Ghosts Don't Exist

Kathryn Coombs. 1953 ~ 2011

2011-01-21T19:22:00.006-05:00

19th + Wilson has some very sad news to share—Kathryn Coombs, the wonderful Unit Production Manager of Ghosts Don't Exist, passed away on Sunday, January 16th. It was just three months ago that we learned Kathryn was bravely battling uterine cancer, and she seemed to be doing well with her treatment. So to lose such a talented, vibrant colleague unexpectedly makes the loss that much harder to bear. If you visit Kathryn's Facebook page, you'll get a sense of just how loved and respected she was. The messages being left on her wall are touching, heartfelt, and legion.

Sadly, we at 19W only knew Kathryn for a short time, and Ghosts Don't Exist was the only film we had the pleasure of working on together. Her tireless efforts contributed heavily to the success of GDE—our first feature film—and suffice it to say, we had planned to work with Kathryn for a very long time to come.

Because Kathryn leaves behind so many friends who knew her longer and more closely, this is by no means a formal eulogy. we did, however, want to take the opportunity to highlight some of the fond memories we have of this very special and unique woman. I asked some of the gang here to share their thoughts.

AARON GOODMILLER, CEO / executive producer
"We met Kathryn in 2009 when she was applying for production designer for GDE. She wowed us so much that we hired her as UPM. She had a Rolodex full of crew members from the area; if she hadn't been on the film, we wouldn't have had as great a crew as we did."

ERIC ESPEJO, writer / director / executive producer
"I would say that my fondest memory of Kathryn was when I first started working with her and we (me, Kuni, and Kathryn) went location scouting. We had to drive all over Loudoun County to house after house and eventually to the last stop to meet with Don Aros. Kathryn was so patient and so enthusiastic about finding a place to shoot GDE, you could tell right then that when she worked on a project she gave it her all. The funniest thing about that day was that we were all in separate cars following one another. Kathryn had all the directions so she was the lead car. She drove too fast and Kuni drove too slow—I was in the middle trying to make sure I could see both her and Kuni!"

EARL ESPEJO, CFO
"I was always impressed with how Kathryn could find a solution for almost anything. We were on a tight budget with GDE but it seemed like Kathryn could always pull a rabbit out of a hat somehow. She was very kind and wonderful to work with. We will miss her dearly."

RICHARD FRIEND, producer / 2nd assistant director
"One of my favorite moments was during a night shoot; Kathryn, Aaron and I were upstairs in the Travis Garner House while a crucial scene was being shot downstairs just below us. We had to be especially quiet in that old house, as the floors would creak loudly with even the slightest shifting of your weight. Several moments into a take, Kathryn—who was an AVID smoker and prone to extreme coughing fits—HAD one of those legendary coughing fits. She tried her best to stifle it, but the sounds coming from her hand over her mouth were at least as bad as the coughing itself! Aaron, meanwhile, was threatening to make even more noise, as he was literally in tears from laughing. Sure enough, 1st AD Gavin Peretti yelled "CUTTTT!!!" and promptly reprimanded "whoever was trying not to cough and laugh at the same time." I couldn't resist snapping a photo—and just as I did, Kathryn looked right at the camera and smiled. Even after nearly coughing out a lung, ruining a take, and working at 4AM on zero sleep, she still had that smile. :)

The photo in the memorial banner was taken by Sarah Baker, during an impromptu moment on set; and I used that image because that's exactly how I'll always remember Kathryn—sitting at her computer, completely approachable, and ready to help in any way she could."

Memorial Services Announcement for Kathryn Coombs:
Visit Kathryn's Facebook page for more information on a Cleydael celebration of life ceremony coming from her friends at Cleydael Farm. Funeral mass with communion for family and close friends will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 1132 North Ivanhoe Street, Arlington, VA 22205 on Friday January 28th at 1:30 pm. Private interment to follow at Columbia Gardens. A memorial service at Pat Troy’s Ireland’s Own Restaurant & Pub of Old Town, 111 N. Pitt St. Alexandria, VA will be held Friday January 28 from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions can be made in Kathryn’s name (please so note on any donation) to the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) 1156 15th Street NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005 or the Fredericksburg Christian Health Center (FCHC)1129 Heatherstone Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22407-4828 or the YR Alumni Network, 1101 30th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20007 to fund a scholarship in Kathryn’s name.

Ghost Capture...creeping into the news again!

2010-12-10T13:59:00.005-05:00

Someone in Louisiana seems to have come up with their own unique spin on the Ghost Capture phenomenon... That, or there's a very creepy animal wandering the Baton Rouge woods these days!

NBC33 ran this story on what was purported to be a freaky image that showed up on a hunter's deer stand camera. Now that one is definitely not a Ghost Capture creation. But funny enough, one such Ghost Capture denizen did make it into the broadcast. Check out the photo submitted by a viewer at the 0:55 mark:

As our resident "ghosts" continue to gain exposure, we'll continue to populate the app with fresh new faces, metaphorically speaking. Have you downloaded the latest version yet? We're up to 30 ghosts, with many more to come in future updates in the new year!

Psychic Ghost Capture!

2010-09-24T22:09:00.006-04:00

We recognized two faces in this photo. One is Mr. Chip Coffey, the psychic/medium from the A&E hit series Paranormal State and Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal. The other is one of our custom apparitions from Ghost Capture!

Chip posted a couple of great Ghost Captures of his own to his Twitter page, and we're psyched to see that he's enjoying the app! Hopefully it hasn't caused him any grief, like it has a few others in the paranormal community!

Thanks for the support, Chip!! :)

Eerie HorrorFest

2010-09-06T16:18:00.004-04:00

Horror fans have probably heard of a popular fest called the "Eerie Horror Film Festival", and back in February we submitted GDE to them -- that seems like so long ago. Last night, the team received an email from Greg Ropp, President of the festival. Some highlights from his email were:

"After months of accepting film submissions from all around the globe, our call for entries has ended and our judges have turned in their final scores."

Then he went on to say, "The simple act of entering your film into a competition proves to me that you are serious about your vision and that you are passionate about your art. Whatever the result may be - keep making movies! There are NO losers or rejects here. Period. To those who are selected - congratulations are in order! Your films were stand outs within the hundreds of films we received this season. No small feat."

The result...

GDE is an official selection of the 2010 Eerie Horror Film Festival!

Road trip anyone? We're excited and hope to see some of you in Erie. Oh, and some of you we'll see this weekend at the Shadowroom.

DVD Release Party!

2010-08-31T15:41:00.003-04:00

We're just a week away from the Sept. 7th release of Ghosts Don't Exist on DVD —and to celebrate, we're inviting fans, cast, and crew to a special DVD Release Party!

Join us on Saturday, September 11th at the Shadow Room (2131 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20037) starting at 8PM. The fun will go until the wee hours, but take advantage of Shadow Room's $5 beer + wine from 8–10 PM!

Thanks to one of our great sponsors, Jason Cole, the Shadow Room will be opening up two hours early just for GDE friends and fans to party. Let's reunite, spread the word, and toast to a movie that everyone put their blood, sweat, and tears into!

Hope to see you there! Please RSVP to Nancy Yee (Nancy@19w.com) to get on the list for an early Shadow Room entry.

Smoking = Rated R?

2010-08-20T14:57:00.004-04:00

Ghosts Don't Exist Writer and Director Eric Espejo was interviewed this morning on Washington DC's FOX 5 News about a controversial new proposal by the Centers for Disease Control—a policy that could force the MPAA to assign an "R" rating to any films that include scenes with cigarettes.

What do you think? Is an "R" rating too harsh? What if a scene depicts the negative aspects of smoking, rather than the cool factor—would it still warrant the stricter rating that can have such a profound effect on box office revenue?

Redskins TV at the GDE premiere!

2010-08-10T00:59:00.005-04:00

Were you at the world premiere of Ghosts Don't Exist at the DC Independent Film Festival? Chris Cooley was, and because of that, Redskins TV was there covering the big event! Here's an exclusive peek at their segment, even before it airs on Redskins.com!

Check it out—you might even see yourself in the crowd!

And as you've heard by now, you can pre-order the DVD at Amazon.com—the release is September 7th!

Ghosts Don't Exist on DVD Sep. 7th!

2010-07-28T07:40:00.005-04:00

The week of kicking off the NFL season, on September 7th, watch GDE’s Executive Producer, Washington Redskins Pro Bowl Tight End, Chris Cooley in his acting debut!

It’s been a long process and finally 19th & Wilson is excited to announce Echo Bridge Entertainment’s DVD and digital release of Ghosts Don’t Exist! The street date is September 7th, but you can order NOW online at Amazon.com. We’ll keep everyone updated on other places where the movie will be available as Echo Bridge also has plans for GDE on PPV, TV and online media.

Ghosts Don't Exist - At Amazon

Please click here for more information about GDE and become a fan on Facebook

Thank you for your continued support and look forward to hearing your reviews on IMDB

We Have a Winner!

2010-04-09T00:50:00.006-04:00

Thanks to everyone who submitted entries and voted in the Ghost Capture Scariest Photo Contest! Congratulations to Christopher in the U.K., who provided the creepiest family portrait we've seen so far!

Winning handily with 39% of the vote, Christopher's photo has also won him a $20 iTunes gift card, courtesy of Ghost Capture!

Thanks again, and look for the next contest to be announced soon!

The PREMIERE!

2010-03-16T19:06:00.020-04:00

Writer/Director Eric Espejo welcomes the sellout DCIFF crowd

This was it. After all the anticipation, the hype—and most importantly, the hard work—Ghosts Don't Exist enjoyed a successful, sold-out premiere Sunday at the 2010 DC Independent Film Festival! A HUGE thanks again to everyone who made it happen!

It's hard to believe that it was just last February when Chris Cooley announced the greenlight of the film. And believe it or not, it was a year ago to the day—March 14th, 2009—when the producers saw over 220 casting auditions! The 19th + Wilson team had no way of knowing that exactly one year later, they'd be premiering the film.

Last March and April were spent selecting the cast, securing locations, and assembling crew. Then, in May, began the intense 15-day filming schedule, which is well-documented here on the blog. And from there, it was all about post-production.

The consensus you'll hear from just about everyone involved with this project is that it really feels like everyone has known each other for much longer than a year—in a very good way. Because from the very beginning, this team of cast, crew, and investors has felt like family. And that's why this past weekend felt as much like a family reunion for the team as it did a movie premiere.

The festivities kicked off Saturday night, as the Midtown Loft hosted an exclusive Ghosts Don't Exist party to get everyone ready for the big premiere. The turnout was great, and the crowd had a blast in anticipation of closing out the DCIFF in less than 24 hours. Great atmosphere, great drinks, great friends, and great fun!

GDE stars Chris Kennedy and Frederick Cowie enjoy a drink at the Loft

Joe Hansard, along with cinematographer Kuni Ohi and producer Richard Friend

Sunday's premiere was a memorable one. Fans filed into the U.S. Navy Memorial Heritage Center, and DCIFF volunteers regretfully informed some that the event was sold out. Those who had tickets descended to the elegant reception area, where a line soon began forming to the Burke Theatre. Within minutes, the line had extended the entire span of the beautiful facility.

Executive Producer Chris Cooley was on hand, of course, and both he and brother Tanner gave interviews to Redskins.com TV before the movie. Legendary Washington, DC film critic Arch Campbell also attended the screening, and enjoyed the film! Fans in line were thrilled to meet Arch and Chris in person, and plenty of photo ops and autographs ensued.

Once inside the theater, writer/director Eric Espejo was invited to say a few words to welcome the crowd. Two excellent short films then opened the event: Mike Salva's hilarious animated short, Back to Life, and Dan Sachar's unnerving When It Will Be Silent. Both set the tone well for the eager GDE audience, most of whom were seeing the film for the very first time—some crew members included.

Several scenes produced audible shocks amongst the crowd, adding to the fun. And as the final credits rolled, the raucous applause was a wonderful crowning moment for everyone who had a hand in making the film.

After the film, Espejo and fellow producers Aaron Goodmiller and Richard Friend took a few questions from the audience—most eager to know how this film came to be, and when the next 19W project can be expected. "It's already in the works," the team assured them.

Fans exiting the theater were greeted with one final surprise... official Ghosts Don't Exist keychain flashlights—a relevant (and handy!) little reminder of the indie premiere.

But the night wasn't over yet. There were awards to be announced, and GDE WON! The 2010 DC Filmmaker Award went to Eric Espejo, for Ghosts Don't Exist!

The entire 19th + Wilson/GDE team enjoyed a tremendous outpouring of support from friends, family, and fans alike last weekend, and were genuinely touched by the turnout. Many thanks again to everyone who made the trip into the city on a busy Sunday (in the wake of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, no less!) to share in this very special event!

The premiere has passed, but the GDE journey is really only just getting warmed up! Lots of big news remains on the horizon... stay tuned!

DCIFF: Everything You Need to Know!

