Florida Film Festival Kick Off Party

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On January 30th, the Enzian Theater, (1300 South Orlando Avenue  Maitland, FL), hosted a Kick Off Party for the Florida Film Festival. Press was on hand as CEO, Henry Maldonado, welcomed everyone to the Kick Off for the 22nd annual Florida Film Festival. The Festival is a fabulous celebration of films and filmmakers, indulgent experiences in food and wine, and a wonderful mix of parties and special events. This years Festival begins April 5th and continues for ten glorious days.

A large gust of wind caused the inflatable movie screen he was standing in front of to warp and topple backwards. He didn’t notice at first but the reaction of the audience caused him to turn and look. “That thing can’t fall on me can it?”  Staff rushed to secure more guy wires. Henry checked with Elizabeth Tiedtke to be sure he covered everything. There was a short preview film but none of the films that will be in this years Florida Film Festival were unveiled.

After the press preview, the lawn outside the Enzian filled with more people to watch “Cannibal The Musical”  on the inflatable screen. I hadn’t seen this film which was made by Nick Parks one of the South Park writers. I did see a Fringe play last year based on the film so I knew to expect a very odd and funny movie. I was seated leaning back against a handrail to the back steps to the theater. Half way into the film one of the chefs almost tripped over me as he went out for a smoke.

Enzian’s Makeover For 2013

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For 28 years, the Enzian has shown thousands of great movies to millions of people in an environment that encourages friendship and community. The annual Florida Film Festival brings famous and infamous film directors, producers and actors to Central Florida. Between screenings, if you turn to your neighbor at the Eden Bar, there is a good chance they are in the business of making films. At the lavish parties at the Enzian, people have met, fallen in love and formed lasting friendships.

The theater is however showing its age. The curtains are torn, the chairs are worn and the carpets have certainly worn from thousands of feet and spilled drinks. The theater is getting a makeover. Everything that is worn out or broken will be replaced. New carpets and curtains have already been installed. New furniture will allow the service staff more room to take orders and serve food while also improving sight lines for the audience. Technological advances, already in place, have improved the movies picture and audio.

In 2013 the Enzian Theater will continue to renew, revive and refresh. The makeover will enhance the movie viewing experience without detracting from the unique character of place. The theater will still have a cozy feeling, where you can enjoy films with friends. Large semi circular seats will be replaced by lighter more streamlined seating. Circular tables will be replaced by more compact and ergonomic square tables saving space. Benches will be added to the back of section C again saving space.

I was hired to do a sketch of the theater as it will look after renovations. I sat up in the projection booth and sketched as the theater filled with patrons for a screening. The projectionist introduced herself and she reached over me to press a button. As the theater went black, I turned on my book light and continued to paint. I used a computer rendering from Raleigh Design to place new tables and chairs into my location sketch.

The Enzian is inviting patrons to be part of the enduring legacy by investing in the makeover. For as little as $25 you can “own a piece of the Enzian” and express your appreciation for this unique cultural icon.

$5,000 makes one booth a reality.

$3,000  makes a banquet seat and a table a reality.

$1,000 makes a chair or 4-top table a reality.

  $500 makes a 2-top table a reality.

  $250 makes a coffee table a reality.

    $25 makes one square foot of carpet a reality.

All donors of $250 or more will be recognized by name on a beautifully crafted commemorative plaque that will be permanently displayed at the Enzian.

View from Ivanhoe

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When I was at the Palmer Feed Store Grand Opening, Brian OHalloran suggested I do a drawing of the Orlando skyline from a spot on the far side of Lake Ivanhoe. There were no big events going on, or I just didn’t know about them, so I drove to the spot he suggested after I got off work at Full Sail. It was a quiet suburban neighborhood off Princeton near the Shakes, OMA and Science Center. A street circled the lake and the homes had this wonderful view from their front yards.
There was a park bench, so I sat down and started sketching. The sun was setting so the light grew warm. The quiet peaceful scene was shattered for a moment by a speed boat pulling a water skier. A cormorant swam by on the near shoreline. I felt completely relaxed. Now I know why artists do so many landscapes, they don’t have to worry that people will move or just walk away.
Yesterday at the Florida Film Festival I saw an animated clamation film called “Venus“. In the short, a young couple, Caroline and Rasmus, had a passionate relationship, but years later find that they haven’t made love for over four months. Rasmus feels they can remedy the situation by going to a swinger’s club. Caroline is reluctant to go and embarrassed. She is about to leave alone, when another woman in the locker room describes the thrill she feels when men lust for her. Caroline looks at herself in a mirror, then goes back inside and meets a man seated alone who is a bit shy himself. They quietly, then passionately make love. In the meantime, in another room, Ramus finds he can’t perform. Embarrassed, he looks for Caroline and finds her in the throws of passion with a crowd watching. Rasmus sees how beautiful she is and when they get home, the passionate spark is re-ignited between them. This is a very European ending. In America if you knew your partner was with another man, it would end the relationship.

