news and notes 9.17.12


Let's get it out of the way. I ordered a computer. It's a laptop and I'm hoping it will do everything I need it to do. Like a lot of editors, I put my computer through its paces.

In any case, this means Walk Softly needs greenbacks. Badly. So, over the next few days, I'll be introducing a couple initiatives to generate that moolah. One idea involves on-line rental for our feature film Cannonball.  If you've never seen it, this might be the perfect opportunity for you. It will give you the ha-ha's.

Also, if you want to take a business or product to the next level... if award-winning creative and video production services are something that might help you do that... you need to keep an eye out because that is exactly what we'll be offering up to the first taker. Notice, I said the first taker. More on that later.

What else is happening?  Todd Sheene is currently working on the Space Cops Episode 5 script. You heard me. I know, you haven't even seen Episode 4 yet, but that's a good thing. We're working hard over here. Allen and I are anxious to get our hands on the new script and we're going to make every attempt to shoot it this Fall, but it won't be easy. Schedules are tight, especially with a trip to Paducah and the Rivers Edge International Film Fest looming.

Another reason shooting days are at a premium: Allen's play, Jerry Peavler and the Great Debate begins this weekend! Do you have tickets yet? Do not dilly-dally. I told everybody you don't dilly-dally. Don't make me look like an idiot.

A VHessay? Yes, it's coming. Keep your shorts on.

Indie Wednesday: Live Prude Girls



I don't want to make Indie Wednesday a boys' club, so this is a perfect time to introduce the Live Prude Girls, Milana Vayntrub and Stevie Nelson. Plus, Flula makes a guest appearance in this particular video, so it's also a fine follow up to last week. Stevie and Milana have a unique sense of humor that I dig and they don't try too hard. Stevie is actually the daughter of Stevie Nicks and Willie Nelson and if she asks you who told you that, keep your mouth shut. Fair warning: don't develop a crush on them. Don't do it. They have lots of videos and if you like dry wit and awkward humor, you need to check out their Let's Talk About Something More Interesting web series, because they are masters of it.

If you're here for the first time, check out some of our videos. Space Cops is the greatest 80's sci-fi show you never saw and our shorts won trophies and stuff.

Not Dead Morgan Freeman's News and Notes 9.10.12


This installment of News and Notes is dedicated to Undead Morgan Freeman. Saturday morning I was shocked when I woke to find Morgan Freeman had died (again) according to my phone.  However, by Sunday afternoon, I was certain that the immortal narrator had once again evaded Death's cold embrace. Seriously though, why do the internet hoaxsters keep trying to kill this man off?  Is this the second or third time that Mr. Freeman's demise has been greatly exaggerated?  In any case, we can determine one of two things from this latest experience.  1)  Either Morgan Freeman is an undying being of vampiric or zombie origin or  2)  some internet troll has it out bad for Andy Dufresne's best friend.

We're already a third of the way in to September.  That can't be right.  Regardless, it's time to take a look at what's happening this week in WSF Land.  Computer decision agony continues.  If you know me, you'll know that I can stew over which burger to order for fifteen minutes, so when it comes to buying a computer, you can be assured that I'm going to weigh every shred of information and change my mind on the matter no less than thirty times.  New desktop? New laptop?  Used Desktop?  Or some combination of both?  The good news is, I did advance in my process and a purchase will be made early this week.  And that means...

The Space Cops Ep. 4 edit begins no later than next week!

Allen is in full Community Theater mode right now as rehearsals have begun for Jerry Peavler and the Great Debate.  If you've never caught one of the Hollerwood series of plays written by Liz Orndorff, I highly suggest you familiarize yourself this time around.  Funny stuff and incredible actors, one of whom is my best friend and a Walk Softly founding member.  Wait 'til you see Allen and Karen Logue working off each other.  They amaze me.  You can find what you need at tickets.westthill.com.

Creativity has been flying around the WSF compound since I had a chance to talk to Allen and Todd over Labor Day weekend.  I've been jotting down all kinds of notes that resulted from those conversations and I am itching to make them happen in front of a camera.  Several are Space Cops related, more involve a new web series, short film ideas...  One idea Todd had is simple, genius and such a no brainer it just has to happen.  So much we want to do, so little time.

Will we have the new VHessay done this week?  ...Maybe.  I'm sure most of you won't complain if I'm making the Space Cops edit a priority right now.  However, you can at least bank on another indie filmmaker salute on Indie Wednesday.  Anybody come up with a better name?  And with each passing day, my impulse to redesign the blog/website intensifies.

Are you following the Walk Softly Films Twitter account yet?  The 500th follow gets a Cannonball DVD and pages from the actual shooting script.  I might change that to every hundredth follower. Thoughts? And remember, we want your thoughts and questions on any topic.  Feel free to say hello in the comments section of any post or send us a message.

indie wednesday



Okay, technically I missed Wednesday by a few minutes.  But let's all pretend I didn't, because Indie Wednesday must go on.  Today I bring you, Flula.  I'm a longtime fan of this German DJ and this is the video that introduced me to him.  I think it borders on genius.  What can I say?  The guy makes me laugh.  He literally has hundreds of videos so, if you want to see more, I'm sure you'll be able to find them.

3 Ladies went to Paducah...


Fire up the Sandwich-O-Meter, Walk Softly Films is headed back to Paducah!  3 Ladies is an official selection of the Rivers Edge International Film Festival.  (We were going to go with or without the selection, but don't tell them that.)  Honestly, we couldn't be more excited.  I know I've said it before, but this our favorite festival and we love the people down there as much as the food and hot chocolate and Autumn festival atmosphere.  I encourage anyone who hasn't been to come down one year.  It's worth the drive and the Rivers Edge folk put on a first-class festival.  They take care of their filmmakers and attendees as well as I've ever experienced.

You can expect a weekend of updates just like last year (just scroll down through the November posts) and we'll even try to step it up another notch or two.  If you have any ideas you want us to write about or even video while we're in the Western part of the state, leave a comment here or send a tweet.  We'll try to do it.  I already have a couple ideas myself.  One of which involves crossing state lines and visiting the home of a certain alien superhero.

news and notes 9.4.12

Maybe we need a steam-powered workstation

News and Notes are a day behind due to the Labor Day festivities.  Forgive me?  Yes?  Are we friends again?  Good.  Things are in a bit of flux at Walk Softly Films, so I'll do my best to give updates.

The most pressing issue right now is the purchase of a new computer to edit on.  It has to be done, so now the questions are 1) exactly which computer should we buy (laptop or desktop) and 2) how do we pay for it?  Space Cops 4 is begging to be released to the masses, so we'll likely have to make a purchase without funds on hand (thank goodness for no-interest deals at Best Buy). I had a chance to discuss this briefly with Todd and Allen separately over the weekend and there are a number of fundraising options on the table.  Unfortunately we don't have the viewership it would take to crowdfund at this point and times are tough for donations.  A Scott, Allen, Todd bikini carwash is not out of the question at this point.  I am also considering offering our award-winning services to produce a blow-the-doors-off crazy commercial for someone in exchange for a premium donation (this one isn't a joke).  More on that later.

I want to take a moment to send prayers out for Michael Clarke Duncan's loved ones.  America's favorite giant passed away yesterday.  The official statement said he suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13 and never fully recovered.  The guy worked his way up from the South Side of Chicago. Before becoming an actor in his 30's, he held jobs as a body guard and even digging ditches.  His success is something to be admired, but his reputation and the respect he built in an often jaded Hollywood with his sweet spirit is even more impressive.  By all accounts, "Big Mike" was a Christian and there could be no better way to share his faith than the way he loved and served the people around him.  Enjoy the rewards, MCD.

The next VHessay is still on the way so keep an eye out for it this week and tomorrow is Indie Wednesday where we salute our favorite fellow indie filmmakers. Oh, and I'm starting to feel like a website/blog redesign is in order (when I can find the time to do it).

Questions or comments?  Just leave it in the comments.  We'd be happy to have feedback at any time.  And be sure to follow the new Walk Softly Films Twitter account if you aren't already.

indie wednesday



Welcome to the first Indie Wednesday (which may need to be moved to Friday to facilitate a better moniker).  Either way, we gather here to celebrate fellow indie filmmakers who are doing it on their own and doing it well.  Today we take a look at the work of Seth Worley.  Seth is a close friend of the incredibly talented Cinema Cycle (whose music we often beg to use in our own productions).

I believe that is the connection that originally led me to the video above.  This particular video is the original The Time Closet short film that spurred a popular 16 part web series by the same title, which then spurred a career-turn headed straight up for Mr. Worley.  Walk Softly Films salutes you, Seth Worley and hopes to someday join you on that ladder to bigger and better things.

news and notes 8.27.12

The late Jerry Nelson with Count Von Count.

Welcome to the first News and Notes column of the Regularly-Scheduled Era!  If you hadn't heard, from this point forward we will have a News and Notes column available bright and early every single Monday no matter how much or how little is going on in WSF land.  This will be the perfect spot to check in on what we're up to and learn what you can expect from us over the rest of the week, whether it be more posts or new videos or both.

This week's column is dedicated to Mr. Jerry Nelson, the latest puppeteering legend to leave us from the house that Jim Henson built.  We lost him last Thursday at the age of 78.  You'll recognize Jerry as the voice of the Count, Fraggle Rock's Gobo, and Kermit's nephew, Robin.  Some of you are well aware of my love for all things Muppet and what an effect they had on my childhood and I can definitely say that the Count took his turn as my favorite character on Sesame Street.  I particularly remember a bit where the Count was a contestant on a game show called "Squeal of Fortune."  It's a strange game bordering on pig cruelty, but the Count won and when it was time to pick a prize, he chose the pig.  You made us laugh, Jerry, and taught us a few things along the way.

