OUTSOURCED

John Jeffcoat interviewed on NPR

2010-08-30T19:01:00.001-07:00

Dave Beck speaks to Director John Jeffcoat about the orgins of OUTSOURCED. Listen to the podcast HERE.

John Jeffcoat is a Seattle writer and filmmaker. He directed and co–wrote the 2006 film "Outsourced." And "Outsourced" inspired an NBC comedy series that debuts this fall. But six years ago Jeff had no idea where his career was headed. That changed when he started to think back on a 1993 study trip he took to Nepal during his junior year in college. His experiences in Nepal changed his outlook on life and the world, and they played an important role in the creation of "Outsourced." KUOW's Dave Beck speaks with John Jeffcoat.

Outsourced Wins Audience Award at the 2010 Sonoma International Film Fest!

2010-04-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

It's been a long ten days for Outsourced! First off a great Dinner and a Movie screening with the Seattle International Film Festival hosted at the beautiful Voltera in Ballard.

Then it was off to Sonoma where Director John Jeffcoat, his wife Deryn, and producer and co-writer George Wing represented the film for three glorious days at the Sonoma International Film Festival where the film won the Audience Choice Award.

On Sunday night Jeffcoat went straight from the airport to Bainbridge Island where the film screened at the Celluloid Bainbridge Film Festival.

Jeffcoat's work on MTV's $5 Cover, the Amplified Docs (13 documentaries on Seattle bands and one on director Lynn Shelton), will be screening in May at the Seattle International Film Festival, check it out!

NBC pick up Outsourced!

2010-01-30T11:20:00.000-08:00

NBC has decided to produce our pilot script for Outsourced. Ken Kwapis (director of The Office pilot) will direct it. If all goes well we may have a global workplace comedy on network TV very soon! Fingers crossed. Read the announcement in Variety HERE.

Cinequest Fans vote outsourced all-time Favorite

2010-01-28T09:32:00.000-08:00

A big thanks to all of the Cinequest Facebook fans who voted Outsourced their all-time favorite film! You can read the announcement HERE. If you haven't seen it yet, catch it on the big screen March 6th at the California Theater (345 South First Street
San Jose, CA).

We love Cinequest!

Outsourced Soundtrack on iTunes!

2009-12-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday the soundtrack to Outsourced finally arrived on iTunes. It's been a long road getting there and we're all very proud of it.

This is not your basic soundtrack with thirty-second tracks, our composer BC Smith went back into the studio to extend many of the songs featured in the movie in an effort to make an album that feels complete and maintains the spirit of the film.

There is some tremendous talent featured, including the vocal stylings of CJ Virdi. Be sure to check it out!

OUTSOURCED SOUNDTRACK ON iTUNES

Amost Famous Filmmakers

2009-10-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

Seattle is an indie-film-adoring town. So who will be our first breakout indie filmmaker?

Seattle loves independent film. The city is home to more than 10 cinemas screening indie flicks daily. Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), the biggest, longest-running film festival in the country, just celebrated its 35th year and filled 142,500 seats last summer—almost a quarter of the city’s population. Local independent-media organizations Northwest Film Forum and 911 Media Arts have more than 30 years between them.

“This is a film-mad city,” says Lyall Bush, executive director of Northwest Film Forum, Seattle’s only cinematheque and an institutional backer of independent film. “Per capita we’re the 10th largest market in the nation. We watch a lot of movies.”

And we make them. Walk into Ravenna’s Scarecrow Video, one of the largest independent video-rental stores in the country, and you’ll find almost 200 short and feature-length films made locally and regionally.

OK, so name a few. We’ll wait. Uh-huh.

Even though Seattle is film mad, the city’s indie-filmmaking scene still cannot claim to be home to a breakout indie filmmaker like Portland’s Gus Van Sant (Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho) or Austin’s Richard Linklater (Slacker, Dazed and Confused). Notably, while Van Sant, Linklater and others such as Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, and Videotape) were conducting an indie-film train that carried a national consciousness in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Seattle was full-bore busy exporting another brand of indie entertainment: grunge music. Local filmmakers have been chasing this train ever since.

Complete article HERE

MTV and the Univ of Rhode Island

2009-08-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you in Rhode Island, I'll be giving a presentation as part of the 2009 Honors Colloquium at the University of Rhode Island. You can check out the details HERE.

Our Outsourced TV show is still in development with NBC and it sounds like it may be picking up steam again, stay tuned.

Right now I'm racing around Seattle shooting a series of mini-docs on Seattle bands that are featured in the MTV series $5 Cover Seattle which will air early 2010. More to come...

Outsourced in Poland

2009-03-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lapse in posts, it hasn't been due to a lack of activity. I'm writing a new script and everything else has fallen into the background. I did just get news that Outsourced would be screening in Poland and I thought that was interesting enough to warrant a posting. So for all of you in Poland who have yet to see the film, here you go!

“Poland has become an important destination for Bollywood in eastern Europe. What the Soviet Union was for Raj Kapoor in the 1950s and 1960s...
Tarun Mansukhani’s “Dostana”, John Jeffcoat’s “Outsourced”, Atul Agnihori’s “Hello”, and Vijay Krishna Acharya’s “Tashan” will also be screened during the festival.

“The set of films will present the true and various colours of a contemporary India to a Polish audience. We await the verdict of Polish audience,” said Srikumar Menon, head of the commercial wing at the Indian embassy here.

Read the entire article HERE

Outsourced releases in India January 2nd

2008-12-31T15:18:00.000-08:00

After many false starts, Outsourced will be released theatrically all over India on January 2nd. It's a nice way to kick off the new year. We don't have all the details on screening locations but it should be playing at multiplexes in all of the Major cities. Tell your friends and family in India and Happy New Year!

Outsourced on iTunes

2008-12-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

For those of you who watch movies on iTunes, I'm happy to announce that you can find Outsourced there to Rent, Buy, or Gift (a last minute Christmas present with no shipping charges!).

The Canadian Release

2008-11-23T22:19:00.000-08:00

CinemaVault has been rolling Outsourced out in theaters across Canada. Here are some of the dates and a link to the CinemaVault website:

Toronto ON - Now Playing - Carlton Cinemas
Calgary AB - Now Playing - Uptown Stage & Screen
Edmonton AB - December 12 - Princess Theatre
Ottawa ON - December 12 - Bytowne Theatre
Kitchener Waterloo ON - December 12 - Princess Cinema
London ON - December 19 - Hyland Theatre

Outsourced Hits Costa Rica

2008-11-23T22:08:00.001-08:00

Outsourced continues to play venues across the US and abroad, most recently winning the Best Narrative Feature Award at the Montezuma International Film Festival in Costa Rica.

We have also heard that January 2nd has become our release date in India. Still no word on the UK.

Outsourced Returns to Seattle!

