Showing posts with label "Bruckner Bar and Grill". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "Bruckner Bar and Grill". Show all posts

Friday, April 6, 2012

2nd Annual Bronx Week Film Festival Selections: Tentative May 12th and May 13th Schedule

Here are the selections and tentative time allocations for the 2nd Annual Bronx Week Film Festival. Besides the Saturday, Sunday showing on May 12th and May 13th, additional showings and workshops will be announced during the week, up to the red carpet film and TV industry gala event on Thursday, May 17th. If you are a filmmaker/producer listed below with any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me on my cell phone any time at (845) 304-5745. I can be reached by e-mail at the following addresses as well;

info@olympiafilmlocations.com

and or

boogiedowner@gmail.com.

Tickets to the screenings will be made available to the public at no charge via a web site in the near future.

The Saturday, Sunday showings will be held at the Bruckner Bar and Grill. Kudos to the owners at the Bruckner Bar and Grill for there support in making last years and this years Bronx Week film festival a reality. Additional Kudos for the support from our Bronx Borough President, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and the Bronx Tourism Council for their steadfast support as well. It’s great to see the community getting together to support and promote Bronx filmmakers and producers.

Please stay tuned for additional information

Sincerely,

Gregory

Boogiedowner

Olympia Film Locations Inc.

****************



Tentative Schedule for the 2nd Annual Bronx Week Festival
May 2012
(Weekend events to be held at the Bruckner Bar & Grill)
Time Event
Saturday May 12th
Day 1
12 noon Ribbon Cutting - Opening of Film Festival
Segment #1
12:30 start Bronx Intro Medley
(A drama, 4 funny shorts and a documentary
about a neighborhood candy store)
"Promises, Promises"
HollyHood Films
"Decide and Choose"
"On Top"
"Grinding"
"Urban Lullaby"
By T & A Flicks - Sonia Gonzalez-Martinez
"The Candy Store"
Produced and Directed by Laura Cicciu
2:00 End Discussion with Filmmakers
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #2
2:15 Start Second Medley - Relationships
(Real love, not so real love and the complete opposite of real love)
"Do Not Disturb"
"Fine Dining"
By Alfonso M. Rodriguez
"BlackOUT City"
GuyaRican Productions
By Harry "Indio"Ramkiskun
"Crush"
By Dominic Colon
"Positive Buy"
By Hanley Valentin
"Love Lockdown"
By Nadia Hallgren
"The Main Event in America"
A Mystic Lotus Production
By A.W. McKnight
4:15 End Discussion with Filmmakers
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #3
(Full Length Feature - Bronx Love Story)
4:30 Start "True Story"
by Lamont Wilds
6:30 End Discussion with Filmmaker
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #4
(Tough Guy Tales)
6:45 Start "The Reckoning"
HollyHood Films
"Winner Takes All"
By Alberto Suarez
8:15 End Discussion with Filmmakers
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #5
(Pure Horror)
WORLD PREMIER
8:30 Start "Snow Shark - Ancient Snow Beast"
Metroshia Productions
Directed by Sam Qualiam
10:30 End Discussion with filmmakers
Time Event
Day 2
Sunday May 13th
Segment #6
(Health Segment on HPD)
Start 12 noon "RARE"
Producers and Directors: Maren Grainger-Monsen
and Nicole Newnham
The Documentary RARE is about a little known genetic disorder,
Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome (HPD) with higher than average rates
in the latino community.
End 1:30 Discussion with filmmakers
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #7
(Our Parks and Hip Hop)
Start 1:45 "It's My Park: Concrete Plant Park"
"It's My Park: Origination of Hip Hop at Cedar Park"
By Adrian Sas
"Sharing a Yankee Moment"
By Anton Evangelista
All three short documentaries explore the rejuvenation of our parks and our connection
to green space. Join Adrain Sas, Anton Evangelista and local activists as they discuss
their views for a greener, healthier Bronx.
End 2:45 Discussion with filmmakers and local activists
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #8
(Workshop: Producing your own Cable TV Show)
Start 3:00 Workshop:
"Talkshow: A Comedy Sitcom"
Unique Entertainment
Joseph A. Testa
End 4:00 Producing your own cable access television program
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #9
(Workshop: Running your own studio in the Bronx)
Start 4:15 Workshop:
ShootHR Studio, Bronx NY
One hour with Director, Producer, Entrepreneur and Community Activist Hezues R.
End 5:15 "Guns for Cameras", "Shoot HR.com", "Eye On It TV"
15 Minute Intermission
Segment #10
(Creepy Tales from the Bronx)
Start 5:30 "The Legend of Mr. Wiggley" ("The Boogie man of Sousa Woods")
By Mike T.S. Demitro
End 7:30 Discussion with Filmmaker

