Dark Myth Pictures (a subsidiary of Dark Myth Production Studios) has cancelled production of "Body Bag."
"This was a difficult decision," said David K. Montoya, President and Chairman of Dark Myth Production Studios. "But the new fiscal year forced Dark Myth management to closely examine each project within the Dark Myth organization. It’s important that we spend our financial resources wisely."
"Body Bag" had been slated for preproduction since January 2007. Since its inception two years ago, the project has hit several problems along the way, from two different leading actresses dropping out, to a seven month battle over the rights.
"Body Bag" executive producer Kevin Magnus has been reassigned to the role of senior producer for the next project.
"Body Bag" was originally created in May, 2000, for New Blood Films (NBF). The original script was written by NBF CEO L. Alan Russo Jr. and Dark Myth Founder David K. Montoya. One month after the script was written Russo (who directed the film) wrapped the project. A short time later the 'original' "Body Bag" movie was released on VHS, locally in the tri-southern region. Six years after the original release Russo contracted Montoya to 'revise' the script. Less then a month later New Blood Films went out of business and Dark Myth Pictures quickly picked up the rights, and the revised version has been scheduled for production ever since.
It is in question when the project will be reviewed for reinstatement of production.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Sony Pictures Classics Picks-Up SUGAR
Following the success of their freshman film, "Half Nelson," the second feature from Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, SUGAR has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for North American and Latin American Distribution rights from HBO Films.
Written and directed by Fleck and Boden, "SUGAR" follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Azucar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at the Kansas City Knights baseball academy, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States' minor league system. Miguel travels from his tight knit community in the Dominican Republic to a small town in Iowa, corn country, where he and a couple of other Latin American teammates are the only Spanish-speaking people in the vicinity. As Miguel struggles with the new language and culture, despite the welcoming efforts of his host family, he is faced with an isolation he never before experienced. When his play on the mound falters, he begins examining more closely the world around him and his place within it, and ultimately questions the single-mindedness of his life's ambition.
The film received much critical praise when it screened in competition at Sundance underscoring the performance of newcomer Algenis Perez Soto.
The deal was completed with Rena Ronson at William Morris and HBO.
Written and directed by Fleck and Boden, "SUGAR" follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Azucar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro de Macoris, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at the Kansas City Knights baseball academy, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States' minor league system. Miguel travels from his tight knit community in the Dominican Republic to a small town in Iowa, corn country, where he and a couple of other Latin American teammates are the only Spanish-speaking people in the vicinity. As Miguel struggles with the new language and culture, despite the welcoming efforts of his host family, he is faced with an isolation he never before experienced. When his play on the mound falters, he begins examining more closely the world around him and his place within it, and ultimately questions the single-mindedness of his life's ambition.
The film received much critical praise when it screened in competition at Sundance underscoring the performance of newcomer Algenis Perez Soto.
The deal was completed with Rena Ronson at William Morris and HBO.
Friday, August 29, 2008
4th Annual La Femme International Film Festival in Los Angeles October 16-19, 2008
Femme Film Festival will kick off on October 16, 2008. The festival will run from October 16 -19 and include independent features, shorts, music videos, commercials, special screenings and seminars.
The four day event will be held at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills at 8556 Wilshire Blvd. and the Wilshire Screening Room at 8670 Wilshire Blvd. The festival includes screenings, seminars, networking events, and an awards ceremony. LA Femme is dedicated to creating opportunities for female filmmakers to access the Hollywood's A-List. The festival highlights emerging artists and their films to a wide audience of theatre audiences.
Some of the festival winners have gone on to achieve full theatrical distribution, domestic cable, representation and development deals at the major studios: "Green Street Hooligans" opened in over 2,000 theaters nationwide; "The Colt" aired on The Hallmark Channel; "Moondance Alexander" limited domestic theatrical; "Christian" international theatrical distribution; "Beautiful Dreamer" cable distribution; "Draco y el Teatro" shown on MTV and more.
Other Past Honorees have included: Rosanna Arquette, Lea Thompson, Martha Coolidge, Sara Risher, Marisol Nichols, Maria Conchita Alonso, Julie Davis, Susan Seidelman, Angela Bromstad, Lauren Zalaznick, Jacqueline Bisset, Sally Kirkland, Penelope Spheeris, Henry Jaglom, Patricia Cardoso
The LA Femme Film Festival is open to the general public and tickets are available on the website href="http://www.lafemme.org/">www.lafemme.org or by calling (310) 441-1645.
The four day event will be held at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills at 8556 Wilshire Blvd. and the Wilshire Screening Room at 8670 Wilshire Blvd. The festival includes screenings, seminars, networking events, and an awards ceremony. LA Femme is dedicated to creating opportunities for female filmmakers to access the Hollywood's A-List. The festival highlights emerging artists and their films to a wide audience of theatre audiences.
Some of the festival winners have gone on to achieve full theatrical distribution, domestic cable, representation and development deals at the major studios: "Green Street Hooligans" opened in over 2,000 theaters nationwide; "The Colt" aired on The Hallmark Channel; "Moondance Alexander" limited domestic theatrical; "Christian" international theatrical distribution; "Beautiful Dreamer" cable distribution; "Draco y el Teatro" shown on MTV and more.
Other Past Honorees have included: Rosanna Arquette, Lea Thompson, Martha Coolidge, Sara Risher, Marisol Nichols, Maria Conchita Alonso, Julie Davis, Susan Seidelman, Angela Bromstad, Lauren Zalaznick, Jacqueline Bisset, Sally Kirkland, Penelope Spheeris, Henry Jaglom, Patricia Cardoso
The LA Femme Film Festival is open to the general public and tickets are available on the website href="http://www.lafemme.org/">www.lafemme.org or by calling (310) 441-1645.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
7th Montreal International Adventure Film Festival - October 22 to 25, 2008
The 7th Montreal International Adventure Film Festival is back. This year's event runs October 22 to 25 at UQAM's Salle Marie-Guérin-Lajoie. Festival goers will experience journeys off the beaten path, along with intense travel and sporting adventures. With approximately 30 films, four conferences, panels, exhibitions and life-changing adventures, the festival will be a treat for fans of discovery and wide open spaces!
