Summer is Winding Down

Summer is winding down, and not only does than mean a change in the weather, but Summer Scream happens at Lakeside Amusement Park. Summer Scream is a major fundraising event for The Denver Film Society, and I have to say it is one of the better fundraisers I've ever worked on. It's managed to get bigger every year, and it has consistently drawn in a crowd, but the best part is that it really does manage to bring awareness to the Denver Film Society. I have talked to so many people that began supporting the DFS because of their attendance at Summer Scream.

I also had the wonderful opportunity to see the amazing band Tegan and Sara at one of my favorite venues, Twist and Shout  Records, who manage to put on fantastic and intimate shows in the back vinyl section. Gotta love local.

On Being Busy

So it seems we have once again come to that crucial point in any blog: When you have things to blog about, you don't have time to blog, and when you have time to blog you have nothing to blog about. This is mostly a case of the former.

It's been rather busy, which is good, and while in the mire of editing, this little gem stood out and said "look at me!" This here is the lovely and talented Meiko. She plays music and is quite good. Check out her website if you don't believe me. I had the opportunity to photograph her during a performance at Red Rocks Amphitheater for Film on the Rocks. You can click on those and check them out for yourself, but it's safe to say it is an awesomely fun time, even if awesomely is not an actual word.  Well, back to it then.

Make Your Voice Heard

Last weekend I once again photographed for the Women + Film Voices Film Festival. If you missed it, mark your calendar for next year because it is an extremely well done and important program. Also, not just for women, so there's no excuse for the men to sit this one out.

Investigative Journalist John Ferrugia introduces a special screening. He then participated in a Salon discussion about the film afterwords.

Director Nisha Ligon Skypes with the audience following a screening of her film Twiga Stars (the house was filled with Girl Scout troupes, which I thought was an awesome event to inspire these kids).

Producer Nancy Kissock is interviewed regarding her film The Girls in the Band. If you love jazz, this is not one to miss.

Oh, sometimes stardom is too bright, or maybe it's just the beginning of a grand adventure for the team responsible for the Academy Award winning Documentary Saving Face, L to R Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Director Daniel Junge, Producer Alison Greenberg, and Editor Davis Coombe.

I'm A Banana!

I'm actually not, but if you've seen the work of animator Don Hertzfeldt, you would be rolling on the floor laughing, or "ROLF" as the kids say around the interwebs these days.

Don was great to meet and it was a wonderful opportunity to shoot "An Evening with Don Hertzfeldt" and the subsequent "Embarrassing Live On Stage Interview" was, though live, was far from embarrassing. For me at least. I'm not sure about Don. Maybe. Anyway, Don's a real fun guy. He'll sign just about anything.

"I have to warn you, there is a naked woman."

Not here. But if you happened to take in the J'adore! Focus on French Cinema Film Festival at the Denver Film Center Colfax, this is the warning you got from the French Consul. He also kindly told us that said naked woman has a fantastic bottom, and though I didn't see the film, I spoke with many that said, yes, there is a naked woman, and she did have quite the derriere. I won't even get into the other discussion of the night. Yeah, that's how we roll, which oddly enough does somewhat relate to the other discussion. Regardless, yet another wonderful event put on by the Denver Film Society, filled with films, food, and fun. Why aren't you there more often?

In addition, it happened to be the Chair of the Denver Film Society Board's 23rd wedding anniversary. Congratulations! It was a great little celebration at the end of the festival. Everyone at the Film Society really has become more like a second family to me, and not just because we share a love of movies. So seriously, go, say hello, and have fun. Maybe there will be cake! And I don't just mean the metaphorical goodness of seeing a fantastic film in great local venue (which is totally cake in my book), but there may actually be cake cake.

Beginners

If you haven't noticed by now, I like pictures, still, moving, or otherwise and I recently had the opportunity to attend an advance screening of a little film Beginners down at the Denver Film Center. I cannot praise this film enough, it is AMAZING, as the label for this post implies and the director Mike Mills is equally amazing. He was such a warm and welcoming individual and very passionate about this film, which takes quite a bit from his own life. He's the one on the left in the green, which will also make him easier to spot in the second picture.






And, I imagine you are asking yourself why I like using the Lensbaby so much when I shoot at the film center. I just think its fun, and honestly it works fantastically in low light situations. I've actually gotten so accustomed to shooting in low light with the Lensbaby that I need to go and practice with it in bright conditions. Go figure.

In any case, you need to go and see Beginners. It will drop 3^rd June this summer and you will not regret it.

Make Your Voice Heard: Women + Film Voices Film Festival

Lets face facts. I am a fan of women and I am a fan of film. So it was a wonderful opportunity to work with the Women+Film Voices Film Festival a few weeks ago. If you weren't able to attend, you really need to plan on attending next year. Women+Film celebrates the art and cinematic contributions of women filmmakers from around the world in all formats, content, and genre. An early partner with the Denver Film Society and the Denver Film Festival it has now grown into its own festival. And what a festival it is.



You know your festival is a hit when it is, as S.I. puts it, "S.R.O." or "Standing Room Only." The Denver Film Center Colfax hosted two sold out screenings (with many more still hoping to get tickets) of the film Soul Surfer, based on the inspirational story of Bethany Hamilton, directed by the extremely talented Sean McNamara who was on hand to answer questions.



In fact, Bethany Hamilton herself showed up with her onscreen doppelganger, the talented AnnaSophia Robb. It's like "AnnaSophia Robb! No Way!" Certainly a rising star if I ever saw one, I mean she did receive the Denver Film Festival's Rising Star Award in 2009.





Of course, voices was not just about amazing films such as Jane Eyre, Miss Reception, A Powerful Noise, Queen to Play and many more, but it was about discussion and education. Several Salons were held, covering topics from social change to feminism and the art movement.



So mark your calendars and get ready for next year's Women+Film Voices Film Festival to be held 6th March to 11th March 2012.

And of course to perhaps christen the Denver Film Center Colfax, which I still can't fathom why you haven't checked it out yet, here is a shadow cast during the Voices Film Festival.