Posted by Pete Chatmon

I met Paola last year when our film, 761st, was in the 2007 Urbanworld Film Festival. Her film, Autumn’s Eyes, was also selected, and as the indie circuit continued, we were both a part of Current TV’s 50 Non-Fiction Filmmakers to Watch as well as the 2008 Tribeca All Access Program. I’m proud to introduce y’all Double 7 Worlders to Paola who has just wrapped production on her feature Entre Nos (applause). Paola has been kind enough to provide us with her thoughts on how to get an indie film made in this crazy, ever-changing industry. See below…and take this advice to heart!

~ Pete Chatmon

PAOLA’S ADVICE…

Yesterday I was asked to speak on a panel about the process of getting an indie film made. The panel was part of IFP Film Week, taking place all week in NYC. Now for anyone that knows me, I am a big supporter of IFP; they have been instrumental in my film career. They have supported three of my projects: On the Outs, Autumn’s Eyes and Entre Nos. I have had the pleasure to partake in the IFP Market two times, both in the doc section for Autumn’s Eyes, and now with the emerging narrative section for Entre Nos. Needless to say, when they asked me to speak on the panel, I jumped at the opportunity.

More advice and pictures after the jump…

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Posted by Pete Chatmon

Theo Travers works as a general assignment news reporter for the CBS affiliate in Memphis, TN. His investigative stories have earned him a coveted fellowship with Investigative Reporters & Editors. He’s also been awarded “Best Reporter” by the Associated Press. Theo trained as a writer at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in their Dramatic Writing program. Theo also lived in Goddard Hall and drank 40s of Ballantine Ale with Pete Chatmon before going to bad Frat parties.

This is a 1st, people! I am happy to announce the debut literary World Premiere on Double 7 World. Theo is a talented writer, en route to Los Angeles to take over the industry. This piece, as he describes it, is:

“an exercise in suspense cast in heavy shadows called ‘At This Ungodly Hour’. Ultimately, it is a story about learning to let go of a loved one after they die. If we don’t allow ourselves to live in their absence, the fear of being without them can manifest itself in a very real terror. For young Ellie, it’s the war in Iraq that claimed her husband. But in this world, outside one of the most violent cities in America, on this quiet corner of Shelby County, anything can snuff your life in a blink. Especially at this ungodly hour.”

Read the short screenplay THIS UNGODLY HOUR after the jump!

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Posted by Pete Chatmon

Pete Chatmon & Ryan Richmond at the Urbanworld Awards Brunch

So we’re waiting on some pictures from the Screenplay Reading event. In the meantime, check out me and my homie Ryan Richmond, who just directed his first feature starring Aunjanue Ellis. It’s called “Money Matters”.

~ Pete Chatmon

THE SCREENPLAY READINGS, IN GABE’S OWN WORDS…

The 12th annual urbanworld film festival screenplay readings begin in fifteen minutes. The lobby of the HBO Theater is a chorus of conversation. Staff members briskly move across the crimson carpet spotted with gold. Against one wall, a screenwriter barks motivational phrases at his actors, such as “get in the zone” and “find your center.” Double 7 Film’s own Pete Chatmon stands coolly in the lobby center—a calm reflection of the Empire State Building that dutifully keeps guard outside the large windows. His screenplay $Free.99, which he co-wrote with Candice Sanchez McFarlane, is one of the five finalists being featured. Samrat Chakrabarti, an actor reading from Playtime with Doug, praises the Urban World festival for its diversity. It provides opportunities to break out of stereotypes, he said. Whether that is an accurate observation is about to be proven. A girl with a clipboard shouts out the names of the screenplays. Herds of actors follow the writers like a gaggle of geese into the theater.

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Posted by Double 7 World

Trailer for Michael Moore’s new film Slacker Uprising, to be released for FREE in the United States and Canada on September 23rd! Check it out….

Posted by Double 7 World

MORE FROM AYINDE AT THE URBANWORLD FILM FESTIVAL
(and no, this pic is not from the fest)…

The thing I like about film festivals is the parties, I mean the films… no really it’s cool because it is an environment where u can see films by aspiring creative young writer directors who u know it’s only a matter of time before they are world renowned. u see films that seem to be competing for winner in the WTF?! category. U see big studio films that have not been promoted, reviewed or released yet with out all the critical hype or panning and I saw all three, wanna hear bout it? here it go…

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Posted by Double 7 World

Video from Day 3 at the 2008 UrbanWorld Film Festival. Check it out HERE and click on “Day 3 highlights”…

Posted by Double 7 World

An interesting way to promote the new technology of THE RED ONE. This camera is slated to take over the industry, offering a filmic quality on 4K video. Check the site HERE for more information, and enjoy the clip…

Posted by Double 7 World

Listen to the Love Lockdown MP3 HERE. We find it interesting and are moving toward feeling it.

Discuss…

Posted by Double 7 World

With UrbanWorld drawing to a close this past weekend, we are Wiping the Dust Off this interview that Pete did for the documentary “761st” when it screened at the 2007 Urbanworld Film Festival.

Peep the trailer after the jump…

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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler do what will surely be a recurring schtick on Saturday Night Live…