The Ginkers Documentary

Editing this Saturday

2011-10-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

We will be editing some of the remaining footage this Saturday afternoon and moving one step closer to finishing the documentary. With this pass, I'm hoping that we can thread together Scott's arc and begin to see how the rest of the stories play with or against it.

Summer 2011 Updates

2011-08-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

With summer winding down, I wanted to post some much delayed updates.

The Ginkers film project is in the final stages of post - Eric and Bill and I are liking what we are seeing and happy with the product. The story is emerging with Scott as its center and the surrounding issues of coming of age, Jersey, and of course, metal, the films supporting themes are taking on a nice shape.

A comedic feature-length script entitled, Max Milgram's Bar Mitzvah, I created a few years ago and then reworked with the help of Bill Schlavis is complete and being shopped around. We've gotten positive notes on the story and are hoping to hear something more in the next few months.

Ginkers, alive and well

2011-04-09T12:32:00.001-07:00

Welcome back?

Eric and team Rucksack will be hitting the edits in two weeks bringing us one or two steps closer to wrapping this film up.

More to follow.

Office Space in Red Bank to share

2010-11-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

Recently came across some great office space in downtown Red Bank (next to Starbucks/across from Secret Stash). The office is approx 330 square feet and will be shared.

I will be using the space to hold writing classes 2 nights a week and as a writing space. The other artist will be using it primarily as a space for his illustrators to work and to conduct business/write, etc.

We are looking for a 3rd person to share the space with us. You would have full access to the space whenever a class or meeting was not being held and would be able to work out a calendar/work time when it was exclusively for your use. The remaining hours/days would be shared by all 3 of us. For this reason, your work shouldn't be overly loud, consist of random or frequent visitors, loud conversations, etc. We are both laid back writers looking for someone in the literary, art, fashion or creative field to share a great space with.

Your end would be $200 a month (includes all utilities) this could be reduced to $175 based on less usage. Email me with serious inquiries only: rucksackfilms@gmail.com

A night in the lonesome October.

2010-10-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

I am sure Eric will be the first, maybe the only one, to pull meaning from the title.

The Ginker documentary is now in Eric's good hands as he sees it toward a rough assembly of a first cut. The narration is basically as complete as it can be w/o seeing a cut of the basic finished film and serves as a front-load of the metal culture of the 80s in Jersey for everyone not in the know.

The live-action script version, which is very loosely based on the documentary is quickly becoming a viable script that I intend to either sell or film next summer. At about 60 pages in, I am happy with the form it's taking and the way it seems to be easily coming to life on page.

In related news, The Sixth Ward's favorite drinking song, "Alcohol" is being edited into a video. After shooting 2 separate live performances of the show I am now editing it down into a music video for the band. To hear the song and others, check out thesixthward.net

Enjoy the rest of the fall.

That isn't a moon.

2010-10-01T05:54:00.000-07:00

That isn't a moon, indeed.

With the summer ending we have some new projects, updates, and news from the extended Rucksack Family to share.

Eric, our resident editor and camera op is underway assembling most of the rough selects for the Ginkers documentary. When complete, the narration I am currently writing will be added in and we'll pass it off to Bill to provide a possible score for the film before we do a final cut and drop in the archival footage, new interviews and music.

As I structured the narration I saw a few holes where we missed chances to discuss things with our subjects, mainly Scott, our featured subject/hero. Sometime in the later fall there will be a studio shoot where we will be bringing back all of the subjects to get additional coverage and to have them answer some more questions. At this point, the narration isn't heavy, just serving as an introduction to the story so that we have a bit of a wider appeal than just 80s metal fans as the film is less about the music and the time than it is really about the people who survived it all.

We have raised a pretty paltry $75 dollars so far in trying to raise the funds for music rights and hope maybe some of you out there can save us at the last minute with 5 or 10$ donations. See what you can do and check out indiegogo.com for Ginkers.

Last bit of Ginkers news, I am considering a name change based on some feedback I have gotten from some people who have seen the rough trailer we posted on youtube. A few people have mentioned that they like the title "Steve Austin Eat Your Heart Out" as it has a more quirky and interesting name than Ginkers, which is an uber-isolated term that only a very few will recognize. Thoughts?

In other RF news, I am producing a short shoot for a reality series about college life this fall that I will be pitching to major companies like MTV. If you are 18-30 and are currently in college or attempting to be, please contact us.

Bill's band, The 6th Ward, will be playing to Loop Lounge in Passaic this Saturday night. They are the featured band and will be going on at 10pm. It is a great little venue with a DJ and a cool vibe. Come out.

Enjoy the rain.

The 6th Ward and My Love for Danger in New Bruns.

2010-09-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

Bill S., sound engineer and all around creative force at Rucksack Films is slated to perform with his indie rock band, The 6th Ward playing alongside My Love for Danger on September 11th at the famous Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ.

The 6th Ward will be kicking off a slate of shows that night along with another on Oct. 2nd at the Loop Lounge. MLFD, which includes Frank Barbiere, comic book writer and screenwriter, will be playing after The 6th Ward at the Court.

Both bands play urgent and finely crafted indie rock with punk vibes. Come check out the bands and enjoy a cold PBR.

We will see you there.

Summer's dead and gone

2010-09-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello out there to our readers...

As summer ends, so begins another chapter of the Ginkers film and the Rucksack Films studio. While the project is seeing some funding come its way through the donations on indiegogo, the film is nearing the editing stage. I am writing the narration and gathering archival photos and footage and will soon pass on the clips to Eric, our resident editor.

My comedic feature, currently titled, "Torah! Torah! Torah!" is in its last rewrite and about 90% complete. With help from Bill S. we took my very rough concept and rough draft and turned it into a hugely marketable and funny script.

The final cut of "The Mystery of Chances" is also complete and can be found on youtube. The music video was our first and we are proud of how it turned out.

I have 2 other scripts in various stages of production but will remain mum on them until my two other projects are complete.

Spread the word; the film is now being funded

2010-08-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

As the 1980s drew to a close, thousands of teen Metal Heads everywhere were instantly silenced. Once their proud kind had stalked the suburban landscapes of arcades, malls, empty parking lots, all night diners, and wooded areas with confidence and a pair of shit-kicking boots. But no longer…

As quickly as the heavy metal scene found itself popularized by mainstream culture, it became dead and bloated and disappeared forever. Or did it?

Was that a leather fringe pocket book that lady was wearing at Sam’s Club? Did that cashier really have a Slayer tee shirt under his Home Depot orange vest? Was the sound of a restored Trans Am truly what awakened me from my slumber?

What began as an investigative look into what became of 1980s outsider heroes, The Ginkers Documentary evolved into something deeper and infinitely more funny, a love-letter to an era of long-haired rebels, Marlboro-smoking girls in black spandex and a life lived to the max.

Our feature length film was completed this past year with help from Pabst Blue Ribbon (an early sponsor) self-funding, and donations from various 80s-interested parties.

As we enter into the final phase of editing and post-production, we need support in small bundles and that is why we landed here in your kind land of computers and inter-webs. While our leather vests and construction boots may look worn and silly, we can still drink you under the floor and turn our radios up. So please, help us reach our goal to bring these wonderful feature film to film festivals around the world.

To entice you to join our world, we will be offering a veritable 80s cornucopia of perks: limited edition metal-inspired posters, copies of our finished film, high school detention scribbled drawings, signed copies of our main subject’s “songs that don’t suck playlist”, invitations to screenings as well as producer credits for you fat cats out there.

Please help us help you. For a world that has forgotten the perils of metal music is doomed to repeat them…

fundraising, please help

2010-08-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

please visit indigogo and search Ginkers to help. We are raising money to complete our Ginkers documentary, dollar by dollar. The 2,500 we are looking to raise will enable us to buy music rights and enter festivals.

our link is http://www.indiegogo.com/ginkersfilm?a=32845&i=shlk

Rough cut of video posted

2010-08-06T11:56:00.000-07:00

Rob Maulshagen's video is now up on youtube. Check: mystery of chances

Ginkers

2010-07-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

After finding roughly 40 clips that were previously unseen, I have been peeling through the footage all summer and am about 10 clips away from being done with the logging process before it goes to Eric for a rough assembly.

Currently wrapping up the writing of the narration for the story line as well but will need to return to it after we have a rough cut to tweak it for time and clarity.

The end of summer nears and should place the Ginkers film in a great place to be edited and mixed by the Christmas holiday.

"The Mystery of Chances" video shot and edited

2010-07-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday Eric and I wrapped editing on the video for Rob Maulshagen's "The Mystery of Chances"

We had completed the filming two weeks prior on a strip of isolated beach in Monmouth after a huge storm ripped through the area leaving purple skies, giant waves, and beautiful weather. Rob's father stepped in as the lead actor in our conception of an Old Man and the sea-type of narrative for Rob's folk rock song about opportunity and chance.

The 3 minute video will be posted shortly and will also be viewable on youtube.

Above pic is a still from the tide post-filming.

Project accepted for funding.

2010-04-14T13:02:00.000-07:00

"Ginkers" was accepted for project funding last week. This means that donors can now safely back our project in any amount they want and will only pay if our goal is met.

To reach our $9000 goal, we need support in many ways. First would be a pledge of $5 or $10 dollars. Second would be to spread the word.

The link for our project is: http://www.kickstarter.com/e/VM1HE/projects/1945259589/ginkers-the-film-and-love-letter-to-1980s-metal-li/dashboard

Please visit often and spread the word.

New Year's Work

2009-12-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

Sound engineer and sometimes writer, Bill made it down to Red Bank this weekend and we pounded out a decent session of work on our respective holidays. Mostly we continued our development of a comedic feature that is now in it's 3rd draft. The story was conceived by a mutual friend some years back and an early draft was written 3 winters ago when I was on break from college. Bill joined in last year and we managed to get a 2nd draft complete over winter vacation. With some delays and work on other projects we managed to get through the 1st act in just under 5 hours this week and I am liking the way the script is moving at a quick pace.

Hoping to see a finalized script this springtime and then off to agents and producers to sell.

The documentary is still in a waiting zone where I am screening footage as mush as is possible on my off days and hours. The cuts look very strong and I am hoping it will come together well.

Music Vid, new scripts, Ginkers.

2009-12-08T15:58:00.001-08:00

A talented local musician, Rob Maulshagen, and some of the Rucksack Films crew will be combining forces over the winter break to create a music video for one of his new works. Details to follow.

In Ginker news, the footage screening continues and continues to show a lot of potential and is much funnier than I remember it when we filmed.

My newest script is going through edits currently and after changing the plotline to favor a side character, I see it picking up steam. Set in 1983 and following a family new to the suburbs, it began as a Ginker side project, but has morphed into something entirely different. I am thinking of shooting it myself with a spare crew and cast in a short span of 5 or 6 days over the end of the summer if all goes well.

Recovery

2009-12-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

Lost some images in a computer related crash last month and just was able to find a few. So for viewing pleasure, enjoy the Ciraulo brothers...

Clip 2 in the bag

2009-11-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

Finished watching clip o2 of the Ciraulo brothers today on my sick day. They discussed metal girlfriends, Tee shirts being sent to Iraq and gave a brief tour of their shared bedroom. Andrew's presentation of his Maiden shirts should cut nicely with Herman's display from our original youtube rough clip that Eric put together with the ACDC soundtrack. Will hit clip 3 tomorrow and hope to finish the complete session by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Viewing selects session 1

2009-11-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

Just completed my first round of pulling rough selects from the Ciraulo brothers shoot tonight. After 2 clips I am happy with what I am viewing. Some off camera laughter is distracting at times but the shots and sound quality are otherwise crisp and clear. Pulled 9 sections out of about 10 minutes of straight filming: They wax about malls, early vs. new metal, non-productivity of teen life and the perils of being a metal kid in NJ.

Another session tomorrow and more posts.

New progress for the fall

2009-11-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

Eric drops off the footage Monday and the select viewing will begin for the feature edit. With luck, I will be in a good position by the winter holiday to see an assembly of a rough viewing of Ginkers. I've lost most of my original archival photos when the Mac crashed two weeks back, along with all of my original scripts and pictures. As a result, I am in a massive rebuilding zone.

The live-action Ginkers script, now with the working title, "The Turnpike" is in progress. I've re-booted the opening prologue and act I from memory and am happy with the way it is taking shape with the development of a voice for James and Thomas that was eluding me on the original draft.

Downloaded Cetx software for this draft and while I abhor settings that keep me confined, working in the limits is helping me see the visuals of the project more as I write.

Will post updates to the selects viewing in a few weeks as it moves ahead.

2009-10-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

Not sure that any real progress has been made in a while, but posting seems inevitable and holds me accountable. Eric is burning the footage for me to screen presently and I am awaiting and excited at the prospect of having time to watch it all in succession. Been in touch with some of the Ginker documentary subjects and they seem to have high hopes based on some limited youtube posts. Hoping that lasts...

Participating in Spoke n Art in 2 weeks, a bike protest/civic action cycle of tomfoolery around Red Bank. Kate Okeson is organizing the event and it should be an afternoon to remember. Anyone concerned or interested in biking or art should indulge in this event. Email me for details. Following this, Kate's showing some work in Newark at NJIT as well and for lovers of creative endeavors this will be a satisfying day.

All summer in a day

2009-08-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

After a good long summer, I will be returning to teaching this fall and hoping to finish up the edit on "Ginkers" by winter break. Eric's studio of sorts is almost complete and him and I will be screening each of the segments pulling out the selects before we bring in Bill to begin the sound mixing.

After the rough cut, which hopefully will be done by Thanksgiving, we are going to do a scratch track of the narration and other media for the film. This should give us a decent idea of whether or not the film will end up in the garbage or in a festival. Early looks give me hope that we captured a good story.

Also in the works are the live-action version of "Ginkers" which is really a departure from the documentary and focuses on a family leaving NYC for the suburbs of NJ in 1984. Currently I have completed the first act and am well into the 2nd. In addition to this, the 3rd draft of my comedic feature, Torah! Torah! Torah! is underway.

Help him out

2009-08-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

Mitchel Brown needs your help. This is a great guy who needs a stem cell donor. You can save a life.

His site: www.helpmitchell.com

Please help in any way; pass it on, try to be a donor, send in a little money.

Summer update

2009-08-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

We are still in the midst of editing and trying to find more time for... editing. A potential investor is also floating around and may or may not sink some money into our little film.

With more news there will be some new updates.

Stay tuned and thanks for checking in.

Old School Instruments

2009-07-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

Last days of disco

2009-07-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Our last day and night of filming began above, at Pirate's Cove. Scott led Bill, Eric (pictured) and I on an odyssey of sorts through the bay side. In the top pic, Scott is speaking to a newly formed friend, (not pictured) as Eric films. Above, Bill and Eric trail Scott as he leads us to a spot where Capt. Morgan stashed his goods.

New digs, end of filming, some ships on the horizon

2009-06-28T18:44:00.001-07:00

Moved into a new place this weekend and am enjoying the hell out of it. Setting aside some work space and hoping to delve back into some s8 and 8mm projects I placed on hold a few years back. Picked up an old Kodak splice kit, 2 8 mm cameras, a s8 camera and an automated viewer and some film and am ready to go.

Finished my 1st comedic feature-length script last week and will be sitting down with Bill this week to do a read through of the 2nd draft so we can kick in some new scenes and check the flow of the story.

Also meeting with a potential investor for the Ginkers project and am hoping to secure some finishing funds that should allow my crew to recoup a little of the money they have put out for equipment as well as pay for our festival trips.

Production ended on the film 2 weeks ago and we are setting up the editing schedule now that Eric has a new home and space to work. Have blue-printed a working outline to guide the parallel story arcs for Scott and the story of burnout culture and trying to dovetail them into something. I still haven't viewed 50% of our footage from the Ciraulo brothers, the last Scott shoot and most of Colie's. Once that is in my sight-line, the rest of the movie should become clearer.

I will be uploading the last of my on-set stills sometime soon.

Some pictures from Connie's

2009-06-17T17:10:00.001-07:00

2009-06-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

Filming is now complete. Thanks to everyone who supported the production, came out to shoots, sent emails, posted on our blogs, invited us to screen film, or helped in any way. Some specific thanks to my crew for their tireless efforts to see this film through; Matt Ziegler and Eric Mosher the cameramen, Bill Schlavis our sound engineer, Alex Burke our makeup artist, Vince Carpio for your work on the first Scott shoot, and finally Emily Webster, for all of your prior work and getting me launched and ready to do this. Without a crew that was willing to drive and work their only off days from other jobs, this film would have been nothing.

Some other people who started out as strangers and worked their way nicely into our weird little world are deserved of recognition and thanks as well. John Matthews has spread the Ginker word far and wide and has supported us from the jump. He has made it out to several shoots and even partook in karaoke himself in addition to providing early commentary and interviews that we are editing now. Herman, Colie, Chris York, Billy Marx, Melanie Rodriguez, The Ciraulo Brothers all put in several hours, (in some cases weeks of work) being interviewed and probed. Scott, our featured subject gets thanks for his continual Bruce Lee-like approach to commentary and interview matters. He allowed us into his home and invited us to his performances, he did just about all that a person can do to see his story be told while never truly revealing all of who he is.

Dozens more contributed pictures and stories early on in order to get this moving. Thank you to everyone and to anyone we have not mentioned by name as well.

We will be in full editing mode from now until August and will post here periodically with information on festivals and screenings in the Jersey and NYC areas.

Jesse Denherder and Charlie Shaffer, Thanks

2009-06-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

An identity package put together by Jesse Denherder was published in MEISHI, a new hardcover with examples of artistic cards from 28 countries around the world. Congrats to Jesse for his creative genius. I have said it before, anyone who is interested in unique and personalized service for any business, identity or creative branding, check out denherderdesign.com for your needs. Jesse is your man...

Also, quick thank you to Charlie Shaffer. I know he doesn't want the spotlight, but he designed the iconic camera that is on the card a few years back. Thanks, man.

Rucksack continues filming this Sunday at Connie's in Sayreville. Anyone interested in seeing the end of production and hearing some karaoke, come on down. Drinks may or not be on us, we'll check the funds.

(See below for details on the card and site).

A DHD business card design for Rucksack Films LLC, was chosen for the artistic business card book MEISHI, "Little Graphic Art Gallery Of The World".

This 272 page hard cover book, with jacket, is printed in full color.

MEISHI is overflowing with hundreds of examples...For a preview of MEISHI please visit www.1worldart.com

RFH Film Fest is a wrap

2009-06-08T14:52:00.001-07:00

Brought a cut of "Ginkers" to the Rumson-Fair Haven film festival last week and was able to screen it two times to a decently filled auditorium. After each screening there was a Q & A portion that lasted about 30 minutes where I fielded probing and excellent questions from the crowd. The response to the film was overly positive and it was heartening to see Scott and the rest of the subjects on the big screen.

Big thank you to everyone at RFH for the wonderful introductions, questions and screening time.

June is for lovers

2009-05-31T07:32:00.000-07:00

Made it out to Stokaboka last night for the premiere of their movie night series that runs the last Saturday of each month. Admission is free, so is the popcorn and water. An easy mix of locals convened in the lot and witnessed a 16mm surf flick documentary in the comfort of their beach chairs. Mike Boylan did a great job. Anyone interested in surfing or films should definitely come out.

Editing for the RFH and Count Basie cuts of our film are being finalized today by Eric Mosher, our resident cameraman/editor/haiku writer. We added a prologue to the header which will serve as a proxy for the narration we intend to overlay on the finished feature-length version.

We are also planning two more re-shoots with Scott that will round his story out as well as a 2-3 minute trailer that we might show at one of the Stokaboka movie nights if all works out.

2009-05-30T09:34:00.000-07:00

Pabst Blue Ribbon - How indy films really get made

2009-05-28T18:55:00.001-07:00

After hours of cutting film and some

shouting by Bill, Eric broke out the

medicine and brought us back to our

senses. Thanks PBR, you always

know what to do.

Edit Stills

2009-05-28T18:53:00.001-07:00

Poster Give Away

2009-05-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

I have 15 limited edition posters of the "Ginkers" documentary up for grabs. A new poster will be produced for the feature film and we will no longer be handing out these originals with notebook graphics.

First 15 responders get em free.

Another night burning oil

2009-05-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

Rucksack crew met up at Eric's tonight and made another dent into editing the feature. Working toward a works-in-progress version of the film for upcoming fests and am pleased with how it is working out. With each edit session, I see more of what still lies ahead. The larger picture eludes me and at times this is hard to navigate. I am trusting in what footage I have already seen and know that this film is something special.

The crew turned out some great work tonight despite very long commutes and long work days bookending the session. Thanks.

I will post stills from the edit tomorrow and will have some leaked footage sometime soon closer to the festivals.

Some stills from the editing sessions

2009-05-23T09:40:00.001-07:00

Bill, Eric and I holed up in Eric's editing suite of sorts for another all day session of edits for the "Steve Austin Eat Your Heart Out" selection of of the "Ginkers" documentary. We entered a short film festival and distilled down one of Scott's karaoke songs, "Breaking the Law" and cut it into 2 interviews we filmed with the man. While we are still in the final stages of filming extra scenes for the feature and will resume editing for Sundance and Garden State and Tribeca mid-summer, we decided to cut some shorter work in order to get the buzz early on our project. Pictured, left is Bill, working the protools while Eric, right, dices Scott's many lines of pure gold into a working narrative. With an edit coming this Weds. for the Rumson-Fair Haven festival more stills and maybe a rough cut will be posted soon.

Updates for the end of May

2009-05-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

We were invited back to the Rumson-Fair Haven Film festival this year to screen a rough cut of the "Ginkers" doc. We are going to put together a cut of 2 of Scott's performance pieces, along with some interview footage with him and the other subjects. Last year's screening was a success and we hope to bring at least one more of our crew members along for the Q&A portion that follows the screenings. Thanks to Dana M. for inviting us out to the fest. We are also awaiting decision from One Film on our 60 second project "Steve Austin Eat Your Heart Out" that is part of the larger "Ginkers" documentary. If accepted we will be screening at the waterfront marina in July. With Count Basie and the Sundance deadlines approaching as well, this summer will be full of final cut pro sessions.

1-minute reel

2009-05-11T07:33:00.001-07:00

Bill and I traveled south to Eric's editing suite and all 3 of us worked through the day and afternoon producing what is essentially a 60 second tribute to Scott and his use of metaphoric language. Since the resulting film going to be shown at an upcoming festival, we decided to not air it until then. Instead, we will be posting pics and perhaps a rough cut of one of Scott's songs from the stage. Without our A camera footage, we relied on Eric's B cam work and the result was a perfect blend of 3 days of shooting handheld beauty. Bill's sound coverage and mixing layered the finished piece well and when you hear the first few bars of a certain classic metal song by none other than Judas Priest themselves, you will be in for a minute of pure ecstasy worthy of Valhalla.

The short film fest in Atlantic Highlands is in its first year and from the looks of the panelists and location, it should be an interesting event and opportunity for the bay shore to get immersed in Indy cinema. It is going to be held in the marina and in case of rain, a church. Once we get confirmation of the acceptance of the film, currently entitled, "Steve Austin Eat Your Heart Out," we will post ticket and venue information here on the blog.

Until then, be on the lookout for the leaked song by Scott and some stills.

Scott and some festivals

2009-05-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

Scott, (left) swilled a few cool ones and donned his Austin 3:16 shirt in order to deliver the rock.

For details, check below.

Moving forward, we have a 1-minute film festival in Atlantic Highlands coming up for which we are editing a short segment of Scott's greatest metaphors. Editing will commence next Saturday night at Eric's. Will be a good chance to see what's out there in terms of our footage as well and perhaps a rough look at the progress will help us decide if we are done. The Count Basie theatre is hosting a works in progress night this summer and we are hoping to bring a segment of the film there as well.

Stay tuned for the 1 minute reel, as soon as it is completed we'll post it here and on our facebook page.

Bill and his father, a touching pictorial.

2009-04-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Bill, (above right) found time during our busy shoot tonight to connect with his father, (pictured left) who he had not seen since he joined the tour of Hello Dolly last winter. During a break in filming, directly following Scott's performance of "Detroit Rock City" Bill found his way to the stage, sang "Ebony and Ivory" and left no dry eyes in the house. His father, Montgomery Schlavis, was moved to present Bill with a miniature replica of the battleship Enterprise, which he is examining in the photo.

We wrapped that bitch Connie

2009-04-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

Connie was a touch old broad, she sang rough, had the sound of whiskey and smoke in her rasp, even called you "hon" the way ladies do when they don't know you, but just might want to. We played her like a fiddle at first, plucking strings, turning knobs and singing praises. She returned in kind, allowed us access and opened her doors. We entered and found it more cavernous, exotic, unyielding than expected. We must return again.

Over nearly a dozen shoots and a year and a half of filming, we shot what was to be our last day and night of principle photography. It began normal enough, with sound engineer and lounge music buff, Bill Schlavis and I walking down a lovely stretch of Rt. 35 in Sayreville in search of batteries for his recording gear. (He usually is very prepared, that's what she said). After the sun beat upon our brows, and then our backs, we found a gas station mart that only sold air fresheners, oil, and perhaps meth. We returned to find camera op Eric Mosher glistening in the sun, muscles and flesh exposed, a vision to Bill's eyes. Matt Z, other camera op, arrived as well, and although our lovely makeup artist and den mother Alex was not to be found on set tonight, we were complete, ready, men amongst old ladies.

Inside we were welcomed, told we could pretty much have run of the joint and we were off. To be fair, the karaoke people, the bar owners, the bartenders... they were a class act and we thank them. We were free to roam, a pack of lions running roughshod in their typically slow moving, Elvis and Frank listening bar. We brought Scott to film and he did it, belting out 5 classic metal songs and probably causing fear and in some cases, illness in many. We brought John, a loyal supporter, helper, and sometime subject of our documentary. He brought his lovely lady, his neighbor, and he sang, "I know what boys like" to a now confused and more fearing audience.

We missed several moments that cause me as the director to lose what will be untold hours of sleep due to the bitch that is called regret. Up until now, our presentation of Scott has been biased. This is not the result of any planning or agenda, simply what happens when you isolate your subject and do not allow him to be put into situations that could present another side to him. We saw reactions, hostility, tenderness, and all the things that make a life round and real. And we missed so many of them. Not the fault of my crew though. They carried cameras, ran to stations, improvised, (thanks Eric and Bill for that one at the bar). Matt even managed to twitter like 33 times whilst filming the entire documentary. In the end I just did not anticipate enough. I take it.

So we will press on, if they crew can abide a few more days without sending me on a mutiny fueled ship down the strip of coastline and empty malls in Jersey, we can wrap this bitch up.

RIP Bea Arthur, stay gold.

The Reason

2009-04-24T20:42:00.001-07:00

We began a year ago, perhaps longer. Scott became the featured player of our little experiment about 80's metal and the people who subscribed to, loved, were burned by... the life and the music and the dream that never quite seemed to be found. Scott bears scars and returns this Sunday with a performance worth a thousand leather fringes and cigarette butts and cans of Bud.

2009-04-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

Lest any of you forget, this is what we mean by Sayreville. Directions to Connie's below.

2009-04-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

The water's at your neck, there's lightning in your teeth

2009-04-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

We drove for hours, stopped for coffees and made to Asbury in a truck that someone used as a urinal. No bowling and 2 dollar PBR and several hours later we drove on back to

home. I didn't sleep last night and with some sad refrain in my head, I figured I'd post.

Connie's next Sunday at 6. Rt. 35 and Ernston Road in Sayreville.

Updates to the class and some film news

2009-04-13T07:38:00.001-07:00

Class schedule has been revised to: Monday/Weds. 6:30PM - 7:30PM Starting June 1st

On the film front, the details for some our final days of production are being ironed out now with Connie's bar and Scott, our featured guy. We hope to have a production schedule posted soon so that some of you in the Central Jersey area can drop in and have a few while we film.

Creative Writing Class in Red Bank

2009-04-05T14:57:00.001-07:00

I am going to be running a creative writing seminar/class this summer in Red Bank. It will be focused on specific strategies, techniques and methodologies for fiction and film writers. Classes will begin June 1st and run every Monday and Weds from 4:00-5:15 PM for 4 consecutive weeks.

I am only accepting 10-12 students and will add additional sections as needed.

Hit me up here or at rucksackfilms@gmail.com for more details and to register. (Hurry, registration deadline is 4/15)

How I write the comedy

2009-03-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

Been crafting a new script as of late. Well, not so much new as resurrected; so close to Easter and all. Finished the rough draft a few winters back over the course of maybe 4 weeks and left it to rot along with about 10 others in a box. 3 apartments later and with the aid of sometimes writer, full-time comic inspiration, Bill Schlavis, I was able to punch out the next version. Up around 70 pages now and should be done in 3-4 weeks if the pace continues.

Our work goes something like this: Bill says something mildly inappropriate and ambiguously gay. I counter it with something even more doubly entendre filled and then he snaps me in the sac with a back hand. Then one of us knocks down the pins set up by above mentioned process and we are almost home. One of us grabs a piece of paper and writes down whatever comic gold was spun and I dangle the comic genius words over the story and see where it fits. And no shit, this actually is how I do it. Of course there are ton of very dark, intense, brooding moments that are much to close to my artistically sensitive heart to unpack here with words, so don't think it's so easy.

Karaoke Return

2009-03-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

We were put on hold with the demise of Cagney's metal karaoke Sundays and thought that we may never get the chance to film Scott performing his, "songs that don't suck" play list. But alas, he has come through; Connie's in Sayreville has become his new arena de rock and we will be there soon to film the resulting carnage. With one or two more shoots we should finally see the end of photography on the documentary.

In other news, Jesse Denherder, (of denherderdesign.com) who has handled my Rucksack Films Identity kit amongst countless labels, cards, games, posters, etc... for various film fests, clothing lines and stores should be retuning to the fold. Looking to procure new cards for my crew and possibly a new poster once filming is complete. Happy to be working with him yet again. Anyone interested in anything creative, check out his site. He is a very ethical and talented artist.

The summer season has me teaching a creative writing series here in Red Bank, so if anyone is interested, hit me up.

Astride the law

2009-02-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

Astride the steel horse, a triumphant Ginker stands, hand clenched and raised in victory. The day is his as the law lies vanquished and a case of cold ones lies at the ready, soon to be drank in a celebratory frenzy of cigarette smoke, women, and power chords.

