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.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Des Moines Filmmaker Set to Debut Film at Sundance Film Festival

Bryant Mock, a Des Moines independent filmmaker and IMPA member, has just learned that his feature film, Prairie Love, has been accepted into the legendary Sundance Film Festival.  Prairie Love was written and directed by Dusty Bias and produced by Mock, Douglas Mueller, Holly Lynn Ellis, and Ashley Bias.  It stars holly Lynn Ellis, Garth Bloomberg,  and Chicago-based actor Jeremy Clark.

Prairie Love was selected by the Sundance Film Festival from a record number of over 10,000 submissions from around the world.  It will be featured with 7 other films in the NEXT Category, showcasing films that exemplify the spirit of independent film.  As Sundance says, “stretching a low budget to create big art.”

Prairie Love is a dark comedy about the search for companionship in a desolate landscape. The plot involves a mysterious Vagrant who patrols the deserted winter plains, living out of his car and off of the land. When he discovers a nearly-frozen local with a pen-pal girlfriend, he seizes the opportunity to change his lonely existence.

The film was shot entirely in North Dakota, with locations in Minot, Burlington, Lignite, Mohall and Glenburn, over one month in January 2009.  Though the hours were long and the weather brutal, the filmmakers credit the generosity of North Dakotans for making the production possible.  “They just went way beyond what you could hope for and saved us time and time again,” Mueller said. Ellis agreed, “We literally could not have survived without all these people checking in on us.”

For independent filmmakers, “getting into Sundance is the Holy Grail,” says Bias. “We're overwhelmed with joy.  We’ve been preparing for this our whole lives and are determined to make the most of this opportunity.”

The Sundance Film Festival will be held in Park City, UT, January 20-30, 2011.  50,000 attendees are expected.


To learn more and view a trailer for the film, visit www.prairielove.com.