Hungover and Hoodrich

The Rot crew @ Cerise Films

Staying dry as the projector screen goes up to show the Chicago Rot trailer @ Alleycat Comics

     Thats right, all your thirsty livers, loud mouths and drunken donations have brought us to our next level: Production! It only took 3 months of endless nights at 3 different venues around the city. We hobnobbed with Cerise Films at their swanky post house in Old Town, nerded out with our legs straddling a keg of PBR at Alley Cat Comics, and finally got our hands bloody with our beautiful zombie burlesque ladies and Ken Moustache Berg at the one and only Liars Club. We raised thousands of dollars and did it with the help of the greatest city in the world and all of the semi nude, perverted, surly, tattooed, and mustachioed inhabitants we could find/ attract. Thanks to our friends and dedicated fans, we will continue to keep you posted on our belly drag journey through the rainbow gas puddles of the underbelly of Chicago. Thank you Rot Nation!


- Rot Crew  

 Rot party - Zombie Burlesque show @ Liar's Club

"Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
-Frank Sinatra 


Thanks to:
Alley Cat Comics
Ranalli's Chicago
Cerise Films
Liars Club Chicago
Pot Belly's
Broken Cherry
Jeppson's Malort
Kelly Wey
Ken Mustache Burg
Matt Churney
Gail Gilbert
Amanda Marien 
James Richards
Tyler Crane 
David Ballard
Jessica Steffes
Jo-Jo Baby

21 days and 7,000 Steps Closer

Making a feature so far has proven to be nothing less than spiritual.  Thinking on the overused quote you can buy on keychains in gas stations,

" The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." -  Lao Tzu

Now! Now, we can BEGIN to understand what that means but also feel the need to elaborate on it.   A journey can be told from the perspective of a single person but is experienced by countless, even more apparent today with the use of the internet.  

20 years ago this film was set in motion, one year ago it was begun by a handful of Chicago boys and a muse, now 21 days ago it has began a journey of 1,000 miles for countless people due to the initial support from 61 backers (pledging over $7,000).  What we are saying is this film is not just our path, our journey, but it is a conversation between a city and its people, artists and their supporters, musicians and their listeners.  A person may take a single step at a time, but a community takes a 1,000 at once.  Thank you for your continued support, and we call on you to make strides with us because its not for I or me but for Chicago and what we can create.

"A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm."

- Henrik Ibsen

KICKSTARTER
On a similar note we have begun our casting calls that will be held May 16th- 20th at the Merchandise Mart. We have received tons of inquiries and are completely impressed by the talent being thrown at us. If you are interested or know of any talented actors/ actresses send 'em on over. Here is a link to our Mandy casting call and Craigslist call.

Kick Started!

    It has been almost a year for some of us working on this project, and for Brant McCrea a lifetime of character and story gathering.  To be able to say "I am working on a feature film"  has been a life long pursuit for everyone involved, and to be given this opportunity to really own a piece of this film instead of being just on a crew of hundreds is a true gift.
     Kelly Kerr or as we affectionately call her "Mama" gave us this opportunity with her apply named Dakini Productions.  Dakini meaning "She who traverses the sky,"  a Buddhist deity often associated with muse like qualities.  An epic and fitting title for a company that dreams, helmed by a woman who is nothing but supportive and inspiring in all her forms.
     Painted Face is the other production company involved in this endeavor, a tribe of Chicago artists determined to bring a new level of creation to the city and keep it here.  So under the Direction of Dorian Weinzimmer, from the ears of Sam Fell, and through the eyes of Ryan Berena, we will sculpt our dream.  You can be involved in the production and contribute too!  Follow the process of making a feature with this blog and also contribute funding (incentives are given to those who donate) and spreading of the word through KICKSTARTER!  We hope to see you in the front row of the theater watching our flick, we'll be sitting right next to you popcorn in hand. Thanks so much for your interest and support of our project.

"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up"

- Paul Valery