Thursday, October 14, 2010

Reeling them in -- at the Buffalo International Film Festival


The Buffalo International Film Festival was a tremendous success. We'd like to thank the festival for the generosity and hospitality. We had a blast! We'd personally like to thank the festival's director and founder Edward Summer.

Friday, June 11, 2010

'Silent' Wins!!




We are pleased to announce that 'Silent' has won the prestigious NY Post.com Award for 'Best Feature Film Trailer' at last night's HIFF gala awards ceremony! Silent' received 545,672 votes out of a total of 936,835 votes.

Thanks to all who voted, especially Mr. Ken Stein.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

'Silent' takes Hoboken by storm!




'Silent' was awarded the honor of being the first film to kick off the Hoboken International Film Festival on Saturday June 5th. In attendance were actors Tony Dadika, Katie Ritz, John Caponigro, Ken Stein (who traveled all the way from Texas!), Laurence Gates, Bob Socci, AD Joe Fortunato, 2nd AD Jen Dadika, Writer/Director Michael Pleckaitis and Producer Andrea Pleckaitis.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Nice article about 'Silent' via The Bioscope

In a world of silence …


Silent is the name of an independently-financed feature film three years in the making which premiered in November 2008, and which is currently doing the rounds of festivals. Were it up to me, it would gain an award for its plot idea alone. Its subject is a world such as we understand in silent cinema, where everyone is silent. Into this world comes Abigaile Archibald, who discovers she can communicate in a completely different way to anyone else – she develops a speaking voice. She is delighted at being able to talk and sing, but the suspicious townspeople are horrified by this freak of nature and launch a witch hunt…



This ingenious concept you can see in action through the trailer, in which everyone inhabits a silent film world except for the vocal Abigaile, who sings of her woes in the mournful “Will I ever be heard?”. The look of the film (shot in black-and-white), which the director describes as a ‘gothic comedy’, takes its cue from Nosferatu but also the Universal horror films of the 1930s. It was shot in New Jersey, which has a noteworthy history of filmmaking itself, starting from Thomas Edison’s Black Maria studio at West Orange way back in 1893. Fort Lee was a popular area for outdoor filmmaking in the 1910s, and companies such as World, Eclair and Solax had studios there. The filmmakers are keen to reference this history, even if their own efforts take their inspiration from later, and elsewhere.

The film is written and directed by Michael Pleckaitis for Revscope Pictures, and stars Katie Ritz (as Abigaile), Dan Bailey and Sam Sebastian. Silent has a website with background information on the film, photographs, production news and a blog. They have also produced a serial of sorts, documenting the film’s production, all episodes of which you can follow on the website or via the film’s website – or you can just follow the links here (Chapter 1 seems only to be available on the film’s website):

Chapter 2 – Deconstructing a villain
Chapter 3 – Making a silent film
Chapter 4 – Red carpet premiere
Chapter 5 – Katie Ritz
Chapter 6 – Dan Bailey
And for your special delight, here’s the music video for “Will I ever be heard?” (which bears more than a passing ambition towards the work of Andrew Lloyd-Webber):



The film has been around for a year now, but despite the filmmakers’ online efforts, it doesn’t seem to have gathered all that much attention. It is hard to see why, given the quality of the trailer (though some of the supporting information in the production serial is a tad underwhelming). For ingenuity of concept alone it deserves a wider audience, and let’s hope that the Bioscope’s noble readership can do its bit to spread the word. A DVD release is promised in due course – I’m looking forward to it.

Link to original article: http://bioscopic.wordpress.com/2009/11/15/in-a-world-of-silence

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

NY POST CONTEST


Hi Everyone,

As many of you already know 'SIlent' has been selected to participate in an online voting contest courtesy of the NY Post. We appreciate your dedication to voting for 'Silent'. Below is the link to the contest:

http://www.nypost.com/promotions/hoboken/

Saturday, May 1, 2010

'SILENT' to screen at one of the world's top ten film festivals!


The Hoboken International Film Festival ("HIFF") received over 1,000 film submissions this year; the selection process was rigorous and difficult given the numerous talented filmmakers who submitted their works. After a final review, HIFF has selected fewer than 5% of the projects submitted.

'SILENT' IS ONE OF THE OFFICAL SELECTIONS!

Named one of the world's "top 10 film festivals" by major media and backed by powerhouse partners that include The New York Post, RXP 101.9, Stella Artois, Lightyear Entertainment, The Marriott, Blue Streak Limousine, Cedar Lane Cinemas, Project Sandwich and many more, HIFF’s fifth annual film festival, running from June 4 through June 10, promises to be its most successful thus far. Supported by a celebrity jury comprised of Academy Award and Emmy winners, HIFF is dedicated to showcasing the edgiest domestic and international movies and their filmmakers. A Gold Coast/Hudson River extravaganza, HIFF's primary screening location is Cedar Lane Cinemas in Teaneck, NJ… Now hosted by Jackie Martling (Sirius Radio personality; formerly of “The Howard Stern Show”), this year HIFF will feature many celebrity, red carpet and other exciting events!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

'SILENT' to be featured on NY POST.com


WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE TRAILER FOR "SILENT" HAS BEEN SELECTED TO BE PART OF THE NY POST/HOBOKEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TRAILER CONTEST. BELOW IS A LINK TO THE CONTEST:

http://www.nypost.com/promotions/hoboken/?id=1458_922686

THE FILMMAKER WITH THE WINNING TRAILER WILL RECEIVE AN AWARD AT THE HOBOKEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL'S GALA AWARDS CEREMONY, JUNE 10, 2010.

PLEASE BE SURE TO CLICK AND VOTE FOR 'SILENT'!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Pocono Mountains Film Festival UPDATE


"SILENT" has been nominated for BEST FEATURE at the Pocono Mountains Film Festival.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

SILENT to screen at the Pocono Mountains Film Festival

We are pleased to announce that “SILENT” has been accepted into the 7th Annual Pocono Mountains Film Festival.

The festival will take place October 22, 23 and 24th in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. The Festival will showcase feature length documentaries and short films that represent some of the best independent cinema from around the world.

There will be three days of screenings and special events culminated with the Festival Awards Ceremony and Honorary Dinner. Awards will be presented to the best independent film makers from all over the world.

More details to come....

Monday, February 2, 2009

A small milestone...


The SILENT Teaser Trailer officially hit 10,000 views on YouTube today!


Revscope Pictures, Inc.



Thursday, January 29, 2009

SILENT Production Serial #2

Hi Everyone -

The second installment of our ongoing SILENT Production Serials is now available for your viewing pleasure on YOUTUBE. Click on the link or image to watch:

Friday, January 9, 2009

Man Down - Silent Miracle

Hi Everyone -

I try to keep the posts on this blog professional and not personal.

However, last night I learned some disturbing news.

One of very own, Assistant Director Joe Fortunato was involved in an automobile accident. A few weeks ago Joe was hit by a car while walking near his home (anyone who knows Joe knows that he enjoys his evening strolls). Joe had to be revived by a defibrilator and was taken to the hospital were he was treated for his injuries.

The good news is I spoke with him last night and he expects to fully recover. Truly a miracle.

Most of you never got to see all the 'little things' that Joe did to making SILENT a success. 90% of the work we do is behind the scenes on non-shooting days and in post production. I recall one night when I was editing the film and my video deck died. I called Joe up and within an hour he was at my doorstep with a replacement deck. That's the kind of guy he is.

Please say a prayer for Joe's speedy recovery, drop him an email or visit his Facebook page to wish him well.

Sincerely,

Michael

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 Recap

Hi Everyone 

 2008 was a BIG year for us all. Not only did we see SILENT premiere on the big screen but my beloved Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship! 

Since the premiere, we have been relaxing and enjoying the holidays. We have submitted the film to several more film festivals and are putting the final touches on the bonus material for the DVD. As Silent comes to a close we look forward to working with many of you on our upcoming project. 

Take care and Happy New Year!

Revscope