NORRISTOWN — The arts community is seeking an “ear-catching” name for the municipality’s arts and culture area.
The “Name the Arts” contest sponsored by the Norristown Arts Task Force is running until Oct. 25. Residents and non-residents, artists and business persons are invited to send their suggestions to Fran Doyle, Montgomery County Cultural Center, 208 DeKalb St., Norristown, PA 19401 or by e-mail to NametheArts@gmail.com.
The arts district is located on DeKalb Street, from Lafayette Street to Marshall Street.
“Norristown can’t use ‘Avenue of the Arts’ because it’s a trademarked name in Philadelphia,” said Matt Conant, the chairman of the naming committee for the Norristown Arts Task Force. “It is a branding issue as much as anything. San Diego has the Gaslight District and New Orleans has the French Quarter. Having a name for a district helps people immediately identify it and it helps artists become affiliated with it.”
Task force members plan to publicize the top five name suggestions and put the matter to a vote.
“By the end of October we want to have all the suggestions in,” Conant said. “The community will vote on their favorites.”
An outdoor festival to celebrate the name and the district will be held in April 2010.
Entries should include name, age, phone number and e-mail address. A photo of the entrant should be included if available.
The winner of the contest will receive a $100 cash prize.
“There will be fuzzy borders, so if there is a business that is outside of DeKalb Street, it will still be included,” Conant stated.
(Photo by Montgomery County Cultural Center Centre Theater. www.artscc.org)
P21Fest has wrapped, and it was another awesome year! Thanks so much to all who were in attendance! So many of our friends, members, in-kind sponsors, and supporters came out in droves from all over the world! We were, as always, humbled and thrilled by the crowds. For those who weren’t, we’ll fill you in on all the awesome stuff you missed so you know what to expect next year! (You can also download the program HERE by right-clicking and selecting “Save As”.)
2009 AWARD WINNERS
2009 was a fierce competition, with over 100 submissions to the Philadelphia Filmathon and 30 entries to the 21-Day Filmmaking Competition, but these films were chosen by our independent panel of judges (and audiences) as worthy of recognition.
Congratulations to all our 2009 filmmakers, and to all our supporters for making this year such a fantastic success!
Philadelphia Filmathon
Best Feature
The Distance Between the Apple and the Tree
dir. Bajir Cannon
Honorable Mentions
Fairview St.dir. Michael McCallumBoys of Summerville
dir. Brooks Benjamin
Best Short Film
The Ghost and Us
dir. Emily Carmichael
Honorable Mentions
Spare Time
Dir. Edmond Hawkins
Birth
Dir. Signe Baumane
21-Day Filmmaking Competition
Best Film
“Ghost Light” by Team Emerald Productions
Nominees
“Keystone Jackal” by Team Warrington Oaks Pictures
“Meat After School” by GTeam
Best Directing
“Ghost Light” by Team
Emerald Productions
Nominees
“Crimson Forest” by Team Yerwolves
“Spirit of Illusion” by Team Merg3d
Best Writing (exact tie)
“Keystone Jackal” by Team
Warrington Oaks Pictures
“TUMBLER: the boom” by Team Hard Boiled
Nominees
“Turn of Fate” by Team Stray Dog Films
Best Cinematography“Crimson Forest” by Team Yerwolves
Nominees“Meat After School” by GTeam“Turn of Fate” by Team Stray Dog Films
Best Acting“Keystone Jackal” by Team Warrington Oaks Pictures
Nominees“Ghost Light” by Team Emerald Productions
“Overcome” by Team 10 Mile
Best Editing
“Pattern: Response” by Team Synthetic Human
Nominees“Crimson Forest” by Team Yerwolves
“Meat After School” by GTeam
Best Sound Design (exact tie)“Pattern: Response” by Team Synthetic Human
“Meat After School” by GTeam
Nominees
“Crimson Forest”
by Team Yerwolves
Best Music
“TUMBLER: the echo” by Team With No Name
Nominees“Ghost Light” by Team Emerald Productions
“Otto” by Team Dragon Crest Productions
Best Animation“Otto” by Team Dragon Crest Productions
Nominees
“Yarrrg! A Pirate Movie” by Team Groggy Heads
“Meat After School” by GTeam
Best Special Effects
“Meat After School” by GTeam
Nominees
“Crimson Forest” by Team Yerwolves
“Pattern: Response” by Team Synthetic Human
