Well Tailored Films

The Mathematics of Love

2011-10-13T19:22:00.001-07:00

So, if you're reading a blog written by me, you're probably aware of a couple of things. Firstly, that I work with a filmmaker named Yen Tan. Secondly, that Yen is extremely talented. And lastly, but most importantly (at least right now), that Yen is putting together funding for a new feature film. His third full-length feature as director (well, fourth, if you count his sweet segment from the anthology film, DEADROOM). Anyway, like most of us these days, Yen is raising a portion of his production budget via internet donations. I'll drop a link a bit later to where you're inevitably going to want to go donate. But for now, I'd like to focus on his previous film, CIAO. I think it really speaks to why Yen is an important filmmaker in a way my words cannot properly describe.

So, being a (or 'the') token straight on the gay festival circuit over the last few years (my movie EARTHLING has lesbians in it), I've noticed a few trends. There's pretty much a formula or mold that the vast majority of GLBTQ (I always get that wrong, so forgive me) films fall into. There's, for sure, many provocative and thought provoking documentaries. Powerful stuff of the STONEWALL ilk. There's also straight-friendly "fun" docs like BEAR NATION or PAGEANT. I think every festival CIAO traveled to was showing PAGEANT at the time. Docs seem to get the better end of the deal when it comes to content on the gay festival circuit. Narratives are another story altogether. I think in general (and I'm not purporting to be an expert by any means, so please don't take offense) the narratives tend to pull their punches quite a bit. I've seen some great ones. What I've so far seen of Kyle Henry's FOURPLAY, for example, is really quite amazing (and another time I'll talk about how fantastic Jonathan Lisecki's GAYBY is gonna be). But so many of the others are just light romantic comedies (and that's putting it rather nicely. They're more of sex romps) or "party time" ensemble wacky comedies. If you've been to many a GLBTQ fest, you'll know exactly what I mean. And yes, I'm well aware of WEEKEND.

Regardless of content, there is one thing missing from the majority of gay themed films I've seen. It's a defining characteristic. And by that, I mean, the films LACK a certain something that DEFINES them as anything beyond niche entertainment. I see gay filmmakers who define gay films as a genre unto itself. And perhaps that's completely valid. I'm probably not really qualified to weigh in on that. However, in any genre, there is a defining characteristic. Be it horror, sci-fi, whatever. And to me, sexual orientation alone is not a qualifier. And before you get mad, let me qualify my qualifier. In reality... In the REAL WORLD, I absolutely believe that sexual orientation is, or can be, a very defining characteristic. And it SHOULD be in film. But more often than not, I see gay films in which the characters may as well be straight, as the relationships seem to just be ported over from standard Hollywood fare. It's almost like that trend in action films, where you just give the male action star boobs and a sexy name and suddenly BOOM! You have a "female driven" actioneer. Well, we all know that's horse crap.

So now we come to CIAO. And I think it's a major revelation. And one that should be cherished by anyone involved in the promoting of gay cinema as its own genre. CIAO is a beautiful film. It's amazingly well composed. It has the pace of a poet. And the acting produces tears every damn time. But none of these qualities have anything to do with why I feel this ONE film has so much to say for gay cinema. The importance of CIAO, in my humble opinion, hides inside some very simple mathematics. It's an equation. But it's DEFINING by its uniqueness. The math validates the genre by the very existence of an equation that would be completely absent elsewhere.

Now, I have to give you a little story background on the film. This doesn't need a "spoiler alert" as there is a beautiful inevitability about the story which transcends lesser films' goofy reveals in the third act. Anyhow, so CIAO surrounds three characters. It is a love story. And like most great love stories, this one involves a love triangle. But this is a very special Isosceles. It CANNOT exist in straight cinema. This is pure math, folks. So, we first meet Jeff. Jeff learns that his best friend Mark has been killed in a car accident. It's not long before we realize that Jeff fostered a life-defining unrequited love for Mark. Mark did not reciprocate, so Jeff took what he could get. And that was friendship. We see how deep this friendship went as Jeff makes the rounds, dealing with Mark's family much in the manner a husband or life-long lover might. And once we know exactly where Jeff's head is, we're introduced to Andrea. And we meet him over the internet. Through his messages to Mark. Jeff is so entangled in Mark's affairs, he's innocently set about responding to Mark's emails. Letting friends and other acquaintances know of his fate. And it's here, in Mark's inbox, that he discovers Andrea.

It seems Andrea and Mark had been fostering an internet romance. They'd exchanged the words Jeff only dreamt about exchanging with his dead friend. And part of the missives between the long distance lovers was a plan for Andrea (who lives in Italy, of course) to visit Mark in America. In fact, Andrea has tickets already! After the initial shock Jeff feels at discovering his best friend's essentially secret life, he decides to do the right thing and responds to Andrea. To tell him what happened. Initially, it's to give the man an opportunity to cancel his trip, but as they talk, it's eventually decided that maybe he should go ahead and visit. In essence, to pay his respects. And it's in this exchange that Jeff finds (maybe not fully consciously at first) his way to vicariously decipher Mark's love.

You probably already know where this is headed. Which, by the way, is one of the magical properties of the movie. It's the inevitability that draws you in. Yes, Andrea comes to visit. Yes, he and Jeff get close. Yes, there is something more than mere friendship there. But everything that happens between them, every beat, is hinged on the ghost of Mark. Now, here's where we get into the Algebraic portion of this essay.

If this were a straight film, we'd have a boy and a girl. It really doesn't matter which one of them meets a tragic fate. So let's say it's the girl. The girl dies. The boy was her unrequited love. He does everything Jeff does. And he finds the email. But in this version, since the characters are straight, the girl's Italian internet love is a man. You see the breakdown, right? Let's even say this Italian man comes to visit our boy protagonist. Let's say they bond in some platonic manner over our dead girl. Let's say all of that. But what then? Well, Mr. Italy goes home. Because our characters are straight. And we're making a HUGE leap that jealousy traps do not sully the mix previous to this. A HUGE leap. But when a three-way attraction is involved, things get tricky, and far more interesting. CIAO simply could not exist as a straight film. And although Andrea is a very attractive man, the core attraction between these two men is NOT physical. It's Mark. It's Jeff, able to feel what loving Mark is like by allowing himself to fall into something with Andrea. It's Andrea seeing Mark through the eyes of the man who loved him the most. More than Andrea ever had the opportunity to love him. And it's the mental love-child of these to storm systems converging that provides all the electricity in the narrative.

CIAO is a defining gay film. I'll say it again. It's a genre film that defines, in exact terms, the amazing possibilities of this burgeoning genre. It's a new narrative. I mean, yes, it's a love story and love stories are age-old. But it's also something unique. I feel at this point that I'm just rambling. I made my point at least a paragraph ago. But, yes, it is an important movie. Yen Tan makes important movies. He's about to make another one. It's called PIT STOP. And although it doesn't have the 'SAT question' love triangle of CIAO, it follows many of Yen's themes and interests. His interest are people. People in situations defined by 'the genre.' And Yen never goes for the cheap. I remember my jaded brain's first response to CIAO was, "at least the dead guy didn't die of AIDS." And sure, that makes me an asshole. But it's also important in that Yen wants you to focus on the characters, NOT the politics. Yen's stance is political by default since he's an "OUT" filmmaker. But he's not hiding behind the easy. He's not making the gay equivalent of the Jewish Holocaust film (and jeez, please don't take that out of context. Besides, I'm technically Jewish, so screw you if you do). Yen is saying, "I'm a gay filmmaker. I want to tell regular stories about regular people, who happen to be gay." But he's also making movies that are specially significant in that they utilize every tool in the genre's toolkit. Horror films have their own tools. So do SciFi films. We know what they are. I don't need to rehash them here. And now, because of filmmakers like Yen, we officially know EXACTLY WHAT TOOLS are in the toolbox for gay cinema. It's a matter of definition. It's a matter of math.

I'm not the most eloquent guy. Yen is far more well spoken on his donation page. You should check it out and consider donating a few bucks to get PIT STOP off the ground.

I hyper linked the website above. But it's also here:

http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/project/pit_stop

EARTHLING came out on VOD this week!

2011-09-17T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time coming, but my second feature film, EARTHLING (starring Rebecca Spence, Matt Socia and Amelia Turner) just came out on pretty much every online video-on-demand platform. Basically everything with a joystick or a streaming web address.

Here's a link to Film Buff's (our distributor) page for the film. Links to available rental/purchase platforms contained within.

Now I'm just overdoing it...

2011-07-17T19:29:00.001-07:00

This is all in the name of doing right by you, the three people who read my blog. What can I say? I'm a man of the people.

'Wuss' (SXSW 2011) from Devin Pike on Vimeo.

And this one...

Gordonandthewhale.com Interview

Here's a WUSS video interview!

2011-07-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

Fresh outta SxSW a mere four months late! My fault, not theirs! I was sooooo blitzed during this interview. When I get drunk I get even more long winded and hand-talky than usual.

Clay Liford (Wuss) | SXSW 2011 Interview from Smells Like Screen Spirit on Vimeo.

Anybody wanna listen to an audio interview about WUSS?

2011-07-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

Uh, um, anyone? Anyone???

Come on! The interviewer has a British accent for fraggle's sake!

Fancy Pants Britishy Interview Clicky The Link!

Holy Crap! How long has it been!?!

2011-07-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Well, we've been together for so long, maybe I take you for granted sometimes. I'm gonna make it up to ya, baby. Swears it!

Anyway, I've been on the road with EARTHLING, as it does it's small theatrical run all over America (and some cool foreign spots like Brazil). And we're doing the festival run with my new feature, WUSS. Assuming if you're reading this, you already know about it, but here's the trailer anyhow...

WUSS Trailer Short from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

So, EARTHLING comes out on iTunes in September. Check our website for future theatrical playdates and release info...

http://thetexastheatre.com/home/aviation-cinemas-releasing/

I'll be back again soon, baby. I miss us. I really do.

Why does it seem like I'm the last person to link this...?

2010-04-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

Because I probably am. Anyhow, better late than never. Here's the first "full" trailer for EARTHLING. Hot off its SxSW premiere and Dallas International playdates. Maryland Film Festival, Santa Cruz and London Sci Fi are right around the corner.

EARTHLING trailer from Barak Epstein on Vimeo.

Sorry So Sloppy!

2010-04-07T06:28:00.001-07:00

Hey! I've totally neglected this thing for like, I can't even remember how long! I'm going to make sure to update it more frequently in the coming months. Films have been blowin' up all over.

We got back from Sundance with My Mom Smokes Weed, only to have to prep Earthling for it's SxSW premiere. Then immediately after that, MMSW went to Method Fest in LA, with Sarasota and Florida Film Fests following right after.

Earthling will make its hometown debut at the Dallas International Film Festival this weekend, with many more fests to come right after that.

I'll put announcements and links and whatever up here soon!

Also, my next feature is fully financed and set to go this Summer! It's a comedy starring Nate Rubin (from My Mom Smokes Weed) and follows the misadventures of a high school English teacher who's beaten up by one of his own 15 year old students and can't live it down!

Anyway, TTFN and I'll post more soon, I swear!

EARTHLING Trailer #2: "JUDITH"

2010-02-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

EARTHLING to WORLD PREMIERE at SxSW 2010

2010-02-09T19:36:00.001-08:00

The Interviews Start Pouring In! PART 2

2010-02-02T09:55:00.001-08:00

Here's one with Indiegogo!

6Q with My Mom Smokes Weed (Sundance 2010) from GoGoDanae on Vimeo.

The Interviews Start Pouring In! PART 1

2010-02-02T09:54:00.001-08:00

Gordon and the Whale Video Interview!

Sundance Tomorrow!

2010-01-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

Nate and I head out for Park Cities tomorrow, to be joined shortly after by Yen, Adam, Ellen and tons of other Texans (Lovers of Hate peeps, etc).

I'll be updating my facebook and twitter accounts (links on the right tab of the blog homepage) as interesting things happen. There are definitely some cool things in the works!

My Mom Smokes Weed begins it's Sundance screenings on Friday. Here are the screening times!

Friday, January 22, 9:00 a.m.
Yarrow Hotel Theatre 1, Park City

Saturday, January 23, 11:30 a.m.
Prospector Square Theatre, Park City

Sunday, January 24, 12:45 p.m.
Broadway Centre Cinemas V, SLC

Thursday, January 28, 11:30 p.m.
Holiday Village Cinema III, Park City

Saturday, January 30, 9:00 p.m.
Tower Theatre, SLC

Sunday, January 31, 11:30 a.m.
Holiday Village Cinema IV, Park City

MY MOM SMOKES WEED TRAILER #2

2009-12-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

MY MOM SMOKES WEED TRAILER 2 from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

We're Enticing! (apparently)

2009-12-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

According to Cinematical, MY MOM SMOKES WEED is one of the 10 most enticing short films of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival! I guess a rose by any other name...

Trying hard not to dookie a shooter!

2009-12-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

So, it's now part of the public record. MY MOM SMOKES WEED is an official selection of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

This news comes on the tail of several other amazing acceptance notices. Bryan Poyser's fantastic feature film, LOVERS OF HATE, is one of the 16 films in the narrative competition. As well as being a friend and fellow Texan, LOH also stars Chris Doubeck (also in EARTHLING) and was shot by David Lowery (who co-shot MY MOM SMOKES WEED).

The Zellners also have a new short in the festival. FIDDLESTIXX, which played with MMSW at Cinevegas. And my good pal Don Lewis co-produced a feature playing Park Cities at Midnite. THE VIOLENT KIND. Can't wait to check it out!

Also, the Duplass Brothers have their latest film (starring John C. Reiley) premiering. Pretty amazing. A big gaggle of UT alums tossing snow balls around in January!

Texas and friends of Texas will be well represented.

More to come!

AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL THIS WEEK!

2009-10-21T08:33:00.001-07:00

In Austin this week for several reasons. First off, I decided I needed just one more teeny tiny scene for EARTHLING. This one involving just one actor...Amelia Turner (who happens to reside in Austin). Shot it within hours of arrving in town. Went fantastically well, thanks to additional support from friends Kim Hall and Jason Wehling.

EARTHLING screens tonight for it's first audience (larger than one) at the Austin Film Society screening room. The event is largely utilized for gathering feedback as I close-in on my final edit. Bryan Poyser is our gracious host. Event details are here...

https://www.austinfilm.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=964

The remaining HUGE reason I'm in Austin is because I have a film playing at the Austin Film Festival. Yes, MY MOM SMOKES WEED makes its regional premiere this week at AFF. Can't wait to see it with an Austin crowd!

Event details are here...

http://aff.bside.com/2009/films/mymomsmokesweed_clayliford_aff2009

I'm in Austin through Sunday, so if you're in the ATX and wanna hang, shoot me a line.

I return to Dallas Sunday, and the following day I begin shooting my next feature film as Director of Photography. The film is called MINUTEMAN, and it's a sci-fi action'er.

Should be a fun deal!

TTFN!

Hell has officially frozen over...

2009-09-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

So, I really never thought I'd be typing this sentence, but A FOUR COURSE MEAL (my first feature film as writer/director) is finally coming out on dvd.

The North American release date is 12-22-09. Just in time for Christmas! Nothing says "Happy Jesus Day" like the gift of an unrated horror-comedy anthology film!

The fine folks at R Squared films are doing it up right too. There's the 16x9 film, trailers, 30 minutes of deleted scenes (I know. That's a lot for a 90 minute film!) and a brand new audio commentary.

You can check out the site HERE!

The dvd will be available through most online and several retail outlets. More details as D-Day approaches.

Yay! Internet!

2009-09-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

So, after being without internet while shooting a film in Austin ("Chainsaw Found Jesus", the new short by Spencer Parsons) I came home to discover that due to a technical error, my home internet had be turned off. While I cleared the issue immediately with the fine people at AT&T, it still took over a damn week to get the f'er back up and running.

A bunch has happened. My Mom Smokes Weed has played another festival (Cinesol) and has another in the wings (TBA).

Earthling is cut (but still too long) and is being tweaked.

I'm just now beginning to sorta prep my next film.

I'll do more updating in a bit.

There's so much more. ST. NICK playing in foreign countries. Blood on the Highway on Video On Demand.

Craziness!

TTFN

Watch ST. NICK on a friggin ROOF!

2009-08-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

Headed to NY at the end of this month for the Rooftop Films screening of ST. NICK.

Here's David Lowery's post on the event.

EARTHLING BEHIND THE SCENES!

2009-07-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

EARTHLING BEHIND THE SCENES: Fun With Plastic Tubing from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

After our effects crew was killed in a freak latex accident, the remaining actors were coerced into applying and performing their own makeup effects. Here's an example!

FIRST TEN MINUTES OF ST. NICK ONLINE!!!

