Producers Club

RENO FILM FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASES

May 23, 2008
Contact: Bob Alessandrelli
775.848.6028
boba@rlasolutions.com

Reno Film Festival Announces 2008 Indie Competition Audience Choice Winner, Lumière All-School Film Fest Winners

The Reno Film Festival is happy to announce that the winner of the Audience Choice award out of all 10 Reno Indie Competition categories is “Keep’n It Reno” by directors Danny Reyes & John Epsteyn.

In addition, the festival reports the following are this year’s Lumière All-School Film Fest winners and People’s Choice selections. The Lumières are part of the Reno Film Festival and entries come from across the nation but are primarily from local Reno area schools—from elementary school to college.

2008 Best Music Videos
A Dance for Victims of Child Abuse by Maggie Jesse
Disco Volcano by Mr. Luevano’s Class
The Loneliest Road in America? by Klamath Henry & Deb Sutherland
Nothing’s Goodbye by David Graves

RTI TV Music Video: PEACE (Open) by Evan Tune

People’s Choice Award: Disco Volcano by Mr. Luevano’s Class

2008 Best Mini-Documentaries & Visual Essays
ArtScene by Caitlyn Corcoran and Wes Higginbotham
Brazilian Freetail Bats of Northern Nevada by Sarah Mueller

Ghosts and Images:
1915 Panama Pacific Int’l Exhibition by Deb Sutherland
The Homeless by Brenton Spinuzzi
RTI High School Design Charette by William Durns

People’s Choice Award: Brazilian Freetail Bats of Northern Nevada by Sarah Mueller

2008 Best How-To Films
How To Make a Comet by Teddy Rodrigue & NevadaChallenger Films
How To Make an Ice Cream Sundae by Jamie Showalter
How To Make a Hot Track by Andrew Ortiz
Los Tacos con Sara by Sarah Mueller
Recording by RTI TV

People’s Choice Award: Los Tacos con Sara by Sarah Mueller

2008 Best Science and Math Films
Disco Volcano by Mr. Luevano’s Class
Math Super Heroes by Shayna Ruybalid
Return to the Moon by NevadaChallenger Films

People’s Choice Award: Math Super Heroes by Shayna Ruybalid

2008 Best News Stories & Perspective Pieces
Agriculture by Ciarah Tischler
Creative Writing by James Garcia
Futsal by Shayna Ruybalid
Video Games by Layne Good and Aaron Walter
Wonderment by Eric Onofre

People’s Choice Award: Video Games by Layne Good and Aaron Walter

2008 Best Public Service Announcements
iGraduated by James Garcia
Leader Recruitment by Jamie Showalter
Planetarium PSA by Caitlyn Corcoran, Luke Peterson & RTI Video Productions
RTI Open House/“My Crib” by Chuck Rahn & Robin Tanner
Stay in School by Justin Burke

People’s Choice Award: iGraduated by James Garcia

2008 Best Animation: CGI
The Forgotten Life by Dan Knittle and Derek Chinn
Gummy Jam by Chinn, Knittle, Standen, Hungerford & Racicot
PoD i Dance by Bos, Azzam, Leung, Cloud & Dewitt
Robot Works by Harrison Bos
To Bee or Not To Bee by Ryan Hungerford and Donny Cloud

People’s Choice Award: PoD i Dance by Bos, Azzam, Leung, Cloud & Dewitt

2008 Best Animation: Stop-Motion
Mad Cow Tippin’ by Mikayla Reed and Julia Findley
Paper Bits by Maryanne Baker and Kendra Massey
The Ultimate Battle by RTI Animation Program

People’s Choice Award: Paper Bits by Maryanne Baker and Kendra Massey

2008 Best Fake Commercials & Original Trailers
The Amazing Bubble Suit by 4:15 Films
Anti-Pick-up Lines by Lauren Solinger
Food Fight: The Movie by 4:15 Films
Free Spirit Antiperspirant by Gus DeBacco
Make a Rock Friend by Shayna Ruybalid and Esteban Wright

People’s Choice Award: Food Fight: The Movie by 4:15 Films

2008 Best Live Action Shorts
Late! by Talking Peanut Productions
Noise by James Garcia
Out of the Box by 4:15 Films

People’s Choice Award: Late! by Talking Peanut Productions

2008 Best Sci-Fi Films
Gummy Jam by Chinn, Knittle, Standen, Hungerford & Racicot
Robot Works by Harrison Bos
To Bee or Not To Bee by Ryan Hungerford and Donny Cloud

People’s Choice Award: Gummy Jam by Chinn, Knittle, Standen, Hungerford & Racicot

2008 Best Western Films
Cactus by Harrison Bos
Chocolate Cowboy by Derek Chinn and Michelle Ablang
Mad Cow Tippin’ by Mikayla Reed and Julia Findley

People’s Choice Award: Cactus by Harrison Bos

2008 Lumière Filmmaker Award: Noise by James Garcia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2008
Contact: Bob Alessandrelli
848.6028
boba@rlasolutions.com

Reno Film Festival Indie Short Competition Winners Named

The Reno Film Festival announced winners in 10 categories of their annual short film Indie Competition at this past weekend’s festival and many of the filmmakers were in Reno to receive their awards. Two others sent in messages via the web.

