Studio
The Wrong Guys for the Job - A Conversation with Sean Sinerius
8/18/2010 at 8:00 PM by Kenneth Woo
Tell us a little about your background and how you came to film?
I mainly come from a music video and commercial background, although I also create short films every now
and again. I've always had a passion for cinema growing up and watching all sorts of different movies,
but it wasn't until midway through high school I started to take it seriously. With the advent of
digital camcorders (DVX100, Canon XL2, etc), I immersed myself heavily into the digital filmmaking world
and started building upon cinematography and editing skills with any project that came my way. I also
started to learn more about Adobe After Effects and motion graphics. From there, it just became a career
choice for me - I really didn't want to do anything else but direct, DP, and edit everything from
commercials, to music videos and films.
After a year and a half or so of film school, I was hired at a post house based out of Tempe Arizona
where I was mainly shooting and editing commercial/event videos. I eventually moved onto a Phoenix news
station where I joined their promotions team to shoot and edit promos. At the same time, my producer and
I were creating (and still continue to) music videos for artists throughout Arizona.
Sean Sinerius Editor, Cinematographer, Director
Don't Forget Sister - Video Premiere & Making-of Webisodes
5/24/2010 at 7:31 AM by Kenneth Woo
We're proud to bring you the music video that was brought to life through the collaborative efforts and talents of the Massify community, Epic Records and RSA Films for Low vs Diamond's Don't Forget Sister. Congratulations to filmmaker Matthew Chilbert and actress Katie Adler for making Massify's first music video such a resounding success. Read more to see the Making-of Webisodes with Matthew and Katie on the set.
Matthew Chilbert Other, Editor, Director
The Wrong Guys for the Job - A Conversation with Barbara Gray
4/21/2010 at 1:06 PM by Kenneth Woo
We had the opportunity to sit down with Barbara Gray and learn a little more about the emerging writer, as well as hear how development is progressing for The Wrong Guys for the Job - the first film from the Lionsgate Incubator partnership.
>> Read more
Barbara Gray Writer, Producer
A Conversation with Maya Kazan & Production Stills from Lulu At the Ace Hotel
4/1/2010 at 10:17 AM by Kenneth Woo
Maya Kazan's "Lulu at the Ace Hotel" has just wrapped principal photography as one of the selected films for our collaboration with Killer Films and the Ace Hotel. We caught up with Maya on the set to talk about her thoughts on Lulu as well as her plans as one of Massify's most promising filmmakers.
>> Read more
Maya Kazan Editor, Crew, Writer, Director, Actor
LOOP PLANES Announced for SXSW 2010
2/12/2010 at 9:19 AM by Kenneth Woo
We are thrilled with the news that Loop Planes, our first collaboration with Killer Films, has made it to SXSW this year.
Thanks again to the Massify community for making this such a successful program, and congratulations to Killer, Robin, and the entire Loop Planes team!
SXSW Announces Shorts Lineup
Killer Announces the Shortlist for the Ace Hotel Pitches!
11/24/2009 at 1:57 PM by James Sehring
We're thrilled to finally announce our 12 favorite pitches! Many apologies for the delay in announcing... I wanted to make sure that Killer gave each pitch a proper review. After much deliberation, we've pulled together a collection of diverse stories, all with the potential to be memorable little shorts, all taking advantage of the Ace's wonderful aesthetic. The quality of scripts was so high across the board, and to know that so much original content is at our finger tips is really exciting for us. We feel that each of these scripts represents a strong perspective, a unique point of view - Some are fresh takes on classic stories, others are nuanced character portraits. More than anything, they're all great ideas and we can't wait to sit down with the filmmakers and figure out how make it all work. Thanks so much to everyone who submitted. We REALLY enjoyed reading, so keep writing!
>> Read more
James Sehring Producer
Herzog on Directing
11/23/2009 at 1:13 PM by Suraj Das
Writer-director and independent filmmaking legend Werner Herzog recently gave this engrossing interview, posted on the Rotten Tomatoes website. In the piece, Herzog lists his five favorite films, discusses creative decision-making and production challenges on the set of the forthcoming "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans," and compares working with Klaus Kinski to directing Nicholas Cage (who appears to have turned in a truly notable performance in Herzog's latest). A fascinating read, for dedicated Herzog fans and newbies alike.
