News from Petal Films!

New film preview!

2011-08-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Finally, HERE is the preview for our new documentary feature film. Please share it with all your friends.

oh, so controversial!

2011-06-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Just got word from a teen actor that after researching me and Petal Films, he cannot work with me. ROFL. Glad to know I'm still so controversial! And I'm that controversial without having raped, tortured or killed anyone! No....wait.....I'm *more* controversial than rapists, torturers and killers. LOL. Some people are screwy in the head.

new web series full steam ahead

2011-05-27T17:26:00.001-07:00

Our new web series, a co-creation by me (Terisa Greenan) and Matt Bullen, is about to start production. We have shoots scheduled this coming week and the week after. I don't want to say too much, but it will be a short series (maybe 6 episodes) and a comedy.

Locations have been fun lately. THanks to Matt's social nature, we have a friendly relationship with lots of local business owners who are eager to donate their stores, bars and restaurants for shooting locations. And in June, we will get to shoot a scene at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, which should be really fun! This one will feature lots of teens and a swimming pool so....stay tuned!

new corporate videos

2011-05-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Working on several different corporate video projects with Hilery, owner of Vitality Pilates in Seattle. These are very satisfying and a nice change of pace from the music videos I've been doing since Family the web series ended. Also, have become addicted to Pilates classes! :)

2010-06-21T14:50:00.000-07:00

CNN.com interview tomorrow!

2009-10-29T11:41:00.001-07:00

Terisa Greenan will be interviewed on CNN.com Friday, Oct 30 at 9am PST.

Season 1 Finale in editing now!

2009-10-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a great shoot for episode #21 of "Family" the web series last sunday. Well, in truth we shot only half the episode, and we actually postponed half until next Tuesday. The Sunday shoot was
way overscheduled (my bad!) and with a live chat and a screening that night too, there was no way
we were getting it all in.

We had a gorgoeus downtown office location to shoot in, thanks to Allena Gabosch and Chandra Imel. It all went smoothly, if a little behind schedule, but then when we went to shoot the exteriors at the same office building, we got barely into it before
the property manager came and told us that just because we had permission
from a tenant to shoot in one of their offices, didn’t mean we had
permission to shoot on the front steps of the building. Grrrr!

With some secretive pressing of the record button while we were all standing
around pretending we weren’t shooting, we managed to get all we needed and
then moved to the city sidewalk to shoot the rest. THEN, the management
came back and told us we could be on the sidewalk but that we couldn’t have
their building visible in the background of our shots. GGGRRRRRRRR!

Anyway, we did finish all the office location scenes, Amber Eric & Ernie will
come back to do the house scenes, and then it really WILL be over.
I am terribly ambivalent about it, now that it is finally here.

There are still things in the works for possibly letting us continue the web series, and for possibly getting it on a cable station, but it's all very early stages of negotiation right now. I will keep you all informed if and when something really exciting happens!

THanks, as always, for your amazing support! T shirts and DVDs are available at www.3dogpictures.com

:)

Publicity gets in the way of art

2009-08-04T17:31:00.000-07:00

WEll, we are skipping a cycle. The next episode was supposed to go up on Aug 9 but it will go up Aug 23 instead. Party because of cast & crew conflicts with the shoot dates and largely because all this crazy publicity is taking up all my time. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but it does take time to deal with. Lots of opportunities and lots of decisions to make! Thanks for understanding and I hope you like Ep #17 on Aug 23rd!

ep #16 blog

2009-07-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

This was a strange one. Matt (my co-writer) and I always knew that we wanted to revisit the Eliza character and have her show her finished documentary to the triad, and we knew that it would be shown to be a horribly distorted view of their lives. But then we came to this shooting week and basically none of our actors were available. So we thought, well let's do the one where she shows her doc, but instead of scripting something totally new, let's use footage we already have and look back at times when Eliza was supposedly filming them, but we can see the scenes from different angles, etc, and then put in some really disingenuous commentary. Well, that is how the idea started anyway - as is so often the case, taking a constraint (lack of actors) and turning it into a way to be creative. We ended up using the past footage instead for flashbacks, and adding in "what happened next" footage with Eliza & Mark. Since Eliza & Mark are played by me and Matt, we could shoot those anytime. Anyway, we came up with some really good plot twists to reveal and I wasn't sure until I sat down to edit, how I was going to put it all together. We managed to get Amber Rack (Gemma) for 2 hours one sunday so we scripted a bit where she sees the horrible documentary. And there it is. So often, when I feel like I've done something with no resources whatsoever, the audience comes back and says it's one of their favorite episodes. And I think this is one of those.

