Kevin Smith's Red State Closer to Reality?
Source: Den of Geek
October 8, 2009

Appears so.
The Kevin Smith-penned horror film may finally come to fruition.

If you recall, the Chasing Amy and Clerks helmer wanted to take a jaunt through the horror genre with a film of his own. He wrote a script, entitled Red State, and when he handed it over to the Weinstein brothers, Harvey and Bob, they passed.


Red State was without a home.


Den of Geek, however, caught up to Smith in England and the director informed them that it looks like he's finally got the money to make the film happen. Actually, his exact words were: "I think we've got the money for 'Red State'."


The film could be building some momentum now, so we'll keep you posted on further developments.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=12208

Kevin Smith Ponders Horror Flick Red State As Halloween Approaches, Only On MTV
by Adam Rosenberg

One of the Kevin Smith projects that's been percolating for awhile is a horror movie he's been referring to as "Red State."

It would be a considerable change of pace for the filmmaker, who is known best for his sharp dialogue and geek-pleasing cultural references.

How big a change, you ask? "The dream would be to have people watch the movie and flat out not believe that I made it," he told MTV in an interview last year.

With Halloween coming up, Splash Page editor Rick Marshall couldn't help but ask Smith for an update on the progress of the project in a recent interview, which you can check out in the video below.




"'Red State' has been tough to find f---ing money for," he said, in his typically profane manner.

"Finding cash has been difficult. It's not a commercial movie by any stretch of the imagination." This isn't to say that big money is necessarily required to make "Red State" happen. In fact, some of the obstacles Smith's encountered have been internal.

"I was lobbying for a cheaper movie," he explained.

"One of the guys... who was making the flick with me was lobbying for a more expensive version of the movie. We weren't going to find [the larger] budget in a zillion years, so I went off and made 'A Couple of Dicks,' came back and said 'let's re-concentrate our efforts.'"


The new focus? Back to the original plan: make a good movie out of a good idea for not so much money.

"Instead of pie-in-the-sky, just down-and-dirty. I made f---ing 'Clerks' for crissakes. I can't be the guy who's like, 'well I can't make a movie for less than $15 million.' I started my career that way and it's still how I feel."



Ultimately, it all comes back to the money for "Red State." There's nothing to pay for it, but everything else is in place. "If money comes together for it, boom," Smith said, snapping his fingers.

"We're ready to start moving forward. Script's all done, crew is on board, we just have to find our cast."


"For me, it's just like, let's find some cash, seeing if there's any cash out there for the f---ing idea, then start attaching talent to it. So that's where we are on that."

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/23/kevin-smith-ponders-horror-flick-red-state-as-halloween-approaches-only-on-mtv/

Kevin Smith: Out of the Comfort Zone
Thursday, February 4th, 2010


Smith also has another diversion in the works in the form of a “political horror movie” called "Red State".

This will be after "Hit Somebody", a hockey dramedy that he’s planning on starting this year, but it will also be a major change for Smith. “It’s so f*cking vicious and nasty and mean and stark and it’s not funny.”

He’s been trying to make this film since before "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" was released, but he’s had trouble finding the financing. “It’s this weird f*cking dark little seventies horror movie…that nobody wants to make.”






However, Smith has found a new possible revenue source for a movie that can’t seem to attract any commercial investors.

“I think an interesting thing that may happen with it is—I was on Twitter and people are asking about "Red State", and then a dude tweeted ‘hey man, what if we pay for it?’

And all of a sudden, a bunch of people were like ‘Seriously, why not?’”



This wouldn’t be the first time that someone raised money for a project by soliciting it over the internet, but it would be the first time a filmmaker as prominent as Smith has done so.




“We’re kind of creating this website. We’re seeing if it works to set up and collect donations. It becomes a weird tax nightmare, though…It sounded like such an easy thing online…but now there’s lots of checks and balances to make sure we can do it, but if that’s the case, I would be into it, and I’ll match it. Whatever you raise on line, like f*ck it, you put it up, I’ll put it up.”






Smith has always been a gracious personality towards his fans and it shows in his words as well as his demeanor.

“We’re gonna make it. It’s gonna happen. First up is that hockey movie, though, because that’s where I am right now. Right after that, though, by hook or by crook, with my pennies or the pennies of the audience. God bless them.

Motherf*ckers want to see the movie so badly that they’re willing to pay for it with their own money? Absolutely, put their name in the credits and that movie will be a reality.”

http://cinssu.ca/blog/?p=610


- The above article is cut to only focus on "Red State".

Is Kevin Smith's Red State on a Roll?
Source: Kevin Smith
March 23, 2010


With Cop Out behind him, Kevin Smith is gearing up for his next film: The long-mooted horror film Red State.


"I talk about lots of stuff I wanna do that either happens years later or never happens at all. Happy to report "Red State" is not the latter," he says via his Twitter account.

"First draft was dated 9/5/07. Looks like we start shooting this July. Took nearly three years, but we're finally gonna roll on "Red"."

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14577

Smith Likens Red State to Race With the Devil
Source: Film School Rejects
April 13, 2010


Kevin Smith is gabbing a bit about Red State, a horror film he's finally moving on. To rouse my curiosity further, the director refrains from spilling any plot details, but he does draw a comparison to one of my favorites.



"It's very reminiscent of "Race with the Devil"," Smith tells Film School Rejects.

"That's such a favorite movie of mine. When I was a kid it was just such a terrifying notion. It's where you're on vacation and you just happen to see some mother f*ckers sacrificing a virgin, they kill your dog, and the chase you in your winnebago. There’s nothing more horrifying than that! You can keep your f*cking thirty-foot shark, that’s terrifying!

It’s certainly not that, but it’s very much in that spirit of people in the wrong place at the wrong time. Instead of going with devil worship we’re going the other direction. It deals with intense religious worship. It’s religious fundamentalism."

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=14855

First Casting News for Kevin Smith's Red State
Source: Shock Till You Drop
July 26, 2010


Kevin Smith is switching gears for a horror film entitled Red State.



The plot is unknown and Smith had a helluva time getting financing off the ground - the story is a reported button-pusher loosely inspired by the Westboro Baptist Church - but principal photography is starting very soon. Smith announced to Comic-Con attendees during a panel over the weekend the first actor to join the cast.

Michael Parks.




Parks is a cinema vet who leaped into pop culture territory when he was cast in Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn and has appeared in other Rodriguez/Tarantino productions, i.e. Kill Bill and Grindhouse.

Stay tuned for more updates as they come in.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=16002

We've Got a Logline for Kevin Smith's Red State
Source: Shock Till You Drop
August 10, 2010


The Kevin Smith-directed horror film Red State is crewing up and getting ready to begin principle photography.


Plot details have been kept on the down low for some time - with details squeaking out here and there as to what's to come - but we've secured a logline that doesn't tell all, however, it gives you an idea where Smith is going with this one.


A group of kids encounters a crazed preacher (based on Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church) who gives a whole new meaning to the term "extreme fundamentalism."





The cast reported to be in talks for various roles are:

Kyle Gallner
Melissa Leo
Dermot Mulroney
Michael Angarano
Steven Root


Michael Parks is the only confirmed cast member so far.
Shooting begins later this month.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=16145

Possible New Casting Addition to Smith's Red State
Source: Kevin Pollak
September 14, 2010


There might be a new addition to the cast of Kevin Smith's horror film Red State.

Kevin Pollak revealed on his Twitter account that he's circling a role.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=16528

John Goodman Joins Kevin Smith's Red State!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Writer-director Kevin Smith was recently a guest on Ralph Garman's Hollywood Babble-On show where he revealed that John Goodman has signed on to star in Smith's Red State.

Goodman has most recently been seen on HBO's "Treme" and the telefilm You Don't Know Jack.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/21752

Take a Knee and Behold the First Behind-the-Scenes Look at Kevin Smith's Red State
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Late last night the writer-director posted the first ever behind-the-scenes pic that takes you inside a church. What's going on is anyone's guess.

Kyle Gallner, Melissa Leo, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Angarano, Steven Root, Michael Parks, and John Goodman all star in the film that follows a group of kids who encounter a crazed preacher (based on Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church).

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/21943

Kevin Smith Takes Red State to Twitter, Talks Violence
Friday, October 15, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Yesterday on Twitter writer-director Kevin Smith got his fans tweeting after posting the following about his now-filming Red State:

"In the 70's, they made exploitation flicks about devil worship. We flip it on RED STATE - so it's an exploitation flick about angel worship."



When asked by a non-militant Christian if the flick would be offensive, Smith replied:

"Christ, no - 'just a horror flick. I swear..." adding that it's "Christploitation - a concept that, sadly, extends far beyond a dopey film genre..."



As for the violence, Smith jokes: "You won't forget our first kill. Guar-an-teed..."


Shooting is underway in Los Angeles with plans on submitting to Sundance.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22051
http://twitter.com/ThatKevinSmith

Kevin Smith Takes Red State to Twitter, Talks Violence
Friday, October 15, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Yesterday on Twitter writer-director Kevin Smith got his fans tweeting after posting the following about his now-filming Red State:

"In the 70's, they made exploitation flicks about devil worship. We flip it on RED STATE - so it's an exploitation flick about angel worship."



When asked by a non-militant Christian if the flick would be offensive, Smith replied:

"Christ, no - 'just a horror flick. I swear..." adding that it's "Christploitation - a concept that, sadly, extends far beyond a dopey film genre..."



As for the violence, Smith jokes: "You won't forget our first kill. Guar-an-teed..."


Shooting is underway in Los Angeles with plans on submitting to Sundance.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22051
http://twitter.com/ThatKevinSmith

Angel worship?
What the hell is he talking about?
It certainly sounds like he his going to mock Christians - how do you escape it with a premise like that?

I could care less, make a film about whatever you want, but the whole angel thing came off pretty corny in Dogma. Probably my least favorite of his movies.
Alright, after Jersey Girl.

Angel worship?
What the hell is he talking about?
It certainly sounds like he his going to mock Christians - how do you escape it with a premise like that?

I could care less, make a film about whatever you want, but the whole angel thing came off pretty corny in Dogma. Probably my least favorite of his movies.
Alright, after Jersey Girl.

From what I've been hearing it looks like the film will be a "serious spoof" on Christian Fundamentalism.

It's supposed to be based on Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church and the certain Christians that promote hate and violence against those they deem as "sinners".



"Angel worship" is just a term he used to pair it against "devil worship"; like we now have those that take Christian worship to the extreme just like how the Satanists have taken devil worship to the extreme (as depicted on film).

From what I've been hearing it looks like the film will be a "serious spoof" on Christian Fundamentalism.

It's supposed to be based on Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church and the certain Christians that promote hate and violence against those they deem as "sinners".



"Angel worship" is just a term he used to pair it against "devil worship"; like we now have those that take Christian worship to the extreme just like how the Satanists have taken devil worship to the extreme (as depicted on film).

I see that he is going after a certain group, but he is definitely going to get some backlash because in general it sounds like it will come across that Christians are nutty. There will absolutely be jabs at organized religion.

I see that he is going after a certain group, but he is definitely going to get some backlash because in general it sounds like it will come across that Christians are nutty. There will absolutely be jabs at organized religion.

I just don't see this getting as much attention as DOGMA did a decade ago.


Kevin Smith's films that aren't Jay and Silent Bob related don't seem to get as much attention. CLERKS 2 got way more notice and press compared to Jersey Girl, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and Cop Out.

I just don't see this getting as much attention as DOGMA did a decade ago.


Kevin Smith's films that aren't Jay and Silent Bob related don't seem to get as much attention. CLERKS 2 got way more notice and press compared to Jersey Girl, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, and Cop Out.

I don't think it will get much attention in that way, I'm just sick of religions (any of them) being fodder for mockery.

Beyond not giving a crap about the filmaker's beef, it's just plain boring.
And old.

I don't think it will get much attention in that way, I'm just sick of religions (any of them) being fodder for mockery.

Beyond not giving a crap about the filmaker's beef, it's just plain boring.
And old.

Well, if it's true that it is inspired by the Westboro Baptist Church, then it doesn't sound like it will be the typical mocking of religion. Those freaks deserve to be mocked, so I hope it is along those lines.

Red State Terror Begins at the Cooper Compound?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Just a few seconds ago Kevin Smith posted the second behind-the-scenes pic from his political horror flick Red State that takes you to the Cooper Compound "before the incident," as Smith states.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22095

Kevin Smith's Halloween Treat: Red State Teaser Poster!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Rushing to get a first pass ready to show to Sundance, writer-director Kevin Smith revealed on his blog that he recently completed his first cut of Red State, his political horror film starring Kyle Gallner, Melissa Leo, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Angarano, Steven Root, Michael Parks, and John Goodman.

In addition, he shared with his loyal fans the first teaser poster that rocks the tagline "Fear God." The teaser image displays a cross with a man covered in a sheet standing in front of it.


The pic follows a group of misfits who encounter fundamentalism gone to the extreme - in the form of a crazed preacher - in Middle America.






"Moody, weird, and pitch-perfect for the tone of the film," states Smith.

"If I went out to an ad agency here in town, I’d be billed close to 20 grand for a campaign that’d maybe… maybe… include this poster. But this piece of artwork (I call it “The Holy Ghost”) didn’t come from a top-tier ad agency: Jon Gordon is my RED STATE producer, and this poster was created by his assistant, Melissa Bloom.

So we’ve got a marketing image that was put together by someone who was on set every day, integral to the process that produced the film which inspired this image. This isn’t the work of some gun for hire who’s doing six other campaigns; we’re not just one of many. The marketer is actually family, RED from pre-production all the way through wrap, so she’s got an insight into the flick that no ad agency could ever boast (not even one-time Glo-Coat golden boy Don Draper over at SCDP).

