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Deadlines
Funding: Catapult Film Fund
Nov 7, 2011Catapult Film Fund provides early development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell. It supports powerful stories, and moving storytelling, across a broad spectrum of issues and perspectives. ELIGIBILITY: Applicant must be 18 or older. Catapult Film Fund does not award grants for student films. Documentary projects must be 28 minutes or longer. Development funds must specifically be used to complete early writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place. Applicants must be independent producers. They must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control of their project. Applicants must have previous film or television production experience in a principal role as demonstrated by submitting previously completed work sample. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have successfully fund-raised for an independent documentary film, in line with its original budget. AWARDS: Catapult Film Fund development grants range from $5,000 to $20,000. DEADLINE: November 7, 2011. WEBSITE: catapultfilmfund.org/.
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News & Blogs
Thompson on Hollywood: "Film Independent Names Lab Participants, Sloan Award Winners"
Oct 24, 2011"After their weekend-long Film Independent Forum," reports Sophia Savage, "FIND announced eleven filmmakers and nine projects for their 11th annual Producers Lab, and named Brent Hoff and Malcom Pullinger the winners of the 5th annual $25,000 Sloan Producers Grant." More at indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood.
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Deadlines
Opportunities: Cinequest Screenwriting Competition
Oct 17, 2011Cinequest Screenwriting Competition, held in conjunction with the Cinequest Film Festival (February 28-March 11, 2012), is accepting submissions. ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to screenplays of all genres and lengths up to 140 pages that have not been optioned, purchased, produced, or put into production. Scripts should be in English, properly formatted, and submitted in PDF format. Scripts written as adaptations of other works must have secured rights before being submitted. Entry fee $45-65. AWARDS: Finalists receive non-cash prizes, including exposure to literary agents, film studios, and producers. Top prize is $5,000. DEADLINE: September 26, 2011 (early); October 17, 2011 (late). WEBSITE: cinequest.org/sp_agent.php.
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Events
'American Teacher'
Oct 7, 2011The Matt Damon-narrated SFIFF hit 'American Teacher' follows the lives of a few edu-system stars, one based in San Francisco, forced by low wages and crumbling job security to reconsider their chosen profession. Filmmaker Vanessa Roth and producers Dave Eggers and Nînive Calegari will be present for Q&A following Friday's screening; special reception Tuesday, October 11. More info at roxie.com.
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October 4 2011
'American Teacher'
Oct 7, 2011The Matt Damon-narrated SFIFF hit 'American Teacher' follows the lives of a few edu-system stars, one based in San Francisco, forced by low wages and crumbling job security to reconsider their chosen profession. Filmmaker Vanessa Roth and producers Dave Eggers and Nînive Calegari will be present for Q&A following Friday's screening; special reception Tuesday, October 11. More info at roxie.com.
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Deadlines
Funding: The Roy W. Dean LA August Grant
Aug 30, 2011The Roy W. Dean Film and Writing Grants fund shorts, documentaries and low budget independent features. ELIGIBILITY: New film and video projects (including works-in-progress) that are unique and benefit the society. Student filmmakers, independent producers or independent production companies are all welcome. AWARDS: Winner gets a variety of awards including scholarships and cash prizes for different production fields. DEADLINE: August 30, 2011. WEBSITE: fromtheheartproductions.com/grant-lavideo.shtml.
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August 18, 2011
What’s So Bleeping Funny?!
Karen Everett
Aug 15, 2011Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.
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Home
What’s So Bleeping Funny?!
Karen Everett
Aug 15, 2011Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.
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Story Structure
What’s So Bleeping Funny?!
Karen Everett
Aug 15, 2011Placing well-timed humor in a documentary film can be a great way to open minds.
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June 28, 2011
'Cultures of Resistance'
Jun 30, 2011Award-winning 2010 doc 'Cultures of Resistance' captures the ways artists, musicians and other cultural producers create political change through art, from Iran to China to other points worldwide. The event features a live interview with director Iara Lee via Skype after screening; ticket sales benefit clean water efforts for children in Gaza. Plays at Berkeley City College. More at mecaforpeace.org.
