Shyan Selah's Hip Hop Roots Continue to Draw Hollywood

 From its inception, Shyan Selah's "Concrete City" has captured the imagination of Hollywood with its driving, high-energy beat and vivid lyrics delivered with Shyan's trademark swagger. Written by Shyan and produced by DJ Rocdusa and Joe Dancsak, the track was originally picked up and licensed for a segment in the ground-breaking "One Love Volume 2: True Ballin'" DVD featuring star athletes LeBron James, Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade and more. The song was also included on Shyan Selah's 2008 album titled Brave New World distributed by KOCH, now eOne Entertainment. Most recently it was chosen for a pivotal scene in the film Camp X-Ray, a Sundance Film Festival Official Selection starring Kristen Stewart.

The placement was facilitated by Brave New World publishing partner, Mother West.

"When asked to submit hip-hop songs to be considered for Camp X-Ray, Shyan was the 'go-to' in our catalog and it fit right in," says Charles Newman, co-founder of the Brooklyn-based multi-service music company.

"It's always a blessing when your music gets licensed for film or TV," says Shyan. "This particular song has gotten picked up on a couple different occasions and in my opinion it's a timeless hip hop cut. As an artist that's professionally active in multiple genres, hip-hop will always represent a critical side of my artistic character. The story telling, the rhymes, the beats, the attitude all represent a culture of perseverance. I know many people don't associate hip-hop with Americana, but my style of it is very much that. Much love to our licensing partner MotherWest. Charles and his crew have been great. And of course I want to send love to the entire team that produced Camp X-Ray. It's an edgy, gritty, cool film. Go watch the movie."

Camp X-Ray is currently airing on Showtime and streaming on Amazon & Hulu.

About Camp X-Ray:

A young woman (Kristen Stewart) joins the military to be part of something bigger than herself and her small town roots. But she ends up as a new guard at Guantanamo Bay instead, where her mission is far from black and white. Surrounded by hostile jihadists and aggressive squadmates, she strikes up an unusual friendship with one of the detainees. It's a story of two people, on opposite sides of a war, struggling to find their way through the ethical quagmire of Guantanamo Bay. And in the process, they form an unlikely bond that changes them both. From IFC Films.

Riding the D with Dr. Seeds By Sarah Seeds

Dr. Seeds is an unhinged comedic series about a non-licensed psychiatrist changing lives on the subways of NYC.

From the insane mind of Sarah Seeds (Creator), brought to you by Edge In Motion,Infiniti Features, Sarah Seeds Productions and Directed by Michelle Cutolo, comes an unhinged comedy webseries: "Riding the D with Dr. Seeds." The story takes you into the life of Dr. Seeds, a non-licensed psychiatrist, dropping her knowledge on the D Train…whether people want her help or not. The Pilot will be broken down into 5 individual episodes, and each will explore Dr. Seeds' past, present (and future?).

How did Dr. Seeds descend into her subway madness? Does she ever actually help any of these people? Did she at one time have a license to practice? Learn about Dr. Seeds' turbulent history, how she hired her assistant, the Man in the Yellow Hat, her dramatic fall from grace, and even her constant struggle with her arch nemesis, Tabitha M.D.!

We're here on Kickstarter because there's SO much more to discover and explore in the world of Dr. Seeds. The New York City MTA/Subway system is a strange, mysterious place that is rarely explored in Film and TV today. It's a whole other world below the ground, and we've all had strange experiences while riding the train. Last summer, we filmed 5 videos for Dr. Seeds that collectively got over 75,000 Views!We set the bar pretty high for ourselves, and for the next round, we plan on blowing our old episodes out of the water.

We're proud to have not only a female creator, but also feature women in front of the camera, behind the camera, and above the line. Women can be funny. In fact, women can be aggressively funny. We are interested in weird, ballsy comedy that everyone finds hilarious, not typical girl-centric humor about "Ok-Cupid" and bad roommates. (Although some of that sh*t is hilarious!)

