To many, the term “Nft” now evokes little more than a neon haze of pandemic-era memories about easily duped online speculators who lost millions buying drawings of apes and stick figures. But a new documentary implores cryptocurrency novices to give the much-lampooned technology a second chance.
“Shark, Pickle, Cone” follows the team at Stoopid Buddy, the animation studio and production company best known for “Robot Chicken,” as it designed and built a float for the 134th Rose Parade in partnership with Nouns, a decentralized autonomous organization (commonly referred to as a Dao) that auctions off NFTs and uses the proceeds to fund art projects.
Translated into layperson terms, Nouns works as a form of crowdfunding with a few extra steps. The decentralized company uses an automated system to produce a new piece of AI-generated artwork and auction it off each day. The pictures, which all feature a character wearing pixelated glasses,...
“Shark, Pickle, Cone” follows the team at Stoopid Buddy, the animation studio and production company best known for “Robot Chicken,” as it designed and built a float for the 134th Rose Parade in partnership with Nouns, a decentralized autonomous organization (commonly referred to as a Dao) that auctions off NFTs and uses the proceeds to fund art projects.
Translated into layperson terms, Nouns works as a form of crowdfunding with a few extra steps. The decentralized company uses an automated system to produce a new piece of AI-generated artwork and auction it off each day. The pictures, which all feature a character wearing pixelated glasses,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
An array of successful comedians share experiences from their mental health journeys in the trailer for the documentary feature Group Therapy.
Director Neil Berkeley’s film hails from Kevin Hart’s company Hartbeat and is set to premiere June 6 at the Tribeca Festival. Group Therapy features stand-up comedy stars sitting down for a group therapy session hosted by Neil Patrick Harris to discuss memories from childhood and how mental health relates to their professional journeys. The movie includes group dialogue, personal revelations and archival stand-up moments.
The cast includes Tig Notaro, Nicole Byer, Mike Birbiglia, London Hughes, Gary Gulman and Atsuko Okatsuka.
“To be clear, I am not a therapist,” Harris quips in the trailer. The star adds, “I think stand-up seems wrought with so much insecurity.”
In explaining how her mental health helped inform her career, Notaro shares, “I found myself making jokes about these different things that I...
Director Neil Berkeley’s film hails from Kevin Hart’s company Hartbeat and is set to premiere June 6 at the Tribeca Festival. Group Therapy features stand-up comedy stars sitting down for a group therapy session hosted by Neil Patrick Harris to discuss memories from childhood and how mental health relates to their professional journeys. The movie includes group dialogue, personal revelations and archival stand-up moments.
The cast includes Tig Notaro, Nicole Byer, Mike Birbiglia, London Hughes, Gary Gulman and Atsuko Okatsuka.
“To be clear, I am not a therapist,” Harris quips in the trailer. The star adds, “I think stand-up seems wrought with so much insecurity.”
In explaining how her mental health helped inform her career, Notaro shares, “I found myself making jokes about these different things that I...
- 5/30/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gilbert Gottfried, the controversial and one-of-a-kind comedian and actor with a voice as unique as his comedy, died today after a lengthy illness, his family announced. He was 67.
A statement posted on Gottfried’s Twitter page reads: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor. Love, the Gottfried family.”
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
NBC News reported that Gottfried died at 2:35 p.m. Et of recurrent ventricular tachycardia — an abnormal heart rhythm — due to myotonic dystrophy type II. The cause was attributed to Glenn Schwartz, Gottfried’s longtime friend and publicist.
Gottfried was known for trademark shrill,...
A statement posted on Gottfried’s Twitter page reads: “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor. Love, the Gottfried family.”
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
NBC News reported that Gottfried died at 2:35 p.m. Et of recurrent ventricular tachycardia — an abnormal heart rhythm — due to myotonic dystrophy type II. The cause was attributed to Glenn Schwartz, Gottfried’s longtime friend and publicist.
Gottfried was known for trademark shrill,...
- 4/12/2022
- by Greg Evans and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Gilbert Gottfried, the comedian, “Aladdin” star and owner of the most recognizable voice in Hollywood, has died after battling a long illness, his family announced Tuesday. He was 67.
His publicist told the Washington Post that he died of myotonic dystrophy type 2, a form of muscular dystrophy.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor,” his family wrote on Twitter.
Many people in Hollywood, including comedians Jason Alexander, Dane Cook and more, paid tribute to Gottfried after the shocking news of his death. “Gilbert Gottfried was never not funny,” wrote Cook. “He was a lovely guy, always friendly and made many people happy.
His publicist told the Washington Post that he died of myotonic dystrophy type 2, a form of muscular dystrophy.
“We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness. In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children. Although today is a sad day for all of us, please keep laughing as loud as possible in Gilbert’s honor,” his family wrote on Twitter.
Many people in Hollywood, including comedians Jason Alexander, Dane Cook and more, paid tribute to Gottfried after the shocking news of his death. “Gilbert Gottfried was never not funny,” wrote Cook. “He was a lovely guy, always friendly and made many people happy.
- 4/12/2022
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Gilbert Gottfried, the beloved comedian known for his outsize onstage talents as a stand-up comic and as an iconic voice actor on television and film, has died. The actor was 67 and died after battling a long illness.
The news was first shared via Twitter by fellow comedian Jason Alexander, who wrote, “Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift. I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me. My best wishes and sympathy to his family.”
Gottfried’s family shared a message on social media as well confirming his death. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness,” the message from the Gottfried family said. “In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children.
The news was first shared via Twitter by fellow comedian Jason Alexander, who wrote, “Gilbert Gottfried made me laugh at times when laughter did not come easily. What a gift. I did not know him well but I loved what he shared with me. My best wishes and sympathy to his family.”
Gottfried’s family shared a message on social media as well confirming his death. “We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Gilbert Gottfried after a long illness,” the message from the Gottfried family said. “In addition to being the most iconic voice in comedy, Gilbert was a wonderful husband, brother, friend and father to his two young children.
- 4/12/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Like any other job in entertainment, there’s no “right” way to crack the upper tier of standup. But for comics on the rise, a slot in New Faces at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal certainly helps.
“Inside Jokes,” the upcoming six-episode docuseries from director Neil Berkeley debuting this month on Amazon, takes a look at not just the end result of some of the most coveted slots at the annual comedy gathering, but the long and unpredictable road it takes for so many people to get there.
“The exciting thing about this show is that some of these people are going to be household names. In fact, it’s already happening. But in this show we get to meet them before they’ve had huge success,” Berkeley told IndieWire. “They’re still struggling, trying to make it and doing stand up all night, every night. Imagine seeing...
“Inside Jokes,” the upcoming six-episode docuseries from director Neil Berkeley debuting this month on Amazon, takes a look at not just the end result of some of the most coveted slots at the annual comedy gathering, but the long and unpredictable road it takes for so many people to get there.
“The exciting thing about this show is that some of these people are going to be household names. In fact, it’s already happening. But in this show we get to meet them before they’ve had huge success,” Berkeley told IndieWire. “They’re still struggling, trying to make it and doing stand up all night, every night. Imagine seeing...
- 11/8/2018
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Amazon Studios and the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival are teaming on a docuseries that follows up-and-coming comedians in New York and Los Angeles as they compete to be selected for the New Faces showcase.
Set to stream on Amazon Prime Video, the six-episode untitled series will head to comedy clubs and into the aspiring comics’ lives, showing the highs, lows, frustrations and successes they face as they juggle day jobs, relationships and hecklers in the quest for their biggest break. The comics go through the annual process to get into the coveted New Faces showcase — whose alumni include Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Kumail Nanjiani and Jimmy Fallon — beginning with the auditions and callbacks, through selection and into the preparation of their comedy sets. Cameras follow as they write and hone the jokes that they hope will impress the talent scouts, producers and managers who attend Just for Laughs in...
Set to stream on Amazon Prime Video, the six-episode untitled series will head to comedy clubs and into the aspiring comics’ lives, showing the highs, lows, frustrations and successes they face as they juggle day jobs, relationships and hecklers in the quest for their biggest break. The comics go through the annual process to get into the coveted New Faces showcase — whose alumni include Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Kumail Nanjiani and Jimmy Fallon — beginning with the auditions and callbacks, through selection and into the preparation of their comedy sets. Cameras follow as they write and hone the jokes that they hope will impress the talent scouts, producers and managers who attend Just for Laughs in...
- 6/13/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Just for Laughs is about to get the documentary treatment, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned.
The Montreal festival will be the subject of a six-part docuseries for Amazon from producer Jimmy Fox and director Neil Berkeley (Harmontown). Described as a "Hard Knocks for standup comedy," the untitled series will follow up-and-coming comedians in New York and Los Angeles as they compete for the New Faces showcase, the segment of the fest that has given way to major comedic talent, including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Kumail Nanjiani and Jimmy Fallon.
“New Faces was genuinely the biggest break in ...
The Montreal festival will be the subject of a six-part docuseries for Amazon from producer Jimmy Fox and director Neil Berkeley (Harmontown). Described as a "Hard Knocks for standup comedy," the untitled series will follow up-and-coming comedians in New York and Los Angeles as they compete for the New Faces showcase, the segment of the fest that has given way to major comedic talent, including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Kumail Nanjiani and Jimmy Fallon.
“New Faces was genuinely the biggest break in ...
- 6/13/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
You don’t know Gilbert Gottfried. You think you do, but you don’t. He’s been called the ‘comic’s comic,” and has been a staple of TV and film for years. His signature voice and crinked eyes have been imitated by thousands. But the new documentary “Gilbert, A Gilbert Gottfried Story” shows an entirely different side of the comedian who’s been entertaining audiences for four decades.
