Runaway Returns To It's Home, Nokia N8

It is a mere 2 days away from Nokia's "Direct & Project" gala screening event at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Part of the marketing hook of the phone, aside from the ability to Direct in 23.98 fps at 720p resolution, is the ability to Project the videos from the phone via HDMI.

"...So it's not just a clever name?" W.Campbell (c.1992)

You can click the photo above or here to view full resolution of the image above. Shortly after the screening Wednesday, we will be uploading Runaway to Youtube along with a nice amount of behind-the-scenes photos and a mini-making-of documentary cut from footage shot by Sylvia Soska from Twisted Twins Productions.

Juno Actress Sierra Pitkin In Nokia N8 Film 'Runaway'

It seems Nokia is quite happy to hear about the inclusion of Connor Stanhope in our Direct & Project film, Runaway - taking to their Twitter account with the news. So what better time than the present to reveal that another young star named Sierra Pitkin, who is best known for stealing every scene she was in, in the massively marketed/hyped indie-film Juno (shown above) will be acting as Connor's co-star. For more information on the Wednesday art gallery screening of the films, click here to visit the WOW/World Nokia event Facebook page.

Runaway: Nokia N8 Promotional Poster

Smallville's Connor Stanhope, Twisted Twins Join Nokia N8 Contest

With the Nokia N8 Direct & Project contest deadlines dwindling down and the gala screening approaching rapidly, we thought it best to begin the build-up. The contest, as mentioned, requires various kinds of visual artists found/selected by Nokia to create a 1 minute clip (narrative or visual) shot entirely on their N8 phone. The top 3 entries keep their promotional phone and the top film wins a large 46" HD television and corporate party favors!

Our entry is titled "Runaway" and features one of my new favorite actors Connor Stanhope, who regularly portrays young Lex Luthor on the Vancouver produced "Smallville." Connor is on an extremely short list of young actors with the ability to act circles around the majority of his adult counterparts. (His words, not mine.)

I will be directing, shooting and post-production for this with a story co-written with The Soska Sisters and featuring visual embellishments by Jeffrey Zablotny - re-assembling all our award winning fast-film team members from contests past. "Runaway", we realized shortly after it's creation, is an indirect homage to a comic strip which, clearly, remains as one of my biggest influences and favorite things ever.

Rules state that I'm not really allowed to post much else regarding my entry but: I am allowed to shamelessly promote the screening and their product...product liiike Nokia's latest cel-phone homerun: the Nokia N8? The Nokia N8 which features Carl Zeiss lenses (seen right) and shoots in crystal clear 720p HD! Nokia, of course, being the company putting on this "N8: Direct & Project" contest and screening (and by screening, I mean the Nokia screening on the 19th) at the Vancouver Art Gallery (generously rented out by Nokia.)

Nokia.

Despite my profession, I have not bought a television since the nineteen hundreds and am willing to do whatever it takes to play NHL 11 at home on a large, high definition television - out of respect and solidarity, I haven't even looked at my Blackberry since writing this.

Scarlet Ending Kickstarter Reward DVD Details & Extras Announced

Back in September, Syracuse's The Scarlet Ending turned to fundraising websaviour Kickstarter as a hail mary attempt to help make two music videos in my current homeland of Vancouver. Like long-time, late night guilty pleasure Scott Houston does on PBS, we asked you to send us your extra bits of wealth in exchange for exclusive items - naturally escalating in grandeur relative to the size of your generosity.

Surprisingly, the majority of people who donated did so above and beyond the 10 dollar amount and will be receiving a DVD packed with as much as we could get done for you in the two days we had. The disc includes:

SCARLET ENDING KICKSTARTER REWARD DVD
Disc Details, Extras & Specifications


EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT - Live @ The Biltmore (3:55)
1:66, Color, 480p from 1080p HD Export
Directed & Edited by CJ Wallis


PHOENIX - David Barkes, David Lovgren & Katrin Bowen (4:08)
2:35.1, Color, 480p from 720p HD Export
Directed & Edited by CJ Wallis




EXCLUSIVE DVD EXTRAS


SINNER - Electricity Free, Un-amplified Acoustic Performance (4:02)
2:35.1, Color, 480p from 1080p HD Export
Directed & Edited by CJ Wallis
Shot at The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver, British Columbia


EPIPHANY - Direct & Edit Your Own Music Video (3:15)
2:35.1, B&W, 480p from 1080p HD Export
Directed by CJ Wallis
Shot at The Biltmore Cabaret in Vancouver, British Columbia. Using The Angle Button On Your DVD Remote, Viewers Have The Ability To Change Between Angles At Any Time During The Performance Of Epiphany, Which Is Performed In It's Entirety.


