THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED MAKE THIS A GREAT YEAR!
AND BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE FOR 2011!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Arriving late, hungry and tired, having braved snow, delays, and the absence of good food on airplanes, Chef Tiffany, plus Greg and Judy from The Black Angus Grill at the Wyndham Nassau Resort on the Bahamas, revived our spirits with world-class hospitality and excellent food!
Huge Thanks!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
The last weeks of this Congress were called a "lame duck" session, and perhaps 100 members will not be returning.
But, in fact, this Congress was one of the most productive, important, and successful since the New Deal, with the last weeks full of amazing accomplishments.
Among the early successes of this Congress were legislation to
- Improve the health care system
- Stabilize the economy
- Improve regulation of the financial markets
This legislation was the result of extremely hard work, fashioning bills that could survive a wide range of views in the Democratic Party, and implacable Republican opposition.
Successes in the last days of the session included...
- Ratification of the arms treaty
- Health benefits for 9/11 First Responders
- Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell
- Unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed
- Continued tax breaks for the middle class.
The price for this was to make rich people a little richer.
Despite these results, many of the Congressmen who helped make these bills into law are going home, not to return.
Given the legislative success, the failure of this Congress to appeal to voters is largely, I believe, due to the lack of public charisma in the leaders, Harry Reid & Nancy Pelosi. Getting legislation through Congress is only part of the job. The other part is to win the support of the public. They may be terrific legislators, but they are not good at communicating with the voters. Indeed they were not good at selling the "Media" either, which berated Congress (and the President) constantly during the last two years.
Killing the Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs, did not produce instant gold, it prevented more golden eggs from being laid. Similarly reducing the Democratic presence in Congress will not produce more great legislation, it will make it much harder to legislate anything.
Great credit should be given to President Obama whose willingness to compromise, and sheer determination, were critical in winning passage of so much needed legislation.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Patricia Wen, a Boston Globe reporter, was online to discuss her 3 part series on disabilities in the Boston Globe.
The articles appeared Sunday thru Tuesday, Dec 12-14.
Here are links to the stories (they may require registration to access -- and may bring up pop-up ads):
ABOUT THE STORY...
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/12/boston_globe_criticizes_antipo.html
THE CHAT
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/12/globes_patricia.html
http://www.boston.com/news/health/specials/SSI_Day_2_Live_chat/?p1=News_links
SUMMARY OF THE STORIES AND LINKS
http://www.boston.com/news/health/specials/New_Welfare/
ARTICLE 1 - SUNDAY DEC 12, 2010 BOSTON GLOBE
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/12/12/with_ssi_program_a_legacy_of_unintended_side_effects/
ARTICLE 2 - MONDAY DEC 13, 2010 BOSTON GLOBE
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/12/13/follow_up_process_lacking_in_ssi_disability_program/
ARTICLE 3 - TUESDAY DEC 14, 2010 BOSTON GLOBE
http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/12/14/teenagers_in_ssi_program_face_a_cruel_dilemma/
Friday, December 10, 2010
Julie Taymor's THE TEMPEST, a film adapted from her own stage production of Shakespeare's play, provides a simple, beautiful, richly symbolic, clear, contemporary interpretation of this dramatic and fantastic classic. Taymor's version steers a clear path between the multiple traps of over-hammy acting or poor acting, overly mysterious or banal presentation, and simple confusion or over-interpretation, threading through with sensible and considered storytelling, modern acting, and a rich visual style that serves the film well.
It's a hard play to do, and a very hard play to film.
To be sure, the film was made on a shoestring, and in some places the bare bones are evident, notably the initial tempest. But for the most part, the film looked very good, and shooting the film in Hawaii provided a natural wild and beautiful location.
Using busy actors also reduced the amount of time available for rehearsals and in some cases made improvisation necessary. But Julie Taymor, who is one of the few true genius directors, made some of these problems into virtues.
Notably, Ariel was not available to shoot with the others in Hawaii, leading to the unique and -- mostly -- successful overlay of Ariel superimposed and added to the film separately. The nude but sexless Ariel was only slightly strange -- more for being sexless than nude.
Casting Helen Mirren as Prospera was the plan from the beginning. Changing Prospero (a man) to Prospera (for Helen) was seemless. Her performance was central and perfectly natural. The gender shift was/is a non-issue.
All the acting was very fine. This is perhaps surprising, since many actors were more or less new to Shakespeare and, as mentioned above, due to the small budget and their busy careers, rehearsal time was very limited. But when the director understands a play, actors can bring their performance into line; and one part of Taymor's genius is that she understands the story she is telling.
Another part of her genius is visual story-telling (she was known for her visual direction before she was known as a director), which is how on a small budget she succeeded in making a visually strong film.
Julie Taymor (who will be 58 next Wednesday -- born Dec 15, 1952) studied mythology and folklore in college, and then worked in puppetry. Her approach to Shakespeare (in Titus and The Tempest), both to the actors and to the visual style, seems to derive much of its force from this background.
Julie Taymor, of course, is presently in previews for Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, the most ambitious Broadway show of all time. If succesful, it will merge incredibly difficult and dangerous visual effects (quite a few injuries so far), with a mythic story.
THE TEMPEST was shown at the New York Film Festival (NYFF) and Julie Taymor appeared in several events talking about the film.
