Thursday, October 15, 2009

A Genesis Found in the News!

The Nocturnal Third's Wonder Mill Films predecessor, A Genesis Found, will be a special feature screened this weekend at the Southern Shorts Film Festival!

Check out this great article in the Athens News-Courier!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Claustro-Horror

I wanted to take a quick break from editing to suggest a few good, spooky movies in the Nocturnal Third vein to check out this Halloween season. Throw these claustrophobic, minimal-setting thrillers on your Netflix queue!




The Thing From Another World
- This science fiction classic about some terrifying veggies is a fun time, featuring hard-boiled Hawks dialogue and great ratcheting tension.




The Thing
- Remakes are evil! Oh, wait. This, the best John Carpenter movie I've seen, is a great expansion on the 1951 original. The scariest thing about the film is its reliance on ambiguity, and just how dooming mistrust can be.



Rear Window - Next to 12 Angry Men, probably one of the most well-known cinematic chamber plays. I'm not sure there's much I can say that hasn't been said about Hitchcock's brilliant thriller. What strikes me is that the subtextual dialogue in the script is just as intriguing as the central murder plot... we're just as riveted listening to Stewart deflect accusations of wanderlust as we are watching Grace Kelly encountering a murderer.



Knife in the Water - As it is with the rest of his resume, the tension is tangible and gut-wrenching in Roman Polanski's first feature. A battle of wills between an older man and a young drifter escalates logically and with a blistering inevitability.



Duel - Spielberg's entry into the 70's carsploitation trend is just plain cinematic nastiness. Adapted from a Richard Matheson short story, it illustrates the kind of terrible scenario that inhabits a common nightmare: the inescapable aggressor, in the form of a crazed truck driver.

Turn off the lights, tuck yourself in, and enjoy!

-Ben

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Nocturnal Third... FULL TRAILER RELEASED!

With only day of shooting left (on location in November), The Nocturnal Third is performing a balancing act between principal photography and post production. Be sure to stay tuned for more updates, pictures, and general Wonder Mill news!


The Nocturnal Third: Trailer 1 in HD!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Production Stills, Round 2


Check out the second round of Production Stills released for "The Nocturnal Third" on our Facebook Page!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Production Stills, Round 1


4 days down, 18 to go!

You can check out Production Stills from the first two weeks of production over at our Facebook Page. Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Week 1 Photos


...aaand Principal Photography is underway!

Check out the Week 1 Photos over at the Wonder Mill Films Facebook page!

Also, congratulations to Tech Advisor/ Special Effects Artist/ Unit Photographer Gilbert Stark for his script Sunday Drive placing in the Top 75 in the Movie Script Contest! Root him on as the script lobbies for a spot in the Top 30!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Meet Eli Gottfried

Kevin Maggard, who is playing "Eli Gottfried" in "The Nocturnal Third", was recently interviewed by the Montgomery Advertiser for a profile article about him and his upcoming work on the film, published today. Take a look and get to know our lead!

Check it out Here.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The Nocturnal Third - Teaser Trailer

Check out the first look at the next film from Wonder Mill: The Nocturnal Third. Let us know what you think on our Facebook message board!

Vimeo

YouTube

Wonder Mill Films' Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/wondermillfilms

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

New Production Journal Entry!

Check out Nocturnal Third director Ben Stark's latest thoughts on approaching the end of casting and a makeover for the one of the film's stars over at the Film Nerds Blogs:

Speculatin' A Hypothesis

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Meet the Assistant Director




Tuscaloosa actor Elliot Moon has been keeping busy for the past few weeks, managing casting sessions for The Nocturnal Third... but his job as Assistant Director has only begun.

Elliot brings a rich background of experience in theater and film to Wonder Mill Films, and we're very happy to have him on board. Be sure to catch Elliot as lead character Gardner Patton in A Genesis Found.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

The Nocturnal Third Production Journal

Interested parties can keep tapped into the latest production journal entries from Nocturnal Third writer/director Ben Stark over at the Film Nerds Blogs.

The first journal entry went up today. Check it out!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Audition Dates and Fliers

Finalized information regarding 4 out of 5 of the audition dates. Check the below fliers for dates, times, and locations. Also, be on the lookout in the upcoming week for info on the Atlanta auditions.



Audition Press Release

WONDER MILL FILMS ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR ALABAMA FEATURE FILM IN HUNTSVILLE, BIRMINGHAM, TUSCALOOSA, ATLANTA, & NASHVILLE

May 16, 2009
Wonder Mill Films of Huntsville, Alabama announces auditions for their narrative feature film “The Nocturnal Third”. Shooting in North Alabama, the thriller/horror film focuses on a late shift at a rural stone shop where everything starts going wrong. The auditions call for all ethnicities, men and women, ages 18 to 50.
Auditions begin in Huntsville, AL on Saturday, May 23rd, at the Dwelling Place gymnasium (6550 Redstone Rd). Auditions continue in Birmingham, AL on Saturday, May 30th at the UAB Hill University Center, Room 411 (1400 University Blvd), in Tuscaloosa, AL on Sunday, May 31st at the Ferguson Center, Room 300 (corner of Campus Dr. and 7th Avenue on UA Campus), and in Atlanta, GA on Sunday, June 7th . Auditions will conclude in Nashville, TN on Saturday, June 13th at Christ Church (15354 Old Hickory Blvd in South Nasvhille).

All auditions are from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Call-backs will be at The Dwelling Place gymnasium in Huntsville, AL on Sunday, June 14th. For any questions, please e-mail wondermillfilms@yahoo.com, or visit our blog at http://nocturnalthird.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Audition Fliers

Keep on the lookout for a full list of audition locations and dates!


