Santa Barbara Festival

Many Thanks to Those who Helped Filmfestivals.com

   Working together in the  SBIFF media office from morning till next morning for two weeks (and for some of us, beyond), one bonds with the publicity staff fairly intimately.   The synergystic work between journalists and publicity staff in getting the news out about films and events is a necessity.  However, in some places the bonds are stronger than others.  This was the case in Santa Barbara.  As a newspaper sports columnist  and features journalist for the last seven years, I have had the fortune of working with some good people in large areas of sport (including the Olympics, the NBA, and Major League Baseball), politics, and large studio film.  However, they  all pale in comparison to the publicity folks at the SBIFF.

  The first person who was the most responsible for making this blog possible, is Mo Mc Fadden.  The camera shy Mo, the Santa Barbara contact for press, got this server rolling by persistently "bugging" editor Bruno Chatelin into getting coverage.  She not only was a great publicist, but a supporter and surrogate mom to filmmakers and wayward journalists alike.   Her able assistant Roberta Vaughan (top picture on right) was the best in championing films and connecting them with the right person.  She was the "can-do" gal.  With her in this picture (for once), was photographer extraordinaire Becky Sapp.  Becky, the photog from WireImage, supplied most of the shots from this site including Philip Seymour Hoffman, George Clooney, Naomi Watts, and the directors panel.  Her late night work to get the photos to this blog were more than asked for.  In addition, WireImage editor Nikki Wantz was the goddess by getting filmfestivals.com whatever we needed, whenever we needed it.  Her sense of humor kept things real.

  The second picture is of national publicist Carol Marshall and her husband Tom.  Carol and her publicists Alanna Kordell (third picture far right with filmmakers from "Night of the Dog" Peter Donovan, Peter Atencio, and Eshom Nelms), Stephanie Hope, and volunteers Melanie Marquez, and Kim Field were (among many other things) able to secure interviews for stories and posts about Academy Award nominated directors Gavin Hood ("Tsotsi"), (upcoming) Hany Abu Assad ("Paradise Now"), writer/producer Grant Heslov ("Good Night, and Good Luck"), writer Diana Ossana ("Brokeback Mountain"), and wave files via introductions to Philip Seymour Hoffman as well as critically acclaimed actress Maria Bello.  Their tireless efforts in keeping the press apprised of the happenings of the festival was an amazing gift.

(Ms. Melanie and Nikki Wantz at left)

In addition, a few volunteers went above and beyond the call of duty, Frank "Furanku" (pictured with volunteer Katie Chambers) was the resident philospher and good humor man.  Linda Schad (not pictured) the office self described "library nazi" kept things in order in regards to screeners and press kits.  Her demeanor and friendliness was a much appreciated calm amidst the  oft happening storm.  Thanks Linda.

  Lastly, many thanks goes to Bruno Chatelin, who allowed this journalist to go as far as he could go despite not knowing each other. The opportunity and experience was tremendous.  The only thing I disagreed with him was on the inclusion of a self portrait.  Since he is the boss, I reluctantly added a picture (on left) with the insistence of including two  quality individuals who have made my experience at the SBIff a pleasant one, filmmaker Joel Bender ( who along with his producer wife Manette Rosen did "Karla") and SBIFF Program Director Cevin Cathell. They, along with  Artistic Director Roger Durling, filmmakers, staff, and volunteers, made this a memorable time.  Lastly, thank you to Tami Snow and Horny Toad clothing company for taking pity on this scribe's thrift store wear and supplying me with some cool duds.

  (*Please note: The blog is not over. There is more to come! Next Stop: Bermuda)  (Top two pictures taken by Mike Takeuchi), (Better pictures taken below by Ms. Rebecca)

Sounds: Mark Henderson SBIFF Theme Composer

   Local Santa Barbara resident Mark Henderson's resume' is full of musical diversity.  Including his  compostitional forays into film,television, and video games,  he has worked on a children's learning project with Stephen Speiberg's "Dreamworks" company.  To top it all off, Henderson composed this year's Santa Barbara International Film Festival theme titled "Awakening".  It was the second time he has done so.   For more information on Mark visit his Web site at Markhendersonmusic.com.

   Click link to hear Mark comment on the SBIFF theme: Download Henderson.wav

    More music from Mark titled "American Plains": Download American_Plains.mp3  ."Going Home": Download Going_Home.mp3  , and for something unusual, yet guaranteed to make one smile,  Download Microwave.mp3  .

 

Filmgoers Enjoy the Festival

  One of the best part of going to the festival is meeting the people who simply love film.   Steven Jay of Santa Barbara went to 32 films this festival.  While Mary Beth Riordan didn't go to quite as many, she still enjoyed herself immensely at the films and the events.  Click on buttons below to hear their thoughts of the SBIFF.

Download steven_jay.wav

Download mary_beth_riordan.wav

Summer Camp is Over

   Tom and Carol Marshall, PR mavens extraordinaire finally get to enjoy the evening.

