All posts in Film

Terry Gross Can Act

Posted By On Monday, 05-14-2012 @ 03:07 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Terry Gross Can ActPermalink

If you’re like me you try to listen to Terry Gross on Fresh Air as much as you can… she’s great. In this video, I was finally able to put a “moving and talking” Terry together with that voice that asks such probing and illuminating questions.

And in a kind of two for one, she’s co-starring with Mike Birbiglia, director of Sleep Walk With Me (coming soon). I met Mike a year ago during a “directing the actor” seminar the Sundance Institute created for us prior to heading out to the Labs.

He was gracious, funny and smart and I’m looking forward to seeing his debut effort later this summer.

Jono Oliver Needs Your Help

Posted By On Monday, 05-7-2012 @ 08:22 am Under Film & Mentioned , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Jono Oliver Needs Your HelpPermalink

Yeah. Another kickstarter/crowd funding project. I know… I know…

But trust me, I wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t a stellar team behind it. Jono Oliver (the writer/director), worked on the very first film I acted in out of drama school and was one of those guys who makes you happy to come to work everyday cause he’s good at what he does… and he’s also one of the good guys, you know?

Basically, here’s a film I’d like to see get made and a filmmaker who I think deserves support… I hope you do too:

ABOUT THE STORY: Home is the story of a man named Jack, recovering from mental illness, whose goal is to move out of the group home where he resides and into a home of his own. By doing so he hopes to rebuild his life, reconnect with is estranged son, and put himself back on a path to “normalcy.” Despite what some see as difficult subject matter (a man dealing with mental illness) Home is filled with wonderful characters, a lot of humor, strong drama, hope… and ultimately, an uplifiting ending. More information about the story can be found on our website: www.homethefilm.com. It’s a terrific script that will make a great film. Please help however you can.

NYU – Cinema Research Institute

Posted By On Tuesday, 04-3-2012 @ 05:29 am Under Film & Mentioned , With No Comments Permanent Link to NYU – Cinema Research InstitutePermalink

New York University’s Kanbar Institute of Film and Television – Graduate Division (my alma mater and current employer) have recently launched a new initiative called the Cinema Research Institute, to bring together film school education (academia) and the industry.

Roughly two years ago, esteemed producer Ted Hope visited NYU to give a lecture about the future of film and the state of the industry. A very important idea was spawned from that lecture: the creation of an NYU think tank / incubator dedicated to the future of cinema. A safe place within the walls of the university where students from all disciplines could research and experiment with models and ideas that could change the industry.

At the heart of the initiative are fellows the CRI selects and mentors for a year: The fellowship is a year-long program designed to nurture emerging producers with research project-specific support through Labs, grants, and long-term advisory relationships.

They’re currently recruiting the next round of fellows so take a look after the jump for more information.

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PBS Online Film Festival – National Film Society

Posted By On Tuesday, 02-28-2012 @ 10:56 am Under Film & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to PBS Online Film Festival – National Film SocietyPermalink

Take a peek at this funny promo from my old classmate Stephen Dypiangco and his partner over at the National Film Society, Patrick Epino. They’re hosting the inaugural PBS Online Film Festival. Check out all the films here.

The promo features my third favorite filmmaker of all time, Mr. Luke Matheny (also an old classmate) and another surprise guest from my youth (growing pains?)

#RollTideRoll – Alabama Wins!!!

Posted By On Wednesday, 01-11-2012 @ 03:47 am Under Film & Mentioned , With No Comments Permanent Link to #RollTideRoll – Alabama Wins!!!Permalink

Well, I’ve posted this before, and true to my word I didn’t go on too much about the team this year…

BUT… we won it all!!!

*Please forgive my use of the word “we”… this team is the only team or sport I gush over shamelessly, you should know that.

Congrats to the Team, the University and of course the fans!

Roll Tide!!!

“Roll Tide” is a universal expression among ‘Bama Nation, versatile and applicable in nearly every situation as a greeting, farewell or standard cheer or praise.

Pariah

Posted By On Monday, 01-2-2012 @ 01:15 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to PariahPermalink

This is Pariah, a beautifully shot film with wonderful performances and really assured writing and direction.

In short, go see it.

There are too many wonderful people I know involved with this project to mention them all but I’d like to point out two:

Adepero Oduye plays the lead and does a dazzling job. I’ve worked with her before and she was amazing to have on our set (she even visited my grad directing actors class to work with the up-and-coming NYU students).

She’s probably the kindest person you’ll ever meet in this business and she’s gonna be a star… watch.

The other Dee Rees, was a year ahead of me at NYU and served as an inspiration and guide while I was applying to the Screenwriter’s and Director’s lab (she attended a few years before me).

You may have heard this said about others before but let me say it again as someone with firsthand knowledge, Dee is just a nice person. A good person. And she’s incredibly talented. The first part (being nice) may not carry much weight when all is said and done in this business but it means everything to me.

I admire her.

