SXSW Film: March 13-21, 2009

Toronto Rolls Out the Red Carpet
Films already finding buyers as fest heats up.

Camera Ready
Four top flight cinematographers tell Filmmaker the process of deciding what format to shoot on for their latest films.

Would You Like Some Moore?
Michael Moore offering his latest, Slacker Uprising, online.

Indies Coming Outies
The indie releases for this weekend and early September, including SXSW Alumni August Evening and Mister Foe.

Grand Plans for Guillermo
The Hobbit director is now booked through 2017, says Variety.

The Decade of the Dude
How The Big Lebowski became the most worshipped comedy of its generation.

Hulu Announces Fall Premiere Lineup
Some of NBC's shows will debut the first episodes on Hulu before they are broadcast on television.

A Taste of Milk
Watch the trailer for Gus Van Sant's new film, Milk.

An August Evening in September
For you New Yorkers: Go check out SXSW 2007 Alum, August Evening this Friday in the big city! Screenings in other cities to follow...

"In a World" Without Don
A tribute to the legendary voiceover artist, including a recorded interview.

The Sky Is Falling
With films and TV shows being screened on Hulu, YouTube, and the like, Reel Video's January predictions for online video are ringing true.

At Movies, Fewer Eyes, Bigger Haul
The NYT takes a looks at rising ticket prices and shrinking audiences of this blockbuster season.

Lance Myers is an Austin-based animator, a SXSW alum and previous juror, and a regular contributor to the DIONYSIUM series at the Alamo South Lamar (The Next Screening is TONIGHT, September 3rd). SXSW programmer Lya Guerra asks him some questions about the series, and in turn, learns about the Greeks and animation and the direction of mankind in general.

So Lance, could you give me the precise definition of "Dionysium"?
The original dionysia were political, philosophical, religious events held yearly in ancient Greece. Kind of like SXSW—they were meant to encourage creativity and rowdy drinking. Ours is held monthly because too much of a good thing can be beautiful.

Dionysium has been called evocative, fun and The Austin Chronicle proclaims it "…a night of diverse intellectual pleasures." Are you the brains behind all this intellectual pleasure? If not, who is responsible for all this evocative diversity, etc.?
I cannot take credit for founding the Dionysium. It was created by a friend of mine from New York named L.B. Deyo. While living in New York, L.B. used to host a monthly event called the Athenaeum, which was more of a round table discussion than a theatrical presentation, like this is. So when he moved here he teamed up with an old friend, Buzz Moran, and created this.

When was the inaugural Dionysium event?
June 2, 2004. My original role at the Dionysium was to sketch while the event was happening. Those drawings are still posted in the archive section of dionysium website.

So there are lectures and music. You supply the animation and the analysis thereof. Does animation play a role in the Dionysium series as a whole?
Animation is not necessarily a pivotal part of the event. But championing the fine arts is a big part of what we’re doing here. And I just happen to be an animator who would like to see my craft taken seriously. So it’s my own personal mission, and the Dionysium is a perfect platform for carrying it out.

I don't mean to lead the witness, but it seems the Alamo South is the perfect place for this series...Is my sweeping assumption correct?
Yes. You are correct! Tim League is obviously a big supporter of innovative theatrical events. Many thanks go to him for believing in the idea. And the Salvage Vanguard Theatre should also be commended for adopting the event as a function of their organization.

Was this event conceived and constructed to avoid an "Idiocracy" type scenario, 500 years from now, or is it simply too late?
Might be too late. I’m thinking about doing a rotoscoped version of “Ass” the movie. Or maybe “Ow, My Balls!”

Briefly, what's on the table for the September 3rd program?
I’m not sure about the full lineup, but I can tell you about what I’ll be showing. It just so happens that my parents will be in town and attending the event and they have requested to see something created by their son. So, since I don’t have a brother, I’ll be showing episode number 6 of my web series, The Ted Zone.

Breaking In
The folks over at Filmmaker Magazine discuss current trends in the funding and distribution of indie film.

Dispatch from Telluride
A weekend of discoveries and buzz at the 35th Telluride Fest, from Indiewire.

10 Greatest "Disastertainment" Movies Ever Made
There's something about asteroids, tsunamis, and deadly viruses that pack the theaters. See which ones rank the highest...

Another "Friend" to Appear on "30 Rock"
SXSW Loves David Schwimmer, but this time it's Jennifer Anniston that will be joining Tina Fey.