"Claustrophobia", a new thriller from Mark Tapio Kines starring Mary Lynn Rajskub, Melanie Lynskey and Sheeri Rappaport, is currently in production.  A rough cut has just been completed and Mark could not be happier with the progress.

Back in the late 80's, Mark woke from a bad dream that has yet to leave his head.  He decided to use the dream as inspiration for writing the screenplay for this new film.  The story is somewhat simple, but Mark feels that a better story can be delivered from simplicity and the actors strengths, rather than trying to make a grand statement.  Which I tend to agree, most films try to do today. 

You may have seen Mark's first film "Foreign Correspondents", which starred Melanie Lynskey, Wil Wheaton and Corin Nemec.  It also won the Jury Award for best screenplay at the Chicago Alt.Film Fest.  The film is essentially two stories of complicated long distance relationships between people from different countries.  A fantastic first effort.

Melanie has returned to do "Claustrophobia" and had recently worked with Mary Lynn on "Sweet Home Alabama."  Mark had seen Mary Lynn years earlier in a friends film and really felt she had a unique screen presence.  So casting her worked out really well.

Though the cast was perfect, the stress was still high for Mark as they had only nine days to shoot an eighty minute film.  Quite a daunting task.  Not to mention getting flack from the folks who owned the home that the  filming took place in.  Blaming him and his crew for every blemish that existed in the house.  Not fun.

Working with his editor Marc Wade, they completed a rough cut on January 5th and are ready for the final elements of the production.  From picture lock to sound editing and basic material clean up.  Mark is also working up the promotional posters and plans to have an online voting section for the best poster in the next couple of weeks.  

I look forward to hopefully catching this film at "Camera One" in downtown San Jose as soon as it is released.  I wait in anticipation to see Mary Lynn in action and wish Mark the best of luck putting the final touches of the film together.

-View the trailer here.

-Visit Mark's Official Site-

All "Claustrophobia" photos Copyright © 2003 by Mark Tapio Kines. Used with permission. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited.