Upstate Independents, February 7, 2012
Meeting Agenda

1. Announcements
2. Guest Speakers – Nunzio Fazio and Lisa K. CrosatoNunzio Fazio and Lisa K. Crosato will discuss their short film, Kenmore Ave.About Kenmore Ave sychological thriller Kenmore Ave views a harrowing situation through two diverse main characters’ perspectives then begs to question… Is this: REALITY? AND/OR ILLUSION? Inspired by the Psychology photo: “An Old Woman or Young Woman,” one evening’s occurrence will prompt each audience member to visually interact, then decide… What REALLY happened HERE in Hollywood?

   About Nunzio:

   A member of the Director’s Guild of America, Nunzio Fazio is an award-winning director, producer and assistant director and has worked creatively on over 25 television and film projects including Party of Five, Kenmore Ave, and George of the Jungle.

   About Lisa:

   Lisa K. Crosato began her career in Vancouver, Canada where she worked in both theater and Canadian television. Early in her career she worked at the prestigious Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts with such notables as Gwyneth Paltrow and George Wendt and many Broadway actors. She moved to Los Angeles and worked on several independent films. She starred in the action film Deadly Ransom with Brion James and the road movieGuaranteed On Delivery with David Carradine. She has appeared in numerous independent movies including the award winning Dill Scallion, Progeny, The Russian Godfather and One More Round. Lisa co-produced and co-wrote the award winning Kenmore Ave, which she stars in. She also co-produced the award winning documentary From the Midst of Pain. Recently she has written her first feature length comedy screenplay called Moni and Lexi’s Big Fat Fortune. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her fiancé Ron Lemke.
3. Networking break – 15 minutes
4. Film screenings:
1. Super Knocked Up trailer – Jeff Burns will present the 1-minute trailer for his much-anticipated web series Super Knocked Up to debut on February 17th.
2. The Summer Monster – A father and his daughters go on a monster hunt and discover a surprise waiting for them instead.

The Upstate Independents Board:

Kevin Craig West: President
Mikolis Sargalis: Vice-President
Rosemary Thomas: Secretary
Ron Pucherelli: Treasurer and Membership Chair
Heidi Philipsen: Programming Chair
Barbara Whitchurch: Media Chair
Charles Galuski: Web Chair

Where we’re located:

Upstate Independents meets the first Tuesday of every month at

The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Avenue, Albany, NY from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Click here to view the Google map and get directions. It is a great opportunity to network with others who are interested in all aspects of film and television production.

Check out the best independent film and media resource in Upstate New York. For more information, e-mail us at info@upstateindependents.com

Upstate Independents, January 3, 2012

Meeting Agenda

1. Announcements

2. Guest Speaker – Tom MercerTom Mercer will share some insights and lessons learned while producing the cinematic documentary “American General: Benedict Arnold.” He will show some work-in-progress clips from this feature length film and talk about the many challenges he and his partners at Talon Films have had to overcome as they recreate key events of the American Revolution on both land and sea with a literal and virtual cast of thousands. A preview trailer can be viewed at www.talonfilms.comAbout Tom:

   Thomas Mercer studied film at Ithaca College while pursuing a degree in Politics.

   He made his directorial debut with the feature “UnCivil Liberties” currently in national distribution through Ariztical Entertainment. Prior to that he produced “Face of the Enemy” a short film which was showcased at the Claremont- Ferrand Film Festival in France and was subsequently picked up for European distribution by BritShorts of London.

   He co-wrote and co-produced “Women on Parole,” a TV pilot with InFocus Productions, is currently writing and producing “Benedict Arnold: American General” with Talon Films and has co-written three other feature screenplays. He served as associate producer on the official orientation film of the Saratoga Battlefield National Historical Park.
   

