Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Indie Heaven for screenwriters - sign up now

From John Beifuss' story in the CA:

A pair of lauded movie makers will be in Memphis this month to host free screenings and workshops for aspiring local screenwriters.

The filmmakers -- producer Mike S. Ryan and writer-director Barry Jenkins -- will review and discuss script "treatments" in afternoon workshops on July 18-19. Attendance will be limited, to keep the groups manageable, and is restricted to residents of Shelby County. Treatments for review must be submitted in advance, and will be selected by the filmmakers.

Organized by the Memphis and Shelby County Film Commission, the effort is an attempt to help the city's many hopeful writers, said film commissioner Linn Sitler, who has labeled the weekend "Indie Heaven."

Treatments must be submitted to the film commission at info@memphisfilmcomm.org. Examples of the requested treatment format can be found on the commission's Web site.

In addition to the film commission, sponsors of the "Indie Heaven" weekend include Malco Theatres Inc. and MemphisED, an economic development organization.

The event is a sequel of sorts to last year's film commission more job-oriented workshops, which focused on film crew positions.


Read the full story here and check out the info at the Film/TV commission's web site here.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Casting Call for a short film

Writer/Director: Rob Winfrey
The story calls for a female who can play an age range of 22-32, no specific ethnicity, to play two parts. One is a vulnerable, scared woman and the other is an in-control lawyer-prosecutor type. It will be a full day of shooting.
There is no pay but the actress will receive movie credit, a copy of the finished film, and will be taken care of and fed on set.
Auditions will be held July 6, 2009 at 6:30PM-8:30PM at Carita's Villiage located at 2509 Harvard Ave, Memphis, TN. 38112
Contact Monica c/o monicasummerfield@comcast.net with any questions

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

"Taylor Made"

The CA's John Beifuss on a film exhibition at the Center for Southern Folklore:

The most significant filmmaker in this city's history might be a man who never worked with movie studios or stars.

He was inspired by the Bible and the black neighborhoods of Memphis, not by fictional screenplays or the glitter of Hollywood.

"He was a one-man CNN of the community," said Dr. Beverly Bond of the University of Memphis, speaking about the subject of "Taylor Made: The Life and Work of the Rev. L.O. Taylor," a new "online exhibit" that can be found on the recently launched Web site of the Center for Southern Folklore at southernfolklore.com.

Friday, June 12, 2009

"The Conversion"

It's not what you thought it was going to be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM7-zIIyfow

Thursday, June 11, 2009

"Night" trailer

Slick trailer for a scary film, coming soon.

Wanna be a Millionaire?

Saturday June 13
Nashville, Tennessee
(NOTE NO MOVIE TEST WILL BE GIVEN IN NASHVILLE)

HILTON NASHVILLE DOWNTOWN
7AM TO 11AM
(call back interviews from 12:30PM to 4:00PM)

The lights…heart-pounding music…the chance to win 1 Million Dollars...It can only mean one thing: America’s favorite game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, is back!

We’re on the lookout and we’re going on the road to cities across America!

Go to http://www.millionairetv.com/special/roadauditions/nashville.html for more information.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Li'l Film Fest: Family

Live From Memphis™ Presents LI’L FILM FEST 10: Family

Live From Memphis proudly announces its 10th LI'L FILM FEST, June 13, 2009 working with a theme we all have something to shout about: Family. The screening for this showcase of independent, local film will be held at The Brooks Museum of Art inside Overton Park at 2pm.

LI'L FILM FEST remains true to its goal of supporting local filmmakers and promoting film as art. Thanks to our partnership with the Memphis Tourism Foundation and collaboration with Indie Memphis, the festival has strengthened the film community of Memphis, giving aspiring local film artists small, manageable projects to work on and complete. Please join us in honoring our dedicated filmmakers.

On Saturday, June 13, the screening will include the following works:

“Dinner at the Olson's” directed by Don Meyers

“Downer” directed by Jason Rawlings and Jason Davenport

“Family Heat!” directed by Andy Strong

“Meet the Grotz” directed by Rich Kimball

“Reunion” directed by Pandora

“Some People's Families” directed by Jessica Sprenkle

“Son of . . . “ directed by J. Lazarus Hawk

“Sunday” directed by Val Overstreet

“Until Death Do Us Part” directed by Carl E Walters

“Wes' Hypothesis” directed by Daniel Felts

"Monday" directed by Eric Swartz

Our “Grand Jury Award” will be accompanied by a customized, thematic trophy and $500 in cash prizes presented by The Memphis & Shelby Co. Film & Television Commission and Indie Memphis. The “Audience Choice Award” will come with a trophy and the prize money is cash from the door, so the more people that come to the festival the bigger the pot!

