Category: Entertainment

Entertainment, Interview, Movies and TV

Filmmaker Anna Martemucci discusses ‘The Genderton Project’

Generton1

Desperately wanting to act from the time she was very young, filmmaker Anna Martemucci has been quietly making a name for herself in the entertainment world by doing things her own way. Whether it’s through her fictional writing, acting in short videos or producing and directing feature length films like “Breakup At A Wedding” and “Hollidaysburg”, Martemucci’s drive to succeed and ability to express herself creatively has paid dividends.

Martemucci’s new vision, “The Genderton Project” is a cross-dressing comedy series that explores gender roles, sexuality, and sexual politics through a kaleidoscope of three intertwining story lines and eras. Uniquely interesting is the fact that in “The Genderton Project”, men’s roles will be played by women and the women’s roles will be played by men. To that end, Martemucci and her partners at Periods. Films have launched an Indigogo campaign where fans and film lovers can go to help fund the project and choose from a multitude of “gifts” as a thank-you for supporting the cause.

In addition to using the money raised for production costs, Martemucci plans to donate 2% of the total funds to the Human Rights Campaign.

I recently caught up with Martemucci to find out more about “The Genderton Project” and how film fans can support this creative, new endeavor!

Genderton

How did this idea for The Genderton Project begin?

The whole thing started because my partners, Philip and Victor Quinaz and I (Periods. Films) fell in love with Drew Droege after watching his Chloe Sevigny videos. We were obsessively quoting his videos for a year or so and then once we moved to LA, Victor decided to email him. We met, fell in love and figured we should make something together. Rather than making a baby, “The Genderton Project” was born!

How would you describe the stories/episodes?

We like to say that it’s a little like Portlandia meets The Hours. It’s ridiculous comedy plus extremely curated cinematic images. The thing that always pops into my head is the idea of “what if we made a ridiculous comedy that looks like Todd Haynes’s Mildred Pierce on HBO?” That might be kind of an obscure reference but that’s what I envision for one of the vignettes. Where Drew Droege plays an devoted 1960’s housewife dying from loneliness.

What can you tell me about the cast and your characters?

I can tell you that we are using some of our most favorite performers from the NY and LA comedy scenes. We’ve amassed quite a pool of talent over the years. In addition to our star Drew, we’ve brought on John Milhiser (SNL), Mary Grill (Breakup at a Wedding, Veep, The Mindy Project), Jonny Lisecki (Gayby), Cass Bugge (Key & Peele, The Brink), Jenn Schatz (30 Rock), Matt Hobby (Hart of Dixie, Mom), Beth Crosby (Jessica & Hunter), Philip Quinaz (Breakup at a Wedding, Hollidaysburg, The Chair), Shira Weitz (Brunch on Sundays) and Mel Shimkovitz (Transparent).

You’ve had quite a bit of success with your films “Hollidaysburg”, “Breakup At A Wedding” and “Periods”. What made you decide to go the Indigogo route for “The Genderton Project”?

It might be hard to believe but there is a huge gulf between artistic and financial success. So we don’t have an income to show for the artistic success we’ve been lucky enough to forge!  I have a day job and am hoping to make rent this month. And though this is a project we’ve believed in from the beginning; artistically, we’ve shopped it around with tons of enthusiasm and Hollywood was well, interested, but we most definitely heard the words “too gay” come out of more than one person’s mouth. Rather than that unfortunate statement, we like to think of the project as something that’s just a little too groundbreaking for what Hollywood is currently churning out.  The executives and producers who dole out money for projects are very single-minded about making their money back. That’s why we decided to take it to the Internet and to the PEOPLE!  We felt this was the kind of project that should exist, NOW and not whether or not executives at film and TV companies were ready to put money behind it. The people doling out Hollywood dollars, (God love ’em) have been very wrong before.

How can people help with funding and what are some of the perks supporters can receive?

You can help by contributing to the project and becoming a backer! Join us! Just visit here.

We have a lot of tantalizing perks, like a naked picture of Drew Droege (where we’ll mail you a beautiful female nude with Drew’s head superimposed on her neck). And on the more expensive side are workshops with our filmmaking gang, a custom oil painting by me and even a walk-on role on “The Genderton Project”!

Genderton2What are you plans for “The Genderton Project” once it’s successfully funded? Do you see it as a more long ranged project?

Our plan is to start production very soon after we’re funded and plan to debut the finished project this summer. The project might go to film festivals, it might act as a TV pilot/ proof of concept for a series or it could end up as a stand-alone piece. We’ve designed it and wrote it with all of those possibilities in mind.

