I can’t thank those who have helped me enough. Really, I can’t.

More to come!

‪ROOM SERVICE: CAST UPDATE & INCENTIVES!

UPDATE – AUGUST 10/11: We’ve reached our goal of $750! Thank you to all who donated!

Hello ladies & gents! A new video for your eyeballs today announcing the rest of my cast (does the lady above look familiar?) and a new incentive!

The Indie-GoGo fund-raising has been progressing exquisitely: just last night, $150 was donated to the cause, pushing us within $85 of our $750 goal!

Time is running out for our new incentive: donate ANYTHING and you’ll be sent a private link on October 1, containing a behind-the-scenes video of ROOM SERVICE!

Head on over to Indie-GoGo right now to donate, or share!

HOBO ON DVD/BLURAY THIS TUESDAY!

HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN is approaching the final stop on the publicity-rails as it’s DVD/BluRay release is this Tuesday, July the 5th! Rejoice!

Check out that badass pop-up cover (above) found in the HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN BluRay. I challenge anyone to find another actor with 2 minutes of screen time more prominently featured in such an extensive advertising campaign. That’s talent.

The DVD/BluRay will be released all across the great expanse of North America, so save up your nickels and dimes and run out this Tuesday to pick up this ridiculously packed package.

Magnet Releasing (obviously along with Eisener, Cotterill & Davies) really must be commended for putting together such a solid disc featuring…

• MORE BLOOD, MORE HEART, the fantastic, in-depth making-of featurette, which I had the pleasure of viewing a rough cut of. You really need to see it. So well done.
• An interview with Jason, Rutger and Fangoria’s Mike Gingold (35-40 mins).
• Two commentary tracks (which I can’t wait to hear): (1) Jason Eisener & Rutger Hauer, & (2) Jason Eisener, John Davies, Rob Cotterill, and the original Hobo, the immortal Dave Brunt!
• Deleted scenes, an alternate ending, & video blogs.
• The fake-trailer contest winner, the exquisite VAN GORE from Keith Hodder, Jerrad Pulham & Peter Strauss.
• Shotgun-Mode (which I believe is exclusive to the BluRay) where even more behind-the-scenes footage is revealed as you’re watching the film.

J. Hurtado over at my personal favourite film-news website, TwitchFilm wrote a review for the HOBO BluRay wherein he says…

This is a massive and mighty package for an explosive film that deserves all the attention it can get.  Jason Eisener is a major emerging talent, and he really deserves a lot of credit, along with his crew, for making an outstanding film that captures the spirit of a bygone era of film making without becoming cloying or nudging the audience too hard to acknowledge the joke.  This is no joke.  Magnet Releasing’s Blu-ray release of Hobo with a Shotgun is HIGHLY REOMMENDED.

Pick it up this Tuesday!

PS. Happy Canada Day!

CANADA: HOBO W/ A SHOTGUN OPENS FRIDAY!

Check out this incredible artwork for the upcoming issue of Rue Morgue Magazine (hitting magazine-stands April 1st) created by Gary Pullin.

Well the time has come folks, this Friday, March 25th, HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN will be taking Canadian cinemas by force.  I caught the film for the fourth time last night at the Toronto premiere, and I’m still amazed by the film’s pacing. It’s relentless. Tonight, my heart is in Halifax as it’s having its hometown premiere at the Oxford Theatre; I can’t wait to hear what everyone back home thinks of it!

Photo from last night’s Q&A, which I graciously took part in.

IMPORTANT: Please try and make time to catch HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN this weekend! The Canadian film market tends to rely heavily on results of the opening weekend to determine the length of a film’s theatrical run, so (even if you get a chance to catch a preview screening) get your butt out to the cinema and buy your ass a ticket!

If you’re in Nova Scotia, you’ll have to watch HOBO where it all began; the film will be screening at Empire Theatres Dartmouth Crossing and Park Lane (Halifax). In Toronto, HOBO will be screening at Eglinton Town Centre, Empire Theatres at Empress Walk, Queensway Cineplex, Scarborough Coliseum, Scotiabank Theatre (Paramount).

Spread the word! Buy tickets! Go forth and multiply!

PS. Check out director Jason Eisener on George Stroumboulopoulos’ show this Friday on CBC (http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/)!

Update 25/3/11: Please enjoy another photo from Toronto’s premiere which provides evidence of my involvement in the Q&A…
…I generally look less impish when I’m not standing next to a 6’5″ martial arts expert.

Last but not least, I had to share my favourite tweet in regards to the HOBO trailers playing on television–perhaps my favourite tweet of all-time…
The best.

That’s all for now. Go out and see this film, you idiot!