The various category winners were:
Adventure: Keep’n It Reno, directors Danny Reyes & John Epsteyn (present to receive their award)
Animation: Simulacra, director Tatchapon Lertwirojkul
Comedy: Pic Six, director David Breckman
Documentary: Northland: Long Journey, director Edie Steiner
Drama: Paper Angels, directors A.J. Ingoglia & Bob O’Reilly (both present via a web feed)
Family: The Miracle, director Jeffrey Jon Smith
Foreign: English Language, director Tim Plester (present via a web feed)
Music: Watch the World, director Jesse Schroeder (present to receive his award)
Nevada-based: Demption, director Jason Neudecker (present to receive his award)
Science Fiction: Outsource, director Daniel Trezise (present to receive his award)

In addition, an Audience Choice award—compiled from attendees’ votes at the various Indie finalist screenings—will be tallied this week and announced on the festival’s website, which is www.renofilmfestival.com
The activities continue this week with the festival’s annual Lumière All-School Film Fest. This entertaining student showcase will take place Wednesday to Friday, May 7-9, at 7 p.m. each night at the new University of Nevada student union, the Joe Crowley building.

The Lumière draws entries from a number of elementary thru high schools and even a couple of colleges. While most entries are from Washoe County, word has spread and short films are submitted from throughout Nevada and some even come from out of state. Digital video projects compete in more than 20 categories from public service announcements and animation to foreign language and documentaries.

Festival sponsors this year are the City of Reno’s Arts & Culture Commission and the City’s Neighborhood Advisory Boards, Ward 1—Southwest, Ward 2—Central, Ward 2—South, Ward 3—East and Ward 4—Northeast, E.L. Cord Foundation, DP Foundation, the Nevada Arts Council & National Endowment for the Arts and the Nevada Museum of Art. Media sponsors include Access Pass & Design, Bea-Design for Marketing, Charter Communications, Clear Channel Outdoor-Reno, KNPB Public Television, KUNR Public Radio – FM 88.7, Outdoor Plus Digital Photo, Red Machine MultiMedia, Reno News & Review and Reno Radio Representatives. Partners are Truckee Meadows Community College and the National Automobile Museum.

April 7, 2008
Contact: Bob Alessandrelli
848.6028
boba@rlasolutions.com

Learn From the Experts
At Reno Film Festival Workshops

“This is the best (and even most fun) class I have ever taken,” said Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak. What was he talking about? Bobby Logan’s “1 Day Film School” that teaches budding filmmakers how to make and market the feature film they’ve always wanted to do.

Logan will share his insider knowledge at Reno’s own “1 Day Film School” on Sunday, May 4, at the Nevada Museum of Art during the Reno Film Festival. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the festival, in conjunction with Logan, is offering a special cost of only $75 for this seminar.

Logan has written, produced and directed four feature films with stars such as Leslie Nielsen, Linda Blair and Ned Beatty, among many others. He’s written produced and directed more than two dozen network television specials, pilots and direct-to-video programs, including a novelty DVD series that sold over 2 million copies and was featured on ABC’s “20/20” and Howard Stern. Perhaps more importantly for attendees at his workshop during the festival, Logan has worked in both 35mm and digital formats with budgets from as little as $50,000.
The seminar will tackle three critical areas of filmmaking: Creative elements, technical requirements and “the business.” Each part will be addressed in approximately two and a half hours so the pace will be quick, but fun-filled and educational.

“We’re delighted to be able to bring Bobby Logan’s workshop to the festival this year,” said Lani Bonar, festival president. “The Reno Film Festival has a longstanding tradition of bringing Hollywood insiders to northern Nevada and this year is no different with Bobby’s seminar as well as our other workshops,” she added.

The other two educational sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, will be on Saturday, May 3, both at the Grand Sierra Resort. These include a 10 a.m. “Conversations on Acting” workshop with actors Dean Jones (“The Love Bug”), Dee Wallace (“E.T.”) and casting director Toni Suttie. This trio will discuss and take questions from the audience on all aspects of acting—from the audition to bringing a character to life on the set.

The other Saturday workshop, scheduled for 12:30 p.m., is “The Art of Sound Mixing,” with sound technician Michael Semanick. Two-time Oscar winning and five-time Oscar nominated Semanick will provide a behind the scenes look at movie sound “magic”. Semanick won Academy Awards for “King Kong” and “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and was nominated this year for “Ratatouille.”

Visit the festival’s website at www.renofilmfestival.com for more information, a complete daily schedule and to purchase tickets.

