Max Schreck (1879–1936)
Born: September 6, 1879 in Berlin, Germany
Died: February 20, 1936 (age 56) in Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Married to:
Fanny Schreck (1910 – 20 February 1936) (his death)
An oft-told legend is that Schreck’s otherworldly performance as Nosferatu was due to the fact that he was in reality a vampire. Actor Willem Dafoe portrayed him as such, playing the vampire Count Orlok in Shadow of the Vampire (2000).
 NOSFERATU1922 dir. by F.W. Murnau Stars: Max Schreck Greta Schroder |
Akira Kurosawa (1910–1998)
Born: March 23, 1910 in Tokyo, Japan
Died: September 6, 1998 (age 88) in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Married tO:
Yôko Yaguchi (21 May 1945 – 1 February 1985) (her death) (2 children)
With a good script, a good director can produce a masterpiece. With the same script, a mediocre director can produce a passable film. But with a bad script even a good director can’t possibly make a good film. For truly cinematic expression, the camera and the microphone must be able to cross both fire and water. The script must be something that has the power to do this.
 Sugata Sanshiro1943 dir. Kurosawa Cast Denjirô Ôkôchi Susumu Fujita |
 Stray Dog1949 dir. Kurosawa starring Toshirô Mifune Takashi Shimura |
 Rashomon1950 dir. Akira Kurosawa Starring Toshirô Mifune Machiko Kyô |
 IKiru1952 dir. Kurosawa Starring Takashi Shimura Shinichi Himori |
 Seven Samurai1954 dir. Akira Kurosawa Starring Takashi Shimura Toshirô Mifune |
 Yojimbo1961 dir. Akira Kurosawa starring Toshirô Mifune Tatsuya Nakadai |
Of all the director’s on this list, none except Kubrick were as skilled at as many different types of films. He’s well remembered for his samurai films, but he was just as skilled at crime stories, dramas and even comedy.
Though “The Seven Samurai” and his other samurai films are probably the most well known, his influence among filmmakers and their films was far more wide ranging, from western and adventure directors to surrealists like Fellini. Other directors on the list were as practiced in pure cinema storytelling, but no one else was quite as good at it. Besides unifying certain techniques that we take for granted now–like slow motion, weather for atmosphere, and the frequent use of long lenses–he told stories through images in a way no one else could ever quite match. Which is probably why so many different types of filmmakers have found so much to be inspired in by him.
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
IN THE BLOOD (I BLODET )(Denmark 2016) ***
Directed by Rasmus Heisterberg
Starring: Mads Reuther, Victoria Carmen Sonne, Esben Dalgaard Andersen
Review by Gilbert Seah
Danish writer (THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, A ROYAL AFFAIR) Rasmus Heisterberg’s directorial debut centres on a brilliant medical student and difficult human being, Simon (Kristoffer Bech). Simon’s goal is working on a study project in the Amazon with his best friend Knud (Elliott Crosset Hove), after passing the exams. Trouble is that Simon is quite unstable emotionally.
While he is straight, he has a strange jealousy of Knud, especially of his girlfriend, Mia (Lea Gregersen). Director Heisterberg captures the campus environment well and injects a superb trance soundtrack that can be heard whenever the boys go partying. And
the boys party hard. The film is unpredictable and though the film is not exceptional, the angst and problems of Simon are deeply felt. The film, a study on the compulsive behaviour of Simon and its consequences succeeds.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEm3uco4K3s
Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
BEAUTIES OF THE NIGHT (BELLAS DE NOCHE) (Mexico 2016) **
Directed by María José Cuevas
Starring: Rossy Mendoza, Lyn May, Olga Breeskin
Review by Gilbert Seah
Director Cuevas’ documentary on Mexican showgirls (the women who found notoriety by showing a little skin in movies and on TV) follows a few of them, now past their prime, talking about their past glories and present lives. There is nothing special about this documentary in terms of message, research done on the subject or insight on the showbiz industry. It appears that director Cuevas is just as guilty of exploiting these poor girls to make his documentary.
