Ask an Alum: Atlanta's Alex Orr
We talked to three-time #ATLFF alum Alex Orr about his first ATLFF experience and an upcoming project.
In recognition of our final month of submissions for the 2017 ATLFF (!!!), we're catching up with some of the local alumni who continue to make great things in Atlanta and beyond. This week we say hello to three-time alumnus Alex Orr of Fake Wood Wallpaper Films. He's produced the polarizing #ATLFF 2016 selection and nationwide festival darling THE ARBALEST, FX's new smash hit Atlanta, and Easy—a new Netflix Original Series directed by Joe Swanberg (DRINKING BUDDIES, DIGGING FOR FIRE).
ALEX ORR STARS IN HIS SELF-DIRECTED, SELF-WRITTEN FEATURE "A IS FOR ALEX"
Q: How did you first hear about the Atlanta Film Festival?
A: I was in Film School at GSU and it was at the Hollywood 24 way on the north side of town. It was my intro to truly indie cinema. The first film I saw was a feature called Santa Smokes, the filmmaker was out front of the theatre jawing at people to go see his film.
Q: Why did you submit your films to ATLFF?
A: I live here and like to hang at the festival and see other filmmakers I know and meet new ones. It's great. I still work with people I've met at ATLFF through the years.
Q: Okay, everyone's favorite question—what are you working on now?
A: A Christmas Special for Adult Swim. It will be out...this Christmas time.
Q: What sets Atlanta apart for you as a creative home?
A: I lived in LA for 4 years and made more indie projects my first year back in Atlanta than the whole time i was in LA. There's a lot less of the pretension and false promises to sort through in the South.
Q: If you were an Atlanta neighborhood. which would you be?
A: I would be Buckhead because I think I'm better than you, but I'm really just another redneck with a spray tan.
Want to join our alumni family or to see your work screened at the 41st Atlanta Film Festival? Submit before prices go up on October 28th. Already an alum? Have two cents to give about art in Atlanta or an upcoming project we can mention? Email us to be considered for the Q&A.
Cinema Greens Grounds Host Southern Thriller
Prize winner Tristan Kharvari wrote "Three Things Before I Leave" specifically for the setting, a short film he will direct in October.
At the 40th ATLFF in April of this year, Cinema Greens—a film and television source for plant and location rentals and 2016 ATLFF sponsor—awarded a locations package to one lucky filmmaker. Tristan Kharvari won three shooting days on the extensive acreage and versatile Cinema Greens setting.
"The Cinema Greens Prize propelled a novel project," says Tristan Kharvari, writer and director of THREE THINGS BEFORE I LEAVE. "Initially, I sought to alter a current script that would fit the Cinema Greens ranch. But after seeing it in person, I decided it would be fun to create a new story based on the location. The house has paranormal history associated with it, prompting me to write "Three Things Before I Leave." The isolated location, rustic vibe, and historic graveyard are perfect elements for a southern thriller. Not often does a crew of minority filmmakers get free range to create on grounds such as these."
The cast and crew begins filming on the Ranch October 7th. To find out more information about the project or how you can support Tristan and his vision, visit igg.me/at/threethingsfilm.
HBO and the Atlanta Film Society invite you to the Ultimate "Game of Thrones" Experience, Sunday, April 24th
Did you really think we weren't going to do something for "Game of Thrones" this year? Get ready!
ATLFF '16 Encores announced! Here's what gets a second screening on Sunday, April 10th...
Don't miss second screenings of these ATLFF '16 sold-out hits! "The Arbalest," "Frankenstein Created Bikers" and "In Pursuit of Silence" join our Award-winning Short Films for Encore Sunday, made possible by Film Festival Collective presented by XFINITY.
Don't miss second screenings of these ATLFF '16 sold-out hits! "The Arbalest," "Frankenstein Created Bikers," "In Pursuit of Silence" and the COTTON shorts block join our Award-winning Short Films for Encore Sunday, made possible by Film Festival Collective presented by XFINITY.
