Last Chance: Vote for the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge by November 13th!!

Mercury and NALIP (the National Association of Latino Independent Producers) partnered to find 6 aspiring Latino filmmakers to create short films under the theme "Much to Discover," touching upon the Latino experience in the US.
In its first year, the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge has generated a great deal of buzz within the Latino independent film community with its commitment to support the professional growth of talented student and emerging Latino directors.
Promising filmmakers from across the country submitted original screenplays, and judges were charged with the task of evaluating an unanticipated number of highly competitive submissions. NALIP selected a review committee of industry experts to select 10 semifinalists. A Blue Ribbon Panel made up of top-notch Latino directors, including Rodrigo Garcia (Nine Lives, Six Feet Under), Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City) and Gabriela Tagliavani (Ladies Night), selected 6 finalists—3 students and 3 emerging professionals (meet the finalists).
The finalists have received $10,000 each to produce a 3-5 minute short film in digital video (DV), and are being mentored by members of the Blue Ribbon Panel, as well as other renowned industry experts.
The finalists’ short films will be available exclusively on this website in early October, competing in a national contest where the public will select two Grand Prize Winners: one student and one emerging professional.
This is your chance to be a film critic. Your vote will help determine the winners! The voting ends on November 13th!
The winners of the Mercury Latino Lens Short Film Challenge will receive grants and other prizes that will help them further their careers.
There are also great prizes you could win by registering and voting.  Go to www.mercuryfilm.com for more information.

“The Write Influence”

On behalf of the WGAw and, in particular, our seven Diversity Committees (Asian-American, Black, Disabled, Gay & Lesbian, Latino, Senior, and Women), we would like to invite you to attend our second annual industry seminar entitled “The Write Influence.”  Admission is free.  Please RSVP by calling our (323) 782-4676.

The event will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Writers Guild of America, west headquarters, 7000 West Third Street, Los Angeles, California (on the southwest corner of Third & Fairfax).  The WGA will present a series of three lively and frank discussions about how diversity is making storytelling a richer and more profitable experience.  The event will end with a buffet lunch and networking reception.

The first panel is “The 7% Solution,” and will be comprised of members of a select group of screenwriters that are members of the 7% or 17% who have had feature films produced.  This panel will serve to educate and inspire writers and other industry professionals in the art and craft of writing and selling their scripts and who strive to follow in their footsteps.  We believe a discussion of their challenges, achievements, and joys will serve to encourage and stimulate the audience!  It is scheduled for 10:00 am – 11:30am.

The second panel is comprised of the leadership of our Diversity Committees and is entitled “Diversity Roundtable.”  The leaders of each our the Writers Guild committees will discuss the specific areas of success in the industry that their group has seen as well as some of the obstacles they’ve had to overcome to achieve them.  They will each speak to what type of programming their specific committee has sponsored to raise the profile of their specific members within the entertainment industry.  It is scheduled for 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.

Our third and final panel is “Found in Translation,” with the specific focus in how much influence the writers, directors, casting directors, producers etc. truly have on the final cast makeup for both television and film. For example - one of the topics of discussion will be how roles initially intended for one race/gender were switched to a different race/gender ie: "The Shield" where the CCH Pounder role was initially intended for a white man and "Flightplan" where the Jody Foster character was initially written for a man.  It is scheduled for 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.  Lunch and networking reception to follow.

We hope you will join us to celebrate the creativity of writers and to learn more about the varied worlds they explore for stories that keep us entertained.

12th Annual East LA Chicano Film Fest Moves To Hollywood for Final Night
Annual “Firme Awards” Ceremony at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre Highlighted by Benefit Exhibition of the Powerful and Controversial New Film, SIX THUGS

November 14th, 2006 – 7 p.m.
1615 North Vine St. – Hollywood, CA 90026

Los Angeles, CA--A La Brava Producciones Revolucionarias, Inc. proudly present the 12th Annual "Firme Awards" celebration as part the closing night festivities for the 12th Annual Cine Sin Fin East LA Chicano Film Festival. The Awards conclude a week of film screenings presented throughout urban Latino LA. This year, the annual festival celebrates its final night in style at the historic Ricardo Montalbán Theatre, located in the heart of the entertainment industry renaissance on the eastern edge of Tinseltown between Hollywood and Sunset at 1615 N. Vine St.

