Microcinema Schedule
<<November 2009 • [December 2009]
Come watch beautiful images dance upon a screen in your own neighborhood! Shows begin promptly @ 8PM and are $5 (unless otherwise noted). EPFC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Sell your TV and come to the cinema.
ECHO PARK FILM CENTER THANKS THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS
AND SCIENCES FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE EPFC THURSDAY NIGHT MICROCINEMA SERIES. http://www.oscars.org
Wednesday, December 2 - LIGHTING WORKSHOP WITH ZACH LEVY - 7:30 – 10:30 PM
Strengthen your documentary camera and lighting skills with visiting filmmaker Zachary Levy. Zach will show clips demonstrating different styles and we'll arrange different lighting set-ups to simulate the kind of problems and solutions you might encounter in the field. Topics covered will be interview-based portraiture, lighting for verite shooting, as well as more-stylized narrative type set-ups. Zachary Levy is the director / producer / cinematographer of STRONGMAN, which won the Grand Jury Prize at this year's Slamdance Film Festival. Ramin Bahrani (Goodbye Solo, Chop Shop) has hailed the film as "the debut of a new important American documentary filmmaker." As a cameraman, Zach's work has appeared on PBS, 60 Minutes, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and numerous independent documentaries. Strongman will be at the Downtown Independent from Nov. 27 through Dec. 3rd. Tuition is $25/$20 members. Class limited to 12 participants; call or email to reserve your spot!
Thursday, December 3 – ZERO FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS RETHINK AFGHANISTAN - 8 PM
Rethink Afghanistan is a 2009 documentary about the ongoing war in Afghanistan, featuring experts from Afghanistan, the U.S., and Russia discussing critical issues like military escalation, how escalation will affect Pakistan and the surrounding region, the cost of war, civilian casualties, and the rights of Afghan women. As part of the filmmaking process, acclaimed Director Robert Greenwald (Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers, Outfoxed, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices) traveled to Afghanistan to meet with and interview members of Afghanistan's parliament, bloggers, women's rights organizations, and groups committed to the peace movement. The ultimate goal of this documentary campaign is to raise the level of public discourse, compel people to ask key questions about the war, and urge Congress to hold oversight hearings. Already, the campaign has successfully helped retired Corporal Rick Reyes and other veterans testify before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and meet with members of Congress. Reyes, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, testified before Sen. John Kerry and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He told the committee, "Sending more troops will not make the US safer; it will only build more opposition against us. I urge you on behalf of truth and patriotism to consider carefully and Rethink Afghanistan."
Saturday, December 5 – SISTER AIMEE: THE MUSICAL - 3:30 PM @ THE DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT
Please join us for the dazzling premiere of SISTER AIMEE: THE MUSICAL! In the big dreams/small budget Depression-era tradition of “Hey kids, let’s put on a show!” this free EPFC youth filmmaking class introduced three dozen students ages 12 - 19 to the musical genre as they learned about one of Echo Park’s most dynamic historic figures. “Sister” Aimee Semple McPherson (1890 – 1944) was a pioneering evangelist and media sensation in the 1920s and 1930s who presented religion as a form of popular entertainment. Angelus Temple, the 5300-seat home of the Foursquare Church built by McPherson in 1923, still stands right around the corner from the Film Center at the edge of Echo Park Lake. Students created original sets, costumes, songs and choreography in bringing the story of Sister Aimee to the silver screen. Project made possible in part by grants from the California Council for the Humanities and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. This event is FREE and open to the general public... EVERYONE WELCOME! Screening is at THE DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT THEATER, 251 S. MAIN STREET, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Doors 3:30 pm, screening 4 pm, Q & A with filmmakers and reception to follow.
Sunday, December 6 – INTRO TO FINAL CUT PRO: 1 – 5 pm
Calling all interested adults (ages 20+) looking to learn the beauty and grace of digital editing! All equipment and materials provided by EPFC. Class limited to 6 students; tuition is $60/$50 for members.
