Archive for December, 2009
Senate body on culture discusses film industry issues
Posted by: admin in India Industry News, Middle East Industry News, State/Government Production Incentive News on December 31st, 2009
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=216052
LAHORE: The Senate Standing Committee on Culture and Tourism discussed matters pertaining to the film industry during a meeting at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal here on Wednesday.
Chairperson of the Committee Senator Nilofar Bakhtiar chaired the meeting, which was attended by Senator Jahangir Badar, Rehana Yahya Baloch, Sabina Rauf, Gulshan Saeed, Chairman Censor Board Barrister Malik Shahnawaz Noon, film stars Nishoo, Sangeeta and Syed Noor.
Barrister Malik Shahnawaz Noon briefed the committee members about the proposals recommended by the sub-committee for the revival of the Pakistani cinema and import of Indian films. Speaking on the occasion, Jahangir Badar proposed to constitute a committee, comprising film-makers, to implement the decisions taken by the Senate committee and present the recommendations of the committee to Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin.
Film-makers informed the meeting about the problems and difficulties being faced by them while producing films. They demanded of the government to provide facilities, including latest technology, to produce good films.
They demanded of the Punjab government to give the tax free status to the film industry. They pointed out that the other three provinces had already exempted the film industry from tax.
Film/TV Production Manager Training To Be Offered At Chattanooga State
Posted by: admin in Training & School News on December 31st, 2009
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_165810.asp
The spring semester in the Professional Film and Television Training Program at Chattanooga State will offer another skill to the growing local film initiative - Production Management.
Officials said, “This person weaves together the efforts of the various departments on a working set. the production manager requisitions, budgets, and schedules cast, crew, and the various production elements to come together as one with clocklike precision.
“The training class will be followed the next semester (summer/fall 2010) by the “internship component” in the same area with placement in local/regional production firms.
“Those of you who have previously taken the “Introduction to Film Technology” class do not have to repeat the first section.”
For more film and television training classes and contact information visit:
http://www.chattanoogastate.edu/film/
2009 a record year for the film industry
Posted by: admin in General Industry News, Studio/Network News, United States Industry News on December 30th, 2009
http://www.cdinsight.com/news.php?readmore=3552
2009 was a record year in the film industry, with over 1.3 billion tickets sold in the United States the BBC reports. This beat’s last year’s 1.2 billion tickets sold. Hollywood.com, the box office website the compiled the figures, predicted that 2009 may be the film industry’s first $10 billion year.
New Moon and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, were both released in 2009 and are both in the top ten for the highest opening weekend of all time. Highly anticipated films like James Cameron’s Avatar and Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes also bring promise to the box office.
Average ticket prices have also reached a new high, going from $7.18 last year to $7.46 this year. This could be the reason that takings rose 8.5 per cent.
Subrat Dutt-Learn before you join film industry
Posted by: admin in General Industry News, India Industry News, Training & School News on December 30th, 2009
http://calcuttatube.com/subrat-dutt-learn-before-you-join-film-industry-46916/
Actor Subrat Dutta recently won the best actor award at the prestigious Cairo film festival. The talented Subrat Dutta who has the extreme flexibility to change himself according to the character talks to CalcuttaTube in an intimate interview.
[excerpt]
Calcutta Tube: What would be your tips or suggestions to the newcomers, who are taking up acting as their profession?
Subrat Dutta: More new faces are streaming in the Bengali film industry than in the Bollywood. I have only one thing to suggest to not only the newcomers, but everyone in general. Learn about your profession and works, before you join an industry. It is a global rule and that way things become easier for everyone. You may choose to go to a school to get some formal training, or may follow your idol, but you need to know about the work you are going to do.
Calcutta Tube: We often hear many professionals say that they have not attended any schoools before coming into the industry and have picked things up with time. So, is that not preferable?
Subrat Dutta: It may be true for a very small percentage. It can never reflect the whole picture. Or if you have celebrity parents, you can afford to that kind of thing. I have seen people with strong financial or family backgrounds who have come to the industry without any prior knowledge and have learnt acting after working in a bunch of films. After giving loads of flops, their every single movie is now a being hit. They have turned into brilliant actors. If the audience are coming to see an actor after more than a dozens of flop movies, I would call that luck.
Turkmen Leader Reopens Cinema To Mark Revival Of Film Industry
Posted by: admin in Middle East Industry News on December 30th, 2009
Schoolchildren, actors, and state officials also attended the event on December 28.
Watan is one of several cinemas in the Turkmen capital that is being renovated and reopened. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Turkmen film industry suffered as President Saparmurat Niyazov ordered the Turkmenfilm studios closed, leaving film professionals jobless.
The government’s isolationist policy left Turkmen movies out of foreign film festivals as theaters were closed and used for other purposes.
Watan will again show films — mostly from India and the United States — until the Turkmen film industry returns to its Soviet-era level.
Berdymukhammedov declared early in his leadership that reforms were part of his “New Revival” program, which included lifting Niyazov’s bans on the opera, circus, and movie theaters.
Berdymukhammedov came to power in 2006 after the death of Niyazov.