Audition Info To Know

SYNOPSIS


What is really going on at Stafford Stoneworks?

Sleep-deprived and unmotivated, Eli Gottfried works a day job at a small and locally-owned fabrication shop in rural Alabama. The company is on the cusp of changing the economic future of its surrounding communities with a single job proposition. With no other candidates to finish the job, Eli is picked to work the dreaded third shift… from midnight to dawn.

When Harold, a mysterious and mistrusted co-worker, unexpectedly appears and is brutally injured, Eli finds all responsibility resting on his shoulders. Plagued by nightmares, and with no communication with the outside world, his decisions grow to be more important than ever as things begin to fall apart.

The situation is complicated by the arrival of an apparently stranded young salesmen, Jeffrey. Brash and influential, Jeffrey sees something special in Eli. The men form a bond, as they suspect foul play may be at hand.

Mysterious and moody, The Nocturnal Third is a compact, fast-paced horror thriller. Soaked in dread and claustrophobia, it examines the limits of the human body, industrial espionage, and the conflicts of comfort and achievement.


ROLES


  • Eli Gottfried (Lead Role, Male, 18-28) is a shy and friendly young man working a day job at Stafford Stoneworks. He is married to his long-time sweetheart, Ellie Gottfried.

  • Harold Barks (Lead Role, Male, 30-50) is a surly temp employee at Stafford Stoneworks in financial straits.

  • Ellie Gottfried (Supporting Role, Female, 18-28) is an intelligent and organized Registered Nurse. She is married to Eli Gottfried.

  • Don Sims (Supporting Role, Male, 40-60) is the long-time shop foreman of Stafford Stoneworks.

  • Billy Stafford (Supporting Role, Male, 18-28) is the young, friendly son of Stafford Stoneworks owner Tim Stafford. He is an employee, but has peripheral interests.

  • Steve Falk (Supporting Role, Male, 18-30) is a jovial and optimistic salesman at Stafford Stoneworks.

  • Anne Stafford (Supporting Role, Female, 45-70) is the sharp bookkeeper of Stafford Stoneworks, wife to owner Tim Stafford, mother to employee Billy Stafford.

  • Lee Kirby (Supporting Role, Male, 45-70) is the shrewd owner of Kirby Stone, main competition of Stafford Stoneworks.

  • Tim Stafford (Voice Only, Male, 45-70) is the optimistic and steady owner of Stafford Stoneworks.

  • Chuck Amend (Voice Only, Male, 30-70) is a boisterous and outspoken AM radio show host.


DETAILS


The film will be shot July through September, over the course of nine weekends and one full week, as well as a final weekend in November. We will be shooting the film almost exclusively in Huntsville, Alabama, though some locations may be used in outlying areas. The initial table read will be in early June in Huntsville, with rehearsals the following weekends. ADR and Reshoots may be necessary, and are scheduled for late November.


Payment is DEFERRED, so this should be considered a volunteer, resume-building opportunity. Our deferred rates are based on SAG Indie requirements for Micro Budget Features and will be worked out in detail with the cast prior to the shoot.


This is a Non-SAG production.


Call Backs are Saturday, June 13 at The Dwelling Place gymnasium in Huntsville (2550 Redstone Rd). You will be contacted by June 9.

Unfortunately due to budget restrictions, most transportation costs CAN NOT be reimbursed. Carpools will be organized for cast/crew in similar locations, however, and extreme cases will.

The film will be shot in High Definition DV on the Panasonic AG-HVX200.


RELEASE


Each audition will be video taped for future reference by the Producers. By auditioning you grant us permission to record your performance and use it in our casting considerations.


STAY UPDATED


For updates, visit our informal production blog at nocturnalthird.blogspot.com. For questions or comments, please contact the Producers through e-mail at wondermillfilms@yahoo.com.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Luke Weaver IS Jeffrey!



One of the leads of The Nocturnal Third has been cast!

This is Luke's second collaboration with Wonder Mill Films, playing the controversial Bart Thompson in A Genesis Found.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Meet the Production Designer

Markus Matei, a good friend and our Assistant Director on "A Genesis Found", is on board as the film's Production Designer. Thanks Markus and welcome to the team.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Inaugural Post


Welcome to the Informal Production Blog for the Independent Feature Film "The Nocturnal Third", produced by Wonder Mill Films. This is the best way to keep up with the project, which enters Pre-Production in May 2009!

Synopsis:

What is really going on at Stafford Stoneworks?

Sleep-deprived and unmotivated, Eli Gottfried works a day job at a small and locally-owned fabrication shop in rural Alabama. The company is on the cusp of changing the economic future of its surrounding communities with a single job proposition. With no other candidates to finish the job, Eli is picked to work the dreaded third shift… from midnight to dawn.

When Harold, a mysterious and mistrusted co-worker, unexpectedly appears and is brutally injured, Eli finds all responsibility resting on his shoulders. Plagued by nightmares, and with no communication with the outside world, his decisions grow to be more important than ever as things begin to fall apart.

The situation is complicated by the arrival of an apparently stranded young salesmen, Jeffrey. Brash and influential, Jeffrey sees something special in Eli. The men form a bond, as they suspect foul play may be at hand.

Mysterious and moody, The Nocturnal Third is a compact, fast-paced horror thriller. Soaked in dread and claustrophobia, it examines the limits of the human body, industrial espionage, and the conflicts of comfort and achievement.