Richard LeMay

Naked As We Came screened at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston as the closing night film at the Boston LGBT Film Festival. It was an amazing night. My whole family came. The crowd loved it. A highlight for me.

Actor Ryan Vigilant and myself before the screening. We’re both from Mass so it was great to have our families come and enjoy this great night.

Our very own Karmine Alers sang at the after party at the Red Room in Miami. She killed it. Check it out HERE.

NAKED AS WE CAME screened as the spotlight film for the Miami LGTB Film Festival on Wednesday May 2, 2012. It was a sold out show and the crowd loved it. The after party was crazy. Miami was very good to us.

My amazing cast and producer Nia Hatsopolous

Program Director Franc Castro and Karmine Alers

This was the line to get in. I think I almost threw up when I saw that. I was nervous.

The Q & A afterward.

This is how the night ended…

Miami doesn’t suck!

NAKED AS WE CAME has been chosen to screen as a world premiere at the Inside Out Film Festival in Toronto. For more info click HERE

NAKED AS WE CAME has been chosen as the closing night film for the Boston LGBT Film Festival. This is very exciting to say the least. The screening will be held on May 13th 2012 as a “sneak peak” at the Museum of Fine Art. For more info check out: http://bostonlgbtfilmfest.org/film/naked-we-came

Naked As We Came will be the spot light film, screening as a “work in progress” at this years Miami GL Film Festival. The screening will be May 2, so if you’re in Miami come on down and check it out. For more info: http://www.mglff.com/films/view/34

Check out the trailer for my new movie NAKED AS WE CAME. Alex Hammer edited it. Hope you like it.

WATCH HERE

So NAKED AS WE CAME is almost done! Here are some stills from the film after the colorist Alex Bickel got through with it. He’s a talented guy and he made this movie look amazing!

NAKED AS WE CAME is at picture lock! My editor Alex Hammer turned it out on this one. The film looks great. Now it’s off to sound and color correction. This has been a great process but I’m ready to finish it!

Not much more to say. Pretty cool though.

Wow! Friday night, CHILDREN OF GOD opened to a packed theater at the Quad Cinemas in New York City! It was a great night. The movie was warmly received and the after party at MARY QUEEN OF SCOTTS was insane. I still need time to recuperate.


With BET film critic Clay Cane (far right)


With actor Ben Weaver (Naked As We came)

Director Kareem Mortimer

With actor Ryan Vigilant (Gossip Girl, Naked As We Came)

With producer Trevite Willis

The TLA gang with actor Gerald McCullouch from CSI (center)

So tonight CHILDREN OF GOD opens at the Quad Cinemas here in NYC. This is my first film in an actual theater so I’m pretty excited. BET is hosting the 7:00 screening and OUT Magazine is hosting the 9:35 showing. If you haven’t seen it, please come down town and check it out.

So we finally got the release date for CHILDREN OF GOD. TLA Releasing will release the film on May 20, 2011 for a limited run. It will open in New York City at the Quad Theater. This is very exciting. It’s my first film in theaters. If anyone hasn’t seen it yet (or even if you have), please run down to the theater opening week and get a ticket.

Check out the trailer for CHILDREN OF GOD from our German distributor.  It looks so good I want to watch it again.  Watch it HERE.

Some more cool pics on set.

I didn’t see this coming but it’s very cool.

Check out the article HERE!

It has been officially announced by TLA Releasing, our US and UK distributor that Children of God will have a limited theatrical release and dvd release in 2011 via IndieWire.  We are so incredibly excited!  Children of God is a feature film I produced in the Bahamas two summers ago.  To date we have screened in over 70 international festivals since our International Premiere eight months ago.  We have won 13 awards and enjoyed a successful tour across the UK with the British Film Institute LLGF.

Check out the article HERE

This was a great ride. Truly one of the best times I’ve ever had.  An amazing cast and crew. Felt like family.  I hope the movie is as good as making it was.

This is an article from one of the local papers.  Above is Ryan Vigilant, Karmine Alers and Sturgis Adams blocking a scene from NAKED AS WE CAME IN.

Read the article HERE.

