Needless to say, by the time SUDDEN DEATH came on screen, the audience was primed for more lighthearted and laugh inducing fare--and they got it in spades. I don't want to say too much and spoil it for those waiting to see it, so I'll try to be as generalized as I can:

The vivid colors, lively music and sparkling performances started with frame one of SUDDEN DEATH. For those who don't know, the story is about a jaded scientist (Matt Lutz as Nathan) who creates a love drug that induces all the euphoria of falling in love...without any of the pain, suffering and heartbreak associated with another person being involved, LOL. Nathan's formula gets secretly reworked by a particular government agency in the hopes of creating a biological weapon, but disaster strikes when it results in Sudden Death Syndrome instead. Once infected, the person sings out all their private thoughts and even dances until death abruptly (and almost mercifully) ends the humiliation. During the frantic search for a cure, Nathan reluctantly falls in love with lab scientist Rachel, played with saucy sweetness by the very lovely Autumn Hurlbert. Stuck resignedly between the two love birds is Dougie as Jonathan, head of the research lab. The three actors played energetically off each other, keeping the audience laughing constantly. Matt and Autumn's natural chemistry together really enhanced their characters' alternating emotions of elation and angst. Meanwhile, Dougie's subtle body language and facial expressions in response to all their shenanigans were spot on (I especially enjoyed his quizzical reaction to the "her hands felt like sausage" line in the main love song

Kahle McCann (the film's very funny lyricist) also had some laugh inducing onscreen moments as lab assistant Todd. His lab colleague, Beth Castle, provided the angelic voice and comedic background to Nathan and Rachel's most romantic moments. Throughout SUDDEN DEATH, Adam's confident direction, Dave Selle's crisp cinematography, and Kenny Wood's musical compositions kept everything cohesive and percolating at a very lively pace. Choreographer Sarah Scherger and the dancers in the opening and closing sequences also deserve special kudos for their meticulous timing and high energy. I got a kick out of seeing Dougie practically waltz through the big finale, carrying the precious glass vial of the cure while the "Sudden Life" music /dance crescendos around him on the New York street set . I wish I could mention and compliment each person who was a part of this film, but then my report would be about 100 pages!

When it ended, SUDDEN DEATH got an extremely enthusiastic response from the audience. Almost everyone stuck around in the theater, talking and laughing about the film and congratulating the cast and crew. They even ignored free brownies waiting in the lobby--now that's saying something, LOL! It is no wonder the film is being well received by the various film festival organizations Melanie Hall has been busy submitting their project to. When I was finally able to make my way to Adam, Melanie and Nick to congratulate them on an amazing job, Melanie said Adam already has a feature length script of SUDDEN DEATH written and it is their hope to get that launched. In addition to Adam's focus on comedies, Melanie and Nick are also interested in producing true life dramas. I wish them the best of luck on their endeavors.

_________________
Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb
Named must your fear be before banish it you can. ~ Yoda
Truly, humor is sacred. It calms the Human spirit and creates the chemistry of tolerance, forgiveness and even health. ~ Kryon

Of course, both Dougie and Mrs. Laurie were mobbed by happy audience members and it was total hug machine time. By hovering like a vulture, I was finally able to inch my way up to Dougie and pass along bosies and love from The Tank, plus pat him on the back for his very funny portrayal of Jonathan. It was a role that could easily have been overdone in a muggy way, but his use of subtle eye expressions and simple little body movements (like a small shoulder shrug here and there) were pitch perfect. Doug said he was extremely happy with the way SUDDEN DEATH had turned out. He'd laughed so hard at one point, he said he'd actually kicked his leg up in the air--something he'd never done before. Clearly, he was enjoying himself, as well as the positive audience reaction, and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside as I watched him mix and mingle effortlessly, his eyes shining and his endearing smile never leaving his face.

About this point, the theater staff were ordering us all outside, so Johnny left for a bit to walk Barbara to her car. Earlier, I'd had the fun of chatting with Camden Toy, Derek Maki (dressed exuberantly in a Superman shirt, matching belt buckle and shoes) and Derek's sweet partner, Alberto. Now, I gleefully jabbered more with Scott while waiting to get a last moment with Dougie to snap at least one picture for dear Helen! Johnny returned and I chuckled listening to him and Scott talk acting shop with their funny stories and impersonations. I had to keep an eye on my watch because the parking garage would totally shut down at 11 p.m. and I didn't want my car to get locked inside. Hoping I wasn't making a nuisance of myself, I managed to make it to Dougie's side one last time for a couple of pictures, huggles and even a bit of much appreciated face nibbling.

