Holiday Greetings from Elvis Frost!

Wishing you a Christmas & New Year filled with Magic….
and a whole lot of ROCK & ROLL!!

For more BLUE Christmas… www.GetPaulHoward.com/blue

Paul
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Holiday Wishes from California (and EZ Productions)

December seems to be quite the month!!! 
Why?  Well because I have even more exciting news....and this on the heels of all my other exciting news!!
-Premiering my holiday card, Blue Christmas, and all the goodies that come with it (Video Version, Behind the Scenes, Alternate images, and an interactive website you can see at GetPaulHoward.com/Blue)
-The announcement that you can now purchase a DVD version of my dark comedy short film, 'sauce'
-The other announcement (and goal setting) to get my short holiday film, Everything Twas, to reach 5000 views by January 1st, 2015

Well, there's another exciting thing happening....Today is the world premiere of the final +EZ-Productions Promo, appropriately titled, "Holidays"

As you hopefully know by now, we've been premiering these monthly promos throughout 2014.  The promos (written and directed by me) have been a blast to work on, both while we filmed and in post production.  I'm proud of them all individually and as a complete "story"

And now, I'm very pleased to release this final one, and maybe a little sad...I can't believe this is it! The last one! Time really does fly!

I hope you enjoy, "Holidays" and I wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays!!

Paul
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You’ve heard Blue Christmas, but have you SEEN it?

Dear Friends, Family, Fans, and Followers (all my "F's")

It is here!  Finally!  My 2014 Holiday Card!! 
After all the clues and hints and teasers and waiting… it’s finally time to officially reveal this year’s image online!!!

As always, I look at these holiday cards as my way of thanking all the amazing people in my life.  A gift to them but also a holiday gift to the world!  My special way of hopefully spreading a little bit of holiday cheer and magic!

A sincere thanks to all the amazing people in my life.  Those new this year and those that continue to be a part of my life.  I appreciate you all.

Also, very special thanks to the truly phenomenal team of talented and true artists, that worked on this year’s card and helped make it so special!!  Thank you for helping to realize my blue vision.

And as a special treat, I am not only premiering my awesome holiday card image...but also premiereing "extra" treats!
Specifically I am, right now, also premiering a video version of the card, a behind the scenes video, and an amazing interactive website page!! In fact, GO THERE NOW!!  Or scroll down, check out the photos first and THEN go there! ;)

www.GetPaulHoward.com/Blue

 I told you 2014 would be EPIC.  Well check it out for yourself!!  I think you'll agree.....

Now, with no further ado, I’d like to officially premiere my 2014 Holiday Card image….. Blue Christmas!

Why dream of a white Christmas, when you could have a blue one?

Happy Holidays!!!

Paul
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(Front)

(Back)

(Video Version of Blue Christmas)



(Behind the Scenes of Blue Christmas)


Behind the Scenes of Blue Christmas from Paul Howard on Vimeo.

Some Saucy News....

Big...
Exciting....
Awesome ...
SAUCY NEWS....

My short film, Sauce (verb): to make agreeable or less harsh is available, for the first time, to purchase on DVD!
That's right... the award winning dark comedy short film has completed it's festival circuit and is now available to be seen on DVD.  This is the ONLY way to see the film.  It is currently not available online or anywhere else!

So pre order your copy today!! (the film will be released 2/2015)

Be entertained and support independent film making at the same time!

Order Sauce on DVD here!


Paul
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Just a tease...

It is November 1st, 2014!  Do you know what that means?
The countdown to the official reveal of my 2014 Holiday Card has begun!

This year I figured I'd do something special for you all (I got to keep raising my game, right?!).  So I have a Holiday Video Teaser for you!
Yup, you read that right... I have a Video Teaser for my 2014 Holiday card!!  What?  That's totally normal!  To have a video teaser, teasing your holiday card!
Hey, if you are going to go to all this trouble... you might as well blow it out of the park, right?

I wanted to also take a moment to thank all the amazing teams I've worked with over the past 7 years!  Teams who have added their time and creativity and helped me create these amazing images! I can't believe I've been doing these Holiday cards for that long now!  Time really does fly!

In alphabetical order, the amazing peeps involved with THIS year's image and the previous six years!  Thank you!