“It was uncomfortable from beginning to end,” cracked Gottfried, who spoke to IndieWire’s Turn It On podcast (along with filmmaker Neil Berkeley) about making the documentary, fame, and the state of comedy. Listen below!
Berkeley’s “Gilbert,” which premieres Dec. 29 on Hulu, came out of a desire by Gilbert’s wife Dara to showcase an unexpected side to the iconic comedian. The film peeks behind the larger-than-life persona at a more personal story about growing up in Brooklyn and becoming...
“It was uncomfortable from beginning to end,” cracked Gottfried, who spoke to IndieWire’s Turn It On podcast (along with filmmaker Neil Berkeley) about making the documentary, fame, and the state of comedy. Listen below!
Berkeley’s “Gilbert,” which premieres Dec. 29 on Hulu, came out of a desire by Gilbert’s wife Dara to showcase an unexpected side to the iconic comedian. The film peeks behind the larger-than-life persona at a more personal story about growing up in Brooklyn and becoming...
- 12/20/2017
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
In his two very fine previous documentaries, Neil Berkeley has focused on cult artists (painter Wayne White, TV creator Dan Harmon) who typically work behind the scenes. With Gilbert, a portrait of polarizing comedian Gilbert Gottfried, he looks at the surprisingly tender real human behind the grating personality America has known for over three decades. A laugh-packed and unexpectedly moving picture, it is now moving from a warmly received fest run to art houses; it should do even better once it hits video.
The doc's big revelation comes early, as the audience realizes just how quiet and loving this professionally...
The doc's big revelation comes early, as the audience realizes just how quiet and loving this professionally...
- 11/2/2017
- by John DeFore
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"He doesn't really filter himself, and I think that's why people are drawn to him." Submarine has debuted an official trailer for a documentary titled Gilbert, telling the story of the legendary "comedian's comedian" Gilbert Gottfried. Most will recognize Gottfried's voice first and foremost, along with his famous roles in big films like Aladdin and Beverly Hills Cop II, but he's so much more than just a funny voice. This new documentary takes a peek "behind the larger-than-life persona at a more personal story about growing up in Brooklyn and becoming a husband and father late in life." Surprisingly it also "strips the comedic character away to reveal the man behind it." There's some great footage in this trailer, and tons of other comedians talking about him, which is wonderful to see. I'm looking forward to watching this doc at some point soon. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Neil Berkeley's documentary Gilbert,...
- 9/15/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried unveils his understated off-stage persona, and his real voice, in the revealing new trailer for Neil Berkeley's upcoming documentary Gilbert.
The clip showcases Gottfried's well-known, outrageous comedy, and fittingly opens with a shot of two attendees walking out of one of his sets. "Usually I lose the crowd quicker than that," he cracks. "I must be slipping."
Amidst an array of praise from fellow comedians such as Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno and Bill Burr, the trailer touches on Gottfried's peculiar habits – from taking the bus when...
The clip showcases Gottfried's well-known, outrageous comedy, and fittingly opens with a shot of two attendees walking out of one of his sets. "Usually I lose the crowd quicker than that," he cracks. "I must be slipping."
Amidst an array of praise from fellow comedians such as Whoopi Goldberg, Jay Leno and Bill Burr, the trailer touches on Gottfried's peculiar habits – from taking the bus when...
- 9/14/2017
- Rollingstone.com
Gravitas Ventures has acquired North American rights to Gilbert, the Neil Berkeley-directed documentary about zany comedian Gilbert Gottfried. The film, which had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, will have its theatrical release with Submarine Deluxe in September followed by a digital and DVD rollout. Gilbert, who came into fame in the 1980s, is known for his brash personality, unique vocal tone, and off-kilter comic timing. Now, foul-mouthed and unapologetic…...
- 5/23/2017
- Deadline
We know him from Aflac. We know him from Aladdin. And we know him from his terribly hilarious jokes. But most of all, we know his voice, and it’s not until you’ve seen Gilbert that you get to find out what he actually sounds like. Gilbert Gottfried is of course we’re talking about – the comedy legend who went from small boy in Brooklyn to unconventional Disney character to podcast host. With his controversial jokes in check, Gottfried wows audiences… well, by being himself in the new documentary, Gilbert.“I didn’t gain it immediately. I lived in La but I moved to Tribeca and I would just go to his house everyday with my camera and hit record and tell him to talk to me.” Berkeley continued, “And eventually, he started to open up and trusted me. And I think he knows my name. I’m not sure.
- 5/4/2017
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Gilbert Gottfried might not be a human being. He might actually be a cat in a human being costume. About forty minutes into “Gilbert,” Neil Berkeley’s incongruously warm and fuzzy doc about the comic legend’s life and times, Gilbert packs a couple suitcases for a cross-country tour. He readies to leave the apartment he and his wife Dara Gottfried, live in, and as he makes for the door she makes a request.
Continue reading ‘Gilbert’ Gottfried Doc Does Justice To A Comedy Legend [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Gilbert’ Gottfried Doc Does Justice To A Comedy Legend [Tribeca Review] at The Playlist.
- 4/28/2017
- by Andrew Crump
- The Playlist
“I just wanted to be in Tribeca so that I can legally refer to Robert De Niro as 'Bob,'” Gilbert Gottfried joked, sitting down with director Neil Berkeley (Harmontown, Beauty Is Embarrassing) at Deadline’s 2017 Tribeca Studio to discuss their documentary, Gilbert. A legendary stand-up comedian and actor with a voice recognizable to many who was propelled to fame in the 1980s, Gottfried was candid about his total reluctance to participate in the project, which peeks…...
- 4/22/2017
- Deadline
Features: Gilbert Gottfried, Whoopi Goldberg, Artie Lange, Arsenio Hall, Bill Burr, Richard Kind, Howie Mandel, Jay Leno, Penn Jillette | Written by Neil Berkeley, James Leche | Directed by Neil Berkeley
If you don’t know his face, you’ll definitely know his voice. But what about his personality?
Gilbert Gottfried has seen the typical comedian’s rise to fame, from his small start working clubs as a teen to making big breaks like voicing Disney characters, and the grand kahuna of all, lending your voice to commercials. But there’s one question we all have about the mysterious man: is that really his voice?
Turns out that isn’t the only question we should have for him. Gilbert, a film directed, written, and produced by Neil Berkeley, follows the side of Gottfried that no one sees: his personal, non-decibel-provoking one. A personal life? Gilbert’s? Does he even have one? It...
If you don’t know his face, you’ll definitely know his voice. But what about his personality?
Gilbert Gottfried has seen the typical comedian’s rise to fame, from his small start working clubs as a teen to making big breaks like voicing Disney characters, and the grand kahuna of all, lending your voice to commercials. But there’s one question we all have about the mysterious man: is that really his voice?
Turns out that isn’t the only question we should have for him. Gilbert, a film directed, written, and produced by Neil Berkeley, follows the side of Gottfried that no one sees: his personal, non-decibel-provoking one. A personal life? Gilbert’s? Does he even have one? It...
- 4/21/2017
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
You probably recognize Gilbert Gottfried’s name (after all, he’s the most famous Gilbert who’s ever lived), and you definitely recognize his voice, but other than his career-defining performance as Iago in “Aladdin,” how much of his work can you remember off the top of your head?
Mileage will vary, of course, but even Gottfried devotees could agree that the guy’s persona has outsized his resumé. That’s not to knock his stand-up comedy or his appearances in the likes of “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “Saved By the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas,” but rather to say that he’s become an ambient part of our culture, less of a celebrity than the human embodiment of a modern court jester. He’s not a man, but a squint and an aggressive whine; he’s the joke you shouldn’t tell in public, the furniture at a Friar’s Club roast.
Mileage will vary, of course, but even Gottfried devotees could agree that the guy’s persona has outsized his resumé. That’s not to knock his stand-up comedy or his appearances in the likes of “Beverly Hills Cop II” and “Saved By the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas,” but rather to say that he’s become an ambient part of our culture, less of a celebrity than the human embodiment of a modern court jester. He’s not a man, but a squint and an aggressive whine; he’s the joke you shouldn’t tell in public, the furniture at a Friar’s Club roast.
- 4/21/2017
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Neil Berkeley scored a big subject for his second documentary, but it was pure luck that made it happen. Shortly after completing his second documentary, 2014’s “Harmontown,” Berkeley casually mentioned to a friend that he was interested in making a film about legendary comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried. Unbeknownst to Berkeley, his friend happened to be close with Gottfried’s wife.
Read More: Tribeca Film Festival Isn’t Really a Film Festival: How the New York Event Has Sought a 21st Century Identity
“Gilbert” will have its world premiere Thursday at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, but the surprisingly poignant documentary could very well have never been made. Berkeley never asked Gottfried’s agent or manager for permission to shoot the documentary, and was only invited to the 62-year-old comedian’s home by his wife Dara.
“She said, ‘Why don’t you just come out here by yourself and keep it...
Read More: Tribeca Film Festival Isn’t Really a Film Festival: How the New York Event Has Sought a 21st Century Identity
“Gilbert” will have its world premiere Thursday at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, but the surprisingly poignant documentary could very well have never been made. Berkeley never asked Gottfried’s agent or manager for permission to shoot the documentary, and was only invited to the 62-year-old comedian’s home by his wife Dara.
“She said, ‘Why don’t you just come out here by yourself and keep it...
- 4/20/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
You could call it the “Netflix effect.” With the rise of the global VOD giant and its increasingly voracious appetite for nonfiction films, the documentary industry is anticipating a busy spring season at the Tribeca Film Festival and Hot Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival and marketplace.
But it’s not just Netflix, say industry insiders. The number of active buyers for documentary films suggests there’s an enthusiasm for independent nonfiction cinema that goes beyond the VOD giant.
