BANNED IN UTAH!

Fulfillment company Vervante has discontinued sales of Spirit Camp because... you guessed it... it's too SCARY, SEXY, and FUNNY! I'm not making this up... After stocking and fulfilling a TON of orders for Spirit Camp, I received a notice that they will no longer fulfill my DVDs because it contains nudity, violence, and adult language. Hmmm... what part of HORROR FILM did they not understand when I contracted them to fulfill Spirit Camp?

Not to worry, Spirit Camp is still available on DVD at SpiritCampMovie.com

Don't you want to see it even more now? ;)

WORLD PREMIERE!

WOW! What an AMAZING event!

SOLD OUT in a matter of days! I am so thankful for all the love and support of the cast, crew, family, friends and fans for making this such a great experience. There is nothing like seeing your film on the big screen with a packed house, cheering all the way.

I look forward to more screenings and more films! Stay tuned - I'll be announcing details soon. You don't want to miss this on the big screen - the picture and sound are amazing at The Studio Movie Grill, and they were great to work with!

DVDs are also available SpiritCampMovie.com, and we will be selling and autographing DVDs at future screenings and conventions!

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this such a memorable experience!

Best,

Kerry

CRYPTICON DAY 2!

Lloyd Kaufman of Troma visited out booth, watched a clip of Spirit Camp and gave it the thumbs up! We talked to Courtney Gains (Malekai from CHILDREN OF THE CORN) about his upcoming projects, and he gave a shout out to Spirit Camp on our videoblog - check it out on Facebook. The girls were a hit in their cheer costumes, meeting fans, signing autographs and taking pictures. We had a great time and look forward to meeting more fans tomorrow! Follow all the exclusive action on Facebook!

CRYPTICON FIRST NIGHT!

The first night at Crypticon was AMAZING! We screened exclusive footage to a packed house with rave reviews! The support was overwhelming! The stars, Roxy Vandiver, Julin, and Denise Williamson were on hand to sign autographs and give away free prints. They will be there Satruday the 17th as well. So many icons of horror were there... Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Adrienne Barbeau (Escape From New York), Courtney Gains (Children of the Corn), Duane Whitaker (Halloween II, Pulp Fiction), the whole Troma team... So many fans stopped by to say hello, and we made tons of new friends. Looking forward to more Crypticon tomorrow! Check the Facebook fan page for all the videoblogs from Crypticon! Spirit Camp Facebook

CRYPTICON!

We will be screening 20 minutes of EXCLUSIVE footage at CRYPTICON horror convention in Houston at Reliant Center Oct. 16th at 6:20PM. It's gonna be a SCREAM!

Stars Roxy Vandiver, Julin, and Denise Williamson will make an appearance Saturday Oct. 17th to sign autograph and give away free prints (while supplies last).

Join us!

Swimming With Sharks

When I first finished Spirit Camp, I was in a panic... "I've got this great film, now what do I do with it?" You may have read the other blog posts about producer's reps... if not, check it out... but let me tell you, I am so glad I didn't sign on with a producer's rep. I have been able to consistently bring deals to the table without one... and it saves me ten percent.

I'll tell you how I do it later, but I'm very excited to have several offers, both domestic and foreign, to sort through... and I've only approached a handful of companies. The blood is in the water, and the sharks are starting to circle (and I mean shark in the nicest possible way, because I know you guys read this blog, lol). I decided to start with a small push allowing myself to adjust my approach if need be. There are pros and cons to this technique... the deals tend to stagger in, instead of all at the same time - and it seems everyone is in a hurry to lockup rights. Fortunately, I don't have investors to pay back, and I can take my time and negotiate a good deal - or walk completely.

Part of my plan from the beginning was to have a self distribution option, and even a hybrid type situation with traditional distribution. Fortunately today, self distribution is a viable option, provided you have a reasonable marketing budget to support a small DVD release.

It is a very interesting time, to say the least, and an incredible learning experience. I have talked to hundreds of filmmakers lately, researching the companies who have made offers, and I definitely recommend doing that before signing a deal. I have found that most directors and producers are very supportive and willing to give their time. Many thanks to all of you who were kind enough to take my calls and emails.

Win, lose, or draw, this whole experience has given me valuable insights regarding the qualities that make a film marketable, but that is the subject of another article...

Stay tuned...

Script Clearance Report – Why You Need One!

I can’t tell you the number of filmmakers I run into who have put their life savings into their film, only to find they can’t sell it. Not because it isn’t any good… but because they didn’t get the proper clearances before they shot.

I’ve talked a little about clearance before, but it boils down to this:

You can’t put anything in your film that you don’t own, or control the rights to. Period!

That painting that hangs in the background of a scene, the family portrait that sits atop a desk, the product that one of your actors is holding… all of these need to be cleared.

The artist who painted the painting likely owns the rights, and you could be guilty of copyright infringement by using it without permission. Same with the photographer who took the family portrait (yes, even if it is your relatives in the photo, the photographer likely owns the rights.)! And to be really thorough, you will need releases from each person featured in the family photo… that means uncle Bob needs to sign off on it.

You will also need to clear the usage of any products in your film, and context is often a very important consideration. If your film depicts something negative happening in, around, or as a direct result of, a recognizable product, you are likely to run into clearance issues.

And it doesn’t stop there… character names are equally as important. A filmmaker can open themselves up to all kinds of lawsuits, including defamation of character and invasion of privacy, etc. Say you name the villain in your story “John Doe,” and he does unsavory things… and there just happens to be a person of the same name, in the same area that your film takes place in, with the same profession… you might be at risk for a lawsuit.

I know, what are the odds of that… but it happens more often than you think.

So, what does all this mean? Well, if you are not careful, your risk of a lawsuit may be high, in which case you may not qualify for E&O insurance, or your rates may be exorbanant. It’s like trying to get health insurance with a pre-existing condition.

What is E&O, you ask? Errors and Omissions… it’s basically a media liability policy, so if someone does bring a lawsuit, the insurance company will pay for they defense and any settlement.

No distributor or broadcaster will touch your film without it. Let me say that again… NO DISTRIBUTOR or BROADCASTER will touch your film without it. It will usually be requested as part of your “deliverables.” (I will talk more about deliverables in an upcoming article – but in short, it’s all your master versions of the film that the distributor will use to make DVDs, etc.)

It is possible to negotiate that the distributor pays for E&O, but your film still needs to meet the clearance requirements. Enter the script clearance report…

There are a handful of approved clearance agencies that will go through your script and point out clearance issues, and make suggestions that can save you thousands of dollars later. They will check every character name against a national database, and let you know if there are any conflicts.

But it’s not cheap! Script clearance can run anywhere from $1000 to $1500… and it usually takes a week or two. Once you have a final shooting script, get the report done BEFORE you shoot. Have your attorney look over the report to make any final suggestions, and give you the go ahead.

Look for my upcoming book, where I go over all this in detail, list several clearance agencies, and tell you simple things you can do to improve your odds of staying in the clear, so to speak. Keep in mind, I am not an attorney, and this is not legal advice, so always consult with an experienced entertainment attorney first.

So, save yourself some heartache, and clear your script!

BUY SPIRIT CAMP STUFF!

The official online store for Spirit Camp is now open for business. T-shirts, tank tops, posters, calendars, and more... I will be continually adding new products. It's a great way to show support and get the word out with a Spirit Camp T-shirt. Sexy, funny, and totally irreverent. Shop NOW!

Spirit Camp Store.

IS YOUR MOVIE'S TITLE SAFE?

I have to admit, I was a little nervous... I've been calling my film "Spirit Camp" ever since the first draft - but I hadn't bothered to clear the title. Actually, I didn't really know the process. I mean, I did as much research on my own as possible to make sure there wasn't a conflicting title already out there, but that was about it. At this point, my key art, DVD cover, and marketing materials are all geared toward "Spirit Camp." It would be a total bitch to have to change the name now.

One of the requirements to get E&O insurance (Errors & Omissions) is a title clearance report. I paid a research company, Thomson Compumark, $1100 to run my title through every conceivable database for any conflicts. The US Patent & Trademark Office, The Copyright Office, along with every entertainment title, book, video game, ever created. They even searched user generated content on the web, on sites like Youtube and Myspace. What I got for my money was a 366 page booklet containing everything that referenced the name "Spirit" or "Camp" in any combination. They even printed out every web page titled with those terms as well.

I sent this "War & Peace" sized report to my attorney for her to issue an opinion, cringing on the billable hours it would induce. I anxiously awaited our conference for the results.

Everyone asks me, "When is the movie coming out... what's taking so long?" and most importantly "When's the wrap party?" But it's these little details of post production, that most people are unaware of, that can hold up a release. I certainly couldn't press 10,000 DVDs before I cleared the title.

Fortunately, my attorney says we are in great shape legally, and the title is clear for my use. I still need to get a script clearance report (which is something I should have done before filming). This is another requirement for E&O, and of course, the subject of a future post.

So, "Spirit Camp" WILL be coming soon!

PRODUCER'S REPS vs. SALES AGENTS???

Your film is finished, now what? Well, in the good old days, you submitted to festivals, got some good press, and hopefully a distributor picked your film up in a bidding war. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and they really only existed for a select few anyway. Besides, you have to "know" someone to get into Sundance, don't you?

Hopefully by the time you've finished your film, you've been contacted by a producer's rep, or sales agent wanting to take a look. But it's really confusing... what is the difference? And sometimes sales agents are also "distributors," so it makes it even more confusing. So, who are these people?

A producer's rep is like an agent for a filmmaker... they will, supposedly, use their "relationships" with distributors to help sell your film. I talked with dozens of reps, and as one rep I spoke with put it, "our services would include developing and implementing a strategy for film festivals, consulting on your marketing materials (trailer, press kit, etc), cajoling distributors and festivals to watch your film, counseling on the various offers that you receive, and then advising on your agreements."

All for the low, low price of $7,500 plus 10% of all sales. What a bargain... of course that was after his initial offer of $5000. Hmm... I've been in this business for a long time, and I know better than to pay an agent an up front fee to represent me. If they believe in me, 10% commission is enough. This rep did come down to $3750, but still didn't answer any of my questions regarding how many films he actively represented, or any of the minor amendments I wanted to make to our contract. If he signs 10 new filmmakers a month at that fee, that's a pretty good living. Maybe I should become a producer's rep.

All of his emails were cut and paste responses, and I have multiple emails with the same identical phrases pasted in... I don't think he even watched my film, as he only ever discussed it in general terms. And to top it off, he was just going to place it with a sales agent anyway. At this point I already had a dozen sales agents contact me regarding the film. I figure I didn't need the middle man. Though I will say, I talked with several filmmakers who this rep had sold films for, and they were all happy. Just didn't feel right for me...

So, what is a sales agent, you ask? A sales agent represents your film, along with a slate of other films, at the film markets. Their primary goal is foreign sales, although some do have domestic distribution divisions or relationships with domestic distributors.

Sales agents do not charge an upfront fee, but will ask for a hefty commission and a marketing expense. Everything is negotiable. This is where the attorney comes in... you need competent legal advice when negotiating these contracts. Typically they will settle for 25% of sales, plus a recoupable marketing expense that you should cap at no more that $50,000, preferably less. Film markets are expensive, and you need to give them some room to work, but you also need to make sure that the marketing expense you are being charged for was actually spent on your film.

