(04/18/05) secrets of the biz - So, I was eating a slice for lunch today at the local parlor, not intending to evesdrop but was. The conversation which I was unintentionally listening to was taking place between some students from Lagurdia High School which is public high school in New York City. They first caught my attention with their discussion regarding scholarships. I was impressed that...

(03/28/05) U2 in San Diego - So lucky to have caught the opening night of U2's 2005 tour while vacationing in San Diego, it was an amazing show but the energy from the audience in New York doesn't compare. Here are some friends from Los Angeles who rented a bus and drove down to San Diego to see U2....

(03/27/05) sunday's best on easter - My family and friends on our Easter vacation in Mission Beach, San Diego...all dressed in our Sunday's Best for Easter...

(03/26/05) easter in san diego - family and friends took vacation in Mission Beach, San Diego this year...here we are the day before Easter Sunday preparing and dying eggs...

(02/16/05) Quote of the Week - (voicemail) "Elizabeth, I can't believe we polished off two bottles of wine last night." -my tipsy friend Bill who doesn't realize that I was drinking water....

(02/16/05) Double Check - DVDs - This is the "Double Check" list. Here is a list of 6 films which you have most likely seen, but "double check" because if you haven't then definitely rent them. 1. The Station Agent (2003) by Thomas McCarthy 2. The Five Obstructions (2003) by Jorgen Leth and Lars Von Trier 3. Since Otar Left (2004) by Julie Bertucelli 4. Vanilla...

(02/15/05) Oscar pool...bets anyone? - The crystal ball has been dusted off, let's see if this thing will work and predict the predictable 2005 Oscar Awards. Crystal Ball predictions... Best Picture: The Aviator (Marty Scorsese) Actor: Jamie Foxx (Ray) Actress: Hillary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) Supporting Actor: Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) Supporting Actress: Cate Blanchett (The Aviator) Song: (the ball just turned black...

(02/08/05) Four Eyed Monsters - SXSW 2005 - Festival Director, Matt Dentler of SXSW, announced the feature films which have been selected for the 2005 SXSW film festival today, and it turns out my favorite independent gem Four Eyed Monsters has been accepted to screen in the category Emerging Visions!!!...

(02/07/05) Harvey Weinstein impression - Salad bowl? Oh Superbowl, right, the Superbowl was last night. I missed 'the Big Bowl' to see a night of improv comedy with my cousin. We caught up with my favorite local comedy troupe and shortly after arriving I was in pain from laughter. Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live), Horatio Sans (SNL), Seth Meyers (SNL), Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Julie...

(02/07/05) the Laundromat - positives & negatives Did you ever notice that your least favorite article of clothing is always the first to fall? I believe the floor of the Laundromat is a magnet for your worst laundry. Without fail, whenever I'm switching from the washer to the dryer or from the dryer to the folding table, I always drop an article of clothing...

(02/04/05) a cure for Sundance flu - I've been receiving some post Sundance emails, and it sounds as though everyone is sick and/ or just nearing the end of the popular (by numbers) Sundance swag. I was sick as a dog at The Reel Roundtable's weekly screening on Monday (but went anyway -- couldn't miss the fun), anyway, my friend Hillary (an actress) was at the screening...

(02/04/05) Dear U2, - Okay, the FREE concert in Brooklyn was great...it really was! Not to mention, I had just gotten my wisdom tooth pulled, so your ultra sexy voices, exciting outdoor concert and amazing music eased all of the pain and helped me forget about the blood-soaked cloth sitting in my mouth. And I understand the dumbass was re-elected, but it wasn't our...

(02/03/05) Double Check - DVDs - This is the "Double Check" list. Here is a list of 6 films which you have most likely seen, but "double check" because if you haven't then definitely rent them. 1. Dogville (2004) by Lars Von Trier 2. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter ... and Spring (2004) by Kim Ki-duk 3. Step Into Liquid (2003) by Dana Brown 4. The School...

(02/01/05) Slamdance Finale - Slamdance was in full force this year. Gaming competition, on-the-fly competition, features, docs, shorts, online films, symposiums, nightly parties and an amazing staff which made everything that much easier. Kathleen McKinnis had her first year as festival director with Slamdance, Peter Baxter began working on the Slamdance Distribution side, Dan Mirvish and Paul Rachman are the glue & the personalities...

(02/01/05) Sundance Sneeze - I've decided to join the ranks and like everyone else in Park City...get sick. Grateful for my extra strong immune system, I didn't get hit until after returning home. This surprises me, especially since the days are long, working daily, happy hours beginning at 3pm/ 4pm and nights are neverending. Especially the Four Eyed Monster parties, if you can get...

(01/27/05) Park City Theory - There are three things to do while attending the "Dances" (aside from skiing, boarding, restaurants) 1. movies 2. parties 3. work Most try and accomplish all of the above but this is a very difficult task, even for those who are successful with time management....

(01/27/05) Slamdance sells 2nd doc in 2 days - The opening night film, MAD HOT BALLROOM, is the second film to sell to major distributor. Described as the “little film that could”, the opening night movie of the 2005 Slamdance Film Festival sold today to Paramount Classics who will distribute it along with Nickelodeon. “We are so delighted for Marilyn and Amy (Director Marilyn Agrelo and Writer Amy Sewell),”...

(01/26/05) ThinkFilm buys from Slamdance - ThinkFilm has acquired Canadian rights to the Mark A. Lewis tragic-comic adventure ILL FATED. The deal went through following the film’s U.S. Premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival. ILL FATED is the Coen-esque tale of a recent high school graduate who’s desperate attempt to leave his small town is complicated by his troubled girlfriend, promiscuous mother, and the return of...

(01/25/05) Slamdance...the family - The Slamdance Film Festival is sure keeping filmmakers and audiences alike busy from morning through night. Their line up of events as well as their family atmosphere keeps everyone on their toes with a variety of options involving films and Slamdance-style, outside-the-box events. For example, Slamdance co-founder Dan Mirvish and Film Threat's Chris Gore, had an intimate conversation in the...

(01/25/05) Four Eyed Monsters - Premiere! - Four Eyed Monsters had its BIG premiere on Sunday at 6:30pm. The evening couldn't have worked out better for the co-directors, the cast and the crew. The exciting debut sold out and Slamdance had to turn people away. In addition, everyone waiting on line looked great wearing the Four Eyed Monster stickers, which were handed out. Fortunately for the...

(01/21/05) Four Eyed Monsters in Park City - Co-director, Susan Buice arrived with part of the entourage on Wednesday and co-director, Arin Crumley arrived yesterday (Thurs) after a few mishaps with the airlines (delays, cancellations, etc…) Arin, Susan and many of their cast and crew...about 10, had their promotional materials shipped to the condo office. They're postcards, stickers, business cards look really great. As first-timers it's exciting to...

(01/21/05) Best Decision - Early! - Getting in on Wednesday, the 19th.before most was the best decision. Leaving the insanely cold, 200 degrees below, add the wind chill factor and it must have been 300 degrees below New York City to fly West into what feels like a tropical island surrounded by beautiful snow covered mountains was amazing. Able to rest, take care of the schedules,...

(01/21/05) Slamdance: Opening Night - The Slamdance Film Festival's opening night is tonight and RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, is not their opening night film, but it is a highly anticiapted doc which will be playing at the Treasure Mountain Inn at 11pm tonight. Directed by Carlene Cordova, Ringers: Lord of the Fans is a feature length doc exploring the The Lord of the...

(01/21/05) Slamdance/ Press Conference/ On-The-Fly - This morning Slamdance had their annual press conference at the Treasure Mountain Inn on Main Street, only this year Kathleen McInnis is the new festival director. They introduced the filmmakers, the sponsors, the BRAND NEW gamming competition and their brand new On-The-Fly Filmmaking Challenge. The focus of the challenge is to spotlight the creative talents of filmmakers. A hat (not...

(01/17/05) Year of the blogs - cinecultist.com - Karen Wilson from cinecultist.com introduces When Brendan Met Trudy When: Monday, January 17th, 2005 at 7:30pm Brendan and Trudy is an unlikely relationship that forms between a Dublin schoolteacher and a free-spirited woman with a hidden profession. Brendan spends his off hours watching old movies and singing in a local choir. One night, he meets Trudy in a pub, and...

(01/13/05) Deep Impact: Climactic Mission - "A NASA spacecraft - Deep Impact - blasted off on a mission to smash a hole in a comet." Is it possible the rocket scientists in Cape Canaveral have a sense of humor? What will they name their next spacecraft...'Mary Does Mars'?...

(01/12/05) Four Eyed Monsters - deep breaths - Arin and Susan are working on their trailer "we're struggling, do we give away the whole movie, will we scare people away with abstract experiments, does the trailer being so hard mean the movie sucks?" It seems as though they are having some anxieties between the trailer, designing postcards, stickers, business cards and posters. It's kind of cute and entertaining....

(01/11/05) Four Eyed Monsters - Triple Faux - Not even in Park City yet and Susan already has problems with her new Park City orange coat. The zipper was badly stuck, the manufacturer Tripple Five Soul suggested that she bring the new coat to a tailor, she did and the tailor fixed it by destroying the zipper, Tripple Five Soul said to to bring it back to the...

(01/10/05) greg.org: the movie, Coming January 10th - (excerpt from Greg.org) Or maybe it's greg.org: the videoblog. It's a veritable greg.orgy: everybody come! [uh...] On Monday, January 10th, I'm presenting a program of short films (including one of my own), video art, scenes from features, and other stuff, as part of The Reel Roundtable's Film and Blogs series. But more than an elaborate excuse to show and talk...

(01/05/05) Four Eyed Monsters - press kits - Arin and Susan were scrambling for the Fed Ex deadline to send out some press kits before they shot a pick-up which was needed for the rotoscoping in the animation scene....

(01/04/05) Four Eyed Monsters - animation/audio - Susan worked on the finishing touches of the animation sequences while Arin went to an audio post production house to get sound effects and to work on the mix with their "amazing pro tools sytem." He was thrilled with their sound booth, awesome drum set and great mics. He's going to add some real live drums to the score and...

(01/03/05) Four Eyed Monsters - colors - Susan and Arin have only 2 and a 1/2 weeks until Slamdance; first time filmmakers, first festival, first time in Park City...how exciting! Yesterday they were preparing their colors. It starts with the winter coats, Susan went with the long & orange and Arin went with the ugly green. Arin bought his over the telephone because he was busy color...

(01/02/05) Flaming New Year’s Eve - The Wilco/ Flaming Lips show at Madison Square Garden on New Year’s Eve was overwhelming, entertaining and so much fun. While hundreds and hundreds of enormous sized colored balloons were bouncing around the audience, The Flaming Lips were partying on stage like true rock stars with streamers, confetti, projections, blood, and champagne. There was so much going on between the...