National Press!

2009-07-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

National site ABCnews.com picked up our story from local affiliate KOMO. Pretty cool.

Featurette on KOMO 4 news

2009-07-22T19:47:00.001-07:00

HERE

GAH! Continual audio troubles!

2009-07-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well, episode #15 is exporting now and will be up on youtube in about an hour. One day late - our first time. :(

We have had to do major re-recording of audio for the last 2 episodes and it's starting to piss me off, frankly. I don't know if the mic is faulty or what. And the headphone jack to the camera IS faulty so we can't even usually monitor sound. So we don't find out that the audio is messed up until after the shoot is over and the actors have gone home. Another thing that doesn't help, is LACK of CREW. If we had someone who could monitor sound and do nothing else, that would help. But as it is, the amazing VINCENT FERRIS operates the boom mic, moves lights, fetches missing props, gives the actors their marks, and does everything else we need, as he is frequently the only help we have. THANK YOU VINCENT. We have had other PAs on the set, even had a script supervisor for a couple of shoots, but, let's face it, attrition is very high in volunteer work. It's been 15 episodes now and 7 months, and people are drifting away. Luckily, the actors are still engaged. Although I worry about Amber. She was sick again this last shoot. I told her today to take it easy. I think she spreads herself rather thin with so many projects. But we are SO LUCKY to have her. :)

Anyway, today I rushed around town to get re-recording from Amber and Winston, who weren't available yesterday, so that is why we are posting a day late for the first time in 7 months. But the end product is good. Moving, funny, yep - it's got it all. I'm really proud of the script. I think the story is coming along nicely.

Don't ask about #16. YIKES!

Episode #14 shoot

2009-07-01T15:23:00.001-07:00

Well, we shot from midnight to 6am for this last one, and boy was that exhausting! We were lucky enough to have the use of lovely local restaurant St. Clouds, in Madrona. John Platt, the owner, was very nice in letting us use the space, and I am happy to report that all actors and crew were respectful and we managed to leave the place in just the condition we found it. There were some fun things. We had extras for the scene, which we almost never do, and it was fun to meet new people and introduce them to the show. We shot from the outside of the restaurant, in the middle of the street, and we didn't have a permit. A police car drove by and we thought they were gonna ask us to leave but instead they just asked "what are you filming? where can I watch it?" So that was pretty funny. And we are still getting used to our new equipment acquisition, the camera dolly. Only ended up using it once in this episode but we're learning. I realized as we were shooting just how much dialogue and how little physical action this one has, but I have to say that now that it's all cut together, it plays well, I think. I know viewers have been waiting patiently for the arrogant Jim Sullivan get his comeuppance. Hope you like it!

National Press!

2009-06-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Newsweek magazine was here this week interviewing me and the rest of my real family, and taking behind the scenes footage of the web series "Family." The article will be out in June or July and I will certainly let you know!

Jessica, the reporter, was so nice to us, and I think it will be a fine article.

Meet Amber Rack interview up now!

2009-05-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Well, got this one done 2 days early, so here it is!

"Family" mid season break

2009-05-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

This first 6 months of producing "Family" has been fulfilling and rewarding, and just an overall joy! And I am continually surprised and pleased by the warm viewer response to the show. This first half of the season has also been overwhelmingly time consuming. I never thought it would be this much work, but I LOVE it!

For the month of May, in order to give cast & crew a much needed break, we aren't making any new episodes, but we will post cool, behind the scenes actor interviews of Ernie Joseph, Amber Rack and Eric Smiley. These were great fun to make, and I learned that our 3 lead actors are such wonderful, interesting people! Who knew?! ;)

Anyway, the interviews will post on May 6th (actually it's going up tonight since it's finished), 16th and 26th. I hope you enjoy getting to know the smart, creative people behind Gemma, Ben and Stuart.

On June 7th, we will be back with Episode #13, "Sleepless in Seattle," and the regular two episodes per month through the rest of the season (end of October).

Thank you as always for your continued support of the show! :)

"Family" T shirts available!

2009-05-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

"Family" the web series T-shirts are now available for purchase here.

youtube eats their words......

2009-04-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

Okay – there’s an update – the youtube channel is now back up, as mysteriously as it went away. I got an email yesterday that our account was TERMINATED, not just suspended, and that I was never allowed to have a youtube channel again, and now it’s back up with no word from them on why. I guess I'm glad, and I hope it was because tons of "Family" viewers, and I, wrote in and complained. But I don’t know. I think everyone should watch on NWLIVE from now on, so I can sever my relationship with the conservative, and apparently mercurial, youtube.

UNFAIR CENSORSHIP of "Family"

2009-04-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Our account at youtube has been suspended because they found something objectionable in Ep #12 of "Family", which is APALLING! I hope some of you got a chance to watch it, so you can tell me you agree that their decision was RIDICULOUS. A woman is shown sitting in a bathtub (the actress was wearing a bathing suit which is hidden by bubbles) and her bare SHOULDERS and BACK are partially visible! I mean have you seen some of the GARBAGE on youtube that they DON'T pull down?! I am sickened by this unfair double standard, wonder if it was actually the mere subject matter of the show that got their hackles up, and hope you will help me spread the word that you can still find "Family" at http://www.nwlive.tv/family. If episode #12 isn't there quite yet, it will be later today.

FIGHT CENSORSHIP. TELL EVERYONE. POST & BLOG. Thanks very much for your support. :)

Terisa Greenan
"Family" the web series

Donations are a glorious thing!

2009-04-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the lovely "Family" fans who have donated funds, I was able to purchase a couple of much needed equipment pieces to help in the production of the web series. I got a furry microphone cover for shooting outside on windy days, and 2 long attachment arms for my light stands. Thank you so much for all your help in making this show the best it can be! :)

Six months of "Family" in the can!

2009-04-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Wow! What an amazing, stressful, chaotic, crazy and hopefully FUN shoot
we had for episodes 11 & 12! Yes, we shot them both in the same week, as it is another 2-part episode. Thanks to all the cast & crew for their
cheerful flexibility. There were so many strange circumstances, and so many
of them were sick with colds and flu, that given everything, I really think it went very
smoothly, and I so appreciate all of them being able to handle last minute
changes and crises with such professionalism and grace. Really. They are
all so GREAT to work with. It is not always this insane, but sometimes a
little insanity is exciting too, right?! But I am glad it’s
done.

The footage looks fantastic as always, thanks to all the cast & crew, and
we are in the process of getting some pickup shots. I will try to get
Episode #11 up on this Sunday as scheduled (website says the 5th but that is a typo), but this may be the first episode to be a day late. I hope all the viewers and fans will forgive me.

I never expected this web series lark to get so big and popular, and turn into such a full time job! At this 6-month mark, I am seriously sleep-deprived, and loving every hectic minute of it! Now if only I could figure out how to make some money at it! But we are always accepting donations to keep the costs down, so if you can help out with any amount, we'd sure appreciate it. Go to www.3dogpictures.com to find out how to donate. And t-shirts will be coming soon, so be sure to order those when you can. And then in the fall, the DVD, complete with special features, interviews, and bloopers will be available for sale. Hopefully you will all want to buy one! We would love it! THank you again to all the fans and viewers who give us a reason to keep making the show. Keep on tuning in. Cheers. :)

2009-04-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

"Family" in the Seattle Times!

2009-03-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

We got a great feature article AND video interview in today's Seattle Times. Happy day!

"Family" behind the scenes video

2009-03-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

View a 3 minute behind the scenes video taped on the set of "Family" the web series HERE !

"Family" UNCENSORED! Finally!