At the NYFF Press Conference
Photo by Eric Roffman
Here's an interview with Julie Taymor at the New York Film Festival Press Conference:
Thursday, December 9, 2010
TILDE
a café with an accent on science and the world
PRESENTS
MATH, MUSIC & MIND
A discussion led by
Professor Ian Quinn
Music Department
Yale University
Saturday, December 18, 2010, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Blackstone Memorial Library
758 Main St, Branford CT
Professor Ian Quinn
Music Department
Yale University
Saturday, December 18, 2010, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Blackstone Memorial Library
758 Main St, Branford CT
Math, Music and Mind, the three M's, have been discussed in the context of each other quite extensively. Although under general academic "norms" they are listed under science, art, and humanities respectively, they are uniquely interconnected, particularly in the context of perception.
The widely read Godel, Escher and Bach (Douglas Hofstadter) has been hailed as an exposition of concepts that are central to mathematics, music and the mind.
Professor Ian Quinn will give us his take on the unique aspects between Math, Music and Mind and about the possibilities of there being a common thread between them.
Deepti Pradhan
Photo by Eric Roffman
The Tilde Cafe is organized by Dr. Deepti Pradhan from Yale, as a casual place to discuss interesting and entertaining science. It's a cafe for the public - for everyone!
To ensure adequate seating. please click here if you plan to attend:
http://www.tildecafe.org/Home/number-attending-next-cafe-discussion
Photo by Eric Roffman
The Tilde Cafe is organized by Dr. Deepti Pradhan from Yale, as a casual place to discuss interesting and entertaining science. It's a cafe for the public - for everyone!
To ensure adequate seating. please click here if you plan to attend:
http://www.tildecafe.org/Home/number-attending-next-cafe-discussion
If you come around 2.45 p.m. you will not only have time to find a comfortable seat, but will also have an opportunity to purchase a beverage and/or eats from Lisa, of the acclaimed Lisa Theresa's Deli in Branford!
What: TILDE SCIENCE CAFE
Who: Professor Ian Quinn, Music Department, Yale University
Why: Math, Music & Mind
When: Saturday, December 18, 2010, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St, Branford CT
Who: Professor Ian Quinn, Music Department, Yale University
Why: Math, Music & Mind
When: Saturday, December 18, 2010, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Blackstone Memorial Library, 758 Main St, Branford CT
LINKS--
Blackstone:
http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/
Tilde Cafe:
http://www.tildecafe.org/
Past cafe discussions:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tildecafe#g/p
http://www.blackstone.lioninc.org/
Tilde Cafe:
http://www.tildecafe.org/
Past cafe discussions:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tildecafe#g/p
Saturday, December 4, 2010
SNL tonight with Robert DeNiro was a rather dreary evening 'til the end. The Open got in a few good shots at WikiLeaks. DeNiro's Opening Monologue was funny. Most of the skits were lame. Through the night there were too many DeNiro-is-a-good-sport skits. The worst featured DeNiro and a look-exactly-alike for Robin Williams sitting there at an interview doing nothing while the interviewer & friends did mad-stupid musical-dancy numbers. (Couldn't think which SNL regular it was doing a dead-on Robin; I'd of thought it was Robin himself except he looked in such good shape and was so quiet... the real Robin would've out-mad-danced the mad dancers. DeNiro even kept up the act... at the end thanking "Robin Williams". Must've been Robin Williams doing an impression of a quiet, fit Robin Williams. )
(It's sometimes hard telling real celebrities from look-similars, especially when they don't say or do anything that evokes their aura... Just this afternoon I walked passed a woman who looked exactly like what Jennifer Aniston would look like if she were not a movie/TV star. Was it Jennifer in disguise as a real civilian? Or a real civilian with the Aniston look?)
But after almost an hour and a half of beginning to question why I was still watching, SNL came up with one of their memorable winners. Joined by (the real) Ben Stiller, in a bar with terrible service, DeNiro answered the question, "Who do I have to screw to get a drink around here?"
Here's the full sketch from SNL (which they politely call, "It's a Living"):
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live//video/It's A Living/1263416
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Life is mostly composed of the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Sulfur, and Phosphorus. And these are all generally taken to be essential to life. Phosphorus contributes to the backbone of the DNA double helix, and to energy related molecules, among its many functions. Arsenic is chemically similar to Phosphorus but heavier, and somewhat different in the strength of its chemical bonds. Most living things, when Arsenic is available may substitute Arsenic for Phosphorus in some of their body's molecules, but then their body's chemical reactions go awry and the organism dies.
Felisa Wolfe-Simon (a scientist working with the NASA Astrobiology Institute, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA) and her co-workers have isolated or created a bacterium that is able to substitute Arsenic for Phosphorus and survive in an environment that is very rich in Arsenic and very weak in Phosphorus. (or pure Arsenic?)
The existence of life with chemistry significantly different from all other forms of life previously known obviously expands the possibilities for finding new life forms on Earth, and also in extra-terrestrial environments. It per-force widens the field of search.
There are many obvious questions. For example:
1 - Does this bacterium in its natural habitat substitute Arsenic for Phosphorus, or is the presence of Arsenic in its body an artifact or creation of the isolation process? In other words is this an old bacterium with Arsenic or a new form of life created in the Petri dish and the test tube?
1a - Does the bacterium directly from the pond survive in a pure Arsenic environment? Does the isolated bacterium survive in a pure Arsenic environment?
2 - Recent investigations have suggested there is a single ancestor for all life on earth (http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/59133/title/All_present-day_life_arose_from_a_single_ancestor). Is this result a refutation of that study? Or is this bacterium a descendent of that ancestor that has developed special powers? Or (again) is this a new life form?
