http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/ Gabe's Declaration of Principles en Copyright 2008 2008-12-09T16:16:03+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/vegas_and_the_big_three_bailout3/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/vegas_and_the_big_three_bailout3/ Maybe it’s the fact that I’m in Vegas right now for the International Film Festival Summit, or maybe it’s the fact that Christmas is around the corner, but I can’t help but be reminded of this classic scene from Albert Brooks’ Lost In America as I hear the Detroit Automakers back in Washington (essentially) asking “for their money back”: “The Desert Inn has heart” “I know I’ve started to think/About leaving tonight/Although Nothing seems right/In cars” 2008-12-09T16:16:03+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/is_the_ghost_of_christmas_present_an_independent_spirit_/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/is_the_ghost_of_christmas_present_an_independent_spirit_/ ‘Tis the Season: December is the time for Independent Spirit.  To wit: 1) Most filmmakers receive news from Sundance (Slamdance, etc.) about whether or not they will be playing Park City. (Note: I’ve written about my feelings on this topic at length.  As the distribution world continues to implode/evolve/market correct/mutate, Festivals remain ever more important to a filmmaker’s overall strategy.  And not just festivals that end with “dance,” “west,” “beca” and “onto.”. Submit to Atlanta, Sarasota, Maryland, Sidewalk, etc) 2) Year end lists begin to percolate, with the inevitable spotlight thrust onto the year’s most worthy releases.  Without fail, these… 2008-12-02T20:01:08+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/the_people_speak_screens_tuesday_122_as_part_of_atls_celebration_of_univers/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/the_people_speak_screens_tuesday_122_as_part_of_atls_celebration_of_univers/ On World AIDS Day, Atlanta also kicks off a 10 day celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this era when an issues like Prop 8 brings to light the continuing struggle for equality, it is worth reviewing this remarkable document, and reading a bit about its fascinating history. The Atlanta Film Festival will be participating as co-presenters (along with the High Museum of Art’s film program, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and Campus Movie Fest) of a sneak peek screening of THE PEOPLE SPEAK, followed by a panel discussion featuring Danny Glover, Jasmine… 2008-12-01T06:02:01+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/reasons_to_be_glad/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/reasons_to_be_glad/ Happy Thanksgiving Wishes Here are some thoughts I shared with everyone on the ATL Film Festival list: Thanksgiving is a time for each to us to reflect on the things that fill our lives with joy.  Challenging times such as these remind us to appreciate even the most simple things in life: our health, our friends, our family, our community. I am reminded of a scene in Manhattan where a despondent Woody Allen conjures a litany of things that bring joy to his life: Why is life worth living? It’s a very good question. Um… Well, There are certain things… 2008-11-26T16:33:59+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/atlantas_without_a_box_spotlight_email_just_went_out/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/atlantas_without_a_box_spotlight_email_just_went_out/ The Atlanta Film Festival’s December 5 deadline looms like a Lowell Mill Girl…and submissions are flooding in!  There’s a late deadline in January—but you’re going to wanna get your work to us before then, because prices are going up.  In other words,  don’t wait to get notice from Sundance before you decide whther or not to submit to ATL, SXSW, Nashville, Sarasota, Tribeca, etc!) ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL Atlanta, Georgia - USA April 16 to 25, 2009 In the Spotlight this week is the ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL (ATLFF), an event renowned for discovering new talent. Since its inception over three decades… 2008-11-24T22:10:42+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/im_a_pepper_and_more_gnr_scuttlebut/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/im_a_pepper_and_more_gnr_scuttlebut/ The new Guns n Roses album is here!  The new Guns n Roses album is here! And I couldn’t be happier.  First off, because I get me a FREE bottle of soda. Everyone in America * has until 6 PM EST on Monday, November 24 to get a free 20 oz. Dr Pepper... Apparently the demand has been so great, their server keeps crashing: “To resolve this, we are increasing our server capacity and making a toll-free number available (1-888-DRPEPPER or 1-888-377-3773).” Reason #2? The release of the album allows voice of this generation Chuck Klosterman to write the following:… 2008-11-24T05:36:36+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/atl_film_fest_alums_mckinnon_and_goggins_land_amc_series/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/atl_film_fest_alums_mckinnon_and_goggins_land_amc_series/ Exciting news from two of ATL Film Festival’s most happening alums: Oscar-winner Ray McKinnon and Walton Goggins landed a new series on AMC—home of the great series MAD MAN and BREAKING BAD. Ray McKinnon and Lisa Blount are joined by Walton Goggins to celebrate the Oscar win for “The Accountant” as best live-action short. The film qualified for its Oscar by winning the Atlanta Film Festival Shameless plug—submit your film to the Atlanta Film Festival: 2008-11-13T13:52:01+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/mirvish_and_gorlin_spin_the_spin_cycle/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/mirvish_and_gorlin_spin_the_spin_cycle/ Were they inspired by Slamdance prizewinning film Abel Raises Cane? Alan Abel: The Master Abel (as Jim Rogers) wants to Ban breast feeding: Or was this an opportunity to refine the covert grassroots techniques he invented—an elaborate campaign promoting a fictional phenom called House Humping—to promote the release of his real estate musical OPEN HOUSE? What a tangled web he weaves: Dan Mirvish online Either way, looks like Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish and sometime Slamdance Prize winning director Eitan Gorlin (THE HOLY LAND) have pulled off a doozy: A Senior Fellow at the Institute of Nonexistence Who would say such… 2008-11-13T12:39:25+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/lds_ads_on_yahoo/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/lds_ads_on_yahoo/ Thinking of boycotting Park City (will little Stevie record a new song, I…I….I, ain’t gonna play Park City?**) in 2009 in response to the Church of LDS flooding cash to support Prop 8 in California banning gay marriage?  How about striking a company like Yahoo? I opened my Yahoo! mail this morning, and was greeted by this ad: Take action where it counts! Write Yahoo! and tell them what you think about them running by ads by the LDS. **Meanwhile, enjoy this pop-up video , of Silvio’s anti-apartheid anthem. (Best pop-up, arrow pointing to John Oates = “Not Bababooey”): 2008-11-13T12:19:50+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/baltimore_to_go_back_on_os_road_jerseys/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/baltimore_to_go_back_on_os_road_jerseys/ Exclusive: An early look at the road jersey By Roch Kubatko on November 12, 2008 Whenever I think about the Orioles’ old road jerseys, and it’s usually during those quiet moments at home while I’m soaking in a tub with a glass of wine and the lights dimmed, I envision Boog Powell wearing that gray jersey with “Baltimore” written across the chest. Maybe I should start over….Read rest of the story here. Now if only they’ll do like the Rays…and go from worst to first in 2009 2008-11-12T20:06:53+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/atlanta_film_festival_call_for_entries_deadline--and_more_film_festival_sec/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/atlanta_film_festival_call_for_entries_deadline--and_more_film_festival_sec/ With the election behind us—finally—we can finally exhale—focus on the future! These are exciting times for the Atlanta Film Festival.  Our 2009 dates are set: April 16-26. ATL Film Fest crowds mingle outside the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, and nosh at Apres Diem Our venue is locked: Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. Filmmakers Danielle Bernstein & Anne Slick (When Clouds Clear) at the Independent between screenings Our Call for Entries is open: Friday 11/7 marks the next graduated Without a Box deadline—so the time to submit is NOW! If early returns are any indication, we’re headed towards a record year for… 2008-11-06T16:09:01+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/my_old_school_a_message_of_hope_from_leon_botstein/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/my_old_school_a_message_of_hope_from_leon_botstein/ Many folks have said today they are proud to be American.  My pride in the U.S. has never wavered—though my patience has been tested severely over the past few years. My Old School What I am proud of is the fact that I’m an Alum of Bard College…and here’s why: Bard President Leon Botstein sent the following message today to all faculty and staff at Bard, and asked that the Alumni/ae Office share it with you as well: To the Bard College Community: I want to thank all the members of the Bard community, particularly on the Annandale campus but… 2008-11-05T20:27:23+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/is_cindy_mccain_a_hitchcock_blonde/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/is_cindy_mccain_a_hitchcock_blonde/ 2008-11-03T16:44:45+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/doc_fest_logos2/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/doc_fest_logos2/ I recently got an email from the folks at Full Frame, and it seems they’ve updated their logo.  From: To: I find the revision odd choice, considering the look of Hot Docs (which also features a dialog bubble) in the “o”. 2008-10-21T17:28:41+00:00 http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/rebranding_made_simple/ http://blogs.indiewire.com/gabe/archives/rebranding_made_simple/ Or, how we went from: to 2008-10-15T21:18:41+00:00