Submission guidelines and information can be found at www.lacomedyshorts.com as well as through www.withoutabox.com. The early deadline is October 1, 2008. The regular deadline is November 1, 2008, the final deadline is December 1, 2008 and the extended Withoutabox deadline is December 15, 2008.

The festival will be awarding over $10,000 in cash and prizes as well as industry exposure including a guaranteed reading of the Grand Prize winner by the heads of production at Benderspink (American Pie, Monster-in-Law, The Ring).

The screenplay competition is being held in conjunction with the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival, which will be held March 6-8 in Hollywood, CA.

The L.A. Comedy Shorts film festival is now accepting submissions for the 2009 festival in the following categories: Comedy Short Films (30 minutes or less), Comedy ʽShortieʼ Shorts (5 minutes or less) and Animated Comedy Shorts (30 minutes or less). Details can be found at www.lacomedyshorts.com and through www.withoutabox.com.

The LA Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition and L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival are dedicated to celebrating and promoting funny people who do funny work. The festivals were founded because comedies typically have a harder time winning prestigious awards. All judges are top names in the fields of comedy and filmmaking.

He also announced that L.A. Comedy Shorts is now accepting submissions for the 2009 festival in the following categories: Comedy Short Films (30 minutes or less), Comedy ʽShortieʼ Shorts (5 minutes or less) and Animated Comedy Shorts (30 minutes or less)

Submission guidelines and information can be found at www.lacomedyshorts.com as well as through www.withoutabox.com. The early deadline is October 1, 2008. The regular deadline is November 1, 2008, the final deadline is December 1, 2008 and the extended Withoutabox deadline is December 15, 2008.

The festival will be awarding over $25,000 in cash and prizes as well as industry exposure including a guaranteed screening of the Grand Prize winner for the heads of production at Benderspink (American Pie, Monster-in-Law, The Ring).

The film festival is being held in conjunction with the LA Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition, which is now accepting entries for Feature Comedy Screenplays (80-130 pages) and Short Comedy Screenplays (30 pages or less) at www.lacomedyshorts.com and through www.withoutabox.com.

The L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival and LA Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition are dedicated to celebrating and promoting funny people who do funny work. The festival was founded because comedies typically have a harder time winning prestigious awards. All judges are top names in the fields of comedy and filmmaking.

GFI (www.globalfilm.org) promotes cross-cultural understanding and diversity by presenting developing world feature films in major US cities, through their series entitled “Global Lens 2008 Film Series.” GFI is considered one of the foremost leaders in developing and executing world film initiatives and boasts a board, comprised of well known, accomplished international filmmakers, such as Pedro Almodóvar, Lars von Trier, Mira Nair & Lucy Barreto, to name a few.

Films from Argentina, China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Philippines and South Africa that will headline the Global Lens 2008 film series include:

* ALL FOR FREE (SVE DZABA), Croatia
* THE BET COLLECTOR (KUBRADOR), Philippines
* BUNNY CHOW, South Africa
* THE CUSTODIAN (EL CUSTODIO), Argentina
* THE FISH FALL IN LOVE, Iran
* KEPT & DREAMLESS (LAS MANTENIDAS SIN SUEÑOS), Argentina
* THE KITE (LE CERF-VOLANT), Lebanon
* LET THE WIND BLOW (HAVA ANEY DEY), India
* LUXURY CAR (JIANG CHENG XIA RI), China
* OPERA JAWA, Indonesia

“We are very excited about our new partnership with the Global Film Initiative,” says John Rosser, Executive Director of the Gasparilla Film Festival. “The ‘Global Lens’ series strengthens our yearly programming schedule and will not only provide extraordinary value for our current members, but will also allow us to feature these exclusive, ‘best of breed’ international films to the Greater Tampa Bay community during 2008.”

Rosser adds that he will work closely with local educational and government organizations to provide screening opportunities to the general public throughout 2008. Film schedules and venues will be announced in March 2008, following the conclusion of the Gasparilla Film Festival, which runs from Wednesday, February 27th – Sunday, March 2, 2008.

