TvFILM's new season's schedule!

Ok, it’s almost here, the premiere of TvFILM season five.  Below you’ll find a convenient schedule of the what, who, and when for our new season.

Fade up on season five:

June 16, 2013 at 10:30pm

Her Telling Heart – Heidi Elizabeth

Edgar Allan Poeʼs timeless chiller The Tell-Tale Heart gets a feminist perspective and a suspenseful new twist in this short film from award-winning director Eli Meissner.

Secret Chamber - Jason van Staveren

This film is a short re-seeing of the design and spending flaws of a bureaucratic system.  A lost room below the SUNY Albany campus is imagined as a secret chamber, and its accessibility considered on different terms.

Random Acts of Kindness - Joe Glickman

An upbeat short, with a 'Happy-Go-Lucky' feel to it, this film highlights the happiness that random acts of kindness bring to people of all ages and genders.

June 23, 2013 at 10:30pm

Save The Date – Mike Feurstein

In this short comedy, two women make a bad date worse before they discover the secret behind some well-timed advice. 

quit job. press play - Nathan Meltz

A story of labor in three parts, told in a dada collage-meets-stop motion animation style. Technology’s influence on the institutions of school, war, and the factory are explored through the use of robotic characters that struggle to escape jobs that threaten to bore, brainwash, and kill them.

June 30, 2013 at 10:30PM

Un Baiser - Kevin Craig West and Sabeen Pervez

Enlisting the help of a porous celebrity, a determined man relentlessly pesters a beautiful woman for one kiss.

Bobby Undead - Mark Fiske and John Glenn

This mockumentary follows the story of Bobby and his close loved ones.  In a terrible accident, Bobby ingested some strange virus that has killed him and taken over his body, extensively turning him into a zombie.

July 7, 2013 at 10:30pm

Howard Stoner/Urban Farmer - Anthony Salamone

This short film is truly a collision of two passions: baking bread and the growing of grain.  You can’t have one without the other.

day snow| night snow - Marty Hardin

A look at snow fall, in daylight and at night, and the transformation of the world on which it falls.

More Than Hair – Dorothy Davila

The story of Dorothy Davila and her hair.  Diagnosed at 18, but noticing its effects much earlier, alopecia has infiltrated every aspect of her life, even dance. However, through these hardships she proves she is more than just hair.

July 14, 2013 at 10:30pm

The Notebook - Scott Danni

In a small town, on a quiet homestead, you never know who you may have breakfast with.

Space Nurses - Mike Feurstein  

A young boy uses his special gift to try to repair a family divide, but everyone needs something extra from the stars before their heart light fades away.  

DxONE - Dan Masucci

A family experiences ups and downs while coming to terms with their son's diagnosis with type 1 diabetes.

July 21, 2013 at 10:30pm

Black Creek - John W. Yost

After his release from prison, Josh tries to convince his family to move from this universe to the next through quantum suicide.  Unfortunately his sacrifice does nothing but shatter his family.

Rappin' for Godot - Stephen Blauweiss and Gilles Malkine 

The elusive humorists Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine present the breakthrough play of Samuel Beckett, as it might be performed by a hapless pair of academic rappers. The entire three-hour play is condensed into four minutes of nonstop hip-hop, with no intermission.

Five years and counting...

Five years ago TvFILM started it’s mission.  It is hard to believe that TvFILM Guy (you know, the dude with the television set on his head) has survived in the cutthroat business of primetime television.  Right now, we’re in the midst of our current call for entries.  So, let’s get that out of the way right now, send us your short film or tell someone to send us their film.  OK, back to reminiscing – it’s June 2008 and your local public television broadcaster, WMHT is about to premiere a new program that will feature local and regionally-made, independent short films and interview the filmmakers who created them. 

