Archive for July 2010

07/26/2010

»  Reach Film Fellowship Alumni Check-In

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The recent class of Reach Film Fellows is barely out of the gate and already some very exciting things have transpired.

Anthony Morrison's Bye

Anthony Morrison's Bye

Anthony Morrison’s documentary short, Bye, aired in July on PBS’ P.O.V. series and can now be viewed here in full. Gabriel Long’s The Drawing made its NYC premiere as part of a  Newfest shorts program, and all four 2010 fellows will have more updates for us soon as we prepare to usher in the next crew of four (recipients will be announced in early fall 2010).

Brendon McQueen's Skip Rocks

Brendon McQueen's Skip Rocks

Looking back at the 2009 Fellows, Brendon McQueen’s Skip Rocks premiered at the Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival and was touted by New York Magazine; “There have been many films made about Alzheimer’s…but few of them address it with the sensitivity, and (yes) humor of Brendon McQueen’s beautifully shot and touching short film…” He’s currently developing a feature film project through his production company, Prydehouse. Dena Greenbaum’s Blues has been a selection of the 15th Annual International Family Film Festival in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival, the Memphis International Film and Music Festival, and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth in Seattle, and won the Morris Fierberg Student Film Award (plus a $1,000 grant from the Rehoboth Beach Film Society).

Annie Waldman's So the Wind Won't Blow it All Away

Annie Waldman's So the Wind Won't Blow it All Away

Nicholas Bruckman’s (RFF ‘08) The Grey Movie screened as a work-in-progress at Rooftop Films. Following that his debut feature documentary, La Americana, won seven awards at over 30 film festivals, and was broadcast in the US, Europe and Asia. He is currently working on the La Americana audience engagement campaign and developing new documentary projects. Annie Waldman’s (RFF ‘08) So the Wind Won’t Blow It All Away screened at Sundance 2009 and the San Francisco Documentary, St. Louis International, San Diego Woman’s, and CMJ film festivals. The film was broadcast nationally on PBS’s P.O.V. documentary series. She is currently in production on her first documentary feature, Phantom Cowboys, for which she received a grant from Cinereach. Suel Kim’s (RFF ‘08) Snap-Shot screened at the Global Peace, Non-Violence International and the San Diego Asian film festivals and as part of last year’s Emerging Filmmakers series in Rochester, NY.

07/26/2010

»  Cinereach Grantee Updates

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As Cinereach nears its 5th year of existence, more and more of the films we’ve supported are gathering momentum, crossing the finish-line and getting out into the world. Below are recent highlights from some of our grantees’ journeys.

A Small Act by Jennifer Arnold & Patti Lee

A Small Act by Jennifer Arnold & Patti Lee

A Small Act by Jennifer Arnold & Patti Lee, 2009 Grantee
Since its Sundance premiere, A Small Act has inspired over $300,000 (and climbing) in donations for featured Kenyan charity the Hilde Back Education Fund. A Small Act also received the Adrienne Shelly Excellence in Filmmaking Award and Audience Award for Best Feature at the Nantucket Film Festival. After festival screenings at HotDocs, OutFest and more, A Small Act recently premiered on HBO and is currently available on demand.

Aqui Y Alli (Here and There) by Antonio Mendez Esparza, 2010 Grantee
Aqui Y Alli (Here and There), currently in development, participated in the Sundance Institute’s 2010 June Screenwriters Lab.

Circumstance by Maryam Keshavarz, 2009 Grantee
Circumstance was awarded a Kenneth Rainin Foundation Filmmaking Grant by the San Francisco Film Society, to be used towards post-production.

Donor 150 by Jerry Rothwell, 2010 Grantee
Donor 150, in production, was awarded the support of the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund and the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program.

Entre Nos by Paola Mendoza & Gloria La Morte

Entre Nos by Paola Mendoza & Gloria La Morte

Entre Nos by Paola Mendoza & Gloria LaMorte, 2008 Grantee
Entre Nos was released theatrically by IndiePix in May and is now available on both cable VOD and on DVD.

Girl Model by David Redmon & Ashley Sabin, 2009 Grantee
Girl Model, now in post-production, was selected to receive support from the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program in June.

Gasland by Josh Fox, 2009 Sundance Reach Fund Grantee
Following its premiere at Sundance and other festival screenings, Gasland premiered on HBO this summer, and can be seen on demand. Through community and online outreach, Gasland has galvanized viewers to protest the practice of hydraulic fracturing and its environmental impact. A screening tour in August and September, presented by Rooftop Films and the Fledgling Fund, will bring the film to more audiences.