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Knock Your Block Off Comedy Showcase at the Bruckner Bar and Grill

I don't usually advertise for-profit events, however all events organized at the Bruckner Bar and Grill get what ever extra support I can give due to;

1- The quality of the food and drink.
2- The quality of events held.
3- The fact that the owners were instrumental in helping my associates and I when organizing this years first ever Bronx Week Film Festival.

Besides providing the Bronx a unique food and art venue, the owners and management of the Bruckner Bar and Grill are always there to support the community. If you have not been to the Buckner Bar and Grill yet, here is a great opportunity to check the hot spot out.

Gregory
*******

All are invited to the Bruckner Bar & Grill for the Knock Your Block Off Comedy Showcase Hosted by Anthony Martinez!!
Featuring comics Genevieve Joy, Gladys Simon, Tom-e Latsch and Joseph Rocha!!
Admission is $12 - cover includes a FREE drink!!!
We will be collecting toiletries for Sanctuary for Families at the door. Your donation will get you $2 off your entrance fee.
Email Anthony or call (917) 723-8125 for more info.
Come prepared to laugh hard!!!!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Live Drawing Tonight at the Bruckner Bar and Grill: 6pm to 9pm



For any artists out there looking for a live drawing session, please contact Barry Kotrinsky at (845) 729-5457. The session will be held this evening from 6pm to 9pm, at the Bruckner Bar and Grill located at 1 Bruckner Blvd in the Port Morris section of the Bronx. Please note there is a $10 fee to participate. I attached the link to the Bruckners web site as well, for anyone seeking additional information on the venue. Live drawings sessions are scheduled regularly at the Bruckner for anyone interested but unavailable tonight.

Bruckner Bar and Grill Address
http://www.brucknerbar.com/

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bronx Council of the Arts Upcoming Bronx Culture Trolley Tours

Here are some activities planned by the Bronx Council of the Arts. Those interested in exploring Bronx culture should consider going on the following free trolley tours.

Gregory
*******

UPCOMING TROLLEYS

FIRST WEDNESDAYS
BRONX CULTURE TROLLEY
rolls again on June 1, 2011 / 5:00-9:00pm
Venues include:
BRIO Award Presentation and
Art Exhibitions at Longwood Art
Gallery @ Hostos
Book Signing and Art Exhibitions at the Bronx Museum of the Arts
Chamber Music Concert at Pregones Theater
Art Exhibition at LDR Studio Gallery
Art Exhibition at Bruckner Bar & Grill

"CULTURE TROLLEY SATURDAYS"
returns on June 4, 2011 / 12:00 - 5:00pm
Join us for ¡Viva Cultura!
Celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage in the Bronx.

Venues Include: Art exhibitions, dance performances, story telling, a writing workshop, 152nd Street Cultural Festival, a Cha ChadDance class, and more!

Log onto the following web site for more information:
http://www.bronxarts.org/MonthlyVenuePage.asp

Monday, May 2, 2011

First Wednesdays Bronx Culture Trolley - May 4th Schedule and Activities


For those that are not aware of the the First Wednesday Bronx Culture Tour, please see the post below taken from their web site. Each first Wednesday of each month, the Bronx trolley takes individuals to specific points of interest mostly in the Mott Haven / Grand Concourse Section of the Bronx. The event is organized by the Bronx Council of the Arts. This Wednesdays tours seems to be especially vibrant. Please do see the information below and please do log onto their web site at the very end of the blog for additional details. The mixture of events and time of year should make the experience extra special.

Gregory
*********

First Wednesdays Bronx Culture Trolley
Hop on the trolley and enjoy attractions at some of the hottest cultural spots along the lower Grand Concourse

Catch the trolley on the first Wednesday evening of each month (except January & September) at Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos, on the campus of Hostos Community College at 450 Grand Concourse. The trolley departs at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30pm for other venues in the South Bronx Cultural Corridor. The trolley ride and admission to participating venues along its route are free. The Bronx Culture Trolley vehicle is wheelchair accessible.

Directions: Hostos Community College is located at 450 Grand Concourse near 149th Street in the Bronx. Take the 2, 4 & 5 trains or Bx1, Bx19 buses to Grand Concourse and 149 Street. More detailed directions.

Group Reservations: Call 718-931-9500 x33 or e-mail trolley@bronxarts.org

Wednesday, May 4, 2011
*note: programming and venue information subject to change

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS MONTH's VENUES
Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos
bronxArtworks Artisans Collective
Hostos Repertory Theater
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Peace Love Café
BronxArtSpace
Bruckner Bar & Grill


5:00-
8:30pm Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos

450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street

Bronx NY 10451

718-518-6728

Observed, Imagined and Recreated

Observed, Imagined and Recreated features works by 2009 Urban Artist Initiative Grant (UAI NYC) winners in visual arts and media. Curated by Juanita Lanzo, the show focuses on the politics of representation, gender, national identity, migration, post-colonial history and politics and their impact on the construction of the self. On view in the Main Gallery.

Artists: Golnar Adili, Melissa Calderon, Cecile Chong, David Antonio Cruz, Sonjie Feliciano-Solomon, Laura Gadson, Florencio Gelabert, Tamara Kostianovsky, Lisa Iglesias, Hong Seon Jang, Jason Lujan, Kimberly Mayhorn, Algernon Miller, Annysa Ng, Shani Peters, Lina Puerta, and Heeseop Yoon. All of these artists were 2009 Urban Artist Initiative Grant (UAI NYC) awardees in visual arts and media.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EYE AM A MAN: MAN-HOOD in the GAY-HOOD by the ART-HOOD

EYE AM A MAN: MAN-HOOD in the GAY-HOOD by the ART-HOOD, curated by Ivan Velez Jr., includes painting, photography, drawing, sculpture and video. It explores gender constructions, religion, machismo, popular and street culture and how they shape our notions of queerness, and homosexuality. On view in the Project Room. EYE AM A MAN contains Adult Content.

Artists: Chad Boss, Jennifer Camper, Ricardo Osmondo Francis, Jr., David Goldenberg, Louis Kwong, La Buruquena, Steve Macisaac, Harry Medina, Aaron Mustamaa, Kei Otani, Carlo Quispe, Joseph Radoccia, Jean Segarra-Rosa, Soulivanh Thammavong, and Ivan Velez Jr.

Both shows are on view thru May 4, 2011. Admission is free and all are welcome. For additional information, call 718-518-6728 or visit www.bronxarts.org.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6:00 pm The Mermaid’s Feet

A dialogue in song across the oceans. The Mermaid’s Feet is a collaborative effort between East Harlem-based vocalists Catarina dos Santos and Raquek Z. Rivera who highlight women’s experiences with musical traditions the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Portugal, Cape Verde and Angola. This performance is a presentation of Hostos Center’s Young Roots Performance Series.

Information: 718-518-4455

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5:00-

8:30pm
Outside the Gallery

bronxArtworks Artisans Collective

Imaginative bronxArtworks creations in all price ranges are available for browsing and buying.

