It's the LAW!

Thanks to Linn Sitler, Commissioner of the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission, for passing along the info on the film/TV incentives bill. As she put it in her note:

"The last amendment 1607 became the bill. This is the bill with the $10 million appropriation. YEAAAA!!!!! GO TEAM! WE DID IT!"

Here is the text of the bill:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 50, is amended by adding the following as a new appropriately numbered Part:

SECTION 2. This part shall be known as “Visual Content Act of 2006” and is enacted for the purpose of providing incentive grants that encourage the production of films, movies,television pilots or programs, in the state of Tennessee.

SECTION 3. As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Commission" means the Tennessee film, entertainment and music commission;
(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of economic and community development;
(3) "Department" means the department of economic and community development;
(4) "Executive director" means the director of the Tennessee film, entertainment and music commission;
(5) "Film/TV fund" means the Tennessee film/television incentive fund;
(6) "Minority participant" means an individual who is impeded from normal entry into the economic mainstream because of race, religion, sex or national origin;
(7) “Production activities” mean activities related to the production of entertainment properties;
(8) "Production company" means any person or entity that produces a film, movie, pilot or show in Tennessee;
(9) "State-certified production" means a film, movie, pilot or show that meets the criteria established by the commission to receive an incentive grant; and
(10) "Tennessee motion picture and television incentive grant" or “incentive grant" means a grant for a state-certified production that is approved by the department to receive such grant based upon the recommendation of the executive director of the commission.

SECTION 4.
(a) The "Tennessee Film/Television Incentive Fund," referred to as the "Film/TV fund" is established as a separate account in the general fund and shall be administered by the department of economic and community development.
(b) The film/TV fund is composed of:
(1) Funds appropriated by the general assembly for the Film/TV fund; and
(2) Gifts, grants and other donations received by the department or the commission for the Film/TV fund.
(c) Moneys in the Film/TV fund shall be appropriated and expended to provide incentive grants to production companies for use in producing state-certified productions and shall be used by the department of economic and community development to defray the expenses of administering the provisions of this section; provided, however, such expenses shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total amount appropriated for the program in any fiscal year.
(d) Moneys in the Film/TV fund shall be invested by the state treasurer pursuant to title 9, chapter 4, part 6, for the sole benefit of the Film/TV fund, and interest accruing on investments and deposits of such fund shall be returned to such fund and remain part of the Film/TV fund.
(e) Subject to the availability of revenue at the end of each fiscal year, the commissioner of finance and administration is authorized to carry forward any amounts remaining in the Film/TV Fund or transfer any part of the fund to the revenue fluctuation reserve.
(f) It is the intent of the general assembly that, to the extent practicable, moneys from the Film/TV fund shall be used to provide incentive grants to production projects in all areas of the state.
(g) It is the intent of the general assembly that the commission shall actively encourage independent producers and minority participants to apply for incentive grants.
(h) Incentive grants from the Film/TV fund shall not exceed the amount available in the fund at any time. No less frequently than biannually, the executive director of the commission shall report to the commissioner of finance and administration on the status of the incentive grant program, such report to include at least the following information: the amount of each grant awarded since the previous report and the name of the production company receiving the benefit of such grant, the total amount of outstanding grants and the total unobligated amount in the Film/TV fund. A copy of each such report shall be transmitted to the speaker of the house of representatives and the speaker of the senate, the chairs of the finance, ways and means committees, the state treasurer and the state comptroller.
(i) The department of economic and community development is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations as the department may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act. All such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon becoming law, the public welfare requiring it.

Undiscovered Gems film series at Brooks

Tonight | 7pm
The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art kicks off its
Undiscovered Gems Film Series with the independent film Puffy Chair!

“Disarmingly sweet and consistently funny; it's insightful, unpredictable and unexpectedly poignant. In other words: it's a low-budget winner.” –Efilmcritic.com

Jay and Mark Duplass
Not Rated, 1 hour 25 minutes

$5 Brooks members, $7 Not-yet members
Dorothy K. Hohenberg Auditorium
Seating is limited.
Call 544.6208 or e-mail diane.jalfon@brooksmuseum.org

Josh's life is pretty much a mess. He's a failed NYC indie rocker, and a failing booking agent. He decides to purchase a 1985 Lazy Boy on eBay, just like the one his dad had when Josh was a kid. The plan is to drive cross-country, pick up the chair, and deliver it to his father as a surprise birthday gift. But when his friend Rhett ends up coming along for the ride, and an ex-girlfriend joins along the way, the van suddenly seems way too small.

More about Undiscovered Gems

A series of monthly films presented in association with the New York Times and the California Film Institute. These films are chosen from indieWIRE’s annual list of the top 15 films from major festivals around the world that have yet to find a theatrical distributor. Only 12 venues in the country are presenting the Undiscovered Gems Film Series. Audience members will rate each film and the winning film maker will receive a $50,000 prize.

The museum will screen one film per month from indieWIRE’s annual list of top festival picks. Look for these Undiscovered Gems on the last Tuesday of every month through November, 2006.

Local shorts on the Library Channel

Last Train to Memphis Entertainment is proud to announce the June line up for the premier episode of LTTM's Shorts Festival that will be airing on the Library Channel WYPL-18 through out the month of June. Check our web site or the Library Channel web site for times.

The Galapagos Brothers - directed by C.R. Smithmier of Southhaven, MS.
Classified Ad - directed by Ben Siler of Collierville, TN.
Escape - directed by Danny Stanford of Hornlake, MS
Split Decision - directed by Ashley Fowler of Forrest City, AR.

Music for ending credits: These Times are Changing by Timeline.

Thanks to all our entrants, and remember just because you were not selected for this months edition does not mean you will not be selected for a future show. This is a monthly festival with new films each month.

Our festival is open to all filmmakers in the Memphis area. While other festivals are showing fewer and fewer local films, LTTM is showing ONLY locally made films. Best of all there is NO entry fee. We are looking for short narrative, documentary, music videos, animations, experimental and feature film trailers. Check our web site for the rules and application. If you are having problems loading our web site, use Internet Explorer. We have tracked a problem with our site to the web design program and are in the process of converting to a new program.)

We hope to expose local filmmakers to a wider audience who might not attend festivals. We are looking for undiscovered talent. Name recognition is not important to us. Just send us a good quality film that we can share with a local audience.

Casting needed for Thursday

Film shooting 6/01 in Dyersburg, TN.

Casting for a British production company now shooting in the
Dyersburg area. Sounds like an oxymoron to be casting for a
documentary, but I'm casting that portion which is a dramatic
recreation of certain events.

If you think,or you've ever been told,that you look like Ellen Barkin
(only younger) or Kate Hudson (only shorter) e-mail your headshot or
recent snapshot and resume to me at jodoster@... ASAP! I'm
also looking for her scrappy, weathered husband in his early 40's (or
a 35 year-old who has lived a rough, outdoors life).

This is a blue-collar couple who have had a hard life. Both are
short: male is 5'6", female is shorter. Female has dark, strawberry
blonde hair; male is a brunette - moustache is okay.

Also looking for two little girls: a pretty, chubby five year-old
with very dark hair, and an eighteen-month old toddler with short,
light brown hair.

Contact info:
Jo Doster
Casting Director
615/463-9883

$10 million incentive bill passes

From The Commercial Appeal:

Tennessee legislators approved a $26 billion state budget Friday ... (that) includes a $10 million appropriation for incentives for movie and television productions in Tennessee. It was lobbied for by the Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission, and funded with money the Senate originally intended for higher education.

Talent needed

Lisa Lax at actlink@aol.com is casting:

female red heads-freckled weathered looking
little girls age 4-6 yr-real chubby brunette

send head shots

Some details of the incentives bill

This is a portion of the summary of the Visual Content Act of 2006. There is more that you can find through the link in the previous post, but these are the salient parts of the incentives:


Bill Summary for HB3356 / *SB3513

This bill enacts numerous provisions regarding film and video game industries in Tennessee, as follows:

(1) This bill requires a producer of a film or movie in Tennessee to apply for a production permit with the Tennessee film, entertainment, and music commission. The commission would issue a production permit at no charge upon submission of a completed application, and a copy of such permit would be forwarded to the local film commission in the area of production;

(2) Beginning on and after July 1, 2006, except where a film investor tax credit is issued for the same production, the commissioner would refund the total amount of sales and use taxes paid by a motion picture production company;

(3) Present law provides an exemption from sales and use tax, as well as an excise tax credit, for industrial machinery. This bill adds machinery and equipment used primarily in the production and post-production of theatrical and non-theatrical motion pictures for exhibit or sale to that machinery considered industrial machinery for purposes of the tax exemption and credit. Excise tax credits for this equipment would be retroactive to January 1, 2005, for HD equipment purchases only. All other credits would be applicable effective July 1, 2006;

(4) This bill creates a film investor tax credit in regard to franchise tax liability, which would be granted to production companies producing state-certified productions , in the following amounts:
(A) 17 percent of the total certified base investment, if such investment is greater than $500,000 per project in any 12-month period;
(B) 20 percent of the total certified base investment if such investment is greater than $500,000 per project in any 12-month period and, in addition, at least $20,000 per project will be expended in Tennessee on music recorded in Tennessee or created by Tennessee residents; or
(C) 22 percent of the total certified base investment if such investment is greater than $500,000 per project in any 12-month period and at least 25 percent of the cast and crew will be Tennessee residents.

A production company seeking this tax credit would submit an application to the commission. As a condition precedent to receiving any credit, a production company would sign a statement of intent to begin production within 18 months of receiving the tax credit.

The credit would be assignable and transferable between taxpayers. The credit must be used against appropriate tax liabilities arising within five years from the date the credit was issued. The taxpayer would present the original certificate when filing a return and, if the amount of the credit exceeds the taxpayer's liability, the balance remaining could be claimed in the succeeding year, but the balance must be used within five years from the date the credit was originally issued. No refund would be issued for any unused credit or balance of a credit.

Tracking film incentives legislation

Track the proposed bill, formally known as the Visual Content Act of 2006, here. Go to "Legislation" in the left-hand menu, type in the bill number (HB3356), and the tracking system will give you the latest updates.

Maggie Lynn -- but not in Memphis

Here's John Beifuss' story in the CA about Craig Brewer's next movie -- which is heading for the hills:

Director Craig Brewer plans to shoot most of his next movie in Tennessee -- but not in his hometown of Memphis, he said Thursday.

The Memphis-based writer-director's next project will be "Maggie Lynn," a country music-themed film he hopes to shoot in 2007 mostly in Nashville and East Tennessee, making it the first Brewer film to be made outside the immediate Memphis area.

"His new story has the mountains in it, and we don't have mountains," acknowledged Memphis and Shelby County Film Commissioner Linn Sitler, currently in Nashville promoting legislation to increase incentives for filmmakers in the state.

Talent needed ASAP

Memphis Award Winning Indie Fillmmaker Rod Pitts of Pittstop Productions is seeking talent for role in feature film 'Spin Cycle'. This film will be submitted to major film festivals throughout the U.S.

