#1 New York Times Bestselling Author & TV Producer
My friend Phoef Sutton's episode of TERRIERS was singled out by The Futon Critic, their staff, and freelancers this week as one of the ten best of hours of television this season. The acclaim is well-deserved. TERRIERS will go down as one of the best PI shows ever on TV (along with ROCKFORD, HARRY O and THE OUTSIDER)… and Phoef's episode as one of the best of the best.
The new Showtime series EPISODES is amazing. I'm not talking about the premise, the writing, or the acting. No, what astonishes me is the digital matte work. The show takes place entirely in Los Angeles… with plenty of blue skies, palm trees, McMansions, and lots of driving through Beverly Hills and Malibu in convertibles. And yet, the show is shot entirely in London.
They pull it off thanks to the green screen magicians at Stargate Studios. There are a few shots where the digital compositing is obvious (in particular, a night-time, outdoor party in the Hollywood hills), but for the most part, the trick photography is entirely invisible and utterly convincing. I constantly found myself wondering "how the hell did they do that?"
But the really, really amazing thing is that it's cheaper to do all those elaborate effects shots than to just shoot the show here.
Harry O season 1, version 1
Harry O season 1, version 2
Harry O Season Two
(Taken from the German airings)
The Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer reported today about REMAINDERED being chosen as a finalist in two film festivals so far. The article said, in part:
"Remaindered," written and directed by veteran television writer Lee Goldberg, has been selected to be screened at the Derby City Film Festival, which is Feb. 18 to 20 in Louisville, and the Beaufort International Film Festival, which is Feb. 16-20 in Beaufort, S.C.
The film premiered in mid-October at Bouchercon, an internationally known mystery convention that attracts mystery writers, fans and others in the mystery world.
"It's gotten greater feedback than I ever anticipated," Goldberg said. "Greater positive feedback."
"Remaindered" was shot over a September weekend at locations in Owensboro and Henderson. Daviess County residents Rodney Newton, a producer of the film, and P.J. Starks, the film's photography director, did most of the editing on the project.
Most of the crew were local residents, and the cast was composed of local and regional actors. Newton said he was pleased that the movie has been selected for film festivals.
"We put a lot of work into this," he said. "It's good it's going to get out there to a wider audience (more) than anything else."
The cast and crew plan on attending the Derby City Film Festival. It will be the first time they seen a screening of their movie together.
Newton said he was thankful to the people who made the film possible, including the RiverPark Center and the individuals and businesses who provided places to shoot scenes.
[…]Goldberg filmed "Remaindered" in Owensboro after participating in the 2008 and 2009 International Mystery Writers Festivals at the RiverPark Center.
Goldberg called "Remaindered" a great calling card for the mystery festival. The festival was canceled in 2010 because state funding came through too late for RiverPark officials to raise matching funds. The RiverPark Center hasn't decided if it will host the festival in 2011.
Goldberg said another city will decide to host the festival if Owensboro doesn't.
"This film is like a Goodwill ambassador for Owensboro and the mystery writers festival all around the country," he said. "I just hope that the folks in Owensboro continue to support the festival."
Goldberg said he's been flattered by the film's reception, not just for himself, but for the cast and crew as well.
"I was just lucky to be the captain of the ship," he said.
Many thanks to reporter Beth Wilberding for the great article.
I'm thrilled to report that REMAINDERED has been chosen as an official selection of the 2011 Derby City Film Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.
Our film is scheduled to screen Sunday, February 20th, 2011 at 1pm in the Eifler Theater as part of their "Kentucky Filmmaker" program. Over 59 films representing 5 countries were selected for the festival. 25 are international films, 7 are World Premieres and 2 are US premieres…and we are honored to be among them.
Tickets and passes will go on sale January 1st at 10 am Eastern Time via the Festival Website.