Who is...Chris Neumann?

Take a long, hard look at the picture above. VOC currently rests almost squarely on this gentleman's shoulders.

Chris Neumann is a monster in the Chicago/NWI indie film scene. He's a writer, director, DP, musician and (thankfully for me) one of the best Editors in the business. As I type he is no doubt enjoying a drink and laboring furiously to get the final cut of our movie finished on-schedule. I thought it only fitting to take moment to introduce you the man behind the curtain.

Chris and I talk almost daily but it was just last week that we sat down for some fish-and-chips (fries, technically), had a drink and conducted the interview below. Enoy...

How old are you, sir?

24

Where did you go to school?
Lake Central for high school. Purdue Cal for my Bachelors (visual communications and graphic arts with a minor in Philosophy) and my Masters (media design) at Full Sail University.

How long have you been working in film?

I started years and years ago in graphic art. I was in a band and we wanted videos and flyers and figured it’d be better if we learned to do it ourselves. So I did, and after that I fell in love with multimedia design and production.

When it comes to film, you’re definitely a jack of all trades. What aspect of production do you have the most fun with?

What I enjoy depends on the project, but I really love working on the music and the scoring and being a DP (director of photography). DP is great because you get to add so much creativity to each shot or angle, really narrowing down what people get to experience.

Of everything you’ve done, what project are you the most proud of?

A really short film that not many people have ever seen. I worked on a project called “Instantaneous Haze”. It was great because those who did see it had no clue how it was made.

You gotta give me some details here.

People that saw it insisted we used special effects, but we didn’t.

Nice.
It was an indirect way of crediting people’s talents that we didn’t need effects.

You realize now I need to see this thing.
I was just going through my hard-drives the other day and found it so I could show Brandon [Berk].

When faced with an obstacle (while working on a project) is your initial reaction “Oh Crap” or “I think I can do this”?

My initial reaction is to go outside and have a smoke. Or go inside, pending on where I am. Basically I try to physically get as far away from the project as possible so I can re-assess the situation. Then for inspiration I think back to all of the other times I was working on a project and one of us found a way around a difficult task at hand.

Mining on past experience?
Yeah…something like that.

So all that being said, how many cigarettes have you had thanks to VOC?
Today? 3. (laughs)

Has it made you have to walk away yet?

No, it hasn’t been crazily problematic.

What made you agree to sign on as the VOC editor?
Brandon [Berk]* talked highly of the film. And when I read the script I enjoyed the plot.

(*amongst other things, plays Hantover in the movie)

What are your hopes for this movie?

To be able to see it in a theater while drinking a gin and tonic.

Last time we shared a drink you were very indecisive on your poison of choice. Do you have a favorite gin?
London Dry. I got it once because the bottle had this little bowler hat that was on the cap, which was the only reason I got it as I ended up using the hat in a stop-motion project I was working on.

If you had a multi-million dollar budget, what would you work on?
I’m writing this dystopian sci-fi piece that would ideally star Joseph Gordon Levitt and Shatner…or this other older fellow who I thought of after Shatner, but no one in film would know who he is so let’s just say Shatner. Yeah, that or I’d love to work on the music for the next psychedelic Legend of Zelda game because of my love for Majora’s Mask.

Three questions left, and now they get real. Boobs or Butt?

Live or on film?

Coffee or tea?
Depends on who I’m with and what I’m doing.

You are so insanely vague!

Such is life.

If you could be forever remembered for a single statement it’d be…

If you’re not getting ahead in life, you’re falling behind.

-paul

Behind the scenes

Since the birth of this blog Mike and I have done our best to sing the praises of the folks who have helped (or are helping) to bring VOC to life. There are a few more Spotlight posts coming soon enough, but today I wanted to take a second to thank a very special collection of individuals who helped keep everything together behind the scenes.

Dowald "Joseph" Eco

Boom Operator

Joe and I were introduced virtually through mutual friends and he took a serious interest in the VOC project. He was interested in scoping out the set and as luck would have it I was very much in need of a boom operator for a key scene. Never one to ignore the alignment of stars, I made the call and Joe jumped on board. He was great to work with especially considering he had no prior experience. Rumor has it we're upgrading him to an on-screen role for the sequel!

