Author: festreviews

Today’s PODCAST: EP. 1353 – Filmmaker Mia Lobo (FLY AWAY, FROGGY BOY)

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FLY AWAY, FROGGY BOY, 8min., Canada
Directed by Mia Lobo
Fly Detective Francis McFly loses his partner to the infamous ‘Croaks’, a frog gang at the centre of his most recent investigation. Stricken by grief, he decides to get revenge, and go head to head with their ravenous leader, The Frogfather.

https://mialobo.com/home

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

Fly Away, Froggy Boy was my final year thesis film. Everyone in their final year at my animation program was required to pitch a film idea, present it to our final year classmates, and the film ideas were chosen based on popular vote. The idea came from a joke between me and my partner (the co-creator, foley artist and voice of McFly), quite literally “Imagine if you pitched a film about a fly getting revenge on frogs”. I decided to pitch it to my class to see if anyone would be drawn to the idea as much as we were. We ended up one of the four films chosen to be made that year! People really love the idea.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was a great feedback video!I found it really interesting to see what aspects of the film jump out at people. The whole project is a lot less surprising and fresh for me because I worked on it for so long. Being able to hear people talk about the specific elements of the film that they found really unique, fresh and fun, reminds me of how great the project is, and how I felt the exact same way during the process.

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RSVP – LGBTQ+ Festival – Thur. Nov. 28th – Carlton Cinemas

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WILDsound is proud to showcase the best LGBTQ+ Films from the last year from around the world today.

Thursday November 28th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
98 minute program of films. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers in attendance.

Carlton Cinemas in downtown Toronto.
20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
(College Street Subway)
MAP to cinema

Tickets are FREE or Pay as you like. (Tickets generally sell out. First RSVP. First served.)

Email festival to RSVP tickets@wildsound.ca
Or, text the festival directly at 416-568-9046

SEE the full lineup of films: https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/lgbtq-toronto-festival/

Filmmaker Podcast EP. 1352 – Filmmaker Rogelio Robles (DARK ROOM)

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DARK ROOM, 11min., USA
Directed by Rogelio Robles
After losing everything, a man slowly and painfully loses his mind right before your eyes. Becoming the serial killer he was destined to be.

https://www.instagram.com/roy_horror_director/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

It was something that I felt I needed to make. Everyone deals with loss and depression differently. I wanted to get this out there and show my perspective on what it would look like for someone to slowly lose their mind.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It’s awesome to get multiple viewpoints and interpretations of the film. Sometimes I hear something I didn’t quite think about before and I’m like wow that was actually awesome!

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Watch Today’s Film Festival: DOCUMENTARY LIFE Showcase Festival

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Watch Film Festival HERE: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/november-documentary-life-festival

Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Terra Draconis: posterity and prosperity of fossils in the modern age, 22min., USA
Directed by Braeden Clete Meyer
Since its inception as a commercial interest in the 19th century, a growing debate has formed around vertebrate fossils to collect, research, and sell significant specimens on the world stage. In 1997, the most-complete Tyrannosaurus Rex specimen found to date, Sue, was auctioned off to the Chicago Field Museum for an unprecedented $8.3 million.

https://www.instagram.com/flytyer97/

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-terra-draconis

GROWING UP, 54min., USA
Directed by Leslie Dektor
16 years in the making, “Growing Up” focuses on Fernando Pullum and the impact he’s had on thousands of youth in South Central Los Angeles. Through music Fernando rose above his own harrowing childhood and for decades he’s passed that gift along to his students. Graduates of Pullum’s program have gone on to play with Beyonce?, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, and Snoop Dogg, been recipients of 6 Grammy Awards; but he’s proudest of their growth as men and women. “When I started teaching, I just wanted to make whole people. I had no idea that I would be creating artists.”

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-growing-up

Short Film Review: Natural Light: The Remarkable Transformation of a School on Detroit’s East Eight Mile

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Directed by Richard R. Murray


When a new leader arrives at one of Michigan’s worst schools, he seeks help from a unique firm known for solving “impossible” school problems. But the challenges are enormous, the project has no funding, and the effort will confront bureaucracy, skepticism, indifference, profiteering, and even a pandemic.

https://equityschools.org/portfolio-item/academy-of-warren/

Review by Julie Sheppard:

A remarkable documentary short revealing how a Michigan school is updated from an old, dingy converted grocery store to a state-of-the-art, bright, colourful place of learning.

