Friday, November 16, 2007

Georgia Film News You Can Use!

You know, as opposed to news you can't use, like "Are their bugs in your chocolate?" Not only is that not related to film, but even if there were bugs in your chocolate, you've been eating chocolate for years and you're okay. I say as long as they're no longer discernible as bugs, let 'em in there. They have protein.

And now if you're not too grossed out, the news!

The Winners of Rapid-i-Movement

We brought it to your attention (we'll take credit where ever we can get it) and now the winners of IMAGE's Rapid-i-Movement have been announced. They are...

From Group A + D

Tibet's Trust - Ten-X Films
Team Captain Scott Balzar

Petunia - Another Look
Team Captain Marla Johnson

From Group B + C

No Vacancy - LightHog
Team Captain Keith Hooker

Done in One - Mavin Productions
Team Captain Matthew Cornwell

Congratulations to the Finalists. Their films will screen at the 2008 Atlanta Film Festival, will be televised on Comcast On Demand and will be eligible for Jury Awards and prizes at this year's festival. They may think they're better than me, and they would be right.

AFI Directing Workshop for Women Calls for Applications

There is a depressing dearth of women directors in Hollywood. Sofia Coppola is only one woman and Nora Ephron only recently got paroled from director jail for the awfulness that was Bewitched. So we need more women voices in cinema and Diablo Cody hasn't decided to direct yet, so the call falls to you. Established in 1974, this tuition-free program is dedicated to increasing the number of women working professionally as film and television directors by providing them with the education and resources necessary to their first step towards career advancement by directing a short film (which they may want to submit to us...just a thought). Applications can be downloaded from http://www.AFI.com/education/dww and must be postmarked by January 4, 2008.

So what are you waiting for? Oh, an encouraging word from me? Well then, go and get some! Hollywood needs you and they need you to show them that you're better than just second-rate romantic comedies and Lifetime network television. I mean, work is work but you've got vision and talent and the world always needs it.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

IMAGE Salon: Tuesday!

Legal Ease with Georgia Lawyers For The Arts

Date:
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free (you cheapskate)
Location: GPB, 260 14th St, NW, 30318

Back by popular demand (and we will always cave to popular demands)! We have a panel of local entertainment lawyers who specialize in legalities surrounding film production. Lisa F. Moore, Esq., Executive Director, Georgia Lawyers For The Arts (GLA), a nonprofit organization that provides legal assistance and education to artists in Georgia (including filmmakers), will be moderating this panel. Come get your most crucial legal questions answered regarding your film projects by these experienced panel of experts! Other panelists include Alethea D. Pounds, Esq, Lovette Entertainment Law Group. You won't be billed by the hour!

Monday, November 5, 2007

Director of OFF THE BLACK Awarded Sundance Fellowship

Writer/Director/Athens native, James Ponsoldt has been awarded the 2007 Lynn Auerbach Screenwriting Felllowship for his screenplay "Refresh, Refresh" by the Sundance Institute. Conversely, my screenplay "Back Button, Back Button" received a harsh rebuke from the Sundance Institute. That smug Redford thinks he's better than me...

But back to the winner, Ponsoldt will receive a cash stipend, a Sundance screenplay reading and advice from screenwriters John August (Go, Big Fish, The Nines) and Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, Gross Anatomy, Painted Veil). I will be hiding in his luggage because August is one of my favorite screenwriters and I want him to sign my copy of Big Fish. I'm sure all parties involved are totally cool with that.

Ponsoldt won the 2003 Perfect Pitch contest at that year's Atlanta Film Festival, and his directoral debut OFF THE BLACK, starring Nick Nolte and a 2006 Sundance selection, was released on DVD earlier this spring. Conversely, my directorial debut GRANDMA'S 75th BIRTHDAY was released on DVD by using iMovie and burning it to a rewritable DVD and then giving it to my mother.

Friday, November 2, 2007

Film Festival: The French & African Film Festival

The Georgia Institute of Technology presents

The French & African Film Festival
Oct 22 - Nov 6 2007

Co-sponsored by the School of Literature, Communication, and Culture and the School of Modern Languages.

All screenings located in the Clary Theater of the Georgia Tech Student Success Center. All films in French with English subtitles.

All film screenings are FREE and open to the public.

This series is co-curated by Professor Angela Dalle Vacche of the School of Literature, Communication, and Culture and Professor Stephanie Boulard of the School of Modern Languages.

The Tournées program is made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture (CNC).