Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk's 7th Annual Film Expo

Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk's 7th Annual Film Expo kicks off Thursday, Feb. 3rd at Central Park Home Furnishings 56 N. Main Street at 7:30 pm with a collection of shorts, including short films, documentaries, music videos & art films all made by Iowa filmmakers. Included will be the two films and Iowa Motion Picture Award winners "Moonbite" and "Dick Diamond" from last year's Film Expo Film Production Workshop and Iowa Motion Picture Award winners. On Friday, February 4th, the collections of shorts will again be offered at Central Park Home Furnishings along with films at the Fairfield Public Library, Haute House, and ICON Gallery.

On Saturday, February 5th at 6:00 pm, a special Film Expo Meet & Greet will be held at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center with Dave Danielson from the Iowa Motion Picture Association. This will be an opportunity for writers, directors and actors to meet filmmakers and network. Wine, cheese, and refreshments will be served. Starting at 7:15 pm, Dave Danielson will host a short introduction, followed by the two feature-length films at the Fairfield Arts and  Convention Center.

Two winning scripts have been chosen from the Film Expo Short Scripts Contest, Killer Peas by Wes Worthing from Boone, Iowa and Lost Calendar by Livia Cole from Fairfield.  Patricia Atkinson from Iowa City will direct Killer Peas and David Patterson will direct Lost Calendar. These two short films will be produced at the upcoming Film Expo Film Production Workshop on Saturday, February 5th at Hawthorne Direct.  Two different film crews will demonstrate how a script becomes live in the hands of experienced directors. Two directors will each have two hours to direct a 5-minute short film in front of a live audience in Hawthorne Direct’s professional film studio. Watch and listen to the directors communicating their vision to their actors and crew. This workshop has been modeled after similar events in Des Moines by the Iowa Motion Picture Association and the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance.

Visit www.fairfieldartwalk.org to learn more about these upcoming events.

Grasshorse to Hold 2D-3D Film Conversion Informative


Grasshorse LLC, an animation and post production house focused on developing animation and servicing the post production industry for entertainment organizations, is looking for talented artists to Rotoscope and Dimensionalize films from 2D-3D. In response to the market demand for 3D films and content such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland, Grasshorse will be holding a one day Rotoscoping Informational Session on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

“Grasshorse is mounting an effort to identify talent in Iowa for upcoming rotoscoping projects by using a multi-pronged approach,” says Stephen Jennings, COO. “First, we will be holding a rotoscoping lecture to inform potential talent of the art, followed by a portfolio review.” Grasshorse has been approached over the past year for rotoscoping projects that may be available as early as next month.

"These are high tech, high demand jobs, with year-round employment opportunities. We're talking the potential need for 100+ entry level positions,” says Kathy Buxton, CEO.

Secondly, Grasshorse will be offering a rotoscoping workshop to select applicants as an introduction to the industry.  “It can help potential artists determine if they have an interest in pursuing a career as a rotoscoper,” says Jennings, COO.

"This is the kind of business the film incentives were created for, it stems the brain drain and offers enticement to repatriate talent to the state," says Representative Dave Heaton.

"I have heard first-hand from major broadcasting network executives that a 35% tax credit could make the difference between us landing a contract or not," says Jennings, COO, "We're that close."

The Rotoscoping Informational Session will have a two part lecture, the first from 9am-12pm and the second from 1–3pm, followed by a portfolio review from 3-6pm at 111 North Locust in Winfield. “This lecture is an opportunity to identify potential artists that may fill upcoming positions creating stereo generation of films through the rotoscoping process,” adds Jennings.

“Those who are interested with computer aptitude and other creative skills like drawing, sculpting, filmmaking, 3D and stop motion animation should attend the session or be added to our position announcement list,” adds Buxton.  "Proficiency with Windows Operating System, Mocha, After Effects and Photoshop software is helpful, however not mandatory," says Buxton.

Grasshorse will be working with Iowa based community colleges, such as SCC, and universities to expand on their future training needs.  Presently few education opportunities exist for the advanced software and technology needs required for rotoscoping.

Persons interested in the above opportunities should attend the Rotoscoping Informational Session and bring their resumes, demo reels and portfolios. More information can be found at http://www.grasshorse.com/careers.php - Rotoscoping Artist, contact and RSVP to Lisa at lisa.horak@grasshorse.com, or call 319.257.3388.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Creative Maxims (Mary & Charlie Cunliffe) has teamed up with Joe Scherrman of DreamCatcher Productions to work on a documentary about Lake Delhi Flood

Charles & Mary Cunliffe of Creative Maxims, LLC and Joe Scherrman of DreamCatcher Productions, LLC have joined in an effort to tell the story of the Lake Delhi 2010 flood and dam breach, the impact it has had on the lives of the residents and the surrounding communities and the desire on the part of the residents to rebuild, not only a dam or a lake, but a way of life shared for generations, now threatened.

The three are working together collecting video, photographs and stories, through interviews of long time residents who are willing to share their memories to help tell this story about a way of life and about the determination to overcome the obstacles to rebuild it for future generations to enjoy. They are in production now and are very interested in hearing from as many families as possible about life on the lake. Those having in interest in sharing experiences about living on the lake or in the surrounding area are encouraged to contact Mary Cunliffe via email at cm32@mchsi.com.

Joe Scherrman is the accomplished Director/Producer of the documentary "Ghost Player-Relive The Magic". A wonderful story that chronicles the experiences of a middle aged team of Iowa baseball players, who regularly graced the Field of Dreams and traveled to military basis around the world to bring the great American pastime, joy and goodwill to our troops and their families.
You can visit his website at www.ghostplayer.us.

Charlie & Mary Cunliffe are film making hobbyists. They have produced, directed or been directly involved in the production of seven short films in the past two years. The two are script writers and producers who have several film projects at various stages of development. You can visit their web site at www.creativemaxims.com

You're Invited to "The Affair"

1st Fridays Artwalk February Film Expo Seeks Iowa Short Scripts and Films

1st Friday’s Art Walk announces its second annual short script contest. This year’s theme is “2012 Approaching.” The theme should serve as inspiration but the words themselves need not to be included in the script.

Two winning scripts will be produced during the Festival’s Film Production Workshop by experienced directors on February 6 with volunteer actors, crews and an audience at Hawthorne Direct’s studios. Winners will also receive a free DVD of the finished films.  Submission deadline is January 7th, 2011. No entry fee. For more information and submission guidelines go to www.fairfieldfilmfest.org
The Short Script Contest is sponsored by 1st Fridays Artwalk and Hawthorne Direct.

The Film Festival is also looking for short film submissions of up to 12 minutes in any genres. Selected films will be shown during the Film Festival. Films must be made by Iowa artists. Send DVDs to Fairfield Film Expo, PO Box 441, Fairfield, IA, 52556.