10 Years of Junta Juleil!

 
 Photo by Ashley Kate Adams.

A big thank you to all who performed and for those who came out to celebrate ten years of Junta Juleil!
For those who couldn't– enjoy this montage, entitled simply "Take My Breath Away":


10 Years of Junta Juleil: "Take My Breath Away" from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

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10 Years of Junta Juleil– Tomorrow!

One last plug for an event ten years in the making: hosted by myself and co-founder Jillaine Gill, the night will pay tribute to ten years of Junta Juleil Productions and feature the RKP ensemble's dancers (Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Danielle Marie Fusco, Robyn Nielsen, Brian Rubiano, & Eric Schmalenberger), a short play with Jillaine Gill and Amanda Peck, a celebrity roast of Junta Juleil with Kerryn Feehan, a prose reading by Joe Stipek, a poetry reading by yours truly, and a series of short and feature-film excerpts (dating back to the very beginning, with clips from never-screened fare like Mather Point, In Search of Wenders, and Schizophrenic Love Cinema).
This only happens once every ten years, so don't miss it!

Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

The details:
When: 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 17th, 2014

Where: The Wild Project in Manhattan (195 E. 3rd Street between Avenues A&B)
Run-Time: Approximately 90 minutes
How much: $15, and available here.

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10 Years of Junta Juleil This Friday!

This Friday, Junta Juleil Productions celebrates its Ten Year Anniverary!  In honor of the occasion, I'll be hosting a celebration at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St between Avenues A & B) in Manhattan on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15 and are available here for pre-sale.  The evening will include screenings of short films, excerpts from features, live theatrical performances, crazed readings, a roast, and rare, never-before-seen material from the musty, dusty archives of Junta Juleil!


Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

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Coming in January 2014: 10 Years of Junta Juleil Productions

Most of my longtime readers will know that Junta Juleil's Culture Shock is not my only creative outlet. Though this blog celebrated its five-year anniversary this fall, my film and theater production company– Junta Juleil Productions– has been around for quite a bit longer, and this January it will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary.  In honor of the occasion, I'll be hosting a celebration at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St between Avenues A & B) in Manhattan on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15 and are available here for pre-sale.  The evening will include screenings of short films, excerpts from features, live theatrical performances, crazed readings, and rare, never-before-seen material from the musty, dusty archives of Junta Juleil!

So if you're interested in seeing what I'm up to when I'm not writing about Charles Bronson, break-dancing, Van Dammage, or Carpy-mania (as a side note, the Poor Man's Carpy series ain't over yet!), then you should come out and see the show– or at least watch this 10 Year Anniversary video I've put together:

Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Thanks to you all for your support through the years!

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DEAD DREAM MACHINE on NY1

Everyone's favorite local channel has been running a feature plugging my latest theatrical endeavor, THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!  

Time Warner Cable customers can watch the clip here.

This is the last weekend you can see THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE: get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!

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New Trailer for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE

Dead Dream Machine: Trailer from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

There are still two more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the other trailer I made here, and get more information here!

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More praise for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

More reviews are in!

New York Magazine names it a "Critics' Pick" and says: "In this very strange play, a mad scientist has built a machine that extracts dreams from a young woman’s brain. At the finale every night, a crew of alt-venue stars—drag queens, born-to-showbiz kids, burlesque artists— all join in on a goth performance of a Nick Cave tune."

Downtown Traveler says:  "New York City has no shortage of Halloween attractions...but if you are looking for more high-brow entertainment– with a decidedly anti-Wall Street bent– head to Brooklyn for Dead Dream Machine.  This off- off- off- Broadway show features a talented cast and scenes that range from hysterical to bizarre... a uniquely Brooklyn production that combines elements of burlesque, acrobatics, puppetry and bondage. ... so hysterical, offbeat and downright bizarre [some segments] played over and over in my mind throughout the weekend.  ...You’ll feel trendy just for attending this show."

Brooklyn Spaces says:  I was lucky enough to catch a press preview of ...the incredible Dead Dream Machine... and it RULES. Go!"

Courtesan Macabre says:  "I had the pleasure of trekking out to East Williamsburg (Bushwick) NY last night to experience the new production, The Dead Dream Machine... It was disturbing and made you squirm... [director Rachel Klein] mixes style and sensuality into her visual storytelling."

My Entertainment World says:  "Consistently entertaining. ...a series of both horrifying and comedic skits.  ...the ensemble of The Dead Dream Machine was remarkable.  ...I enjoyed living the nightmares produced by the The Dead Dream Machine."

There are still two more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!

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Praise for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

The reviews are in!

Flavorpill says: "The Dead Dream Machine is a thoroughly entertaining compendium of dark skits ranging from a teenage horror spoof to a hilariously foul-mouthed puppet show to gothic burlesque ballets and aerialists... [Sean Gill's] creepy projections on an old red velvet curtain complete the Silencio-scene-in-Mulholland-Drive vibe."

Time Out New York names it a "Good Odds" pick: "a boundary-dissolving horror show, which includes magic, puppetry, aerialism and live song and dance... the imaginative Rachel Klein directs and choreographs."

Black Book Magazine says: "The show stars various luminaries from the alternative stages of New York City... The whole shebang is directed and choreographed by the amazing Rachel Klein... this is amazing. You must go."

City Guide says:  "...this Brooklyn-based show pumps the horror genre through a mad-scientist’s dream-extracting device, spinning out musical numbers, a zombie dance, aerialists, puppetry and assorted luminaries from the City’s alternative stages – all profoundly nightmarish."

Broadway Spotted says: "... the best parts of old school horror movies [are] the comedy, and when Machine connected to that, it was gold... with Halloween coming up it is just the right kind of show to get you into the spooky spirit!"

There are still three more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!  Our luminary guest shamans for this weekend include Mx Justin Vivian Bond (September 26th), Lady Rizo (September 27th), and Michael Musto (September 28th)!

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GIRLS BEFORE SWINE today at the Coney Island Film Festival

Girls Before Swine, a short film I directed with Rachel Klein, will be screening today as an official selection at the 2013 Coney Island Film Festival.    We'll be screening as a part of Program 14 at the Coney Island Sideshow (1208 Surf Avenue) Sunday, September 22nd at 4:00 p.m.  Tickets are $7 and are available at the box office today.  For more details, go here.
 
It stars Aimee DeLong, Jillaine Gill, Meghan Holland, Joe Stipek, Robyn Nielsen, Scooter Pie, David F. Slone, Michael Porsche, Brian Ferree, and Megan O' Connor.  Hope to see some of you there!

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DEAD DREAM MACHINE opens to previews tonight, September 18th!

Details HERE and tickets HERE!  I hope some of you can make it out.

(More reviews forthcoming– it's been a busy couple of weeks.  Don't worry, I have plans for the Halloween season!)

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DEAD DREAM MACHINE opens next week (September 18th)

Here are the details for my latest show, THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, for which I did the sound and video art design.  Tickets can be purchased HERE and more info is available HERE!

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER
present
Jake Thomas’ THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE

with video art & sound design by Sean Gill, and directed & choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days’ Rachel Klein, who has been called “clever” by the New York Post, “inventive” by Theatermania, and “a new generation’s Julie Taymor” by Woman Around Town.

La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY)
Wednesday, September 18–Sunday, October 13
Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.

In an abandoned theater on the outskirts of town, an experiment is being conducted--one which extracts dreams. But if this insane enterprise works, what dreams may come? Mad scientists, monstrous killers, tyrannical royalty, government witches and nightclub occultists (and not one damn vampire or zombie) explode forth in this crazed horror anthology that incorporates song, dance, puppetry, aerial, magic and more to build an out of body theatrical experience.

Dead Dream Machine: Teaser from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

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GIRLS BEFORE SWINE screening on September 22nd at the Coney Island Film Festival

Girls Before Swine, a short film I collaborated on with director Rachel Klein, will be screening as an official selection at the 2013 Coney Island Film Festival.    We'll be screening as a part of Program 14 at the Coney Island Sideshow on Sunday, September 22nd at 4:00 p.m.  Tickets are $7 and are available here.  For more details on the festival as a whole and a special screening of THE WARRIORS, go here.

Girls Before Swine– Trailer from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

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GIRLS BEFORE SWINE at the 2013 Coney Island Film Festival

Girls Before Swine, a short film I collaborated on with director Rachel Klein, has been chosen as an official selection at the 2013 Coney Island Film Festival!

The festival will take place at Coney Island between September 20th and 22nd– screening locations and times are TBA.


You can watch the trailer here:


Girls Before Swine– Trailer from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

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Forthcoming: THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

Attention, ladies and germs–  coming this fall to Brooklyn is a horrific theatrical horror anthology called THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE.  I'm designing the sound and doing some freaky video art transitions for it, and I also made the official trailer, which I have linked to below.

Dead Dream Machine: Teaser from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Here's the skinny from the press release:
RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are pleased to announce the world premiere production of Jake Thomas’ THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein with video art directed by Sean Gill. THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE will play a limited engagement at La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY). Performances begin with previews Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19th and continue through Sunday, October 13.

