Oklahoma City Sound Pro Moves to Movies
Phillips Pro Audio uses studios to create feature films at Rockhouse Pictures
(OKLAHOMA CITY, OK) After 30 years of producing the sound and lights for bands such as U2, Van Halen, Nirvana and singers and comedians such as Garth Brooks, Tony Bennett and Robin Williams, Kenny Phillips of Phillips Pro Audio Inc. is exploring a new genre. The Grammy award-winning sound engineer has teamed up with Austin independent film producer, Christopher Sharpe to produce feature length motion pictures.
The new company, Rockhouse Pictures is based out of Phillips’ Oklahoma City Rockhouse Cinema studios. The company already has an award-winning feature film under its belt and another production in the works.
“I’ve been in the live and studio sound production business for 30 years but I’ve also worked in other areas such as designing and building lights, video and sets for traveling shows, said Phillips. So moving into the realm of movie production will allow me to transfer my experience and skills and take my business to a whole new level.”
Phillips is familiar with the world of stage productions. He designed and built the lights, sound and travelling sets for Rob Becker's DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN show which enjoyed a successful run on Broadway and Broadway Series tour of the U.S. which spanned over a decade. He also created the lighting, sound, video presentation, set pieces and “flying” props while working on Eric Idle’s live stage show, ERIC IDLE EXPLOITS MONTY PYTHON which toured 25 cities in the U. S. and Canada in 2000.
Phillips recently partnered with Sharpe, the producer of the action/thriller “Sex Machine” which has taken top movie prizes at indie fests around the country. The movie, shot in and around Oklahoma City, tells a twisted story of a modern-day Frankenstein and has quickly become a cult film classic. Check out Headbangersblog.mtv.com for a review.
“The new B-action movie genre has a significant and loyal fan base. They review, rant, rave and critique these movies on blogs and other networking sites,” says Sharpe. “But your product has to be top quality in the creative department because these fans have very exacting standards for this genre. That makes producing these films fun and challenging.”
Sharpe has worked on a series of short films including serving as assistant director and editor of CLOUD SYMPHONY directed by Shogo Nakagawa. In 2005, Sharpe wrote, produced and directed SEX MACHINE which took the Best Film prize at the 2006 deadCENTER film festival in Oklahoma City and the Best Film and Best Special Effects prizes at the 2006 MicroCinema Fest in Chicago. SEX MACHINE was released worldwide by Anthem Pictures in 2007.
Sharpe and Phillips will produce their next feature film using Phillips’ cadre of HD and 35 mm cameras, recording hardware and software such as Avid Media Composer, 2- Pro Tools HD-3 systems and motions graphics effects. As in CLOUD SYMPHONY and SEX MACHINE, the partners will record and mix the sound track and music score in the Rockhouse Cinema studio which is the only full production studio in a 4-state area with a Steinway piano.
The pair says they also plan to take advantage of new media avenues to promote and distribute their newest production which they will release this fall. For more information on Rockhouse Cinema or Phillips Pro Audio visit www.rockhousecinema.com.
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