Check out the first short film produced my talented friend Dan Liffick, from California. Dan and I were colleagues at the Interactive Media Program at San Diego City College. I have always known that he would find on film production his passion, and believe more than ever he will do very well in his career. The film stars gifted actor Rich Carrillo playing the main role, Australian fashion designer Anthea Rodgers, striking as the news’ anchor; and outstanding Dynamite Walls’ musician, Allan Bates. In addition to that, Duane Gardella played the dream killer; Sven Salumma as Philip White, and Eddie Parker was the news worker. A few other friends were also involved in the production, such as Raygun Fernandez, Jerry Figeroua, Paul Kimmel and Melody Ward. Well done guys! I look forward to seeing your next productions and wish you all the best with your future endeavors.
“Golden Hill is my first serious attempt at filmmaking. I shot the entire short at San Diego City College with a CanonXl1s. A special thank you to Duane Gardella who gave wonderful guidance and for presenting me an opportunity to create a film. Thanks,Dan.” (Dan Liffick)
You may contact Dan on myspace by clicking here
Confira o primeiro curta-metragem produzido pelo meu talentoso amigo Dan Liffick, da Califórnia. O Dan e eu cursamos o programa de mídia interativa na Faculdade da Cidade de San Diego. Eu sempre soube que ele encontraria seu talento na produção de cinema, e agora acredito mais do que nunca que ele vai ser muito bem sucedido em sua carreira. O curta traz o talentoso ator Rich Carrillo como protagonista, a estilista australiana Anthea Rogdgers no papel da apresentadora de TV; e o músico extraordinário da banda Dynamite Walls, Allan Bates. Adicionalmente, Duane Gardella fez o papel do matador, Sven Sallumma atuou como Philip White, e Eddie Parker era o produtor do jornal. Alguns outros amigos também fizeram parte da produção do filme, bem como Raygun Fernandez, Jerry Figeroua, Paul Kimmel e Melody Ward. Mandaram bem pessoal! Eu fico no aguardo da sua próxima produção e desejo o melhor nas suas futuras andanças.
“Golden Hill é a minha primeira tentativa séria com produção de filme. Eu filmei o curta na Faculdade da Cidade de San Diego, utilizando uma CanonXl1s. Um agradecimento especial ao Duane Gardella, o qual me proporcionou incrível direção e me deu a oportunidade de criar o filme. Obrigado, Dan.” (Dan Liffick)
Você pode contatar o Dan no myspace, clicando aqui
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sex is in the air
May 28, 2008
Air – Sexy Boy
After a long wait, Sex and the City: The Movie, is being released. The feature film which is an adaptation of the HBO comedy series, is causing a buzz in the four corners of the world. The TV series has brought to our lives a new and sincere approach to sexuality, love, friendship, and reality which cannot only be applied to New York City, but to any other big city in the world. Its characters have inspired millions amongst different generations across the world, therefore often groups of friends easily identify themselves with their favourite character while they sip cosmopolitans at lounges and restaurants around town. I believe Sex and the City was the first TV show which dealt with the daily crisis of living in such a genuine and concrete way; furthermore it was the first show to break stereotypical rules imposed by the human being and our societies. It brought up taboos while bringing down layers and facades existent in our individual’s character. Therefore, it showed us new possibilities based on a controversial yet straight forward new-yorker life-style.
The movie’s world premiere was held at Leicester Square, in London, on May 12th, 2008, being released in the UK on May 28th. Tomorrow is the big day in the United States and Canada, however we need to wait until the 5th of June to watch it on the big screen down under. In the meantime, while people anxiously wait for the day, cinemas are working hard to ensure its Australian debut follows the movie’s classiness and sophistication. The movie’s advertisements can be seen all over town, at the same time local businesses, such as clubs and bars, take advantage of all the excitement to improve their sales by organizing thematic parties based on the film. As the movie receives mixed reviews, I have once again chosen to disregard them. Moreover, it would be a plus if the movie brought something new into my life, nevertheless if this is just another follow-up two hour episode, I’ll be more than satisfied. I can’t even remember the last time I watched a Sex and the City episode which I hadn’t seen before.
watch the official trailer here:
melbourne queer film festival
March 3, 2008
It starts on wednesday, 5 March, the 18th edition of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. It will be eleven days of shorts, feature, documentaries, and panels, where hundreds of films will be played over 90 sessions. The festival, which is the largest queer film festival in Australia, and one of the oldest queer film festivals in the world, will be de approaching human rights, discussing immigration issues, HIV education, as well as current expansion in the legislation relating to queer rights in Australia.
