David Robert Mitchell’s (MFA 02) horror film It Follows has been such a sensation in its limited release over the last two weekends, that RADiUS and Dimension Films are now going wide with the film in 1,200 theaters. Originally, the film was scheduled for VOD this coming Friday, however, given its success the distributor has pushed its VOD and DVD release to later in the year after its stateside run.http://variety.com/2015/film/news/it-follows-box-office-radius-twc-highest-grossing-release-1201462208/ From Julie Donovan (BFA  95)  “Furious 7 comes out this Friday April 3! When I was offered the job I had never seen a single one of the Fast franchise and I'm now proud to say I was the main unit A camera 1st AC. What an amazingly challenging and rewarding job it was! We ended up shooting for almost 135 days (that's just on main unit and not including 2nd unit, splinter units, vfx units and aerial units), spread out over just under a year. I'm normally on a movie for no more than 4 months so to spend the better part of a year on one project was probably a once in a lifetime experience. We really had a fantastic core team that all relied on and helped each other on a daily basis. As silly as it seems, the whole premise of family in the story line becomes a reality when you work so closely with people in such extenuating circumstances for so long. In addition to the devastating loss of Paul Walker, we also mourned the loss of our beloved C camera 2nd AC, Sarah Jones. Universal Studios made sure to put the Safety for Sarah logo at the end of the film, not only in her honor but also as a reminder to all of us that safety should be paramount. I truly hope that everyone puts safety at the forefront throughout their entire careers.   While it was an emotionally tough job it was also technically extraordinary. The vfx team has done a phenomenal job and we had to work so closely with them to accomplish it all. We had many days where main unit had 24 people in the camera department, which is pretty much unheard of on a main unit. It was surreal to not be able to say good morning and thank you to everyone each day like you normally would with your department, but when you are spread out over 3 full size camera trucks it's somewhat impossible.  American Cinematographer has also done an article on Furious 7 that I believe will be out in the May edition. It's the 2nd time I've had the honor of contributing to an article for them (the first was for the movie I did just prior to F7 called "Kill the Messenger" starring Jeremy Renner). It's always a bit of a nerve racking experience, knowing that they will only use one or two sentences of what you say and just hoping that it comes across somewhat intelligently! Crossing my fingers.”  "DreamworksTV's "Life Hacks For Kids" has officially crossed five-million views on YouTube! Featuring camera work from Drew Angle (BFA 13), Dylan Hendrickson (BFA 13), and Tavner Murphy (BFA 13), the show is crewed almost entirely by former FSU Film School students. Other alumni who have worked on the project include Melisse Sporn (BFA 14), Devon Albert-Stone (BFA 14), Margie Cooper (BFA 14), Spencer Showalter (BFA 13), Samuel Curtis (BFA 13) and Eric Jaffe (BFA 13). In addition to "Life Hacks," two other shows on the network ("$100 Pet Challenge" and "Play With Your Food") have included the same crew with additional help from Zack Ogle (BFA 13), Cody Holland (BFA 13) and Aaron Pagniano (BFA 12). If you have kids or like fun DIY projects, check out the first fourteen episodes here. Twelve more episodes begin production in April." From Lisa Barrett McGuire (BFA 02)  “The movie I produced is called THIS IS HAPPENING and I'm pretty ridiculously proud of it.  It plays at the Sarasota Film Festival Friday April 17 at 7:15PM and Sunday April 19 at 1:15PM.  It's about an estranged brother (JAMES WOLK) and sister (MICKEY SUMNER) who are forced to go on the road together to track their fugitive grandmother (CLORIS LEACHMAN) down. What begins as a comedic tale of a broken family forced to come together under the pressures of an absentee father evolves into a journey about learning to find your family in order to find yourself.  The film also stars Judd Nelson and Rene Auberjonois.” From Jason Whitmore (MFA 12)  “I’ve been working as Ann Murtha’s assistant at the Murtha Agency for almost a year and a half now. We are a BTL agency, repping BTL department heads DPs, PDs, Costume Designers, EDs) and few auxiliary clients. It’s been a valuable experience learning the ins-and-outs of contracts and making deals. I see and hear the negotiations my boss makes for our clients, I write their deal memos, review their long form contracts, and assist in all of the other work necessary to maintain a client roster. Although this work isn’t the most creative, it will be very valuable when working on my own projects in the future. Things are finally starting to calm down about with award season and pilot season wrapping up. We had two clients nominated for Academy Awards this year; our DP and PD were both nominated for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and our production designer won—so that was exciting!... but I’m glad it’s over ;)  whitmorejj@gmail.com” From Allison Carter (BFA  04)  “ I’m looking for some recent (or not so recent) grads who’d like to PA or APOC for Andrea Arnold’s next feature “American Honey”.  We start production early May and are shooting all along the Great Plains.  We are looking for the APOC (Assistant Production Office Coordinator) to start early April and be a NYC local (PA’s can be from anywhere).  The project is pretty special and a lot of details I have to keep confidential so if you’re interested in more info please send me an email at allisonRcarter@gmail.com. “ From Kale Bittner (BFA 06)  “I've since mostly moved away from the film and television industry and focused on marketing for video games. I've found it to be more to my style, but occasionally I help out on friends projects and still read scripts. I am back at Atari again, but in truth I'm looking for a different job. The company is unstable at best so this is an intermediary job. I'm trying to get back onto the marketing team for CALL OF DUTY. where I was last summer as a contractor.  