Come see our new graduates -

(click to enlarge)

Holiday Party -

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Film Screening -

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Dallas Selected for New TV Series -

"Jack and Dan" from Fox TV Studios
Series to Air on FOX

DALLAS – Fox Television Studios has selected Dallas to be the location for Jack and Dan, its new one-hour, action/comedy series to air on FOX. Created by Matt Nix (Burn Notice) who is executive-producing along with Mikkel Bondesen, Jack and Dan will be set in Dallas and filmed at locations throughout the city. Fox Television Studios’ production offices for the series also will be based in Dallas.

"Hollywood is catching on that Dallas has a lot to offer including incentives, an affordable economy, mild climate, interesting architecture and skyline, and a welcoming attitude towards their creative efforts," said Mayor Tom Leppert.

Bradley Whitford (West Wing) will star alongside Colin Hanks (Mad Men, Roswell). Hanks will play "Jack," a by-the-book police detective who is partnered with the wild-card cop "Dan," played by Whitford. The series will air on FOX (Channel 4 locally).

This was a hard-fought win for Dallas, with the city of Atlanta its primary competition (Georgia’s incentive program provides for a 30% tax credit, nearly double Texas’ program).

Bob Lemchen, senior vice president, production, Fox TV Studios, said, "Creatively, Dallas offered us terrific shooting locations, as well as a great crew base. The city also extended itself to us with enormous hospitality and commitment to making it all work. So for us, Dallas is simply a great place to shoot."

Jack and Dan has been picked up by FOX for 13 episodes and is expected to shoot 96 days total in its first season. The show will have a significant financial impact on the city and create many jobs for crew, actors, extras and vendors during the course of production. The producers are currently interviewing crew and looking for office space. Pre-production will begin immediately with shooting set to begin in January.

Dallas Film Commission - 325 N. St. Paul St. Suite 700 - Dallas TX 75201 - 214.571.1050 - www.filmdfw.com

DPA Meeting @ AiDallas -

Dallas Producers Association
November 2009 Meeting -
MEMBER'S SHOWCASE

It is time again for our bi-annual showcase of some of the best production work in the nation produced by the talented members of the Dallas Producers Association. The Member's Showcase meeting will be on Tuesday night, November 3 at The Art Institute of Dallas.

WHEN:
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
6pm to 7pm – Networking & Refreshments
7pm to 9pm - Program

WHERE:
8th floor of The Art Institute of Dallas
DPA Members - FREE
Guests - $15
FREE For AiD Students! (Bring your ID)

Great opportunity to network in your field

– especially if you want to be a producer

An Evening with Kevin Smith -

This show is a lecture & Q&A, not a comedy show.

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 8:00 PM

House of Blues Dallas
White Swan Building
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 978-BLUE (2583)

Prices:
$50.00 - General Admission Standing Room
$75.00 - Lower Balcony - includes Meet & Greet


For more about Kevin Smith click his name.

Production Accounting Workshop

Production Accounting Workshop
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Studio Movie Grill, Dallas (Royal/75)

WHAT IS A PRODUCTION ACCOUNT CLERK?
A Production Accounting Clerk supports each member of the Accounting team with clerical tasks, such as filing, copying, scanning, and data entry. The department processes large volumes of important and confidential paperwork; therefore the clerk's role is vital in keeping this paperwork organized and circulating. An accounting clerk should be able to multi-task; work well under pressure; be detail-oriented; and have proficiency in math and preparation of spreadsheets.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
The Production Accounting Clerk Workshop is a one-day course, taught by industry professionals, that gives you the skills needed to hit the ground running to find work as an accounting clerk. Participants are taught details of the responsibilities of each member of the accounting staff. In all, participants learn the skills needed for these positions including production terminology, how to read a budget, and how to handle various types of expenses including accounts payable, petty cash and purchase orders.

