Greetings Friends and Foes,
Been busy busy since last time I wrote.  I did get a week at home in TEXAS where i pretty much sat around and read books.

Marie started Pre-K last week, and over the weekend got glasses. Lots of adjustments, and I think she is fairing better than I am with it. She has a lovely soul and I’m sure she is going to do well in classes.  Jessica and I are both trying are best to stay involved with everything.

I spent the weekend in Louisville KY at the Fright Night Film Festival screening “EZ-CHEWIE” as well as the Dr. Gangrene Environmental Shorts “Werewolf Of Nashville” and “Summer Of The Mummy”. The screenings went well, and EZ-CHEWIE even got a best comedy nomination.  I honestly didn’t expect anything since the fest was more horror themed.  What was even cooler than the people who showed up to watch the movie were all the people who came up to me during the fest and said they had seen the film (and me) online.  I met some very kind people, and saw a few really good films.

Highlights were a short film called The Gynecologist, and the feature length documentary Into The Pit the shocking story of deadpit dot com.

The Gynecologist concerns a gentlemen who goes in for treatment and a Doctor who thinks it absurd.  I’m sure it will be making the rounds at festivals, and hopefully will be online soon. You can see the trailer here...



I did a fairly lengthy video blog on The Dead Pit Documentary, but for those who aren’t into that I’ll say that the movie takes a path I didn’t expect, showing two guys who are growing up and trying to confront what they want to do with their lives.  Some good dialogue and intriguing stories in this documentary.  Again, check it out on the film fest circuit next year if you get a chance.



Stopped by the Gun Town set on my way home. Lee Vervoort is directing his first feature film. Good to see the fine folks at Copper Canyon even if only for a few hours.  Western Horror Action you can check the trailer below.



My grandfather turned 90 years old earlier this month. He has a greater beard than mine, and has a great wealth of knowledge.  I got to visit with him when I was in Texas which was nice.

Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was traded back to the Texas Rangers yesterday, and  I have been ecstatic.  He has been one of my all time favorites since I was a kid, and I hope he sticks in Arlington until he decides to leave baseball.  The Rangers have been great this year, and while were way back in the West right now the Wild Card is still in reach.  Hoping for baseball in October in Texas.

I’ll actually be In Texas a bit in October as my youngest sister Abbie is getting married, as is my good friend (and best man in my wedding) Josiah Holland.  Should be good times all around. Let it be understood they are not marrying each other.

Been listening to the White Rabbits a lot lately and revisiting Clem Snide The Ghost Of Fashion which is a favorite of mine.

Reading God Bless You Mr. Rosewater, and trying to decide what to jump into next.

Outside of the film fest I saw Coppolas TETRO which i liked a lot. It has one of the best car crashes I have ever seen put to film. Also watched the terrible 1980s Boogeyman. The script is a mess, and wow the second half goes sour. Also recent viewing of Rob Zombie Halloween, Tropic Thunder, and The Big Lebowski again.

Wrapped up two new episodes of “Dr. Gangrenes Creature Feature”. I wrote one by my self and another with Larry, and I think they both have some great gags.  They will be airing in October on the CW, and I’ll try to get more specific dates and times when I have them.  Working on some cool stuff in that camp right now, including some live shows featuring “Return Of The Living Dead”, and one of my all time favorites “The Ghost And Mr. Chicken”. We’re also going to do some Trick or Treat specific Public Service Announcements, which should be a lot of fun. I’m planning on doing a zombie bit in George Demicks new film next week, as they go to break the world record.

I’m also shooting a music video at the end of the month here in Nashville for a Heavy Metal Band.  I think its going to be a blast!  Details again when I can give them. Have a few more things I’m developing, but I’m honestly ready to take a small break and get some scripts hammered out.  I was talking with the guys in Quiet Company about another video, but I don’t think we are going to be able to get together soon on that. Hopefully they’ll consider me again when they get another single going.  You really should have a copy of their record by now.  Also still Hammering out some final stuff on the Numerics documentary, as well as another music video for those guys who also have a record coming that you should hear.

Next weeks marks my 28th Birthday, and boy howdy I’m feeling pretty accomplished in my 27th year on planet Earth.  It’s good to be alive, and loved. I hope this finds you all well.

Greetings friends and foes,
Hope your all enjoying your summers. I am about a week away from a real vacation, and will be heading down to Texas to visit family and enjoy some life on the farm.  I am a bit anxious, as I have a lot to get sorted out this week.

Roxie has finally taken her first steps, though she still isn’t hoofing it across the room.  Pretty sweet, as Jessica and I have been practicing with her walking back and forth across my office floor.  We have been in cleaning mode, but never seem to be able to stay on top of everything. We need more space and less stuff.  Marie never sleeps these days and its making us crazy. She won’t nap, and stays up and cries for an hour every night before bed. Its pretty heartbreaking.

Bad news, EZ-Chewie didn’t make it into the Comic-Con screenings (though we had more views than any of the people that did).  Not sure if the judges just flat out hated it, or if we got pinged for the Howard the Duck joke.  Though Lucas did the duck movie, Marvel owns it, and seemingly the lawyers don’t want anything they might have to pay for.  Either way, it up on youtube now and I plan on taking it out to a festival or two to screen it. Just looking for the right audience at the moment.

