BIFF's Music Man

Before we begin...
Sure the Packers won last night and it was a great game (unless, of course, you were pulling for the Steelers). The commercials are always a draw for us, even if our team's not playing, and this year's crop of mini-movies (that's what they are) was pretty good. The one that's still with us the next day...

"Darth, it was your father..."


Back on point
We're amassing quite an impressive list of filmmaker interviews for the Feb 16th print/web edition of The Lowcountry Weekly showcasing The Beaufort Int'l Film Fest. Next up is American composer, Charles David Denler.

Composer Charles David Denler

Denler will be honored with the Jean Ribaut Award for Excellence in Music for Film at the Feb 19th Awards Gala. Denler's name may not ring as many bells as John Williams or Ennio Morricone, but he's definitely an artist with that sort of potential. Here's a slice of his bio from the BIFF website:

With nearly 100 films and television programs to his credit, Charles' multiple Emmy Award-winning music can be heard all over the world. His ability to work in a wide variety of genres, and his collaborative work sense, has made him a top choice among producers and directors. Charles' classical training and strong proficiency with contemporary sound allow him great flexibility and versatility as a composer.

You can check out the Emmy winning composer's resume and sample his work right here and enjoy Denler's funky score for this short animated film:

We'd like to think that maybe one day soon we'll sit back in a darkened movie theater and munch our popcorn to Denler's score for a feature film shot in the Lowcountry...

- Mark Shaffer

Sound And Vision

This has absolutely nothing to do with movies or even the Beaufort Int'l Film Fest. It's just a great song and kind of our unofficial theme for BIFF 2011...

...and yet film is very defninitley a marriage of sound and vision. During the recent Beaufort Film Society event at Saltus we were briefly party to a conversation between a pair of film professionals, one an accomplished cinematographer and the other a much sought after sound designer and editor. Of course, the good-natured argument centered around which was more important - literally - sound or vision? They can argue the point until Megan Fox's Oscar speech. The ultimate answer is that sound and vision are co-dependent in the modern age of film.

Which brings us to one of the finalists in the Feature Film category, Beaufort's own Michael Givens Angel Camouflaged. Michael wrote, directed and photographed the movie. And since music is a big part, we're pretty sure he appreciated his sound editor, too.

Michael tells us his leading lady, Dilana, is flying in from South Africa for BIFF. Frankly, we're slightly terrified at the prospect.

 
Read the Lowcountry Weekly interview with Michael here and link to the BIFF website for schedule and ticket. Buy now, don't wait.

Boffo Night for BIFF at Saltus

That's Lantz Price, Demi Moore and Chip Dinkins at the Feb 3rd Saltus event for the Beaufort International Film Festival and the Beaufort Film Society. Demi's the only one who looks like she's not having any fun, probably because she's only a one dimensional projection. But we're not here to criticize her acting abilities...

BIFF's Ron Tucker. Lowcountry Weekly Editor, Margaret Evans

We're here to praise everyone who showed up to make the night a big blazing success and sample a phenomenal menu by Chef Brian Waters.

Chef Brian Waters, Adagio Creative's Carrie Carper and Saltus G.M. Tony Otero

This was a great warm up for the 5th annual BIFF and we've got plenty of surprises to come. Stay tuned...
Meanwhile mark your calendar for the evening of Feb 18th for the SC premier of Lt. Dan Band: For The Common Good with director Jonathan Flora...

We'll see you at the movies.

For Love of the Movies, etc.

Here's the plan: 
Eventually this blog will migrate to The Lowcountry Weekly homepage and end up here - hopefully before BIFF. We're sussing out some nagging software issues regarding video. So until further notice we'll stay put 'cause we have video...

There are few organizations on the planet as dedicated to the art and preservation of film than The American Film Institute. The AFI is also relentlessly dedicated to the real reason most of us lay down the money at the theater: the shear fun of the movies. Each year the AFI honors achievement in film & television. They also put together these magnificently edited montages. Enjoy a few favorites in preparation for the Beaufort International Film Festival:

Check out the AFI Website for more or search AFI on YourTube. See you at the movies.

The Official Film Fest Cocktail

CHILL OUT

It's light, it's refreshing, it's alcoholic and it's green. What more could you ask for in a beverage?

Behold the first official cocktail of The Beaufort International Film Festival, The Big Chill.

This custom concoction is the brainchild of Saltus Head Bartender, Marlowe Dickens. It is fully guaranteed to take the hurt out of your William Hurt (or perhaps make it hurt more, we don't know). What we do know is that The Big Chill is exclusively enjoyable at Saltus River Grill and is the featured cocktail at this Thursday's BIFF Benefit Dinner (Feb 3) and at the officially sanctioned BIFF After Party on February 19th.

Seating is limited for this Thursday's event. Don't miss out make reservations now. Here's the rundown:

The 2011 Beaufort International Film Festival will be held February 16-20. Click here for more info.

JOIN US FOR A WINE DINNER  IN CELEBRATION OF THE BEAUFORT INT'L FILM FESTIVAL Beaufort Int'l Film Festival Benefit Dinner   @Saltus River Grill, 802 Bay St. 7 p.m. February 3   $50 plus tax & gratuity $10 per paid customer to benefit The Beaufort Int'l Film Festival Reservations: 379-3474 Course 1 Signature Crab Bisque Frei Brothers Russian River Chardonnay Course 2 Local Arugula Salad, Pickled Red Onion, Shaved Parmesan, Sherry Vinaigrette. Glazebrook New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Course 3 Braised Beef Short Ribs, Stewed Tomatoes, Creamy Grits, House Made Buttermilk Cheese. Rock and Vine California Cabernet Sauvignon   Course 4 "Banana Pudding" Vanilla Sabayon layered with Benne Seed Wafers, Fresh Bananas, Whipped Cream.  Lunetta Prosecco, Italy