The end of an era.

My new Rail City Media website is coming along and it looks great. It's going to be something I'll be really proud of to show to people. It's gonna have so much going on:

- News updates

- Merch store

- Videos

- Tutorials

- Info about new projects

...and so much more. There is even going to be all the information about the new film festival I am creating. It's going to be a really cool place to check out and spend some time on.

That being said, I realize I don't update this blog very much and I think I will be updating it even less when the new website is launched. So I have decided to end this blog here. It's kinda sad when you think of it. I look back on all the posts I had in the beginning and it is amazing how far I have come. This blog has documented pretty well the beginning stages of a successful career in film. In the beginning, when I was struggling to find my footing, when I was going through stressful or emotional times, I was pretty honest on these pages. And although it didn't last for years and didn't have a gigantic readership, I am sad to see this go.

Even the very name of this blog doesn't fit anymore. This is not my new job anymore. It's my job and it feels great but it's been a few years now. I realize that I am at a point where I am having people call me instead of searching for work constantly. Which is really nice. It makes me feel like my job isn't just something that I do from time to time or something that's in my head. One of the things I have felt for a long time is that I have been embarrassed to tell people I am a director or producer when asked my occupation. It just sounded like I was lying or exaggerating. I don't feel that anymore. I feel pride.

I also still feel excitement. That is something that is important to me. I need to be excited about what I am doing and film work has never let me down. Every new project is so exciting. The creativity is stimulating and the projects are challenging and thats why I love working in film. It's not easy at all. In fact it's the hardest thing I've ever done professionally.

So this isn't the end for me. I'm not saying goodbye to you. In fact you can find me at my new website www.railcitymedia.com which will be launched in about a month. I will be blogging/posting there. But this is really me saying goodbye to this blog. It's probably much more sentimental to me than to you but I hope there have been some things that have connected with you. Thanks Blog for being there and not judging me.

Just a couple of things to mention before I end it here.

1) I was voted the 10th best local filmmaker in Montreal in the Mirror Magazine.

2) Dogsitter has been accepted into 2 more film Festivals: Fantasia and Mascara & Popcorn, both of which are in Montreal.

3) go to www.railcitymedia.com and check out the new site when it launches.

Woohoo!!!

Finaly, to end, somebody once told me that "It's never too late to be who you could have been." and I think that's so true. I am living that right now and I hope you do too. Be that person. Live that life. Be happy!

See you soon.

Yours truly,

Adam Reider

Director, Producer

Dogsitter goes to Tromadance!

I have to tell ya, finding out I got accepted into a film festival was truly an amazing feeling. I remember thinking "Thank God ONE said yes." Because to be honest, I was beginning to loose hope. I have been sending Dog Sitter out to a bunch of film festivals and they have all either said no or never bothered to respond back, which, in my opinion, is fucking retarded. I mean it costs me between $30-$60 each time to submit to a festival. The LEAST they could do is respond with an answer. But submitting to festivals in the hopes of getting in above hundreds maybe even thousands of applications is like playing the lottery. A very expensive Lottery.So Ironically, the festival that accepted Dogsitter to be the home of it's world premier was none other than Tromadance, a film festival with absolutely no entry fee to submit (or attend) . Troma Films is the film studio that made classic films such as the Toxic Avenger and Nuke 'em high. I had been picked out of more than 600 submissions. WOW! This was so awesome. I knew I had to go.

The festival is in Asbury Park, NJ which is at the Jersey Shore. (30 minutes away from where they filmed the show...just in case you were wondering). It's kind of a nice little town. A cross between St. Johns, Newfoundland and any town described by Stephen King. Lots of pets stores and gym equipment shops mixed with some nothing special restaurants but seasoned with a cool record shop, a paranormal book store, a kick-ass bowling alley/venue and a pinball museum arcade. Yup. Asbury was a cool place to be for only a few days.

Now just to give a little background about Tromadance; this festival spent 10 years being somewhat of a protest festival against Sundance. Tromadance was located in Park City Utah and after a few years picked up enough steam to become a legitimate festival. They had 3 rules to the fest.

1) No entry Fees for film submissions.

2) all film screenings are free to the public.

3) No V.I.P. treatment to anybody.

After a successful ten years, the people at Sundance decided to change their ways enough for Tromadance to feel good about leaving Utah. Since most of the Troma films are situated in "Tromaville" which is in NJ, Tromadance moved to Asbury park last year.

