A Surprising Horror Treat

My man Dustin Chang director of the indie, Obviously Subtle, is one of the single most prolific cinema-philes I know. This guy knows and has turned me on to really great obscure little movies from all over the planet that I would've never discovered were it not for his recommendation and eagle eye for cool, weird, cult and overlooked movies. He recently loaned me this DVD title that I want to share with all my horror peeps out there.

I love horror movies, but good and original horror movies are few and far between, so I'm really happy to pass on this title, which I found to be both. It's called Ginger Snaps and it's a Canadian movie by director John Fawcett made in 2000. And like some other titles I've gotten from Dustin over the years, it was a pleasant little surprise that I can't believe I never heard about before.

I thought it was pretty original in that it's about werewolves and creepy teenage girls and has a great dark sense of humor. (If you want my Hollywood comparative description, it's Heavenly Creatures meets American Werewolf In London with a dash of Mean Girls thrown in.) I thought the characters and story were surprisingly three-dimensional and more complex than I ever expected for a horror movie, least of all one with a predominantly teenage cast.

Put it in your Netflix cue, zap some popcorn, turn out the lights and enjoy this delicious little Canadian horror treat called Ginger Snaps. (And if you like it, the sequel- Ginger Snaps II, which I also just watched, is a completely different movie and plot line, but also original, creepy and darkly humorous, albeit not quite as good as part 1.)

Ginger Snaps Trailer




Ginger Snaps II Trailer

The Art, Craft and Hustle of Producing w/ Christina DeHaven!

Tonight on The Double Down Film Show we will delve deep into the art, craft and hustle that is producing.

What exactly does a producer do? How do they do it? And more importantly, how can you do it better?

Veteran indie producer and NYU Film School adjunct producing professor, Christina DeHaven will help us break down "the real" tonight- only on Double Down!

Christina's Bio:

Since graduating from Tisch School of the Arts in 1999, Christina's career has led to a number of producing credits that include commercials, music videos, episodic television, documentary, and over a dozen short films. Her first two shorts were accepted to the Sundance Film Festival, in 2001 with "3D" directed by Pete Chatmon, and in 2003 with "Cutman" directed by Yon Motskin, which was also a First Place Wasserman Finalist. She also worked on the break-thru Filipino indie feature film, "The Debut".

Christina's recent projects include two feature-length documentaries, "My Uncle Berns" (directed by Lindsay Crystal, HBO), and "761st" (directed by Pete Chatmon), about the first African-American tank battalion to enter combat in WWII. Christina has also recently produced several music videos for the Grammy Award-winning band The Black Eyed Peas.

Christina serves as an adjunct faculty member at NYU Tisch School of the Arts teaching Producing the Short Screenplay, as well as serving as an administrator for the Department of Film & TV.

Date / Time: Wednesday January 28 - 9pm-10pm

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Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen To It Here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

Netflix Filmmaking Contest

My main man, Maxie Collier over at UrbanArtsClub.com shared this info with me about a new contest for first-time filmmakers, so I'm passing it on to you...

Netflix and Film Independent will award one $150,000 cash production grant, plus turn-key resources like film stock, processing, camera rental, and post-productions services, for a total price value of more than $350,000.

Peep the contest link for yourself here:

http://www.netflixfindyourvoice.com

DP, Cliff Charles (When the Levees Break) - Live on Double Down!

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D.P., Cliff Charles (When the Levees Broke, Miracle Boys, etc.) discusses what it takes to get your project on screen with the most unique visual stamp as well as how to ensure that your vision is achieved despite the many challenges of film production. More "real talk" not to be missed!

Date / Time: Wednesday January 21 - 9pm-10pm

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Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen To It Here:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

Hosted by Anthony Q. Artis of Down and Dirty DV and Pete Chatmon of Double 7 Film.

Happy Birthday Dr. King

Just spending some time reflecting on this day with my family and I thought I'd share this video I produced last year for NYU's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration.

With all the opportunities and freedom that we have it's sometimes easy to forget the sacrifices that so many others made so that we could have better life than generations before us.

There's plenty more work to be done, but what a long way we've come. Thank you, Dr. King. Happy Birthday...

NYU - MLK Tribute Video 2008 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo

Produced and Shot by Anthony Q. Artis
Edited by Greg Payton

Double Down Keeps It Real w/ Anthony Mackie

Click the link above to listen to the all new episode of THE DOUBLE DOWN FILM SHOW. (Don't forget to first turn off the "Down and Dirty DV Channel" in the upper right column of this blog to avoid two things playing at once.) Myself and co-host, Pete Chatmon, interviewed actor, Anthony Mackie (She Hate Me, Million Dollar Baby, Eagle Eye) about the upcoming release of NOTORIOUS in which he portrays Tupac Shakur.

We also delved into what filmmakers need to know when working with A-List talent. This is entertainment and education for those in the game and those looking to make their mark. NOTORIOUS actor, Dennis L.A. White, was also featured and interviewed during the show when things got a little heated with a caller from the (702) area code.

True to the show's mission our guests all kept it realler than real. I promise you won't hear any candid advice or comments like this on Entertainment Tonight or MTV. Stay tuned for the next one...every Wednesday night.

Listen in and let us know your thoughts!

And join the DOUBLE DOWN FILM COMMUNITY!

This Week Special Guest Anthony Mackie - Tupac in "Notorious"

Attracting and Working w/A-List Actors, special guest Anthony Mackie (Notorious)

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Wednesday, Jan. 14th - 9:00-10:00PM E.S.T.

Listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

Call-in: (646) 929-1956

Learn the best approaches to secure name talent and keep them happy on your set. Just because you don't have a $100 Million budget doesn't mean your talent can't feel taken care of. Actors bring your projects to life but you MUST make it easier for them!

SPECIAL GUEST: ACTOR ANTHONY MACKIE, (She Hate Me, Brother to Brother, etc.) starring as Tupac Shakur in NOTORIOUS, out January 16th!

Hosted by Anthony Q. Artis of Down and Dirty DV and Pete Chatmon of Double 7 Film.

Announcing The Double Down Film Show!

In our ongoing effort to better serve our fellow filmmakers, Down and Dirty DV has teamed up with Double 7 Film to bring you yet another new FREE filmmaking resource...The Double Down Film Show.

The Double Down Film Show is an hour long experience of "real talk" about what it takes to get your project from script to screen and establish a career in film and tv.

Every Wednesday night myself and Pete Chatmon of Double 7 Film will deliver all of the production, technology, business, and motivational support that filmmakers need to achieve their filmmaking dreams.

Each week our guests include entertainment celebrities, leading industry thinkers, and hustlers on the rise. You are all invited to participate by calling in with your filmmaking questions, career concerns, and with questions for our guests.

We've all gambled on our own careers and dreams, but now it's time to double down, baby! We'll show you how every Wednesday night, so place your bets on The Double Down Film Show!

Time: Wednesdays - 9pm to 10pm

Call-in Number: (646) 929-1956

Listen to on your computer or phone live every Wednesday at 9pm:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/DoubleDownFilmShow

Click the play button below to listen to our inaugural episode.
(*There is about 30 secs. of silence at the very beginning of the show, so be patient.)

Holiday Party 2008 - Game Recognizes Game

A belated thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate the holidays with Down and Dirty DV and Double 7 Film just before the Christmas break. (I took a break from posting as well.)

My apologies to those of you who braved the cold, but were not able to get in later in the night. We moved the party at the last minute due to an overwhelming number of RSVP's and then the new venue filled up as well.

No worries though, there will be another joint before the Spring kicks in and we'll do our best to make sure EVERYBODY gets in. (Maybe we need to invite you all in shifts!)



Photo: More talent and hustle than you can shake a stick at came out to join in the festivities. Peep the links below and see how we get down...

Photo:
Dorian Missick - actor from Six Degrees tv series, Premium, Lucky Number Slevin, etc.
Pete Chatmon - CEO Double 7 Films/Director of Premium and The 761st, Tribeca All-Access Winner 2007
Anthony Artis (gold vest) - Y'all know me already. You're on da blog.
Troy CLE (brown jacket) author of best-selling kids book "Marvelous World"
Benjamin Ahr Harrison (red tie) - Music Video Director for artists A. Pinks, Jay Lefco, DJ Scientific
and Mike Brown (black jacket)- Director/Editor

Hey Kids...It's Porn Week!

Just came across this interesting happening in Brooklyn this week...A spot called Monkeytown is hosting it's 5th Annual Porn Week starting December 20th. (And, no, you may NOT spank your monkey there. It ain't that kind of party.)

According to the description it's “erotic film for people who like film”.

From what I can gather, it looks to be a quite interesting and playful line up of erotic and sexually-themed films like the music video below directed by Emilie Joulet entitled "Vicious". (Also check out the similarly themed photos on Emilie's My Space page. She's got some skillz with the camera.)

I seriously doubt I can convince my other half to go with me to an event called Porn Week even if it is really just "art", but you Brooklyn hipsters go and tell me how it was afterward.




VICIOUS - Mz Sunday Luv