Following is an account of my very first film festival screening for the feature film, LULLABY―a project we’re all very proud of but buried long ago. The film premiered at the 2000 Fort Worth Film Festival (now Lone Star International Film Festival) and went on to screen at the Dallas VideoFest (still going strong). Writer/director, David Lowery, was responsible for keeping the film alive; but last I heard, he’d copied over it, or something. And I haven’t seen my SVHS copy since I graduated college in 2002. Such is life. Introduced by David, and originally published on his website, here’s my accounting of our very first screening at the Black Dog Tavern in Fort Worth (now defunct).
Lullaby First Screening Review
Well, both screenings are now over. The Saturday show was great; however, with the screening on Friday, we had both the honor and the nightmare of being the very first film to play at the Fort Worth Film Festival (and it was more of a nightmare); they obviously hadn’t given their equipment much testing prior to the screenings. Luckily, as I predicted, hardly anyone showed up. Adam was there, though, and he has provided this first hand account of an experience no indie filmmaker wants to go through. So without further ado:
The room was dark―black―the very essence of its name. As I ran into the Black Dog Tavern to present the first screening of “Lullaby”; with sweat pouring down my cheeks and soaking my Kenneth Cole shirt, and rainwater having already dampened my freshly polished Versace shoes, I realized, as I was already five minutes late to the screening with a fresh tape―re-edited, color washed out and sound enhanced―that it was going to be a very long day. Running inside, I was confronted by one of the festival guys: “Are you the filmmaker?” he asked. “Yeah, I’m representing the film,” I responded quickly, “and I’ve got the refined tape.”
I addressed the audience, which consisted of two women at the front table whom I had never seen before; one guy directly behind them and to my right who I think may have been associated with the film playing directly after “Lullaby”; Doug’s father behind him; a good friend of mine, Evan, to the far left, my sister and her friend, Kevin behind Evan; my mother, directly behind them; and two club guys running around. They seemed relieved when the new tape came in, and I was too, despite the fact that I ran all the way from 1st to 8th street and four blocks of cross streets to get there. Panting and sweating harder then ever, I apologized for the delay as the club guys put in the new tape and pressed play. “Great,” I thought, “everything should be fine now.” But to my horror, everything went horribly wrong. The black and white contrast in the images was blurred and shaky, making it impossible to see what was going on at key points in the film. We stopped the film, and I ran to a corner and called David. No answer, so I left a frantic message on his voicemail.
A few minutes later he called and told me to apologize and cancel the screening. I couldn’t do that―most of the people who had gone out there were there to support us totally and I couldn’t take that away from them. So, the club guy went and got another VCR. Twenty minutes later as I was at the end of the bar out of sight, drinking a glass of water, and hiding my face, the VCR came. We plugged it in, taking another slight delay. Relieved once again, I prayed that the movie would run right.
Did it? Of course not, same problem occurred, albeit a tiny bit cleared up. The only thing that kept me from stopping the film altogether was the fact that no one left during the screening. I mean, the most exciting thing that happened during the screening was when the beer guy came with the beer and when an electrician started working outside the bar and then came in and said, “You’re online.” The screening sucked and the worst part was thanking everyone for coming at the end and having to hide my anguish and fear. However, the guy that I didn’t know asked for the website, so I guess that’s good. But, all in all, it was a pretty bad screening. And of course, when I took the tape home and played it on my Super VHS VCR, it worked fine. Bummer.
The less known half of Road Dog,
Adam Donaghey
Stay tuned for a report on the GREATLY IMPROVED Saturday show (we brought our own VCR)…

Filed under: Film Festivals, Fort Worth Film Festival, LULLABY
The 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on January 30 and Houston stunt coordinator and performer Mark Chavarria was recognized as part of a group of stunt performers to take the “Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture” for Christopher Nolan’s INCEPTION. Mark has performed stunts for both independent and big budget films and television for over twenty years. I caught up with Mark and asked him what it was like to work on INCEPTION, playing Cheech Marin’s stunt double (in Robert Rodriguez’ MACHETE) and the difference between low-budget indie and big-budget films.