Items include:

Illustrations, cards, and scarfs by Diane Davis
Knit artwear by Valerie Irizarry
Drawings, pins, and crafts by Fran Marino
Metal works by Hector Melendez
Handmade silver jewelry by Elizabeth Ortiz
Ethnic jewelry and crafts by Ester Pagan
Handmade jewelry and crafts by Diana Pucci

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5:00-
8:00pm Hostos Repertory Theater

450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street

Bronx NY 10451

My Words, My Way / Poetry Slam

BCA's Bronx WritersCorps’ fifteenth annual preliminary Youth Poetry Slam in which young poets perform original poetry raising their voices to reveal the truth of their lives and their dreams for the future. Winners of this evening’s slam will compete in the May 11th poetry slam finals at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. This evening’s slam is hosted by writer/performer Earl Majette and features Abiodun “DUNE” Oyewole of “The Last Poets” and a special performance by SideTrack Boyz.

SideTrack Boyz is a unique R&B/POP vocal performance group made up of three individually talented young men, Lonique, Wyane and Vaugn, who sing, dance and put on
an invigorating performance.

They write and produce music, and are currently recording their own original music. They perform regularly, citywide, and are well received by their audiences. Learn more about them at:

www.facebook.com/sidetrackboyz

www.youtube.com/sidetracktv

www.twitter.com/sidetrackboyz

www.myspace.com/sidetrackmusicpage

Information: desiree@bronxarts.org or 718-409-1265 x10

The trolley bell rings at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30pm,

just before the Bronx Culture Trolley departs for other destinations.

View First Wednesdays Bronx Culture Trolley: December 1 in a larger map

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

along the trolley route

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


5:45-
7:45pm Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse at 165th Street

Bronx, NY 10456

718-681-6000


Tour the museum and view the exhibitions:


Stargazers: Elizabeth Catlett
in Conversation with 21 Contemporary Artists
A new exhibition of more than 40 sculptures and prints by Ms. Catlett will explore her career from the 1960s to the present as a pioneering African- American female artist and her relationship to later generations of contemporary artists. Stargazers will also include works by 21 international contemporary artists whose ideas and practices will be examined in conversation with Catlett’s life and work. (on view thru May 29).

Alexandre Arrechea: Orange Tree
A 20-foot steel sculpture created by Cuban-born artist Alexandre Arrechea, with multi-limbed basketball hoop "branches" surrounded by scattered basketballs to mimic fallen fruit. Orange Tree shifts familiar structures to engage viewers' perceptions of form and function, while raising questions about the role of street sports in urban culture (on view in the Bronx Museum Terrace thru June 6).

Lobby-For-The-Time-Being
A project by Acconci Studio.

Artists: Vito Acconci, Adam Jakubowski, Taylor Levy, William Mowat, Brad Rosenberg, Che-Wei Wang, and Marina Zurkow (on view thru June 6).

Urban Archives: Happy Together
This exhibition features work by Asian and Asian-American artists from the museum's Permanent Collection.

Artists: Tomie Arai, Xu Bing, Paul Chan, Tseng Kwong Chi, Albert Chong, Zhang Hongtu, Ik-Joong Kang, Dinh Q Lê, Nikki S. Lee, Chihcheng Peng, Carol Sun, Martin Wong, and Lynne Yamamoto (on view thru June 6).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5:30-
9:00pm Peace Love Café

617 Melrose Avenue, btwn 151st & 152nd Sts

Bronx, New York 10455

347-577-6397

Shooting the Bronx

A multi-media exhibit by photo-bloggers who document the Bronx online, highlighting the people, places and events. Through their photography, they help change perceptions and share the Bronx with a global audience on a regular basis. Artists: Mario Burger, Eileen McNamee and Clarisel Gonzalez (curator), Steven Maginnis, Ismael Nuñez, Loretta D'Orsogna and Samantha. View the exhibition, stick around and enjoy the fine food and drink at the Peace Love Café, the South Bronx's first healthy food internet cafe.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5:30-
9:00pm BronxArtSpace

305 East 140th Street

Bronx, NY 10454

718-401-8144

Synthetic Zero Multi-Disciplinary Event

Synthetic Zero Multi-Disciplinary Event featuring art, film, music, and performances.

