Showing posts with label Artios the Goat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Artios the Goat. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Richard Reininger - Artois heads home

I recently attended my final Southern Circuit tour screening in Alexandria, LA. I was. Greeted by Mrs Holcombe as a part of the first homestay on the tour. She and her husband David were incredibly hospitable. A wonderful little room in an absolutely stunning house. They are true supporters of the arts. Their home is like an art gallery. Wonderfully eccentric. After a fantastic dinner of pork tenderloin (it was perfect) we headed to the Kress theater. WesMar Farms, a local goat dairy had a table set up with samples of their cheeses. Wow! Fantastic. I had never had a goat cheese truffle before, but I can't imagine they get any better than theirs. If you nget a chance, take it. You won't regret it. They also had a delicious praline cheese on a Ginger snap. It was heavenly as well. They had come to watch the film as well, and were super enthused. Apparently we got just about everything right about operating a small goat dairy, which feels good to know we pleased those who the film depicts. The screening was packed, basically a full house. Most everyone stayed after for my final q&a. Lots of great questions. I'm certainly going to miss the song and dance.

Overall the tour was fantastic. I was pleased with every screening we had, and even surprised to see how well a handful of them turned out. It really was a great opportunity to spread the word about the film and see parts of the country I had never seen before. I just wished I had a bit more time to spend in each place, but duty called. I'd like to thank all of my gracious hosts. You were all the epitome of southern hospitality. For those of you who missed a screening of Artois when it came to your town, please check us out on iTunes, netflix, or indiepixfilms.com. DVDs are available at your favoriite online retailer should you desire to own a copy for yourself.

I had a blast, cant wait to take the next one in tour!

Thanks for reading,
Richard

Friday, November 19, 2010

The home stretch with Artois the Goat

Just got into Alexandria after a long exhausting 3 days, waiting for the final screening of Artois' Southern Circuit Tour.

The drive from Montgemery to Jackson was nice and relaxing. Lots of straight roads and trees lining them. Spent the time to work through Rush's early discography again, never time poorly spent. Once I arrived, i met my host and we headed out for a quick dinner. Gyros at Keifers. Absolutely delicious. Stuffed beyond capacity with beef and lamb and loaded with tatziki sauce. I need to start eating greek more often.

The screening was a bit light compared to earlier screenings, but the reception was just as good. Predominantly students, which has been rare for us at festivals and on tour. Lots of great questions about our influences and false endings.

The next morning I left early to make it into Batin Rouge for lunch. Another simile drive, almost to it's detriment, as I was very tired. I had some coffee and some Krystal burgers (I don't know why I do it to myself either, they always get me with their cute little mini burgers), which perked me right up. I met Michael Farrar, local journalist, at Sammys grill for lunch. The Catfish acadanian (sp?) was great. Fried catfish topped with ettouffee over rice. Great conversation too, about a lot of the finer points of production and distribution that I dont normally get to during q&as.

After a nap, I met Paige for dinner at Chelseas and had a wonderful poboy and probably one too many beers. One of the many perks of the trip has been sampling each areas cuisine. Sorry if I only reference food land marks, but I'm generally always a hungry person. After dinner, we headed over to the Manship for the screening. It's a really interesting layout, a giant circle. Each seat had great visibility. Everything looked and sounded great, so I was a bit disheartened to see another light crowd. Afterwards I was pleasantly surprised as the number of those in the audience had doubled. After the q&a, we all met for a nice little reception with wine and fresh local cheese. We talked a lot about the importance of being passionate about your work and the rise and importance of slow food.

Another early travel morning saw me arrive in Savannah in the late afternoon. After a quick nap, I headed downtown for a tech screening and dinner. I fell in love with the Lucas theater the moment I laid eyes on it. A restored old cinema palace. It's like the Paramount theater back in Austin, but with a facelift. Absolutely gorgeous and charming. And Artois the Goat was on the marquee again. I can't imagine ever being tired of seeing the name of my film on a marquee. The staff was very professional and both the image and sound were pristine. During the screening, i went and ate (it's what I do...) at Molly MacPhersons. Scottish food. Brilliant. Started off with a Gaelic ale and meat pies. Caught a bit of the English premier league match (so much more exciting than the world cup) and then went on to have a plate full of bangers and mash. All deliciously satisfying. When i got back to the theater, I was informed our audience was right around 100, making it the most attended (great because we were in s cinema palace). After the q&a there was a reception at B. Matthewws. More cheese. More Beer. Lots of great conversation about the movie and goats. Had a chance to talk with Jan for a bit, and go into the ideas behind the film a bit more, which was really refreshing. Also spoke with Jim Reed of Savannah's Psychotronic Film Society. We talked at length about the challenges of both independent distribution and exhibition. Always good to be able to swap war stories and learn about the other side if the business. If you're in Savannah, check out his film series. He's doing fantastic and important work.