The Cast features a multitude of unexpected characters that shatter the norms of homogeneous comedy, and also include a few crazy characters from previous videos such as the Man in the Yellow Hat (Doryan Robinson) and Rebecca the Pregnant Lady (Lindsay-Elizabeth Hand).

With Just 5 days left in this campaign,your support is urgently needed! Please look at all the rewards they have for those who make a contribution.  Please consider getting involved, at whatever level you can, and help "Riding the D with Dr. Seeds" get funded!

Link to the project: http://kck.st/29Y52Jd

VER Opens New Philadelphia Office

VER, the leading global provider of production equipment and engineering support, announced the opening of their newest office near Philadelphia. This new office is VER's ninth on the East Coast and 33^rd globally.

The new office and warehouse space is located just outside downtown Philadelphia. It will provide faster service and additional ease and convenience to customers in the region. With this new office, VER has built the strongest network of facilities along the East Coast with technical resources in or near every major city.

"We have an 'always there' philosophy and that means we are available to our clients 24/7, 365 days a year, anywhere the world. The team in Philadelphia, like the rest of our 1600-member family, gives it all they've got every single day so our clients are successful. The opening of this office will allow us to support our clients in Pennsylvania more efficiently and make it even easier for them to work with us," said VER President and CEO Steve Hankin.

Daniel Martin, VER's Director of Branch Operations for Philadelphia, said, "Our team is really excited about the new office and looks forward to providing the best service to our clients. Clients have already commented that VER has a larger inventory and higher quality gear than other companies in the region. We are ready to go above and beyond to get the job done the right way and give clients the creative freedom and confidence they need to accomplish their goals."


About VER

VER is a leading, global provider of production equipment and engineering support. With the world's largest inventory of rental equipment, VER supplies the most advanced technology to a broad array of clients in the TV, cinema, live events, broadcast and corporate markets. Clients rely on VER's depth of experience in Broadcast, Audio, Video, Lighting, LED, Cameras, Rigging, Media Servers, Fiber and more. With 33 offices across North America and Europe, 24/7 support, and unparalleled expertise, VER can support any live or taped production anywhere in the world.

The 7th Annual Horrible Imaginings Film Festival Will Offer a Virtual Reality Experience!

Southern California's Horrible Imaginings Film Festival is including the latest in horror film innovation—the Virtual Reality Experience—throughout the five-day festival, September 7th – 11th, at The Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. Festival guests will have many opportunities to plug into the VR headgear between film blocks or during breaks.

The VR in question, a horror experience called "Burlap," was directed by Justin Denton, who also directed the "Beware Crimson Peak" VR Experience for Legendary Entertainment. "As soon as I finished that and realized the emotion and fear I could create in VR, a light bulb went off in my head," Denton said about the project. "And I just knew I had to explore the world of Burlap in the VR space."

Horrible Imaginings Film Festival will focus on VR as a separate medium, rather than as an alternative to traditional cinema. To highlight this point, the traditional short film version of Denton's "Burlap" will also screen during the "Human Killer & Psychological Terrors" Short Film Block on Sunday, September 11th.

"We believe virtual reality is an experience that is altogether different from that of traditional cinema," Rodriguez said. "With both VR and traditional versions of 'Burlap' in the festival, we will be able to offer an exploration of the strengths unique to both mediums."

What can people expect from the "Burlap" VR Experience? "To answer that might give too much away," Rodriguez said. "But rest assured, you have never experienced anything like it! This is a whole new level to exploring darkness! Horrible Imaginings has always looked to various traditional art forms to expand and elevate how we view the horror genre--now we are looking to include the latest innovations in cinema, as well!"

For more information about Horrible Imaginings Film Festival, the "Burlap" VR Experience, and other parts of the program, contact miguel@hifilmfest.com or visit the festival online: www.hifilmfest.com

Twitter: @HIFFSD
Instagram: horrible_imaginings
Facebook: facebook.com/horribleimaginings

Extended Trailer Released for "Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey"

The producers of the upcoming documentary "Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey" released a 10-minute extended trailer for the film during a sold-out Kickstarter launch party at The Mountaineers Program Center.

