Blue Seraph Productions

Taking Movie Audiences to ‘The Dark Place’

Carlos Pedraza — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:25:45 +0000

Indie Faves Sean Paul Lockhart and Timo Descamps signed to star

2011 Rising Star Award winner Sean Paul Lockhart

LOS ANGELES — Fresh off the successful debut of their acclaimed scifi-fantasy, “Judas Kiss,” Blue Seraph Productions announces its second follow-up feature, an original mystery-thriller called “The Dark Place.”

Based on an award-winning script by Jody Wheeler, “The Dark Place” tells the story of Keegan Dark, who returns to the the heart of California’s winery valleys to make peace with his long-estranged family. Instead, he finds a harrowing mystery that endangers his family’s lives and livelihood.

The film stars Sean Paul Lockhart and Timo Descamps, up-and-coming actors who appeared in 2011’s “Judas Kiss.” Lockhart, also known by the stage name of Brent Corrigan, won the 2011 Rising Star Award, while Descamps is a Belgian television and pop star.

“The Dark Place” will be directed by “Judas Kiss” helmer J.T. Tepnapa, and includes “Judas Kiss” writer Carlos Pedraza as a producer.

With Lockhart and Descamps on board, the search now focuses on casting the lead, Keegan Dark, in time for principal photography to start later this year, eyeing a 2013 release.

ABOUT THE STORY “‘The Dark Place’ is a twisted thrill ride of betrayal, hope, greed, love — and mommy issues,” Tepnapa said about the script. “We were looking for a follow-up to ‘Judas Kiss,’ and realized we had it right in front of us. ‘Judas Kiss’ enabled us to bring something fresh and exciting to the marketplace, and we want to do that again, but in a new genre.”

The screenplay is by Jody Wheeler, an established Los Angeles writer-producer of film festival favorites “Tell Me” and “In The Closet.” Wheeler also co-produced “Judas Kiss.” “The Dark Place” script won UCLA’s Carl David Memorial Screenwriting Award in 2007. Wheeler recently joined Blue Seraph Productions as a partner.

“Having a gay main character makes familiar worlds and genres become brand new landscapes,” Wheeler said about the project. “As with ‘Judas Kiss,’ ‘The Dark Place’ appeals to our core audience’s desire for unique, well-told stories, while also garnering mainstream interest in an interesting and entertaining tale.”

Belgian pop star and actor Timo Descamps

INDIE BREAKOUTS ON BOARD “The Dark Place” has already landed two talented actors, international actor-singer Timo Descamps and 2011 Rising Star Award winner Sean Paul Lockhart. Both stars broke out in Tepnapa’s “Judas Kiss” and were eager to work with the talented director again.

“I’ve worked with J.T. and Jody on several projects,” Lockhart said. “When they told me about the new film, I didn’t even ask about the story or my role. I just said, ‘Count me in.’ When I read the script and the leading part, I was totally glad I did. It’s a wicked script that will make a fun movie.”

Descamps echoed those thoughts.

“Of course I said yes when they asked me to be in “The Dark Place,” he said. “I get to play a character completely different from the one I did in “Judas Kiss,” which is an even bigger bonus.”

While the names and nature of their roles are being kept under-wraps, their presence is key to the hunt for the lead for the film, that of Keegan Dark, Tepnapa said. “Finding the perfect anchor for a film like this is always the challenge. We need an actor with the right chemistry to be able to pull off the contradictions at the heart of the role.”

“The Dark Place” is the second scheduled in-house production from Tepnapa, Pedraza and Wheeler’s Blue Seraph Productions. “The Dark Place” joins “Something Like Summer” as follow-up projects to the producers’ festival hit, “Judas Kiss.”

“Something Like Summer” is a co-production with Seattle’s Jade Knight Productions and is based on author Jay Bell’s award-winning book.

“The Dark Place” is completing casting and financing, with a view to shoot later this year for a 2013 debut. “Judas Kiss” is currently available for purchase through Amazon and iTunes. Blue Seraph Productions is a Los Angeles company headed by Tepnapa, Pedraza and Wheeler. Their previous work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, Variety, The Advocate, Edge Magazine, ATV Network, Frontiers, Fab magazine, the Today Show, MSNBC and other international news outlets.

Links

‘Judas Kiss’ Named to Top 10 List

Carlos Pedraza — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:31:41 +0000

Judas Kiss was named to Entertainment Focus’ list of Top 10 Gay Films of 2011.

The British entertainment news site described the film as a “drama mixed with sci-fi for a unique and refreshing gay cinema experience.”

Writer Pip Ellwood compiled the list from DVD releases of gay films this year. “2011 has been a strong year for gay cinema with more quality movies being released than ever before,” he wrote.

Entertainment Focus reviewed Judas Kiss when it was released in November in the United Kingdom, calling the film ”a strong movie that tries something new in the LGBT genre. With all round good performances, an intriguing and strong storyline, and a satisfactory resolution, the movie really surprised us.”

LINKS

Bringing ‘Something Like Summer’ Novel to the Screen

Carlos Pedraza — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:01:20 +0000

The cover for Jay Bell's acclaimed novel, ‘Something Like Summer.’

‘Judas Kiss’ director, producer re-team for adaptation of one of 2011′s Best Books

SEATTLE — The makers of this year’s acclaimed scifi fantasy, Judas Kiss, are teaming with Seattle-based Jade Knight Productions to adapt the bestselling coming-of-age love story, Something Like Summer, for the screen.

The new project will be helmed by director J.T. Tepnapa, with screenwriter Carlos Pedraza penning the screenplay, based on the book by author Jay Bell. Tepnapa’s and Pedraza’s Los Angeles-based company, Blue Seraph Productions is a co-production partner.

“I’m honored that Jay Bell and producer Tom Ly have asked Blue Seraph Productions to turn the critically acclaimed novel into a movie,” Tepnapa said. “The life of the main character, Ben, mirrors so many moments in my own life, I cannot help but want to treat his own journey with care. I love this story, and I want to see it come to life.”

ABOUT THE BOOK Something Like Summer traces the tumultuous relationship of Ben and Tim, secret high school sweethearts who grow over the years into both adulthood enemies and complicated friends.

The novel is Bell’s second and most acclaimed, earning a spot in Amazon’s Best Books of 2011 list, with a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5, and outstanding reader reviews on the popular literary site Goodreads.

Queer Magazine Online said the novel “not only has lots of passion, humor, angst and twists and turns, it also takes an in-depth look at how the choices we make in life affect not only ourselves, but everyone around us.” The Alpha Reader review commented: “Jay Bell has written one of the most heartfelt and sincere romances I have ever encountered.”

The book was optioned by Jade Knight Productions of Seattle and producer Tom Ly. With Blue Seraph Productions on board, the project moves into development immediately.

Key art for Blue Seraph Productions' 'Judas Kiss,' distributed in North America by Wolfe Video.

IN DEVELOPMENT “We are on track to have the screenplay ready by Spring 2012,” screenwriter and co-producer Pedraza said. “J.T. and I are looking forward to translating the magic of this story from page to screen.”

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with J.T. and Carlos,” Jade Knight producer Ly said. “I was so impressed by what they accomplished with Judas Kiss. I know they’ll take us to the next level with Something Like Summer.”

Author Bell had similar praise for Judas Kiss.

“I was blown away after seeing the film in Germany this year,” he said. “My heart was pounding when I left the theatre and I knew that this was the right creative team for a Something Like Summer movie. Ben, Tim, and Jace are in very safe hands, and I can’t wait to see them on the big screen.”

Something Like Summer will be Tepnapa’s and Pedraza’s second feature film, following quickly on the heels of their debut, Judas Kiss, the genre-bending scifi fantasy released in 2011, garnering critical acclaim and multiple awards from film festivals around the world. The film is in distribution worldwide, and continues at the top of the sales charts in its genre.

Blue Seraph Productions is a Los Angeles company headed by Tepnapa and Pedraza. Their work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, Variety, The Advocate, Edge Magazine, ATV Network, Frontiers, Fab magazine, the Today Show, MSNBC, and other international news outlets.

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LINKS

Something Like Summer Facebook page
Amazon’s Best Books of 2011
Goodreads reviews: Something Like Summer
Jay Bell Books
Director J.T. Tepnapa’s IMDB profile
Writer Carlos Pedraza’s IMDB profile
Judas Kiss reviews | press kit

‘Judas Kiss’ Behind the Scenes

Carlos Pedraza — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:59:26 +0000

Get a peek behind the scenes and meet the stars of 'Judas Kiss' in the 'making of' documentary by award-winning filmmaker Matt Bucy.

LOS ANGELES – Get a look behind the scenes at the genre-busting, time-bending 2011 film festival favorite, “Judas Kiss,” the best-selling movie critics cite as taking gay cinema in a bold direction.

