Loon

New LOON website!

2010-10-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

www.LoonMovie.com

Updated website with everything LOON related!

New LOON DVD and LOON On-Demand!

2010-10-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

A new LOON Special Edition DVD will soon be released! More updates to come, but you can look forward to special behind-the-scenes features!

LOON ON-DEMAND!

http://loon.watchime.com/

Method Fest!

2009-03-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

LOON has been accepted into the 11th Annual METHOD FEST INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL!

This is the only major U.S. film festival focusing on acting. The festival runs from March 26 to April 2, 2009. Named after the famous "Method" school of acting, which revolutionized the approach in acting, particularly in film, The Method Fest is a festival of discovery, showcasing breakout acting performances by emerging actors in character and story-driven films.

I urge you all to please check out this festival!

LOON screens in the SHORT PROGRAM 8: "That's Incredible!", Sunday March 29 at 4:15 PM. The venue is the Agoura/Calabasas Community Center: 27049 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas, CA 91301.

For more information see: www.methodfest.com

Best Student Production, College!

2008-10-12T23:27:00.001-07:00

LOON is honored at the KIDS FIRST! BEST 2008 Awards!

The Coalition for Quality Children's Media has awarded LOON the 1st place award for BEST STUDENT PRODUCTION, COLLEGE. What an incredible honor from such a fantastic organization! The ceremony was held at the Academy for Television Arts and Sciences (yes, as in the Emmy's!) and we received the award from Mallory Lewis, daughter of Shari Lewis, who has kept up the tradition of performing with the puppet "Lamb Chop".

Estes Park

2008-10-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

"A Fanciful Family Film..."

- Estes Park News (September 12, 2008)

LOON had a great screening at the Estes Park Film Festival September 11-14. Kelly's parents were there in full support and got some nice pictures.

They also noticed that LOON was mentioned in the local newspaper, The Estes Park News. Check out the article here.

Nominations!!

2008-09-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

LOON has two more nominations!

We are up for BEST STUDENT PRODUCTION, COLLEGE at the Kids First! Film Festival Awards Celebration to be held at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on October 4. For more info, see the Kids First! website.

Lourdes Pantin has been nominated by the SoCal Independent Film Festival for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS for her role as "Amanda" in LOON. The Award Ceremony will be held Sunday September 14 at the Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center. Congratulations Lourdes!! See the SoCal website for more info.

BendFilm!

2008-09-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

LOON has been accepted to the BendFilm Festival in Bend, Oregon! This festival places an emphasis on giving independent filmmakers exposure and opportunities in a beautiful setting among the Cascades of Oregon. With plenty of events and films, this looks to be a great festival! In our acceptance letter, the director explains that they had some truly "sensational" films submitted this year. Sounds like fun! The festival runs October 9-12 and the schedule should be posted soon their website.

Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival!

2008-09-07T22:46:00.000-07:00

We've been asked to screen at the LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL! We are screening the weekend of October 4-5 at the E for All Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. E for All is the largest video-game and interactive entertainment convention in the world, with more than 18,000 visitors. LOON will be screened at the convention center's state-of-the-art theater. The screening time will be listed soon on their website.

Chicago International Children's Film Festival!

2008-08-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

We have been invited to screen LOON at the 25th Annual CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL October 23 - November 2, 2008!!!

The CICFF is North America's largest and most celebrated film festival devoted to films for and by kids, and it's the only Academy-qualifying children's film festival in the world!

This year, "Cannes for Kids" features over 200 of the best films and videos for kids from 40 countries. The festival welcomes over 26,000 Chicago area children, adults, and educators to hundreds of screenings. More than 100 filmmakers, media professionals and celebrities attend the festival to lead interactive workshops with kids.

Check out the CICFF website here!

Big Bear Lake International Film Festival!

2008-08-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

LOON is heading to Big Bear Lake! Check out their website here!

The festival takes place in scenic Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California. They have a busy schedule full of film seminars, lectures, screenings and great events! Be sure to look at their lineup of activities and let me know if you are interested in attending!

South Dakota Film Festival!

2008-08-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

LOON has been invited to participate in the 2008 South Dakota Film Festival September 19 - 21!

