Overheard at the Swede Fest sequel
Dateline: C.A.F.E (Collective for Art, Freedom & Ecology) Infoshop, Chinatown, downtown Fresno
Roque Rodriguez of The Dumb ... Drum, organizer of Swede Fest The Second, welcomes everyone and says "if you have any questions, all the filmmakers are here," which draws a chuckle. Ha, we're "filmmakers" now. He then introduces the first film, a swede of "Seabiscuit."
What he should have added: The following video is totally awesome, if a little disturbing and somewhat R-Rated (aka NSFW) at the 2:00 mark.
NOTE: I'm not embedding the film here at this time due to the possibly graphic nature. You can see the swede here on Vimeo.com.
Vince, who directed the film, stood up and said "shooting took three days because filming with children and animals can be difficult." Hilarious. I give his son the award for best actor, hands down.
(By the way: There were no awards handed out ... and any mention here will have to serve as a trophy. Sorry.)
As tech guru Bryan Harley works on the projector, a woman appears at the door and starts asking "You are showing films? What type of films are you showing? How long will this last?" She didn't get the flyer. I guess that's Chinatown for you.
Roque, introducing the film he did with Late Update's Adrian Rodriguez, teases "the breakout star" who debuts as the only girl in the scene. It's totally a sex doll.
Swederado from Roque Rodriguez on Vimeo.
Roque brings out the sex doll, and says "she's gonna be of our bloggers pretty soon on The Dumb Dumb ... she's really tired, [the shoot] was exhausting for her." No one has any questions for the makers of "Swederado."
I have one: How would Roque like to accept the award for best supporting actor, for his quick costume changes and wonderful impressions -- first Alfred Molina, now Cheech Marin?
Next up, a version of "Cruel Intentions."
Swede Intentions from Michael Banti on Vimeo.
Michael wanted everyone to know that he was wearing a wig, and that wasn't his real hair. Either way, he's my best supporting actress.
Roque then introduced the one from Will Albritton (hey, that's me).
The Princess Bride (swede) from JoshWill Idiot on Vimeo.
Roque asks me if I have anything to say, and instead of being savvy enough to make another pitch for the Rogue Festival original musical play that Josh Tehee and I are working on called "Cupid Is a B*tch" -- check your Rogue schedule next February :) -- I tell everyone that Josh, Jaime and Travis did the vast majority of those lines in one take, which I think is quite the credit to their awesomeness (thanks again, guys). And I might be biased, but I gotta give the best actress award to Jaime for providing the set and props, and for whipping that wonderful costume out of her closet.
Roque then mentions that the next film is from Travis.
To Catch A PEZator from Travis Sheridan on Vimeo.
Everyone loves it (including me -- in my head I award it the best film of the festival, for originality, conception and execution, all in one night with limited resources), and Roque teaches us that sweding doesn't have to just be of films, it can be TV shows, too. "I don't know if there's anything that can't be sweded," he says, then stopping himself, "I guess, well, yeah, there is." I think he's talking about ... you know, musicals. Whaddaya say, Josh, wanna test his theory for the next one?
Roque announces the final film is from Bryan Harley of AMF Productions who just finished it that morning (warning: language).
Army of Darkness (sweded) from Bryan Harley on Vimeo.
Bryan, who's battling a cold, says he'll never again swede a trailer because it's too hard. I give Bryan the best director award, because I can only imagine how hard it is. (Care to add anything, Michael Scott Heather?) That's why I just stick to individual scenes ... I'm lazy.
Roque closes by saying he hopes to do another one in February, and that anyone can do a swede -- even in one day.
And there you have it, Swede Fest The Second in the books blogs. Can't wait till the next one.
UNOFFICIAL AWARDS:
Best film: "How to Catch a Pezator" (Travis Sheridan)
Best director: Bryan Harley, "The Army of Darkness"
Best actor: Jimmy Cosentino, "Swedebiscuit"
Best actress: Jaime Holt, "The Princess Bride swede"
Best supporting actor: Roque Rodriguez, "Swederado"
Best supporting actress: Michael Banti, "Swede Intentions"
Comments:
Okay, okay, I'm SLOWLY warming up to Swedes. For me they're still too long, but I love the premise of To Catch A Pezator, and Swedebiscuit with the kid kills me.
But mind you, only slooowwwwly am I catching on....
Posted by: Stephen at November 23, 2008 2:52 AM
Thanks for the honor, Will.
Acceptance speech:
I would like to thank Bill Gates for the amazing product, Microsoft Movie Maker. Preinstalled software can serve a purpose. Next, I would like to thank my cell phone for allowing me to record all audio as sound files and email them to my computer for editing. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge my amazing cast. Out of the 500+ PEZ dispensers in my collection, these folks made the cut and performed flawlessly. Finally, to my lady, Beth. Thank you for believing in me. Your voice of the decoy saved me even more embarrassment (I didn't have to do that one my self).
To everyone thinking about making a Swede, remember, just when it starts feeling so wrong, it is getting so right.
Music plays me off the virtual stage...
Yo, This was a blast...tune in next time for more PEZtastic Swedes...I am holding a casting call after the holidays. Nothing sexier than a PEZ casting couch...that's hot.
Posted by: Travis Sheridan at November 23, 2008 9:21 AM
Actually five minutes is the limit that we could do Stephen, but you can do one for less time. Since I was doing an entire movie I made use of all the time I was allotted. But I agree with you, it can seem a bit long.
And will I am both speechless and honored with the reward you have bestowed upon me. First I would like to thank Ms. Joey's instructor for giving her the project that prevented her from performing in this role and forcing me to look for another actress. I would also like to thank my sister who never answered my phone call and thus making me do this role as I couldn't find anyone else. Without these two people I wouldn't have been able to do the performance of a lifetime. For them I am eternally grateful!
Seriously I had a great time and loved everyone's swede. Even better was the turnout, which was larger than last time. Hopefully the next fest will have an even larger turnout and even more swedes.
Posted by: Michael at November 23, 2008 10:33 AM
Thanks for everyone that came out yesterday & helped support the local film community, especially to all the people who submitted entries.
@Will: Thank you for the award, sir. I show up only when my actors flake out but other than that, I prefer to be on the other side of the camera.
@Stephen: You see, I'd knew you'd come around. Feel free to submit a 30-second swede next time. It's all good!
@Travis: Can't wait to see some more PEZ swedes. BTW, the graphics on the swede....awesome! PLUS all shot on a cellphone? Amazing!
@Michael: I think you purposely took over for Ms. Joey in order to put that wig on yourself. It looked good on ya!
Posted by: brodiemash at November 23, 2008 11:52 AM
Did you really just compare me to Michael Scott?
I have to give a shout to Adrian for his spot-on impersonation of Antonio Banderas. Nicely done.
Posted by: Heather at November 23, 2008 1:09 PM
Roque...keep the vision alive...
Disclaimer: Video shot on Flip camera. Audio captured via cell phone.
Posted by: Travis Sheridan at November 23, 2008 1:09 PM
@heather: That's what HE said...
Second that: Adrian the long hair suits you. I loved the action sequences...you kicked the dolls arse. Next time I see you, you will probably have Melanie Griffith on your arm...
Posted by: Travis Sheridan at November 23, 2008 1:46 PM
What a great event and fun time. The ambiance, the lighting, the sound, the glitter, the characters...and that was just in the Cafe Men's Room! Seriously, great job Roque and all participants. Your Swede Festivals capture an entertainment trifecta: spoofs on recognizable films, almost always non-offensive humor (I'm looking at you Sheridan) and almost everybody in the "theater" knows almost everybody in the Swedes! Talk about a captive audience.
And Stephen, 5 minutes is too long? I know some people with ADD but that's Olympic level competition. So, no more standing on the sidelines. I'm throwing down the gauntlet. I challenge you to a 4 minute Swede-off for the next festival.
Posted by: Ray Arthur at November 23, 2008 8:22 PM
@Will, thanks for the *unofficial* swe-ward! (How many more of these swede-puns can be tolerated???).
I'd like to thank my cast, especially because they probably caught my cold during the filming process.
Posted by: Bryan at November 23, 2008 9:41 PM
Everybody's was awesome. Swederado was freakin' spot on. The hands/guns in the case was genius.
Posted by: The Fresnan at November 24, 2008 12:22 AM
Thanks Michael for the shout out in your acceptance speech. I got an A on that project by the way.
All the swedes shown here were awesome. I wish I could've made it there Saturday!
Posted by: Ms. Joey at November 24, 2008 8:09 AM
@ Roque: Thank you for putting this event together.
@ C.A.F.E. Infoshop: Thanks for giving a place to showcase.
@ Will: Thank you for the contributing to and covering the event. We are honored that you recognized Jimmy for all the hard work he put into the project.
Finally, thank you to everybody who attended the event. I didn't know what to expect, but was pleased with how many of you came out to support local "artists."
Posted by: Vince at November 24, 2008 3:35 PM
if the clip is NSFW then you should not be wasting work time watching these wastes of time at work and save this crap for home.
Posted by: NSFW at December 3, 2008 4:41 PM
Welcome back troll, you've been missed.
Now go play in traffic.
Posted by: Michael at December 3, 2008 4:56 PM
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