DAY 18+: One Horrible Night

"Duluth is Horrible" made it's premiere Tuesday Jan. 11 at the Zinema in two screenings. There were about 50 or so people at the 7:00p show and an almost full house at the 8:30p. This is the first time DIH has screening publicly and in front of an audience. It appears people liked it but then again, most people (Minnesota nice or not) wouldn't come up to me and tell me I suck. Although one drunk woman told me she thought I sounded like a blithering idiot.

DIH was paired with my films, "KNFR From 7:00-7:30", "The Muppetless Movie," Toasters 'N' Moose: I'm Not Homeless Music Video" and the original Kickstarter video. These works are all quite a bit different than DIH which at least attempts to be dramatic. The 7:00p show was more somber. A few decent laughs throughout. I felt very comfortable alone on stage for Q&A, feeling a bit like a late night talk show host. This comfort has been an acquired skill, leading some to believe my Myers Briggs is an ENFJ but I'm not totally convinced.

As I walked out of the theater after the 7:00p show, I was bombarded with the swarm of people waiting outside for the next one. All this is to see my work? I was flattered and went all Oprah on the audience promising cars to anyone my finger pointed to. Because it's not Oprah till it's Oprah. My heart sunk slightly as I witnessed Duluth Mayor Don Ness walk in. I felt like an ashamed schoolboy.  I offered the audience 30 seconds of abuse (old Graham Chapman gag) and asked if the Mayor would like to kick me in the balls. The Mayor got a comeback in the Q&A when he asked if I wanted a job in the sewer system. Touche.

The 8:30 audience was more livelier and seemed to laugh at just about everything. DIH played to decent to big laughs throughout, which I find interesting since I find it incredibly depressing & sad, though not without humor. Dark comedy it shall be. Hard to gauge what people think of my other work. The things that always get laughs got laughs. My "No on Norse" got bigger laughs here than elsewhere it's played. Must be a Swedish thing. 

Afterwards I desperately tried to talk to as many actors & friends as I could. Alas, it was the only time seeing some of these folks for this trip. One day I'll learn to just take a vacation and not work on anything. Drinks were had as I basked in my celebrity. I don't feel bad reveling in it as I work damn hard for those few hours of success. That said, when it's over and I return to my Radisson hotel room, one goes through a depression that now you have to go back to your normal life. Flew back to SF today. My cat looks at me unimpressed and wonders why his litter box hasn't been cleaned. I have to return to my day job tomorrow at 9:00a. 

It was an amazing night and I hope it was foreshadowing bigger better things. Thanks Duluth. You let me off too easy.     

A Taste Of Horrible

Here's the trailer. It plays up the melancholic side of the film but I figured it was better to go in as a drama and get a few laughs, then expect a comedy and not laugh very much. Erik Satie makes it all gloomy. The film itself is about one or two sound mixes away from completion, then over to the DVD printing company for Kickstarter send-offs! You can also pre-order a DVD too if you weren't a backer or involved in the film. DVD will have commentary and a never before seen bonus film about a whale! Hot dog!

I'll start sending to film festivals and trying to organize a screening in Duluth too. I look forward to another round of public outcry! Can you dig it man?





  

I'm Going To Duluth

With the help of 87 generous backers, I’ve successfully funded my next film, “Duluth Is Horrible.” I’m a little shocked honestly and surprised, but there is little time to just sit in a daze. It’s time to put the wheels in motion. I’ve already started looking at the best travel times. I’m thinking I’ll leave Jan. 26 and return around Feb. 14, as to be present for my Muppetless Movie showing at the SF Indiefest.

I THINK I can get everything I need in that period. I don’t suspect actual shooting to be all that lengthy. There’s only 17 scenes and some are very brief. What will take a while is finding the right actors and they will be key to the film’s success. There’s about 20 roles of varying requirements and I will put up a casting call perhaps before arriving. I’ll also need to find locations and with a title like mine, this could be a challenge.

I have already purchased my winter clothes after studying the Arctic Climate Guide. I am convinced I will be laughed at. But at least I will be warm. I will writing in my blog hopefully every day about my adventures.

Before this all my previous films were self-funded and it was a bonus that people seemed to like them. Now those same people have given me money to make another so I feel the need to make something really great. My goal is to make something beautiful. I certainly hope I can and am extremely grateful to those who backed the project to give me the chance. Thank you.

