Graham Gordy discusses the film and TV industry at Old State House Brown Bag lecture today at 12 noon

Photo by Nancy Nolan

Photo by Nancy Nolan

The Old State House offers regular noontime lectures on a variety of topics.  These “Brown Bag Lectures” take place at 12 noon.  The next one is today.

Graham Gordy, the award-winning Arkansan writer, will discuss how the film and television industry have changed after the Recession.

Gordy’s discussion is in conjunction with the Old State House’s “Lights! Camera! Arkansas!” exhibit which is currently on display.  It focuses on connections between Arkansas and Hollywood.

Gordy’s credits include include the current series “Rectify” the upcoming movie Quarry as well as the films War Eagle, Arkansas and The Love Guru.  As an actor, he has appeared in “Rectify,” My Dog Skip and The Last Ride.  As a youth, he also appeared on various stages in Central Arkansas.

Fight the Summer Heat – Enjoy FROZEN at Movies in the Park tonight

MitP10 FrozenThe 2013 film Frozen is tonight’s film at Movies in the Park.

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, it is inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen story “The Snow Queen.”  This Oscar winning movie stars Kirsten Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk, Ciaran Hinds and Edie McClurg.  Frozen was named Best Animated Feature at the Oscars. It also won the Best Song Oscar for “Let It Go” by Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

Now in its 10th season, Movies in the Park is a free outdoor film series at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.  The move starts at dark (around 8:30).

Movies in the Park has grown to a season of eight films per year, on average, reaching audiences of up to 4,000 people. It’s a staple event in Central Arkansas. Communities from across the state, and the country, have reached out for guidance as they have tried to implement similar programs in the own communities.

Since 2008, the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau has been managing Movies in the Park.

48 Hour Film Project this weekend in Little Rock

2014 48hrLittle Rock will be overrun with filmmakers this weekend as the annual 48 Hour Film Project takes place from June 27 – 29.

From conception to post-production, participating teams have only 48 hours to make movie magic.  Filmmakers must write, cast, produce and edit a four to seven minute film in two days. Each team is given a genre, a character, a prop and a line of dialogue that must be used. The story is up to them.

“[The] 48Hour is a great experience for filmmakers and film fans alike who want to get a taste of what it’s like to complete a short film from scratch,” said Levi Agee, producer of the LRFF 48 Hour Film Project. “You’ll never participate in anything like it. This is Little Rock Film Festival’s fifth year supporting the film festival and we are all very excited to see what Little Rock puts up on the big screen.”

At the end of the weekend, each team will submit their completed film, which will be screened in the near future.

Registration is $175. Anyone interested can register here.  For more information, visit the website.

Picnic at Movies in the Park with EAT PRAY LOVE

The 2010 film Eat Pray Love MitP10 EatPrayLoveis tonight’s film at Movies in the Park.

Directed by Ryan Murphy of “Glee” fame, it stars Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.  Others in the cast include Billy Crudup, Viola Davis, James Franco, Mike O’Malley, Welker White, and Michael Cumpsty.  Arkansan Ashlie Atkinson is also featured.

Now in its 10th season, Movies in the Park is a free outdoor film series at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.  The move starts at dark (around 8:30).

Movies in the Park has grown to a season of eight films per year, on average, reaching audiences of up to 4,000 people. It’s a staple event in Central Arkansas. Communities from across the state, and the country, have reached out for guidance as they have tried to implement similar programs in the own communities.

Since 2008, the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau has been managing Movies in the Park.

 

 

 

Lights Camera Action – The Science of Making Movies tonight at the Museum of Discovery’s Science after Dark; for ages 21 and up

06 14 science after darkIrving Berlin wrote “There’s No Business like Show Business.” Some argue that film is an art not a business.  But the reality is, without science, there would not be film. The act of capturing images and sound on a thin strip of plastic is the result of a great deal of science over the past 150 years.

Tonight at the Museum of Discovery, it is the monthly Science After Dark feature for adults.  This month explores the Science of Making Movies.  Learn about the science of lights, camera and even action tonight.

The program runs from 6pm to 8pm at the Museum of Discovery. It costs $5, but is free to Museum Members.  If you attend several of these a year as well as visit the museum once or twice, you MORE than make up your membership fee.

(And after you have learned about the science of making movies, you can attend Movies in the Park tonight just outside the museum in Riverfront Park.)

Summer is here, take your kids to the museum.  If you don’t have kids, borrow some from a friend, neighbor or relative — you’ll be their hero.  Or just go by yourself – the Museum of Discovery offers activities and exhibits designed to engage literally all ages.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

Juneteenth logoAs part of the local Juneteenth celebration, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center hosts a day long event featuring activities, vendors, food and entertainment for the entire community. Events run from 11am to 5pm.

This year’s music line-up includes Ricky Howard, Delya Russell, Foreign Tongues, Steven Young – Artists United, Butterfly featuiring Irie Soul, Epiphany and the Big John Miller Band.

The museum will also celebrate an opening of a new exhibit on Arkansas African American legislators.

At 1pm, MTCC, in partnership with AETN, PBS and the UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity, presents this free documentary film premiere of American Experience: Freedom Summer.

FreedomSummer-PosterCMYK for webThe screening is in advance of the national broadcast premiere. This 2014 Official Sundance Selection from acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Nelson will premiere at MTCC in conjunction with the Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom. This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Freedom Summer.

As the campaign launches, 700 student volunteers are trained to register voters, teach in Freedom Schools, and help establish an alternate political party to represent the rights of those previously disenfranchised.

After learning of these impending summer activities, the white establishment in Mississippi prepares to fight off an invasion. Young activists, students, and local citizens work through their fear together, hoping to make a difference in black communities. As the summer wears on, many of their fears are realized.

A panel and Q & A will follow the premiere.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas, origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

After the office, go see OFFICE SPACE tonight at Movies in the Park

MitP10 OfficeSpacePut on your flair, fill out your TPS reports, and hop on your “Jump to Conclusions” mat. Office Space is tonight’s film at Movies in the Park.

Mike Judge’s workplace masterpiece is 15 years old this year.  As the employees of Initech and Chotchkie’s, it stars Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Root, Gary Cole, David Herman, Ajay Naidu, Diedrich Bader, John C. McGinley, Paul Wilson, Alexandra Wentworth and Greg Pitts.

Now in its 10th season, Movies in the Park is a free outdoor film series at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.  The move starts at dark (around 8:30).

Movies in the Park has grown to a season of eight films per year, on average, reaching audiences of up to 4,000 people. It’s a staple event in Central Arkansas. Communities from across the state, and the country, have reached out for guidance as they have tried to implement similar programs in the own communities.

Since 2008, the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau has been managing Movies in the Park.