On the eve of Tribeca, three high-profile documentaries have already found buyers: National Geographic acquired the coal-mining expose “From the Ashes,” and Gravitas Ventures bought theatrical and streaming rights to two films already partnering with CNN Films: “Elian,” the story of Cuban child émigré Elian Gonzalez, and Impact Partners’ “The Reagan Show,” a freshly relevant archival-driven doc about the staging of the former President.
Read More: Netflix’s Big New...
But it’s not just Netflix, say industry insiders. The number of active buyers for documentary films suggests there’s an enthusiasm for independent nonfiction cinema that goes beyond the VOD giant.
On the eve of Tribeca, three high-profile documentaries have already found buyers: National Geographic acquired the coal-mining expose “From the Ashes,” and Gravitas Ventures bought theatrical and streaming rights to two films already partnering with CNN Films: “Elian,” the story of Cuban child émigré Elian Gonzalez, and Impact Partners’ “The Reagan Show,” a freshly relevant archival-driven doc about the staging of the former President.
Read More: Netflix’s Big New...
- 4/18/2017
- by Anthony Kaufman
- Indiewire
New documentaries on Whitney Houston, targeted Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi, notorious Republican operative Roger Stone and a deceased alt-right filmmaker will premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, taking place April 19th through 30th.
Whitney: Can I Be Me marks the latest effort from controversial and acclaimed documentarian Nick Broomfield, whose previous music films include Kurt and Courtney and Biggie and Tupac. The film will explore Houston's remarkable rise and fall and features largely never-before-seen footage. While a spokesperson for Houston's family told Rolling Stone they are not involved in Broomfield's documentary,...
Whitney: Can I Be Me marks the latest effort from controversial and acclaimed documentarian Nick Broomfield, whose previous music films include Kurt and Courtney and Biggie and Tupac. The film will explore Houston's remarkable rise and fall and features largely never-before-seen footage. While a spokesperson for Houston's family told Rolling Stone they are not involved in Broomfield's documentary,...
- 3/2/2017
- Rollingstone.com
Much larger in sponsorships, this year's Napa Valley Film Festival (November 11-15) has become so popular that the main road between Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga is jammed and the smaller theaters are playing to Sro crowds. The St.Helena Cameo Cinema is the longest running single screen theater in the United States, going back to 1913 and “featuring 400 seats, 150 opera chairs, a modern stage and two standing sets".
Culinary, wine and film mix well here. This year we were invited to dine with second-generation vintner Ron Nicholsen, at his estate, Kelham Vineyards, where chief Tyler Rodde from Oenotri, the southern Italian restauranteur from the town of Napa served us his finest food. And at every screening, the best of wines are tasted, In the morning we could (and I did once) practice yoga on the vineyard banks of the river running through the valley. Afternoon and evenings wine pours freely and people mix as they go to movies or to the parties and receptions. My big discovery was White Stone Wine grown on the shores of the mighty Lake Roosevelt in the shadows of Whitestone Rock. I award it for its white chalky stone accent on its bold red wines.
Jury and audience awards were given to the winners at the Uptown Theatre on Sunday, November 15, 2015. The Festival had screened 120 new independent films in 12 unique screening venues in the four postcard-perfect towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.
David Glasser, COO and President of The Weinstein Company presented awards on behalf of the third annual Lexus Short Film Series. Lexus’ Media Director Teri Hill and TWC announced the four winners, Alexis Michalik, Byoung-Gon Moon, Damian Walshe-Howling and Pippa Bianco. Look for my blog about this event.
The Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature went to “The King of New Orleans”.
The Special Jury Award for Authenticity in Narrative Feature Storytelling went to “ Life in Color”.
The Full List of Juried Awards is Below: Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature presented by Taken Wine Company, and with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy ofMeadowood Napa Valley, went to “ The King of New Orleans”. Jury Award for Best Screenplay presented by Italics Winegrowers went to “ Tumbledown”. Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast presented by Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley went to “ Jane Wants a Boyfriend”. Member of the ensemble, Louisa Krause, also won the Audience Award for Favorite Actress. Audience Award for Favorite Actress presented by Eleven Eleven Wines went to for her work in the film "Jane Wants a Boyfriend." Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature presented by Trinchero Napa Valley, and with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy ofMeadowood Napa Valley, went to "Romeo is Bleeding." Jury Award for Best Narrative Short presented by Wolf Family Vineyards went to "It’s Perfect Here." Honorable Mention went to "Birthday." Jury Award for Best Documentary Short presented by Priest Ranch went to "Elder." Honorable Mentions go to: "Code Oakland, Une Passion d’or et de feu" (A Passion of Gold and Fire) , and "Riding the Highline."
Jury Award for Best Lounge Feature presented by Ca’ Momi Winery went to "Night Owls." Jury Award for Best Lounge Short presented by Modus Operandi Cellars went to "A Man Wakes Up." Honorable Mention went to "Ci: A Tedd Talkumentary." Special Jury Award – Courage in Documentary Feature Filmmaking presented by Rombauer Vineyards went to " Life Under Siege: Exploring Gaza’s Secret Tunnels." Special Jury Award – Authenticity in Narrative Feature Story-Telling presented by The Hess Collection Winery went to "Life in Color." Special Jury Award – Acting in a Lounge Feature Film went to sisters Aly Michalka and Aj Michalka for their work in the film "Weepah Way For Now." A Full List of a Audience Awards is Below: Audience Award for Favorite Actor presented by Caldwell Vineyard went to David Jensen for his work in the film "The King of New Orleans." Audience Award for Favorite Actress presented by Eleven Eleven Wines went to Louisa Krause for her work in the film "Jane Wants a Boyfriend." Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Feature presented by Grgich Hills Estate went to "Landfillharmonic." Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Short presented by Kelham Vineyards and Winery went to "Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball." Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Feature presented by Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. went to "Friends and Romans." Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Short presented by Favia Erickson Winegrowers went to "Sin Frontera." The Runner-Ups for Narrative Shorts presented by Matthiasson Wines are "Playdate" and "Birthday." Audience Award for Favorite Short Feature presented by Beaulieu Vineyard went to "Sketch." Lexus Short Films winning filmmakers received their awards presented by Alpha Omega Winery, Merryvale Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
Juries Narrative Features Jury: Sydney Levine, Morrie Warshawski, Ralph Macchio
Documentary Features and Shorts Jury: Dierk Sindermann, Marcia Jarmel, Sheri Linden
Narrative Shorts Jury: Alonso Duralde, Neil Berkeley, Lissa Gibbs
Documentary Shorts Jury: Ken Schneider, Brandon Carroll, Jenni Olson
The Lounge Jury: Gren Wells, Evy Warshawski, Elvis Mitchell
Each of the festival winners received a large format wine bottle from one of the festival’s esteemed Vintner Circle winery partners. For the first time The Lounge Features and Shorts were up for the Juried and Audience Awards. The winners of the Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature jury were awarded $10,000, presented by Meadowood Napa Valley.
Culinary, wine and film mix well here. This year we were invited to dine with second-generation vintner Ron Nicholsen, at his estate, Kelham Vineyards, where chief Tyler Rodde from Oenotri, the southern Italian restauranteur from the town of Napa served us his finest food. And at every screening, the best of wines are tasted, In the morning we could (and I did once) practice yoga on the vineyard banks of the river running through the valley. Afternoon and evenings wine pours freely and people mix as they go to movies or to the parties and receptions. My big discovery was White Stone Wine grown on the shores of the mighty Lake Roosevelt in the shadows of Whitestone Rock. I award it for its white chalky stone accent on its bold red wines.
Jury and audience awards were given to the winners at the Uptown Theatre on Sunday, November 15, 2015. The Festival had screened 120 new independent films in 12 unique screening venues in the four postcard-perfect towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.
David Glasser, COO and President of The Weinstein Company presented awards on behalf of the third annual Lexus Short Film Series. Lexus’ Media Director Teri Hill and TWC announced the four winners, Alexis Michalik, Byoung-Gon Moon, Damian Walshe-Howling and Pippa Bianco. Look for my blog about this event.
The Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature went to “The King of New Orleans”.
The Special Jury Award for Authenticity in Narrative Feature Storytelling went to “ Life in Color”.
The Full List of Juried Awards is Below: Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature presented by Taken Wine Company, and with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy ofMeadowood Napa Valley, went to “ The King of New Orleans”. Jury Award for Best Screenplay presented by Italics Winegrowers went to “ Tumbledown”. Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast presented by Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley went to “ Jane Wants a Boyfriend”. Member of the ensemble, Louisa Krause, also won the Audience Award for Favorite Actress. Audience Award for Favorite Actress presented by Eleven Eleven Wines went to for her work in the film "Jane Wants a Boyfriend." Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature presented by Trinchero Napa Valley, and with a $10,000 cash prize courtesy ofMeadowood Napa Valley, went to "Romeo is Bleeding." Jury Award for Best Narrative Short presented by Wolf Family Vineyards went to "It’s Perfect Here." Honorable Mention went to "Birthday." Jury Award for Best Documentary Short presented by Priest Ranch went to "Elder." Honorable Mentions go to: "Code Oakland, Une Passion d’or et de feu" (A Passion of Gold and Fire) , and "Riding the Highline."
