The Girls in the Band, is a documentary about female jazz and big band instrumentalists and chronicles their inspired journey and struggles for recognition from the late 1920’s to the present day. Written and directed by Judy Chaikin and executive produced by Michael Greene the film has been hailed as a “real crowd-pleaser” by Variety and “extraordinary” by The Hollywood Reporter and the NY Times claimed it "everything a worthwhile documentary should be, and then some: engaging, informative, thorough and brimming with delightful characters." The film won the Audience Choice Awards at the Palm Springs Film Festival, the Victoria Film Festival and the Omaha Film Festival as well as the Best Feature Documentary at the High Falls Film Festival and Best Music Documentary Award at DocUtah Film Festival.

The film opens at the Laemmle NOHO7 for a one week run starting June 7 through 13.

We're so proud to announce that our feature documentary, THE GIRLS IN THE BAND, had it's premiere in New York, at Lincoln Center on May 10th and received a rave review in the New York Times: http://movies.nytimes.com/2013/05/10/movies/the-girls-in-the-band-a-documentary-by-judy-chaikin.html?

Immediately following the Lincoln Center run, the film was picked up by the Quad Cinema for a limited two week run. We hope all our New York IDA members will get a chance to see it: May 24 through June
6th.

And for our Los Angeles IDA friends, we'll be playing at the Laemmle NOHO7 on June 7-13.

Join us for the free event in Hollywood June 8th from 2PM to 5PM. Carole Dean will head a group of crowdfunding experts who will answer your questions on how to create a successful crowdfunding campaign.

One lucky person in attendance will win a hard drive!

The experts include film composer David Raiklen, who for select films for which he has created music, has helped crowdfund over $400,000. Hal "Corky" Kessler, entertainment lawyer, can give us insight on the New Jobs Act on crowdfunding passed by Congress last year.

Brad Wyman, a producer with over 40 films to his credit, and who is currently the vertical lead for film, TV, and web content at Indiegogo.com will answer your questions. Also joining us will be Bill Woolery, editor for dozens of major studio trailers, who has established himself as the go-to trailer expert among documentary and independent film producers.

Filmmakers who have had successful crowdfunding campaigns will be on hand to share their experiences. Filmmakers who have just started crowdfunding will have their efforts analyzed by our experts and given advice on how to increase their donations.

Seating is limited so please RSVP soon.

For details, location, and to RSVP, please go to the event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/588806487814527/ or email Carole Dean at caroleedean@att.net

Roy Dean Summer Film Grant now accepting Applications

Now in its 20th year, this grant is awarded to short films and documentaries that are unique and make a contribution to society. It is valued at over $25,000 in cash, film services and goods. We want compelling characters and creative stories. All applicants receive a 15 minute consultation with Carole Dean, author of “The Art of Film Funding”. For information go to: http://www.fromtheheartproductions.com/grants.shtml
Deadline is June 30th For questions, contact: ClaireDeanGrant@gmail.com

I'm delighted to have worked on the edit for "The Rugby Player" with director Scott Gracheff. Produced by Holly and Chris Million, "The Rugby Player" won the audience award at HBO's Miami LG Film Festival, and will screen at the Inside-Out Festival in Toronto on May 27 at 5pm: http://www.insideout.ca/torontofestival/program/the-rugby-player

Dear fellow filmmakers, this is a call to solidarity!

I'm making a documentary about 7 young indigenous leaders from around the world who fight to protect their cultures. It's an ambitious project because it involves shooting in 7 countries around the world.

Please have a look at the video and written presentation, and see if you'd like to share, donate, support in any other way.

Thank you so much in advance for your time!

http://tiny.cc/nbh3ww

ONLY 38 DAYS LEFT to support/share/like this project on USA Projects. THANK YOU!!!!

I am trying to edit 14 hours of interviews and footage into a documentary that explores how masculinity, strength and power influence our sexuality. It's bold, insightful, and as sexy as it is academic.

Trouble is.. this is my first documentary. I am working without a script. Also I need footage and have limited budget. If anyone is around LA during July or August and want to give some tips on this project, please SAY HI!

Thanks,

Lawrence Ferrara

This documentary is about pastors who've lost their faith and become atheist activists within the larger context of America's declining belief in God. It takes a behind-the-curtain look at this country's current religious climate.
Please view the trailer and/or consider sharing this link: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/refusing-my-religion

Okay, so we are waiting to let you know the details, I'm so excited that it's hard to do! But know all is good and we are getting set to release! So very cool....

American Courtesans is expected to release in mid-July 2013 on VOD and Cable platforms. More details will be released as distribution progresses. For more information about the film:

http://www.americancourtesans.com/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2315806/
http://www.facebook.com/AmericanCourtesans
http://www.twitter.com/KristenDiAngelo

April 3, Wed., 2013
I gave a presentation in the Journalism Dept., at Columbia College, Chicago to Journalism students by invitation of the Editor of “Chicago Talks” Journalist/Assoc. Professor Barbara Iversons’ “Ethics and Journalism” class. The students showed great interest in the questions and discussion. It was my first live presentation on the film.
I showed 2 short clips from the upcoming feature documentary I have been working on (nearing completion)
“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist” (80 min - Release, 2013)
The film has tremendous music given Courtesy of Hey Now Records, “Paper Airplane” by Behind the Sun – Andy Alton & David Mansfield.
You can check out the album at
www.heynowrecords.com
This presentation was soley for the students in the Journalism Dept, but when I get a public performance, you will surely be invited. Stay tuned.
Thanks very much for your support and interest.
Hope you will Keep updated with email and the links below. Thanks for all you do for peace and justice,
Be well
Nancy
Nancy Bechtol
APA freelance photojournalist
“Free Speech & the Transcendent Journey of Chris Drew, Street Artist”
Feature documentary (80 min) work in progress, release Spring 2013
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ncu2AjO5ok&feature=share&list=PLFE74E0B074178EA3

American Press Association
http://www.americanpressassociation.com/a_chris_drew_02.php

As seen on YouTube: madpalX channel
“LightRides, Artists, Visions and In the Moment”
“Chris Drew Legacy Interviews”
Access the playlist of 16 videos in this interview series:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ncu2AjO5ok&feature=share&list=PLFE74E0B074178EA3

“The Bechtol Tapes, crazy important”
– Mark Weinberg, Attorney for Chris Drew, Street Artist

(the Bechtol Tapes) “..our secret weapon, if every single argument failed …he (State’s Attorney) could not have avoided the fact that you were there (Nancy Bechtol) recording at the same time”
-Joshua B. Kutnick, Attorney for Chris Drew, Street Artist

The Illinois Eavesdropping Law, which Chris was charged - declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL March 2, 2012) by Judge Sachs.
Chris Drew. Artist/Activist RIP (1950-May 7, 2012)

The Cook County’s State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, took the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals’ ban on eavesdropping to the Illinois Supreme Court, and LOST!
“Chris is indeed smiling from heaven today knowing that his hard work and sacrifice was not in vain. The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the Cook County state's attorney to allow enforcement of a law prohibiting people from recording police officers on the job.”-Deborah Drew

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-supreme-court-rejects-plea-to-prohibit-taping-of-police-20121126,0,686331.story

Chicago Tribune November 26 2012, 11:41 AM CST
ACLU American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois Case - Final Judgment on Illinois Eavesdropping Dec 21, 2012: http://www.aclu-il.org/final-judgment-and-permanent-injunction-issued-in-eavesdropping-case/ ACLU of Illinois was supported by several national news organizations, including the Illinois Press Association, the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists