Bayou City Film News

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Frederick Marx("Hoop Dreams") will be in Houston this weekend holding a benefit screening of his newest film "Journey from Zanskar," featuring Richard Gere and The Dalai Lama. He is offering a special 50% discount to anyone who attends SWAMP's Doctoring Your Doc: Story Structure for Documentary workshop with Fernanda Rossi on Saturday (yes, we will let you leave class in time for the screening). SWAMP workshop attendees will be able to purchase tickets to the screening for $15 (regular price is $30pp). Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most sought-after documentary consultants in the country, Fernanda Rossi, AND meet one of the forerunners in documentary filmmaking, Frederick Marx... both right here in Houston! RSVP by May 28th, 2010 at Reservations@Warriorfilms.org

Incentives Program Safeguards in Place The Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA) is dedicated to the preservation and enrichment of the moving image industry in the State of Texas. Since our inception, TXMPA's primary goal has, and will continue to be, to generate jobs for Texans and create income for Texas. As such, we have been extremely vocal advocates for the Texas Moving Image Incentive Program as administered by the Office of the Governor. Since being signed into law on April 23, 2009, the current Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program has resulted in over half a billion dollars in Texas production spending and the creation of over 53,000 cast and crew jobs for Texans. All of this was accomplished with just a little over 50 million dollars in incentives. To date, the Moving Image Incentive Program is one of the most effective and successful job creation programs in the Lone Star State. During 2007 and again in 2009 it has enjoyed almost universal bipartisan suppo...

The Texas Motion Picture Alliance Auction Is Officially Open! Place Your Bid. Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you're sure to find something in our auction. Every bid helps support our cause. Tell Your Friends. The success of this online auction depends on spreading the word to as many people as possible. We need your help. Please Refer a Friend and encourage them to participate so they don't miss a single moment of the fun and excitement. Here's a list of some of the super-cool items up for bid RIGHT NOW! 2 Producers Badges to Austin Film Festival (value = $1300) 2 SXSW 2011 Film Badges (value = $950) 5 Day/4 Night Escape to Cancun (value = $1048) SWAMP Swag - 1 moviemaking camp, 1 film & video workshop, t-shirt, mug and more! (value = $350) Gibson Les Paul Studio Guitar (value = $1199) Houston - Dinner for 2 at Hotel Granduca (va...

Dear TXMPA Supporters, Walt Disney said it best when he said, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” For over 80 years, Texas has been one of the most wonderful places in the world to make films, but in order for that to continue for 80 more, we need people – we need you! We need each and every one of you who are supporters of the Texas film industry to attend your regional meetings and caucuses, participate in both the online fundraising auction and online elections for At-Large candidates, and attend and meet your fellow film supporters at the TXMPA's Annual Meeting in Dallas. So first things first: the Regional Meetings/Caucuses. Regional positions (and their respective Alternates) that are up for election this term include the following: Panhandle, Rio Grande, Southeast, and West. To be eligible to participate in the Regional Caucuses – which will be held between now and Sunday, June 6th...

Supers Short Films Inspired by Heroes Saturday, May 15, 7PM Location: Discovery Green Park, 1500 McKinney FREE Admission Caped crusaders, masked marvels, secret identities, guys in tights and a passion for helping those in need is what this screening is all about. Join us for an all ages screening looking at the super hero in film and video, past and present. Music performance by Houston's Two Star Symphony prior to the screening (film starts at 8PM). SLANT 10: Bold Asian American Images May 21 - May 23 SLANT turns 10! This annual Aurora program showcases an eclectic mix of the best short films and media performances made by emerging and mid-career Asian American artists. On Friday, May 21 the festival kicks off at Super Happy Fun Land with a screening of short films curated by Melissa Hung, the founding editor of Hyphen magazine. Artists featured include Greg Pak, J.P. Chan and many others. Then Saturday, May 22nd two performances will showcase the Neo-Benshi ...

