Thompson on Hollywood

Film Independent Chiefs McManus and Welsh Preview Indie Spirits, Take Stock of LACMA and LAFF

Interviews

Just a year ago, long-time Film Independent staffers Sean McManus and Josh Welsh took on new roles as co-presidents of Film Independent, which runs many vital programs for the West Coast independent film community, as well as the Independent Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival. They replaced Dawn Hudson, who left FIND to become the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I talked to the two men on the phone about where they are and where they're going--and the upcoming Indie Spirits, my favorite awards event.

By Anne Thompson
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February 20, 2013 5:46 PM
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Participant Media and UCLA School of Film & TV Announce Fellowship in Honor of Oscar-Winning Producer Jake Eberts

News

Participant Media and the UCLA School of Film, Theater and Television have announced the formation of a distinguished fellowship in honor of Oscar-winning film producer Jake Eberts (1941-2012). "The Jake Eberts Fellowship for Social Impact Filmmaking" is for the school's graduate students focused on feature film development, social media and digital post-production.

By Beth Hanna
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February 20, 2013 2:17 PM
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Immersed in Movies: Assessing the Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar Race

Features

You couldn't find three more diverse choices for makeup and hairstyling than in "Hitchcock," "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," and "Les Misérables." A portrait of Hitch that effectively blends Anthony Hopkins with the Master of Suspense...

By Bill Desowitz
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February 20, 2013 2:06 PM
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'War Witch' Star Rachel Mwanza Granted Visa from Congo to Attend the Oscars

Awards

The Oscars often lure folks across the seas from faraway worlds to the red carpet celebration, from Palestinian Emad Burnat ("5 Broken Cameras"), who was detained at LAX on his way to the Academy Award show, to 16-year-old Rachel Mwanza, who gives a beautiful, devastating performance in Oscar-nominated foreign entry "War Witch." She has been granted a visa to travel from the Congo to the US in order to attend both the Oscars and the Independent Spirit Awards.

By Beth Hanna
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February 20, 2013 2:03 PM
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'Central Park Five' Filmmakers Win Against NYC Subpoena for Outtakes in Journalistic Privilege Ruling

News

The New York courts have ruled in favor of documentary filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon and their film "The Central Park Five," after the city attempted to subpoena outtakes. The searing documentary examines the racially charged 1989 case of a Central Park jogger's rape and brutal assault.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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February 20, 2013 1:29 PM
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2013 TCM Classic Film Festival Announces First Round of In-Person Stars: Max von Sydow, Ann Blyth, Eva Marie Saint and More

Festivals

The 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival is just over two months away, and is slowly unveiling its usual packed slate of classic stars set to make appearances. Included in this year's in-person lineup are Max von Sydow, Ann Blyth and Eva Marie Saint.

By Beth Hanna
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February 20, 2013 1:26 PM
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Jennifer Lawrence and David O. Russell Reteam for Terrio's 'The Ends of the Earth'

News

Oscar worlds collide as Jennifer Lawrence reteams with "Silver Linings Playbook" director David O. Russell for "The Ends of the Earth," a fact-based original penned by Oscar-nominated "Argo" screenwriter Chris Terrio. It's an American epic--with a "Django"-scale TWC budget-- centering on Ernest Marland, an oil tycoon who loses everything when caught in a scandalous affair (like General Petraeus?). The Weinstein Company has finalized worldwide rights to the film.

By Beth Hanna
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February 20, 2013 12:20 PM
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Oscilloscope Partners with Short-Looping Video App Vine: "This will be the future of film distribution"

News

Oscilloscope Laboratories is taking innovative strides with app content as related to feature films. The company will be partnering with Vine, a recently launched mobile service that lets users create and share short-looping videos.

By Beth Hanna
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February 20, 2013 12:10 PM
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Trailers from Hell: Mick Garris on Brit Band Musical 'Still Crazy'

Video

Even More Movies You Never Heard Of! week continues at Trailers from Hell with director Mick Garris introducing Brit rock comedy "Still Crazy."

By Trailers From Hell
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February 20, 2013 11:00 AM
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Obit: Author Donald Richie Boosted Japanese Cinema

News

Donald Richie, who spent more than 60 of his 88 years in Japan and introduced the English-speaking world to post-World War II Japanese cinema, died February 19 in Tokyo. He is best known for his writings on the great Japanese directors Akira Kurosawa and Yasujiro Ozu.