Special Screening of "From Us With Love" on Sunday, May 2nd

From Us With Love, http://www.fuwl.org/, has recently completed a documentary Streetball, www.streetballfilm.com. The documentary is a story of hope featuring the 2008/2009 South African Homeless World Cup Teams. You can watch the trailer and get more information about the documentary on the website.


A special screening of the documentary in Jacksonville on Sunday, May 2nd, 2:00pm at The 5 Points Theater. The Director of Streetball, Demetrius Wren and the Co-Producer, Christina Ghubril will be attending this special screening. A special guest joining us from South Africa, Thapelo Kalpens, the Captain of the 2008 South African Homeless World Cup Team that competed in Melbourne, Australia. All will be available for a brief Q & A immediately following the documentary. For more information, directions and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.5pointstheater.com/.

Rep: Precourt: Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes Economic Development Act

Rep. Precourt Applauds Passage of Florida Film & Entertainment Tax Credit - Urges Governor to Sign

Tax Credit Will Lead to Immediate Job Growth for Floridians

Tallahassee, FL – Today, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1752, Economic Development, the companion bill to the Entertainment Industry Economic Development Act (HB 697) which passed the House unanimously.  Sponsored by Representative Steve Precourt along with prime co-sponsors Representatives Kevin Ambler and Jennifer Carroll, the bill is a centerpiece of the Legislature’s jobs package and enjoys wide bipartisan support. 

“Floridians are hurting, and the Legislature has taken a bold step forward in putting people back to work by passing this bill,” said Rep. Steve Precourt.  “It’s rare that a piece of legislation can have an immediate impact, but this innovative proposal will immediately put Floridians to work in film and digital media at little cost to the taxpayer.”

In recent years, Florida’s existing film incentive program has been cut dramatically, resulting in a sharp decline in production projects lost to competing states.  The bill creates a film and digital media tax credit that has a proven track record of attracting and growing the industry in other states.  The production company will only receive the credit after all its payments have been verified.  With the investment occurring before a credit is issued, this is a true performance-based credit.

Other key provisions include an annual cap on total credits of $53.5M for fiscal year 2010-2011, $74.5M for fiscal year 2011-2012, $38M for fiscal years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015, an increase in the base incentive amount from the 15% to 20% for major film, TV and digital media productions and an increase in the “family friendly” project enhancement from 2% to 5%.  Only Florida expenditures such as hiring local residents and contracting with Florida-based companies qualify.

This bill now goes to the Governor for signing.

48 Hour Film Project Announces Schedule

Registration for the 2010 Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project is still open, with 28 of 36 team slots unreserved.  Early Bird Registration (by May 24th) will be $135.00, with registration afterward for $155.00 as space allows. In addition, a new Family Friendly Screening Night will be held on Wednesday, June 23 for filmmakers choosing to shoot a PG-13 or "cleaner" film.

In addition, Meet & Greet Parties for the Project will be held on  Thursday, May 13 at River City Brewing Company from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Thursday, May 27 at the same time and location.

The competition will begin Friday, June 18 at center court at The Jacksonville Landing from 5:30pm to 7:00pm; drop-off will occur at the Landing on Sunday, June 20 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Screenings will be held June 22nd-24th at the Florida Theatre, which will also host the award ceremony on Saturday, July 10th.

Visit the Project and its Jacksonville stop website for more information,  including screenings and ticket prices. Registration is available as a team or individual.

Jacksonville Film Festival to Screen "Collapse"

The Jacksonville Film Festival will screen the documentary Collapse at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Thursday, April 29th.

Collapse follows Michael Ruppert, a former LA police officer and self-publishing investigative reporter who accurately predicted the financial crisis of 2008; Ruppert also discusses his theories on energy, the environment and the future. The film, directed by Chris Smith, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2009 to positive reviews.

The event starts at  7:00 PM. Admission is free to Film Festival members and $10 to the general public.

Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project

The Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project is right around the corner. On Friday, June 18, through Sunday, June 20, you can join hundreds of filmmakers and make a movie in 48 hours. That’s right you will write, shoot, edit and score a short film – all within 48 hours – then see it premiered up on the big screen at the Florida Theatre!

Registration began at 12:01am on Tuesday, April 20. Early Bird Registration is only $135.00 and ends on Monday, May 24th. After that registration goes up to $155.00. The registration goal for 2010 is 36 teams. There were 26 teams each of the first two years, and 42 last year, so 36 openings will go fast. Register early at www.48hourfilm.com/jacksonville.

If you’d like to join a team, go to www.48hourfilm.com/Jacksonville and click on the “join a Jacksonville team” link in the list and then fill out the information. Team leaders will have access to the data base and will be able to recruit team members from it. You can also be sure to attend one of the “Meet & Greet” parties to be announced soon.

This is the 4th year this international short film contest is being held in Jacksonville and the 10th year of the competition altogether. This year there will be a Family Friendly Screening Night. In a few weeks, the teams that have registered early will be offered the opportunity to commit to a family friendly film which will be shown on that screening night to a potentially sold out crowd. Tentatively, there may be an “Academy Awards” type of Award show on July 10th at the Florida Theatre, with multiple nominees for each award and then the announcements at the show.

Cash prizes will be awarded for “Best Jacksonville 48 Hour Film 2010”, “Best Student Film 2010”, and of course the three Audience Choice Awards.

The 48 Hour Film Project is going to eighty cities spanning all six continents this year. Which one of you will make the best short film to represent Jacksonville against teams from around the world vying for the title of "The Best 48 Hour Film of 2010"?