2008-09-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

If you missed OUTSOURCED on the big screen in Seattle, you'll get another chance this week when it plays at Seattle's only pizza & beer movie theater, Central Cinema , September 18th- 25th. For directions and screening times go HERE.

Director and co-writer, John Jeffcoat, will be on hand FRIDAY night at the 7pm screening to introduce the film and chat over a cold brew and some tasty pizza. Don't miss out!

No Outsourced in Blockbuster or Walmart

2008-09-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

Outsourced ranked #1 in the Netflix most watched instant downloads last week but it is still not available in Blockbuster or Walmart. If you buy or rent movies from either of these places be sure to request Outsourced and ask them why they don't carry it.

Aside from Netflix you can find Outsourced on Amazon.com, Hollywood Video, Target, Best Buy, and many other independent video stores.

For right now, the only place to buy the soundtrack is still www.outsourcedthemovie.com

USA TODAY features Outsourced

2008-09-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

USA Today's 'Watch, Listen & Read: The month in media' features OUTSOURCED:

Seattle-based director and co-writer John Jeffcoat researched what life is like on the other end of the phone by visiting call centers in Bangalore and by collecting stories from a source who does training for Microsoft.
One of Jeffcoat's initial aims was to excite Americans about investigating other cultures, but he's been surprised by the attention the film has drawn in the business world and academia.

"I spoke recently at the University of Washington to a group of business students who are about to go to India," Jeffcoat says. "And ShadowCatcher (the film's independent production company) has been producing a curriculum to send to schools because there was an interest in it."
The movie also caught the eye of NBC. Jeffcoat is currently co-writing a pilot for a TV version, which he's billing as a global workplace comedy featuring ex-pats from different companies working under one Indian call-center roof.

Read the entire USA Today column HERE

On DVD in the US, OUTSOURCED

2008-09-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

Outsourced is now available on DVD throughout the US on Netflix, Amazon.com and other retail and video stores nationwide. If your local video store is not carrying it, tell them to get it! This DVD includes several bonus features previously unavailable including:
- Director, Producer, actor commentary
- Storyboard to Film comparison
- Interview with director John Jeffcoat
- "What did they say" scene translations
- Behind-the-scenes documentary
- "Holi" music Video

If you still have your heart set on seeing it on the big screen, check www.outsourcedthemovie.com for theatrical locations. There are still a number of theaters that will be screening the film through September.

Outsourced hits Theaters in Canada!

2008-08-28T12:10:00.000-07:00

Outsourced will begin its Canadian theatrical release this weekend. Reviews from Toronto and Vancouver papers are below.

Outsourced
By Ken Eisner
Publish Date: August 28, 2008

Starring Josh Hamilton and Ayesha Dharker. Rated PG. Opens Friday, August 29, at the Ridge Theatre

Outsourced, a culture-clash comedy that hits almost everything right, manages to make sharp points about the harshness of globalization without losing sight of the individuals affected by economic ebb and flow.

Kicking and Screaming’s Josh Hamilton is a perfect Everyguy for the role of Todd Anderson, a mid-level telemarketing manager whose world is literally upended when his Pacific Northwest company is suddenly out-you-know-whatted to India, and he’s sent there to supervise the new call centre. Naturally, Todd—dubbed Mr. Toad by everyone he meets in a more rustic town near Bombay—is flabbergasted by the way things work, or don’t. Wandering cows, errant electricity, unfamiliar toilets, and too many family photos in the cubicle are just some of the things soon freaking him out.

Cynical Yank that he is, Todd isn’t entirely closed to new experiences, especially when they come attached to the centre’s best worker, vivacious Asha (Ayesha Dharker). With her giant eyes, razor wit, and mile-wide smile, she undoes some of his assumptions, but the script, by Seattle-based director John Jeffcoat and writer-producer George Wing (50 First Dates), doesn’t depend on the romantic angle to get everything across. And the comedy doesn’t blunt its message about corporate greed, which places cheap labour above all other values. (It would never occur to Todd’s boss, amusingly played by Matt Smith, that there are moral issues attached to any of his checkbook decisions.)

In the end, the good-looking Outsourced steals our hearts with a view of India, and the changing world, that is neither starry-eyed nor overly condescending, even if the outcome is predictable. Come to think of it, this movie is so good, I’ll take two.

In TORONTO:

Outsourced
Take this call
by Glenn Sumi

NOW Rating NNNNN (equivalent to 4 stars)

Movies with great premises usually begin well, then lose steam. Not this one.

Todd (Josh Hamilton) manages a call centre for a company that produces kitschy Americana. When the operation is outsourced to India, he’s forced to move there to train his replacements to take calls and sound like Yanks.

What ensues is part culture-clash comedy, part critique of global exploitation and (sounds cheesy but it’s not) part romantic comedy.

The script is fresh and lively, never more so than in a montage featuring Indians quoting scenes from famous U.S. movies. Boy-next-door Hamilton (Kicking And Screaming, The Bourne Identity) shows lots of comic charm, and Ayesha Dharker as his feisty protege has a smile that could light up Bombay.

A winner.

Outsourced DVD Reviews

2008-07-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

On September 2nd Outsourced will be released on DVD throughout the US. You can place it in your queue in Netflix today. Blogcritics.org have already released two reviews ad you can read them here:

Outsourced is a clever, sweet, and surprisingly hilarious movie that uses lighthearted humor and charm to win over just about anyone in need of a carefree movie experience. The combination of likable characters, modest humor, and a cute love story make for a purely enjoyable romantic comedy. With more comedy than romance, the film easily overcomes being predicable and cliched. Director John Jeffcoat has a fondness for his characters and simply guides them in the right direction every step of the way. Not only is it a hugely enjoyable film, but also a beautifully rendered love story.
LINK to complete review

And...

The acting is all quite good. Josh Hamilton hits all the right notes as Todd while he has great chemistry with Ayesha Dharker's Asha. These two really hold down the core of the film. First time feature director John Jeffcoat, who also co-wrote the script with George Wing, directs their performances to great effect. Jeffcoat does a fine job with the material, which is shot beautifully by Teodoro Maniaci.
LINK to complete review

The DVD can also be pre-ordered on Amazon.com.

Outsourced hits Durham

2008-07-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a review excerpt from the INDY Weekly which gave Outsourced four stars and called it "the year's best romantic comedy by far." Outsourced opens Friday, July 11th in Durham at the Galaxy Cinemas:

Outsourced is a romantic comedy that is actually funny—but not in the unfunny potty gags and sexual humiliation we associate with Steve Carell and Mike Myers. Instead, writer-director John Jeffcoat must write from bemused experience, as he shows Todd's initial alarm at chaos and poverty dissolving as he understands the vibrant social connectedness that makes his American wealth, computer solitaire games and estrangement from his parents seem meaningless compared to India's occasionally baffling but enfolding embrace. —Laura Boyes

Read the entire review HERE

Outsourced Interview (German /English)

2008-06-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

Check out the Prost Amerika website for the latest Outsourced interview with director / co-writer John Jeffcoat in English and German!

