Ronna Wallace to Rep GDE

It is with great excitement that we announce a new member to the Ghosts Don’t Exist family. GDE will be repped by Producer’s Rep extraordinaire, Ronna Wallace. Ronna started out as an Executive Producer on films like Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, Bad Lieutenant, and Bob Roberts. She is now one of the best in the biz at finding a home for films – repping movies like the successful horror, Open Water. Our goal from the beginning was to get her involved and for it to become official is a huge milestone for GDE. We’ve heard that she is picky about the projects she accepts, so for her to take on GDE speaks volumes.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches we are definitely THANKFUL for having Ronna on board and we’re excited to see what she can do with GDE!

Meet the Crew: Ed Mantell

I'm proud to say that Art Director Ed Mantell and I have a few things in common—one of them being the title, Art Director. While my title applies to the graphic design industry, Ed's calling is filmmaking; and there's nobody better at his craft than Ed Mantell.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Ed on the set of Ghosts Don't Exist, ensuring that he had access to digital props and other often-overlooked art department details. With every project, things sometimes have to change on the fly—even the script. I can recall a few instances (usually in the wee hours of the morning after a long shoot) when a scene called for something new; Ed would always respond with the same unflappable reply: "Copy that!" And within moments, he'd have it solved.

That's an art director's job on set and off—making sure that the film stays true to details and visual consistency. To say that it's a tough job is an understatement. It takes meticulous planning, and a careful eye to control the set after its been assembled—a particular challenge. Between takes, cast and crew typically relax momentarily and tend to forget their surroundings. That's when the rogue coffee cup sitting on a step may inadvertently be moved or thrown away—someone innocently having forgotten that it was a prop in an earlier scene that shouldn't be disturbed! Ed was always there preserving the set; taking careful photos and diligently monitoring every artistic detail.

Just as important as his expertise and professionalism is Ed's genuine personality. He's both a willing, generous teacher and mentor on set—and a student of the industry with a continual thirst for knowledge. And he's just a hell of a lot of fun to be around—a trait that so many on this team shared.

Like most of our other veteran crew members, there's much more to Ed Mantell than his art directing duties. He's accumulated a wealth of experience on both sides of the camera, having worked as an actor and extra in over 30 projects, including documentaries for PBS, The Discovery Channel, A&E, and many more. He's also been in several feature films, including Gods and Generals, War of the Worlds, Leatherheads, and the critically-acclaimed HBO mini-series, John Adams.

As is his nature, Ed makes a Herculean effort to understand the things that interest him, and he immerses himself. He's a certified Cannoner and Gun Commander (Certified by The National Civil War Artillery Association). He's also a living historian—having impersonated civilians and soldiers from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and Vietnam—on film and for the general public.

It's also been suggested that Ed is a real-life pirate. But that's another story.



Undoubtedly, one of Ed's many skills is his chameleon-like ability to change appearance. I got to witness the transformation first-hand when he assumed a bit part in GDE as Bradford Walters, a character pivotal to the backstory. Ed effortlessly shifted gears on our very first day of filming, leaving his improvised art department desk briefly to don a vintage suit and take a turn in makeup artist's Jim Choate's chair. Reporting to set, he was a totally different person. He shot me a knowing wink and added, "Man of a thousand faces."



Ed's also an amazing drummer and guitarist—and one of the highlights of each day's wrap was the impromptu jam sessions with he, Sam Edens, and Gavin Peretti over a few beers. Where lesser crews might justifiably crash into bed after a grueling day, these guys would hold court for additional hours. And after hearing them play a few bars, most of us stuck around as well.



"Life isn't about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself." This quote from George Bernard Shaw is one of Ed's favorites, and it's befitting. He continues to create himself with each project he undertakes, and in doing so, be a positive influence on everyone he works with.

On a sad note, 19th + Wilson and the entire Ghosts Don't Exist team extend our heartfelt condolences to Ed on the loss of his father, Carl Raymond Mantell, who passed away yesterday. Ed's dad was a piano and organ teacher, and had still been playing a midi accordion as a one-man polka band. Like his son, he sounds like a wonderful character. God bless you both.

