Looking forward to seeing Anthony Rapp in Sony's RENT on November 23rd? Well tune up with him a week earlier as he stars as the slightly off kilter real estate agent in Dan Mirvish's new real estate musical. Afterall, why RENT, when you can own... On DVD Nov. 15!
After a regional theatrical release, a controversial OscarŽ campaign and an international film festival tour, OPEN HOUSE can now be seen by everyone starting November 15th throughout North America. So check it out at Netflix, go to your corner Blockbuster or order it through Amazon. The perfect holiday gift for anyone who's ever sold a house, bought a house, or lived in a house!
Here's a rundown on the DVD extras:
Musical Commentary The first in the history of DVDs! Featuring the original song, "This Is the DVD Commentary!" sung by director Dan Mirvish and the crew (with lyrics like, "Your patience will be bulging, To keep up with our self-indulging.") The rest of the commentary has live accompaniment by musical director Andrew Melton. The commentary also includes star Anthony Rapp comparing the experience of singing live on set in OPEN HOUSE with the more traditional approach in his upcoming big screen version of RENT. With a video introduction by director Dan Mirvish.
Slamdance-a-RamaŽ Audio. Another first-ever DVD feature! Unlike traditional audio features like Dolby or THX, Slamdance-a-RamaŽ Audio will put the viewer literally into the film festival audience experience. With a click of a button, viewers can enjoy the film surrounded by the cheers, applause and laughs of the actual premiere audience in Park City, Utah. With a video introduction by director Dan Mirvish that also explains why he's fallen and can't get up.
Sing-a-Long Lyrics. For audiences who want to join in on the fun of OPEN HOUSE by singing along with their favorite actors, we've provided the option of viewing all the song lyrics in the movie. Join in the fun in the privacy of your living room and it'll be like karaoke without the public humiliation and vodka shooters.
Alternate Scenes. The DVD features not only Alternate Endings to the film, but also a Deleted Scene from the Alternate Endings and see what happens when Jerry Doyle calls Sally Kellerman "Hotlips" in a hysterical Outtake from the Deleted scene to the Alternate Endings. But why just reimagine the ending, when you can have an Alternate Beginning and an Alternate Middle (featuring a Japanese rendition of "Fantabulous")?
Deleted Scene. Director Dan Mirvish took a principled stand against product placement when he cut a crucial scene in the movie that was simply overridden with nearly twenty popular brands of beer, soda and snackfood. Yes, even Spam. Hear his theories on product placement as he introduces the missing scene from the movie.
How-to-Featurettes. At close to an hour of combined length, these minidocumentaries represent a "film school in a box" for how to cast, shoot and market an independent movie in today's digital world. A unique resource for any aspiring filmmaker, or just anyone interested in the secrets behind OPEN HOUSE:
How to Win an AwardŽ. A 14-minute documentary on how director Dan Mirvish spearheaded a historic and controversial campaign to reignite the dormant OscarŽ for Best Original Musical. The featurette contains step-by-step instructions on how to shoot a movie that's eligible for this unique OscarŽ category. Featuring an extended interview with "Batboy: The Musical" co-creator Brian Flemming.
How to Cast a Movie. Find out the process for assembling a large ensemble cast in a no-budget independent film that's also a musical.
How to Make a Musical. Here, viewers will learn how and why OPEN HOUSE was shot with all the actors singing live on set, with no lip-syncing, prerecording or dubbing. And rehearsal? What rehearsal?
Jumping Off a Bridge (or How to Make an Indie Film). Find out from the actors what it was like to work on the movie with indie film maverick Dan Mirvish who brought his unique Slamdance style to the set.
How NOT to Shoot a Film in 17 Days. Learn the war stories of production, from police shutdowns in two cities to actual homebuyers walking through the set of the movie thinking it was a real open house.
How to Make Fingersandwiches...and Die Young. The filmmakers served fingersandwiches at all their screenings, and in one case Sally Kellerman gets into a bizarre discussion of death with legendary politician George McGovern.
Additional features include:
KABC's "Eye on LA". The Los Angeles ABC news show followed the film from preproduction (in Mirvish's garage) to the first difficult days of shooting.
Fantabulous in One Take. Follow a unique split screen view of how Anthony Rapp sang, and director Dan Mirvish shot, the opening musical number of the film in a single, continuous take.
Trailer. Unlike a traditional theatrical trailer, the DVD contains footage from the actual fundraising party in Park City in 2003 where director Dan Mirvish and producer Stephen Israel presented an early trailer to prospective investors. Features an appearance from Chris Gore (IFC's "Ultimate Film Fanatic" host).
* Note: All DVD Extra material was edited by OPEN HOUSE director Dan Mirvish who was recently bedridden with several broken bones during a freak remodeling accident in the very home that inspired OPEN HOUSE. Mirvish, who has shot or produced several other DVD extras projects (including John Carpenter's GHOSTS OF MARS for Sony), also has additional commentaries, photo galleries, songs and press resources available on this website.
Disclaimer:
Investment in a project of this nature involves substantial risks, and should not be undertaken by those individuals or organizations who can not afford those risks. Anyone seriously interested in contributing should consult their own tax professional for complete tax advice. This website should not be construed as a formal offering or complete business prospectus, but rather is designed to give a general overview of the project.
After a regional theatrical release, a controversial OscarŽ campaign and an international film festival tour, OPEN HOUSE can now be seen by everyone starting November 15th throughout North America. So check it out at Netflix, go to your corner Blockbuster or order it through Amazon. The perfect holiday gift for anyone who's ever sold a house, bought a house, or lived in a house!
