In Justice - 2004 Philadelphia Film Festival's Hot Topic
Though this year's 13th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival has proven to be quickly rising and gaining popularity with more movies and celebrity guest appearances, it also proves to still hold true to the words "independent film festival," as a new filmmaker, Alexander Ballas arrives on the scene with his knockout film debut.
Ballas, 26 year old native of Philadelphia wrote, produced and directed the 35mm feature film In Justice, a drama set in the Philly police department. In Justice is a dark story of Frank Miller who awakens to a city where he is the prime suspect in his wife’s murder and swears an oath to hunt down the three men that murdered Angela, to find the video tape they made the night of her death, and to confront the Fourth Man who led the conspiracy against him.
Not only do the film’s powerful still images draw people’s curiosity, but the buzz circulating about “a guy who made a 35mm feature in only two weeks on a crumb budget” is hitting the streets furiously and making Ballas a hero among fellow filmmakers.
"This film was (remarkably) made in less than two weeks, entirely through volunteer support from cast and crew. Yet its dark, gritty feel contains absolutely no evidence of production shortcomings. The director credits his cast and crew “who worked tirelessly, constantly" in completing this very effective tale of love, hate and human redemption.--Scott Johnston
Ballas' cinematography is truly stunning and one of the main attractions to this film. His dark and gritty street style coupled with a breath taking pivotal scene on a deserted beach at sunrise, gives this film otherworldly radiance and looming darkness. He overpoweringly deploys certain colors, most notably red or green consistently bathed in a pool of shadows. The brighter scenes glow with character Angela always in red, presenting a feeling of life, love and innocent bloodshed. Then death, danger, and hate are bathed in dark shadows with minimal light. The film begins switching and juxtaposing them creating underlying tension as it slips in between dreams, hope, life, and death.
The cast of In Justice is flawless as every single actor gives a supreme performance, creating unique and chilling characters. Surprisingly, most of the actors are relatively new discoveries by Ballas after intense casting sessions between New York and Philadelphia. The film is headed by the moving performances of Mike Tyler (Frank Miller) and April Evans (Angela Miller). April, a stunning Texas beauty, gives a lovely and subtle, yet effective performance as a young wife in love on the brink of a new life. Truly a find, she is well matched with the film's star Mike Tyler who's portrayal of Frank Miller is nothing short of exceptional. Other cast members include Ron Gordan, Jonathon Hemmingway, Karl Jacob, Markus Hinkle, Peter Salzer, and Troy Perrin.
Though rumored to be almost sold out, a remarkable occurrence for a first timer, you can still see In Justice at the festival Sunday, April 18th. There will also be an after party directly following the screening in which you can meet Ballas, the cast and crew.
In Justice
US 2004, 75 min
Showtimes:
International House Sunday, April 18 7:15 Tickets $9.00
For more information, please visit the film's website www.in-justice.com or the Philadelphia Film Festival website www.phillyfests.com
Thursday, April 15, 2004
LifeLine Entertainment to Begin Principle Photography on its Second Feature-Length Motion Picture, “11:11.”
The long awaited follow-up project to LifeLine Entertainment’s acclaimed feature debut “Return to Innocence”, has finally been announced and is slated for production on May 01, 2004 in Orange County. “11:11” is a two-sided feature film that uniquely combines a coming-of-age tale with a hard-hitting crime drama, all within its 90-minute duration.
The film will be shot in two segments. ACT 1, with a 1985 summertime setting, will begin production in May, followed by a four-month hiatus, and then ACT 2 will start up in October. Reasons for the unique shooting schedule is that of the film’s writer/director, Rocky Costanzo. “The mood and setting of this film is very important to me.” Says Costanzo. “I want the audience to be heavily involved in the story as if they are living the experience through the characters on screen.”
Costanzo, 30, has literally grown up on film production sets, having worked on hit television shows as “The Wonder Years,” “Evening Shade,” “Party of Five,” among others. His 2001 feature film debut, “Return to Innocence”, launched his career as an independent film director and has helped to set up his sophomore film project (11:11) which is loosely based on his own Orange County upbringing. Also worth noting is Costanzo’s 1993 film short, “Straight Talk,” a documentary on troubled youths, which earned him a Community Access Producers Award for best educational film in 1993.
