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About us
The School of Night is non-profit live theatrical company that produces classical theatre that is relevant, primal and cutting edge. We perform theatre the way it was meant to be - with live music, minimal tech and high energy performances. But because of Covid 19, performance venues are closed and no large gatherings can take place. As a result, our latest theatrical production has been postponed and we don't know when we will be allowed to perform again. It is a scary and uncertain time for the those of us in the arts. So we can only do what we do best, get creative.
We are taking our 2016 inaugural production of Punch and Judy and turning it into a short film for the ages! In 2016, we pushed the boundaries of what could be done on stage and created a highly lauded critical hit, fitting for the time. In 2020, we are taking film to a new level of creativity and ingenuity by giving you a cathartic experience that will surely kick 2020 in the pants! If you saw the live production of Punch and Judy during the Hollywood Fringe Festival, then you are already a fan. Get ready for a new visceral, relevant and cutting edge experience. If you missed it...hold on to your hats! You have never seen anything like it before. For a time when reality has topped satire...Punch and Judy tops reality. Take that, 2020!
Our Project
This live-action short film adaptation of the western world’s most enduring popular entertainment follows the beloved and irascible domestic abuser Punch on a hilarious and kill-crazed day of adventure. All your favorite characters are sure to put in appearances: Judy, Pretty Polly, Scaramouch, Jim Crow, Toby the Dog, Jack Ketch, Hector the Horse … even Old Nick himself, the Devil and Prince of Lies, will wind up on the receiving end of Punch’s tomfoolery.
Mr. Punch will tickle your ribs as he bludgeons, stabs, slashes, burns, shoots and inappropriately gropes his way straight into your heart.
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What Critics had to say
“The best reason to see this Punch, however, is that Johnson has assembled one of the ablest and most expertly timed physical comedy ensembles in recent memory. Johnson has replaced the traditional miniatures with live actors…. and staged the results as highly polished and pitch-perfect commedia dell’arte.” - Bill Raden, Stage Raw
Jen Albert devised the fight choreography for several scenes and these are some of the best and most versatile fight sequences that I have seen on an L.A. stage. - Pauline Adamek, ArtsBeatLA
“A show that is a genuine case study of style and comic delivery that deserves to be preserved in amber.” - TheTVolution
Editors’ Pick! “Johnson’s direction is excellent.” - Blog Critics
Highly Recommended. “Punch and Judy is that very rare thing, a truly classy fringe show, with no caveats or reservations.”- FringeReview
“100% perfect. Very Highly Recommended.”- Gia on the Move
Awards and Nominations
LADCC Award - Jen Albert, Fight Choreography
Hollywood Fringe Festival:
Winner – Encore Producers Award
Nominee – Top of the Fringe
Nominee – Best Comedy
Stage Raw:
Nominee - Best Director
Nominee - Best Comedy Ensemble
Nominee - Best Fight Choreography
What We Need
In short, funding. Filmmaking is not easy or cheap, especially in the age of Covid-19. There are strict protocols that must followed to keep everyone on set safe. As you might imagine, that has increased the budget. But the largest cost is paying everyone. So many of our creative family have been hit very hard financially by the pandemic. So it is imperative that our cast and crew be paid for their time, talent and collaboration. But that is not all, here are just a few of the other things that are included in our budget:
Covid Compliance Officer, Covid -19 sanitization supplies, CFast cards, locations, wardrobe, craft services, insurance, equipment rental, set construction, set dressing, props, puppet fabrication, transportation, etc.
What else? Now that principal photography is wrapped we need to pay for everything related to post production as well, and that includes: Editing, sound editing, music composition, foley, ADR, color correction, VFX, public relations, film festival entry fees. And more!
Bottom line - We are a company known for raising the bar and setting high standards. Nothing we do is half-hearted. We create art that pushes the envelope. Help us push it over the edge! You've never seen anything like this. We promise!
Can't donate? We get it. Times are tough. If you're not able to support the film financially please share this project with your friends...and your enemies!
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Twitter: @SchoolofNightLA
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