Best Use of Element
“Turn of Fate” by Team Stray Dog Films
Nominees
“Eight Minutes” by Team Scumberland Productions
“Meat After School” by GTeam
Best Marketing
“Journal’s Paragon” by Team Justice Productions
Nominees“Meat After School” by GTeam
“Pattern: Response” by Team Synthetic Human
Audience Award: Red Screening
“Journal’s Paragon” by Team Justice Productions
Audience Award: Blue Screening
“Destiny” by Team PhilaGape
Audience Award: Green Screening
“Ghost Light” by Team Emerald Productions
2009 P21FEST WRAPUP
This year was our largest Festival to date. Project Twenty1 screened over 50 films this year, held 10 workshops, and 4 parties, in a 4-day run from October 1st-4th, based in the International House Philadelphia, and this including party venues all around University City: Marbar, Distrito, 12 Lounge, and The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum. We could not have done it without the help and support of all of these venues, especially International House, who has been a proud supporter and fiscal sponsor of P21 since 2008, which makes donations to Project Twenty1 tax-deductible under their 501(c)3 umbrella.
Our winner of Best Marketing, Team Justice Productions, did an awesome series of podcasts documenting their 21-Day Filmmaking process, as well as the Festival itself. So if you missed any of it, be sure to check them out right here! Or, at youtube.com/jprodlcc
UPCOMING SCREENINGS & PROMOS
Although P21Fest is wrapped, our work is just beginning. We’ll be supporting our community of filmmakers, both from the Philadelphia Filmathon and the 21-Day Filmmaking Competition, by submitting the films in our library, on your behalf, to our partner festivals around the country, in an attempt to earn our artists as much exposure as possible.
For starters, just this past weekend, our 2008 winner Leon & The Wolf, screened to a packed theater as a part of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, October 11th as a part of their shorts showcase “Dark”. PAAFF put on a great festival this year, and we look forward to working with them more closely in years to come.
Also, Project Twenty1 is co-sponsoring two screenings this year at FirstGlance Film Festivals in Philadelphia, PA, on Friday, October 23. First up at 7:45 pm, we are hosting the Filmathon film, “Chasing the White Dragon”, directed by Kathilynn Phillips, which is surrounded by some amazing shorts (tickets). And if you missed the winner of our 21-Day Filmmaking Competition, be sure to stay to check out the 10:45 screening of “Ghost Light,” by Team Emerald Productions, to be followed by the feature “Ice Grill USA” (tickets).
Our Award-winning films (and select other festival favorites) will be sent to dozens of other festivals in the coming months, so stay tuned for more information!
2010 and BEYOND
As you may or may not realize, 100% of Project Twenty1’s staff and executives are volunteers. As we move into 2010, we hope to be able to add to our community and support more artists through our network and festival, but we are at maximum capacity right now with the artists we do have, and our organization is growing too quickly for us to be able to run it on a purely volunteer basis. In 2009 alone, in addition to our existing programming, we have added 2 new screening series, networking events, educational workshops, artistic parties, and an internship program. The bottom line: WE NEED SUPPORT to keep providing the same level of quality programming and artist support that we’ve been offering to date.
The good news is: every single one of you can help!! How, you ask?
HELP US FIND A TITLE SPONSOR:We have the mission, we have the programming, and we have an amazing network of artists and loads of community support in a city ripe with film, animation, arts, and business opportunities.We also have the ability to get a sponsor’s name, logo, and branding in front of a large audience. We simply haven’t had time to search for sponsors on the level necessary to support our burgeoning organization. Finding a corporate sponsor who loves what we do and wants to affiliate themselves with us would help alleviate the financial strain on us and our artists, and allow us to continue in 2010 and beyond.
