There were two reasons with this bit about a potential remake of Brian De Palma's The Fury in Cinematical caught my eye. First is cause I just saw it again on TV maybe a week ago. It's still as spastic, ludicrous and compulsively watchable as ever and I was happy that Rebecca appreciated it in the same way. But the second is cause I know one of the writers attached to write the script - Lee Shipman. A couple semesters ago, I directed a screenplay reading of one of his scripts as part of UTFI's development program. It was a pretty effective little chiller called Croatoan (and yes, that is a reference to that cryptic word carved into a tree at the site of the disappeared Roanoke colony), so it seems like it'll be a good fit.

Another Cinematical post caught my eye today - apparently they're making Stephen King's novella Dolan's Cadillac into a movie. I re-read this during my pneumonia convalesence last year and it's always been one of my favorite of King's "later period" (which I designate as his post-"It" works - that to me is the best thing he's done and nothing since has really quite come close). But, I'm pretty dubious about this as a movie, especially with that cast. One of the best qualities of the story is that the revenge takes years and years of focused but tedious efforts and that will almost certainly be jettisoned for plottiness. And, Wes Bentley just doesn't strike me as the right person for the mild-mannered protagonist. Christian Slater as the gangster? I don't even want to talk about that.

Whatever, I know it's not healthy to focus on other people's movies right now, especially since I seem to have some trouble getting into a groove on this new script I'm working on. But, blogs beckon to me on an hourly basis, what can I say.

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Travelin man	Apr. 21st, 2008 @ 11:04 am

Been so busy lately, doing a lot of traveling for AFS, doing workshops for the Texas Filmmakers' Production Fund in places like Houston, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth & San Antonio (haven't blogged that one up yet). The first Austin one is tonight. They're exhausting, but worthwhile - we've already beat the total attendance at the 2007 workshops. The next two trips on my horizon are West Texas (Marfa & El Paso) and South Texas (Corpus & McAllen).

In between all this moving around, I have had time to write a little bit. On something new that I'll keep under my hat for now.

TCK has one more screening on IFC this Friday. Online distributor Bside is also now selling the movie through its website. You have the option to download it as file or do the DVD-on-demand thing.

In other distribution news, I'm happy to see that Dear Pillow's fellow 2004 Slamdance alum Take Out is finally gonna get a release in June. It was one of my favorites of the festival.

Finally, in closing, let me say a big congrats to Matt Dentler for his big move to NYC to work for Cinetic and to Janet Pierson for her big move to SXSW, to take over from Matt. Such a big exciting step for both of them!

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TCK on IFC	Apr. 1st, 2008 @ 02:25 pm

It appears that, yes, indeedy, The Cassidy Kids will be screening on IFC this month - 4 times throughout the month, starting this Sunday at 11am Central. Here's the page on the IFC website. I didn't think it was happening this soon, but it's certainly good news.

You can watch a little bumper on the B-Side website that presumably has been screening on IFC.

If you're in Houston this weekend, you'll have a chance to see the flick on the big screen on Friday night, courtesy of SWAMP and the Rice Media Center.

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Another cameo	Mar. 27th, 2008 @ 12:25 pm

I acted in a movie yesterday - Bob Byington's new film Harmony & Me. I was asked at about 8pm on Tuesday night and noon the next day, I was on Congress outside of Little City with a dog leash in my hand, ready to give away a giant Golden Retriever named Bella to Justin Rice, the star of the film (folks may remember him as the lead in Andrew Bujalski's Mutual Appreciation).

I don't think I'll have a name in the movie, maybe just "Guy Who Gives Dog Away." It was fun, easy, and over with in about 45 minutes. I just hope it works.

Speaking of acting, the cover story of this week's Chronicle is all about The Method Gun, the new production by the Rude Mechanicals, Rebecca's theater company. I got a chance to see this in the workshop phase a few months ago and I can't wait to check out the full-fledged performance. Best of all, it'll be at the new Long Center - finally finished after years of fund-raising and construction.

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TCK in Houston	Mar. 20th, 2008 @ 12:04 pm

I'll be heading to Houston in a couple weeks to do two TFPF workshops, one at Aurora and one with SWAMP at the Rice Media Center. But, in between there, I'll also attend a screening of The Cassidy Kids at Rice, again sponsored by SWAMP. Should be interesting and fun to see it again on the big screen. I think Tiger will be there, too.

