Bang Bang...wins Best 1st Feature Award @ LA Asian Pacific Film Fest!

 

At the dazzling closing night gala for the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival last night it was announced that the flick "BANG BANG" (directed by Byron Q) got the nod for the Best First Feature by the Jury Awards Committee..

Frankly, the news came as no surprise to me!

As soon as the flick splashed across the screen earlier in the week at the trendy CGV Theatre complex in Hollywood, it was evident to me from the get-go that Byron Q possessed a rare gift - and a lot of raw talent - sure to catapult him into dizzying heights in the film business in the not-too-distant future.

If he keeps his nose to the creative grindstone, that is!

Although the low-budget project (which focuses a searing lens on an Asian street gang) was a bit ragged around the edges now-and-then - there were moments of brilliance which ultimately saved the film from disintegrating into mediocre bill-of-fare right before the filmgoers' eyes.

Needless to say, Mr. Q won this tough movie critique over, in a heartbeat.

For starters, there was an effective use of the RED camera, which set a dynamic overall tone which lent itself well to the gritty plot unfolding on the silver screen.

The unique way the 1st-time-out director weaved classical music into the sound track also bowled me over.

Sheer genius!

The haunting strains of strings strategically weaved in at an emotional arc in the storyline - at one point - resonated so sweetly that it caused a few members of the audience to weep.

Ah, powerful filmmaking that touches, resonates - and ultimately - heals!

"I love all music. That's why I tried to use hip-hop, rock, and classical in the mix," Byron Q responded to my query in the upbeat  Q &A  a few minutes after the curtain fell down.

His locales for the shoot were very natural, too.

"I was also the location manager," he fessed up.

"I scouted down locations (in San Diego) where I could shoot for free," he chuckled.

"One of the houses featured in the film is where I stayed when I was in town working on he project Bang Bang."

Uh-huh!

When a film director has a low-budget, he or she often ends up becoming chief cook-and-bottle-washer in the grand scheme of things.

The acting throughout the street-wise drama was first rate; in fact, a couple of the new faces on screen turned in performances which may launch their film careers, I expect.

Although the subject matter has been mined in the past by more-experienced directors - here - the director manages to rise above the obvious pitfalls and potential cliches to make his own distinctive cinematic mark.

I was particularly taken with the dialogue which was well-written and believable. 

Not stilted or phony, in the least bit!

When one audience member asked Byron Q how he accomplished that, he joked that the production team enlisted the aid of a sort-of "gang-speak" expert to ensure authenticity.

A bit of levity always goes a long way.

And, I expect that Byron Q will too.

Kudos!

Two PR folks on staff at the Asian Pacific Film Festival (Eseel Borasa and Abraham Ferrer) would be wise to take a cue from Byron Q when it comes to manners and effectively reaching out to filmgoers.

Their standoffish (aloof) manner tends to turn-off white folks - who can't help but feel that they are crashing the Asian Community's private party each year - whenever they attend the annual Festival in Los Angeles each year in Los Angeles.

Lighten up, eh?

Sorry, just an observation which may be worth looking into, David Magdeal (co-director).

http:www.thetattler.biz

THOR...studly Chris Hemsworth stars! Jay Leno audience squeals with delight!

 
Tomorrow, when THOR is released across the country, I expect that Chris Hemsworth's star will soar into the stratosphere!





And - If the reaction the actor received Jay Leno 's audience last night is any indication, the studly actor is bound to become the hunk flavor of the month, too!

When Jay dragged out an old clip of the star performing on Australia's version of the entertainment show - Dancing with the Stars - female fans erupted into wild impromptu squeals of delight.

Uh-huh!

When the Aussie shook his tight little butt for the camera - in revealing skin tight slacks (you could have seen a pimple on his ass as plain as day) - it was evident that he was going to give Ricky Martin (appearing in Concert on May 7th) a run for his money!

Personally, I loved his classy distinctive accent when he chatted up Jay on the hot seat.

But, can he act?

When you look that good, who cares!

Needless to say, it is worth noting that Mr. Hemsworth is trained actor, who does not necessarily rely on his looks to propel his career forward in fickle Hollywood.

In fact, his resume boasts that he actually studied the performoing Arts at the  "American Dialect at Screenwise Film & TV School for Actors" in Sydney Australia.

Currently, he is lensing "The Avengers".

Past credits are nothing to sniff at and include Star Trek and the Perfect Getaway.

Thor should be his break into more commercial spot-light-grabbing starring featured roles if he plays his cards right!

