Rare Movie Role Models for Kids of Color

I was just talking to my friend and filmmaking colleague (now NYU film professor) Alrick Brown about how much I enjoyed taking my son to see the new Karate Kid movie starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan and Taraji P. Henson.

I enjoyed The Karate Kid as a typical fun summer blockbuster, but I especially enjoyed it for the "break out" characters it presented to my 7-year old son. To clarify, it wasn't so much the characters that were break-out, as the fact that they were all people of color in a mainstream movie who my son could relate to and identify with.

While that may not sound like much to some, it's a huge deal to many of us parents who's kids struggle to reconcile the fact that no one looks like them in 95% of the media images they consume. (And the few that do, are often poor role models, impoverished or flawed characters.)

See, a few months ago my son told me he wanted to be Luke Skywalker. Not be like Luke Skywalker, not be a Jedi, but actually BE Luke Skywalker...he wanted blonde hair, blue eyes and white skin, because in his 7-year old head, that's what good guys and heroes are supposed to look like...so how could he possibly be a Jedi if he doesn't look like a Jedi?!

My son is Black and Chinese, so I racked my brain to offer him alternative Black or Chinese movie heroes, but I couldn't think of many outside of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, because so few exist in the mainstream media. So The Karate Kid was an answer to my parenting prayers.

In talking to Alrick, we just saw each other and said, "Did you see The Karate Kid?!" and each of us knew exactly what we meant. I can only hope that this is a sign of things to come and that Jaden Smith's (and his producer/actor parent's, Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith's) career will continue to blossom and Hollywood will continue to put people of color in mainstream blockbuster movie roles.

Media images have such a powerful and long-term psychological effect on our society, that I believe such a sustained move could alter a whole generation's self-perception....for the better for a change.

We need and like to be heroes too.

MORE:
Here's filmmaker, Alrick Brown's, Blog Post on the issue.


The Karate Kid Trailer:


THE KARATE KID: Movie Trailer - Watch more top selected videos about: The_Karate_Kid_(2010_film), Jaden_Smith, Jackie_Chan, Harald_Zwart, Taraji_P._Henson

Ant's Sudden Absence

It's been more than a month since I last posted anything to this blog, so I know I know some of you that aren't on Facebook are wondering what happened. Although I usually try to keep this blog focused on film business I do want to share a two recent personal losses that have deeply affected Down and Dirty DV.

Firstly, on May 29th after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer, I lost my mother, Norma Elizabeth Artis (without whom there would be no Down and Dirty DV) at the age of 63.

She was a dedicated single mom who sacrificed many things to provide a better education and opportunities for me that have in turn allowed me to help so many others better educate themselves and create career opportunities. She was so proud. I'm sad she won't get to see all that I know Down and Dirty DV will become.

Norma Artis 1946-2010

Then 2 weeks to the day mom passed, I lost my most dog, Shaft, who's been my most loyal companion, "first child", confidant (Shaft never talked) and protector for the last 14 years.

Shaft Artis 1996-2010

So needless to say, it's been a very rough season in the Artis household, so Down and Dirty DV operations have been minimal for awhile now while I try to begin to get back to "normal" (eventhough that word can't possibly hold the same definition for me moving forward). I don't have the words to describe how much I will miss them both and the incredible void I feel in my life and home now.

Thanks to everyone for the kind emails and words of support. They are appreciated. Please continue to be patient as I deal with things, but look for updated posts to this blog starting again soon...The world don't stop. I got's to keep keepin' on.

Watch Paola Mendoza's Touching Doc, "Autumns Eyes" for Free

Watch tonight's Double Down Film Show guest, Paola Mendoza's, previous award-winning film, Autumn's Eyes which was made with her partner, Gloria La Morte. It's a touching story of how incarceration and environment affects the children left behind.

Then tune in tonight to here all about the trials and tribulations of making her new award-winning film, Entre Nos, opening at The Quad Theatre in NYC on May 14th.

Last Chance for DCTV Summer Internships This Friday!

DCTV Summer Internships

Final Application Deadline – This Fri. 5/7

If you’ve been thinking about applying for a DCTV Summer Internship, this is your last chance! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a vital part of NYC’s indie filmmaking community, working alongside our staff while learning skills and accessing resources that DCTV provides.

Applicants with Development and/or Social Media experience are especially encouraged to apply. Other departments seeking interns include: Productions for Hire, Pro-TV, Sales/Distribution/Archives, and Training & Resources.

