Tag: "independent film"

Submit Your Film for Season #17!

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Submission Deadline:  August 29th

We have opened our submission window as we start preparations for SEASON #17!!We can’t wait to see your new short films, docs, animation, music videos, and web series. International films are welcome, and films up to 30 minutes are accepted.
Our monthly series will continue at our Hollywood Blvd,. venue, now dubbed THE ATTIC.  The new renovations are complete, and the new sound system and projector are installed.Looking forward to another fantastic year sharing your phenomenal films with the Los Angeles filmmaking community.

Click here to submit your film online

postcard 2014 fall
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SEASON #16 Opening Night – Nov 3 – Dim Mak Studios

SHORT FILM PROGRAM #16.1

Dimmak Studios
(formerly Cinespace)
6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs
Hollywood, CA 90028

Sunday Nov 3, 2013

5:00pm – 6:30pm
Filmmaker Happy Hour

6:30pm – 8:00pm
Short Film Program & Filmmaker Panel

 SEASON 16 BEGINS!!

We are thrilled to invite you to join us as we kick off our 16th year of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS!!  Join us for our Filmmaker Happy Hour at 5pm (cash bar) and Short Film Program #1 will screen at 6:30pm.  


 

SHORT FILM PROGRAM #16.1

 

happilyHAPPILY EVER AFTER
Ben Genislaw & Yonni Aroussi

Rani and Keren are a young couple moving in together to begin their Happily Ever After. 

 

 

holdenHOLDEN
Roque Madrid & Juan Arcones

Holden is a photographer with a short term memory loss condition who travels to Paris on assignment to shoot a celebrity actor.

 

Kingman by Adrian SzaszKINGMAN
Adrian Szasz  & James McCusker

The Privation of the American Dream

 

 

 

The Last Time I Saw RichardTHE LAST TIME I SAW RICHARD
Nick Verso

Jonah is a loner at the teenage mental clinic.  When he is forced to share a room with the new patient Richard, the boys become locked in a battle of wills. 

 

 

 

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Short Film Program 15.8 – Aug 17 – Dim Mak Studios

SHORT FILM PROGRAM #15.8

Dimmak Studios
(formerly Cinespace)
6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs
Hollywood, CA 90028

Saturday August 17, 2013

5:00pm – 6:30pm
Filmmaker Happy Hour

6:30pm – 8:00pm
Short Film Program & Filmmaker Panel

Join us for another fantastic program of short films & animation, and our monthly Filmmaker Happy Hour.

SUMMER SATURDAY!!

We continue our summer gatherings with a special SATURDAY Filmmaker Happy Hour and Screening!!!

This weekend’s Filmmaker Happy Hour welcomes the cast and crew of our second SUMMER SHOOT of 2013.  We are exploring the process of developing and creating a web series, and we began principal photography this week in a great location in Pasadena.  Meet some of the amazing crew and sponsors who have been so critical in making this Summer Shoot so successful.

This month, we welcome home one of our favorite alumni – award winning filmmaker & screenwriter PAULA GOLDBERG.  She will be giving us a sneak peek of her brand new short film WATERSHED and sharing some of her process and insights on our filmmaker panel.  Paula screened her short film Traveling Companion at the inaugural Hollywood Shorts in October of 1998, so it is very special to have her back to share her latest adventures making films in Dallas! 

This month’s program also features an outstanding collection of international animation and short films.

 

 

CALDERA
Evan Viera

THE FIX
Ante Novakovic

SAY YES
Ava Duvernay

JENNIFER’S LAW (LA LEGGE DI JENNIFER)
Tommaso Arrighi

WATERSHED
Paula Goldberg

Paula Goldberg is an award-winning writer, producer and director. Most recently she re-wrote the comedy drama THE PERFECT FAMILY starring Kathleen Turner, Emily Deschanel and Jason Ritter. Prior to THE PERFECT FAMILY, Paula completed a series of feature films for Regent Entertainment including the thrillers ALIEN PRESENCE and MURDER.COM and the actioner IN HER LINE OF FIRE, starring Mariel Hemingway and David Keith.

Paula directed 30 episodes of the Roland Joffe MTV series, UNDRESSED. She has written, directed and produced several short films including TRAVELING COMPANION, starring SEX IN THE CITY’s Kristin Davis and THE BLAIR PRINCESS PROJECT, a spoof on THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT which sold 5,000 copies with its own home video release.

INAPPROPRIATE WORKPLACE, her original web series, was distributed by the Independent Comedy Network and Comedy Central in 2007. Her original screenplay, OUT AT THE WEDDING is a romantic comedy starring Mike Farrell, Charlie Schlatter, and Mink Stole. It won LOGO’s Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film and debuted on the LOGO channel on Valentine’s Day 2009.

