Roxsy & Me Film

ROXSY & ME IS HERE!!

Loved filming this short fan-made film with Carmela and Christian!
Great story and great acting. I'm in a few scenes. And I helped as both executive producer and as sound engineer. Sounds so fancy! hehe. I am still laughing so hard at some of these scenes. Loved being around my Potent family again. Please watch, like, make nice comments! Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!! I'm so excited to be a part of this amazingly fun film!

PS - here's the link to my post about being on set for this movie and Sugar Skull Girls.
http://geekgirlscastle.blogspot.com/2014/10/theres-no-place-like-home.html

There's No Place Like Home...

...there's no place like home. No, Dorothy, there isn't. For me, that means being on a movie set again, it's definitely like being home. And I've missed it so much.

Recently, I got to help out on a couple of films with a friend of mine who happens to be the Producer of the independent movie company he works for. Potent Media and it's fearless leader, Christian Jude Grillo, is made up of a group of dedicated and amazing men and women just wanting to make great films from start to finish. Potent Media is known for their independent films Apocalypse Kiss, Deer Crossing, and Booley.

And now, their family-friendly film The Sugar Skull Girls. This is the first movie I got to help on. The best way I describe this movie is like Disney's Hocus Pocus. It's fantasy mixed with campy humor and fun times. It has witches and supernatural elements, meant for all-ages. It's going to be so much fun to watch when it is finally done! I've seen some pieces done with all the special effects and music added in and it's just awesome to see what comes out of Christian's creative mind!

I got to help out the last two weekends of shooting, one in June and one in July. The summer heat was exhausting and disgusting, especially for the July shoot. I was told I'd be anything from catering to personal assistant for the celebs, to assistant sound person, etc. Basically a PA. Which I was totally fine with because inside I was screaming "I'M ON A REAL LIVE SET AGAIN!!!" Opportunity of a lifetime for me.

Let me stop for moment for a background check. I majored in TV/Video Production way back when, in college. My career life path didn't take me that way for a full time job. I had a part-time gig at the local TV station but it didn't have a lot to offer after awhile. Like so many of my creative brethren, you do what you can to survive and make a decent wage. So I took on a full-time job as an admin in a big company instead. But I dabbled in the TV field in any way I could in the years that followed, videotaping friend's productions, videotaping friends goofing off, watching a lot of behind-the-scenes documentaries, etc. Anything to keep me in the game. Eventually all those things even dwindled, other than watching those making-of documentaries.

I missed that world so very very much but just couldn't get a handle on getting back into it. So, when opportunity knocked, I opened the door wiiiiide open! Thanks to an "in" from my friend, I talked to his boss, the directer/owner/CEO/everything-man at Potent Media to see how I could help, if at all.

I did have to travel from NYC to Philly area, but it's totally worth it. In every sense of the word. As soon as I got on set at the Mill (an old antique mill not in use served as their set locations... more on that later), I was home. I was with my people. And I was at home with everything going on. The technology of course has changed since I've been in the business -- no more over-the-shoulder big SVHS or even 3-ship cameras which were the THING at the time... Nope, using small digital SLR cameras they get the total film look, that not even those 3-chip Sony's did in the day. Amazing quality and feel to them. Ok ok, back on track... So the tech might have changed, but the theories and how-to's don't change.

When I got there, I was greeted warmly and with open arms by everyone on set, both cast and crew. Slowly I got to know all of them and how I came to be there from NYC of all places. Having to keep explaining my ties with my Producer friend was tiring but I was proud nonetheless.

After we all gathered at the Mill and got acquainted, most of us went over to a local high school to film some key opening shot scenes and sequences. Being on location was even more fun. But of course holds its own challenges. Finding enough outlets to plug in equipment, hiding much of the equipment needed in other areas so it's out of shots and then needing it at the most inopportune moments, running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to remember where you put something, etc. It's mayhem, but the best kind! Hehe I didn't mind running around getting anything anyone needed--food, coffee, gaffers tape, mics, dollys, tripods, etc. I was there to help in any way Christian and crew needed me. I couldn't have felt more alive that day!

For the weekend, I was thrown into sound as an assistant with Chuck. Christian's normal sound guy wasn't able to be there so Chuck and I would helm sound responsibilities. Chuck was awesome as he taught me all the necessary ropes needed. After some mishaps in prepping the mics tho, and laughing a lot about it, we got it all working right.

Chuck is like six feet tall so he held the boom mic 99% of the time and I kept watch on the levels on the Tascam unit and hitting the record button and saying "speed" or "sound rolling". Yay!