John Albright

Boom Operator, Production Assistant, Securer of Locations

I really can't say enough about Johnny A! I've known the man for almost 20 years and he is sincerely a jack of all trades. For VOC he wore quite a few hats on-set but in my opinion his single greatest contribution was securing the room that would serve as Caitlyn's office for most of the film. John is always a blast to work with and as I review footage I still get the giggles when his booming baritone announces "Victim of Circumstance, Scene 1, Shot 2".

Erik Nelson

Boom Operator

Nelson has been one of my best friends for quite some time. What he lacked in on-set experience he more than made up for with his knowledge of AV Equipment, Recording Theory and Pick Up Lines that would make a nun melt. I was thrilled that he was willing to jump on board with this production and look forward to using him on-screen in the near future.

Matt Winecke

Graphic Artist/Logo Design

Matt got his own blurb here awhile ago but not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for the spectacular work he did designing the VOC logo...so I had to include him here just because.

Brandon Berk

"Hantover"/Boom Operator/Cool-guy-to-have-around

From now until the end of time I will be thankful to VOC for birthing my introduction to Brandon Berk. The guy is a force of nature in the indie world. His resume is too long to list but here's all you really need to know: Nobody is more dedicated than Brandon. He was a blast to have on camera, a whiz behind the scenes and never complained once when I spiked his coffee with hot sauce. I mean, really, what more could you ask for?

Kristel Pischner

"Tara"/Script Supervisor/Purveyor of Awesomeness

Kristel is one of the coolest people I know, hands down. Back when VOC was little more than a collection of ideas rattling around my brain, Kris was there to help me make sense of it all. She served as Script Supervisor, Story Consultant and plays the role of Tara on-screen. Her biggest contribution to the project, however, is that she has an amazing way of keeping me grounded, on-task and "out of the crazy". Because of her presence, no actors were seriously injured during this production.

There are a lot of other folks that we need to thank but this group really earned a special place in my heart. Without them, none of this would be possible.

So, just to make it official, to Joe, John, Nelson, Matt, Brandon and Kris: 

THANK YOU. 

It meant the world to me.

-paul

The Reel Deal...Insider's Info.

Hey there gang!

Okay so I guess we owe you an apology because we got everyone reading the blog and then stopped adding content out of the blue (holidays, movie trailer, contract negotiations, our real jobs, cars breaking down, life...oh did I mention life?).

So...very sorry to all you faithful readers.  Paul, Daniel, and Buddy collapsed after giving birth to the teaser trailer.  I hope you've had the chance to check it out here.

The incomparable Chris Neumann is editing like a mad man.  I'm sure Paul has his eyes set for a follow up trailer...just as soon as he figures out what insane part of the his brain he wants to apply to it.

Also, we have cleverly tricked you into going to our Youtube site (see above)...we didn't put it out there without planning on using it.  There will be some things dropping on that channel that we may or may not notify you about them on the blog.

Also, you'll be seeing some changes to the website as we get closer to the film launch.  We have a talented guy helping us out (and patiently waiting for more content) named Joe Vanerio.

So I wanted to take a second this morning and say...

First sorry.

Second, Paul and I do read every comment, email, tweet, smoke signal, and carrier pigeon message (complaint) about the lack of posts and more importantly....When the hell is the movie coming out?

Soon, be patient...soon, my "precious".  Yikes.

Okay and in support of the folks who were there first...go see Buddy gigging this weekend, or Robby.  And Sarah appears in a crossover video online.  You can find it...I can't mention it by name due to a contractual agreement, but I watched it earlier and it was pretty cool.

Everyone have a great weekend!  We'll have some more stuff for you next week (I promise...I think....I hope...well...).

Sincerely,
Mike

NWI Entertainer's Article is online...

