Fest Update - LOSING TOBY Added To Tartan Road Lineup

LOSING TOBY, the Directing 3 short of Drew Lindo ('06) has been added to the linup at the upcoming Tartan Road Film Festival, LOSING TOBY joins six other UCF films already screening there:

• Love Is Deaf (Andrew Gay, '06)
• Mr. Malikai Battles The Aeroplane (Drew Blatman, '05)
• November Guest (Danny Daneau, '05)
• A Wind To Shake The Stars, Gangster Movie and Southwest Orange County Vs. The Flying Saucers (all by the Dastoli Brothers, '07)

UCF FILM's Danny Daneau To Receive Sara Fuller Film Florida Scholarship @ Sarasota Film Festival

The Sarasota Film Festival's Educational Outreach Division will award the Sara Fuller Film Florida Scholarship to Danny Deneau, a 2005 graduate of UCF FILM and currently a Grad student in the Division new Graduate Film program.

The schlorship, which includes a $500 award, will be presented to Danny at the festival's Youth Awards Reception,, held on Sunday, April 2, 2:30 p.m. at the Metro Café in Sarasota.

A big congratulations to Danny for this award.

Fest Update - LOVE IS DEAF Named a Finalist At Palm Beach Intl Film Fest Student Showcase

LOVE IS DEAF, Directing 3 short of Andrew Gay ('06) has been named a finalist in the Palm Beach International Film Festival Student Showcase. If history is a guide, that means, the film has snagged one of the top three spots in the state for the University category. This fest does a huge afternoon awards show attended by film students of all the local high schools. It's insane fun.

Fest Update - ALL THAT REMAINS & LOVE IS DEAF To Play Rebel Planet Hollywood Film Fest

This had to be one of the most interesting calls I've gotten in a while. It was so interesting that I've transcribed the entire phone message for you below.

Hi Rich, this Gloria Gifford calling from Los Angels from the Rebel Planet Hollywood Film Festival. We got your movies ALL THAT REMAINS and LOVE IS DEAF and...I just wanted to commend the people from the University of Central Florida. We didn’t look at the other three movies because they weren’t submitted, but the two we looked at were...sensational. Your students are amazing. Their casting was excellent and … well, we’re looking forward to seeing them in Los Angeles. They’ll be getting their emails soon. Okay thanks, bye.

For those who don't know, Gloria Gifford is rather well-known actress who's worked on Broadway, television and dozens of Hollywood films like 48 Hrs.,This is Spinal Tap, Big Trouble (John Cassavetes last major film) and Halloween II. For the past several years she's been teaching in the Masters Program at the American Film Institute (AFI). She's also President and CEO of The Gloria Gifford Conservatory for Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

Granted, maybe Gloria is blowing smoke, but I don't think so (and frankly I don't want to believe that). First, it was really nice of her to get on the phone and leave that message herself. She didn't have to do that. Second, I think she's right. As I've said before - our Undergrad stuff stands up against the output of any other film school in the country. Everybody involved with this program should feel honored by Gloria's comments. I know I do.

Fest Update - Seven UCF Shorts to Play Tartan Road Intl Student Film Fest

UCF FILM has scored seven acceptances at the upcoming Tartan Road International Student Film Festival, happening this April in Boca Raton Florida. Those films include:

• Love Is Deaf (Andrew Gay, '06)
• Mr. Malikai Battles The Aeroplane (Drew Blatman, '05)
• November Guest (Danny Daneau, '05)
• A Wind To Shake The Stars, Gangster Movie, Automated Assets and Southwest Orange County Vs. The Flying Saucers (all by the Dastoli Brothers, '07)

Special guest at this event is Judge Reinhold, actor of FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH and some other films.

