PRESSURE COOKER PREMIERE @ IFC

PRESSURE COOKER will premiere at:

The IFC Center on

Wednesday, May 27th.

" Mark and I are really looking forward to it and hope you all will be able to make it. We're not sure of the screening times yet, but will send out an email when they go on sale, May 25th. I would buy tickets online in advance because we are hopeful that it will sell out, especially since Wilma, Fatoumata and possibly Dudley will be in attendance."
- Jennifer Grausman, co-director

A Transparent Mind: Update!

Paul Docherty and I met over the weekend and began construction our physical effects for our short film "A Transparent Mind."

Paul suggested to me that we use a type of insulation foam, and cut out the individual letters and eventually hang them on strings. A sort of puppeteer version of type-setting. Isn't that cool?

I selected a rounded bold font, one that Paul and I agreed would be easy to read as additional elements on screen, as well as something that was practical to build (i.e. Sans Serif!).
Paul printed large 6" letters, all matching a particular scale (this will most likely affect lens choice during the effect shoot).

We stenciled the letters by putting charcoal on the back of the print outs and outlining them atop the foam.

Then Paul, using the hotwire machine carved out the letters.



We created over 50 characters in this first step. Next will be the creation of additional characters to aid in completing words, followed by a light sanding and paint job.

Thanks for the hard work Paul!

Reminder: Freelancer Spring Party Tonight!

To The Freelance Masses,

Leftfield Pictures & Nick Budabin Present:

Spring Fling 2009!!!

After a looooong winter, Spring is finally in the air and we’re all ready to celebrate.

So come out tomorrow night, have a few drinks, hook up with some old pals, meet some new ones, and help us kick off spring right.

What: TV Happy Hour

When: Tomorrow Night, Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30pm - ????

Where: Taj Lounge
48 W. 21st Street, Between 5th and 6th Avenues
http://www.tajlounge.com/

Who: You and your TV peeps

Drink Specials: $4 beers and $6 Well Drinks from 6:30-9!!!

Why: Because at the bar we're all equals and Leftfield Pictures prides itself on pairing freelancers with great jobs. So not only will you get to make new TV friends, you may get a gig because of it!

NY: Double-Taxing The Self-Employeed

A bill discussed at the NYCity Council yesterday involved the creation of an "Unincorporated Business Tax", which is a DOUBLE TAX ON SELF EMPLOYMENT. We must fight the U.B.T. in order to maintain any standard of living outtside the (seemingly failing) corporate/wall street machine in NYC. Cry as some might, the economic down turn has made things even worse for those of us whom the economy is always uncertain: the creative freelancers.

Find out how you can help: www.freelancersunion.org

Introducing Keif Roberts, DP / Editor

Equally talented at story writing and with a lens, Keif has agreeded to work on my dotUS directorial debut: A Transparent Mind.

In his own words:
"From Queens, New Yawk. I am a filmmaker living in New York City. For over a year I have been working as a Shooter/Editor for an internet food network called Devour.tv and have worked with some great chefs and restaurant people, but the company is teetering on the edge of extinction, so I'm looking for work. I enjoy good films, non-fiction books, and dislike pretentious people."

Keif's demo reel can be seen on Vimeo.

Copyright Basics - The Video!

The Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) has put together an animated educational video that "teaches the basics of copyright." I see this as a great resource for documentary filmmakers who are dealing with questions when it comes to archival, fair-use etc: check it out!

WOYP April Updates

What's On Your Plate? premiere:
Seattle International Film Festival!

Seattle friends, please join Director Catherine Gund and be among the first to see the film. And if you know folks in the area, please spread the word.

Seattle International Film Festival
June 12, 2009
(for more info click here)

For those in the New York area, please join us for your choice of outdoor or indoor premiere!

BAM Cinemafest/
Opening Night - Afro Punk Festival
June 27, 2009
Join the filmmakers and folks featured in the film
for an outdoor festival in Fort Greene Park
Food, music and family activities all afternoon
Screening of the film at dusk
(check out the line-up here)

BAM Afro-Punk Festival, July 7th, 2009
(check online closer to the date)

Also, Sadie, Safiyah and Catherine will show clips and answer questions along with Nhumi and Caleb at the
Brooklyn Food Conference
May 2, 2009
(for more info click here)