g The Film Panel Notetaker: November 2006

Sunday, November 26, 2006

DIY Filmmaker Sujewa in Kensington, MD

While I'm fresh on the topic of books, ie. my blog posting re: Phil Hall's new book Independent Film Distribution, I thought I'd share this picture I took on Friday of DIY filmmaker and Date Number One writer/director Sujewa Ekanayake at the book store where he works, All Books Considered in Kensington, Maryland. Be sure to check out Sujewa's blog.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Thanks for giving me Independent Film Distribution

With Thanksgiving only two days away, I am thankful to Phil Hall for sending me a copy of his new book Independent Film Distribution, How to Make a Successful End Run Around the Big Guys, published by Michael Wiese Productions. Independent Film Distribution is filled to the cavity with really delicious stuff...ing, that I'd normally seek out at film panel discussions, but now I have a handy guide right at my finger tips whenever I need it.

Hall, an author, journalist, film critic and former publicist, starts out with an "Overview on the State of Indpendent Film in America," and then tells you what to do "Before You Even Think of Contacting a Distributor." Throughout the book, personal anecdotes and interviews with independent filmmakers, publicists, film critics and distributors are shared, including media magnate Mark Cuban (Landmark Theatres, Magnolia Pictures, HDNet Films, HDNet Channel, 2929 Entertainment), Chris Gore (Filmthreat, My Big Fat Independent Movie), Shotwell Media publicist/marketing specilist Sasha Berman (Robot Stories, Short Cut to Nirvana: Kumbh Mela), and many others.

Other important topics about the business covered that every independent filmmaker should know about include press kits, producer's reps, publicists, lawyers, film festivals, and more. There's even a comprehensive listing of distributors toward the end of the book, from the mini-majors to the boutique distributors.

Independent Film Distribution makes for a great holiday gift. You can give yourself or someone else the gift of Independent Film Distribution by going to http://www.mwp.com/books/, and also at Amazon.com. By getting or giving Independent Film Distribution, it may even help you on your road to getting independent film distribution for your film, by taking advantage of the very wise fundamentals outlined in the book, and resources it provides.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

"The Signs of the Cross" at Queens Int'l FF - Nov. 17, 2006

[Pictured above: The line waiting to get into The Signs of the Cross.]

The Signs of the Cross
Queens International Film Festival
November 17, 2006



Thanks to everyone who came out to support John Reidy and "The Signs of the Cross" last night at the Queens International Film Festival. A special thanks to one of the film’s stars Vinny Vella (Casino, Analyze That) for his nice words before the film began, and also to another star Fran Capo, the Guinness Book of Worlds Records Fastest Talking Female, who brought 30 people along with her.

It was great to see some familiar faces, and also to meet some new ones too including David Bianchi and Daniel J. Pico, the filmmakers behind the short film “Soldier” which played before “The Signs of the Cross,” as well as filmmaker John Daniel Gavin, whose film "Johnny Montana" played at the festival the night before.

To view photos from the event, click the following URL:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?Uc=7wq73hj.19nrn0k3&Uy=5wvc91&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&mode=fromshare&conn_speed=1


“The Signs of the Cross” trailer is now available at:

iklipz:
http://www.iklipz.com/Movies.aspx?MovieID=91833c73-a11c-4352-ad45-80b2e5a51e56

Myspace:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1429548110

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

THE SIGNS OF THE CROSS at Queens Int'l FF Nov. 17

I just posted a trailer for "The Signs of the Cross" on iklipz.

http://www.iklipz.com/Movies.aspx?MovieID=91833c73-a11c-4352-ad45-80b2e5a51e56

The film will be playing at the at the 4th Annual Queens International Film Festival on Friday, Nov. 17 at 8pm. Kaufman Zukor Studio, 34-12 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106.

To purchase tickets online, go to: http://www.queensfilmfestival.com/content/view/18/95/.

THE SIGNS OF THE CROSS follows three stages in the tumultuous life of John Coyne.

Starring Dan Lauria, Ilene Kristen, Chuck Zito, Carol Alt, Frankie Gio, Eileen Fulton, Tony Lip, Robert Clohessy, and many more.

Written and directed by and starring John Reidy.

For more info, please visit http://www.thesignsofthecrossthemovie.com/.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Buffalo Central Terminal - November 11, 2006

[Pictured above: Buffalo Central Terminal exterior]
[Pictured above: Buffalo Central Terminal Interior ticket booths]

[Pictured above: Buffalo Movie Video Makers President Phil Utech exploring Buffalo Central Terminal.]


These are pictures I took at Buffalo Central Terminal in Buffalo, NY, on November 11, 2006.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=7wq73hj.q0nbabz&Uy=f3h8lo&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=1

You may need to log in to Kodak EasyShare to view the pics. If for any reason you're unable to view them at the above URL, please let me know, and I'll email them to you directly.

Thanks to Phil Utech and Emil Novak. Note, the pictures of the baby nursery with severed heads, bloody dolls, and creepy clowns are a part of the set inside the Terminal of the independent film "Prison of the Psychotic Damned."

For more info on the terminal, visit http://www.buffalocentralterminal.org/index2.html.