Fest Update - LOSING TOBY TO PLAY COSMOS FILM & GAME FEST

Drew Lindo ('06) got two interesting emails this weekend. First, his Directing 3 short LOSING TOBY was accepted at the 1st COSMOS International Film and Video Game Festival, being held in gainsville this April. He'll be playing in the same program as DETACHMENT, the Capstone short of Djordie Simic ('05)

In addition, LOSING TOBY got its first review from Virginia Digital GUYS FilmFest. Based on a scale of 1 to 10, the film earned the following results:

Losing Toby is Title of Film
Good is Overall Impression
7 is Concept Score
7 is Dialog Score
7 is Casting Score
8 is Pacing Score
8 is Direction Score
8 is Lighting Score
8 is Cinematography Score
7 is Acting Score
8 is Sound Score
7 is Music Score
8 is Editing Score
8 is Animation Score
8 is Production Score
7.61 is Total Score
Losing Toby was a delightful little film, scoring well above average in all categories. A lot of talent on disiplay here, from the story writing, the obvious care and planning, the execution and acting, and the overall high production quality. A definite recommend. Well done.

I like this rating system. It's not perfect, but it it's a start and it forces you to consider elements of the film individually.

Fest Update - MELISSA WITH A HEART AROUND IT To Debut At Ivy Film fest

Andrew Gay ('06) just got word that his brand spanking new Capstone short, Melissa With A Heart Around It has been accepted to debut at this year's Ivy Film Festival. That's the same place with the screenplay for the film won Best Short Screenplay last year.

Fest Update - Mr. Malikai Gets Picked For Worldfest Houston & The Atlanta Film Fest

Some people really know how to write a form letter. Take this example, which Drew Blatman ('05) just received for his Capstone short MR MALIKAI BATTLES THE AEROPLANE.

Drew - Your short film has been selected as an official entry into the 30th Annual Atlanta Film Festival. Only 7% of our entries made the cut. I found the film personally brilliant and it signifies the beginning of an incredibly promising career. Congrats and hope you can come-bring your posse!- for the June 9-17th fest. The playdate will be announced soon.

Best- Jake Jacobson Director, Atlanta Film Festival

Nice work, huh? We here at Five Stories HQ are impressed. Such support! The funny thing is, a couple of days earlier, Drew got different form letter from Atlanta saying that they hadn't yet received his DVD submission. What a difference a couple of days makes.

Making it an extra special day, we just got that MR. MALIKAI has also been selected for screening at Worldfest Houston, a lovely and pretigious fest in the Lone Star State. I smell another plaque coming for Comm 121!

Fest Update - The Dastoli Empire Continues To Expand With Southwestern Orange County vs. the Flying Saucers

James...or Robert...I can never tell which one is writing!...just sent an email that their short film Southwestern Orange County vs. the Flying Saucers won second place in the Movie Gallery Student Video Competition (which has something to do with Auburn University). The Second Place Award came complete with a nifty check totaling $300 per Dastoli head. Yahoo! It's McNuggets for everyone!

Southwestern Orange County vs. the Flying Saucers (which BTW, features ME in a small but critical part) will also be screening at the Foursite Film Festival in Ogden, Utah on March 31.

Ever Wonder What The Selections Committee Thinks of Your Film?

Here's one for the weird but cool category...

It's rare that anyone ever hears the reason why their film got rejected from a festival. To save everyone heartache and grief, filmmakers are usually told, "Oooh, gee, we had so many good films that we just didn't have room for yours!" In other words, "Please don't stalk us because we hate your film...and by the way, have you considered joining the military instead of filmmaking?"

Occasionally, something different happens. Aaron Brownlee just sent us this email, which relates to his Directing 2 short ALL THAT REMAINS. It's a selections committee rating and rather detailed. I'm impressed. I think it says something about the UCF FILM program as well as Aaron's film. Check it out.

The following is one of your two reviews prepared by the staff of the Virginia Digital GUYS FilmFest. Please note that the baseline number for each category is 5. Numbers higher than 5 indicate a proficiency and skill toward professional quality, while numbers lower than 5 indicate areas that you should focus on in order to improve your overall work. We appreciate the hard work and great effort that it takes to make a film, and congratulate you on having finished the task! You should ultimately receive 2 of these reviews, and if you are accepted for screening, a third email advising you of acceptance! Many factors play a role in determining acceptance. The number of films received and the number of available venues play a big part. We encourage you, whether accepted or not, to follow your dreams and ambitions and keep making films! Experience is the greatest teacher. We hope you find the following review of use to you in improving your work. Thanks again for sharing your film with us.

