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ISE-NY
Newsletter
July 2005 Volume 1, Issue 7
The Institute for Spiritual Entertainment - NEW YORK, Inc.: MISSION
ISE-NY (The Institute for Spiritual Entertainment- New York) is a collective of practical and artistic people from all corners of entertainment, film, theater, media, communication and innovative arts dedicated to envisioning and creating empowering, positive and spiritually nourishing entertainment
ISE-NY was formed to support media creators with networking opportunities, educational forums, practical support, fundraising services, audience outlets, film festivals, competitions and basically as many ways to empower its members to create excellent spiritual entertainment as possible or necessary.
ISE-NY monthly series offers networking opportunities and practical programs that are both informative and also provide hands-on-experience. Additionally, we offer a series of interactive seminars with knowledgeable media professionals, as well as screenings of films in various stages of completion. ISE-NY also invites producers and performers of live entertainment to participate and share their work.
ISE-NY MEETS MONTHLY every first Tuesday of the month 7PM-9:30PM.
This month's meeting will take place at:
Sage Theater. 711 7th Avenue (between 47th and 48th Street) UP THE STAIRS TO THE SECOND FLOOR
For details and to join ISE-NY's email list call 212 475-1875 or email Muriel@ISE-NY.org
BE INSPIRED, SHARE YOUR WORK, LEARN NEW SKILLS, MEET LIKE-MINDED MEDIA MAKERS!
The Director's Chair
Muriel Stockdale - Director & ISE-NY, Inc.'s Co-Founder and Spirit Leader
Greetings All,
As we delve into the hazy, lazy, and steamy days of summer, we do so with a deep sense of gratitude for the resounding success of our special week-long events in June. ISE-NY's 1st Film Festival, dedicated to REVISIONING ENTERTAINMENT, kicked off on Tuesday, June 7 with an impressive panel leading an enlightening and engaging discussion about the nature of spiritual entertainment. This program attracted our largest, most diverse, audience to date for our regular monthly meetings. The activities continued on Thursday with special guest Stephen Simon's moving and inspirational presentation about the nature and state of spiritual cinema. Stephen and acclaimed independent filmmaker, Mickey Lemle, joined us the following evening for our mini-film festival. A beautiful reception opened four hours of stellar spiritual films from the Spiritual Cinema Circle, Mickey Lemle, Nick Krasnic, and our featured film maker, Adam Nemett. I was thrilled that people were again inspired by the possibilities that my own film, New York City Spirit in the form of its fundraising trailer, promises. I loved the great feedback and it will be incorporated into the fabric of the final product. This is what Spiritual Entertainment is all about sharing, learning from, and inspiring each other. For those hearty souls who stayed with us late into the evening, Adam's debut full length feature, The Instrument, left an indelible impression of excitement for the emerging genre of spiritual cinema. (Spiritual entertainment is here and it will only get better!).
These good vibrations carried over to Saturday's special all-day workshop. Stephen deftly led the last of such workshops he will ever hold, as he moves into the next stage of his mission. The day was incredibly emotional, moving and inspirational, as we witnessed the depth of the talent and enthusiasm that existed among us. The intimate gathering received the pleasant surprise and privilege of hearing the first readings/auditions for the movie version of Conversations with God, Stephen's much-anticipated next project. The Universe aligned in such a way that many lives were changed on that Saturday, June 11.
Our festival concluded with a lively and informative Pitch Fest, in which our courageous participants received crucial feedback from a panel of industry heavyweights that included Stephen Simon, Mickey Lemle, Vanessa Arteaga (Sr. Programming & Production Exec, Wellspring Media) and Anna Darrah (Dir. of Acquisitions, The Spiritual Cinema Circle).
We were privileged and honored to host our first Film Festival at the truly sacred space of the Meta Center through the generosity of Jodi Serota and her husband, Andy..
Special thanks to our distinguished panelists, filmmakers, participants, and volunteers for contributing to the success of our efforts to REVISION ENTERTAINMENT.
Until next month,
Blessings to all, Muriel
Upcoming ISE-NY Events
ISE-NY July Meeting
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Spiritual Astrology Goes to the Movies
Guest Speaker:
Astrologer Dimitra Vassiliadis
Program Notes:
DO NOT MISS this exciting and insightful presentation that will explain some of the basic tenets of astrology, while using film references to illustrate the highest spiritual potential of each sign of the zodiac.