Even though I'm not actively working in Film/TV I still use the skills I learned there on a daily basis. I'm actually cutting a trailer for an Atari game today for instance.  What I'm quietly / not so quietly working on is opening up a brewery restaurant in LA. I've been brewing my own beer for the past 2 years and I've been winning a bunch of awards. It's quickly become my passion, but is as tough an industry to break into as film. Gotta get that investment.  I've been building a brand and am currently working on a better logo and website. I've been searching for a business partner / chef to pair up with me on this project, but haven't found a good fit yet. It's a slow burn side project, but it takes up most of my weekends. Networking, brewing, cooking and pairing beer, building a strong business plan and pitch, designing labels and websites... It's a lot of tasty fun.” I see that Abram (Tim) Cox (BFA 97) is directing the zombies in the new episodes of ZNation! From Joe Hackman (BFA 12)  “Beavers, my second short film since graduating, will have its premiere at my local theatre in NoHo as part of the North Hollywood CineFest on Sunday, April 12th at 1PM at the Laemmle NoHo 7 on Lankershim. Tickets for the shorts block are $10 and will be available at www.nohocinefest.com on April 1st. The movie was made entirely by FSU alumni, including cinematographer Drew Angle (BFA 13). Hope to see everyone there, it's going to get rowdy! Teaser: https://youtu.be/n8CNDoGabgg From Stevi Calandra (MFA  96)  “Thanks for congratulating me on my work anniversary at National Geographic! I can't believe 9 years have gone by. I'm currently compiling a show of our best Unlikely Animal Friends dog stories for a stunt on Nat Geo Wild called 'Bark-fest.'  I also have another milestone to share. My son, Orlando, turned 18 this past year. He was born in August of 1996, about a week before I graduated from FSU. Now, poof, 18 years have gone by and he's about to enter college in the fall. Also, I want to tell you that he recently made a beautiful short film that has gotten some attention. It was inspired by the 'I, Too, Am Harvard' campaign, but his film is about racial stereotyping in high school. Here's a link if you'd like to check it out. It's only about 6 minutes long.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KpKEFEpHms From Howie Muzika (BFA 94)  “I'm excited to say I'm once again part of the Disney Magic! I just finished up with Traditions, tomorrow I start training as a PhotoPass Cast Member, and this summer I'll be doing sports photography at ESPN Wide World of Sports!” From Tim Dee (MFA  92)  “My wife got a fellowship for one year at the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) in DC, so I decided to volunteer at the Smithsonian.  They made me a Video Production Advisor and I've been teaching the museum's education producers a few techniques.  Along with many other projects, I helped them launch a monthly live webcast called STEM in 30 about (of course) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as it relates to air and space.  It is geared to about 8th grade.  I brought most of my production equipment with me, and have been shooting, editing and loaning them lights, wireless mics, crane etc. for various productions.  You can see archived shows here: http://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/stem-in-30/   I've crawled under Space Shuttle Discovery, gotten within inches of the Wright Bros. flyer, flown in a hot air balloon... but today I assisted in an unprecedented event never seen in the museum's history.  I helped set it up, raise it and shoot the video..  As a result, we are getting a lot of national attention out of this event.  http://blog.nasm.si.edu/behind-the-scenes/wonder-womans-invisible-jet/ From Clay Hassler (MFA 10) “I’m excited to share that my debut feature film, HOMELESS, will be premiering in competition at the 2015 Florida Film Festival on April 13! HOMELESS tells the story of a teenage boy lost in the bleak and helpless routine of life in a shelter after the passing of his grandmother. We cast all non-actors and filmed in a real homeless shelter with real homeless people. It’s going to be a fun and busy premiere as we are also screening the film twice at the 2015 Sarasota Film Festival that same week! Tif, my wife and producer (also an FSU alum!), and I will be in Sarasota and Orlando next week promoting the film. If any alums are in those areas or close by, we would love for you to come out and support the film. Here’s what the programmers at FFF are saying — “With its haunting score, gritty look, and fine performances, HOMELESS never feels contrived and is American neorealism at its best.” HOMELESS will also be screening as an official selection at the 2015 Nashville Film Festival and 2015 RiverRun International Film Festival in the month of April.  Here are the links where you can buy tickets online to the Florida and Sarasota screenings...  Florida Film FestivalApril 13 | 6:30 PM, Regal Winter Park Village 20 April 15 | 4:00 PM, Enzian Theaterhttp://www.floridafilmfestival.com/program/films/homeless Sarasota Film FestivalApril  14 | 8:15PM, SunTrust Theatre 11April 15 | 5:15PM, SunTrust Theatre 11http://prod5.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=39862~e8df1855-1d30-40e1-8284-23972b047cf9& Also, please check out our official site at — www.homelessthefilm.com — for more information about the film and additional festival announcements and screening times!" Dopetil12am.com is a new start up website that specializes in curating video content for the millennial generation. Our website promotes various content categories and original short film series in the areas of music, tech, movies, fashion, food, and comedy. We are currently seeking dedicated interns for several opening spots on our development team. If you are interested in the following positions; Videographer, Post Production Manager, Motion Graphics Director, and Video Editor please send an email to dopetil12am@gmail.com for more information.  