Building an Independent Film Community
December 24, 2009 Comments »
“Juno,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Thank You for Smoking”—these are just a few of the wonderful independent films I’ve seen over the years.
Don’t get me wrong I love a good Hollywood blockbuster like “The Dark Knight” or “Pirates of the Caribbean” but there’s something so real and refreshing about a film that retains the artistic vision of the director and relies much more on story than action or special effects.
Indie films like the recently released “Precious” also touch on issues that many of the large movie studios shy away from. They give us a broader perspective about life and the realities we and others we may not usually cross paths with face.
When I moved to Jacksonville, there was no venue dedicated to these lower-budget, truly imaginative films made by new and emerging directors.
Then one of the things on my wish list, besides learning to surf (now moved to the 2010 list), came true. The 5 Points Theatre reopened in November of 2008 as a theatre dedicated to art house and indie films.
That wasn’t the only cool thing about its reopening. As I read more about Jacksonville’s early 20th century movie-making roots, I learned that the 5 Points Theatre had been a big part of that legacy.
Built in 1927, the 5 Points Theatre was the first theatre in Florida and the third in the country to show “talkies” or talking movies.
Did you know that the theater is reported to have had the longest run of “The Godfather” of any theater in the country?
When Jack Shad and Pete Moseley who own the building and the theatre were looking at what to do with the venue after it has spent much of the 80’s and 90’s as a playhouse and a nightclub, all that history factored into their decision.
“We looked at other options for the space – restaurants, event space, etc. – but it just seems to want to be a theatre,” Jack highlighted.
“We think there’s a need for a venue to show independent film. There are just not that many places that will take a chance on locally made films or non-blockbuster type movies.”
As someone who makes documentaries, that’s music to my ears.
Locally and independently produced films don’t have access to the big marketing and distribution budgets that the big studios offer. So if the directors of these films want them to be seen, the best place to reach audiences is through community venues like the 5 Points Theatre.
Sure you can rent the DVD in a couple of months, but a theater gives you a chance to meet people with similar interests and have a discussion with them about a film.
That’s community.
Indie film like other arts and cultural offerings makes a city like Jacksonville vibrant and draws people from other parts of the country looking to relocate to an interesting, affordable city with a thriving arts scene.
Jaxindiefilm.com is your central resource for local and independent film in Jax. We’ll feature interviews with local filmmakers and a place for them and film lovers to connect and build community.
Have an upcoming film event? Finished a new film? Send us an email three weeks in advance: news@jaxindiefilm.com
As the big movie season begins, I look forward to bringing people together to watch something a little different, not quite off the beaten path… but maybe a slight detour from the route you normally take.
See y’all at the movies!
Local Music Videos this Friday at the 5 Points Theatre
November 2, 2009 Comments »
Nobody wants to watch a whole movie while First Friday is going on outside, so we’re putting together a program of music videos by local bands to show on a loop this Friday. Stop in for a few minutes and have a beer and see what MTV-Jacksonville has to offer.
Will your band’s video be shown? Get it to us on DVD by Thursday evening and it can be.
Also check out the art show “Strategies for Making Time Stand Still” at Underbelly. And, the theatre will be showing the locally made film “Chiaroscuro, Baby” with a Q&A with director Anthony Kilburn at 9 pm.
JaxIndieFilm Promotion Update
Comments »
It’s time to go through the 20 or so applications and pick out the best ones. As a final challenge, each applicant will write a blog post of their choosing for the JaxIndieFilm.com blog.
The winner will be picked based on their blog post and overall strength of their application. If we choose you to be a finalist, you will hear from us shortly.
Chiaroscuro, Baby to play at 5 Points Theatre starting Nov. 6th
October 27, 2009 Comments »
The Jacksonville-made film Chiaroscuro, Baby will be shown at the 5 Points Theatre after its Florida Theatre premier on Wednesday, November 4th.
The first showing at the 5 Points Theatre will be at 9 pm on Friday, November 6th (just after First Friday). Other shows are:
Saturday, November 7 – 5:15 pm
(the Florida game prevents later shows)
Sunday, November 8 – 5, 7 & 9 pm
Monday, November 9 – 7 & 9 pm
Tuesday, November 10 – 9 pm
Wednesday, November 11 – 9 pm
Please check out the website if you haven’t already: www.chiaroscurobaby.com.
Here’s a brief summary from the website:
Director Anthony Kilburn’s daring, 60s-inspired journey through sex, drugs, and art in a unique take on the age-old question of whether or not to sell out or stay true.
Struggling painter Calvin (Christopher Bolla) has always tried to do the right thing while not sacrificing his own desire to one day become a successful artist.
Unable to adequately provide for or satisfy his seductive, longtime girlfriend, Nancy (Christianna L. White), he begrudgingly makes a series of artistic and ethical concessions that deliver fame and wealth, but threaten to corrupt his ideals.
All the while, Calvin scrupulously perfects a painting of his spirited model and newfound muse, Marjorie (Milan Alley), in secret, risking both his relationship and success.
His dilemma is ultimately Faustian; Will he choose everything he’s ever wanted or everything he’s ever needed?
Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival Opens Today
October 23, 2009 Comments »
The Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival opens today, and runs for three weeks, with some amazing looking films.
