According to sources, Kevin Smith has screened a possibly finished copy of his new horror flick, RED STATE at the film’s wrap party.
The film features a group of teens that become wrapped up in an encounter with a crazed preacher who is the head of an extreme fundamentalist church.
The film has an impressively diverse cast for a Kevin Smith film with it looking like none of his regulars make an appearance. Instead of Affleck, Mewes and is childhood friends they have all been replaced by John Goodman, Melissa Leo, Stephen Root, Kyle Gallner and Kevin Pollak. The film is also a huge departure from his previous films, wallowing in the horror genre rather than the comedic/slacker fest he had found himself so comfortably and tiringly used too.
It is unknown if the film is completely finished with final score etc but Smith has been editing alongside shooting which is the reason for the picture being shown just a week or two after wrapping. Smith has stated before principle photography began that he intends to submit the film into Sundance 2011 which starts in January leading to he decision how editing and shooting simultaneously.
As well as the duel editing/shooting practice being a rare, but steadily occurring, practice the entire film funding and future distribution of the film has been an unorthodox adventure. Smith talked for a number of years about the possibility of a audience/public funded film and other unusually methods of raising money which he has put into practice. Private investors can commonly very reluctant to put their money into films but his investors are guarantee to receive their money back in DVD sales alone since this is Kevin Smith we’re talking about.
He has also discussed the notion of independent or next generation distribution, looking at cheaper and more effective ways of getting the film out to an audience. However the film turns out, and along with filmmakers like Gareth Edwards, Smith is definitely looking to redefine the independent filmmaking process.