Dimitra will also explain why this moment in time is such a perfect moment for the emergence spiritual cinema.
Program Date/Time:
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
7:00 - 9:30 pm
Program Location: (*****NOTE LOCATION CHANGE)
Sage Theater. 711 7th Avenue (between 47th and 48th Street) UP THE STAIRS TO THE SECOND FLOOR
Admission:
Gratis-All welcome
A $5 donation to support the work of ISE-NY is gratefully accepted.
RSVP:
Info@ISE-NY.org
For more information:
Please contact Guirlaine@ISE-NY.org
Featured Artist
Seth David Walter
Composer
Background:
Seth David Walter was born in New Jersey and received his Bachelor of Music degree at Syracuse University.
Credits:
Seth co-wrote and co-produced the song One Of A Kind released by the recording artist Vanessa Williams.
He has written and produced national jingles for Xerox, Avis, Healthy Choice and Lufthansa Airlines.
His film scoring credits include Sesame Street, the hit TV series Die Schwarzwald Klinik in Europe, the animated movie Mona Mon Amour for Michael Sporn Animation, the filmTree Of Life written, and directed by fellow ISE-NYer Stephanie Angel
Tree of Life
and Indigo Experience a documentary filmed by Jasmine Lovelstzy and Pietro Tzoanini from Film Making Circle.
Indigo Experience
Seth is currently in production on the film Stars And Candles envisioned by ISE-NY's Jasmine Lovelstzy.
Seth's musical works, including his scores for film, have been published by SBK/EMI Music, Columbia Pictures Publishing, Famous Music Publishing, Belwin Mills Publishing, Blendingwell Publishing, Peer Southern Publishing, and Warner-Chappel Music.
Unique Style:
As a keyboard artist, writer, performer, producer and arranger, Seth's musical influences come together to give him his own unique style of _expression in his music. In live performances Seth creates a broad dynamic range, evoking a feeling of introspection and meditative serenity, combined with technical virtuosity
* For further information about Seth and his work, please contact him at seth8760@aol.com
Related Programs of Interest
I.
GEMS CONNECTICUT OCTOBER 15-16
Music-Film-Media-NewMedia-Multimedia Converge in Hamden, (New Haven)
Lloyd Kaufman Announced as First Keynoter
Steven Zuckerman, Founder of GEMS: The Global Entertainment and Media Summit, has teamed up with Neal Thomassen of Angel Eyes Productions to produce the first-ever GEMS event in Connecticut.
"For the past several years, Neal has proven to me that he is not only passionate about the GEMS vision, but he is more than capable of co-producing our first show in New England--infact, he's already secured over thirty promotional partners and associates. We're very excited about this new show!
For all panelist inquires and promotional and exhibiting/sponsoring opportunities, please contact Steve Zuckerman: summit@netcarrier.com or steve@globalentertainmentnetwork.com . Tickets will go on sale July 1st.
Website: http://www.gemsconnecticut.com
Schedule: http://www.gemsconnecticut.com/rooms.htm (more updates shortly)
Promotional and Exhibiting Opportunities: summit@netcarrier.com or steve@globalentertainmentnetwork.com
About Lloyd Kaufman ,Troma Films
In the late 1960's, Kaufman was enrolled at Yale University, diligently working on a respectable degree in Chinese Studies. However, Kaufman was destined for other things. As he explains in his hit book All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger (published by Penguin Putnam), "At Yale I was placed in a dormitory room with two film fanatics, and I knew everything had irrevocably changed." In fact, Kaufman was infected with a love of movies from which he never recovered.
In 1971, Kaufman met his future partner Michael Herz at Yale. The Troma Universe was born in 1974 with a series of highly original, sexy comedies such as Squeeze Play!, Waitress!, and other titles ending with an exclamation point. These movies, independent precursors to such later smash hits as National Lampoon's Animal House and Porky's, did well financially, although Kaufman continued to work on such outside productions as Rocky and Saturday Night Fever. Kaufman's relationship with mainstream Hollywood would not last long. "There were problems," Kaufman said, "as I always wanted to do things my own way and my employers insisted I do things the correct way."
