Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Latest Video and more..



Anyway, its been an extremely busy week here at El Roberto, as we are working on a number of projects. We hope to have some more new videos posted over the next week. Stay tuned for more.

Random Film News:
Judd Apatow Developing New Pee-wee Herman Movie??? Yes apparently its true.

Video: The Making of a DIY Film

Monday, June 28, 2010

Winters Bone

Winner of the Sundance Film Festivals Grand Jury Prize, Winters Bone is being hailed as one the years best films. We are looking forward to seeing this film.


ShortsLab:L.A.

Presented by Sundance Institute

Sundance Institute invites you to participate in ShortsLab: L.A., a three-part, all-day educational workshop to offer filmmakers first-hand insight and access into the world of story development, production, and exhibition of short films. The focus of the day will primarily be on short narrative (fiction) films.

Story Development (9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.): Acclaimed filmmakers share their experiences working with short-form during their careers. These tales from the trenches will focus on conceptualization and script development.

Production (1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.): Industry professionals and special guests speak to the many challenges filmmakers face during production, including budgeting, working with unions, music rights, financing, and much more.

Exhibition (3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.): An eclectic mix of speakers— including festival programmers, agents, managers, distributers, and more— share their advice on how to handle a completed film.

Cocktail Mixer and Screening (5:30 p.m.): ShortsLab caps off with an informal gathering followed by a 7:30 p.m. screening of award winning short films from the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

Feedback: If you participate in ShortsLab: L.A. and submit your short film to the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, a Festival programmer will call you post-Festival to offer individual feedback on your film.

A list of guests will be announced shortly, so please check back for updates. For more information about ShortsLab: L.A., please call us at 310-360-1981 or email todd_luoto@sundance.org.

Purchase Tickets – $150

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Its Sunday Night

and we are both busy working on projects. (No complaints). A is working on the latest Citybeat video and C is working on a screenplay. We will have the new video up soon for your viewing pleasure.

The American by Anton Corbijn looks pretty good to me...what do you think?

DIY Filmmaking Tip: The Scriptwriting and Storyboarding Software Buyer's Guide
Checkout this article on Videomaker Magazine, it will give you the rundown of what you need to get started writing your screenplay.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Jonah Hex Review

isnt as bad as the reviews say. Matter of fact, its an entertaining film. If you can get over the digital softening of Megan Foxes face during close-up shots, then there is not much else to complain about. Basically the film is as close to a psychedelic western (heard it here first) remake of the 60s TV show Wild Wild West as hollywood is willing to make. (Please ignore the Will Smith remake). And yes its a just a popcorn flick without any deep meaning, but honestly sometimes that's exactly what a viewer is looking for. Anyway definitely go see it while its in the theaters or when its on video.

Friday, June 25, 2010

European Flicks Invade America....

and we are better off because of it...
Valhalla Rising, finally gets its American Theatrical release this summer after being released in Europe in 2009. Check out the trailer:

And the much anticipated sequel to the wonderful The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire is out:

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Robert Rodriguez Presents....


Am I the only one who thinks this looks awful???

In Film News:
Oscilloscope Laboratories announced today that it has acquired North American rights to Richard Shepard's (THE MATADOR, Emmy® Award-Winning director of Ugly Betty pilot) documentary I KNEW IT WAS YOU, which explores the life of the exceptional but little-known actor John Cazale. The film premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and aired on HBO June 1, 2010. The film was produced by Brett Ratner and Stacey Reiss. O-Scope will release the DVD in the fall of 2010.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

South of the Border...

No stranger to controversy, Oliver Stone is now heading South of the Border in his latest project, a documentary about Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. Watch the film and you decide.
Interested in learning more, checkout The Revolution Will Not Be Televised on Youtube.

