Matthew Harp (BFA 98) was acknowledged as a Library Journal "Mover and Shaker" for his work producing the Library Channel and the Library Minute videos.
Please see the full story here:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/MS2010Inductee/2140493373.html
Congratulations Matthew!
School of Media Arts student Jacqueline Davis is organizing a fundraiser for Pan Left Productions.
Jacqueline is requesting FILM SUBMISSIONS, which are due by April 3rd. The format: DV Tape/Data Disc ONLY.
Please turn your submissions into the front desk of the Club Congress (311 E. Congress St)
along with contact information.
Film Criteria: ANYTHING TUCSON!
2-8 minute shorts
fiction/experimental/non-fiction
For more information please contact:
Jacqueline Davis
jdavis3@email.arizona.edu
John “jack” Mandish
jmandish@email.arizona.edu
THE BANDS:
Mr. Free & the Satellite Freakout
Mean Beans
Emily Spinach
An update from Alum Daphne Riahi (BA 91):
“After graduation I returned home to Alaska and became a writer for the Anchorage Times. I received an MBA at Alaska Pacific University (APU), spent a semester in Vladivostok, Russia and then a year abroad in France as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar.
In 1995 I returned to the US and started my career in investment management at Barra/RogersCasey in Darien,CT and NY City. My husband Doug and I were married in 1997 and in 1998, I worked in Risk Management at Pimco/Columbus Circle. From 1999 through 2002, I worked for IBM Retirement Funds and received the CFA charter. I taught business courses through APU's distance learning program and CFA courses locally until 2004 when our daughter was born. While working as a portfolio manager for a fund of hedge funds through 2006, I also volunteered for the Stamford CFA Society Board (2002-2008) and was society President for ’05-'06.
Since then I've volunteered as Finance Chair for our daughter's preschool and currently work in the finance committees of her elementary school and a NYC not-for-profit organization. For hobbies, I love to travel with my family, hike, ski, research investments, and read, write and relax with our two Siamese cats.”
Alum Michael Toubassi (BA 95) is launching a new website for his Upstairs Film production company.
http://www.upstairsfilm.com/
Michael also just produced/directed an EPK for Universal Pictures' "Repo Men" and produced/edited a Behind-the-Scenes short for Capitol Records band Saosin at Old Tucson Studios.
Alum Ashley Hillard (BA 06) has provided us with this news:
“I have my first short under my production company banner, Good Grace's Productions LLC, called “First Night,” and I am producing another short called “Pluto.” “First Night” is out to film festivals. I am also currently working on several features and am managing two actresses, Katharine McEwan and Mali Elfman. Also, I am still writing for Australian movie news and reviews site Moviehole.net and regularly attend press screenings and junkets.”
Stephen Parsey (BA 2006) worked as the accounting clerk on Universal's "The Kingdom," produced by UA Alum Scott Stuber. Stephen then went on to work for another UA Alum, John Kilkenny, at 20th Century Fox Visual Effects, on 2007's "Live Free or Die Hard." From there, he earned further work in visual effects production and production management at Rhythm & Hues Studios - a visual effects house in Marina Del Rey, California on "The Incredible Hulk" and "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant." He then returned to work under John Kilkenny as the lead VFX Coordinator on Fox's summer hit "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian."
Stephen is currently a MA student at USC:
“Throughout all of these wonderful projects I gained a vast insight into the reality of motion picture production, but wanted to get more involved in the storytelling aspects of filmmaking as a writer, director and producer. To redirect my career in the industry, I elected to return to pursue a Master's in filmmaking at the University of Southern California's prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. The first year has presented a lot of new challenges while providing the creatively invigorating environment that I need to pursue my goal directing major motion pictures.”
--- Stephen Parsey (BA 2006)
Rachel Ellis Adams (MA 02) is on the teaching faculty in the Communication Studies Department at the University of Minnesota. She teaches "Introduction to Electronic Media Production," which is half in-studio multi-camera production and half classroom-based "media aesthetics" theory. She is also working on her third screenplay, a comedic suspense-horror film based on an allegory of selfishness.