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Home
A City’s Smutty History, Embraced
Julia Barbosa
Jun 21, 2011Stabile film at Frameline, Tribeca and, soon, YBCA, looks at San Francisco’s sex-film history.
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June 23 2011
A City’s Smutty History, Embraced
Julia Barbosa
Jun 21, 2011Stabile film at Frameline, Tribeca and, soon, YBCA, looks at San Francisco’s sex-film history.
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June 23, 2011
A City’s Smutty History, Embraced
Julia Barbosa
Jun 21, 2011Stabile film at Frameline, Tribeca and, soon, YBCA, looks at San Francisco’s sex-film history.
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Q & A
A City’s Smutty History, Embraced
Julia Barbosa
Jun 21, 2011Stabile film at Frameline, Tribeca and, soon, YBCA, looks at San Francisco’s sex-film history.
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First Person
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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Home
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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June 9, 2011
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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First Person
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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Home
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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June 9, 2011
Production Values: Michael Whalen
Adrianne Anderson
Jun 6, 2011Whalen speaks from experience on the importance of story and drama in nonfiction filmmaking.
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Home
New Approaches Embolden Doc Genre
Karen Everett
May 17, 2011Nonfiction filmmakers are re-engaging audiences with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on creative narrative strategy.
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May 19, 2011
New Approaches Embolden Doc Genre
Karen Everett
May 17, 2011Nonfiction filmmakers are re-engaging audiences with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on creative narrative strategy.
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Story Structure
New Approaches Embolden Doc Genre
Karen Everett
May 17, 2011Nonfiction filmmakers are re-engaging audiences with an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on creative narrative strategy.
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april 22 2011
Production Values: Debbie Brubaker
Adrianne Anderson
Apr 19, 2011A veteran producer talks about the art, craft and industry behind her work.
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First Person
Production Values: Debbie Brubaker
Adrianne Anderson
Apr 19, 2011A veteran producer talks about the art, craft and industry behind her work.
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Home
Production Values: Debbie Brubaker
Adrianne Anderson
Apr 19, 2011A veteran producer talks about the art, craft and industry behind her work.
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april 22 2011
Production Values: Debbie Brubaker
Adrianne Anderson
Apr 19, 2011A veteran producer talks about the art, craft and industry behind her work.
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First Person
Production Values: Debbie Brubaker
Adrianne Anderson
Apr 19, 2011A veteran producer talks about the art, craft and industry behind her work.
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Home
Production Values: Debbie Brubaker
Adrianne Anderson
Apr 19, 2011A veteran producer talks about the art, craft and industry behind her work.
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april 22 2011
On Producing Killer Films
Dennis Harvey
Apr 18, 2011Christine Vachon examines her varied indie successes while offering notes on the world of change engulfing cinema.
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Home
On Producing Killer Films
Dennis Harvey
Apr 18, 2011Christine Vachon examines her varied indie successes while offering notes on the world of change engulfing cinema.
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Q & A
On Producing Killer Films
Dennis Harvey
Apr 18, 2011Christine Vachon examines her varied indie successes while offering notes on the world of change engulfing cinema.
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April 14, 2011
Getting Behind 'Bill Cunningham'
Susan Gerhard
Apr 8, 2011Richard Press and Philip Gefter pay tribute to a worker's devotion in making 'Bill Cunningham New York.'
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Home
Getting Behind 'Bill Cunningham'
Susan Gerhard
Apr 8, 2011Richard Press and Philip Gefter pay tribute to a worker's devotion in making 'Bill Cunningham New York.'
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Q & A
Getting Behind 'Bill Cunningham'
Susan Gerhard
Apr 8, 2011Richard Press and Philip Gefter pay tribute to a worker's devotion in making 'Bill Cunningham New York.'
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April 7, 2011
Juelich Rides ‘Neon’ Roller Coaster
Michael Fox
Apr 6, 2011Jennifer Juelich uses California carnivals as atmosphere for her DIY drama.
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Home
Juelich Rides ‘Neon’ Roller Coaster
Michael Fox
Apr 6, 2011Jennifer Juelich uses California carnivals as atmosphere for her DIY drama.
