Iron Man 2 - Kick Ass Trailer

After a long cold-ass winter of snow and cabin-fever, I'm ready for the joys of Summer which of course include Summer blockbusters. Contrary to popular film school belief there's absolutely nothing wrong with watching (or creating) a movie that does nothing more than entertain and titillate.

Hell, after a hard and stressful week of grinding work and real-life problems, I actually consider popcorn films to be a public service!

Robert Downey, Jr. vs. Mickey Rourke. I love it! I will definitely be at this one come May. Enjoy...

Howcast.com Wants You!

You know, I am always online looking for jobs in film. I need one. A lot of you out there probably need one too. On almost a daily basis, this post comes up on CraigsList, calling indie filmmakers to make short "How-To" videos to be posted online. If any of you want to check it out, it might bring in some extra cash.

A Guaranteed Smile on a Friday Afternoon...

Just for fun on a Friday afternoon, here's a preview of what looks to be a funny-ass short film written by one of my Unicorn Writer's Conference co-presenters, Steven Arvanites, who also happens to be the founder of NYCScreenwriter.org and directed by Nick Piper.

It's entitled Helium Man, has great production value and SPFX and I dare you to watch it and not crack a smile, if not bust a gut...enjoy!

Get 10% Off Indie Film Boot Camp NOW!

Indie Film Boot Camp - Promo 3 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.

Don't miss the debut of the hottest filmmaking seminar in town. Why is this seminar so hot?

Because we're going out of our way to tell you all the things they don't cover at the other seminars. Sure you need to know the ins and outs of story structure, putting together a business plan, operating equipment, but as any first time filmmaker will tell you...that's just the start of a solid film education.

There are a hundred other less tangible, but completely practical things that aren't really covered in standard film seminars and classes that you NEED to know before you plunge all the way in.

These are the real-world logistical, psychological and business aspects of filmmaking that can make or break any film shoot. (Think of it as the difference between what one might learn in Medical school versus what one will experience when dealing with real patients with complex issues.)

To be clear, these are all things that you WILL learn eventually if you keep making films, but the real question is how will you learn them?

The Hard Way? - through painful, time-consuming and expensive mistakes?

OR

The Smart Way? - from other indie filmmakers that have already made those painful mistakes who can clearly tell you how to avoid them so you can hit the ground running instead of stumbling?

There's only one answer to me: Come to Indie Film Boot Camp in New York City on Sat. March 27th and find out what nobody else is telling YOU.

What type of painful mistakes are we talking about? Check out the videos on this page to see for yourself.

And just cause you're down with Down and Dirty DV, I'm gonna give you a 10% discount off the already insanely discounted Early Bird Price of $99.00 until March 6th. ($120.00 after!)

So that's a full day of premium filmmaking instruction from 3 dynamic speakers for only $89.00 if you ACT by this Sat. March 6th. (Take a minute and Google the term "filmmaking seminar". You won't find a better deal anywhere.) That's less than half the cost just about anywhere else, because I really want to get this info out there in the hands of the people that need it most.

Click HERE now to register and enter this secret discount code for 10% off: DNDLUV-327

"Madmen" Writer Bridget Bedard on the Next Double Down Film Show!

On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll have an open conversation with writer/director, Bridget Bedard.

Just five years removed from film school, Bridget now crafts scripts for two of the hottest new shows on the air, the runaway hit, Madmen, and the new series, Men of a Certain Age. Along with her writing colleagues, she recently won a WGA Award for Best New Series and was nominated for an award for Best Dramatic Series for her work on the first season of Madmen.

Bridget is a rare breed: a working female on a hit show in the heavily male-dominated writing segment of the business who didn’t have to work her way up from the bottom rung.

How did she skip the normal path to the writer’s table?

How does tv writing differ from feature writing?

What do managers do for you that agents don’t?

What did she learn in the “real world” that she didn’t in film school?

What are the pros and cons of writing in N.Y. vs. L.A.?

Find out the answer to all these questions, plus a

whole lot more practical wisdom and advice for aspiring filmmakers as we probe for the formula to a successful television writing career on the next Double Down Film Show.