It’s our last day shooting in Lincoln MA.  I’ll miss this amazing place.  Above is a still from the movie of actor Ben Weaver in the indoor pool/greenhouse.  This house is crazy!   This has been an exceptional experience working here.  Tomorrow we go back to New York to finish shooting.

This house is a work of art.  There are extensive gardens in and around the house.  There’s also 4 green houses and one has an indoor pool.  A great place to shoot.  Here are 2 of my lead actors, Lue’ Mcwilliams and Ryan Vigilant getting ready to shoot a scene… by t he indoor waterfall.  Have I mentioned how much I love my cast?

We have 2 days left here in Lincoln MA.  This has been one of the best experiences ever.  The entire cast and crew are all cool, talented people.  I don’t want it to end… Okay, maybe I do.  I could use a full night’s sleep.  Above is a production still of yet another dolly shot.  This scene is one of my favorites because the movement is great but the cast delivers an outrageous performance.

Check out Vitaly’s video blog HERE.

I just became present to the fact that our DP is actually god.  Every religion has a name for him but I have to preach that my god is called Vitaly.  Not to mention he takes pretty pictures.  This movie is gorgeous!  Okay, Vitaly may not be a deity but who cares?  He’s a great cinematographer.

This is a still from the movie.  I have to say that DP Vitaly Bokser is working it out on this flick.  Every shot is amazing (and I’m not just saying that.).  The RED camera is pretty great technology.  I would recommend anyone making a low budget indie to seriously consider using it.  This is actor Ryan Vigilant in a scene where he finds a dead body in the green house.

This is some of the crew setting up a dolly shot.  We’re using the dolly a lot.  So far so good and no disasters.  Cross your fingers.

Watch the video blog HERE.

Day 4 and we’re really moving.  The actors are really delivering some great performances.  I wrote these parts for the leads and we also had a month of rehearsals which I have to say is really paying off. Here we are lining up a shot on actors Ben Weaver and Ryan Vigilant.

Check out the video blog HERE.

Third day of shooting was incredible.  Performances were great and the photography is CRAZY!  Here is the crew lining up a dolly shot on the incredibly talented Karmine Alers.

Moving into day three, and so far so good.  The cast and crew of this film are all great.  We’re shooting on the RED camera and the photography is gorgeous.  This is Actor Ryan Vigilant blocking a shot with DP Vitaly Bokser and 1st AC David Kruta.

I’ve been in pre-production for a few weeks on my newest feature NAKED AS WE CAME IN.  This is something I wrote and will be directing.  We begin shooting tomorrow.  I’m nervous as hell.

CHILDREN OF GOD  screened at this years Out On Film in Atlanta this week, winning the jury award for Best Feature, Best Director (Kareem Mortimer) and Best Actor (Johnny Ferro).  A great moment!

CHILDREN OF GOD sold out 2 screenings at this years OUTFEST in LA.  The screening on Friday sparked a heated debate with the audience leading the moderator to say in all his years at OUTFEST, he never saw anything like it.  Pretty crazy but cool when your film makes people talk…or yell.

Richard LeMay & director Kareem Mortimer

After 2 sold out screenings, we won the audience award for best feature.  This is exciting to say the least. It’s the film”s 4th award but it’s New York City!  This is the Children of God team at the Q&A.

The second screening of CHILDREN OF GOD here in New York sold out on Thursday.  The audience loved it and we all headed to Highlands for the after party.  Things got a little crazy. That’s editor Maria Cataldo, director Kareem Mortimer and actor Johnny Ferro at the reception before the screening.

Monday night CHILDREN OF GOD screened at Harlem Stage on Screen as a part of this years NEWFEST.  The screening was sold out and the crowd loved it.  About 95% of the audience stayed for the Q & A afterward.  After that, they threw a party for the film.  We had a blast.

Sunday I went to Boston for the 2010 Boston GLBT Film Festival screening of CHILDREN OF GOD.  It screened at the Museum of Fine Art which in itself is kind of cool.  Really great screening room!  I’m from Mass so my family and friends were there. The crowd really loved it.  A very cool night.

