Archive for April, 2010
LA Comedy Shorts Festival: Red Carpet, Golden Awards and Even More Laughter
(Originally published on blogcritics.org) On Sunday night, Hollywood put on the glamor as awards were announced for the Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival, at Elevate Lounge, 22 stories above the lights of LA. Festival Artistic Director Gary Anthony Williams opened with, “All we wanted to do is make it okay for America to laugh their […]
LA Comedy Shorts Festival: I Write, I Produce, Therefore, I Am
(Originally published on blogcritics.org) Sunday morning’s seminar focused on tips for creating your own product. Comedy writer-producers participating included Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, Night at the Museum 2), Robert Ben Garant (Reno 911!, Balls of Fury), Laura Kightlinger (SNL, Will and Grace, Lucky Louie), Linwood Boomer, (Malcolm in the Middle, Third Rock from the Sun, Night Court) and Rodney Barnes (Boondocks,Everybody […]
Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Festival: Two Secret Ingredients of Great Comedy
(Originally published on blogcritics.org ) Today the Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival confirmed my prejudice that good comedy requires the same foundation as any story — good structure and characters you care about. The films that have these are memorable and evoke an emotional response. Without them comedy can only rise to the level […]
Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival: Famous People Talkin’ About Stuff
Participants Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show with Bob and Dave, Breaking Bad), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Missi Pyle (Dodgeball, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite) got attendees in touch with Hollywood reality, if there is such a thing. What was your first paid acting experience? Mark Hamill: My […]
Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Festival: Makin’ It In ‘the Biz’
(Originally published on Blogcritics) Two expert panels advised, teased, and encouraged filmmakers attending the Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival Friday morning, while giving them a chance to peek behind the curtain of “the biz.” The first panel, “What…In This Economy?”, focused on giving management/production companies what they really want. Panelists included J.C. Spink (Benderspink), […]
Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival: The Longest Day
(Originally published on Blogcritics.org ) Twenty-two short films competed for judge and audience approval today. It was a challenge to keep up with the barrage of short films, but with Wonder Woman and Super Girl here to collect the votes, I stayed focused. These four films made the top of my laugh list: Bill Plympton’s […]
LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival: Celebrity Screening Night
(Originally published on blogcritics.org) The opening night celebrity screening included seven shorts, but only three were in the competition, the others were just for laughs (lots of them). The first competitor was The Action Hero’s Guide to Saving Lives, directed by Justin Lutsky and starring Patrick Warburton (Jeff onRules of Engagement and Joe Swanson on Family Guy). Warburton […]
Ready, Set, Grab Your Shorts: Festival Directors on the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival
(First published on Blogcritics.org) The 2010 edition of the LA Comedy Shorts Film Festival (LACSFF) begins Thursday, April 15, with a red carpet kick-off at the Downtown Independent Theatre. The festival will spotlight 74 short films in competition, including international entries from Norway, the UK, Australia, and Canada. The celebrity and the bling will ignite the LA night […]
