Video: Rob Liotti's No-Holds-Barred Interview With Jay Conroy of ROCKHARDRADIO1

ROCKHARDRADIO1 of New Your City, NY. has released a video on YouTube with presenter, Jay Conroy conducting an in-depth interview with Rob Liotti, star and screenwriter of Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC Unauthorised. The interview examines some of the issues pertaining to the much anticipated music docudrama and gives a first glimpse into Liotti's feelings and opinions concerning the project being produced by High Voltage Productions, LLC.

"I had a great interview with Jay, and he asked alot of informed questions," the singer remarked.

He added, "I think he did a great job delving into some of the subject areas that most fans wanted to enquire about. And, frankly, some of the questions put me on the spot, but that is what a good interviewer does, right?"

It has also been reported that High Voltage Productions is currently in talks with another major production company concerning the project. They have been tight-lipped thus far, although they did previously acknowledge the potential deal with NBC Universal that did not come to fruition.

A representative for HVP said, "Like any other responsible production company, we don't want to disclose our negotiations until such time as a solid deal and all have agreed to publicize the union. What is unique about this project is that it has received considerable attention worldwide even before being shot. It is a hot project, and we want to do everything right to see that it meets expectations."

The video may be seen at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQw3H3X5zys

Bon Scott Docudrama Star Speaks With Radio Personality Jay Conroy

The star of 'Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC Unauthorised' recently spoke with hard rock presenter, Jay Conroy, of RockHardRadio1.com in what what is described as a no-holes-barred interview about the current state of the film project.

High Voltage Productions, LLC. who is the production company behind the film, stated that "Jay Conroy is a guy who talks with many of rock music's heavyweights... and we felt that he and Rob would mesh well in an interview situation."

The interview is set for first airing on Thursday, February 27, 2014.

HVP, LLC. also reported that, "Jay apparently asked some pretty pointed questions about some of the legal wranglings and threats by AC/DC and the Bon Scott Estate against the project..." which were apparently fielded by their star who also served as a screenwriter.

Interest in the project continues to grow as does the likelihood of being backed and greenlit given the brevity of the project.

Charleston City Paper - Wanted: New Investor for AC/DC Movie. Only Serious Applicants Need Apply

Posted by Margaret Vogel on Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 3:47 PM

Something feels full circle about seeing your favorite music legend portrayed on the silver screen-Joaquin Phoenix killed it as Johnny Cash in Walk The Line, the Ray Charles’ biopic, aptly called Ray, took Oscar gold, and now the guttural rock and roll voice of AC/DC’s Bon Scott has the chance to be heard through movie theater speakers, and is portrayed by Charleston's own Rob Liotti.

And here's the best part. You hold the power to turn that possibility into reality. High Voltage Productions want you to prove your AC/DC superfan status by campaigning for a new investor to facilitate the making of the film — well, Hell's Bells bitches. The former investing plan [with NBC Universal] fell through, and the movie developers have opted for a different approach this time around before approaching other production companies. Pitching a feasible investing proposal could earn a fan up to $25,000 in finder’s rewards and, of course, the sweet satisfaction of knowing you’re the person who made it all happen. It'll also get you a screen credit so that satisfaction lives on for generations to come. Ideas and serious interest can be expressed to High Voltage Productions, LLC. at ozmoviecasting@gmail.com

See original article at: http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/HolyCinema/archives/2014/02/12/wanted-new-investor-for-acdc-movie-only-serious-applicants-need-apply

High Voltage Productions Offering $25,000 Incentive For A Lucky Bon Scott Movie Fan

According to High Voltage Productions, LLC., the American production company developing the highly-publicised Bon Scott docudrama, they have come up with an innovative funding participation method that could help a lucky fan become $25,000.00 richer.

Many filmmakers and artists have taken to the crowdfunding method of raising money for projects from films to music ventures and everything in between. With sites such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Crowdfunder available to fund-seekers, these companies helped raise some $2.7 billion dollars in 2012 according to the Crowdfunding Industry Report. And while it can be a successful outlet for those looking to raise seed money for projects or to fully fund their ventures, the company developing "Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC Unauthorised" has revealed that they plan to take a "different approach" to obtaining their backing for the film after their potential deal with NBC Universal in London fells through the cracks likely due to an internal conflict with AC/DC over ownership of their music catalogue.

HVP conveyed that they are prepared to offer a fan(s) "$25,000.00 US in "finder's money" and a screen credit should that fan directly produce a backer/investor to fund the proposed $5M budget for the project."*

"This is a terrific incentive for a fan who wants to see this film put into production!" exclaimed Rob Liotti who is slated to star as the late Aussie singer.