Fred Beckey, the 93-year-old mountaineering icon and subject of the documentary, gave a slideshow presentation showcasing some of his landmark expeditions and first ascents. Beckey joined director Dave O'Leske and the producers on stage in front of an enthusiastic 500-person capacity crowd. The team unveiled a new extended trailer and movie poster before launching a $75,000 Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to help pay for finishing costs. Beckey closed out the night with his presentation as the enraptured audience caught a rare glimpse of this living legend.

The Kickstarter campaign received more than $10,000 in pledges during its first 12 hours, with all funds assigned to cover specific post-production and finishing expenses. O'Leske has been working on the film with Beckey for more than a decade, and if the $75,000 Kickstarter fundraising goal for "Dirtbag" is achieved, the team will be on track to premiere this highly-anticipated feature documentary in early 2017. Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing crowdfunding platform, so the filmmakers will not receive any of these post-production funds if they do not reach the goal by August 25.

Watch the new extended trailer on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/2asBqVG

The launch event was sponsored by nonprofit organizations The Mountaineers and The American Alpine Club, with additional campaign support provided by Georgetown Brewing, Patagonia, UnderArmour, The North Face, Feathered Friends, Eddie Bauer and Leatherman.

About the Film

Fred Beckey is a true American pioneer, with an unparalleled list of alpine accomplishments under his belt over the past century. Known for an uncompromising dedication to the mountains with his record string of first ascents and groundbreaking new routes, Fred Beckey has achieved mythical status in mountaineering circles. He carries a polarizing reputation as a hero and a rebel, his name evoking simultaneous worship and vitriol. Despite his controversial nature, Beckey's scholarly writings reveal a greater depth to this man, captured in more than a dozen published books that continue to inspire new generations of climbers and environmentalists. Now at age 93, after a lifetime of rejecting societal norms in his single-minded quest for peaks, Beckey is ready to tell his story for the first time.

Colorado-based documentary director Dave O'Leske spent the past decade filming Fred Beckey with unprecedented access, getting to know the mysterious man in the mountains of China, across North America and in his Pacific Northwest home. O'Leske filmed hundreds of hours of new footage while gathering a wealth of exclusive materials from the Fred Beckey Archives, including thousands of Beckey's personal photos, films, hand-written journals and route maps dating back to the 1930s. More than 30 additional interviews with some of the world's greatest climbers-including Yvon Chouinard, Layton Kor, Conrad Anker, Royal Robbins, Colin Haley, Reinhold Messner and Jim Whittaker-attest to Beckey's iconic impact on the sport.

In 2016, O'Leske partnered with a crew of award-winning Seattle filmmakers--producers Jason Reid, Andy McDonough and Colin Plank, editor Darren Lund, co-producer Adam Brown and co-executive producer Colin Baxter--whose collective past credits include the hit climbing documentary "K2: Siren of the Himalayas" (2012), the Webby Award-winning "Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team"(2009), the Emmy® Award-winning "Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai" (2010) and the narrative drama " Eden" (2013), which won Audience Awards for Best Narrative at SXSW and the Milan International Film Festival.

"Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey" is currently in post-production targeting a release in 2017. More info at http://DirtbagMovie.com

FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT - DOUG BOLLINGER

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Daily Film Forum Exclusive::

Writing, directing and acting, from "Waltzing Anna" to "Mail Order Bride" and now the new upcoming films "Rock, Paper, Scissors" and “The Samaritans” - join us for A moment with

Doug Bollinger

DFF: Your new project, Rock, Paper, Scissors - what’s it about, tell us how did the project came together in the first place and what led it to where it is now?

DB: This project started as an image - a couple staring at each other in horror as they are bent over opposing arms of a couch. From there, I put together an outline and began the process of the story. I recruited a new writer and dear friend, Josh Lee, to help. I originally thought that he could help give a unique voice to one of the main characters but I soon realized that he would invaluable in the creation of the finished script. I brought in Keith Collins and Ashley Steele (both of whom I had collaborated with successfully) to help produce and got Cory Green involved to give it the look we wanted. We are 80% shot and we will keep the team together to shoot for a couple fall weekends. After that, the edit will take up the better part of the winter.

