from Darroch Greer

Two philanthropists walk into a bar. One says to the bartender, ‘We want to make a film about Euripides.‘

Okay - that‘s not exactly how it happened.

“Greg Carr of the Carr Foundation and Noble Smith, these are the two men that approached me about making a film,” Jessica Yu recounts of the genesis of her film Protagonist. “The way they described it to me was that Euripides was seen as the first psychologist. Actually, when you first read the work - and it‘s not really a film about the man, per se. I didn‘t want to put people off and have them think, ‘oh gosh, I should have studied more in school to be able to follow this film.‘” more

Listen in on an exclusive interview with Strange Culture Director Lynn Hershman Leeson as she talks about the creation of her Sundance documentary. Millimeter contributor Darroch Greer asks the questions.

To listen to the podcast interview click here.

(To download: Right Click, Save As)

Check out our entire Sundance Podcast Archive.

Check out “BACKSTORY: How She Move” by Ronke Idowu Reeves here.

Reeves writes: “Both in independent and Hollywood films, there are precious few leading roles for black women and that is something screenwriter Annemarie Morais wants to change — particularly for girls and teenagers. The lack of diversity in young adult stories served as the inspiration for Morais‘ first feature script How She Move. Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid, this coming of age story follows Raya (Rutina Wesley), a black Canadian high school student who rediscovers her passion for step dancing after the death of her older sister.” Read more.

Sundance’s Daily Insider has a lot of interesting articles from the show floor. In particular, check out “Chicago 10 Raises First of Many Voices” by Sarah Keenlyside here.

Keenlyside writes: “Last night at the Eccles Theatre, Robert Redford, Sundance Institute President and Founder, introduced this year‘s opening night film, Brett Morgen‘s documentary Chicago 10, and asked the audience to reflect on America‘s recent history while watching the film. ‘Six years ago, I stood on this stage in the wake of 9/11 and that catastrophe, and pledged our support for a time for healing,’ he said. ‘Some of us who had issues or questions … We put our voices on hold in the interest of unity … to let the leaders lead.’ ” Read more.

Click here for our own Cynthia Wisehart’s take on the film.

Washington State production industry will promote new financial benefits for filmmakers

For the 5th consecutive year, Washington State government agencies and businesses will be in Park City, Utah during the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals to promote the financial and aesthetic benefits of film production and post-production within Washington State. The group will introduce new financial incentives which provide funding assistance to independent filmmakers. When combined with existing tax and vendor savings programs the new incentives give filmmakers a compelling reason to take a serious look at Washington State for reasons beyond the unrivaled variety of locations throughout the State.

The events include the Washington Party which will begin with a VIP cocktail reception followed by a concert presented by Sub Pop Records featuring the cutting edge sounds of popular artists Low, The Album Leaf and Death Vessel. Additionally, the Washington State Film Office, Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Seattle Mayor’s Office of Film and Music, and W Seattle will co-host two special invitation dinners prepared by Executive Chef Adam Stevenson of Earth & Ocean restaurant. more

Press Release:

In the midst of Sundance pandemonium it‘s hard to find a way to unwind at the end of the day…

The Green House is the perfect solution… After spending your day on your feet and running around in the snow getting the celebrity gossip and film buzz, come to The Green House for a relaxing and eco-friendly time.

Get facials, hand massages, and foot massages at the Desert Essence Organics Spa and Gifting Suite.

Book your appointments now by calling Reshma at 917.536.7620

Organic treats and refreshments will be on hand. more

Four Sheets to the Wind - David Michael Mauer Podcast (To Download: Right Click, Save Target As)

Download iTunes here.

Educational workshops, podcasts from Avid filmmakers and advice on the art of editing for aspiring storytellers on the agenda

Avid Technology, Inc. announced that a wide variety of creative storytellers who used Avid systems will take center stage at this year‘s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah from January 18-28. Avid tools were used in nearly every category of competition this year, including Short Films, Dramatic Competition and World Cinema - and several of this year‘s entries were shot, edited and/or output to HD. For those who can not attend the festival, Avid will provide updates as well as host a number of podcasts and blogs on its newly-launched independent film Webpage at: www.avid.com/indie. more

Four Sheets to the Wind - David Michael Mauer Podcast (To Download: Right Click, Save Target As)

Download iTunes here.

Educational workshops, podcasts from Avid filmmakers and advice on the art of editing for aspiring storytellers on the agenda

Avid Technology, Inc. announced that a wide variety of creative storytellers who used Avid systems will take center stage at this year‘s Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah from January 18-28. Avid tools were used in nearly every category of competition this year, including Short Films, Dramatic Competition and World Cinema - and several of this year‘s entries were shot, edited and/or output to HD. For those who can not attend the festival, Avid will provide updates as well as host a number of podcasts and blogs on its newly-launched independent film Webpage at: www.avid.com/indie. more

from Darroch Greer

Lynn Hershman Leeson is no stranger to Sundance. A world-renowned avant-garde visual artist working in the mediums of photography, video, film, and interactive and net-based media, she is bringing her third feature to Sundance this year. She has also served on two juries and is the recipient of a 1998 Sundance Institute Screenwriting Fellowship - not to mention numerous international awards, tributes, and a retrospective of her films at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

“This will be my sixth visit to Sundance,” Leeson says. “For me it‘s an absolutely tremendous, vital, energizing event. I went there with my first film Conceiving Ada, after which I was invited to go to their screenwriter‘s lab, which was just an incredible experience. I think it was about four days of meeting with very accomplished people who gave you tips, formats, and ideas about how to really write a substantial script, because I had never been to film school. I came out of visual arts, and so this medium was new to me. more

Sundance Film Festival, Park City, UT: January 19, 2007 — Blackmagic Design Inc. today announced that We Are the Strange, a 94 minute animation produced in the United States and whose workflow utilizes Blackmagic’s DeckLink Pro capture card, will be screened at Sundance Film Festival beginning January 19, 2007. In addition to being the only full length feature animation at Sundance, We Are the Strange is also unique in that it is composed of mixed media consisting of 3-D, stop motion, and 2-D, taking almost three years to complete. The film was produced, written and directed by M Dot Strange. Chaylon Blancett was brought aboard for post-production. more