FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jodi S. Klebick, Executive Director
412-622-1325, jodi@steeltown.org
FILM FACTORY TO ANNOUNCE WINNER(S)!
Final 'Greenlighting Round' to Teach Real Life Pre-Production Methods
March 10, 2010, Pittsburgh, PA – First, Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama acting students publicly read the scripts of the ten semifinalists in Steeltown Entertainment Project's FILM FACTORY event in January. Then, Judges and Panelists narrowed the field down to five scripts. Next came “THE DIRECTOR’S PITCH” at the University of Pittsburgh in February, where the 5 semi-finalists pitched their directing ideas to a panel of industry professionals, and two were 'voted off the island.' Now, three finalists must demonstrate that they have what it takes to turn their ideas into reality during the public event “NOW WHAT? READY, SET, PRODUCE!” on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at Point Park University. The public is invited to join our finalists as they make their presentations in simulated pre-production meetings to review issues such as locations, casting, budgets, licensing, technical issues and more. At the discretion of the judges, one, two or even all three finalists could go away that day as winners.
Listed alphabetically, the 3 finalists include:
“Anywhere But Here” by Ross Thomas
“Lightweight” by Randy Kovitz and Deborah Hosking
“Roll the Dice” by Lawrence Phillis, Dave Fedor, John Feightner, & Joe Wichryk II
“NOW WHAT? READY, SET, PRODUCE!” is sponsored by Point Park University’s Department of Cinema and Digital Arts, and will focus on what happens in filmmaking once a project has been “greenlit” and the challenges of the production process. The results of the prior events have culminated thus far in this edge of your seat event, as the judges will determine which of the finalists will be selected to produce their short films in SWPA in the summer of 2010.
The stage will be set up like a pre-production meeting where the panelists will be seated at a conference table, with the finalists at the head. The pre-production meeting is a presentation, and this is the preliminary planning meeting of their short film. The finalists are there to discuss logistical concerns of the production process with their "production team" (the panel). Steeltown Judges and Panelists will evaluate the effectiveness and preparedness of each finalist through these simulated pre-production meetings.
Each finalist will be given 25 minutes, during which they may introduce themselves to their "team," prepare a pep talk, give a summary of the script, and have a little fun. From there, business hats go on. Finalists will talk through the items they are required to prepare ahead of time: documents concerning Budget, Scene Breakdown, and Location. In addition, the finalists will also have a few minutes to present something unique about their project before the questions from the panel begin. This educational event will not only benefit the finalists, but the audience as well, many who are new to this process.
The three finalists present to a panel, moderated by Steeltown co-founder and University of Pittsburgh professor, Carl Kurlander (“St. Elmo’s Fire,” “My Tale of Two Cities”), featuring:
• Janine Michael, Casting Director, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"
• Janet Smith, Documentary Producer and Film Production Manager
• Jeff Monahan, President, 72nd St. Films, LLC.
• Lisa Smith, Co-Executive Producer, "The People Speak"
• Joe Seamans, Producer, Writer and Cinematographer
Live, on site that day, the Judges and Panelists will decide if 1, 2 or all 3 of the finalists qualify to win (and share) the $25,000 production prize for producing their short film over the summer and this outcome will be announced at the end of the workshop. The winning film(s) will screen at the Three Rivers Film Festival in November 2010.
Copies of each script, and required production documents, will be available to audience members upon arrival at “NOW WHAT? READY, SET, PRODUCE!” Steeltown encourage attendees to read the three short scripts prior to the workshop. These can be found on the Steeltown Film Factory website, http://www.steeltownfilmfactory.org/filmscripts.
Alyssa Herron, who was one of the 5 semi-finalists at "THE DIRECTOR’S PITCH" workshop, said, “I have learned more about my own writing, strengths and weakness, and about the business in general (having participated in the FILM FACTORY), than I have from the many classes and workshops I have attended over the years. ”
EVENT DETAILS & TICKETING:
WHAT: "NOW WHAT? READY, SET, PRODUCE!"
WHERE:
Point Park University, Lawrence Hall, Dance Studio, 1st Floor, 201 Wood St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
WHEN: 9:30AM - 1:30PM
PURCHASE TICKETS: To purchase tickets visit www.SteeltownFilmFactory.org.
Seats are limited and attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Student tickets cost $5.00, Adult tickets cost $10.00. A continental breakfast and afternoon snack will be provided. (For those who submitted a screenplay to the competition, please contact Cait Murray at info@steeltownfilmfactory.org to reserve a seat.) A filmmaking book sale, sponsored by Joseph-Beth Booksellers, will also be available in the lobby.
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About Steeltown Entertainment Project: The mission of Steeltown Entertainment Project is to connect entertainment professionals, with SWPA ties, to projects, people and partnerships in order to support and invest in the socially and commercially significant film and media industry of the Pittsburgh region. Steeltown Entertainment Project sponsors several media initiatives in the area, including the FILM FACTORY and its Youth & Media Initiative. It is also working toward completing the documentary “The Shot Felt ‘Round the World: The Untold Pittsburgh Polio Story,” and creating an Entertainment Incubator and Investment Fund. For more information, please call 412-622-1325 or visit www.Steeltown.org.
About Steeltown Film Factory: The Steeltown FILM FACTORY (SFF) is a yearlong filmmaking competition, supported by a series of public workshops, panel discussions and staged readings, designed to engage aspiring filmmakers to create projects with Pittsburgh-inspired content. By bringing together local and expatriate resources in SWPA, the SFF will help to transform this region’s non-profit “Arts Sector” into a thriving “Entertainment Economy.” For more information on the Steeltown FILM FACTORY, please visit www.SteeltownFilmFactory.org.
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