The Search for the Holy Grail

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My wife, Terry, agreed to meet me at the Florida Film Festival to see the Animated Shorts. I got to the Enzian a little before Terry and ordered an Orange Blossom Pilsner. There wasn’t anyone in the box office so I sat at a table and sipped my beer, watching people as they arrived. I waved hello to Kim Robinson from the Mennello Museum. She sat down at my table and began knitting the tiniest baby slipper I have ever seen. She had seen at least ten films already although she stopped keeping count. She essentially takes the week off and sees all the independent films she can. A line started forming for “Single Ticket Holders.” I wondered out loud if there was a line for “Married Ticket Holders.” Kim decided she had better stand in line so she could get a good seat.

Terry arrived and she checked with the box office. The Animated Shorts program was sold out. A woman in blue was at the head of the “Standby Line.” We sat down in the second and third standby spots and waited. The group of people behind us all knew each other. Director Sari Gilman approached from the Eden Bar. She recognized these long lost friends and her face lit up. There were hugs and a quick flurry of conversation as they tried to catch up before the line started moving. Sari is a film maker from San Francisco. Her film “Kings Point” is about the need for companionship and the difficulties of growing old in America, of being alone. Terry and I looked at each other and our eyes grew large. Sari spends most of her time alone in a dark room cutting and editing scenes together. Between screenings of her documentary short, which is half an hour long, she hopes to promote the film. Promoting the finished product is difficult for any artist. The film is being screened one more time on April 21st at 1pm at the Regal Park Village. I will not have a chance to see it since I have class that day.

The line started moving and we made it into the Enzian Theater in Siberia at the back of the theater. An announcer asked someone from Lure Design to stand up. Lure was the sponsor of the Animated program. She then thanked Full Sail and asked Full Sail staff to stand. I remained seated. My favorite animated short was “Notes on Biology.” With stop motion jitter, children entered a classroom, sitting at their desks. Notebooks are opened, some neat and tidy and some a mess. A student starts animating a wheel turning as the teacher drones on about Biology. The notes spark to life when he draws a robot elephant. I learned a new word, ectoecology, which is how an organism abopts to its environment. A Film Festival staple, Levni Yilnaz, entertained with his “Random Observations about Sex.” Animator Bill Plimpton was in the audience and he had two shorts in the show, my favorite being “Summer Bummer“.

After the screenings, there was a free screening of Monti Pithon and the Holy Grail, outside on the brand new inflatable movie screen. The thing looks something like one of those inflatable kids romper rooms or slides. I’ve actually never seen “The Holy Grail”, so I was excited. The film had already started and the hillside lawn next to the Enzian was packed to overflowing. I sat right next to the screen, and looked up the hill at the audience. I couldn’t really see what I was doing but at least I caught an impression of the couples lying on blankets enjoying the show. Terry found me and shouted in my ear that she was going to go. That morning I had my heart carved out with a dull knife. Luckily, it was just a flesh wound and my hand can still put marks down on a page. I finished the sketch in no time flat since I couldn’t see any detail. I looked up at the thin elongated knights on the screen which billowed in the wind. A few drops of rain fell and I left before the movie was over. Someday I hope to see the whole film.

To Kill a Mockingbird

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As part of the Florida Film Festival there was a free outdoor screening of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in Winter Park’s Central Park. The film is 50 years old, which makes us both the same age. I drove to the park straight from Full Sail when it let out at 5PM. The movie wasn’t going to start till around 8PM when it got dark. That left me a whole lot of time to sketch before the movie started. I invited my wife, Terry, to the screening but she was swamped at work. She then changed her mind saying she would meet me for a drink or dinner. I started this sketch to see how far I could get before she arrived. When she did arrive, I abandoned the sketch and we looked for a bar or restaurant. We ended up eating at a Tai restaurant a block away on Park Avenue. The price for a cup of wine was too high so the idea of a drink was abandoned. I ordered Pad Tai and I didn’t particularly like the dish. I had 3 cups of Coke so I would be buzzing like a humming bird when I returned to finish the sketch.