Kim and me

Me and Cheif of operations Amit Dixit

Margaret Kemp, me and Trevite Willis during the Q & A

Wednesday night Streetwise Pictures partnered with Sawyer Studios, The Circuit and Variety Magazine to throw a post Tribeca/pre Cannes party.  500 people showed up at the swanky club Arena and danced their asses off.  The open bar helped.  It was a great night with some cool people.

Doug Weiser, Alex Emanuel, Kim Jackson and me

Meghan Mahoney

Thakur Wint, Deidre Johnson & me

Writer Douglas Day Stewart (OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN, BLUE LAGOON), Judy Stewart & Shady Day Stewart

Gustavo Camelot & Kim

Actor Ben Weaver (LOVE POSSIBLY)

We just found out that TUB got accepted to the Cannes Film Festival.  Very Exciting.  I don’t know if I’ll be going but it’s cool either way.

I was asked to be a judge for the 21st Annual Dusty Film Festival yesterday.  I spent a cold, rainy, New York day watching tons of movies by students from the school of Visual Arts.  What a great day.  There are some very talented young film makers coming up and it was exciting to see their work.  The festival itself is in May so if you’re curious, check it out.

2010 Festival Schedule
Sunday, May 2 – Wednesday, May 5: Screenings*
SVA Theatre
333 West 23rd Street – Time TBA

Monday, May 3: Screenwriters Night
SVA Theatre, 6:30pm

Tuesday, May 4: Animation Screenings*
SVA Theatre – Time TBA

Thursday, May 6: Awards Ceremony and Gala
Awards Ceremony: SVA Theatre 6:30PM
Gala: 9 – 11pm – Location TBA

Friday, May 7: Winner’s Circle*
SVA Theatre, 6 – 10pm

Last week, CHILDREN OF GOD screened as the closing night film for the London Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.  The screening sold out with 850 people in attendance.  Check out the video of the closing night gala here.

Last night CHILDREN OF GOD had it’s US premiere at the Miami International Film Festival.  The screening was amazing.  Next, it has been chosen as the closing night film at the London Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.  Very exciting.  If you haven’t seen the trailer, check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjFWLiPs0Wo

The other night Streetwise Pictures co-hosted a post Sundance/ pre South by Southwest party with Sawyer Studios, the Circuit and The Observer.  About 400 people came and drank Mojitos at The Gates all night.  All in all a pretty cool event.

Adrienne Stern, Zac Soreff & Kim Jackson

FL Jones, Ilyana Kadushin & James Harell

Producer Trevite Willis

Cinematographer Ian Bloom, Kim & actor Ryan Vigilant

DJ Mostbanginest!

From the second we got here, it’s been non stop.  Lot’s of cool people, cool films and really cool parties.

Me and Kim Jackson at the Getty Image studio at the Lift in Park City

Me and Kim leaving an interview with EInsiders.com

At the Jigsaw Global party at the New Frontier Lounge 

Kim hanging out with the locals.

The Bahamas International Film Festival chose CHILDREN OF GOD as the opening night film to kick off their 2009 festival.  The screening was a huge success with deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas Brent Symonette introducing the movie.  The film screened to a packed house followed by 2 parties that took us all into the wee hours of the morning.  Great night all around.

Acclaimed Director Kareem Mortimer

Prime Minister Brent Symonette

The cast of Children of God

Actor Jonny Ferro

Me and Cinematographer Ian Bloom

Johnny Depp

Me and actor Mark Ford

Me and Bahama pop star TaDa

Me and producer Nia Hatsopoulos

Sean Connery & Johnny Depp

Late night…

Even later.

I am so pleased to announce that The Streetwise Production TUB has been chosen as an official selection in the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.  TUB was produced by Streetwise founder Kim Jackson and directed by the talented Bobby Miller.  This means I get to go to Sundance!  

I’m psyched that Children of God has been chosen as the opening night film for the Bahamas International Film Festival.  The screening is Friday, Dec 11 with a party afterward.  It’s pretty prestigious but I honestly just want to get out of New York.  Should be a great night.

Check out this sneak peek of the movie I produced in the Bahamas.  It’s finally complete.  We are signing with a pretty cool producer’s rep so keep your fingers crossed.  Hope you like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjFWLiPs0Wo

Last night I had a reading of my new script SUMMER OF AIDEN POST.  I got some amazing actors to bring life to these characters.  I’m slated to shoot it in June and I had never heard it out loud before.  Very exciting!

