Lo Gap Media

35 mm DSLR -- Four Arkansas Indie Productions to Watch

2010-07-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

The hype has calmed a little with 35 mm DSLR cameras going from High Definition (HD) stills to HD moving pictures. Using full 35 mm lenses combined with a large capture chip, these cameras raised a ruckus with the traditional cinema film capture folks. Terms like film is dead, not just anyone can use these lightweight capture devices, it’s just a gimmick. Until a professional grabs one of these cameras.

At this present time I am highlighting four independent film projects located right here in central Arkansas using the Cannon 7D. The 7D is either the primary or principle camera being used to capture the image information. Each project is unique in its own way.

Leon Tidwell has just completed primary capture on his latest short The Conversation. Using traditional lighting for indoor capture and natural sunlight for all outdoor shots, Leon was able to move quickly between takes and adjust his angle on the actors. Having seen the rough cut with no color correction, I am in awe as to the quality of the image.

Kelly Griffin, long time commercial shooter for the Little Rock market, related to me the best thing about the setup for the 35 mm DSLR is the overall weight factor. He used to lug 200 pounds of equipment for a shoot, now if I am correct, it is less than 20 pounds. Currently Kelly is the Director for a feature length called Anyone. His approach as an experiment is to utilize all natural lighting outdoors as well as inside.

Eric Dietz has taken on a new approach for the use of the 35 mm DSLR; point of view (POV) mount and shooting. With the use of a wide angle lens Eric is currently getting ready to shoot a Zombie short, Never Stop Running, all from the lens of the camera and character POV. I know this has been done before, but if you get a chance to view his test footage -- all lighting is with a flashlight.

Gerry Bruno is in pre-production for two shorts, 15.2 Seconds and Seven Souls. The choice of cameras leads from the 5D, 7D and the RED. Gerry has not released much more than that and is currently looking for cast and crew.

The point here is to look for these films as they are released, study the work. The magazine hype has become a reality for true no-to-low budgets with extremely high-end quality. The combined experience of these above mentioned filmmakers runs into decades. Each has told me that everyday they learn something new about recording images on a 35 mm DSLR.

I mean really, is that not what all of this is about? Telling a story with your own unique style, especially with high quality image capture. Look for interviews with all of these filmmakers on Arkansas Talent Conversations in our Fall line up.

The Arkansas Talent DataBase has moved to a New Website Location.

2010-07-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

The Arkansas Talent DataBase has moved to a New Website Location.
http://arkansastalentdb.com/atdb/

The Reason for the move:
NING will begin charging $50.00 a month ($600.00 a year) for the old ATDB site. This new billing from NING begins Tuesday July 20th.
We will not tolerate having to charge any member such an outrageous fee for a FREE listing.

What You Need to Do:
1) Register a New Account at: http://arkansastalentdb.com/atdb/
2) Wait for the email confirmation.
3) Once the email confirmation has arrived click on the link, this will confirm your new registration at the new ATDB website.
4) Log in to the New ATDB website: http://arkansastalentdb.com/atdb/
5) Open your profile at the Old ATDB NING website in a new web browser TAB. http://arkansastalentdatabase.ning.com/
6) Copy each profile section field into your new profile field.
7) Upload a new profile photo.
8) You are completed with the basic profile.
9) Spend some time on your profile and note that each field has a custom “view” field.
10) Your page can be customized to your own taste.

The NING Network will go Offline on Tuesday July 20th.
This is a large Corporate move on NING’s part not ours!
We are dedicated to keeping the FREE to all members.

A Huge Thank You To Tony Gschwend for taking on the task of creating the new http://arkansastalentdb.com/atdb/ and providing the web server space for it’s hosting.

Please bear with us as we go through new growing pains in providing You with this FREE resource for All Arkansas Talent.

Best
Kevin and Kat Yares

Four Gone Conclusion

2010-07-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

As Hollywood announces yet another remake I have come to a number of conclusions. Please allow me to bore you with my voice.

Spec scripts are Dead! Writing a speculation script and sending those off to the land of poor economy is a waste of time. Your passionate words are going to end up in the trashcan. Myself with three spec scripts written, one of which is represented, are all gathering dust I am sure. While my agent whom is always optimistic, and why wouldn’t they be, keeps up the positive - I know better. Yes I am sure that I can write for script competitions thinking I can place, win some money and then what? My words, my ideas, my passion is still gathering dust. So instead, a different path, keep the passion flowing, work in the short genre. Make the films ourselves with a little help from our friends.