Fast forward 58 short films and 74 filmmakers later, we’re set to premiere a new season Sunday, June 23^rd at 10:30pm.  The success of TvFILM can be attributed to two main factors.  The first is the amazing independent filmmaking talent we have in our region.  Each season the short films, filmmakers, actors, musicians and various other artisans is amazing.  Everyone seems to be talking about Nano tech but Upstate independent film is the best-kept secret this side of the Mississippi!  Don’t tell those folks in Austin.  The second factor is you, the audience.  Television programs only work when there is someone there to watch.  So, not only do we have talented artists but we also have an audience that appreciates their work.  Of course, local independent film goes well beyond TvFILM but we’re a good microcosm of what’s happening.  And it doesn’t hurt you don’t have to leave your couch.
 

We might have all the makings of a full-blown independent film scene, think Seattle in 1990’s!  Too fast?  OK, we’ll save that until next season.  To our filmmakers, we want to see your films!  Submit today!  To our audience, stay tuned for our best season yet!

TvFILM is Back!

TvFILM Season FIVE premieres this June!  As always, we’re going to bring you everything AND the kitchen sink that is Upstate independent film but, big but….

You guessed it – this is part of the equation where you put the P in public television and submit your jaw-droppingly amazing film!  Your cinematic masterpiece that you poured your blood, sweat, tears and bank account into deserves so much more then just a mere You Tube posting.  

Submit.  Watch.  DVR (yes, I’m using it as a verb). Re-Watch. Create.

Thank You.

This season of TvFILM is almost done!  It goes by so quick, a lot like summer vacation!  But before our final fade-out, just wanted to say thank you:
 

Thank you for watching.

Thank you for being our friend on Facebook and watching TvFILM episodes online.Thank you for keeping TvFILM around for 4 seasons!

Thank you for supporting local independent filmmaking.

Thank you for letting your neighbor shoot their short film in your backyard.

Thanks.

The official PREVIEW of this week's TvFILM

This week’s TvFILM is so super-sized even Mayor Bloomberg has warned against watching so much independent film in one sitting.  We can’t help ourselves – checkout what’s coming your way:

Tyler  by Darian Henry & Bhawin Suchak

This short documentary film tells the story of 17 year-old Tyler Rhodes, who was stabbed to death in Albany in 2011, through the memories of his mother Stacey and the voices of young people who knew him.  The youth speak about ways we can prevent this type of violence in our communities. 

Learn more about Youth FX!

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder by  Michael Landrio

Bipolar disorder is a volatile and difficult illness. Whether experiencing it or witnessing it, mania is a dangerous, yet beautiful thing.

Checkout Michael’s very cool blog and a Batman inspired film.

Leap by Joshua Dodway

The decision making process of a young man parallels the suspense of competitive diving. 

You're Welcome by Alex Nye 

A self-cleaning house, or is it? This charming film uses the technique of stop-motion. Great stop motion short film!

See you Sunday at 10:30pm!

TvFILM Season Four Rundown!

Here is the list of selected short films and filmmakers that WMHT will be featuring as part TvFILM, Season 4.  The 6-part weekly television series begins June 24 at 10:30pm. Film titles are listed in alphabetical order.

AMERICA america - Mark Gamma
A short film depicting the rise and fall of the American Dream.
  
American Love - Andy Cahill
Chris Jackson, a reporter for a local paper unlocks a story bigger than he could have possibly imagined.
  

Come Life - Sharon Alley

A film inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “Canterbury Pilgrims”, in which two young Shakers who have fallen in love and are leaving the celibate religious community meet others who are disillusioned with life in the wider world who are seeking a better life with the Shakers.

The Hollow - Ken Omiya

A young man loses his identity through the shelter of a mask.

Laybabb: A Story In Gibberish - Mike Feurstein

A humorous and contemporary take on the story of the Tower of Babel, these vignettes feature modern versions of miscommunication where characters are the architects of their own misfortunes in love, business, friendship, pizza and crepes.

Leap - Joshua Dodway

The decision making process of a young man parallels the suspense of competitive diving. 

Math: Adds Up To More Than You Think - Stephen Blauweiss

This documentary short on the Art of Problem Solving’s Summer Math Intensive at Bard College covers the role of math in human development, the universality of math as well as its particularism, and the art and beauty of math. 

Personal Democracy - Hunter Dimin

This adaptation of the short story “Franchise” by Issac Asimov references powerful groups who have unjustified influence on elections in the 21^st century. 