Michaela Pentacoff (BA 2008) wrote and produced music for the Moda Provocateur 2010, a runway show fundraiser for www.SAAF.org. Her company (AOI, Architects of Imagination) recently worked on a music video for Savannah Outen's "Fighting for My Life."
Meg Askey (BA 00) is the Festival Director of the Flagstaff Film Festival, celebrating their inaugural year in July 2010.
For more information, submission information, etc., visit Meg’s super cool website here:
www.flagstafffilmfestival.org
Alum Andrew Berkenkamp (IDS Film and Video 06) recently worked as a PA on the low budget feature film "CLASS," with Sheada Moghaddam (EP), Sheldon F. Robins (Producer), and Mike Edwards (Director). He has also been working with club promoters in Marina Del Ray and Venice as a camera operator shooting live performances of the bands Fishbone and HyperCrush.
Alum Ben Lopez (BA 06) will screen “Sexo en Paraiso/Sex in Paradise,” his latest Spanish language feature film, at the Loft Cinema on Thursday, April 22nd at 7 pm.
http://www.loftcinema.com/sexoenparaiso
Ben will also screen “Amor de Lejos/Love from Afar” sometime in early June. Additionally, Ben is currently in pre-production on “La Mujer del Desierto/Desert Woman” and “SuperCartel,” feature films he is shooting back to back.
Additionally, Ben was recently a guest of Expo LOCCINE in Estudios Churubusco in Mexico City as part of a team of filmmakers planning to take advantage of Mexico's new film incentives. You can read more about this in a recent Variety article:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118016700.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2562
Felicidades/Congratulations to Ben! One of the hardest workingmen in the showbiz!
Alumna Reena Dutt (BA 98) is the founder of Off-Chance Productions.
Off-Chance Productions announces the launch of their web series, “The Real Girls Guide To Everything Else,” on Strike.TV. Starring Robin Daléa (“Without a Trace, What I like about You”), Bruno Oliver (“House, Mad Men”) Reena Dutt (“Medium, Criminal Minds”). “The Real Girl’s Guide” is a multi-ethnic, feminist response to the genre of “chick-lit” targeting women who are under-represented by main-stream women’s film and fiction.
In this first six-episode season shot by Emmy-award winning Director of Photography Robert C. Webb and directed by award-winner Heather de Michele, we follow Rasha (Ms. Daléa), a Lebanese lesbian and political journalist who is determined to write a book about the Afghan women’s struggle for civil rights. However, in order to finance this dream project, she decides to write a more marketable chick-lit book first, forcing her to go undercover as a Cosmo-drinking straight girlie-girl to research a world outside her comfort zone.
More information and a trailer can be found at www.TheRealGirlsGuide.com
Created and written by Carmen Elena Mitchell (MTV Pocket Books Fiction Award Winner), “The Real Girl’s Guide” was born out of a frustration with the cookie-cutter stories marketed towards women. She argues that although many of the chick-lit and chick flick protagonists are smart, savvy career girls, a lot of these stories are simply revamped fairy tales “So even though the women in these stories have careers,” Ms. Mitchell explains, “their achievements are overshadowed by the quest to snag some inaccessible prince. I wanted to see stories about women who read books, who had dreams that directly impacted the world they live in and who didn’t buy into the idea that being female is something you have to paint or pluck or buy. I also wanted to see a group of friends who were ethnically diverse and whose friendship grew out of something besides bonding over men and shopping.”
The folks at Strike.TV obviously concur. As an organization formed by a group of WGA writers during the strike, compelling stories and strong writing are the first things considered when choosing projects to support. With web series created by the writers of The Office, The Daily Show, Prairie Home Companion and a host of other well-known names already airing on Strike.TV, “The Real Girl’s Guide” will be in great company.
Future installments will focus on each of Rasha’s friends (an African American fashionista, a Caucasian nurse and free-spirited Indian-American artist) as they all navigate the world of politics, double-shifts, same–sex marriage and bargain basement girl-culture.
Congratulations Rena!
