Posted by Fetch
Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:26:00 GMT
You may think that we’ve been on vacation over here at On the Leesh, but we’ve been so busy with our projects that we haven’t had a chance to update our site. Here’s some news on 6 of the projects currently on our slate.
Michael Mastro, one of the two directors for Compliments to Amanda is currently donning orange spandex on Broadway in Mama Mia. While he is dancing away and singing the tunes of Abba, Compliments to Amanda has moved into post-production and is slated to finish at the end of 2006. Check back to see Amanda head off into the festival circuit.
Just last week we had our first production meeting to start planning Season 2 of the In-Betweens of Holly Malone. After tremendous feedback for Season 1, we’re slated to start shooting in November. Changes are in place for our characters, be sure to watch and see what develops.
On the Leesh has been hired as an indpendent producer for Masquerade: Poems of Calypso and Home. Masquerade is a play being produced by terraNOVA collective a company that we’ve only worked with indirectly. Jennifer Darling worked with us as the stage manager for the Naked Angels’ Democracy. Masquerade features the great talent of Roger Bonair-Agard as he he riffs about growing up in Trinidad, the current state of America, and how his connection to Calypso music defines him.
Last week, we had another reading of Thomas Digg’s Yorkshire Fairytale. The play has evolved even further and is ready for a showcase production. Under Nancy Robillard’s direction, we’re bound to have a wonderful main-stage production come the spring. We’re scheduled to have a meeting to firm up details in the next week or so.
Finally, On the Leesh is extrememly proud to announce that we are in pre-production with the feature length film verision of Julie Tortorici’s Belly. We’re hoping to shoot this project sometime in the Spring, but if you’re in New York City on December 6th, you’ll have the rare opportunity of watching Julie perform the stage version one more time. We’re hosting the event on the 6th as a fundraiser for the film.
This list doesn’t include the other features that we’re working on, or the slow roll out of Season 1 of Holly. More to follow….
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Posted by Fetch
Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:23:00 GMT
Imagine…
1977
Dave Lynch
Treatment: Eraserhead
Scene: apocalyptic. Henry and Mary are forced into wedlock by epileptic mother who serves hemorrhaging chickens for dinner and makes out with son-in-law before sexually frigid Mary produces alien turtle mutant offspring. Meanwhile Henry squirrels away little pet slug in cupboard which resembles larger placenta creatures falling to the ground of a faraway theater where a deformed blond boxsteps her way around them, before squishing them to goo with her heel. The radiator should factor in significantly, but don’t ever let on why, and the sound should be consistent and intrusive through the entire movie, like a migraine. Ultimately Henry’s head pops off to reveal a smaller, more rectangular head underneath, and then all the little placenta slugs run away to freedom, ecstatic, squealing, dancing…
And the film got MADE!!!
Although we love the DEKK screening series Johnny and Nami run on Tuesdays for local filmmakers, and were pleased as punch to see The Muse on the big screen, some of OTLP exited the subsequent feature showing of Eraserhead feeling drained of a part of our very souls. It was funny at times, and we appreciate the visual mosaic David Lynch seems to aim for, rebelliously disregarding the confines of plot. Completely. Although we wonder if deep inside there was a story in there struggling desperately to escape, like the little placenta creatures did, finally and with joy…. Yes, we found it funny at times, short bursts of hysterical maniacal release as we held in our gag reflexes and tried not to cry…
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Posted by Fetch
Mon, 28 Aug 2006 16:04:00 GMT
We have just found out that both “The Muse: A Girl’s Delicious Daydream About a Dangerous Man” and “What Are the Odds?” have been accepted into film festivals that will play this fall.
The Muse has been accepted into The Atlanta Underground Film Festival, The Twin Cities Underground Film Festival and The Port Townsend Film Festival!
“What Are the Odds?” is also having a busy fall. This comedic short will screen at the West Chester Film Festival and as part of the New Filmmakers series right here in New York!
Be sure to check out all the details for these screenings on our calendar located at: www.ontheleesh.com.
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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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