This is a terrific, family-friendly movie, smartly directed by Texas-based director King Hollis, and beautifully photographed by venerable Texan-DP Chuck Hatcher. "Pearl" also features Texas actors Angela Gair and Andrew Sensenig who have lead roles as Pearl's parents, Lucy Carter and George Carter Sr. Starring Elijah De Jesus, the story of Pearl Carter Scott is one of Native American History, Aviation History, and an inspiring story of a strong, successful young woman. "Pearl" previews in 10 US markets beginning May 4. "Pearl" is rated as "Family Approved, suitable for all ages." by the Dove Foundation so bring the whole family! Be sure to visit the official website www.pearlthemovie.net and stop by our Facebook page- Pearl The Movie and give us a "like". Send us an email to pearlthemovie@yahoo.com so that we can keep you updated on this screening as well as other upcoming "Pearl" events. Sending an email does no...

HOLLYWOOD COMES TO HOUSTON! Meet with a panel of agents, managers, and casting directors to discuss how various markets work, news on travel and accommodations, current headshots, do's and dont's of the biz and MUCH MORE! STARRING RICKI MASLAR LA Casting Director, RGM Entertainment ANGELA STRANGE LA VP of Operations with Osbrink Agency PATRICK BACA, CSA LA Casting Director PAGE PARKES Page Parkes Corporation in Houston & Dallas PAUL TRUSIK Trusik Talent Management in LA BEN SCANTLIN President & Founder of Imagination 9 in Hollywood CINDI DAVIS-ANDRESS Pastorini-Bosby Talent in Houston Cost: WIFT Members $25 Non-Members $40, unless you join WIFT that night, an extreme discounted price of $75 (instead of the usual new member price of $120) then you will be given the member admission price! To RESERVE YOUR SEAT go to www.wift-houston.org where you will find a link to Paypal located just below the event calendar. Use the dropdown menu to choose your ticket then click the...

A solid understanding of story structure is as necessary to your documentary as a strong script is to a fiction film. With hands-on exercises, this full-day workshop for producers, directors, writers and editors can give you the guidelines you need to find solutions that are true to your documentary style. You will learn story development techniques learn story structure templates in an innovative and easy way identify common pitfalls that waste your time and money during production and post, and how to avoid them. analyze a film as practice for your own project analyze works-in-progress from the audience ABOUT FERNANDA ROSSI   Internationally renowned author, speaker and story consultant Fernanda Rossi has doctored over 300 documentaries, fiction scripts and fundraising trailers, among them the 2009 Academy Award® Nominated The Garden by Scott Hamilton Kennedy. Others include the 2007 Academy Award® Nominated Recycled Life by Leslie Iwerks and the theatrically-rele...

Dust off your cameras and round up your friends because it's that time of the year again. The 48 Hour Film Project is back for another fun-filled season of filmmaking frenzy. 48HFP hits Houston the weekend of June 4th - 6th, 2010. All films created this weekend will screen at Studio Movie Grill CityCentre on June 8th - 10th. This is Houston's 5th anniversary and to celebrate we're giving $500 to this year's best film thanks to Comserv USA. Additionally, we gave you an extra 5 days of early registration and everyone who registered in the first 10 days of registration will be receiving a free Houston 48HFP DVD. Early registration: $135/team (starts April 6th) Regular registration: $155/team (starts May 10th)

Join us on Thursday May 6th when NALIP Houston presents a hysterical evening with native Houstonian, NALIP member and award-winning Screenwriter/Animator/Filmmaker Yehudi Mercado IN ATTENDANCE!. From the sweet Separate Vacations to the true tale of Porn Editor (for Mature Audiences!) to his award-winning screenplay Buffalo Speedway, it'll be a wild ride of an evening getting to know Yehudi. 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! Please arrive early, screening begins promptly at 8:00PMish. *Select DVD and Buffalo Speedway Graphic Novel will be available. Official Link/Trailer: http://www.houstonfilmcommission.com/firstthursdays/