Elvis Mitchell at Indie Memphis

Renowned film critic and interviewer Elvis Mitchell will host intimate conversations with Memphis filmmaker Craig Brewer (Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3:15 pm) and actor / director Giancarlo Esposito (Sunday, Oct. 12 at 4:30 pm) at this year’s Indie Memphis Film Festival.

The conversations are free and open to the public. Seating is limited and admission can only be permitted while seating is available — please arrive early.

At Indie Memphis, Elvis is serving on Features Jury and is also screening his recent documentary "The Black List," which presents twenty prominent African Americans of various professions, disciplines and backgrounds, including Toni Morrison, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Vernon Jordan, Chris Rock, Richard D. Parsons, Zane and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

For more information on the “Conversation with Craig Brewer,” please click here.

For more information on the “Conversation with Giancarlo Esposito,” please click here.

Indie Memphis -- book it now

Indie Memphis is almost upon us and now would be a good time to nail down your plans if you haven't already.

The web site is excellent with not only schedules and descriptions but other nice features, such as an RSS feed to get timely announcements, and a feature to put the films/activities you've booked onto your iCal.

And you can buy your tickets online, which will save you $2 a ticket (courtesy of ArtsMemphis) over buying them at the door.

Chasing the White Dragon at Indie Memphis

From the filmmakers:

Chasing the White Dragon actresses Jan Falk and Learyn Wilde, along with director Kathilyn Phillips will be promoting their film during an interview on News Channel 3's Live at 9 this Friday at 9 a.m.

The movie will show at this year's Indie Memphis Film Festival Saturday at 9:45 p.m. at The Studio on the Square.

Shot in Tupelo, Chasing the White Dragon is a high-powered drama that portrays a group of six young crystal methamphetamine addicts in small-town America. Trapped in a torrent of violence, deceit, paranoia, and passion, each must decide whether to leap from the careening roller coaster or ride it to its nightmarish end. The film is rich with compelling drama, fast-paced action, and with state-of-the-art visual effects. CTWD just recently (Aug) won “First Place, Best Screenplay” at the worldwide premiere of the prestigious Rhode Island International Film Festival.

The full length motion picture was written, produced and directed by Memphis native Kathilyn Phillips in association with Little Bo Productions of Tupelo.

Tickets are on sale now online at a reduced price of $7, while tickets at the door will be $9. You may purchase your tickets here.

The future of film and TV in Tennessee

If you have an interest in pushing for increased film/TV activity here, please attend the first reception and informational meeting about the Association for the Future of Film & Television, Thursday, October 16, 2008, 5-7 p.m. at Playhouse on the Square.

It'll be out in time to attend the LiveFromMemphis Music Video Showcase at Indie Memphis.

For information on AFFT, go here.

The reception is hosted by the Memphis & Shelby County Film & Television Commission, and the Memphis Music Foundation.

Video contest by Memphis Realtors

The Memphis Area Association of Realtors is posting info on a video contest. Post a three-minute video about Memphis and you could win $10,000. Info is here. These are some of the particulars:

Everyone has a story – a special mix of experiences, places and faces that make Memphis home to them. Home is more than just your house – it’s the neighborhood restaurant where they know your order before you even sit down. It’s the familiar block where you walk your dog each night. And home is how all of these pieces fit together to make Memphis your town.

Now through November 24, we invite you to share your piece of Memphis in a YouTube™ video contest. So, go ahead. Make your three-minute video, upload it to YouTube™ and show us why your Memphis is home to you. And in the process, you just might win $10,000.

Contest Highlights

* Entries accepted now through November 24.
* Anyone 18 years of age or older residing in one of the Eligible Counties can enter.
* Videos cannot exceed 3 minutes in length, inclusive of any credits.
* Winners will be announced on or before December 19.

Call for entries for OL:M 2009

From Lisa Bobal, President of On Location: Memphis

The Call for Entries is underway for the 10th Annual ON LOCATION: MEMPHIS International Film Festival, March 26-29, 2009.

Screen your film in the home of the Blues, the birth place of Rock 'n Roll, and America's most energizing and soulful place to film! Memphis' rich musical heritage and cultural diversity has parlayed into a city of vibrant filmmakers and for 20 years has attracted high profile filmmakers such as Jim Jarmusch, Robert Altman, Francis Ford Coppola, Milos Forman and Sydney Pollack – not to mention the city’s own Craig Brewer ("Hustle & Flow") and Ira Sachs ("Forty Shades of Blue") who represented Memphis at Sundance in 2005, winning the Audience and Narrative Jury Awards respectively.

Join us for our opening night party at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club just off Beale Street.

Previous filmmakers and artists who have attended and participated in On Location: Memphis events include: David Lynch, Morgan Freeman, Holly Hunter, Ed Solomon, Richard Gladstein, Isaac Hayes, Alan Bloomquist, James Spies, Richard Kraft, Leo Fitzpatrick, Cybill Shepherd, Del Shores, Don Hertzfeld, Craig Brewer, and Ira Sachs.

We program a broad range of subject matter, perspectives, and styles. Submit your film in any of these categories:

Narrative Feature
Live Action Short
Animation (Shorts and Features)
Documentary (Shorts and Features)
Music videos

ENTRY DEADLINES and fees are:

**Early bird Deadline - October 15; Fees - Feature, Feature length Doc or Animated
$45, Live Action Short, Short Doc or Animated (under 30 minutes) and Music Video $35

**Regular Deadline - November 15; Fees - Feature, Feature length Doc or Animated
$50, Live Action Short, Short Doc or Animated (under 30 minutes) and Music Video $40


**Late Deadline - December 15; Fees - Feature, Feature length Doc or Animated $55,
Live Action Short, Short Doc or Animated (under 30 minutes) and Music Video $45

Exhibition formats will be on Blu-Ray and 35 mm for all categories.

Once you have been accepted, if you need help converting your film to Blu-Ray, let us know and we can help you.

Awards are given in all five categories: Best Feature, Best Live Action Short, Best Documentary, Best Animated Short, Best Music Video and an Audience Choice Award.

OL:M has partnered with Without a Box (WAB) to handle our film submission process. To begin the entry process proceed to the WAB link at www.onlocationmemphis.org

Extras Thursday and Saturday -- paying

NSecure is needing extras tomorrow. New faces especially, for all day Thursday or Saturday. Rate 5.75/hr. Ages 25+.

Contact Abby Elzemeyer at 527-9263 or abby@elzemeyertalentagency.