FILM CO-OP MEMBERS IN ACTION
NBFC E-news - Thur, March 20, 2008
Spotlight!
Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you
- Thank you to Saint John Film Co-op member Gretchen Kelbaugh for donating her instructor workshop fee back to the Film Co-op.
- Thank you to Fredericton Film Co-op member Jeff Crawford for volunteering and doing stills photography for the Film Co-op.
- Thank you to Fredericton Film Co-op member Brian Atkinson for donating the books: Weird Sex and Snowshoes and other Canadian Film Phenomena and World Music: The Rough Guide to the Film Co-op film library.
- Thank you to all the members province wide who go out of their way to support the Film Co-op in different ways throughout the year: donations, volunteering on shoots including Diplomatic Relations, creating music for films and videos, teaching workshops at no charge, picture editing and sound editing projects, helping us to build up the film and video communities in NB etc....
- Thank you to Fredericton Film Co-op member Andrew Long for recently helping Cat take lettering off the DR restaurant outside windows for 3 hours.
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RENEWED FREDERICTON MEMBER GLEN D. ROSS
Glen Ross's career as a professional photographer spans over 30 years. His earlier work was predominantly in the field of commercial and industrial photography, where he gained extensive experience in photography for corporate reports, magazines and publications, as well as architectural, interior, marketing, product photography and portraiture.
In 1993 Mr. Ross decided to pursue a career in film set photography. He joined the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative where he provided his services as a set photographer for several of their productions. In 1997 he studied set photography with Kerry Hayes at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Rockport Maine. Glen's photography is now following the road of a more aesthetic fine art photos where is exploring more the abstract form of colour and shapes for his compositions.
Email Glen at: manly@nb.sympatico.ca
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RENEWED PETITCODIAC MEMBER LITA LLEWELLYN
Since Silver Wave, I have shot the film version of Memory Keeper's Daughter with Dermot Mulroney, Emily Watson and Gretchen Mol, was featured in New York's film magazine called Big with Sam Rockwell and Kate Beckinsale for Snow Angels that opened in LA last Friday so we should see it here in the next 6-8 weeks in Theatres.
As well, I acted in the Film Co-op's training television series film, Back In your Arms over the last 2 months. I played Audrey, the lead character in a beautifully written, heart rendering story of lost love and what could have been.
'Snow Angels' is a movie based on a book by Stewart O'Nan. It is directed by David Gordon Green, and stars Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale, Nicky Katt and Michael Angarano. Rockwell and Beckinsale portray a recently divorced couple with a daughter, who were high school sweethearts. Angarano plays a teenager, who used to be baby-sat by Annie (Beckinsale). The movie follows the lives of several people, including Annie and Glenn (Rockwell), Arthur (Angrano) and his parents, and others as some relationships are built and others are destroyed.
When I was cast as Tricia Farr, I was ecstatic...she is a great character and I knew I'd get to work with these amazing people, plus be Nicky Katt's girlfriend! The whole process was amazing, David was patient with the casting process, you could really tell he was taking his time to get exactly what he wanted. He was a great director that way and a dream to work with. He explained everything he wanted and always loved talking about the character of Tricia and where she was coming from as well as going. He is extremely passionate and loves every minute of what he is doing...his enthusiasm is contagious and a dream for an actor! Who doesn't love exploring like this and really getting into the inside of someone you are portraying??
Shooting was great, my scenes were all shot in Halifax. David is big on working together and hanging out before shooting. I'll never forget the night Nicky Katt called me at my place on Spring Garden Rd. in the middle of a wild snowstorm. We planned to meet at a local quiet pub which was just across where I lived, which was across the Public Gardens. I could barely see where I was going and the whole time I am thinking to myself, "what are you doing Lita? Oh, just walking over to have a beer with Nicky Katt." He was great, and we had a lot of laughs...we have a bedroom scene so he was really supportive and sweet and funny. He and David really like their fart jokes, which can break some tension if a girl's gotta get her groove on!
As well, Kate was sweet, Michael was a doll and everyone super to work with! I loved every moment of it and have not had the pleasure of seeing it yet. Warner Brothers premiered it at Sundance to fantastic reviews...so I hope everyone enjoys!!!
Email Lita at: litallewellyn@yahoo.ca
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RENEWED OROMOCTO MEMBER MILAN CHOTAI
For those who don't know me: Hi! My name is Milan and I'm a filmmaker from Oromocto. Currently, I'm in Edmonton finishing up a Producer mentorship under Josh Miller of Panacea Entertainment. I'm also in the process of developing a few projects of my own that I have pitched to CTV, Global, and another that I am finishing through the NFB.
Since deciding to pursue a passion for filmmaking in 2005, I've done
anything I could to get to this position in my career. I shoveled dirt
during a hot July for CBC's "Great War", played an informant in Doug Sutherland's "The Backup Man", traveled to Thailand to shoot a small self-funded charitable documentary, worked as an uncredited assistant producer on the Tom Green/Crispin Glover feature film "Freezer Burn", made contacts however I could by attending everything from simple socials to national conferences; but, it all started - and always comes back to - my affiliation with the New Brunswick Film Co-op.
Cat and Tony have supported everything I've ever done - no joke. The short I made with Joel and Jon B. and Jesse was using the Co-op's equipment. The grants I've won were with their letters of reference. The first industry contacts I made were theirs. Much of my training has come from the workshops they [along with Tony and John] have helped organize. Cat helped me get a job as a set P/A. The friends in film I have in Fredericton like Jon C. Josh and Gia I met through being a member of the Film Co-op. That's
why - whatever my financial or logistical position - I always renew.
To me, the Film Co-op is valuable because it is one of the only organizations I've encountered in my short career whose aim is to keep filmmaking fun. This realization makes me smile because it's a point lost on some of the people I've worked with who get paid a lot of money to do it - actors included. Usually it's because they ignored the chance - or had no chance - to be a member of a community like the one we are a part of.
Being involved in Co-op projects is exciting and re-energizing. My regret each of the last couple years when I renew is that I am often not close enough to Fredericton when volunteers are needed for new projects. That's why I am hoping to move back East when summer comes; so, if anyone needs a loud-mouthed A/D, stronger then he looks P/A, clever camera assistant or even advice from an aspiring producer, they can drop me a line.
Cheers,
Email Milan at: milan.chotai@gmail.com
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NEW MEMBER ALEX DONNELLY
I have recently become a member of the Film Co-op through my high school studies, I chose the Film Co-op for my grade 12 Co-op class. I worked on the Diplomatic Relations training project as a PA to get my feet wet, and I'm always making indie films of my own. I just finished a PSA for an NB Liquor contest to promote safe driving for graduation, it was a three minute short film on the effects of drinking and driving. I also recently came back from Quebec City where I went with a group of friends for March Break, I put together a little film from that as well.
I hope to pursue my film career starting in September and eventually do some documentary work in Africa. I would like to thank Tony M, Cat, and Mike for all they have done for me.
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Training & Development
Check out the new Intro/Intermediate Workshop Schedule for 2008 on the Film Co-op website by going to our activities link at: http://www.nbfilmcoop.com/activ.htm (remember to refresh the page)
Email Cat at: info@nbfilmcoop.com to pay and register for workshops!
DIGITAL FILMMAKING - CAMERA
Intro - Theory & Hands-on
March 29, Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
Instructor: Blake Stilwell
Location: New Brunswick Film Co-op
(732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton)
Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members
(Required Workshop for members who want to direct/produce their own digital projects through NB Film Co-op)
Number Limit: 8
A hands-on camera course for anyone interested in working with the Co-op digital video cameras or any camera.
INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
Since graduating from Television and Video Production at NBCC and completing the Film Certificate Program at UNB, Blake has been an active member of the independent film community, serving as D.O.P., editor, grip and various additional roles on productions throughout New Brunswick. He has also kept busy in his professional career working as an editor, animator, camera operator and narrator for network television series Planet Luxury (CTV) and Wrestling Reality (The Fight Network).
Most recently he has been working for CBC as an ENG cameraman/editor and radio master control tech. Blake also works as a freelance videographer and offers post production services through his own company.
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DIGITAL FILMMAKING - LIGHTING
Intro - Theory & Hands-on
March 30, Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm
Instructor: Rodrigo Gutierrez
Location: New Brunswick Film Co-op
(732 Charlotte Street, Fredericton)
Charlotte Street Arts Centre
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members
(Required Workshop for members who want to direct/produce their own film or video projects through NB Film Co-op)
Number Limit: 8
A hands-on digital lighting course for anyone interested in working with digital video.
INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
After moving to Canada from Argentina, Rodrigo Gutierrez lived for 7 years in Montreal, where he studied Television at UQAM and was an active member of the video production Co-op Videographe. He has also been assisting members out at the NBFC in his role as digital camera/lighting/editing guru in addition to being on the Co-op Equipment Committee.
Rodrigo does freelance camera and editing work for production companies in the province and is presently working on a feature documentary with his wife Karen and Dream Street Pictures Inc.
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DIRECTING - The Director's Perspective
Intro - Theory
NEW DATE: APRIL 26, Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm
Instructors: Dan Thebeau & Ralph Pritchard
Location:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Head Office
Blue Cross Complex
3rd Floor of the 3 story complex
644 Main Street
Moncton, NB
All attendees must sign in at the security desk in the atrium.
Moncton, NB
Fee: $20 for Film Co-op Members
$30 for Non-Members
(Required Workshop for members who want to direct/produce their own projects through NB Film Co-op)
Number Limit: 10
This broad-scoped workshop is ideal for emerging filmmakers!
The workshop will cover basic script-writing, budget preparation, pre-production, production and post, with particular attention to directing and producing. What are potential production issues in a script? What should you ask during casting sessions? Should you rehearse? What happens when things go wrong (and they will go wrong)? This workshop is especially useful for those who are interested in writing, producing and directing their own material.
INSTRUCTOR'S BIOGRAPHY
Ralph Pritchard has written and produced several screenplays and has created, edited and produced several industrial videos (such as training and promotional) over the past several years.
His first public presentation was a co-produced documentary entitled "The Chase" which appeared at the 2006 New Brunswick Silverwave Film Festival. His first short film was entitled "Changed Fortunes" and he is currently in production using a double award winning script that he wrote in 2006 entitled "Narrow Escape".
He has acted in several productions including Black-Eyed Dog, is a SIFT alumni and is currently enrolled in the NB Film Co-op's Certificate in Film and Television Programme.
Danny Thebeau lives and works in Dieppe New Brunswick. His early interest in video and film began by producing little league sports videos, promotional videos, and a music video. He appeared as an extra on The Trailer Park Boys, as well as the feature Film Black Eyed Dog. A member of the NBFC since 2005 and an alumni of the Summer Institute for Film and Television and the Film Co-op's Film and Television Certificate Programme, Danny had his directorial debut at Silver Wave 2008 with his short comedy A Day's Grace.
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Festivals
Another new Canadian film festival – it has a component for online short films http://www.canfilmfest.ca/webs/about.htm
Also a fun challenge - http://www.mapleflavourfilms.com/filmchallenge.html
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2008 SILVER WAVE FILM FESTIVAL
November 13-16, Fredericton, New Brunswick
Call for Submissions!
The 8th annual Silver Wave Film Festival (SWFF)
is now accepting submissions. This year's festival takes place from November 13th to November 16th, 2008.
SWFF is the annual film and video festival presented by the New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative. It has both curated and competitive streams, as well as a solid line-up of social activities and workshops that get the town buzzing.
This year, we are celebrating our 8th year with some new programming approaches and again we’ve waived the submission fee for filmmakers submitting so, it promises to be a good year. Save the dates and plan to attend!
Film and video projects that are accepted for screening into the SWFF and created by New Brunswick Filmmakers residing in the province and those filmmakers from away will be considered for the Silver Wave Awards.
The deadline for submissions is August 3rd, 2008, 5pm Atlantic Standard Time.
Incomplete applications and applications received after this deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.
The following items must accompany the application:
· Completed Application form, on CD in an MS Word or .rtf type document;
· List of credits;
· 3 DVD pre-screening copies of the finished project for jury consideration for awards; (NOTE: only Mini DV, Beta SP and 35 mm will be screened at the Festival. DVDS will not be accepted)
· Productions stills, in jpeg format at 300dpi resolution, on CD to be used in festival promotional materials;
· Press Kit (if available of past festival/special screenings of film/video);
· Director's Bio and headshot;
· Poster representing the film or documentary (if available);
NOTE: Submissions materials will not be returned to you by the SWFF. Please email:
info@nbfilmcoop.com
if you have any questions. You will be advised whether or not your submission has been accepted for screening in advance of the festival.
