Independent Streak Magazine -- September 2015 by Rachel Galvin

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE SEPTEMBER 2015

MONTHLY

Aar on Johnson: Young f ilmmaker makes his mar k

Stev e Daron Tal k s "Shadow Fighter"

M A PS 305 Grand Openi ng

" Unsul l i ed" NFL pl ayer turned f i l mmak er

"Walt Bef or e Mickey" opens Featured A ctor: A nth ony M cK ay

Lor i Wyman, C.S. A. get s Ar t ios Nom. www.independent st reakmagazine.com

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M A PS 305 Grand Openi ng The new production company, MAPS 305, located at 4555 NE 6 Ave., Ft Lauderdale, FL, held their grand opening on Aug. 15. This was the place to be with plenty of filmmakers and actors coming from all around . Offering low prices to rent, this studio caters to the indie filmmaker since it is run by three local filmmakers: Michael Mclaren, Alexandra Bello and Vivian Orozco. (See Pg. 2 for more info.)

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M A P S 30 5 Green screen Conf erence room Make-up st at ions Wardrobe, props, st orage St oryboard t abl e Equipment f or rent Services avail abl e Perf ect f or phot o shoot s f il ming Garage door f or easy ent ry Big enough t o bring in cars! Af f ordabl e pricing!

4555 NE 6t h Ave. Ft Lauderdal e, FL 33334 786-440-8450

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Let t er f rom t he Publ isher It's September. Is it possible it is fall already? It makes me think of the word "fall" and makes me wonder what I am falling behind in... What do I need to catch up on? Do I need to clean my apartment more and get organized? (Answer: yes). Do I need to work on some new skill building? Maybe you ask yourself he same questions. But also, have you fallen before in some area and are still beating yourself up for it? Maybe you bombed an audition. Maybe you are having a hard time with writer's block and are way behind in getting that script done. Maybe you are having a hard time with relationships because you are spending too much time working and are struggling to balance. Now is the time to assess all those times you feel you have fallen and realize that everyone falls and the important thing is to get back up and keep going. Forgive yourself and move on.

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In d u st r y BOOST Co m p et i t i o n This Thanksgiving, the WideScreen Film & Music Video Festival is giving away $3000, as well as 2nd and 3rd Place prizes in its IndustryBOOST Competition. The funds will help the winning filmmaker finish a project or start a new one. They will accept: 1) Scripts - 10 Pages or Less 2) Music Video Screenplay - 10 Pages or Less 3) Trailers - 3 minutes or less 4) Kickstarter/ Indiegogo/ GoFundMe Campaign Videos - 5 minutes or less 5) Completed Short Film, seeking Post Production/ Distribution Expenses - 15 mins or less *WINNERS will Be Announced Thanksgiving Day 2015 *Early Bird Submissions have already begun *Entries Close on Friday , Oct. 30

Be like Rocky and just keep punching. Break a leg! --Rachel Gal vin

To submit your film, visit https:/ / filmfreeway.com/ festival/ IndustryBoostCompetition.

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SEE INDEPENDENT FILMS weekl y at :

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St ay i n -t h e-k n o w : MEET THE AUTHOR

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- www.independent st reakmagazine.com

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I nner Cit y Filmmaker s Since 1993, Inner-City Filmmakers has assisted more than 600 young people in Los Angeles County. Their goal is to provide a "creative outlet for diverse, disadvantaged, talented and dedicated youth; to promote the diversity of gender and ethnicity in the entertainment industry and to help diverse youth achieve higher levels of self-esteem and change their lives. The way the program works is by pairing kids and young adults (aged 17-22) with mentors, putting them in entry-level jobs in the entertainment industry to help them learn the ropes and create a career for themselves. The program was the brainchild of Fred Heinrich, who was nominated as a "CNN Hero." (Nominations closed Sept. 1 and the CNN winner has yet to be announced, as of press time). The program is broken down into a winter/ spring and summer program. The upcoming winter/ spring program runs 10 weeks in length and with intermediate and advanced classes. Classes include Screenwriting, Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Grip, Sound, Avid Editing, 3D Visual Effects, Graphic Design, Advertising, Marketing, Documentary Filmmaking and more. They show students films and bring in guest speakers. Classes run three to four hours each, five times per week. Throughout the year, there are many industry opportunities provided for the students, including being invited to Q&As with industry professionals (provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences), being able to carry Oscars down the red carpet into the Kodak Theater during the Academy Awards, participation in the ACE Student 5 Editing Award Competition and the ability to attend

Sept em ber 2015

their annual ACE EDDIE Awards. In addition, the Motion Picture Sound Editors invite students to work and attend their annual MPSE Golden Reel Awards Banquet. The American Society of Cinematographers invites students to attend their annual open house. The students can attend Sundance (hosted by Creative Artists Agency) and meet film industry professionals. For more information on this program, visit www.innercityfilmmakers.com.

