(Des Moines, IA) - A new company was registered in the state of Iowa this past spring: Modern American Cinema, LLC. Iowa film maker, Kristian Day, opened up his own film distribution company in Des Moines after building a network of movie theaters from the successful theatrical release of his documentary Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye.

Iowa film maker, Kristian Day, self released his documentary film Capone's Whiskey: The Story of Templeton Rye to over forty theaters in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The majority of these theaters were independently or community owned businesses. Audiences flooded in into the single screen theaters in towns such as Vinton, Marshalltown, and Denison. Highlighted screenings included sold out shows in Marshalltown, Iowa City, and an oversold show in Vinton at the Palace Theater. The movie even outsold the major studio film, Battleship, on a weekend run at the Starlight Cinema in Independence, Iowa. To help build more interest to a potential audience, Day travelled to several towns across the state of Iowa to meet the theater owners and their local audience.

"There was a lot of financial and time investment made," Day says, "but it was worth it to figure out who your audience really is, major studios don't do that."

The company has recently acquired the North American distribution rights of two films, one from Iowa film maker Joe Clarke called Kung Fu Graffiti, a kid's action/comedy movie inspired by the 1960's Bruce Lee films. The other from Los Angeles film maker Shane Ryan entitled My Name is A (by anonymous), a midnight movie for the art house scene. All films will be released theatrically on the new Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences approved digital format. After a film's initial theatrical run, which lasts from six months to a year, it will be released via Video On Demand (Netflix, HuluPlus, Amazon Video On Demand). A DVD release will be considered based on the film's overall performance in the previous formats. Day is currently in production of his newest documentary, Is This Heaven?, the story of an ex-skinhead turned civil rights activist who is on spiritual journey through Iowa to find his faith. The film features Frank Meeink, author of the book Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead.

"Its a fresh start and an opportunity to release independent films to a larger audience," adds Day, "the price major studios are asking for from theaters is getting very high which leaves the small town theaters in a tough position."

The theater market for Modern American Cinema is very large. The company wants to work with not only independent movie houses, but also college/student run theaters, minicines, museums, and other public spaces to show films. Film makers are also welcome to submit their features, shorts, and documentaries for distribution.

Day, 26, a native of Rock Island, Ill., went to high school in Cedar Rapids and attended the University of Colorado at Denver in the Music Industry Studies program. In 2008, Day began directing and producing his own movies. His short films have played all over the world including Austria, Greece, Cuba and Italy. His films have also been screened at various festivals in cities across the United States including Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.

For more information visit:  www.modernamericancinema.com

 

CHICAGO -SAM I Am Films, producers of "Scrooge & Marley," a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens' classic holiday story, "A Christmas Carol," has announced that acclaimed Tony Award-winning actress Judith Light will be the film's narrator.

The film's Indiegogo campaign ends Aug. 15. The trailer is posted here: http://igg.me/p/124360?a=396864 .

"We are delighted to have Judith Light as our narrator," said Richard Knight, Jr., co-director and co-writer of the film. "She is both a wonderful actress with an instantly recognizable voice as well as a longtime advocate for gay rights and a big supporter of human rights for all. We could not be more thrilled that she is joining our Scrooge & Marley family."

Light was awarded the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Other Desert Cities. She also won a Drama Desk Award for "Best Featured Actress" for the same play. She is well known for her role as Angela Bower on the hit comedy series Who's the Boss? Up until 2010, she was seen on the Emmy Award-winning ABC-TV series Ugly Betty, for which she received an Emmy nomination playing the character of Claire Meade. Simultaneously, she co-starred on NBC's long-running drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the recurring role of Supreme Court Judge Elizabeth Donnelly.

Scrooge & Marley will be released in December. Acclaimed out actor David Pevsner portrays Ben Scrooge while former SNL star Tim Kazurinsky appears as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. The film also stars Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell, David Moretti, Richard Ganoung, and performance artist JoJo Baby.

"Scrooge & Marley" was shot in Chicago in May and also highlights a host of recognized theatrical actors who round out the cast: Drew Anderson, Christopher Allen, Nicholas Bailey, Allison Torem, Fawzia Mirza, Peter Mohawk, Scott Duff, PJ Powers, Amy Matheny and many more.

