The Seven Shells Media Newsfeed

Radio Radio

2011-09-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Dylan was interviewed on Triple H radio in Sydney on Monday night about BSATCOP and other current projects. Check it out here:

Remember, you can now watch BSATCOP at benjaminsniddlegrass.com

BSATCOP comes to the web!

2011-09-01T22:33:00.001-07:00

"Benjamin Sniddlegrass rocks - in a nerdy, ginger kind of way." - Ivan Radfork, i-Flicks.net

"Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins is a triumph." - Mark Harrison, The Double Take Movie Show

"This has taken on a life of its own." - Dr. Mark Kermode, BBC Radio FiveLive

Cooked up by 20-year old Sydney country music video director Jeremy Dylan, Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins is the most anticipated romantic-fantasy-horror-sci-fi-satirical-musical-comedy-drama Australia has seen in months, and is now available to watch for free on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaFsgYvhi8Y

BSATCOP is the harrowing tale of a nerdy redhead (Andrew Griscti) from Cockfosters, UK, who discovers that he is part of an ancient order of Wittertainers. Under the watchful eye of Mr. Pentangle (Alec Doomadgee), Benjamin heads to Australia to be taught the way of the witter by eccentric Bavarian filmmaker Werner Herzog (Dorian Newstead). A romance develops between Ben and enigmatic mod Scarlett McKenna (Catherine Davies). But soon must face unexpected challenges in the person of the sinister Lord Emmerich (Lol McKenna), a vicious mastermind with the head of a gorilla. Also, skiffle music.

Inspired by a throwaway gag in British film critic Mark Kermode’s review of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, loveable eccentric Jeremy Dylan penned his first feature film screenplay and gathered a cast of independent music theatre players, an indigenous radio host and Stephen Fry.

‘It’s completely ludicrous’, says Dylan of the casting of his boyhood idol as the film’s narrator. ‘I’ve looked up to the man since I was seven years old. Actually, almost everyone looks up to him. He’s about 12 feet tall.’

Filming was completed over seven days spaced across a five month period, with production entirely financed from Dylan’s back pocket. The writer-director used his alma matter Epping Boys High School to double as magic school Fairport Academy and hired out The Exchange Hotel, Oxford St, for use as the villain Lord Emmerich’s lair.

The film features an original score composed by Golden Guitar winning singer-songwriter Mike Carr, who also co-wrote one of the original songs that feature on the BSATCOP soundtrack. Fictional rockabilly trio Johnny Leroy and the Impulsives rock out Famous and Judgement Day. The main titles, a penguin-themed homage to the James Bond films, are accompanied by Stonesy R&B number Bad Man.

‘Not bad for ten months work,’ says Dylan, who wrote, directed, co-produced, financed and edited the film (and co-produced the soundtrack). ‘It’s amazing what you can do with a MacBookPro, a conscientious cast and crew and gumption.’

After a sold-out premiere at the Dendy Newtown in Sydney in January, a Special Edition DVD of the film went on sale, greeted by overwhelmingly positive reviews and selling hundreds of copies throughout Australia, the US and Europe. As the film became more and more successful, a schism grew between writer/director Jeremy Dylan and his producer, Jeremy Dylan. Dylan felt the film could be tighter, pacier and funnier and exploited a loophole in his contract to wrest control of the film from Dylan and re-edit it, launching it online today, Friday September 2nd.

Watch Dylan’s BBC interview with Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode here.

A behind the scenes documentary on the making of the film is available here.

Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins is available now for free viewing at benjaminsniddlegrass.com Become a fan at facebook.com/benjaminsniddlegrass

For interviews and enquiries, email jeremy@sevenshellsmedia.com.

Watch Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins now!

2011-08-30T19:25:00.001-07:00

Become a fan on Facebook here.

That's a wrap

2011-08-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

Principal photography has concluded on our new short film 'Access All Areas'.

Check out photos from both shooting days here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-All-Areas/258524624165275?sk=wall

Look for the film as it makes the festival rounds in 2012!

Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Free YouTube Edit

2011-08-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

A new 'producer's cut' of Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins will be coming to YouTube on September 2nd. Go here for the details: http://benjaminsniddlegrass.blogspot.com/2011/08/bsatcop-is-coming-free-to.html

Behind the video with Peter McWhirter

2011-08-16T19:21:00.001-07:00

Check out this behind the scenes look at how our latest video for Peter McWhirter came together!

