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And the nominees for best party are….

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No – I’m not talking about who’ll win what on Oscar night – I’m talking about where you’re going to party to celebrate! Dayton is a film community, and as such – we’ve got different parties for all different tastes to celebrate the Academy Awards. Want to dress up in your finest or stay cozy in your PJs? Want to watch the show for free or make a donation to a local nonprofit? Want to sit in a theatre and enjoy it on a big screen or hang out in a bar with friends to watch it on 14 smaller screens? Like I said – something for everyone. Here’s a taste:

You’re interested in a very “comfy” event? Check out Jeans ’n’ Jammies at the Little Art Theatre in Yellow Springs. There will be a screening of the ceremony and a cash bar will be available serving the Little Artini (among other tasty beverages). The Oscars at the Little Art will be preceded at 6:00 p.m. by a pre-party at the Winds Café, just a short walk from the theater, where heavy appetizers and complimentary wine will be served thanks to Mary Kay Smith and Kim Korkan of the Winds Café.  At 7:30 p.m. partygoers will proceed to the red carpet at the Little Art in time to catch the Oscars on the big screen – served up with free popcorn.  For those who wish to go early, the Hollywood red carpet arrivals will be showing at the Little Art at 7:00 p.m. Admission to the entire program is $50, of which $35 is a tax deductible contribution to the nonprofit Little Art Theatre Association. Attendees are invited to come in their pajamas. But, if they are not comfortable with relaxed attire in public, they may opt for jeans. Prizes will be awarded for best Jammies for couple and individual, for correctly predicting winners in the major categories, and for winners of a movie trivia contest. Local actor Howard Shook will emcee the event. Go to littleart.com or call Maureen Lynch at 937-901-1920 for more details and to RSVP.

Looking to stay closer to the center city, but still have that big screen experience? Don’t miss the Oscar Party at the NEON! This free event is a great chance to enjoy the ceremony with your friends in the very theatre that first showed many of the Oscar nominated films to our region.  Known throughout the Miami Valley for bringing the latest and best in independent and foreign cinema, THE NEON screened numerous films that have been nominated for Academy Awards.  Movies that screened over the past year garnered over 30 Oscar nominations, and that number will continue to grow in the coming weeks. Ballots are currently available in THE NEON’s lobby for attendees to begin making their Oscar predictions.  On the night of the party, ballots must be turned in before the first Academy Award is given – and prizes (including soundtracks, screenplays, and dvds) will be awarded throughout the evening for correct guesses.  At the end of the night, the person with the most correct predictions will win “The Star Treatment” – a gift basket from Square Salon & Spa and THE NEON.  (Must be present to win.)  Seating for this year’s party will begin at approximately 7pm and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. NOTE: The Neon is grateful to ThinkTV who provides assistance in acquiring a strong signal for the broadcast.

Like the casual feel, but want a more social night out? Check out the FilmDayton Oscar Party. Moving from the big screen to the small screen, they’ll have the ceremony broadcast on 14  flat screens at Geez Grill and Pub (off Far Hills in Centerville). Doors open at 7:30 PM and you’ll be able to grab some great food, enjoy the cash bar, bid on some great silent auction prizes, compete in a 50/50 cash prize for the best ballot, and play along with Oscar Bingo. Join FilmDayton to mingle with the filmmakers, film lovers, and friends who think the Oscars are a great excuse for a fun party. It’s a great night that encourages grabbing a table, chatting with your friends, and watching who wore what, who got Oscar, and who got robbed. $10 for FilmDayton members and $20 for nonmembers. More information here. This fundraiser for FilmDayton helps support the educational programming that the organization offers throughout the region and supports the annual FilmDayton Festival.

Location, Location, Location… Workshop!

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No – this isn’t one of Teri’s articles about the housing market. Location is more than a real estate rule; it’s vital for film!

Are you interested in building your skill set for film? Are you an artist looking for a new perspective on architecture and environmental photography? FilmDayton offers a great class for beginners who are looking to break into the industry, photographers who are looking for a new perspective, or pros who want to strengthen their skill set.

