Tampa Film Fan

the constant gardner is october’s books to movies choice at new port richey public library

John le Carre’s The Constant Gardener is October’s Books to Movies feature at the New Port Richey Public Library. Read the book, then see the movie. Light refreshments will be served. The screening will take place on Monday, October 17th at 5 p.m. Call 727-841-4547 ext. 288 for details.

(from WMNF’s website)

media that matters film festival

According to the WMNF website, the New Port Richey Public Library and the Spirit of Life Unitarian Universalists of Odessa are presenting a year-long human rights film festival. Films will be screened on the first Monday of each month at 7:15 p.m. at the New Port Richey Public Library. Visit the WMNF website to see the complete schedule or visit www.humanrightsproject.org to learn more.

documentary 500 dunums on the moon october 9

According to WMNF’s calendar, the St. Pete Public Library is screening the documentary 500 Dunums on the Moon at 2 p.m. on October 9.

lions gate short film contest

I received this email from eincubator.org:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Susan Schein
(305) 672-9297
info(at)eincubator.org

Lions Gate Offers First Prize in Award Winning Film Contest

Entertainment Industry Incubator opens 7 City Statewide Tour for the
8th Annual [COLLABORATION] A SHORT FILM CONTEST

Florida filmmakers compete for a meeting with Lion’s Gate Films, $150k worth of production services and a showcase of their work to industry heavyweights

Miami Beach, FL (Sept. 27, 2005) - The Entertainment Industry Incubator is proud to announce the 2005-2006 launch of the 8th Annual [Collaboration] A Short Film Contest. The seven-city statewide tour, which opens in Tallahassee on October 24th and concludes in Miami on November 3rd, is a call to action for individuals and teams to write, produce and edit 5-minute films in 30 days. This year’s sessions will each include a short workshop by a locally known filmmaker on the components of moviemaking.

Participants will vie for a face to face private meeting with the head of Production and Development at Lions Gate Films in Los Angeles and more than $150,000 worth of Florida production services, inclusion in a Gala Premiere Showcase before an audience of senior national film industry decision makers and others and an array of other prizes donated by entertainment industry leaders. The popular and highly acclaimed contest has long attracted established industry leaders as judges and participants in panels and seminars designed exclusively for contestants.

“Lions Gate Films prides itself on seeking out fresh, new films and filmmakers,” said Steve Rothenberg, Lions Gate Films President of Theatrical Distribution and a longstanding contest judge. “This annual competition gives new talent the opportunity to produce and show their short films. It’s a great way to begin the journey to becoming a professional filmmaker. I look forward to seeing this year’s entries and meeting the winners of the 2006 program.”

The contest offers Professional and Novice Categories, with a special Student Category for high school students. Filmmakers assemble in teams of six; writer, producer, director, editor, camera and sound — to create a five-minute film based on an assigned theme. The contest begins in earnest when the theme is announced on Monday, November 7th. Teams then have 30 days to complete and deliver their projects no later than close of business on Wednesday, December 7th. Participants must be Florida residents and may register as a complete team or sign up individually and be matched with other teammates.

A Gala Premiere Showcase held on Saturday, January 14th will feature screenings of the top 15 films determined from a round of semi-final judging. That night, an illustrious panel of senior industry executives from such companies as Lions Gate, HBO, the American Black Film Festival and Picturehouse Films will choose the winners. The traditional event is a celebration of the hard work, innovation and creativity of contestants by industry leaders, supporters, friends and movie buffs. The day begins with a special seminar on acquisitions, distribution and marketing hosted by Entertainment Industry Incubator and led by the judges. The top three winning student teams will then have a private luncheon and opportunity for critique with members of the VIP judging panel. The Professional and Novice Category entry fee of $95 per person includes administrative fees, a wrap party (in some locations), admission to the senior-level industry workshop and the Gala Premiere Showcase and Party. The Student fee of $25 per person is non-inclusive.