I haven't really had time for a post-SXSW come-down depression as both my Mom and my Dad came for a visit, Mom from the mountains of Colorado, Dad from the mountains of Mexico around San Miguel de Allende. Plus, I had to fully clear out of my side of the duplex for Andrew, who somehow managed to get his Steenbeck in the back bedroom and start editing again. It's been a seriously full house at the Poyser compound for the last few weeks.

I've also finally had a chance to get somewhat caught up at work, releasing the new TFPF application (deadline is June 2nd this year, Texas filmmakers). As with last year, my Spring and Summer will be quite full with AFS-related work. It'll be a challenge to stay focused on my own stuff, but what else is new?

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» Wellness & Present Company

Rebecca & I took our last opportunity to see the Narrative Competition winner Wellness at the Alamo Ritz yesterday. It was well worth it. Salesman movies are inherently dramatic, as Mr. Bronstein pointed out to me. It's a simple and direct way to set up an existential crisis for your sad-sack protagonist - made even more so if the product he's selling doesn't actually exist. While the movie is definitely rough around the edges (was there a sound mix?), and gets to be somewhat predictable in its relentless bleakness, the basic decency that Jeff Clark gives to his main character makes it absolutely compelling. One's heart can't help but leap out to the screen for him as he tries over and over again to do his job, even though he knows deep down that he's been asked to swindle others as he's been swindled. Urging him, or rather violently shoving him in that direction is his bullet-headed thug of a boss, played with frightening conviction by the director's father Paul Mahaffy, who resembles cross between Lawrence Tierney, Rod Steiger and a deranged pit bull.

That night, I went to see Frank Ross's new film Present Company. Truth be told (and I already told Frank this, so I feel okay mentioning it), it's a film that I had already seen in a rougher form on DVD, and didn't much care for. But, for some reason, on the big screen, it totally worked for me. The moments that seemed pedestrian and mundane on a small TV held real dramatic weight in a theater. The characters' actions have serious consequences that you can see in their eyes, wriggling just out of frame even as they fill up the scenes with idle chatter. All of the performances were spot-on, especially Frank's, playing a character he is nothing like. The film is a real leap forward for him and it's exciting to see someone's range, both as a director and an actor, stretch right in front of your eyes.

The screening was at the Dobie, so afterward, I introduced some folks to the Dog & Duck, which was thankfully untouched by the Music Fest madness of downtown. I ended the night with my first Music Showcase - Ola Podrida at the Central Presbyterian Church. An excellent set in and excellent venue. Then it was sleepy time.
Mar. 13th, 2008 @ 12:04 pm

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» Bring in the black jeans

The Film Conference ended last night and the Music Fest begins - this town is about to be overwhelmed by beards, skinny jeans and dyed black hair. For those out-of-towners who thought the Film Fest was big, you have no idea what's about to happen. I may see a couple shows this year, but this will be more the time to catch up on films I haven't had a chance to see yet. On the docket today for sure is the Narrative Award winner Wellness, which was raved to me before the festival. Also, Tommy Davis' film One Minute to Nine, which I've heard nothing but good things about.

My TFPF workshop went over pretty well yesterday - I was kinda nervous since it's been nearly a year since I did one, but all the tips & advice came right back to me.

As in years past, I saw pretty much none of the films that won the awards last night, but now my appetite is whetted, for sure.

Fortunately, quite a few folks are sticking around for this less hectic second half of the festival, so I can maybe have a chance to visit in a non-shouty party environment.
Mar. 12th, 2008 @ 11:38 am

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» From the Hideout

I'm writing this from the Hideout, since there's no room for me in the screening room for the 2nd AFS Members Showcase, but I can hear the applause when each film finishes. We got capacity crowds for both and nearly all the filmmakers were here to answer questions.

After this Q & A, I may go to a party or two, but try not to stay out late. I haven't seen any features yet, just shorts. The program with Mr. P, Reel Shorts 1, was actually really fantastic. The best for me, besides Mr. P, natch, was this Australian film Crossbow. Very disturbing story of a teenage kid driven to the brink by his disinterested parents, as narrated by his unseen neighbor, but done with an unexpectedly distinct voice and sense of place. And, it didn't hurt that it was beautifully shot on 35mm. God bless those countries that give major support to thier young filmmaking talents.

I managed to scarf down dinner at the Texas Film Commission's annual reception at the Iron Cactus, since I knew I was gonna be at the Hideout for a long 4-hour chunk of time. Got to catch up with a few more people there, both out-of-towners and locals I hadn't seen in a while.

