It’s been two months since my last blog.  A lot has happened.  The first NJ HORRORFEST was a success.  Can’t wait to do it all over again next year.  We will be expanding the NJ HORROFEST to include a vending room, celebrity guests, and of course incredible independent horror from around the world.

Since my last blog I have been working on several projects.  I wrote and directed a short film called The Playground.  We are getting that ready for a hopeful festival run in 2013.  I began writing what I hope to be a feature length version of our smash festival hit For Love of Zombies.  I completed my first non horror screenplay titled Trailer Park Princess.  That is in pre-production and I have been fortunate to have some very talented people all ready come aboard to be a part of that film when it eventually goes in to production.  But the project I am really excited about is a web series I have developed.  It remains untitled but it is my first attempt at science fiction.  There are a lot of horror elements but if I were to categorize the genre it would have to be science fiction.  What I am finding most enjoyable about writing science fiction is the fact that I am creating my own universe, so I get to create all the rules.  Which gives me endless possibilities story and character wise.  This past week we began filming the first episode and we had a blast.  I have such an amazing group of people working with me now.

The plan for the web series is a 6 episode run.  There may be one or two more episodes added but there will be at least 6.  I hope to have the first episode online by the end of the year but I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to rushing a project so I am not ready to commit to a release date for the episode.  It will debut online when I feel it is the best it can possibly be.  I have high hopes for this story and I want to do it right.  I have learned a lot the past 6 months when it comes to filming and my work has never looked better.  I finally feel like my abilities and my equipment are finally catching up to my vision. I have always said that if and when that happened I would no longer have an excuse as to why I haven’t been able to make movies my full time profession…I believe I no longer have any excuses.  Money of course is always an issue but as always I am willing to sacrifice whatever is needed to make the best possible product that I can.

I am hoping that if the web series is successful it will attract the capital we need to make either Trailer Park Princess or the For Love of Zombies feature in 2013.  Keep an eye out for casting calls for all upcoming projects on this blog or you can follow me on twitter @rondiprimio.  You can also follow Little Red Wagon Films on Facebook.  We will be posting all casting information in as many places as we can.

I promise it won’t be two months between blogs anymore.  Thanks for reading.

I am very excited.  The NJ HORRORFEST is a little over 2 weeks away and I can’t wait.  I’ve been working very hard to put on an event that the people who attend will be happy with.  It has been quite an experience putting the horrorfest together.  I’ve come in contact with a lot of talented and gracious people.  People who I look forward to possibly working with in some capacity down the road.  Unfortunately I have come in contact with some real jerks as well.  Other festival organizers warned me of the eventual wrath of film makers who don’t make the festival.  However nothing could prepare me for how rude and how self important people can be.  I have had several film makers contact me and say that their film should just be added to the festival sight unseen and that the entry fee should be waived.  The entry fee is in place to help me pay for the cost of the festival which includes venue rental, promotion, judges payments, advertising materials and so on.  The fees aren’t paying my bills or paying for shopping sprees.  So when you asking me to waive the fee you are helping prevent me from putting on the best festival I possibly can.  My other favorite email is when film makers basically say, I’m not attending the horrorfest, I’m not entering a film, but show my trailer at your festival.  So basically I am not supporting your festival in any way but can you help me.  This is funny.  People always take advantage of my kindness but I have had it.  Let them contact another festival or horror convention and let’s see what the response would be…I can tell you right now what the response would be…the other coordinators would laugh at them.  I have tried to accommodate every one I possibly can but it is insulting when a film maker thinks they are more important than the entire festival.  Needless to say I have begun ignoring this inane requests, if that gets me labeled an asshole so be it.

I have seen firsthand a festival coordinator from a pretty large festival tell a film maker to go scratch after the film maker requested a couple of free passes to the event.  This after the film maker bought 6 vendor tables and numerous passes.  I’ve been told I will never be successful because I am too nice.  I refuse to believe that every successful person has to be an asshole.  However, results don’t lie and right now being the nice guy has me in quite a financial hole trying to put on this festival.

The title of the blog says it all.  I’m moving on.  I’m moving on from people who bring nothing but negative energy to a situation.  I’m moving on from people who don’t share the same vision for my company.   I’m moving on from people who have an inflated opinion of themselves and think they can just say and do what they want without repercussions.  I’m moving on from so called friendships that are toxic.  I’m moving on from people who say one thing to your face and another behind your back.  I’m moving on from people who can’t wait to tell you about the people who talk behind your back.  I could keep going but you get the point.  I have begun the process of saving my company.  I have removed those who contribute nothing but negativity and hostility.  I have removed those who think that they alone are more important than the company as a whole.  It’s time to treat my business like a business.  In doing so I have had to make some tough decisions.  Those decisions will be the catalyst that moves Little Red Wagon Films forward.  I am working on a brand new business plan and mission statement.  One that sets a course for success.  One that will help all those who are truly involved with my company reach their goals.