A quick look at the 7th MIAFF
-----------------------------
- Approximately 30 films selected
- most of them Canadian premieres
- from more than 160 submitted.
- Documentaries and dramas from around the world.
- A celebrity speaker to open each night's screenings.
- Presentation of the annual Homage to Quebec Adventurers over the course of several special events.
- Official competition judged by an international jury.
- Nine (9) Adventura Awards bestowed by the jury, plus a people's choice award.
- Exhibitions and panel discussions as well as screenings.
- Opportunities for informal meetings with international directors during the Café des aventuriers.
This year's selected films, along with clips, will be available at http://www.fifam.ca/ as of September 15.
November 11 to 21: The best of the fest goes on tour
----------------------------------------------------
Great Adventure Tour takes place November 11 to 21, 2008, visiting seven cities in Québec: St-Jérome, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Québec City, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup and Jonquière. Each one-night stop on the tour will feature screenings of the best films selected for the 2008 MIAFF.
Website: http://www.fifam.ca/
A quick look at the 7th MIAFF
-----------------------------
- Approximately 30 films selected
- most of them Canadian premieres
- from more than 160 submitted.
- Documentaries and dramas from around the world.
- A celebrity speaker to open each night's screenings.
- Presentation of the annual Homage to Quebec Adventurers over the course of several special events.
- Official competition judged by an international jury.
- Nine (9) Adventura Awards bestowed by the jury, plus a people's choice award.
- Exhibitions and panel discussions as well as screenings.
- Opportunities for informal meetings with international directors during the Café des aventuriers.
This year's selected films, along with clips, will be available at http://www.fifam.ca/ as of September 15.
November 11 to 21: The best of the fest goes on tour
----------------------------------------------------
Great Adventure Tour takes place November 11 to 21, 2008, visiting seven cities in Québec: St-Jérome, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Québec City, Rimouski, Rivière-du-Loup and Jonquière. Each one-night stop on the tour will feature screenings of the best films selected for the 2008 MIAFF.
Website: http://www.fifam.ca/
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Horror Author Lia Scott Price's Free Film Shorts and Stories
Horror Novelist and Film Producer Lia Scott Price has launched a series of free short stories and film shorts online. The short stories, called Lia Scott Price's The Dark Fiction Chronicles(TM), and their companion film shorts (released by DarkAngel Distributors(TM)), Lia Scott Price's Dark Fiction(TM), focus on the fictional diary of a female serial killer. "I write about what goes on in the mind of my character," Price says. Price even plays the female serial killer character in one of her film shorts.
The diary spells out in detail the motivations behind the serial killer's actions, revealing an abusive childhood and a deadly desire for revenge against the character's abusers. "Female serial killers fascinate me. You don't see that many of them in popular fiction. If you do see them, they are most likely portrayed as Black Widows with motivations limited to money. Poison or guns are the weapon of choice." However, Price's female serial killers employ more gruesome methods involving sharp objects. The diary is written at random, "Based on whatever thoughts the character has at the moment, in jagged but almost poetic format, in no particular order, about what the character is thinking or doing at that particular moment."
Price had suffered through an abusive childhood and, "This is my way of venting creatively, through fiction." However, Price stresses that, because of the dark nature of her stories, "Remember that this is all just fiction."
Lia Scott Price's Dark Fiction(TM) Film Shorts and Lia Scott Price's The Dark Fiction Chronicles(TM) Short Stories can be viewed at http://www.liascottprice.com/darkfictionshow.html.
The diary spells out in detail the motivations behind the serial killer's actions, revealing an abusive childhood and a deadly desire for revenge against the character's abusers. "Female serial killers fascinate me. You don't see that many of them in popular fiction. If you do see them, they are most likely portrayed as Black Widows with motivations limited to money. Poison or guns are the weapon of choice." However, Price's female serial killers employ more gruesome methods involving sharp objects. The diary is written at random, "Based on whatever thoughts the character has at the moment, in jagged but almost poetic format, in no particular order, about what the character is thinking or doing at that particular moment."
Price had suffered through an abusive childhood and, "This is my way of venting creatively, through fiction." However, Price stresses that, because of the dark nature of her stories, "Remember that this is all just fiction."
Lia Scott Price's Dark Fiction(TM) Film Shorts and Lia Scott Price's The Dark Fiction Chronicles(TM) Short Stories can be viewed at http://www.liascottprice.com/darkfictionshow.html.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
10 Common Sense Money Saving Tips For Movie Fans
When you sit back and actually start to add up all the money you spend on movies (I don't recommend you do this… you'll only end up being depressed) and include all the little hidden expenses as well, the total can be staggering. So anyway, the other day I started making up this list of just simple common sense ways that I can save money as a movie fan.
There is nothing revolutionary on this list… but it's funny how sometimes the most obvious ideas are the ones we overlook. And sometimes we dismiss the smallest little savings and fail to really think about how they add up.
Anyway, I did my list for myself and thought I'd add a couple of more and make a post out of it. We're going to assume for the sake of this list that you go to a movie once a week and rent 1 dvd a week (obviously that number will be either higher or lower for you, but this will be our measure point). So here are my 10 common sense money saving tips for movie fans:
1) Eat before going to the theater (Savings - $20/ month if skipped twice)
This is one of the biggest money savers on the list. As much as I complain about the price of a ticket at the theaters, I usually walk in and spend MORE at the concession stand. I LOVE having popcorn and pop when I'm at the movies, and usually the only way I can stop myself from buying that $13 “special” is if I just recently ate. Even if you just skip the popcorn twice a month, you end up saving a TON.