One last screening to come. Stay tuned for one more post.

Richard

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Artois the Goat in Alabama

Another early morning flight put me in Montgomery and tired in the early afternoon. I knew i was staying at a b&b (which would make it my first) and was interested to get a nap in before the Capri's screening if Never Let Me Go. Of course, I drove straight past, and parked somewhere around back. As I was walking around to the front of the Lattice Inn, I heard someone call my name. Jim, owner of the Lattice Inn, was waiting to greet me in the porch. If this is b&b life, then sign me up. A wonderful little room, satellite tv, an apple tv, wireless Internet and all the hot chocolate I could drink (a lot). Resting after a week on tour was incredibly easy.

The next day, I got a tour of Montgomery from Martin, operator of the small art cinema house Artois would play that evening. Lot of interesting Civil War and Civil Rights factoid surrounding the city, most of which I had no pervious knowledge of. Later that night, I arrived to the Capri to see Artois the Goat on the marquee. That was a first for our little film, and a special moment for me. Of course, inside, the theater is incredibly charming. A long walk down to the stage. A curtain that is reveals the screen as the film begins. And of course, a beautifully projected image. Everything from the color, to the size, to the sound, to the marquee reminded me that we had actually gone out and did the thing we set out to do. We had made a movie, and now it was playing in a real theater with a real audience. It was a good feeling.

During the screening Martin and I stepped next door for dinner and ended up burring though our views on movies. Everything from Dogma manifesto, to Pixar, the Last Temptation of Christ, Superman Returns, the Road Warrior, and of course, Miss Congeniality. Very stimulating and great to hear war stories from the small indie exhibition side of the business. I didn't realize they're in the fight just as much as we as filmmakers are, and Im certainly glad they're there, helping to fight the good fight too.

Overall, Montgomery was fantastic, if only for the Lattice Inn and the Capri. Wish the weather wasn't so poor so I could have experienced a bit more, but certainly a favorite stop of mine so far. Off to Jackson. More to come soon, now on the home stretch. Stay tuned.

Richard

Monday, November 15, 2010

Richard Reininger - Artois in Cullowhee and Durham

Had two great screenings the past few days. The drive from Clemson to Cullowhee was easily the best travel of the circuit so far. Into the mountains. The colors on the trees were amazing. Greens, yellows, oranges, and reds. Perfect time of year to be driving through the mountains. A load of colors that just don't exist in Texas, probably because Autumn doesn't exist in Texas. Really, it's a wonderful season. Were missing out. One thing struck me on the drive. I was in a valley, and i looked up to a nearby peak, to see a house. Didn't look too gaudy or anything, just a house on top of the mountain, with what I can only assume is the most spectacular view 360 degrees around. That would be living.

I arrived in Culllowhee shortly, and was amazed at the size of the campus. Like someone took a college and plopped it in a hole in the mountains. Really kinda surreal. Not even much of a town around it, just the campus. Really crazy. A bit creepy checking into the guest house. 4 bedrooms, 9 beds, 2 sitting rooms, and me. Then I madae the mistake of walking down the steps into the basement. Seen too many horror movies to take the basement lightly. Sprinted back up the stairs and made sure to lock the door. The screening was later that night, in a real cinema theater on campus. Stadiium seating and a 35 mm projector. Really cool to see that dropped into the mountains. After calibrating the projector myself ( you're welcome WCU), we started the screening. A smaller crowd than i had gotten used to, but a very enthused one to make up for it. Tons of great and excited questions after the screening. Then we all met outside the theater for a small reception featuring goat cheese. Delicious.

