this is the official site for the upcoming film BOCCA di ROSA click on the links above for details

arial shot of Sicily with smoke coming out of the volcano

HEY HEY HEY!!! Its ON!!!!
The film is now a definite!!!!

Micaela Saxer (main actress)
 

This is the homepage for the movie Bocca di Rosa which we will be shooting in Lucca Sicula, Italy from April 4th to June 4th 2005. As you probably already gathered, there are no images of the film here because we ain't started yet.

If you have arrived here it is for a couple reasons. Either you are part of the film and want to find schedules and/or information, or you have been sent here in the hopes of joining us to work on the film. In either case, read on. We are looking for more people to join us as one of the fifteen 'directors' who will work on this film. The best write-up about the film so far is a letter that I sent to all the participants. Click Here or see below.

The idea of this project is first and foremost to have a great time, work our asses off, experience Italy and make a film that we can sell for over a million dollars. Easy right? Well this ain't half as hard as it used to be. This year the Gods above have rained down some great new technology that has made it possible to compete with the big boys. Advances in editing, color correction and shooting will allow for a wild new way to make films. And the good news is there is a big market for what we are up to: Theatres are playing more independent films than ever. Independent films are grossing more than ever, and films in general are making lots of money. Although I doubt we will make a film that will be played in theatres everywhere, that is not the goal. We are aiming at films that gross between 5 and 20 million dollars.

One of the biggest advances in technology happened this month. The movie will be shot on the new Sony HDV professional cameras (just released February 8, 2005). These are the first affordable cameras to shoot footage with HD resolution (up to four times better than the best MiniDV cameras). All sorts of Hollywood directors are releasing stuff shot in the HD format. Sonderbergh, Rodriguez, Mann and others. Last night March 3, 2005 I watched a movie called 'THE FAST RUNNER' It was shot on Digi Beta, which isn't even as good as HD.

Because of the flexibility of this new camera, the movie will not have the traditional tier based approach to filmmaking. There will be at least four of these cameras on set. Available for use at all times. This will allow us to break up into small groups that shoot and direct their own little scenes. This approach changes everything. On our film there will be 15 directors and no PAs. All fifteen directors will work in groups of three and in these groups they will direct, produce, record sound, and edit their shots. Of course it means all directors will also be doing the tough stuff, like LOADING GEAR (I will send you gear before you fly to Italy to take with you), logging footage, painting sets, shopping for groceries, cleaning up and sometimes even cooking. Most people actually will find this stuff fun in Sicily.

Vinnie probably said it best. We are at the beginning of a major competition. When this camera came out on February 9th, I saw one being used in the streets of New York. The guy had bought it that morning. He said there were a dozen people waiting to buy them when the store opened.

Influential films for what we are trying to do abound. And each director will bring their own dreams and ideas. My own personal influences will be movies like Respiro, Fight Club, Before Night Falls, Cinema Paradiso, Man Bites Dog and a dozen others. Yours, however, will surely be different.

You can get a road map of Sicily starting with Lucca Sicula by clicking here Map of Lucca Sicula . Also at the bottom of this page is a map I put together that shows all of Sicily and a few points of interest. Mount Etna is a live volcano and takes up a big chunk of the island. Palermo is the city you will probably fly into and we will spend a good amount of time there. The beaches around Palermo rate as some of the most beautiful spots in the world.

Listen to the song BoccadiRosa and see some of the lyrics below. This piece may not even be used in the film in this form. It is referenced more for the lyrics. But listen to DomenicadelleSalme (Sunday of the corpses) by the same guy FabriziodeAndre. This piece is much more film sounding. It starts with a piano piece but moves into something much different at the end. Again the lyrics are incredible as well. Another piece that I would like to use is called Azzurro by PaoloConte. Much more upbeat.

A few of you might want to know a little bit about me. My name is James D'Angelo, and I'm organizing this project. My background is widely varied, but very handy for this particular project. I have co-directed three music videos which have played on MTV. (click here to see images). I have made songs that appear in the movies Ocean's 11, Me Myself and Irene, Go!, Zebrahead, and others (see www.jimmyluxury.com). I have sold four music projects to record companies (Sony, Columbia and Chrysalis). I worked for two years as an commercial art director in california, sometimes even working with the likes of Francis Ford Coppola, Russel Carpenter (DP on the Titanic), etc. I have actually been paid to run around with the super bowl trophy in my hands as well as the surf board that Duvall uses in Apocalypse Now. Ten years ago, I was the lead rapper in a band called The Goats that was rated by many as one of the best hip hop albums ever (it still amazes me). Just a few months ago we got picked as one of the best albums to come out of philadelphia ever (click here to see the review). We were happy about that. As you can probably tell from my wild resume, I definitely love to work hard and finish major projects. I can honestly say, I'm more excited about this project than anything I've ever done. It is a great opportunity.

Renzo Zanelli who is also working on the project has his film website all together. It is http://www.magicflutefilms.com/

Here are a list of important documents for learning more about the project and/or getting ready 

Big Production Email #1
(This is the best document for familiarizing yourself with all the advantages and philosophies of how we are making this film)

Things You Need to Do and Have

 click here to get more information about joining the project

Email (blastuccia@yahoo.com)