(Watch EZ-Chewie again on Youtube)


The new Go Green With Dr. Gangrene shorts i wrote about a few weeks ago are also finished and up and running. They turned out great, and I’ve received letters from about a half dozen horror film fests that want to screen them.  Hopefully I’ll get to go to a few of them and meet some of these kind people.  Also gearing up for the new Dr. Gangrene shows that will air in October. I’m writing an episode and will be directing three of them.  Some other cool stuff is brewing in that camp, and I’ll let you know when it hits.  The recommended movies on the Dr Gangrene channel have been doing pretty well, and I’m loving the banter at the end when Larry comes to me for opinions.  The first time he did it, I was thrown off, but its been fun.  Plenty more of those coming down the pipeline.

Werewolf Of Nashville


Summer Of The Mummy


Numerics - Precious Time also picked up a Telly Award for Best Short Form Music Video.  This felt pretty good personally because it was about the only thing we submitted the Quiet Company video to that didn’t come back positive.  Numerics record will be coming out shortly, and I am working on another music video with them, as well as a short documentary that will be out in the not to distant future.  Its been a fun time being with those guys through the process, and I think your all going to love the record.



Last weekend I saw Sam Raimis “Drag Me To Hell” and loved it.  It has a real kickback to his Evil Dead stuff and though it has some CGI, its a good mix between the new and old.  As most people know Spider-Man is my favorite comic book, and I think he had done a great job with the first two movies.  I don’t completely hate the third one, but lets just say I am hoping the 4th installment is better.  It was honestly just nice to see him do something non web-head for a change.  That talking goat should be in everything he ever does now.

I also saw Duncan Jones Moon, which of course I have been gushing about since I saw the trailer (which i posted about in an earlier blog). It was everything I hoped for, and I reviewed it in a video on youtube.



I have been trying to do more video blogging, and reviews on youtube.  I had not realized how much I began to stutter in the past few years, but being away from public speaking will do that I suppose.  I’m working on it, and this is a pretty good medium for me to express myself, even if most of the questions i get pertain to how long I have been growing this beard, and how many titles i have in my dvd library.

About to start reading Tim Lucas Videodrome book, as well as something Taylor Muse has recommended me, just not sure which one.  Hope this finds everyone well. Love and miss you all.

Cameron McCasland

Greetings friends and foes,
I come to you with great sadness in my heart with the passing of Michael Jackson.  This may be a bit of a mess, as I have been crying for a few hours now. I feel it best to write this for posterity sake, and hopefully convey my adoration for the man.

I received a text from Earl at 4:58 that simply said “Michael Jackson just died”. I had just ordered some food at the drive in, and sent out a message on twitter asking for confirmation.  Earl called to say he heard it on the radio, and then the text started coming in.  Several people seemed to think of me when they heard the news.  I don’t find this strange as just two days ago I had sent a message via facebook that said “is listening to THRILLER ma ma sa, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa” and a few days before on Saturday June 20 that said “is a dance dance dance dance dancing machine watch me get down watch me get down as i do do do my thing right on the scene.”  Needless to say I am not just a fair weather fan, and would even consider myself a bit of a Jackson apologist though i recognize his multiple eccentricities.

I never would have expected to be this upset.  Its strange, I cried when George Harrison died, and also with Johnny Cash, and while both of those gentlemen weigh heavy in my love of music, they both had made their biggest impacts long before I set foot on the planet.  While Michael had more than a fair share of success before i was around, I feel like I grew up with the guy.  I truly bowed at the altar of Mtv daily, and loved seeing Michael dance.

I very distinctly remember my mother buying a copy of Bad for my older sister and myself, and we danced, and danced, and danced.  With as conservative as our household was, I think Michael always got by on the fact that my mother was a big Jackson 5 fan.

The very first time I ever picked up a camera and tried to make something i was probably 10 or 11. It was a large VHS cam with a VCR backpack.  My Aunt Stacy dressed me in a hideous Michael Jackson outfit of a black leather jacket, a cher wig combed out, and some bad makeup.  Jesse Daughtery and Anthony Haston wore black sweat suits with panty hose stuffed with socks to add extra arms to their cockroach costumes. We attempted to make a music video/bug spray commercial, to the music of Michael Jackson. We had even rigged up this large piece of styrofoam to give the effect of “The Lean”  I have no clue where the tape has gone to, and most of the time I hope it never surfaces.  I can’t say at that point i knew what i wanted to do, but it was definitely my first aspiration towards cinema. And who wouldn’t have been inspired by Thriller. It was probably the first time I had seen the names John Landis, or Rick Baker.

Soon after this  Dangerous hit. Dangerous always reminds me of my friend Michael Murphree, as he was the first person I knew who got the album on cd, and I listened to it with him on a discman between classes Only a few days before I witnessed what was probably my greatest memory of Michael Jackson.

The Black or White music video was set to premiere across MTV, VH1, and Fox in November i believe. I was at my grandparents house, and all of our extended relatives had been with us all day at some family event.  The video starts with Macaulay Culkin playing loud music as George Wendt (or as I knew him at the timeNorm from Cheers). He tells him to turn the music down and go to bed in which Culking plugs in a guitar and blast him to Africa, the Michael comes on to dance his face off. (I know your saying, yah Cameron I’ve seen it). Ah but you have not seen the aftermath that i witnessed in my grandparents home.  Everyone is watching, and though they may not enjoy the music they marvel at the morph scene (as we all did during that time). Then it gets wild.  A black panther walks out and morphs into Michael Jackson.  He proceeds to dance and grab his crotch, and then beat the shit out a car. My grandfather became extremely angry and started to leave the room, and then all of the adults spent the next half hour talking about how disgusted they were.

This however was the greatest thing I had ever seen. It was sexual, it was violent, it was Dangerous. At ten years old it was more than I could grasp, nor would i get the chance to digest it.  The video was not shown again in full. All subsequent cuts that broadcast in the following weeks were trimmed and even added some racist spray paint to the car to make it ok for him to beat he windows out.  People were going nuts, and I finally had found a musician that my parents and grandparents hated that I adored.  It was the first of many, but Michael Jackson was the first time I saw rebellion in music.

He was everything I love in showmanship and grandeur.  If you don’t believe me watch him catapulted to the stage in Super Bowl 27 and land stiff as a board to just hold the pose.  He owned it.

Its strange, how much Michael has been in my view this week.  The above mentioned messages went out as I was listening to his records. I watched the tail end of the Jacksons mini series with Jessica and I was explaining to her about his upcoming Paris dates and how badly i wanted to see him before he retired.  I showed Marie about a half dozen Jackson 5 videos a few days back, and spent about two hours reading about the guy on Tuesday (largely in part to my all day jam session of Thriller).  I now sit watching Mtv the way I remember it, with Michael Jackson videos and Kurt Loder doing commentary. 

I feel better in writing this. Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes.

Whose Bad
Cameron McCasland

Greetings Friends and Foes,
Back again to share my exploits over the last few weeks.  Everything is nice at the moment, and enjoying the sun on my face as summer comes into its own again.

On Sunday I directed two new "Go Green With Dr. Gangrene" shorts that will be airing on the CW (former WB and home of the frog) as well as on the web a bit later this month.  We shot them both at the Parthenon here in Nashville, and they have a WOLFMAN and MUMMY alongside the good Doctor. Unfortunately for us Nurse Moan-Eek is shooting on George Demicks new film Dead Start and missed this batch, but don't fear I'm sure she'll be back next go round.  I wrote the Wolfman bit and Larry wrote the Mummy, as always he nailed the delivery and I think everyone is going to love them.  Special thanks to Earl, pam, and Brando-Z for filling out hot rubber mask and taking on the heat for donuts and Pepsi.  Chris Dotch II and Don Clark made my day much easier, use these people and pay for them.

I spent the rest of the weekend with Jessica and the girls.  Roxie seriously is about to walk all on her own, and I hope to everything I get to see it when it happens.  Marie took her first steps to me, and It about made me melt.  Marie and I went to see Disney/Pixars "UP", which was lovely. She has been saying "Squirrel" for the last few days.  Pixar does a great job of telling stories without dialogue which is about the best thing a film maker can do.  The only thing that took me out a bit, and oddly enough two other people mentioned this to me, was the dogs flying the airplanes.  I was like "Come on." then i thought to myself, you've been perfectly fine for the last hour with a guy walking his entire house on helium balloons and talking dogs and this is what gets you...I got over it. 

Lost in all the fanfare is the new Pixar short "Partly Cloudy" which is wonderful and again is the perfect way to tell a story without dialogue.  It adds greatly to the Stork myth, and where babies come from.  I'm putting my Oscar chip down on this one early as a favorite. 

Jessica has began what she calls 'reinvention" which means she wants us all eating healthier and living cleaner.  I have no problem with that, but am about sick of hearing about calorie intakes. I could probably stand to lose a few pounds.  We have also been debating the merits of Twilight.  We have been married six years come Sunday. i love her dearly, even if she supports vampires without capes.

The weekend before I did a bit part in Glen Weiss movie "Thong Girl 4" which while sultry isn't as dirty as the title implies.  Its more of a camp comedy with plenty of innuendo. It is most often compared with the Adam West Batman series, and I think that's a good look.  I'm pretty much just playing a guy at the strip club, which is a bit strange as this is the first time i was ever in a strip club.  Oddly enough the person playing the stripper was Stacey Dixon who is my friend Ben Dixons wife. Ben was on hand and seemingly eating up all the guys hooting at his wife. Stacey is a looker, and I hope Glen has another hit on his hands.

I also did a youtube video you can find at youtube.com/cameronmccasland about the Eminem event at the MTV Movie awards. It got a ton of hits and mostly had people telling me how awesome my beard was and how I had alot of dvds.

EZ-CHEWIE got a good blurb from Fan Cinema Today which read "EZ-Chewie is a funny, gummy Star Wars Fan Film". I got a message from another film maker who did a star wars short that said Atom is starting to contact people this week, letting people know if they would be playing at Comic-Con or not, so keep your fingers crossed for me.  Its got a modest amounts of hits. I'm also thinking of putting in a festival if I can find a good home for it. Feel free to let me know if you think you know a place.

The Red Bull in The Last Unicorn scares Marie as much as it did myself as a child.

My resolution to try and read two books a month has been holding strong at the halfway point. I have read a few short story collections, and been knocking out a few film books as well. I recently re-read H.G. Wells "Time Machine" and loved it all over again. I am cheating a bit right now, as I have been listening to an Audio book of "Down and Dirty Pictures" by Peter Biskind who wrote "Easy Riders & Raging Bulls".  It's a wealth of behind the scenes knowledge on movies I love, though I feel like he really has it out for the brothers Weinstein.  As much as I hate the trimming and dubbing of some great Hong Kong cinema, those guys did wonders in the Indie world.  I'll reserve my ultimate judgment until I'm finished but so far so good.  If anyone has suggestions for me, let it rip. Been trying to do one fiction story, and one film book a month.

I have been a bit guilty lately of not watching as many films as I used to.  I used to watch a few movies a day, but now between work, writing, and family commitments i just don't have the energy or can't get excited enough to put in the time.  However this week I have been committing myself to some of my favorite foreign cinema.  I watched one of my all time favorites Jean Luc Godard's "Breathless" after an argument i had with Jessica. This is pretty much the Ultimate I love you as a woman even if your going to kill me movie. I think its easy for me to relate with Michel as the first lines in the movie are simply "After all, I'm an asshole. After all, yes, I've got to. I've got to!"   I pretty much fall in love with Patricia every single time I watch this movie, and it always ends badly for both me and Michel.

