Like many independent films, Little Ashes is at risk of becoming unfairly underrated and chastised for being a low budget film. For that reason, Little Ashes, the movie: A Promotional Blitz was born. It is a Web site with the sole purpose of giving the film Little Ashes the acknowledgment it deserves. We feel the intriguing story of Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca is so compelling and alluring it would be a shame not to share it. This sublime piece of cinematic art should not go overlooked. However, it is not just Dali or Lorca's anecdote that has us captivated and enthralled. But also the substantial talents of those involved with exemplifying this fascinating story on film, both on-screen and behind the camera.
Little Ashes: A Promotional Blitz is unlike any other film promotion Web site. We exceed the expectations that other promotional sites epitomize. How are we doing this? By presenting more comprehensive, informative and entertaining content. We do not provide repetitive and common knowledge data about the premise, cast and crew. Instead, we personify originality by showcasing rare glimpses into the lives of the complex characters illustrated in Little Ashes. We get the story of the film's production and exclusive interviews from the people who made the film happen. The site is intended to serve as a channel between those affiliated with the film and the film's enthusiasts.
Salvador Dali, the man as well as the artist, was considered scandalous due to his eccentric manner. His artistic endeavors were not limited to painting. Alternatively, he branched out his creativity into other forms of artistry. Therefore, our site characterizes Dali's eccentricity and versatility via motif and design. Analogous to the feelings of the film's creators, we also deem Dali's life extraordinary. Accordingly, this promotional blitz would be fallible without exhibiting his art, persona and his life. However, our fascination is not confined to Dali alone. In fact, what direction would Dali's life had taken if those who surrounded him were nonexistent? We realized the significance of those who were close to him and felt it obligatory to represent their backgrounds.
Also capturing our admiration are the ones who have given their time and effort to illustrate the trials and tribulations of Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca’s life. Obviously impacted by Dali and Lorca, the writer, the director, and the producers of Little Ashes, deserve to be commended for their hard work. Ergo, we felt it essential to further elaborate on their careers and perspectives, thereby demonstrating their talents and ingenuity. Like those behind the camera, the cast displays immense talent that must not be ignored. We felt it would be going beyond the norm to discover additional aspects about the cast, information that will tame the inquisitiveness within.
Our objective is to create an interactive society in which the innovative creators of Little Ashes and the film’s aficionados can correspond with one another. Fellow supporters of the film will have the opportunity to ask their inquiries regarding the production of Little Ashes and get the answers they have been anticipating, thereby establishing a unique relationship. This feature in particular generates the distinctiveness of our site, further separating us from your typical, clichéd promotional website!
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So who are the people putting this project together?
Jed Medina - Owner and Publisher - Veering away from the repetitive sounds of today's musical selection, Jed prefers the "revolutionary and very cool" British band Depeche Mode along with Coldplay. Jed's approach to films is one of unique qualities; he first looks at the story then the cast and finally the director. Most recently, The Illusionist has captivated him beyond recognition. He revels in films of distinctiveness, films that exemplify power, humor and tragedy. Besides being quite the bookworm, he finds himself allured by Leonardo DaVinci. In addition to being secretly witty, Jed is also quite the exceptional cook. His taste in food is just as unique as his other perspectives. His love for Italian, Chinese, Thai and Filipino cuisine has inspired the idea of one day opening a restaurant.
Tracy Garrett - Project Manager - Once fluent in Portuguese, Tracy spent most of her formative years in New Jersey and Brazil. Today, she resides in the Southeastern United States, particularly the Carolinas. Though currently working as a state court administrator, she has a degree in broadcasting and Spanish. Glamorously, she once worked in radio broadcasting as an on-air personality and newscaster, regaling the airwaves. A modest screenwriter, Tracy also is an avid reader and relishes in film premises at the movie theater. However, nothing can compare to her spoiled rotten rat terrier, Lexie.
Shannon McShane - Project Manager - Having devoted more than ten years to theater, Shannon is a classically trained singer, specializing in opera. However, don't even think of asking her to go to an opera because she "strongly dislikes" being in the audience. While being inspired by passion, depth and her thirst for knowledge, Shannon is the average optimist who loves her family, husband Andy and the entertainment business. Although she still has no thought as to what she wants to be "when I grow up," she dedicates as much time as possible to this project and aspires to make a difference.
Brittany Stevens - Project Manager - When not reading, watching Matt Damon and 80s classic movies or trouncing her opponents in Yahoo! Gin, Brittany is hard at work on her bachelor of arts degree in business administration at the California State University, Sacramento. Brittany has been a writer since she was able to wield a pen and pours out her sarcastic and unique vision in short stories, songs, poems, screenplays and even a partially-completed novel. Brittany would love to write professionally but also has aspirations to work in film marketing and public relations. She also hopes to one day rev up her own classic Shelby Mustang--just like the one in Gone in Sixty Seconds.
Laura Rollinger - Project Manager - Working as a clinical care extender intern at the local hospital, Laura is also a full-time student in Southern California. As a third-year student, she is en route to graduate with three degrees within the next two years: An associate of science in biology, an associate of science in chemistry and a bachelor of science in human development. After graduation, she intends to apply to medical school, making emergency medicine her forte. When Laura isn't helping care for people, she spends her time supporting Robert Pattinson and Little Ashes. She said, "I just want to see this independent film get the attention it deserves!" Furthermore, this project has combined Laura's appreciation for music, movies and art.