"I think it was a very basic approach to offering a quid pro quo incentive to an individual for providing a backer for this historic project. Basically, as I understand it, if an individual out there puts us in contact with an investor, venture capitalist, or simply a wealthy fan with the desire to back the project, they will be rewarded with a handsome finder's fee. What is cool about this approach is that it puts the ball in the fans' court and gives someone a fantastic opportunity and incentive to 'participate'. Hell, I agree 100% and think it is a great idea..." he said.

A representative of HVP stated that the current state of the project is that they have reached the point in time where they are now ready to seek out their production funding and move onto pre-production.

Interested parties may reach High Voltage Productions at ozmoviecasting@gmail.com

As the AC/DC tune says, 'Money Talks'...



*Terms and conditions will apply.

AC/DC and Bon Scott Estate Try To Block Movie

“AC/DC and Bon Scott Estate Move to Block Docudrama About Late Singer”


AC/DC’s 40th anniversary seems to have a chink in its armour as controversy seems to be looming around a planned docudrama film about their fallen lead vocalist, Bon Scott. Ronald Belford Scott died tragically, but not surprisingly, back in February 1980 from what the U.K. coroner ruled as “Death By Misadventure” after a drinking binge in London. For some six years, Scott gained a reputation as a rock and roll frontman that would later earn him honours as the greatest frontman of all time according to some prominent rock periodicals.


High Voltage Productions, LLC. a film production company based out of Charleston, South Carolina in the United States, has been working on a docudrama film about Scott since late 2012 and have received worldwide attention concerning the project. The film’s star, actor/musician, Rob Liotti, skyrocketed into the limelight after being named as the actor to portray the late frontman and has become quite well-known in the entertainment community. Naturally, this is to be expected given the gravity and anticipation of a movie finally taking shape about the Aussie music icon’s career. AC/DC has a massive fan base that stretches across every continent.


Why then the controversy?


It has been learned that New York City attorneys for AC/DC, its production company, Albert Productions Pty., and its branding company, along with solicitors out of Sydney, Australia representing the Estate of Bon Scott, have both threatened legal action against the producers should the project move forward. Both have sent letters to the company that ask for production to cease and desist and both firms have made rather overreaching demands against the company that would seem to completely discount and ignore something called the First Amendment, in the opinion of the company.


“How many unauthorised biographies and documentaries have been made about everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Jimi Hendrix? Filmmakers have a right to tell a story without tortious interference. Naturally, there are boundaries… But a lot of these networks and filmmakers REALLY push those boundaries and still produce their product. The screenwriter had enough respect as a fan of the band to tell the story properly and truthfully based upon facts already well-known and public - a lot of which the band readily discloses themselves!”




News of the project spread like wildfire as the media and fans of Scott and AC/DC worldwide learned that a project was in the works. It was reported a few months ago that media moguls, NBC Universal in London, U.K. had the project in their hands and were giving serious consideration to an acquisition deal for international television distribution. NBC Universal had actually reached out to the American production company after seeing the media blitz. The fact that one of the largest entertainment companies in the world reached outside for a project rather than plucking it out of a stack full of wannabe TV and movie submissions is nearly unheard of in today’s media market. Thus, one sees the gravity of the project and the demand for its completion. It seems, however, that when NBC Universal made enquiries about licensure of AC/DC’s music for the film, the band’s legal team immediately took the prospect of the film actually coming to fruition very seriously and initiated what appears to be a campaign against the filmmakers.


The attorney, Stuart Prager of Grubman Indursky & Shire, P.C. in NYC, speaking on their behalf scoffed, “This movie WILL NOT get made…!” in a phone call to counsel for HVP. The law firm represents such artists as U2, Lady Gaga, and the Whitney Houston Estate. It has been reported that Mr. Prager has had former dealings with Universal and familiarity with the company.


Yet, there seems to be no basis whatsoever for the current posture of the band or the estate of the late singer according to experts at Stanford University Law School who review cases like this as part of a First Amendment and Fair Use endowment at the prestigious university. Their experts consulting with HVP’s legal team saw “no infringement whatsoever…” but did recommend amending the film’s title to reflect that the docudrama was ‘unauthorised’. Such amendment has been made without hesitation.


Judges have been very consistent about ruling in favor of documentary filmmakers when SLAAP suits or threats thereof pervade. SLAAP suits are “a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) that is intended to censor, intimidate, or silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition.” In other words, overwhelm the little guy with so much legal wrangling and attorney’s fees that they fold, wither, and blow away - especially in a David vs. Goliath case like this.


Again, the question that prevails is: Why? Why is there such opposition to this much-anticipated project nearly thirty-four years later?


High Voltage Productions disclosed to NBC Universal and other production houses enquiring that they “did not ever anticipate the agreeable licensure of AC/DC’s music for the film.” Further, they disclosed that they had contacted AC/DC’s longtime production company, Albert Productions Pty. in Australia prior to undertaking any development of the film to “respectfully inform Malcolm Young and Alberts of our plans and to faithfully request the opportunity to license their music for such and important project…” The friendly correspondence went unanswered.


