NEW
Out-of-state Film Festivals, Film Contest, News, Etc.
7/22/2010
7/22/2010
OPENING SOON?
Are you opening your very first restaurant but you lack any real restaurant experience? Would you welcome the advice of a professional restaurant consultant?
Major food network is currently in production on a new one hour TV series about first time restaurant owners. In every episode of the show restaurant consultant and renowned chef David Adjey swoops in and assists the restaurant owner and his/her team get ready and geared up for their big opening. At this point we are casting for the show and looking for first time owners that can use some professional help with their opening.
Have a look at the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csNh_-khisA .
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS A FIRST TIME RESTAURANT OWNER THAT WILL BE OPENING WITHIN 1-4 MONTHS.
THE RESTAURANT CAN NOT BE A CHAIN OR FRANCHISE
THE RESTAURANT MUST BE FULL SERVICE (NO DELIS,BAKERIES, TAKE OUT ETC....)
THE RESTAURANT MUST SERVE ALCOHOL
THE RESTAURANT MUST HAVE ATLEAST 30 SEATS
THE OWNER WANTS/NEEDS THE HELP OF A RESTAURANT CONSULTANT
THE OWNER IS A GREAT CHARACHTER AND HAS OTHER PEOPLE HELPING HIM.
THE OWNER MUST BE WILLING TO DIVULGE THE RESTAURANT BUDGET ON CAMERATHE OWNER MUST BE OPEN TO HAVING US SHOOT IN THE RESTAURANT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS
Heidi Burbela
Frantic Films
416-324-8537 ext.326
Press release for EMMYs "RESIDUE"
7/22/2010
Mobile natives Wade Miller, Jared Davis, and Chris Cash took home the EMMY Award in the category of Best Entertainment Program for their short film "RESIDUE" at the 36th Annual Emmy presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Pacific Southwest Chapter at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. "RESIDUE" Directed by Nathaniel Nuon, Miller produced the film, Davis served as co-director, writer, producer and actor, while Cash served as associate producer and special effects engineer.
"RESIDUE" was inspired by factual events. In 1970, the CIA secretly trained a group of 12 Cambodian soldiers to assassinate communist Vietnamese insurgents inside Cambodia, paving the way for a new pro-American government. But once the coup was successfully executed, each member of this secret army team began to turn up dead. Fast forward six years later. A young man who has escaped the horrors of the Khmer Rouge sets out on a personal war against the ones he feels are responsible for what is happening in his country.
"RESIDUE" was entirely shot and filmed on location throughout the City of Mobile and Mobile County, Alabama, with the assistance of Mobile Film office and Commissioner Eva Golson. Nathaniel Nuon directed and co-wrote "RESIDUE" and it was shot with a multinational cast and crew.
"RESIDUE" received a total of four Emmy nominations. The film's composer, Larry Groupé, also took home an Emmy in the category of Musical Composition/Arrangement. This is the first Emmy win for filmmakers Miller, Davis, and Cash. "RESIDUE" is Miller, and Davis second independent film. Miller is in post production with his latest feature film "The One Warrior" Directed by Tom Stout and Written by David A. Prior. All production is being done out of Video One Teleproductions in Mobile, AL. Davis is now living and working in Southern California and currently working on a new feature script. "RESIDUE" has also been awarded with three Telly Awards and multiple film festival awards.
7/13/10
Thomas Smith
Fighting Owl Films
tasmith9@comcast.net
www.thenightshiftmovie.com
LOCAL FILMMAKERS RELEASE TEASER TRAILER FOR INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM SHOT IN COMMUNITY
Mobile, AL based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films has released the first teaser trailer for the horror-adventure-comedy “The Night Shift”, which was shot within the community using local talent. The trailer is online and available to view at the film’s official website (http://www.thenightshiftmovie.com/index-2.html)! Essentially a sizzle reel featuring a temporary music track and raw footage, the trailer gives viewers their first glimpse at the film’s exciting creatures and characters in action.
“The Night Shift” is a supernatural-adventure-comedy about Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless corpse, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents in, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leaves Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!
The independent feature from Fighting Owl Films wrapped principal photography in June and is now in post-production and seeking distribution.
To stay abreast of all the latest production developments and updates, please become a fan of Fighting Owl Films on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fighting-Owl-Films/73399032976) and follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/FightingOwlFilm). For more information, downloads, photos and cast information, please visit www.thenightshiftmovie.com.
7/7/10
Cypress Moon Studios Presents:
The third in a series of music and film workshops and seminars.
DATE: Saturday, July 17th, 2010
LOCATION: Historic Ellis Theatre
311 Byrd Avenue South
Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350
P: 601-656-9838
____________________________________________________________________________
The Working Actor
Working With The Director
10:00am – 11:30am
· Actors discuss working with the different directors, and
what directors look for.
Character Actors Versus Lead Actors
11:45am – 1:30pm
· A discussion on the difference between working as a day
player/supporting role, compared to playing the leading role.
_____________________
The Audition
Preparing For The Audition
3:00pm – 7:00pm (30min. break at 4:30pm)
· Actors perform cold readings for the camera, with critiques
from the panel. *
___________________________________________________________________________
Panelist include:
Actor - Richard Tyson (Kindergarten Cop, Black Hawk Down)
Actor - David “Shark” Fralick (The Young and The Restless)
Actor – Natalie Canerday (Slingblade)
Producer - Michael Gallant (The Perfect Game)
Writer, Producer, Director - Tonya S. Holly (The Story of
Bonnie and Clyde)
There may also be some surprise guests!
Guest Speakers
NATALIE CANERDAY
Natalie Canerday is best known for her role in Billy Bob Thornton’s Academy Award winning film Slingblade.
