Massify Studio

Massify/Killer branded content helps promote Ace Hotel Group - The New York Times

Kenneth Woo — 2010-12-21T00:00:00Z

In this character-driven suspense comedy short, filmmaker Dee Austin Robinson weaves a story about a dysfunctional relationship where a stronger bond seems to exist between the woman and her cat (Charley) than between the couple themselves. Courtney and Ryan check into the Ace Hotel in New York for a weekend getaway, yet fail utterly to connect despite the romantic setting. Courtney can't stop talking about Charley, and Ryan's advances are frustrated. When Courtney and Ryan later discover that Charley has hitched a ride in their luggage, the plot takes an unexpected twist.

The Wrong Guys for the Job - A Conversation with Sean Sinerius

Kenneth Woo — 2010-08-19T00:00:00Z

Tell us a little about your background and how you came to film?

I mainly come from a music video and commercial background, although I also create short films every now
and again. I've always had a passion for cinema growing up and watching all sorts of different movies,
but it wasn't until midway through high school I started to take it seriously. With the advent of
digital camcorders (DVX100, Canon XL2, etc), I immersed myself heavily into the digital filmmaking world
and started building upon cinematography and editing skills with any project that came my way. I also
started to learn more about Adobe After Effects and motion graphics. From there, it just became a career
choice for me - I really didn't want to do anything else but direct, DP, and edit everything from
commercials, to music videos and films.

After a year and a half or so of film school, I was hired at a post house based out of Tempe Arizona
where I was mainly shooting and editing commercial/event videos. I eventually moved onto a Phoenix news
station where I joined their promotions team to shoot and edit promos. At the same time, my producer and
I were creating (and still continue to) music videos for artists throughout Arizona.

Don't Forget Sister - Video Premiere & Making-of Webisodes

Kenneth Woo — 2010-05-24T11:31:43Z

We're proud to bring you the music video that was brought to life through the collaborative efforts and talents of the Massify community, Epic Records and RSA Films for Low vs Diamond's Don't Forget Sister. Congratulations to filmmaker Matthew Chilbert and actress Katie Adler for making Massify's first music video such a resounding success. Read more to see the Making-of Webisodes with Matthew and Katie on the set.

Lionsgate Update - Director Selection Date and Cast & Crew Extension

Kenneth Woo — 2010-05-14T16:18:22Z

Once again, we've been overwhelmed with the quality of submissions received during the Director's Phase of the Incubator program. It's clear how much work and effort went into the creation of your Director's Pitch Videos - and they have really opened our eyes to the potential of "The Wrong Guys For the Job." Thanks to everyone who submitted.

Over the next week, the Lionsgate Team will continue to narrow down their shortlists with a plan to name a selected director on or before May 25th. The Cast and Crew phase has also been extended until June 1st so that the selected director will be able to participate in the process.

The Wrong Guys for the Job - A Conversation with Barbara Gray

Kenneth Woo — 2010-04-21T17:06:25Z

We had the opportunity to sit down with Barbara Gray and learn a little more about the emerging writer, as well as hear how development is progressing for The Wrong Guys for the Job - the first film from the Lionsgate Incubator partnership.

A Conversation with Maya Kazan & Production Stills from Lulu At the Ace Hotel

Kenneth Woo — 2010-04-01T14:17:43Z

Maya Kazan's "Lulu at the Ace Hotel" has just wrapped principal photography as one of the selected films for our collaboration with Killer Films and the Ace Hotel. We caught up with Maya on the set to talk about her thoughts on Lulu as well as her plans as one of Massify's most promising filmmakers.

Concept Announced for Lionsgate Incubator

Kenneth Woo — 2010-03-29T09:40:16Z

We believe that THE WRONG GUYS FOR THE JOB is a fun story that fits the desired male-driven comedy genre while maintaining a relevant and accessible theme. The LGF team is excited to continue in its partnership with Massify by working with a writer who we feel has the ability and drive to come into her own as a screenwriter.

Barbara’s project hits all the comedic notes that a broad comedy should, while also maintaining a witty connection to current affairs. The story takes a universally familiar situation and has made it light hearted and entertaining. The concept of botching interviews to make other candidates stand out provides both physical and situational humor that will allow audiences to both identify with and laugh at these characters.

Lionsgate Concept Selection Will Be Announced Soon

Kenneth Woo — 2010-03-18T17:04:34Z

It's hard to contain our excitement for the fantastic response to our first program under the Lionsgate Incubator. With over 1,400 submissions, this has been the most successful development phase to date and shatters our previous record for number of concepts entered.

We can't thank you enough for all of the inspired stories that were created and submitted - and we look forward to the opportunity to read through material that represents countless hours of your hard work. That's right, each and every concept will be read and reviewed. We'd also like to thank everyone who contributed helpful reviews and comments, which will continue to serve as a useful guide.