Alumna Kelsey Self (BA 2009) is currently working in the local Tucson film community and worked as an editor and sound editor on the recently completed short film “Artificial Ties,” directed by current UA Eller student Nick Costello. The film is being submitted to film festivals all over the country. Kelsey provided editing assistance for the “Precious Knowledge” PBS documentary and was a PA on set of the short “Blood Moon” filmed at Old Tucson Studios by New York production company Triboro Pictures.
Alum Justin Mashouf (BFA 2008) is screening his “Warring Factions” documentary.
"As forces in American government and media have fueled the perception of an unavoidable war with Iran, Warring Factions is a call to (dis)arms. An American-born Iranian breakdancer finds cultural awakening by exploring his multi-ethnic roots. Faced with dual nationality in two conflicting countries, he travels to Iran to examine the political issues first-hand while exploring his cultural identity with a group of Iranian b-boys. By combining documentary and studio reenactments, Warring Factions looks at the blurring of world borders, and the looming threat of another war in the Middle East."
For more information about Justin’s documentary:
http://www.warringfactions.com
Christina Fassett (BA 07) currently holds the title of Miss California Essence 2010 and will be competing for the National Title of Miss Essence 2010 in Kansas City, MO this summer. Her platform is the S.A.V.E Campaign: Keeping Students on The Right Track. Good luck in the pageant Christina!
Alum Tony Velarde (BA 2006) served as the Production Coordinator on Roberto Gudiño’s short “The Groundskeeper” and is wrapping up his post-production coordinator position with the “Jersey Shore” for 495 Productions.
Alum Elias Benavidez (BFA 07) is in post-production on “A Note to Etienne,” a short French drama which he wrote and directed. This short will soon be hitting the film festival circuit.
Elias has a very nice blog chronicling the production process. Check it out here:
http://anotetoetienne.blogspot.com/
School of Media Arts Alum Jason M. Aragón (BA 00) is the recipient of a grant from the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC) for his current project, “Under Arpaio.” The NALAC Fund for the Arts is a field-advised grant program designed to help Latinos develop their creative talents and make lasting contributions to our communities and society as a whole. Aragón has produced and directed a variety of documentaries focusing on the abuse of human rights within the border region. As a Chicano living in the border region for his entire life, he is familiar with the subversion of perspective and reality in the media toward Latino and Southwest culture. His films are an attempt to bring forth those unrecognized perspectives and voices to expose the social cost of U.S. immigration and border policy.
Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has captured national media attention for his Wild West persona, tough on crime stance, unorthodox law enforcement methods and an anti-immigrant posture. But the media is only telling half of the story. From his focus on immigration enforcement, inhumane jail conditions including inmate deaths, to his abuse of power, this soon to be released web series explores what it is really like to live--and die--under Arpaio.
The Arizona Board of Regents approved the creation of the College of Fine Arts’ new School of Theatre, Film and Television at its March 11, 2010, meeting. The new School, which merges the Schools of Theatre Arts and Media Arts into a single entity, becomes effective July 1, 2010. Overwhelmingly supported by faculties in both schools, the merger capitalizes on the increasing global convergence of the disciplines of theatre, film, television and digital media. At the same time, merging the administrative functions of the two schools responds proactively to the significant budget cuts sustained by The University of Arizona.
College of Fine Arts Dean Jory Hancock says, “In light of the convergent entertainment industry of the 21st century, it makes sense for the University of Arizona to have a single professional school that integrates the theoretical and hands-on study of theatre, film, and television. This approach will provide the best possible education for our students, and will create exciting choices for Arizona residents as well as for those students we recruit nationally. "The current director of The University of Arizona School of Theatre Arts, Bruce Brockman, will serve as Director of the single professional School of Theatre, Film and Television. Brockman says, “Both schools are committed to training professionals for the arts and entertainment industry and a merger provides an opportunity to create a vital and forward-looking school.”
The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film and Television will capitalize on the already established partnerships with a wide variety of industry entities that provide University of Arizona students with internships and other career development opportunities. Prominent University of Arizona alumni working in the fields of theatre, film and television in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and regional theatres around the country will continue to provide and build support for the School through classroom visits, workshops and mentoring. The newly formed School will also be enhanced by The University of Arizona Hanson Film Institute, which enjoys close working relationships with nationally and internationally-based film and television entities and shares an Industry Council with the current School of Media Arts.