Now on VOD:

Krissy Belle Actress Carole Wood stars in this funny film about a Southern belle who moves to South Florida. This "fish of water" tale gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "culture shock." It is humor with a "Southern Twang and a Salsa Twist." Directed by Alyn Darnay, the film stars plenty of South Floridian actors and actresses, and features Florida locations. Find it on Facebook. See t he f il m on Amazon and el sewhere.

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NFL pl ayer t urned f il mmaker, Simeon Rice

Fi l m r ev i ew : "Un su l l i ed " By Dave Mont al bano ht t p:/ / cinemadave.l ivejournal .com

After retiring from the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneer Superbowl Champion Simeon Rice attended a New York film school to prepare to become a filmmaker. After directing his first short subject, "When I was King," Simeon poured his energies into writing "Unsullied," a gritty thriller that follows Reagan Farrow (Murray Gray), a track star, who is kidnapped by a pair of sociopaths after her car breaks down on a deserted road. Rice?s latest film feels like a cross between "The Most Dangerous Game," "Apocalypto" and "Deliverance." ?Seeing Deliverance, I was on edge. With film, once you see an image, you cannot un-see it!? said Rice. "Deliverance" shares the same rural landscape as "Unsullied."

Rice and his crew spent more time scouting rural locations near Tampa Bay than the actual production of the film, which was shot in 23 days last autumn. Simeon has high praise for his production crew and he acknowledges the contributions of his leading actors. ?Murray Gray is a deep thinker and is wise beyond her years. Rusty Joiner, who plays Noah Evans, is the consummate Southern gentleman, often holding the door for a lady. On screen, he entered another dimension and created Satan personified, the kind of church boy you do not trust,? he explained. Given that he chose to film "Unsullied" in Florida and had a good experience with the community, perhaps he can become an advocate for the Florida film industry; he definitely has a streak of independence about him. But Rice did not come from Florida originally. He grew up in the South Side of Chicago in the worst part of town. Of his youth, he said, ?Being a kid on the street with gang violence, you have to think. You become a straight shooter. It prepared me to make quick decisions on the set.? Rice has already completed another script titled "Full Tilt," a tense drama about backroom poker. Although he has delved now into film, he still thinks about his previous career. When asked if he misses football, he said, ?Yes! Maybe not a pre-season game, but I miss the game itself. It is something that is hotwired in me.? The film was shown at selected locations in South Florida on August 28. To find out more about the film and where the film is shown next, visit http://unsulliedthefilm.com.

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Comi ng soon: "Fal l away" ?Fallaway? follows five separate storylines focusing on a manhunt of a brutal serial killer. The stories all converge in climactic twists, allowing the audience to get into the mind of one pushed beyond their breaking point. Many aspects of this story are based on true events, as ?Fallaway?tackles current, relevant issues like child abuse, sexual abuse and bullying, all wrapped in a compelling crime drama. These issues not only affect the victims, but can have both short and long term effects on society.? www.Fal l awayMovie.com.

Comi ng soon: "Abnormal s " Pilot written by Joseph Weisler and produced and directed by Ben Clerveaux, who also did the cinematography and editing, this film was shot July 31 and Aug. 1. It follows the story of Sheryl, a 37-year-old nurse who finds that her husband, who left home following an argument, might not be returning. Through the aid of friends and a little luck, she finds that her husband's disappearance may have been a blessing in disguise. Find t hem on Facebook.

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Have you submit t ed t o Sundance? The LATE deadline to submit to Sundance is fast approaching.

Sept em ber 2015

FLIFF Po st er Par t y

U.S. and Int ernat ional Short Fil ms: Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 - $80 entry fee

It is the 30th year this year for the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival and it will hold its poster unveiling on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. at Riverside Hotel, 620 E. Las Olas Blvd, in Ft. U.S. and Int ernat ional Feat ure Fil ms: Lauderdale. Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 - $110 entry fee Find out more about the upcoming film festival. Please note that the above dates are not postmark deadlines, they are the Meet fellow cinefiles. It is a great time to see old dates by which your film MUST be received in our office! If your film does friends and meet new ones for frequent visitors of the fest. not arrive by the deadline for which you have registered, you will be required to make an additional payment in order to bring your account up See the last poster by longtime poster to date. photographer Peter Langone. (see more about Make sure to read all the regulations (there are 30 of them!) and Peter, Pg. XX). understand the various categories, which have regulations of their own. There really is a wide variety of ways you can be part of the event -- even if this is not considered your premier. Break a leg! If you go to Sundance, bring a warm coat. The weather can be brutal!

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Pet er Langone Sept . 7, 1949 - Aug. 12, 2015 On August 12, the world lost a gem. A talented photographer and friend, Peter Langone, lost his battle with Liver Cancer. In addition to working on many commercial campaigns, lifestyle shoots, films and commercials, Peter had been the official poster photographer for the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival (FLIFF). He also captured so many amazing celebrities through the years as well. FLIFF plans on having a tribute to him during the film festival this year. Peter, you will be missed.

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Feat ur ed Act or : An t h on y M cKay

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring actors, he said, "Have complete and utmost confidence in yourself and don't be like every other 'cookie cutter' actor out there."

By Rachel Gal vin

If McKay were not an actor, he would have been a lawyer, he said. He added that he was a Michael Jackson/ Prince Tribute Artist in Legends in Concert in Las Vegas and Hawaii for years.

Actor Anthony McKay was born in Chicago, IL to a Jamaican father and Columbian mother as an only child. He went to high school in Jamaica and College in the U.S.A. where he modeled professionally as he worked his way through school.

His latest project, a TV series, "Sangre Negra" is a cross-generational saga that also features actors like stars Erik Estrada, Eric Roberts and many others.

He got into acting when he auditioned for a college play on a dare and won the role of Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet." It was then that he realized "how much he loved the attention and how good he was at showing off." He studied English at Loyola University where he graduated with a B.A. in Creative Writing and went to Columbia College for his B.A. in Acting. He has had plenty of inspiration through the years. "My favorite actors are Billy Dee Williams, Cary Grant, Brad Pitt, Errol Flynn, Antonio Banderas and Pierce Brosnan," he said, adding, "My Dream Role is 'James Bond' because I feel my particular strengths as an a screen presence would be put to its utmost use in that role." "The most difficult role I've ever played was as a drug addict ... mainly because I have never used drugs," he continued.

Asked how it got its start, McKay said, "When our director, Frank Pinnock, and I were frustrated when the funding of a movie we were planning fell through, we decided to create a TV series that we would both like to watch -- a combination of "Dallas" and "The Sopranos" with a wealthy Hispanic family at the center and a truly diverse cast around us. "The biggest obstacle," he said,

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"was people not wanting to give us money for something that had never been done before. Our answer: 'That's what makes it worth doing!'" In the show, McKay plays Ricky Santos, who he describes as "the bastard Son of Guillermo Santos [Erik Estrada]." He added, "Ricky Santos is a creation of the perfect storm of street smarts, natural charm and learned elegance, acquired when he is taken in by his father off of the streets when his mother is murdered when he was 14 years old. His natural gifts prove essential to his popularity with his peers. However, his treatment by his resentful stepmother pushes him to the wrong side of the law where he flourishes and quickly begins his rise to the top of the criminal hierarchy."

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The Dish Network, Verizon / Fios, Direct TV and possibly Hulu and / or Netflix. Check out his IMDB.com. Pict ured (Right ): McKay wit h direct or Frank Pinnock. (Bel ow): McKay wit h Bert Hickson, who pl ays "Downt own Leo Brown."