The Princess and the Dragon - Mark Fisk and Terence Tolman

A short film following the trials and tribulations of Meta the Dragon. 

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder - Michael Landrio

Bipolar disorder is a volatile and difficult illness. Whether experiencing it or witnessing it, mania is a dangerous, yet beautiful thing.

The Secret Friend - Flavio Alves and Fernando Pinheiro 

A reclusive, elderly widow, Anna Marshall, lives in quiet desperation until she begins receiving daily calls from a silent stranger.

Tyler - Darian Henry and Bhawin Suchak 

This short documentary film tells the story of 17 year old Tyler Rhodes, who was stabbed to death in Albany in 2011, through the memories of his mother Stacey and the voices of young people who knew him.  The youth speak about ways we can prevent this type of violence in our communities. 

 

Vanished - Kate Shadlock      

The beauty of a home is far more significant than its bricks and mortar.

You're Welcome - Alex Nye 

A self-cleaning house, or is it? This charming film uses the technique of stop-motion.

Your Very Own Feast - Mike Blaney  

Roy, an office worker who sleepwalks through his days at work receives a time capsule that he wrote to himself as a senior in high school.  Elements of the real world begin to contaminate the refuge of his dreams as he realizes that his ambitions are unfulfilled. 

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU to all the artists who submitted their work to season four of TvFILM.  It is truly a privilege to have a front row seat to all the amazing short films and filmmakers this region has to offer.  Stay tuned for more info on season four which premieres Sunday, June 24^th! 

Yeah, it’s right around the corner - somebody turn on the coffee cause the TvFILM crew is going all night!

NY Shout Out

Last season on TvFILM we showcased a series of shorts created by students from Tech Valley High School and the Youth Media Sanctuary. This was a great opportunity to see teen filmmakers coming together to learn, collaborate and express themselves with the short films they created! If you missed it, you can watch the episode here. This year The Sanctuary for Independent Media will host NY Shout Out: 3rd Annual Youth Media Festival! The festival features teen filmmakers who use digital media to communicate their vision and hopes for the future. The festival will have a production workshop for teens featuring Green Guerillas Youth Media Tech Collective from Ithaca, Harlem Live from Manhattan, Youth FX from Albany, Youth Media Sanctuary and Tech Valley HS from Troy. Some of the groups will show their work as apart of the festival, which starts at 7pm It all happens this Saturday, 4/28 at the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy. Go to mediasanctuary.org for all the info.

The Curse of Part Four!

The fourth season of TvFILM is set to invade your living rooms on Sunday, June 24th at 10:30pm! No, it’s not going to interrupt Downton Abbey, relax.

But there is a real concern with this upcoming fourth season. In the world of cinema what fourth film in a series was any good? Think about it- you have Rocky 4, Lethal Weapon 4, and The Phantom Menace? (It was the fourth Star Wars film.) You’re right, those are not independent films but realistically indie filmmakers are lucky to make one film let alone a sequel, minus Kevin Smith.

OK, so back to part fours, there has to be at least one good one? Need to brainstorm - Alien 4, Jaws: The Revenge (my personal favorite), all those bad 80’s horror films, Godfather part 4(OK, they never made this one, just seeing if you were paying attention), Rambo 4 but just titled Rambo, Indiana Jones 4…..

Wait! TvFILM has had three successful seasons of showcasing amazing, independent, regionally-made short films! The Capital Region is truly the anomaly of great independent film and media. We’ve got nothing to worry about, but I’ll plug our call for entries anyway (please send us your short films by 5/18). Sorry for the panic attack! Here’s to another successful season!

Brandon B.
Host, TvFILM

Official Call for Entries!

TvFILM needs your short films for our fourth season coming this June! It’s simple - you’re makin’em and we want to show’em – documentaries, student films, animation, experimental, narratives, music video, works-in–progress, anything and everything! Go to wmht.org/tvfilm for all the submission details! The deadline is May 18th but don’t wait, submit your film today! Oh, and help us spread the word, tell a friend!