“Remember Minnesota” Scouts Locations in Bismark, ND

According to a report filed by CBS affiliate KXMB-TV, “Remember Minnesota,” a feature film project about an underdog University of Minnesota rowing team, recently scouted locations in Bismark, ND. Producers Brad Melby and John Carroll Lynch (Fargo, Zodiac, Grumpy Old Men) are featured in the news story.

View the report courtesy of YouTube.

More information:

• Frozen Frames: Lynch Remembers Minnesota
• “Remember Minnesota” Official Website

“Remember Minnesota” is scheduled to shoot this spring, according to the report.

A Serious Delay; Coen Brothers Project Rescheduled for Summer Start

The Minnesota Film and TV Board Website is reporting that the Coen Brothers production “A Serious Man” is being postponed because of ongoing industry labor negotiations. Originally scheduled to begin pre-production in January, “A Serious Man” now hopes to begin pre-production in June and principal photography in August.

See my previous post, Coen Brother Come Home to Shoot “A Serious Man”, for more information.

Independent Film Night Comes to Duluth, MN – November 16

IFP Minnesota will host a night of information and entertainment at the Play Ground Theater in Duluth on November 16, 2007. The event will include two workshops on “How to Apply” for the McKnight Filmmaking and Screenwriting Fellowships and a special edition of Cinema Lounge, the popular monthly film showcase that features locally-produced short films.

Schedule

Duluth Play Ground Theater

• 6-7 p.m. – Screenwriting Fellowship “How to Apply” workshop
• 7-8 p.m. – Filmmaking Fellowship “How to Apply” workshop
• 8-9:30 p.m. – Cinema Lounge, featuring…
  • 12 Moons On Gichigami by Mark Ryan (6 min.)  See it!
  • Cross Country with the Snakes by Hansi Johnson (13 min.)
  • Birds At Night (Might Fall) by Bridget Riversmith (3 min.)  See it!
  • Jesus Loves Me by Jason Page (2 min. excerpt from the upcoming feature, “God Rocks”)
  • Resonance by Paul Creager (10 min.)
  • Broc by Steve Ash (20 min.)

Pizza Luce’

• 9:30 p.m. – Party

Aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters are encouraged to attend this free event.

More information at:

• Cinema Lounge
• IFP Minnesota
• McKnight Foundation
• McKnight Filmmaking and Screenwriting Fellowships
• Play Ground Theater

Source: IFP press release and web site.

Coen Brothers Come Home to Shoot “A Serious Man”

According to numerous press accounts, Minnesota natives Joel and Ethan Coen will return home this winter/spring to shoot “A Serious Man.” Described as a dark comedy, the production will be set in the brothers home town, St. Louis Park. The project is slated to shoot from March to June. Focus Features is the distributor and release is planned for spring 2009

Officials at the Minnesota Film and TV Board credit the Snowbate program, Minnesota’s film incentive, as a key element attracting the production. They estimate that as many as 100 Minnesotans will work on the film.

More info at:

• Associated Press
• Minneapolis Star Tribune
• St. Paul Pioneer Press
• Film Jerk
• Minnesota Film and TV Board
• LA Log – A Minnesotan in Tinsel Town

Minneapolis Filmmakers Among Heinz Finalists

Minneapolis filmmakers Jim Davis and Dan Raleigh are among the finalist in the Heinz “Top this TV Challenge” contest. Their spot, which is called “Heinz Group Therapy,” was one of the top 15 entries in the YouTube-hosted contest.

You can support them by voting at www.topthistv.com. The rules allow you to vote once per day through September 10.

Call for Entries to the South Metro Short Film Festival

According to a press release from the City of Eagan, the deadline for the South Metro Short Film Festival is approaching. Submissions must be received by August 17. The festival will screen films on Friday, September 29. To be considered for selection, films should be 10 minutes or less in length and appropriate for family viewing (G, PG, PG-13). The entry fee is $25.

“Best in Show” winner will be awarded a cash prize and a IFP membership. A film in each age category, youth and adult, will also win cash prizes and “Quality Entertainment Awards.” The judges reserve the right to make up additional awards.

For more information and a link to the entry form visit http://www.cityofeagan.com/live/page.asp?menu=9079.

“Older Than America” Selected for IFP Rough Cut Program

Older than America, the independent feature shot in Cloquet, Minnesota this past fall and winter, was selected to participate in IFP’s prestigious Rough Cut Lab. Each year IFP selects ten documentaries and 10 narrative films to participate in program. To qualify, films by first-time directors must have all or a “substantial amount” of the footage needed to complete their films in the can. Participants receive focused feedback from seasoned independent filmmakers on technical and creative issues related to post-production, including editing, music and sound design. Advice on festival entry, marketing and sales are also provided.

This year’s Lab took place in New York City on June 12-15. Director Georgina Lightning, produce/writer Christina Kenewa Walker and Editor Clayton Condit participated.

More at:

• http://www.independentfilm.com/resources/ifp-film-labs-2007.shtml
• http://market.ifp.org/newyork/labs/

Extras Needed for “God Rocks”

Duluth-based 4 Track Films is looking for background actors (extras) for concert scenes in its mockumentary, God Rocks. Described as a micro-budgeted feature, the film is about a Christian rock battle of the bands. Extras are needed for an overnight shoot on Saturday, June 30. Some bit parts parts are also available.

For more information, email auditions@4trackfilms.com or call 218-464-0184.

4 Track Films is operated by Jason Page and Carrie Boberg. Their previous feature, Newton’s Disease, is available on independentfeatures.com.

Sources: Duluth News Tribune, Eh? column, the production’s web site, and Minnesota Film & TV Board’s Town Hall meeting in Duluth.

84 Films Entered in 48 Hour Film Festival

Last weekend’s Minneapolis/St. Paul edition of the 48 Hour Film Festival attracted 84 entries. No doubt many of the participants are still recovering from the frenzied film making challenge. The films begin screening tonight with seven two-hour sets scheduled on June 12, 13, 14, and 18 at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis.

The event challenges film makers to complete a short film in just 48 hours. Teams receive their assignment, which includes a genre, character, line of dialogue and prop, on Friday evening and must deliver a finished production exactly two days later.

The event showcases the vitality and creativity of Minnesota’s film production community and usually features the kind of humor that results when film makers are sleep deprived.

More details at www.48hourfilm.com/minneapolis/.

Three Features Consider Minnesota Locations

Among the topics discussed at the June 7 Minnesota Film and TV Board Town Meeting in Duluth was a short list of feature length productions considering Minnesota locations over the next few months. These include Superior, considering a Grand Marais location; Assuming Room Temperature, an HBO production looking at Duluth/Superior; and Jeremy Holmes is a Pervert, no specific site mentioned. None of the titles have IMDB listings yet.

The Town Meeting featured Lucinda Winter, MN Film and TV Executive Director; Christopher Grap, MN Film and TV Production Services Manager; and Upper Minnesota Film Liaison Riki McManus. Local production companies, including Carlson Media, Four Track Films, Parthe Productions and Pro Video, screened samples of their work at the meeting, which was held in The Playground.