Ryan Colucci's Blog, page 30
July 11, 2011
Graham Taylor's 'Prescription for the Evolution of Indie Film'
Still catching up on all of the blog posts by Ted Hope in recent weeks and came across the one about WME's Graham Taylor's speech at LAIFF (Prescription for the Evolution of Indie Film).
You can listen to it through the link on the blog. But the best part was re-posted on Hope's site, and gets to what I was talking about yesterday as to what I felt was the most important first lesson in filmmaking:
"In closing: I'm not an optimist because I'm a lunatic. It's a learned optimism, one that's founded upon years of experience, tenacity, and perseverance in this business. We have to be educated on the issues and challenges that face us. I have not gone into the economic issues today as they are well-documented and we are bombarded with them every day. BORING!What's not boring is making shit happen. We are the inmates taking over the asylum. We Build, Enable and Activate content, financing and distribution. We are in a revolution and now is our time. We finally have a bigger seat at the table."
You can listen to it through the link on the blog. But the best part was re-posted on Hope's site, and gets to what I was talking about yesterday as to what I felt was the most important first lesson in filmmaking:
"In closing: I'm not an optimist because I'm a lunatic. It's a learned optimism, one that's founded upon years of experience, tenacity, and perseverance in this business. We have to be educated on the issues and challenges that face us. I have not gone into the economic issues today as they are well-documented and we are bombarded with them every day. BORING!What's not boring is making shit happen. We are the inmates taking over the asylum. We Build, Enable and Activate content, financing and distribution. We are in a revolution and now is our time. We finally have a bigger seat at the table."
Unions. SAG.
Suck. They create a toxic environment in terms of actually making films. I understand they are created to help those that fall under the union - but they don't. They make it harder for anyone trying to make a film. It drives business not only outside of certain states/cities - but also outside the US. 
July 9, 2011
Best First Lesson In Filmmaking
I just landed in NY after wrapping principle on my first live action feature as a Producer and just happened to read an old post from Ted Hope's indieWire blog.
Here are some that I agree with wholeheartedly:
wvfilmmaker Jason Brown
whether you believe you can or you believe you can't - you're right.
dnbrasco David Davoli
Choose your partners wisely.
FilmmakerMag Scott Macaulay
Best lesson? I wrote about this in the mag, and it comes from James S. in 1994: "Get people to say no and then move on."
Kleb28 Mitch Klebanoff
Know your audience.
Baanzi Larry Long
if you want to direct, then direct. Don't try to work your way up through the ranks.
im2b dl willson
as a director/producer Mike Figgis "90% of the director's battle is won or lost in casting"Brian Linse: "Good, Fast, Cheap - pick two."
Michael Gaston: "Get it in writing."
Those are all good, valuable lessons. But they aren't the first lesson you need to learn. For me, the first lesson you need to learn is a variation on Larry Long's:
If you want to do something, then do it. Don't try to work your way up through the ranks. People don't hand things to you - you have to go and take them.
June 15, 2011
Harbor Moon Book Plates from DCBS
The book plates from DCBS just arrived... pretty cool stuff. Now I just need to get them signed. Sweet.
A full month since the last post? Crazy. Guess that means I've been busy. Not going to lie - probably a good thing for me. Which means better and cooler shit coming out of my mouth in the future. Stay tuned.
A full month since the last post? Crazy. Guess that means I've been busy. Not going to lie - probably a good thing for me. Which means better and cooler shit coming out of my mouth in the future. Stay tuned.
May 13, 2011
Pre-Production on White Space is Official
It's been hard to update this blog because of the project I'm working on. I can now officially say that pre-production on the feature film White Space has launched.
Mike the Pike Productions, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MIKP) (www.mtpprods.com) and Ryan Colucci's' Spoke Lane Entertainment proudly announce that the partners have launched pre-production on their high-concept sci-fi thriller, White Space. MIKP CEO/Producer, Mark B. Newbauer has relocated to Los Angeles for the shoot, where he, Colucci and other project principles are working diligently toward principle photography, which is slated for June 6, 2011 at premier studios and soundstages which will be announced in line with locations as pre-production moves forward.
Mike the Pike Productions, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MIKP) (www.mtpprods.com) and Ryan Colucci's' Spoke Lane Entertainment proudly announce that the partners have launched pre-production on their high-concept sci-fi thriller, White Space. MIKP CEO/Producer, Mark B. Newbauer has relocated to Los Angeles for the shoot, where he, Colucci and other project principles are working diligently toward principle photography, which is slated for June 6, 2011 at premier studios and soundstages which will be announced in line with locations as pre-production moves forward.
May 8, 2011
Workers Behind the Wheel Should Be Held to Higher Standard
A pedestrian in NYC was mowed down by a tour bus this morning. It just so happens that the driver of the bus was drunk.
This isn't the first time an employee, whether it is from the private sector or public, that the person behind the wheel was intoxicated (drugs/alcohol) and killed someone, or multiple people. Recently, a subway car crashed because of an impaired driver. There was a ferry that killed a dozen people captained by a drunk.
Why are these individuals not held to a higher standard? There is technology out there where you cannot start the vehicle unless you pass a breathalyzer test. Citizens have to use this in certain counties after a certain number of DWI's. For all workers who operate a vehicle - this should be mandatory. Not as something that occurs after an incident, but mandatory. Cops, firemen, bus drivers, subway drivers, state employees driving publicly owned vehicles, mailmen, etc... They should all be held to a higher standard. There is no reason not to.
And if I ran a company where my employees were driving company owned vehicles, a plumbing company or Fedex or UPS or 1800-Flowers - I would require these devices in every vehicle or truck as well.
If it became standard across the board then no one would complain.
This isn't the first time an employee, whether it is from the private sector or public, that the person behind the wheel was intoxicated (drugs/alcohol) and killed someone, or multiple people. Recently, a subway car crashed because of an impaired driver. There was a ferry that killed a dozen people captained by a drunk.
Why are these individuals not held to a higher standard? There is technology out there where you cannot start the vehicle unless you pass a breathalyzer test. Citizens have to use this in certain counties after a certain number of DWI's. For all workers who operate a vehicle - this should be mandatory. Not as something that occurs after an incident, but mandatory. Cops, firemen, bus drivers, subway drivers, state employees driving publicly owned vehicles, mailmen, etc... They should all be held to a higher standard. There is no reason not to.
And if I ran a company where my employees were driving company owned vehicles, a plumbing company or Fedex or UPS or 1800-Flowers - I would require these devices in every vehicle or truck as well.
If it became standard across the board then no one would complain.
May 6, 2011
Pawel Reports In on Bulderlyns
Pawel just sent me a few images of his work on Bulderlyns. Not the actual artwork, but photos of how far we've come.
We're only twenty pages in on his inking - but look at how thick that stack is. And look at how detailed Igor's pencils are - lots of work for Pawel (sorry about that - but the book will be incredible).
We're only twenty pages in on his inking - but look at how thick that stack is. And look at how detailed Igor's pencils are - lots of work for Pawel (sorry about that - but the book will be incredible).
April 25, 2011
Movie Review: Triangle
I blame a few people I know, and movie podcasts, for recommending the film Triangle. Specifically - Clay, this was on your top of the year lists - and everyone at the /Filmcast podcast - you took two hours of my life and I want it back.
Not going to bore you with the fine points - this movie was one word - boring. And I have a few more words - poorly acted (Melissa George was almost unwatchable), poorly paced, the writing was weak and the supporting cast was even worse.
Not going to bore you with the fine points - this movie was one word - boring. And I have a few more words - poorly acted (Melissa George was almost unwatchable), poorly paced, the writing was weak and the supporting cast was even worse.
April 23, 2011
Rev Theory
Chances are you've heard
Rev Theory
and not even realized it. They have the theme song to
Blue Mountain State
, Broken Bones is all over AMC's The Cleaner and their music appears in
Madden Football
. If you're lucky, you own their albums. Even luckier if you've seen them live. This band rocks. Hard.
Start with Light It Up
and make your way over to their new album
Justice
. Then backtrack and pick up their indie release
Truth is Currency
(under the name Revelation Theory).
I haven't been this into a band since the gang from Saved by the Bell
formed 'Zack Attack'.
, Broken Bones is all over AMC's The Cleaner and their music appears in
Madden Football
. If you're lucky, you own their albums. Even luckier if you've seen them live. This band rocks. Hard.Start with Light It Up
and make your way over to their new album
Justice
. Then backtrack and pick up their indie release
Truth is Currency
(under the name Revelation Theory). I haven't been this into a band since the gang from Saved by the Bell
formed 'Zack Attack'.
April 21, 2011
Harbor Moon Hits Comic Shops - FINALLY
April 12 came and went with a whimper for me. After months (over a year) of the book being done,
Harbor Moon
finally shipped last Tuesday.
It is at once my greatest accomplish and the bane of my existence. It has been such a struggle from its very inception (me calling Brian Anderson in 2003) to last week - and not for any other reason than other people. The best part of the entire process was dealing with Karol/Pawel and then all of those that accepted the book for review - some of who I talk to on a very consistent basis. One of those reviewers, who I had zero relationship with before his review of the book, actually wrote a script for me (details to follow). Company politics, vulture producers and a host of other miscreants have come and gone throughout the process - but one thing never wavered - my belief in the book and myself. I am glad I was created this way - disturbed and with a laser-like focus, that is usually to my detriment but propels me to do things others can't or won't. And I hope you have a chance to check out Harbor Moon - because I believe that what we did is worthy of your time (and money).
And if you do check it out, and like it, please take the time to submit a review on Amazon. Your words can go a long way.
It was my dream growing up to make comics - and I am proud of the fact I have been able to accomplish that. It's hard pulling it off when you yourself aren't the artist, and it is even harder trying to sell them - but when you love what you are doing and the products you are putting out it makes it all worth it.
It is at once my greatest accomplish and the bane of my existence. It has been such a struggle from its very inception (me calling Brian Anderson in 2003) to last week - and not for any other reason than other people. The best part of the entire process was dealing with Karol/Pawel and then all of those that accepted the book for review - some of who I talk to on a very consistent basis. One of those reviewers, who I had zero relationship with before his review of the book, actually wrote a script for me (details to follow). Company politics, vulture producers and a host of other miscreants have come and gone throughout the process - but one thing never wavered - my belief in the book and myself. I am glad I was created this way - disturbed and with a laser-like focus, that is usually to my detriment but propels me to do things others can't or won't. And I hope you have a chance to check out Harbor Moon - because I believe that what we did is worthy of your time (and money).
And if you do check it out, and like it, please take the time to submit a review on Amazon. Your words can go a long way.
It was my dream growing up to make comics - and I am proud of the fact I have been able to accomplish that. It's hard pulling it off when you yourself aren't the artist, and it is even harder trying to sell them - but when you love what you are doing and the products you are putting out it makes it all worth it.