Jury Award for Best Lounge Feature presented by Ca’ Momi Winery went to "Night Owls." Jury Award for Best Lounge Short presented by Modus Operandi Cellars went to "A Man Wakes Up." Honorable Mention went to "Ci: A Tedd Talkumentary." Special Jury Award – Courage in Documentary Feature Filmmaking presented by Rombauer Vineyards went to " Life Under Siege: Exploring Gaza’s Secret Tunnels." Special Jury Award – Authenticity in Narrative Feature Story-Telling presented by The Hess Collection Winery went to "Life in Color." Special Jury Award – Acting in a Lounge Feature Film went to sisters Aly Michalka and Aj Michalka for their work in the film "Weepah Way For Now." A Full List of a Audience Awards is Below: Audience Award for Favorite Actor presented by Caldwell Vineyard went to David Jensen for his work in the film "The King of New Orleans." Audience Award for Favorite Actress presented by Eleven Eleven Wines went to Louisa Krause for her work in the film "Jane Wants a Boyfriend." Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Feature presented by Grgich Hills Estate went to "Landfillharmonic." Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Short presented by Kelham Vineyards and Winery went to "Ron Taylor: Dr. Baseball." Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Feature presented by Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. went to "Friends and Romans." Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Short presented by Favia Erickson Winegrowers went to "Sin Frontera." The Runner-Ups for Narrative Shorts presented by Matthiasson Wines are "Playdate" and "Birthday." Audience Award for Favorite Short Feature presented by Beaulieu Vineyard went to "Sketch." Lexus Short Films winning filmmakers received their awards presented by Alpha Omega Winery, Merryvale Vineyards, Raymond Vineyards and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
Juries Narrative Features Jury: Sydney Levine, Morrie Warshawski, Ralph Macchio
Documentary Features and Shorts Jury: Dierk Sindermann, Marcia Jarmel, Sheri Linden
Narrative Shorts Jury: Alonso Duralde, Neil Berkeley, Lissa Gibbs
Documentary Shorts Jury: Ken Schneider, Brandon Carroll, Jenni Olson
The Lounge Jury: Gren Wells, Evy Warshawski, Elvis Mitchell
Each of the festival winners received a large format wine bottle from one of the festival’s esteemed Vintner Circle winery partners. For the first time The Lounge Features and Shorts were up for the Juried and Audience Awards. The winners of the Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature jury were awarded $10,000, presented by Meadowood Napa Valley.
- 11/25/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Tuesday’s post looked at Neil Berkeley and Judy Chaikin as two filmmakers who wanted to create a theatrical release for their films to boost visibility, increase ancillary value and learn for themselves how to operate in the new hybrid model of distribution and marketing. Today we will look at Paco de Onís from Skylight, the company he runs with creative director Pamela Yates and editorial director Peter Kinoy, and their film/media project Granito Paco de Onís, Skylight and Granito According to de Onís, Skylight is “as much a filmmaking organization as a human rights organization.” Hence their goals are not about monetary gain […]...
- 5/8/2015
- by Jon Reiss
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Tuesday’s post looked at Neil Berkeley and Judy Chaikin as two filmmakers who wanted to create a theatrical release for their films to boost visibility, increase ancillary value and learn for themselves how to operate in the new hybrid model of distribution and marketing. Today we will look at Paco de Onís from Skylight, the company he runs with creative director Pamela Yates and editorial director Peter Kinoy, and their film/media project Granito Paco de Onís, Skylight and Granito According to de Onís, Skylight is “as much a filmmaking organization as a human rights organization.” Hence their goals are not about monetary gain […]...
- 5/8/2015
- by Jon Reiss
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
2014 has been a particularly good year for movies. It seems everyone found a group of movies they could hold onto in a very personal way. I like that. It created a very diverse set of top tens around the Internet. However, because opinions were so diverse, it makes a lot of us think, "Why did so many people like thatc" or "Why does no one talk about this moviec" Well, Rope of Silicon writer Jordan Benesh and I decided to choose five films each of us thought got far more praise than they deserved and five films we thought did not get enough love. Thus, we bring you the top ten overrated and underrated movies of 2014. The first five and five combination is mine, Mike Shutt's, and Jordan's start on page three. Enjoy! The lists are not numerically ranked. Just alphabetical. When our top tens come around, then you will get some rankings.
- 1/5/2015
- by Mike Shutt
- Rope of Silicon
Chicago - Dan Harmon does not look very good in his documentary “Harmontown,” which is probably why he agreed to the project. The creator of NBC’s cult comedy “Community” is presented wantonly in this documentation of his tour across America to interact with his fans through live recordings of his podcast “Harmontown.”
Director Neil Berkeley (2012’s “Beauty is Embarrassing”) has created a different yet lacking type of tour film, as it whittles a revered showman to a representation of his polarizing elements; of the self-loathing narcissism that defines Harmon.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
The spectacle of Berkeley’s film is Harmon’s podcast, which aside from Harmon’s GoPro & mirror confessions, provides a physical representation of what being inside Harmon’s head is like. As Harmon comes to comedic life by sauntering onstage to be his unapologetic self for an enthused crowd, he interacts with co-host (and actor) Jeff B. Davis, who...
Director Neil Berkeley (2012’s “Beauty is Embarrassing”) has created a different yet lacking type of tour film, as it whittles a revered showman to a representation of his polarizing elements; of the self-loathing narcissism that defines Harmon.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
The spectacle of Berkeley’s film is Harmon’s podcast, which aside from Harmon’s GoPro & mirror confessions, provides a physical representation of what being inside Harmon’s head is like. As Harmon comes to comedic life by sauntering onstage to be his unapologetic self for an enthused crowd, he interacts with co-host (and actor) Jeff B. Davis, who...
- 10/31/2014
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The Weinstein Company opened St. Vincent on a traditional platform and it appears to have reaped rewards from that old-school approach with a solid debut in a very crowded box office weekend for limited releases.
The film by Theodore Melfi grossed over $121K in four New York and L.A. theaters this weekend after opening the Hamptons International Film Festival Thursday. For the weekend, the Bill Murray comedy averaged more than $30K and boasts the weekend’s highest per-theater average. The film led a huge pack of new openers that included festival heavy-hitters such as Sundance winners Whiplash and documentary The Overnighters as well as the faith-centered Meet The Mormons and Christian Mingle The Movie.
TWC said that St. Vincent had a 67% jump from Friday to Saturday. TWC picked up the film in the script stage for a reported $13 million. Heading into the weekend, the company said it was capitalizing...
The film by Theodore Melfi grossed over $121K in four New York and L.A. theaters this weekend after opening the Hamptons International Film Festival Thursday. For the weekend, the Bill Murray comedy averaged more than $30K and boasts the weekend’s highest per-theater average. The film led a huge pack of new openers that included festival heavy-hitters such as Sundance winners Whiplash and documentary The Overnighters as well as the faith-centered Meet The Mormons and Christian Mingle The Movie.
TWC said that St. Vincent had a 67% jump from Friday to Saturday. TWC picked up the film in the script stage for a reported $13 million. Heading into the weekend, the company said it was capitalizing...
- 10/12/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
Foreign films and a doc scored well in the Specialty arena this weekend. That isn’t something I get to write very often but it’s a pleasure when it happens. China Lion‘s Breakup Buddies, Tribeca Film‘s music doc Nas: Time Is Illmatic and Bollywood heavyweight Bang Bang all pulled in solid numbers when they debuted this weekend among U.S. speciality films.
By contrast, the weekend’s most notable U.S. indie debut, Jason Reitman‘s Men, Women & Children, took a dive in its first limited runs, while Radius-twc’s music documentary Keep On Keepin’ On again lived up to its name, gathering momentum in its third week.
That so-so start came even though Paramount seemingly did everything right for Men, Women & Children after a premiere at Toronto. The company created a marketing campaign that targeted both social networking-savvy young audiences and the traditional movie-going crowd. The...
By contrast, the weekend’s most notable U.S. indie debut, Jason Reitman‘s Men, Women & Children, took a dive in its first limited runs, while Radius-twc’s music documentary Keep On Keepin’ On again lived up to its name, gathering momentum in its third week.
That so-so start came even though Paramount seemingly did everything right for Men, Women & Children after a premiere at Toronto. The company created a marketing campaign that targeted both social networking-savvy young audiences and the traditional movie-going crowd. The...
- 10/5/2014
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline
We're not sure if there's been a figure in the history of television quite like Dan Harmon. The "Community" creator has over the past few years become one of the bigger celebrity showrunners, and whose fiiter-free, headline-grabbing antics and rise-and-fall-and-rise again narrative, have seen him become, if not a household name, then a serious cult figure. Neil Berkeley's documentary "Harmontown" investigates that cult, and the man who leads it. The film follows the writer taking his "Harmontown" podcast on tour in early 2013, six months or so after he was fired from "Community" at the conclusion of the show's third season. For the uninitiated, the podcast is a rambling, chaotic, mostly improvised couple of hours that features Harmon, actor/comic Jeff B. Davis, Harmon's girlfriend Erin McGathy, and Spencer Crittenden, a fan who was picked out of the audience during the tour to play "Dungeons & Dragons" onstage and now serves.
- 10/2/2014
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Community creator Dan Harmon is a comedy heavyweight. He's also something of an actual heavyweight. (I write this as a man who could stand to lose a pound or 20 myself.) But did that stop the mercurial, mirth-creating madman attempting to crowd surf when he took his Harmontown podcast on the road in early 2013? It most certainly did not, as the exclusive clip below from the tour-documenting, and utterly fascinating, new film Harmontown very much makes clear. Directed by Neil Berkeley (Beauty is Embarrassing) Harmontown boasts talking-head contributions from Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, and John Oliver, among others, as well as...
