Life Imitates Art - Tron Bike Realized for $55K!

Life imitates art. Witness a real-life Tron Light Cycle built by the creative geniues at Packer Brothers Choppers. For a cool $55,000 you can finally ride something to make the macho guys who ride superbikes feel inadequate when you pull up next to them...

"You call that a bike? This is a real bike, baby! Wheel hubs are so 20th century! Do you even have neon lights on that shit?!"

*Thanks to my brother-in-law, Francisco Rivera for the tip!

Candid Conversation w/ a Hollywood Power Couple this Weds. 9pm!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be trading industry notes with a rare Hollywood power couple - Meena Payne and Sylvain White.

Meena Payne is Director of Development at Rainforest Films (Takers, Obsessed, Stomp the Yard 1 & 2, etc. ) and engaged to director, Sylvain White, who has helmed such films as Stomp the Yard and The Losers.

Each started out as a mere intern and then hustled and busted their butt to get to their respective positions on the studio backlot.

• How did they each go from intern to POWER player?
• What actually IS the development process?
• What should you always be VOCAL about as an intern?
• What are OPTIONS and how do they work?
• What is it like to be a COUPLE in the industry?

Tune in and take notes as they lay out their blueprints for perseverance and success in a rough and tumble industry. Plus they will candidly discuss the challenges and rewards of being a power couple in Hollywood.

The Losers Trailer

Real talk about real filmmaking issues that can make or break your career every week – only on the Double Down Film Show.

Filmmaking Reality Starts Here:

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

PEEP THIS: Laugh Your Medieval Ass Off

James Franco, Danny McBride and Natalie Portman star in the new film, Your Highness from the director of Pineapple Express, David Gordon Green, which looks to be a new genre - the "Medieval Stoner Comedy".

What exactly is a Medieval Stoner Comedy, you ask? You gotta watch the trailer for yourself...and I'd suggest you don't do it at work or while drinking milk, 'cause it's that damned funny oh and raunchy, definitely very raunchy!

WARNING:
This trailer is Rated "R" for too many inappropriate things to name, so you'll have to "verify" your age to watch it.

Thanks to Dustin Chang from the Floating World film blog for tipping me off to the trailer!

Video Game (Not Movie) Smashes 5-Day Media Sales Record

Increasingly the world of video games and movies are merging with the latest video games now include more involved multi-layered storylines, lush "cinematography", even many big name actors as voice talent and now BIG BIG box office.

The NYU-Tisch School of the Arts (where I also work and teach film) has recently started a Game Center right along side their renowned and well-established film school - same floor even.

As a casual gamer I've been blown away by titles like Metal Gear Solid and the Call of Duty franchise (which I'm pretty sure I'm now gonna need therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder from just the few hours I've played so far. More than once I've had to turn it off and take a break from the intense action on-screen).

Witness this NY Times article which cites how Call of Duty: Black Ops has just set a world record for the biggest 5 day sales of ANY MEDIA - that's movies, music or video games by generating $650 million in worldwide sales in 5 days. That means no title of any genre has ever made more money faster and that's damned well worth paying attention to.

While I don't think a videogame will ever surpass the total box office of say a blockbuster movie like Avatar or Dark Knight in the near future. The day may not be far off as videogames are now learning to milk money from secondary markets like downloadable extras. (FYI- The previous record holding title was Call of Duty: Modern Warfare)

The other figure worth noting here is the cost of the average game at about $50/unit and the amount of time spent engaged with that media - upwards of 20-30 hours for the most popular big titles.

Maybe time to change that big budget action script into a game script, eh?

BRICK CITY - A Real-Life Version of "The Wire"

I'm honestly not sure how I missed this when it originally aired on the Sundance channel, but for the past few weeks I've been riveted watching Brick City, a powerful....I truly hesitate to use the term "reality series", because I think it cheapens the real value...so let's say it's a 5-hour, 5-part documentary by award-winning filmmakers Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin.

Entertainment Weekly described it as a real-life version of The Wire and I have to concur. It's an unprecedented look at the inner-workings and heart of a troubled urban city. I've been watching it on Netflix streaming and I'm only on part 4 of 5, but I've enjoyed it so much and been so moved and fascinated that I had to share now.

The doc basically shifts between four main storylines - the inner-workings of Mayor Cory Booker's office, the Newark Police department's effort to curb its notoriously high murder rate, the fate of Central High a tough inner-city school and the personal life of gang members trying to go legit and mentor a new generation. Each in their own way is trying to reform their slice of a very rough and corrupt city against overwhelming odds.

It is at once depressing, heart-wrenching, insightful, inspiring and most of all - real. There don't seem to be any easy answers to the tough questions this doc examines without blinking, but I guarantee you can't look away.

It's also worth noting that the doc was beautifully shot on the Sony EX-1. Read more on the hi-def cinematography HERE.

Another great doc that touches on similar subject matter - the fate of the city of Newark - is Marshall Curry's, Street Fight, is a perfect warm-up film before watching this series and a powerful doc in it's own right.

Together, these documentaries paint a stunningly intimate portrait of an American city in crisis and the real people who are doing battle to save it and navigate the politics of a sick system. Docs like these are why I truly love the genre.