AC/DC, one of the highest grossing musical acts of all-time, can do nothing but benefit from such a project. It is readily known that many unauthorized biographical documentaries have been produced and broadcasted without incident. And networks like E! would be out-of-business if they were unable to broadcast real-life ‘True Hollywood Stories’ and often seedy-but-true docs on celebrities. They do it because they have a First Amendment right to free speech and they are not purposely injuring, defaming, or violating the privacy of the individual because they are broadcasting true and cited information. AC/DC and the late singer’s estate stand to gain nothing but more fame and popularity through publicity surrounding the film and surely an increase in music sales - especially back-catalogue material that was recorded during the years Scott performed with and wrote for AC/DC. They stand to make yet more money after the Young Family (Angus and Malcolm et al) were recently named one of Australia’s wealthiest families.


Oddly enough, AC/DC has always been about ‘sticking it to The Man’ as is heard ad nauseum in their lyrics. They speak incessantly of being held down and handcuffed by the establishment. Yet in 2013, it appears that they may have actually become The Man whilst aligning themselves with fiscal giants like Wal-Mart, iTunes, the Iron Man franchise, etc. To fans, this departure may be troubling. It is also no secret that Bon Scott may have been on his way out of AC/DC at the time of his demise and as far back as 1975 - either by the hand of the band and their handlers or by his own fruition. In either case, he was likely moving on and often discussed a solo career. Bottom line: no one is accountable for what never happened. He is simply gone and an AC/DC martyr that can be held up as a rock hero. And he is...


The fact is that “Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC Unauthorised” is a movie about Bon Scott, not AC/DC in and of themselves. The band, while certainly relevant, is incidental to the whole of the story, as is their music. Most ‘fans’ of Scott (who was most recently voted Australia’s second most popular singer of all time) only came to know him as “AC/DC’s singer who died…” and are oft unaware that he was actually not even their first vocalist and actually replaced original singer, Dave Evans, who now lives in Texas. Moreover, there are at least two generations of fans who, through no fault of their own, are only familiar with Back in Black forward to present-day. So, this film promises to bring a whole new throng of fans to admire the machine that is now AC/DC and to many, and obscure Australian rock icon called Bon Scott.


“One thing that is extremely troubling about this whole matter is that you hear AC/DC’s music on everything from Wal-Mart commercials to ridiculous reality shows. But the band sends what is reported to be the most powerful entertainment law firm in the country to attack a small production company with threats of injunctions and litigation because we asked about using their music and expressed our intention to lawfully exercise our First Amendment right. So, we get threats of an injunction while some half-wit reality show about tow trucks uses “Highway to Hell”. Wow… that is a real tribute to Bon.”


If the name of the game is money, then AC/DC are on top of their game. All agree that they have earned their way to the top of the heap. We salute you. Vocalist Brian Johnson and his wife, as well as bassist Cliff Williams and his wife do wonderful charity work through their philanthropy in Florida where they both reside. But money is meant to be made by all. Filmmakers tell stories; some better than others. For those who detract, almost thirty-four years have gone by and no one has made this movie. The Australian government, who funds filmmaking in Scott’s adopted home country, only agreed to fund $20,000 AUS for a seemingly gimme project. Obviously not what is needed. High Voltage Productions has reportedly spoken with some possible executive producers to fund the project, but have not yet gotten the desired commitment.


“As movies go, this is not a ‘big’ budget project per se. Certainly, $5M is nothing to scoff at, and we feel like that is a realistic figure. If the right person/company came with $4M and it was the right fit, we do our damndest to make that budget work. If someone comes with $8M and says ‘do what you need’ then all the better. But, this project is not all about money. We actually care about the subject-matter. Naturally we want the project to be profitable, but getting the film made and in-the-can matters most right now and seeing that our investor recoups their capital.”


“We also have a big advantage: South Carolina and North Carolina both offer very attractive film incentives and rebates with the passage of current legislation. For an executive producer funding the project, that means a great deal. Many big budget films have shot here, and we have the studio facilities, personnel, and apparatus to make it happen. You would see a lot of the same names in credits as you would have seen in ‘The Notebook’, ‘The Patriot’, ‘Army Wives’, ‘Reckless’, ‘Ace Ventura 2’, and so on. Plus, we have the plausible location settings to pull it off with the proper authenticity.”


“We have already shot a teaser trailer with Rob Liotti portraying Bon. It was historic as it was the first dramatic footage ever shot of Bon Scott’s character or of that which is AC/DC. I know the director, J.R. Getches, would be the first to tell you that the actor definitely channels the late Scott and that they have the right guy for the role. Plus the story is all there. While bogging us down with legal paperwork may delay the project, there is absolutely nothing defamatory or damaging to AC/DC or Bon Scott’s Estate about telling a true story, nor does it infringe on their privacy or brand plate. We aren’t forging belt buckles and printing tee shirts with their name.”