By filmmakers. For filmmakers. No fluff, puff, or silly stuff…just the real answers you need to succeed every Wednesday night at 9pm. Listen and learn!

The Double Down Film Show...
Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This episode sponsored by :



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About the 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. Hosts Anthony Q. Artis of Down and Dirty DV 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. Check out the previous 25 episodes of season #1 on iTunes.

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.

Indie Film Boot Camp Early Bird Discount EXTENDED!

Indie Film Boot Camp - Promo 2 from Anthony Artis on Vimeo.

We know many of you don't get paid until Friday, so by popular demand, we've extended the special Indie Film Boot Camp Early Bird Registration price of only $99.00 until Saturday, March 6th. Last chance to register for Indie Film Boot Camp for cheap! (Just don't say I didn't try to put you down before the price goes up again and the last seats sell out.)

What type of practical tips and wisdom will we be doling out all-day long?

The same type of straight-up practical instruction that made our Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide the #1 film book in the country...Here's just a few brief minutes from one of 6 seminars of an 8+ hour day jam-packed with all the real-world tips, tactics and advice that we only learned the hard way:

Come to Indie Film Boot Camp on Sat. March 27th for much more practical real-world filmmaking instruction from myself, Pete Chatmon and new media and music video whiz kid, Benjamin Ahr Harrison.

Apart from guerrilla tactics for professional results, we'll be covering:

• Wooing and Directing A-List talent
• Making a Name for Yourself
• Fundraising
• Effective Pitching
• Documentary Interview Techniques and Logistics
• Attracting Investors
• Real Networking
• Low Budget Music Video planning and logistics
• Adding production value w/ After Effects
• Strategies for Rising Above Entry Level Jobs
• How and Where to Train Yourself
• Plus tons more straight up practical info!

Register now at: IndieFilmBootCamp.com

Ustream, I-stream, We All Stream for Ustream.tv

Another little blurb from Film News Briefs. If you didn't know about ustream.tv, this is a service which allows you to stream live videos in real time via Facebook, iPhone, Twitter etc. It also allows you to watch live events, sometimes for free and sometimes for a small fee. Read this article for some ideas on how Ustream can come in handy, for entertainment of for your own projects. Anyone want to make their own version of SNL or Whose Line is it Anyway? Live Jackass? And charge for it? Read on....

Olympics Become RealityTV?

I just read this article and, while the ones who posted it in Film News Briefs said it themselves that it is weird that the Olympics are coming up in a Film blog, it makes for good food for thought about what people want to watch, what constitutes entertainment, and what lures in audiences.

What Is Nobody Telling YOU?

Indie Film Bootcamp (Promo 1) from Double 7 on Vimeo.

...Come find out March 27th at:

Indie Film Boot Camp - NYC.

The Production Assistant's Handbook - On the Next Double Down Film Show

Author, Caleb Clark

Almost everyone in feature filmmaking starts out as a Production Assistant. It's the standard gateway to many of the best jobs on set and off. Yet there are very few, if any, resources to explain the job, the expectations or how to do it better.

The Production Assistant’s Handbook is one of those rare resources to help the budding P.A. stay out of trouble and graduate from the bottom ranks of filmmaking. On the next Double Down Film Show we’ll speak with Caleb Clark author of The Production Assistant’s Handbook. (Pssst- download the first ten pages here for free!)

What tools should a budding P.A. never be without?

What should you do if you screw up?

What should you never be seen doing on set?

What’s the secret to locking down of a public street?

How do you get your first P.A. job?

From walkie talkie etiquette to what to carry in your fanny pack, Caleb will help us break down the answer to all these questions and give best practices for Production Assistants. (Yes, fanny packs have never gone out of style for film crew!) Come listen and learn as we once again open the backdoor to film school.

The answer to all these questions, plus more filmmaking inspiration and education on the next Double Down Film Show. Real problems. Real answers. By filmmakers. For filmmakers.

The Double Down Film Show...
Filmmaking Reality Starts Here!


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This episode sponsored by :



* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

About the 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. Hosts Anthony Q. Artis of Down and Dirty DV 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. Check out the previous 25 episodes of season #1 on iTunes.

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.