Authors — Scott Macaulay

JEM COHEN EVENING AT THE IFC CENTER

If you’re in New York tomorrow night come and check out an evening we are co-hosting with the IFC Center that’s dedicated to one of the most vital film artists working in New York City today: Jem Cohen. Here’s what the press release says: “An Evening with Jem Cohen” features the acclaimed filmmaker of Chain, Benjamin Smoke, and Lost Book Found in person to present the New York premiere of his new documentary BUILDING A BROKEN MOUSTRAP, a portrait of the Dutch band The Ex, which Cohen describes as “Concert film. City film. Protest film.” With a stylistically unique but […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 23, 2007
DON’T TRASH TEXAS

Over at her Deadline Hollywood Daily, Nikki Finke has a short post about btewing complications in some of the state film tax incentive programs. As she reports, Texas has a requirement in its program that filmmakers can’t portray “Texas or Texans in a negative fashion.” She also mentions the North Carolina restrictions, which we’ve noted previously, that require films receiving credits to adhere to “general standards of decency and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the citizens of North Carolina.” Finke concludes by writing that the MPAA is getting involved: The MPAA is warning that not only do […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 22, 2007
DOES THE LENS LIE?

Filmmaker Errol Morris is blogging for the The New York Times. His first piece, “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire,” takes the form of an essay on the concept of truth and fiction as it pertains to photography. Here’s how he begins: Pictures are supposed to be worth a thousand words. But a picture unaccompanied by words may not mean anything at all. Do pictures provide evidence? And if so, evidence of what? And, of course, the underlying question: do they tell the truth? I have beliefs about the photographs I see. Often – when they appear in books or newspapers […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 21, 2007
POINT AND SHOOT

The New York Mayor’s Office of Film and Television provides such great support for independent filmmakers that its weird to have to write a post slamming one of their new initiatives. If you haven’t heard about their new proposed rules requiring insurance and permits for an expanded group of filmmakers, however, take note. Ray Rivera wrote about the rules on June 29 in the New York Times: Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 20, 2007
OPPOSE THE DEAD CELEBRITIES BILL

I was forwarded the below email written by Elena Paul, Executive Director of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, that I thought should be reposted here: Dear VLA Friends and Members, We’re sending this to all VLA members because of the nationwide importance of this New York legislation. The New York State Assembly and Senate adjourned their regular sessions yesterday without taking action on the “Dead Celebrities” bill. This is good news. This legislation would give heirs of anyone who died after January 1, 1938, the right to sue for unauthorized use in “advertising” or “for the purpose of trade” the […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 20, 2007
It All Comes Down

If you haven’t checked out the main page recently, please click over there and watch Jamie Stuart’s new short, 12.5 Seconds Later It’s goofy and charming and, to my mind, pretty much a miracle of no-crew production. Jamie shot and edited it himself and then, for the post, used new Final Cut Pro Studio software, including its new compositing program Motion. Jamie did the short at our request — we offered him use of a promo Apple system and in return he wrote a print review based on his experiences actually using the software to make a film. Both Jamie […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 19, 2007
CURATION IS KING!

In an effort to distinguish its site from the anything-goes mentality of YouTube, Sony Pictures is relaunching video-sharing site Grouper by renaming it Crackle, creating “themed channels” and adding a curatorial slant. Says this story on MSNBC: The website will offer a slate of themed channels for users to upload material. They include Wet Paint, an edgy animation channel, Shorts, highlighting short films, and High Wire, a stand-up comedy channel. The best High Wire submissions can win a chance to perform at the well-known Improv comedy clubs, while Shorts uploaders could win a studio development deal and get the chance […]
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 16, 2007
POP SHOTS

Variety recently ran an article about how declining opinions of America’s behavior worldwide are affecting international audience’s attitudes towards American films. But perhaps international audiences are simply reacting to artfully crafted image campaigns promoting our competition. See, for example, the promo reel below that the E.U. Media program created to tout its accomplishments in the promotion of Euro films.
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 12, 2007
STRIKING OUT

Jamie Stuart emailed a question about the upcoming writer’s strike, wondering whether it will provide opportunities for independents looking for both work and to expand the boundaries of network programming. He wrote: Since the last TV strike (or was it threatened strike?) brought about reality TV, what’s the probability that the studios and networks will simply dive into the pool of cheap online talent to fill out their rosters? I dunno… discuss.
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 12, 2007
MUST SEE TV

If you missed it, below is Michael Moore’s outraged appearance on Wolf Blitzer’s CNN show. After watching, check out Moore’s web site for his rejoinder to the report by Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Sicko that CNN preceded Moore’s appearance with.
by Scott Macaulay on Jul 12, 2007

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