HERE

Outsourced Premiere's in France

2008-06-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

Outsourced will make it's French premiere as the closing night film at the Festival International Cinema & Costume De Moulins-sur-Allier which takes place June 26th-29th.

You'll find all of the details HERE

Need a Holiday in Goa???

2008-06-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

Buy an Outsourced DVD and you'll be entered to win a trip to Goa, India. You can also send a LIVE singing telegram from India over the phone to your friends!
Click HERE for details.

You can also spread the word on Facebook by clicking on the 'join' icon in the bottom left corner of the video below.

Dreamago screens Outsourced

2008-05-12T04:35:00.000-07:00

I spent this past weekend as a guest at the Dreamago Screenwriters retreat in Switzerland. Outsourced was screened to open the week-long workshop of international writers. The goal of the organization is to "help develop, support and promote films that make a difference." Stephen Frears was their guest last year and it was an honor to be there with Outsourced this year.

Pascale Rey's passion for Dreamago and the wonderful people that help support her vision make the organization something very unique and exciting. I would encourage anyone with a screenplay in English, French or Spanish to submit to one of their programs. http://www.dreamago.com

A breakout hit in Germany!

2008-04-17T22:03:00.001-07:00

So I just found out we had a great opening in Germany! According to our contacts:

Outsourced opened to the second highest per screen average after Hollywood blockbuster "21." Danke to all our German fans, and please continue to spread the word!

Exciting news and hopefully this will be the start of the Outsourced European tour!

OUTSOURCED German Trailer from Strangelife on Vimeo.

German Television Interview

2008-04-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you who speak German or just like to watch people speak German, check out this link to a popular German news show that Intervewed director John Jeffcoat and actor Josh Hamilton while they were in Berlin, Germany for the Premiere of Outsourced.
GERMAN TV INTERVIEW

A Great Time in Berlin

2008-04-12T14:59:00.001-07:00

Outsourced releases in theaters across Germany this weekend. Thanks to everyone who helped out with our premiere on the 9th, it was a great introduction to Berlin!

Outsourced Premiere in Berlin from Strangelife on Vimeo.

Premiere in Berlin!

2008-04-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Outsourced will open in theaters across Germany tomorrow. We attended the premiere in Berlin tonight to a wonderful response. Thank you to everyone who attended. Josh and I had a great time and are excited to spend another night on the town tomorrow!

Video to come soon...

- john

Ashland Video Blog

2008-04-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ashland Film Festival: Day 1 from Strangelife on Vimeo.

Ashland Film Festival

2008-04-04T22:37:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to everyone who attended our screening in Ashland, Oregon tonight. We had a great sell-out at the Varsity and such a wonderfully warm reception.

We're screening again Saturday night and George and I will be back for a Q & A after the screening (there will be an additional screening on Monday). Stay tuned for a short video blog from our trip to Ashland. It's been a great trip so far! Also had a chance to catch the great new film from our friend Lynn Shelton, "My Effortless Brilliance", and a fascinating documentary by my old roommate Glenn Thomas called "An Ideal World" about the virtual world 'Second Life.'

Great vegetarian Sheppard's Pie at the Black Sheep!!! Almost as good as my wife's.

Pictures and Video to follow....

- john

Outsourced in Germany

2008-03-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

On April 10th Outsourced will hit theaters in Germany. Our German friends have been busy dubbing the film in German in preperation for the release and for a sample of their handiwork check out the German-language trailer and website here: German Website

There will be a German premiere in Berlin on April 9th. Actor Josh Hamilton (Todd Anderson) and director / co-writer John Jeffcoat will be there for the event. Stay tuned for more details and photos from the event!

Outsourced on KEXP

2008-03-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, March 4th director John jeffcoat will be a guest on Darek Mazzone's world music show WOPOP, on Seattle's greatest radio station KEXP. If you're in Seattle you can tune in a 7pm at 90.3 on the FM dial. For those of you outside Seattle you can tune in on the internet at KEXP.org. The show will also be archived on the website in case you miss it live.

Jeffcoat will be playing his favorite tracks from the Outsourced soundtrack including other songs that inspired the soundtrack and Bollywood favorties!

Behind-the-Scenes of outsourced: "Personal Space"

2008-02-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

Behind-the-Scenes of Outsourced Webisode #3 "Personal Space"

Opening Night at the Spokane Film Festival

2008-02-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

If any of you find yourselves in Spokane February 7th, come down to the opening night screening of Outsourced and the party. I'll be there with my co-writer George Wing.
Spokane Film Festival Website

Outsourced Returns to Seattle

2008-01-21T22:48:00.001-08:00

If you live in the Seattle area, you've got another chance to see Outsourced on the big screen. Friday, January 18th we opened at the Totem Lake Cinemas in Kirkland.
12232 Totem Lake Way, Kirkland 98034
Phone: 425-820-5929
Check their website for dates and times:
http://roxycinema.com

The theater specializes in Indian Films and is the only theater in the area that sells chai and samosas in the concession stand!

The run is scheduled through the next few weeks.

Heath Legder Brings Supermodel to Outsourced.

2008-01-13T11:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. Heath Ledger has great taste in movies. He was recently spotted with his new girlfriend attending a screening of 'Outsourced' in Perth, Australia as reported in Life & Style Weekly Magazine.

Outsourced will Open the Spokane Int'l Film Festival

2008-01-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

Outsourced will screen as the opening night film of the Spokane International Film Festival on February 7th at 7pm.

For More information see their official website HERE

More US film festival dates will be announced soon.

The dawn of the Seattle film industry

2008-01-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

by William s Arnold, Seattle P.I.

The dawn of the Seattle film industry: For all the indie filmmaking activity Seattle has spawned over the past three decades, the sad truth is that, until this year, the city had never produced a homegrown film that has made any noticeable impact on the larger movie world. But in '07, two Seattle films earned national distribution: "Zoo" and "Outsourced." The latter, which won the top prize at this year's SIFF, was the more significant because it was an inspired romantic comedy that was as entertaining as anything the studios had to offer in the same release period, and thus could compete with Hollywood on its own terms. Its producers' decision to turn down Miramax's distribution offer and self-release the film in partnership with chains around the country also created a template that has the potential to break the tyranny of the distributor and change the way indie films reach the public.

Read there complete article HERE

Holi Aayi Music Video

2007-12-20T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a behind-the-scenes video featuring the song Holi Aayi from Outsourced.

12 Days of Christmas (The Indian Re-Mix)

2007-12-20T14:38:00.000-08:00

A little fun for the Holidays.

