|
|
SATURDAY, APRIL
29, 2006
A harrowing tale well told
…
Never had this movie-going experience before
yesterday, when I saw “United
93” - from the first few
seconds, my heart was in my throat, my
stomach was in knots, and tears were in my
eyes. As a movie, it’s a dynamite
thriller-tragedy. As an experience, it’s
heart wrenching.
For filmmakers,
it’s an essential movie to watch.
Paul Greengrass has
perfect pitch throughout as he captures people begin an
ordinary day and then respond to extraordinary events. The
editing is first-rate, allowing multiple stories (various
air traffic control centers, as well as United 93
crew/passengers/terrorists) to be told coherently, building
the drama and tension, and showcasing the inherent humanity,
inhumanity and heroism of the story.
The crazy thing is
that the real events of 9/11 led me on a path toward
avoiding news, movies and other media that documented the
horrid things taking place in this world. From the time I
first started reading the newspaper at age 13 until the
latter part of 2001, I was a supreme news junkie, always
craving to know the good, the bad and the ugly.
After seeing the once
incomprehensible become reality on Sept. 11, I screamed
“ENOUGH,” and for the past few years, I’ve looked not
at both sides now, but only of “ice
cream castles in the air” *
It’s not that I’ve been completely insulated – I’m probably
more aware of the awful goings on in this mixed-up planet
than many people. It’s just that I haven’t paid close
attention to events and issues that we all need to absorb
and act upon. Perhaps “United
93” can set me back on track.
LINDA
*
Love ya, Joni Mitchell
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2006
Cheers to those inspiring women
…
“Be inspired” – that’s the subject line I
put on e-mails marketing the 5th
annual Crosscut: Women Making Movies
symposium. And it’s no hollow claim. I’ve
been to 4 outta 5 Crosscuts, and I always
leave wiser and more inspired to get my
movie a** movin’.
The Legacy of Inspiring Women continued at
the KC Jubilee this year when 7 dynamite
women took part in the Crosscut events April
7 and 8 at Central Exchange and downtown KC
Library. (OK – 8 women, since I was panelist
at CX event.) The symposium, founded by
Debra Di Blasi
and chaired for last 2 years by the Babes’
own Sharon Chapman, brought in
actress
Karen Black,
animator
Emily Hubley,
director/writer/nonprofit arts financing
expert
Esther Robinson,
writer/director
Najla Zaidi,
Toronto Film Fest-er
Karen Bruce,
arts advocate/mentor
Patrice Snead
and Liquid 9 – and “Agent Jim” – editor
Joy Moeller.
With their range of experiences, they
provided such gems as:
“Experience is my life preserver.”
“Directors don’t say much to actors. When
you hire a maid, you don’t tell her how to
run a vacuum cleaner, you let her do her
job.”
“If you fire someone, direct them to the
right path to what they should be doing.”
“If you get rejected, find out why. Then
mold your next submission to fit the
criteria. Keep doing this until you’re
accepted.”
“If someone rejects you, ask again. Always
have hope. Never give up.”
“As a director, you need someone who can do
the sell. That’s why you need a great
producer.”
“Recognize what you didn’t expect – that’s
more special.”
“Approach each person as a person, not a
title. Approach with research, kindness and
brevity.”
Good advice to all women and men and
everyone in any field.
LINDA
MONDAY, APRIL 3,
2006
Life
is a Jubilee, ol' chum, come to the Jubilee
…
The Babes adore all the fab
indie film happenings in the greater KC
area. But we reserve a special place in our
hearts for the KC Filmmakers Jubilee Film
Fest. That’s the fest that
first inspired us
to become filmmakers.
Be inspired, entertained and
informed yourself at this year’s fest – KC
Jubilee X – April 7-13. Visit
www.kcjubilee.org for film and seminar
schedules, ticket info, filmmaker bios and
more.
LINDA
|
|
|
|
AGENT
JIM
-------------------------
BRA
-------------------------
|