Introducing Almir Limaj

Almir, playing GHOUL 1, had worked with me on "Maidenhead" earlier in the year and was an unforgettable presence on-screen. He's a perfect choice for one of the cannibal monsters that gather women in the woods. A team player, a seasoned stage performer and a heckuva guy, Almir is one spooky - and talented - dude.

Introducing Graham Jenkins

Meet Graham, who will play SCAR in "The Others." I met Graham through my Graduate Student Andrew Papke at CCC and was blown away with his intensity and sensitivity. A real trooper, Graham is an emerging talent to watch out for.

Introducing Angela Zagone

Joining the cast as HINKA is Angela Zagone. I met Angela through her work with the Graduate Dept of CCC and with my ongoing gig teaching the Master Class for Actors at Act One Studios. Brave, beautiful and determined, we're thrilled to have Angela with us.

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Introducing Alden Moore

Welcome consummate actor, puppeteer and world traveler, Alden Moore as HAK, the wife of YAR and a boon to our production. Not only is Alden a skilled performer, she is also an accredited puppet handler and actor making her a natural to operate 'the baby' as he is created by Precinct 13. We'll be using Rod and Hand Puppet elements that Alden is familiar with from her work on Broadway and in Washington, D.C with the play, "Redmoon's Hunchback", a retelling of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" fable. How fitting that the mother of the baby will also be handling the baby's acting duties as well! Alden was drawn to the project by the humanity of the 'infected' survivors that make up the family circle and her movement-based performance mastery makes her a natural for the non-verbal film we are making. Welcome aboard, Alden!

Now Casting

Drop us a line if you want to be in the picture. Now casting for support roles and 'infected' extras. Send us a head shot and resume and be willing to work under the following conditions. 1: You are available on one (or more) weekends in July/ August, 2: You can get yourself to set and don't mind getting bloody or dirty, 3: You understand there is NO pay for performing in the film but you will receive a free copy of the film and an invitation for two to the premiere in Chicago in 2010. If this sounds good to you and you want to work on a fine art film that is decidedly different, come on down - we'd love to have you. Please send all requests to Julie Grant @ twilah8@hotmail.com or c/o my regular site at www.juliangrant.com. Thanks for coming out!

Introducing Eric Leonardson

Composer/ Performer/ Sound Designer Eric Leonardson joins the creative team on "The Others" as Sound Designer/ Composer.

Eric Leonardson is a Chicago-based composer, radio artist, sound designer, instrument inventor, improvisor, visual artist, and teacher. He has devoted a majority of his professional career to unorthodox approaches to sound and its instrumentation with a broad understanding of texture, atmosphere and microtones.
Leonardson's interest in creating new sounds for performance and studio composition led to the invention of the Springboard, an electroacoustic percussion instrument made from readily available materials. Its sounds belie its humble origins, thanks to the rich enharmonic timbres of bowed coil springs and the curious sound of the crude wooden daxophones—all amplified by a single, inexpensive piezo-electric contact mic. Leonardson's music resists categorization.

Evoking a range of associations, his work was once described as "...ritualistic music, electronically synthesized industrial vibrations miraculously created with ordinary household objects...."—Carol Burbank, Chicago Reader

We're thrilled to have him aboard to craft the soundscape for the film! Find out more about this multi-talented artist here

BW Baby Test V2

This is an example of the stylized lighting and look of the film. The footage here is duplicated and reversed to save time. Sync is weak but it's a good run through of the elements. We'll rarely be this wide anyway.

Motion Test

Basic baby motions and movements. 2 second test in color. Final work will be in B/W.

Baby Texture Test

Posted here in color so you can see the 'fish white' texture I'm currently thinking of. It should remind you of dead flesh, of the diseased or dying. The baby will be horrific but sound like a regular child.

Baby CGI Test 2

Still working with actions and sounds for the baby CG inserts. What's going to be key is mimicking the actions of a real baby and keyframing/ referencing to that. Eyes will need work for sure. Hands in mouth starts to look good. Must remember to do moment where baby grasps Yar's finger. That will look great onscreen and is one of the bonding moments I feel that Father and child need.

More Baby Pix

Courtesy of P13. Had a good time @ Fango and picked up a great Nun mini-print in a suitably austere frame. Liked the work so much I contacted the artists to see if they want to get on board the train. Check out the work at www.darksartparlour.com here to see suitably spooky and macabre imagery. Had a last chat with RK (he heads back to Ohio on Sunday) and he pledged his support in all matters. He's a good egg, that guy. Here's a close up for ya!

Baby CGI Test 1

Inserts on the baby's face will be generated in CG. Here's an early test. Usual caveats about it being a WIP (work-in-progress) apply. Off to the Fangoria show now to catch up with Rob K, Nadia and the guys at Zombie Army. Chi-town sure is a great place for a genre guy like me.

Meet "The Baby"

Here's a first look at the sculpture for the model from Precinct 13. As the baby will consist of three elements, this is a model of the CLOSER version we will see. We have a weighted baby for the actors to use for long shots, this baby for medium shots and then a CGI baby for Hero inserts and the like. All pictures are works-in-progress and not the final element.

Casting Notice - Next Week

We'll be issuing the general cast call next week to take place at Act One Studios in Chicago. All are welcome. Times will be booked in advance in fifteen minute increments so you can meet Julian and talk about the roles available. Please bring a head shot and resume for the meeting and be read the script in advance so you know wht it is you are signing up for. Keep watching this space for more news.

Zombi My Space Link

Check out Zombi online at My Space here. Unbelievable soundscapes and musical montages from truly gifted American artists. Producing work that is epic in concept, sound, and artistic approach, Steve Moore and A.E. Paterra, the masterminds and multi-instrumentalists behind Zombi, have re-imagined the architecture of progressive rock and dynamic instrumentals--carving a niche in underground music distinctly their own.
-Matthew Newton

Introducing the Lead Performers for "The Others"

I'm thrilled to announce that I have signed the two leads for the picture. Meet Brian Shaw and Kathleen Lawlor, the two gifted and gutsy stars of the film.

Brian Shaw s a performer and director, as well as a creator of original works for theater, primarily with the physical theater company Plasticene. Most recently, he appeared as Jim Lehrer in The Strangerer by Mickle Maher with Theater Oobleck at the Chopin Theater in Chicago, and off-Broadway at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York. M.A., School for New Learning, DePaul University; freelance actor and director; engaged in community-based performance with Association House of Chicago and Free Street programs



Kathleen Lawlor
has appeared in a host of film, theater and independent projects here in Chicago. Past credits include Animal Planet, numerous television spots and starring roles both locally and nationally.

Steve Moore from 'Zombi' checks in!

This just in from SM. "Just watched your demo reel and I'm very impressed and equally excited to be a part of your upcoming production." His solo work, "The Henge" is truly remarkable - beautiful and haunting. You can buy it online Steve Moore, The Henge
Relapse Records, 2007 at Amazon.com and iTunes.

Check out his MySpace page at here

The "look" of "The Others"

Fans and FOTF (friends of the film) ask me what the show is going to look like. I've posted a sample here. It's a pretty good idea of the world that I see.

Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors

I'll be going up to the convention to hang out with old friends and new next weekend as FANGO comes to town. It's been almost 20 years since I've attended FANGOCON (man, that makes me feel old!). Still, it's a great time to meet and greet and see what's hot in the world of horror. These are my people, after all.