Move along now -- this way to the egress

Same blog, new name. Go here for local film stuff.

I'll buy your breakfast

But if you want to find out how, go to my newly named site: memphiscoolmovies.blogspot.com

Acting class with Darius Wallace

ACTING FOR FILM WITH DARIUS WALLACE

Come join the Actors Community, Tuesday, October 6th, at Caritas Village from 6:30p to 8:30p to begin work on acting for film. We will be preparing to work with writer, director, and actor; Darius Wallace.

Darius Wallace attended Interlochen Arts Academy where he studied theatrical arts. He then attended SUNY Purchase Theatre Arts School in New York, a school of professional theatre. He wrote and produced a one-manshow on the life of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Fredrick Douglas. Darius has toured his one-man shows around the country through mobile productions which has been seen in forty-eight states. The show Malcolm X received rave reviews by the LA Times and LA Weekly. He recently finished shooting the movie Nothing But the Truth with Kate Beckinsdale and Matt Dillion. He is currently in post production on his own movie, 100 Lives, which he wrote, directed and produced.

Directions to Caritas Village are below.

For more information send e-mails to jenneanfarmer@gmail.com.

Directions to Caritas Village
Take Poplar Avenue westbound
Turn right on Merton Street
Turn left on Harvard Avenue
Caritas Village will be to the left
2509 Harvard Avenue

Theater auditions

Auditon Dates and info for upcoming Theatre Memphis performances. All auditions will take place at Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Extended @ Southern. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Salerno Hale at ashale@theatrememphis.org or 901-682-0518

Those wishing to audition for both Fallen Angels & Buffalo Gal are asked to audition on separate days.


Buffalo Gal
Written by A. R. Gurney
Directed by Jerry Chipman
performed on the Next Stage February 26 – March 14, 2010

Amanda is a glamorous Hollywood actress returning to her hometown of Buffalo, NY, to guest star in a production of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Memories and relationships are rekindled, new hope beckons – just as Hollywood calls with an offer will she or won’t she be able to refuse? A Mid-South Premiere.

Auditions:
Saturday, Oct 3 @ 1:45 PM
Sunday, Oct 4 @ 5:45 PM
Monday, Oct 5 @ 6:45 PM Callbacks by invitation only

o Auditions will be cold readings from the script.
Familiarity with the script is strongly advised for all auditionees.
o Scripts are available at the box office and may be rented for 3 days
with a refundable $5 deposit. Rental deposit is forfeited if materials
are returned after the due date.
o Current resume and headshot strongly advised.
o Roles Available: 3 Men, age 30-60 2 Women, age 18-60
o Rehearsals begin January 11, 2010.
o The role of Amanda will be played by Christina Wellford Scott;
all other roles are open. Character descriptions follow.

Available Roles:
Jackie – 30-50; a successful and respected director in the world of regional theatre; she is a personable, honest and confident woman - or as confident as anyone would be about to direct a Hollywood star in The Cherry Orchard.

Roy – 30-50; production stage manager for The Cherry Orchard; strong, reliable, professional and a friend and confidant to Jackie; he is dazzled by Amanda.

Debbie – late teens to 30; the theatre’s intern & assistant production stage manager; energetic, loves her job and is a walking encyclopedia of theatre knowledge.

James Johnson – 45-55; African-American; strong, assured actor, beautifully spoken; had a success the previous season playing Othello.

Dan Robbins – 50s; the “boy she left behind” - he’s now a successful, socially prominent dentist; he’s back on the scene and would like to be back in Amanda’s life.


All auditionees should fill out an audition form in advance and bring it with you to auditions, stapled to resume and headshot. An audition form may be downloaded from our website (www.theatrememphis.org).