In the beautiful setting of the Dayton Art Institute, students will get some practical knowledge and then be set loose to snap pictures (no flash) within the building and through the historic surrounding neighborhood. Great prep work for aspiring production/location coordinators and a lot of fun for creative photographers. Seats are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

We’ll provide an inside look at one of the major necessities for the film industry. There are so many questions: What makes a good location? How do you handle the production logistics? How do you snap the best picture to convey the feel of the location to the producer? And once you find that perfect spot, how do you get all the required permissions to film there? This workshop will answer those questions and so much more! And lest you think this workshop is JUST for photographers or aspiring location managers, oh no my friend. Indie filmmakers often have trouble getting great locations for their projects. This workshop will help filmmakers with the skills needed to find and secure fantastic locations, and how to get it all done when resources are limited.

Topics to be covered include:
Location Contracts and Insurance,
Film Permits,
Capturing the Best Picture,
Working with Individual Homeowners, Businesses and Government Agencies,
Location Scouting,
Location Responsibilities Before, During and After the Shoot

FilmDayton welcomes Kate Amer – a Location Manager / Production Manager with 25+ years of experience. Kate most recently worked on The Avengers, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, and the FX hit Justified.

Talented location scouts are necessary in the industry – and very in demand. This workshop will get you started and help you make some great connections.

COST: $35 members; $45 non-members
DATE: Saturday, February 25, 2012
TIME: 9AM – 5PM (lunch included)
LOCATION: Dayton Art Institute
Seats are limited. Contact Megan at [email protected] to register.

Workshop in partnership with the Dayton Art Institute.

WHAT IS FILMDAYTON?

FilmDayton is the regional nonprofit dedicated to fostering the local film scene. We educate filmmakers with introductory workshops and professional development opportunities, advocate for the region as we support our local filmmakers and work to attract productions, and celebrate our success with the annual FilmDayton Festival (August 24-26, 2012).

TAKE SHELTER – One of the Best of the Year – Opens Friday!

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Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re making plans to see TAKE SHELTER this weekend (read the DMM Film Review here).  This Ohio-made film was one of my absolute favorites from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (I screened 34 films over the course of 9 days), and it has been garnering awards and great reviews around the world.  As a special treat, producer Tyler Davidson will be joining us for Q&As following a few screenings…and there’s no additional charge for these tickets (which are on sale now at our box office).  Showtimes with Q&As are noted below.

Thursday will be your last chance to see the charming French film with Gerard Depardieu and Gisele Casadesus – MY AFTERNOONS WITH MARGUERITTE.  Hurry down if you still need to see it.  Though audiences are loving this film, it hasn’t done well enough to stick around.

Synopsis for TAKE SHELTER:  “Curtis LaForche lives in a small town in Ohio with his wife, Samantha, and daughter, Hannah, a six-year-old deaf girl. When Curtis begins to have terrifying dreams, he keeps the visions to himself, channeling his anxiety into obsessively building a storm shelter in his backyard. His seemingly inexplicable behavior concerns and confounds those closest to him, but the resulting strain on his marriage and tension within his community can’t compare with Curtis’s privately held fear of what his dreams may truly signify.” (Sony Pictures Classics)  Visit the film’s official website.

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There are only 2 films left for Living City’s VAMPIRE retrospective…and both will be presented via 35mm.  Single tickets will be available at the door before each screening for $8 each.  Here are the remaining dates and films:

November 7 at 7:30 – INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (35mm)

November 14 at 7:30 – BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992 – 35mm).

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The Ohio Liberty Film Festival is gearing up for its third year this November.  With numerous presenters and sponsors, the festival is able to make admission free to all of their screenings.  Click the link to see the entire line-up for various venues around town.

The following are movies that will play at THE NEON:

Friday, Nov. 11 at 3:00 – THE GREAT DICTATOR (The Charlie Chaplin classic)

Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 – AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME

Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:30 – PATTON

“Help support DATV and be inspired by short films that aim to make a difference in our lives. DATV presents the MEDIA THAT MATTERS SHORT FILM SHOWCASE on Thursday, November 17th at 7:30pm…The festival features 12 jury selected short films that tackle a broad range of social issues with humor, humanity and honesty in 12 minutes or less.  Special thanks to our sponsor Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management OGDM Group – Centerville, Ohio…Proceeds from the event will benefit DATV.  DATV’s mission is to be a community forum that empowers all citizens to learn, create and express their ideas through electronic media…”  (taken from press notes)  Visit the official site for this event.  Tickets are already available at our box office for $10 each.

We’ve already booked the perfect film for Thanksgiving weekend.  Alexander Payne’s new film THE DESCENDANTS (starring George Clooney) is fantastic!  In fact, I think it’s Payne’s best film yet.  Thanksgiving weekend is a crucial movie-going weekend for cinemas…and we hope you’ll make plans to see this great film with us!  To find out more about the film, visit the official site.

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For remaining showtimes for this week visit our site.

Hope to see you this weekend,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Nov 4 – Nov 10:

THE WAY (PG-13) 2 Hrs 1 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:15, 2:40, 5:00, 7:30, 9:50

Monday: 2:45, 5:10

Tuesday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:10, 7:40

TAKE SHELTER (R) 2 Hrs

* – indicates a screening with special Q&A

Friday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00*, 9:40

Saturday: 1:30, 4:15*, 7:00*, 9:40

Sunday: 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, 9:40

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (R) 2 Hrs 3 Min

Monday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

Nov. 11   MARGIN CALL

Nov. 18  MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

Nov. 23  THE DESCENDANTS

Dec. 16   WEEKEND

TBD   THE SKIN I LIVE IN

TBD   MELANCHOLIA

TBD   THE HEDGEHOG

FilmDayton Announces New Executive Director

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The FilmDayton Board of Trustees voted on October 25 to hire Megan Cooper as the new Executive Director. Cooper takes the helm on November 1, 2011.

A two-time graduate of the University of Dayton, Cooper studied theater and communication before beginning a career as a development professional.  An active member of the Dayton community, she is a trustee at Culture Works, featured writer on DaytonMostMetro.com, Updayton board member, and project volunteer with Activated Spaces. As an actor, Cooper has performed on many local stages and for regional radio, film and television spots.

Ron Rollins, President of the FilmDayton Board of Trustees, says, “Many of the board members already knew Megan either through her film work or community involvement. As we consider what FilmDayton can be for the region, we know she has the drive and knowledge to help us grow and meet our goals. We’re looking forward to what the future holds for FilmDayton.”

As the new Executive Director, Cooper is challenged to further the FilmDayton mission to provide opportunities for filmmakers. She will work with a strong coalition of volunteers to plan the annual FilmDayton Festival, facilitate educational programming (such as the Boot Camps and Film Connections), and support economic development in hopes to bring more productions to the region.

Cooper says, “FilmDayton was a great fit. I believe in the future of Dayton, the arts, and economic development opportunities in our region; FilmDayton brings those aspects together. I look forward to serving the organization and sharing my skills to support film in the region.”

Next steps for FilmDayton include an internship collaboration with Wright State University and a renewed dedication to economic development. As reported previously, FilmDayton will continue talks with the Dayton Art Institute and Dayton Visual Arts Center to determine if a partnership could lead to greater sustainability and successful programming.

Academy Award Winner & FilmDayton Festival!

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Hello Everyone!

This is going to be a fun weekend for film lovers in Dayton.  In addition to a one-week-only engagement of this year’s Academy Award winning film IN A BETTER WORLD, The FilmDayton Festival has something for everyone.  (Incidentally, I saw IN A BETTER WORLD in Toronto last year.  It’s absolutely wonderful…don’t miss it!)  I AM will stick around for another week.

Synopsis for IN A BETTER WORLD: “Anton is a doctor who commutes between his home in an idyllic town in Denmark, and his work at an African refugee camp. In these two very different worlds, he and his family are faced with conflicts that lead them to difficult choices between revenge and forgiveness. Anton and his wife Marianne, who have two young sons, are separated and struggling with the possibility of divorce. Their older, ten-year-old son Elias is being bullied at school, until he is defended by Christian, a new boy who has just moved from London with his father, Claus. Christian’s mother recently lost her battle with cancer, and Christian is greatly troubled by her death. Elias and Christian quickly form a strong bond, but when Christian involves Elias in a dangerous act of revenge with potentially tragic consequences, their friendship is tested and lives are put in danger. Ultimately, it is their parents who are left to help them come to terms with the complexity of human emotions, pain and empathy.”  (Sony Pictures Classics)

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The FilmDayton Festival is here.  Their website is up and running with details about each film, each party, numerous special events and links for tickets.  Check out the website by clicking the image below.


Here are FilmDayton Festival screenings at THE NEON:

Friday, May 20 at 7:00 & 9:30 – WSU’s BIG LENS Film Festival

Saturday, May 21 at 10:30am – SCREENLESS SCREENING

Saturday, May 21 at 11:50am – FILMICALLY PERFECT

Saturday, May 21 at 1:00 – HOMERUN SHOWDOWN

Saturday, May 21 at 3:15 – BEAUTIFUL NOISE

Saturday, May 21 at 5:30 – INTO ETERNITY

Saturday, May 21 at 7:00 – NEW LEFT MEDIA Shorts

Saturday, May 21 at 8:15 – MARWENCOL

Saturday, May 21 at 10:30 – HUSK

Sunday, May 22 at 12:15 – SUNDOG & FILMDAYTON SHORTS

Sunday, May 22 at 2:40 – BILAL’S STAND

Sunday, May 22 at 4:45 – WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM

Sunday, May 22 at 7:00 – ROCKIN’ THE WALL

This just in…The YMCA has cancelled the screening of THE OTHER SIDE on May 26.

A panel is in place for our screening of a powerful and moving documentary called WE WERE HERE.  “WE WERE HERE is the first documentary to take a deep and reflective look back at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco.  It explores how the City’s inhabitants were affected by, and how they responded to, that calamitous epidemic.  Though a San Francisco-based story, We Were Here extends beyond San Francisco and beyond AIDS itself.  It speaks to our capacity as individuals to rise to the occasion, and to the incredible power of a community coming together with love, compassion, and determination.”  WE WERE HERE will screen on June 16 at 7PM.  Tickets are $8 each and are currently available at THE NEON box office.  This screening is sponsored by The Greater Dayton LGBT Center.  Be sure to take a look at the trailer, and get your tickets early.  After the film, we will have a discussion with representatives from AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Miami Valley Poz 4 Poz, an early HIV/AIDS community educator, and more.  Additionally, we will have the opportunity to see a series of incredible photographs in THE NEON’s lobby.  I’ll give you more details about this special installation next week.

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If you’ve been to THE NEON lately, you’ve more than likely seen our note at the front counter about pricing.  Here’s what it states: “Effective June 3, 2011.  At THE NEON, we strive to have the best films, the best customer service and the best prices.  While we don’t intend on changing these goals, we must unfortunately raise our admission prices.  On June 3, all General Admission, Matinee and Senior Citizen tickets will increase by 50 cents.  Our ticket prices have not increased since August of 2008…and our new ticket prices will still be at least $2 less expensive than all the first-run multiplexes in the region.  Thanks for your understanding.”  We hope this won’t deter you from coming to THE NEON…as we have dozens of great films coming our way in the weeks and months ahead.

Thanks so much for your interest in THE NEON.

Take care,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for May 20 – May 26:

IN A BETTER WORLD (PG-13) 2 Hrs

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 3:00, 7:15

Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

I AM (NR) 1 Hr 17 Min

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:15, 5:30, 9:40

Monday – Wednesday: 3:15, 5:15, 7:45

Thursday: 3:15, 5:15

FILMDAYTON

See Schedule Above

THE OTHER SIDE (NR) 40 Min + Q&A

Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:

As always, all dates are tentative.  Some of these dates will change.

In some cases, titles may disappear.

May 27 THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD

May 27 THE BEAVER

June 3 BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK

June 3   WINTER IN WARTIME

June 10  INCENDIES

June 17  DOUBLE HOUR

June 24   MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

July 1  TREE OF LIFE

July 8  BUCK

July 15   PAGE ONE

TBD   POTICHE

TBD  BEGINNERS

TBD MEEK’S CUTOFF

Jim Carrey & Ewan McGregor in I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS + Lots More!

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Hello Everyone.

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS was released in the bigger markets back in early December…so in that regard, we’re a little “late” in bringing it to Dayton. In December, we simply got too busy with big hits – and that’s a good thing! That said, we didn’t want to skip this Sundance darling all together. Starting Friday, you’ll be able to see this film that has seen positive reviews from Entertainment Weekly, Variety, The Chicago-Sun Times and many more. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, “A Jim Carrey movie all the way: a good one, I might add. With his manic glare, ferociously eager smile, hyperkinetic body language and talent for instant self-transformation, Mr. Carrey has rarely been more charismatic on the screen.”

Synopsis: “I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS is the improbable but true story of a spectacularly charismatic conman’s journey from small-town businessman to flamboyant white-collar criminal, who repeatedly finds himself in trouble with the law and on the lam, brilliantly escaping from the Texas prison system on four separate occasions – all in the name of love.” Starring Jim Carrey & Ewan McGregor. Visit the film’s official website.