Kaufman proved his former employers wrong with his 1984 breakthrough movie, The Toxic Avenger. This tale of a health club mop boy named Melvin who is transformed into a hideously deformed creature of superhuman size and strength struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, demonstrating that there was a large number of people who were interested in seeing things done Kaufman's way. The Toxic Avenger led to an animated television series, "Toxic Crusaders," several different comic book titles (published by Marvel and, most recently, Troma's own independent comic book imprint), and three sequels. The most recent film in the series is Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger Part IV.
The success of The Toxic Avenger was followed by a string of commercial and artistic triumphs in a similar vein, blending fantasy, heavy action, comedy, and eroticism in a style that can only be described as "Tromatic". These films, including the Class of Nuke 'Em High trilogy, Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD, and Troma's War, were often ignored or scorned by the intelligentsia of the time but spoke to an entire generation of young people who rejected the pandering, commercial films of the mid-to-late 80's. Some of these Troma fans went on to become filmmakers themselves, including Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Mike Judge, Peter Jackson, and Trey Parker. Thanks to these admirers, Kaufman has been asked to make cameo appearances in films like Trey Parker's Orgazmo and Eli Roth's Cabin Fever.
Lately, Kaufman and the Troma Team have begun to win respect from even their harshest critics. Tromeo & Juliet became a surprise theatrical and critical hit, earning the grand prize at the Fanta Festival in Rome. Kaufman's most recent opus, Terror Firmer, inspired by the book All I Need To Know About Filmmaking I Learned From The Toxic Avenger, played for six months in Los Angeles alone. In addition, Kaufman has been an honored guest at various international film festivals and Troma retrospectives around the world. The San Sebastian Film Festival, the British Film Institute, the Cinematheque Francaise, the American Cinematheque, the Chicago International Film Festival, the UCLA Film Archives, the Tokyo Film Festival, and the Shanghai International Film Festival are just a few of the venues to have showered Kaufman with praise and free booze. In 2003, Kaufman received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fantasy Film Festival of Amsterdam.
In January 2000, Kaufman founded the TromaDance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Determined to give independent film back to the people, Kaufman established a festival where there is no entry fee to filmmakers to submit their films, nor is there any admission charged to audience members. The TromaDance Film Festival presents a broad spectrum of films and film styles, creating an opportunity for everyone to put their own personal vision on film and have it seen.
Kaufman is also a tireless innovator, constantly using new developments in technology to foster the growth of independent art. Troma has a dynamic web presence with Troma.com, TromaDance.com, and the newest site, Toxic Avenger.com. All three sites provide news and entertainment, as well as providing an outlet for Troma to sell videos, DVDs, clothing, Tromabilia, and other products from the Troma Universe directly to their fans. Troma has also been ahead of the curve in DVD production, releasing feature-packed titles since 1997. Kaufman has also earned the respect and trust of his peers in the independent filmmaking community. He has served as Executive Vice Chairman of the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA). Thanks to his vision of independent cinema's future on the Internet, Kaufman was asked to help create and currently chairs AFMA's New Technologies Opportunities Committee.
Currently, Kaufman is hard at work on the novelization of The Toxic Avenger, and his latest book, Make Your Own Damn Movie (published by St. Martin's Press) has inspired a series of successful Lloyd Kaufman taught Master Classes at colleges and institutions across the country. In addition, he created 20 half-hour television episodes for England's Channel 4. The series, "Troma's Edge TV," brought UK viewers all the Tromatic superheros, cutting-edge humor, and great music they've come to expect from Troma movies. Kaufman will again go behind the camera for a satire about the fast-food industry-zombie film, Poultrygeist, currently being developed. On the personal front, Lloyd Kaufman has three daughters - Lily Hayes, Lisbeth and Charlotte. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Film Marketing Association and Trinity School. His beloved wife of 26 years, Patricia, is the New York State Film Commissioner.
II.
From the ISE Community in Encinitas, CA
Hi Everyone!!!!! This is Sonja from Encinitas, CA.
GREAT NEWS!!!!! The San Diego Film Festival will include Spiritual Cinema as a genre this year!!