Encore presentation on Saturday, May 7, 7:00-10:00pm.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bruckner Bar & Grill

1 Bruckner Blvd

Bronx, NY 10451

718-665-2001


5:30-
9:00pm Art Exhibition
by Bronx artists Jeffrey Acae and Freddy "DIA "Diaz.


9:00pm-

12:00am
Live Band Karaoke
A live band plays and you sing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bronx Council on the Arts thanks Capital One Bank, Crown Trophy of the Bronx, Fox Networks, Montefiore Medical Center, and The Throgg's Neck Merchants Association for supplying the give-aways we used this past trolley year for our Bronx Culture Trolley Bronx Trivia Contest

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Special Thanks to our
Funders and Supporters

The Bronx Culture Trolley is a program of:

The Bronx Council on the Arts’ South Bronx Cultural Corridor,
The Bronx Cultural Card, and
The Bronx Tourism Council.
It is made possible with funding from:

Lambent Foundation
The Scherman Foundation,
The New York City Department of Small Business Services,
The Bronx Empowerment Zone,
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs,
The New York State Council on the Arts, and
Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo.

Log onto the following web site for more information:
http://www.bronxarts.org/MonthlyVenuePage.asp

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Call for Participation in the “1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival“ Draws Unexpected High Number of Bronx Film Makers, Producers and Directors

What I assume started the idea of a “Bronx Week Film Festival” was a statement by the Bronx Borough President, Mr. Ruben Diaz Jr. at a recent BOEDC meeting. I assume the statement went something like this: “See if the guy who helped make the movie “Gun Hill Road” can get the director to come back for a film related event or screening during Bronx Week”. In the mean time, this has turned into the “1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival”. Since my partners and I at Olympia Film Locations Inc, (the official and authorized Producers of the Film Festival) took on the charge, the news of the event has spread like wild fire. The results have been overwhelming. The responses and submissions are nothing short of the best in film and cinema the Bronx has to offer.

Firstly, let me confirm that Rashaad Ernest Green, the producers and the distributor who purchased the rights to the movie “Gun Hill Road” have all vouched their support for the Film Festival. They were adamant that “Gun Hill Road” be filmed 100% in the Bronx and are adamant that they come back to the Bronx to help when needed. Rashaad plans to be present at the screening of his movie at the Film Festival and at the Gala event on Friday May 20th where we are attracting producers, directors, actors, new networks, TV stations, studios, paparazzi, political figures and high net worth individuals all who will join us in showcasing the Bronx as a primary film making destination.

At first glance our goal in holding a successful Bronx Week Film Festival so quickly might have seemed a pipe dream unless of course you consider what Bronx People can do once they are united and have their mind set on a specific goal. We are a population accustomed to doing more even though provided less. Therefore it should have been no surprise when we packed a room with Bronx directors, producers, actors and one symphony cello player, many with award winning films and or signed deals for distribution. The energy and entrepreneurship was amazing. The back room of the Bruckner Bar and Grill this past Thursday was filed with confident “SELF MADE” Bronx film makers who cared about the Bronx, its people and the development of their craft in the Bronx. To top it all off, serendipitously Michael Max Knobbe the Executive Director of BronxNet just happened to be having dinner at the Bruckner with friends. It was a great opportunity to bring him into our master plan as well. As always he was a gentleman.

At our first meeting we had two directors and a band who I posted a blog about last Tuesday. Since there were only two producers, I was able to post links to their sites and discuss basics about their films. This Thursdays meeting consisted of many more films makers and films. I will only list their names and some of the movies they represent. Each film maker and movie submitted will receive the individual attention they deserve over the next week or two via unique posts on this site. Anything less would not show the proper respect due to both the film maker and the movies they produced and or directed.

