Don Swaynos‘ Six Hundred and Forty-One Slates is one of those genius short films that makes one wonder why nobody had ever thought to make it before. It is, on the surface, a simple construct of exactly what the title says — the deletable clapper takes of every scene shot for the feature-length comedy Cinema Six.
But it’s not just a slap-dash compilation. Swaynos gives the short a snappy rhythm, knowing when to pause for humorous effect and when to speed things up right when the concept seems too repetitive. It’s not just the idea that makes the short so loveable, it’s the execution.
Cinema Six is a feature-length comedy written and directed by Mark Potts & Cole Selix; and was produced by Swaynos, Nick Tankersley and Kelly Williams. It was, if you couldn’t tell, also edited in full by Swaynos. (However, the film was originally titled Splice of Life,...
But it’s not just a slap-dash compilation. Swaynos gives the short a snappy rhythm, knowing when to pause for humorous effect and when to speed things up right when the concept seems too repetitive. It’s not just the idea that makes the short so loveable, it’s the execution.
Cinema Six is a feature-length comedy written and directed by Mark Potts & Cole Selix; and was produced by Swaynos, Nick Tankersley and Kelly Williams. It was, if you couldn’t tell, also edited in full by Swaynos. (However, the film was originally titled Splice of Life,...
- 7/13/2012
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
“Cinema Six”
Directors: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
Writers: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
Starring: John Merriman, Mark Potts and Brand Rackley
“Cinema Six” is the definition of average, which is strange considering it was probably the most pumped film at the festival. You couldn’t walk an inch in the press lounge without stepping on one of their little yellow adverts. To begin with, it’s obviously Mark Potts’ first film, as narratively, it’s derivative of so many other, better, things. A lot of the emotional ennui that the filmmakers are trying to convey about working at a movie theater, particularly one that feels so run down and little visited – something that, yes, I can currently attest to as a popcorn pusher in my spare time – are culled from “Clerks” in a way that’s a little too far in the direction of laziness rather than homage. Its attempts at...
Directors: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
Writers: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
Starring: John Merriman, Mark Potts and Brand Rackley
“Cinema Six” is the definition of average, which is strange considering it was probably the most pumped film at the festival. You couldn’t walk an inch in the press lounge without stepping on one of their little yellow adverts. To begin with, it’s obviously Mark Potts’ first film, as narratively, it’s derivative of so many other, better, things. A lot of the emotional ennui that the filmmakers are trying to convey about working at a movie theater, particularly one that feels so run down and little visited – something that, yes, I can currently attest to as a popcorn pusher in my spare time – are culled from “Clerks” in a way that’s a little too far in the direction of laziness rather than homage. Its attempts at...
- 5/11/2012
- by Henry J. Baugh
- The Moving Arts Journal
There’s something about working at a movie theater that just sucks you in; although the pay is crappy and the customers are damn near unbearable, people can spend years of their lives shoveling popcorn, cleaning up vomit, and losing the best years of their lives. I should know, as I’ve been a theater employee for eight years. Cinema Six, from co-directors Mark Potts and Cole Selix, has a total grasp on the motivations of a movie theater employee: yes, it’s a crappy job, but it’s easy and it’s safe. To leave is to be forced to grow up and do something meaningful with your lives, to take that next step. By staying, you can put maturity off and avoid the harsh realities of adulthood. But while Cinema Six gets the mind of movie theater employees, as a movie, running at a mere 79 minutes, it comes...
- 4/17/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
The Dallas International Film Festival has announced 15 of the films in its 2012 lineup, and not only does Texas make a great showing, but Austin is well represented. I'm hoping to attend the festival this year, the selections look so good so far. Some notable non-Texas films include Lawrence Kasdan's Darling Companion, which has former Austinite Mark Duplass in the cast; The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best, the directorial debut of actor Ryan O'Nan (The Dry Land), and Takashi Shimizu's Tormented.
Cinema Six, the latest feature from filmmakers Mark Potts and Cole Selix (S&M Lawn Care), will have its world premiere at the festival, which takes place from April 12-22 (corrected from original text). Jenn and I visited the set in Lockhart last year (when the movie was called A Splice of Life). The filmmakers aren't from Austin, but many of their cast and crew are: producer Kelly Williams,...
