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INTERVIEW WITH HOLLY KLEIN
DIRECTOR OF "DUNCAN"
By Rooftop Films on 02/10/2009
Filed under: Animation, Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsDuncan ( Holly Klein | 02:46 | Animation) callBrightcove(5724142001, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); Nonchalant animated protagonists rhyme their way through a grade school episode of getting the hots for someone as geeky as you. And then it gets kinda randy. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: Holly Klein: "Duncan" is a film I made back in 2000. It's the story of a boy who likes to knit. He likes girls, as well, and uses his passion for knitting to get the girl of his dreams. RF: What animated shows or films did you like as a child? HK: The... MORE »
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INTERVIEW WITH TALMAGE COOLEY
DIRECTOR OF "DIMMER"
By Rooftop Films on 02/05/2009
Filed under: Documentary, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsDIMMER (Talmage Cooley | 12:12 | Documentary) callBrightcove(5663587001, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); Talmage Cooley's award-winning documentary short film presents a poignant and memorable snapshot of life within a gang of sight-impaired teenage boys who create their own world among the abandoned factories of Buffalo's rust belt. Q&A Rooftop Films: What was your inspiration? Talmage Cooley: The band Interpol was looking for short film ideas they could commission to accompany the release of their album ANTICS. One of my best friends had been home to Buffalo, NY, for Thanksgiving and his cousin told him about this gang of blind teenage boys who... MORE »
THIS WEEK ON ROOFTOP TV:
FOUND NEW YORK
(2/4/09 on MNN, Ch. 67 and www.mnn.org)
By Rooftop Films on 02/04/2009
Filed under: Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsWed. 2/04/09, 9pm on MNN, Ch. 67 & www.mnn.org Found New York Sometimes odd aspects of New York's diversity intrude into your daily life--a falcon, a movie shoot, an anti-baby guerrilla art action on a public bus. (The companion episode to next week's Found New York.) Films: Bird Strikes (Chris Cassidy | Brooklyn | 7:00) When technology and nature collide, Bob Leporati uses the ancient art of falconry to clear the runways of JFK. Bodega (Casimir Nozkowski, Dallas Penn, Rafi Kam | Bronx | 4:00) A humorous look at food culture in the South Bronx--"the poorest urban county in the... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH KEITH WILSON,
DIRECTOR OF "CRACKBABY"
By Rooftop Films on 01/26/2009
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsCRACKBABY: FOLSOM STREET (Keith Wilson | 0:55 | Comedy) callBrightcove(5581668001, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); The continuing adventures of one f***ed up looking doll. Directed by Keith Wilson. Q&A Rooftop Films: Where did you get the Crackbaby doll? Did it look like that when you found it or did you have to mess it around? Keith Wilson: I was late arriving to the flea market in Concord, CA and only the trash from the day remained. One man's trash is another man's treasure, right? So I rummaged a bit and buried under a pile of unwanted, mangled and dirty Barbie-esque dolls was... MORE »
THIS WEEK ON ROOFTOP TV:
COMING APART AT THE SEAMS
(1/21/09 on MNN, Ch. 67 and www.mnn.org)
By Rooftop Films on 01/21/2009
Filed under: Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsWed. 1/21/09, 9pm on MNN, Ch. 67 & www.mnn.org Coming Apart at the Seams A desperately romantic and wondrously deadly show about mending broken bones with tin and stitching broken hearts with shattered glass. Films: Carlin (Brent Green | Schuylkill Haven, PA | 7:00) "My Aunt Carlin moved in with us when I was a kid. She had diabetes and really wanted to die. She didn't think she'd ever die. I was pretty sure she would." Carlin was shot in stop-motion, with life-sized wooden characters and taxidermied chickens, in the farmhouse Brent Green grew up in. Take My Life Please... MORE »
THIS WEEK ON ROOFTOP TV:
STRANGE CREATURES
(1/14/09 on MNN, Ch. 67 and www.mnn.org)
By Rooftop Films on 01/14/2009
Filed under: Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsWed. 1/14/09, 9pm on MNN, Ch. 67 & www.mnn.org Strange Creatures They're small. They're sweet. They're mysterious. They might kill you, convert you to communism, or just heckle your orange juice. Films: A Catalogue of Anticipations (David Patrick Lowery | USA | 5:00) An ominous fable about a young girl and her collection of dead things. Puppet (Patrick Smith | New York | 7:00) A young man fabricates a simple sock puppet, not knowing the abuse the entity will soon inflict upon its creator. Through an escalating series of torture, the possessed puppet takes on the embodiment of fear, chaos,... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE LEMPERT,
DIRECTOR OF "READ MY LIPS"
By Rooftop Films on 01/13/2009
Filed under: Watch Short FilmsREAD MY LIPS (Stephanie Lempert | 2:54 | Comedy) callBrightcove(4058534001, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); A video piece that addresses the role of language as a method of communication through the anthropomorphization of the common goldfish. Turns out goldfish live a pretty exciting life: whoa, whoa, whoa, wow! Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Stephanie Lempert: Read My Lips is a video piece that addresses the role of language as a method of communication through the anthropomorphization of the common goldfish. I worked with speech pathologist Beatrice Dulgarian to decipher the words being "spoken" by each fish, drawing attention to... MORE »
BETH STRATFORD ON HER SHORT FILM
"CHEAT NEUTRAL DOT COM"!