In a nutshell, Thor is an action adventure flick about a powerful arrogant warrior, who is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth (God forbid!) where he soon becomes one of their fiercest defenders.

Hooked already, how 'bout you?

Chances are the the big-budget fantasy venture will be fairly entertaining with a loft of delicious visuals since Director Kenneth Branagh was at the helm of this much-anticipated project.

The project is also boosted up by that fact is was written by Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz.

Of course, if you've been tuning in to the late-night talk0-show circuit, you're keenly aware of the fact the film also stars Academy-Award-Winning actors Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman (fresh off of the Oscar-winning project Black Swan).

Undoubtedly, once the flick splashes across the wide-screen at Theatres tomorrow, ticket-holders and film buffs alike will be swept up and enthralled as the action unfolds from the get-go.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

DOC U...Haskell Wexler & James Longley appear @ IDA Panel Discussion! Hollywood!

Doc U focuses on filmmakers!

In the wake of innovative new technological advances (where cameras are cooler, niftier, and more flexible in nature) - and in view of a proliferation of in-your-face reality-based shows on TV  touting gladiator-style entertainment programming - the role of the documentary filmmaker is being held up to closer scrutiny.

With that scenario unfolding in mind, three high-profile filmmakers were invited to attend a panel discussion last night at DOC U (under the auspices of the International Documentary Association) in Hollywood at the Silent Film Theatre on Fairfax Avenue to discuss the boundaries of the medium - if any - that exist today in an atmosphere where there appears to an "anything goes" or "take no prisoners" mentality.

The three panelists - at the top of their game right now (and as different as night and day in their approach to their scintillating projects) - openly discussed their roles with the aim of shedding some light on the kind of dilemmas that filmmakers face today.

Richard Pearce moderated the event as part of a DOC U series sponsored by ida (International Documentary Association).

In the old-world charm of the Silent Film Theatre (where publicity stills of Hollywood legends graced the dusty walls), Joan Churchill ("Dixie Chicks: Shut up and Sing"; "Role of a Serial Killer", "American Family"); Haskell Wexler ("Medium Cool", "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf") and James Longley ("Irag in Fragments") succeeded in rustling up a riveting cinematic event that ended up being upbeat, thought-provoking and inspiring to the packed house comprised mostly of aspiring young filmmakers interested in pursuing a mainstream career in documentary filmmaking.

When asked what were some of the ethical problems that documentary filmmakers faced today on the fast-shifting film terrain that has literally transformed the industry, the discussion became a lively informative debate.

For example, Ms. Churchill underscored that it was important to be "inside the circle" - and not outside of it - for a project to succeed.

After all, cementing a trust between filmmaker and subject is of paramount importance in the overall scheme of things.

The low-key down-to-earth filmmaker gave an example.

One day, an unexpected tragedy caused Churchill to shoot a handful of intimate personal scenes - that were highly sensitive, in nature - in respect to a subject featured in her documentary.

Instead of swooping down like a vulture - in pursuit of her prey - Churchill was prompted to act ethically instead.

Once the shy soft-spoken director captured the unexpected turn-of-events on film, she turned the footage over to her subject, and left the matter in her hands.

Whether the footage would be included in the documentary would rest on a decision made by the young lady involved - not the director - Joan Churchill.

In this way, the filmmaker managed to establish a rapport with the individual after-the-fact - and ultimately - gained the woman's trust and respect.

In the end scenario, Churchill was given permission to use the thought-provoking material, which was not surprising in view of the way the filmmaker handled the issue.

In one hilarious moment, out-of-the-blue, Mr. Haskell took the mic and shouted out.

"What am I doing here?  What am I doing here?"

At first, audience members thought the legendary filmmaker was having a senior moment.

However, when Haskell continued, his message - which came across a little off-the-wall a few seconds earlier - ending up ringing crystal clear.

"As a filmmaker, I have to ask. What am I doing here?  What am I trying to accomplish?"

Then, there was the issue of putting creativity - and the artist's vision - on the line.

What sacrifices must be made, if any?

When John Longley's clip - "Iraq in Fragments" - was previewed last night, it was evident that he took risks - personally and professionally - in a nervy bold-faced effort to land his precious footage in the can.

Because of his sensitivity to the subjects - and his keen ability to instinctively tip-toe thorugh a potentially-volatile situation unscathed - he was able to pull a remarkabe coup off.

Film buffs in the audience - myself included - were astounded when the breathtaking stunning images he conjured up on film splashed across the screen with great cinematic style.