3 - Results announced at highly hyped news conferences and on the front page of major newspapers have a depressing history of turning out to be not quite right. Will this Arsenic endowed bacterium result survive the inevitable massive effort to extend or disprove it?
(Note 12/5/2010 -- Here's one example of a skeptical post with a critique of the way the results are stated and checked. It's not a refutation, but a call for more tests and clearer descriptions - http://rrresearch.blogspot.com/2010/12/arsenic-associated-bacteria-nasas.html. Science works properly when results are obtained, described, and explained, and then the results are tested to obtain new, more complete results, and then these are described and explained.)
4 - If Arsenic can be substituted for Phosphorus in a living organism, can other substitutions be possible? Obviously Silicon for Carbon would be of great interest. (If the "organ" in "organic" stands for Carbon, then would a Silicon based life form be a "silicism"?) Also, Sulphur for Oxygen! (Some environments on Earth - and Venus - for example, are rich in hostile Sulphuric compounds.)
5 – After some confusion, the Press Conference seemed clear that this bacterium uses both Arsenic and Phosphorus. The substitution is not complete. Thus, would it be correct to say that, at least so far, it remains true that elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Sulfur, and Phosphorus are ALL necessary for life?
One major result that is still lacking is the X-Ray diffraction confirmation of the Arsenic imbued DNA. (Note... X-Ray diffraction studies by Rosalind Franklin of normal DNA was just recently the subject of PHOTOGRAPH 51, by Anna Ziegler, an EST / SLOAN theatrical production at the Ensemble Studio Theatre.)
There is no "SCIENCE of Unintended Consequences," just random warnings about the possible hazards of particular developments from some people, and vague assurances about their safety from others. The possibility of an entire new branch of biochemistry (essentially alien to all previously understood biochemistry) suggested by the video news conference about this result, should be one good reason for a scientific process of dealing with the ramifications of new technology.
(The possibility of alien chemistry life forms might permit one horror-story alien possibility: A strange life-form in space that senses electromagnetic radiations from a planet (eg Radio & TV radiating out into space) and then homes in on the planet to consume it).
Felisa Wolfe-Simon is attractive, enthusiastic, well-spoken, knowledgeable and bright. She is (and this can be bad or good, media-wise -- and irrelevant scientifically) cutesy, with a sly smile, somewhat egotistical (with a tendency to say "I" when "we" would be better, and to reference great scientific milestones), argumentative, and somewhat scientifically not-quite-clear-and-accurate when not speaking technically.
She came to the Press Conference well prepared, with clear visual back-up material. As a media personality and scientific spokesperson and advocate, Felisa may have a very bright future. (Video of the whole Press Conference is embedded below.)
The paper is published in SCIENCE, the journal of the AAAS. Unfortunately, the paper, while online, is not free, and requires either membership in the AAAS ($99 & up depending on your stage of life) or a fee for 24 hour use of the one paper on one computer. (Or wait a week or two for the December 2, 2010 SCIENCE magazine to reach your library.)
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2010/12/01/science.1197258#aff-1
Felisa had speculated earlier on the possibility of finding Arsenic tolerant bacteria. (The following paper is also not available online for free):
Did Nature Also Choose Arsenic?
International Journal of Astrobiology (2009), 8: 69-74 Cambridge University Press doi: 10.1017/S1473550408004394
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5981644
Here's the video of the Astrobiology Press Conference (followed by an earlier video from Dutch TV talking about what Felisa hopes to find in her work).
Here's the video, from a Dutch TV program, of Felisa talking about what she is trying to do in her studies...
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Nominees & Winners
The 20th Anniversary
Gotham Independent Film Awards
Director Darren Aronofsky, actors Hilary Swank and Robert Duvall, and Focus Features CEO James Schamus were not only nominated, they've already won honorary awards!
The (other) winners will be announced Monday, November 29th at Cipriani Wall Street. UPDATED AND REPUBLISHED TUESDAY NOVEMBER 30 WITH THE WINNERS MARKED IN BOLD DARK RED!
The ceremony will be hosted by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson.
I've indicated with an arrow ==> some films that I think are especially interesting, and may even win!
