Monday, June 17, 2013

We've made short films together. . .




Lee Romaire is a world class FX artist in Hollywood He has won a Primetime Emmy for his work on the HBO series '6 Feet Under' (Outstanding Makeup for a Series (Prosthetic)

www.facebook.com/LetsEatLolly


I worked on Lee’s soon-to-be-screened film, LET’S EAT LOLLY. LET'S EAT LOLLY has been accepted into TIMECODE: NOLA, New Orleans Independent Film Festival, September 19-22 2013.



Laura Butler’s first script “The Columnist,” a period drama about a woman journalist in 1963 Oklahoma, placed third in the A.S.A. International Screenwriting Competition in 2001. A year later her first short film “Guest of the Bride” placed second in the People’s Underground Short Fest in Seattle. In 2010 her script “Moms and Pops” qualified for the second round of judging in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Laura’s employment history is as varied as the characters she writes. She has worked as a service and retail manager, an assistant to a film publicist, a receptionist for a producer, and as a senior film researcher and editor. Her last nine-to-five job was as a researcher and contributing writer at Back Stage and Call Sheet (formerly Ross Reports). She also contributed to the Hollywood Reporter during its award season coverage. In May of 2010 Laura permanently left her employment at Back Stage to focus full time on writing, directing and producing. Laura is the co-founder of both the Spent TV web net and SecondPenny Entertainment (www.spentv.com.) Laura is the creator, writer and director of the Spent TV series “Masselin House,” “C & H Landscaping,” ”The One,” “L.L.A.,” “The Long and Short of Ringo Speck” and others. Laura wrote/directed/produced the short film, “My Mother’s Sister” with producing partner Cary Tusan.


Cary Tusan is a UCSB graduate and has worked all ends of the industry while continuing to write several scripts. Currently a managing editor for one of the industry's trade publications, Cary previously worked at Silver Pictures, Singer Entertainment, and Greg Davis' Parkwood Pictures as a development executive. Cary is also the director and co-writer of the acclaimed short film, "The Writer" and the writer/ director of SPENT TV's newest series "Fast Track." Cary recently completed his first family feature, BLUE ICE, with writing partner Tom Brennan.
I am featured in Laura and Cary’s short film, MY MOTHER’S SISTER, available to view in the Classics section of the SpenTV web site:  http://spentv.com/classic_m_p.html

I was only a background extra for the short film, TOUCH, and none of my scenes made it into the final cut.  Still, I was thrilled to be a small part of the project.
TOUCH
Producers:
Emile Hanton
Jamie R. Hanton
Philip Lott
Jen McGowan


Jamie Robinson Hanton and Emile Hanton

Jamie Robinson Hanton


Emile Hanton 
Storyteller, leader, producer, creative thinker, problem solver, socially savvy tech 
enthusiast, thorough researcher, diligent planner, decisive executor, flexible quick 
thinker, skilled juggler of multiple simultaneous tasks. 

Philip Lott and Jen McGowan


Jen McGowan began her career as a filmmaker in 1997 when she received her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. There,  she trained as an actor at the Atlantic Theater Company where she studied with David Mamet, William H. Macy & Sam Shepard.
After graduating, Jen made the move from acting to writing and directing with her awardwinning short film She Never. During this period, Jen worked her way up the production ladder with some of New York’s top companies such as RSA/Black Dog, A Band Apart, Killer Films and Propaganda. She was fortunate to work on many independent feature films including the Oscar winning Boy's Don't Cry.
In 2002 Jen gained a place to study directing in the MFA program at the University of Southern California. In 2004 Jen directed her first music video, Chelsea Hotel, for artist Karen Ramos, and began production on her thesis film, Confessions of a Late Bloomer. Jen was honored with a grant from The Caucus Foundation for her work on Late Bloomer as well as a scholarship from Women in Film recognizing outstanding young female filmmakers.
Confessions of a Late Bloomer began its festival run at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film continued on to over 60 festivals worldwide, including the Cannes Short Film Corner where it was selected for a special screening in the Palais by film critic Michel Coulombe. It earned many awards and positive critical reviews and was purchased for distribution by Shorts International.
This year she co-wrote and directed the award-winning commercial Couch Therapy for client Viesso and has been selected as one of the few USC alumni for the upcoming program, USC First Team that fosters feature projects.
Jen works in Los Angeles as a production manager on commercials, which has allowed her to work alongside and build relationships with the industry’s top cinematographers,  production designers, crews and vendors. She is a regular contributor as the resident Independent Filmmaker to the website Film Industry Bloggers and an Executive Board Member of the Caucus Foundation Alumni Network.
Jen is currently is prepping the short Be Still My Beating Heart with HBO producer, Jeannie Koenigsberg and is co writing The Missing Children's Club, Jen’s fifth collaboration with partner, Philip Lott.




