FILMMAKER IN THE CLOUD: A Band Called Death

Mark Covino and I had barely just met before we were off on our first date. Ha ha, no, let’s not start strange bro-mance rumors. My first encounter with Mark, however, was quite an adventure. It all started (where most of my stories seem to start) at a VIP Filmmaker brunch. Mark had shot part of a documentary on stand-up comics in Wichita, Ks., (It’s Great to be Here! A documentary about life in comedy), in the past, and had experienced what he called “The best BBQ he’d ever had,” and now was on a search to get out to Pig In Pig Out BBQ as quickly as he could. He didn’t have a car and was about to call a taxi when I said, “Hey I’ve only sampled them in the past, I’ll drive you.”

That drive could have gotten me in a lot of trouble, because I had no idea how to get there, Siri was being robot-female drama, and we ended up in a part of town that… well let’s just say when a random stranger in his truck pulls you over and says “Hey Chief, where are you trying to go,” you might not be where you should be. Ha ha ha – what a great guy! He even drove ahead of us and stopped his vehicle in the middle of the road to let us know an even faster way out of the area. It felt for a moment like I was back in West Covina or Baldwin Park, California. Mark and I just laughed and I think we both may have whispered a prayer or two under our breaths.

The pay off was huge though. As we walked in the door Mark was welcomed with a big bear hug from the owner, Derek Cochran which made us both feel like family, then he had us sit down as they prepared an insane table of ribs, pulled pork, brisket, smoked turkey, hot links, chili, mac and cheese – umm for me to say “it was amazing” would be an understatement. (Picture Below, Chat). I can see why Mark later said during the Live Chat that Pig In Pig Out was, in his opinion ‘The Best BBQ in the USA.’ That’s right he said “Texas BBQ has nothing on this!”, I have to agree.  (So now when you’re coming through Wichita Ks., you have to stop at 1003 East 13th, and see what we’re talking about. Tell Derek, Mark Covino and Sam Connelly said “Hello”.)

Mark Covino is an amazing and creative director– He’s also a fun and super cool guy– the kind of guy I usually have in my circle of friends. Covino is also known for his 2007 short “Lucid” and I’m really interested in his currently in progress documentary “The Crest”.

“A Band Called Death” is the brilliant documentary that Mark Covino directed, and it’s about these 3 black blood brothers in Detroit in the 1970’s, with amazingly deep family and spiritual roots who changed the world in a beautiful way, without realizing it. Now, some 35 years later their music and message is being re-born and it’s catching fire all over the world.  The story itself is incredible, and the added interviews with fans like Elijah Wood, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, and others… come on what more can you ask for?

Although Mark and I missed each other for the LIVE FilmMakerInTheCloud(™) Chat at its screening at the Tallgrass film festival, we did hook up for a recent FilmmakerInTheCloud(™) “PressPlay VOD Party” and it was a blast… and I’m really excited to share that chat with you now.

20 Second Description of ‘A Band Called Death’: – Written by Drafthouse Films

Before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols or even the Ramones, there was a band called Death. Punk before punk existed, three teenage brothers in the early ’70s formed a band in their spare bedroom…, began playing a few local gigs and even pressed a single in the hoped of getting signed…A Band Called Death chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made it way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossible ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first black punk band (hell…the first punk band!), and are finally receiving their long overdue recognition as true rock pioneers.

Connect with Mark Covino; Facebook (Favor Fan Page) –Mark Covino on Twitter – IMDb – The Official “A Band Called Death” website. Download “A Band Called Death” Now!

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter –@FilmInTheCloud and Friend us on FACEBOOK!

FilmMakerInTheCloud: Favor

I first met Blayne Weaver at a VIP lunch. I wasn’t looking for him, I was actually at 9% battery life on my iPhone and needed a quick charge. The only outlet I could find was next to a tiny glass coffee table and Blayne was hunched over it– lunch balanced on his knee, cocktail in one hand, fork and cell phone struggling to get along in the other. He could tell I was looking for the outlet and invited to me hunch over the other half of the table.

Blayne had a big, signature, classy, movie star smile and the kind of  perfect hair that would provoke the purest of hearts to kill for. As we sat, ate, drank, texted, emailed, and tried to keep our dignity intact, I discovered what a genuinely cool cat Blayne was. I mentioned doing FilmMakerInTheCloud(™) with him before I even realized what film he brought, and he was like; “Yea man, sure, whatever’s cool. Hit me up later. Let’s make it happen, what the hell?”. That made me like the guy more. Blayne Weaver is classic Hollywood, and I hope to see him in more films soon.