Past and present partners of the Global Lens Series include:

The Museum of Modern Art in New York
The American Film Institute
The Chicago International Film Festival
Gene Siskel Film Center
Miami International Film Festival
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
San Francisco Art Institute
Sarasota Film Society &
The Seattle International Film Festival

Any local educational, cultural or government organization wishing to work with Mr. Rosser on should contact him directly at (813) 514-9962.

Do you want to know who is Ty Pennington dating right now? Go ahead and read further to discover the apple of Ty’s eyes of the moment. Ty Pennington, the host of ABC network’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the carpenter on TLC’s Trading Spaces, is reportedly still dating his manager, Drea Bock. When asked about his relationship status with his long-time girlfriend in his interview with Parade, he claimed that though not they are not yet married, they are still a couple and a team, even.

Ty Pennington’s good luck charm is former model Drea Bock who turned in a manager for the rest of her Hollywood career. Bock is 35 years old and is originally from North Carolina. A famous man had said once that behind every successful man is a woman. Indeed, this is very evident in the Pennington-Bock scenario. Bock manages this handyman heartthrob’s career since the year 1997.

Dating for 11 years is undeniably a stepping stone for getting married. But not for this couple, so it seems. Both parties are satisfied and comfortable with their agreement not to exchange vows at the moment. In fact, Pennington had already indicated his intention of not changing the kind of relationship that they have now.

As for Bock, she said on a Star Magazine interview last 2004 that she does not feel the need to get married either. As a couple, they are having a good time. And there’s no need to change anything seems right. The apparent absence of future marriage plans roots from the way Pennington has continuously nourished their relationship from day one. Pennington and Bock were formerly models. They met through mutual friends and started dating in 1997. They were both staying in Atlanta during that time. Incidentally, that’s also where Pennington spent most of his youth. Pennington isn’t popular then. But even if Ty is enjoying the superstar status right now, Drea says that he hasn’t changed a bit. He’s still the charming and easygoing individual that he used to.

In their earlier days as a couple, around the year 1999, Ty and Drea bought an 1882 Victorian bungalow at the Grant Park neighborhood in Atlanta. By the year 2000, they managed to acquire their second home which is in Venice, California. During their stay there, the couple loves to lie on the beach and go surfing anytime they wish.

An incident that reinforced their relationship as a couple happened during their flight from Chicago to Los Angeles in 2007. Bock was furious because they had to take a dramatic last minute entrance to their flight instead of waiting for the next plane. Thankfully, the peacemaker in Pennington made her calm down. And she loved him more for it.

Another interesting fact about Ty Pennington is his ritual every time he’s on a plane that’s taking off. He also does the same thing whenever the plane lands. He habitually crosses his finger on his right hand and sits still with his hands on his legs to lessen his anxiety. Bock doesn’t usually pay attention to this ritual since she has seen him doing the same thing over and over again for several years now.

Pennington and Bock’s lifestyle have definitely gone beyond the boyfriend-girlfriend relationship status. And it is just a matter of time before they decide when the formality of marriage will come. That is, if they really wanted to do so. If Ty’s work doesn’t force him to live on the road doing his duties for his reality show, he normally goes home in Los Angeles with Bock. Pennington owns a 1924 bungalow house in Los Angeles which reflects his personality and style – very much the handyman everyone knows that he is. Also, the house is not very far from the beach where the couple enjoys their mutual hobby, surfing.

Pennington is basically living a normal life despite of his copious work as a TV show host, off-the-wall carpenter, and a home design guru as he claims that he is in E’s Hollywood True Story. Not only does he host the famous reality show, he is also the ambassador for the Sears Dream American Campaign. As an update to the Pennington-Bock relationship status, there are rumors saying that the couple is expecting to wed and finally settle as a family when Pennington gets lesser work load and traveling due to his commitments.

Who is Ty Pennington dating? Well, it’s no other than his girlfriend-manager, Drea Bock.

