NOVAC Blog

Calling All Kids: Ender’s Game to Hold Open Casting Call for Young Background Players in January

The beloved sci-fi novel, Ender’s Game and soon to be a major motion picture will shoot in Louisiana and is casting young background performers to play the elite students enrolled at author, Orson Scott Card’s iconic Battle School. Ender’s Game, now in pre-production stars Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin.

Alexis Allen, along with Batherson Casting, are seeking bright and talented kids, teens, and young adults ages 12-21 of all types and ethnic backgrounds.  Home schooled children are especially encouraged as shooting will be during school hours.  Oscar winning director, Gavin Hood will be filming Ender’s Game in New Orleans from February until June 2012, providing those selected with up to 8 weeks of work. Those who wish to be considered should bring a recent snapshot or headshot of themself to the audition. For more information contact Ender’s Game extras casting director, Tom Keeley at NOLAactors@gmail.com.

AUDITION DETAILS

DATE: Thursday, January 19, 2012
LOCATION:  St. Bernard Parish Council Chambers
8201 West Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA (map)
TIME: 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Support Provided By

Jan 17, 2012 | Categories:NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

NOVAC Sits Down with Up-and-Comer and NOVAC Success Story: Kate Evans

NOVAC Executive Director, Liz Dunnebacke (ED) sat down with recent NOVAC alumna and Treme Executive Assistant, Kate Evans (KE) about the training she received at the 2011 PA Workforce Training Workshop and how she is finding hard work, success and a home on the set of the hit HBO series.

ED: What is your job?

KE: I’m [Treme Executive Producer] Nina Noble’s assistant. My consistent responsibilities include maintaining producers’ calendar (4 EP’s, 1 Co-Producer, 1 Producer and  1 Associate Producer) and coordinating Nina’s approval of actors’ time off. I try to stay on top of Nina’s schedule but she’s pretty hard to keep up with. I’m pretty much her liaison to anybody on the show other than the Producers or Writers.

ED: What are your hours?

KE: Typically I work 8 to 8.

ED: What has been the most surprising thing about the job?

KE: The most surprising aspect of my job is the constant change in what I’m working on. There is a lot of consistency in terms of tasks but the work is always different, which is fun. Other than that there haven’t been any big surprises.

ED: How did you land the job?

Nina Noble on set with "Treme" creator David Simon

KE: Through NOVAC. I was brought in for an interview with Associate Producer Laura Schweigman and told them about my interest in legal matters. She asked me to come in and work on a 2-week project reviewing transportation contracts. At the end of the stint, she called and asked me to come talk to her and Nina on set and I said, “OK.” She said, “You’re not going to ask why?” I said, “If Nina and you want me to come talk to you, I’m going to do it. I’m not going to ask questions.” I had two interviews and they asked if I wanted to be Nina’s assistant full-time.

NOVAC’s program gave me a healthy perspective on the world of film production, probably the strongest one could have without having actually worked in it.

ED: Do you feel like the training from the class prepared you for the work you do today?

KE: Every day at work I remember different things people said in class, things like, “remember who you’re representing and always conduct yourself with respect and a good work ethic.” “Come early and stay late.” When I talk to people on the phone, I try to get them to say their name twice, to know who everyone is and what they do. I try to understand how things work and build a network.

The people at Treme have been great about that. They don’t just want me to come in here and do a job, they want me to understand what I’m doing and why.

ED: What were you doing for work before?

KE: I wasn’t working. I had interned on a project for a while and was looking for work.

NN: We were so glad to learn of the NOVAC workforce development program when we first came to New Orleans on Treme. The fact that a program like this exists in New Orleans means that the city and state are serious about training workers for our industry, and having a plentiful supply of qualified workers is essential for a long running series such as ours. We have partnered successfully with NOVAC on 2 training events since we’ve been here, and found their staff to be professional and connected to the needs of the industry, and really focused on putting people to work.  We’ve hired several graduates of the program and find that they are much better prepared for the demands of film production than those who did not go through this training, which increases their odds of success in this highly competitive business immensely. When we hire a NOVAC graduate we know that they are coming with some familiarity with the day to day operations of a film set, an understanding of film paperwork including call sheets, shooting schedules, etc. and this is a distinct advantage to us as employers.