Not to be outdone the following night I nestled up to Simone Simon as Séverine Roubaud in "La bête humaine" or the Human Beast. I think this is probably the best of Renoir, though I know many will cite "La Grande Illusion".  I feel like I shouldn't love Séverine, but again i follow that path.  Masterwork.

Next up was Roberto Rossellini's "The Flowers Of St. Francis".  I always come away from this feeling like I may have been better off as a missionary in another place.  Its not a secret that for a time i considered this before opting for a different future.  All that aside, this is some of the most beautifully photographed scenery in the history of cinema. 

Not sure what else i plan on watching this week, but hopefully I'll update again soon. I hope this finds you all well. Special thoughts to the family of the security guard slain today at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.  I pray for days without hatred and bigotry, and hope you will all share in that with me.

Cameron McCasland

So I did a few blogs last year listing some upcoming movies, short films, music videos, etc. that I had found or was excited about, and i got tons of messages from people saying how much they liked it, and when was i going to do it again.  Thought I would bring you some more of that goodness, as I'm up way late tonight.  Also been considering moving this blog (or at least copying it) to some other sites i use. Let me know if you'd be more prone to give it a look elsewhere. Without further ado...



MUSIC VIDEOS

Some of the best new and newly discovered in the last few months

Matt & Kim - Lessons Learned




Why? - A Sky For Shoeing Horses Under



Quiet Company - Its Better To Spend Money Like There Is No Tomorrow Then Spend Tonight Like There's No Money



Queen - Don't Stop Me Now / Brian & Eileens Music Video (This is who i would hire to shoot my wedding)

Brian & Eileen's Wedding Music Video. from LOCKDOWN projects on Vimeo.

Jay-Z - Jockin (unofficial) - cool video with puppets, though the camerman should have stayed out of the shots on sunglasses



edarem - Pretty Woman (creepy)



TRAILERS

Tetro
(Coppola might have a new masterpiece)



Vengeance
(This trailer gives nothing, but this may be great)



Inglorious Basterds
(Cannes is split on this one, but it looks good)


Public Enemies
(this one comes out shortly, but it looks damned good)


Moon
(I posted this some time back, but I really want to see it)



WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE (sorry about the grindhouse intro its the only one that will embedd)



SHORT FILMS

Handjobs For The Future
(a perfectly timed Terminator sex comedy)

Handjobs For The Future..

The Archive
( a short documentary about record collecting)



Punching Hitler

PUNCHING HITLER


Validation
(a 16 minute short on love)

So watch this and I'll explain more below...if you've seen it watch it again.



EZ-CHEWIE - A STAR WARS FAN FILM..

Hope you enjoyed it.  Thats what I've spending much of my free time with over the last few weeks.  We shot it on a Sunday a few weeks back, and I think it turned out pretty nice.  It was made somewhat specifically for The Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge thats hosted by Atom Films and Lucasfilm.  They have some special rules that don't allow union or guild members to enter, and every day I get a bit closer to jumping over that line.

I conceptualized this over a year ago (as i wanted to shoot if for last years competition) but we were just in the beginnings of "Go Green With Dr. Gangrene.  That turned into a lot of work, that beget more work, etc.  In the meantime i lost my original script due to a hard drive crash, and ended up with a better story because of it.

So now its kind of a sit and wait thing.  They will contact me if it gets to the finals, in which case George Lucas himself will take a look at it, and I'll head out to San Diego for the grandiose party that is comic con.  Lucas has been pretty gracious with his stories and characters, allowing anyone to make a fan film (as long as it isn't disparaging to the franchise.  I'm sure some great stuff will come out this year.

This is about the most fun I have ever had working on anything. Not a single headache to speak of (not counting being able to find those towels which really don't show up much), which is pretty rare.  So many great people came together.  This is how I would like to work for a while, shooting short subjects with small crews.  God bless the interwebs for giving the short film life again.  I also hope I am able to keep using EZ-CHEWIE (the product) as my Slush-O/Big Kahuna Burger.  Lets hope Lucas doesn't put the cuffs on me after this is all done.

Anyhow, I had asked friends to make things to make this more of a community project. I asked people to shoot their own videos, write jingles, etc.  So feel free to do that.  At this point it looks like I can't post this anywhere but Atom, but I will soon enough post my own video on youtube which people can respond to.

If you want to help, but can't and/or won't do the above then I could use any help getting the word out.  Please repost it on social networks, forums, in bulletins, on blogs, email it, or write articles.  Any of this helps, as the more clicks it gets the easier it is to get to the front page at atom.  You can also be friends at myspace.com/ezchewie or be a fan on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Nashville-TN/EZ-CHEWIE/81299364701?ref=mf

I'm on to new adventures at this point. But want to recommend greatly Chris Dortch II who shot and edited this with me, as well as my three young actors.  All of them worked very hard to give me exactly what i wanted.  Also those kind young men in Numerics loaned me their home, and allowed me to nerd up the bathroom.  So please feel free to pay any of these people for their services with my seal of approval. 

Stopping Bantha Breath In Its Tracks
Cameron McCasland

Greetings Friends and Foes,
I have returned from Wonderfest, with all my limbs in tact.  Apologies for my somewhat cryptic message on facebook a few days ago, but I did nearly meet my maker this weekend.  I’ll share that grisly event below, as well as talk of the more pleasant times that came about.

