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PRESS
CLASS NOTES
Reprinted from Fall/Winter 2007 edition of "Golden Gate Lawyer" Magazine
Laurence N. Kaldor (JD 95) has directed a new film, "Redirecting Eddie," a romantic comedy with a cast including Academy Award nominee Valerie Perrine and former New York City Mayor Ed Koch. The film was included in the American Film Market in Santa Monica in November and marks the debut of Kaldor's Kaliber Films label. In his teens, Kaldor survived a plane crash that killed his father and cost him a leg and an eye. He was a licensed entertainment attorney in New York and California before turning to independent filmmaking. "Redirecting Eddie" has been picked up for distribution by Unistar International Pictures and will screen at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2008.
INTERVIEW WITH LAURENCE KALDOR
By Joe Dirosa
Interview reprinted from December 2007 edition of "New York Artists Series" Magazine
"Redirecting Eddie" is your first feature film as a director. Ironically, it is about a director who is having quite a bit of trouble getting his first film made...They say life imitates art...Can you tell me about the process and some of the troubles you had getting "Redirecting Eddie" made?
"Redirecting Eddie" is scheduled to be released in 2008 but you can see the trailer and more information at www.RedirectingEddie.com
REDIRECTING EDDIE AFTER EIGHT YEARS
By Ryan Simmons
Article reprinted from October 25, 2007 Edition of "Long Islander" Newspaper
Melville native Laurence Kaldor's passion is independent film.
It's a passion that's proved unquenchable, despite some large waves that life has rolled his way. Most of all, it's a passion that's finally paying off in 2008, when the director/producer will release, at long last, his film Redirecting Eddie, which has been the product of eight years of work and a lifetime of experience.
It was during his childhood on Long Island that Kaldor says his views on life, as well as his sensibilities as a filmmaker, were shaped.
"I was gifted as to where I was dropped on the planet earth," he said. "That sort of nice, suburban environment with family and friends, that's part of me." It all helped Kaldor to see life as a comedy, in the tradition of his influences Neil Simon and Woody Allen.
It was a view that would be tested when Kaldor was caught in a devastating plane crash at the age of 16 that cost him an eye and a leg, and also took the life of his father.
"Without the support of my friends, I don't think I would have made it," he explained. "Friendship, relationships, that all became the heart of why I endure."
Redirecting Eddie itself, which is a semi-autobiographical film about a new filmmaker braving a gauntlet of obstructions to finish his first movie, turned out to be an unfortunate case of life imitating art for Kaldor, who struggled to let the movie see the light of day. Principle photography was done by 2000. Unfortunately, just when the movie was on the verge of release, 9/11 struck, which turned out to be a disaster for the film.
"It was a very New York oriented comedy," explained Kaldor. "It even had the World Trade Center in it. Well, after 9/11 my sponsors pulled out. They told me it was too soon, that nobody would want to laugh at it right now."
And so the movie went on the shelf, and Kaldor went on to other things, building a reputation by directing commercials and smaller works, as well as supporting himself as a successful attorney. In his heart though, he always knew he'd come back to Eddie.
"There's a moment when the lead character is shouting at the sky 'I will finish this film!' That became me. It resonated. It kept me up for seven years," he said.
Now, the jaunty comedy looks to be finally catching a break. Sponsored by the Subway Corporation, it will be seeing a limited release in 2008, followed by what Kaldor hopes will be a long life on cable and DVD.
After a decade of experience in independent film, Kaldor has developed a unique, oddly optimistic view on life that permeates his work.
"I think, to an extent, that everybody who is unhappy in life chooses to be that way. I wanted to be a filmmaker because I knew that it was the only way I could get up every morning and always be happy with what I was doing," confided Kaldor.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FILM DIRECTOR CONQUERS LIFE TRAGEDIES, FINISHES FIRST FILM
LOS ANGELES, CA - Laurence N. Kaldor's romantic comedy Redirecting Eddie will participate in this November's American Film Market (AFM) in Santa Monica, CA. The film, which started principle photography in the 20th Century, will see the light of day after eight years in production.
Unlike most directorial debuts rotting away in the vast graveyard of unfinished features, the momentum of Kaldor's New York-themed film was derailed by a very real tragedy: the World Trade Center bombings.
After a 6-year slumber, during which Kaldor experienced a miraculous change of fortune, the project recently sprang to life when Kaldor agreed to become his own finishing firm. He re-wrote, re-shot, re-edited, re-scored, and re-mastered the original festival cut of the film, in preparation for its miracle market debut.
