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Taught In Cold Blood – Continuum Pictures

Posted on February 2, 2013 by James Duval

Taught In Cold Blood

Luke Lippold

Luke Lippold in the P. David Miller directed thriller Taught in Cold Blood

The journey to creating any independent project is usually  long and unpredicatable. The completion of an independent feature is always a miracle. Taught in Cold Blood is no exception. Taught in Cold Blood is one of the last Continuum Pictures films. The company has grown and gone through many changes since beginning this project. The new incarnation including many of the old team members in Continuum Motion Pictures.

Taught in Cold Blood is now almost through its assembly edit. This means we are about to begin its final edit. Mesindo Pompa, Luke Lippold, Sara Drust and Justin Hoffmeister did a wonderful job. The lighting and image are some of the best we have ever done. We are proud that this film really is the closing song of this incarnation of  Continuum Pictures.

Scott Hayman, Danny Torres, Jason Durdon, Darien Harte and James Duval managed to stick it through the battle and capture a wonderful story under the Direction of P. David Miller.
Taught In Cold Blood - P. David Miller and Danny TorresP. David Miller was pulled into to direct the project based on his experience with Continuum Pictures as an effects and stunts supervisor. Being a talented actor himself, he was able to take the Darien Harte written and pull from it and the actors to tell a convincing story of a young man whose inner demon was meant to find expression. It is a story about in this universe you attract the people who match your soul.

SirensContinuum Pictures is excited about its growth beyond where it was when it started this feature. As we have grown into Continuum Motion Pictures, having been on the Paramount Studios lot, having left the lot to develop and grow our own distribution network that now includes Dish Network, our own App for Ipad and Iphones, Netflix and more, we are excited by the future and our new productions.

Check us out at Continuum Motion Pictures

 

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures Moves to the Paramount Lot

Posted on January 10, 2012 by James Duval
Paramount Studios Continuum Pictures

Continuum Pictures moved to the Paramount Studios lot August 2011

Mid-August 2011 Continuum Pictures Studios under the direction of Danny Torres and James Duval moved to the Paramount Studios lot. The moved came about based on the previous work that the Continuum Pictures team had completed and what was in post. Cider Springs Slaughter (see trailer) along with Taught in cold Blood, Mano a Mano and Ocean Front Property are scheduled for a 2012 release.

The Absents

Directed by Jason Durdon, Produced by Danny Torres James Duval

Additionally as mentioned previously Jason Durdon has become an EVP in Continuum Pictures Studios as well as CEO of Filmplane Entertainment, which handles Continuum Pictures Studios independent features and distribution.

Continuum Pictures

Continuum Pictures: Danny Torres, James Duval, Jason Durdon, Scott Hayman, Richard Scott,

Continuum Pictures Studios has entered into a broadcast agreement with Matriarch Multimedia which gives Continuum Pictures Studios access to VOD, as well as satatelite and cable broadcast. In early 2012 Continuum Pictures Studios will launch its first VOD broadcast.

-Continuum Pictures-

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures Danny Torres Links on the Net

Posted on June 3, 2011 by James Duval

The Darkness Descending: Produced by Danny Torres and Continuum Pictures

Blog Under Constant Update:

Danny Torres
Writer, Director, Producer, Filmmaker
twitter: TheDannyTorres : twitter: ContinuumPics: twitter: FilmplaneFilm

DP/Producer Danny Torres with Director Joel Murray

Danny Torres produced his first feature “Wrestling Days” when he was 20 years old and attending UC Berkeley. Shortly after wrapping that feature he became a partner and then head of Independent Image Entertainment (IIE). Later in late 2005 he formed Continuum Pictures with five of the IIE partners. In early 2006 at the age of 21 he moved Continuum Pictures to Los Angeles. He has since produced many features, short films, music videos and web series. His love for filmmaking is a driving force within the Continuum Pictures Team.

Links around the Web: We will be updating these as we go along. With over 20 producing credits to his name it will take a little while: For a immediate full list of his film credits please feel free to press on the Imdb link below.

imdb: Danny Torres
Danny Torres: inbaseline
Continuum Pictures: inbaseline

Jason Durdon head of Filmplane and Danny Torres head of Continuum Pictures on Sirens

Bio: Danny Torres/Continuum Pictures
LinkedIn-Danny Torres
Facebook- Danny Torres
Danny Torres: Continuum Pictures: Cinematography
KKDA: Interview
LATalk Radio: Mother Love Show interview
LATalk Radio: Indies in Motion with Rick Mizuno
Interview with Alison Richards
Danny Torres Google Profile
Danny Torres Plaxo Profile
Fandango Profile
Continuum Pictures: LinkedIn
Filmplane Entertainment: LinkedIn
Continuum Pictures News & Facts
Filmplane News & Facts
Vimeo Channel
James Duval Blog:
Horror Junkies Channel

Mitsein received the support of Danny Torres and Continuum Pictures

Photo galleries with Danny Torres Photos:
Photostream with Danny Torres production Pictures


Danny Torres: Continuum Pictures Movies
Danny Torres: Continuum Pictures News
Danny Torres: Continuum Pictures Press

Taught In Cold Blood: DP/Producer (2011)
Status: In Production
Trailer: Coming Soon
Taught In Cold Blood Photo Album 1
Taught In Cold Blood Photo Album 2
Continuum Pictures site: Taught In Cold Blood
imdb: Taught In Cold Blood

On set Mano a Mano

Mano a Mano: DP/Producer (2011)
Status: Post Production:
Mano a Mano Trailer:
Continuum Pictures Site: Mano a Mano
Facebook: Mano a Mano
inbaseline: Mano a Mano
imdb: Mano a Mano

Redemption: Darkness Descending: Producer (2009)
Below one of the country’s most vibrant cities lies an unseen world shrouded in mystery and violence. In the vast maze of subway tunnels and caves, people struggle to survive as they are forgotten by the world above. Nothing is exactly what it seems and danger lies around every corner. It is a world of stories.

Chelsea Henderson, student and filmmaker entered this underground world to document these stories. This is what she found.
Horror Junkies Review
Cast and Crew
Status: Distributed: KoldCastTV
Trailer season 1
Redemption: Episode 1
Horror Junkies Broadcast: Episode 1
Lost: Episode 2
Darkness: Episode 3
Harmony: Episode 4
The Chosen: Episode 5
Trailer
Official Site:
Facebook Page: The Darkness Descending
imdb: The Darkness Descending

Ocean Front Property: Producer (2010)
A failed actress returns to her hometown to start a new life, and unexpectedly discovers the completion she had always dreamed of. Writer/Producer/Director Joseph Neibich starred in Ocean Front Property. The film also starred wonderful Suzette Tomlinson and a cast of comedians.
imdb: Ocean Front Property
Ocean Front Property: Trailer
Continuum Pictures Site: Ocean Front Property
Ocean Front Property: facebook
Suzette Tomlinson Interview:
Suzette News:
Jduvalfilm Blog


The Absents: Producer/Writer (2011)
Thirty years ago the small town of Cider Springs was rocked by a series of brutal murders, for which the killer was never found. But when a group of high school students discover the killer’s infamous mask in their history teacher’s possession, questions start to fly – and the killings resume.
Status: In Post Production
Continuum Pictures: The Absent
imdb: The Absents
The Absents: facebook page

Sirens: Producer/DP (2011)
One moves through the streets of LA in the ensuing aftermath of a Zombie Apocalypse on to hear the call of death.
Status: Post Production
Sirens: Photo Stream with Pictures

Convict: Producer (2009)
Parolee and his nineteen year old hostage begin a journey into the horrors of the American prison system.
Status: Out to Festivals
Continuum Pictures: Convict
imdb: Convict

OMG! Wrong Party: Producer/Editor (2010)
“What happens when a bunch of different types of people… from the drunk girls, the classy LA girl, the party deuschbag boy, the nerd, etc etc… all attend one party, accidentally?”
HollyShorts Interview
Continuum Pictures News: OMG! Wrong Party
imdb: OMG! Wrong Party

Thirteen Or So Minutes: Executive Producer (2008)
Lawrence Jefferies and Hugh Greerey have just met. They both have girlfriends…they’re both straight. Thirteen or so minutes later, however, something’s happened and things have changed.
Blog Review:
BB MediaGroup Cast Crew: Official Site
Thirteen Or So Minutes: Trailer
Thirteen or So Minutes: Imdb
Palm Springs Film Festival
Seattle Film Festival
Honolulu Rainbow Festival
Thirteen Or So Minutes Awards
On Vimeo

Midnight Snack:
Executive Producer (2008)
A film producer meets an odd couple at a bar. Little does he know, he’s about to become part of this couples main course.
imdb: Midnight Snack

Mitsein: Executive Producer (2009)
Forced to accept the life that is presented to her, Moksha gets married and moves with her husband Neel to a foreign land. Unable to connect with him or others around her, Moksha finds herself alone and miserable. Her new life presents bleak possibilities, and she feels that she has no way out.

One day, Moksha finds a painting of herself in an art gallery, and fervently sets out to find the artist who captured her sad truth. This sets her on a journey to rediscover the one person who can make her life whole again: herself.
Continuum Pictures: Mitsein Mitsein: Imdb
She Creates Cinema: India Entertainment Online The Mumbai Ready Reckoner

Wrestling Days: Producer (2006)
The four leaders of the high school wrestling team, in the midst of their senior year, set out to recruit new wrestlers. However, their friendship is put to the test when one falls for the head cheerleader and another falls for a girl who shocks everyone by joining the team! They must lead their team through the season while butting heads with the basketball team, learning how to date, and dealing with an overbearing coach. (This was Danny Torres first feature at age of 20, in 2004)
Trailer:
Outtakes:
Continuum Pictures: Official Site:
Amazon:
IIE site:
imdb: Wrestling Days

No Strings Attached: Executive Producer (2006)
Two apathetic guys with nothing but time on their hands agree to housesit for a friend in a less-than-stellar neighborhood. During their time there, they witness a murder in the backyard and are drawn into a cat and mouse game where they must outwit an assassin and a gang of mob enforcers, and somehow escape unscathed before their friend’s family from out of town stops by to visit.
Trailer:
Official Site:
Amazon
Continuum Pictures Site:
imdb: No Strings Attached

Ten Cents Short: Producer (2007)
Broke and desparate, two hardened guys on their way to California hold up an office. When the police arrive, they have to take hostages and see if they can figure a way out.
Trailer:
Teaser:
Official Site:
Amazon
Continuum Pictures Site:
imdb: Ten Cents Short

Two Rooms in The Valley: Co-Executive Producer (2008)
Join actor Don Scribner on an autobiographical journey of love, life, music and passion. This memoir takes us through an improbable journey from “cardboard in the shoes poor” childhood in Wisconsin to school teacher and principal struggling with the life long ambitions that led him to Los Angeles.
Official Site: Coming Soon
Amazon
Continuum Pictures Site: Coming Soon
imdb: Two Rooms In The Valley

