zekezelker

Member since 5/31/2008, last signed in awhile ago.

"Making films that provoke thought, inspire ideas and stir emotions."

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Interested in:Business, Comedy, Comedy Drama, Culture & Society, Drama, Film, TV & Radio, Leisure Arts, Music, Spirituality & Philosophy, Theater, Visual Arts

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Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"I'm sure it happens, I'm sure that it is planned. I feel that we walked a fine line with InSearchOf. I think it would have been easier to market if it was a porn. People have a hard time understanding exactly what it is because its about sex and I have been very open and honest about it. If I would say oh its a porn people would know what to expect, but its not so people are torn which is obvious by what is going on with Hulu right now. The chatter is intersting, http://www.hulu.com/in-search- of. If the script is great I wouldn't shy away from your material. I do believe in realism! [quote user="Dr_Gor"] [quote user="zekezelker"] There is a lot of nudity in the film but no sex, there is a flashback sequence of simulated sex. Yes we have good looking people in the film, more that ended up on the editing room floor. [/quote] Thanks for the prompt reply, Zeke. The reason I asked about real vs. simulated sex was because many years ago I read about a major mainstream Hollywood ... " [More]

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"Howdy Gor, We did a test of the film in four markets this past fall and have plans to screen it in more theaters, we do not have an MPAA rating. There is a lot of nudity in the film but no sex, there is a flashback sequence of simulated sex. Yes we have good looking people in the film, more that ended up on the editing room floor. It was not a turn on to shoot the scenes. I was not only directing but also producing and I fly with an AD, but yeah I guess I would not have cast the women if I wasn't attracted to them in some way. [quote user="Dr_Gor"] Hi, Zeke. I am the resident pervert here at SPOUT. Please tell me a bit about your film, In Search Of . Did it have a theatrical release (and thus an MPAA rating)? Are there a lot of sex scenes in this film and how graphic are they? Was the sex real or "simulated"? Some good looking female nudity? How much of a turn on was it for you to film something like this? Sorry but somebody had to ask these questions and I gu ... " [More]

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"Jonathan, When I first started the internet was just taking shape, hell my first e-mail account was an AOL account. The internet has helped me a lot with research and starting conversation but there is no substitute for making personal contact via in person or phone. With all of the social networking sites I am spending more and more time building fan base than I am writing which drives me a little nuts. I now write with iphone, internet and e-mail off so I don't lose my train of thought. I need disconnect to write from such a interconnected world. I am only able to do this 10-15 hours a week. In terms of making money, we are implementing some new ways to make money on our films via the internet that you would not be able to do in more traditional outlets, unless I got a deal where we screened the first half of the film in theaters then cut a deal with HBO where we would screen the second half. (producer friends laughed at this idea, this would need too much distributor cooperation ... " [More]

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"Ryan, Have you seen InSearchOf? you can download it for 2.99 at http://299.insearchofmovie.com We have some lines that people quote back to me which is always strange for the writer to have someone love the lines that they have written, I guess that is what we strive for. Working with Actors is fun, I love it. It depends on the project whether or not I mind them improving. With InSearchOf they couldn't because the story is so tight that if they screwed something up it could affect the rest of the story, not kidding. We have put the orginal script online for sale and people can see what was written on the page v. what ended up on screen. The big thing with working with actors is know what you want and know how to get it. If an actor sees that you are a push over they will have control. Directing is matter of control. It's your vision, make it happen. [quote user="rjsprague"] [quote user="zekezelker"] Howdy Ryan, Please call me Zeke! I personally have a tough time working with a te ... " [More]

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"My great grandfather started the Park and my first job was as a clown selling balloons. Anyway, I am definitely a planner. If you take a look at InSearchOf, there is no way we could have made this film without planning and a lot of dedication. We shot throughout a year with people from all over the country. The script is king, without a good plan you will not make a good a film. I sit down with my DP and draw out, create shot lists, and camera diagrams for every scene. Yes this takes days and weeks but if you don't know how you're going to tackle a scene or shot before production you will waste a lot of time and money. I believe in rehearsals. I believe that everything in a frame is purposeful in telling the story. All of these things lessen the amount of takes you will need, thus saving money. [quote user="csprague"] [quote user="zekezelker"] Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everything I know about the biz. [/quote] ...and Wild Water Kingdom! Hell yeah! W ... " [More]