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Arts in NB
FREDERICTON - MONDAY NIGHT FILM SERIES
Mar 24, 2008, 8pm, Tilley Hall, UNB Campus
ATONEMENT
Director: Joe Wright
Cast: James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Romola Garai, Saoirse Ronan,
Vanessa Redgrave
Run Time: 123 minutes
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Ian McEwan‘s bestselling and critically praised novel ATONEMENT has been brought to the screen by the duo of director Joe Wright (whose debut film PRIDE AND PREJUDICE was a Gala presentation at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival®) and playwright Christopher Hampton (best known for LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES). Fully mining the emotional terrain of the novel, the film, which was a Special Presentation at the 2007 Festival, also effectively visualizes both pre-and post-war British society, as well as the harrowing events of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation. Hampton has also managed to find a structure in which to contain McEwan‘s extraordinary story of a young girl‘s indiscretion, which rips apart many lives and ultimately scars her own.
ATONEMENT spans several decades and captures its characters at different points in their lives. It begins in 1935 amid the rural beauty of a Britain unaware of future horrors. Still, uncertainty troubles this idyllic surface. The well-to-do Tallis family awaits the return of their eldest son to their country estate. Especially eager to see him is their youngest daughter, Briony (Saoirse Ronan, DEATH DEFYING ACTS), the precocious thirteen-year-old who centres the film. Meanwhile, Cecilia (Keira Knightley, SILK, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE), Briony‘s elder sister, wrestles with suppressed emotions she feels for Robbie (James McAvoy, BECOMING JANE, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), a man who does not belong to her social class. He is the son of one of the family‘s servants, and Mr. Tallis has paid for his Cambridge education.
When events come to a dramatic head, the fallout profoundly changes the lives of everyone at the family mansion. Briony finds herself in the midst of the drama that unfolds, but her childish involvement has long-term repercussions. While the drama of the war with Germany overshadows the characters‘ more private troubles, Briony, Cecilia and Robbie discover in their different ways that the past can never go away. As Robbie gets caught up in the horrors of the retreat to Dunkirk, the sisters must try to put their lives back together. Wright has done a superb job lifting prose from page to screen. He has also surrounded himself with a cast who relish the emotional complexities of McEwan‘s tale of youthful jealousy.
"Rarely has a book sprung so vividly to life, but also worked so enthrallingly in pure movie terms, as with ATONEMENT." – Derek Elley, Variety
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MONCTON - PRESS CONFERENCE AT CAPITOL THEATRE!
The Capitol School of Performing Arts invites you to a press conference in the Lobby of the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday, March 25 at 11:00 AM. Here, there will be a preview of the school's first full-length presentations of two topical plays Diaries from the Asylum, by Normand Robichaud and Departures and Arrivals, by Carol Shields, to be performed April 18-20 at the Capitol Theatre.
Diaries from the Asylum is the story of Mary Huestis Pengilly's experiences in the Provincial Lunatic Asylum in 1883-84. Taken from a secret diary that she kept while a patient, it was republished by Our Voice / Notre Voix from the provincial archives in 2005. The play contrasts and compares the treatment Mary Pengilly received with that of Marie Hélène Poirier, who was hospitalized 100 years later. Mental health advocacy groups are supporting this effort to bring mental health issues back in the public eye. Normand Robichaud is a local playwright who is passionate about this topic.
The presentation of Departures and Arrivals, by well known Canadian writer Carol Shields, will be the first time that this play is performed bilingually, reflecting the school and this area's unique advantage. Situated in an airport much like the Greater Moncton International Airport, the play contends that everyone in a public space becomes an actor. This play is not only to be performed on the Capitol stage, but scenes will also be portrayed at the Greater Moncton International Airport on April 27 as well.
The Capitol School of Performing Arts is southeastern New Brunswick's only year-round bilingual performing arts school. Taught by theatre professionals, it is part of the outreach programme of the Capitol Theatre and is endorsed by the three municipalities and School Districts 1, 2 and 11. The performance class, a new venture this year, consists of 24 actors of all ages and both languages.
For further information, please contact:
Tim Borlase at 383-6200 /
tim@capitol.nb.ca
Geneviève Maltais at 383- 6711 /
communications@capitol.nb.ca
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FREDERICTON - INVITATION TO ANNOUNCEMENT
On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minster of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Mike Allen, Member of Parliament (Tobique-Mactaquac), will make an announcement on March 25 about the Fredericton Playhouse.