She also starred in October Sky and Biloxi Blues. Some of her film credits include The Boys of Summerville,
Walk The Line, The Yellow Bird, One False Move, That Evening Sun, South of Heaven, West of Hell and
Cypress Moon’s When I Find The Ocean. She will also appear as Ms. Methvin in the upcoming feature film
The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, starring Hilary Duff and Kevin Zegers. Natalie is also very involved in
theatre productions such as Dearly Beloved, Steel Magnolias, The Rainmaker, Crimes of the Heart, and
numerous others. She is a longtime friend of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, and recently appeared
with Billy Bob Thornton and Lucas Black for a Slingblade reunion.
DAVID “SHARK” FRALICK
Shark has been a recurring character on The Young and the Restless as the menacing ex-con Larry Warton
for 8 years. He can also be seen chasing Nicholas Cage through the film Gone in 60 Seconds, and playing
opposite Master P as the Aryan supremacist Graffiti in Lockdown and co-starred with Jean Claude Van
Damme as Matt Hogan in the film Desert Heat. He can also be seen in films such as Assassins, The Legend
of Wolf Mountain, The Last Days of Frankie The Fly, Fist of the North Star, Night Hunter, Without
Warning, Glimmerman, Invasion Force, Downward Angel, Blindfold," "T.N.T.," "Future Shock, Soultaker,
Dark Rider, Blink of an Eye, Final Payback, UNCLE SAM," and episodes of VIP, Sons of Thunder,
Babylon 5, the series The Big Easy, NCIS L.A., Criminal Minds, Forgotten, Green Hornet and soon to be
Flash Forward. He is also in the upcoming Cypress Moon Studios film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde,
starring Hilary Duff and Kevin Zegers.
RICHARD TYSON
Richard Tyson is best known for his roles in Three O’Clock High, Kindergarten Cop, and Two Moon Junction.
He also starred in his own television series Hardball. He has a long list of film credits including
Black Hawk Down, There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, Genghis Khan, Richard III, Plane Dead,
Big Bad Wolf and Jake’s Corner. He also starred in Cypress Moon’s When I Find The Ocean, and will
appear in The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, alongside Hilary Duff and Kevin Zegers. Richard has shared the
screen with a wide array of actors including Charlton Heston, Orlando Bloom, Ben Stiller, and John Travolta,
to name a few. He has appeared on various tv shows throughout his career, including his most recent
appearance on CSI: New York. He is also a director and producer, with many projects in the works.
MICHAEL O. GALLANT
Michael Gallant’s producing credits include over 25 movies for television, features, mini-series and cable
productions such as The Perfect Game, Humboldt County, Edmond, Adam and Steve, The Junction Boys,
Disappearance, First Daughter, The Last Dance, The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, Pandora’s Clock, The People
Next Door, The Substitute Wife, Mission of the Shark and Stompin’ At The Savoy. Michael was elected
Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2001. He is the Line Producer for Cypress
Moon Studios’ upcoming feature film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde.
_________________________________________________________________________
PRICING: $175 (includes all workshops)
Please call in advance to register by Friday, July 9th. Please pay in advance.
Seating is limited.
«Please note, guest speakers/panelists are subject to change
For more information, contact Cypress Moon Studios at P: 256-381-5745 or E: info@cypressmoonproduction.com
*Copies of your audition can be purchased for an additional fee
6/24/10
Last Supper: The Russellville Hacksaw Murders
Produced by JKSR Productions in association with Bear Trap Productions
Filming October 2010
Written and Directed by William Sanders
Co-Directed by Christoff Neal
Props and FX by Marcus Koch (Film festival award winner) 100 Tears, Sinners & Saints, Toxic Avenger IV
Music and Original Score By Hunter Gadbois
Every town has a story and the peaceful little midwestern town of Russellville, Illinois is no different. The story is about Charlie Bowles a respected theatre owner and loving father, who until one Halloween Night was respected by his fellow townsfolk. In one night his unthinkable acts changed and rattled a community forever.
Last Supper is based on a line of dialogue from John Carpenter’s “Halloween”. In the film Dr. Loomis goes to a cemetery in search of Judith Myers’ grave, the graveyard keeper tells Dr. Loomis a story about Charlie Bowles, while in search of the grave marker, but in the middle of his story he is interrupted by Loomis about Michael Myers and Carpenter’s story of Halloween continues from there. The line of dialogue for reference is, Every town has something like this happen. I remember a guy over in Russellville. Charlie Bowles. About fifteen year ago, he finished dinner, excused himself from the table, went out into the garage and got a hacksaw, then came back into the house, kissed his wife and two children goodbye, and then proceeded to…
In this small scene it has left many fans including myself wondering what did Ol Charlie Bowles do?
In my research for this script and film, I have found that Charlie Bowles was a real man from John Carpenter’s past, rumor has it that he lives in Russellville, KY, near Bowling Green and was a theatre owner at the theatre that Carpenter used to see films at. Stories actually are told as Carpenter would sneak in to Bowles’ Cinema to see films such as “Psycho” one of the inspirations for “Halloween”.
I am a showman by trade so this piece will not be only a testament for my love of Horror but also cinema and showmen alike.
