Tuesday, April 21, 2009

It's About More Than "Just" Making a Movie

When Dan Pavlik was considering his options,
one that he came to as a father,
was a no-brainer.

How could he do something that
incorporated what he loved
(movie making), and make a difference?

The result is the Not for Profit
Educational Films of America.

It is an organization that he has
set up to support those who want to
make films. What is different
about how he approaches it,
over what is in the world already,
is the idea that there are
aspiring, talented filmmakers
who have difficulties in creating
their visions, due to not having
access to costly filmmaking equipment.

The way that "for profit"
companies work is counterproductive
to the creative risks that sometimes
need to be taken to have a worthy
project see the light of day.

A for profit company wants to see
certain things, often including a
proven track record. And how does
one get a proven track record
in a field laden with significant
obstacles?

In the "for profit" world,
worthy projects often are left unmade
because there isn't any support to
get them made. That is where
Educational Films of America comes in.

Since the organization is set up
as a Not for Profit, it doesn't need
to see the same bottom lines as a
for profit company would need to see.
It is then able to take calculated
risks based on different criteria.

In addition, it approaches the process
differently. Instead of funding a
project in its totality, the resources
of the organization provide the source
of equipment, as well as the support
structure to get the word out.

Other film non profit organizations
often support the documentary style of
filmmaking, and Dan thought it was time
for an organization to support the kind
of movies that we see more commonly
see in our homes and movie theaters.
After all, they have a great potential
to impact our culture, our tomorrow,
and our children.

Educational Films of America has a
specific intention, help movie makers
make the kind of movies that address
common societal themes such as diversity,
substance abuse, tolerance, and education
in a way that can inform and educate in
a medium that we appreciate and give
much of our time and attention to.

By supporting the movie Nominated,
you will be supporting more than just
the making of a film that has been
recognized by the Academy that award
the Academy Awards, you will be supporting
more than just a comedy by a great guy,
you will be supporting other filmmakers
who believe that they can tell a tale
that is worthy for us to hear, and can
make a difference for us and those we
care about.

The great thing is that every little
bit helps...so you can donate any
amount that works for you. And,
if it also works for you, because the
organization is a not-for-profit,
your donations are tax-deductible.

Another great thing? Anyone who
donates to this project will have an
opportunity to be put into
a drawing, and might win a great prize.
More details on that part to come.

If you know anyone who could
use the help, would be interested
in knowing more about the film,
Educational Films of America, or
want to know more about how to help,
contact Dan Pavlik, by email at
info at nominatedthemovie.com.

To donate you can go HERE.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A Twitter Partnership is Born

Dan Pavlik a/k/a @nominated on Twitter is a friend
of Ken Newman a/k/a @kennewman on Twitter. Ken
Newman and Elizabeth Alraune a/k/a @Jolope on Twitter,
"met" and Elizabeth invited him to be on her radio show,
World of Perspective Radio. Ken graciously accepted,
and at the same time, introduced her to Dan Pavlik,
the writer/director of Nominated (a film that Ken will
have a role in). In turn, Elizabeth invited Dan to
also be on her radio show. Got that?

Elizabeth - that would be me actually - became a quick
fan of both Ken and Dan. And, just like any fan, I
wanted to know what I could do to help the project.
I thought for sure that it was a BIG movie, and why in
the world would Dan want or need my help. However, I
came to find out that while the project deserves to be
a BIG movie, it is actually one of many that is small,
independent, and in need of some assistance, well, maybe
a lot of assistance.

So...just like any good virtual friend would do, I
stepped up to see what I could do to help. It just so
happens I have my own blog, and like to write, as well
as have a few other talents that might be helpful to
see two people that I admire (as well as others I may
come to admire - as good folk tend to gravitate to one
another) succeed at a worthy venture.

We all need help day to day, and even more so when
reaching for the things that are outside of the realm
of our daily experience. I am happy to help in any way
I can and, just like a friendship of any type, the
best reward is to get to do something you love while
benefiting something worthy of expression. It's also
why I have my radio show.  Lots of people have worthy
expressions, and need a way to get them out, and we
all have our strengths. In my opinion, we all need
to do as much as we can to help another.

