2014: YEAR IN REVIEW.

On this last day of 2014 I would like to reflect on the year that was. It was a big year for us at FakeShemp.Net with the concept and direction of our website becoming a lot more obvious to us. We've been active for 2 years now and much of that time has been spent stumbling along a path of random happenings. We've always known what the site is "about" (ie movie drivel) and that it should be very general and cover a lot of bases... but it has only been over the past 12 months that we have begun to hone a lot of our content and provide a more cohesive and ambitious platform. The biggest step for us has been the podcast, without question, and I owe a lot to Jarret Gahan for helping make it happen. There is no way I could have pulled off such a thing on my own and I knew that it would take at least two of us to make it work. Thankfully Jarret embraced the idea and has been a stalwart partner in crime from the get-go.  

We launched the podcast in September and have recorded 4 full-length episodes so far. We began as amateurs (and still are) and fumbled our way through each one. Our technique and on-air chemistry has continued to evolve and with each episode we are becoming a stronger dynamic. We have a shit-load of fun recording the podcast and in the 3 short months we have featured an impressive line-up of guests. It is undeniable that without the people who have made time for us and travelled distances to be with us - we would still be putting along awkwardly. Our podcast routine consists of watching a movie, eating pizza, chit-chatting and then hitting record. In all each episode takes up about 4-5 hours of time and everyone who has joined us has wholeheartedly embraced it. This routine allows us to get to know our guests more personally before thrusting a microphone in their faces and expecting them to gel with us. I know that I speak for Jarret when I personally thank Aidan Prewett, Schy Peterson, Addison Heath, Jasmine Japuki and Aston Elliot from the bottom of our hearts. They have been stellar guests and we can't wait to have them on again sometime in the future. 

We have lots in store for the podcast in 2015 and we can't wait to kick it all off on January 4th when the first episode of the year goes online. It will be a jam-packed episode with our fellow FakeShemper Justine Ryan joining us for the first time. We will all reveal our top 10 films of 2014 and will be announcing the winners of our inaugural FAKESHEMP.NET AWARDS!!!! 

Another strong focus over the last year has been our video content. Our YouTube channel and video page has been building up a solid catalogue of reviews, interviews and promos. Almost ALL of this is thanks to Jarret, who shot just about everything you will see there. All of our video content is 100% exclusive and features so many awesome tidbits. Our guests have included Angus Sampson, Albert Pyun, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, Dennis Chan, Mohammed Qissi, Addison Heath, Jasmine Jakupi, Aston Elliot, Dick Dale, Kelly Dolen, Ivan Malekin and Corey Corbet... 

Jarret's monthly Collection Updates have easily been one of our most endearing, informative and popular features. Check them out... his knowledge of distribution and international releases is unsurpassed.

Keep up with us in 2015 because we will continue to place a huge emphasis on our video content. With several locked-in partnerships with film festivals and event organisers we anticipate an abundance of exclusive stuff over the next year as well as some of our own in-house film endeavours (stay tuned). 

It would also be remiss of me to forget Justine Ryan and her contribution to FakeShemp.Net over the past 12 months. While Jarret & I might appear to be the faces of FakeShemp due to our podcast and continuous uploads there is no doubt that Justine's involvement has also helped shape our brand. Justine is an active member of Melbourne's Cinemaniacs collective and amongst her commitments with them she has also provided some wonderful reviews and insights for us. Her approach to our website is distinctly retro with an unshakable passion for 70s, 80s and 90s cinema. This is very fitting considering that Justine and I met through the legendary cult director Jeff Burr. With her we are 3!! xx