Film makers and Directors present at this Thursday’s meeting at the Bruckner Bar and Grill were Robert Gadero, James McSherry, Iris Montalvo, Marc Anthony Seda, Diego Mack, Roko Markolovic (with Diana), Joe Mileto, Wayne Gurman, Elizabeth Glushko, Chris Raffaele and Troy Reed. Some of the movies represented that night included ‘Bronx Paradise’, ‘My Destiny’ an Albanian Love Story, ‘Quentine Fortune’, ‘Poetry Man’, ‘Guido Monologues’, ‘Grasslands’ and ‘Baby Bomber’.

We still wish to collect additional full length films and shorts in and about the Bronx. If there is a Bronx connection we want to see it. For any film makers interested in attending this weeks 7 pm meeting at the Bruckner Bar and Grill on April 21st, please do send me an e-mail at the BoogieDowner. My e-mail address is boogiedowner@gmail.com.

In addition to full length movies discussed above we hope to collect shorts and present awards for shorts in the following categories at our Gala event on May 20th;

1-Animation
2-Drama
3-Doumentary

We look forward to receiving and viewing your entries. Please do send submissions to the boogiedowner@gmail.com. After reviewing what you send, I will forward the information to my colleagues at Olympia.

Sincerely,
Gregory

Here are some photos taken before and after the meeting.
14April (LtoR) Peter Matsis(Olympia),Peter Zotis(Olympia),Laura Cicciu(Olympia),Michael Max Knobbe(BronxNet), Bobby Zouvelos (Olympia)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Bronx Film Makers Meet at the Bruckner Bar and Grill to Plan 1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival

One of my many ambitions related to taking over the “Boogie Downer blog” was to help bring the film/TV industry to the Bronx. For anyone that follows my blog, I am sure they have periodically seen my posts promoting Bronx film makers. In the very beginning I also mentioned my association in helping Bronx film director Rashaad Ernesto Green find locations for his award winning film, “Gun Hill Road”.

Since receiving the phone call about a year ago, “Gun Hill Road” was accepted to the Sundance Film Festival and sold for world wide distribution. Much like Brooklyn has Aronofski the Bronx now has Rashaad Ernesto Green. It is important to note Rashaad is 100% Bronx and that he was adamant that his film be 100% shot in the Bronx.

Due to my association with the movie “Gun Hill Road” and its success, The BOEDC and the Bronx Borough President, Mr. Ruben Diaz Jr., have given me and my colleagues at Olympia Film Locations Inc, the charge to establish, coordinate and manage the “1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival”. The goal of the festival is to attract a number of films which are made either by Bronx filmmakers or are about the Bronx and that promote our borough through their unique message.

We at Olympia Film Locations Inc., will launch a web site exclusively representing a few hundred million dollars worth of Bronx properties that will be available for rent to the film and TV industry. The film and TV rental fees generated should provide opportunities for local Bronx residents, businesses and building owners trying to make ends meet in a difficult real estate market. It gave me great joy when Bronx residents living in the building ‘Gun Hill Road’ was filmed in, especially children, were featured in the film or when rental revenue received by the property owners were used to improve living conditions.

Bronx Week is scheduled from May 16th to May 21st. The Film related activities will consist of various film/TV and music video screenings and workshops. The film festival red carpet gala event will be conducted on May 20th. Our Bronx Borough President, Rashaad Ernest Green and others will be present on the 20th. We will have an eclectic mix of artists, producers, investors, distributors, non-profits and Bronx political figures attending. Together we will announce to the world that the Bronx is united on this front and that it we will bring quality jobs to our borough by promoting the film and TV industry in the Bronx.