More exciting information about dating, please head on to http://www.gaydatingsitesreview.com/ where you can also find more information about free dating websites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Man

“Nobel Son” (quality rating: 5 out of 10)
Director: Randall Miller.
Screenplay: Jody Savin, Randall Miller
Cast: Alan Rickman, Mary Steenburgen, Shawn Hatosy, Eliza Dushku, Bill Pullman, Danny DeVito
Time: 1 hr., 50 min.
Rating: R (vulgarity, some violent gruesome images, sexuality)

Too fast with its fury, too laborious with its logic.

“Nobel Son” is a bit of a mess. Its most glaring failing is in its rash moves toward action thrills which need as their launching pads a much more deliberative plot development. That is, they’re too soon, too sensational. Not organic, just overt. And when those action capers run into the film’s obsessive twists, they do so without really clear reasoning. Too often, we’re just not ready for those twists. They do not, as the film would have it, have a life of their own. They don’t pique you or stimulate you. They’re just there because, oh, we guess, they’re supposed to be there.

he film makes less and less sense as it goes, the inevitable result in atmosphere, motif and general feel being an irritating lack of tone and rhythm. The characters are just never brought up to speed before the speed happens. A good action thriller should move with your subconscious like a well-made song, not knock you around in emotional disconnects as if the screenwriter were being perpetually interrupted.

In a word, the action should fit.

This is, or wants to be, a colorful intellectuals’ film evolving into a perverted villainy. Supposedly, it is all about when egomania clashes with the cranial which clashes with base human greed.

In this, Prof. Eli Michaelson (Alan Rickman) has just won the Nobel Prize in chemistry. Uh, oh — that’s all he needed. He’s already an incorrigibly aloof and arrogant sort who offends everyone upon first meeting — including the students with whom he beds — whose only love affair is with himself. He gets along no better with his forensics specialist wife Sarah (Mary Steenburgen). This award-granting in Sweden may make an irritating way of life absolutely unbearable.

Eli’s abnormally immature son Barkely (Bryan Greenberg), his only child, has been a major disappointment in that he has drifted toward the social sciences. Like, he’s now putting the final touches on his thesis about cannibalism even as he hangs out at coffee houses with his Game Boy.

Dad certainly begrudges him that weekly allowance of $35.

Complications begin when Barkely misses the flight to Sweden with his parents for the Nobel award because of his infatuation with an oddball sexy poetess City Hall (yep, that’s her name, she says).

During this matter, he’s kidnapped.

And that abductor will be Thaddeus James (Shawn Hatosy). This guy, a part-time brilliant chemistry devotee and fulltime sociopath, claims he’s Barkley’s illegitimate half-brother. Reckless of intent, his scheme, which he alternately soothes then threatens Barkely to join, is to be a two-million bucks revenge-extortion-kidnap project targeting dad Eli whose Nobel Prize is in that amount.

The film, as with any self-respecting kidnapping story, promises many a twist and, in this case, severed thumbs. In pursuit of the surprises, it’ll throw in an eccentric detective (Bill Pullman) who’s hot for Sarah. And, in an attempt at dark comedy, it suggests that, indeed, both father and son might well prefer to be without the other anyway.

If the film has wit, it’s feebly written. The action is more obligatory than helpful. Watch this movie as one of the faster disappearing acts of the season.

Marty Meltz

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marty_Meltz

Kai, a 30-something filmmaker abruptly leaves his job in corporate America after 10 years to complete a film based upon the life of an aging Chicago blues musician named Vance “guitar’Kelly, whom he had met at a prior performance and who would become the filmmaker’s muse as he searched for passion ans understanding in life… What would make a man who seemingly have everything;cars, monies, good life suddenly leave it all? Love… The filmmaker would leave his job after a devastating breakup to regain control and perhaps find ‘meaning’ in his life. Completing his film project he felt, would help him come to terms with his purpose/meaning in life.

