Top Stories
Film School Students Dominate National Documentary Competition
Students in the Florida State University College of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts have given another bravura performance, claiming a majority of the awards handed out in a new film documentary competition devoted to highlighting the works of philanthropic and charitable organizations.
Torchlight Program Offers Sneak Peek of “Bright Star”
After sold out screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, Bright Star screened at The Florida State University just before opening in theaters around the country. The free sneak preview came courtesy of the Film School’s Torchlight Program and its director, Paul Cohen.
Film School Alum Sells Pitch to Adapt "Asteroids"
Matt Lopez (’93) pitched a project to adapt the classic Atari video game Asteroids for the big screen, and found himself in a four-studio bidding war over the right to run with the idea. In the end Universal Pictures outbid its competitors and hired Lopez to write the script. Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has been tapped to produce the picture.
"Filmmaker Magazine" Names FSU Grad New Face of Independent Film
Filmmaker Magazine just named Florida State alumnus, Nat Sanders, one of “25 New Faces of Independent Film.” Sanders, who graduated from Florida State in 2002, was working in Hollywood, editing a reality television show, when fellow alum Barry Jenkins summoned him to San Francisco to edit Medicine for Melancholy. He immediately quit his job and went right to work on Jenkins’ film. The gamble paid off, because when Medicine for Melancholy screened at the South by Southwest festival in Austin last year, director Lynn Shelton was taken with his work and asked him to move to Seattle and edit her film, Humpday. Both films have garnered enormous critical acclaim.
Director of “Sideways” and “Election” Visits Film School
Oscar-winning director Alexander Payne dropped by the Film School on a Monday morning to chat with students about filmmaking. He talked about his own creative process, offered advice, and answered questions, peppering it all with the same mixture of cockeyed humor and introspection he brings to his films.
Geoffrey Gilmore Brings 2009 Sundance Favorite to Film School
Film School Distinguished Lecturer Geoffrey Gilmore brought a Sundance favorite to Tallahassee right on the heels of the festival, and months ahead of its theatrical premiere. Gilmore, a leading authority on independent cinema and director of the Sundance Film Festival for 19 years, screened 500 Days of Summer at FSU's arts festival Seven Days of Opening Nights. He also held a lecture and discussion, just for Film School students, centered on the current state of the movie business, and the difficulties and opportunities it presents.
Film School Alum Matthew Lopez Tops the Box Office
Disney's new sci-fi adventure movie Race to Witch Mountain (an update of the classic Escape to Witch Mountain) opened at #1, handily stomping the blockbuster Watchmen, and looks to cement the success of Matt Lopez, one of its two screenwriters. Matt Lopez, who graduated from the Film School in 1993, is on a roll.
FSU Film Student Wins Prestigious ASC Heritage Award
Nathan Levine-Heaney has been awarded the Heritage Award from the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) in Hollywood. The award is presented annually to one or more film students for outstanding achievement in student cinematography.
Alum Pitches Sundance Winning Film to Jay Leno on the Tonight Show
Alumnus Josh Tickell is a good example of how many different opportunities there are for Film School graduates. Sure, some go to Hollywood and make blockbusters about aliens or college buddies, but with the rise in popularity of documentaries, and the challenges facing our nation and world, more alumni are using the medium as a tool for change.
Hollywood Reporter Names Film School Alum Top Exec
Recently The Hollywood Reporter went looking for top film industry executives under 35. It came as no surprise to the FSU Film School that alumna Ali Bell was one of their top picks. She graduated from FSU in 1999 with a BFA and is now the Vice President of Production/Development for Ivan Reitman's Montecito Picture Company.