In an abandoned theater on the outskirts of town, an experiment is being conducted--one which extracts dreams. But if this insane enterprise works, what dreams may come? Mad scientists, monstrous killers, tyrannical royalty, government witches and hipster occultists (and not one damn vampire or zombie) explode forth in this crazed horror anthology that incorporates song, dance, puppetry, aerial, magic and more to build an out of body theatrical experience.

The production stars Darlinda Just Darlinda (NYC Burlesque icon, Taylor Mac’s Lily’s Revenge) , Michael Cavadias (Wonderboys, The Citizens Band, Claywoman), Jillaine Gill (Makin' a Martini, Cut to Black), Chris Cipriano (Russell Curtis, Escape from Staten Island),  Elena Delgado (House of Yes aerialist), Arden Leigh (“The Rules of Attraction: How to Get Him, Keep Him, and Make Him Beg for More”), Eric Schmalenberger (BANZAI!!!!!, Blunderland), David F. Slone, Esq. (The Love Show), and Ashley Springer (Teeth, Dare), and many more!

THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, October 13:
Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 8 p.m.
The show opens Friday, September 20. There are additional preview performances Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19, and a special closing night performance Sunday, October 13 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15-$25 and are now available online at DEADDREAMMACHINE.EVENTBRITE.COM. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ hour prior to performance.

The Facebook page can be found HERE.

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Junta Juleil's EVERLASTING VINTAGE at Flux Fest!

My latest film (in association with RKP Productions), THE EVERLASTING VINTAGE, will debut on July 28th at Flux Fest, a festival featuring ten short films about time travel.

THE EVERLASTING VINTAGE's synopsis is as follows:  "A champagne aficionado stumbles upon a mysterious gateway to the past."  It stars Joe Stipek and Michael Porsche, features original music and artwork by Jesse Carlson, costumes and art direction by Rachel Klein, taxidermy and other design by Daisy Tainton, and was written, directed, and edited by Sean Gill.

When:  July 28, 2013  /  Doors at 6:00 P.M.  /  Screening at 8:00 P.M.

Where:   Sandbox Studio Brooklyn, 154 Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn (Off the Morgan Ave. L stop, or the Flushing Ave. M stop).

What:  Flux Fest!

How:  Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, include a six hour open bar, and are available here!

From the press release:

"Flux Fest challenges a group of young filmmakers to produce high-quality short films about time-travel. JOIN US JULY 28th!

With only eight weeks to take their projects from concept to completion, each team works tirelessly for the duration of the challenge to make the best short film possible, all culminating in a one-of-kind night of movie-watching and celebration.

From Spooky Fest (in which filmmakers were commissioned to make horror shorts in time for Halloween 2012) to Love Fest (romantic-comedy shorts for Valentine’s Day 2013) festival attendance grew by more than three-times and Flux Fest promises to expand upon its predominantly Brooklyn-based audience even further. Just as the number of participating filmmakers and exhibited films offered has grown, so too has the following of this impressive community of filmmakers who work to support eachother in spite of the fact that they will eventually compete against one another for a variety of awards, including an Audience Choice Award, an award for Best in Show, and an award for Creative Ambition. Both Best in Show and Creative Ambition honorees will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges.

By purchasing a ticket to Flux Fest, audience members will also receive a six hour open bar and the chance to enjoy a variety of live entertainment acts throughout the night.

Flux Fest participants include: Maurice Caicedo, Chris Cipriano, Grier Dill, James Gannon, Joe Gannon, Ryan Garretson, Brett Glass, Sean Gill, Tessa Greenberg, Philip Henken, Cale Hughes, Christine Kecher, Lit Kilpatrick, Rachel Klein, Carl Conway Maguire, Alex Meyers, Robyn Nielsen, Shaun Seneviratne, Megan Stein, Michael Tosner, Jarrod Zayas, and many more."

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LOVE FEST Update!

I wrote previously about my new film GIRLS BEFORE SWINE, which debuted this year at Love Fest, but now there is an official Love Fest site whereupon you can view some of the other films in their entirety as well as a new trailer for GIRLS BEFORE SWINE.  Indiewood/Hollywouldn't also gave us some coverage here.  Stay tuned!

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GIRLS BEFORE SWINE

I've finished a new film– a collaboration between myself and theater director Rachel Klein.  It's called GIRLS BEFORE SWINE and it stars Aimee DeLong, Jillaine Gill, Meghan Holland, Joe Stipek, Michael Porsche, David F. Slone, Esq.,  Brian Ferree, Scooter Pie, Megan O'Connor, and Robyn Nielsen.

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GROWING BOY at the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival

My film, GROWING BOY, is going to be screened on February 1st as a part of the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival.    The plot is described thusly:  "Haunted by recurring nightmares of his childhood home, a man begins to undergo unsettling changes." 

