The Ojai Post

A brilliant pondering on the act of procrastination, it immediately reminded me of some students I'm working with now who have mastered the art of sharpening pencils in order to avoid doing their homework. It plays again at the Art Center at 5:30pm Saturday along with JUST ONE OF THE GYNOS, a 15 minute short from producer, Tripper Clancy. It tells the story of a gynecologist who's been overexposed to the female anatomy, much to the dismay of his new wife. Very well told with a perfect cast.

Then the late Hope Frazier's film BRUSHY screened. I'd first seen it at the presentation she had given at the art center a couple of years ago. I was reminded of the brief time I got to know her while we served together on the Ojai Arts Commission and the influence she continues to have on the community. I thought it a great tribute to screen her film during the festival.

But it wasn't in the program, which explained the introduction of the last film to be screened; BURNING THE FUTURE: COAL IN AMERICA. This 89 minute documentary by director and producer David Novack explains the devastating effects that mountain top mining has on the residents of West Virginia. Though it dragged a little for me, it was still compelling and heartbreaking and I highly recommend you go see the screening of these films on Saturday at 5:30 at Ojai Art Center.

The 3pm screenings at the art center were even more enjoyable. I steeped into the theater after SEBASTIAN'S VOODOO had already begun and caught the tail end of the 5 minute, 3D animated student film by producer and director Joaquin Baldwin. “A voodoo doll must find the courage within him to save his friends from being pinned to death.” The ending was very touching. But that was the second screening, so...maybe I can get a copy.

OUTSOURCE is a very intriguing 12 minute short from producer Daniel Trezise and producer Brady Nasfell. Computer animation highlights the story of two people functioning menial tasks in their robot prisons when “Max,” decides to act on his desire for human contact. A wonderful film.

Another film by a talented student is CALIFORNIA KING, a 22 minute short from producer and director Eli Akira Kaufman. It tells the story of a giftedly persuasive mattress salesman falls in love with a skeptical insomniac.

These three films made a great lead into HOTEL GRAMERCY PARK from directing and producing team, Douglas Keeve and Wendy Ettinger. The 74 minute documentary chronicles the lives of the residents of the famed Manhattan landmark as they endure its complete makeover by its new owner. A must see film, it unfortunately will not be screened again.

I skipped the screenings of TRU LOVED and THE OTHER WOMAN. They'll both screen again Sunday at 8pm at the Ojai Theater.

It was nearing time for the evening's festivities and the volunteer team, headed by Noel Douglas-Roth and Peter Donovan were in a panic to get things prepared. The courtyard of the art center was colorfully decorated. Pizza and beer would be the main course for the casual affair. And like the day before there were last minute fires to put out. I joined in the setting up and got things set up; coffee and tea service from Zhena Gypsy Tea, donated beer bar, water & soft drink and a boutique selling books by tomorrow night's award recipient, Ray Bradbury. Michael Kelly was one of the first to arrive with his family and John Anthony Miller, who manned the book boutique. I worked with Michael and John last year when the produced the first annual Ray Bradbury Festival at the Rubicon Theater. Since then Michael has joined the board of OFF and along with Malcolm MacDowell, brought Ray Bradbury into the fold to receive his lifetime achievement award. Michael teased my about once again not having a camera and called me the worst reporter in Southern California. I couldn't argue with that, so we just started drinking while we waited for something exciting to happen.

With the party underway I gave Michael Shevchuk a call. He is doing his regular volunteer post of running the projections during the festival. He had just finished the 5:30 screenings at Matilija Auditorium and rushed over for Domino's photo ops. As we sat at a table next to a young Asian woman who asked if we were film makers. She had caught Michael's comment about the screening he'd just seen, which he did not enjoy. Her animated short would be in the 8pm screening at the art center, so it added more interest to seeing the last set of films for the day.

THE DARK, a 3 minute animated student film by our new-found friend, Thy Than was a joy! Made with sand on glass, this film is once again a showcase for a great student talent. It was followed by PICKIN' AND TRIMMIN', a 23 minute documentary about a barbershop in Drexel, North Carolina where for over 40 years the owners have been host of a weekly jam session for Bluegrass musicians. Producer and director Matt Morris introduces us to a small town world that will slip away with time. Well done and quite enjoyable.

I can't say that for the last film, though. MULLIGANS, the 89 minute Canadian feature by producer Charlie David and director Chip Hale. “Desperate Housewives,” Michael commented as he lumbered out five minutes into the movie. I was interested in the story billed as The Graduate for a new generation. The cast is beautiful and I drawn the gay storyline but I couldn't get past the rudimentary storytelling and the Desperate Housewives comment. “More like an after school special,” was the comment from talented film student. And, “Get the #%@& outta' here,” was the conclusion of one audience member who managed to stay through to the film's predictable ending.

The party was fun. Not the crowed bustle of year's past, what with a full schedule of screenings. And the November night's make the evenings especially chilly. Talk often turned to Obama's election victory. Many revealed that they were going through angst as election day unfolded. For me, the thing that would clinch the deal would be hearing McCain's concession speech, which I thought was great. I did get a good laugh listening to Michael Kelly and David Shor telling me about Michael's run-in with legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Michael had become acquainted with Mr. Aldrin at last year's Jules Verne Film Festival and presented Aldrin with a photograph Michael had taken of him and Michael's son Devin with Ray Bradbury. I won't give details, I'll just wrap this up and announce that this evening's Lifetime Achievement Awards and Ceremony will be held tonight at the Ojai Valley Inn, followed by the Filmmaker Libbey Awards and Ceremony and closing night party. Awards will be given to Ray Bradbury and Dick Donner and Lauren Shuler Donner. And special screenings of LADYHAWKE and THE WONDERFUL ICE CREAM SUIT will be this afternoon at Matilija Auditorium. Do come out and enjoy the festival today and throughout tomorrow.