Why do I tell you all this? Well because in the PSA's and promotional videos for this festival, Troma used footage from the Park City Festival (and maybe some Sundance footage? just speculating) so to me, this festival looked like it was gonna be HUGE! hundreds of people. Huge screens. All kinds of celebs. Big parties. This is something totally worth the 8-9 hour drive from Montreal.

So when I got to the theatre in Asbury Park, I was a little taken aback when I saw the theatre only holds about 75 people. Now don't get me wrong. I was still excited to have people see my film BUT I didn't know what to think about the venue. My dreams of huge audiences slipped away as I waited for the doors to open.

Looking back now, I'm SO happy to have Tromadance be my first festival experience. I think that it was personal and really reflected the support of independent films. It really didn't matter that the venue was so small. I met some great people and saw some great films that maybe I wouldn;t have experienced had the festival been super huge. I really liked the film "The Taint" which was just an all out violence festival of it's own. Really a fun watch. There were a bunch of shorts I enjoyed as well like "Waffle", "Pink Sock" and "Brutal Relax". Really talented filmmakers out there.

Dogsitter played in the last hour of programed shorts for the festival just before "Kidnapped" which was a IFC film that was heavily anticipated by the audience. The programer for Tromadance told me he put Dogsitter in that slot because he liked it so much saying "It's just so mean spirited." Nice.

So the theatre had standing room only when Dogsitter screened. It got a great reception complete with "awwws" and gasps of horror at the right times. In fact I overheard somebody in the middle say "This movie is making me mad." Which I take as a huge compliment. Nothing any artist wants more than to evoke some kind of emotion.

When the festival was over I said goodbye to new friends I made and headed home. I felt like a million bucks. I think that if there is one moment in my career so far that really made me feel like I was a professional filmmaker it's this one. Having my film screened at a festival in a different country and being surrounded by talented people all supporting my work was a high I will hang onto for a while.

I want to point out that Tromadance is put together entirely on a volunteer basis so a HUGE thank you to all the volunteers and a special thanks to Jonathan Lees for programing Dogsitter.

The Taint Directors; Drew Bolduc and Dan Nelson with Lloyd Kaufman.

Lineup around the block to get into Tromadance!

Lloyd Kaufman from Troma Films welcoming us all to Tromadance.

On a side note. This blog will probably be moving to the Rail City Media Website which is starting to look really cool and should be launched shortly.

Infinity Loops

I just wanted to take a moment to ask you to PLEASE take a look at this. This is really important to me:

It is SUPER important that this link below reaches as many people as possible.

I wouldn't ask if I didn't feel strongly about this.

If you can help out with this project FANTASTIC! But if you can't that's cool but please forward this link to as many people as you can. Friends, Family, Neighbors, Strangers, Dawson Alumni, Everybody!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

CLICK LINK BELOW FOR DETAILS!

http://rockethub.com/projects/581-infinity-loops-a-documentary-film-about-the-2006-dawson-college-tragedy

What's The Plan, Stan?

A few years ago, I started writing this blog in my first blog entry I wrote this:

"About 10 months ago I left my job working at a Community Centre to pursue a career in the film industry. I had a plan. Make money from the Federal Employment Insurance, Volunteer on as many film and media sets as I could and in about 5 months start freelancing and make a few bucks. Then after my E.I. runs out I will have created enough of a clientele to make a decent living while pushing my career further to eventually win an Academy Award where I would look back on my plan and say something like "I worked hard but I just new this would happen one day." So 10 months later I am probably more poor now then I have ever been before ever and nobody wants to hire me! My E.I. ends next month (April 19 to be exact) and the reality of my situation is setting in. I am not getting any awards anytime soon. In fact at the end of this month I have told myself that I will start applying to jobs outside the Film Industry so I can have at least a few dollars to pay for silly things like rent and food and heat and a phone."

I remember writing this. I was in pretty bad shape. Jumping into something I knew nothing about. Now there are a lot of similarities to my current situation.... But a lot of improvements. Lets play a fun game of Compare and Contrast.