The festival will show a variety of films from all over the world, approaching homosexuality in several different ways. The opening night will be held at the Astor Theatre, in St Kilda. However, most of the films will be screened at the ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), located in the Federation Square, on Flinders Street, in Melbourne. No matter what your visions are, or what you would like to know more about the subject, I guarantee that you will find something to please your eyes and mind during the festival. The tickets are being sold on-line at the festival’s website, but hurry, because just like any other cultural event in Melbourne, tickets are selling quickly!
lo-res PDF, 7MB hi-res PDF, 200k (A4)
(all the images used in this post are copyrighted, and belong to the Melbourne Queer Film Festival)
the tragedy of hamlet prince of denmark
February 27, 2008
A contemporary melburnian production inspired on the shakespearean classic, Hamlet. The film has strong influences from the French New Wave, Dogme 95 and experimental theatre; illustrating a subliminal decayed world, in a way that film experts haven’t seen before.
Produced by ‘A Poor Theatre Company‘, directed by Oscar Redding, the film stars the enchanting new zealander actress, Heather Bolton, playing Gertrude. I am proud and lucky to have the chance of interacting with her on a weekly basis, while having her as my tutor in Australia.
The film, which had its premiere at the 2007 Melbourne International Film Festival, is the first to be included to the Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre program, having several screenings from February 26, and March 8. Some of them are sold out already, so hurry up and make sure you get your tickets before they are all gone!
It goes well with Thomas Vinterberg’s Festen (The Celebration); Lars von Trier’s Idoterne (The Idiots), and Breaking the Waves.
What: The tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark
Where: Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre
When: 26.02 – 08.03
More Info: drinkhotblood | malthousetheatre
(the image used for this post belongs to http://www.drinkhotblood.com)
focus on gus van sant
February 20, 2008
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) hosts a remarkable week, dedicated to the eminent american film director, Gus Van Sant. Van Sant’s most common themes are the specter of death combined with marginalized subcultures in the form of prostitution, illegal immigration, drug addiction, dissident adolescence, and tempestuous turned away juvenile men often dealing with oppressed homosexuality in a subtle way.
Focus on Gus Van Sant will be exhibiting a nightly movie; having his latest work, Paranoid Park, opening the festival. The following nights will be playing some of his stunning films such as Psycho, Mala Noche, My own Private Idaho, To die for, Drugstore, Cowboy, Gerry, Elephant, and Last days.
Although some may consider Van Sant’s mood fatalistic, he often finds ways of transmitting a clever feeling of romantic love, self acceptance, brotherhood and family. Regardless your taste for the blockbusters; or the realm of conceptual films, there is no doubt you will enjoy the Festival. A useful tip could be combining a small dose of stoicism, with the desire of appreciating a well-done piece, having as result a pleasant night while socializing with the public expected on those nights.
Paranoid Park Trailer. 2007
What: Focus on Gus Van Saint
When: Feb 21 – 29
Where: ACMI Cinemas
sony tropfest 2008
February 18, 2008
It happened yesterday in Australia, the 16th edition of the Sony Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival. The event was broadcasted live from The Botanic Gardens Trust, in Sydney, transmitted simultaneously to every state capital and eight regional centres, having no cover charge for any of its locations.
The competition had over 600 entries this year, starring independent filmmakers from several countries around the world, such as Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Denmark, Austria, France, Germany, the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, and of course, Australia.
The event has three main rules: the films cannot exceed seven minutes; the event has to be their premiere screening; and each film must include the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI), confirming that the film was produced exclusively for the festival. The TSI chosen for 2008 was the number ‘8’.
The event has expended its frontiers overseas; having had its second edition in New York City last september, taking place at the Battery Park in downtown. The edition had over 8,000 people attending. Having a successful repercussion, the event will be happening again on October 11, 2008.
Back to the other side of the world, in parallel with the aussie edition, the organizers have launched the Trop Jr, being the world’s largest short film festival for kids, by kids. The event also happened yesterday, just hours before Sony Tropfest’s regular program.
Needless to say how incredible was having the chance to experience the event, and being one of the 150,000 people that gathered together to watch the 16 finalists. The weather couldn’t be better, with a big, bright, and yellow sun keeping the thermometers over the 30 degrees mark all day. As the sun went down and the presentations came on, my thoughts couldn’t be other: what an amazing and cultural country I’m living in.
For my filmmaker friends, and for all of those involved in the film industry, I highly recommend working on something outstanding to participate in the next year’s edition. For the sponsors, filmmakers, and each one of those australian citizens; permanent residents; and others not so permanent, that were part of that outrageous event yesterday, I have only one thing to say:
BRAVO!
(followed by the endless claps)
for more info visit the official website:
This world. by Tony Sebastian 