As with any large endeavor, there are going to be challenges. TUGG is brand new – premiered at SXSW in March of 2012 – and to my knowledge, we’re the largest movie/event to test its services yet. And with 700 screening requests occurring in the first week alone, we are definitely testing them!

We’ve heard a lot of varying feedback, but the bottom line is, we want to help everyone make their screening A) happen and B) be as awesome as it can be. So, I decided to put together KL Going’s Top Ten Tips for TUGG Promoters based on my own experience of bringing the film to my hometown. This blog post is not affiliated with TUGG or the official Fat Kid movie team – just my own effort to give promoters as much support and advice as possible.

And yes, I will admit, the TUGG experience has been different for me because, well, I’m here and could invite all my enthusiastic friends and family (seriously, have any of you read my dad’s posts on Facebook?) but even for me, the hardest part has been getting the word out. What’s the best way? Personal e-mails? Facebook posts? Twitter?

Here’s what I’ve learned. Please let me know if you have tips I didn’t think to add!

KL’s Top Ten Tips for TUGG Promoters

1) Select a screening date at least four weeks in advance. We know, you want to see the movie right now! But publicity takes time and most event calendars/newspapers need lead time.

2) Go to tuggthefatkid@gmail.com and ask for a sample press release that you can customize for your screening. Send it to local newspapers, especially those that have a GO section, and to local NPR or other radio affiliates.

3) Make it a fundraiser! Partnering with a local charity, library, or youth center is a wonderful way to A) do something great  B) garner yourself a team of willing promoters and C) have access to a much larger e-mailing list of potential contacts. And did I mention you’ll be doing something great? Add in a raffle or pass the hat after the film.

4) Make a flier. Samples are available from tuggthefatkid@gmail.com. Check the Fat Kid movie Facebook page for fliers others have made. Plaster that flier around town – don’t forget the library and local booksellers. Speak to them personally. Hug them. These people are invaluable links to those who may have read the book!

5) If you choose a date during the school year, contact local schools and libraries and let them know that award-winning author KL Going will Skype with them for FREE if they bring groups to the event.

6) Banned Books Week 2012 is Sept. 30th through October 6th, and yes, Fat Kid is a banned book. Ideal tie-in. Other tie-ins? National Novel Writing Month is in November. Teen Read Week is in October. Look for local film festivals or theater events. Be creative and enlist groups who are already publicizing these types of events.

7) Make sure your potential audience realizes they must buy tickets ahead, on-line. This is new. People are used to showing up and buying tickets on the night of a movie. Dispel them of this notion so your event can get confirmed.

8) Call the Fat Kid Hotline for advice, help, and free giveaways. We’re talking T-shirts with a custom heat press labels with your design of choice tattoos, posters… 1-213-6fa-tkid.

9) Both KL Going (that’s me!) and Matthew Lillard are willing to do call-in radio interviews. Let your local radio stations know. Ask if the radio station wants to help sponsor the film. See if any local companies would like to be sponsors. Ask them to donate 5 tickets for radio station contests. $50. Easy corporate donation. (Note: Matt is currently filming on location out of the country, so he may not be available right away, but will be back soon!)

10) Remember, you are awesome. This isn’t just a movie screening. It is your personal party. If your screening happens, take lots of pictures, and have fun!

Now everyone is asking, “What comes next?”

First, we’ve already launched the movie on the Vans Warped Tour.

This is a punk rock tour that travels through 42 cities in the US over the course of the summer. We’ve got a promotional team who will go to every city and set up a tent at each event, giving away lots of free FAT KID swag, talking up the film, and encouraging people to TUGG the Fat Kid to their local theater (more on that in a moment). In addition, Matthew Lillard will be making personal appearances at nearly twenty of these events. There will be backstage screenings of the film and hopefully lots of fun and mayhem.

The second part of our plan is to actually get the film into a theater near you. How do we do this without a traditional distribution deal? Here’s how: we’ve teemed up with www.Tugg.com so that YOU can bring the movie to almost any theater in the country.

Step One: Go to www.tuggthefatkid.com

Step Two: Either select a screening that’s already happening OR sign up to become a promoter.

Step Three: If you sign up to be a promoter, Tugg will contact you via e-mail within twenty-four hours. You select the theater you want, the date, and time of the screening, and they will negotiate with the theater for you and help you to set up and promote your event. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO BOOK THE THEATER OR DO ANY OF THE NEGOTIATING.