As a survivor of a deadly plane crash that killed his father when he was a teen, Kaldor is no stranger to miracles. Kaldor lost a leg and an eye in the accident, but went on to become a licensed entertainment attorney in New York and California, before dedicating himself to independent film. Kaldor has worn a variety of hats in the film industry, and comes from the "do it all" school of filmmaking. He co-wrote Redirecting Eddie with Avery Williams, co-produced with David Oltman, and co-edited with Howard Heard.
In an extreme case of art imitating life, Redirecting Eddie stars a novice director who navigates Herculean-sized hurdles to finish his first film. The sibling rivalry between the central characters is loosely based on Kaldor’s relationship with cult filmmaker Alexandra King of Red Lipstick fame, his older sister. It features Academy Award-nominee Valerie Perrine, Deirdre Imus, Jaid Barrymore, Fred Berman, and former New York mayor Ed Koch in a cameo role, plus Jon Moore and Nathaniel Eaton as “Eddie.”
The film marks the production debut of Kaldor's Kaliber Films label, launched earlier this year in response to the spiraling costs of producing "quality" indie fare. The company co-founded with Eric Sherman, son of Hollywood directing legend Vincent Sherman, specializes in art yet budget-conscious properties that have inherent marketing appeal. It will use hard-ball tactics to insure that budgeted dollars are "seen on screen."
Redirecting Eddie is a demonstration of this strategically lean production approach. The 35mm film was shot on a micro-budget more akin to digital video. Kaldor attributes his ability to render his artistic vision in full, despite budgetary restraints, to the efficiency he developed during his years as a line producer. He counts directing Redirecting Eddie as a highlight of a colorful filmmaking career. Show times/dates/locations will be announced.
REDIRECTING EDDIE
Making an indie film is murder under the best of circumstances, but first-time director Eddie Vassick's scenario is chaotic. Halfway through filming his main investor croaks. He has to tangle with the investor's widow who not only demands a plum role in the film when she’s never acted a day in her life, but sells the film’s rights to none other than Eddie’s domineering older brother Warren. Warren is a B-movie mogul, king of commercial flicks, who has cast a shadow over Eddie his entire life.
Eddie is forced to bend to Warren's will, and Warren immediately issues an impossible ultimatum, true to form. Eddie must re-shoot the entire film in costly 35mm format in four weeks time, or control of the entire project will revert to Warren. Meanwhile, Warren, who has always been secretly jealous of his little brother’s inherent talents, has gotten his hands on a copy of Eddie's script and views this project as his one shot to catapult himself from the “B” leagues into the majors.
Warren thrusts Eddie head-first into the world of big budget filmmaking, with all of the crippling pressure and diluted artistic integrity that come along with it. Eddie must face many obstacles, including a break-neck production pace, a sexy ball-breaker of an Assistant Director, and stone-aged, unionized crew members who are frozen in their ways. Warren plots that all of these elements will drive Eddie to directing destruction.
Warren is right about one thing. The love-hate dynamics of Eddie's relationship with his Assistant Director Dana prove undeniable to Eddie. He falls in love with a completely resistant Dana, and must win her over during the course of the knock-down, drag-out production melee. Also, Warren seduces Eddie's right-hand man Oliver, tempting him with the perks of entertainment industry wealth and power. Oliver's resulting focus on beautiful women and late night partying costs Eddie a valuable pillar of support that could end up costing him the film.
With crises like these, Eddie’s film career embarks on a race against the calendar. With every obstacle Warren throws his way, Eddie is one step closer to losing his precious film and all of his dreams. Warren can taste victory and sees the prize of Eddie’s film within his grasp, if only he is successful in his mission of Redirecting Eddie
LAURENCE N. KALDOR
Actor's director Laurence N. Kaldor makes his directorial debut with Redirecting Eddie. It is the culmination of a fruitful, 17-year filmmaking career in which Laurence has worked on a multitude of independent films, television shows, and commercials. He has worked in almost every industry capacity, including as an award-winning producer, actor, writer and editor.
Laurence received his
Bachelor of Arts from State University of New York at Stony Brook, and his
Master's in history from the University of San Diego. He studied law at Golden
Gate University in San Francisco, where he received his Doctorate of Judice
Prudence. He has been admitted to both the New York and California Bar
Associations.