DFF: You have worked on many films. Some of which have had great success (Waltzing Anna, Mail Order Bride) how do you compare them to a project like Rock, Paper Scissors?

DB: This is the first film for me that is in my control. I do have partners in Josh, Cory and Keith but I realize that it is truly the first time I have final say on everything. I am by no means a dictator but this project is the one that I have the most control over. In the past, I have directed pieces written by others (most notably the brilliant Joe Pepitone) or had others direct things that I had written. I have also had things produced by other teams as well. This one falls on me and I am thrilled with the team around me.

DFF: You have also worked with many talents such as Oscar Award Nominee Danny Aiello, Artie Lange, Vincent Pastore & Emmanuellle Chriqui. Tell us about the cast of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The audition process and how you chose your ensemble cast to bring your project to life?

DB: I have been very lucky to work some amazing actors. This particular film was cast mainly with actors that I had a relationship with. It is heavy subject matter and I wanted to be able to push a few boundaries. I find it easier to go to extremes with people that have built in trust. I was fortunate to cast the leads through a rigorous audition process and I could not be happier with the result.

DFF: Your production team are no strangers to the field, Cory Green, a talented editor & cinematographer has had an Emmy nomination, Keith Collins is a multi award winning producer & actor who has a legnthly filmography seems like you couldn’t be in greater hands as far as production. How do you feel about the future of Rock, Paper, Scissors with strong people like Collins and Green behind you?

DB: I have now collaborated with these two on multiple projects in different capacities and we have developed a relationship that extends beyond the set or the editing suite. I can happily call these two my dear friends. We know each other and we know how and why we do the work. I have no doubt that RPS will be our most successful team-up yet.

DFF: Besides Directing and Writing, you have also acted in many films yourself which have garnished worldwide distribution such as The Meat Puppet, Gravedigger, The Jersey Devil to name a few, as an actor how do you feel that can translate to make you a better director for Rock, Paper, Scissors and future projects?

DB: I feel my best asset as a director is my experience as an actor. I can relate to actors on their level and recognize that they are not machines able to produce time after time. I love acting and I have great respect for those that do it well. 

DFF:  Speaking of acting, You star in the upcoming films Clean Cut and The Samaritans. Tell us about your characters in those films and if they helped you make better directing decisions for Rock, Paper, Scissors?

DB: Luckily for me, acting on projects with talents like Keith, Cory and Joe Pepitone make the process enjoyable. Clean Cut was such a blast! My character was so well written by Joe and he gave me the opportunity to ad lib a bit so I really felt tied to the creation of that character. Joe is such a generous director and my co-star, Michael Billy was so funny that this ranks as one of my favorite roles. The Samaritans was an intense short shoot with Cory, Keith and two wonderful actors, Timothy Harrison and Annelise Nielsen (both of whom are in RPS). That was a rewarding experience in which I tried to wear the additional hats of writer and director. There is no way I could have pulled that off without the team surrounding me. It helped me grow as a director specifically because it strengthened the key relationship between me (as director) and Cory (as DP).

DFF: You directed and acted in The Samaritans as well as Rock, Paper, Scissors. Explain how you were able to do both, the process of breaking it down as an actor/director without compromising focus from one or the other? 

DB: The Samaritans was such a challenge. I was only able t do both with the help of Keith and Cory. I performed many scenes as an actor and just had to trust Cory that we got we wanted. We did not have the time for me to watch every playback. Trust is a key element to any indie production, especially one like The Samaritans, which was super small. RPS acting was a bit easier. I had my co-writer, Josh Lee on set so he became my eyes. Once again trust became the main factor to our success. I would never have been able to do both without the help of this team.

DFF: Any insider information on possible release dates for The Samaritans and Rock, Paper, Scissors?

