$7,825 ain't bad at all, folks.

Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you. When Brad Resnick and I first started laying out the budget for "Blaming George Romero," we had no idea if we could make it to our goal budget of $9,000. But we did. I was always willing to throw my own money into the project, so considering that we managed to only miss our goal by $1,175 I am extremely happy.

Thanks to indiegogo for giving artists like us a place to do what we just did... Money's always the scariest factor, and having a place where we could raise funds in a fun way was amazing. Thanks to John Trigonis and his lovely better half, Marinell Montales for introducing me to indiegogo and giving me advice throughout. Really, indiegogo became the springboard that made this project possible... It was only when we saw that we had a possible way to raise money that the reality of making a movie seemed like... well, a reality.

But the biggest thanks of all goes to everyone who donated (sometimes more than once!!!) what they could. These are not easy times, economically, and that there are people who are willing to give... and give in large amounts... I really don't have the words to thank you properly. I am not that good a writer. =P I always relished getting an email telling me that I had a new contribution. Sometimes it was someone I knew, and that really made me happy... that my friends and family believed in me and this project enough to support us as they did. Sometimes it was someone that knew someone else in the cast... and that was cool too. And occasionally, we even got donations from people that none of us actually knows! It really is an amazing thing, and again... There are no words. So, thank you.

Below is a list of all of you who generously contributed to indiegogo over the last few months. If you do not see your name, and you contributed, please forgive me I copied and pasted from an excel sheet to a word document to here. Just give me a quick heads up and I will add you.


Executive Producers

Christopher Curtis Jr.
Augie Caamano Jr.
Donna Caamano
Andrew Riggs

Associate Producers

Antonio Hernandez
Marc Franco
Andrew Platizky
Charlene Platizky
Betty Kemp Lise
Blake Joseph Zawadzki
Jill Bilics
Eddie’s Bar

Special Thanks

Julie Ann Colon
Andrew Bichler
Erinmarie Ciallella
Amy DeGise
Jason Williams
Sal Pellitteri
Jeanette Pellitteri
Theresa Cooper
Ivan Rushfield
Judy Kuchler
Elba Martinez Hallihan and Carlos Diaz
Elizabeth Dautrick
Jose Gonzalez
Frank Ayala
Nancy Paino
Al Lise
Gerry Collins
Melissa Polowy
Eric Crafton
Roman Guadarrama
Jody Smith
Ellie Hernandez
Deena Parr
Max Arias
Jen & Eddie Cody
Thomas Zimmerman
Joe Carillo
Patty Bradley
Bernard Smalls
Quincy Spagnolo
Joe Moskowitz
Bob Thurston
Max Resnick
Al Resnick
Erica Resnick
Chandani Patel
Tim Lise
David Arce
Eric Levy
Sean Feuer
Devin Graham
Joyce Graham
Gary Wasilewski
Eva Visco
Lauren Bock Mullins
Michele Watson
Ahmed Elbabouhi
Tinea Plummer
Diana Plesniarski
Patrick Gallagher
Candice Fair
Wayne Crawford
Roger Platizky
Jeniffer Rueda
Mary Joyce Kemp
Catrina Ayala
Luisa Gomez
Christopher Korek
Arielle Brettler
Casey Okamoto
Anthony Fazio
Mike Cutruff
Isaac Platizky

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That is a Wrap... Party!

Tonight was the wrap party for "Blaming George Romero." Thanks to all the lovely people who came out tonight. It was a great feeling to be able to celebrate with you all... We missed a few who could not attend, but our thoughts were with them.

We had the delicious food of Hendrickson's and the waiting abilities of one Eric Dederding, which made for a very nice evening. We also lucked out incredibly... The amazing, amazing, incredible, talented, wonderful, lovely Elizabeth White & Catherine Carlisle of Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken (Cake Boss!!!) made us a delicious Red Velvet zombie cake based on one of the scenes in the movie. (See pictures below.) They did an amazing job, as you can see, and I cannot thank them enough for the terrific job they did for us. Seriously, that cake may have been the highlight of my night.

So, that is it. Wrap party finished. Indiegogo has a few more minutes, but it doesn't look like we'll make our goal... We did do an amazing job, though, and I will write a nice little thank you blog in a few hours.

Stay tuned!

Sam

Actor, Writer, Producer

Blaming George Romero

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8/13/10 "That teaser makes me want to see that movie."

The title of this blog entry is paraphrasing Billy Dautrick upon seeing the "Blaming George Romero" Teaser.