Walter Barnett, Laura Basci, Ann Benson, Jamie Dedeaux, Katie Elhoffer, Jodi Jeffers, Lara-Noelle Kay, Nicole Kent, Camille LaBry, Ricky Middlesworth, Frankie Payne, Stuart Pettican, Mark Reyes, Brett Richards, Gavin Rolph, Brenda Salome Salamone, Mike Thomas, Ettore Zuccarelli

I hope you enjoy the teaser!  Please stay tuned for more "clues" and the reveal of 2014's Holiday card in December!!

Paul
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See the teaser on Viemo:
 
Paul Howard's 2014 Holiday Card Teaser from Paul Howard on Vimeo.



Or, see the teaser on YouTube:



*Behind the scenes photos from Paul's Holiday Cards over the years.....

Blended Holidays

Maybe you haven't noticed... but the holidays really have started to blend together...
Christmas is already being sold and marketed well before Halloween has even happened.  Thanksgiving is just the moderator in between Halloween and Christmas, trying to keep them separate but failing and in the process almost completely ignored as the two power house holidays battle it out for your attention and for your money (I mean Black Friday is probably more "popular" as far as holidays go then Thanksgiving now!).
I guess Disney has known for years what's really up (don't they always)... it really is the Nightmare Before Christmas!

In that spirit, I share this great gif!  Happy Halloween (almost).  Happy Countdown to Christmas.

Happy Paulidays!

Paul
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Feeling like you want some more PAULIDAYS?

Well click HERE for Halloween Themed Paulidays....
OR
Click HERE for Christmas Themed Paulidays!

Film Fun Fact....

Did you know that the beautiful ceramic Christmas trees featured in my films, Everything As Is and Everything Twas can be purchased!!?! That's right! Your very own, handmade ceramic, made in the USA with skill and love, can be all yours!  No movie magic about that....

But here is something that's pretty magical, and something you may not be aware of, Texas Hill Country Ceramics & Gifts generously DONATED multiple trees to our films!! 

Help me support a company who supports others!! Pay it forward and get your very own "Twas Tree"!

The holidays are just around the corner after all...

To find out more, go to their website, http://www.texashillcountryceramics.com/

Also, become a Fan of Texas Hill Country Ceramics & Gifts on Facebook HERE

Thanks and if you do purchase your own Twas tree, take a pic and please be sure to share it with me!!  I'll feature it on the Everything Twas fanpage!! 



Paul
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See Everything As Is and Everything Twas on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/getpaulhoward

It's Christmas in August!

Why not, right?

As summer comes to its eventually (and sad) end.  I figured, why not add a little Holiday Magic to your Summer heat!??  Right?  Do you feel me?

I don't know.... maybe it's because I've begun working on 2014's Holiday Card, and so I have snow and holiday cheer on the mind?  Or... maybe it's because I'm over heated from these summer temperatures?  Who knows!?
But either way....I felt like it was a great time to share my holiday short film, Everything Twas again.  If you haven't seen it yet, or even if you have, cool down, check it out!
Enjoy, and celebrate some holiday cheer....in August!

Paul
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"I wonder where you are...."

Well, wonder no more!  HELLO can now easily be found, both on YouTube AND NOW on Vimeo!!

Haven't seen HELLO on YouTube yet?  Well now there is NO excuse to not check out my short film/music video hybrid!! No excuse!
The film Hello creatively uses Lionel Richie's iconic song of the same name to tell a new and surprising story.
I am very proud of the results and of my team!  I've been so thankful for all the kind words and people sharing their thoughts and opinions with me!  Join the conversation!  I would love to hear your thoughts after you watch Hello!!
Also, be sure to check out my previous blog chatting about HELLO and it's content HERE
*Please be advised, Hello contains PG CONTENT!!

Paul
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HELLO from Paul Howard on Vimeo.

High Strung plays my hometown!

EXCITING NEWS!! (especially for all my Sacramento Friends and Family):
The short film, High Strung (directed by John Gehrke), that I have a part in and stars Tommy Cooley with Hair & Makeup by Simply Vanity by Lara-Noelle has been accepted to another film festival! This time, the film will be playing in my hometown at the Sacramento Film & Music Festival (shockingly, it's the FIRST TIME I've ever had a film play in Sacramento!?!?)
High Strung plays at 10pm on Saturday, August 23rd as part of their "late night" short group!! It will be playing at the AMAZING Crest Theater, and I'm hoping my local peeps will go and support it and the team!! (The fact that it's playing at The Crest Theatre is reason alone to go see it!! I love the Crest!)
Go to their website, http://www.sacfilm.com/ for more info and tickets!! 