I left Nashville around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday morning on my way to Louisville, KY for Wonderfest. I was driving Jessicas PT Cruiser, as my old beat up, payed off Dodge isn’t truly worthy of cross country trips.  I wanted to get into town early and see the Louisville Slugger factory before heading to the hotel to check in.  I was swift (though not speeding), and didn’t make a single stop between my driveway and Louisville.  It was close to a three hour drive, and I drove mostly silent, in myst and sprinkling rain, collecting my thoughts on the day ahead.  Larry Underwood called me just as I was coming into town, to check on me and to send well wishes to friends. I had not been off the phone with him five minutes when my morning got adventurous.

I had hit the bridge on the main curve in downtown Louisville at about 10:30 a.m. (considering the time change here), when all of the sudden the front passenger side tire went out.  I was in the center lane, with traffic all around me.  I tried to steer into the problem, as I do have some James Bond type reflexes when it comes to Auto accidents (just ask Jessica about our honeymoon one day).  The steering wheel was unresponsive and the car was out of control. I downshifted into neutral, and began to tap the break.  I made it all the way over to the retainer wall and was able to stop the car before it hit. Then it got really wild...

I realized I was on a bridge and there was no breakdown lane, in essence my car was still on the road. I looked in my rearview as I was nearly creamed from behind.  I unbuckled and began to climb out of my seat.  I saw yet another car in the rear view and immediately buckled back in and braced for impact.  He too swerved out of the way at the last moment. I buckled again and quickly climbed over the seat and out the passenger door.  I climbed over the concrete retainer wall to find a 200 foot drop below.  There was some footing, but It was a neck breaker for sure.  A gentlemen below on the ground shouted “It’s not worth it! Don’t do it!”  I realized quickly that he thought I was trying to jump to my death, while in reality i was doing all i could to stay out of harms way.  I yelled back some choice expletives along with some sort of call for help.

All the while my car is sitting in the lane close enough i could touch it, and I must have counted 8 times that people missed it by less than 3 feet.  I could see that the tire had come lose of the axel, and was pointing straight out.  The curve is blocked by foliage, and people coming around the corner were completely blindsided with the car.  An airport transit bus pulled behind the car and stopped in the lane. He began to honk his horn to warn other drivers.  He motioned to me and I climbed over the wall again.  The strange this is, though in peril he wouldn’t let me aboard the bus.  He told me to hit the emergency flashers in my car (which in my haste i had not done.)  I opened the door, and quickly hit the button and climbed over the wall again. It began to pour rain, and my footing wasn’t great.  The man driving the bus yelled I gotta go, and left the car again unblocked. I have debated in my mind who he was, and though he probably does walk the physical earth, I like to think of him as the last ride to eternity, and by not letting me on the bus, well...you see where i might be going with that.

The first police car showed up about 15 minutes after the car had come to rest in the last lane. At this point i was soaked to the bone, and tired.  He told me I was smart for climbing over that wall, as the drop below was safer than the highway.  More police showed (a total of 8 i believe) creating a chain back around the corner with flashing light so people could see the lane was not a good option.  At this point I tried calling Triple A, (and jessica since i didn’t have my card).  I didn’t give Jessica all the details as to not scare her to death.  Seemingly Triple A said our membership had expired in February (It had not) but rather than argue that point they had the city wrecker get me off the interstate.

When the car was dropped near the corner of Story Ave. and Spring in downtown Louisville I began making phone calls to sort all of this out.  An hour and a half had passed by the time i got off the highway, and onto a safe street.  Jessicas step father had given me his Triple A number, and I sent in the report. When the truck driver arrived he wouldn’t tow the car as I didn’t have the card or the same name as the report. He drove off and left me, as I didn’t have the 90 bucks in cash he wanted, and wouldn’t take a visa card.  I also had double checked over the web to find out that my triple A card was set to auto renewal and should have never lapsed.  Since they wouldn’t let me use that I got a brand new Triple A card (as it was cheaper than the 90 dollar tow job.  They sent a flatbed truck and the driver said he couldn’t get it on because of the wheel situation. He called for a lift truck. over and hour later another flatbed showed up, and told me the same thing.  At this point i had been standing on the street for over  5 hours. My phone was almost dead, and though I had dried out I was at wits end.  I found a little restaurant called Miss Cs’ of KY that was really more of a kitchen with a few chairs up front. The two ladies allowed me to use the facilities, and made me a sandwich that tasted like the best thing I had eaten in years. It was less than two hours until i was supposed to be on stage to accept the Rondo award.  I canceled the tow truck and called Linda at the hotel to come pick me up. I left the car on the street. 

A gentleman named Harry arrived with Linda, and they got me back to the hotel with just enough time to shower and clean up.  It was strange because as i walked the lobby to the theater room dozens of people  came to check up on me (both old friends, and people of whom i had never met).  Seems the story had got around, as I had placed a call to Linda soon after i found safety. 

I met with David Colton (who runs the Rondo Awards) and tried to find my center.  The show was wonderful, and though not rehearsed on what I wanted to say, I thought everything went fine. I have never had trouble speaking in front of crowds, but I’m sure my voice was still full of fear from the earlier events.  I will say, that I am very proud to have received a Rondo Award, and was so happy to meet so many voters.  Truly wonderful people all around.  I’m sure videos will be posted, and others will share that story.  Personal highlight for me was being able to finally meet Bob Burns, and talking with Joe Moe (who had me teary eyed with his speech about Forry Ackerman).  Afterwards I went to dinner with David Colton and his wife Eileen as well as Linda and Gary Prange.  We discussed the Yankees, the Rondos and many other things under sun over hot food and a cold margarita. David had just a few weeks earlier been in the company of President Obama, and George Lucas, but I would bet our dinner conversation was better than that evening.  I returned to my room and called my wife, mother, etc. to let them know i was fine, and that at this point i was having a wonderful time.  I grabbed yet another margarita, and headed to see “The Lost Skeleton Returns Again” but faded about a half hour into the movie and retired to my hotel room. (The margaritas were kicking in).  Someone had set the alarm for 5:30 am but other than that i slept all night until about 9 am.  it had been a long day.