Profiles in the Independent Film Hussle - Alex

2009-02-22T07:37:00.001-08:00

Alex Burke...

After graduating from FIT, Alex had extensive stints as a make-up artist on several major video, photography and fashion sets around the NYC metro area before arriving at Rucksack Films.

Now, the sole make-up artist on all of our productions, Alex specializes in personalized service to each of our subjects prior to filming and has become the preferred artist of choice for several of our now famous characters.

Alex currently resides in Keyport, NJ with her husband and two children and continues to run her own make-up design business.

Profiles in the Independent Film Hussle - Eric

2009-02-22T07:29:00.001-08:00

Eric Mosher, an original crew member at Rucksack Films, joined the the team after graduating with degrees in English and Communications from Virginia Tech. At college, Eric honed his filmmaking chops when he was involved with several independent productions.

As Rucksack's resident tech. master, Eric keeps the crew updated and smoothly running. In addition, Eric builds his own lighting and camera rigs and has become our B-Camera operator, filming all of the handheld and harder to navigate portions of our interviews.

Eric currently lives in south Jersey with his wife and daughter, continuing to oversee his mosherpit website which is devoted to all things comic, cinema, lit. and zombie.

Profiles in the Independent Film Hussle - Bill

2009-02-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

Bill Schlavis, a.k.a. Sam Spade, grew up in the town of Allendale, situated in the long shadow of NYC. Later, after obtaining degrees from NYU and Rutgers, he went on become the singer and songwriter of several local bands, most recently, the 6th Ward.

As a sound engineer, Bill has recorded and produced albums and tracks for numerous NY/NJ artists under his Stateline Productions banner.

In 2007, Bill joined the Rucksack team and has mixed and recorded all of the sound for the "Ginkers" feature film.

Bill currently lives in Montclair, NJ and continues to play area venues with his band, the 6th ward.

Profiles in the Independent Film Hussle - Matt

2009-02-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

Matt Ziegler...

An original member of the Rucksack Films crew, Matt grew up in the very NJ towns depicted in the "Ginkers" film. A graduate of EBHS and a veteran of the Sussex college system, he went on to design websites and taught himself digital filmmaking.

After high school, Matt and Rob, the "Ginkers" director, joined forces and collaborated on several short-subject films. Produced on the cheap and often filmed in the wee hours of the morning, Matt developed his distinct style and love for filmmaking. These efforts resulted in a stunning array of genre-bending films. He then became the main camera operator on all of the short films Rucksack produced in the early 2000's and stayed on board to be the Director of Photography for the entirety of the "Ginkers" documentary.

Matt currently resides in the rural outposts of Northern, NJ with his wife and two dogs.

The Highlander, The Rattlesnake

2009-02-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

Scott, (pictured) is known around the karaoke set as "Highlander" due to his Scotch heritage. Among the kids scampering from the law for any number of petty crimes committed in the cover of the Jersey marshland, he is also known as "The Jersey Rattlesnake" simply because of his here now - gone now presence. This much information was conveyed during a break in filming and I have been thinking about how he able to occupy these many identities quite fluidly, not unlike a superhero of sorts. Many of us are lucky do go a week at best at such a try. We may have the Monday/Friday work persona down pat followed comfortably by our Friday/Sunday ways that are now routine. In Scott's case, these identities come from the outside, from the people who come in contact with him and have dubbed him. It is in this way that I admire the man. He simply walks, he simply is Highlander, Rattlesnake. This one is for him.

Harlequin Romance

2009-02-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

Sundays are typically the post day, so here you are. The next shoot is slated at Cagney's in the next few weeks, but until then, I will post a few pics and maybe another clip of Scott if I think it would fit.

This one in particular is of the art on his walls. An interesting harlequin-type woman surrounded by a wall full of the things that accumulate over a life.

Moving on...

Hope everyone is enjoying the posts here. I don't update as much as some of my other talented friends, (Rachael, Frank, etc...) so check out the open west comic and livitluvit for what I mean. They have the chops.

Things in Red Bank are moving along at a decent clip. The documentary is taking a little longer than planned, but it has been a blessing. We are sponsored, the grass-roots support is growing by the day for the film, a contact in Asbury has offered us a screening at her studio and the lanes - and the time passes.

In other film news, caught Revolutionary Road a few weeks back and highly recommend it. Directed by Sam Mendes, (Road To Perdition, American Beauty) it traces the lives of two Americans living out the 1950s in a way that has not been presented in such concrete and beautifully nuanced ways. DiCaprio is Frank Wheeler and Winslet, his wife, April. They embody the "special" people so few believe they may be and the fall from that place that so many of us take in place of comfort and peace. David Harbour, as Shep, the 1950s male, for me was the scene stealer. His performance stole the show and really brought home the notion of silence and of not giving light to those shadowy things we all bring up that Mendes was driving home all film long, and was nicely depicted in the final shot; see old man turning off hearing aid.

That's it for this week. Planning on hitting The Reader and will post in a few.

2009-02-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's post. Sorry for the delay on the video.

More "D" camera footage

2009-02-11T18:18:00.000-08:00

While Eric and Matt handle Photography duties, I shot another 30 second clip of Scott talking off-camera. Though this is not intended for insertion into the final cut of the film, it is an authentic, yet badly composed piece of the story that we hope you enjoy.

I will upload another 1 or 2 over the next week or so as promised.

In this clip, Scott is filmed in his house, lounging and talking about his favorite things.

The shoot was more in a series with Scott, who is our featured subject.

Some backstory: Scott grew up in the central, NJ towns that saw the rise of the burnout / metal culture take shape. Like other kids who grew up in the shadows of the Turnpike and Parkway, Scott had an affinity for the loner lifestyle that so many teens of his time understood. He gravitated toward Grindhouse cinema, metal, and underground wrestling. As an adult, he found work being a roadie for local bands and eventually found his way to meet his idols, Judas Priest. After gigging for years in the Jersey rock scene, Scott has retired from that line of work and spends his time being a living music encyclopedia and performs his "songs that don't suck" version of karaoke each weekend at local dives.

Some dead air on today's shoot

2009-02-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

I had about 30 seconds of dead air to fill when we were shooting at Scott's today. Using my old little digi-cam that I bring on all the shoots to get stills, I did a quick pan.

Economy implodes, yet film thrives.

2009-01-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

Large thank you today to Dave Gallagher at PBR for agreeing to help out the production of "Ginkers" Our wrap party will be sponsored by everyone's favorite blue-collar brew and there may be some giveaways as well. Just hope you are invited to the party... In a time when a lot of companies are cutting donations, sponsorships, and free merchandise, PBR came through in a very generous way. We need more companies like them, and more people making decisions like Dave. He saw a chance to help out a small grass-roots project like ours and came in to help.

In other news, EBTV accepted our proposal and has agreed to grant Rucksack Films access to their archival footage, collected throughout the 19980's. Another deserved thank you to Cindy O'connor and the people at the station.

Stay tuned for updates and for more news.

I visited 1981 today

2009-01-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

Today I visited the EBTV archives and found myself knee-deep in short-shorts, high striped socks, part and feathered hair and washed out colors. I was able, thanks to the people at the station, to start a preliminary viewing of the footage shot and stored from the 1980's for use in our upcoming documentary. What I saw was pure spun gold. While it was still fairly early in the decade to see any real metal gods and the footage was also from the summer, (any metalhead worth his salt typically shied away from outdoor activity), what I saw made feel like we are onto something good here.

In other news, we are in talks with Pabst Blue Ribbon to hopefully negotiate some sort of sponsor relationship for the remainder of the film. We'll see what we can do, but for anyone out there with a choice, go PBR and help them out.

Scott definitely agreed to sign on as the featured subject last week, sigh of relief. We'll keep you all posted on any upcoming shoots and info that come our way by means of the man himself.

In the heart of suburbia, metal lives on.

