MAO'S LAST DANCER
Congratulations to Mid North Coast filmmakers Peter James - Director of Photography - and David Lee - Sound Recordist - for their outstanding work on this beautiful film.  The film is screening across the Mid North Coast and Armidale regions at present and a must see movie so check you local cinemas for screening details.  For more information about the film go to www.maoslastdancermovie.com/

Peter James describes he experiences shooting the film and the look of Mao’s Last Dancer: “Every film has its own problems and opportunities and the script is the thing that tells you what the film is going to look like. This is a film in three parts - the early years in China, the ballet sequences in the US, and the drama of the Chinese Embassy and the love story. The story, I think, is outstanding and it gives a great opportunity for variation, which for a cinematographer is a fantastic chance to do good work.

“For the scenes in China, rather than using the whole negative I just went in to 50% of the negative so when blown up it makes it grainy, giving the film a period look.

“For the Houston footage, we went back to a full format and it is much more what we’re used to seeing in modern day photography. The ballet is very slick and glossy with beautiful colours and fabulous costumes and so on.”

“For the scenes in China, rather than using the whole negative I just went in to 50% of the negative so when blown up it makes it grainy, giving the film a period look.

“For the Houston footage, we went back to a full format and it is much more what we’re used to seeing in modern day photography. The ballet is very slick and glossy with beautiful colours and fabulous costumes and so on.” “For the scenes in China, rather than using the whole negative I just went in to 50% of the negative so when blown up it makes it grainy, giving the film a period look.

“For the Houston footage, we went back to a full format and it is much more what we’re used to seeing in modern day photography. The ballet is very slick and glossy with beautiful colours and fabulous costumes and so on.”

SYNOPSIS
Frrom internationally acclaimed Australian film director Bruce Beresford comes the inspirational true story of a small boy’s extraordinary journey from poverty to international stardom. >From a grueling apprenticeship as a classical dancer in communist China, to the glory of creative freedom in America. But, there is a painful price to be paid for his quest for self expression. Mao’s Last Dancer captures the intoxicating effects of first love and celebrity, the pain of exile, and ultimately the triumph of individual endeavour over ideology. Filmed in China, the US and Australia and with a brilliant performance from Chi Cao as Li Cunxin, Mao’s Last Dancer is an exhilarating exploration of what it means to be free.

SERVICE INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
Each monthScreenLinks is going to highlight some of the companies who have registered on the service industry directory. We have some great services support companines on the Mid North Coast and Armidale regions for you to use on your next screen project!!!

Category - Motel
Comfort Inn Country Plaza Taree
The Comfort Inn Country Plaza Taree is the only 4 star motel in Taree and offers all non smoking rooms with king bed, LCD television with DVD player, in-room safe and much more! Other facilities include a swimming pool, guest laundry and in-house dining.
Tel:             02 65522433           
Email:          countryplazataree@bigpond.com
Website:      www.countryplazataree.com.au

Category - TV Station Facility Hire
Independent Productions
Based in Coffs Harbour, Independent Productions provide camera solutions, non linear editing, grahical design and studio hire to suit most requirements.
Tel:           02 6652 2777   
Email:        ross.jamieson@macsc.com.au
Website:   www.independentproductions.com.au

Category - Tourist Attraction & Marine Consultant - Film Location
Dolphin Marine Magic
Dolphin Marine Magic (previous named the Pet Porpoise Pool) is a marine park located in Coffs Harbour that provides people with educational, enjoyable and hands on experience, enabling connection with a variety of species of marine animals. It was first opened in 1970 as a rescue and rehibilitation centre and this continues today.

It is the only facility in NSW that has trained dolphins. Additionally it is home to seals, penguins, turtles and other bits and pieces. Every visitor has the opportunity to be kissed by a seal or dolphin.
Tel:             02 6659 1901     
Email:           manager@petporpoisepool.com
Website:       www.dolphinmarinemagic.com.au

SHORT SHARP FILM FESTIVAL INC -  LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Janison Short Sharp Film Festival is entering its 4th year.  After sell-out screenings this year, the Committee is looking for help to keep this festival going.  All positions on the Committee are volunteer positions and the AGM will be held in November so there is an opportunity for new people to become involved - film festival experience not needed, just spare time and enthusiasm. The festival takes a year's worth of effort so we need some help now. We are particularly looking for someone to help as the secretary of Committee, preferrably someone who is not working full-time.  It would require about 2 hours each week. Also, people with media or marketing skills to help promote the festival.   For more information go to wwww.shortsharpfilmfest.com or email info@shortsharpfilmfest.com

LOCAL FILM SUCCESS
He is well known as a member of the sales team at the Coffs Coast Independent, but Todd Buttery also has a creative side, and one that is winning him accolades for his film work.

As producer of the short film Higher Plane which was recently accepted into the Melbourne Underground Film Festival and took home the runner-up award, Todd is making his mark in the ‘indie’ or alternative cinema genre, adding to his already impressive production credits, which include 2006’s Chequered Paint, about a fast-thinking driver who gets pulled over for speeding.

Chequered Paint, which went on to take out runner-up in the Comedy Channels’ 2007 Short Film Festival award, was also selected for Tropfest’s ‘BestTodd’s current film, Higher Plane; a story of how addiction and desperation can affect people at any level of society, brings into sharp reality the fact of dependence, and its ability to cross any barrier – money, status, prestige – to cast its sinister shadow over everyday lives.

“Higher Plane is a confronting film, in that the main character is a well-groomed, well-spoken gentleman with obvious wealth and apparently well adjusted, yet he has a secret addiction, and this drives him to do things that disgust and possibly endanger him, in spite of himself,” says Todd.

Todd was thrilled to have his film premiere at the prestigious festival, which is renowned for launching the careers of Australian filmmakers.“When we look at a film, we not only judge the content of said film, we try and assess the individual behind it, the talent on display with a small budget and the potential that can be seen in it,” says Melbourne Underground Film Festival Director Richard Wolstencroft on strict the selection process for the festival. “We also look at the personality and drive of the auteur (author) behind the film. What we look for is that spark, that creative dynamism.”

Following the success of the Melbourne Underground Film festival, Higher Plane has just been accepted into The Great Lakes International Film Festival in the United States, screening for an international audience for the first time late last month.

For more information, see www.higherplanetheshort.com