Someplace Else is packed with flashes of beautiful cinema as Kai turns his camera lens upon the city’s blues clubs, city streets, lakes, the Chicago skyline and it’s people, going about living their lives as they take a time out for entertainment/fun/ camaraderie in the form of music, more specifically, blues music. Vance Kelly is the aging blues musician who lives to bring joy to the people by playing his music in different venues and blues clubs around the city. It was a great challenge for me to screen this film. I felt honored that such a piece of artistry had been placed into my hands by the filmmaker…

At times ‘raunchy’ and ‘lewd’, Vance Kelly becomes a showman on stage and off. The peculiarities of the man, from his gyrating tongue actions on stage to his fondness for collecting odd cigarette lighters; Yet, it’s the wisdom of an aging blues musician, his passion for … his love for what he does and the realization that although life is about change, once you find your voice in the world, then, you make your own happiness…

Kai-luc-loung’s film Someplace Else has been screened at Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival Rhode Island International Film Festival. The VLCIK Foundation in New York City at The American Immigrant filmmaker series and Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago, Illinois., where film critics gave rave reviews…If you’re in the area on December, 13th, Someplace Else will be showing at the IFP Chicago-meet the filmmaker at Facets Cinematheque.

I watched the film twice. I’m proud to say, I remained objective when writing my review. This film is not for younger viewers, but, if you love music; Blues, or otherwise…if you’re needing to find your meaning in life, love great imagery, cinema, or scenic views of Chicago, then, go see Someplace Else…

It comes highly recommended!

Clara B. Freeman is a freelance writer/poet and columnist living in Illinois. To learn more about her work, visit her website http://www.clarawriter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clara_Freeman

Well I’ve seen a few movies on Blu-ray and there’s no doubting the excellent picture, but in my opinion the difference between DVD and Blu-ray wasn’t really that great, particularly on a smaller sized screen. It was noticeable but it is something you could certainly live without because DVD pictures themselves are obviously digital and therefore already a very high quality anyway.

Blu-ray titles are cheaper than they used to be but they are still noticeably more expensive than the equivalent titles on DVD. Therefore in this current economic climate I don’t personally think it’s worth switching to this new format because the additional benefits do not really compensate for the extra money you have to shell out.

There are also risks involved because there is always a chance, albeit a small one, that you may upgrade your DVD collection to Blu-ray, only to find a new format comes along in a few years time that supercedes it and makes it obsolete. Similarly Blu-ray is still relatively new and it hasn’t really taken off just yet, so there is always a chance that consumers simply don’t buy enough titles to make it worthwhile for them to continue producing film and TV show titles in this new format.

Your best bet, if you are planning to switch, is to simply rent out your favourite titles instead. This will work out a lot cheaper and will give you protection in case Blu-ray does fail to take off. Plus it will allow you to enjoy all your favourite movies in full cinematic effect for a relatively small cost.

Overall there is no doubt that Blu-ray offers you slightly clearer pictures and improved sound, but for me the benefits are not sufficient enough for me to start buying all my favourite TV shows and films on this format. As with a lot of technology, it’s generally best to wait a few years to not only access it for a cheaper price, but also to see if it actually takes off or not.

Click here to read a review of the Blockbuster online DVD rental service and to read all the latest DVD news and reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Woolley

The entertainment industry is fiercely competitive and can be extremely intimidating for aspiring stars. Some of the most talented and driven actors in the business had a difficult time getting their big break, but there are definitely things you can do to increase your chances of achieving fame.

Below you will find a complete list (in order) of the things you need to do in your journey to become a successful actor or actress:

1. Move. Your school plays and community talent shows may have kept you busy for the early part of your teen years but it’s time to make a big move – literally. Unless you’re blessed enough to live in Los Angeles already, we suggest packing your things and finding a permanent resident in City of Angels. Other popular locations include New York and Chicago, but LA will definitely present the most options for any aspiring star.

2. Get a Headshot. Considerably less work than packing up all your belongings and moving to a completely new city (yet equally as important) getting a headshot is a critical part of any aspiring actor’s portfolio. If you send your resume or show up for an open audition without a headshot, you can pretty much forget getting the role. Headshots are easy to get and will go a long way in ensuring success.