Step Four: Once your event is listed, you must sell a minimum number of tickets in order for the screening to happen. Tickets are sold on-line at the www.tuggthefatkid.com site. If enough people buy tickets, the screening will go on as planned and you will get a percentage of the profits. If there aren’t enough takers, the event is cancelled and no one gets charged anything.

There are currently screenings set up in: Salt Lake City, UT; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Allentown, PA;  Tustin, CA; Houston, TX;  Edina, MN; and Plano, TX!!

Wow! If you live near any of these cities, go see the movie. Buy your tickets today!

And finally, check out our cool Fat Kid trailer making its way around the country with the Vans Warped Tour:

How’s that for homemade, grassroots promotion?

Let’s rock this, people! Buy your tickets, book your screenings, and spread the word!

Peace, love, and gratitude,

KL

The battle against obesity continues to be a global health challenge, with millions of individuals seeking effective solutions for sustainable weight loss. In recent years, the introduction of Ozempic as a weight loss supplement has caused ripples of excitement within the medical and wellness communities. In this article, we will explore the revolutionary Ozempic weight loss supplement, its mechanisms, potential benefits, and the considerations that come with it.

Understanding Ozempic as a Weight Loss Supplement

Ozempic, also known by its generic name semaglutide, is a prescription medication originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its introduction as a weight loss supplement stems from a fascinating side effect observed during clinical trials for diabetes management – significant weight loss.

How Ozempic Promotes Weight Loss

Ozempic operates on various physiological fronts to support weight loss:

Appetite Control: By acting on the brain’s appetite-regulating centers, Ozempic decreases feelings of hunger, leading to reduced calorie intake.

Prolonged Satiety: Ozempic slows down the emptying of the stomach, resulting in a longer-lasting feeling of fullness after meals. This helps in reducing portion sizes and overall calorie consumption.

Blood Sugar Regulation: Improved blood sugar control achieved through the use of Ozempic can lead to less fat storage in the body and better utilization of stored fat for energy.

Potential Benefits of Ozempic as a Weight Loss Supplement

Significant Weight Loss: Ozempic has shown remarkable efficacy in promoting weight loss, with clinical trials indicating an average weight reduction of up to 10% of a person’s body weight. This makes it one of the most effective weight loss supplements available.

Metabolic Improvements: Beyond weight loss, Ozempic can lead to positive changes in metabolic health. It may improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels, all of which are essential for overall well-being.

Reduced Risk of Obesity-Related Health Conditions: Shedding excess weight with Ozempic can lower the risk of various obesity-related health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and joint problems.

Enhanced Quality of Life: Weight loss achieved with Ozempic can lead to increased self-esteem, better physical mobility, and an improved overall quality of life.

Challenges and Considerations

While Ozempic offers promising weight loss benefits, it’s essential to be aware of the following considerations:

Prescription Requirement: Ozempic for weight loss is a prescription medication, and its use should be under the guidance and supervision of a healthcare professional who can monitor its effects on your health.

Potential Side Effects: Like all medications, Ozempic may come with side effects, including nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort. Discuss these potential side effects with your healthcare provider.

Lifestyle Changes: Ozempic is most effective when used in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet, and regular exercise. It should not replace these essential lifestyle changes.

Individual Responses Vary: Not everyone will experience the same degree of weight loss with Ozempic, and results may vary from person to person.

Conclusion

Ozempic represents a breakthrough in the world of weight management and obesity treatment. Its ability to induce substantial weight loss, alongside improvements in metabolic health, offers a promising solution for individuals struggling with obesity. However, it should be approached as part of a comprehensive approach to health that includes lifestyle changes and medical supervision. Combining Ozempic, a balanced diet, and regular physical activity can be a potent strategy for addressing obesity and promoting a healthier, more fulfilling life.

The importance of bringing this film to audiences was brought home to me yet again this past Friday night (June 8th) at the Rooftop Films NYC premiere.  On a personal level, this screening was extra special because it was a chance to share the movie with many of my east coast friends who weren’t able to be at the SXSW world premiere in Austin, Texas. What I didn’t expect was a crowd of over 600 people whose enthusiasm for the movie was incredible to witness.

