Friday, March 31, 2006
METHOD FEST ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR 2006 EDITION
World and U.S.
The 8th annual Method Fest Independent Film Festival, presented by the City of
Friday March 31st – Opening Night
Method Fest opens with the
Saturday, April 1st
The festival kicks in with seminars, workshops, shorts, premieres and screenings including world premiers of “Push” starring Chad Lindberg, Chazz Palmintieri and Michael Rappaport; the south-east Asian adventure “Bangkok”; and the West Coast Premiere of “Confess”, a spy-cam spy thriller. “Debating Robert Lee” is an engrossing and surprising tale of what happens when one of the best debating teachers in the world steps into a troubled school in idyllic
Sunday, April 2nd
Method Fest continues it’s tradition of giving festival goers opportunities to meet and interact with filmmakers at the Filmmaker Brunch and panel discussion where major stars and filmmakers participate. Throughout the day, audiences will be treated to a variety of independently minded features including “Oh, Mr. Faulkner Do You Write”, which brings John Maxwell’s critically-acclaimed, one-man show to the screen; the sexy “These Girls”, based on Vivienne Laxdall’s edgy play to life, starring “Angel” David Boreanz “ from “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”, “Angel” and “Bones” fame;
Halfway Decent” with Ernie Hudson; and the Julie Harris, Ruby Dee starrer, “The Way Back Home”. The Lifetime Award Ceremony will be held prior to the film screening. The Centerpiece Film, the drama “December Ends”, is the critically acclaimed directorial debut of Lee Toland Krieger and a Centerpiece Gala will follow the event. The evening continues to rock at Indie Music Night at the Sagebrush Cantina, beginning at 9:00 p.m. until closing. Bands and acoustic acts, including some from festival films fill the stage at the well known Cantina.
Monday, April 3
The International Showcase offers a wide variety of entertaining and thought provoking entries including s special not-in-competition screening of the post apocalyptic tale of “Ever Since the World Ended”; the one-day tale of ”In a Day” from the UK; “Niagara Motel” featuring Kevin Pollack; Australia’s very sexy contribution of “The Actress” and “The Cabin Movie” a darkly comic look at relationships. Highlighting the evening, a private reception for the filmmakers and stars Monday evening at Mi Piace will follow the 7 p.m. screenings.
Tuesday, April 4
Diversity Days begins on Tuesday at Method Fest, featuring the fear-of-death quirky comedy, “Expiration Date” unspooling with a well-known Native American cast; the dark relationship drama “Tre”; “Eve of Understanding” a female road trip adventure; and “Turntable”, by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Patton-Sprull, the story of an emotionally dead DJ who seeks release through his music. Diversity Days films screen Tuesday, April 4th. The evening reception, hosted by Native Café, includes top acoustic entertainment.
Wednesday, April 5
The American Independents Showcase opnes on Wednesday with the Centerpiece film “The Gold Bracelet”, an India/US co-production. “The Gold Bracelet” is a provocative look at an Indian family and their hopes for a better life in
Thursday, April 6
“Dirt Nap,” closes Method Fest’s screenings and premieres in the evening. Directed by DB Sweeney and starring Ed Harris, John C. McGinley, Paul Hipp, DB Sweeney, and Janet Jones, “Dirt Nap” follows three regular guys through a comical road trip. This is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy of lost dreams and unappreciated treasures.
Friday, April 7
Friday evening, a gala awards ceremony at the Carlson Family Theatre at Viewpoint will close out the festival.
Shorts Program
Throughout the course of the Festival, Method Fest will screen a number of promising shorts in programs dedicated to the art and talent of short films and filmmakers. The Turning the Tables Program features the shorts “Noise”, “Intelligence”, “Serving Santino”,” Cold Comfort”, and “The Importance of Blind Dating”. The Family Matters Shorts Program includes “Big Girl”, ”Crossing”, “Dry Whiskey”, “Guilt”, “I Love You More”, and “In Order of Appearance.” The Rest In Peace Shorts Programs include “Little Lise”, “Purple Bins”, “6 Feet in 7 Minutes”, “Return to Sender”, “Hibernation”, “End of a Dog”, and “Window”. The Locals Gone Loco screenings include shorts “Livewire”, “An Enterprising Caper”, “The Big Empty”, “Take My Advice”, “Christopher Brennan Saves The World,” “The Method,” Shaolin Delivery Boy”, “Queer Eye For The Homeless Guy,” and “Stanley Marshall’s Myth”. In the Strange Days Shorts Program, “K-7,”, “Smart Card”, “Paradox,”, “Lucid”, “Cost of Living”, and “Turn” will be screened. Student Shorts at 5 Program includes “The Savior”(AFTRS), “Queen of Cactus Cove”(AFI), “Wentworth” (USC), “Lucky” (
As always at Method Fest, there are numerous opportunities to meet stars, filmmakers, and join workshops and discussions. Check www.methodfest.com for complete screening details, descriptions, times and locations. Screenings and events are held at venues throughout the
About Method Fest
Named after a famous school of acting, The Method Fest is the only major film festival in the
The Method Fest is presented by the City of
Silver reel Sponsors are Bob Smith BMW, Jet Blue Airways, D2 Development, Motion Picture and Television Fund. Auto Gallery is the Spinning Reel Sponsor.
Bronze Reel Sponsors include SAG Indie, the Screen Actors Guild, Prudential California Realty, SONY, Christie, Modern VideoFilm, Reels and Wheels, Valley of the Stars, Laemmle Theatre, and Wexler.
