May Day! May Day!

Happy May everyone!

I have no idea why none of the other Krej people aren't blogging. I like how we are midway through May and Steven hasn't announced the winner of April's D-Bag contest. He shall be flogged for this.

OK, so as always things are very busy for Team Krej. The past two weeks we have been doing table reads at the Relapse Theater for our new movie "Of Rats and Men". It has been going amazing, we have recruited a wider range of actors this time around. And they have been awesome.

One of the things that I noticed during the readings though was the story was a bit lost. It was funny, but I feared the audience would have a hard time figuring out who they were supposed to cheer for. I had myself flogged for not being a good writer. The good news though was that this had been figured out early on.

During pre-production on "Tim and Katie" I had a gut suspicion that the relationship between Tim and Jimmy needed to be worked out more. But I ignored this as I was to busy just trying to get the movie made. That was a big mistake. And after the first table read I got that same gut feeling, that something in the script wasn't right.

So now that I have learned from my mistakes I reworked the script. This afternoon I finished up what I hope will be close to the final draft. What was wrong was Steven and Grantz's characters were drowned out, so I gave them an opening scene and reworked how they interact with everyone else. With a bit of luck the audience will now know they are the central story.

In other "Of Rats" news we filled out the cast and locked in one of the locations. We were hurting to have access to an actual exterminator office. Good ol Jeff Grantz came through and found us one. Now we just need to find a house we can film in over a weekend and all locations are locked.

So far pre-production has been much better then it was on "Tim and Katie". At this point last year we had one location and lot's of question marks. All we need now this year is one more location and a director of photography (and camera). Both of which we have some options for. It is a very good feeling, and I am somewhat on guard. Normally things don't go this smoothly for us, so I am sure something bad is about to happen.

Outside of that not much has been going at Krej Productions. We have been hyper focused on "Of Rats", which doesn't leave time for much else. With production slated to begin at the end of June, it's time to dig in and get ready. Going to get onto the other guys for not posting more, stay tuned for more Krej Heads!

Your Hero,
Jeff K

T&K Update 9000

Greetings and Salutations to you all! It's been a while since I've Scuttlebutt-ed, so I thought I would type up a little something something to keep you all abreast of what's been going on here at KREJ HQ.

For starters, things are in full-swing for pre-production for 'Of Rats And Men', our short-format version of Rat Bastards. We are gathering actors and actresses, and the script is almost finalized, and we have begun scouting for locations. We still need a couple more Actors and one Actress, so click up top under the Scuttlebutt title to go to our talent page, or just click here for details on the project, as well as more in depth information on what, or rather whom we are looking for.

In Tim & Katie news, we have made a new edit of the film, trimming some fat so to speak. The new run time clocks in at 50 minutes ( the original was 59 ), and in addition to a faster pace, there is more color correction and a better look and feel to the video, as well as better sound work. We'll be sending out this new version to film festivals as early as this/next week! So cross your fingers! Below are a couple pictures to show off the new look.

(It should also be noted, in payment for the quick turn-around on this baby, Steven bought me a chocolate cake. <3 )

One Love,
-Matt

Want news? Oh I can get ya some news!

Hellowski from the polski!

I trust the nice spring weather is treating all you very nicely. It's been a while since I have posted, but I assure you this has been because of a busy schedule and not laziness. So, where to start, where to start...

OK first things last, I've been doing A LOT of writing lately. Finished up a 1st draft of my summer project "Of Rats and Men". Going to refine it some more in the next few weeks. Also started pre-production on the project. Trying to round up actors and locations. Was able to get Trolle (Tim and Katie gore master) to sign on to help with some special effects stuff we will need for it.

If you happen to know anyone who works at an "Exterminator Company", please let me know. I really need to lock down that location before the end of spring. Also here is some concept art for Steven's character in the film.Pretty neat huh. We have Hannah Davis to thank for that! Everyone give her a round of applause. And while your at it give me one to, I figured out how to post a picture without Jerry having to tell me how to do it.

In more writing news last weekend I also tried an experiment. I wanted to try and see how much of a script I could write over the span of a weekend. The story has been in the back of my head for the past couple of years, and it seemed like a good time to flesh it out. I was able to get the story done and about 60 pages of dialogue. It was fun pushing my mind and body to the limit, there was very little sleep on my end. But it was worth it, I really like the story and can't wait to finish it.

In other Krej writing news, Jeff Grantz and myself have been working with another company developing a TV pilot. It's been an interesting process. We had to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to start on the project. So legally I can't tell you anything story-wise about it.

What I can tell you is that it was originally to be a feature-length film. A few companies said they would rather do it as a TV show, So the company put out a call for writers. Thankfully someone Grantz and I had previously worked with, put our names in the hat.

So we have been trying to turn the full-length script into a short TV pilot. It's been pretty fun. The producers kind of gave us cart blanche to develop new characters and story arcs. We will be sure to keep you posted on what we can. The plan right now is spend the weekend trying to get a rough draft (last night we finished up a strong outline) done and in the hands of the producers.

In "Tim and Katie" news, Jerry is very close to finishing up a re-edit of the film. This new one should be faster-paced and cut some scenes down that may have dragged on a bit too long. He also did some really nice color correction on it that makes it look amazing.

Also I am going to try and finish up my critique on Tim and Katie in the next week. I am about halfway done with it. Unfortunately it has been somewhat of a low priority as my plate is very full at the moment. You will be able to read this critique in the newly-implemented Critique section of our website. There, KREJ Directors will self-critique their projects, and offer up all sorts of insight into the various stages of production. Rumor has it Steven is writing one up for Saving Suburbia, KREJ's first short film we worked on.

Whelp time to be hitting the ole dusty trail. I will be doing my best to post more this month, but no promises. Take it easy Krej Heads!
-Jeff K

P.S. If you haven't heard of the band "Titus Andronicus" go listen to them right now. They have an album named "An Airing of Grievances", like from the "Festivus" episode of Seinfeld. If that hasn't sold you on them, you might be in dire need of intense psychiatric help.

Back in the USSR.. err the ATL!

Well hello there folks! I'm comin' atcha from KREJ HQ, I have once again returned to my domicile, after a lovely near-two week stint of visiting Greg & Hannah down in Savannah, GA.

Also, a belated Happy St. Paddy's Day to you all!! This weekend will bring many things, one of them, the arrival of Da Grub. Another being a St. Paddy's party this weekend with some friends coming over to KREJ HQ. It should be quite the blast, as you kids say.

Unfortunately, there still exists a problem with our internet, and I am currently using our apartment complex's internet cafe wifi network, so it's slow as dog molasses.

I saw a bunch of movies/films while I was down in Savannah. Among them, Crazy Heart; which was every bit of excellent I hoped it would be. Mr. Bridges was nothing short of superb in his role as an old, busted up country singer trying to reclaim a slice of fame and joy in his musical career, battling the super evils/terribleness of more modern 'nu-country', as well as a beastly case of alcoholism.

I also watched Boondock Saints II : All Saints Day. It was pretty alright; as most people would tell you, not as good as the first, but still enjoyable. Plenty of action, a couple plot twists/reveals, and the usual helping of what us guys love most, guns, swearing, blood and more swearing.

Did a little more design work in planning for the poster we are putting together for Hero Sandwich. Really excited about working on that! Also changed my personal site design like 3 times. So yay?!

In my email inbox is a short version of our feature length script Rat Bastards. Will probably try and read it tonight, or else someone is gonna give me the third degree. Read your scripts people send you kids!

Until next time,
-Matt