TINA:  Fans seemed very pleased as they left the Awards Ceremony last night. There was a lot of positive feedback on the festival. You must be proud as RIFF is a brainchild of the Athenaeum, one of many in fact, but is now in its third year. Tell us how it began and the progression you have seen.

PAUL: I guess it began with a love for film and independent film in particular. When the Athenaeum was looking to invest in a new cultural event downtown, we discussed a film festival idea with Ryan and Ian who had long wanted to do the same thing. Then we all jumped in, feet first. Three years later, here we are.

TINA: What is the best part of the festival for you?

PAUL:  Finally watching the community come through the doors, sit in their seats, and give themselves over to the experience. From that point on it’s the stories and the films that matter.

TINA: If folks want to become more involved – what should they do?

PAUL: Speak up! When they see or hear about this festival or if they like what they are experiencing and want it to continue, say so, and join us. There are many ways to help, from giving money, to volunteering to participating in the event itself. Let us know what we can do better and help us get there.

~Peace,

Tina

Tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com

 TINA: How did you come to produce this film?

BRAD: I am a screenwriter by trade. Right now I live in Washington D.C. but originally I am from Virginia. Producing is a passion and something I do for friends. Mostly I write comedy and that’s what I do for a living.

TINA: Don’t you pretty much need to live in LA to be a screenwriter?

BRAD: Well, I did my time in LA and now I live closer to home. I have an agent and a manager and the move has worked out.

TINA:  How did you find RIFF?

BRAD: This film was made in California and was shown in Santa Barbara. We wanted to find film festivals that were relevant to us so I searched for festivals in Virginia and found RIFF. It was close to home and being from Virginia, showing the film here means a lot to me.

TINA:  That was quite an impressive entourage you came in with. Who is here with you tonight?

BRAD: There are nine people.  That is my family and some of them came all the way from Russia. It’s wonderful to have  them with me.

TINA:  I know you are very excited about the showing tonight. Tell us more about the film and the making of it. How was this shot?

BRAD: It was shot in 16 mm. Very low budget.

TINA: Ah, low budget… the independent filmmaker’s mantra. What about the talent? How did you find your actors?

BRAD: We recruited talent from LA casting and held auditions. You probably would not realize this but if you have ever seen pictures of Einstein as a child the actor that we found bore a striking resemblance.

TINA: Coincidentally, I study German was impressed with the dialog. The pronunciation rang true in my ears but it was textbook German. Who helped with the language?

BRAD: We put an ad on Craigslist and the person who responded was from out of state. She sent CDs and that is how we worked. You had LA actors tackling German so it was a challenge. 

TINA: Producer as a title can mean a lot of things. Sometime producers just put up the money, whereas others are more involved. Can you tell us more about your role with this project?

BRAD:  My involvement was definitely hands-on. I shepherded it through the entire process providing feedback on the script, hiring the talent, obtaining film permits, finding insurance etc.

TINA: Thank you, Brad. I appreciate your time. Break a leg.

 ~Peace,

 Tina

Tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com

Audience Choice Winner: The Patent Clerk

RIFF 2010 was a success. Final screenings brought a hearty round of applause for the filmmakers and volunteers alike.

RIFF 2010 Winners

Best Documentary: Prayers for Peace

Best Short: El Cortejo

Best Student Film: Me, Myself & Your Husband

Best in Show: Oveja Negra

Audience Choice: The Patent Clerk

Congratulations and well deserved accolades to all! 

The After Party at the Kenmore Inn also rocked and was enjoyed until closing.  I would share more about that but someone hid my notebook (think it was Ryan). You’ll have to come find out for yourself next year.

~Peace,

Tina

Kelley Baker never fails to deliver. Giving aspiring filmmakers the benefit of his years in the business, Kelly offered tricks of the trade, advice on how to make low budget films, and provided pointers on solving roadblocks creatively.

