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Will Oprah OWN Sundance? Robert Paisola Reports

2011-01-21T18:21:00.000-07:00

EXCLUSIVE!!!

Park City, Utah -Last year, it was Kristen Stewart. This time around it's Oprah Winfrey.
Everyone wants, at the very least, a glimpse of Ms. Winfrey at the Sundance Film Festival. But is the talk-show titan actually coming to Sundance?
Word around town is...Winfrey, according to some, will be in Park City to host a party tomorrow night for new OWN television network.

Some of her peeps are said to be in town looking for films and documentaries to buy. They recently scooped up World of Wonder's Becoming Chaz, a festival favorite doc that follows Cher and Sonny Bono's daughter Chastity's female-to-male sex change.

There's also chatter that after the OWN party, she'll head to the 3-D Lounge at the Yard for a Water Alliance benefit hosted by Harry Belafonte and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In other words, if ya happen to see Oprah, let me know!
Tweet me at @robertpaisola

For Complete Up To Date News Coverage on the Sundance Film Festival 2011, Follow us at www.SundanceLive.org and Sundance2011.com, Robert Paisola Reports

2011-01-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

For Complete Up To Date News Coverage on the Sundance Film Festival 2011, Follow us at www.SundanceLive.org and Sundance2011.com, Robert Paisola Reports

Sundance2011.com Day 1 Round Up
Although Sundance Film Festival Director John Cooper explained at yesterday's Day One Press Conference that 2011 is the first year that films from all of the Festival's competition sections kicked off the 10-day celebration, Thursday night was more bustling than ever, with films from the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary competitions, along with one program of shorts. Last year, Cooper broke from tradition by opening the Festival with more than one film screening on Day One; this year, Day One extended its global reach by including international films to Thursday's nights offerings. As eager as a film fan might be to attend all of last night's excitement, the plethora of screenings made that impossible, so below is our roundup of last night's celebration of film.

Sing Your Song
By Claiborne Smith
At the Sing Your Song premiere last night, Harry Belafonte, the legendary singer and activist, was ushered on stage to a long standing ovation after the thoughtful documentary about his life had finished. He talked about his "deep gratitude for the platform Sundance has given ... to show this work." It was a little sobering, after watching a nearly two-hour documentary about the flurry of political activity Belafonte has involved himself in during his lifetime, to see the singer using a cane, but it's also not a major surprise, given the hectic pace of his younger life. Belafonte pointed out during the Q&A after the premiere that after his friend Marlon Brando died in 2004, he sensed something in our culture that condoned people "checking out and not telling their stories fully," which is partly why he let director Susanne Rostock create this documentary about him. Sing Your Song is a real testament to the notion that one person can effect crucial social change; Belafonte comes off in the film as someone who, judging from all the hard-fought political battles he has waged, couldn't possibly have had time to eat, sleep, or sing. That he did is a small miracle, and Sing Your Song is an engrossing, comprehensive paean to the charming, persuasive performer and agent for change.

Pariah
By Eric Hynes
Following the premiere of Pariah, a coming-of-age story about a Brooklyn teenager who struggles to understand her sexuality and to live through the repercussions, writer-director Dee Rees revealed that the real story that helped inspire the film is still very much evolving. "As I was writing this I was going through my own coming out process," she told a packed and enthusiastic house at the Eccles Theatre. Nearly as naïve as Alike, her main character, Rees confessed that her first visit to a gay club was with the film's producer, Nekisa Cooper, who guffawed beside her on stage. "I was like, 'Oh my god I'm going to hell.'" She knew she was gay, but was still feeling like a fish out of water. "Even in the gay world I felt like I had to check a box. But I'm not really butch, I'm not really femme, I'm just kind of like me. It took me a long time to figure out that I could just be me, and that's okay."

But too often kids don't receive the support of their own family during the traumatic process. Though Rees's own parents weren't physically abusive the way Alike's are in the film, they resisted her coming out by staging an intervention, and those relationships are only now starting to heal. Though she described her dad as being "politely silent" about her film, she said her mom has recently done a 180-degree turn. "Five years ago we weren't speaking. Then this past Christmas was the first she'd visited me since I came out. She interacted with my girlfriend, she was positive about it, and it was great. She told me 'I love you no matter what; I want you in my life.' She was even talking about moving to California," where Rees lives.

Rees said that part of the reason she made Pariah was to give young people the sort of movie she could have sought out for affirmation of her own experience. The irony is that Pariah impacted relationships in her own life before it even had a chance to reach others. "We made this film hoping we would change somebody else's parents' minds," she said. "And we ended up changing my own parents' minds."

