Directors Close-Up 2013

When: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 2013
Time: Every Wed at 7:30pm, Feb. 6 - Mar. 6
Where: The Landmark Theatre, West Los Angeles
Address: 10850 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Who: Open to the Public

Film Independent’s Directors Close-Up gives you an intimate look at the craft of directing straight from the visionaries behind the camera. In this unique five-week series, you can ask questions, see behind the scenes of your favorite movies, and hear first-hand from directors whose originality, ingenuity and talent have set them apart as leaders in their craft.

The Program:

*Program, panelists and moderators subject to change.

Week 1 — February 6
Sound Advice: Moving Beyond the Picture

The soundtrack is essential to the emotional reality of a film. Join us as Benh Zeitlin, writer/director/composer of the acclaimed Beasts of the Southern Wild, and his sound team reveal the power of sound, taking us through the process of designing and creating the exquisite soundtrack of this very poignant film.

• Benh Zeitlin, writer/director/composer, Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Steve Boeddeker, sound designer and re-recording mixer, Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Bob Edwards, supervising sound editor and re-recording mixer, Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Zach Martin, re-recording mixer, Beasts of the Southern Wild
• Dan Romer, composer, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Week 2 — February 13
Ben Affleck: The Road to Argo

Moving with ease from acting to screenwriting to producing and directing, Ben Affleck has established himself as one of the most versatile filmmakers of our time. As Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo reflect, his films are bold, smart and entertaining. Affleck comes to the Directors Close-Up to share his insight on directing and discuss his evolution as an artist.

• Ben Affleck, director, Argo; writer/director, The Town

Week 3 — February 20
The Independent Spirit: A Directors Roundtable

Risk takers, mavericks, visionaries… Join us as the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Award nominees discuss their films, their careers, and the way in which they have been able to balance their artistic integrity with the demands of the marketplace. Through their experiences we will explore the director’s creative vision.

• Julia Loktev, writer/director, The Loneliest Planet
• Ira Sachs, writer/director, Keep the Lights On
• Laura Colella, writer/director, Breakfast with Curtis

Unfortunately, due to last minute scheduling conflicts, David O. Russell and Benh Zetlin are no longer available to attend Wednesday evening’s Independent Spirit panel discussion.

Week 4 — February 27
The Creative Team: Executing the Vision

The director’s vision comes to life through collaboration with a very talented and skilled creative team. Director Ruben Fleisher and his creative team go through their process for creating the world of his latest project, Gangster Squad, one of the most visually stunning films of the season. From the initial stages of research to the execution on the set, they will explain their choices to set the mood and achieve the look through cinematography, editing, production and costume design.

• Ruben Fleischer, director, Gangster Squad, Zombieland
• Alan Baumgarten, editor, Gangster Squad, Zombieland
• Mary Zophres, costume designer, Gangster Squad, True Grit

Moderated by Richard Kelly, writer/director, Donnie Darko, The Box

Week 5 — March 6
The Actors: Getting Great Performances

Straight out of winning the coveted U.S. Dramatic Directing Award at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, writer/director Jill Soloway’s debut feature Afternoon Delight showcases memorable performances by an impressive cast of veteran and emerging female comics. In this interactive session, the actors and casting directors join Soloway to discuss the ways they collaborated to achieve unforgettable moments in the film.

• Jill Soloway, writer/director, Afternoon Delight; writer/producer, The United States of Tara
• Courtney Bright, casting director, Afternoon Delight
• Nicole Daniels, casting director, Afternoon Delight
• Kathryn Hahn, actor, Afternoon Delight, Wanderlust
• Jane Lynch, actor, Afternoon Delight, Glee
• Josh Radnor, actor, Afternoon Delight; writer/director/actor, Happythankyoumoreplease
• Michaela Watkins, actor, Afternoon Delight, Wanderlust

Series moderated by:
Phil Benson, Executive in Charge of Skywalker Sound
Elvis Mitchell, Film Curator, Film Independent at LACMA
Robin Swicord, writer, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Memoirs of a Geisha

*Program, panelists and moderators subject to change.