Fallen Angels
Written by Noël Coward
Directed by John Rone
performed on the Lohrey Stage February 5 – 21, 2010

Noël Coward's Fallen Angels is a comedy about two married Englishwomen, Julia and Jane. Their husbands, Fred and Willy, take them for granted. Before getting married, each of the women had a romance with the same dashing Frenchman, Maurice. While the husbands are away on a golf trip, Julia and Jane find out that Maurice is about to pay them a visit. What will happen when they meet again?


Auditions:
Saturday, Oct 3 @ 1:45 PM
Sunday, Oct 4 @ 5:45 PM
Monday, Oct 5 @ 6:45 PM Callbacks by invitation only

o Auditions will be cold readings from the script.
Familiarity with the script is strongly advised for all auditionees.
o Scripts are available at the box office and may be rented for 3 days
with a refundable $5 deposit. Rental deposit is forfeited if materials
are returned after the due date.
o Current resume and headshot strongly advised.
o Roles Available: 3 Men, age 30-50 3 Women, age 30-50
o Rehearsals begin Monday, November 30, 2009.
o No roles have been precast.

All auditionees should fill out an audition form in advance and bring it with you to auditions, stapled to resume and headshot. An audition form may be downloaded from our website (www.theatrememphis.org).

Live From Memphis @ Indie Memphis

62 films and 4 Days of Live From Memphis at the 12th Annual Indie Memphis Film Festival!!

Live From Memphis has been partnering with Indie Memphis since 2004, and this year that relationship has truly blossomed. Indie Memphis has reached out to us and we're hanging on for the ride. Please join us in a celebration of this long-lasting relationship at the following showcases all happening at Indie Memphis!! Flipside Memphis (part 2), 5th Annual Music Video Showcase, Li'l Film Fest 11: Musical Horror, and the Best of Li'l Film Fest 2009. We're also throwing the official Indie Memphis opening weekend (aka The Music Video Showcase After-party). There's just so much to celebrate :)

Flipside Memphis (part 2)
Friday, October 9th, 5:30pm at Studio on the Square
Runtime approx. 50 minutes

Flipside Memphis is a project produced by Live From Memphis in partnership with the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. Initially developed as accompanying material for Craig Brewer's "$5 Cover," Flipside explores and exposes the real-life Memphis, by showcasing cool local talent, unique hang-outs, and all the stuff that is the heart of our city. These fifteen all-new episodes are being presented on the big screen for the first time.

River Arts Fest
Metal Museum
Central BBQ
New Daisy Theatre
Memphis Pops Festival
Zombies Attack!
Folk Alliance
Neosoulville
Five in One
Rock For Love
Xanadu
Revolutions
Memphis Zoo
Paul Taylor
Live From Memphis


5th Annual Music Video Showcase
Saturday, October 10th, 7:30pm at Studio on the Square
Runtime approx. 80 minutes

First launched in 2005, the goal of MVS is to give both local filmmakers and musicians a chance to "rock the big screen!" All the entries in the Music Video Showcase are either by local directors or local musicians. Come support local music & local film all at once!

"One Good Reason" | Sore Eyes | dir. Sarah Fleming
"Frozen Fun" | The Clears | dir. Live From Memphis
"Monster" | Skillet | dir. Andy & John Irwin
"Todo Vuelve A Empezar" | Alfepado | dir. Angel Ortez
"Sun Never Goes" | The Perfect Vessels | dir. Graham Burks
"Hitler Lives" | Mudboy and Sons | dir. True Story Pictures
"16 Hours" | Ohio Briars | dir. Laura Jean Hocking
"America" | 8 Ball | dir. 8 Ball & Joe Gotti
"Tequila Salt" | Taco and Da Mofos | dir. Waheed AlQawasmi
"North Memphis Like Me" | Juicy J featuring Project pat and V Slash | dir. Nathan Black
"Sittin' On Blades" | Bigg Baby | dir. Jonathan Thomason
"Feels So Good" | Muck Sticky | dir. Nathan Black
"Somebody Better Tell 'Em" | Art of Raw | dir. Catina Johnson
"Begin" | Overjoid | dir. Eric Swartz
"Beauty Hunter" | Burning Star Core | dir. Tom Strodtbeck
"Good Luck" | Good Luck Dark Star | dir. Chad Schaffler
"Whatever You Like" | Taco and Da Mofos | dir. Waheed AlQawasmi
"Hero" | Skillet | dir. Andy & John Irwin
"Love" | Snowglobe | dir. Christopher Reyes
"Eighteen With A Bullet" | Fingers Like Saturn | dir. Mike McCarthy
"No Mistake" | Total Savage | dir. Brad Phelan