2) Choose your theater wisely (Savings - $9/month if you choose smaller twice)
If you're like me, you want to see Transformers, or Indiana Jones or other films of that nature on the biggest and best screen with the best sound possible. That generally means going to the best theater in your area and spending a little bit more on your tickets. Fair enough. But then there are those other movies, like Gone Baby Gone or The Departed that… and let's be honest… don't require the biggest and best screen and sound to enjoy. In my case, there is a slightly smaller theater up the street from me that charges $6.50 for a ticket. The better theater charges $11. By going to the smaller and older theater for those films that don't really require the biggest and best screen and sound I save roughly $4.50 per movie.
3) Join Netflix or Zip (Savings - Roughly $15/month)
I don't rent TONS of movies since I basically see most of them in theater, but I'd say once a week would just about be right. At my local Blockbuster, after taxes, for a new release… I'm paying just about $6/movie. But with a service like Netflix (Or Zip.Ca for those of us in Canada) you can get a simple cheap plan (like $9/month) that gives you 1 disk at a time. You can EASILY go through 4 or more movies a month and you never have late fees.
4) Celebrate Matinees (Savings - $6/month for going twice)
Running to the movies is generally a social evening thing to do, but really, why not try to hit a matinee a couple of times? You'll generally find most theaters charge less for the tickets, and hell… then you still have your whole day in front of you. You'll get smaller crowds, fewer noisy teenagers… and it's cheaper (I know I already said that… but that's the point). My local Cineplex charges $11 regular, and about $8 for a matinee.
5) Hold Off On HD (Savings - A lot)
New technology is always far more expensive then it will be next year. HD players and systems have already come down a lot in price, but in another year they'll be exponentially cheaper than now. There is no need to go to HD right now, all movies still come out on beautiful DVD, and let's face it, the difference between good quality DVD and HD isn't anywhere near the difference of the old VHS to DVD comparisons. If you MUST have it now and want to bust the bank… go for it. Me, I'm waiting at LEAST another year (or until they come up with 1 standard HD format… whichever comes later)
6) Consult The Movie Blog or RottenTomatoes (Savings - up to $25/month)
Everybody likes to say “I never listen to critics” but to one degree or another we all do. Just because the critics hate a movie doesn't mean you will. Only YOU know YOUR tastes and choices. HOWEVER…. it's a pretty good bet (although not 100%) if 90% of the critics or members of the online community (like The Movie Blog commenters) are all trashing a movie and talking about how much they hated it… then maybe… just maybe… you might want to reconsider spending your money on that particular movie right now. You avoid one bad movie a month, that saves you your ticket price and popcorn. not bad.
7) Watch A Favorite Again (Savings - $6/month)
I can't believe how many DVDs some of my friends have, and yet they hardly ever watch any of them. It's crazy! So listen, some night when you and your girl/guy are hanging at home and you want to rent a movie… try just pulling out of of the faithful favorites you've got in your collection (no matter how big or small). You'll rediscover your love for that movie, you know you'll enjoy it, and you just saved a rental.
Buy Previously Viewed (Savings - $20)
DVD aren't fruit that suddenly go bad or used underwear that someone else's “boys” have been hanging around in. A new DVD can run you up to $30, but when I want to buy a movie, I just head to Blockbuster and go to the previously viewed section. On average I spend about $8 per movie. Buying it then also leads to more savings via point #7. I promise the movie will look just as good and sound just as clear as it would if you had bought the $25 still in its shrink wrap copy.
9) Wait For It On DVD
There are some movies that you just MUST see on the big screen, or great films you want to see when it's in theaters. But sometimes there are movies that you think you want to see… but you're not really all that excited about it. For those movies, I would suggest just waiting for it to come out on DVD. You'll save your ticket costs, popcorn costs, gas, yadda yadda yadda. And if you have Zip.ca or Netflix, you save even more. In a movie theater is still the best way to see a movie… but if you're a little ify on a film, just wait for it. Movies are coming out on DVD now faster and faster and faster. You probably only have to wait 3 or 4 months to get your hands on it.
And finally the biggest cost saver of them all
10) LET HER PAY HER OWN WAY!
So there you have it folks. 10 simple common sense ways to save money as a film fan without giving up the movies. Man it sure does add up. And dear lord I hope you're smart enough to know I'm just kidding about point #10… the 10th point if for you guys to share.
NEWS SOURCE http://www.themovieblog.com/
There is nothing revolutionary on this list… but it's funny how sometimes the most obvious ideas are the ones we overlook. And sometimes we dismiss the smallest little savings and fail to really think about how they add up.
Anyway, I did my list for myself and thought I'd add a couple of more and make a post out of it. We're going to assume for the sake of this list that you go to a movie once a week and rent 1 dvd a week (obviously that number will be either higher or lower for you, but this will be our measure point). So here are my 10 common sense money saving tips for movie fans:
1) Eat before going to the theater (Savings - $20/ month if skipped twice)
This is one of the biggest money savers on the list. As much as I complain about the price of a ticket at the theaters, I usually walk in and spend MORE at the concession stand. I LOVE having popcorn and pop when I'm at the movies, and usually the only way I can stop myself from buying that $13 “special” is if I just recently ate. Even if you just skip the popcorn twice a month, you end up saving a TON.
2) Choose your theater wisely (Savings - $9/month if you choose smaller twice)
If you're like me, you want to see Transformers, or Indiana Jones or other films of that nature on the biggest and best screen with the best sound possible. That generally means going to the best theater in your area and spending a little bit more on your tickets. Fair enough. But then there are those other movies, like Gone Baby Gone or The Departed that… and let's be honest… don't require the biggest and best screen and sound to enjoy. In my case, there is a slightly smaller theater up the street from me that charges $6.50 for a ticket. The better theater charges $11. By going to the smaller and older theater for those films that don't really require the biggest and best screen and sound I save roughly $4.50 per movie.