By Rooftop Films on 01/12/2009
Filed under: Watch Short FilmsCHEAT NEUTRAL DOT COM (Beth Stratford | 7:56 | Comedy) callBrightcove(5581676001, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); When you cheat on your partner you add to the heartbreak, pain and jealousy in the atmosphere. Cheatneutral offsets your cheating by funding someone else to be faithful and NOT cheat. www.cheatneutral.com Alex and Christian came up with the idea of offsetting whilst joking around in the pub one night, shortly before Valentine's Day. All winter we'd been talking about how carbon offsetting is such an inadequate and misguided response to climate change. I thought an infidelity offset service would be an entertaining and seductive way... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH ROB TYLER,
DIRECTOR OF "MAGIC HOSTESS"
By Rooftop Films on 12/11/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Watch Short FilmsMAGIC HOSTESS (Rob Tyler | 3:50 | Experimental) callBrightcove(2688433001, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Rob Tyler's playful tribute to the wonders of 20th-century technology (and vintage can labels). www.archmotion.com and www.vcr100.com Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Rob Tyler: Well, Magic Hostess: The Electric Can Opener is a short movie about one of the most powerful and commanding kitchen appliances around - the can opener. Basically its a highly stylized portrait of domesticated technology. RF: What was your inspiration? RT: Unsure really. One part boredom and one part interest in industrial design. It is part of a video series I created... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH JIM AND DIANE DOWNER,
DIRECTORS OF "COMPOST"
By Rooftop Films on 12/03/2008
Filed under: Animation, Environmental Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1873835557, 594, 445,"#ffffff");The music of flowers, bugs and leaves. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Jim Downer: Animators have been making synesthetic films for years--visually interpreting sound. In this realm Compost is nothing new. At its core it's an experimental film made with sticks and leaves. On another level, through the symbolism provided by nature's cycles Compost represents continual change through rebirth and decomposition. The film includes the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and other conditions through quick successive interchanges of subject matter. RF: What was your inspiration? JD: Found animation--multiples--easily accessible everyday objects. While food shopping... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH GREGORY KING,
DIRECTOR OF "MANHATTAN CANYON"
By Rooftop Films on 12/01/2008
Filed under: Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsManhattan Canyon (Gregory King | New York | 2:03) callBrightcove(2564679001, 594, 445, "#ffffff");For two full days in the summer of 2004, Gregory King strapped three cameras (two Super-8 and one video) onto his body and trekked up and down the length of Manhattan, taking one picture at each intersection. Music by Rachel's. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Gregory King: It's an experimental/poetic portrait of Manhattan that highlights its architectural density and pace of life. I slung three cameras (two Super 8mm film and one mini-DV video) around my neck and shot either one frame of film or... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH DALLAS PENN,
CO-WRITER AND STAR OF "CHECKMATE"
By Rooftop Films on 11/26/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsCheckmate (Casimir Nozkowski, Dallas Penn, Rafi Kam | New York City | 9:43)Why are there always jewelry stores next to check-cashing spots? Why is there only 1 bank per 50,000 people living in Bushwick? Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film Dallas Penn: Checkmate was a video we developed as a response from one of our viewers who after viewing our film 'Bodega' asked us to make a film about another one of the center city's ubiquitous retail locations - the check cashing store RF: What was your inspiration? DP: SInce Rafi and I had used check cashing stores... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH YLVA FORNER,
DIRECTOR OF "POLVO (DUST)"
By Rooftop Films on 11/17/2008
Filed under: Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Watch Short Films"Polvo (Dust)" (Ylva Forner | Spain | 12:45) callBrightcove(1704031108, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A young woman about to get married works cleaning houses for elderly people. One day an old man offers to pay her well if she just undresses and sits in a chair over by the window for him. A story about memories and missing someone long gone. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Ylva Forner: This film "Polvo (Dust)" was actually one of my first short films. The title in Spanish has a double meaning that's lost in translation. It literally means "Dust", but in Spanish slang... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH BRYAN WIZEMANN,
DIRECTOR OF "THE MORNING SUN"
By Rooftop Films on 11/14/2008
Filed under: Drama, Home Movies, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsThe Morning Sun (Bryan Wizemann | Brooklyn, NY | 5:30)callBrightcove(1556133939, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A woman wakes up, takes a shower, gets dressed, and leaves the house. In this fascinating and ephemeral film -- a study in the use of available light and narrative restraint -- it's up the audience to string together the pieces of her morning, and the night before. Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: Bryan Wizemann: The film up at IFC.com is actually from last year, called The Morning Sun, and it's really just a story of a girl waking up in an apartment that's not her... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH BECKY JAMES,
DIRECTOR OF "SNAKE"
By Rooftop Films on 11/13/2008
