Take 5 with ... "My Brooklyn"

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Kelly Anderson, director of "My Brooklyn."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
My Brooklyn explores the makeover of Brooklyn’s hippest strip, the Fulton Mall, exposing the hidden forces behind seemingly “normal” change.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
I learned that following your gut instincts, and not trying to bend the the film to make it more "marketable," gives it a truer voice that will resonate better and ultimately make it more successful. I discovered that putting yourself in your film is risky and makes you vulnerable, but that sometimes it's more honest and that people appreciate that. The best part has been the amazing discussions that the film generates -- about cities, neighborhood change, race, history, politics and just what it means to be a good citizen of a community.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I have made 6 or 7 docs and one narrative feature. They all deal with the intersection of big social issues and individual lives. They address issues ranging from police brutality to LGBT workplace rights to gentrification. A big range! My films have been on the PBS series POV, and also at festivals like Sundance and Tribeca. I most enjoy meeting the people who become characters in the film, and when people who see the film tell me it has opened their eyes to a new way of understanding the built environment and changed the way they see the cit around them.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
That thousands of people in cities across the world see My Brooklyn, and that it helps empower the people who actually build cities, and maintain them, and live in them, to fight against the corporatization and privatization of urban spaces. I hope it gets many people to ask, "Who has a right to live in cities and determine their future?" and to lift up the voices of the regular citizens whose voices should be determining what the city looks like and who it caters to.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
This film is building from the buttom up, in a very grassroots way. It premiered at the Brooklyn Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award. Since then more than 2000 people here in NYC have seen it in churches, community spaces, even projected in a vacant lot! Now it's starting to catch on in other cities. Tonight it's playing in Oakland as part of a series about gentrification and development that explores the connections between Brooklyn and Oakland. New Day Films, my amazing cooperative distributor, is handling the educational sales. We are in the middle of a week-long theatrical run at reRun Theater in Dumbo, Brooklyn, and every single screening has been sold out so far. The film seems to be tapping into a serious popular sentiment about the way cities are transforming -- the sky's the limit for the film I think!

Take 5 with "Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Col. Bruce Hampton"

Michael Koepenick with Lincoln

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Michael Koepenick, director/producer/editor of "Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Col. Bruce Hampton."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
Find out why Billy Bob Thornton, Dave Matthews, and members of Phish, Widespread Panic, and the Dead are big fans of Colonel Bruce Hampton.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
The biggest lesson learned is that you really can have too much of a good thing when you are trying to make a documentary under 90 minutes long.

The best part in getting this film made is to have it finished and seen by audiences after over a decade of too many trials and tribulations.


#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
This is my first feature length documentary as a filmmaker. I have been an editor since 1987 and have done countless short form TV spots, promos, interstitials, and a few long form television shows and indie features as well. I formed Guillotine Post in 1996 and have been operating it ever since and we recently started Guillotine Pictures to pursue musical documentaries and other creative projects.


#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
We are just finishing our first DVD duplication run and are pursuing independent distribution through iTunes and on-line orders in our first phase. Later we hope to attract someone who can really get it out to the world and market it appropriately.


#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
Who knows what the future may hold for Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Colonel Bruce Hampton?
I'm currently pursuing a documentary on the life and times of Otis Redding and another on the Indigo Girls and their late '90's theatrical production of Jesus Christ Superstar: A Resurrection.
I also regularly edit spots and promos for broadcast television and for corporate clients.

