Sunday Synopsis – The ‘ABYSS’ Title Reveal and Monday Movie Meme Update

A few weeks ago, I watched an interview where one guy mentioned how independent films have some of the worse titles. He went on to describe the importance of filmmakers choosing a title that helps audiences get a bit more of an idea on what the movie is about. Not only did I agree with him, it didn’t take long for me to realize that this applies to my current project “ABYSS.”

The title of this short film was about as obscure as one could get. So, I’ve decided to modify the name of the movie little, adding an extension that will hopefully solve the problem of indie films alienating audiences who are wondering “what the heck is this about?” when looking at titles of flicks that were made outside of the Hollywood machine.

Hopefully, the new movie title is less non-descriptive as the former one. Also, the Monday Movie Meme will likely continue to be posted later in the day on Mondays until further notice. Since the theme remains good for one week, I hope that this doesn’t throw anyone off too much or is an inconvenience.

Lately, my schedule and week-to-week offline life has taken up the bulk of my time and energies, what with me writing my first piece for a print publication, prepping for the release of a movie, planning a charitable initiative to help the working homeless, and celebrating special occasions and all. I do not intend for this to be a regular occurrence and will be aiming to publish the Monday Movie Meme themes earlier when able from week to week. Until then, thanks to all of you who read The Madlab Post, all of you who participate in the Monday Movie Meme and all of you who keep up with my movie making journey. Here’s to a bright and joyous December!

How was YOUR Thanksgiving holiday?

Did YOU cook for the holiday or did someone else man the kitchen?

Sunday Synopsis – Sleep Outs, Movie Titles and ‘Lighten Up’ (RELOADED)

An event planner in Philadelphia told me (when I attempted to plan a sleepout last month as part of the “ABYSS” premiere, to raise awareness about homelessness) that likely none of the residents would attend my film screening because no one likes sleeping on the ground in cold weather.

The irony of that reasoning was precisely my point, which is why I was glad to meet so many men and women from the business sector who united during the Covenant House Pennsylvania’s annual Sleep Out this past week; supporting homeless youth who are on the streets due to various circumstances such as child abuse, job loss, displacement following tragic events and related factors.

Geared up with just the clothes on their back, cardboard Home Depot boxes and sleeping bags, these individuals spent the night outside on the ground in chilly conditions – the very thing that someone told me earlier would not be done (willingly) in The City of Brotherly Love. Participants raised over $89,000 to support Covenant House’s many services while experiencing a small taste of what life is like for a homeless teenager.

During a candlelight vigil earlier that evening to kickoff this event, I was among the attendees who were introduced to a local University student who had to put her pursuit of higher education on hold after becoming homeless, as her family being split up among area shelters. Her story caused me to wonder what, if anything, are large Universities doing to assist in the wellbeing of students enrolled at their school who experience homelessness or are in danger of becoming homeless.

Anyway, although my premiere plans for “ABYSS” have changed, I will be launching an initiative in conjunction with the upcoming release of the movie, to help raise funds and awareness for the working homeless who are affiliated with organizations that provide jobs and housing assistance to the underemployed.

Speaking of “ABYSS” and changes, a modification – or rather addition -- to the film’s title is also coming soon. I decided to tweak the name of the movie so that it could give people a clearer picture of what this short film is about. Stay tuned for the title reveal!

In the meantime, here’s a one-minute comedy film called “Lighten Up,” that I wrote and directed a few years ago. It’s about a woman whose tolerance level is tested when her attempts at having fun with her boyfriend goes unnoticed due to him being preoccupied with office politics. She wants to enjoy their time together; he won’t let up about his beef with a company that doesn’t appreciate the contributions of their employees. The Monday Movie Meme is coming late, again, so hopefully this short film will hold you over.

Would YOU ever sleep outside for one night?

Do YOU know anyone who has experienced homelessness?

What’s YOUR favorite Monday Movie Meme theme, to date?

Sunday Synopsis – Abyss gets a Home and Customers Want More Netflix

The ABYSS movie website and Festival Limbo

Although it’s still a work in progress at this juncture, I managed to get a website up for my short film, “ABYSS.” It (www.abyssthemovie.com) contains the synopsis, a list of cast and crew as well as other information related to the movie. Updates to the website will be posted there as they come in and as time permits. I’ve spent the last few weeks submitting the movie to festivals and am now playing the waiting game as I look to find out where and when (and if) “ABYSS” will be premiering as well as when and where it will have additional screenings.

In an attempt to save time, space and maintain whatever good juju may be in the workings for me and/or the movie, I won’t be mentioning any of the specific festivals until I hear from them with regards to the project’s status. I will say, however, that upwards of $309 in submission fees alone was spent on trying to secure a premiere for this movie – and it still needs a poster, exhibition prints and related materials – most of which I am currently working on getting done now, as the submissions efforts have slowed to a halt for the time being.

New Monday Movie Meme Participants…

I’d like to send a special shout out to Michael Hennessy at A Few Minutes with the Hennessys for joining in on our Monday Movie Madness. He has been participating in the Monday Movie Meme (MMM) for a few weeks now and I especially like how he remains active by not only posting his selections on his own blog while linking back to the MMM post for the week but also introducing the meme to his readers and followers in social media. Michael also blogs about books in the Mystery, Sci-Fi and Suspense/Thriller genres, for all of you book worms. Check him out, say hello and welcome him to our regularly scheduled walks down memory lane on the big screen.

Netflix Has DVDs?

A few days ago, a woman who currently subscribes to the Netflix streaming service asked me if they offered DVDs for rental when she noticed a red envelope that I was holding with their logo on it. That seemed a little odd, given that the streaming service wasn’t in play until the last few years or so and the actual physical DVD discs are what made it possible for Netflix to grow their business in the video rental market.

It’s no secret that Netflix has been trying to push customers in the direction of their online streaming service and move them away from the DVDs altogether – but the conversation that I had with the woman who was asking me questions about their DVD offerings seem to indicate that they are leaving money on the table by leaving their customers in the dark (whether this is being done intentionally or unintentionally by the company's marketing/advertising and promotions offerings obviously varies from customer to customer).

When I told her that she could rent DVDs from Netflix and to do so, she would have to add a DVD package to her streaming package, which would increase her monthly subscription fees, she still seemed interested in trying out their DVD service.

One of her only concerns were something that we can all relate to and understand as consumers – is it expensive? My concern, however, is the fact that there are people who really have no idea that DVD rentals are available from Netflix. On top of that, I am concerned about the fact that people like the woman I spoke with – people who are already paying a subscription fee for one service – have to add a separate package if they want DVDs.

I understand the company’s decision to split their streaming and the DVD services into to separate packages, to cater to the needs and interests of customers who only want one or the other – but what about those who want both? Why leave them out hanging to dry; confused, uninformed and/or having to piece together a rental package that fits their viewing interests by working various parts of the whole movie rental puzzle around until they find something that fits?

I am aware that this works in the grand scheme of things since we have a variety of VOD services that could rival most standard cable TV packages – but I’m talking about the services being offered by one company, under one roof. What is the deal with Netflix? Wouldn’t it be helpful if they offered a third service that combined DVDs and streaming, even if that service was limited to, say, one standard package such as 1-2 discs per month plus unlimited streaming?

What are YOU all up to these days?