SMOKE OUT - Behind The Scenes Documentary (4:39)
1:66, Color/B&W, 480p from 1080p HD Export
Directed & Edited by Jeffrey Zablotny
An alternate Kickstarter specific edit which varies slightly from the version that appears online. (which can be seen here)




DVD COVER ARTWORK

Only 200 of these DVD's were printed and will be shipped directly to Syracuse tomorrow sometime where, upon arrival, the daunting task of getting them individually to each person presents itself. A task which may take a little time considering. Please let us know what you thought on our Facebook or Twitter pages.

All Things Horror Gives 'Dead Hooker' Top 10 Honors

Mike Snoonian over at All Things Horror has released his choices for the top 10 films of the year and Dead Hooker In A Trunk made the list coming in at #6, sharing the spotlight with the likes of 'Let Me In' and the Eli Roth produced 'Last Exorcism.' Here is what Mike had to say about the film:

6. Dead Hooker in a Trunk: Catchy name aside, this film delivers a pantsload of fun during its run time. Jen and Sylvia Soska bring a Warner Brothers cartoonish element of violence to a live action film. Aside from a number of "holy shit" moments and a pair of scenes that aren't for the squeamish (especially one that will have dudes covering their ghoulies and averting their eyes), DHiaT is also brilliantly funny, with some of the best moments spawning from CJ Wallis' "Goody Two Shoes" ultra christian character. Really, if you're any sort of fan of the film's that 42nd Street used to churn out, you know you want to watch this film. I can't wait to the ladies' next film, American Mary, to hit later on this year.

You can check out the entire list here and you can read Mike's initial review of the film here.

American Mary Triggers Twitch Film Trailer Alert

Todd Brown, head programmer of the world-famous Fantastic Fest genre festival, has always been very kind and supportive of Dead Hooker In A Trunk. Continuing in the same gracious fashion, Todd wrote a piece about the American Mary trailer on Twitch Film:

Titled American Mary the first teaser for the new film has arrived and while it's very clear that these are the same film makers it's also clear that they're pushing into some new territory here. 

You can check out the entire article by clicking here.

The Examiner Really Likes Dead Hooker In A Trunk

I think it is safe to say writer Scott Ruth is officially onboard with Dead Hooker In A Trunk. As recently as this morning, Scott named us as one of the Top 3 Best Films Of 2010.

Now Scott's full review of the film has been posted on The Examiner calling it "a well written, superbly acted, brilliantly directed, produced and scored buddy, crime caper, action, comedy horror movie!" A grandsizing excerpt:

C.J. Wallis who plays Goody Two-Shoes. Wallis, who I couldn't help but notice how much he resembles Edward Norton, both in appearance and in acting style, in this film, is amazing as the total nerd-for-God type, who every now and then forgets his commitment to Christ and goes off on near-psychotic rants about ass-r**ing another guy as means of punishment! 

He is hilarious to watch, and truly commands the camera every time he is on screen. His performance reminded me, in a number of ways, of that of Norton in Primal Fear. Goody Two-Shoes is meek, God-fearing, but there's something else there. Something quite dark, buried deep down within, and every now and then, it comes creeping through, just a bit. Just as is the case with Jen & Sylvia, I believe that the future is a very bright one for C.J. Wallis!

There have been countless wonderful reviews written about this film over the last year but this is the one my mother will most likely print out to pester customers with that come into my father's repair shop (foolishly assuming they can simply purchase product and leave.)

_

Find more information on this project and others at our official website, fortyfps.com
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Dead Hooker In A Trunk: Top 3 Horror Film Of The Year

With the year coming to a close, it is time for Best-Of lists to start surfacing around and The Examiner has released their list of the Top Horror Films of 2010. Dead Hooker In A Trunk came in at #3, beating out the Eli Roth produced 'Last Exorcism' but not able to top the only best film ever made about ass-to-mouth surgery, The Human Centipede. In Scott Ruth's words:

# 3 - Dead Hooker In A Trunk - The debut film of the Twisted Twins, Jen & Sylvia Soska, Dead Hooker In A Trunk is nothing short of amazing! The Soska sisters wrote, directed, produced and starred in this horror-comedy about a ragtag group of four friends who are unwillingly thrust into the unenviable scenario of having to dispose of the dead hooker that they find in the trunk of their car. 

The Soskas are amazing in their first film. Their behind-the-camera work is top notch and their on-screen work is that of actresses with decades of screen work under their proverbial belts, despite the fact that this is their first film. You must see this film! You'll cringe and you'll laugh until you cry.

You can check out the entire list and article by clicking here. In semi-related news, our new joint venture with the Soska's called American Mary is today's front page news on Fangoria.