Save the Date!

“Machinations” will be showing as part of a special screening of locally-produced entries in the National Film Challenge on January 13 at the Arlington Cinema ’n’ Drafthouse. And frankly, I don’t think we could have asked for a better venue. Dinner, drinks, and movies. Tickets will be only $5 — and remember, you’ll be supporting us in the process: Revenue will be split according to which movie you’re there to support. So it’s vital not only that you come out and enjoy yourself, but that you tell all your friends and neighbors about it.

We’ll have more details as the date draws closer, but for now, be sure to write it in on your calendars. In ink — none of this “pencil” crap.

New Viewing Options

After seeing the sheer number of NFC films that are available via third-party distribution sites, we’ve gone ahead and joined the pack. We have finished uploading our entire film catalog to both YouTube and MySpace; not only does this expand our potential audience, but it also provides viewers with a chance to rate our films and provide feedback (something we really haven’t had time to build into this site).

So head over to those sites (via the preceding links), watch the films, and let us know what you think! And while you’re at it, go ahead and subscribe to our films at YouTube (and make us your friend), and add us as a friend and make us one of your favorites at MySpace!

It’s all about promotion...

NFC Finalists Announced

I have to confess that I didn't expect to be writing this, but “Machinations” did not make the cut of the top 15 films in this year’s National Film Challenge. What this means is that — while we are still eligible for individual awards (cinematography, best in genre, editing, acting, etc.) — we are out of the running for the Best Film and Audience Favorite awards. In other disappointing news, it also appears that voting for the Audience Awards (i.e., the posting of the eligible films on the NFC site) will now not occur until December 22, and the full slate of awards will not be announced until the Filmapalooza event, March 8-11 of next year. (Talk about dragging out the timeline...)

I do have to say that I’m still extremely proud of what we all accomplished, and am continuing to submit this and other films in our catalog to appropriate festivals, as well as exploring other distribution and promotion avenues. We are still planning to have a screening of locally produced films in the contest, and will let everyone know when we have the details locked up. And we are also planning to produce at least one non-competition film in the immediate future.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us to date, and I look forward to our next opportunity to work together!

For the record, here's the list of the top 15 films (and, where possible, a link to where they can be viewed online):

“Yukai” — Austin Militia, Austin, TX (Horror)
“The Silence” — Brain Child, Nashville, TN (Silent Film)
“Foxxy Madonna vs. The Black Death” — Cinephreak Pictures, Indianapolis, IN (Spy)
“The Make-Up of a Man” — Drop Deuce, Philadelphia, PA (Comedy)
“Ashes to Ashes” — The Hi-Def Chefs, Minneapolis, MN (Holiday Film)
“Rub Out” — The Isotopes, Los Angeles, CA (Drama)
“The Exorsister” — Minefield Entertainment, Chicago, IL (Mockumentary)
“Aw, Crap! It’s a Musical?” — Precision Post, Los Angeles, CA (Musical or Western)
“All I Wanted Was A Beer” — PunchBelly, Valley Village, CA (Musical or Western)
“All Sales Final” — Team CPR, Eugene, OR (Comedy)
“Decision 2006” — Team Midas, Albany, NY (Mockumentary)
“Everyday” — We Don’t Know Yet Productions, Philadelphia, PA (Holiday Film)
“It Happened In Your Neighborhood” — Weary Films, Little Rock, AR (Silent Film)
“Showdown at Root Canal” — What’s In A Name Studios, St. Louis, MO (Musical or Western)
“Dante’s Massage” — Year of the Rooster, Sherman Oaks, CA (Horror)

Photos from DC Shorts

This is a little late, but I thought a few people might be interested in some photos from this summer’s DC Shorts festival, from the opening night party at Drinx, to the screening Q&A sessions, to the closing brunch at Clyde’s.

Photos by Tom Kochel: http://www.gannagency.com/dcshorts/gallery/kochel.shtml
(Featuring Tohubohu contributors Bill Coughlan, Nello DeBlasio, Arvi Gowda, Brian Grundstrom, Karen Hutchinson, Bjorn Munson, and Emily Skelton. Not to mention a whole bunch of other filmmakers, as well as DC Shorts organizer Jon Gann and “Close Quarters” character inspiration Tim Tate, gay glass sculptor extraordinaire.)

Photos by Moshe Zusman: http://www.gannagency.com/dcshorts/gallery/zusman.shtml
(Featuring Tohubohu contributors Bill Coughlan, Nello DeBlasio, Bjorn Munson, and Emily Skelton. Again, among others.)

Photos by Mia Faith: http://www.gannagency.com/dcshorts/gallery/faith.shtml
(Featuring Tohubohu contributors Nello DeBlasio, Arvi Gowda, Brian Grundstrom, Bjorn Munson and Emily Skelton. Et al.)

Now We’re Official

Well, one of our films is anyway. All of the production details (cast, crew, company info, etc.) are still pending, but “Quite Contrary” now has an official entry at the Internet Movie Database. So while you’re thinking about it, everyone head over and cast your vote for it (rating it highly, of course). And add your comments, if you like. Let’s start the buzz on this one!

With any luck, all of the supplemental info will be addded soon, and we’ll have a chance to add things like an official one-sheet poster. Speaking of which, anyone want to take a stab at designing a decent one? All we’ve got right now is a pretty basic black with the title and a still shot from the film...

(In fact, that request goes for any of the films in our catalog.)

Edit: Looks like Tohubohu has its own entry as well, though it’s not much more than a placeholder at the moment.

Georgetown/Adams Morgan Screening and NFC News

Well, as much as we were looking forward to the Georgetown/Adams Morgan festival, I do have to say I was a little disappointed. The audience for our screenings was... somewhat smaller than I’d expected. As in absolutely nonexistent. Well, not including me, Brian, the people running the show, and a couple of people who meandered in. I did get a chance to meet and chat with organizer Eric Sommer, and saw a really interesting ukelele-rapper, and a couple of interesting films, so it wasn’t a total loss. But really not what I’d hoped for.

In other news, the current schedule has the first round of judging for the National Film Challenge wrapping up on November 30th, with the announcement of the first-round selections shortly thereafter. Just thought people would want to know.

Slight Schedule Change

For the Georgetown/Adams Morgan Film & Music Festival showings this Friday, “Quite Contrary” will still be screening as part of the 1:30 Film Block (now dubbed the “Bazooka” block), but the start time for the “Machinations” screening (now called the “Dada” block) has been pushed back to 4:30 p.m.

Everyone make sure to adjust your calendars!