23 Skidoo by Mort Laitner

We are skedaddling off to Fort Meyers—winter retreat to the Edisons and the Fords, They were friends and neighbors. Tom, Henry and Harvey Firestone created the Edison Botanic Research Corporation. They constructed a laboratory in Fort Myers in search of a native supply of rubber, After collecting and testing 17,000 plant samples, they found an adequate source of rubber in the Goldenrod plant. The lab is now a National Historic Chemical Landmark; both of the estates are major tourist attractions.

Enough of this history lesson, you guessed it! “The Stairs” won again—Number 23.

“Greetings, We are happy to inform you that your film has been accepted to play in the 7th annual Fort Myers Film Festival to be held March 8-12, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida. Congratulations!” For those of you who are thinking of joining us, there will be a Black Tie Red Carpet Gala on March 8, 2017 at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at 7 p.m. The event will begin with the red carpet rolling out, paparazzi clicking and doors opening at 5 p.m. for drinks, mingling & musical entertainment with local and international filmmakers prior to the featured movie. I wonder if I will fit into my tux. On the 12th there will be champagne and awards gala dinner at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theater. Keep your fingers crossed.

I think how appropriate to be showing our short movie in the town that houses the Thomas Alfa Edison museum. I’ll be able to walk in the actual home of America’s greatest inventor—-the light bulb, phonograph and motion picture camera. Edison’s film studio made close to 1,200 films: The Kiss; The Sneeze; Uncle Josh at the Movie Picture Show; Frankenstein. Tom and his team helped create the film industry. (I wonder who created the film-festival industry.) The majority of his movies were short films. I can relate.

As a 13 year old, I used my Super 8 GAF movie camera with detachable handle and its zoom lens to produce my first short films. (Downtown Woodridge and Taking A Tramp in the Woods—sadly these early cinematic gems no longer exist). I touched the film’s perforations and ran my fingers across the smooth texture of the spool. I recall the electric bulb inside the projector melting the film. I watched bubbles percolate on the screen and rushed to turn off the projector. A puff of black smoke rose from the machine, ran up my nose, and sulfur burned my nostrils.

From a paper catalogue, I selected and bought one of Edison’s early distribution movies (1903), entitled The Great Train Robbery. (Estimated production cost of $150 for this 12 minute film) I watched that movie multiple times by projecting it on my bedroom wall. I used my GAF projector. (I wonder how many emails I will receive from fans who made home movies with a GAF camera or collected short silent films.) I still love watching silent films.

It is hard to believe that Mr. Edison played a direct role in my cinematic development.

Everything comes full circle.

Like Mr. Edison’s crew of inventors, scientists and filmmakers, “The Stairs” team of actors and crew, had the right chemistry to come together and make an award-winning film.

Hope to see you at the Fort Myers Film Festival.

“The Stair” Rifles to 22 by Mort Laitner

After a long dry spell and many rejections “The Stairs” won its twenty-second acceptance to a film festival in Romania. The movie will be shown at the University of Arts Targu-Mures. The following magic words appeared on my screen from the Rolling Ideas Film Festival: “Project has been selected to be included in our festival.”

The Rolling Ideas website states: “…We seek to recognize and celebrate excellence in cinematography. Rolling ideas is looking for feature and short films, that combines elements of classic cinema and new tendencies.” I know we used elements of classic cinema in our movie but I’m not sure about the use of any new tendencies. 

I loved the Rolling Ideas logo with its vibrant “idea” light bulb encased on a film reel. The festival’s name encapsulated the essence of good film making— ideas rolling in the viewers head as the movie barrels on. 

An idea rolled in my head that Rolling Ideas made eight nations that have shown our movie: Romania, Canada, Israel, Slovenia, South Africa, USA, India, and Macedonia.

An idea rolled in my head as to why the number 22 was important to me. Then it hit me. The number 22 has significance in my life because of the .22 caliber bolt-action rifle with mounted scope. The gun that my father allowed me to buy on my fifteen birthday. I used that gun to get my Boy Scout rifle-shooting merit badge. I put that rifle against my shoulder and pressed against my cheek, while aiming for the bullseye on posted paper targets. I pulled the trigger and heard the bang echoing of the surrounding mountains. I inhaled the whiff of smoke filled with the pungent odor of gunpowder. That rifle with its wooden stock that I loved to polish. That rifle with the long spirally grooved barrel that I loved to clean with oil-soaked cloth patches attached to brass cleaning rods. That rifle that came with a box of 50 long or short caliber cartridges. That rifle I still own fifty-two years later and still cherish and still love. A gun that made me feel safe, powerful and manly and still does.

And now the cast and crew of “The Stairs” can own and cherish their twenty-second win thanks to Romania’s Rolling Ideas Film Festival and realize how powerful our movie is.

Why I write—because readers relate their lives to my stories.

Steve

The Art of Comparing Film Festivals by Mort Laitner

Just got back from the Bonita Springs International Film Festival (BIFF); I had a great time. I gave the festival an “A”.

 I have attended six film festivals. Therefore, I am officially qualified as a film festival expert.

With my certificate in hand, I thought it was time to analyze what makes a great film festival.

BIFF is a great film festival.

Here is why I gave Bonita Springs the grade of an “A”:

Venue: Two beautiful auditoriums, (The Moe—with Jackie McNamara Curdy flower paintings on its walls—and The Hinman) both with theatre-size screens at the Center for Performing Arts;

Staff: Friendly, helpful, caring staff—kudos Susan Bridges—your team is the best;

Celebrity: Joey Scaggs—Godfather of the media hoax; America’s most famous prankster; originator of “cultural jamming”. Today we call it fake news. Remember “Cathouse for Dogs” in 1976. I met and talked with Joey. He is an amazing artist. Go see his film “The Art of the Prank”;

Exceptional world-wide film selection and movies followed up with Q&A: “A Man Called OVE”—Sweden, “Embrace Of The Serpent”—Colombia, and “Coming Home”—China and the other documentaries, short films, and animation all blew me away;

Parties and Award Ceremony—Opening Night Cocktail Party and It’s A Wrap Party with live music and catered food and drinks;

Program Guides and name tag lanyards: Well organized and a souvenirs for the artists. My name tag said “Filmmaker” and it was a proud moment as I put the rope over my neck. The tag has joined my film festival paraphernalia collection;

Swag Bag: A Trendy Seminole Casino and Hotel Canvas Beach Tote and Wolfgang Puck Electric Wine Opener (live, love, eat). Both will be forever cherished, whenever they are put to use;

Workshops, Lectures and Networking Sessions: With actors, actresses, producers, directors and writers. I met some really interesting people;

Publicity: BIFF has Tom Hall—novelist “Art Detective”—coming out soon— and lawyer who writes reviews of the films, attends Q&A and blogs on what he learns. Tom also writes articles on the subject matter of films he watches. This feature made this festival very special to me. Tom’s review of “The Stairs” nailed the goals and the cinematic techniques used in the movie.Tom spends quality time writing, researching and thinking through his material and it shows in the quality of his work.

So why not give BIFF an “A+”. Well three small points:

1. No engraved logo mugs;

2. No film festival logo posters;

3. No logo tee shirts.

So next year for a great film festival experience, I highly recommend that you take in the Bonita Springs International Film Festival. You will love it!

Post scriptum, if they have mugs, posters or tees you can thank me later.