Award-winning documentarian Matt Bucy spent weeks on the set shooting footage for “Judas Kiss: Behind the Scenes,” which chronicles the production of the acclaimed film, the first feature by director J.T. Tepnapa and writer-producer Carlos Pedraza via their production company, Blue Seraph Productions.

All four episodes of the series are available now on the Judas Kiss channel on YouTube. The film itself, distributed by Wolfe Video, is at the top of the sales charts in its category on Amazon in the United States and in Europe. Here’s the first episode:

WATCH THE ENTIRE ‘BEHIND THE SCENES’ SERIES

The first episode of the Web series introduces the film’s stars Charlie David (star of Logo TV’s “Bump,” the TV series “Dante’s Cove,” and the feature, “Mulligans”), Richard Harmon (of AMC’s “The Killing”), Sean Paul Lockhart (aka adult star Brent Corrigan) and Belgian TV and pop star Timo Descamps, as well as director Tepnapa and writer Pedraza.

Critics have lauded the film’s high production values, strong ensemble cast, and its ambitious effort to meld drama, science fiction and magical realism; the film has won multiple awards at film festivals for its screenplay and acting. “Judas Kiss” tells the story of a washed-up filmmaker (David) who returns to his alma mater, where he gets the chance to reshape his destiny.

The four episodes:

• Introduce the principal cast and crew, especially the hot young stars getting so much recent press around the United States.

• Document the creative tension at the heart of the partnership between director Tepnapa and writer-producer Pedraza.

• Explore actor Sean Paul Lockhart’s past as controversial adult film star Brent Corrigan, and what it means for his new career as a mainstream actor.

• Offer a sneak peek at the Bollywood-style end musical number, “If I Fall,” performed by the Judas Kiss cast and crew, joined by the song’s composer, American Idol alumnus Brian Lam.

SELECTED REVIEWS AND AWARDS

“Brilliant production. Excellent cast.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)
“Incredibly original and extraordinarily well-made. Transcends all genres, and features solid performances from really charismatic actors.” (Examiner.com)
“A deep, insightful film that explores the shadows we run from as gay men and the toxic and self-destructive decisions that can change our lives.” (Edge Network)
“A metaphysical rumination on lost opportunities, Judas Kiss uses magical realism to convey its message. To that end, the film is pure joy.” (Men of Color blog)
Best Debut Feature (Q Cinema, Fort Worth, Texas)
Best Screenplay (Q Films, Long Beach, Calif.)
First Place, Alternative Spirit (Rhode Island International Film Festival)
Best Screenwriting (FilmOut San Diego)
Honorable Mention, Youth Jury for Best Picture (Rhode Island Film Festival)
Rising Star Award, Sean Lockhart (Q Fest, Philadelphia)
Official Selection, Frameline 35 (San Francisco)
Official Selection, NewFest (New York City)
Official Selection at dozens of other film festivals worldwide

WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION “Judas Kiss” is distributed in North America by Wolfe Video, in the United Kingdom by TLA Releasing, in German-speaking Europe by Pro-Fun Media, and in French-speaking Europe by BQHL.

Blue Seraph Productions is a Los Angeles company headed by Tepnapa and Seattle-based Pedraza. Their previous work on the Web’s longest-running series, Star Trek: New Voyages and Star Trek: Hidden Frontier has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, Variety, Rolling Stone, the Today Show, MSNBC, and other international news outlets.

Tepnapa’s short films include the multiple award-winning parody of 1950s teen health films, “Masturbation: Putting the Fun Into Self-Loving,” the comedy “Drag Queen Heist” and the drama about homeless youth, “Begging for Change.”

Blue Seraph, Runic Team Up for Western Adventure

Carlos Pedraza — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 07:27:53 +0000

'Cowboy Creed' shoots this fall, directed by Runic Films' Ben Alpi, and produced by Blue Seraph Productions' J.T. Tepnapa.

LOS ANGELES — Runic Films and Blue Seraph Productions are proud to announce their first collaboration, a Western short film entitled Cowboy Creed.

Lead by writer-director Ben Alpi and producer J.T. Tepnapa, the film goes into production in November. To support the film, the co-production will launch a fundraising campaign Wednesday, September 28, 2011, on Kickstarter.com.

Alpi said about the film: “Cowboy Creed is about Phineas, a young man coming into his own in the strange new world of the California Gold Rush. Social changes from immigration, world cultural convergence and the American Civil War make this an incredibly rich period to set a film in.”

The production brings together a tight-knit group of filmmakers including Alpi, Tepnapa and cinematographer David Berry who all worked together on the award winning Star Trek: Phase II web series.

