Lone Lantern Entertainment Bloghttp://www.lone-lantern.com/index.phpHot News!enadmin@lone-lantern.comCopyright 2011-12 Panagiota Valkanas2012-11-25T22:09:23-06:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Fri, 27 May 2011 10:50:06 -0500National Novel Writing Monthadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2012-11-25T22:09:23-06:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/9ed459aa68672efbadb66e920043015d-14.php#unique-entry-id-14http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/9ed459aa68672efbadb66e920043015d-14.php#unique-entry-id-14Howdy, Internets!

So, we’ve been off for a while, doing things here and there. I, personally, suffered massive, horrific, earth-shattering, catastrophic hard drive failure… And on the computer which is used for pretty much everything we do over here at LL, so that ain’t good.

Moreover, when the hard drive crashed, I was 80% of the way into my 50,000 words for National Novel Writing Month. Thankfully, the resulting panic attack was mild as I had been obsessively backing up my file in three different places… Wait, what? You mean you don’t know what the heck NaNoWriMo is in the first place?! Why, it’s an annual challenge wherein you get all 30 days of November to write 50,000 words of an original story. It’s run by a not for profit which uses donations from members and writers and just generally awesome people to fund the write-off, sponsor write-ins, and also help to create classroom kits for budding novelists.

To donate, and prove your awesomeness, go HERE. <<- We’ve donated. And not just because I actually completed by 50,000 words as of today!

That’s right:

“NaNo”WriMo

I NANO’d IT!


(Cue fanfare).

Is it Shakespeare? No. Not even a little. It doesn’t rhyme, and it’s not even in iambic pentametre… But it’s a decent first draft. It needs another, oh, probably 30,000 words, and a massive re-write, but keep an eye out for a new page in the Publishing section in the coming months.

Either way, we’re back up and running and still writing. Plus, empowered as I am now, I’m planning to participate in Script Frenzy as well. More on that in April.

Yota. Out.
]]>One Week Wonderadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2012-08-25T14:00:00-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/b9a22eab69da4c103c59c34e64b94040-13.php#unique-entry-id-13http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/b9a22eab69da4c103c59c34e64b94040-13.php#unique-entry-id-13Last week, Saturday, we filmed another short. All of the footage was gathered in a day, and it was our first foray into green screen usage and special effects, so we’re a little nervous.

Today, however, the short has been completed. It doesn’t look half bad, and it is soon to be on its way to the Illinois Film Office for entry into their “Shortcuts” Short Film Contest. It’s run by the State of Illinois, so we’re pretty sure that this one won’t be a scam. (No jokes about corruption in Illinois, please; we’re doing our best not to mock them, too.)

But, seriously, now, it was a bit of an adventure shooting the whole thing, in 3 locations, in one day, and then spending the week editing, sound mixing, playing with special effects, and making little tweaks after the first five drafts proved to have the tiniest little issues that got on specifically my nerves.

Since we’ve gotten to play with these new (to us) ideas and learn from our mistakes (of which there were a few), the possibilities of stories to be turned into films has opened up to include genres and ideas which we probably would’ve never tried before giving it a go with this latest short, “Stake Out.”

“Stake Out” is the story of a newly-turned vampire who needs his human friend’s help in removing a misplaced stake from his chest. Shot on location in Chicago, IL and featuring Steven Smilowski and Marilyn Reles as the leads, this short comedy pokes fun at the traditional vampire genre. Since we’re submitting it to a contest and, potentially, a festival, we can’t put it up for online viewing without feeling extremely paranoid and uncomfortable about it but, for now, you can go to the “Stake Out” page for a complete cast list, blooper reel, and other bonus materials!

--Yota.

]]>Funny Little Storyadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2012-07-26T20:31:10-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/2a8831c959e0434b66d6fdc3952ad3bd-12.php#unique-entry-id-12http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/2a8831c959e0434b66d6fdc3952ad3bd-12.php#unique-entry-id-12So, the world is conspiring against me... But I’m determined to start anew! A few of us are trying to get back into the swing of things, having replaced our stolen goods, and reworking the website a little bit...

But enough about us. Or at least enough about us for now...

The real issue here is that summer seems to bring in a lot of those fun little 48- or 72- hour film races. They’re super stressful and super challenging, but they are also tons of fun and sure make you feel like you’ve accomplished something great. You all might remember last year, when Lone Lantern entered the 48-Hour Guerilla Film Festival, where “Windy City Blues” was screened. You may also remember that we entered into the Windie City Shootout as well, where “Flats: a Love Story” was screened and was chosen as an Official Selection and Finalist.

Now, about that Windie City Shootout... Well, it’s a funny little story...

Lone Lantern, in total, was thrilled that we were in the final fifteen. It was a real accomplishment, especially since, the first night of shooting, we lost half of our actors, our location, and got roughly, oh, negative seven hours of sleep. We didn’t end up winning any of the cash prizes, but we were proud, nonetheless. The following Spring, though, we found out an interesting little detail about the organizer of the Windie City Shootout, whose name we will not mention in this blog post. We will, however, point out that the winners of the cash awards never received them. It looks like the lot of us were scammed.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We’re super pissed about the shady nature of the so-called “Festival” and its organizers. However, we are definitely still proud of our films, and we stand by the award given to us as an Official Selection by its judges, whether they were in on the shadiness or not.

We’re just gonna have to chalk it up to experience, and move on the bigger and better things. And we hope that you all can be along for the ride.

For more information on the WCS and its (“alleged,” I guess) scam click here.

To watch “Flats: a Love Story,” click here. You know you want to.

Peace out.
--Yota.
]]>Back to the Beginningadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-12-27T13:29:46-06:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/fc80f66e87b83be2837d11e2b6db93c3-11.php#unique-entry-id-11http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/fc80f66e87b83be2837d11e2b6db93c3-11.php#unique-entry-id-11Okay, everyone out there in the Interwebs!

After a several-month-long crap-fest, we are getting ready to start the new year off right! Some of you may be aware that a considerable chunk of our equipment was jacked a few months back, sending our tentative filming schedule hurtling off into oblivion. Well, that should be remedied soon enough!

Meanwhile, Lone Lantern has been mostly stuck in a lot of pre-production lately due to both a lack of equipment and Yota’s being involved in a couple of projects with other Indy film companies, including Structure Productions and 1PerCient% Films; look for updates on those as the projects are pretty freakin’ awesome.

Anywho, as we’re getting back on track, be on the lookout for updates to individual pages, new layouts, and new cast and crew calls.

Peace out.

]]>Le Sigh...admin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-10-03T17:51:37-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/75f90252e9996a1a9ec222b4095eb229-10.php#unique-entry-id-10http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/75f90252e9996a1a9ec222b4095eb229-10.php#unique-entry-id-10Sooooooo, unfortunately, we’ve hit a rather significant snag with our main camera, and so all film projects for the immediate future have been pushed to the back burner.

In the meantime, the Pluto Watch Co.’s first episode is coming along nicely, and we hope to be able to release the show around Christmastime, so be on the lookout for that.

Also, coming soon, our Audio Section will begin featuring previews from two of our members’ band’s upcoming EP.

And last, but certainly not least, keep in mind that, although immediate film projects are a no go, you can still help us raise films for EAT ME! We’re crowd-sourcing/funding via IndieGoGo, and you can check out our promos on the film page HERE!
]]>Moving Right Along...admin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-08-29T17:59:45-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/93a38e0a0e563b2c6b2aee7f69567073-9.php#unique-entry-id-9http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/93a38e0a0e563b2c6b2aee7f69567073-9.php#unique-entry-id-9This past weekend saw the Windie City Shootout Awards Show, whereing out latest short, “Flats: a Love Story” was re-screened as a Critics’ Choice entry! Plus, the IMDB Page is now live, and the Film Page has been updated a bit.

Now, the main event of the WCS is over, and now it’s time to prepare for our next project(s). Of course, you can still help us out by checking out our film on Vimeo; WCS is going to give $1,000 to the team with the most views at the end of a 30-day period, so watch the movie as many times as you can stand it, and spread the word!

http://vimeo.com/27947892

Also, you may have noticed the addition to the homepage: Just under the Facebook and Twitter links in the sidebar is the link to our CafePress Store! If you like our logo, you’ll love our products. We’re currently trying to add a little diversity to the shop by making a few items specific to each of our films. And, yeah, some of the items may seem a bit pricey, but all profits (ie, anything over CP’s base prices) goes directly into making our next film, so please help out however you can!
]]>Flats: a Love Story" Screening & WCS Awards Informationadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-08-24T21:14:46-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/d96ef6932237c64b62acf8a3f77dc814-8.php#unique-entry-id-8http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/d96ef6932237c64b62acf8a3f77dc814-8.php#unique-entry-id-8Well, if you’ve been following our Twitter feed or Facebook page, you know that we participated in the Windie City Shootout, a new 72-hour film race and competition here in Chicago. After losing half the crew, recasting half of our actors the day of the shoot, and losing our location and changing things up for a new place hours before shooting, we were able to pull it off and were the first team to hand in our finished product!

Now, the time is here, and everyone has the opportunity to attend the Windie City Shootout’s FREE outdoor screening of “Flats” and other competitors’ films. The event is going to take place at the parking lot at 18th and Halsted in the Pilsen neighbourhood, starting at 8pm. Our short is slated to run third, and totals about 5 minutes in length, so don’t be late! Yota will be chilling with a few cast members, friends, and family members, and giving out free candy, so watch out for mini Snickers bars, Blow Pops, and the subsequent and delightful rise in bloodsugar!

Also this week, Saturday at 8pm marks the beginning of the Windie City Shootout Awards Show, where the critics’ top 15 films will be re-screened, the winner will be announced, and viewers can vote for their favourites to win the Peoples’ Choice Award! The films will be screened at the historic/kinda rundown Thalia Theatre (you can entre through Ristorante al Teatro), and tickets cost $10; this price gives you the right to watch the films, vote for your favourite, eat as much popcorn as you want, drink free beer from 7:30pm - 8:00pm, and stay for the after party!

If you can’t make the Awards Show, you can still support us by purchasing an online ticket and submitting your vote via the Interwebs at www.ticketleap.com. The $10 ticket cost still applies, but we’ll take as many votes as we can get, plus the proceeds from the event go to charity!

So, come on out to either event if you can make it, or spend a few minutes (and a few dollars) online to help us get that much closer to winning this competition! Winners get $10K to make a feature film, and that would be a whole lot of awesome.

Thanks and we’re looking forward to see you all there!

_________________________

For more information on “Flats: a Love Story,” CLICK HERE.
For more information on the Windie City Shootout, CLICK HERE.
]]>"Windie City Shootout" 72- Hour Film Raceadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-07-19T15:46:20-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/5e2dbb6323e30bd259d9805ddc74e506-6.php#unique-entry-id-6http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/5e2dbb6323e30bd259d9805ddc74e506-6.php#unique-entry-id-6
For more on the Windie City Shootout, go here.


Update 8/15: We hit a whole mess of snags, but have persevered, and will be ready to hand in our film as soon as submissions are open!

]]>"Windy City Blues" IMDB Page Goes Liveadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-06-04T17:20:25-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/17bfeddda5f6f2b5c6ab9ade408fe8a7-5.php#unique-entry-id-5http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/17bfeddda5f6f2b5c6ab9ade408fe8a7-5.php#unique-entry-id-5
The Internet Movie DataBase site for our latest short, “Windy City Blues,” is now up! Although we’ve got the cast and crew credits listed on the WCB Home Page, feel free to check it out, as we’ll be adding trivia and fun facts to it periodically!

“Windy City Blues” IMDB Page]]>"Eat Me!" Raising Funds Via IndieGoGoadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-04-02T18:38:28-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/70358e3029eef0bb0713ee559bee0682-4.php#unique-entry-id-4http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/70358e3029eef0bb0713ee559bee0682-4.php#unique-entry-id-4Visit the EAT ME! HomePage on IndieGoGo to find out more about this feature and help us raise funds to film this amazing horror-action-dramedy adventure! And please help us to spread the word!

UPDATE (07/26/12): The IndieGoGo campaign has been removed because we are TOTALLY overhauling the script and story. It’s gonna be (expletive deleted) epic.
]]>48-Hour Guerilla Film Contestadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-05-10T14:37:06-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/1321b33417d9e614bb8601b5d2240eb7-3.php#unique-entry-id-3http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/1321b33417d9e614bb8601b5d2240eb7-3.php#unique-entry-id-3There are just 3 days left until the start of the 2011 48-Hour Guerilla Film Contest, and this year we're entering into the contest! Production companies are required to film a 5-10 minute short film over a tight 48-hour time period (from writing to editing). It's a challenge, yeah, but the best part? A $5K prize, trip to the festival screening, and a pitch meeting! For more on the contest, go to 48gfc.com, and wish us luck!

]]>"Windy City Blues" to be Screened at Festivaladmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-05-30T18:12:03-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/9155e03c9e93a24f0b21c572a7ceacae-2.php#unique-entry-id-2http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/9155e03c9e93a24f0b21c572a7ceacae-2.php#unique-entry-id-2Lakewood Ranch Cinemas is located at 10715 Rodeo Drive #8, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202.]]>Help "Windy City Blues" Win the Peoples' Choice Award!admin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-05-26T19:25:09-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/25bc8975c23d6b856393da49fcb0fa36-0.php#unique-entry-id-0http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/25bc8975c23d6b856393da49fcb0fa36-0.php#unique-entry-id-0Click here to watch “Windy City Blues...”]]>Website Under Constructionadmin@lone-lantern.comBlog2011-05-25T20:36:57-05:00http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/e0eda751479a1e45045b00000968f3ee-1.php#unique-entry-id-1http://www.lone-lantern.com/blog_files/e0eda751479a1e45045b00000968f3ee-1.php#unique-entry-id-1CLICK HERE and use the old navigation method.]]>