Networks showing "Sangre Negra" include MiCasa Network,

www.newmediaf il mf est ival .com

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Yo u ng f i l mmak e r ... bi g mo v e s A ar o n Jo h n so n 14-yr-old Aaron Johnson is making big moves! Since he was 9-years-old, this go-getter has been pursuing his dreams and making a name for himself. He started working in editing, from learning Movie Maker to Sony Vegas, Movie Plus, Hit Film, iMovie, Final Pro X and Adobe Premier CS6. In the meantime, he was enrolled in a magnet school for broadcasting and even started his own production company at the age of 12. He has produced everything from projects for various churches within and outside of the United States to music videos for the legendary Betty Wright, TYVI Polo Williams and his multi-talented brother Dontrell. This year, he won an award for his film "Lost" at the ?Widescreen Film & Music Festival." Also this year, he was honored by the Mayor of Miami Gardens, Mr. Oliver Gilbert at the 10th anniversary of Jazz in the Gardens, for his service in the community, as well as being an inspiration and positive role model for teens. He is spokesperson for The Trayvon Martin Foundation's "Student Of The Week" broadcast. He is one of the youngest members of the Great

Black Speakers Bureau. In July, he received the McDonalds 365 Black Youth award at the Essence Festival in New Orleans. His accolades have earned him some attention, including being featured in the "Miami Times" (March 2015 edition, July 2013 edition), as well as on The Donnie McClurkin Syndicated Radio Show, Hot 105 with Rick Party In the Afternoon, TBN and on live television - Channel 6 ?6 In the Mix.? What is this prodigy up to now? He is currently traveling globally with his ?You are never too young? book tour promoting his two books ?You Are Never Too Young? (2014) and ?Winning Mind Battles? (2015). This young man is dedicated to changing lives and changing the world through his vision. He said, ?Giving up is the only way you can fail. Turn your pain into power and your power into persuasion.?

Got a Bi r t h d ay ? You need Birt hdayComp.com! Creat ed by act ors/ f il mmakers Jan Van Der Baan, Mel ody Van Der Baan and Tom Leeman, t his service al l ows peopl e t o get FREE and discount ed st uf f on t heir birt hday. Most goodies are in t he Del ray, FL area, but el sewhere as wel l . You have t o check t his out !

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N om inat ed f or A r t ios Congrat s, Lori Wyman Congrats to Casting Director Lori Wyman who was nominated for an Artios award for Best Casting on "Bloodline." The Artios Awards are celebrating their 31st year Jan. 21, 2016. The Artios Awards honor the originality, creativity and contribution of casting. See www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios for details. Lori S. Wyman, C.S.A. has been casting in South Florida since 1979. In her early years, she worked on projects like "Miami Vice," "BL Stryker" and "21 Jumpstreet," among others. More recently, she has cast everything from "The Glades," "Burn Notice," "Magic City" and "Graceland" to "Iron Man 3," "Pain and Gain" and "Dolphin Tale," among others.

She has been nominated three times prior for an Artios Award for "Dexter," "Pain & Gain" and "Recount." She won for the latter. In addition, she won an Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special for "Recount." When not casting, Wyman has been a guest speaker and leads seminars. She has created some informational videos about the industry, important tips for actors. She even wrote a book titled: ?The Organic Actor: Insider's Secrets to Auditioning for Film and Television? about her experiences and knowledge throughout her casting career. For more information on this well-known casting director, visit ht t p:/ / l oriwymancast ing.com.

Save t he dat e:

Popcor n Fright s Oct . 1-4 O Cinema Wynwood What is it ? Look it up! More, next issue.

www.popcornf right s.com

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Stev e Daron Tal k s

" Sh adow Fi gh ter " By Rachel Gal vin Steve Daron has had a long career, slowly building up his reel over time and even owning his own production company, First Edge Films Studio. He was recently in award-winning projects that hit the festival circuit, like "Hidden Assets," which went to Cannes, "Hollow Creek" and "Bus Driver," which received distribution, and "Callous," which won Best Florida Feature at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival,"among many others. But his latest project, "Shadow Fighter," he says, could be his best yet. In the film, his character, "Lightning Rhodes," is a homeless ex boxing contender who finds himself training an inner city kid to defend himself from street dealers that are forcing him to sell drugs. This unlikely bond between them puts it all on the line. The film, directed by Alyn Darnay, includes a special appearance by the legendary Burt Reynolds.

