Many years ago, writer and film director Peter Foldy was pounded by an anxiety attack after smoking some powerful marijuana. The experience affected him for weeks afterwards and ultimately forced him to examine his fears and shortcomings in order clear his mind and get his life back on track.
Cut to 2006. Deciding to try his hand at a short film, Foldy was searching for a subject matter when he remembered the pot-induced trauma that he had jokingly dubbed “Head, Heart and Ball”.
Deciding that his mind-bending nightmare would actually make a humorous coming-of-age story, Foldy sat down and quickly wrote the screenplay. Pleased with the results he approached cinematographer Erik Kaufmann and producers Drew Masters and Zach Evans and asked them to become part of the production team.
Based on the material and Foldy’s vision for the film, a small budget was quickly secured and “Head, Heart and Balls” became a go project in August, 2006.
Casting began September 13 th,2006 and many talented performers were auditioned. “Making the right decision was essential,” remembers Foldy. “We saw a lot of great people but they also had to be believable as 18 year olds and believable as close friends.
Director Peter Foldy with the cast of HH&B
After finally locking his cast, Foldy was still left with the task of finding someone for the part of “Anxiety.” Wanting a “name” for the role, Foldy set the bar high for his choices. The production approached a number of well-known actors, but this was after all a low budget short film. Casting a star used to six figure paychecks was a pipedream. Getting them to appear in a short film was another.
Shooting finally began on September 25th without an “Anxiety” on board. “It was giving me anxiety” says Foldy.
Our first day of production was the “Woodstock nude scene” which we filmed in Malibu Creek State Park, the same lake where the famous film “Planet of the Apes,” starring Charlton Heston was shot 35 years earlier. “Since we had no permits we hiked in to the well-hidden location in small groups. The camera crew, our two lead actors and our extras, all of us trying not to attract the attention of the vigilant park rangers. To make matters worse, the two leads had just met the day before and I was asking them to get naked and jump into a cold lake with a group of people they had never met looking on. What a way to start the film.
Fortunately the shoot went fast and without any drama and it certainly bonded all of us after getting away with this exciting, covert first day of production.”
First day of production with Malibu State Creek Park standing in for Woodstock, 1969
Securing cars from the 60’s was also a huge problem on the film’s low budget. Producers Evans and Masters began calling people who were selling their vehicles on craigslist, asking them if they wanted to get their car on film before they sold it. Something they could remember it by. A number of classic cars were eventually recruited but clearing the street without permits and the police was going to be a huge challenge. Street cleaning proved to be the answerer. The minute it ended, the old cars were moved in position for the opening shot of the movie.
Filming continued in October 2006, with the part of “Anxiety” still not locked. Finally, and at the last possible moment, TV and radio star Adam Carolla stepped up and agreed to do the role, shooting all his scenes in one day on October 28th, the seventh and final day of production.
“It was fantastic to have Adam on board,” says Foldy. “He was the perfect “Anxiety” and a lot of fun to work with. Everyone on the shoot was really cool and I feel I’ve not only made some new friends but also found a fresh group of actors to choose from for future projects.”
“Despite the many challenges, it was a pretty smooth production period,” according to producer Drew Masters. “Making films when you don’t have a real budget is never easy, but sometimes you just have to go for it. Like the line from “Head, Heart and Balls” reminds us, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.”
GLOBAL UNIVERSAL FILM GROUP, INC
In Association with
LA PIETA FILMS
presents
An EVANS-MASTERS COMPANY
&
FILMSTREET PRODUCTION
HEAD, HEART and BALLS
…or Why I Gave Up Smoking Pot
Written and Directed by……………………………PETER FOLDY
Produced by…………………..ZACH EVANS & DREW MASTERS
Executive Producers………………………….JACKELYN GIROUX
LAURENT ROTROFF & STEVEN REINGOLD
Co-Producer……………………………………..ERIK KAUFMANN
Associate Producers………………………………….PAUL WEBER
DAVID PATRICK GREEN
RONNIE REES
Director of Photography……………………..ERIK KAUFMANN
First Assistant Director……………………….BRIAN MCQUERY
Music by……………………………………………..FRED MANDEL
Production Designer…………………………….VANESSA VELEZ
Edited by………………………………………..SANDI BANGASSER
Casting by……………………………………….VALERIE MAJALCA
2nd Unit Director
Director of Photography…………………………CHRIS EKSTEIN
Gaffer………………………………………………DEREK CHILDERS
Production Sound……………………………………BARRY NEELY
Post Production Sound……………………..PHIL LEE/TODD AO
Hair, Make Up & Wardrobe Design……………..EVA WOODBY
Script Supervisors………………………………………AMY ARTER
WEDNESDAY STANDLEY
Assistant Editor………………………………….DEREK CHILDERS
Production Assistants…………………………….CHRIS VAUGHN
ANNI SPECKHEUER
Colorist……………………………………………..ERIK KAUFMANN
Digital Imagist…………………………………….REBECCA BIBLER
Still Photographer……………………………………..PHIL RANTA
Additional VO Recording……………………JORDAN CLARFIELD
BAND ROOM STUDIOS
Photos from Woodstock courtesy of……………HENRY DILTZ
Photo of the Beatles courtesy of…………..JOHN ROWLANDS
Protest March Photo courtesy of…………….HAROLD ADLER
War Protest Photo by……………………………BRYAN BEASLEY
Original Oil Paintings by……..CHRISTOPHER JAMES TAYLOR
Guitars courtesy of………….FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Poster Design…………………………………………….MARK ELIAS
Web Design…………………………………….HOUSTON GRAHAM
Medical Consultant………………………….JOEL CLARFIELD MD
Songs:
REACH FOR THE SKY
Written by:Peter Foldy
Performed by: Focal Point featuring Brian Hodge
Bondi Music (ASCAP)
SERIOUS PEOPLE
Written by:Peter Foldy
Performed by: Focal Point featuring Paul Tennant
Bondi Music (ASCAP)
CEREBRAL WONDERLAND
Written & Performed by:Peter Foldy
Bondi Music (ASCAP)
CAST:
Pete………………………………………..HOUSTON GRAHAM
Moonbeam……………………………….ANGELICA MAGANA
Anxiety………………………………………..ADAM CAROLLA
Jake………………………………………….. JORDAN POTTER
Leon……………………………………………….LUKE BAYBAK
Danny………………………STEPHEN CHRISTOPER PARKER
Dad……………………………………….JAMES WELLINGTON
Mom………………………………………MARIANNE FERRARI
Nurse……………………………………………CLAUDIA ROSS
Narrator…………………………PAUL MICHAEL ROBINSON
© 2008
HH&B LLC