Favor (2013), was written and directed by Paul Osborne with Blayne Weaver and Patrick Day in mind for the leads. Favor’s tagline says it all : “A friend helps you move. A GOOD friend helps you move a body.” I can’t stress enough how great this film is. It’s a roller-coaster ride for your emotions and the twists and turns literally take you by surprise. I caught myself, along with others screening the film saying “Holy crap” or “Oh my god!”

Paul Osborne is an amazing filmmaker and my @FilmInTheCloud  live chat with Blayne was awesome (almost as legendary as his karaoke at the after party- that’s another story). No worries! There’s no spoilers here, but an insane live chat that writer/director Paul Osborn, co-star Patrick Day, Cheryl Nichols, and others jumped into, from wherever in the world they were- to make this one of the best #FilmmakerInTheCloud Live chats yet!  I’m excited to share it with you here.

20 Second Description of Favor: IMDb/ Written by Leslie Wimmer Osborne

Kip’s perfect life is put in jeopardy when the waitress with whom he’s having a casual fling is accidentally killed in their motel room. Desperate, he turns to childhood friend and loser, Marvin, to help get rid of the body. Marvin agrees which begins the unraveling of their friendship and ultimately leads both to murderous acts they never thought themselves capable of.

Connect with Paul Osborne & Favor; Facebook (Favor Fan Page) – Twitter – IMDb – Vimeo – The Official “Favor” website.

NEWS! Director Paul Osborne just told me that ‘Favor’ will be available VOD via Gravitas Ventures in APRIL! 

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter –@FilmInTheCloud and Friend us on FACEBOOK!

I’d like to give a big shout out to Paul Osborne for sending Blayne to Tallgrass Film Festival this year. He’s a super fun guy and I really enjoyed hanging out; chatting ‘in the cloud’, having cocktails with, and watching him work is magic– while I was watching “Favor” through the back curtain and Tweeting Blayne, at one point he was a few feet away in the hall multi-tasking his interview while meeting the ladies. I laughed more than I had in a long time just around Blayne, and he truly represented you and your film ‘Favor’ with excellence.

This was an awesome FilmMakerIntheCloud (TM), with great actor, all while getting the pleasure to watch your incredible film. Thanks Paul! Hope to see more from you soon. @SamuelWConnelly

Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM): Petunia w/ Ash Christian

I heard about Petunia a few days before it screened at Tallgrass Film Festival, but I hadn’t planned on meeting with the Writer/Director Ash Christian (@CraniumEnt) and hosting a #FilmmakerInTheCloud live chat him, but as I hung out with many of the other filmmakers Ash’s name would come up from time to time. Later at a house party (Filmmaker meet and greet) I was formally introduced to Ash and I was quickly drawn in by his great laugh, big smile, and fun personality. He’s one of those guys that don’t have to constantly talk about himself but knows how to enjoy the company around him. My kind of guy!

Ash is an incredibly talented Writer, Director, and Actor. In 2006 he wrote, directed, and starred in Fat Girls, and a year later he starred and directed in the film Lushes (2007). Ash Christian has also been successful in a jump to Broadway. In 2009 he co-produced the Broadway hit Next to Normal, which won 3 Tony’s, 11 nominations, and later a Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Ash is an amazing filmmaker and our @FilmInTheCloud  live chat was fun and informative. I’m excited to share it with you here.

20 Second Description of Petunia:  IMDb

The story weaves together the lives of brothers Charlie, Adrian and Michael as they unlearn everything their psychoanalyst parents have taught them. While Michael’s cynical wife Vivian discovers she is pregnant, the family is also changing. Charlie’s would be boyfriend George is in a polyamorous relationship with fitness fanatic Robin and Adrian has developed an unrelenting sex addiction. Meddling parents Felicia and Percy must decide whether to reignite the spark in their relationship or start all over again.

Connect with Ash Christian; Facebook (Petunia Fan Page) – Twitter – IMDb – Cranium Entertainment – Watch Penunia now on Amazon Instant.

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter – @FilmInTheCloud and Friend us on FACEBOOK! 

Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM): Beauty Is Embarrassing w/ Neil Berkeley

We connected with Writer/Director Neil Berkeley (also know for the Academy Award Nominated ‘Best Documentary Feature’ Independent Lens)  at Tallgrass Film Festival(@tallgrass). I hadn’t previously viewed Beauty Is Embarrassing before screening it with Neil, but I had seen him around the festival and was already impressed with his attitude and with the way he interacted with everyone at the festival.  He seemed like a humble, somewhat quiet, approachable guy. When we did finally hook up and I went over the ‘basics’ of how the #FilmmakerInTheCloud chat worked, my suspicions about the genuine ‘coolness’ of Neil Berkeley were confirmed. For a guy with a lot on his plate as the owner of Brkly.TV, Future You Pictures and Brkly Creative, and also traveling film festivals with Beauty Is Embarrassing– this guy’s got style and stamina.

Beauty Is Embarrassing, the story of Wayne White (@WayneWhiteDoc) has made a lot of noise in the news and fans are making quite a bit of noise for the film as well. This documentary has been receiving amazing press from the Huffington Post, Los Angeles Magazine, The New York Times, Indie Wire, and many other places ( you can check them out in the Beauty Is Embarrassing Press Room).

I had a great time with Neil (@MrBrkly) and I’m excited to share our @FilmInTheCloud live chat with you here.

20 Second Description of Beauty Is Embarrassing: written by Neil Berkeley

Raised in the Tennessee mountains, Wayne White started his career as a cartoonist in NYC. He quickly found success as one of the creators of the Pee-wee’s Playhouse TV show which soon led to more work design some of the most arresting and iconic images in pop culture. Recently his word paintings featuring pithy and and often sarcastic text statements finely crafted onto vintage landscape paintings have made him a darling of the fine art world…read more here.

Connect with Beauty Is Embarrassing: FaceBook – Twitter (WayneWhiteDoc)– Twitter (Neil Berkeley) – Vimeo – IMDb – Youtube – Brkly.TV

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter(TM) – @FilmInTheCloud and Friend us on FACEBOOK. You can purchase your download from Vimeo for $9.99 and the funds go directly to the filmmakers. Beauty Is Embarrassing is also available on XBOX360 and many cable VOD providers.  

Follow Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM) on Twitter and Facebook. You can also follow and chat with us on Twitter; Sam (@SamuelWConnelly) Lela (@LelaPalooza) 

Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM) Live Chat photos are from Twitter(TM). Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM) articles and update content are copyright (c) 2011, Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM), Samuel Connelly and Lela Meadow-Connor.

Filmmaker In The Cloud: Bomb The System

Bomb The System (2003) was one of the first #FilmInTheCloud chats we did and hooking up ‘in the cloud‘ with Writer/Director, Adam Bhala Lough (@AdamBhalaLough ) was a real pleasure. I was already a big fan of  Adam’s 2007 film ‘Weapons‘ (featuring Nick Cannon, Paul Dano, and Mark Webber). Although Adam was connecting with Filmmaker In The Cloud (TM) (@FilmInTheCloud) from his pad in Los Angeles Calif., and I was screening Bomb The System from the Tallgrass Film Festival (@TallGrass) in Wichita Kan., it is really one of the most behind-the-scenes-informative #FilmInTheCloud chats yet.

Adam, (who Filmmaker Magazine ranked 6th in the top 25 Independent Filmmakers to watch, 2003) is clearly a very passionate filmmaker, knows his way around Twitter(TM) and this #FilmInTheCloud live chat is filled with an incredible glimpse into the mind of this artist. Guerrilla-film-making tactics, funny trivia, innovative shooting ideas, shout-outs to great music, and the proper use of good ol’fashion tomfoolery to get the job done — this is the amazingly talented Adam Bhala Lough that you see in this #FilmmakerInTheCloud experience, and I’m super excited to share that with you here.

20 Second Description of Bomb The System: Written by David Kwok

A tribute to graffiti art and the city where it all began. Blest, a 19-year-old graffiti writer, has just graduated from high school. With no ambition toward mainstream goals of work and family, he spends his time bombing the city with graffiti messages until he and his crew become the most wanted bombers by the corrupt NYPD Vandal Squad…read more at IMDb

Check out @149st interview with Adam Bhala Lough

Adam online – Website – Tumblr – IMDb  – Facebook (BombTheSystem Fan Community) – Twitter

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter – @FilmInTheCloud and friend us on Facebook. Rent Bomb The System for $1.99 or buy it for $7.99 at Amazon Instand Video and watch it along side of this #FilmInTheCloud chat with writer/ director Adam Bhala Lough and Filmmaker In The Cloud’s(TM) Samuel Connelly.

