Films always have a particular "look" -- Pirate of the Caribbean has one kind of look, Austin Powers another, and then a quiet drama like House of Sand and Fog has yet another. Sacramento will get the chance to hear from the art director responsible for the look of these films on Tuesday, February 21, when the Capital Film Arts Alliance (CFAA) brings Hollywood art director Drew Boughton to their speaker series. "Art direction and production design gives the 'look' of a film that defines the mood and atmosphere of the story, and is integral to all movies, and Drew Boughton is a master in the field," said Laurie Pederson, Board Chair for the CFAA. "The Capital Film Arts Alliance is proud to

INTERVIEW: DIRECTOR JOE CARNAHAN AND ACTOR FRANK GRILLO [NOTE: THE INTERVIEW CONTAINS SOME MILD PLOT SPOILERS FOR “THE GREY”.]   Recently, in San Francisco, I had a chance to chat with co-writer and director Joe Carnahan and actor Frank Grillo about their new release “The Grey” which opens this week. The film, which is reviewed in a separate article, tells the story of a group of oil workers whose plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, where they find themselves stalked by a pack of almost mythically large wolves. Joe is a Sacramento native and we’ve known each other for several years through the local film community and the Sacramento Film and Music Festival. As we were setting up f

[Jim Krall’s six year old daughter has just been kidnapped] ...from her own birthday party in front of his family and friends-and no one seems to care but him. Alone in his devastation, Jim Krall sets out on a nightmarish quest to find his child. This obsession will lead him into a world of Dark Pool investments, DNA manipulation, String Theory, time travel and alternate realities...   It started with Sam. Sam was a graduate of Natomas Charter School. He was bright and creative and bored. He isn’t any of those things anymore. Last year he took his own life. Now he is an inspiration. Rick Gott is an actor. Rick Gott is a teacher. He was Sam’s teacher. He sees a lot of students gra

Sacramento Film & Music Festival New dates and “Pitch Sacramento” filmmaking competition for 2011 For the past 11 years, the Sacramento Film & Music Festival has screened the best indie films from around the country and the world. And for the past 7 years, it has established a reputation for local filmmaking competitions, with approx. 150 music videos made for the Sac Music Seen program and 100 short films made for the 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge. For 2011, the Festival is making two major changes: A split into two separate seasonal events and a new competition for local filmmakers. Rather than continue as a 10-day Summer Festival, the 12th year for the Sacramento Film & Music Festival wil

Film studio heads rarely make general public appearances, let alone teach. Larry Meistrich, head of Nehst Studios and producer of the Oscar winner Sling Blade, turns that concept on its head! Coming to Sacramento October 15,16 & 17, Meistrich presents the acclaimed, weekend-long Aspiring Filmmakers Boot Camp so those interested in film careers can get the rare opportunity of educatation and interaction with a film industry leader who is running a film financing, production and distribution company in today’s entertainment world. At the boot camp Meistrich shares a lifetime of insights, knowledge and powerful tips to help successfully navigate the film business – whether as a writer, direc

Sacramento turned into the new Hollywood this week. At several locations scattered throughout the downtown area, Deon Taylor Enterprises has been busy filming their next big-budget comedy/thriller movie. The crew spent two nights filming on K Street around the 2300 block and scattered along J Street. The last day of filming, December 17, wrapped in the industrial warehouse district off Richards Boulevard. “As a filmmaker, when I write the scripts, I know where I can get a certain look at,” said director, writer and producer Deon Taylor, a Sacramento resident. “If I want water, I know the Delta is close by. For a colder, darker feel, I come to Richards Boulevard.” This is the fourth movi

"There's the normal world and then there's Dumbworld," according to filmmaker Jayson Woodward. Hundreds of people came out to see unique art at the first Dumbworld Expo at the newly renovated Capitol Towers apartments. All of the art, showing space, lighting, food, drinks, music, and entertainment were donated and dozens of people volunteered to work the expo. "Sometimes I buy spray paint before I pay the bills," coordinator Mary Louise Picerno said. The whole complex, which includes various restaurants that opened especially for the expo, participated. The restaurants, vacant stores, and top floor penthouse acted as galleries that held unique mixed media pieces as well as graffiti whi

The Sacramento Film & Music Festival is in its 10th season this year, and it's the 6th season for the innovative Sac Music Seen program which matches local bands/musicians and local filmmakers to make original music videos.  In the past 5 years, approximately 115 music videos have been produced and screened at the Crest Theatre as part of the Festival's regular programming, making it one of the region's largest, collaborative arts programs, counting musicians, filmmakers, actors, crew, etc. As a part of that process, each year, the Festival hosts a "Listening Party" for interested filmmakers to listen to music that has been submitted for consideration.  This year approximately 25 bands ha