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Topic:
The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread: Picture locked.
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 11:06am
Subject:
The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread: Picture locked.
- Date Edited:
7/5 11:29am (13 edits total)
Edited By:
AdamBertocci
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I've said many, many times that I would never make another fan film. That I'd moved on, that I'd paid my dues to "Star Wars", that I didn't have any good ideas anyway, that there was no value to my career in rehashing the same old crap.
… I say a lot of stupid things.
"Brooklyn Force" will be a ten-minute short viewing the gentrification of Williamsburg through the eyes of a pair of record store clerks whose beloved shop faces demolition to make room for condos. When rabid fanboy Luke loses his faith in the universe and curses "Star Wars" for misleading him into believing in good vs. evil, Leah must rediscover her own love of the saga to help Luke through the crisis. Even as the hipsters grapple with the terrible truth of their own place in the galaxy, Leah learns what "Star Wars" can still mean once you've grown up and discovered that life isn't as cut and dry as rebels versus the Empire, but rather that we are all bound by one Force.
The intent is to shoot this fall entirely in Brooklyn on high-definition video to submit to AtomFilms. The cast and crew will feature many of your favorites from previous Guy in his Basement Productions projects; I'm deliberately keeping mum for a bit, but it's gonna be a fun project and I can't wait for you guys to see it.
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com  MarriedVespin?!
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PixelBender
Registered:
Jun '07
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 11:25am
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
- Date Edited:
7/31/07 11:26am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
PixelBender
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Sounds good man. Who's the hottie? Scratch that, read the bottom of the picture 
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Goddard11
Registered:
Jul '03
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 11:49am
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
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hah cool, sounds original can't wait to see the progress.
-----signature-----
"Luke, you can destroy the Emperor.
He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son."
-Darth Vader
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EricBranco
Registered:
Dec '06
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 12:11pm
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
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Keep me posted. You know where to find me!
- Branco
PS -- Hey, any leads on... Well, the other leads?
-----signature-----
We're doing fine on the One and Nine line.
- The Beastie Boys; "An Open Letter to NYC"
Engine engine number Nine, on the New York Transit Line...
If my train falls off the track, pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
- Black Sheep; "The Choice Is Yours"
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 12:28pm
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
- Date Edited:
7/31/07 12:33pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
AdamBertocci
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Not for posting in the thread just yet (like I said, I want to be keep quiet on TFN for now), but in any case there's no one new yet that you have met. I have the people I want in mind though. We'll see.
I suppose since he's here I might as well introduce our valiant DP. You vultures have dragged it out of me.  Eric is stepping up to the plate for his first DPing job with the Basement. New York, people. Recognize.  I should also point out that he was quite helpful in deepening the script a bit, finding a good moral crisis for Luke to think about, one that ultimately pointed the way toward the message of the film, such as it is.
There will be, I hope, one or two names announced before the end of things that longtime fans of my movies may recognize in one capacity or another. We shall see.
And now I'm keeping quiet for a moment. If there's one thing this forum doesn't need more of, it's overhype before production.
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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VaporTrail
Registered:
May '02
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 12:44pm
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
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Man, you couldn't wait less than a year until I move to NYC?
At least, that's the current plan. I dig the plot though, I can't wait to see how this bad boy comes out.
The character name scheme's a bit much, but it's your film.
-Vaportrail
-----signature-----
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EricBranco
Registered:
Dec '06
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 12:48pm
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
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AdamBertocci posted:
Eric is stepping up to the plate for his first DPing job with the Basement. New York, people. Recognize.
Oh wow! I'm shooting this?! That's totally awesome!
- Branco
-----signature-----
We're doing fine on the One and Nine line.
- The Beastie Boys; "An Open Letter to NYC"
Engine engine number Nine, on the New York Transit Line...
If my train falls off the track, pick it up! Pick it up! Pick it up!
- Black Sheep; "The Choice Is Yours"
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doggans
Registered:
Aug '02
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Date Posted:
7/31/07 1:47pm
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
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So, this is the mysterious "fall project" we've all been wondering about.
