Updated 11/27/09
Since the 35 minute film was released in 2007, it has only been available by purchasing a DVD. Now, all the content found on the disc is viewable online, wrapped in an interface that closely duplicates the functionality of the disc.
Through use of a “color mode” setting, the website interface, the movie and many of the special features are available in both “vintage” (distressed black and white) and “modern” (full color) versions.
Set in San Francisco, 1948, “The Smiling Man” tells the story of down-on-his-luck private detective Nick Chambers (Chris Hudak) as he tracks down a missing man with only a single lead to work from - a photograph of his grinning quarry. Without even a name to go on, Nick begins a citywide hunt for this mysterious missing person, but finds more questions than answers. Based on the short story written by Keoni Chavez, originally published in the anthology “Fog City Nocturne”, and directed by B.J. West, The Smiling Man pays loving homage to the classic detective films of the forties, while adding a decidedly post-modern slant.
“The Smiling Man” can now be found at its new home at the Kelp Entertainment website.
"The Smiling Man" crew interviewed online
It's a fun listen, available as a free MP3 which you can download here. Enjoy!
Put it in your ear!
"The Smiling Man" makes VH1's "Game Break" page a second time!
Check it out!
Neo-Noir DVD finally available to the public
Set in San Francisco, 1948, “The Smiling Man” tells the story of down-on-his-luck private detective Nick Chambers (Chris Hudak) as he tracks down a missing man with only a single lead to work from - a photograph of his grinning quarry. Without even a name to go on, Nick begins a citywide hunt for this mysterious missing person, but finds more questions than answers. Based on the short story written by Keoni Chavez, originally published in the anthology “Fog City Nocturne”, and directed by B.J. West, The Smiling Man pays loving homage to the classic detective films of the forties, while adding a decidedly post-modern slant.
The centerpiece of the evening will be two screenings of “The Smiling Man”, each lasting 37 minutes, once in vintage black and white, and later in color. Many members of the cast and crew will be on hand to share anecdotes and answer questions.
Zelda Gale and the Tuxedo Junkies will keep the joint swinging between screenings, and guests can compete in a “Liar’s Dice” tournament for valuable prizes. Refreshments will be available for purchase at 12 Galaxies’ bar.
1940’s clothing is encouraged, but by no means required.
“The Smiling Man” World Premiere and DVD Release Party
Tuesday, August 7th, 8:00 p.m.
12 Galaxies, 2565 Mission Street @ 22nd St., San Francisco
Open to the public, 21 and over.
A HREF="http://www.12galaxies.com" target="new">12 Galaxies
Printer friendly press release (.pdf)
"The Smiling Man" written up on VH1's "Game Break" page
Check it out! (Mirrored Locally)
Principal Photography finished on local independent noir movie
Director B.J. West now changes into his editor’s hat and shifts into post-production mode. “I’ve been cutting the film together between shoots, so the rough cut is already nearly done,” West explained. “I’m really pleased with our results, but there’s still some clean-up work to do, and a couple more CGI shots to finish.”
Shot on digital video, “The Smiling Man” has a projected running time of 40 minutes, and will be released via DVD around July 2007.
Printer friendly press release (.pdf)
Local Independent Filmmaker Brings Noir Gumshoe to Life
Local artist B.J. West (known for his work on the best-selling computer game series “TheSims”) is directing the noir short. No stranger to the misanthropic detective, West is one of Nick’s creators and was the editor of “Fog City Nocturne” (2006, Apocryphile Press), the anthology in which “The Smiling Man” first appeared.
Nick is portrayed by Chris Hudak, another local writer infamous for his pithy articles on technology, travel and the games industry. Nick’s enigmatic client, Derek Halcyon, is played by the story’s author, Keoni Chavez. Other cast members include fellow “Fog City” authors John Mabry and Bryan Tolin, and special appearances by Roger Quan as Gino and Jinx McCombs as Nick’s Mother.
Printer friendly press release (.pdf)
Bay Area Writer’s Group releases an anthology of original detective fiction, adding a post-modern twist to the “hard boiled” tradition.
This is the world of Nick Chambers, the detective you turn to when you can't afford anyone else. He's only one step from being on the streets himself, but manages to scrape by on his wits, perseverance, and a steely conviction that despite all the evidence to the contrary, there are still a few good people left who deserve to have someone watching their backs.
Nick is the brainchild of a Bay Area writer’s group who, meeting over cocktails, jointly created a noir-style anti-hero, with a decidedly post-modern nihilistic outlook that borders on misanthropic. They defined his backstory, psychological profile and current situation, and established two unbreakable rules:
1: Thou shalt not kill Nick. But you can beat him to within an inch of death.
2: No “Big Wins.” When the story is done, Nick's situation shouldn't be markedly improved in any permanent way.
The group then went their separate ways to put the poor bastard through his paces. The results are both comfortably familiar and refreshingly original, ranging from traditional murder investigations, to psychological introspection, to skirmishes with the occult.
So bundle up in your trench coat, pull your fedora down low, and step out into the cold, dark, fog shrouded streets of San Francisco. Nick may not be the best, highest priced or most famous of private detectives, but when he takes a case you can bet that the truth will be revealed, no matter what the cost to all concerned.
Fog City Nocturne is published by Apocryphile Press, and is available at Amazon.com and all other major online booksellers.
Printer friendly press release (.pdf)
