Starting tonight...

Here are upcoming events at the MeDiA Co-op:

* Tues Nov 29 7:30pm Filmmaker Morgan Jon Fox will break down various scene of Sawed-Off Films Blue Citrus Hearts, and Away(A)wake.
* Sun Dec 4 6:00pm Persona by Ingmar Bergman (1966 85min Swedish w/engl subtitles)
* Tues Dec 6 7:30 Filmmaker Sarah Fleming will discuss and screen her short film work.
* Fri Dec 9 7:30pm Family and Friends Magazine present: TRANSGENERATION episodes 1 and 2. (Sundance Channel-2005 60min each episode)
* Sun Dec 11 6:00pm 8 1/2 by Fredrico Fellinni (1963 138min Itallian w/eng subtitles)
* Tues Dec 13 7:30pm Open Forum.
* Friday Dec 16 SAWED-OFF COLLABORATORY FUNDRAISER
7:30 What Does Love In Action Look LIke: a preface (plus short films)
9:30 Blue Citrus Hearts
* Sat Dec 17 SAWED-OFF COLLABORATORY FUNDRAISER 7:30 Away(A)wake
9:30 What Does Love In Action Look Like: a preface (plus short films)
* Sun Dec 18 6:00pm Blow-Up by Michaelangelo Antonioni (1966 111min)
* Tues Dec 20 7:30pm Meisner goddess Amber O'Daniels' gives a sample of what Meisner is all about.

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT-FILMMAKER FORUM 7:30pm
EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT-ESSENTIAL FILM SERIES 6pm

Bringing it home

The latest in the Slate.com series on Hollywood economics:

The Hollywood studios still make movies, of course, but by 2005, only 14.2 percent of their revenues came from movie ticket sales, while 85.8 percent came from licensing or selling their products for use in the home. Until 2005, the studio's principal access to the home market came through pay TV, free television, video rentals, and DVD sales. But now, with products such as Apple's video iPod and TiVo-type digital recorders becoming widely available, Hollywood is inching toward an even more lucrative way of exploiting the home market.

Hustle, but no flow

So much for the fairy tale. Craig Brewer's lawyer says John Singleton isn't sharing with his other playmates, as reported by the LA Times.

"The fact that Craig has not been paid is not acceptable. This has been repeatedly communicated to John and his attorneys. John said numerous times in the spring that payment was imminent. Then it was everybody was going to get paid by Thanksgiving. Now it's the next holiday coming up."

Real men needed for extras

"Divine Manipulation of the Threads" needs extras for this shoot we are looking for MEN, and MEN only...The shoot is at 2 a.m. on Sunday at Dish in Midtown (948 S. Cooper) -- the BAR WILL BE OPEN!! Let me know if you can come or if you know anyone who can.

Christine 901 490-1965

Hollywood economics

The latest in Slate's series on the contortions Hollywood goes through when it comes to money.

Hilarity ensues

The MeDiA Co-op blog, aka memphis.film.post, has some "celebrity" "sightings." Somebody there has an attitude! And all I can say is, it's good to be kingpin.

Actors for audience scene

Actors needed for audience scene of a corporate video. There is minimal pay
involved for a 10 hour day on December 6. We are looking for adults, all
races and ages. Please email or call if you are interested.
Thank you,
Leah Bruce
Colors Agency, Inc.
901.726.9300

Crew call

Gothic South Productions is seeking crew for a 35 mm short film titled "Recipe for Raising the Dead," about a young, distraught housewife who goes to extreme measures to bring her recently deceased husband back to life.

Shooting in Memphis the week of Jan. 3-9. The style and tone of the piece is best described as "Tim Burton directs Desperate Housewives."

Crew positions include:
DP (Must have experience on 35 mm); AC; 2nd AC; Production Designer; gaffer; grips; Sound Recordist; Boom Operator; Script Supervisor; make-up; production assistants.

If interested, please contact Carter at recipe@gothicsouth.us

Watkins Film School -- Nashville

The Watkins Film School at Watkins College of Art & Design will hold an open casting call for its spring film projects on Friday, Dec. 2nd from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The auditions will take place at the College at 2298 MetroCenter Boulevard.

To schedule an appointment, email Ricardo Cardenas at casting@watkins.edu. Walk-ins will also be accepted. Actors and actresses should bring a current headshot photo and resume. Participants are encouraged to prepare a one-minute contemporary monologue, though sides will also be available.

If unable to attend, please mail a headshot photo and resume to: Andrew Newell, Watkins Film School, 2298 Metrocenter Blvd, Nashville, TN 37228.

The students at Watkins Film School produce about 30 short films per semester, each requiring a diverse group of actors and actresses of all ages. With a focus on narrative filmmaking, the students write, produce and direct a wide variety of movies that can run up to15 minutes. For additional questions, call 615-277-7433.

Mo' Flow? No.

The sequel to Hustle and Flow is not necessarily a done deal, we hear. It's being talked about, yes, but not firmed up.

Update on Corduroy Wednesday

Corduroy Wednesday is the featured production company at the Media Co-Op Forum this coming Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. (First Congo Church, 1000 S. Cooper).

From Edward Valibus Phillips: "We'll talk about the trials, tribulations, and rewards of making 'Grim Sweeper.' We will also have a big surprise on hand....no....I can't wait...Christmas is coming early.... we'll be premiering the teaser for the film along with the marquee poster! The event is free so come by to learn, heckle, cheer...whatever your heart desires.If you can't make it, don't fret. The poster and teaser will soon make its way to the website.

Is spelling www.corduroywednesday.com driving you mad? Well type in www.cwfilms.net This simpler version takes you to the same great website, or stick with corduroywednesday.com it's all good.

Editing is streaming along and we are also planning a wrap party/premiere of the *trailer* soon. So check the website often for updates! I would like to thank everyone that helped in making 'Grim Sweeper' happen. The location owners, actors, crew, producers, we thank you for making this all come true.

Reminder: tonight

Brooks is screening a documentary on William Eggleston.

Mo' Flow?

This item from Allhiphop.com is among several similar ones making the rounds. Let's just hope the sequel doesn't have DJay moving to LA:

Actor Terrance Howard has reportedly signed on to appear in a sequel to “Hustle & Flow,” a hit movie about a Memphis pimp/rapper going through a mid-life crisis. The movie was written and directed by Craig Brewer and produced by John Singleton. Since its premiere in July, the acclaimed film raked in over $22 million at the box office. According to published reports, the cast will remain the same with actors like Anthony Anderson, Paula Jai Parker, Taryn Manning, singer Isaac Hayes and Ludacris as rival rapper Shinny Black.

"Walk the Line" -- Slate review

David Edelstein's thoughtful take on WTL:

In spite of its standard biopic gaps and simplifications, Walk the Line gets the big things right. ... Along the way we get terrific impersonations of Elvis Presley (Tyler Hilton), Jerry Lee Lewis (Waylon Malloy Payne), Carl Perkins (Johnny Holiday) and, of course, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon)—onstage, in the wings, and in the caravan on a Sun Records tour. You'd get your money's worth from that show! ... Ginnifer Goodwin is very affecting as Cash's first wife ...

True Story Pictures

Local documentarian Joann Self and her True Story Pictures are documenting and sharing the stories of the region's best artists. Other projects of this community-based nonprofit organization are getting underway as well. The mission: "All TSP documentary productions focus on giving a voice to the often voiceless and on providing a forum for different points of view that are often overlooked or ignored but nevertheless represent a valuable perspective and place in our communities." Check it out.

Boosting "Walk the Line"

Geoff and Jan Falk will be on Channel 3's "Live at 9" Thursday morning promoting "Walk the Line." See it or Tivo it and see if they can squeeze in a plug for getting Tennessee to create an incentive plan for filmmakers.

"The Seraphim"

"The Seraphim" this Friday at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at First Congo. It's a Meisner for the Creative project and will be weird, energetic and amazing. Go.

