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BBE
options Heaven's Door
a suspense thriller/horror screenplay written by Deborah Hewett-Elson
- Oct. 1, 2005
Heaven's Door is Silence of the Lambs
meets Flatliners.
LOGLINE: A psychopathic doctor is killing patients
to record their crossing over into the afterlife. The race is on
to stop the voyeuristic killer from opening Heaven's Door.
PLOT SUMMARY: To prove the existence of Heaven, Dr. Timothy Ames
has invented a diabolical machine that taps into the innermost visions
of his dying victim's subconscious mind. This knowledge allows him
to document their crossover into the afterlife. His experiments
prompt him to send patients to an early grave. He makes a fateful
mistake, however, when he kills the wife and unborn child of FBI
Special Agent Ben Alden. Driven by grief and questioning his own
beliefs in the afterlife, Alden races against time to stop the elusive
killer before he sends another victim across the threshold of Heaven's
Door.
HD RESOURCE
LINKS:
BBE producer's Deborah Raguse and Nick Delfino were both impressed
with the context of the material and worked with Hewett-Elson to
refine the work into a commercially viable product.
Dr. Timothy Ames, a genius physician gone bad,
is killing to catch a glimpse inside Heaven's Door.
BBE is currently targeting Heaven's Door for production
in 2006 with a working budget of $2 million dollars and a focus
on direct-to-DVD distribution.
The foreign and domestic home video market over the past 10 years
has experienced an overall increase of 200%.
"In recent decades, the thriller/horror
genre has been a staple of Hollywood because they make a quick
buck, they're generally cheap and they have decent grosses,"
Brandon Gray, President Box
Office Mojo
"DVD is augmenting the business and giving independent film
companies additional core revenue streams after you've taken certain
risks," says Peter Block, Lions Gate's president of home entertainment,
acquisitions and new media. Lions Gate alone estimates that most
of its video and DVD titles perform 120% above their theatrical
box office. A film such as Frailty whose budget was $11 million,
grossed $13 million and cleared as much as $30 million in take-home
revenue.
Additionally, "In recent decades, the thriller/horror genre
has been a staple of Hollywood because they make a quick buck, they're
generally cheap and they have decent grosses," suggests Brandon
Gray, president of Box Office Mojo.
The horror/thriller flick Saw
was made on a micro budget of $1.4 million, raked in $55 million
at the box office and is doing the same in DVD sales of $48 million.
The film's success can be credited to the popularity in horror/thriller
films as well as a clever publicity campaign.
Inspired by Hannibal Lecter and John Doe in Seven, Heaven's
Door, like Saw also falls into the popular subgenre of
horror movies known as "twisted genius as serial killer."
Other thriller/horror success stories include Shaun of the Dead
whose budget was $4 million and grossed $13 million in the box office.
The Grudge was made for $10 million and grossed over $110
million in domestically and internationally.
Delfino believes Heaven's Door has excellent box office
appeal. A theatrical run is possible, but Delfino chooses to maintain
an independent production philosophy, working outside of the studio
system and maintaining creative control and flexibility in financing.
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LOGLINE:
The true story of author Roger Dean Kiser's chance meeting
of his childhood bully, Tony Claxton, and the unexpected choices
the circumstance reveals.
The Bully was shot on 35mm film in early 2002.
The project was written and directed by Nick Delfino and was produced
by Delfino, Rick Ojeda and Deborah Raguse.
The Bully was a "Best Screenplay"
nominee at the Hermosa Beach Short Film Festival in 2005. The film
was a finalist for "Best Short Film" on Triggerstreet.com
in 2004 and an official selection for the Los Angeles International
Film Festival in 2003. The Film has garnered very positive reviews.
Producer
Rick Ojeda and Director Nick Delfino chat on the set of "The
Bully" in December of 2002
The
Bully is an adapted screenplay from the short story by published
author Roger Dean Kiser. Click on the image above to go to The
Bully's web page.
