Richard LeMay

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.

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