(12/30/04) 'Too' Closer - The movie tells the story of people who try and trust one another before they are capable of trusting themselves. Even though deception is not becoming, the four people in this story seem to find it just as attractive as they are. Loved the writing of Patrick Marber. The dialogue was so well written, it made me realize how few...

(12/29/04) Shark Week vs. The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou - From 1990 until about 1996, I was obsessed with Shark Week. Shark Week was (or maybe still is) a television program that aired annually, every night for one week straight, always taking place during the second week of August. Every night, the program focused on a different type of shark and while the cameramen were swimming with the sharks, the...

(12/29/04) Successful Spaghetti - The update is no longer an update because it's nine days overdue. Let’s call it gloating, it was a live performance therefore I am allowed. Spaghetti Night exceeded any expectations that I may have had regarding the new style reading series…well, new for The Roundtable. I have to admit that all of the work which went into the evening paid...

(12/18/04) Four Eyed Monsters - lodging - The cast & crew of Four Eyed Monsters are gearing up for Park City and the Slamdance Film Festival. It's exciting to watch their efforts come alive, especially because I really believe in their film and thier visions. They confirmed the lodging for their cast and crew today and are going out on a limb for everyone. They're staying at...

(12/17/04) Mirvish's Oscar news - not good - By Bob Tourtellotte LOS ANGELES, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Oscar officials have refused to revive a dormant category for musicals at the Academy Awards, leaving some filmmakers singing the blues after a campaign to restore the genre to its old Hollywood prominence. Officials at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which gives out the movie industry's top honors,...

(12/15/04) Four Eyed Monsters - legal - Susan & Arin are doing the lawyer thing today. They have made appointments to meet with a few different lawyers to see which one they "have the most chemistry with". I recommended my lawyer Peter Fields...because he rocks. We'll see who they choose....

(12/15/04) Four Eyed Monsters - My friend's film, Four Eyed Monsters, is one of eleven narrative films selected in Slamdance's competition this year. First-time filmmakers, Arin and Susan, were not expecting the acceptance and seem pretty ill-prepared. Seeing the film as a rough cut, I absolutely loved it...only they have no idea how good it really is. About a month to go until the festival...

(12/15/04) around the corner - Aside from the festivals in Park City.... This coming Monday at the Millennium (66 E. 4th St at 7:30pm), The Roundtable's first screenplay reading of the season. Personally, I love everything about the readings, except that they're so much freaken work. So, The Roundtable has chosen 4 screenplays to be read on Monday (12/20/04). Twenty minutes of each screenplay will...

(12/14/04) so far, so great! - So thrilled with the film series this season, up until now.... we screened a night of amazing political films - all which were submitted at our 'political film party' then Michelle Coe (Program Administrator) and Cindy Kridle (Marketing Manager) of Women Make Movies joined us and screened Girl Wrestler which premieres tonight on the PBS Series Independent Lens. Both Michelle...

(12/08/04) Table Talk - Degrassi, Rad, OC & P.S.A. are nicknames of girls who I've had the good fortune to work along side. Our lunch conversations don't quite resemble those in 'Sex in the City'...personally I find these much more entertaining. Everyday Degrassi talks about the previous night's drama within an episode of 'Degrassi Junior High'. She finds the show playing on one channel...

(12/07/04) Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst - In "Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst,'' filmmaker Robert Stone has assembled archival footage that re-creates the timeline of crimes of the Symbionese Liberation Army, as well as the political energy of the early 1970s which instigated extraordinary two-year crime spree. Being one of the most sensational and bizarre crime stories, the SLA set forth in 1973 to overthrow...

(11/29/04) Blogs and Film: After Life - The focus of this season's Reel Roundtable's weekly film series is 'popular culture' and film...which includes the world of blogging. Websites, emails and now...blogs are an extremely effective way in assisting the independent film community communicate and spread the word regarding films, festivals, and events. We'll be taking a close look at the world wide web, the blogging community...

(11/22/04) U2, the once in a lifetime band - For a while now, there was a rumor about U2 performing a last minute outdoor concert in New York City to promote the release of their latest album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. As it turns out, this was far from a rumor; not only did U2 play a live concert in New York City, but they played the...

(11/21/04) Double Check - DVDs - This is the "Double Check" list. Here is a list of 6 films which you have most likely seen, but "double check" because if you haven't then definitely rent them. 1. The 400 Blows (1959) by Francois Truffaut 2. King of New York (1990) by Abel Ferrara 3. Osama (2003) by Siddiq Barmak 4. El Bola (2000) by Achero Manas...

(11/20/04) thank you Michael Moore - Michael Moore saved me $10.25 when I went to the movies tonight with my friend Cindy. Many moons ago, while leaving Lowes after attending the 1am screening of Fahrenheit 9/11, the staff at Lowes handed everyone a "one free admission" ticket. Pretty cool, eh? And no, my Republican friends, it is not bribery because we didn't know beforehand. With the...

(11/19/04) Spaghetti Night, Part II - This week has been devoted to Stage One. Stage One is The Reel Roundtable's screenplay reading series and this season our goal is to give writers & actors an opportunity. Over the years we've received many submissions and just as many reasons why writers are interested in having their screenplay read aloud; in order to help with a revision, publicity,...

(11/19/04) Spaghetti Night - This week has been devoted to Stage One and pain. Actually, Stage One is not a pain, my mouth is a pain. The far upper right hand corner of my mouth has been quite troublesome and my right cheek is doing a lovely job impersonating Marlon Brando in the Godfather. I have a feeling I’ll be spending some quality time...