- 10/2/2014
- by Clark Collis
- EW - Inside Movies
Community creator Dan Harmon and his former star Chevy Chase don’t exactly have the most cordial phone relationship. Way back in April of 2012, Chase and Harmon tussled big time — and pretty publicly — after Chase left Harmon a voicemail that can only be deemed “scathing.” Fortunately, it looks like the duo have sort of, kind of, maybe reconciled. At the very least, Chase isn’t leaving Harmon voicemails anymore, he’s just sending him single word text messages. Harmon (and his podcast of the same name) is the subject of Neil Berkeley‘s recent documentary Harmontown, which features all sorts of insights into the prickly creator and his beloved shows, and is particularly searing and emotional because it picks up after Harmon was ousted from his own show in 2012.. Oh, and also some prank calls that target Chase. Also those. Take a look: Yes, that’s former Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis on stage for a...
- 9/25/2014
- by Kate Erbland
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
“Community” creator Dan Harmon kept himself busy with a comedy tour after he was axed from the NBC sitcom, and apparently ignored writing a Fox pilot in the process. “I have a Fox pilot I'm supposed to be writing right now, and if they saw what I was doing, they'd be very upset with me,” Harmon says in the first trailer for “Harmontown” (above). Also read: ‘Community's’ Dan Harmon Wants Donald Glover Back Once He's ‘Tired of His Donald-Ness’ The documentary from director Neil Berkeley follows Harmon — who was fired from running “Community” in 2012 and rehired in 2013 — on the road.
- 9/2/2014
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
Two important questions are posed in the new trailer for Harmontown: Who is Dan Harmon? And what's his problem? The Neil Berkeley documentary follows the Community creator on tour for his eponymous podcast series after he was fired from the series in 2012 and before he returned in 2013. Harmontown, which was co-produced by Future You Pictures and Starburns Industries, premiered as part of the documentary spotlight at the South by Southwest Film Festival and also has screened at Hot Docs and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The trailer peeks into Harmon's bath time, tour antics and "Harmenian" motivations, plus lines
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- 9/2/2014
- by Ashley Lee
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new trailer for the documentary Harmontown takes viewers on the road with Community's Dan Harmon.
This doc chronicles Harmon bringing his Los Angeles-based podcast on a live tour several months after he was famously fired from Community in 2012.
Filmmaker Neil Berkeley followed Harmon, his girlfriend Erin McGathy, the show's 'comptroller' Jeff Davis and resident Dungeons & Dragons expert Spencer Crittenden on a tour of the Us.
Harmon was subsequently re-hired as the showrunner of Community after finishing the live tour, and will oversee the programme's move to Yahoo Screen for season six.
Harmontown contains interviews about Harmon's triumphs and eccentricities from friends and co-workers including Sarah Silverman, Joel McHale, Jack Black and Gillian Jacobs.
The documentary – which was screened at the SXSW Film Festival – will receive a limited theatrical release and debut on VOD on October 3.
This doc chronicles Harmon bringing his Los Angeles-based podcast on a live tour several months after he was famously fired from Community in 2012.
Filmmaker Neil Berkeley followed Harmon, his girlfriend Erin McGathy, the show's 'comptroller' Jeff Davis and resident Dungeons & Dragons expert Spencer Crittenden on a tour of the Us.
Harmon was subsequently re-hired as the showrunner of Community after finishing the live tour, and will oversee the programme's move to Yahoo Screen for season six.
Harmontown contains interviews about Harmon's triumphs and eccentricities from friends and co-workers including Sarah Silverman, Joel McHale, Jack Black and Gillian Jacobs.
The documentary – which was screened at the SXSW Film Festival – will receive a limited theatrical release and debut on VOD on October 3.
- 8/30/2014
- Digital Spy
For many fans of Community, the show seems incomplete without its creator, Dan Harmon. The backlash to season four, before which Harmon was fired, is just one of many examples of that sentiment. But, if anything, Harmon’s one-season departure from the sitcom—he’s since been hired back—created a groundswell of support and devotion for Harmon.
The writer used his hiatus to tour the country with his podcast, and filmmaker Neil Berkeley recorded everything along the way. Harmontown the podcast became Harmontown the movie, and a new trailer gives Harmenians, the nickname for Harmon’s devotees, a taste...
The writer used his hiatus to tour the country with his podcast, and filmmaker Neil Berkeley recorded everything along the way. Harmontown the podcast became Harmontown the movie, and a new trailer gives Harmenians, the nickname for Harmon’s devotees, a taste...
- 8/29/2014
- by Jonathon Dornbush
- EW - Inside Movies
Dan Harmon wants to be the guy that makes people happy – so says the man himself in the first trailer for Neil Berkeley’s documentary Harmontown. It is sad to think that, despite having created one of the best comedy series in recent memory – Community – Harmon is probably best known for his spectacular firing from said show, following mounting conflict between him and cast member Chevy Chase. What does the man who wants to make people happy do to heal such a damaging wound? He takes his popular podcast on tour, of course – using the love of his dedicated fanbase as a revitalizing salve.
On the face of it, it sounds incredibly narcissistic, egotistical, and perhaps even desperate. In reality though, with this trailer, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Harmon is not only a refreshingly honest voice in relation to Hollywood as a whole, but also in relation to the human race,...
On the face of it, it sounds incredibly narcissistic, egotistical, and perhaps even desperate. In reality though, with this trailer, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Harmon is not only a refreshingly honest voice in relation to Hollywood as a whole, but also in relation to the human race,...
- 8/29/2014
- by Sarah Myles
- We Got This Covered
For several years now, the NBC comedy series "Community" has evaded cancellation like a ninja. It earned five seasons on the TV network after nearly getting canceled several times, and when they finally axed it before the sixth season, Yahoo Screen revived it at the last minute. And one of the reasons the show has gotten such a big cult following is because of series creator Dan Harmon. The writer and producer has become known for his cynicism and blunt attitude along with his hard work and clever writing. Now the documentary Harmontown has followed him on a podcast and live performance tour, complete with interviews with collaborators like Sarah Silverman, Jack Black, Joel McHale and many more. Watch! Here's the first trailer for Neil Berkeley's documetntary Harmontown, originally from Yahoo: A kindred spirit to nerds everywhere, writer-comedian Dan Harmon has achieved celebrity via the hit series “Community,” but...
- 8/28/2014
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
It’s no secret that the mercurial Dan Harmon, creator and showrunner of NBC’s “Community,” had a very public, very messy falling out with his network and certain cast members (cough Chevy Chase cough) in 2012. Underlying tensions between Harmon and the brass at Sony, which produces the show, drove him out after the third season, though he returned a year later. NBC bailed on “Community" after its fifth season back in May of this year, and fans eagerly awaited word on what was next in store for Harmon. Rather than creating a new primetime show, the 41-year-old writer invested his talents more heavily into “Harmontown," an eponymously titled weekly comedy podcast he launched in 2012. To help spread the word and build an audience base, he set off on a cross-country circuit with co-host Jeff B. Davis. Not one to let an opportunity to flaunt his ego pass by, Harmon...
- 8/28/2014
- by Zach Hollwedel
- The Playlist
The 4th annual Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff), scheduled for November 12-16, 2014, announced its Narrative and Documentary feature film competition lineups as well as Jury members. The 2014 Festival will screen 22 feature films in competition. The full film program line-up, including out-of-competition special presentations, sneak previews of awards season contenders, and narrative, documentary and animated shorts, will be announced in September.
“Our thoughts are with everyone in the Napa Valley who have suffered losses from the recent earthquake,” said Co-Founder/Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “We are proud to be part of a community that rallies in support of each other in such a generous and big hearted way. As they say in the business, the show must go on.”
“This is an exceptionally strong year for both the Narrative and Documentary competition programs,” said Program Director Herb Stratford. “These filmmakers have created new works that provoke, inspire, educate and entertain. They are the heart of our program each year, which includes more than 100 new independent films and advance studio screenings, and we are excited to announce their participation in the festival.”
Directors of the Narrative and Documentary films in competition participate in Nvff’s unique Artists-in-Residence Program presented in partnership with the incomparable Meadowood Napa Valley. Directors stay at the luxury resort for six nights during the festival and are treated to special events and workshops with their competition group and industry mentors. Serving as faculty for a set of Master Classes at Nvff 2014 are producer Ted Hope ( Adventureland, 21 Grams); writer/director Joshua Michael Stern (Jobs, Swing Vote) writer/director Joe Carnahan (The Blacklist; The Grey, Smokin’ Aces); producer Pam Koffler (Killer Films); and producer J. Todd Harris ( The Kids are All Right; Bottle Shock); Ryan Harrington (Tribeca Film Institute); producer Jason Berman (Struck by Lightning, Luv); producer Anne Carey (Archer Gray Productions); executives Tom Quinn (RADiUS) and David Glasser (The Weinstein Company). Meadowood Napa Valley will also award $10,000 to the winning filmmakers in both the Narrative and Documentary competition categories at the Closing Night Awards Ceremony on Sunday, November 16.
