The Devil and Daniel Johnston
88Nine's own Scott Mullins will host a screening of "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" Wednesday August 5th at 8pm at the Turner Hall Ballroom.
Aug 4th, 2009
Selig Family gives $200k to Milwaukee Film
Peep this -- way to go, Milwaukee Film. And for the rest of you, now you know what it costs to get an award named after you. Yep, apparently right around the 200k mark. Not bad.
Aug 3rd, 2009
Milwaukee Filmmaker named Top 25 To Watch
Top 25 New Faces in Independent Film included one of our own in 2009
Jul 18th, 2009
NO GOD, NO MASTER Films In Milwaukee This Summer
Chicago area based film production company, Strata Productions, Inc., in association with Sacco & Vanzetti, LLC and NGNM, Inc. is gearing up for production this summer on the feature film No God, No Master. Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been a first choice location for Chicago Writer/Director Terry Green since the inception of the script. The city's rich history, vintage architecture and Lake Michigan's horizon are the perfect backdrops for the 1919 period locations, which simulate old world New York City.
Jul 9th, 2009
Howie interviews David Byrne, asks Haley Dekle to marry him
In this edition: NYC love, 19-year-old stoners, watching David Byrne's stuff, The Dirty Projectors, a high school reunion of sorts - and so much more.
Jun 19th, 2009
Twitter recap
For those of you who just can’t find it in your heart to Tweet, we present you with our favorite selections from Howie’s live coverage of Bonnaroo on the internet’s most adorable social media platform. If you’re one with the Twitternation, follow him now at twitter.com/easyotis or join your TCD friends at twitter.com/TCDigest. –Ed. June 11 1:44 AM #bonnaroo. We have arrived http://twitpic.com/73tu5 4:45 AM Feel good after an @magichat n 2 hrs sleep. Everyone who works at this Wal Mart hates hipsters n hippies alike. http://twitpic.com/73zkz 7:23 AM Unbridled enthusiasm abounds in #bonnaroo press office @bonnaroonews, where u at? http://twitpic.com/747qq 4:23 PM Alberta Cross: vocals like My Morning Jacket, lazy bass n kick drum like The Verve. UK accents like Arctic Monkeys http://twitpic.com/75jk7 4:33 PM @carlinkacarlota and a dude with parrot on his shoulder watching #alberta cross http://twitpic.com/75ki4 4:55 PM On top of ferris wheel…..aahhhhjh http://twitpic.com/75mmz 9:07 PM My fav port o poop http://twitpic.com/768y9 June 12 5:20 AM Good morn! Day 2 @bonnaroo. Press meeting at fri 11am, Girl Talk at sat 2am. What should we do in between? 7:35 AM Just overhead: dude, ” dude, I’ll trade u a pabst for a cigarette.” “dude, I’ll totally do that” #bonnaroo 7:37 AM Randomly seeing parrot guy again kicking it with Biker hippies n blow up doll #bonnaroo http://twitpic.com/772is 9:31 AM These walls were blank yesterday. #bonnaroo http://twitpic.com/77c7c June 13 7:00 AM Bon iver justin vernon (center) talks strategies used at fests to engage peeps: “ask the crowd to be your chorus” http://twitpic.com/7a6ly 7:03 AM Um, ground control to major tom, I think we’ve lost him #phish http://twitpic.com/7a6w2 11:03 PM Glowstick war at NIN. Ha June 14 5:02 PM RT @bonnaroonews: Trent Reznor says Bonnaroo his last US concert #bonnaroo ^JL http://bit.ly/1c4BxK 5:02 PM RT @SpinnerTweet: Final day #Bonnaroo. Did life ever exist before this? Is there still an outside world? Are showers still around? 5:03 PM RT @stereogum: Bonnaroo Sat. recap: Trent says goodbye, Bruce says Merry XMas. Lots of pics + video of new MGMT tune http://is.gd/11UdC
Jun 15th, 2009
TCD @ BONNAROO! Manchester TN, June 11-14
Easy Otis & ThirdCoast Digest are going gonzo style deep into Bonnaroo, posting Twitter and blog updates 24/7 from June 10-15. Who know's who we'll meet: artists and filmmakers from the Third Coast? Lifer waitresses at road side diners? Scary people at 3am? I can't wait either. It's all going down, live and direct. Set the guns to stun.
Jun 7th, 2009
The 48 Hour Film Festival Milwaukee – Go!
Don’t blink, cos you’ll miss it! The most exciting weekend for any and all independent Milwaukee filmmakers has arrived! The 48 Hour Film Project. Be the ball.
Jun 5th, 2009
Milwaukee Film Needs Volunteers!
Milwaukee Film is getting ready to launch its grassroots volunteer program to help spread the word about the upcoming Milwaukee Film Festival!
May 20th, 2009
2009 Italian Film Fest Hits Milw, Free Screenings May 9-10
Award winning films from Italy.
May 8th, 2009
48 Hour Film Fest in WI and Beyond
The 48 Hour Film Fest rumbles into Milwaukee June 5-7, with dates popping up all over the Third Coast so ready, steady, go!
May 7th, 2009
Meet ANVIL director Sacha Gervasi
This is a film about undying friendship, the pursuit of true art and of course, melting faces. TCD and Gervasi spoke, and now you listen. ANVIL opens throughout the Midwest this week.
May 6th, 2009
You Can Help Save FILM WI Tax Incentives WED 4/29 – Thurs 4/30 @ 11am – CALL NOW!
Want your voice to be heard and do your part to help save the Film WI Tax Incentives? Call Your State Senator Today! This is a rare opportunity to help a filmmaker and call a State Senator in your underwear at the same time! Think about it. Its like Halley’s Comet. Read on and call ASAP! Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee April 29, 2009 Forwarding this important information on behalf of Arts Wisconsin. Please CALL Joint Finance Committee members today to urge their support of the film industry tax incentives! The Joint Finance Committee will meet in Executive Session on Thursday, April 30, beginning at 11 am in Room 412 East of the State Capitol. The Committee will be considering and voting on the improved film industry tax incentives package put forth by Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee). TODAY IS THE DAY to ensure that funding for the incentives is included in the 2009-2011 state budget. You can help make this happen by taking action RIGHT NOW. If your legislator is a Joint Finance Committee member – the list is below – please CALL with this message: “I am a constituent of Sen. /Rep. Smith and I want him/her to support and vote for the improved film industry tax incentives proposal at the April 30 Joint Finance Committee Executive Session. His/her support will help create jobs in the district and across the state, and is greatly appreciated!” You can tell this message to the staff member who answers the phone; the staff member will ask for your name and address, to make sure you are a constituent. If each of the 16 members of the Committee receives 10 phone calls today, they will know that there is support in their district and statewide. Don’t delay! Call now! Legislative offices are usually open until 5 pm, but if you get the voicemail, you can leave a message. Make sure to include your name and address. More information is at http://capwiz.com/artsusa/wi/issues/alert/?alertid=12751846&type=ML&show_alert=1. If you have any questions, please contact Arts Wisconsin at 608 255 8316 akatz@artswisconsin.org. Joint Finance Committee Senate Members : Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, Co-Chair, 16th District Sen.Miller@legis.wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-9170 Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, 8th District, Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5830 Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, 30th District, Sen.Hansen@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5670 Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, 24th District, Sen.Lassa@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 3123 Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, 21st District, Sen.Lehman@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 1832 Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, 14th District, Sen.Olsen@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 0751 Sen. Judy Robson, D-Beloit, 15th District, Sen.Robson@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 2253 Sen.Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, 4th District, Sen.Taylor@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5810 Assembly members: Rep. Mark Pocan, D- Madison, 78th District, Co-Chair Rep.Pocan@legis.wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-8570 Rep. Pedro Colón, D-Milwaukee, 8th District, Rep.Colon@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 267 7669 Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee, 18th District, Rep.Grigsby@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 0635 Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, 62nd District, Rep.Mason@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 0634 Rep. Phil Montgomery, R-Green Bay, 4th District, Rep.Montgomery@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5840 Rep. Jennifer Shilling, D-LaCrosse, 95th District, Rep.Shilling@legis.wisconsin.gov, 608 266 5780 Rep. Gary Sherman, D-Port Wing, 94th […]
Apr 29th, 2009
MILWAUKEE STORIES – a series of short films @ MAM Thursday Apr 30
Hey Film Kiddies: Milwaukee Film is proud to invite you to the premiere screening of MILWAUKEE STORIES, an ongoing series of short films that inner city teens (working with filmmaker mentors) have created about their lives and their locale. The program, originated by Maxine Wishner, was produced in cooperation with Running Rebels, a youth community organization since 1980. The result of this year’s collaboration is five intense and heartfelt, homegrown Milwaukee films. These films inspire discussion, advance our pre-conceptions about neighborhood life, and hopefully will enhance connections within the diverse communities of Milwaukee. Thursday, April 30 2009 Milwaukee Art Museum – Lubar Auditorium 700 North Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53202 5:30PM – 6:00PM Meet and Greet 6:15PM – 7:15PM Screening and Discussion with Filmmakers REEL Milwaukee ran into Maxine Wishner at Oakland Gyros at bartime last week and this is what we gots. OK, we did a formal interview but late night, OG, that’s more interesting than phone calls and emails. Anyway….. TCD: What makes Milwaukee Stories unique? What sets it apart from other doc-series screenings? MW: MILWAUKEE STORIES pairs five successful filmmakers with five of the Running Rebels’ youth. The intent was to create workshops and one-on-one dialogue in a safe environment where trust could grow. This comfort encouraged the youth to create authentic films that offer insight into a population with which most Milwaukeeans are unacquainted. Also unique is that we have advisers for MILWAUKEE STORIES; psychologists and children’s lawyers that educate us re: the issues of the neighborhood. The youth also act as advisers, offering feedback that is first-hand. We keep in touch with these teens, and two of the young storytellers from the first season became mentors for this year. I was introduced to Running Rebels, a community space that helps at risk kids that go through the courts . These aren’t high school kids who have their own computers. These are kids in transition, many of whom need to stay out of trouble. Our first two years we worked at Running Rebels. We started out showing a film and talking about the project. A lot of kids were interested, but we chose five and they stayed throughout the program. A few months ago Running Rebels bought a camera. They may be making films on their own, which means we succeeded at our job. We are going to meet other communities and make films there as well. Our outreach also sets us apart. We intend to use these films to create dialogues among communities, to show to young teachers who will be entering that population. They will air in school and other communities and each film will have some talking points. We are hoping if kids are interested in film we can put them in touch with potential places for employment. TCD: When and why did you start this program? MW: I moved back home in 2006 after decades of making films in New York. Wanted to know more about what was happening in other […]
Apr 28th, 2009
FREE SCREENING of Wilco Documentary ASHES OF AMERICAN FLAGS Mon 4/20
Monday 4/ 20 (holler): Free Wilco Movie @ Turner Hall (double holler): Pull up a chair and remenise on Wilco's sold out 2 day run at the Pabst at this amazing FREE SCREENING!!
