Cherokee Hall-From Dark Woods Con, to Filmmaking and Acting

The IMM spotlight turns next to Cherokee Hall, whose activities in the independent film world run the gamut from directing and producing to acting and events.

One of the most prolific individuals within the Kentucky independent film community, Cherokee is on the cusp of completing and releasing his first feature film, Mountain Mafia. As if that was not enough to occupy his time, in the past year, Cherokee moved forward with Dark Woods Con, a convention project that is going to be a fantastic addition to the constellation of independent film events in the region. The addition of Dark Woods Con to the region's schedule can only help to strengthen independent film, and create more opportunities for fans and filmmakers alike.

IMM visited with Cherokee a couple weeks out from the premiere Dark Woods Con event, which is taking place from March 5-7 at the Landmark Inn, in Pikeville, KY.

In my opinion, it is really beneficial for independent filmmakers and fans to have an event like Dark Woods Con in this area of Kentucky, at this time of the year, as it will be a great compliment to Lexington events such as ScareFest, and Louisville events such as the Fright Night Film Fest. At the end of the day, Dark Woods Con represents good overall progress for everyone, making all of the events in the state, and the independent film community as a whole, that much stronger. Cherokee Hall and all the staff of Dark Woods Con should definitely be commended for this very considerable, and worthwhile, undertaking.

-Stephen Zimmer for the IMM Blog Site, February 10, 2010


SZ: For those that might not yet be aware of Dark Woods Con, give us the particulars and what to generally expect as far as activities.

CH: Aside from the vendor booths and celebrities to meet, we’ll have free daily contests for door prizes, as well as a scream contest and costume contests and some other surprises. Plus we have the Rad Girls there, and they are always doing stunts.







SZ: Focusing in on the film festival. How big is the film festival going to be at this initial event? Any premieres that you would like to mention?

CH: We got the word out a bit late about the festival so it’s mainly going to be short films. Yes, John Cosper’s Fluffy 3 will premier at the event.

SZ: As far as advance registrations go, are you seeing primarily a regional audience, or do you see some attendees coming from farther distances?

CH: We’ve been hit up from as far away as Rhode Island, but mainly it’s all regional.

SZ: I always applaud sponsors that come behind a first event. Feel free to highlight any companies/organizations that have gotten behind you on this premiere event.

CH: Southern Steel Tattos, Bourbon n’ Toulouse, David Fultz, clearmyrecord.com, Eagle Creek Massage, Page 3 Comics, Crawford’s Roots, Jim Hinkley’s Motorvation Car Care, YellowBird Insurance, Stewart & Stafford Tire & Custom Wheels.

SZ: What was your inspiration for starting Dark Woods Con?

CH: It was an idea that me and David Gooslin had back in 2007 but realized just how successful one could be after Scarefest had their 2008 show. It’s been something that both of us have wanted to do for a long time.



SZ: As a very busy actor and filmmaker yourself, who understands just how tough the indie world is, how can attending a convention such as Dark Woods Con be beneficial to other actors and filmmakers?

CH: Networking, networking, and networking! You meet so many people that can help you out along the way. All you have to do is talk to them.

SZ: Who are some of the other “big names” involved with Dark Woods Con?

CH: Michael Berryman, Tiffany Shepis, Al Snow, Daniel Emery Taylor, Jim O’Rear, Dick Warlock, Ari Lehman, Stephen Zimmer…We got a lot for our first year. The list keeps on going.


SZ: About a month out from the big event, how are things shaping up, in your estimation?

CH: We are right where we need to be. Of course I’d be a little less stressed if we were a little bit ahead of where we need to be too though.

SZ: I cannot resist asking you one humor-laced question, regarding one particular guest: Do you have to import extra security to deal with cult indie filmmaker Jerry Williams? Is it wise to have Jerry Williams as an official guest Don’t you fear massive community protests?

CH: We have had more females ages 75-90 call us and tell us that it’s about time someone brought in a real man to Pikeville Ky!


SZ: Give us some contacts, websites, Facebook pages, etc. where people can connect with Dark Woods Con?

CH: Sure thing. Check out our website at:
www.darkwoodscon.com

Myspace at: www.myspace.com/darkwoodscon

Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pikeville-KY/Dark-Woods-Con/114704353191?ref=ts

SZ: Finally, what’s coming up on the near horizon for Cherokee Hall, (at least once you’ve taken a few days off and rested up, following the big Dark Woods Con weekend)?