Donate to Hilarity For Charity -The Askew Student Life Center, Film School & College of Medicine teamed up this year to raise funds for Alzheimer's Research through the Hilarity for Charity University Competition. The competition amongst universities to raise the most through their school for Alzheimer’s Research ends April 11th, 2015. Those who donate on our FSU HFCU page at http://bit.ly/1qRBnno from now until April 11th will be entered into a raffle to win guaranteed seats to our ASLC Student Life Cinema advanced screening of Trainwreck on April 25th. The minimum donation is $10, but you can donate as individuals or put your money together as teams (use a Team Name) of up to 15 members. Send your name/team name and member list to ksbarber@admin.fsu.edu to notify us of your personal or team leader contact info for the raffle!  Make your donation through the link at the top of the movies.fsu.edu website or use the bit link http://bit.ly/1qRBnno   The University that raises the most money by April 11th will win a visit to their University from Seth Rogen, who will do a live commentary screening of Superbad with Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  Soapbox Films is now accepting resumes for interns to work at our facilities in Burbank, CA. Interns will have the opportunity to excelthrough hands on learning, shadowing production & post personnel, and working on set; in addition to doing runs, answering phones, and assisting the office manager to keep the office up and running. The internship runs for 12 weeks.Our ideal candidate possesses the following qualities:- punctual- positive attitude- motivated (i.e. will find something to do if no tasks have been assigned)- effective communicator- detail orientedREQUIREMENTS:- Currently enrolled in a college or university or must have graduatedwithin the last year- Must have adequate phone skills, reliable transportation, a valid drivers license, and current auto insurance.  Send your resumes & cover letters to kurt@soapboxfilms.com (PDFs only, please) and include your cover letter in the body of the e-mail. Please include references and a schedule of availability. The application deadline is Friday 4/10/15 The 10th Annual NBCUNIVERSAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL seeks the next generation of writers, directors, producers & actors, while celebrating innovative storytelling from diverse and inclusive backgrounds, including female writers & directors, the LGBTQ community, and performers with disabilities.  
With a high-profile list of judges and partners including, Comcast, NBC, Panavision, USA Networks, Telemundo, Bravo, Universal Pictures, E!, SAG-AFTRA, PGA, WGAW, WGAE, DGA, Hulu, The Hollywood Reporter & Variety, this bicoastal festival provides a unique opportunity for outstanding talent, both in-front-of and behind the camera. Participants will have their work introduced to key decisions makers from the entire NBCUniversal family as well as agents, managers, producers, and other industry players.  To learn more, visit www.NBCUshortsFEST.com  My name is Agata Lepianka and I am organiser of Filmteractive Market organised in Lodz Film School Poland. Filmteractive Market is the first interactive and crossmedia content marketplace in Central and Eastern Europe. It is a place for content creators who want to present their innovative film, video game, crossmedia or documentary projects, and for those who are looking for new content.  I am glad to inform you that the Call for Projects for 2015 Filmteractive Market edition is open!  The projects will be judged by commissioners form Channel 4, BBC, Arte, France Televisions, ZDF, Telfrance and more!  Here you can find all the important info about the Call and our event: http://filmteractive.eu/market-cfp/enThis year we are looking for:interactive video (films, TV-series, web series)video gamescrossmedia/transmediainnovative documentariesbranded content Also we have introduced new categories:-commercial projects (with branded content potential_- non-commercial projects “A captivating new film, The Mind of Mark DeFriest, directed by Gabriel London, has helped to spur a call for action in reforming America's prisons.  This dramatic, award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentary film reaches far beyond simply being a personal narrative of one man's experience to open the eyes of the audience to injustices in our criminal justice system.  The film chronicles the life of erstwhile Florida prison escape artist, Mark DeFriest, as well as the terrifying abuse he experienced in his decades in Florida’s prison system.   Reviewed in Variety as “a bizarre story ... an absorbing telling” and The Playlist called it “astounding...an accomplishment of documentary filmmaking," the film will screen on April 7, 6:30 PM at the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee with a panel of legislators and director Gabriel London.Post-screening discussion featuring: Senator Greg Evers, Representative Dennis K. Baxley, Gabriel London.  moderated by:Mike Vasilinda   RSVP Here  FSU CMPA Screenings & Awards Update – April 2, 2015  Only For Forever (MFA Thesis 2014 Nia Imani) was selected for screening at Visionfest in New York City, May 13-17. For more information about this festival, go to www.visionfest.com. Only For Forever (MFA Thesis 2014 Nia Imani) was selected for screening at Inside Out, the Toronto LGBT Film Festival in Canada, May 21-31. For more information about this festival, go to www.insideout.ca. Killer Kart (MFA Thesis 2012 J Feeney) was selected for screening at the Banger Comic & Toy Con in Maine, April 24-26. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.bangorcomictoycon.com/.   Upcoming Screenings and Awards (in chronological order):  Cootie Contagion (BFA Thesis 2012 Josh Smooha) was selected for screening at the Phoenix Film Festival, March 26 – April 2. For more information about this festival, go to www.phoenixfilmfestival.com. These Woods (BFA Thesis 2013 Tatiana Bears) was selected for screening at the Ozark Foothills Film Fest in Batesville, Arkansas, April 2-6. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org/. Heyln Springs (MFA Thesis 2014 Noah Camenker), Playgrounds (BFA F3 2014 Jill Somers) and A Blind Man (MFA Thesis 2014 Joel Black) were selected for screening at the Silver Springs International Film Festival in Ocala, April 8-12. There will also be a special CMPA block of films: Southern Roots (BFA Thesis 2014 Betsy Serral), Hashi (BFA Thesis 2014 Mana Handel), Behind the Image (BFA Documentary 2014 Byron Leon/April Moore), Coda (BFA F1 2014 Mark Breedlove), Apalachicola (MFA Thesis 2014 John Francis), The Chambrel (BFA Documentary 2014 Jake Hammond), Dorian (BFA Thesis 2014 Jon Sams/Margie Cooper), Birthday Box (MFA D2 2014 Ashlea Patterson), Ruby Woo (MFA Thesis 2014 Kendall McCrory). For more information about this festival, go to www.springsfilmfest.com. Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) was selected for screening at the inaugural Alhambra Theatre Film Festival in Evansville, Indiana, April 9-12. For more information about this festival, go to http://thealhambrathreatrefilmfestival.com. Death Has a Son (BFA Thesis 2013 Zack Ogle) was selected for screening at the Cinema at the Edge Film Festival in Santa Monica, April 10-12. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.cinemaattheedge.com/. Cootie Contagion (BFA Thesis 2012 Josh Smooha) was selected for screening at the North Hollywood Cinefest, April 10-16. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.nohocinefest.com/. Scapegoat (MFA D2 2013 Khadif Sanders) was selected for screening at the Emerge Film Festival in Auburn, Maine, April 9-12. For more information about this festival, go to www.emergefilmfestival.org. Byroad (BFA Thesis 2014 Raymond Calderon) was selected for screening at the inaugural Northern Virginia International Film Festival in Fairfax, April 13-18. For more information about this festival, go to www.novafilmfest.com. Apalachicola (MFA Thesis 2014 John Francis) and Dorian (BFA Thesis 2014 Jon Sams/Margie Cooper) were selected for screening at the Sarasota Film Festival, April 10-19. For more information about this festival, go to www.sarasotafilmfest.com. Death Has a Son (BFA Thesis 2013 Zack Ogle) and Beer Battle (BFA Documentary 2014 Hunter Truman) were selected to screen as part of the Best of Brouhaha side bar at the Florida Film Festival, April 10-19 in Orlando. For more information about this festival, go to www.floridafilmfestival.com. My Girl Rose (MFA Thesis 2014 Jordan Lewis) and Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) were selected for screening at the Milledgeville Film Festival in Georgia, April 15-19. For more information about this festival, go to http://milledgevillefilmfestival.com/. Southern Roots (BFA Thesis 2014 Betsy Serral/Jill Somers [PR]), will receive a College Television Award (Student Emmys) in April. The winners will be announced at the annual gala. For more information about this competition, go to www.emmys.tv/foundation. A Blind Man (MFA Thesis 2014 Joel Black), Possibly (MFA D2 2014 Rochelle Rose), Banana Trip (BFA Thesis 2013 Hyungjik Lee), Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) and A Jingle A Go-Go: The Musical (MFA D2 2014 Spencer Frankeberger) were selected for screening at the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival, April 22-26. For more information about this festival, go to www.fmbfilmfest.com. Playgrounds (BFA F3 2014 Jill Somers), Coda (BFA F1 2014 Mark Breedlove), Dorian (BFA Thesis 2014 Jon Sams/Margie Cooper), were selected for screening at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) in Seattle, April 24-27. For more information about this festival, go to www.nffty.org. Heyln Springs (MFA Thesis 2014 Noah Camenker) was selected for screening at the Rochester Film Festival in New York, April 30 – May 2. For more information about this festival, go to www.rochesterfilmfest.org. Harmony Brooks and the Case of the Missing Nucleus (MFA D2 2014 Whitney Clinkscales) was invited to screen at the REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival in Los Angeles, May 2-17. For more information about this festival, go to www.redcat.org. Polterghost (BFA F3 2013 Zack Ogle) was selected for screening at the Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest in Charleston, South Carolina, May 15-17. For more information about this festival, go to www.crimsonscreenfilmfest.com. Apalachicola (MFA Thesis 2014 John Francis) was selected for screening at the GI Film Festival in Alexandria, Virginia, May 18-24. For more information about this festival, go to www.gifilmfestival.com. Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) was selected for screening at the inaugural Marietta International Film Festival in Atlanta, May 22-24. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.marietta-film-festival.org/. Forgotten Rabbit (BFA Documentary 2013 Clara Diez) was invited to screen at three festivals in the state of Washington: Seattle Crypticon Horror Convention on May 23, Sasquan International Film Festival in Spokane, August 17-20, and at Tri-Cities International Fantastic Film Festival in Richland, October 16-18. For more information about these festivals go to www.tcif3.com.   -- Meryl Warren, Director of Alumni            College of Motion Picture ArtsA5100 University Center, Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL 32306-2350850 524 0063 (cell) ;  850 644 2626 faxmwarren@film.fsu.edufilm.fsu.eduSee More

David Robert Mitchell’s (MFA 02) horror film It Follows has been such a sensation in its limited release over the last two weekends, that RADiUS and Dimension Films are now going wide with the film in 1,200 theaters. Originally, the film was scheduled for VOD this coming Friday, however, given its success the distributor has pushed its VOD and DVD release to later in the year after its stateside run.http://variety.com/2015/film/news/it-follows-box-office-radius-twc-highest-grossing-release-1201462208/ From Julie Donovan (BFA  95)  “Furious 7 comes out this Friday April 3! When I was offered the job I had never seen a single one of the Fast franchise and I'm now proud to say I was the main unit A camera 1st AC. What an amazingly challenging and rewarding job it was! We ended up shooting for almost 135 days (that's just on main unit and not including 2nd unit, splinter units, vfx units and aerial units), spread out over just under a year. I'm normally on a movie for no more than 4 months so to spend the better part of a year on one project was probably a once in a lifetime experience. We really had a fantastic core team that all relied on and helped each other on a daily basis. As silly as it seems, the whole premise of family in the story line becomes a reality when you work so closely with people in such extenuating circumstances for so long. In addition to the devastating loss of Paul Walker, we also mourned the loss of our beloved C camera 2nd AC, Sarah Jones. Universal Studios made sure to put the Safety for Sarah logo at the end of the film, not only in her honor but also as a reminder to all of us that safety should be paramount. I truly hope that everyone puts safety at the forefront throughout their entire careers.   While it was an emotionally tough job it was also technically extraordinary. The vfx team has done a phenomenal job and we had to work so closely with them to accomplish it all. We had many days where main unit had 24 people in the camera department, which is pretty much unheard of on a main unit. It was surreal to not be able to say good morning and thank you to everyone each day like you normally would with your department, but when you are spread out over 3 full size camera trucks it's somewhat impossible.  American Cinematographer has also done an article on Furious 7 that I believe will be out in the May edition. It's the 2nd time I've had the honor of contributing to an article for them (the first was for the movie I did just prior to F7 called "Kill the Messenger" starring Jeremy Renner). It's always a bit of a nerve racking experience, knowing that they will only use one or two sentences of what you say and just hoping that it comes across somewhat intelligently! Crossing my fingers.”  "DreamworksTV's "Life Hacks For Kids" has officially crossed five-million views on YouTube! Featuring camera work from Drew Angle (BFA 13), Dylan Hendrickson (BFA 13), and Tavner Murphy (BFA 13), the show is crewed almost entirely by former FSU Film School students. Other alumni who have worked on the project include Melisse Sporn (BFA 14), Devon Albert-Stone (BFA 14), Margie Cooper (BFA 14), Spencer Showalter (BFA 13), Samuel Curtis (BFA 13) and Eric Jaffe (BFA 13). In addition to "Life Hacks," two other shows on the network ("$100 Pet Challenge" and "Play With Your Food") have included the same crew with additional help from Zack Ogle (BFA 13), Cody Holland (BFA 13) and Aaron Pagniano (BFA 12). If you have kids or like fun DIY projects, check out the first fourteen episodes here. Twelve more episodes begin production in April." From Lisa Barrett McGuire (BFA 02)  “The movie I produced is called THIS IS HAPPENING and I'm pretty ridiculously proud of it.  It plays at the Sarasota Film Festival Friday April 17 at 7:15PM and Sunday April 19 at 1:15PM.  It's about an estranged brother (JAMES WOLK) and sister (MICKEY SUMNER) who are forced to go on the road together to track their fugitive grandmother (CLORIS LEACHMAN) down. What begins as a comedic tale of a broken family forced to come together under the pressures of an absentee father evolves into a journey about learning to find your family in order to find yourself.  The film also stars Judd Nelson and Rene Auberjonois.” From Jason Whitmore (MFA 12)  “I’ve been working as Ann Murtha’s assistant at the Murtha Agency for almost a year and a half now. We are a BTL agency, repping BTL department heads DPs, PDs, Costume Designers, EDs) and few auxiliary clients. It’s been a valuable experience learning the ins-and-outs of contracts and making deals. I see and hear the negotiations my boss makes for our clients, I write their deal memos, review their long form contracts, and assist in all of the other work necessary to maintain a client roster. Although this work isn’t the most creative, it will be very valuable when working on my own projects in the future. Things are finally starting to calm down about with award season and pilot season wrapping up. We had two clients nominated for Academy Awards this year; our DP and PD were both nominated for THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL and our production designer won—so that was exciting!... but I’m glad it’s over ;)  whitmorejj@gmail.com” From Allison Carter (BFA  04)  “ I’m looking for some recent (or not so recent) grads who’d like to PA or APOC for Andrea Arnold’s next feature “American Honey”.  We start production early May and are shooting all along the Great Plains.  We are looking for the APOC (Assistant Production Office Coordinator) to start early April and be a NYC local (PA’s can be from anywhere).  The project is pretty special and a lot of details I have to keep confidential so if you’re interested in more info please send me an email at allisonRcarter@gmail.com. “ From Kale Bittner (BFA 06)  “I've since mostly moved away from the film and television industry and focused on marketing for video games. I've found it to be more to my style, but occasionally I help out on friends projects and still read scripts. I am back at Atari again, but in truth I'm looking for a different job. The company is unstable at best so this is an intermediary job. I'm trying to get back onto the marketing team for CALL OF DUTY. where I was last summer as a contractor.  