Conrad Studios

ca

2010-11-12T23:30:00.001-08:00

http://disney.tron.s3.amazonaws.com/01_101113072641_0005007_0_00.mov

The Amiss Behavior of 1952

2008-09-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Amiss Behavior of 1952
A tale of dark romanticism by Conrad Faraj

"There are two bodies — the rudimental and the complete ; corresponding with the two conditions of the worm and the butterfly. What we call "death," is but the painful metamorphosis. Our present incarnation is progressive, preparatory, temporary. Our future is perfected, ultimate, immortal. The ultimate life is the full design.”

- Edgar Allan Poe

The young man with the flat-top haircut, muddy boots, and an old Army uniform approached the lonesome town slowly. He was heading to his pad. After serving in the Second World War for an extended period of time, he was sickened of seeing blood-soaked cadavers everywhere he went. The atrocities of the war left him permanently scarred, both mentally and physically. A Nazi soldier had severely injured him during the attack on Berlin lead by the allies. The Nazi had taken out his long-edged blade out of his pocket and stabbed the soldier where it most hurt him; after multiple stabbings, he then savagely cut off his ear, ever so slowly, that it was as if time had stopped and life was terminating. Blood was everywhere. Ed Mirg thought he died that day, but the United States proved victorious in the end.
The year was now 1952. The month was October, and the atmosphere of Vatican Village was grim. No one visited, nor went near the town since the massacre of 1945. A bloody massacre, in which no one knows what really occurred. It left, a staggering number of people dead. As a result of it, everyone fled the old village. Everyone except Ed’s family, which had strangely enough managed to survive.
Ed looked at the cold hard ground and at all the fallen leaves that were spread throughout Vatican Village. He had missed his town dearly, especially his wife and his mother which lived on the far side of town. Rain was pouring down the streets, but he didn’t care. After all, what mattered is that he was home at last.
Moments passed and he made his way home. He was standing there at the entrance; he passively looked around and noticed that his old horses were still alive. He had two of them, which he had recently bought just before the war. They were moving around to avoid the rain, which was discommoding them. As he stood there, he waited to ring the doorbell. Anxious and scared of what was to happen. He hadn’t seen his family in nearly twelve years, that’s a long time a man can bare without any affection. It made him feel like a ghost.
A buzzing sound filled the village as Ed looked to his left and saw that on the roadside a new type of automobile was cruising by. It was black, hard-edged, and fancy. It was a new generation of cars. “Welcome to the fifties, Ed,” he told himself. And with a beating heart, he took a step forward and rang the doorbell.
“Ed! Ed! My dear boy,” his mother cried as she rushed to open the door and sprung a hug. “Hello mother. It’s been a long time,” said Ed smoothly, trying to contain his excitement as he hugged his mother. “My God, it’s such a blessing. You…you’re alive after all,” she commented as her eyes began to water. “Aren’t we all, mother?” remarked Ed. And from the corner of his eye, he spotted his beautiful wife, sitting at the kitchen table with a scotch in hand.
“Hello Martha,” whispered Ed.
The blonde-haired woman didn’t seem to care, nor acknowledge Ed’s presence.
“Eddy dear, sit please,” bid his mother. And just as told, Ed sat on the cool chair while scrutinizing the strange paintings and decorations his house possessed.
“Why that’s a mighty fine collection of painting you gals bought, I ought to think that all the bread spent went into the bonds, for the war an’ all, but you gals must have some sort of business running, ain’t you?” questioned Ed. The wife seemed to have a lurid face, as if she were disturbed by Ed, yet nothing came out of her mouth except an un-ethical burp.
“It’s all very lucrative, Ed,” his mother commented. “Martha and I decided to sell your stamp collection, because…since your father passed, we haven’t managed to make a dime. The town folk going away left us with nothing, no way of doing business. The darn horses need caring too. The stamp business is made in the shade,” she finished.
“Well, that’s good,” replied Ed. He got up and looked out the window for a while. “I missed this place. Sometimes I cried myself to sleep during the war. Other times I thought ‘bout splitting, and finding a gig here in the States. Then there’s the time Captain Jones requested for me to stay and serve another term, a few years more. Only seven years more, that’s longer than the war itself. I suppose I didn’t wanna make myself a goof or a shuck, the honest truth is, I just wanted to come back to New England like all the other cubes, and visit my home once again,” concluded Ed while sitting down, as he began to spawn tears in his eyes. “You did the right thing Ed, and you are very brave,” commented his mother.
“No, I’m not. I let those psychopathic bastards take everything from me. My ear, my friends, my manhood, everything,” said Ed.
“Your manhood?” questioned his mother.
Tears began to flow intensely from Ed’s eyes as Martha got up from the kitchen table and went into her room without a single word.
“I had to beg, ma. I begged them…I begged them not to kill me. I wanted to live! I supplicated, ma! They let me have my life, but took away everything else from it.”
With a short screech, his mother sprung her arms around her son once again, hugging him as tight as ever. They both sat there, bodies crossed, comforting one another’s presence and reminiscing on the horrible past. They weeped in complete silence.
The next morning, the fall leaves began to descend from the sky, as Halloween Day initiated. Ed had slept comfortably in his old room below the attic, while his mother and wife slept on the first floor of the house. The rain of the night soon began to turn into fog and coldness. The street was practically imperceptible from the rear window view.
Ed awoke passively, and soon went about his day conversing with his mother about everything he’d missed out on. Hours passed as the conversations became endless. Martha seemed to be cooking lunch by the time Ed got a moment to speak with her.
“Martha, Martha, my doll, can I get a minute?” asked Ed. “I know we haven’t really talked much, and we did end on a flat note when I went off to fight in the war an’ all. I don’t mean to bug you, but I must tell you, that I missed you very much. I love you Martha, and I wanna recoup our good times. I guess…I guess I just wanna make out with you,” he shyly admitted.
And with a tender, calmed, voice, Martha began to speak. “Why Ed? Why?” she asked.
“I don’t understand,” the man questioned.
“Why did you leave me? We were in love,” she said. “We were real gone, and you had to split,” she continued, without giving Ed a single look. “I’m a stronger woman now, I can get over you. I can change,” she finished, with a sad face, showing emotionality, then immediately the horn rang.
“Martha, I’m puzzled. I’m still the same guy. Maybe not as handsome, but I ain’t no bad man. I might’ve acted like a spaz a couple of times, but I’m still me. You ought to believe me!” he yelled.
Martha ignored him and went on to answer the horn.
Angered, Ed went into his living room, as he found his mother sitting on a rocking chair, which his father had handcrafted during the First World War.
“What’s wrong with her mother?” asked Ed. “She doesn’t seem right. She doesn’t love me anymore,” admitted Ed.
“She’s trying to keep her impressions, I tell you,” the mother said. “She’s fast, Ed. I honestly never liked her,” his mother confessed.
“She’s fast?” asked Ed.
“Before the massacre, she used to go to Doctor Poe’s house every night, that little scoundrel. She told me I ought to live more. She had lots of them men scurrying around after her,” the mother concluded.
“I don’t believe it. I’m either dead or I’m crazy, but I never figured Martha would two-time me, mother,” said Ed. “That’s nuts!” he exclaimed.
“It’s just word from the bird, Ed,” the mother said. “And I myself, am getting too old for dealing with her foolishness, that girl of yours is bad news. I would know, I’ve been living with her for more than you have,” said the mother.
Ed’s face went red with embarrassment. He felt uncontrollable anger towards his wife, yet also sadness. And before he could mouth his next words a thunderous roar came about outside. A cryptic lightning bolt had produced the loudest noise Ed and his mother had ever heard, even greater than the horrid sounds of war. The rain was gone, yet the mysterious lightning went on.
Ed, his mother, and Martha ran outside, to the barn to see the catastrophe that was presented before their eyes.
There laid the cadaver of a horse. As pathetic and defenseless as any other vulnerable farm animal. The lightning had burnt it to a crisp. The dark, flowing red-blood spread out through the ground, causing an irritable smell of corpse. Parts of the horse’s flesh dispersed through a puddle of mud, and its guts lied in front of its half-burnt eyes. The cadaver was everywhere. The other horse, which seemed untouched, began to eat parts of the flesh. Eating them, as if he had never eaten before. The grotesque view of the scene left everyone speechless and flabbergasted. With great shock, Martha, let out a horrifying scream and rushed back into the house. Ed and his mother stayed there. Bewildered at the remote possibility of lightning striking a being.
And with another unexpected bang, the power of the house went out. Darkness uncovered itself as it began to drizzle and the clouds moved passively thus the night approached once again.
No one said a word inside the old house. They all rested in a room, with candles lighting the place. They were startled by what they had seen. And out of a sudden grim presentiment, Ed stood up and looked out the window.
A man slowly approached their home. There wasn’t another home in the village for at least another mile. Ed informed his relatives and he stepped outside, lurking his own curiosity and fear. His mother went after him, and it wasn’t until a few moments later, that his wife followed along.
The arcane man from the shadows got closer. His face was hidden beneath the fog; all that could be seen was his hat, and his boots. The man carried nothing, and seemed to be pacing himself. He seemed calmed, and slow. And from one moment to the next, the man stood still, facing the family, with a cool, placid face. His eyes were radiant and his smile was elegant. His facial characteristics seemed nothing less than an angel. He was a perfect man.
“Hello, my name is Jack Lived, I’m sorry to come in, in such a manner, but my Deuce seemed to stop working a few miles back as I was driving to a town called New Heaven. With all this fog, I couldn’t help but follow the smoke that seemed to be partying from your house. I thought there was no one around for miles,” confessed the man as he looked sharply into Ed’s eyes.
“Why that’s an awfully horrible thing that happened to you. The rain is ought to start soon,” commented Martha, speaking once again.
“Yes it is, ma’am,” replied the man.
“Why don’t you come in, Mr. Lived? I just prepared some tea,” Martha questioned. “That’s a tender offer ma’am, and mighty kind of you. But y’see, I have an appointment in New Heaven tomorrow. I wouldn’t wanna miss it,” admitted Jack, as he scrutinized Ed’s wife, lustfully.
“You mean, New Haven, Jack? Why that’s thirty miles away, you need some rest,” remarked the wife.
“The night is still young Mr. Lived,” said the mother, adding on to the conversation as if she disproved of the gentleman.
Ed just stood there as his wife worked this mysterious man who had come out of nowhere. His wife was a fake out. Her behavior was raunchy and disturbing, yet Ed did nothing. He kept his mouth shut, as if he were to win his wife’s approval.
“Well okay. I guess I could use some tea, I’m damned tired,” said Jack, as he fixed his eyes upon Ed Mirg’s house. And with a final thunderous bolt, the folk stepped into the house unknowing of the dangers that would present themselves.
The night was quiet now. Not a sound was to be heard. The hot cups of tea were placed in an orderly fashion around the kitchen table. The people gathered there, silently, waiting for another person to begin a conversation. Jack’s facial expressions made him seem cool and imperturbable. Ed felt a great deal of discomfort, and his mother felt it too. They remained quiet, and let Martha, for once, do the talking.