Now, let's make a movie! 

The Time Of Twilight Is Approaching!

Well Ladies & Gentlemen, this is it. This Saturday at Noon, my Kickstarter campaign will be over. I've gotten a huge push since the last update and we're only about 2 grand away. I think there's a good chance of this thing happening. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far and has spammed their friends with this thing. My appreciation doesn't translate well in words on the internet but I seriously appreciate any & all support. I owe everyone a beer (and whatever rewards you signed up for).

Assuming the campaign is a success come Sat, then it's time to get serious. Put up a casting call, find locations, book equipment & crew. My plan is to do some of this before my journey but obviously most will need to happen in Duluth. I'm looking forward to meeting people, spending time there, and apologizing to everyone for unfairly calling it horrible.

ALSO, SPECIAL MINNESOTA OFFER!: Pledge $2500 and we'll change the name to either "Duluth Is Ok Actually," "Fresno Is Amazing," or my personal favorite "Duluth, Don't Lose That Number." Think about it!

I'm going to bug everyone I know one more time and hopefully you can do that too, especially with your politician, NFL & dentist friends. Thanks again and I hope to have exciting news soon!

- Vincent

Project Of The Day

Apparently, the film was Indiewire's Project Of The Day yesterday and now there's a chance to vote for Project Of The Week. So YOU know what to do: http://www.indiewire.com/article/vote-for-indiewires-project-of-the-week-will-it-be-transit-umbrella-burning-or-duluth

The winning filmmaker will receive a digital distribution consultation from SnagFilms and will become a candidate for Project of the Month. That winner will be awarded with a creative consultation from the fine folks at the Tribeca Film Institute!

Making Pledges & Making Music!!

There are NINE Days to go! Eight if you're reading this tomorrow afternoon! And even less if you keep postponing looking at this update. We are still a ways to go from 10k. Quite a Ways! BUT I'm not discouraged because a few people verbally told me they were donating bigger amounts. They just haven't pledged yet. I will be sending nice reminders today. If we can get it to 5k, I have a very generous someone willing to front the rest. What can YOU do to get there? Share the project with your friends and social networks! If you like my work, you will enjoy this movie and I think the film will be a nice intro/surprise for those new to the World of Vincent Gargiulo.

Most everything will happen in Duluth so I'm limited on what I can do beforehand. That said, today I went to the studio to lay down the backing track for one of the film's songs, "A Bear, A Hedgehog, Or A Monkey". Here are two photos of me & one of the Bay Area's finest drummers, Roberta Drake rocking it out. I hope to have a demo to share by next week. Tomorrow, a slide guitarist comes in for the track.

I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to this project. I can't do this without you and really appreciate your support!!!

Sincerely,
Vincent Gargiulo

P.S. In other news, I found out my "Muppetless Movie" was accepted into the San Francisco Independent Film Festival!!!

New Video, Making The News!!

As I sit here listening to some HOT yuletide disco music, I decided I should send an update about the status of the project. First of all, there's a new pitch video on the page. Part pitch, part best-of reel, and another opportunity to explain the project and apologize to Duluth for the title. Given recent events, I also removed any talk of "blowing your brains out." A few people emailed me and were offended by that so now there's a video you can share that probably won't upset anyone! Hooray!!

I made the Duluth news again. Here's a report from Fox News 21 asking residents of what they think of the title. It's actually a semi-favorable piece. http://www.fox21online.com/content/duluth-residents-respond-duluth-horrible-movie-title

Actually, I've been befriended and emailed by many citizens who seem very nice and excited about the project. A lot of the latest backing activity has come from there. I'm no longer worried about finding talent or help. There will be plenty. Someone even recommended a good place for the karaoke scene. I'm told there are alot of mullets to be found there. Perfect!! I'm excited to meet & work with Duluthians on this movie.

I was feeling a little down this weekend about the status of the project. It's true we're far from my goal. But I'm committed to get it going and get the word out. I'll be sending more emails, more tweets, more Facebook posts, more everything. It's always better to try & fail, then give up. And with your help, we can get it out even more. So please share the project around. Part of the reason for adding clips of greatest hits to the pitch reel was to remind people "Hey, I make pretty good stuff. That gets views & exposure. And I'm not stopping."

THANK YOU for backing the project and your support. 17 Days to raise 9k. Let's do this!!!