So we’re asking you, our community: do you know anybody who works at a medium-sized to large company, looking to attract consumers, or looking to market their brand to trendy, artistic, technologically-savvy individuals? We have the audience, and we’d love to talk with them about how they can get involved. Please, put them in touch with us. Simply email us, and help make the introduction. Note that we are not begging for free “handouts”. We will work for our sponsors, and we will provide to them the audience they need. We just need help getting our foot in the door. Anything you, our community, can do to help, would be immensely appreciated. Again, we may not be able to hold this kind of festival again without you!
CONTRIBUTE OR BECOME A MEMBER: Project Twenty1 runs year-round events, and partners with countless organizations, in and around the Greater Philadelphia region. BECOME A MEMBER on our website, and receive discounts and coupons off many Project Twenty1 events, and partner events throughout the region. As a Member, you will also receive first knowledge of upcoming events, and coupon codes for use on our website. We also highly value our members’ input, so by joining us, you will be able to help us drive the decisions and future of our organization.
Not able to attend our events but want to contribute anyway? MAKE A DONATION! All donations over $25 result in a membership for yourself or an individual of your choosing as well.
Thanks so much everybody for making 2009 such a tremendous success. We look forward to working with you to continue our programming in the future, and see you again at our next events!
Stephanie Yuhas, Executive Producer
Matt Conant, Artistic Director
Project Twenty1 Not Just A Film Festival www.ProjectTwenty1.com
More on our awesome P21Fest events soon, we swear! In the meantime, we wanted to get you this breaking Festival Partner News:
Last year’s 21-Day Filmmaking Competition winner, Leon & The Wolf, is screening again in Philadelphia this weekend!
Just one week after being included in P21Fest 2009’s Philadelphia Filmathon, Leon will receive an encore screening at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, taking place Friday, Oct. 8th – Sunday, Oct. 11th. The film was directed by the super-talented young director Andrew Kerekes, who is of Korean descent and hails from Aiea, Hawaii. Kerekes has participated in the 21-Day Competition every year since the competition’s inception in 2006.
Leon will be part of a shorts screening in PAAFF taking place Sunday, Oct. 11th at 1:00pm at (where else?) the International House Philadelphia’s Ibrahim Theater. Yep, the same venue as P21Fest, so you should already know how to get there! Other films in the screening include Blood Colony by Jason Holcomb, The Letter by Kris Mendoza, and Imprint by Van Blumreich. The screening is collectively titled “Dark”, ironic considering Leon and the Wolf was created with the 2008 secret Element (“Light”) in mind.
Project Twenty1 is proud to be co-sponsoring the “Dark” screening at PAAFF. Go check it out and support our partners at PAAFF. Tickets now available.
Opening Night at Project Twenty1 launched the festival with a bang last night!
The Opening Night screening, You Might As Well Live, a hilarious indie film directed by Simon Ennis, about a loser named Robert Mutt, trying to prove he can be a ‘real somebody,’ was extremely well-received by the audience. “I was laughing so hard, I peed a little,” said one attendee who will remain anonymous for obvious reasons. “That’s embarrassing. But no really, I’m pretty sure I peed a little.”
The screening was followed by an awesome party at Distrito down the street, where the filmgoers were able to hang out and enjoy $5 margaritas and good company as they prepared for the rest of the weekend’s events. One lucky raffle winner, Penny DeeNey, walked away with a Glidecam HD-2000 at the end of the night! Photos from Opening Night will be available soon, but we’re busy coordinating all the events for the coming days!
The festival continues through the weekend, starting with workshops Friday afternoon at International House (37th & Chestnut), covering everything from shooting with the Canon 5D Mark ii to Marketing through Social Media to Grant-writing to Pitch workshop where you can present your idea for peer feedback.
The events continue at 4:30 with Speed Networking at the Sheraton where aspiring artists in the film and animation world can get together and help each other turn their projects into careers.
And of course, tonight Project Twenty1 will be screening the top Shorts submitted to this year’s Philadelphia Filmathon, followed by a Friday Night FX Party at the Tiberino Museum.
So before you miss any more fun, come down to the International House at 3701 Chestnut Street RIGHT NOW, grab yourselves a program, and get involved!
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – September 28, 2009 – The film THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE APPLE AND THE TREE will receive its Philadelphia Premiere this weekend as an Official Selection and the Closing Night Screening of the 4th annual P21Fest, a celebration of independent film and animation.