Had breakfast with Linda and Donna Lucas, and went back to the car. They sent yet another flatbed.  We waited. They finally got the car on its way, and I headed back to the hotel to try and salvage the weekend.  I made my first visit to the Old Dark Club House, and was blown away by the scope of the whole thing. The theme was the Captain Company who used to send all the mask and trinkets out of the back of monster mags and comics.  Lots of great ephemera, and great conversation filled the room.  I made a mad dash of the dealer room in its last hour.  Didn’t really buy much as I knew the car bill was going to sting. A few T-shirts, a bride of frankenstein soap for Jessica, Dracula and Frankenstein rubber ducks for Roxie, and then my eyes locked on...

(SIDE STORY) When i was a very young boy I had a Gizmo doll from the movie Gremlins that I adored.  I carried it everywhere.  One day when my older sister Bethenna was being mean (which I will admit was a rare occasion) she began to dip gizmo ear first into the hot tub very sinisterly, like you would see in an old movie. If got closer to her he went further under water.  He got eyeball deep on one side of his face, and when my mother saw what was happening and stopped my torture Gizmo’s eye paint had been forever ruined to look like a brown and orange glob of fire. Bethenna was sent to her room and I cried for days about it.  I still carried and loved him, and in high school actually started a band called One-Eyed Gizmo (that only played in garages). (END OF SIDE STORY)

...there he was. Gizmo. It had been close to 25 years since i had seen him with two eyes.  I picked him and gave him a shake and he squeaked just the same.  Another child had loved this particular doll, but it was like seeing an old friend.  I traded a Hamilton for him, and have at this point presented him to Marie.  I hope her and Roxie love him half as much as I had.  I spoke with Bob Burns a bit more, and feel very grateful to be in the mans presence.  Truly a wealth of Knowledge.

Back to the Old Dark Club House, Out to dinner with several new friends for some of the best Sushi I have ever had at Sapporo I sat down the way with Ethan Black, Joe Busam, and Larry Thomas along with Gary Prange  If ever you run into one of those guys, ask them about the Big Red Snapper joke. Tim And Donna Lucas (who write and run the amazing magazine Video Watchdog) had driven us and Tim shot some video post Saki that will probably be funny and embarrassing later.  Then it was running around trying to touch base with everyone.  Frank Dietz gave some wonderful speeches on his balcony, and then i hit another great highlight. The only person who had me totally geeking out was Ken Kelly, who paints fantasy art, and also did the covers for the KISS LOVE GUN and DESTROYER albums.  I said hello, but didn’t gush.

(SIDE STORY) I very proudly tell people that the KISS LOVE GUN tour was one of my parents first dates in high school.  While I wouldn’t call my father a huge KISS fan, and Lord knows my mother is not a fan, I like to think that they fell in love at that concert, as that in some way makes Gene Simmons responsible for my existence.  If I had a time machine, and could meet the young version of my parents, this is where i would start. (END OF SIDE STORY).

In the doorway of the clubhouse Joe Moe and I were discussing all things Forry Ackerman.  Joe and I had been talking in spurts over the weekend but this is the first time we had been really able to connect.  He shared some loving and thoughtful stories with me, and then Elizabeth Haney walked up to Joe Moe with some of Forrys personal effects.  I had been bummed that I missed them on display (for all of the other problems i had).  Joe Moe put in my hands Forry Ackermans personal copy of famous monsters of filmland #1, as well as the very first Sci-Fi book Forry ever bought in 1926 entitled Amazing Stories (Though Forry wouldn’t coin the phrase until a bit later).  Ackerman has said that the book talked to him, saying “Among all the magazines, that one said, ‘Take me home, little boy. You will love me.’”.  The cover has a giant insect, and a cover price of 25 cents.  Looking around that room covered in Monsters and filled with some of the greatest minds in the genre today, it was strange to think that some kid plunked down a quarter in 1926 and over 80 years later it had built this moment and these people. I think we are all better for it.

I stayed with Ethan and Linda on a rollaway bed i liberated from the hallway (sorry if I stole your bed person on floor 5). I packed up, said some goodbyes and had Ethan and Linda take me to western union and then the auto shop where I reacquired the car.  It was a longer drive home, and there is still a strange clicking noise, though the mechanic assured me  I was safe.  I came home and just hugged my wife and kids, knowing that I had nearly met doom just a few days earlier.

Needless to say it was an adventurous weekend.  I felt very taken care of, and much loved from the people who surrounded me. I look forward to catching up with them in the years to come, and look forward to calling my new friends my old friends next time we meet.

Greetings friends and foes,
What a whirlwind couple of weeks it has been. Let me open by welcoming Harper Lennon Muse to the planet.  She arrived Friday May 8th at 5:28 to much fanfare.  Truth be told, i heard through the social networkings that our beloved Taylor and Leah were on the way to the hospital. I stayed up most of the night in anticipation.  I finally crashed around 4:30 a.m. turns out about 6:30 Taylor called and I missed it.  When i did get him on the phone around nine he was esstatic as any proud father would be.  I celebrated the day by blaring her namesake John Lennon all day long.  You become another child to make a liar of your father by not naming you skeletor (as i was the first)  Peace be with you young child.

