Lights, Camera, Film Fest! http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com The official blog of the Newport Beach Film Festival. Join us – April 28th - May 5th, 2011 posterous.com Sat, 24 Apr 2010 11:28:00 -0700 NBFF Filmmaker's Five with Brooks Branch http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com/nbff-filmmakers-five-with-brook-branch http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com/nbff-filmmakers-five-with-brook-branch By Kelly Strodl

Multiple-sarcasms

Today I talked with Brooks Branch, director of MULTIPLE SARCASMS, a film about a successful architect who decides to become a playwright – to cope with his mid-life crisis, and finds he does some of his best writing on the john. Gabriel is a man who on the surface has it all-successful professional life, a beautiful wife, and a devoted young daughter. But slowly it dawns on him that he is not really happy. So, he decides that he wants to write a play about the sorry state of his life. He quits his job and starts writing. However, the struggle of composing the play becomes a catalyst in his life, pushing away those close to him and testing his resolve to complete the work that will ultimately change his life forever.

The film screens tonight as one of our Spotlights. 

Q:  How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?

A: From our PR Gang (MPRM) -- they spoke highly of festival and so we're excited.

Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.

A: It's a drama which the tone was inspired by quirky late 70's relationship dramas like An Unmarried Woman, Starting Over and other Hal Ashby and Woody Allen type films. This era of film had characters that seemed very real and relatable, but at the same time were in films that were at times imperfect and funny. In Multiple Sarcasms, the lead character, Gabriel (played by Timothy Hutton) is a man who's path to happiness is not cut and dry. Unlike other films, he does not have a cancer to point at for his unhappiness and so (like those of us in real life) has to work hard to figure out what the problem is in an otherwise seemingly happy life.    From the talented crew right through the amazing actors -- everyone was on the same page to try to bring the down-to-earth elements of this story to life.

Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.

A: I grew up a painter in the incongruous locale of Salt Lake City. Then became a graphic designer and ultimately Creative Director and went into publishing -- then I shifted into entertainment and ran a creative division of Paramount Pictures -- only to then leave and have my own branding company where I have strategically helped heads of most all the studios (as well as other highly visible companies) to produce, launch and leverage their brands and other projects.  While I have written many books, and other projects, Multiple Sarcasms is the first feature film that I have directed. Aside from my professional background, I have been seeing films since I was a little kid and so I'm a true lover of film -- which is my main credential in terms of making a film.

Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.)

A: I was lucky to work with amazing actors who shared a vision that I helped to set with the script.  Once they bought into that, then the rest was just a healthy collaboration. Casting is a long process and boring real life issues enter into it like finances and schedules, but at the core of the process is a chemical chain reaction that you have to both start, and know how to control. Set backs are part of that process and to be expected. And triumphs come in many shapes and require risk, so don't be afraid to try new things or to let the actors. Each actor has a unique set of gifts and also some insecurities... so try to figure out their specific language and then speak it as best you can.

Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?

A: Experience life enough to try and create more and more.
Oh, and watch other people's smash films.

MULTIPLE SARCASMS screens at 6 PM on Saturday, April 24 at the Edwards Island Theater 5.

Buy ticket here:

http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=256900

Watch the trailer for WE WERE FEARED here:

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1099933/IMG_0777.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36PsItgOJPm9 Kelly Strodl @kelly4nia Kelly Strodl
Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:30:00 -0700 NBFF Filmmaker's Five with Rob Stefaniuk http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com/nbff-filmmakers-five-with-rob-stefaniuk http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com/nbff-filmmakers-five-with-rob-stefaniuk

By Kelly Strodl

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How does one go about making a fun indie-rock-n-roll-vampire-spoof film? Mix in a hot chick, some misguided young men, loud music, lots of blood and body parts, a few cameos (Iggy Pop -clothed, Alice Cooper -weilding a knife, Moby - covered in blood, Malcolm McDowell - sporting an eyepatch, etc…), a quirky writer, and of course a vampire or two. That’s how writer/director of SUCK, Rob Stefaniuk went about composing this energetic romp through the world of vampirism and rock. In the film, a down and out band that will do anything for a record deal, including not ask questions when their bass player, Jennifer, disappears one night with a hip-looking guy who turns out to be a vampire. Suddenly, Jessica emerges with a sexually-charged charisma that drives the audiences wild, changing the bands humdrum image forever… 

Hear what Rob had to say about himself, the making of his new film, and what it’s like to work with Iggy:

Q:  How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?

A: I heard about it from a future version of myself. I said it went really really well. (actually my Producer told me about it, but he was dressed a lot like me)

Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.

A: SUCK took five years before someone was willing to make it. After a very slow start, the film suddenly became a "little film that could". We began with a million dollar budget and no stars, and thanks to a great team and a little luck, we ended up with a 3.5 million dollar film and some of the coolest people in rock (Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Henry, Alex, Moby etc). Sometimes it's better to wait. 

Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.

