We Did It!

Still reeling from the excitement, I am proud to say that we have finished shooting Prep School Blues Season Two. Today was an excellent shooting day, with only two scenes. I can't wait to get the footage put together and up on the web. In my opinion, the show has only gotten better in every aspect.

All my thanks and love to our wonderful cast: Nick, Bryan, Sara, Fanelli and Alyssa. You guys all without exception owned those characters and brought them to life.

And shout out to our amazing crew: Kevin on camera, Andrea rallying the troops, Celine on audio, along with Dustin and Noah rocking my world. Special thanks also goes to Alex, Shaina, Parisa, Tyrus and the always fabulous Patricia "Tish" Hill.

Gonna go hibernate for a while, but for now live, love and be happy.

-C.



PS. Favorite Quotes...

"Chris, you really are the Queen Bee of this shoot." -Bryan, on reference to my tiara and pink feather robe

"It really is like Gossip Girl!" - Alyssa, stating the obvious

"So basically, make it gayer?" -Nick, about my direction for a scene

"This is as far as I can go, I don't wear underwear." -Fanelli, on disrobing for the final scene

"Wow, I'm really uncomfortable right now." -Kevin, on my compliments

"We should rename the show: Soccer. And make it all about soccer." -Sara, on a possible new title

"I want to see the third season set in a mental hospital after all the characters have been driven insane by all their drama. And I play an evil nurse." -Shaina, sharing her ideas for the next episode

Day 2 Wrapped!

I am pleased to report the successful completion of Day 2's shooting. We wrapped basically on time and shot more than half of Monday's scenes in the process. And honestly, I was impressed how well the very familiar location doubled for so many places. From Bryan popping a balloon right into the boom (poor Celine!) to avoiding the threat of thunderstorms to shoot kick ass exteriors to a particularly passionate bit of improv (Shaina covered her eyes!), the day was full of surprises. Wrap on Bryan and Nick today as well, much earlier than planned. Two more scenes and we're in the clear. Thanks everyone!

Love is all around, C.

PSB: Ep 4-6: Photos by Larsen

Hey all. Larsen here.
Took some photos in my down time today on set.
Hope Alex approves.


Nicholas DiMichele (Jack)

Andrew Fanelli (Edgar)


Alyssa Peterson (Rachel)


Chris Conner (Series Creator)



Kevin Hooper (Director of Photography)


Celine Quenot (Boom Operator)


Shooting (Episode 5 - Scene 2)


Jack and Rachel meet by the river (Episode 5 - Scene 2)


See you all tomorrow.

Photos (continued...)

this is the last post, i swearz... (lolz)

Más Fotos Para Ver

(learn some Español bitchez)

Aqui están más fotos muy lindas que tiré y he editado para Prep School Blues.

Well, these are pretty much all pictures of Gabrielle (played by Sara)

Day 1 Wrapped!

Many sun burns later, we have returned from the epic first day of shooting in beautiful Inwood Hill Park, somewhere in the far reaches of 211th street in Manhattan. The exterior shoots went smoothly and we finished ahead of schedule (always a pleasure). Some highlights include the miniature soccer players upon our arrival, my cameo appearance as Coach Chardonnay and of course the amazing sports training montages. I'd like to thank everyone for their hard work today (especially new crew members Celine and Dustin, welcome!) and I'm very excited about tomorrow's shoot.

PSB... FYVP

Prep School Blues... For Your Viewing Pleasure

You know, it's pretty fantastic how the theme of the photoshoot has NADA at all to do with the actual Season 2 scripts (chris...!). And I say this because it would've been great if I had actually shot these in theme of soccer tryouts/school play/prom... I mean we technically already shot a prom scene, but I could've seriously kicked ass with some models in soccer outfits. Anyhooooooo, here are some edited pics from the Beach Series. Ummmm, no disclaimers or anything, buuuuuut... hahaha, no. I don't need to explain myself.

I think they're pretty neat.

