25
Mar
09

Films in progress update

Just a little update to let you know how a bunch of the films are doing…

1. Black&White Ball: We have changed the title to “Believe” and we have finished the film. The sound design (including an awesome sound track made up of local indie bands – thanks Tim!) is finally complete and I just added the high-rez photos to the film.  The major hurdle right now is for the exec. producer and the original director to settle their legal/financial issues. Once that is complete  we can upgrade all the footage to high-rez and we’re good to go. Cross your fingers.

2. Gringos at the Gate: We had a blast filming in Columbus last month at the USA vs. Mexico World Cup qualifying game. The weather was amazing… in a wet and windy way. We were drenched by a huge storm just before the game started and 50 mph winds hit us throughout the match. It didn’t matter though because Roberto, Pablo and I got some great footage. We are editing together a sizzle reel right now that we will take to potential funders to see about raising the final funds we need to head down to Mexico City in August for the second match. All is on schedule and we are really excited about this project.

3. Unknown Hero/A Christmas in Tent City: The short version was warmly received at Cinequest and I am hurrying around to meetings talking to potential funders (yes, I spend most of my time looking for financing!). I find out in June if I get a major grant that will help us hire Claire to get the new illustrations done. In the meantime I will be visiting some local middle schools to show the film and talk about the whole filmmaking process.

23
Mar
09

Cinequest Film Festival 2009

cinequest
Cinequest 2009 has come and gone, and we had a great time. The Sunday premiere was amazing with people sitting in the aisles to watch “A Christmas in Tent City” and the five other short documentaries that day. The Q&A after the film was great as many in the audience were curious about the making of the feature version of the film. It looks like I’m going to get about three business meetings over the next 2-3 weeks to talk about funding the feature doc.

After the screening we held a private party where people got to meet with both Francisco and Claire.

The rest of the festival was a blast as Nicole and I watched as many films as we could. Highlights for me were Witch Hunt, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison and Killer Poet.

If I can get a couple of my current short docs finished in time I hope to be back at Cinequest next year. Hope to see you there.

26
Feb
09

Welcome

Welcome to Whalen Films… or should I say behind the scenes of Whalen Films. I hope this site keeps you up to date with my film projects and maybe even an insight or two into how films are made.

Feel free to comment on anything and everything. Thanks for your interest and support.

Mike