I n d e p e n d e n t S t r e a k M a g a z i n e Aug./ Sept.2022 Film Spotlight: "TheDay theMusic Died": TheStory of Don McLean's'American Pie'" Sin Film Festival FloridaArtsNetwork Picnic Popcorn Frights Miami Web Fest FilmGateShort Film Festival Black Cinemain the Spotlight Film Review: "My NameisSara" & more
The Foundry, 2306 N Dixie Hw y, Ft . Lauderdale, FL 33305
The fun continueson Saturday, Sept. 3,which will be devoted to cult films? four decadesof cult classics! 4 p.m. ? "Death Curse of Tartu" (1967) Florida-swamp cult classic created by William Grefé. William will be onsite,joined by DouglasHobart (Tartu),to answer audience questions."Death Curse of Tartu" will be preceded by the trailer for "Swamp Killer" (Ram Hernandez),starring William Grefé. 6 p.m. ? 30th anniversary screening of "Evil Toons" (1992) by 80sB-movie royalty Fred Olen Ray.This wasone the first horror filmsto combined animation and live action. Fred will be available for aQ&A. Evil Toonswill be preceded by the animated short films: "To Raise Her Spirits" (Joe Dearman:UK) "The Sprayer" (Farnoosh Abedi: Iran) 8 pm ? "Aliens,Clownsand Geeks" (2019) from absurdist cult master Richard Elfman. Thisinsane sci-fi/dark comedy starsBodhi Elfman ("WesCraven?sNew Nightmare"),RebeccaForsythe ("Law & Order SVU"),French Stewart ("3rd Rock from the Sun"),George Wendt ("Cheers"),Martin Klebba ("Piratesof the Caribbean" franchise) and one of the last performancesof Verne Troyer ("Austin Powers"). Richard got hisbrother,Danny,to help with music. "AliensClownsand Geeks" will be preceded by short films: - "Wicked Plans" (Le Chambers:USA) - "Bug Bites" (Daniel Delpurgatorio:USA Midnight Madness ? "Forbidden Zone" (1980) Richard Elfman?s absurdist,psycho sexual musical,which includesperformancesby
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STREAK MAGAZINE Aug./ Sept. 2022 1
SINFilmFest ival
Sept em ber Day Weekend
The rest of Friday evening will be dedicated to women in horror as the SINFilm Festival presents: Female FilmmakersFeaturing Fablesof Fear and Fright! 8 p.m. ? "73 Minutes" by Florida.Filmmaker Lou Simon will be in attendance for aQ&Aafter her film. The film will be preceded by the following short films: "Him" (Mindy Gilkerson: USA) - "The Shack" (Dark Hoffman: USA) 10 p.m. ? "The Gravedigger" by Florida filmmaker Erynn Dalton.
Aswith the first two seasonsof the SIN Film Festival,they will be bringing some of the most unique,creative and bizarre feature filmsand short subject filmsfrom around the world ?the United Kingdom, Iran,South Korea,Italy,New Zealand,China, Spain,and from all over the United States.
2 4, 2022, Labor
Erynn and Tyler CharlesKane (Victor Frankenstein) will take the stage after the screening to tell storiesand answer questions. Midnight Monster Movie ? "Attack of the Killer Chickens," starring David Naughton ("An American Werewolf in London"),John Dugan ("TexasChainsaw Massacre" ?1974,2013 and 2014),and Lloyd Kaufman (Troma),by cult scream queen Genoveva Rossi. The short film "Burlington Paranormal"(Zachary Eli Lint: USA),starring the iconic horror drag queen PeachesChrist,will precede "Attack of the Killer Chickens."
The weekend will kick off on Friday, Sept.2,with the Abandon All Hope Short Block (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.): - "Quarter Passed Three" (Leavy Brothers:USA) - "The Fallen Elves" (Kenneth Perkins: USA) - The Call ( Ryan Jafri: USA) - "Cutter" ( D.Repp/L. Young:USA) - "Even SaintsBleed" (Ricardo Bouyett: USA) - "#NoFilter" (Nathan Crooker: USA)
The SINFilm Festival isproud to announce itsthird season. Being that it isour third season,they are calling it SIN Film Festival 2022: Trinity ?Hear no Evil,See no Evil,Speak no Evil.
Saturday will also include two Shortsblocks:
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World of the Macabre All Consumed (Debbie Lane: UK) - Playback (PouyaAgelizadeh: Iran) - Script (Piero Cannta: Itally) Motherly Sunday (Liv McClymont:New Zealand) The Mineshaft (Bradley Davies:UK) Detect (Mark Benmore:UK) Nowhere to Escape (ZiYuan Wang:China) How to Cope with Serial Killing (Giselle Turner: UK) - Magnetic (Mike Waugh:UK)
4 p.m.: Duane Brown?s"The Great Kentucky Goblin Spree," preceded by the following short films: - "It?sHell Getting Old" (Patrick Rae:USA) - "Nursery Crimes" (CharlesKilne: USA)
6 p.m.: SIN Film Festival Awards - Pride Award (Best film) ?featuresand shortsboth qualify for this award Lust Award (Seduction/Obsessive) - Wrath Award (Rage/Brutality) - Greed Award (Best performance) - Gluttony Award (Excessive/Gratuitous) Envy Award (Audience Choice) ?feature or short Sloth Award (Best director) All aspectsof the schedule are subject to change.