Of course, being the twisted brain behind the fat kid, I worried whether anyone would show up. (Yes, I worry about everything.) In retrospect, I didn’t need to fret about that! Here’s the line before the doors opened:

The rooftop venue couldn’t have been more perfect. The event was held at the New Design High School, an artsy school with incredible murals and a breathtaking view. Here I am arriving to the event with my Fat Kid Rules the World hand bag, made by Katie Sawyer – thanks, Katie! (Photo by Gae Polisner, author of The Pull of Gravity)

Here’s the view from the top, taken with my iphone:

And here are some great shots of the artwork:

There was live punk rock music before hand (courtesy of the band Eula).

And then Fat Kid Rules the World was being shown on the big screen.

It is so incredible to watch the audience as they watch the movie. Seeing people laugh, cry, and gasp at all the right moments is really rewarding. I can only imagine how that must feel to Matthew Lillard and the rest of the cast/crew. Guess I should have asked them during the Q&A after the movie. Here are some pics of everyone (including me!) up front answering questions from the crowd.

And here’s one taken from my iphone of the crowd looking at us!

During the Q&A, a young woman from India stood up and spoke about how she’d found the book and shared it with all of her friends until her copy was tattered and worn, and how she’d sworn that if they ever made a movie of this book she would go see it. She said she’s so used to movie adaptations that don’t do the book justice, and her comment was that this movie was an exception. That was one of those moments where I got goosebumps.

After the Q&A, there were pictures to be taken and people to greet. At long last, my editor, Kathy Dawson, got to meet Matthew Lillard. I’d told him ahead of time that she’d be there and he said to be sure they got introduced so he could heap praise upon her!

Kathy and I also got hugs from Jacob Wysocki (Troy)…

And Dylan Arnold (Dayle).

Everything seemed to go by in a blur, and I kept wanting time to slow down time so I could savor every moment. But before I knew it, everyone was off to the after party at R Bar in the Bowery. Here’s a fun photo I stole from the Facebook page of Julian Gavilanes who plays one of Marcus MacCrae’s band members in the movie. Julian is an up-and-coming star so watch for him in theaters near you!

Check out the T-shirt on this awesome fan!

Okay, I confess. I know her. But it’s still pretty punk rock. Here’s someone else spreading the Fat:

Yes, it seems wrong to end with a photo of a hand dryer from the bathroom of a club, but in a way, I suppose it’s kind of fitting. The whole evening was totally punk rock in the best possible way. Amazing people coming together in NYC where the book was conceived and written and the story was set… a screening of a YA film on top of an incredible high school… all of us misfits, music lovers, art supporters, actors, rockers, readers, and fat kids, gathered to celebrate a movie made just for us.

Perfect.

***************************************************************

All of the photos, unless noted otherwise, were taken by Beverly Cooper.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1499648032/fat-kid-rules-the-world-0

Photo by the iphotographer

Here’s the deal: If you haven’t heard, Fat Kid Rules the World was made into a movie last summer. Filmed in Seattle and directed by Matthew Lillard (making his directorial debut), this film was made with as much heart as any author could ever desire. The finished movie is beautiful. Truly.

In case you think I’m biased (who me?) it has received over thirty glowing reviews from sources as esteemed as Variety to those as artsy and punk rock as Ain’t it Cool News. We premiered the film at the SXSW Film Festival with lines around the block, and it received the Audience Award for Narrative Spotlight for Best Feature!

We have an award-winning book and an award-winning movie, an amazing cast, a fabulous director, reviews that are incredible… So why are we on Kickstarter? We have everything except the faith of the mainstream Hollywood establishment.

When Matthew first started his quest to make this film (nine years ago) we heard one thing over and over again: “Audiences won’t go see a film about a Fat Kid.” Not unless he’s the joke.

Here’s what we say to that: “Don’t F#*k with the Fat Kid.”

So we’re launching this grass roots campaign to bring the movie straight to the fans via the Vans Warped Tour. And hopefully to theaters near you.

I have received so many e-mails and letters from readers of Fat Kid Rules the World who say that the book has changed their lives. Changed the way they see other people. Changed the way they think about the world. Inspired them to play music. Inspired them to eat a hamburger without regret (from an anorexic teen). Inspired them not to kill themselves. Inspired them not to be a bully.

