MUSIC IN FILM!

FILM INDUSTRY INTEREST IN MOONDANCE:

Thanks a million for all the many fine entries we’ve received so far!

MOVIEBYTES.COM lists Moondance as one of the top ten film festival competitions worth the entry fee!

“There are several, but perhaps far too few, careful and caring screenplay contests – and there are endless masses of the careless and badly-run. Sadly, we eager learners of this craft don’t usually find out until the contest is done. Your thorough (yet warm) E-zine article and your poised replies to my email have helped me feel, with confidence, that my money for y’alls feedback is happily well-spent.”~ Amy Bailey, screenwriter

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES/FEEDBACK:

Last chance to have Moondance’s very popular reader, Cynthia Butler, write a one-page critique and assessment of your work submitted to Moondance as a screenplay, stageplay, teleplay or up to 3 short stories. Check off the box for critiques on the Moondance entry form. The fee is a discounted $50 for each critique requested!

Gromit, Aardman animation, UK

BE SURE YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR POPULAR NEWS BLOG in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines, news, announcements, vital articles and insider tips!

SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE NEWS, INFO & ARTICLES OF INTEREST!

Moondance is always independent, uncensored, totally unfettered, often irreverent, sometimes controversial, always entertaining, and definitely not beholden to any special interests! We select films, written works and music with these criteria: a unique story, well-told.

MOONDANCE SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

ENTRY FORMS & PROCEDURES:

MOONDANCE AWARDS CATEGORIES:

MOONDANCE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

ABOUT THE MOONDANCE:

THE MOONDANCE MISSION & GOALS:

MOONDANCE E-ZINE ARTICLES:

Moondancers are part of an amazing worldwide entertainment community; a unique collaboration of multi-talented writers, filmmakers, and film score composers. The Moondance mission is to entertain, inform, inspire, encourage and educate. We honor those artists who, through their creative work, actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, and strengthen ties between international audiences. At Moondance, you can come together with other writers, directors and producers to create new opportunities, develop tools for success and forge new alliances within the international film and entertainment industry.

In our continuing efforts to promote & provide top-quality original filmmaking, writing and music composition by talented artists from around the world, the Moondance International Film Festival is very pleased to announce that our festival competitions have brought in great submissions, in all categories, from these countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Macao, Malta, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, Turkey, UK, United Arab Republic, USA, Venezuela and Viet Nam!

THE MOONDANCE MOTTO:

Seek beauty, truth, harmony…the promise of the future and the blessings of today. Live well, laugh often, love much, gain the respect & the love of children; fill your niche, accomplish your tasks; leave the world better than you found it. Appreciate Earth’s beauties & express it. Look for the best in others and give the best you have.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND THE 13^th ANNUAL

MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL!

SEPTEMBER 14, 15, 16, 2012

IN NEW YORK CITY!

Midtown Manhattan, common use photo from Wikipedia

Presented by Winsome Sinclair & Associates (WSA)

Moondance is known as the “American Cannes” of film festivals, and features the very best of US and international foreign and indie films, professional workshops, pitch panels, and fabulous networking parties & events. Come to be entertained, encouraged and inspired at this annual world-class event! Plan now to participate in this unique film festival event: September 14, 15, 16, 2012, and help celebrate our 13^th annual Moondance Film Festival!

MOONDANCERS WRITE US!

• “Moondance International Film Festival looks deeply meaningful and exciting! As an award-winning filmmaker, artist, and author of articles about how to transform patriarchy, I believe in the power of creativity to transform lives. I think you—with your belief in the ability of film to raise awareness, educate, inspire new ways of seeing the world, ourselves and others, and create great social change— (and) celebrating the transformative power of creativity, (which can be) used to promote creativity as an alternative to violence.” ~ Imogene Drummond, filmmaker

• “Thank you for your article “Two Brads or Three?” on your website (E-Zine). It was more than helpful; it was encouraging and honest. Your observations were keen, yet your arms were open and welcoming. The great thing about your article is it has really helped me rethink how I should enter any screenplay contest – in many ways, but especially in not waiting till final deadlines. And, after reading your words, I submitted to your film festival screenplay competition and plan to mail the script today.” ~ Amy Bailey, screenwriter