Film Festival staff and volunteers were on the stage setting up the portable movie screen. A series of aluminum struts were pieced together as the outer framework for the screen. Several ropes were threaded over the band shell roof supports and the ropes were pulled tight to raise the screen. The vintage black and white movie was actually a DVD which was inverted and then projected onto the back of the screen. When my sketch was done, I moved closer and watched the movie from backstage. A policeman, two stage hands and later a waitress were the only other people who watched from this vantage point. On the Central Park lawn, couples had picnics with wine and candle light. It was actually chilly and I rubbed my bare arms for warmth.

When the 14 year old Atticus Finch was given a gun by his father, he was told that the urge to shoot at birds would become too great. He could shoot all the Blue Jays he wanted, but he should never shoot a Mockingbird. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

It felt good knowing this film about racism and courage was being shown in Central Florida. When I first moved here over 17 years ago, I went to a counter demonstration, because the KKK were demonstrating at the Jewish Community Center in Maitland. I ended up face to face with the Grand Master or Poo Bah, whatever he was called. He held a huge can of mace, aiming it at my face. Angry, I muttered, “Go ahead.” There were a few police on hand and it would have been nice to see him arrested. Turning the other cheek doesn’t always work but never throw the first punch.

Olive Garden Italian Cinema Night

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This Florida Film Festival staple tasting night has become a beloved ritual for Festival attendees. The tasting reception was preceded by “Marriage Italian Style“, with Sophia Loren, inside the theater. People arrived at Eden Bar for a tasting of Italian treats and delights courtesy of festival supporter Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. Film tickets were $10 each. The tasting reception was complimentary.

I arrived an hour early to block in the sketch composition before the crowd got too thick. I ordered a Orange Blossom Pilsner and sat at a metal table on the sidelines. Volunteers at the Festival this year are wearing bright red shirts that say “Scan me”, with a giant QR code on the back. One volunteer weaved through the crowd with a questionnaire to find out where Festival attendees came from and how much they planned to spend. Another woman approached me and asked if I had a program yet. I didn’t, and I assumed she was going to give me the one she was holding. She had a program and was given a second one. She wanted to sell me her second program, I declined.

Mary Ann De Stefano arrived and she was kind enough to get me several tiny sampler plates. There was a crispy toast with crushed tomatoes on top, a sharp white cheese and some olives. As people arrived there were hugs and compliments. After the tasting there was going to be a screening of “Dead Dad” which is the premiere feature film of FSU student, Ken Adachi. Ken developed an urge to complete a feature length film while working primarily in short formats. New to Los Angeles with limited funds, he and his collaborators embraced a grassroots approach and worked tirelessly to make it happen. The result is “Dead Dad“, Adachi’s feature film debut. I believe that Ken, his family and friends were at the table next to mine judging from the hearty congratulations.

The Artist

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It was a crisp cool evening when I went to see “The Artist” at the Enzian Theater. Since I arrived early, I decided to get a beer at the Eden bar before the screening. All the propane space heaters belched out their blue and yellow flames that then turned the protective grid a bright orange.

Couples slowly arrived as I sketched and I quickly worked them in so my sketch didn’t look too desolate and cold. Invariably people seem to look at their phones more than they look at each other.

“The Artist” was a magnificent black and white film that harkened back to the age of the silent movies. The male lead, named George Valentin, looked just like a young Walt Disney. He was charming and absolutely at home as a star in the silent films. His dog who also made appearances in the silent films was just as much of a ham.

Peppy Miller, a young actress trying to break into the film industry has a chance encounter with him and there were sparks and instant chemistry, they both loved dancing and putting on a good show. The talkies brushed silent movies aside and the George’s career floundered while Peppy rode the new wave. The entire film was silent and it flowed wonderfully, not missing a beat. The one line at the end of the film felt just as iconic as “Rosebud” from Citizen Kane.”

Anyway, the Florida Film Festival is running now through April 22nd. Be sure to get out and rub shoulders with some of the amazing directors and producers from the crop of this years films. It is ten days of film, food and fun. Sadly, like George Valentin, I seem to be out of the loop this year but I will try and get a sketch if I can.