Even though I'm not actively working in Film/TV I still use the skills I learned there on a daily basis. I'm actually cutting a trailer for an Atari game today for instance.  What I'm quietly / not so quietly working on is opening up a brewery restaurant in LA. I've been brewing my own beer for the past 2 years and I've been winning a bunch of awards. It's quickly become my passion, but is as tough an industry to break into as film. Gotta get that investment.  I've been building a brand and am currently working on a better logo and website. I've been searching for a business partner / chef to pair up with me on this project, but haven't found a good fit yet. It's a slow burn side project, but it takes up most of my weekends. Networking, brewing, cooking and pairing beer, building a strong business plan and pitch, designing labels and websites... It's a lot of tasty fun.” I see that Abram (Tim) Cox (BFA 97) is directing the zombies in the new episodes of ZNation! From Joe Hackman (BFA 12)  “Beavers, my second short film since graduating, will have its premiere at my local theatre in NoHo as part of the North Hollywood CineFest on Sunday, April 12th at 1PM at the Laemmle NoHo 7 on Lankershim. Tickets for the shorts block are $10 and will be available at www.nohocinefest.com on April 1st. The movie was made entirely by FSU alumni, including cinematographer Drew Angle (BFA 13). Hope to see everyone there, it's going to get rowdy! Teaser: https://youtu.be/n8CNDoGabgg From Stevi Calandra (MFA  96)  “Thanks for congratulating me on my work anniversary at National Geographic! I can't believe 9 years have gone by. I'm currently compiling a show of our best Unlikely Animal Friends dog stories for a stunt on Nat Geo Wild called 'Bark-fest.'  I also have another milestone to share. My son, Orlando, turned 18 this past year. He was born in August of 1996, about a week before I graduated from FSU. Now, poof, 18 years have gone by and he's about to enter college in the fall. Also, I want to tell you that he recently made a beautiful short film that has gotten some attention. It was inspired by the 'I, Too, Am Harvard' campaign, but his film is about racial stereotyping in high school. Here's a link if you'd like to check it out. It's only about 6 minutes long.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KpKEFEpHms From Howie Muzika (BFA 94)  “I'm excited to say I'm once again part of the Disney Magic! I just finished up with Traditions, tomorrow I start training as a PhotoPass Cast Member, and this summer I'll be doing sports photography at ESPN Wide World of Sports!” From Tim Dee (MFA  92)  “My wife got a fellowship for one year at the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) in DC, so I decided to volunteer at the Smithsonian.  They made me a Video Production Advisor and I've been teaching the museum's education producers a few techniques.  Along with many other projects, I helped them launch a monthly live webcast called STEM in 30 about (of course) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as it relates to air and space.  It is geared to about 8th grade.  I brought most of my production equipment with me, and have been shooting, editing and loaning them lights, wireless mics, crane etc. for various productions.  You can see archived shows here: http://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/stem-in-30/   I've crawled under Space Shuttle Discovery, gotten within inches of the Wright Bros. flyer, flown in a hot air balloon... but today I assisted in an unprecedented event never seen in the museum's history.  I helped set it up, raise it and shoot the video..  As a result, we are getting a lot of national attention out of this event.  http://blog.nasm.si.edu/behind-the-scenes/wonder-womans-invisible-jet/ From Clay Hassler (MFA 10) “I’m excited to share that my debut feature film, HOMELESS, will be premiering in competition at the 2015 Florida Film Festival on April 13! HOMELESS tells the story of a teenage boy lost in the bleak and helpless routine of life in a shelter after the passing of his grandmother. We cast all non-actors and filmed in a real homeless shelter with real homeless people. It’s going to be a fun and busy premiere as we are also screening the film twice at the 2015 Sarasota Film Festival that same week! Tif, my wife and producer (also an FSU alum!), and I will be in Sarasota and Orlando next week promoting the film. If any alums are in those areas or close by, we would love for you to come out and support the film. Here’s what the programmers at FFF are saying — “With its haunting score, gritty look, and fine performances, HOMELESS never feels contrived and is American neorealism at its best.” HOMELESS will also be screening as an official selection at the 2015 Nashville Film Festival and 2015 RiverRun International Film Festival in the month of April.  Here are the links where you can buy tickets online to the Florida and Sarasota screenings...  Florida Film FestivalApril 13 | 6:30 PM, Regal Winter Park Village 20 April 15 | 4:00 PM, Enzian Theaterhttp://www.floridafilmfestival.com/program/films/homeless Sarasota Film FestivalApril  14 | 8:15PM, SunTrust Theatre 11April 15 | 5:15PM, SunTrust Theatre 11http://prod5.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=39862~e8df1855-1d30-40e1-8284-23972b047cf9& Also, please check out our official site at — www.homelessthefilm.com — for more information about the film and additional festival announcements and screening times!" Dopetil12am.com is a new start up website that specializes in curating video content for the millennial generation. Our website promotes various content categories and original short film series in the areas of music, tech, movies, fashion, food, and comedy. We are currently seeking dedicated interns for several opening spots on our development team. If you are interested in the following positions; Videographer, Post Production Manager, Motion Graphics Director, and Video Editor please send an email to dopetil12am@gmail.com for more information.  