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"I have been in this business for over 10 years and still don't have an agent, not sure I need one, but someday I might, especially with my upcoming project. Concering success it determines what you classify as success. I am seeing revenue from my films now, I'm not living large mind you. I believe my filmmaking is a business not a lottery ticket. The best way to get noticed by an agent is to have a really great piece of property. Go to places where they might be and be nice, somewhat aggressive but smile doing it. People remember quirky things, hence why I streak whenever I can. [quote user="matt60iya"] As a new filmmaker and writer, can I find success in Hollywood without living there and if so what is the best way to get my movie or scripts noticed by an agent? [/quote] " [More]

Re:In Search Of Filmmaking Advi ...
By zekezelker in Filmmakers Forum
"Howdy Ryan, Please call me Zeke! I personally have a tough time working with a team of writers. What I do is write a draft that I am happy with, spell checked, etc then I send it along to 10 people I respect to give me their honest feedback. If people all have the same problem, well then there's a problem. I write from a director and producer's perspective. Let at least 50 people read your script before you say it's done, especially if you are sending put to producer's to read the script. I do have an example where I hired someone to write a script based on my concept because I was busy producing other films but I never truly liked what he was doing, then I passed it along to another writer, still wasn't right so here I am now rewriting the 20 something draft of it. I will still give them credit, but I will take the lead writer credit, since I have the most words down on the page. There are WGA guidelines for this. Have you ever been to Dorney Park? This is where I learned everythi ... " [More]

Re:Film Content
By zekezelker in Spout Customer Care
"Title- InSearchOf Director/Writer/Producer- Zeke Zelker Year of Production- 2008 Synopsis- InSearchOf is an intense, daring drama about the choices people make at crucial points in their lives based on their sexual pasts. One hasty decision can force good people into severe circumstances. Often compared to Crash and Requiem for a Dream, filmmaker Zeke Zelker pulls no punches as he intertwines various storylines in telling this complex story about people searching for love, power, revenge, family and belonging. It's all relative, but relationships are never what they seem. Actions always have consequences. Secrets will always be revealed. One act can have many different outcomes. One act can have many different meanings. What are you in search of? UPC code- 884501059329 " [More]

BALLS?
By zekezelker in zekezelker Blog
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"I’m wondering if anyone has any balls in this industry anymore? Everyone wants to play it safe, no one is taking risks. Not filmmakers, not film festivals, not programmers nor distributors. Are the audiences? Do audiences want to see the same actors in every film that use the same formula? I’m bewildered that people at the gates are trying to hold us back from getting our film in front of audiences. What are they afraid of? The content of our film? SEX? Without sex none of us would be here. What the hell? People in America would rather see someone’s head get blown of than see someone naked. We have made a film that affects people, strikes up conversation, makes people think. Oh yeah I forgot who in the hell wants to think anymore, or who in the hell wants to feel regret for some bad decisions that they’ve made. COME ON PEOPLE! WAKE THE FUCK UP AND BE ALIVE AGAIN! START FEELING! SUPPORT FILMS THAT ARE ORIGINAL! Don’t hide behind the veil of fear of what ... " [More]

REJECTED
By zekezelker in zekezelker Blog
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"It seems like every time our phone rang this week it was some distributor or film festival rejecting us. The last guy I think was expecting to get our answering machine, but when I answered he was a little flustered. Can someone please tell me "what a small movie means"? Everyone seems to love the film but won't take it on or program it because it's too small. Honestly I don't think people have the balls to take on the subject matter. Scott Rosenfelt said I would need the balls the size of Texas to make this movie, I guess I'm looking for an equally well endowed distributor/programmer. Seek out In Search Of, and you decide. " [More]

Movie Poster
By zekezelker in zekezelker Blog
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"I've been debating for some time now what should we do for a movie poster for In Search Of. I'm feeling that the current midriff poster is a little too poppy and really doesn't give you the feel for the film. I'm having a difficult time coming up with a good idea that grabs people's attention, giving you the I want to see that flick feeling, that also could hang on someone's wall as a piece of art like I feel that everything designed should. I keep walking on both sides of the too risque line. This will be the image that people will forever more associate with our film. Any ideas? WHAT IS A FILMMAKER TO DO? " [More]

InSearchOf

So what if I'm the writer/direc ...
By zekezelker in zekezelker Blog
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"I highly recommend you see my movie. It has taken me and my team 11 years to bring this cinematic vision to life. I put everything on the line for In Search Of, I'm "ALL IN!" People are comparing it to Requiem For a Dream which I consider a very huge compliment. You can drop me line at zzelker@idreammachine.com to share your thoughts. I hope you enjoy it, I'm sure it will stir things up a little....okay A LOT! " [More]