Big congrats to Gen 247 for winning the 2009 Webby for DELETED: THE GAME!  They beat out MTV, ABC and Fox!  Gen 247 is the production company that is producing the web series I am directing (LOVE POSSIBLY).  This is great news.  They deserve it.

CHILDREN OF GOD (AKA DAYBREAK) is at picture lock.  Now it’s off to get get color corrected and a sound edit.  I saw the cut with the new score and it’s beautiful!  This is exciting.

We shot a promo for LOVE POSSIBLY over the weekend.  It’s rare when something goes so smooth.  Everyone involved was amazing.  And the footage is really great.  I can’t wait to see the finished piece.

The other day, I went to Sullivan Hall for the CD launch of FL Jones’ CD: BECOMING MYSELF.  The band was tight and FL killed it!  A great night and the crowed went wild.  For those who don’t know, FL was the music supervisor for WHIRLWIND.  It’s a great album so if you don’t have it, get it at www.fljones.com.

  Deleted: The Game, has been nominated for a Webby 09 in the Best Experimental category competing against MTV, Sundance Channel, Channel 4 UK and some Swedish ad agency.  That’s a big deal for Gen 247 (the production company) and for LOVE POSSIBLY.  It’s some stiff competition but let’s hope for an upset.

I’ve found some amazing actors for LOVE POSSIBLY.  These guys are gonna kill it.  I’m still looking for a 40-something actor if anyone knows someone…

I am really excited to let everyone know that I just signed on as creative director of STREETWISE PICTURES.  I am psyched, to say the least, to be a part of such an amazing team of filmmakers.  Our first project together is something I wrote called THE SUMMER OF AIDEN POST.  Next is the London based film STARING AT STRANGERS which will be directed by the acclaimed Jimo Salako and after that is the hysterical comedy THESE! CONQUERED THE EARTH.  Founder Kim Jackson is a cool chick who loves making movies as much as me.  This is gonna be a great year!

By the way, this is us on Halloween.  Nuff said.

I’ve been casting for the new web series that I’m directing.  The title is LOVE POSSIBLY and it’s a fucking riot. Haven’t quite found the perfect cast yet but cross your fingers…

I had the pleasure of working with Michael Shannon in the movie WATER, which I produced.  Michael is up for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in REVOLUTIONARY ROAD with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.  Not only is he phenomenally talented, he is also a great guy.  I’ll be rooting for him!

Saturday night was the launch party for the DVD release of WHIRLWIND at Therapy in mid-town.  About 200 people showed up and had a blast.  I was easily the most sober one there.  All in all a great night.

Me and Writer/Producer Jason Brown

Some of the cast of WHIRLWIND

Me and Executive Producer James Garbus (SAVE ME, DREAM BOY)

Me and actress Yasmine Alers (Across the Universe, MTV’s Mall Movie)

Me and actor Clifton Oliver (Simba in the Lion King, WHIRLWIND)

Me and publicist Leah Loftin

Some cast and crew from the movie DAYBREAK.

Me and Mike Fiorentino

Me and Connie Brown

Me and Producer Trevite Willis

Actors Deidre johnson and Alexis Suarez

Jessica, Dotti & Shannon

Elaine, Marie and Deidre

Photographer James Houston and Music Supervisor FL Jones

Me and Marie Morrison

Mechelle and Deidre

FL, Cliff and me

Debra Quinn smiling over my shoulder as I…?

I just found out that WHIRLWIND has crawled it’s way up to #1 on the Wolfe Video Top 10 Best Sellers.  It’s not even released until tomorrow so this is really good.

 I watched a rough cut of the feature I produced in the Bahamas.  I am so excited because it looks amazing.  I say this knowing there is still so far to go but already you can see a great story.  Award winning director Kareem Mortimer and editor Maria Cataldo have created a beautiful story about several people who’s lives intertwine for a brief period on the island of Eleuthera.  This movie touches on the political and religious climate in the Bahamas and how each life is effected by it.  I have really high hopes for this one.  Yay!