Get more information online at http://www.48hourfilm.com/jacksonville.

Jacksonville-Based Crew Makes Historic Mark with Feature Film “Red Dirt Rising”

“Red Dirt Rising,” a feature film staffed by a number of Jacksonville crew, will premiere at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Carolina on May 15, 2010.

Born out of hauling moonshine on warm Carolina nights, the movie “Red Dirt Rising” features the kind of romance and daredevilin’ that made the Carolinas famous. The film depicts the true American tale of love in the time of moonshine, when racing’s earliest heroes were born. The story follows the lives of three young men who come of age to find escape from life’s challenges on the track, ultimately shaping the future of their families and stock car racing during the Fightin' Forties.

The production was co-led by Toolbox Films founder and Jacksonville resident Kathleen “Bo” Bobak, who also hired a host of Florida crew members to help bring the true story to life.
“Everything I ever imagined this film to be just fell into place,” says Bobak. “It seemed we were blessed from the start with top-notch Jacksonville professionals who traveled to North Carolina to be part of this project.”

The film boasts a veteran cast and crew with extensive resumes in television and film, including the following Jacksonville-based crew members:

• Kathleen “Bo” Bobak - director and producer
• J. Amanda Davidson, ABC - screenwriter
• Rita Manyette and Amanda Davidson - casting by Martini Shot Casting
• Cindy Hogan - lead actor
• Jennifer Christina Smith - costume design
• Andy Howell - gaffer with his Applebox Productions resources
• Ryan Shannon - electrician
• Mac McDonald - extras casting
• Karen Bosma - production coordinator
• Robert Zubick - production assistant

For those interested in attending the film’s premiere, tickets are available in advance at www.historicnws.com/tickets. The all-day event will be held at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC on May 15, 2010. Keep up with all the happenings by joining the fan site on Facebook or http://www.reddirtrising.com/. A North Florida theater tour is currently being arranged. To learn more or gather clips visit http://www.reddirtrising.com/.

Local Editor Wins "Bronze Reel"

Editor Chris Linke of PRC Digital Media recently won a Bronze Reel award at the Media Communications Association International Media Festival.

The Festival  "celebrates excellence in media communications," and featured nearly 90 entries from five countries.

The story, entitled "Saluting Jacksonville's Fallen Heroes," can be viewed here. Riverside-based PRC Digital Media handles the pre- and post-production needs of several Jacksonville companies.

Stephen Lang to speak at JU

Jacksonville University will host actor Stephen Lang April 30th and May 1st, with his second speech being the commencement address for the Class of 2010.

Lang will speak at JU's Terry Concert Hall April 30th at 5:30, followed by a short Q&A. He will be joined by Frank Pace, a JU alumnus and producer of The George Lopez Show, Murphy Brown and Suddenly Susan. 

Most recently known for his role as Col. Quaritch in the blockbuster Avatar, Lang has enjoyed an acting career of over 25 years, including roles in blockbusters Public Enemies, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals.

Admission is free to both events.

Look for Singleton's Seafood Shack on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives": Monday, April 26, 2010

Mayport's Singleton's Seafood Shack goes in the national spotlight Monday, April 26, 2010, as featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives." The Singleton's episode, called "Surf 'n Turf," airs at 10 p.m. Monday, according to the show's website. It'll play again at 1 a.m. Tuesday and at 9 p.m. May 7. Host Guy Fieri and crew visited several other area restaurants in February, but there is no word yet on the air dates for those shows.

HD Cinematography Workshop

The Jacksonville Film Festival is organizing a program called "The Art of HD Cinemategraphy," a part of the Filmmakers Series.

This two-day intensive HD cinematography workshop, led by cinematographer and educator Arledge Armenaki, is designed to teach you the role of the Cinematographer, fundamentals in lighting, how to navigate through the various HD formats and codecs, setting up your camera correctly (monitoring, etc.), and how to approach style with regard to story (storyboards, composition of shot, angles, camera operation).

Participants will have the opportunity to learn hands on as they will spend part time in study sessions on the sound stage at WJCT with a RED Camera, HVX200 and 5D Mark II and part time on a production set with actors and crew shooting a short script on the RED (each Participant will have guided time behind the camera).

The workshop is located at WJCT, 100 Festival Park Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202, beginning Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 9:00 a.m., and ending Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.

ARLEDGE ARMENAKI is a graduate of the American Film Institute (AFI), and has extensive experience in feature film and documentary work. He has trained many other cinematographers in the art through his work at Western Carolina University, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the Brooks Institute of Photography. He is an award winning cinematographer with over 20 years experience in educating successful filmmakers. Some of Arledge's former students include the filmmakers of GEORGE WASHINGTON, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS, OBSERVE AND REPORT, CHOKE, EASTBOUND AND DOWN, and GREAT WORLD OF SOUND.

To register for this workshop, call 904.858.9889.  Early registration begins April 21st for $200, Regular  registration begins May 10th for $250, and Late registration begins May 22nd for $300. Space is limited so if you are interested, reserve your spot now! There are only 35 spots available and they are selling quick.

Free Screening of "Ca$h" Sponsored by Jacksonville Cinemania

Jacksonville.com's local film group Cinemania is sponsoring a free screening of the independent film Ca$h, starring Sean Bean.

In Ca$h, "a law abiding couple finds a briefcase stuffed with money and decides to keep it. When the owner (Sean Bean) finds them, he moves in with them until they replace every last cent, resulting in a whirlwind of increasingly risky actions.



Ca$h will be showing Tuesday, April 6, at the Five Points Theatre. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the film will start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.