• “I read your article on the Moondance website, “Two Brads or Three” and I thought it was lovely. It made me want to enter your screenplay contest – so this Monday, I will.” ~ Amy Rhinehart Bailey (OC Screenwriters group)

• “I am once again so overwhelmed by the beauty, sensitivity, information, helpful tips, beautiful photography, and artwork in your blog, that I felt compelled to write to you immediately. You have, as usual, put together a news blog of wonderfully helpful information done as a work of art itself. As an artist and a writer, I am most appreciative of your marvelous achievement. I also know how much effort and care you take in helping writers and artists.” Lorna Kanter, screenwriter

RECOMMENDED ANIMATION:

“The Scale of the Universe”

Slowly move the cursor from the center to the right, then back all the way to the left. Amazing imagery!

MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL NEWS BLOG:

• Articles, recommendations & insider tips for filmmakers, writers & composers

• You’ll enjoy the Thoughts for the Day text & beautiful, meaningful images

• Learn all about the festival events, screenings, workshops & networking parties

• The annual call-for-entries information

• Notifications & the latest announcements

• And, best of all, the Moondance blog only arrives in your in-box occasionally, not daily or weekly, but just when there’s some good news or special announcements!

The Open Rate for the folks who receive the Moondance blog is incredible! We are averaging at least 50%, which is way above the industry standard for open rates for email marketing. Moondance’s blog ranges up to almost 80% for some broadcasts – which is tremendous, and almost unheard of! It’s one of the best-read blogs around!

DID YOU KNOW…?

Wild Dolphin Family, Bimini, photo by Atmo, Wildquest.com

DOLPHIN CATASTROPHE IN PERU: Since January more than 900 dolphins have been found dead on the beaches of northern Peru. The Peruvian government conducted only perfunctory necropsies and testing then came out with the conclusion that the mass mortality event (MME) was caused by “natural causes”. This conclusion is patently absurd.

BlueVoice traveled to Peru in March, 2012 to document the large numbers of dolphins dead on beaches. We counted 615 in just one day. Dr. Carlos Yaipen Llanos of ORCA Peru, funded by BlueVoice.org, has conducted necropsies on 30 of these dolphins. He has found no evidence of disease, starvation, entanglement in nets or red tide. There were no marks or lesions on the exterior of the stranded dolphins. What he has found is evidence of acoustical trauma leading to rapid ascent and decompression syndrome. In other words loud noises, produced repeatedly over a long period of time, startled the dolphins who raced for the surface and incurred what humans call the bends.

Over the next eight years – according to the Obama administration’s estimates – seismic exploration would injure up to 138,500 marine mammals and disrupt marine mammal feeding, calving, breeding, and other vital activities more than 13.5 million times. This could be catastrophic for the dolphins and whales we all love.

It is vitally important that we continue our work in Peru and that we inject this new evidence to stop the seismic testing off the U.S. coast BlueVoice has been the major funder of the work in Peru. Please donate and help us prevent future disasters.

PLEASE ENJOY THESE SPECIAL THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Wind From the Sea”, by Andrew Wyeth

“Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.” ~ G. E. Woodberry

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Cornwall Seaside Pathway, photo by Michael Weise

“A powerful agent is the right word: it lights the reader’s way and makes it plain.; whenever we come across one of those intensely right words, the resulting effect is physical, as well as spiritual.” ~ Mark Twain

“Dreams pass into the reality of action. From the action stems the dream again; and this interdependence produces the highest form of living. - Anais Nin

Miniature stage maquette by Diaghliev

“I think happiness comes from self-acceptance. We all try different things until we find some comfortable sense of who we are.” ~ Jamie Lee Curtis

“The Universe constantly gives us feedback through synchronicity of  events and through subtle signs, symbols, and messages throughout  our everyday life. Such messages mirror to us where we are on the  path of alignment, our consciousness journey, and help us see  where we may be obstructing our own progress. Although sometimes we may feel like we are taking a detour, or  we’re getting side-tracked by life’s circumstances, we may actually  be right where we need to be, and life will find a way tell us. We  are constantly given helpful tips from the source if we will only  acknowledge them…(and realize that) we are being nudged toward reality and peace.” ~ Lynne Forrest

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"The Watertower", by Gustav Igler

Peace be with you

السلام يكون معكم

Que la paix soit avec vous

和平是与你的。

Friede sei mit euch

Ειρήνη να μαζί σας

La pace sia con voi

שלום להיות איתך

Que la paz sea contigo

Мир будет с вами

Vrede zij met u

Pokój niech będzie z wami

Hòa bình với bạn

Fred være med dig

Rauha olkoon teille

Damai sejahtera bagi Anda

REMINDER:

The 2012 Moondance submission deadline is coming up!