 

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Emerging Cinematographer Awards Screening – Jun 24

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS - Monthly screenings

Sunday, June 24, 2012

4:00pm – 8:00pm

FREE

DIMMAK STUDIOS

(formerly Cinespace)
6356 Hollywood Blvd., upstairs
Hollywood, CA  90028


 Short Film Program #10

Emerging Cinematographer Awards Screening

ICG: International Cinematographers Guild (IATSE Local 600)

SHORT FILM PROGRAM #10

We are honored to join with the International Cinematographer’s Guild Local 600 in presenting a reception & screening of the films from the 2011 EMERGING CINEMATOGRAPHER AWARDS.  

We are excited to bring together HOLLYWOOD SHORTS filmmakers and ICG’s emerging cinematographers!  


4:00pm – 5:00pm

International Cinematographers Guild Reception

5:00pm – 8:00pm

ECA Screening

 

Applebox (Joseph Arena, Camera Operator); Spring of Sorrow (Alison Kelly, 1st Assistant); Numb (David Mahlmann, Camera Operator); Not Your Time (Michael Nie, 2nd Assistant), Dead Grass, Dry Roots (Yueni Zander, 2nd Assistant), Somewhere Else (Gregory Wilson, Digital Imaging Technician), Absaroka (Stefan Tarzan, 1st Assistant), and String Theory (Steve Romano, 1st Assistant), 8 For Infinity (Brian O’Carroll, Camera Operator), and Little Candy Hearts (Abe Martinez, 2nd Assistant). 

 

 



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Cinematography Lab 1.05: LIGHTING FROM HOME DEPOT – Apr 26

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab

 

 


LIGHTING FROM HOME DEPOT

CINEMATOGRAPHY LAB with JAY HOLBEN


LAB 1.05: LIGHTING FROM HOME DEPOT

Register for Jay Holben's LIGHTING FROM HOME DEPOT seminar - www.hollywoodshortscomHS/FILMLAB 2012 Cinematography Lab
Fall Cycle – Lab Fee $35.00

Thursday, April 26, 2012
6:00pm – 9:00pm

CENTRAL COMMAND STUDIOS – NORTH HOLLYWOOD
5760 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
Street Parking

The key to any good image is lighting.  Although Hollywood spends millions of dollars on lighting equipment – you can achieve the same kinds of lighting results with everyday tools you can find at your local hardware and home improvement store. 

Learn the secrets to excellent lighting on a micro-budget!  Jay Holben shares tips and techniques from his book “A Shot in the Dark:  A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget”.  

This is the fifth session in our six-part monthly Cinematography Lab series – Fall Cycle.

 

REGISTER

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab 1.05
“LIGHTING FROM HOME DEPOT”


Jay Holben – Head Educator
HOLLYWOOD SHORTS
Cinematographers Lab

Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) expands this year with a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. We will be launching this new initiative with a new seminar series for cinematographers & camera assistants. The monthly seminars will encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.

The HS/EFP Cinematographers Lab will also take us into some of the workrooms of some of our favorite camera shops and camera related organizations that every camera department professional and up-n-comer should know…

Seminar Topics will include:

  • Fundamentals of Cinematography
  • Getting the Best Image From Your Camera
  • The Camera Crew
  • Flavors of HD
  • The Camera Showcase
  • Lighting from Home Depot

ABOUT JAY HOLBEN
Jay Holben is an independent producer & filmmaker who worked as a director of photography for nearly a decade. Previously serving as Technical Editor covering film cameras and lighting, Jay has been a contributing editor to American Cinematographer Magazine for 12 years. He is currently the Technical Editor for DV Magazine, with a monthly column, ‘DV101,’ and has contributed to several books including the American Cinematographers Manual. Jay has contributed to several books on cinematography, including the American Cinematographer Manual, 9th Edition. He is the author of “A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget” which was released earlier this year. This year, Jay also co-founded FILMMAKER IN A BOX, an educational resource for feature filmmakers. Jay has been a member of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS since 1999 with his short film adaption of the Stephen King poem, “Paranoid”, and he is our Department Chair – Cinematography at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FilmLab.

 

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Indian Film Festival LA Shorts Program II – Apr 12 – 15

 IFFLA www.indianfilmfestival.org10th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles - www.indianfilmfestival.org

 

 

 

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS is honored to return as one of Presenting Organizations for the Indian Film Festival of LA.  This year we present SHORTS PROGRAM II, which screens on Thursday, April 12th at 6:30pm,  Saturday, April 14th at 2:30pm and Sunday April 15th at 1:30pm.  All screenings are at ArcLight Cinemas – Hollywood on Sunset.  Congratulations to this year’s selected filmmakers – come help us celebrate the 10th anniversary of IFFLA!

SHORTS PROGRAM II 

AFTERNOON (DO PAHAR)
India/2011/28min/HDCam Los Angeles Premiere

Directors: Shazia Shrivastava, Sharifa Roy
Producers: Shakti Shrivastava, Nitish Roy

When abused and elderly Sudha forms an unlikely bond with a hitman one afternoon, she is brought to ask the ultimate question.

Hindi (English subtitles)

Watch the trailer

 

 

 

SAFE (MEHFUZ)
India/2011/16min/DigiBeta US Premiere

Director: Rohit Pandey
Producer: Anurag Kashyap

A solitary undertaker walks between the worlds of life and death when he becomes transfixed by a strange woman.

Hindi (English subtitles)

 

 

GINGER
India/2012/5min/Blu-ray US Premiere

Director: Sahirr Sethhi
Producers: Sahirr Sethhi, Pallavi Rohatgi, Preety Ali, Vinay Mishra
Through his lens, two worlds merge as a photographer is inexplicably drawn to a stranger.

Hindi (English subtitles)

 

 

DANCE OF GANESHA (NAACH GANESH)
India/2011/15min/DigiBeta US Premiere

Director: Bikas Mishra
Producer: Pankaj Dubey

Modernity and tradition clash when a tribal dancer’s daily burdens of family and survival conflict with the important legacy he carries.

No Dialogue

Watch the trailer

 

 

 

PRAKATA HET YAD
India/2011/20min/HDCam US Premiere

Director: Milind Dhaimade
Producer: Vasudha Wantu

A ‘vagabond’ family sets up a home in a public park defying all conventions in this absurd and playful tale of Indian society’s modern psychosis told completely in Gibberish.

Gibberish

Watch the trailer

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5th African American ShortsFest – Feb. 11th

5th African American ShortsFest at the American Cinematheque5th African American ShortsFest
at the American Cinematheque

Saturday, February 11th, 2012
The Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA  90028

Our annual collaboration with the American Cinematheque to celebrate a new generation of filmmakers who are expanding diversity of storytelling and redefining characters in independent American Cinema.

Tickets $7.00 – $11.00 – available via Fandango or at the Egyptian Theater box office

program #1 – 5:00pm program #2 – 7:30pm
tickets tickets

 

 

 


program #1

MonKKey ‘500’      8 min.
Dir. Ajamu M. Frasier
A young girl witnesses 500 soldiers desperately attempt to apprehend one lone monk.

The Truth About Beauty and Blogs        13 min.
Dir. Rosalyn Coleman Williams
A social media diva is thrown off her game when her boyfriend starts acting up on Facebook.

Love Lockdown      18 min.
Dir. Nadia Hallgren
Shoshana is a young mother from the Bronx who is fighting to keep her family together while awaiting the fate of her fiancé Felix, who is locked up and on trial.

Vision         3 min.
Dir. Lemuel Thornton III
An autobiographical experimental journey.

This Weekend Update      5 min
Dir. Victor Dean
A weekly web news show as only Paul Mooney, Jr. can bring it!

Mourning News          9 min
Dir. Kimberly Denise Sanders
Laurie, an overworked and underappreciated stay-at-home mom, finds her day taking a turn for the worse when two cops show up at her doorstep with news.

Solace           13 min
Dir. Tchaiko Omawale
Sole, a socially awkward recluse, discovers through her window-watching that her pretty and popular neighbor Jasmine has a secret.

Fanti Love Song           4 min.
Dir. Sam Kessie
Ghanian artist M3NSA has to choose between two loves – his career or the woman in his life.

Salvation Road           18 min.
Dir. Ka’ramuu Kush
Business becomes unusual when an unsuspecting hit man senses that he’s been witnessed executing his traitorous mentor.

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Cinematography Lab 1.03: Panavision Hollywood – Jan. 19

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab

 

 

 

 

GETTING THE BEST IMAGE FROM YOUR CAMERA

CINEMATOGRAPHY LAB with JAY HOLBEN

 


LAB #1.03: GETTING THE BEST IMAGE FROM YOUR CAMERA

The Fundamentals of Cinematography Lab at PanavisionHS/FILMLAB 2012 Cinematography Lab

January 19, 2012
1:00pm – 4:00pm

PANAVISION – HOLLYWOOD
6735 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028

 

The age of digital gives us extraordinary flexibility within the camera to manipulate the recorded image.  Go inside the camera to learn what all those menu functions really mean – and how to make them work for you.