The 5 Points Theatre will be presenting selections from the FLIFF from November 12th to the 15th – more details soon.
Check out the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival:
Build the Jacksonville Film Community Promotion Deadline Extended
October 13, 2009 Comments »
We’ve received such a good response on applications to help build the Jacksonville Film Community promotion that we’re extending the application deadline 1 week to October 23rd.
At stake is an all access pass to any event at the 5 Points Theatre. If we select you to help, we’ll give you and a guest all-access to each and every event at the 5 Points Theatre for as long as you help.
We can’t pay you cash, but we can pay you in movies, film festivals, community programming, football games, concerts, whatever. If it’s happening at the 5 Points Theater you, plus a guest, get in free.
Read all the details and find out how you apply.
Leonard Cohen Live! in 1970 at the Isle of Wight Festival
October 12, 2009 Comments »
Monday, October 19th at 9 pm we’ll be showing a Leonard Cohen concert film from the 1970 Isle of Wight festival (which was bigger than Woodstock).
Check out the Youtube clip above – the sound is amazing, and these songs were still new – most of his classic songs came out between 1967 and 1971. Free admission to anyone who comes out in their red turtleneck and plaid blazer.
If people are interested, we’re considering doing a regular concert series.
Update: We’ve added another show at 8 pm on Sunday, October 18th.
Help Build the Jacksonville Film Community
October 5, 2009 Comments »
The 5 Points Theatre is changing from playing “new, big-budget Hollywood movies” to playing independent films and hosting more community programming. We understand that embracing the local film community is a good idea so we’re starting at the bottom and working our way up.
This city has blogs for pretty much everything under the sun: artists, designers, downtown development, politics … Everything except film. We’re looking for someone passionate about Jacksonville and film to help us build the Jacksonville film scene through new media.
We Need Your Help:
- Writing for JaxIndieFilm.com
- Updating JaxIndieFilm on Twitter
- Posting to the 5 Points Theatre Fan Page on Facebook
- Being an online advocate for our local film community
What Do You Get In Return? All Access
If we select you to help, we’ll give you and a guest all-access to each and every event at the 5 Points Theatre for as long as you help.
We can’t pay you cash, but we can pay you in movies, film festivals, community programming, football games, concerts, whatever. If it’s happening at the 5 Points Theater you, plus a guest, get in free.
How Do I Apply?
We need someone comfortable with their online skills and who understands web etiquette. If you follow up on blog comments, wall posts and @replies on Twitter, you’re probably a good fit.
Email the following to apply@jaxindiefilm.com
- Tell us who you are and why you’re a good fit.
- Examples of blog posts you’ve written. If you don’t have any, write a sample post for JaxIndieFilm.com.
- Links to your online profiles Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo etc.
Deadline Deadline Deadline » October 23rd
Send questions and comments to apply@jaxindiefilm.com
We want to make The 5 Points Theatre the go-to place for people passionate about building the film community in Jacksonville. We’re open to any and all ideas to make this happen. Want to host a film event? Film industry night? Local film screening? We want to help.
Crude Coming to 5 Points Theatre
September 27, 2009 Comments »
You can catch this powerful documentary at the 5 Points Theatre October 18th-22nd. In addition to the film, we are planning a question and answer session with the one of the film makers. Stay tuned for further details.
Crude is three years in the making, this feature from acclaimed filmmaker Joe Berlinger (Brother’s Keeper, Paradise Lost, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster) is the epic story of one of the largest and most controversial environmental lawsuits on the planet.
The inside story of the infamous “Amazon Chernobyl” case, Crude is a real-life high stakes legal drama, set against a backdrop of the environmental movement, global politics, celebrity activism, human rights advocacy, the media, multinational corporate power, and rapidly-disappearing indigenous cultures.
Presenting a complex situation from multiple viewpoints, the film subverts the conventions of advocacy filmmaking, exploring a complicated situation from all angles while bringing an important story of environmental peril and human suffering into focus.
Manhattan Short Film Festival Coming to Jacksonville
September 22, 2009 Comments »
2009 Finalists » Lashabiya and Hammerhead
Thursday, September 24th at 7 pm the Manhattan Short Film Festival is invading 5 Points. The Festival will show 10 short films from around the world (out of over 500 submitted).
You Be the Judge
Audiences at each venue will be handed a voting card upon entry to each cinema and asked to vote for the ONE film they think should win. Votes are tallied by each cinema and sent through to MANHATTAN SHORT HQ where the winner is announced on Tuesday September 29th in NYC.
2009 Finalists » Boundary and Love Child
About JaxIndieFilm
Created to be a gathering place for the Jacksonville film community to read and post articles on film. We're building a strong independent film community in Jacksonville. In association with the 5 Points Theatre.
Have Local Film News?
Email us at: news@jaxindiefilm.com
Contributors
Natalie Halpern is passionate about cultivating a vibrant cultural community in Jacksonville, through independent film.
Alex Martinez spends his free time working on photography, short films and is a strong supporter of independent film.
Stacie Cregg is a theater major who reads books, drinks beer, and watches movies.
Tad Kellermann future director of groundbreaking, genre-redefining motion pictures.
