Words

FOR THE FANS

Hey. Check this out. It's from Indiewire: Perhaps more impressive was the relatively wide debut of DiCillo’s “When You’re Strange.  The documentary about The Doors - DIY released through Abramorama - grossed $65,371 from …
April 11, 2010

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE ANGELIKA

Last night I had one the most inspiring and amazing experiences I've ever had in this business. I went down to the Angelika Film Center in NYC expecting to do a brief Q & …
April 10, 2010

GRASS ROOTS!!

Well, my brothers and sisters. I've got to share some things with you. Thanks to Elaine's groundbreaking personal effort and the foresight of Doors manager Jeffrey Jampol, other people are going out on their …
April 6, 2010

WORD OF MOUF

WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE   OPENS APRIL 9 !!! Check your newspaper listings. Advertising is going to be sparse. Word of mouth is going to be crucial. Don't be shy about telling your friends, even your …
April 5, 2010

HEY Y’ALL

It's been a while, I know. Not sure when things started getting so crazy but crazy they are. Just had a shot of good news from the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin. …
March 22, 2010

THE RELEASE

Well, my friends, it is finally Official. When You're Strange will begin its theatrical release in the US on April 9. The first 8 cities are: New York Los Angeles Philadelphia Chicago Atlanta Dallas …
February 16, 2010

FROM MR. D

This came in a few weeks ago from Johnny Depp. I made reference to it in a comment buried deep in the last post. It struck me recently that it deserved its own page. …
January 13, 2010

SPANISH CARAVAN

Just as my brain recovers from the trip to Deauville someone sneaks up from behind and thwacks it with a giant tennis racket. As a result it lands in San Sebastian, Spain about 7 …
October 22, 2009

DEAUVILLE

Sept. 5. 09. 9 am. I'm sitting in the back of a car looking out the window. The driver works through the outskirts of Paris and heads north for the 2 hour drive to …
September 9, 2009

Dog Daze

This is more of a News Update than a specific post. It may also serve to remind people I'm still here. Been kinda busy. The developments on When You're Strange are good. I can't …
August 3, 2009

STRANGE IN LA

When You're Strange has finished its two screenings at the LA Film Festival. Many of you have written in with your comments and reactions which I greatly appreciate. Early word seems to be that …
June 26, 2009

GIFT HORSE

Creating an energized, productive set begins long before you ever get there. It starts with the people you've chosen to join the team. Making a decision about who to hire is never easy. No …
June 23, 2009

LIFE ON SET

I wrote earlier the director is the captain of the ship. I did not mean Captain Bligh. But you'd be amazed how many people say the main reason they want to be a director …
June 7, 2009

Whacked But Fact #2.

CHRONIC After the financing fell through on Box Of Moonlight for the 3rd time I got an email from one Fred Knimble. Fred had a production company based in South Africa that was looking for low-budget …
May 27, 2009

ROLL MODEL

When I was 23, I moved to NYC and started classes at NYU Film School.  As the months went by I kept waiting for the day when I would actually learn something. I knew the art …
May 16, 2009

Whacked But Fact #1.

Here is the 1st in a new series of posts under the general heading of Whacked But Fact. These are actual incidents that have happened to me. They will appear when I remember them. …
May 8, 2009

FragMENTAL

Notes From Winter January 1.16.09. 7:06 am. Newark. The flight to Sundance is over-sold. The plane is jammed with ski-bums and half the NY independent film scene. Bad news; I got stuck with a middle …
March 30, 2009

ROUND 2

  Back from Berlin. Been awake for 39 hours. Here's what I remember: First three screenings were to sold-out houses. Another screening is set for Feb. 14th. It too is sold out. Audiences came curious, …
February 11, 2009

ROUND ONE

How many people know one of Jim Morrison's favorite blues singers was a cat named Arlen Condrell? Arlen was in a band called The Bottom Feeders. He died penniless in Chicago at 47, in …
January 26, 2009

MOJO RISIN

I’m about 8 miles high somewhere over Kansas. It’s pitch black out the window. I'm flying out to LA to finish the final mix and the color correction of When You’re Strange. The entire …
December 27, 2008

THE DOORS

Alright. I've finally got a moment to turn the page from Delirious to the Doors. After all it's only been 3 years. And after all, we're only talking about THE DOORS. Some quick updates. …
December 3, 2008

KILL JIMMY

Jimmy and I have not spoken for several days. His Superman flick is really picking up steam. Penelope Cruz has signed on with the only condition being she and Starlett Johannson perform a pseudo-quasi-hardcore sex …
September 29, 2008

HYPER KRITIKAL

I woke up this morning and discovered Jimmy still sprawled on my couch in his underwear. "I thought you were going to LA," I said, muting the TV. "Next week," Jimmy muttered, grabbing the …
September 8, 2008

OFUKITOL

My friend Jimmy is back in town. He told me he's been out in LA for 6 months, which surprised me because he never once tried to contact me the whole time I was …
August 11, 2008

dePRESS

Delirious was released on DVD this week. The release was of such importance to Gestation that they hired a publicity firm and secured the interest of two (2) journalists. The interview below is from DVD Snapshot.com. The 2nd, at …
May 9, 2008

ARREST AT EBERTFEST

Somehow I made it to the Burbank airport in the morning. I stared at the DELAYED notice above my flight for about 15 minutes before I realized it meant I was going to miss my connection …
May 5, 2008

TREGOR’S SWORD

I worked late in the editing room last night. I'm flying to Chicago tomorrow to show Delirious at Roger Ebert's Ebertfest; a festival that highlights the year's Best Overlooked Films. It is an honor …
April 29, 2008

CHILLING Part 2

The Doors documentary is slowly slipping into shape. Every day though is intense. I'm trying to keep track of a hundred hours of footage in my brain, sifting through it over and over to …
April 20, 2008

CHILLING

I've had to relocate to Los Angeles to do this Doors gig. The producers found me an apartment in North Hollywood, not far from the editing room. I've learned that North Hollywood is called Noho. It …
April 18, 2008

COINCIDENCE

Richard Widmark died on Thursday.  I happened to read his obituary in the paper. I was struck by a coincidence. Here's what the 93 year old actor said about Hollywood; "The guys who run …
March 29, 2008

Adventures in Lala Land #1

A woman I know drops so many names I make sure to wear steel-toed shoes when I'm around her. So, if I tell you that Chris Noth is a friend of mine I'm trusting you …
February 27, 2008

The Land of Fruits and Nuts

I am not home. I am in Loss Angeleze for at least 2 months, directing a feature documentary about The Doors. I got here last Sunday. I started work on Monday. I think today is …
February 16, 2008

16 TONS

Suede is smooth but let's slide back to Delirious for a moment. It is actually the event that prompted this blog in the first place. About 4 years ago, mid-winter of 2004, I came home from …
January 20, 2008

JOHNNY TOO BAD

Guess what? I just found out my first film, Johnny Suede, has been released on DVD by Anchor Bay. The reason I just found out about it now could be a very lengthy post …
January 12, 2008

Ebert Responds

Howdy lensbusters. Just a quick note to let you know I'm still alive and kicking--punching a little bit too. I've got two scripts in development and am working hard to get them into production. …
December 10, 2007

TOM DICILLO

Independent Filmmaker & Musician