tagged w/ independent media
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Mobile, Alabama based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films is set to produce an independent feature in the city utilizing local talent. The feature, titled “The Night Shift”, is based on Fighting Owl Films' short film of the same name which proved an online hit, was positively reviewed in "Fangoria" magazine's online edition earlier in 2009 and has screened in several festivals across the United States.
A supernatural adventure-comedy, “The Night Shift” centers on Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless corpse, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents in, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leave Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!
The short film’s positive reception coupled with the disillusionment with Hollywood’s current output of remakes and reboots encouraged the filmmakers to pursue their dream of turning the original “The Night Shift” into a feature length adventure film. Thomas Smith, the film’s writer/director and co-producer, is hoping to recapture some of the cinematic magic of the 80s Amblin films he grew up with that had a lasting influence.
“Growing up as a child of the 80s, the world depicted on film had a completely different atmosphere,” Smith says. “The films possessed a graininess and lived-in look that added an extra dimension of realism. There also seemed to be a greater emphasis on character and storytelling and less of the headache-inducing flash and sensory overload that’s become so commonplace today. It was the era of ‘Gremlins’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, films everyone could enjoy, not just children or adult audiences. That’s what we’re hoping to recapture with ‘The Night Shift’.”
The independent feature has secured its cast. Returning from the short to reprise their roles of Rue Morgan, Claire Rennfield and Herbie West are Khristian Fulmer, Erin Lilley and Soren Odom, respectively. New additions to the cast include Andrew Crider as Adramalech, the villainous vengence demon with an affinity for western wear, Jordan Woodall as Curly and Jonathan Pruitt as the mysterious Captain Roderick Blake. The film, currently in pre-production, is expected to begin shooting in May 2010.
For more information on Fighting Owl Films and “The Night Shift”, visit them online at www.fightingowlfilms.com and www.thenightshiftmovie.com.
###Mobile, Alabama based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films is set to... more
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Gukbe
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7 days ago
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The absence of a critical fourth estate in the run up to the war in Iraq is widely acknowledged, even by the establishment media that trumpeted the lies and misinformation of the Bush administration. Take the NYT yesterday in an article comparing intelligence on Iran's nuclear capabilities with Colin Powell's presentation on Iraq in 2003:
"In many dissections of the blunders before the Iraq war, the news media, including The New York Times, came in for a share of the criticism for repeating Bush administration claims about Iraq without sufficient scrutiny or skepticism."
You say? The question today is whether the media have learned anything at all. From torture to saber rattling over Iran is there enough scrutiny and skepticism? And if not are independent journalists picking up the slack? Glenn Greewald, a columnist at Salon and the author of Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics and Jeremy Scahill, author of Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army on the battle between the independent press and the mainstream media.The absence of a critical fourth estate in the run up to the war in Iraq is widely... more
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GRITtv
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1 month ago
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Divorce in any society is never easy. But in Yemen as in the rest of the Arab world, it's a real stigma and a divorced woman is considered to be damaged goods.
Sumayya Rajaa, a divorced mother of two, was the first woman to run for presidential election in Yemen despite the huge obstacle of her marital status.
The film debates the issue of divorce in Yemen - what the law states, what people can actually do - and examines how being divorced affects women in positions of power.
* VIDEO *
I will post the YouTube videos Part 1 & 2 in the 'Comments' section belowDivorce in any society is never easy. But in Yemen as in the rest of the Arab world,... more
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New report calls for national strategy to contend with the crisis in journalism.
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For those of you worried that The Uptake, after covering the Franken/Coleman saga, would leave the national scene, rest assured. The independent media collective is covering all angles of the Sotomayor confirmation hearings. And it just so happens that the hearings will be Al Franken's first appearance on the national stage as a senator. The Uptake's Executive Producer, Mike McIntee, on what happened at the hearings yesterday and why empathy has become a four letter word. The Uptake and Mother Jones are continuing to live stream the events today.For those of you worried that The Uptake, after covering the Franken/Coleman saga,... more
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GRITtv
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4 months ago
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The Al Franken-Norm Coleman Senate race is finally over. After eight months of ballot counting, charges, and counter charges Minnesota's Supreme Court ruled 5-0 declaring Franken the winner. And Coleman conceded evidently deciding not to appeal to the nation's highest court. Through it all no one has followed the story more closely than The Uptake, a patchwork of community groups and organizations committed to making citizen journalism work. We speak to Executive Director Jason Barnett about the Franken decision, how the race was covered, and what The Uptake will be focusing on now that it's over.The Al Franken-Norm Coleman Senate race is finally over. After eight months of ballot... more
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GRITtv
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4 months ago
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Free Radio Santa Cruz has been on the air for over twelve years without a license. We broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in defiance of federal regulations. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged with regulating the airwaves in the public interest. We believe that it has failed to do so and has proved itself to be controlled by monied interests.
