This was done for the Fame Festival in Grottaglie, Italy.  It took 10 days to film and produce.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is one of the best resources for artists in New York State.  Established back in 1971 by NYSCA as an independent organization, NFA has one of the most highly organized operations, roviding information to artists through their NYFA Source database (which is free and online, and you really should use), to offering Fellowships and grants to artists.

The NFA Artists’ Fellowships are $7,000 cash awards made to individual originating artists living and working in the state of New York for unrestricted use. Grants are awarded in 16 artistic disciplines, with applications accepted in eight categories each year. Since the awards began in 1985, NYFA has awarded over $22 million to over 3,688 artists. In 2009, NYFA awarded 131 Fellowships to 134 artists, with six of them working in a collaboration.

This year’s categories for review are: Architecture/Environment Structures, Choreography, Fiction, Music/Sound, Painting, Photography, Playwriting/Screenwriting, and Video

The deadlines for NYFA’s 2009-2010 Artists’ Fellowships will be:

November 2, 2009
Fiction
Playwriting/Screenwriting
Photography

November 3, 2009
Painting
Music/Sound

November 4, 2009
Architecture/Environmental Structures
Choreography
Video

This is a fantastic grant opportunity for individual artists that should not be missed.  They are highly competitive, but the application process is one of the best out there.

To get an insight into their process and see how their panels work, NFA is holding a number of workshops around the state for applicants.  The closest workshop to us is in Woodstock on 21 September – noon – 4 p.  More information on the workshop itself can be found here.

Monday, September 21, 12:00pm-4:00pm
Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild
Theater at Byrdcliffe Colony
3 Upper Byrdcliffe Way
Woodstock, NY
Carla Smith (845) 679-2079
rsvp to http://woodstockbyrdcliffe.eventbrite.com

Check them out and good luck!

WomanArts is a fantastic resource, what you see below is just a fraction of their listings.  I strongly suggest if you are working on screenplays or films to get on their mailing list.

Loisaida Cortos Latino Film Festival (September 13, 2009, New York, NY) – Grassroots film festival that takes place on the Lower East Side in NYC. Additional screenings happen in Barcelona, Spain, and Brazil. Seeking smart, innovative short films (30 minutes or shorter) made by, featuring and/or about Latino themes and/or Latino filmmakers. Films must be in English or Spanish, with English or Spanish subtitles available. Submit 2 copies of film with entry form (available on website). NO FEE. Loisaida Films, c/o Ellie Diez, 344 E. 62nd St. #11, New York, NY 10065, www.loisaidacortos.com. Deadline: August 20, 2009

NBC Universal Short Cuts Film Festival (September 21-October 30, 2009, Universal City, CA) – Showcase of independent short films and videos that celebrate diversity. All types of short films are welcome, as long as they feature a diverse production team, cast, or theme. Seeking Short Films (30 seconds – 30 minutes) in the following categories: Comedy, Drama, Horror, and Sci-Fi. NOTE: No drop-off submissions. NO FEE. NBC Universal Short Cuts Film Festival, 100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 1320, Suite 1D, Universal City, CA 9108, http://www.nbcshortcuts.com. Deadline: August 21, 2009

CMJ Film Festival (October 20-24, 2009, New York, NY) – Part of NYC’s CMJ Music Marathon; presents a cross section of major studio premieres alongside independent productions from emerging filmmakers. Seeking independent films from around the world (music-related or not) in the following categories: Narrative Feature (50 minutes or longer), Documentary Short (under 50 minutes), Narrative Short (50 minutes or under), and Documentary Feature (50 minutes or longer). FEE: $25-$70. CMJ Film Festival, The CMJ Network, 100 Fifth Ave., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10011, T: (212) 277-7141, FAX: (212) 719-9396, fwallace@cmj.com, http://www.cmj.com/marathon/. Deadline: August 31, 2009 (regular), September 11, 2009 (late)

Gen Art Film Festival (April 7-13, 2010, New York, NY) – Celebrating original, cutting-edge cinema from emerging filmmakers. Each night features one short and one feature, so the spotlight is on your film if it is chosen. Entries will also be considered for additional programming at the Gen Art Chicago Film Festival, which will take place in June, 2010. Seeking Features (60 minutes or longer) and Shorts (27 minutes or shorter) in all styles and genres. FEE: $0-$60. Gen Art Film Festival, 133 West 25th St., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10001, T: (212) 255-7300 ext. 505, FAX: (212) 255-7400, filmfestival@genart.org, http://www.genart.org/film. Deadline: August 31, 2009 (early), October 31, 2009 (regular), November 30, 2009 (late), December 9, 2009 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