We are seeking completed, short and full length film submissions for the Spiritual Cinema screening event to be held at the San Diego Film Festival, Sept 21st - Sept 25th, 2005.
DEADLINE IS JULY 5th 2005
Send to
Sonja Lopez
1925 Blueridge St
Oceanside, CA 92056
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- All films must have been completed after January 1, 2004.
- Film screeners are accepted on 1/2" VHS (NTSC) tapes or DVD's only.
- Films must not have had any public or festival screenings in the San Diego area. Any film found to have a prior San Diego area screening will be disqualified. World and US premieres are not required but are a benefit.
- All films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentations.
- For submission purposes only, preview screeners may be works-in-progress, films with temporary soundtracks and/or digital outputs. Please make a note on the entry form and screener. Filmmakers must deliver the final format for festival screenings.
- More than one entry may be submitted. However, each entry must be
accompanied by a separate Entry Form and an additional Entry Fee.
- VHS tapes, DVDs or any other submitted materials will not be returned under any circumstance. Please do not submit film prints, master tapes or other original materials for entry consideration.
- All screening tapes and DVD's must be labeled with the film title, running time, and contact information (Name, address & phone).
ACCEPTANCE NOTIFICATION:
Filmmakers who's works are Officially Selected for the 2005 SDFF will be notified no later than September 1, 2005
You can direct them to me
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS:
If your film is selected to screen at the Festival, you will be expected to provide the following additional items:
- A completed 35mm film print or a Beta Sp screening tape, to be received by SDFF no later than Sept. 7, 2005. Filmmakers are responsible for shipping to the festival. The festival is Sept. 21 - 25, 2005.
- Three additional ½" VHS tapes or DVD's for jury and press screenings.
- Five Press Kits, including publicity stills and primary bio's.
- Any additional promotional materials available (ie. posters, trailers, broadcast quality film clips, etc.)
For more information you an go to http://www.sdff.org/ and click on festival information..
III.
Film: Short to Nirvana
Plays at Rubin Museum of Art on Tuesdays and Fridays, 2pm and 4pm, all of July and August.
For more information, contact Nick Day @ nick@melafilms.com
IV.
Good News Broadcast Online Interview with Muriel Stockdale: New York City Spirit
http://goodnews.lot212.com/printout.asp?id=104745&type=0
Legal note: While ISE-NY supports all of the Spiritual Entertainment Community members, ISE-NY is not affiliated with the aforementioned individual projects and events. ISE-NY is providing a platform for the community to announce projects and events and to network with other members of the community and to be kept informed of other programs being offered in the NY area and throughout the Spiritual Entertainment Community. ISE-NY assumes no liability or responsibility for any third party project or event.
Links
ISE-NY's Film Making Circle: http://www.FilmMakingCircle.com
The Spiritual Cinema Circle: http://www.spiritualcinemacircle.com
New York City Spirit: http://www.nycspirit.com
Los Angeles Spiritual Cinema Circle Community: http://ww.ise-la.org
Rensselaerville Spiritual Cinema Circle Community: http://www.GardenofOne.com
Damah Film Festival: http://www.damah.org
Writers Boot Camp: http://www.writersbootcamp.com
Good News Broadcasting: http://www.goodnewsbroadcast.com
GEMS: http://www.gemsconnecticut.com
The New Seminary: http://www.NewSeminary.org
St. John's University: http://new.stjohns.edu/campus/manhattan
New Realities Television: http://www.newrealitiestv.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Submit your announcements and pertinent articles of interest for the ISE-NY, Inc. newsletter to Ms Guirlaine Belizaire, Guirlaine@ISE-NY.org, by the 15th of each month to have them included in the next issue.
EXPAND THE COMMUNITY:
If you know of others who might be interested in receiving a copy of this newsletter, please have them send an email to Guirlaine, Guirlaine@ISE-NY.org, with "subscribe" in the subject line.
UNSUBSCRIBE:
If you wish to be removed from this list, please send an email to Guirlaine@ISE-NY.org with "remove" in the subject line.
PARTING WORDS:
A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt. He said 'I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.' The grandson asked him, 'Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?' The grandfather answered: 'The one I feed.'
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© 2005 ISE-NY All Rights Reserved
Images provided by New York City Spirit - www.nycspirit.com
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