“How do you like your tea, Jack?” asked Martha. “Quite mesmerizing after a long trip. Did you make this yourself?” replied Jack. “Yes, yes I did,” finished Martha.
They conversed a bit further, shunning out Ed and his mother, until Ed burst into intolerable anger. He spoke.
“Think you got the jets, huh? You think you can come here, hammer my wife, and think of me as a fool?” exclaimed Ed, furiously. “How the hell did you find our house anyway? There’s not a chance in hell, you woulda seen the smoke of the horse, since the whole damn village is covered in fog!” yelled Ed, with a menacing voice.
Jack stayed silent, looking at him without making a single move. He didn’t show emotion. Ed’s wife seemed to be looking at Ed’s mother. The scene had become awkward all of a sudden. And with the shattering noise of a cup of tea, breaking into the floor, Ed’s mother stood up, crying, and slowly made her way into her bedroom. Ed followed her.
The fog, which had over-taken the village, was now penetrating into the house through the small corners of the wooden doors. Ed moved about his mother’s room very slowly. A teardrop fell from his eye, as if a tragedy had just occurred. He then saw his mother reach under her bed, and take out a vivid red rose, which seemed to have the most beautiful petals a rose ever possessed.
“It’s the rose I gave you before the war, mother, it’s still alive,” said Jack. “Aren’t we all?” replied his mother.
“Mother, how is it that it survived all this time? How is it that the horses survived all this time? They all woulda had to die sometime, right?” asked Ed.
“I don’t know Ed. I don’t know nothing ‘bout nothing,” the mother whispered as she began to lament.
“It’s quite all right, mother. I love you. I’m here. Nothing bad is ever gonna happen while I’m around. It’s all gonna be fine, ma,” assured Ed with a soothing voice, as he began to hug his mother once again. “I sure hope so, Eddy. I sure damn well hope so,” the mother replied.
The mother and the son elongated their hug. Their compassions for one another’s melancholy made their bodies connect in such a loving fashion that suggested an amiss behavior. The son smoothly and gently placed his hands onto his mother’s breasts as the mother and the son began to share a kiss. In the same loving manner, they began to caress each other. Delicately and softly. Unsure of their feelings, they looked into each other’s eyes. Wondering and lusting for one another. And then, with a blink of an eye, Ed saw his wife standing out the door, with the fog surrounding her background. The woman had a pale face, as if she had died, she was sickened, and demented. She went about, as if she had ignored the passion of the mother and the son, and walked into her room, walking deathly slow.
Ed looked at his mother, shocked. He starred out the window and saw the living horse was dying as it made a sobbing sound, as he starred back, he saw the petals of the rose had been taped together, as if a memory were to be preserved. He gave one last look at his mother, and walked away.
The man followed his wife into her room, hoping to catch her before madness consumed her. In hopes, that he’d be forgiven.
Martha stood in her room, in front of a painting of her and Ed’s wedding day. She showed no emotion like Jack. And with a final lamenting sob of the horse, she grabbed a pistol from her cabinet, and shot herself in the head.
Blood was splattered all over the walls, and the wedding day painting was tainted. Ed remained standing by the door, paralyzed, unable to breathe. He was traumatized.
Moments of unexplained eeriness went by, as time passed on. Ed kept on standing there, frozen stiff, immobilized. A creak in the wooden floor, revealed Jack slowly entering the blood-filled room. He starred at the corpse, and at the atmosphere within the room. He didn’t utter a word. He was featureless. His eyes moved slowly from the corpse onto Ed, who seemed white as a ghost. Slowly, yet surely, Ed began to speak.
“Why did I do this, Jack? Why? What have I done? Why me?” demanded Jack, tears flowing from his face once again. “Because it was always meant to be you, Ed,” responded Jack.
“All my life was filled with misery and despair. It is as if I was un-earthbound and detested. My life is a damn tragedy, Jack, a silly damn tragedy,” informed Ed, with the saddest face a man would bare to have.
“Life finds its way into a progressive incarnation of another life, and within it, salvation or adequate horrors. Heaven or hell, life or death. It’s all up to the withholder, Ed,” said Jack with a newly found smile.
“What are you saying?” the veteran asked.
“You’ve been living a death dream, it’s a transitional nightmare most of us, who’ve done a bad deed, go through,” informed Jack.
“Jack, I really don’t…I don’t quite follow you,” said Ed, honestly. “Your mother is dead Ed, your horses are dead, and your beautiful wife has now passed on. It’s all part of the cycle of life,” said Jack Lived.
“What? Who the hell are you?” Who are you Jack Lived?” asked Ed with a menacing tone in his voice, showing fear and bewilderment.
“Your name is Ed Mirg, isn’t it? What a grim last name,” commented Jack, out of the blue.
And suddenly, Ed caught it. He knew it all.
Placing their last names backwards he understood the simplicity of what Jack was trying to convey. It was un-ethical.
Timidly, Ed began to speak again.
“You say my mother is dead, why?” he asked fearfully.
“She passed on, in the massacre. You’d been consolidating a mere ghost, Ed,” informed Jack smoothly, his smile as atrocious as ever.
“A ghost? A GHOST! You’re loony, you’re nuts! That’s demented! You’re demented! You’re truly demented Jack,” exclaimed Ed, and as he spoke his final words he tilted his head overlooking the hallway between his wife’s room and his mother’s bedroom, where the mother lied, dead on the ground.
A snake slithered down her neck, caressing her hair as it began to move around. Ed could feel his own breath, and fear went down his spine. His arm hairs stood up and his eyes grew dry.
“I’m either dead, or I’m crazy,” said Ed.
And with a tender smile, Jack replied.
“Well, you’re not crazy Ed.”
And as the clock ticked and the blood dried into an arid texture, the ghosted figures stood there, looking at one another, frigid by the premonitions of the afterlife, they began to speculate the thought of heaven, hell, and the amiss behavior of 1952.

2 New T REX Posters!

2008-07-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

If the TV Spot and the first image weren't enough, Five Star Comics have sent us two beautifully designed posters by Mark Lester! In the first poster you see Jesus Jimenez as Pablo pointing his gun and in the second poster we see Jorge and a mysterious character and a brand new leading lady! Exciting stuff happening this week! Keep coming back. Click the images to enlarge!

First Official Movie Still!

2008-07-27T11:29:00.001-07:00

The very first ever released movie still from T REX has hit the net! Click the image to enlarge. Many new images will be arriving in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for a lot more to come!

Early Christmas for T Rex Fans!

2008-07-26T22:26:00.000-07:00

The eagerly awaited "15 second" TV Spot" which was due to air next month is now online! Click here to watch it in quicktime format. The flash version will be available August 8th. To view this video you will need Quicktime 7.0 which you can download here.

Many new trailers will be out soon!

T Rex, Teaser Poster Revealed!

2008-07-22T00:42:00.001-07:00

At last the poster for the upcoming film has arrived! Click the image to enlarge!
The release date for this new production is yet to be announced. A 15 second television spot is expected to be released online this August. Stay tuned for more incoming updates!

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T00:33:00.000-07:00

Everyone have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend! T Rex is being filmed as you read this. Tomorrow marks Day 5 of filming. The new production is coming soon!!!

T Rex, Day 1 of Filming

2008-06-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Conrad Faraj's newest action movie T Rex begins filming today. The movie will tell the story of the events that lead to The Candyman Conspiracy. The film, produced by Alejandro Faraj, with music from CutshawKane, is due out sometime in November.

No more Weeping, lets Conspire Again!

2008-06-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Conrad Faraj's prequel to The Candyman Conspiracy, T Rex, has now replaced The Weeping Woman 3. Filming begins Monday with all the original cast returning. More news to come.

The Weeping Woman 3, Official Synopsis.

2008-06-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

There is a woman who haunts the dreams of the innocent. Her name is Maria, and she is a legendary spirit known as 'La Llorona' (The Weeping Woman). The dark tale begins on a cloudy night, when an old paranormal investigator known as Arturo gathers a group of men, enemies of the church, to finally destroy the spirit - which he has longed to kill. From writer and director Conrad Faraj comes the epic finalè to the terrifying franchise.

The Weeping Woman 3: The Fragile Spirit

2008-06-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

Conrad Faraj and crew have set out to shoot the third, and most terrifying installment in the horror trilogy.

Coming this fall.

The Last Day On Earth, Production Teaser online now!

2008-06-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

The Last Day On Earth

2008-06-09T01:43:00.000-07:00

A brand new short film from director Conrad Faraj will be released online next month!
(Featuring original music from CutshawKane and co-starring Christian Contessa.)

Official Film Synopsis:

It's December 20th, 2012 and the world is on the eve of Armageddon. John Carter, an every-day teenager must face reality as he comes to realize the world will end the following day with an apocalyptic revelation, and all the dark forces in the world will conspire against all good. In the midst of the apocalypse, he receives a call from his little 8-year-old cousin, Robbie, as he notifies him of a strange creature lurking around his house, as his mother lies dead on the ground. In the last few moments of life, John must overcome all challenges and save his cousin and face the reality and the terror brought about by the last day on the planet. A Conrad Faraj Film.

T Rex Might get delayed!

2008-05-24T08:19:00.001-07:00

The upcoming feature length film "T Rex" might get delayed due to various problems in Honduras, the country in which filming takes place. If worse comes to worse, the film would be pushed back until a 2009 shoot. Other Conrad Studios films in production as of now are Conrad Jones 7 and an untitled horror short.

Conrad Jones and the Search for the Lost Ending

2008-04-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

The final installment in the Conrad Jones saga has been re-titled. Formerly known as "Conrad Jones 7: Epilogue" this new "Search for the Lost Ending" title has been set to recoup the series' original comedic platform.
The film is set to begin production this week for an immediate release by late next month. This will mark Conrad Jones' seventh and final adventure. Former characters like the blue monkey, the girl monkey, Conrad Jones from the future, William, Roadrunner, and Elmo are set to return.

T Rex

2008-04-25T07:24:00.001-07:00

Is coming...

Candy gets booted out again!

2008-04-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

Conrad Faraj's summer short "The Candyman Conspiracy" got banned from the 3rd Annual Mason Film Festival due to strong language and excessive violence. The short, which premiered on November 23th of last year will now compete at the Tiburon Film Festival in Southern California. The banning of Candyman at Mason, now marks the 3rd consecutive time, this year, that the film is canned.

The replacement film for Candyman at the festival was The Alien Question, which opened at poor reviews.

Conrad Faraj's next summer project is entitled "T Rex" a direct prequel and full length feature film, to The Candyman Conspiracy.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter from all of us here at Conrad Studios! Many more movies coming your way in 2008!

First Official 'Blood' movie still!

2008-03-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

The first movie image from Conrad Faraj's Blood and Specs is now online! Its a "skeleton" from the opening worship scene.

After 12 months of pre-production, Blood begins tomorrow.

2008-03-13T05:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Conrad Faraj, Brennan Eden, Christopher Hall, among many others, step back into the filmmaking arena, as they begin filming for Blood and Specs after a year of delays, pre-production, and many other production failures.

Blood and Specs - Official OST Track Listing!

2008-03-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

The soundtrack for Blood and Specs composed by Bruno Nicolai is complete! Here is the official track listing, in order according to the movie timeline. This soundtrack will be available for free download, soon!!!

1) Blood and Specs - Bruno Nicolai
2) Worship the Specs - Bruno Nicolai
3) The Glasses - Bruno Nicolai
4) Codine (Graduation Day) - Quicksilver Messenger Service
5) Your Old Lady (Girl Kiss Girl) - Steve Miller Band
6) The Evil Girls - Bruno Nicolai
7) Nuke You! - Bruno Nicolai
8) Carlos and the Bathroom - Bruno Nicolai
9) Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You - Quicksilver Messenger Service
10) Death of Jake, Linda, and Diana - Bruno Nicolai
11) Missing Reel
12) In The Hall of the Mountain King (Techno Mix) - Tony Tran
13) Checkers Girls, Die! - Bruno Nicolai
14) Jimmy the Chimp (Cat Fight) - John Bartles
15) Tonight, Baby! - Bruno Nicolai
16) Man is Captured - Bruno Nicolai
17) Mercury Blues (Man's Weird-Ass Dream) - Steve Miller Band
18) The Torture Chamber - Bruno Nicolai
19) The End!
20) Pictures In My Head - Jeff E. Reed

Snow beats Blood & Specs

2008-03-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

Filming for the weekend was canceled due to heavy snowfall. The movie begins filming, hopefully, next week.

2009 Summer Project Revealed!

2008-03-03T19:52:00.001-08:00

Conrad Studios is pleased to announce the official summer project for 2009. The title, Honduras '98. A story of salvation and danger. Its a re-telling of the second most violent Hurricane on Earth. Odessa Aguilera (The Weeping Woman) will take the lead role in the film expected for release in October 22nd, 2009.