2008-12-28T15:45:00.000-08:00

The brothers Ciraulo, (inset) are busy keeping the dark arts alive with their own brand of metal.

In an interview that lasted one cold afternoon last winter, the two highschoolers from Marlboro gave us a tour of their shared bedroom, an extended guitar solo and also some rather interesting stories about how one rather disturbing crop of tee-shirts ended up in Iraq.

We've spent about a year now working with the retired and the reformed Ginker and burnout. Until now, we new little of the resurgence of the teen metalhead that harkens back to the 80's with their long hair, penchant for fires and of course, being misunderstood.

Thanks to the boys.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-22T11:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to our fans and supporters and to the crew and subjects of the "Ginkers" documentary film. Enjoy the days off, the family, whatever you choose. Look for us in 2009 with a strong return to filming and some news on the progress of the movie.

Still on the lookout for any great 80's pics of metalheads and burnouts...keep 'em coming.

Cheers - Rucksack Films

They've been drunk for two weeks - they've passed out and rallied and sprung a few leaks

2008-11-28T13:28:00.000-08:00

This metal loving motley crue of men [pictured] looks as though they enjoyed a thanksgiving worthy of a few swigs of Jack and a spot or two of Wild Turkey. Drinking now to their health, I settle in for a day of recovery myself. Been in communication with the mostly elusive Scott S., a featured subject for the documentary and the undisputed master of metaphors, (see our clips on youtube for all the evidence a camera can show) for the last several months and things are looking up. After some delays, missed calls, and almost a year break between filming his 1st and 2nd sessions, we are poised to return to the shipyards of Jersey to record some more with him.

I met Scott in Keyport as he was walking down the main drag talking metal with a local musician. I was awaiting an interview with a prospective assistant and instead found myself shins deep in a tale of backstage debauch worthy of a thousand teenage fantasies. Within a few moments I realized that he was the reason I wanted to make this type of film to begin with; he had that rare quality makeup of honest vulnerability dusted over with a patina of age that gave his speech and his desire to be known some protective feeling. I still have yet to see pics of him from years back, he hesitates to allow us to film him at home. He keeps us at more than arms distance with all things, and the decision to film, where to meet, and even how we communicate is governed solely by him. I am merely a watcher and waiter in this process.

I am hoping the patience pays dividends that are visible on screen.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-24T17:03:00.000-08:00

Quick thanksgiving wishes to the Rucksack Films and "Ginkers" documentary family. Enjoy the days off, the food, the sarcastic uncles, the drunk dads and the crying kids. I'll be at my brother's house sitting by the fire getting my Norman Rockwell experience on and watching some It's A Wonderful Life.

Enjoy the day.

A pic of Matt our cameraman that was never published

2008-11-24T17:02:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the delay. On a previous post I mentioned that Matt was pictured. Well the pic never ran - so here it is in all of its glory.

Some news

2008-11-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

Saturday Bill and I took a few hours and worked on some script work for another film and discussed a few in-roads to take on the doc. Spoke with Scott Sunday and it looks like he is still ready to go with a metal karaoke show, though the details are still to be worked out. Some more feedback rolled in from facebook and myspace and I am thankful for all of it.

Some new pics will be posted shortly. Enjoy.

2008-11-17T15:04:00.001-08:00

A great pic from another loyal Ginker supporter.

Falling back

2008-11-02T17:22:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a good halloween weekend and enjoyed an hour more of sleep. I hit a party with the roomie on Friday and then saw the Fab Faux with Jen in Brunswick on Saturday, now finally with some time, am posting the weekly Sunday post. Things on the Ginkers front have been quieter than I would like, but the train is still moving. Our last shoot with Scott is slated for this coming weekend but one never knows. We might end up in Keyport, Red Bank, or, just finding a spot where he can sip more Mountain Dew while we watch. One never knows with this or with anything.

Reports from the crew are positive with regards to the last shoot with Mel and it looks and sounds like everything we did hit the right note. Bill made our sound mobile with the addition of the XYY 87B modular unit and we were able to get some nice ambient coverage as well as a nice sequence of Melanie and I walking in an interview in the woods. (Some pics have been posted in previous posts).

See you all next week and don't forget to vote Tuesday.

[Matt Z. pictured on-set]

The weekend

2008-10-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

Heading into a much needed weekend with some new ideas for the film and planning on working on the narration that will eventually voice this project. Worked on the live action version of the script last night as I have 3 nights a week for the last 2 months and am close to the end now. Re-tooled the hero a bit and found some inspiration in some of the photos that our readers have shared.

Some more inspiration came through an unlikely vehicle today - a conversation with my students about Beowulf and the need for enemies to fulfill his role as a hero. Truer words were never spoken. Who is he without Grendel to rip, the mother to cut, and the dragon? Another Geat is all. Same is true for a lot of things.

Enjoy the weekend.

Loving the garage

2008-10-23T18:28:00.001-07:00

Posted a new pic of our oft-used set. In it one can barely make out one of the Rucksack Films crew members, Bill Schlavis, as he sits nestled comfortably between some of my father's old work tools, a lawnmower, and what looks like a garbage can full of scrap metal. The frame is full and chaotic, like the process. Tripods, cameras, lighting rigs, cables, and all of the actual remnants of what a garage-turned-set should be. I like the vibe. We arrive, the parents brew some coffee outside, some donuts are arranged. Next, Eric always arrives. This time with some chips and a bottle of soda. We chat some. Talk work stuff, life stuff. "How's the baby?" "How's Jen?" I ask the major life component questions. We chat more. Matt arrives. Move out toward his SUV, help him unload. Ask about the wife, any new movies he's seen. There is an easy way to it all. I've known him since we were in 6th grade and while there has been stress over the years that only friends can know, it is and has always been OK. I am glad to see him. We laugh a lot. Bill pulls up. Tall and lanky, he makes his way over to the set and easily swallows a donut with a quiet smile. He says something off-color and I know that the day is in motion. His nickname is Sam Spade on account of his moody and sometimes surly disposition, though Sam hasn't been quite so Sam as of late. He sets up, runs cables, reads the manual on a new piece of finery. Eric rigs the lights. Matt sets up the shot. The subject arrives as my mother waters some fall plants. My dad works a shingle that is loose. Melanie readies herself for the shoot, a bottle of rum and something blue. She brings a 12-pack for the boys and we settle in for an afternoon.

2008-10-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

Trying to find the time to film, to write, to contact back any of the dozen or so people who regularly write, it all amounts to this: we all want to quit a day job or two and it doesn't get easier. Maybe that is part of the draw though. The tension that meets any amount of passion for your work elevates it to something a little better than it was before. Without any resistance, maybe it all falls away, becomes soft and never stands on its own. With so many blogs and whining and airing of personal baggage, I don't want to indulge here, I have other places. And, to be honest, I am have my choices and I have nothing to say. Sometimes the time just seems to slip though... we "waste and pine" to quote Beckett and it feels so true.

Just looking forward to the winter break when I can dedicate more than the end of my nights and some weekends to this project that holds so much for us.

For the regular readers, the burnouts, the crew, and anyone else - thank you for the energy you toss our way.

Just a great pic

2008-10-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

No need to write on this one. Just a classic Ginker shot.

A weekend in the woods

2008-10-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

We gathered this past weekend and continued the filming of the Ginkers documentary. Filmed for a few hours in an old garage-turned set for the day, drank some beers, worked our way toward the dark corners of an old Ginker hangout where we were briefly stalked by an angry and also, somewhat camera-hungry soccer mom who threatened police intervention. We managed to escape the clutches of the law and wrap the weekend on a high note.

Thanks to the Rucksack Films crew for another great shoot and to Melanie for putting up with the hot lights and the questions.

