Prep School Blues - Comments

Over the years, I've always loved reading the comments posted on the PSB youtube channel. I really enjoy hearing what people think about the show. Here's some of my picks of particularly interesting comments for each episode.

Ep 1 "Jack and Larsen"

"I am gay, but there is one thing I don't get......Why is it always the same scenario for the girl involved, who happens to fall in love with the gay guy....She's always the one who understands and her feelings get undermined......Damn...If I told a guy that I loved him and he said he was straight, I would have gone out of my roof!!!!" -gyqz

Ep 2 "Never Look Back"

"Hey Gabby, way to show your rebellion with that bra. It's you against the world, sweetheart......"
-Sarah921pep

Ep 3 "Boy in the Band"

"Seeing this again (and as much as I want Jack and Larsen to be together), I never realized that the kiss between Jack and Edgar is so sweet and poeticlike a first kiss should be *sigh*" -mickey13f

Well, do check out the extended version of Jack and Edgar's kiss!

Ep 4 "Soccer Practice"

"OMG, i almost wet myself when Larson pushed Rachel out of the way to get to Jack's side; that was dead funny...i should hate Gabs but her antics will push these two together; so i kinda love her...Ed is a touch creepy, however" -schari30

Ep 5 "Romeo Oh Romeo"

"the scenes i love the best are the ones where larsen isn't aware of how he's behaving and why.

Specifically

1) this scene where literally the site of edgar touching jack for a sec too long sends larsen fleeing from the stage.

2) the soccer tryouts where he almost knocks poor rachael over like 3 times to be the keeper of jack's things and to rescue him from the aftermath of gabby's ire!

it's like his impulses and instincts know he loves jack ever tho his brain can't really handle it yet."

-PlatypusRising55

Ep 6 "Prom King"

"I think it's sorta preposterous to believe that Larsen's place in the school hierarchy can be usurped by such a mincing drag queen (I don't mean you Andrew, I mean Edgar)" -jhr459

Ep 7 "The Senior Tea"

I liked Edgar except for his behavior on prom night when he was telling Larsen he was "all alone" and all that. Otherwise, he was sweet with Jack on their "sleepover", and I'm always in to truly bi characters. Also glad he stood up for himself and decided not to play second fiddle. :)
-Madelynn1984

Ep 8 "Lunch Dates"

"What fantasy land is Cecelia living in? She's known Larsen all of a minute and she's in love? For sure Jack didn't mean what he said. He doesn't want to get hurt and like someone mentioned before, Larsen is all talk. Larsen may not be gay, but he does have feelings for another man and its confusing for him which path is right. His path is Jack right now, he needs to realise that. The labels can wait." -ksb78

Ep 9 "Surprise Surprise"

"Oh No You Don't! You are in big trouble Mr!

You know we need more Jack and Larsen than that! After everything they/we went through to see them together, you know that's NOT NEARLY ENOUGH? Right?!

I don't care if you have to recast with random NYU actors kidnapped off the streets, we need a more romantic closure! Stat!

Some hugging and I love Yous and a lot more kissing and sweet talk.

Where is it? On the cutting room floor? Don't make me come over there!

GRRR ARRGH! You Are A Tease!" -PurlGrrl2525

Always leave 'em wanting more, right? xoxo

Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter - Coming soon!

Happy Holidays to all. Just want to remind everyone, "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter" is nearing the end of post production and you can all look forward to it's festival and eventual online release in 2011. Thanks for following my films and best wishes in the new year!

Prep School Blues - Concept Art

Here's some old PSB concept art for a possible Gabrielle/Edgar comic sketched by my fellow NYU alum Tristian Goik. I think he really captured Sara's look especially, too bad the comic never got developed. Still, check out more of Tristian's work at his blog B Manhattane and his official website.

Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter - Behind the Scenes

Productions stills from the making of "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter"...

Michael Dowell as Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter.

Lesbian Vampire Beauties: Sara Smaltz (Lily) and Kim Claus (Queen of the Night).

Alan Zurliene as John Burton, another Vampire Hunter.