LOON will screen Sunday, September 21 at the Historic Capitol Theatre in Aberdeen, SD. Check out their webpage here!

This is a really exciting event for us - the festival director himself found us, liked our trailer and invited us to attend! If you have the chance to check out this festival, do so! It looks great! Many of the films come from the Great Plains area - hopefully the "Linds" will bring some smiles to the faces of our audience members there!

14th Annual Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival!

2008-08-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

LOON has been invited to participate in the 14th Annual Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival September 17-21, 2008!!

I will be attending their "Media Preview Night" Thursday August 21 and get to talk about LOON to the press that will be attending the festival.

The festival will be screening LOON at least twice, but keep an eye on their website here for their posted schedule.

This looks like a fantastic event with plenty of activities (balloon rides, wine tasting and even a grand entrance for each film on opening night when we get to arrive in a vintage car!!).

Please contact me if you are interested in coming to the festival!

SoCal Independent Film Festival!

2008-07-30T21:59:00.001-07:00

LOON is heading to Huntington Beach as part of the SoCal Independent Film Festival!

How exciting for us to screen in Huntington Beach where we originally shot the opening sequence to the film! This should be a fun festival which runs September 9-14. Check out their website here. The schedule will be posted soon!

In other news:

Our screening times have been announced for the Non Violence Film Festival in Cambridge, Ontario.

We are set for Thursday, September 18 at 12:45 PM at Tassie Hall and then we screen on Saturday, September 20 at 1 PM at Kitchener City Hall.

More info can be found here.

Greetings from the Action On Film Festival!

2008-07-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

LOON screened on Saturday in Pasadena at the Action On Film International Film Festival.

Kelly and I attended and had a great time! The Laemmle theatre in Pasadena was really interesting, in that you had to go down two sets of escalators to get down to the theaters! Underground theaters. Once we got down there, we were happy to be greeted by our LOON POSTER.

After LOON screened I was invited up to the front for a question and answer period. I got to answer the standard questions - what was the inspiration for the film, where did you shoot, etc. but then we started discussing Carson's mother "Kathy Lind" (played by Liz Laird). People were so curious to hear if she is indeed from Minnesota (she is) and we got several comments on what a fun character she is. Afterward, we got lots of nice compliments as well! Good times!

Estes Park and other notes

2008-07-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

LOON has been accepted into the ESTES PARK FILM FESTIVAL and will screen at the Historic Park Theater in Estes Park, CO (the oldest operating movie theater west of the Mississippi). We are tentatively scheduled to screen Thursday, September 11 at 4 PM as part of the Student Showcase.

I'm really excited that LOON can be a part of this festival! Not only is it our first venture into Colorado, but Estes Park is the home of Kelly's parents! It's a beautiful area of the country and the festival promises to be a lot of fun too! Check out their website here.

Upcoming Screenings:

ACTION ON FILM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

1pm

Saturday July 26

Laemmle Theatre

One Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA

More info here!

HERMOSA SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL

11:30 AM "Kid Block"

Saturday August 9

Hermosa Beach Playhouse

Pier Ave. & Pacific Coast Hwy

Hermosa Beach, CA

More info here!

Eugene International Film Festival

2008-07-20T13:20:00.000-07:00

LOON is an Official Selection at the EUGENE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

The festival runs October 3 - 5 and promises to be a great event. EIFF is a "boutique festival and market" as several films in the past have secured distribution deals. EIFF describes itself as "competitive, yet friendly; not large, but close knit". EIFF honors filmmakers "who inspire, entertain and inform through fact or fiction".

What a honor for LOON to have the opportunity to travel to OREGON!

Check out the website here.

NVIFF

2008-07-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

LOON has been accepted into the NON VIOLENCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

The festival runs from September 12 - 20 and will be held in Cambridge, Ontario CANADA - this marks LOON's first appearance outside of the United States!

Check out the festival's website at here.

AOF Nomination

2008-07-17T20:36:00.000-07:00

LOON is nominated for OUTSTANDING CAST PERFORMANCE at the Action on Film International Film Festival!

