Urbanworld Audiences Thrilled about Diverse Lineup of Stories featuring People of Color #UWFF

Some film festivals thrive on controversy while others gain notoriety for their parties or celebrity appearances, all of which seem to detract audience attention from what is supposedly the main point of these events -- watching movies.

Audiences Stay for the "Being Mary Jane" Screening Q&A at the 2012 Urbanworld Film FestivalThe 2012 Urbanworld Film Festival, however, is where I found movie lovers and filmmakers congregating around a myriad of short and feature length works that made us laugh, cry and possibly even gain a new perspective on what it means to be black or bi-polar or disabled or in love with a child molestor or any other fabric of life that is a part of the human experience regardless of whether we understand it or not.

Were there parties involved? Yes. Thanks to the Opening Night after-party, I was introduced to "Candid," a horror film about a voyeuristic stalker who comes across a beautiful model who is also a serial killer. Did famous faces attend the festival? Yes, again. During a post-screening Q&A for the "Being Mary Jane"premiere screening, actress Gabrielle Union made it clear that her bills don't care if a paycheck comes from film or television, because at the end of the day, she's making a living doing what she loves -- acting.

Film remained at the center of attention, which is probably why Urbanworld continues to attract the kind of movie fanatics who will sit on floors and stand along the stairwell of theaters that are packed to the max -- just to watch a movie. Photographer Deb Marcano, who has been coming to Urbanworld since it began 16 years ago told me that there were times in the past when you couldn't even get into the screenings because the lines at the theater were so long.

"Middle of Nowhere" lead actress Emayatzy Corinealdi at Urbanworld Film Festival's Closing Night Screening. "Middle of Nowhere," directed by Ava DuVernay, is about a medical student who puts her dreams on hold when her husband is sent to prison. / Photo courtesy of Deb Marcano.While making my way between several film screenings during the 2012 Urbanworld Film Festival, I interviewed a few audience members at AMC Theaters on 34th Street, whose experiences confirm how eager people are to see something new -- and that something doesn't necessarily have to always correlate with movie scenes featuring shootouts, explosions or fancy effects.

Madlab Post: Is this your first time attending the Urbanworld Film Festival?

"It is my first time -- I wanted to see 'Middle of Nowhere' but after seeing the trailer for 'Wolf,' I was really compelled to come see it and it was everything I thought it would be. It was monstrous, beautiful and everything you needed to say." - Julian King, 34, Philadelphia, PA

"No, I believe I did it once before, a couple of years back. My experience was very positive. I'm always interested in supporting these young actors and directors, so I try to support as much as I can. When my friend told me about this one, I definitely jumped to the opportunity to come and check it out." - Janelle Telesford, 41, Brooklyn, NY

"No. I've been coming for the last four years. Growing up in New York, I knew it was very popular in the city. I'm also an aspiring filmmaker myself." - Mykwain Gainey, 29, Bronx, NY

Which film are you most excited to see?

"Definitely 'Middle of Nowhere.' The next film I'm going to see, however, is 'Getting Up' -- It's a beautiful documentary about a graffiti artist who is stricken with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). It looks beautiful. 'Wolf' blew my mind and I'm very proud to be a part of [the audience] seeing the screening." - J. King

"'The Bluest Note.' I'd be excited to check out the others as well but at this moment, 'The Bluest Note' is the one I'm most definitely interested to see." - J. Telesford.

Actor Jordan Cooper, leading actor in "Wolf" at the Urbanworld Film Festival. "Wolf" directed by Ya'ke smiith, is about a family shaken to the core when learning their child has been molested and loves his abuser."Well, I came to support a lot of the short films but I was really excited to see 'Wolf' last night. Yake's film was definitely incredible. The performances were very intense. I've been hearing about it over the last few months on the festival circuit, so I really wanted to come out and support it." - M. Gainey

How would you describe the Urbanworld Film Festival to the average movie fan who hasn't been here before?

"I would say you're NOT a movie fan if you haven't been here, because this experience -- just seeing movies from the ground up; No hype, no 'A-list' person to blind [your attention from] the movie itself with their own stardom -- This is what it's all about. This is true storytelling and you should come out and see it, support it and find yourself a new favorite actor." - J. King

"I would describe it as an opportunity to pack in as many movies [as you can] in a short period of time and get a variety of an experience as you can -- There's so many different movies that play at these events -- comedy, drama, musicals, etc. in a short space in time without sitting for three or four hours to see two movies." - J. Telesford.

