Honeydripper 1st post
Whew.We did it. John Sayles and I- along with a crew of about 100 and the usual giant Sayles ensemble, plus 400 fantastic Alabama extras- just wrapped HONEYDRIPPER. It’s John’s 16th feature and my 13th. Lucky 13th, I think.
We filmed it all on location in Alabama, based out of Greenville. Editing room opens in our garage Upstate on Jan 8.
And I’m damned if after all this work we’re going to see another movie sacrificed to the Petty God of Bad Distribution. We’re working with Emerging Pictures to see if we can reach these 2 simple goals: see the movie reach its audiences, and see the filmmakers pocket the profits.
Stay tuned as we try to remake a broken system. Help us if you can.
Maggie Renzi
Producer
[…] Maggie Renzi, John Sayles’ long-time producing partner, uses her new blog to announce the wrap of principal photography in Alabama on John Sayles’ latest, his 16th feature, Honeydripper. They’re working with Ira Deutchman’s Emerging Pictures as their distribution outfit on this one, writes Renzi: And I’m damned if after all this work we’re going to see another movie sacrificed to the Petty God of Bad Distribution. We’re working with Emerging Pictures to see if we can reach these 2 simple goals: see the movie reach its audiences, and see the filmmakers pocket the profits. […]
Pingback by The Hollywood Jester » Blog Archive » Sayles Wraps Honeydripper — December 16, 2006 @ 3:39 am
hey maggie,
just a blast from the past. I seem to remember you from early modern dance days when I was with twyla tharp. Am I wrong? anyway, was cruising some biz blogs and just giving a shout to you. Congrats on the latest film
john carrafa
Comment by john carrafa — December 16, 2006 @ 11:12 am
Hi Maggie - I clicked through from a link to this post on Anne Thompson’s Risky Biz Blog.
Last time we spoke you were in prep and still looking to cast China Doll. Looks like John chose YaYa for the role. (ANTM fans unite!)
I meant to ask earlier, Which “Dillinger in Hollywood” story is Honeydripper inspired by?
It would be great if you could post some production photos. Very curious about the look of the film, not to mention the music… looking forward to future updates. Best wishes.
Comment by sheigh — December 16, 2006 @ 1:02 pm
Congratulations! You can take a deep breath and maybe sleep more than two hours a night now that you’re wrapped — before going into editing madness, of course.
I’ve spent most of my life working crew in the theatre (or writing plays), and whenever I do set work,it never ceases to amaze me how many people takes to make something happen.
Best, best wishes, and I look forward to reading your process.
How can individuals help fix the machine?
Comment by Devon Ellington — December 16, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
Congratulations on wrapping the film. I look forward to see it.
Comment by Joe Leydon — December 17, 2006 @ 2:26 pm
Er, of course, that should read: I look forward to seeing it.
Comment by Joe Leydon — December 17, 2006 @ 2:27 pm
John Carrafa, you are recalling my sister Marta, the choreographer once referred to as a “post-Tharpian toughie”. She is still making dances, recently one at Williams college, site-specific and community-specific, and as compelling as ever.
Sheigh,
“Keeping Time” is the short story from the Sayles collection DILLINGER IN HOLLYWOOD that inspired HONEYDRIPPER.
Yaya Dacosta is a perfect “China Doll”, pretty inside and out. Sometimes I would look at her and Gary Clark Jr who plays “Sonny” and I’d think,” We’re making an Elvis movie. We’re making an Elvis movie where Gary is Elvis and Yaya is Ann-Margaret”.
Photos soon, I promise.
Devon,
I think we fix the machine by remembering that there wasn’t always a machine, or it didn’t look like the one we have now.
Joe,
Nice to hear from you, pal, and thanks for the compliments. HONEYDRIPPER is going to be such a charmer.
Thanks to all for checking in, Maggie
Comment by maggie — December 18, 2006 @ 9:46 pm
Honeydripper: an instrument about to take over…
At Emerging Pictures, producer Maggie Renzi starts a distribution blog: “We did it. John Sayles and I—along with a crew of about 100 and the usual giant Sayles ensemble, plus 400 Alabama extras- just wrapped Honeydripper. It’s John’s sixteenth feature…
Trackback by Movie City Indie — December 20, 2006 @ 4:46 pm
In 2005 I attended a showing of Silver City in Dublin; it was followed by a Q&A session with you and John. (That’s when I first heard about Honeydripper. I’m looking forward to seeing it.) On the way out of the theater I mentioned to you that I had shown several of John’s films to colleagues while I was in Kosovo. I’m now in Baghdad and am hoping to do the same. I’ll let you know if it happens. Happy Holidays. Michael Scanlon
Comment by Michael Scanlon — December 24, 2006 @ 4:54 am
Hey Maggie,
Hope all’s well by you. Sounds like you guys just wrapped another feature. Can’t wait to see it!
I just wanted to let you know that for a daily filmmaker’s bulletin that I moderate (www.shootingpeople.org) I am going to post BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET as a “holiday movie pick of the day” — and also mention your blog. Will be great to stay tuned as you navigate distribution for the film. Thanks for making a public forum.
Let me know if you want me to sign you up for the bulletin so you can see the post.
xo,
Jesse
Comment by Jesse Epstein — December 26, 2006 @ 4:05 pm
Hi Maggie,
You guys should be so proud of yourselves! As a filmmaker struggling with distribution issues, I have a small idea of what the problems are. Keep up the fight. Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see Honeydripper.
13 and 16. Wow!
Comment by Joe Sullivan — December 27, 2006 @ 4:00 pm
Maggie,
I was wondering if they will include AJ and Nagee as a part of the cast members!!! Everyone wants to know when it will be in the theaters!!!We want to have a Peter Crump Day, Carver Day, Antioch Baptist Church Day, and a Kid Konnection Day at the movies!!! My husband is anxious to hear from you. Please call us at one of our contact numbers!!!! Have a happy New Year!!!!!
Anissa Clay
Nagee’s Biggest Fan!!!!!
Comment by Anissa Clay — December 27, 2006 @ 4:14 pm
Anissa!
I just checked the IMDB site for HONEYDRIPPER and I was disappointed that the full cast wasn’t listed. I thought our office had done that and I will be sure that when our office reopens Jan 8 that the full cast is listed. ESPECIALLY NAGEE AND AJ.
For people who don’t know, Nagee and AJ played Scratch and Lonnie, two little boys who lead us through HONEYDRIPPER. They open and close the movie. they are great kids and everyone on the crew loved them.
I know it’s taking me forever but I’m not good at managing all these files yet so I’ll have to wait till I can get some help posting photos.
I’m learning!
Happy New Year to all, Maggie
Comment by Maggie — December 28, 2006 @ 6:46 pm
Maggie -
I applaud your resolve, but having just seen Dreamgirls (I’m only referring to the “insights” re being “independent” and not seeing the creative folks yielding an unacceptably piggy share to the “suits”), I fear that you’re being penny wise & pound foolish. That is, works as good as HD looks like (on paper) shouldn’t be seen in 3 major cities and college campuses only, and that’s where you seem to be heading.
Plus, at this stage of the game, you should have a website (and domain name) that’s totally competitive with what the big 5 (give or take) lavish on their films. Thank heavens the ‘net does NOT have the barriers to entry that film obviously does. Connect with someone who knows contemporary “digital media” (re PROMOTION!) as well as your team knows the 100-year-old biz in which you’re working. (It’s not me, btw, but you shouldn’t have trouble attracting top drawer talent!)
Comment by Eddie Neumann — January 8, 2007 @ 12:18 am
Dear Eddie,’
First, I totally agree with you we need a good website. My Giant Robot friend Cate Park is working on a revision of the JOhn Sayles site, but we need a HONEYDRIPPER site too. I’m still not sure how that is happening. I need to hear from Emerging Pictures on that.
Don’t worry:we won’t be showing HONEYDRIPPER “in 3 major cities and on college campuses only”. I want to roll the film out thoughtfully, concentrating first on cities where our two big audiences are well-represented:church-going Black folks, and Blues fans. Chicago? Would Chicago be a good city to start in?
All I know for sure is that the conventional platforms haven’t been working and neither has the conventional outreach.
So we’re working on building something new. Thanks for your comments. Any more?M
Comment by Maggie — January 8, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Maggie,
First and foremost I want to Thank you for just giving me an opportunity to be a part of such a beautiful project. It was a incredible experience just meeting everybody that was involved with Honeydripper. Being a former college football player I was amazed by all the teamwork and how committed everybody was to make this the best film it could possibly be.
Me personally, I think this film has tremendous potential, The reason being because it has what alot of big budget films are lacking and that is: SUBSTANCE! I have no doubt that this film will break down the barriers so the world will witness this work of true beauty. If there are two people that can remake the system it is Mr. Sayles and yourself. I have no doubt that Honeydripper surpass expectations.
I am currently in rehearsal with Orlando Rep Theatre. I am Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird. The run ends on April 2nd, Afterwards I will be looking to move to either L.A. or N.Y.C. I love the art of acting not necessary the fame aspect of it. I have an undying passion for the stage but, I also love mid to low budget films. One of my favorite being The Tuskegee Airmen with Laurence Fishburne. Whenever another opportunity arises please let me know. I would love to work with you two again.
I am doing everything in my will to help promote Honeydripper. I look forward to seeing the final project. I will keep spreading the word around….
Von Ewing
(Danny Glover’s stand-in for Honeydripper)
Comment by von ewing — January 11, 2007 @ 3:41 am
hi maggie!
first and foremost congrats… and happy merry and all of that!
i’ve been feverishly looking for your contact info, and found this blog instead. what a treasure! i’m ecstatic for all of you. honeydripper sounds amazing, can’t wait to see it.
i noticed you were looking for help on mandy, not sure if you found what you were looking for…
perhaps i can help.
once more congrats and boa sorte no futuro!
adeus
Comment by ivone — January 13, 2007 @ 4:32 am
So good to hear that another Sayles/Renzi production is soon to be distributed. You guys have been my heroes since Return of the Seacaucus Seven. I love everything you’ve done, and have watched your creative evolution with awe and joy.
Peace and love,
Jim
Comment by Jim Hight — January 14, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Thanks for all your comments. Ivone, I’m glad you found us. Von, I hope the show is going very well. You were one of our best stand-ins and you deserve great success. I’ve made contact with Dr Tonea Stewart and Kevin Sinclair at ASU and we are planning to meet to see how we can work with ASU and the other HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)to bring out the audience and make some money for their Theater and Dance departments. Stay in touch.
And to Nagee Clay, our wonderful SCRATCH, go to Honeydripper on IMDB and bug them till they post the cast info we sent them. You are on the list!
Happy Martin Luther King day to all of you. We marched today in Poughkeepsie NY. The weather was terrible and there weren’t many of us, but the spirit was great.
Best, Maggie
Comment by Maggie — January 15, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Greetings and Best wishes to Maggie from a grumpy old porch sitting white guy in Lower Alabama.
I was pokin’ about on the web and stumbled on your blog and then lo and behold I found a whole bunch of Honneydripper photos on the Emerging Pictures website. Saw one of you, Bob, Ol’ Rocky Boy and yours truly standing on the street in Georgiana looking like a bunch of bumpkins (which is exactly what we are.) Not you of course. You one of them high class New Yawk Society ladies. When most everybody was loaded at the hunting camp you just stayed above it all out on the porch dancin’ and callin’ yo’self “The Queen”.
The photo gallery had several nice shots of the choir. I will print copies for the singers.
Also found the HD cast and crew credits page on the IMDB website. They left Kathleen off. Shame Shame! They left me off too!!! No surprise about me but geee whiz Kathleen did a lot of work. All I did was have a lot of fun.
I miss you guys. I want to help make another movie. Ya’ll come back you heah.
Give my regards to John. By the way, I watched 8 Men (or 7 or 10 or whatever) Out the other night and liked it a lot. Would not recommend that John pursue a singing career however.
Hope you can figure out how to make big bucks off the Honeydripper. You desreve it.
Love & Kisses,
Charles Kennedy
Comment by Charles Kennedy — February 2, 2007 @ 1:03 am
Maggie,
I was very interested in your comments about finding ways to get more of the payoff into the hands of the film makers and look forward to hearing more on the topic. This web site has an interesting collection of films. Best luck on your latest with John Sayles
Comment by Jack Kane — February 12, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Hello Maggie,
Teaching American culture to bright French college students in the Paris area, I have long used the cinema to catch their interest and broaden their understanding. The cinema of John Sayles is one of my major subjects and I am deeply appreciative of the complex, multiple messages he delivers with such visual and audio beauty. It is not often my students are able to see a Sayles film in a French theater (any hopes for Honeydripper?), but I have them looking for the DVDs on line. I do as much as I can to promote your work on this side of the Atlantic. Any time you would like to visit the area, I would be happy to organize a conference or two for you. Keep up the very good work!
Comment by Geraldine Raymond — February 13, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
Hello–
Well, though I am an aspiring filmmaker who admires Mr. Sayles talent, I am in fact writing about something quite different. Bear with me please!
In the 1990s, at Phoenix, AZ-area theatre called the Valley Art (located in the heart of college town Tempe), weekly screenings of the midnight movie classic THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW were proceeded by various classic cult movie trailers–including BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET. It even got its own “audience participation” routine after a while.
After a few years the trailer ended up being half destroyed but the half of it that survived still played every week until the theatre closed down, after which it disappeared into the mists.
ROCKY HORROR has gone through several new homes since then and as its producer in the Phoenix area one of my long term dreams has been to obtain a new copy to run with screenings of the film. Sadly, even after scouring ebay for more than 7 years, it has never turned up.
So what do I have to lose by a direct approach?
Simply put, would any of you connected to this website–anyone who has access to the archives, or could put the question to Mr. Sayles himself–know if there are any 35mm trailers for BROTHER still in existence and how I might obtain one if so?
I am of course more than willing to pay for it!
If anyone can help me I’d be very grateful. I can be reached at AZRocky@gamil.com or on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/azrocky
Thanks so much, and good luck with Honeydripper, it sounds like a great project and I look forward to seeing it! (Perhaps when it’s completed we can discuss screening it at my theatre!)
Genuine Love
Matthew Yenkala
Comment by Matthew Yenkala — February 15, 2007 @ 3:54 am
I tried to become an extra for this, but when I tried calling numerous film offices I couldn’t get a postive response. I’m glad everything went well though. Come film in Alabama again…I’ll be waiting :)
Elizabeth
Comment by Elizabeth — February 19, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Hello,
I am trying to find out about an older Sayles film, Matewan. I am a high school teacher who teaches the novel “Storming Heaven” every year, accompanied with a showing of Matewan. The students love it. . . but every year ask me if the film was inspired by the novel. Both were produced in 1987, and I would love to find out if it was just happenstance that Denise Giardina published the novel at the same time, or is there some connection? Thank you for any information offered!
-Barbara
Comment by Barbara — February 25, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
Dear Barbara,
MATEWAN was not inspired by “Storming Heaven” but by John Sayles’ hitchhiking travels through West Virginia. Those travels inspired a portion of John’s novel “Union Dues” whose protagonist is a young West Virginian.
I hope you and your students will look for “Union Dues” and for “Thinking in Pictures”, John Sayles book about the making of “Matewan”. There’s a documentary in the works, on the same subject, by WEst Virginian Jason Brown.
Best, Maggie
Comment by Maggie — March 6, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Maggie,
Congradulations on wrapping the film. As someone who has had the unreal experience of working with you and the gang, I cannot wait to see what you have cooked up for this go around. Though I may be a bit biased, I was upset that Silver City did not get the recognition it deserved, and I hope that Honeydripper will see a wider audience and bring you and John the due respect. I am sure I speak for other fans of yours and John’s when I say that I hope you keep us all posted on the film’s developments. Good luck, and I cannot wait to see the film.
Aaron.
Comment by Aaron Rosenbloom — March 7, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Every decade I wind up seeing Return of the Secaucus 7 again. It happened as I read this Sunday’s New York Times Magazine and its article on Generation Next.
Maybe it’s a Saturday reverie or a good prediction. I see the pendulum swinging. The conservative era will end 28 years after it began with the 2008 elections. The Christian Right base of the Republican Party will stay at home because of the available Republican choices. The likely Democratic candidates either will be of the left or pushed to the left.
The close relationship between Generation Next and their aging Boomer parents will fuel much of this.
Gen Nexters are described as both idealistic and pragmatic. They are not the right wing ideologues that emerged in the 80s and carried through until now.
Their parents are on the tail end of their working lives. Their compromises of their idealistic but impractical youthful ethos will wane naturally. There is less anxiety then that associated with early careers and young children. There is increased anxiety as the social safety nets of the grandparents’ golden years has eroded (insecure Social Security, no or reduced retiree healthcare, the ambiguity of 401k accumulations rather than defined benefit pensions).
These children and their parents should make the next decade one of significant social change. It will last until the children become parents themselves and their parents will lack the vigor to pursue change.
Where are Howie’s kids today? Maybe its time return/look forward.
Comment by S. Seligman — March 10, 2007 @ 3:53 pm
I hope the distribution works out. I’m not too wise in that area yet I wish you all the best. I appreciate your grass root approach and hope it catches on.
Comment by Chris Blasucci — March 11, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Maggie,
In the mid 70’s, I knew you & John in Eastie. I was in a play directed by John, starring you. I was really bad and the experience helped me realize that my talents were elsewhere. We rehearsed in the East Boston APAC. I moved to Mexico City where I spent the 80’s in the Mexican Jewish community. I see you recent work and can’t get over your awareness of such a unique, facinating & obsure community. I wish you the best and congratulate you on an amazing career. Fran Forman
Comment by Fran Forman — March 13, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
Hi,Mrs.Maggie and Mr.John.