Cinema Six, the latest feature from filmmakers Mark Potts and Cole Selix (S&M Lawn Care), will have its world premiere at the festival, which takes place from April 12-22 (corrected from original text). Jenn and I visited the set in Lockhart last year (when the movie was called A Splice of Life). The filmmakers aren't from Austin, but many of their cast and crew are: producer Kelly Williams,...
- 2/20/2012
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
As Austin’s filmmaking community migrates back to Austin from the snowy slopes of Park City, everyone is anxiously awaiting to hear whether or not their latest film(s) has been accepted into the 2012 South By Southwest Film Festival (March 9-17, 2012). According to SXSW, ”no news is good news! If you haven’t heard from [SXSW] yet it means your film is still in the running.” All filmmakers will be sent notification one way or another by Thursday, February 9, 2012. What are my predictions (and hopes) on the local front for SXSW 2012? Well, I do not want to start rumors, but I am fairly certain that the Zellner Brothers’ Kid-Thing will be getting a regional premiere at SXSW 2012 — that is, after they celebrate their European premiere at Berlinale (February 9-19, 2012)! Also, Kat Candler’s short film Hellion is as close to a sure-thing as SXSW applicants can get. But if I was a praying man, I...
- 1/31/2012
- by Don Simpson
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Rating: 3.5/5
Writers: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
Director: Mark Potts
Cast: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
The world of indie comedy can be a strange and mostly unseen place. Anyone with a camera can attempt to make a film, and the smaller the budget, the cheaper a film looks. Usually, this facade of a “cheap” film will ensure that almost no one will see the film. Sometimes though, there is actually a good movie hidden under that “cheap” label. The guys over at Singletree Productions seem to be oblivious to how their films look. They simply make good movies.
Read more on Austin Film Festival 2010 Review: S&M Lawn Care…...
Writers: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
Director: Mark Potts
Cast: Mark Potts, Cole Selix
The world of indie comedy can be a strange and mostly unseen place. Anyone with a camera can attempt to make a film, and the smaller the budget, the cheaper a film looks. Usually, this facade of a “cheap” film will ensure that almost no one will see the film. Sometimes though, there is actually a good movie hidden under that “cheap” label. The guys over at Singletree Productions seem to be oblivious to how their films look. They simply make good movies.
Read more on Austin Film Festival 2010 Review: S&M Lawn Care…...
- 10/27/2010
- by J.C. De Leon
- GordonandtheWhale
Day 3 of Austin Film Festival was supposed to begin with me attending the “A Conversation with David Peoples” panel at 9:00am, but I decided to sleep in instead; and if I didn’t have an 11:00am interview scheduled with Mark Potts, Cole Selix and Brand Rackley from S&M Lawn Care I probably would have stayed in bed even longer. But it was worth rolling out of bed to chat with Mark, Cole and Brand -- three of the most genuinely nice (and funny) guys in the movie business. I walked away with about an hour’s worth of content, and I’m looking forward to transcribing every minute of it. If you have not seen S&M Lawn Care, do yourself a kindness and attend Sunday’s 7:45pm screening at the Alamo Ritz. Speaking of the Alamo Ritz (my transition skills amaze me sometimes), that is...
- 10/25/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Got a late start this morning, but that happens when you go to bed at 3 am. Started it off at Frank, with the guys behind S&M Lawn Care, all spiffy in their tuxedos and ready to have corndogs. Only the flapjacket that is corndog-ish is a cornmeal-based jacket, so it didn't quite carry the corndog theme, but that didn't deter us. And amazingly, the guys did not have any unfortunate food malfunctions and not a single stain on their crisp white shirts before they had to turn off to do the tech prep for their regional premiere of S&M Lawncare. From the picture above, you can tell that was quite a feat. The guys talked a bit about their world premiere with the Friars Club, and some of the unexpected interpretations of their mower driven comedy. Pictured above are Mark Potts, Cole Selix and William Brand Rackley. I haven't seen the final edit,...
- 10/23/2010
- by Jenn Brown
- Slackerwood
If you read my Day 1 post, you will probably guess that Day 2 of the Austin Film Festival started off a wee bit fuzzy. I found my way to the Austin Convention Center for the screening of Adam Reid’s Hello Lonesome and despite my slight queasiness and minor sense of disorientation -- thanks to Dos Equis and my lack of inhibition when it comes to free beer -- I still enjoyed Hello Lonesome. I suspect that it is going to be a tough review to write, especially without revealing my favorite part of the film -- the ending. For now, I will just say that Hello Lonesome was like a Todd Solondz film but with nicer characters. I got right back in line for S&M Lawn Care -- which I have already seen and reviewed but I really wanted to experience with an audience. S&M Lawn Care is...
- 10/23/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Director: Mark Potts Writer: Mark Potts, Cole Selix Starring: Brand Rackley, Cole Selix, Helen Thomas, Kiley Ingram, Lindsey Newell, Mark Potts, Nick Tankersley Sal (Cole Selix) and Mel (Mark Potts) run S&M Lawn Care. Mel mows lawns because lawn care is in his blood (his deceased father was once a great lawn care specialist) Sal mows lawns in order to save money to travel to the Amazon. Everything is going as planned until one day someone starts stealing S&M’s hard-earned lawns in complete disregard of the Lawn Care Treaty of 1995. It turns out that Drake (William Brand Rackley), a sleazy jerk with long hair and goatee, is stealing S&M’s business with a slickly produced commercial and seductively clad female assistants -- sex sells and everyone around town is buying. Drake even donates his used lawn mowers to the “Darfurinians.” How can S&M compete with that?...
- 10/18/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Always one of the most enjoyable events of the year, the 17th Austin Film Festival is gearing up to kick-off next month.
The annual event takes place from October 21-28 in Austin, Texas with movies such as Natalie Portman's "Black Swan" on the docket.
With other films set to screen including "Meek's Cutoff," "127 Hours," and "Fair Game," the full lineup is as follows:
Marquee Screenings
"127 Hours" – Danny Boyle (Writer/Director), Simon Beaufoy (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Black Swan" – Darren Aronofsky (Director), Andres Heinz (Writer), John McLaughlin (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Peep World" – Barry W. Blaustein (Director), Peter Himmelstein (Writer) – (U.S. Premiere)
"Bloodworth" – Shane Dax Taylor (Director), W. Earl Brown (Writer) – (World Premiere)
"Blue Valentine" – Derek Cianfrance (Writer/Director), Joey Curtis (Writer), Camille DeLavigne (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Exporting Raymond" – Phil Rosenthal (Director) – (World Premiere)
"Fair Game" – Doug Liman (Director), Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (Writers) – (Regional Premiere)
"High School" – John Stalberg (Writer/Director...
The annual event takes place from October 21-28 in Austin, Texas with movies such as Natalie Portman's "Black Swan" on the docket.
With other films set to screen including "Meek's Cutoff," "127 Hours," and "Fair Game," the full lineup is as follows:
Marquee Screenings
"127 Hours" – Danny Boyle (Writer/Director), Simon Beaufoy (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Black Swan" – Darren Aronofsky (Director), Andres Heinz (Writer), John McLaughlin (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Peep World" – Barry W. Blaustein (Director), Peter Himmelstein (Writer) – (U.S. Premiere)
"Bloodworth" – Shane Dax Taylor (Director), W. Earl Brown (Writer) – (World Premiere)
"Blue Valentine" – Derek Cianfrance (Writer/Director), Joey Curtis (Writer), Camille DeLavigne (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Exporting Raymond" – Phil Rosenthal (Director) – (World Premiere)
"Fair Game" – Doug Liman (Director), Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (Writers) – (Regional Premiere)
"High School" – John Stalberg (Writer/Director...
- 9/21/2010
- GossipCenter
The Austin Film Festival has unveiled the program for its 17th edition, which runs October 21-28.
"Black Swan," "127 Hours," "Peep World," "Meek's Cutoff," "Conviction," "Brother's Justice," "Fair Game," and many more, including 23 U.S. and world premieres and a handful of locally-made projects, will screen at the fest. The opening, centerpiece and closing night films have not yet been announced.
