The Human War: Film Update

(Above: Noah Cicero, New York City, 2009)

We're finally becoming good salesmen! Who knows? It's either that, or we're suddenly hot right now. I have no idea. In either case, investors are definitely showing interest in funding THE HUMAN WAR movie. That means, I'll be heading to L.A. in August. We'll probably shoot as early as December 2009, or rock it in April 2010. It really depends on how fast we get people aboard this train.

And it's moving fast! I didn't expect to have everything to come together so soon, but I just kept pushing past doubts and throwing out lines. I guess that's been the secret.

I'm just so thankful that this film will get made. It's going to rock in the future. I can see it. It's in a little cradle. It's being kept warm and clean. The mobile is twirling. There we all are. Proud parents: Noah, Thomas, and I.

Moving to Youngstown for Six Months???

It looks like Sogee and I will be moving to Youngstown in August. I'm still talking it over with everyone involved, but this seems like a positive choice to bring budget costs down for the film and get things moving on every front.

Speaking of costs, we're still trying to raise 50,000 more dollars for the film. Right now we have openings for investors at the 2-5k level. Have you got an extra 2k in the bank? Would you like to invest in a film with heart? Would you like to root for the underdog? Give me a call and become part of the family.

(310) 779-0469

We're bringing everyone in on this project. Now we just need a couple more investors to bring this thing to life. So do me a favor, if you don't have 2k, but you got a $100, then consider offering a donation. We could use all the help. Truly.

Youngstown Presentation Goes Well!

I met with Noah Cicero on Thursday. We talked for a bit. Then we headed to the Royal Oaks for our PowerPoint presentation to the Youngstown community about THE HUMAN WAR MOVIE.

I gave a brief overview of the film. Then I talked about the film's progress into a beautiful butterfly.

Noah said I did a good job. I hope so. I really care about this project. I can totally tell because I keep making trips to Ohio and New York City, and spend all my free time thinking about how I could be a more efficient filmmaker. I guess I'm obsessed.

I guess that's what makes someone an artist. You have to be obsessed enough that you care about something beyond materialistic rewards. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, you even love it.

I don't know if I love filmmaking. I think I just like making. I like visiting towns and getting to know everyone. I like building friendships and being with other human beings. I don't know why. Maybe, I'm just not opposed to things working. I mean, I can see obstacles before me. I can see that I have to raise more money for the film. I can totally see a hard decision with choosing the right actors. At the same time, I'm not upset about it. There just isn't any reason to be. It'll be what it is. I'll do my best.

Who knows? maybe, it's just what the doctor ordered.

OVERVIEW OF POSSIBLE SHOOTING LOCATIONS, The Human War

YOUNGSTOWN (THW) June 3, 2009

I found a few good places today -- thanks to Laura Phillips (pictured above). I've attached photos at the Flickr link below.

YTown, June 2009, Location...

Laura has volunteered her deli as a possible interior kitchen location. She is also planning on helping out with police cruisers and officers (both her and her husband are former officers) free of charge. 

For the exterior of the kitchen, I was thinking of using Our Place, Family Restaurant, which has gone bankrupt. According to Laura, we could contact the bank, and potentially...

 

...use the back as exterior shots for when Mark leaves the restaurant, and for a potential shot where the police officers are inspecting the crimes against Carl and Louis. 

As far as the pizzeria, there were several possibilities. I personally liked Inner Circle Pizza and Ianazone's Pizza. Both locations have check cashing stores close by.

Roosevelt Park is a cool place where kids skate. They usually put down the picnic tables and use them to ollie off onto other curbs and benches. Laura says there are gangs of kids who hang out there. 

Stomping Grounds is another skate shop located in a strip mall. I will be visiting there tomorrow night, so we'll have to see what that place has to offer. Right now I only have external shots. 

We went to two trailer parks today. State Line Mobile Parks was by far the grittier one. We took several pics of vacant homes. According to Laura, we could potentially rent an empty trailer for $100/week.

I will be presenting a bit about THW at the informal community meeting at the Royal Oaks tomorrow with author, Noah Cicero at 8 p.m. I have no idea if people will show up. I'll send pics and an update soon.  : )

Meeting about Indie Film Being Shot in Youngstown

INFORMAL MEETING

Royal Oaks, 8 PM

924 Oak St

Thursday, June 4th

Noah Cicero and Pirooz Kalayeh will give a brief talk about the novel and future film. Then a sign-up sheet will be passed around for those who are interested.

