Screen Door Film

B-Side Teams Up With IFC

2007-09-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

B-Side Entertainment in Austin recently announced a partnership with IFC to provide distribution for hidden festival gems.
As Variety says, "With roughly 15,000 films screening at some 2,000 fests each year, few pics ever emerge from the clutter, let alone find theatrical distribution."
Those statistics amaze me, which means it's slim pickings for filmmakers looking to get a leg up. More reason to support B-Side in the efforts to get these lesser-known films out in the marketplace!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971707.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2564

TXMPA Board Election Results

2007-07-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

From the Texas Motion Picture Alliance ...

On Saturday, June 30, over 150 members of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA) met at St. Edward’s University in Austin for their Annual Meeting. Presiding over the meeting was Hector Garcia, the first president elected to the newly-chartered industry organization. Garcia recognized and celebrated the Alliance’s role, and industry-wide cooperation in attaining the passage of the historical Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.

"The incentive was the result of a collaborative effort between our cohesive, statewide Alliance, our lobbyists HillCo Partners, and key allies like Senator Bob Deuell, Representative Dawnna Dukes, Comptroller Susan Combs, and Governor Perry and the staff at the Texas Film Commission," said Garcia. "This meeting allows us a moment to reflect on our achievement and to prepare for growing our voice in the industry and at the Capitol."

The meeting included an election process to replace and reseat board members with expiring terms, creating the 2007-2008 Board of Directors. Elected were: J. R. Flournoy, At-Large; David Friedman, Dallas Regional Representative; Hector Garcia, At-Large; Rodney Gibbs, At-Large; Jeff Horny, At-Large; Drew Mayer-Oakes, Film Commission Representative; Tony Miglini, Producers Representative; Sharon Murphy, At-Large; Heather Page, Austin Regional Representative; Clark Richards, At-Large; and Nikki Young, San Antonio Regional Representative. Continuing Board Members are Steve Belsky, Labor/Crew Representative; Chelse Benham, South Texas Representative; Jacob

Cena, El Paso Representative; Marten Davies, At-Large; Linda Dowell, Labor/Talent Representative; Camille McNamara, Pan Handle Representative; Cynthia Neely, Houston Regional Representative; Dave Peacock, Texas Association of Film/Tape Professionals Representative; Meredith Stephens, At-Large; Don Stokes, At-Large.

Following the Annual Meeting, the new Board of Directors held its first meeting where it elected officers of the Board. Meredith Stephens was elected president, Drew Mayer-Oakes was elected vice president, Camille McNamara was elected secretary, and Marten Davies was elected treasurer. Stephens commented, "Today was an incredible day for this membership. We had the opportunity to thank and salute our outgoing board members for the huge sacrifice of time and dedication they gave for which this entire industry is indebted. Through their efforts, we achieved legislation that is paramount to our livelihood. We now have our new Board composed and inspired to foster our mission of continuing our growth and success as the industry’s voice in Texas. I am honored and humbled to be elected as president and look forward to working with the Board of Directors and membership toward that end."

TXMPA State Meeting, June 30th, Austin

2007-06-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

TXMPA Annual Membership Meeting & Election
Sponsored by
School of Management and Business
St. Edward's University

Saturday, June 30, 2007
10:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Approximate)
The Ragsdale Center at
St. Edward’s University
3001 South Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78704
512-448-8400
(Directions below)

Dear TXMPA Members,

Come to the annual meeting in Austin! The Texas Motion Picture Alliance is meeting for the first time as an association in a statewide meeting and we need you to attend.

If you are feeling like the work is done and there’s no reason to gather, you could not be farther from the truth. We are just getting started and we need everyone involved.

Come find out what needs to happen between now and the next legislative session only 18 months away. Come elect your representatives to the board. Make your vote count by being present for the election.

Prior to the Austin Annual Meeting, there are Regional Meetings in Austin (June 18), Houston (June 19), Dallas (June 26) and San Antonio (June 28). Watch for more details at www.txmpa.org.

