Over 1,000,000 live participants!!! Congratulations team. Was a pleasure working with all of you…

A little bit of press from our friends over at Dread Central. 

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About a month ago we told you about April Wade and Canyon Prince’s Killcam: Live, a hybrid web series/live action horror adventure that not only entertains audiences but invites them to become part of the action, to interact with the characters in the story, in real time, just as death is knocking on their door. Already almost a million viewers have become part of the growing “Killmunity”.

The project, directed by John Darko, premiered on October 31st and runs through December. Killcam: Live stars April Wade, Ben Begley, Tracy Clifton, Derrick Oliver, Sam Weller, Emily Dykes, Diahnna Nicole Baxter, Billy Towers, Mirai Booth-Ong, and Rolence Patugan.

All the links you need to get involved and start following the action are in the press release below. I’ve been peeking in from time to time myself and love the idea behind this project. It adds a new level of realism that you can’t get from a traditional film, no matter how clear your Blu-ray copy may be.

From the Press Release
With almost a million live views and counting, viewers from every continent have become part of a growing “Killmunity”, participating in a LIVE interactive horror project. With viewers interacting directly with characters from the ongoing storyline, Killcam: Live is single-handedly changing the way that audiences are interacting with their entertainment.

Like a wildfire sweeping the net, Killcam: Live has set multiple records with streaming powerhouse Stickam , and website killcamlive.com has already called audiences to stand witness to the brutal killings of three of the story’s main characters and one surprise death brought about by the cries of the interactive audience. With each new week more and more “super fans” are being born, transitioning from curious bystanders to actual characters in the story itself. Audience members have created entire blogs devoted to play-by-play breakdowns of the episodes and the characters in them.

Each week viewers participate in a “Cill Contest”, ripping footage from the episodic narrative and live footage and cutting together their own recap videos to bring new viewers up-to-date. With four weeks left in the story, there’s no telling what will come next. No one is safe! Not even the audience.

Killcam: Live is the transmedia brainchild of producer April Wade (@actoraprilwade) and filmmaker Canyon Prince (@canyonprince). Part digiseries, part interactive real time experience, and part feature film, Killcam: Live is the next stage in the evolution of storytelling. The project follows a group of students as they willingly agree to participate in a social experiment put on by their charming psychology professor Michael Grayson (played by J. Michael Briggs). The experiment is meant to explore the effects of current human dependence on technology and social media as the majority form of communication. During the ongoing experiment, the students will be isolated from each other and their only way to communicate with the outside world will be through social media. However, someone has a different agenda in mind as things start to take a turn for the worse.

Every Thursday through December, an episode will play out online, moving the story forward in typical narrative format. The following Monday through Thursday morning of each week will host a LIVE 72-hour period in which one of the students will be trapped in a room, awaiting their horrific fate. During that period, the audience will be able to interact with the character via video, Facebook, Twitter (@killcam_live) and online chat. The audience will be able to inform the characters (in real time) what is happening and possibly even aid them in their escape…or demise.

“We are looking to bring a heightened level of interactivity to the audience” says Wade, “and we feel that this projects is on the cutting edge of a new age of storytelling. As filmmakers today, we have an international platform for our stories that never existed before and I am thrilled to be experimenting with creative ways to use social media to shape the film.”

Prince adds, “We’re moving farther and farther away from a traditional storytelling model. As people continue to consume more and more content via mobile devices, it’s detrimental and entirely counter-productive for us not to take advantage of the enormous opportunities that interactive multiple screen storytelling opens up.” Wade and Prince, along with Spence Griffeth, who penned the screenplay, developed the concept and story. Shot on the Red MX One, the narrative episodic of the show, as well as the feature film wraparound, was helmed by John Darko, lensed by David M. Brewer and executive produced by Ahmed al Baker and Mohammad Il Abrahim. Recently Darko and Brewer worked closely together on James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s feature film Insidious from Lionsgate.

http://www.dreadcentral.com/ news/48964/ fans-are-responding-killcam-liv es-unique-interactive-horror-experience

That is all for today.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Good morning. It’s been a while since my last entry, or to be more specific, it’s been sometime since I sat down and creatively wrote from the heart. By origin I am an artist by any means necessary. But sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the wind, and it feels like I’ve thrown out my anchor some time ago. I’m just waiting for it to catch some proverbial ground.

Look, I’ll be honest… I’m afforded more in life than most are, and I say this with the utmost of sincerity and appreciation whereas the majority of individuals in my position won’t even seem to care. Believe me, I’ve met a colorful palette of dream-chasers. All of them interesting to the tenth degree, yet (with the exception of a few) seem to be missing a constituent element. Which in my opinion is humility.

I don’t care who you are. To get to where you are at now, there HAD to be some sort of struggle or adversity you battled with to realize change is imminent. Each and every living person on this planet is different from the other, we are cut from the same cloth but carry a unique signature; and I believe this changes and evolves as time goes on.

For instance, as children we don’t expect the world to express itself in any other way than how we would perceive our day. And I can faintly remember waking up to the sound of my mom’s cooking coupled with the morning news my father would always frequent. Fast forward to school, friends, television then sleep. At this stage you wouldn’t anticipate domestic violence, a messy divorce and a family divide with years of trauma to follow.