ACT 1 of “11:11” takes place in the summer of 1985 along the pacific shores of Huntington Beach, California… a popular beach community of Orange County. The focus of the story rests on the backs of two young boys enjoying their typical summer of innocence. The two leading roles have been confirmed and announced. 13 year-old Myles Jeffrey will portray Young Zachary Fishman, a young rebel in the making, constantly flirting with trouble.
Myles is already a veteran in the film/television industry. He has earned numerous film and substantial television credits along with awards for his efforts. He has appeared in Guest Staring roles for "ER" and "Popular", and as a special Guest Star on "Family Law" and “Touched By An Angel.” He is currently a series regular voice on the cartoon "Stuart Little" for HBO, "Recess" as T.J. on Disney and "Whatever Happened to Robot Jones" for Cartoon Network.
11 year-old Darian Weiss has won the role of Young Parker Matthews, a small and fragile boy who hangs on the coat tails of his buddy, Zach. Darian is no stranger to LifeLine Entertainment, having appeared in the above mentioned title, “Return to Innocence,” but Darian has since worked a year on the popular daytime television program, “Days of our Lives” and starred in a handful of short films and theater productions.
Also on board is actor, Noah Fleiss, who has signed on to play Zach’s older cousin Derek. Noah has certainly earned his acting stripes, from his breakout performance in the award-winning feature film “Joe the King,” and in other film festival favorites like “Double Parked” and “Todd Solondz’s Storytelling.” The addition of Noah to the film’s cast once again was the decision of the film’s director, Rocky Costanzo. “Noah is the perfect ingredient to an already great cast.” Costanzo explains. “Not only does he fit the character perfectly, he also brings with him experience that will hopefully contribute to the performances of our younger actors who share scenes with him.”
“11:11” will be in-and-out of production this year and will then be showcased in domestic and international film festivals throughout 2005. An official web site is in the works, but for now you can visit LifeLine Entertainment’s home on the web at www.LifeLineEntertainment.com for updated information regarding this film and other works.
The long awaited follow-up project to LifeLine Entertainment’s acclaimed feature debut “Return to Innocence”, has finally been announced and is slated for production on May 01, 2004 in Orange County. “11:11” is a two-sided feature film that uniquely combines a coming-of-age tale with a hard-hitting crime drama, all within its 90-minute duration.
The film will be shot in two segments. ACT 1, with a 1985 summertime setting, will begin production in May, followed by a four-month hiatus, and then ACT 2 will start up in October. Reasons for the unique shooting schedule is that of the film’s writer/director, Rocky Costanzo. “The mood and setting of this film is very important to me.” Says Costanzo. “I want the audience to be heavily involved in the story as if they are living the experience through the characters on screen.”
Costanzo, 30, has literally grown up on film production sets, having worked on hit television shows as “The Wonder Years,” “Evening Shade,” “Party of Five,” among others. His 2001 feature film debut, “Return to Innocence”, launched his career as an independent film director and has helped to set up his sophomore film project (11:11) which is loosely based on his own Orange County upbringing. Also worth noting is Costanzo’s 1993 film short, “Straight Talk,” a documentary on troubled youths, which earned him a Community Access Producers Award for best educational film in 1993.
ACT 1 of “11:11” takes place in the summer of 1985 along the pacific shores of Huntington Beach, California… a popular beach community of Orange County. The focus of the story rests on the backs of two young boys enjoying their typical summer of innocence. The two leading roles have been confirmed and announced. 13 year-old Myles Jeffrey will portray Young Zachary Fishman, a young rebel in the making, constantly flirting with trouble.
Myles is already a veteran in the film/television industry. He has earned numerous film and substantial television credits along with awards for his efforts. He has appeared in Guest Staring roles for "ER" and "Popular", and as a special Guest Star on "Family Law" and “Touched By An Angel.” He is currently a series regular voice on the cartoon "Stuart Little" for HBO, "Recess" as T.J. on Disney and "Whatever Happened to Robot Jones" for Cartoon Network.