2010-03-10T17:50:00.011-05:00

We're just a few short days away from the premiere of Ghosts Don't Exist! The sold-out event at the DC Independent Film Festival promises to be a bit chaotic, so we wanted to make sure guests know exactly where they're going—and get there on time.

Here are a few things you'll need to know (and remember!):

DATE + TIME:
Sunday, March 14, 2010, 4:30 PM

LOCATION:
U.S. Navy Memorial Museum | Heritage Center, Burke Theatre

701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004

(Entrance: between D Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, at 8th Street)

Metro: Archives-Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter metro stop on the Green/Yellow line
Parking: Public parking lots surround the block, and average $7 per hour.

Coming from Pennsylvania Aveune, you'll see the entrances to the Naval Heritage Center just across the courtyard in the building to your right. There should be some DCIFF signage near the doors, as well.

The will call desk is located directly inside the entrance, and is staffed by DCIFF volunteers. It's very likely that there will be a line extending into the courtyard, as the lobby is quite small. If you have to pick up your tickets (guests who purchased a 10-pack or more) you'll need to pick them up at will call. Remember to bring your receipt—this will help expedite the line tremendously!

If your tickets were emailed to you, remember to print them out and bring them! You should be able to bypass the will call line completely if you have your ticket with you. There will be a DCIFF volunteer stationed at the stairs, leading down to the main reception area. They will check your tickets and allow you inside.

However, if you still wish to purchase tickets to the Closing Ceremony/Reception (see below) you will have to do so at the will call desk. At the time of this post, $20 tickets are still available for the closing reception online. So if you can, just buy them in advance online and skip will call entirely. Reception tickets (if still available at the door) will be $25.

The theater is located just beyond the reception area, and seats 242. Again, the event is already sold out, so you'll definitely want to get there early—especially if you're planning to sit together with a group. And if you didn't get tickets already, we're afraid you may have missed the boat (naval pun unintended). There are no tickets being sold at the door, unfortunately.

Several people have also asked about the other films being screened that evening, and when Ghosts Don't Exist will actually be shown. The other two films are animated shorts—2 and 7-minute films, respectively. GDE will start soon after—another reason to definitely get there on time! ;)

The Ceremony/Reception/After-party
We're still a bit in the dark about what the DCIFF has planned for after the show. There apparently will be a brief awards ceremony, and a screening of highlights from this year's Best of the Fest films. There will be food and drink at the actual Closing Reception, however, which is why DCIFF has to sell tickets. This will all take place right there on the premises, in the main reception area.

Closing Reception tickets are still available online for the advance price of $20 (they'll be $25 at the door, if they haven't sold out.)

The 19th + Wilson team will be hanging out for the entire event, and mingling with other DC filmmakers and fans, so we hope you will do the same! If you're unable to stick around for the after party, there should be ample opportunity to mingle nonetheless. Please make sure you stop by and say hello!

Lastly, 19W is hosting a little celebration the night before at the Midtown Loft—open to all fans of Ghosts Don't Exist, whether you're able to make it to the premiere Sunday or not!

Join us Saturday night, March 13th from 7–9PM. Check out the Facebook event page to RSVP, and we hope to see you there as well!

Marketing, 19W Style

2010-03-07T17:02:00.010-05:00

There are some pretty cool things happening at the DC Independent Film Festival between now and March 14th, when Ghosts Don't Exist has the honor of closing the show. The festival isn't just about the films themselves, of which there are over 100 to choose from this year. In addition, there are plenty of seminars and workshops available, aimed towards educating filmmakers about the intricate process of making movies—and the details that transcend production and post-production. 19th + Wilson was pleased to be invited to speak at Saturday's Marketing and Distribution seminar, and Creative Director Richard Friend was on hand to discuss some of the ways 19W and Ghosts Don't Exist have generated attention.

DCIFF Founder & Executive Director Carol Bidault and 19W's Richard Friend

Friend described the creative process that the 19W team has taken to spread the word about Ghosts Don't Exist, beginning with social media. "Facebook has been such a tremendous help," he says, citing the creation of individual film Fan Pages—such as the one for GDE. "It gives us an opportunity to interact with fans that just didn't exist a few short years ago."

But really getting the word out about a film requires more than just creating a Facebook page; you not only have to recruit fans—you have to keep them coming back. Friend believes the 19W marketing approach has been successful because of the coordinated efforts of its group. "We try not to rely on just one thing," he says. In fact, they have a number of mediums through which they get the message out: 19W.com, ghostsdontexist.com, the GDE blog, and their personal Facebook and Twitter updates.

Friend also explained the team's process of disseminating that information. "Rather than giving away the whole story, we like to think of it as a gradual, layered process—like unwrapping a gift. We start by giving them hints... Revealing little pieces of information as we go. The idea is to create a sense of mystery and generate interest. Sometimes you have to look beyond merely posting generic updates, and start developing your own stories and content that's relevant to the project."

He described director Eric Espejo's idea of starting a production blog, which began as a means of updating fans live from the GDE set during filming. "This was a first for us, and it was a fun way to document the entire process. I can remember blogging from each location; describing the tone of the set each day and some of the challenges we faced." The blog provided an opportunity to share unique behind-the-scenes experiences with fans that might otherwise have been lost.

But Friend also recalls the uncertainty he felt as the 15-day production drew to a close. "I worried about what we'd do with the blog after filming wrapped. We didn't want to just let it languish after all the fun we'd started."

That's when the team began experimenting with sidebar stories—profiles of cast and crew, and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. "We knew we wanted to keep the buzz going long after production ended, and we realized that we didn't have to be on set to do that. There were so many wonderful people associated with this film—experienced crewmembers with fantastic stories... Just writing about them was a nice change of pace, and a great way to let our fans get to see a different side of production."

Have You Been There?
Friend explained how the team also tries to deliver its messages in new and creative ways—ways that engage the audience rather than simply updating them. He believes this was perhaps best demonstrated when the team cryptically unveiled its next project last summer.

"We didn't just one day announce 'Hey, we're going to be doing a film called ----.' Instead, we came up with an oblique phrase that we thought would generate curiosity: Have you been there?" But it was how the team delivered the phrase that got the most attention. The entire 19W family, including GDE producers Chris and Tanner Cooley, updated their Facebook status simultaneously at 10PM with the unusual question, "Have you been there?"

"It was awesome. People thought Facebook had been hacked or something... because all at once, the entire news feed was filled with this one status update! The screen showed all these different people, all saying "Have you been there?"

We were getting questions from friends, family, and even cast and crew who were in the dark—'what is this all about? Have I been where?!' Some even began posting the message themselves, without knowing what it meant!"

There's an App For That
Another topic of discussion was the iPhone app, Ghost Capture. Friend explained how he and Aaron Goodmiller created the paranormal photo-faking application as a relevant means of promoting Ghosts Don't Exist. "We timed the initial release before Halloween," he said. "Then we decided to try something different. We made it free."

The free app was downloaded thousands of times globally, with each new user being made aware of this little American indie film, Ghosts Don't Exist. "We didn't really know what to expect," he admits. "And then, all of a sudden, we see the app breaking into the Top 20 on iTunes... and then the Top 10."

Ghost Capture was also getting decent reviews, thanks to its user-friendly interface and eerily realistic imagery. "The only real complaint we were hearing was that there weren't enough ghosts," Friend says. "And that's exactly what we wanted." Earlier this year, iTunes released an enhanced version, available for 99 cents. The expanded edition includes 30 ghosts—three times the number available in the original. The free version also remains available.

While the app is fun and provides earning potential, Friend insists that its primary goal is still to promote Ghosts Don't Exist. The team continues to find new ways to utilize the app to engage users, such as the current Scariest Photo Contest.

Periodically, users are alerted via pop-up messages directly within the app. "They'll certainly be alerted when Ghosts Don't Exist is released on DVD, for instance," he says. "And we have to believe that at least a portion (of app users) are going to buy it as a result."

The app got an unexpected boost in February, when British tabloids including The Sun ran a story about a builder who had allegedly captured a ghost in a cellphone photo. It quickly became apparent that the "apparition" was actually straight from the Ghost Capture app, and once again, the number of downloads soared. "The free version has been downloaded over 500,000 times already," Friend reports. "We often joke that the app could actually end up grossing more money than the film itself, which is why this kind of marketing is so important."

Ghost Capture enjoyed a recent European boost, thanks to a U.K. prank that garnered international attention.
The app reached #1 in Sweden, and rose all the way from #300 in Spain to crack the Top 10 overnight.

Festival-goers will see the 19W marketing efforts in full bloom, as Ghosts Don't Exist postcard giveaways have been a hot item since opening night. "We've also got an extra little surprise for everyone attending Sunday night's (sold out) premiere," Friend says. "But they'll have to wait until after the movie to find out."

Naturally. :)

Not Just Any Football Card

2010-03-05T17:52:00.007-05:00

It goes without saying that we here at 19th + Wilson are football fans. In fact, that's how some of us first met—playing Saturday morning football together in 1999. It was during those games that we discovered a common interest in filmmaking, and began pooling our collective resources to start our independent film company. Little did we know that in less than a decade, we'd be making a feature film with the help of one of the most popular NFL stars in the sport; one of our favorite players. Chris Cooley.

Thursday night, on the way home from the DC Independent Film Festival's opening ceremony, we were reminded of just how integral football has been to this journey... and how for us, it will forever be connected to this particular film. Ghosts Don't Exist's own Donny Aros emailed us about an awesome discovery he'd made—2009 Topps® NFL Football Card #163. A new Chris Cooley card.

It's a rather conservative design as far as football cards go, and on the back of said card is the standard stuff: Chris' vital information, and his impressive stats from 2004–08. But what's remarkable is the summary statement. Right there, in black and white—on an official Topps® NFL Football Card—is Chris Cooley's commitment to our film:

Chris is one of the NFL's most entertaining and accessible players, bringing fans into his life through his well-produced blog. It was through that enterprise that he met his partners for a film production entitled Ghosts Don't Exist. Says Cooley, "I was an art major in college. If there's something I want to support, it's the arts."

It's such an honor to have our film represented on Chris' football card! Even as word continues to spread and Ghosts Don't Exist gains exposure on both national and global levels, there's something very special about this. And like any favorite football card, there always will be.

Scariest Photo Contest Finalists! VOTE NOW!

2010-03-03T21:07:00.013-05:00

The producers of Ghosts Don't Exist have reviewed hundreds of Ghost Capture submissions, and have painstakingly selected the top 10 finalists for our Scariest Photo Contest! Now, it's up to YOU to vote for the winner! Let's take a closer look at each entry, shall we? Here they are, in no particular order:

We're not sure what the doctor/scientist is doing in his office, but that's a very creepy visage lurking behind him in entry #1.

A striking scene in black and white, this dinner table in entry #2 appears to have a supernatural guest.

Our third entry features a trio of ghostly children lurking in the hall. Waiting to play with you... forever...

Entry #4 conjures up memories of early spirit photography... and eerie Victorian ghosts in top hats hanging out in corners.

Number 5 appears to be a rustic fireside setting, perhaps revealing an early settler who still lingers on the premises.

Our 6th entry illustrates why one should always keep their doors locked.

Entry number 7 appears to be a candid shot of two gentlemen outdoors. But look closer at the window directly behind them...

Number 8 is a lovely family portrait from a happy occasion... with an ever-so subtle spirit joining the pose.

Dramatic lighting paints the ancient stone walls in our 9th entry, which literally contains a figure in the shadows.

And last but certainly not least, our 10th entry very clearly depicts an ominous spectre at the top of the stairs. Do NOT go up there.

Use the poll at the top right of this page to cast your vote now!
The winner will receive a $20 iTunes gift card, courtesy of Ghost Capture! Voting will remain open throughout the month of March. Stay tuned for more contests in the near future, and thanks for continuing to make Ghost Capture a spooky success!

Fun Before the Festival: Come Celebrate With Us at Midtown Loft!

2010-03-02T18:24:00.011-05:00

With all the hoopla over Ghosts Don't Exist closing out the DC Independent Film Festival, we want to celebrate our sold-out premiere—with YOU! Knowing that some of you may not be able to stay for the DCIFF Closing Ceremony after the film Sunday night, we hope you'll join us the night before—Saturday night, March 13th at the Midtown Loft in Washington, DC.

From 7–9PM, they've graciously offered to host an exclusive, closed reception for fans of Ghosts Don't Exist! There's no entry fee and no tickets are required (you will have to pay your own bar/menu tab, however!)

Come downtown and hang out with the 19th + Wilson team and GDE cast and crew a whole day BEFORE the premiere, and make it a Ghosts Don't Exist weekend! With the sellout crowd on Sunday, the premiere promises to be a bit hectic; we want to make sure we have the chance to visit with each of you! Saturday night at the Midtown Loft is the perfect opportunity to do so.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH
7–9PM
(doors will open to the general public after 9PM, but we can stay as long as we like!)

MIDTOWN LOFT
Third Floor 1219 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC
Metro Access: less than 2 blocks. (Located directly between the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations on the Red Line.)

Please note:
NO ONE UNDER 21 IS ALLOWED.
(Sorry—it's not our call!)

If you're planning to attend, please RSVP now so that your name will be on the list at the door! You can RSVP by simply adding your name here, or confirming your attendance on the Facebook event page.

Having Fun with The Sun

2010-03-01T12:44:00.008-05:00

Life often does imitate art. That's the thought that came to mind when Ghosts Don't Exist's very own Josh Davidson tipped us off to a story he'd caught last week on CNN, about a construction worker in England who'd apparently captured a ghost in a mobile photo he'd taken while demolishing an old school. Josh immediately recognized the "ghost" as one of the new images available in our iPhone app, Ghost Capture.

What makes this even more hilarious is the fact that Josh portrays a skeptic in the film—David Sherman, the author out to disprove and debunk ghost hunting as pure hokum.

We've subsequently done a little research, and while there's no trace of the story on CNN.com as of yet, it seems to have originated in the Daily Mail and The Sun—two of the most popular news sites in the UK!

The reader comments are equally entertaining, as some of the theories are out there to say the least. Many cite the odd proportions of the ghost as basis for its being a fake; others insist that it's authentic for a number of reasons—including one who claims to be "mildly psychic" and senses "a connection to the boy". Allllrighty then.

After 170 responses to the Daily Mail article, the site finally disabled additional comments when an apt viewer alerted them to the truth: that this was obviously the result of the Ghost Capture iPhone app.

Another site, ghosttheory.com, does a great job debunking the article, and giving credit where credit is due.

Recently, a similar prank made its way into SyFy.com's Ghost Hunters forum.

Of course, all of this is great publicity for Ghost Capture, which has enjoyed another spike in global popularity—especially in Great Britain. The free version is currently #5 of all free photography apps in the UK, while the .99c version has risen to #14. Here in the US, the free version has climbed back to the #9 spot. More importantly, all users of the app are exposed to Ghosts Don't Exist—which was the whole point all along.

So keep your eyes peeled for any familiar "ghosts" that may spring up on the news these days, and let us know if you spot them, too!

DCIFF After-Party Ticket Info

2010-02-25T21:13:00.003-05:00

We trust that everyone who plans to attend the Ghosts Don't Exist premiere at the DC Independent Film Festival has already purchased your tickets, as there may only be a handful left! We're excited to see everyone at what looks to be a sold-out show!

Now, there's even more DCIFF news: they've updated their website to sell tickets to the after-party/closing night festivities, which includes the official Closing Ceremony, a Best of Fest montage of clips from this year's feature films, and the Closing Reception itself—which should feature music, food and drinks. Of course, the actual film festival AWARDS will be presented at this ceremony, too—we hope you'll be there to help cheer on Ghosts Don't Exist!

Tickets to the Closing Night event are $20 each, (or $25 at the door) and it's the perfect opportunity to mingle with the 19W team, GDE cast and crew, all the DCIFF filmmakers, and more! The ceremony takes place immediately after the screening, at the same location. We hope you'll stick around and help us celebrate GDE closing out the DC Independent Film Festival in style!

Ticket Confusion? This Should Help...

2010-02-22T16:23:00.004-05:00

We've gotten some questions about purchasing tickets from the DCIFF website, which could be confusing at times; so we wanted to clarify things a bit. There was also some confusion about exactly what's being shown during the March 14th 4:30-7:30 block that includes Ghosts Don't Exist, and when our film will actually start. Hopefully this will help:

"Twilight Zone" is merely the THEME of the 4:30 block that we're in—it's not a film itself. The DCIFF schedule lists "Twilight Zone, Animation, 109 minutes," which may have added to the confusion. In reality, there are only two short films (2-minutes and 7-minutes, respectively) that will run before Ghosts Don't Exist (which is 100 minutes long).

There will also be a Q & A session with the filmmakers, and time to mingle!

Thanks for your support, and we certainly look forward to seeing you all at the premiere!

~ The team at 19th + Wilson

Calling All Scary Photos!!

2010-02-18T22:25:00.005-05:00

The Ghost Capture Gallery has received thousands of creative uploads over the past few months, and now we're putting out the call for your scariest Ghost Capture yet!

Starting March 1st, we'll post our Top 10 finalists here on the blog—and we want YOU to choose the scariest of them all!

Submit your creepiest Ghost Capture creations by February 28th to be considered for the Top 10, and keep tabs on the blog throughout March to vote for your favorite.

And of course, if you haven't already downloaded it, be sure to get the new, enhanced version of Ghost Capture with 30 ghosts! Every download helps us promote Ghosts Don't Exist!

Tickets for the DC Independent Film Festival - NOW AVAILABLE!

2010-02-13T18:53:00.014-05:00

Thank you to all who have been patiently waiting for the 2010 DC Independent Film Festival tickets to become available. Ghosts Don't Exist will be closing out the festival on Sunday, March 14th, at 4:30pm.

There are 2 ways to get tickets.

1- You can purchase tickets specifically for the last day using this link: http://dciff.bside.com/2010/schedule/week/2010-03-12_2010-03-14. This will give you access to the 4:30pm "Twilight Zone Session" where 2 short films; "Back To Life" and "When It Will Be Silent" will also be shown along with Ghosts Don't Exist. Purchasing tickets using this option will also allow you to print out your tickets. Tickets are $10 each.

2- If you're planning on bringing a group of people you might want to consider buying the Festival "10" pack which is available here: http://www.dciff.org/passes.shtml. These are general admission tickets allowing you to watch 10 different "sessions" throughout the duration of the festival or using all 10 tickets for 1 screening. If you choose this option, your tickets will be held at Will Call under the purchaser's name. No tickets will be sent through the mail. The 10 pack is $50, giving you 10 tickets for $5 each.

*Make sure when you purchase this 10 pack, you note in the PayPal comment section that you want to attend the Ghosts Don't Exist screening. This will allow them to track ticket sales so everyone gets in.

Don't wait until the last minute, seating may be limited so make sure to get your tickets now! Everyone at 19W is excited to see you at our first film festival and we want to thank everyone for all your support!

Washington DC Independent Film Festival

2010-01-26T17:23:00.002-05:00

We are excited to announce Ghosts Don’t Exist's first film festival! GDE has been officially selected to the DC Independent Film Festival (http://www.dciff.org), a GREAT local festival and voted by Movie Maker Magazine as one the top festivals for independent filmmakers! As of today, we are scheduled to close the festival on March 14. However, their site says schedule is subject to change until Feb. 1, when they will announce the final schedule. Please spread the word, and get your tickets early!

As always, thank you for your support and we hope to see you at the DCIFF!

It's Here!

2010-01-16T00:55:00.006-05:00

The enhanced version of Ghost Capture for your iPhone is now available!

For just 99 cents, (with all sales going to help the film) you can get the eagerly-awaited full version of the popular app—which includes 20 brand new "ghosts" (30 total) to inhabit your photos!

If you've tried the original app, you know why it's been a hit. We've been getting some terrific stories from users, such as this one from "Cedar Park Tx":

"What makes this so cool is the ability to quickly punk someone. I took a picture of my wife on the stairs of our new home... In seconds I added a ghostly Victorian girl behind her. I suggested I send the photo to her girlfriend to show off our house. Within a minute she called wanting to know about the little girl in the photo and of course I played dumb. It TOTALLY freaked them out. It's being able to do slight of hand right in front of victims that makes this idea work. My only request is for a wider variety of ghosts, but by all means keep it simple like it is now. Great job guys!!"

We also get some that are funny in a darker sense, like this one from "Albert D":

"Ya, works too well. I deleted this app. I took a pic of a friend's dining room and placed the image of the little girl in the center and made her barely visible and sent it to my friend. He got so emotional. I deleted the pic from his computer and all settings, only to find out later he spent $100 on software to try to retrieve the photo from his computer. I felt so terribly guilty. To this day, I still feel bad inside."

Albert only gave us 1 star because of that experience, but hey—his story was priceless. :)

The most frequent request we receive is for "more ghosts." The new version contains plenty of that, with even more to come.

All future updates (and there are already some great ones in the works) will be completely free, as Ghost Capture continues to grow. Help support GDE by getting it now, and let us know what you think! Don't forget to check out the Gallery to see what users around the world have submitted, and submit your own creations!

New Year, New Ghosts!

2010-01-02T13:04:00.007-05:00

To kick off the new year, Ghost Capture is launching a creepy new campaign to advertise the highly-anticipated enhanced version of its hit iPhone app, which allows users to create their own "paranormal" photos by inserting ghostly images into their own pictures—which they can adjust the size, positioning, and transparency of for surprisingly startling effects. They can then email the photos to friends, as well as upload to the official gallery at ghostsdontexist.com.

The new version will retail for 99 cents, and includes thirty ghosts to choose from (the original ten, plus twenty brand new ghouls!) Free future updates will continue to add to the spectral population, as well as categorizing images (males, females, shadow figures, orbs, faces, etc.). All earnings go towards supporting the film. The original version will remain available as a free app—Ghost Capture Lite.

The current edition has been a mainstay in the Top 20 Free Photography apps on iTunes for months now, going as high as #4 and topping the likes of Flickr and TwitPic! In fact, in Italy, it not only reached the #1 spot, but cracked the Top 10 of ALL free apps, regardless of genre!

The new ad campaign features some of the new "ghosts," and puts an even eerier spin on the concept by suggesting a "personal history" of sorts for each—alluding to how and when they entered the spirit world.

One of the characteristics that has helped Ghost Capture stand out from the pack is the use of more subtle, psychologically disturbing imagery... rather than the expected cliches of vampires, demons, blood, and gore. Users responded overwhelmingly to the image of a small Victorian girl with no eyes, consistently ranking it as a freaky favorite. This idea of a "regular person" from long ago (who's just slightly... irregular...) materializing in a contemporary photo... it struck a chord. Crafting a fictional history only enhances that effect, allowing the user's imagination to run wild as they add these ghostly figures to their own photos.

That's right—we said fictional history. ;)

In reality, all of the images used are custom creations from model-released stock photos and vintage family albums. Not only did these folks not meet tragic, gruesome ends—most are actually alive and well. And posing for other stock photos. :)

The process of creating a new ghoul for Ghost Capture often comes from unlikely images, which are usually anything but ominous.

Removing a few limbs, adding a ghostly pallor, and deadening the eyes of a photogenic little model... sometimes that's all it takes to create the mystique of a tragic 19th-century ghost—one your friends would be shocked to see materializing in the background of that New Year's Eve picture you just took! Gaaaah!!! :)

The enhanced version of Ghost Capture has a little something for everyone—including those who requested the more modern, distorted spectres one might find in a Japanese horror film, shadowy figures, faceless entities, and jilted decaying brides. The new app will be available early this year.

Ronna Wallace to Rep GDE

2009-11-25T11:27:00.001-05:00

It is with great excitement that we announce a new member to the Ghosts Don’t Exist family. GDE will be repped by Producer’s Rep extraordinaire, Ronna Wallace. Ronna started out as an Executive Producer on films like Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, Bad Lieutenant, and Bob Roberts. She is now one of the best in the biz at finding a home for films – repping movies like the successful horror, Open Water. Our goal from the beginning was to get her involved and for it to become official is a huge milestone for GDE. We’ve heard that she is picky about the projects she accepts, so for her to take on GDE speaks volumes.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches we are definitely THANKFUL for having Ronna on board and we’re excited to see what she can do with GDE!

Meet the Crew: Ed Mantell

2009-11-19T14:33:00.007-05:00

I'm proud to say that Art Director Ed Mantell and I have a few things in common—one of them being the title, Art Director. While my title applies to the graphic design industry, Ed's calling is filmmaking; and there's nobody better at his craft than Ed Mantell.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Ed on the set of Ghosts Don't Exist, ensuring that he had access to digital props and other often-overlooked art department details. With every project, things sometimes have to change on the fly—even the script. I can recall a few instances (usually in the wee hours of the morning after a long shoot) when a scene called for something new; Ed would always respond with the same unflappable reply: "Copy that!" And within moments, he'd have it solved.

That's an art director's job on set and off—making sure that the film stays true to details and visual consistency. To say that it's a tough job is an understatement. It takes meticulous planning, and a careful eye to control the set after its been assembled—a particular challenge. Between takes, cast and crew typically relax momentarily and tend to forget their surroundings. That's when the rogue coffee cup sitting on a step may inadvertently be moved or thrown away—someone innocently having forgotten that it was a prop in an earlier scene that shouldn't be disturbed! Ed was always there preserving the set; taking careful photos and diligently monitoring every artistic detail.

Just as important as his expertise and professionalism is Ed's genuine personality. He's both a willing, generous teacher and mentor on set—and a student of the industry with a continual thirst for knowledge. And he's just a hell of a lot of fun to be around—a trait that so many on this team shared.

Like most of our other veteran crew members, there's much more to Ed Mantell than his art directing duties. He's accumulated a wealth of experience on both sides of the camera, having worked as an actor and extra in over 30 projects, including documentaries for PBS, The Discovery Channel, A&E, and many more. He's also been in several feature films, including Gods and Generals, War of the Worlds, Leatherheads, and the critically-acclaimed HBO mini-series, John Adams.

As is his nature, Ed makes a Herculean effort to understand the things that interest him, and he immerses himself. He's a certified Cannoner and Gun Commander (Certified by The National Civil War Artillery Association). He's also a living historian—having impersonated civilians and soldiers from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and Vietnam—on film and for the general public.

It's also been suggested that Ed is a real-life pirate. But that's another story.

Undoubtedly, one of Ed's many skills is his chameleon-like ability to change appearance. I got to witness the transformation first-hand when he assumed a bit part in GDE as Bradford Walters, a character pivotal to the backstory. Ed effortlessly shifted gears on our very first day of filming, leaving his improvised art department desk briefly to don a vintage suit and take a turn in makeup artist's Jim Choate's chair. Reporting to set, he was a totally different person. He shot me a knowing wink and added, "Man of a thousand faces."

Ed's also an amazing drummer and guitarist—and one of the highlights of each day's wrap was the impromptu jam sessions with he, Sam Edens, and Gavin Peretti over a few beers. Where lesser crews might justifiably crash into bed after a grueling day, these guys would hold court for additional hours. And after hearing them play a few bars, most of us stuck around as well.

"Life isn't about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself." This quote from George Bernard Shaw is one of Ed's favorites, and it's befitting. He continues to create himself with each project he undertakes, and in doing so, be a positive influence on everyone he works with.

On a sad note, 19th + Wilson and the entire Ghosts Don't Exist team extend our heartfelt condolences to Ed on the loss of his father, Carl Raymond Mantell, who passed away yesterday. Ed's dad was a piano and organ teacher, and had still been playing a midi accordion as a one-man polka band. Like his son, he sounds like a wonderful character. God bless you both.

Ghost Capture: Movin' On Up!

2009-10-28T11:38:00.005-04:00

If you haven't downloaded Ghost Capture for your iPhone yet, there's never been a better time to do it. In honor of Halloween, it's available FREE until November 1st!

Our fun, paranormal photo manipulator is officially a hit—it's just cracked the coveted Top 20 free photography apps and is currently at #14! How awesome is that?!

However, now we really need your help RATING it in the iTunes store. Of the 4000+ who've downloaded it globally so far, only a hundred or so have actually given it a rating. If you enjoy the app, please take a moment to give it a good rating on iTunes—every new download helps spread the word about Ghosts Don't Exist, and that's the ultimate goal!

We're also in the process of planning the first major update for the app, so keep your eyes peeled. We've literally been receiving thousands of creepy images from Ghost Capture users around the world—which you can now browse through in the new Ghost Capture Gallery at the official site! Keep those freaky fotos coming!

The GDE iPhone App!

2009-10-07T23:45:00.011-04:00

Ghosts Don't Exist is a first for 19th + Wilson on a number of fronts. It's our first feature-length film, and our first time working in high-def. It's also the first of our projects to spawn an official iPhone app!

Ghost Capture is a cool little application we designed ourselves, in the spirit of the film (no pun intended.) In short, it allows you to create realistic "paranormal" images right on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Here's the description from the iTunes App Store:

With Ghost Capture, you can manipulate any photo from your iPhone photo album. After choosing an image, (or taking a new photo directly through Ghost Capture) select a ghost to superimpose onto the photo. Choose from creepy Victorian children, faceless torsos, Civil War soldiers, ghostly orbs, and more. After placing the ghost, adjust the size, rotation, and transparency to achieve the optimum effect. Save and email your creation to your friends, and let them judge for themselves!

You'll be surprised at how creepy some of your own photos become. Transparent, creepy Victorian children and faceless torsos do have that effect, you know.

There's currently a page of 10 different "ghosts" to choose from, and we'll be adding plenty more in future updates.

The app is available on iTunes for .99 cents, with all earnings going to the film. So please help out by purchasing it and giving it a solid rating! Even if you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can still purchase the app through iTunes, if you'd like to help support us anyway. (And for when you do finally get that iPhone.) ;)

40,000 and counting!

2009-09-08T15:03:00.004-04:00

The Ghosts Don't Exist trailer is getting seen, and at an even greater pace than anyone anticipated!

Between the past week's features on the front page of YouTube and Chris Cooley's Hot Clicks article on SportsIllustrated.com, the trailer has topped an astounding 40,000 views since being posted on August 27th! And more importantly, it's continuing to generate positive reviews.

Many thanks to all who've watched it, highly rated it, and spread the word!

The Official Trailer!

2009-09-02T22:57:00.007-04:00

We've all been waiting for it. We've all been asking about it. Finally, it's here. The official trailer for Ghosts Don't Exist.

The YouTube video has already topped 5,000 views in this first week, and we thank everyone for continuing to spread the word!

Be sure to also check out the updated and expanded official site, which includes an additional high-definition viewing option.

The film is now in the capable hands of sound designer Billy Britt and composer James Sale, (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs; The Golden Compass) who are working their auditory magic.

Billy Britt talks with director Eric Espejo and producer Richard Friend in his Richmond studio.

You're now free to move on to that next question—when will the final cut be ready? It's the question we'll all be asking... probably for the next six to eight weeks. ;)

Hot Off the Presses!

2009-08-25T21:16:00.004-04:00

Be sure to pick up the September issue of Northern Virginia Magazine, now on newsstands! There's a great feature article included on Chris Cooley and Ghosts Don't Exist!

It's a terrific piece written by Buzz McClain, who also just happens to be the movie critic for Playboy Magazine! (Which makes it all the more fitting that the article is titled "'Skin Flick.") ;)

In other GDE news, word on the streets (those streets being 19th + Wilson, of course) is that the much-anticipated trailer is coming soon. Very soon. As in, this week. Stay tuned!

Ghost Hunters: a Familiar Location!

2009-08-20T22:54:00.014-04:00

If you watched Ghost Hunters on SyFy last night, you might have noticed something familiar. Jason, Grant, and the team investigated the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre in Prince William County, Virginia—the first location the producers of Ghosts Don't Exist visited when meeting John Warfield of DCMAG last October!

The DCMAG crew has documented numerous paranormal experiences in the historic courthouse and jail over the course of many investigations, and it was interesting to watch the TAPS team retrace our footsteps!

So, did they find anything? You'll have to watch the episode.

And what about us—did we find anything? You'll have to wait for the DVD. ;) In the meantime, here are a few photos from our very first paranormal investigation—a tour of the Brentsville site with DCMAG, which ultimately led to their being used as consultants on the film!

We interviewed John Warfield at the Brentsville Courthouse for a bonus feature on the Ghosts Don't Exist DVD!

The Brentsville Jail... No lights, no electricity!

Aaron, Donnie, Eric, and Tanner in what is purportedly one of the most active rooms of the haunted Brentsville jail.

Composer: James T. Sale

2009-08-08T00:54:00.009-04:00

It is with great pleasure that I announce the latest addition to the GDE family, our composer:

James T. Sale, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0757932/

His only personal info on IMDB simply states that he's an avid Washington Redskin fan -- I think he'll fit right in with our project. In fact, it was thecooleyzone.com that alerted him to our production and thank goodness for that. James has worked on an impressive collection of projects. Most recently on films such as Haunting of Molly Hartley, Fanboys, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

James is from the Washington DC area and is now based out of Los Angeles. We are excited about his involvement and can't wait to hear what he whips up for GDE.

Director's Q&A

2009-07-24T15:18:00.005-04:00

Eric Espejo, writer-director for Ghosts Don’t Exist would like to share his thoughts on questions submitted for the GDE producer’s video blog.

What happened to the producer’s video blog?

I’ll just answer that with a plug about being invited to speak to film students at George Mason University’s Studio A (http://www.gmutv.gmu.edu/studioa.asp). It’s on Nov 6^th, and I think you’ll be more interested in watching that video, than our recently recorded producer’s video blog. We plan on putting the producer’s video as an Easter egg on the GDE DVD.

How did you get Chris Cooley involved?

I sent a message to Chris’ “business development” email address listed on his blog. He seemed like the kind of guy who’d be interested in show business. In the same way I’d pitch any other producer, agent, and/or manager, I told them about 19^th & Wilson and our project. Jake Stewart, one of Chris’ business partners responded positively. It was a couple of months of correspondence. Then one day I got this message from Tanner Cooley that simply said, “Call Chris he wants to talk to you, his cell is…”. I was on vacation with my wife, Sarina, and we were about to go to dinner by the beach and I made her wait 10 minutes while I called him. She’s very understanding of the film stuff, but I think she ordered the most expensive items on the menu for payback. Anyway, we finally got to meet Chris for a drink in DC (Christy was with him) and I was incredibly impressed at how nice and genuine they were. I’ve said it before, the Cooleys are a class act. Chris really liked the concept of the movie so he agreed to sign on as Executive Producer. Later we met with Tanner Cooley and immediately we clicked and felt like he’d be driving things from the Cooley side, so we added him as a Producer. Tanner has a real interest in film and was instrumental in getting the project off the ground.

How did you come up with the story?

I’m a big fan of the horror genre. I’m not so excited about slashers unless the story is really done well. Story is everything, of course. Take Robert Wise’s “The Haunting” as an example; leaving more up to the imagination rather than showing a slow moving monster is much more frightening in my opinion. Also, in a horror when the concept is somewhat plausible then it enhances the fear. I’ve been pretty skeptical of shows that feature ghost hunters, so I asked myself what is something that could happen on a gig to these researchers that would absolutely blow them away. As a screenwriter, that’s your job, to take a situation and push the envelope within reason. So I took the paranormal arena and put some investigators in a pretty f’d up situation. As any writer knows, there are countless rewrites and I should mention that our other EP, James Mercurio who has a lot of experience with development, kept pushing me to not settle…to dig deeper into what was happening to the characters.

What made you choose that cast or location?

I was thrilled that 220+ actors showed up to the weekend auditions – folks from the DC/Balt area, and even Philly and NYC. A huge part of directing is casting, it’s very stressful. It’s essential to get it right. I thought I’d be able to just “know” that weekend when someone got it right. It was too tough to decide in 48hrs. We ended up having callbacks. I have a deep respect for what actors go through in auditions. One of them email’d me later and asked if there was anything he could’ve done differently. It’s a simple answer, “preparation”. It’s impressive when someone takes the time to learn the sides they’ve been given in advance. Reading off the paper makes a huge difference. What’s interesting is that two of our actors were online auditions (Philip Roebuck and Josh Davidson). They sent in videos and as soon as I saw Philip’s online submission I saw Brett’s character. He nailed it. Josh Davidson had an attitude about him and I could picture him as David Sherman, even though the role was written as a curmudgeon – I’m sure Josh will take that as a compliment. Devon Marie Burt had this great way of making you feel stressed for her, and that’s what was called for her role in the movie. Frederick Cowie secured the Richie role by just being himself. He’s got a unique sense of humor but has the range to bring that perspective to a horror. Joe Hansard is a great actor I’ve worked with a few times before, and he’s top notch. He plays creepy well. I wish I could keep talking about the rest of the cast but this blog would go on too long. I’m happy about each decision – there were a lot of comments on set praising the cast.

As for locations. We couldn’t have done it without our UPM, Kathryn Coombs. We made her scramble but she came through for us. For the main house, I searched online for rentals and I sent her a few options. I got a good idea of what the homes looked like from the net, but Kathryn did everything else. She set up the scouts and secured it.

Anything creepy happen on set?

Nope. You might want to field that question to our ghost hunting consultants, John Warfield and John Rossi of DCMAG. See the link to them on our blog. Well, there was this thing with the batteries in a certain location but I don't know...

Were there any moments during filming that really made you realize how much you love filmmaking?

Not a specific moment, but when you look at the hours you work during an ultra low budget indie production you think to yourself, “I must love this.” It’s cliché to say this, but it’s not work when you love it -- so you shouldn’t mind the hours. However, if you don’t have the right crew, then you may end up frustrated with a project. That wasn’t the case on GDE, we had great chemistry and it was a lot of fun.

What was your favorite and least favorite time on set?

Favorite time is after “Action!”. To see a script come to life on that monitor is exciting. Least favorite time is when weather doesn’t cooperate. You have to be prepared to rewrite on the fly just because an external shot is not possible. It can be stressful…I remember rewriting in Hamilton and just when I had it figured out, it stopped raining. Another dislike was our schedule. When you have a low budget you only have so much time. You have no choice but to cut out certain shots that you envisioned, but that’s just how it is. But our DP, Kuni Ohi made it work, he was outstanding, he was heavily involved from the get go – we worked many hours on a shot list. Preparation was key. Plus we had other seasoned pros like Bill Britt (sound), Don Aros (gaffer), Hektor Stockton (key grip), and Jim Choate (makeup/fx), that made the schedule work. Without them I think we would’ve struggled. Also, a director needs to surround himself with a solid team for just himself and I had incredible support from Gavin Peretti (AD), Richard Friend (2^nd AD),and last but certainly not least Jean Paul Chreky (scriptie). That’s probably my other favorite part about the set – the crew. They were all exceptional.

How many famous Washingtonians were in GDE and how did they do?

From the Redskins there was Chris Cooley and Todd Yoder. From local media there was Lindsay Czarniak from NBC4 and Mike O’Meara from the Mike O’Meara radio program. They were all very professional and did really well in their roles. I know Chris was concerned about his part but he was a natural. He was very believable and I think he’s happy with it – otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown his scene nationwide on NFL Total Access with Rich Eisen. Yoder was a last minute cast and he had some improv lines that would’ve put us in a different MPAA rating – he was a lot of fun and actually added value to the scene because I was trying to find a way to setup a situation better for Chris’ character. Lindsay was a natural as well, especially since she plays a reporter in the movie. I’m so grateful for her to make it work. She had a hectic schedule with the Caps and Nascar, but went out of her way to make sure she could film her scene. I remember listening to the Don and Mike show for years, so it was a blast to have Mike O’Meara participate. He really got it right as a television network executive. His scene worked out perfect. I should also mention that our producer, Tanner Cooley also makes an appearance as his future profession…a doctor.

Are there any one-liners from the movie that you think fans will pick up on?

“Weird.” It’s not translating well for a blog because there’s a way to say it. You have to say it the way Chris Cooley says it. The 19w team quotes it all the time.

Without giving away too much of the story, will it be a “head nodding” or “head shaking” ending?

I’m not sure what you mean about this question, Liz (Liz_Kauai). If you’re asking if it’ll be an up or down ending, then I can’t say. I remember something that M. Night Shyamalan once said about his films. He said he’d like it to pass the take home test. He went on to explain that sometimes his films made you go home and think more about what you had just seen. You start to question it, debate it, and it becomes even more intriguing – the kind of film that starts internet discussion threads. It makes you want to see it a second time, looking for clues. I think GDE might do the same. I’m not saying I’m trying to hack M. Night. I’m just saying that it may be a movie that makes you question certain things, like “Do ghosts exist?” It’s an old debate amongst skeptics and those who believe in the paranormal. There are parts of the film that could support…wait now I’m starting to say too much, so just go see the movie.

What are the plans for GDE’s release?

Producer and 19w CEO, Aaron Goodmiller and I have been corresponding with Ronna Wallace, Producer Rep extraordinaire. She executive produced such films as Reservoir Dogs and Bad Lieutenant. She’s now a producer’s rep with years of experience and sales like Open Water. A producer’s rep is the first person you contact when you have a project so I talked to her when we were in pre-production. She’s waiting to see our trailer or rough cut (our great editor Matt West is hard at work), then she’ll decide where to go from there. If she reps us I’m sure she’ll tell us what the strategy is.

What are 19W’s future plans/projects?

The Cooleys have expressed interest in doing another film and we’re excited about that. While our main focus is seeing GDE all the way through, we do have some projects in development. I’m currently in a rewrite of our next one. There’s a subtle link on the new ghostsdontexist.com site that hints at our next project.

Thanks for all the great questions, and sorry I couldn’t answer every single one but I didn’t want this blog to take up three pages, so I picked the most frequent ones we get. Speaking of a long post, if you’ve read this far, thanks for doing so. Please keep spreading the word about GDE and we appreciate your support!

ghostsdontexist.com: updated, expanded, and LIVE!

2009-07-17T10:38:00.004-04:00

The all-new ghostsdontexist.com is finally up and running!

We've thoroughly expanded the site to showcase cast + crew, sponsors, press coverage, the blog, and a number of extras—including the exclusive DCMAG Diary of a Ghost Hunter mini-site!

Check it out, and be sure to let us know what you think!

Sneak Peek at the New Site

2009-06-14T23:59:00.006-04:00

We've gotten a lot of questions recently about this, so I'm happy to report that we are verrrrrry close to launching the long-overdue overhaul of the film's official website, ghostsdontexist.com.

The current site was developed before the film was even cast, and was designed primarily for investment purposes to simply set the tone and generate interest. Now, it's time to showcase what we've accomplished—and we've been hard at work doing just that.

After casting, we entered what felt like a whirlwind of tasks and deadlines—production itself being a 15-day marathon that literally required all hands on deck. With the film now in post-production, we've finally been able to address the issue of updating and expanding the website design—and Version 2.0 is shaping up to be a very cool thing.

The image above shows just a few examples of what you can expect from the new site. In addition to production and cast photos, there will be links to press coverage, (including the blog, of course) sponsors, downloads, and lots more—including our exclusive "Diary of a Ghost Hunter" feature with John Warfield of DCMAG.

We're in the home stretch, and should be announcing the launch shortly... stay tuned! :)

Fun With Props: The "Psy Fi" Channel

2009-06-10T22:30:00.001-04:00

In every good film, there's attention to detail. I'm happy to say, you'll find plenty of that in Ghosts Don't Exist.

One such detail involves a fictitious cable network—which we had to create from scratch. (Sort of.)

As you know by now, our story centers around celebrated TV ghost hunter, Brett Wilson. He and his team have a phenomenally successful show, much like the SciFi Channel hit, Ghost Hunters. To convey this, we started from the beginning—by establishing a fictitious brand.

We needed a brand that would instantly convey the essence of the SciFi Channel, without plagiarizing or mocking the original. Unit Production Manager Kathryn Coombs suggested the name, "Psy Fi"—a play on "psychological" and "science" fiction, given the nature of paranormal reporting. And being the graphic designer, I had the fun chore of developing a logo.

The PsyFi News logo, along with some additional prototypes

The Psy Fi News logo would be used across a number of platforms, in order to convey its range throughout the film. Some of the things we had to create:

wall-mounted signage for the network executive boardroom
a branded notebook for field reporter Lindsay
motion graphics for the actual Brett Wilson interview footage.

When it all comes together, our Psy Fi pseudo-network certainly feels like the real deal. Of course, it also helps tremendously when you have very real media folks—pros like Lindsay Czarniak and Mike O'Meara staffing it! ;)

Quasi-Dinner for Five: GDE Edition

2009-06-09T19:22:00.009-04:00

Most of you are probably familiar with Dinner for Five, Jon Favreau's hit show on IFC where he and four guests swap stories and discuss the craft of acting over dinner.

This Friday, we'll be doing our OWN version, inspired by DfF. Although, instead of dinner, we'll probably stick to cheap appetizers and beers. :)

The producers of Ghosts Don't Exist (Tanner Cooley, Eric Espejo, Richard Friend, and Aaron Goodmiller) are meeting up for said drinks and appetizers, and 19W will film the whole thing—as we discuss the process of making the movie and the exciting next steps. Then, we'll post the video here on the blog!

What questions would YOU ask the producers? Post them here in the comments section, on our official Facebook page, or email them to contact@19thandwilson.com. They might just end up in the video!

Tanner Cooley Talks GDE on WPL!

2009-06-05T15:50:00.004-04:00

Producer Tanner Cooley was a special guest on Comcast Sportsnet's Washington Post Live show yesterday afternoon, where he spoke with Ivan Carter about Ghosts Don't Exist! Check it out:

Extra! Extra! GDE in the Washington Post!

2009-06-04T14:15:00.008-04:00

In case you missed it yesterday, Ghosts Don't Exist was in the Washington Post!

The Reliable Source column by Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts was a terrific followup to one they wrote in January, announcing Chris and Tanner Cooley's association with the project. Yesterday's article focuses on Chris' role in the film, and mentions the cameos by local media favorites Mike O'Meara and Lindsay Czarniak.

Many thanks to the Post for the wonderful publicity—it's an honor!

And speaking of the Mike O'Meara Show, check out the pics from last Friday's show with Chris, Tanner, and Eric Espejo in-studio!

MEET THE CREW: Boom Operator Sam Edens

2009-06-02T23:56:00.010-04:00

Sam & Sam: Samantha Iles with Sam Edens

Sam Edens is one of the most amiable fellows you could ever hope to meet. Friendly, funny, and always entertaining—having him on the Ghosts Don't Exist team throughout the aggressive 15-day shoot was a very good thing for us all.

He's unquestionably one of the first folks you'd notice on set. Tall, rangy, and with a long ponytail and goatee—at first glance, he may look more like the "outlaw biker" archetype he actually portrayed in a 2003 episode of The F.B.I. Files on The Discovery Channel. But from your first conversation with this easygoing gentleman, you'll know you're in very good company—and in for a fun ride. Fittingly, on Day 1 of filming, it was Sam who showed up with the Ghostbusters shirt. GDE was officially off to a great start.

But Sam did much more than simply keep the troops in good spirits; he held—literally—one of the most crucial filmmaking responsibilities on set. The boom mic.

Working in tandem with sound recordist Billy Britt, Sam's job was to pick up the key voices and sounds in every scene. Indoors, outdoors... sometimes in uncomfortably close quarters. It's often a thankless job, and one of the most grueling. But we certainly appreciate Sam's skill and effort on this film. Because make no mistake—what you'll ultimately hear in the movie is due in very large part to Sam Edens.

One of the great things about working with Sam, aside from his wit and wisdom, is his unwavering demeanor. Cool under fire doesn't begin to describe it. Whether it was bad weather or ungodly hours, Sam never lost his affability. He helped create and foster a stress-free environment on sets that could've easily turned into anything but.

Sam can always find a way to lighten a moment, bring a smile, and set everyone around him at ease—including Redskins' great Chris Cooley, waiting a bit tentatively for an alternate take during his screen debut:

Sam is a lot more than a boom operator. He's a talented screenwriter and actor who has appeared in a number of productions, including The Patriot and John Adams; and has portrayed such surprisingly cleancut historical figures as Alexander Hamilton and Sir Isaac Newton, respectively.

And you thought he was just another outlaw biker. ;)

Sam on the set of The Patriot with Jason Isaacs—the diabolical Col. Tavington

Sam as Sir Isaac Newton in The Science Channel's 100 Greatest Discoveries

On the set of HBO's John Adams

Sam as Alexander Hamilton in The Discovery Channel's Weapons Masters

On top of it all, Sam is a heck of a musician. One of the great memories many of us will take from the GDE experience is that of Sam, Ed Mantell, and Gavin Peretti breaking out in their freeform jam sessions at the end of each day. Sam's bass, Ed's guitar, and Gavin's vocals were a welcome sound, signaling another day closer to the completion of the film.

Check out Sam's MySpace page, as well as that of his freestyle group, 13 Foot Drift. You'll be glad you did.

Scare Tactics

2009-05-31T18:42:00.011-04:00

You might be surprised to learn that there weren't a lot of pranks played on the set of Ghosts Don't Exist. Probably because we were all so focused throughout the production. In the months leading up to filming, however, we did have a few opportunities to provide a friendly scare or two. Well, I did, anyway. Fittingly, they came during actual ghost hunts.

The first was at the Brentsville Courthouse, where we met the guys from DCMAG for the very first time. We were about to join them for our very first investigation—of the historic Brentsville Jail—when I seized the opportunity. Standing just outside the courthouse, I noticed someone passing by the upstairs window. It may have actually been Nancy Yee or Kirsten Cooley—both of whom were there touring the site with us. So I snapped a photo. Hold that thought for a moment.

A few seconds later, I noticed Donnie Conty in the Courthouse foyer. As Donnie will tell you himself, (and as you'll eventually see in a particularly priceless behind-the-scenes clip) he's always the most likely to pull a "Dude, run!" in any scary situation. But knowing that he takes everything in stride, I proceeded to call Donnie outside. Feigning a concerned but quizzical look, I suggested that I'd just photographed something... well, unusual. I pointed to the window above us, which was now empty:

I then showed Donnie my camera, containing what seemed to be a photograph I'd taken just seconds prior:

He scrutinized the image in the camera, then looked back up at the empty window in disbelief. He was able to utter a startled "WTF?!" before his jaw dropped completely.

Unable to hold in the laughter, I let him off the hook. He had several choice words for me, but I know he appreciated the simple creativity that lead to such a convincing scare. ;) It's an amazingly easy concept that just happened to come to me on the spot.

Fortunately, it came to me again—the week before we began filming GDE.

19th + Wilson asked DCMAG to give our lead actors a crash course in ghost hunting (something else you'll definitely see in our behind-the-scenes features). Before the investigation at Historic Jordan Springs, we were given a tour of the amazing site. There happened to be a few folks still there that evening, as part of an event that was wrapping up; and noticing a dapper older gentleman in one of the libraries, I snapped a photo. Hold that thought for a moment.

In pranking people, I've learned that it can often be just as effective to show someone parts of a photo out of context—especially if they're not expecting certain elements to be there.

With that in mind, I approached Sarina Espejo with my camera. Knowing that she'd also seen these same rooms eariler, I showed her the "unusual image" that had turned up in my viewfinder. While scrolling through a zoomed image, I explained how I'd taken some photos in the library. "It pretty much speaks for itself," I said, heightening the suspense. As I continued to scroll across the image, Sarina saw closeups of books and stuff, like this:

and this:

And then, out of nowhere, this appeared:

It's amazing how—in the context of an intense paranormal investigation—a well-dressed, harmless senior citizen takes on the more ominous visage of a long-dead mortician, quietly observing our activities from beyond the grave... for all eternity. Or something like that. The effect is even more startling if you simulate dramatic music and/or scream when revealing the image.

Sarina slapped my arm. Hard.

All joking aside, we did experience a number of unexplainable events at both Brentsville and Jordan Springs—some of which we'll be sharing here very soon. They definitely helped set the tone for cast and crew alike. ;)

Zombies!!!

2009-05-29T11:55:00.008-04:00

If you're a fan of zombie movies, (and you're over 21) do yourself a favor and head to the Arlington Cinema n' Drafthouse Saturday night for the encore presentation of ZOMBthology—a wickedly funny (and wonderfully disgusting) trilogy of tales from the gang at Art Held Hostage.

The film is comprised of three separate shorts written and directed by Robert Elkins, (segment "The Curse of Zombie Lake") Elias Dancey, (segment "A Slight Case of Zombism") and Chris Kiros (segment "The Stripper From B'twixt the Graves") respectively—deftly woven together with a plotline starring the scream queen herself, Tiffany Shepis!

19W's Donnie Conty, Nancy Yee, and I were thrilled to attend the premiere last night, along with Ghosts Don't Exist cast and crewmembers Josh Davidson, Gavin Peretti, Devon Marie Burt, Kathryn Coombs, Patrick Shewmaker, Javy Espejo, and Charle Acierto. We were there for a very good reason—Josh and Gavin have key roles in the film's third segment, The Stripper From B'twixt the Graves!

The event was a blast, and it was great meeting some of the (twisted) minds behind ZOMBthology! The film is an awesomely fun ride from start to finish, but be warned—it's graphic, in every sense of the word.

On a related note, because the Drafthouse serves alcohol, they only allow patrons 21 years of age and older. And they will check your I.D., regardless of your age. (As one lovely and clearly middle-aged couple learned the hard way...) So bring your I.D.!

The encore is this Saturday, May 30th at 11:45PM. Go hungry, as the Drafthouse has a terrific menu in addition to drinks. You'll probably want to skip anything with ketchup during this one, though—just something to keep in mind while you enjoy the bloodletting zombie goodness. ;)

Fans DO Exist: THE GDE FAN PHOTO CONTEST!

2009-05-27T11:37:00.008-04:00

Dave with Jimmy Cerrito of Jimmy's Old Town Tavern

This gentleman may have thrown down the gauntlet at our wrap party. But now it's your turn.

Announcing the Ghosts Don't Exist Fan Photo Contest!

We want to see how psyched you are about Ghosts Don't Exist! Be creative (and responsible—no spraypainting public property or anything of that nature, please!) Maybe it's a photo of you holding a GDE poster in the middle of the Serengeti... or atop the Eiffel Tower... or while being chased by a pack of dogs... or in prison... you get the point.

Submit your best fan photos (and/or Photoshops!) to contact@19thandwilson.com. We'll publish the top selections here, and hold a vote to determine who will receive a Ghosts Don't Exist t-shirt!

Rain Men (and women)

2009-05-25T21:36:00.014-04:00

This Memorial Day weekend brought a few light rains to the Northern Virginia area, after nearly a full week of drought. It was actually quite nice. It was also a stark contrast to what we were forced to contend with on the set of Ghosts Don't Exist.

At nearly every location, we weathered heavy rains (no pun intended)—often several times a day, at all hours of the day.

While most of the film was shot indoors, there were a fair share of exterior scenes as well... and Mother Nature seemed to know exactly when we planned on filming them. Our team was prepared for just about anything, however—including this hand-held umbrella rig to allow Kuni to get closeups without waiting for the rain to stop.

Despite the umbrellas, tents, and raincoats, most of us were never completely dry. Even on the few days when it didn't rain, the grounds we had to walk through were thoroughly soaked—we're talking standing water.

But I can't recall a single time when spirits were dampened. As director Eric Espejo shows, we just continued doing what we had to do throughout the downpours, maintaining our sense of humor—and love for movies—at all costs. :)

The King of the All-nighter

2009-05-23T01:39:00.010-04:00

One of the toughest transitions to make while shooting a film is adapting to the overnight hours. Strike that—it's not necessarily the all-nighters that are the problem; it's readjusting to your normal schedule that's the real challenge.

Many of us on the set of Ghosts Don't Exist are nocturnal by nature, so arriving at 7PM and working until sunrise wasn't really as difficult as waking up super-early in the morning typically is. (Plus, there was a constant supply of coffee.)

But the real secret to staying awake and alert throughout the night is laughter. And fortunately, we had a constant supply of that, as well.

If you find yourself working a graveyard shift—regardless of the industry—try to ensure that you have colleagues who share your sense of humor. It makes a huge difference in morale. And if at all possible, try to make sure you have Donny Aros there with you.

The gaffer on Ghosts Don't Exist, Donny Aros brings a wealth of experience to the project. His reputation rightly precedes him as one of the film industry's top grip and electric specialists.

But in addition to his talent and professionalism, he brought pure fun. He could always be counted on for entertaining conversation at any hour of the day. Or night.

Donny's voice often punctuated the moment, then went on to become part of the GDE lexicon. Most notably, his enthusiastic reiteration of Gavin's "CUT!" call at the end of most takes. By Day 3, at least a dozen of us would follow suit. "KEEE-YUHHHHHHHHTTTT!!!" This lasted for the duration of the 15 days, and it will never get old. That word is going to be hovering in space over the Travis Garner House location for at least the next 50 years.

Another phrase that demanded constant repetition was "apple box." Donny recalled fondly how a former colleague would request this essential tool—by bellowing loudly, "AAAAHPPUHLBAHHCHS!!!" None of us who experienced it will say the words "apple box" any other way ever again.

But the real fun was in the personal exchanges with Donny, who easily developed a repoire with everyone on set. His observations were usually dead-on, and always hilarious. Do yourself a favor and ask him about the guy who looked like Kenny Rogers. It's one of the funniest stories you'll ever experience. It also prompted us to take a quick glance between scenes at the classic website, menwholooklikekennyrogers.com; which, in turn, prompted another brilliant Donny Aros observation—"Dude... Kenny Rogers doesn't even look like Kenny Rogers anymore." It's startlingly true:

My personal favorite was our joint amusement at bizarre Neil Diamond songs—most notably, "Knackelflerg." I'd never even heard of it, until Donny pointed out the fact that it includes the utterly ridiculous line, "You set my eyebrows up in flames." Without hesitation, we found the song on YouTube:

I'm man enough to admit that you'll find one or two Neil Diamond songs on my iPod, albeit hidden under multiple folders named anything but "Neil Diamond." But Knackelflerg adds a whole new dimension of badness. After hearing it, the word itself begins to infect other Neil Diamond lyrics. We frequently found ourselves singing things like:

"Knackelflerg, you're a store-bought woman..."

"Maybe tonight... Maybe tonight, by the fire, all alone, knackelflerg..."

"Sweeeeet knackelflerg... good times never seemed so good..."

Donny also noted that while we may poke fun, there are some folks who absolutely treasure Neil Diamond. "There's gotta be a name for people who really love Neil Diamond... a term for those die-hard Diamond fans out there..."

Unfortunately, he was summoned back to set that night before he could officially coin the term. Because when work called, Donny was on the spot—through the bad weather and the ungodly hours, both of which we had our fair share of. By the next project, though, I'm sure he'll have it, among other gems—and we're all looking forward to it.

A Big THANK YOU!

2009-05-21T20:03:00.008-04:00

One of the big differences we've noticed after having wrapped filming is the absence of delicious, catered goodness in our lives. And that's a tough adjustment, people.

During the 15 days we shot Ghosts Don't Exist, we were fortunate to be treated to a fantastic array of sponsored meals, which literally fueled us throughout the grueling schedule. Equally invaluable were discounts on essential services: real estate, wireless internet, porta-johns, HVAC, and more.

Without further ado, we'd like to publicly thank them here and encourage everyone to frequent not only these wonderful restaurants, but all of the businesses that took such great care of us throughout this production. Thank you ALL!!!

Anita’s

Barn Door BBQ Catering Company

Blue Ridge Grill

Brooklyn Bros Pizzeria

Brown-Carrera Realty, LLC

Café Opera

Canteen Corrections

Casanel Vineyards

Chipotle

Don's Johns

Dry Mill Vineyards

The Greene Turtle Sports Bar and Grille

Houlihan's

Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern

Lowry’s Crab Shack

Manhattan Pizzeria

Mediterranean Breeze

Old Dominion Brewing Company

R.A. Dobson, Inc.

Sheetz

South Riding Inn

Texas BBQ Factory
21100 Dulles Town Circle #236
Sterling, VA 20166
Site under construction

Verizon

Willowcroft Farm Vineyard

Zephaniah Farm Vineyard

And to the following folks in our own group who provided wonderful meals—we thank you as well!

Earl, Anna & Kaitlin Espejo
Sarina & Eric Espejo
Samantha Iles
Nancy Yee

Serendipitous Origins

2009-05-20T22:36:00.010-04:00

Last October, Northern Virginia magazine ran an article on Ghosts Don't Exist writer/director Eric Espejo. It was a small piece primarily about 19th + Wilson's most recent short film, The Love Story of Henry and Carol—and our desire to branch out of the techie-comedy genre we'd explored to date. Henry and Carol marked a turning point of sorts, as a considerably darker film—a natural precursor to Ghosts Don't Exist; and this article included the first mention of the film, and our desire to go about making it the right way.

That very same issue also featured an article on John Warfield, of DC Metro Area Ghost Watchers, just a few pages apart. This was serendipitous, as it provided the perfect opportunity to contact the premier local paranormal investigative group for technical advice on the film. Before long, John and his team were not only consultants, they generously offered to provide the ghosthunting equipment used in the film, as well as take us along for actual investigations.

So, not only did the October 2008 issue of Northern Virginia magazine first announce the planning of Ghosts Don't Exist, it established a key connection with the folks at DCMAG who helped us tremendously in making it. John Warfield and John Rossi, in particular, have been amazing assets to the project. And as an ongoing feature, we'll soon be launching a special section on ghostsdontexist.com called Diary of a Ghosthunter: the Journals of John Warfield. Here, you'll be able to read about actual cases that DCMAG is currently investigating, as well as submit your own paranormal questions and tips to the team.

At Monday night's wrap party for the film, there was yet another serendipitious event—photographer Jonathan Timmes was on hand to document the festivities. John Warfield instantly recognized him as the man who'd taken his photo for the magazine article last October.

Everything happens for a reason.

And That's a WRAP!!!

2009-05-19T22:20:00.011-04:00

We'd waited 15 days to hear those words, crackling across 9 walkie-talkies and reverberating throughout Chris Cooley's cavernous estate—all while trying to keep an excited and growing crowd of cast, crew, and wrap party revelers quiet for the final shots.

Principal photography on Ghosts Don't Exist wrapped at 7:50PM last night, just in time for the arriving mass of friends, family, investors, and other guests—all eager to celebrate the completion of the film we've worked so very hard on for the past few weeks. It was the culmination of a terrific concerted effort, and the beginning of the next phase of the project—post production.

Our final day of filming was a breeze, helped along by gorgeous weather and the wonderful setting of the Cooley home. Chris and Christy generously hosted our wrap party, which included a surprise sneak peek at the trailer (a rough cut created on site by editor Matt West).

Just a still photo for now—we'll post the official trailer here as soon as it's completed!

The night—and indeed, the entire production to date—was a huge success. There were hugs and congratulations all around, as cast and crew remembered fondly the long hours we'd invested, breathing both a sigh of relief and regret that this portion had finally reached it's end. Much like the end of a memorable school year, we all made sure we had each others' contact info, (and Facebook, of course) and collected autographs throughout the night.

For many of us, it was back to the "real world" on Tuesday—coping with the withdrawals that come with the end of an incredibly fun, rewarding production like this. But of course, this is really only the beginning. The ride has just started, and will only pick up steam as editing is completed, distribution deals are reached, and film festivals come calling—so stay tuned!

Day 15: It's the Mike O'Meara Show!

2009-05-18T15:12:00.006-04:00

It's our last day of filming, and the weather has actually been cooperating! The sun is out, and the cast and crew are soaking up every moment here at Chris Cooley's beautiful home. Day 15 couldn't have started much better.