BEST FEATURE
==>Black Swan
Darren Aronofsky, director; Mike Medavoy, Arnold W. Messer, Brian Oliver, Scott Franklin, producers (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Blue Valentine
Derek Cianfrance, director; Jamie Patricof, Lynette Howell, Alex Orlovsky, producers (The Weinstein Company)
The Kids Are All Right
Lisa Cholodenko, director; Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Celine Rattray, Jordan Horowitz, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Philippe Hellmann, producers (Focus Features)
Let Me In
Matt Reeves, director; Simon Oakes, Alex Brunner, Guy East, Tobin Armbrust, Donna Gigliotti, John Nording, Carl Molinder, producers (Overture Films)
==>Winter’s Bone
Debra Granik, director; Anne Rosellini, Alix Madigan-Yorkin, producers (Roadside Attractions)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
12th & Delaware
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, directors/producers (HBO Documentary Films)
==>Inside Job
Charles Ferguson, director; Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs, producers (Sony Pictures Classics)
The Oath
Laura Poitras, director/producer (Zeitgeist Films and American Documentary/POV)
Public Speaking
Martin Scorsese, director; Martin Scorsese, Graydon Carter, Margaret Bodde, Fran Lebowitz, producers (HBO Documentary Films)
Sweetgrass
Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Ilisa Barbash, directors; Ilisa Barbash, producer (Cinema Guild)
BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
The Kids Are All Right
Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Hutcherson (Focus Features)
Life During Wartime
Shirley Henderson, Ciarán Hinds, Allison Janney, Michael Lerner, Chris Marquette, Rich Pecci, Charlotte Rampling, Paul Reubens, Ally Sheedy, Dylan Riley Snyder, Renée Taylor, Michael Kenneth Williams (IFC Films)
Please Give
Catherine Keener, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Rebecca Hall, Ann Guilbert, Lois Smith, Sarah Steele, Thomas Ian Nicholas (Sony Pictures Classics)
==>Tiny Furniture
Lena Dunham, Laurie Simmons, Grace Dunham, Rachel Howe, Merritt Wever, Amy Seimetz, Alex Karpovsky, David Call, Jemima Kirke, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Garland Hunter, Isen Hunter (IFC Films)
==>Winter’s Bone
Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Dale Dickey, Lauren Sweetser, Garret Dillahunt, Kevin Breznahan (Roadside Attractions)
BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR
John Wells for The Company Men (The Weinstein Company)
Kevin Asch for Holy Rollers (First Independent Pictures)
Glenn Ficarra and John Requa for I Love You Phillip Morris (Roadside Attractions)
Tanya Hamilton for Night Catches Us (Magnolia Pictures)
==>Lena Dunham for Tiny Furniture (IFC Films)
BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
Prince Adu in Prince of Broadway (Elephant Eye Films)
Ronald Bronstein in Daddy Longlegs (IFC Films)
Greta Gerwig in Greenberg (Focus Features)
==>Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone (Roadside Attractions)
John Ortiz in Jack Goes Boating (Overture Films)
BEST FILM NOT PLAYING AT A THEATER NEAR YOU
Kati with an i
Robert Greene, director; Douglas Tirola, Susan Bedusa, producers
Littlerock
Mike Ott, director; Frederick Thornton, Laura Ragsdale, Sierra Leoni, producers
==>On Coal River
Francine Cavanaugh and Adams Wood, directors; Jillian Elizabeth, Adams Wood, Francine Cavanaugh, producers
Summer Pasture
Lynn True and Nelson Walker, directors/producers; Tsering Perlo, co-director/co-producer
The Wolf Knife
Laurel Nakadate, director/producer
FESTIVAL GENIUS AUDIENCE AWARD: Waiting For Superman
IFC HOME PAGE: http://www.ifc.com/
Saturday, November 27, 2010
BIOCOMPUTING WITH BACTERIA & VIRUSES
E Coli bacteria are genetically engineered to act as a switch, while viruses that the bacteria emit act to transmit information to other bacteria. In effect, the bacteria acts as a switch; the virus acts as current.
To top it off, other bacteria are engineered to express particular colors when they are in the presence of appropriate viruses emitted by bacteria.
So the bacterial system, using bacteria as a switch and display device. with viruses to transmit information, is engineered both to act as a computer / logic system and as a display system.
HERE'S A GENERAL DESCRIPTION
http://scienceblogs.com/webeasties/2010/11/problem_solving_bacteria.php?utm_source=selectfeed&utm_medium=rss
HERE'S THE ABSTRACT OF THE PAPER
http://2010.igem.org/Team:UT-Tokyo/Sudoku_abstract
HERE'S SOME MORE INFORMATION FROM THE PAPER
http://2010.igem.org/Team:UT-Tokyo/Sudoku_construct
Thursday, November 18, 2010
There are two kinds of optimists:
=1=> The first kind sees... the glass half full.
=2=> The second kind sees... half the glass just waiting to be filled with more good stuff!
A good entrepreneur is a careful type-2 optimist. They will see the opportunity, but know it will not come easy. They will prepare and study every possibility before proceeding.
A bad entrepeneur will be an overoptimistic type-2. They'll think they'll succeed, and so ignore all the details.
A bad gambler is much the same kind of over-optimist: they'll buy a stack of tickets for the lottery. After the numbers are drawn, before they check the results, they'll secretly hope nobody won... because then the pot will be bigger for them to win on the next draw.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The ultimate, entertaining, benefit party of the Theatrical Holiday Season is the LABYRINTH THEATER CELEBRITY CHARADES & DINNER.
CELEBRITY CHARADES & DINNER
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6th
ST. PAUL'S HALL
Columbus Avenue at 60th Street
New York City
6:30 PM VIP RECEPTION & DINNER
In recognition of their outstanding dedication to LAByrinth Theater Company, the 2010 Dave Hoghe Award will be presented to THE PUBLIC THEATER.
8:00 PM MAIN EVENT
Live Auction: Bid for our priceless packages, including a chance to play Charades with the stars.
Celebrity Charades: Four Celebrity teams battle for victory in a fearsome and hilarious speed charades competition.
PLAYERS INCLUDE (subject, of course, to continuing availability)
Leslie Bibb, Bobby Cannavale, Josh Charles, Erika Christensen, Billy Crudup, Rachel Dratch, Oskar Eustis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Juliette Lewis, Jesse L. Martin, Christopher Meloni, Sam Rockwell, Cynthia Rowley, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Julia Stiles, Justin Theroux, Yul Vazquez, Kristen Wiig, David Zayas
(PLUS NEW PLAYERS THAT MAY BE ADDED AT ANY TIME... KEEP WATCH!)