 It stars Joe Stipek and David F. Slone, Esq.  I wrote and directed and edited, etc.  Music by Jesse Carlson.  It was made with the helpful participation of Jillaine Gill, Rachel Klein, and Daisy Tainton.

It will be screened on the evening of February 1st at 8:00 p.m. at the DMAC (Duo Multicultural Arts Center) on 62 East 4th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) in Manhattan.  Tickets are $10 in advance, and $15 at the door, and are available here.  After the screening, the audience will vote on the films and the highest ranked will proceed to the next stage of the festival.

I hope to see some of you there!

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Theatrical Halloween Happenings in NYC!

For our New York City-based brethren:  there are a number of Halloween-related performances that I must bring to your attention: 

On October 26th & 30th:

•DANCE MAYHEM: A GRINDHOUSE BALLET

From David F. Sloan, Esq. and the Love Show comes an action-packed homage to the gritty films that Hollywood didn't want you to see. Combining the ballet and jazz infused choreography of underground favorite Angela Harriell with the pop and lock b-boy style of street dancer Nobuya Nagahama, Dance Mayhem tells the tale of a louche nightclub, owned by a beautiful yet ruthless drug dealer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and the man she pushes one step too far. Intrigue lurking at every turn. Sex! Murder! Horror! Not a ballet for quiet contemplation, this show will have you on the edge of your seat from the opening number to the curtain call.

Directed and choreographed by Angela Harriell.  Additional choreography by Nobuya Nagahama.  Featuring Dorian Cervantes, Duane Gosa, Angela Harriell, Atsunori Hayamizu, Miku Kawa, Rachael Ma, Takushi Minami, Nobuya Nagahama, Toshihiko Nakazawa, Tsubasa Ogawa, Julie Megan Smith.

It shall be presented Friday, October 26 at 11 p.m. and Tuesday, October 30 at 8:00 p.m. at Theater 80 (80 St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd Avenue).  Tickets are $20 in advance here, or $25 at the door.  

On October 30th:

•BEDTIME STORIES OF BAKERY, BUTCHERY, AND BASTARDS

From the makers of MR. LONG SPINDLY FINGERS: STORIES OF MURDER AND MADNESS, comes an evening of spine-tingling tales from author Kristen Lee, whose work combines a genuine, spooky charm with an escapist's sense of nostalgia– your own morbid childhood, revisited!  It is described as "Dr. Seuss meets Edward Gorey meets a blender" and will be featuring readings by Peter Aguero, Brad Lawrence, Julia Young, and Rory Scholl.   It shall be presented at the Red Room, upstairs from the Kraine Theater (85 E 4th Street between Bowery and 2nd Avenue) at 9:30 p.m. on October 30th.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  There will be treats also!

On November 4th:

•A one-night only remount of the now-classic TRAGEDY OF MARIA MACABRE!

Back from the dead (sort of), the RKP theater ensemble will resurrect their whimsically morbid dance drama on the prestigious LaMama stage.  Conceived, designed, and directed by Rachel Klein.  Story by Rachel Klein, Sean Gill, & the ensemble.  Sound design by Sean Gill and Rachel Klein.  Choreographed by Rachel Klein and the ensemble.  Starring Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Danielle Marie Fusco, Preston Burger, Megan O'Connor, Eric Schmalenberger, Freddy Mancilla, Brian Rubiano, and special guest the Love Show's Angela Harriell as Maria Macabre!

THE TRAGEDY OF MARIA MACABRE has played to sold-out houses and critical acclaim at Dixon Place, the Access Theater, the Wild Project, the Kitchen, DUMBO Dance Festival, the LES Festival at Theater for the New City, the House of Yes, the premiere of Banzai! at the Red Lotus Room, and the Bushwick Site Fest at 3rd Ward.

The remount performance shall be at November 4th at 5:30 p.m. at the Club at LaMama (74A E 4th Street, between Bowery and 2nd Avenue).  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.  Proceeds go to the Howl Emergency Life Project.

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A Blast from the Past: Sean Gill's CHEWIES 4

It occurs to me that there a number of films of mine that I've never shared here on the blog– one of them is CHEWIES 4: BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, a "long-lost" creature feature from 2008, inspired by terrible GREMLINS knock-offs like GHOULIES, MUNCHIES, HOBGOBLINS, and– who could forget– GHOULIES III: GHOULIES GO TO COLLEGE.  Unlike my more avant-garde, surrealist fare like THURSDAY NIGHT, this film is about summer, fun, friends, and bargain-basement no-budget filmmaking.  So, on it's 4th birthday: please responsibly enjoy CHEWIES 4, described as "Five teens and their dog face smarmy, unspeakable horror during a manor house getaway."

Chewies 4: Bringing Down the House from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

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