Search

On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project on buzzine.com

FILM COLUMN: NEW FILMMAKERS L.A.

Sunset Gower Studios Hosts Showcase of Innovative Works By World’s Emerging Filmmakers

May 19, 2011

Many promising filmmakers will arrive on the lot of Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood on May 21st to participate in the “On Location” Competition, a cinematic showcase hosted by the studio in conjunction with the non-profit organization New Filmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA). The first-ever “On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project” is a concept aiming to establish a group of filmmakers and photographers servicing as “Ambassadors of Los Angeles.” The competition also involves the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Through the competition, the NFMLA hopes to enlist a “remarkable pool of filmmakers and photographers to act and serve as Ambassadors of Los Angeles by giving these artists an opportunity to share what they call their LA” and provide “an insider perspective into this diverse cosmopolitan city and its neighborhoods.”

One of the creative forces behind the “On Location” Competition is Larry Laboe -- a producer, writer, and actor who helped spearhead this new filmmaking concept that has been incorporated into the monthly screening events at Sunset Gower.

“The idea was (to) show us your story in a visual way that highlights the city and what you call Los Angeles,” Laboe, the executive director of NFMLA, said. “We planned this to be a once-a-year thing.”

Submissions were accepted between February and April, with NFMLA receiving about 44 entries, with 22 of those earning entry into the competition. All films submitted must be about Los Angeles or involve the city in some substantial capacity. Even more, the films must not shed Los Angeles in a negative light.

The participating filmmakers will, in turn, be competing for a $100,000 grand prize production package from Equilibrium Productions; the City of Los Angeles will also be providing a cash prize of $1,000. Each film will be released online daily during a 22-day period.

Those expecting to attend the premiere event on May 21st include: Bokeem Woodbine of Southland and Saving Grace; Max Ryan of Sex and the City 2; Michael Anthony Spady of Hamill and Sympathy for Delicious; and Steven J. Wolfe of (500) Days of Summer.

Among the 22 finalists are:

Beth Dewey (Greetings from Los Angeles)

Brandon Dexter (Griffith Park)

Caroline Dunaway (This Is LA)

David A. Fisher (30 Square Miles)

Edgar Alvarez, AKA Alter Eddie (Venice Beach)

Esteven Gamez (Love Adrift in LA)

Fátima Carmena (Live Your Dream)

Felix Martiz (Los Angeles)

Genet Berhane (Los Angeles I'm Yours and Love Captured)

Gregory J.M. Kasunich (Monroe)

Jamie Schwartzman (LA: A City in FLUX)

Jennifer Chiu (Love Captured)

Joshua Robinson (High Five LA)

Karl Polverino (Los Angeles - Not Just Angels)

Luc Delamare (This is LA)

Michael Wolfgang Bauch (Los Angeles, Three, Two, One)

Natan Moss (Dear Babushka)

Patt Davis (Los Angeles)

Reena Dutt (Snapshot!)

Sascha Raeburn (LA Thru My Eyes)

Sean David Christensen (The City That Speaks Your Language)

Shannon Latimer (You Are Home)

Varda Hardy (Ode to Los Angeles)

NFMLA at Sunset Gower Studios is “designed to showcase innovative works by emerging filmmakers from around the world, providing the Los Angeles community of entertainment professionals and film-goers with a constant surge of monthly screening events.”

Just the same, NFMLA makes every effort to provide a “forum where filmmakers can be recognized for their contributions, have open audience discussions about their projects, and connect with industry professionals for insight on distribution, production, acquisition, and representation.”

“We have a really good group that believes in independent filmmaking and supporting independent filmmakers,” Laboe said of the core of people who volunteer their time to NFMLA.