Updates, Recaps and Links

Kristina Driskill, Jason Goeres and myself at SkyDive PA (May 2007).


Hola. Slowly but surely I've started to become active again here in my own little space. I almost said "my space". Almost. I'll be revamping the whole blog here shortly but in the meantime, my Images link is finally live. Click on it in the header and you'll be whisked away to my Facebook photo album. Yes, Facebook. Almost as bad as MySpace. I also changed the Filmography link to route to my IMDb page instead of the crappy, oddly-formatted "Microsoft Word-in-a-browser" one I had at Tripod.

I added a few new links, too. I replaced the Clinton '08 link with a link to Barack Obama's site. I added links to my Facebook and YouTube pages, the latter I will be utilizing for devious purposes very soon... and I also added Joe Barlow's Cinemaslave and Tim Shrum's Lost in Schlock blogs. Check 'em out.

Also, a quick update on Erika Smith of SPLATTER BEACH fame. She's staying busy in the NYC as she's appearing opposite Marisa Tomei in the new Mickey Rourke feature THE WRESTLER, directed by Darren Aronofsky (THE FOUNTAIN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM). She's also involved in a couple of features alongside both Billy Dee Williams and Gilbert Gottfried. Lando Calrissian AND the USA UP ALL NIGHT guy. Does it get any cooler? I am openly jealous. You can check her out here. Good luck, Erika!

So it's March and I'm still getting over 2007. I left WDTV, had a phenomenal New Year's Eve (2006 that is, don't ask about 2007), got a $1 state tax refund, started working in radio, stopped working in radio, founded my own video production business, folded my own video production business, jumped out of an airplane, moved back to Morgantown, bought The Smashing Pumpkins comeback (sort of) album Zeitgeist, met a new cousin and welcomed my friend Sam back from self-imposed exile in Germany. I should've used the DVX100 to shoot my own reality show. Money.

John Joseph Polonia (1968-2008)

John Polonia on the set of "Splatter Beach" (2006).



John Polonia and I at the NYC Subway (2002).


I still really don't know what to say about my good friend John's passing. I'm 32 years old and have never said goodbye to a friend before. It’s always been the older ones, the grandmothers and distant uncles you hadn’t seen in twenty years. So when my friend Jon McBride called me to let me know the news, I was just floored.

John Polonia was the most caring, courteous guy with one of THE most twisted senses of humor, I'd ever had the privilege of knowing. Always the first to say "be careful" when you've got a long road ahead, John was such a warm guy that when you saw him smile or heard his addictive laughter, you were almost helpless in doing the same. From being my director back in 2000 to becoming a dear friend of mine with whom I'd shared many late night conversations about movies, the challenges of life or anything else under the sun... John Polonia was truly one of the most original, wonderful people I’ve known.

It's a bit daunting to try and summarize a person's life in a few paragraphs. I suppose the last thing I want to say about John is how incredibly inspiring he was, is and will continue to be. This is the thing everyone seems to be saying about him and there's a reason. It's not just about film making. It's about pursuing your dreams and John knew that better than most. I said this at his funeral a couple of weeks back. Those who grow up knowing what they want to do and end up doing it... those are often considered the lucky ones. Well, those who grow up DOING what they want to do and never stopping... those are the really lucky ones. John Polonia was one of those. He did things on his terms and lived his dream. Very few people can actually say that. Here's to you, Johnny John, my friend...


Just a few of the tributes to John:
Joe Barlow's Cinemascape tribute
A very moving fan tribute
The Don and Murph Show's Video tribute
The Cult of Polonia
Buckheit Funeral Home's Obituary Page
John Dalton's blog
Tim Shrum's Lost in Schlock tribute
Fangoria's site
Brett Kelly's collaborative tribute
Dr. Squid's page
Fear Zone
KGB Productions
Divine Exploitation's page
Camp Motion Pictures
John’s IMDb Filmography

The Lost Posts, Final Entry

We ARE Marshall. In case you forgot.


(Original Intended Date: 12-22-06)

WE ARE MARSHALL PREMIERE


Though the premiere of WE ARE MARSHALL was actually held in Huntington, WV last week (yes, I'm serious), the film makes its national premiere in theatres across the country today.

I will never forget my experience working on this movie. From chatting it up with Brian Geraghty to being personally directed by the film's director McG, the whole adventure was surreal. And it wasn't a "starstruck" kind of thing from a stand-in's persepctive (actually, just like my experience on MAMA FLORA'S FAMILY, I was more excited for myself than I was to see any celebrity)... no, this was far more profound. It was the visceral experience of seeing the mystical Tinseltown in front of my face and watching them work, realizing how very similar the filmmaking process was to my own independent film ventures, albeit on a larger scale. Suddenly Hollywood seemed a hell of a lot more realistic... and completely attainable.

This reaffirmation of my own drive - my goal of moving to LA - THIS is what I took away from the set of WE ARE MARSHALL. The plan that I set forth last May is in full swing and, although the timeline has shifted, I am no less focused on the future. Viva life!

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.