Edward James Olmos

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Alan Arkin was slated to appear at the Florida Film Festival along with a screening of “The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming!” This is one of Terry’s favorite films so she bought a ticket early. He was in a minor car accident which caused some damage to his inner ear so he was unable to fly.

Edward James Olmos stepped in along with a screening of “Stand and Deliver.” I arrived early and a staff member was just changing the marquee sign. The long pole had a suction cup at the end along with a string which, when pulled must have created the suction. Letters stacked on the ground were lifted up one at a time and slipped into the slots, a very analog setup.

I knew the event was sold out so I was nervous that I wouldn’t get in the theater. Just as I finished my sketch, the long line of people started filing into the theater. I went into the lobby with the other press and volunteers who were on stand by. As I waited, Edward entered the lobby. He warmly shook my hand and said how happy he was to be seeing the film again on the large screen.

“Stand and Deliver” was an independent film that was an instant and lasting success. It inspired and offered the hope that teachers can truly make a difference in their students lives. It offered the reassuring promise that if you believe in and trust those you teach, they become trustworthy.

After the film he sat down with Henry Maldonado for an informal interview. When Edward got on the stage, he asked the audience, “Are there any teachers out there?” I raised my hand as did a number of people in the room. He said, “You all should be making a million dollars a year.” People cheered. He went on to point out that the private education system isn’t working in our country. He felt a strong country should have a strong education system.

When discussing his time on “Miami Vice” he was completely honest, saying he didn’t like Don Johnson and he didn’t once look at the actor when filming the series. Olmos didn’t like to sign contracts that were exclusive, not allowing him to pursue independent films. He hated every minute he spent on that tv series and yet that contentious attitude resulted in his becoming a character the TV viewing audience loved to hate.

Speaking about “Stand and Deliver”, Olmos said he spent many hours with the teacher, Jaime Escalante, and he was struck by what an amazing man he was. He expanded the math program he started so he could take on more students. Escalante was visited by presidents and diplomats. His success over time was resented by the other teachers who felt they did not get the recognition they deserved. Because of these jelovsies he eventually had to leave the school and the students he loved. When he was on his death bed he told his wife that he wanted the names of his students placed with him in the casket.

In “Blade Runner” Olmos was the one who was making origami figures while on set, and that idea was incorporated into the film. When he was hired as Admiral Adama for “Battle Star Galactica, he at first didn’t want to take the role. He had never seen the original TV series and he didn’t want to be part of some cheesy science fiction show. After reading the script however he knew this was a project he had to be a part of. Written after 9/11 the scripts were dark and penetrating. At the time the show was written, blogs became prevalent for the first time. After a show aired, there would be a dynamic ongoing online discussion. The writers listened and commented themselves. Thus blogs helped generate new ideas.

His relationship with President Laura Rosling was a bitter contentious power struggle yet transformed into love. The shows theme of redemption and forgiveness resulted in his being invited to speak in the United Nations. The most important message he offered, expressed there and at the Enzian, was that there is no Latino race, there is no Caucasian race, there is no such thing as race as a cultural determinant. There is only one race and that is the human race. When Olmos got up to leave the Enzian stage he turned to the audience and shouted, “So say we all!” He shouted again and again till the whole audience joined in.

Animated Shorts

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Each year, I have to see the animated shorts at the Florida Film Festival. This year Bill Plimpton had a display of artwork from around the world used in his Global Jam. He invited artists to each tackle a scene in their own style from his Academy Award winning film Guard Dog. The invitation went out via the Internet. Bill waited an hour, no response. He waited another hour with no response. He went home depressed. The next day he was told that too many artists responded causing the server to go down. The resulting film was hilarious being even quirkier with all the different looks. Bill said the film cost him $20 to produce with animators around the world volunteering their time.

Anyway, the Animated Shorts screening was sold out. The line stretched back as far as I could see. There was a chance I might not get in, but house manager, Brian Feldman, stepped in and made sure I got a ticket. I found a seat in the very first row. Brian joked and said I should sit on the stage and sketch the audience. I was tempted but really wanted to see some animation. I leaned back and let the screen filled up every inch of my glasses. Tales of Mere Existence by Lev Yilmaz is always in the lineup and is always funny. This year he talked aimlessly about how he had imagined relationships with women in the Ukraine via Facebook. There were a few artsy shorts with no apparent story. I always get annoyed at these aimless films.