Office Romance: Habeeb Khan (Salim) and Cynthia Locke (Anna)

Sean and Sara pull double duty as actors and crew.

Mike Johnson as Jacques Lawson, strip club owner.

Two Directors of Photography: Sean Crowder and Kevin Hooper.

Neil C. Luke as the intern on his first mission.

Literal Hottie: Sara acting in over 100 degree weather.

That's right, Sara plays two characters. And one of them ends up like this...

Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter - Cast Photos

Here's the badass cast of "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter", including PSB alums Sara Smaltz, Habeeb Khan and Michael Dowell...





Featured Michael Dowell (Victor), Sara Smaltz (Lily), Habeeb Khan (Salim), Cynthia Locke (Anna), Sean Crowder (Lee) and Kim Claus (Queen of the Night)

The Demon Lady - Preview

Lest you forget, before "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter", the Durant Family in the 19th century faced a powerful and seductive supernatural being. Here's another look into the dark, erotic world of "The Demon Lady"...



see more at youtube.com/VictorDurantVampire

The Kobolds Plan for A Thousand Fans

Cartoon Nicholas DiMichele (Jack from PSB) and his band The Kobolds.



You can contribute to this 1000 fan plan at their facebook group.

The Boy Who Cried Gay

Zephyr Benson (Erik Durant in my film The Demon Lady) plays gay again (or does he?) in this little docu-mocku-drama-mentary piece. Would you introduce Zephyr Benson to your dad as your gay lover? Watch and decide.



More Zephyr here.

Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter - Teaser Trailer

Here's the teaser trailer for my upcoming film "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter". Featuring Sara Smaltz and Habeeb Khan from Prep School Blues.

Victor Durant has sworn his life to protecting the world of the living from the world of the dead. But when those lines start to blur, he will have to make a devastating choice between the woman he loves and his very soul.



Be sure to subscribe to the Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter YouTube Channel.

Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter - Official Blog

Check out a sneak peek of my latest project "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter" at the Official Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter Blog. Featuring Sara Smaltz and Habeeb Khan from Prep School Blues.

The Ape That Stared Into the Sun

Check out two previews for "The Ape That Stared Into The Sun", a film by Sean Crowder (PSB Season 1 director of photograhy) and Michael Joseph (PSB composer). A highly experimental work. Here's the teaser:



and the official trailer:



For more of Sean and Michael's work check out their official youtube channel!

Turing Love Affair Screening

Check out my friend Natasha's film which premiered alongside The Demon Lady at First Run Film Festival 2010, now at Village East Cinemas in New York. Buy tickets online.

Fareed's Theme from Prep School Blues

More PSB soundtrack... Here's Fareed's Theme by Michael Joseph with a little bonus clip at the end. Rocking stuff. While this music generally represented the Fareed character, it also played at the prom in Episode 6 "Prom King" when Gabrielle tried to turn Jack against Larsen as didactic music possibly from an unseen DJ with a sense of humor. Enjoy!



Watch more PSB at youtube.com/PrepSchoolBlues

Gabrielle's Theme from Prep School Blues

The second part of my little soundtrack project, here's the sultry Gabrielle's theme from Prep School Blues along with some clips of Sara Smaltz as Gabrielle. I told Michael I wanted an homage to Audrey's theme from Twin Peaks and he delivered something even better! I'm hoping to release a few more pieces from the PSB soundtrack in their entirety, so keep checking back for more.



More PSB at youtube.com/PrepSchoolBlues

Love Theme for Prep School Blues

Here's a full version of Michael Joseph's achingly beautiful Love Theme for Prep School Blues set to clips of Jack and Larsen. I am so lucky to work with such a talented composer who wrote the perfect music for this show. I can't imagine the Jack and Larsen story without this haunting melody.



more PSB at youtube.com/PrepSchoolBlues

Kiss Kiss Fall in Love

Check out this steamy extended version of the Jack/Edgar kiss in Prep School Blues Episode 3 "Boy in the Band". Come to think of it, I have no idea why I cut down the extreme hotness of this scene in the first place! For those of you who wanted more guy on guy action in PSB, here's what you've been waiting for...



more PSB at youtube.com/PrepSchoolBlues

Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter

Announcing pre-production on the follow up to "The Demon Lady" my gothic horror film: "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter".

Based on a set of short stories I wrote several years ago, this web based series will bring the supernatural action and eroticism of "The Demon Lady" into the modern world, following Victor Durant, a descendant of Erik Durant, the protagonist of the earlier film. Victor has sworn his life to protecting the world of the living from the world of the dead, but when those lines start to blur, he will have to make a devastating choice.

I'm hoping to shoot in August 2010, so look for "Victor Durant, Vampire Hunter" this fall, alongside the online release of "The Demon Lady".

The disAbility Project

Just wanted to share my story about a wonderful group of people I had the pleasure of working with earlier this year. Here's the behind-the-scenes videos I created for the Uppity Theater Company's DisAbility Project Production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

This first video features interviews with cast and crew of the play.



Next, here's a music video I shot of one number from the play.



Co-founded by Joan Lipkin and Fran Cohen, The DisAbility Project represents one of the most comprehensive creative endeavors in the Midwest to address issues of disability and creativity. Few organizations in the country have presented such a broad-based collaboration between disabled and able-bodied actors, artists, designers, activists, and other members of the community.

To learn more about the DisAbility Project, check out their Official Website and YouTube Channel (which I designed!)

Prep School Blues Media

Okay, so I've received a lot of messages and posts about the return of Prep School Blues. I know all our loyal fans would love more episodes continuing the story of Jack and Larsen. I want to state for those of you that do not know, the Prep School Blues web series will NOT be returning at any time in the near future.

We all dearly love the show and hope to one day pick it up again, but currently there are no plans for more productions. Most of the cast and crew is tied up working on other projects at this time. If a financially beneficial situation came up where I could afford to salary everyone and bring the show back with a high production standard I would jump on it, but unfortunately that is not happening right now. I have written a full length pilot script for a television revival, so with all luck maybe we can move PSB to the next level someday.

I do, however, want to thank all the wonderful people who made the Prep School Blues web series possible by giving their time, energy and commitment for two years without pay, as well as the amazing viewers who wrote in to express their love and support of the show.

For those of you who want to keep supporting the show, I want to let you know that there is going to be a variety of PSB media coming out over the next year:

ONLINE: I am planning on recording director's commentary tracks for all nine episodes of the show and releasing them online. I feel that, along with the comprehensive behind the scenes videos, these commentary tracks will provide an in depth look into the series to rival any big special edition DVD. And all for free too!

DVD: Speaking of DVDs, "Prep School Blues: The Complete Series" is still available for order, now for $15 plus shipping cost (25% discounted from the original $20 price). Email prepschoolblues@gmail.com to place an order. And trust me, the show looks really good on a big flat screen TV.

PRINT: The stories for the new Prep School Blues comic have been written. Although the first artist fell through, I have plans to relaunch the comic over the summer with a new artist. I also have an outline for a Prep School Blues tie-in novel, which I hope to self publish, providing demand is high enough. This is the project I am most excited about because I have many Jack and Larsen stories I would love to share with the audience.

Thanks so much again to everyone who has supported the show these last three years. Feel free to contact me at prepschoolblues@gmail.com for more information on how YOU can help the PSB franchise make a come back!

The Many Faces of Chris Conner

So who's the man behind these videos? Well, my name is Chris Conner and I am the writer director of Prep School Blues as well as The Demon Lady, Lonely Ridge and the upcoming series Divas. I suddenly realized that there's not that much information about me up on this blog, so here's the many faces of me. And by the way, above is a photo of me in front of my favorite place in New York City, the Metropolitan Opera House.

First off, here's a short bio of me featured on the First Run Film Festival website earlier this year:

Christopher Conner graduated May 2009 from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Chris enjoys going to the Metropolitan Opera, volunteering for international charities and spending time with his loving Filipino American Family. Recently, Chris devoted himself to an innovative production of The Trojan Women at NYU's Experimental Theater Wing. The Demon Lady was a very personal and political film for Chris, a true labor of love that he hopes will challenge, excite and titillate audiences.