But it actually HAS! We were thrilled to have the legendary Mike O'Meara join us for a cameo role—playing a television network executive not too happy with Brett Wilson's decision to retire from his hit ghost hunting show.

Mike came by to shoot his scene this morning, then headed back to do his own radio show—where he interviewed writer/director Eric Espejo about Ghosts Don't Exist! Check out the podcast!

Godzilla Doesn't Exist

2009-05-17T23:13:00.007-04:00

A wry Ed Mantell sidled up to my desk earlier this evening, alerting me to keep an eye out for a photo he'd just emailed.

It was a great photo, too—one he'd just snapped of cinematographer Kuni Ohi modeling a hard hat and striking a Godzilla-esque pose... while sitting on an apple box.

Ed thought I'd enjoy Photoshopping it during some rare downtime. He thought correctly. ;)

We're winding down Day 14—the last day here at the Travis Garner House set—and we're all a little punchy. (As evidenced by the Photoshopping of our esteemed DP, among other shenanigans.) We're actually looking to wrap a little after midnight tonight, which should give us all an added psychological boost going into the final day of filming tomorrow. The sun has been coming up at wrap time the past few mornings, so we're definitely feeling pretty good tonight.

Tomorrow, we'll probably be feeling even better. ;)

The Home Stretch

2009-05-17T02:24:00.003-04:00

We're in the waning hours of Day 13 of our 15-day shoot, and it's starting to hit us—we're actually almost done. Last night was a picture wrap for Katie Foster and Kendra North, a sign that we're definitely in the home stretch. Tonight, Aaron began having the cast and crew sign a copy of the script—a tradition we at 19th + Wilson have enjoyed since our very first short film. A tradition started by our dear friend and fellow producer, the late Edwin Pontanilla.

We've been shooting Ghosts Don't Exist since May 2nd, and the time has absolutely flown by. It's true, what they say about having fun. The past 72 hours or so have been a literal blur, mainly due to the nocturnal schedule we've been on this week. And while seeing the end of the project in sight (this phase of it, at least) is exciting, it's also somewhat bittersweet.

We're going to miss these days on set. We're going to miss this little makeshift production office at the Travis Garner House location, and walking through the rain-soaked yard to our vehicles at 5AM. (Well, maybe not that part.)

We're definitely going to miss the thrill of shooting at Chris Cooley's house. And we're going to miss the wonderful catered meals we've been enjoying twice a day. But most of all, we're going to miss the people—this amazing cast and crew who are making the film a reality.

This is by far the largest production team 19W has assembled to date, and it's been a blast coming to work with this group of 40-plus—throughout the rain, the heat, and the ungodly hours. And somehow, we're down to just a little over 36 hours left. Almost there...

Monster-Tronics.com -- Cool Spooky Props!

2009-05-15T16:54:00.008-04:00

The props on this show have been amazingly complicated and way-cool - just ask Art Director Ed Mantell -- and I'll vouch as Production Designer. On our limited budget we couldn't begin to round up all this stuff without the kind sponsorship of various companies and organizations. John Warfield and our friends at DCMAG (DC's premier ghost hunter group) have lent us thousands of dollars worth of ghost-hunting equipment - EVP recorders, K2 meters,EMF meters, etc etc. A local contractor came in and filmed footage with a $20,000 FLIR thermal camera (more about him later - he gets his own blog).

Tonight, another fun prop gets its moment in the spotlight. Or, actually, it IS the spotlight. The Flash Fright Pro remote controlled flashlight has its scene tonight -- courtesy of Jeff Londos and the great folks at manufacturers / distributors Monster-Tronics.com. Monster-Tronics has an amazing website - they're this huge online boutique / clearing house for just about everything scary you can imagine. Need a spooky prop for your movie, your haunted house attraction or for Halloween? These are THE guys to call.

Thanks Jeff and everybody at Monster-Tronics. We really appreciate your help and sponsorship in making this scene work for camera. ("What scene?" viewers may ask... Wait and see the movie!)

MEET THE CREW: 1st AD Gavin Peretti

2009-05-14T18:42:00.013-04:00

Director Eric Espejo with 1st AD Gavin Peretti

One of the first things Gavin Peretti told the cast and crew at our kick-off meeting was that he'd be talking a lot on set. A lot. He said, and I quote, "You're going to be sick of hearing my voice."

Gavin wasn't exaggerating. As 1st AD, his has been the alpha voice on set, bar none. Whether it's echoing through the halls of the 18th-century Travis Garner House location in person, or blasting digitally through our walkies, Gavin's voice has been a constant. But I really don't think that anyone is actually sick of it—it's a nice voice. And an entertaining one, to boot.

After a few days on set, we know the progression of the calls by heart:
— "Okay, rehearsal's up!"
— "Quiet for rehearsal!"
— "Settle, everyone, settle please!"
— "Okay, guys, picture's up!"
— "Quiet on the set!"
— "Roll sound!"

At this point, everyone knows to stop what they're doing and remain as quiet as possible. The scene is being filmed, and there can be no noise until Gavin relays the call:

"CUT!!!"

And boy, does Gavin relay that call.

Perhaps more than anything else, the sound of Gavin yelling an exaggerated "CUUUTTTTTTTTT!!!" on walkie will resonate with cast and crew long after production wraps on Monday. It's an infectious term, the way Gavin uses it. "CUUUTTTTTTTTT!!!" We actually look forward to it. Not only because it means we're free to make noise again, but because we can repeat it in our best Gavin impersonations. (Which Donnie Aros wins hands down, by the way.)

Gavin's leadership on set has also been infectious. He's keeping the production on schedule, the actors focused, and the crew enthusiastic. In every sense of the term, he's a true MVP on set.

The skill Gavin has acquired behind the camera is undoubtedly due in part to his skills in front of it. Check out his trailer for Melancholamorbis. He also plays the lead in what promises to be another fantastic film, the highly anticipated Red Legged Devils—the story of the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, one of the most decorated and respected units of the American Civil War.

Another key aspect of Gavin's personality is his tirelessness. We've had our share of all-nighters, and his energy level has yet to waver. In fact, we haven't even seen him yawn. This makes him—and his voice—the perfect instrument to rouse any fading crewmembers at 4AM, as a resting Buzz Mooney recently found out.

Don's Johns -- THANKS!

2009-05-14T17:53:00.009-04:00

As well as our many wonderful food sponsors, we've had a lot of sponsor support on several other fronts -- including some aspects of production that that might not be as glamourous as catering but are absolutely essential.

Like portojohns - the unsung heroes of all outdoor events & film shoots.

So, hats off and a big thanks to our official portojohn sponsor:

DON'S JOHNS!!

These guys are serious pros -- they had the inauguration contract -- (see news coverage on YouTube

Whether it's 10-2*, or 10-1*, call Don's Johns, they're the one!

-- Kathryn Coombs, UPM

* Film set etiquette notes for newbies: For reasons I've never been able to fathom, when one is announcing on walkie to other crew that one will be "indisposed" for a period of time, one is supposed to specify what kind of indisposed one will actually be. Apparently, the theory is that a 10-1 doesn't take as long as a 10-2. As far as I'm concerned, it should be 10-MYOB

All Roads Lead to Jimmys Old Town Tavern

2009-05-13T08:22:00.011-04:00

Always the quintessential showman, Jimmy Cirrito of Jimmy's Old Town Tavern arrived on set shortly before midnight with the most amazing spread of goodies: Jamaican jerk chicken & rice (mmmm!!), Jimmy's signature pierogies, kielbasa, veggies, salad, brownies, bread pudding, fresh baked mini French loaves, soft drinks -- TONS of food, glorious food.

All of our food sponsors are special. But Jimmy is extra special because he's linked into the production team in at least three ways. Not surprising, considering how involved Jimmy's Tavern is in the community.

I thought of Jimmy as a potential sponsor having worked with him twice before when he sponsored the 2003 & 2005 Herndon Historical Society living histories re-creating fabled Civil War partisan ranger John Singleton Mosby's raid on Herndon Station. As the reenactment organizer, I worked closely with Jimmy and we dressed him as one of Mosby's men, known only to history as "Jimmy the Irishman". This seemed aposite, as the raid happened on St. Patrick's Day in 1864. He got into the role and was a total good sport, even when my elderly but high spirited horse Katie decided to give him a somewhat unscheduled ride down the W&OD trail. (whee!)

I suggested Jimmy to Producer Aaron Goodmiller and Director/writer Eric Espejo and it turned out that 19th & Wilson's very first experimental short was filmed on location AT JIMMY'S and they're all great buddies.

Holy cow. Small world! But it gets better.....

The third piece of the puzzle is that Christy Cooley's dad, Scott ("Skip") Olgevee's band regularly plays at Jimmy's. When I offered to get Jimmy a photo op with Chris & Christy for the restaurant wall, he told me that they were already up there!

Damn, this guy knows EVERYBODY!

Christy was visiting set when Jimmy and his assistant Pam delivered the food, so it was big hugs all around and a mini-reunion on many levels. And enough food to feed an army. (Yum! Killer bread pudding!)

Filming night scenes means working some fairly oddball hours. For the last two days we've been pulling all-nighters, starting work at 7 pm and finished at 6 am. For those not in the film industry, the first meal break (customarily 6 hours after starting work) is always "lunch" regardless of whether it is served at noon or at 3 am. Not many restaurants are willing to have you pick up "lunch" at midnight much less deliver it to set. Jimmy's Old Town Tavern is pretty damned special - and the eponymous Jimmy Cirrito is one kick-ass caterer.

If you're ever near Herndon, VA and hungry or thirsty, Jimmy's is THE place to go. Tell him that Team GDE said hi!

-- Kathryn Coombs, Unit Production Manager / Production Designer

Fun with Props, Part I

2009-05-12T23:55:00.010-04:00

Part of the fun of making films is putting your own stamp on them in creative (and sometimes mischievous) ways. Throughout nearly every production, opportunities arise for custom props to be designed. This is a chance to not only add a layer to the visual palette, but to pay tribute to some of the hard working folks behind the scenes.

Or in this case, to make them look like dangerous fugitives.

Chris Cooley’s scene with Sheriff Fuller actually takes place in the Hamilton, VA Town Hall—not a sheriff’s office. To aide the effect, we designed a handful of “wanted posters” for placement behind the actors. They’re not legible on screen, but from a distance, they do help create an aura of police work.

Instead of using random faces, we incorporated some of our own—taking great care to add fictitious names and rap sheets. 1st AD Gavin Peretti became "Diego Phillip Salvatore." Assistant Art Director Buzz Mooney became "Kenny Wayne Barksdale"—wanted for outstanding library fines and 137 counts of felony mattress tag removal.

Armorer/Stunt Coordinator Greg Labenz donned a nasty looking facial scar for his mugshot ("Nelson Memphis Conroy"). And one of the most menacing posters featured the man who applied Greg's special effects—(Jim Choate, "Mason Ambrose Crowley III").

Even Buzz Mooney's G.I. Joe got the mugshot treatment. Although he actually deserves it—he's been involved with several other prop shenanigans these past few days... but that story will have to wait for Part II.

Nocturne

2009-05-12T01:54:00.005-04:00

We're in the midst of our very first overnight shoot on the set of GDE, and so far so good. The mood has been at least as buoyant as it typically is during the day—maybe more so. It certainly doesn't feel like it's 2:30AM, especially after having just enjoyed the wonderful shrimp curry Samantha made for the crew. Although, our senses are definitely getting a workout tonight/this morning—the house now smells like bacon. (Samantha immediately started on breakfast.)

There's plenty of laughter and focus downstairs, and Devon, Fred, and Josh are on their game knocking out some difficult scenes.

One clue to the time, however, is that Cinematographer Kuni Ohi just officially asked for the first caffeine pill of the night. This prompted a word of nostalgic caution from editor Matt West—"Don't end up like Jessie Spano..."

Snapshots

2009-05-11T02:34:00.008-04:00

We're already over the halfway mark of shooting Ghosts Don't Exist—Monday will be Day 9 of 15, and just one week away from wrapping! It doesn't seem possible that only three months ago, 19th + Wilson set about casting the lead roles... and it was anyone's guess who'd walk through those doors.

We had a marathon turnout of over 220 talented actors over the course of 2 days, all vying for spots in the movie. And at the time, it was anyone's game. Slowly but surely, however, our group of ghost hunters (and a skeptic) emerged from the pack.

Phillip Roebuck + Ted Taylor; Devon Marie Burt; Frederick Cowie; and Josh Davidson.

Leftovers Don't Exist, Part III

2009-05-10T00:31:00.005-04:00

As we've been reporting, the food on the set of Ghosts Don't Exist has just been one treat after another... and we're overwhelmed with appreciation! Cast and crew get to enjoy two sponsored meals a day, and as we enter our 8th day of filming on Sunday, we're in for another encore performance from one of the maestros—Jack Azar, who owns three of the wonderful restaurants that have so generously sponsored our production: Brooklyn Bros. Pizzeria, South Riding Inn, and Manhattan Pizza. In fact, Jack has sponsored not one, not two, but eight full meals for our team of 40+ people—and that's amazing.