Url: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Last-Supper-The-Russellville-Hacksaw-Murders/124356000919030
Desc: Official Facebook
Url: http://twitter.com/jksrproductions
Desc: Official Twitter
Url: http://www.indiegogo.com/last-supper
Desc: Indiegogo
Url: http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/37792/the-halloween-mythos-continues-with-last-supper-the-russellville-hacksaw-murders
Desc: Dread Central [Steve Barton]
Url: http://thinkmcflythink.squarespace.com/movie-news/2010/6/2/halloween-spin-off-in-the-works.html
Desc: TMT Article [Mitch Anderson]
Url: http://thinkmcflythink.squarespace.com/interviews/2010/6/4/exclusive-interview-with-last-supper-the-russellville-hacksa.html
Desc: TMT Interview [Mitch Anderson]
Url: http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20670
Desc: Bloody Disgusting [Brad Miska]
Url: http://www.horrorbid.com/blog/blog1.php/2010/06/23/john-carpenter-s-halloween-spawns-last-s
Desc: Horrorbid
6/23/10
PRESS RELEASE:
CYPRESS MOON STUDIOS AND INDEPENDENT
FILMMAKER TONYA S. HOLLY HOST THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF FILM AND MUSIC
WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ON JUNE 26, 2010 IN JACKSON, LOUISIANA
Seminars And Workshops Include Feature Industry Pros
On Acting and Film Production.
Jackson, LA - Independent filmmaker Tonya S. Holly and her film and music studio Cypress Moon Studios (www.cypressmoonproduction.com) have announced the next location for their series of workshops and seminars to be held throughout the South that feature industry experts from a variety of areas ranging from production to distribution to casting to acting to publicity. The second seminar is scheduled to take place June 26th, 2010 in Jackson, Louisiana at the Old Centenary Inn (1740 Charter Street, Jackson, LA 70748)
The June 26th workshops and seminars is as follows:
DATE: Saturday, June 26th, 2010
LOCATION: Old Centenary Inn (Ballroom)
1740 Charter Street
Jackson, LA 70748
P: 225-634-5050
_________________________________________________________________
The Actor’s Role
Getting The Audition
Guest speakers Richard Tyson, David Shark Fralick and Natalie Canerday
9:30am – 11:30am
· Professional actors discuss what it takes to get the audition.
· Professional actors share their strategies for preparing for the audition.
____________________________________________
Working With The Agent and/or Manager
Guest speakers Richard Tyson, David Shark Fralick and Natalie Canerday
12:00pm – 1:30pm
· Discuss working with an agent versus working as your own agent.
· Actors discuss the difference between an agent and a manager.
________________________________________________________________
The Audition Process
Preparing For The Audition
Guest speakers Richard Tyson, David Shark Fralick and Natalie Canerday
3:00pm – 5:30pm
· Hands on workshop with professional actors.
· Attendees can practice cold readings and audition techniques.
____________________________________________
The Producer’s Role
Guest speaker Michael Gallant
6:00pm – 7:00pm
· A discussion on the ABC’s of making a movie, from hiring the actors to
distribution.
_____________________________________________________________
Guest Speakers
NATALIE CANERDAY
Natalie Canerday is best known for her role in Billy Bob Thornton’s Academy Award winning film
Slingblade. She also starred in October Sky and Biloxi Blues. Some of her film credits include
The Boys of Summerville, Walk The Line, The Yellow Bird, One False Move, That Evening Sun,
South of Heaven, West of Hell and Cypress Moon’s When I Find The Ocean. She will also appear
as Ms. Methvin in the upcoming feature film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, starring Hilary Duff
and Kevin Zegers. Natalie is also very involved in theatre productions such as Dearly Beloved,
Steel Magnolias, The Rainmaker, Crimes of the Heart, and numerous others. She is a longtime
friend of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival, and recently appeared with Billy Bob Thornton
and Lucas Black for a Slingblade reunion.
DAVID “SHARK” FRALICK
Shark has been a recurring character on The Young and the Restless as the menacing ex-con
Larry Warton for 8 years. He can also be seen chasing Nicholas Cage through the film Gone in
60 Seconds, and playing opposite Master P as the Aryan supremacist Graffiti in Lockdown and
co-starred with Jean Claude Van Damme as Matt Hogan in the film Desert Heat. He can also be
seen in films such as Assassins, The Legend of Wolf Mountain, The Last Days of Frankie The Fly,
Fist of the North Star, Night Hunter, Without Warning, Glimmerman, Invasion Force,
Downward Angel, Blindfold," "T.N.T.," "Future Shock, Soultaker, Dark Rider, Blink of an Eye,
Final Payback, UNCLE SAM," and episodes of VIP, Sons of Thunder, Babylon 5, the series
The Big Easy, NCIS L.A., Criminal Minds, Forgotten, Green Hornet and soon to be Flash Forward.
He is also in the upcoming Cypress Moon Studios film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, starring
Hilary Duff and Kevin Zegers.
RICHARD TYSON
Richard Tyson is best known for his roles in Three O’Clock High, Kindergarten Cop, and
Two Moon Junction. He also starred in his own television series Hardball. He has a long list of
film credits including Black Hawk Down, There’s Something About Mary, Kingpin, Genghis Khan,
Richard III, Plane Dead, Big Bad Wolf and Jake’s Corner. He also starred in Cypress Moon’s
When I Find The Ocean, and will appear in The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, alongside Hilary Duff
and Kevin Zegers. Richard has shared the screen with a wide array of actors including
Charlton Heston, Orlando Bloom, Ben Stiller, and John Travolta, to name a few. He has appeared
on various tv shows throughout his career, including his most recent appearance on CSI: New York.
He is also a director and producer, with many projects in the works.
MICHAEL O. GALLANT
Michael Gallant’s producing credits include over 25 movies for television, features, mini-series
and cable productions such as The Perfect Game, Humboldt County, Edmond, Adam and Steve,
The Junction Boys, Disappearance, First Daughter, The Last Dance, The Ballad of Lucy Whipple,
Pandora’s Clock, The People Next Door, The Substitute Wife, Mission of the Shark and Stompin’
At The Savoy. Michael was elected Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in
2001. He is the Line Producer for Cypress Moon Studios’ upcoming feature film
The Story of Bonnie and Clyde.