A: I began as an actor and had my first screenplay made when I was twenty three (The Size of Watermelons starring Paul Rudd). After that I produced, did some editing and directed some rock videos. I made my first short in 2004, followed by my first film PHIL THE ALIEN, a film about an alien that crashes in Northern Ontario and becomes an alcoholic. Then I went down to the crossroads and made a deal, which brings us to Suck.

Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.)

A: All of the actors came to the table ready rock. We have some very talented up and coming actors who put in extra rehearsal time and really delivered on the day. Biggest surprise...Iggy wore a shirt.

Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?

A: Get smashed and watch indie films.

SUCK screens at 8 PM on Friday, April 23 at the Edwards Island Theater 1, as part of the Friday Spotlights, and includes admission to a party after the film – with filmmakers, celebs and VIPs. Live DJ. Food prepared by some of OC’s top restaurants. OPEN BAR by Absolut and Stella Artois.

And at 9 PM on Monday, April 26 in Edwards Island 4.

Buy tickets here for Friday:

http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=256920

Buy tickets here for Monday:

http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=256921

Watch the trailer for SUCK here:

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1099933/IMG_0777.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36PsItgOJPm9 Kelly Strodl @kelly4nia Kelly Strodl
Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:10:00 -0700 NBFF Filmmaker's Five with Mark Claywell http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com/nbff-filmmakers-five-with-mark-claywell http://newportbeachfilmfest.posterous.com/nbff-filmmakers-five-with-mark-claywell By Kelly Strodl

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Today we talk with Mark Claywell, director of AMERICAN JIHADIST, a documentary that explores the life of Isa Abdullah Ali, an African-American Muslim from the ghettos of Washington, DC. Ali has been labeled a 'known terrorist' by the U.S. Defense Department, though he's never been charged with any crime. The film documents the spiritual coming of age of Ali – a young man, growing up without a father, searching for meaning amid the violence and racism of America's inner city - a young man who turned his personal quest for justice into an international struggle. He served for five years with the Amal militia as a sniper and street fighter, barely survived an assassination attempt in Beirut, and suffered post-traumatic stress and depression as his marriage of ten years unraveled. Later, he found himself on wanted posters throughout Bosnia, labeled a 'known terrorist' by the Pentagon. AMERICAN JIHADIST is Claywell’s first feature film project.

Q:  How did you hear about the Newport Beach Film Festival?

A: I heard of the Newport Beach festival through our film rep Circus Road films. They spoke highly of the festival while we were attending Slamdance 2010 and the vibe sounded exactly like something I wanted to be a part of. 

Q: Tell a little about the story of your film and the production of it.

A: We arrived in Lebanon just a few days after the Bush administration declared that anyone helping or aiding Hezbollah were considered enemy combatants and would feel the full brunt of the American military. This made an already tense situation even more so. This was early in 2007, just a few months after the war between Hezbollah and Israel. Everyone was on edge as we set off to interview several key players in Hezbollah and the Amal militias in and around Beirut. We plastered our production van with huge signs that said TV CREW. Don't shoot. Our fixer who arranged our interviews insisted that the entire country knew we were there but most were skeptical of our motivations. The subject of the film, Isa Abdullah Ali, is well known within the various Shia militias and several people said they were convinced we were part of a CIA hit team.  After a few days our fixer insisted we get Isa Ali out of the country. A few months after our shoot the fixer fled Lebanon after several death threats. He now lives in Detroit.  

 Q: Tell a little about yourself and your story in filmmaking.

A: I am a commercial TV director who is use to shooting advertising campaigns that are fairly well defined and controlled. AMERICAN JIHADIST was a complex story to tell. It had to be shot in many different countries including a couple that don't like Americans very much. Also, the subject of the film, Ali, has worked on many different sides. It was impossible to know who was telling the truth. Can you trust a "known terrorist?" How about the CIA? But the goal was to let the man tell his story without the filter of the Western news media.  We want the audience to make up their own mind where in the commercial world we are trying hard to influence the audience's opinion.

 Q: Your take on the performances of the lead actors, (set backs, triumphs, impressions, good surprises, etc.)

A: ISA Abdullah Ali was clearly not an actor but he had some well rehearsed sayings and stories that he would hide behind – short sound bites that he would use to avoid certain questions and answers. He is a very smart man who has spent years maneuvering through difficult situations. He would charm me one minute and intimidate the next. But the entire time we spent with him his main goal was to make the crew smile. Not what I expected from a man who has admittedly killed hundreds of people.     

Q: What do you do when not making a smash indie film?

A: Mostly I direct TV commercial campaigns and have shot all over the world. This is my first film and the difference between the two worlds are smaller than I ever imagined. When not working I spend as much time on the beach just outside of Savannah Georgia, with my two adorable children.

AMERICAN JIHADIST screens at 6 PM on Sunday, April 23 at the Edwards Island Theater 3.

Buy ticket here:

http://newportbeachfilmfest.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=256759

Watch the trailer for WE WERE FEARED here:

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1099933/IMG_0777.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36PsItgOJPm9 Kelly Strodl @kelly4nia Kelly Strodl