LABYRINTH THEATER
CELEBRITY CHARADES & DINNER
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6th
ST. PAUL'S HALL
Columbus Avenue at 60th Street
New York City
for tickets & complete information:
http://labtheater.org/support/specialevents.html
Sunday, November 14, 2010
In this article:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=demonic-device-converts-inform
it is suggested that information is used to "generate energy from information." Later on in the article, the claim is modified to:
"The experiment does not actually violate the second law of thermodynamics, because in the system as a whole, energy must be consumed by the equipment -- and the experimenters -- to monitor the bead and switch the voltage as needed. But it does show that information can be used as a medium to transfer energy."
But even this claim seems too much, sort of. In exactly the same sense, every time someone invents and builds a motor, they are using information to transfer energy. It seems to me that all that is going on in this experiment is that the authors are building and operating a motor.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
SNL with Scarlett Johansson (11/14/2010) was above average. There were more than the usual number of funny and very funny pieces; fewer duds.
Scarlett was very good: she was game for anything, her timing was perfect, and she was always in character, and funny. Some of the new cast members got significant airtime and did well.
But one piece stood out, way out: The star of the show was the riotous version of UNSTOPPABLE with Scarlett. New cast member Jay Pharoah as Denzel (I think it was Jay -- it might almost have been Denzel) was terrific. It was one of the best written skits ever. And perfectly executed. It's a new, classic SNL skit; it joins the pantheon.
SOME LINKS
Scarlett Johansson on IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424060/
Scarlett Johansson on WIKIPEDIA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlett_Johansson
SNL
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/
SNL - Jay Pharoah
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/bios/jay-pharoah.shtml
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
From KISSES, CHLOE
On the Red Carpet Opening Night at HIFF 2010
Mikal Evans, the actress and singer who contributed lovely songs and sophisticated acting to the indie film KISSES, CHLOE at The Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF 2010) will be in concert Thursday, Nov 11, 2010 9:00 PM at the Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 1) in New York City.
http://mikalevansband.wordpress.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mikalmevans
with Michael League, Bob Lanzetti, and Glen Grossman
THURSDAY NOV 11th 9:00 PM
ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL - Stage 1
154 Allen st. Between Houston and Stanton
For (much) more about HIFF 2010...
QPORIT: HIFF 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Several very interesting programs for Filmmakers, Screenwriters, Playwrights and Bloggers are currently accepting submissions during November.
We've compiled some information about six different programs.
Some (but not all) of these programs are especially interested in projects that relate to science.
SCREENWRITER'S LAB AT HIFF
Screenwriters - especially, but not only, screenplays with a scientific orientation
CINEREACH GRANTS
Filmmakers
THE DISPOSABLE FILM FESTIVAL
Filmmakers with "disposable" hardware
ANTHOLOGY OF THE BEST SCIENCE BLOG STORIES
Science Bloggers
ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATER EST / SLOAN PROJECT
Playwrights with science oriented plays
Note: Special event! Tuesday November 9: ARTIST CULTIVATION EVENT
RED BULL THEATER
Short Play Festival
More details on each of these programs follows:
Earlybird DEADLINE: December 3, 2010
Regular DEADLINE: December 22, 2010
Late DEADLINE: January 7, 2011
WAB Extended DEADLINE: January 21, 2011
Submissions are now open for the 2011 Screenwriters Lab at the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF), supported by the Sloan Foundation. The 11th Annual HIFF Screenwriters’ Lab will take place April 15-17, 2011 in East Hampton, New York. Submit your script via Withoutabox.com:
https://www.withoutabox.com/login/5850.
(Note: Registration/login is required for withoutabox. WITHOUTABOX is a (probably, the) leading site for filmmakers (writers, directors, producers) to discover opportunities and submit films and screenplays to film festivals and film contests.)
"HIFF seeks a broad selection of screenplays addressing a wide subject matter."
"Additionally, in collaboration with The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s initiative in furthering the public understanding of science, HIFF encourages you to submit screenplays that explore science, technology, mathematics, invention, and engineering in fresh and innovative ways. "
HIFF
http://www.hamptonsfilmfest.org/
SCREENWRITERS' LAB
http://hamptonsfilmfest.org/2010/11/2011-screenwriters-lab-submissions-now-open/
WITHOUTABOX SUBMISSIONS
https://www.withoutabox.com/login/5850.
QPORIT ON THE SLOAN SCREENPLAY READINGS AT HIFF 2010
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/sloan-foundation-at-hiff-2010-beyond.html
DEADLINE: December 1, 2010
Cinereach is now accepting applications for the Winter 2011 Grant Cycle!
Apply online by December 1st, 2010 to be considered for support.
"Cinereach supports feature-length nonfiction and fiction films that are at the intersection of engaging storytelling, visual artistry, and vital subject matter. Our grantees’ films often possess an independent spirit, depict underrepresented perspectives, and resonate across international boundaries. They favor story over message, character over agenda, and complexity over duality."
"Grant amounts can range from $5,000 – $50,000 per project and can be awarded to support any stage of production including research and development, production and post-production."
ABOUT CINEREACH
http://www.cinereach.org/about
"Cinereach is a not-for-profit film production company and foundation that champions vital stories, artfully told. Created and led by young philanthropists, entrepreneurs and filmmakers, Cinereach empowers fiction and nonfiction filmmakers from all over the world through Grants & Awards, The Reach Film Fellowship, an internal Productions department, and through partnerships with the Sundance Institute and other organizations. Since 2006, Cinereach has disbursed over $4 million to more than 80 projects at the intersection of engaging storytelling, visual artistry and vital subject matter."
