More info at EerieHorrorFilmFestival.com 

Actor Tony Todd is hoping to bring a major film production to the city of Erie in the near future!

Tony, who was a guest at last year’s event, became fascinated with the area while he was here and began writing a screenplay; a character driven drama that captures the spirit and vibe of Erie’s admittedly David Lynch-like atmosphere.

The feature film will mark Todd’s directorial debut and would bring a lot of attention (and work) to the area should the project move forward as planned.

While other cities are interested in this project, Tony wants to film it in Erie. As he clearly points out, the name of the screenplay is “Eerrie, Pa.”, not “Baton Rouge.”

On Friday, Todd, Eerie Horror Film Festival President Greg Ropp and Vice President Mark Steensland meet with officials from the City, Department of Community and Economic Development and the Covention and Visitor’s Bureau to unveil the plans for the film.

Ropp reports that that initial meeting went VERY well!

Here’s a link to an article that appeared in Saturday’s Erie Times News:

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709070385

Tony Todd, best known for his role as “Candyman”, will be joining the Eerie Horror Film Festival staff at the Millcreek Mall this Saturday for a special fundraiser for their organization.

In addition to playing the title role in the “Candyman” series, Todd has also starred in such hit movies as “The Crow”, “Final Destination”, “Stargate SG1″, “Star Trek Voyager”, “Babylon 5″ and the Academy Award winning film “Platoon”.

He is currently cast in the NBC television series, “Chuck”, which airs this fall.

Tony will be meeting with fans and signing autographs throughout the day.

The Eerie Horror Film Festival will be selling shirts, posters, stickers and buttons to raise money and awareness of their annual Festival, which is currently one of the most popular event of it’s kind on the planet. (A recent Yahoo search for “Horror Film Festival” has the EHFF at # 1, above New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. They are currently # 4 on Google).

At Frontier Park
Akeelah & The Bee (2006)
Showtime – 9 p.m.
Sponsored by: The Ophelia Project
In this heart-warming film, precocious eleven-year-old Akeelah from south Los Angeles is found to have an affinity for spelling. Despite her mother’s objections, Akeelah enters a contest and eventually finds herself at the National Spelling Bee. A mysterious teacher and a cast of colorful characters from her neighborhood help her along her journey.
Rated PG; 112 minutes

Pre-show activities:
* Spelling Bee (Age categories) – FREE popcorn to winners
* Beach Ball Bonanza
* Music & Karaoke

present

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

with a post screening music extravaganza by Weirdo Theatre Orkeztra

FRIDAY AUGUST 10TH
7:30 DOORS OPEN
8:00 MOVIE
BAND IMMEDIATLY FOLLOWS THE FILM
ERIE ART MUSEUM ANNEX
20 EAST 5TH STREET

Cost $5

Sponsored by:

FREE, starts at Dusk
* Granny’s Ark: FREE pony rides and petting zoo (6:45pm – 8:45pm)

Len Kabasinski’s “Fist of the Vampire” has completed principal photography. Now word yet on a premiere.

Weirdo Theatre Orkeztra will present Robert Wiene’s CLASSIC silent film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” at the Erie Art Museum Annex, 20 E. 5th St., on Aug. 10. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. Movie starts at 8 p.m. Cost is $5 at the door.

A documentary is looking for stories about people whose lives have been affected in a negative way by gambling. You can get information here.

An open casting call will be held on Aug. 4 and 5 for the film “Make Me Popular”.  Times are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Gateway (2nd floor) located at 1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, 44115. We are seeking men and women of all ages, shapes, and sizes for a variety of speaking parts and extra roles. No experience necessary! Please bring a headshot and resume if one is available or a snapshot that we can keep. “Make Me Popular” is a feature length comedy about a town that creates a series of ridiculous events to avoid publicity on a scandal. There is no strong language, sexual content, or violence contained in this film.

Extras are needed for a documentary about baseball that will film in Erie during the weekend of Aug. 25. More info here.

Now on DVD

About “Virgin Pockets”
After giving up her life as a professional pool player, Elizabeth (Marie Madison) meets the young pool shark Jordan (Chexy Grace) and the two become fast friends and fierce competitors in the underground pool halls of Erie, Pa. When Jordan gets in over her head with a ruthless sponsor and abruptly ends their lucrative business of hustling pool, Elizabeth’s sense of loyalty – and her love for the game draw her back to the tables and the vicious tournament circuit she once left behind. Now, facing off against her former protégé in a Nationally Televised Tournament, Elizabeth finds herself in a match she can’t afford to lose!

“Virgin Pockets” will have its Theatrical World Premiere September 27th, 2007 at The Great Lakes Film Festival at the Roadhouse Theatre in Erie, Pa.

Lately I feel like my Netflix returns are taking an extra day to get scanned in at a distribution center, compared to when Pittsburgh was on the return envelope.   Anyone else noticing a slow down?