Indie Horror Team Branches into Drama

While the beginnings of the “Dry Spell” story are tied to Rockford, Illinois, the film is set to have wide ranging talent and scope. Although romantic comedies are common, a truly independent romantic comedy is a rarity and a bold adventure for Aegis Studios. Although they’ve been told it can’t be done, the film-makers at Aegis have chosen (in true DIY fashion) to launch a Kickstarter campaign to fund the film and plan to ignore the skeptics.

Kickstarter is a website devoted to helping independent creators raise capital to fund their projects. Groups like Aegis can set a goal and a timeline and offer incentives for investors. Then Kickstarter processes the pledges which aren’t finalized unless the goal is reached. In a way, it’s a method for all interested parties to invest in an artistic project and essentially become a part owner in its success. In the case of this project, the goal is just $23,000 – a very small amount for a film production budget.

While the concept of doing a romantic comedy in such an independent way is novel, the selling points of the project certainly don’t end there. For one thing, the cast is exceptional for an independent film of this magnitude. East Coast native Suzi Lorraine is set to star alongside co-writer Kyle Hoskins. While Lorraine is often seen in horror films, her highest profile role was in “Music and Lyrics” with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. Debbie Rochon will also be featured in the film. Rochon is best known for her work in Troma Films productions.

While the creative process that spawned “Dry Spell” started in the Midwestern burg of Rockford, Illinois (home of its film-maker and co-writer Travis Legge), the movie is set to film on location in New York City, adding another layer of interest to the production.

According to the writers, “Dry Spell” is to be a feature length romantic comedy about a woman who is going through a divorce and preparing to enter the dating world. One night she discovers that her ability to become aroused has left her. In short, she's dried up. Believing that this is caused by guilt about moving on before her ex-husband has, she embarks on a quest to get him laid.

To learn more about the project (and previous work from Aegis), stop by www.aegisstudios.com.
Backers can get involved at kickstarter.com.

Feel free to contact us at raymonddidit@gmail.com for more information, still photos or other materials or to arrange interviews with the film-makers.

The Sweet Hand of the White Rose 2010 (Short Film) - REVIEW

Since Hollywood seems intent on distributing nothing but regurgitated crap these days a lot of Indie filmmakers have stepped up to the plate to focus more on social issues. Some are more in your face than others like Travis Legge's Event Invitation, a short film that hit on the subjects of bullying and social media at the same time. There are films everywhere that document social issues around the world and this day and age there is no shortage of "issues". 

Mark (Carlos Bahos) is having a really bad day and decides he just wants to get away from it all. But one little mistake will change his life forever.

The dialogue is very minimal in this film as it relies heavily on narration from the two main characters, Bahos and co-star Natasha Machuca, at least in the beginning. Once the two characters intersect, there is pretty much no dialogue at all. But this only serves to enhance the stylishness of the film proving that sometimes less really is more. Director Davide Melini manages to take two somewhat tortured concepts and put them together creating a clever, captivating, well paced short film. While the "twist ending" is a bit predictable, it takes nothing away from the intensity of the over all story. What it boils down to is that this is a very entertaining short that's definitely worth a watch. I'm reluctant to tell you anything about the plot because anything I say about the 15+ minutes will give away everything good about it so just take the time and check it out below.

PRESS RELEASE - Pre-Order Raymond Did It

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Raymond Did It

Rockford, Illinois-based Plastic Age Productions is pleased to announce that our first feature length film, Raymond Did It, is NOW AVAILABLE for preorder on DVD!

Raymond Did It is a slasher film in the tradition of Halloween and Prom Night. When twelve-year-old Bryce Rourke (Trent Harr) is accidentally killed in a playground scuffle, his friends decide to blame Bryce's developmentally delayed older brother for the accident. Raymond (Kyle Hoskins) is taken to a state hospital while the true killer walks free.

Six years later, Raymond escapes from the hospital to seek bloody revenge for his brother's death.

The UNRATED DVD will be released on November 22nd. Fans can preorder a signed copy from writer/director Travis Legge at the Aegis online store.

Signed copies ordered by October 15th will ship by Halloween!

Raymond Did It stars Lindsay Felton (VH1 Scream Queens, Caitlin's Way), Jessica Palette (Vh1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven's Wing), Elissa Dowling (Dahmer vs. Gacy, Dread), Steven Edwards, Jake Skiba, Ty Yaeger, and Kyle Hoskins as Raymond.

Written and Directed by Travis Legge

Director of Photography Tim Stotz

Edited by Robert J. Williams

For more information, trailers, clips and news, visit http://www.raymonddidit.com

You can also like Raymond Did It on Facebook and follow writer/director Travis Legge on Twitter.

PRESS RELEASE - Matthew Cichella's Poetic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rockford, IL

Matthew Cichella’s Poetic is an intense, sexy, character driven psychological horror film that centers on a world full of deceit, passion, and revenge. One couple finds themselves caught in the middle of this when they are kidnapped by “Cowboy”, a mysterious and merciless enegade killer who takes karma in to his own hands. Now prisoners in their own home, the couple is turned against one another and forced to relive their dirty little secrets. Their domestic quarrel turns in to a nightmare they might never awaken from.