Unlike Joan Churchill (who said she didn't care what the film looked like because she was just concerned with the content) Longley's film turned out a remarkable work of art.

Which underscores the obvious.

Documentaries don't have to be boring accounts of mundane subjects thrown together with the express purpose of teaching and/or enlightening the masses.

Indeed, judging from the response of the audience at last night's panel discussion, it is evident that documentary filmmakers are not only breaking exciting new ground in the realm of documentary film, but garnering ia helluva-a-lot of interest to boot!
From the bottom up.

"You don't need a lot of money to make a film if you make it yourself. You just have to pay for your equipment," underscored Joan.

And, it didn't escape my attention, that there were quite a few advantages to working para-military-style with quality hand-held cameras in tow.

After all, the easy-to-use lensers are capable of zooming in, out, and documenting far - out-of-the-way - intimate places that 35 mm cameras can't begin to.

Even the lights can drag a cameraman down and hinder the shooting process as well.

Moderator Richard Pearce ("Hearts and Minds", "Food, Inc.") was a charming inquisitive host who carried off the challenge of fielding questions admirably.

Pearce began his professional career in the late 1960’s as a documentary cameraman.

His early credits as a cinematographer include four Oscar-winning films: Woodstock, Marjoe, Interviews with My Lai Veterans and Hearts and Minds.

Pearce made his feature directorial debut with the period drama "Heartland" which won the Golden Bear at the 1980 Berlin Film Festival and opened the New York Film Festival’s first “Showcase of American Independents.”

Haskell Wexler took home statuettes for his work on Mike Nichols' "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and Hal Ashby's "Bound for Glory".

Wexler has worked with Norman Jewison, George Lucas, Michael Moore, and John Sayles.

He directed two features, Medium Cool and Latino.

I caught a screening of Medium Cool earlier this year in San Francisco which was screened in tandem with a major exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Post: 03/03/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2011/03/san-francisco-museum-of-modern.html

Both films broke the mold of conventional story telling by using the immediacy of documentary-style filmmaking.

Wexler was  the first Cinematographer to every land a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Joan Churchill began her career doing camera work on a series of music films such as "Gimme Shelter" (Rolling Stones), No Nukes (directed by Haskell Wexler), and Barbara Kopple and Hail, Hail Rock and Roll, (directed by Taylor Hackford).

Churchill is probably best-known for her work on the cult series "An American Family "(which broadcast originally on PBS).

Early on in his film career, James Longley was honored for his work by prestigious organizations.

"Portrait of Boy with Dog" was awarded a Student Academy Award® in 1994 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

He made his first feature documentary "Gaza Strip" in the early months of the second Palestinian uprising.

In 2002, Longley began pre-production work on his second documentary feature "Iraq in Fragments".

The film was awarded jury prizes for Best Documentary Directing, Best Documentary Editing, and Best Documentary Cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival.

"Iraq in Fragments" went on to win the top documentary film awards at major national and international festivals, garnered an Emmy Award nomination for Best Documentary Cinematography, and an Academy Award® nomination for Best Feature Documentary.

After the panel wrapped - film buffs, the press, and invited guests - strolled back to the patio (under a romantic star-lit sky) to sip on wine, snack on delicious crackers and cheese, and chat each other up.

At this point, a couple of revelations overcame me, which are worthy of sharing.

For starters, steer clear of the talent's "handlers" wjhen mixing and minglimg - and, if possible - alight next to the guest star instead.

For example, when I approached Mr. Wexler and asked if he had any thoughts on Elizabeth Taylor (who he worked with on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" many moons ago) a woman - who stuck like glue to the Director's side all night - pooh-poohed my query.

"That's not an appropriate question here," she snipped at me with a mean edge in her voice.

But, Mr. Wexler turned to me, and was inclined to follow up.

"What did he say," Wexler quizzed his escort pointedly, as he turned up the volume on his hearing aid.

At this juncture, the rude woman relented, and repeated my question to the honored guest.

Surprise!

The talented filmmaker was only too happy to respond.

"The one thing I will say about Elizabeth is this. When I won my Oscar that night, I accepted it in the name of Art and Peace. Later, Elizabeth came over to me, and thanked me for saying that."

Meanwhile, Joan Churchill - who was apparently choking over a whiff of garlic (?) - didn't have much of a personality to warm up to. She practically faded into the wall, that's how much charisma she exhibited backstage.

When I asked what project was on the horizon next, she stared at me blankly.

To lighten up an awkward situation, I persisted.

