Friday Night, Oct. 2 @ P21Fest: Filmathon Shorts & Friday Night FX!

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!

Friday, October 2, 2009
8:00 pm - FILMATHON SHORTS SHOWCASE (individual ticket) (discount passes) 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) $5 CASH at the door/FREE with V IP All-Access Pass 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! Presented by American Dream Machine Graphic Design by Jim Cairns “Clawed” makeup by Chris Bowen 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.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

11:00 am – 12:45pm – WORKSHOP SKINCARE FOR FILM with Nicole Hollenbeck (individual ticket) (discount passes) $5/FREE with VIP Pass Upstairs @ International House Philadelphia 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map) 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. www.MaryKay.com/NicoleHollenbeck 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 (individual ticket) (discount passes) $10/FREE with VIP Pass Upstairs @ International House Philadelphia 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map) 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

Event Spotlight: Marketing, Pitching & Networking, Oh Boy!

Some people love pitching and networking. Good for you!
Some really hate it. Tough cookies.

If you want to succeed in not only the Film Industry, but as a Professional, you need to learn how to sell not just your projects, but YOURSELF.

We’d like to invite you out for an afternoon that will not only teach you the basics of Marketing your Project through Social Media, but actually pitching YOURSELF, and then throwing you into the shark tank afterwards to Network!

Friday, October 2, 2009

12:00 pm – 2:00pm – WORKSHOP: MARKETING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA with Laura Gesin (individual ticket)  (discount passes)$10/FREE with VIP Pass Upstairs @ International House Philadelphia 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map) Tweeple. @Reply. Vlog. Retweet. Application. Follow. RSS. If these words sound like some weird combination of baby & robot talk, then this is the workshop for you! Social Media has taken the world by storm, but a large majority of professionals are still in the dark about these new technologies. This workshop will help you utilize marketing tools like blogs, online videos, photos, podcasts, social networks and other social media related websites in your marketing and public relations efforts for low cost or no cost.  Learn why artists of all disciples should use social media, which tool is right for your needs, and how to get started marketing your products or services today! Laura Gesin teaches web design, ecommerce, screenwriting, animation and social media marketing at the high school and community college levels.  She also teaches animation and video game creation at a local animation studio and designs websites for local non-profits. Presented by AsburyPop and NJFA

Friday, October 2, 2009

2:15 pm – 4:15 pm – WORKSHOP: Pitch Yourself! with Stephanie Yuhas (individual ticket)  (discount passes)$10/FREE with VIP Pass Upstairs @ International House Philadelphia 3701 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA (map)So you have the greatest project in the world that is going to be the biggest Hollywood Blockbuster…. Now what?Learn the dos and don’t of pitching new projects to producers in film, animation, and television. This is a workshop that requires actual work for some of you. Some attendees must have a 5-minute pitch prepared of a potential project they are pitching around. Get truthful, unbiased, and constructive criticism about your work and pitching technique – not just a pat on the head from your friends and family. The number is “Pitchers” is limited to 10 people, so please pre-register and e-mail stephanie (at) projecttwenty1.com to reserve your spot number. All others are welcomed to attend to watch the pitches, give feedback, and learn a thing or two.Attendees can also use this workshop as a prep for the “Speed Networking”, to follow immediately after workshop. (more info)     Stephanie Yuhas is an award-winning writer and producer. Her films and animations have been featured on the front page of YouTube, MySpace, Channel Frederator, and Crackle, as well as broadcast to millions of subscribers on the Nicktoons Network, and screened at dozens of festivals all over the world. Her pitch “Jersey Fresh: Tales Wiccan Chicken” won the 2006 Ottawa International Animation Festival’s Television Animation Conference “Pitch THIS!” competition, which allowed her to pitch her project to over 300 producers, distributors, buyers, and industry professionals. Yuhas has assisted in development and marketing for multiple feature films that have received financing and distribution.     She’s also one of the people that runs Project Twenty1, so be nice. Presented by Shinygrape Studios NOTE: This is workshop is limited to 60 people. Purchase individual tickets in advance.

