Tell a filmmaker what to do...

A message from Duane:

Hey horror / film fans, your vote can decide what I film next!

I'm serious. Until January 23, 2009, I am running several polls worldwide - most notably via my myspace page www. myspace. com/gnomeguy3 - and of the four concepts available to choose from, the winning concept absolutely gets filmed beginning as early as March. I will cast from the Memphis, TN / Mid-South area most definitely. I can't wait to hear from you.

much appreciation,

Duane P. Craig

Films in Focus -- local movie alert service

Erik at Indie Memphis has kicked off "Films in Focus," which gives us a heads-up on independent and limited release films coming to town. His introductory note is below. Check out the first alert here where you can also subscribe.




Happy Holidays from Indie Memphis!

We often seem to miss films playing in town either because we don't know enough about them, or we just don't notice that they opened here. We're guessing that has happened to you too, so -- with lots of great films opening this weekend -- we're launching a new email newsletter called "Films in Focus" which will highlight independent and limited release films playing in Memphis. The format of the email will evolve over time, so if you have any suggestions please let us know by sending an email to festival@indiememphis.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Aside from this inaugural issue, "Films in Focus" will be separate from our general Indie Memphis newsletter, so that we don't clutter your mailbox with info you may not want it.

NBTT - coming to Memphis, we hope...

It looks like "Nothing But the Truth" will have a screening in Memphis in late January, maybe. But other than opening this weekend in NY and LA, it may not get national distribution in theaters. Here's an excerpt from John Beifuss' story in the CA:

"Nothing But the Truth" -- the Washington-set political drama with an all-star cast that was shot in Memphis -- begins with an assassination attempt.

Now, the movie itself is fighting for its life -- at least as a theatrical release.

"Nothing But the Truth" was supposed to demonstrate Memphis' potential as a viable location for all types of movies.

But the film -- which opened this week in three theaters in New York and Los Angeles to qualify for the Oscars -- is being pulled from distribution, thanks to the bankruptcy of its production company, writer-director Rod Lurie said Friday.

However, Lurie and Linn Sitler, Memphis and Shelby County film & television commissioner, are planning a special screening of "Nothing But the Truth" in Memphis, probably in late January.

Read the full story here.

Actress needed

J. Lazarus Hawk ("The Morning Ritual") has a project scheduled to shoot in January and he needs an actress. The role is non-speaking and requires some nudity. It would be a one evening shoot (tentatively Jan. 23 or 24). What's needed is a 21-26 year old white female with long brunette hair and a slender to athletic build. Tattoos and piercings are not a problem. He would also need a photograph of the same girl at the age of 16-17 that appears more "wholesome" or "innocent."

Contact Lazarus at myspace.com/jlazarushawk

Power House film Wednesday

presented in collaboration with the Sierra Club Chickasaw Group

PLAGUES & PLEASURES ON THE SALTON SEA
7:30pm Wednesday, December 17th
@ Power House Memphis
Admission is free!
Refreshments will be available, including Beer, Wine, Sodas, and Popcorn.
Your donations are appreciated.

While PLAGUES & PLEASURES ON THE SALTON SEA covers the historical, economic, political, and environmental issues that face the sea, it more importantly offers up an offbeat portrait of the eccentric and individualistic people who populate its shores. It is an epic western tale of fantastic real estate ventures and failed boomtowns, inner-city gangs fleeing to white small town America, and the subjective notion of success and failure amidst the ruins of the past. Hair-raising and hilarious, part history lesson, part cautionary tale and part portrait of one of the strangest communities you've ever seen, this is the American Dream gone as stinky as a dead carp.

Apparently the hotties preferred to move away from me.