(11/15/04) OSCAR time - Last night was the closing night of the Margaret Meade Film Festival in NYC. The Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival is the longest-running showcase for international documentaries in the United States. The Festival was founded by the American Museum of Natural History in 1977, in honor of pioneering anthropologist Margaret Mead, as she was one of the first...

(11/11/04) Jim Sherdian & 50 mill - There are people who don't have to worry about social security drying up as the baby boomers are retiring, such as the Bush family or gangsters turned rap "bling bling" superstars. You just need to offer a little ole fashioned repentance, a few lessons in rapping, hire a "powerballin" producer and you'll be "bling bling" set. Take for example, rap...

(11/10/04) 12 at SwissAm - I was fortunate to catch the feature film “12” at the SwissAm Film Festival in NYC. Director Larry Bridges has had a very successful career directing commercials and believed that many talented actors were earning a living through advertising but were capable of much more. So Bridges launched an improvisational workshop and what grew out of that workshop was...

(11/09/04) El Bola: beautiful & intuitive - Just finished watching El Bola the feature debut from Achero Manas. It's a beautifully shot film and it takes an extremely intuitive approach to child abuse. A child may be abused, only without admittance or proof, most people would not act on it. It breaches the subject in a subtle manner similar to the common folk, which is not...

(11/08/04) Double Check - DVDs - This is the "Double Check" list. Here is a list of 6 films which you have most likely seen, but "double check" because if you haven't then definitely rent them. 1. Buffalo '66 (1998) by Vincent Gallo 2. Happiness (1998) by Todd Solondz 3. Kids (1995) by Larry Clark 4. Rushmore (1998) by Wes Anderson 5. Bottle Rocket (1996) by...

(11/04/04) my hero - "Imagery has a purpose but use it to teach. Once you consume an image it's always with you" said Gloria Steinem, one of the most influential writers, lecturers, editors and activists of our time. Steinem helped found numerous organizations including the Women's Action Alliance, the National Women's Political Caucus, Voters for Choice, Choice USA, and the Ms. Foundation for...

(11/03/04) why? - Politics and religion are not one and the same. They don't teach religion is public schools, why do people confuse them? Why are moral issues important to the bible belt? Maybe we should officially separate the country into smaller countries and elect separate presidents? Hillary Clinton 2008!...

(11/03/04) small world - Last night I was watching the election at a bar around the corner with my friend John. John and I had a "so-called" bet, so I asked the guy standing next to me his opinion. He was extremely entertaining and we ended up hanging out with him. After a couple of election hours he asked what both John & I...

(11/01/04) friend to friend, Brother to Brother - BROTHER TO BROTHER, a beautiful film that was finished last year and went to Sundance, Berlin and various other festivals this year is coming to the theater!!!!! starting in New York City Friday, November 5th at Cinema Village 22 E. 12th St betw. 5th Av and University Pl Showtimes will be at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:40pm The trailer,...

(10/31/04) my friend's commute - Seriously, I can't take this commute much longer, I feel like I'm in the movie Groundhog Day - every morning the same thing happens: I see the same people on the bus who arrive at the bus stop at the same time every morning and the same car passes by at 7:03am just before the bus pulls up, which happens...

(10/27/04) Night of Political Films - An evening of political films, all made independently and all completed within the last six months. The filmmakers will be present for the event this evening, Wednesday October 27th at 7:30pm. The Political Film Series is taking place in the very appropriate East Village at the Millennium Theater on 66 East 4th Street, between Second Avenue and Bowery. The...

(10/25/04) Double Check - DVDs - This is the "Double Check" list. Here is a list of 6 films which you have most likely seen, but "double check" because if you haven't then definitely rent them. Tis the election season and voting! 1. The War Room (1993) by Chris Hegedus & D.A. Pennebaker 2. Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election (2002) by Richard Ray Perez 3. Fahrenheit...

(10/24/04) Quote of the Week - "I will never have to be a first-time director ever again," Nicole Kassell (writer/ director of The Woodsman)...

(10/24/04) The Woodsman - On Thursday, I was able to see The Woodsman which was presented by the Tribeca Theater Festival. It's a series which screens films which were adapted from the theater. The Woodsman, the play by Steven Fechter, had a successful four-week run in 2000. At the time, Nicole Kaassell was a student attending film school and had gone to see...

(10/23/04) 2 - Attending A Film Series - 1. British Movies – Tuesdays at 8pm at the Telephone Bar & Grill 2. Brunch Matinee Sundays at 3pm at Pianos (B Movie & Foreign) 3. EyeWash Wednesdays at 9pm at Remote Lounge 4. InfusionCinema – every other Thursday at Open Air Lounge 5. Monday Night Shorts at 7:30pm at Freight Film Salon 6. Monthly Director Series: New York-Tokyo every...

(10/21/04) 1 - Running A Film Series - A film series is a special event, it's like a book club, it's a place for people to gather, relax, watch films and meet others who share the interest in independent cinema. I believe there should be more film series, there is an audience and it's a wonderful privilege to be a part of. Running a film series and/ or...

(09/25/04) Double Check - DVDs - This is the "Double Check" list. It's a list of 6 films which you have most likely seen, but "double check" because if you haven't then definitely rent them. Suggestions for the next "Double Check" are welcome. 1. When We Were Kings / 1996 / Documentary 2. Hedwig and the Angry Inch / 2001/ Musical 3. Amores Perros / 2000/...

