CHRYSTAL
This is the movie that Joe is in! It's coming to Market Street April 8th and everyone should go and see it! Then Joe might get to have lunch with Ray (which is a good contact to have as a film major) My mom and I will probably be having a party then too so yeah..everyone should be there.
This is the letter that Ray sent to my mom and I thought that it would be cool for everyone to read.
"HELLO FAMILY, FRIENDS, and COMPLETE STRANGERS:
RAY MCKINNON, Writer/Director of the film CHRYSTAL, here. Now, it is not my nature to send out group E-Mails. However...
THE ANNOUNCEMENT:
When one is announcing the opening of ones very own movie, CHRYSTAL, that my wife, Lisa Blount, and I have spent the last twelve years of our life trying to make (joined by our partner, Walton Goggins, for the last five years) and then we not only do so, but we are about to have our movie released into theatres in eleven cities around the country...
Well, when that amazing dream comes to fruition, one must make the group E-Mail exception. So if, in your data-filled life, you would bear with me a moment, I will explain our glorious plight.
CHRYSTAL, which I wrote and directed, starring Billy Bob Thornton and Lisa Blount, opens April 8th in selected cities. It will continue to expand to other cities in the weeks to follow. Below is a link to the film's web site, explaining the schedule of release in those cities.
http://www.chrystalthemovie.com
So, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMPLETE STRANGERS...
...some of you might know Lisa and I personally. Or Walton. Or you might know our fellow Producers (and friends) Dave Koplan and Bruce Heller. Maybe you are friends of someone in our great ensemble cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Harry Dean Stanton, Grace Zabriskie, Harry Lennix, James Intveld, Kathryn Howell, Colin Fickes, Max Kasch, Eddie King , and Ed Corbin.
Or you know someone from our incredible crew during the production or those many talented craftspeople who have contributed so much in post production.
Still others might be friends and fans of some of the great music featured in our film, like songs by the Drive-By Truckers, Jay Farrar, and the late, great Roscoe Holcolmb. Perhaps even a few of you might know us from our first film, the accountant. And then there are the unfortunate few that know none of us and wish for the days before the internet. Wait. We need you all.
OUR PLIGHT
The plight (and theatrical life) of our film is so dependent upon a healthy attendance during the first weekend of whichever city it is opening in. This will encourage our distributor (First Look Pictures) to continue expanding its release around the country. It will also motivate the theatre owners to continue showing CHRYSTAL for the second week in the city and venue that it is already playing in.
YOUR MISSION (OUR PLEA!):
What we ask of you is simple. Please go see our film. Take a friend or two with you. Buy some popcorn. We are all so proud of this movie and truly believe in this wild and touching ride that is CHRYSTAL. We have faith that people will find this movie-and that this movie will find its audience. We just need a jump start from you... Our family, our friends, and our complete strangers. (Walt suggests that if you can’t make it to a screening then buy a ticket anyway... That’s what he said.)
If our movie and its story speaks to you, we would wish for you to encourage others to go and see it. Be forceful if you have to. Nobody likes violence but for the right cause...
DOOR PRIZES:
Now whoever brings the most people to see CHRYSTAL will win the Grand Prize--a long, free lunch with me. (Or you may choose to have a free lunch alone, depending on which appeals to you more.)
Also, whoever travels the farthest distance to see the film (say some loon travels from Nome, Alaska to Durham, North Carolina to see a matinee.) That person or persons would get to go on a day hike with Walton Goggins and talk about character motivations on his TV show, "The Shield." (Again, an optional solo hike is totally substitutable.)
SERIOUSLY THOUGH...
...we hope that you will make the commitment to see this film. Every sold seat matters. If you can’t make it the first weekend, then go during the week or see it the next weekend. But don’t wait any longer because the distributor is not committing beyond that.
R-RATED
I will mention that CHRYSTAL is a R-rated film and is not suitable for children. In fact, if you do not ever personally see R-rated films then I would suggest reading more about our movie on the web site, and then perhaps not attending yourself. CHRYSTAL is ultimately a story about true love and redemption but not before traveling a sometimes dark and provocative journey towards that end.
PLEASE FORWARD
If you are still with me at this point, I ask that you forward this to a friend. Preface it with some note like.. “These are good people.” Or “I have no idea who these people are.” Or “If you don’t go see this movie, I will break your kneecaps.” I don’t know. I’ll leave that to you.
Just know that me and Lisa and Walton and Dave and Bruce and the now hundreds of folks who have contributed to this movie truly appreciate your support. And in this case, it really matters.