The Guard
By Jeff Hanson
With compelling characters, murderous exploits, and a healthy dash of Irish brogue, John Michael McDonagh's debut feature The Guard had its premiere Thursday as part of the Day One kick-off to the 2011 Festival. The Guard took the Festival's spirit to heart with expert storytelling, a beautiful Irish setting, and exceptional performances by an accomplished cast led by Brendan Gleeson as Sergeant Gerry Boyle, the flinty local town cop and Don Cheadle as the FBI outsider investigating an international drug-smuggling ring who turns that cop's sleepy, workaday world completely upside down. After the premiere, McDonagh joined Gleeson, Cheadle, and actors Liam Cunningham and Katarina Cas for a Q&A that covered, among other topics, drinking, the joys of playing vile characters, the irritability of Irish policemen, and record-breaking wet weather during the filming.

Shorts Program I
By Mike Plante
The most fun anyone could have had last night happened at the Shorts Program I screening at the Library Center Theatre. If one film didn't strike you as wonderful, the next one would. The sold-out crowd was riding the roller coaster all the way through. Each emotion seemed to rise up, from spooky dramatics to big laughs, down with intense underwater drama (twice), then back up with awkward laughs, then to pure shock. Ending the program was the highly anticipated new Beastie Boys video, Adam Yauch's (better known as MCA) Fight for Your Right Revisited, which kept people laughing while providing some incredible songs tearing up the walls. The Q&A revealed several nuggets of wisdom - actors are closet writers; having no money leads to more mystery in a plot; some animation takes 800 hours to produce; and sometimes the submarine "was just there."

Project Nim
By Claiborne Smith

There were at least several notable people from American documentary film in the audience at the Project Nim premiere (Michael Moore among them), but the biggest star there was James Marsh, Project Nim's director. You could feel an almost palpable anticipation at the Egyptian Theatre as the packed audience waited for the movie to begin. Marsh's gripping new film is the story of Nim, a chimpanzee who, in the early 70s, was taken from his mother, raised as a human infant would be raised with a human family, became famous, and was eventually sent to a medical testing lab and left at an animal sanctuary in Texas without other chimps to socialize with until some of his earlier handlers intervened to provide him with chimp companions. As Senior Programmer David Courier mentioned at the Q&A with the director and the film's subjects, the pressure on Marsh (whose Man on Wire premiered at the 2008 Festival, nabbed the World Cinema Jury Prize Documentary that year, and eventually went on to win an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature) must have been intense to create a follow-up documentary to Man on Wire that equaled that film's popularity and prestige. Marsh downplayed the whole notion. "You try to trust a story," Marsh explained, saying that if you've found the right story, you will believe in it and do anything you can to tell it. Marsh's comment seemed apt, since Trevor Groth, the Festival's director of programming, told the audience before the film began that Marsh "has mastered the art of storytelling." So a filmmaker has to work hard to find and then trust a story "and you can't really do any more than that," Marsh explained about his working method, concise but apt advice the director revealed at the opening of a film festival devoted to storytelling.

The MGM Lion Trainer Attack Video at OneTrueMedia.com

2010-10-10T20:21:00.001-06:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Miss Universe 2010 Media Presentation

2010-08-22T10:35:00.000-06:00

We should be cautious to cover a sensitive story, Robert Paisola Reports

2010-08-06T02:04:00.000-06:00

Investigative Reporters should know how to interview people in case of sensitive stories.Mark Feldstein wrote an article appeared in American Journalism Review (December/January 2009) where he highlighted some interview techniques.I personally try to follow his guidelines:

Take charge immediately – Besides painstaking research and robust role-playing to anticipate and parry an adversary's answers, aggressive correspondents establish psychological dominance at the outset of the interview. Unlike Frost's series of conversations with Nixon, most television journalists only get one bite at their (bad) apple. As a result, a combative questioner must seize control immediately once cameras start rolling, ruthlessly interrupting self-serving filibusters and carefully avoiding pleasantries that might weaken the necessary resolve to go for the jugular.

Go for the tight shot – Arrange in advance to have the videographer zoom in slowly on the interviewee's face when the exchange grows heated. This cinematic effect visually reinforces the editorial goal of zeroing in on the quarry. At the same time, such close-ups more vividly accentuate sweating brows and darting eyes, the body language of guilt that Nixon so unwillingly perfected.

Use props – In "Nixon/Frost," the TV performer tried to rattle the ex-president by showing him film of carnage in Vietnam, thereby forcing Nixon to choose between appearing icily unperturbed by the human misery he helped create or having to admit that Frost was right about civilian suffering that occurred on Nixon's watch. As every good trial lawyer knows, such tangible exhibits – video, photos, documents – not only help buttress a cross-examination but also add theatrical flair.

Set up targets to lie – You can't force them to do so, of course, but it is always better to give them the opportunity to tell a falsehood on-camera before (not after) you pull out the smoking-gun memo that proves their culpability. A single lie captured on-camera shakes the edifice of everything else they say afterwards. Catching the interviewee in demonstrable deceit also makes it easier to bluff out the truth in subsequent questions because the disoriented target now fears that you possess more evidence than you actually do.