I’ll take passion over pedigree any day."

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22239

Get in on the Red State of the Union
by Alyse Wax
Nov. 17, 2010


Kevin Smith has launched a weekly Red State podcast on his SModcast network.

Last week was episode one, in which he played the teaser trailer for a houseful of guests. This is an audio-only podcast, so you don't really get the full effect, but it sounds creepy.

Red State is Smith's religious horror film, about an evangelical minister who takes his beliefs way too far.





Smith - who has always been notoriously friendly with his fans - invited Los Angeles locals to join his "Red State Club," where for $100, they could go to Smith's SModcastle every Monday for 10 weeks and be part of Red State podcasts, watch exclusive scenes from the film (culminating with a full screening), and interact with cast and crew.

Naturally, the meager 44 slots available sold out in the blink of an eye. But you can tune in every Wednesday and listen to what the lucky bastards get to see.






Head over to http://smodcast.com/redstate/index.html for all the lowdown.

The podcast will stream directly from the site, or you can download via iTunes. Anyone who is familiar with Kevin Smith will know that these podcasts are NSFW.

http://www.fearnet.com/news/b20994_get_in_on_red_state_of_union.html

Smith to Auction Off Red State
Source: /Film
November 29, 2010


If his horror film Red State gets into Sundance in 2011, Kevin Smith says he intends to auction it off.




"My plan is to pick the 'Red State' distributor right there – IN THE ROOM – auction style. Might even bring up a professional auctioneer to make it fun and unintelligible.

And if you're a multi-millionaire who can't make it to the first screening of 'Red State', fear not: maybe we'll set up an eBay page for the post-screening bid-calling as well."




Deal-making is usually a high stress experience, especially if the film up for grabs is in demand, involving phone calls and bids occurring behind-the-scenes.

Hopefully, a camera will be placed in Smith's auction room so we can see potential distributors go head-to-head out in the open.

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=17318

Sundance '11: Kevin Smith's Red State Accepted
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Writer-director Kevin Smith revealed today on his podcast that his political horror flick Red State was officially accepted into the Sundance Film Festival, which takes place January 10-20 in Park City, Utah.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22574

Sundance '11: Hi-Res Images From Kevin Smith's Red State
Thursday, December 2, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Kevin Smith's dream has come true as he'll be returning to the Sundance Film Festival with Red State, his political horror film starring Kyle Gallner, Melissa Leo, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Angarano, Steven Root, Michael Parks, and John Goodman.


Check out the first ever stills inside.





http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/1redstatehires120210.jpg



http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/2redstatehires120210.jpg



http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/3redstatehires120210.jpg



http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/4redstatehires120210.jpg


http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22590

A Poster for Red State's Virgin
Source: The Wayne Foundation
December 4, 2010


Kerry Bishe is featured on the new character poster for Red State.


Smith debuted the poster as part of a charity pledge to The Wayne Foundation, rewarding fans for donating over $1000 in less than thirty minutes.



http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/redstateposternew120510.jpg


http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=17380

Michael Parks Has His Own Red State Poster
Source: GFBR
December 8, 2010


The third Red State poster is here and Giant Fire Breathing Robot was able to debut the one-sheet because they bid $2000 to Mitch Albom's HaveFaithHaiti.org.

The latest art shows Michael Parks in the Kevin Smith-directed horror film set to play at Sundance next month.




http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/thefather.jpg


http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=17423

Sounds like a highly interesting (and controversial) film... looking forward to checking it out upon its release...

Two More Posters for Kevin Smith's Red State
Source: Xcellentcreations.com, Pu*syeatingclub.com
December 19, 2010


The two sites linked above answered Kevin Smith's call to make a sizable donation to the The Kenny Gordon Foundation and in return they scored the exclusive first looks for the following two Red State character one-sheets.

This makes a total of five posters that have been released for Smith's horror flick which is set to debut at Sundance.





http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/rs-caleb.jpg



http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/rs-sons.jpg


http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=17529

Kevin Smith Refuses To Do Press For Red State, Theatrical Distribution Hopes, Doesn’t Want To Release Full Length Trailer

Posted on Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
by Peter Sciretta



When Kevin Smith premiered a teaser trailer for his independently-financed horror film Red State last week, I was surprised to see it conclude with the promise of a “March” release.

Smith later explained that he hopes to release the film in March, even though he has yet to find a distributor (Kevin told us in November that he planned to auction off the movie to the highest bidder following the premiere screening at the Sundance Film Festival), in the room).

Very active on Twitter, Smith has explained his plan not to do any film press for his new movie, his hopes to release the film theatrically (as opposed to a new-tech video on demand release) and why he would like to release the film without a full length movie trailer.






