- The Film Academy Blog -

Tim Porter's Juggling (2012)

2012-01-17T00:27:00.001Z

Film Academy Presents Tim Porter's Juggling: A new 20 min short film coming July 2012 to film festivals and VOD Services
Andrew Watson, a 27 year old businessman is carrying an overbearing guilt that is eating away at his very existence. Leading two different lives, he is failing to get a grip on either.
At the root of his problem is finding himself torn between two women; one being his disabled mother who is solely dependent on her son, the other, Jill (a fellow co-worker), who provides Andrew with an opportunity of a possible future of independence. Andrew is conflicted psychologically.

Trying to balance both these lives seemingly puts grave strain on both relationships and his working life. His mother, when left unattended, is accident-prone leading Andrew to be consumed with fear of separation from his mother. This leads him to symptomatically return to the role of a child.

click this link to visit the Facebook page to be involved or to follow the film's progress

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Photos | 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards Pictures

2012-01-16T23:44:00.000Z

Click headline to read full story

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

UK Film Policy Review encourages joint ventures; calls for more lucrative producer recoupment; suggests potential Sky investment legislation

2012-01-16T23:07:00.009Z

Click headline to read full story

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

UK industry welcomes Film Policy Review but cautions that words must be followed by action

2012-01-16T23:05:00.003Z

Click headline to read full story

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Clint Eastwood to direct Beyoncé in remake of A Star Is Born

2011-01-21T21:27:00.002Z

CLINT Eastwood is to direct Beyoncé Knowles in the latest remake of A Star Is Born, the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model.

Eastwood is planning a musical version, mimicking the direction of the 1976 A Star Is Born, which cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristofferson and moved the story from the film industry to the music business.

Warner Bros had hoped to team Knowles with Will Smith, but this has not yet been confirmed. Robert Downey Jr and Mad Men's Jon Hamm are also rumoured to be under consideration, while Russell Crowe was reportedly in line for the role of the fading older star when news of the project broke last year.

A Star Is Born has already been remade twice. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an ageing Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. Director Frank Pierson had wanted Elvis Presley for the 1976 version, but the singer reportedly turned down the role after being told he would not be given top billing, and it went to Kristofferson.

Eastwood will be taking on a musical for the first time as director, but the veteran actor and film-maker maintains an intense interest in music. His last film where appeared in front of the cameras, Gran Torino, featured Eastwood crooning over the end credits, and he composed scores for his recent films Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby and Changeling.

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Anne Hathaway's purr-fect 'Dark Knight Rises' role

2011-01-20T13:29:00.007Z

2011 is certainly gearing up to be a big year for Anne Hathaway as the actress has landed the coveted role of Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman, in the next instalment of the Batman franchise, 'The Dark Knight Rises'.

The actress will be following in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and, less successfully, Halle Berry.

Christian Bale is returning as the film's hero, and BAFTA-nominated Tom Hardy will be playing the villain Bane.

Director Christopher Nolan said in a statement: "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story."

Hathaway, who recently landed a guest role in 'Glee' and will also be presenting this year's Oscars, reportedly saw off competition from Keira Knightley, Rachel Weisz, Blake Lively, Jessica Biel and the pregnant Natalie Portman for the part in Christopher Nolan's third Batman movie.

Christian Bale previously said that the movie, scheduled for a 2012 release, could be the last in the franchise, commenting, "We've got to up it." That would certainly be the case if the film is to stand any chance of topping the success of 'The Dark Knight'.

The film won't be shot in 3D but the IMax format instead and it seems unlikely that Killer Croc will appear among the villains as previously speculated.

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy: www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Actress Susannah York has died, aged 72

2011-01-17T11:16:00.000Z

Actress Susannah York has died, aged 72 - Telegraph

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Golden Globe Winners 2011: ‘The Social Network’ Triumphs : Online Social Media

2011-01-17T11:02:00.000Z

Golden Globe Winners 2011: ‘The Social Network’ Triumphs : Online Social Media

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Box office triumph for The Kings Speech

2011-01-13T17:27:00.000Z

Box office triumph for The Kings Speech as the London-shot film takes £3,510,000 in its opening weekend in the UK

Film London - News

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

The Green Hornet Trailer

2011-01-12T22:17:00.000Z

Film Trailers by filmacademy.tv

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy : www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Brighton Rock Trailer

2011-01-12T21:41:00.003Z

Film Trailers by filmacademy.tv

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy : www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Sony PROduction Awards | Sony PROduction Awards | Home

2011-01-07T16:22:00.000Z

Sony PROduction Awards | Sony PROduction Awards | Home

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

"Pariah" heads for Sundance, needs your help to get there

2011-01-07T05:17:00.001Z

"Pariah" heads for Sundance, needs your help to get there

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Film review: 127 Hours - Film and Cinema - Entertainment - getbracknell - Bracknell Forest Standard

2011-01-07T03:38:00.000Z

Film review: 127 Hours - Film and Cinema - Entertainment - getbracknell - Bracknell Forest Standard

