It was a year ago when The Town took over Boston neighborhoods as filming took place in the North End, Charlestown, and Kenmore Square. You might remember hearing gun shots echoing from Hanover Street, nuns with guns running down Lansdowne Street, or even high speed chases throughout the city boarders. The all-star crew includes homeboy hunk Ben Affleck, the beautiful Rebecca Hall, the spicy Blake Lively, the ever so handsome Jon Hamm, and Boston’s own Chris Cooper.
The Town—based on Massachusetts native Chuck Hogan’s heist novel Prince of Thieves—is Affleck’s second directorial debut since Gone Baby Gone, which was wicked good. The screenplay, adapted by Peter Craig and Affleck, follows a group of ruthless blue-collar Charlestown robbers who see nothing wrong in stealing and seem to always find their getaway car.
Ben Affleck Courtesy US Fed
As always Affleck loves bringing revenue to his native roots and now to one of his favorite places in Boston, Fenway Park. Three days before The Town debuts nationwide, the film will be hitting some homerun’s at Fenway Park on September 14th for a red carpet premiere, a trusted source tells HEC.
Check out HEC video below of Affleck and crew in action last year and become a fan @ www.facebook.com/TheTownMovie. Help make The Town the next blockbuster to come out of Beantown and stay tuned for our coverage of the premiere at Fenway!
Are you in the pre-production phase of making a documentary? The LEF Foundation sponsors filmmakers in the early stages of movie-making. The foundation gives out eight $5,000 grants a year for pre-production, six $15,000 grants for films in productions, and three $25,000 grants. The fall in-house deadline is September 17th, 2010 so hurry and apply. Grants may be used for research, travel, location scouting, story development, fundraising and editing.
LEF is a privately run family foundation that promotes filmmakers creating movies and documentaries that show the world in a different light. Their focus is on the early stages of filmmaking to encourage directors to start new projects and jump start the creative process. Funding is focused in two regions: New England and California.
LEF New England advocates and supports projects from both budding and seasoned filmmakers. Through their grants LEF hopes to strengthen the community of artists in the New England area. Leah Mahan of Boston received a pre-production grant for her film Turkey Creekin 2003. Turkey Creek received a Sundance Contemporary Issue Doc Grant this year.
On Sunday evening, the 62nd annual primetime Emmy awards were hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Before the music-laden presentation even got underway, the Hollywood East Connections were commencing on the red carpet, as Medford, MA’s Maria Menounos helped host the pre-show with her fellow “Access Hollywood” co-anchor, Billy Bush.
Once the designer-dressed ladies and gentlemen took their seats inside the Nokia Theatre in downtown L.A., Brookline’s John Hodgeman, also known as the “PC” guy from the infamous Apple ads, played narrator. “Mad Men”s John Hamm, who is about to star in the soon to be released The Town appeared in the pre-taped opening number. Speaking of The Town, which HEC readers are already well-aware of the fact that it was filmed in Boston, commercials and promos for the movie ran throughout the 3 hour long broadcast.
Other New England connections came sprinkled throughout the evening. Newton’s Brad Falchuk, co-creator of the comedy hit, “Glee” appeared on a clip montage for best comedy writing, though the show did not win. Star Jane Lynch did walk away with a trophy of her own for best supporting actress. Though not from the area, the openly gay actress got married in Massachusetts earlier this year.
Steve Carell Courtesy Thomas Attila Lewis
Burlington’s Amy Poehler lost for lead actress in a comedy series, as did Concord’s Steve Carell for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series. Newton’s John Krasinski and Boston’s Maura Tierney both helped present awards during the show. Though not a native of New England, “Cheers” alum Ted Danson made his way to the stage amidst the familiar theme song jingle to present the award for Best Comedy series to “Modern Family”.
A bearded Conan O’Brien (who originally hails from Brookline, MA) gave a strained smile in the audience as the butt of one of Fallon’s opening jokes, and also lost the Emmy for best variety show for the short-lived “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”.
As the summer days swiftly begin to dwindle, so are the opportunities to catch a free movie screening outdoors in the Boston area. The summer season offers many opportunities for both movie buffs and lovers of the outdoors to combine their seemingly opposite passions and enjoy an evening where everyone comes away satisfied. If you fall into either of these categories of people, then make sure you take advantage of one of these screenings this week, or else you might just have to wait till summer 2011!
Boston Harbor Hotel Movies by Moonlight
Usability Professionals’ Association of Boston will screen “Temple Grandin” at the Regent Theater in Arlington on Tuesday night. This made for TV film just cleaned up at Sunday night’s Emmy awards, winning in 5 out of the 7 categories it was nominated in. RSVP is required through their website. That same evening, the Boston Public Library’s South Boston branch begins a series of films about NYC with “Barefoot in the Park”.
