Eventide Productions is thrilled to announce the addition of producer Jason Contino to the Sufferance team.  Jason just wrapped up producing Ben Hickernell’s Lebanon, Pa.  which just had it’s world premiere @ SXSW 2010.  Before Lebanon, Pa. Jason had a string of successful low-budget horror movies, including the  2007 scare-flick The Murder Game about a group of teenagers who invent a game in which one of them is secretly chosen to be a “killer,” while the others remain innocent victims.  I’ve had a chance to get to know Jason over the last couple of years, not only as a producer but as a colleague and friend and he really is a joy to be around and work with.  He’s a smart, insightful and very sharp individual who has an amazing amount of knowledge and love for cinema.  The fact that he’s hilarious and handsome?  Well, that’s just gravy.

After the few chances that we’ve had to sit down and discuss the project, we are confident that he will make an excellent addition to the crew and we’re truly excited to have him on board.

On January 24th, 2010  I recieved the following email from SUFFERANCE screenwriter Matt Casale:

“At long last – it’s about time – and all that other fun stuff. The draft is finally done.
Of course there will always be corrections and tweaks and more re-writes, etc, etc, you stole fizzy lifting drinks…But you know what I say – don’t get it right, get it written.

So without further adu – I bring you Version 4.”

“A plague on both your houses!” ~ Mercutio: SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO AND JULIET.”

The script is by far the most important part of the movie-making process – It lays the foundation on which all other parts are built.  Shaky foundation, equals an unstable product.

After reading and re-reading the latest draft of SUFFERANCE, I find myself becoming more excited about the potential of the project.  There is still quite a bit of work ahead of us, but before we dive back in to re-writes, picking apart dialogue, character motivations, scene re-ordering, etc.  I want to appreciate this moment.  The moment where Matt reshaped a story that he’s had in his head for years and years and did an amazing job of blending his original vision with the current direction of the film.  The results are a truly rich and immersive world that is not only stocked with well-researched information, but also vibrant, colorful characters full of backstory.   I know it wasn’t an easy process for him, and I am truly thankful to have such a talented and passionate screenwriter on board.  This is my first (Of hopefully many) public thanks to someone I am proud to call my screenwriter, collaborator and most importantly.. a great friend.

Having a completed draft of the screenplay is not only exciting, it also means the beginning of the next step in the filmmaking journey. We can all start think about making this project happen!  We have a tactile product, so I can start thinking about actors and potential collaborators, camera work, storyboards, locations and special effects, music, costumes, production design; all the fun and exciting parts of the process that begin to create the film and help give it a unique identity.  Of course, one of the most important parts of the independent filmmaking process is fundraising, so with a draft of the script, we can put a rough budget together and begin the ambitious process of raising cash.  Geez! As I am writing this out, I’m realizing how much there is to do.  Better wrap up this entry and get to work!

Originally developed by OF DARKNESS screenwriter Matt Casale along with his cousin William Bedner, the script is currently in re-writes and will hopefully begin fundraising in Spring 2010.  SUFFERANCE has been pushed ahead of the companies other project INDIGO FALLS and will now be the teams first foray into Feature film territory.