NEW 2006 Sundance Film Festival Late Deadlines Loom this Month

Festival runs January 19-29, 2006

Sundance Film Festival, the high profile festival in Park City, Utah celebrating the independent spirit of great original stories well-told and diverse voices and films that push the limits of style and narrative. Competitive and noncompetitive film screenings in numerous categories, including: Dramatic and Documentary, World Dramatic and World Documentary, Shorts, Midnight Screenings (for often edgy, fun, even shocking films), and Frontier (for experimental film, media-based performance, and interactive web projects with narrative and interactive elements). Program best suited to your project determined by programming staff after submission. Eligibility varies, but no films may have been broadcast on TV. Only shorts may have been broadcast on the Internet. Dramatic and Documentary films must be world premieres. Shorts are not limited by the number of festivals at which they have been screened, but films in any of the other programs cannot have played in more than two other festivals. In all categories, world premieres and U.S. premieres are preferred. Note: submission form online only: festivalinfo@sundance.org, programming@sundance.org

Deadlines: regular, September 2, 2005 (shorts) and September 16, 2005 (features); late (all films), September 30, 2005; supplemental materials, October 28, 2005

DISLECKSIA: THE MOVIE

Harvey Hubbell V psyches up for DISLECKSIA:THE MOVIE, now entering a key production phase at Captured Time Productions. Photo courtesy of Captured Time Productions.

Producer/Director Harvey Hubbell V of Litchfield Connecticut and his company Captured Time Productions have just launched a new website to coincide with the beginning of a new documentary project about dyslexia called DISLECKSIA: THE MOVIE.

DISLECKSIA will be a feature length documentary – informative but hopefully also entertaining and funny – about people with dyslexia, including Harvey Hubbell V. Harvey will take viewers on a journey of discovery to find out about dyslexia and what his fellow dyslexics have experienced and done in their lives. Along the way he will interview famous and unknown people with dyslexia, scientists who have the latest information on the biology and psychology of dyslexia, and educators who have developed effective techniques to help dyslexics learn. 

Viewers will learn what dyslexia is and how it was discovered. They will see the latest brain imaging and learn about other cutting edge scientific research on how the dyslexic brain works.  They will learn about effective methods for teaching dyslexics. They will learn how dyslexics feel when they have no way to interpret their experience except to think they are stupid, and the transformation that occurs when they learn the nature of their condition and discover that they can learn to do whatever other people do – if they can do so in their own way. The program will stress the highly original and creative strategies that dyslexics invent to compensate for their disabilities.

Captured Time has been working diligently on DISLECKSIA. To date Harvey has logged in 543 hours, the staff 385 hours (includes the editor, line producer and coordinator) and their college interns have logged in almost 535 hours of in-kind service.

They are currently finishing up on their research and exploration phase and have moved into the development phase. The budget is being formed and they are about to submit grant applications (Mid-September) and develop their shooting script. Shooting is scheduled to begin November 2005.

The new web address is: www.capturedtimeproductions.com. Check it out – it’s a lot of fun – and a lot of you may see yourselves there! If you are interested working on this project or in an internship e-mail captime@optonline.net.

PULSE MEDIA WORKING ON NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Rob Massey at the satellite feedpoint in Aruba. Photo: Shane Bronson	Jay Maurer and the local crew. Photo: Mike Cohen	Street Traffic in Manilla. Photo: Jay Maurer
Robert Massey finds a new angle on the Halloway case. Photo: Shane Bronson		Shane Bronson and Rob Massey getting some Aruba Aerials

Pulse Media’s location in Watertown, is a hub of sorts, providing easy access to the various highways and routes that crisscross Massachusetts.  During an average week, Pulse’s video production crews find themselves shooting in Springfield, for the NBA, in Bangor Maine for CNN, or in Vermont for Major League Baseball.  But this past July and August the convenience of Pulse’s Watertown HQ would be tested in new directions, as the production company found itself coordinating not only for it’s teams covering New England, but also for news and documentary crews dispatched to far-flung island assignments ranging from Asia to the Caribbean.