ABOUT JUDITH LIGHT

In June of 2012, Judith Light was awarded the prestigious Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Other Desert Cities. She also won a Drama Desk Award for "Best Featured Actress" for the same play. Produced by Jon Robin Baitz, Other Desert Cities is centered on a daughter played by Rachel Griffiths who presents her family with a memoir she is about to publish. Judith played the role of Silda Grauman, the alcoholic aunt who is known to make snide remarks.

Judith was nominated for a Tony Award for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play" in 2011, for her performance in "Lombardi", the American play by Academy Award winner Eric Simpson. Directed by Tony nominee Thomas Kail, the play was based on the best-selling biography When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer-winning author David Maraniss. Judith stared in the play as Marie Lombardi alongside Dan Lauria who played sports icon Vince Lombardi.

Judith's television career began with her two-time Best Actress Emmy award-winning turn as Karen Wolek on "One Life to Live". She then went on to play Angela Bower on the hit comedy series "Who's the Boss?" Up until 2010, she was seen on the Emmy Award-winning ABC-TV series "Ugly Betty", for which she received an Emmy nomination playing the character of Claire Meade. Simultaneously, she co-starred on NBC's long-running drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in the recurring role of Supreme Court Judge Elizabeth Donnelly. Judith has also starred in "Phenom" (created by James Brooks), "The Simple Life", created by long-time manager/producer Herb Hamsher, "The Stones" (created by Max Mutchnick, David Kohan and Jenji Kohan) and in over 15 television movies, including her role as Ryan's mother, Jeanne, in "The Ryan White Story".

Judith has starred in three independent films, "The Shoemaker" with Danny Aiello, "Ira & Abby" by Jennifer Westfeldt, with Robert Klein, Fred Willard, and Frances Conroy - which was voted Best Comedy at the 2007 HBO comedy festival; and "Save Me" with Chad Allen and Robert Gant, a film which she also produced with Herb Hamsher through their production company, Tetrahedron Productions, in conjunction with GKE and Mythgarden Productions. "Save Me" had its US premiere at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, followed by screenings at both NYC's NewFest and LA's Outfest, as well as a screening and panel discussion aboard RSVP vacations Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing. "Save Me" was released theatrically nationwide in the summer of 2008 by First Run Features.

In 2005, Judith returned to her performing roots in theater, opening at The MCC Theatre in New York in the production of Laura Wade's "Colder Than Here". Judith showcased her musical abilities in 2004 in the role of Joanne in Steven Sondheim's "Company" at the Freud Theatre in LA as part of Reprise! Judith also appeared in Athol Fugard's "Sorrows and Rejoicings" in 2002 at the Second Stage Theatre in New York and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

In 2001, Judith opened in Washington, DC at The Shakespeare Theater portraying the title character in the Henrik Ibsen classic "Hedda Gabler". In 1999 she also took to the stage at the Union Square Theater, starring as the brilliant and uncompromising "Dr. Vivian Bearing" in the critically acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize winning Off-Broadway play "WIT". Originally directed by Derek Anson Jones, "WIT" is a heartbreaking and at times very funny play about how 'Dr. Bearing' copes with ovarian cancer, and how it transforms her and her views of life. A university professor who has always treasured her independence and lack of personal connections, 'Dr. Bearing' is forced to change her stance when she undergoes radical chemotherapy. Judith performed in New York until January 2000 and then toured with WIT nationwide, in such cities as Boston, Washington (at the Kennedy Center), and San Francisco. For her outstanding performance, Judith received the Helen Hayes Award in Washington, DC, as well as the Elliot Norton Award in Boston.

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA, Judith has worked in repertory theaters throughout the United States and Canada as well as a USO Tour of "Guys and Dolls" with William Atherton and Paula Wagner throughout Europe. Judith's Broadway debut was in "A Doll's House" with Liv Ullmann and was followed by a season at the Eugene O'Neil Playwright's conference.

Judith is a Board Member and advocate for many organizations and charities representing AIDS-related and Human Rights issues including: Broadway Cares: Equity Fights AIDS, The Names Project/The AIDS Memorial Quilt, The AIDS Memorial Grove, CDC's Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS, Hollywood Health and Society, Faith in America,  Project Angel Food, The Matthew Shepard Foundation, The National Aids Memorial Grove, The Point Foundation, The Rome Chamber Music Festival, and The Trevor Project.