Take 5 with ... "The Discoverers"

Justin Schwartz, on set

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Justin Schwartz, writer/director of "The Discoverers"

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
@TheDiscoverers is a comedy about a family forced on a Lewis & Clark reenactment trek who discover themselves & each other along the way

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
I think it was Elia Kazan that said 90% of directing is casting. The Discoverers was extremely ambitious in scope and scale and it was only made possible by my amazing cast, crew, and creative collaborators. I had the privilege of working with a dream cast - from Griffin Dunne to Maddy Martin, Devon Graye, Stuart Margolin, Cara Buono, Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker, John C. McGinley, Scott Adsit, and David Rasche - who all brought a fresh perspective to their roles and embodied the careful blend of comedy and pathos that the film required. I would not have been able to make this film without my producer (and wife) Laura Kleger who shepherded the project from script to screen and stretched our budget in magical ways, my cameraman wizard Chris Blauvelt who’s unmatched at painting with light, my uber-talented production designer Kelly McGehee who brought our world to life, my editor Geraud Brisson who could argue with me for days over a cut, my composer Aaron Mirman and music-man Gregory Allen Isakov who imbued the film with a folksy warmth, our costume designer Kim Wilcox whose leathers and skins transported us back in time, our sound guru Ron Bochar who showed me that I could bring the same creative vision we strived for visually to our soundscape, and our miracle-worker producer Louise Lovegrove who steered our ship through thick and thin. While I had a very focused aesthetic vision for the film, I strived to create an environment where my collaborators could bring their ideas and challenge mine and I’m extremely proud of the work we did together and hope folks enjoy the film.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
The Discoverers is my writer/directorial feature debut. I went to Yale and got my MFA at Columbia University. I was a Student Academy Award Finalist and Kodak Emerging Filmmaker, and my award-winning films have screened at Cannes, MoMA, and festivals worldwide. I’ve taught film at Columbia University and The New School, was on the programming committee for the Slamdance Film Festival, and was selected for The Hamptons Int’l Film Festival Writer’s Lab, IFP’s No Borders Co-production Market, and IFP Selects at EFM’s 2013 American Independents showcase in Berlin. I currently live in New York City with my wife and infant son where I’m a partner at Quadratic Media and developing several feature film projects.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
The Discoverers is repped by Josh Braun at Submarine Entertainment. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from distributors since our Hamptons Int’l Film Festival premiere. We’ve also been impressed with the ways filmmakers have taken control of distribution to connect with audiences and are also exploring ways we can direct distribution ourselves like Emilio Estevez did so successfully with The Way.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
My wife and I gave birth to our first child two weeks before The Discoverers premiere, so I’m just getting back to writing after taking some time off. We’ve been invited to a lot of great festivals for 2013 so I look forward to meeting folks across the country. We hope to be in theaters by the end of the year in the meantime, I hope you all join our film adventures at www.facebook.com/TheDiscoverersMovie.

Take 5 with ... "Genrevolt"

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Casey Dillard, writer/director/actor in "Genrevolt."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
Guns, explosions, killers, romantic music, abs, pizza... there is literally something for everyone. And it will make you laugh.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
This was a film where everything in the universe that could have gone wrong during filming did, but with a good team, anything is possible. That's the best lesson: When you surround yourself with great people, you can be in the most stressful circumstances and still pull off a good film without being at each others' throats. The best part was actually pulling it off. And the laughing.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I've been acting and writing for years and once I had surrounded myself with competent and incredibly talented people I felt comfortable enough that they could give me a nudge in the right direction if I took at job partially at the helm.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
As long as people see it and leave feeling a little bit better than they did before it screened, I feel OK about it. I guess in a perfect world it would get into Oscar booster fests and end up on Netflix and in five dollar bins everywhere, but as long as a few folks get to watch it, I'm happy.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
For me, hopefully more rewarding roles with more great directors, more stories and more growth. For the film, hopefully lots of receptive audiences and a lot of laughter.

