The Wilderness Downtown is an experimental interactive film using Google Chrome created by Chris Milk in collaboration with Arcade Fire and Google. A perfect merging of technology and creativity, it’s definitely worth watching. I suggest using your childhood address (you’ll understand) if you do, you’ll get nostalgic.

www.thewildernessdowntown.com

I couldn’t wait until today to post this trailer. Say what you will about Ben Affleck, I believe he will have a long celebrated career as a director. Gone Baby Gone was a good movie and if this trailer is any indication this one will be as well. I should qualify this by admitting that I’m a sucker for trailers and this one had me at Warner Brothers Pictures presents.

The language of film is universal and the nature of creating film is incredibly collaborative—which is what draws me to the medium in so many ways. I created Zeila Films  in an attempt to bridge cultures, communities and perspectives through my art and as a new member of the D7 Squad– I love the idea of sharing our love of film and media with even greater audiences. I also appreciate the diversity represented in the various skill sets and interests of my fellow D7 Squad members which will only enhance our future endeavors. As a filmmaker, I love being exposed to new ideas, concepts and different ways of storytelling. One film that needs no translation and underscores the power of visual storytelling is the lyrical and beautiful film Alamar directed by Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio. Alamar blurs the lines between fiction and documentary and the cinematography is absolutely stunning. If you have an opportunity to see it, go! 

K.Flay Live from K.Flay on Vimeo.

So I love, love, love music – everything from classical to hip hop.  I especially love discovering a new artist on the rise. Check her flow at the end – sick. She has an upcoming date opening for B.O.B. and is touring with 3OH!3.  www.kflay.com

Beautiful stories are being told as the recent DSLR wave of filmmaking has taken viewers and filmmakers by storm!

C3Stories was no exception when the Canon 7D was used in the production of All Gifted: The Meet and Greet, then again with Pete Chatmon of Double 7 Film to do the post production of The Bridge: Velvet Rope: Girls’ Night Out, shot exclusively on the Canon 7D by Leyla Tatiana Rosario.

(more…)

I know I’m late! But this is a cool show and I love
things that show me I can do more with not much.
The power of story telling…

C3Stories was conceived as many embers of inspiration are, during the witching hours of the night as Natasha M. Hall and Greg Payton were completing another piece of creative alchemy. It was then both realized that more needed to be said and done, not just for themselves, but for others like them, who were creative, but didn’t know how to take those first steps toward realizing their creative ambitions.

The two chose to align their backgrounds in professional education with their technical and creative know how as it applies to the world of advertising, 360 degree campaigns and hands on creative execution. Natasha and Greg created C3 to showcase their creative capabilities, what the many elements it took to create these works, share what other artists are doing in all creative industries and reflect the reality that inspiration is perpetual as long as it’s propagated.

C3Stories is based on Greg and Natasha’s dedication to the respective crafts of Directing, Writing, Editing, Creative Development, Producing and Education in the Arts.

Working in collaboration with the scores of creative allies they’ve amassed over the years, no concept is inconceivable. With courage and conviction behind the concept, C3Stories will make it reality.

It’s an honor and pleasure to be a part of the Double 7 Squad. Here’s to a new reality!

Natasha M. Hall/Greg Payton

C3Stories/www.c3stories.com

Here’s a funny-ass trailer for the new film, The Goon, produced by David Fincher (Fight Club) and based on the comic by Eric Powell.

It was unveiled at Comic-con earlier this summer and looks a little like an animated version of Zombieland if you ask me.  – And that’s not a bad thing at all in my eyes, ’cause that movie was thoroughly entertaining and funny as sh*t, just like this trailer…

-Ant.

A good friend of mine, Qasim Basir, wrote and directed this film. It’s not in distribution yet, but it is getting ready to hit the festival circuit. Please check it out! For more info on the film Moozlumthemovie

As a filmmaker whenever I meet people I invariable hear,  “I have a project I’ve always wanted to do”,  followed by “how much will that cost?” My answer is always, “how much do you have?”. Let me explain. The keys to no/low-budget production are planning, creativity, compromise and relationships. Because you have little or no money you must plan everything out to the penny. There will always be surprises but being as prepared as possible will save money, headache and time.  Tailor your script to fit your budget and use your creativity to compensate for the compromises that you are making. Don’t try to make Avatar with no money, make the best of what you have.  Many filmmakers have stated that their lack of money forced them to make creative choices that were ultimately best for the project. Plan everything out to the penny (yes, I meant to repeat that). Use whatever relationships you have: family, friends, colleagues, they will be great resources for locations, food and everything else. Don’t be afraid to ask! Above all, remember story first. Once your project is complete, celebrate, then use it to garner attention for yourself. It may not be the next big thing at ABFF or Tribeca Film Festival but you just might be the sh*t on Youtube!

Check out this link for more tips on no/low-budget filmmaking http://tinyurl.com/2esms5f  Medicine for Melancholy and Humpday are two low-budget features that have gotten great reviews with moderate success.