Li'l Film Fest 11: Musical Horror
Sunday, October 11th, 5:30pm at the Brooks Museum of Art
Runtime approx. 60 minutes

Live from Memphis' Li'l Film Fest is a quarterly, theme-based film festival, designed to encourage and inspire Memphis filmmakers while engaging the local audience in order to strengthen Memphis' artistic community. The theme of Lil'l Film Fest 11 is "Musical Horror," with each filmmaker required to include the secret ingredient: "orange." Each film in the program is 5 minutes or less.

The Tell-Tale Shitty Music directed by Kristopher Steward & Hunter Duesing
Fool Hearty directed by R. Jason Rawlings & Dave Godbout
You Better Behave directed by Geoffrey Brent Shrewsbury
Threnody directed by Jon W. Sparks
Thriller directed by Anupam 'Al' Lahiri
Spacecrane 2010 directed by HG Ray
Orange Delight directed by Donald Meyers
Unstable directed by Wesley Catlett & Justin Houston
Dark Fountain directed by Harmony Stewart
OCD directed by Joe Fragale
Frankenstein vs. Dracula: the Opera! directed by Adam Remsen


Best of Li'l Film Fest 2009
Wednesday, October 14th, 9pm at Studio on the Square
Runtime approx. 85 minutes

Li'l Film Fest is a quaterly film festival designed to encourage and inspire Memphis filmmakers while engaging a local audience. Currently in it's 3rd year, to date Li'l Film Fest has helped to inspire the creation of 131 films and in the process supported hundreds of aspiring filmmakers, crew members, and actors.

From Li'l Film Fest 9: Memphis - Fact or Fiction?
Journeyman directed by Arnold Edwards
An Exemplary Look at Memphis, Tennessee - Free of Charge! directed by G.B. Shrewsbury
El Regalo (The Gift) directed by Angel Ortez
Milhouse & The King directed by Alex & Clay
Weird Tales of Shelby Forst Vol. 1 - Thrill Hill directed by H. G. Ray
Snipe Huntin' directed by Eric Swartz
Chuck, From Craigslist directed by Morgan Jon Fox
CottonBallLand directed by Corduroy Wednesday

From Li'l Film Fest 10: Family
Sunday directed by Val Overstreet
Dinner at the Olson's directed by Don Meyers
Family Heat! directed by Andy Strong
Meet the Grotz directed by Rich Kimball
Son of… directed by J. Lazarus Hawk
Downer directed by Jason Rawlings and Jason Davenport
Monday directed by Eric Swartz

From Li'l Film Fest 11: Musical Horror
Lil Film Fest 11 Jury Winner (TBD)
Lil Film Fest 11 Audience Winner (TBD)

Seeking a cast

From Arnold Edwards II:

I have the pleasure of co-producing and being 1st AD on an upcoming
project titled A Disjointed Proposal. I'm contacting you in hopes you
may be interested....

The talented Derek Steiner, Unwatchable Films, is casting for his
short comedy A Disjointed Proposal:

Hilarity ensues when an unfortunate accident leads a commitment phobic
waiter through a sequence of events in search of his severed finger
while dodging his girlfriend's persistent requests to bond with her
parents who happen to be dining at the same restaurant.

We’re looking for all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds.

The shoot dates will be Friday Oct 23rd and Saturday 24th from 10pm till 5am.