2009-03-02T20:09:00.001-08:00

Finally! A site that WILL NOT censor us:

www.nwlive.tv/family

Episodes 1-8 are up now. Enjoy!

Episode #8 of "Family"

2009-02-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well, we did it. I was never really worried that this one would go up on time, but some of my doubters were. And to them I say, "Ha!" Got it posted last night at around 10:30pm, and I have to say, I am sooooooooo happy with it. I think the actors and crew did a terrific job of giving me great footage to work with. My new staff writer on the show, Matt Bullen, helped me tighten up my script, my partner Larry chose the perfect song by Christopher Bingham for the ending, and it all just came together into a really powerful episode, I think. I hope you all agree. Thanks as always, for watching!

CENSOR madness!

2009-02-17T11:33:00.000-08:00

We keep getting censored for nudity! It's really aggravating. First, youtube pulled BOTH episodes 3 & 7, and so we moved to dailymotion, thinking the French site would be a little more accepting of sexual content and nudity. Well, they are, as they have kept Episode #3, but they have still pulled Episode #7. Grrrrr.

You can keep watching the censored ones here, and I will work every day to find a video portal without puritanical rules about nudity. We ARE readying a channel for www.nwlive.tv, and they have promised NOT to censor "Family" so that will happen, but it isn't ready yet. I will keep you updated.

And ALL of the uncensored content will be available on the DVDs of course. Pre-orders for DVDs are coming soon. Keep watching! :)

Re: Censored & Uncensored versions of "Family" episodes

2009-02-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Most episodes of "Family" are available on the 3DogPictures YouTube channel.

YouTube does not find certain episodes of "Family" acceptable. They are not pornographic, but they show nudity and simulated sex. (Really, they are pretty mild compared to most R-rated movies.) For those episodes, censored versions are available on YouTube. To see the original, uncensored versions:

Visit the 3DogPictures channel on Daily Motion. You will have to log in to see the episodes that have been flagged for "explicit content". (Why Episode 4 is among those flagged is beyond me. No nudity, no sex, just a couple of people talking. Go figure.)

We will soon be taking pre-orders for the DVD of "Family", Volume 1, which of course will contain the full, uncensored episodes.

Episode #6 of "Family"

2009-01-27T10:58:00.001-08:00

Hooray! It seems like people like this one. It is my favorite episode yet. Shawn & Nate are so wonderful as Brian & Jared. And of course series regulars Amber and Eric. And I'm especially proud of the sound mix on this one - worked very hard to equalize the background hum and the actors' voice volumes. Thank you all for your kind comments! :)

Writing episode #6

2009-01-15T23:13:00.001-08:00

Well today I had a marathon critiquing and brainstorming session with a film community colleague about the draft of episode #6 which I had written for Sunday's shoot. And after we chatted, I went back to the computer and spent lots of hours doing a total OVERHAUL of the episode. Maybe for the DVD extras, we'll shoot the original script and ask you fans which YOU like better. :)

Ooooohhhhh - did you just hear correctly? There WILL be a "Family" DVD! Or two! And T-shirts! Pre-orders coming soon!

"Family" actor at the inauguration!

2009-01-15T23:08:00.000-08:00

"Family" star Eric Smiley, who plays Stuart, is a hair stylist in his non-acting life, and get this: he is designing and styling Barack Obama's sister's hair for the inaugural balls this coming week! So we've all given him our personal messages of goodwill and love to deliver to President-elect Obama. Pretty thrilling. I hope he comes back with lots of photos! :)

serious PRESS for "Family"

2009-01-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

This article showed up as a link on my imdb page and I didn’t even know it! How cool is that?

Here’s how I found it on my page.

....or here if you don’t have the imdb PRO version.

episode #4 of Family...

