May of 2004

Merry Month Of May

The After-party Associated Films created a new holiday for people to celebrate in May with the release of their 3rd Show. The long awaited film festival wow'ed audiences from the lobby to the end credits, and the bar was raised two more notches instead of one. Following the show, a private after-party was held in the Associated Studios which had more stars present than the Milky Way.
The 3rd Show marked many firsts for the growing film group and their achievements were noted by the audience. Review after review from guests gave testament to Associated Films' success that evening.
Before even arriving inside the theatre, the audience first noticed the Associated Films name on the marquee. Then, upon entering the lobby, guests were entertained by a continuous graphic loop designed by Ralph Apel, accompanied by Associated-style musical selections. The theatre itself had a lighted box with an "Associated Films III" lobby card, and a poster designed by Kelly Merrell showcasing the actors and movies involved in the festival. The audience members were given special programs for the evening's events designed and printed by Jocelyn Jazwiec. P3 Reunion The show kicked off with three all-new video introductions that even some Associated stars had not seen. Actor Anthony! Ardisone introduced the show from "Italy" and actor/director Ralph Apel starred in an action-packed intro that surprised many audience members. The show finally started with a jump... literally. Director S. Dylan Kirkland took a dive from an airplane to get everybody in the mood.
Several featurettes followed, such as a movie montage of Hollywood favorites that was made in honor of several Associated stars. Also shown was the new and improved Riverman trailer, a Making Movies (the Location Scout), Pursuit 0: The Jackfish Agenda,and Ben's Big Stunt.
After the featurettes, Les Marriage Du Tony was presented. The black and white parody of art films won a lot of laughs and was received well by the audience. In it, Ardisone plays a groom who is to wed the bride, played by Lisa Decker. The holy figure to join them in matrimony is played by Benjamin Johnson, the director of the movie. Ardisone's character is about to take his turn to say, "I do," when something unexpected happens. Johnson captures the insanity of an overly artistic film perfectly. For those who didn't get it, the movie still brought in the laughs with several challenging shots and interesting camera angles to help underscore the absurdity of it all.
P3 Reunion The real hit of the entire show followed Les Marriage. Questioning The Answers: A Story Of Seth In Jeopardy! received high praise from everyone who attended. The opening of the movie set the mood for the entire show, and director S. Dylan Kirkland did an excellent job of capturing both drama and silliness all in one fell swoop.
Seth Alcorn (playing himself) is entered in to an institute which trains new game show contestants to be the best. Hilarity ensues when this mockumentary interviews characters involved in training Seth as well those at the Jeopardy!© production office and the Game Show Network. Alcorn delivers a stellar performance both on the renowned game show and in the Kirkland directed movie.
Although all the actors were praised for their performances, newcomer Eric Johnson, the father of Benjamin Johnson, was held highest among them all. His portrayal of an overly intelligent man obsessed with game shows was paramount and really pulled the entire piece together.
Following QTA, Pursuit: Kids was presented, as well as Amnesia: The Musical. Both shows included outtakes collages that detailed the fun involved in making movies the Associated way. Those Kelly kids sure won the hearts of every Associated fan out there!
The 3rd Associated Films Show ended with those who began it. Fun shots of Ralph Apel walking down a street singing had people laughing and, once again, Ardisone bid a "ciao," to the crowd from "Venice." The Second Show started a tradition of crediting all the members of Associated Films, and whereas that year a montage of stills was utilized, this year the audience was treated to a collection of short clips showing the fun sides of all contributing members.
Lynch and Lisa Pursuit 4: Orange Crush caught many of guard. P4 features all new faces, as well as the old ones, and will finalize the series, answering all the questions and mysteries.
Emcee S. Dylan Kirkland then thanked the audience for their support, and the Third Annual Ben's Mom Lifetime Achievement award (the highest award Associated Films bestows) was presented by the Horchie Award Committee (Benjamin Johnson). This year's recipient was Eric Johnson, who was gracious in victory.
The energy of the 3rd Show was carried down to Associated Studios, where a post-release bash was arranged. Folks from near and far were in attendance and the rooms were filled with the jewels of the movie industry. The main reception hall was decked out in orange and blue and stars adorned the walls, ceilings, and door sills, but the most prominent additions to the decor were sixteen portraits of the members of Associated Films painted in a variety of styles by Les Marriage star Lisa Decker. A full bar was available to the guests and was an excellent place for reporters and fans to "star-gaze."
Associated Films has made its mark once again. The fourth year of the century only brought the third show, but it left a lasting impression of who and what Associated Films is. We can only hope for an even stronger comeback in the near future. The only answer to the 3rd Associated Films Show is: what is the greatest show on Earth.
-AJA May 13th, 2004