Man, I'm kinda tired. I've been waking up too early the last few days - but that's what the festival adrenaline does to me. Gotta just ride with it.
Mar. 8th, 2008 @ 08:25 pm

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» The Storm

It's on now. SXSW kicked off last night and excitement is high. Rebecca & I went to the Texas Film Hall of Fame, which went off very well, despite the fact that we had a 4-hour power outage at the office. When I showed up at work around 11:30 or so, everyone was in the dark, but soldiering on as best they could. The power eventually came back on and the event was a certain success. Dan Rather was a charming and sweet host, the food was great and Mariska Hargitay gave a heart-felt teary speech about her mother Jayne Mansfield that had most of the crowd reaching for their hankies, or the hand of their sweeties. From what I've heard, we raised a boat-load of cash, so we can keep the lights on in the office (y'know when the power doesn't go out on us) and can give away some scratch to hungry filmmakers this summer.

Still duded up in my tie and sportcoat, we headed downtown to the SXSW Opening Night Party, where we got to reconnect with many familiar, happy faces. The Buffalo Billiards party is always a laid-back blast and surprisingly easy to manuever even tho it's packed.

This morning, I'm trying to finish up some AFS biz before heading down to the South Lamar Alamo to see the premiere of goodbuddy's Jake's Mr. P in Reel Shorts 1, a film I've seen countless cuts of as he's been editing it over the last several months. This final one is definitely the best and I think it's gonna rock the crowd.

After that, I'll have a few hours to catch up with folks before I settle in to the Hideout for the AFS Member Showcase screenings - 1 & 2. There's some pretty great stuff in the two compilations, so if you're stumbling by the Hideout, stumble inside and check 'em out.
Mar. 8th, 2008 @ 10:32 am

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» New Yorkers must visit Frownland!

One of my favorite films of last year was Ronnie Bronstein's Frownland- I put it high on my Top Ten list, despite the fact that it had only played at festivals in '07. Now, it's getting its own week-run at the IFC Center in NYC. If you live in or near the city, I urge you to check it out. You may react like Chale did or you may react like the New York Times did, but you will definitely react. It's the most original film you'll see in years. No joke. Check it out.
Mar. 7th, 2008 @ 10:39 am

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» Tambor!

Okay, this just rocketed to the top of my must-attend list for the SXSW Film Conference - beloved veteran character actor Jeffrey Tambor, of Arrested Development and The Larry Sanders Show will do an Acting Workshop on Sunday. This is actually a reprise of an Acting Workshop he did back in 2002, I believe, where he led a couple actors through a scene, breaking it down and distilling it to its bare essence. Jake & I were there, totally mesmerized by Tambor's personality and technique as he pulled out amazing work from the actors on stage, and the audience. One of those actors was actually Cyndi Williams, a few years from her fantastic, lauded performance in Kyle Henry's Room.

This time around, Tambor's actors will be Austin Chronicle cover-girl Greta Gerwig and her Hannah Takes the Stairs co-star (and star of this year's Burger Hut sequel SXSW trailers) Kent Osborne. Super fun!

Finally, as I said, Jake & I were totally mesmerized by Tambor at his Workshop. So much so that we became convinced that we had to at least try to see if he would be interested in playing "Dusty" in Dear Pillow. We tracked down his address and sent him the script, unsolicited. Amazingly, he actually read it and liked it. We talked with his manager a couple times and the timing didn't work out, but it was such a boost to just have someone of enormous talent like him respond well and actually consider doing the film. If I have a chance to talk to him at the fest, I may just try to jog his memory about that filthy little screenplay that showed up on his doorstep years ago.
Mar. 6th, 2008 @ 02:06 pm

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» The Calm

The calm before the storm of SXSW is really not that calm. Because I'm putting together two screenings with AFS on Saturday night. Because I'm trying to get the TFPF application ready to launch at my panel on Tuesday. And especially because my duplex will be home to somewhere between 5 and 7 people for this coming week.

For one, Andrew Bujalski is moving in permanently to my side of the duplex, so I've been moving next door to my sis's old room. Andrew actually showed up last night with about half of his stuff. Due to busy-ness and laziness, I had only cleared out a couple rooms of my side of the duplex for him, so I've still got a lot more moving to do. Then, later on last night, fellow filmmaker Alex Karpovsky, the dude behind SXSW premiere Woodpecker, moved in, too, along with his producer Adam Roffman. Alex may stay with me for up to two months, Adam is just here for the festival. Another three people may or may not be staying in the compound over the festival week. It should be an interesting time. I only wish I had spent more time getting the place ready over the last month. But, like I said - busy-ness and laziness. Two constant and complementing forces in my life.

