| March 13, 2013 Update: This is my 8th-grade visual-effects-intensive adventure/comedy. I filmed the summer before high school, then editing and effects unexpectedly took 14 more months. It’s screened at nine genre festivals including the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) and the Boston Sci Fi Film Festival’s Steampunk’d division. Looking back, I learned: 1) creating a magic Victorian world with effects takes a lot of time 2) don’t forget to think about what your story means before you film it. Original description: Set in a spectacular Victorian world of magic and masquerades, "Molly and the Masked Storm" follows the adventures of stage magician Molly Marlow as she struggles to protect the powers of Merlin from a horde of masked wind demons. Filmed in the summer between 8th grade and high school, the young cast brings drama and humor to remarkable locations found locally or ambitiously constructed in filmmaker Ben Kadie’s backyard. To complete Ben’s vision, he added 14 months of intense editing and 3D visual effects work, bringing to life the film’s glass-shattering, roof-top-jumping fun. Running time: 21 minutes 22 seconds. |
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Morris Snevir (Felix Peaslee) and Serpeggiare (Ben Kadie)
Molly Marlow (Camilla Franklin) and the Stone of Merlin
Serpeggiare (Ben Kadie) at the Docks
The Grande Venisco Variety Theatre
Mr. Venisco (Dylan Forbes), Owner of the Theatre
Claude Altavue (Lorenzo Rossi) with His New Toy
Molly (Camilla Franklin) in the Trophy Room
Serpeggiare (Ben Kadie) and Molly Marlow (Camilla Franklin) near the Docks
Wind Demons Landing
Morris Snevir (Felix Peaslee) by the Windmill
Molly Marlow (Camilla Franklin) on the Roof
Production
Photos
(also see More Production Photos)
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Molly and the Masked Storm
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PollyGrind /
October 11, 2012 / Las Vegas AWARD: Best Under-18 Director |
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Summer Screenings at Comic-Con, Gen Con Indy, & WorldConJuly 8, 2012: This summer, Ben's unconventional films screen at three of the year's biggest fan conventions.On July 15, Secret Club will play at Comic-Con International -- North America's largest comic book and popular arts convention -- as part of the San Diego International Children's Film Festival. Summer filmmaking will keep Ben at home, but his uncle Michael Kadie will be there, driving his world-record holding electric car, in part to get better parking. On August 18, Molly and the Masked Storm will play at Gen Con Indy -- the largest hobby, fantasy, sci-fi and adventure game convention in the world. The father of lead actress Camellia Franklin, Jonathan, will also be there in Indianapolis promoting his well-reviewed new dice game "A Fistful of Penguins", published by Wattsalpoag. Finally, on September 1st, Molly and the Masked Storm will play at Chicon 7, the 70th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon). The convention, started in 1939, is best known for the Hugo Awards to the year's best science fiction or fantasy novel. Ben is grateful to all three conventions for the chance to reach an audience of enthusiastic fans. |
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Molly and the Masked Storm played at Hyart Film Festival on August 11 in Lovell, WY / Newspaper mention |
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Interview on Shriekfest Radio |
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The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival names Molly and the Masked Storm a 2012 “Best WinnerMay 22, 2012: The KIDS FIRST! Film Festival names MOLLY AND THE MASKED STORM a 2012 “Best Winner”. The film was one of three winners in the Student Production High School division. Winners in other divisions include ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (Paramount) and GLEE: SEASON 2 (20th Century Fox). This was Ben’s third nomination and second award. Ben shot this film between 8th grade and high school and then worked more than a year on editing and special effects.Official Review:
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Molly and the Masked Storm @ The Los Angeles Fear and Fantasy Film Festival / May 19 |
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February 23, 2012: |
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Feb 23, 2012: A review by Jay's Movie Blog offers both constructive criticism and "On the other [hand], the cast is junior high-school kids, which makes the not-inconsiderable number of things they do well even more impressive." |
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Molly and the Masked Storm
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"Best Under-18 Film" at Shriekfest October 6, 2011: On Sunday, Shriekfest (The Los Angeles International Horror/SciFi Festival) held its awards show. For the first award of the evening, Festival director (and Hollywood actress) Denise Gossett announced:
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Molly and the Masked Storm
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Molly and the Masked Storm will show the Syracuse International Horror, SciFi, & Fantasy Film Fest, which is part of the Scare-A-Cuse Convention. It plays on Sept 10th at 3pm. Ben has a lot of family in Syracuse and did some of the film's editing there. |
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Marin County Fest Gives Molly and the Masked Storm Ten Screenings |
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KIDS FIRST! selects "Molly and the Masked Storm" for their film festival of film festivals. This makes it eligible for more 120 venues nationwide that show films selected by KIDS FIRST! Two years ago, Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave went on to earn a KIDS FIRST! "Best Award" nomination. Last year, "Sparks in the Night" went on to win a "Best Award". |
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Molly and the Masked Storm to Premiere at STIFFUpdate: Pictures April 7, 2011: "Molly and the Masked Storm" will premiere at Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (STIFF)
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Molly and the Masked Storm and Mack win Scholastic Regional Gold KeysFeb 3, 2011: The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers today awarded Gold Keys to two Slugco films. The award is the Alliance's highest regional honor. The Alliance has given awards since 1923 to teens such as Truman Capote, Andy Warhol, and Robert Redford. Last year, Sparks in the Night went on to win a national Scholastic Gold Medal and Murder at the Pharaoh's Grave went on to win a national Scholastic Silver Medal. Two years ago, A Friendly Game was the only middle school film to win a national Gold Medal. Students submitted a record-breaking 12,000 works to the region this year. Approximately, 2500 works from the region earned Gold Keys. |
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