DEUCE OF SPADES HOTROD FILM UPDATES - photos from the Saugus and dry lake shoots

did you use the song pushrod_mike contirbuted? i was the guy clapping in the background.

 

Faith it's lookin' great...can't wait to see the finished product!

 

Hi Don ,

The Saugus scene takes place in August 1955. Well, I digested a ton of home filmed footage from dragstrips in the mid 50's in CA and saw cars dragracing ranging from roadsters all the way to fifties cars, some of which looked almost brand new . I insisted and put a lot of efforts into locating stock looking cars and having them come to my set so to match the original footage I saw, to stay as close to period correctness as I could.



Let me share a few stills I snapped of the footage I watched and inspired myself from:

 

That would be groovy, except for one detail, I doubt I will be done by April . I'm f***sst, but not THAT fast ...

BUT if it is done by then, then YA BETCHA!!

 

I was doubtfull before but what I just watched (on my ****py hookup) got me interested!

 

will the next teaser have scenes from the saugus shoot? i cant wait to see how it turned out. im esp excited about the steady cam shot.

 

I definitely have pushrod music in my soundtrack. If my recollection is correct, I think I used, so far, two of their tunes. I also think he was working on writing some more stuff for me but I have not received the new material yet... he'd better hurry ...

Good stuff, good stuff.

As a matter of fact the soundtrack on this film ROCKS big time.

 

I understand Faith, but, as I mentioned about the early iron, drag strips were NOT even around until early fifties, right? First one I ever raced was at Santa Ana, early 50's by the BLIMP HANGERS. Sounds as tho everyone is anxiously awaiting your upcoming BIGGIE!!!----Good luck----Just made my donation----------Don

 

Oh yeah, that shot was a ***** to film but sure worth the effort. It really makes you feel like you are WALKING in the middle of the dragstrip pits and you are transported back to the fifties .

Special thanks to my buddy indie filmmaker Luis for bringing his steady cam and helping out that day. He donated all his time and work. He's awesome!

below: Luis Sinibaldi puts on his vest and gets ready for THE shot.

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!

You guys have no idea how much it means to me, I have completely run out of all my own money and credit limits and I am now in the **** financially. No longer can even feed my crew or actors... And never could afford to pay them in the first place... But at least feeding them a meal was the very minimum. And now I can't even do that . This really ****s.

But I am determined to complete the film, no matter what it takes. I have come too far to stop now, and I am sure God will provide and send me just enough to keep rolling... This movie has been made of miracles, all along.

So deep gra***ude to anyone who donates, every little bit helps and know your money is very wisely spent and I truly make the most out of every penny.

(I make lemonade out of rocks, that's my moto LOL)

 

this looks like it will be a great movie, caint wait to see it

 

Hi Kenny, thank you for the kind words. We really tried to match a lot of details, down to the dragstrip flag color, the flagging, the jumps, the clothes...

Look at this cool shot:

 

How about an early release of the soundtrack that HAMB'ers can buy? That way we could help with funding and get our friends amp'ed up for the movie too?

I'm sure releasing a soundtrack is the least of your concerns when you're doing this all yourself and trying to finish it too! Just thinking out loud.

Can't wait for the movie!

 

Well, she does have the background, and the connections to make that happen, not to mention it's a great idea... maybe add PC content, too. You know, where folks that put the CD in their computer could be treated to a special link that takes them to hidden DOS content on the site, maybe?

I hear it's also not that hard to get stuff onto the iTunes Music Store these days... but you have WAY less control of pricing.

~Jason

 

a soundtrack online sounds like a easy way to bring in a few extra bucks.

 

cool, can't wait.

 

Looking great Faith! I better start saving for a trip south now,so I can attend the opening.

 

Mmmmm.... That's not an altogether bad idea LOL. I'm going to look into that...

 

That would be way cool if a bunch of hotrods converged to LA to be the first ones to see the film...

Weeeeheeee, that's going to be an exciting night for me...

Can't wait!!!!



Oh I almost forgot, I am shooting for a spring 2009 release...

 

so will you have theatrical prints available for distribution?

I bet the guys at Greaserama may want to show this...........I know I would want to see it on the big screen. And that is the best drive in show I know of!

 

Yes, the footage can be transfered to film if need be, but I would have to have a reason to do this, cause its costly. If there is interest to play it on the big screen, then I will.

Greaserama eh? Sounds promising... Tell me more...
I have already been approached by several large shows here and abroad that involve a car show and a big screen playing hotrod movies and they are wanting to play DEUCE OF SPADES as soon as it is done. That's d pretty darn way cool.

 

What would you guys be more likely to want to buy / enjoy:

1- a compilation CD with some of the tunes from the film

or

2- a DVD containing a few excerps from the film and some behind the scenes never seen footage...

and what price range should above be priced at in your opinion?

Today I went to the prop house to rent some stuff I absolutely must have to film my jail scene and I have to say I really can't afford to rent props or wardrobe anymore. $300 buck for 2 jail guard uniforms and one jailbird uniform ... This is INSANE ! I can barely cover my bills these days....

I pleaded with the manager to give me a price break for (I kid you not) an entire hour. They finally knockde off $20. Wopdeedooo.

Maybe I am the one who is insane for making this film...

Would anyone like to buy my left kidney?



Below a few more shots from my El Mirage scene

 

How about showing it at a drive-in? I have had a movie night before and we had a blast.

www.missiontiki.com

How about a running parts sale with proceeds going to the production. I'll donate something to start.

 

I've got a strong feeling my job is going to require me fly out to North Island to do some benchmarking around the same time of that showing in LA. Unfortunately, I'll arrive at the theater in late model rental, unless there's a Rent-a-Hotrod in the vicinity.

 

I only speak for myself, but I'd like to see BOTH! Just thought if you had the whole score done it may be quick and easy to burn a bunch of CD's to distribute... say $20 including shipping? Again, released before the movie comes out!

The DVD is a MUST HAVE! Although I'm not clear about this... are you suggesting a DVD that DOESN'T have the movie on it, just these special features? The movie DVD would be a huge seller, but EPAY might be your best distribution avenue.

 

Tikidiablo, you just inspired me to really look into drive ins and the wheels are already in motion. I have an idea, which I think is brilliant, let's see if it pans out.

I am going to PM you about your second idea now.

 

Good luck Faith and let me know if I can help out...I have a couple of ideas which might work if ya want to call me when you get a spare second

 

Well if I am trying to sell DVD so I can get money to finish the film, it basically implies the film is not done yet, so I can't possibly sell the film already (since I am not done filming it yet LOL).

What I was thinking is release a sneak preview of a few cool scenes, plus add some cool behind the scene footage like a special edition thing. People who buy the DVD get to see scenes from the film before ANYONE ELSE and also they get to see behind the scene cool stuff, Which may not end up on the final DVD. AND they know they are actually contributing to helping me finish the film when they buy that DVD because all the funds will go to help me film the remainder of DEUCE OF SPADES.

On the DVD I would put the trailer, plus the Jalopy race plus another 4 cool never seen before scenes which I have no intention of ever uploading on the internet. So only the people who buy that special edition DVD will get to see it before anyone else.

What do you guys think? Any interest?

About the compilation music CD, it is not that simple. In order to sell the CDs I have to get all the artist to sign a special release. In short I need their permission to use their songs in a CD format. I need to look into this cause there are a lot of legal stuff that goes along with this. I think most artists would love to be on such a compilation CD, it would be great exposure for them and their music. I will start working on this idea...

 

Sorry - I've got two already. And they say three's a crowd.

 

I really like the CD idea. I think some artists may be talked into "giving away razors to sell razor blades" and signing a release. The exposure gained would be priceless - especially if maybe the link to their site(s) were on the CD insert next to the band name, directing listeners back to them for more.

The DVD has it's own merit, and stands on different legs, but it does imply the movie is unfinished. It's a double-edged sword, though - the more DVDs floating around out there, the more potential investors could get their hands on 'em.

~Jason