*Unfortunately, I myself will not be able to attend (I'll be out of the country on another project) but I'm looking forward to hearing all about it from those who attend!!

Paul
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Officially ended.

The Heisted Kickstarter campaign has officially ended, and we did not make our goal.
To the 38 individuals, in total, who, with action supported and pledged to Heisted, I want to personally and sincerely thank you.  Thank you for supporting my project.  I know each and every one of your names and will always remember and be grateful for your support.
I also want to say, to those 38 backers, that this is not the end of Heisted.  This is just the end for now.  The silver lining is that the idea of Heisted has been created, and that can’t be undone.  Heisted will someday, in a different way, be made.

To everyone, I believe creativity and art must be supported…financially.  Artists make their art for the love of it and for you to enjoy, to be challenged by, stimulated, inspired, and to be entertained.  This process is not free of cost.  An audience has a responsibility in this process.  Even in this digital age of ours, content-good content-costs money to make.
Why should art be consumed at no cost to the viewer and at all cost to the artist?

Remember to dream.  Remember to follow your dreams (with action). 
Remember that dreaming is where everything tangible and real was born.
Keep the Faith.

I do.

Paul
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Why June 25th? The Lionel Richie & Michael Jackson connection.

Is It Me You're Looking For?

I'm very excited and proud to announce that my short film/music video hybrid, Hello, has premiered on YouTube!
The project is based on Lionel Richie's song of the same name and has been an idea I've had for over two years.  However, due to the fact that the music was copyrighted and there were no obvious forums to present it, I just held on to it.  Waiting.
When Heisted first came into play, and the Kickstarter campaign that would come with it, I suddenly saw a reason and place for Hello.  It seemed like a perfect fit.  We would shoot Hello, as a complete and fully separate project... or film, and it will exist as that forever, but we would also ultimately use it as a sort of Trailer, for Heisted.  To show people what we were capable of as a creative team in the hopes that they would join our campaign and pledge to it!  (Speaking of, to find out more information on Heisted and to pledge click HERE)
We filmed Hello in London while I was there and shot it to appear like New York City.  I know!  I'm the only guy who goes to London to shoot it like NYC!
It worked perfectly though, and the city easily doubled for America!  The look and feel I wanted for Hello was perfectly captured and I'm excited by all the creative choices we made, including to shoot it in the UK!

The MJ Connection

To answer this, you have to first understand something about me.  Something that is about me as an individual but also about me as an artist...
I think the format of the music video is a perfect format for storytelling.  The possibilities are truly endless!  You get to do it all!!  You are limited by nothing!  Not like television, or film.  You can have characters singing and not call it a musical.  You can have them acting or dancing or both!  Using Music, Singing, Acting, Dancing, and any visual tool you can throw at it, like animation, cinematography, visual special effects, makeup, choreography, and costuming, you can create an amazing, original, and totally unique story.  No limits!
I have always had a deep respect for not only the format of music videos but the artists, both in front of the camera and behind it, who have created truly iconic stories and experiences!  Plus, I am and have been, personally inspired my music videos.  I have been struck with awe, I have cried, I have laughed, I have held my mouth wide open in shock and amazement.  All things that music videos have made me feel.  They are more then a music video though, they are an experience, or as Michael Jackson referred to them, they are "Mini Movies"!

