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

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

Wrote this back in 2008. I’m glad I was able to readjust. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Life is all about the contrast folks ; )

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http://johndarko.blogspot.com/2008/06/will-work-for.html

Hey everybody. Thought I’d talk a little bit about my current job situation and for that matter everybody else’s.

For the past three and a half months, I’ve had my nose to the grindstone. I’ve been getting up early, circling the classifieds, phoning companies direct, combing internet websites and what have you but still no luck. I’ve came pretty close to the tune of a few interviews. But even then I had to come back and resell myself to every higher up until I can finally get the obligatory “we’re just going to go with someone else” speech. I’ve even been promised jobs in return for my services. Nice try but no cigar.

The funny thing is…I’m not complaining. The farther and farther I get in this industry, the more and more I start to understand how it works. It’s natural to feel like you’re failing when facing the monolith that is Hollywood. Think about it, this place is the Mecca for the common American dream. Only in Hollywood (and well maybe New York) can you walk down the boulevard and meet tons of would be signers, dancers, actors, writers, painters, directors…hell, the place where they film “American Idol” is only a hop, skip and a jump away from my apartment. Irony in it’s finest moment, if you ask me.

Everyday we fight to be heard and sad to say, it’s one fierce competition after another.

So I’ll give anybody credit for making it out here to fulfill a dream, swimming with the sharks and testing the waters to see what you’re made of. No matter what, this world will still spin and propel forward. We should act accordingly.

But I figured that I’ll take a rest from this ravenous cat and mouse game. Only long enough to re-connect with my creative side. I need to sharpen the blades, reload on some ammo. Finish a script or two. Then it’s time to unload on this city. Figuratively of course.

Stay tuned. That’s a wrap!!! Promise to deliver more info as soon as I can. 

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Spent the entire day with my DP. Had an ultra productive day, went out locating gear, finalizing shot lists, locations, all that awesome madness.

Later in the evening the team reconvened @ headquarters and discussed scheduling. Had a nice chat about set design… Below is a “rough rough set sketch” by our wonderful production designer Albert.

Unfortunately can’t tell you EXACTLY what you’re looking at. Really trying to be discreet as possible here. Although, sometimes a photo can say a 1,000 words - so you figure it out.

Can’t wait to get into some of the actual video logs. It’s gonna be hilariously fun to shoot and watch. The revolution WILL BE TELEVISED folks. Stay tuned. 

- JD

5 days left till principal photography starts on my first directorial feature.

Had a stellar crew meeting tonight for ‘The Sunshine Project’ the panoramic in this post doesn’t do the team any justice, as I’m missing the people behind me and off to the right side sitting in our dining area.

Working on getting up some video of location visits and table readings w/out giving too much away. For now, here’s a still from our “A” location. Sets are being built as we speak. *click on the photos for high res versions

Last night I picked up my DP and best bud David M. Brewer from the airport. Brewer was fresh off of a feature titled ‘ROSWELL FM’ we watched some of the dailies together, looks pretty damn good if you ask me.

David and I recently just worked on a little movie horror together called ‘Insidious’ ya might of seen it. Dave handled cine, while I shot 2nd unit and ran still photography. Was a blast to make. Glad to see it do so well! I honestly felt like some of the crew members on ‘Insidious’ were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met on a film set. 

So here’s to hoping some of that “magic” has rubbed off onto the both of us. Because we are full steam ahead with only 8 DAYS TO GO before principal photography starts.

Wish us luck! See ya in a few.

 - The Sunshine Team

John Darko (director, producer) @JohnDarko 

TWITTER CREW ROLL CALL 

Producer: April Wade @actoraprilwade

Exec Producer: Ahmed Al Baker @ahmedalbaker

1st AD: Anthony Cincotta @Tonylives4eva

2nd Unit Director, Head of VFX: Mike Diva @mikediva

Composers: Greg M. Johnson, ONBEINGHUMAN @ONBEINGHUMAN

Key/Special FX Make Up: Danielle Cansino @Dani_babyyy 

P.A. Set Builder: Chris Nunez @SomeLikeItHott7

Production Assistant: Molly Josephson @Mollysaysobladi

As all insomniacs operate (with no sense of direction), I found some time between 4 - 6 in the morning to redesign my “works” page.

I think it looks good, didn’t want to clutter up the entire page with a sh*t ton of videos - so I present you with 6 out of the 20 something up on our vimeo page.

Aside from producing and becoming hyper stressed on the business end of the industry, I hope this sort of gives ya an idea of what I / we (Speed of Life Studios) do on the creative side of film, web & television.

Live. Life. Enjoy. Thanks.

JD

LINK: WORKS