The BPL’s main branch continues its Ibero Film Festival on Wednesday with “True and Tender Is the North” from Portugal. Also on Wednesday, the BPL’s North End branch begins a series of book-to-screen movies with “Jamaica Inn”.
On Thursday afternoon, the BPL will be screening “The Last Station” and the Coolidge Corner Library’s weekly film this Thursday is “Raise the Red Lantern”. Also on Thursday night, the Somerville Library will continue its series of rarely seen movies with a screening of the silent film “The Iron Mask”.
Starting at sunset on Friday night, the Boston Harbor Hotel will conclude its romantically scenic “Movies by Moonlight” outdoor series with “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.
Bevilacqua got her start after college working on fellow New Englander Kevin Undergaro’s film Serial Buddies. The film was shot in Connecticut and produced by Massachusetts native Maria Menounos. From there, Bevilacqua went on to work behind the scenes of Brendan Fraser’s film Furry Vengeance. She had the fun job of filming behind the scenes footage of the animals and their trainers. During this time, Bevilacqua’s BFA film, Hide and Seek, also premiered at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and was recently featured in the The Rhode Island International Film Festival.
After working on larger scale productions, Bevilacqua moved back to her hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, where she has been spending time improving her skills and focusing on her own productions. She has shot weddings to hone her camera skills and worked on lighting design and theater work.
Bevilacqua recently started a personal documentary and lesbian web series titled Anisha and Justine Do…, some of which are now available to watch online. She plans to start shooting the rest of her 24 episode season this upcoming month. On her filmmaking experience so far, Bevilacqua says that, “I want to make my own films and it’s almost scarier [to do that]. You gotta hustle [and] make money to make a movie.”
Bevilacqua cites her family as an important factor as to how she has been able to stay so involved in film while living in Rhode Island. She considers herself “blessed to have a family of filmmakers” and advises others to “try to get whatever jobs you can get” in film and to either use any equipment you can find or go to a film school, where you can take advantage of their resources. Bevilacqua also reminds others that it is “all about networking” saying that “in Rhode Island I think it [networking] is important because unless you know people, it’s hard to get [film] work.” So, if you’re in an area where it might be hard to work on films, find like minded people who can work with you to make movies.
In the future, Bevilacqua has plans to make her feature and get certified to teach film. She cites teaching as a passion of hers and already mentors students at the Carriage House Stage & School, where she shows high school students how to edit and use cameras. In fact, she got her first grant to make several shorts with the kids at the non-profit program.
Check out Justine’s many videos and keep up to date on her film endeavors on her webpage. Below is a trailer of her award winning short Hide and Seek.
The SNOB (Somewhat North of Boston) Film Fest is gearing up for its ninth year this coming November and right now the window for submissions is still open. They are looking for not only shorts but feature length films and regional films. Oh, and if your film has a connection to the Northern New England area it will be given special consideration in the selection process.
SNOB is also excited to announce the creation of the KNOB (Kids North of Boston) Film Session. KNOB was created to give young filmmakers a chance to see their work on the big screen and in front of a large audience of movie buffs. Young filmmakers are asked to submit films of quality and no more than seven minutes in length. Topics for this year’s KNOB festival include: the environment, social issues and New England history.
The festival began as a grassroots effort in 2002 to showcase and support independent filmmaking in the region. All proceeds from the fest are used to support the arts. SNOB is a chance for the local audiences to experience a film that they just might never see with surround sound and their community.
“We are extremely excited about this year’s festival. We are currently receiving and reviewing lots of great films that will be shown at this year’s event,” Executive Director of SNOB Jay Doherty tells HEC. “This will be SNOB’s 9th year after a hiatus last year. We have a new committee with lots of energy and we are working to make this year’s event just as good if not better than past SNOB Film Festival Events.” FYI- Jay’s favorite film genre is dark comedy.
The three day event will take place from November 19th-21st and will be hosted at the Red River Theaters in Concord, NH. The main theaters have stadium-seating, sound to boot and adult beverages to join your viewing. If you live in NH and want to get involved in SNOB, you may be able to earn free festival tix. Email: Amber.Fixler@SNOBFilmFestival.com for more information.
Be sure to become fans of SNOB on Facebook to get all the latest details of the upcoming event and network with the cool folks behind this festival. The deadline to submit your film is October 1st. Check out SNOB Film Fest site for all the details of submitting.
The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Bostonfall 2010 continuing education has released its coursework schedule which includes film and animation programs. Though primarily known for its studio art classes and programs, the SMFA also offers other classes related to more modern visual arts.
Mondays, an Introduction to Filmmaking class will be taught by Gregory Mahoney and will include lessons on basic shooting and editing techniques from a beginner’s perspective. Students will use primarily Super-8mm film for their projects.