America IS culture

2008-09-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Watching the tele and all of the bad news, the blathering on about the market crumbling and all the sky is falling mumbo jumbo... and I can't help but be inspired from where I am. In another arena I would wax poetic and political, maybe at school on Weds I might launch into a polemic worthy of Brooks Atkinson's verbage. But this night, this night I will be content to be inspired by the power of nostalgia and the rising against the adage of "not being able to go home again." This weekend I was pointed in the right direction by John Matthews. John wears so many hats it is hard to mention them all, though I will try: frontman for Strange Things Done In The Midnight Sun, Ginker anthropologist, scourer of 80's youtube clips, etc... John mentioned the EBHS homepage on facebook and I took a gander. Found some stunning Ginker era pics, (1989-91) on the page and immediately followed the link to one Danny Cavanaugh. Within a few hours and a few emails/messages back and forth, he and I were linked inextricably. He gave us permission to use his photos and by doing so both helped our film and highlighted what this process has told me over and over again; that grassroots filmmaking indeed is the voice of the people. Everyone is involved in this - none greater that the sum.

Thank you to John and to Danny.

Onto news.

We are gearing up for the fall wrap-up. October 11th we wrap in East Brunswick with an open call for Ginker interviews and a feature interview with Melanie Rodriguez. We move to a return shoot with Scott Schnieder in the end of October and a field trip to shoot some exteriors in early Nov.

Keeping the flame lit.

2008-09-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

Some good news prompts this week's post. In 6th grade there was a girl who sat next to me. She was tall, dark-haired, and wore Guns n Roses tees most days to school. Her voice had a bit of rasp and a bit of bass to it, she smoked, she cursed, and mostly, she was the first woman I knew who was my age. A friend of mine told me once she was the first girl who he kissed. In actuality, she kissed him - pulled him off the curb and forced one right on him. They were 12 or so.

Years pass. She finds me on facebook. I really hate those messages for the most part. The how are you, how have you been, catch me up on the last 13 years of your life thing. A few slip through and you're glad. She is one of them. Her messages were the same as her greetings were in the those days of junior high; last names only, some curses dropped for measure.

She signed on to be filmed for the documentary and I am so glad she did. Of all of the maybe 12 or 15 people I had originally wanted for this film, she was number one or two.

Here's to her, Ms. R., and the interview that I know will bring us all back.

In honor of her, I continue posting pics of our favorite muse, Rachelle, (star of most of our pics). To high school, middle school and all the schools that were breeding grounds for hellions and those that refused to be reformed.

Return of the Ginkers

2008-09-02T19:49:00.001-07:00

I began my student teaching internship today. In honor of this, and the many students I may someday teach, I return to the film after a 2 week break and begin a new post. And, I offer a simple picture of a metal girl receiving her diploma from a crusty white dude. Simple enough for me. Hopefully simple enough for all of you.

We return to an almost-completed feature film. After almost a dozen interviews, the Rucksack Films crew gears up for the final push. It basically amounts to this: 1 or 2 more interviews, and about 10 years of archival basic television footage to peel through. The bitch of it is that scheduling always amounts to delays. Delays equal energy being wasted. All of the crew works, has social / familial obligations. Shoot, a few of them moonlight in various odds and ends working as recording artists, toy designers, even teachers. In the end, it is precisely this working class ethic that binds us together and allows the love to shine through. The sweat makes it all worthwhile.

So coming next, an interview with Mark Nonestied, township historian, author, television host and all around gentleman scholar. We will be filming at the museum in the historic village of Old Bridge.

After Mark, we aim to film Melanie Rodriguez, the first lady of Ginkers.

Postings to follow along with updated pics.

Brief Hiatus From Filming

2008-08-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

After some great filming these last few weeks and months, Rucksack Films and the "Ginkers" production will be on a brief hiatus to enjoy the last 2 weeks of summertime before wrapping in early fall.

Stay tuned for details and thanks for reading...

This Weekend's Shoot

2008-08-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

We returned to East Brunswick on Saturday, former home of many Ginkers who found themselves at the Brunswick Square Mall on a Friday night, sucking down an Orange Julius outside of Farrells, perhaps on their way from the arcade to Movie City 5 to catch a movie or maybe just a make-out session with that girl from Lit. class.

After converting a garage into a set for the second time, we breezed through our third session with John Matthews. While John wasn't quite a Ginker, he lived through the heyday and had first-hand contact with many of them. He also retains an almost encyclopedic knowledge of all things that are Jersey and burnout / metal related. He shed light on the often confusing connection between metalheads and video gaming, choosing to remember a Journey video game, Satan's Hollow, and finally, Crystal Castle as favorites for the burnout set.

Our next shoots will take us toward the end of filming. We have been at it for 6 months now and have amassed a startling array of footage that we now have to edit into a finished product. Stay tuned for updates here and perhaps even a mention of some clips or festivals where we plan on showing the film.

From the classroom to the screen

2008-08-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Herman Alber, (pictured) grew into a Ginker at the peak time of metal and burnout culture: 1983-1986. Growing up on the outlaw rockabilly music of early Elvis and Waylon Jennings, Herman found Iron Maiden and the new metal acts to be of the same rebellious ilk and was soon forging a connection that has lasted his whole life.

He found us through myspace and after a quick call to my sister who graduated with him, and who urged me to talk with him, I invited him to be a featured subject.

During an afternoon shoot in late January, he regaled us for several hours with the perils of choosing cheerleaders as love interests, how to safely escape a 'pit party', and the basic music pedigree of Ginkers.

From the classroom to the screen

2008-08-03T11:48:00.000-07:00

Herman Alber, (pictured) was swept into the tide of metal burnout culture when still a young teen. He grew up as a son to a father who was steeped in the rockabilly outlaw music of early Elvis and Waylon Jennings. When it was his own time to find something rebellious, young Herman chose Iron Maiden.

Herman found us on Myspace and quickly found himself as one of our featured subjects. In an interview that spanned several hours, he held forth on the perils of "pit parties', choosing cheerleaders as love interests, and the rawness of being known as a Ginker.

Metal Memories, Part 3

2008-07-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

Today's post is courtesy of a Ginker who shall not be named for reasons that will become obvious when reading, though I am certain the statute of limitations on teen indiscretion has long since passed.

"...we went to see Ozzy & Metallica (we saw Cliff!!!) at Nassau Coliseum - via limo - brian a. and brian h. also went - it was brian h. who paid for the tickets & car service - not quite a limo - but we were 14 & 15 smoking pot in the car driven by an off duty cop..."

Short and sweet. Thanks.

An OG for the documentary

2008-07-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

I was walking through downtown Keyport some months back and overheard someone with a raspy and lilting voice talk in rapid-fire staccato about how Judas Priest was the greatest band in the world and how when he was young, he once gave his left testicle for a chance to hear them play live. I finished my iced tea and approached this man. He was taller than average, full-bodied in a way that you would imagine Grover Cleveland or Walt Whitman as being. With dark silver long hair, a wispy beard and a corn cob pipe, he looked me up and down. I uttered a few broken phrases regarding metal and documentaries and he shook my hand. It was large. He was in.

Scott was the first subject to be interviewed. His shoot lasted over 5 hours and was epic in terms of how quickly and how clearly he re-booted over 25 years of personal metal memories for the two cameras, "Metal girls are better in bed anyway." His only request that cold January afternoon, "The largest bottle of Mountain Dew available by law." Well played, Scott. Well played.

He imbibed his Dew and we all we were played a little metal tune that we shall never forget.

