Never forget a Phase!

We just got off the phone with Christian Andersen of Phase 24 Productions in Los Angeles, an independent film and TV production company that has secured $35 million to make ten episodes of his post-apocalyptic thriller, "Panacea". We are in negotiations to consult on (and possibly co-produce) the series, which is bound for cable TV. This is a really good one...somewhere between "The Hunger Games" and the new Anthony Zuiker/Samsung collaboration, "Cybergeddon". It's sure to be a hit; we look forward to getting it going!

Today, the Freeze Frame Film Festival begins at the Beacon Theatre in Beacon, New York. Tonight our good friend Jarek Zabczynski will be showing three of his award-winning music videos, along with a group of student documentaries and film shorts. On Saturday there is a full day of "Collar" (two showings at 4pm and 8pm) and selected shorts from the Big Apple Film Fest: "Harry Grows Up" (by Mark Nickelsburg) and "Clown Girl" (by Crystal Scott), two brilliant short works. There will be a filmmakers' panel discussion following our feature. Also in the festival is our good friend and student Lloyd LeBaron who will presenting his feature on Sunday. We are honored to be the tent pole of this festival; we look forward to supporting the Beacon Theatre in its restoration efforts. Tickets for the event start at $5 each up to $18 for the entire day; proceeds go to the Beacon Theatre Restoration Fund!

Next Thursday is Valentine's Day! There will be a performance of a new dinner theatre mystery created specifically for this event by David Patrick Wilson: "St. Valentine's Dead"! The cast will include Wilson, Angela Rosier, Ken Krause, Lisa Brodsky, Sean O'Brien, Brett Anthony and Nan Gill-Wilson! This comedy will be part of a full buffet dinner at El Tequilero Restaurant; tickets are $25 each, to benefit the Paraclete Arts Center in Middletown! You don't want to miss this: it's wacky, wild and a little weird! (Paraclete Arts Center serves Middletown's youth by offering a full dance program to those who would otherwise not be able to afford to pursue their dreams of being performers.)

Meanwhile, we welcome America's Polka King, Jimmy Sturr, home from his cruise of the Caribbean! We are looking forward to looking ahead and developing a vehicle that will open up new doors for him with the next generation! We are reviewing material supplied by Jimmy for a proposal around his life and career before he leaves for the Strawberry Festival at the end of this month!

Stay tuned...things are cookin'!

Today at Willy-Gilly!