News

(Originally posted to our Kickstarter here.)

Hello friends!

Director Ben here with an update on Hashtag. Good gosh golly have we been busy!

Pre-production… DONE!
Principle Photography… DONE!
Rough Cut… DONE!
Editing… UNDERWAY!

Thanks to a wonderful cast, an awesome crew, and the the support of our intrepid Backers, we completed Hashtag principle photography on March 12th! Filming took place on two fabulous stages, IllusionLuka Studios in Burbank, and Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood. Our first four days at IllusionLuka were February 19-22 and then at Gnomon March 12th. Gigi Edgley, Erryn Arkin, and Simone Alex were joined by Todd Tucker, Michael Anthony, and Lucas Bessey for cameo appearances. We also had some awesome background actors including our composer Joe Terrana and his wife Linae.

It was also great to meet our Invite Level Backers on the set! They met the crew and cast of Hashtag, had lunch with Gigi, Jyotika and myself, and saw the filmmaking process first hand.

And now, the long road ahead! We have completed a rough cut of the film and are now working to refine it. Once the edit is complete, it’s onward to visual effects, motion graphics, ADR/looping, sound design and editing, music, and color correction. I must note that this process will take time! We want to make the best film possible and this is a complex science fiction project with several layers and elements. That means the coordination of many parts and people to harmonize into a most excellent chorus. Be steadfast! Once we’ve completed the film, there are several more processes to complete including converting the film to different formats, authoring the DVD and Blu-ray, editing the special features, and creating all the remaining Backer rewards of awesome!

Thank you very much again to our cast, crew, Backers, and supporters! Off we go!

Sincerely,
Ben
Director, Hashtag

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Filming has begun! At an undisclosed location deep in the heart of Hollywood, Runic Films and Little Empire Production’s Hashtag science fiction short film has started filming. The film is being directed and was co-written by Ben Alpi, produced by Jyotika Virmani, and stars Gigi Edgley.

“Many thanks to the amazing team there who are working with us to make this happen. Hashtag is beginning to take shape!” says Jyotika Virmani, the producer of Hashtag.

The cast and crew comprise of over 35 individuals including stars Gigi Edgley and Erryn Arkin as well as a new addition. Joining the cast of Hashtag is the lovely and talented Simone Alex. Find out more about Simone on her website, http://www.simonealex.com.

“Everything is going very well so far. Everyone is prepped and ready. I’m really excited to finally see all the pieces coming together,” added Ben Alpi, director.

All hands on deck! Joining Ben on set will be production designer Meg Savage, cinematographer David Berry, visual effects supervisor Deke Kincaid, art director Steve Karman, editor Jeff Handy, composer Joe Terrana, and line producer Erik “Gooch” Goodrich.

Jyotika said, “We’ll also have three of our ‘Invite Level’ Kickstarter Backers join us on Saturday to check out movie-making in action!”

Hashtag was successfully funded on Kickstarter.com in December 2014 and begins principle photography later this month. The film is a though-provoking science fiction short starring Gigi Edgley from co-writer/director Ben Alpi, producer Jyotika Virmani and co-writer Kevin Rubio. Hashtag is a co-production of Runic Films and Little Empire Productions.

For more information visit:
https://runicfilms.com/
http://www.gigiedgley.com

ABOUT RUNIC FILMS
Runic Films is a Los Angeles-based film production and entertainment company developing original properties for film and television. Runic was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to upholding the traditions of mythic storytelling. Runic Films harnesses cutting-edge technology and visual effects to create amazing worlds for dramatic tales grounded in humanity.

ABOUT LITTLE EMPIRE PRODUCTIONS
Gigi and Jake Edgley are the co-founders of Little Empire Productions. They have been certain every step of the way to create music, comic books and films that enlighten, intrigue and rock your world. They are internationally based as Jake is currently located in Australia and Gigi resides in Los Angeles. Little Empire Productions mission is to devise creations straight from the heart and soul.

Contact:
Robert Alpi
Runic Films
email
Ph: 810-771-8065

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Runic Films and Little Empire Productions are thrilled to announce that actor Erryn Arkin will join Gigi Edgley on the cast of Hashtag. A short science fiction drama, Hashtag explores the future of humanity and celebrity in a world dominated by social media and technology.