"I think that for people who are tired of seeing misrepresentations of ourselves in the media, I would definitely recommend coming to Urbanworld because you get to see a varied perspective on what it is to be 'urban' -- not just black or Hispanic, but really just to see how we are -- 'cause you know, we're not monolithic. So, what I really appreciate about the festival is that you can come and see yourself on the big screen." - M. Gainey.

So, there you have it... some notes from my travels and coversations over movies, drinks, food, bright lights, big screens and pretty pictures. If there is ever a time to visit New York City, it's during the Urbanworld Film Festival!

Post-Screening Audience Response at Doc ‘I’m Fine, Thanks’ Premiere #indiefilm

The Midwest premiere of Grant Peelle and Adam Baker’s documentary “I’m Fine, Thanks” opens tonight in Wilminton, Ohio at the Murphy Theater. It is one of a few select screenings that brings the most backed documentary in crowd funding platform Kickstarter’s history in front of audiences who are treated to an early view of what battling complacency looks like. I had the pleasure of attending the New York premiere of “I’m Fine, Thanks,” in July and spoke with several audience members who shared their thoughts on this movie with me, following the screening that day.

Producer Adam Baker and I at the NY Premiere of "I'm Fine, Thanks"

“I really liked it -- not knowing what to expect, I was really blown away. I'm ultimately very proud to have any part of it and more than ever, I feel like OMG, this is so much bigger than I ever knew, sitting at home trying to coordinate it. It's huge, so I just hope people see it.

Chris actually watches documentaries and I never watch them unless he makes me, so for me to not only watch one but also help make one is totally crazy on its own but I think it's pretty awesome that it was a documentary that I actually liked watching. I have more appreciation for the genre.” – Joan Otto, member of the Crank Tank Studios team and editor at Man vs. Debt, from Pennsylvania

“I thought it was tremendous. I was really impressed -- to put that quality of production together in only a few months. He made a real film! -- A real documentary in months! Those guys, with tremendous help from their *coordinating producers* -- He has every right to be proud of what he accomplished; not only the fact that he got out there and tried to do it but also made a hell of a film.”  – Chris Otto, journalist from Pennsylvania who blogs at Papergreat and favors the 1978 documentary “Gates of Heaven” by Errol Morris

“Honestly, I would have liked to have seen more about the people who were in the movie and less about the people who made the movie. I think it was a good first effort -- I know it was their first time making a film and they did it really quickly, so you're going to have some things there that might be different if you've taken a little more time to do it but for the sake of time-crunch, they did a pretty decent job.

Next time they decide to make a film, I would like to see more story development -- more of a story arc and less of the people who are making it.”  – Amber J. Adams from New York via Tennessee who writes about finding happiness on your own terms at The Fab Life Project

“I loved the movie because I associated with the story line of not only the documentarians but also a lot of the people in the film whom I've also got to know and befriended through the world of blogging.

I myself was in a dead-end job at age 23, depressed, confused and aimless; I took that leap that they talk about in the film to quit my job and started going in a direction where I didn't really know what I was doing but found fulfillment and passion in that lifestyle than the one that was expected of me.” - Dave Ursillo a New York based author and speaker who writes about alternative leadership, leading in your everyday life and applying personal leadership to your business, goals and dreams. 

"I thought it was absolutely wonderful! I heard about it because I read a lot of the blogs of people who are in and or associated with the movie. I myself am still working in a corporate job but kinda dealing with a lot of the things that the people that they (Grant Peelle and Adam Baker) spoke to are dealing with -- just feeling like it's not really a good fit permanently and just trying to figure out what I want for myself, so the movie absolutely spoke to that." - Shannon Beahan

"I think it was very moving. It basically speaks for the rest of us; that is the reason why we are here. We're so afraid inside, to be the first -- we need to feel that somebody else did something that we want to do before we go ahead and try something crazy like that because deep inside, we all really want to -- we're all just too scared." - Jane Lee-Thai

“I’m Fine, Thanks” directed by Grant Peelle and produced by Adam Baker is playing tonight at 7p.m. so if you have family and friends who live in Ohio, be sure to pass this information along to them! For more information on the who, what, when and where this screening is taking place, visit the “I’m Fine, Thanks” team on Facebook or Eventbrite.

For those of you who are waiting for my review, it will be posted soon. In the meantime, can you describe what, if anything, bugs you about complacency? Or, do you think it’s just fine to be that way?