Telugu film industry may shift to Chennai: Rosaiah
Posted by: admin in India Industry News on December 30th, 2009
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah Wednesday said the continuing attacks on film shootings in and around Hyderabad by Telangana supporters may force the Telugu film industry to shift back to Chennai.
Assuring full protection, the Chief Minister urged all political parties to ensure that the industry stays in Hyderabad.
The campaign over Telangana has caused huge losses to the film industry, with thousands boycotting movies of some actors and continuing attacks on the shooting of some others opposed to Telangana’s creation.
Recalling that the Telugu film industry shifted from Chennai to Hyderabad after the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, Rosaiah said if it goes back, it will affect the employment opportunities of local people.
He pointed out that 70 to 80 percent of the workers in the film industry were locals.
“The hero, heroines and some other people may be from other regions (of Andhra Pradesh) but the majority of the workers are local people,” he said in an obvious reference to claims by pro-Telangana groups that the movie industry was dominated by people from coastal Andhra.
Rosaiah also termed as baseless the allegations of pro-Telangana groups that film personalities were given prime lands free of cost in and around Hyderabad.
He pointed out that lands were given to the industry as incentives as per the market rates.
The chief minister regretted that the shootings of actors like Mahesh Babu and Junior NTR who have said nothing on Telangana were also attacked.
Last week the protestors also attacked film shootings of veteran actor-producer Mohan Babu’s son M. Manoj and actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi’s nephew Allu Arjun.
Both Mohan Babu and Chiranjeevi are opposing the bifurcation of the state.
Mexico’s revolutionary film fever
Posted by: admin in Mexico Industry News on December 30th, 2009
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013206.html?categoryid=19&cs=1
‘Revolucion’ celebrates country’s independence
By JAMES YOUNG
MEXICO CITY Mexico is showering coin on local film projects to celebrate its 200 years of independence from Spain in 2010. Among pics supported by government funds are a 10-segment omnibus from the likes of Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna, as well the most expensive production in Mexican history.
Made up of 10 short films, “Revolucion” directors include thesps-turned-directors Bernal and Luna, Patricia Riggen (”Under the Same Moon”), Rodrigo Garcia Fernando Eimbke (”Duck Season”), Rodrigo Pla, Amat Escalante, Carlos Reygadas, Gerardo Naranjo and Mariana Chenillo.
Funded mainly by Imcine’s special projects budget and 226 tax incentive coin, “Revolucion” will have its national debut on Revolution Day — Nov. 20.
Next year also celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, which rose up against the 34-year dictatorial rule of Porfirio Diaz under the banner of several leftist and social justice movements.
“This is an excellent opportunity to analyze through the eyes of these directors … what is the revolution today and what it means to the young minds of Mexico,” says Canana prexy and project producer Pablo Cruz.
Mexico’s arts council Conaculta also ponied up several million dollars to produce three features and a docu in conjunction with Imcine to honor the year’s milestones.
A period piece recounting the events of a failed assassination attempt on Diaz in 1897, titled “Expediente del Atentado” (roughly, “The Attempt Dossier”), will cost more than any other Mexican film in history. Director Antonio Serrano will film a biopic of Independence hero Miguel Hidalgo, while Damian Alcazar (Lord Sopespian in the Narnia “Prince Caspian” sequel) will play a man returning to Mexico after 20 years in “El Infierno” (The Inferno), helmed by “Herod’s Law” director Luis Estrada.
Docu is a feature on Revolutionary-era photographer Agustin Victor Casasolas, helmed by Carlos Rodrigo Montes de Oca.
2012 sets China box office record
Posted by: admin in Asia Industry News, China Industry News on December 30th, 2009
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iIc_WrXp-I-XgRZVKAMTnCNdKs4Q
(UKPA)
Disaster film 2012 has become the second Hollywood movie to shatter the Chinese box office record in a year, as Beijing faces increased pressure to ease its annual quota of 20 foreign blockbusters.
The all-action Roland Emmerich film made 460 million Chinese yuan (67.3 million dollars) as of December 23, eclipsing the previous mark of 450 million yuan set by another Hollywood blockbuster, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen earlier this year, Weng Li, spokesman for the state-owned film importer China Film Group, said.
The new record came just days after the World Trade Organisation upheld an earlier ruling that China is illegally restricting US music, film and book imports.
China only shares revenues with foreign movie studios on 20 imports a year — a restriction that amounts to a quota on foreign blockbusters.
The Chinese movie The Founding Of A Republic made 415 million yuan earlier this year, landing it the No 3 spot in the all-time box office ranking after 2012 and Transformers.
The star-studded production, featuring cameos by Jackie Chan and Jet Li, was a politically important film, made to mark 60 years of communist rule, with many movie theatre operators saturating their screens with showings.
Weng said that he had not read the WTO ruling and had no immediate comment, but he added that foreign imports were going “smoothly”, noting that the James Cameron 3D sci-fi blockbuster Avatar is scheduled to hit Chinese screens on January 4.
Cameron was China’s box office champion for 11 years with Titanic until his record of 360 million was broken by the Transformers movie in July.