The Distance Between the Apple and the Tree was directed by Philly-area native Bajir Cannon. Trying to escape his family and his American upbringing, the film’s young protagonist Will Jr. looks for a new life in Cambodia. Through a spiritual community, he seeks explanation of the world around him. Finding instead only fractional and conflicting solutions, he questions the purpose of his time abroad and the meaning of newly formed relationships.
Meanwhile, back in New Jersey, Will Sr. and Linda are struggling with their son’s departure. Will Sr. cannot grasp his son’s rejection and ingratitude as his health condition worsens. Linda, while trying to understand her son’s choice and comfort her husband, is forced into mediating the conflict between the two men.
“The film is amazingly unbiased in its portrayal of two generations of a typical American family. You feel for all three characters to some degree as they each try to cope with the changes in their lives and their family,” says Project Twenty1 Artistic Director Matt Conant. “As a film festival, we get a number of submissions each year that are essentially very one-sided ‘parents don’t understand me’ films, and that made Distance really stand out for us as a such a refreshing change of pace.”
The film was shot in Cambodia and suburban New Jersey. The shoot in Cambodia consisted of just four crew members and two actors, living together in a rented house with a dirt floor kitchen. Cannon described the search for the actor who would play the young boy, saying, “I literally drove around on a moto looking for young kids in different small villages. We found Meng down by the banks of a river, digging in the mud looking for iron nuggets left over from the Khmer Rouge.”
There was also the challenge of shooting the large group scenes with dozens of Cambodian extras. Cannon says, “We had offered to pay and feed everyone who came, so we imagined that would attract a pretty big crowd. Sure enough, hundreds of folks showed up. But so did the village elders who threatened to shut down the shoot until we realized they were essentially asking to be bribed. We gave them a couple bottles of whiskey and $100 bucks, and the men went up the road and we were able to get our scene.”
DISTANCE will screen on October 4th 2009 at 5:30 pm at the International House Philadelphia’s Ibrahim Theater. Both the film’s Producer Jacob Robinson and actor Michael H. Johnson (Will Sr.) will be in attendance, and there will be a Q&A following the film.
Attendance is limited to the first 350 people, so advance tickets are suggested by visiting www.ProjectTwenty1.com.
Check out the trailer below for a preview! Individual tickets are available here, and VIP all-Access passes, which allow you into every P21Fest event October 1st-4th, are on sale here.
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Following the screening of Distance, there will be an hour dinner break, followed by the Project Twenty1 2009 Awards Ceremony at the Ibrahim Theater at 8:30pm, and concluding with the Closing Night Party at 12 Lounge a few blocks away.
Join us as we toast all of this year’s Project Twenty1 filmmakers! This party is all about the Artists as we draw our fest to a close with one last bash!
All talent, crew, filmmakers, animators, film enthusiasts and industry professionals are welcomed to attend this exciting end-of festival event. BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS! Project Twenty1 Judges, and other industry professionals will be present, and this is your last chance to meet, swap stories, and figure out how you’re going to work together on your next project!
(Directions walking from International House: Head west on Chestnut Street towards S. 38th Street. Turn left at S. 38th St. Turn right at Walnut Street. Lounge is inside Bridge Movie Theater. Walktime is approximately 5-8 minutes)
Check out this week’s print issue of Philadelphia Weekly, featuring Project Twenty1 (and a lot of other awesome news, as usual!) OR check out our blurb online:
Project Twenty1
Philly’s constantly expanding and contracting film fest market has had some growing pains. But the folks at Project Twenty1 have managed to pull off a constantly expanding repertoire for the fourth year running. Thursday kicks off four days of film screenings, workshops, events and parties with the Philadelphia premiere of the comedy You Might as Well Live, followed by a party at nearby Distrito. Visit the website for the full schedule, but be sure to check out the weekend slate of films made this past summer in the fest’s three-week (or, ahem, 21-day) window—in all, more than 50 flicks, including 30 world premieres. With a schedule this big, perhaps some of the city’s bigger film fests could learn a little something. Jeffrey Barg 7pm. $8. International House, 3701 Chestnut St. 215.253.7640. www.projecttwenty1.com(original souce)
Debating skipping our Friday night and waiting until the weekend to join us at P21Fest? If so, you might regret missing this…
The night begins with an awesome screening of the top Short Live-action Films submitted to our 2009 Philadelphia Filmathon, starting at 8:00pm at International House.