As a benefit of membership, current NOVAC members have the opportunity to “opt-in” to NOVAC’s Job Referral Program.  To participate, become a NOVAC member today.  

Jan 06, 2012 | Categories:Career, NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

Baton Rouge Celebrates Local Shorts at Third Street Film Fest


Top: Terrebonne, The Price of Flowers Bottom: Lights, Destiny Lives Down the Road


Eleven short films and one feature film will screen at Baton Rouge’s world-class Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center for the Arts on December 30th as part of the inaugural Third Street Film Festival.  The festival, whose mission is to encourage, foster and unite Louisiana’s talented independent filmmakers by providing a state of the art venue to showcase their work, will screen some of the finest short films produced in Louisiana. Bouncing off of the holidays and with everyone in festive spirits, just before New Years Eve, the team at Third Street promise an entertaining night of great movies, local cuisine and performances by musical guests.

The festival will begin at 6:00pm with a series of locally produced shorts including: Compacted, Destiny Lives Down the Road*, Finding Stories in the Rain, Forbidden, goodbyeHello, Lavender and Peroxide, Lights, Night Shift, Prescription Strength Abstinence, The Price of Flowers*, and Terrebonne*.  The feature film, Lord Byron by Zach Godshall will follow the evening’s short film program.

DETAILS

WHEN: December 30, 6:00pm – 11:00pm
WHERE: Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center, 100 Lafayette Street, Baton Rouge, LA
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE 

For up to date information on the Third Street Film Festival visit the festival website or the Third Street Film Festival Facebook page.

* Films written, directed or produced by NOVAC members

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 20, 2011 | Categories:NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

Hitting Fast-Forward with Art Exposure and FosterBear

Speed filmmakers take it outside with instructor Lennie Hsiao and Ted Moreé.

It was a race against time on December 3rd, with only 6 hours to learn the fundamentals of filmmaking at Project Excel and Art Exposure’s free Speed Filmmaking Class.  Hosted by NOVAC and instructed by the team at New Orleans-based production company, FosterBear Films, the filmmaking intensive was designed not only to give participants a hands-on taste of what it means to make a movie, but to simultaneously bridge the gap between residents of the Upper 9thWard and city-wide opportunities in the cultural economy while cultivating an appreciation for various artistic disciplines, like filmmaking.

It was video overload at NOVAC that day as participants were slammed with about a year’s worth filmmaking information in just 6 hours of instruction which included script development, storyboarding, blocking, camera and post. By the halfway mark participants were shooting and editing their very own microshorts.

“I really enjoyed having the experience of teaching a speed course in film. It was great to see the students light up when it came time to make their own film. I could see them gaining confidence by using their knowledge from the course. It was fun to watch them work through the process and develop their own style,” said Lennie Hsiao writer/director/editor at FosterBear Films.

Lennie is one member of the group of filmmakers who make up FosterBear.  The local production team also claims Jason Foster, David Bear and Ted Moreé, all indie filmmakers who stressed the importance of working as a team, collaborating and both the possibilities and realities of independent filmmaking.  After the lectures, overhead projections of storyboard and screenplay templates and software demos, it was time for participants  to get their hands dirty, and with guidance from Lennie, Jason and Ted, they managed to put out 2 killer, and in most cases, their first-ever videos.  Take a look.

SPEED CLASS VIDEOS:

Group 1 Video: Exterior

Group 2 Video: Interior

 

ABOUT OUR PARTNERS:

 Project Excel is a youth tutoring and enrichment program focused on the long-term academic success of youth in under-resourced areas of New Orleans.  Through collaborative outreach with local schools, organizations, and community members, the program provides holistic educational support to youth by targeting strategic goals of academic literacy, inspired learning, and leadership development.  For more about Project Excel click here.