At some of the regional meetings, there will be discussions regarding the election of the Regional Representatives. In accordance with our By Laws, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio’s Regional Reps are being chosen this year. Keep in mind, the actual vote will occur in Austin during the Annual Meeting, so it is important you come to Austin to cast your vote. Our By Laws do not have proxy voting for the membership.

Please remember, this is a membership meeting. If you are not yet a member, visit our Web site (www.txmpa.org) and join. It’s free. If you are not receiving this directly from our site (i.e., if this was forwarded to you or you received it from a list serve), you may not be a member. Please join today.

Our meeting should end at approximately 2 PM. The new board will then convene and choose its President.

I have decided not to run for the Presidency again but I do want to re-run for an At-Large Seat on the board so I can continue my involvement with TXMPA. This has been a tremendous year and I have enjoyed your support. Leading this organization during its first year was an enormous privilege and the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you for all your work, your energy, your enthusiasm, and your input. Together we made a difference.

See you in Austin!

Hector Garcia
President

Directions:

The Ragsdale Center is on the campus of St. Edwards University in Austin. The TXMPA meeting will be held in Jones Auditorium (located on the west side, ground floor of the Ragsdale Center).

1. Link to St. Edwards University www.stedwards.edu/map/maps.htm

2. Link to campus map www.stedwards.edu/map/campmap.htm

From Southbound I-35 take the Woodward St. exit.
From Northbound I-35 exit Ben White and remain on the access road until you reach Woodward St.
Head west and in a short distance you will see the campus on the right. There are two entrances from Woodward, the first is Theatre Pass and the second is Andre Drive. Turn right at Andre Drive, park and walk across to the Ragsdale Center.

From Mopac/Ben White
From southbound Mopac exit Loop 360 and stay on it when it changes to
Hwy 71 East. Exit So. Congress Ave. Turn left onto Congress and right on Woodward. Turn left into campus at Andre Drive, park and walk across to the Ragsdale Center.

TXMPA ANNOUNCES AUSTIN REGIONAL MEETING FOR MONDAY, JUNE 18

2007-06-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Attention Screen Door folk, listen up!

(Austin, TX) - The Austin region of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance announced today it will hold its next meeting Monday, June 18, at Mother Egan's Irish Pub, 715 West Sixth Street. At the meeting, attendees will choose a new Austin regional representative and discuss two at-large seats from the Austin region and the group's on-going structure.

Current representative Rebecca Campbell, executive director of the Austin Film Society, will attend with alternate Janet Pierson and Texas Film Commissioner Bob Hudgins.

The meeting will begin promptly at 7 p.m. To RSVP, email austintxmpa@mac.com.

TXMPA last week celebrated the passage of HB 1634, which included $22 million in funding for film incentives grants. On Monday, May 28, the Speaker of the House and the Lt. Governor signed the bill, and this Thursday, June 7, Governor Rick Perry is expected to sign the bill at a ceremony at Austin Studios, 1901 E. 51st Street, beginning at 10 a.m.

TXMPA is also celebrating its exciting and productive first year. Last June, the TXMPA formed at a statewide meeting in Austin with an elected board that includes a representative for each of seven regions throughout the state: Amarillo/Panhandle, Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso/West Texas, Houston, Rio Grande Valley/Brownsville and San Antonio.

Its next annual meeting to elect new board and discuss the upcoming year will be held Saturday, June 30, at 10 a.m. See the TXMPA Web site, www.txmpa.org, for details. Location TBA.

In preparation for the next legislative session in 2009, there is still a great amount of work to be accomplished. TXMPA will assist in marketing the new incentives program, monitoring the results of these grants and embarking on an Economic Impact Study.

About the Texas Motion Picture Alliance:
The Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization founded in Austin on June 16, 2006 to become the advocate for the film, video, interactive, and digital media production industries in the Lone Star State. The Alliance is committed to building a strong community of industry professionals. It is charged towards creating competitive economic incentives to present to the state legislature in the upcoming session. TXMPA also is committed to educating the general public about our businesses and how we impact their lives through the hundreds of millions of dollars our productions pump into the economy.

SDF and SVT - Our new home

2007-05-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

Screen Door is thrilled to present our first shorts program at our new home, The Salvage Vanguard Theater. When SVT opens its doors in June, Austin will instantly have a new focal point for cutting edge theater, film and music.
SVT's programming will include music on Tuesday nights, theater Thursday through Sunday, and Screen Door will be programming Wednesday night film nights!
Our first such event will take place on Wednesday, June 13th, and the program contains 8 amazing short films, collected from film festivals far and wide.

TXMPA Legislative Agenda

2007-02-27T07:26:00.001-08:00

Here's the latest from the board of the Tx Motion Picture Alliance.
This is the specific info that we've all been waiting for, so dig in!
And don't forget to become a member by signing up at:
http://www.txmpa. org

Legislative Agenda for the 80th Legislature

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

TXMPA supports legislation that will provide competitive economic
incentives for the film, video, interactive, and video game
industry. TXMPA opposes legislation
that increases the cost of doing business in Texas for the film,
video, interactive, and video game industry.

SUPPORT

• Support funding of the Texas Film Incentive Program passed, but
not funded, in 2005 (formerly SB 1142).

• Support increased funding of the Texas Film Incentive Program to
make the wage-only based incentive program more competitive.

• Support the provision in the Texas Film Incentive Program allowing
a larger grant to be allocated to underused areas of the state.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
increase the grant amount per project.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program
language to eliminate the "national or multi-state" restriction for
qualifying commercial productions.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
include video game production.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
include video production, including but not limited to documentary,
industrial, corporate, and educational video production.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
allocate a percentage of the program's funds to specific production
categories: X to feature films, X to television productions, X to
video game production, and
X to commercial and video production.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
allow film or television production projects with a budget of $1
million or more to qualify for a grant.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
allow commercial and video production projects with a budget of
$300,000 or more to qualify for a grant.

• Support legislation modifying the Texas Film Incentive program to
allow video game projects with a budget of $2 million or more to
qualify for a grant.

• Support legislation that would create an expanded incentive
program that would provide a cash rebate to qualifying production
companies equal to 10% of "in-State" expenditures (dollars paid to
Texas vendors and Texas
workers).

• Support legislation that would require 25% of in-State
expenditures to be in Texas wages to qualify for an expanded
incentive program.

• Support legislation that would require a film or television
production or series to spend a minimum of $100,000 in wages to
qualify for an expanded incentive program.

• Support legislation that would require a video game production to
spend a minimum of $500,000 in wages to qualify for an expanded
incentive program.

• Support legislation that would require a commercial, documentary,
industrial, corporate or educational production or series to spend a
minimum of $50,000 in wages to qualify for an expanded incentive
program.

• Support legislation that would permit production companies to use
State owned facilities for location shooting free of charge.

• Support legislation that would permit qualified production
companies to receive a State hotel/motel occupancy tax exemption for
occupying a hotel/motel room for three nights or longer.

• Support legislation that would exempt production companies from
the State vehicle use tax when a vehicle is rented for a qualified
production.

• Support legislation that would provide professional development
for existing workers and assist graduates of Texas colleges and
universities in entering and receiving training in production
related professions.

OPPOSE

• Oppose legislation creating new unfunded mandates.

• Oppose legislation that would change the production industry's
current manufacturing industry tax status.

Austin's Mike Akel nominated for an Independent Spirit Award!

2007-02-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

http://spiritawardsonifc.bside.com/?_view=_home

Be sure to visit the Independent Spirit Award's website (above) and vote for Mike Akel's excellent film.
Congratulations to Mike and the whole cast and crew of "Chalk"

USA 2006 | Run time: 85 min. | Director: Mike Akel
Four educators muddle through another year at a typical American high school in this mockumentary comedy. Mr. Lowery (Troy Schremmer), Mr. Stroope (Chris Mass), and Coach Webb (Janelle Schremmer) are three teachers doling out knowledge at a high school in Austin, TX. Mr. Lowery is new to teaching, and has to deal with his own inexperience as well as a decided lack of enthusiasm for history among his students; it doesn't help Lowery that the kids quickly learn how to push his buttons. Mr. Stroope has been on the faculty for three years, and is zealously campaigning for the honor of "Teacher of the Year." Stroope has enlisted his students to help him win the prize, even though they seem less than impressed with his academic abilities. Coach Webb teaches Girl's Gym, and despite her short hair and severe manner, she frequently and enthusiastically insists that she's heterosexual. Webb also insists on following the school's regulations to the letter, and has unusual ideas about how to make Gym seem hip and fun for her charges. Meanwhile, Mrs. Reddell (Shannon Haragan) has recently been promoted from the teaching staff to her new position as assistant principal, which has put a tremendous strain on her friendship with her colleagues, especially Webb. Chalk received the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Independent Film Festival of Boston.

Lights, camera ... all we need now is action

2007-02-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

Lights, camera ... all we need now is action

EDITORIAL BOARD

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Most of the upcoming movie "Dallas" will be shot in Louisiana. Some scenes from "El Paso" were also shot in Louisiana. And "Glory Road," about Texas basketball legend Don Haskins, was shot mainly in Louisiana. So, partners, what has that state got that Texas ain't?

Incentives.

This week, Gov. Rick Perry rightly proposed a package of incentives to keep Texas competitive in the movie industry. Texas is a natural when it comes to filmmaking. With its mild climate and diverse topography — from plains and deserts to rolling hills and beaches — the Lone Star state had been a leader in attracting the filmmaking industry and the dollars that go with it. Now, Texas is trailing behind Louisiana and New Mexico.

Those neighboring states raked in a huge chunk of the movie and television business after they began offering financial incentives in 2003. Since then, more than $700 million in production budgets and 4,500 jobs have gone to other states, according to the Texas Film Commission. While Louisiana and New Mexico have increased their share of the movie business, the Texas share has declined. Even 12 films set in Texas were filmed in other states and Canada. Someone get a rope.

We need more than a posse to save jobs and business that annually pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the state and local economies. Perry has the answer with his proposal to create financial incentives.

The governor wants the Legislature to set aside $20 million in cash grants to keep Texas competitive. About $10 million would be for feature films, $8 million for television productions and $2 million for TV commercials and digital interactive media, which includes the video game industry. The Legislature took a step two years ago by establishing just such a fund. But money was tight then, so the lawmakers didn't put any money in it.

This time around, the state has an estimated $14 billion surplus over the next two years and there is no shortage of needs, from increasing health coverage for the uninsured, funding the criminal justice system, awarding state employees pay raises and improving public and higher education, among other things.

But the cash grants are a wise investment because they would more than pay for themselves in the amount of dollars they would generate for the Austin and Texas economies. Equally important, the film industry creates high-paying jobs that don't pollute.

Austin voters recognized the importance of the film industry to the city's economy when they passed $5 million in bonds in November for Austin Studios. That will be used to renovate the studios to peak Hollywood standards, including soundproofing and air-conditioning studios.

Perry's proposal will keep the cameras — and jobs that go with them — rolling in Texas. The Legislature should make it a wrap.

Screen Door's Best of 2006 held at the Austin Museum of Art

2007-01-05T15:46:00.000-08:00

Join us at the Austin Muesum of Art on Friday, January 26th at 7:30 pm as we celebrate our third anniversary. All Screen Door patrons will be able to visit the AMOA's "Radical NY" exhibit for free. So come out and have a fun evening of great films and great art!

Screen Door Film is proud to announce the line-up for our Best of 2006 program for the AMOA show on the 26th. Our audience voted on their favorite films throughout the year, choosing their favorite 8 films out of the 41 shorts we screened this past year.