Take 5 with ... "Don't Break Down"

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Matt Meindl, director/editor/DP of "Don't Break Down."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
My film playfully imagines an afterlife for the garbage in our ever-present urban environments. It's a strange + personal take on a subject that tends to be heavily politicized.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Despite the title, EVERYTHING broke down during production (myself included) — so I guess I learned that preventative gear maintenance is a really important thing. The best part of production was having an excuse to roam around the city all day long with a camera. I remember excitedly filming a discarded diaper in the street at dawn and thinking how great the light looked hitting it.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I started out making monster movies as a teenager and slowly grew into a hodgepodge-y experimental filmer. Despite today's space age video technology, I still do most of my shooting on super 8 and 16mm film, and also record my own soundtracks with cheap-o instruments.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
There aren't a lot of distro options for experimental shorts but there are some fests + venues that I've been trying to screen work at for years, so maybe "Don't Break Down" will be the one that goes the distance. If not though, Mom has assured me that I am a handsome, well-rounded young man with a lot to offer the world.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
Welp, my little film is all grown up now — ready to move out and find its place in the world. I wish it luck. I hope people are nice to it. Meanwhile, I'm finishing up a music video for a band called Way Yes and gathering ideas for a new short that will probably be shot on (gasp) video.

Take 5 with ... "Lanthanum"

Clay Hardwick

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Clay Hardwick, director of "Lanthanum."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
"Lanthanum" combines elements of a short film, music video, and experimental into a colorful journey of a homeless man discovering the red spirit of the deep forest. This is not your typical music video!

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
This was the first time that these four artist had worked together. Tre Pepper (as Loki) was the music behind the video, Clay Hardwick (as echomech) was the director, Adam Collier (as AJC) was the acting homeless man, and Peyton Wofford (as mor amora) was the creature and costume creator. The four minds came together to create something that we are all proud of. Everything was new and everything was learned! The final art piece that it is, is the best part in getting the film made.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I have experience making music videos for a variety of regional bands, but this was only my second time to direct a narrative of my very own. I worked for PBS for two years and have freelanced in video production as a videographer and editor for over six years. I also paint religiously which greatly influenced this project.
I've participated in film festivals before, winning the "Ruma Award" and Best Music Video at Crossroads Film Festival, a Davey Award, and nominated for a regional Emmy award, while participating in many other film fesitvals.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
This will be released online as promotional for Loki, the recording artist behind the video. We also will show it around film festivals in the region and at live concerts.
I'm hoping this will bring a lot of individual admire and attention to the tallented, featured artists: Tre Pepper (as Loki), Adam Collier (as AJC), and Peyton Wofford (as mor amora).
Ultimately this video is ART! It was created for the sake of experimentation of the process, as well as expression of the story that it shares.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
This video will serve as a promotional tool for the featured artists, Tre Pepper (as Loki), Adam Collier (as AJC), and Peyton Wofford (as mor amora).
I will be creating more and more art in 2013 as a video artist and painter. I hope this film can pave the way!

Take 5 with "Oxford Sessions"

Danny Klimetz

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Danny Klimetz, Oxford Sessions director/DP/Camera 1 (depending on the episode).

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
Oxford Sessions are recordings done unplugged and in a location unique to every artist.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Our own personal concerts with some of the best unsigned & undiscovered musicians located right here in our very own little town. As well as getting to meet folks traveling through Oxford with an intrest in sharing their music.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
Oxford Sessions is actually comprised of four members. Myself, I am very very new new to film making. My background is in still photography, but a lot of the basics carry over! We hope though that this leads to larger scripted or planned shoots.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
No plans for distribution. We hope that more and more people discover this project and it spreads like wildfire!

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
More great artists! The best thing for us and this project, would be if one of these artists were to get signed and get a record deal! Saweet!!

Take 5 with ... "Emergency Contact"

Kristin Slaysman (star) and Jeffrey Ruggles (director)

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. For Valentine's Day, we thought we'd connect you with a film for lovebirds. Meet Jeffrey Ruggles, director/writer/producer of "Emergency Contact"

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
EMERGENCY CONTACT a snapshot of a particular moment in any serious relationship. The discussion of who to put as your "emergency contact".

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Lots of lessons are learned on every film. For this it was importance of patience and rehearsal. Best part, is always working with such great and talented friends.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I would say that I've been making movies seriously for about the past 4 years. Before they were student projects or just little lo-fi things. I would consider what I'm doing now to be working in film.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
Disney will somehow find a way to cut EMERGENCY CONTACT into the next Avengers movie. That will be the only type of distribution I will be happy with.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
Hopefully more festivals (but none will beat Oxford) and a feature in the summer!

