Showing posts with label Film Festival. Show all posts

PlaYR Awards Night and After-Party a successful Wrap

PlaYR Video Fest a Winner for TPE Productions

Tom Pearson of TPE Productions, Best Documentary winner

At my age ( I'm now legal lol), and with my experience in film and tv production, one would perhaps think I'd be an old hat at entering film festivals, however that would not be the case. In fact, my entry of A Thin Pink Line, into the PlaYR Festival, York Region's now 6 year running festival of film and videos this year having more entries than ever, was actually my first foray going this route. I did also once enter an online video short contest, winning The Canadian Labour Congress's One Minute Short contest, One Paycheck Away, voted across Canada online to win, but a festival is different, winners are chosen by your professional peers, and as such, one respects the award more in my humble view.

Prior to attending film school, I'd already produced and hosted shows for Rogers TV and Shaw for about four years, and as well had been producing and performing in both the live show, and taping for, the tv series of The Canadian Improv Showcase, while attending film school.

Co Host Joanne Vannacola banters

After Party revelers

Sarah Fisher with Video Editor Suleiman Rahal

After graduating with a 89% average, and with my student film chosen to be made into a movie, I worked as a P.A. on some T.V. productions and commercials including "The Designer Challenge" on W.T.N. , before taking work for Galactic Productions, later Enriching Entertainment, as an Associate Producer of feature films, a job that involved pitching the idea of becoming partners in a movie to American businessmen over the phone. Our minimum investment was $25,000, and they'd / we used the formula to finance a number of films including, The Retrievers, Miracle Dogs (Disney Channel, Animal Planet USA), Hansel & Gretel w Taylor Mumsen, Howie Mandel (Theatre release), Super Cross (Theatre) and others. This is how it's done in the real Hollywood, not by grants, and the atmosphere in the room could be electric at times. At others, not so much. During my four to five year period as an Associate Producer, I raised about $1,000,000 in productions funds for them and the parent company in L.A. and still keep a copy of an $11,000 commission cheque I earned as some kind of trophy reminder.

Actor Emmanuel Kabongo takes the stage

The only problem was, the only creativity I got to do was a slight variance on the pitch delivery. Hardly the stuff I went to film school for, but great experience nevertheless, learning from a veteran of executive producing 20 films, and as a single dad, the closest I would find to a nine to five type job in the industry...L.A. time that is! A whole other set of problems when raising a 9 year old and 12 year old whilst doing it and working on straight commission. you produced or your family went hungry. Catch 22.

So all things being equal it took me awhile to enter a film of my own into a festival but it was worth it. My film A Thin Pink Line was a great snapshot of the times and is well laced with a great and fitting music score by now defunct Sean Stephens and The Chaos System and therefore deserved a shot in my eyes, and the risky subject matter exemplifies what filmmakers should be doing which is pushing the envelopes of reminder and truth out there.

Sean Stephens at recent BBQ for Newmarket Jazz + Festival

Just prior to being announced as winner, the Host MC, Emmy Award winner, Joanne Vannicola, began mentioning of seeing my film for the first time, and that it was surreal to see her younger self onscreen, denouncing those protesting against the legalization of same sex marriage at Queen's Park. Her voice had sounded so familiar to me and now I knew why! She's in my film! Ha.

It is a credit to the Crew, Performers, Vendors and Editors involved in the production, that it was able to win the PlaYR Festival Award for best pro doc - a list too long to list here - but named in the credits roll in the film.

The Dark Rainbow After-Party Glow! More After party photos at TPE Facebook.

Award winners party!

Thank-you all and look for my next film...inspired by The Red Balloon!....Stay tuned!

Watch for more of the mysterious balloon...landing on a screen near you!

Highlights Beatles Art Reveal and Pop69 Toronto Rock & Roll Revival Movie

I've attended a wack of gigs lately and none more exceptional than the #Pop69 Soiree held last Tuesday night, upstairs at Toronto's Hard Rock Cafe, during the peak of film festival season. With a Canadian who's who of rock and roll in attendance including Jason Paul "Cone" McCasl, music Producer, Bass guitarist and backing Vocalist of pop-punk band Sum 41 and Ian D'Sa, Producer & guitarist from Billy Talent, with a tag line inviting people to "Party like it's 1969",the bash was a smash hit; the feature highlight of the evening being an unveiling of a replica of some rare Beatles Art - the only collaborative piece ever made by all 4 Beatles - and the announcement of a documentary film, Pop69 being produced, having a historical Beatles connection.

Arriving early, a Toronto Jazz musician gave a helping hand by introducing me to the lovely H.R.C. hostess, and being the first on site representing City Vibe Contracting sponsoring the evening's food, I began to deflect a small bevvy of questions regarding the menu - wanting to feign some knowledge of the cuisine even though I hadn't a clue! Ha. I did remember a vague reference to samplings ala Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band era however, so I threw that out there leaving it with, " That's all I know man" Ha. I was there to schmooze, do some P.R. and take some pics, but as for the food...the menu was still a mystery to me. Tony would be arriving soon anyway and some other "troops" too!

