The Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee

Presents

2010 Kansas City FilmFest  - April 14-18

The heart of any festival is the screenings. The soul is the interaction with the filmmaker. This year's festival provides opportunties for filmmakers and film lovers to connect with the creatives who make the movie magic possible.The eight seminars below are in addition to the many Q&A's that follow the screenings. here is your chance to pull back the curtain and discover the wizards of cinema.

Wednesday, April 14th  /  5:00pm – 6:30pm    LOCATION:  Westport Coffee House, 4010 Pennsylvania

Hollywood Style Imagery without the Hollywood Style Budget:  It’s all in the Camera. 

Todd Norris (who lensed last year's "Bonnie and Clyde Meets Dracula") can answer most any question dating back to the camera obscura, will speak to the fact that you can now shoot films that look at good as 35mm feature films for less than $1000.   If you are a camera geek, this is your equivalent of being in a smoky underground cafe when Allen Ginsberg first read "Howl."

Thursday, April 15th  /  4:00pm – 6:00pm   LOCATION: AMC Mainstreet, 1400 Main Street

An Evening With Roberta Munroe

Many speakers have their opinions on what it takes to make a great short, but Roberta Munroe comes at it from the point of view of what NOT to do.  Catch a lively, irreverent and entertaining evening of reflections and warnings, as the author of, “How Not To Make A Short Film: Secrets From A Sundance Programmer," talks us through the pitfalls to avoid when making a short.    Munroe will share insider secrets, her thoughts on current distribution tactics, and screen a couple of her favorite shorts.  The event will include audience Q & A and book signing. Sponsored by Independent Filmmakers Coaliiton of Kansas City.


SPECIAL !!! Friday, April 16th  /  3:30p – 5pm  LOCATION:  Screenland, 1656 Washington

Narrative in Life/Narrative in Film

Our lives are made up of multiple stories, both fiction and non-fiction.  Bob Rosen, former Dean of the UCLA Film School and founder of the UCLA Film Archives, breaks down the narrative form that weaves through life and reflects on how they are reflected in the films we love.  A master educator and internationally recognized film preservationist, Rosen will speak from the "inside" of the world of film, exploring how narratives translate to the screen. Sponsored by UMKC Film Studies.


Friday, April 16th  /  5:00pm – 6:30pm   LOCATION:  Third Eye, 2024 Main Street

Producing Movies in Today's Climate

Shawn McClaren of Hallmark Hall of Fame and Dennis Fallon of Waldo West Productions are active producers living and working from the Kansas City region. Two veteran and experienced professionals, with all manner of production and distribution experiences under their belts, McClaren and Fallon will explore the business side of filmmaking.   A not-to-miss for serious professionals.  Sponsored by Kansas City Film Commission


Saturday, April 17th  /  10am – 11:30am   LOCATION:  Java Port, 208 W. 19th Street

Festival Strategies

This panel speaks to the idea of now that you have made your film, what do you do with it.   This impressive line-up of panelists from top festivals - Toronto International, Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance, and Oxford will speak to the ways in which festivals are the leading market for independent films and how to get your films seen through the festival and other alternative circuits and today's distribution world.     Panelists:  Edward Stencel, Meaghan Brander, Jim Kolmar, Melanie Addington, Roberta Munroe.


Saturday, April 17th  /  12:30pm – 2:00pm   LOCATION: Java Port, 208 W. 19th Street

The Reviews Are In

A film's life can be made or broken by a review.  Get the inside skinny on the curious and enigmatic life of a professional film critic.   What better way to learn what goes over better with a reviewer than from the professionals themselves?  KC Star's Robert Butler, Film Threat's Don Lewis and Creative Screenwriting's Jeff Goldsmith join UMKC's Dr. Tom Poe as they discuss their trades, the trends, and how to prepare early for the ultimate step:  Impressing a reviewer.  


Saturday, April 17th  /  2:30pm – 4:00pm LOCATION:  Screenland, 1656 Washington

On The Web

The internet is one of the most dynamic new opportunities to tell our stories.  Meet and learn from some noted Kansas City filmmakers who have created, directed, and starred in original web series.   They will share experiences, the process and reflect on the future of this burgeoning platform.   "The Unreal Housewives of Kansas City's" Michelle Davidson and Erin McGrane join webisode directors and producers Ty Jones, "Cliffhanger Falls"; and Heather Laird, "Next." 


