It’s a gray fall day here in New York City. The cold is finally sinking in, as one would expect in mid November. I can’t think of a better time to reflect on the events of this past summer. In August we were fortunate to screen Out of Place at the Third Coast Surf Shop Luau in New Buffalo, Michigan, followed by the Dairyland Surf Festival in Sheboygan, Wisconsin over Labor Day weekend. The following is just a glimpse into the time spent along the crystal blue waters of Lake Michigan. Being surrounded by such good people is a reminder that life doesn’t ever seem to slow down quite enough.
We have a special outdoor screening at P.E.A.C.E. Park in Coventry, it’s right next to their library. Show starts around 8:15pm. There will be free stuff to give away and plenty of awesomeness to go around. Advanced ticket sales available at Phoenix Coffee locations. Only six dollars. And best of all….WE WILL HAVE SOME LIMITED COPIES OF THE DVD ON SALE. Woohoo. You gotta be there.
Well fans, you can add DVD authoring to Kurt’s long list of mad skills. We’ve been keeping him pretty busy at his new place over in Brooklyn, New York. DIY is what he’s all about. While I’m fleeing the room in a tech-related panic, this is a kid who is constantly diving into a 1300 page Final Cut Pro manual and refuses to give up. Nice going Kurt. You’ll see the menu features pics by Jamie Yanak and Travis Roozee. Check the music, courtesy of Chris Sheehan and Scott Bennett.
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Get ready.
Well the secret is kind of out…we are glad to report that we’ll be coming out on video in the next few weeks. You might wanna get that laserdisc player from off the curb. Dust off that vhs and ask Blockbuster and Hollywood Video not to close down just yet.
For us it’s another step toward the glitzy and glamorous world of self-distribution. So brace yourself for the upcoming torrent of shameless self promotion. If you know anyone of influence and acclaim, drop us an email at outofplacemovie@gmail.com and let us know, we can send out a media screener of the film.
And just a reminder, we are screening at the Third Coast Surfers Luau in New Buffalo, Michigan on Saturday. Clear blue water and white sand beaches. Great town, great surf shop and an amazing event year after year. Outdoor screening right at the shop, byob. You may recall a few years back, there were those Christian missionaries from SoCal who spent that one summer at an island in Northern Michigan….we gave them a beat down in the-most-grueling ultimate frisbee match ever.
Then next week you can catch us again with a special outdoor screening at P.E.A.C.E. Park right in the Coventry neighborhood of Cleveland Heights. The date is Thursday Aug. 26th and starts around 8:15pm. Pre sale tickets available at all Phoenix Coffee locations.
http://phoenixcoffee.com/node/161
Of course we want to thank Phoenix again for their support. It’s a great, pro-Cleveland company with a solid rep and an even brighter future. Stop in and ask about the Dawn Patrol blend. Try it iced.
Be well and stay tuned, we’ve got some exciting news coming up. I promise we’ll report back from Third Coast. Listen to some good new music and enjoy your summer.
The latest print issue of Eastern Surfing Magazine (available in EVERY SINGLE surf shop from Maine to the Miami) ran a review of the movie. It has yet to be found online, thus I would like to quote the last few lines of the review, written by Allison Artega, which in my mind, are some of the finest written words on the topic of lake surfing I have read.
“The surfers of Lake Erie are a family united by a love for the sport that is surpassed only by their love for each other. Some people call them crazy, but these surfers are just doing what makes them happy, and they have built an entire culture based on accepting and appreciating reality. So when you watch Out Of Place, you may not see the mind-blowing talent or beautiful waves of a typical surf movie, but you’ll get something better: a lifetime supply of positive energy.”
It’s a great treat to read a review like this, especially in a periodical like ESM, which I first discovered in 6th grade on a family camping trip to the Outer Banks. The same trip that I brought home a shark tooth necklace (I was improbably cool) and an obsession with surfing.
I have noticed that many people associated with Out Of Place are creating incredible things. The following is a rundown of some of the awesomeness.