On Thursdays, a Stop Motion Animation class will be taught by Joseph Kolbe, and will focus on puppet and object animation, and will include discussions and exercises on set-building and lighting them to scale.
Both of these classes are 2 credit courses, which can be applied towards and SMFA BA degree. All students enrolled in continuing education classes are eligible to submit work to juried exhibitions that are held throughout the year at the school. A fall open house will be held on November 12, from 1-3PM, where students may talk to faculty and staff regarding their work and path of study, and receive feedback on their work during a portfolio review.
Debra Crosby and MyTV New England are excited to announce the premiere of the new “Debra Crosby’s Talent Quest TV Show” starting this October.
Film and TV Development Executive Christopher Murphy of MyTV New England says, “Talented host Debra Crosby and musical genius MAMADOU are the most down-to-earth, passionate and dedicated producers you could ever meet. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them while in development of their show and everyone at MyTV New England is excited about our collaboration. I grew up watching TV in the Boston area, so I remember all the local shows like Community Auditons which was hosted by Dave Maynard (local TV trivia – Dave is Debra Crosby’s dad). As Debra likes to say, “we’re continuing a New England tradition” by bringing her TV show to a wide TV audience throughout New England. I’d like to invite everyone to tune into the commercial broadcast premiere of Debra Crosby’s Talent Quest TV Show on MyTV New England, Sunday Oct. 3rd at 11am.”
Crosby herself is elated at the news. “’We are very much looking forward to our creative partnership with MyTV New England. Chris Murphy of MyTV has been a real champion of our cause. I loved finding out that he had fond memories of watching my dad’s show for years on Sunday mornings with his grandparents. He is totally behind this idea of carrying on a New England tradition.”
Debra Crosby and MAMADOU
The show is being brought to the MyTV New England network through the new distribution program. The show will feature talent from around New England in a variety of performance arts, including singing, dancing, acting, comedy, and music. Contestants perform in front of a live audience at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, where they are judged by a rotating panel of celebrity judges. Crosby hosts the show, and is backed by a live band.
Band leader and long time friend of Crosby, MAMADOU, likewise is pleased; “It’s a wonderful thing because we’ve made progress little by little all along, we’ve been doing that show without any help. We moved from a little cable show, and I’ve seen the hard work, the progress little by little. It’s the kind of show that features everybody, all kinds of talent. We’ve tried to have everyone come out and express themselves. No matter what your talent is, you can come and express yourself.”
Have a documentary that showcases social or humanitarian issues? Healthy Living Magazine is giving a voice to the genre by sponsoring the Healthy Living Magazine Film Festival this Fall. Submissions will be accepted up to October 15th. Filmmakers can submit either a feature, documentary, short or music video relevant to any humanitarian issues.
Healthy Living Magazine was created to help empower readers to start and maintain healthy lifestyles and be conscious of their over-all well being. Aside from their publication and Film Festival, HLM also has a radio segment and puts on expos and seminars.
The 3rd annual HLM Film Festival will debut selected submissions on November 13th Duxbury, Ma. The early (and cheapest) deadline is September 15th for only $35. The standard deadline is until September 30thfor $60 and late submissions until October 15th will cost $70.
Remember life without Facebook? Me either. But there was a time, not too long ago actually, that The Facebook was just an idea turning in the cogs of Mark Zuckerberg’s brilliant mind. In 2004, the Harvard student turned his pet project into the largest social network in the world thanks to two other students and a little financial help from his friend Eduardo Saverin. It quickly spread through the dorms of Harvard, extending its cyber fingertips to Stanford and other elite schools, until anyone in the world could join in updating statuses, upload pictures, and checking in on old friends of yesteryear.
The Social Network stars Jessie Eisenberg (Zombieland, The Education of Charlie Parker), who looks perfectly the part of Ivy league braniac Mark Zuckerberg, and Justin Timberlake smooth talks his way to the top as Sean Parker. Parker, who co-founded Napster in 1999, went on to become President of Facebook. Disney’s Brenda Song (“The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”) also co-stars.
So, a movie about a website? That sounds a little risky, but The Social Network takes us through the dark biography from the beginnings of TheFacebook.com to its global explosion with plenty of lies, betrayals and a love story or two along the way that could satiate anyone’s newsfeed hunger. Based on Ben Mezrich’s 2009 best-seller The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, most of the movie was filmed in Cambridge. Although there were no scenes shot on Harvard’s Campus, Wheelock College, John’s Hopkins University, and Phillips Academy in Andover, MA doubled as Harvard yard.
The film looks like it will offer plenty of drama, and even though it is far from a documentary about the founding of the world’s most popular website, it should be interesting to see how a student’s part-time hobby turned into an integral part of almost every students’ lives. That, and the sepulchral version of Radiohead’s “Creep” during the trailer makes it look way to juicy to pass up. Catch it in theaters this fall.