Smith has been very anti-media over the last year, and has said that he would do without press screenings altogether with his future movie releases (if the distributor allows, of course).

The press screening list for Sundance doesn’t include a slot yet for Smith’s movie, and I’m not sure it will. Personally, I want to see it at the first public screening with the first audience — I just hope I can buy a ticket (I have no problem putting my money where my mouth is).








Smith has also expressed his plan not to conduct interviews with movie press at the festival, instead releasing an extensive electronic press kit.

(transcribed from his Red State Of The Union podcast episodes):



I’m not press-junketing at all, anywhere. In fact, I’m not doing any press outside of maybe a business piece or 2 to help sell the flick if needed, & radio (LOTS of radio). That’s what http://smodcast.com/redstate/ is about:

I’m providing all the information needed to write a story, if that’s what you’re looking to do. It’s INSANELY detailed, and by the time we’re done, I’ll have pre-answered all questions about RedState – thus negating the need to speak with me about it.




From nearly 20 yrs experience, I know this much: folks are gonna write WHATEVER they want, whether I sit down with them or not. So I’ll just furnish all the information I’d normally serve up one at a time to a small, jaded audience that doesn’t really give a sh*t unless there’s someone famous in the room, to a much larger, APPRECIATIVE audience that would actually enjoy & benefit from hearing the same information.


And thus far, it’s been working out great. Folks that wanna write about RedState pull from the podcasts, folks that don’t wanna but have to (so as not to seem behind the curve or a day late & dollar short in this information-is-currency culture) are doing what they lazily always do: pulling from the OTHER blogs that actually did their homework.





Sometimes, their Google searches take ‘em back to the earliest stories (like back when DermotMulroney was sort of briefly mentioned once) & it shows up in their current posting, exposing their sloppy work ethic (which, they’ll accuse me of having in MY work, without a hint of irony).

So rather than subject all involved to a painful waste of resources, time & money, I’m doing the RedStateOfTheUnion Q&A’s. It’s kind of like an audio press kit. We’re even transcribing them now, for the SUPER lazy writers who’ve already bitched about having to wade through 12 hours of audio so they can write knowledgeably about a subject.





Nobody needs to talk to me anymore anyway, as anyone who’s curious can always know what I’m thinking 24/7 right here on Twitter. Besides – the REALLY interesting story in RedState isn’t me; it’s MichaelParks. Or JohnGoodman. Or MelissaLeo. Or the ENTIRE cast. Or s’about how @ThatDavidKlein CRUSHED it.












And while Kevin is approaching the funding and marketing of the film using new media, he still hopes to release the movie theatrically:



Via @rpm1275 “read a great article about VOD & new releases over weekend, is this a route you can take with RedState?”

Can we? Totally. Will we? Eventually. But NOT up front.



I know it’s a digital age, and most people would rather get their entertainment at home (me included). But I’m a filmmaker from a generation that still feels like it fails if our flicks don’t debut in a movie theater & have a theatrical run.

It’s illogical, I know – especially when the costs of releasing a flick are as high as the budget in some cases. But, to ME (this is how I feel in regards to the movies I make ONLY), a VOD debut would feel like a straight-to-video debut back in the 90’s.




I know the business mode lends more toward a VOD environment for specialized cinema… but that’s the biz part of showbiz… and the SHOW half of the equation still burns too brightly in my big ol’ gut to allow for a biz-ness decision that the 21 yr old Kev who STARTED this journey, ‘lo those many years ago, would find unacceptable.

We change & grow if we’re lucky, but we can’t shake the quirks that make up who were are as individuals. My makeup doesn’t allow for VOD first. VOD eventually, but I’m a movie-maker; I GOTTA show my stuff in a movie theater first.





It’s stupid & conventional & antiquated, but all those people gathering in a building outside of their homes… that still means something to me. To have the power to make someone leave their comfortable home & spend money on some story you’re telling is the mead of gods.

In a life that starts solely so that it can eventually end, the knowledge I can still get people to come to a movie theater to see my sh*t is oddly comforting.











If Smith had his way, he would release the movie with nothing more than the teaser trailer released last week:



Via @JackEdwardSmith “When will the full Red State trailer be released?”


Not sure I wanna do a full, plot-oriented trailer. Saw lots of talk about the teaser, where cats were like “It doesn’t tell us anything about the plot” like that was a negative.

I dunno – I LIKE not knowing anything. But a full trailer’ll ultimately be up to whoever distributes the flick, really. If it were up to me, though? I’d go teaser only.