2009-07-07T15:31:00.001-07:00

I know I'm like the 50-bajillionth person to post this, but David Lowery was gracious enough to put the opening sequence from his amazing feature, ST. NICK, online. My ulterior motive for posting this is that I was the Director of Photography for the film, and maybe you'll want to hire me after you see this!!!

It's honestly pretty darn awesome. Visually, David is a very strong director, and I really can't claim any possessive credit for the overall look of the film. David's hand is firmly present in every shot. Um...but hire me anyway!

Enjoy!

St. Nick - Clip 1 from ST NICK on Vimeo.

English Version of Polish EARTHLING INTERVIEW

2009-06-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Here's the link to the interview I recently conducted with a Polish website.

My Sleep Schedule is Jacked!

2009-06-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

When in Vegas, make the drunk DB face! This photo covers all the DB bases. Stupid faces. Shot by someone actually in the photo. Alcohol. The works. I feel like I joined a fraternity!

Cinevegas was pretty amazing. I met so many cool people, and our shorts block was totally solid. I had a great running crew! So glad I was able to be there with Nate and even MY MOM!

Next up for MY MOM SMOKES WEED is a special screening at the LA Film Festival on June 26th.

Here's a LINK to the info.

Hope to see you there!

Does Anybody Read Polish?

2009-06-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

I recently did an interview with a Polish website for EARTHLING. It looks really cool, and I guess I can post the English transcript from my email. But somehow, I think I probably come off better translated to another language.

In case you're curious to see the words of "Clayem Lifordem" (which I now prefer to be referred to as), the link is here.

Do Widzenia!

Cinevegas Interview: My Mom Smokes Weed

2009-05-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of our upcoming screenings at Cinevegas, here's a brief email INTERVIEW I did for the fest. Here's hoping I don't sound like a goofball.

CINEVEGAS INTERVIEW

Somehow we found the time to make this...

2009-05-21T17:12:00.000-07:00

Just a little goofy fun from the set of EARTHLING. I'm in the throes of editing, and it's coming along quite nicely. It's pretty silly that this is the first "released" piece of "motion video" from the film, but what can you do?

NC2U 2009 Mix! from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

Very Very Quick Notes

2009-04-25T23:31:00.000-07:00

So, several things happening at once.

First, MY MOM SMOKES WEED is an official selection of the 2009 Cinevegas Film Festival. This is so awesome, and I will for sure be in attendance (along with at least one cast member).

Second, we're pretty much wrapped on EARTHLING. As I write this at 1:30 in the morning, we'll be shooting our last scenes with flesh and blood actors in less than 8 hours. After that, it's all rubber and latex as far as the eye can see. I've still got a bevy of effects shots with fake creepy crawlies before me. Effects films are fun!!!

Finally, once more, a great and hearty thanks to my entire cast and crew. Wonderful people who understand the enduro trials of no-budget filmmaking. This is the best, most fantabulous posse I've ever had the pleasure of running with, and my eternal gratitude is with you on your winged ride to Valhalla.

I'm really tired (shocker!) so here I am talking nonsense for the fifty bazillionth time!

Bed time for Bonzo!

Don't Even Know What Day It Is...

2009-04-13T22:41:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick one. We're in the middle of week two of principal photography on EARTHLING. Things are going great. I have such an amazing cast and crew. I know I've mentioned this before, but really, they're the bee's knees.

I've learned so much in the last few weeks. I feel like I've learned how to stay calm under debilitating pressure, and furthered my ability to make changes and compromises on the fly. This particular film is particularly hard to track. We're, of course, shooting out of order, and for something this "technical" with effects continuity and plot points that consistently need to be spelled out (i.e. sci-fi exposition), it's really become a challenge just keeping up with the basics on a day-to-day basis.

Tomorrow we film the most important emotional scenes in the film. I'm nervous, but excited. My actors are giving their all. I just gotta know what to take and when I've got it. I'm not even sure if that makes any sense. It's more of just trusting your artistic partners and knowing that not everything has to be telegraphed for an audience to get what you're going for.

I'm totally rambling and I have no idea what I'm talking about anymore. I'll post again when I'm more lucid. Just wish us all luck and godspeed as we sail towards the finish line of this nutty journey.

P.S.--This post is for Kat!

***Update***

Somehow watching this next video reaffirms my faith in the ability of the moving picture to stir the emotions. It gives me hope to soldier on...

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

DAY ONE!

2009-04-04T05:14:00.000-07:00

Principal photography commences on EARTHLING!

I watched Blade Runner in bed last night. Trying to remind myself that it is possible to make intelligent sci-fi. Plus I really love the Ridley Scott 'no key-lighting' look. I already made arrangements for at least 12 smoke machines to be on set with us today.

We've got a really tight schedule, and today is our only day with William Katt (in a supporting role, playing the father of an astronaut). I'm very conscious of the pressure (today is also a big effects day), but I'm trying to keep an open mind. I want to find those happy accidents and synchronistic moments that take a good story and make it great.

Finally starting to get excited. Finally.

Here we go!

2009-03-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

Man, we're less than a week away from beginning principal photography on EARTHLING. I'm equal parts nervous and excited. We've put such a great team together that I actually think now I'm probably the weakest link! Of course, the self depreciation is a lame attempt to get all my friends to tell me how absolutely positive they are that I'm gonna do a great job. Whee!

Alongside prepping, I've also been doing my time at several film fests. AFI Dallas is wrapping up now. ST. NICK played there to sold out screenings, coming on the heels of previous sold out screenings at South by Southwest.

These screenings, plus upcoming ones, are nicely plotted out on producer James Johnston's blog here!

I always knew the film was really good, but I honestly had no idea what audiences would make of it. As it turns out, they absolutely love it. It really is a film that rewards you if you let it in. I was worried about the amount of patience it requires (for lack of an obvious traditional narrative), but the spartan qualities of the film turn out to be its greatest asset.

I think a shared familiarity of youth is tapped in a manner without sentimentality, allowing one to honestly imprint their own childhood longings and confusions. I think I finally get why David chose to hang on certain moments much longer than one normally would find necessary. The imprinting requires introspection. That sounds much more pretentious than I intended. I'm not referring to a pseudo-intellectual search for cheap symbolism, it's something more unconscious. It's about simplicity. A deft and intentional simplicity.

I remember a particular shot. A single shot which, because of its closeness, it's sheer proximity to the actor in question (it was a close-up shot of the dad looking pensive), implied a narrative explanation for the "inciting incident" that kicks off the story. Even this oblique inference of latent meaning was too heavy a hand for the film. I remember feeling it was necessary at the time (I pushed David to shoot the darn close-up), but now understand how it actually works against the purpose of the film.

In what might come off as a trite tangent, I think my thoughts can be best summed up via an essayist from a slightly different (but exceedingly relevant) artistic world. There's a great book by Scott McCloud called "Understanding Comics," which is the closest thing we have to a total psychological and sociological deconstruction of sequential art. In it, he spends a great deal of time on the simple cartoon face. The idea that faced (!) with a certain lack of detail and overt information, but given certain familiar symbols, the brain will construct a narrative (or a human face, in Scott's case) far more personal that that of the highly detailed and case specific story (or drawing).

I think the key to what makes ST. NICK work so well is in there, if you allow yourself to approach the notion from a slightly abstract or obtuse angle. It's a lesson more filmmakers should take to heart (myself included).

Soooooo Tired!

2009-03-20T07:00:00.003-07:00

Why do I even have a camera? I took not one single solitary photo at SxSW this year. So, I'm left posting this cute photo of my dog (courtesy of the lovely Sharon Wright!), who shares my current sentiment. He always seems to be in the same state of mind/ body as myself at any given time. I don't know if that's a sign that he's some sort of highly advanced super-pup, or if I'm some sort of troweling* lump-headed sub-humanoid. Either way.

Anyhoo, the screenings at the festival went very well. Both ST. NICK screenings sold out and were a hit. I heard the RECEIVE BACON screenings went amazingly well too. I feel horrible that I missed them both. Sorry James!

Here's a single-portion sampling of the outstandingly positive ST. NICK reviews!

Oh, and on the EARTHLING front, we're fully cast, fully located (um, I mean we have all our locations), fully everything elsed. So we're just about ready to launch (April 4th, why do you seem so close and simultaneously horrifying?).

EARTHLING PODCAST!!!

In the middle of preparations, I did a podcast interview with Curtis Wayne, an Austin-based film podcaster, about our big-little film. I was joined mid-podcast by Amelia Turner, one of the lead actors in the film. Check it out here!