 

FosterBear Films is a multifaceted production team that offers visionary and technical expertise while embracing a global perspective. Whether producing outstanding commercial work, documenting artistic and cultural events, or creating unique narrative films with an independent spirit, they strive to represent underrepresented communities through our medium. FosterBear makes films that offer a window – and sometimes a mirror – into worlds that are often unseen, as we aim to reveal elements of the human condition that are frequently overlooked. For examples of FosterBear’s work click here.

Art Exposure is a program of the Entergy Innovation Center.  The program is supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans. For more on Art Exposure click here.

Dec 15, 2011 | Categories:NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

Looking for that Special Something: Shop NOVAC This Holiday

It’s getting chilly, and you haven’t made it though half of your gift list this season – sound about right?  So, why not get your hands on some of these handy and fashionable gifts from the NOVAC gift shop.  At affordable prices and with stylish designs (and a logo) anyone would be proud to sport, these little items like our signature totes, tees, bumper decals and mugs are great  for friends, family or yourself this holiday season, and hey, they’re better than a fruit cake. Click here to visit the shop.

 

Dec 03, 2011 | Categories:Featured Images, NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

Whose Down For NOVAC…She’s Been There for You

Nobody likes to part with their money.  I certainly don’t. Well, that’s not true.  A Withoutabox submission fee, dinner at my fav sushi place, a sale on Criterion Blu-Rays or a buddy looking to make their Kickstarter goal and I’ll crack into that piggybank faster than you can say “And the Oscar goes to.”  OK, maybe not that fast and certainly not without some thought, but there are worthy causes. So, before you hand that 10 dollar bill to that cute barista holding your skinny vanilla latte and everything bagel hostage, give me a minute to tell you why you should skip Starbucks today and kick over that Ten to one of the oldest causes in town that’s been helping out local filmmakers since 1972. Yes, I’m talking about NOVAC.

Why Donate:  NOVAC needs your help and is counting on you: our members, friends and local filmmakers to help us raise our goalof $10,000 so that we can continue to serve you and our filmmaking community and improve the programs and services that we’ve brought you and local filmmakers for over 39 years.

Who Donates:  Whether you are a filmmaker, film student or film lover, whether you’ve attended one (or many) of our workshops or events, enjoyed member benefits, participated in our affordable equipment program, or just think NOVAC is doing awesome, shake that ceramic pig and donate today.


A Hamilton is All it Takes:  No donation is too small.  We know, times are tough. But if every friend of NOVAC donated just 10 dollars we could quadruple our goal. Seriously, just 10 bucks. That’s around the price of a matinee movie ticket, a bottle of Asprin and ladies (or gents), a tube of mascara.

Show Your Support:  Donate to the organization who was there when you needed that extra camera or who found you that videography or PA gig. Donate to the training center who taught you to edit on Final Cut Pro or how to produce your first feature or short film.  Donate to a 39 year old organization who will be here another 40 with your help.  Donate today at novacvideo.org/donate.

Need more incentives than just the warm and fuzzies?  Ain’t no shame in that, for those who are willing to throw down a little more here are some donation levels to suit the PA pocketbook to the Studio Player. To check out the stylish gifts listed below Visit NOVAC’s Gifts and Merchandise Page.

DONOR LEVELS:

The Show Runner: For contributions of $25 – $99, donors at the Show Runner level will receive a written thank-you and a NOVAC bumper sticker.

The Cinematographer: For contributions of $100 – $299, donors at the Cinematographer level will receive a written thank-you, a NOVAC bumper sticker and a NOVAC tee.

The Director: For contributions of $300 – $499, donors at the Director level will receive a written thank-you, a NOVAC bumper sticker, a NOVAC tee and a NOVAC tote.

The Producer: For contributions of $500 – $999, donors at the Producer level will receive a written thank-you, a NOVAC bumper sticker, a NOVAC tee, a NOVAC tote, a NOVAC mug and in addition will receive acknowledgment in the NOVAC monthly newsletter.

The Studio Exec.: For contributions of $1000 or more, donors at the Studio Exec. level will receive a written thank-you, a NOVAC bumper sticker, a NOVAC tee, a NOVAC tote, a NOVAC mug, and in addition will receive acknowledgment in the NOVAC monthly newsletter as well as the NOVAC website and annual report.