Learn how to balance an on-set monitor and how to make white balance a create tool.  In addition, we will take a look at the similarities and differences between several cameras from a variety of manufacturers in different formats and price ranges.

This lab is designed for all camera experience levels – this is a great primer for filmmakers, camera crew, and anyone interested in learning more about how today’s advanced camera systems work.

 

REGISTER

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab – $35.00
Use our secure payment tool or pay by check at the door.


Name
Email


Jay Holben – Head Educator
HOLLYWOOD SHORTS
Cinematographers Lab

Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) expands this year with a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. We will be launching this new initiative with a new seminar series for cinematographers & camera assistants. The monthly seminars will encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.

 

The HS/EFP Cinematographers Lab will also take us into some of the workrooms of some of our favorite camera shops and camera related organizations that every camera department professional and up-n-comer should know…

Seminar Topics will include:

  • Fundamentals of Cinematography
  • Getting the Best Image From Your Camera
  • The Camera Crew
  • Flavors of HD
  • The Camera Showcase
  • Lighting from Home Depot

ABOUT JAY HOLBEN
Jay Holben is an independent producer & filmmaker who worked as a director of photography for nearly a decade. Previously serving as Technical Editor covering film cameras and lighting, Jay has been a contributing editor to American Cinematographer Magazine for 12 years. He is currently the Technical Editor for DV Magazine, with a monthly column, ‘DV101,’ and has contributed to several books including the American Cinematographers Manual. Jay has contributed to several books on cinematography, including the American Cinematographer Manual, 9th Edition.  He is the author of “A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget” which was released earlier this year. This year, Jay also co-founded FILMMAKER IN A BOX, an educational resource for feature filmmakers.  Jay has been a member of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS since 1999 with his short film adaption of the Stephen King poem, “Paranoid”, and he is our Department Chair – Cinematography at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FilmLab.

 

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Short Film Program #4 – January 15

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS - Monthly screenings

Sunday, January 15, 2012
5pm – 8pm
Dim Mak Studios (formerly Cinespace)
6356 Hollywood Blvd, upstairs
Hollywood, CA 90028

 FREE

RSVP to attend

Edition 14.4



SHORT FILM PROGRAM #4

5:00pm – 6:30pm
Filmmaker Reception

Cast & Crew Party for
HOW TO KILL YOUR CLONE

 

6:30pm – 8:00pm
Short Film Program #1 &
Filmmaker Panel


HOW TO KILL YOUR CLONE Ed McWilliams & Jack McWilliams

EX-SEX Michael Mohan

THE SEA IS ALL I KNOW Jordan Bayne

 

 



Clone by Jack & Ed McWilliams www.atticlightfilms.com

On set with the cast & crew of CLONE

Join us for our January installment of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS. We are screening a fantastic collection of short films and animation, and hosting a special Cast & Crew celebration for the brand new short film HOW TO KILL YOUR CLONE by the hilarious McWilliams Brothers.

The program includes Michael Mohan’s 2011 short film EX-SEX and we will toast him as he heads back to Park City to premiere his newest feature film. This will be Michael’s third consecutive Sundance selection, three years in a row. It is an amazing accomplishment!

Jordan Bayne & Melissa Leo

Jordan Bayne works with Melissa Leo - Photo courtesy: Ilana Elberg

 
We are also sharing an exclusive encore screening of THE SEA IS ALL I KNOW – one of the best shorts of 2011 by New York filmmaker Jordan Bayne. This mega-award winning short stars Oscar winning actress Melissa Leo and a stellar cast. If you have not seen this very special film, this is a great opportunity see Jordan’s work.

Our Cast & Crew Party will start at 5pm, and we will start the films at 6:30pm.

 

 

 

 

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DIY No Budget Filmmaker Workshop starts – Jan. 10

ImprovOlympics is launching a new 7 – week No – Budget Filmmaking course, being taught by writer/director JOE LIPARI.  Joe is offering a 20% discount exclusively to HOLLYWOOD SHORTS members ($100.00 discount).

When asked for advice on how to get in to filmmaking James Cameron said “Pick up a camera. Shoot something.”; that’s exactly what you do in this workshop. Over the course of 8 weeks students will collaboratively write, produce, shoot and edit a short film while learning the tools to do it again on their own. Students will learn how to take their ideas and write a script that can be shot on limited time and money while producing a 5 – 10 minute short film in 1080p, full HD. This workshop is perfect for aspiring actors, writers, directors, make-up artists, directors of photography or anyone interested in adding to/improving upon their skills while creating something for their reel/resume.