But that’s my particular, and I know for damn sure some had it worse.

It takes just a step to walk a thousand miles towards what you think might be the right direction. And after a few missteps you’ll realize that there is no “definitive right” there’s just forward. 

I guess what I’m trying to say is that we are all a product of what was, be it an illuminated place - or - a darkened hallway. The signature we carry reflects how we adapted to the situation. This is what makes us beautiful. This is how we learn to appreciate every breath given and taken. This is what propels the earth forward. 

And as I’m writing this, I can’t help but to feel saddened by the absence of my mother and father. Although I’ve realized nothing will ever separate our love for each other. So I’m comforted in that absolute truth.

Life is good now and I suppose it has always been; in relation to everything above. It’s moving fast and I’m adjusting my sails. The anchor reference from the top of this entry was a metaphor to wanting to slow down to appreciate the sights before I wander out again. But come what may, I am not afraid.

I’m turning 30 in just a few weeks, yet I still feel like a kid. A lot of me is still figuring this stuff out, which is the fun part in my opinion. I’m allowed to make mistakes and to fumble en route to the goal line, contrary to what my friends and partners might want or demand. It’s cleverly disguised as being irresponsible, but it’s obvious I think otherwise.

Live, love, cry, dance, fall, get back up, try, run, walk, move, laugh, fly, create, vent, let go, sleep, wake up, fight, struggle, realize, appreciate and most importantly smile. Become the first of you and never look back, but don’t forget what made you into the beautiful person you are today. And embrace your humility as it will always be part of you; YOUR SIGNATURE. 

Thanks for reading. 

John Darko

Another entry from 2008. CONTRAST. ALL LOVE. 

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As previously stated, I have been spending more time with my family. Two days ago I picked up my pops and took him to Hollywood, I gave him the tour, re-visited familiar stops and what have you. Mind you, my Dad has a disability due to his former addiction to drugs. Basically, he has a hard time getting around.

I’m not a stranger to disaster, especially of this sort. I’m better from all these experiences, made me into the person I am today.

Ever since I left home for school, life has changed drastically for me. Everything aiming for the better. I had a clear vision of the road ahead of me and I had just gained a new found clarity that helped me grow into a well adjusted person. All was illuminated. 

Unfortunately things weren’t looking up; back at the old house. To save a long and complex entry I’m gonna try and keep it short. Because not only do I think this would be better transcribed into multiple chapters, but I also do not want to put any of you to sleep. I’m considerate that way.

So, back to the rant. School’s over and some time has passed since I’ve been part of a functional household. Judging from the occasional visit and weekend phone call. I assumed things were just as they always were - chaotic yet controlled. My rational was always to the tune of “Oh, this is nothing. Just give it a few days. Someone will get over it.” Boy, was I wrong!

I guess my occasional appearances have morphed into mandatory sit ins where I get to play the moderator! So now I get to wear this **** hat. I guess sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. 

Anyhow, so quickly after breaking up an argument involving my pops and multiple parties. I offered him a trip to my apartment. This marking the first time I invited him to my diggs. Like I said, long story. So after a few stops here and there and a bite to eat at Grecco’s, I offer to drive him up to my zen spot. A place where I have felt an instant attraction to since my move to Hollyweird. So, we’re cruising down Mullholand Drive and without hesitation I bank a hard right into the woodsy area better known as the Hollywood Hills. The place where the rich and famous dwell. 

Now I’m pointing at houses, admiring the views. My Dad’s doing the same, smiling at my innocence while I childishly name off the celebrities that live in the area. He’s laughing and almost snickering at my ambitions to one day purchase homes for everyone. I can’t blame him because I don’t know how long I have been saying that to everyone. One of my Mom’s favorite quotes to me “Son, don’t count all your chickens before they hatch!!!”

So we’re winding up and down the concrete hills as we get closer to my zen. I turn down a long road taking us behind the Hollywood reservoir, a side of Hollywood that my pops has never seen. A few more turns and we’re driving through the Lake Hollywood Estates. I tell my Dad to look up, to see the iconic Hollywood sign in all of it’s glory. He flinches and mutters “you can throw a rock and hit it, if you wanted to.” I laugh because he always says that.

Now just around the bend is an incline that leads to a separate neighborhood but before it, is a small little turn out that leads to a cliff where you can see the entire reservoir and some of the city, the Hollywood sign is also in full view. 

I used to come to this spot when I was feeling stressed, when I felt like too much was sitting on my shoulders I would let go and take in the beauty. I would gaze at the Hollywood sign and think of how many people have sat here, at this very spot where I’m sitting, to do the same exact thing I’m doing. It was sort of my therapy. 

So, we park (illegally) and my Dad gets out and walks to the ledge. I follow. He turns to me and says “Did you know I used to take you here when you were just a baby? This exact place used to put you to sleep.” I stood there speechless, as I just stumbled upon this great discovery. 

The next few minutes, I stood quiet with my Father as we looked out at the reservoir and for what seemed like the first time in a long time, there was peace between us.