My Oscar Shorts!

Since 2003, the Academy of Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences (The Oscars folks) have been screening their nominees for short film live action and short film animation during an one-day event. I was fortunate enough to get a hold a few tickets five years ago and still remember vividly meeting Andrea Arnold (director of 'Fish Tank') at the event right before she won her Oscar for the short film 'Wasp'.

This year, the tickets for the New York rendition of the event (LA also holds one) are on sale and I made sure I got my tickets so not only will I have a clue to what I'm watching during the Oscars when these short film categories arise but also meet future successful filmmakers. It's safe to spread the word now since I just printed my tickets, but hurry... it's an extremely small screening room and tickets will no doubt be sold out soon due to A) its popularity and B) it's ridiculously low price of $5. So go get your tickets now if you're in the NYC area on the 27th.

My Australian Open Film Festival

What a genius idea, combining two of my loves into one. This year's Australian Open had their inaugural 'Changing Ends' film festival, a collective of tennis themed short films. Sure, it's still in an amateur stage, but the winning film completely captures the Australian Open atmosphere- fun, light and full of promise. Check out "When I Grow Up":

"Fault. Fault.... Fault." (AO)

My ScarJo Directorial Debut

So apparently everyone wants to direct these days... Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut short film was reportedly so bad and unwatchable that it was cut from the upcoming collection of shorts titled "New York, I Love You." This only makes me curious how a Kevin Bacon/ScarJo movie can be unbearable.... (snickers). No worries, I can catch it on DVD as promised by the film's producers as a special feature. (NYP)

My Gay Short

Logo, MTV's LGBT Network, has premiered Daddy, a short film about a pregnant gay man. It's a little funny if you think about it... and if you look at the -4:30 mark, you might find someone familiar who appears to be preggers as well. Thanks Sid for the great time and getting me to step outside of my "comfort zone".

My Five Minutes With The Third Man

During my last gig, I had a conversation with the director about the Carol Reed classic, 'The Third Man'. He went on the reveal that he produced a short film with Vincent D'Onofrio about Orson Welles five minutes before he was suppose to perform the now famous cuckoo clock scene. Being a huge fan of the film and discovering such a take on the behind-the-scene with the then gruntled Orson Welles is such a revelation. I'd be very curious as to what other fans of the film think of the Venice Festival 2007 entry.