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Raymond Did It has Wrapped & Here is a Sneak Peek!

Corey Tess — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 06:03:09 +0000

Check out the Trailer for this Indy Film… very cool.

Twitter is a great source for finding interesting people, as evidenced by Travis Legge, a film-maker from Rockford, IL. I am a struggling Screenwriter from Los Angeles, Ca and I love to tweet with #scriptchat peeps and noticed Travis seeking funding for his Horror flick. I checked out his stuff and thought he seemed really cool and his project was a classic horror flick in the tradition of Halloween, which scared me to death as a pre-teen.. I love to support Independant film-makers who are out there making film happen, so I am very excited to present this update on the film and the teaser trailer! I can’t wait to see the finished project!

Here is my original post on the film project…

Raymond Did It!

Corey Tess — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:00:19 +0000

Whoop Whoop! Support Indie Film Makers! So you are always complaining that there are no real Indie Films anyway.. that Sundance is littered with professionals who bogart all the funds and awards and that no one can get their foot in the door. So help out! I follow this guy on twitter (@TravisLegge) and he has just started work on his first feature length film called Raymond Did It. It is a slasher film in the tradition of Halloween and Prom Night. YAY HORROR!

The storyline?

When twelve-year-old Bryce Rourke is accidentally killed in a playground scuffle, his friends decide to blame Bryce’s developmentally delayed older brother for the accident. Raymond is taken to a state hospital while the true killer walks free. Six years later, Raymond escapes from the hospital to seek bloody revenge for his brother’s death.

OOooOoo reminds me of Halloween for sure! That stuff is scary!

The film is written and directed by Travis Legge (Jimmy’s Basement, Nation Undead: Kept). Travis has written comic books and roleplaying games, including the critically acclaimed Contagion game setting.

Others involved in the production include:

Visual Supervisor and Camera Operator Tim Stotz a professional video producer for over a decade, with hundreds of commercials, several shorts, and a feature under his belt.

Picture Editor Robert J. Williams a freelance assistant editor and aspiring picture editor working mainly out of the Chicago area. He recently cut the trailer for a highly anticipated 2011 feature and assisted on a National PBS Documentary Special.

The film stars Kyle Hoskins (Skeet Shooting, Nation Undead: Kept) as a developmentally delayed man framed for murder and bent on vengeance. Kyle has previously played lovelorn slackers, average joes tormented by zombies, and brings a wide range of ability to the role of Raymond. Standing at 6’5″ tall, with a massive, bulky build, Kyle is among one of the largest, most imposing figures to take on the role of a slasher. Sounds very Michael Myers!

Lindsay Felton (VH1 Scream Queens, Grind) co-stars as Tammy, a young woman tormented by guilt for what she and her friends did to Raymond. With years in front of the camera, having worked with some of the greatest talents in Hollywood, Lindsay brings experience and finely-tuned craft to this demanding role.

Also joining the cast are Valerie Meachum (Cyrus) , Linda Cieslik (New Day) & Jessica Palette (VH1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven’s Wing).

CAST UPDATES!!!

Plastic Age Productions is proud to announce that Elissa Dowling (Nightstalker, Dread) has joined the cast of Raymond Did It!

Elissa will be playing the role of Paige, the icy “leader” of her group of friends. Paige is cruel and manipulative to her friends and loves only herself. Everyone else, she tolerates.

Elissa is an incredibly hardworking actress with over 40 horror movies to her credit. Coming hot off of the heels of After Dark Horrorfest IV, and with several films already in production for 2010, we are overcome with joy to have acquired such a hot and in demand talent.

ALSO NEW TO THE CAST!

Jessica Palette

Jessica Palette (VH1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven’s Wing)

Jessica will be playing the role of Jayme, the popular kid, with a very high opinion of herself and her own importance. She shifts from cute to bitchy with the practiced panache of the most popular girl in school.

Jessica was a member of the season one cast of the horror film stardom reality television show VH1 Scream Queens alongside Raymond Did It co-star Lindsay Felton. This will be the first time the pair have shared the screen since the show. Everyone at Plastic Age Productions couldn’t be happier to have this outstanding actress as an addition to our cast!

Vh1 Scream Queens is the brainchild of the extremely creative and talented Joke Productions and showcases several talented young actresses who compete for a role in a major horror film release. The second season of Vh1 Scream Queens is currently in post production and set to air later this year!

Jessica recently starred in the short film Invincible Summer which will be making its way around the festival circuit this summer.

Keep an eye on this space as there will be more casting updates coming soon!

For more information and updates please keep an eye on http://blog.aegisstudios.com

Official Raymond Did It website: http://raymonddidit.aegisstudios.com

Plastic Age Productions is currently seeking additional investors and distribution forRaymond Did It. Interested parties should contact writer/director Travis Legge at raymonddidit@gmail.com for more information.

Actors interested in available roles should check out the casting call available online at http://www.aegisstudios.com/casting.html

+++++++++++++++ UPDATES! UPDATES! UPDATES!+++++++++++++++++++

Plastic Age Productions is proud to announce that the following actors have joined the cast of Raymond Did It!

