HELLO FRIENDS,
What just happened?! Seriously! It has finally began and we’re running wild. The 2009 FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL opening night brought a lot of friends, staff, industry kids, and filmmakers. I was able to meet one particular filmmaker I have heard great things from last year’s 2008 FFF Short Film “The Replacement Child“’s Justin Lerner. Her name is Katherine O’Brien and the film she has, “Doppelganger” is this years boxing SHORT film, and with a great twist. This is a must see, while it plays in one of the most amazing and powerful Shorts Program i have seen in a looong time. Katherine and I sat in Enzian Theater for a good two and a half hours drinking club soda and talking film, food detoxing and hometowns. Thank you Katherine for taking the edge off and helping me not think of the crazy night i was about to get into.
Joining us for “The Green Room” Party came local filmmakers and friends Brent Chezanek and Chris Zabriskie, which brought on some snacks and beer…then Mark “Rabbi” (other well known as my Liverpool FC companion) and (GMD Studios) Brian Clark meaning, more conversation and beer. Brent and Chris are responsable for one of the greatest indie music video’s John Vanderslice’s “Exodus Damage.” In the book called “Money for Nothing” by film critic Saul Austerlitz, he praised the boys work in his Top 100 videos of all time. After some time, we all packed into the theater to see Stephen Belber’s directorial debut and U.S. Premiere of “Management” starring Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn, Fred Ward, and Woody Harrelson. Great Q&A…along with a much needed and amazing party.
Interviews piled in with Stephen Belber and we got get some one on one time taking about directing first features and the outcome that some get lucky in first time. He did an amazing job getting where he did, congrats Stehpen. Also, thank him for his script in 2001, “Tape”, directed by Richard Linklater. Spoke with Marc Havener director the BRILLIANT Doc. Short “And What Remains” and we were able taste many foods along with Rabbi. Thanks to Chris and Brent for a great interview and thanks to Liz Langley for interviewing us on her blog.
Thanks again everyone and thanks PES for your 2 minute animated film short “Western Spaghetti” as our festival opener. ALL video footage and interviews will be posted ASAP, and photos will be taken all week! THANK YOU MATTHEW CURTIS (Programming Director) for your hardest work and greatest job ever!
I’m typing this out with no eyes open. EXHAUSTED and can’t see straight. See you tomorrow!
B.Quain (is watching)