(09/24/04) 4th season of screenplay readings - The Reel Roundtable has a monthly screenplay reading series, Stage One. Stage One is a collection of scripts which were submitted to the Reel Roundtable and selected by the Roundtable's Selection Committee. The actors are cast by various well-know casting directors and from headshots which were submitted to the Reel Roundtable. The Reel Roundtable does one to two readings a...

(09/23/04) Roundtable launches 7th season - We have four separate series in New York City and we are screening films in other select cities. The Reel Roundtable's Weekly Film Series takes place every Monday night. Screening an independent film, participating in a discussion with a special guest and afterwards, enjoy the company of the film community. All are invited to attend. The Reel Roundtable put a...

(09/23/04) Stopping by the IFP - Like most festivals and markets, there's no such thing as "stopping by". On Tuesday morning, I was on my way to the Apple Store on Prince Street and had intended on stopping by the Market afterwards, but since the Puck Building (location of the Market) is directly between my apartment and the Apple Store I decided to "stop by" the...

(09/22/04) The Machinist - Monday night, the IFP/ New York presented a screening of The Machinist for the opening of the IFP Market. The Machinist is Brad Anderson's latest film starring Christian Bale and Jennifer Jason Leigh. The film debuted in Sundance and will be released next month. It was nice to see that Brad has not strayed from his passion of independent...

(09/18/04) Field of Dreams - Jack Johnson - If Jack Johnson plays, they will come. As we walked onto the field, I looked around and saw hundreds of good-looking guys. They looked as though they had just stepped off the cover of Surfer Magazine. It was a Mecca of hot guys and this time it wasn't a gay bar. My brother, my cousin and I had a...

(09/17/04) Garden State - Alright, I'm a little behind on the movie scene, but I was able to catch Garden State last week. Definitely an impressive film. Terrific soundtrack (which I now have), great writing, flawless acting...but the ending, the ending was..oh so focus group. The well-crafted story reflects a lost soul in a so-called disillusioned world and after peeling-away at layers, the...

(08/12/04) using sex creatively - "Younger people in the left are pro-sex right now anyway. So we're using sex in new, creative ways," says activist Nathan Martin. This summer, Martin's artist-activist collective, the Carbon Defense League, launched Fthevote.com, a campaign to defeat George Bush by offering sex to Republicans who promise to abstain from voting in the election. Fthevote is based on a simple...

(08/11/04) times with bruce - Springsteen wrote a New York Times editorial last week about why musicians speak out. He wrote, “A nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and political life. Over the years I've tried to think long and hard about what it means to be American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world,...

(08/10/04) bush bop - The folks over at Patriotic Punchables have created a line of Republican punching balloons. Talk about a creative campaign! The balloons are made to look like Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, John Ashcroft and GW himself. The inflatable Bush is not subtle: he's clutching a tank in his right hand and to-do list in his left hand which includes checked...

(08/06/04) video makers & lawyers - To The Reel Roundtable, I am on your mailing list and was wondering whether it would be possible to distribute this. The Lawyers Guild would really apprciate it. Thanks, Eileen ------------------------------------------------------------------ DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO CAMERA? DO YOU PLAN TO BE AT RNC PROTESTS? THE NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD NEEDS YOUR HELP! The RNC Mass Defense Committee of the...

(08/05/04) political film screenings - On Tuesday evening, we hosted a "Political Party" for filmmakers to submit their political films. The doors were open to everyone and fortunately we had a wonderful turn out. A variety of political organizations were in attendance, most of which brought submissions. The evening was extremely successful with a great crowd and a total of eighteen film submissions. There...

(08/04/04) doing lines with PEN - Doing lines is a way of life; film festivals, the corner store, movie theaters, restaurants, bathrooms, and readings (?). Tonight Cooper Union sponsored an event at their Great Hall, which seats 900, and is located on 7th St & Third Avenue. I have to admit they had one of the most outstanding lines I've ever seen. Between the two...

(08/03/04) stoop-less summer - This summer has been like no other with such pleasant weather, almost like L.A. and the streets have never been so clean, probably similar to Seattle. When I think about an average summer in NYC, the first thing which comes to mind is riding the subways, standing on the 100+ degree platforms, riding in cars with no air conditioning...

(07/30/04) pass it on... - I received an email today from one of the local political organizations which read "You may use these images as you see fit. The silver plated and gold plated coins do exist, I just sent a silver coin to John Kerry. Flood these images in NYC to protest the Republicans." Who am I to turn away such a request? While...

(07/29/04) The Political "Party" - Join us on Tuesday, August 3rd for the Reel Roundtable's first ever Political Party! When: Tuesday, August 3rd at 8:30pm Where: Sweet Vicious Bar - 5 Spring St, btwen Elizabeth St & Bowery Why: to have a good time & we're taking political film submissions Who: sponsored by The Reel Roundtable RSVP: rsvp@reelroundtable.com Also, if you or someone you...

(07/28/04) Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle - Directed by Danny Leiner from "Dude, Where's My Car?", Leiner brings another over-the-top comedy to theaters. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is a new generation Cheech and Chong stoner flick with multicultural Bill and Ted type-characters. It not just another teen stoner film because of its' outrageous ethnic parodies and spoofs on racist cops. It's a combination...