  

Inside My Mind

Like many people I have loved the Lionel Richie song Hello for years.  An AMAZING pop song, and in my opinion, one of the best pop songs of all time.  A love song to many, but I was struck by the lyrics:

I've been alone with you
Inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips
A thousand times
I sometimes see you
Pass outside my door
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
'cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love you

I was immediately struck with the message, underneath the beautiful, poetry, and love song pop lyrics.  There is something darker, something sinister underneath the simplicity.  It's there in the music too.  Listen for it.  Something stalking.  A repetitive "drumming" of the piano.  A repetitive note.  Like torture.  Even Lionel's voice has a whisper to it, a haunting feel.  Desperate.  Loving, yes, but something more.
"I wonder where you are...Are you somewhere feeling lonely, Or is someone loving you" He sings.  Why does he wonder?  Does he know her?  Have they ever actually met?
And then he says to me the line that sums everything up, "But let me start by saying, I love you."
Start.  He'll start there.  Having possibly never met, the first thing he tells her is that he loves her.  Even for pop music this is fairly unnerving.
Armed with these questions and thoughts, I began to imagine a new music video for the song.  An updated, mini movie, that would tell a new story but still remain respectful and true to the source material.  After breaking down the lyrics, original music video, and music, I would create a treatment that is pretty darn close to the video you can watch today on YouTube.  The courtship, and discovery, the beginnings of love and obsession, to the disappointment and betrayal to the final retribution.  I was inspired by many music videos, many specifically from the eighties.  George Michael's Father Figure being a main one.  However, we specifically used elements and references from Lionel Richie's Hello too, as a tribute.  Plus, it felt appropriate to "re imagine" elements of not just his song and lyrics, but his music video.

 

June 25th

Like most things with me, everything is for a specific reason.  Nothing is arbitrary.  June 25th is no expection, and with it the explanation of the Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson tie in.....
June 25th, 2014 is the five year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death and I believed, what better way to honor him then releasing Hello on this date.  Michael and Lionel were friends and worked together on most famously, We Are the World, so I felt like the date would be approriate for a tribute to Lionel too.

And there you have it.  Hello.  My inspiration, my hopes, the whens, wheres, and whys!  Now, with no further ado... I hope you will check out HELLO and if you are entertained by it, please like it, and please share it, and very importantly, please consider checking out our HESITED kickstarter campaign.

Thank you!

Paul
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Three so far. Tomorrow makes Four.

Hopefully you've heard about the EZ Productions Promos by now...
We've released three so far, and all three have reached over a 1000 views each on YouTube!!  The reaction has been amazing!

The promos were created for Ettore Zuccarelli and his Production company, EZ Productions.  They feature him, and a whole bunch of other "characters" (even some of the Celebrity type!).  The promos are directed and written by Yours Truly and are edited by Gareth Fient.

Tomorrow we'll premiere the newest one, SPECIFICS.  Check out all of the ones you've missed so far (plus the EZ PROMO Teaser) at the EZ PRODUCTIONS YouTube page, and see the newest one, Specifics, tomorrow, June 24th!

Paul
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The EZ PROMO TEASER

Do you know what TODAY is??!?

Well yes, it IS Father’s Day (Happy Father's Day!)… but besides that, do you know what else today is....?
Um...ok... YES, it is ALSO the season finale of Game of Thrones tonight!!

BUT, besides Father's Day & Game of Thrones finale, do you know what today is?!?!?!
Today is the first day of the Heisted Kickstarter Campaign!!  From today, and for the next 40 days, we will be trying to get enough funding to meet our goal.
Please, please, PLEASE check out our Kickstarter page NOW and spread the word….

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/getpaulhoward/heisted

Paul
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The HELLO Teaser Trailer PREMIERES!

Exciting news....
The teaser trailer, for my next project, "Hello", has premiered!

See it now, and be sure to LIKE it, share it, and subscribe to my youtube channel, so you don't miss the WORLD PREMIERE of "Hello" on June 25th, 2014!!

Facebook Users can also RSVP to our EVENT on Facebook HERE!!

Enjoy and thank you for your support!!

Paul
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Funny Bunny

Just in time for.... well, let's be honest, do the EZ Productions Promos need to be in time for anything specific?  This one does just happen to be in time for Easter!

I'm proud to introduce the newest EZ Productions Promo...."Wardrobe."  I directed and wrote it and am once again, very proud of the final product!