This is a no-budget student project. This means it’s not a paying gig,
but a wonderful opportunity to exercise your amazing talent, meet new
people/network, work on something fresh and have your work showcased
in festivals around the country!

If interested, send your contact info, a picture and any related
materials you’re interested in sharing that showcases your abilities
to Derek at:

DisjointedProposal@gmail.com

Indie Memphis Films in Focus, etc.

Indie Memphis 'Secret Screening'
Get a free sneak peak at one of the 2009 Indie Memphis
features -- one so cool that we can't tell you which one it is!
Your only hint: Musical. Space. Western. (No, not that one.)
7:30 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 23 @ Malco's Studio on the Square
Admission: Free and open to the public.

Other Special Screenings:

Jim Esposito's THE OUTSKIRTS OF HEAVEN
7 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 23
@ Memphis Mary's Stop 345 (345 Madison Ave.)
Admission: Free and open to the public.
Food and drink will be available at the cash bar.

2 MILLION MINUTES: THE 21st CENTURY SOLUTON
7 pm, Thursday, Sept 24 @ Malco's Paradiso
Admission: $7 / RSVP at orders@2mminutes.com or call 888-705-5324

MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FEST
presented by On Location: Memphis
7 pm, Thursday, Sept. 24 @ Malco's Studio on the Square
Tickets on sale at the door, beginning at 5 pm the day of the show.

Mike McCarthy's CIGARETTE GIRL - Gonerfest Matinees
1 pm on Thurs. 9/24, Fri. 9/25 and Sat. 9/26
@ Brooks Museum of Art
Admission: $7 at the door / $5 with Gonerfest ticket or Brooks membership.


In Theatres:

WORLD'S GREATEST DAD @ Malco's Ridgeway Four

IN THE LOOP @ Malco's Ridgeway Four

ADAM @ Malco's Ridgeway Four

THE HURT LOCKER @ Malco's Ridgeway Four

You judge the short films

On Location:Memphis is hosting "Manhattan Short" on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Studio on the Square.

Filmgoers here are joining audiences in 172 additional cities across five continents to view and judge the next generation of filmmakers when the 12th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival screens at Malco’s Studio On The Square Theatre on Thursday 9/24 at 7 pm. “We are excited to be the only organization in the state of Tennessee to be given the privilege of participating in the Manhattan Short Film Fest for the 2nd year,” said Lisa Bobal, President On Location: MEMPHIS.

This year the festival received 428 entries from 36 countries around the world from which 10 short films – all 14 minutes and under in length – were selected. Countries represented this year include the USA, Australia, Mozambique, UK, Israel, Spain, France, Sweden and Italy in what festival organizers describe as a “Cinematic Olympiad.”

Filmgoers will be handed a voting card upon entry and asked to vote for the one film they feel should win. Votes are tallied at each cinema and forwarded to the festival’s headquarters in NYC where the winner will be announced Sept. 27.

With some of our past finalists achieving the highest recognition the industry has to offer by going on to be nominated for and even winning an Oscar in the short film category, including two finalists in the past two festivals, the Manhattan Short has come to be known as one of the best launching pads for filmmakers in the world today.

Tickets to the event in Memphis, on Thursday, 9/24/09, will go on sale at 5 pm that day at Malco’s Studio On The Square. Contact Lisab@onlocationmemphis.org for more details or questions.

Elvis at The Shell. Really!

"Historic return of Elvis Presley to the Levitt Shell for 12th annual Indie " on Friday, October 9 at 7:00pm.

Erik says, "Mark your calendar & spread the word! Elvis and outdoor movies are returning to the Levitt Shell with a free screening of the "Elvis: '68 Special" on Friday, Oct. 9 as part of the 12th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival. Hooray! http://www.facebook.com/l/89be3;www.indiememphis.com".