AOF will hold a Black Tie Award Show and Dinner at the Twin Palms Restaurant, 101 West Green Street, Pasadena, CA on Thursday July 31. See the AOF website for more information.

Congratulations to our wonderful and talented cast!

Miles Heizer

Lourdes Pantin

Gregory G. Giles

Elizabeth Laird

Leandro Cano

Taylor Perry

Hermosa Shorts!

2008-07-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

LOON is heading to the beach as part of the Hermosa Shorts Film Festival!

The festival runs August 8-10 and it looks like it'll be a lot of fun! Check out their webpage here. They will soon be posting their schedule. Hope many of you can make it!!

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Since Hermosa Shorts first opened its doors in 2003, Hermosa Beach has been a film destination for film makers around the world. Not because Travel Magazine rated Hermosa Beach "Best Beach Town" in America, but for Hermosa's long history of supporting the arts. The grand Hermosa Playhouse, home of Hermosa Shorts, has won awards for its renovations and its new screen and audio rival the best theaters in the world. Thousands of attendees and industry moguls have called Hermosa Shorts one the the best film festivals in the country with the LA Times declaring Hermosa shorts a huge success! Many of the films screened at Hermosa Shorts were made into features with distribution. Writers, Directors, Producers and Actors have all used Hermosa Shorts as a spring board for their careers.

San Diego International Children's Film Festival!

2008-07-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to report that LOON has gotten into the San Diego International Children's Film Festival!

The festival's mission is "To showcase quality films from the U.S. and around the world, made for children and/or teens, introducing children and teens to different cultures, nationalities, ideas and creative filmmaking techniques".

LOON is currently slated to screen at 2:30 p.m. Saturday Aug. 23.

It's exciting to have LOON included in another children's festival - the kids seem to enjoy the film! Best of all, the event is free to attend.

Keep an eye on their website for more information here.

LOON in Action!

2008-06-29T01:26:00.000-07:00

LOON has been accepted into the 2008 ACTION ON FILM International Film Festival!

The 4th Annual AOF International Film Festival takes place from July 25-31 at the beautiful Laemmle Theaters in Old Pasadena, California.

LOON is slated to screen Saturday July 26 at 1PM.

Check out the LOON Trailer on the AOF Website!

Loon Lands in Utah!

2008-06-27T19:50:00.001-07:00

LOON has been accepted into the 2008 Gloria Film Festival!

Gloria's mission statement is "To showcase films that stir the soul, heal the heart, and enrich the world". I'm proud that LOON can be a part of such a festival that emphasizes films with "engaging characters, thought-provoking stories, and time honored values".

LOON is slated to screen at 1 PM Saturday August 2nd at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley, UT.

Check out the Gloria Festival website here.

Moving Pictures Magazine Article and Kids First! Trailer

2008-05-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

Moving Pictures Magazine has published an article I wrote when LOON was accepted into the Newport Beach Film Festival. I didn't think much of it when I wrote it, but I was surprised to see that it got posted on their website! Check it out here.

Also, Kids First! has uploaded the LOON trailer! Check out their YouTube site here. The trailer will soon be included on the Loon Website!

Audience Award Winner!

2008-05-20T00:50:00.001-07:00

Loon wins the Audience Award at the Danville International Children's Film Festival!

This award was voted on by the audience members at the festival and was given to one film as their favorite, regardless of the category. We were also nominated for Best Short.

It was a truly memorable weekend!

Upcoming Festivals

2008-05-12T00:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend LOON is at two festivals!

The BIG ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL in Hawaii will screen LOON at 11:30 AM Hawaiian Time on Saturday May 17. Be sure to check out their program here. Looks like they've got all kinds of fun things going on!

The DANVILLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL will screen LOON twice. We're on at 10 AM Saturday May 17 at the Village Theater as well as 10 AM Sunday May 18 at the Town Hall in Danville, CA. Be sure to check out their impressive program here. Should be a lot of fun!

Kids First!

2008-05-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

LOON has been accepted into the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival 2008!