While attending law
school, Laurence doubled up to pursue his education in film, during nights and
weekends. He attended Arts Foundation in San Francisco and Film Video Arts in
New York City, before earning his Master's in Directing and Producing at Art
Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
Laurence's drive and
determination extend far beyond his passion for education--to the very living of
life itself. On September 28, 1984, at age 16, Laurence miraculously survived an
airplane crash that dramatically changed his life. He lost his left leg, his
right eye and his father, but found his incredible will to live. He has
persevered through excruciating trauma and wants to inspire others to overcome
obstacles, through the magical medium of film.
Laurence is currently
developing several feature films for his production company Kaliber Films.
Through his projects, he hopes to establish a legacy of enlightening material
that raises consciousness and communicates uplifting ideals to vast audiences.
He has the absolute stamina and persistence to accomplish his lofty goals.
AVERY O WILLIAMS
Avery O Williams has experienced a dynamic filmmaking career, with success in both film and theater. He has collaborated with some of the entertainment industry's hottest names on feature film, shorts, and screenplays, as well as major theater productions across the country.
A graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Avery earned his Master's Degree with Honors in Dramatic Writing from New York University's (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts, where he became the first Graduate Student Artist-in-Residence for the department. He also received the Waldo Salt / Ian Hunter Award for Excellence in Screenwriting.
Early in his career, Avery wrote and directed a public service feature for the City of Atlanta entitled Surviving Domestic Violence. He wrote and co-produced the film short The Willie Witch Projects,
which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival and later distributed by Trimark Pictures. He also wrote short subject screenplay The Chocolate Factory, Part 1, which was later produced.
Avery penned and produced feature film Notes in A Minor Key, with award-winning director Adisa Jones, under the Walt Disney / Hollywood Pictures Discretionary Fund Program. The film stars Emmy winner Keith David (Platoon, There's Something About Mary) and Harry Lennix (The Matrix Reloaded, 24) and has won the top prize in multiple film competitions by respected institutions, including The Black American Cinema Society, Black Filmmaker Hall of Fame, and the Atlanta / Image Film Festival. The film was also a finalist in the NYU Mobil Awards, and was hailed by Stephen Holden of the New York Times as "...crisp, assured...tightly constructed and well-acted."
Avery's success has spilled onto the stage as well. He co-produced Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, directed by Penny Marshall in 2005. He also wrote and produced musicals for the Amazing Grace Conservatory, including TLC (A Tribute to Tracy Coley), The Chocolate Factory, Pino and Everything Changes. For the national stage, Avery wrote and produced A Mother's Prayer and What A Woman Will Do For Love, starring Disney Channel's Raven Symone, and R&B sensations Cherrelle, Ann Nesby, Howard Hewett and Lashun Pace. Most recently Avery co-produced Tom Coles'
Medal of Honor Rag, starring veteran rap star Heavy D, and executive produced by Will Smith.
Avery is currently writing a feature film for Nia Long (Big Momma's House, Are We There Yet?) and hip-hop superstar Tip "T.I." Harris. He is also co-producing urban feature Crossed, with Heavy D, which is slated to begin production later this fall.
ABE SCHRAGER
Abe Schrager began his photographic career at age 7 when a painter / photographer uncle first gave him a camera. When he was in high school, Abe shot for the school's daily newspaper, literary magazine, and yearbook. Upon deciding that a career in mechanical engineering was fit for another, Abe entered the professional world of still photography. He begin making waves in a career that would eventually encompass motion pictures and stretch across four decades.
DAVID OLTMAN
David Oltman has worked in independent film production in various capacities for the past 12 years. Redirecting Eddie marks his debut as a producer. He has also worked as a line producer, production manager or producer in noted independent projects, such as Four Lane Highway, The Event with Parker Posey (Superman Returns, Best in Show), Wholey Moses with Linda Hamilton ( Batman Beyond, The Secret Life of Girls), and Saturn, featuring Scott Caan (Ocean’s Eleven Franchise, Friends with Money) and Mia Kirshner (The L Word, The Black Dahlia). He also counts Before It Had a Name with Willam Dafoe (The Last Temptation of Christ, Spider-Man Franchise) and Twisted Fortune with Charlie Murphy (Chappelle's Show, Norbit) and Ike Barinholtz of Mad TV fame among his credits.
NATHANIEL EATON - "Eddie Vassick"
Nathaniel
Eaton started his career as an extra on Knight Rider, toured
North America as a circus clown, was found dead on Law & Order
and sold chicken nuggets in a national campaign for McDonald's. He is
co-founder of Living Fiction Films, and his new memoir Packing For
The Apocalypse has just been optioned for a feature
film.