Music Videos:
Karmadons: Came a Long Way To See You (2010)
Director/Producer/Director of Photography

Karmadons Bio:

The Deliverance: Wicked Heart: (2010)
Producer and Director of Photography:

The Deliverance: Dramatic: (2010)
Producer/Director of Photography

Review of The Deliverance

Mano a Mano: Danny Torres: Producer/DP Continuum Pictures

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures James Duval Links On The Net

Posted on June 3, 2011 by James Duval

Supported and Executive Produced by Danny Torres and Continuum Pictuers

Blog Taken From Continuum Pictures News & Facts

James Duval
writer/producer

James Duval has been heading productions since 1991 when he moved to San Francisco where he attended San Francisco State University. I arrived there and was shortly joined by a friend who shared the same filmmaking dream. At San Francisco State he met Mark Lillig and found they shared a love for movies and production. It was Mark that began James’ education in film. Prior to this James had completed a screenplay then titled Bloodless Scream. With that Mark and James were off on their first production adventure.

As James Duval pursued production their team began to grow to ultimately include Richard Scott, Tyler Ross, Scott Hayman, Danny Torres and Austin Anderson. This lead to the formation of three companies, Independent Image Entertainment, Continuum Pictures and Filmplane Entertainment.

Continuum Company Biography for James Duval:

James Duval was born in the Midwest then, in 1970, moved with his family to Alaska by driving the Alcan Highway through Canada in a station wagon with fourteen people. He was raised in Fairbanks where he spent most of his younger years reading, writing and playing the violin. After graduating high school, he spent a year and half working with the Spanish speaking community of East Los Angeles, as a volunteer for the LDS Church.

 

James has been driven by the desire to create for as long as his parents can remember. From theater, road shows, writing and music he has spent most of his life being a creator and encouraging others to do the same.

In 1991 he moved to San Francisco to make movies. While at San Francisco State, he met Mark Lillig and the two of them decided to step away from a film education and into the actual practice of making movies. In 1996, they formed Independent Image Entertainment (IIE) with Tyler Ross and Richard Scott.

In 2004, after working on a project entitled Wrestling Days, two young filmmakers Danny Torres and Scott Hayman joined the IIE team. In late 2005 James Duval, Danny Torres, Scott Hayman, Mark R. Lillig, Tyler Ross and Richard Scott formed Continuum Pictures in Los Angeles.

Since the formation of Continuum Pictures, James Duval has produced many features, including Mano a Mano, Three Bad Men, Convict, The Absents, and others here in the US and internationally.

Through his experiences in life, James has been given the patience, time and opportunity to fall in love with movies and the people who make them while always giving credit to those films and people who inspired him.

On the set of Peepers with its stars

James Duval Twitter: jduvalfilm
Continuum Pictures Twitter: ContinuumPics
Filmplane Twitter: filmplanefilm

Blogs by James Duval or About James Duval:
Word Press
Live Journal
BlogSpot
Reinventing the Reel
Continuum Pictures
Filmplane Entertainment

Online Photo Albums
Childhood
Past Productions
Life In Film
The Absents
Taught In Cold Blood

Continuum Pictures Company Links

 

 

Danny Torres, Mark Lillig, Scott Hayman, Richard Scott, Tyler Ross, James Duval 2005

 

 

 

Continuum Pictures
Continuum Pictures Movies
Continuum Pictures Personnel
Filmplane
Independent Image Entertainment:

Continuum Pictures: FB page
Filmplane: FB Page
Project First Strike: FB page

Continuum Pictures: InBaseline

Filmographies:
James Duval
Continuum Pictures imdb
Filmplane imdb
Independent Image Entertainment imdb
James Duval: inbaseline

Links Around the Web:
Horror Junkies: The Darkness Descending
India Entertainment Online: Mitsein
Mumbai Ready Reckoner: Mitsein
Variety Review: Sabor Tropical
Los Angeles Times Review: Sabor Tropical
New York Times Review: Sabor Tropical
New York Times Cast & Crew: Sabor Tropical
Movie Review Intelligence: Sabor Tropical

Social Networks
Digg
Stumbleupon
Mano a Mano: FB page
Taught in Cold Blood: FB page
No Words: FB PG
Ocean Front Property: FB page
The Absents: FB page

Interviews:
KKDA Dallas
Demon FM UK

Miscellaneous:
Blank a Short film by Quan Tran
Mano a Mano: The Trailer
Karmadons Music Video: Came a Long Way to See You
The Deliverance Music Video: Dramatic

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Redemption: The Darkness Descending – Continuum Pictures Goes Underground In New York

Posted on June 1, 2011 by James Duval
On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2440On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2469On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2456_2On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2443_2On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2392On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2439_2
On the Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2436_2On Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2441_2 james duvalOn Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2446_2 James DuvalOn Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2451Danny Torres On Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2459On Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2454 James Duval
On Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2462 james duvalSkeeter On Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2456_2Danny Torres On Set The Darkness Descending IMG_2443_2On Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2473 James DuvalOn Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2496On Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2535_2 James Duval
On Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2538 James DuvalDanny Torres On Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2540_2Danny Torres On Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2549Danny Torres On Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2546 James DuvalOn Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2554 James DuvalOn Set of The Darkness Descending IMG_2556 James Duval

The Darkness Descending, a set on Flickr.