Joe Lipari launched 8 week Short Filmmaking Workshop!Tuesdays: 7-10:30 PM (Begins 1/10) – Teacher Joe Lipari (WR)
For HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Discount – Call 323-962-7560 or Email iO


Joe Lipari:

I came up with the idea for this workshop because film school was quite possibly the most daunting experience of my life; which says a lot considering I was in the U.S. Army. Most of my instructors taught a “you can’t make a movie without money” approach, as if all the high dollar equipment found on Hollywood sets were an absolute necessity. But, the only necessity in becoming a good filmmaker is creativity.

In this seven week class we’ll discuss ways to take your idea and break it down to find the cheapest / fastest / easiest way to take it from your brain to the screen; while delivering a top notch final product. We’ll take one of the ideas from class and implement said strategies, collaboratively shooting a short film together. At the end of the 7 weeks students will have something good to add to their reels and the knowledge/confidence to do it again on their own. It’s time to stop waiting to be “discovered” and create your own opportunities…. Make this year the year you take your career to the next level.

 

 

 

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Cinematography Lab 1.02 – Panavision – Dec. 8

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab

 

 

 

 

THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CINEMATOGRAPHY

CINEMATOGRAPHY LAB with JAY HOLBEN

 


LAB #1.02: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Fundamentals of Cinematography Lab at PanavisionHS/FILMLAB 2011 Cinematography Lab

December 8, 2011
1:00pm – 4:00pm

PANAVISION – HOLLYWOOD
6735 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028

 

In today’s digital age, higher quality and less expensive cameras have democratized the filmmaking process making it accessible to nearly everyone.  Now that is easier than ever to get out there and start shooting on your own, it is important to learn the art, aesthetics and science of how to utilize digital technology to create an artistic and pleasing image.

Cinematographer-turned-director JAY HOLBEN, Technical Editor at DV Magazine, will take us on a journey through the basics of photographic imagery.  Jay will cover what light is and how we see it, to understanding dynamic range, exposure and WHY we light (especially when modern cameras can nearly see in the dark). The Fundamentals of Cinematography explores how the professional cinematographer crafts their images.  Move your own image-making forward quantum leaps.  This lab is perfect for aspiring DPs and camera crew, filmmakers who have recently acquired a digital camera package, and directors who want to improve understanding and communication with their cinematographers.

REGISTER

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab – $35.00
Use our secure payment tool or pay by check at the door.

Name
Email


Jay Holben – Head Educator
HOLLYWOOD SHORTS
Cinematographers Lab

Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) expands this year with a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. We will be launching this new initiative with a new seminar series for cinematographers & camera assistants. The monthly seminars will encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.

 

The HS/EFP Cinematographers Lab will also take us into some of the workrooms of some of our favorite camera shops and camera related organizations that every camera department professional and up-n-comer should know…

Seminar Topics will include:

  • Fundamentals of Cinematography
  • Getting the Best Image From Your Camera
  • The Camera Crew
  • Flavors of HD
  • The Camera Showcase
  • Lighting from Home Depot

ABOUT JAY HOLBEN
Jay Holben is an independent producer & filmmaker who worked as a director of photography for nearly a decade. Previously serving as Technical Editor covering film cameras and lighting, Jay has been a contributing editor to American Cinematographer Magazine for 12 years. He is currently the Technical Editor for DV Magazine, with a monthly column, ‘DV101,’ and has contributed to several books including the American Cinematographers Manual. Jay has contributed to several books on cinematography, including the American Cinematographer Manual, 9th Edition.  He is the author of “A Shot in the Dark: A Creative DIY Guide to Digital Video Lighting on (Almost) No Budget” which was released earlier this year. This year, Jay also co-founded FILMMAKER IN A BOX, an educational resource for feature filmmakers.  Jay has been a member of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS since 1999 with his short film adaption of the Stephen King poem, “Paranoid”, and he is our Department Chair – Cinematography at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FilmLab.

 

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Cinematography Lab 1.01 – Nov. 2th at Panavision

 

CINEMATOGRAPHY LAB with JAY HOLBEN

THE FLAVORS OF HD

Cinematography Lab 1.01

Wednesday, November 2
1:00pm – 4:00pm

sponsored by

 

 


NOVEMBER Cinematography Lab: The Flavors of HDLAB #1.01: THE FLAVORS OF HD

HS/FILMLAB 2011
Cinematography Lab

November 2, 2011
1:00pm – 4:00pm

PANAVISION – HOLLYWOOD
6735 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028

 

 

With such myriad of high-definition video formats available in the marketplace, how do you know which is best for your project? How can you tell the difference? Which is better?

