TC: Ghosts Don't Exist on WashPost Live

Tell Me Something Wednesday: That's a Wrap!

We'd waited 15 days to hear those words, crackling across 9 walkie-talkies and reverberating throughout Chris Cooley's cavernous estate—all while trying to keep an excited and growing crowd of cast, crew, and wrap party revelers quiet for the final shots.Principal photography on Ghosts Don't Exist wrapped at 7:50PM Monday night, just in time for the arriving mass of friends, family, investors, and other guests—all eager to celebrate the completion of the film we've worked so very hard on for the past few weeks. It was the culmination of a terrific concerted effort, and the beginning of the next phase of the project—post production.

Our final day of filming was a breeze, helped along by gorgeous weather and the wonderful setting of the Cooley home. Chris and Christy generously hosted our wrap party, which included a surprise sneak peek at the trailer (a rough cut created on site by editor Matt West).

We will post the official trailer here as soon as it's completed!

The night—and indeed, the entire production to date—was a huge success. There were hugs and congratulations all around, as cast and crew remembered fondly the long hours we'd invested, breathing both a sigh of relief and regret that this portion had finally reached it's end. Much like the end of a memorable school year, we all made sure we had each others' contact info, (and Facebook, of course) and collected autographs throughout the night.
For many of us, it was back to the "real world" on Tuesday—coping with the withdrawals that come with the end of an incredibly fun, rewarding production like this. But of course, this is really only the beginning. The ride has just started, and will only pick up steam as editing is completed, distribution deals are reached, and film festivals come calling—so stay tuned.

Posted by Richard Friend

NFL Total Access and Ghosts Don't Exist

Just a quick update. First, if you didn't catch Chris on NFLTA I'm sure you still have a chance considering they replay that stuff 10 times a day. Plus he will be on again tomorrow. I told him to wear a Zimmerman jersey with a Caps shirt underneath but we'll see what happens. Second, we have already told you that Chris became friends with Vikings defensive end Jared Allen at the Pro Bowl but please do this, check out Jared's website. Particularly the video section which includes footage of him killing an elk with a spear, playing guitar hero, and explaining his mullet. It is pretty funny stuff. Last, we are almost done filming our movie, Ghosts Don't Exist, and tonight the world got a little teaser of what Chris's role in the film will look like. Check it out and tell us what you think.

To see more check out this link.

Chris's Acting Debut

Repost of Richard Friend's from GDE Blog

NBC 4's Lindsay Czarniak was on hand for Chris Cooley's acting debut Tuesday night—he's playing a sheriff's deputy in what has become a most anticipated cameo appearance here in the DC area! Even the Mayor of Hamilton, VA was there to watch the Redskins star step in front of the (movie) camera for the first time, and Chris didn't disappoint. Dressed in a municipal uniform complete with an authentic, antique badge, Cooley proved to be a natural. He and fellow actor Chris Kennedy (playing "Sheriff Fuller") did a terrific job, and had a blast in the process.

As you already know, Lindsay has a cameo role in the film herself.

The production enjoyed its first break today, but is gearing up for early calls today and Friday—as the full lead cast will be filming their first scenes together. Josh Davidson will be on set tomorrow, playing the skeptic, "David Sherman." Things are heating up... ;)

For full coverage please check out www.ghostsdontexist.blogspot.com and also follow us on twitter.

A-List Screenwriting

Here is a cool opportunity to spend a couple days with one of the executive producers of Ghosts Don't Exist this Saturday and Sunday. Jim Mercurio is one of the reasons we were so excited to be part of the film. He is an enthusiastic guy and it's obvious he knows and loves movies. He is teaching a screenwriting/story class at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC on April 25-26 (Saturday/Sunday). And he is giving a free talk on film financing on Friday night in Georgetown.

At one of our investors meetings, he opened with a joke: "An Eagle, a Giant and a Cowboy jump out of a plane; who hits the ground first?" he asked the crowd. No one answered. Then he delivered the punch line: "Who cares?"

And if that's not enough, he's giving away a football autographed by Chris to one of the online registrants.

Sign up with the discount code COOLEY by Tuesday and save $100 (save $50 after that).

Here is the official information.
A-LIST SCREENWRITING COMES TO DC!

Jim Mercurio is kicking off a nationwide series of classes under the A-List Screenwriting banner with A-List Screenwriting: The Lecture on April 25-26 (Saturday/Sunday), 9 AM -6 PM) at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC. This class focuses on story and scene structure; film analysis; and screenwriting principles. Whether you are a beginning storyteller, a professional, or somewhere in between, the class will accelerate your growth as a writer and improve your craft.

Jim is one of the country's top screenplay consultants with students and clients ranging from beginners to A-list filmmakers whose films have done billions in box office.

Jim is also giving a free talk on Friday night at Center for Digital Imaging and Arts of Boston University (Georgetown) - Washington DC Campus, Studio A. The topic is Film Financing 101 (The DIY Basics) and the Craft of Storytelling. For more information: http://dcfcpug.eventbrite.com/

A-List Screenwriting: The Lecture
Washington, D.C.
Saturday and Sunday, 4/25-26, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Online Registration: $279
Sign up now.