Blue Dragon Entertainment and Continuum Pictures present:

Redemption: The Darkness Descending written/produced by Frank Krueger, Produced by Wylie Small, James Duval, Danny Torres. It was directed by “Break” director Marc Clebanoff. It also starred Frank Krueger, Wylie Small, William Romeo, Daryl Crittenden, Michael Walton and many others. The director of photography was Dave Sell, with additional from Danny Torres:

The Darkness Descending

Below one of the country’s most vibrant cities lies an unseen world shrouded in mystery and violence. In the vast maze of subway tunnels and caves, people struggle to survive as they are forgotten by the world above. Nothing is exactly what it seems and danger lies around every corner. It is a world of stories.

Chelsea Henderson, student and filmmaker entered this underground world to document these stories. This is what she found.
Via Flickr:

Written/Produced by Frank Krueger, Directed by Marc Clebanoff, Produced by Wylie Small, Danny Torres, James Duval

Blue Dragon Entertainment, Continuum Pictures

The Darkness Descending explores the harsh world under he streets of New York.

The Darkness Descending Web Series:

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures and Its Project Choices

Posted on June 1, 2011 by James Duval

Austin Anderson, Kerr Seth Lordygan, Torie Tyson, Brian Dawson, Jorge Ameer, James Duval, Danny torres, Branden Blinn, Carlos Salas

When I first started this filmmaking journey I was given a bit of advice. It seemed very pessimistic and not very inspiring at the time, but I have come to know it was one of the best things I was ever told. “Make a movie, any movie, its not very important. The process is what is important.”

Now being an “inspired young filmmaker/writer/everything else a person” is when they start, this of course properly insulted me. See I did learn something in the year I tried to go to film school. But I took it.

Joel Murray directing the Bouncer, Produced by Danny Torres written by Doug Jackson starring Vince Cecere Continuum Pictures

I began working on other people’s projects, which never started. Then I worked on my own “art” projects, which we shot and then I began to see the wisdom of the words. Every movie is brilliant in our heads, and in truth given the right resources, casting, crew, etc… it truly might be. Unfortunately at the “indie” level and when you are beginning that is rarely the case. You ultimately learn that crap is crap no matter what your intentions or efforts were. The only thing you can take from those projects is experience and people.

Driver (James Duval) hunting Chuey (Luis Villa Franca)

Driver stalks Chuey deep in the Arizona Bad Lands

Now when we formed Continuum Pictures, who followed a little bit of the same advice. In this case, we chose to work with people that could get a project done and OUT.  This is why we have worked with directors like Branden Blinn (Thirteen or So Minutes), Jorge Ameer (House of Adam, Dark Side of Love, Sabor Tropical, Midnight Snack), Joseph Neibich (Ocean Front Property), and our own team of Danny Torres, P. David Miller, Mark R. Lillig and Jason Durdon. In each case the directors know how to see the journey through. If you are a producer you must produce, if you are a production company you have to get films made and out.

Continuum Pictures romantic comedy Ocean Front Property

Hollywood romance can always be found in your home town

Now the journey of a production company is very similar to that of a individual filmmaker, you get better with time. We look at our productions with great directors like Branden Blinn, who constantly wins at festival, and directors like Jorge Ameer who always gets his films out and we push our own productions like The Absent, Ocean Front Property, Taught in Cold Blood and Mano a Mano to that higher level always knowing we have to do better next time.

It seems that next time is here. As we now finish post on our current slate of films, we are gearing up to work with our own directors now and their projects. So far the projects at the next level include an action/horror, action/scifi, zombies, urban horror, and a romance comedy

Follow us on Twitter: ContinuumPics or jduvalfilm
see our work on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/company/co0209293/

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures: The Making of Mano A Mano: A Thriller in any Language

Posted on June 1, 2011 by James Duval

Minute Men vs Mexicans in a Journey of hate and evil: © Continuum Pictures

We began the project Mano a Mano a while back. It seemed at the time that it would be a pretty straightforward project.  Well that is until Bruce, the pick up truck, began to behave like Bruce the shark, in Jaws. We went through five tires, a battery, were towed out of the desert nearly every day we shot with the truck, caught on fire and just sometimes stopped working.

Chewy and Jose being chased by the Minutemen

Mano a Mano is the story of a group of Latin immigrants crossing the Arizona Boarder illegally. Shortly after crossing they run across two Minutemen in a truck who begin to hunt them down. It is a thriller in the tradition of Spielberg’s Dual and El Norte.

We were lucky our two leads Mesindo Pompa and Luis Villafranca both are phenomenal actors.  They brought rare depth to the characters, which is one of the reason the film is getting as much pre-release attention that it is.  I myself James Duval and Austin Anderson play the Minutemen. I think we may have be typed cast based on our looks.

P. David Miller, Boarder Patrol

Boarder Patrol officer played by P. David Miller: © Continuum Pictures

Matt Dyer writer/director and Danny Torres producer/DP ran the show.  It was a definite group effort on all parts. The entire Continuum Pictures team was involved from its inset.  We would leave LA at 4am and drive out to Apple Valley every day.

The film is a testament to the actors and crew’s dedication. It has definitely been quite the journey.  Bruce broke down at least three times on the way to the location. Can’t really complain. When you see what we put Bruce the pickup truck through it is amazing it survived at all.

Boarder Crossing Mana a Mano

Continuum Pictures Mano A Mano: The Boarder Crossing

We chose to shoot Mano a Mano in Spanish. The script was originally in English, but as we moved into the material, it was obvious that this film had a voice and that voice was the voice of the people crossing the boarder.

Unlike many chase movies, the film takes the time to explore the reasons for the crossing beyond the standard cliché statements on immigration.  Mesindo Pompa’s character is driven by his own past, while Luis Villafranca’s is driven by a dream.