Tania Raymonde starred in the film Children on Their Birthdays in 2002 and in 2003 she played Lauren O'Keefe in the sitcom The O'Keefes. Over the years she has appeared on several TV series including Providence, The Brothers Garcia, The Nightmare Room, That's So Raven, The Guardian, Medium, Malcolm in the Middle, and NCIS.
Her biggest role to date is her recurring role on the television drama Lost, where she played Alex Rousseau, the adopted daughter of Benjamin Linus, played by Michael Emerson.
She also appeared in the films The Garage (2006), The Other Side of the Tracks (2008), Japan (2008), Chasing 3000 (2008), and Elsewhere (2009). She also guest-starred in one episode of The Cleaner, and in one episode of CSI: NY. She had a recurring role as a lab technician on season 6 of Cold Case.
In 2006, she wrote, edited and directed the short film Cell Division. The film has won one of the three certificates of merit awards at The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
She has appeared in the music videos for Maroon 5's "Won't Go Home Without You" in 2007, Cursive's "I Couldn't Love You" in 2009, and Arshad Aslam's "Red Alert" in 2012.
She is working on her first feature as a director—a crime thriller she wrote set in Orange County called Little Saigon.
In 2013, Raymonde was cast in Chicago PD, a spin-off of the NBC series Chicago Fire. The series is currently scheduled as a mid-season replacement

I appear in Tania’s short film, CELL DIVISION.


Eric Deutschman — animator / director/ sound designer
When Erik Deutschman says that his films are "effects heavy," he’s not talking about overloading his work with the latest flashy plug-ins. "I like to use old-school techniques," he clarifies, "like in-camera multiple exposures, exposing directly on the negative, optical illusions and stop-motion animation."

Influenced by a diverse roster of cine-originals – from stop-motion masters Jan Svankmajer and the Brothers Quay to live-action fantasists Nicolas Roeg and Federico Fellini – Deutschman’s films merge Cronenberg’s body horror and Duchamp’s proto—Op art roto-reliefs. Split, his 1999 short film about a guy who escapes his body with a bit of alien assistance, was a festival favorite and a regular on the Sundance Channel for the past two years. The director’s Youtube site, provides an overview of his past works and future aspirations.” http://www.youtube.com/user/minimystery/featured – adapted from Chuck Stephens article, 25 New Faces of Independent Film in FILMMAKER Magazine,

I am featured in Eric’s short film TEA TIME available to view on his Youtube site.




Damien LeVeck is in high demand for projects of all sizes from feature films and TV shows to development sizzles, pilot presentations, and short films.  Some of his recent work includes the critically acclaimed, feature-length, romantic comedy Take Me Home (directed by and starring Sam Jaeger of NBC’s Parenthood), two popular short films, The Elevator and Andy Made a Friend, for Heather Morris of Fox’s Glee, and numerous sizzles and development projects for cable networks and independent producers.   He is currently editing the upcoming unscripted shows Iceberg Hunters (Weather Channel) and Family Trade (GSN) for Lionsgate Television.
Damien began his career cutting documentaries, the most notable of which include Corso – The Last Beat (Ethan Hawke, Patti Smith, Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso), which he also produced, and The Big Question (Desmond Tutu, Deepak Chopra).  
Damien is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s school of Cinematic Arts.
I was first cast by Damien in one of his assignments for USC. Then he cast me in a spec reality TV show, YOU HAVE BEEN SERVED.