DB: We will be editing both projects this winter. We may have both ready to go at the same time. If that's the case, we will target a different set of festivals and distribution options. Our target is Spring for decisions on both.

DFF: You have also been in many theater productions. Tell us the difference between theater and film and what have you learned from your experiences on stage?

DB: I adore my time on theater. The biggest difference for me is the immediacy of theater compared to the lasting images of film. The on-the-spot reactions to theater are uncompromising. As an actor, you get an energy from the audience affirming or doubting your performance reality. I will continue to explore the opportunities on stage that I have been lucky to get. With film, you get to craft a performance in ways to that involve more trial and error in the moment. If a take goes awry, you can fix it or try something new. You need different kinds of stamina for each as well. Long rehearsals and research challenge a stage actor to explore and conserve your energy. Film acting stamina is put to the test on long shooting days and repeating takes.

DFF: Any future projects you'd like to share?

DB: I am working with one of my producers, Ashley Steele on a couple shorts that she is producing, including Wasteland. She is also co-writing a feature script with me that is a break from the dark subject we been dealing with. Ocean Grove is a romantic comedy which explores relationships ending and beginning in the context of a quirky Jersey beach town in the off season.

DFF: What can you tell us about the career of yours, what got you into directing,acting,writing and did you receive a formal education on the subjects?

DB: I studied theater and education at Montclair State University after a couple years studying TV production at Ithaca College. I also graduated from Connecticut School of Broadcasting (where I also taught). I started a Masters in cinema when I first started getting jobs in the world of film. I decided that I was learning more on the job from the professionals. Most of what I do now I learned from the people I worked with when I was younger. I have been lucky enough to be in the company of great actors (Kevin Carolan, Alysia Reiner), great writers (John Wooten, Jason Grote) and directors (Mare Carolan, Vincent Borelli).

DFF: How would you describe yourself as a director,writer and actor?

DB: I think I am decent at all three but I have the most experience as an actor. I am still  learning something every time I work on a new project. I teach full time at a performing arts school and I learn form my students every day. They definitely make me better all three.

DFF: What Directors, actors and writers inspire you? There are so many that have had an influence on me growing up.

DB: There are a few that stood out to me. Kevin Smith was the first "local" that made a movie in my county in Jersey and was the first that seemed like me - just a normal guy from NJ. I never met him but There were plenty of people I knew that knew of him and it was something that stuck with me from the beginning. The first person I knew that produced, wrote, directed and starred in his own film was Vin Diesel. We had worked together for Mattel and he told me he was going to make this short film. A year later, we worked together again and he invited me to the screening of Multi-Facial. I was blown away that I regular person did this. It was always other people that made movies. Those two very different guys had huge influences on me as a young wannabe filmmaker.

DFF: How about some of your personal favorite films to watch?

DB: I tend to gravitate to films of the 70s. Being a beach kid, Jaws was especially interesting to me. I can also watch any Cohen Brothers movie over and over, Blood Simple is my current favorite. I get asked by my students the question: what is your favorite all time film? I consistently have the same answer: The original Willie Wonka. Gene Wilder is mesmerizing and I still believe it is a flick that has everything. I am also a huge horror fan and for RPS, I revisited some of my old faves like I spit on Your Grave and Last House on the Left. 

DFF: Your website, Facebook, twitter or whatever else you’d like to shout out?

https://www.facebook.com/rockpaperscissors.thriller/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/thesamaritansmovie

https://www.facebook.com/cleancutthemovie/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/jerseydevilmovie/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/lastradaensembletheater/?fref=ts

DFF: Anything else you’d like to mention or that I forgot to ask?

DB: As a follow up to your theater question, I would like to mention the theater company that I am a part of, La Strada Ensemble Theater. I have been able to write, direct and act in original productions in the Jersey Shore center for arts and culture. Asbury Park. This town is growing a local arts (and specifically film) community that will hopefully rival bigger cities as more and more artists recognize the energy down here!

DFF: Thanks for the interview with us Doug!

DB: Thanks so much for this opportunity! I really appreciate any attention paid to our little flicks!!