Participants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the following orientations:

TALLAHASSEE
Monday, October 24
6:00 pm - 8 pm
TCC/Tallahassee Community College
Computer/Technology Building, Rm 108
444 Appleyard Dr.
State Film Commissioner Paul Sirmons will speak

JACKSONVILLE
Tuesday, October 25
6 pm - 8 pm
Henrietta’s/9th & Main Theatre
1850 Main Street

ORLANDO
Wednesday, October 26
6 pm - 8 pm
DMAC /Downtown Media Arts Center
39 South Magnolia St.

TAMPA
Thursday, October27
7pm - 9 pm
The Education Channel
703 N. Willow Avenue

WEST PALM BEACH
Tuesday, November 1
7 pm - 9 pm
G-Star School of the Arts
2030 South Congress Ave. - Building F

FORT LAUDERDALE
Wednesday, November 2
7 pm - 9 pm
TBA

MIAMI
Thursday, November 3
7 pm - 9 pm
TBA

The Entertainment Industry Incubator, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to the advancement of Florida-based entertainment businesses, organizations and individuals. The Incubator is a facilitator and clearinghouse for information and resources designed to help promote development of local talent for artistic and economic gain.

For more information, visit www.eincubator.org.

lights, camera, tampa!

The Tampa Tribune’s Flair magazine recently had a great article about the local independent film scene.

(Thanks to the Crazed Fan Boy message board for telling me about it.)

foreign films fridays at new port richey public library

According to their website, the New Port Richey Public Library will be screening eight foreign films on Friday nights in their outdoor alcove. The first film is on September 30th. Their website doesn’t name the film, but gives a description. The October 14th film is described as “a Fellini classic.”

I called the number listed under “for details and full film schedule, call…” to find out what movies are playing when. I spoke to someone who must have started work there today. She didn’t know what I was asking, didn’t know who I needed to talk to, was confused by my request, and didn’t know how to put me on hold or transfer me to someone else. I ended up leaving a voice mail for someone. If I ever find out the schedule, I’ll post it in the sidebar calendar.

film the last guy on earth delayed due to hurricane season

The Last Guy on Earth, slated to film locally, will be delayed a bit due to hurricane season. According to their website, pre-production will continue during this time. They’ve also announced that Rob Schneider will star as “the last guy.”

(Thanks to Sticks of Fire for posting about this movie last month.)

why is tampa such a hot spot for film?

Someone posted a comment recently asking why Tampa is such a hot spot for film. I’ve been thinking about this for the last few days, and here’s what I came up with:

I think as far as making films in the Tampa Bay area goes, this is a great location for filming. The options are bountiful — Ybor City, the Columbia restaurant, the University of Tampa, multiple beach locations, the Pier, downtown St. Pete, big mansions, suburban neighborhoods, the downtown Tampa skyline — so many options are within a hour’s drive or less.

I also think the local independent film community provides support for filmmakers. I’m only on the fringe of that community (I don’t aspire to make films but try to keep informed of what’s going on so I can write about it), but from what I’ve seen so far, there seems to be a tight-knit group of local filmmakers who provide each other with advice, support and feedback.

As far as the Tampa Bay area being a hot spot for showing films, I’d say that we’re the right size to have a multitude of viewing options. Most of the local colleges and universities offer film courses and have regular film series and/or festivals that are open to the public. We have many museums and libraries that show movies on a regular basis. The Bay area is big enough to support multiple movie theaters, some of which regularly show independent, foreign or art-house films. There are talented and brilliant actors, screenwriters, filmmakers, authors, film critics and university professors living in the Bay area who are willing to talk about films and filmmaking and who do so regularly at film festivals, seminars, lectures, post-film discussions, and so on.

To me, this area has a good mix of locations, talent and opportunities that blend together to create a great place for film fans like me.

I’d like to hear why YOU think this area is such a hot spot for film.

david carradine in brandon october 21

David Carradine (from the Kill Bill movies and many others) will be signing autographs at Sign Here Autographs in Brandon on October 21st at 6 p.m. Visit their website for more details.

do i have to wear big sunglasses and be a snob now that i’m famous?

I’m thrilled to be one of the bloggers profiled in this week’s tbt* (*Tampa Bay Times). A big thank you goes out to everyone who reads TFF, especially those of you who email me news and items of interest. A really big thank you goes to those of you who post comments and email me supportive and encouraging messages. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one who likes to find out about this stuff.