Mar 22, 2018
(March, 22nd, 2018) Lockport native Mac Cappuccino has returned to Buffalo for two weeks of post audio production on “Malaisia”, the feature film he directed here in Spring of 2017. Cappuccino chose Robby Takac’s state of the art GCR Audio in Allentown and veteran audio engineer Brad Lauchert to execute the sound design, mix, and Foley effects. If all goes well in Buffalo, Cappuccino hopes to submit “Malaisia” to festivals by May.
(PHOTO: Brad Lauchert (L) and Director Mac Cappuccino (R) working in GCR Audio Studio B)
Mar 12, 2018
(March 10th, 2018) Paris, France: Filmmakers representing Buffalo, NY were honored at the international 48 Hour Film Project Awards. The team, Partially Submerged Elephants, first learned that their film, Ride of Your Life, was in the top 12 films in the world among 130+ international cities. Hours later at the international awards ceremony held at the Hôtel de Ville, Paris, their film won Best Cinematography, was in the top 5 films nominated for best film, and they were nominated for best editing. Their film next will be screening at the Festival De Cannes 2018.
The 48 Hour Film Project is the largest time-based film competition in the world with 130+ participating cities. In just 48 Hours, filmmaking teams brain-storm, write, produce, edit and deliver a five to seven minute film. They choose a genre out of a hat and are given a prop, character, and line of dialog that they must include in the film.
48HFP Co-Founder Liz Langston, Partially Submerged Elephants team members, Cole Bielecki, Megan Gonsalves, Travis Carlson, Marc Davies, Aaron Rizzo, Maria Claire, Marc Braun, 48HFP Co-Founder Mark Ruppert. Photo by Buffalo City Producer Jordan Lema
Buffalo was represented at Filmapalooza in Paris by the Buffalo City Producer, Jordan Lema and the Partially Submerged Elephants team members, Travis Carlson, Megan Gonsalves, Aaron Rizzo, Maria Claire, Marc Braun, Marc Davies, and Cole Bielecki. The team is compiled primarily of members Pagula Sports and Entertainment. This is the first time since 2008 that a Buffalo team has reached the top 15 at Filmapalooza.
Jordan Lema says “I’m incredibly proud of what Buffalo has accomplished in this competition. Participants from all over the world were singing the praises of a Buffalo Film: ‘It’s amazing,’ ‘I cried!’ ‘what a beautiful film.’ Travis, Megan and the Partially Submerged Elephants team are bringing Buffalo Filmmaking to the international spotlight.”
“The film is just gorgeous, it’s a music driven masterpiece that tugs at your heart strings. No spoilers here… you have to watch the fiilm for yourself.” Ride of your Life:
Ride of Your Life from Travis Carlson on Vimeo.
The Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project city producer, Jordan Lema has also won ‘best social media video’ and was nominated for best ‘social media campaign’ out of 130+ international cities.
Like and follow the Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project on facebook for more information on their journey and wish them luck at Cannes! Keep an eye out for your shot at the Filmapalooza and the Festival De Cannes 2018 Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project in August http://48hourfilm.com/buffalo!
Mar 10, 2018
(March 20th, 2018) After two years in the making, award winning Director Korey Green and Executive Producer Peter Johnson will will have a second public screening of “The Blackness Project”. The event takes place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo located at 695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14222 this Saturday from 5pm to 7pm. As with the premiere at the Burchfield Penney Art Center this screening will be followed by another panel discussion on race relations followed by a public Q & A session.
Johnson and Green set out to create a feature length documentary film about culture and race from the African American and other minority perspectives. The film was inspired from conversations about the “Whiteness Project” which is a similar documentary discussing race and the perceived loss of white privilege of white Americans. The main purpose of The Blackness Project film is to bridge the gap between white and black Americans with in depth interviews on race.
Suggested donation for the screening is $10 Dollars.
For more information:
www.theblacknessproject.org
The Blackness Project (2018 Trailer) from Black Rose Production House on Vimeo.
Mar 7, 2018
(March 7th, 2018) Buffalo Props LLC, Buffalo’s premier prop rental location for Film, Theater and Photography, celebrates the official start of its third year in an Open House this Friday March 9. The open house also includes the design studio of Pro Creation. Owners David Butler, Amy Kempf and Seth Tyler Black are excited to welcome visitors to a newly organized space ready for the 2018 Season. (Davidbutlerdesigns.com)
The Open house will include displays, an Art Sale and a tour of the Prop House.
Industry Professionals 2-5pm
Public, Friends and Family 5-8 pm
Buffalo Props is located at 255 Great Arrow Suite 306 in Buffalo, NY.
Enter at entrance closest to the blue awnings marked with “Chinese Culture and Kung Fu.” and follow the signs to the third floor. Free Parking is available across the street.
Butler, Kempf and Black have combined, over 50 years of experience in story telling design in theater and have recently been at the forefront of the blossoming film industry in WNY.
Questions please call or text to (716) 868-3435
(PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Seth Tyler Black, David Butler, and Amy Kempf at Buffalo Props.)
Mar 2, 2018
(March 2nd, 2018) Two great films showcasing the multifaceted talents of Buffalo Niagara’s most seasoned professionals will debut on the big screen at the Aurora Theatre on Saturday, March 24th. Admission is free to all with doors opening at 12:00 pm, screenings start at 1:00pm, and a Q&A to follow both.
LOCKE
Synopsis : Twenty years after his father mysteriously vanished, Locke ventures beyond our world in pursuit of a clue to his father’s whereabouts. This is a sci-fi adventure story, but at its heart, it’s rooted to the strength of family and the struggle we face when those loved ones pass on. It’s a story about becoming your own man and finding your way in the world without someone there to guide you. Having the courage to persevere, even through the times that are almost too tough to carry on.
Key Players :
Directed by Joe Blodgett
Screenplay by Joe Blodgett & Kyle Mecca
Produced by
ND Studios: Bethany Hedges and Matt Fleck
Cinematography by : Matthew A. Nardone
Cast :
– Brian Bernys
– Ayden Herreid
– Camilla Maxwell
– Stuart Williams
– Mu-Shaka Benson
Locke started Principal Photography in May of 2016, and wrapped in August of the same year.
ZERO SHAPIRO
Zero Shapiro is about a 13 year old kid who runs away cross-country in search of the man who raised him.
Cast:
-Martino Renzoni
-Alex Malejz
-Michael Piccirilli
-Anthony Pacella
Filming took place over a week in August of 2016.
The Aurora Theatre is located at 673 Main Street, East Aurora, NY 14052
For more information on both screenings: https://www.facebook.com/events/1598879720165253/
Jan 18, 2018
2017 marked a record breaking year for production in Western New York with multiple national commercial campaigns and many high profile feature film projects.
In March, Buffalo based New Era Cap Company used the Colonel Ward Pumping Station as the backdrop for it’s 2017 NFL Sideline Collection Campaign. Major NFL stars including Khalil Mack , Kelvin Sheppard, Greg Olson and Le’Veon Bell were flown in from around the country to be cast in this commercial. This campaign is airing nationally on network television during game broadcasts.
The Buffalo Niagara Film Office presented a “Production Assistant 101” training session in April which trained over 50 students from local colleges and film programs. The course was an introduction to entry level crew positions. A diverse group gathered to learn the skills needed for film productions coming to Western New York.
1st AD Kyle Mecca, Script Supervisor Adrienne Caminer, Director Mac Cappuccino, and Director of Photography Stevie Ungureanu block a scene at The Buffalo Arts Studio.
The “Malaisia” crew sets up a scene outside of the Ukranian Civic Center on Grant Street.
In May the independent feature film “Malaisia” marked the directorial debut of veteran producer Mac Cappucino, who returned home to Western New York to film this ironic dark comedy staring Leonardo Santaiti (”Allegiant”, “Sleepless”) along with Sarah Baskin (”Who Killed Chandra Levy?”), and Josh Nuncio (”Love Vampires”).
Fred Olen Ray films “Shorecliff” in front of the 30 Mile Point Lighthouse in Barker, NY.
Hollywood director Fred Olen Ray returned to Buffalo to film three made for television thriller’s to air on national cable networks. IStarting off in June was “Deceptive Boyfriend” which starred Katrina Bowden (”30 Rock”), and Jason-Shane Scott (”One Life To Live”). “Killer Son-In-Law” starred Kuri Wuhrer (”General Hospital”) and Adam Huss (”Power”) used downtown Buffalo and a mansion in Snyder as main shooting locations In September. To close off the year in December Ray filmed “Shorecliff” which starred Carly Schroeder (”Lizzie McGuire”) and Philip Keene (”The Closer”) and featured the 30 Mile Point Lighthouse in Barker, NY.
In May, Adidas America chose the football stadium at the State University of New York at Buffalo to shoot its NFL print and video campaign for 2017. Zay Jones and Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills were featured in this national campaign.
The “Coldbrook” crew rig a driving scene with Bill Fichtner and Kim Coates in front of the Buffalo History Museum.
Buffalo native William Fichtner returned home in July to star in and make his directorial debut in the feature film “Coldbrook”. Fichtner used the Buffalo History Museum, East Aurora, Buffalo State College and many other Western New York locales as the backdrop for Coldbrook which also starred Kim Coates (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Harold Perrineau (“Lost”, “Oz”).
“The True Adventure of Wolfboy” shooting in front of the South Buffalo Lighthouse.
“The True Adventures of Wolfboy” actor John Turturro takes in Niagara Falls on a break from shooting.
The “The True Adventures of Wolfboy” starred John Turturro (”Do the Right Thing”), Jaden Leiberher (”It”) and brought “Manchester By The Sea” producers to Buffalo for the first in what could result in many return visits in September. The former Summit Park Mall, Woodlawn Beach, Silo City and other areas throughout Western New York became back drops for this coming of age movie.
“The Purge: Island Experiment” crew smokes up the street at Grant and Ferry in Buffalo.
Also in September – “The Purge: Island Experiment” marked the first major studio theatrical release to shoot entirely in Buffalo since “The Natural.” Many urban locations were used as the back drop for this prequel in the Purge series including the Marine Drive Apartments, Silo City, One Seneca Tower and many more. A record amount of crew and on screen talent were hired for shooting which spanned over 3 months.
The NBA’s Golden State Warriors came to Buffalo to shoot the kickoff video campaign for their 2017-2018 season at the Colonel Ward Pumping Station in Buffalo. Thrilling pyrotechnics were used in front of the massive pumps to reinforce the teams work ethic as they defend their world championship.
Amazon’s “The Grand Tour” celebrities Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May made their way from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport through Buffalo to the brink of Niagara Falls for an exciting transportation challenge involving a train, airplane and car.
Chaz Palminteri, John Abrahams, and Christian George on the set of “Clover” at the Croation Club in Riverside. (Photo: clover_movie on Instagram)
November saw Actor/Director Jon Abrahams (”Scary Movie”, “Meet The Parents”) retruning to shoot his second film in Buffalo called “Clover”. Along with Abrahams, this feature saw actors Chaz Palminteri (”Bronx Tale”), Ron Perlman (”Sons of Anarchy”), and Erika Christensen (”Traffic”) came to Buffalo for their roles. Silo City, the Croatian Club, and Volkers Bowling Alley all made appearances in this movie as set locations.
See the “Behind The Camera” 2017 year in review video hosted by Cindy Abbott Letro below:
