email us here at MCB if you would like to attend Zombie Night at the next rendition of Mitten Movie Project showing at the Main Art in Royal Oak on Tues 11/3 - motorcityblog@earthlink.net
THE NIGHT OF ALL THINGS ZOMBIE:
MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT'S
2009 ZOMBIE NIGHT
TUESDAY 11.3.09 7:30 PM
A night of independent zombie shorts
MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT'S
2009 ZOMBIE NIGHT
TUESDAY 11.3.09 7:30 PM
A night of independent zombie shorts
It's time for all things zombie at the 2009 ZOMBIE NIGHT!
On Tuesday, November 3rd, the Mitten Movie Project hosts the most peculiar lineup of shorts -- a curling zombie short, claymation zombies, a Bollywood zombie short, animated zombies, sock puppet zombies, a zombie PSA, silent zombie short, and regular shambling zombies make up the much anticipated night of independent zombie shorts. The 2009 ZOMBIE NIGHT takes place on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main Street, Royal Oak 48067). For presale tickets and more information, go to www.myspace.com/mittenmovieproject or www.facebook.com/pages/Mitten-Movie-Project/159694842605?v=wall
Headlining the night is the fantastically clever curling zombie short, "Deadspiel," a short from Ontario which is enjoying a successful film festival run. Making a return appearance is the animated claymation figure, Snippy, who gives valuable advice on surviving a zombie apocalypse.
Tom Gurisko, director of 2008 Zombie Night's "Snippy Walks With a Zombie", is "very excited about revisiting the Snippy Zombie story and coming back to ZOMBIE NIGHT. We had a great time last year and have been looking forward to it." Gurisko and John Mollon began work on this latest Snippy short in early October and are pleased to have it done in time for this year's festival.
Regarding the value of the Mitten Movie Project to independent filmmakers, Gurisko said, "I can't help but encourage Connie to continue on with the Mitten Movie Project because it's an awesome venue for filmmakers who otherwise would have a smaller audience. And you get actual reactions from real people sitting in an audience in contrast to hits on a YouTube video."
This is Curator Connie Mangilin's third year booking ZOMBIE NIGHT and she's "really pleased with this year's lineup and the diversity of the selections. The program really came together the past few weeks." The lineup boasts three shorts specially made for the festival – Snippy and the Zombie Apocalypse, Zom-B-Gon, and Sock Puppet Zombies Attack 3D: The Musical. Two of the out-of-state selections – Survivors and Deadspiel -- were recommendations from Mitten Movie Project filmmakers who saw those shorts at other film festivals around the country.
ZOMBIE NIGHT is the last chance for a filmmaker to earn a spot in the December 1st Best of the Mitten Movie Project screening event. Zombies will be represented at the year-end competition for the 2009 Mitten Movie Project Short of the Year award. The October MMP Audience Choice Award winner was "Qing Lou Nu," the Edgar Allan Poe adaptation of "The Tell-Tale Heart" set in a contemporary Chinese brothel.
"Dark Heart," another Poe adaptation directed by Robert Joseph Butler, and "A Little Knowledge," this year's winner of the Detroit chapter of the 48 Hour Film Project, will be part of the Mitten Movie Show and will air on Comcast/WOW from November 4th-28th. The Mitten Movie Show is a public access show featuring some of the best shorts of the Mitten Movie Project. The Mitten Movie Show airs on Comcast Ch. 52 and Wide-Open-West Ch. 18 on Wednesdays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Troy. It also airs in Independence Township on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at midnight. The Mitten Movie Show is broadcast to more than 150,000 households.
As an added bonus, moviegoers that dress as a zombie to the screening will receive a free ticket to the December 1st Best of the Mitten Movie Project event. So bring on the zombies!!
The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at a location to be announced at the screening (within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night's activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.
Check out the Mitten Movie Project's new Facebook fan page:
www.facebook.com/mittenmovieproject#/pages/Mitten-Movie-Project/159694842605?ref=nf
Become a fan today as the Myspace page will slowly be phased out and replaced by this Facebook fan page.
11/3/09 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES
Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI - 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject, Door $10
The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at a location to be announced at the screening (within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night's activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.