When you're about town, grab a copy of the latest VIP magazine in which Linn Sitler gives an account of the "Nothing But the Truth" world premiere in Toronto in September. We were both there and what she reports is true. My version would have included the afterparty's "Brigitte" with an accent dripping with French dressing, and my chat with Alan Alda during which he had no idea what I was talking about, Vera Farmiga's husband mock-berating me (I'm pretty sure) and Kate Beckinsale giving me a good review. And some random guy who thought I was funny (or that I looked funny) and wanted to get a picture with me. Here's the excerpt from Linn's article:

... Shot in Memphis in the Fall of 2007 and starring Kate Beckinsale, Alan Alda, Matt Dillon and Vera Farmiga, the festival audience rewarded the film's world premiere with a standing ovation!
Attending the premiere with Memphis's Jon Sparks -- veteran journalist and, lately, filmmaker and actor of note -- I snagged a couple of invitations to the 'Cast Dinner' and cabbed it to a hip Toronto club where Rod Lurie, Kate Beckinsale and a very pregnant Vera Farmiga awaited us. (Not really, but they at least let us in.) There, Jon happily basked in the attention of the five female American Movie Channel executives at our dinner table. Not only was Sparks looking glamorous as the only man who'd obeyed the invitation's instructions to wear a tux -- he also quickly let slip that he had an important cameo in the movie! At the after-party, I protected the very-married Sparks from the overtures of a dirty-dancing Nashville party girl. (!) Having an extra invitation, I'd also called Dr. Robert Bernasconi, himself in Toronto that weekend, but for much more cerebral affairs: an international philosophy conference. However, Bernasconi, holder of the Chair of Excellence in the U of M's Philosophy Department, is also known as the bon vivante of academics. He quickly joined the party, and then I had to protect two men from the party girl from the Music City. (She also wanted to dirty dance with me!)

Me and random guy

Linn and Dr. Robert

Micro Cinema - Wednesday

Indie Memphis Micro Cinema Club #46
Wednesday, December 10, 2008, 7:30pm
@ Power House Memphis

NO PLACE (2008)

A compilation of international video, documentary, and animation about utopia and other places that may or may not exist.

This screening is a joint venture between Greg Pond of Nashville's Fugitive Projects and the Irish group Human Resources, headed by Emma Houlihan, an artist and curator from Dublin.


Admission is free!

Refreshments will be available, including Beer, Wine, Sodas, and Popcorn.
Your donations are appreciated

Kudos for films with regional connections

John Beifuss has a story on films with local influences that are getting attention. The full story is here. Here's the short version:

Memphis-born filmmaker Courtney Hunt and her debut feature, "Frozen River," won much recognition this week as the movie industry's "awards season" -- which ends with the 81st annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22 -- kicked off in earnest.

On Thursday, Hunt was honored in the "Directorial Debut" category of the annual film awards of the National Board of Review.

Hunt, 44, also received recognition Tuesday when nominees for the 24th annual Independent Spirit Awards were announced in Los Angeles.

Hunt was nominated for Best Director and her film was nominated for Best Feature. "Frozen River" received another four nominations: Female Lead (Melissa Leo), Supporting Female (Misty Upham), Supporting Male (Charlie McDermott) and First Screenplay (Hunt).

Also earning six nominations were Jonathan Demme's "Rachel Getting Married" and a movie with regional connections, "Ballast."

Written and directed by a Californian, Lance Hammer, and cast mainly with amateur actors from the Mississippi Delta, "Ballast" was shot in and around such locations as Greenwood, Canton, Camden, Midnight, Tchula and Yazoo City, Miss. (Also Tuesday, Hammer received the Gotham award for "Breakthrough Director.")

Nothing But the Truth: poster and story

Here's the poster for Nothing But the Truth, which opens in NY/LA on Dec. 19 but probably won't come to Memphis until January or February.

The New Y0rk Times has a story on the issues raised by the film here.

Open call

Talent Agency Open Call
Actors Models Singers Dancers

Upcoming opportunities for:
‐Local and regional commercials and films (all ages)
‐Promotional talent (18+)
‐Local and national print jobs (5yrs +)
‐Vocalist for working local bands (21+)
‐Male and female background and go‐go dancers (21+)

Saturday December 6, 2008
10am‐2pm
Callbacks‐Sunday December 7, 2008.
Times will be assigned

House of Talent
714 N Germantown Pkwy #101
Cordova, TN 38018

For the audition please prepare:

Actors‐one monologue no more than 1 min., headshot, and resume

Models‐runway walk, modeling portfolio, and resume

Singers‐16 bars, headshot, and resume

Dancers‐ free style dance for multiple music genres, headshot, and resume (dance attire)

For more information please contact info@elzemeyertalentagency.com or 901‐527‐9263