48 HOUR FILM UPDATE COMING SOON

So, I want to dig into the experience of making this year's 48 Hour Film Project film, Ghost Beef Sandwich. Right now, though, I unfortunately only have a moment to share the down and dirty details.

I will let you all know when the film premieres:

Monday, June 22nd
7PM
Riverview Theater

From each screening of 12 films, one film is chosen by the audience as the 'Audience Award.' These films, and a select few others, move on the Best of Minneapolis screening later in the week. So it's important to drum up as much support as possible for your film.

Find out more about the festival by clicking HERE, and directions to the theater by clicking HERE.

Thanks!
B

DAWNING TO PREMIERE AT SOLSTICE FILM FESTIVAL

Greetings! When you hear the term 'lake cabin', most of you conjure images of a relaxing respite, where a cold beer and a good book are both relished on the end of a sun-drenched dock. Sounds pretty spectacular, eh? (well, unless the book is 'The DaVinci Code' or a Danielle Steele gem).

For me, the term 'lake cabin' also inspires another image. I picture a dozen sweaty, exhausted crew members working (basically) around the clock to create a gripping, intense flick. I picture actors dabbled with fake blood, an over-turned car in the pouring rain, and a man named Johnny Whynot (seriously. That was his name) toothlessly grinning and saying, "I'll flip that car for ya. Jus' get me a helmet."

The final product of this gruelling filmmaking experience is, of course, Dawning, Gregg Holtgrewe's flick about a fractured family taken hostage by a crazed man at their lake cabin, a man who insists that something is out there. Something that's coming for them.

Dawning has received a large amount of praise, and was most recently featured at Scotland's Dead by Dawn 2009 Film Festival.

This Friday, June 19th, at 8:00PM, Dawning premieres right here in Minneapolis, as part of the annual Solstice Film Festival. If you're interested in a new twist on a tired genre, come check it out.

The film is screening at the Suburban World Theater in Uptown Minneapolis.

Here's the trailer, to entice you...

New Dawning Trailer - Gregg and Tyler Cut from Gregg Holtgrewe on Vimeo.

Until next time,
B

MIDNIGHT DVD NEWS: THE SHADOW FALLS OVERSEAS

Hard to believe that it's been three years since the gates of Blackweir were assembled on rural Wisconsin farmland, since truckloads of Styrofoam were transformed into faux-stone, and since a small and dedicated crew of (mostly) film newbies spent beautiful summer days in the sweltering heat of a tin warehouse with cottages on wheels, grotesque orcs, and a whole lot of dirt.

Filming Midnight Chronicles was a surreal and amazing experience. I was fortunate enough to work alongside some very good friends, and yeah, the days were long, but when you're laughing most of the time, it doesn't matter that it's 3AM and you're still inhaling 'atmosphere.'

Well, the fruits of Fantasy Flight Games' labors are finally paying off. Monday marked the international release of Midnight Chronicles. The film is now available in both France and the United Kingdom.

The near future will certainly bring with it a US and Canadian release, so hopefully soon, I'll be able to post more information regarding that. Until then, you'll have to settle with me re-posting the trailer for the flick.



B

THE LITERARY ADVENTURES OF ALEXANDER MARTIN

Some kids start with Dr. Seuss. Some with Mother Goose. In his nearly three weeks of life, Alex has been enjoying a variety of different books. Here are just a few of the things we've been reading.


We started with a little bit of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.


We were then introduced to such super-villains as The Chameleon, Electro, and Man-Wolf with The Essential Amazing Spider-Man Volume 9 (thanks, Uncle Brent!).


Here we are practicing our various accents whilst enjoying a little Jack of Fables.


And finally, we cracked open the pages of Anthony Neil Smith's book Hogdoggin'. Alex is a big Steel God fan.

What other adventures will we take? Who knows. Tonight we read a couple of chapters of Kiss Me Deadly by Mickey Spillaine. Alex was riveted.

Until next time,
B

TRAILER? I HARDLY KNOW HER!

So this past week has been pretty surreal. It's been one heck of a whirlwind. Alex is at home, and we're all getting into a nice little groove. We seriously just sit and stare at him sometimes. It's a wonder anything ever gets done when there's a baby around.

Anyway, the trailer for Into Temptation, Patrick Coyle's Catholic noir flick, is finally up and online. The flick recently screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival, where our lead, Jeremy Sisto, took home the Best Actor honor. Enjoy.



And since I can't really resist, here's another photo of Alexander.



Note: This photo in no way represents Alex's opinions on the film.

More soon,
B

ALEXANDER MARTIN TERRELL

Hey everyone! Man, what a crazy couple of days. It all started Sunday night, at around 12:30AM. I was laying in bed, next to my 'two days overdue' wife. I was just closing my book (The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, for those who need specifics) when Jen rolled over, grimaced, and said, "Whoa. That doesn't feel right."

An hour later, the contractions were coming pretty quickly. We finally came to the conclusion that our son was not going to let us sleep that night. We rushed to the hospital (Regions in St. Paul, a straight shot down University from our house. The location came in handy for a bleary-eyed father to be had driving there at 1:30AM).

The amazing staff set us up in a room, and with the guidance of two kick ass nurses, we went through nearly nine hours of labor. At 10:49AM on Monday, May 18th, Alexander Martin Terrell was finally born.

Alex is a tiny little fella (7lbs. 11.8 oz. and 20in. long) with a shock of blonde hair and long feet. We are now officially home from the hospital, and Alex is settling in to home life. We were very fortunate through the entire pregnancy, and are extremely blessed to have family and friends who are as excited as we are about our new addition.

So get ready for more baby photos on the blog, in addition to project updates. And thank you all for your love and support.

All the best,
B

HOGDOGGIN' REPORT!

So I made a bet, and thank Christ I don't have to pay up. Upon walking into Once Upon a Crime yesterday, and shaking Anthony Neil Smith's hand, he promptly told me, "You know, if your wife gives birth today, you have to name the baby Hogdog."

Well, bullet dodged! Phew! We are still in a holding pattern over here, as the stubborn offspring has decided he's not quite ready to leave his snug home yet.

As for the signing...Well, first off, let me say, if you live in the Twin Cities, and have yet to set foot in Crime's cozy, basement location, shame on you. They are the most cordial, knowledgeable folks around. So do yourself a favor and shop there, dammit.

And while you're there, pick up Anthony Neil Smith's books. Neil's a genuinely nice fella (um, I mean he's a growling, frightening badass, with a rep to preserve). We had a chance to chat for a while, and I walked out with a kick-ass, signed copy of Hogdoggin'.

So a big thanks to Neil for taking the time to talk, and for the photo. Everyone go buy the book (you can pick up early, signed copies at Once Upon a Crime, naturally) and make it a scorching success.

B