Phocus Media returns to Paducah’s 48 HR Film Project…and brings their broom

Phocus Media pulled out a repeat sweep of this year’s 48 Hour Film Project Awards last Thursday night at Maiden Alley Cinema.  (Full disclosure - this is MY TEAM!)

The 48 Hour Film Project challenges novice filmmakers to create a film from start to finish in just 48 hours.  A total of 14 teams competed in this year’s project (with 12 turning in a completed film by deadline), and all were shown at three sold out performances leading up to the awards on August 26.  With most of Phocus Media’s winning cast and crew returning from last year, Director Jonathan Warren felt good about this year’s competition, but knew another win certainly wasn’t a given.  “The competition was stiffer this time and after the first screening I was worried about some of the other entries, but in the end we pulled it out.  It is an honor for a town the size of Paducah to even host this project and I look forward to seeing the level of this competition advance even more next year.” Warren said.

And stiff compeition it was.  Films of note include the hilarious audience favorite “3 Wise Monkeys” by Provision Productions, multiple award winner “Self Help Sherlock” from Pixel Pear,  and youth made film “The Grass is Greener” by Metal Mouth Productions, a team of 12-13 year old area gals.

Original Phocus Media team members returning from last year include:  Jonathan Warren, Curt Stewart, Melanie Myers Hawes, Michael Driver, Chuck Sexton, Laura K Thornton (yours truly) and Drew Swim.  Additional crew and cast were added this year via several sources including a casting call held in the weeks prior to the competition. 

Here’s the breakdown of the 2010 Awards:

• BEST FILM - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST DIRECTING - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST EDITING - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST SOUND DESIGN - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST USE OF LINE OF DIALOGUE - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST COSTUMES - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media
• BEST ACTING (tie) - “My Father’s Keeper” from Phocus Media and “Self Help Sherlock” from Pixel Pear
• BEST WRITING - “Self Help Sherlock” from Pixel Pear
• BEST USE OF CHARACTER - “Self Help Sherlock” from Pixel Pear
• BEST USE OF PROP - “Self Help Sherlock” from Pixel Pear
• BEST MUSICAL SCORE - “Linger” from Doctor Duece Productions
• BEST CREATIVE USE OF LIGHTING - “Self Help Sherlock” from Pixel Pear
• BEST YOUTH MADE FILM - “The Grass is Greener” from Metal Mouth Productions
• AUDIENCE AWARD - “3 Wise Monkeys”  from Provision Productions

Congratulations to all teams that participated!  Phocus Media again moves on to international competition at Filmapalooza, which will be held this time at the Miami International Film Festival in April 2011.  You can view all their behind the scenes photos and videos from this year’s project, view their winning films from 2009 and 2010, and follow their journey to Filmapalooza on their facebook page.

Where in the World is Keith Ford?

One of our fave event photographers, Keith Ford, has been conspicuously missing around P-town lately….and no, he’s not off selling his patented scopes for high-powered weaponry again.  Keith is also the systems engineer and documentation specialist (photographer) for a group called Adhesive Process Solutions, and he is traveling the world working on scientific engineering stuff, taking cool photos, riding in fast cars, and smoking fine cigars.  Doesn’t it all sound so INTERESTING and James Bondish?

Right now he is helping a company in Zhangjiagang manufacture a long life coating for the solar panel industry and they will eventually be making solar panels as well. The same gentleman that owns the plant in Zhangjiagang is setting up a HMA facility in Beijing and Keith and his team partner will be doing the engineering, set up, start up and training there as well. So far the places he has been to are Zhangjiagang, Gunagzhao, and Shanghai, China, Dubai and Abu Dhabi (wonder if he saw the Sex and the City gals there??), United Arab Emirates, Mumbai and Delhi, India, Istanbul, and Turkey.  Shortly, he should be in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Sultan Ahmet Mosque - Istanbul, Turkey

Keith states “It’s very hot and humid here, just like being at home. Zhangjiagang is small compared to Shanghai, but very, very clean, very polite people and so much neon light at night.  The hotel is wonderful, nice, very clean and inexpensive! Food has been good, so far no snake, dog meat or dog testicles like in Guangzhou!  The building and industry boom here is unreal.  Everywhere you look its constant building and its 24 hrs a day. Every day we have a personal driver pick us up in a BMW or Mercedes and bring us to the plant and back to the hotel or where ever I want to go. I have never seen so many Ferraris, Mercedes, Bentleys, BMW’s and Buicks anywhere. Every place I have been to in China has been ultra modern. The people are a very polite and gracious people. They love it when you take the time to show them how to do something. But the best thing about China so far has been the Romeo and Julieta and Cohiba Cuban made cigars. My God, they are amazing. “

Obviously, Keith Ford enjoys his cigars with an ice cold Dos Equis. Keith, come home and visit us soon!

Nightclub - Zhangjiagang, China

Posted by Laura K on 8/28/2010 1 Comments

| More

---

Holiday Events Planners: Book Sulli’s Now!

Y’all. I’m not even kidding. The holidays will be upon us before the temperature breaks 100 degrees around here, so now’s the time to get your holiday events on Sulli’s Steak House’s books!

Or any meeting, for that matter. Sulli’s has great meeting space, great food and great drinks. Just call 270.444.9700 and let Sulli’s take it from there!

Posted by Mary Thorsby on 8/24/2010 0 Comments

| More

---

Travis Tritt TIx!

Travis Tritt! Travis Tritt! Travis Tritt! Just try saying that three times fast.

Or how about saying “Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!”

We’ve got FIVE pairs of tickets to give away to TT’s Saturday, Sept. 4, performance at Harrah’s Metropolis, starting at 8 p.m., outdoors by the riverfront.

Want ‘em? Leave a comment about your favorite Travis Tritt song. We’ll draw the winners Monday, Aug. 30.

Or go ahead and purchase your tix now. They’re just $15. Such a deal for such a great performer!

Posted by Mary Thorsby on 8/24/2010 11 Comments

| More

---

We Love the Chamber!

We just posted a new iLove the Chamber column, which will run through the annual Total Resource Campaign, now until Sept. 16. Here at iList Paducah, we can attest to the many benefits of Chamber membership. Not sure how we could have launched a successful business without it!

Read all about the Chamber’s perks — and be sure to attend the kick-off this Thursday!

Posted by Mary Thorsby on 8/24/2010 0 Comments

| More

---

WKCTC Gala: One Of Our Fave Events!

Oh lá lá! It’s the West Kentucky Community & Technical College’s Gala Scholarship Auction, one of our very favorite events! All the cool kids will be there Tuesday, Sept. 28, at Harrah’s, bidding on amazing items and enjoying fab food.

So contact MzBeckyHaus for your tax-deductible ticket: 270.534.3086. The $$$$$ benefits student scholarships — and we know how muy importante those scholarships can be!

Posted by Mary Thorsby on 8/24/2010 0 Comments

| More

---

Next Page

---

© 2010 iList Media, LLC. All rights reserved.                     PO Box 722, Paducah, KY 42002-0722

home        blog        about us        submit an event        subscribe        event calendar        contact us