3) Join Netflix or Zip (Savings - Roughly $15/month)
I don't rent TONS of movies since I basically see most of them in theater, but I'd say once a week would just about be right. At my local Blockbuster, after taxes, for a new release… I'm paying just about $6/movie. But with a service like Netflix (Or Zip.Ca for those of us in Canada) you can get a simple cheap plan (like $9/month) that gives you 1 disk at a time. You can EASILY go through 4 or more movies a month and you never have late fees.
4) Celebrate Matinees (Savings - $6/month for going twice)
Running to the movies is generally a social evening thing to do, but really, why not try to hit a matinee a couple of times? You'll generally find most theaters charge less for the tickets, and hell… then you still have your whole day in front of you. You'll get smaller crowds, fewer noisy teenagers… and it's cheaper (I know I already said that… but that's the point). My local Cineplex charges $11 regular, and about $8 for a matinee.
5) Hold Off On HD (Savings - A lot)
New technology is always far more expensive then it will be next year. HD players and systems have already come down a lot in price, but in another year they'll be exponentially cheaper than now. There is no need to go to HD right now, all movies still come out on beautiful DVD, and let's face it, the difference between good quality DVD and HD isn't anywhere near the difference of the old VHS to DVD comparisons. If you MUST have it now and want to bust the bank… go for it. Me, I'm waiting at LEAST another year (or until they come up with 1 standard HD format… whichever comes later)
6) Consult The Movie Blog or RottenTomatoes (Savings - up to $25/month)
Everybody likes to say “I never listen to critics” but to one degree or another we all do. Just because the critics hate a movie doesn't mean you will. Only YOU know YOUR tastes and choices. HOWEVER…. it's a pretty good bet (although not 100%) if 90% of the critics or members of the online community (like The Movie Blog commenters) are all trashing a movie and talking about how much they hated it… then maybe… just maybe… you might want to reconsider spending your money on that particular movie right now. You avoid one bad movie a month, that saves you your ticket price and popcorn. not bad.
7) Watch A Favorite Again (Savings - $6/month)
I can't believe how many DVDs some of my friends have, and yet they hardly ever watch any of them. It's crazy! So listen, some night when you and your girl/guy are hanging at home and you want to rent a movie… try just pulling out of of the faithful favorites you've got in your collection (no matter how big or small). You'll rediscover your love for that movie, you know you'll enjoy it, and you just saved a rental.
Buy Previously Viewed (Savings - $20)
DVD aren't fruit that suddenly go bad or used underwear that someone else's “boys” have been hanging around in. A new DVD can run you up to $30, but when I want to buy a movie, I just head to Blockbuster and go to the previously viewed section. On average I spend about $8 per movie. Buying it then also leads to more savings via point #7. I promise the movie will look just as good and sound just as clear as it would if you had bought the $25 still in its shrink wrap copy.
9) Wait For It On DVD
There are some movies that you just MUST see on the big screen, or great films you want to see when it's in theaters. But sometimes there are movies that you think you want to see… but you're not really all that excited about it. For those movies, I would suggest just waiting for it to come out on DVD. You'll save your ticket costs, popcorn costs, gas, yadda yadda yadda. And if you have Zip.ca or Netflix, you save even more. In a movie theater is still the best way to see a movie… but if you're a little ify on a film, just wait for it. Movies are coming out on DVD now faster and faster and faster. You probably only have to wait 3 or 4 months to get your hands on it.
And finally the biggest cost saver of them all
10) LET HER PAY HER OWN WAY!
So there you have it folks. 10 simple common sense ways to save money as a film fan without giving up the movies. Man it sure does add up. And dear lord I hope you're smart enough to know I'm just kidding about point #10… the 10th point if for you guys to share.
NEWS SOURCE http://www.themovieblog.com/
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sony Pictures Television Acquires Distribution Rights to Rocketboom.com
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Rocketboom.com in all media. Under the agreement, SPT will manage Rocketboom's current distribution agreements and increase distribution across all platforms.Rocketboom will be fully integrated with Sony Pictures Entertainment's Crackle, including putting the daily show on Crackle.com, presenting the show with a Crackle player on the Rocketboom.com website, and distributing it over Crackle's syndication network, including direct to Sony BRAVIA televisions via BRAVIA Internet Video Link and mobile partners. Additionally, Sony Pictures Television will handle all of Rocketboom's ad sales exclusively.
Rocketboom is a creative online daily video news program based in New York City covering a wide range of information and commentary from top news stories to quirky internet culture. Rocketboom is distributed online for Mac's, PC's, portables, RSS aggregators like Google Reader, Bloglines, iTunes and Miro, iTV software and boxes like TiVo, Apple-TV, Pando and TVTonic, flash sites like YouTube, Metacafe, Myspace, Yahoo, Blip and Viddler via TubeMogul, P2P sites like Vuze, phone sites including iPhone and Nokia N-series phones and in various languages around the world via Dotsub.
Website: http://www.rocketboom.com/
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Summit Entertainment Moves Up Release Date for TWILIGHT to November 21, 2008
TWILIGHT, the first film in Summit Entertainment's thriller romance franchise, has moved up its North American release date to Friday, November 21, 2008. The film, which was previously planned to be released on December 12, 2008, is taking advantage of an opening in the upcoming fall release calendar. The new release date for TWILIGHT allows the studio to both bring the film to the written-series' enormous fan base sooner, and to present the film in more theatres prior to the holiday movie-going season where traditionally screen time for any popular film is limited.
Starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the thriller-romance based on Stephenie Meyer's publishing phenomenon, the film is directed by Catherine Hardwicke from a script by Melissa Rosenberg (STEP UP). Karen Rosenfelt (DEVIL WEARS PRADA), Greg Mooradian and Wyck Godfrey will produce along with Mark Morgan via his Maverick Films banner.
TWILIGHT tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan (Stewart) who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen (Pattinson), a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together ... even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. Their unorthodox romance puts her in physical danger when Edward's nemesis comes to town and sets his sights on Bella.
Summit Entertainment is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.
Starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the thriller-romance based on Stephenie Meyer's publishing phenomenon, the film is directed by Catherine Hardwicke from a script by Melissa Rosenberg (STEP UP). Karen Rosenfelt (DEVIL WEARS PRADA), Greg Mooradian and Wyck Godfrey will produce along with Mark Morgan via his Maverick Films banner.
TWILIGHT tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan (Stewart) who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen (Pattinson), a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together ... even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. Their unorthodox romance puts her in physical danger when Edward's nemesis comes to town and sets his sights on Bella.
Summit Entertainment is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince Moves to Summer 2009
Warner Bros. Pictures has moved back the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to Summer 2009. The sixth installment of the blockbuster Harry Potter franchise will now open day-and-date domestically and in the major international markets on July 17, 2009. The announcement was made by Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.
In making the announcement, Mr. Horn stated, "Our reasons for shifting ’Half-Blood Prince’ to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move ’Half-Blood Prince’ to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer"
Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, confirmed, "The release date change does not alter the production schedule for this or future Harry Potter films. Post-production on ’Half-Blood Prince’ was completed on time, and the studio’s release plans for the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will not be affected by this change. We know Harry Potter fans are eagerly anticipating seeing the final chapters unfold onscreen. In fact, the good news for them is that the gap will now be shortened between ’Half-Blood Prince’ and the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
David Yates, the director of both Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and who will also helm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, added, "It has been a joy to work on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Dan, Rupert and Emma and all our returning young cast continue to blossom, and our new cast members bring fresh color and life to Hogwarts. Even as we put the finishing touches on this latest film, we are already beginning preparations on the final two films—we start filming in February—and I am excited to bring this remarkable series to the exciting and moving conclusion its loyal fans deserve"
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films production, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. David Yates, who directed last year’s summer blockbuster Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, returns to direct Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. David Heyman and David Barron are the producers, with Lionel Wigram serving as executive producer. Steve Kloves wrote the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film also stars Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis and Julie Walters. The cast also features David Bradley, Jessie Cave, Frank Dillane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helen McCrory, Natalia Tena, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Bonnie Wright.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
In making the announcement, Mr. Horn stated, "Our reasons for shifting ’Half-Blood Prince’ to summer are twofold: we know the summer season is an ideal window for a family tent pole release, as proven by the success of our last Harry Potter film, which is the second-highest grossing film in the franchise, behind only the first installment. Additionally, like every other studio, we are still feeling the repercussions of the writers’ strike, which impacted the readiness of scripts for other films—changing the competitive landscape for 2009 and offering new windows of opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. We agreed the best strategy was to move ’Half-Blood Prince’ to July, where it perfectly fills the gap for a major tent pole release for mid-summer"
Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, confirmed, "The release date change does not alter the production schedule for this or future Harry Potter films. Post-production on ’Half-Blood Prince’ was completed on time, and the studio’s release plans for the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will not be affected by this change. We know Harry Potter fans are eagerly anticipating seeing the final chapters unfold onscreen. In fact, the good news for them is that the gap will now be shortened between ’Half-Blood Prince’ and the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
David Yates, the director of both Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and who will also helm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, added, "It has been a joy to work on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Dan, Rupert and Emma and all our returning young cast continue to blossom, and our new cast members bring fresh color and life to Hogwarts. Even as we put the finishing touches on this latest film, we are already beginning preparations on the final two films—we start filming in February—and I am excited to bring this remarkable series to the exciting and moving conclusion its loyal fans deserve"
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Heyday Films production, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. David Yates, who directed last year’s summer blockbuster Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, returns to direct Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. David Heyman and David Barron are the producers, with Lionel Wigram serving as executive producer. Steve Kloves wrote the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling.
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The film also stars Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, David Thewlis and Julie Walters. The cast also features David Bradley, Jessie Cave, Frank Dillane, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Helen McCrory, Natalia Tena, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and Bonnie Wright.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Spike TV Picks Up Original, Non-Scripted Series '1000 Ways To Die'
Spike TV has ordered ten 30-minute episodes of "1000 Ways to Die," the visually shocking series that explores the many different and bizarre ways one can meet their maker. The series is executive produced by Thom Beers, the same creative mind who brought viewers the critically-acclaimed hits "Deadliest Catch," "Ice Road Truckers" and "Ax Men," and is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2008.
"1000 Ways to Die" showcases some of the most outrageously true stories about those who succumbed to the grim reaper in the most unorthodox styles. Each case takes you through a fast-paced full reenactment interlaced with dramatic witness testimonials, fun historical tidbits, scientific expert explanations and vibrant CGI effects reminiscent of classic comic books. Playing off the commonly misconceived notion, "that could never happen to me," "1000 Ways to Die" works to dispel that myth in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, highlighting the comedic irony in all the crazy ways people can get themselves killed.
Originally a two-part special, the May premiere of "1000 Ways to Die" performed well in its timeslot, averaging a robust 0.9 rating in M18-34 and an average audience of 1.0 million viewers. Compared to the ratings in the timeslot the previous year, "1,000 Ways to Die" was up +133% among M18-49 +104% in M18-34.
Some of the more outlandish cases this season include death from eating a jalapeno pepper, a simple scrape-turned-flesh-eating virus and a case of a man trapped in an avalanche with plenty of food and water, only to succumb to methane poisoning from too much of his own gas.