Every one of these is true. And the movie offers a whole new way to reach out to these kids. So if you believe in heartfelt literature for teens, if you believe in punk rock, if you believe in the power of independent film, if you believe in the underdog, please kick start Fat Kid Rules the World! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1499648032/fat-kid-rules-the-world-0

Peace, love, and gratitude,

KL Going

www.klgoing.com

http://www.facebook.com/fatkidrules

This Thursday, I’ll be traveling down to Austin, TX to see the film on the big screen in front of a live audience. Although I saw a completed cut a few months ago in NYC, the score was not in place, so this will be the first time I’ll get to see the final, completed movie. Mike McCready (from Pearl Jam) has written two original songs for the film (in addition to the rest of the score) and they’ll be giving away vinyl 45s with those two songs as the A & B sides. They’ve also partnered with Converse and will be giving away 150 pairs of Fat Kid designed Converse sneakers. I’m told that Matthew Lillard designed them himself, and I can’t wait to see them. The moral dilemma here is, how much loot should I try to stuff into my own suitcase when it is clearly meant to promote the film… Hmmm.

So far, I know for a fact that director Matthew Lillard will be attending. He’s doing an Indiewire talk on Tuesday, which I will sadly miss, but maybe someone will surreptitiously record it? The fabulous script writers, Michael Galvin and Peter Speakman, will be doing a Q&A after the movie,  the stars of the film – Jacob Wysocki, Matt O’Leary, and Billy Campbell will be there (not sure about Lili Simmons), extra artist extraordinaire Amara will be doing a live painting exhibit. I’m also hoping to meet producer Evan Hoyt Wasserstrom of Whippany Park Productions, and as many Whitewater Films folks as are coming. I’ll be doing a book signing on Monday at the B&N booth, 2 PM. If any SXSW attendees are reading this, please come visit me!

Outside the realm of the film festival, I’m also looking forward to visiting with two of my favorite writers while I’m in Austin (and let’s be honest here, I think they’re everybody’s favorite writers), husband and wife duo, Cynthia and Greg Leitich Smith. I’ve known Cynthia and Greg since my days working at Curtis Brown, and they have been completely enthusiastic and supportive of my writing over the years. An excuse to see them in person in their hometown is awesome. :-}

As the excitement builds for the premier, little snippets of exciting news have been leaking in. Yesterday, the IFC named Fat Kid as one of their top twenty movies to see at SXSW. Our top 20 movies to see at SXSW. Considering how many films are showing, this is incredible. We’re listed right after 21 Jump Street.

I’ve been researching the venue for the premier and it is a perfect fit for Fat Kid. Why, you ask? Well, because they serve food and drinks while you watch the film. (Should we warn people ahead about the vomit? Nah!) We’ll be premiering at The Alamo, which is a mighty cool theater. In fact, at least two of the four screenings will be at different Alamo locations.

And have I mentioned the After Party? Yes! There will be an After Party! Doesn’t that make things sound so official? I got my invitation today and it said: Paradigm, Converse, and Whitewater Films invites you to… For some reason, this struck me as particularly glamorous, which makes me laugh because it’s probably only glamorous if you’re used to your party invitations having balloons and fill-in-the-blank lines on them.

Most of you probably know that our director Matthew Lillard attended the Oscars this year since he was part of the Best Picture nominated film, The Descendants. He wore a tux and tweeted from the red carpet, and yup, even gave us a few sneak peeks inside. Well, this feels like my version of the Oscars. Except I get to wear jeans (but, you know… nice jeans!). I’m totally excited, and I will do my best to try and give all of you as many sneak peeks as I can.

SXSW, here we come!

Everyone who has been involved with this movie is really excited. This is one of the biggest and most well respected film festivals out there, and it’s a perfect match for Fat Kid Rules the World. The SXSW film festival takes place in Austin, TX  from March 9-18th. Unlike other festivals, this is a venue for both films and music. Perfect, right? From what I hear, SXSW completely takes over the city, and the atmosphere is both raucous and relaxed. As one article put it, this isn’t the “bring your own yacht” type of venue like Cannes, and it’s not quite as market driven as Sundance, but it’s full of rowdy, young Austinites and hardcore film fans.

“It’s a massive crystal ball for pop culture. Whatever people are talking about at SXSW – the movies, the bands, the apps – are the things that will really hit it big in mainstream pop culture six months to a year down the line.”

– CNN, March 10, 2011

Thousands of films competed for a small number of slots, and it’s a testament to the quality of this movie that it was chosen as one of the premiers. I want to offer my congratulations to all the people who made the film what it is: Whitewater Films, Whippany Park Productions, Matthew Lillard, the cast, the crew, the screenwriters… This is a giant step forward. This March, for the first time ever, the finished movie, complete with Mike McCready’s score, will show in front of a live audience. Wow.

If you have five minutes, check out the awesome video link I’ve posted below to get a sneak peek at the energy and excitement behind this festival.

