Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye coming very soon

For immediate release:

Templeton Rye Feature Length Documentary Premieres December 4th

(Des Moines, IA) – Greetings from Modern American Cinema! We are proud to announce that on the eve of the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, we will have the world premiere of Kristian Day's Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye on December 4th, 2011 at the Fleur Cinema in Des Moines at 7PM.

The film chronicles the history of the infamous whiskey cookers of Carroll county from their outlaw days of Prohibition to the legalized and much sought after liquor.

"It's about the history of the whiskey," says Director Kristian Day. "We have spent almost an entire year compiling research and interview subjects from all over the state. Historians from Dubuque to Sioux City who are experts in both the Prohibition era and Al Capone's presence in Iowa have been involved in the production process since the beginning. I am very excited to finally share the rich history of Templeton Rye with the rest of the world."

This movie is the third movie in Day's MADE IN IOWA documentary series, which has previously included Brent Houzenga: Hybrid Pioneer (available on DVD) and Templeton Rye: Iowa's Good Stuff (30 minute short), which aired along side the Ken Burns' series Prohibition on Iowa Public Television this past October. The ongoing series tells the stories of the innovative people, places and ideas that have influenced Iowa’s culture.

Modern American Cinema is an independent film production company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in creating full-feature narratives and educational documentaries for international distribution.

My favorite Halloween film this year: Tales From The Crypt 1972

Being in the film business often earns you the repetitive question "What's your favorite movie?". If you work or have worked on horror pictures you often get asked "What's your favorite horror flick?" There is never a consistent answer from me because my taste changes so often based on my mood. One thing is for sure, I have never been a real big slasher fan. Most are very predictable and the more recent films lack a lot of spirit. I do love a lot of supernatural films, in fact I can boldly say I have enjoyed the most recent Paranormal Activity franchise. For this years film choice for the Halloween season I am choosing the original 1972 feature, Tales from the Crypt. I remember renting this movie on VHS from Mr. Movies near Collins Road in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The filmed opened with the sound of dooming church organs and the camera panning through an old English cemetery. You can almost fool yourself into smelling the scent of comic books in the air. The movie shows its age but it is a reminder of what classic filmmaking is all about. There are so many great actors in this including Peter Cushing (Star Wars/various Hammer films). Each piece in this anthology has a moral lesson for a doomed individual. My personal favorite is the story of the poor old man who loved children but was hated by two men that wanted him to move (Peter Cushing piece). It's almost heartbreaking to watch but justice is served. This film was directed by Freddie Francis and also stars Joan Collins.

We face reality every day, sometimes an escape is well worth an hour on the couch.

I'll be taking your calls...

Greetings NOT from MODERN AMERICAN CINEMA, but from the studios of 99.1FM KFMG in Des Moines, IA!

I will be taking calls on Tuesday October 24th from 2:30PM to 4:30PM for their pledge drive to keep the listener-supported radio station alive.



Here is some info regarding the fund drive and its donor premiums:

KFMG's Fund Drive is October 23rd thru the 28th! Listen and check kfmg991.org for show schedules, great donor premiums, and the Red Truck Tickets donation page!

Here’s the first (very) rough outline of premiums for the fundraiser.

Restaurant Gift Cards from: $25 Django $75 contribution

Flying Mango (amount TBD - remove this before you copy and paste)

$25 Centro $75 contribution

$20 Waveland Café $50 contribution

$25 Zombie Burger $75 contribution

$25 Gateway Market Café $75 contribution

Jim Autry personalized autographed books $50 contribution

Keb’ Mo’ – Limited Edition, autographed, numbered lithograph of the cover of Peace, Back by Popular Demand $250 contribution

Bob Dylan – Limited Edition lithograph of the cover of Together for Life $100 contribution

Brandi Carlile – autographed Give Up the Ghostalbum poster $200 contribution

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals – autographed vinyl LP and new (not autographed) CD $200 contribution

Death Cab for Cutie – Coffee table photo book by Autumn DeWilde $100 contribution

REM – Life’s Rich Pagent – remastered 2-CD set $50 contribution

DVDs

Monkees – Season One $75 contributionMonkees – Season Two $75 contribution

Bad Company – Live at Wembley $50 contribution

Hank Williams – The Man and His Music $50 contribution

Queensryche – Mindcrime at the Moore $50 contribution

Gary Moore – Live at Montreux 2010 $50 contribution

Sheryl Crow – Miles from Memphis– Live at the Pantages Theatre $50 contribution

Diana Krall – Live in Rio $50 contribution

Michael Bolton – Live at Royal Albert Hall $50 contribution

Deep Purple – Phoenix Rising $50 contribution

Dream Theatre – Live at Budokan $50 contribution

Earth, Wind & Fire – In Concert DVD/CD $50 contribution

Hollies – Look Through Any Window 1963-1975 $50 contribution

Peter Gabriel – New Blood – Live in London $50 contribution Autographed CDs: $30 each

Harper Blynn Barnaby Bright Susan Werner Ben Waters General CDs (good stuff – artists we play, and you’ve actually heard of J) $25 contribution

2011 Des Moines Zombie Walk Promo

Hey folks!

My company, Modern American Cinema, was a sponsor for this years Des Moines Zombie Walk. So I was there running around with a camera chasing over 800 zombies as they marched up to Iowa's capital hill. This was the biggest zombie walk I have ever seen (and I have been to a few). The event was a benefit for the Central Iowa Homeless Shelter.

Other Sponsors included:

Zombie Burger + Drink Lab, Finder's Creepers, Hor-riff-ic Productions, Des Moines Derby Dames, Heroic Ink, and Fong's Pizza.

A big thank you to everyone involved!

Templeton Rye PBS Special Official Announcement

A heads to up to everyone in Iowa and the surrounding borders. Iowa Public Television has acquired the broadcast rights to the prequel of our upcoming film, Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye. To be clear, there are now TWO films. There is the feature length documentary Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye & now a 30 minute television special called Templeton Rye: Iowa's Good Stuff. Both programs were co-produced by Modern American Cinema, LLC and Rye Films, LLC. Both films were also directed by me (Kristian Day). Our 30 minute television special will air alongside the new Ken Burns' documentary Prohibition, which as you all can imagine is a huge honor.

Official air times are:

Oct 2nd, 2011, at 10:20PM after the first installment of Ken Burns' Prohibition
&
Oct 3rd, 2011, at 6:30PM before the second installment of Ken Burns' Prohibition

Program description:

“The town of Templeton, Iowa is known for its rich farm land, German Catholic heritage, and a tradition that traces its origins back to days of prohibition. Kristian Day's Made In Iowa documentary Series takes a glimpse at the whiskey cookers of Carroll county and their spirit to hold a community together. This is the story of Templeton Rye: Iowa's 'Good Stuff'”


Official Program Information from IPTV

The Big League - Listen to Your Heart Official Music Video

I directed this music video for the Iowa based hip hop group, The Big League. They are from the town of Fort Dodge which does not have the best reputation as far as a community is concerned (don't worry this is a common thought, even among the town's own). We shot the video in the ol' dirty dodge back in the beginning of August. The group is still working on their debut album but once I heard their first single I said "lets do it!"

Now Available: Dub In Deep Red CD & MP3

My newest album, Dub in Deep Red (actually recorded over 2 years), is now available in both CD and MP3 formats.

The entire album is inspired by the exotic music of Martin Denny. Lots of ambient drones created with the classic VCS3 mixed with punk and r&b style drums. A total summer/beach album. Enjoy!



Purchase the CD on Amazon or through my online store.
The MP3 album is available through Bandcamp.com