"1000 Ways to Die" showcases some of the most outrageously true stories about those who succumbed to the grim reaper in the most unorthodox styles. Each case takes you through a fast-paced full reenactment interlaced with dramatic witness testimonials, fun historical tidbits, scientific expert explanations and vibrant CGI effects reminiscent of classic comic books. Playing off the commonly misconceived notion, "that could never happen to me," "1000 Ways to Die" works to dispel that myth in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, highlighting the comedic irony in all the crazy ways people can get themselves killed.
Originally a two-part special, the May premiere of "1000 Ways to Die" performed well in its timeslot, averaging a robust 0.9 rating in M18-34 and an average audience of 1.0 million viewers. Compared to the ratings in the timeslot the previous year, "1,000 Ways to Die" was up +133% among M18-49 +104% in M18-34.
Some of the more outlandish cases this season include death from eating a jalapeno pepper, a simple scrape-turned-flesh-eating virus and a case of a man trapped in an avalanche with plenty of food and water, only to succumb to methane poisoning from too much of his own gas.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
How much do you know about horror movies?
How much do you know about horror movies?
Thirty movie clips from both known and unknown horror movies are the basis for an online horror movie quiz on http://www.drowned-sorrow.com/ : watch the footage and then decide which horror movie it is coming from.
The chosen scenes are well-thought out and at least to say remarkable. Some are downright scary, others laugh-out-loud funny. In this quiz, you will see giant rabbits run amok, radioactive children killing their parents, swimming ghosts, bloodthirsty turtles, and much more. There’s something for everyone in this quiz with three difficulty levels. This horror movie quiz is not just an exciting way to test your movie knowledge, it is also a good opportunity to discover some unknown horror flicks, watch some of your favourite scenes, or simply have a great time watching the hilarious images with your friends.
Author of this quiz is suspense novelist Vanessa Morgan, who uses this game as a promotional tool on the website of her supernatural thriller Drowned Sorrow which will be released in September. Vanessa Morgan is a successful novelist and screenwriter. She lives in Belgium where she is at work on her next novel.
Thirty movie clips from both known and unknown horror movies are the basis for an online horror movie quiz on http://www.drowned-sorrow.com/ : watch the footage and then decide which horror movie it is coming from.
The chosen scenes are well-thought out and at least to say remarkable. Some are downright scary, others laugh-out-loud funny. In this quiz, you will see giant rabbits run amok, radioactive children killing their parents, swimming ghosts, bloodthirsty turtles, and much more. There’s something for everyone in this quiz with three difficulty levels. This horror movie quiz is not just an exciting way to test your movie knowledge, it is also a good opportunity to discover some unknown horror flicks, watch some of your favourite scenes, or simply have a great time watching the hilarious images with your friends.
Author of this quiz is suspense novelist Vanessa Morgan, who uses this game as a promotional tool on the website of her supernatural thriller Drowned Sorrow which will be released in September. Vanessa Morgan is a successful novelist and screenwriter. She lives in Belgium where she is at work on her next novel.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Amateur and Professional Filmmakers to be Discovered by Hollywood
Pitchthepros.com is a website that easily allows you to pitch your films and ideas to industry leaders simply by uploading trailers and scenes from your films and/or projects. PitchThePros.com will extensively market their members directly to the industry 24/7 through various promotions and outlets.
In addition beginning in September 1st, PitchThePros.com will be open to the viewing public and they will be able to rate and leave feedback on films and ideas submitted by the members. By allowing the viewers to participate in this manner further helps filmmakers sharpen and mature their ideas. Also, it gives them the opportunity to show Hollywood that their idea is HOT!
PitchThePros.com has just begun their pre-launching campaign to filmmakers giving them the opportunity to sign up and upload trailers to get ready for the public opening of the site on September 1st.
Also, a part of their pre-launch is that PitchThePros will be attending the American Film Market (AFM) and is planning to be a 2008 sponsor of this year's market in November 5-12. Those filmmakers that register now to August 30th will be included in a judging contest and the top 50 films and ideas will directly be taken to this year's market. Those who register early will also be included into 7 drawings for a FREE day pass into the market.
In essence there are no losers for those who register as a part of the pre-launch campaign because the site as a whole will be pitched to the industry and all who register will be on a looping reel at the market. So everybody on the PitchThePros.com website will be pitched at the market as a whole.
Campaigns of this nature will be a regular part of what PitchThePros.com will do all year round. In the near future they will also provide movie premieres on the big screen to the top rated films on the site.
PitchThePros.com is on the cutting edge and are offering services to filmmakers like no other site on the World Wide Web.
To learn more go to http://www.pitchthepros.com
In addition beginning in September 1st, PitchThePros.com will be open to the viewing public and they will be able to rate and leave feedback on films and ideas submitted by the members. By allowing the viewers to participate in this manner further helps filmmakers sharpen and mature their ideas. Also, it gives them the opportunity to show Hollywood that their idea is HOT!
PitchThePros.com has just begun their pre-launching campaign to filmmakers giving them the opportunity to sign up and upload trailers to get ready for the public opening of the site on September 1st.
Also, a part of their pre-launch is that PitchThePros will be attending the American Film Market (AFM) and is planning to be a 2008 sponsor of this year's market in November 5-12. Those filmmakers that register now to August 30th will be included in a judging contest and the top 50 films and ideas will directly be taken to this year's market. Those who register early will also be included into 7 drawings for a FREE day pass into the market.
In essence there are no losers for those who register as a part of the pre-launch campaign because the site as a whole will be pitched to the industry and all who register will be on a looping reel at the market. So everybody on the PitchThePros.com website will be pitched at the market as a whole.
Campaigns of this nature will be a regular part of what PitchThePros.com will do all year round. In the near future they will also provide movie premieres on the big screen to the top rated films on the site.
PitchThePros.com is on the cutting edge and are offering services to filmmakers like no other site on the World Wide Web.