Each of the films are national or international award-winners in their own right, having played at film festivals all over the world. The program includes 3 films from Austin directors (Junior! The Wendy’s Guy by Stephen Stephanian, The Tuesday Nighter by Mike Woolf and Momma's Boy by John Bryant,) and 2 international selections (Habitat by Lars Arrhenius and Make A Wish by Cherien Dabis.)

Habitat
By Lars Arrhenius
In Habitat, we follow nine people and a dog in a three-story apartment building. An urban story, where the drama of the building mixes the ordinary and the absurd, with humor and seriousness.
(Melbourne FF, Tinklai Short FF, Palm Springs FF, Swedish Film Institute)

Make A Wish
By Cherien Dabis
What begins as a simple trip to the bakery, turns into a journey that subtly depicts not only the tensions of a politically charged environment, but also illustrates the grief that can only result from growing up under occupation.
(Recipient – National Geographic All Roads Film Project, Palm Springs FF)

K-7
By Christopher Leone
An ordinary job interview becomes a battle of life or death when Vincent rates a K-7 on his secret psychological profile. But what does K-7 mean?
(Clermont-Ferrand FF, Cinequest, SXSW, HBO Comedy Arts FF, Tribeca, LA FF)
Christopher just aired his latest mini-series on the Sci Fi channel, called "The Lost Room" which he wrote and produced. It's awesome stuff, check it out at http://www.scifi.com/lostroom/

Junior! The Wendys Guy
By Stephen Stephanian
The story of a fast food cashier on the UT Austin campus that places your #1 Combo like Michelangelo painted, Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.
(SXSW, Starz First Look Festival, Palm Beach FF, Winner–McGuffin FF)

The Tuesday Nighter
By Mike Woolf
Daylight savings time in Austin bears witness to the longest running urban, non-sanctioned bicycle race.
It's a no holds-barred affair. No insurance, no prizes and you just might spot a world champion.
(SXSW)

The Mantis Parable
By Josh Staub
A lowly caterpillar is trapped in a bug collector's jar and desperately needs some rescue. When a praying mantis refuses to help, he’ll learn a hard-earned lesson in humility.
(Winner–Best Animation Palm Springs FF, Seattle FF, Santa Barbara FF, Hollywood)

Momma's Boy
By John Bryant
The latest film from the Austin director who brought you Oh My God. Old rivalries come bubbling to the surface when a family reunites over Thanksgiving dinner.
(Sundance)

The Sky Is Falling
By Adam J. Kreps
It's the Great Depression, and several patrons of the Excelsior Hotel have recently checked out, by way of
the rooftop. Jay, a bellboy, must now prevent a determined guest from jumping to his death in order to
save the job of the front desk girl, whom he secretly adores.
(Palm Springs FF, Florida FF, Rochester FF, Independents FF)

Before The Music Dies, Wall Street Journal Review

2006-12-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

Wall Street Journal
In today's Journal from their rock & pop writer......
'As the Music Turns'
Might Be a Better Title
By JIM FUSILLI
December 6, 2006; Page D12

The producers of the new, almost-provocative documentary "Before the Music Dies" hope to launch a grass-roots marketing campaign in which fans of popular music host home screenings. It might work, but outraged music lovers who come to an event firm in their belief that rock is being held hostage by corporate interests, as the film's promotional material suggests, may be disappointed. "Before the Music Dies" isn't a polemic. It's a balanced overview of the state of today's rock scene in America. And the filmmakers rightly conclude that rock is fairly healthy despite seismic shifts in the way businesses sell it to us. "As the Music World Turns" might have been a better title.

Available through the Web site beforethemusicdies.com and, beginning Dec. 12, via Amazon.com, "Before the Music Dies" deploys Erykah Badu, Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Questlove and other music-industry insiders both sensible and senseless to inflate and then let the air out of varying points of view. (In time, it becomes apparent who's worth listening to and who's a dope.) One oft-repeated opinion states that things were better then than now, that all we have today is the afterglow of a great golden age of rock. It resonates because it's a widely held conviction among rock fans, especially baby boomers, though it's easily disproved.