In other news, Australia is going well. I'm freezing because it's winter time here now, and I'm up in the mountains so that doesn't really help, temperature wise... So everything is pretty bland here, where I am in the Yarra Valley region of Melbourne, and unfortunately because we're doing production everyday here, I'm kept pretty busy, so I don't really have time to leave the studio and go do shit (like have a nightcap at the pub, or go dancing with the locals... [p.s. Aussie boys are either reaaaally unattractive or reallly sexy, and when they're good, they're freaking GOOD... i'm totz getting my perv on here], and goddamn it I really wanted to go out west to the Outback!), so yeah. The only joy I've found here (besides the peace and tranquility and utter beauty of the picturesque landscape) is the fact that even though fashion here isn't what it should be (even though Australia is like hella Americanized), I have found the CUTEST fucking underwear here, ranging from G-Strings to Hipsters to Boy Shorts... so effin cute. I'm literally gonna come back to the states with $100 AUD worth of underwear. My junk is gonna feel so nice wrapped in that fabric.

ALright, so on to some FoTOz...

I decided to include a little bit of the script in this picture, just to provide a little dialogue between the two characters in the image. And it fits too because Sara (loveyoubitch!) does look like an ice-queen here, though that may have something to do with the fact that... oh nevermind (It's amazing that the cast and crew have more scandalz going on than the actual fictional [based on true life] characters do... simply amazing] hahah, lolz)

And then this is my retro-50s throwback, just because I felt like it. Sara and Fanelli look so perfectly posed in this picture, and with a little color adjustment and some overlaying filters, I made this look.

This reminds me of those Calvin Klein ads where everyone is all like emo//serious and glaring at each other or at the camera. This would be an ad for Ray-Bans and Nike trunks. 

So this is just what some of the Edgar/Gabrielle photos look like post-editing. Fun stuff, no?

Stay tuned for more, kids.

-a.

Here We Go Again

Another sleepless night. (Whoa, sounds dramatic right?) Just finished sending off the finalized shooting schedule and contact lists. After a very difficult week rife with locations falling through and many many missed calls and flight reservations, we're going to go ahead and do this: shoot the show.

After several productive rehearsals I feel very confidant that these character will come alive on the screen again. The script is solid, the actors are at home in their roles. That's what really matters to me.

One more day of preparation. Errands to run, equipment to pick up. Alyssa (Rachel) arrives in New York City for the first time.

Wish us luck, y'all. Cause here we go again.

-C.

The Dark (Queen of the) kNight

C. again. This post utterly unrelated to Prep School Blues. But I, like probably everyone who could get a ticket, just saw the pretty much phenomenal Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight in theaters this past weekend. Great flick honestly, kept me totally riveted.

And yet, despite my deep admiration for Mr. Nolan's work (and the late great Heath Ledger), I feel let down in one aspect of the new Batman films. WHERE DID ALL THE STRONG WOMEN GO? I mean this Rachel chick? Who is she? Assistant District blah blah. The Batman mythos has a great legacy of tough, fabulous broads: Barbara Gordon, Vicky Vale, Pamela Isley. But the best of all, my true heroine and soulmate: Selina Kyle aka CATWOMAN.

From the shapely Julie Newmar to the sultry Eartha Kitt to the deliciously insane Michelle Pfeiffer, this feline fatale is my personal favorite figure in the rogues gallery of Gotham City. Selina Kyle, a woman driven over the edge to adopt a life of costumed crime in a skintight black leather catsuit, totally embodies all that is fabulous. And her torrid love-hate rapport with Batman always gave the storyline that little sexy kick.

As talented a director Mr. Nolan is, with the product to show for it, his female characters aren't exaclty fabulous. The chaste, all american, all-boring Katie Holmes and matyring successor Maggie Gyllenhaal portrayed a character that, for all intents and purposes, hung around with ominous moral judgements, getting into damsel in distress senarios. As Selina Kyle would say, "You make it so easy, don't you? Always waiting for some Batman to save you." Well, I hope it's no spoiler to just say that things didn't really work out that way.

Who knows, perhaps the third installment will see some much needed kitty power updated for the 21st century. Or will we be treated to some more macho boys club struggles? Even if, you can always pick up one of these and have a purrrfect time unleashing your inner Catwoman.