Arkansas is no Hollywood, thank goodness. The people involved here, in the creative arts, have a sense of sensibility. The talent available far outweighs any negative thoughts one can have concerning script rejection. The possibilities for creating a short work on film, with a true little to no budget, is a reality. The cooperation, the spirit and work ethic surpasses anything I have ever experienced. This is coming from a man who has spent his past thirty years in an industry of professionals - who try to stab you as “they” shake your hand. So far, and I am sure “they” are out there, I have witnessed the Best in everyone I have had the honor to work alongside.

So from this point forward, Lo Gap Media and The Arkansas Talent DataBase (ATDB) will be dedicated to one thing; The Promotion of Arkansas Independent Film and The Arts. Through the Podcasts we will do our best to highlight those involved in all forms of the creative process. We have taken a sabbatical so to speak, but the new studio is completed, and better interviews will be forthcoming. Contact us for an interview of your project. The Arkansas Talent DataBase will be moving very soon to a new Web address, pushing even further into the woods and woodwork for unveiling new talent located around the state. The ATDB is NOT a Talent Agency, we are merely providing a place for all talented individuals and groups to post and reveal themselves. We leave it up to those individuals to contact each other for projects. So far many have been started and completed.

I do wish we could receive more cooperation from the Arkansas Film Commission in the aid to independent filmmakers and projects, but I have yet to witness any of that happening. So we are on our own. Not completely alone though, we have each other. The deep passion of creativity exists here. Perhaps being creative does offer up some introversion, learn to disregard those feelings and work to Network. A new group was formed earlier this year by Gerry Bruno called the Filmmakers Forum. It is a great way to meet others of like minds, network and form project plans. We have learned that from this group of dedicated professionals, projects are seeded and turned into reality.

So after all of these words, if you are still reading this, and of course I can be full of crap. The expectation of being the next greatest wordsmith heading west, good for you. If you want to see those words on a screen, large or small, quit sitting there, get busy, make a short film. Get help from some of the best professionals I have ever had the pleasure of working alongside.

Myself? At the current time I am following a Blind Man, visually impaired, who can see!

Best to All of You.

Kevin Yares

COMPLETED!

2010-01-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

The final mix is done, the artwork completed last night along with an interior information page. The Audio CD of Revealed Evil is officially finished!

After eight months, more like 8 years, the second project in a line of three is printed and ready for distribution and marketing. Now the real work begins.

I want to thank everyone involved with this project from the voice actors, technical help and the folks who took the time to give us great critiques. Thank you one and all!

The third draft of the short film(s) adaptation is well underway. We are both excited as to what has been accomplished so far, and looking (bright eyed and perhaps naively) forward to what is coming at us.

Please look for the launch of the new and revised website to take place the first week of February.

Best
K.

logap

Hearing Voices – Yet Again

2009-12-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Now that the Audio CD is off to a few folks for a crit review, things that are right and wrong with the CD master mix; my mind now wanders into the script for the movie. For the past week or so, the characters have begun speaking to me, at times keeping me awake most of the night. Each one in their own turn, or sometimes all at once, as to just how they feel the story should go.

Since this “mind sorting” has begun, a new character has now invaded my space in the script. He says he needs to be a part of the story to help show a complete conflict POV. The bastard is probably correct though, so he too will get his time on the pages of the rough draft. Of course when it comes to rewrites, that is when all of the characters really begin to fight with me on the pages in my mind. It happens every time I get closer to the final printing of FADE OUT.

So off into that wonderful blinking cursor and blank screen. It has been nine months since I have put anything creative on paper. Not to say that the Kat’s Tales book and Audio CD has not been a joy to work on, but those are Kat’s words, and I only infused my limited knowledge into the final production.

Although we are calling this film - adaptations to the original work, my characters are already telling me that is will only be based on that work. Like me, they have their own story to tell for Revealed Evil.
Can I Conceal Mine?

Best
K.

logap

NEW! Arkansas Talent DataBase

2009-12-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

After much discussion, Kat and I began a new website free to Arkansas Talent.

This is a free posting site open to all Arkansans in any form of Creative Content.

Please check it out and join!

Best
K

Logap

In the Can - Time to Recluse

2009-12-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

Our last voice talent was here yesterday and the Audio CD is now in the can so to speak. Time to recluse and begin the post work on the stories.

Jason Thompson, stand up comic and voice actor wonder, was in our small rural studio yesterday to place his multi-faceted voice into the project. Kat and I had a date night on Saturday and listened to both Jason Thompson and Angry Patrick (Patrick Beam) perform. Both of these guys were spot on in their Comedic performances.

We also want to take the time to thank the other fine talents that performed for us as well.