When a sale is made, the sales agent will take their cut plus everything up to the marketing cap... so, say your film sold for $50,000 to Germany - the sales agent would take $12500 (25% commission), plus the marketing expense of $37,500, leaving you with, you guessed it, ZERO. Now, the next sale of $50,000 to the UK, they would take $12,500 (25%), plus the remain allowable marketing expense of $12,500 (for a total marketing expense of $50,000) and you would get $25,000. After that it's a straight 25/75 split. But it may take a year to actually get the money from the foreign country.

BTW, those sales numbers are high... you aren't going to get that amount without a star in your film. I hope you didn't spend a million dollars on your film without a recognizable name. My preference is to do a 30/70 first dollar split with no marketing expense. That way you are getting 70% out of every sale.

I didn't "know" anybody when I made my first film. I submitted to 30 film festivals, all of them turned me down - except for the last one... Slamdance. The first of the alternative Sundance festivals in Park City, Slamdance is now one of the top 5 film festivals in the world. My short "Bad Habits" won the Anarchy Film Showcase, and subsequently got offers from every distributor that had previously turned the film down. Imagine that.

But the work didn't stop once I had a distributor. I kept marketing the film, took it to Cannes, and sold it myself again to the largest distributor of films in the UK, and had them do the deal with my domestic distributor. The distributors made money - I've never seen a dime past my advance.

Lesson learned... I can sell my own movie, and keep more of the profits. It todays market, it is more and more economically viable to self distribute, provided you can stomach the upfront marketing and replication expenses. There are pros and cons to everything, and there are some great producer's reps, and sales agents out there, and it just depends on your film and your goals as to which is the right path for you. Take your time, trust your instincts and read the fine print. Better yet, have your attorney read the fine print.

I will keep you posted on how this little adventure all pans out.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR MOVIE!

I met a filmmaker last night that had a panicked look on her face... you know the one where you've just committed all of your resources and years of your life to a project, and you've just discovered you didn't get all of the necessary clearances for your film?

She had verbal agreements with several bands that contributed to the soundtrack... but she just realized she can't get E&O insurance, or a distributor, without all the proper clearances. What's "clearance" you ask?

"Clearance" is obtaining the legal right to use other people's name, likeness, or intellectual property in your film. It ranges from talent releases for your actors, to music synchronization rights from a composer or band. Unfortunately, in most cases, verbal agreements don't cut it. The exception to this is if you have a verbal agreement on film, and it can be determined that all the parties have a full understanding of the potential uses and compensation of the intellectual property in question. Though not ideal, that is better than nothing. Now, I'm not an attorney, and this is not legal advice, so, if you plan on making a film that you intend to sell to the public, I highly recommend getting the counsel of an experienced entertainment attorney to help you navigate the often confusing and highly detailed area of "Clearance."

But before you drop $5000 on a retainer fee, you can drop $20 and get a amazing book that will help you familiarize yourself with this tricky area. This book will save you a TON of money and heartache! And it will better prepare you to find the appropriate attorney, and communicate your needs effectively with them, saving you valuable attorney time - (time = money.)

The book is "Clearance & Copyright" by attorney Michael Donaldson. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and not just because my attorney wrote it. Getting all the paperwork sorted out before hand is not exactly fun and creative, but if you intend to be a filmmaker, you also have to be a business person. Don't get stuck with a film that a distributor wants, but can't touch because you didn't get your clearances! Good luck in your projects!

DO YOU NEED AN MPAA RATING?

I'm not gonna tell you what my budget is for Spirit Camp, but I will tell you it's under $5 million. Of course no amount of money is going to get back the blood, sweat and tears... but $5 million is the cutoff for the MPAA in regards to their pricing structure. Seriously, there is a huge gap in their pricing...

I just got off the phone with them, and they are sweet as pie... but I couldn't talk'em down. Anything under $5 million costs $3000 to get rated. Okay, 3 grand isn't much compared to what I spent to get Spirit Camp to the screen, but still... that's the cost of a new Macbook Pro, or a helluva time in strip club.  Add that to my attorney's retainer fee, E&O insurance (if I choose to get it), and national advertising... it adds up!

What's worse... if you didn't have anything to do with the production or financing, it would only be $2500... but because I put my own money up, and directed it, I get hit with an arbitrary extra $500. Makes no sense.

And the kicker... I sure as hell don't want to pay 3K for an NC-17... not that my film's rated NC-17, mind you... it's a hard R. I've got boobs and blood, but nothing excessive. Still, it makes me nervous. Lets face it... there shouldn't be any rating beyond R. NC-17 just puts you in that category of film that papers won't run ads for, and some retailers won't stock. 

I love the MPAA, don't get me wrong... parents should be able to judge the content of films their kids see, but an "R" rating is clear enough that it is for adults - but that it is not porn...

Moving on... I don't think I will rate the film. Lord knows I always opt for the unrated version anyway... bring on the gratuity. It's not like Walmart is going to carry this title anyway...

Make art without compromises! Woohoo!

HOW TO GET DISTRIBUTION FOR YOUR INDIE FILM!

As I lean back in the chair with a high speed drill about to plow into my cavity filled molar, my dentist asks “have you gotten a distributor yet?” He knows the answer before I can mumble it out, hence his little smirk. This is a guy who got burned to the tune of a few million back in the 80s when someone conned him into financing an indie film. Nobody told him that distribution isn’t a sure thing. He knows better now.

In this new economy, (World 2.0 as I like to call it), nothing is guaranteed – except for one thing… a sucker is born every minute. And there is a whole industry that has sprouted over the last decade that prays off the enthusiasm and ambition of filmmakers in a brutal parasitic way.  As a famous modeling agent once said to me “This is a business where many are called and few are chosen – the money to be made is not from the few, but off of the many.”

Magazines, indie film associations, product manufacturers, film festivals, consultant gurus and producer’s reps all help to promote what I call the “myth of filmmaking.” Just pick up a camera and follow your passion – make your movie, your way, right now, and finance it on your credit card if you have to. The digital revolution is here, and it’s more like an annihilation. 

The democratization of film through digital media has made it so everyone can make a film. But it doesn’t mean that everyone should. And as a result there is a glut of product out there dragging prices down faster than the titanic. Combined with the global downturn, and a paradigm shift that could change the way people purchase and view movies, the market for independent films is uncertain. It is both the best of times and worst of times.

The question often asked is “can and independent filmmaker make any money?” Well, it’s always been a gamble, but in the old days, if you had a decent film, you could hope to cover your production costs from the advance your distributor would put up (though the advance was likely the only money you would ever see). Today, advances are disappearing faster than virgins on prom night – and traditional distribution may not be the holy grail that it once was.

Over the next few months I will chronicle “Spirit Camp’s” path to distribution. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ll be covering MPAA ratings, E&O insurance, clearance reports, DVD replication and fulfillment, and marketing. Hopefully it will be a useful guide for other filmmakers.  In the mean time, check out Jon Reiss’ article in filmmaker magazine “How To Market Your DVD Online!”

My dentist certainly won’t be making another movie anytime soon, but I sure hope to. As I left his office with half my face numb, the last thing my dentist said to me was “let me know when you get distribution and I’ll buy you a drink.” I wonder if that includes self distribution? 

WATCH THE TRAILER

POST PRODUCTION IS COMPLETE

Read the credits at the end of any film... the number of people who come together to make a film happen is staggering. And the efforts in post production are enormous... Editing, sound design, visual FX, foley, scoring -- all with their own departments and teams of people working each segment.

Over the past few months, I have been doing all of those jobs, working night and day. There are over 250 visual FX shots in the film. The sound design and original score are complete, and mixed for stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. There are foreign M&E mixes as well. DVD screeners are designed and formatted with trailers and behind the scenes footage. And press kits are designed and printed. I have worked so hard, and to finally be able to hold a finished DVD in my hand is an amazing feeling. Now it's time to start marketing.

There are a number of distribution companies and sales agents interested in the film, and I will formulate my gameplan over the next few weeks.

I'm looking at venues for a premire of sorts, a glorified cast and crew screening. I'll keep you posted...

THAT'S A WRAP!

After a grueling shoot schedule, the production is finally wrapped. I can't begin to describe the feeling. We finished up shooting all the FX shots and green screen stuff, picking up elements to composite in post.

My most sincere thanks to everyone involved with the production! It has been an amazing experience, and I can't wait to get back on set with the next feature!

UNDER WATER

I was a bit nervous submerging a high dollar camera protected by little more that a glorified ziplock. Believe me, I did some tests first to make sure this underwater housing wasn't going to leak.

Filming underwater in the dead of winter is not the most comfortable thing in the world. It was so F*CKING cold!!! I was literally blue by the end of the day... but we got some amazing shots. I have a whole new respect for underwater camera men.

After a trying week, we reunited, and kicked some movie ass! With an ambitious shot list, we set out with the idea that if we got half, we’d be happy... well, we got it all! We wrapped another character, and picked up many technical inserts... and I even did some special FX makeup myself!

Over and over again, I have to give props to my cast crew! The most loyal and dedicated group I have ever had the pleasure to work with!

Making a movie is a seemingly impossible task... there are times when it seems like the world is closing in on you, and everything stands in your way, but you have to keep your head up, find creative solutions, and keep marching forward. For me, the ultimate reward is the sheer camaraderie shared by the cast and crew, moving forward toward a single creative purpose. One of my crew sent me this after our most recent day of production, and this is the kind of thing that lets me know I doing something with meaningful with my life...

“To tell you the truth ... we all would not be here if it wasn’t for you my friend...and I know you know that...but I don’t know if you understand the impact that you have on us (every member of the cast and myself)... and I just want you to know that in a whole year of working with you.....I have heard nothing bad or negative about Kerry Beyer...I have never encountered anyone involved with this movie say one word about you that was negative... and because whether you know it or not...You are an inspiration to so many more people than you know, Including myself, and I know this is a grueling thing to do (being in charge of an awesome cinematic adventure) but what you are doing is creating a situation in which a select few are able to experience and learn and grow from... you are a teacher and we are all students!”

I can’t tell you how moved I am by those words. Thank you all for being there for me, and following me on this crazy adventure. I can’t wait for our next shoot date!
--Kerry

TRAILER TRASH

So, I was a little apprehensive about shooting in a trailer park... after all, I’ve seen an episode or two of C.O.P.S. I though we might get harassed, draw a crowd, get held up, but to my surprise, things went off with out a hitch.

Torrential rain pummeled us the night before, and I wasn’t sure if we’d make our day, but the rain held and we got all of our shots on schedule. We setup about 11 and were wrapped just as the rain began falling again at 2pm.

Marco Perella played Nikki’s dad “Duane” perfectly. I was so excited to finally get a chance to work with him. You may recognize Marco from SIN CITY, A SCANNER DARKLY, VARSITY BLUES, and just about every other major motion picture shot in Texas.

Roxy was brilliant, as usual, even though only her skirt made it on camera... but hey, this movie is all about the skirts, isn’t it? And of course, Kavon and John held things together and kept the show rolling.

We finished up some odds and ends the next day, wrapping the minivan. The poor thing has been through hell and back, doused in gasoline and beer, plundering off road, hauling gear and eager cheerleaders. It’s getting traded in on tuesday, so special thank to John’s parents for sacrificing the family car!

We’ll be on a two week hiatus while I globe trot to China, and I must say I miss all of these wonderful people already. Like I have said before, they have all become more than crew, and cast... they have become family.

Mad props to Kavon, John, Marco, and Roxy... catch you all in June, when Spirit Camp returns!

B.A.M.F.S

I remember when the movie first started, and Roxy said to me... “I can’t wait for the fight scenes!” Well, they are here now, and I’m sure she wishes they weren’t... thankfully she is still speaking to me, I think...

Roxy and Kavon spent one evening slugging it out in the dirt... punching, kicking, stabbing, slashing... Roxy in a short skirt with no padding, and handcuffed, rolling around in the dirt with all the creatures of the night... and Kavon in a latex mask he can barely see out of, looking like a human fountain with gallons of sweat pouring out the tiny air holes.

We have just gotten back from another week on location, and the results were amazing, and I can’t wait to edit the footage. No one will every fully appreciate what an actor goes through during an action scene until they have done one themselves. I know I never fully appreciated stunt work until my fight scene on Walker, Texas Ranger... I was sore for a week afterward. So, believe me when I say I have the highest regard for these two actors, and what they accomplished in their fight scene. They are Bad A$$ Mutha F#&Kers!

We are getting closer to the end, and we all feel a sense of overwhelming accomplishment, mixed with sadness that filming is drawing to a close. Making this movie has been the greatest professional experience of my life, and I think many of the cast and crew echo those sentiments. I keep giving thanks for being blessed with such great people to work with! I guess we will just have to make another movie together very soon!

FRIDAY THE 13TH

As the clock struck midnight, the production rolled into the most sanctified hour of horror filmmaking... Friday the 13th. We setup the most complex shot of production involving smoke, fire, and frantic rescue. The result was amazing! We were able to make a controlled situation look out of control, and added another great shot to the film.

Still, as hot and steamy as the shot was, it was nothing in comparison to the heat generated by Roxy’s sultry performance earlier in the day as a Rodeo Queen in the short film entitled “Are You sure This Scene is in The Script?”

As usual, we were exhausted by the end of the day... what started as a 9am call finished at 4am... of course, a mild after party did ensue. Special thanks to John, Kavon, Hunter, Roxy, Crystal, and Belinda for letting us shoot in her yard!

DIRTY PICTURES

So, Spirit Camp is definitely going to be rated M... Oh, get your mind out of the gutter, it’s going to be rated M for Mud. We just spent another week on location filming, and we had to muddy up a section of road, and shoot both day and night. Let me tell you, that was an adventure.

With buckets of water from a nearby lake, we, or should I say, John and Kavon, managed to make a section of road virtually impassable with mud! Then the fun part, driving through it at high speed! Now it’s time to get my truck detailed.

After several days of being the only female on set, Denise joined to give Roxy some much needed girl time! Of course, Denise had to be a bad influence, and get everyone to play drinking games after we wrapped at 5am...

WHAT I DID ON MY SPRINK BREAK

Over the past 8 days I think I’ve had 7 hours of sleep. We started out with the best intentions... 4 days of shooting during the day... 4 days of shooting during the night. First day, we got ahead of schedule... second day behind because Sprint decided to build a cell phone tower and bust our sound, and the third we started doubling up - days and nights. He we were, AGAIN, working both night and day... easily 20 hour production days. Not to mention watching the dailies and finally getting to sleep at 6am, only to rise at 7 for an 8am call.

Despite that, we had the best time of the entire run. We came together as a group and got some great shots, and had a lot of laughs, both on and off camera. I have never laughed so hard in my entire life, especially when Roxy read Katy’s Mom her sexual horoscope from an obscure 70’s book... crazy.

This film keeps getting better and better. I have the best job in the world - I feel like a rockstar. Our camera moves keep getting bigger and more complex. The visual style of the film is growing with every shoot, as we become a more cohesive and polished production unit.

Raccoons stole more fake blood. Darcie kicked ass with more gore makeup effects as we tied mutilated cheerleaders to trees. And Megan swam through alligator infested waters once again, to get another great shot. We built a fake gas station in the middle of know where. Bounced the killer off the hood of a car. And sang songs around the campfire. Hunter made us laugh. Roxy’s performance made us cry. And mom brought us Bar B Q that was to die for. ...and I’m not even going to talk about how cool the kissing contest was... lets just say Roxy and Denise won, but there were no losers.

I can’t wait for the next shoot. I can’t wait to make another movie with these people! So big props to Roxy, Julin, Megan, Katy, Alyssia, John, Kavon, Juan, Hunter, Donna, Kevin, Darcie, George, Katy’s Mom, and my Mom!

HATE MAIL

With all the hardships I’ve put my cast and crew through, you’d think they’d be sending me hate mail, but instead I’ve received comments that have moved me immensely:

“Kerry -

In my wildest dreams...I didn't imagine that the experience was going to be one of the most wonderful of my film career. Your energy, creativity, knowledge, support and care made this the best shoot I have ever been on...that's no lie nor is it smoke up your a$$.

Thank you for letting me be part of it. Just let me know what you need in the future and I am there...what a way to make a film. Bravo.”

--George Brock

“You're a kickass director and you make it very easy for me. You have completely kept your cool during these very stressful times. You're a class act and I am proud and thankful to be working for you.”

-- Roxy Vandiver

It is so cool for me as a director to have such a great group of people working on this project. I’m very thankful.