April 1, 2008
Contact: Bob Alessandrelli
848.6028
boba@rlasolutions.com

May 1-4 throughout Reno
Reno Film Festival Features Films & Fun

The eighth annual Reno Film Festival takes center stage Thursday thru Sunday, May 1-4, with a Reno premiere, classic films with celebrity guests, independent short films from today’s newest filmmakers, informative workshops, a special “1 Day Film School” and much more.

The festival will open on Thursday with the Reno premiere of the film that won the People’s Choice award at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. “Bella” is a love story about how one day in New York City changed the lives of three people forever. Moving and entertaining, the film has won over audiences wherever it has played.
Classic films at this year’s festival include “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial,” with Dee Wallace, who played the mother in this film. Wallace also appeared in “The Howling” as well as “10” and “Cujo,” and has numerous TV credits such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Cold Case,” “Without a Trace,” and “My Name is Earl.”

Veteran actor Dean Jones of “Under the Yum-Yum Tree” and “That Darn Cat” films and numerous Broadway and TV appearances will introduce his classic “The Love Bug,” the biggest box office hit of 1969. Jones, named a “Disney Legend” in 1998, will also introduce his dramatic side in “St. John in Exile,” based upon the last living disciple of Jesus and his reflection at the end of his life.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the 1908 New York to Paris Auto Race and the car that won—the Thomas Flyer—is one of the gems of Reno’s National Automobile Museum. The colorful and entertaining film that chronicles this automotive event, “The Great Race,” will be shown at the museum as part of this year’s film festival. The film stars Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood. Curtis visited the museum and car when he appeared at the film festival a few years ago.

With more than 150 entries from as far away as Great Britain and Cambodia, this year’s finalists in the Reno Indie Competition will be showcased throughout the four-day event. Categories of films include Nevada-based, documentary, animation, fiction, science fiction, comedy, adventure, family, foreign and music.

One film that should draw local interest is “Dada Motel,” Project Moonshine’s latest effort. Project Moonshine is a local non-profit organization designed to teach filmmaking skills to teenagers by providing opportunities to document important community events.

Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak said “This is the best (and even most fun) class I have ever taken.” What was he talking about? Bobby Logan’s “1 Day Film School” that teaches budding filmmakers how to make and market the feature film they’ve always wanted to make. Logan will share his Hollywood insider knowledge at a special festival cost of only $75 on Sunday.

Festival organizers are excited about this year’s other educational offerings, too. These include a “Conversations on Acting” workshop with actors Jones and Wallace and casting director Toni Suttie and “The Art of Sound Mixing” workshop with Oscar winner Michael Semanick.

Two-time Oscar winning and five-time Oscar nominated Semanick will provide a behind the scenes look at movie sound magic. Semanick won Academy Awards for “King Kong” and “Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and was nominated this year for “Ratatouille.” Semanick will also introduce his work on “Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.” This screening will also feature a sneak peak of Pixar Animation’s latest film, “WALL-E”. “Charlie” will have a special price of only $3 being as this screening is being sponsored in part by Radical Blue Gaming.
Screenings and events will take place at the Grand Sierra Cinema, the Nevada Museum of Art, the National Automobile Museum and one film will be shown at the Sparks Christian Fellowship. The Saturday gala dinner will be at Harrah’s Prospectors Club. A complete schedule with locations and ticket orders are available at www.renofilmfestival.com. The festival’s message number is 775/334-6707.

Immediately following the “regular” Reno Film Festival will be the festival’s annual Lumière All-School Film Fest. This entertaining student showcase will take place Wednesday-Friday, May 7-9, at various locations in Reno.
The Lumière draws entries from a number of elementary thru high schools and even a couple of colleges. While most entries are from Washoe County, word has spread and short films are submitted from throughout Nevada and some even come from out of state. Digital video projects compete in more than 20 categories from public service announcements and animation to foreign language and documentaries.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2008
Contact: Bob Alessandrelli
848.6028
boba@rlasolutions.com

McQueen High Senior Wins Reno Film Festival Poster Contest

Marlee Newman, a senior at McQueen High, has been named the winner of this year’s Reno Film Festival poster contest. Newman’s entry is a blend of colors and film strips that judges felt signifies the excitement and fun of the film festival. Newman’s entry was selected from a field of more than 25.

The 17-year old designed the winning poster for McQueen’s fall play and received a Scholastic Silver Key award for a painting that is currently displayed in the Nevada Museum of Art. Newman would like to continue her art studies in college.

“I'd like to thank my art teacher, Ms. Carol Quinn, and everyone involved with the Reno Festival for this fantastic honor and opportunity,” Newman said.

Newman will receive two all-access passes to the May 1-4 festival and her artwork will be used on all advertising and promotional materials, which will include newspaper ads, billboards, the printed program and more.

Newman’s name and design will be introduced at the festival’s upcoming Oscar Shorts screenings March 13 & 14 at TMCC’s Sierra Building on the Dandini campus. The art will also be posted later this month here on the festival’s website www.renofilmfestival.com.