Hedy Phillips - Managing Editor - Born an Ohioan, Hedy has always been a celebrity enthusiast. In fact, because of this reason she aims for a place in the entertainment business as a journalist. Moreover, in just a short time she will have earned her bachelor of arts in journalism from the University of Central Florida. Alongside having a deep love for the arts, especially music, Hedy loves to travel and is a metropolitan girl, fascinated by the big bad cities. In addition to being amused by her charismatic dog Winnie, Hedy also is a talented pianist who is enamored by the cinema. As for her future goals: "One of my lifelong goals is to make a change for someone and if by doing this project I'm helping people, then I'm all for that."
Sam Kerbey - Research Administrator - Interested in extreme sports, Sam also is a keen traveler, going to places such as South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Morocco. Believe it or not, that has been in the last six months! Sam previously lived in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Based in England, she is an eternal student who has two undergraduate degrees, currently working on her master's degree and hopes to get her doctorate degree. In addition to her love for reading and movies, Sam also is interested in archaeology and genealogy. Her current aspiration is to emigrate soon. Why, you ask? "England's cold!"
Jen Barnhart - Graphics and Images Administrator - As a high school band geek participating in the flag corps, Jen marched in the 1992 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with 275 of her comrades. While in college, she worked for Disney's entertainment department and also worked in human resources at Universal Studios Orlando. Jen now gives back to her community by assisting high school bands and choirs plan their yearly trips. This of course is possible when you work within the travel industry. A woman of many talents, Jen also is a self-taught Web designer. When she's not Web designing, she spends time with her loving husband and two beautiful girls.
Victor Marzowicz-Velasquez - Editorialist - Joseph Anthony Canucciari, Jr. was born on Michaelmas 1970 in Waterbury, Connecticut. A 1985 tantric love poem to his patron saint got him tempest-tossed down a flight of stairs, landing on the plague-ridden streets of lower Manhattan. Joined with earthly angel Raul Velasquez, word finally made flesh, and after three winters of wet, bitter cardboard, the pair found home and family with artist-activist Sammi Marzowicz. Testing positive, Joey was reborn as Victor to take up the family business of creative dissidence as an AIDS and civil rights activist. Sculptor, poet, documentarian, blogger, mentor, husband, uppity faggot, accident magnet, quixotic knight errant, Vic keeps busy reclaiming the rock from whence he was banished as his own home.
Chanelle Elisabeth - Editorialist - Chanelle is an aspiring cinematographer. Her love of photography and film has inspired her to pursue a career in the industry. She began training with 35mm black and white film at the age of 17 and for the past 6 years has continued to work towards broadening her understanding of the camera and its inclusion with film, working with both digital, Hasselblad, & video cameras. She is currently majoring in Communications with a minor in Art, Design, & Media; both areas of studies have an emphasis on film and photography. Upon her graduation in London, England in December, she plans to remain in London where she will continue to work on expanding both her film and photography portfolios. Apart from film and photography, Chanelle also enjoys writing in her spare time and hopes to, at some point in the future, release a novel.
Cilla Benjamin - Writer - As a university graduate who hasn't been able to make up her mind on what to do with her degree, Cilla is happy to be a full-time mother and look after the needs of her family. Previously, she’s worked in Finance, Office Administration, Childcare and taught English for two years. Despite the career confusion, there's one thing she knows for sure; she’s always loved movies - especially independent and French cinema. She’s also a bookworm who’s dreamt of being a writer from when she was 8 years old. Whether she is working on her computer or doing her household chores; she likes listening to Muse, Keane and Coldplay. Her favourite actress of all time is Audrey Hepburn. She loves Audrey’s elegance, kindness and how genuine she was.
Jenny Bragdon - Writer - Jenny wrote her first book, about her cat Marianne, when she was five years old, and hasn't stopped writing since. She has filled her time as a freelance fashion columnist and news reporter, and is currently working on a YA novel. She is a natural health practitioner in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband, two cats and lovely spotted dog. She began studying theatre in high school, and spends her spare moments performing in community and professional theatres in New England. Her night stand is overflowing with books she never has enough time to read, and her hero is English songstress Holly Golightly.
Diana Fernandez - Writer - Diana currently lives in a small town in the desert of Arizona. Although she was practically raised there, she did live in two other places, Guadalajara and Anaheim. She recently graduated from college in public relations but she's currently working at a hotel as an assistant manager. When she's not working or doing anything else, Diana likes to sometimes drive to Phoenix just to have something to do. But usually you'll find her watching a good movie or reading a book. Her favorite movies include Moulin Rouge and Casablanca, and her favorite book is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. She also enjoys music in both English and Spanish like Mariachi and the sounds of Muse and the Arctic Monkeys.
Patti Heiser - Writer - Patti currently lives in Western PA with her husband, son and 2 cats. Though she majored in biology in college, she currently works in retail as a merchandise planner for the largest golf retailer in the world. When she is not planning her yearly winter trip to Mexico and the Mayan ruins, she is usually reading. She lists her favorite authors as Steve Aten, Phil Rickman and Nelson DeMille. A self proclaimed geek, her favorite movies are the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Star Wars series. Currently overplayed on her iPod are Muse, Linkin Park and the Clash.
T. Isilwath - Writer - T. Isulwath lives in Central PA with her husband and a menagerie of animals. She is a Certified Nurse's Aide by profession and a writer by passion. She does homecare and hospice care for the elderly. She enjoys cooking, reading, and horseback riding. She is a big fan of Robert Pattinson's work, and she's glad to help with the Movie Fanatic's RP Special Project. She has written two novels, and when she isn't writing she can be found fuzzling her cats and dogs or out with her horses. You can find her website. |