Pulse Media’s Globe-trotting summer tour kicked off on July 18th when DP Jay Maurer flew to the Philippines with producers for the History Channel to shoot a documentary about the Bataan Death March. One challenge presented itself even before Jay left his home in Jamaica Plain:  the crew would be attempting to follow the tortuous trail that POW’s were forced to walk by their Japanese captors during WW II, and this meant they would be shooting outdoors during the country’s notorious monsoon season. But fortune smiled on the crew and the shoot was uninterrupted by rain. Jay speculated this was perhaps due in part to the actions of their tour guide, who early in their journey had broken a carton of eggs, an old Pilipino tradition for good luck.

Just weeks after returning from the Pacific, Jay found himself en route to Aruba to relieve Pulse Media President and DP Robert Massey, who, since July 26th, had been stationed as a shooter for ABC NEWS in that vacation getaway-turned 24hour News crucible.  For Massey, his days in Aruba covering developments in the Natalie Halloway case stood in sharp contrast to his last visit to the Caribbean island. Back then he was shooting scenics for a travel agency.

When Jay arrived on the white sandy beaches of Aruba he found a media convergence that was truly a world apart from his recent days of skeleton-crew-styled historical re-enactments in the Pacific.  For weeks Rob, along with audio techs Shane Bronson and Jason O’Neill, had been immersed in the tasks that define emergency news gathering: staking out courthouses, chasing down witness interviews, and pooling live satellite feeds-- each day returning to the hotel which housed dozens of other crews that were stationed in Aruba, representing every major news and cable network.

As the fall approaches, Pulse Media still has staff staked out in Aruba but it also is gearing up to cover events closer to home, including, if all goes well, another playoff season for the Boston Red Sox. Here’s hoping some of Pulse Media’s summer success as the away team continues to rub off on those other boys of summer.

SEPTEMBER 29TH: SAVE THE DATE

On Thursday - September 29, 2005, from 6:30 until 9PM over 50 artists from near and far  have put their art where their hearts are, and have donated some stunning works for Art House, the Brattle Film Foundation’s 2nd  Annual silent art auction fundraiser to  benefit the Brattle Theatre!  While the seasoned art collector will certainly find great deals at Art House, this event is for the novice art-lover  as well, with starting bids between just $35 and $250! 

Paintings, sculptures, woodcuts, lithographs, photographs, and more await their new  homes. Whether your walls display only posters from 1987 or you’re just bored with your Picasso, there is something for everyone at Art  House. Let the bidding begin! Admission to the event is only $15. There will be a cash bar – and tasty  treats. Many of the artists will be present at the event.  

Many of the pieces of art available for purchase will be previewed after Sept. 10th on the Brattle Film Foundation’s website at:  www.brattlefilm.org. For more information or to buy tickets  in advance – visit the website.

IMAGINE: Boston Film Night

Final call for short films for the November 6th Boston Film Night at the Regent Theatre.  The event is sponsored by IMAGINE Magazine and last year’s event drew nearly 650 people.  There will be a Q&A afterwards and an after party for everyone. It’s free to submit and attend. Comedies are preferred but other genres will be considered.  Ideal films will have a Boston/New England connection and be under 30 minutes. If you have made, worked on, or know of a film that you think should be included, submit it or contact the filmmaker and have them submit it. Don’t let your work sit on a shelf. Let it be seen.

For an application contact Kevin at bostonfilmnight@yahoo.com.

Women in Film and Televison International’s NEW Grant Opportunity

WIFTI’s Devorah Foundation for Emerging Women Filmmakers Grant Application Deadline is September 30, 2005.

Devorah is an icon; a Biblical figure, a leader of her Nation, an inspiration to her people and, above all, an empowerer of others. As a leader she brought to the role a woman’s ability to instill rather than impose, to invigorate rather than force, and to cultivate rather than command.