The details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place:
Fredericton Playhouse - East Gallery
686 Queen Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Au nom de l'honorable Josée Verner, ministre du Patrimoine canadien, de la Condition féminine et des Langues officielles, M. Mike Allen, député de Tobique-Mactaquac, fera une annonce, le 25 mars, concernant le Fredericton Playhouse.
Les détails sont les suivants :
Date : le mardi 25 mars
Heure : 9 h 30
Lieu : Fredericton Playhouse - Galerie Est
686, rue Queen
Fredericton (Nouveau-Brunswick)
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SAINT JOHN - SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE FOR THIRD SPACE GALLERY
DEADLINE: MARCH 25, 2008
Saint John, NB : For Fall-Winter programming 2008-09 Third Space Gallery is focusing on artwork and interventions that take art out of the traditional gallery space direct to the public. Commandeering a 5'd x 10'w x10'h window vitrine means that exhibitions will be on view from the street 24/7. [3Space ATM] is looking for artist projects that engage with ideas about the future through performances, installations, artworks or artifacts that:
Can be on view 24/7
Engage directly with passing foot and motorist traffic
Investigate aspects of display, consumerism, tourism, history or performance
Additionally, Third Space will consider hosting performance projects, interventions or other works that take a creative and adaptive approach to the nature and meaning of exhibition and display.
TECHNICAL RESTRICTIONS
[3Space ATM] is a floor-to-ceiling window vitrine, roughly 5'(d) x 10'(h) x 10'(w). The space has a long back wall with a door and short side wall. [3Space ATM] can present single-channel DVDs on a single monitor or with a data projector and screen. Sound equipment consists of a second-hand stereo, plastic speakers and/or headphones that can possibly be mounted outside. Specialized equipment is the responsibility of the artist(s).
SUBMISSIONS CRITERIA: Email submissions only!
Please include:
a brief yet detailed description of project (maximum 700 words) Maximum 10 images (less than 1MG each please)
if including digital video and/or audio files (less than 5MG each) please include also a weblink.
Artist CV (maximum 3 pages)
Please indicate if you can offer an artist-talk, workshop or presentation, and to what age groups (include brief outline of topic or lesson plan if applicable).
Selected artists will be given provisional notification in April 2008 and final notification (pending other funding requests) in August 2008.
Email submissions to : info@thirdspacegallery.ca
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FREDERICTON - NB FILM CO-OP EVENT
Please join Governor-General Award winning filmmaker R. Bruce Elder for the final lecture in the New Brunswick Film Co-op Experimental Film Program Series
"Cosmological Themes and New Media Technologies: The Body and The Celestial Dance." The Work and Processes of Bruce Elder.
Marshall D'avray Hall, UNB Campus
Dugald Blue Auditorium Room 143
Thursday March 27th, 8-10pm
FREE OF CHARGE
Bruce Elder is a filmmaker, critic and teacher of film studies at Ryerson University. Described by New York filmmaker and critic Jonas Mekas as "the most important North American avant-garde filmmaker to emerge during the 1980s," Elder combines images, music and text to create works that reflect his interest in philosophy, technology, science, spirituality and the human body. His first major film cycle (20 films), "The Book of All the Dead", inspired by Dante Alighieri's "Commedia" and Ezra Pound's "Cantos", grew out of his preoccupation with the horrors of modernity, its faith in progress and the loss of a sense of what is good and evil.
His current film cycle, "The Book of Praise", makes extensive use of computer-image generation, highlighting his fascination with mathematics and digital technology. . Retrospectives of Prof. Elder's work have been mounted by The Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto), the Cinematheque Quebecoise (Montreal), Senzatitolo (Trento, Italy) and Anthology Film Archives (New York) and he has exhibitions at New York's Museum of Modern Art, Los Angeles Film Forum, Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, Kino Arsenal in Berlin, and many other centres.
Elder has been a guest lecturer at institutions across North America and around the world and has written books and articles on film, music, poetry and the visual arts. In 2007, Elder was one of the recipients of the Governor-General's award for Visual Arts. Bruce Elder lives in Toronto.
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FREDERICTON - Official CCNB Auction Program Presents:
An Evening with Marshall Button’s “LUCIEN” at dolan's pub And the 2nd Annual Conservation Council of New Brunswick : CANOE AUCTION
Thursday, March 27th, 2008, 7:00pm - 9:30 pm
DOLAN’S Pub, the Tanner, downtown Fredericton
Featuring the musical entertainment of BROLLACHAN
Special appearance the Von Flatt Family Singers
Admission: $10: Tickets available in advance at Dolan's Pub and the Conservation Council at 180 St. John Street or at the door.
