OZONE FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 2, THURSDAY - 6 to 10 PM: ART MEETS COMMERCE (Pre-Fest Event)
@ COVINGTON TRAILHEAD (419 New Hampshire)
SCREENINGS BY REGIONAL AND LOCAL COMMERCIAL VIDEO PRODUCERS
This newest addition to OFF programming is mainly about stimulating business activity for southern Louisiana companies who offer multimedia advertising and film production services, and helping clients choose service providers. We are encouraging those in the business community who are considering television or multimedia advertising to attend. The event will also be beneficial for students considering careers in this field.
Robert Berning Productions, Atherton Pictures, Pelican Pictures, and Perkins Productions are among the regional commercial producers submitting work and/or attending.
Susan Brunner, head of the West St. Tammany Chamber’s Cultural Economy Committee, and Chris Stelly from the La. Dept. of Economic Development are expected to speak at the opening of the event.
Doors open at 6, screenings begin by 7. Live music will be provided by the Ted Long Trio to open and close the event. There will be delicious food, hors d’oeuvres, and the return of the notorious Ozonetini.
This is an industry gathering, but all festival guests are welcome to attend. Come help us kick off OFF 2008 at the brand new Covington Trailhead facility.
OCTOBER 2, THURSDAY - 10 PM to 1 AM: LIVE MUSIC
@ GREEN ROOM MUSIC CLUB (521 E Boston St.)
SPACE TRUMPET - Admission: Free
OCTOBER 3, FRIDAY - 7 to 9 PM: FILM SCREENINGS
@ HAIK PARK (300 block Columbia St.)
SELECTED SHORTS - Admission: Free
7:00 Waves (Adrian Sitaru) narrative 16:00
A beautiful Western woman asks a gypsy to watch her child before she disappears into the sea.
7:15 Dorme (Sylvia Bensfield) narrative 06:46
A beautiful fantasy taking us on a magical journey into a world of dreams
7:25 Count Backwards From Five (Tony Gault) narrative 08:00
A visual exploration of generosity and addiction
7:30 Useless Dog (Ken Wardrop) documentary 05:00
Meet a sheep dog who’s afraid of sheep. Her family still loves her just the same.
7:35 Tongue Tied (Ken Wardrop) narrative 03:00
A young boy learns to interact with his grumpy neighbors in a most surprising fashion
7:40 Farewell Packets of Ten (Ken Wardrop) documentary 03:00
Two ladies discuss the pros and cons of their mutual addiction to cigarettes
7:45 Lapsus (Juan Pablo Zaramella) animation 04:00
A curious nun ventures into the darker side of her animated world
7:50 Rambler (Calvin Lee Reeder) narrative 13:00
A solitary man hitchhiking across the country is picked up by a bizarre scientist
8:05 Ignite (Shawn Bannon) experimental 03:00
The 2007 fires of Griffith Park, Los Angeles shot with 7 time-lapse cameras
8:10 Welcome (Kirsten Dunst) narrative 10:00
When a family moves into a new house they are confronted with an unexpected occupant
8:20 My Biodegradable Heart (Dana Adam Shapiro) animation 04:00
A story about puppy love and how long it would take said puppy to decompose
8:25 The Drift (Kelly Sears) animation 08:20
A collage animation that invents an alternate history
8:35 Lloyd Neck (Benedict Campbell) narrative 16:00
Alex has a crush on her brother’s friend, Jesse. But Jesse likes Alex’s brother.
8:50 Number One (Leighton Pierce) experimental 10:00
A mesmerizing sequence of shapes, colors, and sounds
OCTOBER 3, FRIDAY - 7 to 10 PM: FILM SCREENINGS
@ COVINGTON TRAILHEAD (419 New Hampshire)
VINTAGE GERMAN ANIMATION - Admission: Free
7:00 The Adventures of Prince Achmed - animated feature; 67 min
Considered to be the oldest surviving feature-length animation, this 1926 silent film is in full hand-tinted color and features dazzling visuals that seem ahead of their time. Loosely based on The Arabian Nights, the animation was created by the legendary Lotte Reiniger, using his patented cut-out silhouettes.
