matburn Site Admin Joined: Nov 12, 2004
Posts: 3458
Location: WNY
REVIEW
"Which film will be The Next Paranormal Activity... I think I found it. Really. “Beyond The Mat” is a sports drama about high school wrestling. It’s a cross section of every good high school movie you’ve ever seen with a twist: the kid we’re rooting for is a Vietnamese athlete who was adopted into an Ohio family as an infant. It’s the proverbial fish-out-of-water-meets-coming-of-age internal journey. With a lot of sweat. The script was an Official Screenplay Selection at Tribeca in 2007. It’s a well crafted story with authentic performances across the board. The film, which is currently in post production, will come in with a total budget that is well under half a million, but still looks as good on screen as every other teen movie in recent memory. It has an excellent potential for domestic theatrical release and I predict it will prove to be a more profitable income generator than anything else that was available at AFM 2009." by Catherine Clinch. Founder of Nuclear Family Films and a frequent contributor to Film News Briefs.
ABOUT "BEYOND THE MAT"
Beyond the Mat (also called Nearfall) is the next classic sports movie. It has the best elements of an edge of your seat sports movie, where the underdog must rise to the challenge, but with a new modern twist. Imagine Friday Night Lights but on the wrestling mat. Not just a sports story... Not just a love story... Beyond the Mat was chosen out of thousands of scripts in 2007 to be an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival All Access Program. Filmed in 2008 and currently in postproduction, the target completion date for Nearfall is April of 2010. Tribeca Film Festival will host the World Premiere in New York.
SYNOPSIS
Set against the backdrop of a suburban high school in Middle America, Beyond the Mat is the coming of age tale of Aaron Miller. Amidst the struggle of a disintegrating friendship, the tormenting of a cross‐town wrestling rival, and the blossoming of a new love, Aaron is forced to come to terms with who he really is. Aaron’s friendship is put on the line when best friend Bo, blinded by the desire for a rematch against cross‐town wrestling rival Dominic, robs Aaron of his spot on the varsity wrestling team. Aaron is torn between his loyalty to his friend and his commitment to his sport. Fueled by the desire to succeed and the need to prove himself, Aaron embarks on a journey of self discovery. At times, Aaron’s struggles on the mat mirror his struggles in daily life. His wrestling encounters are a physical manifestation of his emotional struggle, a metaphor for what he is going through. When Bo suddenly dies, Aaron is forced to set aside his guilt over his friend’s death and put things into perspective. The drama cuminates in an explosive finale at the State Wrestling Championship where more than just pride is on the line. It’s a tale about two best friends, a chronicle about minority experiences in America, an uncensored look into the perilous world of high school wrestling, and ultimately the story of a teen who overcomes self‐doubt to find his true place.
UPDATE ON TALENT
Since we shot the film we have been securing finishing funds to complete the project. Our talent have been very active in the industry and have seen great success. They have proven to be the next generation of stars. Our female lead, Sara Fletcher, who plays yhe love interest Jennifer Sanders, is currently hosting her own TV show on Comedy Central titled Secret Girlfriend. Also, Mark Hapka who plays one of our male leads, is a regular on TV shows such as the Ghost Whisperers and Days of Our Lives. Both have been working steadily for the fast two years! Our lead character, Aaron Miller, played by John Wynn, was host of the hit TV show CD USA. The show was broadcast in many Asian markets! Watch for them as they are continually booking projects.
DISTRIBUTION AND PRODUCTION UPDATE
There is interest in our project from a few distributors, but currently all rights are available. The feature film has been shot on the High Definition RED Camera and is in the can. In December we will get some pick up shots and complete our picture lock. Currently, we have an assembly cut of the entire film that are willing to make presentation in person to interested investment parties and distributors. We will have our picture lock by December 15th, 2009 and expect the film to be complete with all the bells and whistles by February 2010. We are still seeking investments to offset some of our post production costs.
MARKETING
The wrestling community in the US is 30,000,000 strong! Our project is endorsed by USA Wrestling, the governing body of the US Olympic Wrestling Team. The organization produces over 1,700 wrestling tournaments across the country, per year. We are also proud to be endorsed by the National High School Coaches Association which produces the Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and Senior National Championships, among many other high profile sports tournaments. There are many other wrestling organizations and supporters on board to impliment a grass roots marketing campaign direct to the target audience, males and females 14-25 and 30-45. We currently have collected email addresses and contact information for every wrestling club in the country. There is already a buzz about the project in the community. Listen to and interview by one of the leading radio shows that covers the sport. Take a few minutes and listen in: Listen Here
WATCH OUR MOVIE TRAILER
With a buzz about our project stirring about, our preliminary trailer was viewed over 14,000 times. Now we have cut a new trailer and expect more hits. Take a look: Click Here!
Pura Vida,
Henry K. Priest
Festival Director
Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles
www.DFFLA.com
323-365-1496
Last edited by matburn on Nov 17, 2009; edited 1 time in total _________________ Go for the pin.
