Newsletter

Members:
Be on the lookout for the winter newsletter from the Grand.
It looks good, it reads good, and by golly, it just is good.

Aeon Flux

Jared, our steadfast head projectionist and all around cool cat, and I just had a decent conversation about Aeon Flux, which inspired me to write a few words. The question which surfaced immediately was whether or not an animated series which aired on Liquid Television in the 90’s could possibly be turned into a film, and still retain its integrity. And I mean integrity in the sense that it doesn’t completely fall apart and degrade into little more than a film about ‘a girl with a gun.’

My inclination is to say no, but Charlize Theron has certainly proven that she has the acting chops to pull off the role. I think the real question is actually two questions. And they are questions which relate directly to art-cinema as well.

First off, do the filmmakers fully get what the story is about, and if so, and this is the second question now, are they willing to take the risk of making the film the way it needs to be made? Too often it seems, one of the answers is no, and we end up with the same old stuff in a different color. We’ll just have to see.

Tacoma 72 Hour Film Contest

We just finished Tacoma’s first 72 Hour Film Contest! We were at first surprised at how many teams entered the contest, and again were pleasantly surprised that all eleven teams actually finished their films.

I am impressed by how many excellent films we received for the contest. It is amazing that someone can even finish a project in three days, let alone have it be good. Many short film festivals have a pretty sad ratio of good films to bad, with bad winning. Not here. We received eleven good films, which we as judges were happy to watch. So for this I say thank you to the filmmakers for all doing such impressive work. I can imagine how excellent every film would have been had no restrictions and mandatory rules been placed on the filmmakers.

Each film was required to include a Tacoma bridge, as well as a line of dialogue which runs, “I have a feeling that someone is deceiving us.” – Taken from Tarkovsky’s ‘Solaris.’ Some teams opted to use a prop, which was given to them ahead of time. It is interesting to note how each team incorporated these elements into the story.

Tacoma’s first 72 Hour film Contest is a great success. It bodes very well for next year!

Again, a big thanks and much respect to the filmmakers.

shawn sylvian
artistic director
shawn@grandcinema.com

Volunteer Party fun

The Grand’s annual volunteer appreciation party was a great success. I am so impressed by everyone who volunteers at the theater, to see so many people who donate their time to help bring film to Tacoma. Having spent several years in LA, and seen the cutthroat attitudes of so many in the film industry, it is wonderfully refreshing to be surrounded by those who simply love good film and are willing to support a little theater like the Grand.

Special kudos to Jaime, our fantastic Volunteer Coordinator, and thanks to all who helped with tonight’s party.

So again, thank you to all our wonderful volunteers, and to everyone else, please remember to be especially nice to that person handing you your popcorn or taking your ticket – they are doing it as a volunteer!