SUBMITTED FEATURE-LENGTH FILM (In Competition) - Admission: $5.00
8:30 A Gothic Tale (for mature audiences only) - narrative feature 107 min
Director Justin Paul Ritter returns to OFF with another scary movie, this one based on three gothic short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Robert Louis Stevenson which are woven into one.
OCTOBER 3, FRIDAY - 10 PM to 1 AM: LIVE MUSIC
@ GREEN ROOM MUSIC CLUB (521 E Boston St.)
BONERAMA with special guest JIMMY ROBINSON - Admission: $10.00
One of the hottest bands in New Orleans today, Bonerama has taken their own progressive version of traditional brass band music around the world, including an appearance on the David Letterman Show earlier this year. Opening the show, a special solo acoustic performance by Jimmy Robinson (Woodenhead, Twangorama); not to be missed.
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 1 to 6 PM: WORKSHOPS/LECTURES
@ BRUNNER GALLERY (215 N Columbia St.) - Admission: Free
1:00 LA FILM INDUSTRY NETWORKING - Having worked as an actor in over 20 major motion pictures, Wayne Douglas Morgan is a familiar name in the Louisiana film industry. He is also founder of the H.U.R.D. Film Network and numerous other Internet-based organizations which bring actors, filmmakers, crews, and screenwriters together. Wayne will talk on the phenomenon and growth of grass roots film industry networks in Louisiana, his experiences as an actor, and his upcoming projects.
2:00 FROM EXTRA TO ACTOR - The resume of Armando LeDuc includes work as an actor in film and television, as an improv artist on stage, and behind the microphone doing voiceovers. Add to that his experience as a professional dance instructor and singer, and you’ve got one well-rounded portfolio. Armando’s session will cover his views on beginning an acting career and advice on how to move up in the ranks.
3:00 STARS OF “DIRTY POLITICS” - The brand new feature film Dirty Politics is clearly among the most significant films shot entirely in Louisiana this year. Lead actor John Valdetero and supporting actors Jerry Katz and Ramona Tyler will spend some time reminiscing and taking questions before the movie makes its Louisiana debut tonight at the Fuhrmann Auditorium. They will talk about their experiences in making the film and on how they became involved with it.
4:00 WRITER/DIRECTOR STEVE SCAFFIDI - The surprisingly light-hearted Katrina-themed documentary, Forgotten On The Bayou, packed the house at last year’s OFF. Scaffidi founded one of the leading film and TV production companies in the South, Ghost Rider Pictures over 15 years ago. His focus recently seems to be leaning toward genre-defying features such as Forgotten and the unique and thought-provoking film, Execution. Today he will take a look into the process of turning an idea into a story and then turning that story into a film, book, or television program.
5:00 WRITER/DIRECTOR STEVEN ESTEB - The man behind the cutting-edge political comedy, Dirty Politics, is very busy these days, having premiered the film on the West Coast only a few weeks ago. We are delighted that he’s brought along his crew and is including the Ozone Film Festival as part of a promotional campaign which is only just beginning. Steven will discuss his working relationship with actors, the story of making the film, and the process of promoting a major motion picture to distributors.
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 3:30 to 5 PM: WORKSHOPS/LECTURES
@ SOUND LANDING RECORDING STUDIO (130 N Columbia St.) - Admission: Free
POST-PRODUCTION ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH PROS - Danny Retz is a Louisiana native who worked as a film editor in Los Angeles for the 30 years. After recently moving back home, Danny holds the position of artist-in-residence at UNO, teaching digital technology and advanced editing. He will discuss the latest trends in editing and the contrast between filmmaking on the West Coast and the ‘Third Coast’. Blake Palmintier, editor of many Louisiana films including Dirty Politics and Execution. will be on hand, as well as Ted Baldwin, owner of 3rd Coast Digital Films, and Emmy winning Avid-certified editor-turned-producer, John Anderson. If you’re interested in ‘post’, this is a major opportunity to sit in on a discussion among professionals in the field.