Now, here's some of my various guises over the years, generally tran-ed out. Just for sh*ts and giggles. And because I'm up at the ungodly hour of 6:30 am and bored.

At Wal-Mart trying on some Hannah Montana extensions.

Dominatrix Chris as the Halle Berry Catwoman.

Wearing Sara's Guinevere costume and wig after the shoot of "The Boy King"

Fetish Cop.

So that's me, ladies and gents. For more information on my film work or other projects, feel free to contact me directly at prepschoolblues@gmail.com

Bryan...Murderer?

Not really (except as Larsen in PSB!) lolz but he is a murder suspect in these flashbacks from a sweeps episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Favorite line from the clip: "Who is that guy? The one that looks like a young Tom Cruise?" Cut to mock photo of Bryan in HMS Pinafore. Congrats, B!

John Silvestri in Law & Order: Criminal Intent from Bryan Dechart on Vimeo.

Season 9, Episode 8 "Love on Ice." Original air date: 5/18/10. Property of USA Television, Law & Order NBC.

Check out more of Bryan's work at BryanDechart.com

Down Down Down

Just to clarify in case anyone still checks the old Prep School Blues website.

www.prepschoolblues.com has been taken down and is now offline.

I figured that since most people watch the show on youtube and I post most news on this blog there was no reason to keep updating the old website. The only thing you could find different on that site than on the youtube was the photo gallery and actor/crew bios, which I'll try to post on here on the blog if I get the chance.

Remember you can still watch the show at www.youtube.com/prepschoolblues

and don't forget to connect with Prep School Blues on Facebook, MySpace, Vimeo, Blogger and Twitter!

Nick Vlogs

Need more Nick in your life? For those fans of PSB's Nicholas DiMichele (Jack), definitely check out the official video blog of Nick's band "The Kobolds" featuring tons of behind the scenes hijinks! Here's an installment focusing on Nick himself.

For more episodes of this Vlog, check out The Kobolds YouTube Channel.

The Birthday of the Infanta

Thanks again to all the wonderful people who showed up to last Sunday's world premiere of "The Demon Lady"! Another word on the exciting screening day at First Run Film Festival. I just wanted to share that in our screening block was this adorable film by my fellow NYU alumni Tristian Goik. "The Birthday of the Infanta" is a beautiful animation adapted from the story by Oscar Wilde about a dwarf who falls in love with a princess. Here's the trailer:

The Birthday of the Infanta - Teaser from Tristian Goik on Vimeo.

For more information on "The Birthday of the Infanta", check out the official website.

The Demon Lady - World Premiere

Hey everybody, here's some pics from today's exciting world premiere event of THE DEMON LADY. Pictured above is me, director Chris Conner, along with the film's star Sara Smaltz (also Gabrielle in Prep School Blues) and friend Wesley Wingo outside the theater.

Chris and Tristian Goik, who directed "The Birthday of the Infanta" which screened alongside "The Demon Lady" at the festival. Check out that fancy director badge I'm wearing!

So glad many friends and colleagues came to support the film, including Prep School Blues star Bryan Dechart (Larsen) and Cameron Lewis (PSB Beginnings Comic Artist).

Chris and Sara inside the theater by a poster of Joan Crawford.

Also, speaking of movie theaters, here's a random marquee from the film we saw yesterday...THE LAST SONG, starring the lovely Miley Cyrus.

NYC Glam Punk Shapes

Forever faithful to our darling Andrew Fanelli (Edgar in Prep School Blues), here's a great article from something called Stylish Kids In Riot about Fanelli's band SHAPES. So exciting to see another PSB alum out there doing exciting things in the entertainment world!

The Turing Love Affair

So if you checked out the First Run Festival Page, you may have noticed that THE DEMON LADY, also known as the greatest film of all time (at least by me haha), is followed in screening order by The Turning Love Affair. Just wanted to blog a bit and say that there is no reason to turn around and walk out right after my movie, because you should stay and check out this amazing science fiction neo noir romance by my classmate Natasha Kermani, whom I met in Darrell Wilson's Advanced Experimental Film Workshop 08-09, the same class where I developed The Demon Lady.