Now, on to the business at hand.  What is happening in the WSF compound this last week of August?  First of all, we're busy.  My birthday is this week and I'll be turning... nevermind.  Right now, we've got some great footage waiting on deck for a certain retro, sci-fi web series.  I expect to start sifting through all the Space Cops video and logging it on the computer this week as well as possibly shooting a special pickup scene with Dino Rivera (aka Michael Startzman) aka Father José.  You heard me, right.  The wait is over (sort of); José makes his in-episode debut.  I'll be sure to tweet visual proof when it happens.  Just watch the Episode 1 intro if you have questions. The serious editing on Episode 4 is likely to start next week.  There are lots of goodies to be had as we lead up to Episode 4, but I'll tease you with those later.

Wednesday we start another weekly feature here on the blog.  On "Shout Out Wednesdays" (I have two days to come up with a better title), we'll introduce you to fellow indie / microbudget filmmakers we like by featuring one of their videos and giving credit where it is due.  So, now you have an excuse to visit us at least two days a week!

You can also expect our third VHessays installment later this week.  Here's your hint:  an 80's movie with a video game tie-in (and probably not the one you're thinking of).  If you aren't familiar, VHessays are film analysis essays (with WSF flavor) of movies that made a big impact on us when we were kids.  The Rocky IV essay is huge in Russia.  No, seriously.

A 3 Ladies behind-the-scenes featurette is still on the way.  (Featurette sounds awfully fancy, right?)  It could happen at any time, but I won't make any promises for this week.

UPDATE:  How could I forget?? We're supposed to find out this week if 3 Ladies made it into the Rivers Edge International Film Festival!  Everybody do us a favor and keep your fingers crossed.  If you remember our posts from last November, you know we love that trip to Paducah!

As a last order of business, if you'd like to contribute to the production of future short films or Space Cops episodes, our Donation Button is still open and every dollar counts.  A post is coming about a big idea and opportunity for you to boost your business and for me to raise the 3 grand needed for a new editing computer.  Stay tuned.

r.i.p. tony scott

Tony Scott with Tom Cruise

One of the things we like to talk about here on the WSF blog are films and filmmakers that inspired us; movies that made our eyes bug out and locked an ear to ear smile on our faces for a couple of hours.  Tony Scott (brother of Ridley Scott), certainly managed to do that more than once with his impressive filmography.  Tony was known for the kinetic action and high-speed edits he brought to the screen.  The man had range and knew how to entertain with films like Beverly Hills Cop II, Man on Fire, and the vastly underrated Spy Game.  If you haven't seen Spy Game, drop it in your NetFlix qeue this week.  Some great work by Redford in that one.  But, the two Tony Scott movies that stick out most to me are Days of Thunder and, of course, Top Gun.

There's just something about Days of Thunder and its style and Cole Trickle that you can't get out of your head.  It's one of those movies that just sticks with you.  Tom Cruise and Robert Duvall make a great pair and Michael Rooker's Rowdy Burns was a great foil with depth who ends up becoming inspiration for Trickle in the end.  There are some legitimate moments of character development buried under all the racing and filmmaking style, but if there's one thing that Days of Thunder taught me that I will never, ever forget, it is this:
Cole Trickle:   ...this [SOB] just slammed into me.
Harry Hogge:  No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he rubbed you. And rubbin, son, is racin'.
Then we have Top Gun; an absolute pitch-perfect slice of euphoric 80's action.  If you walked out of that film and didn't want to be a Navy fighter pilot, there may be something wrong with you.  I know Kenny Loggins wasn't the only one who was jumpin' off the deck, shovin' it into overdrive.  Top Gun had incredible action sequences with real F-14 Tomcats the likes of which we'd never seen.  It had unashamedly goofy segments like shirtless, blue jean cutoff volleyball set to a Loggins song that sealed the scene's infamous place in cinematic history.  Although most guys could have probably done without the Maverick/Kelly McGillis sillhouetted love scene, there are other moments in this film I would go so far as to call iconic.  For example, who hasn't seen or even participated in a recreation of the acapella You've Lost That Loving Feeling from Top Gun's bar scene?

In short, Tony Scott gave us moments and images that will never leave us.  I can't think of anything more gratifying for a filmmaker.  Our prayers go out to his wife and sons.  Thank you for contributing to our dreams, Mr. Scott.  I'm not sure what drove him to the spot he found himself in last night, but it's another reminder of the things that are precious in life.  And a reminder that success is a truly subjective measurement that each of us defines for ourselves.

And remember, the next time some SOB in your life slams into you...  he rubbed you.  And rubbin', son, is racin'.

3 Ladies premiere



The time has come.  3 Ladies is here!  Watch it now.  Share it anywhere and everywhere and keep your eye out for behind the scenes info (and possibly pictures and video) in the coming days.

Have you liked our Facebook page yet?  We're trying to reach 250 today.  Goooooooo!

If at all possible we'll also have a VHessay up this week.  I don't want to give it away, but... Dabney Coleman is involved.  Teaser!!