One point we needed to be in a small doorway with the boom so I volunteered to be squished in there instead of the six foot man. hehe

Photo courtesy of James Murray

While running sound, I kept my eye on everyone else to see what they were doing and how things worked and how everyone communicated to one another and watched how well Christian's machine worked so cohesively. He really does have it all down pat. Yes, he needs help of course every so often and reminders, but he's got the team into a very well-oiled machine. I was impressed and in awe by it all. Not that I had doubts about his professionalism, but it's just been so long since I've been on a set to see how it all comes together.

Goofing off between takes. Bill Cannon, me, Chuck Maher, Carmela Hayslett Grillo, Dave Stewart.
Photo courtesy of James Murray

Chuck Maher, me after pushing him down the hall on our dolly.
Photo courtesy of James Murray

By midday we finished shooting the high school scenes and headed back to the Mill for lunch break then more shooting at the Mill itself, on their interior built sets.

Food was provided by a neighbor of the Mill that day. She had made homemade chili and cornbread, salad, and chips and things were provided. It was excellent homemade grub for first day of shooting for me.

Oh and forgot to mention, the movie was sponsored by the Tootsie Roll company and local soda brewery Hank's sodas. Brilliant. And wonderful addition to our on-set snacks and drink supplies. Yum! Most the cast and crew were on sugar highs a lot between the sodas and candy - which included Blowpops, Tootsie Rolls and Double Bubble products. (What happened to Tootsie Pops??? anyway...)

Image via Sugar Skull Girls Facebook page

Lunchtime I got to mingle with more of the crew and get to know all of them a little better. I liked that. It really was like a big family. Everyone knew about each others families and kids and many get together outside filming to hang out on weekends and things. So it was genuinely a beautiful, fun experience there.

After lunch wrapped, we went back to work. Filming scenes within the Mill on sets built by the same crew. A teens bedroom, a interior trailer set, and a few green screen sets. It was really neat to explore the sets in detail and see what was put into them in terms of set decorations and how they were constructed. Potent Media uses every dollar wisely. Cheaply built sets don't have to look cheap. And I'm still learning how to be thrifty on the sets from Christian. In my own life, I can be very thrifty but applying that knowledge to a set design, takes some creative know-how. It's amazing what he did with such a low budget, and you'll never know that when you see it on screen. (well, now I've told you hehe)

Besides sound tho, I was also a puppeteer! I got to handle some puppets being used in the film, created by my Producer friend. These will be revealed at a later date so no pics of those yet! :) But trust me, they are evil and ugly little buggers! They were rubbery and slimy and one got painted that morning so it was still technically wet from that, along with having um "slime" on it. I will not disclose what we used to make it slimy... So my hands looked like I killed a smurf by the time I was done with it. But it was so much fun to be a puppeteer for an hour!

Once the day was done, we wrapped filming, put equipment away and said goodbye to everyone til tomorrow. We were all exhausted but happy at the days work. Amazing people.

I got to go to Christian's home that night for some dinner and to look at the footage shot that day. See what Christian sees. How he wants to edit it together, what special effects might be added, sound cues and sound effects... Amazing how his creative brain works. I could envision it all as he unfurled each scene. He discussed shots themselves, any problems he might see- ie soft focus problems, sound issues, things like that. And then making a mental note if anything had to be reshot. Which you never want to do unless really absolutely necessary. But it was good learning experience to see how he puts it altogether.  And it was really lovely of him to have basically a stranger come into his home on the first day of shooting.

Second day of shooting was at the Mill only. So using those sets, we shot whatever was needed. It was a long day but wonderful to be there and doing what I love to do with others who love it just as much as me.

We wrapped that day with a birthday celebration for my Producer friend. I made him an Atari cake because it's one of his most favorite things in the world. :) It was just the crew for that. It was fun surprising my friend and the look on his face when he saw what was happening was awesome! hehe

July couldn't come fast enough to get down there and film again. This time I'd be there for the whole 5-day shoot and not just the weekend. I was psyched! I did sound again most the time. And both weekends when I was not a PA or doing sound, I was running around getting anything done that I could help with--food,  moving equipment around, closing windows, etc. Life of a PA doesn't sound glamorous but it's still important as a team player. I'm more than happy and grateful to do it.

I was also a script supervisor and continuity person for a couple days while his usual guy was away. That was intense and kept me on my toes. Having to remember which scenes we were shooting the whole day, each moment and how the shots were supposed to be set up. Very cool but definitely intense. Then making sure each shot done was in continuity with the last one or the one it will lead into or follow that we've possibly shot already.

We shot for five days straight. A couple days indoors on set and then the rest were outdoor shoots. And man, that weekend was the most humid and hottest days of 2014 summer time--close to 100 degrees all the days plus 90% humidity. It was so disgusting. It was pretty brutal on everyone shooting those days. Crew member Wil Sachs made sure to keep us cool by fanning us with the light reflectors and a couple of us had portable mini fans to use on the actors who were in very heavy costumes. But we made it through. Got some amazing footage and everything was in the can and wrapped by day 5.


