Darkside Films: The Vault

SECONDS AWAY

Was a promo photo shoot we did eons ago.  I had written a script called SECONDS AWAY and had a photographer I knew who shot the Jay Leno show take a Saturday to shoot us acting out scenes from the script.  Needless to say that I never had the opportunity to pitch this script.  But we have quite a selection of images to put towards it someday.  The cast was played by Johnny Seiko, David Buscemi, Martha Villasenor and myself, D.W. Kann to name the few.

*please note that the scanner I was using isn't up to a good quality so the pics lack their luster a bit. They will be replaced in due time.

JAWS: Book signing weekend!

Finally after a long three years watching my good friend Matt Taylor struggle to get every interview and photograph he could. JAWS: MEMORIES FROM MARTHA'S VINEYARD a beautiful 296 page coffee table book was released this past weekend.  The hard cover which own and weighed- clocked in at almost 10 lbs. This included the portfolio with the piece of the Orca and a DVD that has 8min of Super 8 behind the footage that islander Carol Fligor shot while at the time while her children who played extras in the film.

Below are a fraction of photos shot over the weekend by my close friend Rob Catalano.  We had over 200 people come to the book signing for the 2hrs plus of docs and talks from Production Designer Joe Alves to Susan Murphy who is married to the infamous Lynn Murphy. He was one of two men who Quint was the basis for and was in charge of the shark special effects while shooting JAWS on the island along with Bob Matty.  Lynn's wife Susan delivered a very moving speech to fans about her husband and his relationship with Robert Shaw and his experience working on the film.

Sunday night we showed JAWS plus a 15 min segment that hasn't been seen since 1974 from a TV magazine show called Our New England which had a scathing interview with Richard Dreyfuss plus a hysterical interview with Robert Shaw.  Jaws dropped and laughter erupted with this segment.  All and all it was a great success and the book is still available but I do not know for how much longer.  You can visit mvremembersjaws.com to place your order today!

Production Designer Joe Alves and authors Matt Taylor and Jim Beller

Myself working the production of the evening.

Just before the show begins we had a full house.

One of the many slides shown that evening.

Myself and Joe Alves going over the nights event for  his presentation.

Scrubbing "Bruce's" nose clean.

Outside the signing afterwards.

Clockwise: Susan Murphy, Lynn Murphy, Jim Beller, Jeff Kramer, Lee Fierro to name a few.

The line outside the signing.

Quint being eatin the night of the JAWS film

Moments before the screening.

To CELEBRATE:

The New Book Jaws: Memories from Martha's Vineyard I'm enclosing a photo from when I was seven or so, my sister was six.  We're in Edgartown MA in front of the JAWS 2 sign along with my grandmother.  

I moved to Martha's Vineyard when I was five.  Right before I moved there with my folks we saw Jaws at a drive-in theater.  After the shark first appeared, my father leaning over the front seat exclaiming to me and my sister cowering in the back, "That's where we're moving too!"  

So we did.  Being a fanof the film and fan of the water it never really bothered me to go swimming.  In 1987 Universal came back to Martha's Vineyard to shoot  Jaws: The Revenge I appear as the chubby faced kid playing and E flat Base Clarinet in the band- it was February and I was wearing penny loafers.  It was beyond cold and we were there for several hours.  Enjoy- 

JAWS BOOK SIGNING: Saturday, July 2nd, 2011, 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Old Whaling Church: 89 Main Street, Edgartown. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

SHOWING OF JAWS: Sunday July 3rd at the Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven, MA
 CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Exclusive: Jaws promo doc for New 296 page book

Promotional video for the new 296-page book JAWS: Memories From Martha's Vineyard by Matt Taylor. Promo was shot and cut by filmmaker D.W. Kann For more information and to order visit: www.mvremembersjaws.com

From the Vault - One Last Breath

I thought I'd share a short film we shot back in the 90's, just for fun.  Enjoy!

Welcome to the Darkside - A bit of History.

Darkside Films is an independent film production company founded by D.W. Kann in 2001.  We are dedicated to providing top quality content without the studio overhead and pride ourselves on being ‘fiscally responsible film makers’.  We create cutting edge material that pushes limits and appeals to specific audiences that Hollywood tends to neglect.  We are passionate about independent film and are continuously supporting fellow indie projects to ensure they are able to reach their goals and find success.  Currently we are in development on several of our own projects.

