The May 2008 issue of "Student Filmmaker Magazine" features a cover story on Aloura Charles (BFA 97) and her new feature, "Reservations".

From Mike Culyba (MFA 98) “The latest feature documentary I recently finished editing, "Sync or Swim," will be screening at Silverdocs (the AFI/Discovery Channel Film Festival) June 21st & 22nd. "Sync or Swim" follows U.S.A.'s top synchronized swimmers as they endure rigorous training and overcome unthinkable obstacles to compete for Olympic glory. For screening times, tickets, and more info go to the Silverdocs web site... http://silverdocs.com/festival/films/2008/sync-or-swim/ <http://silverdocs.com/festival/films/2008/sync-or-swim/>

Art Hsu, who was the male lead in “State of Sunshine”, was recently was cast in a feature film called "Crank 2: High Voltage". It is produced by Lionsgate Entertainment, stars Jason Statham and Amy Smart, and is scheduled for a 2009 release. Hiis character's name is Johnny Vang, and the role is a gangster who steals Chev Chelios' heart (literally).

From Reiki Siems (BFA 96) “I recently posted a YOUTUBE video of my little girl.....http://youtube.com/watch?v=ov1muqE4orA <http://youtube.com/watch?v=ov1muqE4orA> and if you goto that site you can see my Orange Juice commercial I starred in when I was 15. And my wife is expecting #2 in Nov. I am editing on ABC's summer reality show called "High School Musical - Get in the Picture" "The Jay and Tony Show" produce it for Disney. Also - The Emmy's recently announced I am nominated for the 2nd time for outstanding editing on the Tyra Banks show. The awards are on June 13th in NY and I probably will not be attending.”

From Donna Wheeler (MFA 91): Donna is currently working in the post production department, transcription staff on a documentary on Benazir Bhutto which Disarming Films is making. Donna says: “They did the doc about the corrupt priests back in 06 and I worked on that one too. They called me to help out as they remembered me from their Deliver Us From Evil project :) Also, my comedy feature “Death of a Saleswoman” was just at Cannes this past week, in the market section, with a sales agent I picked up at Sundance 08. We're seeking appropriate distribution deals.”

From Doug Interrante (BFA 06) “I'm currently still Philadelphia. I was just hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as a producer for the Eagles Television Network. It's an amazing opportunity and I'm looking forward to the challenge.”

From Colin Skelton (BFA 98) “I spent last week in the SoCal desert (Palm Desert) getting a first hand look at many great films & shows coming to PBS this year at the annual PBS Showcase. It was great being back in CA... land of In N' Out, Trader Joe's, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf! Anyway, I urge everyone to consider PBS as part of your viewing selection whether online, tv, or dvr. We have a quality lineup that will broadcast new british mysteries, more indie docs than you can shake a stick at, and of course pbs classics like FRONTLINE, Nature, NOVA, etc. Also, our PBS Kids block will feature Sid the Science Kid from the Jim Henson Company (digital puppetry... very cool) plus a relaunch of The Electric Company. New episodes have been ordered for most of the existing kids' shows. It was nice to see screenings of intelligent documentaries, contemporary narrative films, and smart kids shows that just aren't offered on other mainstream channels. ;)”

This week with the TallahasseeFilmSociety: This Friday, May 30th - "Hell on Wheels" Coming June 6 8 - "Beaufort" at All Saints. This Week's Regal Miracle Theater Movies - May 30th - June 5th. This Week's Films at the Challenger Learning Center IMAX. For complete information go to tallahasseefilms.com

From the FL Governors Film Commission Newsletter: Congratulations to Vinny Hogan, Director of Feature Film Operations, who is one of the 3 principals in the Cine Art Group which represents the merger of two major post-production facilities: Cineworks Digital Studios of Miami and New Art Group of Mexico City, as well as the joint acquisition of the aforementioned companies of Manhattan Transfer Miami, now dubbed Cineworks Digital Studios Coconut Grove. This triple powerhouse makes The Cine Art Group the largest production and post-production facility in the Southeastern US and Mexico. The Cine Art Group has the knowledge, experience nad passion of these 3 major post-production companies in addition to the creative editorial group Circolo, the VFX divion, Deep Blue Sea and Within Pictures. The company offers major motion picture studios, independent filmmakers, advertising agencies and music video producers full production and post-production services Offices are located in Miami, Mexico City, New Orleans and Puerto Rico. For more information contact Vinny Hogan @ 305 754 7501 or vinny@cineworks.com <mailto:vinny@cineworks.com> ”

May 21, 2008 (Los Angeles) - The Weepies got a lot of breaks on their path to success. In 2006 and 2007, the band topped the digital download charts, country hopped from festival to festival, were nominated for the Shortlist Music prize, wrote an album with Mandy Moore, and landed songs in national ad campaigns as well as on favorite primetime television shows. So when it came to making a new video for their album title single, "Hideaway," The Weepies decided to pass on a big break of their own. "Lately the most creative and interesting videos that we've seen have been small budget and sometimes home-made, put up on the internet by people who clearly love making them as an art form," they explain. Today the Weepies announced a video challenge prodding fans, independent filmmakers, and passionate people to craft the official music video for first single, "Hideaway." Hosted by social network, Imeem, the video challenge offers a $10,000 cash prize, premier and feature promotions through Imeem, video servicing to major television and online video outlets, and of course, attention as a professional film maker. The Weepies' video challenge comes on the heels of their recently released and critically acclaimed album Hideaway. The record landed The Weepies on the Billboard top 200 for the first time ever, claiming the #31 spot and showing an even stronger presence on the iTunes Top 10. And as The Weepies continue to enjoy the success of a billboard hit album, don't expect the momentum to slow down; The Weepies music is set to appear in the upcoming Sex And The City: The Movie at the end of this month! As the video contest gets underway, The Weepies are just hoping to inspire and encourage great film making. "The next great filmmaker is probably quietly creating at home with a flip camera - that's who we want to make our video!" say The Weepies. Scorsese who? For more information, visit http://www.imeem.com/weepiesvideochallenge <http://www.imeem.com/weepiesvideochallenge>

FROM THE FSU MAILING LIST

The following was in response to an email concerning trends in animation:
From Sean Gannon (MFA 94) “A couple friends & I have put together an animated project. We were evaluating different software for the task and looked at Flash, but it was waaaay too limiting. We looked at Toon Boom, which was more advanced, but their primary focus seemed to be on marketing. What we chose was a ludicrously inexpensive program called Moho ($50 at the time), which has since been bought out and became Anime Studio Pro (now $200). Very versatile and well-designed, lots of higher-end capabilities. Here's a link to the pilot we created, The William Blake Phenomenon. Elements were created mostly in Photoshop (& some in SketchUp), animation almost entirely created in ASP, with some help from FCP (esp. in the title sequence). A bit crude, but we mostly wanted to convey the feel of the show:http://youtube.com/watch?v=ie0NziZaZ0Y Sarasota-era alums may (not) recognize Edgar Bennett as the voice of Blake. :-) I don't know what the diff is between Anime Studio standard & pro versions. Worth checking out: http://graphics.smithmicro.com/article/articleview/1914/1/794?sbss=794 There is an application that _auto-lip-syncs_, called Papagayo. It works seamlessly with ASP once you establish the basic mouth shapes in that program. It's even free !http://www.lostmarble.com/papagayo/index.shtml Not sure I follow you on how Flash would prevent outsourcing animation. I would think lesser-known programs would be less cost- effective to staff overseas.. It's difficult to determine by eye what software package was used to create an animation. South Park -- excluding their bursts of high- end FX for explosions & such -- still looks like construction paper cut-outs, but they use Maya, an insanely complex VFX industry- standard 3-D application.”

FILM FESTIVAL UPDATE – no update this week since Kathleen Barber, Film School Film Festival & Events Coordinator, is on leave.

Meryl Warren, Director of Alumni
College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts
A3100 University Center, Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2350
850 644 3464 office; 850 644 2626 fax
www.film.fsu.edu