This past Friday night, everyone was raving about the pork tenderloins and mashed potatoes from South Riding Inn. (It was a fantastic follow-up to the huge pizzas from Manhattan Pizzeria for lunch.) The night before, it was the Brooklyn Bros. pasta that won the oohs and ahhs.

After 7 full days of filming with this terrific group, it's wonderful to see the friendships and camaraderie beginning to blossom. And a big part of that is owed to the quality time we get to enjoy together over good food. We're extremely appreciative of folks like Jack and his family who are helping to not only support our film, but have in effect helped shape the dynamic of our team.

I hear that tomorrow is Brooklyn Bros. day again, and I'm stoked. It's almost a shame that my New York City spoon rings are no longer spoons— they might have helped me score an extra serving or two of pure awesome.

And on the subject of the movie itself, Sunday promises to be another pivotal day in the production. Crucial scenes with the full ensemble cast!

LIGHTS... (camera... action...)

2009-05-09T01:28:00.007-04:00

Shortly after Chris Cooley filmed his scenes Tuesday night, the stage for another memorable scene was literally being set in the parking lot directly next door.

In an authentic police cruiser graciously loaned to us by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, (special thanks again to Deputy Sullivan!) actors Chris Kennedy and Ted Taylor sat idling. Those outside the vehicle were hardly idle, however. Under the creative guidance of brilliant lighting technicians Donnie Aros and Hektor Stockton, the stationary cruiser becomes anything but on camera.

It's amazing to watch these guys work—making the seemingly impossible seem almost effortless.

The cast & crew shine through, even though the sun didn't.

2009-05-08T00:29:00.014-04:00

Well ok, the sun did come out for a few moments but once again Team GDE had to battle the elements today. The determination of this cast & crew is unquestionable and even though the clouds rolled in, they pressed on getting the shots they needed.

Hats off to everyone for going through what they did, it was rough one but it's done.

NBC 4 Coverage of Ghosts Don't Exist

2009-05-07T00:24:00.004-04:00

NBC 4's Lindsay Czarniak was on hand for Chris Cooley's acting debut Tuesday night—he's playing a sheriff's deputy in what has become a most anticipated cameo appearance here in the DC area! Even the Mayor of Hamilton, VA was there to watch the Redskins star step in front of the (movie) camera for the first time, and Chris didn't disappoint. Dressed in a municipal uniform complete with an authentic, antique badge, Cooley proved to be a natural. He and fellow actor Chris Kennedy (playing "Sheriff Fuller") did a terrific job, and had a blast in the process.

As you already know, Lindsay has a cameo role in the film herself.

The production enjoyed its first break today, but is gearing up for early calls tomorrow and Friday—as the full lead cast will be filming their first scenes together. Josh Davidson will be on set tomorrow, playing the skeptic, "David Sherman." Things are heating up... ;)

Leftovers Don't Exist, Part II

2009-05-06T03:33:00.012-04:00

We'd like to issue a big thanks to Leslie Lowry and the wonderful staff of Lowry's Crab Shack, who braved the rains (severe and prolonged) to serve our cast and crew the most amazing lunch today—delicious crab cakes, shrimp, hushpuppies, hamburgers, barbecue sandwiches, coleslaw, macaroni salad, waffle fries, homemade crab chips—you name it. And they did it on their day off.

It was a big day for Hamilton, VA, as Chris Cooley and Todd Yoder were on hand for their roles in the film—and the Redskins stars also enjoyed their meals. Afterward, Chris was marveling at the ginormous king crab legs in Lowry's showcase, and took note of their Wednesday specials—as we all did.

We do, however, hope that one particular staff member has recovered... after his run-in with our special effects wizard, Jim Choate. ;)

Leftovers Don't Exist

2009-05-04T23:44:00.006-04:00

Having just wrapped up Day 3 of filming, we've already experienced a number of high points on set. And as we're learning, one of the high points we can consistently enjoy is good food. Very good food. It's something we've begun to really look forward to each day, as every meal has been terrific. We'd like to take a moment to thank some of our sponsors who've treated us to some amazing food these past few days. It's safe to say that we'll be repeat customers, and are more than happy to recommend them to one and all:

Thankfully, George is a very well-mannered Great Dane. Because despite the fact that he's tall enough to reach the countertops in the Cooley household—and he was painfully aware of all the delicious goodness around him—he didn't take anyone's plate. Not that he couldn't, mind you.

More sponsor thanks are on the way—we just couldn't wait to show our appreciation to these folks who've made our first few days on set so much tastier!

Day 2: Coooooooley! And Linnnnnndsay!

2009-05-04T02:53:00.005-04:00

Day 2 of filming was a treat all around, despite the rainy weather. Not only did we shoot indoors, we did it in style. Today marked our first day of filming at Casa de Cooley—Chris and Christy were incredibly kind enough to give us full access to their amazing home, which in the film serves as the home of celebrated ghost hunter Brett Wilson.

After a morning of Redskins training camp, Chris and fellow tight end Todd Yoder hung out to watch the action. They got to see first-hand the setting up of shots, the scenes, and the playback. They arrived moments after NBC 4's Lindsay Czarniak filmed her cameo scene—as a reporter interviewing Brett about his decision to retire. She and Phillip Roebuck did a terrific job, and the scene really set the tone for a fun and productive day.

We're back at the Cooley residence again tomorrow, and Chris himself will be in front of the camera on Tuesday. Two days down, and it's shaping up to be a very good week!

Day 1: Rocking the Red

2009-05-03T01:22:00.003-04:00

Okay, so the RED One camera is an utterly amazing piece of filmmaking equipment. And on this first day of shooting Ghosts Don't Exist, it did not disappoint. Not in the least.

It sat alone in a darkened anteroom of the Travis Garner House location this morning, attracting curious cast and crew alike. Eric joked that the camera itself was the celebrity diva of the set: We were to knock before entering the room where the RED was staying... We were to never look directly at the RED...

In all seriousness, having such a valuable tool (in every sense of the word) at hand makes an incredible difference. Its quality is immediately apparent, and just getting a glimpse of the actors at work in such a truly cinematic setting is inspiring to all. There were very few retakes necessary of the roughly 15 scenes we shot today. Throughout the entire day, we found ourselves not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. And most importantly, getting some terrific footage from some amazing performances. Cast and crew were just as energized at wrap as they were at first call this morning—a testament to the day's success. 1st Assistant Director Gavin Peretti and Script Supervisor Jean-Paul Chreky both commented that it was the easiest first day of filming they'd experienced. That's something we couldn't have pulled off without a first-rate effort from an awesome team. (And an awesome camera.) Thanks to you all!

Tomorrow: filming at Chris Cooley's house. Let the awesomeness continue. ;)

Team GDE

2009-05-02T00:47:00.004-04:00

Team GDE assembled on location today for rehearsals and a kick-off production meeting, as we gear up for the first official day of filming tomorrow. Cast and crew had their game faces on, and are eager to get it started!

In addressing the team and admiring their work ethic, Eric again made the comparison to the world of professional sports—an analogy that's never far from mind, having Chris Cooley as an executive producer on the project! Our team of actors, producers, camera ops, editors, sound techs, gaffers, electricians, makeup artists, stunt coordinators, art directors, wardrobe supervisors, crafties, and production assistants—(Whew! I think that's all of us!)—we function very much like a pro sports team. The hierarchy of team owner, coaching staff, and players all working together is actually very comparable to a movie set. And rather fitting, considering an NFL star is actually part of this team.

Also fitting was the first thing I noticed when I arrived at the location this afternoon—this awesome truck from Easterns Automotive, emblazoned with Cooley riding shotgun. The real Chris will be on set this weekend, and films his scenes early next week. No truck graphic stunt doubles allowed. ;)

Where the REAL Haunted Houses Are

2009-04-30T20:46:00.016-04:00

In preparing for the film, cast and crew alike have understandably taken a greater interest in paranormal investigation. And as we've learned, it's one thing to watch the ghost hunting shows on TV, and quite another to participate. Spending the wee hours in darkened places that are believed to be legitimately haunted can be a little unnerving at times, even for skeptics.

Donnie and I recently tagged along with DCMAG for their investigation of the Howard County Historical Society—which just so happens to be housed in a former church. It's a wonderfully interesting place, but seriously—you try feeling completely comfortable sitting in an old church with the lights out, surrounded by historical artifacts, paintings, and yes—antique dolls.

So with that in mind, it was important that we made sure of one thing—that the houses and other locations where we're filming Ghosts Don't Exist are most certainly not haunted. In fact, they're quite cozy in real life. Whew.

We decided at the very outset to forgo the purist approach of filming in an authentic haunted house, because frankly, nobody really wanted to push our luck. (Especially not those of us who'll be using said houses for base camp and accommodations throughout the shoot.) Instead, we wanted a legitimate ghost-free zone to unwind after the rigorous schedule—and thankfully, that's what we've got. Most of us on the team are indeed superstitious, and/or believers in the paranormal to some degree. And while we're fascinated by haunted houses, we definitely had no desire to spend 15 days filming in them. ;)

But for those of you who do crave that kind of action, here's a handy checklist of reportedly haunted locations. You can plan your next vacation around 'em, if that's your thing.

Do you have any particularly interesting tales of haunted places you've experienced? If so, we'd love to hear about them! On a related note, stay tuned for some very cool upcoming features on ghostsdontexist.com. More to come soon...

The Garner House: a Sneak Peek

2009-04-29T15:57:00.012-04:00

Today was move-in day for key members of our production team, as they begin setting up shop at the "Travis Garner House" location, which plays a central part in the film. Here's your exclusive sneak peek at the 18th-century home in Leesburg, VA, which will also serve as base camp for the duration of the shoot. Much of our blogging will take place right here on the site.

We've toured the location numerous times in the past several weeks, and are thoroughly impressed with how well it complements the script. The exterior... the layout of the rooms... it's all very much what Eric had in mind when he wrote the story—and it's going to translate wonderfully to film.

It's worth mentioning that there were actually several viable options for the Travis Garner House, but this was our top choice from the moment we saw it.

There was another home that stood out to us—not so much for its physical characteristics or location, but for what was waiting for us inside. Only one item remained in the vacant, foreboding old manor—this antique wheelchair, resting in a kitchen corner. Is that the stuff of nightmares, or what?

Meetings, Starbucks....more meetings, more Starbucks

2009-04-28T20:57:00.013-04:00

1st AD Gavin Peretti and producer/2nd AD Richard Friend going over the days to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Another meeting of the minds-- cinematographer Kunitaro Ohi, Eric, and Gavin going over scenes at, you guessed it-- Starbucks.

Ghost Hunt at Historic Jordan Springs!

2009-04-28T15:45:00.000-04:00

Long before the film was even cast, we had the idea of asking the actors participate in an actual paranormal investigation. A ghost hunt, if you will, with our friends at DCMAG—who are also technical consultants on the film. In fact, we made it a point to ask all of our actors at the auditions if it's something they'd be willing to do; and all of them responded with an enthusiastic "yes."

John Warfield of DCMAG arranged a full day (and night) of Ghosthunting 101 for our cast and crew, who enjoyed a trip to Historic Jordan Springs—a site they've deemed the most active location they've investigated to date.

Aside from the investigation itself, a key purpose of the trip was to familiarize the actors with the tools and terminology of ghost hunting. DCMAG is providing most of the tools for the film—infrared cameras, K2 meters, EMF detectors, etc.—and we wanted them to make sure the cast knows how to use them.

After an informative crash course, Phillip, Devon, and Josh were practically part of the team—and amazingly, each had personal experiences throughout the investigation, which we'll share here soon. In fact, one of our own K2 meters went off several times in the middle of the presentation, to the amusement of all.

19W's Donnie Conty, who helped coordinate the event, documented the trip every step of the way. He'll be posting some very interesting video clips that you won't want to miss.

Rehearsal, Rehearsal, Rehearsal

2009-04-27T20:24:00.001-04:00

GDE cast members Phillip Roebuck, Devon Marie Burt, Josh Davidson, and Frederick Cowie going over the script with writer/director Eric Espejo and casting director Demetrius Parker.

And so it begins...

2009-04-27T13:24:00.000-04:00

The producers, cast, and crew of 19th + Wilson's Ghosts Don't Exist are excited to launch this official blog—where we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes news throughout the production of the film!

Much has been happening since casting in March, and now we're less than a week away from shooting! With so much focus going into pre-production, updates to 19W.com and ghostsdontexist.com can't happen as frequently as we'd like. The blog, however, will allow us to stay in touch on a regular basis, and provide exclusive content long before it makes it onto the special features reel of the DVD!

We'll be updating live from the set, posting interviews with cast and crew, and much more. Watch the cast participate in an actual paranormal investigation with the DCMAG team, see rehearsals, outakes, and more!