In the past couple months I’ve been working hard on Tribe of the Dead.  I’ve been setting up deals, shoot dates, script consultations, line producing, casting, everything that goes with pre-production.  Unfortunately sometimes you need to walk away from a project that is no longer moving forward.  You need to step away and re-focus energy.  That is why I am announcing Tribe of the Dead is postponed.  I am not going to put a time table on when I will work on this labor of love again, but I will say this…someday this film will happen.

I have focused most of time and energy on the NJ HORRORFEST.  The first and let’s be honest, the only Horror Film Festival in NJ.  I have received submissions from all over the world and judges are currently working hard to put together the strongest possible line-up.  The VIP section for the event is sold out.  Ad’s for the program/ad book are selling.  General Admission tickets have really started to sell this week, there are plenty of seats still available but I have a feeling this festival is going to sell out before October 13th.  Information concerning submissions, ticket sales, and advertising can be found on the NJ HORRORFEST’s web site.  WWW.NJHORRORFEST.COM.  I am proud of what the festival has accomplished thus far but I am determined to make this a huge success and a yearly event.  I always dream big and my dream is to make the NJ HORRORFEST the Sundance of Horror Film Festivals.

Tribe of the Dead may be on the back burner but that doesn’t mean I don’t have other projects brewing.  I am trying to follow up on the critical success of LRWF’s short For Love of Zombies by turning it into a feature.  The outline is done and the script is being written but there is another project that has consumed me, it’s my first non-horror feature film and the script is nearly completed.  The last two weeks have been invigorating for me, I am writing again.  I never really stopped but everything I started to write before my latest script lacked passion.  There was the seed of a story but I was having difficulty making it grow.  That is until I sat down and started writing TPP.  Last Thursday night I sat down and 34 pages later I had that feeling I haven’t felt in a while about something I had written…pride.  These were the best 34 pages I had written since I typed The End on my award winning screenplay SCENT.  I took a break from writing TPP to write this blog…because I don’t want this story to end.  I know once I am finished writing this blog entry I will go back and finish TPP but for right now I am enjoying our last few moments together.  I can’t wait for my LRWF’s production team to read this script.  I believe it is going to propel us to where we want to go.

The NJ HORRORFEST is a little over a month away and I can not wait.  This is without a doubt the premiere Independent Horror Film Festival in the Tri-State area.  We will be showcasing independent horror from all over the world.  We already have entries from Spain, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and of course the United States.  I am very excited to show the ravenous, loyal horror fans in this area truly great independent horror.  If you are a film maker submissions are open until September 20th.  It is only $15 dollars to enter and you will have a chance at some truly incredible prizes.  Go to www.njhorrorfest.com for all the details.

VIP tickets for the NJ HORRORFEST are nearly sold out!  If you haven’t secured your VIP seats you better do so now.  VIP ticket holders get prime seating in the mezzanine with access to a private bar and admission to the exclusive NJ HORRORFEST after party.  Those tickets are $23 which includes a theater surcharge.  There are plenty of general admission tickets available as well for only $13.  There is a restaurant connected to the Landis Theater so you won’t ever have to leave the venue.  We are also pleased to announce that we have entered in to a partnership with the wonderful charity Scares that Care and a portion of each ticket sold will go to this incredible charity.  Check them out at www.scaresthatcare.org

There is going to be a Festival kick-off party on Friday October 12th at The Rail Bar which is just a few miles down the road from the Landis Theater.  Triple X will be performing and this will be a great time to meet film makers, industry professionals, and fellow horror enthusiasts.  There will be great prize giveaways and raffles.  This will truly be a fun event and a great way to kick off an exciting weekend of independent horror.

I can’t wait to hang out with so many fellow horror fans.  Horror fans are the greatest, most supportive fans around and I am working my ass off to bring them an awesome festival that they won’t soon forget.

I can’t believe how many incredible entries we have already received…so much talent out there, it boggles the mind.  Trust me when I tell you this will be the premiere Horror Film Festival in NJ.  We have already attracted films from across the country and we are in discussions with several genre favorites to come out as guests.  I am not putting on this festival to showcase my work as a film maker.  Other festivals have already done that for me.  I find it disturbing that other so called festivals are popping up now since NJ HORRORFEST was announced but these fests are only promoting their own work…probably because no other festival will screen it.  That’s just my view of things and I had to voice my opinion.

We have the lowest ticket prices and the lowest entry fees for filmmakers.  This is truly a fan/film maker friendly festival.  I wish I could make the prices even lower but renting the beautiful, historic Landis Theater was not cheap but we wanted a fantastic venue to show off all the incredible talent that is out there so we bit the bullet and got the best theater in NJ to hold the festival.