Please check out NWI Entertainer's original article here:

NWI PROFILE:
Paul Celestin

By Stephanie Vega

A region native is taking to the big screen with an independent film shot entirely in Northwest Indiana. Paul Celestin has served as writer, director and producer for a film called "Victims of Circumstance", a film ready to be released in our area early next year. "The film is about an assassin for hire who works for Homeland Security," Celestin says, setting the stage. "He's a career criminal who's having a crisis of conscience in regards to some of the things he's had to do. He's forced into therapy sessions to deal with his post traumatic stress disorder and has to choose between the man he is and the man he wants to become."

This character driven drama, which is dark, gritty and has a little bit of action, features many familiar backdrops as scenes for the film were shot across Lake County. "We shot several scenes at Northwoods in St. John, including a martial arts sequence," said Celestin. "We also shot two scenes in Highland at Poppy's Café on Indianapolis Blvd, as well as multiple scenes at the church office of First United Methodist Church in Crown Point. We also used houses in Hammond and Highland and we filmed at Main Square Park in Highland."

The film has been in the works for about a year and for Celestin it was a labor of love. "I've been writing for years but this is my first independent film," he said. "When I first started, it was going to be a short story. Then I started bouncing ideas around and before long I had a project I didn't know what to do with. Then, Mike Trentz (my partner in production company J.I.Lange) helped make it happen. He checked out the script and breathed new life into the project."

And with that the two hit the ground running but of course had to jump over many hurdles along the way. "He had never produced, I had never made one," said Celestin in regards to film making. "We had a lot of late night brainstorming sessions and between the two of us there were tons of sleepless nights, there still are. There were obstacles we encountered that at first made me stop and go 'Oh no, we're dead' but somehow we were able to overcome every single one."

"We managed to overcome roadblocks which included everyday life, as the cast and crew all had day jobs and most had families. "I'm a purchasing agent for a food manufacturer out of Illinois," explained Celestin. "I'm married to an adorable school teacher and we have three kids under the age of 10. This was truly a passion project."

Filming for the movie, which was shot entirely in HD, has wrapped and is currently in the editing process. The movie is scheduled to be released at the end of January and Celestin and the gang are looking at having a one day premiere at a theater in Northwest Indiana. "On that same day, everything will go live for purchase as a digital download or DVD," he said.

But for now, you can keep up to date on how things are going with the film through blog updates on their movie website; www.vocfilm.com. The website is updated three times a week and you'll be able to get a sneak peek at behind the scenes action as well as YouTube videos, promos and new content. "If you follow the blog, you get the first look as it becomes available," said Celestin. "You'll also be able to see our promotional teaser video as well as a music video we are filming."

The music video will be of an original song composed by Celestin's brother Robby (Time Peace, Final Say and RCB) that will be featured in the movie as well. "The music video will feature performance shots from Robby as well as scenes from the movie," Celestin said. "It's all really exciting."

Celestin, who was born and raised in East Chicago and currently lives in Highland, is excited to share this movie with his community and friends and hopes the film will be a success. "As an artist, I'm hoping to open the film to a large fan base that just loves it," he said. "The producer in me is hoping to recoup our investment and get in a position where we can easily fund a follow up project. And the end of the day, I still have a lot of stories to tell."

Official Teaser Trailer

It is with great Honor, Pride and Gratitude that I present to you the Official "Victims of Circumstance" teaser trailer.

Click the link and enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/JuDj0gMpiYU

-paul

#voc, #voctrailer

Coming Soon...

It's been a rough and tumble week, kids, but there is officially a light at the end of the tunnel. It is with great pride and baited breath that I make the following announcement:

Next Tue, 11/22, the first Victims of Circumstance trailer goes viral.

The trailer will be available here as well as on the VOC YouTube channel.

It was expertly cut by Daniel DeRousseau, one of the best montage-guys in the business. Dan sifted through the footage and in 2 minutes told the story it will take me over an hour to show. He is a monster when it comes to Trailers, plain and simple. The piece was scored by VOC's own Buddy Wayne Goettsch and I am dying to let you see it.

But you have to wait...just a little bit longer.

Enjoy your weekend, folks. Good things are right around the corner.

-paul

#vocfilm, #voctrailer

Too close for comfort....

Reviewing photos snapped at a rally from yesterday, didn't realize how much danger I was really in.

#vocfilm, #OWSchicago