CHICKS DIG SCARS

As the blood trickled down my face, my first thought was “hmm... my fake blood looks a lot like this.” My second thought was how many stitches I would need. I learned a valuable lesson to stay out of the way of heavy moving objects. “Don’t worry, chicks dig scars, “ said my Assistant Director.

We are all putting our heart and soul into this project, and my crew and I all have the scars to prove it. We run a tight ship, and hold ourselves to the highest standard, and I cannot say enough good things about my cast and crew. That is why it is all the more heartbreaking when a day player shows up and doesn’t know their lines. I watched the morale of the crew drop the instant this happened. These people are breaking their backs to make this show look good, and in that instant it’s all for nothing. We’ve battled many hardships in the course of this adventure... extreme heat, bitter cold, gale force wind, colds, flu, sleep deprivation, mosquitoes, pulled muscles, bad backs, and the list goes on... all so that the actors can do their work. The least a day player can do is be prepared.

Despite the minor setback, we’ve moved on and remedied the situation and recast. We've moved to our second wooded location in a private park. Our days typically began at 11am and we would usually wrap at 6am the next morning. I know, absolutely crazy, but we had to get the shots... and this is what I love about my cast and crew... at 4am on the second to the last night, we completed what was supposed to be our last shot... it was bitterly cold, and we were all bleary eyed, and my actors were wearing summer attire... as we were about to break down, I said “I have an idea for a really cool shot... we’ll need the crane, how do you guys feel about it?” ...without a hesitation, everyone said “Lets go for it!” We finished at 6am!

A few days before that, Megan braved the freezing water to do the scene where she swims across the lake for help... running around in her underwear in 40 degree weather! George fearlessly let psycho cheerleaders wave sharp knives at him the night after. Everyday someone stepped up to the plate to make a difference in this film. These people are dedicated, and I can’t tell you how moved I am by their effort. Even my Dad came up to join in the fun and play the creepy old guy. Don’t tell anyone, but I think he had a good time.

MURDER, MAYHEM & MADNESS

It’s been a long time since my first acting class over at Chris Wilson Studio, but I’ll never forget my first “on camera” class with Brandon Smith. When I watched the tape after class, I never wanted to act again. I couldn’t believe how terrible my performance was, but Brandon got me on my feet quickly, and six weeks later I had booked my first regional commercial and became SAG eligible. So, it was a nice moment to have come full circle and direct Brandon in my first feature film all these years later.

The guy is a class act from start to finish. Always there for me, always asking if I want another take, or shot. Out in the cold and wind, taking falls like a stuntman, and willing to do whatever to get the shot that I want. He is a director’s dream.

We have just completed a major segment of the film on location. I’m bleary eyed and tired, but I am thrilled with the footage. We have some stand out performances, and this film is going to be out of this world! I have got to give major props to my cast and crew, and special thanks to John Lansch for busting his butt as my 1st A.D., UPM, and all purpose grip. I threw my back out a week before production and a pinched nerve makes it difficult for me to walk more than a few steps without getting stabbing pains in my leg - John was there to pick up the slack!

This has been an amazing experience, and I have learned some important lessons... like the fact that racoons will steal your fake blood if you leave it unattended... that death scenes are the longest, most complicated shots... and that it’s best to actually take your scheduled day off instead of shooting through it.

THE GREATEST CAST IN THE WORLD

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my cast is amazing! We just got back from 4 days of filming on location and I am so moved by the talent and dedication of both cast and crew. It was an ambitious schedule, and very grueling at times... I, myself, was functioning on about 2.5 hours of sleep a night, if that, and I lost four pounds over the course of 4 days. But the rewards were well worth it!

I can’t tell you how thrilling it is to watch these actors come together and bond, and bring these wonderful performances to the screen. Working with this group has truly been a blessing. So, my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to Megan, Katy, Julin, Roxy, Alyssia, Amy, Phil, Kavon, and John, and of course my mom for coordinating all the food, and my buddy Chris Freeman for running set security when we needed it.

AFTER ALL THAT

...being shut down, losing a day of production, and all the expenses and preparation that go along with it... after all the phone calls and deliberations... we can shoot at the park that shut us down. ...and there is no permit fee after all.

But just in case, I started building sets. In another few days, my studio will look like a log cabin. With all the uncertainty surrounding locations, (even the one’s we think are solid) it seems like the smart thing to do. It’s a controlled environment, and as long as I keep paying rent, nobody is going to deny me access.

We’ve got 3 days to get our shots at the park that shall remain nameless, and then we’ll focus on the studio for the second cabin. Then we’ll finish our exteriors at another private park. At least that’s the plan... it may change a million times, but that is filmmaking.

The important thing is I am learning valuable lessons, and beginning to think more and more like a producer, while maintaining the artistic balance of director. And above all, I think that is why I’m doing this... to keep learning and growing as an artist.

Personally, I find filmmaking one of the most challenging undertakings. There are so many areas to manage, and so many things that can and do go wrong, and much of the time is spent putting out the fires that pop up everywhere - whether it is a location that falls out, the rain when you need sun, or and actor that flakes out when you’re counting on them. If you want to find out who your friends are, make a film - they will be the ones who are still standing by your side when the dust clears, and they will be just as dirty as you are.

LOCATION HELL

Ironically, the day the article in the Greater Houston Weekly hits the streets about our struggles with locations, we have a location nightmare...

Early in pre-production I scouted a park that shall remain nameless... It’s perfect for our needs. The first question I asked the staff:

“Do I need any permits to film here?”

Their reply: “NO.”

I called to book the cabin last week. I remind them I’m the guy making the low budget film. No problem. They have me call another department, in a different city to book and PAY for the cabin. 60 day cancelation policy, non-refundable. I book 4 days.

I get there today, remind them who I am, and what I’m doing. I load in my gear, setup my lights, about to get my first shot off when the park manager, who watched me load in for the last 3 hours, stops the shoot. Says I need... guess what... a PERMIT.

A lot of preparation, planning, time and money went into this shoot. It’s too bad I wasn’t properly informed. It’s not like I rolled in a 10 ton grip truck and Warner Bros. came to town. This guy shut us down because he could... with no consideration to the size or scope of the project.

So, I begin the permit process... a call to the Houston Film Commission leads me to the the number of the appropriate parks department that I need to call. Unfortunately they are not the office issuing permits for the park, even though it is under their jurisdiction. Okay...? They give me another number to call, which leads me to yet another person who will have to call me back after they speak with yet another person.

An hour later I’m told that a permit for filming will be $115 per day on top of the cabin rental. Hmmm... The film commission boasts that there is no permit fee in the city of Houston, only registration and required insurance.

So much for the myth of a filmmaking friendly environment in Texas. Shouldn’t there be an office whose sole duty is to act as a liaison for filmmakers, where one can secure all the requisite permits and paperwork with one phone call?

It’s amazing the number of locations that have turned us down. I’m beginning to think building sets may be a better use of my resources. No worries, I will get this picture made! One way, or another.

Oh, the horror...

THE NEW FACE OF HORROR

Making a horror film will definitely drive you to stab yourself in the head... The last few weeks have been an amazing amount of work both on and off camera. As you can see, my prop making adventure was a success. I’ve got a mask that is truly creepy... a foam ax that I have a hard time telling apart from the real one... and this lovely kitchen knife.

PROJECT MAYHEM

Seven dead bodies and no murder weapon! Yup, my start date is approaching like a freight train and I have no rubber axe. How can I have an axe murderer without an axe?

No problem, a phone call to a qualified, professional prop builder should yield positive results. Right?

“Yeah, yeah, no problem, we’ll get that built next week.”

Next week comes and goes and still no axe. Another phone call, another “Yeah, yeah, no problem...” Pretty soon a few weeks have turned into a month and still no implement of death.

I’ll be eligible for Social Security by the time this guy comes through, so the only rational option I have is to build it myself. Of course I know nothing of the process, but I’m sure I’ll be an expert by the time it’s all over with. A little plaster, a little foam rubber... how hard can it be?

Well, lets just say the first attempt was a learning process. No worries, that’s what life’s about. Struggling, learning, overcoming. I head into the weekend with that experience, and will hopefully emerge with a creepy foam rubber weapon of movie destruction.

And what would a slasher film psycho be without a mask? Much to my dismay, there are no “off the shelf” halloween masks that fit my character needs. In particular, I’m looking for a “female” mask. I’m not going to go into the psychology of masks, or make deep symbolic connections about the “faces” we wear, and draw parallels between the “masks” the pretentious cheerleaders wear, and the “mask” of the killer. I’m not going to blather on, suggesting my little slasher flick has such lofty goals of making social commentary... no, not me, I’m just trying to make a good B movie with a little T’n A. But, I digress...

So, in search of the mask I scoured the web, and low and behold, I find exactly the type of mask that I need. It’s perfect... custom made by a small, independent mask maker. But guess what... he won’t sell it to me. See, I stumbled upon this little subculture of men who like dress as women and wear female masks... and, apparently, that subculture has been trying to live down Silence of the Lambs ever since Buffalo Bill made his first “girl suit.”

Okay, fine. I respect the fact that he doesn’t want to perpetuate certain stereotypes in media. I respect that choice of lifestyle. Freedom to express oneself in the manner they see fit is a fundamental right that this county is based on. In the long run, it’s good he didn’t sell the mask to me. At least that’s how I have to look at these minor defeats. The mask used in “Scream” was bought off the shelf. It has since sold millions of copies and continues to do so every halloween. On the off chance that “Spirit Camp” takes off to be a hit, that mask maker just passed up the merchandising rights... but if I make the mask myself... yup, you guessed it, the merchandising is all mine.

I spent the first part of the week sculpting the face for the mask out of clay. I’ll make the mold and cast the mask this weekend along with the axe. I’ll post pics soon. I’m coming to realize that filmmaking is about turning defeats into victories... again, much like life.

MORE MOVIE STARS

You are probably going to get sick of me ranting on about how great everyone involved in this project is, but... tough. I’ve got some great people, and they deserve their due...

First, I want to thank everyone who auditioned... everyone who submitted... everyone who is interested in this film. There were countless submissions, and only a limited number of roles. There was a wealth of phenomenally talented actors, and I wish I had a part for each and every one. Hopefully this is just the beginning, and the future will allow me to provide more opportunities for local actors!

I am excited to announce the incredibly talented singer Jennifer Julin will star as the deliciously evil “Rachel!” A phenomenal actress who truly brings something to every scene! Her CD is coming out soon and you can learn more about her and her music at julinmusic.com

Another fabulous actress, and great comedic talent, Alyssia Dumovich will be playing the part of Blair. It is a mark of a great actor to create more of a character than is actually written, and Alyssis does just that. A recent graduate of the University of Texas, she will also work as unit publicist on the film.

Jon Paul Berkhart will play the role of Brent, and let me tell you, this guy is absolutely hysterical! In the audition I gave him 3 different characters to play, and I could have cast him in any of the roles he read for. Look for him in the new Kevin Costner movie “Mr. Brooks.”

The ultra prissy cheerleader Missy will be played by Megan Moser! She is an extremely gifted actress with amazing energy and enthusiasm! The chemistry between her a Julin as “best friends” is perfect!

When I first started thinking actors that might be right for the roles, I looked through my client list, of course. Amy Morris (Mr. Hell) came to mind for Lindsay... before I had a chance to contact her, she contacted me wanting to audition... she nailed it! She can be sexy, then turn around to be the tough as nails drill sergeant! And the chemistry between her and the other girls was amazing!