Festival line-up is below:
Marquee Screenings
"127 Hours" – Danny Boyle (Writer/Director), Simon Beaufoy (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Black Swan" – Darren Aronofsky (Director), Andres Heinz (Writer), John McLaughlin (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Peep World" – Barry W. Blaustein (Director), Peter Himmelstein (Writer) – (U.S. Premiere)
"Bloodworth" – Shane Dax Taylor (Director), W. Earl Brown (Writer) – (World Premiere)
"Blue Valentine" – Derek Cianfrance (Writer/Director), Joey Curtis (Writer), Camille DeLavigne (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Exporting Raymond" – Phil Rosenthal (Director) – (World Premiere)
"Fair Game" – Doug Liman (Director), Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (Writers) – (Regional Premiere)
"High School" – John Stalberg (Writer/Director...
"Black Swan," "127 Hours," "Peep World," "Meek's Cutoff," "Conviction," "Brother's Justice," "Fair Game," and many more, including 23 U.S. and world premieres and a handful of locally-made projects, will screen at the fest. The opening, centerpiece and closing night films have not yet been announced.
Festival line-up is below:
Marquee Screenings
"127 Hours" – Danny Boyle (Writer/Director), Simon Beaufoy (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Black Swan" – Darren Aronofsky (Director), Andres Heinz (Writer), John McLaughlin (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Peep World" – Barry W. Blaustein (Director), Peter Himmelstein (Writer) – (U.S. Premiere)
"Bloodworth" – Shane Dax Taylor (Director), W. Earl Brown (Writer) – (World Premiere)
"Blue Valentine" – Derek Cianfrance (Writer/Director), Joey Curtis (Writer), Camille DeLavigne (Writer) – (Regional Premiere)
"Exporting Raymond" – Phil Rosenthal (Director) – (World Premiere)
"Fair Game" – Doug Liman (Director), Jez & John-Henry Butterworth (Writers) – (Regional Premiere)
"High School" – John Stalberg (Writer/Director...
- 9/21/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Have you ever felt like Citizen Kane was a little too slow, a little too black-and-white, a little irrelevant to today's modern newspaper situation? In short, have you ever wanted a reboot of the 1941 Orson Welles film? Of course you have. Those old movies all need a facelift, remake or reboot, as everyone knows (or at least as Hollywood believes).
Mark Potts and Singletree Productions understand that universal need, and the result is a trailer for Kane, a fresh and contemporary (and color) remake of Citizen Kane. The Kane trailer premiered on Friday night at the 2010 Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival. Since we all couldn't make it to Aspen, I've embedded the video after the jump. You'll never look at the AP Stylebook the same way again, is all I'm saying.
If you haven't heard of Potts, you're missing out -- his feature film Simmons on Vinyl played Austin Film Festival...
Mark Potts and Singletree Productions understand that universal need, and the result is a trailer for Kane, a fresh and contemporary (and color) remake of Citizen Kane. The Kane trailer premiered on Friday night at the 2010 Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival. Since we all couldn't make it to Aspen, I've embedded the video after the jump. You'll never look at the AP Stylebook the same way again, is all I'm saying.
If you haven't heard of Potts, you're missing out -- his feature film Simmons on Vinyl played Austin Film Festival...
- 6/14/2010
- by Jette Kernion
- Cinematical
[Editor's Note: Why yes, I did swap out of the photo accompanying this entry -- apparently some people think a bare butt is Nsfw. They are probably correct.]
Last year, I caught the low-budget comedy Simmons on Vinyl at Austin Film Festival. I liked it so much that when I heard Aff was bringing the movie back for an encore screening at Alamo Drafthouse at Lake Creek this month, I asked if Slackerwood could give away a couple of pairs of tickets. The nice Aff folks agreed, so now you have a chance to see this very funny indie for absolutely free.
The film screens on Thursday, May 27 at 7:30 pm at Alamo Lake Creek. Mark Potts, Cole Selix and Brand Rackley -- who between them wrote, directed and acted the three main roles in the film -- will be at the screening. They'll also preview a bit of their new film S&M Lawn Care. They run a pretty funny Q&A, as I recall.
Slackerwood is giving away two pairs of tickets to the May 27 screening.
Last year, I caught the low-budget comedy Simmons on Vinyl at Austin Film Festival. I liked it so much that when I heard Aff was bringing the movie back for an encore screening at Alamo Drafthouse at Lake Creek this month, I asked if Slackerwood could give away a couple of pairs of tickets. The nice Aff folks agreed, so now you have a chance to see this very funny indie for absolutely free.