--Addendum... After listening to myself blather on like a low-functioning sugar addict, I realized that I sorta made it sound like either myself or David Lowery was the director of Receive Bacon. This would be an awesome thing to be able to claim, however, it is sadly incorrect. The actual director is none other than Jurassic Park 3's James Johnston.

*I know the word troweling has nothing to do with the context in which it is used. I just think it has the ring of a word which should be used to describe a mental defective.

St. Nick Premiere Info and Posters by Yen Tan!

2009-03-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

SXSW PREMIERE SCREENING Date:	Sunday, March 15
Time:	12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:	Alamo Ritz

There are two more screenings after this.
Click here for the SxSW St. Nick page!

The poster was designed by Yen Tan (Happy Birthday, Yen!), who also designed many other awesome posters, including this amazing one for EARTHLING.

Official Press Release and link to first mentions...

2009-03-04T20:04:00.001-08:00

And here's the mention from Mick at Cybermonkeydeathsquad!

And another one on Fangoria Online!

And we have a FACEBOOK FAN PAGE! Join HERE!

We're on our merry way! More to come in the next few days.

EARTHLING PRE-PRO: We're building this sucker!

2009-03-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

Casting BONANZA!

2009-02-22T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well, not really, but it feels like a bonanza...in my pants. Kidding. Actually, just got back from Austin, where thanks to the gracious help of one Kat Candler (aka Princess da Bomb'ington of Austin Film) I was able to hold a casting session for Austin area talent.

We're still on the hunt for a few good men, women and children for the upcoming feature film, EARTHLING. Shooting commences in March, and we're mostly good to go. Just a few key roles and locations left to fill.

We've already got a stellar cast brewing, with lead roles being filled by actors such as Rebecca Spence (an incredible recommendation from Frank V. Ross) and Peter Greene (who I can finally talk about, as he just signed his contract!).

Anyhow, there's so much to juggle right now. On this film and on projects for my various friends and associates. It's all coming together by sheer force of will. I'm in that 'don't look at the entire mountain, look at the individual rocks' mode. If I stared down everything I have left to do, I'd cry.

Earthling is my second feature as director. I've been told by various Hollywood types (including several old reps) that my first feature doesn't count because it's an anthology film (aka, a collection of shorts). Well, that didn't make it any harder to pull off. And for my sophomore effort, I picked a doozy as well. Science fiction 'psuedo-thriller' (horrible denotation) on a super low budget. Thankfully I've been blessed (in a non-religious, but equally monumental sense) with an incredible production team.

I'm sure I'll be blogging about each and every one of them in the following weeks. Hopefully I can keep my head on straight.

This blog entry kinda sucks ass, but my brain can do no better at this moment. I really began typing this just to say thanks to Kat. Then the blathering began...Oh well, can't win em all.

Color Correcting FRENZY!

2009-02-11T08:29:00.001-08:00

So, we're been officially in active pre-production for my second feature, EARTHLING (which sports an amazing cast... I'll be detailing shortly). At the same time I'm in a veritable Boom Town of color correcting. Features, music videos, short films.

Two movies I shot have been accepted into the South by Southwest Film Festival this year, so I'm dealing with "deliverables" and the like there.

On my plate: David Lowery's ST. NICK, Frank V. Ross' PRESENT COMPANY, A.C. Abbott's DISOWNING CLAIRE, James Johnston's RECEIVE BACON, and this music video by Toby Holbrooks and the aforementioned David Lowery. I think it's as good a representation of my coloring as any.

Check it out. I love to color. And I do it within the lines.

St Nick to premiere at South by Southwest!

2009-02-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

Hey, so David Lowery's awesome new feature, ST. NICK will have its premiere at this year's South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

Many of our usual collaborators are responsible for the production of the film. James Johnston, Adam Donaghey, Martin Pedersen, Johnathan Rudack, Mark Sharon, Ellen Weaver, and a bunch more. Not to mention the great kid actors, Tucker and Savanna Sears.

I was the cinematographer. David pushed me in a good way, and even though we had a fraction of the budget I'm used to, I'm more proud of my work here than on the majority of the films I've shot in the past.

Here's the first trailer. Hope to see as many of you as possible in March.

ST. NICK trailer from ST NICK on Vimeo.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-30T07:04:00.000-08:00

So, I've been traveling quite a bit this holiday season, and computer access has been nominal. I did want to take a moment to post a few reviews...

"...one of the best shorts of the year." Wowza!

First, MY MOM SMOKES WEED is on the front page of FILM THREAT! Don Lewis gave us a really fantastic review. Check it out here!

Next, Yen Tan's CIAO played in LA this past weekend. It got a rave review from the LA Times. You really should read it. And you can, here!

Now it's off to LA for Bill and Dana's wedding. A few interesting meetings lined up there as well. Very close to solidifying my next feature. Fingers crossed.

I totally forgot this existed...

2008-12-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

...and there's probably a reason for that! Leave it to Adam Donaghey to produce what's probably our only "behind the scenes" video for MY MOM SMOKES WEED.

I can assure you that nothing illegal is transpiring here. However, the sheer notion of the education process going on here may cause a shudder to run up a few spines. Thanks to Sylvia for being such a good sport. And thanks to Chris for demonstrating a special skill set none of the rest of us possessed.

A Creepy Gang Banger Teaches a Mommy How to Hit a Bong! from Adam Donaghey on Vimeo.

Ciao Opens Friday (Only in Theaters)!!!!!

2008-12-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

My good friend (and producer of MY MOM SMOKES WEED) Yen Tan's amazingly understated meditation on unrequited love and loss, CIAO open this Friday in select theaters.

We're all so very proud of him!

The film was also edited by David Lowery (who shot MMSW).

Check out ciaomovie.com for details and screening venues.

MY MOM SMOKES WEED in TWO MORE FESTS!

2008-11-04T23:41:00.001-08:00

***UPDATED WITH DATE AND VENUE CORRECTIONS (for Lonestar Film Fest)

Just a real quick note. MMSW is playing this weekend at the Dallas Video Festival...

MY MOM SMOKES WEED
"Shorts After Dark":
Date: 11/8/08 (Saturday)
Venue: Angelika Film Centre (Mockingbird Station)
Time 10pm
More details

And the following week at the Lone Star International Film Festival

Shorts Program 2 on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 5:00 pm and Saturday,
November 15, 2008 at 1:30 pm

More details

PART OF SHORTS BLOCK #2

There's a piece on the Dallas Observer blogspot about the Dallas Video Fest. It features MMSW, as well as several other deserving films, such as a personal fave of mine... Frank Ross' PRESENT COMPANY.

Hope to see you at either or BOTH!

Clay

Sidewalk 2008! A Pictographical Journey in Picto-Photos!

2008-09-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

Wow, so as you may or may not know, I was at this year's Sidewalk Moving Pictures Festival in Birmingham, AL. MY MOM SMOKES WEED screened there. And of course, I brought a camera. And even more of course, my photos sucked!!!

But guess what, just like your Uncle Fred, I'm gonna subject you to them....

right NOW!!!

I call this one...BEHIND THE SCENES!

Actually, it's VULCAN. Not Spock's homeworld, rather the Roman God of Fire and Banana Hammocks!

We were treated to a welcome luncheon at the base of his fiery buttocks, also referred to as the Vulcan Observatory.

And what is there to observe at the observatory, other than the obligatory giant metal butt? Why, other filmmakers, of course!

Here's one of them now!

Why it's Tim Burton, director of "Terminator 2" and "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey." You shouldn't be here, Tim. You should be on the set of your new film, "Saturdays Night Fevers!"
(editor: This is actually James M. Johnston, director of "Merrily, Merrily")

Here, David Lowery takes a photo of his favorite celebrity, the fourth floor stairwell! It truly is a "Night of 1000 Stars!"

Here, your intrepid Picto-Photo Journalist gives a "thumbs up" to the beatific skyline of Birmingham with his freakish mini-chin-fist. It truly is a grotesque sight, especially in light of the grandeur surrounding it.

Oh well, it's off to the smelter with TV's Frank V. Ross.

Birmingham's natural export is smelted iron squares. The Sidewalk filmmakers were invited to act as ambassadors of smelting. Like the mighty Vulcan himself, we smelted our little butts off, and in some cases, other body parts as well...

Look, it's smelting! And guess who smelt it?

