Get your Jedi On - watch now!

It's that time again folks. The annual Star Wars Atom Film contest! For us it's kind of like the Academy Awards for Star Wars film makers and it's a lot of fun. It gives young film makers a chance to show their work and perhaps shine.

The Atom film contest is one of the things that got me making my first film "Revelations" and eventually then making "Pitching Lucas" which won the George Lucas Selects and Audience choice award. Still a great honor to me.

You can watch Pitching Lucas from HERE at Atom Films as well as Star Wars Revelations which has been broken into 5 parts. Watch the full film from HERE.

If you are really into it and want to go back in time here is a clip from my award speech at Comic Con 2006.

Sanctioned by Lucas Film, the Star Wars film contest winners will be awarded at this year's Comic-Con 2009 and I hope to be there to see the winners.

But in order to do that, YOU need to go and VOTE for the one you think deems the honor and award. Got watch some funny short Star Wars Fan Films, support and VOTE!



IN OTHER NEWS
A few new articles have come out with the beginning of the Star Wars film contest. One of which is an old well written article from our friend Tish Wells titled "A Star Wars Fan Film is Born"
I find it interesting and curious as to why the newsobserver.com would dig up and use of this old article, but fun to read. Thanks again Tish!

and a mention in this article Lucasfilm announces Star Wars Fan Movie Challenge finalists

On the Trenches front, I have spoken with the studio and they have a meeting to see about closing a deal this week which is looking pretty good. I should know more by next week hopefully.

Summer Fun, Movie & Updates

Starting off I need to thank a lot of you out there who have reached out and offered your kindness and support. Much appreciated!

I have to say I was amazed at the amount of response, as I thought only about 10 of you read this blog .. OK 11 as I know now my wife reads my blog to keep better tabs on me :)

She really wanted to know what my "Show me a Nipple" post was about in December . Innocent fun. Note to self - clear adult site cache files from system.

All kidding aside, thanks so much! A lot of you send some good advise, heart warming thoughts. Let me say this, there are some really good people out there. When the chips are down, family and friends are always there! Thank you for that!!

The Future is Bright -
Things are looking up right now and I am getting my sea legs back.

The studio is very close to actually closing a deal for Trenches and I am very excited about the possibilities.

There have been some delays as you guys know but it looks like something big is going to happen and turn around.

The studio is very busy working on thier end and involving me in the process, which is great. That said, I am being advised we should see a Summer Trenches release!

There is talk of a possible Comic Con showing/ Release - that would be stellar!

I can say this, when trenches does come out I am going to need all your help to make as much noise about it as you can!!

I am also currently in discussions with a development / production company that just approached me, and they have some very interesting ideas I hope to possibly share with you soon. I am also starting to get the itch again some, so I am starting to feel better.


In Other News -
I have been spending some great recharge time with the family. Each weekend we seem to be doing something big and it has been great. Thus far we have been to Smith Mountain Lake for the best father's day I have ever had.

We rented a pontoon boat and did some fishing, tubing and cruising around the lake with the family. Awesome living, and I could get use to that life style, oh to have a boat! (someday) We played putt-putt golf, fed the fish popcorn, had ice-cream. A great weekend!

This past weekend I gave my wife a break and took all the boys to the Shenandoah River. We rented a stunning home on the river bank which I got a deal on, and we went fishing, shot BB guns (yes I am from Texas) went to an old drive in theater to watch "Up".

We had hotdogs, and some good summer fun. I am afraid my kids are going to say "so what are we doing next weekend!?

So family wise it has been great, but tiring of course, as we have already done a lot, plus we are going to Texas to visit family in August.

Till then, things are good and I am hoping you are all well and the summer is warm and bright. Stay tuned as things are heating up!

- Shane

Return of Travels- Get some Seoul

The latest.. but a bit behind.. I recently had to do some more traveling for my job and this time it took me to Seoul for a few week.

I have to say Korea was a great trip and I really enjoyed Seoul. It's like NY, but the buildings are not quite as high, it's cleaner, safer, and you can't read any of the signs. I love the food in Korea as well as the culture, I should know as my wife is half Korean and I speak the language more then she does .. thanks to my mother-in-law.

But if you ever get a chance in the the east I recommend Seoul.

A wonderful place of stunning culture, food and even fun. From sight seeing such as the many palaces, traditional areas, folk villages, tons of shopping from way expensive Prada style to outdoor fleamarket deals. Gambling, bar hopping, clubbing.. like I said, Seoul is like NY in a way but with it's own flavor that I enjoy.

I liked to pretend I was in Blade Runner at nights as I roamed the alley/street of the business district of Seoul. Very cool and surreal in a way.

The other thing I will say is wow the ladies in Korea like to show off their legs.. man they all wear short skirts and it was cold when I was there, but wasn't complaining :)

The main reason I enjoyed my Seoul trip so much was the company. I usually have to travel by myself when I go on these business trips and as exciting as some of it might sound, eating and drinking by yourself is just no damn fun at all. It's the company, the stories and sharing the experiences that makes a trip all the more fun and this time I had two co-workers with me Ian and Warner to hang out with.

We had a blast! Here are some pictures from the gang courtesy of Warner.. or as we like to call Mr B!

I did learn a valuable lesson on this trip and one I should know better about, and that is I am not as young as I think, wish or thought I was, and I should not try and out drink or out pace the younger crowd.

I paid the price for it and my friend Ian taught me a lesson I will remember.. I simply can not drink that much.. oh gods was I sick, but it was worth it and we laughed the night away.
Mr. B literally caught on fire at one bar as he brushed his shirt sleeve too close to a candle when cool and harmless fire trails ran over his shirt burning off lint of fuzz I think. It was cool to see, and we had quite a few by then :)

So we made it all safe, had a great trip, some great company and met some wonderful people. The food was excellent and I am now back home where I belong back to the 9-5 and family.
Travel is all fine and good but anything over two weeks and I miss my family and being home. nothing beats home.

Indie Film Show "Inside Report" Returns

Hey gang! I hope everyone is doing well out there and staying on their feet. I know I am doing my best to do so.
I wanted to share the news from a very good friend of mine in the UK, Sky Wilson, who is the creator of "Inside Report"

Sky and the show "Inside Report" has always been a great supporter of indie films and has done a few features on us in the past.


Best of Inside Report: Shane Felux

Special - Star Wars Revelations Premiere Event


I am pleased to announce that Sky and her crew are back up and rolling with a new revamped site for the "Inside Report. " I plan to do a piece for them on "Trenches" once I can get off my ass and do it.. I promise I will Sky.. in the meantime, check out and enjoy the new "Inside Report"

Inside Report Returns

Inside Report, the 'net's #1 indie film show is back and better than ever!!

Featuring a new, refined format and more in depth interviews - Inside Report is back in action over at www.insidereport.co.uk

The first edition of the new series features an exclusive interview with filmmaker Howard Warmsley. Host / Producer Sky Wilson will be chatting to him about his latest film, "The Visitors" - about his history with filmmaking and about the benefit the internet can play for the indie filmmaker.

With the new format comes a new website too. It's more feature rich than ever before with more of a focus towards letting people know what's out there and where they can see it. We've also added a new section listing upcoming festivals and events so that you can keep your film calendar up to date! We've even added an archive of previous shows too!

DON'T FORGET - WE NEED YOU

If you want to promote your film or appear on the show (or if you know anyone who might), get in touch with us info@insidereport.co.uk

For all these features and more, head over to www.insidereport.co.uk

Created way back in 2004 by producer Sky Wilson and director Vin Kelly, Inside Report has always focused on giving the talent behind the best short films the recognition they deserve. Every edition has featured interviews with some of the best up and coming talent from around the world.

Filmmakers such as Sandy Collora (Batman: Dead End), Marty Martin (Got Milk?: The Movie, Dance With The Devil), and Shane Felux (Revelations, Trenches) have all appeared in previous shows, and we are aiming to find the next generation of talent in 2009 and beyond.

Trenches - Sneak Peek - Review

What you missed it?! Well don't fret too much, but as you might know (if you read this blog and love me.. Kelley Slagle does she was there!) we did a very special, and small sneak peek showing of Trenches last weekend at the Farpoint Convention in Maryland.

