Thursday, January 26, 2012

Slamdance - Day 6

Wednesday Day 6
The middle of the week is pretty slow in Park City. The weekend crowds from both Slamdance and Sundance have left. Main Street seems deserted. You can actually stand in the center of it and take pictures. Yes, the glitz might be gone, but now we are stuck with the hard core indie film makers.
The Five Flavors of Filmmaking Panasonic Competition is nearing the end.
Today our fifth and final filmmaker, Griffin Davis of Green Stoplight Productions has been assigned the flavor "Wild Cheery". I can't tell you what he is filming, but he mentioned something about a hot tub filled with Cherries. Since they are the last group, and the screenings are tomorrow, they will have a long hard night of editing in front of them. Griffin's co-hort, Andrew Edison is the director of film in competition at the festival entitled "Bindlestiffs".

Something I find really interesting is that last year, I had to train almost all the filmmaker's on the AF-100, afterall it was new. This year, every group in the competition had either shot with the camera, or someone on the crew had. Ah, success.
Anyway, the competition was a blast. It is always fun to meet filmmakers who are up to the challenge of taking a camera for 8-9 hours and then edit a 1 minute film, in an extremely short period of time. They are passionate, and of course, each wants to win the camera. Good luck to them all. We will announce the lucky winner tomorrow nite at the awards ceremony.

I am usually so busy that I don't get a chance to see many of the films in the festival but I saw one yesterday that was really good. "Wild in the Streets" was directed by Peter Baxter, the President/co-founder of Slamdance and still a working filmmaker (see here talking to other filmmakers in the hallway). It tells the story of "the Garden of Eden of Football" as Peter said in his opening comments. It is all about Ashbourne, England and the game of Shovetide Football. It is over 1000 years old and about the only rule is under no circumstance will manslaughter be tolerated. It is historical, humorous and it keeps you on the edge of your seat during the final matches. Watch out for it and make sure to see it.
Well done, Peter.
It has been another great Slamdance. I am proud of the role that Panasonic plays in being a sponsor of the festival and the Competition, and once again, I am happy to be part of it.
More to come. As Always,
The Slamdanced Road Warrior
FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM and P2 products. (Like the featured AF-100, here at Slamdance) However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. (So, don't blame anyone, but me)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Slamdance 2012 - Day 5


Tuesday Day 5
"Windshield Wiper Salute to Stan Lee"
I don't know, having lived in LA and now TN, I still find it funny to walk out to the car and see the windshield wiper salute. (Guess people do this to make sure that the wipers are frozen solid in the morning). I took it as a salute to Stan Lee.
Yes, Stan Lee is at Slamdance.
We had coffee with Stan this morning and this afternoon the film "With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story" was screened to great excitement.
The Five Flavors of Filmmaking Panasonic Competition is in full swing.
Today our fourth filmmaker, Natalie Neal has been assigned the flavor "Raspberry". I can't tell you what she is filming, but hey, she was way excited and said they were shooting on location in Provo, UT. Natalie has a film in competition at the festival entitled "Rose and Sophia".
One more day, one more filmmaker and then we get to sample the five flavors. I can't wait.
Oh, and in case anyone is wondering catching a major head and chest cold at 7000 feet is no fun.
Sniffle,
The Suffering Road Warrior
More to Come. As Always
FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM and P2 products. (Please wash your hands often, if you touch my cameras now.) However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. (Ah, ah, choo. Opps sorry, better wipe off your screen)

Slamdance 2012 - Day 4

Monday Day 4
Yes, it is cold in Park City, UT, but things were HOT at Slamdance today.
Our third filmmakers in the Five Flavors of Filmmaking Competition, D. Jesse Damazo and Joe Bookman have been assigned the flavor "Orange". They have a film in competition at the festival entitled "The Agony and Sweat of the Human Spirit".
The first two filmmakers reported no problems with the AF-100 camera at all and they loved shooting with it.

In the late afternoon, I set up a table right in front of the filmmaker's lounge (always makes sense to be near the bar), to show off and let the filmmakers touch and play with the AF-100 and the new Z10000 3D camcorder. Here you can see me holding a tricked out AF-100. Lots of interest in the cameras and I got to make a lot of new friends.
Later that evening, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, "Holiday Road" had it's world premiere.
Last year's winners of the Panasonic competition, invited a bunch of other directors to help them shoot an omnibus film on the months of the year and the holidays they contain. It was all shot on the winning AF-100 camera. I think that is awesome!
More to come, as always.

The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM and P2 products. (Eat your hearts out) However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. (In case you didn't notice)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Slamdance 2012 - Day 3


Sunday Day 3
One thing you have to say for Park City, they know how to handle snow. Yes, we got a lot of it yesterday and last nite it snowed and the wind howled most of the night. But by mid day today, the sun had come out, the roads were clear and it was business as usual at Slamdance.
The hottest and coolest spot to be every morning is the Filmmaker's Breakfast. Slamdance has great coffee.

Our second filmmaker in the Five Flavors of Filmmaking Competition, Kieran Dick has been assigned the flavor "Pineapple". It will be interesting to see what he does with that. He has a film in competition at the festival entitled "no relation"

The big event for me was Coffee with Neil Young and Jonathan Demme. People started lining up pretty early for this event.
Unfortunately, there are no pix of that actual event here on the blog. Slamdance said that Neil and Jonathan had requested no pictures. But, Slamdance TV was there shooting this time with two Panasonic AF-100's (I loaned them one of mine), so I am sure you can check out the conversation (or at least part of it) at: Slamdance.com when they post it.
What a great 2 hours. Both men are quite passionate about what they do and the respect that they have for each other is quite obvious. They talked a lot about the new movie Neil Young Journeys, of course. But then the conversation got quite free wheelin' to include the internet (Neil hates it for music, Jonathan loves it for instant movies), to advice to new filmmakers. Neil "Embrace failure".
It was an amazing time, and yes I did get to ask a question as well.
As Always More to Come,
The Star Stuck Road Warrior
The usual FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD, P2 and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of many Panasonic products. How Bout That?. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. And that's my story.