2008-12-27T22:06:00.000-08:00

We shot episode #4 today. It went pretty smoothly, except that right in the middle of it, my dog Annie, who was being brought in from her walk at the dog park by my partner Scott, got attacked by an Akita in our back alley. She proceeded to bleed and bleed through the next couple of hours and when it didn't stop bleeding we decided to take her in to the vet. We continued the shoot, as we had lots of help, and my partner Larry made the drive to the vet. Luckily he was able - today is the first day in a week and a half the the streets have been clear enough of snow to get out of our hilly neighborhood. Anyway, Annie is fine, she'll just need some antibiotics for a few days. And the episode is in the can as they say, ready for the editing room. It will be up at midnight on Dec. 30th. Stay tuned........

Episode #3 of "Family"

2008-12-13T14:04:00.000-08:00

Episode # 3 of "Family" is now available on youtube.com and dailymotion.com. There are 2 versions, a censored (PG) and an uncensored (R). Enjoy!

The Kanawi community's podcast interview with Terisa, Scott, and Ernie is now available.

Even MORE press for "Family"

2008-12-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

The links just keep coming in - apparently people are watching! How cool is that?

http://polyinthemedia.blogspot.com/2008/12/family-webcase-sitcom.html

Publicity for "Family"

2008-12-11T13:55:00.000-08:00

About 1/4 of the way into her podcast here, Cunning Minx mentions "Family" the web series.

Terisa Greenan interviewed on Miss Polyamory

2008-12-11T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hear the full interview.

Catastrophic equipment failure on the set of "Family!"

2008-12-07T20:48:00.000-08:00

So we were going right along shooting episode #3 of "Family" last night and our camera's hard drive storage device failed completely and unexpectedly. So we switched to non hi-def tapes to finish the shoot, but when we saw the footage we realized that that non hi-def quality was not what we wanted to put out there for our web series. This morning we (and by that I mean Scott and Larry) called everyone we knew and surfed the internet and did everything possible to find a replacement device or an alternate storage solution, because we had another shoot scheduled for today! But things tend to be closed on Sundays and so ultimately we did find a solution but we still had to cancel today's shoot because our solution couldn't be delivered until monday. And our actor for today's shoot flies out of town tomorrow. And our actress works all day most weekdays. BUT luckily all the stars lined up in the end - a replacement device will be delivered by overnight mail tomorrow morning. Our actress has got the afternoon off work to reshoot yesterday's scene. Our actor will be back from Chicago on Tuesday, and the location is available on Wed for today's cancelled shoot. Welcome to indie filmmaking. It was exciting.

Episode # 3 of "Family" will be up on December 13th as promised. Unless something else goes horribly wrong.....

amazing legacy for "Family"

2008-12-04T12:50:00.000-08:00

The world famous Kinsey Institute (http://www.kinseyinstitute.org) has asked me if they may include “Family” the web series in their permanent library. I am so honored.

Web series "Family" update

2008-12-03T14:03:00.000-08:00

Episodes 1 & 2 are up now here:

www.youtube.com/user/3dogpictures

We are gaining a large audience pretty quickly, so we are very excited about that! Thanks for your support! Please continue to view, comment and share the web series "Family" with your own family and friends.

Episode #3 will be shot Dec 6 & 7 and posted on the 13th. yippee!

"Family" Episode #2

2008-11-22T18:25:00.000-08:00

Episode #2 (and #1 of course) of our new web series "Family" will be available on Saturday November 29th. Watch it here:

www.youtube.com/user/3dogpictures

If you like it, please look for new episodes every 2 weeks and please pass it on! :)

Web Series coming soon!

2008-11-11T14:13:00.001-08:00

Petal Films is proud to announce the creation of 3 Dog Pictures LLC (www.3dogpictures.com), under which we will produce our episodic motion picture projects. The first 3 Dog production is the episodic web series "Family," written & directed by Terisa Greenan, featuring the music of Christopher Bingham (www.gaiaconsort.com), and starring Seattle actors Amber Rack, Ernie Joseph and Eric Smiley.

Episode #1 of "Family" is shot and is almost edited. It will air online on our youtube channel (3DogPictures), our facebook group (Family - the webseries), and on our own 3 Dog site, beginning Saturday November 15th! We will air new episodes approximately 2 times per month.

Eventually, the entire series will be available for purchase from 3 Dog Pictures. So tune in on November 15th, to meet the "Family!"

New Web Series in the works!