Sunday, April 18th  /  2:30pm – 5:00pm    LOCATION: Screenland,  1656 Washington

The KC Production Roundtable

This event will be a spirited, informative and educational discussion between KC based industry professionals, visiting artists, film commission officers and and students to find ways to make our region a thriving, all-aspect production center.   In an informal, salon-meets-town hall setting, a frank, open discussion will ensue on how KC can unify and build the local film and television industry, create and lobby for more incentives and use the "while the iron is hot" philosophy to bring more production to the region.   Speakers include:  Brian Boye, Bruce Branit, Larry Garrett, Joe Heyen, Peter Jasso,  Anthony Ladische, Aaron Laue and Teri Rogers. 


ADMISSION to all workshops are included in the ridiculously great-valued Festival Pass, which gets you into all events.   All students are FREE with student ID. If you want to do the panels and workshops separately, consider the Seminar Pass, which gets you into all 8 panels for only $30.   

If you love film, if you want to understand it more, if you want to learn from those in the field, if you want to meet potential future employers, if you want to have something to talk with your cousin, the director about, the panels and workshops are not to miss! 

For ticketing info, schedule and more details, visit www.kcfilmfest.org

Fred Andrews
President, KC Filmmakers Jubilee

913-649-0244
kcjub@kcjubilee.org
kcjubilee.org
kcfilmfest.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Byerley
(816) 235-1592; byerleyl@umkc.edu

UMKC’s Carolyn Benton Cockefair Chair in Continuing Education hosts art history forum
Art historians John Richardson and Giljs Van Hensenberg present keynote speech April 28

            KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Instructor Carolyn Benton Cockefair believed that everyone – not just traditional college-age students – should continue learning. In honor of this sentiment, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is hosting its 44th annual Carolyn Benton Cockefair Continuing Education Series.
            As part of this year’s series, John Richardson and Gijs van Hensbergen will present “New Lights on Picasso” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 in the UMKC University Center’s Pierson Auditorium; 5000 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Mo. Admission is free. RSVP online at https://tickets.cto.umkc.edu/public/ or by calling (816) 235-6222.
            Born in London, Richardson has worked as an industrial designer, art and ballet critic and head of art auctioneer Christie’s U.S. operations. He became a close friend of Pablo Picasso in 1950s France, where he established a private museum of Cubism near Avignon. He has since become the preeminent Picasso biographer. His four-volume biography, “A Life of Picasso,” has garnered wide acclaim, including England’s prestigious Whitbread Prize, and critics hailed the third volume as the best life of an artist ever written. He has also published a memoir, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” a collection of essays titled “Sacred Monsters, Sacred Masters” and books on Manet and Braque.
            An art historian and author, van Hensbergen has written for The Wall Street Journal and Burlington Magazine and has appeared on BBC Radio and the Discovery Channel. In addition to his collaboration with Richardson on the fourth volume of the Picasso biography, van Hensbergen wrote the critically-acclaimed “Antoni Gaudi: The Biography and Guernica: The Biography of a 20th Century Icon.”
            The series, formed in 1966 by Cockefair’s former students, has brought such intellectuals as Tess Gallagher, James Michener, Jeane Kirkpatrick, John Updike and Tom Wolfe to Kansas City. Its purpose is to continue what Cockefair started when she first came to the then University of Kansas City in 1947.
            Throughout her 17 years at the University, Cockefair drew a following from students and non-credited students who were attracted to her Socratic style of teaching and her ability to link history to current events.
            The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.

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This information is available to people with speech or hearing impairments by calling Relay Missouri at (800) 735-2966 (TT) or (800) 735-2466 (voice).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 30th Annual Lawrence Benefit Art Auction

The 30^th Annual Lawrence Art Auction, which serves as the Lawrence Arts Center Exhibition Program’s sole fundraiser, will feature original art from approximately 150 artists. Artwork generously donated by artists represents a diverse spectrum of forms and mediums, including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and prints. You can expect fresh changes to many aspects of this event. Exhibitions Director Ben Ahlvers, along with the Art Auction Committee, is enthusiastic to bring this annual event to the community.

