Submersion Film Festival 2005

I am going to start filming another short film around June 18th. I may be working on 3 other directors films too. I am hoping to have my next film festival somewhere between the end of July and the beginning of August. If you are a director making a film around the Riverside area, let me know, because I would like to help out. I will also need film submissions for my next film festival soon, so get a hold of me. There will be no charge to submit your film.

My next film festival I am planning on having at least 8 short films; a costume party theme; 3 indie-rock bands; a fashion show; and a free after party with 80s pop DJs and free mixed drinks all night. Admittance will be $5 at the door or $3 if in costume, and there will be drinks and snacks available.

Joel: lithium68681@yahoo.com

My Last Film Festival (May 7, 2005)

The film festival went great. It was held in the theater at the Coffee depot on Mission. We had 6 films and 2 bands, PresentTense and Hobo Jazz. The festival lasted 5 hours, and sold out with 95 customers. The crowd was even lined up and ready to fill the room 20 minutes before the festival was scheduled to start. The films that were shown were... Mr. Graves: By Director Scott Virtes (Actors Playground), The Paradox of Innocence: By director Curtis Tamm (Inamorato Creations), Deliverance: By director Torrey Pines (MMV Demzignant Studios), Rhapsody: By director Corey Morris (Black Bird Films), Reverie: Curtis Tamm, The Bathrobe Guy: By director Joel Brier (Submersion Films).

The films looked amazing on the large 16 foot screen. And the music rumbled the ground as it played through the theater speakers. One of the crowd favorites was the short love story "Rhapsody" by director Corey Morris of Black Bird Film. The cinematography of each scene was a work of art in itself. The film was an experimental film where the actors didn't have any lines. The entire story was actually told through the cinematography work of the camera man, and the music and body language of the actors. Everyone was completely mesmerized as they were drawn into the film and anxiously anticipated each scene. When the two strangers on a blind date finally kissed, everyone stood up out of their seats and applauded.

Another crowd favorite was the Sifi-Comedy "The Bathrobe Guy" by Joel Brier of Submersion Films. Everyone cheered as the opening credits played and the Riverside locals saw their friends names appear on the screen larger then life, and once again as each local actor was slowly introduced to the plot. Several time people laughed, and some were even amazed by some of the more elaborate special effects sequences. The sound effects rattled the room throughout the movie, and everyone enjoyed it. It went over so well that 10 minutes after the movie aired, we were sold out of DVD copies of movie. Several people were even asking to buy copies of the other films that were played at the festival, but unfortunately there were none available.

Next up was the Hollywood band PresentTense. Everyone was completely blown away by their heavy Grunge/Industrial/Pop sound combined with the melodic female vocals of their lead singer Amanda. As they left the stage the audience was changing their name and “Encore… Encore… Encore!!!“ After their performance, the crowd surrounded the stage for a chance to talk to the band members, buy CDs and t-shirts, and sign up for their mailing list. The band is certainly not going to have any trouble selling out any shows that they play in this area after that performance.

Next up was the “1910 Chain-Gang Blues/ New Orleans Jazz/ Mississippi River Boat” style band Hobo Jazz. They played an amazing 2 hour set in which the crowd sang and danced in the isles. Several musicians from the audience even came up on stage and sat in on some of the songs, playing interments, they had brought with them, and singing along. All the while, the audience was going wild, screaming and cheering them on. By the end of the show the entire audience was dancing up on stage and cheering for the band to play on.

After the show, me and some of the staff and directors went over to The Vault in Redlands to watch Hobo Jazz play yet another outstanding 2 hour performance. At this venue, they played a mix of 80s pop cover tunes with several other local musicians. The sound was great and several people commented on how astonished they were that the band could just show up at another venue a few minutes after one set, and start playing a completely different style of music. We hung out, kicked back some drinks and danced for a few hours before the bar closed. One of the directors is even thinking about making a documentary on hobo Jazz, and I was offered sponsorship by a representative of the Jim Bean and Smirnoff Vodka.

Special Thanks to… Kevin McKee who ran the projector and sound for the show flawlessly. My staff Erik Jacobsmeyer and Sean Randolph. And to the Coffee Depot for hosting our event and providing snacks and coffee.

Links:

Hobo Jazz (Music)

http://www.hobojazz.com

PresentTense (Music)

http://www.presenttenseband.com/

Actors Playground (Director/ Writer)

http://theActorsPlayground.com

Coffee Depot (Venue)

http://www.coffeedepot.tv/