Habibi Rasak Kharban by Susan Youssef, 2009 Grantee
Habibi Rasak Kharban, now in post-production, participated in IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs for Narratives. Additionally, Youssef was profiled in Filmmaker Magazine’s annual “25 New Faces” in filmmaking talent.

Look, Stranger by Arielle Javitch, 2009 Grantee
Javitch was profiled in Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces” in filmmaking talent as Look, Stranger undergoes post-production.

Pariah by Dee Rees

Pariah by Dee Rees

Pariah by Dee Rees, 2009 & 2010 Grantee
Pariah participated in IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs for Narratives and is currently in post-production.

Project Kashmir by Senain Kheshgi & Geeta Patel, 2006 Grantee
Project Kashmir made its broadcast premiere in May on PBS’ Independent Lens series.

Pushing the Elephant by Beth Davenport & Elizabeth Mandel, 2008 Grantee
Pushing the Elephant made its world premiere at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, followed by a special presentation at The Global Health 2010 Conference. The film is also included in the International Documentary Association’s 2010 DocuWeeks showcase and will be shown in New York and Los Angeles theaters in August. The film will be broadcast on Independent Lens in March 2011, during a series on women’s empowerment. Leading up to that date, there will be a series of screenings and events with select partners to reach audiences who are concerned about the issues presented in the film.

Summer Pasture

Summer Pasture by Lynn True, Nelson Walker III & Tsering Perlo

Summer Pasture by Lynn True, Nelson Walker III & Tsering Perlo, 2008 Grantee
Summer Pasture made its world premiere at the Full Frame Film Festival, where it received the Inspiration Award Honorable Mention. It has since been a selection of the Nantucket Film Festival and others, and it will have its international premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, as a part of the Critics Week showcase. The film is also included in the International Documentary Association’s 2010 DocuWeeks showcase, to be shown in New York and Los Angeles theaters in August.

The Mosuo Sisters by Marlo Poras & Yu Ying Wu Chou, 2009 Grantee
Recently The Mosuo Sisters, in production, was awarded the support of the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund and the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program, as well as a production grant from the LEF Foundation.

Two Gates of Sleep by Alistair Banks Griffin, 2009 Grantee
Two Gates of Sleep had its world premiere at Cannes, as part of the Director’s Fortnight showcase.

What Tomorrow Brings by Beth Murphy, 2010 Grantee
What Tomorrow Brings was awarded a production grant by the LEF Foundation.

Untitled Gay Retiree Documentary by PJ Raval, 2009 Grantee
Untitled Gay Retiree Documentary was awarded a production grant by the LEF Foundation.

07/09/2010

»  A Conversation with Tze Chun Part II: Working with Child Actors on Set

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Independent writer/director Tze Chun gave an advising session for the Reach Film Fellows during the 2010 Reach Film Fellowship at Cinereach. Tze shared some advice based on his experience making a short film, Window Breaker, and a feature, Children of Invention, in which children are the main characters.

This video (shot by Miranda Rhyne and edited by Stephan Greil; additional editing by Nicole Woo) is the second of three with Tze, and includes advice about directing child actors on set.

Key Points from “Working with Child Actors on Set”

When working with child actors, it’s important that they trust you and feel encouraged when they do something right. At the same time, you and your crew must maintain a professional relationship to them, rather than going overboard with affection or being overly indulgent.

Keeping the relationship within these boundaries creates an environment where your child actors can feel comfortable speaking up when they aren’t happy about something, but will do so in a professional manner.

If a kid freezes up on set, there is usually a direct cause that you can attribute the behavior to, and there is often a simple solution. Giving them a choice between two options can help if they are tired or cranky, for example, offering the option of working for another hour and being done for the day, or taking a short break before continuing for a longer period of time.

Kids might assume they’ve done something wrong when the director calls cut, or calls for another take. It is important to take a moment to explain to them the reason you are cutting (microphone noise, blocking, lighting, whatever it might be).

Just like with adult actors, child actors can have trouble delivering lines when they don’t have enough context for them. It can be helpful to ask the children questions about what is happening in the scene so you can deepen their interpretation of the actions and emotions.

Dialogue written by adults can seem unnatural when coming out of a child actor’s mouth. Tze suggests including the child in the process of making subtle changes to the lines so that they are more natural.

Being open to surprises or additional layers a kids might bring to a moment can be beneficial and create a more natural experience. It also lets child actors feel like they are an integral part of the process.

Be sure that kids are comfortable enough with the story that they understand the “big picture” of the film and can deliver their lines accordingly.

When directing child actors, don’t put too much emphasis on one action. They may become overly anxious about it, or focus too much, and create an unnatural performance. Instead, give them a sequence of a few different actions so the important ones don’t get unnatural emphasis.