Danny Torres, the son of immigrants from El Salvador,  found a way to guide this film as a DP and Producer that has kept the film fresh and new.  When Matt could not be on the set, Danny would take the helm. This is definitely a team vision, down to the dialogue.

Danny Torres

Continuum Pictures P. David Miller, Prod/DP Danny Torres

Danny Torres

worked with Matt through many drafts before giving his green light. It has become the flagship project for Continuum Pictures and its move into the studio system.  It shows how a little company started in the San Francisco Bay area, can come to LA and actually make a movie.

Continuum Pictures since mid 2007 as of this date has completed five features from pre to post, Convict directed by Austin Anderson, The Absent directed by Jason Durdon, Sabor Tropical directed by Jorge Ameer, Ocean Front Property directed by Joseph Neibich and Mano a Mano.  Additionally Continuum Pictures has reposted House of Adam directed by Jorge Ameer,  posted Ten Cents Short directed by Austin Anderson, and many short films.

http://continuumpictures.com/av/manoamano-trailer/

Mano a Mano represents a leap in Continuum Pictures production ability. These lessons now take us into our next slate of projects. The whole team moves forward, with us recasting Mesindo Pompa and Luis Villa Franca in roles, as well embracing a new set of directors from our team, Quan Tran, David Scruggs, P. David Miller and Tyler Ross.

A movie is often a metaphor for the life experience of its director.  Mano a Mano has become that metaphor for us as filmmakers and as a company. The Continuum Pictures team has learned along the way, you really have to want to be here and do this for it to work. Mano a Mano is the journey of two men who want to really be here. It is a reflection of the American Dream and the difficulties in finding it.

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures/Filmplane Project First Strike Update

Posted on June 1, 2011 by James Duval

Project First Strike Update: Continuum Pictures:

Usually when people begin “projects” like Project First Strike, they wish to create an image of neutrality.  Being neutral presents an image of professionalism. This image is one of the problems with filmmaking. Rarely do you hear why you did not get the deal, or your script was rejected.

Peepers: dir Mark Lillig, James Duval writer producer

We wish to begin this journey for these filmmakers with honesty. Project First Strike is an embodiment of a way of filmmaking that Continuum Pictures and its producers have been doing for years. We have always given first time directors, producers and writers our support. Unfortunately as we have moved up the film world, our time has become more difficult to spare. Anyone who has had to work with us will tell you that communications is our one down fall.  At any given moment we have anywhere from 5 to 10 projects of various shapes and sizes in our production pipeline. This is not an exaggeration.  Sometimes it is as small as volunteering to shoot a scene for an actors reel.  We love actors. Other times it really is the favor of shooting a feature for someone. This is how Continuum Pictures and its producers came together. Wrestling Days was one of those projects.

James Duval

My point is given our production pipeline and what we are trying to accomplish, the first set of projects for Project First Strike will be with first time directors we already know. We have decided that it is better to get the program going than to set up hype and false professionalism.

Currently we have two directors in Los Angeles and one director in the UK for whom we are setting up projects. As we bring on more producers with experience into this arena we will be able to expand to people we do not know.

The reason for this honesty, is one of the first rules of film is you do not lie to production people. You have to tell them the truth so that they can help you get through the project, or problem.

Directed by Matt Dyer, Produced by Danny Torres, James Duval-Continuum Pictures

Project First Strike is about production not hype. So here is what we are looking for:

  1. Producers in every country willing to work with First Time directors of all backgrounds.
  2. First time directors who are willing to go to the edge with their projects and not settle for what they have seen before. Basically no fan films or films with nods to other films. They will have the opportunity to direct features, shorts and/or web series.
  3. First time writers willing to join with these directors with edgy material who will be given writers credit/producers credits and have a chance to see their work on the screen.
  4. People with equipment that wish to help out on such projects that are willing to commit not just to the project but also to building careers.
  5. People who are about production/not hype.

Dan Albracht & Danny Torres, Troubadours

We will be coordinating this project probably on xing.com. The goal is to make this an international program trying to help filmmakers around the world.  Which means we are trying to move away from the U.S. centric approach.

We do not wish to approach this in to formal of a way, but in a way that first time filmmakers of every background can be equals with those who have years of experience.

Continuum Pictures/Filmplane want to see wonderful films come from this.

Here is a partial log of films we have done with First Time Feature Filmmakers

Wrestling Days, first feature by Dan Albracht, Danny Torres, Scott Hayman

Wrestling Days: Dan Albract 1st Feature as a writer/director
Danny Torres 1st Feature as a producer
Scott Hayman  1st Feature as a Actor/Producer

Ten Cents Short, Austin Anderson's first featureTen Cents Short:  Austin Anderson 1st Feature as a Director

Mano a Mano Continuum Pictures Spanish Language ThrillerMano a Mano:    Matt Dyer 1st Feature Writer/Director

The Absents:       Jason Durdon 1st Feature Director
Taylor McPartland 1st Feature Writer/Producer

Taught in Cold Blood: P. David Miller 1stFeature Director

Danny TorresDarien Harte 1st Feature Writer/Producer

No Words

No Words:     Tenaya Cleveland 1stTime Writer/Director

Directed by Joseph Neibich, Produced by Danny Torres, James Duval & Continuum Pictures

Ocean Front Property: Joseph Neibich 1stTime Feature Writer/Director

Unseen Shadows one of the films we lost and will shoot again

Many of these people have gone on to become a integral part of the Continuum Pictures team, some have even gone on to become partners in this journey. Filmmaking should be an art/career open to all people. Unfortunately because of access to technology most of the world can only ever dream of making or being in a movie.

It is our hope that with the help of filmmakers around the world, that we can make the opportunity of this dream available to many people who would not have gotten the chance otherwise.

The WebTV series Produced by Frank Krueger, Wylie Small, Danny Torres, james Duval & Continuum Pictures

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures Thriller Update: Taught In Cold Blood: Re-Blog

Posted on May 31, 2011 by James Duval
P. David Miller and Danny Torres on The Continuum Pictures thriller

Taught in Cold Blood has been a project in development with Darien Harte, writer/producer. Darien Harte brought the project to us mid 2009. Darien wrote the initial script. Danny Torres and Darien handled rewrites up until about November 2009 when it was decided that the project was ready to go.

Once the script was given the okay, Continuum Pictures began casting. We knew that our female lead would be Robin Quinn Trudeau (Amy), a young actress with amazing talent. Most of her acting career previously had been on the stage, having performed internationally. Originally another actor had been chosen to play Cameron. During preparations he was cast to be on the

Nicky Korba young rising star: Taught in Cold Blood & The Absents

TV show The Gate.Luke Lippold came in to read for the part. He was amazing and it was decided he would take the lead role as Cameron.  Loydene Williamson was chosen to play Cameron’s mother. The final role left was that of Tony. Mesindo Pompa became available in October 2010 and it was decided to go with the Mano a Mano star.

 

James Duval Continuum Pictures: from Mano a Mano:

James Duval and Danny Torres, both taking the Executive Producer role, chose producers on the project from within the ranks of Continuum/Filmplane.Scott Hayman(Wrestling Days),Darien Harte and Tyler Ross (Convict) were chosen to produce this Continuum Pictures thriller. Mark Lillig (The Hangman) one of the founders of Continuum Pictures was chosen to be the director of photography.

All that was left was the director. This took us some time. We considered our own in-house team, but felt that we were looking for someone who could bring out the talent of the actors in this dark story.

Director P. David Miller, Justin Hoffmeister and Sara Drust on the Taught In Cold Blood: Danny Torres DP/Producer

Ultimately after camera testing the scenes and looking at the potential of the project, it was decided to go with P. David Miller, who had been in previous Continuum Pictures features, as a fight and stunt choreographer, second unit director and star. P. David had previously been slated to direct the Filmplane feature Terror Form in late 2011.

Update April 2011:Unfortunately do to scheduling conflicts, Robing Trudeau part as Amy had to be recast. Fortunately for the production an amazing young actress named Sara Drustwas cast in the part. Sara brings a wonderful personality and talent to the project.

Additionally: In April 2011 Scott Hayman took over a chief producer on the project: Casting includes Justin Hoffmeister,Richard Scott, Justin Cone, Bryant Arthur, Jorge Toche, Colin McGurk, Nicky Korba, Bethany Braun and Vance Fannin.

May 2011: Diversity Pictures Producer Lawrence Williams came on as an Executive Producer

 

Lawrence Williams: Diversity Pictures

Taught In Cold Blood: Facebook Page
Continuum Pictures: Facebook Page
Filmplane: Facebook Page

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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How Continuum Pictures Came Together: A Re-Blog From Continuum Pictures News & Facts

Posted on May 31, 2011 by James Duval

Death an Agent: an IIE production

In late 2005 a group of us from the San Francisco Bay area meet in a Cafe in Santa Monica. We met for a purpose, to decide where our film careers were going. Some of us had known and worked with each other since 1991. Others had only known each other since 2004. The one thing we had in common is we wanted to make movies.
In 1991 James Duval and Mark Lillig met at San Francisco State University. Upon meeting they decided to be friends. James made it simple he wanted to learn to make movies, and Mark was going to teach him. James had already written a screenplay, a horror film called Bloodless Scream. In 1994 they met a special effects genius by the name of Devon Ryan. Devon taught them one basic principle that became the foundation of their careers. “Ask for what you want.” Devon came on board as head of special effects on their project, not only bringing his years of experience but his Fx team as well.

Mark Lillig Directing Peepers: a IIE Production, Pat Gault, Richard Scott and Mark Lillig

In 1997 Mark Lillig and James Duval met Richard Scott was attending San Francisco State University studying acting,  and Tyler Ross, who was attending the art school CCAC for film.. Together they formed what was to become Independent Image Entertainment (IIE). IIE went on to shoot a number of features, music videos and music commercials, with some airing internationally.

No Strings Attached: an IIE production

In 2004 Scott Hayman and Danny Torres, both of whom attended and later graduated from UC Berkeley, joined the team  as producers on Wrestling Days a film about the challenges of high school wrestling, life, values and what happens when a girl joins the team. First time director and graduate from UC Berkeley Daniel Albract directed Wrestling Days.  Scott Hayman starred and produced the project. Danny Torres after a short time on the project became lead producer.
Upon completion of Wrestling Days, Danny Torres lead the journey into the next IIE project Troubadours, once again directed by Dan Albracht. During the shooting of Troubadours, both Scott Hayman and Danny Torres became partners in IIE. Additionally Danny was chosen head of the company by the pre-existing partners all older than himself.
The reasons for these were simple. Danny possessed the skills to take IIE and turn it into a studio level production company. Under his leadership, No Strings Attached directed by Mark Lillig, Wrestling Days, directed by Daniel Albract, Troubadours directed by Dan Albracht, and Ten Cents Short directed by newcomer Austin Anderson, were completed and ultimately distributed.