The next morning I headed out for Durham. A bit of a long drive, but took advantage to listen to the Life House radio play again. Good listen. I had planned on checking in and taking in a bit of the town, but ended up taking a nap instead. All this travel is a mite bit exhausting. I awoke in time to attend the pre screening reception and consume wine and goat cheese. I could get used to this. I was became a bit nervous as the screening drew closer. The small reception area had become packed with people, moreso than I had become accustomed to. Needless to say, when everyone was ushered into the screening room, it became clear that Duke had underestimated me and my silly little film. I counted somewhere in the neighborhood of 85-90 people, easily the most attended screening on tour. We did everything we could to accommodate everyone. Breaking fire code certainly. It took extra chairs, floor seating, and ultimately, yes, standing room only. The screening went over fantastic, and afterward we had my favorite q&a of the circuit. I had the perfect mixture of wine and coffee. I got in a few of the stories I normally skip during q&as due to length, but went for them anyway. Afterward while handing out buttons, someone told me Anthony Bourdain was in the audience. It's may be all hearsay, but he was certainly in town, speaking Raleigh the next day. Coincidence...maybe. The world may never know. Of course, that excitement propelled me to the Fed, and i drug Lauren, my host, and her friends Dominic and Margret along too. A quick drink turned into appetizers and an evening, and learning what happens in Mississippi, stays in Mississippi.

Off to Montgemery, AL for the next screening. Stay tuned!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Richard Reininger - Tigers and goats, oh my

Had a great screening at Clemson last night. Our audience was a bit different from previous crowds, being almost exclusively college students. We've always seen Artois as a young persons movie, so it was great to talk to them after viewing. It happened to be my favorite q&a so far. After answering a few questions about production, we began a short, healthy discussion of the films flaws. Great to talk honestly with people about the film, worts and all.

After, I was taken a local pub by Amy and Johnathan (thanks guys, I needed that). Good to drink craft beer in a place resembling home. It was weird to see Shiner marketed outside of Texas. So much more agressive than i thought. It was like it was a different company. It was the last thing I expected to see in Sout Carolina.

On to Cullowhee, NC today. I'll keep you posted.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Richard Reininger - Artois in Johnson City

Just wrapped up my time in Johnson City with Artois. Charming little town, great college environment. Brings me back to my college days a bit. The screening was held in a large auditorium, which ETSU were able to pack really well. May be out best attended screening on tour so far. Attended Shara's film technique class earlier today to talk a bit more in depth about how the film came to be, then was a guest critic for one of their assignments. Great to be able to help young film makers along, keep up the good work guys.

On to Clemson tonite. See ya there.

Monday, November 08, 2010

Richard Reininger - Artois in Memphis

Finding the Buckman Performing Arts Center proved to be a little difficult (it's part of St. Mary's school, didn't know that) but once I arrived, I found a great audience waiting to see Artois the Goat. Once again, I was very pleased with both the size and energy of the crowd, most of whom stayed for an awesome q&a with myself. And the Buckman theater was fantastic. Such great venue. Great seats, great picture quality. And it was loud. Awesome.

Upon recommendations from Cindy and Cindy (thanks!), I am now full to capacity with pulled pork, dry rub ribs, and Gus' fried chicken. I suppose it's blasphemous to say where I'm from, but for me BBQ is pork. Beef is nice, but gimme the pig.

Enough about my eating habits. I'm on the road tomorrow, headed to Johnson City, TN. If you're in the area, come out and watch the silly goat movie. It'll be worth your while.

Richard

Friday, November 05, 2010

Richard Reininger - Producer's Log - Day 1

It was an early morning after a long night, but I made it to the airport, and subsequently to Charleston four hours later. Really great little cozy town, certainly feels like home a bit. Nice to have a comfortable place to screen. Which is probably what you're curious about...a little screening of Artois the Goat. Just got back from the show, and am really stoked about the rest of the tour. Charleston was such a fantastic start. The crowd was better than I could have hoped, not knowing a soul in town. Standing room only in fact. Not quite, but close. A woman did stand at the back, too enraptured by goats on screen to find her seat. Following the screening we had a lively q&a with myself and the audience. A number of great questions. Fantastic to be in a room with people who love independent films. Thanks Charleston!

Be sure to show up to future screenings of Artois. I have little presents for everyone...they're shiny!

How am I doing? I've never blogged before. Do you have any questions or suggestions or should I just quit while I'm ahead?

Either way, I'll see you in Memphis!

-Richard

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Meet Richard Reininger


Welcome Richard Reininger to Southern Circuit. The Halsey Institute in Charleston, SC will host his first screening Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 8:00PM. Come support this wonderful filmmaker and film!

Richard Reininger has been enraptured with the creation of motion pictures ever since discovering his family’s video camera during his freshman year of high school. Diving into media technology classes and independent studies programs left in him a burning desire to work in pictures. Attending the University of Texas at Austin, he received a Bachelor’s degree in film production. Artois the Goat premiered at SXSW in Narrative Competition, the first of many festivals and honors. Richard currently resides in Austin, Texas.