Death Race 2000 on DVD!?!?- That's right kids....the Roger Coreman dystopian car race flick is out on DVD this week..(1st, 2nd release...who knows) read more here.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

New DVD Releases

Its Tuesday and several new DVD/album releases are hitting the shelves. Red Desert (Criterion Collection), Michelangelo Antonioni's "1960s panoramas of contemporary alienation were decade-defining artistic events, and RED DESERT, his first color film, remains one of his greatest. This provocative look at the spiritual desolation of the technological age--about a disaffected woman, brilliantly portrayed by Antonioni muse Monica Vitti (L'avventura), wandering through a bleak industrial landscape beset by power plants and environmental toxins, and tentatively flirting with her husband's coworker, played by Richard Harris (This Sporting Life)--continues to exert force over viewers. With one startling, painterly composition after another--of abandoned fishing cottages, electrical towers, overwhelming docked ships--RED DESERT creates a nearly apocalyptic image of its time, and confirms Antonioni as cinema's preeminent poet of the modern age." Antonioni's work is brilliant and if you are a student of film or just a film buff, his work is definitely worth checking out.



Close-Up, directed by Abbas Kiarostami, "completely buries the defining line between documentary and drama. It’s a subversive piece of meta filmmaking that comments on the value of art and cinema through the trial of one overzealous man whose desire to live vicariously through the films — and filmmaker’s — he loves drove him to deception."
Sounds pretty awesome right??? Go see these films now...

Monday, June 21, 2010

Monday Sucks

Red Dawn Redux??? Think again!!! This "original" film is based on a novel by John Marsden, and is basically the same movie....who cares that the American Red Dawn Retread has been put on hiatus.


DIY FILM TIP: Blow your actor in Half!!!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

New Movies and More....

Centurion "is set during the war between Roman soldiers and Pict tribesmen during the 2nd century Roman conquest of Britain. Michael Fassbender stars as Quintus Dias, Roman centurion and son of a legendary gladiator who leads a group of soldiers on a raid of a Pict camp to rescue a captured general (Dominic West). The son of the Pict leader is murdered during the raid, and the Romans find themselves hunted by a seemingly unstoppable group of the Pict’s most vicious and skilled warriors, led by a beautiful and deadly tracker (Olga Kurylenko), and hell bent on revenge.” We are guessing that this will be pretty awesome.....

Here is the behind the scenes teaser.

Coming soon from the folks at Oscilloscope the documentary WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS: A MAN WITHIN.
The film "Features never-before-seen archival footage of Burroughs, as well as exclusive interviews with colleagues and confidants including John Waters, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Gus Van Sant, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Sonic Youth, Laurie Anderson, Amiri Baraka, Jello Biafra, and David Cronenberg, WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS.." This should be interesting.


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Saturday night....

Neill Blomkamp to Direct The Hobbit? Well according to an article on Film Junk, District 9 director Neill Blomkamp has been selected as Del Toro’s successor for The Hobbit. Read more here.

Now this looks pretty awesome. Based on what Ronald Reagan called “one of the most important espionage cases of the 20th century.” Farewell by Christian Carion is in select theaters this July.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Creating a Cinematic Look with Video

Now there are several ways to create a "cinematic" look with video. You could shoot in 24p, you could download a variety of plugins from the internet, you could use a 35mm adapter, use some camera filters, or you could follow one of these tutorials:

Filters by Tiffen for a film look with a DV camcorder

35mm Adapter

With After Effects

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Upcoming Film Festival Submission Deadlines & more!

The Portland International Film Festival is a showcase of the very best in contemporary world cinema. Established in 1977, the festival runs for two weeks in February and screens approximately 125 films each year from all corners of the globe.

This non-competitive festival focuses primarily on work from outside the United States but American features, documentaries, and shorts are included. The intent is to reveal and celebrate the diversity of cinema. We welcome the world's filmmakers and those who love film no matter the language spoken.

The Portland International Film Festival accepts submissions from the beginning of March through the end of November.

The Slamdance Film Festival is a year round organization dedicated to new filmmakers and their vision.

Started in 1995 by a group of writer/director/ producers, Slamdance continues to be organized and programmed by active filmmakers. Now in its tenth year as a festival that runs simultaneous to the Sundance Film Festival, Slamdance has established a unique reputation for premiering independent films by first-time directors working with limited budgets.

As a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent and is dedicated to the nurturing and development of new independent artists and their cinematic vision. For the 2010 Festival, Slamdance received a record number of over 5,000 submissions. Slamdance lives by its mantra: "By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers." No other festival is fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance counts among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the festival, including Christopher Nolan, Marc Forster and Jared Hess. Oren Peli’s PARANORMAL ACTIVITY originally acquired from Slamdance went onto to gross over $100 million at the Box Office. New filmmakers and writers today realize Slamdance is a great place to launch their careers. Submission deadline AUGUST 13, 2010.