My favorite film of the night was “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore“. Though it could use a shorter title, the film is magical. It basically stresses how books offer refuge bringing color and life into people’s lives. The main character was modeled after Buster Keaton. One of the co-directors daughter died, and his wife became paralyzed during production of the film. Moonbot the new studio that made the film is located in Louisiana, so when Hurricane Katrina hit, it ended up becoming a major part of the story. There is something very sad about seeing peoples books in among the rubble of destruction. Several of the story and visual development artists were originally from Orlando but unfortunately I didn’t know them. They asked if anyone in the audience worked at Disney Feature Animation. I started to raise my hand but stopped halfway up thinking “well, not anymore.” Seeing no hands he said, “Damn Michael Eisner.”

Louder Than a Bomb

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I began my evening by going to the Regal Cinemas in Winter Park. I arrived an hour and a half early in order to have some time to sketch before watching films. I walked back to the two theaters that were set aside for the Florida Film Festival. In the hallway student volunteers were waiting around between screenings. Their job was to collect tickets and hand out ballots so the audience could rate the films. While I sketched, Jeremy Seghers and a friend stopped to say hello. Jeremy told me I HAD to see Louder than a Bomb! He was adamant, and he told me I would love it. With a spirited review like that, I had to see this film. I rushed from the Regal to the Enzian theater.

Mr. Happy Man by local filmmaker Matt Morris was screened first. I met Matt, Emma Kruch and Betsy Dye in the theater lobby. Matt wanted to get in early to get a seat for his screening. The volunteers turned him away offering no VIP treatment. This offered me the chance to meet him and shake his hand. He complained that the shoe laces on his sneakers were too long. Betsy dug into her bag and pulled out a crochet needle. She kneeled down and shoved the needle under the crossed laces and then she pulled the looped ends of the knot down underneath. It was a sudden inspired solution that very well could cause a national fashion trend. Mr Happy Man was about an inspiring character, named Johnny Barnes in Bermuda, who stood at a busy intersection each morning shouting out his love and blowing kisses to everyone who drove by. People came to depend on him and were reassured by his constant presence. A sculptor did a life sized bronze statue of him to commemorate his message of love. Here was a man with a simple message we all can learn from. Life is beautiful, don’t waste it being upset or stressed. Let people know you love them.

Louder than a bomb was a documentary about high school students who compete in a spoken word competition. The film followed four students from two different high schools as they prepared for the competition. Steinmetz high was located in an underprivileged section of Chicago. In their neighborhood there were few opportunities. The first year they competed in the slam, they won. They hoped to repeat that performance. Oak Park high school was in the quiet suburbs, a privileged school in comparison.

What made the film so vibrant and vital was the creative spirit and drive of the students. Nova Venerable, a young Indian girl had a father who was a substance abuser. She basically had to raise her little brother since her mom had to work multiple jobs to keep the kids away from the father. Nova had not spoken to her father in years yet her poetry about him was filled with both anger and love. She started high school angry, often fighting with other students. She said, “My life seemed to fit once I started writing.” Her brother, Cody, had special needs, with a form of autism. Her poem about him was filled with the purest love and yet she feared he might forget her when she went away to college. Her poetry was so raw and honest that it would silence the audience.

Adam Gottlieb felt he had grown up privileged since his parents supported him allowing him to pursue his dream. A poem he wrote about the simple act of writing sparked with life. Every line flowed forth, a constant stream of expression, the words piling up in the rapid need to be expressed. The poem poured out of him with such force that he was short of breath. Then he paused for the longest time and said, “poet breathe now.” The audience breathed with him. The audience on the screen erupted in applause as did the audience in the Enzian theater.

Because of the challenges faced by the students from Steinmetz, I found myself rooting for them. Five judges scored the poetry from one to ten points. High and low scores were removed. The final competition came down to a matter of one tenth of a point. There were tears of joy and sorrow. Nate from Steinmetz stressed that the world is bigger than a poetry slam, that the poets should not be afraid to step beyond the papers edge. All the students were learning to be inspired by people that were different than them. They were becoming true students of life. Louder than a Bomb explored the pure joy of students striving for creative expression. They left their hearts on the stage and that is inspiring, a gift to anyone who would listen! The movie audience stood and applauded. I wanted to jump and shout ready to wrestle my own need for creative expression. You need to see this film!