______________________________________________________________
PRICING: $150 (includes all four workshops)
Please call in advance to register. Please pay in advance. Seating is limited.
«Please note, guest speakers are subject to change
About Cypress Moon:
Cypress Moon Studios currently boasts a production slate that includes numerous
feature films including The Story of Bonnie and Clyde. Holly wrote and will direct,
The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, a classic love story which tells the thrilling story of the notorious fugitives. Hilary Duff and Kevin Zegers are signed on to star among many
other name talent.
Cypress Moon Studios’ award-winning family film When I Find The Ocean is currently
available on DVD throughout the country. The film, which has received the official
Dove Seal of Approval by the Dove Foundation (www.dove.org) as well as the
Kids First! endorsement, was written, produced and directed by Tonya S. Holly.
Thomas M. Rogers III was Executive Producer on the film. The film stars Lee Majors,
Diane Ladd, Graham Greene, Richard Tyson, George Lindsey, Bernie Casey, Amy
Redford and Lily Matland Holly.
Media interested in further information or to schedule a time to speak with
Tonya S. Holly please contact Kenny Davis at (256) 381-5745
CONTACTCypress Moon Studios
1000 Alabama Avenue
Sheffield, AL 35660
P: 256-381-5745
E: info@cypressmoonproduction.com
6/22/10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 2010
The Man in the Maze has obtained distribution agreements in the U.S. with R-Squared Films
and Mowgli Productions in India
FLORENCE, AL, USA - Mitesh Kumar Patel's film "The Man in the Maze" now in post-production
with limited theatrical release dates scheduled for September 2010 in the U.S. and December 2010 in
India.
"The Man in the Maze" now in post-production, has obtained distribution in the U.S. through
R-Squared Films and in India the film will be distributed by Mowgli Productions. Limited theatrical
release dates are scheduled for September 2010 by R-Squared Films and December 2010 by Mowgli
Productions. Patel, whose production company is Applied Art Productions, began post production in
April. He is producer, director and story writer for the film.
"The Man in the Maze" centers around four college students on a field trip to learn more about the
American Indian Trail of Tears. While traipsing through the woods, however, they stumble upon an
Indian burial mound that marks the burial site of a Native American family that died on the trail. The
mound was cursed by a distraught family member, and whoever disturbs it unleashes trouble and winds
up lost in a maze, terrorized by an unknown force.
"It's pretty smart," according to Mr. Patel, "I think a lot of viewers are going to get lost the first time
through, and they'll have to watch it again to pick out all the details. It's delivered in such a way that it
takes you a while to figure it out."
For more information please visit www.themaninthemaze.net
5/28/10
Cypress Moon Studios Presents:
The first in a series of music and film workshops and seminars.
DATE: Saturday, June 12th, 2010
LOCATION: Cypress Moon Studios
1000 Alabama Avenue
Sheffield, AL 35660
_____________________________________________________________________
Auditioning For Film
The Casting Director
9:30am – 11:30am
· Auditioning for the camera, compared to auditioning for theater.
· Work with a Los Angeles Casting Director on techniques.
· Guest Speaker: Pam Gilles, Casting Director
PAM GILLES
- Pam Gilles has nearly 25 years in the entertainment business as a Casting Director, with over 21 feature
- films, numerous television shows, infomercials and commercials to her credit. Some of her credits include the upcoming feature film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, Eternal, Killer By Nature, Good Intentions, The Way of War, Train, Bloodlines, Crusoe and many others. She has worked with such companies as Lionsgate, Sony,
- The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Biography Channel and A&E, to name a few. Some of her commercial credits include Colgate, Sears, Mercedes Benz, Ford, FedEx, Sunkist, McDonalds, Adidas, Goodyear and Bank
- of America.
____________________________________________
The Actor
12:00pm – 2:00pm
- · Professional actors share their strategies for getting the audition,
- preparing for the audition, and marketing yourself.
· Guest Speaker: David “Shark” Fralick, Actor
DAVID “SHARK” FRALICK
- Shark has been a recurring character on The Young and the Restless as the menacing ex-con Larry Warton
- for 8 years. He can also be seen chasing Nicholas Cage through the film Gone in 60 Seconds, and playing
- opposite Master P as the Aryan supremacist Graffiti in Lockdown and co-starred with Jean Claude Van Damme
- as Matt Hogan in the film Desert Heat. He can also be seen in films such as Assassins, The Legend of Wolf Mountain, The Last Days of Frankie The Fly, Fist of the North Star, Night Hunter, Without Warning, Glimmerman, Invasion Force, Downward Angel, Blindfold," "T.N.T.," "Future Shock, Soultaker, Dark Rider, Blink of an Eye, Final Payback, UNCLE SAM," and episodes of VIP, Sons of Thunder, Babylon 5, the series
- The Big Easy, NCIS L.A., Criminal Minds, Forgotten, Green Hornet and soon to be Flash Forward. He is also
- in the upcoming Cypress Moon Studios film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde, starring Hilary Duff and Kevin
- Zegers.
Reaching Your Target Audience
The Publicist
3:30pm – 5:00pm
· Keeping yourself or your film in front of the media.
· The importance of the internet for networking.