D.W. Kann is the founder of Darkside Films LLC. Mr. Kann is a passionate filmmaker who has been working in the film industry for over 20 years. He has held various positions within the industry, starting as a prop master, make-up artist, art director and production designer, before moving into editing, producing and directing. He appears at numerous festivals and conventions every year to promote his work and has a growing community among horror fans.


Mr. Kann has successfully directed, produced and sold two feature films: Ancient Evil 2 (2005) and Prison of the Psychotic Damned (2006). The films were sold to Silver Nitrate Entertainment and York Home Entertainment less than nine months after principal photography.


Over the past several years Mr. Kann has worked in a varied capacity supporting independent film. In 2007, he joined forces with English companies Ironopolis Media/Night Creature Films to produce and edit two feature films that played theatrically in the UK for several weeks and were shown at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. In 2009, Mr. Kann was on the Board of Directors for the First Annual Bram Stoker International Film Festival and continues to be involved at some degree annually. In 2011 he was courted to be a judge for the Shriekfest International Film Festival located in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently shooting/editing interviews for JAWS: Memories for Martha’s Vineyard documentary that will be shown online and at the book launch July 2nd 2011 on Martha's Vineyard, MA while continuing to work on upcoming Darkside Films creations.


For more information and a full history of D.W. Kann’s body of work in the film industry, please go to IMBd http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0437770/


You can also learn more about Mr. Kann and Darkside Films at the following links:
http://www.darksidefilms.com/
http://darksidefilm.blogspot.com/
twitter @darkside_films
facebook: Darkside-Films
http://www.myspace.com/darksidefilms
http://www.cafepress.com/darksidefilms

Marathon Man Meets Sabotage

Friday Morning Mash-Up by Darkside Films and Oblique Media.  Enjoy!

JAWS: Book Launch & Signing Event - July 2, 2011

The Martha’s Vineyard Museum is now taking reservations for the "Book Launch & Signing" event!

When: July 2nd at 5:30pm
Where: Old Whaling Church - 89 Main St, Edgartown, MA 02539
Cost: $20.00 at the door, please make reservations by calling
(508) 627-4441 x110 or e-mail frontdesk@mvmuseum.org

For those who cannot attend the event, please be sure to check out http://www.mvremembersjaws.com/ for details on how to purchase this beautifully crafted and extraordinary compilation of JAWS history.

Thugs Mugs & Dogs - RELEASED!

Available today, April 11th, 2011 on DVD

Dave Courtney's Thugs Mugs and Dogs!  Pick yours up today, links below! 

This film was edited by our own D.W. Kann of Darkside Films and noted the 'Best British Crime Film since Snatch' by Movie International. 

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTJpw6eYJWw 

Order Now:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thugs-Mugs-Dogs-Dave-Courtney/dp/B004LYWFRC

More from JAWS - Memories from Martha's Vineyard

Darkside Films highly recommends this beautifully crafted and very Limited Collectors Edition of JAWS - Memories from Martha's Vineyard.  This 300 page collection of photos, behind the scenes stories and memories from islanders closest to the making of this epic film is available to you and will not disappoint.  It is a gorgeous, well researched and detailed piece that any film fan would adore. 

Please take a look here http://www.mvremembersjaws.com/

JAWS Memories from Martha's Vineyard

In 1975, Steven Spielberg gave us an incredible landmark film we all know as JAWS. An epic story set in the beautiful surroundings of Martha's Vineyard, whose community and it's people, played an enormous part in the making of the film. My good friend and fellow resident, Matt Taylor has compiled the very personal behind the scenes photographs and stories from this small town into a 300 page book for your enjoyment. Each page beautifully crafted, showcasing never before seen photos as well as documented interviews from JAWS Production Designer Joe Alves, Screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, Location Casting Director Shari Rhodes, and more. Steven Spielberg himself wrote the forward and praised Matt for his detailed accounts and diligent efforts necessary to put such a piece together. I have had the opportunity to review the mock up which is exquisite and would now recommend to everyone.

Please take a look for yourself at http://www.mvremembersjaws.com/ 

and Like on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaws-Memories-From-Marthas-Vineyard/114311395285656

This book is an all-access masterpiece, I assure you!

Charlie Sheen's Apocalypse