deadCENTER Film

The Referral: The Filmcake finishes a film, has regrets, starts a discussion

Our good friend Dwight over at The Filmcake published a really interesting blog post we think deserves your attention. Having just finished his first short film, he has begun to reflect on the reviews he’s written from the perspective of a new filmmaker.

Along the way, he touches on several things many of us involved with independent film at any level struggle with – how important are access and funding? To what extent, if any, should those circumstances affect or make themselves known to the viewer? And finally, how should critics approach low or no-budget films?

Read the whole thing here. And when you’re done, we’d love to hear what you think about the subject in our comments section below.

The Referral – Film Threat Wants to Help Fund Your Film Project

If you attended our excellent panels series this year at deadCENTER, you know something we talked about a lot is the effect the Internet has had on the entire filmmaking experience, not to mention the film viewing experience. During these discussions, one issue kept popping up: the lowering of barriers is great, but it also means there’s just a lot more competition.

One of the best examples of this is the huge number of film projects vying for funding on the Internet. On that front, Film Threat is trying to help by giving a few worthy projects a leg up. Every week, they will be featuring one noteworthy project posted on crowd-sourced funding sites like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo on their site. Which means more eyes on your fund-raising efforts. Which could mean more cash. From the posting:

“That’s right, every Monday, starting July 25, 2010, we’re going to feature one film or film-related project in progress that we feel is worth your and our time. From there, it’s up to our passionate, film-hungry and film-savvy readers to decide whether they want to take that extra step to help make these projects in progress a reality. It’s then up to you, the filmmaker, to live up to the faith we’re putting in you and your efforts by giving you such lofty praise as featuring you and your project as a top story on our site (seriously, you want this; studio films and indies alike routinely angle for space and feature stories on our site).”

For the full post and submission form, click through to the Film Threat post. And if you’re an Okie filmmaker who is going to submit, let us know in the comments, and we’ll keep an eye on Film Threat to see if you’ve been spotlighted.

Two great panel discussions today

Make sure you’re at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art at 12:30 and 2 pm today for the last two panel discussions of the festival.

At 1230, Julie Porter of the OK Film and Music Office will be talking with some of Oklahoma’s most talented independent filmmakers for the “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Make My Movie” panel. We’ll be hearing about how these filmmakers got that first film done; it’s a must-see for any aspiring filmmakers out there.

At 2 pm, the museum will screen “For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism,” and a panel discussion moderated by OKMOA film curator Brian Hearn will follow immediately afterwards. The panel will feature Elvis Mitchel, Pete VonderHaar and the director of the film, Gerald Peary. We expect a big turnout for this screening, so make sure you secure a seat early.

You know who’s awesome? Our sponsors, that’s who.

Hopefully by now you’ve experienced at least one deadCENTER event, and you can imagine how much work goes in to putting this festival together. Countless hours are spent by the staff and the volunteers to make all of this happen. But the truth is none of us would have anything to work on were it not for our generous sponsors, and their commitment to support independent film should be recognized.

To that end, recognize:

Academy Award Nominee Spike Jonze Confirmed to Attend deadCENTER Kick-off Event ‘redCENTER Lounge’

Academy Award nominee Spike Jonze will join legendary BMX pioneer and Oklahoma native Mat Hoffman to kickoff the 10th annual deadCENTER Film Festival, Wednesday, June 9 in downtown Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley.

Jonze, Hoffman and the most hip and happening filmmakers and enthusiasts in Oklahoma City will celebrate the festival’s landmark year at the exclusive “redCENTER Lounge” fundraiser at Red Prime Steak from 7-9 p.m.

Jonze was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director in 2000 for “Being John Malkovich” and directed another Academy Award nominated film, 2002’s “Adaptation.” Most recently, he directed and wrote the screenplay for 2009’s “Where the Wild Things Are.”

A $100 ticket to the “redCENTER Lounge” includes not only the opportunity to brush shoulders with the likes of Jonze and Hoffman, but also signature cocktails, Stella Artois, heavy hors d’oevres, the opportunity to bid on unique, exclusive auction items and prime, reserved seating for the outdoor screening of the Hoffman documentary “The Birth of Big Air,” produced by Jonze and extreme sport fanatic Johnny Knoxville.

“Spike Jonze is, hands down, one of the biggest, most respected names in filmmaking today. ‘redCENTER Lounge’ just went from one hot ticket to an absolute must-attend event,” said Cacky Poarch, deadCENTER executive director.

