Shem Andre Byron

Terrance Zdunich and I have been nominated for the prestigious, Ninth Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards for our film, movement and event “The Tutor”.

Please vote here.

Five months ago, I started collaborating on a film with Terrance Zdunich called The Tutor. The premise was simple, a seductive, sadistic teaches gives art lesson on how to compose a masterpiece… a masterpiece of murder.

We knew we had done something special but we had no idea how far the film would take us. It was shown at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con, has a global following of 6000 people strong, but most surprisingly, within that following, an art movement has occurred. Viewers became students and began submitting photos, paintings and videos.

I am proud to present the collection of these works plus a night you won’t forget.

I invite you to The Tutor’s Gallery.

When: Saturday, October 23, 2010
7 PM – 11 PM

Where: Paul G Gleason Theater
6520 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

Tickets: $10 – Buy Now (We strongly recommend you purchase tickets in advance.)

I hope to see you there!

Students, three months ago we began a journey together. When we started on this quest you were naive, unfit, sheltered and infantile. You hadn’t the skills to create genius or execute your artistic intentions. You studied the lessons The Tutor taught and you learned. You grew exponentially with your talents and have been groomed to become something greater. It has been an honor to watch you blossom. Lesson 14 is the end of this class but your curriculum shall continue. On October 23rd, in Hollywood, California, The Tutor’s Gallery, a one night only event will have an exhibition of the work of The Students and a live lesson by The Tutor, himself.

Enjoy Lesson 14!

We bestow upon you lucky Lesson #13 of The Tutor, Signing our Work. Criminologists can tell much from a signature, our hopes, our dreams, our secrets and deepest desires. When you lay your John Hancock onto parchment, what ciphers do you leave?

We’ve given you a dozen lessons, 12 techniques to sharpen your skills. We don’t keep an even dozen pristine inside a carton, we expect you to crack these ideas and mix them on your canvas. A tidy kitchen produces no taste. Break all these lessons and make your canvas messy.

As the Tutor’s masterpiece grows, so should the art homework you produce as his loyal students. In Lesson 11, we examine how to utilize the the subtlety of highlights. The Subjects eyes glistens with highlights. What does she see?

For over two months, you have followed in the footsteps of The Tutor. You have gained power from his words, vigor from his actions. His backhand has been heavy with the sting of discipline to make you stronger but hands have to sides and soft is the side that deals with the details; the glorious, glorious details.

Share with you I shall, Lesson 9. The masterpiece progresses. The Tutor strokes lovingly his canvas, treating his subject with the relentless care she deserves. What other colors will splash upon his work and adorn his project?

Friday morning was a day of dreams for me at Comic-Con.

I woke with the roosters in San Diego to have a meeting with the heads of the Gaslamp Theater, the kind host of The Tutor’s premiere.

There I screened the film by myself, alone in a four hundred and fifty-seat auditorium. Cradled by surround sound, I watched the movie and lost breath. My cheeks hurt from a lengthy smile as I exited the cinema, satisfied with the film’s impact, I headed for the convention vendors’ floor.

I roamed the floor with 130,000 rabid fan boys and girls. Costumes dazzled, cameras flashed, the sensory overload tried to distract but it couldn’t divert me from my goal, to meet my childhood hero, Ralph Bakshi.

Ralph Bakshi influenced me greatly as an artist, as a writer and as a director. He revolutionized animation in the early 70’s by dealing with mature, sophisticated subject matter targeted specifically towards adults. I saw his film Wizards when I was 9yrs old. Smart, edgy it merged fantasy, history, theology and mysticism into a sensitive, riveting, character driven, epic mythology. I was never the same after the exposure to his work, from then on; I knew I would become an artist.

Searching for my mentor on 11 acres of the Comic-Con floor proved to be a challenge but like a homing pigeon being drawn to its coop, instinct prevailed. There he sat, a legend, an icon. I sauntered to his table, picked for purchase an authenticated animation cell from his film Wizards and reached for the courage to speak with him.

Before I could embarrass myself with a stutter, I was saved; Mr.Bakshi spoke first. He saw my professional Comic-Con badge and asked what I was working on.

I told him about my film, The Tutor, explained it was being debuted the next evening and expressed my gratitude for his influence on my work. He hugged me, autographed my cell and congratulated me on my premiere.

As I left his table and looked back at this 72-year-old man, surrounded by four decades of his work, all I could see was youth, Ralph Bakshi made me feel young.

Greetings and salutations pupils, we have a treat in store for you today. Grab your popcorn; this installment is a double feature.

Our first film is an invitation. You are privileged to receive a summons to The Tutor’s Gallery, an art show featuring work made by our fan base, The Students of The Tutor, our crew, The Professionals of The Tutor, and a live art lesson preformed by your host and captor, Terrance Zdunich, The Tutor.

This one night only event is happening Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 and will feature the film, The Tutor in its entirety along with Repo, The Genetic Opera preformed with a live shadow cast.

Don’t be tardy!

Our next feature is Lesson 8 of The Tutor.

The tension grows, the art progresses, the subject is becoming more beautiful with every stroke.

Enjoy!