· Guest Speaker Lauren Lewis, Publicist
LAUREN LEWIS
- Lauren Lewis is a Public Relations Specialist with more than a decade of experience in the entertainment
- industry. Some of her many clients have included Producer Jonathan D. Krane (44 films including the hugely successful Look Who’s Talking trilogy), film financier Beau Rogers (44 films including the Academy Award winning feature Gods and Monsters), Tonya S. Holly and Cypress Moon Studios, Seven Arts Pictures, Entertainment 7, Grubb Productions, Breakaway Films, Color of the Cross, Dust To Glory, Disney, Alliance, Maverick Entertainment and such talents as Eva Longoria, Bobby Brown, Lil' Kim, Keifer Sutherland and Dr. Robert Rey. Lewis has also handled the unit publicity for numerous feature films such as Gang of Roses,
- Brothas N Arms, When I Find The Ocean and Carlitas Secret, as well as handled the public relations efforts
- for such film festivals as the Artivist Film Festival.
____________________________________________
The Producer
5:30pm – 7:00pm
· A discussion on the ABC’s of making a movie, from finance to distribution.
· Alternate ways of distributing your film.
· Guest Speaker Michael Gallant, Producer
MICHAEL O. GALLANT
- Michael Gallant’s producing credits include over 25 movies for television, features, mini-series and cable productions such as The Perfect Game, Humboldt County, Edmond, Adam and Steve, The Junction Boys, Disappearance, First Daughter, The Last Dance, The Ballad of Lucy Whipple, Pandora’s Clock, The People
- Next Door, The Substitute Wife, Mission of the Shark and Stompin’ At The Savoy. Michael was elected
- Governor of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2001. He is the Line Producer for Cypress Moon Studios’ upcoming feature film The Story of Bonnie and Clyde.
______________________________________________________________________
PRICING:
Auditioning For Film Workshop
(Includes “The Casting Director” and “The Actor” Sessions) $100
Reaching Your Target Audience
(Includes “The Publicist” and “The Producer” Sessions) $100
ATTEND BOTH WORKSHOPS AND RECEIVE A $25 DISCOUNT ($175)
Please call in advance to register. Payment must be received by THURSDAY, JUNE 3rd, 2010. Seating is limited.
For more information, contact Cypress Moon Studios at P: 256-381-5745
or E: info@cypressmoonproduction.com
5/27/10
Are you opening your very first restaurant?
Would you welcome the advice of a professional restaurant consultant?
Major Food Network is on the hunt for newbie restaurant owners who want to star in an episode on 'The Opener'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-kSsxfCZUA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csNh_-khisA
Here's a guideline of what type of restaurants we're after:
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS A FIRST TIME RESTAURANT OWNER THAT WILL BE OPENING WITHIN 1-6 MONTHS.
THE RESTAURANT CAN NOT BE A CHAIN OR FRANCHISE
THE RESTAURANT MUST BE FULL SERVICE (NO DELIS,BAKERIES, TAKE OUT ETC....)
THE RESTAURANT MUST SERVE ALCOHOL
THE RESTAURANT MUST HAVE AT LEAST 30 SEATS
THE OWNER WANTS/NEEDS THE HELP OF A RESTAURANT CONSULTANT
THE OWNER IS A GREAT CHARACTER AND HAS OTHER PEOPLE HELPING HIM.
THE OWNER MUST BE WILLING TO DIVULGE THE RESTAURANT BUDGET ON CAMERA THE OWNER MUST BE OPEN TO HAVING US SHOOT IN THE RESTAURANT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS
- Heidi Burbela
- Frantic Films
- 416-324-8537 ext.326
Alabama Producer opens a Production Service Company to accommodate producers filming in the State.
Fairhope, AL May 24, 2010
– Veteran Producer Lee Faulkner is pleased to announce he has opened a full service production company in Alabama to provide producers with development, financing, production, postproduction and distribution consulting services while shooting in the State.Alabama Production Services, LLC (APS) is an independent film and television service production company created to accommodate film studios and networks looking to take advantage of Alabama’s new tax incentives and locations. APS was established in 2009 and has its head offices in Fairhope, Alabama. APS works with a core team of highly experienced and talented producers, managers, production designers, cinematographers, story developers, editors, post-production and special effects professionals. It has a wealth of knowledge of development, production and distribution as well as of legal, financial and business matters relating to the television and film business. APS provides the services of legal and management consultants who specialize in financial structuring, tax credit collection and simplified access to tax credits and other state incentive funds. APS also has a sales arm with special strength in the putting together domestic and international sales agreements. Some of their services will include:
Development:
Securing rights to screenplay, preparing production budgets and schedules, estimating and advising on the available tax incentives, consulting on other means of financing (investors, studio pre-sales, tax credits, preparing preliminary location packages, assisting to package the film with talent agencies. Business and Legal Affairs: Overseeing incorporation of the production company, negotiating bank financing and completion guarantees, negotiating and contracting above-the-line crew and cast, confirming errors and omissions insurance, negotiating location and product placement agreements, consulting on tax credit and non-resident tax issues.Corporate Finance
: Preparing an offering to Investors, presenting the project to studios to get pre-sale funding, preparing initial banking agreements and accounts, setting up of all fiscal corporate accounts, filing tax credit applications, tax reports and annual reports, financing or banking tax credits Production: Engaging studio and laboratory facilities and services, hiring personnel, equipment and supplies, negotiating guild and union agreements (SAG, DGA, IATSE, WGA,Teamsters), negotiating supplier agreements ,consulting on labor issues, applying for immigration permits for cast and crew, supervising all post-production requirements.Post Production:
Alabama Production Services has well-established working relationships with post facilities, film labs and state-of-the-art studios as well as access to excellent Editors, Composers Sound Designers, Mixers and cutting-edge VFX facilities.Distribution & Marketing:
Negotiating domestic and international distribution agreements and acting as a liaison for DVD and TV buyers. APS will also offer some promotional services such as building websites, social networking, and press materials.President, Lee Faulkner, heads APS. A veteran in the film industry, Lee has over 45 years experience both in front and behind the camera. He has worked as a TV, film and commercial producer. He has worked for all the major studios, has put together distribution deals on more than 300 films for the international market, and was one of the founding members of the American Film Market (now the IFTA. Lee was one of the first acquisitions managers for distributors in Japan, Korea, Sweden, Mexico, Norway and Columbia looking to purchase American films. In 1972, Lee began production commercials for Japanese and Korean advertising agencies that featured American celebrities. He produced over 200 commercials from 1972 to 2000. He also produced the first reality TV show in Japan that remained the highest rated TV series in that country for seven years. Lee was also involved in the product placement business in the US for films and TV shows such as "Back to the Future", "Miami Vice", "Rocky IV" and "LA Law" among others.