"Before the Music Dies" opens with a flamboyant performance by Billy Preston supported by Ray Charles and a big band. A narrator describes it as a display of "raw talent, the kind that doesn't seem to be around as much these days." Then he adds, "Or maybe we're looking in the wrong places." Preston's performance is almost comic, the song, "Agent Double-O Soul," is trite, and the great Charles is a bystander; so raw talent, yes, but not used to great effect here. In other words, not even yesteryear's best were always fabulous. Besides, there is no shortage of talent among today's popular musicians, even if we don't know about it. There's a performance by Mr. Matthews in the film that is superior to Preston's, hands down.

Many veteran rock fans believe old rock is better mainly because they don't hear much new music -- familiar distribution channels like free-form radio are now rare and prime-time TV variety shows that once featured rock are gone. (The Preston clip comes from "The Ed Sullivan Show.") It's probably true, as the film purports, that the likes of Clear Channel, with its 1,150 radio stations, has an outsized influence over what's heard on the airwaves, and corporations that own major labels favor the kind of music they can market as a lifestyle purchase -- whether it's Ashlee Simpson to young teenage girls, 50 Cent to white suburban males or Bob Dylan to boomers.

But a changing marketplace doesn't mean the music is suffering, any more than the ubiquity of fast-food joints means an end to great chefs and haute cuisine. Nor does it mean we still can't find new music rather easily. "Before the Music Dies" presents performances by several musicians I'd never heard of. Within minutes online, I found an album by one, the jazz-funk group Blaze. The band Calexico, which blends roots rock with mariachi and other Southwest influences, is already one of my favorites, and I love the live version of their song "Stray" that's in the film. Apple's iTunes Store didn't have it when I visited, but while I was there I ordered the band's new release.

Radio still plays a role in introducing us to new music -- in ways that vaunted and now-defunct free-form FM stations never did. I don't know if Calexico gets a lot of airplay on Clear Channel, but if memory serves, the likes of WNEW-FM in New York didn't spin many discs by mariachi bands either. Today, National Public Radio's "All Songs Considered," a weekly compendium of what's happening in popular music, gives far broader glimpse of the American and world music scene than any station I came across 20 or 30 years ago, and you can download it for podcasting with little difficulty. "Before the Music Dies" endorses Seattle's KEXP-FM, a free-form rock station with a taste for musical diversity that you can stream live via the Web.

The film also seems to suggest that the commercial and artistic sides of the music business once existed in harmony to the benefit of the consumer. This was rarely true in rock; frankly, I've never met a rock musician who believes he's been compensated fairly. It's axiomatic that if you're expecting to be paid for something you would do for free, you're in a disadvantageous position when negotiating compensation with people who are in it for the money. Yet the most successful rock acts of the past 35 or so years -- count Elton John, Paul Simon, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Neil Young among them -- are savvy businessmen who hold art in abeyance while discussing commerce. "People get art and commerce mixed up," says the Roots' Questlove in the film. "Once you can separate the two...and [see] that this business is commerce, it makes that much more sense."

"The 20 million people that buy a Britney Spears record aren't music fans. They are pop culture fans," says musician Michael Penn, summing up the film's slow-to-get-to conclusion. "If your vision is more about reaching the people who really respond to music, that's a completely different business." In other words, don't turn to Clear Channel or any media that prize commercial success above all if you're in search of art.

"Before the Music Dies" may spur debate among those who come to it with an agenda. But a careful, open-minded viewing tells us that rock music isn't dying. The business that sells it -- an entirely different beast -- is evolving. Inexpensive digital recording capabilities as well as innovative and often inexpensive distribution channels have created new opportunities for talented, driven musicians. For them, the change is for the better, as it is for the spirited music lover eager to keep rock alive.

