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Upstate
Independents April
5, 2005,
Hosted by
Christopher Bishop
Summary of Meeting
Announcements, Project Updates, and UI Business by Jeff Burns
and Rob Morales
Web address: www.upstateindependents.com
General
Announcements
"Pawn"
– The Feature: Shawn Schaffer announced audition dates for
his upcoming feature film, based on his short film "Pawn."
Shawn had a good turnout at auditions, which were held earlier
this month and will soon announce his cast for the film. Check
out www.bishop-productions.com for all the latest news on this
project.
Um, I Forget: Jeff
Smith announced that he will be shooting a short film in late
April/early May about a man who’s trying to rekindle a
relationship with his son after the latter develops amnesia.
Jeff is looking for two males and two females, ages 25-30, and
a female, ages 30-40, to cast in the film. Contact Jeff at jeff@datajakerz.com.
More Auditions:
April proved to be a popular month for casting as Christopher
Bishop held auditions for his feature film "Seduction",
which he will shoot this summer. Chris is still looking to
fill some key parts, so if you’re interested, e-mail him at Bishop832@aol.com.
Renaissance Man:
Kevin Craig West has two feature films in post-production and
recently signed on a publicist, who will be shopping the films
at Cannes next month. Kevin is also slated to direct three
stage performances at Lincoln Center next year. Kevin remains
first and foremost an actor and welcomes any acting
opportunities that may arise.
UI Business
New Website: Jeff
Smith presented the new UI website. Some minor modifications
are being made to the site, which will soon go live. Stay
tuned for more details.
Awards Show: Shawn
Schaffer presented and led a discussion on the possibility of
an awards show for active members. After much discussion, an
informal vote was taken. 33 members were in favor of holding
an awards show, no members were against the idea, and 7
members didn’t care either way. The board will discuss the
matter further at the next board meeting.
Screenings
Out of this World
– Mike Feurstein presented a short film, "Cosmic
Events in a Recycled Space Ship" about recycling made
by his students in the Yates Extended Day Video class. Many of
the kids involved took part in a lively Q&A session after
the screening.
Slideshow – A
narrated slideshow by Erika Kirtoglou about her recovery from
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
"Coming
Home Again" – A short film by Anna Birks about the
past coming back to haunt a family.
"What
About You?" – A music video by the group
"Blacksmith," presented by Al Smith and Marti
Sparer, about the plight of the homeless. You can get the
music at www.offthepeer.com.
"Enemy of
my Enemy" – A teaser trailer, edited by Ben Alpi,
for the feature film by Tom Mercer
"Addiction"
– Short film by Christopher Bishop about a femme fatale with
an addiction to independent films (well, actually to cocaine).
"Frank
Salas" – A documentary presented by Marti Sparer
and Al Smith about an artist who continues to do his work
despite having MS.
Upstate
Independents is a salon of the Association of Independent
Video and Filmmakers. UI members get a discounted rate if they
wish to join AIVF. For more information, contact Jeff Burns at
518.366.1538 or at jeff_burns23@yahoo.com.
Additional information can also be obtained by going to www.aivf.org.
NYSCA
Upstate
Independents is a proud recipient of funds from the New York
State Council on the Arts (www.nysca.org).
For three years in a row, NYSCA has awarded UI a Grant in
support of our acclaimed "Movies Without Pictures"
staged screenplay reading series. These important funds allow
UI to present the most talented emerging writers, actors, and
directors in the UI community.
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