Why, it's TV's Frank V. Ross! AGAIN! Frank is this year's recipient of the Frank V. Ross Award for Excellence in Being Frank V. Ross. "The Frankies" for short. It was a close race, this inaugural year, with Frank winning by a nose (as depicted above), and swiping the Frankie from "Bull Durham's" Natalie Portman.

Off to near fatal accident land!

Whoa! That metal looks REALLY hot! I sure hope it doesn't spill out onto someone's head!

Oh wait, look out!!!!! No!!!!

Melty! Melty! Thank God for the affirmative action policies of Alabama which require a minimum of three midget smelters per factory. If these had been full-sized smelters with a full-sized bucket, Kris probably would have been killed!

After a trip to the Birmingham Office of Desmelting, Kris Swanberg is once again right as rain. Much fun is had, and much metal is smelted. New friendships are forged and many bad metal-based puns and analogies are made.

And this was just DAY ONE! Stay tuned for DAY TWO, where I didn't take any photos because I forgot my camera was in my pocket, so you'll be staying tuned for a long long time!

For a more fair and balanced view of the further adventures of Sidewalk, please refer to David Lowery's blog here!

TTFN!

Baby's First Festival!

2008-09-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

Looks awful similar to the last post, don't it! Yeah, well there are a few MINOR changes. Besides coloring and the correction of a few typos, we've added the laurels of our first festival! Yes, MMSW will be playing at the awesomely cool Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival this month!

The time slot has not been updated as of yet, but if you're in Birmingham the last weekend in Sept, you should come check it out.

The lineup of films is quite amazing, and includes several fantastic films from friends and collaborators. James Johnston's MERRILY MERRILY, David Lowery's CATALOG OF ANTICIPATIONS, Frank Ross' PRESENT COMPANY , Ari Gold's ADVENTURES OF POWER,
and Joe Swanberg and Greta Gerwig's NIGHT AND WEEKENDS, just to name a few.

I know pretty much all of the above filmmakers will be in attendance, so it should be great fun.

In other news, I finally delivered A FOUR COURSE MEAL to its eventual foreign distributor. Hopefully that means we'll be seeing DVDs in the coming months. Also, I just shot a new short film for James Johnston entitled RECEIVE BACON. The film is a stylized deconstruction of a barroom hook-up gone awry after a particularly devastating piece of bathroom humor provides its own form of coitus interruptus. I had great fun shooting it, and I think it ought to be very funny (and mildly embarrassing---in the best possible manner).

Finally, ST. NICK will be returning to New York for the IFP Market next week (I think). Let's all wish it luck, as it's up for another round of possible grant money! It's a very deserving film. I can't wait for more people to get a chance to see it!

Like an Old 70's Paperback...

2008-08-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

Yen makes pretty posters. This one isn't totally finished yet, but I couldn't resist posting it.
It looks more like a paperback book cover than a movie poster. That's a compliment.

St. Nick in Filmmaker F'ing Magazine!!!!

2008-07-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

So David Lowery just informed me that St. Nick was featured in the summer issue of Filmmaker Magazine. That's the one, pictured above. I immediately rushed over to Borders to buy a copy, and there it was, complete with a nice color photo from the film. Really nifty mention. Classy stuff. Pick it up if you get a chance.

And in other news, Yen Tan's magnificent feature film CIAO is officially being released by Regent Entertainment. This is a theatrical release too. Amazing. And this for a film that seemed to come out of nowhere. I've seen it like six times now, and helped out on the color correct. I really think it's a transcendental piece. You really need to see this one when it rolls out this Fall.

Also, on my other dumb blog, BUDDY BUDDY PAL, I have the first in a series of lame photo accounts of my trip to San Diego Comic Con this year. I got to interview all sorts of cool people, and I'll be uploading "exclusive" videos in the coming days.

St. Nick Screened in Austin, but I'm not gonna talk about it...much!

2008-07-23T06:07:00.001-07:00

ST. NICK, David Lowery's treatise on the restlessness of youth (extreme youth, in this case) pitted against the authoritative controls of society and nature (my lame-o interpretation), played before an Austin Film Society member audience Monday night. It was the first public screening for the film, and my second time to see it. I'm not going to go into details, as David hasn't completed the film. I do think it is shaping up to be pretty darn awesome. The flow... the overall length.... The whole affair is poetic and takes its time, but certainly doesn't wear out its welcome.

The audience of primarily strangers, with no prior association to the film, reacted strongly (in our favor, thankfully) to what is still (technically) a rough cut. During the critique session Bryan Poyser held later, the fact that the attendees truly THOUGHT about the film became immediately apparent. I mean, the comments weren't simply 'it was good' or 'I liked it.' There was some real thematic brainwork going into the proceedings, the likes of which you don't typically see these days. It's refreshing to hear people process a work of art in total, instead of just glossing over it with the pre-ordained drivel of dismissive praise. This is the definition of a meditative film. David even did something extremely ballsy and old-school to open up the picture and establish the contemplative tone, which I won't spoil here (but if you're an aficionado of pre-80's theatrical epics, you may be able to figure it out). The funny thing is, you could really tell who in the room was a parent (and who wasn't). Kids in (perceived) peril! A key element of drama and a great button-pusher (in this case, the good button). Gets em every time!

Overall, a great event. One I think we all came away stronger for having been a part of. I'm probably one of those rare filmmakers who actually values the testing process, as long as it's done with the right audience in mind. I think the reason most Hollywood directors loathe it is because they have ZERO control over the attending audience. Every movie has an audience. For some films, that audience may consist of twelve people. For others, fifty million (Dark Knight, anyone?). The key to making a successful film is knowing your core audience, making the film right for them (no pandering!), and not exceeding a budget larger than their movie-going dollars will allow. A ten year old kid is not going to get a movie like SAVAGE GRACE. Likewise, a patron of the arts with a season pass to the Dallas Opera is probably not gonna be down with a screening of THE DEVIL'S REJECTS (I totally picked these examples off the top of my head, and it shows). I know this sounds like an oversimplification, but in the era of escalating costs (coupled with a horrific economy), I think it's something to consider. Not every movie can or even SHOULD appeal to every moviegoer. There's an old adage, 'when you try to satisfy everybody, you end up satisfying nobody.' Truer words have never been spoken about the creative process. Obviously, if your movie cost over 100 million clams to produce, you gotta get every soccer mom with a pulse INTO THAT DAMN THEATER just to break even. But, of course, then you probably have computer-generated dinosaurs, or Bruce Willis, or computer-generated Bruce Willis to help you draw in the crowds, so what can ya do. Butts + Seats = Moolah!!!!

On a final note about testing, it's a somewhat known fact that Spielberg was a test-happy-monkey who loved to screen his films with audiences outside of LA (to get 'real' so to speak). In fact, his favorite stomping grounds for such work was none other than my current residence of Dallas, Texas. The theater of choice, the late lamented Medallion Cinema (off Skillman and Northwest Highway, where the Target is now--in case you live around there). It's the first place an audience of the "general public" ever got to see such classics as JAWS and E.T. Is it just a coincidence that now the Medallion is closed and Spielberg sucks? Gotta wonder.

Anway, I wish I could talk more about ST. NICK, but I really don't want to compromise what is still, in effect, a work-in-progress. I will say that the film feels very complete, even in this nascent form. It certainly will only get better, and I say that because I know David, and I know what he's capable of. And if you're reading this blog, I certainly don't need to tell you where to go for updates on the project (but I hyperlinked it anyway).

About Friggin Time...(for a Meal)!

2008-06-19T09:53:00.001-07:00

So, it's official now. After a ridiculously long shelf-life due to some stupid choices made by yours truly, A FOUR COURSE MEAL is soon to be available on home video. I just inked a contract with a foreign distributor who is also going to help handle domestic sales. Hopefully this means a DVD will be available in the near future.

In the meantime, I just found this silly promo teaser I put together right after I finished CUT ONE of the film. Bask in the misappropriation of copyrighted music! Soil yourself in horror at the rampant low resolution graphics!

The few of you who know anything about it will note that it includes footage from the DELETED STORY SEGMENT entitled OUTPOST 7734. Fun.

A FOUR COURSE MEAL Original Teaser from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

I have over an hour of deleted scenes that I'm compiling for the release. I'm shocked at how much stuff we shot that didn't make it in, even on our meager budgetary level.

