Performance art in Memphis -- discussion

A Panel Discussion on "Articulating Race and Power through Public Spaces" is being held this Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Power House Memphis (45 East G.E. Patterson Ave.)

Inspired by Richard Lou's recent performance art event in Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, ReCovering Memphis: Listening to Untold Stories, the discussion will focus on the often controversial realm of public art and how art, space, and place can reinforce or break down the racial (cultural) divide in Memphis and beyond.

The panelists include D'Army Bailey, Ernestine Jenkins, Richard Alexander Lou, Lee Millar, Wanda Rushing, and John Weeden.

A boost for Open Five and a party for Memphis indie films

This Thursday's "Love Letter to Memphis" is a fundraising party and concert for Kentucker Audley's film OPEN FIVE, and it's a celebration of independent film in Memphis.

The event is at 7 p.m. at Minglewood Hall (1555 Madison) and tickets are $12.

Music is by Star & Micey and there's a Silent Auction of Memphis items.

Come support Kentucker's project and local indie films all in one excellent party.

Here's more info on OPEN FIVE.

And here's info on Audley's critically praised 2007 film TEAM PICTURE.

Reminder: Book signing and film fundraiser

Ronald Baldridge was a gang member in Memphis in 1985 when he was shot twice while participating in a robbery at a Frayser skating rink, leaving him wheelchair bound. He would be shot three more times in 1986, 1987 and 1988. With the help of Memphis police officer Steve Grisham, Baldridge found God and renounced the gang life. He has since been a community activist, youth counselor and written "From Gangs to God." A book signing will be held at Java Cabana, 2170 Young Ave., on Saturday July 25th at 7 p.m. Baldridge has been trying for years to get funding for his movie, "5 Shots", so he and a few other people can get this story off the ground. The proceeds from the book sale will go to his organization called P.I.A.N.O. which stands for "people in alliance needing others," and toward funding production of the movie. For more info, contact Marguerite at daisyscreations57@yahoo.com

Paper Moon Films: Ready to create

John Beifuss reports in the CA that Paper Moon Films is launching three projects:

Two filmmakers have teamed to form Paper Moon Films, a Memphis production company preparing to launch three low-budget features, including one from buzz-generating local director Kentucker Audley and one co-starring Memphis songstress Amy LaVere and New York-based singer/actress Ann Magnuson.

"A lot of people talk about making movies, but we're not interested in talking about making movies, we're interested in getting these movies made," said Nick Case, partner in Paper Moon with Ryan Watt.

Read the full story here.

Extras needed Wednesday

Extras Needed: Wednesday Night, July 22, at Davies Manor

Time 6:30 p.m. to Midnight (at the very latest)

One Came Home, a feature film by Willy Bearden and David Tankersley, needs extras for this Wednesday night at Davies Manor. Since this is a period piece - Mississippi 1946 - men can not have facial hair and should be dressed in simple white, splayed collar (no button down collars) shirts and khaki or dark dress pants. Hair should be short or slicked back. Shoes should be simple work brogans or solid dark. Women should have hair pulled back or long. If you have appropriate period costume, that is great. If not, there will be limited period dresses at the set. The scene is a country yard party. Those who love to do a little country two-step dancing are encouraged. All ages welcome, but children and young people, only with parents please.

Have no doubt, come on out.

You may contact southernvoice@hotmail.com for questions or for more information.

Disney Train to Memphis Aug. 4

Disney is coming to Memphis on Aug. 4 as part of a 40-city interactive train tour including a 3D sneak peek of film footage from the upcoming movie “Disney’s A Christmas Carol." This family event is for guests of all ages and is free to the public. Opening ceremonies are 8:15 a.m.; the exhibit opens to the public at 9 a.m.

Starring Jim Carrey and directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” opens in theatres November 6 in Disney Digital 3D™ and in IMAX 3D®.

“‘Disney’s A Christmas Carol’ Train Tour will introduce families across the country to the holiday film. Among the highlights of the tour are authentic artifacts on loan from the Charles Dickens Museum of London; artwork, costumes and props from the film; demonstrations of performance capture technology; and a chance to morph your face into one of the film’s characters. At each stop, a state-of-the-art Disney Digital 3D Theatre will be erected, where guests can get a sneak peek of “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and see other exclusive behind-the-scenes materials from the movie. The latest details about tour stops and scheduled events are available at www.christmascaroltraintour.com.

Featuring four custom-designed vintage rail cars full of behind-the-scenes attractions, entertaining demonstrations, and fun activities, the tour started in LA in May and ends at New York’s Grand Central Terminal over the weekend of October 30th through November 1st.
At every tour stop, Radio Disney will invite kids to enter for a chance to become a Movie Surfer representing their hometown. Each Hometown Movie Surfer will get a chance to appear on Disney Channel by filming their very own Movie Surfer’s segment! They’ll also receive a prize package of exclusive Movie Surfer and "Disney’s A Christmas Carol” gear.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
“Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” a multi-sensory thrill ride re-envisioned by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking, performance-capture 3D motion picture event. Ebeneezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey, revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late. Through the magic of performance-capture technology, Jim Carrey tackles seven roles, including Scrooge and all of the Christmas spirits.