"The Human War" Filming Location: Youngstown, Ohio Meeting Date: June 4th, 2009 Time: 8 PM Meeting Location: The Royal Oaks, 924 Oak St, Youngstown, OH 44506 (330) 744-5501. Produced by Sangha Films.

Latest Youngstown Film Adventure

We had a fantastic weekend in Youngstown. Thanks to Fran at the Oakland Center for the Arts we were able to have a wonderful space to film and audition local talent. We met many great and wonderful actors of all age ranges. We look forward to seeing more of Youngstown's best in our next casting in September. Who knows? Maybe, we'll uncover the next Susan Boyle. That is what I'm always hoping for in these things. I have a feeling it'll happen. I'm hearing the James Earl Jones voice in my head continuously these days (read below).

Aside from auditions, we also got a chance to secure a few locations for filming. John Kennedy, the owner of The Royal Oaks Bar, was kind enough to offer his establishment with a winning pitch: "Look, Pirooz, this is the Cheers of Youngstown! Everyone comes here. All sorts. You can have a millionaire chatting with an electrician, or a line cook talking real restate with a YSU philosophy major. There are no class borders here. Everyone comes! You know, Jerry Springer? Well, hell, he even drinks here. Came through and wanted a place to be alone. Great guy, by the way. Loved the place. Even talked to everybody...And you see these booths? They're the originals from 1940 when this place opened. We won't ever take those things out. I get a kick having customers from back then, coming in and saying, 'Man, this place hasn't changed.' I love that! You like lamb, Pirooz? You want some lamb? I make a mean lamb..."

Lamb, Cheers, and Jerry Springer!?! How could we not film here, right?

We had a great time with John, Becky, Louis, and the rest of the gang. I did very much feel like it was a homecoming of sorts. Everyone was so kind and willing to just lay everything out there. It made me excited to just have a place that I could go to after a long day of shooting in Youngstown. It's also a double bonus to have the place you're shooting, be the place you are going to hang as well. I love those kinds of atmospheres on a film set.

I also like going to restaurants with Thomas and Noah. They make me laugh a lot. You wouldn't expect that from either of them. That's what makes it better.

Thomas Henwood discusses his former exploits in Paris.

Noah Cicero responds to these daring adventures.

I speak of daring melodies in musical soundtracks.

Noah suggests we use funk motifs like in the Peter Sellers film, Being There

or the groovy bass lines of Gil Scott Heron.

When we weren't have witty repartees, we did scout other locations. Among them was the Emerald Diner, a historic 1950's restaurant highlighted with so much chrome we had to stop in to see what it had to offer. We loved the place and their fries.

The next step for the film is raising more funds. I am following the James Earl Jones voice in my head: "If you build it, they will come."

Or better yet:

"Pirooz, people will come, Pirooz. They will come to Youngstown--for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up Noah's driveway, not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the future. Of course, we won't mind if you invest in our film. It's only $5,000 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have and a movie about Youngstown they lack. "

Thomas really wanted this building to be in the movie. I thought it had strong potential too. Who knows? Maybe, when we return to Youngstown in June, we'll secure this location as well.

If you are interested in being a local crew member, audition, or become an investor in the film, please send Thomas an e-mail (You can send them to me, but I just like scaring Thomas in thinking he will have to field thousands of e-mails. Actually, that will be good. Send him a thousand e-mails.) He would love to talk about locations you might have, a rich uncle, or just chat about what it is to make an independent film.

Before I head off, we need to have the main characters graffiti a signpost. We need ideas on what the above could be changed to, or other brilliant ideas like "Velociraptors coming!" you might like to share.

Chat Soon,

Pirooz M. Kalayeh A.K.A. "Pierce Mondrian"

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NOTE FOR TALENT: For actors who are interested in auditioning from Youngstown who did not get a chance, please send an e-mail with a photo/resume tocasting@sixdayproductions.com. Actors outside Ohio can visit the Sangha Films website for updated casting calls in New York and Los Angeles.

Auditions for Independent film in Youngstown will take place on Saturday, April 18th between 9AM-3PM at the Oakland Center for the Arts, 220 West Boardman St., Youngstown, 44503.