Event: Historic return of Elvis Presley to the Levitt Shell for 12th annual Indie
"Free screening of "Elvis: '68 Special" on Friday, Oct. 9th"
What: Performance
Host: Indie Memphis
Start Time: Friday, October 9 at 7:00pm
End Time: Friday, October 9 at 9:00pm
Where: Levitt Shell

Filmmakers: The clock's ticking...

The National Film Challenge, the 48 Hour Film Project's sister competition, is coming on October 23rd through 26th!

http://www.filmchallenge.org

Regardless of where you live, this is your opportunity to write, shoot, and edit a short film in three days. Just like in the 48 Hour Film Project, you'll receive a character, prop, line of dialogue, and a genre at 7pm local time, October 23rd. Then you'll have to mail the film in on October 26th. In the following weeks the top films (determined by a national panel of judges) will be available for viewing (and voting!) on the NFC website. The winning films will screen with the 48 Hour Film Project City Winners at the next FIlmapalooza at the NAB Show, the 48 Hour Film Project's end of year event. In addition there are cash prizes for the winning films!

SO WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE NATIONAL FILM CHALLENGE?

--48HFP Filmmakers who have a need for speed and want to make another film before the 48HFP returns to your city in 2010.
--Filmmakers who either missed your city's 48HFP or who did not register in time to make your city's team limit.
--Filmmakers who live in cities that do not have a 48HFP yet. (Please forward this to your friends and relatives who might be in this dire
situation!)

HOW DO I SIGN UP MY TEAM?

Registration is now open on our website. The number of teams is limited to 300 and registration is on a first come first served basis.
The Early Bird Entry Fee is $115 if you register on or before September 23, 2009 and $135 if you register between September 24, 2009 and October 22, 2009. Teams can be anywhere from 1 person to 30 or more people. Read all of the rules of the contest here:

http://www.filmchallenge.org/For-Filmmakers/

Do you have any questions about the National Film Challenge? Please check our FAQ page and then use our web form to submit questions you still need answered.

http://www.filmchallenge.org/For-Filmmakers/general-faq.html

Wondering what your competition will be like? View the winning films from the last four Film Challenges in our on-line screening room:

http://www.filmchallenge.org/Films/

The National Film Challenge is a non-profit event brought to you by KDHX Community Media and the 48 Hour Film Project.

http://www.kdhx.org/mediaarts
http://www.48hourfilm.com

Every second counts! (Even when you have a whopping 72 hours to make your film.)

Understanding Shakespeare

UNDERSTANDING SHAKESPEARE - THE ACTORS COMMUNITY

One of the difficulties faced when learning Shakespeare is language accessibility. We simply have difficulty understanding the words, and so we miss the meaning of his plays and sonnets. LaVita Brooks will be taking on the responsibility of helping The Actors Community understand Shakespeare's language in order to appreciate what the plays mean.

Lavita trained with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA and has been teaching Shakespeare for two years. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and has been acting professionally for four years. During her first scene study, Lavita will go over Self Awareness which allows the actor to block out the things around them with voice and body exercises. This will be a lesson in acknowledgement of self.

The Actors Community helps adult actors who want training the chance to train without wondering about a lot of fees. It also helps in keeping the acting muscles warm so that when an opportunity for an audition approaches; the actor has been working on their craft that can be applied to the audition and possibly get them the job.

For more information, send inquiries to jenneanfarmer@gmail.com.

Scene study group will meet Tuesday, September 8th at Caritas Village from 6:30p-8:30p. Directions are below.

Caritas Village

Take Poplar Avenue westbound

Turn right on Merton Street

Turn left on Harvard Avenue

Caritas Village will be to the left

2509 Harvard Avenue

Lou Gossett! ... Outflix! ... Live Animals!

Lou Gossett is starring in a local feature ... Outflix begins Friday ... Live Animals is out on DVD Tuesday.