RC is Reviewers Initials
All That Remains is Title of Film
Short is Film Type
Comedy is Category
Good is Overall Impression
7 is Concept Score
8 is Dialog Score
7 is Casting Score
8 is Pacing Score
7 is Direction Score
7 is Lighting Score
8 is Cinematography Score
8 is Acting Score
7 is Sound Score
7 is Music Score
8 is Editing Score
0 is Animation Score
8 is Production Score
7.50 is Total Score
An excellent and funny film, scoring above average marks in virtually every technical category, and moreover, providing a total experience greater than the sum of it\'s parts. A unique and funny story, well acted, with good tight direction and pacing. Well done. A recommend.

Fest Update - GOODNIGHT CHARLIE Heads to Denmark

It's not over until the Europeans see it! Danny Daneau ('05) sent word that GOODNIGHT CHARLIE, his Directing 3 short and a selection on FIVE STORIES 2004 has been accepted from screening at the 1st Aarhus Festival of Independent Arts (AFIA), to be held on April 20-25 2006 in sunny DENMARK!

Yes, this is correct. As if the Danes didn't already have enough trouble with those cartoons, no they have to deal with a talking teddy bear. Somebody's gonna be pissed, I can feel it.

By the way, Aarhus is an annual international film festival, involving innovative and experimental ideas in independent art. It is the first festival of its kind in Denmark, dedicated to aspiring artists who desire to remain independent, and to the principal of artistic freedom.

BE BLANK ART SHOW @ DMAC

DMAC, UCF's Downtown Media Art Center, is proud to announce the opening of BE BLANK, a new art show featuring the works of 13 Fluxus, Surrealist and Satirical artists. Please join us for the Opening Night party on Thursday, March 16th at DMAC around 7pm.

DMAC is located on the corner of Pine & Magnolia in Downtown, Orlando.

VIDEOGRAPHER NEEDED – March 25 & 26

Hindu University of America is hosting a conference on Ayurveda at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel on Saturday, March 25 from 8am-9pm and Sunday, March 26 from 8am-1pm and seeks Videographer. Please contact Jadeine Shives, Marketing Manager for HU, at 407-275-0013 or jadeine@hindu-university.edu for details. Please contact before March 17.

LADIES!!! - Madcat Women's Film Fest Call Seeks Submissions

MadCat seeks provocative and visionary films and videos directed or co-directed by women. Films can be of any length or genre and produced ANY year. MadCat is committed to showcasing work that challenges the use of sound and image and explores notions of visual story telling. All subjects/topics will be considered. Submission Fee: $10-30 sliding scale. Pay what you can afford.

Founded in 1996 the MadCat Women’s International Film Festival (MadCat) is a highly acclaimed international festival that exhibits independent and experimental films and videos directed by women from around the globe. The Festival emphasizes work that is inventive and visionary. The annual Festival takes place at select San Francisco and Berkeley venues throughout the month of September.


For and entry form and more details go to www.madcatfilmfestival.org or call 415 436-9523. Preview Formats: VHS or DVD. Exhibition Formats: 35mm, 16mm, Super8, Beta SP, Mini DV, VHS, DVD. All entries must include a self addressed stamped envelope for return of materials.

Early Deadline: March 24, 2006.
Final Deadline: May 15, 2006.

Orlando Barbershop Choral Group Seeks Shooter

The Orlando Barbershop choral group, Orange Blossom Chorus, is having their annual concert on Saturday night April 1, 2006. We would like to have a video of the event that includes the Chorus, Lake Howell High School Choral group, and 3 guest quartets performing. It is being held at the Metro Life Church on Red Bug Lake Rd and SR 436 at 7:00pm. We
need a videographer who could tape the show, no post-recording editing would be required, and we will provide the equipment as needed. If you would be interested in helping out the group please call Chad Nye at 407-737-2588 during the day or 407-359-0765 evenings or email cnye@mail.ucf.edu

NOVEMBER GUEST Invited To Screen At Staten Island Film Fest

Holy Crap!!!