These screenings already sold out once, so don't hesitate to get your tickets in advance!
AWARD-WINNING SHORTS
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 12:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre
Catch the Oscar-qualifying winners of the Narrative Short, Documentary Short and Animated Short Jury Prizes, plus the Filmmaker-to-Watch Award Winner and other winning short films.
IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE - Encore
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 2:45 PM — 7 Stages Theatre
As much a work of devotion as it is a documentary, “In Pursuit of Silence” is a meditative exploration of our relationship with silence and the impact of noise on our lives. In our race towards modernity, amidst all the technological innovation and the rapid growth of our cities, silence is now quickly passing into legend. From causing aggressive behavior to hundreds of thousands of heart attacks around the world, there is no aspect of human life that noise does not infringe upon. Silence as a resource for respite and renewal from the sensory onslaught of our modern lives is now more important than ever before.
COTTON Shorts Block - Encore
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 5:00 PM — 7 Stages Theatre
Hardy and tight-knit. Presented in partnership with Homespun, a series crafted by Atlanta Film Society Filmmakers-in-Residence Jon Watts & Brantly Watts. Featuring "Hotel Clermont," "The New Orleans Sazerac" and "Eat White Dirt."
FRANKENSTEIN CREATED BIKERS - Encore
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 7:30 PM — 7 Stages Theatre
An outlaw biker finds himself addicted to a diabolical substance and hunted by a grenade-tossing femme fatale, bounty hunters, law enforcement, a rival motorcycle gang, mutations and a topless stripper hit squad.
THE ARBALEST - Encore
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 7:45 PM — Plaza Theatre, Upstairs
"The Arbalest" is a confessional recount of the reclusive private life of Foster Kalt, the world-renowned inventor of the Kalt Cube. The strange reflection pieces together strange events and romantic obsessions that compound in a disturbing invention despite his ten-year vow of silence. —My Nguyen
James Gunn and Michael Rooker to bring GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to ATLFF '16!
A presentation of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy will be immediately followed by a Q&A with James Gunn and Michael Rooker on Sunday, April 10th at 4:00 PM.
Directed by James Gunn
USA, 2014, English, 121 minutes
Sunday, April 10, 2016, 4:00PM — Plaza Theater, Main
JAMES GUNN
A presentation of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy will be immediately followed by a Q&A with James Gunn and Michael Rooker.
From Marvel, the studio that launched the epic franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes an unlikely new team—the Guardians of the Galaxy. The Marvel Cinematic Universe expands into the cosmos when brash space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) steals a coveted orb and becomes the object of a relentless bounty hunt. To evade his enemies, Quill forges an uneasy truce with Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), a gun-toting raccoon; Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), a tree-like humanoid; the deadly assassin Gamora (Zoe Saldana); and the revenge-driven Drax (Dave Bautista). But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb, he must rally his ragtag band of misfits for a desperate battle that will decide the fate of the galaxy.
Filmmaker James Gunn began making movies at the age of twelve growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. While attending Columbia University in New York, Gunn wrote the screenplay for his first cult hit, the feature-film Tromeo & Juliet. He went on to write and direct dozens more including The Specials, Slither and Super. In March of 2004 Gunn became the first screenwriter in cinema history to write back-to-back #1-for-the-weekend box office hits, with the critically-acclaimed, re-imagined Dawn of the Dead (3/19/04). Slither, Gunn’s feature-film directorial debut starring Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks, is currently featured on Rotten Tomatoes as one of the “Top Ten All–Time Best Reviewed Horror Films.” The film, which he also wrote, was named “The Best Horror film of 2006” by Rue Morgue Magazine, and Gunn won a Saturn Award and a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for his work. In 2008, Gunn launched the “PG Porn” web series for Spike.com. The series paired mainstream actors and porn stars in comedy shorts and has since become one of the most profitable web series of all time. Gunn wrote and directed Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which grossed over $750 million dollars worldwide making it one of the top grossing and best reviewed films of 2014. He is currently directing the sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, from a script he also wrote.