"A Job Well Done"

2007-12-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

The Washington Post
Friday, December 14, 2007; Page WE32

One of those unexpected gems that seems to pop up out of nowhere, "Outsourced" is a timely, topical comedy that mines the rich vein of globalization and its discontents with sharp, observant wit and a wonderfully light touch.

Josh Hamilton plays Todd, the order fulfillment manager at an American novelty company; when his entire department is moved overseas, he must travel to India to train his replacement. Callow, nervous, adamantly uninterested in the life and culture into which he is plunged, Todd (whom the locals call Mr. Todd, which comes out as "Mr. Toad") tries to teach his trainees how to pronounce the wide A in "Chicago" as well as the precise function of a yellow foam cheese-head.

Written by George Wing ("50 First Dates") and John Jeffcoat, who also directs, "Outsourced" unfolds with unforced, often outright hilarious spontaneity as Todd goes from fish out of water to enlightened cosmopolitan. Hamilton is terrific in his role of the diffident but ultimately well-meaning middle manager, and he is amply supported by Asif Basra and Ayesha Dharker, who play Todd's replacement and love interest, respectively.

"Outsourced" often recalls "Office Space" in its deadpan depiction of corporate politics, but its touching final scenes are straight out of the 1983 classic "Local Hero," proving only that the filmmakers have the good sense to steal from the best.

-- Ann Hornaday

Link to article

Outsourced Soundtrack available

2007-11-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

For those of you who saw they movie and have been curious about getting a soundtrack, it is now available on our website WWW.OUTSOURCEDTHEMOVIE.COM at the Outsourced Store.

We've expanded several of the songs so that this is not a soundtrack of 30 second music clips but an album that can stand on it's own. You can listen to a few of the tracks on the audio player of my page in our online community.

I'll try and incorporate a music player with tracks from the sountrack in this blog soon.

There's a very grainy behind-the-scenes video of a guitarist laying down a track for the song "Ishq Mushq" or "Holiday in Goa" here:

A music video for the song "Holi Aayi" will be coming soon.

The Source of "Outsourced" is Experience, Says Director

2007-11-21T19:33:00.000-08:00

By Mark Bourne

"If you fight the flow of India, you will be destroyed."

That's what John Jeffcoat, director of the independent film Outsourced, tells me as we drink coffee in a Thai restaurant in downtown Seattle. He's describing a key lesson that went into, and comes out of, Outsourced, which will soon begin a new wave of U.S. and foreign distribution after a successful run at film festivals and select cities. (We review the film here.)

Outsourced tells the story of an American call center supervisor, Todd (Josh Hamilton), who finds that not only has his entire department been outsourced to rural India, he must travel to India and train his own replacement. What he discovers there is a vast society of astounding diversity, one undergoing its own cultural tug-of-war between honored traditions and cutting-edge modernism.

Now, when you take Jeffcoat's ominous-sounding warning -- "You will be destroyed!" -- out of context like that, you can't tell that Outsourced is in fact a charming, good-natured comedy with a sweetly portrayed romance at its center. But that destruction Jeffcoat talks about is a vital artery in Outsourced's heart. It's something that Jeffcoat, along with his co-writer George Wing and the movie's composer, B.C. Smith, who are both also seated with us, know from first-hand experience.

READ ON HERE

Coming to a theater near you?

2007-11-14T23:15:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest on the US Theatrical release:

Now Playing
Galleria 11
500 106th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Saturday, Nov. 10 - Exclusive One Night Engagement!
Jarvis Conservatory, Napa, CA

Friday, Nov. 16-18
Theater N at Nemours, Wilmington, DE
Cinema Paradiso, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Friday, Nov. 16-22
Lake Worth Playhouse, Lake Worth, FL

Tuesday, Dec. 4-6
Clyde Theater, Langley, WA
Denver Film Society, Denver, CO

Friday, Dec. 14-20
Kendall Square Theater, Boston, MA
E Street Theater, Washington, DC

Friday, Dec. 28-Jan. 3
Carlisle Theater, Carlisle, PA

INTERNATIONAL

We are currently in release in Melbourne, Australia and open Thursday in Sydney!

Outsourced Delivers an Indie, Indian-Flavored Comedy

2007-11-12T21:54:00.000-08:00

by Mark Bourne

"Why would you want a goddess of destruction in your car?" asks befuddled American middle manager Todd (Josh Hamilton) about a dashboard Kali he spies from a backseat in India.

"Sometimes destruction is a good thing," replies the gorgeous, young Indian woman, Asha (Ayesha Dharker), who sees that Todd needs an education in more than just her country's culture and the realities of a 21st-century global marketplace. "She ends one cycle so that a new one can begin." It's a sure bet that Todd will experience some of that destruction, but consequently also experience the beginning of his own very personal new cycle.

The exchange happens about halfway into Outsourced, a charming, laid-back and surprisingly affecting dramatic comedy from new director John Jeffcoat, who co-wrote the script with fellow Seattle resident George Wing (50 First Dates). This modestly budgeted, yet strikingly polished, independent film exudes such warm affection and respect for India and its people that we can reasonably wonder if a love for the country inspired the movie rather than the other way around.

Read the complete article HERE

Fest fave "Outsourced" making its way to TV

2007-10-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

Moira McDonald of the Seattle Times wrote an article appearing in todays paper about our recent deal with NBC.

Fest fave "Outsourced" making its way to TV

by Moira McDonald
Seattle Times Movie Critic

In John Jeffcoat's comedy "Outsourced, " winner of the audience award for best film at the Seattle International Film Festival last spring, a Seattle office manager finds himself in a place he never expected to be: India, to train telemarketers at a call center there. Now "Outsourced" itself may well be headed for an unexpected destination: television.

Jeffcoat, a Seattle-based filmmaker, confirmed in a telephone interview last week that he and "Outsourced" co-writer George Wing are busily writing scripts for a planned television version of the film, under development for NBC. Ken Kwapis ("The Office"), who approached them after seeing the film and enjoying it, is attached to direct the pilot.

"This is a new world," said Jeffcoat, who estimated that in a "best case scenario" the show might air in the fall of 2008, assuming that NBC likes what they see.

Read the Entire article HERE

Outsourced in Austrailia

2007-10-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

Outsourced will hit theaters in Australia on November 1st. Details are HERE. Our international release will continue with Germany, Israel, India, and Canada very soon. Stay tuned for details.