Behind the Cauldron has come to YouTube

2011-08-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's finally happened. After months of clamouring (not really), the behind the scenes documentary on the making of Benjamin Sniddlegrass has hit YouTube, in advance of a major (for reals) announcement about the film that will be coming at the end of this week.

Check it out here:

Far beyond reason and rhyme

2011-07-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

Jim Lauderdale is more than just a Grammy-winning Americana icon. He's also the nicest guy in showbiz and a walking advertisement for Manuel tailoring.

I was in Nashville last month working on Untitled Documentary Project and was able to direct this short documentary on the making of Jim's latest album, Reason and Rhyme. It's his third full-album collaboration with legendary Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and a return to bluegrass.

If this whets your appetite, get a hold of the record through iTunes, Amazon or wherever you get your albums from.

And the docs just keep on coming.

2011-06-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy year for Seven Shells Media as a documentary producer.

Kicking off with the making of documentary for our own feature Bejamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins, BEHIND THE CAULDRON, which was released on the Special Edition DVD in January and now is available online: http://vimeo.com/25313961

ARIA-nominee dropped her new album 'Listen Here' in March, and we produced an EPK for the album that featured Jasmine sharing insight into the process of following up her acclaimed debut record. JASMINE RAE: INSIDE LISTEN HERE aired on the Country Music Channel in May and June and is also available online: http://vimeo.com/23471622

Peter McWhirter won the Telstra Road to Tamworth in January 2009 and traveled to Nashville to record his debut album. He tells his story in a new featurette that was released today. Check it out here:

In addition to all these exciting projects, we've been hard at work at a new UNTITLED DOCUMENTARY PROJECT, our most ambitious non-fiction project to date, which was shot in the US this June. Become a fan of the project on Facebook to find out more information as it comes closer to release: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Untitled-Documentary-Project/203837609644957?sk=wall

Go BEHIND THE CAULDRON

2011-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Check out this 45-minute documentary on the making of BENJAMIN SNIDDLEGRASS AND THE CAULDRON OF PENGUINS. Following the project from inception to the premiere, featuring interviews with the cast and crew, behind the scenes footage and excerpts from Wittertainment.

She's the devil's daughter

2011-05-19T23:39:00.001-07:00

Our brand new video for Peter McWhirter is here! Check it out below:

Get your copy of Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins NOW!

2011-02-01T01:11:00.000-08:00

The magic has begun - BSATCOP is available for digital download here.

Bejamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins premiere

2011-01-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins will premiere in Sydney at the Dendy Cinema, Newtown - Monday, January 31 @ 9.15pm.

Tickets are $10 - for payment details, please email info@sevenshellsmedia.com

This is the ONLY way to buy tickets.

Get in quick before they all go!

It all adds up to a summertime dream..

2010-12-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

That's the brand new music video for ABC recording artist Peter McWhirter - Girls In The Summertime - produced by Seven Shells Media, directed and edited by Jeremy Dylan, with cinematography by Yavor Dimitrov and hair/make-up from Nicki Rose.

Check it out here:

The Benjamin Sniddlegrass trailer has landed!

2010-09-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

Here you go, ladies and germs. Please share and enjoy!

he brand new trailer for 'Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins', the brand new romantic-fantasy-horror-thriller-sci-fi-mystery-comedy-drama from Seven Shells Media.

It's the story of a nerdy redhead from Cockfosters who unexpectedly discovers he's part of an ancient order of 'Wittertainers' and must travel to Australia to fulfill his birthright. The film stars Andrew Griscti as Benjamin Sniddlegrass, Catherine Davies as Scarlett McKenna, Dorian Newstead as Werner Herzog, Alec Doomadgee as Pentangle, Linda Newstead as Aunt David Morrissey and Stephen Fry as the narrator. Also starring Sarah Linnegar, Jon Sewell, Riley Maher and Tim Sampson. Written and directed by Jeremy Dylan, cinematography by Yavor Dimitrov.

The film features original skiffle music by Johnny Leroy and the Impulsives - check it out here:http://www.myspace.com/johnnyleroythe...

Find the film on facebook or visit benjaminsniddlegrass.com

I'll take one very tall man with a bent nose, please.

2010-07-29T01:20:00.000-07:00

In case you're wondering, yes Stephen Fry is narrating Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins. I sat down with the man I've idolized since I was prepubescent this afternoon and laid down the track. He was as lovely as you might expect, his performance exceeded my wildest expectations and he pronounced the script 'very funny'. Well, if that didn't just make my year.