THEN ------------------------------------------ NOW
On Employment insurance Benefits -------- On Employment insurance Benefits
Really Poor ------------------------------------ Not quite that poor
Relocated to St-Henri ------------------------ In NDG, relocated office to Jean-Talon area
No idea how to get ahead -------------------- Better understanding of how to get ahead
Always looking for work --------------------- Gets calls for work
In a relationship ------------------------------ Single
Spends days daydreaming ------------------- Works everyday
Wants to win an Oscar ----------------------- Wants to win an Oscar
Thought I wanted to Write, Direct,
Edit, be a Cinematographer, Gaffer, Grip,
1st A.D., 1st A.C....etc ------------------------- Knows I want to Write and Direct.
Trying to make a movie ---------------------- Made a bunch with more on the horizon!

I think this is a good way to tell how I've grown and evolved from 3 years ago. I think one of the biggest and best changes is how I spend my days. Before, when I had no real clue on what I was doing I spent most of the time looking for work, watching porn, being discouraged and stressed and trying to find a project I could handle. Now I spend most of my days working on actual projects. Some are mine and some are works I'm hired on but I'm working. I do still look for work but it is significantly less stressful. I know what I want to do. I have a clear vision of what has to happen to reach my goals and I have a better understanding of how to do it.

I have set up milestones for myself. "A" needs to happen by "Marchuary 32" do I can get to do B. It's really exciting actually. And as a result of a clear vision and plan, I am much more confident in my approach so much so that I have multiple things going on.

Although, the downside is that I am sacrificing my social life quite a bit now. That's hard. I put a lot of pressure on myself to reach my goals so if it means missing out on a drinking night or a party, I will. Of course this also makes meeting a gal for me to toss my arm around more difficult. (Like it wasn't difficult enough.) But It's all worth it. I'm doing what I want in the field that I want right now! For such a painfully slow start, I really feel the speed of things picking up and you know what? It feels fucking awesome!

I'm not saying I'm successful. But what I can say now with certainty is I'm not successful yet! I just need to keep plowing away at my road map to succes and visualize the shit out of my plan and make it happen.

I really feel that the past 3-odd years have been my film school. I can not even begin to tell you how much more comfortable I am in this industry than 3 years ago. And if these past three years are any indication of what's in store for the future...MAN! I can't wait.

Ok... that felt good to say.

Quick update: Here are a few things goin on:

• Dogsitter has been submitted to a few film festivals including Sundance. No word yet but I'll be submitting it to a bunch more over the next few months.
• I've been filming a documentary for the past 4 months. I may have some interest in getting it off the ground... more on that when I have more solid news.
• Midway through a feature script with another one just about to come through my fingertips.
• Just finished working on a bunch of films for Galafilm, Urban Handed Works and Catbird Productions.
• Just about to start working on this guy:

Dog Sitter on the big screen!

Two Words: HOLY SHIT!

That's how I felt about seeing my film on the big screen! It was amazing! Seeing all my hard work come together. And to play in front of an audience! Who can ask for anything better than that! It was such an amazing feeling sugar coated in the new experience of it all. I wonder if big Hollywood filmmakers still get a kick out of seeing there film play to an audience as much as I did last Saturday.

So there was about 75 people in attendance and that is awesome. On Facebook 90 people confirmed and that usually means (Facebook confirmed Divided by 3 = actual attendance) so I was super happy that there was a handsome crowd to witness everything.

After the show I was swamped by people congratulating me. It was overwhelming to say the least. I want to talk t everyone cause they all made room in their schedule to see my movie and I was SO appreciative. But alas, I could only talk to a handful of people. The compliments I got where wonderful. Here are some favorites that keep ringing in my head.

"I have two dogs at home and I would never leave you alone with them."

"I love how uncomfortable it got at the end."

"That was very Todd Solondz."

These are sooo flattering.

MUST....NOT...GET....INTO...HEAD.................INFLATING...STEADILY....

So whats next? I can't even tell you how excited I am to get this film in festivals. I'm really gonna look forward to telling you all about my festival experiences as (if) they happen.

Once again, a big thank you to everyone who came out to support. Lindsay for making such a ridiculously kick ass poster in a short amount of time. Jim (Editor) and Emory (Sound God) for plowing through to get this done on time. And Faisal (Producer) for helping compile the films and sell tickets and being so uncontrollably awesome and being excited for me to be excited about all of this.

Honestly. This feels so good.

Something To See, Something to Eat

So it's been a while yet again. I'm not entirely sure why I've neglected this blog for so long but here I am now.

A lot of really exciting things are happening right now and a few things that are kinda scary. But first the exciting things.