Gabe Schray is working on an album with his duo Qix (they played the CIFF OOP after party at Ben’s loft). I have listened to the song “Your Fate,” from the upcoming album, at least 200 times in the three weeks since it was posted online. Your Fate by QIX by Actual Archives LLC
The Barn Owls sent me a folder full of unreleased demos that are crazy. A few tunes are on their Myspace and should be listened to. But in my view the most interesting of the new songs are the ones that Robby told me I can not leak in any way….As soon as I have the go ahead I will be posting links to the songs. Jason is taking his music to the limite and recording under the name Good Buddy. He does a cover of Chris Isaak that is spooky. And Robby is taking it to the limit EVERYDAY. I heard that he is on a rampage. Slamming the drums and shooting the best photographs of his life. BTW, I found out that his lawn crew set a new industry record by doing 45 lawns in one day (and lawns that were not close to one another).
Jamie Yanak has officially retired as a roofer and returned to his former profession. Look for his pictures on the front page of newspapers across the country. He is free and shooting like mad (rumor has it mostly on film) and has started publishing an excellent blog, The Sewer Pipe, documenting the Wagner Surf Club.
Our design man Trevor Marzella is spending his summer working for CIA. They were smart to get him on the staff this summer. Speaking of design. I learned more about who designed the Dawn Patrol Coffee artwork, Sean Higgins. He and a partner create some of the coolest posters I have ever seen under the name The Bubble Process. A great name. Reminds me of the bubble wands at the old COSI on Broad Street.
Further musing on independent surf film life:
Vince called me at 5:00 am EST a few weeks back to tell me that MARK CUNNINGHAM was at the screening in Honolulu and stuck around the Q & A to say that he liked the movie and that it beat the hell out of the surf flick he saw the night before. I first saw Mark body surfing in the T Moss Campbell flick Sprout. Mark Cunningham is a legend. Watch this awesome video with him on HI Shredability on VBS.TV. Pipeline sans board. Heavy. He really seems to radiate/embody aloha. Makes me miss the mosquito swarmed Yurt in the Maui jungle I lived in for a while.
Yesterday
I woke on the right side of the bed to this in my inbox:
“Just got to tell you guys, I saw the film tonight and have seen most of the other films shown so far during this years festival, and your film is the BEST one yet. Those guys really embody the true spirit of surfing without all the BS surf “culture” we experience here. Thought you would like to know also, most of the other films I’ve seen this year most people start leaving once the credits start rolling, and everyone in attendance stayed all the way through the credits for your film, and there was plenty applause at the end!! Great work, and give my props to all those guys if you get a chance for being TRUE surfers. It’s funny to say, but you never know where inspiration may come from, and a handful of surfers from Cleveland inspired us in Hawaii tonight!! – Jason”
That made me smile all day. Mahalo, Jason. Continuing with Hawaii related news, my girlfriend’s mother caught a matinee at the Doris Duke Theatre and she gave it two thumbs up. No small feat. She is a bit of a cinefile and gives no false praise. She said it was very funny, too. She liked Vince.
Scott received an email from Wingnut, yes Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, yes from Endless Summer II and every long boarding magazine ever printed. Scott thought it was a hoax perpetrated by one of the Wagners. It was classic. Forcing a follow up, “No, I am really Wingnut. I assure you.” He asked for a DVD. One was promptly sent.
I was pleasantly surprised to get a dvd request from a producer with Rough House Pictures, the incredible company founded by Danny McBride, Jody Hill and David Gordon Green that’s responsible for some of the best comedy anywhere. Kenny FUCKING Powers. The dude that requested the film is a surfer and said he has heard amazing things about the movie. WTF. Sweeeeeeeet streeeeet cred. Word spreads quick.
Remember to check out Whole Foods or Phoenix Coffee for DAWN PATROL. Please send photographic evidence if you spot it. And if you like it let us know.
That’s all for now.
-Kurt
P.S.
I seriously recommend the mango Mochi from Traders Joe, body surfing the shore break, snorkeling when the water is clear, watching season 1 of East Bound and Down, listening to Ariel Pink, grilling vegetables on the Weber, letting pizza dough rise over night for better texture and flavor, backing up your back up, wearing tech shorts, thinking about Tevas or maybe Chacos or maybe Birkenstocks, and lastly swimming at waterfalls.
Also, 3-D movies are hype, the colors are dim, and it is over priced. Toy Story 3 is good, but not as good as Up. I look forward to the Expendables. And the latest Black Keys album is excellent. Wonderfully produced. Lots to find in those songs.
Order the DVD online in our