The film screens on Thursday, May 27 at 7:30 pm at Alamo Lake Creek. Mark Potts, Cole Selix and Brand Rackley -- who between them wrote, directed and acted the three main roles in the film -- will be at the screening. They'll also preview a bit of their new film S&M Lawn Care. They run a pretty funny Q&A, as I recall.
Slackerwood is giving away two pairs of tickets to the May 27 screening.
- 5/17/2010
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
Rating: 6.5/10
Writer: Cole Selix and Mark Potts
Director: Mark Potts
Cast: Cole Selix, Mark Potts, Mary Black, Brand Rackley, Lindsey Newell
It’s an indie film tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. Boy pines for girl who’s way out of his league and thus unleashes a series of events in which boy pursues girl, making a complete jackass of himself before realizing he’s done this a million times before. While I’m tempted to say this story template started back with Clerks, I know there must be many more examples of this type of plot, dating back to the silent film era. The thing is, with the right characters and some good gags, it’s a solid go-to plot to have. While Mark Potts’ Simmons On Vinyl feels like a movie I’ve seen a hundred times before at dozens of film festivals, it...
Writer: Cole Selix and Mark Potts
Director: Mark Potts
Cast: Cole Selix, Mark Potts, Mary Black, Brand Rackley, Lindsey Newell
It’s an indie film tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme. Boy pines for girl who’s way out of his league and thus unleashes a series of events in which boy pursues girl, making a complete jackass of himself before realizing he’s done this a million times before. While I’m tempted to say this story template started back with Clerks, I know there must be many more examples of this type of plot, dating back to the silent film era. The thing is, with the right characters and some good gags, it’s a solid go-to plot to have. While Mark Potts’ Simmons On Vinyl feels like a movie I’ve seen a hundred times before at dozens of film festivals, it...
- 11/4/2009
- by Don R. Lewis
- GordonandtheWhale
If the screenwriters for Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle hadn't had studio backing for their comedy, and ended up shooting the movie in their hometown with a cast of acquaintances and a budget of maybe $300, the resulting film might have ended up a lot like Simmons on Vinyl. Both movies hang a lot of comedy on the premise of a crazy night in pursuit of something that sounds very silly when first mentioned, but has value to the characters involved.
Director/co-writer Mark Potts plays Zeek, a college kid who is dying to go out on a date with the lovely Holly. We can tell Holly's not interested, but Zeek is so much in denial that he agrees to run an errand for her -- to go to her boss's house and pick up a record she needs for a party, even though she isn't inviting Zeek to the party.
Director/co-writer Mark Potts plays Zeek, a college kid who is dying to go out on a date with the lovely Holly. We can tell Holly's not interested, but Zeek is so much in denial that he agrees to run an errand for her -- to go to her boss's house and pick up a record she needs for a party, even though she isn't inviting Zeek to the party.
- 10/25/2009
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
I took the above picture at Austin Film Festival 2008, without knowing who it was or which film was being promoted. I was working the opening-night film's red carpet and suddenly, down the block came these guys carrying a coffin. Naturally I shot a photo or two.
During the recording of Slackerwood Podcast #15 late last week, Chris Holland and Aff Film Program Director Kelly Williams discussed the feature Simmons on Vinyl, one of the selections for this year's festival. One of them joked that "This year, Mark Potts and Cole Selix won't be lugging a coffin around, like they did for The Stanton Family Grave Robbery last year." Eureka!
So the guys in this photo are almost certainly Potts, Selix and Kevin Costello, who co-wrote The Stanton Family Grave Robbery and brought it to Aff along with their coffin. Simmons on Vinyl is directed by Potts and co-written by Potts and Selix.
During the recording of Slackerwood Podcast #15 late last week, Chris Holland and Aff Film Program Director Kelly Williams discussed the feature Simmons on Vinyl, one of the selections for this year's festival. One of them joked that "This year, Mark Potts and Cole Selix won't be lugging a coffin around, like they did for The Stanton Family Grave Robbery last year." Eureka!
So the guys in this photo are almost certainly Potts, Selix and Kevin Costello, who co-wrote The Stanton Family Grave Robbery and brought it to Aff along with their coffin. Simmons on Vinyl is directed by Potts and co-written by Potts and Selix.
- 10/19/2009
- by Jette Kernion
- Slackerwood
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