Nov 15, 2009
provocateur
Joined: Dec 21, 2006
Posts: 1143
Now that looks terrible.
Nov 15, 2009
Mayo08
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1578
At least some of the previewed wrestling was actually wrestling. Like a double. But I still saw the typical dramatized throws and headlocks after someone is already on his back that really aren't that common. There was a bridge though.
I noticed some elements that are nice, and others that are going to be too dramatic and over done. A sister? Really?
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Nov 15, 2009
jukeboxhero
Joined: Feb 2, 2005
Posts: 1681
Location: In a town without a name
He's on a Vision Quest!
Nov 15, 2009
WrestlerofthePast
Joined: Jan 21, 2004
Posts: 1030
What's up with Carter 145? C145 movie at least has a solid storyline, instead of a remake of Vision Quest. Don't get me wrong, Vision Quest is amazing, but this movie seems to copy the exact storyline. Heck, at least it's a movie promoting the sport! I just hope it puts Reversal to shame!
Nov 15, 2009
jukeboxhero
Joined: Feb 2, 2005
Posts: 1681
Location: In a town without a name
This is all you need to know about Vision Quest:
Nov 15, 2009
Mayo08
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1578
jukeboxhero wrote:
This is all you need to know about Vision Quest:
ahhh good ol' Louden hahaha.
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Nov 15, 2009
piper1
Joined: Aug 26, 2008
Posts: 187
Has this movie been released yet? Is it on dvd? I doubt it will make theatres.
Nov 15, 2009
Marchofcrimes
Joined: Mar 19, 2006
Posts: 422
Location: on soapbox
Why are all wrestling movies so cheesy, cornym and alot of the time never depict the life of a wrestler? I mean holy smokes. They are an imbarrusment to the sport. Vision quest the only move was a throw, Schutte went like 168 but weighed 225. Louden lived in a rubber suit. The coach wears a singlet in practice. The only thing that makes the movie is Forest Whitaker. This new movie Beyond the mat, looks horrible. I hope this Matt Hamill movie is good. I'm going to make a documentary on how this year goes. I gaurntee it's btter then Vision Quest and this Beyond the Mat.
_________________ Make an off topic forum for the simple minded like me.
Nov 15, 2009
johnnyrooster
Joined: Nov 28, 2008
Posts: 1097
Location: Hen House
Marchofcrimes wrote:
Why are all wrestling movies so cheesy, cornym and alot of the time never depict the life of a wrestler? I mean holy smokes. They are an imbarrusment to the sport. Vision quest the only move was a throw, Schutte went like 168 but weighed 225. Louden lived in a rubber suit. The coach wears a singlet in practice. The only thing that makes the movie is Forest Whitaker. This new movie Beyond the mat, looks horrible. I hope this Matt Hamill movie is good. I'm going to make a documentary on how this year goes. I gaurntee it's btter then Vision Quest and this Beyond the Mat.
Bring it on.
Nov 16, 2009
LQQKICU
Joined: Dec 6, 2004
Posts: 2025
Location: In the Shadow
Marchofcrimes wrote:
Why are all wrestling movies so cheesy, cornym and alot of the time never depict the life of a wrestler? I mean holy smokes. They are an imbarrusment to the sport. Vision quest the only move was a throw, Schutte went like 168 but weighed 225. Louden lived in a rubber suit. The coach wears a singlet in practice. The only thing that makes the movie is Forest Whitaker. This new movie Beyond the mat, looks horrible. I hope this Matt Hamill movie is good. I'm going to make a documentary on how this year goes. I gaurntee it's btter then Vision Quest and this Beyond the Mat.
Forest Whitaker......? Now thats funny. I cannot even remember him even speaking in the movie. Will have to watch it tonight to find out.
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Nov 16, 2009
Marchofcrimes
Joined: Mar 19, 2006
Posts: 422
Location: on soapbox
Yes he's on Thompson High
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Nov 16, 2009
LQQKICU
Joined: Dec 6, 2004
Posts: 2025
Location: In the Shadow
Marchofcrimes wrote:
Yes he's on Thompson High
I know but I cannot even recall him having a speaking part. From Quest to winning an Academy Award now thats cool.
_________________ I suppose I should be upset, but I'm not. No, in fact, I think this is a friendly message, like "Hey, wanna play?" and yes, I want to play. I really, really do.
Nov 16, 2009
brainiac
Joined: Jan 18, 2004
Posts: 896
wasn't the coach in a singlet during the match ? Classic
Nov 16, 2009
Marchofcrimes
Joined: Mar 19, 2006
Posts: 422
Location: on soapbox
brainiac wrote:
wasn't the coach in a singlet during the match ? Classic
In the first day of practice I know for sure he did. I'm not too sure about the dual meets though. I mean who are the idiots that deal with the wrestling parts of the movies? Did they ever wrestle? You don't see James Caan in The Program wearing shoulder pads, and a helmet. These movies make the this great sport look horrible.
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