Locally produced film "Who's Famous Now?" to screen at Vintage on 6/20.

On Saturday, June 20 Community Film Project and The Vintage Theater proudly present the larger than life comedy "Who's Famous Now?"--featuring the brightest stars in all of NEPA.

This 68 minute long comedy was the direct result of Community Film Project's first ever casting call back in 2003. "Who's Famous Now?" was written and directed by Tony DelRegno and Jeff Fowler. This is the first screening since the November 2005 premiere.

Synopsis:
A struggling reality TV show, "Who’s Famous Now?" plans to broadcast a blind date between international action superstar, Lane Parker, and student Quincy Briggs. Lane chose Quincy for the date because he claimed to be a worldly man who could speak six different languages. In reality Quincy runs a fantasy club for losers, and is known to his followers as Lord Bow. With the help of his loyal geeks, Lord Bow lies his way through the date because he wants to become rich, famous, and adored by all the world.

7:00 PM
The Vintage Theater
222 Wyoming Ave, Scranton 18503
(in the Ritz Theater building)
Admission: $5

"Who's Famous Now?" Trailer:

The Vintage Theater (www.scrantonsvintagetheater.com) is looking for a visual effects artist for a film series it is producing this summer. Effects of a science fiction variety is needed for a light-hearted drama/fantasy. Key effects involve the four elements (water, fire, earth, air), "energy" composites, and more. The project is non-profit although a modest finical compensation will be made.

All interested should please contact The Vintage Theater's Executive Director, Conor O'Brien

Conor O'Brien
The Vintage Theater - Executive Director
Conor@Scrantonsvintagetheater.com
570 561 9546

If interested in being a volunteer camera operator on 5/3 please contact rsweeney72@yahoo.com.

The shoot is expected to last for 3 hours.

Join Community Film Project (CFP) and WVIA on Wednesday, May 27th at WVIA Public Media Studios in Pittston for a CFP Meet and Greet at 6 PM, followed by a live broadcast of WVIA's show The Pennsylvania Independent Film Festival at 8 PM.

CFP Meet and Greet
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
Want to learn more about local filmmaking in NEPA? Are you interested in getting involved in upcoming projects--or do you have your own project that you would like to launch? If so, this is a great opportunity to meet several local filmmakers who are active throughout the region.

Live airing of The Pennsylvania Independent Film Festival
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This episode features film festival directors from around the state who will educate filmmakers on how to get their projects onto the festival circuit.

The Pennsylvania Independent Film Festival offers regional filmmakers a vehicle to promote their film projects and the opportunity to collaborate and network with other statewide filmmakers. It also affords indy filmmakers the opportunity to gain knowledge of the business and to showcase their projects to Public Television Stations around the Commonwealth.

WVIA Public Media Studios
100 WVIA Way
Pittston PA 18640-6197

On Saturday, June 20 Community Film Project and The Vintage Theater proudly present the larger than life comedy "Who's Famous Now?"--featuring the brightest stars in all of NEPA.

This 68 minute long comedy was the direct result of Community Film Project's first ever casting call back in 2003. "Who's Famous Now?" was written and directed by Tony DelRegno and Jeff Fowler. This is the first screening since the November 2005 premiere.

Synopsis:
A struggling reality TV show, "Who’s Famous Now?" plans to broadcast a blind date between international action superstar, Lane Parker, and student Quincy Briggs. Lane chose Quincy for the date because he claimed to be a worldly man who could speak six different languages. In reality Quincy runs a fantasy club for losers, and is known to his followers as Lord Bow. With the help of his loyal geeks, Lord Bow lies his way through the date because he wants to become rich, famous, and adored by all the world.

7:00 PM
The Vintage Theater
Admission: $5

"Who's Famous Now?" Trailer:

Although a headline on a local newspaper states that the film is set at a “midwestern university,” the 1991 low-budget indie feature Brain Twisters was actually filmed on locations throughout the Wilkes-Barre/Scarnton area. Shot throughout the month of August 1990, the production used such familiar locations as Marywood College, The Woodlands and Market Street Square.