After the screening, join us for the best kick-off to October you’ve ever seen! Project Twenty1 and American Dream Machine present an unbelievable party celebrating the art of horror, the horror of art, and the beauty inherent in both, with our Friday Night FX party @ the Tiberino Museum starting at 9:30.Come in costume, or come as you are… just be there!
Ibrahim Theater
International House
3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map)
The 2009 Philadelphia Filmathon Shorts Showcase contains the touching, the revolting, the hysterical, and the terrifying! Character-driven dramas and outlandish comedies mingle with ghosts, vampires and hit men in this screening, which is sure to have something to please everyone. It’s the best of the best Philadelphia Filmathon short film submissions from 2009! With a special bonus from the P21 producers themselves…
Leon & The Wolf
Dir. Andrew Kerekes 2008’s 21-Day Competition Winner, this film has been screened in nearly a dozen other festivals and venues across the country since its creation last year, so we thought it deserved one more with us.
Leon wants out of the mafia. But freedom comes at a price.
Refuge
Dir. Wade Ballance
To survive a sudden climate change, the poor are forced into underground refuges for survival. But their only true chance of survival is getting back out.
Boner Buddies
Dir. Sam Sero
Two hipsters become best friends when they get boners over the same things.
Musically Inclined
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE! Dir. Storenzo Domenech
A man falls asleep on a NYC subway, listening to music and observing those around him. As he drifts off to sleep, each passenger sparks a different dream.
Young Love
Dir. Emily Carmichael
A simple offer — Tell me one of yours and I’ll tell you one of mine — leads to a devastating disclosure.
Dan, In The Corner
U.S. PREMIERE!
Dir. Matt Mahoney
One day in a coffee house, a beautiful girl’s forgotten phone leads Dan on a path of self-discovery.
Cute Couple
PHILADELPHIA PREMIERE!
Dir. Courtney Moorehead Balaker
When Zach and Kendra realize they have been dethroned from the coveted position of “Cutest Couple”, they have to create a new identity in order to stand out from the pack.
Bleeder
WORLD PREMIERE!
Dir. Wade Ballance
A chance encounter will change Alex’s future and may give him a second chance to live the life he once knew.
Leon & The Wolf: The Parody
WORLD PREMIERE!
Dir. Andrew Kerekes
The Director of Leon & The Wolf returns with… a parody of his own film! This hilarious animation proves out 21-Day Winner has a sense of humor about himself.
The Ghost And Us
EAST COAST PREMIERE! Dir. Emily Carmichael
Laura’s thrilled with her new boyfriend, not so thrilled that his house is haunted by the ghost of his dead wife.
Thursday, October 2, 2009
9:30 pm – 2:00am – FRIDAY NIGHT FX
The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum
3819 Hamilton St., Philadelphia, PA 19104(map)
An amazing theme party to promote and exhibit Makeup FX artists (and get some people made up!)
Following the awesome Filmathon Shorts Showcase at International House, retreat with us at 9:30 to Friday Night FX, hosted at one of the coolest, funkiest venues in the area, The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum!
About a 10 minute walk from the I-House, The Tiberino Museum is truly one of the hidden jewels of a city that proves Philadelphia celebrates the arts in all their forms. And yes, there is even a bar, serving a selection of delicious beverages.You’ll want to bring your camera, not only for the amazing artwork but the…
FX MAKEUP CONTEST!
Come decked out in your most hideous wounds, burns, scars, scabs, humps, lumps, and general pustulous beauty and compete for the title Project Twenty1’s Best FX Artist of 2009…and some stuff in a giftbag.
If you are a Special FX makeup artist, bring out some of your gear and GO NUTS – use us as your canvases! And take pictures for your portfolio!
