Smash His Camera - A revealing look at paparazzi pioneer Ron Galella

On June 4, the Bearsville Theater was turned into a paparazzi shooting gallery when the Woodstock Film Festival presented Academy Award® winner and Woodstock resident Leon Gast's new documentary Smash His Camera to a sold out house.

In attendance was the subject of the film, paparazzi extraordinaire Ron Galella, who spent much of the evening doing what he does best, photographing everyone at the party. Galella is widely credited as being the first of the Hollywood paparazzo, and Smash His Camera details Galella’s exploits photographing everyone from Jackie Onassis to Marlon Brando, the sometimes-questionable methods he used and the controversy he often caused. In the spirit of the film other photographers roamed the room snapping photos of all the guests as they chatted away.

The film was received with a rousing ovation and afterward Gast, Galella and editor Doug Abel sat down with Woodstock Film Festival director Meira Blaustein for an informative and entertaining Q&A session interrupted only by Galella’s picture taking of the audience. A reception followed the screening with Touché Restaurant providing a delicious spread of food.

Smash His Camera made its debut on HBO June 7 and will make its theatrical premiere later this year courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Pictures from the event can be viewed online at Smash His Camera gallery.

World Premiere Red Carpet Screening of REDLIGHT
Monday, June 21, 2010 at 6:00pm

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Lucy Liu produced and narrated REDLIGHT, which premiered at the 2009 Woodstock Film Festival The documentary is, an inspiring and powerful feature documentary about child sexploitation. Filmed over a four year period, REDLIGHT focuses on the personal stories of the victims and two remarkable advocates for change: grass-roots activist Somaly Mam and politician Mu Sochua. Both have since been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize and won other numerous human rights awards around the world. For more information about the film, visit http://www.redlightthemovie.com

Human trafficking is a brutal and horrific reality.
We hope you will support our efforts in the fight against this global epidemic.

A History of the Boys and Girls is the latest studio release from Woodstock musician Mark Donato. In the June issue of Roll Magazine, Crispin Kott wrote, "Mark Donato’s latest album, the charmingly quaint A History of the Boys and Girls, draws its title from an unfinished work by the late poet and author Delmore Schwartz, who in his lifetime influenced everyone from Saul Bellow to Robert Lowell to Lou Reed. It’s worth noting the disparate group of names in an effort to draw a parallel between the disparate sounds on this utterly wonderful collection of songs."

Donato is a native of Pennsylvania who at the age of eighteen, saved a thousand dollars and moved to New York City, where he inherited a band. He spent several decades as a grateful prisoner of New York's Downtown music scene before moving to a rural Upstate community, where he can now be found playing songs in his garage or recording at one of the many regional recording studios. Lately he's been playing music in the general vicinity of Woodstock, NY, famous for its dreadlocks and maple syrup.

To purchase, visit A History of the Boys and Girls.

Arts for Ulster Collaborative Exhibit & Fundraiser

50 ARTISTS - WORKS - CAUSES
Coordinated by UlsterCorps / Hosted by Woodstock Artists Association and Museum
Events benefit Ulster County Service Agencies and not-for-profit organizations such as the Woodstock Film Festival. Upcoming events include:
Youth Day – Saturday, June 26, 12-5pm
Healing Arts Day – Saturday July 10, 12-5pm
Benefit Auction – Saturday, July 17, 6-10pm
Special Performance by Rebecca Martin – Friday June 18, 7pm

Milton Glaser, a world-renown graphic artist often frequents Woodstock to generate ideas in a peaceful environment. Using numerous styles, Glaser has created popular works including the now infamous "I Love New York" icon known worldwide. Glaser has been involved in unique projects including the design of New York Magazine while receiving a number of awards from the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Society of Illustrators among others. Glaser contributed his talent to the Woodstock Film Festival by designing the 2009 festival poster.

Other artists include Jane Bloodgood-Abrams, France Menk, Elaine Thompson, Harriet Grossman, Andrew Kirschner. For complete information about upcoming events, visit UlsterCorps or check them on on Facebook

Arts from Ulster

Learn the art of balance from the master!
Philippe Petit, the man famous for tightrope walking between the twin towers, and a member of the Hudson Valley Community, will be offering three intense two-day courses to a select number of applicants August 9-15.