He also suggested I rope Michael Sheen in for a cameo, as he not only can play anyone but is a friend of Wittertainment. Perhaps he'd be up for portraying a sociopathic wizard with the head of a gorilla?

Picked up a newspaper in the last few days?

2010-07-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sunday Telegraph, The Age, The Herald Sun or the front page of this morning's Australian, you might have seen one of the Seven Shells' designed print ads for the historic Tommy & Phil Emmanuel: 50th Anniversary Tour.

This is the second time the boys have toured together in 15 years, so it's a rare treat - and as incredible as they are solo, together they make some real Emmanuel magic. Tickets are on sale now and you can get the details here.

A video sneak peak!

2010-06-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

We're giving you a sneak peak at 'Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins'!

In this scene from the film, Benjamin dreams about watching his boyhood idols - Johnny Leroy and the Impulsives - perform, and his dream is invaded by the sinister Lord Emmerich.

Starring Andrew Griscti, Jon Sewell, Riley Maher and Tim Sampson.

Become fan on Facebook!

Behind the Cauldron: Meet Andrew Griscti

2010-06-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

We thought it was about time you met the man playing Benjamin Sniddlegrass himself, so here you go - Episode 2 of BEHIND THE CAULDRON!

Go BEHIND THE CAULDRON!

2010-05-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

From now until the end of production, we'll be giving you some behind-the-scenes looks as the making of Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins. First up, a look at the soundtrack recording session:

Photos from 'School Variations' recording

2010-05-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

It's in the can! Check out some photos from the School Variations recording session.

'School Variations' cast announced

2010-04-27T04:16:00.000-07:00

Seven Shells Media is thrilled to announce the cast for our upcoming audio production 'School Variations'.

Gavin Owen and Andrew Griscti will star as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. This is the first spoken word production for Owen and Griscti, who have appeared together on stage multiple times over the years. This is the second private detective character for Owen, having appeared as Robert Gould in the 2008 Seven Shells Media short film, Damaged Goods.

Jemima Stratton, who played beleaguered PA Kelly Meadows in 2009's Have A Cigar, will play Mary Morstan, while Dorian Newstead (Truth Alone Wounds) will take on the role of Professor James Moriarty. Linda Newstead will appear as the Postmistress.

The show was written by Jeremy Dylan, inspired by the immortal characters of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and will be released late this year.

You Ain't Mine

2010-04-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Check out our music video for American country legend Buddy Goode's latest single - a touching song dedicated to his son, Buddy Jr.

The clip features redheaded youngster Stuart Owen as Buddy Junior.

Announcing start of production on 'School Variations'

2010-04-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

Today, we are pleased to announce to announce start of production on Seven Shells Media's first audio drama - 'School Variations' by writer/director Jeremy Dylan.

The play follows the exploits of Australian-born Cambridge undergraduates Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, who moonlight as consulting detectives to pay their way through university. But when they go up against Professor James Moriarty, they may have hit upon their toughest case yet.

'Conan Doyle's characters have proved remarkably resilient to adaptation over the years,' says writer-director Jeremy Dylan. 'We've had Sherlock the teenager, Sherlock fights the Nazis, Sherlock in retirement, fat Sherlock, bald Sherlock - the list is endless. I feel we've captured the essence of Doyle's characters, while transplanting them to a contemporary setting'.

School Variations will be recorded in May for a release later this year.

New website

2010-03-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

Gave the old girl a bit of a dust-off. Looks good, eh? Thanks to NextEdge Group for the coding!

Mark Wells Rocks the Snowys

2010-03-21T04:48:00.001-07:00

Mark Wells and his Seven Piece Band recently trekked down to the glorious Friday Flat in Thredbo, and blew the crowds at CMC Rocks the Snowys 2010 away with a blistering Friday afternoon set. Our cameras were there and captured it all. Check it out here:

Mark's video for his current single You're Still On My Mind, produced by Seven Shells Media, is sitting at #16 on the Country Music Channel Top 30 Countdown. Click here to request it at the CMC website.

Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins

2010-03-21T04:26:00.000-07:00

As our Twitter followers may be aware, Seven Shells Media has helped to incite an international multimedia phenomenon known as Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins.

This requires some primers for those unfamiliar with Wittertainment - here is a good introduction to Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's incomparable Friday film programme.