THE TURING LOVE AFFAIR is the story of a beautiful cyborg accused of murdering a famous composer aboard a space station. I got to witness firsthand some of the pre-production, shooting and footage of this film and you can trust me, it's not to be missed. Watch this poetic masterpiece on April 11, 2010 1:30 PM at Cantor Film Center.

For more information, check out www.turingloveaffair.com

Spotlight: Andrew Fanelli in Prep School Blues

I am thrilled to present the next installment of the spotlight interviews, an intimate chat with the amazing Andrew Fanelli who played Edgar in Prep School Blues. Although the character met a grisly off screen death in between seasons 2 and 3, Fanelli is well and thriving in New York City along with his band SHAPES. You can currently find their new EP "I feel, therefore I drink" online on MySpace and at the iTunes store.

Q: What got you into acting?

Fanelli: i genuinely don't know what got me into acting. i suppose just wanting to be the center of attention... or maybe it's cause it's easier for me to be honest when somebody else is writing my words. my mother inspires me. and so does my cat. i used to run. there's something inspiring about that yeah? never stop moving forward.

Q: How did you get involved with the PSB project?

Fanelli: oh man. i was working at a vegan place called sacred chow. i hadn't seen chris conner in almost a year. and he just glided in and started talking about this project. it sounded like a lot of fun and over time we took a character, Edgar (my character), and really brought him from somebody who was just there doing whatever it is that he did, to being a very important person who i believe genuinely changed the other characters lives. i think anybody who came in contact with edgar was changed by him and had their lives turned upside down. i know i did.

Q: Any favorite behind-the-scenes memories?

Fanelli: thousands, but none i can speak about in public :D

Q: How did you connect with your character?

Fanelli: i just tried to find myself in him and him in me. easier said than done haha. actually w/ edgar chris had written a very vibrant exciting young man who was just so real it was hard not to connect with him. perhaps he was a little too close to me... in the sense that playing him really did confuse me. sometimes i didn't feel as though i was acting... not to say i'm some amazing actor. i could be awful. but... edgar and i are very similar. there wasn't much character work that needed to be done. just work on myself... and i'm still working. ha.

Q: What are you working on now?

Fanelli: oh man. been signed exclusively for voice over work. i average about 1-3 auditions a week... which is amazing. freelancing w/ a bunch of on screen agents. working very passionately with my band. we just released our first EP and oddly enough have some attention, and the possibility of future mentions in italian vogue (don't ask. i don't know either. great management.), nylon, and interview to name a few. and there's one really exciting documentary project so to speak that i really actually am not at liberty to talk about. not by my own doing, but ya know... i actually can't speak of it. haha. so seeing how that turns out and if it does turn out you'll all know haha. so fingers crossed. xoxo right? that's how we do things? ;)

Thanks so much to the divine Andrew Fanelli! Check out Fanelli in Prep School Blues at youtube.com/PrepSchoolBlues

The Demon Lady - More on First Run 2010

Gearing up to enter the dark, erotic world of The Demon Lady? Make sure to check out The Demon Lady's profile on the official First Run Film Festival 2010 website, along with information on the other exciting new films showcased this year. Remember to come see The Demon Lady on Sunday April 11, 2010 at the Cantor Film Center for the 1:30 PM block of screenings. A world of forbidden passions awaits you there!

www.firstrunfestival.com

The Kobolds at Ace of Clubs

Speaking of bands, here's some pics of The Kobolds, featuring Nicholas DiMichele, who played Jack in Prep School Blues. These are from their show last week at the Ace of Clubs in downtown New York City.

You can learn more about The Kobolds at their official website. They are also on MySpace and Facebook!

Shapes EP Released!

To celebrate the release of SHAPES new EP, here's some pictures from the release party and concert in NYC featuring lead vocalist Andrew Fanelli, who played Edgar in Prep School Blues. Congrats Andrew and SHAPES!

Listen to SHAPES new EP and learn about their future live appearances at their MySpace.