Even though I went to film school and shot a TON of goofy films, I consider AFCM my true film school. Not to disparage it (or my tuition-based film school) in any way. I'm actually quite proud of the vast majority of what's in the final cut, and I think most of it still holds up (even post-Transformers!). The 'film school' part has to do with the hard lessons and difficult choices I had to make (both creatively and business-wise) over the life-cycle of the project. This is probably way more than you care to know, but I always find it interesting to see the point at which different creative people come into their own. AFCM is pretty much the first film I've completed that I'm comfortable with people seeing. That said, I am a totally different person now than I was at the time I wrote it. But I feel there's enough of a confident voice in there that my former-self is properly represented. I can't say the same for my actual University of Texas student films. Those need to be shoveled into a deep dark hole, never again to see the light of day.

Anyway, I'll post more info as the release approaches. I know it's been a long time coming. And for the few actual fans out there, many thanks for your patience.

As an aside, if there was an award for most aimless and rambling post, this one would surely get it. In fact, if anybody decides to make such an award, I nominate myself for the namesake. Then again, "The Clays" has a pretty crappy ring to it. Oh well.

This Movie is Presented in "HIGH" Definition!

2008-06-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

Worst pun ever. Anyway, I know that no paragraph should ever begin with the following sentence, but here goes...

So I really liked the trailer for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. This may be the least masculine statement I've ever made, but it's really pretty innovative. Not the movie, mind you, just the trailer. Actually, I can't speak for the movie because I only saw like ten minutes of it on my Mom's Direct TV last time I was in town visiting her. But I digress. No, the great thing about the trailer is it's basically just a truncated scene from the actual film. Like a scene that pretty much sums up enough of what the film's about and where it may be headed, without giving you too much information or any resolution. In essence, it does exactly what a trailer should do. It also has the awesome side effect of being so jarring in comparison to the standard trailer format we've unfortunately come to expect and accept, that when I saw it at my local movie house (in front of which movie I no longer recall), many people in the audience thought they stepped into the wrong auditorium. I mean you really feel like you're watching the first four or so minutes of that film. It's not even like that DARK KNIGHT promo with the bank heist, because they prep you for what you're about to see there. No this was an example of cinematic tomfoolery of the first (and best) order.

Anyway, in another potentially embarrassing paragraph header, I was actually inspired by the trailer to cut a similar one for my latest film, MY MOM SMOKES WEED. It's a truncated scene from the film (2 min). Not the opening scene, just an iconic one. It gives you a taste for the film without revealing too much information. I typically rag on short filmmakers who cut trailers for their films. I mean if a 90 minute film has a 2 min trailer, does that mean a 9 minute short should have a 20 second one? Please don't check my math on that. I didn't use a calculator. However, I thought it would be fun in this case (hypocrate, I know), and since I'm about to hit the festival circuit, this is probably the most I can show right now to the online community. Not that enough people read this blog to get me in trouble with potential festival programmers.

Anyway, here it is, my ode to THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. The MY MOM SMOKES PRADA version of the trailer for MY MOM SMOKES WEED...

MY MOM SMOKES WEED HD TRAILER A from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

This clip is also available on my youtube site.

AND, while I'm in an embedding mood, here's a silly sorta-reel I had to create for a potential investment deal on THE ABDUCTORS. It's probably only notable for the cool music I swiped from Scott Walker.

CLAY LIFORD: DIRECTOR REEL (ALSO WRITER/DP/EDITOR) from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

Hope you enjoy. Now off to rent 29 DRESSES!

Clay

***UPDATE***

When I went to youtube to search for that original DWP trailer I blathered about, it was nowhere to be found. In it's stead, I found a GENERIC TRAILER that exemplifies all things horrible about modern picture previews (and totally negates the experimental qualities of the original trailer). It basically ruins the movie for you. But, oh well. Whatcha gonna do?

Courtesy of Yen Tan's Camera...

2008-05-21T09:57:00.000-07:00

The film's almost through the editing cycle. I'll have a better poster comp later too. This one's just for fun. I just wanted people to know we're actually making progress! It's coming along rather nicely too. I can't wait to start showing it to people.

More to come...

Gentlemen, start your checkbooks!

2008-05-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

OMG! Off-topic post alert!!!

If it's Tuesday, then it must be...
NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS ON DVD DAY!!!!!!

Holy poop! I'd personally shill out the extra ten buckazoids for the 2 disc gold collector's edition.

Learn the secrets of JOHN WILKES BOOTHE'S DIARY! The world ISN'T READY TO BELIEVE!!

Danger and peril await! But you don't have to, um...await any longer. Bring home the magic, TODAY!

Hopefully this Nicholas Cage film will get the audience it deserves. Unlike the wrongfully maligned FUTURE CLASSIC that is Neil Labute's WICKER MAN.

Ahhh! THE BEES!!!!

Hey!

You wanna know a national secret?

I love you!

My Mom Smokes Weed!

2008-04-20T11:22:00.000-07:00

(Nate n' Sylvia! Together again, for the first time!)

So, apparently I'm now shooting short films faster than I can edit them. I still have barely begun work on THE TIMENATRIX, and I've already finished photography on the follow up film.

This is my mother and me (and the top of a target my mom blew away at the shooting range).

This is my mother (kinda) portrayed by actress Sylvia Luedtke. Yes she is rolling a smoke. No it isn't tobacco (it's not weed either, thanks to the great fakery of Ellen Weaver).

The title pretty much sums up the movie. Oh, to clarify, the title of this post IS in fact the title of the new short. MMSW, as many of us have come to call it.

I realized that the majority of pics in my little Cannon Elph camera are not so hot. Fortunately, the pics from both my producer Yen Tan's and Adam Donaghey's cameras are VERY hot (mucho caliente!). See Adam's blog here for the proof.

Anyway, I'm very curious to see how this film shapes up. It's my first stab at anything even remotely autobiographical (albeit significantly embellished). It was nerve wracking during the audition process. Hearing actors attempt a stab at my mannerisms (via the scripted dialogue, primarily) and my mother's. It wasn't until the rehearsal phase that I was able to let go of the concept that this is a verbatim retelling of an episode from my life, and just let it live as a slightly humorous, hopefully identifiable situation in which a child is mortified by a parent, and then has to accept the fact that perhaps he can look at said parent as a person, and not just an ex-authority figure. Likewise, the parent is forced to see her child as a free-standing adult. Now I'm just waxing my psycho-babble T-bird, so I'll let it go.

Anyway, I'm already proud of it, even without a lick of editing accomplished. It's also the first time I completely divorced myself from camera operating duties (except for during The Timenatrix, when it was a necessity, since I was starring in it). Thankfully, I had two amazing and trustworthy lighting cameramen on the job. David Lowery and my long-term D.P. Jason Croft did an amazing job, with very little to work with. I think we had four lights. It was tough for me to stand back, but I think I did okay. Thanks guys, for understanding my silly anxieties.

I will post later of the editorial progress. For now, I've got this on my plate, as well as The Timenatrix (on which I may be officially handing over editorial duties to Blair Rowan, post haste), AND the rewrite on our (hopefully) next feature, THE ABDUCTORS. Not to mention, we're about to regroup for the next leg of KIDDO photography. Oh yeah, and there's a potential web series too, starring Chris Gardner as a Dungeonmaster. Fun!

Finally, a few farewells. Firstly, to Adam Donaghey, who is off to Atlanta for something like 6 months to earn money to pay for my films (wink, wink). Next, to James Johnston, who is off to a deserving festival run for the brilliant short MERRILY, MERRILY, which he just completed. Also, to Yen Tan, whose outstanding feature CIAO is also making significant strides on the festival circuit. I will actually have the good fortune of attending the Miami screening of the film WITH MY MOTHER at the beginning of May! And last, but certainly not least, to David Lowery, who is spending over a month in New York, working on a secret film project that I'm certain will be amazing.

TTFN!

Clay

2008, I hope you brought a fresh pair of undies!

2008-03-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

SPOILER ALERT!!!!! I made another short film while you were taking a shower (or whatever you were doing in the bathroom that required the water to run full blast for like 40 minutes. Hey, I'm not judging).

Yes, 2008 is shaping up to be a pretty bitchin year. THE ABDUCTORS is just about to enter active pre-production for 6 weeks, to be followed by an 18 day shoot. Finally (jinx! jinx!)!

If you go to David Lowery's blog, you can see how well ST. NICK is shaping up.

And, as I mentioned above, we shot another short film! And not just any short film, mind you. No. This one deals with the mysteries of TIME ITSELF! Oh, and wife swapping. Well, um some sort of infidelity. I can't keep it straight.

Anyway, I haven't even begun to edit the bastard, but Adam has some photos up on his blog, so check em out.