Always have a backup plan for how to cover an important scene or action when shooting with kids. If something is not working after multiple takes, instead of continuing to repeat it, try another tactic.

Watch more videos from inside RFF:

A Conversation with Tze Chun Part I: Casting Child Actors
A Conversation with Mike Simmonds: Working with a DP

07/07/2010

»  A Conversation with Mike Simmonds: Working with a DP

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During Cinereach’s 2010 Reach Film Fellowship, Director of Photography Mike Simmonds led an advising session.

In this video (shot by Miranda Rhyne and edited by Stephan Greil) Mike shares his perspective on the director/DP relationship, drawing from his experience working with directors like Ramin Bahrani, Ira Sachs and Robert Siegel. See below for some key points from the video, and come back soon for more videos from inside the Reach Film Fellowship. You can watch a previous video, featuring Writer/Director Tze Chun here.

Key Points from “Working with a DP”

When selecting a Director of Photography to work with, Mike advises meeting with candidates first in a casual setting, not necessarily discussing film or the project at-hand right away. Look for compatibility, mutual respect and the potential for a true collaboration first.

Speak to other directors a DP has worked with to find out what their working relationship was like, or learn of any red flags.

While working with a DP on set, the DP and director should welcome each other’s suggestions and constructive criticisms, maintaining a calm and respectful tone. Both should feel comfortable weighing in on blocking, lighting setup, etc. without being overly rigid about each other’s roles.

The DP must be able to efficiently cover a scene or action in a manner that will make sense in the edit, within the time available. The DP and AD set the pace of the day, and speak up when the production is in danger of not making its day.

Before heading into a production, Mike suggests knowing how you would shoot each of your scenes in one shot, even if you don’t end up doing so, to force yourself to decide who is most important in that scene.

Mike advises that creating storyboards works best when preparing to shoot on a set or a constructed location. When your locations are real places, he suggests shooting stills or video (while also scouting the locations at the time of day you’ll be there during production) in order to map out your shots and understand lighting needs.

Shooting your film in a simplistic style, with as small and efficient a crew as possible, is the best way to learn from the process. It also allows you to focus on telling your story clearly and effectively.

When you’re not in production, Mike recommends watching as many films as possible, developing an inventory of images in your head. These images train your eyes and can can be used as frames of reference when you are shooting your own films.

More videos from inside RFF:

A Conversation with Tze Chun Part I: Casting Child Actors
A Conversation with Tze Chun Part II: Working with Child Actors on Set

07/02/2010

»  Deadline July 12th for The Reach Film Fellowship: Apply now!

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RFF_300x250_dark

The deadline for the 2011 Reach Film Fellowship (RFF) is quickly approaching! All applications must be submitted via our online form by midnight (EST) July 12th. Any sample materials or references/recommendations you plan on mailing to the Cinereach offices must be postmarked by July 12th.

Please visit the how to apply page to get started. For tips on applying from last year’s Fellows, please click here. And for an inside look at the RFF program, check out our behind-the-scenes video from RFF 2010. We’ve also recently posted a video containing excerpts from an RFF advising workshop with Writer/Director Tze Chun about casting child actors.

If you have any questions regarding eligibility or anything related to the application process, feel free to email us at info@thereachfilmfellowship.com.

06/30/2010

»  The Difference A Film Makes: A Small Act Leads to Big Giving

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A Small Act, by Cinereach grantees Jennifer Arnold and Patti Lee, is a great addition to the ongoing debate on whether documentaries in support of a cause make an impact. Set against recent violence and turmoil in Kenya, and framed by the challenges Kenyan children face in their pursuit of an education, the story at the heart of A Small Act illustrates the positive repercussions of individual action.

The film is no doubt increasing awareness of the issues it depicts, but it has also inspired many viewers to follow in the footsteps of the film’s protagonists. The Hilde Back Education Fund (HBEF), the organization whose work funding school tuition is featured in the film, has received over $340,000 in donations since the film’s premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival (including funds from audience members who wrote checks and handed them to the filmmakers immediately following screenings and other sources). All the contributions made to the project will have meaningful impact, as the HBEF will now be able to offer its support to more students, over a larger number of years.

From L to R: Director Jennifer Arnold and the subjects of A Small Act, Chris Mburu, Hilde Back and Jane Wanjiru Muigai

From L to R: Director Jennifer Arnold and the subjects of A Small Act, Chris Mburu, Hilde Back and Jane Wanjiru Muigai

We look forward to seeing what other actions the film will inspire with its upcoming HBO premiere, July 12th. HBO has created a partnership with Network for Good. Their link leads to over 1.8 million causes and foundations that can use support, including the Hilde Back Education Fund, and local programs looking for volunteers.

