News Release: Download file
Contact Information:
Stephanie Gilardi
Tel: 570-296-4110
Email: labotamy_zoo@hotmail.com
Karen Wolff
Tel: 570-296-8684
Email: forever_just_one@hotmail.com
Black Bear Film Festival
Old Lumberyard
115 Seventh Street
Milford, PA 18337
Tel: 570-409-0909
www.blackbearfilm.com
For Immediate Release
Pike County Teens Ready Movie for Black Bear Film Festival
The upper Delaware region was known as "Hollywood East" in the 1920s, says Jerry Beaver, Founding President of the Black Bear Film Festival. Although the film industry long ago settled in New York and California, a group of young filmmakers is working to bring the art of moviemaking back to Pike County.
Eugene Feygelson and Stephanie Gilardi, both seniors at Delaware Valley High School, founded the "Dependent Filmmakers" in March 2002. Encouraged by Mr. Beaver, they are leading a group of local youths. The group includes Clayton Mitschele, Ava Lamb, Karen Wolf, Steven Hill, Tesla DeBoer, Arley-Rose Torsone, Corie Merrill, Ryan Blackman, Kat Arizan, and Bevon Flansburg. Their short film, BREATHE, is set to debut at the 2002 Black Bear Film Festival.
"Why call ourselves the "Dependent Filmmakers"? Well, we conceived the idea, wrote the script, and gathered the actors. But at the same time, we are receiving a whole lot of guidance and equipment from professionals that reside in the area, including producer Dario Boronat and technical specialist Christopher King," explains Feygelson. "Mainly, we just wanted to be tongue-in-cheek."
Although many teenagers are making movies in this era of camcorders and digital editing, what amazes observers about this group is its focus and organization.
"Eugene and Stephanie have done a better-than-amazing job at forming a smart and fun group of friends who are working together to create a great project," says Beaver. "I’m impressed with everyone from the script writers, musicians, and image and concept people to the financial secretary and the all-important fundraiser."
The film mixes elements of comedy and drama into a coming-of-age story with a unique twist, a desire to create a literal Utopia.
"The story centers around a charismatic young man who rejects the conventional path society lays out for him, going to college and getting a traditional job, and journeys to a personal utopia," says Feygelson. "It.’s our way of facing the anxiety that accompanies the move from adolescence to adulthood."
The group is enjoying filming in colorful Pike County. "Since this is our first film, we wanted to show the beauty of the community in which we grew up," adds Gilardi.
Besides serving as a meaningful summer diversion, the "Dependent Filmmakers" hope their work will inspire more people in the community to pursue new creative projects.
Jerry Beaver agrees and is looking forward to more local submissions to the Black Bear Film Festival. He also believes the "Dependent Filmmakers" offer local businesses an exceptional opportunity to get involved and support this project through grants and in-kind donations.
"Making a film takes a great deal of work and money," says Beaver. "In addition to applying for federal and regional grants, the "Dependent Filmmakers" are working with local businesses to finance the project. They’ve received a generous outpouring of support already, but every little bit helps."
As the festival draws nearer, the pace of filming and editing is growing increasingly more hectic, but the student filmmakers are committed to releasing a powerful statement at the October Festival. Chances are they won’t win an Oscar. But with a little luck (and a lot of work), their first film could be the ticket to future big-screen success.
About the Black Bear Film Festival
The Black Bear Film Festival is committed to supporting and generating interest in innovative independent films. The Festival has a special appreciation for films that explore the human condition within the natural world. It also celebrates Pike County’s heritage as a filmmaking location and as the birthplace of American conservation; and it promotes education, diversity, cultural enhancement; and appreciation of wild places and the people who inhabit, explore and protect them.
If you’d like more information about the Black Bear Film Festival, or if you’d like to volunteer or sponsor one of the biggest and most successful events of the year, please join us at the next volunteer meeting on August 31, at 10:00 am at the Milford Borough Hall. Or, contact the Black Bear Film Festival office at 570-409-0909. Black Bear Film Festival Inc is a not-for profit 501 (c)(3) corporation.
Picture to Attach: TeensReadyMovieBBFF.jpg
The caption for the photo is:
The "Dependent Filmmakers" and some of their supporters:
L--> R
Back row, Jerry Beaver, Dr. Joseph Schwartz, Cory Merrill, Clayton Mitschele, Stephanie Gilardi, Eugene Feygelson, Kat Arizan, Tesla DeBoer, Bevon Flansburg
Front row, Chuck Reinhardt, Gabriela Arizan, Karen Wolf, Steve Hill and Christopher King. Not shown in the picture - Arley-Rose Torsone - is also a member of the group.
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