Friday, October 2, 2009

4:30 pm – 6:30pm – SPEED NETWORKING Presented by Project Twenty1 & The Sheraton Philadelphia University City (individual ticket) (discount passes) Like Speed Dating…but More Productive. $8, FREE with VIP All-Access Pass Grand Ballroom Sheraton Philadelphia University City 3549 Chestnut St. (map) Philadelphia, PA 19104   Bring your business cards, headshots, and demo CDs because Speed Networking is here! This event is specifically geared towards Business, Film and Animation Industry Professionals that are currently in production of a project or seeking to get involved in a production in the next year.  As a bonus, we will be raffling off a Dymo Business Card Scanner (worth over $100!) to help you catalogue all the business cards you get! What you need to do in advance:   Bring at LEAST 50 business cards to spread around. Prepare a 1-minute pitch about yourself and your services. As a rule of thumb, you should also prepare a 30-second “Elevator Pitch”, in case it gets really crowded.  If you aren’t comfortable pitching, make sure to attend our Pitch Yourself! Workshop right before this event. Dress professionally, but comfortably. You will be doing a lot of moving around, and we don’t want anyone to break a heel   Speed Networking Candidates from A to Z: 2-D & 3-D Animators Actors and Talent Artists of all disciplines Business professionals and Investors Craft service specialists Designers: Costume, Prop, Set Designers, and/or Graphics Distributors Entertainment/Copyright Lawyers Equipment rental houses Festival curators & arts orgs Filmmakers & Crew Marketing professionals and Social Media Gurus Musicians Photographers Product placement professionals Web Designers and Programmers Writers and Story Researchers   If you fit into any of these categories, have a category of your own, or if you are an enthusiastic and extremely motivated professionals that seeks involvement in the Entertainment Industry but need a foot in the door, pre-register today. Planning on staying the night at the Sheraton? Make sure you use our coupon code for only $119/Night! UPDATE: These rooms are almost sold out so HURRY! Want your business FEATURED at Speed Networking or similar events around the city? Contact info [[at]] projecttwenty1.com

P21Fest Saturday Night Party: Shorts & Shots

Upstairs at Marathon Grill (Marbar)
October 3, 2009, 9:30 pm – 2 am
200 S. 40th St. (40th & Walnut) (map)
Philadelphia, PA 19104
FREE with P21Fest VIP All-Access Pass
$5 Suggested Donation without pass

You asked for it, we’re bringing it back, with a new twist!

SHORTS & SHOTS: An open-screen-style Screening Night for independent artists, filmmakers, animators, and the people that love them!

This awesome, informal event includes a networking mixer filled with filmmakers, animators, musicians, talent, and industry professionals, all there to drink, watch films, and meet the artists behind them.

Shorts & Shots will consist of:

Salon des Refusés
Have a short film 15 minutes or less that didn’t get into our Philadelphia Filmathon? Bring your film on DVD and your rejection letter, and not only will we screen it, but we’ll give you a ticket for a free drink, courtesy of Marathon Grill!

Grab Bag Screen
Everybody: Bring your films, animations, music videos & trailers (under 15 mins) on DVD and we’ll screen ‘em all night! Audience will randomly select films from the bag throughout the evening so everybody has an equal shot. Even if you’ve screened previously at a Show Us Your Shorts event in the spring, or have a prior year’s 21-Day Competition or Filmathon Film, bring it!

Prizes
Top short film of the night, chosen by audience vote, will win over $200 worth of prizes!

Additional 50/50 raffle will include FREE entry for all VIP passholders, so if you have a VIP pass, all you have to do is show up and hang out, and be eligible to win CASH!

Note: This is the least formal and most unpredictably fun event of P21Fest. Please check to make sure your disk works before you come! We are not responsible for glitchy disks, but we’ll do the best we can to give you an awesome screening. Viewer discretion advised for potential R-Rated content. Short and visually exciting films are better suited for this event than dialog-driven or heavy dramas (it is a bar and will get loud, after all), but all are welcome!

Get yourself a P21Fest VIP pass and enjoy this, and countless other awesome events October 1st-4th!

P21Fest Schedule & Tickets/VIP Passes Now Online!

For those who haven’t checked it out yet, we figured we’d make it official: The P21Fest is up and running! We’re still solidifying some parties and workshops, but below is the bare MINIMUM that will be going on at this year’s P21Fest, October 1st-4th. All events will be taking place in University City, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Those of you coming in from out of town, be sure to take advantage of our Sheraton hotel discount of only $119/night!

Check it out, and get your VIP passes before they’re gone to make sure you have access to all the parties and are eligible for all the prizes all weekend!

See you all October 1st!

The Fourth Annual P21Fest October 1st-4th, 2009

Join us for P21Fest as we present over 50 dramatic, heartwarming, terrifying, and hilarious indie films to the world, including 30 World Premieres and a number of Philadelphia premieres! All screenings, and the Awards Ceremony, will be held at the 350 seat Ibrahim Theater at the International House, located in the heart of Philadelphia. Many of our Parties and Events are for Passholders-only, so make sure you pick up a discounted All-Access Pass. International House (map) 3701 Chestnut St. (37th & Chestnut) Philadelphia, PA 19104 www.ihousephilly.org Note: We do not censor any content. Screenings may contain violence, nudity, adult language/situations, and/or drug use. Color Key: PHILADELPHIA FILMATHON SCREENINGS 21-DAY COMPETITION SCREENINGS: RED, BLUE, GREEN WORKSHOPS/EVENTS/PARTIES

Thursday, October 1, 2009	VENUE
7:00 pm - REGISTRATION/INFORMATION	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
7:30 pm - OPENING NIGHT SCREENING: YOU MIGHT AS WELL LIVE Philadelphia Premiere! (individual ticket) (discount passes) A must-see comedy! Robert Mutt is NOT a douchebag…you’re a douchebag. (More Info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
9:30pm – OPENING NIGHT PARTY @ DISTRITO (Included with All-Access Pass) After the film, come party with Project Twenty1 at Distrito! And for VIP passholders, FREE raffle tickets to win a Glidecam HD-2000! (More info…)	The Cantina at Distrito 3945 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104

Friday, October 2, 2009	VENUE
12:00 – 2:00pm – WORKSHOP Getting Grants: Strategies, Writing Tips & Sources (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: PIFVA’s Caroline Savage (More info…)	Conference Room 1 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
12:00 – 2:00 pm – WORKSHOP: Marketing Through Social Media (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: Laura Gesin (More info…)	Conference Room 2 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
2:15 - 4:15 pm – WORKSHOP Hidden Treasure: Canon 5D Mark II Camera (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: PIFVA’s Rich Hoffmann (More info…)	Conference Room 1 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
2:15 - 4:15 pm – WORKSHOP Pitch Yourself! (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: Stephanie Yuhas (More info…)	Conference Room 2 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
4:30pm – 6:30 pm – SPEED NETWORKING (individual ticket) (discount passes) Like speed dating…but more productive. (More info…)	Grand Ballroom Sheraton Philadelphia University City 3549 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – DINNER BREAK
8:00 pm - FILMATHON SHORTS SHOWCASE (individual ticket) (discount passes) The Top 10 live-action shorts submitted to the Philadelphia Filmathon! (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
9:30pm – FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY @ The Tiberino Museum (Included with All-Access Pass) After the films, come party with Project Twenty1 at The Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum! Just $5 at the door/FREE for passholders. (More info…)	Ellen Powell Tiberino Museum 3819 Hamilton St. Philadelphia, PA 19104