   The last night of the SBIFF harkens to the day of leaving summer camp.  It's just sad.  While working together from early morning to late night with the PR people Mo, Roberta, Carol, Tom, Alanna, my breakfast date Stephanie, Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Nikki,  Roberta, Mary, Linda, Furanku (aka Frank), Laurie,  lil' Kim the tap dancing fool, Melanie, Margaret, and all the rest, it was truly a labor of a love for film and hard work.  As for me, although the SBIFF is over, I have plenty to post in the coming days, but it's time for bed.  Oyasumi Nasai.  Mike

Sounds of the SBIFF: Screenwriters Panel

The eight participants of the "It Starts With the Script" screenwriters panel of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival gather just prior to taking the stage for the program at the Marjorie Luke Theatre on Sunday.

  Front row from left to right:  Robert Moresco, Grant Heslov, and Judd Apatow.  Back row: Gill Dennis, Diana Ossana, Robin Swicord, Josh Olson, and Cristina Comencini. (photo by Mike Takeuchi)

    A lively panel moderated by Anne Thompson of "The Hollywood Reporter" took place on Sunday at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in Santa Barbara.    The tone was set by Judd Apatow ("The 40 Year Old Virgin") feigning defensiveness.  (Click button below)

Download apatow.wav

  Following that lead, Grant Heslov (Oscar nominee along with George Clooney for "Good Night, And Good Luck") followed Apatow's comedy with some humor of his own.  He was then followed by Gill Dennis ("Walk the Line" with James Mangold), Christina Comencini (writer and director of Academy Award Best Foreign Language film "Don't Tell"), Josh Olson (Oscar nominee for Adaptive Screenplay in "A History of Violence"), Robin Swicord ("Memoirs of a Geisha"), Diana Ossana (Academy Award Adaptive Screenplay nominee with Larry McMurtry for "Brokeback Mountain"), and Robert Moresco (Oscar nominee with Paul Haggis for "Crash").  (Click on link below)      

Download opening_remarks_writers.wav

Voices from the Santa Barbara Filmmakers at the SBIFF

   Santa Barbara Filmmakers gathered at the home of Harold and Dorrie Powell for a night of good food, reverie, and music.

Ted Mills ("The Night of the Falcon"), Sonja Lindstrom ("Gimme Kiss"), and Jeremy Guy ("Perspecitves") were among several Santa Barbara filmmakers who attended the party on Thursday evening.  They later had comments about being in the SBIFF and their own work. (Photos by Mike Takeuchi)

   In Ted Mills "The Night of the Falcon", the viewer is immediately confused into thinking they are watching the outtakes of the actual movie.  But in reality, the film answers the question of "I wonder what happens if you keep rolling the film?"   The dialogue between the diva actress, the insecure actor who is the student of what seems like the worst acting coach on the planet, and the crew's own lapses combine to make it a hilarious short.  ( Click button to hearTed Mills on being in the SBIFF.)

Download ted.wav

  Amidst the comedy, action, and documentaries of the shorts programs, sometimes films  can't be categorized.  Lindstrom's "Gimme Kiss" is one of these.  The seven minute film chronicles several types of kisses people share.  The film, which like the above one, is filmed in classic black and white on the streets of the Bay Area.   It is an original, touching film that reminds this viewer of the final scene from one of my favorite films, "Cinema Paradiso."  (Below, Lindstrom talks about her project within a diverse program.)

Download sonja.wav

   Jeremy Guy's film "Perspectives" explores the relationship between the students at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and  people who recycle the  bottles and cans made available because of the parties held in the community of Isla Vista.  Included in the film are stories of Mexican nationals, who collect to provide much income of their family, to a homeless man who unabashedly recycles to get more alcohol.  What sets this film apart from similar ones, is that Guy decides to take a challenge from the homeless man by living on the streets with only the money he receives from recycling as income.  "Perspectives" is a thought provoking documentary that points out the dichotomous living situation between the haves and have nots of an affluent County. (Jeremy Guy speaks about his film and  being surprised as being a selection of the SBIFF Shorts Program.)

Download jeremy.wav

Rob Lowe with SBIFF Director Roger Durling

A couple of local guys, actor Rob Lowe and Santa Barbara International Film Festival Director Roger Durling hang out at the aftershow.

Photo courtesy of the SBIFf

Filmmakers Waterfront Breakfast

Filmmakers of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival gathered at the Fess Parker Doubletree Resort on the city's waterfront to discuss their films.  Attendees included Alan Berger and Vincent Robert ("Halfway Decent") and Jonathan Wyche and Erica Arnold ("Planet Ibsen").   Photo by Ms. Rebecca for the SBIFF.

Naomi Watts accepts Montecito Award at the SBIFF

   Naomi Watts (with  her presenter filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu) accepted the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Montecito Award on Saturday Night.

  Photo by Chris Weeks courtesy of the SBIFF

George Clooney is Presented with the SBIFF Modern Master Award

George Clooney is interviewed by Leonard Maltin at the Arlington Theater on Friday night.  Clooney later accepted the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Modern Master Award.