Featured Artist

Carol Ann Carter is a Professor of Art at the University of Kansas. She has been a supporter of the Lawrence Arts Center for many years,  and we are pleased to feature her work this year in the Art Auction. Her artwork has been shown nationally and internationally in numerous individual and group exhibitions including, The Detroit Institute of Art, G.R. N'Namdi Gallery, in New York, Chicago and Detroit, The Cinque Gallery in New York, The Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Burgkloster Kulturforum in Luebeck, Germany. Public collections include the Snite Museum, Notre Dame, IN, The Las Vegas Museum, The Santa Reparata Print Studio in Florence, Italy, and The Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Silent Auction

Silent auction bidding began March 22 and will close April 10, 7:15 PM. Bids on silent auction pieces may be made at anytime during the exhibit. Silent auction pieces may be 'bought out' for 150 percent of posted retail value. Winners of silent auction items will be announced at the live auction on April 10. All pieces require minimum of 50 percent retail value bid. All pieces in both the silent and live auctions can be viewed on the Lawrence Arts Center website.

Live Auction

Live auction pieces will open for bid at 7:30PM, April 10. Tickets are required to attend the live auction. All pieces require minimum of 50 percent retail value bid.

Tickets

Tickets may be purchased by phone (785-843-2787) with credit card or at the Lawrence Arts Center with credit card, check, cash.

$35 in advance (ends 4pm April 10)
$40 at door

Ticket price includes admission, complimentary drinks, and hors d’ oeuvres provided by Hy-Vee.

Sponsors

2010 Lawrence Art Auction is sponsored by: Peoples Optical, The EyeDoctors Optometrists, Mainline Printing, Evan Williams Catering, Callahan Creek, and HyVee.

Bonnie Cherry

Administrative Coordinator

Lawrence Arts Center

940 New Hampshire St.

Lawrence, KS  66044

785.843.2787

The Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee

Presents: 

Kansas City FilmFest: 140 films in 5 great days

Kansas City FilmFest is just around the corner

It’s time to begin planning your schedule for Kansas City FilmFest, which takes place April 14-18^th, 2010, at AMC Mainstreet, downtown at 14^th and Main Street.   You’ll have the chance to see 140 films in 5 great days.  Plus much, much more. See the schedule online now.

Two Jubilee Showcase features are highlights of the festival. Tickets for these two events go on sale April 1 online (and are NOT included in festival passes).  All other tickets go on sale April 8. 

Our opening event is not to be missed.  Winter’s Bone, fresh from an award-winning Sundance debut, plays April 14 at 7 p.m. at AMC Mainstreet.  The film was shot in the Missouri Ozarks and many regional industry professionals were involved.  Director Debra Granik will be present to discuss her film with Kansas City’s own Jeff Goldsmith after the film.  Goldsmith is senior editor of Creative Screenwriting Magazine and will conduct a podcast after the screening—and you’ll be there.

From 9:30 to midnight on April 14th, you’re invited to a reception sponsored by the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City.  Meet us and the filmmakers in the AMC Marquee Lounge. 

A Boy and His Dog represents the other end of the independent film spectrum.  Released in 1976, this classic sci-fi film has been remastered and will be shown Saturday night, 7 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre (where it will be shown in 35 mm).  Director L.Q. Jones will be present to discuss this cult favorite, answer questions and visit with you at the party that follows. 

Tickets for Winter’s Bone and A Boy and His Dog are $20 and go on sale April 1.  These two Jubilee Showcase features are not included in the festival pass and we anticipate a sell-out, so get your tickets early.

Festival pass holders take note

You’re invited to the Kansas City FilmFest Pass Holder Preview Event on April 7th. Purchase your festival pass and pick up the actual tickets you need to attend screenings. Join us anytime between 5 and 9 p.m. at AMC Mainstreet, downtown at 14th and Main Street. Then you’ll have your tickets in hand before individual tickets go on sale to the public, April 8th.

Key FilmFest program staff will be on hand to help you decide which films to see and which workshops to attend.  AMC Mainstreet will offer a free small popcorn and soda along with tours of the AMC Cinema Suites.

This event is open to anyone interested in purchasing a pass and to filmmakers who receive a free pass in return for their competition entry.

Keep up with the festival on Facebook

If you’re not a member of our group on Facebook, you might consider becoming one. We send many inside scoops through our Facebook page.  Kansas City FilmFest on FB.