Home of NOSOTROS, a support organization for aspiring Latino talent, and the prestigious Golden Eagle Awards, both founded 36 years ago by the legendary actor for whom the building is named, the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre stays true to the NOSOTROS mission by working in alliance with local, neighborhood arts organizations. While opening it doors to a diverse spectrum of live theatre, music, dance productions created by Angelenos and touring artists, the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre also seeks to nurture up-and-coming filmmakers and content creators who represent the city’s cultural roots. In partnership with the 12th Annual East LA Chicano Film Festival, NOSOTROS and its parent, the Ricardo Montalbán Foundation, are proud to host the closing ceremonies of an LA-based festival which screens independent Mexican American and Latino filmworks in Echo Park, El Sereno and downtown's historic Plaza Olvera.
 
SIX THUGS, the dramatic featured being presented in conjunction with the annual Firme Awards, which are given to filmmakers chosen from among those who have participated in the festival, marks the directorial debut for actor, writer and producer Magdaleno “Guic One” Robles, Jr. Produced in partnership with After Tha Fact Films and Executive Producer Leticia J. Robles, the film has generated nearly 40K views for a pair of trailers posted this summer on YouTube.

The cast of the film includes veteran actors Rolando Molina (CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, NEXT FRIDAY), Robert Zepeda (GRIDIRON GANG, VICIOUS CIRCLE), NOEL G. (SPLINTER, BRUCE ALMIGHTY, SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS), Demetrius Navarro (PURPLE HEART, E.R., NORTH BY EL NORTE). The film also introduces Andrea Jimenez as “Carmen” and Gilbert Saldivar as “Lil’ Lucky” who are thrown together as a pair of innocents swept up in a tidal wave of agony and violence that erupts unexpectedly on a beautiful, sunshine-filled day in the Southern California suburbs among a group of friends who all casualties in one way or another.

¡Viva Tu Cine! Invites you to a free screening of AMORES PERROS

To mark the highly-awaited opening of Babel, Iñárritu proposed hosting a conversation, devoted to filmmaking.  Iñárritu will address the challenges that faced him as a first-time director and discuss the changes in his life as a result of having made a breakout Spanish-language film. Acclaimed director Alejandro González Iñárritu and various collaborators will discuss their experiences making this film prior to the screening.  CLICK HERE TO RSVP

Saturday, October 28th, 7:30pm
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Latin Cinema en el AFI Fest 2006

El Latin Cinema Series del AFI FEST es una de las secciones más populares y prestigiosas del festival, presentando 10 de las mejores películas latinas de Sud América, España, EE.UU. y el Caribe. Siete películas latinas participarán en las secciones de competencia internacional de largometrajes, documentales y cortometrajes

AFI FEST'S Latin Cinema Series is one of the most popular and prestigious sections of the Festival, featuring 10 of best films of 2006 from South America, Spain, USA and the Caribbean. Also, 8 other Latino films will participate in the International competition of Features, Documentaries, Shorts and a special sneaking presentation.

*Todas las proyecciones del AFI FEST son en el ArcLight Hollywood,
6360 Sunset Boulevard, esquina con la calle Ivar
Boletos y Pases ya están a la Venta!
Precio regular $12, (Matinees durante la semana $8).
Para pases, boletos y más información, por favor llame al 1.866.AFIFEST o
visite www.AFIFEST.com

*All Screenings are at the ArcLight Hollywood
6360 Sunset Boulevard at Ivar
Tickets and Passes On Sale Now!
Regular screenings $12, weekday matinees $8.
For passes, tickets and full Festival details,
please call 1.866.AFIFEST or visit www.AFI.com
 
Buscamos Voluntarios para el Festival!
Seeking Festival Volunteers! Email: festvolunteers@AFI.com

Call for Submissions!
SAGIndie Diversity Screening Series

SAGIndie needs films for our Diversity Screening Series, a program dedicated to promoting films with a diverse cast and/or diverse themes. The screenings will be held quarterly in New York and Los Angeles, with other cities to follow.

We're looking for SAG Signatory shorts and feature films which include a diverse cast, themes, or situations.

Submission is FREE!
To learn more about the program, or to submit your film go

8 Days Left To Submit Your Film to San Diego Latino Film Festival
Deadline November 1

~An open call for entries to all film makers world wide, the San Diego Latino Film Festival will STOP accepting submissions November 1st~

What: Last Call for Entries

Who: Anyone can submit their feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation and music videos. Films must be by or about the Latino/a experience

When: Final submission deadline: Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Where: Media Arts Center San Diego – 921 25th Street, San Diego, CA 92102

14th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 8-18, 2007)

Almodovar's Muse Becomes a Mom
Her character has to cope with a troubled teenage daughter, a murdered husband she's stashed in a freezer and the ghost, literally, of her own mother. Cruz does it all without seeming at all matronly in Pedro Almodovar's "Volver" ("Return").

Diverse casts appeal to Hispanic viewers
Seven of ABC's English-language shows rank among the top network programs watched by Hispanics, thanks to the cultural diversity seen in their casts. “Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty" are three shows with broad audience appeal.  

‘Departed’ is classic Scorsese
The Charleston Gazette Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:17 PM PDT
“The Departed” may have A-list stars like Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Martin Sheen, but the movie really belongs to director Martin Scorsese.

The Guardian Interview: Gael Garcia Bernal
Actor and director Gael Garcia Bernal talks about his journey from stage school to working with some of the biggest names in Latin American cinema, why it is impossible to take the politics out of Mexican filmmaking and the 'cage of melancholy' that surrounds his country's cinematic tradition. "I understood the nature of cinema. When it's good, cinema can be one of the most important things in a person's life. A film can be a catalyst for change. You witness this and it is an incredibly spiritual experience that I'd never lived before; well, maybe only in a football match."...

Gibson's "Apocalypto" poses marketing challenge
Reuters via Yahoo! News Tue, 24 Oct 2006 0:21 AM PDT
Talk about a hard sell: this movie stars unknown actors speaking an obscure language and is directed by a man whose off-screen behavior has outraged many.

Leaders of Spanish-Language TV Honored With Emmy Awards
Marketing Y Medios Tue, 24 Oct 2006 1:04 PM PDT
The second annual awards ceremony honoring Hispanic television's top Latino personalities, journalists and executives took place Oct. 19 at the Time Life Building in Manhattan, also home to one of the three event sponsors, People en Español magazine.

The Farrellys Get 'Stupid'
Washington Post Tue, 24 Oct 2006 7:16 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES Just days after hot TV producer Ben Silverman tells a TV industry function that political correctness is anathema to realistic television, he turns up in the trades with the Farrelly brothers, the go-to guys for politically incorrect flicks -- "Stuck on You," "Dumb & Dumber," "Shallow...

Seeking Managing Director of Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Organization: The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Full or Part Time Salary
Range: TBD Start Date: January 1, 2007
Experience: 5-7 years management; preferably experience in non-profit and/or
theatre. If interested, email resume to crystal@theatricum.com.

Job Overview: Theatricum Botanicum, a non-profit professional theatre company with 32 years of providing public performances and educational programs, seeks a full-time Business Manager to oversee the financial details and fiscal vision of the company. Located in Topanga Canyon, Theatricum has a 300-seat mainstage, a 99 seat second stage and several acres of land for classes, camps, musical concerts and seminars.  The Business Manager would work with Artistic Director Ellen Geer and the Board of Directors to manage the short and long-term financial health of this mid-sized arts organization including, but not limited to, budgeting, staffing, capital improvements, payables/receivables and some fundraising. Detailed job description upon request.