It is in this spirit that the new Devorah Foundation has been established, to support emerging women filmmakers and/or emerging Women in Film/TV communities around the world. Founded by former Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) Chair and TV/Film Producer Ina Fichman, the Devorah Foundation is a tribute to her late Grandmother Deborah Tietolman, who generously supported those in need with grace, dignity and compassion.

The Devorah Foundation offers an annual award to support special projects, training, professional development and/or mentorship opportunities, with a focus on emerging filmmakers/ filmmaking communities outside of North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The first grant recipient/s will be announced at the WIFTI International Summit in Los Angeles, October 2005.

Founder Ina Fichman says: “As an association that represents women in film and TV across the globe, it is imperative that we support the development of both women who are new to our industries as well as new initiatives that are being spearheaded by emerging women in film communities. This is a unique role that WIFTI can play in the global arena.”

Applications will be open to women from all chapters of Women in Film worldwide, but priority will be given to emerging filmmakers and film communities.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, plus an online application form, please go to www.wifti.org.

Pod Design, Lexington, MA, has created and launched three viral marketing teasers as an online promotional campaign to support the September 23rd release of the new Tim Burton film CORPSE BRIDE staring Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter.

The three viral sites offer visitors entertaining interactions with the characters from the film, and are designed to offer unique ways for friends to send messages to friends, inside of a unique branded experience.

The first promotional site is called POST MORTEM - Messages From The Land of the Dead. It allows visitors to interact with the Corpse Bride via the Mysterious Oracle talking board. Visitors can ask questions like “Who will win the world series?” and see what the Corpse Bride has to say. Try it: http://www.askthedead.com

The second promotional site, entitled BONYMAIL, allows visitors to draw pictures and write messages via the bony hand of the Corpse Bride on a dusty, cobwebbed Victorian mirror. These messages can then be sent to a friend, who will see the message spelled out in a creepy real-time animation. Go to: http://www.bonymail.com

The third site is best left to explain itself, and can be found at: http://www.sept23.com

Set in a 19th Century European village, CORPSE BRIDE is a stop-motion animated film that follows the story of Victor (Johnny Depp), a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride (Helena Bonham-Carter), while his real bride, Victoria (Emily Watson), waits bereft in the land of the living. It’s a tale of optimism, romance, and a very lively afterlife, told in a classic Tim Burton style.

Creative Director Tim Curran founded Pod Design in 2003. Pod Design specializes in online viral marketing, branded entertainment and games, and has been working with clients including Digitas, Front Street Pictures, Warner Independent, Alternasfera, Maven Networks, and the Quayside Publishing Group.

For more information, visit: http://www.poddesign.com.

NBC Universal Recruits Maria Menounos

NBC Universal has recruited Emerson College grad and former Entertainment Tonight correspondent Maria Menounos for on-air positions in two of its shows starting in the fall. Menounos will serve as a special correspondent for NBC Universal’s syndicated entertainment newsmagazine Access Hollywood while also becoming a West Coast contributor for NBC News’ morning show Today. Menounos, who will be based in Los Angeles, also previously hosted ET on MTV and ET on VH1.

Menounos began her broadcast career as an anchor on Channel One, a news program for school children, which usually played during the school day. She also represented Massachusetts in the Miss Teen USA pageant.

When a contestant in the Miss Teen USA Pageant in 1996, Maria was asked by pageant host Bob Goen what she would like to do when she “grew up.” Her response was “I want to work with you at E.T., Bob.” Her wish came true when she joined “Entertainment Tonight” (1981) six years later as a correspondent for the show. She also answers viewers’ questions about celebrities at the E.T. website (etonline.com), where her page is called ‘Maria’s Mailbox’.

The Medford, MA native is of Greek descent and speaks Greek fluently. She played the sexy nurse in FANTASTIC FOUR and has played a recurring role in the WB his series “one Tree Hill.”