Monitor Gray is now available at Amazon Studios, a division of Amazon.com that develops television shows, produces and distributes films from online submissions and crowd-sourced feedback. Started in 2010, scripts for television and film are submitted through online submissions where they are reviewed and rated by other readers in a crowd-source fashion, and/or by Amazon staff.

Watch Monitor Gray now …

Monitor Gray is live.

“Back to the U.S. after living and conducting MSc research in South Africa since March 2014, I am eager to again work on Monitor Gray. I have 3 weeks remaining to complete my thesis, then begin work on two new films: a new documentary about astronomy, and work with Paul Sutter on www.songofthestars.org. Both exciting projects.

I have yet to push Monitor Gray in the public domain as I have not yet decided upon the best launch vehicle. Once that is done, given the feedback, I will consider pursuing a feature film.

If anyone has a favourite, on-line sci-fi channel or venue for sci-fi shorts, please message me via this forum and I will review. Thank you!” –kai

All festivals have returned their selections. Monitor Gray was not selected for any additional festivals. I am not surprised nor disappointed, as it is an unusual creation, neither a trailer nor a short film, but a teaser, the intro to what would be a feature.

I am now looking for places to launch Monitor Gray, for its first public viewing.

Update on film festival submissions: 7 rejections, 2 accepted, 5 undecided. Decisions dates for outstanding festivals are as follows: Jan 26, Feb 1, Feb 10, April 2, and Aug 17. I will not submit to any new festivals which take us beyond August, as I will be eager to release Monitor Gray into the public domain for viewing pleasure.

I do not take the rejection / acceptance rate, thus far, to be negative. Films are often submitted to dozens of festivals before accepted, before momentum is built. What’s more, Monitor Gray is a little odd in that it is neither a short story nor a teaser, but what is designed to be the opening of a feature film.

There is a circuit for this kind of film, in which Monitor Gray will do well, I believe.

The A3F returns to a traditional film festival format tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15 with free parking, complimentary drinks and movie snacks with each paid ticket:
What: 9 Arizona Short, Docs, and more
Where: Burton Library, 1221 N Central, Lecture Room, 4th Floor
When: Wednesday, October 15, 6-8pm
Tickets: www.thea3f.net/short2014/screening1.html

Thursday, October 16, Monitor Gray will screen with 7 other films:
What: 8 Competition Shorts
Where: AMC Arizona Center, 565 North 3rd Street, Phoenix
When: Thursday, October 16, 5-7 pm (continues to 10 pm)
Tickets: www.thea3f.net/short2014/screening2.html

From 7-8 pm, Chris Leps, veteran Hollywood stuntman and stunt-double for Johnny Depp will shares his insight on the current climate of the industry and review the many avenues filmmakers can explore in this digital age. More at www.thea3f.net/short2014/chrisleps.html

The evening’s main event is the Directors Showcase:
What: 8 Short Films from around the world
Where: AMC Arizona Center, 565 North 3rd Street, Phoenix
When: Thursday, October 16, 8-10 pm
Tickets: www.thea3f.net/short2014/screening3.html

Support the A3F. Meet Johnny Depps’ stuntman. Watch 25 films.

What better way to spend two evenings?

To date: 2 accepted, 4 rejected film festival viewings. Not bad overall. Another dozen in the running, taking us into 2015. I will continue to submit Monitor Gray to new film festivals through the close of this year.

I am proud to announce that Monitor Gray will screen at the Almost Famous Film Festival‘s October 16 public viewing of 8 shorts, selected from entries around the world.

When: Thursday, October 16, 5-7 pm (continues to 10 pm)
Where: AMC Arizona Center, 565 North 3rd Street, Phoenix
Tickets: www.thea3f.net/short2014/screening2.html

The A3F has this year returned to a traditional film festival format and it looks outstanding! 2 days. 3 screenings. 25 films in total from Hollywood to New York, United Kingdom to New Zealand to Taiwan.

Following the short film screening in which Monitor Gray will play, Chris Leps, veteran Hollywood stuntman and stunt-double for Johnny Depp will share his insight on the current climate of the industry, and review the many avenues filmmakers can explore in this digital age.

What’s more, the 72 hour “Fright Fest Challenge” kicks-off October 10!

More at www.thea3f.net/short2014/homepage.html

The Underground Film Festival, Cork, Ireland, provided the world premiere of Monitor Gray.

Thank you for this unique opportunity and the first, public screening!

I am pleased to share that Monitor Gray has been submitted to a dozen film festivals across the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland, and South Africa. It has, to date, been accepted to the Almost Famous Film Festival, Phoenix, Arizona and the Underground Short Film Festival in Cork, Ireland.

Acceptance deadlines for the other festivals have not yet come due, so we wait in anticipation for the coming deadlines between now and November. I will continue to research and submit to additional festivals in the coming months.