“J.T. and David just completed a feature, Judas Kiss, which is doing fantastically at festivals. It’s great to be working with them again,” Alpi added.

“I’m really excited about working with Ben and David again, this time on a Western.” Tepnapa said.

Phineas is an 18- year-old who has looked up to the gruff old Sheriff since the boy’s father was murdered. He wants to follow in the lawman’s footsteps, but Phineas’ world gets turned upside down when his lady love is kidnapped.

The filmmakers said they are thrilled to be fundraising with Kickstarter, a great platform that allows anyone to donate to worthy creative projects. The campaign for funding Cowboy Creed launches September 28, and will introduce some very cool rewards for donors.

“Our Kickstarter companion video will include an exclusive announcement,” Alpi said. “We can’t wait to share the news.”

Stay tuned for more great announcements and don’t forget to check out http://runicfilms.com for the link to the Cowboy Creed Kickstarter.com campaign starting Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

# # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bob Alpi, 818-588-6880
email

Runic Films is an Los Angeles-based film production and entertainment company dedicated to upholding the traditions of mythic storytelling.

First Look: ‘Judas Kiss’ Behind the Scenes

Carlos Pedraza — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:10:03 +0000

BEHIND THE SCENES on the set of Judas Kiss with stars Richard Harmon (left) and Charlie David. Director of Photography David Berry sets a light in the background.

Watch this video featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the Judas Kiss shoot this past summer. The video introduces the film’s principal cast and shows off talents of the mostly Seattle-based crew.

The video was shot by the film’s videographer, Matt Bucy, who also edited it together in record time for its premiere at the fundraiser held at the end of August at The Lobby Bar in Seattle.

OTHER NEWS The film wrapped production on September 4, and is well into post-production. Judas Kiss is currently being edited, and preparations are well underway for sound design, visual effects, color correction, soundtrack, the score and other aspects of its completion.

The post-production timeline is scheduled for about six months, which means the film should be ready for exhibition at film festivals around the world starting in Spring 2011.

It’s a Wrap

Carlos Pedraza — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:56:36 +0000

First concept poster for Judas Kiss following principal photography.

After 20 days, 12 hours long each, from August 13 to September 4, principal photography for Judas Kiss is complete. Nearly 80 cast and crew in Seattle worked tirelessly to get the job done. Out of 20 days, only one day ran over schedule, and at that only by 30 minutes — unheard of on a film set.

A lot of real-time reactions, comments and photos posted by cast and crew are available on the Judas Kiss: The Movie Fan Page on Facebook (join by pressing the Like button at the top of the page!). We’ll be posting photo galleries and other art here on the official website pretty soon, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video. Subscribe to our RSS feed or join our Facebook page to learn when this content will be posted.

NEXT STEP Judas Kiss now enters post-production, scheduled from now until early 2011, with film festival screenings beginning in 2011. As festival appearances are scheduled, they’ll be posted here and on Facebook, so you can learn when the film will be coming to you.

Premium Clothing Line Aqua VI to Appear in ‘Judas Kiss’

Carlos Pedraza — Sat, 15 May 2010 00:16:05 +0000

THE AQUA VI premium clothing line will be featured by the cast of Judas Kiss.

Just as important as casting the right actor for the part, locking down the perfect location and picking great music to carry a film, we have to search for the best clothing lines to dress our stars in Judas Kiss.

Thanks to the work of Judas Kiss’ product placement coordinator, Richard Hagerty, we can announce the first of our clothing sponsors: Aqua VI.

Costa Mesa, Calif.-based Aqua VI offers a fashionable, innovative and contemporary clothing line we’re proud to feature in our film. Here’s what BlackBook Magazine says about the line:

Art is truly not just for the walls anymore. Here to prove just that is Aqua VI, a clothing line making a name for itself very quickly. Not only is it offered at Nordstroms, Scoops in NYC, and the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, but stars all over Hollywood such as Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Mya, and even Emmitt Smith have been spotted sporting these new threads. The company logo is Uncharted Waters. In the fashion industry, this line is just that.

Thank you, Aqua VI, for helping our stars look like superstars.

Link

Aqua VI Premium Clothing – Official Online Store

P.K. Eiselt Works with Twilight Star on Comic Project

J.T. Tepnapa — Fri, 14 May 2010 02:30:51 +0000

P.K. Eiselt, writer of Blue Seraph’s Judas Kiss Web comics, ‘The Inspiration of Trent’ and ‘Tommy Two Worlds’ is collaborating on a new comic book with Booboo Stewart, co-star of the next Twilight movie, Eclipse.

