NYU Alums Represent at Sundance 2011

Hey good people, after a busy winter hiatus I am back on the blog scene. I've been spending some much neded time with the family, finishing up some projects for some of my corporate clients and getting deep into writing my next book, The Shut Up and Shoot Freelancer's Guide which I'll be sharing exclusive excerpts from as I go right here on this blog, so stay tuned for that.

But I want to start off this new blog year by sending out a heartfelt congratulations to several of my favorite NYU people who all have films opening at Sundance right now. One of the greatest blessings that my position as an Administrator and Adjunct Professor at NYU affords me is a front row seat to observe some of the hottest new filmmakers as they grow and develop.

These are all filmmakers I've known and watched through the years from their first rough cuts to the polished productions that got them into Sundance. They are all incredibly talented, smart and gracious filmmakers who are just getting their first (but definitely not last) moments in the international spotlight.

Kinyarwanda
By Alrick Brown

Synopsis: Inspired by true stories, Kinyarwanda interweaves six tales that provide a complex and real depiction of life and human resilience in the face of unimaginable danger.

Pariah
by Dee Reese

Synopsis: A Brooklyn teenager juggles conflicting identities and risks friendship, heartbreak, and family in a desperate search for sexual expression.



Gun Hill Road
by Rashaad Ernesto Green

Synopsis: After three years in prison, Enrique returns to the Bronx to find his wife estranged and his teenage son stumbling towards a sexual transformation that will put the fragile bonds of their family to the test.





Close
by Tahir Jetter

Synopsis: One night after a casual visit, Angela is all but ready to leave Derek's apartment. Derek, howver, is determined not to let her go without a fight.

It's a First Feature Double Header on the Next Double Down Film Show

The next Double Down Film Show will be a special double-header with not one, but two hot up-and-coming directors discussing their first feature films out this year.

First up is NYU film grad, Hue Rhodes, who wrote and directed, St John of Las Vegas which came out earlier this year. Hue changed careers from software programming to filmmaking at the age of 30 and was one of the oldest students in his graduate film program. His first feature, St John of Las Vegas is a quirky comedy road movie starring, Steve Buscemi and Sarah Silverman.

Next on deck, is our good friend and fellow NYU grad, writer/director Alrick Brown, which many of you may recognize from the IFC reality series Film School which profiled several NYU grad students in their first year of film school.

Well since that time, Alrick has graduated from the program and gone on to establish a reputation as a skilled and provocative director that sometimes leaves his audiences in stunned silence. His first feature entitled Kinyarwanda was shot over several weeks in Rwanda on the Red camera and co-directed by Ishmael Ntihabose. (read Variety article)

• How did Hue land not one, but two major stars in his first feature?
• What are the perils (and rewards) of shooting in the Third World?
• What really happens after (and during) grad film school?
• How is shooting on the Red camera different than shooting 35mm?
• What does Alrick do that leaves his audiences speechless?

All will be revealed in tonight’s special first feature double-header. Filmmakers, you are not alone. Listen and learn from the mistakes, successes and hard-won wisdom of your indie film colleagues every Wednesday night.

The Double Down Film Show

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***PS - If you can't tune in live, you can always stream the show or download the .mp3 file later at the site above.