Filed under: Animation, Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634709670, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Deceptively playful, Snake is a film about stubbornness in the face of change. Rooftop Films: What was your inspiration? Becky James: I wanted to make something about growing up and I was kind of feeling like people were forcing me into situations that made me have to change. And then I knocked out nine teeth falling down the stairs. So I had the premise and then I just figured out each scene as I wrapped up the previous one. Animating by hand is so slow that you have lots of time to get to know the character... MORE »
ROOFTOP MUSIC:
THE QUAVERS, FUGAZI & VIC CHESNUTT
ON A ROOF IN VIENNA, INSPIRED BY JEM COHEN
By Rooftop Films on 11/12/2008
Filed under: Home Movies, Rooftop Music, Watch Short FilmsAt Rooftop, we love the quiet, lovely experimentations of The Quavers (who played our festival in 2007), and are glad to post about their latest music-film collaborations. So it's sure to get us excited when you set up this scenario: T. Griffin from the Quavers, Guy Picciotto from Fugazi (other members of which played at Rooftop in 2006) and Athens, GA, indie-folk hero Vic Chesnutt, brought together by a screening for Brooklyn indie-film legend Jem Cohen . . . on a rooftop! Observe, listen, reflect and enjoy. * * * "Holed up in a basement once used as a bolthole... MORE »
wawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawa:
AN EVENING OF INSANE SHORT FILMS
by ROOFTOP ALUM zZalgern0n
By Rooftop Films on 11/06/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsThis is borderline offensive, but insanely bizarre and brilliant. Made by a mysterious dude named zZalgern0n, who showed his film The Loneliest Probe at Rooftop in 2006. If you like that, check out zZ's show in LA this weekend: Wawawawawawawawawawawawawawa:An Evening of Insane Short FilmsSaturday, November 8th -- 8pm**A Los Angeles METROMIXPick-of-the-Week** ZZalgern0n film retrospective, featuring selects from the 150+ short films he's made! Existential kids cartoons, documentaries, music videos, cooking shows, and much more! Program features a great deal of not-as-yet-aired TV work, films unavailable on the internet, and a vegan halftime snack! Steve Allen Theater 4773 Hollywood Blvd.... MORE »
wawawawawawawawawawawawawawawawa:
AN EVENING OF INSANE SHORT FILMS
by ROOFTOP ALUM zZalgern0n
By Rooftop Films on 11/06/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsThis is borderline offensive, but insanely bizarre and brilliant. Made by a mysterious dude named zZalgern0n, who showed his film The Loneliest Probe at Rooftop in 2006. If you like that, check out zZ's show in LA this weekend: Wawawawawawawawawawawawawawa:An Evening of Insane Short FilmsSaturday, November 8th -- 8pm**A Los Angeles METROMIXPick-of-the-Week** ZZalgern0n film retrospective, featuring selects from the 150+ short films he's made! Existential kids cartoons, documentaries, music videos, cooking shows, and much more! Program features a great deal of not-as-yet-aired TV work, films unavailable on the internet, and a vegan halftime snack! Steve Allen Theater 4773 Hollywood Blvd.... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH LAURA TERRUSO
DIRECTOR OF "THE LAST BUTCHER IN LITTLE ITALY"
By Rooftop Films on 11/05/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1873835562, 594, 445, "#ffffff");This shop is the last that remains of Elizabeth Street's Italian American history. At eighty two, Moe is the only employee. RT: Tell us about your film: LT: My film documents the changing landscape of Little Italy, told by Moe Albanese, an Italian-American butcher who has never left the famous Manhattan neighborhood. RT: What was your inspiration? LT: Moe was my inspiration for making the film. I interviewed him for an oral history course that I was taking at NYU and I was really taken with him. He is a true New Yorker in every sense. When... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH LAURA TERRUSO
DIRECTOR OF "THE LAST BUTCHER IN LITTLE ITALY"
By Rooftop Films on 11/05/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1873835562, 594, 445, "#ffffff");This shop is the last that remains of Elizabeth Street's Italian American history. At eighty two, Moe is the only employee. RT: Tell us about your film: LT: My film documents the changing landscape of Little Italy, told by Moe Albanese, an Italian-American butcher who has never left the famous Manhattan neighborhood. RT: What was your inspiration? LT: Moe was my inspiration for making the film. I interviewed him for an oral history course that I was taking at NYU and I was really taken with him. He is a true New Yorker in every sense. When... MORE »
COURT 13 PRODUCTIONS ("GLORY AT SEA")
MAKE VIDEOS FOR OBAMA
By Rooftop Films on 11/04/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsMany of the filmmakers from Court 13 Productions, the team behind the amazing Rooftop-co-funded film Glory At Sea, have been working for Barack Obama's campaign for months. I can't think of a better group of artists to craft inspirational films with a poignant social message. Check out a couple short samples of their work. If this doesn't make you weep with hope and joy, and get out of your seat to help change America, I don't know what will: Rooftop Films is immensely proud to have supported filmmakers doing such honorable work. Want more? Check out another wonderful video on... MORE »
COURT 13 PRODUCTIONS ("GLORY AT SEA")
MAKE VIDEOS FOR OBAMA
By Rooftop Films on 11/04/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsMany of the filmmakers from Court 13 Productions, the team behind the amazing Rooftop-co-funded film Glory At Sea, have been working for Barack Obama's campaign for months. I can't think of a better group of artists to craft inspirational films with a poignant social message. Check out a couple short samples of their work. If this doesn't make you weep with hope and joy, and get out of your seat to help change America, I don't know what will: Rooftop Films is immensely proud to have supported filmmakers doing such honorable work. Want more? Check out another wonderful video on... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH ETHAN CLARKE
