Saturday, September 10, 2011

We Make Movies, LA

The other night John and I went to a screening at a cool venue in downtown Los Angeles. We saw a feature, a short film and a handful of trailers, all presented by a collective called We Make Movies.

Impressed. Involved. Proud. These were the things I felt while watching--you know, as opposed to This is too loud. I wish those people in the next row would shut up. I have to pee.

Impressed: the feature, Ruby Booby, was made for somewhere around $7,000 and was more engaging than a number of $70 million behemoths I've seen lumbering across the screen. There was some fine acting, too, and if I were a casting director I'd be on the phone trying to book these people right now.

Involved: the short, Carefully Descending, takes you to the heights and depths of love with a story so piercing, sad and beautiful that I'm still hearing the superb music days later, and the casting director in me is still on the phone.

In fact I'd like to manage the careers of all the writers, directors, cinematographers, producers, etc. whose work I saw at the screening. Even the trailers made me want to see the films they teased, which is exactly what trailers are supposed to do.

This We Make Movies group -- watch for them. Unless, of course, you're the kind of person who sits through an indie film thinking, There should be more blood/sex/blood. Where are the explosions? They should be more abusive to the women.

Oh yeah.
Proud: my husband's a member.


Uppity Uppity Update:
There will be a free screening of Ruby Booby Tuesday, October 18th for cast, crew and industry folk (and readers of Pasadena Daily Photo!). The screening will be held at the Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 617-1033. Doors open at 6:30pm, the screening begins at 7:00 and Ruby Booby starts at 7:30.

RSVP to rubyboobythemovie (at) gmail (dot) com to assure yourself a seat.

14 comments:

dive said...

Hoorah for Indie Movies! I eat those things like candy. I do hope Ruby Booby makes it over to this side of the pond as I'm aching to see it.
Great post, Petrea. Inspiring.

Petrea Burchard said...

Dive, I don't know if Ruby Booby will make it to Britain, but learning about We Make Movies is teaching me something about filmmaking--something I always knew, really--that it's the story that counts. The story is the heart and soul of a movie, and if you don't have that all you've got is noise. A big budget can't make up for a lack of a script.

Steven said...

Hooray For Hollywood!!! And Pasadena too. Sounds like a fun night. Hats off to John too.

Bellis said...

I hardly ever see the big budget movies. The indies and foreign films are so much better, with a story that actually hangs together rather than being modified after test screenings and studio interference. "Never mind the quality, it's the size of our distribution network that brings in the $$$$"

I hope we all get to see Ruby Booby. Does "booby" mean the same in the US as it does in the UK?

Susan Campisi said...

I love indie films. Ruby Booby looks great! They made that for $7,000? I'm impressed too. And Carefully Descending - wow. I see what you mean by that music staying with you. What was John's involvement?

Okay, so I used to want to make films and just last night said to a friend we should make a movie. You've really inspired me with this post, Petrea. Thank you. I just have to find time in my insanely busy life. Hmmm...

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm so glad to see you all.

I don't know what "booby" means in the UK. Here it can mean either "ample of breasts" or "kind of a dummy." I think in this film, it's probably the latter.

John wasn't involved in these films, Susan. He joined the group recently and has worked on a couple of shorts that aren't finished yet. We shall see!

Anonymous said...

I think most if not all significant, poignant, humorous, unforgettable poetic works have been made on a shoestring budget.

John Sandel said...

Yeah, like the CA tax code.

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't suppose "all," Hiker, but a case could be made for "most."

Steve Scauzillo said...

Sounds like a group I would love. Where do I find more of their movies?

Petrea Burchard said...

Steve, search around on their website. They have distribution for one feature, "How I Got Lost," which you should be able to rent. "Ruby Booby" is their second feature and probably not available yet, as it was just screened to the group the other night. But check around their website (link is in the post).

Yeah, no kidding, Patrizzi. I haven't been interested in a mainstream movie in ages. Tired plots, tired characters and casts made up entirely of men except one babe, the love interest. No imagination=no $ from me.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I want to join! do my "Wee Video" productions count? I've got plenty

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't know, PA. Those might be documentaries? Check out the website and see what you think.

Petrea Burchard said...

Still subscribed and interested in the independent film, "Ruby Booby"?

There will be a free screening of Ruby Booby Tuesday, October 18th for cast, crew and industry folk (and readers of Pasadena Daily Photo!). The screening will be held at the Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 617-1033. Doors open at 6:30pm, the screening begins at 7:00 and Ruby Booby starts at 7:30.

RSVP to rubyboobythemovie (at) gmail (dot) com to assure yourself a seat.