Posted by Fetch
Fri, 26 May 2006 14:03:00 GMT
With any new project there is a lot of anticipation and a tremendous amount of anxiety. You want people to like it, be entertained by, support and tell their friends about it. What you don’t expect, is the difficulty of actually getting it out there. On the Leesh has wrapped our first set of episodes for our podcast, “The In-Betweens of Holly Malone.” The goal is to launch these episodes, among other places, on itunes. However, what we didn’t anticipate is how difficult itunes is with launching new podcasts! Thus, you can check out this great series on Holly’s myspace page (www.myspace.com/hollymalone), on utube and of course on our website: www.ontheleesh.com (google video is currently reviewing our episode). Check back here for the latest information on our itunes launch…. Which hopefully will be anyday now…
Most of all though, be sure to check out each episode of “The In-Betweens of Holly Malone!”
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Posted by Fetch
Tue, 23 May 2006 00:34:00 GMT
Two weeks ago we had a reading of Daria Polatin’s screenplay, “Happen To Know.” We are slated to shoot the script during the summer of 2007. Daria is an amazing writer who has written a quirky, fun script that we’re all excited to dive into. And, while we’ve all been looking forward to working on this project, there is something about hearing it out loud – hearing a different voice for each character – hearing how the pace of the story takes shape and hearing the small audience’s reaction, that makes you even more thrilled and eager.
Of course, having the cast led by none other than the notable Broadway actor, Frank Wood doesn’t hurt either! Now, if possible, we’re even more excited to pursue this amazing project! Be sure to be on the look out for more information on this one…
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Posted by Fetch
Mon, 01 May 2006 19:30:00 GMT
Getting ready for the launch.
We’ve been busy getting The In-Betweens of Holly Malone ready for launch next week on Itunes. Last week, we shot the next three episodes. On a gorgeous day on the Upper West side of Manhattan,
Matthew G. Rashid made his directorial film debut as did a very happy poodle named Atticus. The following day, we headed down to Le Gamin Cafe on Hudson street in the West Village. Le Gamin opened their doors for us as a premier location. Nancy Robillard directed episode 4 and under her direction, finished ahead of schedule.
The following day Jon Schumacher transitioned from a theatrical On the Leesh director to a cinematic one. We were stationed outside The
Pleasure Chest on 7th Avenue. It was a bit of a chaotic scene. Not only did we have to account for glaring light (not good for shadows and exposure), but every day The Pleasure Chest is visited by the “Sex and the City” tour. About half way through our shoot, 75 people exited a commercial bus to get their photos taken in front of the store. Luckily our actors and directors are professionals, and no one missed a beat. We remained unswayed even when Jake Gyllenhaal stopped by on his way home.
We’ve been busy editing the first four episodes which will launch next week. Check back for more information.
If you’re looking for a great meal while visiting NYC, please visit – Le Gamin Cafe, www.legamin.com. If you’re looking for some fun, visit The Pleasure Chest at www.thepleasurechest.com.
To find out more about our great directors, please visit their websites. For Jon Schumacher – www.singularitycompany.com, For
Matthew Rashid – www.mattrashid.com, For Nancy Robillard – www.nancyrobillard.com
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Posted by Fetch
Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:34:00 GMT
So they tell you in any business, if you are smart-never ever work with your friends.
They fail to mention what you should do if one of your dearest friends and favorite writers offers you a tailor made role and asks your sister to produce your project….
Hmmmmm….
Well we’re in. I met PG Kain back in acting school where he became my resident Madame Defarge as he knit happily while I was acting and throwing myself around in hysterics. He offered me a comedic scene to do with him, and confused (as I never was offered comedic roles) I accepted and a wonderful friendship began.
Through our time together PG and I have become close friends and fine allies. He has helped me thourgh the woes of acting and a slew of personal dramas. We have acted together in smaller projects- one notably where although we shared a stage for 15 minutes we shared no lines-but we never found a project we wanted to get behind together.
Then I got the phone call. PG’s calls are more like a call to arms rather than friendly chat and he informed me that he had a project and we were doing it. It was a new idea for a nano series on the web and as far as he knew hadn’t yet been tried yet. No wasn’t an option nor was it a choice I wanted. And we’re in. So far we have shot four episodes of Holly Malone and getting to work with “my friends” has been my favorite experience in NYC yet.
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Posted by Fetch
Tue, 18 Apr 2006 21:44:00 GMT
What is it like being interviewed? Well Jessica and I learned some lessons when we were at the Sarasota Film Festival with What are the Odds?
We learned that if you’re given the opportunity to be on the news to promote your film. you will wake up at 5A to make your taping. (Notice how alert we look in our photos below. Those were taken at
6A). If we might have slept through our wake up call, the fire alarm would have gotten us out of bed. Always good to have a connection from on high. We learned that it’s best to pack outside of your norm of white t-shirts and jeans in case you will be video-taped. White doesn’t read well on camera – it reflects too much light. This unfortunate packing decision necessitated some last minute shopping –
no complaints here. Lastly, we learned that if you’re recording a radio interview, it’s good to keep the subject matter light. Sometimes people don’t like hearing the upsetting side of stories. Apparently radio is around to make people feel good. All valuable lessons courtesy of ABC-7 Sunrise Morning show, Tampa Bay’s Media Talk, and the Sarasota Film Festival.
We really enjoyed our stay in Sarasota. Holly Herrick and Tom Hall (Sarasota Film Festival) treated all of us wonderfully. They really made us feel at home.
Check back – the footage from ABC-7 Sunrise Show with Ken Jefferson and Silke Rible, and Tampa Bay’s Media talk hosted by Janet Sherer and Rob Tisler will soon be available at www.ontheleesh.com for download.
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Posted by Fetch
Sat, 08 Apr 2006 02:36:00 GMT
The Sarasota International Film Festival was incredible! Mind you, staying at a fabulous hotel like the Longboat Key Resort was no small shakes either. Arriving at any locale with a view directly to the ocean while holding a strawberry daiquiri in your hand is quite a nice way to spend your afternoon after an early morning on a plane.
It’s always really encouraging to be at a film festival in places like Sarasota or Durango where the community embraces it so much. The community of Sarasota lined up to see everything – not just the bigger movies with bigger names like “Lucky Number Slevin,” with Josh Hartnett and Bruce Willis (though this was sold out and we sadly couldn’t get a ticket in time!), but also smaller movies, documentaries (“No Vacancy” was particularly interesting) and shorts (check out “Lucid” if you can) also got their attention. After being in a city like New York for so long where there is so much going on all the time that it’s hard for any one arts festival to stand out, it’s very refreshing to see the enthusiasm that’s present in places like Sarasota.
One of my personal favorites from the festival had to be, “Wristcutters: A Love Story.” This off-beat movie, I’m sure, will get distribution (if it hasn’t already) so be sure to check it out! It has Patrick Fugit of “Almost Famous” fame and has a great, fresh feeling to it. I don’t want to give too much away about it because I think you should see it as soon as it’s in theaters!
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Posted by Fetch
Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:10:00 GMT
They Love What are the Odds in the Sunshine State!
We’ve just learned that What are the Odds? has been selected to participate in the 10th annual Palm Beach International Film Festival. That will make our third acceptence to a film festival in the great state of Florida. The first was the 1st Annual Delray Beach Film Festival which we sadly had to turn down in order attend the Sarasota FIlm Festival. Sarasota has a sentimental history for the Arinella family and everyone at On the Leesh.
In addition to the screenings in Florida – What are the Odds? was short listed at the 2006 Bermuda Film Festival. And as you know by now, we’ll be traveling to Cannes for two weeks in March.
I guess shooting for five intolerably cold days on the streets of Manhattan has been rewarded with tropical festival locales.
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Posted by Fetch
Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:01:00 GMT
On the first take of the first shot we filmed of the Muse, five years ago, the lights were set, the camera rolling, the actors ready and costumed and made up and a room full of crew members waiting for my cue as director, I remember taking a deep breath, and calling out,
“okay… GO!” Not much happened. The DP turned around and gently whispered,
“you might want to say, ‘Action.’”
“Oh, right… Just like in the movies!” I laughed.
Not that I’m much less green now, but we’ve all come a ways from our first on-set experience. I was thinking about that as we sat in the Brattle Street Theater last week – a charming little theater in Harvard Square – where I first saw Rocky Horror in high school – and where the Muse was screened as part of the Boston Underground Film Festival. Watching my own film there, I was happy to let go of all disclaimers and new ideas to make the film better, to just be thrilled it was playing on the big screen in front of an audience of strangers, and even be proud. And motivated to make another one! (maybe with monsters for Alicia…)
Also shown in the program with the Muse was a short called the Last Woman on Earth, a lovely stop-motion piece by BU student David Ruddick; and The Fine Art of Poisoning, by Bill Domonkos, a really beautiful, Edward Gorey-esque animated piece about, well, the fine art of poisoning (www.bdom.com ). Both were great.
For information on helping the effort to preserve the Brattle Theater, which is Cambridge’s only Independent Cinema and an institution loved by Bostonians (and by Fetch!), go to: www.brattlefilm.org
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Posted by Fetch
Mon, 27 Mar 2006 15:15:00 GMT
Recently voted Best Novelty Performance of 2006 by American Entertainment Magazine, Eric Walton, (appeared in On the Leesh’s production of SIN) is performing “Esoterica” again on April 10th – be
sure to check it out. This show will blow your mind.
Monday April 10th, 7P
DR2 Theatre – 103 East 15th Street
(at Union Square East)
By Reservation Only
RSVP - DLscript@aol.com
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Posted by Fetch
Thu, 23 Mar 2006 20:23:00 GMT
One of the most exciting things about picking a new project is the possibility of working with old friends in new capacities. On our upcoming project, The In-Betweens of Holly M, we get to collaborate
with two talents we’ve known for years, but never had the opportunity to work with at On the Leesh.
PG Kain is the writer of Holly M. Currently living and working in NYC, PG teaches at The New School and NYU. We’ve worked with PG through various theater companies since 2000, but we’ve never had the opportunity to produce one of his scripts.
Frequently, projects don’t come together until you find the cast. Holly M was no exception. Brian Patacca and Jessica first met at Northwestern University, and he soon became one of our favorite
actors working in New York City. We’ve been searching for the perfect role for Brian to play, and when we read the character of Danny, we knew that we had found it. Brian most recently completed
shooting Pastoral, an independent film on location in the Adirondacks. He has appeared on As the World Turns, All My Children; and VH1’s Games People Play where he won the grand prize in the
actors’ game show. Off-Broadway Brian shook his groove thing nightly in the runaway disco hit, The Donkey Show.
Stay tuned for information on how to view this infectious new series.
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