Hollywood doesn't grow up

Here's the latest in the series of stories in Slate on the movie biz -- this one looking a why Hollywood won't be making many movies for adults.

While it's true that overall box office receipts are down so far in 2005—theaters took in 8 percent less money in the first nine months of 2005 than they did in the same period in 2004—the box-office revenues for the major Hollywood studios—Fox, Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, and Universal—are up. So is their share of the box office, and so is their revenue.

Busted

From the CA: Major film companies filed lawsuits against two Tennesseans on Tuesday, one a Memphis man they say illegally swapped movies, including "Napoleon Dynamite," with others on the Internet.

Changes at MeDiA Co-op

From Morgan Jon Fox:

The MeDiA Co-op UPDATE

UPCOMING SCREENINGS/EVENTS:

• Sun., Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.: Films By Andrei Tarkovsky
• Tues., Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.: Open Discussion on different filmmaking esthetics
• Sun., Nov. 20 at 6 p.m.: Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price (http://www.walmartmovie.com)
• (The Films Of Fellini have been postponed)
• Tues., Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.: Open Forum for discussion about current projects
• Sun., Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.: "Celebration" by Thomas Vinterberg and "The Idiots" by Lars Von Trier

CO-OP UPDATE

FREE TUESDAY NIGHT WORKSHOPS every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Thanks to all of you who have been attending, facilitating, or even thinking about the Tuesday night workshops at the MeDiA Co-op. Coming up on our fourth year of holding these workshops every Tuesday night we are changing the format up a bit and launching an educational program at the Co-op starting in the new year. Starting immediately, Tuesday nights are going to serve more as an open forum, a place for people to discuss films they're working on, a place to seek assistance for a production you're gearing up for or to let people know what you've learned about the projects you've completed.

SUNDAY NIGHT FILM SCREENINGS every Sunday at 6 p.m.
We officially launched our ESSENTIAL FILM SERIES to take place every Sunday night at 6 p.m. for a measly 3 bucks. These films will be scheduled in advance and advertised secretly through flyers that you can find at places like BlackLodge Video and Otherlands. This film series will feature great directors from international and American cinema, from the past and present. Each screening will be accomodated by a lecture. Some screenings will also be lectures on film history, with clips and the like. We will be encouraging people from the community to become engaged and be a part of this by selecting films and filmmakers they know a lot about and curate a night of the ESSENTIAL FILM SERIES.

MEMBERSHIP
The Co-op now offers four tiers of membership ranging from simple use of office space/internet/printers, to access to a G4 with editing and design software, to access to a miniDV camera/boom mic/boom pole/various low-grade lights/tripod. We also have a Patron Membership where if you donate $100 to the Co-op you can get discounts for workshops and screenings throughout the year at the Co-op. If you have more questions, please email Tim at membership@mediaco-op.org or Andrew at anennngr@memphis.edu

1ST ANNUAL FILMMAKERS CONFERENCE
To celebrate our fourth year of being a part of the film community of Memphis after First Congregational so graciously accepted us into their wonderful building, we will be launching the FIRST ANNUAL MID-SOUTH INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS CONFERENCE in March. The conference will be a multiday event with workshops, panels and screenings. There will also be an audition similar to the UPTAs where film actors can audition in front of a panel of directors. Through this conference we hope to unite the independent film community in the surrounding area. We hope to establish the following goals through this project:

• The creation of the MIFD: Memphis Independent Filmmakers Database: A database of all the local directors, producers, actors and others, Including a listing of every film created in this city and who's worked on what and where.
• A Library of all locally produced works.
• The initiation of an info-list serve where the local film community can stay in touch with what's going on, including auditions, screenings, need to assist with crew, and so on.

We will start requesting information from individuals soon to get some of these projects off the ground. Please let us know if you'd like to help with this in any way.

The Memphis Digital Arts Co-op
1000 S. Cooper Memphis TN 38104
901.278.9077
MeDiA Co-op blog