CH: Actually I’ll go back to work on my film. My first feature film is rapidly approaching post production and we’ve already secured a distribution deal. You’ll be able to get Mountain Mafia (Staring Rupert Boneham, Tiffany Shepis, Al Snow, Tim Wilson, Amy Hayes, Casey Miracle, and Mike Holman) this summer at Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, NetFlix, and the Redbox too.

Claude D. Miles-Personifying the "Can-Do" Spirit of Indie Film

For the first spotlighted individual of 2010 for the IMM Blog site, I wanted to highlight a guy that really has been doing some great things within a very active regional film community. Not only is Claude D. Miles a talented actor and filmmaker himself, but he is also a proactive supporter of a viable indie film community in Central Kentucky, instigating events that have helped draw numerous independent filmmakers together (as well as working with other events, such as the ConCave convention, which is covered in the interview below). There is no question that his efforts have helped in sparking an increasing amount of collaboration and cooperation between indie filmmakers in Kentucky.

The interview covers a range of topics, as you will see, but hopefully you will get an insight to a very positive-minded, talented individual who embodies the "can-do" spirit of indie filmmaking.

-Stephen Zimmer, for IMM Blog, February 4, 2010


(Claude D. Miles in the upcoming Billy T. Boyd film, "Steampunk")

SZ: Tell us about the upcoming ConCave, when it is, and its location?

CM: Well Concave is Kentucky's longest running science fiction convention. This will be the 31st year and marks the return of the con to its original location Bowling Green, KY. It was held there for one year and then moved to Park City for around 19 years and then to Horsecave for the last decade or so. Our size and convention requirements have finally pushed us back to Bowling Green which offers larger hotel venues in the 'Caveland' area. We have chosen the Best Western Motor Inn of Bowling Green to be our host this year. The facility offers much improvement as far as space over the Horsecave venue. Concave is traditionally held the last weekend in February and this year that is the 26-28th.

SZ: What is your involvement with ConCave?

CM: Where to start... Well I have attended the last 29 (of 30 previous) Concaves. So for me it is a kind of reunion. I grew up there. So my role over the years has changed somewhat drastically. In recent years I became more involved in the running of the Con and was nominated to become Chairman. We recently incorporated as a non-profit group and so technically I am a Board Member who also holds the office of President. Basically that is a fancy way of saying I get to take out the garbage. Well there is a lot more to running a Con than that but you get the idea. I work with a veteran team of officers, board members, and volunteers to balance all of the minutiae that goes into running an event of this nature. We even raise a little money to donate to our favorite causes.

SZ: What is a relax-a-con, as opposed to the more standard type of Con? What can attendees expect at this type of event?

CM: The relax-a-con is more about fans than anything. No special celebrity guests, no panels, no masquerade, none of the things one would normally associate with a science fiction con. What we do have is an art show (with Sat. auction), a dealer's room, a Consuite, a film room, a game room, and a lot of room parties. Concave has several krews that put on room parties from literally beyond this world. It is the sort of thing you have to see to believe.

SZ: Tell us about some of the recent indie directors that you have been working with, as an actor.

CM: I have been trying to be as big a whore as possible when it comes to this. I want to work! I want to practice my craft any/time/way/how that I can! Lately I have done a lot of work with Roni Jonah and her Feathered Italian co-Hort Jason Crowe. We recently re-shot some scenes for her short film 'Trepan' and I got to put some work in on her fabulous Science-Fiction piece 'Malfunction'. I have also had the pleasure and privilege to work with Billy T. Boyd on his film 'Steampunk'. I am very excited to see that project come together. Billy is a talented writer and director who I look forward to working with more in 2010. I would be remiss if I did not mention one of my very favorite directors Jerry Williams but I see the next question is about him so I will hold off on my praise of this local film god. In general I feel very fortunate to have worked with some great directors all through 2009. Cherokee Hall, Jacob Ennis, Stacey T. Gillespie, Bob C. Cooke, the list goes on... Like I said. Whore.

SZ: I always have to ask this question of people who have worked with cult indie filmmaker Jerry Williams (and humor is intended). What is it like being in a Jerry Williams film? Do you need extensive counseling after working with him?

CM: I love Jerry. He offers a creative freedom to his actors that is almost unheard of. I have found that he trusts me to just let go and get way out there. Which in turn pushes me to try and find HIS limit. Which I am not sure exists! He has let me flail around in my death throes until I destroyed the chair I was in! I relish any opportunity to work with Jerry. It is like drinking pure creativity. I only need the counseling to keep me from kidnapping him and chaining him to a camera and a computer in my basement. I am all in for Jerry. Whatever he needs that is what I want to do. Ummm, as an actor that is. I am a married man.

SZ: Tell us about your new western/civil war film project that you recently completed. Who’s in it? And what’s the plot/setting?

CM: Oh, if only that were true! It needs quite a bit more work to be completed. I did screen some footage from it recently but just for fun. I am hoping to complete the project before October at this point. I was privileged to work with a great cast and crew on this. It stars: Cory Stringer, Billy W. Blackwell, Russ Croley, Grace Norton, Cassidy Rae, Roni Jonah, Sonny Burnette, Kayla Perkins, Billy Boyd, Keith Nicholson, Scaheffer Tolliver, Stacey T. Gillespie, and a host of wonderful civil war re-enactors. They were all a pleasure to work with and I have to give props to my behind the scenes crew: Jason Crowe, Jake LeMaster, Rhonda Bingham, Sven Granlund, Tonya Miles, and all of the actors who helped whenever needed. All of these folks and more really went that extra mile for the project and I truly inspired by there work.

The story is basically this: In the chaos in the aftermath of the Civil War in Kentucky an 'outbreak' occurred that did not make the history books. This is the story of some folks trying to survive through that.

SZ: When will you be holding more screenings for the new movie?

CM: I am hoping to be able to screen the finished product by October of 2010. Most likely it will screen here in Lexington for a premiere.

SZ: What are the things that you enjoy most about working in the world of indie film?

CM: I really enjoy the "family" nature of this local community. There is a core of really great people working everyday to make their dreams come true. I love that you can find something happening every weekend if you look. Most weekends there are several simultaneous shoots occurring around the state. This is a wonderful time to be an actor in Kentucky film.

SZ: Conversely, what are the things that you like the least about the indie film world?

CM: The money. I could really use a larger paycheck! More importantly I would like to see some of these fine film makers have some more of it to bring their visions to life! Don't get me wrong, the amazing stuff everyone manages to do with what little we have is mind blowing sometimes. I just think it would be nice if we all had nice catered lunches too!

SZ: What do you see changing in terms of technology, or distribution, or anything like that, that will be of help to the low budget to no budget filmmaker.

CM: As the technology gets smaller and cheaper I think the market also becomes more accessible. If you make a quality product that is interesting to watch and you get it out there then people will look at it. Now, if you want to sell a product that can be a whole different ball of wax. I think VOD (video on demand) is really the wave of the future for most video content. I will always be a collector at heart and people like me will always want dvds we can hold in our hands but I think the future is VOD. And in a VOD world if you can get your name out there you have just as much chance of success as anyone regardless of budget.

SZ: What kinds of things do you think help make for a strong independent film community?

CM: Knowledgeable, helpful, friendly members! Thankfully something we have in abundance here in Kentucky! People who will work hard for each other.

SZ: As someone that had the honor of attending one of your events at Mia’s in Lexington, which was a mini-film festival that was free and open to the public, do you plan on doing other such events? What is your inspiration for these kinds of events?

CM: Thanks for coming! I basically wanted to get a bunch of these film makers I have been ranting about into the same room! I felt it would be nice to do a free screening of some of the recently completed work from our community and Mia's was receptive to the idea so off we went. I definitely want to do this again. I have been working on a larger venue for later this year. I will have more details as I secure sponsors.

When it comes to inspiration I just love seeing what is happening out there and I think everyone should have the opportunity to show their work.

SZ: What’s on your plate for 2010, as both an actor and a filmmaker?

CM: Wow! So much to say. I am finally getting to work with George Bonilla this year on his new film 'Santa vs. the Zombies'. I am out of my mind with excitement about this one! I am also looking forward to being in Roni Jonah's 'Lesferatu' this year as well as some more of her 'Malfunction' story. Then I have a couple of projects in the works with Billy T. Boyd that are going to be lots of fun. On the film making side of it I hope to complete the projects I have shot and get them out there. I am always writing and thinking so something else may get rolling but I am hoping to concentrate on my first love which is acting.

SZ: If people would like to connect with you, what are some of your online links, social networking contacts, etc.?

CM: Good question! I guess the best way to get hold of me is on facebook but I really would encourage all of your readers to visit my imdb page.

Claude's IMDB Link:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3014429/

Claude's FaceBook Link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/claude.miles