And here, for the first time, is the MAIN TITLE for the short. Yes, I spent a grand total of TEN MINUTES procrastinating the compiling of tax forms to bring you the first official image from the film (well, as official as 10 minutes can get you)!

Bask in it's half-assed glory!

You're welcome!

More from the digital confines of my micro-camera!

2008-03-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

OH, THE HUGE MANATEE!!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I've really taken to this camera. I'm not a good still photographer at all, but somehow it really doesn't matter. I have absolutely ZERO ego about the thing. It may be the one thing in life that I don't judge myself by. Case in point, the following pics. My photo evidence of the fleeting greatness that was (is, still is) David Patrick Lowery's ST. NICK.

7 Chipmunks twirlin' on a branch, eatin' lots of sunflowers on my uncle's ranch.

And on that ranch, there was a....

...NOSTRIL BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!

"Back to work, @$$hats!" This is our new AD after the first one perished in a horrendous "cotton gin" mishap. Foul play has yet to be ruled out.

Savannah (pictured above) worked out her aggression on the crew in preparations for a scene she personally added to David's (in her words) "abomination of a script."

*****SPOILER ALERT!!!!******

An alternate ending?! No. Merely a scene stolen from the PBS classics version of Wuthering Heights, written and performed by Savannah Sears. This still was taken mere moments before the black lung carried her away on soot-coated wings.

Producer James Johnston proves, much like Colossus of the X-Men or Thor of some stupidy ol' mythology junk, that she is the strongest bearded woman alive!

Oh, child labor laws! You so crazy! I wanna have yo baby!

I have nothing humorous to say about guest-audio mixer, Barak Epstein. Primarily because he'll stab you in the friggin eye for merely looking at him sideways! What a *%$@*bag!

"I'll miss you most of all, old wooden support column!"

Wikipedia defines "BRO-MANCE" as anything having to do with this picture. Or submission wrestling. Actually, this begs the question, "what's wrong with this image?" If your answer is anything other than "there's a little girl watching this transpire," you might want to consider professional help.

The effects of 2+ weeks of low budget shooting? Or merely another example of the bro-mantic principal? Yes, the Stockholm Syndrome is a many splendor'ed thing.

That's a wrap! The production team of St. Nick ensures our child actors will not grow up to be horrible party-monsters and pop divas by means of our special "retirement camps." Here, one actress in being permanently inducted by means of a Colombian neck adjustment.

Well, until the next shoot, lounge out @$$hats!

Image courtesy of David Lowery, pervert.

This is what happens when you buy me a camera for Christmas!

2008-02-22T11:12:00.000-08:00

So, my girlfriend bought me a really neat camera for Christmas this year. It's my first digital camera, which may seem odd, since I make my living as a Director of Photography. I've just never really been one to take pictures (as will be evident by the following photo montage). Anyway, in an effort to change all that, here are my first batch of photos from the set of ST. NICK, the new feature film directed by David Lowery (and D.P.'ed by me).

You are BANISHED!!!! Director David Lowery utilizing techniques picked up at the Eric von Stroheim institute of child actor abuse.

James Johnston before the chair broke.

Adam Donaghey with a Mark growing out of his shoulder. This is a particularly well composed shot. Scholars take note!

Mark Sharon and a juvenile delinquent.

"Lite Rock" Martin (audio), oddly, loves Death Metal.

LUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gimme that lunch! I needs it!!!!!!

Oh Gods! I have been feasted upon!

The brutal carnivore, finally sated. But for how long????

Fun with insurance policies!!!!
Rudak teaches a continuing ed class on mortuary decorative fan making.

The picture for today?

Working on sets is hard! Sooo tired. Gonna take a nap so I can send more photos later, gator!

That's SO RAVEN!

2008-02-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry. Title means nothing. I've just been watching youtube clips from a popular Disney Channel kids' show in order to stay in touch with my core audience, i.e.--people with a third-grade education.

Anyway, I'm here to talk about two things.

THING THE FIRST:

I cannot get Sean Young out of my head. I used to have a crush on her back when I was thirteen and she was Chani in DUNE and that other chick in BABY: SECRET OF THE LOST LEGEND. I kind of let my crush fade into obscurity during my junior high school years and, until recently, was content to never feel those stirrings again. That was, of course, until this year's DGA awards.

So, and I know this is totally old news, Ms. Young got booted from the event for allegedly heckling director Julien Schnabel, who incidentally has a name so gross sounding-- like something Jerry Lewis would blurt out in the middle of some particularly inept pratfall-- that it practically DEMANDS retribution!

Anyway, it turns out Chani has a history of getting soused and crashing Hollywood awards parties, or at least attempting to. The detail that brought back that lovin' feelin' for yours truly was a minor one to the casual observer. Apparently, sources indicate, the ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE star had been drinking a fools bounty of HARVEY WALLBANGERS!!!!

This deadly combination of vodka, orange juice, and some stupid Italian dessert liquor was the force majeure behind both her actions and my new obsession. I understand her now. Her yearnings. Her unquenchable thirst. Just thinking the words Harvey Wall-Banger makes me REQUIRE ONE...No, make that TWO! I don't care about anything else anymore, dammit! I just want Sean and I to live out a LEAVING LAS VEGAS style romance together, only with citrus-y party drinks, instead of whiskey and bathtub gin (or whatever the hell he was drinking in that movie).

So, you might say this is about the meeting of old and new. My old flame and my new drink obsession. Much like Kirk and Picard meeting in STAR TREK: GENERATIONS. Does this mean Sean Young is destined to be murdered by Malcolm McDowell? We'll have to wait until next year's DGA awards to find out.

Okay...onward and upward!

THING THE SECOND:

I lied in my previous post. I do not possess the internet savvy to set up a secure site for THE STRANGER, so f' it. Here it is, in all it's HD glory, courtesy of my vimeo site. Follow the yellow brick road of pics below to find the not-so-hidden treasure.

And then comes...

THE STRANGER from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

That, my friends, is SO RAVEN!

Whoa! Looks like somebody figured out how to use Photoshop (sort of)!

2008-02-05T22:52:00.001-08:00

Welly, welly. I done made me a poster thingee. This is my first, inept attempt at creating some "key art," as the film kids call it, for my recent short film, The Stranger (duh!). That is my hand. Sexy, huh? Yeah, I shot that f'er myself. Just put the ol' hand on my pillow and flashed away on my 'photo device' with my free hand. Pretty cool.

Actually, this is just a concept shot for the real thing...for which I'm enlisting the assistance of a much more trained eye. My buddy Erika Ryan in Austin is a well known art director and, I'm pretty sure, poops out better posters than this every morning after a hearty helping of bran flakes.

The film is still currently on the festival circuit, so I can't put it online. Officially, that is. But, here's my plan. I'm going to load it up on my private vimeo page. You won't be able to get to it from the street, so to speak. Once it's online, I'll blog about it here, and if you want to see it, you can send me your email on my blog comments, and I'll send you the access code.

It's very super secret and stealthy. You'll feel like an international super spy. 007. Or Golgo 13 (my fave game on the original NES). What fun!

So, check back here in the coming week or so and you may be one of the (un)lucky few to witness THE STRANGER in HD on your very own 'computerized device' of your choice!

Kisses aplenty!

Clay

The Shameless Hussy That is I!

2008-01-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

(This is actually not I. Rather it is Nick Derington--poster artist to the stars.)

I'm not even going to pussy-foot around it. I'm creating this blog entry specifically to catalogue several of the positive reviews and accolades that have surfaced for A FOUR COURSE MEAL. Seeing that we're in the midst of fundraising for several films (The Abductors is currently the front-runner), I've decided to eschew my usual self-depreciating veneer in exchange for a brand spankin' new, 'look at me' swank-atude!

So if you are one of the various people looking to invest in a Well Tailored Film, take a look at what these unbiased members of critical film society have to say about our previous effort. Wait, actually, what are you doing reading this blog? Don't you have fat checks to write?

First up is one from cinephilia.com, a fun site with reviewers who really dig interesting genre films. I like these guys' sense of humor. Okay, enough butter for them.

Next is the big one. Film Threat. It was way cool getting a good review from such a venerable institution. I attribute to this review the lion's share of interest AFCM has accrued over its lengthy life-cycle. Who could really ask for more?

When we played theatrically in Ft. Worth, I was interviewed by Ft. Worth Weekly here. It was fun and awkward at the same time. I think the article reflects that (in a good way?).