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In Production
Juelich Rides ‘Neon’ Roller Coaster
Michael Fox
Apr 6, 2011Jennifer Juelich uses California carnivals as atmosphere for her DIY drama.
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February 24, 2011
Mitchell Block Brings Oscar Attention to Vets
Jessica Sapick
Feb 21, 2011Producer and teacher Mitchell Block talks about the making of great films, including the Oscar-nominated 'Poster Girl.'
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Home
Mitchell Block Brings Oscar Attention to Vets
Jessica Sapick
Feb 21, 2011Producer and teacher Mitchell Block talks about the making of great films, including the Oscar-nominated 'Poster Girl.'
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Q & A
Mitchell Block Brings Oscar Attention to Vets
Jessica Sapick
Feb 21, 2011Producer and teacher Mitchell Block talks about the making of great films, including the Oscar-nominated 'Poster Girl.'
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February 1, 2011
'The Garden of Sinners'
Feb 8, 2011Viz Cinema at New People hosts the U.S. premiere of the Japanese animated film ‘The Garden of Sinners,’ based on Kinoko Nasu’s successful cult novel. Producers are in attendance for a discussion panel following. More at newpeopleworld.com.
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February 8, 2011
'The Garden of Sinners'
Feb 8, 2011Viz Cinema at New People hosts the U.S. premiere of the Japanese animated film ‘The Garden of Sinners,’ based on Kinoko Nasu’s successful cult novel. Producers are in attendance for a discussion panel following. More at newpeopleworld.com.
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Home
Politics, Sacrifice Define 'Bhutto,' Director
Michael Fox
Jan 5, 2011Director Duane Baughman's day job in direct mail/political consulting brought him unbelievable access to Benazir Bhutto.
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In Production
Politics, Sacrifice Define 'Bhutto,' Director
Michael Fox
Jan 5, 2011Director Duane Baughman's day job in direct mail/political consulting brought him unbelievable access to Benazir Bhutto.
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January 6, 2010
Politics, Sacrifice Define 'Bhutto,' Director
Michael Fox
Jan 5, 2011Director Duane Baughman's day job in direct mail/political consulting brought him unbelievable access to Benazir Bhutto.
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Festivals
New Italian Cinema Puts Focus on Ferzan Ozpetek
Dennis Harvey
Nov 14, 2010'When in Rome,' or outside it: NIC offers fresh voices, new locations.
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Home
New Italian Cinema Puts Focus on Ferzan Ozpetek
Dennis Harvey
Nov 14, 2010'When in Rome,' or outside it: NIC offers fresh voices, new locations.
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November 11, 2010
New Italian Cinema Puts Focus on Ferzan Ozpetek
Dennis Harvey
Nov 14, 2010'When in Rome,' or outside it: NIC offers fresh voices, new locations.
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November 18, 2010
New Italian Cinema Puts Focus on Ferzan Ozpetek
Dennis Harvey
Nov 14, 2010'When in Rome,' or outside it: NIC offers fresh voices, new locations.
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Home
Essential SF: Gail Silva
Michael Fox
Nov 3, 2010Former Film Arts Foundation head Gail Silva continues to catalyze the film community. It would be a simple matter to collect testimonies to Gail Silva’s extraordinary impact and influence on the Bay Area film community—and beyond—from the countless artists and novices she has counseled, coached, prodded and pushed in the last 30-plus years and counting. But an extensive public appreciation already exists, you see, in the hundreds and hundreds of films, long and short, that prominently acknowledged her contribution in the end credits. The longtime executive director of Film Arts Foundation (of blessed memory) and creative and strategic consultant for a host of individual clients, Silva is deservedly included in the inaugural class of Essential SF honorees.
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November 3 2010
Essential SF: Gail Silva
Michael Fox
Nov 3, 2010Former Film Arts Foundation head Gail Silva continues to catalyze the film community. It would be a simple matter to collect testimonies to Gail Silva’s extraordinary impact and influence on the Bay Area film community—and beyond—from the countless artists and novices she has counseled, coached, prodded and pushed in the last 30-plus years and counting. But an extensive public appreciation already exists, you see, in the hundreds and hundreds of films, long and short, that prominently acknowledged her contribution in the end credits. The longtime executive director of Film Arts Foundation (of blessed memory) and creative and strategic consultant for a host of individual clients, Silva is deservedly included in the inaugural class of Essential SF honorees.