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy

:www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

- The Film Academy Blog -: Make an Environmental Film in 48 Hours

2011-01-04T16:20:00.000Z

- The Film Academy Blog -: Make an Environmental Film in 48 Hours

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Make an Environmental Film in 48 Hours

2011-01-04T16:18:00.000Z

Make an Environmental Film in 48 Hours

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

MY YEAR OF DIY — THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY | The Filmmaker Magazine Blog

2011-01-04T02:08:00.000Z

MY YEAR OF DIY — THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY | The Filmmaker Magazine Blog

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

The Economist - Film Project

2011-01-04T02:05:00.001Z

The Economist - Film Project

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

The Economist - Film Project

2011-01-04T02:05:00.000Z

The Economist - Film Project

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :www.filmacademy.co.ukDistribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Film Fans Honour Avatar At Empire Awards

2010-03-28T18:29:00.002Z

Avatar may have missed out on this year's top Oscars, but James Cameron's record-breaking film has dominated the 2010 Empire Awards.

Now in its 15th year, the Empire gongs are the only film awards to be voted for entirely by British fans.

Cameron was honoured for his 3D epic, winning Best Film and Best Director, while the film's Zoe Saldana also picked up Best Actress.

Sam Worthington, who starred opposite Saldana, picked up the trophies on behalf of the winners.

The awards also acknowledged Sir Ian McKellen for his long and varied film career, accepting the the Empire Icon for 2010.

"I couldn't be more surprised or delighted," the 70-year-old said. "Middle-earth rejoices!"

Fellow British actor Ray Winstone received the Outstanding Contribution To British Film award, while teenager Aaron Johnson - who played John Lennon in Nowhere Boy - was

Armando Iannucci's In The Loop won Best Comedy, while the title of Best British Film was given to Harry Brown, which stars Sir Michael Caine.

Inglourious Basterds' Christoph Waltz continued his award season dominance, picking up Best Actor.

"The Empire Awards were more reflective of the films people enjoyed at the cinema. Something for everyone - that is what these awards are all about. They come after the Baftas and Oscars. These are the films which the public go and see as opposed to the critics' favourites," said a reporter.

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Birds Eye View Film Festival shines spotlight on future Kathryn Bigelows

2010-03-05T02:10:00.005Z

IF Kathryn Bigelow picks up the gong for best director at the Oscars on Sunday, not only will she be heading for the record books again, following her Baftas triumph, but inspired by her success, many more talented female film-makers will emerge, flourish and be showered with the praise they deserve.

Well, that's the dream. But the bitter reality is that a serious gender imbalance runs throughout the global film industry – just 16% of screenwriters and 12% of directors are female. Thousands of promising female film students and graduates are looking to break into the profession, or are working within it already, but only a small minority rise to the very top.

Birds Eye View film festival, which opened in London last night, is tackling the issue head-on. Birds Eye managing director Amy Mole says: "The perception is that, apart from Bigelow, women can only make relationship dramas or chick flicks. Thus stereotyped, great female directors are not getting the jobs that their male counterparts snap up."

Now in its sixth year, Birds Eye View puts on an annual supportive celebration of women in the industry, presenting a diverse array of features, shorts and documentaries. This sense of joy is shared by the film-makers themselves, explains Kim Longinotto, whose hard-hitting documentary Rough Aunties won the Grand Jury prize at Sundance and will be screened at this year's festival. "The best part of my job is watching a story unfold in front of my eyes," she says. "It's like watching a flower blossoming."

Longinotto's documentaries tackle deeply sensitive issues such as child abuse, but despite the emotive and often harrowing content, she refuses to portray her featured subjects as victims: "It's quite the opposite, actually. No matter what they may have endured, they remain strong, they act with courage and bravery – and they fight back. I can identify with that."

Festivals such as Birds Eye View provide an excellent platform for leftfield talent as well as more mainstream projects, but how do they benefit women struggling to get a foothold in the industry? Mole says: "Girls need role models who are like them in order to develop the self-belief that they could go down the same route. So hopefully the Bigelow, Andrea Arnold, Sam Taylor-Wood and Jane Campion profiles of this year will raise a few more female aspirations."

Despite the odds being stacked against them, most young, female film-makers still find their chosen career as exciting and fulfilling as ever. These sentiments are summed up by Dagmar Scheibenreif, 30, who works as a director of photography in London: "I've always loved storytelling and reaching out to people through the medium of film is, for me, one of the most powerful feelings imaginable."

While there are plenty of barriers which still need to be broken – I can't be the only one shocked that a female director has never gone home with Oscar – there are also plenty of pioneering female film-makers out there, pushing cinematic boundaries to the extreme. Whatever the outcome of Hollywood's most important/overrated (delete as appropriate) award ceremony on Sunday, surely that's cause enough to celebrate, isn't it?

The Birds Eye View film festival runs until 12 March, closing with a screening of Whip It, Drew Barrymore's directorial debut.