On July 10th in NYC, A Small Act will be featured in Envision 2010. This annual forum, presented by IFP and the United Nations’ Department of Public Information, addresses global issues through the lens of documentary films. This year’s Envision looks at solutions to education crises, and a panel following the screening of A Small Act will explore how the film’s story could be translated onto a larger scale throughout Africa and the world. This panel will include Chris Mburu, the main subject of A Small Act and the founder of the HBEF.

06/30/2010

»  A Conversation with Tze Chun Part I: Casting Child Actors

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Independent writer/director Tze Chun gave an advising session for the Reach Film Fellows during the 2010 Reach Film Fellowship at Cinereach. As the fellows prepared to go into production on their short films, Tze shared some advice based on his experience making a short film, Window Breaker, and a feature, Children of Invention, in which children were the main characters.

This video (shot by Miranda Rhyne and edited by Stephan Greil, additional editing by Nicole Woo) includes some excerpts of the session during which Tze touched on the casting process.

Below we’ve also listed some key points from the video.

Key Points from “Casting Child Actors”

For a film that is highly improvisational and naturalistic, and in which a large emotional range is not required, prioritize looking for children who are outspoken and natural in front of the camera. Try asking children to play games with each other or adult actors during auditions, rather than reading from a script.

For a more tightly scripted film, and/or one that calls for a large emotional range, actors who are old enough to read from the script should do so. Look for actors who are comfortable in front of the camera and can also emote and understand the character, rather than just being good at naturalistic reactions to real situations.

Actors should audition with the most emotional scenes, to make sure the right notes can be hit. One of the largest challenges of working with children is helping them portray dramatic emotions like crying or a tantrum believably.

Make sure actors who will appear on screen together can give performances that match in style and tone, and can be cut together, so they seem to inhabit the same world. Actors should be similarly naturalistic or ‘big’ depending on the director’s needs.

In addition to auditioning acting ability, you are also looking for a child’s stamina and concentration. If they get frustrated quickly, or can’t put up with having to repeat something multiple times, they aren’t cut out for your set.

When you’re casting a kid, you’re also casting the parents. Look for parents who are going to be understanding about the process, willing to commit all the time and energy that is required, and who are on board with the project in general.

It is also advisable to be very clear and direct with parents regarding expectations and what will happen, otherwise you may lose their cooperation.

Watch more videos from inside RFF:

A Conversation with Tze Chun Part II: Working with Child Actors on Set
A Conversation with Mike Simmonds: Working with a DP

06/23/2010

»  Cinereach/Rooftop Films Ticket Giveaway!

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Friends of Cinereach and Rooftop Films! We’re giving away 10 pairs of tickets to Rooftop Films’ July 2nd screening of Industriance, a program of short films that Cinereach is proud to be co-presenting at the Old American Can Factory in Brooklyn.

How do you get your hands on those tickets? Easy! First you have to “like” the Cinereach facebook fan page (if you don’t already). Then post a photo of yourself or a friend on an NYC rooftop on our wall. If you’re among the first 10, we’ll contact you to let you know!

This would work:

Eligible photo (depicting Cinereach staff member on bad hair day).

Eligible photo (depicting Cinereach staff member on bad hair day).

This would too:

Recognize anyone you know?

Recognize anyone you know?

Now post away and show us your rooftops!

05/20/2010

»  2010 Cinereach Award Goes to War Don Don

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Rebecca Richman Cohen’s War Don Don takes a complex look at international justice.

Full Press Release

In connection with the 2010 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Cinereach presents its annual Cinereach Award to Rebecca Richman Cohen for her work as Director/Producer of War Don Don. The award, which includes a $5,000 prize, recognizes excellence in artful, vital storytelling.

In the film, Issa Sesay is tried in the “Special Court” of Sierre Leone, accused of committing war crimes during the country’s recent civil war. With unprecedented access to prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, and, from behind bars, Sesay himself — War Don Don puts international justice on trial, finding that in some cases the past is not just painful, it is also opaque.

War Don Don

War Don Don by Rebecca Richman Cohen

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival New York takes place from June 10-24. War Don Don will screen, with Rebecca Richman Cohen in attendance, at the Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center on:

June 12, 2010, 6:45PM *including panel discussion with co-council to Issa Sesay and others
June 13, 2010, 2:00PM
June 16, 2010, 4:00PM

Buy Tickets

Leading up to its Human Rights Watch Film Festival New York screenings, War Don Don was a selection of the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the Movies that Matter Festival in The Hague, the London International Documentary Film Festival, and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival London. It premiered, and won the Special Jury Prize, at SXSW 2010, and received the Karen Schmeer Award for Excellence in Documentary Editing at the Independent Film Festival Boston.

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