Tag: Filmmaker

ORLANDO FILM FESTIVAL 2013 Call For Entries

Orlando Film Festival Logo

Later this month I will begin my annual coverage of the Tribeca Film Festival but this post is actually about the only other festival I attend every year. I am of course talking about the Orlando Film Festival. And truth be told, if I could only pick one, I’d go with OFF every time. Their 2013 Call For Entries just opened up and I urge any filmmakers ready to hit the festival circuit to SUBMIT NOW.

My love for OFF dates back to when my first feature, STUCK LIKE CHUCK, screened in 2009. That led to the festival’s creation of the Jerry Cavallaro Indie Spirit Award and I’ve been going back ever since to hand it out. In 2010 & 2011, I brought Nic Baisley from FilmSnobbery.com along to help cover the festival. In 2012 they debuted my second feature, NIC & JERRY GET OFF, which as you can tell by the title is a gay porno. Just kidding. It is actually a fun and surprisingly honest documentary about my experience at OFF 2011.

Now after being part of the festival for four years, they have officially brought me on as their Director of Social Media & Submissions. I am honored to be picked for this position and humbled they trust me with so much responsibility. I know this will sound incredibly biased but OFF truly is an amazing festival. I thought about writing some of the reasons why but I already did that this morning when I put together our official press release. So after this quick trailer for NIC & JERRY GET OFF, which also works as a promo for OFF, you can read all the details about this awesome festival. And for anyone interested in submitting, here is a special Withoutbox Waiver Code exclusive to WAMG. The first filmmaker to enter HRGEDMX when submitting their film gets to submit for FREE. Submit now at http://bit.ly/send2OFF

ORLANDO FILM FESTIVAL CALL FOR ENTRIES BEGINS APRIL 1ST

No, it’s not a joke.  Submissions for the 2013 Orlando Film Festival are now open. This will be our 8th year and it’s also guaranteed to be our biggest. Our mission is to showcase incredible indie cinema against the beautiful backdrop of Downtown Orlando. OFF selects films of all genres from around the world to celebrate the movies, the talent behind them and the filmgoers themselves.

From October 16 – 20, filmmakers can expect large appreciative crowds and amazing parties that have become legendary to those who have previously attended. For anyone wondering, yes the beer & food are often free. Festival Chairman Dan Springen has even been known to create spontaneous after-after-after parties in the hotel lobby just to keep the celebration going. Other perks include impressive discounts at many local bars, hotels & restaurants, as well as discounted passes to Universal Studios Theme Parks. Filmmakers can even attend a private backlot tour at Universal. Perhaps the biggest perk is the incredible Cobb Plaza Cinema Café, which features twelve beautiful theaters with high-end digital projection & sound. Virtually all our events take place in or around this theater, which is just a free shuttle ride away from our official festival sponsored hotels.

At OFF we do not care about premiere status or if you are in the middle of a distribution deal. You can have a film full of A-list celebrities or something you shot at your Grandma’s house with some friends. Whether a student, feature, short, narrative or documentary production, all we care about is finding high quality independent cinema. If your film fits that simple criteria, please send it our way!

To submit to the Orlando Film Festival, please visit our Withoutabox page – http://bit.ly/send2OFF

You can also find us at the sites below:

Thanks for your consideration. We look forward to viewing your films!

Jerry Cavallaro  –  Director of Social Media & Submissions   –  socialmedia@orlandofilmfest.com

Tribeca 2012: Events Preview

Yesterday I posted a PREVIEW of some of our most anticipated films at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Since there are a lot of other things going on besides movie screenings, I thought I’d share with you some of the coolest events also taking place as part of TFF. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend nearly all of these events but hopefully some of you will be able to check them out!

100 Years of Universal

In celebration of 100 years of Universal Pictures, join us for a conversation with iconic actors and directors Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep and Judd Apatow as they share their favorite moments and memories from Universal’s extraordinary history. Moderated by Film Editor for Deadline Hollywood Mike Fleming.

****This event will be streamed for FREE at TribecaFilm.com today at 3 PM! ***

MEET THE FILMMAKERS AT APPLE

The SoHo and 14 St. Apple stores will be hosting a series of Meet the Filmmaker events with people like Jenna Fischer, Lynn Shelton, Morgan Spurlock & many more. These events are usually recorded and available for free download via itunes. They are also free for the public to attend but space is usually very limited. For a full schedule of Apple events, visit http://www.apple.com/retail/tribeca/.

DRIVE-IN SCREENINGS

Yes, I know I said this article is meant to focus on events & not screenings. Trust me, these two film screenings are EVENTS. And they are FREE!

JAWS

With the summer beach season in full swing, a bloodthirsty great white shark begins terrorizing the small island community of Amity. A police chief, a marine scientist, and a grizzled fisherman set out to hunt it down… but they’re going to need a bigger boat. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw lead the cast of this groundbreaking Academy Award-winning thriller. Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece returns to the big screen! See the movie that thrilled a generation, launched the summer blockbuster, and has become one of the most enduring action-suspense films of all time. Come early to celebrate Universal Studios’ 100th Anniversary with trivia contests, live music from Afro-jazz pioneers Nomo, and surprise special guests, courtesy of the upcoming New York Downtown Jazz Festival. Later this year, fans can own Jaws for the first time ever on Blu-ray featuring an all-new, fully restored and digitally remastered picture from original 35mm film elements. Fans of John Williams’ iconic score will also love the Blu-ray’s DTS-HD Master 7.1 sound, which optimizes the film for the home screening environment.