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 7 to 9:30 PM: FILM SCREENINGS
@ HAIK PARK (300 block Columbia St.)
SUBMITTED SHORTS (In Competition) - Admission: Free
7:00 Trolls Shaun Carpenter narrative 05:00
7:06 The Audition Michael Kennedy narrative 05:00
7:12 Doggone Stanley Wong narrative 07:44
7:20 The Order Jeffrey Hollins animation 05:00
7:30 Widow Jeffrey Roche´ animation 02:30
7:40 Cycle Edward Ramsay-Morin animation 07:23
8:00 Mirror Mirror Valerie Champagne narrative 14:20
8:15 New Clips In Black and White Stephen Sutton & Lavaughn Cathey documentary 22:07
8:40 Time Out Chris Hewitt narrative 04:30
8:45 Becoming Monkey Daniel Jacobs narrative 15:37
9:00 Route of All Evil Nevada McPherson narrative 20:00
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 7 to 10 PM: FILM SCREENINGS
@ COVINGTON TRAILHEAD (419 New Hampshire)
SUBMITTED DOCUMENTARIES (In Competition) - Admission: $5.00 per film
7:00 Seven Signs JD Wilkes documentary 52 min
Described as both “dignified and disarming”, Seven Signs has been getting awards from film festivals around the world this year. Artist/musician J.D. Wilkes debuts as a director with this powerful documentary on deeply rooted aspects of Southern culture which persist, despite heavy modernization. By interweaving the stories of several musicians, artists, and local legends, the film shows how the Southern Experience is different from and invaluable to the rest of the world. With an unflinching eye, Wilkes views the paradoxical world of the South, a land where cultures and traditions have combined to create a place worth preserving...A troubling place where so much has gone horribly, horribly right.
8:30 Fathers of the Sport Xavier Mitchell documentary 75 min
Soon to be released in 15 US markets through Hannover House distribution, FOS chronicles the history and lives of many “legends” and unsung heroes who dominated playground basketball courts of New York, Philly, DC, and Chicago in the early years of the sport and who made it the multi-billion dollar spectator sport it is today. Through classic music of the era, new original music scores, compelling rare footage, and “been there, saw it” commentary from the legends and fans who lived it, FOS aspires to be the most historical and honest account of the origin and history of basketball ever produced.
SUBMITTED FEATURE-LENGTH NARRATIVE (In Competition) - Admission: $5.00
10:00 Malice in Wonderland Paul Gustavo narrative feature 50 min
Horror movies are not normally so much fun. Much of this film was filmed right here in downtown Covington, and if you’re a local, you may recognize some of the actors. Malice in Wonderland is about jealousy and love, infused with someone’s distorted idea of fun.
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 1 to 5 PM: LIVE ART EXHIBITION
@ HAIK PARK (300 block Columbia St.)
Steve & Nick Hasslock, Becky Burt, Nick Usner and other professional artists create new works before your eyes
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 7 to 10 PM: FILM SCREENING
@ FUHRMANN AUDITORIUM (317 N Jefferson)
SUBMITTED FEATURE-LENGTH NARRTIVE (In Competition) - Admission: $8.00
7:00 A series of independent shorts, then Dirty Politics writer/director Steven Esteb will introduce his film
8:00 Dirty Politics Steven Esteb narrative feature 90 min
(for mature audiences only)
Today is election day in Louisiana, how appropriate for the Louisiana premiere of Dirty Politics.
This is the story of popular Louisiana Senator, Jimmy Breaux, and his run for the 2008 U.S. presidential election.He's ahead with a 20 point lead and the election is only weeks away. Things were going great - but now he's got something to hide.
