Damon smirk
Streetballers producer, Craig Thomas
The producers of the St. Louis-based indie film Streetballers are blogging here every Wednesday, giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at local independent film. Go back to last week's post to catch up if you haven't been following their posts. --SR
Sound master Ryan McNeely has been working his magic alongside director/writer Matthew Scott Krentz—they’re doing the film’s final sound mixes. The two aces have been locked in the studio placing some of the newest, hottest hip-hop tracks from the Streetballers soundtrack into key scenes.
Producer Craig Thomas made things easy by rounding up a beautiful compilation of St. Louis’ finest musicians and their freshest cuts to make up the soon-to-be-available soundtrack, which is 100 percent St. Louis: Murphy Lee, Yung Ro, Aloha, Shorty Da Prince, Lil’ Mont, YouVee, Potzee and R. Prophet (formally of the Nappy Roots). These artists are just as excited to be a part of the film as we are to have them bangin’ the Streetballers anthem. (Checkmate for Kingmaker Craig on these great music procurement moves.)
Hot 104.1 FM has teamed with us to promote a special VIP screening, and promote the St. Louis theatrical release—they’ll be giving away special VIP tickets on-air and on their website. The station will also be broadcasting live from the exclusive VIP screening on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Wehrenberg Ronnie’s 20 Cine. In attendance, along with the cast and crew, will be some gold, platinum, and choice St. Louis basketball leather—folks like NY Knick Larry Hughes, 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and big-time musical talent like the St. Lunatics and Chingy, as well as people like State Rep. Chris Carter and plenty of others. Hot 104.1 will also be broadcasting live on Friday, August 21 at Landmark’s Tivoli Theatre for the Streetballers theatrical premiere!
Also, this past weekend Matt Krentz and fellow Streetballers Producer Patrick Rooney were guests on legendary film critic Harry Hamm’s KMOX Sunday night entertainment show. Harry, realizing that something special was happening in St. Louis with Streetballers, spoke with great enthusiasm about the film, encouraging all of St. Louis to get out and support the premiere.
No doubt Harry Hamm’s endorsement provides credibility that will ring out as far as KMOX does on a clear Sunday night to more than 40 states (and with the Internet, even more). Speaking of that, our marketing team, the St. Louis-based NGAGE, established the Streetballers presence on the all-mighty Twitter: @Street_Ballers. You can also link with Streetballers on Facebook and other social networking sites at streetballersthemovie.com. Our goal is to be number one per-screen average earning independent film in the United States for our big August 21 to 23 opening weekend. The Streetballers team has tossed the alley-oop and we’re counting on all of St. Louis to be on the receiving-end to dunk it home. Til next week: play on, Streetballers! —Matthew Krentz, Craig Thomas and Patrick Rooney