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Hervé Villechaize ("Fantasy Island" [TV]) and hisbrother,Danny Elfman,who also scored the film."Forbidden Zone "will be preceded by the short films: - "Love Shack" (Kobayashi Brothers: USA) - "The Good Morning Gimp" (Jacob Benedetti: USA)
- "Siren"(Jeremiah Kipp:USA) - "Doors" (DennisCahlo: USA) - "Ghost Trippers" (J.William Boothman: US "The Other Woman" (DebraRené Harder: USA)) - "Vamp Night" (Roberto Lopez: USA) - "Die Father Die" (LuisGrajera: Spain) Sunday, September 4 will begin with international short films: Noon ? 2 p.m.: Cutting Deep "Gallu" ( KasraTirsahar:Iran)
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"Masterpiece" (Lee Daehan: South Korea) "Seruta" (Merlyn Roberts: UK)
"They?re Here" (Ty Jones: USE)
2 p.m.: Talesof Woe ShortsBlock 8 p.m.: Sinful TalesShortsBlock: -"The Tell Tale Heart "(McLain Linquist: USA) - "Last Day" (Rich Hansil: USA) - "Judy " (Rene RRivas: USA) - "Orenda" (Dahson Jami Arave:USA)
Tickets/ Info:www.sinfilmfest.com
Between the screeningsof "Alien,Clownsand Geeks" and "Forbidden Zone," Richard Elfman will join usvirtually to dazzle with storiesand answer questions.
INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE Aug./ Sept. 2022 P u b l i s h e r ' s N o t e Assummer changesinto fall,now isthe time to think of waysyou may have changed so far thisyear and waysyou would like to change in the future. How can you get to where you want to go?If you believe in the Law of Attraction, maybe putting together aVision Board may do the trick,or finding another way to keep your goal front and center. But,even having avision isn't alwaysenough to move mountains. It really comes down to the motto "Just Do It." What do you need to do to get to where you want to go.Want to be an actor?Maybe now isthe time to take an acting class,get new headshotsor just audition more.Want to up your game asa filmmaker?Break out your businesscardsand network; show people what you have done and work on collaboration. You can do it! Break aleg! Rachel Galvin Publisher Missan issue? Visit IndependentStreakMagazine.com OR Get BonusContent at : www.facebook.com/independentstreakmagazine/ Want to advertise? Get an ad as low as $25! Contact us at writerrachel@yahoo.com Haveanew film about tolaunch? A new film festival in theworks? Want tobein thespotlight? Email writerrachel@yahoo.com 3
Did you know that they have film festivalsevery month under a different theme?Thismonth'sFilmGate Short Film Festival isopen to all genresand will be held on Wednesday, August 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Silverspot Cinema , at 300 SESt., Ste. 100, in Miami. Lineup: "WannaDance?" by Kymoni Almonord and Nick Friedman
"CinemaDilema" by Denarri Almonord and Keanu Lopes "Privacy ComesFirst" by MonicaMatute "DaggersDrawn" by JamesCotton "Slump God" by Zachariah Gil "Light" by KarlaCaprali "Azulejos" by MariaPaulaArboleda "Getting Aria Back" by Heidy Torres "Explorandum" by Rafael Noriega Findout moreabout FilmGateMiami at www.filmgate.miami. 4
INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE Aug./ Sept. 2022 F i l m G a t e S h o r t F i l m F e s t i v a l
Are you ready to eat,drink and be entertained?You are in luck because it istime for Miami Web Fest again! It will be held Sept.29 Oct. 2.Take alook
at the schedule: Thursday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m. Kickoff Party Sept.29,7 p.m. MorenosCuba 1850 CollinsAve Miami Beach,FL - Friday, Sept. 30, Noon to 9 p.m. Screenings Silverspot Cinema 300 SE3 St.,#100 Miami,FL - Saturday, Oct. 1 10 a.m.-- Creators Q&A Noon Web Series Market/ Speed Meetings Noon to 6 p.m. -- Panels/ Masterclasses Wolfsonian Museum 1001 Washington Ave. Miami Beach,FL - Sunday, Oct. 2 6 p.m. Photocall 8 p.m. Awards Silverspot Cinema 300 SE3 St.,#100 Miami,FL For more information, visit https://miamiwebfest.com.
Miami Web Fest
Do you know about FilmGate Miami?It hasa plethoraof workshopsand classesconstantly,aswell asopportunitiesto check out local filmsand learn about new technology.If you are a filmmaking professional,you should really check out everything they have to offer.
Aug./ Sept. 2022 5
?Thislandmark exhibition seeksto restore lost chaptersof American film history asit elevatesthe contributionsof Black artiststo present a more inclusive story,?said the Academy Museum?srecently appointed Director and President Jacqueline Stewart ?We are incredibly proud to present Regeneration,an exhibition that demonstrateshow the Academy Museum sharesnew scholarship,offersamore expansive vision of American film history,and encouragespublic dialogue about the past and present of film asan art form and a social force ? Co-curatorsBerger and Combssaid,?It hasbeen agreat honor for usto curate Regeneration,a project that challenged usto do justice to the livesand work of nearly acentury of Black filmmakersand the audiencesthey served. The legaciesexplored in these gallerieswere important in their own time,though too often neglected and marginalized,they remain vital today. We hope to heighten awareness of these filmsand film artistsand encourage an appreciation of the many,many contributionsthat African Americans have made to cinema.?
The Academy Museum of Motion Picturesdebuted Regeneration:Black Cinema,1898?1971 on August 21. The ambitiousexhibition,on view through April 9,2023,exploresthe achievementsand challengesof Black filmmakersin the U.S.in both independent production and the studio system? in front of the camera and behind it? from cinema?s infancy in the 1890sto the early 1970s.
The exhibition isco-curated by DorisBerger,vice president of Curatorial Affairsat the Academy Museum,and Rhea L.Combs,director of Curatorial Affairsat the Smithsonian'sNational Portrait Gallery,with the Academy Museum?sJ. Raúl Guzmán,assistant curator,aswell asManouchkaKelly Labouba and Emily Rauber Rodriguez,research assistants.Multiple film seriesare organized by Bernardo Rondeau, senior director of Film Programsfor the Academy Museum,and a future exhibition film serieswill be guest programmed by Black Film Archive creator and curator MayaCade.
Black Cinemain the spotlight at Academy Museum in LosAngeles
The Academy Museum?ssecond exhibition in the 11,000-square-foot Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg Gallery,Regenerationincludesrarely seen excerptsof films,documentaries,newsreels,and home movies, aswell ashistorical photographs,costumes,propsand posters. It will also feature contemporary artworksreferencing the impact of the legacy of Black filmmaking and ARelementsdesigned for the exhibition.The exhibition will be accompanied by a range of film screenings,including world premieresof filmsnewly restored by the Academy Film Archive,an interactive microsite with supplemental content,arobust curriculum to engage high school studentsand teachers,and afully illustrated catalogue featuring the writing of leading filmmakers,scholarsand the co-curators.v
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Portrait of Josephine Baker Photos by ADOC Photos/Corbis by Getty.
EXHIBITION ORGANIZATIONAND HIGHLIGHTS Regeneration comprisesseven galleriesdedicated to exploring the social and political situation of Black Americansat the dawn of filmmaking; the presence and imagesof Black people in early cinemabeginning in Louise Beavers, Monte Hawley & Reginald Fenderson in "Reform School" (1932).
The concluding gallery in Regenerationpaystribute to five Black directorsactive from the 1960sonward:Melvin Van Peebles,Gordon Parks,William Greaves,Madeline Anderson,and Robert L. Goodwin.
Throughout the exhibition,to addressthe continuing impact of the legacy of Black filmmaking and itsinterplay with other traditionsin visual art,the exhibition also includesworksby contemporary artists, including Theaster Gates(SomeRemember SockHops,Others ,2020),Glenn Ligon ( ,2014),Gary Simmons(BalconySeatingOnly,2017) and KaraWalker (TheEndof UncleTomandtheGrandAllegorical Tableauof Eva inHeaven,1995).
The exhibition openswith two versionsof a clip from Something Good?NegroKiss(1898),showcasing vaudeville performersSaint Suttle (1870?1932) and Gertie Brown (1882?1934) in what appearsto be one of the earliest examplesof an on screen performance of affection by Black actors Thissilent work countersthe popular stereotypical and racist caricaturesof Black performance at the time. Additional highlightson view include never-before-shown costume drawingsfrom CarmenJones(1954); glamour portraitsof leading Black film stars; costumesworn by LenaHorne in StormyWeather (1943), and Sammy DavisJr. in PorgyandBess(1959); a1920s camerafrom the Norman Film Company,a producer of race films; a 1940sMills Panoram machine,on which visitorsto the exhibition can watch ?soundies;?and one of LouisArmstrong?strumpets.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictureswill screen asurvey of the filmsand filmmakersexplored in Regeneration. Covering the same 70+ year span asthe exhibition,from cinema?sinfancy in the 1890sto the early 1970s,the film seriesrangesfrom showcasing silent era pioneerssuch aswriter-producer-director Oscar Micheaux?sdramasto groundbreaking allegoriesof Spencer Williams,and the independently produced,genre-defying worksof innovatorssuch asMelvin Van Peebles.Audienceswill also be introduced to starslargely unknown to mainstream moviegoers? Ralph Cooper,Clarence Brooksand Francine Everett? alongside iconic screen legendsPaul Robeson,Josephine Baker,Harry Belafonte,Sidney Poitier,LenaHorne and more
FILM PROGRAMS
In addition to the inaugural film series,the museum will launch additional film programming and screeningsaround Regenerationin late 2022 and early 2023,including world premieresof filmsnewly restored by the Academy Film Archive? HarlemonthePrairie(1937) and Mr.WashingtonGoestoTown(1942); a centennial celebration of Dorothy Dandridge and Ruby Dee; screeningsof silent filmswith live musical accompaniment and ascreening seriesby guest programmer MayaCade to debut in February 2023. Formoreinformationonall of theAcademyMuseumof MotionPictures eventsandresources,visit www.academymuseum.org.