The Buckner Bar and Grill has become ground zero for our clandestine meetings with film producers and other people in the industry. At first I was surprised at the quantity of Bronx residents that on their own produced movies in or about our borough. I took a photo of our last meeting at the Bruckner Bar and Grill and posted below along with various links about the productions made by the attendees photographed. Last Thursday concentrated on our Bronx horror film producers. Included at the meeting were the producers of ‘Slime City Massacre’ and ‘Krackoon’. The first has also been sold for world wide distribution and the second is presently in negotiations to be purchased for world wide distribution.


I am sure there are more Bronx film makers that we need to include in our Bronx Week Film Festival. Please send leads or contact information to the BoogieDowner. I am especially interested in anyone who has information on the following Bronxites:

1- Director Mike “TS” Demitro – Writer / Director / Producer
of “the Boogieman of Sousa Woods”
2- Bronx rapper Cory Gunz – Star of new Bronx Based Reality Show

In addition to Bronx directors or film makers we also hope to hear form Bronx actors and actresses that have “made it” in their profession and wish to commit to a workshop or attend our gale event on the 20th. The list of Bronx “Stars” is extensive so if the shoe fits and you wish to participate please do send me an e-mail at BoogieDowner@gmail.com.


Gregory


(Bronx film makers, band members of "A Moments Worth" and representatives from Olympia Film Locations Inc. meet to discuss the 1st Annual Bronx Week Film Festival)


(Mark J. Makowski, Peter Zotis, Anthony DeBellis, Jerry Landi, Bobby Zouvelos, Anthony Albaneese and Alex Bondarev) (Photo of the Lila who is part of the pleasant atmosphere always in abundance at the Bruckner Bar and Grill)


More on "Gun Hill Road" the movie;


http://sundance.bside.com/2011/films/gunhillroad_sundance2011


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1525838/


More on Mark J. Makowski - "Slime City Massacre"


http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1409491/


Jerry Landi - "Krackoon"


http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3804326/

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Rooftop Film's next free show in the Bronx set for Thursday March 3rd at the Bruckner: "Up With Me", by Greg Takoudes's

It's that time of the month again when Rooftop Films, in conjunction with the Bruckner Bar and Grill, provide free shorts from up and coming film directors. Last time I went Stella Artois was handing out FREE PINTS, so make sure to bring your ID. It's a great event conducted monthly. If your an aspiring film maker this an organization that can help. Please do see more about their programs on the web site listed below. Once again thanks to NYC Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo for helping to fund Rooftop films and helping to make these events possible.

Gregory

****
Hi there,

Join Rooftop Films at this Thursday, March 3rd at the Bruckner Bar and Grill for Greg Takoudes's gritty and gripping drama UP WITH ME, where love and loyalty are put to the test when a Harlem teenager is offered a prep school scholarship upstate. The film is a remarkable collaboration between director Greg Takoudes and at-risk youth at the East Harlem Tutorial Program and is part of our monthly free screening series at the Bruckner.

And if you can, please help us spread the word about the screening to anyone who might be interested via your site, Facebook, Twitter, or email.

Thanks!
Lela

Show Details:

When:
Thursday Mar 3, 2011
7:00 PM Doors Open
7:45PM Film Begins
9:15PM Filmmaker Q&A


Where:
Bruckner Bar & Grill
Indoors at the Bruckner Bar and Grill
(South Bronx)
1 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10454
Subway: Take the 4, 5 to 138 St. Grand Concourse or the 6 to 138 Street 3rd Avenue

More info at:
http://rooftopfilms.com/2011/schedule/up-with-me

The Film:
Up With Me (Greg Takoudes | New York, NY | 76 min.)
“In school, they taught us about great civilizations. But one day, they’ll count Harlem as one of them, and they’ll count us. No billionaire wants so much as us. . . . No one ever loved like I love Francisco. There were no better friends than ours.” But when Francisco, a teenager from Harlem, is admitted to an upstate boarding school on scholarship, he is torn between his life at home—his loyal girlfriend and his jealous best friend—and the new environment.

In tough and disadvantaged neighborhoods, people always face a dilemma choosing between local pride and worldly desire, between staying loyal and seeking a better life. How do you improve yourself (or even define “improvement”) in ways that don’t alienate your friends, your loved ones, your community?