"Any scoops for me?"

"No scoops for you," she replied, with all the charm of a worm.

Eugh!

On that note, I waved my good-byes, and headed out.

For the most part,  the Doc U event was a dynamic entertaining one.

See 'ya there next month, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz



KIDS FIRST...film critic boot camp! Calling all E! Reporters!

Oh, I can feel the competition breathing down my neck already!

Nonetheless, I'm all for plugging the KIDS FIRST "Film Critics" boot camp which revs up in the next few weeks.

Do you think that your kid has what it takes to become a movie reviewer?

Or, at least a cub reporter along the lines of Lois Lane or Jimmy Olsen at the Daily Planet?

If your tween-aged child has a hankering to be the next Roger Ebert, there’s a camp where they can train to build a foundation of knowledge and skills to one day attain that goal.

KIDS FIRST is offering up its 2nd Film Critics Boot Camp this summer in four cities across the country - Los Angeles, Albuquerque, Annapolis and Santa Fe (June & July).

For those who are not familiar with KIDS FIRST, the organization has a web site for kids where they can log in and participate in every aspect of the film industry.

Smart intelligent children - keen on filmmaking - even vote on movies each year and give them a popcorn rating!

Creating the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Boot Camp was a natural next step for the 20-year-old organization, according to the organizers of the annual event.

In essence, the budding young stars are taught how to judge and critique media - and likewise - how to perform on-camera.

Kids ages 8 to 13 will get a chance to watch the latest films, meet film critics, and learn interview techniques.

In sum, the boot camp affords up-and-coming raw filmmaking talents (and critics) how to develop their creative skills.

And, they will do just that, under the tutelage of professionals in the field.

The goal is to help tweens build self confidence while they develop skills that will stay with them a lifetime.

A successful well-known 1st assistant director - Janet Davidson - is one of the teachers that will be at the helm at boot camp this summer.

DATES AND LOCATIONS

Warehouse 21,
1614 Paseo de Peralt
Sante Fe NM

June 13th – 17th

Quote…Unquote
519 Central N.W.
Albuquerque NM

June 20th – 24th

The Georgian Hotel
1415 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA

July 11th – July 15th

Filmsters
107 Annapolis St., Ste J,
Annapolis, MD

July 18th – July 22nd

Tuition $549
Early Registration $479
Materials, snacks, and lunches inclusive

Ages 8 - 13
Enrollment limited
Maximum 25 children per class
(some partial scholarships available)

Contact:

http://www.kidsfirst.org/

http://www.thetattler.com



Tribeca Film Festival...Brian Williams to interview Robert De Niro! Elton John documentary to screen! April 20th - May 1st in NYC!

To celebrate ten years of screening cutting-edge films, officials at the Tribeca Film Festival have announced they are introducing a thrilling thought-provoking "Talk" series to feature high-profile personalities in the industry.

Brian Williams, Alec Baldwin and Martin Scorsese are slated to conduct one-on-one interviews with the likes of - Robert DeNiro, Doug Liman and Souleymann Cissee respectively - at the much-anticipated Director series to be held in New York City.

The upcoming annual fest - which normally boasts packed houses - runs April 20th through May 1st in lower Manhattan.

In recent days, the organizers have also leaked out details about a handful of dazzling special events, causing a big buzz in show-biz circles.

For instance, Cameron Crowe's documentary on singer - Elton John - premieres at a free outdoor screening on April 20th at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza.

Attendees will need TFF wristbands to be seated at the event which will be distributed to the public on a first-come first-served basis at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on April 20 at 4 pm..

"The Union" is a behind-the-scenes snapshot of the "out" Diva - who recently recorded his latest album - as a collaborative musical effort alongside legendary rock 'n roller (and good friend) multi-talented Leon Russell.

Producers are hailing the flick as an extraordinary journey of the heart which captures a "candid portrait" of one of the world's most-treasured enduring artists.

“Cameron Crowe gives audiences unprecedented access to Elton John and Leon Russell’s artistic process in an emotional and realistic way," one festival biggie enthused at a recent press junket.

Award-winning T-Bone Burnett took on the role of studio producer and nurtured the eclectic recording project to completion in recent days.

Lyricist Bernie Taupin, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, legendary R & B organist Booker T. Jones, and steel guitarist Robert Randolph (in addition to a 10-piece gospel choir) are also showcased on the much-touted album.

At press time, it was announced that Elton will take the stage after the screening of the insightful documentary and perform a tune or two with celebrated friends in tow.