His workshop addressed topics such as:

 * How to get free stuff (donations)

* Using social networking tools to advantage

* Meeting the distribution challenge

Success stories, horror stories, and words to the wise were all appreciated. If you missed Kelley this morning, he will be at RIFF tonight with copies of his films and workbooks on hand. He will be happy to sign one for you or you can find his merchandise online at: http://www.angryfilmmaker.com/

 ~Peace,

 Tina

TINA: Making 50 Million started as a dramatic story, then became a documentary, and this audience viewed it as a comedy. What are your thoughts on this progression?

JOHN: It was meant to be a real movie. Originally it was supposed to be a short and then filming turned into a disaster so it became a documentary. What we had when it was all put together was absurd so this finished work was intended as a mock-umentary and I’m glad the audience had a good time. I am concerned that it didn’t work but it was my first attempt at a full feature and I am teaching myself. I am pleased with the sound quality though.

TINA: Think you’ll get the 50 million?

JOHN: No, please.

TINA: It’s a learning experience.

JOHN: Yes and this film was made with a group of friends. We are all learning together.

TINA: So you have acted in off-Broadway plays. Can you share one or two of your experiences?

JOHN: I had a bit of regional commercial work and was in Andy & Edie. Ironically, there was a twist in that claim to fame as one of the producers became one of America’s most wanted. Seriously, it made the news. Crazy.

TINA: Now you have decided to direct. Does this mean you giving up on acting?

JOHN: No, I still love acting but I love directing a lot.

TINA: Who are your influences?

JOHN: This is really styled after Hearts of Darkness which is a documentary about making Apocalypse Now. I am also influenced by American Movie which is about a failed filmmaker.

TINA: In Making Fifty Million, it was obvious that you are a Christopher Walken fan. (Personally, I don’t know anyone who isn’t but I’m just saying….)  In the film you said that you won’t give Christopher Walken impressions for free but can you just do one for me?

(Silence)

TINA: Please. I’ll spell your name right.

 (Smiles)

TINA: Thanks, that was pretty cool. Speaking of impressions, Vinnie does a mean Al Pacino. When did you discover he could do that?

JOHN: He broke into this speech from Scarface at his wedding actually. It was awesome.

TINA: What is your next project?

JOHN: I am working on a film now called After Life Law about a lawyer who will argue you case with the devil. Again it’s a mock-umentary.

TINA: Thanks, John. Good luck.

~Peace,

Tina

Tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com

Mari Kelly, Fredericksburg-ite and Irish transplant was seen at last year’s RIFF. When asked for her opinion of this year’s festival and if she will be attending the entire weekend she said, “Super. Fantastic.” and “Yes” to the whole weekend.

First time RIFF attendee Carl Little is local “was thoroughly impressed.” Carl and Ann Little really enjoyed themselves and will come back next year.

Michael Camber and Sabina Weitzman are repeat RIFF-ers and plan to attend through the weekend.

Super fan Raymond Herlong buys an all-access pass for himself and a guest every year. Talking with Raymond and Dana Herong, some interesting facts came to light. Raymond is actually an aspiring filmmaker with two previous shorts featured at the L.A. Filmfest. Apropo to what’s in the news, it turns out to be a caving story with a message. A modern day parable, this film will be shot in Fredericksburg. Filming the actually movie depends on timing but Raymond already has his team in place and it will happen he says. Hmmm. Well, sounds like an interesting future RIFF entry to me. As for this year’s RIFF he says, “the quality is a superb crop this year. We’ve been very pleased.”

Cool beans. See you Saturday.

~Tina

 This animated Best Short Finalist is scheduled for Saturday, Block H.

 TINA: You’ve had a successful comic career since 1995. That’s such a challenging career to begin with but you were diagnosed with MS in 1996, so soon after starting out.  Yet, you remained committed to comedy and then bravely disclosed the disease and continue to speak publicly about it. Where do you find the inspiration to make people laugh when you are dealing with something so serious in your own life?

JONATHAN: I was thinking about that earlier. I don’t think funny people can stop being funny.  Let me try and say that in a way that does not sound like self flattery:  I am a really funny guy and MS is just a detour. 

TINA:  I am a fan of old BBC television shows like Keeping Up Appearances and As Time Goes By. Your dry sense of humor reminds me of British parody and satire so I am curious: who are your comic influences?