Real Teen Issues

C. here. So, I was watching an edited version of the first three episodes with my dad, psychiatrist Dr. C, and he brought up the point that the kids of Prep School Blues might not be the best role models. In his words, Larsen is "a sociopath bringing down Jack", while Gabrielle seems to be a...well let's not go into those terms. I mean look that these teenagers: smoking cigarettes (and other things), consuming alcohol, engaging in sexual behavior, you know the drill. So just to put any younger viewers (and their parents) at ease, I should remind you all that teen soaps are just a fantasy. While certain problems may seem glamorous in fiction, lots of real life teens face discrimination, substance abuse and the consequences of sex every day.

Here's some resources for anyone facing problems like the characters in Prep School Blues:

Jack has to deal with his homosexuality, something not always accepted in certain more repressive communities. This can be very hard especially for kids and teens. But if you are facing discrimination for being gay, you are not alone. The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network works to bring respect and tolerance to young people across America. And there are plenty of other resources such as The Gay Youth Corner and organizations like OutProud for LGBT youth. For those questioning their sexuality, this great essay discusses the range of homosexual behavior from experimentation to sexual identity.

Larsen abuses several substances on a regular basis including alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. While this may seem cool, drug use can be very dangerous, especially for young people who don't have all the facts. For more information, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens and The Partership for Drug Free America.

Gabrielle enjoys the attentions of boys around school, but actually having sex is a serious business. If you plan to have sex, know the facts first. One out of three girls who has unprotected sex will become pregnant, even if they only do it once. Planned Parenthood offers details on contraception and options for unwanted pregancies. The only 100% sure way to prevent pregnancy is to practice abstinence.

Edgar finds himself sexually attracted to both boys and girls. Even sexual intercourse between two males is not without it's risks. Whether straight, gay or bisexual, all sexually active people run the risk of contracting many sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention provides a wealth of information on these potentially deadly illnesses. If you think you or someone you know may be at risk for STDS, you can find a testing center near you through with the National HIV and STD Testing Resources.

Fareed suffers from the illness known as depression. If left untreated, this can lead to extreme behavior, even suicide. The Trevor Project offers a round-the-clock helpline for suicidal teens. You can learn more about the symptoms of depression at Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. Problems at home can make teens feel they have no where to turn. Every year thousands of children are abused by family members and so-called friends. The National Center for Victims of Crime has excellent information and resources for victims of abuse and those who want to help.

Rachel is a driven and independent girl focused on her schooling. Dedication to academics and a good education can make a difference in anyone's future. Schools in the USA can help you find out what college is right for you, while College Board features tools to help you compete in the application process.

High school can be a rough time and the best way to get through it is to be informed.

There, I am SO responsible right now.

Like Sex on the Beaches

what else is in the teaches of Peaches? whaaaaaaaa...? huhhhhhhh? riiiiiiiight? whaaaaaaaa..?

I'm having a pretty great time editing these photos... And perhaps because of the mood I'm in today, a lot of them are taking on more of a dark tone, but with a touch of class and high sophistication. After all, PSB is a seriouz school, and these are seriouz fotoz. Anyways, here's the latest:

I'm experimenting with different thingz... this pic prolly won't look the same in the end because I generally hate everything I do, and I'll prolly rework this image like ten more times before I'm even remotely satisfied.

-a.

PSB the Musical... Let me sing you it

...because there's nothing better than drama as-told-through song and dance, bitchez.

Wouldn't it be fantastic though if for one episode, the characters randomly broke into songs that pushed the narrative of the plot along? I mean, Fanelli is already in a band, Sara used to sing, Bryan and Nick are ACTORS so they should be able to fake it, and Appie does ballet. And Chris, we all know what a musical genius you are... therefore we deserve I deserve this. It would be fun and campy and queer in-manner-of HSM meets the girls' chorus of Gossip Girl meets Dante's Cove meets the OC. right?

right?

In other news, I've safely landed in Melbourne, Australia and will be here until the 23rd of August. Internet is the only way you can contact me, which kinda makes me sad C because I miss our little text conversations we had every freakin five minutes of every day I was away in LA.