Finally, Smith says that the near final running time is 95-minutes with credits:


95-ish with credits. We slowed our credit roll down so you can read EVERYBODY’S name, without exception.

We couldn’t pay the cast & crew much on the flick this time out, so the least we could do was REALLY credit them.

http://www.slashfilm.com/kevin-smith-refuses-press-red-state/#

I just watched the teaser trailer on YouTube... looks very good!

Meet Red State Star Melissa Leo as "Sarah"
Thursday, December 30, 2010
By: MrDisgusting


Kevin Smith continues to unload character posters from his forthcoming Red State to sites willing to donate to charity, this time $1,000 to Eliza Dushku’s THARCE-Gulu cause.

Dushku's mission to help build centers for former child soldiers in Gulu, Uganda, is just a few thousand dollars shy of its $30,000 goal at press time.






Per Ma's Meatloaf, winner of the right to introduce us to Sarah, as played by Melissa Leo:

"the poster itself follows suit with most of the others; creepy damaged texture, black background, and a character. She’s in the trailer very little - which tells me she’s up to no good in the flick. Especially with that one vacant smile she’s got.

Want to meet her? Everyone, Sarah. Sarah, everyone."





http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/MelissaLeo.jpg


http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22876

Sixth Red State Poster Shows Us Mordechai
Source: Spin Off
January 12, 2011


Spin Off, a branch of Comic Book Resources, answered Kevin Smith's call to donate $850 to the South East Queensland Floor Relief and scored themselves a look at the latest poster for Red State.

Kudos, gents!




http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/mord.jpg

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=17723

Protests Planned At Smith's Sundance Premiere
Jan. 21, 2011


Kevin Smith's new horror comedy Red State is shaping up to be one of the most controversial films ever shown at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah - with major protests planned at the film's premiere on Sunday.

The film, which satirises Christian fundamentalism, has attracted the wrath of officials at the infamous Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, who will picket outside the premiere.




In a strongly-worded press release, the church leaders claim Red State mocks "the servants of God" and they have branded Smith "a hater of Biblical proportions".

They've also attacked film festival founder Robert Redford and his Sundance directors for "enabling perverts at the Sundance Film Festival".





Publicity-loving Smith couldn't be happier - and he hopes to add to the chaos in Sundance on Sunday by staging his own protest, against the religious zealots.

The film is one of the highlights at this year's festival and Smith is planning to stage a public post-screening auction at the Eccles Theater for distribution rights to the movie.

-IMDB News

Smith's Film Auction Was A Publicity Stunt
Jan. 24, 2011


Moviemaker Kevin Smith bought his own film during a publicity stunt auction following the premiere of Red State at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Sunday

The director had announced he'd be selling the distribution rights to film companies immediately after the screening of the independent film at Eccles Theater.




But after the credits rolled, Smith and his producer pal John Gordon took to the stage and it quickly became clear the audition was a publicity stunt.

Smith told the crowd, "Selling my film is equivalent to having a baby and sending it off for someone else to raise."

Gordon then began the auction and sold the film to Smith himself for just $20.00




The director then announced he was planning to self-distribute the film, through his newly-formed Smodcast Pictures.

-IMDB News

Kevin Smith to Re-Cut Red State; Publishes Film's Full Tour List
By Erik Davis
Posted Jan 31st 2011


Ever since premiering his film Red State at Sundance last week , Kevin Smith has been doing a ton of word-of-mouth press through his Twitter feed and appearances on several radio shows.

As far as other press opportunities, Smith has teased something called S'Meet the Press, in which he will chat with a member of the press and publish the discussion unfiltered through his podcast network.

But regardless of whether that happens or not, we're sure to be hearing a lot more about Kevin Smith, Red State and his plan to put the film in theaters himself through his new SModcast Pictures label.





But before he begins his cross-country Red State tour on March 5 at New York's Radio City Music Hall (and well before the film actually hits your local theater on Oct. 19), Smith has admitted that he'll be trimming Red State by about 5 to 10 minutes -- most of which will likely come from the almost 20-minute sermon Michael Parks gives early on in the film.

It's a scene that gives us a great piece of acting from Parks, but it unfortunately comes at a time when the tension needs to be upped considerably, and the Parks speech just kinda kills it.




Not only is it nice to see Smith admitting that, but the change will make it a better movie, and a more thrilling one at that.





For info on ticket sales and more, head on over Cooper's Dell.

March 5: Radio City Music Hall, New York
March 6: Wilbur Theater, Boston
March 8: Harris Theater, Chicago
March 9: State Theater, Minneapolis, Minn.
March 10: Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, Mich.
March 11: Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis
March 12: Midland Theater, Kansas City, Mo. (right in the backyard of the hateful Fred Phelps)
March 14: Clark State PAC, Springfield, Ohio
March 22: Paramount Theater, Denver
March 26: McAlister Auditorium, New Orleans
March 28: Paramount Theater, Austin, Texas
March 29: Cobb Energy Centre, Atlanta
April 4: Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle



You can also request a screening in your hometown, so we don't expect this to be the final list.