Donate to Hilarity For Charity -The Askew Student Life Center, Film School & College of Medicine teamed up this year to raise funds for Alzheimer's Research through the Hilarity for Charity University Competition. The competition amongst universities to raise the most through their school for Alzheimer’s Research ends April 11th, 2015. Those who donate on our FSU HFCU page at http://bit.ly/1qRBnno from now until April 11th will be entered into a raffle to win guaranteed seats to our ASLC Student Life Cinema advanced screening of Trainwreck on April 25th. The minimum donation is $10, but you can donate as individuals or put your money together as teams (use a Team Name) of up to 15 members. Send your name/team name and member list to ksbarber@admin.fsu.edu to notify us of your personal or team leader contact info for the raffle!  Make your donation through the link at the top of the movies.fsu.edu website or use the bit link http://bit.ly/1qRBnno   The University that raises the most money by April 11th will win a visit to their University from Seth Rogen, who will do a live commentary screening of Superbad with Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  Soapbox Films is now accepting resumes for interns to work at our facilities in Burbank, CA. Interns will have the opportunity to excelthrough hands on learning, shadowing production & post personnel, and working on set; in addition to doing runs, answering phones, and assisting the office manager to keep the office up and running. The internship runs for 12 weeks.Our ideal candidate possesses the following qualities:- punctual- positive attitude- motivated (i.e. will find something to do if no tasks have been assigned)- effective communicator- detail orientedREQUIREMENTS:- Currently enrolled in a college or university or must have graduatedwithin the last year- Must have adequate phone skills, reliable transportation, a valid drivers license, and current auto insurance.  Send your resumes & cover letters to kurt@soapboxfilms.com (PDFs only, please) and include your cover letter in the body of the e-mail. Please include references and a schedule of availability. The application deadline is Friday 4/10/15 The 10th Annual NBCUNIVERSAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL seeks the next generation of writers, directors, producers & actors, while celebrating innovative storytelling from diverse and inclusive backgrounds, including female writers & directors, the LGBTQ community, and performers with disabilities.  
With a high-profile list of judges and partners including, Comcast, NBC, Panavision, USA Networks, Telemundo, Bravo, Universal Pictures, E!, SAG-AFTRA, PGA, WGAW, WGAE, DGA, Hulu, The Hollywood Reporter & Variety, this bicoastal festival provides a unique opportunity for outstanding talent, both in-front-of and behind the camera. Participants will have their work introduced to key decisions makers from the entire NBCUniversal family as well as agents, managers, producers, and other industry players.  To learn more, visit www.NBCUshortsFEST.com  My name is Agata Lepianka and I am organiser of Filmteractive Market organised in Lodz Film School Poland. Filmteractive Market is the first interactive and crossmedia content marketplace in Central and Eastern Europe. It is a place for content creators who want to present their innovative film, video game, crossmedia or documentary projects, and for those who are looking for new content.  I am glad to inform you that the Call for Projects for 2015 Filmteractive Market edition is open!  The projects will be judged by commissioners form Channel 4, BBC, Arte, France Televisions, ZDF, Telfrance and more!  Here you can find all the important info about the Call and our event: http://filmteractive.eu/market-cfp/enThis year we are looking for:interactive video (films, TV-series, web series)video gamescrossmedia/transmediainnovative documentariesbranded content Also we have introduced new categories:-commercial projects (with branded content potential_- non-commercial projects “A captivating new film, The Mind of Mark DeFriest, directed by Gabriel London, has helped to spur a call for action in reforming America's prisons.  This dramatic, award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentary film reaches far beyond simply being a personal narrative of one man's experience to open the eyes of the audience to injustices in our criminal justice system.  The film chronicles the life of erstwhile Florida prison escape artist, Mark DeFriest, as well as the terrifying abuse he experienced in his decades in Florida’s prison system.   Reviewed in Variety as “a bizarre story ... an absorbing telling” and The Playlist called it “astounding...an accomplishment of documentary filmmaking," the film will screen on April 7, 6:30 PM at the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee with a panel of legislators and director Gabriel London.Post-screening discussion featuring: Senator Greg Evers, Representative Dennis K. Baxley, Gabriel London.  moderated by:Mike Vasilinda   RSVP Here  FSU CMPA Screenings & Awards Update – April 2, 2015  Only For Forever (MFA Thesis 2014 Nia Imani) was selected for screening at Visionfest in New York City, May 13-17. For more information about this festival, go to www.visionfest.com. Only For Forever (MFA Thesis 2014 Nia Imani) was selected for screening at Inside Out, the Toronto LGBT Film Festival in Canada, May 21-31. For more information about this festival, go to www.insideout.ca. Killer Kart (MFA Thesis 2012 J Feeney) was selected for screening at the Banger Comic & Toy Con in Maine, April 24-26. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.bangorcomictoycon.com/.   Upcoming Screenings and Awards (in chronological order):  Cootie Contagion (BFA Thesis 2012 Josh Smooha) was selected for screening at the Phoenix Film Festival, March 26 – April 2. For more information about this festival, go to www.phoenixfilmfestival.com. These Woods (BFA Thesis 2013 Tatiana Bears) was selected for screening at the Ozark Foothills Film Fest in Batesville, Arkansas, April 2-6. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org/. Heyln Springs (MFA Thesis 2014 Noah Camenker), Playgrounds (BFA F3 2014 Jill Somers) and A Blind Man (MFA Thesis 2014 Joel Black) were selected for screening at the Silver Springs International Film Festival in Ocala, April 8-12. There will also be a special CMPA block of films: Southern Roots (BFA Thesis 2014 Betsy Serral), Hashi (BFA Thesis 2014 Mana Handel), Behind the Image (BFA Documentary 2014 Byron Leon/April Moore), Coda (BFA F1 2014 Mark Breedlove), Apalachicola (MFA Thesis 2014 John Francis), The Chambrel (BFA Documentary 2014 Jake Hammond), Dorian (BFA Thesis 2014 Jon Sams/Margie Cooper), Birthday Box (MFA D2 2014 Ashlea Patterson), Ruby Woo (MFA Thesis 2014 Kendall McCrory). For more information about this festival, go to www.springsfilmfest.com. Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) was selected for screening at the inaugural Alhambra Theatre Film Festival in Evansville, Indiana, April 9-12. For more information about this festival, go to http://thealhambrathreatrefilmfestival.com. Death Has a Son (BFA Thesis 2013 Zack Ogle) was selected for screening at the Cinema at the Edge Film Festival in Santa Monica, April 10-12. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.cinemaattheedge.com/. Cootie Contagion (BFA Thesis 2012 Josh Smooha) was selected for screening at the North Hollywood Cinefest, April 10-16. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.nohocinefest.com/. Scapegoat (MFA D2 2013 Khadif Sanders) was selected for screening at the Emerge Film Festival in Auburn, Maine, April 9-12. For more information about this festival, go to www.emergefilmfestival.org. Byroad (BFA Thesis 2014 Raymond Calderon) was selected for screening at the inaugural Northern Virginia International Film Festival in Fairfax, April 13-18. For more information about this festival, go to www.novafilmfest.com. Apalachicola (MFA Thesis 2014 John Francis) and Dorian (BFA Thesis 2014 Jon Sams/Margie Cooper) were selected for screening at the Sarasota Film Festival, April 10-19. For more information about this festival, go to www.sarasotafilmfest.com. Death Has a Son (BFA Thesis 2013 Zack Ogle) and Beer Battle (BFA Documentary 2014 Hunter Truman) were selected to screen as part of the Best of Brouhaha side bar at the Florida Film Festival, April 10-19 in Orlando. For more information about this festival, go to www.floridafilmfestival.com. My Girl Rose (MFA Thesis 2014 Jordan Lewis) and Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) were selected for screening at the Milledgeville Film Festival in Georgia, April 15-19. For more information about this festival, go to http://milledgevillefilmfestival.com/. Southern Roots (BFA Thesis 2014 Betsy Serral/Jill Somers [PR]), will receive a College Television Award (Student Emmys) in April. The winners will be announced at the annual gala. For more information about this competition, go to www.emmys.tv/foundation. A Blind Man (MFA Thesis 2014 Joel Black), Possibly (MFA D2 2014 Rochelle Rose), Banana Trip (BFA Thesis 2013 Hyungjik Lee), Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) and A Jingle A Go-Go: The Musical (MFA D2 2014 Spencer Frankeberger) were selected for screening at the Fort Myers Beach Film Festival, April 22-26. For more information about this festival, go to www.fmbfilmfest.com. Playgrounds (BFA F3 2014 Jill Somers), Coda (BFA F1 2014 Mark Breedlove), Dorian (BFA Thesis 2014 Jon Sams/Margie Cooper), were selected for screening at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) in Seattle, April 24-27. For more information about this festival, go to www.nffty.org. Heyln Springs (MFA Thesis 2014 Noah Camenker) was selected for screening at the Rochester Film Festival in New York, April 30 – May 2. For more information about this festival, go to www.rochesterfilmfest.org. Harmony Brooks and the Case of the Missing Nucleus (MFA D2 2014 Whitney Clinkscales) was invited to screen at the REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival in Los Angeles, May 2-17. For more information about this festival, go to www.redcat.org. Polterghost (BFA F3 2013 Zack Ogle) was selected for screening at the Crimson Screen Horror Film Fest in Charleston, South Carolina, May 15-17. For more information about this festival, go to www.crimsonscreenfilmfest.com. Apalachicola (MFA Thesis 2014 John Francis) was selected for screening at the GI Film Festival in Alexandria, Virginia, May 18-24. For more information about this festival, go to www.gifilmfestival.com. Hop Skotch the Funk Dumpling (MFA Thesis 2014 Khadif Sanders) was selected for screening at the inaugural Marietta International Film Festival in Atlanta, May 22-24. For more information about this festival, go to http://www.marietta-film-festival.org/. Forgotten Rabbit (BFA Documentary 2013 Clara Diez) was invited to screen at three festivals in the state of Washington: Seattle Crypticon Horror Convention on May 23, Sasquan International Film Festival in Spokane, August 17-20, and at Tri-Cities International Fantastic Film Festival in Richland, October 16-18. For more information about these festivals go to www.tcif3.com.   -- Meryl Warren, Director of Alumni            College of Motion Picture ArtsA5100 University Center, Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL 32306-2350850 524 0063 (cell) ;  850 644 2626 faxmwarren@film.fsu.edufilm.fsu.eduSee More