Last May the Woodstock Film Festival hosted a special screening of Man On Wire (the 2009 Academy Award® Best Documentary Feature) followed by a Q & A in which Petit answered questions on all topics from the mechanics of tightrope walking to his feelings on life, friendship, art and filmmaking.

The course will offer both a hands on experience in learning the art and a brief history of tightrope walking. Students will participate in exercises to develop the center of gravity within themselves and all things.

The course will be held at STREB LAB FOR ACTION MECHANICS (SLAM) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For more information, visit for STREB

The Woodstock Film Festival and grant maker Lowel-Light , will once again support, promote and reward the next generation of inspired filmmakers with their annual award.

In memory of Diane Seligman , a beautiful person who celebrated life in the way she lived, and for all those who knew Diane and in whom she lives, the DIANE SELIGMAN AWARD is presented to the "Best Short Narrative" and "Best Student Short" to honor films that are vibrant, life affirming and created by filmmakers filled with energy, creativity and passion.

Diane lived in the moment, in the flow, in harmony with the life force & source with grace and dignity. She was grateful for every day.

BUSY PRODUCTION SUMMER IN HUDSON VALLEY

Six feature films are currently in production or full blown pre-production in the Hudson Valley Catskills. Recent casting calls for Vera Farmiga's HIGHER GROUND and Bruce Beresford's PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING brought out throngs of SAG talent. In addition to feature films, several short films, TV shows and photo shoots are concurrently in the area

Film production is a bright light in an otherwise gloomy economic environment. The economic impact of local media production results in millions of dollars, hundreds of part time and full time jobs, educational opportunities, and additional revenues that come from travel to the area by film crews, post-production work, marketing, screening exhibitions and much more. Production is taking place in regional counties including Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan and Ulster.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides FREE support to independent & studio features, short films, student projects, TV ads and regional filmmakers. HVFC also maintains a widely viewed FREE online production directory, message board, newsletter blurbs, casting and crew calls and job opportunities. In addition to providing this forum to filmmakers and local businesses, HVFC provides technical, location and talent guidance, referrals and promotion through press and advertising opportunities.

For up to date information and a recap regarding recent postings, please visit us online at www,hudsonvalleyfilmcommission.org, or join us on facebook, twitter or blogger.

UPCOMING CASTING CALL

Washington Square Films will be holding auditions for a feature-length film called FRANCINE, which will be shooting in the Catskill/Hudson Valley region this summer from mid-July through August. The film centers around an aging inmate on parole who moves to a lakeside town and takes a series of jobs working with animals where she is forced to reconsider the meaning of captivity.

Washington Square Films will be considering actors and non-actors for the film.
For complete details, see Audition Post

HIGHER GROUND IN HUDSON VALLEY

Leonard, Irwin, Murphy, Butz get 'Higher'
Farmiga-helmed pic now shooting in New York
excerpted from GORDON COX for Variety.com
Joshua Leonard (Humpday) and three Tony winners -- Bill Irwin, Donna Murphy and Norbert Leo Butz -- are among the thesps signed to appear in Higher Ground, now shooting in upstate New York. Vera Farmiga, who also stars, makes her directorial debut with the pic, based on Carolyn Briggs' memoir about her experiences with a radical Christian religious community.

On Set with WFF staffer and SAG actor Michael Burke on Higher Ground
Big time filmmaking touched down in the Hudson Valley this month with the start of production of Higher Ground directed by and starring 2009 Academy Award® nominee Vera Farmiga.  Morale was high during my second day on set as a member of the principle background at beautiful Lake Minnewaska in Kerhonkson. It was a gorgeous day for shooting with gentle wisps of clouds in the sky and perfect temperatures for shooting as I patiently waited on set for filming to begin.  The crew worked hard and long into the night, and the actors hit their marks and everyone made things lively and humorous, including co-star Norbert Leo Butz’s hilarious improvisations that kept everyone on their toes. 

Markertek - Expendables - Cables - Equipment - Tools for Film + Lots More

Markertek - America's Broadcast Supply House has come oon board as a sponsor of the Hudson Valley Film Commission. Based right here in Saugerties, NY (and now in the UK also), Markertek is one of the nation's largest direct marketers of audio and video supplies. Markertek is the best professional supply solution for customers because they are the easiest, simplest and most efficient place to find & buy everything you need for your studio or project. Visit Markertek