APS is affiliated with Faulkner-McLean Entertainment, LLC, an independent production company run by Lee Faulkner and Kenny Mclean. The company has optioned a sport drama titled "White Lightning" that was inspired by the true comeback story of a washed up Kentucky track & field star the author met while writing a magazine feature for ESPN. Also in the works, a feature film called "The Believers" based on story of John Walker Lindh, an American who was studying Islam in Afghanistan and was later recruited by the Taliban.
Contact :
- Lee Faulkner, President Alabama Productions Services, LLC
- 308 Magnolia Street, #102, Fairhope, AL 36532
- Tel: 251-367-2532 Fax: 866-929-0479
- lee@faulknerproductions.com
5/19/2010
Cypress Moon Studios Presents:
The first in a series of music and film workshops and seminars.
- DATE: Saturday, June 12th, 2010
- LOCATION:
- Cypress Moon Studios
- 1000 Alabama Avenue
- Sheffield, AL 35660
________________________________________________________________________
- Auditioning For Film
- The Casting Director
- 9:30am – 11:30am
- · Auditioning for the camera, compared to auditioning for theater.
- · Work with a Los Angeles Casting Director on techniques.
- The Actor
- 12:00pm – 2:00pm
- · Professional actors share their strategies for getting the audition, preparing for the audition, and marketing yourself.
- Reaching Your Target Audience
- The Publicist
- 3:30pm – 5:00pm
- · Keeping yourself or your film in front of the media.
- · The importance of the internet for networking.
- The Producer
- 5:30pm – 7:00pm
- · A discussion on the ABC’s of making a movie, from finance to distribution.
- · Alternate ways of distributing your film.
________________________________________________________________________
- PRICING:
- Auditioning For Film Workshop
- (Includes “The Casting Director” and “The Actor” Workshops) $100
- Reaching Your Target Audience
- (Includes “The Publicist” and “The Producer” Seminars) $100
- ATTEND BOTH WORKSHOPS AND RECEIVE A $25 DISCOUNT ($175)
- Limited seating available. Must reserve seating in advance. No payment received at door.
- For more information, contact Cypress Moon Studios
- P: 256-381-5745 or E: info@cypressmoonproduction.com
5/11/10
OPEN CALL FOR ENTRIES
Deadline September 1, 2010
Feature-Length Narrative – Fiction films more than 60 minutes in length.
Feature-Length Documentary – Nonfiction films more than 60 minutes in length.
Short Narrative – Fiction films, animated or live, that are less than 30 minutes in length.
Short Documentary – Documentary films, animated or live, that are less than 30 minutes in length.
Student Films – Short films, under 5 minutes in length, submitted by students enrolled in middle or high school.
Music Videos – Short videos, that are less than 10 minutes in length, featuring regional musical artist(s).MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The South Alabama Film Festival’s mission is to showcase and educate the community about filmmakers and their creations. To accomplish this mission it holds an annual film festival with seminars and workshops. During the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to see films that may not have large distribution and have the chance to meet and discuss these films with filmmakers. The group also plans events throughout the year promoting local filmmaking and encouraging the art of filmmaking in our local schools. The South Alabama Film Festival is an annual event anticipated by the entire community. The South Alabama Film Festival wants to bring filmmakers and their products to the Mobile community. The group is not searching for major motion pictures or stars, but for films that might not otherwise be seen in our area. Over a three-day period, the festival hopes to show 8-16 features, plus short films, and host several social events and workshops. This film festival will be open to the general public.ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The South Alabama Film Festival (SoAL Film Fest) seeks to showcase and educate the community about filmmakers and their creations, while welcoming all who enjoy the medium. One of the nation’s oldest and most beautiful cities, Mobile will alight with the cinematic arts throughout 2010, culminating in November’s three-day festival. In addition to feature-length and short films, SoAL Film Fest will offer seminars and workshops for adults and school children, to further its goal of educating – as well as enchanting – the growing regional film community. SoAL Film Fest strives to be the yearly event in Southern Alabama for all who love, and create, film. The festival is scheduled for November 5-7, 2010. The full-time venues are the Crescent Theater, the Five Rivers Delta Center, and Bernheim Hall. Limited venues include The Gulf Coast Exploreum and many others.ORGANIZERS
Hailee Kuntz (Executive Director), Mike Dumas (Assistant Director) and Gideon Carson Kennedy (Program Director)FEES
Feature Length Films $30
Short Films $20
Student Films and Music Videos $10
The Alabama filmmaker discount is $5 with current identification.All fees are nonrefundable.
