Hollywood Dell Digital Studios provides creative “editorial packages” including picture, sound and music editing, original scores and songs, post supervision and other post services for studio and independent films. It’s all wrapped up in a cost-effective package, complete with organic workflows made possible when postproduction happens all under the one roof. Director Aloura Charles has done three projects at the post facility, including her recent indie feature Reservations. “The all-in-one aspect of Hollywood Dell Digital was a great asset to my production,” she says.
The facility straddles the line with its innovative internet production BackStreet Musical. The series of three-to-five minute webisodes about sex, politics and murder was inspired by Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera. Hollywood Dell Digital founder and editor Mary Ann Skweres, who worked in regional theater before she started in the film industry, comments, “It’s a way of merging my filmmaking career with my background and love of musical theater.” The songs, with music and lyrics written by Skweres and partner/sound designer Bob Bayless, were recorded at their facility. Their collaboration is an extension of their L.A. area nightclub days as the cult multimedia band The Hollywood Winged Rats.
Singer Ellington Erin plays Mackie, a womanizing political sycophant and wheeler-dealer whose fingers are in everything. His nemesis, the idealistic, as of yet incorruptible young Congressman Truby is played by Griffin Lamfers. Bayless appears as Troubadour, a street musician who narrates through song. The “Greek chorus” of dancers include choreographer Lindsay Martin, alongside Diana Osborn, Cloie Taylor and Morgan Matayoshi. Other cast include Steve Phenow, Rod Milliron and publisher Marci Marks.
Hollywood Dell Digital is executive producing the series and providing all the post. Skweres penned the script for the first webisode, entitled Marauder. She also taken directs and produces along with veteran producer and executive, Nini Mazen. Using their contacts in the below-the-line community, the company has assembled a talented crew including DP Lisa Stoll, cameraman Eric Giroux, additional cameraman Steve Phenow, production designer Janet Cunningham, additional editor Rebecca Lillienfeld, and still photographer/webmaster Scott Brown.
The first webisode premieres October 27 to popular sites such as YouTube, revver.com, dailymotion.com, brightcove.tv, metacafe.com, veoh.com. sharkle.com and more. Music is available for download from iTunes and other sites. Further webisodes are scheduled, and the troupe is seeking additional sponsors for the ongoing series. For updated information go to www.backstreetmusical.com.