WORKSHOP BENEFITS
The Workshop is designed to introduce the participants to a Production Accountant who can direct them to resources for finding employment. Participants who complete the training will have learned the nuts and bolts of Production Accounting and the tools needed to build such a career. Upon completing the Workshop, participants receive a Production Accounting Clerk Training Certification from the Texas Film Commission, which can be included on a résumé, and a listing in the Texas Production Directory.

REQUIREMENTS TO REGISTER
• Registrants must have either practical experience doing bookkeeping or some undergraduate course work in accounting.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• A legal resident of Texas.
• Have a valid Texas Driver's License or Texas I.D. Card.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
• Must bring a small calculator with you to the Workshop.

HOW TO REGISTER
The cost for the Workshop is $50. To register, click here to go to the Texas Film Commission web site. Once you fill out the online registration form, you will receive a follow up email with payment instructions. The workshop will be held Saturday, November 14, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Studio Movie Grill (11170 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75243). Limited space is available. Late attendees will not be admitted.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this Workshop, please contactl Kate Cadenhead, Workforce Training Administrator, Texas Film Commission, at 512-463-9200. For a schedule of other Workshops, go to the Texas Film Commission Web site. Cost varies by location. Limited spaces available. Participation is offered on a first come, first served basis.

Submitted by Dutchie Reid

Newsroom Workshop -

Make plans to head to SMU for the Southwest Broadcast Newsroom Workshop. The day-long event includes group and concurrent sessions on a variety of topics for broadcast newsroom personnel.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Time: 8:30 am - 6:00 pm

Location: Umphrey Lee Center, 3300 Dyer St. – Southern Methodist University

Registration: $50/professional; $20/student (includes a boxed lunch)

More information:
http://www.tab.org/news-and-events/events/2009/09/14/news-workshop/

Full Schedule:
http://www.tab.org/member-services/news-workshop/

Submitted by: Dustin Smith

$10K in Cash and Prizes Awarded -

Click on the image to get all the details!

Curse of It Came from Dallas -

Curse of it Came from Dallas -Taking the fifth!

Mark your calendars! October 15th at the Studio Movie Grill in Dallas, the Dallas Producers Association will present "Curse Of It Came From Dallas – Taking the Fifth!" As the storied event spreads its show-off wings once more, a cavalcade of clips to help us remember some highly forgettable, made-in-Dallas films will be on display. There will also be another barrage of non-award-winning commercials and industrials spawned in the 70’s and 80’s.
As in prior installments of what has become the annual panoply of production prowess, local film critic Gary Cogill will capably handle hosting duties. Assisting Mr. Cogill will be his sidekick, Gordon K. Smith, local film archivist and assembler of the night’s show reel. Bob Dauber, chairperson for the annual event said "There will also be a few surprises added to the evening’s festivities that are guaranteed to have the audience gasping for relief."


DATE: Thursday October 15, 2009
TIME: 7:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
LOCATION: Studio Movie Grill – Dallas
SUGGESTED DONATION: $10

Win A Copy of “Shootin’ The Sh*t With

Kevin Smith: The Best of Smodcast”

It seems as if Kevin Smith can do no wrong when it comes to the entertainment industry. Smith arrived on the scene in the early ’90s and easily conquered the realm of filmmaking by delivering critically successful films, which included 1994’s Clerks and 1997’s Chasing Amy. While being hailed as breath of fresh air for the world of comedic cinema and churning out a plethora of classic films, Smith also managed to become a New York Times Bestselling author by penning My Boring-Ass Life: The Uncomfortably Candid Diary of Kevin Smith.

Now he returns to the literary world with his latest outing, Shootin’ The Sh*t With Kevin Smith: The Best of Smodcast, and you could win a copy of the book, which scored a perfect 10 out of 10 from Icon Vs. Icon’s Steve Johnson. Check out the review here >
You can get you dose of comedic genius by picking up Shootin’ The Sh*t With Kevin Smith: The Best of Smodcast from Titan Books. The book hits stores on September 22, 2009.

THE PRIZE:
3 Winners will be selected to win a copy of Shootin’ The Sh*t With Kevin Smith: The Best of Smodcast

HOW TO ENTER:
To enter send an email to contest@iconvsicon.com with “Smodcast!” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number and be sure to include your take on what Kevin Smith’s best work to date might be. It’s that easy!