Saturday, October 3, 2009	Venue
11:00 pm – 12:45 pm – WORKSHOP: SKINCARE FOR FILM (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: Nicole Hollenbeck (More info…)	Conference Room 1 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
1:00 pm – 2:45 pm – SCREENING: FILMATHON ANIMATION SHOWCASE (individual ticket) (discount passes) From singing watermelons to naked swimming, this showcase proves that animation is not just for kids. (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
1:00 pm – 2:45 pm – WORKSHOP: SPECIAL FX MAKEUP FOR FILM (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speakers: C. L. Zastrow & Ruby Muro (More info…)	Conference Room 1 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
3:00 – 4:30 pm – 21-DAY COMPETITION FILMS: RED SCREENING All World Premieres! (individual ticket) (discount passes) 10 awesome shorts from all over the world, created in 21 Days this August! (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
5:00 – 6:30 pm – 21-DAY COMPETITION FILMS: BLUE SCREENING All World Premieres! (individual ticket) (discount passes) 10 awesome shorts from all over the world, created in 21 Days this August! (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm – DINNER BREAK
7:45 pm - SCREENING: FAIRVIEW ST. Philadelphia Premiere! (individual ticket) (discount passes) After serving four years in prison for armed robbery, James Winton is coming home… (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
9:30 pm – 2:00 am – SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY: SHORTS & SHOTS (Free, Open to the Public, Exclusive Raffle bonuses with All-Access Pass) Bring your trailers, music videos, and shorts for a Grab-Bag style open screen filled with food, drinks & fun. Didn’t get to be an Official Selection this year? Have a drink on us. (More info)	Marbar @ Marathon Grill 200 S. 40th St Philadelphia, PA 19104

Sunday, October 4, 2009	VENUE
11:30 am – 1:15 pm – WORKSHOP CASTING FOR ACTORS & DIRECTORS (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: Dawn Harvey (More info…)	Conference Room 1 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
1:30 pm – SCREENING: BOYS OF SUMMERVILLE Philadelphia Premiere! (individual ticket) (discount passes) When Peter Davis arrives back at his hometown of Summerville to sell his father’s estate, he finds himself… (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
1:30 pm – 3:15 pm – WORKSHOP: THE BUSINESS OF FILM (individual ticket) (discount passes) Speaker: Marc Cimino (More info…)	Conference Room 1 International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
3:30 pm – 21-DAY COMPETITION FILMS: GREEN SCREENING All World Premieres! (individual ticket) (discount passes) 10 awesome shorts, all created in 21 Days this August! (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
5:30 pm - CLOSING NIGHT SCREENING: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE APPLE AND THE TREE Philadelphia Premiere! (individual ticket) (discount passes) A story of family and the distances that separate us... (More info…)	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm DINNER BREAK
8:30 pm – AWARDS CEREMONY (Free and Open to the Public) Hosted by Project Twenty1 Judges and Producers Categories include: 21-Competition: Best Film, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Acting, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack, Best Effects, Best Use of Element, Best Marketing, and Audience Award Philadelphia Filmathon: Best Feature, Best Short, Runner-Up, Honorable Mention	Ibrahim Theater International House 3701 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
9:30 pm – CLOSING NIGHT PARTY (Included with All-Access Pass) TBA – COMING SOON!	TBA – COMING SOON

Project Twenty1 Newsletter – July 24th, 2009

PROJECT TWENTY1 – NOT JUST A FILM FESTIVAL

NEWSLETTER – July 24th, 2009

Dear friends and community of Project Twenty1,

We are so thrilled to have you all on board as we gear up for 2009’s big events and we have some BIG news for the procrastinators amongst you:

21-DAY COMPETITION ENTRIES REOPENED FOR 7 DAYS ONLY!

We’ve heard it all month, from filmmakers all over: “Is it too late to sign up? I just heard about it! How do I sign up as a Team?” So, due to overwhelming demand (and because we’re just so damn nice), we’re going to REOPEN the 2009 21-Day Filmmaking Competition for new Teams from July 24th-July 31st. Take advantage of it now or forever hold your peace!