The ever chivalrous Johnny now walked me to the parking garage... and as I drove him back to his car, we crossed paths with Dougie, Mrs. Laurie, Master Wayne, Jessie and others rushing to the parking garage to make sure THEY didn't get locked in either. So Johnny and I got to enjoy a totally unexpected, high speed farewell from the Jones, LOL!

I was sorry I didn't get the chance to ask Dougie more about San Diego Comic Con, his time there with Guillermo del Toro, plus his recent shoot in Idaho, but that could wait for another time. Instead, I felt blessed to enjoy Dougie and the cast and crew of SUDDEN DEATH as they basked in the glow of a project so well done. I'll always remember the kindness the film's cast and crew showed to me. And I'll always be grateful for precious Dougie and how he made me feel so welcome, included and loved from start to finish.

_________________
Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb
Named must your fear be before banish it you can. ~ Yoda
Truly, humor is sacred. It calms the Human spirit and creates the chemistry of tolerance, forgiveness and even health. ~ Kryon

Donaray! Eeek!

It sounds like you had so much fun! Being able to see them all again...I so wish I could have gone!

Ah well! Soon enough, I'll have a job, and then I'll be up there for everything I possibly can!

_________________
Abe: She's alone in the world. I wanna help her. I need to care for her.
Hellboy: Yep, you're in love. Have a beer.
Abe: Oh, no, my body's a temple.
Hellboy: Well, now it's an amusement park.

Anoray!

THAT was a great report. WOW! And you got your hugs etc.! Okay, I AM a dedicated Tunnel Dweller, but sometimes, tis nice to wipe off the dust and feel the Dougielicious sweetness of the Tank. Heh heh heh heh!

Lioness

Very glad you liked the report, Ofelia and Lioness Being around Dougie is always an experience worthy of sharing, LOL.

I am sorry you weren't able to be there, PPO, but it sounds like everything worked out for the best with Dougie and Wolf Johnny swinging by your theater show instead! He was so mobbed at SUDDEN DEATH...this other way you got to enjoy much more personal time with Dougie and Johnny.

The Universe always provides, does it not?

_________________
Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb
Named must your fear be before banish it you can. ~ Yoda
Truly, humor is sacred. It calms the Human spirit and creates the chemistry of tolerance, forgiveness and even health. ~ Kryon

Well, this is very, very true, Anoray! It's as Johnny said...it was very fortuitous things happening the way they did...having to go exchange cars, and me being, pretty much, on the way back.

We had such a wonderful time...

_________________
Abe: She's alone in the world. I wanna help her. I need to care for her.
Hellboy: Yep, you're in love. Have a beer.
Abe: Oh, no, my body's a temple.
Hellboy: Well, now it's an amusement park.

Anoray....

Of course, I enjoyed your report! THERE IS LOVE in it!

Roar of glee,

Lioness

Thanks Anoray for sharing that report....I just wish I could have been there to.

_________________

Awww, I wish you could have been there, too, Michele...BUT you will soon have Dougie for Edge Con Enjoy!!!

Love to you and our frisky Lioness

_________________
Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb
Named must your fear be before banish it you can. ~ Yoda
Truly, humor is sacred. It calms the Human spirit and creates the chemistry of tolerance, forgiveness and even health. ~ Kryon

Now available on DVD and the soundtrack on CD or mp3!

http://suddendeaththemovie.com/Sudden_Death/Buy%21.html

HM

_________________
"I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other."

The Creature
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

WOOOOOO-HOOOOOO!!!!

_________________
Abe: She's alone in the world. I wanna help her. I need to care for her.
Hellboy: Yep, you're in love. Have a beer.
Abe: Oh, no, my body's a temple.
Hellboy: Well, now it's an amusement park.

Loved the detailed report, and so happy to see my name in there!

There's love! - Dead person on swings.

_________________
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3926505/

Can you blush?

Aww, Master Wayne, I just now saw your lovely little post. Thank you and it's *always* a pleasure to see you at one of Dougie's doings

Your Dead Man Swinging was hilarious!!!!

_________________
Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb
Named must your fear be before banish it you can. ~ Yoda
Truly, humor is sacred. It calms the Human spirit and creates the chemistry of tolerance, forgiveness and even health. ~ Kryon