Photo: Myleen Hollero

Aside from making music that moves you, Goh Nakamura has been busy doing the rounds for a movie starring…well… him. Entitled Surrogate Valentine, this indie movie is about a struggling musician named Goh who jumps on the chance to teach TV star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) guitar for an upcoming role. Along the way, the pair go on a road trip from Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Goh also meets a high school flame Rachel (Lynn Chen), which complicates things. The film is having its long awaited Los Angeles premiere at The Japanese American National Museum this Thursday, September 15th. Goh will also be doing a live performance and Q&A after the screening.

The film got rave reviews at its world premiere at Austin’s SXSW. Our favorite review came from Independent Film Channel, who called it “the kind of film you want to hug.”

Check out this trailer:

This Thursday, September 15th, Surrogate Valentine will be screening for the first time in Los Angeles. Alongside, The Japanese American National Museum and Giant Robot, we’re proud to present a screening of Surrogate Valentine, a Q&A with the cast and director Dave Boyle, and a special live music performance by Goh Nakamura.

The after-screening Q&A should be really fun if this video is any indication. Here’s a clip of Dave and Goh talking about how they met and taking us through some of the behind the scenes of the film. You’ll see they have a very apparent, natural chemistry, and with the success of this film, it’s no wonder that they are already in production on the sequel to Surrogate Valentine.

We’d love for you to come to the screening and, if you do, you’ll know why we’re raving. The movie’s showing at The Japanese American National Museum this Thurs, September 15, 8pm. Get your tickets here.

See you guys there!

JANM, 369 East First Street, Los Angeles California 90012

I can’t believe it has been 25 years since Beastie Boys came out with License To Ill. This was a staple album in my junior high days (oh my!). To launch their newest album, Beastie Boys made a 30 minute film. Way over the top, it has appearances by the likes of Seth Rogen, Elijah Wood, Danny McBride, Susan Sarandon, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, John C. Reilly, Chloe Sevigney, Martin Starr and basically the who’s who of Hollywood. The premise is basically what happens right after the 1986 video, the crazy antics, and what then boils down to a dance off between the past and future selves of The Beasties. What? That may sound strange, just watch the entire film below.

The LA premiere was on Monday put on by our friends Jonathan and Meg of Flux at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood…. like most of their events, the creators were there in the theater… that’s right, the Beastie Boys were in the house!

Photo: Myleen Hollero

I am proud to announce that Surrogate Valentine, co-written and starring our good friend Goh Nakamura, premiered with warm fanfare at this year’s SXSW in Austin. Tonight, March 17th, it will be the Closing Night Selection at The San Francisco International Film Festival! You might remember Goh from his music and shows he has done with Poketo in the past. A kind of one man band, his music moves you with his beautiful voice and guitar. He was here at Poketo a couple of years ago, played an amazing set at the studio in front of a mesmerized crowd… so much so, you could literally hear a pin drop. He blew us away with his performance and he then continued good times with tacos and beer before crashing at our pad. That’s the cool, mellow, humble guy that Goh is.

Now, Goh has teamed up with filmmaker Dave Boyle to sort of make a movie about… himself. In Surrogate Valentine, Goh Nakamura plays Goh, a struggling musician that is barely scraping by, playing live gigs and teaching guitar. Things change when a filmmaker friend asks him to teach guitar lessons to TV star Danny Turner (Chadd Stoops) for his upcoming movie role and Goh jumps at the chance. While on tour together, things get complicated when Goh’s high school flame Rachel (Lynn Chen) shows up.

This is movie about friendship, love, wandering, discovery, and looking for that very thing you are missing, but, not knowing what it is…. I can’t wait to catch this. Surrogate Valentine is off to a great start, not only having had it’s world premiere at SXSW, Surrogate Valentine is the Closing Night Selection at the San Francisco International Film Festival (screening tonight!), then goes on to be the Official Selection at the Dallas International Film Festival, and then off to the the Cleveland International Film Festival.

Talking with Gary Chou, the executive producer of the film, they plan on doing live shows at each of the screenings, they produced a 7″ vinyl of the title track from the film, and will take the film on the road, guerilla style and play it in theaters and venues near you! That’s how they roll… indie filmmakers, indie musician, rolling it out the way they know how… real and lasting. Surrogate Valentine will surely make waves.

Here’s a great shot of Goh… the mellow, happy guy he always is . This was the day after an epic show at our place, artist PCP is sleeping the day away.

This is an amazing opportunity for all of you filmmakers out there. Our friends at Powershovel / Superheadz are holding a contest and film festival at Space15Twenty in Hollywood from May 27th to May 31st, 2010. For all those that follow Poketo, you know that the Digital Harinezumi 2 is a mini digital video camera that makes images look like old super8 film. It not only creates a rad, lo-fi film look, but, also records sound!

Here is what you need to do to be part of the festival:
1. Submit a short film under 10 minutes shot on the Digital Harinezumi to the Vimeo Pool by May 21st, 2010
2. The film will be judged by a panel comprised of Powershovel, Space15Twenty, and The Masses
3. Those selected will have their film screened during one of the four days.
4. The jury will then select the a winner for “Best Film”.

Grand prize for the winner will be an all expense paid trip to Tokyo to meet the Powershovel crew and another opportunity to make a short film in Tokyo!!

The Powershovel team are super rad. Last we were in Tokyo, we had the pleasure of meeting with Hideki, Jun, Yuki, and the Powershovel team at their studio/office in Daikanyama district. It was a place of dreams, a total inspiration–a new three floor building full of creativity. Along with running a very successful business with offices in both Tokyo and New York, one thing you need to know about Powershovel is that they are deeply passionate about music, audio, and photography. The first floor of their Tokyo office is dedicated to their sales team, but, oddly enough, has a killer DJ and VJ set up with a top of the line German crafted speaker for full range sound. The second floor is where their creative and graphics team continuously work on photography publications and product development. Third floor is a killer meeting room.

Okay, what are you still doing reading this? Go and buy the camera and start making! Deadline for the festival is May 21st, read the full rules here.