A trademark is more than a label. Sure, when you go to the grocery store and pick out your favorite brand of coffee, you admire the presentation, but I’ll bet you choose your particular blend because you enjoy the signature taste. When you sip your favorite cup of coffee, you are tasting the brand.

I recently rebranded my company, Crooked Lake Productions. It was something I’ve had in the works for some time now but for one reason or another it never made it to my work bench. Early in October, I noticed that another more established production company was starting to adopt attributes from my original logo. The most discouraging part was an iconic tree on a horizon line with its reflection on a lake, which was similar to the visual concept I had developed for my logo. I didn’t think they were doing a very good job with the symbolism. I created the original CLP logo in 2005 when I first learned how to use Photoshop. The image was based on a lake in Northern Wisconsin, where my father used to take me. At the lake, I would fish, learn how to swim, read, and discover my creative side. Later in 2006, my good friend Terance Tucker took that image and transformed it into a statement. We made a logo, business cards and a black and white logo animation without sound. It was a triumphant step forward. For the first time, my company had a face that people would start to recognize. I remember shooting video productions around downtown Seattle and people would come up to me and say, “I know you! You’re the guys with the tree!” We had a face but our lake was still nondescript.

Crooked Lake Concept 2005

Crooked Lake Productions Logo 2006

After I saw the other production company’s failed attempt at our brand I decided to reconstruct. I looked at what we (Crooked Lake) did right and what both the other company and I did wrong. The first problem was the lake. We weren’t Crooked Tree Productions, we were Crooked Lake Productions and the community needed to see the lake I grew up on in my identity. The tree was a perfect element to the lake but the lake needed to dominate the reflection. The second problem was even though CLP’s image was strong, there were too many details. It wasn’t simple enough to be blown up to the size of a billboard and it was too convoluted to shrink down to an icon. It wasn’t vectorized so every time its size shifted, so did the pixels and that was when distortion happened. No one wants a disfigured identity. The third thing was the taste. We knew what the lake looked like…but how did it feel and what did it sound like?

I took my original 2005 concept, Terance’s beautiful 2006 animation, and started to build a team that could bring my lake to life. Dave Drage, a very talented Colorado based designer, took the reference images and built a magnificent logo. The words outlined the phantom horizon without showing land, the tree in silhouette etched a perfect stencil, and the reflection was equally cut but more fluid. The logo was still, but its persona moved. The color renditions added nostalgic feelings of seasons and temperature. Next was the animation. Matt Jorgensen, a former co-worker and good friend, made my lake move. We made sure to add outside elements that added life to the scene: rain for temperament, fog for ambiance, and a bird for humanity. Adding a living creature to the setting was the smartest thing we did. The video starts with a portrait of the mockingbird perched on a branch. As the frame pulls out and the bird takes off, we reveal the blue landscape, the lake, the tree, the logo, and us. The bird sets a scene that anyone can remember and everyone can appreciate. But what does the lake sound like? The award winning Eric Goetz knew the answer. His melodic instrumental with ambient tones accompanied by Peter Comley’s collected sounds of rain, wind and chirping created a miniature opus that screamed Crooked Lake Productions.

In 19 seconds of playback anyone can discover what Crooked Lake Productions is without any words. Crooked Lake Productions is memorable, elegant, soothing, visual, easy listening, independent and strong. Strong like the recycled card stock from Moo that our technologist Nate Vaughn chose for our business cards. Bold like the rocky font Drage used in the brand’s typography. Original like the concept Terance and I crafted together so many years ago. Lively like the mockingbird in Jorgensen’s animation. Loud like Comely’s sound and smooth like the melody from Goetz. Crooked Lake Productions is…well, see for yourself.

Crooked Lake Productions Logo Animation 2012 from Crooked Lake Productions on Vimeo.

The other day, the dog and I went scouting for Crooked Lake Productions’ next short film “Phoenix Falling.” What was supposed to be an easy task became quite the adventure. It’s usually protocol to wander and stray away from the suggested path when I am on the hunt for creative locations, but I had no idea that behind a wall of shrubbery I would find the notorious dwellings of Jason Vorhees, Camp Crystal Lake.