View
RDK/Bully.com (url)
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PITCH NOTES:
- Finalist Sundance Writer's Lab
- Story combines a laugh out loud character-driven
comedy
with a door-slamming farce
- Comparison: A Fish Called Wanda meets
Something About Mary
- Time Period: Present day LA
LOGLINE: The intermingled lives and loves of an on
the ropes, radio talk jock, a paraplegic internet voyeur, a chat
room romance, an aging soap opera diva, confused sexuality and a
broken nose create a twisting maze of misunderstandings and identity
confusion.
In
2002, Delfino co-wrote a screenplay, LoveSick, with award
winning writer/director Q Allen Brocka.
COVERAGE:
LoveSick is a very entertaining script in the tradition of
the "door-slamming farce." It's a maze of misunderstandings
and identity confusion, but the characters are so effective that
the pages turn easily. The ending could use some work, but this
script is definitely worth a read.
This script
does not take itself even remotely seriously, which allows the story
to unfold in an outrageous and entertaining way.
The key to
the comedy in this story is the cast of colorful characters. We
have a morning DJ dealing with his dabbling-with-lesbianism wife
and her retired soap-opera diva mother. We have a disgraced detective
and his crippled peeping-tom son, who uses his official status
as a teenager as a trump card to keep his father in the dark as
to his activities. We have a lovelorn telemarketer falling for
a woman who thinks she's a man, and her gay boss who is facing
a mid-life crisis after being dumped by his much younger boyfriend.
One only needs to list the characters and the story is already
interesting.
The
author successfully weaves about five subplots, all of which are
separate, but yet intrinsically entwined. The pacing and cuts
are handled well, keeping a steady momentum to the plot. The plot
does become predictable periodically - for instance, we can predict
that Nick is going to crash the secret rendezvous, we just don't
know how. We also know that they're all going to end up in the
same room in the hospital, as we watch everyone making their own
way in that direction. Still, the characters and dialogue make
these scenes work.
Recommendation:
"CONSIDER"
The
above is an excerpt from the Bubble Factory's coverage of LoveSick.
LoveSick
is registered with the WGA and the United States Copyright office
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Sleeping
Dogs Lie is making waves as an award winning film with a distribution
deal on the horizon
In July 2004, BBE's Nick Delfino and Deborah Raguse produced
the 35mm short, Sleeping Dogs Lie (SDL), in association
with Executive Producers Jeffery Brooks and Ford Englerth of Redrock
Entertainment Development.
The film stars celebrated actor, Edward Asner (Mary Tylor
Moore, Lou Grant, Elf), and multi-platinum rock stars
turned actors Brad Wilk (Audioslave / Rage Against the Machine)
and Maynard James Keenan (Tool / A Perfect Circle).
Jeff Hannon (Wilk) drives through endless Texas
SDL premiered in November 2004 at the New York International
Independent Film & Video Festival and was awarded the Grand
Jury prize for Best Short.
In February 2005, SDL won the Grand Jury prize for Best
Short at the Miami International Independent Film and Video Festival.
Then took home Best Director in June 2005 at the Las Vegas IFVF.
SDL was shown at the Sedona Film Festival in March 2005.
Ed Asner, star of the film, was honored with a lifetime achievement
award for his work and dedication to independent films.
Other festival screenings for SDL include: Los Angeles
IFVF (3/05), Beverly Hills Film Festival (4/05), Las Vegas IFVF
(6/05) and Hermosa Beach SFF (8/05).
SDL
RESOURCE LINKS:
(continued
next colum)
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Deputy Lance (Keenan) is always a cop's, cop
LOGLINE: Jeff Hannon (Wilk) lives in Cincinnati,
Ohio, and has stumbled upon a 30 year-old unsolved murder. Hannon's
discovery leads him to the small Texas town of Buford, where he
enlists the local sheriff (Asner) to help solve the murder mystery.
Hannon's own fate soon becomes entwined with the dusty town's
long forgotten history.
Sheriff Delaney (Asner) knows how things
work in Buford, Texas
SDL is currently selling the DVD via the website
sdlmovie.com.
International and domestic distribution deals are being pursued
for SDL in music and video stores such as Virgin Megastore, Blockbuster,
etc. SDL compliments the current A Perfect Circle record
and the upcoming releases by Audioslave and Tool,
slated for the 2nd quarter 2005.