I really enjoyed having a part in the movie. My mother and I are praying that it will be a great success.We are also praying for you all.I hope that we will see or hear from you real soon.
Love,Absalom Adams
Comment by Absalom Adams — April 25, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
Hi Maggie and John,
Did youse touse take me up on my suggestion to screen Honeydrippers at the upcoming NABJ conference in Vegas. I should be there and wanted to attend the screening if it was taking place. Hope all is well. I’m back in LA, packaging a screenplay, and thoroughly not missing the Path train filled with Ipod people.
Skye
Comment by Skye Knight Dent — May 31, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
Hi Maggie,
Just came across this blog and wanted to take the time to thank both you and John for being so hospitable during the Honeydripper shoot. What a blessing to take part in such a professional and passion driven project!
Many Blessings,
Pacey L. Walker
Comment by Pacey — June 20, 2007 @ 8:08 am
Alright, when is this movie coming out?
Comment by Jerome — July 14, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
World Premiere on September 10th at the Toronto Festival. Opens in NY and LA in December and around the country in January/February.
Comment by ira — July 16, 2007 @ 11:05 am
Jerome,
Does it seem like a lot of drumroll:
“Alright, when is this movie coming out?”We just can’t afford to let the movie out there without lots of prep. We’ve done that too many times before-trusted the common wisdom that all you need is 3 months for the long-lead press- and then watched the movies disappear in the crush of other films and the noisy world around us.
NOT THIS TIME.
Like Ira says above:late December release to qualify for awards, and some special events on MLK Day (Jan 21 next year) and then wide around the country in February, Black History Month.
We hope to hire 4 different publicists by Aug 1, and then you should start to see the story build.
My wish is that by the time the movie opens, it’s not “What’s Honeydripper” but “when’s it coming here?”
Wish us luck. Maggie
Comment by Maggie — July 16, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
Fancy meeting you here, Maggie
We met at John’Sloss’s July 4th party years ago. You were heading to Alabama shortly there after to start production. You had given my daughter Ava lots of good advice about studying abroad. She wound up in Paris, poor thing.
Vondie and I use to pal around oh so long ago in Detroit. Can’t wait to see him in the movie
Best of luck .Leslee
Comment by Leslee — July 24, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Hi.Maggie My mother lead the song You Got to chose in the Honeydripper Movie,and I was one of the extras in the revial scenes and we would like to Thank You and MR. John for this chance.And please know that me and my mother(Rosie Womack)will be praying the movie be a great success.
Comment by Andrienne Collins — August 9, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
I was an extra in the film Honeydripper and when I say ” A terrific cast and crew” Jonh was amazing, the casting director was amazing. The Film required called for dedicated workers; I know the film will be a success.
Comment by Hillie Sykes — September 10, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
Hello Maggie,
The New York Section of the Audio Engineering Society would like to do a monthly meeting on audio production for movies this December (2007). As host for the meeting, I would like to invite the Honeydripper production staff to discuss how audio came together for this movie including location recording (music and production audio), editing, and mixing. The date is usually the 2nd Tues of the month (Dec.11th) and the location in NYC is yet to be determined. A typical meeting starts at 7 and runs 1.5 to 2 hrs depending on questions.
I hope this will be of interest and that your schedule will permit your participation. Please contact me at davidp@vca.com with questions or to confirm or decline.
Best regards,
David Pretice,
Chair Emeritus, AES NY Section
Comment by David Prentice — September 15, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Dear David,
I’m so pleased you noticed! The audio for HONEYDRIPPER is complex and made up of many parts with many contributors. Among them is our composer, Mason Daring, who directed the pre-recording session in LA (see Ruth Brown’s last recorded performance on Youtube)and the many recording sessions in the Boston area. Mason also supervised the recording of live music on the set in Alabama, with the assistance of a mobile recording unit that came from Atlanta, I believe. Dialogue and most of the rest of the music that appears in HONEYDRIPPER was recorded by our sound mixer Judy Karp. Our post-production sound was done by C-5 under Phil Stockton and the picture was mixed by Rob Fernandez at Sound One.
I’ll get back to you with contact info on all of them.
Thanks for the attention.
Maggie
Comment by Maggie — September 15, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Hi Maggie,
Would a clip or clips from the movie be available to screen at the meeting? Talking is great but pictures with sound really help illustrate what people are talking about.
Thanks,
David
Comment by David Prentice — September 16, 2007 @ 4:49 pm