RECOMMENDS: Scripped

If you are an aspiring screenwriter, the coolest way to start your journey is to join Scripped. Founded by Sunil Rajaraman and Ryan Buckley in 2006, their flagship product,  Scripped Writer, allows writers to format their scripts to industry standards online. This gives writers an opportunity to start their screenplay without having to pay and download an expensive software. Writers would be able to access the script at anytime, anywhere.


Scripped (http://scripped.com) does not only offer the software but a community of screenwriters as well. If you are a member, you have the option to share not only the script but your ideas as well. This allows other writers to be inspired, comment and make suggestions about your work. You can also discuss writing tips and trends from other members around the world. In turn, as an inexperienced writer, you get sound advice from people who have worked in the business.

As a member, you can also enter the monthly scriptwriting contests. This will give you a chance to earn money for your ideas and scripts and be known to people that matter. Scripped has also ran contests for Sundance Winner Edward Burns,  Alex Albrecht, award-winning screenwriter Steven de Souza.

REVIEW: Away We Go

In 2008, Revolutionary Road asserted my belief that marriage is pointless, that it doesn't make a relationship work. That it's nothing but legality bullcrap. With Revolutionary Road, Sam Mendes helmed one of the most depressing movie I've ever seen in my entire life.

Sam Mendes is an expert in telling stories about dysfunctional families and relationship idiosyncrasies. After all, his first attempt behind the camera made him an Oscar winner - American Beauty was the epitome of beautiful dysfunction. 

After Revolutionary Road, Mendes' next project was Away We Go - while the former had everything big, the latter had everything in bare minimum. RR had the biggest super stars in Leonardo diCaprio and Kate Winslet while Away We Go had solid actors in John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph. Where RR is heavy and depressing, Away We Go is light and hopeful. All in all, Away We Go is the polar opposite of Revolutionary Road. 

With

 his fifth film, Sam Mendes has found his niche as a director. The movie seems so relax and real - a movie that was done without any pressure. 

From

 writers Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, Away We Go is about a thirty-something couple who travelled across the country in order to find a place to settle in, have a baby and live as a family. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph played the couple and were beautifully supported by Jeff Bridges, Catherine O' Hara, Allison Janney and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The photography is magnificent and so as the soundtrack, courtesy of Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Alex Murdoch.

While the two leads performed their roles exceptionally as individual actors (John Krasinski is the sweetest leading man on screen ever), them as a couple was another story. In real life, Maya is much older than John but in the movie, we learned that they are both the same age. Making John beard-full to make him look older didn't help at all. Every time I see them, I feel like I'm looking at a high school teacher who eloped with her student. Mind you, I love both actors but, again, them as a couple, as lovers, is not convincing.

Unlike Sam's previous films, this couple is happily un-married. What made this movie more special for me is the message that it takes two people to make a life together, to make a family together - regardless of being married or not.

The trampoline scene, wherein we see the couple saying their promises to each other, is more romantic than any wedding scenes we see in romantic comedies. Away We Go portrayed what I deem a real relationship is like - quirky, loyal, honest and selfless. 

REVIEW: The Boondock Saints and The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery

Last night my sister was in the mood to watch some kick-ass action film. For several weeks now, whenever I check the latest DVD releases, top on the list was The Boondock Saints: All Saints Day. Despite not knowing what the movie is, I downloaded it. The poster showed two guys holding guns, hey, it must be an action film, right?

We started with The Boondock Saints (released in 1999) and I can't remember the last time I had so much fun watching an action film. Set in Boston, the plot revolves around blue collar Irish fraternal twins, Murphy (Norman Reedus) and Connor  MacManus (Sean Patrick Flanery) who turned vigilantes. With the help of their Italian friend Rocco (David Della Rocco), they started eradicating Russian and Italian mobs. Willem Dafoe gave a wonderfully disturbing performance as FBI Agent Paul Smecker while Bill Connolly played the mysteriously dangerous Il Duce. It's dark comedy with good looking bad boys (Norman Reedus has an Orlando Bloom thing going on and Rocco kinda reminds me of Dave Grohl) and the film in its entirety is indulgent, ridiculous and cheesy - everything you need for great entertainment (keyword: entertainment).

The movie didn't make money and was barely heard overseas. However, this didn't deter Troy Duffy into making a sequel, even if it took him 10 years to make it. 