A-Listscreenwriting.com
http://dcfcpug.eventbrite.com/
Jim@a-listscreenwriting.com

Casting Call

"Ghosts Don't Exist", a 19th & Wilson production is casting a HD full length horror about a ghost hunter whose wife dies and as a result he loses faith in what he believes -- prompting him to retire. However, he decides to take one last case when a potential client makes a guarantee he can't refuse. When they arrive to the home an unforeseeable and shocking event transpires and they struggle with the decision to keep investigating. See www.ghostsdontexist.com for more info. Please request sides and location of auditions from

ghostdontexist@gmail.com and/or gdecasting@19thandwilson.com.

Special thanks to the Hotel Topaz in Washington DC for hosting our casting call.

Project: Feature film (Red One)
Location: Metro DC area, Virginia
Union: SAG
Pay: Ultra low budget SAG agreement
Audition Date & Location: March 14th & 15th 10am-5pm both days, HOTEL TOPAZ: 1733 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
Comments: Project marks the debut of NFL's Washington Redskin player, Chris Cooley as Executive Producer.

Opening title credit roles:

Brett, 30's male lead. The ghost hunter who is ridden with guilt over not being there for his wife when she died in the hospital. A man who's looking for redemption after he realizes he's focused on work more than his family.

David, 40-50, male. A critic of Brett and debunker of paranormal activity. Brett's annoying antagonist whose only friend is a bottle of scotch.

Jen, 20's, female. Jen is on the ghost hunting team and wants to believe in the afterlife becuase of a dark secret from her past. However, she's not exactly fearless and getting through the night on a gig is challenging for her.

Richie, 20-30's male. Richie is on the ghost hunting team and is in it for the money. His sense of humor helps ease the tension during an investigation.

Kurt, 30's, male. Kurt is Brett's best friend and was there with Brett's wife the night she passed away.

Travis Garner, 40-50, male. Travis is the mysterious client and homeowner who makes Brett a guarantee that he'll find the evidence he's been looking for.

Fatpickle: Sheriff Cooley

I'd recognize that tallywhacker anywhere, it's Cooley poking thru again!

When I first heard that Chris was up for the part of the Sheriff in Ghosts Don't Exist, my immediate thought was of Alex Karras in Porky's. Karras was an ex-NFL player who parlayed his NFL career into 20+ years of acting, a Monday Night Football gig, plus a few years as a professional wrestler. He played the role of the crooked Sheriff in Porky's (the original American Pie.)

So while Chris may not think he's great in front of the camera and may not have big aspirations for his one line in a movie, I would remind him that Karras got his start by grunting a line or two in Blazing Saddles. "Mongo straight, Mongo like candy." In fact, if they ever remake Blazing Saddles Chris should read for Mongo, he'd be awesome. And if that role led to a remake of Webster with CC in the dad's role, well then that would be priceless.

On to the wrestling. We all know CC won a State championship as a high school wrestler, so faking a few moves in the squared circle should be gravy. He might want to go legit and do a little MMA action (Michael Westbrook needs better competition), but I recommend the WWE. Vladimir would make a great manager!

So, now it's time for you to get involved. Answer these 2 questions in the comment section.

If you could remake a movie, what roles would you put Chris in?

My picks: Mongo from Blazing Saddles, Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher, and Oger from Revenge of the Nerds.

If CC was a professional wrestler, what would you name him? (Capt. Chaos we all know)

My picks: Crouching Tiger Hidden Cooley, The Sharter (the finishing move is brutal,) The Leesburg Joker

We will review your comments for the best roles and names for the next 5 days. The winners will receive:

1st place = 8 x 10 autographed photo of Fatpickle

2nd place = 8 x10 autographed photo of Vladimir

3rd place = something signed by CC via Fatpickle

Cheers and Hail

19w Announces a Greenlight for "Ghosts Don't Exist"

After spending most of 2008 raising funds, 19th & Wilson is pleased to announce that Ghosts Don't Exist is moving into preproduction phase (with production slated for May of this year). Thus far, production locations will be in the Metro DC area. 19W is now accepting applications for crew (gaffers, grips, Pas, etc.). Soon we will announce the date for casting calls, which will most likely be in March.

We are excited about the production and feel it creates an opportunity in the DC area for indie film and other businesses that support the arts. Having said that, we are now seeking restaurants/caterers to sponsor a day of food for our film in exchange for credit and publicity. We plan to have certain days when media (such as the popular ESPN show E60) will be on set—this would be great exposure for a local restaurant. Any other businesses that feel they could help the production—please do not hesitate to contact us.



We would like to thank all who continue to support us, and especially thank the following people who have signed on and made the production possible:

Drew Crowder, NVblu, Inc./Live-blu.com
Edwin Espejo, Unisys
John Duffy, Compass Group
Pete Buttecali, Woodpile Studios
Uncle Art Bond
Rob and Bonnie Huie
Nitin Adsul, Darrel Cox, Clark McMillian of East West Films
Jason Fabini, Washington Redskins
Jason Cole, DC Hosts

Anyone Ready to Greenlight

If you don't already know, Chris and I are helping produce an independent film called "Ghosts Don't Exist" After having had several cool events with the guys from 19th and Wilson and we are finally having what should be the last one this Sunday. We are hosting a private investor presentation at the Shadow Room in Washington DC that many are already talking about. From the Style section of the Washington Post:

Picture this: At the Oscars a couple years from now, as they announce Best Picture ... that could be you walking to the stage, along with fellow executive producer, Chris Cooley.