Why do you think people should support “The Genderton Project” in this campaign?

Gender roles and how they define how we live our lives and interact with one another is a hot-button issue right now, and one that’s consumed me for a long time. I’ve been fascinated with the way that being female has defined my life choices and the way that I’m perceived. I’m also obsessed by the idea of maleness and how different or the same my life would be if I was born a male.

I’ve also been frustrated with the portrayal of both women and men in mainstream Hollywood storytelling, and the clichés that tend to dominate many of the narratives we consume on a mass level. Gender roles are strange little boxes that society puts us in. With this project, we’re seeking to upend the way we’ve always seen gender portrayed in cinematic works by creating a cinematic world in which gender means something else entirely, or rather, a world where it ceases to have any meaning. By swapping every character’s gender with that of the actor cast to portray them ,we are calling attention to the rigidity of gender roles in our mainstream stories, and how ridiculous gender stereotyping can be.  

We hope this technique will call attention to the sheer humanity of the characters within each storyline. After all, we’re all human and we all bleed red. Shouldn’t our stories at least attempt to reflect the complexity of the human spirit in the same way that life does? 

It’s going to be a worthwhile, wacky journey and hope people come with us for this wild ride! It won’t be boring, we can promise you that!

 

Entertainment, Horror, Interview, Movies and TV

‘Fear Clinic’: Actress Fiona Dourif talks new horror film, career
Fiona Dourif (Photo by: bluestella photography)
Fiona Dourif (Photo by: bluestella photography)

When five survivors of a horrifying tragedy experience trauma-induced phobias a year after the event, they seek treatment from Dr. Andover (Robert Englund) in hopes of finding the answers they need to get cured.

“Fear Clinic” is a new horror/thriller based on the hugely popular  FEARnet web series which also stars Fiona Dourif (“Curse of Chucky”), Thomas Dekker (“Backstrom”, “Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles”) and Cory Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour.

Dourif plays the role of Sara; one of the five survivors of the tragedy whose own worsening symptoms have led her to seek refuge in Andover’s hyperbaric Fear Clinic chamber.

Dourif is no stranger to the horror world, having already appeared in such films as 2013’s “Curse of Chucky”. Horror enthusiasts also know that Dourif’s father, Brad Dourif, is a legend in the genre for his portrayal as the voice of Chucky in the original “Child’s Play” film and it’s subsequent sequels.

By putting a face to an emotion, “Fear Clinic” has a plot that is surprisingly dark and equally as visceral. It’s a film that also lends itself well to becoming a franchise, as there are many more avenues of phobia that can be explored.

I recently spoke to Fiona Dourif about “Fear Clinic”, her career and what she thinks makes horror such a great genre.

How did you become involved in “Fear Clinic”?

I originally got a call from my manager and was given a skeleton of the script of the story. I immediately thought the concept was really cool. Two weeks later, I was on a plane to Ohio!

What was it about it that attracted you to the story?

I liked the whole concept of cerebrally confronting your fears by acting them out. The whole idea that there’s nothing to fear but fear itself. I thought that was really cool and it comes across well in the finished film.

How would you describe the story of “Fear Clinic”?

A shortened version might be this – a doctor has come up with an instrument where you can confront your fears and be free of them. But then…. there are some problems! [laughs].

What was it like working with Robert England?

Robert is one of the most pleasant people to work with. He’s personable and cool and elevated everyone’s spirit a lot. He really held the ship together.

What was the filming process like?

It was mostly shot in one location. There were long days where we all hunkered down in what used to be an old folks home in a small town in Ohio. It was also used as a church that had services on Sunday mornings.

Fear Clinic
Fear Clinic

What makes horror so great?

There’s something tingly and exciting about fear. In some weird way, it’s also kind of sexy. It’s simple and extreme and makes you feel present. Horror also has an awesome fan base. They’re so loyal and are always excited.

What was it like growing up for you with your dad being the voice of Chucky?

Nothing but cool! Even though I wasn’t really into school as a teenager one of the coolest things about me in high school was being able to tell everyone that I was the ‘Seed of Chucky’! [laughs]. Then when I got the chance to be a part of it as an adult it was mind-blowing. I feel so lucky to be a part of that legacy.

Was acting something that you always wanted to pursue?

My dad put a moratorium on it as a kid, which looking back now was probably a good idea. Although I did produce a few History Channel documentaries in my twenties, it wasn’t until I realized the only reason I wasn’t acting was because I was afraid was when I made the switch. That’s when I said, “Ok. Let’s give this a try!” 