THE GOONIES

When their Oregon neighborhood—affectionately dubbed “the Goon Docks”—is threatened by real estate developers, a group of pre-teen friends needs to find enough money to halt the demolition. Lucky for them, they’ve discovered an old treasure map, sparking an adventure to unearth the long-lost fortune of 17th-century pirate One-Eyed Willie. Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Martha Plimpton, Josh Brolin, and Joe Pantoliano star in the movie that captured a generation’s imagination. Relive the adventure with Mikey, Mouth, Stef, Data, Chunk, and all the unforgettable characters in this beloved classic. Come early to take part in the “truffle shuffle” contest and win prizes in the first-ever Tribeca Treasure Hunt. Live music from afro-jazz pioneers NOMO, courtesy of the upcoming New York Downtown Jazz Festival.

These panels are always fun and informative. They are filled with great information and usually are a must for filmmakers attending the fest. Here are some of the most interesting panels at this year’s fest:

Film and Brands

Brands and filmmakers are increasingly collaborating on film projects to achieve a range of objectives from marketing and public relations to corporate storytelling and philanthropy. As the number of projects as well as the platforms for distribution increase, the bar has been raised for how to make these projects effective corporate storytelling pieces as well as quality filmmaking. Join producer and director Brett Ratner, American Express’ Vice President of Global Media, Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing Rich Lehrfeld, GE’s Global Executive Director of Advertising and Branding Judy Hu, the Norman Lear Center’s Managing Director and Director of Research Johanna Blakley; and Chief Marketing Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill Mark Crumpacker for a conversation about how they are collaborating and where this increasingly complex and sophisticated world is heading. Moderated by Jon Patricof, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tribeca Enterprises.

Imagine More

Project Imagin8ion was the first photo contest to inspire a Hollywood film, resulting in the Ron Howard production when you find me, shot using Canon cameras. Join us for a screening of this short film, followed by a discussion with Canon representatives and filmmakers about the versatility of shooting with Canon cameras and creating films through collaborative storytelling. Panelists include Canon USA Technical’s Chuck Westfall, The Russian Winter director Petter Ringbom, CatCam director Seth Keal, and others.

Sponsored by Canon

The Business of Entertainment

Now in its second decade as a signature sponsor of TFF, Bloomberg returns with its Business of Entertainment program at the Festival. This year’s discussion, entitled “Going Global: Will Co-Production Save the Film Industry?” will focus on the recent rise of international co-production, exploring the benefits and obstacles of this often complex but rewarding strategy. Bloomberg convenes major producers, financiers, and other key industry decision-makers who play leading roles in financing today’s film and entertainment industries. Panelists include co-producer of The Girl and CEO of Bonita Films Tania Zarak, Chairman and CEO of Endgame Entertainment James D. Stern, and Director of European Film and TV Group, Exclusive Media, Ben Holden. Moderated by Bloomberg News entertainment reporter Michael White.

Sponsored by Bloomberg

The Future is Short: Storytelling in the Digital Age

As the Internet and other platforms like Hulu, Netflix, Yahoo!, and the New York Times become more commercially viable as distribution outlets for good stories told through film, the opportunities for creating original short-form content have never been bigger, or more lucrative. What do content producers want from original episodic or serial programs, and how do filmmakers who’ve dipped their toes in short-form storytelling, even as brief as three minutes, feel about the work they’ve done? Where might it all be headed? Join CINELAN co-founder Morgan Spurlock (Mansome), filmmaker Annie Sundberg (Knuckleball!), Jason Spingarn-Koff of the New York Times Op-Docs series, and others to discuss the power, art, and business of short-form storytelling. Moderated by Jason Wishnow, Director of Film and Video at TED.

Sponsored by GE / FOCUS FORWARD – Short Films, Big Ideas

New Filmmakers on Film

Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program has helped young directors and cinematographers break into the industry for the past 25 years, supporting films such as Requiem for a Dream and Napoleon Dynamite. While a growing number of filmmakers turn to digital technology, Panavision’s grant program still offers artists the chance to shoot on film by providing them with exclusive camera packages with legendary Panavision lenses, as well as a wide range of digital cameras. Join Una Noche director Lucy Mulloy, Kodak’s US Account Manager of Features and Post-Production Bob Mastronardi, cinematographer Guy Godfree, and other film artists as they discuss the program and new opportunities for emerging talent. Moderated by Panavision’s New Filmmaker Program Manager, Mike Dallatorre.

Sponsored by Panavision

The Pen Versus the Sword

Social change can be implemented through a variety of creative methods—from artists who write and create work that makes people look at society from a new perspective, to bloggers spreading information, opinions, and images to those who need it most, to regular individuals speaking out. Hear from TFF filmmakers Antonino D’Ambrosio (Let Fury Have the Hour), Raymond De Felitta (Booker’s Place: A Mississippi Story), and Stephen Maing (High Tech, Low Life) on how writing and action can make an impact in the world. Moderated by film and culture critic Caryn James.

All descriptions come from the official Tribeca website. There are many more events taking place throughout the festival so be sure to visit http://TribecaFilm.com for more info!

Jerry Cavallaro – @GetStuck – JerryCavallaro.com

WAMG Interview: Evan Kelly – Director of THE CORRIDOR

Evan Kelly’s debut as a feature filmmaker is THE CORRIDOR, an independent film that crosses genres and tells a fascinating story of five friends reunited in an isolated cabin in the woods. THE CORRIDOR made it’s North American premiere during the 2011 Fantastic Fest, which is when I first discovered and thoroughly enjoyed the film. THE CORRIDOR opens theatrically on March 30th, 2012. I have had the privilege to speak with Evan Kelly about the film and his experience as a filmmaker. Continue reading below to find out what he had to say…

Continue reading WAMG Interview: Evan Kelly – Director of THE CORRIDOR

Watch STUCK LIKE CHUCK for FREE Right Now!

4 years ago, I attended a screening of SUPERBAD the day it came out. Immediately after that screening, I was inspired. The film was a series of long conversations. The story had been done a million times. But it worked because the dialogue was brilliant and everyone could relate to the characters. I have been a fan of CLERKS. & Kevin Smith for years prior to this but something just clicked. It had gone mainstream. So I started thinking about what the simplest idea for a story could be that would showcase the characters and the dialogue. I immediately came up with the age old idea of people stuck in a room. I began to realize that this was actually something I could do so I started working on the idea. A week later I started writing the script. 6 months later we started shooting. A year and a half after that, we premiered at our first film festival and went home with Audience Choice Comedy. And now, exactly 4 years after the idea was born, the film is now available for free online. Watch it. Enjoy it. And get inspired!

If you like the film and would like to help out, you can make a donation of $1 or more right HERE. As a token of appreciation, everyone who contributes will received access to nearly 10 hours of bonus features including deleted scenes, a feature length making of, behind the scenes videos, a commentary track and more. You can also help out by purchasing a t-shirt from DIRECTOR’S CAMEO. Several of the shirts featured in the film are available on that site, as well many more shirts designed specifically for filmmakers, movie geeks & pop culture junkies.

Now that it is finally available, what did you think of the film?

Jerry Cavallaro – JerryCavallaro.com

Review: ‘Nightmare’

nightmaremovie

Travis:

‘Nightmare’ melds the real with the surreal in this bizarre mystery about a student filmmaker (Jason Scott Campbell) who has a one-night stand   with an actress named Natalya (Nicole Roderick), but when they wake the following morning they find a camcorder setup at the foot of the bed that wasn’t there the night before. They decide to watch the tape, but their curiosity quickly turns to fear and confusion as they discover themselves brutally murdering people in that very same bedroom. In an attempt to understand what’s happening and also benefit from his recent experiences, the filmmaker turns his living nightmare into his next film while the nightmare continues to haunt him.

The dialogue and the acting isn’t always perfect, but the less successful moments generally take place during the most “realistic” periods in the filmmaker’s journey. As a result, it actually mocks what we perceive as reality giving his darker moments a heavier impact. There’s an interesting essence of ‘Scream’ in the scenes when the filmmaking students meet and Campbell seems to channel Patrick Bateman from ‘American Psycho’ in a way that intensifies as the film progresses.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a successful thriller as intelligent and extremely non-linear as ‘Nightmare’ and I have to say it’s refreshing. For me, there’s only so many straight-forward linear three-act traditional movies I can watch in a row before I feel the need to throw a cinematic monkey wrench into the machine and watch it tear itself apart.

While ‘Nightmare’ does suffer some very minor setbacks from it’s low-budget, these flaws are are overcome in strides by a vivid visual style and true understanding of how to use sound and music to truly sell the mood of the story. Campbell delivers a frightening and insane performance while Roderick’s performance compliments his with a cool sincerity that is the yin to his yang. The absolute most annoying and awful performance comes from the filmmaking teacher, but I wonder if this isn’t intentional. In a way, commenting on his view of studying filmmaking in the college setting.

‘Nightmare’ (aka ‘Never Wake Up’) is an extraordinary blend of docudrama and Hitchcockian suspense with the distinctly strange appeal of a David Lynch film. Throw in an obsession with sex and violently erotic undertones stripped from a Cronenberg movie and you’ve got a seriously twisted but compelling journey into the darkest corners of this filmmaker’s mind. ‘Nightmare’ jumps from one reality to the next, chronicling the gradual decay of the filmmaker’s mind as he becomes lost in the unexplainable. ‘Nightmare’ is a psychological horror film that requires the active attention of the audience, meaning it won’t appeal to everyone. However, given the chance and the opportunity it deserves, Dylan Bank’s movie will surely open doors for him to create bigger and better films.

[Overall: 4 stars out of 5]