Michael Rooker portrays blue-skinned alien ‘Yondu Udonta’ in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and is known as the character fans loved to hate on AMC’s “The Walking Dead”, as ‘Merle Dixon.’ Rooker has thrilled fans for decades with complex portrayals of characters audiences can’t help but cheer on despite their dark personas. He made his film debut in 1986 playing the title role in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, a film based on the confessions of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He has since appeared in numerous films including Mississippi Burning, Sea of Love, Days of Thunder, JFK, Cliffhanger, Tombstone, Mallrats, Rosewood, The 6th Day, and Jumper. He and Gunn have been a longtime collaborators on productions including Slither, Super, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and the upcoming sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Production on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is currently underway at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios.
Rob Burnett's THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING Opens the 40th Atlanta Film Festival TONIGHT!
Make sure you have your tickets or festival badge ASAP, so you don't miss out on Opening Night presentation, THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING, next Friday! Five-time Emmy winner Rob Burnett will be here for his film which stars Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez.
Make sure you have your tickets or festival badge ASAP, so you don't miss out on Opening Night presentation, THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING, tonight, April 1st! Five-time Emmy winner Rob Burnett will be here for his film which stars Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez.
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CARING
directed by Rob Burnett
USA, 2016, English, 93 minutes
Friday, April 1, 2016, 7:00 PM — Plaza Theatre, Main
Having suffered a tragedy, Ben's life is on hold. In need of work, he becomes a caregiver, where he is put through his paces by his first client, Trevor, a hilarious 18-year-old from England with muscular dystrophy. Instead of bowing to Trevor's irreverent tactics, Ben treats Trevor in a way no caregiver has ever done before: without kid gloves. One paralyzed emotionally, one paralyzed physically, the two bond through humor in a way only broken people can. They hit the open road on a trip that takes them through the majestic pines of the Pacific Northwest, the foothills of Idaho and Montana, and finally through the open plains of the American Southwest. Along the way, they find some other lost souls, including a 21-year-old runaway who is the sexiest girl Trevor has ever seen in person and not on TV. Ben and Trevor’s journey is a touching, laugh-out-loud tale of two unlikely friends finding hope against all odds.
After Party: Every ticket purchased comes with admission to our opening night party, located at Paris On Ponce. Live entertainment, superb libations, and catering will be provided.
ATLFF '16 Opening Night Presentation and Party is Presented by SIM Digital.
Big Freedia to Headline Free SOUND + VISION Event at Ponce City Market
We are excited to announce that Big Freedia will headline SOUND + VISION at Ponce City Market on April 7th. Grand Prize Winners From Last Year and Culture Culture are also set to perform at the free event.
We are excited to announce that Big Freedia will headline SOUND + VISION at Ponce City Market on April 7th. The New Orleans-based performer and star of Fuse's "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce" is a high profile addition to the already wildly-popular event.
Grand Prize Winners From Last Year, Culture Culture, Wrenn and Sam Burchfield are also set to perform. Additionally, Jason Drakeford and Thomas Nybo's virtual reality short film "Interrupture" will have its World Premiere at SOUND + VISION.
Though the Atlanta Film Festival is celebrating a 40th anniversary this year, SOUND + VISION has reached a benchmark of its own—this being its 5th year. Moving from The Goat Farm Arts Center for the first time, SOUND + VISION is ATLFF's signature mid-week event that joins together live music, art installations and experimental film for one larger-than-life experience. The newly opened Ponce City Market will host the event that is presented in partnership with Flux Projects and sponsored by MailChimp.
This event is FREE and open to the public! It all starts at 7:00 PM.
All-Access, Filmmaker, Industry and Producer Badge-holders will have access to a private VIP lounge on the roof.
You Can Find Me in the A: EDBI Festival Preview
Join us in the Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge this Tuesday for a networking event loaded with local talent from the upcoming 40th anniversary ATLFF!