Photo By: Henry Darrow McComas & Terance Tucker

Scouting photos coming soon.

Monster grudge matches are not as new as “Alien Vs. Predator” or “Freddy Vs. Jason.” The monster fight is a tradition that dates back to 1943, with the incredible “Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman,” a film that captured the essence of what made both of its predecessors gems in the hearts of film fans for generations, and not just fans of horror movies.

The challenge is to incorporate the elements of each monster that made them both terrifying and lovable. Frankenstein’s monster is an isolated outcast searching for a place in the world, even if that place is at on the fringes of civilization without human contact. The only hatred he is guilty of is against his creator, reflecting an anger and bitterness that was common in America during the depression and Second World War. As sympathetic as he is, if you see this poor lost soul and don’t cross the street, he will probably strangle you to death. The Wolfman, as played by Lon Chaney, is a deeply scarred and fractured man. In this film he is actually suicidal, and his main motivation is to find a way to die. Laurence Talbot can’t control when and how he murders his victims, but he feels such a deep remorse that he would rather end his life than continue as a monster.

These themes helped create a wide fan base for both creatures, and being red-blooded American fans, we want to see our favorite monsters beat up our friend’s favorite monster. And the tradition of the Vs. movie was born.

What I decided to do with my next short film is to take the Vs. template and make it span generations. So I started with a personal favorite monster, one I have loved for many years. He tortures and kills without remorse, lurks in the shadow world, only venturing forth for evil, and though his heart is dead and only dust pumps through it any more, deep inside he still feels the true love of bygone empires. And then I made him fight a mummy.

Who wins? You’ll have to wait and see, though I will say that I took a cue from past Vs. films and left it open for a sequel, and open for fans of both monsters to argue about the ending for weeks afterwards.

Hey Y’all,

For those of you who have signed up for the very first and very unofficial “A-Shot Film Challenge,” Thanks! We have seemed to generate a buzz from enthusiastic storytellers that enjoy the tasks of a good ol’ fashioned throw down. You have successfully accepted the challenge of writing a film with “one shot” as your limitation. Don’t forget to write a title and a synopsis for the idea of your short film and have it submitted by this coming Sunday the 15th of February.

For those of you who have not signed up yet, you have one more day to apply for the “A-Shot Film Challenge!”

If you need food for thought I have compiled a list of some of my favorite films that had extravagant and well-choreographed one shots.

My Top 10

Rope – Alfred Hitchcock, 1948

Halloween – John Carpenter, 1978

Shaun of the Dead – Edgar Wright, 2004

Donnie Darko – Richard Kelley, 1999

Children of Men – Alfonso Cuaron, 2006

Hard Boiled – John Woo, 1992

25th Hr – Spike Lee, 2002

Strange Days – Kathryn Bigelow, 1995

The Player – Robert Altman, 1992

Boogie Nights – Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997
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Runner Up’s
Kill Bill
Irreversible
Great Expectations
Touch of Evil

Hope these lists help! Have creative and productive times, good luck writing.

Please see the previous email for applicant details or email Crooked Lake Productions at create@crookedlp.com.

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A while ago I edited a series of low-budget horror shorts that my uncle made for Chicago television. With the release of his latest novel Planet of the Dates, Paul sold the special release of his DVD compilation, No Budget Theater and donated the proceeds to the BloodCenter of Wisconsin. When I was editing the project I finished my cut and Colin added some After Effects; we completed the project in less then a week. Today I received a fulfilling email from the BloodCenter of Wisconsin. Coincidentally I received this letter on the same day of Obama’s inauguration.  I learned how easy it is to change, even if it’s a couple hours of your extra time, it’s still a step forward.

Dear Mr. McComas,

On behalf of BloodCenter of Wisconsin, I want to thank you for the gift of $550 that Mr. Paul C. McComas forwarded to us as a portion of the proceeds from the sales of The Best (?) of P.C. Productions DVD.   This contribution will be used to support our research programs where it will help improve healthcare for people today and for generations to come.

Our mission is to advance patient care and deliver life-saving solutions through medical expertise and scientific discovery.  Our research work is focused on cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer, as well as blood disorders and transfusion medicine.  With your continued support, improved diagnosis, new treatments and ultimately cures that were never before believed possible, will become a reality.