Ed Asner describes his character
with the film's DP, Robert Gantz
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Los
Angeles based Bear-Buca Entertainment options film and literary
rights for incarcerated felon, Robert Wayne Atwater
Robert Atwater is serving time till 2011
in the Taft Correctional Facility in Taft, California
In February 2005, Bear-Buca Entertainment (BBE), optioned Robert
Atwater's life story.
Atwater was indicted in 1990 on money laundering and drug charges
for his participation in one of the largest drug rings in Georgia.
He disappeared and evaded the FBI, "hiding out" as a
golf caddie throughout the country. He was discovered playing
golf in the televised 2001 SBC Senior Classic, a regular event
on the PGA senior tour.
After a dozen years on
the lam using multiple aliases, it was Robert Atwater's love
of golf and his one chance to play in a PGA tournament that
led to his capture and imprisonment. Asked if it was worth it,
he answered without a doubt, "yes."
Robert Atwater (aka Darren Muarry) had caddied in the SBC tournament
the previous year. He conned the sponsors into giving him a sponsor's
exemption to play. Atwater was a crowd favorite due to his unique
cross handed grip and his "caddie turned pro golfer"
feel-good story. The Los Angeles Times and the popularity in the
tournament exposed Atwater's secret to federal authorities.
(continued
next column)
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(Atwater
continued)
After a dozen years on the lam using multiple aliases, it was
Robert Atwater's love of golf and his one chance to play in a
professional tournament that led to his eventual capture and imprisonment.
Asked if it was worth it, he answered without a doubt, "yes."
BBE is in the process of seeking a book and feature film deal
to bring Atwater's "catch me if you can" story to readers/audiences
everywhere.
ATWATER RESOURCE
LINKS::
Electronic Media:
Print Media:
(pdf)
Robert Atwater, with Producers Deborah Raguse
and Nick Delfino during a recent visit to the Taft Correctional
Facility
Actor
Attachment Worksheet (pdf)
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Wonder
Well is
a motion picture with the magic of The
Green Mile, and
the sensitivity of Forest
Gump
In
August 2004, Delfino signed with New Breed Entertainment to
direct a $5 million dollar, 35mm feature, entitled Wonder
Well. The film is scheduled to lens in the autumn colors
of rural New Hampshire pending financing and the attachment
of cast.
Wonder
Well is the story of a simple- minded, homeless man whose
destiny leads him to New England to see the beautiful Autumn
colors. He discovers much more, a gift that imparts miraculous
healing powers.
A
comprehensive investor presentation and buisness plan are available
in the resource links table below.
WW
Actor Attachment Worksheet (pdf)
Ruggle’s
mineral mine in New Hampshire will serve as the Wonder Well
cave, with the aid of computer generated special effects (CGI).
Please review the location scout photos along with the script
and investor presentation in the resource links table above.
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In the summer
of 2006, BBE will produce Cry of the Loon, a $2 million
dollar film, with New Breed Entertainment. The project is slated
to be filmed in picturesque New Hampshire. New Hampshire provides
spectacular scenery and as a right-to-work state, economic advantages.
Cry of
the Loon is the story of a strong, independent woman's return
home to mourn the death of her grandfather. While there, she is
confronted by a dominating mother and the truth behind a tragic
family incident.
To
contain costs, Cry of the Loon will be filmed at the estate
of executive producers Darrell Warren-Sedliar and Weston Breed
Warren. The New Hampshire property includes a secluded lake, boathouse/dock
and circa 1801 house and barn.
BBE
is drawn to scripts rich in story and character. Cry of the
Loon is a prime example. This award-winning screenplay is
On Golden Pond meets The Spitfire Grill.
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Independent films are paying
dividends at the box office and in secondary revenue streams with
DVD sales and rentals
The Independent movie audience, both domestic and foreign, has
increased in vast numbers over the past 5 years. Drama films,
like Wonder Well and Cry of the Loon, account for
31.2% of movies made. Over $12 billion of the total gross of all
movies is awarded to theatrical releases that have dramatic themes.