Definitely looking forward to it!
-----signature-----
Roz: "Most women don't know what's good for them."
Frasier: "Teriffic. I'm the broccoli of dating."
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Lord2
Registered:
Jan '06
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Date Posted:
8/1/07 8:27am
Subject:
RE: Proudly announcing my next film.
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Cool poster, this is going to be great Adam - I want to see it now!
-----signature-----
www.jf-tpiom.tk
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
8/6/07 9:36am
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
- Date Edited:
8/6/07 9:39am (4 edits total)
Edited By:
AdamBertocci
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I think I've got this casting thing licked, barring unforeseen disaster.
A few words on the cast:
Carolyn should be a familiar face to anyone who's followed my fledgling body of work; she was last seen as Madison in "The World of the End" and its animated spinoff, and most famously played the Filmmaker in "Love: The Movie".
Then there's me. Yep.
Dana was a producer on "Love" and on "Pat Gets a Cat", and I just loved the idea of him playing this role. No, he is not an actor, but there are certain aspects of my relationship with him (not gay) that will make this play in a damn fun manner.
Lisa is a new face, she is a model/actress living and working in New York following graduation from, you guessed it, Northwestern University. (We have an all-NU cast!) While I never worked with her at NU, I did audition her once, and made sure to remember her. Now three years later she gets her shot. Fun!
And as a personal note to TFNers, yes, the girls are watching and learning about "Star Wars" to prepare for their roles. It is important to me that they understand what "Star Wars" might mean to people growing up, and relate it to their own passions and interests. I don't care if they can tell Greedo from a Gungan, but you gotta have heart.
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
8/20/07 6:05pm
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
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Well, bad news, kiddos -- shooting is going to be delayed into 2008 due to a schedule conflict.
Hoping we can still have the film done in time for this year's round of AtomFilms contest, but right now all I'm concerned about is having let the rest of the team down in a professional manner. Most of these people have worked with me before so it won't be a big deal, you just don't want to get off on the wrong foot with new folks.
Anyway I guess this thread is going to remain quiet for the next few months...
... or maybe not... There's plenty you can do on a movie without shooting it yet, after all!
// mysterious dramatic chord
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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ObiJuan2080
Registered:
Jan '04
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Date Posted:
8/21/07 11:08am
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
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AdamBertocci posted:
...the eyes of a pair of record store clerks whose beloved shop faces demolition to make room for condos.
On a side note, that is a rapid growing problem here in NYC. NYC is becoming more and more a playground for the rich.
-----signature-----
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul. NEW SITE: http://www.mindscapefilms.net http://www.sabercomp.com "Idiots: It's a world-wide phenomenon" - Master_Cormyn
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
8/21/07 11:44am
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
- Date Edited:
8/21/07 11:48am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
AdamBertocci
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... Well, that's sort of part of it, isn't it? Wouldn't make sense to tell a gentrification story in a city that WASN'T up to much gentrification. That's why I'm not calling it "Detroit Force"*.
Although "Brooklyn Force" does take place in (SPOILER} Brooklyn, I would point out that the urban cycle it examines is not unique to New York at all, and is happening in Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, London and many other big cities in pretty much the exact same way. New York just tends to get especially noted for it because New York is (1) large and (2) has an exceptionally insane real estate market that refuses to calm down no matter what is going on everyplace else.
I bring this up, because what I consider the heart of the film--a certain "parable" or "cautionary tale" aspect--did not occur to me in early drafts, and only came when I started reading up on gentrification in other cities, and understanding that the pattern is not unique to New York (as much as I hate admitting that New York is unspecial in any regard). Viewing it as a cycle with bound rules and identifiable trends, rather than as something that's happening right now in local neighborhoods, was the key (for me)... just as Lucas found his insipration for a certain film in the historic structures and trends of classic storytelling, heh.
* Okay, in actuality, Detroit is gentrifying too, but a hell of a lot slower than New York. If nothing else, few are calling Detroit a 'playground for the rich' at this juncture.
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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ObiJuan2080
Registered:
Jan '04
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Date Posted:
8/21/07 11:50am
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
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So basically what you're saying is that in order to stop this from happening we would have to take explosives to these newly created condos right after construction is done. Good plan I'm in. I'm so glad you thought of it.
//getting Adam in trouble
-----signature-----
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul. NEW SITE: http://www.mindscapefilms.net http://www.sabercomp.com "Idiots: It's a world-wide phenomenon" - Master_Cormyn
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
8/21/07 12:19pm
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
- Date Edited:
8/21/07 12:20pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
AdamBertocci
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You actually bring up an interesting point in a question of 'stopping things from happening'.
This film has no answers for gentrification, and only addresses the fate of the one record store we discuss in a sort of tangential, fantastic manner that implies no permanence to the issue. I don't think gentrification is some problem you can solve, any more than any other economic issue, it's just part of life, and built around a series of trade-offs.
I mean, if I knew the magic formula by which everyone could live in a safe, clean, prosperous neighborhood, but didn't have to pay beyond their means (and also there would be no racism or social-group clashes of any sort), all while maintaining local history, architecture and character, I'd be running cities and not this message board.
My last major film, "The World of the End", was also heavily built around a social issue ("thresholders", the "quarterlife crisis" etc.), and I sure as hell didn't have any good answers for how to fix that, only a look at it through a couple of characters' eyes, right or wrong. In both "TWOTE" and "BF", in fact, of the two "good guy" characters in each, there is one character I personally consider more right than the other, the one who, I think, 'gets it' more, who sees the bigger picture. But that's a separate topic.
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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AdamBertocci
Title: Manager: Fan Films
Registered:
Feb '02
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Date Posted:
9/21/07 7:38am
Subject:
RE: The "Brooklyn Force" pregame thread.
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No news about the movie itself, just a sort of "blog"gish post while I wait for tapes at work.
The changing face of Brooklyn has been in the news a lot lately. Coney Island's famed Astroland park as we know it is on its last legs, barely squeaking in a renewal for its 2008 season as I've read, with plans for its replacement to open in 2011.
I don't actually have any personal affection for Coney Island. I think it's overcrowded, depressing and filled with tacky people. I spent a week and change there on a shoot once and it was not a pleasant experience. Nonetheless I am well aware of its history and tradition, and I hope that whatever comes next isn't going to wipe out local color entirely.
Today I read a story about some Latino market in Williamsburg losing its space to make room for affordable housing. Cue upset Latin community. (This is a segment of Williamsburg no one really talks about; I see in the media that the Jews and the Latinos don't want the new element coming in, but the fact that the Jews don't want the Latinos around either seems to get shoved under the rug, perhaps for the sake of political correctness.)
The paper said that the loss of the market was the "end of an era" in Williamsburg, the last stand against gentrification. Now, the market is going to be replaced with "affordable housing", which is not a term I associate with gentrification, but that's actually not the point.
On Tuesday, I read a book called "The Place You Love Is Gone". It is not about Brooklyn. It is about Akron, OH and Hoboken, NJ, where the author lived as a kid and a twentysomething respectively, and how the cities have changed. Even the small little things like how one store was replaced with another, how certain things about Akron only made sense to a person from Akron… I was most thoughtful about how the author wondered why there was no more such thing as "the woods", suburban land that didn't seem to belong to anyone, where kids could run around and play. Nowadays every scrap of land has an owner and a fence.
I never knew anyone might write something so haunting and nostalgic about Akron. It does not normally conjure up images of bygone romance.
I don't claim that any of these stories will have any direct influence on my little movie. I only notice them because the emotions are the same no matter what the place, if the place you love is gone. It doesn't much matter who is tearing the place down or moving into it, they will always be wrong.
Rick McCallum loves you!
-----signature-----
"Run Leia Run", "The Chopped-Off Hands of Star Wars", and "The Fan Film Menace" ... check 'em out. http://www.runleiarun.com MarriedVespin?!
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