Ghost Capture: Movin' On Up!

If you haven't downloaded Ghost Capture for your iPhone yet, there's never been a better time to do it. In honor of Halloween, it's available FREE until November 1st!

Our fun, paranormal photo manipulator is officially a hit—it's just cracked the coveted Top 20 free photography apps and is currently at #14! How awesome is that?!

However, now we really need your help RATING it in the iTunes store. Of the 4000+ who've downloaded it globally so far, only a hundred or so have actually given it a rating. If you enjoy the app, please take a moment to give it a good rating on iTunes—every new download helps spread the word about Ghosts Don't Exist, and that's the ultimate goal!

We're also in the process of planning the first major update for the app, so keep your eyes peeled. We've literally been receiving thousands of creepy images from Ghost Capture users around the world—which you can now browse through in the new Ghost Capture Gallery at the official site! Keep those freaky fotos coming!

The GDE iPhone App!

Ghosts Don't Exist is a first for 19th + Wilson on a number of fronts. It's our first feature-length film, and our first time working in high-def. It's also the first of our projects to spawn an official iPhone app!

Ghost Capture is a cool little application we designed ourselves, in the spirit of the film (no pun intended.) In short, it allows you to create realistic "paranormal" images right on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Here's the description from the iTunes App Store:

With Ghost Capture, you can manipulate any photo from your iPhone photo album. After choosing an image, (or taking a new photo directly through Ghost Capture) select a ghost to superimpose onto the photo. Choose from creepy Victorian children, faceless torsos, Civil War soldiers, ghostly orbs, and more. After placing the ghost, adjust the size, rotation, and transparency to achieve the optimum effect. Save and email your creation to your friends, and let them judge for themselves!

You'll be surprised at how creepy some of your own photos become. Transparent, creepy Victorian children and faceless torsos do have that effect, you know.

There's currently a page of 10 different "ghosts" to choose from, and we'll be adding plenty more in future updates.

The app is available on iTunes for .99 cents, with all earnings going to the film. So please help out by purchasing it and giving it a solid rating! Even if you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can still purchase the app through iTunes, if you'd like to help support us anyway. (And for when you do finally get that iPhone.) ;)

40,000 and counting!

The Ghosts Don't Exist trailer is getting seen, and at an even greater pace than anyone anticipated!

Between the past week's features on the front page of YouTube and Chris Cooley's Hot Clicks article on SportsIllustrated.com, the trailer has topped an astounding 40,000 views since being posted on August 27th! And more importantly, it's continuing to generate positive reviews.

Many thanks to all who've watched it, highly rated it, and spread the word!

The Official Trailer!

We've all been waiting for it. We've all been asking about it. Finally, it's here. The official trailer for Ghosts Don't Exist.



The YouTube video has already topped 5,000 views in this first week, and we thank everyone for continuing to spread the word!

Be sure to also check out the updated and expanded official site, which includes an additional high-definition viewing option.

The film is now in the capable hands of sound designer Billy Britt and composer James Sale, (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs; The Golden Compass) who are working their auditory magic.

Billy Britt talks with director Eric Espejo and producer Richard Friend in his Richmond studio.

You're now free to move on to that next question—when will the final cut be ready? It's the question we'll all be asking... probably for the next six to eight weeks. ;)

Hot Off the Presses!

Be sure to pick up the September issue of Northern Virginia Magazine, now on newsstands! There's a great feature article included on Chris Cooley and Ghosts Don't Exist!

It's a terrific piece written by Buzz McClain, who also just happens to be the movie critic for Playboy Magazine! (Which makes it all the more fitting that the article is titled "'Skin Flick.") ;)

In other GDE news, word on the streets (those streets being 19th + Wilson, of course) is that the much-anticipated trailer is coming soon. Very soon. As in, this week. Stay tuned!