XLNT ADS AMAZING PITCH 2

Xlnt Ads had this great idea to have a contest to see if they could find a really great pitch or trailer for a web series. And guess who got a runner up prize?

Yup, that's right, MONSTER COPS.

Monster Cops got a $500.00 prize as well as the possiblity to get sponsors to help fund future episodes. Awesome. Really I was just aiming for the $500.00.

See the XLNT Ads blog about it.

Check out the Video that was submitted yourself.

Production Update

After months of toiling with it, rewrites, re-rewrites, and re-re-rewrites. The script is finalized and ready to shoot. I still have a ton of people to contact. If you were one of the people I talked to months ago and you haven't heard from me in a while, I apologize, but I will get back in touch with you soon and let you know what is what.

And can you believe it, I'm still casting, but that notice will be out soon enough. In the meantime, I've secured most of the main cast, and the ones that I've been accesible to (meaning the ones that live near me) I've been doing some rehearsing with, trying on the gear, just generally getting use to folks, getting them get use to eachother, and getting them use to myself. Here are a few pics of what's been going down.

The completed MKX300 Gun Prop.

Side shot of the completed prop.

Brandon holding the weapon, while wearing a costume I mistakenly thought was a good idea at the time.

The incomparable Greg Romeo, playing the part of Carl.

Greg and Brandon.

Greg Romeo, Chris Plouffe, Will Atwood, Danielle Motley, Brandon White. Most of the main cast.

And when I asked them to pose sexy, this was the result.

More later.

Monster Cops Vlog 020908

Visual FX Test 2808

Gunfights are mandatory in Monster Cops. But good gunfights are a requirement. In all honesty you can't beat the real thing. And when I say real thing I actually mean blank firing guns. I've used them in the past and they are just amazing. I am fascinated by the use of prop nonfiring guns and then later compositing gun fire over the footage, but with blank guns you get the same realism you'd get with the real thing. The smoke, the blowback, the shell ejecting, and just that overall feel and sound.

However I do have to run tests to look at my options, because putting the gun effects in after the footage has been shot costs me nothing. Now I do have blank guns, but some of these scenes call for more than one gun firing within a shot. So here I am testing it out, gun flash composites, nightvision filter, I even threw in a neat little blast just for the heck of it. Let's see the 20 second test shall we.



So what do I think. I think it's rather neato to watch, but I still think it's not up to par for what I want. First of all I haven't put in the shells being ejected and for me that's a big minus. I like to see the actual action on the gun and the shells pop out with each shot. I think some of the flashes look fine, but too long on the shots and they look too produced. The gun sounds are fine, seeing as how I recorded them myself from real guns. I like the nightvision, should fit in fine with our other nightvision footage. The blast really sucks. Heck I'm looking for perfection here and I haven't found it. However some of this in small spurts cut in with the actual blank firing gun footage should do fine. Vince DeNiro I wish I could afford ya. Perhaps when we do the feature.

In other news I'm actually finished with casting for this episode, but if you were looking to be cast, not to worry, I've got so many great resources and people now that I've just got to do 2 or 3 more, so I'm actually still casting for two more Monster Cops shorts. But more on that later.

Video blog coming up on locations, fx, casting, rehearsals, and all of the behind the scenes goodness that is Monster Cops.

Monster Cops Video Blog 011808

Working it.

Figured I'd post some pics of what's been going down for the past month or so. Next I'll post the first Monster Cops Video Blog.

I'm still in the middle of casting, but below are pics of some of the actors that have for sure been cast.

Brandon White, showing off in one of the new costume pieces.


The Adorable Nicole Nastazzio


Comedian Greg Romeo


Doug Hanks, who is also loaning us the use of his guns as well as gun expertise and a location to fire these guns at. Thank you so much Doug.


Danielle Motley has been cast in the much sought after role of Greenly. Yes Danielle I'm using your headshot, and yes I stole it off your myspace, get over it.

