UCF FILM Alumni's Kiteboarding Doc To Screen @ The Social

Rachel Janowicz, UCF FILM 2001, sent word that her new film, INTO THE AIR: A KITEBOARDING EXPERIENCE, is making its East Coast Premiere at THE SOCIAL on September 17. It sounds cool. Find the info below.

"Into The Air: A Kiteboarding Experience" Surf Expo East Coast Premiere Time: 9:00 pm., Sat. September 17, 2005 Place: The Social 54 North Orange Ave. Orlando, FL

Sponsored by: Teva, H20 Audio, Utopia Optics, Rip It Energy Drink, Litewave Boards, Zero Gravity Kiteboarding, Wipika, Da Hui, Ikitesurf.com.

Film Info:
CineForce Films of Los Angeles, CA recently completed production of a Kiteboarding film shot on location in Puerto Rico. Inspired by the exciting and rapidly evolving sport of Kiteboarding, CineForce Films approached Kiteboarding guru and professional instructor Paul Menta to host a group of riders for 10-days during filming. Drawing on their professional backgrounds in film and television, CineForce's Producers' goal was to craft a unique and stylized film that will appeal to a wide audience, and at the same time help promote this incredibly dynamic sport.

While Kiteboarders flew across the blue waters of the Caribbean at 30 mph and launched 40 feet into the air performing stunts, the nine-person film crew captured a cinematic perspective of the sport with its mesmerizing aerials and various styles of riding. Personal interviews with the athletes give an insight into the sport which has not been seen before. The film features an incredibly talented and diverse group of riders including Damien LeRoy, Bri Chmel, Andy Hurdman, Renee Hanks, Jason Slezak, Julie Simsar, Sam Bell, Laurel Eastman, Antoine Jaubert, Cameron Dietrich, Nina Johansson, Scott Harwood, Top Hat, with their host and rider Paul Menta.

Producer Blake Robertson of "Into The Air: A Kiteboarding Experience" said, "This was an incredible opportunity to showcase the current and emerging talent of Kiteboarding. This film puts personalities and faces to a sport many people have only seen from a distance, truly bringing you closer to the sport for the first time." Producer Rachel Janowicz added, "You'll find that this film has it all from extreme action sequences and personal interviews to beautiful scenery and much more." It is Producer Marq Morrison's belief that, "This film will open the doors of Kiteboarding to the mainstream."

For more info, check out www.cineforcefilms.com

Final Cut Pro Tech Notes

As many of you know, Apple recently released Final Cut Pro version 5 (shown right and now updated to 5.02 or something). There's really not much different between it and FCP4.5, which is what we have installed at UCF. Primarily, FCP5 is tuned for Tiger (OSX 10.4) and includes support for multi-cam, which is mostly of concern to television folks. On the downside, like other major FCP upgrades, a project saved in FCP5 CAN NOT be opened in any variation of FCP 4.5 or lower. That means saving a project in FCP5 commits you to working in FCP5.

We tried to install FCP5 on our upgraded G4s in Comm 172 and found that due to video card issues, the software will not work with these older machines. As such, UCF FILM will not offer FCP5 to students cutting in Comm 172. If you're somebody who owns a home edit system with FCP5, I suggest you start and finish projects at home.

In the Capstone Suites, it's a different story. FCP5 works on these newer systems. In an effort to make the rooms acessible to all seniors, we've installed both FCP5 and FCP 4.5 on three of the four Capstone systems (the one roon running with a beta deck still offers only FCP4.5).

The way we've done this is to configure the Capstone stations as Dual-Boot systems - they can boot up in OSX 10.3.9 with FCP 4.5 or in OSX 10.4.2 with FCP5. To do this, we had to put a full operating system on one drive and another full operating system on a second drive (leaving only one empty drive for storage).

The systems are set by default to boot in the FCP4.5 system. However, if you hold down the OPTION key (lower left on the keyboard) while the machine starts up, you'll be offered a choice of operating system. That's where you can choose to boot into OSX 10.4.2 and FCP5.

Keep in mind if you're using FCP5 and the machine freezes, requiring a restart, you will again need to hold down the OPTION key when you restart or you might find a nasty message about FCP 4.5 being unable to open your project.

One more thing - the Capstone suites now include DVD Studio Pro and Soundtrack Pro (you can really clean up audio tracks with it). However, they don't include Motion - again, a video card issue.

I don't have plans to change this set-up during the year, so get used to it. Hopefully, we will upgrade systems at the end of this year and that will permit us to install FCP5 STUDIO with Motion, etc, on all systems.

INDIAN RIVER ORANGES Script On The Fest Circuit

Andrew Gay emailed to inform us that his feature script INDIAN RIVER ORANGES was one of five nominees for the Best Unproduced Screenplay Award at the 2005 ACTION ON FILM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL and won 2nd Place in the 2005 BLAZING QUILL SCREENWRITING COMPETITION.

Blazing Quill? Think of the logos possibilities.

THURSDAYS ARE UCF FILM NIGHT @ DMAC

Every Thursday night, DMAC - the DOWNTOWN MEDIA ARTS CENTER - will offer free admission to film screenings to current UCF FILM students. Why do we do it? Because we love you - and because we want to you see a lot of different kinds of films.

DMAC is the big green building located at the corner of Pine & Magnolia in Downtown Orlando (technically, 39 South Magnolia). There's usually street parking or you can park in the municipal lot next door.

Want to know what's playing at DMAC? Check out www.dmacorlando.com Showtimes are typically at 7:30 and 9:30. Space is limited and UCF FILM students will only be admitted after paying customers have been seated. There is a coffee bar downstairs where you can hang out before and after the shows. UCF ID is required for admission.

We hope you take advantage of this offer and enjoy UCF FILM's Downtown Digital Cinema.

Welcome Back UCF FILM Students

Lovely seeing everyone on Friday. Are you ready for another year of fun? I hope so.

JUMBO KUDOS to our own Alan Ronay for his outstanding coordination of last Friday's Welcome Orientation reception for new and returning Film BFA and World Cinema Students. The setting, F&B, and artful table were appreciated by all (I particularly liked the chicken). Thanks so much, Alan.

STUDENT HANDBOOK - if you are a BFA Film or World Cinema student and have not received a copy of the NEWLY REVISED student handbook, please stop by the Film Office to pick one up and to sign the acceptance form. YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO ABIDE BY THIS HANDBOOK'S CONTENTS. It's got lots of useful information and the form also allows us to update your contact information.

NOW @ DMAC - FILMMAKER & PUNK ROCK DOCS PLUS SHORTS

This week, we've got three good reasons for you to spend time @ DMAC. First, there's TELL THEM WHO YOU ARE, a documentary by Mark Wexler about his father, legendary cinematography Haskell Wexler. Part film-geek fantasy, part Father and Son analysis, this one has got something for everyone who's wonderd how creative brilliance affects family life.

For anyone who remembers Punk Rock when it was dangerous, WE JAM ECONO: THE STORY OF THE MINUTEMEN is a must-see. Part funk, part sqwonk jazz, part punk, The Minutemen were so far ahead of their time that there's still nobody out there who approaches their sound. And talk about hard-working! These guys laid out the DIY roadmap that every indie band since has followed. One week only - expect crowds.

Finally, we have a single showing of the Manhattan Shorts Showcase on SUNDAY, AUGUST 21 @ 7:30 pm. This is another in our series of warm-up showcases as we get ready for the real show in September.

More details at the DMAC website - www.dmacorlando.com

Worldfest Houston Wants CAT In Virginia

The perks just keep on coming for Debby Wolfe ('04) and her Capstone short Cat's Bad Hair Day. She just got this email from Hunter, the head honcho of Worldfest Houston. Sweet!

Hi Debby...

Greetings ... hope all is doing very well with you... I bring exciting news!

I am delighted to say that we have been invited to once again present a mini-fest of our favorite and best Short Films at Washington & Lee University, November 3 - 5, 2005, in Lexington, Virginia.

We would like to invite you and your fine film to participate... and all we need is you... and a new DVD of the film! We are projecting on a new 13k lumen Christie digital...

We will provide you a $600 cash travel allowance, deluxe room and a $200 honorarium for the long weekend... you will be the VIP guest of the university, you will speak in a Saturday morning brunch - a VIP panel of directors (we are only inviting 8 short films and 8 features, The Best of The Fest!) and you could come in on Thursday the 3rd and stay in Lexington, Virginia until the 6th... fly into Pittsburgh, Atlanta or Washington and then to Richmond, Charlottesville, Roanoke or Staunton Virginia, where a driver and limo will meet you and take you to the university... Expedia.com is offering some great fares into Roanoke and Staunton. We are getting there for less than $250! The total travel allowance is yours, no matter how low the ticket cost! We will all be staying at the same hotel, The Hampton Inn, which is close to the University. Simply advise of the flight numbers and times and we will take care of all the limo and hotel arrangements.

This is a wonderful opportunity and should be a exceptional chance for you to have your film seen by a great audience... VMI is their sister school, and... complete info on W&L is at - www.wlu.edu - it is one of the finest universities in North America... also one of the most beautiful and historic!

I do hope that you can join us for this important and exciting invitational event!

Best regards,

Hunter
TEAM WORLDFEST

Why Calvin Won't be With Us This Fall

Friends and colleagues...

Regret not being able to make it back in country in time for fall semester. As you will note from this picture taken a couple of weeks ago, it would be a bit problematic at the moment. These are a couple of the PSD (Personal Security Detail) guys that protect me as I roam about Iraq... this pic was near the river town of Hindiya in south central. Best to all.

Calvin

HEROIN TOWN Coming To DMAC - FREE ADMISSION, MEET THE FILMMAKER!

(BTW - not only is it free admission, but DMAC gets a donantion for every person through the door! So bring your friends, families and everyone else you can find!)

Heroin Town
Starts Friday August 12
Three Days Only!!!

ADMISSION IS FREE !!!
Thanks to New Screen Television

This compelling documentary asks the question: Would "60 Minutes" have any reason to manipulate or distort a story? More importantly, how would the city it scandalized respond?

"The Hotel Hooker, once a charming rooming house, now a decaying shambles — and within its closed doors, the epicenter of the country’s worst scourge: heroin."

Upon watching this story on "60 minutes," Josh Goldbloom decided to go to the city of Willimantic, Connecticut, and see for himself just how bad things had gotten there. What he found stood in bold contrast to what Dan Rather and crew "exposed." The director (a recovering addict himself) moved to the town and soon found himself a resident in the hotel. With a camera in hand and a commitment to find the true soul of these people, Goldbloom soon gained the trust of not only the hotel’s long-standing residents, but also the mayor, the citizens and even the town’s clergy.

This intimate film shows the residents of Willimantic as fiercely proud of their town — and feeling very betrayed by the media. What emerges is a remarkably complex portrait, and one which mirrors the plight of all American cities. Shot on a single 24p Mini DV camera, Heroin Town was also produced and edited by its director, who asserts: "It is a statement to all filmmakers who don't have the money or the resources to make a feature film. With a good story and a strong will anything is possible." Those who see this remarkable film will undoubtedly agree.

-- Scott Johnston, Philidelphia Film Festival

FYI - Nothing Dies On The Internet

Live your life in public and someday, you'll find it all on the internet...

I just stumbled across this photo (for the first time) on FilmThreat.com. Me (probably a bit drunk) on the left along with Film Threat Poobah Chris Gore and fellow Florida Film Fest Programmer Teresa Everline from...Jeeze...2000? 2001? I don't know. But let this serve as a lesson - nothing vanishes from the net. Keep that in mind when you're dressing tomorrow.

Now Playing @ DMAC - SEARCHING FOR THE WRONG-EYED JESUS

Directed by Andrew Douglas
Length: 82 min
Language: English

Showtimes @ dmacorlando.com

In this magnificent cinematic film, the acclaimed Alternative Country artist Jim White takes us on an entrancing journey into the heart of the culture of the southern USA, a culture too poor and marginalized to register as important yet extraordinarily rich in creative spirit.

In the classic road movie genre, Jim in his battered old car - complete with a concrete Jesus statue bought from a wrecker's junkyard - probes the 'Ulan Bator' of America, as he calls it, from the backwater swamps to the backwood mountains, searching for the wellspring of the culture of the South, bringing viewers along for the ride.

This journey is a chain of Southern Stories, each told in various forms and filmed on location. Featuring live performances by White and other stars of the new Alternative Country scene, including The Handsome Family, Johnny Dowd, David Johansen, 16 Horsepower, and mesmerizing Southern preachers as well as funny, gritty, profound stories from celebrated Southern writer Harry Crews.

Jim White's own story threads through the film, tracing his search for the meaning of faith in the modern world in the haunting atmosphere of the South: still a remarkably fertile territory for an artist. Or as Jim White puts it, he’s "looking for the gold tooth in God's crooked smile".

-- © Films Transit International