Hoodwinked Wallpaper, #10295

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s an unusual case of life imitating art imitating life — all to promote a new film. Indie rap-rock group Young Torture Killaz released their music video “I’ll Cut Yo D**k Off” online this week, sparking a firestorm of comments over their controversial lyrics and use of the n-word. It went viral, notching more than 100K views on YouTube and the urban/shock video clearinghouse WorldStarHipHop. But the Young Torture Killaz aren’t just another Insane Clown Posse knockoff looking for internet fame; they’re the fictional band in the indie flick Hellaware, debuting this weekend at NYC’s BAMcinemaFest. Online commenters have thus far been hoodwinked by the video, which WorldStar posted as the work of “unsigned artist[s].” So let Deadline peel back the curtain: Hellaware, written and directed by Michael M. Bilandic, follows a photographer (Keith Poulson) looking to break through in NYC’s art scene who stumbles across a band of goth rapper Delaware teens on YouTube and persuades them to let him tag along in their world. Naturally, things spiral out of control. The members of Young Torture Killaz are really actors Brent Butler, Zohren Weiss and Clarke Bliss, performing a song written by writer-director Bilandic. Indie fixtures Sophia Takal and Kate Lyn Sheil also star in the pic, which screens Saturday at the film fest hosted by the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. Hellaware has been screening for press and buyers in search of distribution, and Bilandic isn’t repped at ... Read More »

2ND UPDATE, 10:30 PM: The 3D animation and effects studio based in Los Angeles and Mumbai emerged victorious tonight after an auction that stretched across two days. Its past high profile clients include Disney (TRON: Legacy, Planes), Paramount (Transformers: Dark Of The Moon), and The Weinstein Co. (Hoodwinked!), studios not involved in the recent bankruptcy saga of the Oscar-winning Rhythm & Hues. A court hearing is set for 10 AM tomorrow to finalize the sale. UPDATE, 3:30 PM: The end of the Rhythm & Hues bankruptcy saga just got pushed back a little further. Judge Neil Bason has approved Rhythm & Hues’ request to continue its bankruptcy sale hearing Friday at 10 AM. The auction will resume today at 4 PM. Two bidders are currently battling for the company, but Rhythm & Hues lawyers will allow an unnamed bidder that previously withdrew to submit a new bid, according to statements made today in court. They may also allow Psyops to rejoin the fray bringing the potential number of bidders to four. Meanwhile, the court will decide tomorrow if stalking horse bidder JS Communications will receive its contentious break-up fee. PREVIOUSLY, 11:48 AM: Bankrupt VFX house Rhythm & Hues was set to go on the auction block yesterday with a court hearing finalizing the deal today at 3 PM. Not so fast: Action continued into the wee hours of the morning ... Read More »