1898; pioneering independent Black filmmakers,such as Oscar Micheaux and so-called ?race films?from the 1910sto the 1940s; Black music in American film, including ?soundies?and Black musicalsof the 1920sand 1940s; Black stars and film iconsfrom the 1920sthrough the 1950s; and freedom movementsin the 1950sand 1960s.
RememberRiots
Presented in conjunction with RegenerationisIsaac Julien?s Baltimore,athree channel installation from 2003 that islocated in the Academy Museum?sWarner Bros.Gallery. Julien?sfilm isan homage to writer,director,producer and actor Melvin Van Peebles(1932?2021), whose 1971 film Sweet Sweetback?sBaadasssssSongushered in the ?blaxploitation?era,a genre of low-budget filmscreated for African American audiencesduring the 1970s Artist Isaac Julien appropriates the look and feel of blaxploitation films,using Baltimore?sstreetsand museumsaslocations.Julian created thispiece while filming BaadasssssCinema (2002),a documentary on blaxploitation.Julien isa world renowned British installation artist,filmmaker and distinguished professor of the artsat the University of California, SantaCruz.
DoubleAmerica 2
The Nicholas Brothers in a scene from "Stormy Weather" (1943). Photo courtesy the Margaret Herrick Library
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AFM X Cel ebr ates 10 Year An n i ver sar y
2013
Schueler kicksoff the education programming with hismasterclassin documentary filmmaking; legendary actressDee Wallace will take part in the Fearsome Femmesof Horror Film Panel with Deborah Voorhees and local actressMonique Candelaria; Stewart Lyonswill discussthe critical elementsfor successin line producing; JoshuaMichael Stern will be conducting an in depth presentation on how to write the most effective television pilot; Christopher Lockhart isbringing The Inside Pitch to AFMX,demystifying the art and industry of Hollywood for screenwritersand filmmakers; ChrisGero,Moogie Canazio and Bob Divney take the stage to explain how to "make it" asa musician in this day and age,and here will be aspecial screening of the 1983 classic horror film "Cujo" with the movie'sstar,Dee Wallace,conducting a Q&Aafterward; aswell asnetworking eventsand after partiesthat bring the entire community together.
"AsAFMXcontinuesitssuccesswith a fusion of movies,music,and special events,we are delighted to present a stellar week of programming for New Mexico Filmmakers,the City of Albuquerque, and out of town attendees," said Ivan Wiener,AFMXexecutive director. "Having filmmakers,musiciansand celebritiesfrom around the world converge at our festival hasbecome avery cool experience for the community,especially for studentsof film,music,and the arts who benefit through our non-profit 501(c)(3)."
courtesy
AFMX7 INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE Aug./ Sept. 2022
Celebrating its10-year anniversary,the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (AFMX) isexcited to announce itscool,intimate,and unique lineup of independent and blockbuster films,Master Classes, and Centerstage Stage Conversationswith amazing talent in attendance.
Chris
Thomas Dolby at the Lobo Theater, Picture of
After two yearsof avirtual program and over 130,000 attendees, AFMXwill be in-person and virtual in 2022.The hybrid model will feature showcase eventswith special guests,including Stewart Lyons (Producer of "Breaking Bad," "Better Call Saul" and "The Cleaning Lady"),ActressDee Wallace ("E.T.," "Cujo," "The Howling"),ChrisGero (founder and V.P. of YamahaEntertainment Group,Yamaha Artists Relations),JoshuaMichael Stern ("Jobs," "Swing Vote," "Neverwas"), Christopher Lockhart (William MorrisEndeavor Executive Story Editor, The Inside Pitch),Moogie Canazio (Grammy and Emmy-winning music producer),Bob Divney (The Artist Cooperative),ChrisSchueler (Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker),Deborah Voorhees("13 Fanboy," "Friday the 13th") and many others.
The fun and exciting lineup for 2022 includesalittle bit of everything for everyone ?movies,music and education.
Totakeintheexperienceliveor virtually,purchaseticketsandpasses at www.AFMXNM.com.
Just 11 daysfrom ValentinesDay in 1959,atragedy would unfold that would affect the music world profoundly. The day was February 3,and the event wasthe fatal plane crash of young music pioneersBuddy Holly,Ritchie Valensand ?The Big Bopper? J.P.Richardson on acold wintery day in Clear Lake,Iowa.
Moormann got involved with doing the project back in February 2021 when he wascontacted by producer Spencer Proffer of Meteor 17 in LosAngeles,who wanted to gauge hisinterest in creating a documentary about McLean.Proffer had discovered Moorman through another one of hisdocumentaries,called ?Tom Dowd & The Language of Music.?Proffer set up acall with McLean, aswell asBruce Gillmer of Viacom and next Moorman wasoffered 8 Cast & crew at screening at Savor Cinema in Ft Lauderdale, FL
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In a new documentary,entitled ?The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean?sAmerican Pie,?McLean givesviewerssome inside information asto the meaning behind hiswordsall these yearslater.It turnsout that many lyricsthat people thought referred to public figureswere actually autobiographical. The film,directed by Mark Moormann,also showcasesthe importance of the song on the music industry and fans, highlighting waysit hasmade a difference for people and showing those affected by it. It includesinterviewswith many famoussingersand others,including Weird Al Yankovic,Garth Brooks,Brian Wilson and more.
Film Spotlight:?TheDay theMusicDied: TheStory of Don McLean?sAmerican Pie? Photos & Story By Rachel Galvin
Hislyricsseemed multi layered with meaning,leaving listeners looking for answersasto what each one wasreferring to. McLean hasbeen content to let them discern their own meanings, providing few cluesasto the meanings? until now?
The death of these music figuresnot only rocked those who knew them and who were fans,but also,yearslater,would lead to what some say isthe best song ever written ??American Pie?by Don McLean. McLean wasa 13 year old paperboy at the time of the tragedy, throwing bad newson people?sdoorsteps. The incident affected him greatly. It wasn? t until he was26 that he actually put his feelingsabout it into song lyricsand created thismonumental 8 ½ minute song about the lossof innocence. But the song did more than that,it also poetically captured the political and social happeningsat the time in a unique way.
He continued,?Asthe schedule for delivery wasso tight,I ended up doing my research while shooting the show. The same week we shot the snowstorm in Iowa,I traveled to Palm Desert,CAto meet in person and conduct an audio only interview with Don McLean.I had read the coffee table book and waswell enough prepared that we had a very natural,pleasant conversation that wasrecorded for the show.After that interview with Don,I felt comfortable that I had ageneral outline of what the film would become.?
?One of the reasonsI took on the project wasbecause I know the song,and era,very well.I knew the history of early Rock ?n Roll,and the political and social turmoil of the 1960s. I knew I could knock the story out of the park,but it wasn? t going to be easy,?said Moorman.
He continued,?'I wasgiven ?Don McLean:American Troubadour,?a well illustrated coffee table book that became my primary source of Don?spersonal story arc and contained alot of personal photographs of hisformative years.
The footage we obtained in these first 24 hoursnot only excited the L.A.producersand Don McLean,but it also ultimately served asthe backbone for the opening of the film and playsa key role in the story of the plane crash that led to Don McLean writing the song ?American Pie.??
the job,with aquick project.
turnaround of lessthan ayear to finish the
After shooting those initial shotsin Iowa,Bayerl said,?It wasjust a processof identifying who we wanted to be in the film,getting their availability and then working with them to coordinate shoots.? Moormann added,?We were interested in identifying recording artistswho had been inspired or influenced by the song. Garth Brooks came up very early in the conversations,ashisCentral Park show was aclimactic moment in hiscareer,and Don wasthere performing ?American Pie?with him in front of a million people,all captured on camera.So,obtaining an interview with Garth Brookswasatop priority.With Don McLean?shelp,Garth agreed to be included in the film,and hisinterview wasnothing short of extraordinary.The song played a major role in hiscareer,and he felt compelled to share its importance to him with the audience. The young artistslike Jade Bird, WillaAmai and JencarlosCanela came at producer Spencer Proffer?s urging,and they added aforward thinking angle to the story, illustrating how songsare carried into the future by young artists.? Bayerl added,?The experience,to me,wasreally about so many people with diverse experiences,backgroundscoming together to talk to usabout this song.? He continued, ?The editing processwas ongoing throughout the shoot Oftentimes,we would be shooting pickupsfor scenesasthey were being edited.That wasactually an interesting process because it was great to see cut scenesof the movie that you were working on.It kind of
?I also started my own research,and very early on,found out about the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake,Iowa.It wasthe last venue Don?s childhood hero Buddy Holly had played before being killed in a plane crash,along with Ritchie Valensand The Big Bopper on February 3rd, 1959.? The entire production of the movie took about 15 months,said Director of Photography Brian Bayerl,who said,?Mark actually started it by going up to Clear Lake,Iowa.? Moormann explained,?I wasvery interested in traveling to Iowato shoot in the cornfield where the airplane had crashed if there was snow on the ground.So,in mid-March of 2021,I wasshooting a job for Adobe with SerenaWilliams,and I read about predictionsfor an Iowa snowstorm. After completing the job,I traveled the next day with my son (who worked all 16 monthswith me on the show) to the plane crash site outside Clear Lake,Iowa,and captured the dead,dry cornfield,with itslittle memorial to the plane crash victims. The next morning,we woke before dawn and shot the snowstorm at the Mason City airport (where the plane had embarked on itsill-fated trip),at dawn in adeserted Clear Lake downtown,and finally during the storm in the cornfield
Director of Photography Brian Bayerl, editor Nick J. Webb & director Mark Moormann at screening at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale, 9FL.
