Filmmakers Begin Production On Winter Film

Film director Scott Takeda on a recent shoot.

This month, we begin pre-production on our latest short film, “The Outsider” – this one helmed by Scott Takeda. Production will begin in December with shoots around the rural areas of Brighton, Colorado.

“Once again we're taking a universal story and putting our own personal spin on it” said producer Lori Kay Allred. “Our latest film is about what it's like to join a family and feel like an outsider. However I'm excited by the personal touches that Scott is putting into the screenplay because he's including his own family into the film.”

“So imagine shooting a film during an actual family reunion,” laughed Allred. “That is essentially what we're doing.”

10/18/16 UPDATE – Kate Cook has agreed to play Kristin McCaskill, the lead of our film. Kate is best known for playing the recurring character Mrs. Hendricks on Nickelodeon's "Henry Danger." She is represented by Linda McAlister Talent in LA.

10/19/16 UPDATE - Two veteran TV actors have joined the cast for our film. Mike Ostroski will play the supporting role of Jake.  He recently booked ABC's "How To Get Away With Murder" and is best known for costarring on "Breaking Bad." He's represented by TLynn Management in LA. And Scott Takeda will be pulling double duty on our film, directing and playing the supporting role of Brett. Takeda recurs on NBC's "Days of Our Lives." He's represented by Metric Talent Management out of LA.

10/20/16 UPDATE - We're thrilled that Catherine McGuire has agreed to join our cast. Catherine is a long time company player in our films, now signing up for her fourth stint. She will play Carol McCaskill. Catherine recently shot an episode of truTV's "Those Who Can't" in LA. She's represented by Donna Baldwin Agency in Denver.

10/26/16 UPDATE – Kristen Rakes has also signed to be a co-lead in our film. Kristen recurs in this season of FX's "American Horror Story" and recently signed to costar opposite Morgan Freeman in "Villa Capri." She is represented by Linda McAlister Talent out of LA.

11/7/16 UPDATE - Alan Shackelford M.D. is also joining our cast. We're very happy to coax him out of his "acting hiatus" where he's been focused on his first love – healing the injured as a licensed medical doctor. He will be playing Calvin McCaskill in a supporting role.

11/24/16 UPDATE - Our project officially has an IMDb link.

12/12/16 UPDATE - Our scouting and casting is complete. We begin rolling cameras in a week.

"If Not Now" Wins Merit Award & Other Festival News

Hip hip hooray!  Lori Allred took home the Merit Award from the 2016 Awareness Film Festival in LA for its short film "If Not Now." Now in its third year, this festival is focused on filmmakers committed to making positive changes in the world.

"The judges were really moved by the power of this film," said organizer Jan Switzer. "We liked that the filmmaker took the universal story of aging parents and made it personal. We also loved the performances. We were happy that cast member Rachel Hroncich could be in attendance to receive the award."

Besides the Awareness Film Festival, our films have continued their festival run, as official selections in festivals throughout this fall season. The highlights include the Chandler International Film Festival for "If Not Now" and the Covellite International Film Festival for "The Decision." 

Additionally, both films were nominees in the 11th Annual Universal Film Festival in Kansas City.

Chronicle Reports On Distribution Deal With Shorts.TV

This week, the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle did a follow up story on director Scott Takeda and how his team got distribution from Shorts.TV.

Reporter Glen Richardson wrote: Getting a distribution deal for a film is the aspiration for almost all filmmakers. But it can be tough – thousands of films are produced every year, and very few make it to the next level. It is even harder to get distribution for a short film. So it is a true achievement for Denver's BS Filmworks to have landed a Shorts.TV distribution for not just one, but two of their short films.

Click HERE to read the full story.

48 Hour Film Project: Denver Filmmakers Land Distribution Deal

This week, the 48 Hour Film Project newsletter covered the news that our 48 Hour Film Projects team landed a distribution deal with Shorts.TV for two films – both originally produced for the script-to-screen competition. Here's an excerpt:

Getting a distribution deal for your film is the aspiration for almost all filmmakers. But it can be tough--thousands of films are produced every year, and very few make it to the next level. It can be even harder getting distribution for a short film because of their limited market value. So it was a true achievement when Denver filmmaking team BS Filmworks landed a Shorts.TV distribution deal for not just one, but two of their short films that were created through the 48HFP.

Click HERE for the full story.

Colorado Public Radio Highlights Lori Kay Allred

This week, Colorado Public Radio interviewed director Lori Kay Allred and got the behind-the-scenes story about "If Not Now," the Alzheimer's film that recently got distribution from Shorts.TV.

Allred told "Colorado Matters" host Ryan Warner about the day her mother didn't remember her, and how that painful moment helped to inspire the short film. Amelia Shafer from the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer's Association also joined the discussion.

Click HERE to listen to the interview.