I'm proud to say that Loon will be included with about 75 films at KIDS FIRST! events running July 15 through October 15, 2008. Their festival screenings take place in more than 100 different venues nationwide, including established film festivals, art and children's museums, nonprofit film centers, community centers and similar venues.

I'll be receiving a weekly update on LOON's bookings and of course I will post them on here.

Check out the KIDS FIRST! website here.

Weekend Festival Wrap Up

2008-05-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well, here we go with the first blog entry for Loon. With many people asking for updates, I will use this blog site for more casual announcements, reports from Loon Screenings, and other odds and ends for all you "loon-atics" out there!

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival

Loon screened Saturday April 19th at 2:30 CT! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a reasonable last-minute flight or afford the gas to drive there and back! Seemed like a great festival. There was a lot of publicity for the festival and some cool articles online. Check out our listing on the Twin Cities Daily Planet: http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/film-review/shorts/family-shorts.html

I was excited to see that we screened with another USC thesis film, "Borderline", by my friend Sam Lembeck. He actually did attend the screening, so I hope to hear from him soon regarding the details of how it went. For more information on the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival, check out their site here. Take a look at their impressive catalogue. Loon is listed under "the films" under "family shorts". Considering that the characters of Loon come from Minnesota, I am incredibly honored that our film could premier in Minneapolis!!

Fallbrook Film Festival

Kelly and I had the privilege to attend the Fallbrook Film Festival last weekend where Loon screened Saturday morning April 26 at the historic Mission Theater. Fallbrook is in inland northern San Diego county. We were treated to a cozy opening gala at the Fallbrook Art Center and got to sample wine from two local wineries. You can see pictures from the event here - under "Fallbrook Film Festival April 28". Each filmmaker received a Fallbrook hat, poster and two avocados! (Fallbrook is known as the avocado capital of the world).

Loon screened Saturday morning at 10 AM as part of a children's program. We were the last film to screen and unfortunately a good percentage of the audience left during and immediately following the lengthy animated feature that began the program. For more information on the Fallbrook Film Fesival, click here.

The same weekend as Fallbrook, we also attended the:

Newport Beach Film Festival

This was an incredible film festival! Taking place at the Fashion Island center, Loon screened twice in two separate programs in the comfy, commercial Edwards Island Cinemas.

Sunday April 27th we were in the program "Teen Shorts, Tween Shorts, on the Big Screen Shorts"

We had a great audience! Loon seemed to play very well with the young "tweenagers" - people laughed, gasped and someone even shouted "oh my gosh it's moving!" - when an inanimate object moves by itself -- this, by the way, was a tiny little detail that we included in one scene, that I thought no one would ever notice. I put it in there for the fun of it and I must say I was shocked that someone discovered it on a first viewing! Pretty cool. For those interested in making this discovery yourself, check out the scene when Carson and Amanda walk into the main room in the casa at night after their incident in the hallway. Fun, fun! Overall, I was really impressed with the other films that screened with Loon. We got to partake in a Question and Answer session following the program and discussed our inspirations, etc.

Wednesday April 30th I was back down in Newport for the second screening. This program was titled "Suspension of Disbelief Shorts". Again, we screened with some great films. I love listening to comments made by audience members during the screening. This time I heard someone behind me say, while the credits of Loon rolled on the screen, "All the USC films have been incredible!" Also, a teenage boy behind me was so impressed with the Amanda character (Lourdes Pantin). While the credits rolled he talked on and on about how he would love to meet her and how he hoped she was at the screening. Following the screening we again answered questions from the audience and this time discussed specific locations, budgets, what was the most difficult part of the film, etc. All around good time. Our composer Brandon was there too. For more information on the Newport Beach Film Festival, check out this link.

Our upcoming festivals are:

BIG ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL

May 15 - 18. Loon is screening at the Honu Venu on Saturday May 17 at 11:30 Hawaiian Time.

Take a look at their website and see all the fun events that they've got going on. It should be a great time, but unfortunately flights are way too expensive for us to attend.

DANVILLE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

May 16 - 18. Loon is screening twice in Danville: 10 AM Saturday May 17 at the Village Theater and then again at 10 AM Sunday May 18 at the Town Hall in Danville.