Fans of horror, or comedy, or horror-comedy might enjoy our short film entry for last year's SplatterFest Weekend of Mayhem. It is now publicly available and posted here for your convenience. It stars some of the best Houston-based actresses you can come by. Allison Keogh as the antagonist, Karina Pal-Montano as the hero, and Susan Ly, Brittany Djie, Tracy Collins and Elizabeth Redpath in supporting roles.
"Occupational Hazard" was written, shot, scored and edited over one 54-hour weekend, and included certain elements as designated by SplatterFest (a character, weapon, line of dialog and theme). This version was slightly enhanced by some editing after the competition was over. Thanks for watching! Synopsis:
A car full of girls pulls up to a mechanic shop, where a stuttering woman with a veiled agenda greets them. The girls are tied up and tortured, when one engages a special power that catches the villain off guard.
(Viewer discretion advised: HARSH LANGUAGE AND GORE)
The past few months have been busy for Courtney Sandifer and the Pine Heart Productions crew. Here are a few updates.
In April, Courtney directed the short film "Restorative Justice", produced by Corky and Elda Loesch of Loesch Productions. The 3-day shoot started at an old, local, out-of-commission (reportedly haunted) prison in Sugar Land, TX and ended at an apartment in The Woodlands, TX. Robert Reese of ITH Productions shot the short dramatic piece, using his Sony FS700 and Prime Lens kit. "Restorative Justice" stars Michelle Elaine and Tom Long, and also features Houston area talent, Janell Peyton, Michael Humphrey, Jordan Ogletree and Howard Calvert. Currently, the short is being edited by John DeJesus, but the finished product should be ready for festivals and screenings by mid-summer.
May 3-5, Courtney attended Texas Frightmare Weekend in Dallas, Texas to promote the feature comedy "Haunted Trailer". The movie, which Courtney produced and did production design, was selected to screen at the festival and did so to a supportive crowd of a few hundred fans. The weekend was a success for the production, as they are busy preparing for distribution later this summer.
The Haunted Trailer team, Courtney and Director Chuck Norfolk, also joined their horror friends in a celebration of local indie films at a "Spring Scream" at Outlaw Dave's Worldwide Headquarters in Houston on May 18. This included radio interviews all around (AM 950), including a call-in from California by star Ron Jeremy, and lots screaming by "scream queens".
Pine Heart's documentary project "So, My Mom is an Armwrestler" is still rolling along as well. Michele has competed in both the Arkansas and Texas State Tournaments without Courtney tagging along, and began practicing with a group she found in her home town. The mother-daughter bouts will resume soon, however. This Saturday, June 1st at 7PM, the Houston Armwrestling Association and Outlaw Dave's present an amateur armwrestling tournament, almost exactly a year to the date after our first "comeback" tournament. Houston area friends are encouraged to attend - Outlaw Dave's is located near I-10 at Washington: 6502 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Pine Heart Productions' Courtney Sandifer will be at the helm of a new short film called "Restorative Justice." Produced by Elda and Corky Loesch of Loesch Productions, this narrative drama will be shot over 3 days this Spring.
There are currently 3 PAID roles open, one unpaid principle role and several extras needed. Southwest Casting is helping with casting. Please follow them for future casting calls as well.
PAID Roles:
Nicole – early 20s, Worldly and sharp, emotional but composed and in control
John – 30s to late 40s, a prisoner for 15 years, weathered, worn and remorseful
Amelia – 50s to 70s prison counselor, sweet motherly type but strong and unyielding
Correctional Officers and Prisoners – At least 7-8 men or women, non-speaking roles
Please submit your HEAD SHOT AND RESUME to rj@loeschproductions.com with the character name (Nicole, John, Amelia, Security Officer or Extra) in the subject.
Auditions will be by appointment beginning January 21st, 2013.
I recently had the pleasure of creating and working with an all-female production for a short film competition called "SplatterFest Weekend of Mayhem". I wrote and produced "Occupational Hazard" alongside my good film buddy Julie Sellers, and I directed a wonderful group of girls. It's something I'm proud of already, and I think the girls all are, too.
Our short film will screen on October 2nd, 2012 at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on Mason Road in Katy, Texas (West side of Houston). Please come and support us and check out more info about the whole SplatterFest shindig at www.splatterfest.com. Tickets are on sale, and announcements about guests are posted there, as well. Anthony Michael Hall (the Breakfast Club, Edward Scissorhands, Dead Zone) is going to be present this year!
Enjoy - and not safe for work or the kids - because of bloody gore.
So, I really want to beat my mom at armwrestling. Truly. She and I had a good bout at the last tournament, and it felt good to think, "Hmm...I might be good at this, too!" But - If I can be honest with you - I am much more interested in making a movie about her than beating her at armwrestling. The time I've spent on the film, and NOT on my upper body strength (although I DID get a gym membership), for the past month shows right where my priorities are.
This is where the funny little paradox occurs. My mom and I are different and similar, at the same time. We are together in this. However, each of us have to reach our separate goals for it to be successful. You see, I spend at least as much time on my "craft" as she spends working out and preparing for her sport. I'd rather the film come out looking great than for me to win at armwrestling. She'd rather armwrestle than worry about what looks good on camera.