A favorite in Vancouver

2007-10-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

According to the Vancouver International Film Festival, Outsourced was voted in the top 10% of the international films screened. The following is from their press release:

Top 10% of international films (listed alphabetically. All films listed in this release were very well attended, substantially voted for, and averaged between four and five out of five—four being “very good” and five being “excellent”—in public voting.):

Cristian Mungiu’s 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days (Romania); Robbie Cavolina and Ian McCrudden’s Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (USA); Tricia Regan’s Autism: The Musical (USA); Bertrand Normand’s Ballerina (France); Eran Kolirin’s The Band's Visit (Israel); Stuart Townsend’s Battle in Seattle (USA); Abdullah Oguz’s Bliss (Turkey/Greece); Stefan Ruzowitzky’s The Counterfeiters (Austria/Germany); Julian Schnabel’s The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France/USA); Fatih Akin’s The Edge of Heaven (Germany/Turkey); Jan Sverák’s Empties (Czech Republic); The Hennegan Brothers’ The First Saturday in May (USA); Daniel Karslake’s For the Bible Tells Me So (USA); Suo Masayuki’s I Just Didn't Do It (Japan); Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution (Se Jie) (USA/Taiwan); Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman’s Nanking (USA); John Jeffcoat’s Outsourced (USA/India); Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s Persepolis (Iran/France); John Pilger and Christopher Martin’s The War on Democracy (UK); Paul Taylor’s We Are Together (UK)

High Risks of Self-Distributing Low-Budget Films

2007-10-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

Listen to David Skinner (Executive producer of Outsourced) discuss the high risks of self-distributing low-budget films on KCRW's "The Business"

note: The first half of the show features Ang Lee's LUST, CAUTION, the interview with David Skinner begins about half-way into the show.

Audience Award at Bend Film

2007-10-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Outsourced tied with our friend Adrian Belic's documentary Beyond the Call for the Audience Award at the Bend Film Festival this past weekend (photo: Adrian Belic and John Jeffcoat at the Palm Springs Film Festival). A thank you to everyone at the festival that voted for us!

Also last week, Outsourced played three sold out screenings at the Vancouver Film Festival and and had an additional screening added. Thank you Vancouver for the great reception!

We also expanded our theatrical release to include the beautiful Lynwood Theater on Bainbridge Island where we had another great reception which I hope leads to a successful run. It's only there for a week, so if you're on Bainbridge catch it on the big screen while you can!

Comedy feature 'Outsourced' to NBC

2007-10-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

This is the big news we have been waiting to announce. We are currently developing a global workplace comedy based on our film 'Outsourced' for NBC.

Comedy feature 'Outsourced' to NBC
By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC is heading east with "Outsourced," an India-set comedy based on the newly released indie film of the same name.

The story centers on a customer service manager in Seattle whose department is outsourced to India, and he goes there to train his replacement. The project explores the clash of the Western and Indian cultures, and chronicles the manager's romance with a local woman. NBC ordered a pilot script.

Read the whole story HERE

Thank You New York!

2007-10-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we opened at the Quad in New York and remained the #1 film in the complex for the entire week, becoming one of the Quads top three grossing films all year. Thank you to everyone who came out to see the film, we heard reports of big laughs and much applause which is wonderful to hear over here. It was also our largest box office draw, with Seattle coming in a close second.

You might be wondering why it isn't there anymore? We're wondering the same thing. We were told that if we had the numbers and were bringing in the crowds, the movie would be held over. We brought in the numbers but were still kicked out of our strongest market when every other theater screening our film has decided to hold it over. This experience has just strengthened our story of how tough it is to distribute a film independently in the current marketplace.

One other positive thing that has come out of our New York screening is that theaters in Boston and DC saw the success of our run and have contacted us about releasing the film in their markets. So now we are planning a December release of Outsourced in both Boston and DC. I'm hoping that list may grow in the coming weeks and maybe even include a return to Manhattan!

So thanks again to everyone who has come out to support the film, and I hope you continue to spread the word! Cheers!

- john

••• There will be a big announcement on Monday regarding Outsourced. As soon as I get word it has been released in the trades I will post the news on this site.

The New York Times Review!

2007-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Life Lessons in a Global Marketplace

By MATT ZOLLER SEITZ

Published: September 28, 2007

“Outsourced,” in which a Seattle call center manager named Todd (Josh Hamilton) is fired and then dispatched to India as a consultant to train his own replacement, is a wonderful surprise.

Read the Review

Local indie film ready to roll 'em

2007-09-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today's Seattle PI explores the current state of film distribution and how ShadowCatcher is taking on the system:

Local indie film ready to roll 'em

By WILLIAM ARNOLD
P-I MOVIE CRITIC

Among the dozen or so movies opening around the country Friday, there is one lower-budget Seattle production that could have a major effect on the film business -- and it is no exaggeration to say the whole movie world will be watching.

The film is "Outsourced," a romantic comedy set in Seattle and India that was voted best film at the last Seattle International Film Festival. What's unique about "Outsourced" is that it's entering the hectic movie marketplace in seven cities Friday without a distributor, all on its own dime.

Read the complete article

KPLU interview with John Jeffcoat

2007-09-26T09:23:00.000-07:00

Seattle Movie Outsourced Debuts
Bellamy Pailthorp and John Jeffcoat

SEATTLE, WA (2007-09-26) Offshore outsourcing is often a topic of controversy.
A new Seattle movie tackles the topic with a light touch.
Outsourced tells the story of a call-center manager who has to lay off his entire staff and then travel to India to train his replacement.
The movie won the Golden Spaceneedle award for the most popular movie at this year's Seattle International Film Festival and there's a special local screening tonight (Wed.), before its nation-wide release on Friday.
KPLU's Bellamy Pailthorp sat down with the film's director, John Jeffcoat.
Listen to the interview

Seattle movie company ShadowCatcher finds its niche

2007-09-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

A key figure in ShadowCatcher's growing roster of feature films is Tom Gorai, who became a producing partner in 2001. A Seattle native who left to find success in the business (he eventually produced the Jeff Bridges thriller "Arlington Road"), Gorai says he is ShadowCatcher's "eyes and ears in New York and Los Angeles."

But Gorai and Skinner were also determined to make a good movie driven by Seattle-born talent, something ShadowCatcher hadn't done yet. That goal led Gorai to "Outsourced" 's Wing and Jeffcoat, whose script had gained attention in Hollywood, though no one wanted Jeffcoat attached as a first-time feature director.

ShadowCatcher offered the creative team what it sought.

"ShadowCatcher's dedication to the film," says Jeffcoat, "and to my vision of what the film was, is what directors dream about."

Read the complete article
By Tom Keogh Special to The Seattle Times

Robert Horton interviews John Jeffcoat

2007-09-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

An interview with the director and co-writer of Outsourced, John Jeffcoat, by Robert Horton for CityStream the Seattle Channel.

OUTSOURCED featured in American Cinematographer

2007-08-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

Keep an eye out at the news stand for Rachel Bosley's in-depth article on the making of Outsourced, featured in the September issue of American Cinematographer Magazine!

ASC SEPTEMBER ’07 HIGHLIGHTS:

The Bourne Ultimatum
Outsourced
Caravaggio
Muse music video “Knights of Cydonia”

Outsourced Poster

2007-08-27T13:57:00.001-07:00

Outsourced Poster, originally uploaded by bollywoodandme.