I just signed on to direct a new web series for GEN247 Productions.  I’m really excited because they did the extremely successful web series DELETED: THE GAME.  We’ll be shooting this spring.  I’ll give more info as we get closer to production but be on the look out because this shit is FUNNY!.

I just found out that after being chosen as the closing night film for the Long Island Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, WHIRLWIND has won the Jury award for best feature!  

It’s official.  Wolfe bought the US/Canada rights to WHIRLWIND.  It’s release date is January 27th.  They have also signed on as our official sales agent for foreign distribution as well.  As I said earlier, Wolfe is the largest company to distribute films in that genre so this is really exciting.  Great news for the end of a long year.  I can’t believe I forgot to mention it.  Oh well…

I just got word that WHIRLWIND is number 3 on the top ten best seller list for Wolfe Video.  It isn’t going to be released till January 27th but it is in pre-sales.  This is huge for the film so I’m really excited.  Check it out at Wolfevideo.com

My friend James and I went to the opening night of the Broadway musical “Billy Elliot”.  Got to meet Elton John, Rachel Weis and Kevin Spacey.  The kid who plays Billy is ridiculously talented.  The after party at Tunnel was cool.  If you haven’t seen the show, check it out.

WHIRLWIND is screening tonight as part of this years Pittsburgh Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.  I can’t make it due to prior commitments but the writer/producer Jason Brown will be there for a Q&A afterward.  It’s also his home town so I hope it’s a great crowd.

Last week I went to the Diesel Jeans 30th anniversary bash. It was actually a concert with MIA, N.E.R.D., Chaka Khan and Hot Chip. About 5000 people filled this huge tent in Brooklyn and drank free all night. I was in the VIP section and got a bird’s eye view of Chaka Khan singing her ass off. She’s fat as a house but she still sings. All in all a hot night.

So I’m at one of my best friend’s birthday dinner Friday night.  There’s a bunch of cool people.  Lot’s of laughs and Petron.  So there’s this billionaire with his super model girlfriend and he’s talking to my friend.  My friend is making a killer documentary and needs more financing to finish.  So this guy say’s “How much money do you need?”  My friend says $750,000.  The guy says “I’ll give it to you.”     And he did!  

Is that some crazy shit?  Pretty amazing if you ask me.  

And we all did shots.  Some birthday, huh?

After several offers for distribution, we decided to go with WOLFE Releasing. They also distributed 200 AMERICAN so I already have a good relationship with them. I’m really excited because they are the largest company for that genre of films and I know they will get WHIRLWIND as much exposure as they can. Contracts are under way so keep your fingers crossed. Woo hoo!!

I just got word that the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Film Festival has chosen WHIRLWIND as their closing night film. That is pretty cool to have your film showcased like that. Hope all you Long Island residents will come check it out.

The other day, I was invited to the filming of the Broadway show RENT which will be released in theaters in September. Even though there was a movie of RENT, nothing compares to the live show which is amazing. This is me and the rediculously talented Karmine Alers who played Mimi for years on Broadway. Interesting side note: The role of Mimi was actually written for Karmine but it took her a few years to get it. Better late than never I say. In my opinion, Karmine’s Mimi is hands down the best I’ve seen…and I’ve seen 10 different Mimis. Karmine also stars in WHIRLWIND which I directed…and she’s fucking great!

For a second I was afraid we would miss the ferry back to Nassau. I was wiped out and had to get an entire crew and cast to Current Eleuthera which is 1 1/2 hours from Governors Harbor. Five vehicles packed with people and equipment went racing down Queens Highway. We made it in an hour and got on the ferry without incident.

All in all, the experience making DAYBREAK was hard as hell but well worth it. The footage is absolutely amazing and I can say that I’m proud to be a part of this production. Next is post production, but we’ll cross that bridge when we have to. Right now I want cocktails and massage…in liberal doses.

One note: on the ferry back, I looked up in the sky and saw the most beautiful starry night. It looked like this.

We had to shoot a scene where the two lead characters jump from a huge cliff as a sort of right of passage. Most of the crew jumped as well. My ass stayed safely on the ground. Call me a pussy if you want. Anyway, look at that drop. The rigging is to capture the fall from above. We did three set ups so the cast had to jump three times. Better them than me. It looks great though.

Shooting in the Bahamas doesn’t suck.

If anyone is shooting a movie and don’t want to shoot on film, then start researching Red One technology. We are shooting on the Red camera now and the images are unreal. It makes this film look alot more than our budget. I’m amazed at how beautiful the movie is turning out.

We have been on the island of Eleuthera for a week. The difference here is that this island is beautiful! Every where you look beauty slaps you in the face. Every day we go to set and kind of take a moment to take it all in. And the photography is amazing! Good stuff happening here. The Red camera is pretty awesome as well. The whole movie is taking on an epic feel.

Friday we were shooting in the getto in Nassau. It started out as a fun night. Shooting a murder scene in an ally. It was looking good.

Then a neighbor gets drunk and starts screaming crazy shit at us.

Our security doesn’t show up, leaving us in a rough neighborhood.

A snake falls from a tree and almost lands on two cast members.

It begins to rain and everyone rips their shirts off to protect the camera. Someone throws a tarp over us and we all start taking pictures. It looks like a gay night club under there.

Then the night takes a turn and we end up spending 9 hours shooting a scene which ends a 17 hour day.

We were all exausted…and still am.

The photography is beautiful though.

I’m on set. We’ve just completed our first scene. I didn’t think we’d make it but we’re here…and it looks really good!

In case you’re interested, the wardrobe lady is still in the hospital.

Which means I’m looking for a new wardrobe person.

So last night some of the cast and crew went to a special night of music and spoken word at a place called the Hub. Our set designer owns it.

Let me tell you, that was the best thing I’ve done since I’ve been here. Some really talented people. One of our cast members got up and did some spoken word that she wrote and she was great.

But the highlight of the night was a guy who sang and rapped with so much feeling and energy that the whole place was dancing with him. It was an amazing performance.

Then I went home and slipped into a coma.

In case you don’t know, there is a serial killer here in Nassau that is targeting gay men.

So yesterday, I’m having a meeting with the woman who runs the wardrobe department. She’s a lovely Bahamian woman who lost a friend to this killer. So she tells me that she saw a psychic and the woman told her that the killer is a prominant man who is married with two children, he will kill again and that he is “cleansing”.

So my mind wonders off to the word “cleansing” which disturbs me for some reason. So while I am zoning out, I’m not really listening to the wardrobe woman telling me she has a tingling sensation radiating down her arm and she wants to see a doctor.

I’m like “You’re fine. Let’s not even entertain anything negative.” I escort her out and say “See you tomorrow. You’re fine!”

As I shut the door I thought to myself: “If she dies, who’s gonna do wardrobe?”

Then I thought: “Wow. I’m an asshole.”

OK all you filmmies, when shipping a 3 ton grip truck out of the country, make sure you listen carefully to your broker and get all the necessary paperwork.

That said, yesterday our equipment house in Miami notified us that they don’t actually own the truck that they rented us.

Meaning: they don’t have the title. The bank does.

Meaning: Our truck will be held back in customs an extra three days.

Meaning: I’m lying on the floor in the fetal position begging for ice cream…and the blood of one of three individuals. (I won’t say who.)

Alot of work was done to change the schedule so we could shoot on time. I won’t bore you with the details but so far, so good.

But that all depends on what you call “good”.

I never even mentioned that before I got here, my new movie WHIRLWIND screened as part of NEWFEST in New York City. We had 2 packed screenings and the response was overwhelming. A really positive reception from the NYC crowds.

The next week we got our first good review in VARIETY.

I’m having a good week…that is until we lost our grip truck in customs this morning.

But I’m gonna light some candles and kill a chicken later on. Everything is gonna work out.

Got to the Bahamas last week. I am producing a feature here which will shoot in Nassau and Eleuthera. I can’t wait to go to Eleuthera. It is supposed to be beautiful.

FYI filmmakers: the Bahamas Film Commission is so keen on getting more film business out here that they have bent over backwards to help this production in every way imaginable. Free flights, accomodations, discounts on alot of shit and friendly attitudes.

Seriously, think about shooting here. It’s very cool.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts