The Greatest Proposal Ever – A Movie Poster Reveal and World Premiere Screening Event

It’s official. After analyzing elements of various movie poster trends, my short film “ABYSS: The Greatest Proposal Ever” (TGPE) finally has some key art! I find it funny how much of the inspiration for the final concept came from some of the most unlikely sources.

Rather than worrying myself silly about how to come up with a super creative, ultra clever design for the movie poster; how to convince someone to make one for me; how to find money to commission a “proper” design, I went back to the basics. It didn’t take long to get results that I can be satisfied with, thanks to the three things that put the capital P in Productivity -- Pinterest, Polaroid and Palettes.

Who would have thought that the design of this project’s movie poster would be decided based mainly on careful comparisons of material provided by a social photo-sharing service and an electronics manufacturer?! Overall, I’m relieved to have found some workable design concepts when I did, given that the organizers at NewFilmmakers NY has selected “ABYSS: The Greatest Proposal Ever” to screen in their Winter 2014 Screening Series.

The World Premiere of the short film that took me like a whole year to develop – from its script stages to the post-production and beyond – will make its public debut on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Anthology Film Archives Theater in New York City.

Of all the pleasant feelings I have in being able to screen a project that I’ve spent so much time working on, in an actual movie theater, I’m just as – if not more – enthusiastic to have the opportunity to show my work in (what I believe to be) one of the best places on earth – NEW YOOORK! The concrete jungle where-dreams-are-made-of; there’s-nothing-you-can’t-do! We’re screening in New York, New York, New Yooork!

Thank you all for your continued support over the last twelve months. Here’s to another twelve months of more films, fun, forward movement and free thinking – for each of us and our friends, loved ones and neighbors. It’s crunch time. Are YOU ready?

What People are Saying about ‘Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions’

"The decisions that you make, or don't make, are going to affect your future" - #MuddyLions

After opening to sold out shows and finishing #4 at the box office, “Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” received an extended theatrical run in Richmond, Virginia for another week – playing at Criterion Cinemas at Movieland now until October 17^th! I attended the premiere of this family film, about a young boy torn between the expectations of the Boy Scouts and that of his inner city neighborhood, back in the spring – and it was a wonderful experience.

Needless to say, it’s inspiring to see how audiences -- who went to the theater this week and saw the film -- share the same enthusiasm that I have for “Troop: 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” -- a story that unites men, women and children from all walks of life. Some audience members are even returning to the theater to see it again – this time, bringing their friends and family with them to enjoy the show.

Over the next seven days until October 17^th, you have a choice to support this locally produced independent film by joining moviegoers at Criterion Cinemas. You also have a choice to share this information about the movie with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and anyone else you know who are missing out on one of the most inspiring movies of 2013 and don’t even know it.

No matter how large or small your role in being a part of this film’s release, it will give director Patrick “Praheme” Ricks a chance at bringing “Troop: 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions” to additional cities while also making it possible for him to continue making movies that matter.

If you do nothing else this weekend, I’m asking you to watch the interview that TVJerry/SIFTER did with Praheme and spread the word about the #MuddyLions at Criterion Cinemas in Richmond, Virginia...

Showtimes are listed as follows; Together, let’s bring about good consequences for a filmmaker who had a vision, worked hard at making his dreams come true and not only reached a huge milestone in seeing that vision come to life on the big screen, but is also welcoming his audience along for the journey!

Troop: 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions

Now Playing at the Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas at Movieland

1331 North Boulevard

Richmond, VA

Daily Showtimes: 11:40am / 2:20pm / 4:50pm / 7:00pm / 9:40pm

Monday Movie Meme - Choices, Chances and Consequences #MuddyLions

The theme for this week's Monday Movie Meme is inspired by "Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions," a family film directed by Praheme -- now playing at Criterion Cinemas at Movieland in Richmond, Virginia through Thursday, October 10th October 17th.

Starring Tim and Daphne Reid, Michael LeMelle and Terrell Donnell Sledge, "Troop 491: the Aventures of the Muddy Lions" is about a young boy named Triston whose mother signs him up for the Boy Scouts, to keep him out of trouble. He soon learns that doing the right thing is not always easy.

After witnessing a murder, Triston becomes the target of a local criminal while also being a person of interest during a police investigation. Will he follow the code of the streets or the code of the scouts? -- Which brings us to the main theme of this independent film and this week's Monday Movie Meme: Choices, Chances and Consequences.

Share on your blog or in the comments section, movies involving adults who try intimidate or harm children for the purpose of trying to cover up, justify, or expose, illicit acts. Here are my selections for this week's Choices, Chances and Consequences theme.

The Client

A mob lawyer's suicide leaves behind details that puts one little boy in danger during this crime thriller starring Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. The District Attorney's office seeks this kid's cooperation to take down a notorious crime operation even if it compromises his safety, while the mafia is out for the little boy's blood.

The Professional

The corrupt cop pulls out all the stops in a pursuit of murdering the only remaining witness-- a young but fiesty girl -- to his drug pushing, family-killing deeds, in this drama starring Jean Reno and Natalie Portman.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- and on to -- the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

First of all, the question in this case is not about who wants to harm a kid. I mean, who isn't trying to intimidate, injure or even murder -- the poor little wizard in this adventure fantasy film starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint?!! For every person that fails to get to Harry Potter and those who have his back, there is someone else, already in pursuit to try and finish the job.

Heaven & Earth

A teenage girl is jailed, tortured and raped after being accussed of being a spy; she's ostracized by her village as a result, in this biodrama starring Hiep Thi Le and Tommy Lee Jones.

Did YOU ever hear or see something that you wish you didn't, when YOU were a child?

What movies involving adults trying to intimidate or harm children would YOU add to this list?

                                                            ***SPREAD THE WORD!!!***

If you live in or near the Richmond, Virginia area, I would highly recommend that you check out this movie. ALSO, if you have a family member, friend, old classmate, former flame, colleage, associate, buddy, etc. who is in or near Richmond, VA, please share this information with him or her and encourage this person to go see "Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions!"

The Showtimes for "Troop 491: the Adventures of the Muddy Lions"

are as follows:

11:40am /2:20pm / 4:50pm / 7:00pm / 9:40pm

Criterion Cinemas at Movieland
1331 N. Boulevard 
Richmond, VA 23230 

                                                            ***SPREAD THE WORD!!!***

In addition, today's post marks the start of a #MuddyLions week here at The Madlab Post. #MuddyLions is the Official hashtag for 'Troop 491' -- use it on Twitter and your other social networks when referencing this post and/or the film.