Unlikely Hero Screenplay Contest – Seeking screenplays that deal with the “unlikely hero” character/theme. One winner will be selected for production by the UHP production team and entered on the festival circuit. Seeking Screenplays in the following categories: Narrative Short (40 pages or shorter), Documentary Short (40 pages or shorter), and Animation Short (40 pages or shorter). FEE: $30-$60. Unlikely Hero Screenplay Contest, P.O. Box 741220, Los Angeles, CA 90004, T: (323) 363-4545, info@unlikelyheroproductions.com, http://www.unlikelyheroproductions.com. Deadline: August 31, 2009 (regular), September 31, 2009 (late), October 15, 2009 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

Slamdance Horror Screenplay Competition – Seeking Horror Screenplays. Grand Prize Winner will have their screenplay optioned and produced by Alternate Reality and Slamdance; the finished film will screen at the Slamdance Film Festival. Writer will receive an up-front payment of $10,000 for all screenplay rights against 2.5% of the film’s budget, subject to a floor of $30,000 and a payment cap of $200,000 as well as a 3 net point profit participation as part of a purchase agreement for the screenplay rights. All submitted screenplays are in the running for the $1,000 Creative Excellence Award, including those not willing to sign the purchase agreement. FEE: $35-$165. Slamdance Horror Screenplay Competition, 5634 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038, T: (323) 466-1786, submissions@slamdance.com, http://www.slamdance.com/writing/horror.html. Deadline: August 31, 2009 (early), October 5, 2009 (late)

Garden State Film Festival (March 25-28, 2010, Asbury Park, NJ) – Celebrates the independent film genre. Seeking films in the following categories: Feature (60 minutes or longer), Documentary Feature, Animation Short (under 59 minutes), Animation Feature (60 minutes or longer), Short (59 minutes or shorter), Music Video, Commercial, PSA, Documentary Short (under 59 minutes), and Trailer; also seeking Home Grown entries in all the above categories (75% of principle photography shot in the state of New Jersey). The festival also includes a Movie Music Competition – submit a CD of any original music from any of the film categories but do not include film. FEE: $20-$75. Garden State Film Festival, P.O. Box 751, Asbury Park, NJ 07712, T: (877) 908-7050, FAX: (732) 612-1222, info@gsff.org, http://ww.gsff.org. Deadline: September 1, 2009 (early), November 1, 2009 (regular), November 15, 2009 (late), December 1, 2009 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

One In Ten Screenplay Contest – Seeking screenplays (90-125 pages) in which at least one of the primary characters is LGBTQ and is portrayed positively. Awards range from $100-$1,000 and submission to studios, producers, and agents. Screenplays must not have been optioned, produced, or purchased prior to September 1, 2009. Submit screenplay with author’s name on the title page only, a 4-sentence (or shorter) synopsis, and an entry form (available on website). FEE: $45. Cherub Productions, One In Ten Screenplay Contest, P.O. Box 540, Boulder, CO 80306, Cherubfilm@aol.com, http://www.screenplaycontests.com/oneinten/submissions.html. Deadline: September 1, 2009

Driving Between the Lines: Films About Destiny and Escape in Cars and Trucks (Screening Series, Philadelphia, PA) – Hosted by Flickering Light Film Series. Seeking films of any length and genre in which an automobile is featured prominently, “as either subject or story space, as a plot device or organizing principle, as a concept or critique, or… something unexpected.” Fill out a submission form online and mail DVD. NO FEE. The Flickering Light Film Series, P.O. Box 18874, Philadelphia, PA 19119, http://www.flickeringfilms.com/submission. Deadline: September 7, 2009

The Smalls Showcase and Awards 2009 – Committed to the discovery and promotion of new creative talent. Seeking short films (10 minutes or shorter) in any style and genre. Films will be evaluated by film and broadcast professionals; shortlisted films will be shown during The Smalls Showcase in Covent Gardent, during the London Design Festival. NOTE: Submit online, through website. NO FEE. mira@thesmalls.com, www.TheSmalls.com. Deadline: September 10, 2009

SENE Film, Music and Arts Festival (April 7-11, 2010, Providence, RI) – Festival of film, music, and art that strives to provide filmmakers with a rewarding experience (filmmakers receive VIP passes to events and discussion sessions with audiences). Seeking films in the following categories: Feature (40 minutes or longer), Short (under 50 minutes), Animation (any length), Documentary (any length), Music Video (under 10 minutes), and Gay and Lesbian (LGBT themed films). $1,000 prizes will be awarded in the Feature, Short, and Animation categories, in addition to other prizes. FEE: $15-$55. SENE Film, Music and Arts Festival, 131 Fruit Hill Ave. #10, Providence, RI 02911, T: (401) 603-0252, programming@senefilm.org, http://www.senefilm.org/. Deadline: September 15, 2009 (early), December 15, 2009 (regular), January 18, 2010 (late), February 1, 2010 (extended, via withoutabox.com)

The Iron Mule Short Comedy Screening Series (monthly, New York, NY) – Monthly screening series of short comedy films that accepts year-round entries (with quarterly deadlines). Seeking short comedy films of all kinds and any production value. FEE: $15-$20. Iron Mule c/o Chicago City Limits, 318 West 53rd St., Suite 207, New York, NY 10019, T: (212) 888-5233, ironmulenyc@gmail.com, http://www.ironmulenyc.com. Deadline: September 11, 2009 (first quarter), December 11, 2009 (second quarter), March 12, 2010 (third quarter), June 25, 2010 (fourth quarter)

What’s better then having both respond?  Shawn’s answers are first, with Umar’s after the slash ‘/’

UPDATE: Shawn and Umar are also interviewed in the Hudson Valley Online Press online.

