A Hectic Films Interview with Darin Juarez (2017)

Sometimes fate has a way of bringing two people together. That is exactly what I told the cops when I was recently arrested for allegedly “kidnapping” one of the actors from Hectic Films upcoming short Descensus. In reality, all I did was stalk him to a local warehouse outlet store and corner him behind the produce section so I could throw some fast paced questions at him and hold a banana towards his face.

He was a little startled and had that wide-eyed look of appreciation in his eyes when I first shoved him back against the tomato bin and fired off the first question, “Sometimes film sets can be a little intimidating for cast and crew on the first day. You have an uncanny ability to break right through that awkwardness and make everyone feel at home. Is this part of being an actor or just the natural way of Darin Juarez?”

Naturally, my charming good looks and smooth way with people set his mind at ease once he realized I just wanted to ask about his acting and he replied by screaming, “Help!”

Realizing that this was going to be a short interview I repeated the question as security swarmed down on me. Once I was handcuffed Darin answered, “I gotta say, thanks for those kind words. I had no idea that was happening. I know how stressful being on set is for everybody so, I guess I just try to keep that in mind and be nice. Plus, if there's one thing I hate it's that barrier between us all when we first meet! I make a pretty strong effort to be open and obliterate that mama jamma!”

I asked if that meant I could be freed and he shot a look towards the security guards and shook his head back and forth real quick.

Security was already talking into their shoulder microphones and asking for police to be called so I blurted out the most important question I had, “If a fan wanted to buy you a present, should they go with a snow globe or stuffed animal?”

Darin’s eyes darted to the snow globe that was embedded in the front of my pants and I gyrated my hips a little to make the snow swirl for him. “Stuffed animal!” he answered.

I tried to hide my disappointment as a tear came to my eye, and swallowed my hope as I said, “It’s clear you can act, but I heard you also like to write. Any writer credits in the works that we should keep an eye out for?”

As the sound of loud police radios came from the front of the store, Darin answered, “I've got a sci-fi about a fighter pilot being recruited for a top secret project to fuse his consciousness with a combat A.I., two series pilots about musicians coming up from nothing--one about a metal-head, the other about rappers. Then there's some sketches, a scene about a spy couple, and that YouTube series I was writing called The Death of William Draper.”

As the police arrived, they changed out my handcuffs I guess so security could keep theirs and asked me if I had any identification. I ignored them and asked Darin, “How would you describe acting if you could only use two words?” I think the cops said something but I only had ears for Darin and waited for him to reply. Finally, he shook his head and grinned, “Damn... I thought this was going to be an easy test. I am to consolidate the whole of what acting means to me, has been to me and where I hope it will continue to lead me, into two magnificent words? Okay. ‘Soul Threshing’.”

I may have gotten a little dreamy eyed at that and as the police dragged me away, I yelled out one last question, “Where can people go to find out more about Darin Juarez?”

Even the cops stopped dragging me at that point and turned to wait for an answer. Darin said, “If you really want more... I'm on:
Instagram @darinjuarez

Facebook @Darin S. Juarez

Snapchat @quincy_sauce

Twitter @laced_human

I'm only ever on Instagram and Facebook though...I can't lie about it. Also, there's my website!!”

https://spideruberjew.wixsite.com/darinjuarez

Cheap Movie Tricks (The Book)

It’s time to shelve those outdated books you picked up in film school and hope they appreciate solely as a collector's edition somewhere down the road. Rickey Bird is here to bring you the only pocket project indie film book you will ever need.

From the exciting first thoughts to the nightmare of post-production marketing, Cheap Movie Tricks will give you the direction you need to navigate those sometimes daunting paths of indie filmmaking.

We’re talking hands on, “This is how we did it!” know how, not regurgitated dribble that has been boringly passed down from book to book over the years with little updating, except for some occasional sponsored industry standards which are out of most indie filmmakers price range anyway.

I had a chance to corner Rickey Bird in a home improvement store parking lot late one night to ask the following questions about the book.

Tell us about the book Cheap Movie Tricks:
It’s a really fun book. I teamed up with Nicholas Belardes and Mango Media to create this very cool book. That really isn’t just a book but a tool that you can keep with you to help you on your journey. There are some really good problem-solving tips that can get you outta tight spots while your filming. This is a book for the filmmaker by the filmmakers. It’s not some wishy washy BS. It has been dubbed the “Punk Rock” style of filmmaking. That’s totally my style. Just get out and get it done no matter what!

How is this book different from others?
It’s really different. It shows you a basic overview of how to create a short film for under $2000. To help people break away from the studio version of doing things (aka the really expensive way) and do things cheaply. Teaching the tricks you need to know to stretch your buck to the fullest. This is a basic style of filmmaking that I have been doing for over 10 years with short films and feature length films. Think of it as a text book written from years of trial and error filmmaking crammed into a small package.

Is this book only for people who want to get started in filmmaking?
No, this is a book for everyone that wants to start as well as those currently making films. This isn’t like any industry handbook, this is the extreme indie film handbook. This book goes from concept to film festivals and feature deal proposal.

Does the book have Pictures?
Yes it has pictures and links for videos to go the extra mile for the filmmakers.  Behind the scenes photos from a lot of Hectic Films projects and also some cool poster work. Very cool stuff!

What do you hope will happen with this book?
Honestly, I hope it gets people off their asses and motivated to shoot film. It is, in my opinion, the greatest art form in the world, that can also include any art form in it. From books to music in a film, I think it’s awesome. Video is the king. I want to help lay the ground work to get others motivated to create and give them the motivation they need to follow through to the end!

Cheap Movie Tricks can be pre-ordered on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, as well as IndieBound. 

Product Details: 

Price: $16.95

Paperback: 212 pages

Publisher: Mango (April 4, 2017)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1633535436

ISBN-13: 978-1633535435

Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds

The Bakersfield Clown (Breaking News)

The Bakersfield Police Department has confirmed that one person was killed Monday night in Bakersfield, California. The murder was unknowingly broadcast live by local radio station KNZR. While neither the DJ (Tony Lee) nor his station manager (Jason Sanders) were available for comment, KNZR released a statement that read, “We are all shocked and surprised by this unfortunate event and are doing everything we can to cooperate with the investigation. We apologize to our listeners as well as the community and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim.”

Bakersfield Police Detectives turned down a request for an interview stating that it was an ongoing investigation at this time.

We do know however that the victim was apparently stabbed. Authorities know who the victim is but are waiting to release it, pending notification of loved ones, we do know that no arrests have been made and that the search is on for at least one male suspect. There are no descriptive details at this time.

Please continue to check back for updates.

UPDATE:

Detective Jesse Najera with the Bakersfield Police Department has released more details about the murder that took place late last night. The victim has been identified as local Bakersfield resident Erica Rey who was twenty-something years young at the time of her death. Erica worked with kids and had made it her goal to reach out to organizations such as Make a Wish to fulfill her lifelong dream of making children smile.

A description of the murderer has also been released. Police believe he is a white male, in his late twenties, five foot nine inches tall, with a dadbod physique, with unknown colored facial hair, and possibly wearing grease paint to hide his features. The local community has dubbed him, “The Bakersfield Clown” after audio of his call to local talk radio station KNZR was leaked to media earlier. 

To see the video without having the sides cut off (What the heck blogger?) click the link found here: The Bakersfield Clown






Please don't call the real cops, this post is just a fictional introduction to our latest short film from Hectic Films. No people were harmed in the making of this film, we pinky promise. 

A Behind The Scenes Look at "A Familiar Spirit"

There’s something new stirring the shadows at Hectic Films Productions, and you might want to bring a friend or two when you see it.

A Familiar Spirit is a short film that reaches deep into the pages of history and horror to bring you a modern day masterpiece of madness and mayhem. Hoping to make its way to Hollywood later this year and into Screamfest, AFS is a story where the darkness breathes, nightmares live, and demons dwell. 

It might not look like it, but these amazingly talented and beautiful people just love to create horror, and they do it so well. Whether you're a fan of Hectic Films, or a new recruit, there is a catalog of greatness already out there, but it doesn't seem to slow them down from continuing to make amazing films at a hectic pace.

Whether it’s directing actors and crew, or showing off his T-Rex impersonations, Rickey Bird is quickly becoming a master storyteller on the Indie Film scene. Making Rickey's ideas a reality is no easy task, but the camera crew stepped up to every challenge and never hesitated to find a way to get the shot that was asked of them.

Kelly Henderson creates the creepy while the actors and crew bring this little short film to fruition. Putting in extra long hours and effort to give it leathery wings of wickedness as well as more than a few armrest-gripping moments of suspense and surprise to keep you on (and off) the edge of your seat.

Don’t be fooled by the smiling faces in these behind the scenes pictures, when the film makes its debut, you’re going to want to trim your nails so you don’t break one in a panic of fear and flailing!