Special thanks to Ettore Zuccarelli, Peet's Coffee, Brett Richards, Jamie Dedeaux, and Paulo Rocha

Post Work (including editing, sound, & color correction) by: Gareth Fient

Produced by: Ettore Zuccarelli & Paul Howard For EZ PRODUCTIONS and WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE? PRODUCTIONS

Shot in VALLEY VILLAGE, CA and STUDIO CITY, CA

*Shot entirely with the GoPro Hero3 Camera

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to EZ Productions on YouTube and check back for a new promo EVERY month for the rest of 2014!
** Coming in May "Talent" and in June "Specifics" **

*Special thanks to all the talented cast of "characters" appearing (or soon appearing) throughout our monthly promos:
(In Alphabetical Order)
Jeffery Acoff, Aaron Bauer, Carmine Bicchetti, Sonia Chopra, Igor Corbe, Marcia Cross, Patrick Dempsey, Matt H. Erdems, Edy Ganem, Victor Garber, Whoopi Goldberg, Nate Hoffman, Paul Howard, Felicity Huffman, JoJo the Donkey, Katie the Monkey, Tatiana Kaufman, Eva Longoria, Lotus the Lamb, Linda Medvene, Yanis Onkes, Ana Oritz, Dania Ramirez, Arielle Raycene, Judy Reyes, Brett Richards, Paulo Rocha, Rebecca Romijn, Roselyn Sanchez, Nicolette Sheridan, Susie the Elephant, Dennis Tong (aka Lucky Madison)

For All of Ettore's EZ Adventures, Follow Him...
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/cha...
And On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EZ_Prod...

Be sure to check "Wardrobe" out now on the EZ Productions YouTube Channel:




Paul
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Easter Bunny FUN (behind the scene photos):

What's important about March 31st? The answer is EZ!!

What's important about today you ask?  What's so important about March 31st, 2014?
Well, the answer is... EZ!!

EZ Productions, that is!!

Yup, today is the day, I'm excited to announce, that the first EZ Productions: A Day in the Life premieres!!  The first promo, titled "Normal" was written and directed by me.
It was truly a pleasure to direct the talented cast and crew and I am so pleased and excited with the results!!  See "Normal" by scrolling down and clicking below!

I am also super excited to announce that each month, for the rest of 2014, we will be releasing another new and different promo!  Celebrities, behind the scenes, entertainment industry antics, educational videos, animals, and more!!  There are tons of surprises left...so be sure to subscribe to EZ Productions on YouTube HERE and don't miss a single promo!!

Thank you to everyone who helped create this promo and all the others!!  Please take a moment to check out the credits below, the team deserves the acknowledgement!!  And then, enjoy.... NORMAL!

Paul
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EZ Productions: A Day in the Life
"Normal"

DIRECTED BY: PAUL HOWARD

Featuring the talents of:
Ettore Zuccarelli and Sonia Chopra

Director of Photography: Marc Wiercioch
1st AD: Jamie Dedeaux
2nd AD: Chase Alexander
Script Supervisor: Brett Richards
Sound by: Matt Thompson
2nd AC: Andrew Cho
Hair & Makeup by: Garret Gervais & CJ Neal
Wardrobe by: Linda Medvene & Sarpreet Gill
Set Dec. & Props by: Josh Paul Thomas & Joseph Mauceri
Photographer: Nate Hoffman
Animal Trainers: Mike Morris Jr & Madara Stinkuls
Production Assistant: Paulo Rocha

*Special thanks to all the talented cast of "characters" appearing (or soon appearing) throughout our monthly promos:
(In Alphabetical Order)
Jeffery Acoff, Aaron Bauer, Carmine Bicchetti, Sonia Chopra, Igor Corbe, Marcia Cross, Patrick Dempsey, Matt H. Erdems, Edy Ganem, Victor Garber, Whoopi Goldberg, Nate Hoffman, Paul Howard, Felicity Huffman, JoJo the Donkey, Katie the Monkey, Tatiana Kaufman, Eva Longoria, Lotus the Lamb, Linda Medvene, Yanis Onkes, Ana Oritz, Dania Ramirez, Arielle Raycene, Judy Reyes, Brett Richards, Paulo Rocha, Rebecca Romijn, Roselyn Sanchez, Nicolette Sheridan, Susie the Elephant, Dennis Tong (aka Lucky Madison)

Written by: Paul Howard

Post Work (including editing, sound, & color correction) by: Gareth Fient

Produced by:
Ettore Zuccarelli & Paul Howard

For EZ PRODUCTIONS and WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE? PRODUCTIONS

Shot on location at Quixote Studios, West Hollywood, CA