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First Person
Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum
Gianmaria Franchini
Oct 19, 2010At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.
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Home
Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum
Gianmaria Franchini
Oct 19, 2010At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.
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October 21, 2010
Pitchers Craft Hits at SFFS Film Arts Forum
Gianmaria Franchini
Oct 19, 2010At SFFS Film Arts Forum, experts offered live advice on how to pitch a film.
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Documentary
Are You Expecting Your Producer to Save You?
Fernanda Rossi
Oct 12, 2010What to consider when you're considering hiring a producer.
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Home
Are You Expecting Your Producer to Save You?
Fernanda Rossi
Oct 12, 2010What to consider when you're considering hiring a producer.
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October 14, 2010
Are You Expecting Your Producer to Save You?
Fernanda Rossi
Oct 12, 2010What to consider when you're considering hiring a producer.
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08-05-2010
'Winnebago Man' Hits the Road
Susan Gerhard
Aug 2, 2010Director Ben Steinbauer and Bay Area-based producer Malcolm Pullinger talk about anger, RVs, and "going viral" with their new film.
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Home
'Winnebago Man' Hits the Road
Susan Gerhard
Aug 2, 2010Director Ben Steinbauer and Bay Area-based producer Malcolm Pullinger talk about anger, RVs, and "going viral" with their new film.
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Q & A
'Winnebago Man' Hits the Road
Susan Gerhard
Aug 2, 2010Director Ben Steinbauer and Bay Area-based producer Malcolm Pullinger talk about anger, RVs, and "going viral" with their new film.
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First Person
Why Hire a Producer of Marketing, Distribution
Jon Reiss
Jul 27, 2010Every film needs one person devoted to the distribution and marketing of the film from the start, just as they have a line producer, assistant director, or editor.
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Home
Why Hire a Producer of Marketing, Distribution
Jon Reiss
Jul 27, 2010Every film needs one person devoted to the distribution and marketing of the film from the start, just as they have a line producer, assistant director, or editor.
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News & Blogs
Festivals from Cannes to Marfa, San Francisco Filmmakers Reporting
Emile Bokaer, Cynthia Mitchell
May 21, 2010Bay Area filmmakers report back from film festivals far (Cannes) and wide (Marfa).
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Q & A
New York-set Charlie Barker's Big S.F. Break
Michael Fox
May 2, 2010Along with selfless sacrifices and random luck, low-budget independent films often depend on the timely intervention of an angel.
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Legal
Do You Pass the Test?
George Rush
Apr 26, 2010You are awesome. Spectacular, incredible, interesting, accomplished and generally just way awesome. Everyone wants to hear every possible thing there is to know about you.
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In Production
Riffe's Raw Milk Germ
Michael Fox
Mar 23, 2010There's so much about this product called milk that we think we know everything about, declares Jed Riffe with his usual blend of enthusiasm and amazement.
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Funding
Road-Tested Rules For Bang-up Fundraising Events
Holly Million
Jan 12, 2010Seems like every filmmaker I know is ready to party! Everyone s throwing fundraising events for their films. So many babes in the party-planning woods.
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Legal
What's In a Name?
George Rush
Jan 5, 2010The thing about titles is they re too short to receive copyright protection. For copyright purposes, a title is like a label of a copyrighted work.
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In Production
Hess, Janos and the Volunteers of America
Michael Fox
Aug 25, 2009With in-process Volunteer Nation: Stories of Service, veteran producer-directors Ben Hess and Dan Janos are mobilizing the millennials.
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Q & A
Weimberg/Ryan on Conflict and Conscience
Sura Wood
Jun 7, 2009Berkeley-based filmmaking team Gary Weimberg and Catherine Ryan speak about social justice as a career and their film Soldiers of Conscience.
