I couldn’t help but post this link, forwarded to me by a TFS alum (thanks!),  to an interesting piece from The New York Times that asks the question:  Did ‘Jaws’ and ‘Star Wars’ ruin Hollywood?  

Here is a link to a fantastic interview with director James Foley (RECKLESS, AT CLOSE RANGE, etc) with TheFilmSchool alum Joel Marshall of Fat Free Film

TheFilmSchool was pleased to have Mr. Foley join us as a guest during our Spring 3-Week-Intensive this year as part of our Speaker Series, led by Warren Etheredge.  To see more examples of great filmmakers who have joined us for the Speaker Series, see our On Demand section here .

Movieline.com is a terrific resource — here is an example why:

A fantastic master class memo from David Mamet to the writers of The Unit (sprinkled with a hint of profanity and written in ALL CAPS, no less) — http://www.movieline.com/2010/03/david-mamets-memo-to-the-writers-of-the-unit.php

Here, some information about a fantastic program, OFFICIAL BEST OF FEST!  One of the curators is TheFilmSchool faculty member Rick Stevenson, click here to learn more about those involved in the OBOF. 

OFFICIAL BEST OF FEST
AWARDS 2010
Seattle, Washington - USA
Winners Announced: August 2010

The OFFICIAL BEST OF FEST AWARDS (OBOF) seek to identify and honor the top independent films made around the world as defined by festival audiences, awards, reviewers, bloggers, and a team of international curators. This Seattle-based bi-annual awards series also uncovers great films that have been overlooked by festivals.

Through its vast network of curators from film festivals around the globe, OBOF sees the majority of films on the circuit and seeks to identify the top 5% in each category. By giving overlooked and underappreciated films the recognition that they deserve, OBOF seeks to offer its awards as a seal of approval and distinction that indicates to film fans that honored film are indeed ones to watch. Each quarter, a new group of films are granted OBOF award seals, and are promoted online and in the media.

Nominated films are eligible to be considered for future OBOF traveling film festivals; DVD compilations sold at Nordstrom, Whole Foods, Kitson LA, and gift stores nationally; curated cable series; and a number of other outlets, all designed to offer wide-reaching exposure. OBOF covers the costs and provides a royalty to the filmmakers while leaving the rights-holder fully in control of the film’s rights.

UPCOMING DEADLINE
June 15, 2010 - Late Deadline
Upgraded projects save $5 on this deadline

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Films in all categories and runtimes are open to consideration with the exception of commercials and industrial films. The Moving Arts Film Journal writes that OBOF “may very well have found a way to circumvent the profit-driven gatekeepers of the lumbering studio system. What does that mean to the casual movie fan? Fresh ideas. New concepts. Original scripts. Better movies.”

If you feel like you have an overlooked gem, submit to the OFFICIAL BEST OF FEST AWARDS to get your film recognized!