"With Huey P. Long's historic playground as a scenic backdrop, this dark comedy punches
below the belt, commanding plenty of gasps and roaring laughter."
- Rebecca Breeden, 225 Magazine
With a cast including Judd Nelson, Beau Bridges, Howard Hesseman, Melissa Peterman, Jerry Katz, and John Valdetero (as Jimmy Breaux), Dirty Politics was shot and produced entirely in Louisiana, mostly in Baton Rouge.
Along with writer/director Steven Esteb, several members of the film’s production crew will be on hand for the film's first public screening outside of Los Angeles including producer John Anderson, producer and director of photography John McDougall, actors John Valdetero, Jerry Katz, and Ramona Tyler, editor Blake Palmintier, and associate producer Daniel Rector.
Forget Obama, forget McCain - Jimmy Breaux is the man to watch this November.
OCTOBER 4, SATURDAY - 10 PM to 1 AM: LIVE MUSIC
@ GREEN ROOM MUSIC CLUB (521 E Boston St.)
LIVINGTREE with special guests, JOHN SAAVEDRA - Admission: $5.00
Enjoy the sounds of some of the best musicians the North Shore has to offer: LivingTree plays their own brand of mind-boggling art rock; John Saavedra and his band open the show with melodic acoustic-based rock originals.
OCTOBER 5, SUNDAY - 1 to 6 PM: WORKSHOPS/LECTURES
@ BRUNNER GALLERY (215 N Columbia St.) - Admission: Free
HOST: Veleka Gray - Acting coach Veleka Gray, an accomplished stage and screen actress who served fifteen years as a judge for the National Emmy Awards and is a member of the Academy. She is a member of both Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists; inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 2004.
1:00 LOCALIZING THE GREATER NEW ORLEANS NETWORK - Christopher Brown is a filmmaker and network organizer who founded the first film society on the SLU campus while in college. Today he is deeply involved with joining the underground network of talent with the outside, bigger budget entities settling into southern Louisiana. He formed the New Orleans Filmmakers Meetup Group in 2006, just one of the many organizations he helps to manage, which help actors, writers, and directors find work in the industry.
2:00 INTRODUCING YOURSELF - Veleka Gray shares lessons learned on making first impressions which can be valuable not only to actors seeking roles - “When you're interviewing for a new job, or competing for a promotion, or invited to an affair where you won't know many people, making a great first impression can be crucial”. This workshop will show you how to put your best foot forward when it really matters. You will learn strategies for creating success in the workplace and in your social life as well.
3:00 CREATING THE SCENE - For this session, we have 3 experienced pros who will shed light on the “magic” that goes into creating what we see on film. Tim Cohn has worked as set decorator, technical director and production manager on major films and television programs produced in Louisiana for over 10 years. Blaine McManus, Fathers of the Sport producer, is back home working on productions in Lafayette after 20 years on the West Coast. John McDougall, producer/director of photography for Dirty Politics and owner of the production company, Film Design, in Baton Rouge, also knows a thing or two about this topic.
4:00 THE BUSINESS OF FILM PRODUCTION IN LOUISIANA: PANEL DISCUSSION - Why is the film industry growing on the North Shore and in Louisiana? How does one finance a major film production here? What are the latest projects on the table? What’s the latest on state sponsored initiatives supporting the Louisiana film industry? Panelists in this session are involved with these issues and it will be a rare opportunity for anyone who is interested to hear about what’s really going on.
SCHEDULED PANELISTS INCLUDE: Chris Stelly (La. Dept of Economic Development), Susan Brunner (West St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Cultural Economy Committee), David Crais (investment manager for Celtic Studios), John McDougall (owner of Baton Rouge production company Film Design), Blaine McManus (20 years film production in Hollywood, now based in Lafayette), and John Anderson (Emmy winner, producer of over 50 features, C.E.O. of The Andertainment Group), and others.