GENERAL RULES
Submissions must have been completed after December 1, 2007 and may not be publicly screened in Mobile County or Baldwin County, Alabama prior to the 2010 festival dates (excluding other South Alabama Film Festival screenings and collaborations). Submissions will be notified of their selection status on or around Sept. 15, 2010. If accepted, two additional DVDs of the final film must be provided to the South Alabama Film Festival for jury screenings, media requests and the festival archive. Selected festival films must also provide updated contact information, a digital and non-digital press kit, and one exhibition copy of the film in the format we will determine at the time of selection. South Alabama Film Festival may deny acceptance of any film at its sole discretion, or waive rules for any submission it deems appropriate for the festival. If accepted, the screening schedule (including venue, time and number of screenings) is at the sole discretion of South Alabama Film Festival. The festival encourages filmmakers to accompany the film to represent it and participate in a Q&A sessions following the screening to share their experience of making of the film. Each accepted film will receive free industry passes to the festival.The entrant guarantees that they have legal right to submit their film and have obtained all necessary rights and clearances to screen the work at the South Alabama Film Festival. Submission of work confirms that the South Alabama Film Festival has permission to exhibit it (and any moving image excerpts or reproduced stills) during the festival and for any festival publicity or promotion. Every precaution will be exercised in handling entries and exhibition copies of submitted films, but the entrant agrees to hold the festival, its organizers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, and partnering organizations harmless for damage to or loss of materials submitted.
FILMS
The South Alabama Film Festival is looking for 8-16 feature length films, and 12-20 short films. The festival plans to show all films multiple times. We wish to show both fiction and nonfiction films. Special consideration will be given to films made in or around Mobile, Alabama; in the state of Alabama; and in the American “South.” The festival is also searching for films that celebrate the outdoors, and the spirit of exploration and conservation. These films will be screened at the wonderful Five Rivers Delta Center.TO SUBMIT A FILM:
Send a DVD copy of the film. Please label the DVD with the film name, your name, and the film running time. Include a one page description of the film with any important personal information. Also include your application fee. Mail to: South Alabama Film Festival, Post Office Box 850968, Mobile, Alabama 36685, USA .
4/13/10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FREE PUBLIC CONCERT AND FILM FESTIVAL
APRIL 23-25, 2010
TROY, AL
A free public concert during 2010 TroyFest featuring the legendary singer-songwriter Bill Dees, who wrote “Pretty Woman along with scores of other songs with Roy Orbison will held be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, in Downtown Troy, Al. The concert will be filmed for a documentary on the life of Bill Dees.
Joining Dees, now in his 70s, will be his friend Jack Pribek. Both men will be sharing stories about their lives and the music industry in this historic event. Dees' “Pretty Woman” is part of the Library of Congress' Archive of Historic Recordings and he and Orbison wrote more than 65 songs together.
This event is held in conjunction with the Alabama International Film Festival in The Studio on Walnut Street in Downtown Troy, AL. In addition to the concert, the film festival will feature 50 screenings of new films from all over the world. Informal workshops for aspiring filmmakers and actors will be held on Saturday morning. All film festival events are free and open to the public.
Dees' name may not be familiar with everyone, but his music was monumental such as the singles “Goodnight” and “(Say) You’re My Girl”, as well as the chart-topping success of “Oh, Pretty Woman”. And these Orbison/Dees songs, “Crawling Back”, “Breakin’ Up Is Breakin’ My Heart”, “Twinkle Toes”, “There Won’t Be Many Coming Home”, “Communication Breakdown”, “So Good”, “Born to Be Loved by You”, “Walk On”, and “Heartache” had chart success overseas.
Dees was born in Electra, Texas in 1939 and his mother started teaching Bill the ukulele and piano at five years old and with his two brothers the art of singing harmony. A high school music teacher, Mrs. Hubbard, recognized Bill’s talent and got him together with four other students, Bill Baker, Eugene Richmond, Melvin Webb and H.F. Ritchie, forming the Five Bops.
The Five Bops enjoyed local success, playing high school dances and clubs. In 1957 producer Norman Petty invited them to Clovis where they cut two songs, H.F. Ritchie’s “Jitterbuggin’” and Bill’s “Unforgotten Love”. “Jitterbuggin’” became a regional hit and, on the strength of airplay in Amarillo, the boys were offered the chance to open for Roy Orbison at a couple of shows in Wichita Falls and Amarillo.
In the next year Orbison and Dees crossed paths again. The Bops, now called The Whirlwinds went to an Odessa, Texas radio station to cut another record. Upon pulling into the parking lot, the boys spied an orchid colored Cadillac. It turned out that the regular recording engineer was sick and Orbison was there to fill in for him. They cut two songs that night.
The next year, Orbison produced Bill as a singer, with the Bob Moore Orchestra in Nashville but the recordings were never officially released. Bill went back to Texas and, after working a series of odd jobs, made the decision to move to Nashville in 1964. That's where the magic happened.
Orbison said he told Dees to “get started writing by playing anything that comes to mind … My wife came in and wanted to go to town to get something.” Orbison asked if she needed money. Dees cracked, “Pretty woman never needs any money.” The rest was easy.
They wrote the bulk of the song “Oh, Pretty Woman” before Claudette returned from the store.
At one point, the song was #1 in 22 country. Bill went from a hard life in the Texas Panhandle to co-writing and singing on the biggest record in the world.
Bill toured with Roy for more than a year, going to Europe twice and appearing on shows with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. He eventually moved to Ozark, Ark., to raise his family.
For additional info: contact John Jinright alafilm@alafilm.org
3/22/10
'Man in the Maze' comes to life around Shoals
Matt McKean/TimesDaily
Director Mitesh Patel, of the independent film “The Man in the Maze,” watches the shooting of a scene on set in a wooded area near Waterloo.
By Sarah Carlson
Staff WriterPublished: Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 19, 2010 at 4:12 p.m.Josh Hodgins wasn't sure what he was getting himself into when he left Yakima, Wash., to shoot a movie in Florence.
A "Northwest guy" his entire life, Hodgins had heard his share of rumors about the South and was now driving to wooded locations outside Waterloo with the film's director, Mitesh Patel.
He didn't have cell phone service, much less a clue as to where they were. Passing by a flying Confederate flag alongside Lauderdale 14 didn't help.