Next Week is Blood Week

2008-03-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

After one year of hard-boiling and intense pre-production, Conrad Faraj's first feature film will finally commence filming! This Friday, scene 1 of the film is to be shot in Mason, Ohio. Subsequently, scenes 2 and 3 are to be shot that same weekend. "Every scene is like filming a short movie itself. Its just that this time, I have to make one short movie a day for quite a few days," said director Conrad Faraj in the latest CS interview. More updates tomorrow!!!

More Blood updates blossoming!

2008-02-28T14:31:00.001-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, the main killer in "Blood and Specs" has been cast! Sameam Shahrestani will be portraying "Man" in the new horror film!

Meanwhile, Conrad Faraj and producer Brennan Eden added a new scene to the script. "I wanted a little more impact in the beginning. When we reveal the killer, he's just a killer, or he looks like a killer, but he doesn't look threatening at all, so me and Conrad decided to add this bloody disgusting opening act which will grab the audiences' attention quickly," said producer Eden late this afternoon.

Blood and Specs opens in late May.

Blood and Specs, Teaser Poster Revealed!

2008-02-27T14:59:00.000-08:00

Take a look at our first teaser poster!

(Click the image to enlarge)

New features, now you can comment, polls, videos, etc.

2008-02-27T14:15:00.000-08:00

Ah! Finally I had time to update this blog to its full glorifying potential. You can now COMMENT on my blogs, you can vote on polls, and watch the latest movies. I made a few modifications and now this place isn't boring! Great!

I have directly linked the official site to here. So whenever you go to www.conrad-studios.com you will be re-directed here. This is the NEW official site.

So welcome! =)

From Dusk till Dawn

2008-02-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

I just saw one of the craziest movies ever! Its "From Dusk till Dawn" directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino! Wow! Just wow! If you havent checked it out and you're a fan or horror films, then you're slacking! George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino make a killer combo in a great battle against mexican vampires. Doesnt that sound cool? Harvey Keitel is also in this flick. This movie is just great! Its like a very well shot B-movie from the 60's, only that it was made in the 90's. Its closely related to Rodriguez' other flick "Planet Terror" from Grindhouse. Very similar styles. I'm probably gonna watch this film again over the weekend since its a close genre to my next movie called "Blood and Specs" so I have some studying to do.

Oscar watch....

2008-02-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

Oh and I also forgot. Tonight is Oscar night. I'm going with 'No Country for Old Men' for best picture. That film is simply superb in every way. I'm also rooting for Johnny Depp in the best actor category but Daniel Day Lewis seems to be the one who will take the cake. The Coen Brothers should win best director, and Bourne Ultimatum best editing. Cinematography was the toughest choice for me, but its between Atonement and No Country. Best animated film will be Ratatouille without a doubt. Ok thats all I will say.

Icewhole

2008-02-24T14:39:00.000-08:00

Theres a new site for filmmakers and actors called www.icewhole.com and thats where all my new short films and trailers will premiere, so check it out.

http://www.icewhole.com/conradfaraj

I've started working on 2 movies this year, since I'm moving to Cleveland over the summer, I think its best to finish these 2 films as soon as possible. One of the films is Blood and Specs, the most hotly anticipated screenplay I've ever made, and the other is well....a sequel to my most famous short franchise. The title? Conrad Jones 7: Epilogue.

Movie Nights with the Droogs

2008-02-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

Well, me and the droogs have started a new tradition of making every Friday or Saturday night a double bill night. A good way of ending a day. We came up with this list:

Opening Tonight - A Clockwork Orange (R) / Pulp Fiction (R)

Weekend of the 22 - Planet Terror (R) / Death Proof (R)

Weekend of the 29 - The Evil Dead (R) / Freddy vs. Jason (R)

Weekend of March 7 - Poltergeist (PG) / Jaws (PG)

Weekend of March 14 - Reservoir Dogs (R) / Children of Men (R)

Weekend of March 21 - Friday the 13th (R) / Friday the 13th: Part 2 (R)

Weekend of March 28 - Secret Window (PG-13) / The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (R)

Weekend of April 4 - Terminator 2 (R) / Saving Private Ryan (R)

Weekend of April 11 - Down in the Valley (R) / Across the Universe (PG-13)

Weekend of April 18 - Spider-Man 3 (PG-13) / Batman Begins (PG-13)

Weekend of April 25 - Planet of the Apes (PG-13) / War of the Worlds (PG-13)

Weekend of May 2 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind (PG) / E.T. (PG)

Weekend of May 9 - Once Upon a Time in Mexico (R) / Casino Royale (PG-13)

Weekend of May 16 - Raiders of the Lost Ark (PG) / Temple of Doom (PG-13)

Weekend of May 23 - Duel (PG) / Last Crusade (PG-13)

Weekend of May 30 - 300 (R) / Rambo: First Blood Part 2 (R)

Friday, June 6 (Closing) - Friday the 13th 5 (R) / Harry Potter 5 (PG-13) / Pirates 3 (PG-13)

Untitled Horror Project

2008-02-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

Tyler Barnett has signed on to direct a new horror feature for a Halloween release. It will be roughly based on John Wayne Gacy. Kind of like a "Texas Chainsaw" type film.

John's Way

2008-02-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

I have finally started a new screenplay. Its a dramatic film called "John's Way" and its about this 68 year old man who is diagnosed with cancer. A sad tale. I've barely just started, and strangely, I started with the ending. More on this later.

The Mason Film Festival is in two weeks or so, its on the 29th. I'm getting Candyman ready along with other film's my friends are making. Let's hope we put on a show like last year, and the year before that.

Walking in the snow...

