Written and directed by David Shapiro, "Missing People" unfolds as a nonfiction mystery that follows eccentric New York gallery director Marina Batan whose 14-year-old brother was brutally murdered in 1978. The case remains unsolved. Meanwhile, she's also obsessively collecting and researching the life and work of Roy Ferdinand who until his death in 2004 made sexually graphic and violent works of art depicting African American identity in pre-Katrina New Orleans. Batan travels to Louisiana to investigate him further and ultimately ends up learning more about her own traumatic past than she expected. Below, watch the exclusive trailer for the film, which world-premieres at Toronto's Hot Docs Film Festival (April 23-May 3). The film was produced by David Shapiro, Alan Oxman and Michael Tubbs.
- 3/24/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Today I went by the Edit Center to watch Family Tree, as edited by: us. I take back my hubris about color correcting. I feel like one of my scenes is too dark, but otherwise I enjoy seeing the whole film and wish I had been in class for the discussion afterwards.
I once had a job I didn’t like (well, more than once). One day I said I was going out to get a cup of coffee and on my way to the deli I passed a movie theater. A film I wanted to see was just about to start, so I slipped into the theater. When the film was over, I couldn’t possibly go back to work with no coffee, no explanation, and three hours of the day missing. So, I didn’t. I never went back. Which is to say a number of things: If...
I once had a job I didn’t like (well, more than once). One day I said I was going out to get a cup of coffee and on my way to the deli I passed a movie theater. A film I wanted to see was just about to start, so I slipped into the theater. When the film was over, I couldn’t possibly go back to work with no coffee, no explanation, and three hours of the day missing. So, I didn’t. I never went back. Which is to say a number of things: If...
- 10/26/2011
- by Alix Lambert
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
On Monday we watch the famous f*ck scene from The Wire. In the past I have seen this scene used as an example of great writing, great directing and great acting. It seems to be a quintessential teaching scene. If you don’t know what I am talking about, you can see it below.
We also watch a sequence from Unzipped, the documentary that follows the fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi (1995, edited by Alan Oxman, cinematography by Ellen Kuras, who went on to shoot a long list of films including Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless mind). Its lyrical look, pacing and creative decisions about color have come to influence the look of many later documentaries. We also have a tech lecture on how to pull a video from YouTube to use in your edit, which can be helpful in any number of ways, especially in the instance of documentaries if...
We also watch a sequence from Unzipped, the documentary that follows the fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi (1995, edited by Alan Oxman, cinematography by Ellen Kuras, who went on to shoot a long list of films including Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless mind). Its lyrical look, pacing and creative decisions about color have come to influence the look of many later documentaries. We also have a tech lecture on how to pull a video from YouTube to use in your edit, which can be helpful in any number of ways, especially in the instance of documentaries if...
- 10/21/2011
- by Alix Lambert
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
It is the first day of my second week at The Edit Center and we are no longer paired off with partners. Left alone with my computer, I cannot remember how to do anything. Alan Oxman (whose editing credits include Control Room, Happiness and Welcome to the Dollhouse) has joined us, as our teacher. We are to start working on a feature film currently going into post-production. The film is called Happy Sad, written by Ken Urban and directed by Rodney Evans. I am delighted to learn that my friend Maria Dizzia is acting in it. We have all read the script over the weekend, and are each given a hard-drive with footage that will comprise one scene of the film. We are to start editing our scene together. Every one begins working like busy bees, while I stare in despair at my keyboard.
Oxman is a man of enormous patience.
Oxman is a man of enormous patience.
- 9/28/2011
- by Alix Lambert
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Over the next six weeks director and Filmmaker contributor Alix Lambert is taking The Edit Center’s course in feature film editing. This is the first of her weekly blogs on her experience. — Editor
As a director, I have sat in the editing room for the better part of two decades. My long-time friend and brilliant editor, Hannah Neufeld has talked my off the ledge, dissuaded me from many bad ideas, and brought her own keen eye and internal rhythm to projects that we have worked on together over the years. Other editors (notably David Ritsher) have done the same for me. So, when my friend and recent co-director David McMahon (Bayou Blue) suggested that we take an intensive editing class at The Edit Center, I immediately agreed. I continue to want to collaborate with editors on my feature-length projects, but I have a number of short form projects on...
As a director, I have sat in the editing room for the better part of two decades. My long-time friend and brilliant editor, Hannah Neufeld has talked my off the ledge, dissuaded me from many bad ideas, and brought her own keen eye and internal rhythm to projects that we have worked on together over the years. Other editors (notably David Ritsher) have done the same for me. So, when my friend and recent co-director David McMahon (Bayou Blue) suggested that we take an intensive editing class at The Edit Center, I immediately agreed. I continue to want to collaborate with editors on my feature-length projects, but I have a number of short form projects on...
- 9/25/2011
- by Alix Lambert
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Exclusive: HBO has closed a deal for Hot Coffee, the Susan Saladoff-directed competition documentary which focuses on how corporations have used the memory of outlandish legal verdicts as a way to press for tort reforms and avoid jury trials through arbitration on cases that actually have merit. HBO's Sheila Nevins viewed the documentary after it premiered last Monday. I'm told the deal was mid to high six-figures. HBO licensed the film for broadcast and VOD for 2 years, and will afford the film a qualifying Oscar theatrical run before it airs on the pay channel. Preferred Content's Kevin Iwashina brokered the sale. Carly Hugo and Alan Oxman produced with Saladoff. The film's title refers to the famous case of a woman"s million dollar judgment from McDonald's over a spilled cup of coffee. Saladin, a lawyer, focuses on other outrageous cases that illustrated where corporations were negligent or unresponsive.
- 1/29/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Pernille Fischer Christensen’s A Family The 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival runs June 17-27. Dog Sweat (Aragh Sagee.) Iran/USA (Director Hossein Keshavarz Writers Hossein Keshavarz, Maryam Azadi Producers Maryam Azadi, Hossein Keshavarz, Alan Oxman. Cast Ahmad Akbarzadeh, Tahereh Esfahani, Bagher Forohar, Shahrokh Taslimi, Rahim Zamani.) Shot clandestinely in Tehran, the subversive Dog Sweat intertwines the lives of six young Iranians as they struggle to satisfy their private desires in the face of conservative Islamic society. World Premiere A Family (En Familie.) Denmark (Director Pernille Fischer Christensen Writers Kim Fupz Aakeson, Pernille Fischer Christensen Producers Sisse Graum Jørgensen, Vinca Wiedemann. Cast Jesper Christensen, Lene Maria Christensen, Line Kruse, Pilou Asbæk, Anne Louise Hassing.) The conflict between love and duty plays out in this stunning, [...]...
- 5/5/2010
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
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