At the beginning of The Boondock Saints: All Saints Day (released in 2009), we see a priest getting murdered and we learned that the MacManus twins and Il Duce (who turned out to be their Dad) are now living in Ireland. After hearing the death of the priest and how he died, they decided to go back to Boston and kill every last mofos who's involved in it. In the sequel, we see that the twins are more confident as killing machines and they have ugly tats on their back. There's no more Rocco or Smecker but what we got instead are Hispanic Romeo (Clifton Collins Jr) and high-heeled wearing southern belle Special Agent Eunice (Julie Benz trying to audition for Kyra Sedgewick's role in The Closer). We got rewarded by a cameo from Peter Fonda as the brilliant The Roman and we got to know more about Il Duce's past. All in all, like most sequels, it has bigger budget, more action scenes but still pales in comparison to the original. It's not bad. It's still so much fun but not better than the original. 

I am now a fan of The Boondock Saints and hope that Troy Duffy will make another film for the fans. 

At the end of the sequel, we see the twins in prison and Smecker and Eunice reunited. These ex-FBI agents are now under Catholic Church custody and are planning to get the boys out of prison. A third instalment, perhaps? 

ICON: Joseph Gordon-Levitt

I've got some big words to share. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the best actor of my generation! 

Joseph who?

Most people would say that they don't know who I'm talking about, but these same people would be very surprise that they have actually seen and enjoyed some of Joe's works.

Let's start from the beginning. Joe started as a child actor appearing in TV shows like Murder, She Wrote and L.A. Law and films like A River Runs Through It and Beethoven. His first leading man role was in Holy Matrimony opposite Patricia Arquette, he was 13 years old. But, his biggest break as a child actor was in a Disney classic, Angels In The Outfield. He had a short stint in Roseanne before he became a full-fledged comedy star playing Tommy Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun. As a young man, he held his own against comedy legends like Jane Curtin and John Lithgow.

In the 5 years that 3rd Rock from the Sun went on air, Joe never stopped making movies. He was Demi Moore's son in The Juror and he wooed Larisa Oleynik in 10 Things I Hate About You. 

After 3rd Rock from the Sun, Joe went on hiatus and attended Columbia University. He came back in 2001 with Manic, a film that started his indie journey. Critics raved about Joe's performance but despite that, Joe stuck with projects he believed in. He didn't go mainstream as many had expected. He continued to give superb performances in movies like Mysterious Skin, Brick, Havoc and The Lookout. For almost a decade, Joe was a staple in the indie film industry. 

Last year, we see Joe being introduced to the mainstream audience. With (500) Days of Summer, being the biggest hit to come out from last year's Sundance Film Festival, and G.I. Joe, where he played Rex Lewis aka Cobra Commander, he is on his way to making big-budget movies. This year, he will be appearing on Christopher Nolan's Inception alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy and Ellen Page. 

Those who follow his career (e.g. me) are glad that he's getting the recognition he deserves. He has proven that he has excellent comedic chops (Saturday Night Live), a brilliant dramatic actor (Hesher), a wonderful character voice (Treasure Planet) and a great believer and promoter of art (http://hitRECord.org).

I also admire Emile Hirsch and Ryan Gosling and think that they are wonderful actors. But, their resumes pale in comparison to that of Joe's, who has done it all and will continue to do more.

PEOPLE: Jay Abello

"Jewel, there's an Ilonggo film at Cinemalaya called Namets!"
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah.What does it mean?"
"Well, "namets" usually refers to women who are "yummy" to men. So, I would think that the film is about an Ilongga hooker."


Okay. I can sense a few raised eyebrows. But, please allow me to defend myself.


The first time I've heard the word "namets" was in high school, back in Bacolod City. And, yes, that was how my male classmates would call a girl who's very appealing to them. You just don't describe food as "namets", it should be "namit". Secondly, it's being screened at Cinemalaya, the most prestigious independent film festival in the country. Knowing that most indies are dark and gritty, assuming that the film was tackling a depressing yet real issue was not far-fetched. 


And, boy, was I wrong! Very wrong.


If you're one of those lucky people who have seen the film, you'd know that it's not your typical Pinoy indie. Shot entirely around Negros, Namets! is about two childhood sweethearts who have to get reacquainted and rediscover their love for each other with the help of - you guess it - food. The beautiful photography not only makes you salivate at the delectable dishes and run to the nearest restaurant, it also entices the viewer to experience the Negros island. From instructions on how to eat an inasal to a boy saving his chicken, as a true-blue Ilongga, it was a treat for me to see my heritage being portrayed accurately and genuinely. This little delight beats the crap out of our typical studio romantic-comedies. 


Asking people to watch the film seems not enough. I needed to personally tell the director how proud I am of the film and the people behind it. And, here begins my acquaintance with the film's director, Jay Abello. 


