Voicebox Complete!

So after a long summer of finalizing and working on Voicebox it is finally all done! I couldn't be happier and I am so glad to have it all finished, it is an awesome feeling. Yesterday I spent all day fixing up last minute things and getting a press kit organized for the Elgin Short Film Festival and managed to get it postmarked on the last day of submissions, which is amazing since I have been wanting to submit work to that festival for about two years now. In addition I woke up early today to run out and ship the film over to the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. I had to get rush shipping because I failed to realize that the 27th of September is their received by date not the postmarked date, which means that early today was the last chance I had to send it out. So for now I have Voicebox sent out to two festivals so we will see what happens. I will be putting the film online soon but not until after everyone in my crew has had a chance to watch it and send any final critique (sometimes I feel like I am just not ready to call it a final cut lol).

Random Movie Fact: In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, early drafts of the script explained the cause of Phil Connors' weird experience: a disaffected ex-lover called Stephanie cast a spell on him to teach him a lesson.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Working Double

So for a while there I had a strong aversion to doing anything related to freelance work...I just wanted a break for a while because of the minimester and work. Now that I have had my week vacation I have gotten my mojo back so to speak and I am ready to work my butt off! This Saturday I am trying to set up 2 more photo sessions in addition to what should be 2 already, official booking my whole day. If all goes according to plan I would be doing engagement photos as well as 3 headshot sessions for local actors. We will see though, that is more of a best case scenario.

Not only that but getting off my butt and editing the video for Hello by Kane Mayfield really helped me to get a project done and feel good about it. All of my past independent projects have either turned into nightmares or just not happen at all and to finally finish one felt good; it made me feel something I haven't felt in a long time with filmmaking and reinspired me in a strange way. Hopefully before the 10th of February I can get Love is Undead finished up but I don't know considering that I have to still do a lot and the special fx required in this film are my biggest obstacle since I have yet to perfect the art of the blood splatter. I will do my best though.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Could Barely Wait

I almost couldn't wait to post this before midnight, but I held it back until now.

So today I had my interview which went great, it was about an hour long but after it was all done we came to the conclusion that I should wait until February to try and start due to the crazy schedule of the minimester. So when February comes around I will hit him back up and start the internship.

After that I went to the premiere of Fang a horror comedy film directed by Jonathan Boushell. It was a very funny cheesetastic picture that had a definite life of its own which is hard to find in a student film. I hope Mr. Boushell continues making pictures and growing as an artist he has a lot of talent. Everything was great about it, and I was glad to have been invited.

Tonight I ordered all the items to decorate the set for my samurai film which has transformed from a music video to a standalone story which will be super short but hopefully come out pretty bad ass. I just hope for post I can find a voice actor who can speak Japanese, that would be great. I am happy it is all coming together and by the end of the year I should have two solid short films which is an awesome accomplishment. I think with these last two it will make 4 short films in one year! 2011 has been great to To Tony Productions.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Premieres and Fears

Tonight I am going to go up to the premiere of the film Fang which everyone should try to make it up to. It is being held at Towson University in Van Bokkelen Hall at 7:30pm tonight. I am sure it will be good and anything I can do to support local Maryland artists/filmmakers I try and do. I am sure it is going to be a great film and a few of the actors I have worked with in the past will be in it.

It is happening around the same time as the Gas Guzzlers premiere last year which was held on 12-10-10.

Also in about an hour and a half I have an interview for an internship, the one I was supposed to have last week until I went to the wrong building without realizing it. However I am not too worried about it since I think I have strong chance of getting it, but ya never know. I am debating whether to take it because I gotta call a guy who is looking for an extra photographer at his studio, which would be paid, I think I will take that over the two.

We will see though what happens, with the way my life works what seems to be a solid deal never ever ever is, but at least I can say there is never a dull moment.

Thanks for the support,
Daniel Hess

Closing Door Opening Windows

So yesterday was a day dedicated to closing doors all around me. Today in the other hand I see small windows opening up which could lead to further things. I just got an email from a guy I met in one of my EMF classes who contacted me about a possible internship which would give me the possibility of professional experience either in a studio or on set...either of which would be a huge contribution to my future as a professional. I am again very excited to see what happens. That is only problem with this industry is that it is a constant rollercoaster where one day will be huge, another will be free fall, and long periods of waiting in between.

What is on tape for tonight? I had an opportunity to have two gigs tonight (a concert and a dj event) however I do not really see either one working out...not because I am trying to be a jerk I just need more time for me at this point, I am dead tired from the travel over these past few months and want to stay home for more than a small amount of time...that is what this week has been for. Plus tonight I am going to start editing Love is Undead finally, hopefully by the end of the night I will have a rough cut ready to go off of. I just want to churn it out in time for the Maryland Film Festival.

Class is starting in an hour then I am going to get the lead out.

Thanks for the love,
Daniel Hess