The Lost Posts, Entry #6

Brice becomes a nephew... or something.


(Original Intended Date: 11-8-06)

PRESENTING... SETH JAMES GILMORE KENNEDY!

I'm an uncle! Tonight, my sister Angela gave birth to a seven pound baby boy, Seth James Gilmore Kennedy! Named after my maternal grandfather, James Gilmore, Seth will carry on the Gilmore family name, albeit in middle name form. Seth James Gilmore Kennedy. Sounds like a president or an actor. Such distinction can only be achieved with four names.

To cap off the day, Donald Rumsfeld resigned! Couple this news with the fact that the Democrats are poised to take both the House AND Senate... aaah, the balance of power is shifting.

On all levels, new days are dawning...

The Lost Posts, Entry #5

Dead Knight. A knight. That's dead.


(Original Intended Date: 10-31-06)

BLACK DEAD CURSE OF DA VINCI'S
SHOCK KNIGHT... HELL... MASS


Happy Halloween! THE DA VINCI CURSE, the movie formerly known as HELLSHOCK, then BLACK MASS, is undergoing yet another title change. It will now be known in the states as DEAD KNIGHT. It could still be released overseas under another name (one of the aforementioned perhaps) but domestically, DEAD KNIGHT is the name... at least for now. Given the number of name changes this little baby's been through, I shan't say this with any certainty, after all. I've gotta say that I don't really think this name hits home. It sounds pretty generic if you ask me. BLACK MASS is way better, in my opinion... BUT the new trailer is up at Cine Excel's site and it looks pretty cool.

Another link of interest to anyone who likes to wax philosophical about low budget cinema would be found here. Apparently, a filmmaker named Don Jolly (god, that's great) from Austin, TX posted an entire dissertation on the "philosophy" of BLOOD RED PLANET, the first movie in which I ever had a speaking role. Ha!

The Lost Posts, Entry #4

My first, last and only attempt at a collage in the Shop of Photos.


(Original Intended Date: 9-24-06)

MY FIRST LOVE SCENE!


So I just got back from the SPLATTER BEACH shoot and I'm happy to say that after nearly ten years of professional acting, I finally had my first love scene.

As unsettling as it is for me to type (and for you to read) "lust" and "Brice" in the same sentence, indeed it was a lust scene. Haha... in this bedroom scene, Erika Smith and I start making out when she shoves me down on the bed, leaps on top of me and pulls down her dress revealing two reasons for me as an actor to "stay motivated". So, cheesy comments aside, I then roll on top of her and continue making out until John yells "cut". Tough life for an actor.

Oh yeah, there were other scenes, too... mostly on the beach. Although I shot some exteriors last month in Ocean City, most of the actual beach scenes were knocked out this weekend at Preque Isle State Park, a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie and is often referred to as Pennsylvania's only "seashore". Another highlight of this movie was my character. Rodney Spinner is a shallow, smart-ass white boy-turned-rapper, Eminem-poser type of guy who I absolutely loved playing. I don't know which was more ridiculous... my wegro accent or over-sized basketball player wannabe outfit (representin' WVU yo!).

It was cool working with Dave Fife again (wacky as always, that one) as well as Mark and John, Erin Brown, DP Brett Piper, Erika and everyone. The only person I missed working with this go 'round was Ken Van Sant, as his scenes were shot after I left. I was wrapped in about 24 hours which easily made this the shortest shoot I've ever been on but, all told, it was a pretty kick-ass time.


SPLATTER BEACH's entry in the IMDb

The Lost Posts, Entry #3

Me, Angela, Cara and Atlantic Ocean Kennedy (August 2006).