Narrative Competition Section
Films in the Narrative competition section feature actors Anne Hathaway, Billie Joe Armstrong, Elizabeth Banks, Tate Donovan, Rachael Harris, Zoe Kravitz, Stephen Lang, Leighton Meester, Debra Messing, Dev Patel, Kyra Sedgwick, Chloe Sevigny and Paul Wesley, among others. The 12 films selected include:
"Thank You A Lot"- Music agent and manager Jack Hand has a bad reputation and an even worse track record. He has only two clients left: an indie band on the verge of a breakup and a part-time hip-hop artist. Jack’s future hinges on signing the one person he is barely on speaking terms with — his estranged father, a respected and reclusive country singer/songwriter. "East Side Sushi"- Juana‘s work – preparing fruit for the family’s sidewalk cart – is steady, but hardly her life’s calling. Despite the objections and concerns of her family, Juana decides to pursue her dream of becoming an expert sushi chef, to go where her heart tells her, not where she is expected to be. "Fall To Rise" - Principal dancer Lauren Drake is beautiful, talented and famous. When Lauren is released from her company after being sidelined by an injury, she quickly becomes frustrated with her new domestic lifestyle. At a performance by another dance company, she meets and teams up with Des, a former dancer who is also eager to have a second chance in the dance world. "Little Accidents" (Isa: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment) - In a small West Virginia town reeling from a recent tragic accident in the local mine, a fresh unfortunate incident in the woods leaves a young boy dead. Meanwhile Owen, an injured miner struggling to adjust to his new life aboveground, joins the search for the first boy who is presumed lost in the woods. "Like Sunday, Like Rain" - Reggie Kipper is a sweet, awkward cello prodigy, a composer and overall genius. He’s about to graduate from high school and enroll at MIT — and he’s is only twelve years old. Eleanor Fallon is a 23-year old struggling musician who meets Reggie when she is hired to be his au pair, and the unlikely duo embarks on a summer adventure that neither of them ever expected. "Sun Belt Express"- Allen King, a man living on the Arizona/Mexico border, finds out what his breaking point is when his ex-wife demands money, and his job teaching at a college south of the border evaporates. Allen then finds a unique way to supplant his income by transporting illegal aliens in the trunk of his car. "Sam & Amira" (Isa: Preferred Entertainment) - Sam is an army veteran struggling to assimilate into normal life stateside. He works a variety of odd jobs, tries his hand at stand-up comedy, and is recruited by his cousin into some shady investment dealings. Sam’s already complicated life is made more so by Amira, an Iraqi woman dealing with her own issues who is the daughter of an old army colleague. "Song One" (Isa: Lotus Entertainment) - Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring singer-songwriter, she tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester. Against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s music scene, Franny and James develop an unexpected relationship and face the realities of their lives. "The Road Within" (Isa: Panorama Media) - Vincent has Tourette Syndrome. When his mother dies, he becomes obsessed with scattering her ashes by the ocean. Too much for his father to handle, Vincent is sent to a residential treatment center in Nevada where he befriends two other “inmates” struggling with their own personal issues. "Kinderwald" - Pennsylvania wilderness, 1885. John Linden, a hard-working German immigrant, is making a go of homesteading with his brother’s widow and her two young sons. John’s visually and spiritually idyllic world is thrown into utter chaos when the two boys go missing while off playing in the woods. "Wildlike" (Isa: Panorama Media) - Mackenzie is a fourteen-year-old girl whose father died last year. When her struggling mother checks herself into a recovery center, Mackenzie is sent from their Seattle home to live with her uncle in Alaska. At first he seems a supportive caretaker, but when his infatuation crosses a sexual line, Mackenzie runs away. With no one else to turn to, she shadows a solitary backpacker, Bartlett, a widowed man with scars of his own, into the beauty and danger of America’s last frontier.
Documentary Competition Section
"American Native" - For years, the legend of the Jackson Whites tribe has been told, passed down from generation to generation of New Jersey suburbanites. While the garish stories and tall tales have never been hard to find, the truth behind them has. Accessing the community is not easy; few outsiders have been able to penetrate the insular walls formed from centuries of discrimination. "Botso" - Dr. Botso Korisheli, 91 and still teaching music along with his unique philosophy, has a fascinating and unforgettable life story. Born in the former Soviet State of Georgia, Botso witnessed his father imprisoned under orders from Josef Stalin while his home was taken over by the Kgb. Forced to dig ditches for the Soviet army, Botso was then captured by the Germans. "Flying The Feathered Edge" - Robert A. “Bob” Hoover, age 92, is considered by many to be our greatest living aviator. Nicknamed “The Pilot’s Pilot” by his peers, Bob is largely unknown outside aviation circles despite his staggering array of accomplishments. Following a storied career during WWII as a fighter pilot, Bob continued to serve for years as one of our best test pilots. Mr. Hoover will be in attendance for screenings and Q&As. "Happy Valley" (Isa: Submarine Entertainment) - Few sports dynasties in the modern era have had a larger and longer-lasting profile than college football’s Penn State and its legendary coach Joe Paterno. State College, Pennsylvania, is in the heart of an area known as Happy Valley, ground zero of a proud football tradition for decades. When the shocking sex abuse scandal of assistant coach Jerry Sandusky rocked that town and college in 2011, the impact was unprecedented. "Havana Curveball" - At age 13 and preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, Mica takes to heart his rabbi’s injunction to help “heal the world.” Mica imagines himself a hero for other kids, and hatches a grand plan to send baseballs, bats and gloves to Cuba. Mica knows only that Cubans are poor and love baseball, and that Cuba “saved” his grandpa’s life when he was escaping from Nazi Germany. "States of Grace" - Dr. Grace Dammann’s life was forever altered when a driver crashed head-on into her car on the Golden Gate Bridge. After a seven-week coma and numerous surgeries, Grace miraculously regained consciousness, with her cognitive abilities almost entirely intact, but her body left shattered and severely disabled. "Underwater Dreams" - The epic story of four teenage boys from the Arizona desert who dare to go up against college engineering students from MIT. Inspired by two energetic high school science teachers, the boys build a robot from hardware store parts and enter an underwater robotics competition sponsored by Nasa. "An Honest Liar" - For as long as there have been magicians and illusionists, there have been doubters and debunkers making sure that the general public doesn’t get taken for a ride. One of the greatest illusionists of his era was “The Amazing Randi,” who made the shift from magic and escape acts to exposing the frauds who prey on unsuspecting victims. "Compared to What: The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank" (Isa: Preferred Content) - Few members of the U.S. Congress have ever been as polarizing and revolutionary as Barney Frank has been over the past 40 years. Compared to What: The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank examines the career, passions and legacy of our first openly gay Congressman. This rare and intimate documentary is entertaining, enlightening and thought-provoking. "#chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes On A Dictator" (Isa: Preferred Content) - In #chicagoGirl, we meet freedom fighters in the streets of Homs and Damascus along with the stateside collection of exiles working to return Syria to a stable and human rights-respecting country. Will 21st century tools of change stand up to guns and violence and terror in the streets? Narrative Features Jury
Christine Vachon , (Producer, "Boys Don’t Cry," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "Far From Heaven")
Peter Baxter ( Co-founder/Director Slamdance Film Festival)
Dierk Sinderman (Hollywood Foreign Press Association)
Lisa Truitt ( Producer, James Cameron’s "Deepsea Challenge 3D,""Mysteries of Egypt")
Don Lewis (Producer; Editor Film Threat)
Documentary Features and Shorts Jury
Morgan Neville ("Twenty Feet From Stardom")
Tiffany Shlain ("The Tribe; Connected: An Autobiography About Love," "Death & Technology")
Freida Lee Mock ("Anita. G-Dog,""Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision," "Return with Honor")
Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine ("Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden,""Ballets Russes").
Narrative Shorts Jury
Joshua Michael Stern ("Jobs,""Swing Vote," "Neverwas")
Ralph Macchio (Actor, "The Karate Kid;" Director, "Across Grace Alley")
Neil Berkeley ("Beauty in Embarrassing;" Founder Brkl)
Animated Shorts
Bill Plympton (The King of Indie Animation)
Adam Glick (Amazon Web Services)
Ryan Tudhope (Atomic Fiction)
About The Napa Valley Film Festival
The Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The ultimate celebration of film, food and wine, Nvff lights up the picturesque towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga at the most colorful time of year. Nvff features over 100 new independent films and studio sneak previews screening in 12 beautiful venues throughout four walkable villages, as 300 visiting filmmakers interact with audiences at screenings and intimate events. Attendees enjoy film panels & culinary demonstrations, wine tasting pavilions, the spectacular Festival Gala, Celebrity Tributes, Awards Ceremony, and an array of parties, VIP receptions and winemaker dinners and more. For information or to buy passes, visit NapaValleyFilmFest.org...
“Our thoughts are with everyone in the Napa Valley who have suffered losses from the recent earthquake,” said Co-Founder/Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “We are proud to be part of a community that rallies in support of each other in such a generous and big hearted way. As they say in the business, the show must go on.”
“This is an exceptionally strong year for both the Narrative and Documentary competition programs,” said Program Director Herb Stratford. “These filmmakers have created new works that provoke, inspire, educate and entertain. They are the heart of our program each year, which includes more than 100 new independent films and advance studio screenings, and we are excited to announce their participation in the festival.”
Directors of the Narrative and Documentary films in competition participate in Nvff’s unique Artists-in-Residence Program presented in partnership with the incomparable Meadowood Napa Valley. Directors stay at the luxury resort for six nights during the festival and are treated to special events and workshops with their competition group and industry mentors. Serving as faculty for a set of Master Classes at Nvff 2014 are producer Ted Hope ( Adventureland, 21 Grams); writer/director Joshua Michael Stern (Jobs, Swing Vote) writer/director Joe Carnahan (The Blacklist; The Grey, Smokin’ Aces); producer Pam Koffler (Killer Films); and producer J. Todd Harris ( The Kids are All Right; Bottle Shock); Ryan Harrington (Tribeca Film Institute); producer Jason Berman (Struck by Lightning, Luv); producer Anne Carey (Archer Gray Productions); executives Tom Quinn (RADiUS) and David Glasser (The Weinstein Company). Meadowood Napa Valley will also award $10,000 to the winning filmmakers in both the Narrative and Documentary competition categories at the Closing Night Awards Ceremony on Sunday, November 16.