Find out details & download an application form here.

(reposted from http://dctvny.org)

Actress/Writer/Director Paola Mendoza on the next Double Down Film Show!

On the next Double Down Film Show this Weds. May 5th - 9pm, we’ll close out our 3rd season with an uplifting interview with Paola Mendoza the triple threat actress/writer/director of the new indie film, Entre Nos. Winner of multiple film festival awards, Entre Nos is a timely and personal drama about the hot-button issue of immigration based on the true story of Paola’s own mother.

Recently named one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker magazine, Paola began as an actress and crossed over into filmmaking with the award-winning documentary, Autumn’s Eyes, before writing, directing and starring in Entre Nos. The film was co-written/co-directed and edited by Gloria La Morte who also edited Autumn's Eyes.

• How did she shoot a feature with 2 child leads in only 18 days?
• What’s the most important thing she does as a director every night?
• How did they find convincing non-actors as her child leads?
• What perils of tapeless shooting did the crew overcome?
• How can you get a community involved with your film?

...All will be revealed on the next Double Down Film Show with our special guest, Paola Mendoza. Paola’s new film Entre Nos will be opening in New York on May 14th and appearing on HBO later in the Fall.

We’re taking the summer hiatus to get our own filmmaking jones on, but will be back this fall with Season #3 and more practical wisdom and advice for filmmakers! Join us for the big season finale this Weds. May 5th!

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen to it on your computer
or phone live TONIGHT at 9pm

Stream or Download here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Take it to go and never miss a show:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

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

A Blurb on IFP by Yours Truly, Christa

At the request of IFP, I am going to be writing a few blog entries about this years Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto. As a member of the US Delegation, I am attending all events and will just be giving some insider info.

I am posting the article here, but you can check out this article and future ones at http://independentfilmmakerproject.blogspot.com/

IFP Member and U.S Delegate Christa Boarini Blogs Hot Docs

I guess depending on your level of experience in film festivals and your degree of success within the film industry, you view festivals quite differently. I, Christa Boarini, am a New York based filmmaker, working on my first feature length doc. Needless to say I am more of a buzz-following festival goer than one who is buzzed about. At least for now.

It is day 3 at Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival, here in Toronto. True, the real heavy industry stuff begins tomorrow, Monday, but even in these past three days there has been a lot of mingling, theatre-going, crying, laughing and badge-reading. Things may have been a bit slow here in the Filmmaker Internet Lounge/Sales Desk (the first couple of days offered only complementary water, while now there are tables decked out with coffee and gourmet local teas).

But now fellow Industry Pass holders wander in an out, having meetings, checking their email, having some coffee or trying to sort through the three or four thick textbooks of information that came in the goodie bags they give us at registration. We get a Program Guide, an Industry Guide, a guide of attending commissioning editors, etc etc etc. All great and useful information, but it takes a while to sort it all out.

Oh, and if you are coming to Hot Docs later next week, be sure to ask for a flexible badge holder. The others break.

In any case the festival so far is has proven to have nicely balanced programing, combining the heavier humanity-is-awful features with equally as compelling docs that leave you feeling happy to be human. For example, yesterday I watched Talhotblond, a cautionary film where a cyber love triangle of people who have never met ends in a 23 year old man's death. The young man's parents were there, they cried, we cried, it was wonderfully heartbreaking. I then walked over to the screening of Wasteland and my broken heart mended and soared to see a mixture of art and opportunity and good things happening for good people. You simply must see Wasteland and you will instantly understand why it has won the Audience Awards of basically all the film festivals it has been at.

Another great thing to take advantage of is a new program added to Hot Docs this year called "Ripping Reality: Essentials from Documentary's New Wave". This compilation of great documentaries made in recent years gives us the opportunity to see these wonderful films on the big screen. Whether you've seen the film a million times and it is the reason you decided to quit your job and go into documentary filmmaking, or if it is a movie you've heard of but never got around to seeing, Ripping Reality has so far been a great success.

So, between the regular film screenings, the Industry Only events, the parties, the Rendezvous meetings, the Documentary Forum, the International Co-Production day etc, I have had to make out meticulous schedules for every day, reminding me of what I am going to see, what meetings I have and what are the must-attend events of the day. So far it has been a great experience and I plan to take full advantage of it. By the time I get back to New York on May 10th I plan to be absolutely exhausted.