'Murderous hillbillies descend on Memphis'

One of the best headlines ever takes us into John Beifuss' story on the MTV project "Savage County" to be filmed in Memphis next month. Craig Brewer is executive producer:

Created by David Harris, a producer with MTV New Media, the 15-webisode program will employ many of the local crew members who worked on Memphis filmmaker Craig Brewer's similarly Web-based "$5 Cover," which made its debut online and on MTV in April after being shot here last summer.

For the full story, go here.

Memphis film goes international

What happens when a German intern comes to work for a summer with the Memphis and Shelby County Film and TV Commission? It could be the seed of something big.

Read John Beifuss' story here.

Local films at Black Film Festival this weekend

The Black Film Festival 09 at the Hattiloo Theatre is this Friday and Saturday.

Friday's Schedule:
6pm: Kickoff reception
7:30pm: "Tricks" by DeAara Lewis
10:30pm: Afterparty

Saturday's Schedule:
10am: Workshop: Acting for the Camera
12:30pm: Workshop: How to promote your film
1:30pm: Workshop: How to finance an indie film
3pm: Workshop: Nuts and bolts of indie filmmaking
5pm: Shorts by William Westbrook
5:30pm: "Just the Two of Us" by Keenon Nikita
7pm: documentaries by Marcellous Lovelace
8pm: Film by Rod Pitts

$8 Admission per film or $35 for a 2-day pass
Workshops: $15/each
To buy tickets online: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/71678

Hattiloo Theatre, 656 Marshall. Call 525-0009; hattilootheatre.org

Reminder: Book signing and film fundraiser

Ronald Baldridge was a gang member in Memphis in 1985 when he was shot twice while participating in a robbery at a Frayser skating rink, leaving him wheelchair bound. He would be shot three more times in 1986, 1987 and 1988. With the help of Memphis police officer Steve Grisham, Baldridge found God and renounced the gang life. He has since been a community activist, youth counselor and written "From Gangs to God." A book signing will be held at Java Cabana, 2170 Young Ave., on Saturday July 25th at 7 p.m. Baldridge has been trying for years to get funding for his movie, "5 Shots", so he and a few other people can get this story off the ground. The proceeds from the book sale will go to his organization called P.I.A.N.O. which stands for "people in alliance needing others," and toward funding production of the movie. For more info, contact Marguerite at daisyscreations57@yahoo.com

Casting for 'The Glass'

Memphis-based production company Parabolos will hold a casting session for the short film "The Glass" Tuesday, July 7 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in room 201 of the Community Life Center on the campus of the Church of Christ White Station, 1106 Colonial Rd.

Those wishing to audition are asked to contact directors dan baker and chris pollock (901.361.9189 or e-mail: dan@danwrotethis.com, cpollock@parabolos.com). scripts will be provided for cold readings. headshots and resumes are appreciated, but not necessary.

production dates are july 13th - july 21st, 2009. roles are unpaid, but actors will receive a copy for their reel. this film is part of an international film contest and will be seen by thousands of online viewers, including many top-tier film and television industry producers, directors, actors, agents, etc.

characters
Tim Stendal (male, 11) - adventurous son of missionaries Elliot and Olive Stendal.
Elliot Stendal (male, late 30’s) - American missionary in Chile.
Olive Stendal (female, mid-30’s) - Elliot’s wife, Tim’s mother; nurse.
General Seve (male, late 40’s/early 50’s) - Chilean guerrilla leader.
Lt. Chimo (male, 19-25) - Chilean guerrilla.
Carlos (male, 40-50) - native Chilean; informant to Gen. Seve.
Pepe (male, 16) - Chilean guerrilla; new recruit.
New Recruit (male, 16) - shaky Chilean guerrilla kid.
Worship Leader (male, 35-45) - Elliot’s devoted partner; native Chilean.
Little Boy (8-12) - story-loving friend for Tim to play with; native Chilean.
Little Girl (8-10) - native Chilean; separated from her family.
Chilean Military (men, 20’s) - young men; pawns in the military’s efforts
guerrilla fighters (men, 16-25) - young men who fight with General Seve.
townspeople (mixed, all ages) - people of Morado village; native Chileans.

'Cigarette Girl' goes Down Under

Cori Dials and the boisterous JMM

John Michael McCarthy -- the Godfather of Memphis indie film -- leaves town Tuesday for an almost three-week tour of Australia that includes the premiere Friday of "Cigarette Girl," at the prestigious Revelation Perth International Film Festival.

John Beifuss reports in the CA that:

"Cigarette Girl" tentatively is set to have its Memphis premiere on Sept. 10 at the Malco Paradiso, in what would be the first collaboration between the Indie Memphis Film Festival and the On Location: Memphis International Film Fest.

After Perth, McCarthy said, he will screen "Cigarette Girl" in Sydney, and will show some of his past films, including "Teenage Tupelo" and "Elvis Meets the Beatles," at various cinemas, clubs and taverns in Australia. He said he plans to use his off time in the Antipodes to write a Western.