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METHODFEST 2006 ANNOUNCES HONORS AND AWARDS
Ruby Dee and Julie Harris plus Kevin Pollak, Kelli Garner, Agnes Brucker to be Honored
(March 22, 2006 :
Don Franken, Creator and Executive Director of Method Fest, announced the awards today in Calabasas. “The Method Fest is the only festival completely dedicated to the actor, and the recipients are people we recognize as very deserving of these honors."
A highlight of the festival will be the Lifetime Achievement award that will be presented to two beloved actresses, Ruby Dee and Julie Harris. The pair appears in Michael Houston King’s The Way Back Home, a tale of a young man’s return home, which ultimately revisits the past. Julie Harris, well known to television audiences for her long-running role on “Knots Landing,” is an Oscar nominated actress known for her iconic performances in East of Eden and The Haunting. Ruby
The first stop since Sundance and the West Coast premiere of Dreamland is set for opening night at The Method Fest on March 31 at the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s Louis B. Mayer Theater. Dreamland stars, Kelli Garner and Agnes Bruckner, will receive the Rising Star Award from the Method Fest at the star-studded premiere. “The Rising Star Award” will be presented to the actresses prior to the film screening. This will be at a red carpet Hollywood-style premiere. The actresses will also serve as guests on honor and honorary hosts of the Opening Night Gala at the scenic ValleyCrest Companies, high on the hill in Calabasas overlooking the entire region.
Kevin Pollack, known for his many character-driven roles in television and features including a memorable role in The Usual Suspects, will receive a Career Achievement Award from the Method Fest on Tuesday, April 4. Kevin appears in Niagara Motel, screening on Monday April 3rd.
About Method Fest
Named after a famous school of acting, The Method Fest is the only major film festival in the
The Method Fest is presented by the City of
Silver Reel Sponsors are Bob Smith BMW, jetBlue, D2 Development, Motion Picture and Television Fund. The L.A. Auto Gallery is a Spinning Reel Sponsor.
Bronze Reel Sponsors include SAG Indie, the Screen Actors Guild, Prudential California Realty, Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, FilmFinders SONY, Christie, Modern VideoFilm, Aarmadillo, Valley of the Stars, Laemmle Theatres, and Wexler. ValleyCrest Companies,
Festival Supporters include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, indieprinting.com, Ice Age, Money Mailer, King's Fish House, Native Café, Sagebrush Cantina, Leonis Adobe, Too Tasty Catering, Maria's Italian Kitchen, Blue Table, Astrale e Terra Winery, Mi Piace, and Foxen Winery.
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Thursday, March 30, 2006
EVENT REVIEW: NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO 2006
The annual Natural Products Expo in Anaheim wowed attendees again. Biggest food show I have ever seen, took over the entire Anaheim Convention Center and part of the outside. Especially loved the variety of healthy-yet-tasty chips and related snacks, such as Pretzel Crisps (imagine a pretzel flattened by a bulldozer that you can now spread stuff on) and Guiltless Gourmet's Baked chips, like Smoked Cheddar. Also oh-so-good: Pirate Booty. PowerBar promoted new health bars. Loved the Eggnog flavored soymilk. Most impressive were the soy-based imitation hotdogs and chicken; if you hadn't been told they were not meat you could not tell. Veggie is ready for prime time.
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Friday, March 17, 2006
MAR.17: GEN ART FASHION WEEK BASH IS BACK: THE NEW GARDE
Friday, March 17th
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:
Park Plaza Hotel
607 South Park View Street
Los Angeles, CA
Beverages courtesy of: Beck’s Premier Light, Ciroc Vodka, Fiji, Johnnie Walker, and Red Diamond Wines.
TICKETS:
VIP
Associate Producer members: 2 complimentary tickets
Platinum members: $30
Silver members: $60
Non-members: $70
General
Platinum members: 2 complimentary tickets
Silver members: $25
Non-members: $35
* Associate Producer & Platinum members will receive an invitation prior to the event with RSVP instructions
* Use your IN:LA Card from American Express for a 10% savings on your purchase of a Gen Art membership. Apply now at IN-LA.com or call 310-601-3213.
To become a Gen Art member, call 310-601-3213.
Gen Art invites you to The New Garde: A Celebration of Innovative LA Fashion, the kick-off of LA Fashion Week on Friday, March 17th. This amazing fashion event taking place at the Park Plaza Hotel will feature three of L.A.'s hottest and most innovative designers in live model installations!
Additional support for this event courtesy of: Acura, Ecru New York, LA Confidential, and Mark Cosmetics.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
MAR.9: Orange County’s Largest Mixer III
It's almost here, O.C. people. Do NOT miss it. I'm talking about the third annual Largest Mixer in Orange County on Thursday, March 9 from 5pm to 9pm. This year's fest will be located indoors at the Orange County Fair & Expo Center. If you do your business in O.C., or have been thinking about doing so, this is the event for you. Join the combined networking power of 25 Orange County chambers of commerce and dozens of business organizations for Orange County’s Largest Mixer III.
You can also get your business involved as an exhibitor at this targeted business-to-business event. Develop hundreds of business leads while reaching professionals and companies in and around Orange County. Limited exhibitor space is available. Reserve yours today. Info at: 949-222-6600 or www.ocmixer.com.
posted by Don Rose