Slamdance 2012 - Day 2


Saturday Day 2
Four major events happened today at Slamdance.
First, if you thought we had a lot snow yesterday, you were mistaken.
Today, we had a lot of snow!

It snowed pretty hard all day long. In fact, Interstate 80 was apparently closed between Park City and Salt Lake City for awhile. Made negotiating the steep walk up Main Street to Treasure Mountain Inn (Slamdance HQ) a bit challenging.

The second major event was we officially started the Panasonic Five Flavors of Filmmaking this morning. Our first filmmaker, Josh Gibson said he wanted to shoot snow, so I guess he got want he wanted. He has a film in competition Kudzu Vine, which I just watched, it is very lyrical. I can't wait to see what he does with snow.

Third, Neil Young Journey's screened this afternoon and it was of course sold out by the time I got round to trying to get tickets.
They are saying they might re-screen it later in the festival. I hope so. Neil and Jonathan Demme are having a sit down tomorrow, I hope to attend that and will let you know what happens.

And fourth, Slamdance TV posted their first official episode from the Festival. It was shot on the Panasonic AF-100, and this site will be the one to watch lots of great footage during the festival.
Check it out at: slamdance.com
Scroll down and click on Welcome to Slamdance 2012.

So, another great day in Park City and as always, much more to come.
The Snowy Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD, P2 and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of many Panasonic products. Hotcha! However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. And I am proud of them.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Slamdance 2012 - Day 1

Friday - Day 1
Snow comes to Park City!
This is the snow on my car in the morning. Funny thing most of the snow had melted by afternoon. Oh, of course, there is snow in the mountains, hey this is a big time ski area.

More importantly, Slamdance 2012 is officially open.

One of the first things you notice on Main Street is the poster boards for many of the films. These things are really organic, they change and get thicker during the week as the filmmakers staple up their poster, often on top on some other film.

The first day of screenings was typical for the festival, you had films in narrative, documentary, and shorts competition.

In addition, Slamdance always has Fireside Chats which are focused presentations. Today they included the Business of Film and one on Screenwriting.
Slamdance TV is covering the Festival shooting everything on the Panasonic AF-100, the official camera of Slamdace. Check out the Slamdance app and watch all the action: http://goapp.tv/slamdance
As always,
More to Come.
The Road Warrior
FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM and P2 products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. And Rightly So!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Slamdance 2012 - Day Minus 1


Hello Slamdance!

We are back and in a BIG way.
This is day Minus 1. All the frantic organization, is even more frantic. Slamdance 2012 opens tomorrow.
And as usual, Panasonic is again an Official Sponsor. And again, as last year, the AF-100 camera is the official camera of Slamdance 2012.
Things are not so quietly gearing up today. Tomorrow the mayhem will be in full force. "Let loose the dogs of creative filmmaking"
I will update this blog each day as this exciting and important Film Festival wreaks havoc on Park City, UT. And, if I miss a day, well the filmmaker's party went late.

You may recall that last year we partnered with Slamdance and created the Panasonic "Road to Park City" Film Com petition based on the AF-100. It was a bit hit, and yes we are doing it again.


Here, see what Terrie Samundra, Sponsorship and Marketing of Slamdance says to all the attendees in this year's official program.

"At the 2011 festival, though a partnership with Panasonic, we chose 6 teams from our slate of filmmakers. Each created a film around a central theme and the winning team brought home the newly unveiled AF-100 camera. (Bernie comment: Big Shout out to Kevin M. Brennan!)

What transpired over the next year could not have been more beautiful. Filmmakers who formed friendships at Slamdance united and created an omnibus feature film, shot with the prized camera.

This year, their film “Holiday Road” was chosen as a Special Screening, bringing us full circle and solidifying why we do what we do.


On the heels of the successful competition, we have partnered again with Panasonic for “The Five Flavors of Filmmaking Competition”. The challenge goes to 5 teams: Pineapple, Wild Cherry, Raspberry, Watermelon and Orange. Whether an homage to Kieslowski’s color-infused trilogy or a nod to the great American auteur David Gordon Green, who did justice to my personal favorite fruit, the Pineapple….we leave the interpretation up to our fine filmmakers.


More from the official program describing the competition:

Each team is assigned a flavor and creates a one minute film using Panasonic’s new AF100 camera in Park City. They will conceptualize, shoot, edit, and screen their work to the Slamdance audience. The Cinematographer of the winning film takes home their own AF100! How can you make a film about a flavor? Well, that’s up to our fine filmmakers.

Join us Thursday, January 26th at 4:30 in the Gallery Screening Room for a screening of all five films. The winner of the competition will be announced at the Closing Awards Ceremony.


Yep, can't you taste the flavors? Over the next few days. 5 teams will have their eyes on the prize. Panasonic is proud to once again be an official sponsor of Slamdance.

And I will keep you posted as the flavors start showing their essence.

More to come

The Road Warrior

FTC Disclosure
In compliance with the FTC rulings, I state that I am the Panasonic AVCHD and 3D Professional Evangelist. As such, I am a paid consultant to Panasonic, and I get free use of the AVCCAM and P2 products. However, the opinions on this blog are purely my own. And Rightly So!