JONATHAN MOORE - "Warren Vassick"
Jonathan
began his career training at the acclaimed Lee Strasberg
Theatre Institute in his native New York City, as a teen. He continued
studying with Sally Johnson at The Sally Johnson Studio for the next
16 years. Since becoming a member of the Screen Actors Guild in 1989, his
training has rewarded him well. Known for being a "Director's Actor"
because of his unique dramatic ability, Jonathan has won roles in NBC
movie True Blue, indie feature A Question of Time, and a host of
films, TV shows and TV Movies. He currently divides his time between
Los Angeles and his beloved New York.
FRED BERMAN - "Oliver Perry"
A born and bred
New Yorker, Fred recently completed filming the role of "Adam Berman"
for the MTV pilot Daily Pops, and can also be seen as "Andy
Conway" on ABC's All My Children.
He has performed in a variety of films and television shows, such as
Four Letter Words, An Argentino in New York, VH-1's
Scavengers and Law & Order. He is also a strong advocate
of New York theatre and has participated in numerous productions, such
as The Normal Heart, Shockheaded Peter, Room
Service, and The Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde, as well as
regional theater productions like Biloxi Blues, The Buddy
Holly Story, and The Tin Pan Alley Rag, for which he
received a Carbonell nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. Berman
has also appeared in countless television commercials and has recorded
hundreds of voice-overs for a variety of media.
DEIRDRE COLEMAN IMUS - "Dana Carpenter"
Renaissance woman
Deirdre Imus is founder and president of the Deirdre Imus
Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology. She also co-founded Imus
Ranch, a working cattle ranch for kids with cancer, where she is
currently co-director.
Deirdre began her career as a professional model, after graduating
from Villanova University. She went on to perform noted roles in film
and television, before moving on to focus on philanthropy. She was
born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut.
VALERIE PERRINE - "Gloria Vassick"
Valerie's acting has generated numerous awards and nominations.
For her dramatic role in Lenny opposite Dustin Hoffman,
directed by Bob Fosse, she received the Best Actress Award at the
Cannes Film Festival, the New York Film Critics Award, the British
Academy Award, the New York Board of Review, the National Association
of Theaters Award, the United Motion Picture Association Award, the
Hollywood Women's Press Club Newcomer of the Year nomination and a
nomination for an Oscar as Best Actress at the American Academy
Awards.
JAID BARRYMORE - "Carla Bass"
As an independent producer and founding partner of
Phaze 3 Filmz, Jaid has over thirty-five years experience in the
entertainment industry. Born in Europe, she moved to New York, then on
to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming an actress, studying
with Stella Adler, Estelle Harmon, Rick Walters, and Gene Bua along
the way. Jaid started out in commercials; she "squeezed the Charmin"
before winning critically acclaimed roles on stage and screen. She
stole the scene in hit theater productions, such as Playing for
Time, Grandma Sylvia's Funeral and Dressing Room, as
well as film classics like Night Shift, Funny Valentine,
and The Last Days of Disco. She also hosted underground cult
favorite Jaid Barrymore Uncensored for America
Online.
As Jaid progressed in the industry, she began
working extensively behind the scenes as well. She co-executive
produced indie film This Revolution, with Rosario Dawson and
Amy Redford, which premiered at Sundance in 2004. She channeled her
love of acting into teaching, and became a sought-after private acting
coach. She refined her writing craft, and went on to pen much-loved
novel Secrets of World Class Lovers, before focusing on
screenwriting.
Jaid is currently co/re-writing three films that
are set for production this fall: Phaze 3's The Ryde and
Latin Lyrics, as well as Rym and the LD's for producers
Elis Pacheco and Jim Chankin. She also works as a creative consultant
for Freemangroup Films, and is collaborating on their latest project
Dead Aim.
With a clear understanding of the marketplace, Jaid
can pinpoint the potential success of material. She feels that her
hard work, instincts, intelligence, contacts, luck, sense of humor,
and relentless passion has contributed to her success in the business.
"The opportunity to inspire, influence, and entertain is both a
privilege and a challenge," she says.
Jaid is the ex-wife of late actor John Barrymore
and mother of actress Drew Barrymore. She currently resides in New
York.
STEVEN MARCUS - "Jacky Dunkirk"
Veteran actor Steven Marcus' credits in television, film, and theatre include some of pop culture's hottest properties. He has appeared on television shows Law & Order, Arrested Development, The District, NYPD Blue,
and Ellen. He counts films Bristol Boys, Party Monster, The Tavern, and Savage Hearts
among his credits. He is also a pillar of New York and regional
theatre, performing scene-stealing roles in
Glimmer, Glimmer and Shine by Warren Leight at the Penguin
Repertory Theatre, Ah, Wilderness,
directed by Daniel Sullivan at Lincoln Center Theatre, and Balm in Gilead, directed by John Malkovich at the Minetta Lane
Theatre, among many others.