Boudreaux and Thibodeaux have been working hard over at Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack. The upstairs deck is temperature controlled, perfect for all the intense weather we’ve been having in the Clear Lake Area recently. You can’t get a better view of the Kemah Boardwalk Marina anywhere else in the area. And most importantly, a barrage of new menu items are coming this February. On the horizon for spring, when the weather settles and live music starts back up, you might see the two cousins swinging hammers, building a brand new outside kitchen for boiling crawfish and smoking Alan’s famous oysters!
Those who recall Alan’s famous shrimp stuffed jalapeños from the Beach Club days, will be pleased to see they’re now on the Swamp Shack menu. Other appetizer additions include an award-winning shrimp & oyster diablo (shrimp, an oyster and a jalapeño wrapped in bacon and deep fried), crab stuffed mushrooms, smoked oysters, real alligator legs (if alligator nuggets aren’t enough!), and various sampler plates to try them all. If you’re with a group of friends, be sure to share some boiled seafood treats. The Mix Crab Pot includes a Blue Crab, clusters of each Snow Crab, Dungeness and a leg of King Crab; and the ultimate Boiled Seafood Feast includes everything in the Mix Crab Pot plus two pounds of crawfish, half a pound of boiled shrimp and lobster tail!
Frank V. Ross, a completely self-taught filmmaker, has made seven movies in the Chicagoland area. Not only does he write, direct and edit his own films; but oftentimes he’s one of the lead actors, he runs sound, and up until his last few pictures, he’s operated his own camera. Essentially, he’s a one man movie making machine. He’s also waited tables for over ten years and has no idea how to do anything else.
I first met Frank after a screening of his fifth film, PRESENT COMPANY, at the 2008 South By Southwest Film Festival. I was impressed with his ability to capture working people in real situations in an interesting way. Maintaining that balance between real people and the characters they play is key when creating a narrative meant both to convey the real world and to entice its viewers. Additionally, I’m fascinated in Frank’s remarkable ability to play jokes on his viewers and get away with it. He’ll often use suspense in humorous situations throughout his films to build the interest of the audience and then offer no real payoff. The audience will go along with it, oftentimes knowing they’ve been duped, because of his keen ability to distract and redirect.
As I read the script for AUDREY THE TRAINWRECK (our first collaboration), I found myself consistently amused, expecting something to happen and then chuckling when it didn’t. Frank even blatantly adds a title card, displayed after the main title while a supporting character has a tire blowout, that reads: “Or… These Things Happen in Threes.” Maintaining a pleasant vibe and keeping it fun for the audience, we ultimately get a payoff at the end – albeit, a non-traditional one.
In Frank’s latest incarnation, TIGER TAIL IN BLUE, he ups the joke’s-on-you ante. The film will thoroughly confuse some audiences and they’ll be constantly trying to figure out what’s going on. Whether or not the confusion over something so simple actually matters in the grand scheme of things is up to them. That being said, when discussing filmmaking over a glass of Scotch one evening, Frank said, “Movies aren’t a painting that you can stare at and make your own conclusions.” The endings don’t change, and the viewer can either accept that and go along for the ride, or not.
sledding down a hill on a snow shovel, Drew falling down the hill with all the sound gear (unscathed!), sausage and peppers, stares I got when I whipped out my koozie, realizing that I really enjoy slate jokes, laughing at how much fun it really is to count down the New Year over and over again in the middle of January. Somewhere in between all of that we made a movie. Follow TTIB on Twitter @TIGERTAILinBLUE.
When I was in high school, one of the coolest jobs was being a projectionist at a movie theater. Especially a movie theater that gave you a key because of the long hours. Not only did you get to see first run movies for free and have first dibs on all sorts of uber-cool swag like posters and film trailers, but you got to take your friends to the movies at like three in the morning to see any movie you wanted.
Update: The film previously titled “MINOR IN POSSESSION” is now titled “WUSS.”