(07/27/04) Gozu opens - I'm thrilled because one of my favorite films from the Toronto Film Festival is opening at the Cinema Village in New York on Friday. The selection of films in Toronto's program Midnight Madness is a personal favorite. Not only is it an incredible selection, but unfortunately the majority of these spectacular works will not make it to the theaters...

(07/26/04) close encounter of the third kind - Little did I know that a one-night encounter would leave me flat on my back and helpless for a whole week. It all began last weekend in Pennsylvania with a Friday night rope swing, and continued onto Saturday at my friend's white wedding which I suppose would be the goofy version of a P. Diddy party with everyone ending up...

(07/20/04) Annual July 4th Tradition - Finally had an opportunity to look at the pictures from July 4th, looking at these photographs brought back foggy memories from previous years. One of our fun family traditions of July 4th weekend is when "the adults/ our parents" bring out the annual lemon drop shots, line up the shots with "the kids" (us, the offspring) and they pour round...

(07/17/04) The Corporation - The Corporation is wonderful and an extremely important film due to the education which comes with the viewing. It's a powerful, provocative, inspiring and successfully takes on the challenge to teach a complex subject with humor and humility, while enabling the human element. Touching on the human desire for wealth and power, the film showcases corporate customs which have...

(07/16/04) As strikes begin... - This morning I was thinking about where I was when the U.S. initially began striking almost three years ago, this is not a memory that can easily be forgotten. I was participating in a peace rally on a cool, brisk Sunday afternoon in October. The quiet rally began in Union Square where we listened to a wonderful selection of speakers...

(07/15/04) it's getting hot in here - Like Joe Strummer sang "Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble and if I stay it will be double." hmmm, let's weigh the options... - The thought of this city hosting 5,000 Republican delegates for the four day convention gives me the heebie jeebies. on the other hand - The heat...

(07/14/04) hence the name - Hail to the King of Funk. Prince is his name. The concert began at 8:15pm, it's now 1:40am and sleep is the furthest thing from my mind. I'm excited, energetic, speechless and dumbfounded by Prince's stellar performance tonight. The sold out concert lasted over two and a half hours for an audience of probably 20,000-30,000. Following his first song,...

(07/13/04) King Arthur - the critics say "nay" - "...a really, really cheap knockoff of Gladiator." "...departs so radically from what most of us accept as the basics...that the movie qualifies as a whole new myth." "...strips most of the magic and fantasy out of the tale." "Luckily there is an element of broad, brawny camp that prevents King Arthur from being a complete drag." "...too long and...

(07/08/04) Lights! Camera! Action! Stop! - ...before you do... LEARN YOUR LEGALESE An informational session on your rights and responsibilities as a filmmaker: what you need to know and do before you sign anything, send anything or agree to anything. ~~~ Speakers: Peter Fields, Esq., Partner & Daniel Hank, Producer Peter Fields, Esq., from Phillips Nizer Entertainment Practice Daniel Hank is a New York based...

(07/07/04) super sized soundtrack party - Super Size Me - Soundtrack Release Party Tuesday, June 29th 2004 9pm - midnight Sweet Vicious Bar 5 Spring Street, between Elizabeth Street and Bowery Sponsored by The Reel Roundtable, Red Stripe, Roadside Attractions, Samuel Goldwyn and Kinkysour Records ** Look at more pictures from the party on www.reelroundtable.com....

(07/06/04) cable guy - Sam, the Time Warner cable guy, just departed leaving me with a brand new modem and I'm so excited! My old modem had the temperament of an old cat, "if you come near me, I'll lose my signal...I promise." Sam walked in and immediately started laughing at my old and faulty cable modem which was discontinued soon after it...

(07/05/04) link in - Check out this excellent fast & kinetic video regarding How Bush Won. url: Eric Blumrich - http://www.ericblumrich.com/gta.html also Eric's website is full of political and satirical images, animation, wallpaper and more. url: Eric Blumrich - http://www.ericblumrich.com also Dorian Devins interviewed Mark Akbar and Joel Bacon, the director and the writer of The Corporation on WFMU today. If you missed...

(06/30/04) roundtable short doc night - Reel Roundtable Short Films on Wednesday, June 30th time: 7:30pm where: 32 Second Avenue and Second Avenue admission: $5 symposium: Q&A with the filmmakers following the screening reception: at Dempseys on Second Avenue, between 3rd and 4th Streets LOOK TWICE by Max Frankston (30 mins) Look Twice focuses on the relationship between the ultimate Pesci and DeNiro look-alikes. Nuthin'...

(06/29/04) super size soundtrack party - Super Size Me Soundtrack Release Party when: Tuesday, June 29th time: 9pm-12am where: Sweet & Vicious 5 Spring Street, between Elizabeth & Bowery rsvp: rsvp@reelroundtable.com (include "Super Size Me" in the subject) url: Super Size Me - http://www.supersizeme.com Reel Roundtable - http://www.reelroundtable.com *Complimentary Red Stripe from 9pm-10pm ** Join us and meet Steve Horowitz, music composer for Super Size...

(06/28/04) good party, bad haircut - Wasn't out on the town with iW, but it sure felt like it. My friend David, a film producer, was hosting a little party on Saturday night at his humble abode...and I offered to DJ. For a few days prior to the party, David being a non-drinker, continued calling and asking questions such as; "how much alcohol should I have?...

(06/24/04) the city that never sleeps - I was strolling by the Lowes in my neighborhood on Wednesday night and I noticed that Fahrenheit 9/11 was playing all through the night, every hour on the hour, so I dropped in for the 1am screening which ended up selling out. This was perfect because I had not bought tickets yet and a majority of my friends had mentioned...