Thanks for all of your comments on the posters, and we do have a final version with a new tagline.

We will be using the version with clouds for the black and white ads and we may use the color version for releases outside of the US.

Next up is our soundtrack. Stay tuned for a sample of the tracks. Also our movie trailer is currently playing in theaters across the country.

- john

Outsourced Screening Update

2007-08-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of activity at the Outsourced camp and there will be a host of announcements coming soon. What I can tell you now is that we're on target to launch the film theatrically in the US on September 28th. We will be having a red carpet Gala in Seattle on the 26th.

Here are a list of Theaters that will be screening Outsourced in the coming months:

Wednesday, September 26
SEATTLE PREMIERE
Majestic Bay

Thursday, September 27
SEATTLE PROMOTION Kane Hall (U of Washington)

Friday, September 28
SEATTLE, WA Majestic Bay
TACOMA, WA Grand Cinemas
BELLEVUE, WA Galleria
PORTLAND, OR Hollywood 3
EUGENE, OR Bijou 2
SAN FRANCISCO, CA Opera Plaza
AUSTIN, TX Dobie
NEW YORK, NY Quad

Friday, October 5
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA Palace
LOS ANGELES, CA Sunset 5
WEST HILLS, CA Fallbrook 7
BERKELEY, CA Shattuck
SAN JOSE, CA Camera 3

Friday, October 12
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA Lynwood Theater

---------------------------------------------------------

This list may change as we move closer to the dates. If the film opens well, there is also the hope that we'll be able to expand the release to more cities. We have also just been notified that Germany is ramping up their theatrical release and I should have more news on that soon.

If you know anyone in these cities, be sure to tell them not to miss it!

-john

Seattle Magazine Jeffcoat Interview

2007-08-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Datebook: A Passage to India
By Paula Nechak

This past June, writer, director and Magnolia resident John Jeffcoat took home SIFF’s Golden Space Needle Award (which goes to the festival’s most popular movie) for his first feature film, Outsourced—a colorful, cross-cultural romantic comedy that lampoons the trend of outsourcing U.S. jobs to India. Local distributor ShadowCatcher Entertainment is prepping Outsourced, which was filmed in Seattle, for national release at the end of September, so we figured we’d pester its director with our not-so-Bernard Piveau-ian questionnaire before he becomes too famous to speak to us. For more info, visit outsourcedthemovie.com.

READ THE Seattle Magazine Interview

A Win at the Hardacre Film Festival

2007-08-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we screened at the Hardacre Film & Cinema Festival in Tipton, Iowa and walked away with the Audience Award!

The theatrical release is heating up and I'll be posting the dates and the cities we'll be screening in very soon.

-john

Choosing Posters.

2007-07-30T23:23:00.000-07:00

We are currently working on designing a new poster for Outsourced. Feel free to voice your opinions and leave a comment on this page.

Do you prefer the Sky? (Below)

The Yellow/Gold? (left)

Or the original poster shown on the homepage of this blog??? (Right)

Stuttgart film fest connects art with commerce

2007-07-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

he 4th Bollywood And Beyond Film Festival got off to an excellent start on July 11 with the enthusiastic audience response to its opening film Outsourced. Director John Jeffcoat and lead actor Josh Hamilton from the US and Ayesha Dharker from the UK, who arrived in Stuttgart hours earlier, had to bow on stage repeatedly at the protracted applause. The film has already been sold in Germany to Concorde Home Entertainment. It will release in the US towards late September in nine cities.

Read the entire article by Uma Da Cunha

A win in Germany!

2007-07-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

Last night at the closing party for the Bollywood and Beyond film festival it was announced that OUTSOURCED won the Audience Award for Best Film! That is the fifth award in a row for Outsourced!

India in Stuttgart

2007-07-15T03:02:00.000-07:00

Last night we were entertained by the Bhangra Brothers and Juggy D at the Bollywood Boogie Night until 5am. Great fun at another day of the Bollywood and Beyond Festival of Stuttgart, Germany. The night before we had the pleasure of a live performance by the Bombay Dub Orchestra. These guys are tremendous musicians who bring a modern vibe to great classical Indian music. If you enjoyed the music from our film you should check out their album, and if you have a chance to see them live -don't miss out!

We've had some time to explore Stuttgart and even had a chance to visit the Schmuck Basar! This is a great walking city and supposedly one of the safest in Germany. I have to wonder if the town in 'Hot Fuzz' was modeled after it...
Ayesha had to leave a few days ago for an audition in London but Josh and I have one more night before we head home tomorrow.

Tonight is the Awards dinner and the closing night film Vanaja, a great film if you haven't seen it already. The sun is out again and the heat is back with a vengeance. Josh and I will be off shortly in search of a fresh Stuttgart pretzel.

Bye und auf Wiedersehen!

-john

Proskar Award Winner!

2007-07-14T01:33:00.000-07:00

We've just been notified that we have won a Proskar Award for Outsourced.

I am delighted to officially inform you that Outsourced has won the Top PROSKAR in the category of Best Film at the the Seattle International Film Festival

The PROSKARS are the Awards given out by PROST AMERIKA!, the Seattle German Language Website who produced the largest non English coverage of the Festival, the largest in North America.

You can see the full list of winners, runners up and nominees by clicking on www.prostamerika.com.

Steve Clare

Editor

PROST AMERIKA!

www.prostamerika.com

Outsourced Opens Bollywood and Beyond

2007-07-12T00:55:00.001-07:00

Guten Tag!

Last night we screened as the opening night film for the Bollywood and Beyond Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. We had a fantastic screening and a wonderful reception from the German audience who reassured us that it would be a big hit in Germany.

I'm here with Josh hamilton who plays Todd and Ayesha Dharker who plays Asha. It's the first time in Germany for all three of us and it's been fantastic so far. This is also the first time that we've been together since we finished the film. Great to be together again. This is also Josh's first festival experience since he has been tied up with Coast of Utopia in New York.

We had a nice walk down the red carpet which led to a bar stocked with premium single malt scotch, a nice welcome indeed! We'll be frolicking in Stuttgart for the next several days and I'll try to continue posting pictures of our adventures. The Bombay Dub Orchestra will be performing a concert here tomorrow night which should be great. I've also heard the pretzels are not to be missed. We shall see...

I met our German distributor who is keen on getting the film out to an audience very soon and I'm hoping that it will happen parallel to our US theatrical release which begins September 26th.

-john

Variety - Indie films crave great reviews

2007-06-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

"as more inexpensive indie films are produced, filmmakers blocked by the theatrical distribution bottleneck will follow the lead of John Jeffcoat, whose "Outsourced" won the audience prize for best film at the Seattle Fest. Jeffcoat has decided to self-distribute his film: Its premiere in September will be at Seattle's Majestic Bay Theater."