Eleven years ago, after training under director Erik Matti in the Negros Summer Workshop, Jay Abello went to Manila to work as a property master for Matti's movie Ekis starring Rica Peralejo and Mark Anthony Fernandez. Since then, he never looked back. He became a writer, then director of photography, producer and director. He tackled them all.  "One of the most exciting parts of my career was writing screenplays with Erik Matti, Richard Somes and Mark Querubin. Having my name on the credits as co-writer or story was pretty exciting. We wrote the story of Balahibong Pusa for Yam Laranas, screenplay for Sa Huling Paghihintay and Dos Ekis.  It was the first time I felt I was a big part of a movie that was actually being made", said Jay on his growing career.


In spite of having an active career doing studio films, Jay religously joined Cinemalaya until he got a grant in 2007 with his entry Ligaw Liham (Namets! was his 2008 entry). The film starred Karylle and Jay says, "it's a tribute to writing letters by hand."


He also added, "We never got financing for Ligaw Liham, it was family, very few friends who helped in the funding and a lot of artist friends putting in work for the love of the art and the belief in me and the project. When we make a film, we always start with the story.Of course, we stop ourselves from writing epics knowing full well that we can never get it financed. When we write a story, we try to do it without restraint.  However, during pre-production, the screenplay sometimes adjusts - but not in story, just the logistics and the staging part - to fit the budget."


"Doing a film is very expensive unless someone finances the project. So, when I do an indie, it means I will either put out money or ask favors from a lot of people (a cost to me because those favors have to be paid in some form in the future). It is a debt. If you do not believe in the story or project 150%, then forget doing an indie.  Every process in making a film is so exciting because you are commandeering a ship to the deep ocean. Everyone's behind you and you're all there floating together, holding on to each other and helping one another getting across and back home.  And the reward is when you're film gets screened in front of an audience and you hear a laugh, a sigh or someone crying or giggling and you know that they understood your film - that is priceless. Then you know you're really home."

To pursue your passion, you must make sacrifices. In the case of filmmaking, Jay explains, "It's not a 9 to 5 job. Sometimes you work more than 24 hours. Sometimes you work on the weekends. Sometimes you work on a movie that takes you away from your home for weeks or months. So it also takes a toll on your relationships. And then you're always dealing with a lot of artists so that can also be a huge challenge-- because artists have very diverse and very extreme personalities, it's like dealing with rock stars in a band."


Since big studios would not risk financing what Jay calls, personal films, he continues to make them and gets inspiration from the burgeoning indie film industry of the country. He affirms, "It's very inspiring. There are so many filmmakers working on their films now. Every week, you hear of someone shooting his film and that's very inspiring.  It feels like the indie film industry is so alive now.  Of course, it's still in it's infancy stage wherein a lot of the marketing and distribution part is still being mulled over and studied and improved by all indie filmmakers.  We are all trying to work on that and move forward so it's pretty hopeful to say the least."

MUSIC: Kina Grannis

I discovered Kina Grannis a few weeks back when a friend posted a barrage of her songs and YouTube videos on Facebook. I thought to myself, who the hell is Kina Grannis? So, I took a chance and watched her video cover of Iron and Wine's Flightless Bird, American Mouth. 

I was hooked.

If this was American Idol, the judges will say that she made the song her own. And, that she connected.

The connection was so strong that I not only played the song non-stop in one day, I also downloaded the original version (plus Iron and Wine's five albums) and this lady's singles.

The song, itself, was already beautifully - very poetic. But with Kinna's rendition, - which is actually twice as long as the original - the song became gentler, more emotional. The "family home video" music video also gave that intimate feel. 


But, that didn't stop there. Trying to satisfy my curiosity, I checked her YouTube Channel (kinagrannis) and this 24-year-old singer-songwriter will provide you with the most wonderful covers ever. My favorites, so far, are Falling Slowly (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova), Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), 1234 (Feist), New Soul (Yael Naim) and Bleeding Love (Leona Lewis). She did more covers but I just can't view them all in one day, can I?

If you check her channel, you could see that most of her videos have more than a million hits. Clearly, she's very popular. But why is she still unheard of in this part of the world? Why hasn't any big record label honcho grabbed this talented lady yet?

Actually, she has "performed" at the Super Bowl XLII and been signed to Interscope Records, but decided to go independent instead. Methinks, the big record label honcho decided to make her into the next Colbie Caillat or, worse, have someone write songs for her (think Kelly Clarkson versus Dick Clark). If this is the case, she may have felt a loss of creative freedom and the best way to maintain her sanity and originality is to make it big her own way. Good for her and I agree!

