Indies That Might Not Suck: ‘Opie Gets Laid,’ ‘Hollywood Jerome’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 16:37:41 -0600

CHICAGO – Today’s post is dedicated to three small fries. While many of them never break through, the few who do can rock your world as much if not more than the big boys and girls in Hollywood. I like trying to sniff them out.

I recently received a note from a gentleman named James Ricardo. He suggested for me to put a watchful eye on the soon-to-be-released indie film “Opie Gets Laid”. It was previously titled “Sunnyvale”.

Once you know the new title, he says it’s an “actually funny” comedy with a plot that’s not hard to guess. The film is a dedication to “thanking god for women with low standards”.

I can already see how popular he’s going to be with the estrogen crowd. The men, on the other hand, may be taking copious notes. Here’s a clip from the film.

There will be a Chicago film benefit for “Hollywood Jerome” on June 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 4539 S. King Dr. The film is the 2007 winner of the $100,000 IFP/Chicago Production Fund grant.

“Hollywood Jerome,” which hasn’t yet hit IMDb, is being pushed by Frey Hoffman (director, cinematographer and producer) and Malik Yusef (actor, writer, narrator and producer).

They’re offering complimentary Courvoisier and hors d’oeuvres at the invite-only benefit. As the film is in pre-production, its makers are hoping the benefit will produce admirers who dish out “significant monetary and in-kind contributions”.

I recently interviewed a 16-year-old screenwriter by the name of Sammy S. Scott.

Her publicist – and having one says something (unless it’s her mom) – is pitching her dramedy entitled “Perfect Payback” in the same vein as “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Dazed & Confused”.

Scott, who is a strict vegan and a dedicated animal rights activist, penned the script at the age of 13. I detected hesitancy from her publicist to grant a phone interview as opposed to an e-mail correspondence.

We all have to learn the ropes.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com