John Kilkenny, Executive Vice President at Twentieth Century Fox (Visual Effects executive for Avatar) and University of Arizona alumnus, says, “With the School of Theatre, Film and Television, The University of Arizona can prepare graduates to be innovative leaders in the ever evolving and integrative arts and entertainment industry. I am delighted to continue providing my advice and support to University of Arizona faculty, students and alumni through the new school.”
Theatre and Media Arts students have a history of collaborating on various projects within the two schools, and the new school will build on these and other commonalities. Both the School of Theatre Arts and the School of Media Arts have been focused on narrative storytelling, mediated through film, television or live performance. In the new school, acting students and film students will have additional opportunities to work together.
While current areas of strength include BFA programs in Acting and Musical Theatre, Design Technology, and Film & Video Production, and a unique undergraduate BA in Film & Television Producing, the new school will be able to offer students substantially increased coursework in sound, lighting and production design. Arizona Repertory Theatre will continue to provide a professional theatre production program for the students in the new school, and courses in scriptwriting and production management will now serve both populations of students. Degree offerings in Entertainment Business, Production Design and a certificate program in Visual Effects Producing, currently in development, will utilize the newly combined faculties.
The new School of Theatre, Film and Television will combine the strengths of the current Schools of Theatre Arts and Media Arts and recognize the ongoing convergence of the performing arts and the entertainment industry. As the lines between art forms continue to blur, combining the schools will enable us to offer a collaborative, multi-faceted curriculum that prepares our students for the future in powerful, impactful ways.
Dominick DeCarlo, a.k.a Don DeCarlo (BA 92), is now a professional multimedia stage Hypnotist with his own show called HYPNOVIDEO™, a new genre of entertainment. His spectacular was ranked the #1 show in Latin America (2007) and he is now performing in casinos throughout the US.
Dominick will be performing a HYPNOVIDEO™ show on April 10 at the Desert Diamond Casino at 8 P.M. The performance is free, however, audience members must be 21 because of tribal law.
Eric Goldfarb (BA 97) is working on his 11th season of “The Amazing Race” and also screening his first feature film, “Stu Plus Who.” Eric has already done screenings at The University of Arizona, USC, and The Beyond the Reel Film and Music Series in Culver City. Upcoming screenings include the Los Angeles Film School and Chapman University.
School of Media Arts Alum Allison Vanore (BFA 04) is busy with many creative projects including producing the webseries “Purgatory, Inc.” staring Patrick Cavanaugh and Konstantin Layvsh. “Purgatory, Inc.” is a two-character comedy set in Purgatory dealing with religion and same-sex marriage.
Allison is also producing the short film, “Teaching Killer Whales” for Alum Raphe Wolfgang (BFA 04). “Teaching Killer Whales” is an inspirational story about a homeless man who, in a brief moment in his day, realizes he has the ability to change his future.
The award-winning short film that Allison produced last year, “Rooftop,” recently screened at the Sedona International Film Festival 2010 (one of the 15 festivals it has screen at thus far!).
Another short that Allison produced last year, “Junkyard,” has made its way around the world screening at festivals in Swaziland, Cambodia, Italy and here in the US.
She is in post-production on “A Note to Etienne,” a short French drama which was written and directed by Alum Elias Benavidez (BFA 07).
Allison is also working on “SOLO the Series” a webseries (sci-fi comedy) to be released on watchsolo.com (Episodes 1 and 2 are complete but not yet released and Episode 3 was just shot). Allison was the director on Episode 3, which marks her Los Angeles directing debut!
Allison was also invited to speak at the Actor's Creative about her experiences producing webseries, promoting them, and how actors can get involved in the up and coming medium.
KING OF HEARTS
Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: FREE
**Suggested donation: $5.00**
See classic art films the way they were meant to be seen - with an audience and on the big screen in 35 mm!