2008-02-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

So for the past week I have been hard at work, working on my 50 minute documentary entitled "Xanadu" and after 2 weeks of filming, and a very rushed 2 days of editing, I am finally done with the first cut of the film. It was quite a nightmare editing because I had over 145 minutes of footage and a very slow editing software. This was actually a project for my English class. My teacher liked it so much that we are now working on a final cut, with HIM writing the script for a feature length documentary. Its crazy. I got quite a bucket full of compliments today after I screened the film during 1st and 2nd bell. I got a few phone calls as well. Its strange though, not even I think the documentary is great. I mean, its ok. And its a great feeling having your hard work appreciated. I've slept about 4 hours in the past 3 days. Everyone's telling me to get some sleep, but oh well. I left school early (I had to walk!!!) because I was really tired, and since my English teacher was screening the film during all bells, I had this weird tickle in my stomach. As I was walking in the snow, I realized a group of people are actually watching my work right now. It was a great feeling. I guess having a film shown worldwide would probably give me a heart attack...in a good way.

Tomorrow the trailer for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" hits the internet and I am excited beyond belief. For the first time in my life I will get to watch an Indy flick on the big screen. Tomorrow afternoon for Valentine's Day I'm going to the flick show with Juliette. It should be fun. Oh and for those of you avid readers, yes, we have kissed.

Film Festivals, Candy got banned?

2008-01-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

The Treasure Coast International Film Festival is this weekend and Candyman didnt get accepted. I'm shocked. Was it too violent for their taste, or they just plainly didnt like it? On a happier note, The Candyman Conspiracy WILL be competing at the Cleveland International Film Fest and Tiburon Film Fest in March, the Flint Film Festival and Oxford International Film Fest in April, among others. Wish us luck. I will be attending the Mason Film Festival next month as well. Get ready for a total invasion of CS movies. Patti directs "Beard Man" Eden directs "Eggy and Lars 3" I might show Candyman, if not something else will come along. Also Chris Hall is doing Blue Diamond. More updates coming soon! =)

An Apology

2008-01-29T20:23:00.001-08:00

I know many of you have been reading my blog for a long time, and well, I would just like to clarify that my behavior (that can be portrayed through my posts) does not reflect my personality in real life. I would like to apologize to a particular reader who happened to read this blog today, for my use of vulgar and inappropriate language during my 'Candyman' posts. I hope you don't think less of me due to it. I sincerely apologize. Thanks.

P.S. Juliette is the most amazing girl I've ever met. =)

Its 2008!

2008-01-12T15:50:00.000-08:00

Wow, I havent updated this since last year. How's everyone been? At the moment we are preparing 'Candyman' for a ton of film festivals. We're also working on a couple of cool shorts. I havent released anything this year, so the first thing we release has to come with an impact. And well as for my personal life (which strangely enough I'm sharing with you here) I'm going out with a lovely girl named Juliette. She's great. I have a red vehicle (for those of you who dont know) and I have found a new passion for directing music videos. Its quite strange all of this. This year we plan on shooting "Double Dread" and "T Rex" two great feature film screenplays we have. So watch out for new stuff soon!

New Cloverfield 5min clip!

2007-12-13T20:22:00.001-08:00

Please watch! It helps me win a contest!!

Friday! Candyman Opens!

2007-11-21T05:22:00.000-08:00

Wow! Its been a long while! I've been busy. Here's what's happened: A new short film called The Heartache is now online, you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU88_EhUA58

THE CANDYMAN CONSPIRACY opens this Friday, November 23rd!!!!!!!!

So dont forget to visit: http://www.conrad-studios.com and watch! We are doing a midnight release, thats 12:01 EST.

Mason Film Fest is coming in March

2007-09-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

Conrad Studios will be invading the Mason Film Festival this coming March! Me, Brennan, Chris, and Tony have come up with great new short film ideas ready to be shot and cut especially for the MFF. So far we have come to an accord of Tony Patti directing an untitled paintball movie. I know the entire pitch of the film but a script is yet to be written. Nope, I wont say the plot, though this is tempting. As for me, a comedy film sounds just about right. I believe Brennan will helm 'The Adventures of Eggy and Lars - Part III' and Chris might stick to a gory-grindhouse short. Thats all we have so far, I'll keep you guys updated about the festival.

(By the way, Candyman is being scored as of now!)

New Horror Film

2007-09-23T15:37:00.001-07:00

A new untitled horror short is coming soon! Very gory!

Candy is in Post

2007-09-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

Gah! I keep on forgetting to update this thing! Well here's what's happened:

TRAILER: http://www.conrad-studios.com/trailercandymanteaser.htm

1) The Candyman Conspiracy teaser trailer (above) came out about 2 weeks ago. Everyone is freaking out over it.

2) I got a small local deal to direct a feature film entitled 'The Happy Man' and to be released on May 17th.

3) Brennan is starting a small animation company entitled 'I Love Pony Productions' ...yea funny title.

4) I am officially writing a draft for James Rolfe's sequel to the famous film 'The Jersey Odysseys' which to me is THE greatest student film in history. Check it out over at the film archive in www.cinemassacre.com . . . the sequel should be equally amazing.

5) I just got done editing 'The Candyman Conspiracy' all thats left is the visual effects done over at Sync Films in London and the music composed by CutshawKane.

6) I am directing a 60 second film for the Fox 19 video challenge in the midwest. I'm not sure about the title yet but its going to be something along the lines of 'dont drink and drive or this might happen' and I'm not gonna say what 'this' means, but its gonna be great! It'll make your hairs crawl, and guess what, the local police is helping me out! Cool - they're on my team.

I believe that about sums it up. So in other news, haha, we are remodeling the main Conrad Studios site. Josh just added a poll to the homepage so check it out. This weekend I'm watching 'Across the Universe' a cool musical featuring Beatles songs, and oh yea, I finally shaved my long beard today. You're gonna see me with my beard in most of the behind the scenes videos for Candyman. Oh and by the way, the Theatrical Trailer for Candy comes out in about 2-3 weeks, so stay tuned!

Done shooting Candy.