Apr 18th, 2009
EARLY BIRD Special For 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival Tickets. Get. On. It.
Ticket Packages and Passes for 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival on Sale April 20 Early ticket packages mean significant discounts for those who purchase before June 30 For those film lovers looking to make a wise investment with their tax return this month, Milwaukee Film has the perfect solution: a 6-pack or 12-pack of tickets, or a Festival Pass or Platinum Pass, for the 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival, which will be held September 24 – October 4. The first ticket packages and passes go on sale Monday, April 20, and early ticket pricing will be in effect through June 30. Prices go up July 1 and then again August 1, when they will be full-price through the festival. The 2009 film festival will feature more than 100 films from around the world that will be screened at venues including the Landmark Theatres Oriental Theatre on Milwaukee’s East Side and the Marcus Theatres® North Shore Cinema in Mequon. Come September, single tickets for each film will cost $10 each, but film lovers can save a bundle by purchasing a package and buying early. “These ticket packages that are going on sale Monday are the least expensive way that movie lovers can secure their attendance at the 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival,” said Diane Bacha, Executive Director for Milwaukee Film. Through June 30, a 6-pack of festival movie tickets is $48, a $6 savings off the regular price, and a 12-pack is $90, a $12 savings off the regular price. A Festival Pass, which gives the purchaser access to all screenings throughout the festival, plus the ability to skip ticket holder lines at each film, is $200, which is a $100 savings off the regular price. For the ultimate film festival loyalist, Milwaukee Film offers the Platinum Pass, which costs $500 through June 30, a $100 savings off the regular price. The Platinum Pass grants the purchaser access to all screenings throughout the festival, VIP seating at Spotlight Presentations, exclusive box office concierge access, and exclusive ‘insider’ access to special events, parties, and VIP areas throughout the 11 days of the festival. Those who purchase a ticket package receive an important added benefit: the ability to have first pick of all the films being screened at the festival. The box office officially opens to the public on Thursday, September 10, but for those who purchase ticket packages, it opens a full day early on Wednesday, September 9. Not only do those ticket package buyers get first choice of their festival schedule, they’ll be sure to avoid any sellouts, as well. Milwaukee Film Festival ticket packages and passes can be purchased on the Milwaukee Film website at www.milwaukee-film.org. Upon receipt of purchase, ticket buyers will receive a voucher in the mail that can be redeemed for tickets at the Milwaukee Film Festival box office beginning Wednesday, September 9.
Apr 16th, 2009
Wildwood Film Festival – WI only Films! 4/17 & 4/18
WILDWOOD FILM FESTIVAL Appleton, WI Friday April 17 and Saturday April 18 The Wildwood Film Festival is a festival for Wisconsin films only. Whether it’s the primary creative personnel (producer/director/writer), the actors or even the locations, all projects featured have direct ties to the state. The line-up this year offers something for everyone-comedies, dramas, thrillers and more! Ah, and more! You gotta love it. Get in the car and go to WI only true WI festival! Click Here for the schedule.
Apr 15th, 2009
What Goes Around Comes Around 3rd Annual Milwaukee Invitational 35mm Slideshow Fri 4/24
If this isnt the most heart warming thing you’ve read all day, I demand that you unplug your typewriter from your TV and never log onto the interweb again. xo, REEL Milw @ TCD Carousel: What Goes Around Comes Around 3rd Annual Milwaukee Invitational 35mm Slideshow Friday, April 24, 7pm $4 Woodland Pattern Book Center, 720 E Locust St. 414 263 5001 / http://www.woodlandpattern.org Presented by the UWM Film Department and Woodland Pattern Book Center “Carousel” unspools like this: Carousel sends a roll of slide film out to invited artists who work in a variety of media, but not slideshows. They in turn make their first slideshow – of their own design. No rules regarding quantity of slides (or of projectors, or of screens) or regarding accompanying sound. The slideshows are debuted in live performance the night of the show. Past multimedia extravaganzas have featured “audience chant-a-longs; slides advancing at high speed so as to achieve animation; acting performances; overlapping imagery; slides projected side-by-side; confessionals (something along the lines of a catalogue of former boyfriends); one banjo; and something bordering on witchcraft.” [excerpted from attached Press Release.] Organized, in part, as a tribute to this mechanism the slide projector, which is now no longer manufactured, but also as testimony to its ongoing potential and possibility. While PowerPoint is widespread – even uncorked in a popular series of local barroom events – 35mm slide projectors offer a singular combination of artistry and of the homespun, of the evanescently beautiful and of the reliably mechanical. As the Carousel artists testify, reports of the slide projector’s death is premature. And Woodland Pattern’s gallery space is a perfect venue to unfurl these creations. A most intimate setting for this unique relationship between advancing image and rapt audience. It is also the best venue to enjoy the comforting purr and clunky click of the slide projector in action. (At last weekend’s Edible Book Art show, Woodland Pattern offered pages to eat; on April 24th it will eschew the digital.) This year’s invited slide show artists include: Brian Perkins (Milwaukee); Kimberly Miller (Milwaukee); Warehouse Cinema (Milwaukee): Patrick Gulke & Drew Kunz (Bainbridge Island, Washington); Jennifer Kelly (Brooklyn); John Orth & Alan Calpe (Gainesville / Brooklyn); Angela Deane (New York City); and more!
Apr 13th, 2009
Road trip! 2009 WI Film Festival guide
The 2009 Wisconsin Film Festival starts TODAY and runs through April 5. Pack a bag - we're going to Madison! Here are Howie Goldklang's picks for the party.
Apr 2nd, 2009
IT’S ALIVE! IT’S ALIVE!!!
Is it Milwaukee Film or Milwaukee Film Festival or what? Either way, read on, poke around on that your smarky little iPhone/Blackberry and make plans to submit that film…. Milwaukee Film Announces 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival and Call for Entries New and highly anticipated Milwaukee Film Festival will kick off September 24 Milwaukee Film, the new and independent organization dedicated to presenting Milwaukee’s premier film festival, is proud to announce the dates and a call for entries for its 2009 Milwaukee Film Festival. Running September 24 through October 4, the back and better-than-ever Milwaukee Film Festival will showcase more than 100 films at venues throughout the city, including the Landmark Theatres Oriental Theatre and the Marcus Theatres® North Shore Cinema. The Film Festival will feature films from around the country and the world, providing a unique community platform for films that would otherwise not screen in Milwaukee. “We’re incredibly excited to be able to announce the Film Festival dates today,” said Jonathan Jackson, Milwaukee Film artistic director. “We’re confident that the new festival will be the best Milwaukee has seen and that it will be a Milwaukee institution for many years to come.” The early deadline for film submissions is April 6. Entry fees start at $10, but the fees are waived for any film created by a Milwaukee filmmaker. The festival will offer cash and production prize packages, to be announced at a later date. Tickets for individual films will be $10, but Milwaukee Film will offer discounts for those purchasing their ticket packages and passes early. The first ticket packages will go on sale in April, and in addition to early discounts, Milwaukee Film is planning a series of contests, promotions, incentives, and special events leading up to the film festival. “Thousands of Milwaukeeans filled the seats at the film festival in years past, and this year our goal is to bring those guests back and to attract a diverse new audience,” said Diane Bacha, executive director of Milwaukee Film. “The response we’ve gotten since forming the organization last year has been overwhelmingly positive, and we can’t wait to present Milwaukee with this world-class festival come September. It’s truly a privilege to be able to essentially bring the whole world to Milwaukee through film.”
Mar 18th, 2009
Sound the alarm
Close my blog now. OK, not NOW now, in like 2 minutes from now. Get up and git yourself back to the main page. Breathe. Take it in. This is for real. Unified, organized(ish), bleeding edge, here and now journalism. Your search is over. Explore the site. Explore Milwaukee. Explore our 3rd Coast. Milwaukee Film is alive and well with screenings galore. Film Wisconsin is bare-knuckle brawlin’ the Gov, which is in line with spirit of true indie film. More and more galleries/artists are VJ-ing, vlogging, adding film showcases … it’s so here and now, its practically reading this blog, with a drink, smiling, scrolling, click … Oh wait, that’s you. You may click away now. Now git!