Are there any other projects you’re currently working on?

It’s what we call pilot season right now and shows are getting cast so I’ve been very busy. There are a few films in the air right now, but nothing is set in stone just yet. Although it does look like “Chucky 7” is going to happen. I love Don Mancini [creator of Child’s Play franchise] and would do that series for the rest of my life if they’ll have me. Right now, I’m just putting one foot in front of the other. We’ll see what happens!

Last question: Does Fiona Dourif have any fear or phobias?

You know, I’m really scared of aliens! [laughs]. Growing up, my mom made her living as a psychic and she really believed in them. She would often say that aliens are here, they’re all over the place and they’re going to get me! To this day it still freaks me out! [laughs].

Fear Clinic is available now on DVD/Blu-Ray

Entertainment, Interview, Movies and TV

Interview: Producers Christa Campbell & Lati Grobman discuss ‘Experimenter’
Lati Grobman & Christa Campbell
Lati Grobman & Christa Campbell

Producers Christa Campbell and Lati Grobman are making a name for themselves in Hollywood and people are starting to take notice.

Want proof? Since combining years of individual acting and behind the scenes experience to form their own company; Campbell-Grobman Films, the duo has achieved success in a variety of film genres and documentaries as well as being named one of 10 Producers To Watch by Variety. What’s even more special is the fact that Campbell and Grobman are involved in a new film project, “Experimenter”, that will be screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival!

Directed by Michal Almereyda, “Experimenter” tells the story of famed social psychologist Stanley Milgram who, in 1961 conducted a series of radical behavior experiments that tested ordinary humans willingness to obey authority and the shocking results. The film stars Peter Scarsgaard, Winona Ryder, John Leguizamo, Kellan Lutz, Jim Gaffigan, and Taryn Manning.

In addition to the screening at Sundance, Campbell and Grobman have many other projects in various stages of development, including “Leatherface” – a prequel to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” as well as the Jennifer Aniston/Owen Wilson comedy, “She’s Funny That Way”.

I recently spoke with Christa Campbell and Lati Grobman and asked them about “Experimenter” and some of their other upcoming projects!

What does having one of your films screened at The Sundance Film Festival mean to you?

Christa: It’s been a dream of ours for quite a while. Sundance is one of the best festivals ever and for us to have one of our films there this year is just amazing!

Lati: I remember when I was a young filmmaker (or even as just a film fan), I would often go to Sundance but never thought it would happen for me in my lifetime. It really is a dream come true!

What can you tell me about your film, “Experimenter”?

Grobman: It’s a story of an evidence of the human kind that asks the question: “To what extent will we go to listen to authority?” It’s really scary. Here you have someone who is a very nice and decent person but is also doing these horrific things. You start thinking to yourself, how could these things happen?

It would be like asking the question, “How did some of the things in World War II happen?” On the outside, it was obvious that the SS Officers were terrible. But some of the most horrific things about World War II were the people who were living there at the time. The ones who knew that their neighbors were disappearing and being killed but did nothing about it. Those are the kind of people who are the scariest. The ones who don’t take action. This movie is a little piece of life showing what we’re capable of.

Experimenter

What was the casting process like for “Experimenter”?

Campbell – Peter Scarsgaard is a friend of Mike Almereyda (director) and the two of them had been attached to the film for a few years. They had passion for getting the film made and about getting Winona Ryder involved. Lati and I then called up Kellan Lutz and asked him if he’d be interested in doing the movie. Kellan read the script and within an hour called us said, “Absolutely! I’m in!” You always hope that you get the people you want and hope that they will have the same passion as you and in this case, we got both!

You’ve both done a lot of work separately in front of the camera as well as behind the scenes. When did you decide to team up and work together?

Campbell: Lati and I have been friends for a long time. She had been producing movies for many years and I was an actress at the time we became friends. Eventually, there came a point where I started producing without actually realizing it.

Grobman: Christa was actually producing movies but not taking any credit for her work. I remember there was this one movie where she had put the cast together, got the financing and even some of the product placement. Basically, she had pretty much done everything. I said, “Christa, you realize that you made this movie happen and deserve producer credit, right?” That’s when she said, “Oh, no! I just want to act. That’s all I care about.” I remember telling her that whether she knew it or not, she was the producer of the movie.” She wound up not taking credit for that film but then she started to get the “bug”. Christa is one of those people who once they get a passion for something; they go all the way with it! That’s how it all started.