Essentially, by going forward with this project we are holding each other accountable to reaching our own goals. We made a pact: If she's going to armwrestle, I'm going to make a movie about her. If I'm going to make a movie about her, she's going to armwrestle. We are simultaneously supporting each others dreams, by doing the best that we can on something we absolutely love doing.
Trippy? Yeah...it's neat how life ends up this way sometimes. Onward to Saturday, the next armwrestling tournament and shooting day! Although, keep in mind, I never said I wouldn't armwrestle again. I just said I haven't been practicing...
So, my mom has begun her attempted comeback. She's making contacts with old teammates. The ball is rolling. Footage has started piling up. Why do I feel like things aren't really even started yet? Well, it could have something to do with the fact that I was coaxed into armwrestling her...and proved to be quite the formidable opponent. This could get weird!
The first tournament she attended was on June 9th at Lucky's Pub, hosted by the Houston Armwrestling Association. Unfortunately, the only women competing that day would be my mom and I, and one very sweet, attractive, nurse in a weight class below us. Her name is Courtney Erdmann and she's actually a Texas state champ. She easily took down me AND my mom. Yep, that was quick. (We got an interview and pointers afterwards with her, too. One of the many cool people we met that day.)
The third match was Michele Branscum vs. Courtney Sandifer. Everyone around the table started out giggling and making jokes as we "gripped up". Then the referee said, "Go!"...
My mom and I were locked in the middle of the table for what seemed like forever! The crowd got louder as we went on. I laughed and strained and said, "Oh my GOD!" at least once. About two minutes in, my mom fouled - her elbow went off the table. (You get 2 fouls before you're disqualified.) Wow. I told her I wouldn't LET her win, but I didn't know I'd give her that much trouble. After a 60 second break, we grip up and start again. She started wearing me down and about a minute later, she pinned my wrist down and beat me.
Like the dork that I am, I'm still reflecting on it almost 2 weeks later. I'll save the good stuff for the camera, but I CAN tell you that my mom called me this week - on speaker phone at her sister's house, cousins gathered 'round - and challenged me.
"I heard you were starting to work out now? Are your gonna try to beat me?"
"Well, yes, mother, I am."
"Okay, then. Let's do this."
Please enjoy our pre-production trailer video. Leave us a comment and "like" us on Facebook, too. www.facebook.com/pineheartproductions And, don't forget to give props and check out the band NEEDTOBREATHE (on Jay Leno tonight! 6/21/12). Song used by permission, and we are very gratefull! www.needtobreathe.net
A World Champion Armwrestler. No, I’m not kidding. Yes, my
real mom…in real life.
Her name is Michele. She’s somewhere over 50, a grandmother, recently
separated and lives in rural North Louisiana. She’s feminine, smart,
and very silly. She is known as “the Coke Lady”, because she’s worked for the local Coca-cola
distributor for about 15 years. She’s also a 1999 World Champion arm wrestler,
and going back into the sport after a 12-year hiatus.
A few weeks ago, on the bittersweet birthday of my late niece, I called to check on her. Surprisingly, she was in the middle of
coloring her hair, and she announced she was going to start training to arm
wrestle again. I couldn’t believe the crazy change of direction that day, for
both of us. I was immediately compelled, by common sense and my filmmaker
boyfriend, to find a camera.
My mom is modest. She’s also forgiving – to a fault.
She’s imperfect and yes, even gets on my nerves sometimes. But, she’s
incredibly strong and I can’t think of a better metaphor for what she’s taught
me in life than to do exactly what she’s doing now. Defeated? Then get back up
and keep going. Reach a goal…or completely fail to reach one? Then make a new one and keep going. The
important thing is to see the light at the end of the tunnel and KEEP GOING.
My mom’s story has been in my “filmmaker” consciousness for
a while now. Now, there’s not really an option. I HAVE to do this. I plan to make a feature length documentary that
follows her through the summer as she trains and participates in
tournaments. It will also tell the story of how she got into this whole thing
to start with. Her first tournament is on June 9th, in Houston, TX. The
National Championships are in August. Maybe we’ll even get to follow her across
the globe for another World Championship run later in the year.
_____________________________________
So, my Mom is an arm wrestler. I’m going to make a movie about her. And, I need some help. I’m hoping to raise the first $2500 for the movie before her first tournament (June 9, 2012). This would help pay for food, gas, legal fees for paperwork and production insurance, equipment and a couple of key crew. Any money given will go straight to Pine Heart Productions as a donation, and in return you will get a “Special Thanks” in the credits of the film and on the website. We’ll take anything from $10 to $250. (If you are interested in giving more than that, please email me.) Use the link at the top, right of the page to donate easily through Paypal (it's very secure). Donate in someone else's honor if you'd like. Just send me a message with details. I will personally consider every dollar a vote of confidence. However, spreading the word for us will not be underestimated. Thanks for reading about this project, and I hope to uplift you with good news in the near future!