DV Magazine’s technical editor, Jay Holben, will explain the aspects of high definition video formats and demystify the lingo. Learn exactly what compression codecs are commonly used, how to understand bit rates and color dissemination. Ever wonder the difference between 4:2:0 and 4:1:1? Why is one HD camera $250,000 and another is only $20,000?  Leave the session having a keen understanding of the elements that make up high definition formats to be able to make more informed decisions about which format and which camera is best for your project.

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS Cinematography Lab – $35.00
Use our secure payment tool or pay by check at the door.

Name
Email


Jay Holben – Head Educator
HOLLYWOOD SHORTS
Cinematographers Lab

Our Emerging Filmmakers Program (EFP) expands this year with a full line up of filmmaking seminars and labs. We will be launching this new initiative with a new seminar series for cinematographers & camera assistants. The monthly seminars will encompass a wide range of topics and issues, designed for all ranges of experience and formats.

 

The HS/EFP Cinematographers Lab will also take us into some of the workrooms of some of our favorite camera shops and camera related organizations that every camera department professional and up-n-comer should know…

Seminar Topics will include:

  • Fundamentals of Cinematography
  • Getting the Best Image From Your Camera
  • The Camera Crew
  • Flavors of HD
  • The Camera Showcase
  • Lighting from Home Depot

ABOUT JAY HOLBEN
Jay Holben is an independent producer & filmmaker who worked as a director of photography for nearly a decade. Previously serving as Technical Editor covering film cameras and lighting, Jay has been a contributing editor to American Cinematographer Magazine for 12 years. He is currently the Technical Editor for DV Magazine, with a monthly column, ‘DV101,’ and is a frequent contributing editor for Videography magazine. Jay has contributed to several books on cinematography, including the American Cinematographer Manual, 9th Edition. Jay is currently writing a new film lighting manual for digital shooters for Cengage Learning, due out in early 2011, on budget conscious lighting alternatives for DIY productions. Jay has been a member of HOLLYWOOD SHORTS since 1999 with his short adaption of the Stephen King poem, “Paranoid”, and he is our Department Chair – Cinematography at HOLLYWOOD SHORTS FilmLab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meet The Filmmakers: May 2011


HOLLYWOOD SHORTS - Monthly screenings

 

meet the filmmakers

edition 13.6

 

learn more about the directors & animators
featured in our May 21 program

 


This month we feature the work of lauded Australian stop-motion animation team CHRISTOPHER & CHRISTINE KEZELOS, documentary filmmaker JESS DANG, and New York filmmaker PIERRE STEFANOS.
 

Christopher & Christine Kezelos

ZERO
www.zealouscreative.com

 

 

Zealous Creative is the production company run by husband and wife team, director Christopher Kezelos and producer Christine Kezelos, which relocated from their native home in Sydney to Los Angeles this month.  They have been creating award-winning ads, films and viral campaigns & websites for over a decade.
 
Many of their short films have been highly successful on the festival circuit including DentaMate which screened at the 2006 Rhode Island International Film Festival.  Their multi-award winning short film No Butts About It was selected to screen in Sydney Metropolitan Public Schools to raise awareeness of local environmental issues.
 
In 2009, their 1st stop motion animated short Zero launched on the festival world and has reached massive critical and audience acclaim.  The film has won 11 awards including Best Animation at the 2010 Los Angeles Shortsfest and received two Gold Awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society.  It was nominated for the AFI Award in Best Short Animation (Australia’s Oscar).
 
Zealous Creative is just weeks away from finishing their newest short animated film The Maker, and is in development on a feature length stop motion animated film.  They are currently seeking to collaborate with an LA based 3D VFX shop and a sound house to finish The Maker.

Email Zealous Creative

 


 

 

Jess Dang

MADE BY ME
www.jessdang.com

 

Jess Dang - Director  www.jessdang.comJess Dang is a graduate student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts film production program. She received her BFA in Communication Design from Parsons NYC.  She moved quickly into art department, working extensively as an art director and designer specializing in brand identity and advertising. As art director at McCann Erickson, she worked on campaigns for Target, Verizon, Intel, Mobile One, MTV & more.

 
Jess is focusing on documentary filmmaking in her final year at ‘SC and building her career as a director on doc based film and television.   She also continues to work as an art director and is working to expand her commercial success into production designing for film & television.

Email JESS DANG

 


Pierre Stefanos

BEDFELLOWS

Pierre Stefanos - FilmmakerPierre Stefanos is a native New Yorker, and a graduate of Columbia University.  He has been a writer for more than half his life, first as a music critic and opinions columnist for the Columbia Daily Spectator and the vaunted independent music review site InkblotMagazine.com
 
After several years working with Fortune 100 clients for companies like AT&T and PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Pierre refocused his attention to filmmaking, working as an AD and UPM on many award-winning independent films.  He also worked as a script reader for Open City Films/Blow Up Pictures.
 