Poetic came to writer/director, Matthew Cichella, when discussing his frustration with mainstream films with producer Mitch Wright II, seeing nothing but watered down sequels and remakes in the theaters. The formulaic nature of Hollywood only urged Cichella to create something original, character and story heavy, unlike anything else out there. Matthew on Poetic:

“I wanted to make a film that was realistic in the sense that it could happen to me, or anyone for that matter. This world we live in is not black and white, it's all shades of gray and that's where Poetic shines because the characters in the film are based off real people, in real situations, and real emotions. I've felt what these characters feel. Most people have”

Matthew Cichella’s Poetic just recently began production, starting to film as of the first week of August. Writer/director, Matthew Cichella will be working with producer, Mitch Wright II again. The two have worked together on Cichella’s last three films, Famous, Innocent Looks, and One Night Stand. Cinematographer, Nate Stein, has also worked with Cichella on all three films. Travis Legge, director of Raymond Did It, is the Executive Producer and editor of the film. Matthew Cichella has not only brought a great crew together of trusted individuals, but a very talented cast including Sierra Holmes of VH1’s Scream Queens and Piranha 3DD. Sierra is also set to star in Scream Queen Bloodbath of the Scream Queen Campfire series, which Poetic co-star, Kelsey Zukowski, co-wrote with Jonathan Moody. Both Zukowski and Poetic star, Kaylee Williams, will be starring in this series as well.

The film also stars Ty Yaeger, Heather Dorff, Marc Edwards, Kaylee Williams, Talena Caza, Kelsey Zukowski, Gary Kozlowski, Dave Block, Melissa Revels, Rob Romero, and Marv Blauvelt among others. Yaeger and Cichella already have a strong working relationship as Yaeger has been in all of his films thus far and also starred in producer, Travis Legge’s Raymond Did It and holiday horror short, Holiday Carvings.
Legge was also a producer on What They Say, which Heather Dorff and Kelsey Zukowski created together. They both also starred in I’m Streaming Death from The Social Media Massacre web series, executive produced by Matthew Cichella. Blauvelt has worked with many people from the Poetic cast before including Kaylee Williams in III: Slices of Life and with Dorff and Zukowski in the gritty serial killer short,
Inhumane.

Kelsey Zukowski explains her draw to the film,

“Before I was even approached about being involved, I was attracted to Poetic. When done right home invasion films can be utterly terrifying. They destroy the conceived notion of your home being a safe place, free from harm. Upon reading the script I saw that Poetic was far more personal and really something outside of this sub-genre. With the world it portrays, everyone is flawed, deceptive, and it’s debatable if they are even worthy of forgiveness."

Matthew Cichella’s Poetic is Never Submit Entertainment's first feature film. It is set to wrap filming by early September and will continue on to the post production process expected to be completed by the end of the year. The film will be going the film festival route, beginning with a premiere on March 9, 2012. Location is ending, but will premiere in Chicago or Rockford, IL, where the bulk of the crew and cast are from and where the feature will be filmed.

More information can be found by LIKING the feature film on Facebook or checking out the official website.

Raymond Did It 2011 - REVIEW

While most people scour the Internet and movie news sites looking for the "next great movie" that's coming out, I just kinda hang back and keep an eye on the indie scene. As far as I'm concerned that's where the greatness is coming from these days. After all, wasn't Hatchet just an indie glimmer in Adam Green's eye when it came about? Or how about Feast, Pontypool, Ginger Snaps, Eden Lake, May or one of my new faves, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon? The list could literally go on and on. Watch any of these films and you will see what a micro budget, some imagination and a little hard work can deliver. It's getting to a point where I don't even go to the theater for big studio horror anymore. What's the point? It's all over done, re-done or just plain done. There's absolutely nothing original coming out of H-Wood anymore. At least not as far as horror goes. I'd rather just wait for a screener or DVD release and kick back at home with a few friends (who am I kidding, I don't have friends) and a little alcohol. Don't get me wrong, indie horror has it's share of stinkers too but when a gem like one of the aforementioned films comes around... instant gratification.

I'm quickly becoming aware of the effort that goes into a micro budget film be it short or feature length and I'm gaining a new respect for the people that make it happen. From directors/producers who put in their own money to actors who put their best face forward on a strictly no/low paying gig.

Raymond Did It is a slasher film in the tradition of Halloween and Prom Night. When twelve-year-old Bryce Rourke is accidentally killed in a playground scuffle, his friends decide to blame Bryce's developmentally delayed older brother for the accident. Raymond is taken to a state hospital while the true killer walks free. Six years later, Raymond escapes from the hospital to seek bloody revenge for his brother's death.

This is not your typical indie horror cast. Lindsay Felton from VH1’s Scream Queens plays Tammy, who was Raymond's only friend and the only one who had any remorse whatsoever about Bryce's death. Also from Scream Queens, Jessica Palette appears as Jayme, and horror veteran Elissa Dowling stars as the manipulative Paige. Newcomer Kyle Hoskins plays Raymond in his first feature-length film and he tears the screen up with his imposing 6'5" bulky stature. He's not really given much to say but just knowing the back story of the character, it's easy to sympathize with his character and it doesn't hurt that he pulls off the timid nature of Raymond pretty well.

Travis Legge pulls out (IMO) a very solid micro budget horror here. It doesn't have the normally shoddy sound that is infamous in these kinds of Indie films. The score is reminiscent of John Carpenter's original Halloween. (I can think of one shot in particular that brought me right back to the streets of Haddonfield.) The down side, there are a couple of choppy scenes (not overly noticable) and one or two rushed kills but the gore makes up for it. One little hint... washing machine. Not to mention the ending kinda leaves it open for a sequel. Will there be a sequel Mr. Legge?? C'mon, you can tell me.

In my opinion Legge has created one of those gems that come along every so often and he's someone who will do very well amongst the horror fiends and I for one can't wait to see what he does next..... Perhaps The Social Media Massacre with me?? Time will tell.