“We’re really excited to have Erryn join the cast. He’s a superior guy and a very nuanced actor,” says Ben Alpi, director and co-writer of the short science fiction film going into production soon. “I can’t wait to work with Erryn, he has a unique job ahead and it will be great to see him bring his character to life.”

Erryn has appeared in a number of television series, including Home and Away (in Australia) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (in the US). Erryn got bit by the acting bug performing Shakespeare in local stage plays. He went on to graduate from the University of New South Wales and continued his training at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. Also catch Erryn in the upcoming ABC Sci-Fi drama series Stitchers (2015).

Erryn adds, “When I first heard about the concept behind Hashtag, it sounded like something I’d really like to dig into. It’s a great opportunity to work with Ben, Gigi and the rest of this awesome team. I’m glad to be a part of bringing this incredibly layered script to life.”

Hashtag was successfully funded on Kickstarter.com in December 2014 and begins principle photography later this month. The film is a though-provoking science fiction short starring Gigi Edgley from co-writer/director Ben Alpi, producer Jyotika Virmani and co-writer Kevin Rubio. Hashtag a co-production of Runic Films and Little Empire Productions.

For more information visit:
https://runicfilms.com/
http://www.errynarkin.com
http://www.gigiedgley.com

ABOUT RUNIC FILMS
Runic Films is a Los Angeles-based film production and entertainment company developing original properties for film and television. Runic was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to upholding the traditions of mythic storytelling. Runic Films harnesses cutting-edge technology and visual effects to create amazing worlds for dramatic tales grounded in humanity.

ABOUT LITTLE EMPIRE PRODUCTIONS
Gigi and Jake Edgley are the co-founders of Little Empire Productions. They have been certain every step of the way to create music, comic books and films that enlighten, intrigue and rock your world. They are internationally based as Jake is currently located in Australia and Gigi resides in Los Angeles. Little Empire Productions mission is to devise creations straight from the heart and soul.

Contact:
Robert Alpi
Runic Films
email
Ph: 810-771-8065

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Dear Backers and supporters,

On behalf of the entire Hashtag cast and crew, we would like to thank you for all the love and support you’ve sent our way over the past 30+ days. To help express our gratitude, here are a pair of thank you messages– one from myself and Jyotika and one from Gigi (who is on top of the world– literally!). You guys are the greatest!

Sincerely,
Ben Alpi & Jyotika Virmani
director/co-writer & producer

The iconic Starburst Magazine interviews star Gigi Edgley, Director/Co-Writer Ben Alpi, and Producer Jyotika Virmani about  “Hashtag”, our Kickstarter. (now in its final days!)

Read the interview here:
http://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/interviews/10427-gigi-edgley-hashtag

The Warped Space SciFi Club writes (very nicely!) about our Hashtag Kickstarter.  Hashtag will star Gigi Edgley and will be Directed by Co-Writer Ben Alpi and Produced by Jyotika Virmani.

Check it out here!
http://www.warpedspacescifi.com/#!Hashtag-SciFi-Kickstarter/c1twa/E5E9E283-CE8A-49AB-A28E-04A64DF1846D

Going on now! Ask Gigi anything! Reddit AMA: RIGHT HERE

Science fiction, Farscape, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge, Hashtag Kickstarter– what will you ask?

Script Magazine’s Christopher Schiller interviews Hashtag director/co-writer Ben Alpi and star Gigi Edgley about Kickstarter fundraising and producing a science fiction short film. A great read! (If we say so ourselves )

http://www.scriptmag.com/features/legally-speaking-depends-hashtag-short-film-case-study

The Geek Girl Authority says “Support Farscape Actor Gigi Edgley’s Kickstarter Campaign for  “Hashtag”.  I think we should listen to them, they are the authority!

http://www.geekgirlauthority.com/farscape-gigi-edgleys-kickstarter-hashtag/

An Elegant Weapon speaks to Gigi Edgley, star of the film Hashtag now seeking funding on Kickstarter, live on the floor of the The Great Allentown Comic Con

https://anelegantweapon.podbean.com/e/episode-cxxviitgacc-chats-from-the-floor/