(Original Intended Date: 9-2-06)

TWO BEACHES


My sisters and I headed out to the beach last week (God, could that sound any more "Lifetime"?). Anyway, with NewsChannel 5's resident meteorologist and pal Bob Metcalfe following us to meet his own family there, we headed east to Ocean City to claim as much of the remaining summer fun as we could. It was a short weekend trip that was really more of a combined birthday trip for Angela and Cara than an all-out excursion. We did manage to fit in some jet-skiing where I scared the hell out of Cara by going about 50 mph faster than she wanted. On a dinner cruise, I kept looking at Angela fully expecting her to succumb to nausea at any minute (pregnant women + fast boats = sickness), but she was a trooper. I also kept up my tradition of running along the shores of the Atlantic at 5 in the morning. Aaah, only at the beach.

Speaking of beaches, I've been cast in a key role in the upcoming gem, SPLATTER BEACH. The film is a bit of a throwback to the old monster movies of the 1950's, although it's set in modern day. Incidentally, while I was in Ocean City, I shot some beach exteriors for the movie. Anyway, so I play Rodney Spinner, a shallow, late twenty-something white/urban/poser bling-bling knock-off moron type. Think Kevin Federline with even less credibility, or, if you prefer, any young white male nowadays. The movie features Erin Brown (a.k.a. Misty Mundae) as well as Erika Smith, Ken Van Sant and Dave Fife. PETER ROTTENTAIL fans (ahem) may get a kick out of seeing the on-screen reunion pairing of Dave and I. While we didn't exactly reprise our roles as James and Lenny, I think we might be making a bigger splash (yeah, pun, yeah) with this one. Always fun working with that guy. SPLATTER BEACH is the first film on EI Independent Cinema's new Camp Pictures label and as from what I understand, it's slated for a Summer '07 release.

Ha! Funny story... Cara told me that our cousin Lynette had recently rented a movie. So here she was curled up under a blanket, popcorn in tow, all ready for a good 'ol fashioned horror movie, when all of a sudden she screams at the screen, "Hey!! That's my cousin!" Without realizing I was in it, she'd rented HELLGATE! Poor, poor girl.

The Lost Posts, Entry #2

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair does the strut of eternal greatness (August 2006).


(Original Intended Date: 8-13-06)

WHOOOOOOOO!!


As most of my friends and family know, I'm a lifelong pro wrestling fan and have always been a huge mark (wrestling lingo for "fan") for the greatest professional wrestler to ever grace the squared circle, "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Andre the Giant... none of them were ever even in the same league as Ric Flair. They weren't worthy of lacing the man's boots and couldn't even, in the words of fellow grappler Triple H, "hold His jock". From the lavish robes to the melodramatic style to a ring entrance so extravagant, it featured the theme song of God himself - the majestic "Also Sprach Zarathrustra" (of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY), I've always appreciated the bravado... the over-the-top drama of Flair. Imagine that. Me appreciating drama.

I'd had opportunities to see him perform before. WWE and WCW shows with Flair on the bill had previously come to Charleston, Pittsburgh and other stones-throw cities but, for one reason or another, I never made it. So when my good friend and co-worker, Jody Hinkle, told me that an upcoming WWE show in Charleston was to feature Flair, I flipped. "Not this time", I said. At 57, who knows how much longer Ric'll be wrestling. I've seen one God as I witnessed Michael Jordan and His Bulls win the NBA Championship at the United Center back in '96. It was now time to see another as Ric Flair would rock the Civic Center in '06. Silly as some regard it, pro wrestling (and ergo Flair) is so ridiculously entertaining, I'll probably never stop watching it. As my good friend Melissa would say, "the boy in the man".

So, long story short, Jody and I made our way to the state capital and indeed, saw Flair "style and profile" as only He could. We saw Him arrive in His Lincoln Town Car with His trademark smile and all-encompassing persona. Unfortunately, He didn't stick around for autographs. Damnit. But, I did get to stand about thirty feet from The Man and bask in His eternal greatness and, as the all-too-blurry picture above (damn Kodak digital camera) can attest, Flair can still strut His stuff and likely will until the day He dies in the ring... as it should be.

Whooo indeed.