Thank you again for your involvement in the production of this video and support of our mission.

BloodCenter of Wisconsin
www.bcw.edu

So, the Crooked Lake team and I are embarking on a new journey. This winter we will produce a film called “Phoenix Falling.”

We have started pre-production and are dedicating the next month to funding. The film is a commentary on today’s events told through a gritty, science-fiction type world. This futuristic stage is made to look like it could happen tomorrow, without the typical dramatizations of scientific advancements.

“Phoenix Falling” is about depression and a creator’s mind. I do not want to manipulate a sinister perspective of depression or enhancements in science. “Phoenix” is using its story to develop a link between the chemical imbalance of mental disorders and the creative drive of an artist. Inside the world of this film, science has leapt forward into a time where geneticists and engineers can pinpoint certain triggers on the genetic map that activate disorders and diseases like depression and turn those triggers off. You could predict the massive alterations society would see if a majority accepted this process.

The film has selling points and similarities to Gattaca, Equilibrium, and my all time favorite Fahrenheit 451. Except we are not creating alpha humans and we are not burning books; we are sedating humans at the root before they ever have the chance to feel exuberance or experience a downfall.

Storytelling

Credibility and the art of storytelling are very important to me, so to progress with the script I met with some outstanding people. Two professors at the University of Washington greeted me with open minds to discuss the science of the film. I was raised on “Corman” films and watched Kurt Neumann’s “The Fly” like everyone else, but I did not want to flash some lights and pour some beakers and call it technology. So I met with both of these professors who specialize in genome sciences to begin to understand important technical and moral questions like…

Questions:

1. How do I convince someone that a geneticist can pinpoint certain traits on the genetic map that activate disorders and diseases like depression, and eliminate them?

2. When would that happen? Before or after conception? Could it happen in the first trimester?

3. I can think of the obvious mental changes that would accommodate genetic manipulations but what about the effect it would have on physical attributes?

Now team “Phoenix” has made it to the preliminaries. We made our first investment and are very excited about what is to come. We have a great marketer on our team and have locked some of the roles in the film’s production.

The Team

Phoenix Falling will be produced by Henry Darrow McComas, Colin McLoughlin and our newest team member, Rob Wollach.

I am very excited to work with Mr. Wollach. I got to witness his craft in the posting of Seattle feature, Blank, and out of everything I admire about him, I most admire his drive. I have teamed up with Rob on a couple of projects in the past but last weekend was the kicker! We had so much fun making a competition commercial for Doritos, confirming that Rob is perfect for Phoenix’s set.

Currently no one else is locked for the shoot. The Executive has a large say in who comes to the table- with the head nod of Crooked Lake- and we are looking at production crews and gear in hopes of locking off roles by mid January.

We are fortunate to be working with the familiar and talented technical director Nate Vaughn. Repeat champions Tendo and Wademan L. Brandt will enter the ring again to score this challenging film. I only hope that you are as excited about this project as we are because this winter Phoenix will fall.

Dear Crookedlp.com,

Sorry for postponing our pertinent sessions. A lot has happened during the month of October making our beneficial conversations tentative but not obsolete. In the end all be all, you are number one on my to-do-list.

As a site you have evolved into an informational catalyst for the Crooked Lake Productions brand; something I can safely say with conviction I am proud of. You are growing well with more than many updates to come in the future. If you have any suggestions to enhance the mechanics and aesthetics of crookedlp.com, feel free to post your comments or contact our Webmaster Nate, also known as NRV, Crookedlp’s surrogate father.

The Journey

Early in October before the Seattle leaves had fully turned color and form I traveled to Norman, Oklahoma for the Vacant Era Film Festival. Vacant Era was one of many festivals to officially select our Crooked Lake produced short “Emerald City.” I had no idea what to expect; the thought of Oklahoma was a very foreign one. “Emerald City” has seen many different continents, countries, and metropolitan cities. I personally like to consider myself “well traveled” but a place like Oklahoma seemed more distant than close. The following lists key points to my thinking Pre-Vacant-Era:

Number One: Oklahoma is known politically as a red state. My film (like myself) is far from red.

