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Post by jcarr on Jul 30, 2011 7:56:43 GMT -8
Thanks for the birthday wishes! Our second cut of the test film and an extended trailer are now up for everyone to watch. I edited this version and brought it down to 85 minutes to speed up the story. The purpose of the test film is to exercise the story in live action to show its "feel." This will continue to evolve and lead to a refined sizzle reel to show investors what has already been achieved and what more can be done with as a full production. The latest test film is here: studios.amazon.com/movies/8591The test film soundtrack is here: www.facebook.com/#!/pages/American-Anthem-Test-Film-Soundtrack/114088605348327 You can listen to via streaming or download the songs. We have fourteen licensed songs from five indie or underground bands. Each band has a unique texture to its music and adds personality to the story. For example, The Martichora is exclusive to short track speed skating races because of their edgy, kick-in-the-gut style. Rose of Jericho is exclusive to romance because of their vocal and musical harmony. Through an independent project, Rose of Jericho will release a music video in a few weeks for 'Midnight Eyes,' which is featured in this soundtrack. The song 'Passion of my Life' from Perfect Hero, and 'Buried Cold,' 'Beautiful Machine,' 'Midnight Eyes,' 'Take Me Away,' and 'Wrong Side of the Sky' from Rose of Jericho are available through the Rock Band Network for play through Rock Band 3 on XBOX 360. We'll work on getting one available from The Martichora on the Rock Band Network in the coming months. Also, both bands have their music on Amazon.com. The latest script draft is here: studios.amazon.com/scripts/8590A remastered companion dialogue track is at the same location. Scroll down to the "Dialoge Tracks" section to listen or download. In all, including the voice actors, speed skaters, and musicians, we had 62 people from nine states, Canada, and Brazil work on this project. This is the only effort, independent or mainstream, within the entertainment industry to bring a fictional story about short track speed skaters to light as a major motion picture. Sincerely, John Carr Project Leader, Second Unit Director, and Writer American Anthem facebook.com/AmericanAnthem
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 30, 2011 9:33:03 GMT -8
Thanks, John - I'll be in a hotel room for the next week, and will probably have ample 'down-time'. It'll be the perfect time to watch the new version!
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Post by jcarr on Aug 31, 2011 12:46:58 GMT -8
Hello, The remastered test film can now be watched out on Amazon Studio's web site. studios.amazon.com/movies/9305I remastered audio and video, rearranged some scenes, and have a new introduction to the test film. This really only represents about 80% of the script since the group out in Portland aren't skaters nor had a budget. Rose of Jericho has a music video for the song 'Midnight Eyes' that's featured in this film. You can see it here: Though I didn't direct the test film, I did spend the month re-editing to get into the best shape possible. I hope someday I'll have the chance to show my true vision of the film. Until then, I believe this is as far as this story will go. Without backers, a producer or even a studio who would believe in it, this is the best I can do. I truly hope those who followed the project could see I carried this further than many thought it would go. I will always enjoy the sport and friends I made. If anything ever changes, you'll be the first to know. With all sincerity, John Carr
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Aug 31, 2011 20:03:12 GMT -8
Oh, John... Does this mean Amazon didn't pick up the film? I'm so sad about that - I really believed it would happen.
Thank you for all of the heart & soul that you put into short track and the cause of autism. From my experience, I believe that the people you've met in this sport will be friends for life - and PLEASE DO let us know if anything changes...
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Post by jcarr on Sept 1, 2011 8:28:10 GMT -8
Hi Laura,
I think learning the hard way, the industry is just steering away from sports films in general. I was told at one time speed skating just won't draw an audience. I still disagree with this.
For Amazon, they do believe people want to see movies about zombies fighting gladiators or "Sky Pirates."
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Post by sk8er on Sept 1, 2011 12:42:49 GMT -8
John all one can do is have vision, put everything you can into your dream, and see if the doors open. You have certainly done that, and who knows how you have touched people in the process. My experience is that what we plan and the eventual result are often different. Very best wishes to you and your family. I hope you have the opportunity to attend a sanctioned meet. if you have not already done so. The World Cup in Salt Lake City would be a great opportunity.
SusanG
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Post by jcarr on Sept 26, 2011 17:16:57 GMT -8
The latest test film edit is up if you want to see it. studios.amazon.com/movies/10025As we tell people, this isn't the real movie, but a mock-up of about 80% of the story. If we could ever get funding, we would use real skaters for the parts because you can't "fake" ST. I am in talks with a former competitive figure skater who did a real movie recently about lending her voice to another cut of a dialogue track and work on a three minute sizzle reel with her and, who knows, some real skaters. This figure skater would play the part of Hanna Stout, the figure skating sister of Eric. Seems almost like a perfect fit. More to come... We're trying!
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Post by jcarr on Oct 7, 2011 17:59:12 GMT -8
Former 'General Hospital' and 'Port Charles' actress Lisa Cerasoli joins the cast for a new dialogue track of 'American Anthem,' which is under construction. Lisa brings alot of talent to the project and will play the short track head coach in the dialogue track. Changes to the script are forthcoming to support this new character. www.imdb.com/name/nm0148453/In addition, Taylor Firth joins to play the part of HANNA STOUT, the figure skating sister of ERIC STOUT and love interest of BLAKE WILLIAMS. Taylor played figure skater ALEXIS WINSTON in the 2010 remake of 'Ice Castles.' www.imdb.com/title/tt1411276/Also, Taylor is one of the top female figure skaters in America and actually competed against Olympian Rachael Flatt a few years ago during the U.S. Championships. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_FirthBoth women have a fan base and add to the fan base of speed skaters and Rock Band Network fans. I am very thankful these women spent time with me, read the script, listened to the existing dialogue track, and especially watched the test film produced last winter. Both saw alot of effort was put into this project and wanted to be a part of this. Credit is always given to Karen and Mark for making the test film come together out there in Portland with the actors. Sincerely, John Carr
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Apr 11, 2012 20:39:54 GMT -8
John's still working hard to get this film into a theater near you - Here's another way you can show your support... register, then follow and rate the project! www.juntoboxfilms.com/projects/anthemTags: Short Track Speedskating
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Post by Laura (Lori) on Jul 3, 2012 2:16:15 GMT -8
'Looks like this may be gonna happen - thank you to actor Forest Whitaker! blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/more-details-on-next-2-releases-for-forest-whitakers-juntobox-filmsAs mentioned in Monday's Wrap-Up post on the LA Film Festival, JuntoBox Films, an online collaborative film studio co-chaired by Forest Whitaker, has announced the greelight of its next two films - Anthem and Sacrifice. At the JuntoBox greenlight event at L.A. Live on Sunday, Whitaker explained, “The JuntoBox community has curated an exceptional pool of talent and stories. While it was incredibly tough to narrow down the selection, we have greenlit two compelling stories, ANTHEM and SACRIFICE, that we feel will make outstanding additions to our roster.”
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