New Website/Blog

Our new website/blog is up: WWW.FILMPRODUCTION.WS This site is still under construction, but will be kept up and more features added as we move forward. Thanks

New Website under construction

We have a new website under construction that will have all the latest developments, photo's, scripts, cast and crew bios, and how to articles from industry professional in film, television and music.

Benny, are you out there?

We are still looking for a male teen between 15-18 years old or older that looks like a teen. Must have strong vocals and is not afraid to be in front of camera or crowd. Contact us: Schoolofhardknocksmovie@gmail.com

Recent updates

Day 3 of promo is a wrap. We have all the scenes needed to get our promo done and into post. We will have a final edit soon and will post it for everyone to view and get copies out to the networks. All the kids did a great job and we look forward to working with them on screen and off as we begin to get them moving as a band. These kids are very talented musicians and we can't wait to get them into the studio with DC and other music industry professionals. We have a lot in store for these kids and plenty of other big news on its way. Stay with us and check out the photo's on our fan site via FACEBOOK and our MYSPACE.COM/SCHOOLOFHARDKNOCKSMOVIE. Thanks for the support of everyone involved including the parents and Jervy Gant for allowing us to shoot on the field. Stay tuned and Rock on!

Interview With DC

Press Release

Donald Carpenter: Lead Singer of the rock band Submersed is the Music Director/Producer of his First Movie "School of Hard Knocks” Written and Directed by Rodney Aquino.


For Immediate Release

August 19, 2009--Orlando, FL

Since the age of 3, Donald Carpenter has always been musically inclined and as the former vocalist/songwriter frontman for his band "Submersed," he has released two albums "In Due Time" 2004 and "Immortal Verses" which debuted in 2007. The band's single "Hollow" debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Rock Charts.

Within a short time span of six years, the band has had performances extending throughout 48 different states and throughout Canada. Submersed has also performed at such notable events, singing the National Anthem, for the Tampa Bay Lightning the National Hockey League Team and the MLB L.A. Dodgers, and has event graced such television programs like the Steve Wilkos Show and the ESPN's Cold Pizza in March of 2005.

With such an extensive musical background, it would only make sense that the lead singer Donald Carpenter would foray into film making on first film titled "School of Hard Knocks," in the capacity of a music director/producer for the production.

"School of Hard Knocks" is a narrated by the character Benjamin E. Preston about the friends he meets, Summer Christine Star, Zach Andrews, Scott Landry, and Rodrik M. Tipton, while he attends a magnet performance arts high school, and their individual stories regarding their own personal struggles, pain, and their will to succeed while they pursue their love of music.

Rodney Aquino, the film and television show's Writer/Director believes, "The theme of this story was meant to motivate and inspire the youth of this generation to fight for what they want." A theme with out a doubt Donald Carpenter is familiar when considering his own personal split with his band "SubmerseD." The selection of the young teen band "Salvage Sunday" to be main actors and musicians for film was an easy choice for Carpenter because he believed they possessed the same vulnerability and the desire to succeed that he once saw in himself. Before initial principal photography begins, he will prep the band members but also will compose the soundtrack for the film along with the lead talent of the film. The soundtrack for the movie will be available for purchase after the completion of the production.

For more information concerning the film "School of Hard Knocks" please contact Schoolofhardknocksmovie@gmail.com also please visit www.myspace.com/SchoolOfHardKnocksMovie for more information.