MORE THAN MUSIC: SENEGAL
With less than one week until the 40th anniversary #ATLFF, we can hardly contain our excitement! Tuesday night at Highland Inn Ballroom Lounge, we're sharing it with you. Join us for our monthly Eat, Drink & B-Indie event presented by Stella Artois for a look into our local lineup and the filmmakers behind it!
Artist minds behind features, shorts, virtual reality and art installations will be present with trailers and screening details. Become familiar with ATLFF alumni just two days before we kick off the best part of our year!
Guest appearances include:
Babacar Ndiaye — More Than Music: Senegal [STEEL block]
Brian Lonano and Victoria Cook — Gwilliam [STEEL + WOOL blocks]
James Martin & Jen West — The New Orleans Sazerac [STEEL + COTTON blocks]
Brit Wigintton & Grey Clawson — Violet [STEEL block]
Robyn Hicks — Que Sera - Atlanta Film Festival World Premiere [RUBY block]
Russell Sheaffer & Aaron Smith — On Surgery [COPPER block] + It's So Easy (The Mechanism of Power) Installation at 7 Stages
James Bickert — Frankenstein Created Bikers World Premiere
Jason Drakeford — Interrupture [5th annual SOUND + VISION]
Phoebe Brown, Charlene Fisk & Carrie Schrader — The Founders film World Premiere at Atlanta Film Fest
Brent Costin — The Brint Koston Show [Pilot Case Study panel]
As always, Eat, Drink & B-Indie is FREE and open to the public! The first 40 attendees of age will receive a drink ticket for a free Stella Artois.
See you in the A!
Q+A with LEGEND OF SWEE' PEA Director Benjamin May
The feature documentary director touches on Little Five Points, the Atlanta Hawks and what he was doing in 1976. Hint: ATLFF can relate.
Complete this sentence: “If you liked _____ or ______, you’ll like my film.”
Tyson or Last Days Here
If forced to choose a different role in making this film, what would it have been and why?
Editor. I love pulling the story together.
What's the most challenging part of making a film for you? Do you enjoy that challenge, or is it something to be avoided?
My subject was a big challenge. I enjoyed the challenge because I learned a lot about myself.
What were you doing in 1976?
Just learned to use the toilet.
Of the filmmakers working today, whose talent would you most like to steal?
Rick Alverson
If familiar with the area, what's your favorite place in Atlanta? If visiting, what about Atlanta are you most excited to see?
Little Five Points
Why did you submit your film to the Atlanta Film Festival?
Great city, great people, and home of the Atlanta Hawks!
LEGEND OF SWEE' PEA screens the first Saturday afternoon, April 2, at 12:30pm at 7 Stages theatre. Benjamin May and Producer Annemarie Lawless are scheduled to attend! Add this true story of the once "next Magic Johnson" NBA star to your personal #ATLFF schedule.
SOUND + VISION to World Premiere Virtual Reality Film
Join us at Ponce City Market on Thursday, April 7th for your chance to experience a short film like none you've seen!
Now in its fifth year, SOUND + VISION—ATLFF’s signature mid-week event—moves from The Goat Farm Arts Center to Ponce City Market. Atlanta’s tastiest eats and best city views accompany the hottest local bands, wild art installations, and for the first time at ATLFF, a virtual reality short film presentation.
"Interrupture" is the true story of an 11-year-old Syrian girl fleeing ISIS and her journey into Europe in search of home. Co-Director Thomas Nybo met her in December 2015 while on assignment for UNICEF covering the refugee crisis. Part of the ATLFF Creative team met Nybo and Co-Director Jason Drakeford in their Elevator Factory workspace and were treated to a sneak preview of this encompassing, mind-boggling film experience. Its relationship to the Ivory block—a collection of seven documentary shorts directed in Jordan refugee camps by Syrian teenage girls—and its contribution to filmmaking advancement and cinematic world development makes us just about as excited as we know how to be.
CO-DIRECTOR THOMAS NYBO
CO-DIRECTOR JASON DRAKEFORD
As always, SOUND + VISION is free and open to the public! Don't miss this groundbreaking evening or your chance to say "Yeah, when it all started? I was there."