Former police officer Jeff Bonilla is the co-author of the critically acclaimed book "So You Want To Be A Cop". He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and his creative endeavors have included songwriting, performing the country duo Augusto and Bonilla, and co-writing a syndicated column called "Ask Your Buddies" that had a circulation of over 250,000 and included twelve SF bay area cities. Currently he resides in Southern California where he creates, writes, produces and directs a variety of projects. In 2011 he won a best director award for his short film "Chakra Love".
I am a featured actor in CHAKRA LOVE

Bruce R. Schwartz, an Associate Professor of Literature and Film at Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, has been making films for three decades. His body of work includes IN MACARTHUR PARK (l977), an independent feature, which won the FIPRESCI PRIZE (International Critic’s Award) at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain.

In l995 Mr. Schwartz directed, "Make A Wish, Molly" the sequel to the Academy Award winning short film "Molly's Pilgrim."

"Outside the Lucky," was written, produced and directed by Mr. Schwartz in l990, and played at numerous film festivals, garnering many awards. He adapted and directed Eudora Welty’s "A Worn Path" and John Updike’s “A&P.”

His teaching of film began at Rutger's University and has continued at various colleges including the Film and English Departments at California State University - Northridge from l982-l986.

Mr. Schwartz has a B.A. from UC Berkeley, and a combined MFA degree from U.C. Irvine’s Writing Center and UCLA’s Cinema Department.

I appear in Bruce Schwartz's short film, I STAND HERE IRONING.




Andrew Rubin graduated with honors and on the Dean’s List from New York University’s Tisch School for the Arts with a B.A. in Film Production and a Minor in History. Andrew has studied and worked as a screenwriter, producer, director, and editor in both documentaries and narratives throughout his time at NYU and continues to do so outside the program. In Andrew’s career, his films have been showcased at film festivals and screening series across the country. Andrew’s first film, Over the River and Through the Woods, a tribute to his Grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, was the winner of Best Documentary from Moving Pictures Magazine short film competition. Andrew’s film, Love In Bulk premiered at the San Diego Film Festival and at New Filmmakers Los Angeles and HollyShorts Film Festival.


Matt Rubin has worked in creative development, film production and purchasing films for theatrical, home video, and digital distribution.
Matt began his career in script development, working for Jack Freedman Productions and Beacon Pictures. After two years working in film development, Matt successfully transitioned into film acquisitions, gaining knowledge and expertise in film distribution as acquisition manager. At First Look Studios, Matt aided in the acquisition of over forty films, traveling to festivals and markets such as Sundance, Cannes, American Film Market, and Tribeca.
Matt graduated from University of California Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
Andrew is President and Matt is the CEO of Symptom Media

I appear in Andrew’s and Matt’s short film, LOVE IN BULK. as the “Multi-Purpose Sweeper Spokeswoman”




Bartley Taylor is a freelance director, producer, and writer. With Brandon Whiteside he co-owns and operates C-41 Productions which has been in business since 2003.  They do short films, commercials, web series and music videos.  Bartley currently works at PrettyBird Pictures.



Brandon Whiteside is a Film, Television, Commercial, and New Media Producer. He is very fluent in production, pre, and post. and deals with budgets from $5000 and up! He is well connected and able to bring a lot to the table. 
I appear in the C-41 Productions short film LIFE IN PRINT.


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Feature Film Filmmakers of My Acquaintance


Beth Dewey was born in Alaska and educated at the University of Colorado, Boulder and San Francisco State University. Her real education came when she started working for Roger Corman on B movies. From there, Beth went on to earn three prime time Emmys in picture editing for her work on the Oscars.  Deeply committed to filmmaking since 1998, Beth has made several short films and two micro budget features, TWEEKED and KILL HOUSE which have screened at numerous festivals and venues like the American Cinematheque. Her first feature TWEEKED won Best Actress at the Brussels Independent film festival and was nominated for a Prism award. Beth is particularly inspired to make films about the female experience. Most recently, she directed the web series SHADOWLANDS and a music video for THE LONELY TREES.
Beth is currently in post production on her feature DUMPED and in development on the feature project PIMP GIRL about a gang of thieves who gain access to homes by way of an escort service. http://www.fabulocityfilms.com

I am featured in Beth’s film KILL HOUSE and was a background extra for the still-to-be-released film, DUMPED.