11 year-old Darian Weiss has won the role of Young Parker Matthews, a small and fragile boy who hangs on the coat tails of his buddy, Zach. Darian is no stranger to LifeLine Entertainment, having appeared in the above mentioned title, “Return to Innocence,” but Darian has since worked a year on the popular daytime television program, “Days of our Lives” and starred in a handful of short films and theater productions.
Also on board is actor, Noah Fleiss, who has signed on to play Zach’s older cousin Derek. Noah has certainly earned his acting stripes, from his breakout performance in the award-winning feature film “Joe the King,” and in other film festival favorites like “Double Parked” and “Todd Solondz’s Storytelling.” The addition of Noah to the film’s cast once again was the decision of the film’s director, Rocky Costanzo. “Noah is the perfect ingredient to an already great cast.” Costanzo explains. “Not only does he fit the character perfectly, he also brings with him experience that will hopefully contribute to the performances of our younger actors who share scenes with him.”
“11:11” will be in-and-out of production this year and will then be showcased in domestic and international film festivals throughout 2005. An official web site is in the works, but for now you can visit LifeLine Entertainment’s home on the web at www.LifeLineEntertainment.com for updated information regarding this film and other works.
“E-GIRL” Confidant Won't Tell All
Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2004 -- What happens when a resourceful 17-year-old wannabe screenwriter, working for the world’s largest internet service provider, obtains the screen names of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities and power brokers? In Hollywood, it means a film project based on the true story of Heather Robinson and her incredible escapade as an online confidant to the stars!
Robinson, who has already parlayed her adolescent charade as a pretend suitor for her lonely mom into Universal’s forthcoming film, “The Perfect Man” starring Hilary Duff, is at it again with “E-Girl”--her even zanier adventure as an internet intimate to some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
The full-fledged writer/producer maintains her prior cyber-subterfuge with major personalities and power players while a teenage customer service agent was neither malicious nor insincere and hardly worse than chumming up to movie stars at a private party or lifting a director’s cell phone number from an agency rolodex.
“Given the chance, what hopeful wouldn’t look up a few screen names if it meant they could meet their favorite player?” Heather reasons, “but I followed company rules and only contacted those who had an online profile or were in a chat room.”
Most celebrities had no clue at the time she knew who they really were, Robinson admits and that, of course, made her unorthodox approach so amenable to most.
“They were gracious, authentic and supportive,” Robinson says of nearly all of her idol encounters, “and what strange ‘proclivities’ a few may have exhibited will remain secret because most of them are close friends or colleagues now.”
Robinson vows “E-Girl” will only depict the clever, amazing and heartrending aspects of her online escapades and, who knows, perhaps some of her internet pals will appear in the film.
Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2004 -- What happens when a resourceful 17-year-old wannabe screenwriter, working for the world’s largest internet service provider, obtains the screen names of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities and power brokers? In Hollywood, it means a film project based on the true story of Heather Robinson and her incredible escapade as an online confidant to the stars!
Robinson, who has already parlayed her adolescent charade as a pretend suitor for her lonely mom into Universal’s forthcoming film, “The Perfect Man” starring Hilary Duff, is at it again with “E-Girl”--her even zanier adventure as an internet intimate to some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
The full-fledged writer/producer maintains her prior cyber-subterfuge with major personalities and power players while a teenage customer service agent was neither malicious nor insincere and hardly worse than chumming up to movie stars at a private party or lifting a director’s cell phone number from an agency rolodex.
“Given the chance, what hopeful wouldn’t look up a few screen names if it meant they could meet their favorite player?” Heather reasons, “but I followed company rules and only contacted those who had an online profile or were in a chat room.”
Most celebrities had no clue at the time she knew who they really were, Robinson admits and that, of course, made her unorthodox approach so amenable to most.
“They were gracious, authentic and supportive,” Robinson says of nearly all of her idol encounters, “and what strange ‘proclivities’ a few may have exhibited will remain secret because most of them are close friends or colleagues now.”
Robinson vows “E-Girl” will only depict the clever, amazing and heartrending aspects of her online escapades and, who knows, perhaps some of her internet pals will appear in the film.
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