Okay, maybe a long shot. But the gregarious Redskins tight end will spend his off-season getting his feet wet in the indie-film biz, and he's looking for help.

Cooley has signed on to produce a new locally filmed paranormal thriller, "Ghosts Don't Exist" -- and the first job of a producer is to raise the money. This weekend, he'll host a private reception at Shadow Room nightclub to court potential investors.

At 11pm we will open the Shadow Room and we want to invite you to DC's Official "Ghosts Don't Exist AfterParty" promoted by the highly esteemed and respected promotion company, The Standard and David and Ray Ent. We look forward to seeing you on the Sunday, the 11th at The Shadowroom. 

TC: Ghosts don't Exist...or do they?

As we have mentioned on the site, Chris and I are producing a movie. On Saturday, a bunch of us made it over to Brentsville, VA to check out the supposedly haunted jail and courthouse. We started our private tour in the courthouse by interviewing the guys from DCMAG. Eric asked them to tell us their scariest experience on the job. This is John's

The scariest thing that ever happened to me was right here in this room. Early in the night I had gone up the steps to set up the camera. When I got up there I set the camera, my flash light, and a spool of fishing string on the railing then went downstairs. After doing a few things I went back up to start recording and noticed that the fishing string wasn't on the railing. "Whatever" I thought and just blamed it on a busy night. I thought I must have misplaced it...until, later on, we were standing by the staircase and all of the sudden, I get hit in the chest with something. When the item hit the ground I knew immediately what it was, the spool. We flipped on the light and checked around, but John and myself were the only two in the room and the spool was lying right there on the ground...

The only thing I thought after hearing this was, these guys are good story tellers, not that ghosts are real, and to the jail we went. The first thing we did was check everything out, taking pictures and after everyone had had their tour, we dove into the real stuff, an EVP session. We all stood up in the room where James Clark was shot and John tried to get his spirit to talk (I am a huge skeptic of all of this, not scared, and totally amused at what is happening in the jail). So twenty minutes go by with nothing and John goes to get one of their female team members. She comes up to try the same thing, talking with the ghosts (which was amazing...she actually started crying). But the results were the same, nothing.

So as we were leaving we thought our night was a failure because we didn't hear or see any ghosts. But before we pulled away, the ghost hunters told us that EVP's are generally heard upon reviewing the recordings after. They told us it was likely we got some good stuff while there. And, we scored. They actually recorded two EVP's that night. One is a response the John's question. You can clearly hear "No." And the second, I have no clue what it is saying, but it is there. Check 'em out.


Now even though I am not convinced that ghosts exist, everyone can to decide for themselves. Tell us what you think! Is Brentsville jail really haunted? Either way I consider the night a success. I mean who wouldn't want to do a ghost hunt with real Ghostbusters!

Ghosts Don't Exist

"A ghost hunter losing faith in what he believes is about to retire, but decides to take one last case when a potential client guarantees he'll provide the proof he's been looking for. Upon arriving to the home, the client announces that he himself will make good on the promise by contacting them from the beyond, then shoots himself in front of them."

On Thursday night we had an investor meeting for our movie, "Ghosts Don't Exist."I finally met the other Executive Producer, James P. Mercurio, who enlightened us on how this movie is going to be made and be successful. He really got me excited for what we are trying to do and the only thing we need now is great people who want to help make this thing happen. Director Eric Espejo and the rest of 19th and Wilson are great to work with and what we are trying to do for them is help this project grow. So if you are on this list please contact 19th and Wilson. If you would like to help with the project click here.

Ghosts Don't Exist

Starting this website has given Chris and I several new opportunities that we would have never thought possible. Our latest will be producing and Executive producing an independent film, “Ghosts Don’t Exist.” This is going to be a great opportunity for us and we are very excited about working with 19th and Wilson on the project. Here's what they have to say about the news.

19th and Wilson is pleased to announce the addition of two new producers to our latest feature film project, "Ghosts Don't Exist". Joining the team are Executive Producer Chris Cooley and Producer Tanner Cooley. Chris – a Pro Bowl player with the Washington Redskins - is widely recognized as one of the NFL's elite tight ends in the game today. Tanner is an entrepreneur, and is Chris' brother and business partner. Their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence have brought them great success thus far, and will undoubtedly propel this exciting project forward.

19W is still securing additional funding and aims to be in pre-production in Q4 of 2008. To find out more about 19th & Wilson and how you can be a part of this project and independent film, please check www.19w.com. For more on Chris Cooley, be sure to visit www.chriscooley47.com.

Be on the lookout for more in the press about this unique venture, and as always, we appreciate your support.

The Team at 19th and Wilson

If anyone has questions or wants to get involved in the film, email me at tanner@chriscooley47.com