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Showing posts with label Neil Reynolds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neil Reynolds. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Unbalanced

On October 12th I had the distinct pleasure of attending the first screening of UNBALANCED, which is an independent television pilot written and produced by the very talented Neil Reynolds. The pilot was directed by Jeremiah Jordon with Jason Haas as Director of Photography.

I'm going to post the trailer here, but you can also visit the UNBALANCED official site for more information.

Reynolds' writing is sharp and funny, brought to life by some familiar Boston and Cambridge actor-comedians. The character work alone was simply delightful to watch. The plot may revolve around a fantasy-world, but most of the humor is derived from truth in relationships and in real life situations. A great example of this involves the obligatory sexual harassment video that Ian (Ryan Petti) absently watches on his first day of work while he talks on the phone to his sister.

It's the very real relationship between Ian and his sister that is the driving force of the entire show. Ian's sister Wendy (Jane Lee), is plagued by hallucinations. Her fantasy world hallucinations are colorful, visually striking and fun to watch. Her monsters Mongor (Brian Church) and Carl (Taylor Newhall), constantly entertain the audience as they terrorize Wendy. The insanity of Wendy's mind makes a great contrast to Ian's bland new office job. But the UNBALANCED team never lets the jokes overshadow the love Ian has for Wendy and as he comes to her rescue again and again it's clear that their relationship is what will last no matter what stakes might be raised in their future.

UNBALANCED is currently being submitted to festivals around the country, and I will hopefully be updating as it gets accepted so you can go out and support it yourselves. For now, the trailer:


Unbalanced Trailer from Neil Reynolds on Vimeo.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Mmmmm Soft Places

Not a lot of time to write anything substantial today. All my free time went to sketch writing for the new IA Mainstage show. At work, I costumed A Midsummer Night's Dream almost completely, which was unexpected. The students were super excited for their new digs. I have found that in school play directing there is a distinct kind of science to the production schedule, even in a truncated time period like the ones I operate within. The costumes are neither revealed nor handed off until all the lines are learned and the play has been run at least once off book. Then the costumes are a reward. However, it's my preference to wait until the show has been run several times off book with me nit picking and nagging the kids until they are almost sick of the show. Then WABAM! Costumes. Something to make the old new, and to rekindle the energy of the production process.

After work Keith and I drove to the MSPCA to pick up a sad package: the cremains of Princess Sabrina Diamond Fluffbottom. I haven't seen Keith in ages, but he emailed me and asked for the ride. I was happy to oblige and sad that I didn't have more time to spend. Keith told me the story of the night she died which had us both close to tears by the end. R.I.P Miss Fluffbottom.
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Three Hole Punch got another positive mention in a blog this week. The salty and dapper Neil Reynolds of Code Duello and IB Mainstage plugged our show's final week.
Code Duello is one of my all time favorite improv shows. I have seen them several times in Boston, and once in New York. The first time I saw them was at the Cantab during a Bastard's Inc. show. I immediately wondered, "If I get good enough will I get to work with those guys?" Even now, I can't believe I know Matt and Neil. When we were all at the DCM last summer 3HP sat for their set and talked about how crazy it is that we have the luck (and blessing) to know them. Needless to say, because my love of their show borders on fanaticism I am floored by Neil's plug and by the kind message he sent to us personally.
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In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you all that my 13 day stretch of work got a nice little break up on the seventh day, Saturday. I took an early train to work, and after a harrowing experience involving a wheelchair, an old man, a discarded mattress and a can of soup in a plastic bag I arrived at work out of breath and sore, but still early for my shift. Ashley had shown up early too, but found out she was not on the schedule. Because the supervisor couldn't approve a float nurse (due to some program wide belt-tightening), Ashley was told she'd have to go back home. Since she needed those hours and I needed the time off she was easily talked into taking my team for the day. Before I knew it I was back at home cleaning my apartment and writing sketches. By noon I had accomplished so much that I even let myself take a nap before church and then had dinner with my adopted grandparents.
People ask how I handle working so much. The answer is that I count on miracles like Saturday all the time.