It was just so much fun filming all the scenes despite the horrid weather. For me, learning what everyone does, getting to know the crew and cast of teen girls and their families on set, is something you can't replicate. I loved meeting all of them. Many are now real life friends outside of the filming. And I try to see the crew at least, as often as I can get to the area...Amazing, talented people worked so hard on this. I'm so proud to be a part of it.

One of the pumpkin soldier's rides

Scott Kaufman, Dave Stewart, and Christian Grillo setting up a shot.

Setting up the shots

Carmela Hayslett Grillo, Chuck Maher between takes.

Cece Hagen getting her makeup applied.

Leslie Easterbrook, Carmela Hayslett Grillo

Addy Miller getting her makeup applied

copter shots

Julie Ryan, Addy Miller, Cece Hagen, me, Anika Buchanan, Isabella Sobejano

Leslie Easterbrook, me, John Amplas

Anika Buchanan

Isabella Sobejano

Addy Miller

Carmela, Pumpkin Soldier

That's a wrap!

The second film, a short film really, is from Christian's wife Carmela Hayslett Grillo. She was a horror host in a web series for three years, Roxsy Tyler'sCarnival of Horros. But as an actress she of course, wanted to continue growing and pursue different venues of acting. So the web series went on hiatus. Well, now Carmela was ready to put a true ending to the series by making a short film.

Image courtesy of Roxsy Tyler Facebook page

It's a small cast and therefore, a much smaller crew then feature film sets. I was needed only one weekend where I'd do double duty and be an extra for one of the scenes as well as do sound for them.

The scene called for fans of Roxy and her cohost, Count Chuckula to be outside of her Carnival set and chase after them and such. It was great fun. Since I knew everyone would be fans of Roxy, the main character, I decided to be different and be a fan of Chuck's instead. (Yes, the same Chuck who taught me sound on the Sugar Skull Girls set). So I made a sign that said "Bite me" cuz he's a vampire, duh.

And when Carmela saw that, she gave me some acting/stage direction on how to play this up more. So we worked on that on the fly and it was sooo much fun chasing after Chuck! We tried to have me jump him but running in grass, heels and with twenty other people clamoring over you, does not lend itself well to jumping on someone's back. So we modified it. I hope it still translated well on screen and am eager to see how they used the footage, if at all. ETA: I'm in the trailer a few times actually, so I guess that worked out well. Also, I have another acting credit to my name now, as a featured extra. Sweet! It was fun to actually "act" in something professional for once. And fun to collaborate something specific for the scene.



Other times that day, I was as usual, sound person. This time with their special effects guru, David Gechman. He's about as tall as I am (we're both around the 5' range) so both of us trying to do the boom mic was kinda hilarious. Where's 6' Chuck? oh right, he's IN the sccene. hahaha But the short people prevailed!

After the fan scenes were shot, Chris and Carmela had a big ol' bbq in their backyard. It was so lovely and fun and amazing yummy food. I, as usual, made dessert. I made nutella palmeiris. So delicious and easy to make! And they definitely went fast and furious! I loved meeting all of their friends who participated in the fan scenes. So much fun connecting with them over good food.

Sunday was much the same, though quieter. It was just me for audio and Martini for video with Chris. Chuck would help whenever he wasn't needed *in*a scene, of course. Martini helped hold the boom on the last scene of the day because it really needed to be higher than my short stature could hold and Chuck was in the scene. So I was able to hit record on his cameras once he set up the stable shot while he did audio instead. Team effort! We really all work so well together.

All too soon, it was over. Carmela had one more weekend to film, well really one more day the following weekend. It was only going to be a four hour shoot though, so it wasn't worth it for me to come down again. But no matter, I still had an amazing learning experience and time with my Potent Media family filming and hanging out after shooting. Professionals to the core but so much fun when the lights dim.Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me these fabulous opportunities! Until the next shoot when I'm back in Oz again...

Apocalypse Kiss Review

Apocalypse Kiss is a sci-fi thriller much like Blade Runner only this time I could follow along. (Tho to be fair it's been years since I've seen Blade Runner now). With a murder mystery under foot and an apocalypse at its heels, Apocalypse Kiss is set in that futuristic sci-fi world with colorful video screens and oddities at every corner, strange people in every seedy setting... It's pretty cool.