Francisco wants the education, but doesn’t want to change. In a brilliant act of narrative restraint, the filmmakers barely show Francisco at the new school for most of the movie, leaving the audience wondering (like his friends) what the upstate academy is actually like for him. His tender scenes with Erika subtly highlight the way he’s not quite sure what to do with his newly acquired knowledge, embarrassed to embarrass her, even though she is clearly a poetically insightful and inquisitive person.

But as Francisco tries to leave his troubles in Harlem behind, his best friend Brandon puts his own life in danger—partly to test his own ability to hustle, and partly as a loyalty test to Francisco. Brandon is desperately needy, but also has a nihilist pragmatism about him that is both scary and sad. While Francisco tries to better himself through education, and seems to consider his friend’s cavalier thug life as childish, Brandon defends his lifestyle with a mix of defiance and defeatism: “What else are we gonna do? This is my life.”

This gritty, charming and dynamic narrative feature was created as a collaboration between director Greg Takoudes and at-risk youth at the East Harlem Tutorial Program. The screenplay is based on months-long writing workshops with the teenagers, who then starred in the movie, and—when they weren't acting in scenes—helped crew the set. “I wanted to turn these teens into filmmakers,” Takoudes said in IndieWire, “to teach them film skills, and make our movie in a way that the creative responsibility for the film rested as much with the teens, as with me. I thought that if they understood this responsibility, that they would rise to the occasion. And they did.”

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Free Independent Film Screenings Coming to Bruckner Bar & Grill!



We just received an exciting announcement from Rooftop Films -- Bruckner Bar and Grill will be home to their independent films series in the South Bronx.

On the first Thursday of each month, there will be a free screening of an independent film at Bruckner Bar and Grill. Rooftop Films is pleased to collaborate with Council member Maria Del Carmen Arroyo to bring some of the best new, independent films to the Bronx.

Starting December 2nd, Rooftop will present free monthly screenings on the first Thursday of each month, indoors at the Bruckner Bar and Grill. We will be showcasing fascinating new films from all over the world, with a focus on films that speak to the interests and issues of the diverse community in the South Bronx.

Rooftop’s inaugural screening will feature the Bronx premiere of WHITE LINES AND THE FEVER: THE DEATH OF DJ JUNEBUG, winner of the Best Documentary Short award at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Filmmaker Travis Senger will be present for a Q and A following the show. We will also be presenting CLOSENESS, directed by Danilo Perra, a powerful short documentary about Bronx jazz musician Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre and his struggles to complete his final album.

All screenings at the Bruckner Bar and Grill will be free and open to all.

BRONX BLOWING THROUGH (SHORT PROGRAM)
Where: Bruckner Bar and Grill (1 Bruckner Blvd, South Bronx)
7:00 Doors Open 7:45
Films 9:00
Q and A with filmmakers
More information at: http://www.rooftopfilms.com/2010/schedule/69-bronx-blowin-through

Rooftop Films is a non-profit organization whose mission is to engage and inspire the diverse communities of New York City by showcasing the work of emerging filmmakers and musicians. In addition to our Summer Series – which takes place in unique outdoor venues every weekend throughout the summer – Rooftop provides grants to filmmakers, teaches media literacy and filmmaking to young people, rents equipment at low-cost to artists and non-profits, and produces new independent films. At Rooftop Films, we bring the underground outdoors. For more information and updates, please visit our website at www.rooftopfilms.com.

Maria Del Carmen Arroyo moved from Puerto Rico to the Bronx as a child in 1965 and has been representing the 17th District since February 15, 2005. Since her election, she has worked with community residents, organizations and leaders to build the partnerships and collaborations needed to bring positive changes to the community she represents. She has distinguished herself as a hard working representative for her district and has gained the respect of all she has encountered in her work as a Council member. She has been helping Rooftop Films to bring free independent film events to her district since 2009.