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CEDAR RAPIDS performed quite well over the weekend. It will be sticking around. If you still need to see BIUTIFUL or BARNEY’S VERSION, you only have through Thursday (3/17) to see them at THE NEON. Check www.neonmovies.com for showtimes.

Last year marked the first time that THE FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL made a stop in Dayton. Folks loved the show, and the fellas are on the road again. On Sunday, March 20 at 7:30, THE FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL will return to THE NEON with a new batch of material. Visit the official website to find out more about the show. Advanced tickets ($11 each) are only available on-line by visiting this link.

THE 11th DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is just around the corner. Screenings at THE NEON begin on Thursday, March 24th…but the festival has even more events and screenings around town. To see a list of titles, screening venues, showtimes and ticket details, visit the official site.
Here are the films that will screen at THE NEON:
Thursday, March 24 at 7:10 – AJAMI
Sunday, March 27 at 5:15 – THE YANKLES
Tuesday, March 29 at 9:30am – AHEAD OF TIME
Wednesday, March 30 at 7:10 – IMAGINE THIS
Sunday, April 3 at 3:00 – WHERE I STAND: THE HAND GREENSPUN STORY
Sunday, April 3 at 7:10 – NORA’S WILL
Wednesday, April 6 at 7:10 – A MATTER OF SIZE
Thursday, April 7 at 7:10 – JEWS & BASEBALL: AN AMERICAN LOVE STORY

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THE NEON has booked additional screenings of NORTH DIXIE DRIVE, and tickets are already moving. Tickets are now available for April 1, 2 & 3 at 1pm, and they’re just $5. “NORTH DIXIE DRIVE is the portrait of a small community of businesses and people residing in the Northridge section of Dayton, OH. It is the story of big time wrestlers, mechanics, a donut salesmen, an eccentric country singer, barbers, exotic dancers and car repo men. This collection of people, from all walks of life, live and work around a traffic circle situated along highway I-75, and fight to keep their lives and careers afloat in a failing economy. This debut film by Brooklyn, NY filmmaker Eric Mahoney showcases an off beat group of characters in today’s Middle America.” (taken from website) You can see a trailer and read more about the film by visiting the official site.

On Tuesday, April 5, Andrew – one of our employees – will premiere his latest work. “ONE SUMMER HERE is an independent short film by local filmmakers and Wright State Motion-Pictures alumni Andrew Fiscus (writer, director) and Cole Pisano (director of photography) that will be holding its world premiere screening on Tuesday, April 5th at 9:30PM. It’s a sweltering Ohio summer, and Emma and Dan are growing up. They’re eighteen, hovering somewhere between child and adult. Emma is dreaming of leaving, and Dan is dreaming of her. All the nuance of growing up and the confusion and impetus to be something new, something more than yourself, is explored in the dreamy ONE SUMMER HERE. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged to help offset the high cost of film festival submissions. You can view the trailer for the film by visiting this site.
Find out more about the film by joining the facebook fan page.

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Gar Drolma Buddhist Center will host an event at THE NEON on Saturday, April 16th. “Imagine if every thought, word, and action was only…FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS – A film by Christina Lundberg, producer of Mystic Tibet, Discovering Buddhism, and On the Road Home.
Garchen Rinpoche’s life presents tragic events from the light of transcendent experience. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, Rinpoche joined the Tibetan resistance fighters and was subsequently imprisoned for more than 20 years, enduring horrifying conditions. He practiced the Buddha’s teachings in secret and emerged a Realized Being; then risked his life to preserve the living tradition of the path to enlightenment… On Saturday, April 16th at 3:00 pm Gar Drolma will host a benefit screening of this magnificent film with Garchen Rinpoche in the audience. Garchen Rinpoche and Christina Lundberg, filmmaker, will speak following the screening of the movie.
When you purchase your tickets online, you will see price levels of $10, $20, $30, $40, $50 and $108…all seating will be general admission. The tiered prices are offered to you as a convenient way to donate to the making of the film…Any amount above $10 is a tax deductible donation.” (taken from press release)

There’s so much happening at THE NEON. We hope to see you often over the coming weeks.