Support this film by seeing it and witness something wonderful emerging in indie film…

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975

Posted By On Wednesday, 12-21-2011 @ 06:47 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975Permalink

The Black Power Mixtape examines the evolution of the Black Power Movement in the black community and Diaspora from 1967 to 1975. The film combines music, startling 16mm footage (lying undiscovered in the cellar of Swedish Television for 30 years), and contemporary audio interviews from leading African-American artists, activists, musicians and scholars.

Recently saw this and loved it.

It’s steaming on Netflix, go watch it now. I’m so glad the swedes captured this and the director, Göran Hugo Olsson shared it with the world.

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25 to LIFE

Posted By On Friday, 12-9-2011 @ 11:36 am Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to 25 to LIFEPermalink

This feature length documentary is directed by NYU classmate and friend Mike Brown. I’ve watched Mike and his producing partner, Yvonne M. Shirley work on this documentary tirelessly and it should really be seen by many, especially young people.

25 TO LIFE is a work-in-progress feature documentary about a young man who kept his HIV status a secret for over twenty-five years, since he was two years old. Now he seeks redemption from his promiscuous past, and embarks on a new phase of life with his wife who is HIV negative. 25 TO LIFE is brutally honest, comprehensive film that takes a critical lens to our main character, his family, their decisions, the impact of those decisions on surrounding lives. 25 TO LIFE shows how one man’s AIDS diagnosis can affect an entire family and community.

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Up On The Mountain

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Posted By On Thursday, 12-8-2011 @ 07:57 am Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Up On The MountainPermalink

This is starting to feel like one of those years… or rather one of those moments.

You know how if feels when you’ve had your head buried down, you’ve been working away at something or maybe several somethings and you look up and realize the work itself has transported you… and you didn’t even realize you were moving?

It’s that time of year when Sundance makes it’s announcements and I’m surprised by how many of the creators I’m connected to.

This edition of the festival is also the year I’ve told myself I’m going to attend for the first time…

I’m pretty excited.

An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (Dir. Terence Nance)

Here are a few of the films I hope to see:

  • Beasts of the Southern Wild (Dir. Benh Zeitlin & Writer Lucy Alibar) – Labs Fellows
  • Hello I Must Be Going (Dir. Todd Louiso & Writer Sarah Koskoff) – Labs Fellows
  • My Brother the Devil (Dir. Sally El Hosaini) – Labs Fellow
  • Sleepwalk With Me (Dir. Mike Birbiglia) – Labs Fellow
  • An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (Dir. Terence Nance) – Fellow BK filmmaker
  • That’s What She Said (Dir. Carrie Preston) – performed in Festen together.
  • Middle Of Nowhere (Dir. Ava DuVernay) – AFFRM founder
  • Red Hook Summer (Dir. Spike Lee) – my NYU professor and my old boss
  • OK Breathe Auralee (Dir. Brooke Swaney) – NYU Grad Alum

    • “Camera Angel” Clapper

    Posted By On Monday, 10-24-2011 @ 01:50 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , With No Comments Permanent Link to “Camera Angel” ClapperPermalink

    Geraldine Brezca, 2nd Assistant Camera, is known as Tarantino’s Camera Angel.

    I love her.

    25 Greatest Unscripted Scenes in Films

    Posted By On Thursday, 09-1-2011 @ 09:49 am Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to 25 Greatest Unscripted Scenes in FilmsPermalink

    This is fun.

    A series of famous and sometimes iconic lines which were actually improvised versus being scripted.

    Take a look…

    [source]

    The Sports Guy Explains the Movie Star

    Posted By On Wednesday, 07-6-2011 @ 07:22 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to The Sports Guy Explains the Movie StarPermalink

    Bill Simmons aka The Sports Guy (of ESPN fame) seems to actually know a fair bit about Hollywood too. Who knew?

    I’ve been a fan of his writing ever since he explained Lebron James to me, but this is just a little taste of heavenly-good-writing-and-it’s-true-and-it’s-funny. Read it:

    Fact: People believe Will Smith is the world’s biggest movie star (even though he doesn’t make great movies).

    Fact: People believe Ryan Reynolds is a movie star (even though he isn’t).

    That’s all you need to know about Hollywood right now. Everyone is complaining about the quality of this summer’s movies (probably the worst ever), this year’s Oscar race (potentially the most ghastly in years) and a general lack of imagination by the studios (it honestly feels like they gave up), but really, everything comes back to Will Smith and Ryan Reynolds.

    Read on, laugh and nod your head ‘Yes’ to his every word here. You will not be disappointed.

    State of Cinema: Christine Vachon

    Posted By On Thursday, 04-28-2011 @ 02:47 am Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to State of Cinema: Christine VachonPermalink

    Veteran producer Christine Vachon gave her thoughts on the art and business of filmmaking over the weekend at the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival.

    via indiewire

    Tree of Life

    Posted By On Wednesday, 03-23-2011 @ 10:19 pm Under Film & Mentioned , , , , , With No Comments Permanent Link to Tree of LifePermalink

    Looking forward to seeing this new film from Terrence Malick.

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