That teaser has been several weeks in the making, let me tell you. This teaser was a collaboration of Brad Resnick, Sean Feuer, and myself. So, thank you, guys. Gotta give a special shoutout to Sean who really came through, not just this teaser but for the entire summer as well. The guy does amazing work, as you can see from looking at that teaser.

See Brad, my fellow producer, felt that we should get a teaser out ASAP. He wanted people to see the footage before indiegogo closes, to give them an idea of what they were donating to. I was a little hesitant... I didn't want to push anything until it was ready (and then later in the process we switched places, whereas I wanted it out there and Brad was cautioning me to wait until it was ready... its a good balance).

So, I was on Facebook one night, mindlessly pimping the movie most likely, when I started a conversation with Sean. The conversation quickly turned to trailers, and how much he loves making them, and we started brainstorming what should be in the teaser. I have to say, we were on the same page the entire time, feeding off each other's ideas until we had what could be a pretty cool little teaser for the movie.

So, I took some of the footage we talked about and imported it in iMovie (this was before I got Final Cut), and started to edit a teaser. Now, the teaser I made was an okay blueprint... don't get me wrong.. but it didn't make me want to really jump up and see the movie. The music, by the way, comes from the late band Guido the Killer Pimp. Long story short, cut to this week, and we have this teaser... a teaser that made Bill (and myself) actually want to see this movie.

I hope it makes you feel the same way. Go to www.indiegogo.com/Blame_Romero to get a look at the tease. It is replacing our pitch video (we only have 5 days left anyway), but that video is still on youtube if you get nostalgic. So, check out the teaser... and if you can, please give... we are less than $2K from our goal... and every little bit makes a difference.

Stay tuned!

Sam

Actor, Writer, Producer

"Blaming George Romero"

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8/8/10: Sitting between Production & Post

It is now August, and we have been done with principle photography for over a week. We have gotten some of the extra stuff that we needed to get, and unless I am wrong, we only have 2 things left to film. Post production is on the horizon, and it should be really exciting. A year ago, the script was just an idea that I had, and pretty soon the editing will begin, and my movie will take shape. It's been a long, hard process. Definitely not easy... As an actor, it is easy to take for granted all the moving parts involved in movie making (and I really miss being able to take all of that for granted), so if nothing else I will be coming away from this movie with a new appreciation for the process.

It has been pretty quiet lately on the blog front, in this in between time, but we are moving behind the scenes. I finished the final "Behind the Scenes" Video for Production and that should be up on the website soon. The teaser trailer is so very close to being finished, and so we hope to reveal that asap just to give you a taste of the movie.

And we are nearly at one final week of indiegogo donations. We haven't reached our goal yet, but we have done really well as far as things go, and want to make one final push before the donations close so:

*If you donate $250 or more, you still have the opportunity to play a zombie in a special scene of the movie (which will film shortly).

*If you donate $1,000, you will get to bring a guest to the wrap party for "Blaming George Romero (which is also coming up), which should be fun and delicious.

*Now, here is something new and special. We haven't started to edit yet, so we don't have a final movie. And we don't know exactly when everything will be done... And when that happens, we are not sure where and when we will have our first screening... but... How would you like to come to that first screening when that happens? Here's how that is going to work. People who worked on the movie will automatically be invited... Then, depending on the venue we will give away tickets to all of the people who generously donated to the film. Starting with those who donated the most and working backwards until the venue (wherever it is) is full. So, if you donate as little as $10, you will be in the running to receive a ticket, but the more you donate the better your chances of getting a seat. Make sense? Yes? No? That's okay, it makes sense to me, and I'm the one whose got to know what's going on. What you need to know is, if you donate you may be one of the first to see "Blaming George Romero." The more you donate, the better your chances.

So, go to www.indiegogo.com/Blame_Romero and give what you can, if you can. Trust me when I tell you that I appreciate every cent that gets donated to the film.

That's all for now. Hope to have new stuff soon.

Stay tuned!

Sam

Actor, Writer, Producer

"Blaming George Romero

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7/30/10-7/31/10 That's a Wrap... on Principle Photography!!!!!

Well, that is that. Principle photography is wrapped on "Blaming George Romero." Last night was it. Last night had its ups and downs, but the thing that counts is that we got our shots. So, rather than dwell on the negative (which I could easily do ad nauseum), I am going to accentuate the positive.

Thanks once again to our hosts, the Grahams. Devin, the travel minister of "Blaming George Romero," and his wife Joyce were amazing as always especially considering all that we have asked of them. His other wife, Max, was equally gracious. They are as vital member of the crew as anyone else as far as I am concerned.

Bill Marks, an old friend from my Rutgers days came all the way from Maryland... Maryland!!! To film a scene for the movie, and he did a great job. He sacrificed his hair, his clothes, and didn't mind getting a little dirty. Good times.

