Sewing Paper

By Alexandra Gilmore

Last night Sacramento fashion designers packed into the Crest Theatre for the launch of a challenge they knew very little about. Going in, all they knew was that there would be a surprising twist and there was buzz in the lobby about what that would be. Some guessed their designs would be based on film genres, since the challenge is in conjuncture with this year’s Sacramento Film and Music Festival. Others were completely unsure, but had been racking their brains all day, but coming up short of ideas. After everyone had been seated and the rules were explained, a red sheet was removed from a large pile on the stage to reveal…

NEWSPAPERS!

This year The Sacramento Film & Music Festival Presents: The Sacramento Bee Fashion Challenge pits designers against each other to create a red carpet look of which a noticeably significantly portion is made from the Sacramento Bee. They will have 13 days to complete their look with the help of a team including a model and hair/makeup artist. On opening night of the film festival, August 17^th, the models will work the catwalk inside the Crest at 7:30pm as a panel of judges looks on. Their scores will determine the winner who will be announced on Saturday, August 20^th at 6pm. As an added bonus, the audience will also be able to vote for their favorite when the designs are on display opening night. This year’s first place prizes include a mentorship with fashion designer Robbie Jeffers, sponsored by the Capitol Indie Collective, as well as an advertising package in the Bee among many others. There will also be prizes for second through fifth place and for the audience favorite.

So if you want to see local designers “make it work” at this first ever event be at the Crest for this year’s Film and Music festival. You don’t want to miss out!

Tickets for each event are $10

For more information go to sacfilm.com

Documenting Second Saturday

By Alexandra Gilmore

The Second Saturday event in Sacramento highlights some of the various works that the area’s residents have to offer. That is why it was the perfect setting to film part of Cow Town Film Productions newest documentary "Undiscovered Gold". The purpose of this movie is to showcase art and artists in the Sacramento area and how living in the community helps, but also hiders their ability to create and distribute their work. The hope is that the film will reveal not only the number and variety of artists who wish to make a living in Sacramento, but what the local government and community can do to aid in this effort.

The documentary shoot began on July 9, just as Second Saturday was in full swing. The bazaar was busy, the restaurants were packed, and the streets were crowded with…zombies? Yes that right, zombies. The annual zombie walk was taking place later that night and horror enthusiasts, both young and old were decked out in their bloodied finest. An interview with three adolescent zombies showed how much they enjoy Second Saturday and being able to participate in the local art scene.

With the bazaar full of customers (even Slamson, the Sacramento Kings mascot seemed to take notice), the crew moved in to see what local artists had to say about making and selling their works in Sacramento. Most were excited about the opportunity of Second Saturday to show off their art, but offered suggestions on how to event could be better tailored to meet their needs. Physical art is not the only kind on display at the monthly gathering, but many musicians also fill the streets hoping to build a larger following of listeners. They expressed the same sentiment of optimism for what they can do with the current support they get in Sacramento, but that there is always more that could be done. Overall, Second Saturday proved to be a valuable backdrop for "Undiscovered Gold" as it offered access to the insight of local artists. As production continues, hopefully more artist interviews will shed a brighter light on what it is like to be an artist in Sacramento and what more all around support can do.

Keep the Arts Alive: Get involved!

From our friends at AMERICAN FOR THE ARTS:

Today, all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives will be sworn in, and 13 new U.S. Senators will take the oath of office as a result of the November elections. It is critical to contact them now to show that the arts are important to you and your community.

Many of the newly elected congressional leaders are focused on cutting discretionary funding, reducing the federal deficit, and creating incentives to grow the economy. It is imperative that arts advocates work quickly together to help educate the largest congressional freshman class in decades about the profound role the arts play in spurring economic growth and job creation.

We have provided a customizable letter you can send to your Member of Congress congratulating him or her on beginning their service in the 112th Congress and letting them know the arts are important to you!

Take your advocacy work one step further by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. Play your part today – it’s free and easy to join.

Another UNBROKEN woman

This article came to me from my friend Chuck. The story is not my own-I only copied and pasted it. I am unaware of the original author as it was an email fwd. But I had to share this great story. You meet AWESOME people everyday. See below!

Jessica Cox, 25, a girl born without arms, stands inside an aircraft. The girl from Tucson , Arizona got the Sport Pilot certificate lately and became the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet.




Parrish Traweek runs PC Aircraft Maintenance

and Flight Services and has trained many pilots,

some of whom didn't come close to Cox's abilities.


Jessica Cox of Tucson was born without arms,

but that has only stopped her from doing one thing:

using the word "can't."



WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A Way

How awesome is she??!!!!!



Jessica Cox of Tucson was born without arms,

but that has only stopped her from doing one thing:

using the word "can't."



Her latest flight into the seemingly impossible

is becoming the first pilot licensed to fly

using only her feet.



With one foot manning the controls

and the other delicately guiding the steering column.

Cox, 25, soared to achieve a Sport Pilot certificate.

Her certificate qualifies her to fly a light-sport

aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet..

"She's a good pilot. She's rock solid,"

said Parrish Traweek, 42, the flying instructor at San Manuel's Ray Blair Airport .