Fiddler on the Roof: Tough guys needed

Amy Hanford needs a couple more guys for Fiddler at Harrell Theatre. Small part, limited rehearsal. I need guys to play Russians to come kick some butt. Any interest? Omggal123@aol.com

AFFT mixer Wednesday

The Association for the Future of Film and Television Memphis Chapter Membership Event

If you are interested in increasing work opportunities in our area, come and find out what you as an individual and we as a group can do for the future of the entertainment industry.
Refreshments provided by Just Catering, Blue Moon, and MGD! Music provided by Brian Sharpe.
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009, 5:30-7:30pm
Opera Memphis 6745 Wolf River Pkwy Memphis, TN 38120

Members and non-members welcome. Members (existing and new) will be entered into the raffle for some great prizes.
Join at the door for only $25 or become a member online at:
http://www.affttennessee.org/joinafft.htm

Some raffles include: Malco Movie Tickets, Playhouse on the Square tickets, Itta Bena Restaurant gift certificate, BB Kings Blues Club gift certificate, Indie Memphis subscription, Indie Memphis Movie passes, Be a pyrotechnician for a day from High-Tech Special Effects, Inc.

We look forward to seeing everyone there! Bring a friend!

Thanks to our sponsors: Running Pony Productions, Elzemeyer Talent Agency, Eliza Tate Event Design, River City Sound, Chad Mellon Photography, Memphis Cool Movies and High Tech Special Events.

Wednesday: Help boost filmmaking in Memphis

AFFT Memphis Chapter Membership Event

If you are interested in increasing work opportunities in our area, come and find out what you as an individual and we as a group can do for the future of this industry.

Wednesday August 26th, 2009
5:30-7:30

Opera Memphis
6745 Wolf River Pkwy
Memphis, TN 38120



Members and non-members welcome. Members will be automatically entered into the raffle for some great prizes. Refreshments will be served. To become a member click the link below.

http://www.affttennessee.org/joinafft.htm

More event details to come.

On Location: Memphis call for entries

The Call For Entries for the 11th Annual On Location: MEMPHIS int'l film fest is underway! The festival will be held April 22-25, 2010 at Malco's Ridgeway Four.

Screen your film in the birthplace of Rock N Roll, the home of the blues and land of great BBQ!

In addition to all the great things Memphis has to offer, the one thing that filmmakers have told us that sets our festival apart is our rich southern hospitality.

From the moment your film is accepted into our festival we will work to make it easy for you to come to Memphis to share your experiences with us and our audiences.

We host a filmmaker's reception where you will have the opportunity to meet OLM staff, sponsors, jurors, vendors, and even an occasional celebrity. Opening night ceremonies are held at Morgan Freeman's own blues club, Ground Zero, just a block from historical Beale Street. One of our traditions is to take attending filmmakers out to a Memphis-style BBQ lunch (vegetarian dishes available too!). Then there is the Saturday Night Bash to live Blues and Rock&Roll. There will be plenty of opportunity to network with other filmmakers and industry professionals throughout the festival. We do the best that we can to help you arrange for accommodations (cheap to beau coup) transportation and tours of famous Memphis landmarks.

Past festival attendees include: Richard Gladstein, Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter, Isaac Hayes, Caldecott "Cotty" Chubb, Cybill Shepherd, Alan Bloomquist, Leo Fitzpatrick, Robert Mugge, Don Hertzfeldt, Marilyn Atlas, Craig Brewer, Ira Sachs, Andrew Deane, Jon Glascoe, Joseph Pierson, Del Shores, and Leslie Jordan.

You've worked hard on your film (Music Video, Documentary, Shot Film, Feature Film, etc). Now come and have some fun with us and other filmmakers in one of the most continuously growing and musical of cities. You may even spot a certain elusive fellow last seen in a white rhinestone-studded jumpsuit.

Visit our website at www.onlocationmemphis.org or Click here for our Call For Entries submission form

Local film 'Glass' premieres online

"Glass," a 20-minute film in competition in The Doorpost Project is on view today at thedoorpost.com.