We go on the air to protest corporate control of the airwaves, to bring local control and local accountability to our community media, to produce and broadcast a diversity of programs that are simply unavailable on corporate controlled stations. We do not air advertisements, we do not do pledge drives, we do not have sponsors or underwriters.Free Radio Santa Cruz has been on the air for over twelve years without a license. We... more
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GRITtv thanks you, our viewers, for nearly a year of great programming. As we head into year two, remember, GRITtv is your TV.
You can see all of GRITtv's archived content at www.GRITtv.org.GRITtv thanks you, our viewers, for nearly a year of great programming. As we head... more
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GRITtv
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11 months ago
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Conventional wisdom has it that newspapers are dying because of the rise of the Internet and the death of print media. But there may be a different explanation. They're failing to report. The Iraq war is exhibit A. On GRITtv Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! and John MacArthur, the publisher of Harper's, discuss why the media landscape is shifting.
You can see the full interview at www.GRITtv.org.Conventional wisdom has it that newspapers are dying because of the rise of the... more
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GRITtv
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11 months ago
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There is no getting around the fact that these are tough times for newspapers. The Tribune Company recently filed for bankruptcy and a number of other papers are rumored to be on the selling block. Others have announced cuts in staff and distribution. The Detroit Free Press recently made the decision to limit home delivery to Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, the heaviest advertising days and the most popular papers for readers. But it’s not only print that is suffering. For the first time in 25 years National Public Radio is laying off staff to repair a $23 million deficit. The company will eliminate 7% of its workforce and drop two of its programs, “Day to Day” and “News & Notes.” At the same time, web based media and independent media are taking up the slack.
But why are the big media failing?
Today on GRITtv we speak with Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, John McCarther, the Publisher of Harper’s Magazine, and Brian Unger an original contributor to the Daily Show who provides regular commentary for NPR.
It's not just the end of an era: The rise of the web and the death of print. It is in a sense the end of truth. In the run up to the Iraq war the media served as a mouthpiece for the administration's lies. Now the public are looking elsewhere.There is no getting around the fact that these are tough times for newspapers. The... more
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GRITtv
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11 months ago
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Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, and the recent recipient of the Right Livelihood Award, talks about the show's 13-year history and the role of independent media in an age of corporate domination. The Internet, she says, is capable of providing a global platform for social justice. The media can be a great force for peace in the world and can build bridges between communities. So the answer to corporate globalization? Grassroots globalization.
And a new game for the holiday season. Wreck the Nation! Goodman and Guest Host Lizz Winstead give it a spin.Amy Goodman, the host of Democracy Now!, and the recent recipient of the Right... more
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GRITtv
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11 months ago
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Use the ALWAYS FRESH embed code to always have the newest episode!
Who is Fred Seibert?
Aside from being one of the creators of Comedy Central, he's also "one of the world’s leading independent cartoon producers, Fred Seibert is the executive producer of six hit series on the Nickelodeon Networks, including its number one show The Fairly Oddparents. Prior to forming Frederator Studios, Seibert served as president of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons where he innovated the return of cartoons to the television mainstream, producing over 100 shorts that spun off now legendary series like Dexter¹s Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, and The PowerPuff Girls, and the studio¹s only Oscar nomination for Courage the Cowardly Dog." (Channel Frederator Press Release)
What is Channel Frederator?
"The world’s first cartoon video podcast, created expressly for consumer distribution of world-class animated content on portable video devices such as the Apple iPod and the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). Released weekly, the episodes will contain several short form original and vintage cartoons submitted by producers from around the world, packaged into 10 to 15 minute episodes by the Channel Frederator programming team." (Channel Frederator Press Release)
"A constantly flowing festival of great cartoons—a new film festival every week! A place that will present all animation styles (Claymation, Stop motion, 2D, 3D… 4D if you’ve got it!)...