GRANT SUBMISSIONS
http://www.cinereach.org/cinereach-grants-submissions-open-now
FAQ
http://www.cinereach.org/grants/frequently-asked-questions
RESOURCES FOR FILMMAKERS
http://www.cinereach.org/grants/resources
DEADLINE: November 30, 2010
•Disposable media must be central and integral to the film.
•Use of multiple devices is encouraged but by no means necessary
•Submissions must be under 10 minutes
•Submissions must be accompanied by a non-refundable submission fee of $.99
Selection Criteria
Selections will be equally judged on the inventive and experimental use of the media as well as the content of the film.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
http://disposablefilmfest.com/submit/
FAQ
http://disposablefilmfest.com/faq/
This is a printed (ie on paper made from dead trees) anthology.
You can nominate as many entries as you wish, written by you or others. Each needs to be originally published as a blog post between 12-01-09 and 12-01-10 to be eligible.
"We want to see entries that discuss all areas of science, nature, environment, technology, health and medicine, as well as “meta” topics ranging from the Life in Academia, to women/minorities in science, to the intersection between science and policy (and politics) or religion, to skepticism, to history, philosophy and sociology of science, to the analysis of the science publishing world or science communication/journalism, to personal stories by scientists, to patient stories by physicians/nurses (or patients)."
"The target audience of the anthology is lay audience. Actually, the target audience for the book is even more lay than the usual readers of science blogs. These books are supposed to be given as presents to your Mom, or your non-science friends, to show them both that science is cool and that there is great writing on blogs. So, when choosing which posts to enter, look for those that are gripping and exciting and also easy to understand by just about everyone."
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
http://blog.coturnix.org/2010/03/29/you_can_now_start_submitting_y/
THE 2009 ANTHOLOGY
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-open-laboratory-2009/6404707
EST / SLOAN PROJECT
DEADLINE: December 1, 2010 (FOR ATTENDEES OF THE ARTIST CULTIVATION EVENT)
"The EST/Sloan Project commissions, develops and presents new works delving into how we view and are affected by the scientific world. These plays examine the struggles and challenges scientists and engineers face from moral issues to the consequences of their discoveries."
"The Project is designed to stimulate artists to create credible and compelling work exploring the worlds of science and technology and to challenge existing stereotypes of scientists and engineers in the popular imagination. The Project commissions and develops new works throughout EST’s developmental season, including one Mainstage Production, as well as workshops and readings in an annual festival called FIRST LIGHT."
THE ARTIST CULTIVATION EVENT
"Each year EST/Sloan invites playwrights to join a panel of scientists and science journalists at EST to discuss science advancements, developments, and the stories that might make great plays. The event is designed to stir and inspire theatre artists to consider issues of science in their work, and to encourage writers to develop projects that may benefit from EST/Sloan support."
Panelists include Mike Daisey, Robin Marantz Henig, Dennis Overbye, Deepti Pradhan and Daniela Schiller. A reception will follow the event.
Tuesday, November 9 at 7pm
at the Ensemble Studio Theatre
549 W 52nd St., between 10th & 11th Aves.
Tickets are free, but reservations are strongly recommended.
Reserve your spot by e-mailing boxoffice@ensemblestudiotheatre.org.
WHILE THE REGULAR DEADLINE HAS PASSED, Playwrights who attend THE ARTIST CULTIVATION EVENT may submit proposals to the EST/Sloan Project with an extended deadline of December 1.
Here's a link to details about the EST / Sloan Artist Cultivation Event:
http://ensemblestudiotheatre.org/2010-artist-cultivation-event/
EST / Sloan presents plays, makes commissions, and holds an annual "First Light" festival of readings.
EST / Sloan is currently presenting PHOTOGRAPH 51, by Anna Zeigler.
PHOTOGRAPH 51
Photo credit: Gerry Goodstein
Here is a list of past EST/Sloan productions
STALIN'S EMBALMERS
Photo credit: Gerry Goodstein
2010 - Lenin’s Embalmers by Vern Thiessen
2009 - End Days by Deborah Zoe Laufer
2008 - Lucy by Damien Atkins
2007 - Serendib by David Zellnik*
2006 - Relativity by Cassandra Medley*
2005 - Luminescence Dating by Carey Perloff
2004 - Tooth and Claw by Michael Hollinger
2003 - String Fever by Jacquelyn Reingold*
2002 - The Secret Order by Bob Clyman
2001 - Louis Slotin Sonata by Paul Mullin*
2000 - Moving Bodies by Arthur Giron*
1999 - Tesla’s Letters by Jeffrey Stanley
1997 - Flight by Arthur Giron*
Here is a link to information about past EST/Sloan Commissions:
http://ensemblestudiotheatre.org/programs/estsloan-project/past-estsloan-project-commissions/
Here is a link to a general description of the EST / Sloan Project:
http://ensemblestudiotheatre.org/programs/estsloan-project/
Red Bull Theater seeks new 10-minute plays for the spring short play reading day.
"New plays of no more than 10 pages, written in heightened language, in verse, with classic themes, adaptations of classics, or that otherwise fit our mission and history are welcome. "
BOBOOBLOG (UNOFFICIAL) DESCRIPTION
http://bobooblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/red-bull-theater-open-submissions-for.html
RED BULL OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION
http://www.redbulltheater.com/Collaborate
Friday, November 5, 2010
Jill Clayburgh has passed away at 66 after a long battle with leukemia.
