by Frederick Bailey IAFT/LA The young man sits on the couch, looking relaxed and confident. “Hello, my name’s Cristian Madero,” he says. “I own and operate CMDelux Films, and I’m a graduate of IAFT.” He’s a very enterprising young man. He founded his video production company in 2013, the same year he graduated with…
For younger viewers, movies are—the real world. With that responsibility, movies—while being entertaining—should also strive to cause critical thinking—and moral examination—in those young viewers. The film Ender’s Game does just that. Ender’s Game is set in a future where children are selected for high-tech warfare because—as the film posits—they are better able to learn, react,…
by Pete Wassell IAFT/L.A. I come here to praise Philip Seymour Hoffman, not to bury him. What are the facts? We know how Phillip Seymour Hoffman died. He overdosed on heroin. He was found on the floor of his apartment bathroom with a syringe in his arm, surrounded by empty bags of heroin. During…
by Pete Wassell IAFT/Los Angeles No love for Llewyn Davis?! I wanted to open with that because I wanted you to know my motivations. To me Llewyn Davis was the one of the best films I’ve seen all year. It tells the story of literally the most unlikable character you can imagine who…
RSVP for our next Open House Workshop on February 11th. Tuesday. 6:30pm – 8:30pm Come experience the IAFT Advantage! At IAFT, we invite passionate, industry professionals guest speakers who love to share their invaluable experiences and insights to the actors and filmmakers of tomorrow. ACTING WORKSHOP Starts 7:00 pm Guest Speaker: Treisa Gary The 5…
OPEN DOOR SEMINAR ON FILM PRODUCTION INSURANCE by Frederick Bailey Digital Film Production Mentor, IAFT/L.A. Production Insurance is something professional filmmakers have to deal with on a regular basis. IAFT has scheduled a Presentation on Production Insurance with Luke Gelineau who specializes in Entertainment Insurance for United Agencies in Burbank. Let me tell…
by Michael Chasin Screenwriting Mentor, IAFT/Miami There are few awards—in any endeavor—that carry the prestige of an Oscar. Oscar winner is a lifetime label—and it is said—good for a ten-year career boost. The Oscars themselves have become a cottage industry of red carpet fashions, ‘exclusive’ interviews, and preview shows—creating a celebration of the celebration….
IAFT Mentor David Michael Barrett reports that his new movie, SUCH GOOD PEOPLE, is just about finished in post, after completing principal photography last summer. Barrett (Bad Actress), whose class on Non-Scripted Television is a third-term staple at IAFT, serves as screenwriter/producer on this new take on an old-school Hollywood screwball comedy. Michael Urie (Ugly…
by Pete Wassell IAFT/Los Angeles It’s that time of year again. The Nominations are coming out tomorrow. I’m not a clairvoyant, but my crystal ball is twitching. Having seen a great many films this year, and having liked a great many of them, I find it hard to nail down just who I think…
by Michael Chasin Screenwriting Mentor, IAFT/Miami The year’s end serves as a bold reference point for measurement for our lives. Those measurements (figurative and literal) trigger New Year’s resolutions—acknowledgements that we should—or need to—improve how we live our lives. Just as we strive to make our lives better, we have the same…