Samuelle (Prater) Grammy Award winner and Director Mark Lillig on set of Peepers

It was in late 2005 after long conversations in the IIE office in Oakland California, it was decided to hold a meeting in Los Angeles where movies were made, and make a decision.
It was decided to leave the indie roots of the bay area, form a new company to handle production and distribution. It was also decided that from that point forward every project served one purpose, to move the company and its team in to studio level productions. Continuum Pictures was formed in December 2005 for this purpose. In January 2006 the bay area team began its move to Los Angeles. By April 2006 the entire team from the bay area, including Quan Tran, Mark Lillig, Austin Anderson, Scott Hayman, Richard Scott, Tyler Ross and James Duval.
Initial production began on the shooting of Three Bad Men, directed by Danny Torres. After a short time, the production was halted due to an opportunity to actually begin moving on a studio project, brought to them by Stephen Langford. Continuum Pictures began its first foray with the studios shortly thereafter.
Production on Continuum Pictures own projects restarted mid 2007, with productions on Convict, Sabor Tropical which was

Death of an Agent: Mustafa Waiz and Tyler Ross

shot in Panama and directed by Jorge Ameer, The Absent, Ocean Front Property and Mano a Mano. Additionally postproduction was completed on Troubadours during this time, and House of Adam directed by Jorge Ameer was reposted.

Also during this time Filmplane Entertainment was born to replace Independent Image Entertainment, and to continue to be an outlet for indie and beginning filmmakers. Two Rooms in The Valley was shot with the assistance of the Continuum Pictures/Filmplane team and later released by Filmplane through Amazon.com.

Danny Torres, on Mano a Mano: Continuum Pictures

Now here it is late 2010 and The Continuum Pictures team has survived, maintain their friendship, added new friends and partners such as Jason Durdon who now heads Fiilmplane, completed over seven features, 10 major shorts, some of which like Midnight Snack, Thirteen or so Minutes, No Words and Chase have gone on to win awards, acceptance and even distribution.

The one thing that separates the Continuum Pictures team from others, who try to make the move into the film business, is their understanding that no one makes a movie by themselves. They have stuck with the decision to work together and make it together. Under Danny Torres direction Continuum Pictures has grown to be able to not only produce the studio level project but also handle every aspect of distribution.
Update: In late 2010 Jason Durdon withwhom Continuum Pictures helped produce the two Branden Blinn projects, became a Partner and the head of Filmplane Entertainment.
In 2011 P. David Miller took over as Director on Taught In Cold Blood and is slated to direct another feature with Continuum Pictures. P. David Miller also has acted as stunt coordinator, second unit director and Effects Supervisor for both Continuum Pictures and Filmplane Entertainment.

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Wrestling Days Where Continuum Pictures Came Together: Re-Blog

Posted on May 31, 2011 by James Duval

on location at the LDS (Mormon) Institute at UC Berkeley

Wrestling Days:
Director/Writer: Dan Albracht
Producers: Danny Torres, Scott Hayman, Louis Rubio
Exec: Prod James Duval, Mark R. Lillig
DP: Richard Scott:
Editor: Quan Tran
Avail: on Amazon

Wrestling Days, was a project that the Continuum Pictures team did before it was a team or before it was even called Continuum Pictures.  It was a project that was done as a favor to a Rapper that we were shooting a music video for in Oakland. It was one of those decisions that has proven to be the right decision that changed our direction and future. We make those decisions all the time. We are constantly pulled into “indie” projects to help and in the end always complete.Jack's dream

Wrestling Days was the project that brought us all together. It was an insanely large project being done on “no money” and I mean no money. Over thirty locations and over thirty speaking roles. It was shot during finals up at UC Berkeley and most of our cast was attending Berkeley at the time and carrying double majors.

Scott Hayman was the lead producer and lead actor in the project. In our coversation yesterday he attributes building the team and getting it shot to the fact that he did not know he couldn’t.  It was Scott that brought Danny Torres to the team.  Between Scott (21 at the time) and Danny (20 at the time)  they were able to drag this project to completion.

It was shot all over Berkeley including in the LDS gym at the Institute of Religion building near the campus.

Africa was a fantasy world where the team could escape to.

Bringing the cast (team) into a world of imagination where they could all be winners

One of the fun facts is the film is the kid who played Newstead (Vince) had been wounded as a soldier in Bosnia prior to attending Berkeley.

The other interesting fact on the project was it was the first place that Danny Torres handled a film camera. It was the very first day of the shoot, it involved a white van which is still around to this day, and the shot is in the movie.

When I now look back on that film and the stuff we are doing and I see the growth in us as a team and as individuals, I realize that anyone can make it in the industry. The trick is never quit and as much as possible stick to the same team.

Now over 15 features and quite a few shorts later I can show this, from a white van to where we are now.

Dan Albracht directing

Continuum Pictures feature Wrestling Days

About James Duval

I am a writer and producer with Continuum Pictures Studios, located on the Paramount lot. I have been working in film for over twenty years. I was raised in Alaska and born in the midwest.

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Continuum Pictures and The World Wide Web

Posted on May 31, 2011 by dannytorres
Continuum Pictures: Producers Danny Torres, James Duval, Director: Jason Durdon

As Continuum Pictures grows, we start to find our work and our words around the web. I have begun to try and Collect them in one spot. This will be an ongoing project:

Danny Torres, Scott Hayman, Mark Lillig, Tyler Ross, Richard Scott, James Duval

We are a full production studio from pre to post. We mainly focus on in house projects, but are open projects being brought to us. Our core team is divided into two groups. Half of us have worked together for over 10+ years, the other half for over 6+ years.

We develop, produce, finance and distribution feature films.