Note: Wearing FX makeup/costumes is optional. But don’t be offended when someone compliments you on your awesome monster makeup job and they’re talking about your natural face. OH, NO!
Note: Party admission is free with your stylish VIP lanyard! All others, it’s only $5 CASH at the door! This is super-exclusive, so tickets cannot be sold individually in advance.
And the FX/makeup fun has only just begun! Saturday afternoon we offer TWO more workshops on film makeup and special effects. One for actors on the basics of looking good (especially in this world of HD closeups) hosted by skincare professional Nicole Hollenbeck, and one on special effects makeup, hosted by forensics expert C. L. Zastrow, and makeup artist Chris Bowen.
Learn tricks and tricks in makeup and general skincare to insure that you are ready for your closeup! Actors, models, and anyone that wants to look and feel like a film star should attend. As a bonus, each attendee will receive a free $10 Mary Kay Giftcard!
Nicole Hollenbeck is a professional skin and makeup consultant that also rock climbs, so she knows how important to balance looking good with practicality.
NOTE: This is an intimate workshop that is limited to 20 people. Purchase individual tickets in advance. Passholders, RSVP to info {at} projecttwenty1.com.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
1:00 pm – 2:45pm – WORKSHOP
SPECIAL FX MAKEUP FOR FILM with C. L. Zastrow & Chris Bowen
A lot of people think blood fx are simply “red dye and corn syrup”. This workshop says otherwise.
“Special FX Makeup for Film” focuses on forensic realism and special effects techniques in film. Forensics analyst C. L. Zastrow will talk about her experiences on film and television sets to help designers create realistic murder scenes after she has seen “the real thing” while Chris Bowen shows participants tips & tricks on how to make the most realistic FX possible with easy-to-obtain tools.
An exclusive signing of C.L. Zastrow’s new book “Visions” to follow immediately after Workshop.
This workshop is not for faint of heart.
C. L. Zastrow is a native Michigander, holding Bachelor’s Degrees in both Instrumental Performance and TV/Film Production. After serving in the U.S. Navy, she became a Professional Firefighter/EMT/HAZMAT Technician. Ms. Zastrow has extensive experience in Forensic Science, K-9 Search and Rescue, and Evidence Detection. She studied Medicolegal Death Investigation at St. Louis University, and was awarded a Masters Degree in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida in 2005. She currently works for both State and Federal Government.
Ms. Zastrow is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners, as well as the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts. She also holds a First Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
She has appeared on Unsolved Mysteries, Crosstalk From Beyond, and other television programs.
Ms. Zastrow is available as a consultant on forensic issues, emergency services, stage combat, screenwriting, and working K-9 issues for stage, screen, and other venues. To contact Ms. Zastrow, visit www.zastrowvisions.com or pick up her newest book, “Visions” on Amazon.com.
Chris Bowen likes to describe himself as just a regular guy who has learned to do some obscure things really well. Educated at the Prestigious School of Visual Arts, his work has been published in Fangoria Magazine, Rue Morgue Magazine and Entertainment Weekly. He was chosen to compete on the Canadian Reality TV show “Making it Big” and won an award for best make-up in a US haunted attraction for his work at “Erebus” in Pontiac, MI, the world’s largest haunted attraction according to Guinness. Best known for his work on Troma’s newest film masterpiece “Poultrygeist! Night of the Chicken Dead”. When Chris is not whipping up severed heads or zombie chickens in his shop, he can be found spending time with his wife and 3 year old daughter in Chester County PA. www.CynicalBastardStudios.com
Making short films, thinking big picture, Doug Seidel is off to a good start.
In 2006, the Rowan University alum founded Justice Productions, an independent film group consisting of 25 area members and counting. The group has since reeled off many “shorts”, its latest being “The Journal’s Paragon.”
Showing at the Project Twenty1 Festival in Philadelphia at 3 p.m. on Oct. 3, “The Journal’s Paragon” is about two lifelong friends who discover a journal filled with cryptic riddles that lead them ultimately to “the greatest treasure known to anyone.”
The making of the 10-minute film, done within 21 days and told in a “Choose Your Own Adventure’ format, is documented at www.journalsparagon.com, Seidel, 27, says.
Filmmaking is its own reward for the Monroe Township resident, who also works as the digital media director at Legends ATA Martial Arts.
Q: “The Journal’s Paragon” is told in a “Choose Your Own Adventure” format that is popular in children’s books. Why did you use this method, unique to films, to tell the story?
A: We wanted to make a film that would be fun for all ages. We have had a lot of success with family films in the past. It is something that most indie filmmakers don’t do. Most indie films are filled with violence, sex and drugs. However, there is a much larger audience out there for family films. The “Choose Your Own Adventure” idea came up while we were discussing ideas for the film.
As a part of the contest Project Twenty1, we had to incorporate the element “key”, and decided to make an adventure film looking for the key to the clues leading to a treasure. We thought the “Choose Your Own Adventure” (format) would be a fun way to tell the story as well as add some humor.
Q: What’s the most challenging aspect of filmmaking?
A: Scheduling. All of the members of the group have other jobs, which makes it hard to bring everyone together for meetings and the shoots. This normally means long shoots while everyone has the day off. It takes a lot of passion to work hard on a film during your day off from work.
Q: What feelings overtake you when your films screen at a festival?
A: First excitement that I am going to see my film on the big screen, an experience like no other.
Then nervousness. Thoughts about the audience not liking it or booing, or even not laughing at the right moments. But in the end it is just a fulfilling experience whether the audience liked it or not. It is a story that was told and I learned something to help my next film.
Q: What to you is the most rewarding part of making films?
A: Placing a film I made on DVD next to one of my favorite films on my DVD rack. When people laugh at the right times during a screening, and when someone I have never met before asks questions about the film because they enjoyed it.
Q: What are some projects you are working on?
A: Currently we have a short children’s horror story “Monster Goo” in post production. We are shooting a martial arts fantasy film for the holidays and we have two films on the festival circuit. “Dinner for One” at the Downbeach Film Festival in October and “Night Light”, our entry to Project Twenty1 last year, was just at the Temecula Valley International Film Festival in California.
Q: Do you welcome video-sharing Web sites like YouTube.
A: I see both good and bad in YouTube. It is a great way for up and coming filmmakers to get exposure for their films, with trailers and blogs. However, it is also a hindrance because with easy access to so many videos for free why do people want to pay for DVDs of short films. It can be a great tool to filmmakers if they know how to use it well, like enhancing their Web site.
PIFVA (The Philadelphia Independent Film & Video Association) has been kind enough to sponsor the following workshops during P21Fest to help us educate and inspire filmmakers and artists!
$10/FREE with VIP Pass/PIFVA Membership Card
South America Room
International House Philadelphia
3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map)
Film and arts have taken a huge hit with the current economy, but hope is around the corner! Grants are still one of the top ways most independent artists finance their work, and we are here to help you get them!
This PIFVA workshop will give you an overview of grant seeking and writing, highlighting strategies and writing essentials.We will look at your filmmaker’s statement and your goals for your film. Also, we will look at PIFVA Finishing Funds and the Grantsmakers in Film and Electronic Media Database in detail.
Caroline Savage, is PIFVA Coordinator, a grantwriter, and former Program Director at PA Council on the Arts, where she managed the Media Arts and Individual Artist Fellowship grants programs. After she left PCA, she taught at Dickinson College and the SF Art Institute and received a PA Council on the Arts Fellowship in 2005 for her short film work.
$10/FREE with VIP Pass/PIFVA Membership Card
Upstairs @ International House Philadelphia
3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map) Over the past several years, Richard Power Hoffmann has perfected a new technique using a digital still camera exclusively to make films. The evocative time-lapse effects created gives the impression of being very costly, but in reality is within reach of most cost-conscious independent producers.
This unique storytelling approach takes advantage of today’s low cost yet high resolution digital still cameras to acquire better than HD resolution imagery, and then dynamically manipulate it in post-production. Hoffmann will discuss how and why he gravitated towards this technique, and the benefits and limitations he has encountered. He will also share some of his filming and non-linear editing tips in a hands-on portion of the class.