Mr. Fusilli writes about rock and pop for the Journal.

Before The Music Dies At St. Edward's University

2006-11-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

Chris Hyams, Joel Rasmussen, Deena Kalai

On Friday, November 17th, about 100 films fans crowded into Jones
Auditorium on the St Edward's campus to watch the amazing
documentary, Before The Music Dies.

The film tells the story of modern music...how corporations have
changed the model by which music choices are offered, and how
artists are developed. While the film does describe the negative
aspects of the current state of the music industry, ultimately it's a
story of hope. Hope represented in the form of new technologies
that are changing the way artists and their fans connect.
The final message of the film? Teach your children well, as they
are the future of our rich musical culture.

We were treated to an interesting panel discussion following the film,
which included producer Joel Rasmussen, distributor Chris Hyams of
Bside Entertainment, and legal council Deena Kalai. We got into some
very interesting areas of discussion, including the unique distribution
model being employed for this film by Bside Entertainment, an
Austin-based film distribution company.

Bside's strategy is to forgo the traditional theatrical screening model,
and instead build a word-of-mouth groundswell for the film through
alternative screenings, such as the event at St. Edward's. Bside has
screened the film 82 times worldwide in non-traditional settings thus far,
anything from a small gathering of music fans in a recording studio,
to full-blown screenings by the local chapters of the National Academy
of Recording Arts & Sciences (ie, Grammys.) The idea is to create the
same "buzz" that a standard Hollywood theatrical release would generate,
but avoid the exorbitant costs surrounding P&A (prints and ads)
normally associated with a theatrical release. Most importantly, Bside
allows the filmmakers to retain complete creative control, as well as
ownership of their copyrights.

The net result is a filmmaker friendly business model that allows the
filmmaker, rather than a studio, to see more of their hard-earned profits.

An important part of the filmmakers strategy is to have the film
shown as many times as possible, so if you or your organization
would like to host a screening of the film, we would encourage you to
contact Bside directly by visiting www.bside.com.

The DVD is available on amazon.com, and will be chock-full of
extras and special features.

International Night Returns Are In!

2006-11-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

Screen Door hosted our first International Short FIlm night this Thursday on the porch at Mother Egan's.
We had seven films from seven different countries, each a prize-winner in their respective homeland.

All votes have been counted and the results are in:

Winner: Habitat (Sweden) by Lars Arrhenius
Runner-up: Make A Wish (Palestinian Territories) by Cherien Dabis

The rest of the films in order were:
Rogairi (Ireland) by Tom Cosgrove
Le Generaliste (Belgium) by Damien Chemin
United Nations of Hip Hop (Senegal) by Christina Choe
Exploding Buds (Germany) by Petra Schroder

Thanks to all who attended and voted their conscience!

Screen Door is looking forward to our next event on 11/17 at St Edward's University, so be sure to check the events page for the latest details of our screening of "Before The Music Dies."

Wanna Be In A Movie?

2006-10-24T05:12:00.000-07:00

The Duplass Brothers, Austin filmmakers, are looking for 150 extras to volunteer for a few hours in their feature film “Baghead.” Extras will play audience members at a film festival movie theater and partygoers at a film festival “afterparty.” The movie theater scene will feature brief nudity on-screen for comedic purposes. Extras must be 18 or older.

Please contact Jen Tracy via email at
bagheadthemovie@yahoo.com for more information, times, maps, etc.

DATE: 10/29
CALL TIME: NOON SHARP
SHOOT DURATION: ends 4:30pm or earlier
LOCATION: Shoot at Regal Arbor Cinema
9828 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX 78759

DIRECTIONS:
I-35 go North
Take the US-183 N exit 240B to Research Blvd - go 4.3 mi Take the exit to Capital of TX Hwy/Great Hills
Trail/(TX-360-LOOP) - go 0.3 mi
Continue on Research Blvd - go 0.7 mi
Turn left at Great Hills Trl - go 0.2 mi Arrive at Regal Arbor Cinema
At Great Hl
9828 Great Hills Trl, Austin, TX 78759

The Duplass Brothers’ last film, “The Puffy Chair,”
premiered at Sundance, was nominated for two Independent Spirit awards, and had a nationwide theatrical release. More info at www.myspace.com/thepuffychair

Mother Egan's Show

2006-10-04T06:05:00.000-07:00

So we had this show at Mother Egan's the other night....