The film, produced by Paul Skidmore and directed by Dan Baker and Christopher Pollock, is the team's second effort for Doorpost. Earlier this year, the short "John Gray" was selected as one of 10 finalists among 600 entries. With that selection came an award of $30,000 to create "Glass." The 10 finalist films are being screened one-a-day on the Doorpost site. Anyone can vote but you must register and you must see all 10 films for your vote to count. The winner, to be announced in Nashville next month, will be determined partly by the online vote and partly by a panel of judges.

For more infomation, go to thedoorpost.com and parabolos.com

Bearden's 'One Came Home' wraps shooting

John Beifuss writes in The Commercial Appeal about the Willie Bearden-directed film "One Came Home" that just finished shooting in the Mid-South. Here's an excerpt:

Scripted by Bearden and Memphis writer David Tankersley, “One Came Home” is the story of a con artist who takes advantage of a proper Mississippi family by pretending to be the wartime buddy of the family’s son, who was killed in combat in Europe.

“One Came Home” was produced with what Bearden called a “core” crew of about 25 people. Some scenes — including a church service and a traditional Southern outdoor party — required 30 to 40 extras.

A longtime filmmaker and event producer, Bearden makes a living creating commercials, corporate and educational films (for the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum in Tupelo and the Cotton Museum in Downtown Memphis, among other clients), and by staging such productions as the annual Blues Music Awards.

“I’ve always said my job is to make sure I have a balance between art and technology. The craft of filmmaking is leading your viewers to exactly what you want them to see, and, hopefully, to what you want them to feel.”

Actors Scene Study Tuesday

FREE ACTORS SCENE STUDY

The Actors Community

Join the Actors Community where producer/director, Jay Jackson ("Lucky", "Empty") will be critiquing each actors work. Come out to participate this Tuesday, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Caritas Village. Directions to Caritas are listed below.

The Actors Community helps adult actors who want training the chance to train without wondering about a lot of fees. It also helps in keeping the acting muscles warm so that when an opportunity for an audition approaches; the actor has been working on their craft that can be applied to the audition and possibly get them the job.

For more information, send inquiries to jenneanfarmer@gmail.com.

Directions to Caritas Village
Take Poplar Avenue westbound
Turn right on Merton Street
Turn left on Harvard Avenue
Caritas Village is to the left
2509 Harvard Avenue, 38112

Indie Memphis meets the challenge

Indie Memphis, the force behind an event one national magazine recently named one of the world’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals,” has successfully met a $20,000 challenge from ArtsMemphis – an accomplishment that has allowed the non-profit organization to reach more than half its goal of raising $80,000 by December.

The challenge grant from ArtsMemphis, made in May through an anonymous donor, stipulated that Indie Memphis raise $20,000 in new funding by the end of June to receive the $20,000 grant. Indie Memphis not only met the challenge, it exceeded it. Thanks in part to the launch of its individual membership program, the non-profit organization surpassed its June 30th goal by $16,000 and, with that amount plus the $20,000 challenge grant from ArtsMemphis and $10,000 in additional funds raised in July, is now only $14,000 short of its December goal.

“The generosity of ArtsMemphis and its anonymous donor served as an inspiration to the community at large, who stepped up to support Indie Memphis with donations as small as one dollar,” said Erik Jambor, executive director of Indie Memphis, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. “Meeting our December goal will leave our organization well-positioned for the future and help ensure its long-term financial stability.”

Jambor said the accomplishment is even more gratifying because it comes during today’s difficult economic period and goes against the recent trend that has negatively impacted established film festivals and area arts organizations.

“We are extremely happy to have a part in strengthening one of the most powerful artistic forces in our city: the Memphis independent film industry,” said Susan Schadt, president and CEO of ArtsMemphis. “Indie Memphis masters the art of film by capturing the Memphis vibe in a very unique way.”