(06/23/04) summer movies - part I - _____________________ - full list - docs (soo many) - not-docs - coming soon ____________________ __________ * full list * __________ The Corporation Fahrenheit 9/11 Super Size Me The Hunting of the President Bukowski: Born into This The Story of the Weeping Camel Control Room Shrek 2 Young Adam Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... And Spring Harry Potter and the Prisoner...

(06/22/04) a roundabout in your face - So, thousands of people were lined up in Midtown today to meet the former President Bill Clinton, buy his memoir "My Life" and have their book signed. I read that the former president's memoir has a first printing of 1.5 million, advance orders have already topped 2 million and even though the official release is today, it's been near...

(06/17/04) Super Size Me-usic!! - Morgan Spurlock's (co-blogger) soundtrack for Super Size Me is being released next Tuesday, June 29th! My buddy Steve Horowitz composed the music score for Super Size Me and asked the Reel Roundtable to host a CD Release Party! Steve-o is an incredible musician, an extremely talented composer and he wrote a perfect and charming score for Morgan and for his...

(06/14/04) an upsetting unveiling - On my way to a meeting this morning, I had put some time aside to have a cup of java with mi madre at her place. I turned CNN on and unexpectedly found a live shot of Former President Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton sitting in the East Room of the White House. I turned up...

(06/13/04) 20 Tips for screenplay readings - 1. less is more 2. don't be a director, be the writer 3. tell it like a story, leave out words such as cut to, interior, exterior, fade 4. the same actor can play any ethnicity, any race and any age - the more roles the actors are given, the more enthusiastic they will be 5. full rehearsals for readings...

(06/12/04) lunatic-nic 2004 - Aside from the Reel Roundtable's film series and reading series, we also have a party series, it's called Now Playing. Although it is a party series and we are a film organization, the parties are not to be mistaken with your average film party... - there are no sponsors - there isn't any free alcohol - there are no chic...

(06/11/04) suburban 911 - On Saturday afternoon, my friend Cinful and I were relaxing outside Cafe Mogador in the East Village when Cin's cell started ringing, it was my cousin requesting our assistance in an ongoing situation in the West Village. We paid the bill, walked over and met up with my cousin and her out-of-town friends (a couple and their kid). They were...

(06/08/04) helicopter party - If I didn't know better, I would think there was a helicopter party going on right now and since I don't have a helicopter...I wasn't invited. Actually, the raucous is due to a huge labor rally (FDNY, NYPD and the teachers' union) which started at 4:30pm at City Hall Park. This is the NY which I know and love!! If...

(06/07/04) down to the wire - The writer Barry Brown (Spike Lee's editor) and Karla Brown have quite a production planned for this evening. Love their casting choices; Fisher Stevens, Ranjit Chowdhry (Autumn in New York, I'm Not Rappaport), Silvestre Rasuk (Raising Victor Vargas, Men Without Jobs), Tony Serpico (Cop Land, Donnie Brasco, Hannibal), Manny Perez (Washington Heights, Party Monster, Crooklyn, Courage Under Fire), Ronald Gutman...

(06/02/04) All About Readings These Days - My cohort Van and I attended a reading last night at the Zipper Theater (336 W. 37th St), which is where the Roundtable's reading series takes place. Although I love readings, last night my primary goal was to check out a reading which was taking place on the set of the Zipper's new production Here Lies Jenny, starring Bebe Neuwirth....

(05/28/04) casting kids: part trois - Today was my last day of casting kids (I think) and it has been quite an experience. I was watching the boys read today and they were so damn cute I couldn't stand it. When they finished with the audition, I was tempted to ask "why don't you hang out for a little while, we can go get a hot...

(05/27/04) trust overload - Today was a chock full of back to back meetings focusing on our summer reading series which is just 12 days away. The film and reading series are an interesting mix because the film series is entirely our responsibility and the reading series is based on trust... - trusting the writers to deliver and follow through - trusting the readers,...

(05/26/04) casting kids: part deux - I participated in my first 'kid casting' session today, and it wasn't even close to what I had expected. First, all of the the boys attended and were on time and second, the mothers were really nice, not pushy and not your typical "stage moms". On the way to the theater I was visualizing a group of kids similar to...

(05/25/04) casting kids - Taking on the task of casting kids is not an easy one to do. We're currently preparing for two screenplay readings; the first is on Monday June 7th, the second reading is on Monday June 14th and it has a KID ACTOR! It's the first time I've ever worked with a kid, aside from babysitting when I was 13. Kerry...

(05/21/04) the witty Van Helsing - Without knowing or hearing anything about Van Helsing (because I live in an indie bubble), I decided to live on the edge and see the movie... I'm just crazy like that. What a fun movie! The opening scene sounded as though it was a conversation between a filmmaker and a studio... the scientist (aka filmmaker): "It's my project, I...

(05/18/04) what are you doing for the summer? - "So what are you doing for the summer?" seems to be the common question these days now that The Film Medley, our weekly film series, has ended. Although The Medley series is full of various weekly events and almost always has a few surprises thrown in, it tends to be much more routine than the non-Medley season. The summer is...

(05/17/04) recipe for the Big Apple - 1. Catching Raz Mesinai's Badawi perform at Tonic (107 Norfolk St, between Delancey and Rivington). Badawi has gone far beyond the realms of dub, electronica, middle eastern and avant-garde music while remaining true to his roots. Mesinai's fifth Badawi release "Clones and False Prophets" is yet another turn in this never ending journey. 2. Watching The Honey Brothers perform at...