Read the entire article by Anne Thompson

PA! German Review gives Outsourced 9/10

2007-06-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

Outsourced (HR) John Jeffcoat (USA 2006)
A superb comedy about a Seattle man whose job is outsourced to India. To add insult to injury, he is sent there to train his replacement.

Cultural differences abound when he instructs the Indians to speak and think like Americans. Josh Hamilton plays the lead excellentlly without overacting and Ayesha Dharker is a superb foil as the inevitable love interest.

You won't be checking the watch hoping this one will end and the backdrop of colourful but rural India makes this a delight to watch.

This is a must see.
PA Guide 9/10

Link to the Official Site Review in German

"A film to which you could safely take your mother, and I mean that as a compliment."

2007-06-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

"It's a pleasing, modestly executed version of what Hollywood usually ruins with big stars, bloated budgets, and endless rewriting. The Indian locations are real, and actress Ayesha Dharker is particularly winning—put that woman on The Office already! The movie is a refreshing alternative to what might be called the local-auteur-with-head-up-his-artsy-butt syndrome (see Zoo). It's a film to which you could safely take your mother, and I mean that as a compliment."

Read the whole article by Brian Miller:

The Seattle Weekly Blog

OUTSOURCED wins Best Film at the Seattle International Film Festival

2007-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

The top audience nod at the Seattle Film Festival went to local boy John Jeffcoat for "Outsourced," a comedy about jobs moving to India.

Read Ken Eisner's article here:
Variety Announcement

Encore Screening at SIFF

2007-06-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

We just received word this morning that we'll be recieving an encore screening of Outsourced this Sunday, June 17th at the Egyptian Theater at 9:30pm. You can get tickets here:
SIFF website

Bollywood and Beyond -Variety

2007-06-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

BERLIN -- India's cinematic and culinary cuisine is coming to the city of Stuttgart next month for the 4th annual Bollywood and Beyond film festival, which kicks off with John Jeffcoat's "Outsourced."
Link to Variety Article
Link to Festival Page

I'm planning to attend the festival along with Ayesha Dharker and Josh Hamilton. It will be the first time they've seen each other since we finished shooting and the first festival screening Josh will have attended. He's been tied up in Tom Stoppard's "Coast of Eutopia" until just recently.

It will be the first time any of us have been to Germany, I'm looking forward to it!

-john

John Jeffcoat Interviewd by Robert Horton

2007-06-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Director John Jeffcoat is interviewed on Citystream by Robert Horton. The show is abailable on the Seattle Channel website:

Watch it now

The Buzz on Outsourced

2007-06-05T20:24:00.001-07:00

One film, “Outsourced”, produced by Seattle’s own Shadowcatcher Entertainment, has been garnering its fair share of buzz. We sent reporter Isaac Kaplan-Woolner to review this homegrown hit:

Listen to the review

"Outsourced" filmmaker brings the buzz home

2007-05-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

"Outsourced" filmmaker brings the buzz home

By Moira Macdonald
Seattle Times movie critic

Seattle filmmaker John Jeffcoat, whose comedy "Outsourced" is making its local debut at SIFF, stands in the shadow of some of his older work.

Seattle filmmaker John Jeffcoat first learned that his comedy "Outsourced" had buzz last fall, at the Toronto International Film Festival. For the third and final screening of his film (all of which were sold out), Jeffcoat had some extra tickets, so he went down to the rush-tickets line to give them away. "It was like a feeding frenzy," he recalled, laughing. "People were going crazy trying to get tickets. It was weird!"

Read the entire article here:
Seattle Times Article

SIFF News: Seattle Filmmakers Outsourced to India!

2007-05-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

SIFF News: Seattle Filmmakers Outsourced to India!

By Brian Miller

"We're both fighting that push to go to L.A.," says John Jeffcoat of himself and his writing partner, George Wing. The two have lived up here in Seattle for the past dozen-odd years, trying to make a living in the movie biz, without much to show for their efforts locally. Until now, since Outsourced, the first feature directed by Jeffcoat, plays SIFF this week.

Read the complete article here:
Seattle Weekly Article

Tix Available for SIFF Eastside Screening

2007-05-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

According to the SIFF website, there are now more tickets available for the Eastside screening of OUTSOURCED at Lincoln Square.
Purchase tickets here

Behind the scenes of Outsourced: Episode 2

2007-05-25T16:19:00.000-07:00

We're starting to create 'webisodes' of what went on behind the scenes of Oursourced. The first episoide (episode 2) one is now online. "Jelly Belly" features Matt Smith, who plays the boss "Dave," as he suffers through illness while shooting the movie in India.
Watch on YouTube here

Seattle Times Good Bet: OUTSOURCED

2007-05-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

Good bets: Eighteen days of programming at this theater begin May 31 with the gala premiere of Seattle filmmaker John Jeffcoat's comedy "Outsourced," set in Seattle and India.

Read more about the venues and picks for the fest here:
Seattle Times, Where the films are: All about the venues

OUTSOURCED coming to Seattle!

2007-05-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

OUTSOURCED will screen at the Seattle International Film Festival on May 31st and June 3rd.

from the Seattle Times:
John Jeffcoat's comedy "Outsourced," about a salesman who must travel overseas to train his replacement in India, has been an award winner at several film festivals, including the Palm Springs International Film Festival earlier this year.

Read the Seattle Times article

OUTSOURCED Wins the IFFLA Audienchttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gife Award

2007-04-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

OUTSOURCED won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles tonight. Pics to come soon...
VARIETY announcement

Director John Jeffcoat celebrating on closing night with some Bhangra dancing.

India West Article on Director John Jeffcoat

2007-04-23T02:24:00.000-07:00

Jeffcoat's fascination with South Asia dates back to 1993 when he visited Nepal during a study abroad program, the filmmaker told India-West in an earlier interview at his hotel. "I was looking for a cultural experience that was different," he recalled.

Arriving in a remote village several miles down a dirt road from Kathmandu, the first question he was asked by a village elder was, "Do you plow with oxen?"
READ COPMPLETE ARTICLE

OUTSOURCED AT IFFLA

2007-04-22T02:16:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Writer/Director Anurag Kashyup, festival director Christina Marouda, and writer director John Jeffcoat enjoy a late evening at the Cat and Fiddle.

Outsourced was the first sell out of the festival and the Friday night screening was met by an exuberant audience and wonderful praise.

To the right, casting director and festival guru Uma Da Cunha keeps the party going with some energetic Bhangra dancing.

IFFLA Screening SOLD OUT

2007-04-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Our screening in Los Angeles tonight at the Arclight cinema is Sold Out. More to come...

Los Angeles Screening of OUTSOURCED

2007-03-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

On Friday April 20th at 7pm, OUTSOURCED will be screening at the Arclight cinema as part of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Tickets are available now on the Arclight website.

"it's awesome and you'll love it."

