It’s hard to peg down the message in director Doug Pray’s latest documentary Art & Copy. There’s no cause to champion, no historic precedence, not even a controversial notion. Instead, the audience is engaged in a brief, candid discussion on the ad industry’s evolution and the successes that the changes spawned through a series of anecdotal interviews.

Art & Copy is essentially a series of one-on-one interviews with some of the ad industry’s innovators and trendsetters. Pray masterfully stitches together an open forum on creativity, its genius, and its impact with past and present ad directors and copy writers who were responsible for some of the world’s most popular ad campaigns. While the faces, names and companies may draw a blank for the average viewer, one immediately connects with the dialogue about their various successes.

Continue reading Art & Copy misses its own point

(Photo courtesy of Seventh Art Films)

Atlantans love a good party and last week people came out to groove for a good cause.

On Thursday, April 30, people headed to Johns Creek, Ga for a special benefit screening of Screen Media’s upcoming film, Love N’ Dancing. Afterwards party-goers enjoyed a night a great food and dancing as part of the star-filled event at the Daza Dance Ballroom Academy. Portions of the proceeds will benefit The Creative Coalition, a non-profit arts advocacy organization.

According to the studio release, Love N’ Dancing adds a new twist to traditional dance-to-romance movies:

LOVE N’ DANCING is the story of a bored-with-life English teacher who meets a West Coast Swing champion dancer, who have an instant connection. Both feel that the other can fulfill what was missing in their lives. But Jessica’s got a workaholic fiancée who’s not a bad guy when he’s not on his Blackberry, and Jake’s got his former partner Corinne, who just won’t let Jake away from the dangling carrot of a rekindled relationship. Jake and Jessica must try to elude all obstacles, romantic or otherwise, to stay focused on the goal – winning the World Title and winning each other. Will they give in to the pressure or come out like champs?

Love N’ Dancing stars Amy Smart, Tom Malloy, Billy Zane, Caroline Rhea and Rachel Dratch. The film opens in theaters Friday, May 8, 2009.  (All photos by Jeremy Adamo).

Amy Smart and Tom Malloy, co-stars of LOVE N’ DANCING, arriving on red carpet at Daza Dance Ballroom Academy

Amy Smart, Robert Royson (choreographer), Liz Chester (co-owner of Daza Dance Academy), Tom Malloy, and Antonio Daza (co-owner Daza Dance Academy) on red carpet.

Liz Chester (4th from left) and guests enjoying dance demonstrations at red carpet after party at Daza Dance Ballroom Academy

West Coast Swing Champions Jordan Frisbee and Tatiana Mollman performing at red carpet after party at Daza Dance Ballroom Academy.

Ed chats with Athen, Ga’s own James Ponsoldt on the making of his new feature film, Off The Black starring Nick Nolte. Alejandro gives us the lowdown on the buzz behind Mara Shalhop’s three-part Black Mafia Family (BMF) cover story and podcasts.

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Links:
Off The Black web site: Nick Nolte plays a lonely, drunken baseball umpire. I’m not going say anything else…
The Smoking Gun mugshots: Okay I lied, you gotta check out Nick’s infamous mugshot.
James Ponsoldt’s blog: Delightful editorials from the mind of the director.
MisterMurph’s Myspace page: He’s the man behind our new theme song. Check out his music samples and blog, you won’t be disappointed…disturbed, but not disappointed.
Creative Loafing BMF cover story: Well I guess they weren’t called Black Mafia Family for nothing.

In this episode of EL Bacon (like the nickname), Ed sits down with writer, director, Nick Cassavetes to discuss his views on movie making and his new feature film “Alpha Dog” starring Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake. Alejandro give us a heads up on what going on at the Loaf.

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Links:
Alpha Dog official movie web site: Yeah, yeah it’s got JT in it. He’s bringing sexy back…to crime.
Court TV’s crimelibrary: It’s practically criminal if you don’t find this archive of devious transgressions entertaining.
Internet Movie Database (IMDB): A co-worker thought Nick was a “tall drink of water.” Aside from that, he’s a talented writer and director. Read more about him and his projects on his IMDB profile page.

In this episode, Ed gets the low down on the new film “Harsh Times” from its creator and director, David Ayer. Alejandro is back again with this week’s CL cover story updates.
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links:
Harsh Times: the official movie site
Awesomebale.org: for those people who need to get their “Bale” on.
Street Gangs Recource Center: Interesting info about gangs, especially LA gangs.
NBC’s two-minute replay: Keep your free time, watch abbreviated versions of some of nbc’s weekly prime time shows in two minutes!

Ed chats with author, Augusten Burroughs on his life and the success of his bestselling book, Running With Scissors. Oh, and make way for Alejandro Leal.
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links:
augusten.com: link to Augusten Burroughs’ official website
Running with Scissors: the official movie site.
Comedy Central’s Motherload: finally, let the testicles have their say on Comedy Central’s new show Baxter & McGuire starting November 6, 2006.
Nip/Tuck website: We didn’t mention it much in the interview, but Running with Scissors is directed and adapted to screen by Ryan Murphy, creator of FX’s runaway hit, Nip/Tuck.

Ed discusses comedy and the film business with School For Scoundrels Writer, Director, Todd Phillips.
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Links:
School For Scoundrels site: The official web site for the movie.
New York Underground Film Festival: Todd Phillips’ annual indie film shindig.
The Frat Pack Tribute site: The name sucks, but we all really want to hang with ‘em.

It’s all about unsolved mysteries in the episode of Ed Loves Bacon. Ed goes one-on-one with Author James Ellroy about the subject of his book and upcoming film The Black Dahlia. Plus, learn about some other infamous unsolved crimes.
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links:
theblackdahliamovie.net: link to the official movie site.
ellroy.com: site dedicated to all things James Ellroy.
bethshort.com: you’ve gone this far, find out more about the infamous Hollywood murder mystery.

This week, Ed speaks with director John A. Davis about the upcoming film, The Ant Bully. He also buys a few livestock from Heifer.org
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links:
antbully.com: link to the official movie site
nick.com: Nickelodeon, home to Davis’ Jimmy Neutron and other shows
heifer.org: supply food to needy people world wide.