TENTATIVE LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. In order of screening:
ZOMBIES IN PLAIN ENGLISH [public service announcement] (03:00) Common Craft's guide to surviving a zombie attack. This video is a satirical explanation created to celebrate Halloween and help protect your brain. www.commoncraft.com/zombies
DEADHEADS [trailer] - FroBro Films (2:35) (Michigan) (2009) A horror/comedy feature that follows the tale of two zombie buddies who embark on a road trip in search of lost love and to unravel the mystery behind their untimely demise. Shot entirely on location in Michigan last summer. Directed by the Pierce Brothers.
GRINDHOUSE PIMPS VS. THE LIVING DEAD [trailer] - Electric Otto's Funk Factory (01:31) (Michigan) (2009) When the dead walk the earth, pimps will smack you with their right hand and carry a pistol in their left. www.electricottosfunkfactory.com
IN SEARCH OF A HEARTY MEAL [silent short] (01:29) (New York) (2009) Written and directed by Daniel Levinsohn. A story of a famished zombie and his attempts to satiate his hunger.
SOCK PUPPET ZOMBIES ATTACK 3D: THE MUSICAL [narrative] - Directed by Taryn Shick (06:19) (Michigan) (2009) Two sock puppet pirates go fishing and catch more than fish – and they sing! www.atasteforcottonfilms.com
NED AND SUNSHINE [narrative] (02:14) (Michigan) Directed by Mary and Tom Russell. Ned and Sunshine are zombies who play the lottery with dreams of getting rich. facebook.com/tomandmaryrussell
LITTLE PROBLEMS [narrative] - Bad-Mag Films (08:07) (Michigan) Directed by Matt Pearson. "Little Problems" follows an unlikely couple that has managed to survive months of zombie mayhem by looting the carcass of civilization, making a pretty comfortable lifestyle for themselves in the process. While taking possession of an abandoned McMansion for a few days of rest from the apocalyptic grind, their lives are thrown into confusion by the arrival of a cute yet creepy feral girl with a knack for sniffing out hidden munchies.
ZERO HOUR [narrative] – Equinox Productions (08:22) (Ireland) In a world gone wrong, a viral outbreak has caused millions to perish. Many call this a new beginning, but some call this the end of the world. Sarah fights to survive and battle the odds to search for a new beginning.
ZOM-B-GON [narrative] – Trapdoor Productions (12:15) (Michigan) (2009) When the walking dead infest your home, zOm-B-gOn is only a phone call away. Produced and directed by Daren McNay. Screenplay by Jeff Berndt.
20:12 [narrative] – Directed by James Martinez (07:12) (California) At rapture's edge we follow one man's feeble attempt to thwart God's undead army to save the ones he cherishes most. Produced by Aaron Karns.
SOMBRE ZOMBIE [narrative] – Directed by Adam Macdonald (06:49) (Ontario) (2005) Jon Peter is an everyman anchored to a life of routine, going to and from his office like a drone. But one day, things change. He begins seeing things. Strange figures follow him through the park. Jon Peter is becoming what he fears most.
TALKING DEAD [narrative] – Fulvew Productions (06:55) (Michigan) (2005) Written and directed by Chris Randall. Doctor Clark has invented a machine that allows communication from a corpse. Now he wants Doctor Parker to be the first to hear what she has to say. Created for the Indie Talk online film festival where it took first place.
SURVIVORS [narrative] – Directed by Soham Mehta (12:55) (Texas) A classic zombie tale told with Bollywood bite. The dead are rising and the city has been evacuated, but two survivors remain behind. Rita would not abandon her infected husband, and Sachin refused to leave the memory of his dead wife. Willing to do anything to avoid dying alone, Rita deceives and seduces her way into Sachin's life, but soon discovers that tempting his memories is even more dangerous than what's lurking outside.
SNIPPY AND THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE [claymation] - Skeletons in the Closet Films (03:00) (Michigan) (2009) Written, directed and animated by Tom Gurisko and John Mollon. Snippy gives valuable tips for survival after the inevitable zombie plague.