I got my first dose of the Canon 5D the last weekend in June while producing the short film NEAL, which Liford shot, about a poolside escapade that turns deadly for two lovers unaware of what lurks beneath the crystal clear water. Adding into the mix some heavy underwater footage, I was really impressed with what this camera can accomplish with the proper gadgetry―in this case, underwater housing specifically designed to keep the camera water tight. Although the most rewarding experience on this particular shoot was spraying co-lead Dallas based actor Ryan Harper Gray with a water cannon filled with fake blood.
That being said, immediately following MIP, we go into pre-production for a measly five days before shooting our next project (also on the Canon 5D), co-written and to be directed by my future and temporary housemate. The film, titled UNCERTAIN, TX, is named for the small Texas town, with a population of approximately 150, on the west side of Caddo Lake; and will touch on it’s rich history and eerie superstitions. Although our principle location is a bed and breakfast located in the neighboring city of Marshall, there will be plenty of footage filmed on location.
Under new ownership since November, Signature Bistro has been completely renovated inside and out. With a fresh new look and an updated menu, the cozy, converted house is the perfect place to wine and dine. With live music on the weekends and low lights in the evenings, the Bistro provides a truly intimate experience. Top it all off with extraordinary chef-prepared dishes and a sophisticated selection of fine wines, and you’ve got yourself a fine dining destination – without the long drive.
The time, effort and service put in by the staff at Signature Bistro is inspiring. Sisters, Elizabeth Grella and Melissa Baccus own the restaurant; but are often seen bar-tending and serving food. Executive chef, Bradley Hamil, greets guests whenever possible, garnering feedback on his signature dishes. Patrons feel more like family than customers and there’s a welcoming spirit unparalleled with most establishments due to the quaint, homelike layout and small scale of the restaurant.
Lunch at The Bistro consists of lighter versions of the dinner menu, along with a variety of pastas and the mouthwatering Texas Kobe burger. Look out for the Reuben, Cuban, muffuletta and club sandwiches starting this month!
Clear Lake’s newest hot spot opened its doors in June. Club Pure is located at the corner of NASA Road 1 and Highway 3 at 229 E. NASA Road 1.
Turn another corner and you’re in the middle of all the action. Go-go dancers entertain the crowds, patrons dance to the reverberating beat, and others lounge around. With lush, red booths and tables surrounding the dance stage, it’s easy to get caught up in the mix. And for more private occasions, reserve one of the numerous VIP areas, set off from the general public, where patrons receive premium bottle service and the assistance of a VIP hostess. Complete the VIP experience with limo service to and from the club – perfect for bachelor or bachelorette parties and birthdays.
With no cover (excluding special events), ladies night is every night. “We have the craziest drink power hour in all of Clear Lake,” Club Pure Promoter Jaime Gonzalez said. Come early and enjoy $1.25 domestics and wells from 9 to 11 p.m. and $2 Club Pure shots all night. With plenty of parking available and optional valet service, Club Pure is convenient and hassle free. Club Pure provides a smoke free environment, but smokers can enjoy the outdoor patio.

After a mysterious atmospheric event aboard the international space station, a small group of people wake up to realize that their entire lives have been a lie...
This well-ordered comedy is about attempting to keep life simple, and the beauty of such an absurd pursuit. Most men live lives of quiet desperation – Ron’s desperation is about to get loud...
In this savage comedy about deceit and sibling rivalry, two estranged brothers, Rudy and Paul, have nothing in common but their love for the same woman. When Paul whisks her away to a romantic mountain retreat, the lovers have no idea that Rudy has made it there first... 
A stark, haunting portrait of childhood following the adventures of a runaway brother and sister as they try to survive, all on their own, out on the wintry plains of the great southwest...
After a loyal son comes home to visit his aging mother, she assigns him some chores -- one of which involves a road trip to help satiate her desire for a certain special herb...
This immigrant odyssey is the story of a woman who left her life in the Dominican Republic in the early 1980s for the South-side of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Despite difficulty and temptation, she upheld her dignity and her pursuit of the American dream...
Based on Albert Camus' novel of the same name, this classic tale of morality and injustice centers around two men set apart from society and its ‘norms’ by the wicked enticement of The Stranger!
"Some sins are never forgotten... especially in a small town."