DETAILS:
All entries must be received before 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30st, 2009. Limit one (1) entry per username and person and per email address for the duration of the Entry Period. Multiple entries received from any username or person or e-mail address will be void. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means or which subvert the entry process are void.

Official Rules & Eligibility:
http://www.iconvsicon.com/2009/09/15/contest-win-a-copy-of-shootin-the-sht-with-kevin-smith-the-best-of-smodcast/

June 2008 Video Production Graduate...

Ode to a Chipotle burrito
wins $10,000 for Texan

Shane Connelly likes his Chipotle burrito with steak, peppers and onions, black beans and cheese; no lettuce. For that, plus a little musical and video talent, he gets $10,000.
Connelly, of Denton, Texas, was proclaimed the winner Monday of Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.'s "My Chipotle" contest for the best customer-generated commercial.

Contestants created ads about their favorite combination of burrito ingredients and uploaded them to Chipotle's website. Connelly's do-it-yourself spot for his "Oso Closo Burrito" featured a saucy little soul tune about its ingredients.

Besides winning the $10,000 grand prize, Chipotle plans to add Connelly's burrito recipe to its Dallas-area menus for a limited time.

Clay Carnill of Rochester, Mich., took second place for his rap-style spot. He gets $5,000 and a party at a local Chipotle for 50 friends.

Chipotle claims there are 60,000 possible combinations of ingredients for its burritos.

"We received thousands of submissions with dramatically different approaches and including everything from original music to animation and photography," Mark Crumpacker, Chipotle chief marketing officer, said in a statement. "The common thread through them all was just how passionate these customers are about their favorite Chipotle food."

The winning and runner-up amateur ads can be viewed at http://www.mychipotle.com/#/home.

The overall "My Chipotle" campaign was developed by Butler Shine Stern and Partners of Sausalito, Calif. Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) operates about 900 restaurants.

Denver Business Journal - by Mark Harden

Click here to view the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0hI4PiyUTI

WHIP IT Fan Day at Urban Outfitters...

Drew Barrymore "meet and greet" next Wednesday, September 16.

This is free and open to the public.

Wristbands will be distributed on a first come, first
served basis at Urban Outfitters starting at 5:30PM.

7:00PM - 8:30PM

Urban Outfitters
5331 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 190
Dallas, TX 75206
214-821-4371

A DJ from a KHKS-FM will host the event.

Click for information more: http://content.foxsearchlight.com/inside/node/3838

Submitted by Tara Tawater

We're looking for VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS...

This year VideoFest needs your help more then ever. We have a lot of exciting films and artist coming to town. And our 4-day Fest start Nov 5th but we need help getting ready right now. We're looking for some enthusiastic people to help. This is a great opportunity for college students. Come see how a nonprofit works and be on the inside of Film Festival screenings and parties. All jobs are part time and not paid. But please let me know if you want to help, you don't have to know anything about film or video. You just have to have fun.

Marketing Manager Volunteer: You find business and corporations to raise funds and inform about advertising opportunities. Meet the business of Dallas.

Festival Event Coordinator: Plan the parties and events that make a festival fun. You'll be working closely with Marketing to engage the business community and gain sponsorship.

Graphics/office Intern: We have a lot of message and no messenger. If you'd like to have a chance to build a portfolio and work with artist, this will be a good place to start.

Office Intern: If you're interested in working with Non-profit Organizations this is a great place to start. We are a small Org. so you'll be able to see all the parts working up close, from grant writing, fund raising, organizing the people , to board meetings.

FEST Volunteer: Help during the Fest Nov5-8th.

Please send an e-mail with your name, background, and availability. Put the position you'd like to take in the subject line of your e-mail.