DEADSPIEL [narrative] - B.B.D. Productions and Two Too Blue Shoes (07:33) (Ontario) The greatest curling zombie film ever! Cultures clash during a championship game between the human Team Olmstead and the zombie Team Romero. Things go horribly wrong when a disputed call tests humans and zombies as players must choose between sportsmanship and bloody carnage. Directed by J. Andrew Molloy. www.deadspiel.com
Headlining the night is the fantastically clever curling zombie short, "Deadspiel," a short from Ontario which is enjoying a successful film festival run. Making a return appearance is the animated claymation figure, Snippy, who gives valuable advice on surviving a zombie apocalypse.
Tom Gurisko, director of 2008 Zombie Night's "Snippy Walks With a Zombie", is "very excited about revisiting the Snippy Zombie story and coming back to ZOMBIE NIGHT. We had a great time last year and have been looking forward to it." Gurisko and John Mollon began work on this latest Snippy short in early October and are pleased to have it done in time for this year's festival.
Regarding the value of the Mitten Movie Project to independent filmmakers, Gurisko said, "I can't help but encourage Connie to continue on with the Mitten Movie Project because it's an awesome venue for filmmakers who otherwise would have a smaller audience. And you get actual reactions from real people sitting in an audience in contrast to hits on a YouTube video."
This is Curator Connie Mangilin's third year booking ZOMBIE NIGHT and she's "really pleased with this year's lineup and the diversity of the selections. The program really came together the past few weeks." The lineup boasts three shorts specially made for the festival – Snippy and the Zombie Apocalypse, Zom-B-Gon, and Sock Puppet Zombies Attack 3D: The Musical. Two of the out-of-state selections – Survivors and Deadspiel -- were recommendations from Mitten Movie Project filmmakers who saw those shorts at other film festivals around the country.
ZOMBIE NIGHT is the last chance for a filmmaker to earn a spot in the December 1st Best of the Mitten Movie Project screening event. Zombies will be represented at the year-end competition for the 2009 Mitten Movie Project Short of the Year award. The October MMP Audience Choice Award winner was "Qing Lou Nu," the Edgar Allan Poe adaptation of "The Tell-Tale Heart" set in a contemporary Chinese brothel.
"Dark Heart," another Poe adaptation directed by Robert Joseph Butler, and "A Little Knowledge," this year's winner of the Detroit chapter of the 48 Hour Film Project, will be part of the Mitten Movie Show and will air on Comcast/WOW from November 4th-28th. The Mitten Movie Show is a public access show featuring some of the best shorts of the Mitten Movie Project. The Mitten Movie Show airs on Comcast Ch. 52 and Wide-Open-West Ch. 18 on Wednesdays at 11 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight in Auburn Hills, Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Oakland Township, Pleasant Ridge, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Troy. It also airs in Independence Township on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays at midnight. The Mitten Movie Show is broadcast to more than 150,000 households.
As an added bonus, moviegoers that dress as a zombie to the screening will receive a free ticket to the December 1st Best of the Mitten Movie Project event. So bring on the zombies!!
The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at a location to be announced at the screening (within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night's activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.
Check out the Mitten Movie Project's new Facebook fan page:
www.facebook.com/mittenmovieproject#/pages/Mitten-Movie-Project/159694842605?ref=nf
Become a fan today as the Myspace page will slowly be phased out and replaced by this Facebook fan page.
11/3/09 MITTEN MOVIE PROJECT – INDEPENDENT SHORTS – PROGRAM NOTES
Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak, MI - 7:30 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject, Door $10
The Mitten Movie Project is a monthly film festival dedicated to screening independent films the first Tuesday of every month at the Main Art Theatre in Royal Oak. Presale tickets are available for $8 at myspace.com/mittenmovieproject. Tickets at the door are $10 (cash only). A pre-screening reception starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Art lobby where moviegoers can mingle with the directors, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. After the screening, a Q&A session will be conducted with the filmmakers in the theatre. An afterglow party will be held at a location to be announced at the screening (within walking distance of the theatre) to end the night's activities. To submit a film for consideration in the festival, visit myspace.com/mittenmovieproject for guidelines. Submission is free. Screeners may be sent by DVD or online link.