"Shadow Fighter" was made in part in Lake Worth, FL and the crew received the Key to the City from Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein and the mayor with the help of Chuck Elderd of Palm Beach Film Commission office. I.S. had a chance to talk to this actor/ producer/ writer about the film and his career. Q. What inspired you t o come up wit h "Shadow Fight er?" A. For the longest time I wanted to do a film that brought people together, no matter what their circumstance, ethnicity, race or beliefs. I came from a family of professional fighters (my grandfather and my brother are professional boxers) and I trained in boxing and martial arts gyms my whole life and, as the years went on, I would help out the young newer fighters. I met some great people from different backgrounds. When I was looking for material to write a feature film script that I could produce, I was looking for something that was in my wheelhouse and was not only about the boxing, but the people and relationships I developed training with them over the years. I realized the relationships I developed were so special because we respected each other as fighters, not relating or caring about race, age or gender. So, now, I had the type of value and meaning that planted a seed to motivate me to create a story of much larger magnitude. Q. What is it about t his f il m t hat makes it so dif f erent t han ot her f il ms you have been invol ved wit h? A. Because I was able to hire the crew that I wanted and also be a part of the casting of the actors. Obviously, 14 this film allows me to share a message that I have been

fortunate to benefit from. Q. Why did you ul t imat el y set t l e on Al yn Darnay as t he direct or? A. It's a great piece for him to direct because he understands the emotional pain and conflict of the characters. I needed someone edgy and he was that type of in-your-face bring-it-all-out directors. He had the grittiness. He was the one that helped make it an inner-city fable. Alyn knows the business and knows when an actor is being truthful and honest or just calling in a line, or playing an emotion. Q. What is import ant f or peopl e t o know when coming on your set ? A. Everyone worked hard so that's my protocol on set, no lazy people. This is a tough town to be successful in as a producer because, for a lot of people, it's not a full-time job, I don't want my film to look like a hobby film, that's why post is so important. We had the best of equipment, even used 4K drone shots for big picture feel. Q. What was it l ike working wit h Burt Reynol ds? (who I know you worked wit h bef ore in "Hol l ow Creek" and al so in his cl asses). A. Working with Mr. Reynolds, once he agrees to be in your film, is very smooth. He's quiet professional, prepared and then wishes you well. You may get a hug or a kiss and he's gone. Now, getting him to be in your film is extremely difficult. First, obviously, like all actors, he needs to read the script and like the character he's playing. Then, he asks for the finished product (which includes color correction, sound editing, etc.) without his scenes, of course, and, if it's not high quality, it's obviously not a good career move for him. As far as working with him in classes, for me, it's freeing and he understands me as an actor so the chemistry 15 works.

Actors have to get a coach that fits them, some actors like coaches that spend time orating all class. They are the center focus. I like Burt Reynolds because we are working and we are memorizing constantly, and doing meaty work with a beginning, middle and end, so it's like a mini play or movie. It keeps you sharp and creatively engaged. Q. What was t he most chal l enging aspect of put t ing t his f il m t oget her? A. Getting authentic locations and building authentic sets to match the inner city dangerous environment. We got abandoned buildings [in which] we built old abandoned boxing gyms and real burnt and deserted buildings for our homeless characters. It was pretty amazing. Q. Did you t rain f or t his? A. Yes, I trained at American Top Team with world-ranked Super Middle Weight Dyah Davis, who was also in the film with Olympic Wrestler and Pro MMA fighter Steve Mocco. We had to go beyond my regular conditioning and include pad drills [and a sequence when training the kid in the film]. Q. What is t he dist ribut ion pl an f or t he f il m? A. I am going to first go through major festivals to get recognition before distribution negotiations. Of course, that's the

business plan I want to execute. There are never ANY guarantees and that's why most don't do it. It can be painful, but, screw it, I have a story I need to tell. Q. Anyt hing el se peopl e shoul d know about t he f il m? A. The concept of the story is something that I came up with years ago, but it is very fitting for today's

Sav e th e date:

Duende Oct. 2-4

M usi c, dance & h i story Enj oy th e cul mi nati on of Brow ard 100 i n dow ntow n Ft. Lauderdal e, FL

social problems. It also shows you that you never know from whom you're going to get the help you need in life to get by. I think that's another reason for my determination to get this done on my terms. Find him under www.imdb.com.