Rig It, Test It, Burn It, and Crash It w/ Stunt Coordinator - Roy Farfel!

This Wednesday night 9pm E.S.T. on the next action-packed episode of The Double Down Film Show we’ll explore the world of high action and falls and punches with veteran Stunt Coordinator/Driver/Performer, Roy Farfel.

Over the past 25 years Roy has helped craft and execute the action for such films as Goodfellas, Transformers, The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3, Jack Ass 3-D and many more major films and tv shows.

• At what point should you BRING ON a stunt coordinator?
• How do you BECOME a stuntman?
• What exactly does a stunt coordinator DO?
• How do the director and stunt coordinator WORK TOGETHER?
• How do camera angles, audio and editing help “SELL” a stunt?

We’ll extract the answer to all these questions and more as we “rig it, test it, burn it, and crash it” with Roy Farfel on the next cliff-hanging episode of Double Down Film Show.

Filmmaking Reality Starts Here:

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

The Trials and Tribulations of a First-time Feature Tonite!

TONIGHT at 9:00pm EST on The Double Down Film Show we’ll be recounting the trials and tribulations of a first time feature with Writer/Director - Rafick Khan. Rafick is a long-time listener of the show who successfully converted his Double Down Film Show knowledge into action with his debut feature entitled “Chessboxing”.

· What finally gave him the COURAGE to make a feature?
· What WORKED when he broke the rules?
· How did THIS SHOW prep him for the process?
· How did he land then lose a BIG NAME actress?
· What 3 positions did he have to FIRE AND REPLACE?

We’ll provide all those answers and more as Rafick Khan walks us through his feature journey from screenplay to film-in-the-can. Listen and learn from his first-time trials, tribulations and ultimate triumph.

Get your full serving of indie film education and inspiration every Wednesday night on the Double Down Film Show.

Filmmaking Reality Starts Here:

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

Interactive DSLR Camera Guide

My good friends at B&H have taken the time to create a cool little interactive guide to video-capable HDSLR (High Definition Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras. HDSLR is the hottest new thing on the indie film scene, but there is a lot to understand before you drop $2000+ and dive-in.

Everyone seems to be rushing out to get these affordable new cameras, but the HDSLR format and shooting style definitely has some major disadvantages and some unique benefits depending on genre, budget and crew experience/size.

Check out B&H's advice and save yourself some heartache and headaches BEFORE you dive all the way in.

The B&H HDSLR Camera Guide

Hollywood's New Kid on the Block This Wednesday Night!

After taking a week off, The Double Down Film Show is back this Wednesday, November 3rd with our special guest Writer/Director, Dan Schechter, whose next project is The Switch.

Dan is adapting the screenplay based on the popular Elmore Leonard novel. The Switch is actually a prequel to Quentin Tarantino’s, Jackie Brown, following the characters that were played by Sam Jackson and Robert DeNiro, but twenty years prior to the original story.

· How can writing parlay you into the DIRECTOR’S chair?
· What are the PROS AND CONS of casting big name talent?
· What are the challenges of writing for OTHER ethnicities?
· What are the most important keys to your ULTIMATE success?
· How can a big budget fall through DESPITE big names being attached?

Listen as we drill Hollywood’s new kid on the block, Dan Schechter, for the inside dope on all these questions and more.

***PLUS! – We’re gonna rap with friend of the show, D.P., Cliff Charles, about cinematography and his brand-new Master Class for aspiring D.P.’s.

Your favorite underground film class is back in session with more real talk about everything they don’t cover in film schools and books every Wednesday night.

Big Bad Swim Trailer

Filmmaking Reality Starts Here.

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

SKILLZ: D.P. - Cliff Charles Teaching Cinematography Masterclass

Peep this hot news - D.P. , Cliff Charles is giving a rare private Master Class in Cinematography - Saturday, November 6, 2010 in New York City.

If you aren't already familiar with his him, Cliff (a.k.a. The People's D.P.) is the Emmy-nominated D.P. of such films as Spike Lee's When the Levee's Broke, If God is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise and Chris Rock's Good Hair documentary amongst many other projects. He also runs the popular educational online cinematographer's magazine, DPTV.com.

Cliff will be highlighting:

• Camera (setup, movement, and composition)
• Lighting (creating mood, color balancing, lighting methods and styles)
• Image Manipulation (filtration and color grading)
• Equipment Options (Do I rent or by, which camera and lights should I choose)

PLUS -Registration includes:

• Lunch
• Network Social
• Resources
• Vendor Discounts
• One-on-One Training

D.P.'s, Don't Sleep on this! Admission is limited to only 20 students. This is RARE opportunity to get up close and personal training with one of the busiest D.P.'s in New York City.

In fact, if I were you, I would register first and tell my friends just after. (I've already registered, hence the blog post now.) This event is guaranteed to sell out. Just don't say I didn't tell you.

Download full details HERE.

For more info contact: work@thepeoplesdp.com

Listen to Cliff's Interview on The Double Down Film Show.

The People's DP Reel from Cliff Charles on Vimeo.

The People's DP Spot Reel from Cliff Charles on Vimeo.