Meet Diana Galimzyanova, Filmmaker

Diana Galimzyanova is a writer and director based in Moscow, Russia. Her four award-winning short films were accepted to more than thirty five festivals in thirteen countries. She is just launching a crowdfunding campaign for her first feature-length film, which will be the first ever female-directed Russian film noir with reverse chronology. Learn more by visiting https://igg.me/at/RussianFilmNoir.

1. How did you become interested in filmmaking?

I've always been interested in writing. Ever since I was in first grade, I would write something, a short story, a play, or even a treatment to a novel. I also tend to think in pictures at least half of the time, but I don't have a real talent for literature; my stories are too schematic. Basically, I'm just writing treatments with tons of details and plot points, and that's why I love writing screenplays because they are like schemes. And I've been a huge movie buff from a young age. So eventually I realized that I want to be a filmmaker to tell the stories I see the way I see them.

2. Have you always liked film noir, and do you have any favorite noir classics?

I've been a fan of film noir for the last ten years or so; it's such an amazing style. My favorite film noir is Sweet Smell of Success, a pure masterpiece of art. I'd say it's one of my favorite movies of all time, not just favorite film noir. I'm also a huge Hitchcock fan, and Shadow of a Doubt is both my favorite Hitchcock film and the second favorite film noir.

3. What's your process like as a writer, and how was it different writing a feature-length film rather than a short?

I usually see the crucial scenes in my mind's eye in all the details then I need to put them into words. Like with The Lightest Darkness, I saw the beginning and the end in pictures, and then I filled the middle with words. I think it was essentially the same with all of my scripts; sometimes I also saw a couple of scenes in between. With The Lightest Darkness, I did a detailed outline for the first time; it was like an investigation and research. I really enjoyed the process, so also I outlined the short script I wrote after The Lightest Darkness. I think I'm going to outline everything from now on.

4. Would you tell us more about your debut feature film?

It's a twisted story about a neurotic private eye who struggles to finish the case. When he takes a train voyage, his own dark secrets begin to reveal themselves. I'm striving to make a real film noir, with all the themes and tropes, not just the chiaroscuro lighting and blinds. So like the best film noir, it's a bit of a thriller a bit of a mystery and a bit of a drama. I want it to feel like it was made in the 40s. Although the film is not set in the 40s, all the characters are dressed in the 40s style and use props from 40s. But they also Skype with each other. I see it as an alternate universe where things are a bit different, like in that show Gintama where aliens invaded 19th century Japan and brought the technologies with them, but there are also signs of 19th-century Japan in that world, like samurais with swords, etc.

5. What is your advice for other women who want to make films with protagonists that more closely represent their lives than the characterizations we see in the mainstream media?

You should fight for your work, even if its a fight with yourself, that voice the tells you maybe I should write my female protagonist as a more convenient character like we usually see in media because the viewer wouldn't get her otherwise. So you start putting on the metaphorical makeup to cover all the imperfections of your female character to make her look more socially acceptable and likable. But this attitude is damaging. Women are all different and diverse, and most of them are not represented in the mainstream media. Luckily this trend has started to change. Now we see more female protagonists that are three dimensional strong vulnerable though flawed empowered. I hope it's just a beginning of the new way.

Thanks, Diana!

Meet Gregory L. Hines, Writer and Director of MOD-X

Gregory L. Hines is the writer and director of the forthcoming sci-fi short film, MOD-X. He has worked as an artist in such media as music, drama, writing, and photography. Upon receiving an honorary discharge from military service in 2012, he moved to Southern California, residing in between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Learn more about MOD-X at www.mod-xmovie.com.

1. What gave you the idea for MOD-X?

In the summer of 2014, my friend and I wanted to film a movie together, and we ended up with an idea about a bounty hunter tracking down a criminal in a post-apocalyptic world. Unfortunately, our schedules never could match up to film together, but I ended up writing a script called X1978. Eventually I developed the script further, and it became known as MOD-X.

2. In shooting the film, what did you do (and where did you film) to create a post-apocalyptic setting? 

I have always been of the belief to use what is accessible to you to raise the production value of your film. In my case, I live in the Mojave Desert and wrote a script around the landscape. My "in-camera" approach to create a post-apocalyptic Earth was to capture the fantastic mountains and the vast voids of the land. Additionally, I found a junk yard that gave us the perfect setting for our end scene called "The Deadlands."

Taking these shots, I was able to hand them off to my Visual Effects (VFX) team who started a process of matte painting, manipulation, and enhancements, thus adding to the world of isolation and desolation.

3. Your film has taken 14 days of production and several months of post-production. Could you tell us a little more about what that process has been like?

Tiresome. The process of making a film can be a long and arduous process, and it takes teams of people to successfully complete a project. MOD-X had its fair share of hurdles from over eight rewrites and having to replace two members of the cast mid-way into filming. This put constant demands on the cast and crew such as constantly learning aspects of an ever-changing script to dealing with the extreme environment of the desert. However, as a team we did succeed in getting the shots we needed by staying positive, focused, and determined---a bit of humor also went a long way.

Once we got into post production, the stress of lugging tons of gear into the vast enclaves of high winds and dirt were finally over, but the overwhelming task of assembling the film into a cohesive story both visually and audibly had just begun. Because the sound was unusable, I had to completely reconstruct every sound in the film in a process called Foley and sound design. Additionally, all of the actors had to come and rerecord their lines in another process called ADR or Automatic Dialogue Replacement. As you can imagine, this took over two months to complete, but it gives the film a unique and dynamic feel. Currently, we are waiting for the VFX team and our composer to complete their work.

4. What are some things you've learned about ways to make a quality film on a micro budget?

Most beginning filmmakers worry about gear or what camera they should use. The number one aspect to ensuring a smooth and successful film is to plan, plan, and plan. In doing so, take your time and do not rush or you run the risk of it coming back to haunt you later in production. Another aspect which I noted earlier is to use what is accessible to you. Take a drive and scout your area and ask yourself, what stands out and what is unique? When asking people to help you, always show respect and gratitude for anyone's time. A poor attitude is a sure way to turn people off and lose help. Lastly, be excited about what you do. I found that my excitement and drive was infectious, which attracted the right types of people to MOD-X. People want to work on a film that has a great story and work with dedicated and professional people, and most of all, people want to have fun!

5. What's your advice to other independent artists who want to make films but don't have any funding?

Starting out with a simple script without unnecessary fight scenes, explosions, and VFX. Keeping the process simple will allow you to concentrate on the meat and potatoes of filmmaking. Additionally, resource with people through the filmmaking community in whatever way possible to meet fellow artists. Bargain with people in exchange for services to accomplish your project. One of my cast members worked for free on MOD-X, but in return I filmed a short film for him which allowed him to get his project off the ground. Lastly, be creative, know that it is okay to fail, and don't be afraid to ask for help--and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

Thanks, Greg!

Introducing Cracking Your Creativity Code, A Documentary Film

Below is the press release for a new documentary, Cracking Your Creativity Code.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CRYSTAL M. LITZ, 213-321-2446

Transformative New Documentary Seeks to Unlock Your Creative Powers

Cracking Your Creativity Code Offers Powerful and Inspiring Journey Into Creativity

Santa Monica -- A new documentary film seeks to help each person tap into their limitless creative potential. Cracking Your Creativity Code, a transformative new film, has just been released on DVD, for streaming online and for private screenings.

Following in the conscious cinema mode of The Secret or What the Bleep Do We Know?!, Cracking Your Creativity Code takes you on a guided journey designed to awaken your full creative potential. Accompanying you on the journey--leading experts in the fields of creativity, neuroscience, psychology, meditation, and peak performance. The film also offers a companion handbook with exercises for use in deepening your creative powers and in conjunction with creativity workshops.

"Watch it once and become inspired… Watch it twice and become inspiring." --Michael Bernard Beckwith, Spiritual Visionary and bestselling author

The release of Cracking Your Creativity Code also coincides with World Creativity and Innovation Week (http://wciw.org/) which is April 15 through April 21.

Some highlights of Cracking Your Creativity Code include:

CREATIVITY AS A LIFESTYLE
The film examines creativity from four perspectives: the rational, emotional, intuitive, and spiritual realms. Prominent creativity experts give viewers a veritable "Swiss army knife" to cracking your own personal creativity code, allowing a true connection with your most creative self.

CREATIVITY AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL
Rote memorization of facts and dates doesn't inspire a lifelong commitment to learning. What if we could find a new way of not only teaching, but learning in an intuitive and creative fashion?

CREATIVITY FOR BUSINESS CHALLENGES
Sometimes even the most productive teams or employees get "blocked." Cracking Your Creativity Code and the CYCC companion handbook include exercises that are perfect for team building and brainstorming.

CREATIVITY FOR ARTISTS
The film goes behind-the-scenes into the studios of artists working in various mediums as we learn about their own personal creative process--what is it that inspires them to create, and what keeps them motivated to see a project through to fruition?

CREATIVITY AS A SPIRITUAL/HEALING INSTRUMENT
Cracking Your Creativity Code explores the use of traditional psychotherapy with the integration of mindfulness and meditation to assist viewers achieve mental and emotional healing and open the path for higher creativity.

Cracking Your Creativity Code is directed by Santa Monica filmmaker Jim Wooden. The 90-minute film was inspired by Wooden's concern for creativity and art in today's culture. A companion handbook is available to assist viewers on their creative journey.

For more information about Cracking Your Creativity Code or to schedule a screening, visit www.crackingyourcreativitycode.com.

See the trailer below:

Cracking Your Creativity Code Official Trailer from Jim Wooden on Vimeo.

Song of Kwagala: A Movie to Support Clean Water

Did you know that the number one killer of children worldwide is unclean water? An award-winning team of songwriters, filmmakers, and marketing professionals are creating a movie, Song of Kwagala, to entertain and inspire, driving awareness and financial support for this global epidemic. In addition to the movie, Song of Kwagala will also eventually be produced as a musical stage play.

Song of Kwagala tells the story of a rock star named Simon Crowe who goes to Africa to participate in a benefit concert and finds himself taken outside of his usual world-weary perspective to become involved in the work of a surgeon at a camp for orphaned children. After a life-changing experience, Simon returns to his home in Los Angeles, only to continue thinking of the people he met in Africa. He ultimately returns to Africa to find that music connects him to the children and to the doctor at the camp. Described as "a combination of Pink Floyd the Wall meets Sound of Music, meets Blood Diamond," the film uses original songs and a strong score to convey the message that humanity is a combination of humor, angst, and tragedy.

Visit the website for Song of Kwalgala to learn more about the film; you can even read the film's script. Below is a video about Song of Kwagala.