Day 1 (Promo)

Today was our first day on set with our band's music director/producer and he did an excellent job. We shot different angles and he added his special touches to make this promo even better. We also did a short interview with DC that will be ready asap and for everyone to view. We also go to hear a possible version for the shows theme song writen by DC that's sounds great. I want to thank everyone that is involved in this project and the ones that will be in the future. Thanks to DC and his wife Jenn for helping us with this unique project, thanks to our camera op. and editor Cody Foltz, Thanks to my partner in crime Erik Demonbreun and his wife Denese, Thanks to Dean at Rockiversity for letting us come by and check out these amazing kids jam out and thanks to Donald and Sheila Poehler and to Cara Sachse at Ocala Talent and a very special thanks to our casting director Nancy Mcbride. Thanks to everyone. Please come by our websites and drop us a line and tell us what some of your experiences have been growing up. Rock on1

Web Updates

Here's some of our latest websites for the project that we have been working on and will have a website soon. We are still looking for a skilled piano player that can hopefully sing; so if your out there get with us.

http://schoolofhardknocksmovie.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/SCHOOL-OF-HARD-KNOCKS-Movie/99001457481?ref=ts

http://twitter.com/HardKnocksMovie

www.myspace.com/schoolofhardknocksmovie

Looking for Benny and Stixx

We are still looking for potential Benny's and Stixx out there. Benny is a piano/keyboard player with great vocals, 15-17 years old. Stixx is an amazing drummer from 15-17 years old. Contact Nancy Mcbride at: namcbride@gmail.com with your headshots and resume if you have them. If you do not have either, just get a picture taken and let us know what you can do and if you have a youtube or etc...that we can check out. These 2 positions are key to our project and looks very promising to be on television and on the big screen. This a huge opportunity to get your future in both a dream come true. Rock on!

Recent Developments

1st casting/auditions Saturday went by with success and we will announce soon who will be part of our band. And even better news: It looks like we are going to shoot a promo for a possible spot with a new television network and even a pilot. School of Hard Knocks is taking a different direction and will happen even sooner than we expected. Thank you Lord! I wanted to thank everyone who came out to help.

More Excitement

Yes prayers are answered. I just had a 3 way conference call with a very important person involved with the film and now have word that we should move forward with a television episodic show based on the film. The idea has come across our minds and now have to make it happen. August 1st will be our day coming up for the casting/auditions call for the band members who will then go into the studio several months after they are signed and will also work on the promo for the the show. We will have the script written for the promo and will shoot soon after. Things are happening and this is what we have been waiting for. Stay tuned and we will keep you posted on further developments. Rock on!

Latest News

We went out on a scouting venture looking at some talent at a local music school and witnessed some awesome musicians in all ages. These kids age range from 8 all the way up in their teens and have a love for music. We met some pretty kool teachers as well and they work out really well with the youth. We listen to many cover songs and were just blown away at how far they have come. We also got word that there will be up to 30 plus auditioners coming out to our auditions August 1st and it's growing everyday. There's some pretty awesome times coming in the near future and we are getting pumped up as the days go by. We also made a contact with a local instrument maker who can custom make our bands guitars and bass in any way we design. We also have some interviews coming up with a local newspaper , radio station and music magazine that will help promote the band as well as the film. Stay tuned, and thanks for all of your prayers...Rock on!!!

Striving for the best

Well Ladies and Gents, we are on a roll here and putting some things together. DC has new ideas everyday and songs he is writing. If you ever get to listen to him in person you'll understand why we he is the perfect person for the job. We are getting ready for our first casting/audition call August 1st and have newspaper, radio and magazine interviews coming soon. We will have videos and photos as well as a new website coming soon.

Great Meeting

Just to touch base and let everyone out there who actually read our blogs; We had a very successful 3 way conference call Thursday the 9th with our casting and music director and we received very good feedback and ideas to add to the story as well as the format of the film. We adjusted the casting/auditions notices and are getting ready for the August 1st call. This past Sunday was even better; We went to Church and the pastors prayed over the project. The service was taught by our youth pastor and He was a huge inspiration for the film. We met with our Film's Music Director after Church Sunday and met his family for the first and listened to some original songs he is working on and had a blast. It was an awesome experience filled with the fact that this film is moving forward and have made new friends along the way. Stay tuned, there's new information coming in everyday. We are stoked and hope you will be too. God bless, stay safe and Rock On!

NEW CASTING/AUDITION UPDATES

We are currently looking for for Three Talented Young Men.