"It’s a special opportunity to open our 10th Festival in a distinct and unique way. Not only are we inviting the community to join us for the world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s film - "The Union" - but to have Elton, whose music transcends generations, perform after is an extraordinary gift to our Festival and more specifically the downtown community,” gushed Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Crowe sang Elton John's praises, too.

"As a longtime fan of both artists, it was a pleasure to spend a year filming their collaboration,” said Cameron Crowe.

“We can't wait to show it to one of the greatest audiences in the world at the Tribeca Film Festival," Cameron crowed to all within earshot.

In addition, the "Tribeca Talks" showcase five new documentary titles, which feature lively discussion panels with a spotlight on the likes of actor/director Sean Penn and top vocalist Harry Belafonte, for example.

Five of the documentary titles are - "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks", "Love Hate Love", "Off the Rez", "Grandma, A Thousand Times", and "Sing Your Song "- all of which receive exclusive screenings as part of the Tribeca Talks "After the Movie” series.

Another one-of-a-kind world premiere event will be the screening (and in-depth examination) of the feature L.A. Noire  - which is a new interactive crime thriller being released in the spring by Rockstar Games.

A Q & A will follow a "L.A. Noire" live demonstration of the detective game (where players solve complex, historically-inspired crimes in a beautifully recreated and fully interactive rendition of 1947 Los Angeles).

Tribeca’s special events are rounded out by a handful of Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival screenings which include Alex Gibney’s "Catching Hell" (about notorious Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman), free “Tribeca Talks: Industry” panels (designed for industry professionals to explore the ways they can use new digital platforms to advance their film projects) and “Tribeca Talks: Pen to Paper” (which are insightful panels hosted by Barnes & Noble that focus on the artistic process of screenwriting.

“We wanted to celebrate our Tenth Festival by inviting some of the finest filmmakers, media artists and actors of our time to share their insights and experiences through the Tribeca Talks series," underscored Nancy Schafer, the Executive Director of TFF.

“We have over the years established a tradition of conversations that both engage audiences in the details and revelations of contemporary film making as well as offer a perspective as to the direction and the future of storytelling and the industry. This is so much a part of what festivals can do to enrich the viewing experience for their audiences and we are proud to present this special series."

There will be quite a few world premieres to keep film buffs clucking around the circuit, too.

The world premiere of "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks" is a documentary which demonstrates how a successful businesswoman and mother’s life changed when - after being diagnosed with breast cancer - she set out to make life easier for less fortunate cancer patients.

The stirring film is followed by a conversation with Dee Dee Ricks, producer Lisa Cohen, Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention founder Harold P. Freeman MD, and public health advocates.

The event is to be moderated by director Perri Peltz.

"The Beautiful Mind" screening examines the life of Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. and will be followed by a panel discussion puts the glare of the spotlight on director Ron Howard, producer Brian Grazer, screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, the film’s math consultant, Dave Bayer, author Sylvia Nasar (whose book inspired the film) and theoretical physicist and mathematician Brian Greene.

The event is slated to be moderated by NPR’s Ira Flatow.

The North American documentary premiere of - "Grandma, A Thousand Times" - examines a family matriarch as she struggles to cope with the silence of her once-buzzing house and imagines what waits her beyond death.

Hosted by the Doha Tribeca Film Festival, it should be noted for the record, that the film won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Film (2010).

The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Mahmoud Kaabour on the experience of making films in the Middle East.

The world premiere of - "Love Hate Love" - is all about the difficult journeys of three families torn apart by three separate acts of terrorism - the attacks on the World Trade Center, the London bus bombing, and the Sari Club bombing in Bali - and is followed by a conversation with executive producer Sean Penn, directors Dana Nachman and Don Hardy (as well family members featured in the film which includes Liz Alderman, Steve Alderman, Esther Hyman, and Ben Tullipan).

The New York premiere of - "The Loving Story" - recounts the unknown love story of Mildred and Richard Loving (the couple behind the 1967 Supreme Court ruling overturning anti-miscegenation laws in the United States).

The stirring legal foray is followed by the appearances of director Nancy Buirski, attorney Phil Hirschkop (who represented the Lovings), Anthony Romero, and the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (who discuss the landmark case and current issues surrounding race and marriage equality).

"Off the Rez" - a world premiere event - tracks Shoni Schimmel (a Umatilla Indian and one of the best high school basketball players in the country) whose hoop dreams of being the first from her tribe to get a college scholarship are threatened after her family leaves the Umatillia Indian Reservation.

