Tag Archives: Brad Simpson

Zoo Hosts Stars of “Wimpy Kid” Films today for Autograph Signing Event

Posted on by

diarwimpyThe Little Rock Zoo is excited to announce that it will host a special meet-n-greet and autograph signing with the stars of the hit films, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” along with the producer of the film series, Brad Simpson, a native of Little Rock, on Saturday, May 18, at 2:00 p.m.

Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron will be joined by Simpson to sign autographs and meet fans at the Zoo as part of the Little Rock Film Festival held May 15-19.  Gordon plays Greg Heffley, protagonist of the films and of the popular “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book series that the films are based on.  Robert Capron plays the role of Rowley Jefferson, Heffley’s best friend.

The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book series is the all-time best-selling juvenile/young-adult series in the U.S. and remains popular with children and adults alike.

There is no additional charge for the “Wimpy Kids” meet-n-greet but regular Zoo admission prices do apply.  Little Rock Film Festival pass holders will receive free Zoo admission for this event and will receive front-of-the-line access.  To purchase LRFF passes or for more information log-on to www.LittleRockFilmFestival.org.   Adult admission to the Zoo is $10 and admission for children ages 1-12 is $8.  Children under the age of one are admitted free.  Zoo members are always admitted free.  Log-on towww.LittleRockZoo.com/wimpy for more information or call (501) 666-2406.

The Little Rock Film Festival is hosting a red carpet screening of the film “Diary of a Wimpy Kid:  Rodrick Rules” at The Rep in downtown Little Rock at 10:00 a.m. on the same day where both Gordon and Capron will give personal accounts of their experiences filming the “Wimpy Kids” films and will show never-before-seen behind-the-scenes personal pictures of the filming.  Gordon, Capron and Simpson will also be available to answer questions from audience members after the screening.  Seating for this special screening is very limited and tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.LittleRockFilmFestival.org or for a limited time at the door.  Tickets are $10 per person.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit http://www.aza.org.

2013 LR Film Fest Panels Announced

Posted on by

lrff_mp_hdr_logoThe Little Rock Film Festival brings together award winning filmmakers, writers, film critics, producers and distributors for the 2013 LRFFTalks program. LRFFTalks aim to nurture conversations and create a platform for discussions, providing audiences the opportunity to gain an insight into both the creative and the business world of filmmaking.

AMPI Producers Forum

Friday, May 17 at 1pm at 610 Main Street

Arkansas Motion Picture Institute Director and film producer Courtney Pledger hosts a panel discussion with noted producers Brad Simpson (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Boys Don’t Cry, upcoming World War Z and Electric Slide) and Jocelyn Hayes (Lola Versus, The East) reveal lessons learned from nearly two decades of developing and producing films. From their start at New York-based Killer Films with indie producing legend Christine Vachon to working in the Hollywood Studio System, Simpson and Hayes, who also happen to be husband and wife, bring insider insights to the producing process that range from dealing with the change from movie business to media business, working as an independent vs.harnessing the power of a major studio, adapting best-selling books to the screen, staying in love with movies….to figuring out how to stay married when making a movie together.

 

Cinematic NonFiction: The New Documentary 

Saturday, May 18 at 12:45pm at Filmmaker Lounge inside the Arkansas Repertory Theatre

Moderated by award winning filmmaker and writer Robert Greene; panelists include Rick Rowley (Dirty Wars) Bill Ross (Tchoupitoulas) Lauren Wissot (Filmmaker Magazine) Philip Martin (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

In the past decade we have experienced a renaissance in nonfiction filmmaking. With access to cheap cameras and a collective education in cinematic storytelling, documentary filmmakers are pushing the boundaries and creating some of the most exciting films out there. Meanwhile, most established film critics seem to have completely missed the boat, writing about documentaries in terms of “subject” or “issue,” instead of basing their criticism around an advanced discussion of documentary form, including the collapsing walls between fiction and nonfiction. Jumping off from his essay in Hammer to Nail, filmmaker/writer Robert Greene will lead a discussion with a a panel of filmmakers and critics about the state of documentary storytelling today and the role critics are playing for better or worse.

 

Distributor Spotlight: Oscilloscope Laboratories

Saturday, May 18 at 1:45pm at Filmmaker Lounge inside the Arkansas Repertory Theatre

Panelists include: Joshua Fu, Director of Marketing, Oscilloscope Laboratories; Lofty Nathan – dir 120’Clock Boys, These Birds Walk – Omar Mullick; After Tiller – Martha Shane and Lana Wilson

Founded by former Beastie Boy, the late Adam Yauch, Oscilloscope Laboratories is one of the most exciting and innovative players in independent film distributor. Joshua Fu, head of Marketing at Oscilloscope will discuss his company’s mission and direction and sit down with directors of some of Ocilloscope’s newest acquisitions including LRFF2013 Official Selections 12’0 Clock Boys, These Birds Walk, and After Tiller.

 

The Making of Beasts of the Southern Wild 

Saturday, May 18 at 4:15pm at Cornerstone Pub

Bill Ross a New Orleans filmmaker behind LRFF2012 Official Selection Tchoupitoulas –will present two behind-the-scenes films he made on the making of the Oscar nominated film and LRFF2012 Golden Rock Winner Beasts of the Southern Wild. The first short covers pre-production for the film shot entirely in the Louisiana Bayou with many first time actors. The second short focuses on the first day of production. This special screening and talk will be moderated by award winning filmmaker/writer Robert Greene.