Fred Andrews
President, KC Filmmakers Jubilee

913-649-0244
kcjub@kcjubilee.org
kcjubilee.org
kcfilmfest.org

Clash of the Titans

A Movie Review by Alexander Morales

I think the only way to start this is by saying that I love the 1981 classic Clash of the Titans. Harry Hamlin running around fighting a slew of Ray Harryhausen’s beasties is one of my most cherished memories of film growing up. Constantly it was regular watching on the television for my brother and me. Even now, I can recount almost every detail of the 1981 classic and I haven’t watched it in years.

Unfortunately, a name is the only thing that the 1981 version and this new 2010 version have in common. I mean, there a few other things that they share, of course, but in terms of the warm fuzzies I get when I hear Bubo the owl whirl and twirl, not even close.

Directed by Louis Leterrier (Transporter 2, The Incredible Hulk), Clash of the Titans is an effects-riddled tale of angst, loosely based on Greek mythology. The story, cut down is simply this: Perseus, played by the new “it-boy” Sam Worthington, is adopted by a simple family in a time when unrest and hate has risen in the hearts of men against the Gods.  Seeing the opportunity to seize control, Hades (played by Ralph Fiennes who has decided to channel Voldemort) makes a deal with Zeus (Liam Neeson) to bring the humans back to fearing the Gods. In the meantime, Perseus winds up in Argos, which, conveniently is the base for the rebellion against the Gods and is thrust into an odyssey when it is discovered that he himself is the son of Zeus. Things happen. Scorpions. Medusa. Pegasus. Kraken.

The end.

Sigh.

All right, it’s not so much the story that is the problem. I mean it is and it isn’t. The problem is that with a name like of Clash of the Titans, you have some expectations. By no means is the original a masterpiece of film. But it worked. The story, the action, the special effects. They all worked together. Even with the limitations of 1981 versus now, it worked. This 2010 version by comparison is just a louder, dulled down, experiment in tepid ideas with some bad special effects at times and nothing new to offer. I mean seriously, this film decided to take a Lord of the Rings/300 mixture of actors and scenes and serve up something that clashes with all of your senses. There’s even a dude that tries to resemble Legolas. Come on.

I guess, to be fair, there are a few things that are worth watching. A few scenes call back to the original and are kind of cool and Gemma Arterton as Io does well as narrator and token, team beauty. Liam Neeson makes a good Zeus, but honestly, all I really wanted to hear him say was “Release the Kraken!” And I guess there are a few lines of dialogue (what little dialogue there is) that either brings a good laugh or is just good tough guy speak.

But after that, nope.

From the blurry special effects that never completely deliver to the random “Chewbacca” character that joins the team, nothing really helps this film become a good experience. The scenes or moments that are similar to the 1981 version are rushed and try so hard to be over the top that they just kind of fail. Case in point, the Medusa scene. In the original, the Medusa scene was paced at a speed that was tense, a little frightening and intelligent in its build-up and strategy. The Medusa scene in the new film – flat, predictable and rushed. 1981 version, Perseus prevailed using skills and smarts. 2010 version – Perseus wins by luck. Seriously. In films, it’s always the little things that matter and here the little things have been stepped on, forgotten and run over by a computer generated thing that could use a few more hours in the rendering room.

Of course, I did get a chance to see this film in 3D so that had to make it better … right? Nope. Listen friends, just like ketchup can’t make burnt grossness taste better, 3D cannot better a film. The issue here is that the film was not shot in 3D. 3D was an afterthought to join the bandwagon and it does not work. If you want to see a film that knows how to use the 3D medium, please see Avatar or How to Train Your Dragon. Here, it’s just a distraction and probably makes the film even worse. That saying about lipstick and bulldogs comes to mind.

So what’s the final word? I think the fact that only about two people clapped (and they kind of sounded like pity claps) at the end of the film says it all. There will be a few people that will enjoy the ride at first and probably because of the hype and the sun finally shining, opening weekend will see good results, but in the end nothing special. Usually “disappointed” is a strong enough word but here, I don’t think so. I had such high hopes for this one and believe me, I wanted to like it so much, but I guess if I want to clash with the Gods on Olympus, I’m going to have to get in my DeLorean or hot-tub time machine and travel back to 1981.

2 out of 5 Stygian Witches (and yes, I know that there were only 3)