Sincerely, Ray McKinnon
GINNY MULE PICTURES"
This is the letter that Ray sent to my mom and I thought that it would be cool for everyone to read.
"HELLO FAMILY, FRIENDS, and COMPLETE STRANGERS:
RAY MCKINNON, Writer/Director of the film CHRYSTAL, here. Now, it is not my nature to send out group E-Mails. However...
THE ANNOUNCEMENT:
When one is announcing the opening of ones very own movie, CHRYSTAL, that my wife, Lisa Blount, and I have spent the last twelve years of our life trying to make (joined by our partner, Walton Goggins, for the last five years) and then we not only do so, but we are about to have our movie released into theatres in eleven cities around the country...
Well, when that amazing dream comes to fruition, one must make the group E-Mail exception. So if, in your data-filled life, you would bear with me a moment, I will explain our glorious plight.
CHRYSTAL, which I wrote and directed, starring Billy Bob Thornton and Lisa Blount, opens April 8th in selected cities. It will continue to expand to other cities in the weeks to follow. Below is a link to the film's web site, explaining the schedule of release in those cities.
http://www.chrystalthemovie.com
So, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMPLETE STRANGERS...
...some of you might know Lisa and I personally. Or Walton. Or you might know our fellow Producers (and friends) Dave Koplan and Bruce Heller. Maybe you are friends of someone in our great ensemble cast including Billy Bob Thornton, Harry Dean Stanton, Grace Zabriskie, Harry Lennix, James Intveld, Kathryn Howell, Colin Fickes, Max Kasch, Eddie King , and Ed Corbin.
Or you know someone from our incredible crew during the production or those many talented craftspeople who have contributed so much in post production.
Still others might be friends and fans of some of the great music featured in our film, like songs by the Drive-By Truckers, Jay Farrar, and the late, great Roscoe Holcolmb. Perhaps even a few of you might know us from our first film, the accountant. And then there are the unfortunate few that know none of us and wish for the days before the internet. Wait. We need you all.
OUR PLIGHT
The plight (and theatrical life) of our film is so dependent upon a healthy attendance during the first weekend of whichever city it is opening in. This will encourage our distributor (First Look Pictures) to continue expanding its release around the country. It will also motivate the theatre owners to continue showing CHRYSTAL for the second week in the city and venue that it is already playing in.
YOUR MISSION (OUR PLEA!):
What we ask of you is simple. Please go see our film. Take a friend or two with you. Buy some popcorn. We are all so proud of this movie and truly believe in this wild and touching ride that is CHRYSTAL. We have faith that people will find this movie-and that this movie will find its audience. We just need a jump start from you... Our family, our friends, and our complete strangers. (Walt suggests that if you can’t make it to a screening then buy a ticket anyway... That’s what he said.)
If our movie and its story speaks to you, we would wish for you to encourage others to go and see it. Be forceful if you have to. Nobody likes violence but for the right cause...
DOOR PRIZES:
Now whoever brings the most people to see CHRYSTAL will win the Grand Prize--a long, free lunch with me. (Or you may choose to have a free lunch alone, depending on which appeals to you more.)
Also, whoever travels the farthest distance to see the film (say some loon travels from Nome, Alaska to Durham, North Carolina to see a matinee.) That person or persons would get to go on a day hike with Walton Goggins and talk about character motivations on his TV show, "The Shield." (Again, an optional solo hike is totally substitutable.)
SERIOUSLY THOUGH...
...we hope that you will make the commitment to see this film. Every sold seat matters. If you can’t make it the first weekend, then go during the week or see it the next weekend. But don’t wait any longer because the distributor is not committing beyond that.
R-RATED
I will mention that CHRYSTAL is a R-rated film and is not suitable for children. In fact, if you do not ever personally see R-rated films then I would suggest reading more about our movie on the web site, and then perhaps not attending yourself. CHRYSTAL is ultimately a story about true love and redemption but not before traveling a sometimes dark and provocative journey towards that end.
PLEASE FORWARD
If you are still with me at this point, I ask that you forward this to a friend. Preface it with some note like.. “These are good people.” Or “I have no idea who these people are.” Or “If you don’t go see this movie, I will break your kneecaps.” I don’t know. I’ll leave that to you.
Just know that me and Lisa and Walton and Dave and Bruce and the now hundreds of folks who have contributed to this movie truly appreciate your support. And in this case, it really matters.
Sincerely, Ray McKinnon
GINNY MULE PICTURES"