Steven Lee Edwards will be playing the role of Tim, the practical voice of reason of the group. When the terror begins, Tim tries to keep everyone calm and find a way to stay alive.

Steven is currently living in New York and performing in two stage shows – playing Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as portraying a Vietnam veteran in a gospel musical.

Steven has extensive stage experience and is a joyful, charismatic actor.

Photo Courtesy Steven Lee Edwards

Alex Smeltzer will be playing the role of Edgar, the laid back slacker of the group. Out of all of the kids involved in Bryce’s death, only Edgar remains close with Tammy, because Edgar is close with everyone. He is a social butterfly. Alex Smeltzer was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Raymond Did It is his film debut, and we couldn’t be happier to introduce this talented young actor to the world of film! Alex is currently studying theater at Rock Valley College under Starlight Theatre director Mike Webb.

Photo By Kim Brown

Ty Yeager will be playing the role of Simon. Simon is completely unaware of the events that led to Bryce’s death. Simon began dating Paige in high school, long after Raymond was locked away. With Raymond on the loose and his girlfriend in danger, Simon is dragged into a situation he doesn’t understand.

Ty Yeager was born in Fresno, California where he lived until a house fire caused his family to relocate to the midwest. After living in Belvidere, Illinois for 8 years, Ty has recently relocated to Rockford. Ty has dreamed of pursuing a career in acting since childhood and we are honored to be able to make that dream come true.

Photo by Kim Brown

Along with former VH1 Scream Queens Lindsay Felton (VH1 Scream Queens, Grind) and Jessica Palette (VH1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven’s Wing), as well as the hardest working lady in horror Elissa Dowling (Nightstalker, Dread) and midwestern talents Valerie Meachum (Cyrus) and Linda Cieslik (New Day) the adult cast of Raymond Did It is now complete!

We are still seeking actors and actresses between the ages of 11-14. Details can be found at http://www.aegisstudios.com/casting.html

Raymond Did It begins filming in Rockford, Illinois in June 2010

Becoming Jane… A Review

Corey Tess — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:06:27 +0000

I am a big Jane Austen fan. Sense and Sensibility is actually by far my favorite book AND film adaption, but this film examines the foundation for Jane’s views on men, women, money and society. It is a very sorrowful film with lovely and tender overtones. Her writing style is so in touch with the motivations behind the human heart, specifically the female heart, but to some degree the truth of love as a whole when faced with the challenge of duty and class.

Every time I watch a film based during this time period – which i love btw, i am reminded how lucky i am to live in a time when a woman can make her own way without the permission of anyone. Imagining someone like Oprah living back in this time… she would have been non-present, or a servant at best… how many women of that time were talented, smart and had major contributions that were never realized due to status and social restraints? we will never know…

An interest fact for someone as romantic as Jane, is that she never married…

Here are some Jane Austen Facts below:

Place of Birth	Steventon, Hampshire, England
Known for	Exploring themes of marriage, family, and everyday country life in witty novels with strong heroines
Milestones	1790s Began writing brief fictional pieces, including the burlesque ‘Love and Freindship’ [sic] and the short novel Lady Susan
	1804 Began writing The Watsons around this time
	1811 Published, at her own expense, the novel Sense and Sensibility, which was based on a story she began in the late 1790s titled ‘Elinor and Marianne’
	1813 Published the novel Pride and Prejudice, the story of the Bennet sisters’ pursuit of marriage
	1814 Published the novel Mansfield Park
	1816 Published the novel Emma
	1817 Began work on the novel Sanditon, which she did not finish before her death
	1818 The novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were published posthumously.
Quote	‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’ Pride and Prejudice, ch. 1 (1813)
Did You Know	Austen received little formal education, was tutored at home by her father, and lived with her family throughout her life.
	Austen’s novels were originally published anonymously.
	Austen never left the south of England and had little or no contact with the literary community of London.
	Although her work received positive Take a Jane Austen Quiz: http://www.funtrivia.com/flashquiz/index.cfm?qid=251684

La Vie En Rose (DVD of the Month!)

Corey Tess — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 07:26:49 +0000

La Vie En Rose’ – The Life of Edith Piaf
Current mood: artistic
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

This film is a heart breaker. I am a big fan of Edith Piaf, and having spent some time in France – I believe that her sound really is the soul of her Nation. Her life, like the tone of her voice and her music, was tragic. There are moments of sheer triumph and moments of the most desperate kind of despair. It took a life like this one to produce the voice of the sparrow with such depth of feeling.

The saddest thing about this film is not its content though, it’s that so many people don’t even know who Edith is and certainly (if) they see the film would not understand her greatness. With modern singers having such an array of styles and tones, I think her nasal edgey style might be mistaken for something less than say someone like Jennifer Hudson (who certainly can sing!) but is simply in a different catergory all together. In any case, if you don’t mind subtitles and can stand to witness the making of a tragic but meaningful icon in French history, you should take the time to see this.

