Edward Bass: Going beyond the Ponzi scheme

Edward Bass image credit: thebestthingieverdid.com

Before Bernard Madoff, there was Charles Ponzi, the proponent of the infamous get-rich-fast scheme that has become one of the world’s greatest financial scams. However, acclaimed filmmaker Edward Bass has chosen not to delve exclusively into the genius of the Ponzi scheme. He has opted to offer a character study of one of the most notorious con-men of all time.

Edward Bass image credit: geektyrant.com

Unlike what happened in Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar that has left an ambiguous impression of FBI’s powerful head, Ponzi will tackle Charles’ secret life outside the carefully orchestrated financial chicanery in order to paint a picture of a delusional, yet likable man who doesn’t appear 100% evil.

Legend tells that Charles boarded the gravy train when he was still young. He told his first victim to lend him $20 and that he would return $30 in 90 days. Succeeding in this intriguing offer, Charles went off to victimize another and the Ponzi scheme came into fruition.

Producer Edward Bass says, “It's amazing to me, that today, 9 out of 10 people know what a Ponzi scheme is, but don't realize there was Charles Ponzi. And furthermore, people have fallen for these same cons over and over."

The film can be dubbed as a significant literature unraveling the true character of a man with a propensity to fabricate facts about his life. Some of the issues that the film would explore are Charles’ motivation behind the fraudulent act, his family, and how he felt about his success story gone wrong.

Edward Bass image credit: edwardbassfilms.com

Edward Bass’ upcoming film is produced in cooperation with Victorino Noval Productions. For more details, visit www.edwardbassfilms.com.

Director Edward Bass films Belle Gunness, the horror of La Porte

Director Edward Bass couldn’t get over the life of serial killer Belle Gunness who used her prolific writing skill to ensnare dozens of men to her La Porte home where they were murdered, robbed, and dismembered.

From Edward Bass

Belle sent love letters and advertised in newspapers to coax gentlemen to sell their properties and travel 3,000 miles to bring the cash to her. Her advertisement reads:

"Comely widow who owns a large farm in one of the finest districts of La Porte County, Indiana, desires to make the acquaintance of a gentleman equally well provided, with view of joining fortunes. No replies by letter considered unless sender is willing to follow answer with personal visit. Triflers need not apply."

From Edward Bass

Director Edward Bass is too fascinated with the gender-bending dynamics of Bella’s life that he wanted to discover what it was about her writings that lured men into her confession of love. He said that the screenplay doesn’t just focus on the essence of woman’s charm but also on the social and psychological motivations of her killing spree. Bass says that the film’s gripping account of one of the most diabolical killers in history aims not just to appeal to audience’s cinematic expectations, but also to contribute to the literature about the relationship between gender and crime.

Director Edward Bass has produced films notable for their cinematic spectacle and substance. Visit www.edwardbassfilms.com for more information on his work.

From Edward Bass

Edward Bass: Three-way wonder

Edward Bass, a Golden Globe nominee, is known for his driven, frank nature. It is these very facets of his personality that helped him immensely in achieving the remarkable feat of having financed five independent films in a span of two years.

From Producer Edward Bass - Edward Bass' Blog

Facing life’s challenges head-on has helped to further shape his outstanding character. It also contributes greatly to his creativity, drive, and insights. Throughout his motion pictures, documentaries, and plays, these experiences are sprinkled with complex and diversified elements to mirror his real life.

Another side of Bass involves leadership. His extraordinary managerial skills have led to his having managed a range of talents, from ballerinas to boxers. Among Edward Bass’ talents was Julio Caesar Chavez, who under Bass’ wing went on to become the highest-paid super middleweight boxer in the history of boxing.

From Producer Edward Bass - Edward Bass' Blog

On top of all that, Bass also pioneered the breaking of the AIDS stigma among the United States. It was the acclaimed filmmaker who arranged a public meeting between Ronald Reagan and Ryan White, a young man who had been expelled from school after being strained by the HIV virus. This move by Bass led Reagan to publicly support AIDS research, which subsequently pushed the Iran-Contra news to the back pages.

From Producer Edward Bass - Edward Bass' Blog

For more information on Edward Bass and his films, visit his website at EdwardBassFilms.com.

Edward Bass: How a dark character makes a film extra fun and challenging

Edward Bass’ approach in making films is like preparing an Indian dish served on a Japanese platter for the German to taste. He makes odd combinations out of different elements to create a superb and unique film project. Applauded by his peers for his eccentricity, Bass has never ceased to try different filming styles to make his works more artistic and original.



What sets Bass apart from other filmmakers is his fearlessness to use characters that are less kind-hearted, emotionally volatile, controversial, and therefore, more interesting. Additionally, he doesn’t really care about the superstar who would represent his characters. What he deems important is the ability of the actor to effectively portray his or her assigned role.



The following are two of the most recognized real-life dark characters that Edward Bass wants to serve as his main film subjects:

Edward Bass Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Charles Ponzi (March 3, 1882 – January 18, 1949) was a businessman and con artist in the U.S. and Canada. Born in Italy, he became known as a swindler in North America for his moneymaking confidence trick known as the “Ponzi Scheme.” The con game is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money rather than from any actual profit earned by the individual or organization from running a business.

From Edward Bass

Belle Sorenson Gunness (November 11, 1859 – April 28, 1908) was a Norwegian-American femme fatale who killed most of her suitors and boyfriends, and her two daughters, Myrtle and Lucy. Her apparent motives involved collecting life insurance, cash, and other valuables, and eradicating witnesses. According to reports, Belle has killed between 25 and 40 people throughout her lifetime.

From Edward Bass

More information about Edward Bass can be found at www.edwardbassfilms.com.

Edward Bass, Producer Extraordinaire: Learning a Thing or Two about Directing From the Master of Suspense

Edward Bass, a producer whom many people in the film industry admire due to his remarkable organizational skills (which enabled him to independently finance five pictures in the span of two short years), will soon test the waters with his first stint as a director in the movie, Belle, the eponymous story of America’s most prolific female serial killer, Belle Gunness.

From Producer Edward Bass - Edward Bass' Blog

With the film’s forbidding plot, it is nice to know that Edward may have been taking note of the techniques used by Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, “The Master of Suspense,” (his favorite director) in his films which are mostly in the suspense and psychological thriller genres.

Photo Credit: www.fameball.com

Some of the techniques which Edward Bass, producer extraordinaire, may have looked at are:

• The use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a person’s gaze—an effective way to engage viewers.

• The use of framed shots—a technique used to maximize anxiety, fear, or empathy.

• The use of innovative film editing—a procedure to enhance the thrilling effects of a film.

During his 60-plus years in the film industry, Hitchcock has managed to direct more than 50 feature films. He is often regarded as the best filmmaker Britain has ever produced. In 2007, he grabbed the top position in a poll done by film critics in Britain’s Daily Telegraph, where he is dubbed as “unquestionably the greatest filmmaker to emerge from these islands.”

From Blogger Pictures

More information about Edward Bass is available at www.edwardbassfilms.com.