As producers, what do you look for in a project?

Grobman: We both have our personal preferences. Christa is a big fan of horror and I’m more into documentaries. Both of us love good action movies and thrillers. But it’s not necessarily about what genre we love. Sometimes, it’s about the deal.

Campbell: The cool thing about the two of us working together is that we can split our time. Lati is currently closing two of our documentary deals and I’m focusing more on “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.

What other projects are you working on?

Campbell: Right now, we’re doing “Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Leatherface)”. We’re prepping to shoot with directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury; who worked on the film, “Inside”. We’ll be shooting that in Bulgaria. We also have a Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson movie (“She’s Funny That Way”) that will be coming out. “Shut In” was a little horror movie we did with Steven Schneider from Paranormal Activity. We’re in post-production with that and will be hitting the festival scene very soon. All of our movies are in different stages. Then of course, we have “Experimenter” at Sundance!

What excites you the most about the year ahead and the next phase of your careers?

Campbell: Just having the opportunity to make the films that we love and travel the world is what excites us. It can be challenging at times but we both have the kind of personality that wants to take it on. Some of the deals we’ve made have been amazing.

Grobman:  Every day and every deal is a challenge and you definitely have to earn it with a lot of sweat and tears. But even though it may not be as glamorous behind the scenes, whenever you get the chance to walk the carpet it’s just wonderful!

Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music

‘Work’: Bon Jovi Tour Photographer David Bergman Discusses New Coffee Table Book

The first concert I ever attended was a Scorpions show in 1984. I remember this event because, at the time, I was excited about checking out the openers, a young, up-and-coming band called Bon Jovi.

Little did I know I’d also be bearing witness to what would become one of rock’s biggest juggernauts.

Photo: David Bergman
Photo: David Bergman

Tour photographer David Bergman has spent the last three and a half years working as Bon Jovi’s official tour photographer. With carte blanche access, Bergman has been able to travel the world with the band and document their activities—as well as their shows—with his camera.

Bergman has combined a collection of his photographs into one masterful coffee table book that’s appropriately titled Work. The book, an over-sized, 5-pound, 210-page hardcover tome, offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s top touring bands.

In addition to being an in-demand touring and sports photographer, Bergman also runs tourphotographer.com, which lets fans go online and buy high-quality image prints shot at the shows they’ve attended.

I recently spoke with Bergman to find out more about Work and his time spent on tour with Bon Jovi.

GUITAR WORLD: How did this book project come about?

Since the beginning of 2011, I’ve photographed every single Bon Jovi live show, which is quite a lot when you think about it. Last year alone, they did 102 shows on six continents. After every show, I would do an edit and narrow it down to the best of the best from each performance.

Over time, I started to develop this massive archive, somewhere in the range of 800,000 images, many of which no one had ever seen. So I brought it to the band. The idea of doing a book was something we had been talking about for quite a while. They’ve done book projects over the years but nothing quite like this. By the end of this last tour, we decided the time was finally right and started putting it together.

Photo: David Bergman
Photo: David Bergman

You can read the rest of my
gw_logoInterview with David Bergman by Clicking Here!

Entertainment, Music

New Super Group ‘Revolution Saints’ Releases First Video – ‘Turn Back Time’

RevSaintsClassic rock fans, what do you get when you combine the talents of Journey, Night Ranger and Whitesnake into one incredible unit? You get, Revolution Saints. The new super group featuring Deen Castronovo, Jack Blades and Doug Aldrich.

Revolution Saints has just released a video for the song, “Turn Back Time”; the first single from their self-titled debut being released in North America on February 24 from Frontiers Records. The video, directed by Devin DeHaven (Rick Ross, Whitesnake, Kiss and R. Kelly) features the band on a sound stage mixed with cool visual landscape images. “Turn Back Time” introduces fans to a powerful new sound. One that recalls the classic rock days of old but still keeps a twenty-first century feel!

Already renowned for his excellent drum work and backing vocals in Journey and Bad English, Castronovo’s vocal prowess is the spotlight in Revolution Saints. On bass and co-lead vocals is Jack Blades; already known for his melodic, hard rock approach in Night Ranger as well as with Damn Yankees . Guitarist Doug Aldrich rounds out the trio; bringing with him a fiery blues guitar attack and lengthy experience with bands like Whitesnake and Dio.

Revolution Saints’ music showcases the passion and enthusiasm of three of the best rock musicians in the game today and a release that should not to be missed!