DIRECTOR OF "PRINCESS"
By Rooftop Films on 11/03/2008
Filed under: Animation, Animation, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News, Rooftop News, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsPRINCESS (Ethan Clarke | 7:05 | Animation) callBrightcove(1683793530, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A likely story of an unbreakable friendship between a woman and her cat. We need them. Do they really need us? Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: What was your inspiration? Ethan Clarke: I attempted to write 'Princess' after reading a blurb in the newspaper about an old woman who was found dead in her apartment. The police discovered several bite marks on her that they concluded were from her cat. Her cat was found emaciated but still alive. The whole story fleshed itself out immediately in my... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH ETHAN CLARKE
DIRECTOR OF "PRINCESS"
By Rooftop Films on 11/03/2008
Filed under: Animation, Animation, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News, Rooftop News, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsPRINCESS (Ethan Clarke | 7:05 | Animation) callBrightcove(1683793530, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A likely story of an unbreakable friendship between a woman and her cat. We need them. Do they really need us? Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: What was your inspiration? Ethan Clarke: I attempted to write 'Princess' after reading a blurb in the newspaper about an old woman who was found dead in her apartment. The police discovered several bite marks on her that they concluded were from her cat. Her cat was found emaciated but still alive. The whole story fleshed itself out immediately in my... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH SARA POMERANCE,
DIRECTOR OF "RELAX AT HOME"
By Rooftop Films on 10/31/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Personal Narrative, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1683647535, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); One of the misfortunes of old age is revealed in this simple slice of life at a relaxing brunch.. Sara Pomerance's short Relax At Home, played as a part of Rooftop Film's "Home Movies" Program this past summer. We were happy to be able to ask her a few questions about her short film and her filmmaking process. Q & A RT: So tell us little bit about this film. What was your inspiration for the film? Were these people you knew personally? SP: My lens observes the behaviors and psychological coping mechanisms of people around... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH SARA POMERANCE,
DIRECTOR OF "RELAX AT HOME"
By Rooftop Films on 10/31/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Personal Narrative, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1683647535, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); One of the misfortunes of old age is revealed in this simple slice of life at a relaxing brunch.. Sara Pomerance's short Relax At Home, played as a part of Rooftop Film's "Home Movies" Program this past summer. We were happy to be able to ask her a few questions about her short film and her filmmaking process. Q & A RT: So tell us little bit about this film. What was your inspiration for the film? Were these people you knew personally? SP: My lens observes the behaviors and psychological coping mechanisms of people around... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH IAN MARTIN
DIRECTOR OF "THE EUROPEAN KID"
By Rooftop Films on 10/30/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsTHE EUROPEAN KID (Ian Martin | 22:03 | Comedy) callBrightcove(1745049853, 594, 445, "#ffffff");One night, the European kid turns up unexpectedly and wrecks havoc on all the relationships in the house. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Ian Martin: I tell people that "The European Kid" is about a young man who is forced to have dinner with a family who hates him. I don't know if that's really what it's about but my hope is that explanation will get them to watch the film. RT: What was your inspiration? IM: Growing up, I had a lot of friends... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH IAN MARTIN
DIRECTOR OF "THE EUROPEAN KID"
By Rooftop Films on 10/30/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsTHE EUROPEAN KID (Ian Martin | 22:03 | Comedy) callBrightcove(1745049853, 594, 445, "#ffffff");One night, the European kid turns up unexpectedly and wrecks havoc on all the relationships in the house. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Ian Martin: I tell people that "The European Kid" is about a young man who is forced to have dinner with a family who hates him. I don't know if that's really what it's about but my hope is that explanation will get them to watch the film. RT: What was your inspiration? IM: Growing up, I had a lot of friends... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH E.S. WOCHENSKY
DIRECTOR OF "SHINER!"
By Rooftop Films on 10/28/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsSHINER!(E.S. Wochensky | 05:20 | Comedy) callBrightcove(1743215060, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A black eye and a badass plan make for a rowdy revenge ride, pure and simple. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: E.S. Wochensky: Shiner is a simple moment of revenge. I like those turning point moments. I don't think you need to make too much more out of it. No super deep meaning. There's a little humor thrown in there as well. RT: What was your inspiration? ESW: A few things. You always see guys driving lawn mowers on the road in rural areas. They drive them for... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH E.S. WOCHENSKY
DIRECTOR OF "SHINER!"
By Rooftop Films on 10/28/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsSHINER!(E.S. Wochensky | 05:20 | Comedy) callBrightcove(1743215060, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A black eye and a badass plan make for a rowdy revenge ride, pure and simple. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film: E.S. Wochensky: Shiner is a simple moment of revenge. I like those turning point moments. I don't think you need to make too much more out of it. No super deep meaning. There's a little humor thrown in there as well. RT: What was your inspiration? ESW: A few things. You always see guys driving lawn mowers on the road in rural areas. They drive them for... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH MAX FINNERAN
DIRECTOR OF "PUMPKIN HELL"
By Rooftop Films on 10/26/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsPUMPKIN HELL(Max Finneran | 21:42 | Horror-Drama) callBrightcove(1701198733, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A short coming-of-age horror film about sons, fathers and the roles they play and imagine for one another. Abandoned by his father at a highway-side pumpkin patch, an eleven year-old boy spends a peculiar and life changing night. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us a little bit about the film, and how did you come up with the story? Max Finneran: "Pumpkin Hell" is a short coming-of age horror film about the roles sons and fathers play and imagine for one another. Eleven-year-old Terry is abandoned by his father at a... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH MAX FINNERAN
DIRECTOR OF "PUMPKIN HELL"
By Rooftop Films on 10/26/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short Films, Watch Short FilmsPUMPKIN HELL(Max Finneran | 21:42 | Horror-Drama) callBrightcove(1701198733, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A short coming-of-age horror film about sons, fathers and the roles they play and imagine for one another. Abandoned by his father at a highway-side pumpkin patch, an eleven year-old boy spends a peculiar and life changing night. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us a little bit about the film, and how did you come up with the story? Max Finneran: "Pumpkin Hell" is a short coming-of age horror film about the roles sons and fathers play and imagine for one another. Eleven-year-old Terry is abandoned by his father at a... MORE »
INTERVIEW WITH SAM MORRISON
DIRECTOR OF "ROCKET SCIENCE!"
By Rooftop Films on 10/23/2008
Filed under: Animation, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsROCKET SCIENCE!(Sam Morrison | 14:58 | Animation-Comedy) callBrightcove(1745049826, 594, 445, "#ffffff");When mystery comes calling at Grime City, captain Jack Hersey is forced to confront his darkest fear--people from out of town. Q&A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Sam Morrison: My film is called Rocket Science! and it's part B-Movie homage and part contemporary satire. RT: What was your inspiration? SM: Narratively, fantastic genre movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Incredible Shrinking Man. My co- writer and I loved the aesthetic and the fact that, often because budgets were tight, other-worldly stories had to be conveyed... MORE »
THE BRAGGART
(David Andalman | 12:43 | Drama)
By Rooftop Films on 10/19/2008
Filed under: Drama, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1745049791, 594, 445, "#ffffff");The melancholy tale of a lonely little girl being raised by a single mom. This heartbreaking short film directed by David Andalman follows the solemn, lonely wandering of a little girl, Mona, who is left to her own devices by a neglectful single mother. The scene is set in a quiet, suburban town, one where whimsy and adventure is not readily available but must be sought in bubble filled bathtubs and abandoned couches near the polluted riverbed. Not surprisingly, Mona's melancholic existence manifests itself in the form of compulsive lying, lies to draw her out of her... MORE »
VON VON VON
(Alex Castle I 18:43 I Comedy)
By Rooftop Films on 10/16/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1745049836, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A candid look into the life and mind of Antwerp's sexiest native son and one of New York's great imported jewels, the inimitable and irrepressible Von Von Von. Von Von Von: Von on Von follows the ups and downs of the musical career of international pop superstar Von Von Von . Through the film we a granted a rare, intimate view of Von Von Von as he speaks frankly about his liaisons with Persian nymphomaniacs, his failed attempts to star in a self titled situation comedy, flipping schnitzels at Bitchen Schnitzel, and reveals to the audience his... MORE »
PUMPKIN HELL
(Max Finneran | 21:42 | Horror / Drama)
By Rooftop Films on 10/15/2008
Filed under: Drama, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1701198733, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A short coming-of-age horror film about sons, fathers and the roles they play and imagine for one another. Abandoned by his father at a highway-side pumpkin patch, an eleven year-old boy spends a peculiar and life changing night. With Halloween looming over us, our guilty desire for horror films seems hardly satiated by late-night viewings of Nightmare on Elm Street (for the umpteenth time). What to do? Perhaps one might dim the lights, lock the doors, and watch Pumpkin Hell , the dark comedy short centered around a young boy, Terry, who has a rather strange experience... MORE »
BRENT GREEN WITH DREW & THE MEDICINAL PEN
AT THE STONE (NYC) ON TUE. OCT. 14
By Rooftop Films on 10/13/2008
Filed under: Animation, Home Movies, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Music, Watch Short FilmsRooftop Films events are more than just a movie screening--there's films you won't see anywhere else, live music, filmmakers in attendance, and a communal energy that exceeds just about anything you'll get in a theater.Which is why we're so crazy about Brent Green--his shows have all that magic and passion, pinched together with wires and duct tape, and blasted forth though old phonographs, scratchy woodcuts, and a creaking, plaintive voice. Brent makes astonishing and inspiring animated films about strange old houses, alcoholic Santas, and bringing our soldiers home from an unnecessary war one piece at a time, and he sings... MORE »
THE JOSHUA TREE LAUNCH SERIES
(William Lamson | 3:08 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 09/20/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634709677, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Lamson is known for performing actions that shock delicate objects with inventive violence. In this lovely and playful series, he casts monumental versions of a child's toy into the imposing Nevada desert. Some habits you had when you were a kid will never die...they'll just grow bigger with you. William Lamson must know this all too well--he is an artist and a filmmaker, and has, here, constructed giant versions of paper planes to launch into the Nevada Desert. Lamson seems to be fascinated by flight, and though time after time the plane crashes downward, he does it... MORE »
PRINCESS
(Ethan Clarke | 7:05 | Animation)
By Rooftop Films on 09/13/2008
Filed under: Animation, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1683793530, 594, 445, "#ffffff");The story of an unbreakable friendship between a woman and her cat. We need them. Do they really need us? The pets that we share our life with make some interesting companions. They grow with us, and maybe even understand us better than we can understand ourselves. In Ethan Clarke's short film, we see an old woman and the relationship she shares with her cat Princess--love, respect, and camaraderie. Princess does not act differently because the woman is in her old age, as her son does, but remains a steady attendant and partner, and provides a way... MORE »
Interview With Kelly Sears, Director of "The Drift"
By Rooftop Films on 09/03/2008
Filed under: Animation, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmsQ & A Rooftop Films: Tell us about your film. Kelly Sears: The Drift is the tale of a 1960s space journey that goes awry and launches the counter culture revolution at the end of the decade. It's made up of collected images that are slowly animated and make you wonder if you are seeing astronauts and dropouts float away from you. RT: What was your inspiration? KS: I am interested in dystopic manifests destiny fables that draw largely on American history but uses fictional hinges to connect moments of time. I mine pop history images, National Geographic's, cultural... MORE »
A LOUD COLOR
(Brent Joseph I 06:35 I Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 08/29/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634691264, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Self-perception is crucial to 72-year-old Louis Harding, rebuilding the community center he opened one month before Hurricane Katrina. He discusses the importance of history, heroes and self-esteem for African-Americans. New Orleans native and filmmaker Brent Joseph shows us an touching and intimate portrait of Louis Harding, a community leader who's years of hard work to benefit the youth of New Orleans was washed away by hurricane Katrina. Despite the massive set back, Louis keeps moving forward and believes that making his dream a reality is more important now than ever before. We were able to ask Brent... MORE »
BERLIN
(Jessica Duffin Wolfe | 3:49 | Drama)
By Rooftop Films on 08/14/2008
Filed under: Drama, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634707667, 594, 445, "#ffffff");She craves adventure. He wants to settle down. In order to win her over, he tries to do something spontaneous. But she knows that "Adventures are as common as rooftops." Berlin, a point he picked out on a map--it came to embody all his hopes and dreams of adventure that he thought would make him more like the girl he loved. She was adventurous, but gave up her journey because she wanted to be with him. He wanted her, but was he good enough? He could not see adventure in the every day like she could. This... MORE »
THE DRIFT
(Kelly Sears | 8:13 | Animation)
By Rooftop Films on 08/13/2008
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Political Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634691271, 594, 445, "#ffffff");An absurd fable crafted from images found in thrift store bookshelves about our country's unflinching frontierism and the desire to push too far, too fast. What happens when the final frontier has been crossed one too many times? Space, the moon, the emptiness-we've already been there. But when astronauts of a new, exalted space mission hear "the drift," a hypnotic song that sounds like emptiness, it draws them further from the ground of Earth and augments a desire to explore and live in wonder. With Kelly Sears' looped DVD projection, still photographic images of the "American Dream"... MORE »
Cave Flower (Sam Fleischner | 19:31 | Drama)
By Rooftop Films on 07/31/2008
Filed under: Drama, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1701198742, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); Sam Fleischner's story about an unlikely romance sprouting between two people living at polar opposite ends of society. Cable lives in an abandoned building and operates a freight elevator, while Claire with her suit, bluetooth and PDA, appears to be all business. Shot in both HD and Super 8, Cave Flower captures how New York is an amalgamation of people living in distinct and separate social spheres. Fortunately for Cable and Claire, its also a city where chance often conspires to create opportunities for people to connect despite the gaps between their respective worlds. Cave Flower... MORE »
A FILM ABOUT VIOLENCE
(Ethan Knecht | 1:05 | Drama)
By Rooftop Films on 07/30/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Home Movies, Watch Short FilmsIf you like this film, see similar ones this Saturday, August 2, at Rooftop's unique and wonderful "Home Movies" show!callBrightcove(1683828054, 594, 445, "#ffffff");The simple and powerful example of the ways the film frame shapes (and distorts) our understanding. Like many great short films, this one starts by making you laugh. A Film About Violence presents us with the awkward situation of the filmmaker, on camera, undergoing a series of slaps to the face while he spills his thoughts on what exactly violence is. It's all about the context--how we would feel if there was a context in this situation, if... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - July 25-26
ANIMATION, FAMILY DRAMA, AND A VISIT FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Rooftop Films on 07/28/2008
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Drama, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop News, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Sparrow, Watch Short FilmsFRIDAY: Animation Block Party at Automotive High School We always have an amazing turnout for our partnership with the exuberant Animation Block Party but this week we set a record: two screens at Automotive High School allowed some 1,000 people to check out the packed program. The night began with comments from AHS teacher Jenny Kessler, who has started a student gardening program at this uber-urban school, growing vegetables on the very lawn we were watching films. She was selling a lush selection of produce to fund student activities, and our wonderfully supportive audience was thrilled to learn a little... MORE »
ROOFTOP'S FAVORITE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
- SPARROW -
TO APPEAR LIVE AT ROOFTOP ON JULY 25
- SPARROW -
TO APPEAR LIVE AT ROOFTOP ON JULY 25
By Rooftop Films on 07/24/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Sparrow, Watch Short FilmsOn July 4, America's holiest of days, a day of patriotism and political awareness, celebrated by setting off fake bombs and drinking enough beer to ruin a lesser nation, one man towered above the thick and rowdy crowd at Rooftop Films, and gloriously announced his 5th successive run for President (that is, every election since 1992). The much-heralded campaign was met first with disbelief, then astonishment, then wild laughter. Which is good. Because Sparrow doesn't want you to vote for him. He wants you to revolt! Sparrow is a poet, a politician, a plebe. He writes bumper stickers ("I'm crazy... MORE »
SNAKE
(Becky James | 3:03 | Animation)
Screening at Rooftop Films on August 1
By Rooftop Films on 07/23/2008
Filed under: Animation, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove (1634709670, 594, 445, "#ffffff") ; Deceptively playful, Snake is a film about stubbornness in the face of change. Charming. When a simple snake goes out for some snacking adventures (which reminds me of course of the ever-popular Snake video game), it seems as if nothing can stop it from reaching the next carrot. But when some obstacles come its way that it's never encountered before, well, we see sadness and pain in its line-drawn form. What seems like a simplistic cartoon gives way to much more as the snake deals with the tools it is left with, and deals... MORE »
CUSPS
(Sara Zia Ibrahimi | 14:28 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 07/22/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634707660, 594, 445, "#ffffff") ; Paralleling changes in the city of Philadelphia with those in her own life, Iranian-American filmmaker Sara Zia Ebrahimi explores her experiences living as an urban nomad. Cusps is a unique visual journal of an artist on the cusp, caught between the lure of stability and the freedom one needs for artistic expression. Sara Zia Ibrahimi uses the film medium as a confessional, as a diary, of her experiences being pushed from place to place as Philadelphia changes, and as she changes along with it in the time of the rise of the creative class. With... MORE »
DOCK 5
(Paul Chaudet, Benjamin Devaux, & Simon Landrein | 05:00 | Animation, Short)
By Rooftop Films on 07/15/2008
Filed under: Animation, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1634709671, 594, 445, "#ffffff");A glorious animated musical celebration of the dockworker, another disappearing occupation. Dock 5 impresses us with its rhythm and the quality of its aesthetics. Superb graphic renderings place us in the dark, film-noir-like world of the dockworker at night, on the job. With the creation of musical rhythm through the manual actions of the workers, we catch a glimpse of industrial beauty. Danger and suspense arise in the visual environment of light and shadow, but a jazzy, flowing score as accompaniment soothes the viewer and take us along on the fast-paced ride. The workers and cranes dance... MORE »
ERIC THE SECRET
(Joe Quinn | 04:05 | Comedy)
By Rooftop Films on 07/15/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1556133936, 594, 445, "#ffffff");Lonely and bored, two friends mess with their head (the one hidden behind the couch). A story of pathos, perversion and secret pals. Most people have forgotten coins and dust collecting behind their sofa, not a two-headed secret named Eric One day, a weird creature came and totally gave birth to him. But don't judge, he has feelings...we think. We at Rooftop love this film! How often to you get to see a giant hand-spider giving birth? Enter the weird and wonderful world of filmmaker and Rooftop alum Joe Quinn. His incredibly clever use of mirror effects... MORE »
VISION TEST
(Wes Kim | 6:00 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 07/10/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Political Films, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1556197803, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); Who would you feel most comfortable with as CEO of a Fortune 500 company? What begins as a routine eye exam turns into an examination of people's subconscious attitudes towards race, gender and power. Wes Kim really catches us off guard with this one. This well-developed 6-minute satirical documentary film has you questioning your own predispositions, making apparent the differences we perceive in people because of their race, gender, and power. We enter into a routine Vision Test, and for the first minute, nothing seems out of the ordinary, if perhaps a bit blurry...but when the... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - July 4
SOLD-OUT AMERICAN BIRTHDAY BASH
Introducing Rooftop's Presidential nominee - Sparrow
By Rooftop Films on 07/07/2008
Filed under: Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short FilmsOver 800 people attended Rooftop's annual 4th of July "Un-American Films" party--which is the only word to describe the "screening" which featured two hours of free wine and beer, great food, three bands, a program of short, political films, and the best fireworks view to be found in the entire city. Despite a flurry of rain storms, the crowd was dancing on their chairs for Frances, Aleks and the Drummer and Titus Andronicus . And the hardy crowd was astonishingly eager for the films, even as the hardest rain of the day poured down on them. A sea of umbrellas... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - JUNE 26
SOLD-OUT FOR SURREAL SOUNDS AND SHORTS
By Rooftop Films on 06/28/2008
Filed under: Drama, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short FilmsA successful collaboration with MoMA and The Premiere Commission If you thought that Rooftop Films was just for young hipsters, or that "classical" music and retrospective MoMA exhibitions were out of touch with contemporary culture, the huge crowd and dynamic synergy at Rooftop's Friday night "Surreal Sounds and Shorts" show proved you wrong. Over 700 people packed the sold-out event, which began with a piano performance by Bruce Levingston, one of the most acclaimed classical concert pianists in the world. Bruce has been a dear friend and supporter of Rooftop Films for years, and has served on our Board of... MORE »
ROOFTOP WEEKEND RECAP - June 12-14
3 SOLD-OUT SHOWS
By Rooftop Films on 06/16/2008
Filed under: Animation, Documentary, Home Movies, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short FilmsThe First Annual Rooftop Panorama a huge success Rooftop Films is more than a film festival--we are a community, a collaboration between filmmakers and audience members, between movies, venues and neighborhoods. We not only screen films outdoors; we also foster collaborations by renting equipment, teach filmmaking to young people at partner schools, and co-produce new films through The Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund. But because our festival runs through five months (weekends and more from May 31-September 27), as opposed to many that last a weekend or a week, there's not always the same opportunity for filmmakers, distributors, critics, and audience members... MORE »
CRAZY EYES DOLPHIN VS. THE MAD COWS
(Ian Stewart | 4:35 | Animation)
By Rooftop Films on 06/05/2008
Filed under: Animation, Comedy, Home Movies, Rooftop Filmmakers, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1556197793, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); A sobering animated expose about how Mad Cow Disease is now killing dolphins. Via karate. Okay, this is seriously one of the funniest films we've ever shown in the 12 years of Rooftop Films. Ian was a camp counselor, and he used to have his kids tell a part of a story, and then pass it on to the next kid. When you start off with an energetic loony ranting about a bovine/porpoise kung-fu battle, you know you're in for a great tale. This is one you'll watch over and over, and email to all your... MORE »
ROSWELL
(Bill Brown | 19:17 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 06/05/2008
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1557911184, 594, 445, "#ffffff");In this action-packed experimental documentary, Bill Brown drifts through New Mexico trying to find out what caused that lonely spacecraft to crash land in a tiny town in the American desert half a century ago.Bill has been one of Rooftop Films' favorite filmmakers for years. He covers an astonishing and amusingly diverse range of topics--including aliens from outerspace (here in Roswell) and aliens from across the border (in The Other Side)--with an low-fi aesthetic and an extremely personal touch. It's really a thrill to have unique and thoughtful film art like this online. Two whole DVDs of... MORE »
DEVIL'S TEETH
(Roger Teich | 8:30 | Documentary)
By Rooftop Films on 05/19/2008
Filed under: Documentary, Environmental Films, Personal Narrative, Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund, Watch Short FilmscallBrightcove(1556133929, 594, 445, "#ffffff"); A Rooftop Films co-production. A film about Ron Elliot, the only sea urchin diver who works the Farallon Islands, even though he regularly encounters enormous sharks. Made possible in part by a grant from the Rooftop Filmmakers' Fund. MORE »
Welcome to the Rooftop Films Blog on IFC.com!
By Rooftop Films on 05/02/2008
Filed under: About Rooftop Films and This Blog, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop News, Rooftop Weekend Recap, Watch Short FilmsWatch short films and read about all things related to Rooftop. Look for: + Film Notes: Read insightful thoughts about the films, and exclusive interviews with the filmmakers. Post a comment or question to join the discussion. + Weekend Recaps: On-The-Roof reporting, giving you a sense of the scene at all our shows. Comment here to tell us about your Rooftop experience.+ Rooftop News: The latest word about upcoming Rooftop events, and updates about Rooftop alumni filmmakers and bands. + And much more! For those of you who know don't know much about Rooftop Films, we are a non-profit film... MORE »
About the Rooftop Films Blog on IFC.com
By Rooftop Films on 05/01/2008
Filed under: About Rooftop Films and This Blog, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Environmental Films, Home Movies, Personal Narrative, Political Films, Rooftop Filmmakers, Rooftop Music, Rooftop News, Watch Short FilmsFor those of you who know don't know much (or anything) about Rooftop Films, here is a brief introduction: Rooftop Films is a non-profit film festival and production collective that has been screening and producing independent films since 1997. We are most famous for our annual Summer Series, a summer-long outdoor film festival that features more than 35 screenings each year. All of our summer screenings take place in stunning outdoor locations--either on rooftop or in parks, along piers, or in other scenic outdoor locations all over New York City (and occasionally beyond). We have screened more than 1,500 films... MORE »
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