Regina Mocey in KILL HOUSE



In JESSICA RENSLOW's own words she is "a filmmaker and educator" who strives  "to create interesting, compelling movies, television shows and immersive multimedia programs."  She believes "that modest budgets do not constitute a compromised quality of storytelling." 
Contact jessierenslow@gmail.com, or go to almostfairytalesfilms.com for more information.

I am featured in Jessica's feature film EVERYWHERE AND NOWHERE. 





Michael Mohan's SAVE THE DATE premiered in dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The film, starring Lizzy Caplan & Alison Brie, was co-written by graphic novelist Jeffrey Brown & Egan Reich, and released by IFC Films.
In 2011, his short film EX-SEX premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and played several other festivals around the world including SXSW and AFI Fest. The film was featured on the Viewfinders list as one of the 10 best short films of the year.
His first feature film, the microbudget ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010. It was self-released, with theatrical engagements all across the country, including a sold out showing at the Cinefamily in Los Angeles.
In between films, Michael has directed numerous music videos, working with such bands as FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS, MINUS THE BEAR, and SEA WOLF among others.
I was a background extra for ONE TOO MANY MORNINGS.



Marc Clebanoff, founder of Odyssey Motion Pictures. His company, is rapidly becoming a reputable and respectable full service resource for independent filmmakers, incorporating equipment rentals, tools to aide indie producers, and the company is developing a job board for actors and independent producers, as well as original software for production managers.
Graduated from the USC School of Cinema Television.
Co-Chairman of IndieCon, a monthly entertainment seminar series held in Hollywood, CA.
I am featured in Marc’s comedy, GERALD.

Tim Everitt is a Visual Effects Artist and Animator who has made commercials for national accounts such as 3M, Union Oil, Ford, and Nissan, as well as local work, such as Seattle's Entertainment Music Project. In addition to broadcast spots, he has served as an Animator on major Hollywood feature films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, and as Animation Supervisor and Compositing Supervisor on pictures like The Guardian, The Last Samurai, Collateral Damage, and Blood Diamond. He has also created visual effects for television, including The Ghost Whisperer and Birds of Prey.
I appear in Tim’s film, TREES GROW TALL AND THEN THEY FALL.


Writer/director Anthony Fankhauser started with The Asylum, www.theasylum.cc, in 2006 as a line producer.  For the next three years he served in that capacity - meanwhile releasing his writing/directing debut, the non-Asylum Tsunami Beach Club before finally getting a chance to assume a creative role and write and direct his own Asylum feature, 2012: Supernova. From there he would produce another nine Asylum films in two years, as well as write and direct Gacy House
Mr. Fankhauser, is the writer/director of the horror film/Judd Nelson vehicle, Shadow People, (aka GRIZZLY FLATS) as well as producer of the fantasy film Jabberwocky, directed by Steven R. Monroe.


I appear in Anthony’s as yet unreleased film SHADOW PEOPLE.






Edgar Muniz was born in Anaheim, CA. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in English from Cal State Fullerton University. His fascination with film began at a very young age. As an only child, he spent much of his youth on his own watching movies and obsessing over how they were made. When he’d spend summers at his cousin’s house in Hawaiian Gardens, they'd take his Dad's Hi-8 camcorder and make
short films around the neighborhood and in their backyard. As he grew older, Muniz’s fascination with film became a deeper passion and love for the art of filmmaking. Influenced by the complexities, power and possibilities of cinema, he began to make more ambitious and personal films. Film became a medium through which he could explore what’s most important and interesting to him. He currently teaches English at Mt. San Antonio College and is working on his fifth feature-length film.

http://somuchmovies.weebly.com/

I worked on Edgar’s latest feature film project, FAMOUS JAMES, now in post production.