The drill is simple. Tucsonans walk into Access Tucson, take our fun and fabulous production
classes and soon they are making their own TV cable shows. Well, over the years, several producers have used those production skills acquired at Access Tucson to branched out to the big screen. Three members who have done this within the last few months are Marty Ketola, Chris Haskell and J.T. Waldron.
Long, long-time member Marty Ketola premiered his latest film
Writing Fren-Zee, a clever, unique romantic comedy about friendship and
writer's block at the Crossroads theater last month. Character Billy Shaw (Jonathan Northover) is desperately trying
to finish his latest screenplay about
Fren-Zee, a hot comic book property being adapted into a film. Struggling for a plotline, Billy finds his muse in a comic book shop run by John (Eric
Schumacher) and Pete (Nate Campbell). Why does the store inspire Billy so? It
might have to do with the fact that Nick Levine, the creator of
Fren-Zee died
there.
Produced by Pondo Enterprises, a partnership owned by Marty Ketola and Clif
Campbell,
Writing Fren-Zee is their third feature. Directed by Ketola, the film was shot entirely in
Tucson on digital video. The 13-day production cost a total of $2000. The movie stars prominent Tucson theater
actors Jonathan Northover and Eric Schumacher. The movie also stars hot
newcomers Nate Campbell, Julie Schaffer, Megan Guthrie, Marie Sembar and
features the hilarious Reb Moorehead as Merle the bum.
So here's the plug: Due to overwhelming demand, a second screening of
Writing Fren-Zee has been scheduled. Don't miss it!
Sunday 11/15 at 7pm
Beowulf Theater downtown
For details, call
882-0555.
Staying true to his roots, Ketola continues to produce a live call-in TV show at Access Tucson. "Because one bad apple always ruins the bunch" is the phrase that sums up the antics seen on
The End of Television.
LIVE alternating Saturdays at 8pm (next live 11/21)
Access Tucson channel 72* (Comcast) / 120* (Cox)
Replays Mondays at midnight (Tuesdays at 12am)
Access Tucson channel 73* (Comcast) / 98 (Cox)
Access Tucson member since 2006, Chris Haskell currently produces
Tucson
Jamz, a weekly show on Access Tucson about live music jams at THE HUT on 4th Ave and hosted by "The Deacon."
Fridays at 11:30pm
Access Tucson channel 72* (Comcast) / 120* (Cox)
Saturdays at 10:30pm
Access Tucson channel 73* (Comcast) / 98 (Cox)
Haskell just finished directing his first feature film, a fun-filled adventure comedy about two sisters who are separated at a
young age entitled
Finding BC-The Biker Chick. The older sister becomes the infamous BC who is well known to the biker community of Tucson. The
younger sister grows up to be more of a goody two shoes. She is attending
the University of Arizona when she decides to go on a quest to find
her big bad biker chick sister.
She meets a total geek Eugene who helps to locate her sister. They go on an adventure
through the city of Tucson and the deserts of Arizona looking for BC,
but they are soon to find trouble! Filmed with hundreds of real bikers
and in many famous and familiar locations!
Be one of the first to see
Finding BC-The Biker Chick Saturday 11/14 at midnight (Sunday at 12am)
Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)
Back in September, long-time member J.T. Waldron premiered his latest documentary at the Loft Cinema.
Fatally Flawed is a true detective story about a two billion dollar
bond transportation measure passed under suspicious circumstances in Pima County, Arizona.
In
Fatally Flawed, the camera
captures the story ahead of the news. The film is not only real-time
cinema verite, but a moving document of triumph and heartache in the
face of monolithic government opposition.
It
is the story of a group of intrepid citizens who demand answers to the
question: "When big money is involved, do our votes really count?"
Watch
Fatally Flawed on Access Tucson
Fridays 11/13, 11/20 and 11/27 at 8am
Access Tucson channel 73* (Comcast) / 98 (Cox)
Monday 11/30 at 8pm
Access Tucson channel 74 (Comcast) / 99 (Cox)
Or see the film in person and talk with the filmmaker at this special screening sponsored by Voices of Opposition.
Monday 11/16 at 7 pm
Crossroads 6 Grand Cinemas
For more information, call 622-6419 or check
www.voicesofopposition.com.
If you want to make your own feature narrative or documentary film, start with an Access Tucson production
class. Openings available now. Call 624-9833 to register.
