Sigma Films: Monday 10th December 2007

December 11, 2007

Monday 10th December 2007

Another catchy title to get this weeks update off to an auspicious start.

And now for the news:

The blog

Comments seem to be working using the TypeKey thing, so I'm sticking with it for the meantime. Similar on the facelift, it stays for now, font and all. Many thanks for the feedback, it was noted and considered so I hope that some of the people will be pleased some of the time with this decision.

Hallam Foe

Our film continues it's journey round the world. Last week Hallam Foe was screened at the Taipei Film Festival in Taiwan where David went as ambassador. He then made his way round the globe to the Bahamas, where he is now, with the film. Glamorous locations indeed but a pretty punishing schedule in terms of the old body-clock jet-lag being as it is.

The film has been brilliantly received at both festivals and when I have some news about the competitive side of these festivals I'll add it to this post.

For reasons unknown to me the DVD of Hallam Foe will not be released in time for Christmas but will be out in the UK on the 4th February next year. So a couple of months to wait for those of you eager to get your hands on it. The extras, as far as I know, are the podcasts we made for the film and also a commentary from David on the movie and deleted scenes. All good stuff.

Rounding Up Donkeys

RUD is still in the casting phase. It looks like they are closer to deciding who the main cast are going to be so I should be able to give you more info towards the end of the week and hopefully a message from producer Anna Duffield.

I Love Luci

Things are progressing at a lightning pace with my short. It wasn't shortlisted for the scheme I entered the script into but other avenues seem to be opening up. I am now looking at potential cast with the fantastic Kahleen Crawford and have the wonderful Brian Coffey on board as producer.

I am currently writing the next draft and hope to have it in a position to apply for funding before Xmas.

When I feel ready I think I am going to put the script on line. I'm still not sure about doing this but I think I may well do it once there is funding in place. The other thing I am thinking of doing is putting footage of the rushes on this site so that people can edit their own versions of my film. This obviously has a load of issues surrounding it so far as funding is concerned but I will tackle those as and when they arise. There will be contractual implications with this sort if thing so I'll need to approach it carefully.

Happy Xmas to all who read this site and all the best for 2008. Your support is much appreciated.

Posted by colin kennedy at December 11, 2007 1:09 PM

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Comments

Oh dear! Something must be wrong with my reader thing, for I just saw this and apologies for posting my Holiday wishes on the wrong post-eep!

So right...Colin- how AWESOME ARE YOU???That is just so cool, very bold (and a bit brave) imo to open your Luci film to us in this manner! wow! Y'all at Sigma continue to push the normal boundaries-so so impressive, and I hope you get some wonderful edits of your rushes. Will you post those on line as well?

Thanks for the updates on Donkey and Hallam Foe. I do (as usual) have a few qs on the HF dvd lol...who chooses the artwork for the boxes? Is that you at Sigma, or once you sell a film to a distributor, do they get final say over that merchandising? I really ask this because the Hallam Foe page at Magnolia (the US distributors) have a simply HORRIBLE poster up (plus the name MISTER FOE also really sucks, sorry), and worst of all, the copy for the film : "darkly twisted, entertaining work of magical realism from one of the leading lights of the new Scottish cinema"...well that is just dreadful! Do you, David/Gillian get any say in this matter at all?

Posted by: Sue at January 3, 2008 4:22 PM

Yes....Colin....about the fact that I've yet to see the film (darn it!!). Taiwan & the Bahamas? How about a film fest in the Carolinas of the US of A - that's a hint! (Oh faithful blog reader & David fan that I am, I feel destined to never see this blasted film, languishing as I do in the US). This blog is proving to be a terrible tease!

But enough of complaints - for now anyway! - thank you so much, Colin, for your promoting of Red Road on this blog. I saw it recently & was absolutely blown away by it. What a daring, risky film. I loved it. I watched it twice, actually. A fine piece of film making. It played with my mind for days - kind of like YAdam. It was really something else. Thanks, Colin.

As for my earlier complaints - sorry. I'm just thoroughly disappointed to have to keep waiting in obscurity - which in itself is a tribute to you, Colin, & your blog & the growing reputation of David's work.

Best of luck with your project - I'll be "watching."

Posted by: Anna at January 4, 2008 3:41 AM

Hi Colin and everyone,

Pardon the nature of this post, but I have a serious question for you.I

Recently Magnolia, the US distributors of Hallam Foe (which apparently will now be released under the woefully icky name “Mister Foe” ), issued their onesheet poster for the film (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=168360734&blogID=345991854
link to large size poster on Ted’s HF blog).

As a longtime reader who has been keenly anticipating the film release here in the States, I have to say I was pretty dismayed by what I feel is just a poorly done poster. Why can't they use the ones you created or Disney /filmfactory? Did y'all have any say in this, for I would be greatly surprised if you did! What is the point of this messy cluttered poster? The colors are disjointed and don’t mesh, the photoshopping efforts around Jamie/Sophia’s face on the top photo are harsh, you can barely see David Shrigley’s delightful bird artwork/border which appears almost slapped on as an afterthought, and the photo on the bottom-well they surely could have used a better photo capturing Hallam over Edinburgh…-all in all, I am appalled by this and very saddened that this is what we are getting. :((( I would have eagerly gone and purchased several of the US poster, eagerly made avatars banners as a fan etc, but this is just so disappointing, just no way am I using this.

So, my question is this: Would you mind if I posted a petition online calling for a new poster? (Id like to do one against the dreadful name change too but know I have zero chance on success with that)
This poster strikes to the heart of marketing, of capturing the interest (and subsequent ticket dollars) of people like me, and I think this poster simply does NOT do Hallam justice. I would hope at the least we could get the attention of Magnolia before they spend considerable money marketing the film,but imo if they are hoping to generate attention for the film with this, this wont make the case (will more likely be mocked on the many film sites forums-sorry but that is what I think)

I am sorry to be so negative, but I am honestly dismayed by this and wondered what you thought.

Sue

Posted by: Sue at January 11, 2008 6:14 PM