Role: Marguerite- Attractive, fit, Caucasion or Hispanic looking female appearing to be in her late 20's to early 30's. This is a significant nonpeaking role alongside lead characters. Must be comfortable with implication of having a female girlfriend. Experience preferred but not required.

Please email headshot and resume to pittstopproductions@hotmail.com or arnita@arnitawilliams.com with Marguerite Role in subject heading. We will be shooting this scene ASAP.

Feel free to visit links below to view some of Pittstopproductions past films.

http://www.pittstopproductions.com/imagine.html

http://www.pittstopproductions.com

http://www.arnitawilliams.com/VideoClips.html

Craig Brewer goes country

From Variety:

Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewer will stay with Paramount for his next project, Maggie Lynn, a country-music drama that he'll write and direct, reports Variety.

Brewer just finished the drama Black Snake Moan, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake. That film will be distributed through Paramount Vantage.

Maggie Lynn follows a woman who gets her heart broken and achieves a sense of self-worth by returning home to Tennessee, where she teams with her older brother to play country music in honkytonks.

Brewer hopes to be in production before the year is out.

[off topic] Blogger bash

If you keep and update a blog or livejournal or myspace or website, please come to the Bloggers Bash, the latest is a series of meetings of people who have an irrepressible need to post things. It's Friday, June 9th, at the P&H Cafe on Madison, starting at 7 p.m.

It's a place where smart, often-closeted people can meet, get convivial, good naturedly abuse each other's political positions, get geeky, pontificate, withdraw, act out, act up, act, and generally do what people who slightly know each other do when they gather: talk about those who don't show up.

Or according to Vonnegut, it might be what he calls a granfalloon: "a group of people who outwardly choose or claim to have a shared identity or purpose, but whose mutual association is actually meaningless in terms of fulfilling God's design."

You belong, so be there.

[off topic] Another de Tocqueville tries to grasp Memphis

Hollywood Reporter opinionista has some thoughts about the local music scene. This story is making the rounds of local blogs. You can find it at the LiveFromMemphis.com website here.

Interesting town, Memphis. I was reacquainted with that fact when I spent 10 days there early this month on what I laughably called "vacation."

... the rock music made in today's Memphis remains largely invisible to out-of-towners. It doesn't make it downtown, but you can hear it almost any night in the city's midtown joints.

I managed to catch some astonishing stuff. Local indie goddess Alicja Trout, who fronts three bands, played a thrilling set Friday at Murphy's with the quintet Mouserocket. A Recording Academy event Saturday at a downtown warehouse showcased Secret Service, a punchy, Southern-fried hard rock band featuring guitarist and second-generation Memphis musician Steve Selvidge, and Brad Postlethwaite & Friends, a new project by a member of the chamber-rock collective Snowglobe.

[off topic] Kapone plays benefit at Newby's

Memphis rap star/film actor Al Kapone, recently in entertainment headlines for winning top honors, along with Terrence Howard and Niko Lyras, for the song "Hustle & Flow," will appear Friday May 26 at Newby's on Highland. Kapone is performing as part of United Action International's BLEEDING HEARTS benefit concert. The concert will raise money for Sudanese refugees in Africa. Doors open at 9 p.m.; tickets are $10 at the door.

Other scheduled performers:

The Secret Service
Brad Postlewaite of Snowglobe
Fireworks Over London
Organ Thief
The Rind Stars and Candice Ivory

Funds raised at this event will benefit United Action International's new Operations in Africa. United Action International is a locally based non-profit agency which was responsible for the Band4Sudan Benefit concert last September, a relief effort to aid southern Sudanese refugee camps. United Action International's new operations in Africa will cater to the needs of refugee camps in Northern Kenya and Uganda as well as in Southern Sudan.

For more info: unitedactioninternational.org

[off topic] Support a local actor

Who, you ask? Why Steven Seagal of course, who is playing the Blues at the New Daisy

Seagal is on a world tour playing the blues and Memphis bluesman Kirk Smithhart is in his band.

Seagal, living in Memphis while his daughter was at St. Jude, heard about Smithhart, went to see him at the Blue Monkey and invited him to his house to jam and chit chat. A few days later, Smithhart got a call to come to Los Angeles with his passport in order. They've played Canada, Russia and now Japan. There are dates all across the U.S. in just about every House of Blues, the Fillmore in Frisco and Madison Square Garden. Including the New Daisy on Beale St. Wednesday, June 14th, 2006.

(Thanks to livefrommemphis.com -- source: http://www.stevenseagal.com/calendar/)

Auditions -- "Chance Encounter"

CASTING TRYOUTS for "Chance Encounter" will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 3:00 p.m. at TheatreWorks in Memphis TN. located at 2085 Monroe in Overton Square.

Anyone interested in being an extra or part of the crew should come on out and sign up.

We are about to enter pre-production on the short film. If you are interested in being involved with the film, send Perception Films a message containing:

(1) name, contact info, and a headshot
(2) background (including any acting experience)
(3) level of interest in "Chance Encounter"
-key role
-supporting actor
-actor/actress
-extra
-backstage help
-fit me in anywhere

We will be sending everyone a portion of the script to familiarize yourself with for tryouts.

In case you don't have a myspace account, you can email us directly at perceptionfilms@hotmail.com. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you soon!

Directions: TheatreWorks is located one block west of Cooper at the corner of Florence and Monroe. If you are driving west on Union avenue, one block west of the Cooper-Union intersection is Florence, A Burger King is located at Florence. Turn right onto Florence and left onto Monroe. TheatreWorks is located on the South East Corner. You can park in the Overton Square parking lot.

We are on: MySpace.com/Perception_films

More on 'The Love of Angels'

Timm Scalita has a site with more info on his production of "The Love of Angels." It's an ambitious project and a fascinating, well-written story. Check it out, and if you can commit to it, contact him for more info.

Southern Comfort: still hope

This is from John Beifuss' story in The Commercial Appeal:

"Southern Comfort," the Fox television pilot shot two months ago in Memphis, has not been picked up by the network for its fall or early 2007 schedule.

The project is most likely dead, although the pilot theoretically could be revisited during the coming year, depending on the ratings of the seven new series -- including four dramas -- that Fox will add next season to its relatively stable prime-time lineup. Fox also could sell the pilot to another network.

"I can tell you this: It was so close to being accepted, it was a photo finish, so it wouldn't surprise me if it got resurrected in some other form," Dennis Murphy, a producer of "Southern Comfort," said in a phone interview Thursday, after Fox officially unveiled its fall lineup.

Memphis and Shelby County Film Commissioner Linn Sitler said the pilot's failure to become a series "is a real shame, not just from an economic standpoint but because (the filmmakers) were so polite. They not only left millions of dollars but hand-written thank-you notes, to everyone from the mayors to the Tennessee Film Commissioner."

Beauties take heed

I need 21 yr old and older beautiful girls to shoot with 36 Mafia tomorrow. No pay, shoots at the Rendevous Downtown. Pls email me. This is for a pilot they're shooting.

Lisa Lax: actlink@aol.com

Indie screenings at the Brooks

Cool films in a cool venue:

MAY 21 at 2 pm
"Two Soldiers"
Exclusive Screening with C. Robert Holloway, production designer for the film
39 minutes
Free with museum admission

Based on a short story by William Faulkner, Two Soldiers is a heart-warming story about two poor Mississippi brothers, one only a kid, the other old enough to volunteer for the war effort shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The younger brother doesn't want to let his older brother go, and he sets out on a quest to enlist in the Army himself. With excellent cinematography and creative artistry, Two Soldiers evocatively captures the feeling of the country during this period.

Have lunch at the Brushmark before the film! For lunch reservations call 544.6225


Launch of "indieWIRE: Undiscovered Gems"

The Brooks Museum is pleased to be launching “indieWIRE: Undiscovered Gems," a series of monthly films presented in association with the New York Times and the California Film Institute. These films are chosen from indieWIRE’s annual list of the top 15 films from major festivals around the world that have yet to find a theatrical distributor.

The museum will screen one film per month from indieWIRE’s annual list of top festival picks. Look for these Undiscovered Gems on the last Tuesday of every month through November, 2006.

TUESDAY, MAY 30 7 pm
"Puffy Chair"
A film by Jay and Mark Duplass
Not Rated, 1 hour 25 minutes
$5 Brooks members, $7 Not-yet members
Seating is limited, purchase your tickets today!

Josh's life is pretty much a mess. He's a failed NYC indie rocker, and a failing booking agent. He decides to purchase a 1985 Lazy Boy on eBay, just like the one his dad had when Josh was a kid. The plan is to drive cross-country, pick up the chair, and deliver it to his father as a surprise birthday gift. But when his friend Rhett ends up coming along for the ride, and an ex-girlfriend joins along the way, the van suddenly seems way too small.

“Disarmingly sweet and consistently funny; it's insightful, unpredictable and unexpectedly poignant. In other words: it's a low-budget winner.” –Efilmcritic.com


Screenings are in the Dorothy K. Hohenberg Auditorium

For more information call 544.6208 or e-mail diane.jalfon@brooksmuseum.org

Orpheum movie series lineup

The Orpheum Theatre is pleased to announce the complete line-up for The Orpheum Summer Movie Festival. Hollywood’s biggest stars will appear on the Orpheum’s big screen as part of this magical summer tradition. Each feature film is preceded by exciting pre-show activities varying between trivia contest with great prizes, classic cartoon short, and the always popular Wurlitzer organ concert. Tickets are available at the Orpheum Box Office two hours prior to the start of each movie.



PERFORMANCES DATES:

Friday, June 9 (8 pm) - Rocky Horror Picture Show

Sunday, June 11 (2 pm) - Mary Poppins

Friday, June16 (7 pm) - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Saturday, June 17 (8 pm) -This is Spinal Tap

Friday, June 23 (7 pm) -The Birds

Friday, July 21 (7 pm) - In Cold Blood

Sunday, July 23 (2 pm) - The Sound of Music

Friday, July 28 (7 pm) - After the Thin Man

Saturday, July 29 (7 pm) -The Italian Job (1969)

Friday, August 4 (7 pm) – The Phantom of the Opera

Friday, August 11 (7 pm) - The Wizard of Oz

Friday, August 18 (7 pm) - Casablanca

Friday, September 8 (7 pm) - Gone With the Wind



Ticket Information:

Tickets are $6.00, cash only. $5 for Seniors 65+ and Children 12 and under.

Movie Fun Pack – Purchase 10 tickets for $45 and use for any movie. For more information on tickets, contact the Orpheum Box Office at (901) 525-3000.

Acting classes at Playhouse

Playhouse on the Square announces Summer Adult Acting Classes!
New!
Acting Shakespeare
Instructor Emily Cox
June 5 though July 31 (last day is a showcase performance for family and friends)
Mondays from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, Total Class Fee $120
Emily Cox is a graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City and worked at the prestigious Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC.
The class will include ideas and exercises to help the student truly inhabit the language in order to bring the written word to life. Participants should have some stage experience.

Back by Popular Demand!
Lights! Camera! Action!
Instructor, Tina Fila
June 5 though July 31 (last day is a showcase performance for family and friends)
Mondays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, Total Class Fee $150
Learn the art of acting for the camera through monologues and scene study.
No experience necessary.

Lights! Camera! Action! (II)
Instructor, Tina Fila
June 5 though July 31 (last day is a showcase performance for family and friends)
Mondays from 8:30pm to 9:30pm, Total Class Fee $120
An advanced class for those who have taken screen acting courses before.
Monologue and scene study.

Take two classes and receive $50 off total fees. Subscribers to Playhouse on the Square receive additional $10 off each class.

For more information call Irene Crist at 728-5631

Southern discomfort

Word on the e-Callboard is that Southern Comfort did not get picked up for next season. Fox was looking at it and there's a chance it can be a midseason replacement. Anyone know any more about it?

DADA Ball Saturday

DADA Ball
A Masquerade Party fundraising event to support all Delta Axis programs: Indie Memphis, Power House, Delta Axis @ Marshall Arts
Saturday, May 20, 2006
8 pm midnight

Power House, 45 GE Patterson (between Main & Front Streets)
Tickets: $20 for Delta Axis members, $25 for non-members; cash bar

What is DADA?
Dada began as an anti-art movement, in the sense that it rejected the way art was appreciated and defined in contemporary art scenes. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland, the movement was a response to the destruction and devastation of World War I. Dada was also a reaction the bourgeois Victorian values of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The word Dada literally means both "hobby horse" and "father", but was chosen at random more for the naive sound. After finding its origins in Zurich, the Dada movement spread to Berlin, Cologne, Hanover, Paris, some parts of Russia, and New York City.
Other elements integral to the Dada movement were the non-attempt to underlie work with any reference to intellectual analysis. The work was absurd and playful but at times intuitive and even cryptic. Methods of production were unconventional, employing the chance technique, and found objects.

Why a DADA Ball?
Several arts organizations hold an annual dada ball to raise funds and honor creativity in the style of the cabarets of the 1920s. Dada was a movement that crossed all mediums art, literature, theater and film making this event a fitting tribute to creativity by Memphis only organization dedicated to contemporary art and film. Delta Axis 1st Annual Dada Ball will be a whimsical event with music, dancing, performance, film and other presentations throughout the evening. Costumes are encouraged, though not required.
This is sure to be a spectacular evening come show your creative side at DADA Ball 2006!

Auditions: "The Love of Angels"

"The Love of Angels" a feature film being shot this summer (June 20th - August 18) is looking for crew and cast. Open cast auditions are June 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MeDiA Co-op. Contact Timm Scalita (director/producer) for more info: scalita1@yahoo.com.

Filmmaking 101

Planning is everything. And if you're going to shoot in public, make sure that everyone who needs to know is given a heads up: property owners, cops, neighbors. From today's Commercial Appeal:

Collierville High was placed in lock-down for 15 minutes Thursday after a motorist spotted three armed men in camouflage walk from a school parking lot into woods next to the campus.
Police surrounded the area, arrested the suspects and discovered they had two plastic toy weapons, a pellet gun, a knife and video camera.
"They said they were going to film some type of documentary in the woods," Police Chief Larry Goodwin said.
A passing motorist had told the deputy that three males dressed in camouflage left a vehicle parked in the lot on the west side of campus, off Frank Road.
They appeared to have firearms as they entered the wooded area, police Lt. David Townsend said.

A great actor's great music

We don't usually tout music events on this blog (go to Rachel or Pulpfaction to keep up on that), but this gig features the amazing Travis Stone as one of the band members so we're glad to recommend it.

'Empty Shell' is:
Terry Fry - lead vocal and rythm guitar
Travis Stone - lead guitar, background vocal
Matt Hipp - bass
Andy Parrish - drums

They're playing @ Newby's Friday May 12th, 8pm
$7 cover

Auditions for local indie feature

Auditions for the Feature Film "Team Picture" are May 27th and June 4th (corrected date from June 3rd) at the Media Co-op

The movie is a realistic comedy-drama about a young man who decides against college to try his hand at not college.

From the makers of Bright Sunny South
*Winner of the Indie Memphis Hometowner Short Film Award*
*Official Selection Slamdance Film Festival*

Seeking Specifically:

Surburban Mother and Wife (Late 40's to late 50's)
Local Sporting Goods Shop Owner (Male, 40's, 50's)
Divorced, laidback father (50's)
Funloving Woman, Slightly Southern (40's –50's)
Ambitious Young artist, photographer (Female 20's)

All are free to set up an Audition including non-actors

Contact Casey@TeamPictureFilm.com and please include a headshot or even basic picture.

"Team Picture" is a feature length digital film to be shot during the end of Summer 2006 by the makers of the award-winning short film Bright Sunny South for submission to major film festivals.

The first vote passes -- battle's not over yet

The Nashville Scene just posted this:


Posted by Jim Ridley (05.10.06, 2:47 PM)

The Visual Content Act of 2006 passed the state Senate today by a vote of 28-0. It goes now to the House, and if it passes, there's just the (ahem) small matter of appropriations next week. The act would create a fund that would essentially offer grants to production companies...

The Visual Content Act of 2006 passed the state Senate today by a vote of 28-0. It goes now to the House, and if it passes, there's just the (ahem) small matter of appropriations next week. The act would create a fund that would essentially offer grants to production companies working in Tennessee, provided they met requirements of in-state spending and hiring. The figure sought by the bill's proponents is said to be $19 million. And producers are already sniffing around the state: one $25 million film with a major name attached has reportedly been watching the proceedings from afar.