Mar 7th, 2009
HANDMADE NATION – Milw Premiere – Feb 5th @ The Oriental – BE THERE!
click here and peep Handmade Nation game. The February 5 screening of “Handmade Nation” will be its U.S. feature premiere. The screening takes place 7 p.m. Thursday, February 5, at Landmark’s Oriental Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave. The film has had preview screenings as a work in progress in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Wisconsin. Just prior to the Milwaukee feature screening, it is being shown at the Kampnagel Theatre in Hamburg as part of “Viva La Craft.” February 5 will be the first time a U.S. audience will see the feature-length cut. “There are so many Milwaukee people who have helped make this film possible,” said FaytheLevine, co-owner of Paper Boat Boutique & Gallery and organizer of the yearly indie craft fair Art vs. Craft. “It was a very specific choice to screen it here first because I wanted to show it to the local community who supported if for the past three years.” “Handmade Nation” documents the new wave of craft that is capturing the attention of the nation. It’s the feature film debut of Levine who had been making her own art and was becoming increasingly active in the modern crafts scene when it occurred to her to document the trend. “I was going to all these fairs and I remember thinking: Something big is happening,” she told the New York Times in a Sept. 4 feature story. For the film project that ensued, she traveled to 15 cities and covered more than 19,000 miles to interview a new generation of stitchers, sewers, quilters, knitters and beaders – do-it-yourselfers who bring attitude and an independent edge to old-school techniques. In addition to the local talent involved behind the scenes, “Handmade Nation” features a slice of Milwaukee’s craft scene. The Little Friends of Printmaking, a world famous design duo, are among the featured artists, and some footage was filmed at Fasten Co-Op Clothing Gallery, located at 2224 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. in Bay View, and an Art vs. Craft event. An accompanying book “Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design,” co-authored by Levine and assistant producer Cortney Heimerl, was published in October by Princeton Architectural Press. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase on the night of the screening. The postcard and movie posters for the Milwaukee screening were designed by Kate Bingaman-Burt, who is also responsible for the hand-drawn typography in the book. A limited run of 200 silk-screened movie posters will be printed by The Little Friends of Printmaking, www.thelittlefriendsofprintmaking.com. Tickets, $10 each, are available at the Oriental box office 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, or on the night of the show subject to availability. Interviews with Faythe Levine can be arranged by contacting Milwaukee Film. For more information on “Handmade Nation” visit www.handmadenationmovie.com More information about Milwaukee Film is available by visiting its group, Milwaukee Film, on Facebook.com.
Jan 29th, 2009
Milwaukee Filmmaker Speakeasy
Michael Sotille of Lemon Lounge @ Oakland and Locust … So I told Grandma I loved her and then Grandpa ambled onto the phone. We did the wife, dog, salon updates and I heard about the latest movies to sneak into at the budget cinema and how there will never be peace in Israel in his lifetime. I um-hmm along and the call (as always) ended with “Give Carly a big kiss and say hello to the boys in the back room.” Kissing the wife is no prob, but the boys in the back room? That’s kinda sick. I want a back room. We are on the top of Mt. 2009, so cut me some slack and allow me to gently dissect one of the challenges I experience as a fringe filmmaker and late-night screenwriter in Milwaukee. There is no spot. No filmmaker’s speakeasy. Bike messengers have the Swingin’ Door on Michigan to talk about short-billed hats and fixed gears; fat cat lawyers and judges pop over for lunch at Jake’s Deli on North to feel out pleas and city nominations. Filmmakers need that softly lit, sideways bar to hunch over and steal a look when the door creaks open to see if a comrade has entered. We need a place to drink in the anomalous delights of speaking the same, strange film language, a place to go to procrastinate, offer condolences for projects that die, do shots to films that spring to life, argue about this editor or that scene and just talk shit in general. A filmmaker’s back room if you will. Will you? I thought you would. So then, the mission is set! And I think I gots it: Lemon Lounge on Oakland. Owner/bartender Michael Sottile has been around the block of the independent film world. Since 1992, he has appeared in Reservoir Dogs, Speed, Outbreak and a few indie feature films starring opposite Julie Bowen (ER, Weeds, Lost, Boston Legal) and Traci Lords (amazing!). Sottile’s latest appearance is in Modus Operandi (directed by Frankie Latina; trailer on myspace.com/frankielatina), which was shot on Super 8mm in Milwaukee on a self-proclaimed budget of CHEAP. For those keeping score, that is some dirt-under-the-nails filmmaking. Walk into Lemon and shut the door quickly behind you, because chances are you’ll let out all the heat. The place is tiny, the size of a forgotten box office more than a bar, sitting in the shadows of the Miramar Theater on Oakland. Dimly lit with candles and white Christmas lights, Lemon comes on like a Brooklyn cellar bar or a Parisian lounge with its own Hemingway story. Hanging from the exposed brick walls are sentimental paintings, a few old film posters and a framed Rolling Stone’s Let It Bleed record. You can’t fuck with that. Bottom line: you get the feeling that this is a place where stories are told and business gets done. Lemon frequently hosts private screenings or showings of works-in-progress on their flat screen/DVD/stereo sound set up. In fact, walk-in, […]
Jan 1st, 2009
Milwaukee Actor is “GANGBANGER 1” in GRAND TORINO
lets end the REEL Milwaukee year with a warm n fuzzie. Peep a letter we received at Vital from Elvis Thao repping all the indie-film-actor-milwaukee-hmong’s out there. Peace y’alls: Howie ____________________________________________ I’m a local Milwaukee resident that just landed my first major film. Yes, as a cast. The title is Gran Torino and hits theatres here on January 9th, 2009 (wide). A Warner Bros film directed by Clint Eastwood. It is a four star movie and is in chase of an Oscar award. This is his LAST film acting, at that. Plus, hes already nominated for Best Actor. This is HUGE! All the major television and publishing companies nationwide already have their hands on this. The limited release had already come out December 12th. And the reviews are high. Check your search engines for ratings. However, the film has NOT landed here yet. SOON! This city needs some exposure to it. Lets create a demand for Milwaukee actors and city exposure. By increasing ratings. Also being Hmong, Id like to shed light on our community. Let me know how I can contribute to your corporation and yours to mine. We can even attempt to promote advanced ticket screenings and things of that nature directly from the WB. I have those contacts. Hope you catch the movie and hope to hear from you soon. Take care Elvis Thao
Dec 30th, 2008
FIlm vs Music @ Y-Not III Sat Dec 13th –
BLUE SUNSHINE an electric eclectic audio/visual freak out Sat Dec 13 9pm @ Y Not III 1854 E. Kenilworth Pl. 10,000 WATTS OF EXPERIMENTAL SOUND AND AUDIO | MULTIPLE SCREENS OF LIVE FILM & VIDEO featuring: SIGNALDRIFT *LIVE* (Wobblyhead, Audraglint, Consumers R&D) Signaldrift has been trying to find a way via hardware since 1995. Their sound resides somewhere between shoegazing bliss and disco muzak at a nightclub in an ’80s sci-fi movie, sprinkled with ambient passages sad and pretty. PETER J WOODS *LIVE* (FTAM) Peter J Woods, a local musician/playwright/performance and founder of FTAM, has been active in Milwaukee’s DIY music scene since 2002 and Milwaukee’s independent theatre scene since 2005. In 2006, he was named one of “the cities most innovative art proponents”. His intense live PA consists of loud, dynamic noise that fluctuates between overpowering feedback to complete silence. SAMARAH *LIVE* (Chasma, Zod) Samarah began playing piano at the tender age of seven and experimented with various orchestral instruments and choir during her childhood. By thirteen she was composing her own songs. In the late 90’s she discovered electronic music. Inspired, she bought her first computer, production software, synthesizers, samplers and drum machines. She has since released 3 EPs and a full length which feature elegant compositions of minimal trip hop and experimental idm with vocals. PYSCHOACOUSTIC SPORE *DJ/LIVE* 4 turntables, 3 mixers, 2 minds, 1 laptop The scientific study of the perception of sound is capable of giving rise to a new individual, either directly or indirectly, unconsciously or consciously, when coupled with adverse environmental conditions or chemical influences. Through the use of 4 turntables and a laptop, organic and austere ambient waveform experiments distort and reshape reality before returning to the void. VJ XAV (Riverwest Film & Video) Be prepared for an eclectic and mind-altering mix of film footage from the Riverwest Film & Video archives, the underground source for local, experimental, foreign and obscure films in Milwaukee. VJ NIXMIX & BISHOP (Simplistiks) The industry veterans will showcase their latest immersive visual tour de force on multiple screens located throughout the venue. Massive Soundrig :: SUBVERSION AUDIO Live video manipulation :: SIMPLISTIKS vs RIVERWEST FILM & VIDEO
Dec 12th, 2008
CALL FOR ENTRIES – Gallery Night Screening Series 1/16/09
Here is an exciting screening opportunity from Cramer-Krasselt. Please Forward to all interested parties. ∼OFFICIAL CALL FOR ENTRIES∼ Cramer-Krasselt is proud to announce our inaugural participation in Gallery Night on January 16th, 2009 and we want to showcase your films! Our focus is to provide a space to show locally grown timed-based media projects (live action, animation, experimental, etc.) We’ll have two screening rooms running collections of short films and a dozen flat screens that will show individual films. It will be a fully devoted gallery to the art of multimedia! Deadline for Submission: December 15th 2008!! So get them in!! Send Copies To: Timm Gable 246 East Chicago St. Milwaukee, WI 53202 Screener Formats Accepted: Quicktimes, links, dvds. Note: your submission copies will not be returned unless indicated otherwise Final Formats Accepted: DVD or preferably a quicktime since we’ll want to loop the dvd’s. Length Limit: Due to the attention span limitations during Gallery Night- we’re looking for films that are under 15 minutes in length. Not a hard fast rule, but a preference PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING VITALS WITH YOUR SUBMISSION!! Title: Director: Other Cast/Crew: Length in minutes: Genre: Shooting Format: Year of Completion: Synopsis: Website: Contact Info- Name/Address/Phone Number/Email: Formats Available: Feel free to contact either Timm Gable or Lucian McAfee with questions. Thanks! Timm Gable tgable@c-k.com
Dec 10th, 2008
Obligatory year-end article … go!