Take 5 with ... "Mother Never Held Me"

Jason Thornton

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Jason Thornton, writer and producer of "Mother Never Held Me," a music video for Wolf Ruffin.

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
A hilarious stop motion animation music video that tells the story of a relationship between a son and his mother who never held him b/c she didn't have any arms.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
It was harder to complete than I originally thought, but I enjoyed every minute of the process. Biggest lesson learned was that I do not have the proper equipment i.e. camera and lighting. However, I believe that the way it was shot was perfect. Rough around the edges is a perfect fit for anything associated with Wolf Ruffin.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I have mostly done YouTube video's with a number of different comedic themes. I enjoy putting a different twist on music video's - I try to be overly creative to make up for my lack of budget.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
Since I submitted a music video my main plan is to draw attention to Wolf Ruffin music and use this opportunity to springboard into making short films.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
Who Knows? I believe this is just the beginning of what lies ahead. I may run for President.

Take 5 with ... "Dance Elephant Dance"

Lionel Popkin, Photo by Steven Gunther

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Lionel Popkin, Co-producer/co-director/ choreographer and performer of "Dance Elephant Dance."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.  
It has a big furry elephant dancing!

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
 The idea sets the tone.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background? 
First movie. Been choreographing for almost 20 years though.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film? 
Elephant goes viral.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
For the film: more festivals. For me: more stage projects yes. More films???

Take 5 with ... "Camino, The Journey to Santiago"

Alicia Wszelaki

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Alicia Wszelaki and Matt Nothelfer, directors of "Camino, The Journey to Santiago"

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
The Camino is always unique; yet also never changing. Curious to experience some of this ancient journey? "Camino" offers that revelation. 

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?

Matt Nothelfer

Hiking and filming everyday for 800km offered a curious wisdom.

The film and pilgrimage began with a somewhat narrow narrative idea.

However, by the journey's completion that idea had settled quite elsewhere; in a much more impressionistic place.

This surprise was not only a huge lesson learned in regards to film making, but also the most rewarding part of the entire process.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
Creating commercial multi-media has been a decades long career.

However, more and more, the temptation of film directing has become irresistible. Storytelling is now the ultimate goal. Allowing all else to fall into that line is a huge reward.

Other shorts and features have been a part of the past, but the future hopefully allows even more inventive film making opportunities. 

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
For a short 15 minute film like this, the ideal route seems to be self-distribution online; offered for those curious about the subject and directly interested in the pilgrimage.

Of course, a few other film festivals along the way will be nice as well!

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
The main goal of the film is to try and make it readily available to anyone and everyone that is interested in the Camino.

The Camino pilgrimage, any pilgrimage, is often a revealing journey --and such a path is always encouraged.

And if this film helps convince people to try it themselves, or helps a former pilgrim positively recall their previous journey, then it will have been successful.

As for the future, completing and releasing a feature length documentary that's already "in the can" is on the 2013 agenda!

Take 5 with .. "Congratulations"

Brian Dietzen

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Brian Dietzen, writer/producer/actor of "Congratulations."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
In a time when people across the world are trying to define what marriage is, this film seeks to explore how that undefined word "marriage" can tear two people apart, instead of bring them closer. What happens when the title becomes more important than the one you love? 

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
 We all learned big lessons in collaboration. Everyone checked egos at the door as four people wrote the script together, and two of us directed together. We had a wonderful group of friends, both old and new, come together to make this movie the best it could be. Collaboration was the key to that.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background? 
I am a working actor, most recognizable from the TV show, "NCIS". "Congratulatyions is the first collaboration between Aby Miller, Juan Cardarelli, Erick Levy and myself. While we've all worked on many projects before separately, this one was a breakthrough for all of us.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film? 
We have distribution through Cinetic/FilmBuff for digital and television distribution worldwide. We plan on launching distribution in late-spring/summer.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
We hope to go to many more festivals, and make many more fans and friends of the film. Abby is working hard on the current season of Justified. Eric and Juan are diving into another script, while dabbling in television directing. Brian still plays Jimmy Palmer on NCIS, and is writing another feature script.