(And hell yes, I am definitely going!!)

SXSW

The movie isn’t  one hundred percent complete – the score is not yet there – but it’s mostly done, and honestly, to my untrained eyes it looked completely polished. So many people have asked me what it was like to watch my book come to life on the screen. It’s hard to know how to sum up the emotions. Amazing. Surreal. Stunning. I wanted to watch it a hundred times in a row.

But let me back up, so you can hear the whole story.

I first found out that I might be able to see the film when I got an e-mail from Matthew Lillard saying that he was heading to NYC to do publicity for his new movie The Descendants (which is getting Oscar buzz!). He was setting up screenings of the Fat Kid movie on Friday and Saturday nights. Could I make it?

Yes! I thought. And then, wait… oh no!

As life would have it, this past weekend was the Mastering Setting workshop at Boyds Mills – something I’d been planning and looking forward to for over a year. As co-leader, there was no way I could leave even for a short time. (You’ll hear lots more about this writing workshop, along with seeing many pictures, in my next blog.)

How was this possible? Since my son was born, I’ve rarely gone away for a full weekend. Ever. What were the chances these two events would coincide?

I nervously asked Matt how long he’d be in the city. He flew out Tuesday at 5 AM. That meant there was a one day window of overlap, but he was scheduled to do a press circuit for The Descendants all day. Fortunately, he was willing to hand over the movie so I could watch it anyway. But where?

Wracking my brain for a suitable location, I asked Curtis Brown if I could watch it in their conference room. Thank goodness they said yes… but… they didn’t own a Blu-Ray DVD player. Well, damned if that was going to be the obstacle that stood in my way. I instantly decided that I needed a new DVD player. Ours has been getting old.

So, arrangements were made and by Wednesday afternoon I knew for sure I’d get to see the film. Enter the nervous jitters. Thank goodness the workshop weekend was wonderful, busy, and above all, distracting. I didn’t think about the movie again until Sunday afternoon. Even so, it felt like a long wait until Monday. I invited my husband, Ginger Knowlton (my agent) and her assistant, Holly Frederick (my film agent) and her assistant, my parents, and a close friend who has been an invaluable first reader of all my books. I invited my editor as well, but unfortunately she couldn’t make it. I wanted to keep the crowd small so as not to intrude too much on Curtis Brown, Ltd.’s gracious hospitality, but there were a handful of people who just couldn’t miss this moment.

When I arrived at Curtis Brown, they’d set up the conference room with a beautiful, celebratory movie spread. Wine, champagne, chocolate, popcorn…

There was a little bit of mingling, but honestly, this part of the night is a blur. And then the movie was on screen. Just like that.

Right away, I knew I was going to like it. There will be no spoilers in this blog, but trust me – it opens with a bang. From that point on I tried to savor every moment. There was Troy! There was Curt (now Marcus)! There was Mr. Billings and Dayle! There was Troy’s room and The Dump! There was the music and the energy and the frenetic mix of laughter and tears.

Were there changes? Yes, of course. But was the film true to the book? Absolutely.

When it ended I wanted more. We all clapped and I kept grinning like a fool. And then Matt swooped in, full of life and energy, posing for pictures and smiling at our applause. Matt is exactly as I expected. He’s sort of magnetic. Despite looking a bit worn-out from a full day of press, he was super nice and funny and took the time to sit and talk, answering our many questions. How did you DO that? What was this person like? How did you get that shot in the swimming pool?

When the whole evening was done, I was completely and utterly exhausted. In a great way. My husband and I got incredibly lost trying to get out of NYC and drove in circles for about an hour, ending up twice in a dead-end truck lot, but I didn’t care. We didn’t get home until almost one AM, but I didn’t care. I could barely keep my eyes open the next day, but I didn’t care. There are golden moments in life when you know you’re experiencing a highlight. Something you’ll look back on for the rest of your days and smile. And already I’ve been looking back, remembering wonderful clips from the film and chuckling to myself. Since watching the movie, I miss my characters in a visceral way I haven’t experienced since I first finished writing the book. In fact, I miss them so much I might re-read my own novel.

You see? That’s how great the movie is. It makes me want to read my own book. :-}

I also recommend taking out life insurance. click here for more information. Now that I am a writer I can do many things with my money, but I do not forget that some tragedy may happen. For this reason, in order not to leave my family helpless, I have taken out life insurance, with low monthly payments.