DIY FILM TIP: Creating Explosions in After Effects

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

How to create a Time Lapse Video

The easy way with Gawker and the not so easy way with Evo Cam.
Creating a time lapse with After Effects.

Time Lapse Video Using After Effects from ziad chatila on Vimeo.


Creating a time lapse video with still images using Quicktime.

Or the tried and true version of just capturing some video normal speed and adjusting the speed in imovie or whatever editing program you use to 800% or more.

Monday, June 14, 2010

DIY Filmmaking Projects Tutorials

Tonight we are focusing on low budget production tips. Whatever your budget, these tips will help you add production value to your project....well hopefully, we can't promise anything.

Build Your Own Low Budget Green Screen from winston varn on Vimeo.

To build a "poor mans" steady cam that kinda works... Click no further!. Although a bit shaky, the video example is below:

My Homemade 18 Dollar Steadycam from winston varn on Vimeo.

Ever wanted to build a ghetto water proof container for your camera??? Watch the video below.

Here are a few more DIY film projects for you to checkout...
Learn to build a camera jib here. For creating fog click here. Learn to build a Cheap boom pole!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Indiana Jones 5 News

According to sources, Indy 5 is on track to begin shooting next year and will take place in the Bermuda Triangle? Read more here. Regardless, we feel a bit mixed on the subject...hopefully there won't be any CGI monkeys in this one....

DIY FILM TIP:DIY Cable-Cam!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Michael Bay...

finally says what everyone already knew...that his film Transformers 2 sucked. Is anyone surprised??

The Los Angeles Film Festival is coming soon! The festival runs from June 17th - 27 and definitely worth checking out.

Clash of the Titans' sequel in the works, read more here.

Oscilloscope to distribute Burroughs documentary.

DIY FILM TIP: 35mm Pin Hole Camera!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Weekend is almost here!!!

and here are some good upcoming films:

Herzog and Lynch?!?! Its a cinematic nightmare come true....and yes it is true.
Their collaboration is titled MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE DONE,


Winner of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for a Documentary, RESTREPO.


From director Michael Winterbotton comes THE KILLER INSIDE ME.


And In case you haven't seen it, click here to see our latest video.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Latest Video and more...

Sorry for not posting last night but we were busy covering the Primary Election festivities late last night for Citybeat. Below is a video overview of the evenings festivities.

I was surfing the internets today and stumbled upon Davidlynch.com. The acclaimed director provides everything on his site to daily video weather reports from his digs in LA to selling coffee and mousepads. Its an interesting site that is definitely worth your perusal....

Film Tips:
How to make your video look like film

UPCOMING FILM FESTIVAL:
The Action on Film International Film Festival
June 17, 2010 - Late Deadline
Upgraded projects save $5 on this deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The Action on Film International Film Festival aims to promote artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community, filmmakers, and individuals who pursue careers in front of the camera.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
AOF FEST has proudly hosted the premieres of a multitude of films that have gone on to much success, including Kim Coates' KING OF SORROW, Stan Harrington's BRED IN THE BONE, and Ron Perlman's ACTS OF VIOLENCE, among many others. The screenplay for the $20 million star-studded film STRENGTH AND HONOUR received early recognition by AOF FEST; writer Mark Mahon gushes, "Winning at AOF made the difference in me pursuing my dreams as a filmmaker."

Monday, June 07, 2010

Vimeo Festival!!!

Vimeo is having is very own film festival with multiple video format categories. According to the site:

THE VIMEO AWARDS HONORS
THE BEST IN ONLINE VIDEO
It's time to celebrate the individuals behind this outstanding work.

At Vimeo, we have front-row seats to some of the most ground-breaking films and videos being produced today. It's time to recognize the people pushing the boundaries of creative video online. The Vimeo Awards celebrates the innovative creators who choose the internet to share their work with the world.

This being the first year of the Awards, we wanted to go all out. That's why we have awesome judges to judge your work in a variety of categories and a jam packed 2 day festival to let everyone join in on the fun.