It is programmed not by some knock-kneed network executive who thinks she can dictate what cartoons you want to see. It’s programmed by YOU, by the members of the cartoon-making tribe. You create stuff, we put it on. Simple as that. Channel Frederator isn’t just another place for animation on the web. It is THE place on the web where the cartoon tribe can meet and show the world their work, and talk to each other" (ChannelFrederator.com)Use the ALWAYS FRESH embed code to always have the newest episode!
Who is Fred... more
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Bitch Magazine is an awesome publication that is a feminist analysis and critique of pop and mainstream culture. Bitch Magazine needs $40,000 by October 15 to publish their next issue. Help save Bitch Magazine by donating any amount that you can.Bitch Magazine is an awesome publication that is a feminist analysis and critique of... more
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MINNEAPOLIS POLICE TARGET AND OBSTRUCT INDEPENDENT PRESS COVERAGE IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
Repeated attacks on the civil liberties of independent press and activists before and during the election process emerge as a pattern
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (August 30, 2008) – FBI and Minneapolis police continue attacks on independent journalists in the days leading up to the Republican National Convention, obstructing coverage of important concurrent events. On Saturday morning an FBI officer and a chief deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff’s dept. along with approximately 30 St. Paul police officers bearing firearms, tasers, pepper spray and at least one AR-15 surrounded a house where members of I-Witness Video Collective and journalist Elizabeth Press from Democracy Now were meeting. National Lawyer’s Guild Legal Observer Sarah Coffey was detained in handcuffs outside the building while acting as a liaison with the police. Occupants of the building did not consent to a search and were forced to lock themselves in the building. At approximately 3:00 p.m. (CDT) police officers tried to serve a warrant that had the wrong address. After being denied entry they stormed the building through the attic by gaining access to an adjacent property. The warrant covered all of journalistic equipment including privileged notes, computers, cameras, video tapes and communication devices. People inside were forcefully detained, photographed and police made a record of their names and addresses. After a 45 minute search the police released all detainees and left without seizing any of the equipment. Five other members of I-Witness video who were not present at the house were also simultaneously detained. Three of them detained as they were riding their bicycles a mile away from the scene of the search and the other two as they were driving in a car. The three-hour detainment stopped the media group from documenting three other raids happening simultaneously against activist groups in Minneapolis and St Paul.
This follows an incident from earlier this week when three members of Glass Bead Collective were illegally detained and had their equipment and notes confiscated by the Minneapolis police.
I-Witness Video is an independent media group using video to protect civil liberties. During the 2004 Republican National Convention in NYC, video evidence provided by I-Witness Video exonerated 400 arrestees by exposing lies stated by the NYPD in sworn legal affidavits.MINNEAPOLIS POLICE TARGET AND OBSTRUCT INDEPENDENT PRESS COVERAGE IN THE DAYS LEADING... more
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This recent article in the South Philly Review looks into the founding of the award winning independent video podcast Alive in Baghdad. Covering news that the mainstream ignores throughout Iraq, AiB is hands down the most informative and in-depth media operation on the internet regarding what is happening in post-war Iraq.This recent article in the South Philly Review looks into the founding of the award... more
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1st Episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine, Sope host from the DTP Smirnoff Studios in Atlanta Georgia1st Episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine, Sope host from the DTP Smirnoff Studios in... more
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This episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine Sope takes you inside Club House, with Plush Blue & the Dream Team, and liquid visionThis episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine Sope takes you inside Club House, with Plush... more
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This Epsiode of Indie Heat video Magazine Sope shows you what went on with indieheat at the R&B Hip Hop Billboard Awards Conference.This Epsiode of Indie Heat video Magazine Sope shows you what went on with indieheat... more
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This episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine Sope Takes you to Hot Block and Young Pat's Album Release partyThis episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine Sope Takes you to Hot Block and Young Pat's... more
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This episode of Indie Heat Video Magazine show is hosted by Fdot after New Years Holiday
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