Instructor: Richard Power Hoffmann is a graduate of New York University in 1996 he returned to his native Philadelphia and began creating a variety of personal and work-for-hire film and videos through his company, Coyopa Productions. His feature film debut, Invisible Mountains, was awarded a 2002 screenwriting fellowship from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The completed film, which went on the win Best Feature at the 2003 DV Film Festival and a 2005 PCA media arts fellowship, is now available on Netflix. His most recent film, Fridays at the Farm, won Best Short at the 2007 Green Film Festival in Seoul and Sapporo Shortfest in Japan, and aired nationally in 2007 on The Sundance Channel.
NOTE: This is an intimate workshop that is limited to 30 people. Purchase individual tickets in advance. Passholders, RSVP to info {at} projecttwenty1.com.
The Asia Room
International House Philadelphia and
3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
(map)
Get your scripts ready, because the Project Twenty1 Reading Room is Open!
Shorts, features. animated, or live action, this room is here to help aspiring screenwriters get the feedback they desire, and give script readers a heads up on the hottest upcoming projects coming to the area!
The room will be open from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4. You can come and go as you please, and in order to keep this service FREE, it is open to P21 Members & P21Fest VIP Passholders.
Step 2: Bring your script, a lined notebook with the name of the script clearly marked on the cover, and a pen that actually works. For the most honest opinions, we suggest that you do not put your name on the script.
Step 3: Place your materials on the table.
Step 4: Pick up a different script to give it a read or get the heck out of there!
Readers
1.) Pick a script. Not your own, silly.
2.) Sit down.
3.) Be quiet. This is a library.
4.) Read the script.
5.) Give your honest, constructive (as opposed to DESTRUCTIVE) feedback in the Notebook. If you really like the script and want to help get the production started in some way, just leave your name and contact information in the Notebook.
We hope you have fun and get INSPIRED!
WARNING:
Most of this stuff is common knowledge, but we thought we should probably mention it “just in case”.
*Project Twenty1 is not responsible if you cry. We are also not responsible if you bawl, howl, lament, snivel, sob, wail, weep, whimper, or yowl. We are not responsible for the opinions expressed in the Reading Room, so toughen up! It builds character.
*Project Twenty1 is not responsible for what happens if you don’t copyright your work.
*Project Twenty1 is not responsible for lost/damaged scripts, so please don’t bring your only copy.
*Scripts may not leave the Reading Room, except by the script owners.
*If you are being too loud/disrupted in the Reading Room, your butt will get kicked out into the hall.
NORRISTOWN — The arts community is seeking an “ear-catching” name for the municipality’s arts and culture area.
Opening Night at Project Twenty1 launched the festival with a bang last night!
The screening was followed by an awesome party at Distrito down the street, where the filmgoers were able to hang out and enjoy $5 margaritas and good company as they prepared for the rest of the weekend’s events. One lucky raffle winner, Penny DeeNey, walked away with a Glidecam HD-2000 at the end of the night! Photos from Opening Night will be available soon, but we’re busy coordinating all the events for the coming days!
9:30 pm – 2:00am CLOSING NIGHT PARTY @ 12 LOUNGE
9:30 pm – 2:00am – FRIDAY NIGHT FX
Note: Wearing FX makeup/costumes is optional. But don’t be offended when someone compliments you on your awesome monster makeup job and they’re talking about your natural face. OH, NO! 
Chris Bowen likes to describe himself as just a regular guy who has learned to do some obscure things really well. Educated at the Prestigious School of Visual Arts, his work has been published in Fangoria Magazine, Rue Morgue Magazine and Entertainment Weekly. He was chosen to compete on the Canadian Reality TV show “Making it Big” and won an award for best make-up in a US haunted attraction for his work at “Erebus” in Pontiac, MI, the world’s largest haunted attraction according to Guinness. Best known for his work on Troma’s newest film masterpiece “Poultrygeist! Night of the Chicken Dead”. When Chris is not whipping up severed heads or zombie chickens in his shop, he can be found spending time with his wife and 3 year old daughter in Chester County PA. 
Making short films, thinking big picture, Doug Seidel is off to a good start.
GETTING GRANTS: STRATEGIES, WRITING TIPS, AND SOURCES with Caroline Savage