Pierre is also an accomplished editor, winning a 2006 Business Emmy nomination as part of the post team for “Crude Awakening” episode on PBS investigative news series “Now”, and he was the editor of the 2008 Emmy-winning epidode of Bravo’s “Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List”. He assisted editor Nancy Baker on Karen Goodman’s Oscar nominated doc “Rehearsing A Dream” about the YoungARTS kids.  He was also the AE on the 2011 Oscar nominated doc short “Killing In The Name”.

Email Pierre Stefanos

 

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Meet The Filmmakers – February 2011

4th African American ShortsFest

meet the filmmakers

 

february 2011

 

American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre

 

Get to know the 14 filmmakers honored this month
at our annual African American short film festival

presented by The American Cinematheque

 




ANACOSTIA
Email
Website
Facebook
Twitter

ANTHONY ANDERSON
Washington DC

Creator, Director, Writer, Star of the ground-breaking, mega-award winning web-series soap ANACOSTIA.

Writer and Producer of 2006 feature film “The Ties That Bind” starring DeLon Howell, Lori Lewis, Nicole Pettis.

Writes and produces thru his Southeast Boy Productions, and is considered one of the leading forces in a burgeoning Metro DC indie filmmaking community.

CLOSE
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TAHIR JETTER
NYC

At age 16, discovered his passion for filmmaking; attended film school at Tisch.

His short film CLOSE just screened at Sundance ’11, and looks like it will have a big fest run.  The film shows his exceptional ability to direct drama, and to craft compelling modern characters.

Tahir is developing more short films, and several feature screenplays.

GOOD INTENTIONS
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IHUOMA OFORDIRE
Los Angeles

Actress, Writer, Producer originally from DC., she created the intense drama “Good Intentions”to challenge herself as an actress.

She is currently starring in the short film “Kwame”, named Best Short at Pan African ’10, & Sci-Fi feature “Thrillseekers:  The Indoscheen”.

She is also creator of web series “Life, Love & Hollywood”.  She is scribing and developing several new projects via her Good Luck Productions.

I CHEAT
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KEVIN HEROD
Toronto

Veteran stand-up comic, popular on air host & actor.  Also the voice of Canadian animated series “Ninjamaica”.

His hip-hop music video “I Cheat” showcases Kevin’s creativity, guerilla filmmaking acumen, and exceptional comic writing ability. His on-stage humor translates seamlessly to film/video.

KATRINA’S SON
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YA’KE SMITH
Ft. Worth

Shot his first film at 15 while in high school in his hometown San Antonio. Has quickly built an impressive body of work which has already had over 40 fest selections; major award wins, including Regional Student Academy Award, DGA Student Film Award, HBO Short Film Award. Current film “Katrina’s Son” continues to show Ya’Ke’s unflinching storytelling style and bold directing instinct.  His next film is the feature “Wolf” through his Texas-based Exodus Filmworks.


KNOW YOUR ROLE
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DANEL K HUNTER
Los Angeles

Teaming up with his veteran actor/improv pro brother David Hunter, this DC native created their new film “Know Your Role” as part of his move into the directing ranks of the LA film community.

Daniel is a veteran sound editor, with extensive TV network credits.  His extensive music/post background has given him a great foundation to transition to the director’s chair.

MEN OR MICE
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KIARA JONES
NYC

A native New Yorker, Kiara began her artistic journey as a poet and hip hop artist.  She transformed her love for storytelling into an award-winning career in broadcast radio & TV. She has also worked in Vegas producing live shows and has now returned to New York to focus on her filmmaking.

“Men or Mice” explores themes central in Kiara’s films, reflecting the varied American experiences of minorities and women.  Kiara has produced an impressive body of work under her Cultivated Films banner.

Hilton Carter www.fresh-kill.comMOTH
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HILTON CARTER
Los Angeles

Classically trained as a fine artist, Hilton is an alum of the Fine Arts program at the Maryland Institute College of Art, holds an MFA in Film from the Art Center in Pasadena.

Hilton’s visual sensibility and evocative storytelling style has intertwined powerful images and compelling characters into exceptional commercials & music videos.  He now brings these elements together into narrative live action with his debut drama “Moth”.


MR. OKRA
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ANDRÉ JONES
New Orleans

André is a 12 year entertainment industry veteran, with extensive Post Production experience.  He began his career as an assistant to editor/director T.G. Herrington, and they now run the exclusive post house (literally) MAISON in New Orleans, and their in-house production group NOM DE GUERRE Productions.