"An extravagant and highly comic morality play ... Phillipe De Brocca's parable is a funny and touching experience." - Vincent Canby, THE NEW YORK TIMES
"One of the greatest 'sleepers' of all time ... became one of the biggest cult hits of the '70s ... full of fairy tale atmosphere and carnival energy." - TIME OUT LONDON
"For all its exuberance and madcap silliness, this is a startlingly effective anti-war film." - FILMS DE FRANCE.COM
One of the most popular foreign films of all time, KING OF HEARTS became one of the biggest midnight cult films of the early 1970s when, after flopping during its initial mainstream release, it was re-released to U.S. arthouse cinemas in college towns, playing continuously to enthusiastic audiences in some theaters for over five years!
Directed by French filmmaker Phillipe de Broca (That Man from Rio), KING OF HEARTS became a cinematic touchstone of the late 1960s, when it was seen as a satirical antiwar allegory for a world in which madness seemed to reign.
KING OF HEARTS is an absurd, freewheeling and tenderhearted fable that still speaks to the importance of maintaining a little healthy "insanity."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE "KING OF HEARTS" MOVIE TRAILER!
http://www.spout.com/films/King_of_Hearts/19001/353977/trailers.aspx
(Phillipe de Broca, France/Italy, in French/English/German with subtitles, 1966, 102 mins., Not Rated)
Benjamin Daniel Lobato’s (BA 2001) THREE BREATHS was selected as a merited film for the 2010 Doorpost Film Competition. THREE BREATHS tells the story of a CPR Instructor whose life is turned upside down after he refuses to give breath to a dying homeless man.
You can view the film and vote online here. (Note: You must register with the site before viewing).
Shot on Super 16mm, the film was written and directed by Benjamin Daniel Lobato, produced by Rene Simon Cruz, photographed by Stephen Acevedo, and stars Carlos Acuna.
School of Media Arts Alum Roberto Gudiño (BFA 2006) screened a short film at the recent San Diego Latino Film Festival.
THE GROUNDSKEEPER is the story of a lonely groundskeeper and a subdued college professor who find companionship in one another. They are forced to face conflicting decisions about their friendship's future when society intervenes and asks the difficult question,
"Should they be together?"
School of Media Arts Alum Tony Velarde (BA 2006) served as the Production Coordinator on Gudiño’s film.
Casting director and School of Media Arts alumna Carol Lefko (BRT Radio-Television 77) will speak in the Theatre Arts 475 Screen Acting Techniques class and discuss the process of casting as well as her career as a casting director and producer.
ALL THEATRE ARTS AND MEDIA ARTS STUDENTS WELCOME TO OBSERVE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS
April 5, 10-11:50am in
Drama Building Room 116 (Directing Studio)
Media Arts alumna Carol Lefko began her show business career as the first female in the CBS Mailroom.
From there she was an Assistant to the VP of CBS Casting and then on to CBS Movies & Mini-Series. She has also worked as an assistant to famed Director Don Siegel and written sitcoms, TV dramas, reality shows and feature films.
Currently, she is producing her first film, KOSMIC STALLIONS, which will be shooting in Detroit, November, 2010.
NALIP - National Association of Latino Independent Producers
Internship Recruiting and Information Session
with Octavio Marin NALIP Signature Programs Director and National Conference Director
MAR Conference Room - Rm 211 - Friday, March 26th 1:15 - 2:30
Free PIZZA and REFRESHMENTS
NALIP and Hanson Film Institute partner to offer funded internship opportunities:
- 1 Summer Internship at NALIP offices in
Santa Monica, CA
- 1-2 Internships at NALIP National Conference -
April 9-11, 2010
- 2 Internships in Santa Fe during the
Latino Producers Academy
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) will be recruiting motivated UA interns for their 2010 National Conference and summer Latino Producers Academy in LA and Santa Fe, New Mexico! Participate in this dynamic recruiting session and meet with Octavio Marin, NALIP's Signature Programs Director and National Conference Director, who will tell you all about NALIP's programs. In addition, Octavio will present a concise, but powerful session in the "Art of the Pitch" - Remember... no matter what you want to do in the entertainment industry (writer, producer, director, executive, etc.), you will always be pitching or being pitched a project! DO NOT miss this opportunity to hear about NALIP, and learn simple but powerful techniques that will guarantee you a successful pitch and get your script read!