First let me say thank you to everyone who came out and for all the kind support. It's been a while since I have gone to an event and it was great to see so many good friends and colleagues. We had a fun screening of roughly 70 people who watched Trenches and after the first episode played the audience roared, cheered and clapped. A great response.
We watched all 10 episodes (yep the whole thing) and at the end people once again stood up cheered and clapped. A fun night to be had.. where were you?? Well you will have to wait for the online release to see it. based off the audience reaction we got at Farpoint, I think you will enjoy Trenches :)

Here is a very kind Review of the Trenches Screening by Dennis Bailey.

For me it is the greatest reward and very important that a cast and crew who worked so hard and killed themselves for little to no money, in the end feel that the film and end result of the work was worth it.

I make films for myself and my audience, but I also want them to be something my team is proud of and something they are glad to say they were a part of. You hope it gives them something back. Nothing is worst then working on a film for little money, long hours and such time and commitment and then it comes out and just sucks and you think "wow, I gave myself for that?!! Damn!" And then it hurts other small independent films because people don't want to work on them because they have been burned and have a bad taste iin there mouth.

But I also want the film or product to be part of the reward. Because we don't have the money to compensate them what they are truly worth, you have to hope the film will give something back to them. Give them something good for their demo reel, a strong resume line, a possible job and further their career and the accomplishment of team and doing what they say can not be done. That you can point to something hopefully good and say "I was a part of that, I was there.. we did it!" And after all the mud, blood and tears.. I say we did do it :)

Thanks to Farpoint for the continued kind staff and support, to everyone who came out and for all the drinks that night. I think it was very clear that I had way too many!

A good DVD release - "IMPRINT" - GET IT

A fabulous production company, Linn Productions, and some very talented and good friends of mine Marc and Michael Linn have released their Feature Film "Imprint" on DVD.

This is very big as "Imprint" was their first feature film, got great reviews, festival and acclaim awards, and they were able to get theatrical and now DVD distribution. For a film maker this is great news as distribution is tough to get. I think the very best of Linn Productions and some day hope to work with them in the future. Very talented and just the best people.

Watch the Trailer here:


Plot: Shayla Stonefeather, a Native American attorney prosecuting a Lakota teen in a controversial murder trial, returns to the reservation to say goodbye to her dying father. After the teen is killed, she hears ghostly voices and sees strange visions that cause her to re-examine beliefs she thought she left behind.

Imprint is a good fashion ghost story told in a well constructed way that has you guessing. Congrats to Linn Production and the team! Love ya Guys!!!

So if you are looking to support and see a new flick pick up a copy of Imprint today!
You will enjoy - tell 'em Shane sent ya :)

Trenches - Sneak Peek Showing

OK, here is a rare treat, if you have been wanting to see Trenches before the big online release then here is your chance.

You are invited to attend a special screening of "Trenches" on Friday, February 13, 2009 at the Farpoint Convention in Timonium, MD at 10pm in the Greenspring main Ballroom.

Map/ Directions to Screening

If you are already attending the Farpoint Convention and have purchased your membership the movie is part of the programming.

If you wish to see "Trenches" but are not attending the convention then you may purchase a Friday admission to the convention for $10.

Not only will you be able to see "Trenches" but you will be able to attend other activities and events that are included with the price of Friday admission.

So here is the current schedule:
Friday 2/13 - 10pm - Trenches Screening (Main Ballroom)
Saturday 2/14 - 11am - Second Showing (Dulaney 1 Room)
Saturday 2/14 - 12pm - Trenches Q&A Panel (Chesapeake 6 Room)

Farpoint has always been very supportive of us and our films and I love the idea of screening it to an audience that has always been there for us.

Here is the full schedule of the Farpoint Convention
One of their major guests is
Firefly/Serenity's "Wash"
Alan Tudyk

Also, we'll be having a get together for the cast and crew at the Northern Lights restaurant in the hotel an hour earlier at 9pm on Friday 2/13. Drinks and food are available for purchase.

Please visit Farpoint's website for more information (click on the "flyer" tab to see guests):
http://www.farpointcon.com/

Hotel Information:
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Timonium, MD
2004 Greenspring Dr
Timonium, MD 21093
Off I-83 exit 16A (Baltimore suburbs)