Rebel Media Ventures International, out of Canada, producers of Unmasking the Pagan Christ, the CIF+VF 2008 Bronze Plaque Winner in the Religion Category, announces that their film is currently airing in the US on HD Net. Check your local listings for Unmasking the Pagan Christ! And congratulations to Rebel Media Ventures.
Today we bring you another installment of My Columbus Film Beat wherein area film types introduce themselves. Today it’s Gail Mezey.
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Gail has over 20 years experience as a producer and production manager. Some of her credits include, PBS “Great Performances,” documentaries for MTV, and TLC, and commercials for Herbal Essence, Disney, Bud Light, and BP to name a few.
Over the past few years she has worked to create an independent non-profit film commission for Columbus and Central Ohio. The Greater Columbus Film Commission is focused on enhancing the independent, feature, and commercial film industry in the region and is actively promoting Central Ohio as a premier filming destination.
Ohio Lt Governor Lee Fisher appointed Gail to the newly formed Media Advisory Board and Film Task Force to look at how Ohio can bring in more production work to the state. Partnering with the Ohio Film Commission and the Cleveland and Cincinnati film commissions, the Greater Columbus film commission is working to bring tax incentives for filming in Ohio.
This update is from Kevin Ward, GM at the Landmark’s Gateway Theater:
“We plan to have our first CineMUSEica here at the Gateway on Wednesday, February 25th. In order to have enough time to create this program we will be having an organizational meeting on Thursday, January 8th at 8:30pm at the Gateway Theater. I suggest you bring a sample of your work just in case we have the option to pair groups together. We will be covering all the logistics & the parameters you will have to work with as well as audio and video formatting.”
This news came by way of Meredith at the Mid Ohio Film Association: Continue reading
The final screening for the COWTOWN FILM SERIES is a double feature of HORRORS OF WAR: THE DIRECTORS’ CUT (7:PM) and a subsequent documentary IN THE TRENCHES OF AN INDIE FILM (9:PM). This is the world premiere of the feature length documentary IN THE TRENCHES OF AN INDIE FILM on the making of the movie. This is the last chance to see HORRORS OF WAR on the big screen with the Directors’ Cut that is radically different from the version released on DVD (and available for rent at Blockbuster Video nationwide).
Thursday December 4th, 2008 starting at 7:PM. It’s $3 for the double feature at:
THE SCREENS at the Continent
Rt. 161 and I-71
6360 Busch Blvd.
Columbus OH 43229
614.318.0550
There’s also a FREE networking after party, walking distance from the theater @ RUSH CREEK also at the Continent!
Posted in Film Community, Films
Tagged Columbus, Cow Town, film, Film Community, Peter John Ross
Today we bring you another installment of My Columbus Film Beat wherein area film types introduce themselves.
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Director/Producer/Writer
John Whitney
Born in Texas, John moved to Dayton, Ohio, in the late 60’s when his father obtained a job as a reporter at CBS affiliate, WHIO. Growing up around television production, it was only natural that John would follow that path. After attending the Ohio State University where he studied film, he started to freelance in the Columbus market where he began as a PA and worked his way through the ranks to an Avid editor and a Director/DP. During that period of apprenticeship, John worked on over 400 television commercials and a number of independent feature films. Currently John is working for American Signature Inc. where he is a staff AVID editor and DP.
As an independent filmmaker, John has been at the helm of music videos as well as short films including “Solve for X,” which was nominated for best drama at the 2001 Ohio Independent Film Festival in Cleveland. It also won for best short subject at the 2005 Nebula Film Festival. “A Passion for Filmmaking” was the winner of the 2004 Sixty Second film competition. This film also appeared on the Independent Film Channel’s original series, Media Lab. It also is available as pre-loaded video content in all Microsoft Zunes. “Horrors of War,” won a Chris Award at the 2006 Columbus International Film Festival. “Horrors of War” is currently available on home video worldwide and in current release in North America by Maverick Entertainment..
His current project, “Measured Sacrifice,” is set in a dystopian future America. This low-tech science fiction/drama follows the story of Terry, a young woman in trouble. As the war on terror rages and with the public’s distaste for the draft, the Government enlists all women in their child baring years to volunteer for “The Program”. Pregnant and unemployed, Terry stands at a crossroads. She struggles between honoring her mother and the memory of her father, who died 20 years earlier serving in Iraq, or to do what she thinks is right for the country. “Measured Sacrifice” is currently making the festival rounds.
John lives with his wife, Jen and son, Kirk in Columbus, Ohio.
Posted in Film Community, Films, my columbus film beat
Tagged film, Film Community, film festivals, John Whitney
Today we bring you another weekly installment of My Columbus Film Beat wherein area film types have 100 words to introduce themselves.
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Greg Sabo is a cinematographer based in Ohio specializing in high definition acquisition.
“I love telling a story with cinematic images so words are not necessary. I also run a rental business supplying equipment to producers for commercials and independent projects –helping other people realize their dreams.”
Posted in Film Community, my columbus film beat
Tagged Cinematography, Film Community, Films, Greg sabo
Marilyn Jaye Lewis interviews Steven Sebring, the director of Dream of Life, a documentary on the poet /singer/artist, Patti Smith.
Dream of Life was 12 years in the making, and has now shown at a multitude of international film festivals. It was awarded an Excellence in Cinematography prize at Sundance in 2008. Dream of Life is currently showing in limited release in the United States and will be available on DVD in 2009.
MJL: I realize this is a totally subjective thing to say, but up until I saw your film Dream of Life, Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams was the most beautiful film that I had ever seen. In terms of its cinematography, Dream of Life is now up there, in my mind, right next to that classic. I can’t help but notice that the word “dream” features in both titles. I know that Dream of Life is the title of Patti’s album from 1996, but at what point did it also become the title of your film? And at what point did you realize the footage you were choosing to include in the film had a very dream-like quality to it?
SS: We titled the film during the middle of the edit. It was decided upon, due to the realization that [Patti's late husband, musician Fred Sonic Smith's] spirit was so much a part of the film’s spirit; it seemed only natural to both Patti and me. Both the film’s feeling and look have a lot to do with the quality of 16 mm film — and the fact that I always shot in whatever natural light there was.
MJL: While watching the film, I couldn’t help but feel that your heart, eye, and camera were inextricably connected. How do you make editing choices under those circumstances — especially when the editing felt as much a part of the poetry of the film as the subject herself. (Not to mention, that you were making the movie for 12 years & must have had a ton of footage to sort through.)
SS: I was able to make those choices with the help of a very experienced, talented and creative editor Angelo Corrao.
MJL: Since you are primarily a photographer, at what points in the editing process did you decide to insert photographs? And did you use them more to advance the story or to expand the story?
SS: I chose during the editing process — using photographs to tell a story of a time, or of moments when I was not personally there.
MJL: Patti’s voice-over is another inextricable element of this film. What was that process like? Did you both view footage together? Or did you choose the footage that resonated most for you as an observer, and then get her input on that aspect of her life?
SS: I chose the footage that resonated most for me and then I got her perspective on that aspect of her life [in voice-overs].
MJL: I believe this is your first feature film. I think it is less a “documentary” and more a life portrait of a vibrant and powerful artist captured on film over the course of 12 years. Considering that, do you see yourself making any more films in the near future? Or do you simply wait to see what inspires you most?
SS: I do see myself making more films in the future. I would like to have my next project be a fiction film, or perhaps another life portraiture, we shall see…
Posted in 5 Questions With..., Festival News, Film Community, Films
Tagged Angelo Corrao, film, filmmaking, Marilyn jaye Lewis, Patti Smith, Steven Sebring
Today we introduce the feature My Columbus Film Beat wherein area film types have 100 words to introduce themselves. Jim’s entry is especially pertinent given his big premiere tomorrow. Stay tuned for a new bio at least once a week.
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I write, direct, and produce feature length movies.
My first feature, Passing the Bar, won second place, out of thirty five entries, in the comedy division at the Indie Gathering Film Festival.
My second feature, Six Days, will premiere on November 1, 2008. The movie tells the story of a pizza maker who has six days to pay off a five hundred thousand-dollar debt to the mob. Six Days features many talented actors from central Ohio and was shot in Columbus, Cleveland, California, and Las Vegas.
Learn more at www.sixdaysthemovie.com
From J. Michael Lewis of Tempered Zealot Productions:
“We’re pleased to release the screening schedule for the first annual Mid-Ohio-Con Indie Film Festival (MOC-IFF), which will be held in conjunction with Mid-Ohio-Con 2008. This year’s slate of films submitted to the MOC-IFF include fantastic new work from film makers spanning the genres of action/adventure, animation, comedy, fantasy, horror/suspense, and sci-fi. In addition to the films in contention for awards at the MOC-IFF, we will be screening new movie trailers courtesy of Trailer Park as well as a number of recent fan favorites during the weekend.”
Films will be screen Saturday Oct. 4th from 10:30 AM thru 3:45 PM. And on Sunday, Oct. 5th from 10:30 AM thru 3:00 PM. For the complete line-up, location, and other MOC events, visit: www.midohiocon.com
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