***Please RSVP to vwestove@email.arizona.edu by March 24th, 5:00pm***
School of Media Arts Alum Josh Murphy recently started a job in Drama Development at CBS Television Studios.
Congratulations Josh!
Friends of Film in Tucson,
Please take a look at the new three and a half minute video that the Arizona Film and Media Coalition is using to advance our film incentive cause (SB1409) in the state legislature.
Note that Mayor Walkup gets the last word!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leFgn04-gPI
HOW YOU CAN HELP --
Post this link to your business and social networking sites. Tweet about it. Forward the link to your address books. Let's help everyone in Arizona understand why a viable Motion Picture Tax Incentive Program is important to our livelihoods and our state.
The College of Humanities invites the public to enjoy access to its most dynamic faculty to explore and enjoy both timely and timeless topics that resonate in today’s world.
Friday, March 26
Laura Gutiérrez, Associate Professor, Department of Spanish & Portuguese
The Tucson Cine México film festival recently hosted a series of recently released noteworthy films from Mexico, with free screenings March 4-7 at Harkins Theatres Spectrum 18, Tucson. (http://clas.arizona.edu/cinemexico).
Dr. Gutiérrez -on the board of the UA Hanson Film Institute which co-hosted the Festival along with the Tucson Mexican Consulate- moderates a discussion of one of these prize-winning films. Arráncame la Vida, based on the popular novel by Angeles Mastretta, was Mexico’s entry to the Academy Awards in 2009.
The public is invited to hear the discussion and participate in the Q & A, having seen the film or not.
HANNAH FREE at THE LOFT
Wingspan and Lesbian Looks Film & Video Series are pleased to announce a benefit premiere of Hannah Free at the Loft on March 30, 2010.
Reception at 6:30pm
Screening at 7:30pm
The $10.00 admission ticket will go directly to Wingspan.
Hannah Free is an independent feature film about a lifelong love affair between an independent spirit and the woman she calls home. Sharon Gless stars in the title role.
Hannah and Rachel grew up as little girls in the same small Midwest town, where traditional gender expectations eventually challenge their deep love for one another. Hannah becomes an adventurous, unapologetic lesbian and Rachel a strong but quiet homemaker. Weaving back and forth between past and present, the film reveals how the women maintained their love affair despite a marriage, a world war, infidelities, and family denial.
"Cagney lives, and she's as cranky as ever." - LA Weekly
The School of Media Arts is a proud sponsor of the Lesbian Looks Film & Video Series.
2010 Medici Scholars Program
$750 Awards
available for your summer project!
Program open to all returning undergraduate and graduate students in Art, Dance, Media Arts, Music and Theatre Arts.
Medici Scholars is a donor-funded program that provides students with a $750 award to pursue an educational travel or a special summer project. The Medici Scholars program is designed to promote interaction between students and donors.
Application forms can be picked up your School’s main office or online at
http://web.cfa.arizona.edu/get-involved/contributions/98
Completed applications must be submitted to your School’s Scholarship Office by
Monday, March 22, 2010
*You must be a student returning for two more semesters (fall 2010 and spring 2011)
School of Media Arts Alum Sheldon Smith (BFA 09) is working as a visual effects production assistant on the soon to be released “Gulliver’s Travels.”
“The people I am working with have so much experience and I've been able to learn a lot,” said Smith. “It has been really exciting seeing the movie come together since last August when I started as an intern.”
“Gulliver’s Travels” stars Emily Blunt as the Princess of Lilliputia and Jack Black as Lemuel Gulliver. The film also features elaborate locations and includes the beautiful castles and palaces of England. Some scenes were shot in Oxfordshire and include Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace and home, Blenheim Palace.
School of Media Arts junior Cesar Huitron and his documentary-in-progress is featured by KVOA News. His documentary is about journalists in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
You can read the complete story here:
http://www.kvoa.com/news/ua-student-witnesses-juarez-violence/
