▌TUTORIAL ▌Shooting Motion Handheld (Minus Dolly)

I'm going to need you to learn how to skateboard.

Essentially, that's what this guy is about to tell you. While the crew below is focusing specifically on skateboard coverage, I'd definitely recommend these tips to anyone responsible for camerawork on a live shoot.

For those of us who have been trying to figure out a substitute for the incomparable dolly effect, the long and short of it is this: learn how to skateboard in a straight line.

When you see the shot this kid gets during the chapter called "Lines," you'll see why I'm co-signing. (And also why so many young film rockstars look like skater kids...lol)

▌TOO COOL ▌Tell Beyonce's Band to Meet Their Grandmother

Whilst completing the reading comprehension section of my PRAXIS this past Monday, this made me stop dead in my tracks.

A multicultural, all-female jazz band from the 1930s including ALL women of color.

Meet the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

UPFRONTS! Oooooh yeah! The first Twitter-com

The dog and pony show is well underway in NYC. (Recall the pre-primer intro to upfronts.)

Check the update from NPR aqui.

In the meantime, check out the Twitter page that became a broadcast pilot--and is currently wooing Madison Ave. 

Gawker has compiled some script shots over at its site. See if $#!% My Dad Says lives up to the hype. The Twitter sure does. :-)

▌OK ▌Focus on Africa First Program

Focus on Africa First Program

So...according to Variety, you get $10K from Focus Features to "help develop the next generation of African filmmakers."

Word.

Kisha Cameron-Dingle (...Sometimes in April) supervises the program. Submissions will be accepted through August 3. Call home and tell a friend to tell a friend.

[Oh, Dear Lord, No. Please, No.] Terrence Howard as Marvin Gaye?

Just read this at Shadow & Act and all I can say is...

God, no.
Even if I don't manage to pass my test tomorrow, can you answer this prayer?
You know I don't even clown folks like this, and even now, I'm not clowning. I'm typically very open-minded, but I really just can't breathe at the sight of such news, so please...
NO!

PLEASE can Terrence Howard NOT be Marvin Gaye in Cameron Crowe's biopic?
PLEEEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSSSSEEEEEEEE??????
I see I'm too late where Nelson Mandela is concerned, but please, please, please, please, please.
I promise I'll put all my Haterade away after this!
He can have any role he wants (as long as it doesn't happen to be Huey P. Newton) after this.

P.S.
[I feel like Terrence Howard is saying, "Hi, Hater." in this picture...hm...Bad choice...But then again, save: I feel like Marvin Gaye is saying, "Y'all got jokes!"]

▌SAYWhaa? ▌Power Rangers Is Coming Back #16years

Dude.

Huh?

This is like losing a tooth in kindergarten, and your mom coming to tell you she found it on your 25th birthday. Ok. Can I have that tooth-fairy money plus interest accrued?

Saban is snatching the series we all knew and loved back from Disney (Back on the playground, I was Trini, the Yellow Ranger, thankyouverymuch). Disney had issues with the fighting parts of the show, so they kilt [sic] it before too long. (I definitely think that sale came AFTER the beginning of whackness, but...) Anywho, this is...interesting. Quick question, though: What happened to 'original' programming?

Just a thought.

Read more on this new development over at //Ain't It Cool //

▌INDIE ▌YO! Fab 5 Freddy raps 'Exit Through the Gift Shop'

 YO! Fab 5 Freddy raps 21st century "Wild Style" (Charlie Ahearn). See "Exit Through the Gift Shop" (Bansky) now at E Street Cinemas. Art and block meet cinema and have a movie...

Darn you, Hulu...Lena Horne & Kermit The Frog

▌ICYMI ▌Betty White and Alumni on SNL 5/8 :D

No joke: I was like a kid on Christmas morning watching this episode of NBC's Saturday Night Live. 

Not simply because I wanted to join the hallaballoo surrounding the Betty White SNL experience, but Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Ana Gasteyer, Amy Poehler AND Tina Fey were in the building, too. Can you say *SICE ME*???!

