Movies
The Hollywood Collector’s Show
Mark Metcalf meet Lois Lane, Bobby Brady, Big Bird and a mailman with a machine gun at the Hollywood Collector's Show in part two of his three-part series on conventions.
May 14th, 2009 by Mark Metcalf
Five questions for Milwaukee Film’s Jonathan Jackson
Milwaukee Film Artistic Director Jonathan Jackson answers five of YOUR questions about film in Milwaukee.
May 12th, 2009 by Jon Anne Willow
Conventions
When you’ve worked your whole adult life as an actor, you’re a member of all the unions, have a complicated personal life that doesn’t allow you to leave home for long stretches of time, live in Wisconsin — where there isn’t a lot of union work as an actor, making it hard to make a living — and if you have been fortunate enough to be associated with a few jobs that linger in the public consciousness, one of the things you do, or find yourself doing, is saying yes when invited to a convention, where people come and pay money for autographs and pictures of people deemed to be celebrities. I was a Hirogen Medic in two episodes of Star Trek Voyager. I wore about 50 pounds of foam from head to foot, lost 15 pounds of water weight from sweating inside that foam for ten days, smelled like that sweat and the sweat from all the seven-foot-tall actors that had worn the foam before me but had perished in one conflict or another. The Star Trek people did not want to spend the money to make new costumes, so when they ran out of seven-foot-tall actors to play Hirogens, they just folded the foam over and pinned it up and slammed it on you. There are many people who are so well-versed in Star Trek-ia that they will pay a couple of sawbucks for the autograph and picture of even a lowly Hirogen Medic. I also did a movie about college fraternities that was and still is quite popular. I played an occasionally recurring role on Seinfeld. I dated Elaine, took her to my villa in Tuscany and played pool with Kramer and George’s Dad in their basement at a very small pool table. I wore boxer shorts in that one and conducted the Brooklyn Policeman’s Benevolent Society Orchestra with a bent baton. And then there is the vampire. Primarily because of these adventures, and a few less popular but still known performances, I am asked, occasionally, to go to these conventions, where I am treated like a celebrity. It’s nice. The attention is nice. The fantasy of being well known and liked by strangers is nice. The money is nice, especially lately. And the chance to get out of town, sometimes to very nice locations like London or Florida, is also nice. But you earn it sitting at a table for an average of six hours a day for three days, smiling and being nice, telling stories, answering questions, shaking hands, hugging for pictures, being nice and smiling. It is fun most of the time, but it is also confusing. And it’s work. I once talked to a man for almost half an hour. Answered questions, told stories, asked questions, listened to stories. After about 25 minutes it became apparent that he wasn’t going to buy an autograph, so I asked him straight out. I think I embarrassed him so he plunked down 20 dollars and […]
May 8th, 2009 by Mark Metcalf
2009 Italian Film Fest Hits Milw, Free Screenings May 9-10
Award winning films from Italy.
May 8th, 2009 by Howie Goldklang
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 by Howie Goldklang
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 by Howie Goldklang
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 by Howie Goldklang
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 by Howie Goldklang
Anvil! The Story of Anvil vs. Heavy Metal in Baghdad
both films share a very important message for every struggling musician out there trying to keep the faith while grasping for the brass ring (be it rock stardom or the freedom to grow your hair long without getting lynched): stick with it long enough, and eventually, a documentary filmmaker will come along to tell your story and make you famous.
Apr 27th, 2009 by DJ Hostettler
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 by Howie Goldklang
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 by Howie Goldklang
Take it from a former vampire …
I’m not a vampire, but I played one on TV … bah, dum, bum … rim shot. Old joke … I did play a vampire though, throughout the first season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a turn of the (20th) century Warner Brothers Television show that was a pretty big hit and to some a cult classic. It is credited with bringing vampiriana back from the dead. But the truth is vampires never die, and as an icon of popular literature they have always been around. Sometimes they seem to be everywhere; sometimes they must be asleep in their coffins. I played “The Master,” the oldest, the original, and the baddest vampire around. He lived underground in an old church that had been buried in a California earthquake. For reasons I don’t remember he couldn’t go up on to the surface of the earth until a certain moment in time. There was a lot of pre-destination in this particular vampire tale and it all was “written” in a book that only scholars could decipher. Luckily that book happened to reside in the library of the high school in Sunnyvale, the small California town where my church was buried, and the librarian of that high school library just happened to be an Englishman whose special obsession was vampires and the occult. Very convenient. The series lasted for seven or so seasons, so it is way more complicated than I can remember, and I have probably already annoyed devout fans, of which there are many. To prepare for the part, I studied as many of the vampires of our cultural history that I could, revisiting Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the first vampire film, Nosferatu, a true classic made in 1922 by F.W. Murnau, starring the phenomenal Max Schrenk, as well as the 1979 Nosferatu remake by Werner Herzog, starring the great Klaus Kinski. There is a wealth of literature about vampires and werewolves, and it evolves as the times require. The rules change. Joss Whedon, who created Buffy The Vampire Slayer in movie form and then for television, once said that the fun thing about writing about vampires is that you get to make up the rules as you go along. Someone before you made up the previous rules, so essentially there are no rules, as long as you can justify the behavior of your particular undead creature by making up a rule. In television, you can even change the rules you made up in the first season when they become inconvenient in the fifth season. There are some rules, though, that I think are inviolate.Twilight breaks one of the oldest and most established vampire rules: they die if touched by the sun. They hedge their bets by setting it in the Pacific Northwest on the Olympic Peninsula where the sun seldom shines, but it is still a major re-write of the rules. When the lead vampire walks deliberately into the sun, he sparkles as though his skin was encrusted with diamonds. […]
Apr 16th, 2009 by Mark Metcalf