I took a master class (acting with camera) with Jill at HB Studio some years ago. She was a brilliant and supportive teacher. She had elegance and grace. Jill had been a student of Uta Hagen, and carried on HB Studio's great tradition of teaching the art of naturalistic, rich performance. Sometimes she was kind and sometimes she was strict -- especially strict, it seemed to me, with women who did not find all the richness possible in their roles.
She sometimes spoke, in an incidental way during the class, with warmth and pride about her family. (Her husband was David Rabe the playwright. Her daughter, Lily Rabe, has been a steadily rising actress, and did great work as Portia this summer in The Merchant of Venice for Shakespeare in the Park. Lily just left the previews of Merchant of Venice on Broadway for a few days to be with her mother.)
In the class, Jill encouraged me in some projects I was working on, even allowing me to bring in an actress that I was working with (who was not at HB) and coaching us before a performance. She was one of the very finest and most influential acting teachers I ever had.
I saw her in a number of plays after the class. She was always brilliant... especially memorable were her work in Barefoot in the Park and A Naked Girl On The Appian Way.
One fond memory I have: I waited for her at the stage-door after Barefoot, and she greeted me with such warmth, it pleases me to this day.
Her career in theater, film and TV has been immense:
JILL CLAYBURGH in WIKIPEDIA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jill_Clayburgh
JILL CLAYBURGH in IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001049/
JILL CLAYBURGH in IBDB
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=35535
JILL CLAYBURGH in Off-Broadway Lortel Archives
http://www.lortel.org/LLA_archive/index.cfm?search_by=people&first=Jill&last=Clayburgh&middle=
I will miss her.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
At the Chairman's Party
Hamptons International Film Festival 2010
And he was live (on 10/14) on 30 Rock, as well.
30 Rock Live was hilarious (10/14 8:30 NY time). I gather they did it again, live, for the West Coast -- That was Thursday, October 14, whatever time they do it live in California. (Hope you watched it!)
Alec Baldwin seems ubiquitous at HIFF... so he's at the top of this guide to stories about HIFF 2010. We'll be adding to this directory of articles as we process the photos and write the stories...
Here's some of what's still coming:
Interviews with Jane Goodall and others...Notes on films, including...=>Barney's Version
=>The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
=>The Debt
=>Sweet Evil
Follow http://www.qporit.com/
Or check this page... http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/hiff-2010.html
For more stories about HIFF 2010 as they appear...
(For next year...) HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR FILM AT HIFF!http://qporit.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-promote-your-film-at-hiff-and.html
KISSES, CHLOE with ROBIN SINGER and MIKAL EVANShttp://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/kisses-chloe-with-robin-singer-mikal.html
ON THE PATH and ZRINKA CVITESIC
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/on-path-zrinka-cvitesic.html
Tweet... MIKAL EVANS from KISSES, CHLOE in concert Friday October 15 (Again, Nov 11!)
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/mikal-evans-from-kisses-chloe-in.html
HIFF 2010 - PRIZE WINNERShttp://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/prize-winners-at-hiff-2010.html
HIFF 2010 - THE SLOAN FOUNDATION AT HIFF 2010 (& BEYOND...)
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/sloan-foundation-at-hiff-2010-beyond.html
HIFF 2010 - BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMERShttp://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/breakthrough-performers.html
HIFF 2010 - FIRST PREVIEW: THE 2010 HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/09/first-preview-2010-hamptons.html
HIFF 2010 - PREVIEW: FILMS & EVENTS COMING TO THE HAMPTONS http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/09/hiff-2010-preview-films-events-coming.html
For links to stories about HIFF in prior years, please take a look at:
The QPORIT INDEX to stories about HIFF
READY TO PARTY!
Photo by Eric Roffman
Director, MIRAL
On The Red Carpet
Photo by Eric Roffman
JANE'S JOURNEY
Photo by Eric Roffman
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
Andrea attended HIFF last year working on her film TO TIMBUKTU about singer Vieux Farka Touré of Mali. Since then she travelled to the World Cup Celebration for his performance. Nikhil helped her with cinematography. Nikhil was also a co-producer of FURTHER LANE, the short that played together with KISSES, CHLOE.
www.totimbuktu.com
KING OF THE HAMPTONS
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
KING OF THE HAMPTONS
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
KING OF THE HAMPTONS was the first film and then also the last film shown at HIFF this year. Dan Rattiner, who started publishing Dan's Papers in the Hamptons while still in college, introduces Dennis to the Hamptons.
BEAUTIFUL DARLING
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
Jeremiah Newton was a close friend of Candy Darling and helped produce this documentary about her short life. Jeremiah has also been working with HIFF for many years on developing the student film program.
CANARY
Photo by Eric Roffman
Visiting from the UK, Iona is the producer of the short film, CANARY.
BENEATH HILL 60
Photo by Eric Roffman
David is the author of the screenplay for BENEATH HILL 60, the Sloan Prize winning film.
For more about the Sloan Foundation activities at HIFF:
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/sloan-foundation-at-hiff-2010-beyond.html
COOL IT!
Photo by Eric Roffman
Ondi is the director of COOL IT! a documentary that takes a look at economic approaches to issues concerning global warming.
LOVE, ETC.
Photo by Eric Roffman
Jill is the charming and charismatic director of the Audience Award Documentary LOVE, ETC which follows a handful of couples through some critical periods of their love lives. Filmed with great sophistication and insight, the stories evolve and diverge in unexpected ways.