Fi nd out more i nf ormati on at w w w .b row ard.org/ b row ard100

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19t h Annual Brazil ian Fil m Fest ival Held Sept. 12 to 19, the Brazilian Film Festival is bringing more great films straight from Brazil. Anyone who loves the Brazilian flair will love this fest, which is a celebration of their culture. The program begins with a free event on Sept. 12 at the New World Symphony Soundscape with the screening of the film ?Trinta? by Paul Machline, an "ode to the greatest genius of Brazilian carnival, Jo達osinho Trinta." Free entrance! From September 13 to 15, Miami Beach Cinematheque hosts the Miami premiere - special screenings of recent documentaries. And from September 16 to 19, the best of Brazilian cinema is back to the wonderful art deco-style Colony Theatre, which traditionally hosts the competitive screenings of BRAFF Miami. The Films in competition are premieres in Miami and represent a diverse panorama of the latest Brazilian productions. The Crystal Lens Award will be given to the best feature film voted by audience. ht t p:/ / inf f init o.com.

Ar t i s t s f o r Chang e Musicians, poets, visual artists, dancers, healers, activists, community leaders and educators unite to bring change and make their voices heard about issues important to them in a line up of original and passionate artists. As part of 100 Thousand Musicians & Poets?worldwide, an annual celebration of art and unity, Hollywood/ Ft. Lauderdale, FL organizers are presenting a concert, an al fresco mixer with live music, art displays and performances and an engaging forum, which will further add to the evening?s highly cultural agenda. The event st art s at 8.30 pm at Cinema Paradiso-Fort Lauderdal e on Sat urday, Sept . 26. Performers include prominent musicians Richie Lane, Reblah Star and the event?s Grammy nominated headliner, Jahdan Blakkammoore. This event has evolved into a worldwide movement, with an annual global celebration on the last Saturday of September. Staged simultaneously in over 115 countries on average, with hundreds of individual events, numbers have been growing rapidly. The goal is to create an artistic platform to promote peace and sustainability. All documentation on the 100tpc.org website is preserved by Stanford University each year, which recognized 100 Thousand Poets for Change in 2011, as a historical event - the largest poetry reading in history. Tickets start at $20 for VIP, $15 general admission, $12 for members. For a ticket upgrade of $10, adult patrons (21+) can enjoy an after party at Club Stache (includes admission, VIP seating, hors d?oeuvres and a beverage). RSVP and f ind program det ail on Facebook (www.FB.com/ event s/ 832929786789459). In addition, the event is set to be live streamed through web platforms, www.rockstardreams.com and www.100TPC.comwebsites, respectively. Cinema Paradiso-FTL is located at 503 SE 6 St. Parking is free in The Courthouse Parking Garage .

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"Wal t Bef ore Mickey" opens Sept . 4 By Rachel Gal vin

Written and produced by South Florida residents and natives, Arthur L. Bernstein and Armando Gutierrez, "Walt Before Mickey" is a PG-rated independent movie filmed entirely in Florida starring Thomas Ian Nicholas ("American Pie") as Walt Disney, Jon Heder ("Napoleon Dynamite") as Roy Disney, Jodie Sweetin ("Full House") as Charlotte Disney and David Henrie ("Wizard of Waverly") as Rudy Ising. Based on the book by the same name, the film covers the early years of Walt Disney's life and career detailing his struggle to succeed after repeated failures and obstacles. I.S. had t he chance t o t al k t o producer/ writ er Art hur L. Bernst ein about t he ambit ious project . When asked why he wrote the film, he said, "No one had ever done a movie about Walt?s early years. We wanted to show the man behind all the magic! He was a man who came from meager beginnings and truly lived the American Dream." The principle photography took 18 days from Dec. 17 until Dec. 23, 2014. Then, they took a break, had a conference, and, came