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Director of Photography Brian Bayerl, Sound Mixer Mitch Moormann, Editor Nick J. Webb, Director Mark Moormann and Associate Producer Emily Frias at screening at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
helped motivate you and keep moving forward. Additionally,the finale of the film where Don McLean goesback to the Surf Ballroom wasalate addition.We didn't know that he wasgoing to be doing that.But once we found out,we absolutely had to shoot it and include it in the film.? Moormann found the editing processto be ?The most difficult part of shooting the film,?asfar asdirecting the edit of the film simultaneously. He added,?I wascollaborating with the London-based editor Nick J. Webb while on the road shooting the film.London?sfive hoursahead of the Eastern U.S. time zone,so I had to make notesfor Nick before I went to bed,and then wake up early to look at scene rough cutsbefore heading out to shoot all day.That took place over the course of several monthsand wasquite exhausting at times. Fortunately,Nick turned out the be avery good storyteller,who worked fast,took direction,and made adjustmentsthat improved thingsquickly. He wasan invaluable asset in the filmmaking process.?
Asked how he got involved in the editing,Webb explained,?The producersat Meteor 17 had asked my friend Paul Trewarthur if he was free to edit the film.I had recently worked alongside him on the SparksBrothersdocumentary for Edgar Wright. Paul wasn't available so he kindly put my name forward for the job,knowing that my specialist subject wasmusic and it might be of interest to me.I had a few meetingswith the producerson Zoom,then met the director Mark Moormann,and soon after wasoffered the job.? Moormann added,?Nick had edited a high-profile music documentary on Liam Gallagher,which wasquite good,and then I saw his?Skylark and the Scorpion? (www.skylarkandthescorpion.com/home) film and realized he wasan artist in hisown right.That wasthe kind of editor I waslooking for ? someone with musical sensibilitieswho could tell a story in a poetic way.He turned out to be the right guy.? The processof having an editor be in awhole other continent seems daunting,but the team pulled it off. Webb had never done anything quite thislong distance.?By thispoint,I'd done plenty of remote editing but nothing transatlantic!?he said. ?At first I wasa little worried about how the distance would affect us-- especially asMark, the director,wasbased in Miami and the producersin LA. It'sdifficult enough when you begin editing for a director who'sin the same room asyou,but when they're so far away and you've never met them face to face,it almost felt like there wasadded pressure on the quality of sequencesI wasdelivering.?
He added,?I'd set up my edit suite in a small room above my twin brother'sphotographic studio in Peckham,London,which sometimes felt like auniverse away from the director (Mark) who at timeswas filming on location asfar away asIowa! Fortunately,we live in a world with extraordinary technology,so Mark and I soon bonded through Whatsapp (for short calls) and 'Zoom Pro,?sharing screens,and speaking all day long through amicrophone,if desired. Working on Premiere Pro,with added software like 'Frame io,' viewing sequences and sharing noteson them wassuper-fast and pain-free. So the work-flow became quite fast and efficient. Webb continued,?Aswith all documentaries,there'sahuge amount of original material / rushes.It can take days,sometimesweeksto film enough for afive minute sequence at thislevel.Single interviewscan last an hour alone.I'd like to avoid even trying to guesshow much footage we started with,but to put it in context,a one-day shoot
on location may provide five or six hoursof rushes.This may need to be cut with three interviews to make asequence (each could be an hour long).Once cut,with music and relevant sound-bites,the sequence length might start at around six minutesin length and end up three minutes or lessonce incorporated in the film -- a lot of work!?
Another thing that wasa lot of work on the film wastraveling to all the locations. BesidesClear Lake,Iowa,they also filmed Don McLean in Palm Desert,CA; Garth Brooks,Home Free and Jade Bird in Nashville and then anine-day trip that traced McLean?sjourney growing up in New Rochelle,writing the song in Cold Spring,NY; premiering the song in Philadeliphiaand recording it in New York. That trip actually began in Maine at McLean'shome.
?I think the most challenging thing isjust getting all of the footage that you need in the limited amount of time that you have in each place.You know we were constantly shooting in the morning breaking down camerasin avan on the way to the airport and then getting on a flight.With astory like this,you really wanted to take your time and really think about how you are capturing these different thingsand make it visually compelling,?he added.
?One of the highlightson thisfilm,?said Webb,?wasintroducing my friend Phil Kay (KOM Music) to write and record the score His
Asfor the film,it will be ?living on Paramount Plusfor the immediate future,?said Bayerl,who added,?We did do a commercial television cut down of the film and that possibly will show up on network television at some point.But,for now,if you want to watch it,you're going to have to go to Paramount Plus."
The film'sscreening in Ft. Lauderdale,FLat Savor Cinema on July 2 for friendsand family,received an enthusiastic response.It also had the screening in New York.The release of the film coincided with the 50th anniversary of the song's release.
Besidespromoting thisfilm,Moormann iscontinuing to work on documentaries.You can find out more at www.markmoormann.com.
Bayerl isworking now on a documentary about the search for the next Menudo. To find out more,visit www.BrianBayerl.com or follow him on Instagram (@GreendoorEast).
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?I'm delighted with the overall outcome and I really hope people enjoy the film whilst appreciating the colossal effortsthat go into making it!?continued Webb,who added,?I hadn't met anyone in the cast or crew until I attended the screeningsin New York City and Miami,and I've now made some wonderful friendships.They're even better in real life than online! I met my director Mark Moormann for the first time in New York and then stayed with hisfamily in Miamiwhat a joy friendsfor life!? Webb hasan impressive body of work asan editor (having worked on documentariesabout everyone from Sammy DavisJr. to Dolly Parton, and beyond),but also isin aband. You can hear some of hismusic,if you check out 'The Lea Shores' or 'Skylark & The Scorpion' online.You can also find him on IMDBcom
?The traveling wastough. There were generally four of ustraveling together ?The director,a soundman,myself and the associate producer ?and they made it pretty fun.But certainly traveling with that much gear can be problematic. When we got to the airport,we would usually have to rent three or four cartsin order to pile up all of the gear get through the airport,?said Bayerl,who said the film was primarily shot on red cameras,although they did use C300 Mark II on certain occasionswhen they needed four or five camerasfor the larger shoots.
music really isstunning and hisapproach and sensitivity was outstanding.?
Top: Don McLean being filmed. Bottom: Filming at the memorial in Iowa. Photos provided.
Film Review:?My NameisSara?
The cast overall doesa commendable job in their portrayals.
The film opened July 29 in select theaters in South Florida and is currently showing at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Living Room Theater in Boca Raton, FL, Movies of Delray & Lake Worth and elsewhere. For more information and additional screening locations elsewhere, visit www.mynameissara.com.
ZuzannaSurowy playsa wide-eyed Sarawith ease,subtly showing a quiet resilience and fortitude brushed with naivety.She iscountered by the roughnessof Pavlo,the farmer she liveswith,played by Eryk Lubosand hisstrong-willed wife Nadya,played by MichalinaOlzanska.
INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE Aug./ Sept. 2022 12
The film ismade great not only through itsacting,but the locations, authentic wardrobe and props,and high quality of production. Director Steve Oritt,a Miami,FLnative,hascreated a poignant film that shows the depthsto which humanity will stoop and to which it will soar in timesof trouble. He showsthat the brutality of war isnot just about bombsand guns,but it restsin people'sheartsand the actionsthey let themselvestake against otherswhen society ison their side. Thisisa true story
By Rachel Galvin Photos provided AsWorld War II ragesand Jewsare being rounded up by Nazis,a young 13 year old Polish Jewish girl named Saraand her brother are instructed by their parentsto escape before it istoo late. Asthey venture far from home,Sara comesto astark realization that she would make it more easily if she were alone,so leavesher brother behind to seek anew life. She knowsshe must survive at all costs. After all,she promised her mother She eventually makesher way to a family'shome seeking employment. In order to stay and work,she hasto pretend she isnot a Jew.In the processof living with them,she findsout some secrets about their livesand those of people around them. At such a young age,she isforced to not only keep secretsabout herself,but othersas well,and deal with on-going struggleswith Nazisand those who would resist them. The conflictsall around her are in front of the background of on-going fighting and bombardments.
By Rachel Galvin
Alex Moreno Students working on production.
Goingwith theF.L.O.W. Alex Morenoeducatesstudents in a uniqueway
3 INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE Aug./ Sept. 2022
Celine Alva is ready for her close 1up.
When not working on F.L.O.W.,he isquite busy in the filmmaking world both asafreelance crew person and with hiswork for Absurd Hero Productionsasa producer. He hasdone everything from helping with casting and COVID compliance to being a UPM on set,in addition to directing films. He also hasdirected theater in New York and made music videos.Originally from England (although born in New York),he moved to South Florida in 1993. Tofindout moreabout Moreno andhisprojects,visit www.futureleadersoftheworld.org oronInstagram(@flow_helpin).
