Dwacon®

Chinese Government Launches Hollywood Film Fund

Dwayne Conyers — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:33:33 +0000

The launch of a new film fund early this month solidifies China’s focus on co-financing and co-producing feature film projects. China Mainstream Media National Film Capital Hollywood Inc., with offices in Beverly Hills and Beijing, promises a pool of cash for projects with great box office potential.

For more information about this venture, visit Film Business Asia.

Donny Osmond: Keynote Speaker

Dwayne Conyers — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:42:09 +0000

If you are planning to attend the National Association of Broadcasters event on April 17^th in Las Vegas, look forward to meeting former teen idol Donny Osmond.

Osmond, who shot to fame as a child performer and then to even greater fame on his Donny & Marie variety program is now host of two internationally syndicated radio programs:

The Donny Osmond Radio Show
Donny’s eight-track Playback

To further verify his hardest working man in show business credentials, Osmond continues to perform with his sister Marie at the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel.

Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting February Newsletter

Dwayne Conyers — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:28:55 +0000

Part of the New York Mayor’s Office of Media and EntertainmentFebruary 1, 2012
http://www.nyc.gov/film

Casting for New Business

Mayor Bloomberg Announces 2011 Was Busiest Year Ever for Television Production in NYC, Celebrates 100th Episode of the Hit TV Series ‘Gossip Girl’
February 1, 2012 – Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Media & Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver visited the set of “Gossip Girl” – a “Made in NY” television series that films at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City – to announce that 2011 broke all records for television production in New York City and to announce the show’s 100th episode.Full Story >

Real New Yorkers Share Real Stories about Breaking into the Film and TV Industry
February 1, 2012 – At the latest talk from the “Made in NY” Industry Series, an audience gathered at Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza to learn about the realities of breaking into the film and television industry.Full Story >

“Made in NY” Vendors Head to the ‘Farm’ in February
February 1, 2012 – More and more local businesses are joining the “Made in NY” Discount Card Program.Full Story >

New York City Credits

Oscar Nominations Announced, “Made in NY” Film among Best Picture Hopefuls
February 1, 2012 – The 84th Annual Academy Awards have announced the nominees for this year’s ceremony. The “Made in NY” film Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close was nominated for Best Picture as was actor Max von Sydow for his supporting role as the Renter.Full Story >

“Made in NY” Wins at Industry Award Shows
February 1, 2012 – As award season kicks into gear, a number of “Made in NY” productions are among the winners.Full Story >

Brooklyn Residents Welcomed to Special Screening of Extremely Loud Hosted by Warner Bros. and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
February 1, 2012 – A special screening of the new film Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close took place at the UA Court Street Stadium 12 for local Brooklyn residents as part of Warner Bros. and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment’s local community outreach plan.Full Story >

“Made in NY” Shows Prepare for a ‘Smash’ in February
February 1, 2012 – New “Made in NY” television series will hit the small screen this month. Full Story >

‘Once’ Is Never Enough on Broadway this Month
February 1, 2012 – Broadway in February brings a revival of a classic American play, an one-man show and the theatrical adaptation of an Irish film.Full Story >

News in a New York Minute

New Links on OFTB Website Help Productions Navigate while Filming on Location
February 1, 2012 – Check out new links added to the OFTB website, including the NYC Street Closures map and NYCityMap. These resources offer details about current and planned street closures as well as locations of schools, libraries, subways and more.Full Story >

Ghetto Film School Presents GFS MasterClass with Online Videos
February 1, 2012 – The Ghetto Film School (GFS) has announced the launch of GFS MasterClass, a cutting edge initiative to bring the nonprofit’s award-winning educational model to scale, reaching thousands of teen storytellers around the world. Full Story >

Film Festivals Present Diverse Experiences
February 1, 2012 – In February and early March, film festivals will showcase unique perspectives from people with different abilities and cultures. Full Story >

‘Secrets of New York’ Revealed on DVD, Available for Sale at CityStore
February 1, 2012 – The newest season of the Emmy Award-winning TV series “Secrets of New York” is now available on DVD.Full Story >

Local Celebrities

“Made in NY” PA Graduates Show off their Work at 5th Annual Film Festival
February 1, 2012 – The Sunday before Martin Luther King Day may have felt like one of the coldest nights this year, but for graduates and friends of the “Made in NY” Production Assistant Training Program it was one of the hottest. It was the night of the program’s annual film festival.Full Story >

Got Culture?