NASHID FAREED - "Skrim"
Nashid is committed to the continuing development
of his crafts: acting, poetry, and dramatic writing. Born and raised
in the Bronx, he was exposed to the vast diversity of New York City.
Upon graduating from high school, he attended the University of
Rochester, majoring in political science. However, he left college
after freshman year and returned to New York City to pursue his
writing outside of academia.
As a young and developing writer, Nashid has
committed himself to years of intensive self-study, focusing on the
works of Khalil Gibran and Lorraine Hansberry. Over the years he has
experienced a number of successes. Many of his plays have been
produced off-Broadway, and he has been invited to read his poetry at
awards' ceremonies, graduations, and community events. His writing has
facilitated his career as an actor, director and producer.
I've wanted to be a filmmaker for as long as I can remember. Since I
was a kid, entertaining has been my life long ambition. And, although
the movies that drew me to Hollywood were the bigger action movies
like Star Wars and Superman, the comedies were what drew
me towards the creative process. I was intrigued by telling stories
from my own colorful life, using humor as the most effective medium.
My two strongest creative influences would be Woody Allen and Neil
Simon. Both drew on their experiences and created humorous films and
stories that were slices of their real lives. And both are Jewish and
from New York, so I simply related to their humor, and their method of
story telling. And on a deeper level, I think my love of comedies
helped me see the world and all of my life experiences, no matter how
serious or traumatic, in a jovial light. Because of my obsession with
comedy, I live life more tongue-in-cheek than most people. And I die
to make people laugh…and it comes out in my filmmaking.
I know that there has been a vast multitude of films about first-time
filmmakers. And although 8 and Stuntman are
brilliant, they reflect filmmaking on a grand scale. The two most
influential films for me were indie classics Living in Oblivion
and My Life's in Turnaround. They, like Redirecting
Eddie, reflect the plight of the indie film
world. It was and is my hope that this film will be seen as the third
in an indie filmmaker's "trilogy" of must-see movies about making
independent movies.
When I set out to create this film, I was tapping into my real-life
struggle at the time--albeit creating caricatures of people in my own
life to make them more colorful and exaggerated for dramatic and
comedic effect. For example, my dearly loved sister, who is the basis
for the character of "Warren," is not a maniacal, overweight,
40-year-old man. Even the character of "Oliver," the comic relief, was
also based on me. I split my personality and gave "Eddie" my artistic
side and "Oliver" my silliness. Then I brought in amazing screenwriter
Avery Williams. We would kick around my real-life struggles and create
metaphors and light-hearted scenarios that would allow the story to
unfold.
Filming was an unbelievable experience. Nothing in film school can
ever prepare you for the big show. I was nervous, learning as I was
going, and I was juggling so many hats. The truth is, as grueling as
it got at times--always fighting deadlines and scrambling to make my
days–I realized that I was doing what I truly loved. And, the fact
that I was
surviving it, and making it all happen, was amazing in itself. I also
learned that filmmaking is a team effort. I couldn't have done it
without the help and support of my hardworking and awesome cast and
crew. They helped me deal with the fact that life was imitating art
and art was imitating life in uncanny ways. We were having difficulty
making a movie about the difficulty of making a movie; the irony spoke volumes.
The final product reaches way beyond my expectations, or even my
belief, when we were shooting it. If you love the process of
filmmaking, Redirecting Eddie will inspire you. It will prepare
you. It will educate you. It will entertain you. And it will provoke
you to follow your dreams. If I can do it, you can do it. So go out
and make that movie that's inside of you. The key is to never to give
up when you are following your heart!!
~LNK
Kaliber Films, LLC is a film development and production company,
specializing in low to medium budget projects, with maximum marketing
appeal. The company was founded in the State of California in July of
2007 by mastermind Laurence N. Kaldor, in response to the steadily
spiraling costs of producing quality entertainment fare. The company
seeks to produce art yet budget-minded films, based on inherently
marketable concepts, in order to ensure a most profitable model. The
award-winning Kaliber team has a combined total of over 60 years of
experience in the motion picture industry. The formidable individual
expertise of the key personnel ranges from film producing to directing
to editing.
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© 2007 Kaliber Films, All Rights Reserved. |