The film is also at most times all over the place. For example, Seux talks about her life crumbling like the 1985 Mexican earthquake, and Cuevas provides a still of the earthquake. There is also a bit about Princess Yemel imprisoned for two years.
She talks about the horrible treatment there – enough to make any decent person feel uneasy. There are a few moments of interest – as the showgirls’ lives are not all dull (with the exception of the born-again Christianity portion) – Cuevas’ documentary is quite ordinary – like his showgirls, all of whom are nothing more than normal people given the chance of the limelight.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/161997817
Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2016. Go to TIFF 2016 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
JESUS (Chile/Germany/Greece 2016) ***
Directed by Fernando Guzzoni
Starring: Sebastián Ayala, Nicolás Durán, Alejandro Goic
Review by Gilbert Seah
Jesus (Nicolás Durán) is a story of one troubled youth set in the Chilean capital of Satntiago as told from the point of view of the boy, Jesus himself. Things take a spiral downwards after Jesus’ group loses a boy bands contest. Jesus in not in school nor working, straining the relationship between him and his father (Alejandro Goic) who frequently works out of the city.
Guzzoni loves to shoot in the shadows as in the very violent scene where Jesus and friends beat up a gay youth in the park and the two argument segments where father and son are shown in silhouettes in the car. The beating up scene is really violent and almost unbearable to watch. But Guzzoni shows a redemptive side of Jesus as he feels guilt for the deed.
Jesus is also not shown as homophobic as he himself indulges with a same-sex act with his friend. But the film finally reveals that its main focus is the father and son relationship. Guzzoni’s film is not an easy watch but it is unpredictable and gets one in the guts.
Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html
Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca
Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com
THE WILD LIFE (ROBINSON CRUSOE) (Belgium 2015) ***
Directed by Vincent Kesteloot
Starring: Matthias Schweighöfer, Kaya Yanar, Ilka Bessin
Review by Gilbert Seah
ROBINSON CRUSOE is a 2015 Belgium animated feature shot originally in French and dubbed in English and released by Lionsgate in Canada under the different title of THE WILD LIFE. As the title implies, it is the story of Robinson Crusoe – the untold story as told by the animals of the island Crusoe gets shipwrecked on. Crusoe is depicted as a clumsy clot, aided by the animals of the island in gratitude for saving them from the mean cats.
The story is told in flashback by the parrot who gives the story his point of view. On a tiny isolated South Pacific Island, Mak, the parrot and his friends live the perfect life. Blue skies, beautiful turquoise water, and lots of delicious fruit and crunchy insects. But every day is the same and Mak is really bored. Convinced there is more than just water over the horizon, he dreams of leaving his little paradise and exploring the world. Then one day, after a violent tropical storm, they wake up to find a huge ship broken up on the beach.
Two strange creatures emerge from the bowels of the shipwreck: Robinson Crusoe and his dog Aynsley. Unbeknownst to everyone, two ferocious cats have also survived the storm. The rest of the film is Crusoe and animals surviving the invasion of the two cats who have now sprouted a litter of equally ferocious and ugly kittens.
THE WILD LIFE cannot compete with the superior animation of Pixar or Disney Studios. But given its limitations, the animation is still solid, with 3-dimensional figures (as compared to the 2-D old school) that are now a staple for animated films. The inventiveness like the maze of pipes in Crusoe’s house is a wonder and the chase around the plumbing is sheer delight.
The film suffers from not having a true villain. The scavenger cats make ugly villains, but having the pa and ma felines having a hungry litter only make them more sympathetic than evil. The disposal of Crusoe’s dog is sad and would scare kids. Apart form this, most of the action is harmless fun with no real terror, violence or hint of foul language.
The film’s humour is derived from animal slapstick, chases and dumb talk. Adults will find the humour childish but the kids should be having a field day. The film also contains a few catchy tunes, just enough not to bore the audience. The film also contains a message (seems to be a staple for all animated family films these days) which is that home is where you make it – as the parrot learns.
The European touch is evident throughout the film. For one, the animals on the island make up a strange bunch, not too well known animals as found in American animal films. Besides the common parrot, other lesser known animals that make the cast include a tapir, an echidna and a chameleon. The voices are provided by an European cast for the French version and Americans for the dubbed version.
 HIGHLIGHTS Aug. 2016 HORROR/THRILLER FEEDBACK Film FestivalBest of the August 18, 2016 Fest. |  HIGHLIGHTS Aug. 2016 FAMILY/ANIMATION FEEDBACK Film FestivalBest of the August 25, 2016 Fest. |
 FEATURE Screenplay – FOR ALL MANKINDAugust 2016 Reading Written by Matthew O’Connell |  STAGE PLAY – TWO MERCHANTS OF VENICEAugust 2016 Reading Written by Stephen M. Hunt |  TV PILOT Screenplay – RICK & MORTY “The Rickgotiator”August 2016 Reading Written by David Cryan |
 TV PILOT Screenplay – DIGITAL NATIVESAugust 2016 Reading Written by Adam Preston |  TV PILOT Screenplay – SURVEILLANCEAugust 2016 Reading Written by Chris Gebhardt & Jenn Russi |  FAN FICTION Screenplay – THE MASK OF LEIAAugust 2016 Reading Written by Ian Wilson |
 1st SCENE Screenplay – SENIOR PRANKAugust 2016 Reading Written by Vincent Masson |  1st SCENE Screenplay – HALFWAYAugust 2016 Reading Written by Lukas Hassel |  SHORT Screenplay – DRAC S CAFEAugust 2016 Reading Written… |
View original post 319 more words
Watch Novel Performance Readings:
Novels Showcased in 2015:
45 Novels Performed
9 Novels Made into a Movie
Plus, 12 Poems Made into a Movie
Get FULL FEEDBACK on either the 1st chapter or entire novel book from our committee of Professional Writers, and Writing Consultants. Get your novel performed by a professional actor at the festival.
NEW OPTION: Or, just submit for an actor performance reading transcript of your novel (any 5 pages of your book). Great way to promote the sales of your book if you’re already published. (see examples on the video playlist below)
SUBMIT your novel now (both your 1st chapter or full novel accepted) To be eligible for our Writing Festival Events. Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation
Just VOTED one of the top festivals in the world today!
Submit a novel book and get it seen by the world.
A great way to get your…
View original post 396 more words
Deadline September 5th. Submit and get your first 10 pages performed!
Watch over 60 1st Scene Screenplay Festival Winners:
FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay from our committee of Professional Screenwriters, Production Heads and Script Consultants.
Are you just starting off your screenplay and want immediate feedback on your first scenes/first moments of your script?
Send your first scene (or first moments – 10pg. limit) and get feedback. Winners (at least 40 a year) get their first scene read at the MONTHLY WILDsound Screenplay Festival (see video on right for example of what you’ll get when you win).
Great way to promote your script!
Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation. Looking for screenplays
Why this is the #1 Screenplay Festival and Contest in the World today!
– 0ffers screenwriters at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their scripts read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS and showcased online for 1000s to see.
View original post 471 more words
I think I watched the whole video performance of my play with a smile on my face. I’ll have to watch it again to be more objective. DEAR ACTORS – thank you! I’m so thrilled with your performances, you don’t know how happy you have made me.
– Gina Surles, Playwright
WILDsound THEATRE Contest
FULL FEEDBACK on your STAGE PLAY from our committee of Professional Play Writers, and Writing Consultants. Get your PLAY performed by professional actors at the festival.
SUBMIT your play now (both 1st act or full length accepted). To be eligible for our Writing Festival Events
WINNERS get their full stage play read by professional actors and showcased online for the world to see!
Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation
Festival Review – Read testimonials of past submitters feedback on their play.
Read Festival Articles – Daily blog.
Just VOTED one…
View original post 83 more words
Festival Reviews 