monellifilms.com

Monellifilms.com is now live and will be the new official website. This blogspot will no longer be updated, but will remain for your viewing pleasure.. or displeasure. Anyway, go to monellifilms.com NOW. Videos, pictures, podcasts, and MORE.

S.O.A.R. Documentary Screening - September 19 at 6:30pm

The documentary I recently created for Marywood University's S.O.A.R. program will have a free public screening on September 19th at 6:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to come. The S.O.A.R. program gives college-aged students with autism opportunities they may not have been afforded. They gain valuable, real life work experience and interact with non-disabled peers. The documentary is a look at the program, how it works, and the students themselves. Come out to Marywood University's Comerford Theater on September 19. Please visit marywood.edu/soar for additional information.

"The Grave" to Screen at the Boonies International Film Festival

"The Grave" will take part in the new Boonies International Film Festival. It will have two screenings on Friday, August 19th. Check out the schedule and their website here: http://thebooniesinternational.com/BooniesSchedule2011.pdf

"Time Travel Boy" Webisode #1: The Script

Check out the first "Making Of" Webisode for my next film, "Time Travel Boy." In this one, Tim Kail and myself talk about the script.

NEW REEL & WEBSITE

I will be moving over to "monellifilms.com" in the very short future. This site will still exist. And here is my new film & video reel. It includes the opening of the documentary I made for Marywood University's SOAR program, a wedding I shot, two films I directed, and 2 other videos I created for Marywood University:

"Time Travel Boy"

Those close to me know I have spent the last few months writing a feature film about the world of bodybuilding and fitness. The script turned into a 120 page monster that will require much money to do it right. While I'm trying to find the necessary money to get that off the ground, I have decided to revisit a short script I wrote just before it. "Time Travel Boy" is a silent comedy film about a dimwitted little boy who must find a way to deliver his mother's birthday present. Please visit our humble website (which is still being worked on) to stay updated and learn more: www.timetravelboy.com

New Review of "The Grave"

I stumbled upon this blog that has reviewed many of the films from the Artsfest Film Festival held last weekend in Harrisburg. The reviewer seemed to like "The Grave." Here is a highlight and you can click the link below to head over to his movie blog:

"The "Dark Narrative Exploration" session screened four films that deal with horror and violence. I found things to recommend about each of them, but my favorite was the first short, The Grave by Alexander Monelli. A lone gravedigger works to create a space for another coffin when a bell in front of one of the tombstones starts ringing. The bell is tied to a rope that goes into a coffin buried ten years earlier. The digger flees in horror, but must decide if he can face his fears.

Monelli makes effective use of a creepy location and conceit and rings everything he can from it. The camera is always in just the right place and the ending is both perfect and stays with you. The movie's only real failing is its lack of budget and crew. The costumes are a little too neat and the overall feel is that of a really well done student film (which is what it is). I would love to see this film redone with more money and people."

BLOG: http://100yearsofmovies.blogspot.com/2011/06/artsfest-film-festival-dark-narrative.html

Artsfest Film Festival Recap

The Artsfest Film Festival in Harrisburg this past weekend was a good time. "The Grave" was screened along side some awesome shorts, including this years Oscar Winner for Best Short Film, "God of Love." Check it out on Youtube. A lady recognized me and my movie from another film festival so that made me feel special for about 8 seconds. Then I saw how awesome the other short films were and I realized I better get fuckin' moving on my next project. There was a little Q&A after the screenings. The audience was very open and talkative with us. I got to meet some other filmmakers. Check out their movies, "Carny" and "Beating Hearts." They were both badass and featured murdering carnies and a killer little girl.

"The Grave" Accepted Into The 13th Annual Artsfest Film Festival

"The Grave" will be a part of Moviate's 13th Annual Artsfest Film Festival in Harrisburg, PA. It will screen Memorial Day weekend. So "The Grave" will be battling The Hangover Part II in the memorial day weekend box office. Who will win?

UPDATE: It will be shown Saturday, May 28th at 2pm at the Open Stage of Harrisburg.

UPDATE VIDEO COMING SOON...

I will be posting a video soon with an update on a few projects I'm currently working on, news about The Grave, and what I'm doing next. Stay Tuned.

Marywood University School of Architecture Video

I was contacted to create a short video for Marywood University's School of Architecture. They had Susan Szenasy, editor-in-chief of Metropolis magazine, come do a Q&A with the students. It was about an hour. She was a great speaker. The video is now on Marywood's youtube site and on the official Marywood University website. Enjoy:

"The Grave" Wins Audience Choice Award

"The Grave" was screened at The Vintage Theater in Scranton last night as part of the I.A.C.'s Three-part Film Event. I went with my girlfriend, Amanda, who has probably seen my flick more times than she would care to. The turn out was good. A few random people from the audience came up to me to tell me they really liked "The Grave." Stuff like that strokes my ego (and my cock) more than anything else. At the end of the night everyone in attendance voted for their favorite movie and "The Grave" won by a slim margin. My award was a giant piece of bread that looks like a tire. (Pictures taken from I.A.C.'s facebook):

"The Grave" to Screen as Part of IAC

"The Grave" will be featured in Scranton's IAC (Independent Artist Collective) event on March 19th. The IAC formed in Northeast PA to promote awareness of film in the area. "The Grave" will be shown at their second event on March 19th at The Vintage Theater in Scranton. This will be the second time "The Grave" has screened at this venue. Show starts at 7pm. Tickets are $5. Contact me for more info.

http://iacollective.blogspot.com/

Winning! Best of Charlie Sheen Interviews

I have done the world a favor and edited together the epic Charlie Sheen interview from The Today Show (Feb. 2011) and the one from the Alex Jones radio show... Winning anyone?

"Who's The Champ?" video

I recut the epic "No Easy Way Out" montage from Rocky IV to the theme song from Who's The Boss. I tried to match the shots to the show's opening. This version is about a sexually confused Rocky Balboa, torn between Adrian and Apollo Creed. Enjoy:

New Video with Canon T2i

This is a collection of random shots I have collected over time. I am interested in hearing people's ideas, interpretations, thoughts, titles, etc. about this video.

Interpret This Untitled Video (Canon T2i) from Alexander Monelli on Vimeo.

Canon T2i test #2

Canon EOS Rebel T2i test #2 - Low Light & Internal Mic - 50mm f2.8 lens - 24fps - 1920 x 1080 full HD "Film look" from Alexander Monelli on Vimeo.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i

My new camera. Here is a short video test. 18-55mm stock lens. 1920 x 1080 full HD. 24fps.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i camera test - 1920 x 1080 full HD - 24fps - 18-55mm stock lens from Alexander Monelli on Vimeo.

"Dingleberry" on Youtube

Just put the 2006 fairy tale, "Dingleberry" on youtube. It was previously on dailymotion.com as well. The youtube version contains one extra scene. So watch it now. You haven't seen anything, until you've seen everything!
(yes, I stole that line from the Star Wars special edition trailer).

"Making The Grave" Trailer

Here is the trailer for the new documentary I am cutting about the making of my college thesis film, "The Grave." Enjoy.

"The Grave" Documentary

Good news Grave fans (all 2 of you), I am currently cutting a documentary about the making of The Grave. It will include behind the scenes footage and pictures from the shooting of the film, interviews with myself and cast/crew members, scenes from the movie, and even some deleted scenes and bloopers, and more. It should be ready for sometime around the new year.

Sony HVR-Z1U HDV Camera Test

Sony HVR-Z1U HDV Camera Test from Alexander Monelli on Vimeo.

"The Grave" earns an Accolade Award

"The Grave" has won an Accolade Award. The contest has three levels of winners (Best in Show, Award of Excellence, Award of Merit). "The Grave" won the Award of Merit, which is the 3rd place category. Check out their website: http://www.accoladecompetition.org

"The Grave" wins Best Student Film

"The Grave" won the award for Best Student Film last weekend at the Prometheus Film Festival. The student film category also included animated films and music videos. http://www.ydr.com/living/ci_15951315?source=rss

Above: Me and "Actor" Rob Rudzinski at the event taking things seriously because film is serious... and doing a little Q&A after the screening.

New Trailer for "The Grave"

Check out this brand new short trailer I edited for "The Grave." It was made for the Prometheus Film Festival website (which is why I put the film festival logos in it) but I ended up not uploading it in the end... so I figured I would put it here... Let me know what you think:

"The Grave" trailer from Alexander Monelli on Vimeo.