And if you're one of the many actors who were looking to audition for the role of Greenly I'm sorry, but I am still actively looking to fill other female roles and will continue to keep in contact with all of the actors who have been emailing me.

Others cast but not pictured:
John Burcham
Lisa Molenda
Will Atwood
Jamie Bertman
more to come.

Secured almost all of the locations. Special thanks to Kelly Emerson for giving us her ranch to shoot at, which has an amazing backwoods area. She also put me in touch with the person who can get us in to shoot at this massive warehouse in downtown Winston.


Kelly's been a real Godsend, she's also contributing some possible props/costumes as well as giving us an in to a Helicopter.

I've been hard at work at creating one of the prop guns for the movie. I felt the Monster Cops needed a specialized weapon, not unlike the Ghostbusters proton pack, or the Plasma Rifle from Aliens. I took my inspiration from Indy Mogul. Everytime I see empty bottles now, I just see gun parts. A full video on how I'm making this will be done later.



Here it is with a final paint job, but still without the final parts and accessories added.


Here's our Special FX guy William Stine working on the Werewolf FX. I'm not going to post too many photos of it just yet, don't want to completely give it away. William you're doing an amazing job.





Still going through casting, still looking at locations, alot is still up in the air, but so much has fallen into place. Can't wait to shoot this one.

Monster Cops Screening in Oregon

Just when I thought we were all done with screenings, here comes another one. Yay!!!

FILM: "Midnight Special"
WHEN: Friday, February 01 10:00 AM
WHERE: Norhtern Lights Theatre Pub
3893 Commercial St. SE
Salem, Oregon 97302
HOSTED BY: Mid-Valley Video Festival
TICKET PRICE: $3

RSVP via the following link:
http://monstercops.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/10167

Update 12/20/07

Things are looking good. Cast a few parts, but still need to cast many more. Honestly I think casting may very well go into february and I'm still getting plenty of headshots and resumes.

Achieved quite a bit so far, and if all works out we'll have some amazing footage coming up. I really can't wait.

I've got special fx tests this week, and then it's a break for a week through christmas. Maybe even through New Years, but come January it's full steam ahead.

Merry Christmas everybody. And a kick ass New Year.

- P

Still Sorting

Still sorting through details. Still getting more headshots and resumes, and plenty of people offering much help and resources. Not complaining. If you still want to submit a pic, resume, or just want to offer help feel free to respond to this post or to the crew/casting email I've been putting out.

I know I have to keep in mind the weather and the coming holidays, so it's going to be much to juggle, but I am excited to do so.

More later.

- Patrick

Production Update

Thanks to everyone who sent in their pictures and resumes and links to their work. Got sooooo many responses, so much more than I was really expecting. There is much to sort through and many details I have to work out, so bare with me if you haven't heard from me just yet. I'm going to hold auditions, but I don't know if it will even be within this or next month. So many more details I have to juggle than first expected, but I am happy to have so many offers of help.

I'll keep posting updates on what's what here. Just so everyone knows, the actual productions are going to be as follows. We will do one Monster Cops short which will not be paying and then a Monster Cops feature which will be paying. I will be utilizing the short as a way to kind of get to know what people and resources I can use for the feature as well as another example of something to show investors and sponsors for the feature.

Again thank you to everyone and I hope to speak to many of you soon.

- Patrick

Cast And Crew Call

Winston Salem/Triad Area, NC.

Local Indie Short Film Series MONSTER COPS
Seeking Cast and Crew.

Monster Cops is a short series based off the Cult Comedy Horror Flick MONSTER COPS: THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, currently on DVD. http://imdb.com/title/tt1031258/

It's a mockumentary look into a secret government agency dedicated to hunting down monsters. It's Reno 911 meets Blair Witch. The Office meets Ghostbusters.

Looking for anyone interested in helping out as part of the cast or crew. Shooting in and around the Winston Salem, NC area. Experience is favorable but not required. Your first time out? No prob. We need as many people as we can get. We'll show you what needs to be done.

CAST:

Major Roles that still need to be filled are as follows:

GREENLY - Female. 20-30 years of age. Talkative psychic, very naive, yet suprisingly intuitive.
WEIR - Male. 20-30 years of age. Rookie Officer. Young but very much a soldier. Comedic Role.
JONES - Male 20-30 years of age. Detective. Wise Guy. Eats alot of donuts.
MILLER - MALE 20-30 years of age. Soldier type. Gets to fire off alot of bullets.
MACREADY - Male 20-30 years of age. Tough guy, Cop, Always handy with the one liners.
WEREWOLF - Male. Need a fairly tall, agile, well built, individual who won't mind running around, in a fur suit, snarling at people.

Also need any males or females interested in playing Police Officers, Military, SWAT, and Soldier type roles. Must be familiar with firearms or at least know how to hold a gun. Military or Police experience a plus. If you're a Paintballer, great.

Also looking to fill monster roles. Anyone interested in playing Vampires or Zombies, we're going to need a bunch of them. May require you to get a little messy, crawl on the ground, get blood or guts on you, and or fall over onto a mattress after your head has been blown off. Moaning, screaming, or hissing, may be required of you as well.

CREW:
We're looking for gaffers, grips, people to help pull cords, hold lights, as well as assist in some of the special fx sequences. No previous experience required. We'll tell you where to stand and what string to pull.

Make up artists. There will be much zombie and vampire make up to apply. Some previous experience in basic stage make up would be great.

Sound person. We need someone to help record sound on set.

No pay, as yet. Full credit and copy of final work, and we'll feed you. I swear you won't regret being a part of this production.

Contact Patrick at pumpkinking13@msn.com
If you've got a headshot and resume, feel free to email it to me.

Find out more about Monster Cops at http://MONSTERCOPS.COM

Monster Cops Shorts

It's official. I'll be working on producing at least 3 episodes of Monster Cops The Web Series. I'm calling it a Web Series because that's mainly where I'll be showcasing the episodes, but there are other places these "shorts" will be seen. Short Film and Horror Fests, Screenings, Cons, and most definitely will be available on DVD after it's initial run online and in a few screenings.

The episodes will range from 5 minutes to 15 minutes and will show case more of the horror, blood, monsters, action, and sci-fi along with the comedy/drama already displayed in The Midnight Special. This is my chance to really display the true vision I have in mind for this project/franchise. I'm aiming for 3 episodes but I hope to do 5 or 6. I can't do this completely no-budget, so some fundraising will be in order. More on the fundraising later and how everyone can help.

I'll be shooting in North Carolina, because that's where I'm at right now. So far the local community around here has been very helpful and there are some really great locations around here. Hopefully we can get a few things shot in Texas as well as other parts of the south. Like I said before, more monsters and blood. Gotta satisfy the horror fan in me, but this will have that comedy mixed in with that reality tv cops like feel. I'll be utilizing the tons of footage leftover from The Midnight Special as well as shooting many many new scenes here. I hope to explore more of the tactical and military aspects of the agency.

So if you're in the Triad area (Winston/Greensboro/High Point) and surrounding areas, and you can contribute props or vehicles (military/police), or would like to be an officer (or monster), or just want to help out behind the scenes, then by all means please contact me through the Monster Cops Myspace Profile.

I'll be needing all the help I can get and then some, so I'll be calling in all favors for this one.

Updates on this later.

- Patrick

I'm alive

We went through alot last year, and in some ways we're still going through it. I didn't make the top 10 on Our Stage, and I can bitch and moan about production work and having to start from scratch, or how I don't have this or that, or whatever.

The truth is my home and city was not taken away from me by a Hurricane. The truth is I am not living in poverty. The truth is my loved ones are safe and for the most part happy. The truth is I don't have to spend everyday worrying about stepping on a land mine on my way to school, or worry about a car bomb going off in my neighborhood. I am not trapped in a mine nor do I have loved ones who are trapped in mines. I didn't lose anyone to a school shooting. I didn't lose anyone to a bridge collapse. I haven't lost my job (yet) and I'm not in danger of losing my job, and I don't have to spend every waking moment worrying about how to provide for my family, at least not in that way. I'm not stuck in a desert fighting a war. I don't have cancer or diabetes (that I know of.)

My wife, myself and my family can mourn the loss of a loved one to Cancer. It kills me to see my wife in pain when she cries about how much she misses her mother. But the truth is, as sad as it all is, Brenda has moved on, she is free from her pain. There are many out there who are in the middle of the process still. They're loved ones still in pain, the family still suffering watching a parent or child suffer from a disease or medical emergency. There are some people who don't get to mourn. Just as sad, there are families out there who are missing loved ones, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, not knowing where they are. The thousands of people, children that go missing without a trace, and the families nowhere near to closure.

For the most part I am alive, breathing, healthy. I have a roof over my head and although I can very easily (and often do) complain about what I don't have and what I might need, I do have all my limbs. I have a head on my shoulders and a brain in my head and I have all that I need to achieve the things that I don't. I have friends who care, a family that loves me, and a wife I can come home to. I have a car that may not have air conditioning that works very well, but at least I can drive it to a job I may not like, but at least I have. All my family and friends are accounted for. And life in general is not as bad as it may seem sometimes.

I can complain about whatever, but there are so many more people on this earth that have it way worse than me. I thank God for where I'm at now and what I have achieved, and although I have my problems to worry about, at least I can say that I like the problems that I have. I'd rather be worrying about how to make my next movie, than how I'm going to survive a dreaded disease, or if I'm even going to survive the next day. I have so many chances and opportunities that others do not, and I am thankful for all of it.

To the men and women serving for our freedom overseas and everywhere. To the Cops, the officers, the paramedics, the firemen. To the victims of Katrina in Louisiana and Mississippi and all those affected by it even two years after. To all those suffering due to disaster or weather throughout the south, the midwest, and everywhere else. To the vicims and victim's families in Utah, Virginia, and Minneapolis. To all those suffering from tragic events, murder, suicide, rape, crime. To all those fighting for their lives and the lives of others. To all those working to make a difference in the face of disaster and suffering. To my country, to the world all over, and all of us now existing, trying, living, and overcoming disease, opression, racism, corruption, and the pain that comes with just being a humanbeing. My heart and my prayers and every bit of positivity I can muster I send to you all everywhere no matter where you are.

And to the powers that be and the Universe in general, I thank you for my life and my problems. And although I do complain at times, I am also grateful just for the fact that I am alive to do so. Thank you for it all and bring help and support to those who need it so much more than I.


BARTLET
Give me numbers.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
I don't know numbers. You give them to me.

BARTLET
How about a child born this minute has one in five chance of being born into
poverty?

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How many Americans don't have health insurance?

BARTLET
44 million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
What's the number one cause of death for black men under 35?

BARTLET
Homicide.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How many Americans are behind bars?

BARTLET
Three million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
How many Americans are drug addicts?

BARTLET
Five million.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
And one of five kids in poverty?

BARTLET
That's 13 million American children. 3.5 million kids go to schools that are literally falling apart. We need 127 billion in school construction, and we need it today!

MRS. LANDINGHAM
To say nothing of the 53 people trapped in the embassy.

BARTLET
Yes.

MRS. LANDINGHAM
You know, if you don't want to run again, I respect that. [stands up] But if you don't run 'cause you think it's gonna be too hard or you think you're gonna lose - well, God, Jed, I don't even want to know you.

Mrs. Landingham walks out and gently closes the Oval Office door behind her.

THE WEST WING
Season 2, Episode 22 "TWO CATHEDRALS"
WRITTEN BY AARON SORKIN
DIRECTED BY THOMAS SCHLAMME

- Patrick A. Prejusa