- Vincent

Decision Time

If you plan on making a pledge, don't wait! I seem to be going through the "empty restaurant" syndrome. "Might be good, but not very popular. I'll pass." Keep in mind, you don't pay now. You only pay when the project meets the goal, in Jan.

In fact, here's a challenge for anyone reading this blog: I ask that you each contribute $5. That's a beer for your buddy or a tip for a video well done. It's not much on it's own but it'll add up.

To be frank, I absolutely HATE this entire Kickstarter process and if we don't even get at least 30% (3,000) by next week, I'm likely to abort the mission. Begging & spamming my friends is not something I enjoy and goes against everything I've ever done. Should the campaign fail, I may start an Indie Go-Go campaign where at least I'll get whatever money is donated. Perhaps should have done that in the first place. It's all a learning experience. Thanks to everyone's support.

Your Money & Me

If I could turn back time (sing along), I would change the Kickstarter goal to something slightly less. A full $10,000 will be needed but it seems so far away. Also I think people don't understand that it's all or nothing. I only get your donation if I reach the 10k goal. I explained today to someone why that much would be needed and thought I'd relay that info here as well:

• Travel & Living Costs: Money for me to get there & live there for up to a month. I'll need food, clothing, and transportation to get around.
• Actors: The actors need food, costumes, and some even get paid. 
• Equipment & Crew: I'd like to shoot this on a nice HD camera. One I was going to rent when I get there or possibly even buy with the support of my savings. There will be a sound man too who obviously will need compensation. Money is also an incentive to have crew & actors brave the elements to help make this. 
• Insurance: Filming in certain locations usually requires liability insurance. Plus in the potential harsh climate, equipment insurance would be good to have too. 
• Post: When the movie's all shot, it'll need to get edited, have a post sound mix, & have original music added. $$$
• Marketing: It's not enough to make a film anymore, you have to market it too. So some money goes to festival submissions costs, DVDs, and other promotional material. Also considering hiring a publicist to get word out more.
• Kickstarter Itself: Did you know they take a cut? As does Amazon Payments? Plus all the money to make the rewards. I may have the DVDs sitting around but I gotta mail them.

In short, it adds up. Any contribution helps. But don't take my written word for it. Watch me say it to you:

Prelude To The Introduction To The Beginning

Yesterday I got off the bus and thought "Gee, it's cold. I don't like cold." And then I thought, "Wait, I'll be in Minnesota in February for potentially all 28 days" and thought I shouldn't complain about our mild 40 degrees. So I'm a California boy, born & raised in Stockton, CA where it gets 100+ degrees in summer. I like heat. I've been informed I will need a complete wardrobe makeover and simply walking around without a jacket in SF will not be enough preparation.

I'm Vincent Gargiulo, a filmmaker who makes strange videos. Deeply inspired by Monty Python, classic cartoons, foreign films, bad vhs tapes, and something called music, I've been making stuff consistently since 2007. Each year the films get bigger and I get slightly more acclaim. Slightly. I have a day job which helps pay for these things. For my next project I decided to do an experiment - see if other people will give me money.

I currently have a Kickstarter campaign going on. Launched it a few days ago. Check it out if you'd like to see what I look like in a labcoat. The film is called "Duluth Is Horrible" and is a series of vignettes showing a few lonely people searching for a connection in a bleak winterscape. In it's 20 minutes, you'll see the aftermath of a breakup from both sides, an older zookeeper on a online date, a Redditor complaining about his cat, a karaoke scene, a disillusioned Sex Chat girl, 5 people dressed as Carmen Miranda, a call from Enterprise Car Rental, and a little Disney magic thrown in for good measure.

I'll be using this blog to discuss my success (or possible non-success) of my campaign. Hopefully, it will succeed and I'll be able to continue talking about the film as it goes full force in production.

So far, I find Kickstarter extremely stressful. If you don't get pledges, you worry "Oh god, what can I do? This will never work. I have to do more! But what!? I'm lost. I'm confused! Please donate something" and start crying profusely. On the opposite side, I am amazed by the support of the people who do donate (some friends, some not) and think "You like me. You really like me!" I shouldn't take it so personal, but we know that's not easy. Especially for "artists." We're still early in the process. They say successful campaigns raise 30% within the first week which means 3K by next Wednesday. Possible. Perhaps.

Anybody out there in the internet have Kickstarter tips? I'd love to hear them. We got the video. We got the social media. We got the Spam. Now what?