The plot, such as it is, centers around a college co-ed (Farrah Forke) and a police dectective discovering that her professor (a somnambulant Terry Londeree) is performing brainwashing experiments on students at the behest of some corporation. (The why of it all is never explained. I guess it’s just because they’re evil or something…) Of course, the brainwashing has slightly unforeseen side effects- turning the participants into killers.

The only recognizable name in the cast is Forke, making her film debut, but still a few years away from her career height as helicopter pilot Alex Lambert on the sitcom Wings. There are some locals who round out the cast and crew. The Woodlands proprietor Mitch Kornfeld appears as one of the brainwashed victim’s boyfriend. Even WVIA’s old late night monster movie series Uncle Ted’s Monstermania gets a mention.

Of course, being familiar with some of the locations used lends itself to a moment or two of unintended comedy. An early scene in the film has Detective Tun interviewing the boyfriend of a murdered co-ed at the restaurant at Wilkes-Barre’s Market Street Square (Left, click to enlarge) where he works. Unfortunately the waiter’s brainwashing kicks in and he throws himself out a window. Tun looks out the window, and we see the waiter’s broken body floors below. The only problem is that Market Street Square is on the ground floor!

But how is Brain Twisters as a movie? Not very good, unfortunately. As a horror/slasher film, it lacks the usual trappings of the genre. The gore is almost nonexistent and there is no sex or nudity to speak of. With the exception of exactly two four letter words, it is impossible to see how this was ever given an “R” rating. Jerry Sanguiliano’s direction is fairly lifeless and the movie plods along, never building any tension. The synth score is leftover 80s cheese. The acting is uniformly bland, even from Lee Strausburg Institute graduate Forke.

I can’t find any indication that Brain Twisters was picked up for theatrical distribution in the United States. It did however make it to theaters in Argentina, Germany, Iceland, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea and Yugoslavia. More than likely, the film went straight to video here in the states. I’m actually a bit surprised that it never wound up on Mystery Science Theater 3000, as several other movies from its releasing company, Crown International, have, including Wild Rebels, Sidehackers and the MST3K classic Catalina Caper.

It is currently available on DVD in the Drive-In Cult Classics, Volume 4 collection.

Community Film Project's 30-minute comedy, "Get Pumped!" recently was awarded 2nd Place at the Roslyn Film Festival. The "Get Pumped!" guys are now ready to fire up the West Chester Film Festival on the weekend of April 24 - 26, 2009.



The film was directed by Jeff Fowler and stars Casey Burke, Jeremy Stegura, Greg Korin, and Larry Rowker--and also includes unforgettable performances from dozens of Scranton's finest actors and extras, set to a soundtrack by Rock Star Chet Williams!

Celebrate the 5th Annual West Chester Film Festival!

Please join us April 24-26 for the Festival weekend! Screen film blocks, take in the workshops, mingle with the filmmakers, and check out the Closing Night Awards Party! All activities are open to the public and tickets will be available for purchase online shortly! Please see the accompanying schedules for specific times, dates, locations and costs.

West Chester, PA....
Small Town, Big Film.
Enjoy!

To reserve tickets visit us at www.WestChesterFilmFestival.com
Questions? email info@WestChesterFilmFestival.com

Workshop Schedule
Camera Work and Production by Jake Willing
Saturday, 2:30 PM, Masonic Lodge
As an award winning Director of Photography with over 15 years experience, Jake has built his reputation working in both film and television. The president of EyeLight Pictures, Inc (www.eyelightpictures.com), Jake has been behind the scenes for many independent films, most recently the Philadelphia-set feature film No Boundaries. Jake brings his talent for camera work and lighting to West Chester to show our guests the challenges faced when the director is looking for that "perfect" shot, and it's up to you to find it.

Guerrilla Filmmaking by Andrew Menan
Saturday, 4:00 PM, Masonic Lodge
Andrew Menan began his filmmaking career at West Chester Henderson High School. Andrew has gone on to become an award-winning filmmaker (best new filmmaker at Boulder International Film Festival - 2006) who has worked on dozens of films from the desert of Santa Fe to the jungle of New York City. He is about to release his first independent feature film. Having worked on films with budgets ranging from four million to fifty dollars, Andrew has experience building stories on a tight budget. He brings this expertise to the West Chester Film Festival to give everyone a peek behind the scenes at what it's like to turn an idea into a film on a shoestring budget.