The synopsis of the movie, taken from the Potent Media website:

In this futuristic science fiction thriller, government security agent Jerry Hipple has been unsuccessfully tracking the city's most infamous criminal The Red Harvest Killer. When two nomadic lovers, Katia and Gladys enter the city the death count rises and are being credited as Red Harvest killings. Obsessive compulsive Adrian, the actual Red Harvest Killer becomes furious that the sexy serial killing duo are grabbing media attention under his alias. Not only does Adrian attempt to reclaim his rightful reputation but he also decides to cleverly aid his detective counterpart through the case. All the while, killers and victims alike are unaware the world is about to reach an abrupt catastrophic ending.

Katia, played by Carmela Hayslett, is brilliant in one of the lead female roles. So diverse and playing a triple threat comes across so easily on screen. Gladys, played by Tammy Jean, was pretty effortless as a blonde bombshell who follows Kat around and who sometimes gets her hands dirty in order to survive.
The Red Harvest Killer, Adrian, played by D.C. Douglas, is pretty convincing as a crazy psychopath killer on the loose. He plays his role with some satire but it comes across wonderfully for this film.
Tom Detrik plays the detective trying to figure out whodunnit. I loved him as the noir Dick Tracy type with a sad backstory. I enjoyed his character a lot. I would love to have more on him. But he wasn't the focus of the film of course. I usually identify with the person who's trying to figure out the murder mystery, though.

The story was great. Writer and director Christian Grillo did an amazing job at the storyline and cinematography. The only gripe I have is that the apocalypse part within the story, never came across well. (And this is not a spoiler because it's in the title of the movie...) It was embedded in the middle of the film, or almost at the end really, in a one-liner from the Wizard character and it was easy to miss. I missed it the first time around, only to have it pointed out to me by my friend who watched it with me. And when the apocalypse starts being discussed as a plotline to the audience, it was like suddenly watching another movie, but only for a few minutes as its near the very end of the film. It was very abrupt and you almost felt like you didn't need it anymore as any plot device since it didn't add much else, other than wrapping up everyone's story in one big chunk. It was never a part of any of the characters lives within the rest of the film, except at that very end moment... So I'm not sure it was needed perse.

Other than that, the murder mystery was fun to follow and see the characters interact with one another. I liked how things had a slight twist to them. Tho I could see a lot of plot twists coming.

The amount of special effects for this low-budget film is pretty astounding. I was surprised how much special effects were actually used and utilized to great execution without it looking cheesy at all! It was pretty seamless with the rest of the film. From the technicolor Wizard's monitors and the creepy girls he had on screens, to the elevator doors opening/scanning and the scanning of the east sector, all blended in well with both the story and scenery.

I will say the soundtrack is pretty amazing. Totally helps tell the story and I can see myself getting a soundtrack to it if it were available. It definitely has the sci-fi gritty tone to it that the film needs. None of the songs are out of place or sound too pretty for the film.

And the end song, for the apocalypse is quite beautiful, if in a most haunting kind of way. The credits show vocals are done by Deb Portalatin. And she has an amazing deep dark voice that was perfect for those last minutes on Earth. And during her song, the montage they play of each characters last few moments on Earth, is done beautifully. I could listen to this song on repeat for a good few hours if not more...

I highly recommend watching this movie. It definitely doesn't feel or sound like an independent film or a low-budget film. It never comes across as hokey or anything. The camera angles are artsy and fantastic. The quality of both video and audio are amazing for the budget they had. Only in one part when everyone is yelling, can you hear the sound warble a bit. But it's minor. And I'm an A/V girl so I happened to notice. But really, go out and get this film however you can. It's pretty amazing. It's out on DVD at Amazon and on-demand from major cable companies. I will say it took awhile for me to find via my RCN on-demand but eventually I found it. I am currently waiting on my DVD from Amazon to arrive to watch it a few more times.

Oh and one disclaimer, there is full frontal male nudity which I was not expecting. I knew I'd see naked women based on the trailers alone, but not one of the males. So, fair warning haha.

I would also watch this video after you see the film. Love behind-the-scenes videos and this one is great. Some really good interviews with Chris Grillo and the cast and crew behind Apocalypse Kiss on how it was made on such a low-budget but never looking hokey. Enjoy!

This movie was produced by my friend, John Kent, but by no means was this review solicited by him or anyone at Potent Media and it is written with all opinions as my own.

Sugar Skull Girls Indigogo Porject by Potent Media

A dear friend of mine, John Kent, has a new film coming out soon from his film company, Potent Media called "Sugar Skull Girls". It's their first family-oriented film they are making. Exciting!

Please click and donate if you can. It's going to be a fun project to watch when it's all done!

And if you haven't already, please also pre-order Potent Media's movie "Apocalypse Kiss" now from Amazon, due April 8th. Think sci-fi action thriller like Blade Runner. Can't wait to watch this one, too!