(05/13/04) Doubting Your Existence - I had a meeting on Tuesday with the director of marketing from PhilipsNizer, the law firm where my lawyer Peter Fields is a partner. PhilipsNizer is interested in putting together a series of discussions for filmmakers, producers and writers and I suggested dedicating a discussion to Not-For Profit film organizations. Vikki, the marketing director then asked if I would attend...

(05/11/04) Audience Programming - Last night we hosted an open forum discussion for folks who participate in The Reel Roundtable's film, screenplay and/or networking events. The goal was to receive feedback regarding prior events and to open up the programming to the audience by brainstorming for next season's events. It was the first time we designated an entire evening to audience programming. The turn-out...

(05/10/04) Van Morrison - "Live At The Battery" - Saturday evening was the "Live At The Battery" free outdoor concert in Battery Park presented by American Express, in celebration of the Tribeca Film Festival. The concert had a wonderful line-up of musicians; the Black Eyed Peas, Macy Gray, Steve Winwood and headlining was one of my all time favorites, Van Morrison. American Express also included a few guests to...

(05/07/04) Kill Bill Vol 2 = audacity - After a long day of The Roundtable and endless meetings; my friend Dawn and I went to see Kill Bill Vol 2. I never saw the first Kill Bill, but I really enjoyed the second one. I thought Daryl Hannah and Uma Thurman were superb. It's not often that I'll leave a movie theater feeling like an empowered, audacious and...

(05/05/04) Out on the town with iW. - Writing amongst the iW bloggers is one thing, going out with them is a whole other story. Last night began at the DGA when a friend and I watched the final evening of films presented by the Columbia University Film Festival. To make a long and colorful story short; I awoke to my mother's voice saying "wake up, the Verizon...

(05/04/04) Bukowski; not just a myth, but a legend - Last night, The Reel Roundtable finished the season screening Bukowski: Born Into This. The reception was buzzing...or should I say, the audience was buzzing from the Reingold beer being poured by Roundtable volunteers. Magnolia Pictures proved themselves once again, with another smart release. The film is full of interviews from Bukowski, his friends, his wife, his daughter, and some celebs...

(05/02/04) 1st Day at the DGA - 1st Day at the DGA: Program A at 5:30pm- Headed uptown to 57th Street, where the energy was bursting. The program began with the short Extreme Mom by Joyce Draganosky. A charming drama about a mom who is taking care of both her daughter and her mother. Her mother has Alzheimer's and is now at the same level, mentally, as...

(05/02/04) Columbia University Film Festival kicks-off - The 2004 Columbia University Film Festival kicked off its' 17th anniversary on Saturday, May 1st. Some of the more recent notable accomplishments of Film Division alumni include the 2004 Oscar nomination for American Splendor (Best Adapted Screenplay), written and directed by Shari Springer Berman ('95) and Robert Pulcini ('94). Other important releases include Cold Mountain, produced by alumnus Alber Berger...

(04/30/04) Laugh Lounge - I haven't been to a comedy club in such a long time, it's as though "movie listings" are my brain's default setting. I went to this new comedy club Laugh Lounge (151 Essex Street) on the Lower East Side. It has a really cool, hip bar upstairs and the performance space is downstairs. I went with my buddy, Michael (writer...

(04/29/04) Coming Full Circle - Last night, I enjoyed some tasty Tapas at El Cid (322 W. 15th St, betwn 8th and 9th Avenues) with my ole friend Bill. After delicious sangria, we decided to stop by a party which he had been invited to at the PM Lounge on 50 Gansevoort Street. It was a fashion party promoting La Perle, an Italian lingerie designer,...

(04/28/04) A Tribute to Charles Bukowski - The Reel Roundtable and Magnolia Pictures will be hosting A Tribute to Charles Bukowski on Monday and we'll be screening Bukowski: Born Into This. It's the first comprehensive documentary of this extraordinary man. Following the screening, their will be a Bukowski party across the street at Patio, sign-up at the bar to read your favorite Bukowski poem at the open...

(04/27/04) "Top Ten Film Festivals of Passion" - One of the meetings I had today was with a very pleasant and passionate film festival director. I find that meetings with film festivals are relatively routine; they inquire about the Reel Roundtable, then describe their festival and how thier festival differs from other festivals, they ask for the support of The Reel Roundtable (which we do 100%) and last,...

(04/26/04) I am an official Gourds fan - The plan was to check out a friend's band at the Mercury Lounge (217 E. Houston Street, NY) and then go from there. Stephanie and I went to grab a bite at Kai Kai (78 E. 1st St/ btwn Ave A and 1st Ave) which is a small and charming Thai restaurant, serving great food at dirt-cheap prices. Then we...

(04/24/04) "This So-Called Disaster" is anything but. - My friend Van and I went to see the film THIS SO-CALLED DISASTER at the Film Forum last night. After all of the positive reviews this week I couldn't wait to see it. The film was better than I expected. Its title notwithstanding, THIS SO-CALLED DISASTER is anything but. The documentary gives the audience an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse of top...

(04/22/04) Netflix is the crack addiction of the movie industry - After listening to so many conversations that end with someone saying "I'll have to put that on my Netflix list", I realized that I have been in Netflix denial. I knew Netflix was a website and its' focus was DVDs, but I never took the time to know the details. After much hesitance, I made the decision to check out...