Filmmaking

AN ESSENTIAL ANDREI TARKOVSKY RETRO AT THE WALTER READE

I received an email asking if I’d post something about the upcoming Film Society of Lincoln Center Andrei Tarkovsky retrospective at the Walter Reade. Sure, I wrote back, laughing as I imagined that a retro of the great Russian filmmaker would actually need a press boost, that it wouldn’t be packed from the outset with lines of people around the block hoping for tickets. But then I thought, what if that is not the case? Could it be that the current generation of young moviegoers has yet to fall under the spell of this rigorous and involving master director? Maybe. […]

By Scott Macaulay on Jul 6, 2009 Filmmaking
RED BAND JENNIFER’S BODY TRAILER

The latest, a Heathers-ish satirical horror film, Jennifer’s Body, from screenwriter Diablo Cody, former Filmmaker cover-story director Karyn Kusama (Girlfight), and Megan Fox. Related: Karyn Kusama in Filmmaker on Girlfight. Diablo Cody in Filmmaker on Juno.

By Scott Macaulay on Jul 6, 2009 Filmmaking
iPHONE 3GS MUSIC VIDEOS

In a time in which MTV barely shows music videos, want to score an audience for yours? Here’s the trick: be the first out of the gate with a clip shot on a new camera. Here are two music videos shot with the new Apple iPhone 3GS. The first is by XYFA and is directed by filmmaker Steve Ellington. Technologic Overkill – The First Music Video Shot on an iPhone 3GS from Steve Ellington on Vimeo. The second is by Ari Kuschnir and the track is by his fiance, Reyna Perez.

By Scott Macaulay on Jul 6, 2009 Filmmaking
BRIAN NEWMAN LEAVES TRIBECA FILM INSTITUTE

As Indiewire reported, Brian Newman has left his position as CEO of the Tribeca Film Institute. In a statement he sent to his friends that he reposted on his Springboard Media blog. An excerpt: As many of you know, I have quite an entrepreneurial spirit and want to now explore other opportunities. I will be launching a consulting business focusing on business development projects in the entertainment and cultural industries as well as helping filmmakers, artists and organizations to distribute content and connect with audiences through innovative uses of new technology. His statement echoes comments he made at the Open […]

By Scott Macaulay on Jul 5, 2009 Filmmaking
NEW SODERBERGH TRAILER: THE INFORMANT

By Scott Macaulay on Jul 1, 2009 Filmmaking
HOW DO YOU SEE CHINATOWN?

Premiering tomorrow at 7pm — and on the museum’s YouTube channel — is the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)’s Chinatown Film project, a collection of short films by Miguel Arteta, Patty Chang, Jem Cohen, Cary Fukunaga, So Yong Kim & Bradley Rust Gray, Amir Naderi, Sam Pollard, Shelly Silver, Rose Troche, and Wayne Wang & Richard Wong on their unique visions of Chinatown, New York. (Advance registration required to attend the opening.) The museum is located at 215 Centre Street, and the exhibition continues both on YouTube and on the exhibition’s blog (appropriately in Chinese and English.) The exhibition […]

By Scott Macaulay on Jun 30, 2009 Filmmaking
DECLARING WAR ON INDIE FILM CLICHES!

Ted Hope tweeted this Current TV indie film parody short this morning and it’s been getting a lot of comments. Yes, it’s silly, but too often accurate in parts. So, whaddaya say, let’s all vow to banish these indie cliches!

By Scott Macaulay on Jun 29, 2009 Filmmaking
KEITH GORDON’S SUNDANCE DIRECTORS’ CHEAT SHEET

I was working with a young director who was very talented, but who was also prone to panic — causing her to lose her perspective and clarity (an issue I’ve had to deal with myself at times). So I wrote this ‘”cheat sheet” for the fellows to carry with them for when they felt lost. To be honest, I created it just as much for myself… The Unofficial Sundance Shooting Cheat Sheet You may never need this, but if you’re feeling a little lost, or out of control, or not sure, remember… 1. Breathe. Calm down. Fear and anxiety are […]

By Scott Macaulay on Jun 28, 2009 Filmmaking
KEITH GORDON, AFTER THE SUNDANCE DIRECTORS’ LAB: GOING HOME IS SUCH A RIDE

Leaving the Sundance Lab is always a melancholy feeling. I’m happy and excited about seeing my wife, but not about re-entering the “real world” of Los Angeles, where the deal is the thing, and where projects are judged on potential economic return, not artistic merit. The week is full of great memories, watching young filmmakers take steps — sometimes leaps — towards defining their voice and material. Some bravely challenged their whole script, re-writing as they worked, and adding whole new scenes to their pieces that gave them more depth. Others found ways to integrate their desire to create a […]

By Scott Macaulay on Jun 28, 2009 Filmmaking
REVISITING HANGOVER DIRECTOR TODD PHILLIPS’ DEBUT FILM

The trajectory of careers can be pretty fascinating. I remember when G.G. Allin was a Lower East Side punk rock performance freakshow, cutting himself on stage, fighting with audience members and threatening/promising to kill himself during one of his performances. Todd Phillips was attending NYU Film School at the time and while a junior there made his debut feature, a documentary portrait of the performer entitled Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies (1994). He also, with Andrew Gurland, founded the New York Underground Film Festival, would go on to make with Gurland the controversial college hazing doc Frat House […]

By Scott Macaulay on Jun 26, 2009 Filmmaking

Cookie	Duration	Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional	11 months	The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance	11 months	This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy	11 months	The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Cookie	Duration	Description
cfmrk_cic		Used by Cloudflare to route user traffic for this Site.
sparrow_id		Installed by Cloudflare. Used to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address and apply security settings on a per-client basis. It does not store any personal identifiable information.

Cookie	Duration	Description
OAGEO		Installed by the Revive Ad Server. Used to cache geolocation (session, deleted when closing the browser)
OAID		Installed by the Revive Ad Server to distinguish users.