So much to highlight in anticipation of the festival, so many films to see, of old friends and new friends and soon-to-be friends. But for now, I'll just let the Austin Chronicle highlight what I don't have time to. Everything they're highlighting in this issue is worth seeing.
Mar. 6th, 2008 @ 11:28 am

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» Spirits again

For the second time, I get to attend the Independent Spirit Awards out in LA this weekend. They happen the day before the Oscars, under a giant tent out on a Santa Monica beach. I had such a blast last time I was there in 2005, when DP was up for an award. Even losing out on the $20,000 prize for the "Someone to Watch" Award didn't diminish the good time Jake & I had.

We've organized a Spirit Awards viewing party here at AFS, so people can cheer on the Austinites up for awards - Chris Eska's AUGUST EVENING is up for two, Laura Dunn is a nominee for the "Truer than Fiction" award for THE UNFORESEEN and recent Austinite Jeff Nichols is nominated for his Arkansas-set SHOTGUN STORIES. We got cable hooked up in the screening room just yesterday, so this particular viewing party will definitely happen - not like last year's debacle.

I'm also gonna try to have some meetings re: the elevator movie while I'm out there. We'll see how that goes.
Feb. 20th, 2008 @ 11:22 am

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» I did it!

Jesus Christ, that was hard. My legs still hurt, tho not as bad as yesterday.

I finished the Half-Marathon with a time of 2 hours and 24 minutes. You can see my splits here. I also posted a pic of myself and the two other AFS staff members who ran the half on my AFS blog.

Thanks to everyone out there who sponsored my run - I think I raised somewhere around $1,000 for the Children's Shelter. Amazing! Especially considering the fact that I had only raised about $20 a week before the deadline.

As much as I tried not to, I made the typical race-day mistake of starting too fast and then draggin ass at the end. My per-mile time went down for the last 4 miles or so, cause that's when I had to start walking. The monster hill on Enfield right as it goes over Lamar was the real killer. But, I still had enough juice to sprint the last 50 yards or so. I haven't run that fast since high school - I just needed to get that fuckin race OVER WITH.

Unfortunately, my sis & Rebecca didn't make it back to the finish line to see me cross, but I did meet up with them soon after. I collapsed on a curb and wolfed down three migas tacos and attacked the half-chicken my sister got with my bare fingers. Some of the best food I've ever eaten.

So, I think this may be the start of a trend. I'm gonna try to keep up with the running so that I'll be in shape to do the full marathon next year. I may even join some races throughout the year, since a solid race-date is a good motivator.

Me as a long-distance runner. Who'da thunk it?
Feb. 19th, 2008 @ 11:59 am

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» TCK Update

I've gotten a few questions about what's going on with The Cassidy Kids lately, thanks to stories and blog-posts like this, this and this. Apparently, the news about the film airing on the Independent Film Channel was released a bit prematurely, but it seems very likely this will happen in the next few months, followed by some kind of DVD release, courtesy of the new Austin-based company B-Side Entertainment or some other entity. I think the film will be available via digital down-load, too. But, again, details are somewhat sketchy as of now. I'll post more info as I know it.

I'm of course, thrilled that the film will finally get to be seen again, rather than languishing on the shelf as it has been. But, as I think the first couple paragraphs of the Austin Chronicle article on Burnt Orange made clear, my feelings are somewhat bittersweet at the fate of the film. A cable/DVD release is great, much more than many other films get, but I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed that all the time and toil put into the film by myself and hundreds of others didn't add up to more than that.

It's been a personal and professional challenge to deal with that disappointment over the last year and a half. Making another short and writing a couple scripts in that time has definitely helped, but not enough. I think the only thing that will really help me "move on" is making another feature. Like, this year. I'm moving toward that now but quickly enough. It's hard to get back on the horse.

Another thing that has helped for sure, is getting DP out there in the world. People continue to discover it, including Playgirl Magazine!
Feb. 12th, 2008 @ 04:47 pm

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» Seriously, y'all...

...this is your last chance to sponsor my half-marathon run. The Austin Childrens Shelter will be taking donations through their website only until TOMORROW NIGHT (Feb. 8th) at MIDNIGHT on my behalf. Click on the donate button, fill out yer info and be sure to choose my name from the drop-down menu of runners.