Another Metal Memory

2008-07-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

This one is from Autumn:

"Racing bondo wagons (old cars halfway through a paintjob: Novas, Chevelles, Camaros) on the Parkway, blasting Judas Priest, and banging a U-ey...at the center Roy Rogers reststop (to avoid paying the toll) - aaahhh... free fun! I always enjoyed 'Manhunt' in the cemetery - crews of us would converge and 'team up', but most of us didn't want to be found - we were just glad to 'make-out' behind the gravestones (nice, romantic evening for a metal chick!) Also, cruising down Iago Road in the dark (turning off the car's lights) and looking for 'trolls' in the shadows - you had to be 'in the right mindset' (if you know what I mean). Just wanted to share some fond memories...thanks to your site for reminding me of those fun times - ha!" Autumn

Thanks to you, Autumn for the story.

Meet the Rucksack Films Family

2008-07-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

I would be remiss if I didn't dedicate at least one post to the crew of Rucksack Films. We formed a few years back when Matt Ziegler and Eric Mosher, both cameramen and tech masters, joined on to what was truly a ship in a storm. Within those first 2 years, we saw several crew members fade into the horizon as we stayed strong and weathered some hurricanes together. Alex "Donut Grease" Burke joined on board as our resident den mother and make-up artist and was instantly absorbed into the family. With Bill "Sam Spade" Schlavis on sound engineering rounding out the core group, the Rucksack Films crew was finally ready to begin work in earnest.

I also want to acknowledge the assistance of several people that have helped us over the last few years in so many ways...Emily Webster, Vince Carpio, Jennie Babos and Mike Pazian.

This photo was taken on-set and includes, from left to right: Alex Burke, Rob Thorp, Bill Schlavis, Matt Ziegler. Separate photo is of Eric Mosher.

Lair of the Ginkers

2008-07-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

This past weekend a portion of the Rucksack crew braved heat and wild in order to capture more metal love on film.

With our two cameramen in tow, and our subject and Ginker anthropologist (picture, circa 84') John Matthews leading the way through bramble and thicket, we were able to arrive at several metal locations.

First, we trespassed on some exposed wetlands and found the now infamous, "Lair of the Ginkers." Replete with 'Metal Head' and 'Slayerville' tags made some 25 years ago, we uncovered the old sewer drain wall art like Geraldo Rivera finding Al Capone's vault. We moved on to Frost Woods, named for the transcendental American Poet, and found our own communion with nature to be quite different. Upon entry to the forest, we were greeted by a used condom and a demolished bicycle placed neatly in the limbs of tree, perhaps a warning that metal harbingers were know to once roam freely under the cover of dense growth.

After the woods, we finally arrived at an old reservoir that was frequented in the 1980's by those burnouts and metal gods seeking a little protection from the summer sun and to distance themselves from the law as well. We quickly crossed some rusty train tracks that reminded us of the back Harlow road from Stand By Me and were no sooner ensconced within the dense and wild grass and thorns of the Jersey swampland. We came across some satanic graffiti, a dead possum and a few more relics of note. However it was John's recollections of stolen bikes, leeches and fear that were the true gems of the day. Matt also regaled us with stories of diving into eel infested waters that fit nicely into the natural theme of the day.

Thanks to the Rucksack Films crew for braving the Jersey heat and to John for sticking his neck out at work in order to deliver the metal goods.

Metal Memories, Part 1

2008-07-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

We get a lot of contact from metal lovers and other fans of the documentary. Some take the form of stories from the past. I will try and post 1 a week, unedited for grammar or spelling.

This is one such tale...Today's story comes to us from Glen.

"I was a long hair who went to East Brunswick Vo-Tech 86-90. The only times I heard the term ginker is when it was referred to a 1967-81 Camaro with primer spots and oversized tires in the back. Most of them had miss matched wheels from front to back. We called them "ginker Camaros." I would say 98% these cars were driven by dudes with mullets, maybe that was the connection..."

Thanks Glen, for the message.

Welcome to the Ginker documentary

2008-07-22T16:56:00.001-07:00

Born in the early 1980's from a mixture of 70's swagger and 80's punk attitude, the Ginker was truly an American archetype forged in the fiery suburbs of Jersey. With latchkey freedom and Jersey safety, the metal and burnout culture of the teenage years provided ample latitude for these young men and women to become the preeminent icons of defiance and hard rock culture.

Most hailed from working class families newly arrived in the burbs from Bayonne, The Bronx, Jersey City, and beyond. Families looking for their edge of the American dream found it in the quiet jogging trails and soccer fields that existed throughout the various exits off of the Turnpike. With their sons and daughters provided with some relative safety and a measure of distance from their working parents who made the work commutes back to the cities they left, these families were creating the very breeding ground for teen rebellion; boredom and time.

As these kids grew to young adults with the haze of the 1970's drug culture still clinging to the air, they found arcades, all-night diners and schoolyards to be perfect places for secluded pot smoking, beer swilling, and acting out their newly created metal fantasies. For some, growing their hair long and donning leather and denim was an act of fashion rebellion, for others, it was the equivalent of Batman finding his suit hanging and ready; finally something that fit and fulfilled them.

After finding themselves on the outsides of most circles, the Metal kid eventually became what most limenal dwellers became, mainstream. In the middle 80's with the popularization of MTV and video culture, some Metal music filtered into the airwaves and with bands like Metallica and Judas Priest regularly selling out concert halls, kids with long hair and leather vests were suddenly everywhere.

And as hard as they fought for some respect, watered down acts created in corporate boardrooms selling metal light to teenage girls began to overtake the harder acts. Still more damage was done in the early 90's with the advent of grunge.

These actions only pushed the true metal diehards further to the outside. And for years they remained there...like a hulking beast, awaiting a return to feed...

With the production of the Ginker's documentary, we set about to tell the metal story unvarnished and spoken to us as an oral history of a recently departed past. We found some metal lovers still actively courting fate with their unchanged lifestyle. Others, rehabilitated and living the normal life. We even managed to find a new generation of metalheads at times more dark and more rebellious than their counterparts, some 25 years removed.

With our filming close to complete, we will track our progress here, covering festivals, production information, and other bits of metal mayhem.

Stay tuned.

Thanks!

2007-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for contacting Rucksack Films! We'll get back to you shortly.

About the "Ginkers" Documentary

2007-06-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

Conceived as a love letter to the 1980s subculture of metal-heads that roamed malls and parking lots in New Jersey, Ginkers eventually became a feature-length project that has shown at local film festivals and gained an avid and loyal following online.

The popularity of this relatively small project is owed in part to the resurgence and nostalgia for anything 1980s. However, unlike most 80s films and productions, Ginkers lacks much of the ironic snarkiness and instead relies on the moments of comedy and truth that are delivered through the unvarnished stories and lives of its subjects.

The film wrapped production in 2009 and is currently in post. A summer 2010 release is planned.

Contact

2007-06-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

For questions or comments, email:

Rucksackfilms@gmail.com.

Or just fill out the form below...

Links

2007-06-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Home.

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Script Coverage

2007-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Rucksack Films script coverage is provided by professionally certified instructors who hold national and state certifications in English Education as well as Masters degrees in their coursework.

Each with a rich background in film and editing, your reader will offer both large and small-scale recommendations for your project.

Because each project is different, we offer sliding scale fees based on a number of factors including length of project and budget. To discuss your project and receive a quote for coverage, please email Rob at rucksackfilms at gmail dot com.

About Rucksack Films Studio

2007-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Rucksack Films began its life in the early years of 2000 in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

While creating a series of short films with friends the idea sprang forth to create a small independent company that would allow privately created films to see the light of day.

Over the next 4 years, Rob began writing both feature-length screenplays as well as producing what would eventually become the Ginkers documentary. With a fully realized crew consisting of Matt Ziegler (camera), Eric Mosher (camera/editor) and Bill Schlavis (sound engineer), the company began production on the Ginker film in 2006.

After several test screenings at local film festivals the film wrapped production in 2009 and is currently in post-production.

Rucksack Films has an arsenal of feature-length screenplays that will be unveiled and produced in the coming years.