Seeking School Days Program Manager

Organization: The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Hourly/Part Time (with
potential growth to Full Time)
Rate:  $15-18/hour
Start Date: December 2006
Experience: 1-3 years experience in arts education and/or non-profit theatre required. Must be highly organized, flexible and be able to handle fast-paced program! If interested, email resume to Elizabeth Tobias at
classroomenrichment@hotmail.com

School Days is a bi-annual field trip program that occurs for 5-6 weeks during the spring and 3-4 weeks during the fall. It has been serving young people for over 25 years. Students (grades K-12) and their teachers, parents, chaperones, come to Theatricum Botanicum's Topanga grounds to take part in technique workshops; interactive Living History programming; and to watch a Shakespeare (or other classic) play performed by adult professional actors. In addition to the onsite field trip experience, School Days also provides an educator in-service for classroom teachers; a study guide for their use and a preparatory in-school visit for all students attending.

Job Overview: Working with Artistic Director Ellen Geer and School Programs Director Elizabeth Tobias (as well as other Theatricum Management), The School Days Program Manager facilitates and ensures the execution of all aspects of the School Days Program including: Marketing; Recruiting, Training and Hiring of artist educators; Execution of Educator In-Services; Staffing and Management of Field Trip Days; Budgeting; Payroll; Assistance with Fundraising; Scheduling; etc.

Seeking Office Manager/Arts Education Assistant

Organization: The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Full Time
Range: $10-12/hour
Start Date: January 2007
Experience: 1-3 years experience in arts education and/or non-profit theatre preferred.
Must be proficient in word and excel and very comfortable with computer and
phone systems. If interested, email resume to Elizabeth Tobias at
classroomenrichment@hotmail.com

Job Overview: Working in the office at Theatricum Botanicum's Topanga location, the Office Manager/Arts Education Assistant will provide support for arts education program managers while overseeing general day-to-day office tasks.
Responsibilities will include fielding phone calls, communicating with program managers for diverse educational programs, retrieving and processing mail, receiving payments and running collections for education programs, filing, distributing payroll, database updates, attendance at staff and other meetings, among other duties.

Animation Comedy Feature or TV Script Wanted

Sanger Talent Agency

Important: Only unrepresented writers may submit.

We are looking for a completed feature or TV animation script. Scripts must be comedies that are fantasy stories based in other worlds. We are interested in silly/slapstick, dynamic, visually driven scripts that are about a journey. Scripts must be geared towards kids between the ages of six to eleven.

WGA and non-WGA writers are welcome, but must be Unrepresented.

Sanger Talent Agency is a SAG franchised agency. Sanger has been a state licensed talent agent since 1990 and has been expanding their feature film and television division.

To Submit:
1. Please go to www.InkTippro.com/leads
2. Enter your email address (you will be signing up for InkTip's newsletter - FREE!)
3. Copy/Paste this code: y767mfr1nz
4. You will be submitting a synopsis only (broken down into 3 acts as described above), and you will be contacted to submit the full script only if there is interest from the production company.

Important: Please ONLY submit your work if it fits what the lead is looking for EXACTLY.

If you aren't sure if your submission fits, please ask InkTip first. Please mention you heard about this from Jeff Gund at INFOLIST.com, and please email any questions to: jerrol@inktip.com

Seeking Producer and Researcher/Writer

Brave New Films is launching a rapid action unit: Brave News Alert. We need a producer, and a researcher/writer to start in mid-January 2007 at BNF HQ in Culver City, California. Details below:

Producer - Brave News Alert
We are looking for a full-time, team building, logistics mastering Producer to turn the noise of daily events into a progressive rallying call. The Producer will work in conjunction with Brave New Films management. The producer will supervise the BNA researcher/writer and editorial team to construct video media alerts that reframe the national debate and establish a progressive narrator.
Job responsibilities include:

• working closely with the BNF team to find which stories to tell and how to tell them
• overseeing all logistical components of rapid action production, including: budgeting, scheduling, crew, and all production related paperwork
• maintaining a nationwide roster of reliable crew
• generating breaking alert video scripts and overseeing the editorial process
• obtaining necessary licenses where required and applicable
• documenting and verifying accurate sources of information
• 24/7 availability to cover a breaking story
• Ability to push forward multiple stories at once

Required skills:

• extensive knowledge of who's who in politics and power
• superior written and visual communication skills
• superhuman ability to remain organized in a chaotic environment
• extraordinary multi-tasking skills
• ability to lead a team and encourage an efficient , productive, congenial work environment
• ability to manage time and meet deadlines as an individual, and push your team to do the same

Researcher/Writer - Brave News Alert
We are looking for a full-time, deep digging Researcher/Writer to scour daily events in order to anticipate political trends and get ahead of the curve with progressive messaging. The Researcher/Writer will work in conjunction with the BNA producer and editorial team to construct video media alerts that reframe the national debate and establish a progressive narrator.
Job responsibilities include:

• researching and tracking breaking news stories and emerging political/social justice trends, as well as the ability to create new stories and trends
• generating breaking alert video scripts
• researching, locating and obtaining archival material that contains the perfect piece of film/video, quote, or sound bites.
• documenting and verifying accurate sources of information
• maintaining a roster of confidential sources for inside information
• 24/7 availability to cover a breaking story
• Pushing forward multiple stories at once

Required skills:

• extensive knowledge of who's who in politics and power
• superior written and visual communication skills
• superior and creative research skills
• superhuman ability to remain organized in a chaotic environment
• extraordinary multi-tasking skills
• thorough knowledge of journalism sourcing standards
• excellent time management skills

To apply for either job, please reference the position and send a resume and one page letter of interest to ihr@bravenewfilms.org. Make the letter personal and interesting -- don't just list your credits. Tell us about your passions, your skills and why you need to be on this team.

CASTING CALL: Phoenix, AZ

Open Casting Call
Independent Feature Film

Ifilm2.com is holding an open casting call for a feature length independently produced film to be shot in Arizona. The project is a narrative fictional film based on the true experiences of undocumented immigrants being smuggled into the United States by traffickers. The Open Casting Call will be held on Saturday October 28th Between 12:30 and 5:00pm, in Meeting Room A of the Phoenix Public Library (Burton Barr Central) located at 1221 North Central Ave Phoenix AZ 85004. On Central Avenue, South of McDowell.

We are looking for five principals and several recurring extras:
3 young Hispanic or Hispanic looking males between the ages of 18 and 28 who speak Spanish and can pass for Mexican ethnicity.
2 young Hispanic or Hispanic looking females between the ages of 18 and 28 who speak Spanish and can pass for Mexican ethnicity.
We also have several roles for recurring extras men and women of varying ages who can pass for Mexican ethnicity.
This is a non-paid project, all participants will receive a copy of the finished film for their reel and film festival exposure as well as a great film making experience.
 
Contact: info@ifilm2.com

CASTING CALL: Santa Monica, CA

We are looking for actors (25-55) for cameo parts (M or F) with lines. All I need is a resume and headshot for now and I will personally call actors for auditions.

The film is a story of a drug dealer and some of his clients (and relatives). The title (as it now stands) is 'The Bad Batch' - which refers to a 'bad batch' of a psychostimulant (such as Methamphetamine) that is acquired by the disdainful drug dealer. Our intent is that this film will also serve as an awareness campaign on meth (or meth-like drugs) and the danger/consequences associated with its use. And hopefully discourage people from using.

Our first film also started as a short, but it tooks a life of its own and it went on to become a full-feature (www.petersordealmovie.com) premiering in Scandinanvia this November.

Shootings will beheld on weekends only in Los Angeles (it will take us 2 or 3 weekends starting mid January). Gas and meals will be provided. All cast will be asked to sign release forms. Unfortunately, there is no pay involved. This is a no-budget production.

*To Submit: Please email headshot and resume or website links to:
jonnykat@gmail.com