To learn more go to http://www.pitchthepros.com
Alpine Pictures, Inc. Signs Jim Belushi
Jim Belushi has accepted to play the role of the Lion in Alpine Pictures' upcoming Dorothy of OZ.
Dorothy of OZ is the first in a slated series of animated feature films by Alpine Pictures, in association with Box Office Productions III, based on the writings of acclaimed children's author Roger S. Baum. Mr. Baum's work continues the legacy began by his great-grandfather L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Mr. Belushi, who currently stars in ABC's According to Jim, has lent his talented voice to such memorable movies and TV shows such as Hoodwinked, The Wild, Rugrats, Snow Buddies, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and live-action films including Curly Sue, Mr. Destiny, Red Heat, About Last Night, and The Principal, as well as two seasons on Saturday Night Live. Ryan J. Carroll, CEO of Alpine, shared, "I've been a huge fan of Jim's for many years and am pleased and excited to be working with a fellow Chicagoan on this project."
Dorothy of OZ is being produced by Bonne Radford (Curious George, The Road to El Dorado, and Balto), directed by Daniel St Pierre (Everyone's Hero, Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey, and Sheepish) and cast by Mathew Jon Beck (CSA) (The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and Monsters, Inc.).
Dorothy of OZ is the first in a slated series of animated feature films by Alpine Pictures, in association with Box Office Productions III, based on the writings of acclaimed children's author Roger S. Baum. Mr. Baum's work continues the legacy began by his great-grandfather L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Mr. Belushi, who currently stars in ABC's According to Jim, has lent his talented voice to such memorable movies and TV shows such as Hoodwinked, The Wild, Rugrats, Snow Buddies, and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and live-action films including Curly Sue, Mr. Destiny, Red Heat, About Last Night, and The Principal, as well as two seasons on Saturday Night Live. Ryan J. Carroll, CEO of Alpine, shared, "I've been a huge fan of Jim's for many years and am pleased and excited to be working with a fellow Chicagoan on this project."
Dorothy of OZ is being produced by Bonne Radford (Curious George, The Road to El Dorado, and Balto), directed by Daniel St Pierre (Everyone's Hero, Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey, and Sheepish) and cast by Mathew Jon Beck (CSA) (The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and Monsters, Inc.).
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sony Pictures Classics Confirms US Rights to Charlie Kaufman's Directorial Debut 'Synecdoche, New York'
Sony Pictures Classics confirmed today that they purchased US rights to Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut "Synecdoche, New York" from Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, a deal brokered by UTA. The film screened in official competition at the Cannes International Film Festival. This acquisition continues SPC's relationship with SKE after the successful release of Ira Sach's "Married Life."
Academy award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays theater director Caden Cotard's who views his life in Schenectady, New York as bleak. His wife Adele (Catherine Keener) has left him to pursue her painting in Berlin, taking their young daughter Olive with her. A new relationship with the alluringly candid Hazel (Samantha Morton) has prematurely run aground. And a mysterious condition is systematically shutting down each of his body's autonomic functions. Worried about the transience of his life, he moves his theater company to a warehouse in New York City. He directs them in a celebration of the mundane, instructing each to live out their constructed lives in a growing mockup of the city outside.
"Synecdoche, New York" was written and directed by Kaufman whose previous writing credits include BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ADAPTATION and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. He received Academy Award nominations for all three films, winning the Oscar for ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. The film stars an inspiring list of actors Oscar winners Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Dianne Wiest, Oscar nominated actresses Samantha Morton, Catherine Keener, Michelle Williams, Emily Watson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis and Tom Noonan. Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, and Sidney Kimmel produced the film with William Horberg, Bruce Toll and Ray Angelic serving as Executive Producers. Director of Photography is Fred Elmes, costume designer Melissa Toth, editor Robert Frazen, visual effect supervisor Mark Russell, music by Jon Brion, and Bonnie Greenberg served as Music Supervisor.
"Synecdoche, New York" will be released in October.
Academy award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays theater director Caden Cotard's who views his life in Schenectady, New York as bleak. His wife Adele (Catherine Keener) has left him to pursue her painting in Berlin, taking their young daughter Olive with her. A new relationship with the alluringly candid Hazel (Samantha Morton) has prematurely run aground. And a mysterious condition is systematically shutting down each of his body's autonomic functions. Worried about the transience of his life, he moves his theater company to a warehouse in New York City. He directs them in a celebration of the mundane, instructing each to live out their constructed lives in a growing mockup of the city outside.
"Synecdoche, New York" was written and directed by Kaufman whose previous writing credits include BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ADAPTATION and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. He received Academy Award nominations for all three films, winning the Oscar for ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. The film stars an inspiring list of actors Oscar winners Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Dianne Wiest, Oscar nominated actresses Samantha Morton, Catherine Keener, Michelle Williams, Emily Watson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis and Tom Noonan. Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, and Sidney Kimmel produced the film with William Horberg, Bruce Toll and Ray Angelic serving as Executive Producers. Director of Photography is Fred Elmes, costume designer Melissa Toth, editor Robert Frazen, visual effect supervisor Mark Russell, music by Jon Brion, and Bonnie Greenberg served as Music Supervisor.
"Synecdoche, New York" will be released in October.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
New Website For Online Independent Film Reviews
With more than 85 million people worldwide watching independent movies online each month, a Danville, California company has launched what it hopes will one day be the Internet equivalent of "Siskel & Ebert" or TV Guide -- "Your Indies are Showing" (http://www.yourindiesareshowing.com/).
Danville, Calif.-based Left Coast Productions (http://www.leftcoastproductions.com/) believes the website -- which features reviews from the "Indies Cafe" -- is the nation's only website devoted to unbiased reviews of independent shorts, features and documentaries that are shown exclusively or primarily on the Internet.
