Sound designer Ben Soiefer and I went to the award ceremony of the Festival of Cinema NYC with low expectations. Although we were nominated for Best Sound Editing, we didn’t expect to win. Our sights were set on the open bar and the pasta salad. We were both stunned when they announced the winner for our category…the rest, as they say, is prologue.
Posters for some of the films that played at the festival.
Motor-mouth moderator Jayson opens the ceremonies with flair and a blazer.
Actress-Director Alyse Kenny sat at our table. Her pilot, "Happily Ever Ally" played at the festival.
No one climbs a mountain alone. At least not one who makes it back down in one piece. Louise Brownsberger (left) is Ben Soiefer's lifeline and support system.
Sound Designer Ben Soiefer, Master of the Staircase Sounds, deserves this award more than a layperson will ever know...
Ironically, the award for Best Sound Editing features a camera which was used during the silent film era...go figure.
"Finding Ophelia" picked up the award for Best Experimental Film. Lead actor Jimmy Levar holds the trophy, while Stephen Rutterford (bearded), the long lost brother of David Lynch is planning new ways to puzzle audiences in the background.
October 1, 2021 the independent film world was shaken to its core when FEAR OF OPEN SPACES screened to an actual audience at the UA Regal Midway in Queens as part of the Festival of Cinema NYC film festival.
Charlie and Diane study the menu like it's the New Testament at Tuscan Hill, the Italian restaurant where the pre-game dinner took place. http://tuscanhillsnyc.com/
Director of Photography Bill Loerch confers with Production Designer Renee Hickerson.
The faces behind the Fear. (from left) Charlie Torres, songwriter and package thief, Clinton Powell, lead actor and bearded political exile, David Toth, writer-director-editor-cheerleader, Renee Hickerson, production designer and supporter, Scott Luxenberg, former Earth Science teacher turned marathon runner, Bill Loerch, director of photography-federal employee and Ben Soiefer, sound designer and foley master artist.
The Warriors attend the screening.
Acting is seduction.
Modeling is part of the process....
Festival of Cinema NYC held a Red Carpet event on Saturday 25 at the UA Regal Midway in Forest Hills, Queens. I was interviewed and got to mingle with fellow filmmakers like Stephen Rutherford, “Finding Ophelia” and Valentine Aprile, “Val”.
Let it be known: There's a new film festival in Forest Hills.
UA Regal Midway. Home of the Festival of Cinema NYC.
For the history buffs amongst you: the Midway opened in 1942 and was remodeled in 1997. And yes, it's named after the Battle of Midway.
Production Designer Renee Hickerson shows her credentials.
The friendly volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes (and the desk).
Stephen Rutherford, director of "Finding Ophelia" understands the subtle art of marketing.
A study in film style: David Toth (left), writer-director of "Fear of Open Spaces", Jimmy Levar (center) lead actor and Stephen Rutherford, writer-director, "Finding Ophelia".
Stephen and Valentine Aprile, writer-director of "Val", a web-series pilot.
This is the reason most filmmakers should stay behind the camera.
One of the best parts of being in a film festival is making new friends!
Coney Island Film Festival Sept. 17-19
FEAR OF OPEN SPACES had its Brooklyn premiere at the Coney Island Film Festival on Sunday, 19th. I was honored to be part of a shorts lineup that included truly impressive films. To see the full lineup, Coney Island Film Festival.
My sister, Repa, brought my nieces, Chynna and Elle. Chynna played the little girl who lives on the second floor in the film. In addition, my landlady, Diane came with her boyfriend Charlie Torres. Diane let me film in her building with no restrictions and Charlie played a small role and provided the song “No Country” which features prominently in the film.
Diane and Charlie. This is what you get for letting your letting your tenant film in your building. An invite to the Coney Island Film Festival.
This has nothing to do with the festival, but it was so strange, I had to take a picture of it.
Where it all went down. It looks like you're going to a place to have your palm read...but no, there's amazing short films inside.
All the film news fit to print.
Diane with her witchcraft stick. When in Rome...
Chynna, actress, 6th grader, gymnast...
An actor must always be flexible...
On the sea serpent with Elle.
At the shooting gallery. Do not change guns. Wisdom for life...
Sibling rivalry blows up.
Elle. Attitude AND looks. A double threat.
A moment of peace and sharing.
Q&A after the screening. I milk my 30 seconds of semi-fame for a full five minutes...
After the screening and before the GPS tried to take us on the bike path, then the local roads which took an hour to get us back to Williamsburg.