What a crazy year it’s been for independent film in Milwaukee! Isn’t that what you’re supposed to say to start these year-end warm ‘n’ fuzzies? I am trying as hard as I can not to write that everyone should have a Christmas Story leg lamp in their window or remind you how Clark Griswold’s accapella drum roll before he plugs in the Christmas lights in Christmas Vacation might be Chevy Chase’s finest on-screen moment. Not this year. No sentimental musing from me. I won’t say a peep about how Scrooged, Die Hard, Gremlins or even the sexed-up weirdness of Eyes Wide Shut should be a part of everyone’s holiday movie season. What? It takes place during Christmas! I won’t reach for nods of approval from hipsters with A Nightmare Before Christmas midnight screening references. You won’t find me snickering over egg nog at the Red Room about how the 1934 Laurel and Hardy classic Babes in Toyland lives on as NYC sex store Toys in Babeland. They switched the words around and sell dildos! Unreal! Nope. This year, my lips are sealed. Seriously, I am three days past deadline. I have been trying to concentrate on awesome Milwaukee film happenings in 2008 and big action in 2009. If you’ve read this far, you can see I’ve been struggling. That was until last night when I didn’t meet Faythe Levine at a semi-annual meeting for Our Milwaukee (ourmilwaukee.net), a grassroots organization advocating the whole think local/buy local/live local thing. I slinked into the meeting, did a lap around the bar (free Lakefront beer), did the name tag bit, found a friendly face, pulled up a chair. After a brief welcome from one of Our Milwaukee’s founders, Faythe was introduced to discuss her Milwaukee-based book-turned-documentary-film project Handmade Nation as well as her handmade gift fair, Art vs. Craft. I snuck onto my iPhone, Googled her name and found more information than I knew what to do with. According to her blog (indiecraftdocumentary.blogspot.com): Faythe Levine is a filmmaker, author, independent curator and creative director. She is currently documenting the rise of DIY and the new wave of art, craft and design. I got tired just reading that. She even has a whole Wikipedia page with a timeline and external links and everything! F that! The projector and PowerPoint fired up and her presentation about DIY and Milwaukee began. She was passionate and cool and ended her presentation with an eight-minute clip from Handmade Nation – and that’s when it hit me. I got up and went to the bathroom because three beers can break the seal. After that, another thing hit me. DIY is the sometimes forgotten but definite heart of independent film. Plain and simple. Sometimes that golden rule gets lost in the shuffle of million-dollar movie ideas or fantasizing about what you’d say in your Oscar speech. Not like we’ve done that. Uh-oh … here come the warm ‘n’ fuzzies. This past year saw the fall of the Milwaukee International Film […]
Dec 1st, 2008
99 Bottles Documentary in Milwaukee and Madison + Q&A with filmmaker Jason Williams! Read It Now!
99 BOTTLES a documentary about WI and Beer 4 shows on 4 different nights. Arrive 30 minutes before all show times for FREE Beer Tasting WHERE: Times Cinema (Milwaukee) WHEN: November 6-9 Thursday at 7:00pm Friday at 7:00pm Saturday at 7:00pm Sunday at 4:00pm WHERE Orpheum Theater (Madison) WHEN: Nov 13-16 Thursday at 7:00pm Friday at 7:00pm Saturday at 7:00pm Sunday at 4:00pm “99 Bottles Documentary” was created to promote exposure and public awareness of the rich and vibrant craft brewing industry. Visit the site for more details and the trailer: 99bottlesdocumentary.com What prompted a doc on beer? The producers David Oplinger and Glen Popple were interested in developing a project that was home grown. They were discussing ideas while taking down a few brews at Wolski’s Tavern. Glen relayed a story that his co-worker kept bugging him to make a documentary about craft breweries. “That is a great idea,” said Dave. The great part of the story is there was no such documentary made about this subject before. They decided to start asking the different breweries about the project and found out that all of them were thrilled to have their stories of history shared to the world, or at least in Wisconsin. How long did it take to shoot this doc? The documentary pre-production planning started in February simultaneously with shooting. The idea was to shoot the general “beer enthusiast” and ask their impression of the industry. One of the questions we asked was, “If you could ask a brewmaster anything, what would it be?” This lead to the list of questions that became the focal point of the interviews with brewmasters and owners. Principal photography lasted from February through May. The logistical issue was scheduling trips to other cities each week to get the necessary footage. We went as far as Sand Creek Brewing Co. in Black River Falls, which is 3.5 hours one way. War story to share? Crazy day during production? The biggest war story is the Premiere debacle. The gallant effort we choose was, shoot, edit, and distribute a full feature documentary within 6 months to the Harley Fest lovers. In the final day of editing for the premiere the Compressor failed to output a media file to burn a DVD. After repeated attempts the program crashed at about 20 to 30 minutes through each attempt. The thought was to work solid full time for 1.5 months to cut a feature documentary and deliver a show, but the luck wasn’t there. The lesson is “pick the show date last, not from the start”. The craziest day during production was obviously the above failed premiere. What are you working on next? Currently I’m working on 2 projects. I am in post for a short called “Indefinite”. The premiere of the trailer will be shown during the “99 Bottles Documentary” shows. “Indefinite” is a co-directed project with Christopher Kuiper. He will be penning a comic book series that ties in with the short. The other project […]
Nov 6th, 2008
For you, me and everyone we know
Welcome to Inferiority Complex City: Population – me. So indulge me, you painfully skinny punks, you tattooed, bearded, pierced indie-everything hipsters, indulge me from my little film corner, waving my pseudo-hipster white flag because let’s face it – it’s cooler to be a rocker than an actor. I know, stop rubbing it in. And jeez, VITAL, an entire Music issue! I see how it is. GFY Music, GFY. OK, I’m over it. But in the end I’m a team player. And with that in mind I humbly lay before you my own contribution – amazing music from amazing scenes of amazing films. Be Amazed. And no, Pulp Fiction, Garden State, High Fidelity, Velvet Goldmine and 24 Hour Party People will not appear on this list because those soundtracks are on par and at times better than the films they represent and we are looking for moments, people, moments. Now be amazed. MOVIE: The Big Lebowski SONG: “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” by Sons of the Pioneers Let’s jump right in with two feet. Now you’d think it would be the opening credits track of “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan (we’ll talk Dylan later) or “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)” by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition because whenever you are dealing with Dylan or Kenny Rogers in any conversation they automatically are #1, regardless of the topic: everyone knows this. Except when dealing with The Big Lebowski. The opening scene is simple enough. Narrated by Sam Shepard, the camera pans up from a country hillside to reveal the vast valley of Los Angeles. This is when the vintage, crackling country song “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” plays. It has a kid-with-his-blankee effect: you settle in, feel good and realize everything is gonna be alright because The Big Lebowski is on. Again. MOVIE: Napoleon Dynamite SONG: “Canned Heat” by Jamiroquai This scene might be the greatest school talent show scene since Lindsay Lohan took the bull by the horns and busted out “Jingle Bell Rock” in Mean Girls. Right people?! Who’s with me?! This is scene is also the reason why I kinda want to see the Pedro actor deejay at Cans. We’ve all seen the ads but no one admits to going. Sinners. MOVIE: Trainspotting SONG: “Born Slippy” by Underworld This song legitimized the whole early-90s, skinny, heroined-out/ecstasy-infused art world in one scene. This dance floor classic plays at the culmination of a drug deal between friends and enemies in a seedy London hotel. The song soundtracks the only silent part of an otherwise dialogue-heavy, narrated film, punctuating the drama and conclusion of the story. Makes we wanna organize a Take Back the Night walk with glowsticks. MOVIE: Dazed and Confused SONG: “Tuesday’s Gone” by Lynyrd Skynyrd I challenge you to name a better 70s song to play during your teenage convertible drive into the sunrise after the greatest night ever. “Loving Cup” by The Rolling Stones, you say? OK, I challenge you to name a third. MOVIE: […]
Oct 30th, 2008
Mlwaukee Film Launches To A Packed House! Go Milwaukee Film Go
The Milwaukee Show Launches Successfully “I Want You to Know” wins Jury Award, “The Waiting Room” wins Audience Award MILWAUKEE (October 24, 2008) — Nearly 600 people attended last night’s inaugural program of Milwaukee Film. The Milwaukee Show, announced the award winners at the Discovery World – Pilot House last night to a packed house of filmmakers and attendees. The Milwaukee Show Jury Award Winner: “I Want You To Know” Directed, produced and edited by Derek Kimball Written and produced by Matthew Konkel A bated tension and quiet disclosure provides the milieu for this father and son camping narrative about reserved honesty and stunted youth. The Milwaukee Show Audience Award Winner: “The Waiting Room” Directed by Tate Bunker Produced by Mark Metcalf Written by Emily Downes In a room full of strangers, people come and they go…while a young woman waits. Filmmakers Derek Kimball and Matthew Konkel were awarded the first ever Jury Award prize, a $20,000 filmmaking production package to help them shoot their next short on film. Milwaukee Film’s next event is the much anticipated Milwaukee premiere of “Song Sung Blue” on Thursday, November 6 at 7:15pm at the Oriental Theatre. The multiple award winning “Song Sung Blue” goes backstage into the personal lives of Lightning & Thunder, a Milwaukee-area husband and wife singing duo who pay tribute to the music of Neil Diamond. Over several hundred tickets have already been sold for this one time only screening; please buy your tickets in advance to guarantee a seat. Tickets are available at the Landmark Oriental Theatre box office 4-10 p.m., Monday to Thursday; noon-10 p.m., Friday to Sunday.
Oct 24th, 2008
Milwaukee Film Announces The Milwaukee Show Line-up October 23 event to showcase 10 local filmmaker
Milwaukee Film Announces The Milwaukee Show Line-up October 23 event to showcase 10 local filmmakers MILWAUKEE Milwaukee Film announces the line-up for The Milwaukee Show, October 23 at 6:30 p.m. The event will showcase a variety of local short films presented in the main auditorium of Landmark’s Oriental Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee. The one-night-only screening will feature a collection of 10 films, spanning 90 minutes, and include traditional narrative storytelling, documentary, personal memoir, music video, comedy, experimental and more. The nine competition shorts to be screened were selected from a pool of nearly 70 submissions, more than twice the number received in past years, by an independent panel of judges. The panel included Elfrieda Abbe, Duane Dudek, Steve Hyden, Blyth Meier, Christine Prevetti, Scott Radtke, Bobby Tanzilo and Jessica Zalewski. “Launching our new organization with The Milwaukee Show was no accident,” said Jonathan Jackson, artistic director for Milwaukee Film. “We believe in the talent of the local film scene and wanted to champion that with our inaugural screening. It’s essential that Milwaukee filmmakers are given an annual opportunity to show their work in front of a large audience, at such an incredible venue.” The event will double as the launch party for Milwaukee Film. In addition to showcasing the current filmmaking trends in Milwaukee, The Milwaukee Show will feature an Audience Award and a Jury Award. The Jury Award includes a production prize package valued at over $20,000. Artists Excited To Show Their Films “You know people are working on films in Milwaukee, and this is the night you actually see what they made. It’s the one night everybody in the community meets each other,” said Cris Siqueira, director of the film “Ka-Doo.” Siqueira will be in attendance at the screening, as well as all of the local filmmakers who will be showing their films at The Milwaukee Show. “The cool thing about the last few years is that the film scene in Milwaukee seems like it’s moved from the underground to the surface,” said Andrew Swant and Bobby Ciraldo, the creative team that made “Zombie Killer,” and last year’s Milwaukee International Film Festival sensation “What What.” “It’s kind of like the film festival and the Internet have lifted up this big rock and exposed so many local works to the light of day.” Screening outside of the competition will be the world premiere of “The Waiting Room,” a short film produced by Collaborative Cinema in partnership with Milwaukee Film. “The Waiting Room” was written by local high school student Emily Downes, directed by Tate Bunker, produced by Mark Metcalf and funded by The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation. Downes won an area-wide contest that nearly 150 high school students participated in. Tickets are available for $10 at the Landmark Oriental Theatre box office, 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Following The Milwaukee Show guests are invited to join Milwaukee Film staff and supporters at the Discovery World – Pilot House, 500 N. Harbor […]
Oct 15th, 2008
Meet Milwaukee Film
by Howie Goldklang + Photo by Kat Berger Film festivals are a tough business, man. One day you’re wearing your cleanest dirty suit in some board room asking for sponsorship money and the next you might be unloading office furniture from a rental truck, arguing about which films to program or waiting around for the Road Runner guy to show up between 3 pm and 10 pm on a Tuesday. And so it goes, on and on into an abyss of film submissions, stacks of papers and messes of wires up and down your office walls, dealing with filmmakers, the endless quest for sponsor dollars, securing equipment partners, a constant need to build build build – film programs, screenings, screenplay readings, competitions, contests, and then your actual festival! My god, you mean we have to show films? Yes! Creating the printed program, hawking down sponsors for ads two weeks late, finding reliable projectionists, pulling a jury together, organizing parties and panels, printing tickets and those cool-guy laminated passes, glad-handing sponsors, and on and on into an abyss of … You get it. The film festival world is a fucking grind and to be the core staff of a successful one means you are either crazy, bulletproof or both. Enter Jonathan Jackson, Kyle Heller and T.J. Fackelman – keys to the defunct Milwaukee International Film Festival (MIFF) now forging ahead with a new organization called MILWAUKEE FILM. (Peep the Facebook group of the same name. Now!) But wait? What the hell happened to MIFF? We’re a beer and shot away from that conversation, so if you see me at a bar, walk over with a Magic Hat and Makers and we can get into it. For now, think about reasons that arts non-profits might split. Then think about who the original organizers were. Go ahead, name names. Then do a Mad Libs called FOUNDERS VS. FESTIVAL and carefully place the words Money, Ego, Sponsors, Vision, Credit and Direction. Then buy me another drink. (Search the REEL MILWAUKEE Blog at vitalsourcemag.com for more on the 4W/H about what happened to MIFF.) But I digress. Can you imagine doing the brick-by-brick, day-to-day festival grind for five years and without warning, it’s gone? These dudes couldn’t. Up from the ashes came Milwaukee Film, which is both a kick to the teeth of the powers that stole MIFF from Milwaukee and a dog whistle to independent filmmakers and artists in Milwaukee that the real supporters of MIFF don’t go out like that. “The whole staff went through a grieving process. Having put a festival together for the last five years, I feel like a big part of my life is missing,” says Milwaukee Film Artistic Director Jonathan Jackson. “Ultimately though, I am ecstatic about the future. We have an incredible opportunity to create a cultural organization that will maximize its potential and provide entertaining and socially conscious film programming throughout the year. We can’t guarantee perfection, but the staff and board of Milwaukee Film are […]
Oct 1st, 2008
Milwaukee Film Wants You! Volunteer Today!
Want to meet fun, new people? Want free movie tickets? Want to help with Milwaukee’s newest film festival? Milwaukee Film is currently seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to help us out with upcoming events. Milwaukee Film are looking to fill volunteer positions in all areas from ticket-taking and ushering at the theatres to helping make sure the parties run smoothly. Please email MilwaukeeFilm414@gmail.com or send a message on Facebook or Myspace, and include all of your contact information (email, phone #, address). Volunteering is the best way to ensure that Milwaukee’s film festival becomes the institution Milwaukee deserves. You also receive great benefits, for each shift volunteered you will get 1 ticket to the 2009 Film Festival presented by Milwaukee Film. If you know anyone who is interested in volunteering, please forward this message to them and tell them to e-mail Milwaukeefilm414@gmail.com with their contact information. Volunteer information for the Milwaukee Show on October 23rd and Song Sung Blue on November 6th will be released shortly so sign up quickly! Thank you in advance for your support!
Sep 26th, 2008
Announcing The 1st Annual Horror Movie Trailer Festival – AMAZING!
Hi Vital Friends: This festival sums up what 6pack, late-night-idea filmmaking is all about. You don’t have to make the movie, just the trailer! Amazing! from the festival organizers: ————————————————————- Do you have a video camera? Do you have a Mac? (or are you smart enough to handle a PC?) THEN you can create and enter a horror movie trailer into THE FIRST ANNUAL HORROR MOVIE TRAILER FESTIVAL!! http://www.freewebs.com/alchemistlounge/ —————————————————————————————– Ladies and Gentlemen, Ghosts and Ghouls, Film-makers and Scream-queens… Introducing the First Annual HORROR FILM TRAILER FESTIVAL! Have a horror film that you want to promote? No? PERFECT!!! We are currently taking submissions for 1 to 2 minute advertising preview movies for Horror Films that may or may not exist… or ever exist! Make them serious, creepy and bloody! Make them hillarous… or hillariously serious, creepy and bloody! The most popular Horror Film Trailer will win… well… something! Festival will be hosted by one (or more) of Joe Schmitz’s characters! Films start rolling at 8:00 with costume party to follow in The Alchemist Lounge! SEE YOU THERE!! MOO-HOO-HA-HA!!! (evil laugh) http://www.freewebs.com/alchemistlounge/ http://www.freewebs.com/alchemistlounge/ http://www.freewebs.com/alchemistlounge/
Sep 16th, 2008
Get Your LGBT Film Fest On
Sept 4 – 14, 2008 LGBT Film Festival – Milwaukee, WI click above for full schedule One of the community’s longest running film festivals celebrates its 21st anniversary with an international array of the finest and newest in films and videos by and about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. The screening-packed eleven days of features, documentaries, and shorts opens at the Oriental Theatre with the local premiere of Tom Gustafson’s Were the World Mine. The Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival is sponsored by the Cream City Foundation’s Joseph R. Pabst LGBT Infrastructure Fund and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Johnson & Pabst LGBT Humanity Fund.
Sep 4th, 2008
Milwaukee filmmakers you need to know
Time to do a quick roll call of Milwaukee filmmakers doing their thing, on their own dime, completely outside of the Film Wisconsin Tax Bill hype (is that even news anymore?) – just creatives being creative. Please link up and let us know about your fave Brew City filmmaker on our REEL Milwaukee blog that lives at vitalsourcemag.com. Sona Voice – This dude means business. His documentary, Behold Something Bigger than Tupac, is a tale surrounding the life of a man (THE VOICE) from a different continent who sees himself as being greater than (in his opinion) the greatest rapper ever, Tupac Amaru Shakur. That’s a whole lotta greatness being addressed. Check their website for screenings and throw your hat into the being greater than the greatest rap debate. biggerthantupac.com Buckley Brothers – The jury is still out on these guys. To their credit, they produced and shot a feature film called Jake’s How-To right here in ole Milwaukee. It seems like they are doing the whole “go to LA, come back to Milwaukee on a white horse, shoot a feature film for peanuts, premiere it at the Oriental, soak up praise, hit up Northshore parents for money, go back to LA” thing. Bully for them. But wait! In an August 13, 2008 interview with onmilwaukee.com, co-director Vincent Buckley said “Milwaukee isn’t a film town. Most here don’t understand how the film business works. Not to mention there are not many talented people here.” I know I’m not your PR agent but let’s have our first and last meeting right now. Douchebag Brothers, when you are trying to feed off the hometown, root for the underdog vibe, don’t look down your nose and insult the city’s intelligence and its art/film talent pool in one arrogant, self-important swoop. Way to shit the bed, dude. The jury is back. Verdict: You Suck. buckleybrothers.com Caroline Kastelic – I’ll just put this out there: I have a thing for chick animators. It’s the same reason I still play guitar along with the entire Weezer blue album, dig Harry Potter books, love the internet, and seeing ads for (not going to mind you, just the ads for) the Renaissance Faire – it’s my inner dork guiding my pop culture compass. Caroline recently graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Film (with a focus on motion animation). and teaches a class at UWM called “Concepts in Media Arts Production.” She is currently working on a music video with the Wisconsin band Hired Geeks (show at Turner Hall September 12 – myspace.com/hiredgeeks), for their new song “Here We Are.” The video is scheduled to be completed in the next month. Cool. ckastelicfilms.com Josh Rosenberg – This fella graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee in 2006. He wrote and directed the awardwinning documentary Civilian Soldiers, which won the Student Category of the Detroit Docs International Film Festival. It also was shown at the Wisconsin Film Festival. He spent summer 2006 working directly with filmmaker Niels Mueller (Swimfan, […]
Sep 1st, 2008
Great News For Milw Filmmakers – MILWAUKEE FILM ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL SCREENING, CALLS FOR ENTRIES
Hey There in Hipster Blog Land: Read below for the skinny on the next step in the Milwaukee Film Festival world….. begs the question…. what the hell happened? Rumors are swirling, Mark Metcalf is going off with a series of articles on onmilwaukee.com but no matter how you slice it, its a sad collision of art and commerce where the big loser is the filmmaker. Fear not: As usual, film kids will solider on. So for now, let’s focus, rise up and get Milwaukee Film rolling! THE NEED TO KNOW: Fest Date / Loc: Oct 23rd @ Oriental Theater Deadline / Cost: Sept 19th / FREE Who Can Submit: Milwaukee County Residents Prizes: Milwaukee Filmmaker prize package valued at over $10,000, including a camera rental package from North American Camera. from Milwaukee Film PR Office: NEWS RELEASE For More Information: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Marie Maas, 414-390-5500 August 22, 2008 MILWAUKEE FILM ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL SCREENING, ISSUES CALL FOR ENTRIES Local filmmakers invited to participate in October showcase Milwaukee – Milwaukee Film, a newly formed independent organization dedicated to hosting Milwaukee’s premiere film festival, announced today plans for an inaugural screening on October 23, 2008. The Milwaukee Show will be a premiere showcase of diverse locally-made short films at the Oriental Theatre. Films may be submitted by residents of Milwaukee County for consideration at no cost, with select films featured as part of the screening. The top filmmaker will also receive a Milwaukee Filmmaker prize package valued at over $10,000, including a camera rental package from North American Camera. The deadline to submit a short film is Friday, September 19, 2008. This screening is just one of the many year-round screenings and events Milwaukee Film plans to host, supported by the former staff of the Milwaukee International Film Festival and its primary funders. “This is a great opportunity for local filmmakers to showcase their work, and a really engaging way for the community to experience all that our city’s growing film industry has to offer,” said Jonathan Jackson, Artistic Director for Milwaukee Film. “We are excited to kick off our first screening in October by highlighting locally-made films.” For an official submission form or more details, visit the Milwaukee Film group on Facebook or contact Milwaukee Film at (414) 755-1965 or MilwaukeeFilm414@gmail.com. ABOUT MILWAUKEE FILM BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Chris Abele, Milwaukee Film Board Chairman; President & CEO, Argosy Foundation Tina Chang, CEO, SysLogic Alec Fraser, Attorney, Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP Bill Haberman, Attorney, Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP Carmen Haberman, Vice President, Herzfeld Foundation Julia Taylor, President, Greater Milwaukee Committee STAFF: Jonathan Jackson – Artistic Director Jonathan Jackson is the Artistic Director for Milwaukee Film, overseeing the content and programming for the organization’s events. Jackson previously served as the Artistic Director for the Milwaukee International Film Festival, directing film programming from 2003 – 2008. He previously worked as the Program Manager of the UWM Union Theatre and has curated film programs for the Milwaukee Art Museum. Kyle Heller – Operations Director […]
Aug 27th, 2008
BEHOLD SOMETHING BIGGER THAN TUPAC Sat 8/24
Sona Voice – this dude means business. His film, Behold Something Bigger than Tupac, is a tale surrounding the life a man (THE VOICE) from a different continent who sees himself as being greater than (in his opinion) the greatest rapper ever (Tupac Amaru Shakur). That’s a whole lotta greatness being addressed. Check their website for screenings and throw your hat into the being greater than the greatest rap debate. Behold Something Bigger Than Tupac Sat 8/24 Miramar Theater Milwaukee, WI CLICK HERE FOR FILM TIMES & TICKETS – BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Aug 22nd, 2008
99 Bottles Documentary – World Premiere Thursday 8/21
99 Bottles – WORLD PREMIERE! The world premiere of “99 Bottles Documentary“, directed by Jason Williams and produced by Glen Popple and David Oplinger is happening in it’s home town of Milwaukee WI. August 21st, 2008 7:00pm Oriental Theatre 2230 North Farwell Ave (414) 276-8711 Ticket prices are $10 with half of the box office sales from the premier going to the Kiwanis Club to assist their annual 2008 Metro Kiwanis Brew Fest fundraiser. you gotta love this: Mission Statement: Promote exposure and public awareness of the rich and vibrant craft brewing industry. Journey with us into the unique and exploding industry of the microbrewery industrial movement. Focusing on the region of southeastern Wisconsin, we will explore how this industry began to grow from a lose knit circle of home brewer basement boilers to an industry gaining an increasing foothold in a once oligarchic marketplace. Come with us as we search for the taste, people, culture and history of Wisconsin’s craft brewing industry.
Aug 16th, 2008
“Jake’s How To” WORLD (Milwaukee) PREMIERE Aug 14th
Get out there and support something more local than your underwear……. JAKE’S HOW TO Thursday, August 14, 2008 7:00pm – 9:00pm The Oriental Theatre 2230 N. Farwell (at Farwell and North Ave.) Milwaukee, WI http://www.BuckleyBrothersProductions.com August 14 on DVD and Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre @ 7pm! AFTER PARTY @ CANS! Summer’s ending. School’s starting. Your life is almost over… Ok, that’s a little dramatic, but you can put school out of your mind for one more night. Come see “Jake’s How-To” on August 14, and laugh your ass off to a sweet summer movie. Let’s not forget that this is the one and only official WORLD PREMIERE (aka, you get to be the first person ON THE PLANET to see it) of Whitefish Bay graduates and Milwaukee natives Kyle and Vincent Buckley’s feature comedy “Jake’s How-To”!!!! And it’s only $10!!! COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT AND MEET THE FILMMAKERS!!!!! August 14, 7pm at the Oriental Theatre main auditorium, which was voted in the top 10 theaters in the nation! Ok, sounds amazing, but what’s it about? Well, you can check out the trailers / clips etc. at: http://www.BuckleyBrothersProductions.com
Aug 6th, 2008
Breaking Dolly Lemke
Dolly Lemke is a poet. And not your chain-smoking, sad-just-because poet. I’m talking artist-writer-organizer-real-deal-poet. So, why is she in the film section of VITAL? We’ll get to that. Stir in your Splenda and read on. Since 2002, Lemke has been deeply involved in the Milwaukee arts scene. Be it film work, coordinating with artists on Gallery Night or thinking up ‘zine ideas with friends, Dolly is there. Lemke’s resume is totally take-her-home-to-meet-the-parents: she was recipient of the Howard A. Jansen Scholarship (2002-2006), poetry editor for FURROW Magazine (which she helped revive after a four-year hiatus), reader on the Wave Poetry Bus Tour, organizer for UWM’s Visiting Writers Series and contributor to locally-pressed lit publications Blue Canary and Burdock. She also somehow managed to find time to study abroad at Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England. Reviving poetry magazines? Who does that?! Herst-wha Castle? I’m not even going to Google that castle place – I’m afraid it will find out I’m questioning it and cast a spell on me. This fall, Lemke will attend graduate school at Columbia College in Chicago to fine tune her poetry and move toward starting her own Milwaukee-based press. Dolly is the kind of girl Morrissey has been writing about all these years. (Or is it a guy? Morrissey, you 80s juggernaut of sexual ambiguity! Anyway, you tell me.) So, why the film section? Film is poetry in motion. And in addition to Dolly’s serious turns as a writer, she’s been on-sets for more than a few guerrilla-style, super-indie short films shot in and around Milwaukee. It should be required by law to interview people like her. Below is a pie slice of our conversation: VS: What film breaks your heart? DL: Tideland, by Terry Gilliam. I felt this instinctual force in me to take care of this little girl lost in her own fantasy world of fucked-up people and underwater pandemonium. [She] grew up not understanding real familial love, not understanding death, [she was] alone when her father overdosed. Although her imagination was stunning and beautiful – making for an excellent film – she didn’t understand the boundaries of being a child; she was destined for a dysfunctional existence. It really got to me. VS: What writers break your heart? DL: There is this poet named Peggy Munson who just came out with a book, Pathogenesis (Switchback Books). Her words represent something so painful and personal, [so] vivid and poignant. I empathize – and more importantly want to write as profoundly as she does; I want to know myself as sharply as she does. It is truly magnificent and heartbreaking, but not in a sob-story, memoir-bullshit kind of way. It’s completely human and real. VS: Briefly describe the 48 Hour Film Project. How were you involved? DL: The 48 Film Project is a chance for local filmmakers to bust ass for two days and create a work of art within limited means. I was a bystander, supporter, actor-on-demand, and PA; I held a clipboard and […]
Aug 1st, 2008
Shorewood Movie Love For The Kiddies
FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE NITE THIS SATURDAY! 7/19 Chill out with a fun summer movie this Saturday night on the lawn of Shorewood High School. The “BEE MOVIE” will be shown at dusk, but make sure you arrive early (7 p.m.) and enjoy special pre-movie entertainment, including a magician and balloon twisting. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket – and maybe even a picnic basket! Snacks and beverages will be for sale to benefit the Shorewood High School Art Department. Special glow bracelets will be given away by the Shorewood Foundation to kids! This FREE family movie night is presented by the Village of Shorewood, the Shorewood Foundation and Sue Ewens. See the movie rain or shine! (In case of rain, “BEE MOVIE” will be shown in the high school auditorium. ) Please note: The Shorewood High School grounds are tobacco-free and alcohol-free. Many thanks to Shorewood High School for making this summer event possible.
Jul 14th, 2008
The Two Lane Search For Mom & Pop
hear ye, hear ye: FREE SCREENING @ TIMES CINEMA – Tonight July 8th @ 7pm “Independent America: The Two-Lane Search for Mom & Pop” is a compelling documentary that tells the story of independent retailers trying to make it in the era of big-box retailers dominating the contemporary macroeconomy. While traveling across America to make this film, the filmmakers successfully avoided using interstate highways, corporate chain restaurants, motels, or stores. ABC News calls it “the old-fashioned kind of shoe-leather journalism.” Admission to this film is FREE. Sponsored by our friends at Outpost Foods
Jul 8th, 2008
Summer Movie Ga Ga
Going to the movies in the summer sucks. It is an over-priced, over-hyped rolling out of films produced for the lowest common denominator of potential audiences, with special effects and cherry-picked corporate soundtracks trumping good scripts and stories. Ugh. You wedge yourself into some mall parking slot, work up swamp-ass on that hot walk to the theater, touch elbows with randoms next to you who will eye your girl and eat your popcorn when you go to the bathroom. And the food and ticket prices? Eff that noise. So yeah, go to a summer movie – it will most likely suck, you’re out a good $60 and you will probably lose your girlfriend. What you need to do is cut the bullshit, organize your friends and create your own Summer Movie BBQ Series. Once you do, post it on the REEL Milwaukee Blog on vitalsourcemag.com all summer long and peep it often for the sweet lowdown on your friends and neighbors. This is totally done in full-on renegade-DIY-not-paying-licensing-fee style, so do what you do and we’ll do what we do. Want in? Yeah, you do. Here’s how to get it together. 1. STEAL A PROJECTOR Depending on how you feel about taking things from other people, this can get tricky. Without giving away too many places I may or may not have stolen from, I say for the projector, Go Big or Go Home. Drink a few beers (stealing with a buzz is more fun), march your ass into Wal-Mart and take a projector from the back electronics section. An Epson Powerlite should do the trick – fits under your arm and has that red-white-yellow input to easily connect your DVD player. This is key: walk out through the Garden Center (I may or may not be referring to the Wal-Mart on Capital and Holton). You may want to coordinate this with your getaway car. The exits over there are wide and the metal sensors are usually off because employees are constantly fork-lifting and hand-trucking America’s Flowers in and out. As you approach the Garden Center exit (which may or may not be on the opposite side of the parking lot from Holton), pretend to be on your cell phone and have a small, receipt-like piece of paper in your hand. Start talking a lot as you walk by the unassuming exit employees, give a reassuring nod and do not break stride. Another projector option is slightly more boring than stealing from Wal-Mart, but can still be a bit of a thrill for you and your friend with a real office job. Tell your buddy to take the never-used projector from the meeting room on a Friday night. The projector will be so happy to get lifted from its grey corporate cubicle maze that if it gets wind of your plan it might walk to your friend’s car at lunch. All your directly-deposited friend has to do is stroll into work a bit early on Monday and place the projector […]
Jul 1st, 2008
48 Hour Films Screening in Milw
2 Days to shoot em and 1 Night to show em….. 48 Hour Film Project – click here Milwaukee 48 Hour Film Project Screenings Date: Wednesday, June 25th Time: Group A: 6pm Group B: 8pm Place: Landmark Oriental Theatre, 2230 North Farwell Avenue Tickets: $9 for one screening; $15 for both (on-line service charge not included) Notes: From Friday, June 20, until Tuesday, June 24, advance tickets will be available on-line. If you buy your tickets on-line, they will be available will-call at the theater. There is a small service charge for on-line sales. You may also buy them at the 48 Hour Film Project ticket table at the Oriental Theater. In other words, don’t stand in the main ticket line, go inside to the 48 Hour Film Project ticket table. Please note that tickets sales at the theater will be CASH ONLY. There will be no credit card sales at the door. Ticket sales start half an hour before the show. Milwaukee Teams Group A, Screening Wed., June 25th at 6pm Aurum Design Black Tai Blue Doodle Cross Word Films Foxtrot Hairy Doughnuts GuysHouse Ideogram Films Metals’ New Ethland Clan Chowder Smoking Magpie Group B, Screening Wed., June 25th at 8pm 5PM Productions Anatomically Correct Avant Guardian Dark Pony Productions Mostacolli Films The Moleskin Old Monk Storm 1 Studio Bib Simmons Ted Tate Films
Jun 24th, 2008
Guyshouse 48 Hr Film Project Fundraiser Party
Maybe it’s because his website has 2 logos and doesn’t really link to anywhere. www.guyshouse.com Or maybe it’s because his film production plan consists of $5 keg parties and throwing friends behind and in front of cameras but Guyhouse film happenings seem to capture everything good about punk rocker, renegade indie films. Want proof? Go to their fundraiser for the 48 Hr Film Project: Sat 6/14 Movie Night Kegger 2930a Booth Street Riverwest Click Here For Movie Night Kegger Info As Ever, Howie REEL Milwaukee
Jun 6th, 2008
Overview of the Underground
So you’re all lock, stocked and two smoking laptops. You just hit the SAVE and RENDER button on your favorite editing program and the world is your painfully hip oyster. Next, you’ll burn a few DVDs and show off your kick ass short film, starring your kick ass friends with your kick ass crew. The jokes kill, the sad stuff makes everyone’s eyes well up and noses hurt at the top. Everyone high fives. The Facebook Wall posts come pouring in. But you’re back at your job on Monday … Now what? You’re in Milwaukee. Silver screens in NY, LA, Paris and Tokyo are thousands of miles away! Sell DVDs outta the back of your Hyundai hoping some producer “digs your style man”? Hit “I’m Feeling Lucky” on Google and start sending your film to production companies around the world? At this point a lot of filmmakers bottleneck and never really move with their short film. But we’re in the Midwest, damn it! Our work ethic will power us through, right? Right! What you need is a Midwest-inspired marketing plan: a hustle better than your flow. Now pull VITAL closer and read the secret to getting you and your film off your Riverwest couch and out into to the masses. Get the F into film festivals! Film festivals are the back door into the film world and simply filling out an application ain’t enough. Here are tips and tricks to getting attention for your kick ass Milwaukee film: BUILD YOUR OWN BRAND Your film needs a look and vibe that will make film festival programmers grab your film off the shelf and check it out. Hit up your graphic design buddy or post an ad on craigslist for someone to make a pro cover, poster, DVD label, business card and press kit. One look = pro. One cool look = I will watch your film for more than 45 seconds. Live out that fantasy and create a cool poster and log line for your film. (A log line is your film skillfully summed up in 20 words or less.) Stack the credits at the bottom. Create a complete finished product and it will lead programmers down the path toward making your art work into a big screen reality. You’ll show you have the full, pro package and are ready to rock. ONLINE Heed this call: both Sundance and Slamdance have online short film festivals that screen at the festival and are eligible for awards. ENTER THESE IMMEDIATELY. Sundance’s info is hidden in sundance.org so have fun with that. You can apply to Slamdance at slamdance.com and click ANARCHY ONLINE FILM FESTIVAL. Get to Park City now … git! SHORT FILM IS YOUR BUSINESS CARD Have a script ready for the feature idea that’s gone from bong smoke to short film to festivals and now beyond. Remember, you’re big time. SEND FESTIVAL PROGRAMMERS PIZZA They say it doesn’t help but it totally does. Drinks and sex work too. But we’re baby […]
Jun 1st, 2008
Music To Soundtrack Your Next Film
ROCKSTEADY @ Burnhearts Last Saturdays Monthly mashed up ::: souled out hi tech vs no tech iTrax vs Vinyl DJ How (The Establishment) + special guest DJ: Emcee Sick of Pseudo Slang (Fat Beats Records) @ Burnhearts in Bayview 10pm – 2am No Cover, Cold Beer
May 31st, 2008
ANARCHY Online
the nice version Slamdance is the independent alternative to Sundance. the 3-drinks-in version Sundance is a marketing platform for sell out, studio filmmakers who pretend to be indie, Slamdance is a festival of discovery showcasing 1st time filmmakers that are DIY as fuck. Why the post? ATTENTION Milw Film Kids: If you have a short film and want to screen in Park City @ Slamdance 2009, this link is the key to the back door. http://slamdance.com/videos/categories/anarchy.html Get. On. It.
May 22nd, 2008
Chris gets a gig
Hello to everyone in WI Film Land. Peep this exclusive REEL Milwaukee interview with Milwaukee filmmaker / jack of all on-set trades Chris T.K. Coyne for an inside look at Universal Pictures’ Public Enemies with Oscar-nominated director Michael Mann (The Aviator, Heat, Ali, Collateral) and Oscar-winning actor Johnny Depp (21 Jump Street, Cry Baby, Nightmare on Elm Street). Chris is on the set full-time as an office and costume production assistant, so he gets to see it ALL. Enough of my hot air. How did you hear about Public Enemies / get hired? I had been reading about Public Enemies for a while. I just could not picture a film of that scale [Ed.: upwards of $100 million] happening in Wisconsin. Take into consideration the weather and the fact that we only see the sun in Wisconsin for a precious few months in the summer – the weather is not on the side of the filmmaker. But then you add in a check for 25% of your budget from the state and the weather becomes something you can deal with. As far as getting my foot in the door, you could have the best resume in the world and it doesn’t matter unless someone knows you. I submitted my resume to a few different departments and didn’t get any calls back. And then a friend of mine knew someone who was working on the film and was able to recommend me. When they say it is all about who you know, they mean it. Most of the crew is from L.A. or New York. Michael Mann has worked with much of his team on previous projects. You can’t blame him for that. It would be like a CEO throwing out his whole staff and hiring new people every year. By working with the same people he is able to get more done and be more efficient. Bring us up to date on your filmmaking background and how you landed back in WI. I left Wisconsin in 1997 and headed to Colorado College for my Bachelors, then moved to Washington DC to work on documentaries. I worked with the Discovery Channel for a while and then decided that I really wanted to get back into film. I decided to go to film school for an MFA [and] ended up at Savannah College of Art and Design. The great thing about their program was the industry professionals who brought their knowledge to the classroom. My professors ranged from people who produced The Breakfast Club to people who directed Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio before they became mega-stars. I left Savannah College planning on heading to Los Angeles. And then gradually, bit by bit, the possibility of film in Wisconsin started to become a reality. For starters, the new tax incentives are solid and some of the best in the U.S. Wisconsin also has a lot of places people haven’t seen on screen. Before I ended up on Public Enemies, I was in […]
May 1st, 2008
Film Festival Skin And Bones
What up Milw? I had a great conversation with a friend at VITAL about the excitement of starting a film festival. Here’s my take on a jumping off point for all you sinners: Film Festival Skin and Bones Sponsorship Aka Marketing and Advertising for those who don’t want to concede to the fact they are selling….. The nerve center of the festival. Trade out lots of festival costs like the 3 biggies: location, projection/sound, and media partners. Important Note: get your location and projection/sound first because you will not have a festival otherwise. Create package with exclusive and non-exclusive levels. Why are you different, demographic reached, year round reach, event only reach, etc Box Office sell tickets for screening. Very easy with one screen venue, tends to get complicated with multi-day, multi screen. Sell tickets to general public, handles lines / sales for passholders, jury, press, filmmakers, etc. Manage Rush Line: tickets sold once passholders are in. If there is an audience award, Box Office distributes, collects and counts ticketed results. Head of Programming and Programmers CAN NOT BE ON JURY. DO NOT CONFUSE THIS. Your festival will be bullshit if you do because programmers can sway what films get in and what films win. Filmmakers sniff this out, spread the word that your festival is shit and you will not get submissions or attendees. Plain and simple. Head of Programming heads up organizing of submissions, creating call for entries documents, sets early and late deadline by postmark only – no late submissions. Another bullshit festival move. Determines definition of short or feature / categories for awards ie: animation, 8mm, vision award, best song, best director, best editor, etc. Organizes programmers on schedule of watching and scoring submissions. Sets dates for all programmers to get together to determine the slate of films in competition. Jury A handful of qualified, high profile film, music, art peeps brought in to view films. Preferably attend festival. Fest must also set up side room for viewing films again to discuss their scoring. No one from the festival should be in room during deliberation. Director of Programming sets time deadline for results to present awards. Events Manager Parties, happenings, happy hours, panels, networking events etc surrounding the festival. Works closely with sponsorship coordinator to determine budgets / what events can be sold to what sponsor. Basic checklist: venue, backline sound, flyers, talent, a beer/wine/liquor/energy drink sponsor…..simple math: free drinks=big turnout=good for sponsors/filmmakers/life of festival. Projection & Projectionists Most overlooked yet most important department. Do not get a college kid to sit by a corporate dvd projector and shit his pants when the bulb blows. If the projection goes, the fest dies and looks bad, sponsors leave and you are done. Also, having a skilled projection department / equipment opens up what screening formats are offered and opens festival entries to potentially higher level of filmmakers shooting on a range of formats. Printing – Festival Program Prints all fest info and ads promised to sponsors. Fest […]
Apr 3rd, 2008
Let it Breathe
It’s hard to write about a “scene,” especially a local “film scene.” So hip and cool, right? What’s crackin’? Who’s doing what? Who’s got the friend with that cousin in LA who knows people who make things happen? And what are those happenings, anyway? Recently, Wisconsin has rolled up her creative sleeves and done a Warhol Art and Commerce move that could catapult us into the national “film scene.” In a time of dwindling production budgets and on the heels of the writers strike comes the Film Wisconsin Bill: that tax-incentive-Johnny Depp-Matthew McConaughey-Jennifer Garner thing we keep hearing about. Goodwill from Wisco to the film industry! It’s already cheaper to do just about anything here on any given day, and we’ve got the scenery and the talent to back up Hollywood. Cash is king, no doubt about it. Big productions shot in Wisconsin will get the hotels changing sheets, AV rental houses buzzing and Jimmy John’s delivering 150 sandwiches at a time to odd places at odd times of day. If Film Wisconsin does its job, we’ll be raking in the dough – and kick-starting that “creativeclass economy” we keep hearing about. Fresh. So, now what? How do we collectively avoid being a one-film stand? It’s simple. Film workers: keep it real and do what you do. Milwaukee is lit to pop. There has always been a film network churning away here, but now it’s more active than ever. The task at hand, then, is to support locally-sourced film – as well as homegrown art and music – as much as possible. Sounds like a fragment from a speech at some ribbon-cutting, but we really need to get out and see films in any way, shape or form and do our part to make that scene real. Gallery Night is all well and good. The Milwaukee International Film Fest means well, but when there are more films from Sundance 2006 than local and regional works, it makes you wonder what their direction is – or whether they have one. Resolved: We need to take this film movement into our own hands, get our united arms around this inspired time and prop our scene up on our own. What can we do? That’s not rhetorical, people! The more of a groundswell we create by supporting our film community, creating online buzz and attending indie fests, the more real energy there will be. Hollywood will sense it and it will “make a meeting” of our underground and their commercial film worlds. And it’s the collision of environments that makes a real scene. So enough safe and sane – its time for dumb and dangerous. Charge your cameras, write that scene and film it. Post it. Everyone would love to meet you. Just do what you do and let it breathe. Go to REEL Milwaukee: The blog at vitalsourcemag.com and post your script ideas, YouTube/MySpace links, email video clips from your cell phone, ask questions, write comments or smack downs or party info, […]
Apr 1st, 2008
Film in Amsterdam, NL
We’ve packed up the van and managed to find our way to Amsterdam. We must have brought a bit of Milwaukee with us because it is snowing! The locals are freaked out. Doesn’t help us convince this side of Europe about the effects of Global Warming but thats a conversation for another day. Click here to peep the socially conscious, world class AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Amsterdam hosts this amazing festival from March 26-30, 2008 – I’ll post pics in a few days…… Till next time, Howie – REEL Milw
Mar 25th, 2008
Major Tom To Ground Control
This is your new book marked link, your new online addiction, your new place to find out whats poppin in the world of Milwaukee Film. Check back soon for the “How To” on posting your links, script fragments and ideas, YouTube/MySpace links, email video clips from your cellphone, Questions, Comments, smack downs, party info, anything popping, we need to know……… onward and upward……..
Mar 20th, 2008
Pat Graham
Music and media pop and move. We are digital and online. Genres slide into each other, constantly bounding forward. That’s why Pat Graham’s new photography book, Silent Pictures, is so important: it’s an anchor to link us to the past. Silent Pictures is his first book, showcasing underground rock at its finest through the past two decades. The collection features bands as diverse as Modest Mouse, Outkast, Elliot Smith, Fugazi, Thievery Corporation, Built To Spill and The Shins, on the road and backstage, in a mode that is raw, dirty, lonely, triumphant, gritty and real. Graham, a Milwaukee native, spoke to VITAL from his London gallery, 96 Gillespie, to discuss Silent Pictures, being on the road with Modest Mouse and future projects. For more information, visit 96gillespie.com or modestmouse.com/photoblog. Define Silent Pictures – what’s its attitude? It’s a photography book, plain and simple. It’s about the images, and hopefully it’ll help expose the road life of bands. We put a lot of thought into the editing, assembling the book like a record to balance quiet and explosive moments. We want to grab attention and get people to stop flipping, to really engage them and get them to inspect interesting photos. With digital photos, we flip to quick. With this book, we want you to stop in your tracks. Describe your evolution as a photographer in the rock world. I was born in Milwaukee and kicked around a bit. I started shooting photos at Café Voltaire in Milwaukee around age 17 and studied photography at UWM. Soon after school, I moved to Washington DC. I had a friend that was in bands out there. That’s what kickstarted my photography at shows. I really got into the scene. Shot a lot of Fugazi in ‘91-‘92. It was around that time I started touring with Modest Mouse. It was me with the three guys and a van. It was bare bones, man. I’d do merch, drive a lot, move gear in and out of shows; shooting the whole time. I still tour with them regularly and post photos on their tour blog. I’ve also had the good fortune to have work printed in major European and U.S. music publications like Rolling Stone. What is your greatest accomplishment as an artist? Doing exhibitions with my wife Melanie Standage – it’s the process of setting them up and seeing things on the wall. Our shows “Past Perfect” or “Wildebeest” were fun to do. The book is a great thing to do and have done but there’s something about showcasing the real prints that always exciting. Also, the Experience Music Project in Seattle purchased a number of my prints for their collection which is a great feeling, too. What’s up in the UK? I founded 96 Gillespie with my wife. It’s a London gallery that features a lot of American artists. It’s a place to start a dialogue between UK and US artists. Describe your evolution as a photographer in the rock music world. Where do […]
Jan 1st, 2008