20 Things Filmmakers Should Never Do- On The Next Double Down Film Show!

On the next Double Down Film Show co-hosts Anthony Q. Artis and Pete Chatmon will be running down their list of 20 Things Filmmakers Should Never Do. We all know that there is no specific magic formula for success in filmmaking. Those that have achieved their goals have done so using a wide range of tactics and by taking a variety of paths.

However, there is a very clear and specific list of things NOT to do that can hinder your filmmaking, bust your budget, or even completely derail your career in the industry. Unfortunately, most of us compile our personal list of things not to do through expensive and morale-busting trial and error.

Listen in tonight with pen in hand as we share with you our candid observations of what not to do. The more of these things you know and learn the easy way - from someone else’s mistakes - the closer you will be to finding out your own path to filmmaking success.

Tune in tonight for another classic episode of The Double Down Film Show. No B.S. and no holds barred, just straight talk and practical advice from the grimy trenches of indie film from our lips to your ears...not just for your film, but for your film career.

The Double Down Film Show

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen to it on your computer
or phone live TONIGHT at 9pm

Stream or Download here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Take it to go and never miss a show:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

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

The Status of "Indie"

Does it irk you too when the Big Bad Studios put a cool sounding name on a branch of their company and call their films "Independent"? This article from Filmslate Magazine.com tells a little about the history of "indie" film and how it has changed for and against the indie filmmaker.

With some inspiring bits

"Independent filmmaking at this level is a balancing act between the aspirations of the filmmaker, the budget, and the reality of what will happen to the film once it’s done."

and some not so inspiring bits:

"While some mainstream Hollywood films suffer from too many executives having their say until the script is watered down, independent films may suffer from not having any oversight whatsoever. The story will wander, and scenes will be too wordy and go on longer than they should."

this article provides some nice bits of truth as told by a fellow indie.

When "Safety First" becomes more than a Suggestion

There is this great part of Jerry Seinfeld's "I'm Telling You For The Last Time" standup set where he talks about warning labels and comments that the ONLY label warning that humans consistently pay attention to is "Dry Clean Only".

Low budget and guerrilla filmmaking is inherently risky. You are making due without the top notch tools of the trade and going around a lot of hoops instead of jumping through them. And it is fun sometimes. It is thrilling and invigorating when everyone on set is willing to do anything to "get the shot".

We look back at times when things go wrong on set and often laugh. You feel the adrenalin pump when the dare devil Dp is on his tiptoes on the top of a ladder, you have actors do their own stunts, you tell war stories of the time that lamp caught fire. "Danger" is our collective middle name.

It is all fun and games until someone gets so hurt they die, and then it is dead silent.

A long and Enquire-esque article came out in the Village Voice two weeks ago about a tragic accident on an NYU shoot last year where a young man died electrocuted. The event was horrible, it should never have happened. The article, though, is tainted with a taste-less flair for the dramatic.

Callously titled "NYU's Snuff Film", the article goes into details about the different events that lead to the electrucution, and the aftermath it has had on NYU students and on the crew that was there that day. Having been on set that set in Georgia myself, and having been a friend of John (the young man who passed away), I am disturbed by the article not just because it brings back haunting memories, but because of glaring omissions, pointing of fingers and the style in which it was written.

REGARDLESS of that, I am still writing this entry and telling people about the article because if any good comes of it it is that people are aware of what the worst that can happen really is. This particular event was the result of a butterfly effect-like chain reaction with no one single causing factor. So you never know what weak link is going to bring the whole production down. The best you can do is prevent.

A student is quoted in the damned Voice article:
"I look at every future project in a different way now. I fully understand the risk I take, and the risk I assign to those who work with me and to those who follow my directions. Safety, and making sure we don't try to 'get away with it,' is a much bigger deal. If I see something dumb happening, I'm going to stop it right away. If 'getting the shot' or 'making the day' is going to involve an inordinate amount of risk, it's no longer a good idea the way it used to be."

Read the instructions. Spend the extra money on safety precautions and insurance. Get pro's to do a pro's job. If you are a fan of Down & Dirty, check out the safety measures described in the Shut Up & Shoot Documentary Guide. It just really is better to be safe than sorry.

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

Every Wednesday, 9pm - 10pm E.S.T.

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen to it on your computer
or phone live TONIGHT at 9pm

Stream or Download here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Take it to go and never miss a show:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

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