Anyhoooooooo, ciao kiddos. I'll be keep y'all updated on the editing process. Pale skin, erections, and all...

-a.

DiMichele at CSC

Last chance everyone to see Tempest Tossed at Classic Stage Company, featuring our dear Nick DiMichele (Jack). Go see the show this thursday through sunday! Buy tickets online.

As Nick wrote to me, "I can tell you without reserve this show is absolutely magical, and if you haven't seen it, you should, and if you've seen it before in Italy or at the other venue, you have to see it here. It only includes three actors, myself and a cellist, and I'm continually blown away by it's completeness. Never before have I experienced Shakespeare so ranged, fleshed out, and totally unpretentious."

And seriously, that sounds sweet. So go buy some tickets kids.

Disney Does the DIRTY

(oh wait, this is a PSB-related blog? fuck that shiiiiiiit, i'm gonna blog anyway!)

So I'm sitting in my room with my little step-sister watching one of those old made-for-TV Disney movies, Motocrossed, in which this girl goes BUTCH and impersonates her twin brother in order to compete in a dirt-bike competition and show the boys that just because she has a vagina doesn't mean that she can't be a total MAN or whatever... anyways, it's one of those movies that you watch when young and completely miss out on every small innuendo that Disney cleverly places in all their films (like phallic symbols in The Little Mermaid, or the fact that High School Musical 1, 2, and eventually 3, is a total homage to how you can be a "straight" boy, wear lots of makeup, dance with a lot of balls, and sing to your bros, and still be totally accepted and not be called gay... yeah twink Efron, I'm totally not buying it). So anyways, I'm sitting here watching this movie, and all these things are starting to make sense to me, and I'm just like: good god Disney, you're so filthy!

-I mean, your main character Andrea cuts off her hair and goes incognito under her BUTCH moniker "Andy." I mean, there's feminism, and then there's being a woman struggling to prove herself in a world full of chauvinist pigs... but going butch? I think that's taking it too far a notch.

-And then, there's a five minute or so scene where the guy that Andrea falls in love with is completely perving on her rack, which is really funny because this was the only time that he had seen her for who she was, but he still didn't know that she was the guy that he'd been hanging out with and riding bikes with for the past week or whatever timeframe this movie happened in. And it's even funnier because even when Andrea is dressed like a boy, the guy still pervs over her, so it's like, Disney, what's up with that? Homoerotic much?

-BUT the BEST thing about this movie is that there's this French douche who plays the villain of the film, and when I first watched the movie way back in 2001, I thought nothing of him, but today I realized I had seen this actor somewhere before. So I headed over to the ever-so-faithful imdb and discovered that this actor, Michael Cunio, had previously starred in The Fluffer, where he plays a guy whose job is to suck dong for this male pornstar to get him good and sprung before his sex scenes.


Wow, Disney, wow.

This post had no point, but whatever.

-a.

Prep School Blues Now on YouTube

Thanks to the lovely S. we now have videos up on YouTube in addition to the official website. All three episodes from the first season are available on the
Prep School Blues YouTube Channel.

Gabrielle & Edgar Do 'The Movie Review Show' on C3.tv

hey all,

several months ago andrew and i appeared on a program called 'the movie review show' to promote the series. a friend and associate, alvin liong, produces the program for his website C3.tv, which showcases and reviews student work.

initially we were collectively perplexed about the manner in which the interview would best be conducted, but after some deliberation it was decided that we would remain in character for the interview and talk about the show that way. after several swigs of jameson irish whiskey, we were basically able to carry it off. not exactly the most informative interview ever, but quite possibly one of the more entertaining. you be the judge:

gabrielle & edgar on "the movie review show" on C3.tv

in other news, chris and i managed to lock the final drafts for the next set of episodes a little while back. we decided to work together on these episodes, with me plotting the story and chris writing the dialogue and actual script itself.

i have set to work on learning my lines and getting myself in order for shooting, and we've had rehearsal, which went fairly well.