Everyone seemed to win--Dee, Joe, Dave and Will were happy (Thanks, guys!) and folks got to see some great short films.

I, being the marketing guy, did my part to help ME's out by turning Dos Equis into Doce Equis, but I regress...

According to all counts, Junior! and Uso Justo were the crowd favorite, though I prefered Viva Morrissey. Uso Justo's reflexive use of subtitles threw the spanish speakers out there for a loop when things...just...didn't...seem...to add... up.

If you didn't make it to our last show, we have another great Best of the Fests coming up soon. We'd love to see you there!

T

jumping off bridges screens at Alamo South Lamar, 10/3, 7pm

2006-09-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

The ladies at Storie Productions are at it again.

jumping off bridges
a storie productions film
Tuesday, October 3rd, 7pm
Alamo Drafthouse South, $10
Co-sponsored by the Travis County Suicide Prevention Coalition.
Advanced tickets available at http://www.originalalamo.com/lamar/frames.asp.

Inspired by invincible friendships, junior high journal entries, heart breaking crushes and the complexities of losing loved ones, jumping off bridges follows a carefree, adventurous group of four best friends deep in the trenches of adolescence. Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Kat Candler ( cicadas, Roberta Wells), the film features Michael Emerson (Henry Gale on the hit television series LOST), Bryan Chafin (cicadas, The Patriot), Rhett Wilkins ( The Puffy Chair), Glen Powell Jr (Fast Food Nation ), Savannah Welch and Katie Lemon.

www.jumpingoffbridges.com

Photos from out TAFTP Event

2006-09-17T17:14:00.000-07:00

Excellent Event At Mother Egan's

2006-09-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Screen Door Film joined forces with the Texas Association of Film and Tape Professionals (TAF/TP) and packed the porch at Mother Egan’s on Thursday, 9/14 as we hosted a film industry mixer. Nearly 200 people came out to hear the latest from the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA,) the upcoming City Bond election vote for Prop 4, and how Screen Door Film and the TAF/TP are all working together to keep Texas’ film industry robust.

Our list of speakers included:
Bob Hudgins – Texas Film Commissioner
Rebecca Campbell – Executive Director, Austin Film Society
Chuck Hatcher – Director, Texas Association of Film and Tape Professionals
Craig Berlin – Treasurer, TXMPA and owner of Pro-Tape

The Texas Motion Picture Alliance serves as an advocate for film, video, interactive, and digital media production professionals and represents those citizens before legislative, regulatory, and judicial bodies. The TXMPA seeks to lobby State Congress for incentives that will directly promote film and media production in Texas.

The TXMPA (www.txmpa.org) intends to accomplish this via funded legislative means as a result of the combined efforts of all participants in the TXMPA. The potential gains to be realized by the Texas economy in establishing such incentives will amount to hundreds of millions of dollars and their impact will touch virtually every sector of business within the state.

Prop 4 is part of the upcoming City of Austin Bond election, and seeks to provide $5 million to outfit the soundstages at Austin Studios with such modern conveniences as AIR CONDITIONING.

The TAF/TP was represented by Austin Rep, Suzanne Koneful. The TAF/TP serves as a connecting point for film and commercial production professionals. Their industry guidebook is the bible for production personnel in the State of Texas. For more info, visit www.shoottexas.org.

Joining Screen Door and the TAF/TP was the Austin Film Guerilla. The AFG collects and posts the latest cast and crew calls in Austin, providing valuable data for actors and crew personnel who are looking for their next opportunity.