Take 5 with ... "Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself"

Luke Poling

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Luke Poling, co-writer/director and producer of "Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself"

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
Our movie is about writer, editor and amateur sportsman George Plimpton. Why should you see the movie? Because there's no one else quite like George.  

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?  
The whole process was a learning experience. Tom Bean, my filmmaking partner in this, called the process "our version of grad school." And it's true.

One of the greatest parts of making the movie was getting to follow in George's footsteps and talk with all the people who loved him.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background? 
I worked in film production in Boston prior to making this movie. This is our first feature-length film.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
We're incredibly fortunate because our dream distribution is actually happening. "Plimpton!" has been acquired by Laemmle/Zeller Films and will be distributed theatrically in New York and California, before opening in other cities.  

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
We're looking around to find the subject for the next film. Other than that, we're enjoying sharing the movie with audiences. It's great to sit in the back of the theater and hear the response to the film.

Take 5 with ... "Antenna"

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet C. Scott McCoy, director of "Antenna."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
Antenna is the story of the legendary punk/alternative venue and the rollicking history of the bands and fans who made Memphis their home in the 70s, 80s, and 90.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Writing history is always going to be a tricky thing, because the writer always introduces their choices and biases into the telling of history. I had never thought about the dilemma of the person who actually has to write the history I read before, but I really felt the weight of history when I had to decide which parts of this epic story to include and leave out. The best part of making this film was getting to tell the stories and reintroduce the music of a lost generation of Memphis music.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
This is my third feature as a director. In 2004, my feature debut Automusik Can Do No Wrong won Best Hometown Feature at the Indie Memphis Film Festival and played at the 2005 Oxford Festival. In 2006, I wrote and produced a second feature film Eat with my now-wife Laura Jean Hocking. I directed and she edited that film. I have been working on Antenna with Laura Jean Hocking for the past three years.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
I would love to get full theatrical distribution, but I would be satisfied with showing the film in Memphis and regional theaters to connect with the fans of the Antenna and the Memphis music it inspired, and then doing an extensive DVD and digital release to reintroduce the music to the rest of the world.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
Big things, I hope!

Take 5 with ... "Tennessee Queer"

Mark Jones

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Mark Jones, executive producer and writer of "Tennessee Queer."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.   
Funny film dealing with a serious subject. In this film, the lead character, Jason Potts, returns to his small Tennessee home town to discover that things have not gotten better for the closeted LGBT high school youth. Jason is only home for the weekend, but wants do something to give the gay teenagers some hope; something he never had while growing up gay in the small town. He devises a plan, but it doesn't unfold like he thinks it should. Before he knows, what's happening, Jason is put in charge of the first LGBT Pride Parade in the town's history. As Jason fumbles and stumbles as the Pride Parade Chairman, a conservative minister and conservative politician plot to use the parade as a means to out the gay high school kids in order to round them up and send them off to an ex-gay ministry camp.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Biggest lesson learned - I've got to delegate pre-production more.

Best part in getting the film made - Without a doubt, working the awesome cast and crew.  

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background? 
I worked in television in Memphis for several years before I made the jump into making movies. Some jobs TV were more successful than others. Before TV, I got a degree in religion and worked in a church in Greenville, Mississippi as a youth director. My degree from college was in Religion.

I've written and produced three films: "Eli Parker Is Getting Married?" "Fraternity Massacre at Hell Island" and "Tennessee Queer." I also wrote and produced a web soap opera - "On The Edge Of Happiness."

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?  
My dream would be to get at least some limited distribution in movies theaters in New York, LA, Chicago, and a few other large cities. My dream would also have a few Oscar nominations come out of this film and of course those be winners. Then, at the Oscar Award show I'd get to make out with Matt Damon. Of course, that's just a dream.