For those of you who have signed up already, don’t worry, there’s reward for your punctuality. The Early Deadline was $100 back in March, the Late Deadline was $150… if you decide to join us now, we have to make it $175. It’s only fair to the Teams that were first on board! But we still want to give everybody a fair chance to participate, because trust us, and ask any of our prior years’ Participants… it’s the best $175 you’ll ever spend on a film. If you don’t believe us, check out the Prizes page, featuring over $1000 in software from Sony Creative Software and Pegasys, and the MASSIVE amount of marketing and free film festival submissions you will receive once your complete your project!

You will be showcasing your filmmaking skills up against competitors from all over the U.S. as well as the UK and Greece! Among them, last year’s winners for Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Writing, Best Soundtrack, and Best Acting.

We promise nothing short of a great time, and at its best, perhaps an actual life-changing experience.

LAUNCH EVENT – AUGUST 1ST

It’s nearly here! After months of waiting, The 21-Day Filmmaking Competition 2009 is finally about to begin. The Teams are on the starting line, they’re just waiting for the gun to go off!

If you’re local, don’t miss the:

Project Twenty1 Launch Event & Networking Party
Saturday, August 1st, 2 pm – 6 pm
North Bowl Lounge & Lanes
909 N. 2nd St (map)
Philadelphia, PA 19123     USA
FREE, all ages welcomed!  RSVP on Evite RSVP on Facebook

$3 Pabst Blue Ribbon
$1 of every PBR purchase goes back to Project Twenty1!

Come one, come all! Many attendees will be making a film in the three weeks that follow, so meet enough people, and you’re bound to end up working on at least one film this August, doing anything from acting to composing music to PA work. The Launch Event will conclude with the announcing of the 2009 Rules, followed by the reveal of this year’s “Secret Element” that all the 21-Day films must include. All the filmmakers will then set off to make their films, and they’ll be due back at North Bowl on August 22nd by 6:00pm.

21+ can enjoy CHEAP drink specials. Win hundreds of dollars in door prizes from Dymo! Want to know what to expect? Check out clips from last year’s Launch Event!

Not local? We’ve got you covered! Nicole Greene, our PR Coordinator (aka Susie Filmmaker on Facebook), and Ian Rose, our awesome video intern, will be helping us simulcast much of the event on ProjectTwenty1.com so that all Teams will be able to hear the reveal of the Secret Element simultaneously! We’ll also e-mail the Element to participating Teams as soon as we announce it, just in case not everybody is online at that exact second.

We would like to thank our sponsor Crystalline Studios for setting up the event simulcast. Not a Team but want to join one? Get on the forum and support our Teams from all over the world.

Special thanks to event sponsor North Bowl for hosting!

JULY 31ST – LAST CHANCE DEADLINE FOR PHILADELPHIA FILMATHON SUBMISSIONS

Entries have been flowing in for this year’s Philadelphia Filmathon, where our official Call for Entries has passed, BUT there’s always a last chance to get your film into the coolest festival in town. ONE SUBMISSION GOES A LONG WAY! Submit ANY project, short film, feature, animation, live-action, music video, whatever, to the 2009 Filmathon, and your film enters our library. This means when our Festival Partners come to us for content, we can send them your film, saving you time & money and possibly qualifying you for tons of awards and prizes indefinitely. In a nutshell, we will keep finding every possible angle to screen your film until you tell us to stop! Just consider us your non-exclusive agents.

The deadline for The Philadelphia Filmathon Call for Entries is as follows:

July 31st: Last Chance Deadline: $75/$60 Filmathon

CLICK HERE to Print & Complete our short entry form

or

Remember, we love to promote you! But we can’t do that unless we have some of your work. So if you have something to show, send it to us! What are you waiting for?

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

The best way to get involved, for people in the Philadelphia region, is by coming out to our Launch Event August 1st and seeing what we’re all about!

But, for those of you outside our region:

Check out our Forum if you are a writer, actor, musician, or other artist looking to get involved in films, and hook up with our filmmakers who will be making films in August.

Apply to join our Internship Program. If you have Arts & Production, Marketing, Web or Administrative skills, we are now offering credits and accepting applications for the Fall 2009 semester. Check with your school! Not a student but interested? Contact us anyway! We work with professionals on all levels.

Contact us! We have a rapidly growing fan base, and as we branch out with new events, new venues, new Festival Partners, and new sponsors for 2009, we are open to collaboration with all types of creative and business organizations that can help us support our filmmakers and enhance our artistic community.

Donations keep our cameras rolling! We are an all-volunteer organization that functions on the support of our community. Please consider making a donation to ensure we can continue to hold screenings, networking events, seminars, and festivals for the foreseeable future.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Follow Project Twenty1 more easily than ever in 2009:

Befriend or follow us on: Facebook MySpace Twitter YouTube

NewsTwenty1 on Facebook’s NetworkedBlogs app. News Twenty1 will allow you to feed our breaking news updates to your Twitter Home page, rather than having to always check our site.

Befriend Susie Filmmaker on Facebook. Susie is more than happy to answer all your questions about Project Twenty1 in 2009.

Your friends, as always,

Stephanie Yuhas, Executive Producer
Matt Conant, Director
Project Twenty1
Not Just A Film Festival
www.ProjectTwenty1.com

Partner News: June 18th-20th – Urban Suburban Film Festival

As though we needed additional proof that Philly is the place to be for film these days…

Project Twenty1 is thrilled to help welcome a brand new Philadelphia-region festival!

The Urban Suburban Film Festival (USFF) was created to bring together artists who have a passion for film making, and seek to find an opportunity to showcase, and distribute their film. The USFF will also provide an opportunity for the businesses associated with the organization, to collaborate with talented individuals, and increase their involvement in the community.

The USFF will host a festival showcase that will involve film screenings, workshops, and panel discussions. The three day event, starting today, Thursday, June 18th, will highlight screenings from narratives, documentaries, animation, and short films. Each artist will be recognized for their work, and give a brief synopsis of why their film was made.

If you stop by the Crown Plaza Hotel on City Line Ave. (4100 Presidential Blvd. Philadelphia), be sure to visit Project Twenty1’s booth, where we will be giving out coupons for our 21-Day Filmmaking Competition Signups and submissions to the Philadelphia Filmathon, and information on our massive networking party and Launch Event, August 1st.

Hope to see you there! It’s sure to be a good time!

Check out Urban Suburban on Facebook as well, and visit http://www.UrbanSuburbanFilmFestival.com for tickets and more information.

StreetTalkin Interview

StreetTalkin.com grabbed Project Twenty1 staff Matt Conant, Stephanie Yuhas, and Mel Orpen partying it up at a Cinefest After-Party following “Show Us Your Shorts” on Saturday. Check out what they said!

Why every filmmaker needs Twitter.

We’re on Twitter, are you?  While it’s still catching up to more established social networking tools like Facebook and MySpace, it really does seem like nowadays everybody is twittering.  But why?

The Basic Run-Down 

Twitter asks us the question “What are you doing?”  There is no profile to load up with favorite books and movies and no web page that you can add your own code to in order to cause seizures with obnoxious flashing graphics. It simply allows you to track what your friends are up to in real time by web or phone.

Unlike Facebook, it’s not particularly valuable (or, for that matter, manageable) to sign on and follow the Twitter stream of every person you’ve ever met.  Rather, it’s to keep up with friends whose daily minutiae you really care about, find new friends that have common interests and, better yet, find out in real time what’s “going on” in your area from local sources so you can jump in on the fun! For instance, if you follow our Twitter stream, you’ll be the first to know about our events, festival dates, promotional coupon codes, exclusive Twitter-follower-only events (Tweet-Ups), and what color panties we are wearing. Okay, maybe not that. But you get the picture. 