If you're unfamiliar with Herzog's oeuvre, now is as good a time as any to start making your way through his groundbreaking body of work. I recommend starting with the 2005 documentary, "Grizzly Man," because it is at once accessible and complex; the premise of the doc is deceptively simple, but the themes and ideas running through the film are anything but. If you enjoy "Grizzly Man," you're going to want to start plowing through Herzog's earlier German masterpieces as soon as possible. Luckily, much of his work, including the essential "Aguirre: The Wrath of God," "Stroszek," and "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser," are now widely-available on DVD and can be streamed on-demand on Netflix Instant Watch.
Suraj Das Writer, Director
The Best of a Decade of Film and Television
11/19/2009 at 5:31 AM by Suraj Das
As 2009 draws to a close, critics have already begun compiling their lists of the finest and most influential films and television shows of the last ten years. But I want to know what YOU - the members of the Massify community and the future of filmmaking - thought of the last decade. Consider this post a call to action; I am eager to hear some strong opinions and coherent theories about the direction you think film and television has taken since the year 2000.
Start by refreshing your memory and considering some of the criticism that's already been written on the subject. A.O. Scott of The New York Times has written this very insightful and thought-provoking analysis of the last ten years in film, and The Onion just recently published this article profiling the best television shows of the last decade.
Suraj Das Writer, Director
Jon Reiss Presenting Tonight at IFC
11/17/2009 at 10:13 AM by Eunsun Hwang
November 17th Inaugural Presentation for "A New World: A User's Guide for Filmmakers and Audiences" Book signing to follow.
In this special series hosted by Filmmaker Magazine, experts on the new, digital-era ways of financing, distributing, marketing and building an audience for independent film will relay their hard-earned practical advice and strategies. Learn how the industry is shifting and providing fresh opportunities for films and audiences to connect in new ways. Technology is changing all the rules -- we’ll track the new revenue sources being created for filmmakers and help audiences navigate the expanding options. In a presentation full of practical advice and hard information, filmmaker Jon Reiss ("Bomb It"), the author of the recently released Think Outside the Box (Office): The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution and Marketing in the Digital Era" will teach how to create unique, distribution and marketing plans for independent films from do it yourself to hybrid approaches. He will outline what filmmakers need to do to prepare for distribution while making their films. Finally he will lay out ways in which filmmakers can take back and redefine the theatrical release utilizing a combination of conventional theaters, community screenings and festivals.
Check out the link below for more details:
http://www.ifccenter.com/films/thinking-outside-the-box-office/
Jon Reiss Producer, Director
The Old Man and the Fish
8/20/2009 at 7:40 AM by Amy Allen
The Old Man and the Fish, a short film written and directed by David Bokser, can be found in his profile. I'll keep this short and sweet, like the movie itself: Please Watch. Worth it.
David Bokser Editor, Writer, Director, Producer, Animator, Special Effects
Dan Parsons on Film vs Digital
8/18/2009 at 8:38 AM by Amy Allen
DP Dan Parsons has shot over 100 projects since transitioning from composing to cinematography. His work (reel is above) speaks for itself and he has some interesting thoughts on film versus digital, which he expands on in an interview with Massify.
Dan Parsons Crew, Cinematographer
Underground Music Video Masterpieces
8/5/2009 at 12:18 PM by Amy Allen
Check out Director Alex Di Campi's amazing music videos when you get a chance. She has 9 of these surreal and imaginative short creations in her Massify Profile.
Defining Cinematography
7/29/2009 at 9:08 AM by Amy Allen
Massify Interview: Defining Cinematography from Massify on Vimeo.
Jendra Jarnagin and Sean Porter, two thoughtful and talented DPs on Massify, sat down with us to talk about their craft, tackling topics such as what it means to be a cinematographer, what makes a project successful, how to further one's career and more. This video is useful to anybody who wants to go into the field and especially to Directors, Producers, and others who work with Cinematographers. Jendra is based in New York and Brooklyn and was recently profiled in American Cinematography. Learn more about her at her site, floatingcamera.com. Sean's based in Seattle and New York and his work can be found on his personal site.
Sean Porter Cinematographer
Jendra Jarnagin Cinematographer
How To Make a Movie for $700
7/28/2009 at 11:02 AM by Amy Allen
For all DIY fans, Mark Cabaroy breaks down how he was able to complete a feature film for only $700. His film, Life's Passing Me By, is currently screening at festivals.
Mark Cabaroy Director
Puppets On Massify
7/22/2009 at 8:22 AM by Amy Allen
Every now and then we highlight interesting content from Massify profiles in case you missed it. Before he directed a music video for Low Vs Diamond, Matthew Chilbert directed this whimsical music video starring a precious puppet and a singing nightlight. More puppets after the jump!
Matthew Chilbert Other, Editor, Director