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So guys and gals, here is your mission should you choose to accept it, a mission not so impossible: Give to NOVAC. Give to her whatever you have to give, a ten, a twenty or a tweet about our cause if that’s all you can spare.  One good turn deserves another and with your help NOVAC’ll be there to do our part. Donate today!

 

 

 

 

Nov 16, 2011 | Categories:NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »

NOVAC Brasses Off with Prospect. 2 and Artist R. Luke DuBois at MARIGNY PARADE

NOVAC Shooters and Audio Recordists Capture MARIGNY PARADE 

On Saturday, October 22 NOVAC provided support to Prospect.2 Artist, R. Luke DuBois in his participatory filmmaking endeavor, Marigny Parade by coordinating over 30 videographers and audio recordists with professional, semi-professional and student experience to record sound and video of four interweaving marching bands (including: O. Perry Walker, Eleanor McMain Secondary School and The Roots of Music) who rang in the opening ceremonies of the Prospect.2 Art Biennial with DuBois’ own composition.

From four separate parade routes throughout the Faubourg Marigny, each marching band and team of videographers and sound recordists, including media-arts students from New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) and Lusher Charter High School as well as NOVAC Members, PA’s, interns and staff, filtered into Washington Square where the final bars of DuBois’ composition were played in harmony.

NOVAC was excited to be a part of such an experiment in filmmaking and is thrilled that all participants will receive a copy and credit in the final video piece to be exhibited from Mid-November until the final day of the biennial on January, 29th. The instillation can be viewed from Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM – 5 PM in Dutch Alley.

For more information on Prospect.2 and Artist R. Luke DuBois visit the Prospect New Orleans website or visit the Prospect New Orleans Visitors Center located at 1036 Esplanade Avenue.

Support for the Marigny Parade Virtuous Video has been provided by the Metabolic Studio, a direct charitable activity of the Annenberg Foundation.

IMAGE CAPTION:
R. Luke Dubois The Marigny Parade, 2011 · live performance for the opening of Prospect.2 New Orleans on Oct. 22, 2011· Original score and three marching bads: The Roots of Music, Eleanor McMain Secondary School, and O.Perry Walker High School · Photo Courtesy of R. Luke DuBois and bitforms gallery nyc · Photo by Scott Saltzman

Oct 31, 2011 | Categories:NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

Coming to a Set Near You: NOVAC Trains and Congratulates 2011 PA Grads

Twelve hour days, department heads, call-sheets, walkies, unions, location-scouting. These were the terms and topics being bandied about at green studio, Second Line Stages at NOVAC’s 2011 Production Assistant Workshop. Held September 30th – October 2 and presented in conjunction with Film New Orleans and the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, the 2011 PA Workshop boasted instructors and guest speakers from  some of the most celebrated productions both in-town and out, including HBO Series, Treme.









The workshop got off to a great start with some critical information and training on general resumé building and interviewing techniques from professional Career Consultant, Danielle Dayries who taught students on the benefits of a well-structured resumé, using social networks to your advantage, and the importance of face-to-face networking.Afterwards, it was time to get to the business at hand. Leading the PA instruction was industry veteran, Larry Kostroff who not only claims a celebrated career on-set, but in the classroom as well. Having taught at some of the most prestigious film schools in the world, including AFI, USC and UCLA, NOVAC and the 2011 PA Workshop participants were  thrilled for the opportunity to get his perspectives on the culture and structure of feature film production and what out of town productions are looking for in a PA.

Students were also given practical advice on working various departments like locations, wardrobe and office from guest speakers including Treme Executive Producer, Nina Noble and HBO Series department heads.  Also joining the class was guest lecturer, Phil LoCicero, President of IATSE, local 478 who gave the PA’s an inside glimpse into union rules and benefits.  The lineup of speakers also included: Laura Schweigman, Associate Producer of Treme; Tim Cohn, Treme Set Decorator, Sofia Hujabre, Assistant Production Office Coordinator; Ann Walters, Co-Costume Designer; Chris DeAngelis, 2nd Assistant Director; Mike Leonard, 2nd AD, Virginia McCollam, Locations Manager and Joe Incaprera, Treme Producer and UPM.

Katie Williams and Carroll Morton of Film New Orleans were also in attendance and closed out the workshop with valuble information about the Film New Orleans Office and shooting in New Orleans.  The 2011 PA Workshop culminated in an industry networking event on the Second Line Stages rooftop where NOVAC, Film New Orleans and the Treme team toasted to 2011′s emerging PA’s.  Check out the complete listing of our grads.

Ready, Willing, Able and Coming to a Set Near You: 2011 Production Assistant Workshop Graduates:


Alex Arruebarrena, Dea Arabi, Lexxi Broussard, Rachael Brown, Ava Burks, Christopher Carter, Lori Castano, Cody Coumes, Allison Egdahl, Harriet Feldman, Dustin Fleming, Steven Furr, Jessica Taylor Galmor, Louis Guignard, Gary Hansen, Katie Headlee, Ali Husnain, Lindsay James, Willo Jean-Baptiste, Jessica Johnson, Joshua Jolla, Theresa Jones, Antoine Jones, Sally Jones, David Joseph, Kathleen Kdair, Wilson Andrew Koewing, Donald Lee, Karen Livers, Patrick Lorenz, Charles Lucia, Emilie Montgomery, Aziz Parker, Jared Pryor, Emily Roberts, Lenora Sapp, Max Segal, Diana Shortes, Mark Smith, Katy Smith, Samuel Stonebraker, Raymond Taylor, Nicole Tiernan, Daniel Veliz, Jamar Waiters, Garrick Williams, Yvette Williams, and Charles Williams

 

Oct 10, 2011 | Categories:Career, NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

Didn’t Catch WATCH MY MOVIE!: NOVAC brings you a sneak peek from the evening

So you’re kicking yourself because you couldn’t get to Watch My Movie!, NOVAC’s in-depth discussion on marketing and distribution for the independent film. Well here it is folks: with Ira Deutchman, Andrew Mer, Todd Sklar, Janine Saunders, Gianna Chachere, and Jolene Pinder; NOVAC presents a sneak peek into the some of the topics and trends that were covered that rainy but fruitful evening at the Contemporary Arts Center.

NOVAC wishes to thank St. Bernard Parish Government Office of Film and Television for producing NOVAC’s Watch My Movie! Video.

Aug 17, 2011 | Categories:Featured Images, NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

NOVAC Sponsors DAYLIGHT Q&A with Director, David Barker

Given hearty nod by film critics across the country and a New York Times ”Critics Pick,” David Barker’s revamp on the horror genre flick, Daylight will make its way to New Orleans.  The film will screen at Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Multidisciplinary Arts Center from Friday, August 12th – Thursday, August 18th with a NOVAC sponsored Skype Q&A with Director on Friday.

Called a “dramatic re-invention of the contemporary horror film,” by Harry Knowles’ Ain’t it Cool News, Daylight is a psychological thriller that pits a couple lost in America against a gang of kidnappers.  On their way to a wedding, Danny and his pregnant companion, Irene pick up a hitchhiker – Already you’re thinking “What’s so fresh about this?  Didn’t I catch this flick the summer of ’86?”  But don’t judge this book by it’s cover – or the cover of that dusty VHS about the oversexed teenage campers.

Daylight emerges as more than your run-o-the-mill exploitation picture, with kidnappers, Renny, Leo, and Murphy enacting a bizarre and terrifying ritual of politeness, endowing such scenes as the passing of a bread knife at a kitchen table with a threat of ferocious violence – but also trust.  A feat of “psychological gamesmanship,” according to Nick Pinkerton of the Village Voice, this is not one to be missed.

 

For more information on the Daylight run at Zeitgeist or the opening night Q&A with David Barker visit the Zeitgeist website. And if you are just chomping at the bit for a taste of what’s to come, check out the trailer below.

Aug 08, 2011 | Categories:NOVAC Blog, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave A Comment »