Judith lives in New York and Los Angeles and is married to writer/actor, Robert Desiderio.

 

 

About SCROOGE & MARLEY

 

"Scrooge & Marley" is a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Recounted from a gay sensibility, with heart, comedy and music, the magic of Dickens' timeless tale of a man's redemption at the holidays-thanks to the help of three ghostly spirits-comes alive from a fresh perspective that will appeal to audiences of every persuasion. The film is based on an original script by Ellen Stoneking, Knight and the late Timothy Imse. It was directed by Knight and Peter Neville. Executive producers of the film are Tracy Baim ("Hannah Free") and David Strzepek ("Foodgasm"), joined by several co-producers (Knight, Neville, Stoneking, Kroell, and Moretti) and noteworthy crew.

 

Full cast and production team bios at http://www.scroogeandmarleymovie.com .

DES MOINES, IA (08/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 53rd annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on August 16 or 18.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Emma Destigter, 9, Moville; Taylor Knaack, 10, Correctionville, Tap Dance

Colby Fiscella, 10, Norwalk, Vocal/Guitar Solo

Alissa Marie Girsch, 12, Davenport, Vocal Solo

Jacie Hawthorne, 12, Scranton, Vocal Solo

Olivia Reiter, 10, Waterloo, Vocal Solo

Sammy Campero, 9, Des Moines, Comedian

Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 19 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $15,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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MOLINE, ILLINOIS --  WQPT's local public affairs program "The Cities with Jim Mertens," which airs on the public television station on Thursday at 6:30 pm and Sunday at 5:30 pm is now airing on our area's local public radio station, WVIK.

"We've been talking with WQPT about partnering on projects and like us they are committed to producing and airing more local programming. This was a great opportunity to expand the reach of 'The Cities' to the WVIK audience and to be able to work with our public television partners," said WVIK General Manager, Jay Pearce.   "We have changed our schedule to include a variety of public affairs and special interest programs each evening at 7:00.  On Fridays we pair 'The Cities' with 'Illinois State Week in Review'," said Mr. Pearce.

"At the present time 'The Cities' can be seen on WQPT Thursdays and Sundays, on the WQPT website which links to YouTube, on iTunes and now on WVIK on Fridays at 7 pm. It's great to be able to have our local public affairs program have the kind of reach 'The Cities' is enjoying," said WQPT Director of Local Content, Lora Adams.

"The Cities with Jim Mertens" began production in November 2010 and airs weekly. The program is taped in Davenport, Iowa at Stratus Broadcasting and Lora Adams and Jim Mertens serve as the programs producers. The two local public broadcasters are currently looking at other opportunities for partnership.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois and WVIK is a media service of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

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DAVENPORT, IA (Monday, August 13, 2012) - Contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, Matthew West, will perform at the Adler Theatre on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Special guests are MIKESCHAIR, Lindsay McCaul and Everfound.

Reserved tickets ($19 & $30 Artist Circle) go on sale Friday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets are $16 for groups of 10 or more by calling 563-326-8522.  Tickets will be available at the Adler Theatre Box Office (136 E. 3rd St.), Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 and at select Ticketmaster outlets.

In addition to writing songs that have made him a Dove Award nominated artist in the Christian market, West's songwriting prowess has also earned him the respect of artists in other musical genres. His songs have been recorded by multi-platinum Country trio Rascal Flatts and other country artists.  West's songs have also been released by various Christian artists, including Michael W. Smith, Mark Schultz, Natalie Grant and Point of Grace.

DES MOINES, IA (08/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Six talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 53rd annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on August 16, 17 or 18.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the acts are:

Rylee Matthews, 11, Urbandale, Vocal Solo

Rachel Heim, 12, Davenport, Tap Dance

Jaedon Probasco, 11, Montezuma, Vocal Solo

Ada Lund, 4, Corning, Dance

Kenzie Paulsen, 12, West Des Moines, Contemporary Dance

Beth Meyer, 11, Holstein, Tap Dance

Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the competition. Two Sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. The six winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, August 19 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi.

