Scarecrow Video Blog

Jen Koogler at Scarecrow asked me to write something for the Scarecrow Video Blog - some thoughts about The Mountain, The River and The Road.

http://www.scarecrow.com/2009/09/30/director-michael-harring-on-the-mountain-the-river-and-the-road/

Seattle Weekly on MRR and Local Sightings!

Brian Miller interviewed me for the Weekly! Here's the article:

http://www.seattleweekly.com/2009-09-30/film/life-in-the-slow-lane/

Local Sightings spotlight: The Mountain, the River and the Road

A quick story I wrote about meeting Joe at Local Sightings 2007 and how that played into completing an amazing cast is up on Hot Splice, the Northwest Film Forum's blog!

Quick Updates.

I'm packing for tomorrow, when I leave for Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in Birmingham, AL.

Just a reminder, that screening is just three days away on Saturday, September 26th at 11am @ Alabama Power.

The Local Sightings schedule is up - check it out at www.localsightings.org Tickets do not seem to be available yet, but should be in the next couple days.

Also, Indie Memphis has posted their schedule. We'll be screening on Friday, October, 9th at 5:45pm at Studio on the Square.

I'll have more info on Indie Memphis soon!

Also at local sightings, my video for Sleepy Eyes of Death is showing as part of the shorts block titled "Abstractions" on Tuesday, October 6th at 9pm. I'll also be part of a music video film saloon on Sunday, October 4th at 7pm (this one's FREE!).

Finally, while I may not be able to do much blog updating I plan on sending out mini-updates via facebook. If you're interested feel free to say hi and friend me.

Have a happy weekend everyone!

-Mike

Seattle Premier - The Mountain, The River and The Road

Just got news on the Seattle Screening and it's exciting!

Mark your calendar for OCTOBER 2nd, 7pm

For the SEATTLE PREMIER of THE MOUNTAIN, THE RIVER AND THE ROAD at THE NORTHWEST FILM FORUM'S LOCAL SIGHTINGS!

Best of all...We're the OPENING NIGHT FILM!!!

The screening will be followed by the opening night party and it should be a blast!

Pass the word, I hope to see you there!

In case you've forgotten...

The Mountain, The River and The Road is the denial of responsibility, a failed road trip, a dead bear and a brush with love. It stars Justin Rice (Mutual Appreciation, Alexander The Last), Tipper Newton (LOL, Hannah Takes The Stairs) and Joe Swanberg (Nights and Weekends, LOL).

For more info check out http://www.nwfilmforum.org/go/localsightings/

And of course, check back here for more updates!

Local Sightings Panel at the NWFF.

So I'm trying to find the best settings to export the new color timed version of the trailer (Will we even be able to tell the difference after it's gone through the YouTube grinder?) and thought that it would be a good time to post about the great time I had talking about MRR at the Film Forum.

Before I forget, the panel was called "Works In Progress," part of the In Conversation series of panels at the Local Sightings Festival that the Northwest Film Forum puts on every year. I have to admit, I was really nervous going into it. I tried not to think about it too much except to take comfort in the fact that alcohol would available. Before things got underway Adam Sekuler, Programing Director for the Film Forum and moderator of the panel, introduced himself and greatly put me at ease, giving me a chance to ease into the Q and A exchange. Once we were in the lounge where the panel was to take place everything came together.

The footage, which consisted of a truncated version of one of the film's central scenes and the freshly color timed trailer (by extraordinary filmmaker Ryan Adams, our Post Production Supervisor, Color Timer and Guardian Angel) looked fantastic on the big screen even though it was just projected off of a DVD. People seemed genuine interested in the project and had a lot of good questions. There wasn't the awkward silence I had feared.

Of course, it also helped that my outstanding panel mates, Lynn Shelton and Jason Ryan were sharing footage from their films. Jason showed a clip from Ugly (Is a Movie), which he is currently seeking finishing funds for. Lynn showed a clip from her latest, the eagerly anticipated Hump Day which looks like it will be just as much fun as her previous films. All three of us had different approaches and stories and on my end it was fascinating to just to listen to Lynn and Jason talk about their adventures. In short, it was a blast, I had an amazing time and the exhilaration of the whole thing left me high for days afterwards propelling me head first and newly energized into the last round of edits to the film.

As far as first introductions go, introducing The Mountain, The River and The Road to the public for the first time, it was a great experience.

Finally, I want to thank Dave Hanagan for thinking of me and this film while assembling this panel, it was an honor to be a part of it and I had a blast! Also, a big thanks to Lynn Shelton and Jason Ryan for being delightful panel-mates. Last but not least, thanks to everyone who came out in support of local filmmakers - especially those who helped out on MRR! ; )