Linda Martin will keep you guessing as the camp counselor, with the right balance of innocence and mystery - is she, or isn’t she hacking up those sweet cheerleaders?

These are all the type of actors that a director wishes for! I am so excited to be working with each and every one of them, and I hope that together we will create a great piece of cinema, and bring new icons of horror to the genre.

THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

Ten years ago, I was at a very difficult point in my life... my dreams of becoming a professional musician were turning into nightmares. I needed surgery on my hand, and that was putting a damper on my attempts to be Jimi Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughan. Playing the guitar was the only thing I knew... and that was gone. I was devastated! I didn’t know what I was going to do... I needed a creative outlet. I turned to acting...

I went to a little studio, because I heard it was the best place to learn... Chris Wilson’s Studio for Actors. I immersed myself in classes... I went everyday for months. I studied with Chris, and with her son Brandon Smith. It was tough love... they didn’t pull any punches. They prepared you for the real world of acting. Sometimes it was enough to make you cry. But it gave me hope.

Hope, that if I continued to work on my craft... if I handled myself professionally... if I never gave up... that I could be a working actor. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

It is with that deep sense of history that I am happy to say that Brandon Smith will be playing Sheriff Todd. I am so moved by his willingness to be a part of this production. He brings an immeasurable amount of experience and talent to this role. I very much look forward to working with him. Thanks, Brando!!!

MOVIE STARS

I’m excited to announce that Roxy Vandiver (star of WitchCraft 13) will be playing the the role of the spunky, alternative, goth girl Nikki. The more I get to know about Roxy, the more I learn that she IS Nikki.

It’s an amazing feeling as a writer to create a fictional character, and then have her real life counterpart walk through the door in casting. No, Roxy does not spend her days (or nights) running through the woods evading psychopaths, but she definitely embodies the spirit of Nikki. I look forward to working with her, as she is a very talented actress, and is definitely on her way to becoming a “movie star!” ...that is, of course, with the help of my little film. ;-)

CASTING HELL

“I’m very passionate about acting! I’m serious, dedicated, responsible... but I can’t make the audition because...”

--my car broke down.
--I have a fever
--I’m having family drama
--I have a luncheon
--I have a meeting
--it’s too far
--my dog ate the script
--the stars aren’t in alignment
--aliens abducted me

...and I could go on, and on, but you get the picture. I mean, seriously... I’m going to put up the money for the film, bust my ass for the next two years, cutting and marketing the film, and you can’t show up for an audition that YOU ASKED FOR? It’s good actually. Lets me know right up front who not to work with.

Don’t get me wrong.. this is just a small part of the casting process. We’re into the second week and we have seen some phenomenal actors... and I mean phenomenal! We are close to casting many of the roles. But It’s a process. A joyous one, when it all comes together. And we are starting to gain momentum.

CASTING

My fingers are bleeding... I blasted a casting call over several well known casting e-lists. Now, from 9am to midnight, day after day, I’m clacking away at the keyboard responding to all the submissions - which is a great thing! Keep ‘em coming!

I’ve booked 5 full days of casting and I’m not even halfway through. A few tips to actors who want to get noticed, and book jobs - these should be basics that everyone should already know:

1. Don’t submit a resume without a headshot.
2. Don’t submit a headshot without a resume.
3. Don’t demand to read for one part and only one part. Read for what the casting director thinks you’re right for.
4. Read submission instructions.
5. Read the information provided on the production company and previous credits.
6. Don’t submit if you have no intention of being part of the production.
7. Don’t ask how much it’s paying before you’ve even auditioned. Believe me, you need the audition practice anyway.
8. Actually show up for your audition.
9. Don’t ask when call backs are.
10. Don’t be difficult. If you’re trouble now, you most surely will be on set.

And there you have it - I’ve been a working actor for over a decade, and believe me, these are rules to live by. Actually, I forgot the most important rule... ask yourself why you want to be an actor? Is it for money, fame, adoration?

Those are all the wrong reasons. Act because you love it, will do anything for it, and there is nothing else you can do that will make you even remotely happy. Act because you want to contribute to the art form, not because you want the art form to contribute to you.

It’s a tough life, filled with rejection and disappointment - but then there are those moments... those fleeting moments, where a performance comes together and an audience responds... and for an instant, a very brief instant, you’ve become art and touched someone else’s soul.

That is why you should act. That is the only valid reason. Take your satisfaction from the moment created on stage or in front of the camera, and the rest will fall into place.

THE BEGINNING

Cheerleaders and chainsaws, what more could a person want? At least, that was my thinking in when I started writing Spirit Camp. It’s over a year later, and pre-production is well underway, and what started out as my little low budget film is growing and growing... and my wallet is getting lighter and lighter.

It seemed simple enough... a bunch of hot cheerleaders, running through the woods, chased by some psychopath... how hard can that be? Well, let me tell you... that means remote location... and remote location means hauling your cast, crew and equipment out to the boonies, and finding a way to house, feed, and power up your operation.

I broke the first rule of independent filmmaking... (write around props and locations that are easily available). Instead, I wrote a crazy little film in which I would have to custom fabricate all the props, costumes, and even some locations. I mean, you try to find a fake rubber prop axe on Ebay that looks real...

On top of that, finding a log cabin close to town is not an easy task. Surprisingly, 17 acres of woods and trails, with an authentic log cabin, fully powered is located in the heart of the city. Run by the Houston Audubon Society, it is an ideal location for filming... too bad they turned us down.

Not to worry, preliminary camera tests look stunning, and I'm sure we will find the perfect location.