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In Production
'In-World War:' Brant Smith's Directorial Debut
Michael Fox
May 20, 2009Michael Fox reviews Brant Smith's In-World War, a dark sci-fi comedy about a beta tester trapped in a futuristic war on terror.
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First Person
Funder as Supplicant
John R. Killacky
Jan 20, 2009First-Person: A program officer at the San Francisco Foundation has a sobering experience making a documentary.
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Q & A
Eddie Muller and Noir City
Sura Wood
Jan 18, 2009SF360.org spoke with Eddie Muller, who launched Noir City, an annual noir festival that has attracted an avid following in the Bay Area and beyond.
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Q & A
Wendy Levy on the Politics of Participation
Susan Gerhard
Jan 12, 2009Levy offers thoughts on the program she's presenting at Sundance and what's being called the "New Documentary Movement."
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Q & A
Wendy Levy on the Politics of Participation
Susan Gerhard
Jan 12, 2009Levy offers thoughts on the program she's presenting at Sundance and what's being called the "New Documentary Movement."
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Q & A
Emiko Omori and Wendy Slick's "Passion & Power"
Susan Gerhard
Feb 18, 2008“Passion & Power, the Technology of Orgasm” gives Rachel Maines’ entertaining academic book on the subject a new life onscreen.
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Q & A
Alan K. Rode on Noir and Charles McGraw
Michael Fox
Jan 28, 2008Alan K. Rode, a cofounder of the Film Noir Foundation, sang the praises of San Francisco movie audiences on the horn from L.A., then got down to brass tacks.
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Reviews
Saul Bass, "Phase IV"
Dennis Harvey
Jul 25, 2007Few people not employed as directors, producers, cinematographers, costume or production designers have had as much impact on the "look" of movies.
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Q & A
Andrea Sperling, powering up
Claire Faggioli
Jun 24, 2007Sperling's Itty Bitty Titty Committee closes the SF International LGBT Film Festival, at which Sperling—17 films strong—receives the Frameline Award.
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Festivals
Liane Yasumoto and Superfest International Disability Film Festival
Susan Gerhard
May 27, 2007A week before the 27th festival, SF360.org spoke with the executive director on what Superfest gets about disability that the rest of the filmmaking world doesn't.
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Reviews
Otto Motives, A Preminger Perspective
Dennis Harvey
Nov 30, 2006The director, producer and sometime actor enjoyed a painless ride from well-off circumstances to well-connected beginnings to one of Hollywood's biggest names for decades.
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Reviews
Fighting for Freedom: Exploring Vachon's "Killer Life"
Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
Oct 3, 2006Killer Films' Christine Vachon's new memoir, A Killer Life (written with Austin Bunn), bolsters the producer as the driving force of independent film.
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Reviews
Fighting for Freedom: Exploring Vachon's "Killer Life"
Eugene Hernandez/indieWIRE
Oct 3, 2006Killer Films' Christine Vachon's new memoir, A Killer Life (written with Austin Bunn), bolsters the producer as the driving force of independent film.
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Q & A
Opening "Red Doors" in Asian American Family
Susan Gerhard
Sep 19, 2006Filmmaker Georgia Lee discusses her narrative feature with family member Frances Chang.
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News & Blogs
Current TV and the Audience as Auteur
Justin Juul
Aug 29, 2006Al Gore's fledgling S.F.--based cable and satellite channel, Current TV, generates cutting-edge content democratically, with a third of the programming created by viewers.
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Reviews
We Want Our "Dykeback Mountain"
Staff
Jun 27, 2006Conference discusses the difficulties for lesbian features to get made and do well at the box office.
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Q & A
Tommy Pallotta's Reanimation of "A Scanner Darkly"
Daniel Cowles
Apr 18, 2006The producer talks about the barriers filmmakers have faced in bringing Philip K. Dick's novel to the screen.
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Reviews
'Hot Fuzz' a Cheeky Riposte to H-wood
Dennis Harvey
Apr 17, 2006This English comedy, the second feature made by the guys behind that genius horror spoof, 'Shaun of the Dead,' satirizes fake cinematic testosterone.
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