Photos provided What started out asa quest to help educate people about health led Alex Moreno into helping young people also learn about film.For 18 years,he hasbeen working for the University of Miami encouraging youth to get tested for HIV and STDs. In an effort to expand his outreach,he hascome up with a special program called Future Leaders of the World in which he workswith young adultsaged 13 to 29.He teachesthem about health issuesand then hasthem come up with a script based on one of the topicspresented.The script can only be six pageslong and have limited cast and locations. Then,he hasa Youth Advisory Board of 20 studentswho review them and narrow down the best. Next,one of hisfamousfilmmaking friendstakesa look to narrow it down further to awinning script.That script ismade with the students?help using Moreno?sown money. Hisgoal isto take the finished films and combine them with acurriculum, which he hasalso been working on with the help of teachers,and turn them into something that can be used in the school system. So far,he has done five films. He will have seven done by the end of the year.The University helped financially on one project with camera and crew.He hopesto eventually have more money to make filmsto bring hisproject to even higher heightsand deliver more content.
Didyoumissthisyear?Findout moreabout what tookplaceandstay tunedfor what ishappeningnext byvisitingtheir websiteat https://popcornfrights.com.Andlookfor morecontent onthefilmsthat wereshownat thefest comingsooninIndependent StreakMagazine. After Hours at Popcorn Frights. Photo by Judith Vigil Courtesy of Popcorn Frights Popcorn Frights' Marc Ferman & Igor Phot o by Rachel Galvin
Popcorn Frights 2022
By Rachel Galvin Popcorn Frightscontinued to be amecca for horror fansthisyear. Co-foundersIgor Shteyrenberg and Marc Ferman could not wait to bring in the crowdsagain. And so,they made sure to keep their fans and filmmakersentertained over the two weeksof the festival:August 11-21. They not only had avirtual component,but met live in person aswell, which waswelcome for many who were tired of staying at home and masking up due to the pandemic. And they split the fun between two happening hotspots.The first weekend washeld at Savor Cinema in Ft. Lauderdale for fansliving in Broward County and to the north,and those who lived more southward could enjoy the activitiesduring the second weekend at OCinema in South Beach.Of course,many fansdid not mind making the trek to both locales. The film fest was chockful of short and feature filmsand activities.Not only were there films,but also meet ups, industry sessions, rooftop partiesand even ajaunt to the beach.There was something for everyone and filmmakerscame from all around to be a part of the action and watch their filmson the big screen. They even had a screening of ever popular sci fi classic "The Fifth Element" in LummusPark in Miami. The fest kicked off with on August 11 featuring "Tiny Cinemas," ahorror anthology,directed by Tyler Cornack, who brought most of histeam along with him.They were not the only onesin attendance.The theater waspacked with horror lovers. Thiswasjust the first of so many engaging filmsthat were on the big screen all weekend long. Attendeesgot the chance to sit in Q&Asand find out more about how the filmswere made and hang out with some of the people who made the filmspossible. Some did not want the party to end,but hung out as long aspossible to network and have fun with fellow filmmakersand film lovers.
The fun continued through August 21,with the last film being "Miami Connection," directed by Woo sang Park,Y.K.Kim.
Sht eyrenberg
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OpeningWeekend Snaps
ISfounder Rachel Galvin with director/ actress Erynn Dalton; "Tiny Cinema" team; "Tiny Cinema" director Tyler Cornack & Rachel Galvin; (bottom) David Griffin & Brian Karl Rosenthal, who have worked on several movie projects together, with Rachel Galvin; Igor Shteyrenberg, "Follow Her" director Sylvia Caminer & Marc Ferman; and Sylvia Caminer, Rachel Galvin and "Follow Her" actress Dani 1Barker. 5
Aug./
F l o r i d a A r t s N e t w o r k P i c n i c
By Rachel Galvin
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Pictured,above:Director/ actor JasonGalotti, directorof photography/ actor Emanuel Bori,actress Rachel Galvinandactor Michael Solo.Pictured, right:Rachel Galvinincharacterduringthefilming of themovie.
On July 30,filmmakers,actorsand other filmmaking professionalscame to TradewindsPark for FloridaArtsNetwork's(FAN) picnic It wasan intimate affair,which included networking and plenty of eating FAN's Richard Sosahad everyone introduce themselvesand talk about any projectsthey had going on in between taking bitesof goodiesthat people had brought for the potluck.Everyone paused long enough to take agroup photo,and of course,were subjected to several "paparazzi."
INDEPENDENT STREAK MAGAZINE Sept. 2022 Film Screening: "Destined Collection"
On July 24,some of the cast and crew of the short low budget screwball comedy "Destined Collection" had a private screening of the film at aresidence that was used asa location in the film,in Sunrise,FL
FANhaseventsthroughout the year. For more information,visit www floridaartsnetwork com