Number Two: Moore is the neighboring town to Norman. Moore is the home of Toby Keith.  Toby Keith is of Country music fame. My film is about the feelings of a hip-hop artist.

Number Three: Norman is the capital of “Sooner College Football;” I am from Dawg territory with an allegiance to the Badgers.

Number Four: I’m a city slicker but alas I have a country heart and Midwest roots and the festival fit the criteria…

The Criteria

We made Emerald City with goals in mind to take a film with hip-hop connotations to communities that wouldn’t be accustomed to the urban subject matter, i.e. Wales, London, Sydney Australia, France.  Unfortunately my pocket book almost always fights with my ambition; naturally my artist’s budget couldn’t afford the international airfare. The movie went overseas while I stayed home. Norman, Oklahoma worked with my goals and made it possible for me to watch my film with Norman’s Oklahomoian environment not just once but three times!

The People

I traveled with Seattle painter and friend Dustie, Dustie’s significant other Kevin, who is also my good friend, and their teenage son Gaige. Dustie was showcasing her latest collection at Vacant Era.

- Dustie treats canvases like a hedonist treats life; vibrant, full, extreme and passionate.  It was a pleasure to travel with this family of artists. -

We flew into Norman October second, checked into our separate rooms and rushed to the festival’s opener. That is where I got to meet the producer and creator of 1962’s “Stark Fear,Ned Hockman.”
(Charles Nedwin “Ned” Hockman began his motion picture career as a combat cameraman during World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps Motion Picture Production Unit then made his first and only film “Stark Fear”)

It is rumored that Hockman walked off the set of “Stark Fear” after differences with the cast and producers and that co-star Skip Homeier finished directing the film.

Regardless, credited Director Ned Hockman stood in front of us eighty-eight years old filled with life and eager to talk cinema. To the untrained eye Hockman’s excitement would have one thinking he had another eighty-eight years in front of him.

The festival filmmakers gathered at Coaches for live music that would push through the rest of the four days of the festival. It was at Coaches that I met future friends Richard, Cyra and Crystal from Chicago; Ashley from Palm Beach and town locals Elizabeth, Corey and Meleah.

We philosophized, conversed and drank. We had the chance to talk films and each other’s works before actually screening each other’s films making the theater experience much more intimate.

The Films

There were well over 50 films and numerous filmmakers for the four-day event but it was the names listed above that I talked with the most.

Mass Romantic

Directed By: Richard Paro

The “Chicagolites” created a film that tore me apart and put me back together again. I admire their talent and am inspired by their techniques; they created a film that makes real-life-dialogue sound scripted.Ashley showed deep passion for visual metaphors and symbolism. I haven’t seen that much excitement and love for movie making from a creator in a long time.

I saw an amazing flick called “Okie Noodling 2!” Remind me to get a copy off of Amazon; they catch 150 pound Catfish using their hands as bait!

My film ended up screening three times in the beautiful monument that is “Sooner Theater.” The first time was a private screening with hosts of the year Kevin and Dustie. Kevin gave me the greatest compliment of my life when he compared “Emerald City” to the written pages of Ernest Hemingway.

I first screened for the public on Saturday.  Oklahoma greeted me in the lobby after the screening with my newly made friends and made me feel a sense of completion with a job well done. Watching my film on an actual theater screen was one of the most liberating experiences of my life. I felt the satisfaction of painting with light on a widescreen canvas.

The Ride

The real ride however was meeting the filmmakers behind the film and creating bonds that will develop relationships for years to come. Vacant Era year one was a success in numerous ways and I cannot wait to see what Norman will be coming with next year. I saw films from multiple filmmakers, I knew the films and I found Norman.

With that being said, Crookedlp.com, I cannot let this feeling escape; I have started pre-production for my next budgeted film “PHOENIX FALLING.” The film has had me interviewing geneticists, doctors, and piles of books for my latest dramatic, Science Fiction project. But that story is for another day. I will tell you all about it next time. Until then, hugs kiss and safe wishes.

Photos of Sooner Theater Pre-opening.

Photos of Sooner Theater Pre-opening.