Kyel Kidder
Lucas Corey - Yares
Michael Corey - Yares
Erin Yares
Alissa Brainard
Courtney Perry
Jason Thompson

All of these fine actors will be listed on our website in the future with a photo and a short Bio.

Well on to the post work and soon distribution. Then both Kat and I can get down to the task of adaptation for the short films. I am sure that those listed above will be a part of this next endeavor as well.

Best
K

Logap

Heading Towards the Light

2009-12-02T06:45:00.000-08:00

The last piece of pumpkin pie was eaten last night and the light is getting brighter at the end of a long tunnel. Things have become extremely busy not only with the past holiday, but also on finalizing the last of the voice talent adding their own character to the audio CD.

Courtney Perry was in the studio back on the 23rd of November and what a voice! Her interpretation of the characters was just spot on! I have just begun the editing on her vocal takes and should soon have some of it in the can.

We are planning for a late February or early March release date if all goes well.

Kat and I are both chomping at the bit to move on to the next stage of this project, the short films!

Best
K

Logap

Getting Closer

2009-11-19T07:12:00.001-08:00

Another fantastic voice talent was in the studio yesterday.
Alissa Brainard completely nailed the roles we gave her for Revealed Evil.
The session lasted for 2 hours and her voice talent is absolutely remarkable.
With talent like this in North Central Arkansas makes us even more excited of what is to come for this project. It has taken a lot of work thus far, but the results are amazing.

This project is really leading to the beginning for the short films that will go into production in late spring and summer of 2010.

Best
K
Logap

Final Voice Cast Selected

2009-11-16T08:33:00.000-08:00

After many phone calls and a few personal auditions, the final voice cast has been selected.

We are extremely excited about our choices and are ready to place the final touches on what has turned out to be a long process.

Next in line after the production of the Audio Radio Style play is to begin adaptation of the short stories for film.

Best
K.

Logap

First Crits are In

2009-11-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

The first Crits for Revealed Evil the Radio Style Play are In!
Overall they are very positive and seems to have accomplished the goal of entertainment and making some of the listeners very uncomfortable.

Have some work to do on one of the finished stories.

Can not ask for more than that.

Best
K.

Logap

Critical Constructive Ears Needed

2009-11-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

We are approximately 70 present completed with "Revealed Evil" the audio play.
I need some critical and constructive ears for this project. If you would like to help by listening to what we have done so far and would be interested in giving an honest critique to what has been produced, please drop me a line through the website.

Thanks so much!

Best
K
Lo Gap

Do I Really Sound Like That?

2009-09-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

Find out! We are having an open casting call for North Central Arkansas.

Casting Call For The North Central Arkansas Area

We are currently seeking the following Individual Voices for Revealed Evil Audio CD production.

The description following the sex of character defines characteristics we are looking for. It does not define an all at once reading. Although - I suppose a timid, southern, valley girl would sound rather unique.

3 – Female Voice Actors
Female – timid – valley girl – southern
Female – older – gentile – strong
Female – strong – young – slight Irish brogue

3 – Male Voice Actors
Male – higher pitch – southern
Male – strong – southern twang
Male – strong – older

You need no previous experience, in fact we encourage folks whom never had any acting experience to contact us. The goal of this project is to utilize talent from the North Central Arkansas Region. We are looking for Voices!

Pay will be next to nothing. We are offering paid expenses to and from our rural studio (gas money), lunch and a 1 percent of net profits after all expenses.

Contact us via email send no attachments as any emails with an attachment will be deleted.

Include, name, sex, age, return email address, basic location in Arkansas and any previous experience.

List of Remaining Characters:

Woman – Female (mousy timid tone)
Man – Male (a little redneck twang)
Elinor – Female ( grandmother tone)
Cop 1 – Male (edge to voice, short clip)
Rath – Male (older voice, portly, slow)
Woman – Female – ( slow on phone)
Bertha – (high pitch twang)
Trucker – (high pitch twang, short clip)
Clark – Male ( large voice)
Elise – Female ( almost valley girl)
Stella – Female ( strong, resistant)
Tom – Male (quite, strong)
Woman (Lillith) – Female ( strong, excitable)
Narrator – Male ( strong confused)
Driver – Male (Same as Narrator)
Red Hat – (excitable)
Narrator – Female (young voice, strong)
Sarah – Female (Same as Narrator)
Mom (Abbi) – Female (timid)
Narrator – Female (Irish brogue)
Colleen – Female (Same voice as Narrator)
Amy – Female ( southern gentile)

Best
K

logap

Lo Gap Media Sending Out Review Copies of Revealed Evil

2009-09-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Lo Gap Media Sending Out Review Copies of Revealed Evil

Fresh from the printers, Kats Tales: Journeys into the Velvet Darkness - Volume 1 Revealed Evil is being sent out to reviewers.

