Nokia 'Direct & Project' Gala Screening Photos

Last year, Nokia found us to create a 1 minute short film using their brand-new HD cel-phone which eventually became Runaway featuring Connor Stanhope and Sierra Pitkin. A decent chunk of photos from the gala screening, at the Vancouver Art Gallery, have made their way onto our Flickr account. Click the photo above or right here to view them all.

The Sisters Of Mercy Featuring Lucy Rupert, Sarah Slean

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On the day of my parent's anniversary, I am happy to announce a forthcoming feature film project titled The Sisters Of Mercy. The story takes place in 1939, mere months before the Second World War, and is a narrative adaptation of an original dance performance called "The Animals Are Planning An Intervention" created and performed by two time FortyFPS collaborator Lucy Rupert. A review by 96.3 FM in Toronto said of Animals:

The Animals Are Planning An Intervention is performed to a gorgeous string quartet by composer Sarah Slean. Lucy Rupert uses expressive animal imagery to explore the evolution contained within us. It is a beautifully conceived show, rich in set, lighting and video details. Her theme is loss and recovery, and she actually makes her lyrical body look angled and distorted.

In the film adaptation, Rupert plays the lead role of a mother named Marie who is unknowingly hand-delivered to a government institution by her three sons after a house-fire, that Marie escaped, claimed the life of her 9 year old daughter. The Sarah Slean arrangements commissioned for Animals will be featured and used throughout the film. Announcements will continue to spill out leading towards production set for Fall 2011.

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.)

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Find more information on this project and others at our official website, fortyfps.com
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Post Production Begins On The Scarlet Ending Videos

As previously mentioned, we shot two videos with the scarlet ending over the weekend and post-production  is about halfway completed. the dvd for the kickstarter donations is shaping up to be a pretty great package so far and we have done our best to make them as "worth it" as possible.

the video release dates and what-can-be-announced-when about the videos & special edition dvd will be plotted over the weekend and shared shortly thereafter. special additional weekend thanks to mr & mrs zablotny [for the surprise craft service], mr. veenendaal [for the surprise drums & bass], mr & mrs wallis [for tanks of gas and etc.] and the six members of the scarlet ending [for having the balls to come all this way and then show them to me].

Project Greenman Commercial

yesterday we shot a commercial for "project greenman" a cause founded by jeff arsenault which is represented by four young "agents for change" that deliver seeds all over the world. in their words:

Project Greenman will allow you to follow a tiny seed through its life cycle. Planting seeds and growing plants represent the continuation of life; a rebirth of our world and promise for tomorrow. We want you to be part of this future. When you become an "Agent for Change" you will have the chance to assist other members fulfilling a commitment to rejuvenate our Earth.

our agents were janette bundic, eric clark, megan mckinnon & connor stanhope, who some of you may recognize as the young lex luther on 'smallville.' the spot also features fortyfps's parents, maggie and chuck, who are celebrating their 33rd wedding anniversary today. the finished spot should be appearing online within the next week.

click here and here to see a photos from shortly after the production had wrapped and project page has been created and uploaded here.

jeff has told us of several major places and people that will be involved in promoting this piece and the cause, including virgin's richard branson who is planning to promote the cause by taking seeds up on the first commercial space flight. here is a clip from ctv news: