Jul 10, 2015
(Cast and Crew of “Why I Murdered My Roomate” on set at The Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center. L to R: Robert Swedenhjelm (Sound), Seth Tyler Black (Props), Don Burns (DP), Lou Tomani (PA), Tilke Hill (Lead – EZ), Tate Ammons (Lead – Franklin). Photo by Michael W. Thomas)
(July 10th, 2015) Fractured Atlas presents the pilot episode screening of a half-hour dark comedy series, ‘Why I Murdered My Roommate.’ Featuring a cast and crew from Los Angeles, New York City and the Buffalo-Niagara region, the series tells the story of a woman named ‘EZ’ (Tilke Hill), a renegade performance artist on the run from the law. Cast members include Tilke Hill, Nicole Dionne, Dorian Electra, Tate Ammons, Kim Piazza, Margo Davis and Gary Brice. The series pilot was directed by Michael Pauly.
The screening will be held at 12:00 pm on Sunday, September
27 at the North Park Theatre located at 1428 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216.
After screening the episode, there will be a Q&A with cast and crew.
Tickets to to event are available online at
www.whyimurderedmyroommate.com
and include exclusive access to the After-Party.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the ‘Why I Murdered My Roommate’ production.
For further information and to view a trailer, visit:
www.whyimurderedmyroommate.com
May 28, 2015
PICTURED – Kevin Sizemore on set at McCarthy’s in Buffalo’s Old First Ward. CREDIT: Trew Calling Facebook Page
(May 28th, 2015) S&G Entertainment in association with NDstudios have started initial production of Trew Calling a comedic feature film starring Kevin Sizemore, Tracey B. Wilson, Brooke Elliott and Lee Meriwether. Amherst, NY local Greg Robbins directs this film.
Trew Calling is the story of a woman (Trew played by Tracey B. Wilson) gets a visit by the Almighty, who asks her to write down everything he says.
Robbins’ called on several Hollywood veteran actors to tell this story led by Kevin Sizemore who has portrayed many memorable characters from Resurrection, Under the Dome, Stalker, NCIS, 24, Rizzoli & Isles, Drop Dead Diva. Sizemore also stars along side Jon Voight and Sean Astin in the movie Woodlawn being released in theaters nationwide by Universal Pictures 2016. In the lead female slot is Tracey B. Wilson; this former Guiding Light and All My Children star has been called both “a dramatic actor with a flair for comedy,” and “a quirky comedic actress with a keen understanding of the dramatic.” She will be bringing her versatility to this comedic role opposite Sizemore.
When offered the lead male role Sizemore stated, “There’s no way I’m turning down a role written this well.”
The cast and crew of Trew Calling celebrate the closing of week one outside the set at WECK Radio in Cheektowaga.
Through the casting process Robbins’ associate Kimber Eastwood found actress/comedian Tracey B Wilson and when Wilson was offered the role Robbins and Eastwood discovered she is a native of Orchard Park, NY.
Wilson say’s “So excited to be coming back to Buffalo and be a part of such a hilarious and heartwarming film.”
Also joining the cast is Brooke Elliot star of Drop Dead Diva, Eddie Mekka a Tony nominated actor best known as The Big Ragu on Lavern & Shirley and Hollywood film and TV legend Ms. Lee Meriwether.
The Trew Calling production runs from May 26 through June 19; the entire production is being produced in Western New York with Buffalo based production crew provided by NDStudios and several roles played by Buffalo based actors.
IMDB listing: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4449516/ Web Site: http://trewcalling.com
May 18, 2015
(May 18th, 2015) This past Sunday at 6am saw the official wrap of 2nd unit stunt photography for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II on the Kensington Expressway in Buffalo. Legendary Stunt Director Spiro Razatos (Captain America, Back to the Future) spent 12 nights filming various stunt sequences which will make up the the first major action sequence in the film. The Buffalo Niagara Film Office orchestrated the cooperation of the New York State Department of Transportation and the City of Buffalo for Paramount Pictures to close both inbound and outbound lanes of the 33 from Elm Street to the 198 ramp from 7pm to 6am to allow for the filming.
Helicopters, Motorcycles, and a specially outfitted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle garbage truck all played into the elaborate sequences filmed on the 33.
Buffalo Mayor Byron brown addresses press from the set along with NYS Senator Tim Kennedy and MPAA Chairman and former US Senator Chris Dodd.
Over 250 crew members worked on this project which will create an estimated 7 Million dollars plus in local economic spend according to Empire State Development. “After two weeks of car chases, explosions and wild helicopter rides, the Turtles’ exciting shoot in Buffalo has officially wrapped,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “Thanks to the Film Production Tax Credit Program, and the ten percent expansion on labor expenses for upstate productions, TMNT 2 has contributed millions of dollars to New York State’s economy. In just two short weeks, next summer’s blockbuster provided a tangible boost to Buffalo’s businesses and raised the city’s profile as a great place to shoot a major action movie.
Apr 9, 2015
(April 9th, 2015) Michael Madsen and Larry Bishop return to the Buffalo Niagara International Film Festival which starts this Friday starting at 6:30 at the Tonawanda Castle. They will be in attendance for a special engagement of the Quentin Tarantino presented Hellride, in which they starred at 1:45 pm at The Adam’s Mark Hotel on April 14th. Larry Bishop wrote and directed this biker classic which also featured the original easy rider Dennis Hopper.
Many more screenings and symposium information can be found at Buffalo Niagara International Film Festival Website or call 716-693-0912.
Mar 21, 2015
(March 20th, 2015) Empire State Development today announced that Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 has chosen to film in New York State, in New York City and Buffalo. The sequel to last summer’s blockbuster TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is expected to spend an estimated $70 million statewide, resulting in more than 1,000 New York State jobs.
“New York has cemented its role as the top destination for productions from across the nation due to the plethora of talent, resources and locations that we have to offer,” Governor Cuomo said. “The production of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 will generate new jobs and economic activity from Buffalo to Brooklyn, which is great news for our local communities and fans of the franchise.”
“From production assistants to work behind the cameras to textiles and lumber for set design to local restaurants to feed crew members, New York City knows how to host block-buster films,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We welcome TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 to New York City, and look forward to the many jobs and millions of dollars this will bring to our local economy.”
“The Ninja Turtle movie will bring an economic boost to the City of Buffalo,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. “The movie crew will be staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and hiring local people to be part of the production team. We look forward to seeing the Queen City highlighted in this sequel to the original blockbuster.”
“Thanks to the State’s strengthened and enhanced Film Production Tax Credit Program, the Turtles are grabbing their longboards and heading back to New York State,” said Empire State Development Acting President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “There is no place like New York when it comes to making blockbuster movies, which require diverse locations and ample resources – and the Big Apple and Queen City deliver both in a big way. By shooting the second installment of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles here in New York, the production team is getting a world-class environment and unrivaled workforce, while Buffalo and New York will see millions of dollars invested and more than 1,000 New Yorkers put to work.”
Principal photography is slated to begin in late April in New York City, with scenes taking place at Marcy Armory in Williamsburg and other locations throughout the city. Overall filming will continue throughout the summer.
Production is expected to commence in Buffalo in early May for two weeks. The production expects to spend approximately $7 million in Buffalo, while investing extensively in local equipment rentals, including trucks and generators.
“Our office has been working discreetly with Paramount Pictures for several months to solidify this production for Buffalo.” said Buffalo Niagara Film Commissioner Tim Clark. “We’d like to thank Mayor Byron Brown for his commitment to this project. In his recent state of the city address the Mayor reaffirmed his support for the film industry, and with TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, he and his department heads have delivered on that support.” Clark also noted how the professional crew base in Western New York has expanded it’s proficiency with numerous recent feature film projects. “This made the decision to come to Buffalo an easy one for the Paramount production team.” Clark added
“Shooting TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES in New York State was a wonderful experience so we are thrilled to be returning to make the sequel,” said Lee Rosenthal, President, Physical Production at Paramount Pictures. “We are thankful for New York’s continued generous support and hospitality and look forward to another successful collaboration.”
Many major film productions have touted New York State’s Film Production Tax Credit Program as a major factor when choosing the Empire State as the location to film. Since 2004, 1,169 film and television projects have participated in the program and are estimated to have generated more than 871,000 new hires and over $17.3 billion in new spending in New York State. In 2014 alone, 194 film and television projects applied for the program and are projected to spend approximately $2.6 billion while hiring more than 162,500 individuals in New York State.
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 is directed by David Green. Michael Bay is producing alongside his Platinum Dunes partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller, with Galen Walker and Scott Mednick also producing. Josh Appelbaum & André Nemec are writing and will executive produce with Denis Stewart.
The film will be released by Paramount Pictures on June 3, 2016.
