VOX

Dave Wright MC’d today’s screenings, and he noted that the film festival was 15 months in the making.

The opening included a clip of Kathleen Kennedy sending her greetings, congratulations, and regrets on not being able to attend. This was a nice touch, and served as a living example of how it is possible to start in a small town and really go somewhere.

The first film of the day was introduced by Dr. Lang Dayton, father of Todd Dayton, who was unable to attend.

Todd’s entry for the festival was “Matsutake,” his senior project for the UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Journalism. It was an impressive film, that took us through the entire process of harvesting and production of the world’s most expensive mushroom, Matsutake.

I was impressed with how the film went beyond just recounting facts to give us a feel for what it is like for those who, at each step of the way, work to bring this exotic food to Japanese consumers. The prices can range upwards of $600 a pound. The forests of Oregon are one of the few places with the specific, volcanic soil to support this fungus.  I was more than entertained by this film, and if I had tuned across a PBS or National Geographic channel, I would not have been surprised to find it there. It was of high quality. His production company’s website is www.falloutpictures.com.

Next up was Chase Jensen. Jensen’s story is that he left Redding for Los Angeles to work in the fashion industry, but was drawn in by film and landed at Azusa-Pacific His second entry for Sundial, “Revenge of the Mouse” was three-minute long  claymation with a dark sense of humor. Read more…

Robb Film festival, Film, media, People, Redding, Shasta

I was at the opening festivities of the first Sundial Film Festival, and it was well worth the $30 for a three-day pass.

The opening film was the documentary, “Angle of Inspiration,” and it was fitting. I had seen this film before, on DVD, and sent it along as a Christmas gift to my dad. I need to trek over to Turtle Bay Gift Shop for another two or three….

“Pigeon Pilfer” was screened next, a clever and artfully executed stop-action short. Michael Stevenson (a former student of mine when he was at Shasta College) wowed us. He said, during his brief speech, that the film represented four solid months of work for the 1:30 run time.   But he packed a great deal of story into such a short format, and the humor was just terrific. He’s presently working on an animation project for a Brazilian firm, the result of contacts that came out of his college in San Francisco. I look to see great things from Michael. Check him at at www.mstevenson.net.

“The Legend of Buffalo Calf Girl,” a film by Rodger Slagle, offered breathtaking visuals and some tender, magical moments. I am fortunate enough to have an autographed program sitting in front of me, courtesy one of the festival’s youngest stars, Amande Slagel, aka Buffalo Calf Girl. What a delight. The great thing about a film festival such as this, too, is that you are able to see the producers, directors, writers, actors and cinematographers radiating joy as they share their triumph with people who care about film.  See Rodger Slagle’s web page at www.lassenwriter.com. Read more…

Robb Film, People festival, Film, People, Redding, Shasta