LOVE, ETC.
Photo by Eric Roffman
Observing the diversity of couples around them when they were married provided the impetus for Jonathan to produce this (bittersweet) chronicle of love stories. (If the name sounds familiar, Jonathan's day job is CEO of Loews. His uncle, Larry, was CEO of CBS.)
Jonathan Tisch in WIKIPEDIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Tisch
Weinstein Company
At the Chairman's Reception
Photo by Eric Roffman
The Plaza Media Arts Center
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
THE PLAZA MEDIA ARTS CENTER: http://www.plazamac.org/
Ovasen Post Production
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
Grumman Studios
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
Believe it or not, Salt (Angelina Jolie) was not at CIA headquarters and elsewhere in the world making SALT. She was (conspiracy theorists claim) actually at Grumman Studios.
http://www.grummanstudios.com/
Press At the Red Carpet
Photo by Eric Roffman
On the Red Carpet for THE DEBT
Photo by Eric Roffman
Though this videographer and his on-camera partner interviewing Jessica Chastain on the Red Carpet for THE DEBT may have been among the youngest working press, as far as I could see and hear, they were doing a top notch job.
MIRAL
Photo by Eric Roffman
Rula, the screenwriter (and author of the source novel) for MIRAL had the best line of the festival. A reporter (for a major magazine, though arguably less professional than the previous interviewer) asked Freida what she was wearing. Rula replied: "She's wearing me."
Photo by Eric Roffman
At the LOVE, ETC. Premiere Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
Photo by Eric Roffman
The FRANK PR team did a great job at the festival. Left to right: Tiffany Malloy, Lina Plath, Kerry McAleer, Dana Morini, Clare Anne Darragh.
European Film Promotion (Shooting Stars)
At the Chairman's Reception
Photo by Eric Roffman
http://www.efp-online.com/en/about_efp/index.php
At the Chairman's Reception
Photo by Eric Roffman
At the Chairman's Reception
Photo by Eric Roffman
At the Chairman's Reception
Photo by Eric Roffman
Stanley Tucci (first name only just seems wrong, here) was very friendly and approachable. Seems quite different from the characters he's played recently... OMG, he was acting.
Stanley (well, it still seems wrong but I'll do it anyway) directed LEND ME A TENOR last year on Broadway. He's currently developing MOMMY AND ME with Meryl Streep (Mommy) and Tina Fey (Me), which he is planning to direct. It will be the fifth film he has directed, the last being BLIND DATE in 2008.
Happy Birthday, Stanley! (He turns 50 on November 11.)
QPORIT on LEND ME A TENOR:
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/04/lend-me-tenor.html
KISSES, CHLOE
At the Opening Night Party
Photo by Eric Roffman
Striking new talents, actress Robin Singer and actress/singer/songwriter Mikal Evans starred in the provocative sell-out indie feature KISSES, CHLOE. Robin will soon be seen in two comic web series, and Mikal performs solo and with her band frequently in New York. Her next show will be with the full band, November 11th, 9pm @RockwoodMusicHall. (Perhaps she'll sing Happy Birthday for Stanley Tucci? -- See previous item.)
QPORIT on KISSES, CHLOE:
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/kisses-chloe-with-robin-singer-mikal.html
BAD FAMILY
Photo by Eric Roffman
A Shooting Star / Breakthrough Performer this year, Vihla co-starred last year in TEARS OF APRIL with the 2009 Breakthrough Performer Samuli Vauramo. (Samuli can be seen currently in George Clooney's THE AMERICAN)
CHERRY; also THE FAMILY TREE
Photo by Eric Roffman
A Rising Star / Breakthrough Performer, Britt can be seen in two films this year that were screened at HIFF. She often plays tough teenagers (she's actually just a bit past her teens). She can be seen currently on TV in LIFE UNEXPECTED.
MIRAL
Photo by Eric Roffman
A Rising Star / Breakthrough Performer, Freida was the object of desire in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
SWEET EVIL
Photo by Eric Roffman
A Shooting Star / Breakthrough Performer, Anais is soon to be seen in a series (8 films in 2010 !!!! !!!!) of important French Films with some of France and Europe's biggest stars and most important directors. Watch for: SPONSORING with Juliette Binoche, FRACTURE, ELSEWHERE, BELLE EPINE with Lea Seydoux, and more!
ON THE PATH
Shooting Star / Breakthrough Performer
At the Chairman's Reception
Photo by Eric Roffman
QPORIT on ZRINKA CVITESIC and ON THE PATH:
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/on-path-zrinka-cvitesic.html
THE DEBT
Rising Star / Breakthrough Performer
Photo by Eric Roffman
(I just realized that I once saw Jessica before, onstage. Jessica played Desdemona in the LAByrinth Theater / Peter Sellars production of OTHELLO: http://qporit.blogspot.com/2009/09/othello.html)
Jessica waves goodbye, after the Breakthrough Performers' Panel!
For more about the Breakthrough Performer Program:
http://qporit.blogspot.com/2010/10/breakthrough-performers.html
for links to other stories about the Hamptons International Film Festival!
QPORIT HOME
www.qporit.com LOVE'S FINE WIT -- Shakespeare's sonnets selected and rearranged to dramatize the story of an intense love triangle, with Elizabethan music.
One night only: April 23 2011 6:00
At the Cornelia Street Cafe - 29 Cornelia Street NY 212 989-9319.
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