"Oh, backwoods Alabama with some guy I don't know. Potentially no problems there," he jokes later, laughing.
He has been pleasantly surprised with the Shoals, though, as have all the cast and crew members of Patel's "The Man in the Maze," most of whom have traveled a good distance - everywhere from Los Angeles to Gold Coast, Australia - to take part in the production.
"You come down here and everyone's really nice," says Hodgins, "Maze's" director of photography and camera operator. "Really smart, giving, compassionate people. It's been really nice to see."
Patel, of Florence, has worked to assemble the independent mystery/thriller "The Man in the Maze" for two years through his production company, Applied Art Productions, casting his net wide to find professional actors and crew members to make his self-written debut a success. But, he wanted to stay in Alabama to film because "Maze" revolves around the history of the Trail of Tears, the removal of Native Americans from their lands in the 1830s. Members of the Creek Nation passed through Waterloo on their way west.
Tennessee had better tax breaks and better locations than Alabama, he says, but Patel spent six months location hunting around Waterloo and Florence so the production could stay local.
"The history of Trail of Tears is right here in Waterloo," Patel says. "So I don't want to go somewhere else and show something else. So why not do our area?"
Alabama has its own film incentives, passed a year ago when Gov. Bob Riley signed into law the Entertainment Industry Incentive Act of 2009, which provides tax breaks to production companies that film in the state. The incentive fund available is $7.5 million for fiscal year 2010 and $10 million for subsequent years, according to the Alabama Film Office.
"I don't want to go to Hollywood and L.A.," Patel says. "I want to stay here. It's nice - there's peace and quiet. You can get work done."
Patel and crew have come to know his scouted locations well, spending hours in the woods and at Brush Creek Park in Waterloo, along the Natchez Trace Parkway and at Ghost Bridge near the Forks of Cypress in north Florence.
"The Man in the Maze" centers around four college students on a field study to learn more about the Trail of Tears. While traipsing through the woods, however, they stumble upon an Indian mound that marks the burial site of a Native American family that died on the trail. The mound was cursed by a distraught family member, and whoever disturbs it unleashes trouble and winds up lost in his maze, i.e. the woods.
Andrew Roth came from New York to play Alex, the unofficial leader of the foursome, as well as additional characters who have it out for the group. The dichotomy of playing both hero and villain, however, isn't tough for the professional actor, who is booked on movie sets through June.
"Each scene is one scene, and then you go onto something else," Roth says. "Everything else is schizophrenia."
He's taking a break before filming a scene with his three cast mates, his friend Erik Williams, Liana Werner-Gray and Stephanie Lomenick. The students have just come across something scary in the woods - "We just got the bejeezus scared of out us," Roth says - and the actors rehearse running down the trail and talking through the situation before the scene is filmed.
Williams, originally from Kentucky, stars as P.T., the comic relief of the group who tries to ease his friends' fears, which may or may not work on the brainy Christi (Lomenick, of Florence, and the only local actor) and the Australian beauty queen Megan, played by Werner-Gray, an actual beauty queen from Australia in her first feature film.
"Maze" marks Lomenick's first film as well, a job she landed by chance. She learned about the film from friends at Zodiac Theater, through which she's acted in two plays, and went to Applied Art to volunteer as an assistant. But production manager Steve Hester says that looking at Lomenick, he and Patel knew she was right for the role of Christi. Now she's working with professionals, learning the lingo of movie sets and hoping this opportunity jump-starts her acting career.
"At first, I was quite intimidated," she says. "I can't tell you how supportive and patient they've been with me. I'm just overwhelmed at how much I've learned by being a cast member."
She loves that everyone feels like family, which is likely helped by the cast and crew all being housed at the Economy Inn in Florence, which Patel owns, and is evident on set as everyone jokes around during breaks.
Hodgins' friend, Brandon Russell, joined him from Yakima to serve as the key grip and gaffer. Michael "Thor" Lengies, of Los Angeles, is "the sound god," while locals Michael Mitchell and Diana Mitchell serve as first assistant director and stunt coordinator, respectively (and no relation). Patel asked Toby Burbank, a maintenance man at the Economy Inn, to help at the set one day, and he now serves as grip and assists Russell - "I don't want to go back, either," he adds with a laugh.
"It's a motley crew though, man, look at them," Hodgins says. "People from all walks of life, different places. It's what I love about this business - you meet new people everywhere on every shoot."
Braving cold temperatures and wet weather, the cast and crew have carved out their own maze around north Alabama, zig-zagging from location to location to try and catch the right light for filming. The van has even been stuck in creeks or broken down more than once - the joys of working low-budget, Hodgins says.
Patel has a story map handy to show the path of the four students in the film as they circle the maze, but even knowing the plot doesn't make it less complicated.
"It's pretty smart," Hodgins says. "I think a lot of viewers are going to get lost the first time through, and they'll have to watch it again to pick out all the details.
"It's 'Sixth Sense'-ish as far as there's lots of twists that are thrown in, and it's delivered in such a way that it takes you a while to figure it out. Even reading it and being a part of it I get confused."
Filming is set to wrap by the month's end, to be followed by several months of post-production by Patel, who says he's already in talks with several distributors. A straight-to-DVD release is the easiest route, but Patel is pushing for "The Man in the Maze" to be released in theaters, a much more expensive option.
Lomenick already is lining up her next projects and hopes that more movies will be made in the area. Not many famous actors are from the South, she says, but if her luck continues, she'll add to their ranks.
"Hopefully, I'll get to represent the South in a good manner - bring a little life back," she says.
Sarah Carlson can be reached at 740-5722 or sarah.carlson@TimesDaily.com.