Admission to the “redCENTER Lounge” is not included with any deadCENTER pass, including the All-Access Pass. Tickets can be purchased online at the link below. Seating is limited.

“redCENTER Lounge” is a part of a host of kick-off activities for the opening of the deadCENTER film festival. The 500 block of Broadway Ave. in Automobile Alley will be closed to traffic for a free, public block party starting at 7 p.m., which includes the Oklahoma premiere of “The Birth of Big Air” under the stars at 9:30 p.m., preceded by live music, “rolling” entertainment, and a VIP party for All-Access pass holders.

Directed by Jeff Tremaine, the documentary showcases the inner workings and exploits of the man who gave birth to “Big Air,” Mat Hoffman. Partially shot in Oklahoma, the film was created for ESPN’s 30 for 30 series.

Zombies! Porn! Hot Brando! Awesome radio!

If you care about pop culture at all and you live in OKC, chances are you’ve heard about the Spy coming back to the airwaves after a much-too-long absence. And if you’ve been listening to the Spy, you know that besides having the best music on the dial, the Spy features some of the best commercials as well. Naturally, we wanted in on the party, so we teamed up with the man you know and love as the Pop Culture Junkie to come up with the spots below.

Enjoy:

Hot Brando:

Zombies!:

Porn! (not really):

Only 30 seconds:

This is awesome – you can see it Friday or Saturday night. You’re Welcome.

Countdown: 2 Days to the 10th Annual Fest

Today’s Featured Film:

The Four-Faced Liar

The Pitch: A girl and a guy walk into a bar. They meet a girl and a guy. The guys talk about the girls. The girl falls for the girl. The guys don’t know…until they do..
Why you should see it: Charming, lovely, engaging. Beautiful camera work, swift and delicious story and surefooted performances from the actors. Director Jacob Chase and Writer/Actress Marja-Lewis Ryan will be in town for the screenings. Well here – see what a tiny publication called Variety says about it.
When it’s playing: Friday June 11th @ 7:30pm @ [ArtSpace] @ Untitled and Saturday June 12th @7:30pm @ the IAO Gallery.

Watch the Trailer For The Four Faced Liar

More About The Four-Faced Liar Here

Two Movie Guys Promote deadCENTER, Insult the Great Filmmakers of Neptune.

As you should probably know by now, we have these 2 guys in Oklahoma City. They’re 2 Movie Guys, and they’re pretty damn funny. Now we’re bringing them to deadCENTER. They’ll be around the festival all week, so keep an eye out. In the meantime, watch this typically great spot they’ve put together for this year’s festival.

2MG Dead Center Promo 2010 from Ryan Bellgardt on Vimeo.

13 Days to Kick-Off!

Countdown: 13 Days to the 10th Annual Fest

Today’s Featured Film:

8: The Mormon Proposition

The Pitch: 2 weeks from today you can see this powerful doc that illuminates the influences of the Utah-based Mormon church on California law in November of 2008.

Why you should see it: First of all, dCFF is one of a very few festivals that got the chance to screen ‘8′ after the Sundance premiere – and we have it before the national release (which is AWESOME!). Secondly, this film doesn’t get into the muck of morality, instead it focuses on the rules that govern how we govern ourselves … and the devastating results when one group with lots of power and influence changes the rules for others. A cautionary tale and a call to action all in one.

When it’s playing: Thursday June 10th @ 8pm @ the Kerr Auditorium and Sunday, June 13th @ 3pm @ the IAO Gallery.

Watch the Trailer

More About 8: The Mormon Proposition Here

A Film A Day – Day 18

Countdown: 18 Days to the 10th Annual Fest

Today’s Featured Film:

The Wayman Tisdale Story – World Premiere!

The Pitch: Jazz musician, NBA Star and Sooner Legend … this doc illuminates the man behind the signature smile.

Why you should see it: Multiple interviews with Tisdale and the whole family, shout-outs from colleagues like Michael Jordan, and Oklahomies like Toby Keith. Uplifting as his left-handed jump hook and upside down bass guitar playing. AND IT’S THE WORLD PREMIERE!

When it’s playing: Saturday June 12th @ 3pm @ the Kerr Audtiorium

More About The Wayman Tisdale Story Here

“The Wayman Tisdale Story” Documentary (Coming Soon) from Brian Schodorf on Vimeo.