Canoes donated by: ARPIN CANOE RESTIGOUCHE
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Biz News
FILM CO-OP MEMBER FILM TO AIR ON SUPER CHANNEL
On March 22nd and 27th, Film Co-op member Doug Sutherland's feature film The Backup Man can be watched on Super Channel (Roger Cable / Pay Per View- Channel 368 - 371. Also available on BELL Express Vue). Please find schedules below.
The Backup Man is a feature comedy that Film Co-op member Ralf Cassidy Bindels composed the soundtrack for. With the great help of fellow musician and friend Rocky Ripley 42 tracks were composed and produced in late 2006 . The Backup Man is a feature comedy and has been a great success so far. It was screened in cinemas across Canada in Fall 2007 and it's French version will hit movie theatres in Quebec within the next few weeks.
I hope you can tune in.
Thank you for watching. As always: feedback is very welcome and much appreciated.
Ralf Cassidy Bindels - Composer
Home / Studio: + 506 534 1807
Cell: + 506 534 3883
www.groovingfarm.com
office@groovingfarm.com
groovingfarm@rogers.com
The Backup Man on Super Channel / see also
http://www.superchannel.ca/movies/view/535/
Showtimes:
March 22 @ 12:00pm on Super Channel 4
March 22 @ 7:15pm on Super Channel 3
March 22 @ 11:15pm on Super Channel 1
March 22 @ 11:15pm on Super Channel HD1
March 27 @ 4:45am on Super Channel 3
March 27 @ 4:45am on Super Channel HD2
March 27 @ 12:15pm on Super Channel 1
March 27 @ 12:15pm on Super Channel HD1
March 27 @ 4:30pm on Super Channel 2
March 27 @ 4:30pm on Super Channel HD2
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SAINT JOHN FILM CO-OP PRODUCER - TRAVEL AND FILM GO TOGETHER
Just wanted to pass this along, I have the honor of being one of the 5 producers chosen for the NSI Export program. Ironically I will be in the arctic for 2 weeks starting on Monday shooting a documentary then going STRAIGHT to Cannes for MIPTV with this program. Imagine what my suitcase will look like!
Greg Hemmings, Hemmings House Pictures, Saint John, NB
Email Greg at: greg@hemmingshousepictures.com
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The rise of the YouTube auteur
BY JAMIE J. WEINMAN
YouTube.com is known as a dumping ground for shaky cell phone videos. But video sharing has also created its own genres. The ultimate YouTube form is the “mashup,” where a user takes an existing film or TV show and re-cuts it to look like a trailer for something else. Though the mashup craze started in 2005 with the video Shining (which turned a horror movie into a romantic comedy), it has grown to point where it has hits and flops, sub-genres, and its own auteurs. With the rise of the fake trailer, YouTube is becoming a training ground for new filmmakers, just like the movies. Except that movies don’t have grainy Flash picture and commenters who can’t spell.
Ari Eisner and Mike Dow, two former film students from New York University, are among the most prominent auteurs on YouTube. Eisner told Maclean’s that the two of them were always fascinated by the clichés of movie trailers: “We made up out own trailers about things around us, just to amuse ourselves.” After Shining came out, Eisner and Dow put that experience to use with a series of elaborately produced trailer parodies.
Their best-known video is 10 Things I Hate About Commandments, a reworking of Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments as a high-school comedy (“At Pharaoh High, Ramses was the biggest playa around”), which has received hundreds of thousands of views and a mention in Time magazine. They’ve also done Must Love Jaws, a feel-good story about a lovable pet fish and Glen & Gary & Glen & Ross, in which the characters from Glengarry Glen Ross are diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. By arranging clips from the films, and then adding captions and voiceovers, they create videos that, Eisner says, “tell stories that are different from the original film, but that seem real.”
Mashups aren’t only about the incongruity of seeing The Ten Commandments with Samuel L. Jackson as Principal Firebush”; the best of them are sophisticated satires of movie ads. 10 Things I Hate About Commandments eviscerates the conventions of teen-movie trailers, like using hip-hop-style record scratches to cover up obscenities (a way of looking cool while caving in to censorship). Must Love Jaws shows how marketers can make unpleasant stories seem uplifting. Eisner says that he and Dow are “poking fun at the techniques that are used to sell movies.”
