Pulp Fusion: The RAW Shorts Collection
Los Angeles, CA --Independent filmmaker, Angelo Bell is up late again working on one of three films he plans to release direct to video this year. His first DVD, a collection of short films called "The Raw Shorts" was accepted by CreateSpace. CreateSpace has quickly become the go-to entity for independent filmmakers opting to release films on their own dime.
The idea for "Pulp Fusion: The Raw Shorts" came to Angelo as he edited his b-cinema feature film, "The Resurrection of Serious Rogers." Ccouring the internet for b-roll and stock footage to use in the film, Angelo soon realized that he had everything he needed in his previous short films that were never released. Angelo recalls the event vividly. "After I used several clips and sequences from my shorts in the feature I realized there was an opportunity to release not one DVD but two."
"Pulp Fusion: The RAW Shorts" includes five short films Angelo has either written and directed or produced. The lure of the short film collection is that it provides additional insight to the soon-to-be-released, "The Resurrection of Serious Rogers." Film lovers will get a firsthand look at how Angelo restructured the narrative of his feature film to include clips from the short films.
Angelo believes he has carefully merged genres with his short film collection and upcoming feature film. However, he understands the limitations of artistic or "art house films. "Out of the five films on the DVD, three of them have been shown in film festivals," Angelo remarks, "But there is no way I was going to submit the collection to a festival. The concept is a little 'out there'." He considers festivals a dangerous place, hav ng spent more than $8000 in the last six years for festival submission fees.
Festivals have become an industry unto themselves. With festival fees ranging from $25 to $100, with no guarantee of acceptance, geting accepted can feel like winning the lottery. "I've spent enough time and money getting rejected by film festivals," Angelo says as he pats his wallet. "Then In 2007 I had four films simultaneously accepted into one festival but nothing ever came of it. I figure I'm ahead of the game if I keep my money in my pocket---for the most part."
Angelo is cautious about film festivals but hasn't rulled them out completely. He a firm believer in supporting local film festivals and underground film festivals in lieu of more well-known festivals.
Angelo has a plan, and it starts with the first DVD. "What my short film collection will do is 'introduce' me to my audience via DVD. Then I'll go the underground, local and regional film festival route with my feature film." Many independent filmmakers are now choosing to use film festivals as their theatrical release, converting that momentum and audience recognition into interest in a DVD release. Emerging technology facilitates the process of self-distribution but it's still up to the filmmaker to find his or her audience.
More info on Angelo Bell and the Pulp Fusion Series is available on http://www.AngeloBell.com
“Pulp Fusion is a hybrid of pulp fiction genres, wrapped into a contemporary low-budget independent film. As convention goes, a pulp fusion film is a niche film with the broader aspect of dual-genre appeal. It quite easily fits into the art house genre with generous sprinkling of neo noir, or film noir, drama and action. “ ~ Angelo Bell
