Posted by Fetch
Mon, 14 Aug 2006 20:19:00 GMT
Last week we had a closed reading of Thomas Diggs’s new play, “Yorkshire Fairy Tale.” This past year the team has been so focused on film that it was a nice change of pace to be turning our attention to theater. Directed by the very talented Nancy Robillard, Thomas’s new play is both charming and dark, uplifting and sad. The play is beautifully different and will be such a compliment to the other things that we’ve had the opportunity to work on. So much of producing theater in recent years has been focused on a gimmick or something outside of the play that will draw people in. Yorkshire Fair Tale stands on its own.
While we’re still working on the details of presenting a full production of Yorkshire Fairy Tale, we’re very excited to have this project be our initiation back into the world of theater. Be on the lookout for our developmental wing, Off the Leesh Productions to present this play some time next spring.
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Posted by Fetch
Fri, 21 Jul 2006 15:35:00 GMT
Belly listed in a year end review!
OfffOffOnline.com just posted their year end review for the 2005-2006 Season. Jill Jichetti’s contribution was Belly! She listed it as the Most Creative use of Pre-Packaged Snack Foods.
“Off the Leesh’s production of Julie Tortorici’s “Belly” featured Tortorici as Frannie, an obsessive-compulsive housewife who, despite her obvious quirks, is not much different from the rest of us. Though fearful of leaving the safety of her own home, Frannie welcomed the audience into her living room and into her confidence. Effectively utilizing audience interaction is no easy feat, even in a small theater, but Tortorici’s warmth was contagious. Once she enlisted the help of another Hostess—cupcakes for everyone!—it seemed that none in the house could refuse her charm. With assistance from director Alicia Arinella, Frannie had us all eating out the palm of her hand—literally and figuratively.” —Jill Jichetti, for www.offoffonline.com
Currently Julie and Alicia are working on the screenplay adaptation of Belly. Check back to On the Leesh for updates on Frannie’s continued journey.
Be sure to check out the rest of Offoffonline’s year end review at: http://www.offoffonline.com/20052006seasonwrapup.html
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Posted by Fetch
Sat, 08 Jul 2006 15:17:00 GMT
Congratulations to Diana Whitten, the cast and the crew for The Muse: A Girl’s Delicious Daydream About a Dangerous Man on your win at the 2006 Indie Gathering. The Muse took home 2nd place for Short Film Experimental.
Muse make-up artist, Trisha O’Connor and actress Laura Faye Smith
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Posted by Fetch
Wed, 28 Jun 2006 21:33:00 GMT
Planning a party is never easy. There are a million questions you must ask yourself. Where should it be? What’s the best venue? What would make your guests happy? What’s hip but not obnoxious? Will everyone come?
These questions are even more pressing when the party is for the launch of your latest project. With every hostessing question that comes to mind, you have to think of two promotional questions. Can we get press there? How can we keep everyone’s mind on the project we’re launching? Can we ensure that the guests will pass the word on about the project?
These were only a few of the questions we asked ourselves when working on the launch party for the “The In-Betweens of Holly Malone.” While we’ve already released the first four episodes (and viewers can now vote about Holly and Dimitri’s future on our website: www.ontheleesh.com/holly), we thought a party would be a great way to remind everyone that the episodes were out there while we get them ready for the next four.
We decided to hold the party at Elmo in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. They had a great downstairs room that we used with a separate bar and a dj playing. We had our list of people and got the invites out as soon as possible. We also made up some Holly coasters and matchbooks to give out which looked really cool. So when the big night rolled around we were ready but nervous.
With one drink down the hatch, we welcomed all our guests and offered them a free drink on us. The whole evening worked like clockwork which was awesome. People who hadn’t seen the episodes yet got to watch them on computer screens we had set up and we had Joffre Myers going around getting some footage of the party. Lots of people came who had worked with On the Leesh on previous projects: Daria Polatin, writer of “Happen to Know,” Thom Rivera, actor in “Soap Scum,” Jeanie Dorsey, writer of “Compliments to Amanda” and Chris Borg, actor in “What Are the Odds,” to name a few. What’s so great about that is that, when you’re in the midst of a project it’s sometimes hard to get to know someone as just a cool person. So having the chance to hang out with all of these artists that we love working with and talking about lots of things that have nothing to do with work was incredible.
Now, did we keep people focused on the project at hand. I think so. Are people going to spread the word about Holly? We hope so. Did everyone have a good time. Seemed so. People drank, chatted, mingled, and enjoyed the matchbooks and coasters. What more can you ask for?
As for us, the night was a blast because it’s always rewarding to kick back and enjoy what you were able to accomplish. Even if just for an evening…
Have a look at some of our pictures from the event below!
Party!
Desmond listens in to some Holly episodes.
People gather around the listening station.
PG Kain has a drink.
Jess and Marc have a photo op.
Julie and Alicia keep watch at the door to meet and greet.
Chris and Pete share some talk-time.
Daria and Julie discuss very pressing matters.
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Posted by Fetch
Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:55:00 GMT
Last night, we screened What are the Odds? at DEKK Restaurant in TriBECA as part of SuperfilmNYC. Hosted by Johnny and Nami, SuperfilmNYC is a fantastic opportunity for local filmmakers to screen their films for the public in a wonderful screening room in downtown New York. Superfilm screens a local short before a classic feature film. In the spirit of What are the Odds? and in support of Manhattan, we were teamed up with Martin Scorsese’s After Hours.
Our turn out was impressive. We needed to bring in extra seating to accommodate all of the fans. Even though we’ve had fun bringing our film on the road, there is nothing like screening it in New York. It brought a refreshed live spirit to the film.
If you’re interested in submitting your film to SuperfilmNYC, contact them at superfilmnyc@gmail.com or visit their website at www.superfilmnyc.com
NY IT Awards, Jason Bowcutt and our leading man, Christopher Borg
Alicia shows her enthusiasm for On the Leesh’s resident House Manager, Kristin David
The Big Screen
SIN writer, Ellen Shanman, and Holly Malone director, Jon Schumacher catch up with leading lady, Jessica Arinella
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Posted by Fetch
Fri, 16 Jun 2006 15:02:00 GMT
Two days ago we were on Location at Artepasta on Greenwich Ave in New York City filming the next two episodes of Holly Malone. In these episodes Holly finds her self on a date with Dimitri, sort of. In typical Holly fashion, she finds herself “distracted” and “occupied” while her dessert melts.
What was exciting for us to work on these episodes was the chance to work with director Ilana Levine. We’ve known Ilana for years now, meeting on the New York run of Stephen Belber’s Tape, but we’ve never worked together in this capacity. It was no surprise when her talent shown through. She adds a great comic timing to episodes 5 and 6.
We were also able to feature Joffre Myers (Help Me Help Myself) and a good friend of ours, Lt. Jack Halaby. Filming on location is always a difficult task when you don’t have complete control. You have to compete with the lunch rush and adapt to existing design constraints. The cast and crew were phenomenal, and the end result is great. We’re editing them now, and they should be online within a couple of weeks.
Check out the first three episodes now
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=157056356
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Posted by Fetch
Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:48:00 GMT
What are the Odds? has been selected to screen on June 20th at DEKK Restaurant in Tribeca as part of the Superfilm NYC screenings. Every tuesday night, Superfilm selects a local short to screen before an indie, international or cult feature at DEKK restaurant & bar in Tribeca. Because the screening room is in a section of the restaurant, you can order drinks and dinner while watching.
There’s no cost to attend the screening, so If you’re in town on June 20th, please come to DEKK restaurant & bar, located at 134 Reade Street, between Hudson and Greenwich. The show starts at 8P.
This fall you can also catch What are the Odds? as part of the New Filmmakers screenings at the FIlm Anthology building in New York City. New Filmmakers gives independent filmmakers the opportunity to screen their work directly to the public and gives New York audiences the chance to see some outstanding new films. We’ve been selected for a screening on Wednesday October 4th at 7:10P. If you’re in town, please join us at the Anthology Film Archives, located at 32 Second Ave. (at Second Street).
To find out more information on Superfilm @ DEKK please visit www.superfilmnyc.com , and for information on the New Filmmaker series, please visit their website at www.newfilmmakers.com
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Posted by Fetch
Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:21:00 GMT
Visiting the South of France in May is the trip of a life time, but to be able to travel to the Cannes Film Festival with your own film is truly a wild ride. Matthew Tritt, Jessica Arinella, Matthew Rashid and I reunited on the French Riviera to celebrate the success of What are the Odds? We’ve been all over the country with the film, but the International success was worth the jet lag. Sadly Chris Borg and Justin Spitzer weren’t able to attend due to their schedules. (stay tuned for updates on Justin, as he’s busy writing the latest season of The Office in Los Angeles.)
All the films we saw, won’t make it to the United States for several months. It’s always a thrill to see something before anyone else has the opportunity. We saw Babel by Alejandro González Iñárritu, Marie-Antoinette by Sofia Coppola, Bug by William Friedkin, and Red Road produced by Lars Van Trier and directed by Andrea Arnold.
One of our favorites was the latest triumph from Pedro Almadovar - Volver. We predict that you’ll hear a lot about Penelope Cruz at Oscar time. It was a very moving film about mothers and daughters that made us laugh, cry and want more. I, for one, have never seen a male actor capture women with such accuracy.
Shortbus by John Cameron Mitchell was the unanimous favorite. Not only was it fantastic, but it’s a true tribute to the city of New York and made us all homesick. The film starts with an animated arial view of Manhattan and Brooklyn like What are the Odds? Was John Cameron Mitchell chanelling the folks at Asterisk when he settled on his titles?
I cannot leave our Cannes memories without mentioning the strangest most intense film I have ever seen. Hungarian director, György Pálfi, brought his sophmore effort, Taxadermia, to the festival. It involved a fire breathing penis, sex with animals, flesh eating cats, projectile vomitting and a man removing his organs while still alive. On top of all this excitement, the production design and cinematography were wonderful. I can’t say that I enjoyed it, but it was great seeing something that would never been produced in America. I truly hope this makes it state-side because if you aren’t squeemish, and have a desire to see some truly original filmmaking, be sure to check it out.
the two Matts leaving Taxadermia
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Posted by Fetch
Sat, 03 Jun 2006 01:05:00 GMT
Cannes is the granddaddy of all film festivals, and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of everything. People long to fall under the alluring promise of walking the red-carpet. What they don’t tell you is how insane people become in order to obtain a ticket to a premiere at the Palais. The crowds start to collect outside the theater hours before the screening in order to glimpse a star. In French tradition, they push without any sense of order and expect you to move or be bull-dozed. If you do gain admittance, seeing a film in the Lumiere Theater is an amazing experience. The plush velvet seat cushions are the most comfortable seats in movie theater history, and the kind folks at the festival translate the film into multiple languages for worldwide viewing pleasure. Since these films will most likely get distribution in the United States, getting trampled just to enter this famous theater isn’t for the weary. It’s a little overwhelming, but it’s Cannes.
One of the more exciting opportunities of The Cannes Film Festival is stumbling into a screening without any prior knowledge of what you are about to see. With our badges, we were allowed access to all screenings outside of the Lumiere Theater. We were able to see all of the films entered in Un Certain Regard and the Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs).
Certain Regard has become the largest category of the festival, and it screens films that are innovative in one way or another; films are entered by first time filmmakers, or seasoned filmmakers taking risks in their careers. Think Richard Linklater’s A Skanner Darkly, Rodrigo Garcia’s Things You Can Tell Just By Looking At Her, or Pedro Almodóvar’s All About My Mother. Directors’ Fortnight, created by the French Director’s Guild in 1969, is another division of the festival. The included films highlight new directors in world cinema and directors who are still little-known in the West or in international festivals. In 1999, Sofia Coppola premiered her first film The Virgin Suicides at Directors’ Fortnight. This years highlights included: Jean Claude Brisseau’s The Exterminating Angels, M. Blash’s Lying, Ray Lawrence’s Jindabyne and William Friedken’s Bug. How William Friedkin was included in this category is still a mystery to me.
We were able to see some pretty amazing films months before their US release. And the best part - we breezed past the lines.
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Posted by Fetch
Tue, 30 May 2006 16:46:00 GMT
Arriving at the Cannes Film Festival induces sensory overload. There are people everywhere and they all have a mission: to meet as many people as possible and to see the hottest thing.
This time around attending the festival was very different for me. The first time I went to Cannes was in 1999, and I worked as an intern with the American Pavilion. If you’ve never heard of The American Pavilion, you can think of it like the Olympic Village. It’s a place to check your email, eat american food and converse in english. It’s a small taste of home. In 1999, I was a receptionist, and I was able to get a first hand look at the workings of the festival. It allowed the magnitude of the fest to come down to size, and I decided that I would return to Cannes with a film of my own.
This year I had the opportunity to attend with our film What are the Odds? We were selected to be part of the Short Film Corner, a sidebar at the festival. Started in 2004, The Short Film Corner is a continuous showing of the best that international short films have to offer. You log into a computer and you are allowed to watch which ever short you would like to see throughout the entire day. As we found upon our arrival, people can sit at these stations for hours on end. Some days we had to wait interminably to gain access. We got great feedback on our film. As usual, it stood out against the other dark and intense shorts. Seems that most people making shorts these days like to include sex, violence and drug use.
One of the best parts of the festival was being able to attend with my director, Matthew Tritt. Due to his schedule, he wasn’t able to attend the pervious festivals that have screened What are the Odds? I guess if you’re going to attend any one film festival, Cannes is the one to experience.
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