Obviously, High Voltage Productions is simply attempting to fill an artistic void. They want to tell a story about the tragic death of a talented young man who came from humble beginnings and was full of personality and the vigor to be someone special. He wanted to be a rock star… Bringing this story to life is an hommage; it satisfies the desire of past, present, and future fans to examine and appreciate life’s lessons and whether it is truly desirable to be famous and revered. Is it a control issue? Is it money? Is it the fear of unknown truth being exposed? Trying to prevent such artistic expression is a complete denial of the fact that had it not been for Bon Scott, AC/DC would surely not be as relevant after forty years.


END

High Voltage Productions Conducts Talks With NBC Universal in London U.K. Over Bon Scott Movie

Amid much speculation and a prior announcement indicating a query from “one of the world’s largest entertainment and production companies...”, it has been revealed that High Voltage Productions, LLC., producers of the upcoming docudrama, Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC, have been in talks with NBC Universal in London, U.K. News of the contact had been leaked last week in the U.K.


High Voltage Productions, LLC. was contacted by the international division of NBC Universal and its acquisitions department after seeing the large amount of publicity surrounding the project in the U.K. and abroad. NBC Universal is said to have been interested in the project for its international appeal to the commonwealth and other countries where the late Australian icon, Bon Scott, and his band, AC/DC, have had great impact and large audiences.


Execs from High Voltage Productions have been tight-lipped as to the negotiations between them and the leading production and distribution company, but have now confirmed that “the rumours are in fact confirmed. We would rather protect the veracity of the information by issuing it ourselves rather than through ‘leaked’ information.”

"We have not signed a deal with Universal Pictures at this time and are still considering offers from other companies. As I said from the very beginning, we are open to an independent executive producer, network, or film company. The is really an ideal property for television or a winner for an independent movie company who can afford a $4M-$5M budget," according to star Rob Liotti who is also the principal writer.


“We were originally contacted by a representative of NBC Universal and advised of their interest in the project. We were subsequently invited to a conference to discuss the project and each party’s interest and engaged in that productive conference, “ said a representative of HVP.


The proposed film’s star, musician/actor, Rob Liotti, stated that “ We are very happy to consider a partnership with NBC Universal, and it appears that they may share equal interest given the fact that they queried us... We were flattered naturally... but it is a quality product nonetheless.” He added, “ NBC Universal understands the appeal and gravity of this project and we got the impression they were also fans to be honest.”


This development could be wonderful and welcome news for rock fans worldwide who have patiently awaited a project honouring the late Aussie rock icon.

Film investors are encouraged to contact us through the website at: www.thebonscottmovie.com


“At this point, we are in talks. We have not solidified a deal with Universal at this time and have provided them with the necessary material and information they requested in our conference,” said producer Michael Meltzer.

Bon Scott Film Star Rob Liotti To Hit The Concert Stage After Labor Day 2013

The American actor who is slated to star as Bon Scott in the upcoming docudrama entitled, Bon Scott - The Legend of AC/DC is planning to hit the live stage sometime after the upcoming Labor Day 2013 holiday in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Plans have been put in motion to reunite the original line-up of T.N.T. , the band that put the singer on the map for AC/DC fans back in 2004 and that led to the actor's role in the film project. It has been speculated that the chosen venue will likely be a beach club called, The Windjammer. While the venue is not Charleston's largest, it has been an extremely popular spot for bands from Hootie and The Blowfish to Big Head Todd and countless others.

Slated to perform with Liotti are: Chris Barrineau as Angus Young, David Dunning as Malcolm Young, Ben Polk as Cliff Williams, and Jeff Mangan as Phil Rudd.

"This is a powerhouse line-up of well-known musicians. They have not performed together since 2007, so Charleston and fans who make the trek to the venue are in for a treat..." said a source close to the band.

Asked about the line-up, Rob Liotti commented, "It is great to see this put together, and I am looking forward to hitting the stage with these guys. These guys are all pro players and know how to get it done. We will definitely give fans a night to remember."

The source added, "The venue could change, but I think they are looking at The Windjammer because they used to pack it out and so many people saw them there. I mean, Jason Aldean and his band (including Rob's friend and pedal steel player Jay Jackson) saw fit to show up and do a set there recently, so it is a great spot."

Most recently, producers of the upcoming film have been in talks with one of the world's largest entertainment and production companies and news of the film and awareness of its star have sky-rocketed worldwide. Moreover, Hollywood producer, Micheal Meltzer, recently joined director J.R. Getches and business affairs advisor, Rhett Klok, on the High Voltage Productions team.

Meltzer said recently, "I am highly encouraged by our recent talks with a leading production company about this film."

A concert date should be set in the near future for the upcoming reunion show.