During the High Falls Film Festival, October 30th – November 3rd, attendees will have the opportunity to talk to filmmakers, movie critics, writers, studio executives and actors about what it takes to succeed in Hollywood and beyond.
In addition to the 36 feature and documentary films, four programs of short films and screenings for children, the Festival offers six special events: seminars, panel discussions and master classes in which festival attendees can learn more about their particular areas of interest in the film industry.
MASTER CLASS IN ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE ^ Friday, November 1 ^ Jean Louis Rodrigue has taught the Alexander technique, a unique style of movement training and choreography, for 22 years—both privately and in the drama department at UCLA. His work can be seen in many films, including Human Nature with Patricia Arquette, “Passion Fish” with Mary MacDonnell, “The Affair of the Necklace” with Hilary Swank, and most recently, The Time Machine. Rodrigue has worked with actors including Juliette Binoche, Keanu Reeves, Tate Donovan, Julia Sweeney, Jonathan Pryce, Joely Richardson and Sally Kellerman.
REALITY AND REPRESENTATION IN DOCUMENTARY, PART II ^ Saturday, November 2 ^ Sometimes there are more than two sides to every story—and sometimes there are more than a hundred. Documentary filmmakers will continue the discussion that began last year, on the challenge of representing reality. Is objectivity a real option, or is it always skewed by the filmmaker’s viewpoint and the need to reduce a complex story to a simple story line?
Directors invited to participate include Kristi Jacobson (American Standoff), Judith Helfand (“Blue Vinyl”), Gail Dolgin (“Daughter from Danang”), Shirley Moyers (Gigantic), Dierdre Lynch (“Photos to Send”) and Andrea Kalin (“Partners of the Heart”). The panel is moderated by Jerry Stoeffhaas, Deputy Director of the New York State Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development.
WOMEN WHO RUN THE SHOW: HOW A BOLD AND RESOURCEFUL NEW GENERATION OF WOMEN STORMED HOLLYWOOD ^ Saturday, November 2 ^ Mollie Gregory, filmmaker and author of a new book that lends this panel its title, will bring several of her Hollywood friends to Rochester for a no-holds-barred, tell-all session about their adventures in the industry. Gregory conducted more than 125 interviews with women in virtually every facet of the entertainment business: features, television, production, corporate, back lot and new media.
Joining the panel will be Molly Haskell (film writer and critic), Neema Barnette (director of “Civil Brand”), Paula Silver (marketing strategist), Sue Cameron (novelist and columnist), Carrie Rickey (film critic).
MY LIFE AS A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY: AN AFTERNOON WITH NANCY CARTWRIGHT ^ Saturday, November 2 ^ Web of Life Award honoree Nancy Cartwright will take her audience down her successful route to becoming Bart Simpson. Through hilarious anecdotes, video clips and voice demonstrations, Cartwright reveals what only she could know about the show, the creative process, Bart’s road to fame and much more.
LAINIE KAZAN, IN CONVERSATION WITH … JACK GARNER ^ Saturday, November 2 ^ Today’s audiences know her as Maria Portokalos in the runaway hit, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” but Lainie Kazan, the Festival’s Susan B. Anthony “Failure is Impossible” award honoree, has been a household name for decades. A multi-award winner in film, television and on stage, Kazan’s two decades of film work include “One from the Heart,” “My Favorite Year,” “Lust in the Dust,” “Delta Force,” “Beaches,” “The Cemetery Club,” “The Associate,” “Love Is All There Is,” “The Crew” and “What’s Cooking?” Kazan was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance on “St. Elsewhere” and received a CableACE Award nomination for “The Paper Chase,” on which she appeared for three seasons.
EVERYONE IS A CRITIC: THESE FOUR GET PAID FOR IT! ^ Sunday, November 3 ^ Four of the nation’s best-known film critics will shed some light on the shadowy nether world of film criticism, and will turn the tables and listen to the audience’s opinions.
Participating critics will be Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Molly Haskell, Carrie Rickey and Eddie Cockrell.
For more information, visit the High Falls Film Festival website.