Narrative Competition Section
Films in the Narrative competition section feature actors Anne Hathaway, Billie Joe Armstrong, Elizabeth Banks, Tate Donovan, Rachael Harris, Zoe Kravitz, Stephen Lang, Leighton Meester, Debra Messing, Dev Patel, Kyra Sedgwick, Chloe Sevigny and Paul Wesley, among others. The 12 films selected include:
"Thank You A Lot"- Music agent and manager Jack Hand has a bad reputation and an even worse track record. He has only two clients left: an indie band on the verge of a breakup and a part-time hip-hop artist. Jack’s future hinges on signing the one person he is barely on speaking terms with — his estranged father, a respected and reclusive country singer/songwriter. "East Side Sushi"- Juana‘s work – preparing fruit for the family’s sidewalk cart – is steady, but hardly her life’s calling. Despite the objections and concerns of her family, Juana decides to pursue her dream of becoming an expert sushi chef, to go where her heart tells her, not where she is expected to be. "Fall To Rise" - Principal dancer Lauren Drake is beautiful, talented and famous. When Lauren is released from her company after being sidelined by an injury, she quickly becomes frustrated with her new domestic lifestyle. At a performance by another dance company, she meets and teams up with Des, a former dancer who is also eager to have a second chance in the dance world. "Little Accidents" (Isa: William Morris Endeavor Entertainment) - In a small West Virginia town reeling from a recent tragic accident in the local mine, a fresh unfortunate incident in the woods leaves a young boy dead. Meanwhile Owen, an injured miner struggling to adjust to his new life aboveground, joins the search for the first boy who is presumed lost in the woods. "Like Sunday, Like Rain" - Reggie Kipper is a sweet, awkward cello prodigy, a composer and overall genius. He’s about to graduate from high school and enroll at MIT — and he’s is only twelve years old. Eleanor Fallon is a 23-year old struggling musician who meets Reggie when she is hired to be his au pair, and the unlikely duo embarks on a summer adventure that neither of them ever expected. "Sun Belt Express"- Allen King, a man living on the Arizona/Mexico border, finds out what his breaking point is when his ex-wife demands money, and his job teaching at a college south of the border evaporates. Allen then finds a unique way to supplant his income by transporting illegal aliens in the trunk of his car. "Sam & Amira" (Isa: Preferred Entertainment) - Sam is an army veteran struggling to assimilate into normal life stateside. He works a variety of odd jobs, tries his hand at stand-up comedy, and is recruited by his cousin into some shady investment dealings. Sam’s already complicated life is made more so by Amira, an Iraqi woman dealing with her own issues who is the daughter of an old army colleague. "Song One" (Isa: Lotus Entertainment) - Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring singer-songwriter, she tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester. Against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s music scene, Franny and James develop an unexpected relationship and face the realities of their lives. "The Road Within" (Isa: Panorama Media) - Vincent has Tourette Syndrome. When his mother dies, he becomes obsessed with scattering her ashes by the ocean. Too much for his father to handle, Vincent is sent to a residential treatment center in Nevada where he befriends two other “inmates” struggling with their own personal issues. "Kinderwald" - Pennsylvania wilderness, 1885. John Linden, a hard-working German immigrant, is making a go of homesteading with his brother’s widow and her two young sons. John’s visually and spiritually idyllic world is thrown into utter chaos when the two boys go missing while off playing in the woods. "Wildlike" (Isa: Panorama Media) - Mackenzie is a fourteen-year-old girl whose father died last year. When her struggling mother checks herself into a recovery center, Mackenzie is sent from their Seattle home to live with her uncle in Alaska. At first he seems a supportive caretaker, but when his infatuation crosses a sexual line, Mackenzie runs away. With no one else to turn to, she shadows a solitary backpacker, Bartlett, a widowed man with scars of his own, into the beauty and danger of America’s last frontier.
Documentary Competition Section
"American Native" - For years, the legend of the Jackson Whites tribe has been told, passed down from generation to generation of New Jersey suburbanites. While the garish stories and tall tales have never been hard to find, the truth behind them has. Accessing the community is not easy; few outsiders have been able to penetrate the insular walls formed from centuries of discrimination. "Botso" - Dr. Botso Korisheli, 91 and still teaching music along with his unique philosophy, has a fascinating and unforgettable life story. Born in the former Soviet State of Georgia, Botso witnessed his father imprisoned under orders from Josef Stalin while his home was taken over by the Kgb. Forced to dig ditches for the Soviet army, Botso was then captured by the Germans. "Flying The Feathered Edge" - Robert A. “Bob” Hoover, age 92, is considered by many to be our greatest living aviator. Nicknamed “The Pilot’s Pilot” by his peers, Bob is largely unknown outside aviation circles despite his staggering array of accomplishments. Following a storied career during WWII as a fighter pilot, Bob continued to serve for years as one of our best test pilots. Mr. Hoover will be in attendance for screenings and Q&As. "Happy Valley" (Isa: Submarine Entertainment) - Few sports dynasties in the modern era have had a larger and longer-lasting profile than college football’s Penn State and its legendary coach Joe Paterno. State College, Pennsylvania, is in the heart of an area known as Happy Valley, ground zero of a proud football tradition for decades. When the shocking sex abuse scandal of assistant coach Jerry Sandusky rocked that town and college in 2011, the impact was unprecedented. "Havana Curveball" - At age 13 and preparing for his Bar Mitzvah, Mica takes to heart his rabbi’s injunction to help “heal the world.” Mica imagines himself a hero for other kids, and hatches a grand plan to send baseballs, bats and gloves to Cuba. Mica knows only that Cubans are poor and love baseball, and that Cuba “saved” his grandpa’s life when he was escaping from Nazi Germany. "States of Grace" - Dr. Grace Dammann’s life was forever altered when a driver crashed head-on into her car on the Golden Gate Bridge. After a seven-week coma and numerous surgeries, Grace miraculously regained consciousness, with her cognitive abilities almost entirely intact, but her body left shattered and severely disabled. "Underwater Dreams" - The epic story of four teenage boys from the Arizona desert who dare to go up against college engineering students from MIT. Inspired by two energetic high school science teachers, the boys build a robot from hardware store parts and enter an underwater robotics competition sponsored by Nasa. "An Honest Liar" - For as long as there have been magicians and illusionists, there have been doubters and debunkers making sure that the general public doesn’t get taken for a ride. One of the greatest illusionists of his era was “The Amazing Randi,” who made the shift from magic and escape acts to exposing the frauds who prey on unsuspecting victims. "Compared to What: The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank" (Isa: Preferred Content) - Few members of the U.S. Congress have ever been as polarizing and revolutionary as Barney Frank has been over the past 40 years. Compared to What: The Improbable Journey of Barney Frank examines the career, passions and legacy of our first openly gay Congressman. This rare and intimate documentary is entertaining, enlightening and thought-provoking. "#chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes On A Dictator" (Isa: Preferred Content) - In #chicagoGirl, we meet freedom fighters in the streets of Homs and Damascus along with the stateside collection of exiles working to return Syria to a stable and human rights-respecting country. Will 21st century tools of change stand up to guns and violence and terror in the streets? Narrative Features Jury
Christine Vachon , (Producer, "Boys Don’t Cry," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "Far From Heaven")
Peter Baxter ( Co-founder/Director Slamdance Film Festival)
Dierk Sinderman (Hollywood Foreign Press Association)
Lisa Truitt ( Producer, James Cameron’s "Deepsea Challenge 3D,""Mysteries of Egypt")
Don Lewis (Producer; Editor Film Threat)
Documentary Features and Shorts Jury
Morgan Neville ("Twenty Feet From Stardom")
Tiffany Shlain ("The Tribe; Connected: An Autobiography About Love," "Death & Technology")
Freida Lee Mock ("Anita. G-Dog,""Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision," "Return with Honor")
Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine ("Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden,""Ballets Russes").
Narrative Shorts Jury
Joshua Michael Stern ("Jobs,""Swing Vote," "Neverwas")
Ralph Macchio (Actor, "The Karate Kid;" Director, "Across Grace Alley")
Neil Berkeley ("Beauty in Embarrassing;" Founder Brkl)
Animated Shorts
Bill Plympton (The King of Indie Animation)
Adam Glick (Amazon Web Services)
Ryan Tudhope (Atomic Fiction)
About The Napa Valley Film Festival
The Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The ultimate celebration of film, food and wine, Nvff lights up the picturesque towns of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga at the most colorful time of year. Nvff features over 100 new independent films and studio sneak previews screening in 12 beautiful venues throughout four walkable villages, as 300 visiting filmmakers interact with audiences at screenings and intimate events. Attendees enjoy film panels & culinary demonstrations, wine tasting pavilions, the spectacular Festival Gala, Celebrity Tributes, Awards Ceremony, and an array of parties, VIP receptions and winemaker dinners and more. For information or to buy passes, visit NapaValleyFilmFest.org...
- 8/28/2014
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
The Orchard has acquired North American and UK theatrical and digital rights to Harmontown.
Neil Berkeley directed the documentary about Dan Harmon, creator of the hit Community show, who is fired from the show and takes his own podcast on tour.
Future You Pictures and Starburns Industries produced the film and there are appearances by Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Jason Sudeikis and Joel McHale.
The Orchard plans an autumn release. Harmontown premiered at SXSW. Harmon will embark upon another podcast tour to promote the film’s theatrical expansion.
UTA Independent Film Group and Josh Braun of Submarine represented the film-maker.
Neil Berkeley directed the documentary about Dan Harmon, creator of the hit Community show, who is fired from the show and takes his own podcast on tour.
Future You Pictures and Starburns Industries produced the film and there are appearances by Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Jason Sudeikis and Joel McHale.
The Orchard plans an autumn release. Harmontown premiered at SXSW. Harmon will embark upon another podcast tour to promote the film’s theatrical expansion.
UTA Independent Film Group and Josh Braun of Submarine represented the film-maker.