Here are other things I learned about Kina Grannis (all information are available on Wiki, of course);

• Her song Message From Your Heart won the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest. Hence, the aforementioned "performed" at the Super Bowl.
• She is of Japanese, English, Irish, French, Dutch, Welsh and Scottish descent.
• Some of her songs were featured in TV shows like General Hospital and College Life.
• An avid supporter of cancer research, she would perform regularly on charity events for the cause.
• She has a new album called Stairwells and her latest single is Valentine (video below) which, is available on free download from kinagrannis.com.

DISCUSSION: Indie Photographer

When I was starting this blog, I thought about the definition of "going indie". In music or film industry, "indie" means releasing a single, album or film without a major record label or studio backing the project. The explanation is clear-cut.

But, what about the other industry - like photography or fashion - where it also takes a lot to be accepted and recognized. What's their "indie" situation like?

Is there such a thing as an indie photographer?

"I haven't heard anyone calling themselves indie photographer. So no, there's no such thing. The closest, I think, is called a freelance photographer, which in itself means you're not tied up to any studio or mainstream agency.", said my friend, Ian Castanares, staff photographer of Metro Magazine.

If you live in the Philippines, you would see that almost everybody is holding an SLR camera. Does this mean almost everybody's a freelance photographer? Are they even legit?

Ian said, "Interesting point because right now there's no qualifications for one to be considered legit. It's not the equipment that makes one a professional but the technical skills. Photography is an art so it's very difficult to qualify. It's very subjective. Soon, the government agency TESDA will come out with technical qualifications to solve this problem (I dont know how they will do it). It's like board exams for photographers. But until that time comes, i think anyone who gets paid for photography services can be considered professional. I know, silly."

He also added, "Everybody can be a photographer but it takes an amazing body of work to be considered an artist. I, myself, haven't reached that level but I believe it's a constant struggle. Even legit photographers can take bad photos so they need to constantly train to understand light more and to see beauty and translate those into great photographs."

So, there. My question has been answered - unless someone disagrees and tells me that he is an indie photographer, then that's going to be in another discussion.

*Photo of Ian Castanares was taken by the author in Anilao, Batangas

FESTIVAL: Tribeca Film Festival

One of the most recognized international film festival is the Tribeca Film Festival held annually in New York. Founded by Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff in 2002, the festival's mission is "to enable the international film community and the general public to experience the power of film by redefining the film festival experience." It is also to celebrate New York City as a major filmmaking capital.

Unlike its more famous counterpart, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca gives more focus on films from around the globe with its World Narrative Competition Category (think Academy Awards' Best Foreign Language Film only cooler because it honors not only the film but also the director and actors). This gives international filmmakers a better chance in having their feature film screened in a prestigious US film festival.

From April 21 - May 2, 2010, audiences will not only get to watch the premiere of Shrek Forever After but these 12 entries for World Narrative Competition as well:

1. Buried Land
   Directed by Geoffrey Alan Rhodes and Steven Eastwood, written by Geoffrey Alan Rhodes, Steven Eastwood, and Dzenan Medanovic
   (USA, UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina) – World and TFF Virtual Premiere
2. Dog Pound
   Directed by Kim Chapiron, written by Kim Chapiron and Jeremie Delon
   (France) – World Premiere
3. Loose Cannons (Mine Vaganti)
   Directed by Ferzan Ozpetek, written by Ivan Cotroneo and Ferzan Ozpetek
   (Italy) – North American Premiere
4. Lucky Life
   Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, written by Lee Isaac Chung and Samuel Gray Anderson
   (USA) – World Premiere
5. My Brothers
   Directed by Paul Fraser, written by William Collins
   (Ireland) – World Premiere
6. Open House
   Directed and written by Andrew Paquin
   (USA) – World Premiere
7. Paju
   Directed and written by Chan-ok Park
   (South Korea) – North American Premiere
8. Gainsbourg, Je t'Aime... Moi Non Plus
   Directed and written by Joann Sfar
   (France) – International Premiere
9. Snap
   Directed and written by Carmel Winters
   (Ireland) – World Premiere
10. When We Leave (Die Fremde)
    Directed and written by Feo Aladag
    (Germany) – North American Premiere
11. The White Meadows (Keshtzar haye sepid)
    Directed and written by Mohammad Rasoulof
    (Iran) – North American Premiere
12. William Vincent
    Directed and written by Jay Anania
    (USA) – World Premiere

For more festival information, please go to http://www.tribecafilm.com

FESTIVAL: Crystal Piaya Awards

Held annually in Bacolod City, The Student Piaya and Crystal Awards is the brainchild of the facilitators from Production Management Workshop of The Negros Summer Workshop. The first Student Piaya was given to those who learned production management under Director Lore Reyes in 1996.