Celebrating Black History Month in NYC
February 1, 2012 – In honor of February as Black History Month, cultural organizations across the five boroughs are commemorating the contributions of Black Americans with special exhibitions and programming.Full Story >

Online Services

Location of the Month: Nagle Ave at 204th Street, the Bronx

Mayor’s Office of Film Theatre & Broadcasting
1697 Broadway Suite 602 New York, New York 10019
http://www.nyc.gov/film

Actors Uncensored

Dwayne Conyers — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:27:48 +0000

The Hollywood Reporter brought together the top Academy Award nominees for a one-hour candid discussion. Executive Editor Stephen Galloway digs deep to bring you what you want to hear from your favorite performers.

You can view the full discussion featuring George Clooney, Albert Brooks, Gary Oldman, Christopher Plummer, Christoph Waltz and Nick Nolte in the video widget below.

Actresses Uncensored

Dwayne Conyers — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:12:02 +0000

An uncensored hour with Glenn Close, Charlize Theron, Carey Mulligan, Michelle Williams, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer. This represents one of the things I love about The Hollywood Reporter; their consistently excellent coverage of the annual awards season.

Check them out in the hour-long video below:

R.I.P. Whitney Houston

Dwayne Conyers — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:03:42 +0000

I was shocked when I received the alert from The Hollywood Reporter that Grammy® winner Whitney Houston has exited the planet one day before the 54th Annual Grammy Awards and was expected to appear at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party. She was 48.

Houston, who reportedly was being considered for the next season of X Factor was at the Beverly Hilton (the greatest hotel I have personally enjoyed staying in) when, at 3:23 p.m., where she was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. Cause of death has not yet been determined.

This sad news will likely cast a pall over Grammy Weekend celebrations. Many top performers have given statements, many of which you may read at The Hollywood Reporter.

Singer Toni Braxton Tweeted a warm tribute to the late singer.

Although there were reports of diva-ish exploits the days before her untimely passing… let’s take a moment to remember where this talented performer came from:

For her fans, her final film Sparkle will be released by Sony in August, as also reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Rest in peace.

Asian Moguls’ Cinematic Aspirations

Dwayne Conyers — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:09:49 +0000

Having spent a year in Singapore, we are very familiar with the creativity of Asian artists. A new development will have impact in the ASEAN region… and perhaps even internationally.

Pundits expect a bilateral co-production treaty between Singapore and Malaysia, likely prompted by the soon-to-launch Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios.

The question is whether this move, which promises to expand the ASEAN regional film industry, will have any impact on Hollywood? That remains to be seen.

For more details, read the article at Film Business Asia.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Dwayne Conyers — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:08:17 +0000

As a fan of the Tobey Maguire/Kirsten Dunst Spidey movies, we had hoped that they would continue the series… going into the Parker marriage… seeing Dr. Connor turn into the Lizard… maybe introducing the Rhino (a role that Michael Clarke Duncan would excel in). I wondered how could they just start over from scratch? But what we have learned is that this reboot goes back to the roots of Spider-Man. And the 3D effects promise to outdo any previous version (including the painful-to-watch 1970’s TV series featuring a disco music theme and rope-like spider webs that wrapped around objects).

In the Spider-Man prequel, Peter Parker’s love interest will be Gwen Stacey, played by The Help star Emma Stone. Yeah, we all were crazy about Mary Jane calling Peter Tiger, but the cast and crew promise that this new romance will be red hot. Maybe not as red as MJ’s hair, but… anyway, check out the article at The Hollywood Reporter.

See more photos and information about the upcoming tentpole at The Hollywood Reporter.

Meryl Streep: The Iron Lady

Dwayne Conyers — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:43:07 +0000

Award winning actress Meryl Streep appears in an exclusive video from the Weinstein Company. Check it out:

Get $5,000 AND Hollywood Pros Read Your Screenplay…

Dwayne Conyers — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:48:06 +0000

There are a lot of contests out there, but only CineStory invites 20 writers to work one-on-one for four days with real Hollywood pros AND offers the grand prize winner a year-long fellowship.

CineStory’s mentors include the creative minds behind CARS, CHILDREN OF MEN, IRON MAN, ALBERT NOBBS, WIT, FINDING NEVERLAND, the FINAL DESTINATION franchise, FIREWALL, THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS, MAD MONEY and many, many more.

They offer an opportunity to receive honest and constructive feedback from Hollywood producers, writers, agents, managers and executives. Every contest entrant also goes into the running for the grand prize, the CineStory Fellowship, which includes free entry to the Retreat, a 12-month mentorship program and now $5000 cash!

Check out this video promoting the 2011 Retreat:

If you are interested in participating, click here for details.