Spitballs work – In "Frost/Nixon," the wily former president tries to throw the playboy host off his game just seconds before taping begins by asking: "Did you do any fornicating last night?" Such off-camera comments designed to rattle an opponent can be the journalistic equivalent of trash-talking on the basketball court. Another unnerving on-camera trick used by some TV investigative reporters: quietly pulling out thick files ostentatiously labeled to suggest they contain explosive new material – even if the files are merely stuffed with blank paper and no questions are ever asked about them.

Always keep one camera rolling no matter what – That way, if your subject rips off his microphone or storms out of the room, you have footage of his defensive tantrum. Also, interviewees may blurt out embarrassing comments during a lull when they think they are not being recorded.

Aren't you sorry? – Ask the target what he would do differently if he had it to do all over again. It's a no-win question: either the subject effectively admits his own guilt, or else he demonstrates a shameful unwillingness to acknowledge his sins. Heads you win, tails he loses.

Control the final product – When all else fails, remember that you decide how the interview will be edited. You choose which sound bites are broadcast, how long they run, and what gruesome video or tearful victim interviews are juxtaposed against it.

We should be cautious to cover a sensitive story-someone who has just lost his or her loved one or a accused person or one who has been an eyewitness to a tragedy.The question that a senior Journalist ask for himself is how do I do it and still retain my journalistic ethics.

Las Vegas Immigration Protest Shuts Down Strip, America Under Siege Robe...

2010-05-23T06:06:00.000-06:00

Thousands of Immigrants Shut Down Famed Las Vegas Strip. Casino Executives Nervous, Police Out In Full Force with Cameras: America Under Seige... Robert Paisola Reports

A Group Carrying banners, flags and protest signs, comparing some political leaders to Adolf Hitler, hit the streets of Las Vegas Blvd today during an impromptu Protest Rally. Virtually every street corner was covered with either protesters with Bullhorns and Microphones or Law Enforcement who was watching with a very careful eye, as they videotaped the event. This is one of the videos that we were able to capture. Stay tuned for more. If they can shut down the Las Vegas Strip, whats next... The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge? Robert Paisola Reports

Miles de inmigrantes en Apagar el famoso Las Vegas Strip. Ejecutivos del Casino nervioso, fuera de Policía En Full Force con cámaras: América Under Siege ... Un Paisola informes de los grupos con carteles Robert, banderas y letreros de protesta, comparando algunos líderes políticos a Adolf Hitler, salió a la calle de Las Vegas Blvd. hoy durante una improvisada manifestación de protesta. Virtualmente cada esquina de la calle estaba cubierta de cualquiera de los manifestantes con megáfonos y micrófonos o Aplicación de la ley que estaba viendo con un ojo muy cuidadoso, ya que grabó el evento. Este es uno de los videos que hemos sido capaces de capturar. Manténgase en sintonía para más. Si pueden apagar el Strip de Las Vegas, cuál es la próxima ... El San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge? Roberto Paisola Informes Telemundo Internacional

Las Vegas Immigration Protest Shuts Down Strip, America Under Siege Robe...

2010-05-23T06:05:00.000-06:00

Las Vegas Immigration Protest Shuts Down Strip, America Under Seige Robe...

2010-05-23T06:04:00.000-06:00

Las Vegas Immigration Protest Shuts Down Strip, America Under Seige Robe...

2010-05-23T06:01:00.000-06:00

Las Vegas Immigration Protest Shuts Down Strip, America Under Siege Robe...

2010-05-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Las Vegas Immigration Protest Shuts Down Strip, America Under Seige Robe...

2010-05-23T05:58:00.000-06:00

Thousands of Immigrants Shut Down Famed Las Vegas Strip. Casino Executives Nervous, Police Out In Full Force with Cameras: America Under Seige... Robert Paisola Reports

Thousands of Immigrants Shut Down Famed Las Vegas Strip. Casino Executives Nervous, Police Out In Full Force with Cameras: America Under Seige... Robert Paisola Reports

A Group Carrying banners, flags and protest signs, comparing some political leaders to Adolf Hitler, hit the streets of Las Vegas Blvd today during an impromptu Protest Rally. Virtually every street corner was covered with either protesters with Bullhorns and Microphones or Law Enforcement who was watching with a very careful eye, as they videotaped the event. This is one of the videos that we were able to capture. Stay tuned for more. If they can shut down the Las Vegas Strip, whats next... The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge? Robert Paisola Reports