And like we said before, if you don't feel like ponying up $60 to see the special screening, then you'll be able to catch it in theaters on Oct. 19.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/01/31/kevin-smith-red-state-tour/

Second Trailer for Kevin Smith's Red State
Monday, March 7, 2011
By: MrDisgusting


After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival this past January, Kevin Smith has officially begun his National roadshow for his political horror Red State,which he'll officially release come October 19.





This morning Apple.com premiered the "official" trailer, poster and synopsis.

"The 10th film from writer/director Kevin Smith ('Clerks', 'Chasing Amy', 'Dogma', 'Clerks 2', 'Zack & Miri Make a Porno'), 'Red State' unfolds in a small town dominated by a fundamentalist preacher, Abin Cooper.

It tells the story of three high school boys who, on their way to an internet arranged meeting with a woman, end up crossing paths with Cooper. The encounter sets into motion a series of events that causes all hell to break loose.





A horror thriller that could only come from the imagination of Smith, 'Red State' stars Tarantino and Rodriguez favorite Michael Parks ('From Dusk Till Dawn', 'Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2'), Oscar Nominee for Best Actress Melissa Leo ('The Fighter', 'Frozen River') with John Goodman, Michael Angarano, Kyle Gallner and Nicholas Braun."

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23715

Meet Sheriff Mynan in Latest Red State Character Poster
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
By: MrDisgusting


While Kevin Smith charges fans upwards of $80 to see his movie Red State in a theater, he continues to share assets for the movie with fans who donate to a charitable cause.

His latest character poster features Stephen Root as "Sherrif Wynan" and was given away after donations to Japanese Relief.



http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/JamesGrec1/redstate032311.jpg

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23914

Kevin Smith Auctions Memorabilia to Pay for Red State
By Harley W. Lond
Posted Apr 6th 2011


Heads up, Kevin Smith fans.
Here's a golden opportunity to own a little bit of the director's work.




According to The Hollywood Reporter, director-producer-writer Smith will auction off props and costumes from some of his movies to cover distribution costs for his independently financed horror film .




Some 341 lots of Smith's goodies include:

- the Bluntman costume from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
- Ben Affleck's wings from Dogma
- a framed comic book from Chasing Amy
- a cash register from Clerks II



They will be on the block April 10 at the Pasadena Convention Conference Center.

The 'Kevin Smith Sells Out: The Official Askewniverse Garage Sale' catalog and bidding information can be found at Propworx, an auction house/merchandiser of TV and movie memorabilia.

The catalog, which sells for $35 (there's an autographed version for $50), not only serves as a preview of the costumes and set pieces on sale but is also a celebration of the art and design of Smith's films.





Red State, a religious horror film about teens and wayward fundamentalists, is scheduled for an Oct. 19 release.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/04/06/kevin-smith-auctions-memorabilia-to-pay-for-red-state/
http://kevinsmith.propworx.com/

Kevin Smith's Red State Already in the Black
By Harley W. Lond
Posted Apr 20th 2011


Kevin Smith, the notoriously independent filmmaker, comic book jock and entrepreneur who recently snubbed his nose (and fingers) at the major studios, has announced that his latest opus, the horror thriller Red State, has already turned a profit -- six months before the film even hits movie theaters.






A little backstory: Although Smith's films -- even the dogs like Cop Out -- make more at the box office than they cost, Smith couldn't get any of the studios interested in financing Red State, so he did it himself.

He then brought it to Sundance and screened it for some distributors, then decided to distribute it himself. So, for the past month or so he's taken Red State on a 15-city dog-and-pony show, charging fans $40 to see the film and hear him talk.

Well, it paid off.







The film has taken in some $851,832 so far -- which may seem dismal since it cost about $5 million to make -- but that's not the best part.

Here's where the math comes in. The total investment for the film was $4 million, thanks to $1 million in savings from California state tax incentives. It's taken in $1.5 million from a handful of foreign sales and is about to close a $3 million domestic distribution deal for video-on-demand, home video, pay TV and streaming (but not theatrical; Smith still keeps those rights).

Add it up and it comes to something like $5.3 million, putting the film in the black. And there's still theatrical distribution later this year, plus another tour in the works.






So say what you will about the boy from New Jersey, he knows how to scrape up a buck. Now let's just hope that Red State is as good as Smith's hustle.