"When she came up here driving a car,"?

Traweek recalled, "I knew she'd have no problem

flying a plane."



Doctors never learned why she was born without arms,

but she figured out early on that she didn't

want to use prosthetic devices.




So, the next time you are ready to tell yourself,

"I can't possibly..." remember this amazing young woman

and change your vocabulary.

Section 181 and MISINFORMATION

Recently I was told in a seminar for Filmmakers that Section 181 was still in effect.

I was shocked as I consider myself to be pretty educated on incentives (seeing as I do my best to receive the benefits from them). I followed the renewal process pretty darn closely until, like many, I realized that until Health care passed or failed, nothing else would be voted on or passed.

When I heard this tidbit, I jumped on the internet to verify the gossip.

Guess what? Still not verified. The "signs point to no" as I shake my magic 8 ball AKA: IRS Tax code. I have browsed through SEVERAL blogs, legal websites, government sites, and Filmmaker resource sites. The only EVIDENCE I have found states this:

"According to our source at the IRS (the original author of the section), 181 is not only not going to be extended, but it is not likely to be reintroduced for several months or even years. The last hope for 181 was its inclusion on the most recent Tax Extender Act. Unfortunately, due to major political issues like the Stimulus Package and Health Care, 181 was left on the cutting room floor.

So what can film makers do when making a pitch to potential investors? The best suggestion we have is to rely on the state tax credits. There are still a lot of healthy packages and incentives out there in quite a few states including Michigan, Illinois, and Louisiana. When seeking funds through private placement, language can still be added to the documents highlighting these state tax credits which, when applied for correctly, can lead to real dollars. Those dollars can either be used toward the production budget itself or to immediately pay back your investors."

This comes from a legal website that assists musicians and filmmakers alike.

You can see for yourselves, at this legal website how it went down: http://www.stahlcowen.com/?t=40&an=1381&format=xml

This is a resource to get your filmmaker voice heard next time a bill is before Congress: http://www.popvox.com/

IF ANYONE CAN PROVE OTHERWISE, PLEASE DO!!!! (You must include links to sources.)

Thank you for reading-we need to keep helping each other out. :) CJ

Fall brings new life to Cow Town!

I just wanted to post a quick note to stay tuned and "follow" Cow Town here and on FB and Twitter. We will have a few announcements coming out soon, and we want you to stay in the "know". We will be launching a couple of contests and we are developing new projects as we type.

If you are a film artisan (actor, gaffer, camera operator, etc) Please subscribe for the latest in casting and crew notices.

Thanks!
CJ

Cow Town Film Productions/ Obscure Planet Productions win Music Video Award

The producers of Cow Town are pleased to announce that the Zaragoza video they created with Obscure Planet Productions has been awarded Runner Up for Best Music Video in the SacMusicSeen portion of the Sacramento Film and Music Festival 2010. To see the video please visit our website and click on Music Videos or use the link above. We would like to thank all of those who contributed to the video. They are listed below.

Executive Producer Carlos Hernandez
Executive Producer Christina Marie
Directed by Christina Marie
Brandon Leyton Assoc Prod
Norm "Swirl" Sadler 1st AD
RJ Dale 2nd AD
Jeff McPhee DP/ A CAMERA
Scott Miller B CAMERA
Jason Clark 1st AC A CAMERA
Annette Humphreys Key Make-up/ Body Paint
Deepti Kalsi Set Design
Sterling Running Stream Phillips Location Manager/Costume Designer
Craig Fouts Gaffer
Matt Baker Editor/Green Screen FX
Josie Garcia Craft Guru
Jocelyn Pindar Hair and MU
Candace DiGiordano Hair and MU
Justine Jemmings Hair
Martin Valladares PA
Fidel Castro PA
Seth Neil 2nd AC
Danielle Maruna 2nd AC
Amy Lawrence PA
Joseph Arthur Special Thanks
Clubhouse 24 Special Thanks
John Tate Special Thanks
Jeff McPhee Special Thanks
Jameson Media Group, Inc Special Thanks
Sarah Evingham Special Thanks
CAST
Patrick Steichen Rocker Dude
Melissa Dillard Rocker Chick
Ana Maria Perales Dominatrix
Steven Barnes Bondage dude
Dylan Nelson Pool Boy
Leslie Goodman Executive Lady
Matt Walker Painted Man
Christina Chadaris Painted Woman
Rae Wright Girlfriend 1
Stephanie Hyden Girlfriend 2
Kenyon Page Glamour Girl
Phillip M. Kampel Paparazzi
Lee Miller Paparazzi
West Ramsey Paparazzi
Derek Schnabel Paparazzi
Sarah Siminski Paparazzi
Monica Toohey-Krause Paparazzi
Josie Garcia Club Girl
Diana Mandujano Club Girl
Stephanie Mackey Club Girl
Sarah Williams Club Girl
Briana Porter Club Girl
Adriana McManus Club Girl
Julianne Gabert Club Girl
Lisanne Zaragoza The Keeper
David Zaragoza Himself
Thomas Dodson The Other Man
Christina Marie Ex-girlfriend