NYICFF Animation Workshops 2010
Posted by: admin in Training & School News on December 30th, 2009
http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=2300
GKIDS / NYICFF Animation Workshop News
The organization behind the New York International Children’s Film Festival is well into their preparations for the 2010-year. Engaging young audiences with adventurous and dramatic filmmaking native to the U.S. and elsewhere, the GKIDS group has consistently emphasized the interactivity of parent-child-film as a year-round experience for years. Next up for GKIDS and NYICFF is their third annual series of film production workshops, targeted toward a range of children aged six to sixteen. The workshops, presented over multiple teaching sessions, instruct kids on the core knowledge of certain aspects of film study and production, an integral facet of which is the medium of animation.
“Choose from Claymation, Film Acting, 2D Animation, and Puppet Animation,” the program overview begins, promising guided instruction from experienced industry contributors. The New York International Children’s Film Festival has currently scheduled three sessions, or three separate weeklong workshops, each with curriculum specific to an age group, such as Kids 10-16. The first thirteen registrants for each workshop will be accepted, while two additional students will be selected per workshop from a pool of scholarship applicants (based on financial need and teacher recommendation).
The First Session, for example, which runs from February 15th-19th, 2010, will include segments on 2D animation and claymation, with the Children’s Museum of the Arts. With the goal to produce a two or three-minute animated short, children will learn the basics of character developing, drawing backgrounds, the function of props, scriptwriting, and more. According to NYICFF, films from the First Session will be screened at the Festival in 2010 (February 26th-March 14th, 2010).
The Second Session of the workshop (March 19th-April 2nd, 2010) currently sports a few spots exclusively dedicated to claymation: “Using wire armature, clay, and fabric, kids will learn how to form their own character. From there, they will then learn the of giving life to these characters by making them speak and move. Workshop will culminate in a completed short film.” The Third Session (June 14th-18th, 2010) will be puppet animation, where kids will learn from professional puppeteers how to design and create their own characters for use in a final, published film. Films from Sessions Two and Three will be eligible for inclusion at the Festival in 2011.
on NYICFF: The New York International Children’s Film Festival (www.GKIDS.com) was founded in 1997 to promote intelligent, passionate, provocative cinematic works for ages 3-18 and to help define a more compelling film for kids. Since its launch, the event has grown to become the largest festival for children and teens in North America, with a paid audience of over 20,000 attending the most recent event. Since 2000, all screenings have sold out in advance.
Camelot Planned Acquisitions Moving Forward
Posted by: admin in Studio/Network News, United States Industry News on December 30th, 2009
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0572885.htm
Company Looking to Maintain Momentum in 2010 as It Continues Expansion in Distribution and Production
Camelot Entertainment Group, Inc. (OTCBB: CMGR) (”Camelot”) announced today that definitive agreement negotiations are continuing on three corporate acquisitions previously disclosed as Camelot wraps up a busy 2009. Once the definitive agreements are finalized, subject to successful completion of the necessary financing, Camelot hopes to close the transactions during the first quarter of 2010. The financing structures of the planned acquisitions, in areas considered core to its strategic focus on content and production, are being guided by the company’s investment banking advisors Somerset Capital and Holmes, Hollister & Co. In addition, Camelot expects to continue expanding its domestic and international distribution activities in 2010 while ramping up its production schedule.
Camelot made significant progress in 2009, expanding its distribution operation with the addition of Jamie Thompson as President of Camelot Distribution Group (”CDG”) and Jessica Kelly as Director of Marketing for CDG. Camelot unveiled its genre division DarKnight Pictures (”DKP”). Camelot established its initial library in 2009 with CDG and DKP acquiring the worldwide distribution rights to several films with plans to acquire five to seven films prior to each major film market in 2010. Camelot secured $3 million in additional funding scheduled to come in over a twenty-four month period, and opened distribution offices in Universal City, California and a distribution and production drop in office in London, England, while re-establishing Camelot Films U.K. Ltd.
Camelot launched its new web site, www.camelotent.com, while Camelot Studio Group initiated discussions for potential studio sites in Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Miami, while continuing to pursue opportunities in Orange County, CA.
About Camelot Entertainment Group, Inc.:
Camelot Entertainment Group, Inc. is a US publicly traded company (OTCBB: CMGR) with three major divisions: Camelot Film Group, Camelot Studio Group and Camelot Production Services Group. Camelot is building a different kind of motion picture studio infrastructure by redefining the development, financing, production, and distribution process. Camelot is a member of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA). For information about Camelot Entertainment Group, Inc., please visit the Company’s web site at www.camelotent.com.
NOTES ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission reports and filings.
Certain statements contained in this release that are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created by that Act. Reliance should not be placed on forward looking statements because they involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Forward looking statements may be identified by words such as estimates, anticipates, projects, plans, expects, intends, believes, should and similar expressions and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which they are made.
Contact: Adam Reznikoff Camelot Entertainment Group stockholders@camelotent.com (518) 309-6629 Media Contact: Eddie Michaels Insignia, Inc. emasst@insigniapr.com (310) 777-1150