- 7/14/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Distributor The Orchard has acquired North American and U.K. rights to Neil Berkeley’s documentary Harmonton, which follows Community creator Dan Harmon on tour for his eponymous podcast series after he was fired from Community in 2012. The film also features appearances by Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Jason Sudeikis and Joel McHale and will be released theatrically and digitally this fall. Harmon, who returned to Community in 2013, will embark upon another podcast tour in concert with the movie’s theatrical expansion. Harmontown, which was co-produced by Future You Pictures and Starburns Industries, premiered as part of the
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- 7/14/2014
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Neil Berkeley's hilarious road documentary "Harmontown," which was a hit at SXSW 2014, will get a fall theatrical and VOD release in North America and the U.K. via The Orchard, an indie music, film and video distributor and multi-channel network. The film showcases "Community" creator Dan Harmon on tour with his podcast as well as Jason Sudeikis and Joel McHale, among others. Harmon prepped for "Community" by writing for shows such as “The Sarah Silverman Program” and the Jack Black/Ben Stiller pilot “Heat Vision and Jack.” Silverman, Black and Stiller also appear in the film (The Playlist review here). Co-produced by Future You Pictures and Starburns Industries, "Harmontown" follows self-deprecating cynic Harmon after he's fired from the hit series he created and takes his writing on the road, performing live podcasts for his fans around the country. The...
- 7/14/2014
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
After he was booted from Community, show creator Dan Harmon hit the road taking his Harmontown podcast to fans across the country as filmmaker Neil Berkeley (Beauty Is Embarrassing) documented the tour. The resulting film, Harmontown, world-premiered at SXSW and has now been acquired by McN/distribution co. The Orchard, which is plotting a theatrical and digital release this fall in North America and the U.K. Film features Harmon buddies and former collaborators Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Jason Sudeikis and Joel McHale among other comics and Community stars. Harmon, who returned to Community for Season 5, is an exec […]...
- 7/14/2014
- Deadline
Everything is coming up aces for Dan Harmon. The “Community” creator got his show back last year, just got a second life and sixth season at Greendale from Yahoo, and now, the documentary about his traveling podcast has been acquired by distributor The Orchard. Also read: ‘Community’ to Return for Season 6 on Yahoo Screen Directed by Neil Berkeley (“Beauty is Embarrassing”), the film traces Harmon's shows throughout the country, with guest appearances by “Community” stars and top comedians like Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Sarah Silverman, and Jason Sudeikis. See video: Joel McHale Wants Nc-17 Rated ‘Community’ Movie With ‘Swordplay’ “‘Harmontown...
- 7/14/2014
- by Jordan Zakarin
- The Wrap
Dan Harmon is a contradiction. He is happy and sad, loving and cruel, appreciative and narcissistic – but above all, he is bitingly honest. This trait is what makes him a great writer and a compelling documentary subject. After getting fired from Community (the show he created), Harmon began the podcast, “Harmontown,” which became his form of therapy in the wake of this latest rejection. Hamontown follows Harmon, along with his co-host Jeff B. Davis, Dungeon Master Spencer Crittenden and his girlfriend Erin McGathy, as they take “Harmontown” on the road. Harmon is also faced with writing two new pilots, one for CBS and one for Fox, which become “homework” he is constantly working on (or not working on) while on the road. Director Neil Berkeley asks Harmon at the beginning of Harmontown what he learned while on tour and the rest of the documentary works to try and answer this question. Berkeley...
- 6/17/2014
- by Allison Loring
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Honesty has gotten Dan Harmon in trouble in the past -- whether you're a fan of his or not, you're likely well-aware of Harmon's much-publicized trials with "Community," his meta-sitcom, beloved by critics and a small-but-diehard fan base. The show was taken away from him in May 2012, but honesty also seemingly ended up being his salvation, and not just because NBC hired him back to run the show's fifth season in June 2013.
Somewhere along the way, the "Community" mantra-turned-meme of six seasons and a movie became 20 shows and a documentary. And much like another fan favourite ousted by NBC, Harmon decided to hit the road during the ensuing layoff, taking his nerd-friendly podcast Harmontown on a 20-city, 23-day cross-country tour with a documentary crew, his co-host Jeff Davis, fiancée Erin McGathy and personal D&D dungeon master Spencer Crittenden in tow. Bringing his brand of unfettered candour to the people...
Somewhere along the way, the "Community" mantra-turned-meme of six seasons and a movie became 20 shows and a documentary. And much like another fan favourite ousted by NBC, Harmon decided to hit the road during the ensuing layoff, taking his nerd-friendly podcast Harmontown on a 20-city, 23-day cross-country tour with a documentary crew, his co-host Jeff Davis, fiancée Erin McGathy and personal D&D dungeon master Spencer Crittenden in tow. Bringing his brand of unfettered candour to the people...
- 4/25/2014
- by Rick Mele
- Moviefone
Within seconds after sitting down to watch "Harmontown," you will notice that the doc is brought to you by "Starburns Industries." For those in the know, the production company is paying homage to one of the bit characters played by Dino Stamatopoulos on the TV show "Community." Those who watch the show will get a lot out of "Harmontown," and there may just be something for everyone else.
Dan Harmon is the comedic genius behind programs like "The Sarah Silverman Show," and the cult pilot one-off "Heat Vision and Jack," but his baby is "Community." The NBC art-sitcom experiment has been a massive underground hit, rewarding endless fanboys and girls with rapid-fire cultural references, endearing nerdy characters and non-stop punchy one-liners. The show is by no means a ratings-getter, and every new season is borne out of a turbulent gestation. Harmon's perfectionist work ethic towards the production and casting of...
Dan Harmon is the comedic genius behind programs like "The Sarah Silverman Show," and the cult pilot one-off "Heat Vision and Jack," but his baby is "Community." The NBC art-sitcom experiment has been a massive underground hit, rewarding endless fanboys and girls with rapid-fire cultural references, endearing nerdy characters and non-stop punchy one-liners. The show is by no means a ratings-getter, and every new season is borne out of a turbulent gestation. Harmon's perfectionist work ethic towards the production and casting of...
- 4/24/2014
- by Mark Wigmore
- Moviefone
South by Southwest 2014 felt even larger this year with additions of Keynote speakers, its countless conference events, and of course, the music. South by Southwest is truly the convergence of all things talent and nothing showcases this better than the vast array of films screened this year.With 133 feature films screened across 10 venues, 11 screens, and over 9 days, SXSW 2014 has come to a close. This year saw, as with many years in the past, a great collection of headliners, festival favorites, filmmaker debuts, and oddball favorites.
Signing off from Austin, TX, see y’all next year! If you missed any of our coverage of SXSW, check out the links below:
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Bad Words
Directed by Jason Bateman
In his directorial debut, Bateman pulls little punches. In a script that strings along profanity like letters in a spelling bee challenge word, most will cringe, others will laugh, and a few will cringe while laughing.
Signing off from Austin, TX, see y’all next year! If you missed any of our coverage of SXSW, check out the links below:
–––
Bad Words
Directed by Jason Bateman
In his directorial debut, Bateman pulls little punches. In a script that strings along profanity like letters in a spelling bee challenge word, most will cringe, others will laugh, and a few will cringe while laughing.
- 3/16/2014
- by David Tran
- SoundOnSight
We're not sure there's been a figure in the history of television quite like Dan Harmon. The "Community" creator has, over the past few years, become one of the bigger celebrity showrunners, a writer as well-known as any of his creations, and whose fiiter-free, headline-grabbing antics, and rise-and-fall-and-rise again narrative, have seen him become, if not a household name, then a serious cult figure. Neil Berkeley's documentary "Harmontown," which screened at the SXSW Festival this past week, is an investigation into that cult, and the man who leads it. The film follows the national tour that the writer took his "Harmontown" podcast on the road with in early 2013, six months or so after he was fired from "Community" after the end of the third series. The podcast, for the uninitiated is a rambling, chaotic, mostly unprepared couple of hours that features Harmon, actor/comic Jeff B. Davis, Harmon's girlfriend Erin McGathy,...
- 3/15/2014
- by Oliver Lyttelton
- The Playlist
Harmontown
Directed by Neil Berkeley
Us, 2014
Spawning from the popular podcast and controversial behavior of Community showrunner Dan Harmon, Harmontown is an intimate look into his inner workings through his relationship with the people around him. As with him, his relationships are complex. The film explores his simultaneous narcissism and self loathing as well as his core motivations for writing. It’s an honest film about a man who reaches out to the people on the fringes of society much like himself.
After being fired from Community and before being rehired to Community, Harmon used a popular podcast hosted at Melt Down Comics in Hollywood as an outlet. After years of notes, restrictions, and filters on his show, he was now free to roam. Eventually Dan, co-host Jeff B. Davis, girlfriend Erin McGathy, dungeon master Spenser Crittenden, and crew set off on their countrywide tour. What follows is an examination of a functional alcoholic,...
Directed by Neil Berkeley
Us, 2014
Spawning from the popular podcast and controversial behavior of Community showrunner Dan Harmon, Harmontown is an intimate look into his inner workings through his relationship with the people around him. As with him, his relationships are complex. The film explores his simultaneous narcissism and self loathing as well as his core motivations for writing. It’s an honest film about a man who reaches out to the people on the fringes of society much like himself.
After being fired from Community and before being rehired to Community, Harmon used a popular podcast hosted at Melt Down Comics in Hollywood as an outlet. After years of notes, restrictions, and filters on his show, he was now free to roam. Eventually Dan, co-host Jeff B. Davis, girlfriend Erin McGathy, dungeon master Spenser Crittenden, and crew set off on their countrywide tour. What follows is an examination of a functional alcoholic,...
- 3/13/2014
- by David Tran
- SoundOnSight
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