Bayou City Film News

FILMMAKING... TEXAS STYLE! Tuesday, January 27, 2009 6:30 - 8:30PM SWAMP Office 1519 West Main Houston, TX 77006 RSVP by calling 713-522-8592 x 2 or email us at swamp@swamp.org . Cost: FREE to the public (donations appreciated for food and beverage) ABOUT THE TEXAS FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE (From the Houston Film Commission website) The Texas Filmmaker's Showcase is a special screening event consisting of the best of Texas short films and videos under 45 minutes in length, presented to studio executives, agents and producers in the Hollywood film community. The filmmakers whose projects are selected to participate will be flown from Texas to Los Angeles and provided with an evening's accomodation and transportation to and from the screening. The screening is accompanied by a reception where filmmakers and industry professionals can visit with each other to discuss filmmaking , financing, distribution and other aspects of the movie business. Come hear Houston Film Commission Depu...

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Houston actor, producer and SWAMP member J.D. Hawkins this morning.Born in Chicago and living in Houston for most of his career, J.D. has become a respected actor working with renowned theatres like The Alley Theatre, Stages Repertory Theatre, The Ensemble Theatre and Houston Shakespeare Festival. He's shown incredible versatility performing in plays from Shakespeare to August Wilson. Some of the plays include "Joe Turner's Come and Gone", "A Soldier's Play", "Harvey", and "Othello". J.D. has also work shopped at the Guthrie Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and with Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. He has worked with Woody King, founder of the New Federal Theatre in New York City. In addition to his stage work, he has done several industrials, seven national commercials and co starred in the UPN movie "Hell Swarm" directed by Tim Matheson, appeared in "Friday Night Light...

In response to hundreds of emails and phone calls, we are delighted to announce our traditional Final "Brick Wall" Deadline for the 42nd Annual WorldFest-Houston Film & Video Remi Awards Competition. Be part of the 3rd oldest International Film Festival in North America. Enter the festival that gave first awards to Spielberg, Lucas, David Lynch, Ang Lee, Ridley Scott and The Coen Brothers! We have extended our final Entry Deadline to January 31, 2009. Your entry must reach us by then. We offer competition for the coveted Remi award in 12 major categories; Features, Shorts, Docs, TV Production, Music Videos, Student, Screenplays, TV Commercials, Business Films, Experimental, Film & Video Production, & New Media. It is quick and easy to enter WorldFest... Be Part of the 42nd Annual WorldFest! April 17-26, 2009

I'd like to bring your attention to the MFAH's next Movies Houstonians Love at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 26, which features UH president Renu Khator presenting her favorite film, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, which is about two strangers traveling on a short bus journey. One is a traditional, married South Indian Brahmin, and the other is a suave, single wildlife photographer and a Muslim. When calamity strikes in the form of a communal riot, the two continue traveling as a "married couple," and the pair develops an unexpected friendship. Please see the attached fact sheet for more information. We hope you will consider coverage. Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like images, etc. My best, Dana Dana Mattice Associate Publicist Museum of Fine Arts, Houston P.O. Box 6826, Houston, TX 77265 713-639-7516

WANT TO BUILD YOUR ACTOR'S REEL? ARE YOU SERIOUS ABOUT PURSUING A CAREER IN FILM? YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO TAKE THIS CLASS! The Houston Academy is offering an intensive film class for the committed actor. A hands on program with professional training dedicated to developing films. Learn the technical language of film and walk away with a body of work on film! You will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with Mr. Humberto Jaime who has written and directed for television. He has more than 12 years experience in the film industry and is dedicated to his craft. For more information on Mr. Jaime please check out his bio on our website. HADA Immerse yourself in the world of film while studying at the Houston Academy of Dramatic Arts. We are providing you the opportunity for practical experience in film from the prospective of the director and the director of photography. Classes are taught in Scene Study format, using real film and television scripts. Students are filmed ...

Tuesday, January 20th in Austin Presidential Inaugural Gala On January 20th, there will be a Texas Presidential Inaugural Celebration/Gala in Austin. This gala event is only $80. It will be held at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel overlooking Lady Bird Lake and the Texas Capital, starting at 6:30 and ending at midnight. The Four Seasons is offering a special discounted room rate of $150 for the evening, but you must purchase a ticket to receive this special rate. There will be dinner, dancing and live music. The Mistress of Ceremonies will be Judy Maggio, anchor CBS KEYE-TV, Channel 41. Maggio has covered three presidential inaugurations.People of all Stripes are welcome! The organizers have pledged to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Texas Motion Picture Alliance. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to: www.texaspresidentialcelebration.com

Supporting Independent Film In Texas Since 1977! Wednesday, January 14, 2009 (TONIGHT!) 6:30PM - 8PM Ernie's On Banks 1010 Banks St., Houston, TX This event is free. RSVP by calling 713-522-8592 x 2 or email us at swamp@swamp.org . Join SWAMP for the premiere of season 32 of THE TERRITORY, the longest running public television showcase of independent film/video in the country.This season, THE TERRITORY will bring some of the best short films from around the globe into livingrooms across Texas. You can get a sneak peek! Don't miss the fun! Cash bar. Light snacks provided.THE TERRITORY airs Thursday nights at 10:30pm on HoustonPBS beginning January 15, 2009. Become a fan of THE TERRITORY on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-TERRITORY/37434084211?ref=mf )

Hi Friends & Filmmakers, Please join us for the first first Thursdays @ Dean's 2009! The line up is a hand-picked selection from past entries from the Showcase video vault. As usual there will be something for everyone and you won't be disappointed! The first Thursdays short film evening is always a great networking opportunity or simply a chance to get together with or meet new filmmakers and creative people. This FREE evening is not to be missed because you won't get to see these film anywhere else! Screening begins at 8:30PMish. In 2009 we look forward to having more Q&A screenings with visiting and local filmmakers so please bookmark the following link and check it from time to time: http://www.houstonfilmcommission.com/firstthursdays I hope all is well and to see you tomorrow and every first mailto:Thursdays@Dean ! Happy New Year, Alfred Bonus: Use less ink this year! http://www.ecofont.eu/ecofont_en.html -- Alfred Cervantes Deputy Director Houston Film Commis...

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA AND WANT TO TURN IT INTO A MOVIE? LEARN HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END! FIND THE STORY, BUILD THE CHARACTER AND SHAPE THE VISUAL! HOUSTON ACADEMY HAS THE CLASS FOR YOU!!! In the Film Industry, Screenwriters are as important as directors. Successful screenwriting takes training, discipline and perseverance. Are you ready to get started? Students will develop THEIR idea into a comprehensive short film in 12 weeks. Training is the key to superior screenwriting. Students will have to adhere to a daily ritual of writing and learning. You will be able to make tremendous strides!! The art of screenwriting is complex and unlike any other form of writing. As a student you will understand and articulate the visual blueprint and translate it on to the page. It takes practice! It takes training! You will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with Mr. Humberto Jaime who was trained as a writer at the University of Houston and a film maker at NYU...