The screening is followed by a Q & A with executive producers Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, director Jonathan Hock, Discovery and TLC Networks president Eileen O’Neill.

The special event is moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist - and author of Friday Night Lights - Buzz Bissinger.

The world premiere of - "Revenge of the Electric Car" - is an up-close peak behind the closed doors of - Nissan, General Motors and Tesla Motors - at a time when the major auto makers race to develop the world’s first and most economically accessible electric car.

The screeners are promoting a panel discussion to be headed up by guest speakers director Chris Paine (President and Chief Executive Officer) Nissan Motor Co. Carlos Ghosn, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Neil.

The much-anticipated event is moderated by actor, writer, and director David Duchovny.

"Sing Your Song" - a New York premiere offering - is a stirring documentary that examines legendary entertainer Harry Belafonte’s continued humanitarian contributions to the arts, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the fight against Apartheid, combating starvation in Ethiopia, and so much more.

Harry Belafonte is scheduled to appear for a Q & A with the filmgoers who attend.

Moderated by Tavis Smiley.

To fill out the program, there will also be scintillating screenings of 11 short films which explore the contributions of women filmmakers in the canon of the American experimental avant-garde.

This program also celebrates 15 years of direct financial support for preservation of historically under-recognized films by women through the Women’s Film Preservation Fund of New York Women in Film & Television.

A discussion follows with an eclectic group of women filmmakers who helped shape avant-garde cinema.

"Digital by Design", meanwhile, focuses on a conversation with producers, filmmakers, SAP and industry executives about the emergence of online digital platforms and applications that provoke filmmakers to confront technology head-on including funding models, intellectual property management and distribution channels.

Sponsored by SAP.

Panelists that night include Richard Whittington, Senior Vice President of media and entertainment at SAP, and writer/director Edward Burns.

"Shooting Film on a Budget" is an interesting presentation on the subject of filmmaking which is understandably sponsored by Kodak.

One of the most important aspects of realizing your independent feature is determining the right look.

How will you capture your images and bring the script to the screen in a meaningful, visual way?

Filmmakers and cinematographers must consider many variables such as mood of the story, production restrictions, post work flow, etc.

Too often these important decisions are determined by the bottom line.

However, many filmmakers are able to get the most out of their budgets while still shooting film.

Kodak invites budding filmmakers to attend this event which features celebrity guests - Michael Cuesta (writer/director of Roadie) and producer Karen Chieto - to learn how they created beautiful and cost-effective cinematic narratives on film.

Also -the "Business of Entertainment" - is expected to draw large crowds.

The program will explore the trends that affect the economics of the film business and the broader entertainment industry.

This year's panel have invited leading CEOs, producers, financiers, media - and other industry leaders - who will focus on how to finance films in the 21st century.

"Are Documentary Films Changing the World?" focuses on - filmmakers, distributors and community groups - and the new trends in documentary filmmaking (such as collaborations between filmmakers and NGOs to increase distribution and influence public perception and policy).

Panelists include filmmaker Abigail Disney - and the Co-Founder of Impact Partners - Dan Cogan.

For the Internet crowd - "Amplify the Message: Social Media" - may be of particular interest.

The panel discussion focuses on how film producers and directors engage new interactive audiences through such networks as Twitter, Facebook, Tumbles, GetGlue and Foursquare (and how much of an impact social networking has on a movie’s success or failure on multiple platforms).

Moderated by Marc Schiller (the CEO and Founder of Electric Artists).

Panelists include Rider Strong, director/screenwriter of The Dungeon Master, Howard Tullman, President & CEO of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, and others.

The conversation will be streamed live on the Tribeca Online Film Festival website.

http://www.tribecaonline.com

Finally - "Meet the Documentary Broadcasters" - is expected to be a spirited conversation with industry broadcasters about the type of nonfiction films they’re drawn to and their thoughts on where this genre is headed.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Nicole Kidman...San Francisco film shoot seeks Spanish-looking extras! March casting!



Producers for Nicole Kidman's new flick - to be shot in the San Francisco Bay area - are seeking Spanish-looking extras.

Beau Bonneau casting is seeking males 18 to 40 - with fair to medium complexions, dark hair and eyes, and lean physiques - to play soliders in the background.

The shoot dates are slated for March 11th, 14th, and the 15th.

Interested actors should contact the casting office.

INFO

Web Inquiries
www.beaubonneaucasting.com

Telephone
415.346.2278

Good luck, eh?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Flick to be shot in Bay area!