Isaac, Raul, & Joey were great as usual... Tim Gaffney was a life saver (quite possibly literally).

And that brings me to my fellow lead actors... Bobby, Loarina, & Dan... What a fucking journey it has been... We still have a little more to go before we are completely wrapped, but we have finished principle photography together. I love you all, and know that I made the right choice in writing these parts for you. Each and every one of you brought 180% to the table, and it will show in the final product.

That's it... After years of wanting to make a movie, we somehow went & did it. Look at us go. Like I said, we still have some pick ups and a reshoot to take care of, so production isn't over completely.

And neither is this blog... When I started this thing, I promised updates throughout production, and that includes post production (although I imagine there'll be slightly fewer updates) and beyond to wherever this movie goes. This blog follows the entire journey of "Blaming George Romero..." And that journey has just begun.

Stay tuned!

Sam

Actor, Writer, Producer

"Blaming George Romero"

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7/29/10: Zombies!

Well, here we are... One day away from wrapping principal photography on "Blaming George Romero." We have a few things left, but all in all, we are really close to that finish line. The outpouring of support from you all has been tremendous, and I can't really believe it myself. So many have given so much to help make my movie leap from the page to the screen, and I will never forget your generosity.

As a little token of my gratitude, I share with you this afternoon the first ever look at the "Blaming George Romero" zombies, created by the amazing Mandyjo Reinier. A gift to those who have given, and perhaps a little encouragement to those who have been on the fence about donating.

If you are thinking about donating, I encourage you to do it as soon as possible. There are only 19 days left to donate to www.indiegogo.com/Blame_Romero. Production may soon be over, but post production is an entirely different process filled with expenses. The better shape we are in financially, the better our product will be in the end.

Remember, there are some great perks available for those who give generously. Anything from a thank you in the credit, to the ability to become one of the awesome zombies seen below, to an invite to the film's wrap party (which should be a pretty great time BTW).

So, yeah... We are almost there... Help be a part of this.

Stay tuned!

Sam
Actor, Writer, Producer
"Blaming George Romero"

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7/27/10: I'll sleep when I'm UNdead.

Ahhh... Most ambitious shoot yet? Check.

Last night (into this morning), alongside the cast and crew of Blaming George Romero, we shot the big zombie scene in a cemetery that we were supposed to shoot two weeks ago, but couldn't because of rain. Well last night there was no percipitation at all. It was, all in all, a beautiful night weatherwise.

Now originally, the cemetery shoot was scheduled for two nights, but because of weather we shortened it to one... and then when we rescheduled we just carried that one night plan along with us. We all knew it would be a long night, and a long night it was.

We entered the woods/cemetery at approximately 7pm. I arrived home at 7am, and got an hour sleep before work. It's a funny thing... I love sleep... But I have no problem staying up until 7:30am if its for this kind of thing... Waking up for work an hour later? Ehhh.

I just watched the footage from last night after a nice little nap... and I am happy. There were some things that we had to adjust last minute... But watching what we got, well... It makes me happy. It wasn't an easy night by any means... One of the three generators we had was on the fritz, but we still managed to get some great looking footage.

So! Special thanks (in no particular order) to:

Bobby & Raul... great shots, and good adjustments made on the fly.

Doug... Our lighting commander did it again. Even with the generator issues we had, he still made it work. And work very well... The lights are great on this shoot.

Speaking of lights, we had many new lights brought in by Bill Dautrick and operated by him and Matt Hudjnacki. Really good effects.

Julie Colon... Coming in for a great cameo, when she is so busy... Just amazing.

Joey... Sticking it out in the middle of the woods to run our sound as usual... without a chair for most of the shoot... Awesome.

Mandyjo... Creating an army of the undead that look great.

And speaking of... Our zombies (who were also our crew members both returning and new): Billy Dautrick, Aaron Visco, Casey Okamoto, Jared Visco, Matt Hudjnacki, Tim Gaffney, Mike Crops, Blake Zawadzki, Kevin Lennon, Sean Feuer.

Resnick's True Value Hardware for the use of a lot of stuff from generators to tables and chairs and more. We would literally be in the dark if it weren't for them.

And of course, my main cast members.

These guys (and gals) stayed into the early morning with me... When the going got tough, these people did not get going. I couldn't ask for more from these people, and I am so happy to have such good, generous people working with me.

Few pictures below... A lot of pictures that we took, I can't show you yet (zombies), but I hope these wet your appetite.

Stay tuned!

Sam

Actor, Writer, Producer

"Blaming George Romero"

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