i also took a trip with chris and kevin to location scout in westchester, ny for the new high school we will be shooting at, and i am pleased to report that we have several attractive options.

i am also still recooperating from the process of the photo shoot we did at rockaway beach yesterday. i am incredibly pale- its a harsh fact of life. and it was, of course, a beautiful, SUNNY day. after many intense applications and re-applications of SPF 50 we managed to keep me from burning terribly, although i was completely drained from the heat and horrified at the amount of sand that followed us home.

here is a totally cheesy shot of me at the beach, taken on a cell phone:




hysterical, no? i was probably the palest and crankiest girl at the beach. oy. regardless, i cant wait to see the finished products when alex (loveyoubitch!) gets through with them.

off to engage in more shennanigans, take care, till next time...

-s.

Blue Balled

Prep School Blues' own Bryan P. Dechart (Larsen) was recently featured on CNN, FOX News and the O'Reilly factor for the short Blue Balled, made by Truth Through Action, an organization that produces films to support the democratic party. Here's a link to film:

See B in Blue Balled

Congrats Bryan!

SPOILER: pics from latest photoshoot

Ok, so I couldn't help myself... I was uploading all the pics from my camera onto the computer so that I could begin the long and arduous editing process, and I couldn't resist the urge to give you guys a little sneak-peek into how much freakin fun Jack (played by DiMichele), Edgar (Fanelli) and Gabrielle (Smaltz) had at the beach! These pictures are unedited, so forgive me for that, but they're still pretty fun to look at!

Here is our golden boy, Jack, getting wet and wild:


Our resident bad-bitch-queen-G takes a dip as well, demure as always:


Gabby and Edgar spice it up on the beach, making their mark as the newest, hottest couple.


Great, huh?

-a.

PSB Photoshooooooooooot the Second

So today we shot the official second Photoshoot for Prep School Blues. I mean, technically this is the third, but we're not counting the first one because there was total recasting done (Nick for Tyrus, and Gabrielle is now a redhead instead of brunette...) Anyhooooooo, we traveled to Rockaway Beach to take some hot photos of the core cast (as soon as I start editing I'll post some samplers so you can see) minus Larsen, who UNFORTUNATELY couldn't make it due to... well... "complications and other obligations". But no matter we went ahead and shot, and I think that these end products will turn out pretty well.

We also had a really great time at the beach. I fell in love with a tight small orange speedo clad beefy latino lifeguard (effin irresistible), and also perved over some Eastern European twink siblings... you know, all in a days work.

-a.

Season Two Shoot

DATES SET FOR PREP SCHOOL BLUES SUMMER SHOOT, EPISODES FOUR TO SIX!

JULY 26-28, 2008

Synopsis. The drama continues as Gabrielle and Edgar join forces to take down Larsen and rule the school. Gabrielle tries out for the soccer team, but her motives are deeper than love of the game. Jack directs his first play, but finds his love of theater may conflict with his burgeoning friendship with Larsen. And Edgar surprises everyone with his choice of prom date.

Cast

Jack...Nicholas DiMichele
Larsen...Bryan Dechart
Gabrielle...Sara Smaltz
Edgar...Andrew Fanelli
Chardonnay...Chris Conner
Rachel...Alyssa Peterson

Unfortunately, due to prior commitments Habeeb Khan will not be reprising his role as Fareed Salman, but we hope to have him back for future episodes.

Crew

Director...Chris Conner
Assistant Director...Andrea Isabelle Moya
Director of Photography...Kevin Hooper
Art Director...Michael Mazzola
Still Photography...Alex McBean

Original Music by Michael Joseph

Get ready for a more glamorous, more dramatic, more fabulous Prep School Blues!

Prep Schol Blues: The Complete First Season

At an exclusive prep school deep in America's heartland, everybody's got their little secrets. Breakups, drugs, closeted homosexuality, unrequited love, cheating...Jack and Larsen become unlikely friends and maybe something more. Chronic loser Fareed chases ambivalent bombshell Gabrielle. And the new boy in school arrives, ready to shake things up. Check out the scandalous details in full episodes of the complete first season now available at www.prepschoolblues.com