Saving The Fox
Associated Films has been working in conjunction with the Save The Fox Foundation from the beginning of this year. The Fullerton Fox Theater is under threat of the wrecking ball if the Foundation is not able to raise enough money by November. Associated Film and The Associated Blast are dedicated in to helping the community save this precious historical landmark from being torn down.
Some of your favorite Associated stars, including a few other well known celebrities, will be chipping in to do their part to rescue the theater. On May 28th, actors Kelly Merrell and Anthony! Ardisone will be volunteering their bartending services and mixing it up with the likes of Tom Hatten and Dick Gautier at a fund raiser in Fullerton to help make the community aware of the theater's plight and to raise money for the recovery effort.
The event will be held at Spring Field Banquet and Conference Center in downtown Fullerton. The theme is "Hollywood In Fullerton" and boasts two live bands, a wonderful dinner, cocktails, and a silent auction. After the gala dinner, the center will be opened to the public to partake dancing to the live bands for a small entrance fee.
For more information, or to find out how you can donate or volunteer, visit the Save The Fox Foundation website at www.foxfullerton.com. See the flyer for the May 28th event and future Save The Fox Foundation sponsored events!
-AJA May 17th, 2004

Bar Stars

In response to the Save The Fox Foundation's plea for volunteers, some of Associated Film's stars stepped forward to help. The May 28th fund raising event, "Hollywood in Fullerton," was a dinner formal with red carpet affair and Tinseltown appeal held at the Springfield Banquet Hall in downtown Fullerton. Actor Tom Hatten hosted the event and was joined by acting friends, Jo Anne Worley and Dick Gautier.
Streetside The street was awhir with activity. Loaned vintage cars reflecting the early decades in film lined the front of the Springfield Hall. Red carpet led to the entrance and gave guests a touch of fame and glamour as they entered. On site were "paparazzi" photographers to take pictures of the paying attendees and impersonators gave everyone a good laugh as they performed inside and outside of the building. An Elvis Presley silently danced in a gold jacket with a guitar at the corner, trying to draw attention from the street. As the sky darkened, searchlights shone their beams to the night air and floodlamps directed their light to the aging Fox Theater the event is trying to save.
Inside, the glamour continued. Decorations of old movie posters, film reels, film strips, and set props enhanced the theme of the evening. Guests checked in and were led downstairs for drinks. The dining area on the main floor was spacious with a stage and elaborately decorated round tables. Upstairs, a balcony overlooking the dining area gave guests a chance to either have a cigarette outside or to gaze below to the main floor.
Vintage Cars The evening began for our very own at 6pm. Kelly Merrell, Anthony! Ardisone, Ralph Apel, and Jeff Horn worked as bartenders to serve the guests and dignitaries attending the event. Despite the thorough planning that had been grinded out by organizers weeks before, several problems and shortages did occur but were dealt with by the volunteer staff quickly and professionally. The adaptability learned from making independent films shined true with the Associated volunteers and made do with what they had in the best ways possible. In the end, no customer was dissatisfied.
The Associated Bar Stars Following a cocktail hour and silent auction, the guests moved to the dining area in assigned seating. The Associated bunch worked hard to shift their attention to the bar on the dining room floor. Jeff Horn served away with the aid of another volunteer named Robert while the rest of the gang prepared for the evening after dinner. Following dinner, an auction and raffle were held for items such as original Fox theater seats, paintings, and even two soldiers who were working as security guards that night. And, for some good laughs, comedienne Maryellen Hooper performed before the dining guests.
Just after 10pm, the bands moved in to play. The Evan Stone Quartet played swing and jazz in the dining area with singer Susan Sinner. Downstairs, the Latin soul band '00 Soul rocked the house with a rhythmic funk that commanded much attention. Anthony! and the Lucky Raffle Girls Though not many people joined the evening after 10, volunteers and dining guests alike danced together upstairs and downstairs until the evening drew to a close at 12am.
The event was held as a success. The dinner tables were full, the bars were busy, and everyone had fun Friday evening. The Associated Bar Stars, with the help of volunteers Robert and Chanel, raised over $450 in tips which were donated back to the Foundation to help save the theater. Keep an eye out for future Save The Fox events and expect to see some familiar Associated faces there!
-AJA May 30th, 2004

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