The Lost Posts, Entry #1

Over the past eight months, this site has been without updates. No news reported, no humor attempted, no effort exerted on my part whatsoever. Why had I not posted on my own site since last May? Was I laid out with mono? Kidnapped in Bulgaria and held for ransom? Working on a new MySpace alternative? Did one of my fourteen fans worldwide stalk and then kill me? I'm sure all of my friends, family and the collective internet community have been holding their breath. The answer is as simple as people who watch reality television (no offense, 95% of the U.S. population) - I was lazy.

Truth is, I've had lots of cool stuff happen in the second half of 2006. After the WE ARE MARSHALL shoot, I found myself concentrating more on my renewed interest in heading west and somehow just got out of the habit of posting. So, to make up for many moons worth of seeing a BriceKennedy.com sans updates, I now present a mini-series of updates known as "The Lost Posts". I give you... Entry #1:



(Original Intended Date: 5/15/06)

BRICE KENNEDY AT CANNES!!

Just when I thought life couldn't get any more surreal, what movie makes an appearance at the legendary Cannes Film Festival? None other than THE DA VINCI CURSE!! Yes, THAT Cannes Film Festival! A movie I appeared in! The French Riviera's 59th Festival de Cannes played host to my latest venture, THE DA VINCI CURSE (formerly known as BLACK MASS). The film was taken there by the distributor to generate interest and, while it may not have been treated to a red carpet premiere with Johnny Depp and Martin Scorcese in attendance, it was featured at Cannes, possibly even being screened. Yes, while Ron Howard's THE DA VINCI CODE had its world premiere at Cannes, Jon McBride and the Polonias' THE DA VINCI CURSE also made its presence known! Hells yeahs! CBS, Blockbuster Video, Warner Bros. and now Cannes! My devious plan of global media saturation/domination is nearly complete! Of course, if it WERE to recieve a big budget, blockbuster-style premiere, I'm thinking the Palme d'Or would be a fitting prize...


Article: Indy Movies Take the Cannes Film Festival

We Are... Marshall

Hundreds of extras converge on the set of WE ARE MARSHALL (May 2006).


The Warner Bros. feature WE ARE MARSHALL tells the tale of the 1970 plane crash that killed all 75 passengers including most of the Marshall University football players and coaches. The film just wrapped filming in nearby Huntington, WV (and now continues in Atlanta) and is helmed by director McG, of CHARLIE'S ANGELS and THE OC fame. WE ARE MARSHALL stars Matthew McConaughey (FAILURE TO LAUNCH, A TIME TO KILL), Oscar-nominee David Strathairn (GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK), Matthew Fox (LOST), Kate Mara (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN), Ian McShane (DEADWOOD, LOVEJOY), Anthony Mackie (8 MILE), Brian Geraghty (JARHEAD), January Jones (AMERICAN WEDDING) and one very special stand-in... yours truly (GORILLA WARFARE: BATTLE OF THE APES).

I submitted my res/headshot a couple of months ago and hadn't heard back from anyone so two days out from shooting, I figured that was that. Well, a few weeks ago I get a call on my cell five minutes before we're slated to go live for the 5:00 news. The casting agent asked me if I would be a stand-in for Brian Geraghty ("Fergus" from JARHEAD). I met her with an eager "hell yes" and the adventure began! Now, at this point, I didn't know whether or not I'd be a stand-in only or if I would get the chance to actually photo double (you know, the "Hey, that’s the back of my head" kind of thing) so my mind was spinning. I mean, this was awesome news but guess what? I had to get off of the phone because it was time for the news! Damnit!! It was like having Ed McMahon hand me a check and say, "Congratulations, Brice Kennedy! You've just won ten million dollars! Now stand still and be completely silent for an hour and a half." Are you kidding me?!?