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We have done so much in 2014... so much so that I wouldn't know how to articulate it all. The one major highlight for me was my trip to Las Vegas in October to be part of the Pollygrind Underground Film Festival. It was a whirlwind trip and a very surreal one at that. Within days of the invitation I found myself in sin city amongst the neon lights and never ending slot machines. If you had told me a month earlier that I would be sitting in Albert Pyun's living room talking about his amazing career I would not have believed you.... and yet that's exactly where I found myself. One of my all time cinematic heroes took me in and was as thrilled to meet me as I was to meet him. Amazing. To make the trip even better I was joined by fellow Melbournian (and incredible talent) Glenn Maynard. His film CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY VANILLA was screening alongside Albert's own world premiere of THE INTERROGATION OF CHERYL COOPER and together we took Vegas by storm. At Pollygrind I had the absolute pleasure of meeting amazing people like Shane Ryan (who was already one of my favourite filmmakers), Tommie Vegas, Norbert Weisser, Cynthia Curnan and Tony Riparetti.... oh and I also met Jill Klies who has since become one of our biggest supporters (you rock Jill)... and I cannot forget Chad Clinton Freeman (Mr Pollygrind himself). Talk about a bloody legend and true champion of indie cinema. He is definitely one of my favourite people and it was amazing to meet him and share drinks with him. 

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Some other highlights from 2014 are THE MELBOURNE UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL and of course MONSTERFEST. Both events are staple parts of our yearly calendar and we always feel privileged to be part of them. In September I was invited by Richard Wolstencroft to appear on 3RRR radio to discuss MUFF. It was an incredible opportunity and one that certainly helped bolster our reputation. Through that one appearance we earned a heap of new followers and made some invaluable connections. Our involvement with these festivals has lead to new partnerships, which we look forward to continuing in 2015. We also hope to work more closely with the MADE IN MELBOURNE FILM FESTIVAL, which we were only able to support this year in spirit (as it conflicted with our MonsterFest commitments). Melbourne boasts the best cinema culture in Australia and we love being part of it. 

What else? Well we can revel in the fact that we took out 1st prize at the MonsterFest trivia night, presented by The Soska Sisters. Even with Jose Maturana from the Valhalla Social Cinema and filmmaker Andrew Leavold on our team we never expected to even come close. Such an event is packed with knowledgeable genre fans and to whoop their collective asses was a huge buzz for us (hehehe. not to gloat or anything).... and speaking of Jose, I need to thank him also. His VALHALLA SOCIAL CINEMA is my personal favourite movie-group in this thriving town of ours and they have supported FakeShemp.Net from its inception. They host the most incredible screenings in some of the most weird, wonderful and creative spaces. From pop-up summer drive-ins to makeshift cinemaettes, they're a passionate bunch with the best film schedules in Melbourne. Jose & his team also have a HUGE calendar for 2015 and we look forward to supporting them in return. Together we presented Richard Elfman's classic cult film FORBIDDEN ZONE back in June and we will be joining forces again in the new year to bring you, as promised, the postponed screening of KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE!!!!

MY FAMILY!!! I NEED TO THANK MY FAMILY!!! Melissa, Kaitlyn & Sean... thank you all so much for putting up with this mad obsession of mine. For being dragged along to weird, fucked up events and for allowing me to do crazy things at the drop of a hat (such as ditching you for Vegas). Whether I am spending more money on the website than I should or whether I am often consumed by my website work... you have been there through it all and never once grizzled. You show up for our events and you endure some truly bizarre films and all because you love me. Well I love you all in return. Without you I fail. 


And to Jarret's beautiful wife Danielle Gahan.... Thank you for letting your hubby come over the play. You suffer the same shit that my family ensures and you do it with a smile. Without you Jarret fails... and without Jarret I fail.... therefore without you I fail xxx. 

Clearly 2014 has been an important year for us. Our focus is clear and we've only just begun. Rather than prattle on any more than I already have I will let these photos do all of the talking. THANK YOU all for being so supportive and kind to us. Without your ongoing support and conversations we would have no purpose. We love hearing your thoughts and opinions and thrive off of your interactions with us.   Please continue to contribute to everything we do and in return we promise to bring you some kick-ass content, events & banter. We love you for it. --- May 2015 be kind to you!!!! xxx - Glenn.

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