Indie Memphis, which connects and inspires though year-round programs of independent feature films, documentaries, short films, animation and student work, will hold its 12th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival this year from October 8 to 15.

The current issue of MovieMaker, a bimonthly magazine that covers “the art and business of making movies,” named the Indie Memphis Film Festival as one of the world’s “25 Coolest Film Festivals.” The New York-based publication, which has a circulation of 165,000, cites Indie Memphis’ “unique creative landscape that is the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n roll.”

Earlier this year, film director Craig Brewer kicked off the fundraising campaign with the World Premiere of his made-for-MTV film “$5 Cover” at the Malco Paradiso. This benefit screening raised over $12,000 for Indie Memphis.

Jambor points out that Memphians can support the organization and help it reach its December fundraising goal by becoming an Indie Memphis member for $50 per year ($30 for full-time students; $40 for filmmakers with at least two production credits). Memberships provide year-round benefits including special discounts at the annual Indie Memphis Film Festival. Corporate sponsorship opportunities for the October film festival are still available as well.

Those wanting more information about Indie Memphis can visit its Web site at www.indiememphis.com.

Promote film in Memphis

AFFT Memphis Chapter Membership Event

If you are interested in increasing work opportunities in our area, come and find out what you as an individual and we as a group can do for the future of this industry.

Wednesday August 26th, 2009

5:30-7:30

Opera Memphis

6745 Wolf River Pkwy

Memphis, TN 38120

Members and non-members welcome. Members will be automatically entered into the raffle for some great prizes. Refreshments will be served. To become a member click the link below.

http://www.affttennessee.org/joinafft.htm

More event details to come.

Local film blogsite

Memphis Film Works -- a nice blog about local film with a useful listing of crew resources.

On Location: entries being taken

The Call For Entries for the 11th Annual On Location: MEMPHIS international film fest is underway! - Monday, July 27, 2009

The Call For Entries for the 11th Annual On Location: MEMPHIS international film fest is underway! Screen your film in the birthplace of Rock N Roll, the home of the blues and land of great BBQ!

In addition to all the great things Memphis has to offer, the one thing that filmmakers have told us that sets our festival apart is our rich southern hospitality. From the moment your film is accepted into our festival we will work to make it easy for you to come to Memphis to share your experiences with us and our audiences.

We host a filmmaker's reception where you will have the opportunity to meet OLM staff, sponsors, jurors, vendors, and even an occasional celebrity. Opening night ceremonies are held at Morgan Freeman's own blues club, Ground Zero, just a block from historical Beale Street. One of our traditions is to take attending filmmakers out to a Memphis-style BBQ lunch (vegetarian dishes available too!). Then there is the Saturday Night Bash to live Blues and Rock&Roll. There will be plenty of opportunity to network with other filmmakers throughout the festival.
We do the best that we can to help you arrange for accommodations (cheap to beau coup) transportation and tours of famous Memphis landmarks.

You've worked hard on your film. Now come and have some fun with us and other filmmakers in one of the most magical and musical of cities. You may even spot a certain elusive fellow last seen in a white rhinestone-studded jumpsuit.

Click here for our Call For Entries submission form

Scene study

Looking to do scene study work amongst other actors once a week?

Come join The Actors Community where you will have the opportunity to work on your craft with a partner for free for two weeks and be critiqued by a professional for two weeks.

This is an adult actors group work that you can participate in every Tuesday. The first class will be Tuesday, August 4th from 6:30p-8:30p at Caritas Village located at 2509 Harvard Avenue.

The group helps those who want training the chance to train without wondering about a lot of fees. It also helps in keeping the acting muscles warm so that when an opportunity for an audition approaches; the actor has been working on their craft that can be applied to the audition and possibly get them the job.

Feel free to pass this evite along to other actors who might be interested.

For more information, contact Jennean Farmer at jenneanfarmer@gmail.com.

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.