2007-03-21T22:59:00.000-07:00

"Much like Amile, this is one of those fantastic date movies that you'll never forget even if you forget whoever it was you saw it with."

Read entire blog review

Audience Award for Best Feature at Cinemquest!

2007-03-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

OUTSOURCED has just won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose!

Tea with Puro in Bombay

2007-03-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Actor Asif Basra (Puro) and I stepped out of our cast and crew screening for a moment to grab a nice cup of chai.

I'm here for the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) where Outsourced is screening as part of the Film India Worldwide section. It's been a nice chance to catch up with the cast and crew, and give them a chance to see the film for the first time.

We had a wonderful festival screening at the Adlabs IMAX theater where people where laughing and clapping throughout. Anil Dharker moderated a Q & A afterwards where we received warm praise for the film.

We'll have our second screening on Wendesay.

CBS Radio "The Next Big Fat Greek Wedding"

2007-03-09T22:44:00.000-08:00

Here are a few radio spots that CBS Radio ran about OUTSOURCED during the Cinequest Film Festival:
CBS Radio Spot 1
CBS Radio Spot 2
link to official interview site

OUTSOURCED Update

2007-03-09T22:31:00.000-08:00

OUTSOURCED had a fantastic run at the Cinequest film festival. We screened at the beautiful refirbished California Theatre, where the response to the film has been tremendous. Reviews are just started to pop up and we'll be linking everything we can find to this blog. A big thanks for everyone at Cinemaquest for showing us such wonderful hospitaity and supporting our film!

Right now, I'm in Mumba, India getting ready for our screening on the 12th (a second screening on the 14th) as part of the Mumbai Film Festival where most of the people who worked on the film will get their first opportunity to see it on the big screen. Stay tuned for more pictures and updates!

-john

'My favorite film of the festival so far' (Blog Review)

2007-03-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

The main two characters are Todd (Josh Hamilton, who starred in a film called On_Line from Cinequest 5 years ago) and Asha (Ayesha Dharker, who apparently had a small part in Star Wars Episode II). By the time the film was over, both had transcended my expectations from earlier in the film. This is my favorite film of the festival so far. 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

Read the entire review

San Jose METRO review

2007-03-09T21:21:00.000-08:00

Outsourced
(U.S.; 98 min.) A good-natured, yet tart and open-eyed comedy about a hapless Seattleite called Todd Anderson (Josh Hamilton), who works for a company selling patriotic gewgaws and novelties. His company sends him overseas to whip an Indian customer-service center into shape. "Mr. Toad," as the locals call him, adjusts to India and befriends a vivacious employee (the bewitching Ayesha Dharker). Films about Westerners coming to India usually concern spiritual awakenings; what makes Outsourced different from all of those is its deep appreciation for the tangible India: the polychrome Holi festival (as seen recently in Water), the unbelievable euphoniousness of Indian speech—surely that nation is a language lab, where the future of the English tongue is being created. Director John Jeffcoat knows his corporate world: how the word "offshore" is used as a verb, and what's meant by "improving the minutes-per-incident." But the incidents per minute here seem so fresh that they might have come from a sensitive and observant person's travel diary. Only a director who met India halfway could have made this movie. The bittersweet finale is a reminder of how fine it was to see Bill Forsyth's Local Hero for the first time. (RvB) (Mar 3, 8pm, CAL; Mar 4, 6:30pm, CAL; Mar 8, 7pm, C12)
link to online version

Outsourced review, San Jose

2007-03-09T21:19:00.001-08:00

"Outsourced"

March 8, 7 p.m., Camera 12

"Outsourced" is a feel-good movie that captures the viewer's heart and takes it on a sweet and charming journey. Director John Jeffcoat moves his first feature smartly through the mire of global economic realities, past the struggle of male-female romance, inserting major cultural differences, and tells a humorous tale without missing a beat. "Outsourced" is an elegantly thought out and presented feature that explores business-based cultural differences while young hearts do what young hearts do.

Read entire review

US director makes romantic comedy on outsourcing

2007-03-09T21:09:00.000-08:00

An Indian newspaper DNA recently ran this article:

Ashok Easwaran

CHICAGO: Outsourcing to India, which was a major election issue in the last US presidential elections, is now the subject of a romantic comedy starring actress Ayesha Dharker.

Read article

Q&A with John Jeffcoat, director of OUTSOURCED

2007-03-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the modern spam-filled miracle that is e-mail we got to ask director John Jeffcoat a few questions about his debut feature OUTSOURCED. Here's how things played out:
Link to full interview here

Outsourced to screen in San Jose

2007-01-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

OUTSOURCED will screen next at the Cinequest Film Festival.
Dates for the festival are February 28 – March 11, 2007 in San Jose, CA – the heart of Silicon Valley.
Saturday, March 3; 8:00pm (CAL)
Sunday, March 4; 6:30pm (CAL)
Thursday, March 8; 7:00pm (C12)
www.cinequest.org

Film fest comes to dazzling close

2007-01-18T22:26:00.000-08:00

John Jeffcoat, whose "Outsourced" wowed the opening-night audience, received the John Schlesinger Award for Outstanding First Feature.

"It's beyond anything I would have expected. I was excited to be given the slot for opening night. Getting the John Schlesinger Award is amazing," Jeffcoat said.

After the [Awards] luncheon, Macdonald called it a watershed year for the festival.

"It started on that hugely high note with 'Outsourced' and just built from there. You could feel that sense of celebration," he said.

Read Article

18th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Award Winners

2007-01-15T22:34:00.000-08:00

"John Jeffcoat received the John Schlesinger Award for Outstanding First Feature (Narrative or Documentary) from the Opening Night film OUTSOURCED, which marked its US premiere at the Festival. This honor, selected by the Festival programming team, acknowledges the work of a first-time filmmaker whose narrative or documentary feature represents particular distinction and the promise of a major filmmaking career. He will receive Avid Media Composer Advanced Creative Editing for Mac & PC, donated by Avid Technology, Inc. and Movie Magic's Scheduling for the 21st Century and Budgeting for the 21st Century, donated by Entertainment Partners.

Commenting on the selection of the film, Carl Spence, director of programming said, "John Jeffcoat's feature debut signals a bright new talent in the ranks of American independent filmmakers. We hope that this award will help provide OUTSOURCED with the audiences it deserves and recognize John as an emerging directorial talent to watch."
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John Jeffcoat wins the John Schlesinger Award!

2007-01-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

Director John Jeffcoat was awarded the John Schlesinger Award for an Outstanding First Feature at the Palm Springs film Festival.

"Another of the audience's favorites was "Outsourced," selected by Macdonald and his programmers for the festival's opening-night gala. Its director, John Jeffcoat, also received the John Schlesinger Award for Outstanding First Feature, selected by the programmers and presented by Schlesinger's long-time partner, photographer Michael Childers."
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