Currently listening:

The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf
By Edith Piaf
Release date: 30 July, 1991

Julie & Julia

Corey Tess — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:27:19 +0000

Julie & Julia Trailer We all know that Meryl Streep is a Goddess of immeasuable talent, rare beauty, class and of course a master of comedic timing, so when you see her as Julia Childs, you don’t really bat an eyelash at the sheer perfection. It isn’t until about half way through the film when you begin to understand how wonderfully she is conveying this human being with respect rather than mocking her, in the way that so many others have done. Although she creates the classic JULIA for us, she also gives her a depth that was never possible watching her tv show, or reading her cook books. Here was a woman… and a Chef.. but first a woman…

I really enjoyed the Julia scenes, and felt that the Julie scenes were filler and came across as an excuse to tell what would have on it’s own been an inthralling tale of a human life. I could have watched another hour of Meryl as Julia rather than the sort of “bridget jonesish” tirads of the Julie Powell character played by Amy Adams. (who was cute and fair).

I think it is sufficient to say that Julia’s cookbook has enjoyed a resurrgence of followers and buyers and there will be more french cooking going on in kitchens this fall than there has in the past five years while the Julie & Julia book rather languishes in sales…

I do adore Julia and Meryl… and Julie Powell did bring them together in a way.. and that is a great thing! So Thanks, Ladies…

Have a Johnny Depp Festival…

Corey Tess — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:13:44 +0000

Blow & Don Juan DeMarco

I was in a Johnny Depp Mood… here are 2 films worth revisting…

Blow – stars Johnny, Penelope Cruz, & Franka Potente (also the unsinkable Paul Rubens aka peewee herman)

I loved Franka in this film… although it really glams up the drug life, it also depicts the reality of it as well… Johnny does such a great job as George Jung – he takes you from the highs to the lows seemlessly.. the costume design, set design and over all timing of the film make it easy to watch…and lets face it.. Johnny is rockin as a blonde…

DON JUAN DEMARCO

I had never seen this film from beginning to end. It is certainly nothing special and not one of Johnny’s finest performances, but its a good tale and a few laughs.. also, you get to see Brando and his belly acting together… if you have a couple of hours to spare and you want to see Johnny, fresh and young and stylin… this is a fun flick…

Death at a Funeral (DVD of the Month!)

Corey Tess — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:49:57 +0000

One of the funniest films I have seen in a long time. It you love British Humor, you have to see this film. If you don’t, you still need to see it. Great comic timing. Although it is from the director of Bowfinger, the film is very british while Bowfinger was decidely american, however they share the same mixture of subtle and over the top comedy that makes a film really enjoyable. Just when you are beginning to recover from a giggle you are taken by an outright knee slapping laugh. Nice ride!

Basically the film is about two brothers who deal with a number of hilarious distractions at their fathers funeral. Everything from his gay lover showing up to a drugged up funeral attendee naked on the roof.

You can wait to DVD if its not playing near you, but please DO SEE THIS FILM!

Mad Money (DVD of the Month!)

Corey Tess — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:29:01 +0000

This little movie was a guilty pleasure. I am a Queen Latifah fan – there is just something very real and solid about the way she plays all her characters. She has a level of confidence that trancends the screen. Of course Diane Keaton is always a riot. I love her classic head shaking, hand flailing, squealing hysterics. Alway funny. A surprise to me, was Katie Holmes, playing a totally whacked out, but likable bimbo. You cannot help but like her in this film – she is just too cute. Great job on her part and I am personally glad to see her out of the house – Tom is freaky!

Anyway, if you just want to have flat out silly fun and are in a light hearted mood, Mad Money is sweet, simple, clean and friendly.

The basic storyline: A mature couple faces debt and possible financial ruin when after a year of looking for a new job, the husband (Ted Danson) finally admits he just cant find anything and they are now flat broke. His wife (Diane K) takes the reigns, but all she can find that matches her skills is a janitorial job in the Federal reserve bank where she quickly hatches a scheme to rob the place. After noticing they use locks just like the ones you get at any Home Depot on the carts that carry “Worn out” money that is to be shredded, she drags Queen L into the scheme and later entices Katie H as well. From there its a fun romp through the robbing, almost getting caught, more drama… finally getting caught and then … well, you’ll see..

VERY CUTE!

Paris Je’Taime (DVD of the Month!)

Corey Tess — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:16:17 +0000

Paris Je’Taime

I absolutely fell in love with this movie. Amelie is still my favorite film, but this is a close second… i loved every moment…

20 delicious morsels of film each by a different film-maker served up with a distinct french cinematic flavor.. for those of you who have been to Paris, it will confirm your feelings, for those who have not, it will make you want to live it… each piece gives you a new emotion, a new section of the city, a new scenario … I really do Je’Taime Paris!

The Darjeeling Limited (DVD Choice of the Month!)

Corey Tess — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 07:45:26 +0000

The Darjeeling Limited
Current mood: content
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

A romp! I loved it.
This film is literally a journey. Lovely, and funny, witty and somber. poignant and yet completely frivolous!

3 Brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien (gorgeous) Brody and Jason Swartsman (also one of the writers) seek what they cannot find. The approval of their mother, the meaning in their fathers life and death, their relationship to eachother… in east asia they discover the answers… and it is a riot to watch…. A must see.