The main title of Natural Light captures the brilliance of this school design as highlighted many times in the film — the natural light of the new skylights in the ceilings all over the school makes such a positive difference to the environment. After hearing detailed interviews of school staff and expert planners, the viewer learns a lot about school design and benefits of natural light. Surprising stats are provided. For example, students in classes with natural light succeed 20% more than those in windowless classrooms.

It is fascinating to be shown the costly initial architect plans, and then the second set of more affordable, streamlined plans. Also compelling is witnessing the work in progress, and seeing black and white “before” shots and colourful “after” shots. It is encouraging to see the footage of students enjoying the new school playground and sports facilities, and the renovated classrooms.

The cheerful soundtrack throughout the film and the on-screen text about the school’s increasing success and current waiting list both serve to highlight this venture — a truly remarkable achievement to the benefit of students, staff and the community at large.

Zoom Table Read Workshop of your Full Screenplay (feature or TV)

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Workship for writers to hear their feature screenplay or TV Pilot read out loud using professional actors.

Read full screenplays (TV Pilot/Spec or Feature Screenplay), followed by conversation with actors after reading. Session generally takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. All recorded. Writer owns all material after reading.

Text festival at 416-568-9046 to receive examples of previous readings for context.

SEE list of actors who have performed at the Zoom Table Reading Workshops in 2024.

Only $300

Buy Now Button

Recent Testimonials:

The table reading of our screenplay was phenomenal! Matthew and team selected the perfect actors for the roles and their performances were stellar. We learned so much about what worked and what didn’t. Had we not had this reading, I’m pretty sure we couldn’t have seen these aspects of our script. We now have a revision plan that I feel will take our story to the next level. I highly recommend a Zoom table reading with WildSound!                                                                                                                                                       – Lisa Johnson Mitchell

I was so impressed by our virtual table reading!  The actors were well prepared and brought palpable energy and enthusiasm to the reading.  Even though we were spread across the continent, it really felt like we were all sitting around the table together, and the actors’ comments after the reading were quite insightful.  I know this experience is going to help us take our script to the next level!                                                          – Sara Lundell

I can’t thank Matthew and the actors enough!!! This was such an amazing experience and I am forever grateful.
– Sami Richey

That was so awesome and so useful as well. Once I got over being a little self conscious it was truly rewarding on many levels. The best part was the discussion at the end of the session. Great to be able to get those opinions from professional actors who have spent the time considering the work.
– Russell Knight

Thanks for the files for the reading. — this is such a great resource to have.
– Shay Mourad

Thank you so much for providing this opportunity for me and my screenplay. The reading and the feedback were invaluable. I so appreciate this and all the opportunities you have given me!
– Janna Jones

Today’s Podcast EP. 1351 – Filmmakers Suzanne Baird & Julie Tondreau (GIN RUMMY)

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GIN RUMMY, 17min., USA
Directed by Suzanne Baird
I’m excited to share our project made from love and friendship..Three best friends have been playing Gin Rummy every week for over 50 years. On this Gin Rummy night they have made other plans as a final bonding of the trio.

Get to know the filmmaker Suzanne Baird:

What motivated you to make this film?

There were several motivators. The biggest was that my mother was dying from Dementia. It was an illness that she had for about 10 years and was in the final phases. At the same time, Roe V. Wade was repealed, and this required an examination of the question of choice on many levels. Do we have dominion over our bodies, male or female, to make choices about our health and existence.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was really gratified! They were so positive and thoughtful. It was a greatfeature of your festival. So appreciated!!

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Watch Today’s Film Festival, DOC Festival Feature Showcase: KIM CARNIE OUT LOUD

festreviews Today's Film Festival, writing and film festival

Watch Today’s Festival HERE: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/kim-carnie-out-loud

Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

KIM CARNIE OUT LOUD, 88min., UK
Directed by Maureen Macleod
Scottish singer Kim Carnie was in a secret same-sex relationship for 6 years, from the ages of 16-22. She is now ready to reflect on the impact those 6 years of secrecy had on her.

https://www.instagram.com/sgeulmedia/

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/kim-carnie-out-loud-review