“Story is important because it connects humanity. We listen, learn and grow from storytelling.” —Barbara Ponce, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

In an ever-changing and crowded marketplace, story is the one unique element brands and organizations can use to differentiate themselves.

By telling compelling stories through film, companies like Hitachi, the Ritz-Carlton, and Honda are able to engage consumers and communicate with them in a more personal and powerful way.

Join the Jacksonville American Marketing Association (JAMA), for The Power of Story, a special half-day event focusing on why story is so critical.

Tuesday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jacksonville Main Library Conference Center

303 N. Laura Street, Dowtwon

Speakers include Barbara A. Ponce, Manager of Corporate and Diversity Advertising, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., who led the production of the automaker’s “Dream the Impossible” documentary series; Producer and Filmmaker Natalie Halpern of Natalie Halpern Productions; and Certified Business Coach and Character Counts! in Jacksonville Executive Director Florence Haridan.

Click here for more information and to get tickets.

The film goes behind-the-scenes during the making of three short narratives and a public service announcement that are written, acted, directed and produced by the young campers.

February 21, 2011 at the Five Points Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The event is hosted by Jacksonville.comʼs CINEMANIA and includes a question and answer session after the film with some of the film campers!

The theatre is donating 50% of ticket proceeds to the HEAL Foundation, a local non-profit organization serving individuals with autism living in the Greater Jacksonville Area.

For more information about the film or the camp program, please contact producer, Karen Sadler, FILMLAB Productions, (904) 249-9333, or www.filmlabproductions.com.

The New Year Trailer from The New Year on Vimeo.

Budding writer Sunny takes time off from college to tend to her ailing dad in suburban Florida, and after two years, a temp job at a bowling alley has turned into a comfortable rut — but then high school rival Isaac returns to disrupt the routine. Friendly fire replaces competitive spirit as the pair pick up where they left off, and Sunny realizes the future holds more than a well-stocked shoe counter.

Special Screening and Q&A with writer/director Brett Haley to follow

Date: Monday, January 24, 2011
Time: 7pm
Location: 5 Points Theatre
1028 Park Street
Jacksonville, 32205
Tickets: $8.50 – Available at door | JFF Members Free

“Brett Haley has built an encouraging feature debut. Ms. Dunn, Mr. Haley and their supporting players appear to have a fine future before them.”
~ The New York Times

“Will break your heart.”
~ The Village Voice

“A slow-building stunner of a character study.”
~ LA Weekly

ABOUT THE WRITER/DIRECTOR
Brett Haley grew up in Key West and Pensacola, Florida. He graduated with a BFA in directing from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2005. He started as an assistant to directors Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, Reservation Road) and John Hillcoat (The Road, The Proposition) before co-writing and directing THE NEW YEAR. His next film is the adaptation of the Jim Shepard novel PROJECT X, for which he wrote the screenplay.

This workshop is an action-packed day for beginning screenwriters. You’ll get: an introduction to the three-act structure, basics about creating movie characters, film stories and plot construction. Film clips will be shown as examples. You’ll also learn about loglines, synopses and beat sheets. Get ready to kick-start your screenwriting career in this buckle-your-seatbelt introductory workshop taught by a professional screenwriter who has sold pitches and scripts to studios and had films produced.

INTERMEDIATE SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
Saturday, August 28, 2010, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
University of North Florida, University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, 32224
Instructor: Sharon Y. Cobb

Do you already know the basics of screenwriting but need more? This one-day workshop is for you. You’ll learn about working outside of the common three-act structure and open your writing to alternative story structures. Movie clips will be shown as examples. We’ll do a powerful class writing exercise to help you create organic characters. You’ll learn about how to put emotion on the page and create authentic dialog from a professional screenwriter who has actually sold pitches and scripts to studios and had films produced. This workshop is recommended for students who have either completed the Beginning Screenwriting Workshop or have completed two screenplays.

ADVANCED SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
Saturday, September 11, 2010, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
University of North Florida, University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, 32224
Instructor: Sharon Y. Cobb

This one-day workshop is for screenwriters who already know the basics of screenwriting and want to develop more advanced skills. The class will include advanced dialog development and techniques to avoid exposition. Students can participate in writing exercises in class and may share their writing for critique by fellow students and the instructor. Some exercises include: writing powerful opening scenes, introducing protagonists and antagonists by presenting the essence of the character and creating organic and multidimensional characters. Film clips will be shown as examples. This workshop is recommended for students who have either completed the Beginning Screenwriting Workshop or have completed two screenplays.

Click here to enroll or call to register 620-4200.

The top three finalists will have their work screened at Movies in the Park at RAM and receive prizes.

The grand prize winner will receive $200 cash!

The deadline is noon, Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Click here for details.

Walker’s Bar in Riverside

2692 Post Street

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Open to everyone who participated in the 2010 Jacksonville 48 Hour Film Project. Come on out and party with the filmmakers.

And find out who are the nominees for the over 16 prize and award categories from this year’s competition.

The winners will be announced on July 10 at the Awards Show at the Florida Theatre.

Melissa Ross on Making “The 904″ from Natalie Halpern on Vimeo.

Chronicling the stories of people whose lives have forever been changed by the city’s violent crime epidemic like shop owner Brian Martin, who was shot in the stomach and has had multiple surgeries to repair the damage to his colon, it’s a difficult film to watch.

Mary Goodman talks about the murder of her young son, DeJuan Graham, as she holds an urn with his ashes—struggling still to come to terms with his death.

One of the most moving parts of the documentary is Jacksonville Jaguar Richard Collier’s address during the trial of the man who shot him 14 times, leaving him paralyzed and robbing him of his dream of playing football.

As a newcomer to Jacksonville (I moved here two years ago from DC, once the nation’s murder capital), it’s disturbing to know that we’ve been the murder capital of Florida for the last 10 years.

Jacksonville has so many wonderful things going for it: a great quality of life created by the warmth and inclusiveness of its residents, a burgeoning local arts scene, a fantastic symphony, two of the best high schools in the country, and such natural beauty with its marshes, beaches and the scenic St. Johns River forming the backdrop for some of the city’s most charming neighborhoods.

Why is violent crime so rampant?

Like in many other cities socio-economic factors, a racial divide and inequity in education for the city’s poorest play a role. Melissa Ross’ film does a great job of addressing those factors, along with the lack of reentry programs for offenders who serve their sentence only to be sentenced again by society. Instead of achieving rehabilitation through gainful employment and other activities, they become repeat offenders.

Despite the tragedy it documents, the film also has a powerful message of hope.

Melissa Ross on The Biggest Lesson of the Film from Natalie Halpern on Vimeo.

“The 904” was directed by Frank Goodin II and filmed and edited by Bernardo Santana III.  The filmmakers plan to screen the documentary throughout the community and submit it to film festivals around the country.

Click here to learn more about the making of the film and watch a trailer.

The lives of financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who’s just been accused of libel, and of computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander, whose troubled past has landed her in jail, intersect as they investigate the disappearance of a wealthy businessman’s niece 40 years ago.

The Swedish film, based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, is part murder mystery, part love story, and part exposé of a dysfunctional family.

Except for a few very violent scenes which were quite difficult to watch, I found myself fascinated by the two main characters’ search for redemption.

The investigation provides Blomkvist an opportunity to clear his name after being set-up by the corrupt tycoon he’s exposed.  For Lisbeth it’s a chance to do something positive with her life and learn to trust someone in a way that has left many emotional scars in her past.

By investigating what the leader of the Vanger family suspects was his niece’s murder, both characters discover how far they will go to seek justice, not only for disappeared Harriet Vanger, but also for the whole of society.

Perhaps I’m digging too deeply, but as I ponder the significance of Lisbeth’s dragon tattoo, seen only twice in the film, I can’t help but wonder if it’s a metaphor.

Does the dragon a represent the emotional demons she’s finally able to slay by solving the case and doing something for the greater good?

Go see the film and let me know what you think.  It’s showing exclusively at the Five Points Theatre for the next two weeks.

Join the Jacksonville Film Festival on Thursday, April 29, 7 p.m at MOCA for an exclusive Jacksonville screening of:

COLLAPSE
A documentary on Michael Ruppert, a police officer turned independent reporter who predicted the current financial crisis in his self-published newsletter, “From the Wilderness.”  Paul Cohen from the Torchlight Program at FSU and Red Hills Releasing will present the film.

Hometown Screening: “Secrets of the Mountain” Viewing Party
Friday, April 16, 8:00 p.m., Mudville Grill, 3105 Beach Blvd.

Come watch NBC’s premiere movie “Secrets of the Mountain” with the film’s writer Dante Amodeo of Jacksonville. It’s a family-friendly film and Dante calls it a cross between “The Waltons” and “National Treasure.”

For more information on the film, read The Florida Times-Union article about Dante and “Secrets of the Mountain”