Filmmaker In The Cloud: Dead Dad

When Lela (@lelapalooza) first formally introduced me to Ben Hethcoat (Producer and plays Brandon Blake) I was surprised because I had been running into him throughout the film festival and really didn’t know who he was. He was just this super cool guy that hung out with everyone, smiled a lot, and was a genuinely free cool spirit.Dead Dad was not originally one of the films I was scheduled to host a #FilmmakerInTheCloud chat with but I’m so glad I did because it was a blast.  Ken J. Adachi (Writer/Director) and Ben are some super great guys, and when it was time to start #FilmmakerInTheCloud they were not only ready to go but had managed to get several other cast and crew members to join in the conversation from around the world, literally.

This film was a passionate project of a group of friends, and their strong bond shows in this film chat. With very little funds and only one month of shooting, this talented group did something pretty amazing, and I’m super excited to have been able to experience a bit of their magic, and share it now with you.

20 Second Description of Dead Dad: by the Dead Dad official website

When their dad dies unexpectedly, estranged siblings Russell, Jane and their adopted brother, Alex, come home to tend to his remains. Though a stubborn and proud bunch, they are able to agree on one thing: nobody wants to keep the ashes. With little guidance and mounds of resentment among them, the three must work together to achieve a proper goodbye. The man who split them apart brings them closer together as the siblings learn what it means to be a family without their dad. 

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter – @FilmInTheCloud / Also Friend us on FaceBook!

Filmmaker In The Cloud(TM): God Bless America

In April, we had the pleasure of hooking up with actors Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr at Tallgrass Film Festival’s ‘Six Months Till Tallgrass’ film event, for the screening of God Bless America, the newest dark comedy by Director Bobcat Goldthwait. (BTW: God Bless America is now streaming on NETFLIX!)

After we all arrived at Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre we snuck away and walked to Mead’s Corner Coffeehouse for some coffee & ‘White Irishman’ Lattes. As Joel took a few pics of the Scottish Rites building some random women driving by screamed, “Hey you’re from Mad Men! Woo we love you” to which he responded “I love my wife”. What a guy! Then we talked about cigars, whiskey, a film Joel wrote, and Tara’s next year in college… and then the #FilmmakerInTheCloud fun was time to begin.

Joel didn’t have a Twitter(TM) account but Tara does and we had a ton of fun! She is such a talented actress – witty, smart, attractive, and funny. Oh, and such a cool gal in general

20 Second description of God Bless America: by GBA official website 

Frank (Joel Murray) has had enough of the downward spiral of American culture. Divorced, recently fired, and possibly terminally ill, Frank feels he has nothing left to live for. However, instead of taking his own life, he embarks on a killing spree with cohort Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr), who shares his sense of rage and disenfranchisement, and together they embark on a nation-wide assault on our country’s dumbest, most irritating celebrities.

 Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter – @FilmInTheCloud

Filmmaker In The Cloud: The Right To Love

I had the pleasure of connecting with Director Cassie Jaye for a conversation about her documentary film ‘The Right to Love: An American Family‘. Her documentary has played at film festivals across the country. Cassie Jaye is such a cool woman and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out and chatting ‘In The Cloud’ with her.

As we sat next to each other screening The Right To Love, in Wichita’s incredible Orpheum Theatre there was something about the magic of the Orpheum, the seriousness of the subject of her documentary, and some goofy moments that made this #FilmmakerInTheCloud experience priceless. Now we get to share this conversation with you.  Check out the behind-the-scenes conversation below!

Also you can now purchase Cassie Jaye’s film The Right To Love here, and then come back and join in on the ongoing conversation.  NEWS: R2L Movie is now available to view for free at SnagFilms.com !

Don’t forget to follow us for all #FilmmakerInTheCloud Chats on Twitter – @FilmInTheCloud

The Right to Love: Synopsis from R2L website

While the passionate debate over the legitimacy of Marriage Equality in the United States rages on, the LGBT community continues to fight for their slice of the American dream. Powered by media, religion and influential anti-gay organizations, the civil right of marriage continues to be held just out of reach for many LGBT citizens.

The Right to Love: An American Family chronicles one story of courage born out of the highly mediatized and controversial Prop 8 2008 election results in California. A Californian married gay couple and their two adopted children fight back against discrimination, ignorance and hate through home videos posted on their YouTube channel, Gay Family Values. As they pursue their American Dream, the opposing political, social and religious opinions that pervade society attempt to strip it from them.

(NOTE: Remember that the Filmmaker In The Cloud (TM) conversation below is a collection of images from @FilmInTheCloud and @Cassie_Jaye #TheRightToLove #FilmmakerInTheCloud, #TallgrassX — hyperlinks in the conversation do not work.)