The film Dog Sitter that I have been working on for a very long time is going to be playing at a local theater. It will be the only time people will be able to see this movie outside of the film festival circuit. It will be playing at Cinema Du Parc in Montreal and I can not tell you all how excited I am. I've made other films but I feel like this is truly my first professional film and I can't wait for people to see it. I remember thinking of the idea of this script about three years ago on a beach in Brome. I could say that I never thought I would make it to this point but that would be a lie. I always new I would make this movie. I guess I never thought it would be this long a process. But the process has been an incredible learning experience and I know It will make my next major work so much better!

For those of you that are local and want to come, here are the details.

August 21 @ 1:00pm
Cinema Du Parc
3575 AVE DU PARC
Montreal, QC H2X 3R8
(514) 281-1900
tickets are $6.00
There will also be 5-6 other shorts playing before Dog Sitter.

I had mentioned in the past about a short film called DEC.27
Click HERE to see it!

The Dog Sitter screening is also acting as a fundraiser for my next film along with a super Garage sale I'm having. I need to raise some serious coin because my next project is going to be awesome!

What is it you ask? I'm not sure. I think it's going to be a choice between 4 ideas. I want to make a feature film but I'm not sure if now is the best time. I have ideas for shorts and other projects but I also want to take the rights steps to lead me towards a feature.

But then there is the scary part. I've recently had a string of bad luck which has left me jobless. Which isn't terrible actually. Because now I have the time to focus on film work and the fact that I don't have to get up everyday and go to work in a field that I love but was unrelated to film has given me focus. I feel the excitement of creativity surging through my veins. It feels so good to be able to give my energy to my creativeness. But of course that doesn't do well for money.

And ironically, this form of art is probably one of the (if not the) most expensive form of art. Having little money can be stressful. It is stressful. Paying for Rent, Phone, Power, Car, Bills and food give little room to maintain a social life. Then again, I haven't had much of a social life for a while anyway. (Anybody want to snuggle?) So it's scary when you don't know where the next check is coming from. At least I'm living the life of a starving artist properly now. I think being financially poor but creatively rich is something I'm going to enjoy. Maybe not right away but very soon.

p.s. The Dollar Store isn't half bad for doing some groceries.
p.p.s. I really feel like good things are happening and will continue to happen!

Updates! Updates! Updates!

Hi Everyone.

I know I know...BAD BLOGGER BAD!!!

It's been a long time since I updated this page.  I've been busy like a bee.  Here are some things that I've been working on.

IN DEVELOPMENT

HELLO, HI!

This is a a feature film I'm writing.  I'm about 1/3 of the way done and I'm pretty happy with it so far.  I'm trying to push myself to finish this even if I think it's not going well.  I think that when the first draft is done, it will be a lot easier to make it as great as I know it can be.  Much easier to fix something up once it's written instead of fixing as I go.

DEC 27 

The treatment for this feature film is being written.  It's going to be based on a short film I made that I will talk about further down the list.

VANILLA SPEAR CHUCKER

This short is being written as my first collaborative writing effort with my good friend Angus Byers.  More news to come on this project soon I hope!

PRE-PRODUCTION

UNTITLED DOCUMENTARY

This documentary is getting ready to start production soon.  I don't want to give away too much but it's going to be about dating at age 30 and what outside influences change the way people see relationships over their lives.

IN PRODUCTION

FASHIONOLGY

Fashionolgy is a T.V. style show for the internet brought to you by www.besleek.com and although Rail City Media is not spear heading this project we are definitely very happy to be involved in this project. We start production on season 2 in a few weeks. Here is the latest episode.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHHU4cAfmZ8

POST-PRODUCTION

DOG SITTER

The film Dog Sitter is on the verge of completion.  We ran into a few difficulties with music rights but we are pretty much on track.  Hopefully we will be getting this thing done and done ASAP!

DEC 27 (short)

This is a new short film I wrote and directed that has been shot.  It's a very dark, very moody romantic zombie film.  I'm going to be using this as sort of a preview for the feature that this is based on.  Hopefully I can convince investors to fund the film with the use of this short and the feature script ready to go.

So, as you can see,  I have been pretty busy.  In the past few months my creative juices have pretty much went into overdrive.  I have a ton of other things I want to get going but I think those will have to wait for them to work past my brain and down to my finger tips.

Thats it for now, I'll keep everyone posted more regularly I hope!