Chloe Rose left from Degrassi, a Rocker Chick? Who knew!?

Sure enough, he arrived shortly thereafter and I was introduced to Valerie Mcculloch of Canwood Entertainment who I was meeting in person for the first time and who turned out - to use the phraseology of the evening - to be really cool and whose relentless energy reverberated throughout the room as she seemingly tried to greet each guest personally. She makes things rock and roll for C.V.C. and over at Canwood is by all accounts an instrumental and invaluable cog in the production wheel there too.

The energy of the room seemed to intensify as the man of the hour, legendary promoter Johnny Brower arrived not too far into the evening. He seemed to genuinely enjoy greeting friends and likely some not seen in awhile. Brower, of course, was the man who persuaded John Lennon to perform at the famed Toronto Rock Revival Festival of 1969, and, in doing so, create a pivotal moment in rock history, as Lennon would go on to play with Yoko Ono as The Plastic Ono Band separate from his Beatle's band mates for the first time in history.
One week later The Beatles were no more.

More and more people began spilling into the upstairs bar as anticipation for the unveiling grew. The music tempo kicked up a notch while the munchies made their rounds, meantime beautiful women dressed to the nines started bobbing a bit to the music as I was silently loving the idea of them posing with the famous artwork and period posters later. For the sake of art I mean. Seriously. Okay, hey, I'm a freekin' guy. Give me a break.

It was 44 years ago today, on Sept 13 1969, when John Lennon communicated a message through Eric Clapton to Johnny Brower that he'd changed his mind about Rock & Roll Revival Toronto and wasn't going to come. What exactly did Johnny say to persuade him I wondered? These are some of the rock & roll mysteries that will be unraveled in Pop69 the movie. For music history buffs this film is sure to be a hit. A chance to get a first hand look at the goings on behind the scenes, of without question, an event in the running for Canada's most important rock moment in history. Certainly, behind only Bob Dylan's first use of an electric guitar, it was 1969's most important rock moment.

What if he hadn't persuaded him? Did having Bikers escort help persuade? Would Lennon have had second thoughts & returned to play with The Beatles again? Hopefully the doc will answer a few of these questions from behind the scenes that fateful day.

As the M.C., President Gordon Weiske of CanWood, made his way up to the stage finally, people leaned in anticipation, the lights adjusting, and a small Paparazzi clamoured for the best shots. Of course, I'd been keeping an eye and hovering, making sure to be right at the front to ensure optimal coverage, but was having some issues with using one of my cameras for the first time, conveniently stuffed in my man-bag that looks suspiciously like a purse at times and slung over my shoulder, and as I juggled them, buddy next to me may have gotten an arm nudging or two, mumbling something at me in protest. C 'est la vie, I still managed some good pretty shots out of the dozens I ruined. I just thank god it's not like in the 1969 using film and all that would have been wasted! Ha..my Scottish roots kicking in again..speaking of which..there was someone there related to Paul Mcartney I believe ..can you spot him in a pic?

Johnny Brower was officially introduced, and before pulling the cloak off, he spoke a bit about the experience of producing this historical event of 1969 - which also had on the bill in addition to Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band The Doors, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis & Chuck Berry among some and included Alice Cooper's debut here. No longer the brazen young 22 year old who dared to arrange this masterpiece of rock & roll-hood alongside Kenny Walker, but fiery as ever and with eyes ever-youthful, the excitement of his experience in putting together this momentous happening still obviously a part of his being, as his retelling oozed the same passion, I'd imagined, a youthful John Brower would have had.

As someone who has himself felt that sickly, panicky feeling in the gut when an event organized may not be going to plan, and a lot is at stake, including often your own money - and you have to portray a poker face to everyone that all is well too. I can almost envision the egads! moment when J.B. thought to approach Apple Records to have John and Yoko emcee when sponsor Eaton's Department Stores dropped out due to lagging sales the week before the event - only to have the couple make the provision that they be able to play if they hosted! Ha. Tough one there Johnny!

City Vibe sponsored food was just fab!

The unveiling itself was over in a wisp with quick a flip of the wrist, but everyone wanted a pic with the famous art replica and of Johnny B and company, followed by more nibblers and some Hard Rock refreshments. I'd like to have seen the D.J. throw some Beatles tunes and other 60's era music into the play, being that the upper level was for the #Pop69party but hey, you can't have everything! I mean....we can't all be able to break up The Beatles! Maybe I'll bring a band next time! Ha.

The Rock & Roll Revival Pop69 Party may have been a littler bit tamer than the wild rock and roll parties of 1969 but everyone had a blast! Ironically, I recently blogged of bringing a Beatles Fest to Newmarket and garnered interest to do so....so who knows? Another Art and Legends stop? Stay tuned!

I look forward to the 2014 movie release of POP69 and the answers to some more of these groovy, cool cat queries....stay tuned for updates! Peace out!

TPE's Spoof Video..Remember K-Tell?