Director Amir Motlagh discusses Shooting on Canon 5D, Hopelessness and his ‘35 Year Old Man’ #indiefilm

35 Year Old Man directed by Amir Motlagh

An exciting weekend is upon us, as the 12th Annual deadCenter Film Festival is screening “35 Year Old Man,” a short film about a guy named Greg who, as the synopsis points out “turned 35 two days ago. Yesterday, he bought a toaster and cleaned the fridge.”

In a recent interview with “35 Year Old Man” director Amir Motlagh, I found out that the tiniest discoveries can lead to overcoming obstacles, his thoughts on whether age matters or not and also learned that just because short films have a small runtime doesn’t meant that they took 48 hours to complete.

Madlab Post: Does the online availability of “35 Year Old Man” hinder your opportunities to screen at film festivals? If not, have you found the festival circuit helpful in attracting online audiences?

Amir Motlagh: Yes it certainly does to some festivals. In fact, a couple have disqualified us, but gladly taken the money. In truth though, this film was never intended for the festival circuit and was going to be a “straight to web” release. We decided in the end to go both routes, and send it out to a couple fest’s and see if they wanted to premiere it concurrently with a web premiere, and sure enough, a couple festivals did.

So now, we will see if these things help one another. I’m not so much interested in how many views the project receives, but more so, how it affects those who do find it. Its far too gloomy to be viral, although Dailymotion did pick it up for a staff pick.

Greg’s delightful observation at the end of “35 Year Old Man,” about sleeping, appears to shine a ray of light on his generally somber existence. Was that part of the story intended to motivate audiences in some way, where their own lives are concerned?

It’s the tiniest of sparks that lead to overcoming great obstacles, so even in Greg’s great depression, there is a point of hope, even though, the form of this hope still lies outside his immediate realm of control. If this film elicits self reflection for an audience member, it might be a good start for action if you identify wholeheartedly with Greg’s circumstances.

Is 35, or any age for that matter, just a number? Or, is it MORE than a number?

35 is relative. This certain angle of hopelessness can occur at any age, probably starting at your teens and on. However, I chose this particular age for the film because I think that this is nearing that neighborhood where societal demands evert those extra arduous forces screaming for stability and responsibility that carries on ad infinitum.

(l-r) Actor Bob Turton & Amir Motlagh

What did you shoot on and how long did the production last?

This was an extremely small production. It was shot on a Canon 5d and a Nikon d7000 with a variety of different lenses. From principal photography to wrapping post, in all, it took around 5 months. The time could have been cut in half with a heftier budget, but I couldn’t have wished for better help.

What advice would you have for 30 year-old aspiring actors who were in Greg’s position six years ago and have plans to move to Los Angeles to further their careers?

Honestly, it’s probably easier to pursue a career as a working actor in your 30’s, then in your 20’s. For one thing, most people have moved on to something else once the dream of stardom has waned. But its certainly not for everyone, and the more kids and or family obligations you have, the harder I assume it is.

I would suppose that acting is not as centralized to Los Angeles as it once was, so, if you are doing great where you are, and happy with the type of work you are doing, do you have to move? But if you do move, the only real advice is to stay focused, do not let cynicism take over, stay hungry, starve doubt, and don’t hate your city.

(l-r) Cinematographer, Lisa Gallo & Actor, Bob Turton

On managing to make a living and still being able to continue to make more films despite the fact that his work is often available online -- in an expensive industry where many other filmmakers are trying to break even and/or pay back their investors....

“I've had great support along the way, but the direction I'm heading is different then the one I've paved. -- I spent a fruitful many days experimenting with new technology and its subsequent altering of the traditional filmmaking process. But whereas I had a deep love of the fringe, I don’t so much identify with that world anymore. I’m looking for that audience, whereas I never minded one before. And this mindset alters everything.

I guess you find a way to make it work for you, if that's what you really want to do. At this point, since my company owns most of my works, I can put them online. I was tied into some distribution deals over the years, but most expired in the last couple years, and I'd rather have the work accessible to those who find interest in them....”

- Amir Motlagh

Want to know more? Check out my companion interview with Amir Motlagh, on the deadCenter Film Festival and other goodies!

“35 Year Old Man” written and directed by Amir Motlagh is screening this weekend in the deadCenter Film Festival’s “Rated ‘R’ for Ridiculously Awesome Shorts” program.

Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 7:30pm and Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 8:15pm

Both screenings are being held at the IAO Gallery in Oklahoma City, OK.

Don’t live in or near Oklahoma City? That’s ok too. You can still watch “35 Year Old Man” HERE.