TENTATIVE LINEUP. Total running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes. In order of screening:
ZOMBIES IN PLAIN ENGLISH [public service announcement] (03:00) Common Craft's guide to surviving a zombie attack. This video is a satirical explanation created to celebrate Halloween and help protect your brain. www.commoncraft.com/zombies
DEADHEADS [trailer] - FroBro Films (2:35) (Michigan) (2009) A horror/comedy feature that follows the tale of two zombie buddies who embark on a road trip in search of lost love and to unravel the mystery behind their untimely demise. Shot entirely on location in Michigan last summer. Directed by the Pierce Brothers.
GRINDHOUSE PIMPS VS. THE LIVING DEAD [trailer] - Electric Otto's Funk Factory (01:31) (Michigan) (2009) When the dead walk the earth, pimps will smack you with their right hand and carry a pistol in their left. www.electricottosfunkfactory.com
IN SEARCH OF A HEARTY MEAL [silent short] (01:29) (New York) (2009) Written and directed by Daniel Levinsohn. A story of a famished zombie and his attempts to satiate his hunger.
SOCK PUPPET ZOMBIES ATTACK 3D: THE MUSICAL [narrative] - Directed by Taryn Shick (06:19) (Michigan) (2009) Two sock puppet pirates go fishing and catch more than fish – and they sing! www.atasteforcottonfilms.com
NED AND SUNSHINE [narrative] (02:14) (Michigan) Directed by Mary and Tom Russell. Ned and Sunshine are zombies who play the lottery with dreams of getting rich. facebook.com/tomandmaryrussell
LITTLE PROBLEMS [narrative] - Bad-Mag Films (08:07) (Michigan) Directed by Matt Pearson. "Little Problems" follows an unlikely couple that has managed to survive months of zombie mayhem by looting the carcass of civilization, making a pretty comfortable lifestyle for themselves in the process. While taking possession of an abandoned McMansion for a few days of rest from the apocalyptic grind, their lives are thrown into confusion by the arrival of a cute yet creepy feral girl with a knack for sniffing out hidden munchies.
ZERO HOUR [narrative] – Equinox Productions (08:22) (Ireland) In a world gone wrong, a viral outbreak has caused millions to perish. Many call this a new beginning, but some call this the end of the world. Sarah fights to survive and battle the odds to search for a new beginning.
ZOM-B-GON [narrative] – Trapdoor Productions (12:15) (Michigan) (2009) When the walking dead infest your home, zOm-B-gOn is only a phone call away. Produced and directed by Daren McNay. Screenplay by Jeff Berndt.
20:12 [narrative] – Directed by James Martinez (07:12) (California) At rapture's edge we follow one man's feeble attempt to thwart God's undead army to save the ones he cherishes most. Produced by Aaron Karns.
SOMBRE ZOMBIE [narrative] – Directed by Adam Macdonald (06:49) (Ontario) (2005) Jon Peter is an everyman anchored to a life of routine, going to and from his office like a drone. But one day, things change. He begins seeing things. Strange figures follow him through the park. Jon Peter is becoming what he fears most.
TALKING DEAD [narrative] – Fulvew Productions (06:55) (Michigan) (2005) Written and directed by Chris Randall. Doctor Clark has invented a machine that allows communication from a corpse. Now he wants Doctor Parker to be the first to hear what she has to say. Created for the Indie Talk online film festival where it took first place.
SURVIVORS [narrative] – Directed by Soham Mehta (12:55) (Texas) A classic zombie tale told with Bollywood bite. The dead are rising and the city has been evacuated, but two survivors remain behind. Rita would not abandon her infected husband, and Sachin refused to leave the memory of his dead wife. Willing to do anything to avoid dying alone, Rita deceives and seduces her way into Sachin's life, but soon discovers that tempting his memories is even more dangerous than what's lurking outside.
SNIPPY AND THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE [claymation] - Skeletons in the Closet Films (03:00) (Michigan) (2009) Written, directed and animated by Tom Gurisko and John Mollon. Snippy gives valuable tips for survival after the inevitable zombie plague.
DEADSPIEL [narrative] - B.B.D. Productions and Two Too Blue Shoes (07:33) (Ontario) The greatest curling zombie film ever! Cultures clash during a championship game between the human Team Olmstead and the zombie Team Romero. Things go horribly wrong when a disputed call tests humans and zombies as players must choose between sportsmanship and bloody carnage. Directed by J. Andrew Molloy. www.deadspiel.com