Sara, Todd Gaston, a picture of Dallas Thomas, Michele Loera, Melissa Cushman Banczak, Roxanne the
Greyhound, Stephanie Sikes, Brian Mulligan, and Eric Schumacher at Crewing Up DVD Release Party:
Photo by Liz Shlapack
A few weeks back, one of the subjects of this space’s first stories held a DVD release party for the cast and crew of the acclaimed web series Crewing Up, which looks at the inner workings and hilarious situations that can occur at a public access station. The Tucson Film Industry Examiner was fortunate enough to be there. The party was an opportunity to get to speak with and meet more of the talented people involved with this project that was spearheaded by Melissa Cushman Banczak and her production company Fried Egg Films. There was a wonderful array of wines and conversation, as well as a spectacular meal prepared by Glen DiNicola and Patzi Howells of Tucson catering company Your Personal Chef. They can be contacted at personalchefaz@yahoo.com. The DVD is now available on Banczak’s website, Fried Egg Films. You can find the previous story on Crewing Up done by this space here. It will provide a synopsis and some of the genesis of this project.
Parmesan and Walnut Baskets with Spring Green Mix
by Your Personal Chef at the Crewing Up DVD release
party: Photo by Eric Shlapack
One thing that cannot be stressed enough is the importance of including extras on a DVD. Some filmmakers completely ignore this and feel that the movie or show is enough. As a film fan, let it be known, include items on the DVD that can enhance and illuminate the process of creating and producing the film or, in this case web series, and things the just for one reason or another, did not make it into a show, but was still good. Banczak does this perfectly, bringing forth a lost episode, a gag reel, cast interviews, a special Frank Mann promo, Will taking Anna to England, a commentary track on the pilot episode, main character Addie in two extras exclusive to the DVD, a trailer for an upcoming project by Fried Egg Films, How to Sex Your Snake, and more, in addition to every episode of the entire series. Head over to Fried Egg Films for more information on this and to order the DVD.
Glen DiNicola and Patzi Howells of Your Personal
Chef hard at work: Photo by Eric Shlapack
The party, at Banczak’s home, was inviting, informative, and just nice to be around so many other filmmakers outside of the lobby of a movie theater or at a meeting with a local association like IFASA. It is not to say these other ways are not great, but it was just nice to see the other side of an often misunderstood group this writer is proud to be a part of, filmmakers. Getting to meet former IFASA president Brian Mulligan, meeting actors Todd Gaston, Stephanie Sikes, and Michele Loera, hanging out with Eric Schumacher again, getting to know Melissa’s very cool husband Mark, and of course, getting to see the smile on Melissa’s face throughout the evening as it was apparent that all the hard work put into this project really was worth it.
Tucson filmmaker Brian Mulligan talks with your
writer, Eric Shlapack: Photo by Liz Shlapack
Filmmakers are important members of their communities, bringing to the screen joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, as well as shedding light on ideas that are running through the minds of the people in the towns and cities they reside in. It is essential to their survival that when the opportunity arises to lend financial support, members of the community come through. Crewing Up is a funny, charming, and unique look at the inner workings of a public access station, even more important considering the current bleak outlook for Tucson’s public access channel, Access Tucson, where some of this series was shot. Head over to Fried Eggs Films to get the DVD and learn more about the series and Melissa Cushman Banczak.
For more info:
Fried Egg Films
Previous article on Crewing Up by the Tucson Film Industry Examiner
IFASA website
Access Tucson website
Previous article on the Access Tucson situation by the Tucson Film Industry Examiner
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