While Dan does what he can to get the project moving
forward, you will likely find me here, helping him put
a voice on his activities...kinda like a multi-media
documentary, if you will.

I invite you to check me out, say hey, and/or if the
spirit moves you, get involved in this project. It
has good vibes all round.

Have a great day!
Elizabeth

Monday, April 6, 2009

Press Release: Dan Pavlik on World of Perspective Radio

Feel free to pass this information along!
*************************************
How Do You Make A Dream Come True? Make A Movie About It.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Elizabeth Alraune
Phone: 818-584-1965
Email: info @ jolope.com
Twitter: @JoLoPe

Los Angeles, CA, April 6, 2009

Dan Pavlik, Director, Producer, and Writer of the film Nominated, will be a guest on World-of-Perspective-Radio.com on BlogTalkRadio.com on April 16, 2009 at 6PT/9ET.

Dan has been a professional video producer for 14 years. By most measures, he has had a successful career, and yet he is risking what he has worked for by diving into the shark infested waters of independent film with the idea of a movie that he dreamt about two and a half years ago.

While he will be sharing his story, everyone has a "thing" that they wish they could do, might do, wouldda, shouldda, couldda done. As Dan says, “I may be the director of this film, however, I am also in the role of Director of my own life, just as we all are.” He notes that in the current economy, especially, it is important to see possibilities in spite of closed doors. In the world of film he, as the director, makes choices to make the best film possible, "and the choices I make aren't always advised, popular, and are sometimes risky. There are parallels to how I am in my life." We all have the possibility to direct our own lives, and he will be discussing the risks that he is taking in the context of having a life lived that is true to himself in spite of seeming obstacles.

Elizabeth Alraune, host of World-of-Perspective-Radio.com, welcomes Dan as a guest amidst a line up of other shows from an eclectic group of guests which have included Janet Thornburg (numerologist), Patrick Mathieu (The Bar Code Guy), and Greg Mooers (Life Camp). Ken Newman, who will be in the role of Blake Dunbar in the film also spent some time on the show recently talking about how important humor is EVERY day, and how living for the weekend is like living only 2/7 of your life.

About Nominated

This independent film will be shot in August 2009 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Pavlik is in talks with and/or seeking the talents of Dan Aykroyd, Mariel Hemingway, Willie Ames, Carl Lumbly, Brian Degan Scott, Brian Copeland, and Ken Newman. For more information about the film, visit NominatedTheMovie.com and/or Twitter.com/Nominated

About World-of-Perspective-Radio.com

Hosted by Elizabeth Alraune, this show has been airing since 2008. It is a show that has a premise of providing a humane and sympathetic view of the things that matter. Shows normally air live with a call in format, and past shows are available in the Archives for online listening or podcast download through ITunes. For more information, visit World-of-Perspective-Radio.com.

Contact Information:
Elizabeth Alraune
World of Perspective Radio
818-584-1965
World-of-Perspective-Radio.com
Twitter.com/JoLoPe

###

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Our First "Corporate" Sponsor and Press

Finally! A local business has stepped up to sponsor the project. Vida Y Vino, a local wine bar & bistro has started a wine promo that will help to generate funds and attention for the movie.
The ever-so-generous Audrey Scott, owner of VyV, came up with the idea to sell a "flight of wine" and have a portion of each sale go toward our cause. The flight consists of four glasses of wine, from the Coppola Winery no less, and will run all summer until we shoot in August!
This is such a unique and cool idea, that it was covered in the Examiner. com by Tony Rodriguez; http://www.examiner.com/x-706-East-Bay-Literary-Examiner~y2009m4d4-Come-Support-A-Local-LiteraryCinematic-Endeavor
If you get a chance, go down to the wine bar and say hello to Audrey and enjoy "The Director's Cut" fight of wine. For more info on Vida Y Vino, http://www.vidayvino.com/