BOOBOO Stewart promotes Millennium Man.

Together they are creating a new superhero, Millennium Man, a troubled high school student by day and butt-kicking electrically charged superhero by night. Stewart is pencilling the book, while P.K. pens the story. Professional artist Zach Enea will ink and color the seven-page comic.

Millennium Man is scheduled to be released in July, packaged with a music single featuring Stewart.

Booboo Stewart is a multi-talented martial artist, actor and musician. He has appeared in such films and TV series as The Conrad Boys and Dante’s Cove and will play Seth Clearwater in the next movie of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse.

P.K. Eiselt is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara’s film studies program and has more than six films to his credit, including the award-winning animated short Genre. He is currently working on his own comic series, BOY Story and Gayformers.

‘Caprica’ Actor in ‘Judas Kiss’

Carlos Pedraza — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 00:05:09 +0000

Eighteen-year-old Richard Harmon has been cast in the lead role of Danny Reyes in 'Judas Kiss.'

SEATTLE — Fresh from his pivotal three-episode guest-starring role in the Syfy network hit, “Caprica,” hot young actor Richard Harmon has been cast in the time-bending campus drama, “Judas Kiss,” the film’s producers announced today.

The 18-year-old actor from Vancouver, B.C., has landed roles in a broad swath of hit television series and feature films, including “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” “Smallville,” “Fringe” and the Cartoon Network’s new live-action series, “Tower Prep.”

In “Judas Kiss,” Harmon will play Danny Reyes, a gay film student at a university at the crossroads of parallel timelines, where he is caught in a tug of war between a tortured past and a troubled future.

Harmon won the role with a videotaped audition over more than 1,000 Los Angeles actors, wowing “Judas Kiss” director J.T. Tepnapa and writer-producer Carlos Pedraza.

“Richard nailed every beat in his audition,” Tepnapa said. “Carlos and I watched the tape and instantly agreed we’d found our Danny.”

For Harmon, “Judas Kiss” represents a leap from a strong résumé of supporting parts in Web series, TV roles and features to a lead in a feature that suits his edgy take on youthful roles, Pedraza said.

“Danny struck me right away as a very relatable character,” Harmon said. “Once I read the whole script, I knew this movie was something that I would be so blessed to be a part of. I know people will be able to really connect to what he feels throughout the movie, and I’m going to have lots of fun with it.”

CARLOS AND J.T.’S SECRET MISSION TO CANADA Tepnapa and Pedraza were so impressed by Harmon’s audition they immediately flew from Los Angeles to Vancouver to sign him for the role.

“Richard really is perfect for Danny,” Tepnapa said. “His talent ups the ante for this film, and his performance is going to catch a lot of people’s attention.”

“Judas Kiss” is Tepnapa’s first feature film. He has won many international awards for his short films, including the multiple award-winning parody of 1950s teen health films, “Masturbation: Putting the Fun Into Self-Loving,” the comedy “Drag Queen Heist” and the homeless youth drama, “Begging for Change.”

Harmon has been a working actor since age 10, appearing in such series and films as “School of Life” with Ryan Reynolds, “Jeremiah” with Luke Perry, “Aliens in America,” the 2007 “Flash Gordon” TV series and the hit Web series “Riese.”

He recently appeared in three pivotal episodes of Syfy’s hit series, “Caprica” — the prequel spin-off of the network’s seminal “Battlestar Galactica” — as a virtual game hacker who befriends Joseph Adama (Esai Morales).

Harmon’s father is director Allan Harmon (“Afghan Knights,” “Passion’s Web”) and his older sister is actress Jessica Harmon (“Battlestar Galactica,” “Black Christmas”). Harmon is represented by Melanie Turner of Pacific Artists Management of Vancouver, B.C.

“Judas Kiss” is being produced by Blue Seraph Productions, a Los Angeles company headed by Tepnapa and Pedraza. Their previous work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, Variety, Frontiers, Fab magazine, the Today Show, MSNBC, and other international news outlets.

The film, scheduled to shoot this summer in Seattle, has already attracted attention for casting “Dante’s Cove” star Charlie David (host of Logo’s travel show, “Bump,” and writer-star of last year’s feature film, “Mulligans”). Also cast is controversial adult film star Brent Corrigan, who appeared in last year’s Oscar-winning “Milk” and the comedy, “Another Gay Sequel,” and rising European TV and pop star Timo Descamps.

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