Finally, the STARCK PROJECT films revealed...

[Wade]

With all of the recent buzz in the media, I'm very pleased to be able to offer some clarity.

For those of you who have been there with me of all these years, you know well how long I've worked to put the pieces of the puzzle in place. Today, with my partners Michael Cain and Melina McKinnon, we announced our company MWM Films has secured the rights to the Stark Club story from original owner, Blake Woodall. This includes all original artwork, flyers, hundreds of hours of archive video and endless tales of one of the greatest nightclubs ever.

We are producing both a documentary and feature film.

We've moved into our new offices...the films are officially in production.

The bloggers are already blogging.

The site is http://www.starckproject.com

The media reception is next Tuesday at 5pm on the front steps of the Starck.

And of course, you're all invited

Press release below.

Xo,

Wade

>More event info on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...7625573&ref=ts

The official press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

contact: Terri Provencal terri@provencalconsultinggroup.com
(214) 642-1124

THE WOODALL GROUP TAPS MICHAEL CAIN, WADE RANDOLPH HAMPTON AND MELINA McKINNON TO PRODUCE THE STARCK PROJECT.

Award-winning Filmmakers to create multiple projects centered around Dallas and 1980’s iconic nightclub.

Dallas, Texas. – May 7, 2009 – The Woodall Group, led by Starck Club founder Blake Woodall, announced it has signed a multi-media production agreement with Sundance award-winning director/producer Michael Cain along with partners; producer/music supervisor, Wade Randolph Hampton and producer, Melina McKinnon. This partnership allows Cain, Hampton and McKinnon full rights to the story and an archive including hundreds of hours of rare footage, thousands of photos and memorabilia surrounding the legendary tale of the Starck Club. “With access to the inner circle and those who created and lived the Starck experience, we will be able to step behind the drapes again into the glamour, decadence, opulence and sheer pleasure that was 1980’s Dallas,” said Michael Cain.

A ceremony will take place on the steps of the original fabled club on May 12, 2009 marking the 25th anniversary of the Starck Club’s opening. That evening Woodall, along with Greg McCone, the Club’s general manager and David Hynds, the Club’s video artist, will be handing over their archives to the filmmakers at the media reception. Starck Club was built by Blake Woodall who in 1982 flew in relatively unknown designer Philippe Starck to create what many have come to regard as a monumental cornerstone of international nightclubs. The revered ‘investors list’ included rock star, Stevie Nicks who played opening night with Starck’s most loyal instigator, Grace Jones. Amidst the endless flow of notable guests…from Robert Plant to Rob Lowe…Princess Stephanie of Monaco to rockstar Prince – the line between exquisite and absurd was often blurry, but always beautiful.

Woodall stated, “Many others have wanted to tell this story and I have been judicious in my selection of these particular filmmakers. Michael, Wade and Melina are the right people, at the right time with personal ties to Dallas and The Club, as well as, the professional experience to bring this story to life. The fruits of our labor and partnership will enhance and possibly transform Dallas’ image, which was created in the late 1980’s, all around the world.”

The Woodall Group and the producers are working on the STARCK PROJECT, which includes the documentary feature, narrative feature and television opportunities all based in the 1980’s focusing on Dallas, Texas and the Starck Club as central characters. “We will strive to reveal the impact Dallas, the Starck Club and those who created this once in a lifetime experience had on international culture – from music to architecture to fashion,” said Michael Cain. "I am grateful to the Dallas Film Society Board for allowing me to take a 2-month sabbatical from my duties as Artistic Director of the AFI Dallas International Film Festival, so that I can focus my efforts on this project during this critical time."

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS

Michael Cain is the Artistic Director of the AFI DALLAS International Film Festival and is a graduate of the American Film Institute. Cain made his feature film directorial debut with the documentary TV JUNKIE. The film made its world premier at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival where it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and received the Special Jury Prize for Documentary Excellence. TV JUNKIE was part of the HBO “EMMY Governor Award” winning ADDICTION SERIES. Cain will once again step into the role as Director/Producer on the documentary feature. His longtime producing partner Christopher Smith is teaming up with him on this project.

Wade Randolph Hampton, DJ WishFM, is widely recognized as one of the true architects of the American dance music scene. While continuing to serve as music supervisor on feature films, the multi-talented Hampton is a journalist, music producer, DJ, and even Director of Marketing at Dallas’ current celebrity soiree, ghostbar. Hampton, music supervisor on TV JUNKIE and well known for his critically acclaimed work on Sony Pictures Classics GROOVE and REQUIEM FOR A DREAM: REMIXED will score the Documentary Feature as well as co-produce the STARCK PROJECT.

Melina McKinnon, with an MBA in Finance from SMU, is a talented producer who specializes in long form music projects and fundraising. Melina’s bio includes producing projects for Grammy nominated, Bowling for Soup, Blue October, and Bob Schneider. As a producer her passion is to positively impact the Texas filmmaking community and she focuses her efforts on working with like-minded Dallas based directors. McKinnon is currently producing the documentary TOREY’S DISTRACTION with director Tisha Blood and she recently completed production work on her 14th Film Festival. Melina’s efforts will now be coordinating a unified end result for all the endeavors under the STARCK PROJECT umbrella.

Dennis Bishop is a producer with a distinctive style and ideology. He has been an integral part of many commercially successful and honored productions from Horton Foote's Academy Award winning The Trip to Bountiful to the hugely successful Universal Pictures’ The Fast and the Furious. The Dallas native began his film career working on documentaries and award winning commercials in Texas. Bishop was brought to Los Angeles to become Director and later Vice President of Physical Production at HBO Pictures. He then went on to be Co-Producer/UPM on NASCAR: The IMAX 3D Experience, directed by Simon Wincer for IMAX/Warner Bros. Bishop’s recent foray into producing TV pilots resulted in his first two pilots being picked up to series: The critically acclaimed Dexter for Showtime starring Michael C. Hall and Cane for CBS, directed by Christian Duguay and starring Jimmy Smits, Hector Elizondo and Rita Moreno. He is currently serving as the Festival Producer for the Lone Star International Film Festival in Fort Worth.

ABOUT THE STARCK PROJECT

The STARCK PROJECT will shine an ultra vivid light on Dallas in the 1980’s. Projects created under this umbrella will have one central character in common, the Starck Club. Projects include, but are not limited to, a documentary feature film, narrative feature film and episodic television.

[juandingo]

congrats wade on getting it off the ground brother.

[BLAZEN]

fucking sweet ...cant wait to watch it

[transplant]

That is really cool. Though I wasn't here back then, it will be really cool to see the stories everyone talks about.

[Wade]

Thanks dingo.

Feels so good.

Furthermore, I'll help you and Red Eye with your eyeliner before the photo next Tuesday on the front steps of Starck.

[J. Fees]

big up

[Funkenstein]

Excellent!

[Wade]

so who all is coming for the media reception tomorrow??

a LOT old-guard Starckys have RSVP'd...

now we're looking for the heads.

which are you?

Dare I say, that I have reproductions of the rarest Starck club t-shirts on American Apparel Ts....

xo

W

[murderface]

wow, you showed me the screenplay or script or something a couple of years ago when i was at your place with james powell. congrats on making it happen.

[infinite43]

Wow I used to work w/ Mike & Melina at the Deep Ellum Film Festival for a few years...........good people............

[rulah]

i would love to but have to work til 7
why 5

[juandingo]

Originally Posted by Wade

Thanks dingo.

Feels so good.

Furthermore, I'll help you and Red Eye with your eyeliner before the photo next Tuesday on the front steps of Starck.

[slientman]

congrats, this will be greatness

[hepkatmama]

so how does the documentary short relate to your project that was part of the USA film festival a couple of weeks ago?

it was about the stark club too.

your press release uses the word ALL alot so i'm curious.

[john vella]

Originally Posted by Wade

Furthermore, I'll help you and Red Eye with your eyeliner before the photo next Tuesday on the front steps of Starck.

eyeliner, broaches and stiff stuff will be in abundance.

man, i wish i could make it down there for this. i'm sure the tv stations will only treat it as kicker material, so someone shoot some video and post it up.