Ancillary markets, such as DVD's, have greatly increased revenue
streams of Indie films.
Every year since the mid-90's, Oscars and Oscar nominations have
been awarded to various independent films: Shine, The
English Patient, Sideways, Goodwill Hunting
and Whale Rider.
(continued
in the next colum)
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(Indy
Films continued )
Movies involving "spiritual" situations and/or humans
possessing unexplainable gifts have generated considerable interest
and profits. A prime example is Whale Rider. This film
was independently produced for $4.3 million. Whale Rider's
current worldwide profits has surpassed $40-million.
The general viewer is very receptive to films that provide strong
actors recreating real events where faith and spirituality intertwine.
The above characteristics are found in the following successful
big-budget films: The Fisher King, The Green Mile, The Passion
of the Christ, Angels in America. These films have helped
pave the way for Wonder Well and Cry of the Loon.
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BBE
options exclusive film and literary rights for book and Internet
author Roger Dean Kiser
Roger
Dean Kiser was abandoned as a child and placed in a Florida orphanage
at the age of four. Unable to adapt to the difficult, often cruel
and abusive environment of the orphanage, and stigmatized by his
repeated attempts to run away, he was transferred to a Florida
reform school at age twelve. Roger's poignant recollections of
his painful childhood experiences will take you into the heart
of a child abandoned by his family and abused by the system responsible
for his care.
Now an adult,
Roger Dean Kiser writes about his childhood along with his current
day tales. A real-life Tom Sawyer, Roger's stories find a common
ground in each of us. Roger Dean Kiser is a simple man with only
a sixth grade education and yet, he possesses a wonderful ability
- storytelling.
INTERNET
AUTHOR
Roger's primary publishing source is an Internet based grass roots
campaign that has his work appearing on over a hundred individual
websites. His website, www.rogerdeankiser.com, online since 1999,
has hosted over 4 million visitors in six years. Roger continues
to write, adding to an impressive archive of 300 short stories.
The continued interest in Roger's stories is noted by the 300
to 400 emails a month he receives from readers compelled to reach
out to the author.
(continued
next column)
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AUDIO
CD
Roger's first audio book entitled The Life and Times of Roger
Dean Kiser, Volume 1, is now available on Roger's website.
The audio CD features 12 short stories and a comprehensive interview
with the author.
PUBLISHED
AUTHOR
Orphan: A True Story of Abandonment, Abuse, and Redemption
(Adams Media Corp. Nov., 2001) is Roger's first published work.
The book has very positive feedback such as Amazon.com reader
reviews rating the book 5 out of 5 stars. Kiser's stories have
also been published in several books and periodical such as
the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books, "Reader's
Digest" and "The Ladies Home Journal."
FILM
Roger's short story, The Bully, was adapted into a short
subject film. Delfino directed and BBE produced the heartwarming
true story of Roger's chance meeting of his childhood bully
and the unexpected choices the circumstance reveals. The short
story and film have inspired several teachers to use the subject
matter for a writing exercise. Please see attached letter from
Stanton Middle School in Kent, Ohio.
DEVELOPMENT
BBE is currently seeking a second book deal that would contain
Kiser's most popular and newly written stories. BBE is also
collaborating with a writer to merge the stories into a screenplay
for film and/or television.
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In May 2003, Nick Delfino directed his second film,
Veronica's Veil. The film was produced by BBE's
Deborah Raguse and Rick Ojeda of Anatomy Entertainment.
Hired to direct the $30 thousand dollar digital
video short, Delfino was concerned with the overall look of the
project given the DV format. He wanted to achieve a cinematic
look for the strong-edged drama.
The project was shot on two 24p Panasonic cameras
with anamorphic lens adapters, with matte boxes and 35mm filtration
added to each.
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The end product looks amazing given the limitations
of the medium.
LOGLINE:
The story of a young woman of color who is driven by her past
and a choice she made. She's now willing to do whatever it takes
to right that wrong.
View
Veronica's Veil 1-Sheet (pdf)
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A
very special thanks to our copy editor Scarlett Swall.
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