A tip o' the hat to SlashFilm and MovieLine.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/04/20/kevin-smiths-red-state-already-in-the-black/

Lionsgate Bringing Smith's Red State to Your Home
Source: Kevin Smith
June 28, 2011


Director Kevin Smith revealed on his blog that Lionsgate is taking his thriller, Red State, to VOD this Labor Day.

A limited theatrical run and DVD/Blu-Ray release will follow.




"So if you didn't join us during our first theatrical run, you can catch 'Red State' on VOD this Labor Day; and less than a month later, in October, you can see 'Red State' in a movie theater, immediately followed by a rollicking, no-holds-barred live-streamed, interactive Q&A!

And when the Q&A is done, we wrap this unique theatrical experience with a performance of HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON, featuring me and 'Red State' co-star Ralph Garman!

Three big shows for one insanely low price: under $20."

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=19748

Comic-Con '11: Kevin Smith's Red State Panel
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
By: Maria Lewis


The filmmaker garnered a huge fan response at Comic Con on Saturday when he packed out Hall H at Comic Con for his annual Q&A and sneak peek at his horror flick Red State.

As well as showing a five-minute death scene and discussing the Westboro Baptists Church-inspired villains, Smith talked about his partner's involvement in the flick. His wife of 10 years, Jennifer Schwalbac, has appeared in several of Smith's films, mostly as a villain.



Her cameo as a gun-wielding religious fundamentalist in Red State was no exception, but Smith said this time he saw her darker side.

"She's not anti-gun but she's very gun control. So I was like 'you've got to go train and shot some automatic weaponry and then we'll talk and figure out how to frame it.

I came back on set and she hadn't come back yet. All of lunch happens, I go shoot another scene and she's still not back. Later I'm sitting in the trailer and Jen comes in through the doorway with that light set up behind her and she's just got that f&cked walked to her.

She has a cigarette in her and is leaning in the doorway and I ask, 'where were you? She's like 'shooting guns.' ‘(Smith: 'Did you like it?') And she goes 'oh, too much. It was like a vibrator shooting bullets."



Smith said Jennifer's scene in the film is one of his favorites because "I get to see her fire automatic weaponry at the Government over a cross."

"I'm like, 'that's f*cking hot!"









Red State plays a two week run at Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema, Los Angeles next month and stars John Goodman, Kyle Gallner, Michael Angarano and Melissa Leo.

Smith also said he's preparing to take out full-page ads to make sure "Goodman in particular" and some of the other key cast members have the best possible shot come awards scene.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/25549

Official Trailer, One Sheet for Kevin Smith's Red State
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
By: MrDisgusting


On September 1st, Lionsgate will debut Kevin Smith's Red State on VOD. The untraditional, direct-to-fan, touring theatrical release pioneered by SModcast Pictures during the "Red State USA" Tour continues this fall.



Starring Kyle Gallner, Melissa Leo, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Angarano, Steven Root, Michael Parks and John Goodman, Lionsgate has just released an official trailer and one sheet that can both be viewed inside.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/25573

Red State VOD, DVD Release Details
Source: Lionsgate
August 1, 2011


Lionsgate has shed some light on its release plans for Kevin Smith's Red State .

Beginning September 1, the film will be available On Demand – six weeks before the debut of the Blu-ray Disc, DVD and Digital Download, set to release on October 18.

The film opens in theaters the week of September 23 from Smodcast Pictures.






BLU-RAY DISC/DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

- “The Making of Red State” Documentary
- Audio Commentary with Kevin Smith
- Sundance Speech with Introduction by Kevin Smith
- Sundance Ending
- Deleted Scenes with Introduction by Kevin Smith
- Poster Gallery with Introduction by Kevin Smith

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=20217

Kevin Smith Calls Out Independent Spirit Awards After Red State Snub
By Christopher Rosen
Posted Nov 29th 2011


Kevin Smith is not normally one to hold his tongue -- especially on Twitter -- so it's not surprising that he took the Independent Spirit Awards to task after Red State received a total of zero nominations from Film Independent earlier Tuesday.



Smith, who specializes in scorching earth, called out the Spirit Awards as "#fakeindie" on Twitter in the wake of the nominations, with special attention paid to his snubbed actors.

"How the f*ck did the @SpiritAwards NOT nominate Michael Parks? Nor John Goodman? Nor Melissa Leo? F*ck your idiotic organization."





Smith released Red State through his own Smodcast Pictures production company; the director even paid for a one-week Oscar qualifying run in June to allow Goodman, Parks and Leo the opportunity to become eligible for awards consideration.

Lionsgate released Red State via on demand on Sept. 1.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/11/29/kevin-smith-independent-spirit-awards-twitter/