The founders of MadCoop Productions have been writing and filming their creations for years, but they say now is the time to take it to the next level.
"We started by writing short plays and renting video cameras," Lowville native Ricky D. Snyder said. "Now is the time to realize a full-blown business."
"Transmissions — Volume One" is part of that next level, although since wrapping it up, the filmmakers already have better equipment and loftier goals of running a top quality north country film studio.
The DVD of seven short films was shot at north country locations such as Denmark, Watson, Copenhagen and Watertown. The DVD will have its premiere at 8 p.m. Saturday at Smokin' Joe's Blues Cafe, Public Square. It also will be shown at 2 p.m. March 27 at Lowville Town Hall Theatre.
Madcoop Productions was created last year by Mr. Snyder, 34, and fellow Lowville native Bryan S. Higby, 35, and his wife, Amy Higby. Another collaborator is Jesseca L. Trainham. All are SUNY Potsdam graduates who majored in the arts.
Most of the writing in "Transmissions" was done by Mr. Higby, although all Madcoop associates have at least one creation in the collection.
The films contain dark subject matters in dreamlike, and at times, nightmarish scenes. Topics include a private investigator who is killed after stumbling across mysterious documents; a man who is frantic over his fear of water; a restaurant heist that goes bad; a detective who wakes up on the shore of a river and meets a mysterious woman; and a man, in a film inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's narrative poem "The Raven," who tries to come to terms with some issues with the help of a papier -maché crow's head.
The movies have the feel of "film noir," a genre that is marked by pessimism, fatalism, menace and cynical characters.
Mr. Snyder said the filmmakers are highly influenced by Italian director Dario Argento, who is known for his horror flicks. Another influence is Montana native David Lynch ("Blue Velvet," "Twin Peaks.")
"We're looking for a niche audience," Mr. Snyder said. "One of the smartest things to do is to develop a niche you are good at and run with that."
"There will always be an audience somewhere for things that have heart," said Ms. Trainham. "We will find each other."
"With all of our films, there is a central character and the darkness revolving around them is their dreams and desires confronting them," Mr. Snyder said. "That's how it all becomes so surreal."
The filmmakers realize they have a tough road ahead to become financially viable.
"It's going to be a lot of work and making ourselves known," Mr. Snyder said.
But they think the north country offers a huge talent pool they would like to tap into.
"We would like to work with the local actors and writers to develop a film community," said Mr. Snyder.
They envision hosting casting calls at north country colleges and communities.
"We're looking for artists interested in getting their names out there," Ms. Trainham said.
Mr. Snyder, whose day job is store manager at the Mustard Seed health food store on Arsenal Street, recently purchased, for $1,900, a professional-grade movie camera.
"We're at a point now where we can afford the professional-grade equipment," Mr. Snyder said. "I invested my faith to keep the business going."
"The material is of a quality that demands better tools," said Ms. Trainham. "We are at the service of our vision."