We were founded in late 2005 by Danny Torres, James Duval, Tyler Ross, Mark Lillig, Richard Scott and Scott Hayman. The team formed shortly after the completion of Wrestling Days and independent family sports drama produced by Danny Torres and Scott Hayman. In early 2006 Continuum Pictures made its move as a company to the Los Angeles area. It has since gone on to shoot, complete and distribute many films

Jason Durdon, James Duval, Danny Torres, Mark Lillig, Tyler Ross, Scott Hayman, Ricahrd Scott

Specialties

Development, Production, Financing, Distribution, Micro-budgets through Filmplane Ent.

On Facebook:

Ocean Front Property: Facebook
Continuum Pictures
Project First Strike
Mano a Mano
Taught In Cold Blood
No Words
Redemption: The Darkness Descending
Filmplane
Sabor Tropical

Directed by Jason Durdon: Produced by James Duval Danny Torres: Continuum Pictures

Links From around The Web

Demon FM of the UK: Tyler Ross Interview
Karmadons’ Music Video on youtube
Variety Review of Sabor Tropical
Full Movie Review: Suzette Tomlinson
India Entertainment on Line: Mitsein
Dark Side of Love Credits
Horror Junkies Review of Darkness Descending
Continuum Pictures on Digg.Com
Continuum Pictures on StumbleUpon.com
James Duval Interview on KKDA
Danny Torres Interview on KKDA
Tyler Ross Interview on Demon FM (UK)
Danny Torres Interview on LATalkRadio Mother Love Show
Danny Torres, Interview on Indies in Motion With Rick Mizuno
Danny Torres Interview with Alison Richards

Mistsein directed by Aparna Malladi
Mitsein directed by Aparna Malladi and supported by Continuum Pictures

Company Profile’s on the Web:
Continuum Pictures on LinkedIn
Filmplane on LinkedIn
James Duval on LinkedIN
Danny Torres on LinkedIN
Continuum Pictures on IMDB
Filmplane Entertainment on IMDB

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQo2sh0bzRg]

Company Blogs:
James Duval on blogSpot
Continuum Pictures News & Facts
James Duval on WordPress
James Duval on LiveJournal
Scott Hayman on BlogSpot

Below is a list of direct links to portions of the Continuum Pictures Site:

Continuum Pictures: News
About Continuum Pictures
Continuum Pictures Team
Continuum Pictures Projects in Development
Continuum Pictures: Home Page
Continuum Pictures: Current Productions
Continuum Pictures Features that are Available

The Darkness Descending Episosde 1: Redemption

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPJ5EJtkJw8]

As always Continuum Pictures continues to grow. We enjoy the work of being filmmakers and producers. We encourage everyone to dare to follow their dreams.

About dannytorres

I am a CEO and founding partner in Continuum Pictures

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Continuum Pictures Gears up For New Projects 2011 – 2012

Posted on May 31, 2011 by dannytorres

The Absents: Continuum Pictures Horror Film: Coming Soon

Continuum Pictures is gearing up to shoot four feature films to be directed by Danny Torres, Jason Durdon, and P. David Miller over this next year. The first of the projects will be helmed by Danny Torres with Three Bad Men feature. Additionally Jason Durdon will be directing an Apocalyptic Thriller,  and P. David Miller a Scifi Action feature. Negotiations are in progress for another science fiction noir project.

Dir: Danny Torres

Continuum Pictures will be producing four web based series, with a second season of  The Darkness Descending in the works, once again Produced by Frank Krueger its creator.

On the Filmplane side of things: Hangman to be directed by Mark Lillig is in the works, as well as a slasher/comedy feature being currently developed by Jeremy Bradley the Continuum Pictures new comer.

Update: Ocean Front Property directed by Joseph Neibich is in the final weeks of post and will soon be heading out to the festival circuit where it will join Convict directed by Austin Anderson, and Siren’s directed by Jason Durdon.

Continuum Pictures on going endeavor Project First Strike is progressing well with the addition of three new producer to assist first time filmmakers.

Continuum Pictures imdb
Continuum Pictures Facebook:
Continuum Pictures movies:
Filmplane 
ContinuumPics: Twitpics

About dannytorres

I am a CEO and founding partner in Continuum Pictures

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Introducing The New Continuum Web Site

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Richard Scott

Today we’re launching our brand new web site!

This is the culmination of months of hard work, and marks an entirely new online look for our company.

Here’s some highlights of the new site:

Old Web Site

New Web Site
  • New, Cleaner Design. Text is easier to read and graphics-heavy pages, like our movie listings, will load faster.
  • Universal Video. Audio and video now work across most browsers and mobile phones. We use advanced HTML 5 video (with h.264 compression) where available, reaching Apple and Android mobile devices as well as Safari and Chrome web browsers. Internet Explorer and Firefox continue to be supported through Flowplayer‘s amazing Flash-based video player and the open source JPlayer audio player.
  • More Video. We now have music videos and more movie trailers online.
  • High Definision Video. Many of our trailers and videos are available in high definition, like our music videos. (Users of mobile phones and the very-outdated Internet Explorer 6 get the best size for their device, which isn’t HD.)
  • Scalable Design. Continuum’s content is viewed on old web browsers, new web browsers, and mobile phones. So we dynamically turn on and off graphical features depending on whether your browser can handle it—so the site might look slightly different for you. But no matter what browser you use*, you’ll be able to access everything.

* Our minimum requirements are Internet Explorer 6 or later, recent versions of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera, or a modern Web-capable mobile phone. This covers virtually everyone.

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