Outfest has been doing it right!
This past week at the DGA (and a handful of the Festival Venues) the organizers have not only presented an eclectic mix of funny offbeat shorts (Outset Shorts, Musical Shorts, Trans Shorts), powerful documentaries (“Vito”, “How to Survive a Plague”) and entertaining narratives (“Keep the Lights on”, “I Do”, “Wildness”, “Gayby”) – but also – presented insightful panel discussions and special events that managed to round the experience (from a revealing peek at the scriptwriting process on thru to various production stages that eventually culminate in the ultimate release of the films into local movie houses).
For example, last night at the DGA, film buffs were treated to a “Screenwriting Lab Reading” where segments of the scripts of five writers (selected by Outfest staff) were performed live on stage by a handful of talented young actors. It was a vastly entertaining event where the film buffs got to witness one phase of the film development process.
Kudos to screenwriters Erin Greenwell (Somewhere Along the Way), Andre Hereford (The Well), Travis Matthews (Brontez and Rick), Jonathon Roessler (Understay), and Josh Staman (Girl/Friend).
I was particularly captivated by the contemporary work of Mr. Matthews. After all, his characters were believable, and his dialogue literally crackled.
Tattler readers may recall that I used to be a Literary Agent representing screenwriters at a couple of SAG Franchised Talent Agencies in the past, so to witness the “written word” coming alive from the scripted page was truly fascinating for me to observe personally.
All in all, it was quite a “theatrical” event which resonated with the audience immensely.
Congrats to all the actors who turned in fine performances: Jo Armeniox, Patricia Villetto, Shannon MacMilan, Naserin Bogado, Celeste Pechous (Somewhere Along the Way); Haylkey Marie Norman, Angela Bullock, Taylor Frey, Reatha Grey, Valerie Hurt, DaJuan Johnson, Billy Mayo, Tom Sellwood (The Well); Brontez Pumell, Mickey Cottrell, Victor Samuel Lopez, Kathleen Mary Carthy (Brontez and Rick); Jonathan Trent, Daniel Landroche, Rebekah Brandes, Matthew Ludwinski, Mikayla Gibson, Scott Weil (Understay); Rebekah Kochan, Kevin Oestenstad, Jordan Balagot (Girl/Friend).
This weekend the festival will come to a close when the feature film - “Struck by Lightning” - is screened on Sunday Night at the Ford Theatre (under the stars) at what is expected to be a glittering GALA event.
Over the weekend there are still a few good flicks to catch at the festival before it shuts down such as Cloudburst, White Frog, The Famous Joe Project, Desperate Living, and Beauty.
Better hurry, though, they're being snapped quick as-a-wink!
INFO:
http://www.outfest.org/
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