Take care,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for March 18 – March 24:

CEDAR RAPIDS (R) 1 Hr 27 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:30

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS (R) 1 Hr 38 Min
Friday, Saturday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 12:50, 3:00, 5:10, 9:45
Monday – Wednesday: 3:00, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30
Thursday: 3:00, 5:00, 9:45

FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAL (NR)
Sunday: 7:30

DAYTON JEWISH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday: 7:10 – AJAMI

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative.
Due to Oscar Season, we know that many of these dates will change.
In some cases, titles may disappear.
April 8 OF GODS AND MEN
April 15 WIN WIN
April 15 or 22 JANE EYRE
May 6 WINTER IN WARTIME
May 13 THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD
May 20 IN A BETTER WORLD
TBD POTICHE
TBD – late March/early April? – SOMEWHERE
TBD – late March/early April? – TINY FURNITURE

Student Filmmakers Wanted!

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Students in grades 8-12 are invited to create and submit short films to the Sundog 8 Regional Film Festival premiering Saturday, May 21 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the Little Art Theatre.  Cash and prizes valued over $1,500 will be awarded and Sundog official mascot, Moxy, will be sharing her supply of squeaky bones with the audience. Sundog 8 will also be screened at the FilmDayton Festival on Sunday, May 22 at Neon Movies.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Each entry must be on a separate DVD with a runtime of 10 minutes or less.

Categories include:

  • Experimental
  • Narrative
  • Documentary
  • Self-Portrait
  • Music Video
  • PSA (Public Service Announcement)
  • Film/Computer Animation
  • Photo Essay

This year, a special award will be given for best submission using a dog theme. Also, there is a new category for best use of technology. Winner receives a flip camera, courtesy of Digital Pickle. Films may be individually or collaboratively produced. There is an entry fee of$3.00 per entry. Limit 3 entries per student. Submissions may be mailed or delivered to:

Yellow Springs High School
420 E. Enon Rd.
Yellow Springs, OH 45387

Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 25.

Please check entry before submitting. Submissions not playable on a standard DVD player will be disqualified. Entry forms available at www.sundogfilmfestival.org after 1/11/2011.

OPEN JUDGING – A SUNDOG EXCLUSIVE

Open adjudication will be Thursday, April 28, 2011 starting at 9:15 a.m. at Kettering Fairmont High School, 3302 Shroyer Road in the Recital Hall.

Teachers and students will receive valuable feedback from a panel of media professionals and all may attend. Refreshments and lunch will be provided by festival sponsors.  To RSVP, call 937.767.7224 or email: [email protected] and let us know how many will be in your group by April 25. Note: Attendance is not mandatory at judging or screening to win, however teachers are encouraged to arrange a field trip to attend with their students for this highly educational and fun experience.

AWARDS AND PRIZES

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded directly following the screening at the Little Art on May 21. Students whose films make Sundog will be notified shortly after judging by email/phone. Awards will be given for best submissions in various categories as deemed by the judges. All who receive cash prizes must sign a receipt to register to claim funds. Prize money will be equally divided among collaborators. No prizes will be mailed. Winners not present at the Little Art may claim prize money, in person, at Yellow Springs HS by June 10, after which date any unclaimed cash will be returned to Sundog funds. Entries will not be returned. Sundog Film Festival is an educational event organized by dedicated teachers and interested individuals. Authorization to use copyrighted materials remains the responsibility of the contest entrant. Winning entries may be shared for public viewing through various internet sites.

Film Connections

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The last Tuesday of each month filmmakers, film students and film fans gather at ThinkTV to learn about what’s going on in the Dayton film Community.  Meeting are a very informal  show and tell, with lots of time for networking in between film clips.
September’s  Film Connections  features Dayton’s own Chase Whiteside of New Left Media, who will screen and talk about his current projects.  Kat Steele, executive director of the Cincinnati [Oxford International] Film Festival, will present trailers and some insider info their film fest that takes place October 8-16.  Ron Kaplan of the Reel Stuff Film Festival will share info about his upcoming third annual aviation film fest that will occur Nov 5-7 here in Dayton. nts will include an update on FilmDayton’s membership perks and a tour of their new blog and discussion board with their new marketing assistant, Brandon Evans.  Refreshments are also provided.

Tuesday September 28, 2010
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Cost:
Free

Location:
ThinkTV
110 S. Jefferson St.
Dayton, OH 45402

Lights, Camera, Action!

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Everyone loves a good Tom Hanks movie every now and again. You’ve Got Mail, Castaway, or That Thing You Do will satisfy any Hanks fan’s need.  He’s such an appealing actor and seems to have a movie that everyone loves. But what people don’t know is that Tom Hanks has a scholarship program for students in major arts at Wright State University. In 2005 Hanks and his wife donated nearly $5,000 to the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. This was the beginning of the Tom Hanks Scholarship and Visiting Artist Fund. After collaborating with Erik Bork, an alumnus of Wright State, on the television series Band of Brothers and hearing about his experience at WSU, Hanks was bound to create a scholarship program for the students. In May of 2005 a black-tie affair raised over $20,000 for the scholarship.

The quarter I transferred to Wright State I was walking through the Union looking for something good to eat when swore I saw a high school friend by the name of  Baxter Stapleton. To my surprise, it indeed was him. We met up for coffee one day and he informed me that he had just transferred to Wright State as well that quarter to attend the film school. In a recent chat with my long time friend he told me why exactly he chose Wright State for his studies.  “I decided to transfer since Wright State’s programs  complemented perfectly with what I want to do after I graduate. I was immediately attracted to the  film program because of my interest in documentary filmmaking and the amazing work I had seen come out of the program” said Stapleton.

Wright State students have been acknowledged for their work in producing and writing feature-length and short form films and winning Golden Globe and Emmy awards.  Their work has also been in multiple film festivals winning various awards. Students get the opportunity to work in all different aspects of the film industry through the program, everything from a producer of features to being the director.

Stapleton informed me that the students in the film program work a great deal with FilmDayton and that this year; the students’ work will show up at the FilmDayton Festival this weekend. This is their second annual film festival and is an awesome opportunity for the young film makers of Wright State to get to show their work. “Not only does Wright State have great academic programs, but the University also does a great job of immersing the students into the community” said Stapleton. So if you get some free time this weekend, stop by the film festival and take a look at what the talent of Wright State has to offer!

Burma VJ, A MUST SEE Film Saturday at FilmDayton Fest

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The following commentary was written  by Andy Valeri, when I asked him how by knew about Burma VJ and why he thought it was such an important “get” for the FilmDayton Festival:

“Burma VJ” (VJ standing for “video journalist”) is one of the most important documentary films to be produced in a number of years. Not simply
because of its filmmaking quality in telling a riveting story about the
“Saffron Revolution” which took place in Burma in 2007, but in *how* that
story was told through the use of citizen-based, grassroots media networks.

Ever since I first saw the film upon its initial release a year ago, I knew
it was a potential game-changer in the world of media and its relationship
to movements for political change. I was fortunate to get a chance to see
this film upon its initial release, when my friends filmmakers Steve Bognar
and Julia Reichert were lent a copy by one of their colleagues. Steve
called me up to tell me about this amazing new film which he had just seen,
and invited me over to watch it. Knowing of my ongoing work in media and
human rights, Steve thought I really should see it.

I was deeply moved by the film, again not only for the drama inherent
within the story itself, but what it represented as a harbinger of the
inherent power and potential in the future progress of community-based,
grassroots media networks as as the most important tool available to
confront the cruelty and injustice in our world. It brought to the fore
Gandhi’s principle that the key to confronting injustice was to make it
visible.

It also struck a personal note with me, as I myself was in the same town in
Thailand where the main figure in the movie was based during the time the
events portrayed in the film were exploding forth.  When I was there I
couldn’t help but be immersed in the goings ons just over the border. It
was a major concern amongst a number of the Buddhist monks that I would
talk with at the time, and no one was sure what was going to happen, since
nothing quite like this had ever happened before in Burma during the
decades of oppressive rule by the military junta in charge. The monks had
taken to the streets in mass organized protests against the legitimacy of
the government, and the government had resorted to actually shooting them.

And here it was all documented by courageous videographers risking their
very lives to show the world what was going on.

Thus began our interest in bringing the film to Dayton.  At first Steve and
I thought it was something that could be presented at the University of
Dayton as part of their groundbreaking Human Rights Studies program. It
certainly would serve as a direct example of my interest in seeing
communication studies incorporated directly into human rights work.

Though the timing for a UD screening wasn’t able to pan out, we are all
more than fortunate to be able to present it at the FilmDayton Festival
this year. And not only that, as the lattice of coincidence would have it,
Steve and Julia ended up meeting and befriending the film’s producer from
Denmark, Lise Lense-Møller at this year’s Academy Awards, in which both
were nominees in their respective documentary categories! And not only
that, but Lise’s husband is from Ohio, and used to be a truck driver, who
would do deliveries to the former GM plant in Moraine about  which whose
closing Steve and Julia’s film was nominated for an Oscar as well!