3. Perfect your Resume. It’s time to sharpen up your resume writing skills and start sending them out to any and all contacts you have. If you have extensive acting experience, it’s a good idea to drop the less relevant work you have listed (like the lead role in your high school play 7 years ago). Make sure it’s written in a professional manner and make sure you’ve had someone else proof read it before sending it out. Never send out a resume without a cover letter. Consider your cover letter the elevator speech for the opportunity. It’s your chance to promote yourself, so take advantage of the opportunity.

4. Book Auditions. If you think opportunities are just going to fall in your lap, you’re going to be very disappointed. Becoming an actor or actress is extremely difficult and unbelievably competitive. Only the most dedicated and persistent individuals make it in the industry. Booking as many auditions as possible (either independently or through an agent) will definitely increase your chances of securing a role. Make sure, if you’re lucky enough to get an audition, you take your headshot with you and you give it your all. Sometimes, one chance is all you need to nail an audition. Don’t miss out because of lack of preparation.

5. Market Yourself. You are your biggest promoter. Talk to everyone you know and make as many contacts in the industry as possible. These days, it’s all about who you know. The more people you know in the industry, the more likely you are to get your name out there and, eventually, get a role. Distribute as many business calls and participate in as many casting calls and open auditions as you can. Eventually someone will realize you’re a diamond in the rough. On that day, all of your hard work will finally pay off.
Selena Valoure has a lot friends trying to pursue careers in acting. To learn more about the entertainment industry, she enrolled in acting school. Now a proud graduate, Selena is more than happy to share her newfound knowledge with the readers of DiscoverFame.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Selena_Valoure

When you watch a movie, whether it be at the cinema or in the comfort of your own home, it’s seldom you actually think about where the movie was produced and how each film company secured the rights to the movie you’re watching on the screen. The movie business is extremely competitive. The six major film companies discussed below comprise 90 percent of the US and Canadian box office revenue. If you’re pondering a career in film, you may want to pay very close attention to the statistics below.

And while there are a few “mini-majors” still turning a profit in the industry (Lions Gate Entertainment and MGM for example), it’s fairly difficult for film companies to stay afloat while competing with these highly successful empires.

Below you will find the six major film companies (also known as “The Big Six”) and a brief description of each:

1. Warner Bros. Pictures. Comprising a whopping 19.7 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Warner Bros. Pictures is the biggest player in the film industry. Securing the rights to major films like Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, The Matrix and Star Wars have made Warner Bros. the No. 1 name in the business.

2. Paramount Pictures. With 15.5 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Paramount Pictures continues to be one of the most successful film production companies in the world. Star Trek, War of the Worlds, the Mission Impossible series, Transformers and Tropic Thunder are just a few of the popular films produced by Paramount Pictures.

3. Walt Disney. One of the most renowned film production companies in the history of the business, Walt Disney now holds 15.3 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). With highly successful movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, Meet the Robinsons and Enchanted, there’s no doubt that Disney will continue to play a key role in the industry for years to come.

4. Columbia Pictures. Comprising 12.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Columbia Pictures remains a big player in the business. Some of this company’s recent successes include Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, the Spider-Man series and Step Brothers.

5. Universal Studios. 12.2 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures) belongs to Universal Studios, which continues to make millions for the film industry. With major hits like the Bourne series (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum), The American Pie series, Knocked Up, American Gangster and The Incredible Hulk, it’s very clear that Universal Studios knows what it takes to make money in this industry.

6. 20th Century Fox. Also known as “Twentieth Century Fox,” this highly successful movie production company makes up 11.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). Some of the biggest and most successful movies from this empire include the X-Men series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Star Wars Episodes II and III, and the Fantastic Four.

Once again, if you’re looking for a career in the film industry, the six companies listed above are the cream of the crop. If you have the opportunity to work for one of these companies, we wouldn’t suggest passing it up.
Selena Valoure is a huge fan of entertainment and is intrigued to learn more about film production. She knows how hard it is to make it in the entertainment business so, in her spare time, she shares what she’s learned over the years with the readers of DiscoverFame.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Selena_Valoure