JONATHAN: I love the timing and dry wit of your own Ricky Gervais, but my approach to comedy is to give the audience as little information as they need. My comedy is not for everybody.  It’s for everybody else so I’m glad you like it.  My favorite comedian of all time is the late Ronnie Shakes.  He died very young but his most famous joke was, “Last week I saw my shrink and he said something that brought tears to my eyes.  No habla englais.”

 TINA: What do you like best about this character?

JONATHAN: I love how upbeat he is about his weight loss and how oddly optimistic he seems to be.

TINA: Please tell fans how they can see more of your work.

JONATHAN:  The work I do online can be found at wkatz.com and someday soon you will start to hear about a new show with my creative partner Tom Snyder.

TINA: Thanks for the scoop. We will look for it. In the meantime, we’ll be watching Death Row Diet at RIFF 2010.

~Peace,

Tina

Tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com

Caught up with director/writer Susan Hippen whose film Me, Myself, & Your Husband is a Best Student Film Finalist. Now in her fourth year at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, Susan is about to start shooting her thesis and she’s excited to be at RIFF.  I asked her to share a few thoughts on her experience.

TINA:  New York is pretty exciting. With so many films schools out there, how did you pick Tisch? Was it because it’s Alec Baldwin’s alma mater?

SUSAN:  Um, no (laughs). I was working in LA and decided to move to New York. It just seemed that a lot of important things were happening in New York and I love the energy of the city. A lot of people think of moving the other way around but this was the best move for me.

TINA: So you were working in the business?

SUSAN: Yes, architecture and set design.

TINA: Wow. So you decided you want to direct…

SUSAN: YES! And write and produce and…

TINA: Cool. Tell us about the talent for this film. Were they fellow Tisch students or did you have a casting call?

SUSAN: Actually, I was pretty focused on casting this well. My process involved visiting comedy improvs in New York and when I found talent I liked I asked them to audition.

TINA: Good idea. That worked well. How did you find RIFF?

SUSAN:  I found RIFF online and it’s been a very positive experience. Everything is so well done, very professional. It’s great to be here.

TINA: Is your film showing at other festivals?

SUSAN:  Me, Myself, & Your Husband was accepted in about 19 other festivals I want to say. So, I have to leave to go to Brooklyn after the RIFF awards ceremony. I’m pretty excited.

TINA: Thanks, Susan. Good to know you are going to be around for the weekend. Good luck.

Fans and filmmakers can catch up with Susan throughout the festival. She’s blonde and has a big smile.

~Peace,

Tina

Tina.morris at rifilmfestival (dot) com

TINA:  Ryan, you are our point person managing submissions. How has this RIFF season differed from others? More foreign films? Animation?

RYAN:  Our quantity of submissions rose slightly, but our quality rose significantly. Also, I’ve always felt like we’ve had good variety but this season the genres seem broader than ever. This is the first time we’ve had multiple animations, multiple black and white films, a variety of international submissions, and even a silent film.

TINA:   Is there any added information you would like to convey to filmmakers?

RYAN:  I think that the filmmakers who are able to attend RIFF this year will not be disappointed. We’re right in the heart of a great little city and we pack a lot of activity into a short festival. Plus we have a social staff and audience who like to have fun. 

TINA:  As your contact with filmmakers and other festivals has broadened, what has been the most exciting or unexpected?

RYAN:  I love to see how excited filmmakers are when they find out they are accepted into the festival. We don’t hear it from everyone but many of our filmmakers are genuinely thrilled to have their film seen by an engaged audience.

TINA:  Have a message for the fans?

RYAN:  I’m excited about RIFF 2010 because we have some really wonderful films, but I’m even more excited about meeting new filmmakers and film fans. I’m also looking forward to catching up with all of those who have attended in the past and are able to make it back again this year.

TINA:  Thanks very much, Ryan. We are all looking forward to RIFF 2010.

Footnote: Friends and neighbors please be patient. I am still looking for Paul and will post his comments here as promised. I heard he went that way –>

~Peace,

 Tina

tina.morris @ rifilmfestival (dot) com