Each of the six Sprout Champions will receive a prize of $250 after the Championship Show. More than $15,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West, with special guests MIKESCHAIR, Lindsay McCaul and Everfound, will perform at the Adler Theatre on Saturday, September 29 at 7:00 p.m.  You are invited to purchase your tickets before the general public beginning on Tuesday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m. until Thursday, August 16 at 10:00 p.m.  Click on the orange "Find Tickets" button below and enter in the pre-sale password LIGHT.  Reserved tickets ($19 & $30 Artist Circle) go on sale to the public this Friday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m.  MatthewWest.com
Award-Winning Director Gives Tips for Ambitious Amateurs

Because technology is moving so quickly, it's easy to miss out on gadgets that may impact one's life.

"Anyone with a cell phone knows how accessible taking pictures and shooting footage is nowadays, but with a minimum of investment, movie fans can tell their own stories with the same professional hardware that legends are using today," says seasoned filmmaker Kerstin Karlhuber.

She completed her latest project, "Tides of the Heart" (www.silentgiantproductions.com), in collaboration with partner and renowned songwriter Daniel Jay Paul.

"It's a feature-length music video - there's no dialogue. The story is told completely through the music and Kerstin's direction," says Paul, whose latest album, "Clean Getaway" (www.danieljaypaul.com), not only makes up much of the score for the film, but also structures the plot.

"With the technology available today, you can really afford to experiment and innovate. That's what keeps pushing the artistry to the next level," he says.

Karlhuber and Paul offer suggestions for creative-minded individuals who have been kicking around ideas, but haven't yet pulled the trigger on a project:

• The Canon EOS 5D Mark III: Canon v. Nikon ... who cares? The point is that the big dogs in the film business, from James Cameron to Neill Blomkamp of indie-film success story, "District 9," are using digital gear that can be purchased by the average movie fan. The sharpest, crispest picture in the history of images can tell your story for a few thousand dollars.

• Adobe, CyberLink, Final Cut Pro, etc.: Film editing software, more than ever, is cheap, user-friendly and easy to acquire. There are several tutorial demonstrations available online, and if you need to come up with ideas for a project brainstorm with friends or family. That's half the fun.

• Getting started: Sadly, most of the failure of creative projects - whether film, music, art or writing - involves work-ethic issues, or lack of confidence. Ask the following questions: How long have I been thinking about my idea? Is my vision doable? What's keeping me from pursuing it? ... And, perhaps the most insightful question - Why not?

• A little help from your friends: Chances are that if you're a creative person, you have a few creative buddies who can help you troubleshoot concepts and technical issues. Lean on your artistic friends for moral support - they understand the struggle of the creative process. The same people may be a good source for constructive criticism, too, when the project is nearing completion.

• Consider trends: Karlhuber's film has no dialogue and relies solely on Paul's songs for sound. The most recent Oscar winner for best picture, "The Artist," also features no dialogue, relying on old-school Hollywood visual drama. While this is a coincidence, Karlhuber says it has helped her film gain attention. "If your creative ideas happen to line up with a trending topic, there's no reason why you shouldn't take advantage of the public's zeitgeist," she says.

About Kerstin Karlhuber & Daniel Jay Paul

Kerstin Karlhuber is an award-winning filmmaker and director. Her work in the arts has been seen around the world, from off-Broadway to Cannes, the Arclight Theater in Los Angeles to a segment on "Good Morning America." She is the founder and director of the film production company Silent Giant Productions based in New York City.

Daniel Jay Paul is a songwriter who recently released "Clean Getaway" on the Sunlight Communication Arts label. His songs have been described by Music Express' Marcus Wright as "music you hear with your heart ...." Paul is the author of the novel "The Last Sunset."

Saturday, August 11, 2012

5:00 to 8:00 PM

Park View Lutheran Church

14 Grove Road, Park View, Iowa

 Live Music by:

 Steve Ernst with Laura Boyles

 Todd Anthony Joos and the Revelators

www.revelators.com

 Driven Existence

www.drivenexistence.com

 Come out for this great outdoor event.

Music, food, jumping balloon, all free!

Bring lawn chairs or blanket for seating.

Concessions provided by the Lytes Youth Group.

For more information, call 563-285-9035

Part of the US Bank Family Series
Disney's Camp Rock: The Musical
Opens August 9, 2012

Disney's Camp Rock: The Musical opens tonight for a full two week run!  A perfect family musical, based on the hit Disney Channel Original Movie!  August 9th - 19th.

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