Local filmmakers TJ Wiedow and Jason Greenalch released low-budget kung fu spoof movie Golden Blade III nearly two years ago. The sound of whizzing swords has been relatively quiet since then, but Wiedow’s been working behind-the-scenes to promote the movie, and having some luck.
The team went to the Charleston Film Festival in late April and sold out the theatre, Wiedow reports. “People loved it,” he says. The Charleston experience was something of a homecoming, as five people involved in the production grew up there. Wiedow said they had a blast.
Better than that, after tirelessly submitting Golden Blade III to dozens of film festivals (at a personal cost of more than $1,700), Wiedow’s got some hits: Award nominations at B-Movie Fest in Syracuse, the Golden Ace award at Las Vegas International Film Festival.
But the big news is Blade is going to the City of Angels, after being selected for the Action on Film International Film Festival July 23-26.
“I love Golden Blade, these guys kick ass,” says Del Weston, the festival’s founder. Weston’s dedicated to helping independent filmmakers get deals, distribution, publicity and more, says his bio. Weston called Wiedow to tell him the film had been selected and to encourage Wiedow to beef up his Web site and publicity campaign.
“We’ve planted a seed here, and it’s finally sprouted and flowering fast,” Wiedow says. “It took a long time. Like a banana tree. It takes forever to get big and then finally you’ve got a banana.”
For more, check out www.goldenblade3.com.
Other notable stuff: Local artist Dustin Spagnola will be live painting every Thursday in May at Pisgah Brewing’s taproom and gallery in Black Mountain. He’ll be joined by local street artists, in what promises to be another cool thing to watch while you sample the ever-expanding lineup of awesome local beer. Spagnola moves to New York City soon, so catch him while you can.
The Madison County Arts Council is planning yet another funtime in downtown Marshall. This one’s an art opening featuring work from Matty Dodge and Chris Hanlin (painting, silkscreen, sculpture, drawing), and acoustic tunes from Madison County boy Pierce Edens, and Jesse James and the Junkman’s Daughter. That’s Friday, May 9. Info at www.madisoncountyarts.com.
On the bands-with-horns-is-good-bands front, funk/jazz outfit The Discordian Society play at Westville Pub on Friday, May 9. Featuring proficient jams that hop all over the musical spectrum, these guys have two sax players and zest. Info at www.myspace.com/discordiansociety.
The eclectic roots ensemble The Asylum Street Spankers whoop it up this week at the Grey Eagle (that’s Wednesday, May 13), bringing their good-time blend of string-band-meets-vaudeville-meets-hilarity. Info at www.thegreyeagle.com.
The Action on Film Festival looks like a C movie fest complete with hotel conference rooms and C list movies. Good luck but I think this article is blowing the reality of the situation a bit out of the water.
Thanks AmyH, we were hoping our movie was actually considered a “B” movie, but hey, Golden Blade III will be screening on a movie screen in Los Angeles… can’t hurt to get a little excited…