Check the episode in full (sans Jigga) //aqui//.

Here's a web exclusive in the meantime...

▌GRAND HUSTLE ▌Workshop w/ Kodak Cinematogs, free! 5/12 #DMV #ProDev

May 10th - 11th
Kodak Stop By Shoot Film Workshops
Kodak Office
1250 H St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20005

10A, 2P

Kodak is offering free 16mm film production workshops (at 10A and 2P) today and tomorrow. Register for one of the four workshops at www.kodak.com/go/SBSF. Discover how easy and fun it is to use motion picture film - and get the best images you've ever created. You'll talk with a top cinematographer, learn how to use a S16mm camera and film, then shoot your own scene - all in under two hours! Following the event, we'll send you a DVD of your footage, so you can see for yourself what film quality means. There's no fee, but space is limited, so sign up now!

▌SCREENINGS ▌Saving Screen on the Green, #HBO #DMV #Summertime!

Screen on the Green is indeed the mark of summer in the city (cue Regina Spektor!) HBO pulls out the big screen on the National Mall, and beginning at sundown every Monday night, an ole, nostalgic classic revs up to crowds gathered on blankets and lawn chairs. (Sweet!) The festivities were almost nixed last year, and according to the pushers behind "Save Screen on the Green," (their advocacy earned Screen on the Green 2nd place in Washington City Paper's "Best Festivals" category) there's still no final word from HBO that it's committed to a 2010 movement. If you've ever partaken, do read on. The viral movement continues:

Dear Movie Lover,

One year ago this week, HBO canceled "Screen on the Green."

In response, a citywide campaign to "Save Screen on the Green" was launched - and it worked.
But the campaign's not over yet. HBO hasn't yet decided whether or not they'll host "Screen on the Green" this year, so we're back in action.

The DC Film Alliance needs $2,000 to upgrade our website and prepare it for our next letter writing campaign. Will you chip in $20 to help build our website and save "Screen on the Green"?

"Save Screen on the Green" isn't being run by the city - or a bunch of fancy corporate sponsors. It's being run by regular Washingtonians, just like you, who care about saving our favorite film festival. The project is a program on the DC Film Alliance-- the same folks who bring you the DC Shorts Film Festival.

Last year, the "Save Screen on the Green"  website was used to contact  Washington companies about co-sponsoring "Screen on the Green" -- and Comcast came to the rescue. This year, our website has attracted attention of other potential corporate sponsors who want to save "Save Screen on the Green."

But we want to do this right - and run the best possible campaign we can. That's why we need your help. Please make a donation to "Save Screen on the Green" now. Thanks for your support - and don't forget to tell your friends to visit savescreenonthegreen.org to join the campaign!

[RSVP] The Official Screening Party for “Just Wright” Starring Queen Latifah & Common « The Fab Empire - DC Fab

[RSVP] The Official Screening Party for “Just Wright” Starring Queen Latifah & Common « The Fab Empire - DC Fab

DC Fab will be in the house tomorrow at Policy for the DC advance screening of Just Wright. RSVP today by 5:00P to catch an early look at the Queen Latifah and Common'd pic. See you there! Just Wright opens Friday 5/14 in theaters everywhere.

▌CELEBRATION OF LIFE ▌ Lena Horne (June 30, 1917 - May 9, 2010)

The incomparable and timeless Lena Horne has died at age 92.

Horne's career spans some decades in entertainment, breaking barriers on stage and screen as one of the first Black women to front an all-white band, and one of Hollywood's problem stars, as she worked with her own contemporary and firestarter, Paul Robeson. Only last week, conversation resurfaced about the [still] forthcoming biopic based on Horne's life. The film is set to star singer, musician Alicia Keys as Horne. Janet Jackson had originally been named as the on-screen manifestation of Horne, but following the 2004 Super Bowl, the Elder made it very clear that Ms. Jackson would have no part in her legacy. Hear this tribute from NPR's Debbie Elliot:

Robert Roderiguez's 'Machete' to Arizona: Happy Cinco de Mayo!