Clinton, AR – September 14,2009 - Lo Gap Media - After months of editorial work Lo Gap Media is proud to release the print copy of Kats Tales: Journeys into the Velvet Darkness – Volume 1 - Revealed Evil to the public and selected reviewers. Revealed Evil contains 13 short stories exploring the wickedness that lives in the hearts of everyone. Written in the vein and style of “Creep Show” and “Tales from the Crypt”, Revealed Evil is the first of three volumes to be released under KatsTales: Journeys Into the Velvet Darkness Series. As one prestigious review critic has put it - “very nice work.
some pretty disturbing images, pretty forbidden subjects, pretty direct lyric-- un-sugarcoated. you dance in places I couldn't step, unknown country, velvety darkness in all senses. ‘The Changlings’ made me shiver. ‘The Church on the Hill’ struck deeply buried chords.”

About Lo Gap Media
Lo Gap Media is involved with communications and content production. Both Kevin and Kat Yares are published authors and have been involved with the written word and production media for the past 30 years. They have moved into the area of Web Content for the past 5 years. Currently, they are working on Natures Secrets - Volume 2 and Shadows – Volume 3 of Kats Tales, along with the production of an Audio CD for Revealed Evil. Both screenwriters, they are adapting selected short stories to film for direct to DVD home viewing. Working from within the Ozark mountain range has given both of these authors great insight into the human condition of struggle and poverty. Their work reflects this emotion as they bring to light a new type of publication in the horror and thriller genre. The words within the pages of Revealed Evil are not blatantly graphic, but will stick with the reader long after the book is set down.

For more information on Lo Gap Media and Kats Tales
http://www.logap.com
http://www.katstales.com

Lo Gap Media Begins Production on Revealed Evil as Radio Style Play

2009-08-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

The first in a series collection of short stories by Kat Yares – Kats Tales: Journeys into the Velvet Darkness – Volume 1- Revealed Evil is to be produced by Lo Gap Media as a Full Audio- Radio Style Play for Home CD Release.

Clinton, AR – August 31,2009 - Lo Gap Media – Production recording has begun at the rural studios of Lo Gap Media for Kats Tales: Journeys into the Velvet Darkness – Volume 1 – Revealed Evil. Using primarily local voice talent for the first in a series of Home Audio CDs, Lo Gap Media will bring to Life the depth of Kat Yares’ writings. Based solely on her written words, the Radio Style Play will take the fiction? into a realm of artistic movement beyond the simple reading of words into a microphone. Each story will be performed and accompanied by a unique musical score, sound effects and an ambience of realism.

About Lo Gap Media
Lo Gap Media is involved with communications and content production. Both Kevin and Kat Yares are published authors and have been involved with the written word and production media for the past 30 years. They have moved into the area of Web Content for the past 5 years. Currently, they are working on Natures Secrets - Volume 2 and Shadows – Volume 3 of Kats Tales, along with the production of an Audio CD for Revealed Evil. Both screenwriters, they are adapting selected short stories to film for direct to DVD home viewing. Working from within the Ozark mountain range has given both of these authors great insight into the human condition of struggle and poverty. Their work reflects this emotion as they bring to light a new type of publication in the horror and thriller genre. The words within the pages of Revealed Evil are not blatantly graphic, but will stick with the reader long after the book is set down.

For more information on Lo Gap Media and Kats Tales
http://www.logap.com
http://www.katstales.com

Best
K

Revealed Evil Proof Copy Has Just Arrived!

2009-08-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

One step closer as we opened up the envelope.
So far just some minor format changes to the print copy.
I know that we will be busy this weekend.
Best
K

logap

Lo Gap Media Announces the Publication of Revealed Evil

2009-08-19T04:45:00.000-07:00

Clinton, AR - Aug. 19, 2009 – Lo Gap Media - Revealed Evil, the first volume of KatsTales: Journeys Into the Velvet Darkness is now available for order. Revealed Evil contains 13 short stories exploring the wickedness that lives in the hearts of everyone. Written in the vein and style of “Creep Show” and “Tales from the Crypt”, Revealed Evil is the first of three volumes to be released under KatsTales: Journeys Into the Velvet Darkness Series. Soon to be released, Winter of 2009, will be an audio CD version of Revealed Evil. A filmed adaptation is expected to begin production in the spring of 2010.

About Lo Gap Media
Lo Gap Media is involved with communications and content production. They have specialized in Web Content for the past 5 years. Both Kevin and Kat Yares are published authors and have been involved with the written word and production media for the past 30 years. Currently, they are working on Natures Secrets - Volume 2 and Shadows – Volume 3 of Kats Tales, along with the production of an Audio CD for Revealed Evil. Both screenwriters, they are adapting selected short stories to film for direct to DVD home viewing.

For more information:
Lo Gap Media
http://www.logap.com
Kats Tales
http://www.katstales.com

Best K

logap

Kats Tales Revealed Evil now available as Ebook

2009-08-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Revealed Evil Volume 1 of Kats Tales is now available in multiple formats for Ebooks.

Best
K

logap

Kats Tales Volume 1 at the Publishers’

2009-08-17T04:23:00.000-07:00

Revealed Evil was sent to the publishers this weekend, and yesterday we received approval for publication. We are now waiting for our proof copy. The book should be ready for sale after September 21st . You can read short previews at KatsTales. What a process! I know both of us were ready to have this Volume 1 in the publishers hands.

We are now in the process of creating the Audio Version of Revealed Evil. We already have a couple of the stories recorded and mixed - ready for final post. This is proving just as exciting as getting the book together.

At the same time, now that the first volume of stories is ready to go, we are beginning the joy of adapting selected stories into the first screenplay. We are both looking forward to this production of the direct to DVD for home viewing.

We will announce as soon as the book is ready for sale, but please do not let that stop you from taking a peak at the Preview.

P.S. We priced this first volume at an extremely low price of $6.95.

Best
K

logap

Busy Compliling

2009-07-15T04:47:00.000-07:00

We have been busy compiling the stories into three or perhaps four distinct volumes. The shear amount of written material is not overwhelming, but simply a joy to reread and organize.

Who would have thought that from a gentle person such as Kat, comes such a morbid, vile and vivid creation. Her masterful tone brings out the reality that true darkness can reside in all of us. Especially if those deeply held feelings and secret desires are allowed to surface. Not only between us humans, but from nature as well - not to mention the unexplained supernatural.

We are classifying the stories into separate sub genres so they can be released into short volumes for publication. From these short volumes we will be adapting some of the stories for film.

As soon as we have finished the polish on the short volumes we will be posting them to a new website KatsTales.com. The site is up, but nothing is there yet, so please stay tuned. The site will host the shorts in the written word. We will have excerpts for some the stories and links so you can purchase the volumes at a very reasonable price.

So much to do, so much to get cranked about.

Best
K

logap.com

Voice Testing Selected Stories

2009-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

We have been busy recording selected stories for voice testing. This tool is extremely helpful in detecting weak points and missteps in our stories. We have also practiced this in our feature scripts as well.
Although these short stories will be adapted for filming, the practice of narration may also come into play as we explore various methods for presenting the works.

We hope to have a small sampling of the narration on the site in the very near future.

Best
K

logap.com

Three Themes

2009-06-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Kat Tales are a full range of three themes:
Nature
Human
Supernatural
They all explore the interaction of character with these elements.
The journey for us is to choose those stories which are going to correlate into the best expression of the underlying theme. It is going to be exciting in compiling an overall story in which we can grasp four separate stories. Each standing on their own, but yet completing an overall journey.
And of course each being a short of an average length of 5 minutes or less, with an over all run length of 22 to 23 minutes.

This is going to be...

Best
K

logap.com

The full anthology is complete

2009-06-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Busy yesterday compiling the full anthology of "Kat Tales - Journeys into the Velvet Darkness".
The work has been registered at WGA and submitted to the Copyright office. WGA is instantaneous but the US Gov. make take a few months even with the electronic submittable.
The complete set of work tallied out at 285 pages. This is Kat's complete collection of short horror stories along with the Novella of "Vengeance". Vengeance has also been adapted for the screen as a full length feature.
Time now to work on the selection of stories and begin adaption into a script format.
We have also finished up a website for viewing selected excerpts of the short stories as we adapt them. We will list the new site as soon as it is up and running.

Best K

logap.com

Website Up

2009-06-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

The website is basically setup and ready to go.
A couple of kinks, but working out.
As this project advances watch for trailers and story excerpts.

Also we will be posting the actors and production crews bios along with scene locations.

Best
K

h ttp://www.logap.com/

Off the Cliff - Wings or Not

2009-06-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Finally after 5 years we are ready to go.
Follow along on our adventure as we go from Horror Short story to a filmed version.

We will be posting excerpts from these published short stories of the past 15 years and placing them at the website www.logap.com.
Our next task is to pull these into a script format.
Our plans are to use local talent for the production and begin filming late fall and winter of 2009.

Best
K

http://www.logap.com/