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Boxer Alex Arthur aiming to punch his weight on big screen

2010-03-04T01:13:00.002Z

HE'S used to swapping blows with some of the planet's hardest men so you'd hardly expect him to be beaten up by a woman. But city boxer Alex Arthur has revealed he is set to be floored by a female opponent – not in the ring but on a movie set.

The 31-year-old super featherweight has been recruited by producer Bill Little to play a gangster in the film Revenge , due to be shot in coming months. He tracked down Alex, from the Southside, through boxing friends and approached him because he thought he "had the ideal face to play a movie heavy".

Alex, who split from promoter Frank Warren earlier this week, told the press: "I've already stated several times that I fancied being an actor so I'm thrilled Bill Little gave me the part."

Alex will play murderer Shug the Thug, and while he's delighted to be playing the hardman role there is one element causing him discomfort – "I do get beaten up by the female lead at one point in the script."

Alex insisted that his immediate future remained in the ring rather than the red carpet. "Ricky Hatton and I are old mates who've boxed on many bills together so I'm contacting his promotions first to see if we can work something out.

"One thing is certain – I still have plenty to offer in the ring yet, so retirement isn't an option. But if I prove a success as a movie actor that will be the direction my post-boxing career will take."

Alex won't be the first boxing actor. Golden Globe winner Mickey Rourke, who last year won praise for his role in Hollywood blockbuster The Wrestler, was a professional boxer during a break from acting in the early 1990s.

And boxer Mike Tyson recently cameoed as himself in the comedy hit The Hangover.

Bill Little, himself a former world kick-boxing champion, said Alex's casting was more than a gimmick.

He said: "This is no bit-part – Alex, who will join me and the cast on location at Clydebank in three weeks' time, will play the leading role of Shug the Thug, a gang leader.

"Alex will actually fight in the film and gets banjoed with a motorcycle crash helmet. He came through his screen test brilliantly and proved that he has acting talent."

The film, which will be pitched to cinemas through a major distributor, also stars actor Bruce Lawrence who has appeared in The Bill and Doctor Who

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

McKellen hails budding young film talent

2010-03-02T17:00:00.004Z

SIR Ian McKellen has hailed the First Light Awards for demonstrating budding film talent in Britain's youth - and for showing that young people can work together.

The veteran actor and Lord Of The Rings star presented the Best Screenplay award to North Lanarkshire's LensHeads Film School, who won for their short film Backfire, at the Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square earlier today.

McKellen said: "You don't want to be patronising to young people because they're doing something now that I couldn't do myself, I've no idea about how to function behind a camera - I think it's wonderful for children to have the opportunity to make films and get involved if they want to."

He added: "But I hope part of what they enjoy is doing it together. The great thing about making films is it's a communal activity and that the young people want to work together is perhaps contrary to the image of young people as being loners who are out to destroy the rest of us."

First Light which is supported by the National Lottery through the UK Film Council and by DCSF, provides funding and expertise to enable five to 19-year-olds to make their own short digital films and media projects.

Sir Ian said: "I don't think First Light should be looked at as training people to go into the business, but if that happens, terrific.

"It's the unspoken truth about the theatre, and now increasingly the film industry, that underpinning the professionals are the amateurs, which is what these guys are at the moment - enthusiasts."

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy :

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

Danny Boyle Cashes in on Slumdog Millionaire

2008-09-01T09:04:00.003Z

Zombies, heroin, blowing up the sun. Our colleague, director Danny Boyle has covered it all. Now Fox Searchlight and Warner Bros. are trusting him to handle the most sinister of all topics, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”

Fox Searchlight and Warner Bros. have announced plans to handle the marketing and distribution of Slumdog Millionaire, an adaptation of the best-selling novel. Slumdog will premiere November 28, 2008 at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Boyle, director of Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, and Sunshine said “I am very grateful to Warner for their careful handling of the film. I had a great time making this movie and I look forward to working with my old friends at Searchlight to ensure that audiences at Toronto and beyond have a great time watching it.”

According to the great folks over at Fox Searchlight, “Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik, an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”

But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika, the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show’s questions.

Intrigued by Jamal’s story, the jaded Police Inspector begins to wonder what a young man with no apparent desire for riches is really doing on this game show?

When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out…”

Boyle has always been able to break boundaries on genres that have gone stale, so I have no doubt that he will deliver in Slumdog Millionaire. It probably won’t be a commercial success, but the good thing is that Boyle never really seemed to be in it for the riches to begin with.

====================================================

For more info on filmmaking visit Film Academy

www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training

The Long Way Home: A Bigfoot Story - New York Premier

2007-07-23T02:34:00.000Z

The Long Way Home: A Bigfoot Story will premier at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The film will debut on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 in the East Village Cinemas Screen #6 at 12:10pm EST.

For further information on the film festival please visit the website at
New York Film & Video Festival

If you have any enquiries about the film you can leave a message by clicking www.myspace.com/bigfootsmovie

====================================================
For more info on filmmaking

visit the official Film Academy website: www.filmacademy.co.uk

Distribution - Exhibition - Production - Training