Over the coming days, the Lionsgate Team will continue to narrow down their shortlists with a plan to name the selected concept on March 22nd. We will begin the Director's phase shortly thereafter - so stay tuned, and best of luck to everyone!

Concept Notes from the Lionsgate Team

Kenneth Woo — 2010-03-03T14:30:44Z

We are entering the final week of entries and welcome your last minute submissions, comments and additional notes. We are starting to see some great stories develop and are pleased with this group endeavor. We do want to guide you to the finish line however with a few comments and suggestions.

Your log line is the most important part of the submission. You must try to get us (and eventually an audience) to want to know more. Choose a concept that is easy to express in a sentence; if that's hard for you to do, you may be working on a low-concept idea.

LOOP PLANES Announced for SXSW 2010

Kenneth Woo — 2010-02-12T14:19:18Z

We are thrilled with the news that Loop Planes, our first collaboration with Killer Films, has made it to SXSW this year.

Thanks again to the Massify community for making this such a successful program, and congratulations to Killer, Robin, and the entire Loop Planes team!

SXSW Announces Shorts Lineup

Welcome from the Lionsgate Team

Kenneth Woo — 2010-02-01T12:31:43Z

Welcome to the Lionsgate Incubator!

Lionsgate wants to develop a high concept comedy, a movie where the premise can be explained in a single sentence, or better yet, title.

The winning script should be fun, full of hilarious dialogue and memorable characters. It should be grounded, but playful and set in the present day. Feel free to draw from your own backyard, workplace, relatives, in-laws and ex’s. Have fun with gags, tricks, and hi-jinks within the context of a relatable story that has universal appeal for men and women alike.

In the coming weeks we will be reviewing and commenting on your submissions, and speaking openly with our opinions in our postings. Working together through this incubator we hope to develop the next laugh riot to be released by Lionsgate.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your pens!

Massify.com, Lionsgate, and YouTube partner to create breakthrough Comedy Film - Incubator goes Live

Kenneth Woo — 2010-01-26T11:52:48Z

We are thrilled to announce that Youtube has joined the LINC partnership as our global distribution partner. This will ensure that the final film produced from this program will reach the largest and most engaged audience online. Coupled with your talent and Lionsgate production resources - we're looking forward to seeing a fantastic film emerge in the coming weeks!

Concept development opens today - so head over to the program page to get started.

Read the press release below:

Killer Films Announces Ace Hotel Selections

Christine Vachon — 2010-01-15T19:56:39Z

Killer is extremely excited to finally move into the preproduction phase of our project with Massify and the Ace Hotel. We've selected three films to produce from the final twelve. We chose these projects based on a number of factors; we selected films we believed were most makeable on a micro-budget, films we were confident we could shoot on short schedules, and scripts that all offer a strong, fresh point of view, that are tonally and thematically diverse.

Killer Announces the Shortlist for the Ace Hotel Pitches!

James Sehring — 2009-11-24T18:57:16Z

We're thrilled to finally announce our 12 favorite pitches! Many apologies for the delay in announcing... I wanted to make sure that Killer gave each pitch a proper review. After much deliberation, we've pulled together a collection of diverse stories, all with the potential to be memorable little shorts, all taking advantage of the Ace's wonderful aesthetic. The quality of scripts was so high across the board, and to know that so much original content is at our finger tips is really exciting for us. We feel that each of these scripts represents a strong perspective, a unique point of view - Some are fresh takes on classic stories, others are nuanced character portraits. More than anything, they're all great ideas and we can't wait to sit down with the filmmakers and figure out how make it all work. Thanks so much to everyone who submitted. We REALLY enjoyed reading, so keep writing!

Killer Selection of Concept To Be Announced Soon

Christine Vachon — 2009-11-17T12:59:29Z

WOW. We've got more than 300 scripts to read, and with more than half being submitted right under the deadline, we're still trying to find time to give every pitch the sort of thorough review they each deserve. That means reading each script, watching each pitch video, taking notes when we can, but mostly arguing over which ideas are our favorites and why. There have been some really surprising, intelligent approaches to this project, and we're excited about the overall quality on the site right now - so many of these scripts possess a clear vision and with the Ace's support, we know that they're almost all makeable. Not having to worry about locations, just working with actors, setting up the perfect shots and getting all of the best stuff on screen... it will be a real breath of fresh air! Even considering the wealth of unique approaches that were taken by writers, there's also a really cool overlap in the sort of themes and aesthetics that are being utilized, which has gotten us excited about what a collection of these shorts would look like when pulled together.

We're looking forward to narrowing the field in the next couple of days, and participating in a more involved development process with the community in the coming weeks, so please bare with us and be patient while we give each individual project its due.

Thanks so much to everyone who was bold and creative enough to put their work on display.