Indie film auditions

Audition Notice

When: Saturday, May 13th, 2006 10 AM - 6 PM

Where: Media Co-op at First Congo, 1000 S. Cooper. Southwest corner of the building.

What: Casting for independent films:

--American Parables
A collection of shorts from ManyHands Films (OZ'S LION)

--Untitled Horror Feature
Lone Wolf Productions in association with ManyHands Films

Head shots are not necessary. Auditions will consist of cold readings. Production dates have not been set but each project will be completed by the end of the year.

FOR MORE INFO:
Contact Bryan Foshee
901.674.8369 or b@brassmask.com

Cast and crew needed for 'Love of Angels'

"The Love of Angels" a feature film being shot this summer (June 20th - August 18) is looking for crew and cast. Timm Scalita (director/producer) will hold a meeting Wednesday (May 10) at the Media Co-op, 6pm. For more info: scalita1@yahoo.com.

How funny is this?

BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB, a fixture on the Tunica casino entertainment scene for 7 years is back. Resorts Casino is presenting a special summer comedy series featuring Bonkerz Comedy Club every Friday and Saturday at 9pm. The initial series is running from Memorial Day thru 4th of July weekend. If Bonkerz is the success that Resorts is expecting it to be, the Club will be become permanent fixture at Resorts Casino Tunica. The Tunica market and the greater Memphis area will once again have a comedy club destination.

Bonkerz is a comedy club chain based at Universal Studios in Orlando and features headliners with Major TV Credits like HBO, Comedy Central, Etc. Casino Player Magazine has named Bonkerz in its “Best Of” issue as “Best Comedy Club” every year since 1997. For more information you can check out the website at WWW.BONKERZCOMEDY.COM. Or give our main office a call at 407-629-BONK (2665).

Movies and more -- highly recommended

Delta Axis offers a number of programs and events in the next two weeks.

This week we have Indie Memphis Micro Cinema Club on Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30 at Power House (45 GE Patterson between Main & Front streets). This month we are screening the following films:
She She She She's A Bombshell, by Ben Levin
Shock and Awe, by Chase Palmer
Slumlord, by Justin Monroe and Daniel Sullivan
Life or Breath, by Steve Desmond
Lucky, by Nash Edgerton
A Higher Agency, by Oliver Cheetham
Admission is free – so is the popcorn!

On Thursday, May 11 from 6:00-7:00 we have this month’s Artist Studio Visit with Hamlett Dobbins. Please join us for a light reception and discussion with Dobbins about his work in his Binghampton home and studio at 2553 Broad. This program is free to Delta Axis members and $5 for non-members. Advance registration is recommended – please call 494-6543 or email tracy@deltaaxis.org.

This Friday, May 12 from 6:00-8:00 we will have a closing reception for “Pattern Recognition: A Ted Faiers Retrospective” at Power House. This exhibition features 15 paintings by the late-Memphis artist from the 1950s-1970s. A coinciding opening reception for an installation of Faiers’s prints dating from 1952-55 will be at Memphis College of Art’s downtown gallery, on the street at 431 S. Main. We will release a catalog of this exhibition at these receptions.

Lastly, you should soon receive an invitation to our first annual DADA Ball – a masquerade party fundraising event to support all of Delta Axis’s programs: Power House, Indie Memphis, and Delta Axis @ Marshall Arts. This event will be Saturday, May 20 from 8:00 pm – 12 midnight at Power House. Admission is $20 for Delta Axis members, $25 for non-members. This event, inspired by the DADA art movement of the post-World War I era, is a celebration of creativity with an art installation, and a variety of performances throughout the evening, including music, djs, film, spoken word, and art. Costumes are suggested, but not required. It is sure to be a spectacular evening – I hope to see you there!

--
Tracy Lauritzen Wright
Executive Director
Delta Axis
Power House | Indie Memphis | Delta Axis @ Marshall Arts

Indie Memphis deadlines

Indie Memphis is calling for your films:

Deadlines for Entry: Postmarked May 31 (early) or July 15 (late)
Festival Dates: October 13-19, 2006

Muvico Peabody Place Theaters in downtown Memphis
This festival once only attracted a handful of student films that were shown over a weekend.
Since its inception, the Indie Memphis FilmFestival has been a unique showcase for southern filmmakers and southern-based films through The Soul of Southern Film program.
That is, films that have some connection to the American South. Some examples from past festivals include films made in the South or by Southern filmmakers, as well as films that deal with the Southern experience or themes/subjects that are particularly relevant to the South and Southerners.
Now, beginning its ninth year, Indie Memphis has grown into a weeklong festival of films from local, regional, and national filmmakers, plus many other special events. In 2006, we will continue the southern showcase, but we are excited to announce that we are broadening our scope to feature independent films of filmmakers from all areas and backgrounds. This expansion of our program will enable us to show even more quality independent films that you would not otherwise see in Memphis.

Entry Criteria:
All entries must have been completed in the past two years. In addition, IM gives priority to films that have not screened in Memphis over the past six months.

Screening Formats:

Formats accepted for exhibition are: 35mm, Betacam SP, DVD, and Mini DV. Films in 35 mm must have composite optical soundtracks.

Submission Tapes:

Entries must be submitted prior to the entry deadline on VHS or DVD.
All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form, signed and dated with all information printed or typed clearly and completely. The Indie Memphis film festival is not responsible for incorrect wording in publications or on awards if the entry form is incorrect or not legible.
All entries must be accompanied by a check or money order for the appropriate fee, made out to Indie Memphis. Entries not accompanied by a check or money order will not be considered.
Each entry must be on a separate tape with an entry form and payment.
Entrants name and address and the productions title and running time must be on each CD/videotape. IMPORTANT.
Do not submit works in progress or rough cuts.
Do not include separate trailers, outtakes or bloopers as part of your film.
Include with each entry a short synopsis of the film on a separate sheet, and one still photograph for use in the program (digital format preferred, if available).
Screeners and still photographs will not be returned.
Entries must be shipped pre-paid and in a suitable container. Insurance is the responsibility of the entrant. IM will confirm when the film has been received.
Programming decisions will be made by early September, and we will notify all filmmakers promptly.