OCTOBER 5, SUNDAY - 4 to 7:30 PM: FILM SCREENINGS
@ COVINGTON TRAILHEAD (419 New Hampshire)
SUBMITTED FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS - Admission: $5.00 per film
4:00 One, The Movie Ward Powers documentary 80 min
This documentary film is actually the centerpiece of a larger entity, ONE, THE PROJECT, described as "a coming-together of people seeking to increase awareness of the connections we all share, remind us of our similarities, celebrate our differences, and allow the energy of Oneness to emerge in a seemingly disconnected world." The film is based on simple concept: to ask life's ultimate questions to a broad cross-section of humanity - from regular people to spiritual leaders to well-known authors - and let the dialogue begin. The dialogue covers such vast and universal topics such as God, fear, heaven, and war. Since One, The Project began in 2005, it has expanded for use in school and corporate programs and the film has sold out theaters in 6 continents.
6:00 Secrecy Rob Moss & Peter Galison documentary 85 min
Released September 12, 2008, this is an excellent political documentary delving into the complex area of secrecy in American government. Directed by Robb Moss and Peter Galison, Secrecy explores policies developed through the Cold War and how they have been adapted to the War On Terror. Called "a history lesson and a call to arms' by the NY Times, the film combines animation, installations, a mesmerizing score, and riveting interviews, and shares the experiences of lawyers, CIA analysts, and the ordinary people for whom secrecy becomes a matter of life and death.
OCTOBER 5, SUNDAY - 7 to 8:00 PM: FILM SCREENINGS
@ HAIK PARK (300 block Columbia St.)
SUBMITTED STUDENT FILMS (In Competition) - Admission: Free
OFF co-founder Roy Montaulbano and Liz Dunneback of NOVAC will make an introduction.
Horseplay Summer Video Institute news spot 04:40
Abita Springs Opry Summer Video Institute news spot 06:20
Recap Summer Video Institute news spot 03:00
Bonehead NOCCA - Jamie Doyle narrative 01:31
Catwalks NOCCA - Jesse Haycraft narrative 05:17
Raindrops NOCCA - Joshua Huval narrative 04:20
Untitled #8 NOCCA - Chris Breault experimental 03:04
Killers of the Earth NOCCA - Jeffrey Bruno animation 01:26
Young At Heart NOCCA - Jillian Willard narrative 06:29
That’s Not Funny Molly Green - UT Austin narrative 09:30
OCTOBER 5, SUNDAY - 8 to 10 PM: CLOSING RECEPTION & AWARDS PRESENTTION
@ CALYPSO PATIO BAR & GRILL (326 Lee Lane) - Admission: Free
Everyone is welcome to attend. Legendary New Orleans guitar wizard, Phil DeGruy will provide musical entertainment. There will be delicious food prepared by some of the best local restaurants including Ristorante Del Porto and Calypso, and wine supplied by Ponchartrain Vineyards and plenty of good ol’ Abita Beer. Awards will be presented at 9:30.
OCTOBER 5, SUNDAY - CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
@ GREEN ROOM MUSIC CLUB (521 E Boston St.) - Admission: $5.00
8 to 10 PM: DJ DANCE PARTY
WTUL PRESENTS "DJ NAME" DANCE PARTY
DJ Name spins groovy underground vinyl from the TUL vault to get the final night of OFF 2008 festivities rolling.
10 to 10:30 PM: MUSIC VIDEO SCREENINGS
SUBMITTED MUSIC VIDEOS (In Competition)
The last segment of video competition features music videos by Hank III, Invisible Cowboy, and The Bad Off, among others.
10:30 to 11:30 PM: LIVE MUSIC
CLINT MAEDGEN
Before you go, enjoy a genre-defying solo performance by Clint Maedgen of New Orleans Bingo! Show.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE 2008 OZONE FILM FESTIVAL
• OFF 2008 COMPLETE SCHEDULE •