Mr. Okra is a heartwarming post-Katrina doc that brings the spirit and magic of New Orleans to the screen through one man’s story.

Andre studied at Loyola in N.O, & did his grad work at Morehouse.

THE “F” WORD
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ISSA RAE
Los Angeles

One of those rare LA natives, Issa begin her filmmaking while at Stanford, launching “Dorm Diaries”, a soap type web series she streamed to her college mates via Facebook. She is now a one-woman wrecking machine on the web entertainment scene, and is changing the images and voices of African American writing and characters via the web.

She discovered the comic genius of the hip hop trio THE FLY GUYS while directing a music video for the group, and together they launched one of the funniest web series ever “The “F” Word”. The show is now into their 5th season.

February hails the launch of her much anticipated new episodic online series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl”.

THE KISS
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CAREY WILLIAMS
Los Angeles

From Pensacola, FL, Carey moved to LA after attending film school at Florida St. University.  He began as a PA, eventually landing a gig on the feature TRAINING DAY, working as Ethan Hawke’s assistant.  He then jumped into directing music videos for local hip hop and rock acts, with two of his vids winning MTVu’s FRESHMEN 5 contest, and getting airplay on VH1 and MTV2.

Carey works extensively as an editor and is in prep to direct his next short film CHERRY WAVES.

 

THE NEXT DAY
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AL ROBBINS
Atlanta

Filmmaker/Writer Al “Skip” Robbins was born in Queens, and started as an actor after attending SUNY/Old Westbury. He became an extra on New York Undercover, then booked several commercials.  He moved behind the camera in 1995 forming his production company Bottom of the Net Filmworks, where he directed his first short “One for the Money”.  After several successful shorts he wrote and directed the feature film “Trust”, and has been writing, producing and directing feature films and web based entertainment.

He is currently in Morocco directing a feature film, and has three feature films projects in development.

Lamont Wayne - animator THEM BONES (2010)
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LAMONT WAYNE
Lynchburg

Lamont Wayne is a freelance animator and artist.  In early 2010, he discovered a new website GoAnimate.com and used it as an educational tool to teach his nephews about how animation is made.  This process led to an animated series based on the boys called Jamari and Bralyn.  The series received unexpected attention thru social media, and let to Lamont being named a Filmmaker To Watch 2010 by HOLLYWOOD SHORTS.

Lamont was a guest speaker and presenter on Animation at the International Children’s Film Festival at the Amazement Square  Children’s Museum in 2009.  He continues to develop JAMARI as well as a short about a bible based superhero kid, and an intergalactic war toon based on the Civil War’s Buffalo Soldiers.


TROUBLESOME (2010)
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HILLIARD GUESS
Los Angeles

A veteran actor, and alum of both the Bill Cosby TV Writers Fellowship and Nickelodeon’s Writer’s Lab.  His feature script SECTION 8 was a Quarterfinalist in the Nicholl’s Fellowship.  He co-wrote & c0-produced horror feature “Blackout” released in 2006.

“Troublesome” is his directing debut. and is already garnering significant festival attention.  Hilliard has three TV pilots available, as well a slate of feature scripts in development through his Hilldog Productions.

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Short Film Program #3 – January 23


 


 

HOLLYWOOD SHORTS - Monthly screenings

Sunday, January 23, 2010

5pm – 8pm

FREE

Cinespace - 6356 Hollywood Blvd - upstairs

Edition 13.3



SHORT FILM PROGRAM #3                                     RSVP to attend

Certified - a short film

CERTIFIED

DIRECTOR: Luke Asa Guidici

CAST:  Thomas Garner, Rebecca Spicher, Therese Lentz, Thomas Brennen

In 1950’s rural America, a postman’s imagination runs wild when he is told a fantastic and horrifying story by a precocious girl.

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FINDING JACOB a short film www.findingjacob.com

FINDING JACOB

DIRECTOR:  Brett Stumpp

CAST: Jernard Burks, Erika T. Johnson, Angelo Tiffe

Jacob Brown has been deeply affected by what was taken from him years ago.  He is now challenged by a life he thought was beyond his reach.

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ZERO

DIRECTOR: Christopher Kezelos

Born into a world of numbers, an oppressed zero discovers that through determination, courage, and love, nothing can be truly something.

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SOMETIMES THE WORLD IS VELVET

DIRECTOR: Tom Phillips

CAST: Maliabeth Johnson & Max Abrams

Jack, a struggling fisherman from a lonely seaside town, finds a velvet dress in the ocean that he believes will bring him luck.

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