In addition to serving as a clearinghouse for independent film viewers, makers and producers, "Your Indies are Showing" will soon offer an opportunity for anyone to take a shot at being an online movie critic. Beginning in September, "Your Indies are Showing" will accept viewers' reviews and show the best ones on the website.
Noting the dearth of reviews for sometimes hard-to-find online independent films, the creators of "Your Indies are Showing" hope to provide an experience similar to watching syndicated network television movie review programs
-- thoughtful, intelligent movie critiques that help viewers spend their online "movie" time wisely.
"Movies delivered over the internet are becoming increasingly popular because they give viewers the freedom to watch what they want ... when they want it," according to Left Coast Productions President Barbara Murray who created "Your Indies are Showing." "An entire generation is getting its entertainment from the Internet. We hope that 'Your Indies Are Showing' can become the online equivalent of TV Guide or 'Siskel & Ebert' for independent films. We thought it was about time for someone to praise good Indies entertainment and help viewers navigate through the numerous choices among Indies shorts, features or documentaries."
"Your Indies are Showing" has three hosts at the fun and quirky Indies Cafe -- whose barista also serves up an opinion as well -- which is created by the Left Coast team at a studio in Pleasanton. The hosts offer their opinions of reviewed films and then engage in a lightning round during which they 'spar' over these films. If there is a hotly debated independent film in commercial release, then "Your Indies are Showing" co-hosts will also take on that topic.
The website also guides viewers to online independent films websites -- including such sites as http://www.atom.com/, http://www.jaman.com/, http://www.caachi.com/ and http://www.striketheset.com/. The website provides a vehicle for filmmakers who hope to create a buzz in the general public and includes links to the websites of American and international film festivals. In addition, the site contains a reference page featuring a wide array of independent film organizations and other Indies industry information.
Danville, Calif.-based Left Coast Productions (http://www.leftcoastproductions.com/) believes the website -- which features reviews from the "Indies Cafe" -- is the nation's only website devoted to unbiased reviews of independent shorts, features and documentaries that are shown exclusively or primarily on the Internet.
In addition to serving as a clearinghouse for independent film viewers, makers and producers, "Your Indies are Showing" will soon offer an opportunity for anyone to take a shot at being an online movie critic. Beginning in September, "Your Indies are Showing" will accept viewers' reviews and show the best ones on the website.
Noting the dearth of reviews for sometimes hard-to-find online independent films, the creators of "Your Indies are Showing" hope to provide an experience similar to watching syndicated network television movie review programs
-- thoughtful, intelligent movie critiques that help viewers spend their online "movie" time wisely.
"Movies delivered over the internet are becoming increasingly popular because they give viewers the freedom to watch what they want ... when they want it," according to Left Coast Productions President Barbara Murray who created "Your Indies are Showing." "An entire generation is getting its entertainment from the Internet. We hope that 'Your Indies Are Showing' can become the online equivalent of TV Guide or 'Siskel & Ebert' for independent films. We thought it was about time for someone to praise good Indies entertainment and help viewers navigate through the numerous choices among Indies shorts, features or documentaries."
"Your Indies are Showing" has three hosts at the fun and quirky Indies Cafe -- whose barista also serves up an opinion as well -- which is created by the Left Coast team at a studio in Pleasanton. The hosts offer their opinions of reviewed films and then engage in a lightning round during which they 'spar' over these films. If there is a hotly debated independent film in commercial release, then "Your Indies are Showing" co-hosts will also take on that topic.
The website also guides viewers to online independent films websites -- including such sites as http://www.atom.com/, http://www.jaman.com/, http://www.caachi.com/ and http://www.striketheset.com/. The website provides a vehicle for filmmakers who hope to create a buzz in the general public and includes links to the websites of American and international film festivals. In addition, the site contains a reference page featuring a wide array of independent film organizations and other Indies industry information.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Accomplished Filmmakers to Judge Rootclip Competition
Collaborative filmmaking site, Rootclip.com, began its second contest with a host of high-profile filmmakers as new judges.Through Rootclip, amateur and independent filmmakers, writers, actors, and film buffs from around the nation develop short films together. Located at http://www.rootclip.com/ , Rootclip encourages site visitors to create customized short film storylines.
Judges for Rootclip's second competition, which runs July 14 through September 22, include five filmmakers with diverse backgrounds:
-- Michael Samstag, director and producer for the DVD special features of the first three Harry Potter films
-- Ya'Ke, director of Hope's War
-- David Meyers, director of photography for The Oasis and a film instructor at Full Sail Real World Education
-- Jeremiah Birnbaum, executive producer of Presque Isle and co-founder and CEO of the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking
-- Rich Cline, a film critic who covers film weekly for BBC Radio Five Live and the Web site "Shadows on the Wall"
How it works
Like all Rootclip.com contests, the development of "Chance Encounter" will play out over a six-chapter cycle. The Rootclip in-house team develops an inaugural film chapter to jump-start the story. Participating filmmakers then view the root clip, a few minutes of content that begins the story but has a completely open-ended conclusion, and then shoot their own rendition of what should happen next. The users upload their one-minute chapters to Rootclip.com, where online viewers and the panel of judges judge the submissions and select the chapter winner. The judges' scores count for 50 percent of an entry's total score while votes from Web site visitors make up the remaining 50 percent. Once the winner for that chapter is announced, the open submission period begins again. This process repeats itself four times before culminating in a final chapter competition among all previous chapter winners.
Prizes for each "Chance Encounter" chapter winner include a $250 VISA gift card; a Balance Beam by Trig Industries, a tool designed to add stability and smooth video shots for smaller digital camcorders; and "Video for the Web" Video Training DVDs from Vasst.com. The grand prize is $2,000 in cash.
Participants are encouraged to keep entries between one and two minutes, and to maintain character consistency through wardrobe. Winners for the second, third, fourth, and fifth chapters will be eligible to submit the sixth chapter, and possibly win the grand prize.
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