3. Networking break – 15 minutes
   
4. Film screenings will be finalized at a later date.
   
   

The Upstate Independents Board:

Kevin Craig West: President

Mikolis Sargalis: Vice-President

Rosemary Thomas: Secretary

Ron Pucherelli: Treasurer and Membership Chair

Heidi Philipsen: Programming Chair

Barbara Whitchurch: Media Chair

Charles Galuski: Web Chair

Where we’re located:

Upstate Independents meets the first Tuesday of every month at

The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Avenue, Albany, NY from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Click here to view the Google map and get directions. It is a great opportunity to network with others who are interested in all aspects of film and television production.

Check out the best independent film and media resource in Upstate New York. For more information, e-mail us at info@upstateindependents.com

Have resumes/references sent directly Deborah Goedeke at dgoedeke@albany.org.

CREW NEEDS:
–A lighting/grip PA to help our Director of Photography (ideally someone with set experience to set up the dolly, help with lighting, etc.) –A key PA/producer’s assistant to help with a variety of tasks throughout the shoot. These will include everything from scheduling to locations to organizing extras and crowd scenes.
–In both cases, the ideal person will be someone who is eager to learn about and be involved in film shoots. A ton of experience is not necessary, but a great attitude and a willingness to jump in where needed is.
–We also will be seeking an additional person for a day or two where we have more complicated shoots and crowd control needs I can go into more detail as we speak.

Upstate Independents, October 4, 2011

Meeting Agenda

1. Announcements

1. UI Industry Expo – This month’s Upstate Independents meeting will sponsor local vendors from across the board to share their knowledge and discuss the services they provide to the indie community thriving in upstate New York and the surrounding regions. Only here will you find out about the latest and greatest in areas such as lighting equipment, cameras, editing software, acting classes, writing software, sound and video production, production management, industry-related web services, and more.
2. Screenings – Kevin Craig West will present two shorts he acted in:a. Monkey Business is about a job interview.
   RUN TIME: 5 minutesb. Cameron and Steph – dating advice
   RUN TIME: 6 minutes

The Upstate Independents Board:

Kevin Craig West: President

Mikolis Sargalis: Vice-President

Rosemary Thomas: Secretary

Ron Pucherelli: Treasurer and Membership Chair

Heidi Philipsen: Programming Chair

Barbara Whitchurch: Media Chair

Charles Galuski: Web Chair

Rich Lundy: Fundraising Chair

Where we’re located:

Upstate Independents meets the first Tuesday of every month at

The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Avenue, Albany, NY from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Click here to view the Google map and get directions. It is a great opportunity to network with others who are interested in all aspects of film and television production.

Check out the best independent film and media resource in Upstate New York. For more information, e-mail us at info@upstateindependents.com

For last minute changes in the schedule, please visit http://www.upstateindependents.com on the day of the meeting.

Upstate Independents, September 6, 2011

Meeting Agenda

I. Announcements

II. Guest Speaker of the Month – Upstate Independent members who worked on Love Orchard and/or The Place Beyond the Pines

This month, we invite current Upstate Independents members to talk about their experience with two recent productions being filmed in upstate New York: Love Orchard directed by Farhad Mann and The Place Beyond The Pines directed by Derek Cianfrance. UI members have been integral to these productions from being background to production assistants in the office and/or on set to casting directors and more.

A 15-minute Q & A session is to follow.

III. A 15-minute Networking Break

IV. Film Screenings: Jon Cring – TOP OF THE WORLD by Talia Denis

UI member Jon Cring presents the music video for “Top of the World” by Talia Denis, which he was a director/producer on.

RUN TIME: 3mins

The Upstate Independents Board:

Kevin Craig West: President

Mikolis Sargalis: Vice-President

Rosemary Thomas: Secretary

Ron Pucherelli: Membership Chair

Heidi Philipsen: Programming Chair

Barbara Whitchurch: Media Chair

Charles Galuski: Web Chair

Rich Lundy: Fundraising Chair

Don’t Miss It!

Where we’re located:

Upstate Independents meets the first Tuesday of every month at The Linda: WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Avenue, Albany, NY from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Click here to view the Google map and get directions. It is a great opportunity to network with others who are interested in all aspects of film and television production.

Check out the best independent film and media resource in Upstate New York. For more information, e-mail us at info@upstateindependents.com