Final touches are being put on my newest short film titled EZ-CHEWIE. (check it out at myspace.com/ezchewie)  This is something I conceptualized last year and never got a chance to shoot until now.  Its Star Wars inspired, and being made for the Lucasfilm Fan Film Challenge that they hold at San Diego Comicon for the last seven years.  I feel really good about it at this point, and have had a great time making it.  I don't want to give to much away, other than to say its about Star Wars nerds and bubble gum.  This has been a great way for me to geek out for about the last month.  As many people know I have an unbridled love for Star Wars (as many others do).  I long ago did away with collecting Star Wars, and everyone who posed any challenge to me at Star Wars Trivial Pursuit is far far away.  This has been a fun way to play in that universe, and I hope to goodness that the people at Lucasfilm enjoy it.  I'll let you all know when its up and running.

The Precious Time video from Numerics won a Hermes Gold Award which is pretty awesome considering the record isn't out yet. (You can read more about that at numericsband.com)  I posted it in the last blog, but if you missed it or want to see the high quality youtube version then click play below.  Also if your a youtube member 5 starts, favorites, etc is appreciated.



Ok, so i went to see Star Trek last night and it blew my mind.  I love Trek, not in the way that I love Wars but in my opinion any sci-fi is good sci-fi.  I distinctly remember my discovery of Star Trek came at my great grandmother Maries home.  We should stay with her after school until my parents would come pick us up sometime after dark from work.  I used to battle with my sisters for television time as there was two tv sets but only one cable box.  Turns out I could get Star Trek on rabbit ears in the other room.  Once I was hooked , the gas station next to the school (which had a small vhs rental section) had the movies in its 49 cent rental section.  So I watched all of those movies in that way.  The movie hit in all the right places, and left me jaw dropped at the end.  Everything I could have ever wanted out of a relaunch of the franchise.  I'd love to hear everyone elses thoughts on the movie, as well your discovery of the Trek.

Still working on brand new Dr. Gangrene stuff for this year.  Hoping to have some new Public Service Shorts wrapped up real soon. The weekly movie reccomendations have been doing very well, and I hope you guys are subscribed at youtube.com/drgangrene (you can also be pals and subscribe to me at youtube.com/cameronmccasland) I'll put the newest of these below, and hope you'll seek out the others.



Marie got her hair cut this week which broke my heart just a little bit.  She did the first snips herself, and though it wasn't nearly bad enough to merit a bad cut, it was hard to do.  Doing my best to keep that kids nose clean these days, as allergy season has set in.  Roxie is seemingly the princess of chilling out, as she doesn't cry out for attention to much.  Its funny to watch her personality develop.  She is moments away from walking on her own, and her speech is coming in nicely.

My trip to Kentucky a few weekends back was a lot of fun.  I was treated to some homestyle cooking, and enjoyed some sunshine. Sadly, i won't get to be involved with much of that project as  I have some other duties to attend to.  Hope I get to do some work up there sometime though.

Heading back to Kentucky next weekend for Wonderfest and the Rondo Awards presentation. Sadly Jessica won't get to attend afterall.  Shame as this is the closest thing to a vacation we were going to get together this summer.

I'm hoping to get down towards home soon.  My grandfather had a fall a few weeks back, he is recoving, but it would be nice to sit and talk with him.  I spoke briefly with him this week, and miss him very much.  My youngest sister Abbie is getting Married (not sure why i had not mentioned this already). I am going to be in the wedding, so get in line if you want a dance.  Hoping to get down before that happens so I can see what it is they need me to do. Congrats Brandon and Abbie.  As mentioned before we are hoping to move down Austin way.  The problem is we have to find some sound income, as well as sell of our house here in Nashville.  Guess i just need to sell that screenplay already.  If you have any ideas for such things in Austin send them my way. (I think I'll send in my app for Sin City 2).

Doing a poor job of keeping a watch/listen journal so far this year.  To that end, I really have not been able to watch a ton of movies.  I need to make more time for this.  If you want to see or show me a good movie then call me up.

love to hear from you all. multiple places below that we can keep up with each other...

Cameron McCasland

facebook.com/profile.php?id=673886556&ref=name

twitter.com/cammccasland

youtube.com/CameronMcCasland

 cameronmcc.dvdaf.com/

cameronmccasland.blogspot.com/

virb.com/cameronmccasland

Greetings friends and foes,
I hope this finds you all well.  Been a busy month since last I wrote, and I promise not to schill as hard this time around.  Roxie turns a year old in a little less than 24 hours (as I write this at 3 a.m.). My taxes are complete and sitting on my desk to be mailed in the morning. My mother in law will be in town on Wednesday...

So first things first. Last week Numerics released the video for "Precious Time" in which I directed. We shot this a bit sporadically, and even did some trespassing, and breaking and entering to make it happen.  We were threatened with firearms at one point, but made peace with the locals and shared in their spring water.  Give it a watch and let me know your thoughts.

Numerics - Precious Time


I've been taking naps early in the evening and getting up when everyone is in bed.  This is how I get work done these days, as two small children playing under foot can make it hard to concentrate on writing, reading, watching, etc.  I've also been trying to rifle through some movies I love and bonafied classics, as sometimes I stray far off the path and watch drivel for the sake of seeing how bad it can be. Over the weekend it was Pistol For Ringo, Annie Hall, Harvey, Arsenic & Old Lace, and tongight Revenge of the Nerds.

I was just trading thoughts on movies with Will Holland over facebook. He was watching The Graduate, which I almost did instead of Annie Hall. Seems were both excited for the new Sam Rockwell movie "Moon" which Preston introduced me to.  (Trailer Below)



 I have feelers out for a screener a the moment.  He then sent me a few reccomendations.  I wish more people were up at 3 am to talk cinema with sometimes.  I provided this list to him, and repost it here for posterity.