Entry Deadlines and Fees:

Early deadline: May 31, 2005

Less than 30 minutes - $20
30 minutes or more - $30
Final deadline: July 15, 2005

Less that 30 minutes - $25
30 minutes or more - $35
Competition and Awards:

Films will be accepted for competition in four categories:

Narrative feature

Narrative short (less than 30 minutes in length)

Documentary

Experimental and Animation

Films made by Shelby County, TN, residents will also be eligible for the Hometowner Awards, sponsored by the Memphis and Shelby County Film & Television Commission.

All films will be eligible for The Ron Tibbett Excellence in Filmmaking Award.

Disclaimer/Liability

Every precaution will be exercised in handling entries and screening copies of films, but neither the festival organizers, employees, sponsors, nor participating organizations can assume responsibility for damage to or loss of materials submitted.

Submission of a work confirms that the Indie Memphis Film Festival has permission to exhibit it (and any moving image excerpts or reproduced stills) during the festival and for any publicity or promotion.

Submission of a work acknowledges agreement to all conditions and terms and the holding of all necessary rights to submission.

Contact Information:

Indie Memphis
PMB .. 632
1910 Madison Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 246-7086
indiememphis@yahoo.com

Movies at the Orpheum

The Orpheum Theatre is pleased to announce the June line-up in The Orpheum Summer Movie Festival. Hollywood’s biggest stars will appear on the Orpheum’s big screen as part of this magical summer tradition. Each feature film is preceded by exciting pre-show activities varying between trivia contest with great prizes, classic cartoon short, and the always popular Wurlitzer organ concert. Tickets are available at the Orpheum Box Office two hours prior to the start of each movie.



Stay tune for the announcement of more films showing July, August and September.



PERFORMANCES DATES:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show - June 9 - 8p.m.

Mary Poppins - June 11 - 2p.m.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - June 16 - 7p.m.

This Is Spinal Tap - June 17 - 8p.m.

The Birds - June 23 - 7p.m.



Ticket Information:

Tickets are $6.00, cash only. $5 for Seniors 65+ and Children 12 and under.

Movie Fun Pack – Purchase 10 tickets for $45 and use for any movie. For more information on tickets, contact the Orpheum Box Office at (901) 525-3000.

Ira Sachs' latest project

From Variety:

Chris Cooper will be a busy man this summer. Aside from The Kingdom, he’s also joined a quality cast to star in Marriage, a 1940s-set drama.

Pierce Brosnan, Rachel McAdams and Patricia Clarkson are also starring in the film, which sees a cheating husband trying to spare his wife the stigma of divorce. His solution? He’ll kill her… And they say men can’t be thoughtful!

Oren Moverman and Ira Sachs have written the script, and Sachs – who last directed indie drama Forty Shades Of Blue, will call the shots in July.

Here's the link to the full story. (Thanks to Preston Johnson).

Celebrate Waheed's new video

The official "Video Release Party" for THE CENTRAL STANDARDS music video, "So Much Clearer" is just around the corner. The piece was directed by Waheed AlQawasmi. The band will also be playing a rare acoustic set with the full band.

Make plans to folk-rock coffeehouse style! SiP is inside Midtown Artist Market, across the street from Blue Monkey. 3 dollar entery fee.

May, 6 2006 at SiP Coffeehouse (Inside Midtown Artist Market)2027 Madison, Memphis, TN 37501

PS: Also the band is going to be playing at Memphis in May, HOW COOL IS THAT. So all of you make sure to go check them out on Friday May 5th.

Film incentives update

How is the film incentive proposal doing in the General Assembly in Nashville? According to one insider, not that well.

Here's the deal: Those of us in the film community see the incentives as a license for the state to print money, and we figure that angle alone should be enough to convince legislators. There are other arguments as well: filmmaking is a clean industry and it brings prestige and positive attention to the state. The Memphis Flyer recently reported that the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission and the Memphis Music Foundation commissioned a study that projected new incentives could mean an economic impact of $400 million statewide and create over 6,000 jobs.

But lawmakers who are presently trying to decide if they can justify allocating the $19 million expenditure proposed by the Tennessee film and TV coalition are dealing with many other interests who want a piece of the budget pie. Although $19 million may not seem like much in the grand scheme ("Walk the Line" was a $29 million film), it still has to compete with current legislative concerns:
--Health care is one expensive issue getting a lot of attention and the General Assembly is far from decided on how much will be spent.
--The Senate Transportation Committee wants to restore $65 million to the highway fund that was borrowed a few years ago to balance a state budget shortfall. Gov. Phil Bredesen wants to return it in installments -- $22 million a year for the next three years. What happens to that nearly $44 million difference is affecting how legislators think about the film incentives expenditure.

There has been lobbying for the film incentive proposal. Film commissioners from around the state, including our own Linn Sitler, have been tireless is buttonholing lawmakers. David J. Bennett, executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment & Music Commission, has been doing the same. Knoxville actor David Keith has been making the rounds and reportedly has impressed the legislators with his pitch.

But the legislative insider I spoke to felt that the chances don't look good for passage in light of these competing issues. There are also numerous lobbyists -- many working full time -- who have been working the General Assembly for years for their own clients. (Want to see how many? Go here.)