DETAILS: First off, we are working hand in hand with a very respectable and successful Singer from a popular and well known Band who is coming in and designing a “New Teen Band”. We are molding the band and putting them in to the studio. At this time this is a non paid position but all Studio Expense will be covered by the Management team. The band will also star in their own Movie in which is currently in the developmental stages and getting ready to be sent to Investors. We are also pitching this process with VH1 in hopes they will follow the Band from Conception to Hopefully Stardom. There is no guarantee on this process but we have a Great Team who is experienced all around to help this process along.

Date: August 1^st, 2009-- Will be our First Audition.

Location: will be given out with Call Times.

EMAIL: namcbride@gmail.com

APPLY ONLY ONCE!!!

Subject line: Band/Name of the Role your applying for.

Headshots, Resumes and any demos you have online.

ALL ETHNICITIES ARE OPEN, BUT ALL BOYS MUST BE SKILLED FOR WHICH THEY ARE APPLYING FOR, PLUS HAVE ACTING EXPERIENCE!!!

What we are looking for:

Benjamin E. Preston- Male. AKA Benny, he is an average teenager 15-16 years old, In the movie, Raised to play piano by his Mother, and he is Mentored by school principle to pursue music and vocals.(MUST BE ABLE TO SING AND PLAY PIANO AND HAVE AN ACTING RESUME)

Scott Landry- Male. Electric Guitar. He is 15-16 years old, In the movie, He is a popular kid hangs around the bullies but befriends the band. He is protective of his closest friends.(MUST BE GOOD AT ELECTRIC GUITAR and HAVE AN ACTING RESUME)

Stixx- Male. Drummer. He is 15-16 years old. In the movie, he is known to wear a headset everywhere he goes and drum sticks in hand drumming on lockers and etc… he is picked on by everyone due to his being on his own. He is a great drummer. He becomes Benny’s closest friend.(MUST BE GOOD AT DRUMS and Have an acting Resume)

Moving Forward

Today was our 1st 3 way tele-conference with DC and our casting director Nancy Mcbride. Everything is moving along great. We have a few more ideas we are going to work on to get things moving faster. We are really stoked about this project and hope you are too. We will be visiting DC this weekend for a one on one pre-casting meeting and go over some new ideas and get some great things in the works. We will update you on all the latest developments as we get them. Thanks for tuning in. Oh yeah, we decided to go ahead and cast/audition for Chris our bassist/backup vocalist. Stay safe, God bless and Rock on!

DC signs up to work on Feature Film! Please Read!!

Heyyo, just posted today on the band website; also check below at the very bottom of this page to view videos:

" We wanted to bring everyone up to speed with some things that have been in the works. DC has signed on to be the Music Director of an upcoming feature film and he is extremely excited to be a part of it!! The concept fits his passion for music and sharing it with as many people as possible. Please take a look at these pages we have set up and support the project to your fullest!! They will be holding their first round of auditions Saturday Aug 1st @ Fullsail in Orlando, Florida. Anyone fitting the character criteria is welcome to audition! Here is the main page for the film....CHECK IT OUT!!! It's going to be great!"



www.myspace.com/schoolofhardknocksmovie
http://www.myspace.com/submersed

Thanks for the support!!


SubmerseD

Web Sites

Well it was a great 4th of July and ate a lot of food. Thank God for family and friends. We have a myspace site up for the film project and yeah we have a facebook site we are currently working on. We will have an official web site coming soon with video interviews, photos and more info about the progress. Casting is coming soon this August 1st and we are all stoked and ready to check out the talent as we make our decision of who will be our next "BENNY." Here's the myspace site, please come by and request us: http://www.myspace.com/schoolofhardknocksmovie

Casting/Auditions

Great news. We have locked in our dates for casting/auditions for our lead singer/talent "BENNY." There's a lot of work ahead of us, but this will be a great experience for all of us. We have a great music director who has the eyes and ears to spot out our next talent and he has his ventures that look promising. Thank you Jesus for giving us the patience and the will to get our project moving forward. What we are going thru right now at this very moment, trying to get the ball rolling is exactly what this film is all about. Never give up on your dreams. Never give up on your passion, no matter how hard the road is and never give up on faith. "School of Hard Knocks" is coming....Rock on!