How To Use Twitter to Make Movies

Say you are a brilliant screen writer, you want to make a movie (or sign up for our 21-Day Filmmaking Competion) but you are at a total loss for cast and crew.  We are encouraging you to put out your call for team members on Twitter and use “#p21″ (minus the quotation marks) in your tweets.  This is known as “hashtagging” and it’s a way that Twitter users (“Tweeps” or “Tweeple” if you’re feeling saucy, adventurous, and like using new geek lingo) to find folks at the same conferences or film festivals.  Then you simply  use www.search.twitter.com, plug in #p21 as your hashtag and read the tweets that it pulls.  See what actors are looking for scripts, what crew are set except for a boom mike operator, etc.  Get really creative: send a link to your clip reel along with a tweet hashtagged #p21 and everybody can see first hand what a great film maker/actor/DP/whatever you are!

How to Use Twitter to Make Friends in “Real Life”

Also, we will continue to use the #p21 hashtag throughout the festival itself.  Not only will this help festival goers track parties and screenings live, but you can research the people tweeting and decide if they are the type of people you would like to “Follow” – and then go actually find them in the room! This helps a lot when you’re trying to chat with the cute wallflower sitting in the corner, that’s furiously pressing buttons on her iPhone.

Finally, if we Tweet loud enough, long enough and in great enough volume then the event will make it into one of the “top trends on Twitter”.  When this happens, *anyone* using search.twitter.com will see the #P21 hashtag in the top 10 list and be able to link to our combined stream to see what exactly you are all saying, thus getting you more “followers” and giving you tons of exposure if you continually post links to your filmmaking antics.

Still in Doubt?

Look what Twitter did for Bryan Brinkman. He’s an animator that started with only 7 followers (and we should add,  Project Twenty1 was in his original 7).

If you still have questions, feel free to email our Project Twenty1 Social Networking Expert,  rudy@projecttwenty1.com if you have any questions. We’re more than happy to jump start you on your way to networking and microblogging your way through your Project Twenty1 experience.

Or, just try it for yourself this weekend at Show Us Your Shorts to help your find someone new in a very crowded room! Tweet tweet!

Photo by Steve Woods

Why Celebrate Earth Hour?

At Project Twenty1, we work hard for our artists and that means dedicating time at each event for filmmakers, actors and crew to network. When the last credits roll and audience members hit the bar, those in the industry break out their business cards and pitch their next projects. Our upcoming Show us Your Shorts screening with FirstGlance Film Festivals will continue to feature networking but this time with an extra special earth friendly twist in honor of Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is an initiatve by the World Wildlife Fund to get people across the globe to spend sixty minutes without electrics lights in an effort to bring about action to reverse climate change.  In honor of Mother Earth we invite you to participate “glow networking ” after our SUYS screening at Marbar on March 28th. As the lights go down you will have an opportunity to illuminate the room with glowsticks. Don’t worry, we’ve thought of everything: these little guys are non-toxic and your $2 donation pays for them to be recycled! When you’re through networking (or if you’re an audience member just out for the great films) then just glow your way over to the free food and cheap drink specials that Marbar is so kind to provide!

Photo by Vanessa Fitzgerald

Faded Party tonight at Green Warehouse

TONIGHT!

Come hang out with Project Twenty1’s Festival Liaison Na’imah Akbar (the one responsible for finding all our festival partners around the country!), who will be celebrating her birthday at 941 N. Front Street.

If any of our Project Twenty1 followers or fellow creative/film/music/artist types want to come out, it will be $10 before 2am, there will be free giveaways, an open bar all night, its BYOB and as always a great opportunity to network with other local artists. Pass it along, and make sure to wish Na’imah  a happy birthday!