Making the Documentary by Ron Strobel
Sunday, 2:00 PM, Masonic Lodge
Ron Strobel has been a commercial film producer for over 15 years. His work in the industry has taken him across the country and around the world. Through his Malvern-based company, VideoNet, Inc. (www.videonetinc.com), he has worked on hundreds of productions, and won 15 nationally recognized awards for his skills. He has been named one of the "Top 100 Video Producers in America" by AV Multimedia magazine - twice. Ron's resume includes several award-winning documentaries, and he brings his unique views on this unique genre to our festivalgoers. Get a behind-the-scenes look at documentary filmmaking from one of the foremost producers in the genre.


Closing Night Awards Party

And for the grand finale.......
Sunday, April 26, 6-10 PM, $20
The Note, 142 East Market Street

Please join us for THE Best Deal in Chester County!! A fun wrap to the Film Festival weekend!! "The Chester", the West Chester Film Festival beloved Award, is a one of a kind glass sculpture designed by Brett Walker and crafted by Ryan Blyth. The Chester will be awarded to the Best Animation, Drama, Documentary, Comedy, Student, PA Filmmaker, and Audience Choice Films. The Best Woman Filmmaker receives a $500 award presented by the Regional Center for Women in the Arts.

Following the Awards Presentation, you'll get to see some of the award winning films one last time! Beverages and light nosh will be provided.

Film Block Schedule

Friday, April 24, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also shown at CCHS Saturday 12-2)
Mildred Richards (drama)
Tripping Up (comedy)
Forced into "Comfort", Fighting for Apology (documentary)
Code 13 (drama)
The Guy Chronicles (comedy)
Forever Hold Your Peach (drama)
The Line (drama)

Friday, April 24, 9:30-11:30 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also shown at CCHS Saturday 2:30- 4:30)
Charlie Applebee (drama)
Near the Egress (exp art)
Le Retour (drama)
The Constant Process (documentary)
914 (drama)
Free the River Park (documentary)
Mamitas (comedy)

Friday, April 24, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also shown at CCHS Sunday 12-2)
Batter Up (drama)
Flowers of Rwanda (documentary)
Le Paradis de L'Imbecile - A Fool's Paradise (comedy)
Compact Only (comedy)
A Thing of the Past (drama)
The Tenant (drama)
Over the Cell (exp art)
The Vaudevillian (drama)

Friday, April 24, 9:30 - 11:30PM
Masonic Lodge
(also shown at CCHS Sunday 2:30-4:30)
Beneath (documentary)
La Frontera (drama)
Call Waiting (comedy)
The Hands (drama)
Lady Feet (drama)
ezs:sequenza 1 (exp art)
Of Mother and Tides (drama)
Bohemibot 25:40 (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also shown at CCHS Friday 7:00 - 9:00)
Mildred Richards (drama)
Tripping Up (comedy)
Forced into "Comfort", Fighting for Apology (documentary)
Code 13 (drama)
The Guy Chronicles (comedy)
Forever Hold Your Peach (drama)
The Line (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Chester County Historical Society
( also shown at CCHS Friday 9:30 - 11:30)
Charlie Applebee (drama)
Near the Egress (exp art)
Le Retour (drama)
The Constant Process (documentary)
914 (drama)
Free the River Park (documentary)
Mamitas (comedy)

