FRESHI NOW

RECRUITMENT!

2010-05-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

With summer just around the corner, we're on our way to re-energize Freshi Now with all new features and a new determination to create a home for young filmmakers / media creators from around the world.

If you would like to take part, send us an email, tell us what you're interested in (movie making, animation, game design, music, writing....whatever you create - and you're in. If you have a vlog, let us know, and we'll post it on our upcoming vlog board. See you soon!

RAHUL MENDIRATTA, 2006 FRESHI INDIA FILM CAMPER, HEADS TO USA

2010-04-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

In 2006, Freshi went to India to conduct our first international Film Camp. One of the teens attending the camp was Rahul Mendiratta (seen below at the camp - he's the boy with his hand raised). We're excited to announce that Rahul will be visiting America soon at part of the Global Youth Leadership Council, "a unique leadership development program that brings together outstanding young people from around the world to build critical leadership skills in a global context. "

"GYLC offers students the opportunity to learn from and exchange ideas with some of the world's top business leaders, policy officials, lobbyists, journalists, diplomats and academics in the challenging and dynamic environments of Washington, D.C. and New York City; or Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai."

In addition to visiting New York and Washington D.C., Rahul will also be spending time in California. We look forward to seeing him again, and wish him well with this incredible opportunity!

Rahul Mendiratta, center, during the 2006 Freshi Program in India.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ON VLOGGING

2010-04-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

Vlogging is a form of communication - it's a chance not only to be heard, but to get to know other like-minded people around the world. With a little bit of planning, a good sense of humor, and the ability to be yourself - the vlogging experience can expand your universe. At the same time, protect your privacy and your independence with a vengeance. While most people in the vlogging world are great, some are only out for trouble. In that way, it's just like the real world.

Recently, a popular young vlogger found his home address posted on a public site by a mean-spirited viewer a continent away, who offered the information to other vloggers worldwide via Twitter. How did he track down the vlogger's personal information? The vlogger made two mistakes. First, he freely offered his full name on his YouTube channel and various websites. Second, he maintained a website with public registration. If you establish a website, you must provide a contact address to complete the registration. Most people use their actual home address, but it's possible, through your internet provider, to register your website through a service that protects your private information - including your address. This vlogger didn't take that step, and as a result, the viewer could have put him at risk for stalking by anyone who might have come across the information. Fortunately, the information was quickly taken down - but it doesn't' take much imagination to understand how it all could have gone wrong.

If you decide to vlog - have fun, protect your privacy like you're a celebrity, and - most importantly - let us know!

VLOG EVERY DAY APRIL: VLOGBROTHERS!

2010-04-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

No salute to vlogging would be complete with the most famous Vloggers of all time, VLOGBROTHERS! Here's a recent post on Google/YouTube's new auto-captioning feature, which is supposed to take the voice in your video and convert it to text captions. It doesn't work so well:

VLOG EVERY DAY APRIL: WAFFLESAM

2010-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today's "Vlog Every Day April" highlight comes from WaffleSam, a 15 year-old vlogger in England. Make sure to check out his YouTube channel.

VEDA - VLOG EVERY DAY APRIL

2010-04-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

April is Vlog Every Day April (VEDA) - an annual challenge vloggers take on to do as it says - create a vlog every single day of the month. We'll celebrate VEDA this week by featuring vlog-related videos - some on how to vlog, others by some of the creative teen vloggers on YouTube.

Enjoy! And START VLOGGING!

Here's the first, by Youtuber "NickSpov," with his guide to vlogging:

GOT MOVIE REVIEWS?

2010-03-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

Now that the IFFF is over, your humble webmaster is looking forward to getting back to firing up Freshi Now!

Freshi Now reporter Ben Spiegel attended the IFFF, and will soon be posting an exclusive interview with China's biggest child star. A large group of filmmakers from China were in attendance this year at the festival, and Ben had special access.

Ben is also working on developing a YouTube collab channel dedicated to 30 second movie reviews - which will also post here - anyone interested in committing to 30 seconds a week? Let us know! Either contact Ben directly (using the links at the left), or this webmaster.

FOLLOW THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL!

2010-03-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

Starting today, you'll be able to follow the International Family Film Festival online from the IFFF blog, at http://ifffblog.blogspot.com

Watch for blog updates periodically during the day!

We'll also be constantly updated the the photo feed at Flikr, also available at the IFFF Blog (to the right of the latest blog entry) or directly at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ifffpix

Check here for vlog updates later in the evening, or first thing in the morning (we won't have the chance to upload during the day) - alternatively, if you have a YouTube account, you can subscribe to the webmaster's channel at

http://www.youtube.com/user/WorldAccordingtoRich

to be notified whenever new videos are posted.

We'll also post some surprises on Twitter, so follow us at intfamfilmfest.

See you there!

The International Family Festival Vlog

2010-03-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

Rich Samuels, webmaster of Freshi Now, spoke recently on his vlog, "The World According to Rich" about his special vlog/blog coverage of the International Family Film Festival:

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE

2010-02-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

AFI.COM is the home page of the American Film Institute, the Los Angeles-based center of film education. It was founded in 1967 as a national arts organization to "train filmmakers and preserve America's film heritage."

The website features information on the many educational programs offered by the AFI, it's yearly film festival, and a guide to accessing the Louis B. Mayer Library, one of the major libraries in the world of film making and film history.

The AFI is a public organization, and offers extensive membership benefits.

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

2010-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

OSCARS.ORG is the home site of the most prestigious organization in the film industry, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - they hand out the Oscars every year, but also provide a wealth of resources for anyone interested in the history and technology of the motion picture industry.

The Academy's website not only offers in-depth information on the Academy Awards, but information on the many public events offered throughout the year, and a guide to accessing the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library, an extensive library of films, books, photographs and other important historical memorabilia detailing the evolution of the motion picture industry. If you're serious about your love for the history of the motion picture industry, this site will start you off on a fantastic life-long journey.

Make sure you check out the "Events and Exhibitions" section for regular events exploring all aspects of the production process as it has applied to some of the greatest films of all time.

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES

2010-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Emmys.org is the home page of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the organization that - you guessed it - gives out the Emmy Awards each year.

In addition to current and past information on Emmy recipients, Emmys.org includes information on events - many open to the pubic - that explore both the business and entertainment side of the television industry. This site also access to articles from Emmy Magazine, and some website-only extras.

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

2010-02-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Documentary.org, the home page of the International Documentary Association, is a critical site for filmmakers interested in documentary filmmaking. it features clips from numerous documentaries, featured articles from Documentary Magazine, an online community of documentary filmmakers eager and willing to help other like-minding filmmakers, funding news, and much more. Documentary.org is truly the home of the documentary community.

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATORGRAPHERS

2010-02-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

This week, we'll be highlighting important websites that aspiring filmmakers will find inspiring.

Today's link is the home site for the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) which is the most prestigious professional organization of cinematographers. The site offers full articles from American Cinematographer Magazine (which features detailed behind-the-scenes stories on the making of the most important current films), links to public events exploring cinematography in current and historical productions, and a series of educational resources, such as a glossary of terms for high definition photography, and a section on how to use reflectors.

If you're serious about cinematography, http://www.theasc.com/index.php is a must-go site.

YOU ARE NEEDED!

2010-02-07T17:27:00.001-08:00

We need writers and vloggers to report on filmmaking and gaming - Our whole purpose to help talented young "media creators" do what they do - so as you report on people like yourself, we'll also feature your work, and link back to your own website or YouTube channel. We have visitors from all over the entertainment industry, and around the world - it's a great way to get your work out there!

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

SALOME SALIA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH YOUTUBER ERIC STRIFFLER

2010-02-01T09:10:00.000-08:00

Eric Striffler, 18, is a successful YouTuber with over 33,000 subscribers - whatever you're interested in on YouTube, he probably has something for you!

Salome Salia brings FRESHI NOW this exclusive interview!

First, take a look at this video introducing his channel, at http://www.youtube.com/user/EricStriffler

Describe in a few words what you do and what inspired you?

To put it VERY basically, I make videos and put them on YouTube. I have two Channels; one for my short films and one for my entertainment news and reviews. What I really love to do is make films so I prefer my Channel EricStrifflerVids over ErickWithNoK, but both are a LOT of fun. I've been into making movies since I was VERY young, and it's happened to stick with me over the years!

What would you say is the key to YouTube fame?

If I knew, I would have a LOT more subscribers haha! I have never done anything specific to get subscribers so I really have no idea. I think it's just that people like to see consistency and to see people legitimately enjoying what they're doing. I have stuck with my Channels fully for years and I really do love doing all of it. I really think it shows.

What do you have to say to young filmmakers?

"Hello, I'm Eric and I'm just like you!" Haha I'm currently a Freshman at film school so I don't really have any leg up over anyone else if you look at it that way. I'm learning as well so I wouldn't really have any advice exactly because I could use advice sometimes too! Although I do think young filmmakers should really consider what they want out of their craft; do they want to make Hollywood movies or indie movies or TV shows? I do think it's important to figure out what you want and set your goal early. But like I said, I'm taking my own advice right now and I don't have any knowledge past that really!

When you started, did you expect to be so successful?

Never in a hundred million years did I expect to actually make money from making videos. Like I said, I've been making videos since I was really young, so it's crazy to me. I started uploading videos to YouTube for fun, as I still do now to be honest. I did it for over a year before I started to make money from it, and I'd continue to do it if the money stopped coming. It's what I love to do and I'd like to keep it going for a long time, so it's definitely nice to see that I can make money on doing what I've wanted to do all my life.

How much of your time does your Youtube account take up?

Well it depends really. On EricStrifflerVids, the videos can take an hour to shoot and two hours to edit, or a few days to shoot and 6 hours to edit. On ErickWithNoK, the videos usually take less than 15 minutes to film, edit, and post. The fun thing about ErickWithNoK is that news comes at random, so I could be watching TV and see that there's a new clip released from a movie I'm covering, so I literally run up to my room, look into it, film my video, and post it to YouTube immediately to get ahead of everyone else. In the reporting world, whoever has the first story is likely to get the steam from everyone passing their post around. It's very exciting and I find it to be a lot of fun!

"HOW DO I MAKE IT IN THE FILM INDUSTRY?"

2010-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most common questions from anyone interesting in filmmaking is something along the lines of "How do I make it in the film industry?"

It's a complicated question of course - but there are some basic approaches to keep in mind if you want to be successful.

Alvin Toffler, a prolific author best known for "Future Shock," a 1970 book about society in an age of technology, once said that: "If you don't have a strategy, you' re part of someone else's strategy."

In other words - if you don't know where you're going, and at least have an idea of how to get there, then you're likely to be just a an instrument to be used by in someone else's goals and ambitions.

Ujj Naath, a successful Los Angeles businessman, added to Toffler's quote with additional observation, "all decisions seem reasonable when you lack a strategy."

If you don't know what you want to do, or put some effort into understanding how to get there, you'll find that you might be flailing around for something that might work - trying all kinds of things, taking all kinds of jobs, without any real understanding of what you're trying to gain from the experience. Most people in the film industry start from the absolute bottom. Those who succeed are people who understand not only how to work hard and make an impression, but what to gain from the experiences and relationships to achieve their goals.

Conclusion: Lesson #1 is FOCUS

YES, WE STILL NEED YOU!

2010-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.co m

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL ON TWITTER

2010-01-29T12:26:00.000-08:00

The International Family Film Festival, which is one of Freshi's sister organizations, is now on Twitter - add us, if you would like a behind the scenes rundown of film festival action!

intfamfilmfest

YOUTUBE CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIEISSOCOOLLIKE

2010-01-29T10:12:00.000-08:00

Charlie McDonnell, better known on YouTube as Charlieissocoollike, was recently challenged to create a song using only household items. He not only met the challenge, but put together a fun, creative music video to go along with it! Here's the result:

NEW FEATURE: ASK US ANYTHING!

2010-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Formspring.me, we're offering a new feature: Ask Us Anything!

You know have an entire staff of professional filmmakers at your fingertips - if you have any questions about filmmaking, or Freshi programs (like our popular Hollywood Film Camp, give it a shot!

Check out our Formspring page at http://www.formspring.me/freshi for more!

Freshi Now staff - if you've got one, let us know!

FRESHI NOW CORESPONDENTS WANTED FOR SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

2010-01-25T11:09:00.000-08:00

Freshi's sister organization, the International Family Film Festival, will be offering a very special block of Chinese children's films on the first day of the upcoming festival, March 10-14, 2010, at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.

The presentation, produced in association with China Aizi Movie and Television Education Council and The China Children's Film Association, will feature 14 feature-length films, and include a delegation of 25 of China's leading film directors, producers, cinematographers, distributors, programmers, actors and child stars. It's a truly unique insight into the modern Chinese film industry.

We're looking for Current or New Freshi Now Correspondents to cover all or part of this special event. The program is on a Wednesday, but if you can come in the late afternoon and spend a couple of hours with us, that's great. You'll have the chance to meet people with whom you might so far be unfamiliar, but whose names are instantly recognizable in China. For more information, check out our special Chinese Film Block page at the IFFF website.

We also looking for correspondents throughout the entire festival. If you're interested, contact Rich Samuels at rich.samuels@freshifilms.com.

SALLY SALIA: WHAT MAKES A REALLY GOOD FILM?

2010-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Every year the creative part of society comes up with thousands of ideas and plans for the entertainment business. Some of those, forgotten to be jotted down, get lost overnight. A few hundred scripts are written, but only a certain amount actually makes it to the screen. Now out of that, one or two truly makes it in to people’s hearts and memories; and that is my definition of a truly good film.

In my opinion, a truly great film is one that by far surpasses your expectations, even if they were sky high; One that leaves you trembling with emotion, tears, or laughter after leaving the theatre. A movie has to have a meaning. Ones that are just for entertainment with no moral are, in my opinion, not worth watching. A movie must be educative, while at the same time entertaining. It, and the characters, must be memorable. The situations and characters must relate to real people and problems [of coarse, I’m not talking about fiction]. The audience should be able to imagine themselves in the character’s shoes and see the world from a whole new angle.

One of the most important parts of a movie is the script. The quality of the dialogues, in my opinion, makes or breaks the film. The dialogue should be realistic and natural, not cheesy and fake. Also, the sceneries/settings of a movie are very important. For example, it would certainly be more inspirational if someone proposed under fireworks in a beautiful restaurant, rather than at the park.

I have to admit, I have a bad habit. I’m a fool for actors. I have my favorites and seeing a movie with them in it always blinds my judgment. I know that I should be observing the character and not the actor. I may even turn down a film because I don’t recognize or like the faces in the trailer. Even though ticket-selling, charming actors are necessary for a film’s success, there’s always room for new talent in Hollywood if given the opportunity.

UNIQUE ACCESS FOR FRESHI NOW REPORTERS

2010-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi's sister organization, the International Family Film Festival, will be held this year at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, From March 10-14.

For our official Freshi Now reporters, we're offering unique access to the people behind the winning films - filmmakers, actors, craftspeople and others - to bring to the Freshi Now audience exclusive behind-the-scenes info on the people, films and screenplays featured at the festival. As a special added attraction this year, we'll be feature a special slate of Chinese Films, with noted Chinese filmmakers and actors in attendance.

Current Freshi Now reporters interested in taking part should contact Rich Samuels ASAP at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com .

ACADEMY AWARDS ANNOUNCED SCIENTIFIC / TECHNICAL AWARDS

2010-01-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that holds the Academy Awards each year, has announced the 2010 Scientific / Technical Awards. Those are the awards that are given only brief mention on the actual Academy Awards broadcast, but which represent some of the most important achievements each year in the technology of moviemaking.

Most of these descriptions might seem extremely technical, but they offer a challenge to the technically-minded - here's a challenge to Google a bit and create a more user-friendly description for Freshi Now - any takers?

Contact your webmaster at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

BULLETIN: YOUNG HAITIAN FILMMAKERS SEND OUT FOOTAGE

2010-01-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

This article, on the Canadian Broadcasting Centre's website, details the efforts of young filmmakers in earthquake-ravaged Haiti to apply their unique skills to bring news and information on this tragedy to a world audience. While media outlets from around the world are arriving in Haiti, these filmmakers are the only Haitians able to tell the story with a Haitian voice.

Can filmmakers make a difference? This Haitians are.

CATHY LE'S MUNDANE MONDAY: "OLD PEOPLE AND NEW THINGS"

2010-01-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

So I turned 18 on Sunday. I think it'll take some time to sink in that I'm now old.I mean, I know I'm not that old, but still. I wonder if things will change now. Will people stop helping me out because I'm no longer a small minor making films? Finding filming locations are so much easier when you're young because no one really expects pay.

I've been working on developing a story for my next semester film project and find myself unable to think of ideas for a short film. I'm a long story/ feature film kind of person. I've got tons of stories for that.

I wrote one at 3am on Wednesday (I tend to have my best creative moments that late, after I'm done with all the homework I've procrastinated on) and later that day during 6th period, presented it to Daniel Petrie Jr, a professional screenplay writer known for "The Big Easy" and "Beverly Hills Cop". I was just thinking how fortunate I was to have opportunities like this. Of course the film industry is about talent, but it's also about who you know and how lucky you are.I certainly hope I remain lucky.
He didn't really get it the way that I had hoped he would. He understood the basics of it-- story line, characters, etc, but I don't think he got the feelings I hoped to get from my audience. It might have been the way I presented it.I'm not a very articulate speaker. It's usually better when people just read my scripts. The story was of course underdeveloped because well, I wrote it as I was falling out of consciousness into a land of slumber. But I realized something, as I was walking down the hall thinking about the advice he'd given me on how to better develop it:

He is an old person. He was trying to help me give my story a bit more structure. After all, every story has a structure, right? But sometimes we forget that structure, what we know, is not law. And even if it was, laws can be broken. Artists are good at that. My story was ultimately about different points of views, inspired by Virginia Woolf and some Existentialist philosophy. And his advice for improvements made complete and total sense. But then I realized that my goal was to make people realize that things don't make sense. It's hard to do with film, because it's less focused this way, but I'm going to try.

We tend stick to what we know. But perhaps, I'm still not old enough to stick inside the box.

CATHY LE: "MUNDANE MONDAY" ON TUESDAY!

2010-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

"My only week of Winter Break"

I'm such a busybody, especially now that I finally have a car. This last week, I literally lost track of the time and day of week because I always had something to do. I'd wake up at 7am some days, 3.34pm other days. I'd sleep at 10pm some days and 4am other days.One day just blurred into the next day.

   Tuesday, I drove to Burbank, CA to visit Video Symphony, a school for professionals in the film industry, with our dear Serbian Exchange students. They used to be a retraining facility for professionals already working at companies like Universal, but now they're open to entry level (i.e. me!). I've known that Burbank was home to lots of film industry stuff since we filmed our semester project at St. Joseph's Hospital last year, but I didn't realize the magnitude of it until this day.
   It's interesting the different paths you can take after high school to get into the industry. Video Symphony focuses on post production, like editing, sound, and special effects. It's comforting to know that they really help you get a job after you graduate, but it's too specific for me to choose as a post secondary school. Learning how to make films is only one part of it.Becoming a well rounded person with lots of different experiences is a big part. But I gotta learn how to use Cinema 4D.

Wednesday, we did more industry touring. First, we visited another post production company in Burbank called Modern Film. They're right across the street from Warner Brothers Studios. If there's one thing I learned, it's that there will always be jobs in post production because the process is so incredibly tedious. They have several people working on color correcting alone. But they gave me hope when they said a lot of the editors began work at 10pm. More nocturnal filmmakers like me! Oh & they were pretty excited about working on Avatar and showed me a trailer that convinced me that I had to go see it soon.
   Then it was off to Marina del Ray to visit Rhythm and Hues, an animation and special effects studio. I'm not much of an animator, but this place was pretty awesome. My favorite were the clay models. There was a little alien guy I would've liked to take home with me.

Friday, I finally joined the millions of people who have seen James Cameron's Avatar, but alas my minuscule student budget did not allow for 3D. I'm quite a writing critic sometimes because that's my thing: I write. I've heard bad things about the storyline, so I didn't come with high expectations. It was predictable. But I liked it.

Saturday.When I stepped into the theatres (yes, I went to the movies two days in a row), I realized that I had chose to watch an old people movie-- Up in the Air, with George Cloony. It was actually pretty good and my friend and I were surprisingly the ones who cracked up the loudest at the strange adult situations. It was definitely a change from the fantasy world and one-and-only-type romance of Avatar.

Then, it's back to school. If it weren't for the homework, I'd be relieved to go back. Isn't that weird? I can finally relax now. HAHA!

WRITE / VLOG FOR US!

2010-01-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

If you're in Los Angeles, you may have the opportunity to report "behind the scenes."

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

JUST DO IT.

2010-01-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you don't think you have the time to make a film, Director Steven Soderbergh just shot a completely improved film in his spare time, while directing a play in Australia.

The lesson? Think big, remove all the obstacles (as in: I have no money, I only have a Flip camera, I only have a day, I'll never finish the script), think big, and just do it. You'll be amazed at what you can do.

Success Story: Filmmaker enters Netflix Contest, Wins Production Contract

2010-01-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a story from the Los Angeles times about Philip Flores of Hemet, California, who entered the "Netflix Find Your Voice" filmmaking competition, won - and went from being a production assistant to writer / Director of his first feature film.

Get your work out there any way you can - if it's good, don't just post it online - enter festivals and competitions - you never know what might happen!

SALLY SALIA: ONLOACTIONVACATIONS.COM

2010-01-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Celebrities – If you know your sources, they’re not too hard to track down. Have you ever wished to know where you favorite TV Shows or upcoming movies you’re excited about are being filmed? Have you ever dreamed about meeting the stars? Well, www.onlocationvacations.com has hundreds of opportunities. No, they don’t lie or trick you; all their suggestions are 100% accurate. They have everything from upcoming filming locations to movie premieres to book signings. I’ve even gone to three events they’ve posted; a Nathan Fillion [Rick Castle from ABC’s Castle] book signing, Fox’s Bones set, and the New Moon premiere. I got to meet Nathan Fillion, someone from the set of Bones, and stood ten feet away from the beloved heartthrob, Robert Pattinson.

EVENT ALERT: VIDCON 2010

2010-01-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in learning more about how to make effective online videos, or just want to meet some of the biggest names in online filmmaking, we've just heard of VidCon, occuring in Los Angeles July 9-10, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Century City.

This isn't a YouTube "Gathering," and it's not free ($40 a day / $80 for the conference), but you might want to take a look and see if it's something in line with what you want to accomplish in the future.

CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY"

2010-01-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Merry New Year!"

It's 2010, though I hardly feel anything is different. It's an arbitrary decision we make to have an excuse to change our lives. So I don't make New Year Resolutions. Since I'm done marching the Rose Parade though, I find myself with slightly more free time on my hands.

We've had exchange students from the Media Education Centre in Serbia over here in L.A. for the past two weeks. I've been sort of out of the loop since I've been rehearsing with my marching band, but on Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be having Hollywood Behind the Scenes days, visiting places such as Modern Film and Video Symphony.

I recently got my computer back and am in the process of finding an editing program that works better than Windows Movie Maker. I use Final Cut Pro a lot, but that's only on my school's computer for school projects. As a very very very (emphasis on "very") low budget student film maker, I'm going to attempt to create a video using only my cellphone camera, Windows Movie Maker, some friends, and imagination.

Here's the plan: We'll probably have to do a music video. MovieMaker is okay at editing picture and if we set it on mute, it's pretty great. We can record a song on a free audio recording program called Audacity. Then we can put it over the video as an audio file. Success (hopefully).

ETHAN ROY REVIEWS SHERLOCK HOLMES!

2009-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sherlock Holmes, the last action film of 2009, went with a bang. Well it’s more of a mystery rather than an action film, but it had more action than many other “action” films this year. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude law are just a pleasure to watch. Now I’m not a hardcore Holmes fan, in act I’ve never read any of the books, but I did my research and this goes back to old school Holmes. Downey is funny and amazing as Holmes. Watson (Jude Law) was really good too. He is the fool that follows. He knows what’s going to happen yet he still follows him. The action was a blast to watch. Guy Richie knows what h is doing; I feel he should go to action rather than gangster films. But the real show stopper is England. I love just staring in to the background and just seeing the shops and homes. It had the sin city approach to it. The cinematography also was astonishing for an action film. I love how more and more films are starting to care about that. (SPOILER ALERT HERE TILL THE END OF THE SENTENCE) But I love how the concept of the cult is played and all is science rather than magic. The only problem of the film is Rachael McAdams. The first half she was all right, then what happen? She was so bland and sometimes really bad, but she isn’t in it as much as the others. But the slow-mo then cut to fast action scenes actually serve a purpose unlike Watchmen. In these Holmes explains the moves and effects.

I had a ball with this film - I was shocked because my expectations were very low, but I can easily say that this is one of the best of '09. 8.5/9

NOTE* I apologize for the Avatar review for those that saw that James Cameron got an award nomination for writing. My source was wrong he did not get a nomination for that (which is good). Please understand that I am very busy. I had a school play, exams, and a new high school so understand if they’re mistakes. I assure you out there, there will be no more mistakes. And the finalized score for Avatar is a 7.5

CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY" - ON TUESDAY!

2009-12-29T11:32:00.000-08:00

I guess I should begin by explaining the title of this blog. It occurred to me in the middle of my aesthetics class when we were discussing the bias in classical literature to only write about high class people engaged in big moments of their lives. Until recently, there hasn't been much written about regular people doing mundane, everyday things. There's plenty of "regular" people in mainstream media now, but the mundane activity part isn't quite there yet. The characters are always engaging in some big important life event and this defines who they are. This is of course purposeful because mundane sometimes isn't so interesting to watch. But at the same time, films like Napoleon Dynamite which have no "point" to it, are popular. Simply put, are we defined by what we do every day or by our big periodic accomplishments?

It's interesting to me right now because, I'm just doing all these mundane and "everyday things", not anything film industry related in particular-- filling out some college applications, going to band practice from 7am-7pm everyday to prepare for the Rose Parade, chatting with my friends online, sleeping. But I'm finding inspiration for filmming everywhere: from modern-day segregation in LAUSD schools, to how bands and other large masses of people are controlled, to the new ways humans communicate in this technological age of texting, webcamming, and facebook.

Cathy Le's Mundane Monday will post every Monday morning on Freshi Now.

ETHAN ROY'S REVIEW OF AVATAR: PERFECT CGI / IMPERFECT STORY

2009-12-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

With Avatar, James Cameron finally perfects CGI, but does he perfect storytelling, NO. The story has been done thousands of times, Dances with Wolves, District 9, Last Samurai, and a little bit of Ferngully. James Cameron came out saying that this will be the greatest movie ever made; it’s far from it. Now is it a bad movie, no it is an incredible film, but the story is meh. The effects will obviously win an Academy Award, but James Cameron shouldn’t win any awards for this.

Already before the release the film got Golden Globes for best writing, Director, and best drama. No I feel that people shouldn’t let their experience take a hold of them saying that it is the greatest film ever, believe me I had an amazing experience, but I can tell the difference between what is awesome and what is a amazing story. Trust me it is one of my favorite sci-fi films but Mr. Cameron disappointed me with the story. It is no District 9 (which is my personal favorite sci-fi film), but it is better than Star Trek. The 3D wasn’t any thing special; Coraline’s was a 1,000 times better. The 3D bothered my eyes way too much. But the effects where unbelievable. I felt like I was actually there and the Na’vi felt real at times, like I couldn’t tell the actors apart from the Na’vi a few times.

The action was great, but again the story felt dull and unoriginal. Not the say I completely hated the story is that I’ve seen it done better. Cameron has done action with a great story I mean look at T-2, Arnold Schwarzenegger actually made people cry at the end of that movie, which is something we never saw coming. Avatar, yet having an amazing experience and effects, it still lacks in story, but it is still an amazing film. 7.5-8/10

2009-12-26T19:49:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

from everyone

at FRESHI NOW!

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHT: LIP SYNC EPIC

2009-12-24T07:58:00.000-08:00

Shorewood High School in Washington State created this unusual lip dub to Hall & Oates' "You Make My Dreams." Aside from the epic production (it seems to include everyone in the school), what makes this really something special is that the entire video was shot in reverse - including the lip-syncing. Read more in this Los Angeles Times article.

IPHONE APP FOR FILMMAKERS: HELIOS SUN CALCULATOR

2009-12-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

One of several views available with Helios

Chemical Wedding, the same company that offers the Artemis digital director's viewfinder, also offers Helios, another useful Iphone/Itouch app for filmmakers. Helios "graphically predicts the path of the sun from dusk to dawn, on any given day, in any given place."

For filmmakers and photographers who work in natural light (as opposed to artificial lighting), this can be a great pre-production tool. Knowing where the sun will be at any given time of day can make the difference between a dimly lit (or backlit) shot and a good, professional image. Additionally, you can email the information, so that you have a hard copy of the results for your planning needs.

Helios is also just $29.99 in the Iphone App Store, and has an average of 4.5 stars out of 5, although there are only five votes so far.

If you've had a chance to use this, let us know.

STARTING NEXT WEEK: CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY"

2009-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi Now writer Cathy Le begins her weekly blog next week! Cathy is a senior at Cleveland High School, and is now looking to her future as a filmmaker - and the best way to get there!

Mundane Monday starts on December 28th!

IPHONE APP FOR FILMMAKERS: DIGITAL DIRECTOR'S VIEWFINDER

2009-12-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

If you have an Iphone, you might be interested in Chemical Wedding's Artemis, a digital director's viewfinder for the Iphone. Artemis allows the user to choose camera format, aspect ratio and lens type - it's made for both directors and cinematographers, and so far shows 4 out of 5 stars (out of 24 votes) in Iphone's App Store.

Users (and Chemical Wedding) note that the primary limitation of this app is that it is currently limited by the focal length of the Iphone camera. Anything wider, and the app will create a blank screen around the subject to present an idea of the covered landscape.

Considering the inflated price of so many professional applications and hardware related to the film industry, the $29.99 price seems very reasonable.

If any of you have tried with app, we'd like to hear from you.

2009-12-18T10:48:00.001-08:00

The International Family Film Festival, which will be celebrating it's 15th year in 2010, is a sister organization with Freshi Films, LLC.

Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, had a critical role in reviving Walt Disney Studios and the art of animation in the decades following the death of Walt Disney in 1966. For more information on Roy E. Disney, start with this Wikipedia entry.

SALLY SALIA: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART THREE

2009-12-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the third and final part of Sally Salia's three part article on the films she's most anicipating this holiday season:

In Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous character is back once more for more adventure, this time exposing not only his intellect, but his fighting skills as well. Crime, action, drama, and suspence, its all there in Guy Ritchie’s movie adaptation of the fictional character. This time the world renowned partners, Holmes and Watson must stop a conspiracy that threatens to destroy Britain. The movie will hit theatres Christmas Day, competeing with Avatar.

SALLY SALIA: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART TWO

2009-12-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the second of Sally Salia's 3-part series on the films she's most anticipating this holiday season. This time, it's:

AVATAR

For all the sci-fi fans out there, Avatar is the perfect movie to enjoy over the holiday season. First, lets clarify that Avatar is not based or related to the cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender in any way. On December 18th, the movie will hit theatres. The movie is about a former Marine, Jake Sully, now paralyzed below the waist, who joins an expedition to a distant moon, Pandora, which is the habitat of the Na’vi. He undergoes a transformation into the physical form of the Na’vi, but with the thoughts and feelings of a human being. He must persuade them to join and help the mine, but as he gets closer to the Na’vi and his relationship with one of the woman, Neytiri, deepens, he is faced with a decision that could alter the fate of an entire world.

We STILL Need You!

2009-12-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

EVEN FILMMAKERS CAN GO GREEN

2009-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Code of Best Practices for Sustainable Filmmaking is an online publication at American University's School of Communication. It offers a guide to professional filmmakers to create productions that are "green," including guidelines for pre-production to production, and all the way through the post production process.

If you go to the site, though, make sure you scroll to the bottom and read the posted comments from "real world" industry professionals. While many applaud the included guidelines, some point out that some aspects of those guidelines are impractical considering the necessary requirements of production. For example, one guideline encourages production staff to carpool to location. Unfortunately, that isn't often possible, as even a small production crew includes varying call times (for example, make-up needs to arrive quite a bit earlier than talent, and talent earlier than certain crew). The comments offer as much information as the article itself, and a real insight into the challenge of green filmmaking.

Your comments?

INTERCUT MAGAZINE PREVIEW: THE ZOOM H2 HANDY RECORDER

2009-12-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

Kevin D. Paige, Sr. is a Freshi teacher and muscian, and has had the opportunity to experiment with the Zoom H2 Handy Recorder:

The Zoom H2 Handy Recorder is basically a studio condenser quality microphone made hand held. The quality of the mic is outstanding. I got a chance to play with it before implementing into my film classes. The H2 has four built in mics and up to four channels of simultaneous recording capability. The front mic records in a 90o radius and the rear mic at 120o. All mics, when activated at once, create surround recording. You can record in wav. form or mp3, store in individual folders, and save on an SD card. The H2 has line inputs and outputs for audio monitoring, as well as a small LCD screen for visual monitoring. When I brought the H2 to class, my students thought it was the coolest thing. They really loved that you can mount it to a flow-pod or uni-pod to use as a boom pole. It was very easy to export files and import them into any video editing or music editing program. Bottom line, I would recommend the H2 Handy Recorder. It’s very affordable and you will not be disappointed.

Check out more about Kevin Paige, Sr. at the FreshiFilmWorx staff page.
Check out the Intercut Magazine archive here

SALLY SALIA: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART ONE

2009-12-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the first of Sally Salia's choices for most anticpated films of the holiday season!

THE LOVELY BONES

Based on the bestselling novel by Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones is a story about Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl, who, after being murdered, overlooks her family from above and watches as they struggle to go on with their lives without her. This is a unique story that hypnotized readers from the very first paragraph, which starts out with the words “I was 14 when I was murdered”. It’s definitely not how most stories begin, and something different is always refreshing. Book-turned-movies are often risky in the movie business, they look promising but loyal fans degrade and critisize it.

Will Suzie be able to lead her father to her killer, or will she let her family continue their life in peace? And will the movie live up to the expectations of the fanbase? Find out for yourself on January 15, 2010.

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: INTERCUT MAGAZINE PREVIEW

2009-12-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi Films, the company behind Freshi Now, also publishes Intercut Magazine (check out the archive here), designed for young filmmakers. Periodically, we'll feature selected articles from past and future issues of the magazine. You'll only find it here...on Freshi Now!

First up, Intercut editor Yvonne Farrow, an independent filmmaker herself, reviews Before You Shoot by Helen Garvy.

Before You Shoot: A Guide to Low-Budget Film and Video Production is a fantastic book for those who want as little drama during the production of their film or video shoot as possible. I used it as a guide during the pre-production of one of my short films and later received kudos from my grantor as one of the most well organized filmmakers they had ever awarded. They even used my post production reports as examples of excellence for those applying for the scholarship/grant the following year. A detail-oriented person to begin with, I wanted to do my best and why wouldn’t I? Someone was giving me money to make the dream of producing my first sync-sound super 16 short film a reality! I didn’t want to blow it not sweating the details.

“Before You Shoot will save you time, money and aggravation when you make your next film… Making clear, sensible decisions and planning a well-organized shoot are essential to the success of any film, but these are often overlooked as filmmakers concentrate primarily on artistic and technical challenges… Much of this book is just simple common sense, written down and organized a little. I used to take common sense for granted. I assumed things would just ‘work themselves out’. But I’ve learned that by not figuring things out carefully in advance, you generally loose time and waste money.”

Helen Garvy

This simple, easy to read manual is not only chockfull of helpful tips and useful information for the Planning, Pre-Production, Production and Post Production of your next project; it is filled with humorous illustrations and professional production forms (Budget, Call Sheets, Script Notes, etc.) to help you to better organize your next shoot.

This Freshi filmmaker highly recommends it!

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHT: "Sausaguy! en America Latina"

2009-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Mael Santiago, a 16 year-old filmmaker in Venezuela, created this short - make sure you also check out his YouTube Channel for behind-the-scenes videos on the making of this project, and his other special effects projects.

From the filmmaker's description: Sausaguy is a charismatic sausage that travels throught the outer space and finds the Earth. In this planet he discovers the terrible situation between sausages and humans.

NOWNEWS: 5 MINUTE YOUTUBE VIDEO LANDS FILMMAKER $30 MILLION FILM

2009-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

An unknown filmmaker from Uraguay spent $500 on a YouTube video about a giant robot invasion - and now he has a Hollywood contract.

While it's true that the 30 year-old filmmaker runs a post-production house Uraguay, which obviously gives him some technical advantages a non-professional might not have, this goes to show that good, eye-catching and high-quality work can really lead to something. And remember, he's about as far from Hollywood as you can get (well in the Americas, anyway!). This is all about production value - effects like you see in the video below cost millions in Hollywood....

Read more here.

WE NEED YOU!

2009-12-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

INTRODUCING FRESHI'S NEW SITE!

2009-12-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi Films, the company behind the Freshi Now website, has created filmmaking programs for youth around the world. Freshi Planet, our new site celebrating our worldwide programs, just launched a new section celebrating our popular program in Puerto Rico. Stop by and take a look!

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP FOR UPCOMING FRESHI NOW PODCAST

2009-12-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi Now Podcast - First Meeting on November 28th

The Freshi Now Podcast is just one of the upcoming features we're be premiering over the next couple of months. Some members of the Freshi Now team met at Freshi Headquarters last Saturday for a brainstorming session - we'll have more information as it comes available.

In the meantime, Ben Spiegel has created the Freshi Now Podcast Group on Facebook. If you're interested in what they're doing, or interested in becoming part of the podcast, you're invited to join up!

[Note to Freshi Now team members: Watch for news

about an all-team meeting in early January]

THE BEN SPIEGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL (PART FOUR)

2009-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

The film originally scheduled for today is still in post-production, so the Freshi Now webmaster brings you another Ben Spiegel classic: Responsibility.

YOUTUBE PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT: "DUET WITH MYSELF"

2009-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Occasionally on Freshi Now, we like to highlight videos that offer exceptional production value, above and beyond the norm. 19 year-old Charlie McDonnell, known on YouTube as Charlieissocoollike, (one of our first profiles) recently debuted this unique video, "Duet With Myself," featuring a musical duet with...himself! Not only was he able to create a convincing illusion, his timing is really something to see - keep an eye on the expressions shared between the two Charlies.

ETHAN ROY: MARILYN MANSON'S PHANTASMAGORIA

2009-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

As you may know, Tim Burton has a new Alice in Wonderland movie coming out, but there is also another coming out in the same year, written, directed, and starring Marilyn Manson: Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll. Now I’m a Manson fan (may not look like that through that photo of me - that was almost two years ago) I’ve been a fan of his for awhile and when I heard about this I was excited, but that was two years ago now he is finally working on it. For those who don’t know who he is, he is notorious known as maybe the world’s most famous shock rocker. His songs talk about issues involving guns, god, and government. His concerts have been canceled due to many causes of churches thinking he is Satan, also he is believed to be to reason why the two kids shot up Columbine, yet there is no proof.

Now, why would I be talking about him about a film that hasn’t even gotten that much attention ye. Well the main reason is Rob Zombie, because after he started making movies now we have another heavy metal musician stepping into the directing chair. Now, I’m worried that this might become trend but I have total confidence in him. His music videos have a cinematic quality to them and he is a true artist trough his lyrics, painting, and books. Phantasmagoria is actually more about the author and how he developed the book. He created the book through his nightmares haunting him every night. Manson will be playing Lewis Carroll. Academy Award-winning actress Tilda Swinton plays Lewis Carroll's dream wife.

He said he wanted to use more suspenseful techniques for horror having him say that it might be one of the scariest or nothing like you have ever seen in any film, also from fellow friend James Cameron is helping out with some new camera technology, Manson showed some promotional photos and footage to critics creating generally positive responses.

The sooner this comes closer the more I get excited for this I am hoping to see the actual horror Carroll put in his book in to film.

Freshi Now Team Gets to Work!

2009-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ben Spiegel and Ethan Roy (in foreground) at work in Freshi headquarters Saturday with some new musical members of the Freshi Now team.

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: VFXBLOG.COM

2009-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in learning about visual effects, take a look at vfxblog.com. For a blog about visual effects, it's not much to look at and it isn't even a blog, in the typical sense of the word - but what this blogger does do is keep track of the latest articles, videos and other resources available online about visual effects. Recent listings include links to a "making of" video about "Avatar on Hulu, an American Cinematographer article about "Where the Wild Things Are," and a link to an article in Hollywood Reporter about visual effects artists 'pushing the envelope.'

FRESHI NOW WORLDWIDE!

2009-11-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Latest stats for Freshi Now show visitors from around the world. In addition to the United States, we've had visitors from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Germany, the Russian Federation and Brazil - and we're just getting started!

Remember, we're still in our Beta phase - over the next couple of months, the Freshi Now team (that's some of them to the left of this blog) will be starting up with a series of blogs and vlogs about filmmaking, gaming - and some surprise features that will bring you into some unique places in the entertainment industry.

Keep checking back - and make sure to comment and tell us what you think!

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART FOUR)

2009-11-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

We dug up some Thanksgiving-themed animations on YouTube - we'll be featuring them throughout the day - ENJOY!

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART THREE)

2009-11-26T10:00:00.001-08:00

We dug up some Thanksgiving-themed animations on YouTube - we'll be featuring them throughout the day - ENJOY!

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART TWO)

2009-11-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

We dug up some Thanksgiving-themed animations on YouTube - we'll be featuring them throughout the day - ENJOY!

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART ONE)

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

We dug up some Thanksgiving-themed animations on YouTube - we'll be featuring them throughout the day - ENJOY!

THE BEN SPIEGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL (PART THREE)

2009-11-25T11:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Feature: The DO's and DON'T's for the Outdoors

In Ben's Words:

Shot on 35mm film, this is a parody of the classic safety films of the 50's and 60's. Also known as the epic tie in sequel of Frisbee From Hell.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1212163786903&subj=1568923080

(You'll need a Facebook account to see this video)

WE NEED YOU!

2009-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

We need writers and vloggers to report on filmmaking and gaming - this site depends on you. What do you get? The advantage of a promoted site that will get your work out there - and, if you're local, the chance to cover film industry stories and go behind the scenes with the help of Freshi. Our whole purpose to help talented young "media creators" do what they do - so as you report on people like yourself, we'll also feature your work, and link back to your own website or YouTube channel.

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

FRESHI NOW WELCOMES SALOME SALIA

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi Now welcomes a new team member: Salome Salia!

In her own words:

Bonjour. My name is Salome Salia. I'm 14 years old and a future filmmaker. I enjoy filming/editing videos, watching movies, drawing, photography, and tennis. FreshiNow is a great opportunity for me to encourage and help young filmmakers like myself to follow their dreams and reach their goals.

"From dream to screen" - LA Film School.

TEAM FAVORITES: BEN SPIEGEL

2009-11-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's an episode of a machinima series recently favorited by Freshi Now team member Ben Speigel:

FRESHI NOW WELCOMES CATHY LE!

2009-11-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

This week, Freshi Now welcomes Cathy Le. In her own words:

Cathy Le is currently a high school senior living in southern California, who has recently realized that she wants to pursue a career in filmmaking. She believes that social media is a great tool for social consciousness and change.

Cathy was also director of the "Taste of Peace" international collaborative film, based at the Cleveland High School Media Academy. For more about Cathy and the "Taste of Peace" Project, check out http://tasteofpeace.roamingreporters.org/

ETHAN ROY: "FANTASTIC MR. FOX" REVIEW

2009-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you’ve seen my list of my own anticipated films of the holiday I put this on the number 2 spot and what can I say it was, well, fantastic. It's nothing like the other animated films this year or any of the ones before. I thought UP was going to be my favorite animated film of the all time, but this takes its place. The only problem with the film is that I don’t think that it will do well because people especially may not find Anderson’s humor or style amusing. The animation was amazing though I felt nauseous at times through the panning shots. The real reason I love this movie a lot is because it stays true to the book. Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors and they capture his creativity mixed with Anderson’s creativity. George Clooney was great as Mr. Fox. With animation it feels good to see stop-motion rather than CG, because Stop-motion captures the passion these people have to create a film and it is some of the best since Coraline and Life Aquatic. Plus it didn’t brother me that it wasn’t R like his other films in fact they mess around with that. If you want to see a funny, creative, family film, check this out.

WEBSITE HIGHLIGHT: A Machima Collaborative Video

2009-11-19T06:00:00.001-08:00

Here's a recent Youtube collaborative video that's a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 machima. Collab videos can feature contributors from anywhere in the world, in any number of creative roles. This video features the voices of several YouTubers (click on the video to go to the YouTube page for more info.

THE BEN SPEIGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL (PART TWO!)

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today's Feature: FRISBEE FROM HELL

In Ben's words:

In this classic Ben Spiegel short, three women discover the dangers of playing frisbee.

ETHAN ROY: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART THREE

2009-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I read the book in 2008 and I fell in love with it. But it was a very heavy and depressing book, but the power of Cormac McCarthy writing makes everything very visual memorizing. Now in 2009 we finally have The Road With Viggo Mortensen. So far from the trailer behind from Brad Pitt in Inglourious Basterds Viggo might be the best actor of the year. The visuals look outstanding, but one of the big reasons I want to see it is because of Robert Duvall and the soundtrack by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Why Nick Cave, well because they did my favorite soundtrack of all time The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, which is a beautiful soundtrack and I know they can pull it off for this. Check it out on Thanksgiving.

"The Road" Official Site

Other candidates: Bad Lieutenant, Lovely Bones, Invictus, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: BLENDER.ORG

2009-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

"Blender" is a free 3D content creation program - it allows the user to visualize, create and animate 3D video and game elements - and fully interactive environments. Unlike programs that might cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars, this program is an "open source" program; not only is it free to download, but users all over the world share plug-ins and content. The Blender.org website not only offers the program download, but a gallery of images and movies and access to a vast community to help get you started. Also, check on YouTube for literally dozens of step-by step tutorials.

WRITERS AND VLOGGERS NEEDED!

2009-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

WE NEED YOU!

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), at rich.samuels@freshiflix.com

TEAM FAVORITES: BEN SPIEGEL

2009-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ben Speigel just favorited this YouTube tutorial on getting starting with Machinima:

BEN SPIEGEL: "ZOMBIELAND" REVIEW

2009-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Zombieland is the most fun film of the year with the exception of Star Trek. To briefly summarize this film, it is the American version of Shawn of the Dead, but in no way copies or replicates anything seen in Shawn of the Dead. It honored the classic tradition of gore and violence seen in horror films while bringing a whole new element of comedy not yet seen in this genre. The style and humor was fantastic. There are also some great surprises which I won't spoil, and I enjoyed every minute of this film. Seeing this movie with an audience heightens the experience, so be sure to see this before it leaves theaters.

"Zombieland" Official Site

ETHAN ROY: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART TWO

2009-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Another one with Clooney, but the reason I want to see this is because of Wes Anderson. I am a huge fan of his films. His quirky dialogue, realistic characters, and the humor. Clooney has the perfect voice for Mr. Fox and I love the animation, it reminds me of Wallace and Gromit. If I had any problems with it probably that it isn’t rated R like his other films.

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" Official Site

Check back next Tuesday for Ethan's Top Pick

THE BEN SPIEGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL!

2009-11-11T10:20:00.000-08:00

Ben Speigel is a new addition to the Freshi Team, and we've decided to introduce him through his films. Over the next several Wednesdays, enjoy the Ben Speigel Wednesday Film Festival. Check out his profile to the left for his YouTube channel.

First up: A comedy about...filmmaking.

Ben's Notes:
The Filmmaker is a movie written, directed, filmed, and starring Ben Spiegel. Shot and edited in only a matter of days, truly shows Ben's devotion to filmmaking with a crew or not.

ETHAN ROY: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART ONE

2009-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Well the end of the end of the year is coming up and you know what that means…. Oscar season. I am looking forward to many films coming up, but I’m going to choose my top 3:

Seriously, how can you go wrong with a cast with George Clooney and Jason Bateman, plus with "Juno" director Jason Reitman and looking at the trailer some BEATIFUL aerial shots from the airplane to the ground. I love George Clooney; everything he is in he is great in everything (Hey at least he tried in Batman and Robin). The story seems very clever. Plus Clooney in a dramedy, where he belongs.

"Up In The Air" official site

CHECK BACK THURSDAY FOR PART TWO

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: MEDIA JOBS OF THE FUTURE

2009-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Lionhead Studios, which is developing the "Milo" game that Zack Rome wrote about on this blog a while back, is recruiting an AI (Artificial Intelligence) Researcher to help further the project. He or she will work to help create the illusion that the virtual person on the screen is "real." In fact, in current articles about "Milo," the premise of the game includes the character's belief that you are an imaginary friend.

Check out Zack's original story, then this new article.

In the future, we think it's possible that AI experts will work hand-in-hand with scriptwriters to create entertainment of the future.

COMING SOON TO FRESHI NOW!

2009-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Freshi Now is just starting to gear up - over the next weeks and months, you'll see more and more features and special reports.

This week, we're going to start off a three-week Ben Speigel film festival. Ben, 16, is the newest member of our team, and we're going to feature some of his best films over the next three Wednesdays. Make sure you join his YouTube channel! Also this week, look for Ben's review of Zombieland.

Ethan Roy kicks off the holiday season with his three top picks for the most anticipated films of the holiday season. In the coming weeks, look for the rest of the team to offer their own picks.

Finally, we'll have some exciting news about Freshi itself - we're a company with an international reach to young media creators around the world. Find out what we've been doing.

Remember, we want you're involvement - if you'd like to contribute as a writer or vlogger, let us know.

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: MACHINIMA.COM

2009-11-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

Here's the Wikipedia entry:

Machinima (pronounced /məˈʃiːnɨmə/ or /məˈʃɪnɨmə/) is the use of real-time three-dimensional (3-D) graphics rendering engines to generate computer animation. The term also refers to works that incorporate this animation technique. Machinima-based artists, sometimes called machinimists or machinimators, are fan laborers and often use graphics engines from video games..."

In other words, Machinima involves taking existing 3D video game environments and creating new "films" by manipulating the characters and scenes within those games.

Machinima.com is a vast site devoted to this creative environment: "Machinima.com is the premier online entertainment network showing trailers, gameplay, montages & original series created in video games."

if you're completely new to this, be sure to check out the Machinima101 section.

Finally, check out their YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/machinima

WRITERS AND VLOGGERS NEEDED!

2009-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

We'll say it again!

Contact Rich Samuels, Freshi's Director of Production (and your FRESHI NOW webmaster!), atrich.samuels@freshiflix.com

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: ONLINE GAMES

2009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

If you're on Facebook, you probably know about Farmville, the addictive, neverending online game that allows you to build a farm alongside other players. The company that created the game, Zynga, specializes in games that run on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. Unlike those sites - they're making money!