The first Crystal Piaya was given in 1998 when NSW opened the competition for amateur filmmakers - student and non-student alike. Only short films are accepted for this competition but it has an extensive technical category - from cinematography to production design, from acting to editing.

Past jurors include respected Filipino film actors like Richard Gomez, Jaclyn Jose, Cherie Gil, Gina Alajar, Eric Quizon, director Maryo J Delos Reyes, Jerry Sineneng, Rory Quintos, scriptwriter Ricky Lee, cinematographer Leslie Garchitorena and talent manager Douglas Quijano.

Aside from the Crystal Piaya trophy, the winner gets a cash prize of Php 25000.00.

This year, the 14th Crystal Piaya Shortfilm Competition is accepting entries until May 3, 2010.

For more information on how to join the competition contact:

09174382057 - Neil Colango
09081087488 - Frances Anne Goriceta

Or Visit us at the CAPC office (formerly Artist in Residence) @ University of Saint La Salle Bacolod

Office of the Secretariat
Tel # (034) 434-5998

or email us at:
nsworkshops@yahoo.com

Reference: http://www.usls.edu.ph/nsw/awards.html

VIDEO: Define The Indie Spirit

Earlier this month, The Independent Spirit Film Awards was held in Los Angeles with Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire reaping a number of wins.

In line with the award show, indie film regulars, like William H Macy, Illeana Douglas, Tim Roth, Viola Davis, Juliette Lewis and many more, spoke in front of the camera defining what it means to be independent.

ICON: Quentin Tarantino

To many, Quentin Tarantino seems to be an over-the-top eccentric film director who glamorizes violence on screen. To me, he is a genius.
But this wasn't always the case.
The first time I have ever heard of the name Quentin Tarantino was when Pulp Fiction resurrected John Travolta's dying career. I was 11 years old. I was completely unaware of the buzz surrounding the film, its filmmaker and how it'll place in modern pop culture. All I knew was that Danny Zuko is back, can I have another Look Who's Talking movie please?

Despite the success of Pulp Fiction, I was never motivated to watch any of Quentin's films. As much I love watching movies, my priority was to watch all the chick flicks and teeny-bopper movies produced during the 90's. Reservoir Dogs or Jackie Brown doesn't really fit the bill. But, a few months ago, while discovering my love for Quentin's brain and artistry, I learned I've watched a movie he wrote way before he became mainstream famous for Pulp Fiction. It was True Romance.
I was really too young to remember the story but I knew the reason I watched it was because Christian Slater was THE it-guy and my two elder sisters had a crush on him. Brad Pitt was yet to become famous.

As a pop culture geek, I have been cognizant of Quentin's fame and works but never really gotten around to knowing his art until Kill Bill. What got my attention was the fact that he was inspired by anime to do the Kill Bill movies.
When I was in college, taking a fine arts course, I went gaga over anime. I've always believed that anime are great references for beautiful cinematography and design. Then I read (or watched, I can't remember anymore) in an interview that Quentin secluded himself and watch anime over and over - and the result was this kick-ass Bride and her revenge adventure movie.

I understood him. I understood his creative process. I, now, know why he takes a long time to direct a new film. He takes his time and let grand inspirations come to him.

I couldn't wait for his next project after Kill Bill. And, yes, I was excited for Grindhouse. And I watched Death Proof. (No comments here)

Last year, one of the movies I was so excited to watch was Inglourious Basterds. The trailer and Brad Pitt's accent had me. I knew it was going to be (for the lack of better word) awesome. My intuition was right when I learned Basterds was accepted quite well during the Cannes Film Festival. I was giddy with excitement.

Inglourious Basterds was not the perfect movie. Some people are saying that it's too talky, less of the Basterds and historically inaccurate. I say, the dialogues created tension, we've got superb performances from Melanie Laurent and Christoph Waltz, and the movie's got balls!

I was inspired. I was inspired by the man who had the balls to change history through his movie. He didn't give a damn what historians or critics will say. He wanted to tell a story that's gutsy and insane at the same time. He wanted to tell a story his own way.

He's not just an auteur. He is a master storyteller. He's a genius.

Quentin Tarantino taught me to be successful and respected, you have to take risks. You have to believe in yourself. You have to steadfastly stand by your work regardless of your detractors. You have to be brave in pursuing your passion. You need to have balls.