About a month ago, during a review of Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Dr Kermode and Dr Mayo began referring to the film as Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins, on the basis that it resembled a Harry Potter parody book.

This fired the imagination of one Jeremy Dylan, Creative Director of Seven Shells Media, who set about creating this monstrosity. Bits of this have been broadcast on BBC Radio Five live, read by Dr Mayo himself and fan mail has been received from all corners of the European union, including the UK and the Netherlands. In addition to the blog, there is a Facebook page for the 'film production', which currently has over 400 fans.

In response to this insanity, Seven Shells Media is announcing production of an actual, honest-to-goodness motion picture of Benjamin Sniddlegrass and the Cauldron of Penguins, to be directed by "Christopher Columbus" (Jeremy Dylan), written by Jeremy Dylan and starring some attractive young people and slightly less attractive middle-aged people.

Plans are being laid for location filming in the UK, and an abridged radio drama adaptation, which will be released in the lead up to the film. Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo have committed - on the air - to coming to the premiere in Australia. Acclaimed British actor Jason Isaacs (Green Zone, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) has expressed an interest in playing all the penguins - which may pose a challenge for the special effects team.

Stay tuned for more updates.

And let the magic begin.

New music video for MARK WELLS premieres!

2009-12-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

The brand new music video for acclaimed Newcastle singer-songwriter Mark Wells has premiered online. You're Still On My Mind is the first single from Wells' brand new alt-country EP Playing With Fire. The clip was directed by Jeremy Dylan for Seven Shells Media and features the Mark's hot live band plus a special appearance from ARIA-nominee Catherine Britt. The video was shot on location at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle.

Check it out here:

Visit Mark Wells online at his official website or his MySpace page.

HAVE A CIGAR Trailer is live!

2009-10-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

The trailer for Seven Shells Media's newest film HAVE A CIGAR is live now.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uwhB01df-0

The film follows up and coming agent Neil Bennett (Steve Lynch), who is having the worst day of his life. His star client, alcoholic rock star Rob Draper, has just broken out of rehab and vanished from the face of the earth. And his old flame, journalist Alicia Cole (Catherine Davies), is camped out in front of his house.
The film also features Jemima Stratton as Neil's assistant Kelly Meadows, and original songs by Rob Draper.

HAVE A CIGAR is written and directed by Jeremy Dylan.

SOLVER: In The Studio

2009-08-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Above, from L to R: Nick Cook, Mark Opitz, Morgan and Tom Evans in Studio 301.

Award-winning Newcastle rock trio Solver have a reputation for their tight, hard-rockin' live shows and hooky, melodic tunes. The band have been together since childhood, honing their skills as musicians and developing the electrifying chemistry and sibling vocal interplay that's made them beloved by fans throughout Australia.

In late 2008, Morgan, Tom and Cookie headed into the recording studio to lay down the cream of their song catalog. The band approached veteran rock producer Mark Opitz, whose work with Cold Chisel and INXS has made him a legend in the recording industry, to collaborate with them on the project. Excited by the songs and the dynamic trio, he quickly came on board, and the resulting EP is a raw, exciting collection of rock tunes that capture Solver at their best.

Seven Shells Media produced a making of featurette on the recording process, where the band takes you behind-the-scenes for an intimate look at the making of the EP, with interviews with the band and producer Mark Opitz.

PRODUCTION BEGINS ON 'HAVE A CIGAR'

2009-07-29T04:52:00.001-07:00

Principal photography has begun on Have A Cigar, the new short film from Seven Shells Media, written and directed by Jeremy Dylan (Damaged Goods).

Up and coming music manager Neil Bennett (Steve Lynch) is having the worst day of his life. His star client, alcoholic rock star Rob Draper, has just broken out of rehab and vanished from the face of the earth. And his old flame, journalist Alicia Cole (Catherine Davies), is camped out in front of his house.

Writer/Director Jeremy Dylan describes the film as a 'docudramedy', inspired by true tales from the Australian music industry.

'Some of it's true, some it's fabricated, all of it's fictionalized, and very little of it is exaggerated. Names have been changed to protect the guilty, and to keep our legal costs down,' says Dylan. 'Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll have been great fodder for comedy and drama for over fifty years, and we've included a bit of each here.'

The film also features Jemima Stratton as Bennett's offsider Kelly Meadows, and a soundtrack featuring original songs by Rob Draper.

Have A Cigar is tentatively set for release in May 2010.