What is your favorite word?
Creative/Achievement

What is your least favorite word?
Impossible/ Shouldn’t

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Creatively, I’m turned on by images and style. Also, any thoughts that can be turned into an image creating some type of movement and or emotion. Spiritually and emotionally words pick me up. Great sayings, truth, poetry, reading. All the words that put thoughts in the mind to spark an idea. To make you see things caused by being aroused mentally. To impregnate an idea giving birth to action(s). / I get turned on creatively when hearing a song or poem about someone’s struggle.

Tell us about your earliest memory that led you to becoming an artist.
In grade school I used to draw a lot. I always wanted to do something in art, in some way or fashion. Before my teen years I could draw pretty good and during my teen years I was dj’ing parties in peoples apartments. / My earliest memory was at 6 years old hearing a story by Edgar Allen Poe.

What kind of space do you like to exist in when you are working?
Right now I’m working in a very small space in the corner of my bedroom. It is definitely not enough space. I would love to work in a space were my desk is as wide as a table, 2 flat 24’ monitors, a small monitor for color correction, and control console in the middle, hidden Mac Pro running the latest Final Cut Studio, sleek grey walls, sexy black furnishings, dimmable lighting hovering over the desk… I’m sorry. See where my thoughts go. / I would like to work in an artsy café, however I typically write at home or at my job.

What inspirations do you draw on in Orange County or the Hudson Valley?
This area is not in abundance in media, so that inspires me to do more. To do our part in making this area more interesting by showcasing some of the area’s landscapes, talents and potentials. For us, it doesn’t matter where you’re from or where you at but what you can do with whatever you have, wherever you’re at for a better tomorrow. / The people in the Hudson Valley are much different then the people I grew up with in the city, so I would say the personalities I find here, I draw inspiration from.

What have you learned from other artists in the area?
Other artists are doing their thing. They are putting in their time and loads of efforts. That is a key thing for all artists to do something. Failure is only when one doesn’t apply anything. We’re learning to network and do more work. / I’ve learned to take some creative risk and to be open to new ideas; just because it’s not what you might of imagined doesn’t mean it’s not right.

What profession outside of the arts would you like to attempt?
Outside of the arts!? I would like to be some sort of teaching profession maybe. To help other better themselves and engulf the potential that they have but ignorant of it. / Give others opportunities. I would love to be a motivational speaker and inspire people to dream, work for the life they deserve.

If you could no longer work in your discipline, how else do you think you would express yourself?
By teaching it. It is the main role of any profession. A teacher will always be a student but not all students become teachers. I would stay mindful of this so that I can always be grounded and helpful to others and they, the grounded ones, in turn help others, hopefully. / I would have to say abstract art. I really don’t draw, but would love to play with colors and shapes.

What are you working on this year?
Currently, we are working on the production of ‘StraightLand.’ Our first feature movie set to be shot in and around Newburgh, NY and the Hudson area. We hope to be shooting within the months. We are still looking for funding, which is our only issue at this point. We are also doing a couple of music videos for local artists, which will also help fund our project. Along with that, some shorts for some film contests we are getting into. So, for the most part we are trying to stay active, raise money, and get our feature movie off the ground and running.

Tate has been very aggressive in their online presence, with about a dozen different podcasts covering everything from the Turner prizes to raw canvas art.  Search for Tate in iTunes to see the list.

Many other museums also have podcasts worth looking for.  Museumpods is a great resource for searching museum podcasts around the world and across almost every genre.  Well worth it for any artist and art lover…

Subscribe to Tate’s talk and discussion podcast through itune here (this will launch itunes on your computer once you click on it).

This is a screen shot of the entry for Shawn Dell Joyce -

Seriously, isn’t that beautiful?  Check out Shawn Dell Joyce and many others over at freeartinny.org.

SCREEENING DATE:  March 27th, 2009

FreeArtinNY.org will soon exhibit the artists of Orange County and their work. Each artist will have a profile page which presents images of their work along with an artist’s statement and a short video. The documentary style videos were created while visiting each artist either in their studio or while working in the field. The videos will give a glimpse into the artistic concept and process of the individual.