Some previous festivals we've attended are (in no particular order): The Newport Beach Film Festival, The Big Muddy Film Festival, The Deep Ellum Film Festival, The deadCENTER Film Festival, NoirDance, Fringe Media Fest and the Dallas Video Fest's Texas Filmmakers Series, which garnered us a theatrical run at the Angelika Theater. Also of note is a portion of the movie (the segment "Flowers Grown From Powdered Bones") played on PBS' Frame of Mind series.

Finally, for now (thank goodness), is a little thingee from the fine folks at the HorrorDance Film Festival. They bestowed upon my broad and powerful shoulders the mantle of Best Director (or Director's Choice or some such thing) at their 2007 festival. Lookee here!

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY....!

2008-01-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

So, if any of you know me, you're probably aware that my first feature (A FOUR COURSE MEAL) has been legally tied up for about a year in a release deal that hasn't panned out. As I am about to regain control of the elements, I'm lamely attempting to promote the film here and other places in order to generate interest for an upcoming DVD release.

The film is an anthology of sorts, and I have uploaded one of the longer story segments on my vimeo account until the distribution arrangements are finalized. At which point, I assume, I'll have to take it down. But, in the meantime, enjoy. If you like it, please spread the word. Press can only help us now, unless you think it sucks--in which case, keep it to yourself, buddy!

And now, our not-quite-a feature presentation...

WORKING STIFFS from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

HOLY COW!!!!!

2008-01-21T14:15:00.001-08:00

So, these images aren't exactly hot-off-the-press, but they're pretty awesome nonetheless. Last year I wrote a feature comedy called CUTLET, about cows mutated by European growth hormones into super-intelligent/carnivorous/mind-control beasties. We've got the budget finalized, and are in the process of scraping together the bread to make it. The great Nick Derington once again lent his capable hand in rendering these pre-production images of several of our "hero" cows. Namely the supreme Arch-Cow, "Buttercup," and an evil drone cow named "Julia Roberts Cow."

Check out Adam Donaghey's page for the film here...

Cutlet: Veal The Terror!

So much sweeter in HD!

2008-01-20T16:00:00.001-08:00

Oh yeah, baby. I just uploaded the slightly tighter version of KIDDO! onto vimeo. This great website allows you to upload HD content. So, now you can watch the scene in true widescreen quality!

Check it here...

http://vimeo.com/622405

PS--This (signed?) headshot of Lynus Turko will be on my amazon auction site for approximately 10 minutes. Bidding starts at $800.00.

Gentlemen (and ladies.. ESPECIALLY ladies!), start your engines!!!!

KIDDO! The Movie, Scene 25: Beemer & the Bot from Clay Liford on Vimeo.

Not yer Daddy's defensive driving video...

2008-01-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

So, this is some pre-release art from the feature film, BLOOD ON THE HIGHWAY, co-directed by Barak Epstein and Blair Rowan. I acted as the Director of Photography on it, and last week we had our first 'tech screening' at the Magnolia Theater in Dallas. Even without the final effects and audio, the film pretty much kicks ass. For all you Buffy fans, Nicholas Brendan has an extended cameo as, well, you'll just have to wait an' see. Also, Tom Towles (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer) makes a pretty nifty appearance.

Oh, and I play a role which I hope will be credited as 'BlackBerry Vamp.' Which, if you know me, is all too fitting.

Check out the website. The trailer is already up. Blood, indeed, flows red on this highway. Ouch! Lame line.

http://www.bloodonthehighway.com

T'ings be crazy, up in here!

2008-01-19T13:58:00.001-08:00

So, as I commence shooting on KIDDO!, my company also has a couple of other projects in the works.

Most prominently right now is THE ABDUCTORS. A bizarre sci-fi (kinda--near future stuff--ya know, cheap sci fi) story about a little girl who is abducted for mysterious reasons, and what happens when she's returned home two weeks later, apparently unharmed, and with no ransom asked for. Things get crazy when the family receives a message from the seemingly repentant kidnappers. A warning about who or what their daughter really is.

As Count Floyd would say, 'Scary stuff kids!'

I know it sounds like I'm making fun, but I really am excited about this one. And for a change, I have an investment team bringing in, shock of shocks, an ACTUAL BUDGET! God, I dunno what to do with real currency. I guess I'll have to do the Tony Scott thing and spend it on blow.

Anyway, here's a mock-up pre-poster (pictured above) by the great Nick Derington (Scanner Darkly)...

Albert Camus' THE STRANGER

2008-01-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

As a tribute to one of the leading minds in human psychology, we've recently finished a short film based upon one of his most famous works...The Stranger.

A description from Amazon.com...

"This short novel by Albert Camus was written in 1946. It's about a young Algerian Frenchman, Muersault, who works at an office job and lives a dull ordinary life. He describes his mother's funeral with clarity and dispassion and, as the story unfolds, the reader sees that this detachment is the general theme of the book. He doesn't love his girlfriend but it makes no difference to him whether he marries her or not. He helps an acquaintance commit an aggressive act because he just doesn't care enough one way or another. And, eventually, he commits a murder and is arrested. The trial then focuses on this disaffected aspect of his character. The conclusion is inevitable."

Well, ours is pretty much like that, with the murder replaced with wanton and unrepentant masturbation.

It premiered at the Lonestar Film Festival (www.lsiff.com) last year to shocked response. It was programmed in a shorts block that should have been named, "Shorts with Jacking-Off as a Major Theme or Motif." Seriously, out of the seven films in the block, FIVE had some form of self-abuse on display. Maybe it had to do with the fact that all of the films were from Texas. I mean, what else is there to do around here?

I will post an IMDB page for the film shortly, and after it's done the festival rounds, I'll toss the sucker up on the inter-web. In the meantime, if you wanna see it, contact me here.

Clay

The peeps who made it all possible...

2008-01-19T10:50:00.000-08:00

Tania and Nick Derington! Nick is an awesome comic creator and artist, having worked for Marvel as well as the indies. He was also a lead animator on A SCANNER DARKLY. He graciously let us invade his space last weekend so we could shoot a pivotal scene for KIDDO!

Check out Nick's work at his website...

www.nickderington.com

More Phat Photos Phrom the Phantasy Phun-vention

2008-01-19T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well, that didn't really pan out the way I wanted it to. I mean the blog title. Anyhoo, here be s'more photos from the KIDDO shoot....

TOP...Adam Donaghey (producer) is busy producing a telling glance at Chris Gardner's (playing Lynus Turko) supple flank steak, while Blair Rowan attempts to forge a doctor's signature on a Lithium prescription.

BOTTOM...Sharon Wright, producer to the stars, looking like she really doesn't want this photo to end up on the internet. Looks like she's got a lot of paperwork!

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention...

2008-01-19T10:30:00.001-08:00

This guy! Yen Tan (director of Happy Birthday and the soon-t0-be-released Ciao), in character as CHANG, the faithful man-servant of little Sam Mackie (the eponymous KIDDO!).

Yen is amazing. His looks are priceless. He is the Asian-incarnation (incarn-Asian?) of Harold Lloyd.

I love you Yen!

By the way, I'm writing this blog from my spacious bubble bath. You're welcome, ladies!

Kisses,

Clay

KIDDO! The Movie...A commencement!

2008-01-19T08:53:00.000-08:00

So, last weekend my intrepid crew of ten (or so) and I descended upon the Dallas Comic Con to shoot our very first scene for KIDDO!

This is my second feature since a long hiatus after A FOUR COURSE MEAL (which will actually come out this year. For reals!). I'm a bit nervous about the prospect, even though I've acted as Director of Photography on something like seven films since AFCM. It's still daunting. Anyway, I assembled an amazing group of people. The actors, many of them child actors without 'formal' film experience, have exceeded my expectations. Not to mention the adults. Chris Gardner The hardest part is deciding what to cut out. It's an embarrassment of riches of comedy gold!

Many of my long-time crew has joined me in the effort. Barak Epstein (director of Prison A Go Go and the upcoming Blood on the Highway), Blair Rowan (co-writer/director of Blood on the Highway), Sharon Wright (my co-producer on AFCM) and James Johnston (GDMF, Merrily Merrily). My newbies, Adam Doneghey and the kids (Ceasar, Jayci, Sonnet and Alexis). All did an excellent job!

KIDDO! is the story of a child actor (Ceasar Vancleave) going through his mid-life crisis at 13, when he's fired off the sitcom he literally grew-up on after he hits puberty. We'll resume shooting in mid-February.

The besties of my testies!

2008-01-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

I just formed this silly blog so I can post updates about recent and upcoming productions from my company, Well Tailored Films.

Hope it doesn't suck.

Clay