FREE SCREENING of "Gun Hill Road" This Thursday at NYU

Get FREE Tickets to see Raashad Ernesto Green's debut feature, Gun Hill Road, which just premiered at Sundance. We recently interviewed Rashad on an episode of The Double Down Film Show. Listen to the trials and tribulations of how he made the film, went to Sundance and got distribution - then go see it for yourself...

Thurs., March 31st

6:00pm-8:30pm -
NYU Cantor Film Center

RSVP Here to get Tix

Don't Miss Oscar-Winning Writer/Director Luke Matheny This Weds. Night at 9pm!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll be talking to writer/director, Luke Matheny who just won an Academy Award for his short film, God of Love.

Luke is a grad student at NYU’s fabled Tisch School of the Arts Dept. of Film and TV. Apart from God of Love, Luke also helmed the short, Earano.

• How have things CHANGED since winning an Oscar?
• What members of his CREW were most instrumental?
• What role does he think FILM SCHOOL played in his success?
• What’s NEXT in the production pipeline?
• How did his team approach the CINEMATOGRAPHY for the film?

We’ll give the answers to all these questions, plus more insight and inspiration when we rap to 2011 Oscar-winning director and up and coming filmmaking talent, Luke Matheny.

Straight up tips and real-world filmmaking advice from a diverse selection of the best in the business – past, present and future every – Wednesday night at 9pm, only on The Double Down Film Show.

Can you dig it?!

FILMMAKING REALITY STARTS HERE.

The Double Down Film Show

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

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

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Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

Darius Monroe Clark's Short Film"Train" Named Vimeo Staff Pick

Check out my homey Darius Monroe Clark's award-winning short film, Train, which was just named a Vimeo staff pick. Waiting for that first feature to drop now, man!

Writer/Director Julius Onah TONIGHT on The Double Down Film Show

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll delve deep into the practical realities of making your first feature with writer/director, Julius Onah. Julius was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. His debut feature, The Girl Is In Trouble, is executive produced by Spike Lee, stars Columbus Short and Wilmer Valderrama, and is poised to launch him firmly onto the independent film scene.

A graduate of Wesleyan University’s theater program, Julius transitioned from being in front of the camera to writing and directing. He’s currently a Thesis student at NYU’s grad film program where he’s shot a slew of notable short narratives and documentaries with diverse casts and subject matter that have gained him international festival attention including Szmolinsky, Linus, and The Boundary. (*Get the special password to view these films TONIGHT on the show.)

· How did SPIKE LEE come on board as Executive Producer?
· What was the HARDEST part of directing his first feature?
· Why does he use so many INTERNATIONAL characters and settings?
· Why did he love making two films entirely on CELLPHONES?
· How can budget and time limitations HELP you as a filmmaker?

We’ll answer all these questions and more in an insightful and wisdom-packed interview with writer/director, Julius Onah. Why learn it the hard way on your set, when you can learn it right here on the Double Down Film Show first? We aren’t film fans, we’re filmmakers helping other filmmakers every Wednesday night at 9pm E.S.T.

Be sure to Join Our Facebook Fan Page too!

FILMMAKING REALITY STARTS HERE.

The Double Down Film Show

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

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Stream Live:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

OR

Subscribe or Download:

Subscribe to the iTunes Podcast

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.

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.

The Double Down Film Show is BACK!!!

Summer’s over and it’s time to go back to school. Season 2 of The Double Down Film Show is kicking off with a candid conversation with the Dean of NYU Film School, Sheril Antonio, Ph.D.

The Back to Film School Show

• How can prospective students get into NYU film school ?
• What should be in your portfolio for film school?
  
• How can you possibly afford it?
• What’s NYU’s secret to consistently turning out accomplished alumni such as Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Karen Kasama, Oliver Stone, Ang Lee and many more?
• How can you make the most of your film education no matter where you go to school?

...We’ll ask Dean Antonio all these questions and more.

We’re all film students whether we’re in film school or not. The process of learning the craft in this digital age never stops. Get co-hosts, Anthony Q. Artis and Pete Chatmon’s, real-world advice on furthering your film education whether you’re learning in film school or the film school of hard knocks.

The back door to film school is open once again.


Related Links:

NYU Undergrad Film Program
http://filmtv.tisch.nyu.edu/page/home.html

NYU Graduate Film Program
http://gradfilm.tisch.nyu.edu/page/home.html

William H. Cosby Future Filmmakers Workshop
http://about.tisch.nyu.edu/object/FutureFilmmakers.html

Tisch School of the Arts - Summer High School Program
http://specialprograms.tisch.nyu.edu/page/hsStudents.html

This Is How You Do a Video in One Take!

How do you make a hot-ass music video on a low budget with just one take? Easy- just use talent, creativity and hustle - The Down and Dirty formula. Sometimes less is more.

Check out hip-hop artist, Nyle, performance in this live music video remake of Lil' Wayne's "Let the Beat Build" done by film and music students at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and Clive Davis Institute for recorded music.

It was filmed in one take, with audio being recorded simultaneously with the film. The video features Nyle (www.nyleraps.com) and is produced by Last Pictures (www.last-pictures.com) and 194 Recordings (www.myspace.com/194recordings)

It's been burnin' up the internet video sites for a few days now. I haven't been through the Clive Davis School yet, but can see that a visit is long overdue. Y'all are doin' ya damn thang over there. Congrats on the video and looking forward to seeing more of your work.

UPDATE: Read the New York Magazine article on the video.

Nyle "Let The Beat Build" from Nyle on Vimeo.

Special thanx to Tahir Jetter for the tip!

A Powerful New Short - 'Us: A Love Story"

Just wanted to give a share with everyone a short film that I recently had the pleasure of viewing. It's called "Us: A Love Story" and it's by a serious up and coming filmmaking talent and personal friend, Alrick Brown.

Some of you may be familiar with Alrick from the reality series, Film School, which chronicled a year in the life of four NYU grad film students. Well, Alrick has since graduated from grad school and "Us: A Love Story" is his thesis film which is just starting to make the festival rounds.

Interview w/ Alrick and his Short "Super N"
(chronicled in the IFC series, "Film School")

If it comes anywhere near your area, make the pilgrimage to check out "Us: A Love Story". Like much of Alrick's work to date, it's a powerful, thought-provoking and deep examination of race relations in America. It's the type of film that can make an audience uncomfortable, because it shines a magnifying glass and bright light on some deep and heavy cultural issues that have long since been swept under the rug. It completely skirts preachiness and simplicity in favor of unflinching unexamined truths about- us.

It stayed with me long after I saw it. And if it's a sign of things to come from Alrick, I look forward to a long career of provocative intelligent films. Keep your eye out for his name...you will definitely hear it again.

Trailer - "Us: A Love Story"

Coming Soon to:


Garden State Film Festival
Asbury Park, NJ
April 2 - 5, 2009

Langston Hughes African-American Film Festival
Seattle, WA
April 18-26, 2009