Check out this article in Fortune Magazine to find out more!

ETHAN ROY: BEST AND WORST FILMS OF THE SUMMER (PART ELEVEN)

2009-11-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN

Why did a cinematic genius like Speilberg decide to produce this god-awful piece metal clanking garbage? Wow the story was atrocious. Michael bay just got 200 million to do this film and we get, farting robots, racist twin robots, humping robots, robot with balls, and robot heaven. I am totally not joking. This says yeah we’ll just put a name like transformers and we’ll make bank. Its like the Batman and Robin of sci-fi movies.

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: SCREENING YOUR FILM

2009-11-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Film Independent, a non-profit organization for independent filmmakers, posted this article by filmmaker Heidi Van Lier entitled, "What If My Screenings Suck?" If you wonder what it would be like to have your film screened at a film festival, here's a few ways it could go - but probably won't!

ETHAN ROY: BEST AND WORST FILMS OF THE SUMMER (PART TEN)

2009-11-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS

Wow. I couldn’t believe what I saw. This is incredible. Quentin Tarantino is now one of the greatest or the greatest director ever. Now my favorites are him and Spielberg, but I have never been so intense in my life from watching a movie. Brad Pitt gives his best and funniest performance ever, but maybe the actor that steals it is Mr. Christoph Waltz giving his performance as Col. Hans Landa. I feel bad saying this but in the beginning he seems like the Nazi I would want to hang out with, until he start killing Jews and you find out his nickname the Jew hunter. I mean I thought Ralph Finnes was the best with that part in Schindler’s list as Amon Goeth, but nope, it’s Christoph Waltz. A lot of people are going to say Pulp Fiction is better and I’m with that and not it’s hard to say, but it is his best. Like what Lt. Aldo Raine said “You know something, Utivich? I think this just might be my masterpiece.”

SEE ETHAN'S PICK FOR WORST FILM OF SUMMER

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH!

Freshi Now Welcomes BEN SPIEGEL!

2009-11-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ben Spiegel is joining the Freshi Now team! If you saw the "Dark Night" film on this blog yesterday, you're familiar with his co-starring role (with Ethan Roy) in that film from our 2008 Freshi Film Camp / Hollywood. He continues to create films, and will be bringing his experiences to Freshi Now as our newest reporter.

Not only that, you heard it here first: Starting January 1st, Ben and Ethan will launch a new Vlog....stay tuned for more details.

HALLOWEEN SPECIALl: "TRAPPED" WORLD PREMIERE!

2009-10-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

At Freshi Film Camp 2009, Veteran Freshi Camper (and Freshi Now writer/vlogger) Ethan Roy took advantage of a break in the schedule to create the thriller, "Trapped." Here, finally, is the World Premiere - Written, Directed and Starring Ethan Roy.

FRESHI NOW

RECRUITMENT!

RAHUL MENDIRATTA, 2006 FRESHI INDIA FILM CAMPER, HEADS TO USA

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS ON VLOGGING

VLOG EVERY DAY APRIL: VLOGBROTHERS!

VLOG EVERY DAY APRIL: WAFFLESAM

VEDA - VLOG EVERY DAY APRIL

GOT MOVIE REVIEWS?

FOLLOW THE INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL!

The International Family Festival Vlog

RECOMMENDED LINK: STUDIODAILY.COM MINI-SITES

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS AND SCIENCES

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION

SITE FOR FILMMAKERS: THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATORGRAPHERS

YOU ARE NEEDED!

SALOME SALIA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH YOUTUBER ERIC STRIFFLER

"HOW DO I MAKE IT IN THE FILM INDUSTRY?"

YES, WE STILL NEED YOU!

RECOMMENDED LINK: STOP MOTION ANIMATION COMMERCIAL

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL ON TWITTER

YOUTUBE CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: CHARLIEISSOCOOLLIKE

NEW FEATURE: ASK US ANYTHING!

RECOMMENDED LINK: YOUTUBE RENTALS

FRESHI NOW CORESPONDENTS WANTED FOR SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

SALLY SALIA: WHAT MAKES A REALLY GOOD FILM?

UNIQUE ACCESS FOR FRESHI NOW REPORTERS

RECOMMENDED LINK: VAREITY TECHNOTAINMENT

ACADEMY AWARDS ANNOUNCED SCIENTIFIC / TECHNICAL AWARDS

BULLETIN: YOUNG HAITIAN FILMMAKERS SEND OUT FOOTAGE

CATHY LE'S MUNDANE MONDAY: "OLD PEOPLE AND NEW THINGS"

CATHY LE: "MUNDANE MONDAY" ON TUESDAY!

RECOMMENDED LINK: 3D-TV

WRITE / VLOG FOR US!

JUST DO IT.

Success Story: Filmmaker enters Netflix Contest, Wins Production Contract

SALLY SALIA: ONLOACTIONVACATIONS.COM

EVENT ALERT: VIDCON 2010

CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY"

ETHAN ROY REVIEWS SHERLOCK HOLMES!

CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY" - ON TUESDAY!

ETHAN ROY'S REVIEW OF AVATAR: PERFECT CGI / IMPERFECT STORY

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHT: LIP SYNC EPIC

IPHONE APP FOR FILMMAKERS: HELIOS SUN CALCULATOR

STARTING NEXT WEEK: CATHY LE'S "MUNDANE MONDAY"

IPHONE APP FOR FILMMAKERS: DIGITAL DIRECTOR'S VIEWFINDER

RECOMMENDED LINK: STUDIODAILY.COM

SALLY SALIA: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART THREE

RECOMMENDED LINK: DOCUMENTARY.ORG

SALLY SALIA: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART TWO

We STILL Need You!

EVEN FILMMAKERS CAN GO GREEN

INTERCUT MAGAZINE PREVIEW: THE ZOOM H2 HANDY RECORDER

SALLY SALIA: HOLIDAY FILMS, PART ONE

EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: INTERCUT MAGAZINE PREVIEW

PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHT: "Sausaguy! en America Latina"

NOWNEWS: 5 MINUTE YOUTUBE VIDEO LANDS FILMMAKER $30 MILLION FILM

WE NEED YOU!

RECOMMENDED LINK: YOURINDUSTRYINSIDER.COM

INTRODUCING FRESHI'S NEW SITE!

NEW FACEBOOK GROUP FOR UPCOMING FRESHI NOW PODCAST

THE BEN SPIEGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL (PART FOUR)

YOUTUBE PRODUCTION SPOTLIGHT: "DUET WITH MYSELF"

ETHAN ROY: MARILYN MANSON'S PHANTASMAGORIA

Freshi Now Team Gets to Work!

FRESHI NOW RECOMMENDED LINK: VFXBLOG.COM

FRESHI NOW WORLDWIDE!

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART FOUR)

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART THREE)

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART TWO)

THANKSGIVING MORNING ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL! (PART ONE)

THE BEN SPIEGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL (PART THREE)

WE NEED YOU!

FRESHI NOW WELCOMES SALOME SALIA

TEAM FAVORITES: BEN SPIEGEL

FRESHI NOW WELCOMES CATHY LE!

ETHAN ROY: "FANTASTIC MR. FOX" REVIEW

WEBSITE HIGHLIGHT: A Machima Collaborative Video

THE BEN SPEIGEL WEDNESDAY FILM FESTIVAL (PART TWO!)