The Awards are open to everyone. If your video debuted on any online platform, we want to see it, just make sure you are eligible for one of our great awards.

The Best Video Award will be selected by a group of judges from multiple categories and the Vimeo Awards staff. This award will be selected from top finalists in each category. Winner will receive a $25,000 grant to produce new work.

This all sounds pretty awesome to us. Now...we have to finally dedicate some time to produce a video for this. Stay tuned...

Film Tip of the day: Chroma Key Tutorial


No reason why we are posting this besides the fact that its awesome....check it out.

8 bit from Rui Jorge on Vimeo.

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Pushing the Limits....

Early this year...or was it late last year...doesn't matter but I finally saw The Limits of Control by Jim Jarmusch. And I've been thinking Jarmusch's existential exercise ever since.. As it describes on The Jim Jarmusch Resource Page, "The Limits of Control is the story of a mysterious loner, a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. His journey, paradoxically both intently focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain but also through his own consciousness."...and further Jarmusch talks about key influences for the film:
"What would it be like if Jacques Rivette remade John Boorman's masterpiece "Point Blank"? Or what if Marguerite Duras remade Jean-Pierre Melville's "Le Samourai"? Michelangelo Antonioni looms large in my subconscious so he's probably there, but I wasn't thinking about him beforehand. I was obliquely thinking of Euro crime films from the 1970s and 1980s, like some of Francesco Rosi's work. These impressionistic inspirations floated through my head, in terms of finding a style rather than imitating these movies." We talk about a lot of films here on our blog, but few have left a left impression quite like the Limits of Control. Everything from the brilliant soundtrack to the beautifully bleak landscapes used in the film add to the surrealist atmosphere of the film. If you are a student of film and enjoy interpreting its language, look no further.

For more, read his interview on IFC.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Friday night flicks...

With all of the garbage coming out in theaters this weekend, there is one film that stands out from the rest of the heap....Micmacs (Micmacs a tire-larigot) directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet....yes the guy directed Amelie and City of Lost Children, has created another original film about a man who is seeking revenge against the arms manufacturers who killed his father and left him with a bullet in the head...So you know its going to be quirky, visually amazing, and very entertaining....all of the necessary ingredients to make it worth checking out.


DIY FILM TIP: How to create a film look in After Effects.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

35MM Adapters DIY How- To

35MM Adapter DIY How- To



Here is another video....

Upcoming film news....
Checkout Vengeance on Ifc Films site or the trailer on Youtube. It looks very similar to Harry Brown but I can tell it will be entertaining....

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Shorts

Checkout these cool short films....

South Bank HD from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.


and a very cool 8mm test film...

8mm from chief on Vimeo.

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Its only Tuesday....

Yes, its only Tuesday and we are counting down the seconds until the weekend. But for now, checkout this cool short video:

MY DESK IS 8-BIT from alex varanese on Vimeo.


With the passing of Dennis Hopper, I found this interesting article on actors who became re-animated after their deaths.

Film Festival news:

The Mill Valley Film Festival

UPCOMING DEADLINE
June 15, 2010 - Late Deadline
Upgraded projects save $5 on this deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
Known as a filmmaker's festival, the Mill Valley Film Festival offers a high-profile, prestigious, non-competitive environment perfect for celebrating the best in independent and world cinema.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Networking opportunities abound for visiting filmmakers, who are given accreditation privileges plus invitations to Opening and Closing Night Galas, events and a series of top-notch panels well stocked with serious film experts. The intimate and friendly atmosphere of this non-competitive, filmmaker-centric festival makes it a supportive environment for connecting with film peers and professionals.

One of the Festival's main screening locations, the Smith Rafael Film Center, is owned and operated by the California Film Institute, the non-profit arts organization that also produces MVFF. This theatre was restored in 1999 to its Art Deco splendor, complete with modern comfort and state-of-the-art technical facilities, including dual 35mm projectors as well as digital projection and sound. Some films shown at the MVFF, even without a distributor, have received theatrical runs at the Rafael.

Find out why Moviemaker Magazine ranks MVFF "among the premier non-competitive fests for distribution-seeking moviemakers." Submit your film to the Mill Valley Film Festival today!