Anyway, I do hope to have at least a one week theatrical run in New York or LA and hopefully Memphis. At some point, get the film on DVD. 

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
At the moment, the plan is to get in to as many film festivals as possible for the next six months. I'm working on another feature film script to be shot sometime in the next 15 months. 

Take 5 with ... "America 101"

Richard Speight, Jr

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Richard Speight, Jr, writer/director/executive producer of "America 101."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
“America 101” is a snappy, darkly comic ride through the American experience that’ll make you laugh then make you go check the stability of your retirement accounts. 

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Best part of getting this film made was putting together the team that helped me pull it off. I cashed in a lot of favors from a lot of people - and those people showed up for me in a big way. I've always loved the camaraderie of making movies, but I've just rarely been at the helm. From Rick Gomez my lead actor to the extras in the last scene we shot, everyone arrived with a great attitude and a gung-ho spirit. That positive energy proved essential. Which leads me to the biggest lesson I learned: trust your team and be loyal to those who put themselves out there for you. I guarantee that the next project I do will have a lot of the same names in the credit crawl. 

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I was born and raised in Nashville, TN. It was there that I first got bitten by the movie-making boll weevil and landed a part in the eternal classic "Ernest Goes to Camp." I then moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California's School of Theater where I was introduced to the equation, 'weed + acoustic guitar = skinny dipping.' After graduation, I began my coveted restaurant career, moonlighting as the Wolf Man at Universal Studios to make ends meet. I eventually had to leave the glitz and glamour of carny work when the acting career got going. And that's what I've been doing ever since, appearing in films and shows such as "Thank You For Smoking," "Open Water 2," "Band of Brothers," "The Agency," "Jericho," "Justified," and "Supernatural."

"America 101" is my first solo writing & directing project.
#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
Since "America 101" is a short film, I don't really know what to expect in terms of distribution opportunities. Needless to say, if a chance presents itself that would put the film in a position to be seen and appreciated, I'll pounce. I didn't spend all this time and energy to keep the film a secret. I want it to be out there and enjoyed.
 
#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
I plan to put "America 101" onto as many screens and into as many offices as I possibly can. Right now, my career is acting. I am excited to use "America 101" as a creative wedge to help me pry open the doors into writing and directing as well. Making the film was a challenging and amazing experience. I'm eager to see what this next phase brings.

Take 5 with ... "Zebraprint"

Michael Williams

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Michael Williams, director of "Zebraprint" music video.

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it. 
Folks should see this music video so that they can see what a great and entertaining band Sipsy Fires is. 

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
This short film came about very quickly and was shot very fast. The best part was that it was more of a matter of taking advantage of the scene and getting what you can by exploring what is happening naturally rather than staging everything. 

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I've been making my own films since 2005. I work on bigger projects as crew, but a passion of mine is visual story telling. I mostly make short films but am about to branch into features while continuing my career as a camera assistant, operators, and director of photography. I also hope to get the chance to direct more music videos.  

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
I hope that it can be seen and enjoyed by as many folks as possible and that the band gets nice exposure from it.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
The film will continue to live online to help promote the band. As for me, I am finishing up a new short and about to go into production on my first feature. 

Take 5 with ... "Growing our Own"

Phillip Scarborough

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Phillip Scarborough, co-director/editor of "Growing Our Own."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
HighSchool students from all over Mississippi attend a 9 day seminar on race, civil justice, & community projects; learning about themselves and each other... 

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Biggest lesson I learned in making this film? That Civil rights history really isn't taught here in Mississippi. Our Kids don't have a clue as to what went on in their own back yard.
Best part in getting the film made? - Getting to know the kids. 

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
I'm a life long filmmaker & documentarian. Working in the Film industry for 20yrs. USM Film Dept, Grad. & Co-Owner of Spot On Productions, LLC in Jackson, MS. We produce regional tv commercials, documentaries, corporate videos, etc...   