Indie Memphis has put together an out-of-town jury of industry professionals for the “Grand Jury Award:” Joanne Feinberg, Director of Programming for the Ashland Independent Film Festival in Ashland, Oregon; Ted Speaker, Associate Producer of HUMPDAY (opening in theaters this July) and juror for the 2008 LFM Music Video Showcase; and Gabe Wardell, Executive Director of the Atlanta Film Festival.

All films submitted to the Li’l Film Fest will automatically be placed into consideration for the Annual Indie Memphis Film Festival, and any and all submission fees will be waived. (Li’l Film Fest winners will still have an automatic slot in the festival as part of their prize package).

Tickets for screening are $5 at the door. For more information about the festival, please visit www.livefrommemphiscom

The Short and Sweet:

Theme: Family

Secret Ingredient: Heat

Duration: 5 minutes or less

Festival Date: Saturday, June 13th, 2009 2pm

Festival Location: Brooks Museum of Art

Awards: Grand Jury Award ($500) | Audience Choice (door $$)
Li’l Film Fest is a quarterly, theme-based film festival, focusing on highlighting our local talent while showcasing interesting happenings around town. Our goal is to encourage and inspire Memphis filmmakers while engaging a local audience in order to strengthen our artistic community.
“How does Li’l Film Fest work?” It’s pretty easy. Basically, we here at LFM will pick a theme, then we’ll announce that theme to you, and then you get to go out and make a short video (or film if you want to be fancy) using that theme – the rest of the content is up to you.
“Why is it a ‘li’l’ fest?” Two reasons: One, we have one every quarter – that’s FOUR festivals a year. How fun is that? And two, when we say “li'l” we mean it - your film must be 5 minutes or less.
“Is there anything else I should know?” Geez, you ask a lot of questions, but the answer is “Yes.” There are 2 awards given at each festival, the “Audience Choice Award” and the “Jury Award” both of which receive a trophy and a CASH prize!! And if that’s not enough incentive for you each winner has a guaranteed spot in the next Indie Memphis Film Festival! So keep that in mind when you’re rolling those cameras.

About Our Sponsors

The Memphis Tourism Foundation
The Memphis Tourism Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. The pursue a mission targeting workforce development, positive self-image, and advocacy for our city.

Indie Memphis

Now in its 12th year, Indie Memphis utilizes Memphis’ rich cultureal history to serve as a connecting point for regional filmmakers from all corners of the country – and provides a showcase for films celebrating Southern stories and storytelling.

The Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission
The Memphis and Shelby County Film and Television Commission is committed to making every facet of your film project go smoothly. They posses a solid track record in the industry and have been widely recognized and honored for their efforts.

AudioGraphics Masterworks
AudioGraphics Masterworks is the source in Memphis for all of your CD and DVD manufacturing, mastering, design, and printing needs.

The Brooks Museum of Art

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is the oldest fine arts museum in the state of Tennessee, located at the heart of Memphis in historic Overton Park. In association with Emerging Pictures, a New York-based film company, the Brooks screens award-winning independent films every month in the Dorothy K. Hohenberg Auditorium.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

Indie Memphis fundraising

Indie Memphis gets a challenge grant -- from a story in the CA by John Beifuss.

Donate to Indie Memphis or become a member of the organization by June 30 and your contribution will be matched dollar for dollar, thanks to a challenge grant from ArtsMemphis.

The $20,000 grant, from an anonymous donor, is at the forefront of what Indie Memphis executive director Erik Jambor describes as the organization's most ambitious fundraising campaign ever.

Jambor said Indie Memphis hopes to raise $80,000 by December to ensure the group's "financial stability and long-term sustainability."

Dedicated to the promotion of independent cinema and local moviemaking, Indie Memphis is probably best known for hosting the annual Indie Memphis Film Festival in October and the monthly Micro Cinema Club short-film series at The Power House near South Main. Indie Memphis also hosts various events in support of local filmmakers and is co-sponsoring a series of screenings at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

This year's Indie Memphis Film Festival is set for Oct. 8-15 at Malco's Studio on the Square.

Susan Schadt, ArtsMemphis president, said the challenge grant offers "an outstanding opportunity for the community to get behind one of the most powerful artistic voices in our city -- the Memphis independent film industry."

She said "the spirt of Indie Memphis" is "young" and "energetic" and "gives our emerging leaders ... a reason to call Memphis home."

The grant follows the most successful single fundraising event in the 12-year history of Indie Memphis: the April 30 premiere of Craig Brewer's "$5 Cover" project at the Malco Paradiso, which raised $12,000.

Starting at $30 a year (for students), Indie Memphis memberships allow free and discounted admission to various screenings, among other benefits. For more information or to become a member, visit indiememphis.com.