However worthy film incentives might be, it is, as an issue, a relative newcomer at Legislative Plaza and lawmakers, who tend to first things first, may feel that as an issue it doesn't get to move to the front of the line.

Can you do anything about it? Yes, you still have the ear of the governor and your individual representative and senator. See the posting below ("This means YOU") to get more info on how to find your elected officials. Write each of them in your own words -- form letters and statements copied and pasted from other sources won't help -- and let them know how important this issue is to you.

There is still time as the horsetrading in Nashville gets pretty intense in the last weeks of the General Assembly's session. But don't delay. Now would be good.

This means YOU

Here's a note from the Screen Actors Guild to its members in Tennessee, but this is essential info for all of us, SAG or not:

Screen Actors Guild Members: Support the Film/Television Arts Industry in Tennessee

Your emails, phone calls and/or letters are urgently needed to support the Visual Content Act of 2006.

The current legislative effort involves two facets:

1. Passage of the Visual Content Act 2006 [Senate Bill 3513 / House Bill 3356], which would provide a mechanism for the Tennessee Film Grant Committee to administer funds both to incentivize major out-of-state productions, and to support Tennessee filmmakers;

2. An appropriation of funds to state Economic and Community Development that would enable the Tennessee Film Grant Committee to have the monies necessary to provide both incentives to out-of-state productions and support Tennessee filmmakers.

The Visual Content Act 2006, itself, is basically a mechanism to establish the Tennessee Film Grant Committee, involving ECD, Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission, Tourism, Finance, and representatives from the three grand divisions of the state, and therefore has a very small fiscal note [cost to the state]. Because of this, according to both state Senators and Representatives, the Visual Content Act 2006 is expected to pass fairly easily.

The uphill battle is regarding the appropriation of funds. The effort to secure this appropriation will continue until the very last days of the Tennessee legislative session, which is anticipated to end within two-to-three weeks. Success here is dependent upon the triangulation of support in the House, the Senate, and ultimately the Governor's administration. There are many worthwhile groups and causes that are all vying for a piece of whatever funds are available this session, as with all other sessions.

While we have very strong support in the House, strong support in the Senate, and growing support in the Governor's administration, nothing can be taken for granted, and it is absolutely critical at this time that the film/television community of Tennessee send friendly communications to all Senators, Representatives and the Governor's office in support of the appropriation for the Visual Content Act 2006.

Your personal phone call, letter or email is therefore critical at this time. It is also important to note, however, that we have been informed that mass, spam-like emails actually generate negative response from both the administration and legislators. Therefore, if you can pick just the Representatives and Senators from your area, and write a brief note in your own language in strong support of the appropriation for the Visual Content Act 2006, that will have very dramatic effect when multiplied by 1000 or more people across the state.

To determine the Representatives and Senators from your area, go to www.legislature.state.tn.us

Under Senate or House of Representatives you will see Members—click there and you will find your local legislators, their emails and phone numbers.

Yes, this involves a few minutes of work, but it is now or never. If you are a film or television business, film or television professional, indie filmmaker, actor, writer, director, producer, aspiring filmmaker, student, or supporter of the film arts in Tennessee, the time for your phone calls and emails is literally now, as appropriations are being determined this week. You truly can and will make a difference at this moment.

For further information, please go to www.filmnashville.com.

And yet another venue for movies

MySpace Features Exclusive Content

from An American Haunting

MySpace.com partners with the upcoming Independent film, An American Haunting, to provide exclusive content and unparalleled visibility to its community of more that 75 million members. As the exclusive media partner for the film, the MySpace logo will be featured on every billboard, bus shelter, TV spot and on the film’s official homepage. With this partnership, the Indie film is able to launch a massive marketing campaign on the scale of a major studio by using MySpace as a catalyst.

Based on true events, An American Haunting tells the harrowing story of the most documented haunting in American history—a 200 year-old saga that to this very day continues to terrify the small town of Red River, Tennessee. Staring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland, the film is posed to terrify viewers when it debuts this Friday, May 5, on an unprecedented 2000 screens nationwide. MySpace users can bear witness to the chilling story of the Bell Family on the film’s official MySpace profile, www.myspace.com/anamericanhaunting.

Horror fans and MySpace members can access the film’s trailer, exclusive clips and photos, download wall papers and AIM icons, as well as link to the writer/director/producer, Courtney Solomon, and character’s individual MySpace profiles. By linking to Courtney’s profile, filmmakers can get backstage knowledge of the filming, production and release of An American Haunting. As a friend of the film’s profile, MySpace members will get regular updates on the film, read an exclusive interview with Filmmaker Magazine and access pod casts with Sissy Spacek and Courtney Solomon.

'Two Soldiers' at Brooks

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art presents an exclusive screening of the Academy Award-winning short film Two Soldiers at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. C. Robert Holloway, production designer of the film, will be on hand to introduce Two Soldiers and to talk about his experience with this unique project following the screening.



Based on a short story by William Faulkner, Two Soldiers is a heartwarming tale of two poor Mississippi brothers, one only a kid, the other old enough to volunteer for the war effort after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. The younger brother doesn't want to let his older brother go, and he sets out on a quest to enlist in

the Army himself. With excellent cinematography and creative artistry, Two Soldiers evocatively captures

the feeling of the country during this tumultuous period in history.



Two Soldiers won an Oscar for Best Short Film (Live Action) in 2004. Because of its length (39 minutes),

the film has been primarily shown at art museums and film festivals. The Brooks screening will take place in the Dorothy K. Hohenberg Auditorium and is free with museum admission.