2007-08-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

I had a HUGE cast problem with 'The Fragile Spirit' so I had to throw the film back in the closet, though it was a hell of a script. In replacement of Spirit I made a very action-packed film called 'The Candyman Conspiracy' starring Jesus Jimenez and Cesar Jimenez. Below are a few filming details, I believe. Well yea we just finished the film and I am now currently in the States and ready to edit the movie. The synopsis is this: Three psychotic drug lords create a conspiracy to gain money. Their move: Kidnapping a kid. Their plan: Gaining $15,000 Their goal: Staying alive. This is the first film of mine in which the film is told directly through the eyes of the bad guys. So the main characters arent the good guys like in most movies, and thats how I think this action/crime film will be different than the rest. This is actually a mix between Scarface and Alpha Dog, but much cheaper with only 21 actors and a $2,000 budget.

Blood, cocaine, clowns and machine guns!

2007-08-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

So today I was filming my 1st full-blow action/crime film called 'The Candy Man Conspiracy' which means something along the lines of 'the drug lord and his adventures' thats what the title is supposed to mean, but anyways here are some things that happened today:

IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER...
(I'm filming in Honduras, by the way.)

1) I woke up at 12PM and went to this small reunion thing because an old friend of my dad's was celebrating his birthday. That was quite interesting.

2) After the party, me and my dad (producer) went to look for fake guns everywhere, but couldnt find any. The only thing we bought were flour for the 'cocaine' and fake blood and make-up.

3) After we bought those materials we went to look for our main actors which we brought along to go find the damned fake guns.

4) After a long tiring search we bought the guns and some weird clown masks. Then we went off into a very dangerous yet quiet little village, because we didnt want any cars in the shot except the one used in the film. So we take like an hour and a half to shoot this introduction scene in which a guy gets shot by hispanic gangsters wearing clown masks. The guy they shot was loaded with cocaine, so of course they took the cocaine. But here's the catch...while we were shooting quite a few cars went by, and people walking on the street. It wasnt like crowded or anything, but every 5 minutes or so someone would walk by or just simply watch us. Keep in mind that we were using tons and tons of fake blood, and guns, fake cocaine, and guys in suits wearing clown masks shooting at a guy pale-and-dead on the street. Some people were freaked out!! haha

5) Its like 5:30 and we were done filming and just as soon as we were leaving the little village all hell breaks loose. Two cops riding on motorcycles came speeding in front of us and told us to stop the vehicle. They made us all get out of the car, because they were going to search. These guys arent like the american police. The americans just have a little gun and fancy uniforms and a little helmet. These guys had fucking MACHINE GUNS! and KNIFES! and tons of $hit like that, plus also some little guns. We were freaked out. Not because of the blood or fake guns, but because of the fucking fake cocaine which is flour! They searched their bit told us to stay put and well we waited blah blah. we wasted like 10 minutes there just smiling at the policemen. Thank God they didnt find the fake cocaine because if they would have they would have probably arrested us because they cant identify if its flour or not until tested in a lab. That meant going to jail until the lab tests were completed, that would have taken about a
a week. And Honduras prison IS NOT the friendliest jail in the world. But we got off okay.

6) After that we went to a bar at around 6:30-7 and we set-up the next scene. The bar people were pretty cool and if it wasnt for the nice looking bar girl being in the film, the movie would be a complete, uhm sausage fest. lol

7) The bar 'talk' scene went excellently, we accidentally burned a chair with our gaffer lights. lol but it went well.

8) After that we went to the parking lot of a casino for the establishing shot. That means that I'm filming just the 2 gangsters entering the casino place, but the next shot is the bar. So we filmed in 2 locations which will only be one location in the film. So we are outside in the parking lot which is basically the street, and its filled with cops and what not, so after I had rushed and filmed the scene, one security guy came and yelled at me that I couldnt film there blah blah blah! I think he was ready to break Beatrice (my camera) but we ran off.

9) Theres no 9.

10) After we finished our day's work we went to BK (at around 9PM) and finished the day. But tomorrow, The Adventure Continues...

Some Things Just Won't Die.........

2007-08-04T23:31:00.000-07:00

The Fragile Production Notes

2007-07-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

THE FRAGILE SPIRIT

There is a woman who haunts the dreams of the innocent. Her name is Maria, and she is a legendary fragile spirit known as 'La Llorona' (The Weeping Woman). The dark tale begins on a cloudy night, when an old scientist known as Arturo gathers a group of men, enemies of the church, to finally destroy the spirit - which he has longed to kill. From writer and director Conrad Faraj comes the epic finalè to the terrifying franchise of: The Weeping Woman.

Shot on location in Honduras, Central America, and cut in the United States with special/visual effects from Sync Films in London. The film premieres at the Eerie Horror Film Festival on October 10th. The online premiere will be Friday, October 19th, 2007.

Full Title: The Fragile Spirit
Promotional Title: The Weeping Woman 3
Tagline: Legends Never Die
Format: High-Def
Stage: In Production

CAST
La Llorona – Odessa Aguilera
Arturo (Joven) – Edgardo Enamorado
Young Man – Juanca Enamorado
Child Victim – Eduardo Papadopolo
Young Boy – Daniel Aguilera
Young Girl 1 – Nicole Papadopolo
Young Girl 2 – Andrea Papadopolo
Arturo (Señor) – Eugenio Enamorado
Photographer – Edgardo Enamorado
Group Member 1 – Juanca Enamorado
Group Member 2 – Isa Jaar
Cazador – Jesus Jimenez
The Mom – Johana Faraj
The Dad – Alejandro Faraj
Sofia – Johanita Faraj
Bandit – Cesar Jimenez
Arturo’s Aid 1 – Nelson ???
Arturo’s Aid 2 – Hazel Baltodano

CREW
Production Co. - Conrad Studios
Production Co. - Mozer Bros. Inc.
Production Co. - Sync Films
Director – Conrad Faraj
Writer – Conrad Faraj
Producer – Alejandro Faraj
Producer – Floria Contessa
Producer – Conrad Faraj
Executive Producer – Conrad Faraj
Associate Producer – Brennan Eden
Associate Producer – Chris Hall
Composer – CutshawKane
Editor – Thomas Mozer
Editor – Conrad Faraj
Assistant Editor – Brennan Eden
Assistant Editor – Chris Hall
Director of Photography – Conrad Faraj
Production Caterer – Sra. Floria Aguilera
Set-Provider – Sr. Conrado Aguilera
Set-Provider – Isa Jaar
Set-Provider – Gaspar Pineda
Trailer Editor – Fernando Garcia
Production Assistant – Johana Faraj
Make-Up FX – Odessa Aguilera
Make-Up FX – Conrad Faraj
Visual FX Supervisor – Leo Baker
Marketing Music Rights – X-Ray Dog
Sound FX – Sound Dogs

This Week we begin again!

