Sneak Peek at the New Site

We've gotten a lot of questions recently about this, so I'm happy to report that we are verrrrrry close to launching the long-overdue overhaul of the film's official website, ghostsdontexist.com.

The current site was developed before the film was even cast, and was designed primarily for investment purposes to simply set the tone and generate interest. Now, it's time to showcase what we've accomplished—and we've been hard at work doing just that.

After casting, we entered what felt like a whirlwind of tasks and deadlines—production itself being a 15-day marathon that literally required all hands on deck. With the film now in post-production, we've finally been able to address the issue of updating and expanding the website design—and Version 2.0 is shaping up to be a very cool thing.

The image above shows just a few examples of what you can expect from the new site. In addition to production and cast photos, there will be links to press coverage, (including the blog, of course) sponsors, downloads, and lots more—including our exclusive "Diary of a Ghost Hunter" feature with John Warfield of DCMAG.

We're in the home stretch, and should be announcing the launch shortly... stay tuned! :)

Fun With Props: The "Psy Fi" Channel

In every good film, there's attention to detail. I'm happy to say, you'll find plenty of that in Ghosts Don't Exist.

One such detail involves a fictitious cable network—which we had to create from scratch. (Sort of.)

As you know by now, our story centers around celebrated TV ghost hunter, Brett Wilson. He and his team have a phenomenally successful show, much like the SciFi Channel hit, Ghost Hunters. To convey this, we started from the beginning—by establishing a fictitious brand.

We needed a brand that would instantly convey the essence of the SciFi Channel, without plagiarizing or mocking the original. Unit Production Manager Kathryn Coombs suggested the name, "Psy Fi"—a play on "psychological" and "science" fiction, given the nature of paranormal reporting. And being the graphic designer, I had the fun chore of developing a logo.

The PsyFi News logo, along with some additional prototypes

The Psy Fi News logo would be used across a number of platforms, in order to convey its range throughout the film. Some of the things we had to create:

• wall-mounted signage for the network executive boardroom
• a branded notebook for field reporter Lindsay
• motion graphics for the actual Brett Wilson interview footage.

When it all comes together, our Psy Fi pseudo-network certainly feels like the real deal. Of course, it also helps tremendously when you have very real media folks—pros like Lindsay Czarniak and Mike O'Meara staffing it! ;)

Quasi-Dinner for Five: GDE Edition

Most of you are probably familiar with Dinner for Five, Jon Favreau's hit show on IFC where he and four guests swap stories and discuss the craft of acting over dinner.

This Friday, we'll be doing our OWN version, inspired by DfF. Although, instead of dinner, we'll probably stick to cheap appetizers and beers. :)

The producers of Ghosts Don't Exist (Tanner Cooley, Eric Espejo, Richard Friend, and Aaron Goodmiller) are meeting up for said drinks and appetizers, and 19W will film the whole thing—as we discuss the process of making the movie and the exciting next steps. Then, we'll post the video here on the blog!

What questions would YOU ask the producers? Post them here in the comments section, on our official Facebook page, or email them to contact@19thandwilson.com. They might just end up in the video!

Tanner Cooley Talks GDE on WPL!

Producer Tanner Cooley was a special guest on Comcast Sportsnet's Washington Post Live show yesterday afternoon, where he spoke with Ivan Carter about Ghosts Don't Exist! Check it out:

Extra! Extra! GDE in the Washington Post!

In case you missed it yesterday, Ghosts Don't Exist was in the Washington Post!

The Reliable Source column by Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts was a terrific followup to one they wrote in January, announcing Chris and Tanner Cooley's association with the project. Yesterday's article focuses on Chris' role in the film, and mentions the cameos by local media favorites Mike O'Meara and Lindsay Czarniak.

Many thanks to the Post for the wonderful publicity—it's an honor!

And speaking of the Mike O'Meara Show, check out the pics from last Friday's show with Chris, Tanner, and Eric Espejo in-studio!

MEET THE CREW: Boom Operator Sam Edens

Sam & Sam: Samantha Iles with Sam Edens

Sam Edens is one of the most amiable fellows you could ever hope to meet. Friendly, funny, and always entertaining—having him on the Ghosts Don't Exist team throughout the aggressive 15-day shoot was a very good thing for us all.

He's unquestionably one of the first folks you'd notice on set. Tall, rangy, and with a long ponytail and goatee—at first glance, he may look more like the "outlaw biker" archetype he actually portrayed in a 2003 episode of The F.B.I. Files on The Discovery Channel. But from your first conversation with this easygoing gentleman, you'll know you're in very good company—and in for a fun ride. Fittingly, on Day 1 of filming, it was Sam who showed up with the Ghostbusters shirt. GDE was officially off to a great start.



But Sam did much more than simply keep the troops in good spirits; he held—literally—one of the most crucial filmmaking responsibilities on set. The boom mic.

Working in tandem with sound recordist Billy Britt, Sam's job was to pick up the key voices and sounds in every scene. Indoors, outdoors... sometimes in uncomfortably close quarters. It's often a thankless job, and one of the most grueling. But we certainly appreciate Sam's skill and effort on this film. Because make no mistake—what you'll ultimately hear in the movie is due in very large part to Sam Edens.


One of the great things about working with Sam, aside from his wit and wisdom, is his unwavering demeanor. Cool under fire doesn't begin to describe it. Whether it was bad weather or ungodly hours, Sam never lost his affability. He helped create and foster a stress-free environment on sets that could've easily turned into anything but.

Sam can always find a way to lighten a moment, bring a smile, and set everyone around him at ease—including Redskins' great Chris Cooley, waiting a bit tentatively for an alternate take during his screen debut:



Sam is a lot more than a boom operator. He's a talented screenwriter and actor who has appeared in a number of productions, including The Patriot and John Adams; and has portrayed such surprisingly cleancut historical figures as Alexander Hamilton and Sir Isaac Newton, respectively.

And you thought he was just another outlaw biker. ;)

Sam on the set of The Patriot with Jason Isaacs—the diabolical Col. Tavington

Sam as Sir Isaac Newton in The Science Channel's 100 Greatest Discoveries

On the set of HBO's John Adams

Sam as Alexander Hamilton in The Discovery Channel's Weapons Masters

On top of it all, Sam is a heck of a musician. One of the great memories many of us will take from the GDE experience is that of Sam, Ed Mantell, and Gavin Peretti breaking out in their freeform jam sessions at the end of each day. Sam's bass, Ed's guitar, and Gavin's vocals were a welcome sound, signaling another day closer to the completion of the film.

Check out Sam's MySpace page, as well as that of his freestyle group, 13 Foot Drift. You'll be glad you did.