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Thursday, September 18, 2008

INDEPENDENT FILM WEEK UPDATE CONTINUED

Here is the continuation of my post about Independent Film Week. It was a long eventful week with terrific opportunities and access to an amazing group of filmmakers. I can't say enough great things about my experience. I would highly recommend first time filmmakers apply to the IFP rough cut lab. It really changed things for my film by opening up opportunities that weren't available before and the film is better for it.

The State of Film Festivals
Michelle Byrd, Christian Gaines & Geoff Gilmore

Sneak preview of the IFP rough cut lab clips at Chelsea Cinemas.

We Are the Mods - It was thrilling to see my film on the big screen.

Mr. Sadman - Patrick Epino (Director) and Cindy Fang (Producer).

The stars of High School Musical came out to the screening.

Amy Dotson put together a great round table discussion with development executives.

Courtney Andrialis - PalmStar International

Jonathan Shukat - PalmStar International

Stephanie Azpiazu - Likely Story. One of their current projects is Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York".

Masterclass discussion with fellow AFI alum Jonathan Levine.
Director of "The Wackness".

Rooftop Films screening of the lab clips.

Good Intentions: Jim Issa (Director) Pamela Peacock, Richard Sampson (Producers)

I ended the week meeting with IFP lab mentor, Susan Stover. Susan is an awesome film producer based in New York City. She has been incredibly supportive and helpful in navigating post production and festival submissions. Also IFP lab leader Gretchen McGowan, a wonderful producer and head of production at Goldcrest Films, gave me a tour of their post production facility. While I was there they were sound mixing the new film "Notorious" about the life and times of Biggie Smalls which I am really looking forward to seeing. Very cool.

Later I met with Malaga Baldi, literary manager, to follow up with her about the novel ,"House Rules". House Rules is a project I am developing and hope to direct. It is the story of a horse jumping protégé. Malaga recommended an exhibition on the "horse" at the Natural History Museum. I love the animal habitat dioramas at the Natural History Museum and I hadn't been there in years so it was great reason to visit.