Many of my former assistants are ruling the film world now. I look forward to many more joining their ranks.
And I don’t throw things at them, ever!
Tag: Fandor
Last week, I greatly enjoyed my first three days on the job at Fandor– and anticipating all the ones still to come. It’s funny how timing works sometimes… It couldn’t be a better time for me to learn and engage in something new. And it’s remarkable how sometimes somethings end, just as something new begins. Such changes and coordination need so much support, it is a marvel that so much still gets done.
Ten years ago,
If you read this blog, you know I am a champion of mission check. You might now be wondering a bit about mine. A year or so ago, I reported to you that when asked to consider a project I responded:
“I am taking a hiatus from producing any projects for the time being. Instead, I am trying to advance an independent film infrastructure that can truly support a diverse and ambitious film — in it’s broadest & most innovative definition — culture, one where the artist and their supporters are direct beneficiaries of the work they generate, where risk is both rewarded & encouraged, & audiences are active participants in the community. I am running Fandor in hopes I can help the progression move quicker & others may navigate the paradigm shift to abundant, accessible content more smoothly & less painfully.”
Only of course then I did not say Fandor, did I? But
We announced my new job today. A review of the press yields a cornucopia of juicy tidbits.. um, TEDbits…:
Sometimes I get pretty excited — particularly when I can see the future starting to grow concrete right before my eyes. Sometimes it seems we can run right off the cliff into open space and lo and behold the road grows beneath you. I gave
Dear film friends,
This is sort of urgent.
Good films don’t get seen. Let’s face it, the system is not working. Every summer I experience that same sensation: “there just aren’t any movies that I really want to see”. My 80 year old mom just went to see MOONRISE KINGDOM for the second time because there was nothing else to see. She does not live in NYC… but you do. You have entertainment & culture economies relatively based on choice & super-abundance (versus scarcity & control).
You can vote for the culture you want with your dollars. Simple acts have surprising results. What would happen if we refused to keep supporting a bland corporate culture based on test-marketing, remakes, and pat emotional response engineering? What if we demanded a cinema that still surprised us, took risks, and aimed for something a little more complicated and complex? Well, I for one think it would make the world a better place.
So I write to you now, for that reason. Don’t let the heat get to you. Come out tonight (Tuesday) and see a good bit of bad behavior told with a desire to learn and not prove, with an empathy for people despite their faults, and a love for the absurdity that lingers in truth. Support indie film. Keep indie alive and help it thrive. We can build it better together.
I have been putting a lot of work in to my hopes that all I say above is true. I scour through DVDS and links searching for the best that indie has to offer. The Zellner Brothers’ KID-THING is just that. They are flying in to our town to speak to you about it. How often can one due their duty but have fun doing it? Well tonight you can.
Read about what I said about this film here.
Order tickets: www.filmlinc.com/films/on-sale/kid-thing
Like KID-THING on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/KID-THING/191535430930013
Check out the website: www.kid-thing.com
You can see another collaboration between the Zellners & Aguirre on this music video here: www.vimeo.com/7201463
See you Tonight, Tuesday July 17th at 8:00 PM at the Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.
Q&A after the film with the filmmakers!
Tuesday, July 17
8:00 PM
Elinor Bunin Monroe Film Center
144 W. 65TH St
New York, NY 10023
This night is made possible by the continued support of our sponsors: Royal Bank of Canada & Fandor. Thank you!
Please mark your calendars for upcoming Indie Night screenings:
Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 8 PM: FRANCINE
Wednesday, September 5, 2012, 8 PM
Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 8 PM
Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 8 PM
Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 8 PM
Most sincerely, and forever hopeful about film,
Ted
Dear Film Friends,
This month’s cinematic mystery is: “What allows for a great and truthful performance by a child?” I recognize that it is not an easy question to answer, beyond “I know one when I see one.” The good news is I know you will see one when you come next Tuesday to see The Zellner Bros. KID-THING at “Indie Night” — the monthly screening series I curate at The Film Society Of Lincoln Center. Sydney Aguirre delivers an incredibly cool, intense, and outright miraculous performance as Annie, the kid at the center of this “thing”.