If you haven’t already, purchase your tickets while you can.  They are only $10 each with a $3 fee from the theater.  We are also offering VIP tickets for $20 each with a $3 fee from the theater.  The VIP seats are located in the mezzanine which has access to a bar..great horror movies and a beer…what could be better.  Those seats are very limited and are selling fast.  Order your tickets by clicking here –>TICKETS

The NJ HORRORFEST is the premiere horror film festival in the tri-state area and is an event you will not want to miss.

It’s official!  Today I finalized the details with the Landis Theater in Vineland NJ and I am happy to announce that on October 13th 2012 the only Horror Film Festival in NJ will kick off at 11am.  Tickets are only 10 bucks each and they can be ordered at www.njhorrorfest.com.  There are also a limited number of VIP tickets for sale for only 20 bucks.

I am truly excited to be bringing this event to the theater that I saw many of the movies that have influenced me.  Some of my fondest memories growing up was walking to the Landis Theater and watching some of the greatest movies ever filmed.  Back to the Future, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Nightmare on Elm Street, Rocky, Die Hard…those are just a few of the few films I was fortunate enough to see as a child at this glorious theater.  And now I have an opportunity to show some of the best films that Independent Horror has to offer.  I have already received some entries and I am already by some of the talent I will have the opportunity to display.  I am also excited to show one of my films in theater that I spent so much time in as a youngster.

This event is in it’s inaugural year and I truly hope it’s the first of many.

That title is correct.  I am leading the effort to bring the only horror film festival to the state of NJ.  On Saturday October 13th at the historic Lanids Theater in Vineland NJ the very best that independent horror has to offer will be on display.  A full day of gore, scares, and thrills.  I am working night and day to put together a fantastic line up while keeping the ticket prices low.  Once the contracts are signed with the theater tickets will go on sale.  Keep checking this blog or you can get all the updates at www.njhorrorfest.com.

If you are a film maker this will be a great opportunity to have your work seen by 600 genre fans.  Our submission fees are very low we know how tight money can be for independent film makers…I speak from experience.  We are still in the planning stages but there will be a pre-festival party as well as a festival after party.  We have reached out to several popular genre celebrities and invited them to the festival and we have already booked an incredibly popular film to play at the festival.  The festival hit Deadheads.  We were able to do all this in the first 24 hours of announcing the festival so we are off and running.

I am hoping to make this a yearly event, an event like this for NJ is long overdue.

It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged.  I wanted to make sure the next blog I wrote had a lot to announce.  Hopefully I will not disappoint.  Concerning Tribe of the Dead we are working hard putting together a teaser trailer which we hope to utilize as a means to raise the finances we need to make the film.  I am very excited for this trailer because I am working with and INCREDIBLE crew.  They are all highly motivated and dedicated to this project.  I’ve been fortunate in the past on other projects but this one somehow feels different.  Maybe because this is by far the biggest project we have ever tried to accomplish.  For the teaser we have already locked down location and wardrobe.  We are working on casting and from there we will set a shoot date.  I for one can not wait to get started.  Concerning the actual film we are planning to film at the world famous Melody Ranch Studio in Los Angeles.  It  has been the western set of choice for many Hollywood productions and would really give our movie an authenticity that could really make the movie great.  We have also have verbal commitments from some really talented actors.  Of course it is all contingent on being able to raise the money.  That is always the caveat.  That brings me to our next event.  The Zombie Survival Fun Run.

It will be held on September 22nd at Parvins State Park in Pittsgrove NJ.  It is an incredible 5k course that winds through a beautiful, wooded park.  I will be releasing a lot more details in the upcoming days once our registration web site is up and ready to go.  We are trying  a lot of new tactics to raise the money for the movie and we think this event will raise some great revenue and awareness.

Blogging from my iPod touch to test it out for when I go to Chicago. The day is close and I can not wait. I even think we have a chance to win.

10 more days until I am in Chicago for the midwest premiere of For Love of Zombies at the Chicago Fear Fest.  I can not wait for this.  I know it is going to be a great time and I am looking forward to meeting a lot of cool people.  I am hoping to make some connections that could possibly help get my zombie western produced.  Eventually I will figure out a way to make this movie a reality so I’m hoping to meet some people who can point me in the right direction.

There really isn’t anything new to report.  Still eager to get back behind the camera but life always seems to throw up an unforeseen obstacle.  I hope to have something to report on soon.  In the meantime I will keep plugging away on the pre-production of the zombie western.  Not a long blog entry but I was bored at work so I figured I would give an update because it’s been a few days since my last blog.  As I said previously I hope my next blog will be full of great news.