2008-10-25T10:41:00.001-07:00

Petal Films is now casting for its original webseries "Family," an episodic tale of alternative love. Set in a fictional Seattle community of people living a polyamorous life, "Family" will feature local talent and will begin shooting in November 2008. Look for episodes on youtube.com throughout the coming year.

Press for Miss Shellagh's Miniskirt

2008-09-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

We are the lead story in the online periodical prostamerika. Check it out:

http://film.prostamerika.com/FilmNews.html

Another festival!!

2008-09-17T20:08:00.001-07:00

"Miss Shellagh's Miniskirt" has just been accepted into the Oakland International Film Festival in Northern California. It will screen sometime in October. Visit www.oiff.org for details.

A small setback for Decoys...

2008-09-17T20:08:00.000-07:00

We are sad to report that due to scheduling constraints, Claudie Blakley is no longer available to star in our next film "Decoys." We already have the script in the hands of some very fine actresses and will let you know when we have found a replacement.

Prominent actress attached to "Decoys!"

2008-06-16T15:13:00.001-07:00

We are so thrilled to announce that we have just received word from British actress Claudie Blakley that, pending financing, she will star as Daisy Parker in our next feature film, "Decoys."

Claudie has had juicy supporting roles in “Gosford Park,” directed by Robert Altman, “Pride & Prejudice,” starring Kiera Knightly, “The Cat’s Meow,” starring Kirsten Dunst, and 2007’s cult horror comedy “Severance.” She was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. She’s performed Shakespeare on stage with Judi Dench, and she’s been an award winning actress on the London theatre scene for over 10 years. Most recently, she starred in 2 popular BBC series: “Cranford” (again with Judi Dench) and “Lark Rise to Candleford.”

In film, she’s worked closely with Robert Altman, Peter Bogdonavich, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Jeremy Northam, Emily Watson, Bill Nighy, Kirsten Dunst, Michael Sheen (who played Tony Blair in “The Queen”), David Tennant (from “Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire,” and the star of BBC’s famous “Doctor Who” series), Tim McInnerny (from the famous BBC comedy “Blackadder”), and James Wilby (from “A Room with a View” & “Howard’s End”), to name just a few.

We are so lucky that Ms. Blakley likes our script and wants to be a part of "Decoys." Stay tuned for further developments!

MSM sequel!

2008-05-26T12:41:00.000-07:00

It's officially underway. Our resident creative genius, Scott Campbell, is writing, writing, writing. After a couple of false starts and failed attempts to start another novel he feels passionate about, Scott went back to an idea that has been percolating in his crazy, idea-filled head since he finished "Miss Shellagh's Miniskirt" (the novel) in January 2007: the sequel.

Of course the details are a closely guarded secret, but Scott revealed to me that the title of the MSM sequel is "Being Patty's Dad." We'll let you all try and figure out what that means. All the more difficult for those of you who haven't yet seen the film. Hee.

After you have seen the film, feel free to email Scott with any brilliant ideas you have for where the characters and the story should go.

scott AT petalfilms DOT com

Miss Shellagh Tix on eBay

2008-05-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

We've put a pair of tickets to the "Miss Shellagh's Miniskirt" world premiere at STIFF up on eBay. The value of the tickets is $18 and we are auctioning them off with a starting bid of 99 cents!

So bid and get a great deal HERE.

STIFF-ening up!

2008-05-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

We are readying for our "Miss Shellagh's Miniskirt" world premiere at STIFF (Seattle's True Independent Film Festival) in June. Buy your tickets now for one of the screenings, either June 10th or 13th. And tell EVERYONE! We want to fill the theatres. Lots of us involved in the making of the film will be on hand at both sceenings for a Q&A afterward, so that should be fun.

Meanwhile, we are still developing our next feature, "Decoys". Check out the trailer on the Petal Films site or on YouTube. And please tell your friends to watch it and comment on it! The more exposure, the better, as always!

We have both a prominent actress and a fantastic DP interested in the "Decoys" script, so fingers crossed that everything works out and we get to work with these wonderfully talented folks. No names yet -gotta keep you in suspense for a while!