That's how Danny Daneau ('05) headlined the news that his Capstone short NOVEMBER GUEST has been accepted for screening at the First Staten Island Film Festival, scheduled for June 1st-4th, 2006.

This could be a perfect event if they screened on the top deck of the ferry that crosses between Staten Island and Manhattan. A beer in hand, the skyline behind the screen and comuters passed out all around me. That's a special event.

Florida Music Festival 2006 – Indie Film Jam – CALL FOR ENTRIES

The 5th annual Florida Music Festival welcomes the music, film and interactive gaming industry and artistic community to sunny Downtown Orlando May 17th-20th for more than 40 screenings, 250 music showcases and three full days of industry panels.

In its five years bands have received record deals, filmmakers have developed production relationships, and reputable industry reps have networked the Southeast. FMF creates an opportunity for visual and aural artists to further their creative process while cemented industry leads that will prove profitable in both art and commerce. Coming back for its second year as part of the Florida Music Festival, the 2006 Indie Film Jam is now a nationwide short film and music video competition.

FILMMAKERS
Submit your independent or college funded short films and music videos to this year's Indie Film Jam. Both categories of the IFJ will be juried and awarded prizes for Best in Fest, Audience Favorite, and Special Jury Prize.

• Shorts - Narrative shorts, documentaries, and animation are accepted. Must be under 30 minutes in length. SHORT FILMS DO NOT HAVE TO BE MUSIC RELATED!

• Music Video - Any style or genre of music under 10 minutes in length.

FILM DEADLINES
Regular Deadline: January 1st-March 31st, 2006 = $20.00
Late Deadline: April 1st-15th, 2006 = $30.00

Submit your film by downloading the PDF Registration form on the FMF2006 website (www.fmf2006.com) and mailing it to:

Florida Music Festival – Indie Film Jam
116 S. Orange Avenue
Orlando FL 32801

All filmmakers will be notified via e-mail to announce acceptance or rejection by May 1st, 2006. Once notified of acceptance, all exhibition copies of selected films/music videos will be on DVD format. All Submissions and included materials must be original works and must abide by all copyright laws and/or are rights free.

Your FMF2006 Artist, Industry or Media pass will gain you free admission to all screenings and music venues throughout the FMF weekend.

For more information about the festival or submissions please visit www.fmf2006.com
or e-mail: ifj@floridamusicfestival.com

International Doc Challenge Wants YOU!

The International Documentary Challenge is a new timed filmmaking competition where filmmakers from around the globe have just 5 days to make a short non-fiction film. Winning films will screen at a theatrical event presented in association with SILVERDOCS (hosted by AFI Silver Theatre), be released on a DVD, and receive possible television exposure.

Early Registration Deadline: February 28, 2006 Regular Deadline: March 22, 2006

Complete details and entry forms can be found at www.documentarychallenge.org

MR MALIKAI To Screen At Brooklyn Underground Film Fest

Drew Blatman ('o5) just sent us this bit 0' good news"

"Welcome to Brooklyn Underground 2006! We're happy to announce that "Mr. Malikai Battles the Aeroplane!" is an official selection at this year's festival. The program is really spectacular and dynamic as ever. After last year's successful third year, we're looking forward to record audience and filmmaker attendance. I'll be in touch soon with screening dates and times as well as party and event info. It's going to be a great year!"

Interesting that they added an exclaimation point to his title, huh? Maybe we should that for all our films? BTW - this is a very well-covered festival, lots of NY media in attendance. We should do a mailing to all of them.

NOVEMBER GUEST Accepted For Screening at Danville Intl Children's Film Fest

NOVEMBER GUEST, Capstone short of Danny Daneau ('05) has been accepted for screening at the Danville, International Children's Film Festival, happening May 19-21st in Danville, California. Those of you with good memories might recall that Danny's Directing 3 film, GOODNIGHT CHARLIE, won Best Mini Short at Danville last year. Key point? It's always a good thing to return to fests that like your work.

Good work Danny.