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Update #6: Save The Date: Release party Thursday, February 23, at 8pm
We wanted to announce this as soon as possible, so expect an official announcement with more details later. We will be having our release party on Thursday, February 23 at 8pm. Hoping to see you there!
Update #5: And..another Shabbat Dinner test screening!
(cross posted on my blog but with a cute picture included)
Well, the edit is almost done. The color is quite close. The sound is off and the music is temp, but let's never mind about that. What matters is that we are 90% done and we need your fresh eyes and ears to finish the job.
January 3, 2012(!) / 9:00pm at my place in the East Village / LES. Email rsvp@mjmfilms.com for the location. We have about 10 spots for this one. And of course, there will be wine!
Update #4: You're invited to a test screening of Shabbat Dinner!
(cross posted on my blog)
Whew! We filmed on November 12-13 and I've been editing ever since. We have a good rough cut, and because we are trying to hit some festival deadlines in TWO WEEKS, we're fast tracking the editing of Shabbat Dinner. This means that we need to lock the picture by the end of this week.
At this stage of the edit (for the next week), your feedback could be incredibly helpful in shaping the film and making it the best it can be. Having fresh eyes and creative responses is what we need to take it to the next level.
We'll be holding two test screenings of the film - one on Monday (Dec 5th) at 8pm, and one on Wednesday (Dec 7) at 9:30pm - at my apartment in the East Village. We have to limit it to about 12 people per screening. It's a great opportunity to see how a film evolves through editing. We'll talk about what works for you and what doesn't. Oh, and did I mention there will be wine?
To RSVP, send an email to rsvp@mjmfilms.com and you'll get a reply with the details. If you're not available let me know and I may be able to make a version available online for screening.
Looking forward to showing the film to some of you!
- Michael
Update #3: Filming finished! Editing begun!
Well, thanks to your support, we filmed last weekend over Saturday and Sunday. The shoot went fantastically and I hope to put up some video from it soon, but for now I am steadily editing, editing. I've got a rough cut of the first few scenes done and hope to get the whole film broadly edited by the end of the week.
Don't let that make you think this thing is almost done! After the rough cut, the real work begins. We'll speak to musicians about scoring the film and refine the edit in conjunction with them. Then comes an advanced, detailed process of sound editing and color work. Especially on a quick and dirty production like the one we've done, it benefits a lot from meticulous work done in editing.
We'll probably be having some test screenings to get feedback on the film - watch this space for an invitation!
Still hoping to have the film done by end of January, at which point we'll have a premiere party and begin releasing it to festivals. More important than getting it done on time, though, is getting it done right, which we aim to do!
Much love and a happy Thanksgiving. I know what I'm thankful for...
Mike Morgenstern
http://mjmfilms.com/
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 7, 2011.
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Wow, you're awesome! Every little bit helps. Your name will go up on our website in gratitude.
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An invitation to the SHABBAT DINNER release party in New York City (on Friday night, of course! Includes the above.)
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A prerelease signed copy of the SHABBAT DINNER DVD before it gets shown in festivals (Includes all the above.)
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Associate Producer credit in the film and a SHABBAT DINNER sticker. You are now a part of the magic of the movies! (Includes all the above.)
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Receive a custom designed SHABBAT DINNER t-shirt or mug. (Includes all the above.)
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A one-hour lesson from one of the filmmakers in cinematography, directing, producing, Final Cut Pro, color correction, sound design, screenwriting, or fundraising. (Includes the first four items above; in NYC or Los Angeles, must be flexible with dates.)
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Meet and greet with Mike and Aidan. Drinks or lattes on us, as well as advice on everything from getting your film funded and made to distribution to jazz. (includes above website thank-you and DVD.) (Includes the first four items above, in NYC.)
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We will custom design a DVD menu, cover, and jacket for one of your movies for a completely professional look. (Includes the first four items above.)
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Executive Producer credit plus: Watch us edit the film! Sit in on an editing, color correction, or sound design session. (Includes the first four items above. You must be available in NYC in November while the film is being edited)
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Executive Producer credit plus: Get into the film! We will name a character after you or hide an object of your choosing in the film frame. (Your name must be Jewish-sounding and fit with the rest of the names. First or last name! Includes the first four items above. Object must be reasonable.)
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Executive Producer credit plus: Invitation to a fancy dinner with the filmmakers, where we will regale you with photographs, tales from the film, and a private screening. (Includes the first four items above.)
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Executive Producer credit plus: We will host a screening of Shabbat Dinner in your home, a theater you have access to, or any other location you can provide anywhere in the US (Only safe areas to which we can obtain visas. Does not include cost of transportation.)
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Executive Producer credit plus: We will make a mini documentary, music video, or other film for you (Must be less than six hours of shooting and flexible with dates. Does not include production expenses. Includes the first four items above.)
Project By
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Aidan Levy, Producer: Aidan graduated from Brown University in 2008 with a degree in English. He worked as a production assistant on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" from season 7 through season 10, when the show finished its run in June 2011. He has worked as an associate producer for Prospect Theater Company and has produced several short films. He currently works in props and set dressing on movies and TV shows through IATSE Local 52. He is pursuing an MFA in writing and producing at Long Island University, and writes freelance stories on music for The New York Times, Village Voice, and JazzTimes magazine. In his spare time, he maintains a weekly gig playing the baritone saxophone and clarinet in the Stan Rubin Orchestra.
Michael Morgenstern, Director: Michael has been directing films since age 10. Two and a half years after moving to New York City, he has had the opportunity to work with industry leaders such as Ang Lee, Ted Hope, and Caroline Baron. He directed a commercial voiced by Linus Roache, a music video for Mark Williams, and a film for the Harvard Ballet Company. His feature documentary "Castle on High" debuted at the Rhode Island International Film Festival and was praised by IvyGate Blog as "nothing short of a miracle." Michael brings a passion for social justice to all his work. With the nonprofit FilmAid, he created films and taught production in the Kenyan refugee camps and screened the national presidential debates to refugees in Haiti. He is currently writing a television show and several feature scripts; he also owns a t-shirt company and is developing a non-profit. Michael graduated from Brown University in 2008 and has pursued advanced film study at the FAMU conservatory in the Czech Republic.