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film? 
Simply for as many people as possible to see this film. Especially Mississippians.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
Currently entered in other film festivals around the world & in talks with WGBH in Boston.

Take 5 with ... "DVD Blues Or Thad Calls Barton About Renaldo and Clara"

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Thad Lee, cameraman of "DVD Blues Or Thad Calls Barton About Renaldo and Clara"

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it. 
I once called Barton about tracking me down a copy of Bob Dylan's Renaldo and Clara. He did, but the DVD player wouldn't accept it. Yes, this film is based on a true story, and that is why you should see it.  

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?  
Keep it simple. This was the third version of this story I attempted to make with Barton and others, but the other scripts were too ambitious, would have taken too much time and energy to complete, and wouldn't have been as good.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?  
 This is the 3rd time I've directed Barton on screen. Need I say more?

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?  
Vimeo, or if we're lucky, youtube. 

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
I see Bob Dylan buying the rights to this, so he can burn the print. And that would make me want to go out and get drunk. So I probably would. 

Take 5 with ... "Eating Alabama"

Andrew Beck Grace

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Andrew Beck Grace, writer/director of "Eating Alabama."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.
Eating Alabama is a film about food and community and memory. It's also funny.  

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
Like any documentary, the biggest lesson learned in making this film was that you may think of yourself as the director, but you actually control very little until you get in the edit room. It's good to know that, to go forth and to be constantly surprised. That's the greatest joy of this kind of filmmaking.   

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background?
Before I was a filmmaker I wanted to be a photographer and then a musician and then a writer. I was always interested in film but never really pursued it academically. I made my first documentary as a senior in college and then made another and another and another. They weren't very good, but it was such an incredible process that I got hooked. I've never made a fiction film - for now I'm still too interested in how we shape real life into compelling stories. I also teach documentary filmmaking - which is a great thing for my own process, to be constantly inspired by young aspiring filmmakers. 

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
I'm actually pretty pleased with how things worked out. I was fortunate to recieve funding from ITVS (the Independent Television Service), which is essentially a process whereby ITVS licenses your film for public television. So the film will air nationally on PBS this summer. And as for festivals, I was thrilled to premiere at SXSW last year and have had a wonderful time sharing the movie across the country the past year.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
After the PBS broadcast this summer we'll be selling the movie on DVD and various platforms, and I'll continue sharing the movie at festivals and on college campuses. But frankly, as much as I'm proud of this movie and excited for folks to see it, I'm really itching to work on my next film. I've come to realize over the last year that I really like making movies a lot more than I like traveling with them. But still, festivals are a hell of a lot of fun! Especially festivals in the South!

Take 5 with ... "The Urban Herd"

Sonja Alsofi

As we gear up for the 10th anniversary Oxford Film Festival, we wanted to introduce you to the filmmakers and their films you will experience on Feb. 21-24, 2013. Meet Sonja Alsofi, director of "The Urban Herd."

#1: In 140 characters or less, describe your movie and why someone should see it.  
This is the story of how a small herd of goats in an inner city vacant lot brings joy and unity to a diverse community, and also leads to questions about the role of nature in the urban experience. It's for anyone who has ever walked past a wasted, decaying vacant lot and wondered about the possibilities.

#2: Biggest lesson learned in getting the film made? Best part in getting the film made?
We learned that goats are incredibly curious about everything, especially about the taste of camera equipment. Also, they are really friendly. Every day they would come up to us and ask for pets and scratches, which made it a little challenging to film them without the crew being in every shot. Before we started filming, the story seemed like it was about the unusual urban circumstances of the goats' environment, but as we started interacting with the goats, and learning about their relationships with their human neighbors, we found that all the emotional connection the goats created was the real story.

#3: Tell us about you. What is your movie making background? 
I studied filmmaking at the Northwest Film Center. This is my first film outside of class projects.

#4: What's your dream distribution plan for the film?
I would love for this film to be shown before features in independent, community movie theaters.

#5: What does the future hold in store for your film and for you?
I am currently looking for another project that will inspire me as much as the goats did.