2007-07-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a few months since I directed a movie and its been over a year since I directed 'The Weeping Woman 2' yet here we go again! This Saturday I get back in the director's chair with the third part in the series. The Fragile Spirit will be our most dramatic movie to date! We are in the process of hiring a composer this week. The cast is set and the set is set as well. Haha.

The first scene will be quite difficult and will probably end up being the last one to shoot since it takes place underwater!

I'll update Friday or Thursday before I leave for Honduras.

(By the way our NEW logo will premiere with the movie! This one we will keep - uhm forever! best logo ever!)

Fragile Week is coming...

2007-07-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Next Saturday, production of my new movie "The Fragile Spirit" begins. I've been storyboarding all day. It starts underwater! Its gonna be a very challenging movie, but I have a strong feeling that it'll pay off. We're aiming at making it a great drama/horror.

The cast includes: Odessa Aguilera, Eugenio Enamorado, Jesus Jimenez, Cesar Jimenez, Edgardo Enamorado, Juanca Enamorado, Alejandro Faraj, Johana Faraj, Johanita Faraj, and Hazel Baltodano.

My flight to Honduras leaves next Friday and everything is ready to go. And as I promised heres a picture of me in Italy. Sorry if its a bit late..

Tired, but here we go again.

2007-07-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

Well guys, I have shattered my promises. I couldn't begin production on Blood and Specs my segment in the Double Dread because of casting purposes. Some people just cant be trusted with contracts and all of that. And well I am now officially starting in September. That seems a long time from now.

This weekend I am shooting a music video for the band Euphoria, so that should be interesting. Havent done a music video in forever, and worse of all, I havent directed in 2 months...I hope I know what I'm doing this weekend.

And well right now I feel tired, (yea no jobs in a while and I'm tired, well thats how it goes) this upcoming month of August will be a hellish rush. I start The Weeping Woman 3 aka THE FRAGILE SPIRIT. Yep, thats the official title. I couldnt say anything, but now who cares, eh. Its a story about this group of men, obsessed with La Llorona, that try to capture and destroy her - and yet at the same time La Llorona has kidnapped a girl whose innocence seems to give La Llorona an impact of dark kindness. A darker story than the previous two. Eugenio Enamorado will be starring in this flick, finally a recognized name in theater in my films. I feel proud.

Well thats all for today, tomorrow I'm watching the next Potter film. Hopefully it'll be good, i'll update soon. Bye.

Its been a while!

2007-06-25T04:28:00.001-07:00

Sorry I havent updated in a while. I'm currently in Italy. I havent directed anything in a month but in 1 week I get back to work with 'Blood and Specs' my segment in the film Double Dread. Anyways, the rumors are true. Whats on the main site saying that there will be a third part from a chilling Conrad Studios franchise is in fact The Weeping Woman 3. The curious thing is that after many discussions we came up with the creative decision to not follow the original storyline and move onto something more cinematical. The third part will not have the running title 'The Weeping Woman3' but a different one which I cannot reveal until mid-July. The story is quite simple in this one. We felt that the last one dealt with various inner stories that confused a lot of people. The only synopsis I can give you as of right now is 'a girl gets kidnapped by a mythical ghost' and hopefully that gives you enough insight about the movie. This movie is NOT the last one in the series. Word has been going around that Conrad is finally killing off La Llorona, but no sir. I know how she will die - yes. But not in this one.

And in other news not regarding the studio . . . I cant wait for TRANSFORMERS! Man that movie just looks out of this world! Geez, Michael Bay keeps on impressing me with his high-voltage action movies. That one I'm defineately watching on opening day. Another one that looks good is Harry Potter 5. How was Fantastic Four 2? I'm watching it this weekend.

I took some photos of me in Italy which I'll post this weekend as well before my super secret meeting with Chris Hall. We're doing the final pointers on Double Dread which has been fully casted.

Until then, I'm off.

Updates

2007-05-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

This week we released two new films. "A Conversation with Lemony Snicket and Count Olaf" as well as Brennan Eden's "Fifteen Hours" which were both made in two days. Go watch them on the Conrad Studios youtube page. Yesterday Chris Hall, the second director for Double Dread sent me an early draft of his script and it's looking creepy. (Yet not as creepy as my segment :D ) Yesterday I watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and it was great. Go watch it. I'll update more when I finish my Double Dread faux trailer.

First Post!

2007-05-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, this is me Conrad Faraj. Founder/owner of Conrad Studios. All of the Conrad Studios directors have decided to open up blogs to keep people posted. We will try to update them every week. Tonight me and Brennan are finishing up the final cuts for the animated short "Fifteen Hours" which is really only a 3 minute movie, but its a great 3min movie. Very action packed and fast paced. Brennan's vision created a magnificent war sequence in the end. Hopefully this is the first of many Conrad Studios films using new animated techonolgy. Other than that short film, we've all been focused on the production of our double feature film "Double Dread" inspired by Grindhouse. I havent talked to Chris in like a week. He is the director of the first segment. He told me he had a new draft of his script this week. So we'll see. My segment in Double Dread is called Blood and Specs, and its just an obsolute blood fest. Its extremly gross and disgusting, and def. not recommended for the easily offended. Its a "macho" movie. Its gonna be a lot of fun filming it in July.

This weekend a fake trailer was leaked. That was probably my fault. But who cares, it was great. Brennan directed that as well. In my opinion a bit more gore could have been used, but its all good. This weekend we are starting production for my fake trailer in Double Dread. You can bet it'll be creepy! I'll try to update this thing over the weekend. so until then, adios.