NATHYN MASTERS’ debut feature, the apocalyptic thriller “The Fourth Beast” about a former army ranger taking on the forces of the Antichrist, was released on DVD Feb. 15 by York Entertainment. “The Fourth Beast” stars Jon Ross, Katie Getty, Jason Walsh and Glenn Dhont. Masters was associate producer on Xenophobia Films’ dance feature “Open Your Heart” last December.
Masters, Ross and “Fourth Beast” producer John Rogers are producing Whitney Barber’s dark comedy short “La Petite Morte” in April. Then in May, Masters aims to go into production on his sophomore directorial effort, the $70,000 martial arts pic “Silvergun Samurai,” produced through his Timecode Mechanics. Cast includes Joe Estevez, Valerie Mikita and Robert Z’Dar. See www.the4thbeast.com.
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| James Zahn |
JAMES ZAHN is in preproduction on his gangster/vampire/werewolf feature “Death Walks the Streets,” tentatively set to start shooting May 16 in Waukegan and Chicago. “I feel that ?DWTS’ is a breath of fresh air in the horror genre,” Zahn said. “Combining terrifying horror with elements of action and dark humor, ?DWTS’ hopes to deliver a cinematic experience unlike any you’ve witnessed before.'” Zahn wrote the script, formerly titled “60-666,” with Ben Brezinski, who is producing through Finely Made Films and Entertainment. See www.deathwalksthestreets.com.
MITCHELL KASPRZYK’S debut comedy feature “Do It,” about a college student exploring the city of Chicago, shoots late spring/early summer. Writer/director/DP Kasprzyk will shoot for 24 days on 16mm and DV. He’s self-financing the under-$100,000 budget through his K.S.M. Concepts, Inc. Kasprzyk’s 30-year career includes corporate and commercial work for clients including ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Leo Burnett, Orange Crush, and Hartco. Mail headshots/resumes to K.S.M. Concepts, 5148 W. Roscoe, Chicago, IL 60641.
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HOMBRE FILMS partners Mike Petrik, Edward Boe and Joe Avella have completed their self-referential zombie short “Dead Creek,” about a group of horror fans facing a real undead attack. Hombre is in preproduction on their followup film. See www.deadcreekmovie.com.
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| Megan Downour |
GRAVEL FILMS is in production on the DV feature “Wrong Place at the Wrong Time,” shooting on DV in Erie, Savanna, Dekalb and Chicago. Writer/producer Jason Schaver stars as a struggling comedian who gets caught up in a bank robbery and falls for the robbers’ starlet hostage (Megan Downour). Katie Enright and Chris Margetis co-star. Nathan Stein and Adam Perly are directing. Music by Chris Kohler, who is editing with Burt Naling. Email Schaver at jwschaver@yahoo.com.
IFP/CHICAGO is holding a feature-length screenplay competition, in collaboration with Chicago Scriptworks. The winning script will have a staged reading by Scriptworks in August. Applicants must be IFP/Chicago members; $85 annual membership. Entry deadline April 1. See www.ifp.org.
OPEN FLAME FILMS seeks screenplay pitches for their “Matchbook Trilogy” project, which will tie together three intertwining stories. Pitch deadline March 15, script deadline June 30. See www.openflamefilms.com.
WIT’S END SHORTS is accepting entries of comedies 12 minutes or less, made by Chicagoans, through March 18 for The Chicago Short Comedy Video and Film Festival, to be held this July. See www.witsendshorts.com.
THE WITNESS FILM FESTIVAL, showcasing narrative and documentary works that focus on international human rights issues, launches Oct. 28-30 here. Entry deadline is Aug. 1. See www.witnessfilmfestival.com.
CHICAGO FILMMAKERS seeks locally made works for upcoming screenings. Submit works for spring season ASAP, for fall season by June 1. See www.chicagofilmmakers.org.
Get the word out by Emailing info to edk@homesickblues.com.