More Critiques of "The Grave"

I submitted "The Grave" to the DC Shorts Film Festival (for the sole reason they give every entry feedback from judges about their movie). It did not get accepted, but they left me some good and some bad reviews. Here is what they said...

GOOD STUFF:

"The acting was great."

"Nice camerawork."

"Interesting ideas... good raw concepts."

BAD STUFF:

"Plot was extremely underdeveloped, lacking in any explanation or conclusion."

"The sound editing was not particularly good."

"Had so much potential. Very disappointed."

And someone actually wrote, "this movie cannot be Saved by the Bell"... Haha I think that one should go on the DVD cover.

Basically, they all seemed to think the plot was confusing or unexplained at the end. This is true and false. I could say they "didn't get the movie" or I can say I was lazy and left too much up to the audience to interpret. Instead, I will say that I would be honored to have this movie compared to Saved By The Bell.

Dingleberry: The Criterion Collection

The epic fairy tale "Dingleberry" and a special "Making of" documentary are now available to view online at dailymotion.com.

"Dingleberry" tells the story of Prince Engelbert, the man with the biggest wiener in all of Dingleberry. But when an evil witch places a spell on him, shrinking his giant penis down to the size of a baby's, an unlikely friendship with a talking tampon named String teaches him a valuable lesson.

The short film was made in 2006 for an editing class. The documentary was made in 2007 for a documentary class.

http://www.dailymotion.com/Monellifilms/1#hp-h-8

Prometheus Film Festival 8/27 - 8/28

"The Grave" will be screened at the Prometheus Film Festival on Friday August 27th and Saturday the 28th in York, PA. The screening on the 27th will be during the 9pm film block. The screening on the 28th will be in the afternoon at 12:45. Check out their website for more information: http://www.prometheusfilmfestival.org/

"The Grave" to screen at Vintage Theater in Scranton, PA

"The Grave" will be screened at the Vintage Theater in Scranton, Pennsylvania in mid-September. More details coming. Check out their website at http://www.scrantonsvintagetheater.com/

"The Grave" screens at LIIFE

"The Grave" screened at the Long Island International Film Expo last Thursday, July 8th. There was a big ass crowd on hand all night. I went with my girlfriend, Amanda, who took both of the pictures I posted. I went up on stage for a little Q&A afterwards and answered some questions from the crowd. Some people sought me out to tell me they enjoyed the film. Fuck those who didn't (just kidding... but seriously). Anyway, it was a great time. Looking forward to the next one..

http://liifilmexpo.org/sections/films10/The%20Grave.html

Imdb

Check out "The Grave" on imdb.com - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1458642/

Film Festivals

So far "The Grave" has been accepted to the following festivals:

Pocono Mountains Film Festival - (October 2009)
Long Island International Film Expo - (July 2010)
Long Island Film Festival - (October 2010)
Prometheus Film Festival - (August 2010)

Still waiting to hear from others and always looking for more to submit to.

Two Reviews of "The Grave"

Here is what some people have said about my senior thesis film, "The Grave."

"It was a distinct privilege to view your fine film and speak with you about your work.
I felt your film was one of the finer works in the festival.
In addition to its artful creation and execution, it also clearly held its audience.
This is the kind of work that deserves the exposure and recognition that a Festival can confer.
Your resonant work, with its grounding in tradition, has some importance and I hope that you will continue to refine your craft.
Clearly you have the potential to create some wonderful films in the future."
-Ken Fitch, Pocono Mountains Film Festival (October 2009)


"The Grave was super -- an old-school Poe-ish story, but shot with lots of atmosphere and, for me, a very seductive knack and attention to period detail, even when using [C.W.] Post locales, which I know ain't easy, so much so that this might be the first student film with a historical context I've ever seen."
-Mike Atkinson - Author, Film Critic, Professor

"The Grave" accepted to Long Island Film Festival - October 2010

"The Grave" has just been accepted into the 27th annual Long Island Film Festival. It will screen late October 2010 in the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, Long Island. Check out the website here: http://lifilm.org

Under the section "Film Previews for 2010" you can read about The Grave.

Long Island International Film Expo - July 8th

"The Grave" will be screened Thursday night, July 8th, at the Long Island International Film Expo in Bellmore, NY. So if you're in Long Island come out at 9:30pm to the Bellmore Theater for a taste of 1800's mystery and macabre.

http://liifilmexpo.org/sections/films10/The%20Grave.html