Top five Cameron Romantic Comedies from the top of my head... not including the above mentioned.

5. It Happened One Night
4. Harold & Maude
3. Groundhog Day...  Read More
2. Joe vs The Volcano
1. Coming To America

Speaking of all that. I also just did a short series of stuff for the web with Dr. Gangrene discussing some of his favorite movies. These were unscripted, and mostly done in one take. I think I'll pop up in some of the later episodes, as Larry started just asking questions to me offscreen.  We did about a dozen on the fly, and they will be getting posted over the next few weeks.   I have been wanting to do a web show of my own to show of some of my favorites, and I'm hoping this will spark me to get on that.  Just looking for the exact format i want to go with. Taking suggestions at this point.

You can watch the first one below and check back at his site for more later. Be sure to rate, subscribe, etc. if your into that kind of thing.



Also, super special thanks to everyone who voted in the Rondo Awards last month.  We won!  It was something a bit diffrent than what we originally had been nominated for, as they gave a special humanitarian award for the "Go Green With Dr. Gangrene" stuff.  Pretty amazing stuff, and great people over there. If you want to read more about it, check out rondoaward.com and the drgangrene.com website.   I'm heading to Louisville in a few weeks to claim the head of Rondo Hatton for my own. Jessica is planning on making the trip with me.  I'll try and post videos.  Funny note on this as well, apparently my hometown paper ran an article about it, but the picture they used was me in high school so I'm beardless.  They called my parents, and thats what my mom sent over...thanks mom.  I have yet to see it, but special thanks to everyone back home in Edgewood for being so supportive.

Nashville Film Fest starts this week, and I have no clue what I am going to see.  Taking suggestions, and if anyone wants to catch a movie with me this week, shoot me a message.  Also if your heading out to the Atlanta Film Fest this weekend, go see We Fun? from my good friend Chris Dortch.  (Trailer Below)



Not sure if I mentioned that I read Michel Gondrys book "You'll Like This Film Because Your In It" and enjoyed it thoroughly.  Its a quick read, and I hope I get a chance to shoot something like that in the not to distant future.  His new movie Tokyo looks fun.



So It looks like I'm heading to Kentucky over the weekend to eat cornbread, beans, and drink sweet tea at the Copper Canyon Guntown.  Should be nice, as I haven't been up there in about a year.

whew...ok so thats my big fat update.  The big cliffhanger here is that Jessica and I have been discussing the possibility of heading to Austin TX for permanent residence.  I adore Nashville.  Now that many of our close friends are down that way, and starting families we miss being around them.  Debating on how to make that happen, but know that its a ways off at this point.  Keep thoughts and prayers on that if you are the type to do those things.

Love and Miss the most of you
Cameron

Greetings Friends And Foes
Been a awesome couple of weeks in my area of the woods.  I headed down to Memphis with the guys in Numerics to scout out a very cool little project that we'll be starting soon.  We also just put the finishing touches on their debut video which should launch in the next few weeks. Keep your eyes and ears tuned this way for details.  Ate B-B-Q and climbed tons of steps at the Old Tennessee Brewery. I also finally got to visit the Loraine Motel.  We went after the civil rights museum had closed, and I was amazed at how open it was to the public.  Memphis is a great town, and I am all kinds of jealous of their baseball stadium. If anyone down Memphis way is interested in getting involved with some shooting, just send me a message.

I spent last weekend In Austin TX with the Muse family, and attended the Quiet Company Cd release party for "Everyone You Love Will Be Happy Soon". I saw Bo Wingo which was pretty amazing, as he has moved away and is never in Edgewood when i get home. Anyhow,  Its a great record and if you have the means you should purchase a copy.  Check Quiet Company out in my top friends.  We also had a baby shower for soon to be born Harper Lennon Muse. I made a shirt with A M.C. Hammer head that said Please Harper don't hurt em.  Going to be a good year for Leah and Taylor.  Some laser tag, and a Great guacamole burger at the Waterloo before catching a plane back to Nashville rounded out the weekend. Hopefully some video coming soon.

Also this is final days for voting in the rondo awards. There was some info up at the new valiant myspace, but I have not mentioned it much. I'll copy & paste a bulletin at the bottom explaining it a bit better, but if your reading this I could really use your help by sending one email to taraco@aol.com with the below mentioned categories filled in with us. Please take the time to vote for everything you want.

Ok so this fills ill prepared, and a great deal like a schill for telling you to watch, buy, and vote.  I apoligize for that, and in the future will try to get to this blog sooner, as not to leave out more subtle details.

Cameron

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Greetings Fright Fans,
It's
been another great year of Rondo voting. We're down to the final days
of voting, and could use your help if you have yet to send a vote in.
You just have to send an email to taraco@aol.com with your name and
ballot, which is available at rondoaward. com.
You can vote in as many or few categories as you like (so don't be
frightened away if you don't have picks in all the categories.

Lots
of things to be discovered on this years ballot, as well as some old
mainstays we always support. We're asking for your votes in these
specific categories...

17. Best Fan Event - Vote Dr. Gangrene's Chiller Theater Live!

18. Favorite Horror Host of 2008 - Vote Dr. Gangrene

20. Best CD - CREEPING CRUDS: Tennessee Bloodbath

28. Monster Kid of the Year - Larry Underwood, Linda Wylie, Cameron McCasland, Michael Creason for the Go Green With Dr. Gangrene campaign

Happy voting
Creature Feature Staff