Miles de inmigrantes en Apagar el famoso Las Vegas Strip. Ejecutivos del Casino nervioso, fuera de Policía En Full Force con cámaras: América Under Siege ... Un Paisola informes de los grupos con carteles Robert, banderas y letreros de protesta, comparando algunos líderes políticos a Adolf Hitler, salió a la calle de Las Vegas Blvd. hoy durante una improvisada manifestación de protesta. Virtualmente cada esquina de la calle estaba cubierta de cualquiera de los manifestantes con megáfonos y micrófonos o Aplicación de la ley que estaba viendo con un ojo muy cuidadoso, ya que grabó el evento. Este es uno de los videos que hemos sido capaces de capturar. Manténgase en sintonía para más. Si pueden apagar el Strip de Las Vegas, cuál es la próxima ... El San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge? Robert Informes Paisola
Category: News & Politics

Tags:
Las Vegas Rally Arizona Law Protest in the Streets Las Vegas Strip Las Vegas Protest Rally Las Vegas Immigaration Protest Las Vegas Strip Closed ImmigrationFORamerica.org Nevada Politics CNBC Media Western Capital Multimedia Robert Paisola Reports Robert Paisola Multimedia US Immigration Law

The 2010 Miss USA Pageant Coverage by Robert Paisola

2010-05-17T00:50:00.000-06:00

The 2010 Miss USA Pageant Coverage by Robert Paisola

2010-05-16T23:33:00.000-06:00

Rima Fakih, Miss Michigan USA 2010 being mobbed after The Miss USA Event...

2010-05-16T21:24:00.000-06:00

Canceled, Not Canceled

2010-04-29T09:16:00.001-06:00

Dead or Alive: What will (and may not) be back on TV next season. In the last week of May, the broadcast networks will announce which TV series will be returning for the 2010-11 season ... http://bit.ly/dkBlsT

Poncho Sanchez

2010-04-29T09:15:00.001-06:00

Someone Pinch Poncho: Latin-jazz legend Poncho Sanchez can’t believe his life sometimes. The elder statesman of Latin-jazz, conguero Poncho Sanchez, has been spending more time at his Los Angeles-area home recently ... http://bit.ly/aCN1b9

Pat Metheny: The Orchestrion Tour

2010-04-29T09:14:00.001-06:00

Metheny Matters: The guitar hero isn’t just for easy-listening jazzbos. "He's the guitarist's guitarist.” That plaudit—or is it burden?—has been thrust upon more than a few guitar greats to hamper them with the notion that ... http://bit.ly/d48CPv

The Secret of Kells

2010-04-29T09:13:00.001-06:00

Illumination Building: The Secret of Kells gives Irish history beautifully distinct animation. When the 2010 Oscar nominations were announced Feb. 2, there wasn’t a bigger shock than the title of one of the Animated Feature selections ... http://bit.ly/dbi8f6

Moxi

2010-04-29T08:15:00.001-06:00

Moxi, With Moxie: A trip to Bountiful finds a treasure of a wine bistro. So, you get it, right? Moxi. As in: Dude, it take moxie to open a wine bar in Bountiful ... http://bit.ly/bwS6jR

2010-04-27T15:58:00.001-06:00

The Harry Blausey, Newark Ohio, Real Estate Federal Lawsuit Update, Robert Paisola Reports on Licking County Ohio Prosecutor Kenneth Oswalt, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and the Ohio Department of Corrections http://ping.fm/ZUgzo

Yeasayer

2010-04-22T10:59:00.001-06:00

Defying Trends: New York's Yeasayer blazes a new trail in dance-rock. While most bands in Brooklyn a few years ago were trying to be the next Strokes, Yeasayer didn’t want to be so trendy ... http://bit.ly/cy3zlt

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: Propel

2010-04-21T13:59:00.009-06:00

Accidentally on Purpose: Propel disrupts the expected with choreographed improvisation. There is an oft-quoted John Lennon lyric from his song “Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy),” which was penned as a lullaby for his son Sean ... http://bit.ly/cl8CnA

Utah's Championship Beers

2010-04-21T13:59:00.007-06:00

Utah Breweries score at the World Beer Cup. The 2010 Brewers Association World Beer Cup was held in Chicago during the Craft Brewers Conference, April 7-10. Commonly referred to as the “Olympics of Beer,” the World Beer Cup is a mas http://bit.ly/cMQu0d

Party Down, Gravity, Mothman, Food Party, The Hills, The City, Happy Town

2010-04-21T13:59:00.005-06:00

Served: Caterers, moths, puppets and mysteries. Before Starz recently became known as That Spartacus Channel, the network was plugging along quietly with original comedies Head Case and Party Down ... http://bit.ly/8YysGc

High West Distillery & Saloon

2010-04-21T13:59:00.003-06:00

Let’s Get High: Park City distillery offers whiskey, high-altitude food and more. Park City’s High West Distillery & Saloon isn’t so much a restaurant, bar and distillery as it is a compound—a fun zone for lovers of good food and great whiskey ... http://bit.ly/d53l44