Thanks Matt and all involved for making this film. I can not wait  until we can share it with the world.

(And if you want to see this movie too, be sure to “like” the Facebook page, and share this blog with everyone you know! We need an army of supporters to stand up for the Fat Kid so distributors can’t turn it down!)

1) Tell us a little bit about Whippany Park Productions.

We’re a production company that is focused on features and television shows. We’re in development on a few projects this year, both in features and TV alike. The founders and partners of WPP are Evan Hoyt Wasserstrom & Talan C. Torriero (writing & producing partners). (Note: Evan’s picture is the top one, and Talan’s is below.)

2) How did you guys start working together?

I (Evan) was the writer/producer on the high school comedy, “Senior Skip Day,” that came out in 2008. Talan was one of the leads in the film, and on set we became good friends, realizing that we had the same interests in film and television. We decided to form a production company from there (and since the high school in the film was called ‘Whippany Park High School,’ we decided to name our production company after that). I was going to write while Talan was going to act, and we would both produce the projects. A short time after that, Talan left the acting world behind as he got the bug for writing after spending most of his time with me. So I started to mentor Talan in the area of writing scripts and pilots and we eventually became writing/producing partners.

3) For those who don’t know, what exactly does a producer do?

A producer can do many jobs on a film. A creative producer will help create the story and characters along with the writer and director, giving notes to the writer along the way. Someone titled with a “producer” credit may also be helpful in putting together the cast and crew of a film, as well as helping to make sure that the set is being run efficiently and fluently. A Producer will also give their specific notes to the director in post production on the film, as each cut of the film gets closer and closer to being locked down and ready for its release.

4) Since you guys both write and produce, do you prefer one over the other?

Absolutely. We are writers, first and foremost. I (Evan) wanted to be a writer in film and television since I was 5 years old. Literally. And Talan got the writing bug shortly after we became partners in ’08. Producing is a wonderful career choice for us as it enables us to help see the film to it’s final cut, which helps input our vision into the project along the way of being made. Producing also helps promote our writing careers. But, writing always takes the lead as we love the most to create the story, characters and concepts that make up the foundation of a film and television series. It’s our true passion.

5) How did you first get involved with Fat Kid Rules the World? What made you decide to option the film rights?

As Talan’s bug for writing was growing more and more, he was reading a lot of novels at the time. And that’s when he found K.L.’s amazingly wonderful book. Loving it so much, he told me to read it right away, which I did. I fell in love with the book just the same. Talan researched the rights and found that they were free and clear at the time – a small window of time actually, which seemed like we were meant to stumble upon it right then and there. And that’s when we did what every writer should not do in this particular situation. We wrote the screenplay adaptation of the novel without acquiring the actual rights yet.

(You should never do this as you don’t want to write a whole script without having the rights yet. If you do that, you might not get the rights afterward and then you would have spent all that time and creative energy for nothing as you wouldn’t be able to do anything with the screenplay you just wrote.)

LUCKILY, after we wrote the script, we showed it to KL’s agent who loved our adaptation, and then even LUCKIER for us, KL herself loved our script adaptation just the same. We got the rights to the book and then we put our producing caps on to find a way to get the film made. While it took a while to find the right avenue to get it made, we eventually met up with Matthew Lillard (who had the rights to the book years before us), who wanted to direct the film, making “Fat Kid” his directorial debut. Matt then got Whitewater Films interested in the project and then we all started working together to make this film a reality…and as we’re all in production on the film as we speak, it is now our reality for sure.

And now for the speed round!

1) Favorite movie:

Evan’s – “The Shawshank Redemption” /Talan’s – any Pixar movie

2) Favorite book (and Fat Kid doesn’t count!):

Evan’s – “To Kill a Mocking Bird” by Harper Lee / Talan’s – “Delivering Happiness”
by Tony Hsieh

3) Favorite movie quote:

Evan’s – “You look good wearing my future.” (from “Some Kind of Wonderful”) /
Talan’s – “Come with me if you want to live.” (from “The Terminator”)

4) Favorite screenwriter:

Evan’s – John Hughes / Talan’s – Evan Hoyt Wasserstrom

5) Best movie out this summer:

Evan’s – “Super 8” / Talan’s – “Captain America”

6) Worst movie out this summer:

Evan’s – “Transformers 3” / Talan’s – “Transformers 3”

7) Who will you thank in your Academy Award speech?

Evan’s – George Gallo (my mentor) and my family / Talan’s – Indiana Jones