And so the mashup has become a form of media criticism. People can write endless paragraphs critiquing the finale of The Sopranos’ infamous sudden blackout. That moment wordlessly pointed out that any show can seem arty if it leaves the audience hanging. A mashup uses the original material as a weapon against Hollywood; it’s the audience’s way of striking back.
Not that the creators of mashups are just any members of the viewing audience. Robert Ryang, the creator of Shining and the father of the mashup form, was an assistant film editor for a commercial company; after Shining came out, he was promoted to editor of an independent feature film. Before he did Must Love Jaws, Eisner wrote an episode of the CBS sitcom Still Standing. While YouTube is praised for allowing average people to show off their work, the most popular works of YouTube art are created by professionals with “big media” training.
Some big media companies have tried to use this new form; Eisner and Dow were commissioned to create a mock trailer for MTV’s Laguna Beach (“we turned it into a horror movie where the killer makes everyone stupid,” Dow says). But Dow adds that most media companies can’t commission a mashup without “clearances from the actors, and the music, and the film industry”. The mashup is YouTube’s most unique art form, in part, because it’s not entirely legal and YouTube is a haven for semi-illegal videos.
So the best products of this new art form are making no money for their creators. But is Eisner and Dow can’t get rich off their creations, they can at least enjoy public acclaim- or can they? Dow says that Glen & Gary & Glen & Ross, their most recent collaboration, wasn’t as big a hit as the others: “It’s a much less well-known movie and consequently got a lot less hits.” That’s how you know the YouTube mashup has come of age: it now has not only hits, but cult failures.
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Advertise
VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHER AVAILABLE
Dear Tony & Cat,
My name is Cody Caissie, I am a third year student at NBCCD majoring in Photography. Peter Gross is my studio head.
During this final year, I have to complete a variety of large projects in different areas of photography. My first was in fashion photography, and my second was in advertising. Now I want to explore theatre and film photography. This is the reason I am contacting you.
I would like to offer you my photography skills. I can document rehearsals, do set shots for promotion and also do casting portraits for actors and actresses. Or whatever else your members might need.
Essentially you and your members would have a free photographer at your disposal.
I am great to work with and I understand the pressure that comes with these events, so I will stay out of the way.
Thank you for your time.
Cody Caissie
codycaissie@gmail.com
http://www.codysphotography.ca
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FREDERICTON - Take Better Pictures Digital Photography Workshop
Location: 732 Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Fredericton - 2nd floor
Date: March 30 Sunday 1-5 pm
Cost: $55.00
Photographer: Pam Nelson
This hands-on digital photography workshop facilitated by photographer Pam Nelson is well-suited for the beginner. It covers caring for your camera,
fundamentals of photography, digital camera modes, composition, lighting and a plenty of great tips on how to take better photographs.
Note*cameras must have fully charged batteries and clear media cards.
Bring camera, notebook and pen, camera manual and tripod when possible. Tip sheets will be provided.
Limited space available. Register early to avoid disappointment.
For registration information
Call 449-3791 or
e-mail pam.nelson@mac.com
Website: www.pamnelsonphoto.com
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VOLUNTEER CREW NEEDED ON NBFC MEMBER FILM
Looking to help out a fellow Co-op member? We have 2 films coming up that we would love to have you assist with. We have a specific need for a trained director of photography.
"Maria For Ever" is a feature HD film to be produced in New Brunswick. This is Director Conrad Steeves' feature film debut after his award winning short film "A Dream Of Life". We would start in September and continue throughout all 4 seasons; locations throughout South-Eastern NB (mostly Fredericton).
Confirmed crew/cast members already: Line Pelletier, George Fry, Donovan Richard, Joe Blades, Conrad Steeves and Corena Walby.
"Unmasking the Creator" is an experimental short film (HD) dealing with a Physics professor and his reaction and misgivings about his startling discovery concerning the issue of God. This will be approximately 10-15 minutes and we anticipate starting this in June (over a 2 day period); locations in Fredericton and the Fundy coastline.
Confirmed cast/crew members already: George Fry, William Hall, Donovan Richard, Chafic Haddad, Conrad Steeves and Corena Walby
Interested?
Please contact Conrad Steeves at 756-2357
OR
Corena Walby at
mwalby@nb.sympatico.ca