back Jan. 18 to finish the remaining 11 days. But, this time, they came back with a new director and a new direction for the movie. Filming resumed despite the fact that director Khoa Lee had bronchitis and pink eye for two weeks. Lee had to work fast to pull the film together. Bernstein explained, "We gave him an 800 plus page book, a 152 page draft script, and a condensed a 100 page shooting script where we had no choice but, to get up to speed within three weeks. We constructed scenes with the limited budget and resources we had. No words to describe the challenge." Bernstein was lucky to have a well-known cast in his film. He said, "Jon Heder did a great job portraying Roy. He was perfect for this role! He was the first actor we hired for the film. He came to the audition not once, but twice. Jon is a very low-key person, very family-oriented and very driven. We took a risk on casting Jon because he's a comedic actor but, we looked at the success of Bill Murray and Jim Carrey and felt that Jon could pull this off. So we booked his flight in advance. "After Jon, we cast several child star actors, such as former Disney star David Henrie and TV star Jodie Sweetin ("Full House"). We also acquired Hunter Gomez ("National Treasure"), Ayla Kell ("Rebound") and Taylor Gray ("Star Wars Rebels"). "The hardest and most difficult task was casting Walt Disney. It was a challenge. Thomas did a fantastic job. He was the last actor we hired. He got sick with a really bad cold and never took off work. He worked like a dog! He came prepared every day and even carried a copy of the book around, and frequently read it so he could be as true to the character as possible. Thomas really shines in this role. "Jon and Thomas, ironically, randomly sat next to each other on the flight from California to Florida and bonded on the flight! By the time they landed, they were very good 18 friends, which made shooting so much better. "

He added, "I was originally going to play Charles Mintz but, we decided I resembled Newman the most out of our cast. He was the first to give Disney the opportunity to present his animation on the big screen through his theater and film studio Newman Laugh-O-Gram Films. "Armando plays Disney's best friend and the greatest animator of all time Ub Iwerks. "We also had a cameo from World Series MVP, Bucky Dent. Our wives also have small roles in the movie as an actress and a secretary." The film was shot in Deland and Sanford, FL and the actors stayed in what many said was a haunted hotel called Artisan Inn. Bernstein did find challenges when making the film, including having to cut down the script. In addition, many of the crew members wore multiple hats and the budget limited what they were able to achieve. "It was frustrating to compromise the vision every single day," he said. "Our director asked for a crane to get the wide shot of the farm while young Walt would run through the fields. But that

crane never showed up to set due to budget constraints. It changed the entire shot list and plan on how it was going to be edited. Another example would be to have Uncle Robert pull-up in the driveway and then have him walk into the house with the family. Instead, I compromised by shooting an establishment shot of the house." Much like Walt Disney himself, the crew members found they would have to jump over hurdles in front of them to get to their final destination -- a finished film. "There were times during the movie we ran out of money, and we had to pull a huddle and get together and find it from somewhere else," said Bernstein. "Another hurdle is distribution. Without the backing of a major studio, and no marketing budget to speak of, finding screens to show the film is challenging and expensive. "It has helped that 'Walt Before Disney,' despite being an independent film, got the nod to be shown at AMC Downtown Disney Orlando, next to films like 'Straight Outta Compton.'" "Making Walt Before Mickey was a huge learning experience on all levels. The adversity that we had to go through proves the passion and commitment to the filmmaking process. You almost have to be out of your mind to want to go through what we went through. As Walt would say, never stop believing. Never give up on your dreams." The film is opening in California, San Diego, Arizona, Atlanta and other markets this month. And, they are working on getting it into more theaters. It opens in South Florida on Sept. 4.

For more inf ormat ion and screening l ocat ions, visit www.wal t bef oremickey.com.

Thomas Ian Nichol as as Wal t Disney, Art hur L. Bernst ein as Frank Newman and Ayl a Kel l as Bridgit in "Wal t Bef ore Mickey." Court esy of Lensbern Ent ert ainment and Congl omerat e Media.

I NDEPENDENT STREAK M AGAZI NE VOL 2, #9

Sept em ber 2015

Fi l m Rev i ew : "Rosenwal d" By Rachel Gal vin

Director Aviva Kempner does a masterful job of telling the story of the unsung philanthropist Julius Rosenwald in her documentary "Rosenwald." This "mensch" gained his place in history in several ways, including becoming the CEO of Sears & Roebuck and growing that well-known company. But perhaps his greatest contribution to his legacy was the creation of the Rosenwald schools through his Rosenwald fund, which began in 1917. Influenced by President Lincoln, who was his neighbor as a boy, this business mogul ended up being responsible for the education of so many African American children through the years. This is just a glimpse of a detailed tale of this amazing man's life. His story is told in this documentary through old footage, film clips, photos and interviews from poets, scholars and activists, including the late Julian Bond. The f il m opens in Sout h Fl orida on Friday, Oct . 2. For more inf ormat ion, cal l www.rosenwal df il m.org.