Giving a Voice to Neighborhood News in Sacramento and Beyond!
You can’t judge a book by its cover or a purse by its contents. Matthew and Leah search for clues in all the wrong places. Think you know the whole story? Guess again..
For more information about “A Place Called Sacramento” go to www.AccessSacramento.org
It was an intense and wonderful experience making my first ever film, thanks to Access Sacramento. It was, in fact, the first time I had ever written a script, let alone produced a film. As a teen in college, I had considered pursuing a career in script writing for television, but took a more “practical” and professional route instead. I continued to be an “armchair critic”, however, dissecting television and film story lines in terms of how I would have written them differently.
In April I saw an ad about a class in scriptwriting that would take place over the course of 3 Saturdays. It sounded manageable, so on a whim I decided the night before the class began to sign up. Once in the class, I thought I may as well try my hand at writing a short script, though I had no idea what I would write about. At the time, the drama over Sacramento losing the Kings was at a fevered pitch. I noticed that many fans were reacting as if a lover were about to leave them, so the idea of “The Breakup” was born.
Once I wrote the script, I thought I may as well submit it for the PCS competition. Imagine my surprise when Ron Cooper phoned me to let me know my script was one of the ten that won the competition! Initially I felt daunted by the task, but little by little it seemed that the accomplishment was actually achievable. With the help of Access Sacramento, as well as some hustle and luck, I found a very talented ensemble of people, and we made some “magic” happen and created an entertaining short film.
Though at times I felt like I was “flying by the seat of my pants”, I learned a great deal in a very short period of time. It’s been a memorable summer, and winning the “Audience Choice” award was just icing on the cake!
Another large crowd cheered as the ten films were shown on the big screen at the Crest Sunday October 2. New Board Chair Jo Ann Fuller, Chair Emeritus Carl Burton and many other Board members were very pleased by the enthusiastic audience. Burton invited everyone to use the resources of Access Sacramento to express their free speech rights as protected by the Constitution.
Each year the “PCS” Festival selects two award winning films. The “Audience Favorite” award is selected by collecting audience ballots and the “Producers Choice” award is selected by the ten producers who must vote for a film other than their own.
The balloting this year was very close in both categories. After completing the tally, Joyce Bezazian “The Breakup” was selected by the audience and “the Watering hole” by Rob Tillitz and Gerald Martin Davenport was selected by the producers.
Interested in writing a script for he 2012 event? Take the Short Form Scriptwriting Class taught by Matt Perry starting Saturday October 22. These four sessions will result in a script you can enter in the Spring. See below for details and good luck!
Visit the Access Sacramento Office and purchase your 2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival tickets for $10.00 each.
Every week, we will feature two of our upcoming films, which will premiere at the 2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival, on October 2nd. Here are this week’s featured films:
“Lucky Shot” by Raghni Reddy
Rose takes Rick by surprise. But Rick is accustomed to bad luck. With so little in common, they are obviously off to a great start.
“The Watering Hole” by Gerald Martin Davenport & Rob Tillitz
David finds himself in a strange bar where time stands still and demons drown their sorrows.
Every week, we will feature two of our upcoming films, which will premiere at the 2011 “A Place Called Sacramento” Film Festival, on October 2nd. Here are this week’s featured films:
“The Chozen” by Claire Elizabeth
New to Sacramento, Mathilde is worried about going to a new school and making friends, but is quickly accepted by the “coolest” girls in school. At a sleep over Mathilde discovers that being one of “The Chozen” is not what she expected.
“CSI: Sacramento” by Burt Wilson
Joe Fish is a private “sock-eye”. If this sounds “fishy”, you may be following a “red herring” – Ready for a “whale of a tail”? Welcome to River City.
“Looking Forward to PCS”
Water, Art, and Basketball: what do they all have in common?
A: They are all part of this year’s A Place Called Sacramento Film Festival.
I was lucky enough to pre-view the films and I’m here to let you in on some fun inside information. This year’s set of films are very diverse and there is something for all tastes and styles. From the super creative art and music scenesters to the paranormal and some stories that hit close to the heart. It’s all there this year.
We are a river city and water is a common theme around here and at least 5 of the films touch on this, but in very different and unexpected ways. CSI:Sacramento (Something’s Fishy) will tickle your punny bone with a fishy tale. Drown your sorrows at The Watering Hole where mysteries abound. watching Reluctant will be a very stimulating experience and features some shockingly beautiful views of the city. Learning to weather the storms is challenge for a war vet in Buddies and the healing properties of water and love will send shivers up your spine in Borrowed Time.
Ever see that mysterious package or box in film and wonder what’s in it? Well, sorry, but with The Chozen you’ll have to wait for that special day to come. Dig through The Purse to find out about these quirky characters and their mischievous ways.
Those of you who visit, live, work, and play in the Midtown area of Sacramento will appreciate Stalag Sacramento. And those of you who watch this film and aren’t familiar with the creative music and art scene in the heart of this city will be intrigued to learn more about it!
Kings fans unite! two of our wonderful films feature some avid sports fans. Some fans take it too far for their teams in The Break Up and just wait until the buzzer rings for Lucky Shot.
I look forward to seeing all of you and your friends and family at the Crest Theatre in Downtown Sacramento on Sunday, October 2nd at 1pm.
Come early as doors open at 12:30 and it is general seating.
Tickets are $10 each and available at The Crest Theatre box office and online at www.Tickets.com
Congratulations to all 10 of the winning filmmakers of 2011!
“Stalag Sacramento” by Patrick Ardell
Four young musicians ride the rails in their new hometown searching for “life-after-dark” in Midtown. Do you know the way to “Elvisland”?
“Borrowed Time” by Danna Wilberg
Children’s lives are at risk. Dr. Paulsen is frustrated by Suzanne’s spiritual beliefs. A “life and death” story is in need of an intervention from “the other side”.
All scripts entered early in the year, each was reviewed by local professionals and ten were selected. These ten scriptwriter/producers were introduced to volunteers, experienced actors and skilled film professionals at The PCS “Cast and Crew Call” Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Production teams were formed and location filming throughout the area commenced during the summer months. Finally, after weeks of hard work and great fun, friends will gather at the World Premiere to a packed house at the CREST Theatre on October 2, 2011.
To view the films completed for the 2010 & previous PCS film festivals, go to the web site www.AccessSacramento.org. Access Sacramento is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using community media to build better communications between individuals and groups in Sacramento County. With our television studio, radio and television production equipment, media lab, mobile production truck, and other gear, we train and manage volunteers and share their work on cable radio and television channels 17 & 18.