I got through pneumonia this fall, and I caught whatever flu bug laid waste to the entire independent film industry in Park City this year, but I'm STILL gonna run 13.1 miles on Feb. 17th. A donation of at least $25 enters you in a raffle, but any amount would help. It's for kids!
Feb. 7th, 2008 @ 09:24 pm

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» Sundance re-direct
Just got in to Park City last night. I'll be doing my dispatches from my AFS blog while I'm here. Follow me! Jan. 22nd, 2008 @ 01:50 pm (Leave a comment)

» More Dear Pillow deleted scenes

When we were putting together the DVD of Dear Pillow last summer, we were in such a rush to get the materials together, we didn't really have time to go back through our previous cuts and find many choice deleted scenes. The ones we ended up including on the DVD were ones that we had pulled together for our theatrical run at the Alamo Drafthouse in 2004 - the second weekend of our release, we advertised that we would show some deleted scenes at the end of the film - and it kinda worked, since we had bigger crowds on the second weekend than on the first.

Anyway, over the last week, Jake went back through some old cuts and found 4 more deleted scenes to post on Youtube & Vimeo...

Wes/Dusty Extended Scene - in early cuts, this first meeting with the two main characters always ran long, until we figured out a brilliant cut-point that eliminated about 3 minutes of dialogue. Here are those restored minutes, which includes a run-down of Dusty's sexual appetite that I think Gary was happy landed on the cutting room floor.

Wes/Dad Extended Scene - as opposed to the above scene, which was pretty much all scripted, this exchange between Cory & Rusty was pretty much all made up on the spot - we weren't even supposed to shoot a scene on the couch, but the actors started doing one so Jake just swung the camera around to get their father-son chat.

Dumpy Body - Our good pal Brian McGuire, who had worked with us in the UT student film shorts Block & Jesus of Judson, appeared in DP as one of Wes's fellow grocery store employees, even though he was in the middle of enjoying the SXSW 2003 premiere of Alex Holdridge's Sexless (which won both the jury and audience awards at the festival). The grocery store scenes with Brian & Isabel Martin that establish Wes's shitty work environment ultimately disappeared in the final cut, partly because the sound at Wheatsville was always problematic and because we just discovered that they weren't necessary for the story. The sooner Wes got fired, the sooner his friendship with Dusty got going, and that was the meat of the movie.

Walking & Talking - we shot these scenes where Dusty gets to explain more of his sexual philosophy out on the streets of Austin with a long lens and wireless mics on the actors. Passersby certainly got an earful.

As with all deleted scenes, these have rough sound and haven't been color corrected (and you can even see the boom in a couple of them), but they should be illuminating for any die-hard fans out there.
Jan. 15th, 2008 @ 11:47 am

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» Watch Dear Pillow for free!
The website film.com is streaming the whole film for free on their site this week. You'll need the newest version of Real Player, and you may have to sit through a Swiffer ad before the naughty goodness unspools. Jake & I will also be releasing a couple not-even-on-the-DVD special extras online pretty soon, too. Keep your eyes peeled. Jan. 11th, 2008 @ 11:00 am (Leave a comment)

» I'm running 13 miles... for the kids!

Readers may remember that my training for the Austin Marathon was way-laid by pneumonia back in October. Well, I've managed to claw my way back to health and a relative level of fitness and am now training to do the half-marathon on Feb. 17th. Only 13 miles instead of 26, but still no joke for me, who hasn't done any serious athletic training since high school.

I'm very happy to be back at training with Team TexFX, the incredible group that Gary Walker put together to do the big run on Feb. 17th. It sucked to be out of comission, coughing and groaning at home while everyone else was busting out 6, 7, 10, 12 mile runs every Saturday. It also sucked because the team was put together not just to build a sense of camaraderie as we all put ourselves through the rigor (and agony) of training, but also to raise money for an amazing organization - the Austin Childrens Shelter. The Shelter provides a safe place for kids of all ages to live while they are moved out of situations where they were abused or neglected and into long-term foster homes. We got to tour the place last year and it was totally heart-breaking to think about the terrible situations these kids were in just days before, but also totally inspiring to see them happy and cared for by the great staff at the Shelter.

So, if you don't mind, please consider sponsoring my run by making a donation to the Austin Children Shelter through their website. Click on the "donate" button, fill out the form, choose "Bryan Poyser" from the drop-down menu of team members. Any amount is appreciated but if you give at least $25, you'll get entered in a raffle to win an iPod Nano and other fun stuff.

If you need any more enticement, check out this video starring the kids of TeamTexFX:

Hard to resist, isn't it? Don't you feel yourself reaching for your digital wallet?
Jan. 10th, 2008 @ 04:40 pm

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