Sunday, December 6 – BUILDING BRIDGES BICOASTAL FILMMAKER DIALOGUE – 5 PM
BridgeThink and Filmmaker Alliance present "SoCo to SoCal: Benefits and Challenges of Regional to 'Resource Access' Filmmaking." With "New Media" revolutionizing how audiences receive stories, regional film communities are growing closer and independent creators are competing with Hollywood for audiences. What are the benefits and challenges of making films near an industry as opposed to regionally across the country? We'll find out on December 6th at (8 pm EST / 5 pm PST) when BridgeThink and The Echo Park Film Center in Los Angeles host a collaborative screening of South Coast Massachusetts filmmakers and LA's own Filmmaker's Alliance. Whether you're in Southern Massachusetts, Southern California or in between, you're invited to tune in online at www.bridgethink.org/socotosocal for a live web stream of this event. Filmmakers from both coasts will be in attendance via webcam and you'll be able to submit YOUR questions to BOTH locations. Join this lively discussion with a vibrant community of film artists in the heart of LA and their counterparts in a terrifically emerging Massachusetts film market. And if you're in Los Angeles, join us in person at The Echo Park Film Center for this interactive event! Filmmakers Alliance is a community of film artists dedicated to the advancement of independent film through community action. Together, they have produced over 400 films since their inception in 1993 and have screened in dozens of major festivals throughout the world. Find out more! Visit www.filmmakersalliance.org South Coast Filmmakers include: RAB STUDIOS, SHATTERED GLASS FILMS and CINEMASTAR PRODUCTIONS. More info: www.bridgethink.org
Thursday, December 10 – MAGIC AND RITUAL - 8 PM
John Cannizzaro presents an evening of rare 16mm films from his personal collection that deal with Magic and Ritual. Whether ethnographic films depicting strange rituals from other cultures or experimental films that embody a magical element, these film gems share a spiritual unity that can evoke transcendence. Refreshments provided. CURATOR JOHN CANNIZZARO IN ATTENDANCE!
Saturday, December 12 – HOLLYWOOD UFO – 7 PM
Journey into a community of self styled paranormal investigators and alleged abductees that stretches from East Hollywood to Nevada’s Area 51. Award winning film maker George Willis pushes UFO mythology beyond it’s 1950’s flying saucer stereotypes as he explores these bizarre personal accounts of modern day alien abduction. This quirky documentary incorporates declassified government footage, vintage educational programs, and classic science fiction films as a backdrop for the history of UFO conspiracies. It contains some graphic images, which may shock and disturb you. Viewer discretion is advised! FILMMAKER GEORGE WILLIS IN ATTENDANCE!
Thursday, December 17 – “ALMS,” YOU SAY – 8PM
“ALMS,” YOU SAY, a 16mm experimental featurette, is the disjointed story of a teenaged vagabond and the ethereal connection he maintains with three individuals who have lost someone living in the seaside town where he resides. The film was directed, utilizing practical locations in Pennsylvania and Delaware, by regionalist filmmaker Christopher Malinowski. Note: This film has not been rated and contains nudity and strong language. More info: www.almsyousay.com. DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER MALINOWSKI AND ACTRESS JOYANNA CROUSE LIVINGSTON IN ATTENDANCE!
Saturday, December 19 – IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – 7:00 PM
Join us for our annual holiday celebration as we celebrate the end of another wonderful year at EPFC. Everyone welcome, naughty and nice. Refreshments provided. FREE!
Sunday, December 20 – NIHILIST FILM FESTIVAL – 7:30 PM
For the eleventh year, the Nihilist Cultural Foundation presents the Nihilist International Film Festival. The festival includes two hours of short films from around the country and around the world. The films range from troubling to hilarious, from profound to completely silly. Pretty much something for everyone (except children and clergy). Festival Director Elisha Shapiro commented, “If you are tired of all those ‘namby-pamby’ film festivals with artsy film-school projects, grab your wig and keys. The Nihilist Film Festival dares to go to someplace different. How weird can a film get and still be entertaining?” As a special feature, all those who bring their own televisions and arrive fifteen minutes early will be able to include their appliances in the traditional ritual Blessing of the Televisions. A donation of 99 cents is requested. More information is available at the Nihilists Corner website: www.nihilists.net
GIVE THE GIFT OF EPFC! WE HAVE FABULOUS STOCKING STUFFERS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!
AND DON’T FORGET, YOUR YEAR-END FISCAL AND MATERIAL DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
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