Saturday, April 25, 12:30 - 2:30 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also shown at CCHS Saturday 7:00 - 9:00)
The Big Fat Lazy Sun (drama)
Goldilocks, Redirected (animation)
Chiles (comedy)
Harvest Time (drama)
Mr. Brooklyn (drama)
Selling Hollywood, Stealing Hollywood (documentary)
Just Be Simple (comedy)
Mother, Mine (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also shown at CCHS Saturday 9:30 - 11:30)
Eye Contact (drama)
Hi 8 1/2 The Medium is the Mess (documentary)
Magritte Moment (exp art)
Eyes of Silence (animation)
Little Victories (drama)
Abuse & Neglect (documentary)
White Elephants (drama)
Open your eyes (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also shown at Masonic Lodge Saturday 12:30 - 2:30 )
The Big Fat Lazy Sun (drama)
Goldilocks, Redirected (animation)
Chiles (comedy)
Harvest Time (drama)
Mr. Brooklyn (drama)
Selling Hollywood, Stealing Hollywood (documentary)
Just Be Simple (comedy)
Mother, Mine (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also shown at Masonic Lodge Saturday 3:00 - 5:00 )
Eye Contact (drama)
Hi 8 1/2 The Medium is the Mess (documentary)
Magritte Moment (exp art)
Eyes of Silence (animation)
Little Victories (drama)
Abuse & Neglect (documentary)
White Elephants (drama)
Open your eyes (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also at Masonic Lodge Sun. 12:00 - 2:00)
The Cave (animation)
Freedom to Choose (documentary)
Peace of Mind (drama)
And the World Goes Round (exp art/drama)
The Boarding Ticket (drama/comedy)
Everyone But Otto (drama)
Prizori iz Trgovackog Centra - Scenes From a Shopping Mall (exp art)
Into The Light (drama)
Gaining Ground (drama)

Saturday, April 25, 9:30 - 11:30 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also at Masonic Lodge Sunday 2:30 - 4:30)
The Beneficiary(drama)
Red & Blue (animation)
A Clean Well Lighted Place (drama)
Get Pumped (comedy)
The Chef's Letter (drama)
American Honey (drama)
Guns & Butter (exp art)
Out of the Water (drama)
Treasure Diversity (documentary)

Sunday, April 25, 12:00 -2:00 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also at Masonic Lodge Friday 7:00 - 9:00)
Batter Up (drama)
Flowers of Rwanda (documentary)
Le Paradis de L'Imbecile - A Fool's Paradise (comedy)
Compact Only (comedy)
A Thing of the Past (drama)
The Tenant (drama)
Over the Cell (exp art)
The Vaudevillian (drama)

Sunday, April 26, 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Chester County Historical Society
(also at Masonic Lodge Friday 9:30 - 11:30)
Beneath (documentary)
La Frontera (drama)
Call Waiting (comedy)
The Hands (drama)
Lady Feet (drama)
ezs:sequenza 1 (exp art)
Of Mother and Tides (drama)
Bohemibot 25:40 (drama)

Sunday, April 26, 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also at Masonic Lodge Saturday Night 7:00 - 9:00)
The Cave (animation)
Freedom to Choose (documentary)
Peace of Mind (drama)
And the World Goes Round (exp art/drama)
The Boarding Ticket (drama/comedy)
Everyone But Otto (drama)
Prizori iz Trgovackog Centra - Scenes From a Shopping Mall (exp art)
Into The Light (drama)
Gaining Ground (drama)

Sunday, April 26, 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Masonic Lodge
(also at Masonic Lodge Sat Night 9:30 - 11:30)
The Beneficiary (drama)
Red & Blue (animation)
A Clean Well Lighted Place (drama)
Get Pumped (comedy)
The Chef's Letter (drama)
American Honey (drama)
Guns & Butter (exp art)
Out of the Water (drama)
Treasure Diversity (doc)

YOUTH BLOCK
Sat, April 25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Masonic Lodge
Figmentation (drama)
The Last Laugh (drama)
Don't Touch My Suit (drama)
KH1 (drama)
I Am Migration (drama)
Til Death Do Us Part? (drama)

For more information, please visit www.WestChesterFilmFestival.com

West Chester Film Festival
252 East Market Street
West Chester, PA 19382

Jeff Fowler, creator of GET PUMPED! and LAUGH ZOMBIE RIOT, director of THE WINGMAN: BINGO NIGHT CREEPIN, and co-creator of STAR WORLD and WHO'S FAMOUS NOW? is seeking Cast and Crew for several upcoming projects.

CAST requirements:
--Females who are pregnant or Females willing to play pregnant
--Male extras playable age 24 - 40
--Males or Females willing to get haircut during film
--Male or Female barber/hair stylist
--Males or Females with high energy, willing to get fired up

CREW requirements:
--Camera Operators
--P.A.s

Films will be shot in and around Scranton / NEPA beginning in March 2009.

Contact jeff@communityfilmproject.org if interested or for more information.