So, along with the Indian film “Kavi” showing at 12:30pm at Gilly’s on
Saturday, followed by Steve and Julia’s “The Last Truck,” and then with
“Burma VJ” running at 5pm at the Neon Movies, Dayton’s humble little film
festival will have THREE Academy Award-nominated films screening on the
same afternoon in the same festival.

For more on Burma VJ, here’s a good article from The New York Times…
“Democracy Now!” did a story this award winning film, which really gives
good insight into what the film is about, and  the extraordinary risks
citizen journalists take to get information out of the country.

Urban Nights – A Musical Guide

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Urban Nights showcases some of the best that downtown Dayton has to offer, and since we have a lot to offer, deciding what to see and hear can be a bit overwhelming.  So I’ve compiled a list of some of the musical highlights Friday has to offer:

*The official Urban Nights program includes entertainment on a main stage at Courthouse Square and several satellite stages.  My picks for main stage entertainment are the Reece Lincoln Band (6:00-6:45 p.m.) and  The Rev. Cool Arkestra & Dance Ensemble (7:00-7:45 p.m.).  Reece Lincoln is one of Dayton’s rising musical stars and puts on a high energy show that combines elements of blues and classic rock and roll.  The Rev. Cool Arkestra & Dance Ensemble is the brainchild of WYSO host Rev Cool (Around the Fringe).  It’s a unique combination of live music, DJ mixes and dance that’s not to be missed.  The satellite stages include everything from local jazz, rock and roll covers and a preview of the Encore Theatre Company’s production of RENT to a spotlight on Sinclair’s musical offerings.  A full schedule and a printable program and map can be found here.

* Friday is the first day of Side Show V, which features a wide variety music, performance and art.  This year’s showcase takes place at the Armory building on E. Sixth Street and Friday’s musical highlights include Noah Wotherspoon and Jessi Bair (6-6:30pm), c.wright’s Parlour Tricks (8:40-9:30pm), Sohio (10:10-10:40pm) and Outside Residential (10:50-11:20pm).  For a better idea of what the Side Show is all about, check out J.T. Ryder’s featured article right here on Dayton Most Metro.  The full lineup for both days of Side Show V is available on their Myspace page.

* Friday also marks the start of the 2nd FilmDayton Festival.  This year’s festival is bigger and better, and in addition to featuring more films than last year, there’s also more music!  Lisa Grigsby’s post here on Dayton Most Metro features the full festival lineup.  There are two great great musical offerings on Friday night:  Gladgirl will present “Dayton Rock and Roll Home Movies,” a free kickoff event at the old Greyhound Station on Fifth Street that’s been transformed into the festival lounge.  This event will feature music videos from current and past local bands and live music from Flotation Walls.  Later that night, the Lab Partners will perform at the first festival after-party at Gilly’s with the Now Device (headed by Springfield native Rod Hatified) providing a video and light show.

*As if that weren’t enough, A World A’Fair also begins on Friday at the Dayton Convention Center with tons of music, dance and delicious food from around the world.  A full performance schedule can be found at their website.

*The Ohio Coffee Company is providing Urban Nights entertainment for a good cause.  Hugs for Maya is a musical showcase to benefit Maya Claude, a 5 year old girl who recently had a brain tumor removed.  Local artists will be selling donated pieces and a host of local musicians have donated their time including Suicide Hill, Eric Cassidy, Rob Young and more.

*If you miss Noah Wotherspoon at the Side Show, he’ll also be performing at the Oregon Express beginning around 9:30pm.

*While you’re in the Oregon District, be sure to stop by Practice Yoga.  Local singer-songwriter BJSR will perform from 6 to 10pm.

*Down the street, the Eric Jerardi Band will be headlining the Trolley Stop beginning at 9:30pm.

*Over at Canal Street Tavern, the Spikedrivers will perform with Luther Wright.  It’s the perfect place to go after checking out the Urban Nights showcase at the Southern Belle loft (right next door to Canal Street Tavern).  This will feature the work of many local artists and musicians including music from local ukulele folk artist Henrique Couto.

*And although it’s not music-related, audiophile will want to stop by the StoryCorps airstream trailer parked in front of the Schuster Center.  The mobile recording booth will  be open until 7:30pm on Friday night for tours.

So what’s your must-see event this Urban Nights?  Any tips for beginners on the best way to get the most out of the evening?  Share your thoughts, tips, tricks and anything I may have missed in the comments.