Johnny Rutledge, VAD Managing Director - askme@videofest.org

Recent client visits –

Drive Collective

Andrea Maiella and Andrew Urbanyi, AiDallas interns and Kevin Hanson, Principal

IDEATION
Doug Ruppert, Executive Producer and Mark Haynes, Creative Director -AiDallas Alumni

This is an email from one of our Alumni -

Ok friends, I know normally no one does this but I find it funny seeing myself messup allot. I was applying for a job yesterday and I was required to do a video portfolio profile of myself which pretty much means you record yourself talking about who you are and etc. So at first I thought it was gonna be fast and easy but was i wrong! I literally took 2 hours to get it right which means I had allot of bad takes so here it is for you and world to see. My Messups compiled just for you.... Enjoy!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5d_xbGbmKc

North Texas’ Largest
Latino Film Festival

The Vistas Film Festival shows great Latino films year-round. Each fall, Vistas hosts a four-day festival at the Angelika Film Center at Mockingbird Station in Dallas, attracting directors, producers and stars from around the globe. Thousands of film lovers from across North Texas attend the festival to watch movies, have coffee with the filmmakers and to mingle at the after-parties. We invite you to attend the 10th Annual Vistas Film Festival from September 17-20, 2009 at the Angelika Film Center.

The Vistas Film Festival brings great cinematic works by or about Latinos to North Texas. Since 1999, Vistas has given movie-lovers a rare, yet wonderful, opportunity to see exceptional motion pictures from places as remote as the Andes Mountains or as familiar as the streets of San Antonio. Sadly, most of the 300-plus films that Vistas has shown have never returned to Dallas/Fort Worth or other theaters in the United States.

The films shown at Vistas reflect the rich diversity of Latino cultures. We seek to include all genres from every country in Latin America, the Caribbean and Spain. Filmmakers of all cultural backgrounds pleasantly surprise us with films that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries. The wide-ranging topics addressed in the films—whether they are humorous or heavy—reflect the boundless creativity of both emerging and experienced filmmakers. Collectively, they capture the spirit of the 2009 Vistas Film Festival: Old Traditions. New Stories.

The Texas Blood Bath Film Festival values independent horror filmmakers and fans of independent horror.

The Texas Blood Bath Film Festival is now accepting short and feature length independent horror films and trailers for upcoming independent horror films.

http://www.texasbloodbath.com/

If you are a horror fan, we hope to see you at The Texas Blood Bath Film Festival!

DFVP Alum Gets Icky

DFVP alum Richard Kent's documentary, "Icky Twerp: The Electronic Babysitter," is the featured film at the upcoming Slam Bang Theater Retro Weekend.

The event, which runs September 24 and 26, benefits iMedia's Youth Channel. The weekend will bring back memories of Dallas and Fort Worth during the formative years of today's baby boomers, and along with the documentary screening, will feature a Slam Bang Theater cable television marathon, a 60s dance band, and much more. Lysa Ausmus served as the producer of "Icky Twerp," which was named best documentary last spring at a Fort Worth film competition, part of the Main Street Arts Festival.

For more information and to find out what time the documentary will screen on the 26th, visit http://www.dallasimedia.net/.

WIF.D and Studio Movie Grill are partnering together to bring you four opportunities to showcase your work with the new Chick Flicks Film Series and Festival. The screenings and festival celebrate talented women, not only in the film industry, but in video, television, and new media; and not just in Dallas, but Texas-wide!

Studio Movie Grill in Lewisville
1600 S. Stemmons Fwy @ Corp. Dr.
Lewisville, TX 75067 - 972.906.0002

October 8, 2009
Networking will begin at 6:30pm
Program beginning at 7pm.

WIF.D members pay only $5 and non-members $8. Proceeds benefit the WIF.D Scholarship Program.

If you need further information contact chickflicks@wifdallas.org

Welcome!

Welcome to our new Career Services/School of Digital Filmmaking & Video Blog! As a resource to students and graduates of The Art Institute of Dallas, we will be continually posting industry-related information and will invite Guest Bloggers to provide inside-information. Please email David atmailto:delias@aii.edu if you would like to ask a question or suggest a topic. Also, ALWAYS feel free to leave comments.