God Bless

New Developments

Well, it's been a few days since I last posted a blog on here. We are planning for our casting/Auditions for the lead role/s for the band/film. This project is going to be awesome and music will be amazing. The script is currently getting revised with new scenes and familiar faces. On another note: Donald Carpenter has put in his recordings to be the next lead singer for "VELVET REVOLVER." Slash has his music and we are waiting word for auditions. Here is what DC said in his blogs on myspace.com:

In my exploration of possibilities I heard that Velvet Revolver was in search of a new singer. I was floored at even the idea of having the opportunity to audition. I was drawn to the idea of singing rock music by albums like Alice in Chains "Dirt" and Soundgarden "Superunknown", not to forget another record that came out around the same time.....Stone Temple Pilots "Core". I used to be 15-16 years old killing some Scott Weiland..killing it! As I went over VR tracks to freshen my memory on them I was taken back and immediately filled with an overwhleming desire to go after that open spot! I called some friends that were close to the audition process and submitted some tracks for Slash's consideration. At this point there is no telling what could happen....maybe a call to fly out and audition in person (nail it!) or maybe nothing....either way I am excited to have an opportunity to submit and take a chance.

I want to thank everyone here for always being there to take the time out and send over words of encouragement. It has helped me to continue to believe in a purpose and a cause and I can honestly say that I had lost touch with that. Feel free to jump over to Slash's Mypace page (He's in my Top Friends) and leave a comment of support, we need that live audition!! Thanks again to everyone!! Spread the Word and Rock On!!!

DC

Good luck DC, We all have our fingers crossed and praying for you bro.

Good News

Wuzzup everybody? Casting will begin sometime at the end of July once we confirm the date with Full Sail University. Thanks Mr. Dave Franko (The Film Director at Full Sail) for the help.We plan on using the Dubb Soundstage to comfortably seat DC and have a good sound environment for our artist/talent to perform their auditions. We will have a keyboard set up with good sound for recording the sessions so we can go thru each video to decide who will move on to be Benny. That's when the fun begins. We are all excited and chomping at the bit to get started. Donald Carpenter will be the Music Director for the auditions as well as for the film. He is an excellent and talented member of our team that motivates us even more to get moving forward. Big E and I are planning a meeting with DC just before the casting call to sit down and discuss our next moves. This film will be awesome for the music fans and for the youth. This film was written in a way to inspire youth to keep pushing forward with their goals and never give up. VH1's "SAVE THE MUSIC" is a huge inspiration for the film and actually has a PSA (Public Service Announcements) with a kid by the name of Cole Marcus that is just like our character "STIXX," the drummer in the film. We are hoping in the near future to work with "SAVE THE MUSIC" to help promote the film and vise versa. Like I said before "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE KIDS."

The beginning

Well after a lengthy process, the script has been revised 4 times and I'm sure it will not be the last. The script is showing a lot of attention out in this world. I recently met with a lead singer of a band that I have come to admire in the music industry. I first bought their c.d. back in 2004 when I was in the military and I remember jamming this album just about everywhere I went. I never would have believed that I would meet this person and get to know him and understand what moves him in this crazy world. He has the most amazing voice that just gets right in your head. That is why I when I first contacted him on Myspace, yeah I said it..Myspace, we decided to meet and greet and have lunch and talk about my new project called "SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS." He has so many ideas and he will be writing the lyrics for the films band that we are getting ready to cast here in the next month or so. He will mentor this band as it were his own on top of his ventures that are sure to be great. His name is Donald Carpenter and he was the lead singer of the band "SUBMERSED." Look him up on youtube and myspace and get to know this man because he has some new material coming. There's a lot of work to do, but it will be great. Stay tuned. -Rodney