PBS
Current mood: ecstatic
Category: Blogging

Shades Of Strange is currently editing our last project, getting ready to shot the next project, and submit a proposal to PBS, SciFi Channel, and HBO.  We are also gearing up for a fundraiser, to raise money for our pilot.

We are currently casting for our next project.  Please send resumes and head shots to auditions@shadesofstrange.com .  Even if you are not what we are looking for on this project, we really do review previous submisions for future projects. 

We aere also looking for crew members that live in the Austin and surrounding area.  Please submit resumes to crew@shadesofstrange.com .  This would be an exciting time to join the Shades Of Strange team.

Thank you in your interest in Shades Of Strange.

Executive Producer/Director

Louis Weyrich

2:22 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Auto writing
Current mood: artistic
Category: Writing and Poetry

Sometimes I like to just sit in front of a keyboard and just write whatever comes out without intention or motive.  I have not done this in a while, some I am going to give it a shot.

Mysticism.  It was the first word that came into my mind.  So I will talk about mysticism.  Evidently, that is on my mind.  I know why.  Mysticism is something I have been fascinated by since about six years old.  At age six, I remember seeing what I thought was a ghost.  For one whole day, I gave myself permission to completely open my perception wide open.  In that one day I experienced four odd things that I could never explain away.  It actually started as a prank by a neighbor friend of mine, who was two years older than me at the time.  He told me that is was "ghost day".

Of course, being only six years old, I totally fell for it.  But the trick ended up being on my friend.  For that one day, I allowed myself to be open to all possibilities.  By the end of the day, I remember my whole body was "a-buzz".  I could sense things I had never noticed before.  I had a larger perception of more of my surroundings.  I was neither alive nor dead, I JUST WAS.  That is when it started.

I have spent my entire childhood devoted to finding the answers to what happened to me that day.  Before the concepts of a dogmatic religion could take hold of me, I found true being.  The simple truths of the universe that still hold true to me even today.  Oh BELIEVE ME, the dogmatic religions are still baying at my door to see their way.  I just cannot unlearn what I already believe to be true.

First it was ghosts and spirits, then witchcraft, along came the UFO/alien conspiracies, the Bermuda Triangle, and of course telekinesis and mind control.  Then I turned ten.  I was a very serious young boy.  I wanted to understand the truths of the universe.  I wanted to know why it was hiding it from all of us.

Mind you, my father was an atheist and my mother a Mormon.  That made for a VERY unique personal growth situation for my younger sister and myself.  We were totally spiritually on our own.  We were told, "What ever makes you happy.  Find whatever you like.  We support you."  Although, this sounds good on paper, it was difficult to find my own way in a culture that thinks, "All good Americans are Christian." 

I found myself resenting Christianity.  I hated it.  I loathed it.  Later I came to an understanding that I do not hate Christianity for what it is, I resent that fact that it stunted me for who I could become.  I had a potential.  Because I was different than everyone else, I had to be made to feel alone and guilty.  My sister turned away from mysticism and religion.  Myself on the other hand...

At the age of twenty-one, I had a spiritual longing.  I knew that there was something out there that I could feel a part of.  I tried all kinds of crazy crap!  Lets see:  there was the Rosicrucian's, the "Keys of Enoch", the Urantia, the Branch Dividian's (just kidding), A bunch of forty year old women pretending to be spiritual but just looking to have sex with young men (not kidding), and Cabbalism. There are some interesting (screwed up) religions out there.

I believe that everything happens for a reason.  There is only illusion of randomness.  Random does not exist.  There was a reason I was on this path.  It was during a visit to one of the Keys Of Enoch meetings that I found myself.  If I had not entered this journey, I might not have found my potential.

At that meeting, I was in the library of the Keys Of Enoch.  I saw a book on Buddhism.  I thought to myself.  What is that all about?  It's funny, as an American, I never thought that Buddhism was even a choice for me.  I never even considered it.  I mean, I don't speak some funny sounding language. Buddhism is for someone else.  That is what I mean by the phrase, "Christianity limited my potential." 

Buddhism was so different than anything else that I had studied so far.  Yet, it was the truths that I found at six years old.  I did not need to convert to anything.  I was already Buddhist and I did not even know it.  Buddhism actually helped me to come to peace with Christianity.  Buddhism helped me to understand why Christianity is the way it is.  I would not embrace Christianity as I do, if it were not for Buddhism.

Now I am at the heart of the matter!  Why mysticism is so heavily on my mind.  I have drawn my attention away from it for a long time.  I find my attention being drawn to more mundane things.  Shades Of Strange is not one of the mundane things I speak of.  I need to re-center myself.  I need to find my yoke again.  Mysticism is the heart of mythology.  Mythology is at the heart of being human!

Louis

11:33 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Back in the game
Current mood: excited
Category: Blogging

Here we go now.  I finally have an editor.  His name is Brian Nelligan.  We are trading services.  He is editing "The Box Of Opportunity" and I am writing a score for his latest feature film.

I have begun working on the score for "The Box Of Opportunity".  I hope to finish about the same time as Brian is finished editing.  Keep your fingers crossed, there is going to be a release party soon!!!

Louis Weyrich

Currently watching : The Outer Limits - The Original Series, Season 1 Release date: 03 September, 2002

11:20 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Foiled Again
Current mood: anxious
Category: Blogging

At this point we have run into glitches with editing for Box of Opportunity. The footage looks great. There were some issues with the finished product, but that is how we learn for the future. As it stands we are trying to find either an editor we can afford or an affordable MAC so we can finish the job. Either way it is all a matter of timing and resources.

All of the actors did a superb job.  For some this was their first acting gig of this scale and no one would never perceive it from their grand performances.   Thank you to all for such a tremendous effort.

As soon as we get it all together as a finished film there will be a viewing and party to celebrate. We will update as it happens. In the mean time the ideas for future stories and episodes are pouring out. There are three on the table that are in the works that are all very different and have potential. The story to be put to film next will be used as a working pilot to shop around for investors and distribution. So we need to make sure the next one counts on all levels. We are in the process of working out which story line best presents the Shades Of Strange universe and set up for future story lines.  It will need to be a strong story creating the most curiosity and interest in the project. After our pilot is finished we have oodles of ideas and beginnings of scripts that will be finished and filmed for episodes of Shades of Strange.

I hope that no one felt as though they were kept in the dark.  I hope to shed light on this very soon. 

Between the light and the dark are "Shades Of Strange".

10:34 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

welcome back Shades Of Strange
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Blogging

It has been a while folks.  Things are finally underway.  Post production skretched to a hault in the past few months.  Now things are back underway.  Last weekend, me and my art director went location scooting.  Brought back many pictures of cool little towns.  I have been working on new stories and direction for Shades Of Strange.

I would like everyone to give a holler out to my new Art Director, Michelle Weyrich.  My wife.  We are making a team.  I think with the combined talent of the two of us, nothing will stop Shades Of Strange for becoming a reality.

PLEASE STAY TUNED!!!!

Louis Weyrich
Writer/Producer/Director/Composer

Currently watching : Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection Release date: 03 October, 2006

4:50 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Production finished
Current mood: happy

Production is over.  We are now in the Post Poduction phase.  I will begin editing next week.  I need a week off.  I want to thank everyone involved for their efforts and dedication.  For my first film, I am VERY pleased how everything turned out.  I could not have asked for a more talented and friendly group of people to work with.

I will be planning a rap party soon.  Until then, go to http://www.joeazzatophotography.com to see pictures of the production.

Thank you for reading and caring
Louis Weyrich
Writer/Producer/Director

Currently watching : The Ninth Gate Release date: 18 July, 2000

10:36 AM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Saturday

We started the day with Louis arriving at the location at 7am.  Our set designer, Laurel, has been working on the house since Friday afternoon to create our main characters', Ron and Margaret Castle (played by Eric Anderson and Cella Blue), home.

After about two hours of set dressing, hair and makeup, and setting up equipment, we started shooting at around 9:45.

So far, the only casualty has been the cactus.

5:00 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Filming this weekend!
Current mood: busy
Category: Art and Photography

We have our final shoot this weekend... an individual in Austin has been kind enough to lend us their home as a location, and Lotus of Austin has agreed to provide two cars and drivers.

I can't believe how much support we've gotten, and how Louis, the cast, and the crew have worked tirelessly to make this an amazing, worthwhile project.  I'm honored to be a part of it.

I'll be updating over the weekend - take a look at our pics in the meantime!

Bethany

3:47 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Filming
Current mood: excited

This is the first weekend of filming.  We begin Friday night with an insurace office scene with myself as Stew, the unchangable family man, and Eric Andersen, the star of the show.

Then on to saturday night with a mexican restuarant scene.  We are filming at Maudie's Tex-Mex Heaven on N. Lamar.  We have Cella Blue, from the White Ghost Shivers, as Margaret (lead) whom by the way is doing an incredible job and Frank Rodriguez as Edward the bus boy.

All is going swimmingly well.  Stay tuned for more.

Currently listening : Continuum By John Mayer Release date: 12 September, 2006

1:31 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Welcome
Current mood: excited

1:13 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment