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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
SXSW conference update
The 2010 SXSW Film Conference is gearing up and has announced the panelists for a series of discussions of visual fundamentals.
Here’s the latest SXSW release on what’s coming up in March.
First Impressions: The Art of Main Title Design
Moderator: Karin Fong, Imaginary Forces
A strong title sequence can yield some of a film’s most memorable images, allowing its themes to linger long after the lights go up. This presentation will explore the process of creating such sequences, using case studies from experiences with both studio and independent projects.
Floating Heads are Dead: Why Traditional Posters Suck
Moderator: Tiffany Pritchard, All City Media
Many studios rely on star power (‘floating heads’) to sell a film. However, iconic imagery can be more memorable, and work effectively throughout the overall marketing campaign. This is particularly important when a film has limited stills such as indies and documentaries.
Direct a Great Film by Storyboarding with Stick Figures
Moderator: Mark Bristol, Static Line Productions
No matter what your drawing abilities may be learn the tools to pre-visualize your project through storyboarding. This class will focus on teaching storyboarding and film composition.
Cinematography for Improvised Films: Lighting the Unknown
Moderator: Paul Harrill, Self-Reliant Films
Focusing on the unique challenges of shooting improvised cinema. How can a cinematographer approach working with little or no script, actors that need to be able to move freely without worrying about “hitting their light”, and live locations that can’t be controlled?
Blow Something Up! Live Action Special Effects
Moderator: Steve Wolf, Wolf Stuntworks
Learn how live effects can put your project over-the-top. Explosions, Pyro, Snow, Rain, Smoke, Fire, Bullet Hits and Stunts add visual sizzle to movies, TV, Commercials, music videos and live events. Experience how easily and affordably you can put these proven attention grabbers to work for you. Demo!
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Linklater project on hold?
Looks like the new project by Richard Linklater, “Liars (A-E),” has been put on indefinite hold.
Linklater’s new movie “Me and Orson Welles” comes out this December, and “Liars” was scheduled to be his next project. But studio difficulties have apparently arisen.
A report about the project’s demise can be found here.
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Looking for a teen star
Ever dreamed of a starring role in a Coen Brothers movie? Here’s your chance, but only if you’re a a girl of 12 to 16.
The quirky, Academy Award-winning team has decided to remake “True Grit,” which starred John Wayne and Kim Darby. As you may remember, Darby played Mattie Young, a tough 14-year-old who accompanies two marshals to track down the killer of her father.
Rachel Tenner, the casting director for the new movie, is trying to find the perfect Mattie and has held auditions in other cities already. The stop in Austin will be the last of the Texas open calls.
Here are the details: No experience required. Bring a current, nonreturnable photo and only one family member. Girls only, ages 12 to 16. Time: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 28, the Omni Austin Hotel, 700 San Jacinto at 8th St., Austin.
The ideal candidate is described as follows: “We are looking for a Caucasian girl who’s tough, strong and tells it like it is. We are open to all looks.”
The movie will begin filming in the spring of 2010. It is tentatively set for release in 2011.
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Noteworthy DVDs released 11/17/09
PICK OF THE WEEK
“Gone with the Wind” (Warner Bros.): How many film buffs realize that this classic melodrama and “Wizard of Oz,” which celebrate their 70th birthdays this fall with Blu-ray reissues, were both directed by the same man, Victor Fleming? Here’s hoping Fleming found a nice bonus in his stocking in 1939.
OTHER TOP PICKS
“Star Trek” (2009) (Paramount): Not quite the galaxy-shifter so many people claimed, this JJ Abrams relaunch was still the best Trek film in many, many years.
“Sex, Lies & Videotape” (Sony): Steven Soderbergh’s never-boring career turns 20 this year with the Blu-ray release of his Sundance-smash debut.
“Humpday” (Magnolia): SXSW stalwart Mark Duplass and Joshua Leonard are unexpectedly winning as old college buddies teaming for a tabboo-tempting art project in this summer’s well received indie comedy.
NEW ON BLU-RAY
“Chasing Amy,” “Clerks,” “Scrubs” Season 8 (Walt Disney); “Fight Club” (Fox); “Galaxy Quest” (Paramount); “Leon: The Professional” (Sony); “The Open Road” (Anchor Bay)
FRESH FROM THE MULTIPLEX
“Bruno,” “The Limits of Control” (Universal); “Is Anybody There?” (Magnolia); “My Sister’s Keeper” (Warner Bros.)
ARTHOUSE/FOREIGN
“The Exiles” (Oscilloscope/Milestone); “Thirst” (Universal)
FROM THE VAULTS
“Betty Blue: The Director’s Cut” (Cinema Libre); “Downhill Racer” (Criterion); “Gilda Live: Warner Archive Collection” (www.wbshop.com/Warner-Archive)
DOCUMENTARIES
“Battle of Chile,” “Food Beware: The French Organic Revolution,” “A Wink and A Smile” (First Run Pictures); “The Carter” (Virgil Films); “Skills Like This” (Docurama)
BEST OF TV
“7th Heaven” Season 9 (Paramount); “Andy Barker, P.I.” Complete Series (Shout! Factory); “Farscape” Complete Series (A&E); “Rome” Complete Series (HBO); “The Steve Coogan Collection” (BBC); “Wagon Train” Season 1 (Timeless)
STRAIGHT(ISH) TO VIDEO
Jeff Bridges and Justin Timberlake in “The Open Road” (Anchor Bay); Robert Pattinson in “How to Be” (IFC)
