Staring at an IMDB Checkmate

Although the Internet Movie Database has nowhere near the level of content integrity issues as Wikipedia, actors, screenwriters and directors must sometimes deal with inaccuracies in their listings and a time-consuming correction process. In one instance, an actress whose agent aggressively upped her age at an early career stage is still trying to rustle up proof of her Eastern European birth, so that she may be listed as 30-years-old rather than 35. Then there's the case of Checkmate, an under $1 million independent movie premiering Friday, August 20th at the State Theater in Modesto, CA.

The Man with No E-Mail

Since 51-year-old Wisconsin native Steven Sprague likes to focus his DIY filmmaking efforts on stories with a spy theme, the fact that he has chosen to bypass an e-mail address and other online tools conjures up the specter of off-the-grid subterfuge. But the reason for his exceedingly rare 21st century maneuver turns out to have nothing to do with either a cloak or a dagger.

Cinematography Colored by Caravaggio

Among the many ambitious elements of the independent historical epic Wesley, which was released on DVD July 15th and continues to be shown at special screenings, is the cinematography of Arledge Armenaki. The Associate Professor at Western Carolina University likes to involve his students as much as possible with the productions that he participates in as Director of Photography, but in the case of Wesley, the story of 18th century Anglican priest and Methodist movement co-founder John Wesley, he reached back for more rarefied scholarly assistance.

Shining a Light on the Sunshine State

Toward the end of 2007, Gainesville, Florida resident Gabriel Tyner was forced to improvise a new career when the U.S. recession pulverized the comfortable niche he had carved out as a wedding videographer and sideline documentary filmmaker. But it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Tapping Into Some Online Green

Perhaps the best way to frame the atypical online distribution path followed by the 2008 marijuana documentary The Green Rush is to describe it as "Hulu on hemp." Unlike most of the website's fare, which is streamed after some sort of theatrical release or TV distribution, this two-years-in-the-making chronicle of northern California marijuana growers rolled onto Hulu after just five film festivals.