So after my torturous hour and a half of running camera for the evening news, I immediately ran to the producer's computer and began looking up everything I could on the production, actors, crew and tried to research my "odds" of photo-doubling versus standing-in. I had WORK to do! At any rate, this wasn't my first time on a large-scale production like this but this WAS my first show where I stood within 20 feet of a major Hollywood director for nearly the entire shoot. Being a stand-in for a major feature like this is an amazing experience. It's really the ultimate filmmaking internship. I mean, I'm standing in the same tent as the director and producers, walking by and sharing a casual smile with David Freakin' Strathairn, meeting Brian Geraghty, etc. The networking possibilities were endless and you can bet I made the most of it.

The absolute highlight of the shoot came in two parts. One night, we were shooting from 9PM until 4 in the morning on a closed off section of Fourth Avenue downtown and I was standing in for Ian McShane (DEADWOOD, LOVEJOY). Another stand-in, Mark, and I had a 9PM call time and were the only ones slated to arrive then. He ended up showing up a bit later so it looked as if I might get to make a solo grand entrance! After heading over to wardrobe to get color-covered and the usual confusion regarding where exactly to report, I found Chad from casting and he ushered me off to the set. The crowd was unreal. There were hundreds of Huntington residents lining the streets, heads hanging out of windows, filling up the parking garage across the street - talk about an audience! So Chad from casting and I, with my coat on a hanger tucked under my arm, pushed our way through the crowd toward the yellow tape where the set was marked off. As we ducked under to go on set, I must have gotten a hundred onlookers staring at me and even a few gasps! Talk about feeling like a star! Of course no one knew who I was. They only knew that some crewmember was ushering this actor onto the set so he MUST have been someone! Granted, they might have seen PETER ROTTENTAIL or BLACK MASS but I kinda doubt it. :)

Later that night came the other highlight – I had the privilege of being personally directed by McG. Mark and I were blocking out a scene and I was to turn my head slightly to the left and walk about twenty paces toward the Steadicam operator. It was brief but memorable to be able to introduce myself to McG and have him personally direct me through the scene. Ahhh, could this be a preview of things to come when I leave the Mountain State for filmier pastures?

The two questions everyone keeps asking me over the last few weeks are:

1) “Did you get to meet Matthew McConaughey?” (queried most often by members of the female persuasion)

… and 2) Will I be able to see you in it?

Well, I didn't meet Matthew as his scenes were wrapped before mine even started, but I did spot him near his trailer, about 20 feet away, talking to someone from wardrobe. Number two: although you won't see me in the film (no photo double work unfortunately), you will see my name in the credits as long as they don’t cut stand-in credits, which does happen.

Anyway, the whole experience was truly a highlight of my acting career and has completely reinvigorated me with regard to my acting and filmmaking. You know, there's a creative ebb and flow that occurs with actors, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, etc. It's not that I've felt as I were in a rut or anything but I haven't been very proactive lately with acting. Well, with this experience fresh in my mind and all of the contacts and “education” I've now acquired, I think I've filled my creative tank for a long time to come. In fact, I've been thinking for some time now about heading out to southern California when I finish my bachelor's (in about a year and half, knock on wood). Well you know, if you’re going to do something, you may as well do it right. So I’m planning on moving not to the safer, more affordable and “realistically-sensible” city of Oceanside. No, if I’m heading to Californ-I-A, it's going to be to the City of Angels, baby! Brice Kennedy in Los Angeles! Bachelor’s or not, it’ll no doubt be a humbling step back in standard-of-living. Rent will be twice as high for a place a third as spacious and likely shared with a roommate but hey – that’s the adventure, right? Anyway, it’s a little early to go into a lot of detail but that is the plan as I see it.

Also, I'm gearing up to finally make my directorial splash this summer with a short film or two featuring some familiar faces and the possibility of being incorporated into an anthology for DVD release. Just a possibility but stay tuned.

WE ARE MARSHALL is on track for a theatrical release sometime in December and will premiere in Los Angeles... and Huntington. :) My IMDb credit is already live!

WE ARE MARSHALL's IMDb listing

WE ARE MARSHALL On Set Photos