Get your entry in NOW for this great opportunity to showcase your talents and win the Moondance!

BE SURE YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR POPULAR NEWS BLOG

in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines, news, announcements, vital articles and insider tips!

June120120

YOUR MOONDANCE JUNE NEWS

MOONDANCE JUNE DEADLINE + LATEST NEWS & INFO:

“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, “Why not?” ~ George Bernard Shaw

SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE NEWS, INFO & ARTICLES OF INTEREST!

The 2012 Moondance submission deadline is coming up!

Get your entry in NOW for this great opportunity

to showcase your talents and win the Moondance!

POSTMARK DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2012

3 EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY:

1. MIFF ENTRY FORM

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/pdfs/MIFF_FESTENTRYFORM.pdf

2. ACTEVA ONLINE ENTRY

3. WITHOUTABOX.COM

https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240

CHECK OUT THE MOONDANCE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO!

Thanks a million for all the many fine entries we’ve received so far!

MOVIEBYTES.COM lists Moondance as one of the top ten international film festival competitions worth the entry fee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOONDANCE:

As Moondance’s founder, executive director & artistic director, I have had the rare pleasure of personally previewing and judging every single film, reading all screenplays and other written works, and listening to all music and film scores submitted to the annual competition.

I have selected all the films to be screened and all the winners in every category, and have done so, successfully, from the very first Moondance, in 2000.

I do not travel to other film festivals looking for films to invite. In the rare event that a very special film is invited to be screened at Moondance, it is clearly labeled as “invited”, and it can have no chance of winning an award. Only submitted films have that opportunity.

When submitting your work to the Moondance annual competition, you can be 100% assured that it will be carefully previewed and judged fairly.

~~Elizabeth English

Founder, Executive Director, Artistic Director: Moondance International Film Festival

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES:

"Gromit", Aardman Animation, UK

Cynthia Butler, Moondance’s very popular reader will write a critique and assessment of your submitted Moondance screenplay, stageplay, teleplay or up to 3 short stories. Check off the box for critiques on the Moondance entry form. The fee is a nominal $50 for each critique requested!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BE SURE YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR POPULAR NEWS BLOG in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines, news, announcements, vital articles and insider tips! The Open Rate for the folks who receive this blog is incredible! We are averaging at least 50%, which is way above the industry standard for open rates for email marketing. MIFF’s blog ranges up to 80% for some broadcasts – which is tremendous, and almost unheard of! So do join up now to get in on one of the best-read blogs around!

Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS!

The Moondance International Film Festival has the great honor to announce that the 2012 festival event will be produced and presented by Winsome Sinclair & Associates (WSA), our premiere sponsor! WSA is located in New York, and is committed to creating extraordinary results for its clients, artists and business partners through an unwavering commitment to success. WSA engages in three distinct, yet interrelated businesses: Casting, Artist Management and Development, and Production. The WSA mission is virtually the same as the Moondance mission, and we gratefully welcome their valued participation and support!

http://www.wsaentertainment.com/

WSA PRESENTS THE

2012

MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

JUNE ENTRY PRIZES:

Three lucky people, selected from the June Moondance submissions, who submit their project to Moondance during the month of June will receive either a Moondance logo T-shirt or logo tote-bag (your choice)! Your T-shirt or tote-bag will be at the festival reception desk, where you can pick it up.

All submissions entered during Moondance’s March Madness Days, selected from the 2012 competition, will receive 5 free movie tickets at the 2012 film festival! The official list of all March entrants will be at the festival box office, where you can each pick up your 5 free movie tickets.

Three (3) lucky April entrants, selected from the 2012 competition, will each receive one V.I.P. All-films pass to the 2012 Moondance Film Festival event! Your V.I.P. All-films pass will be at the festival box office, where you can pick it up.

APRIL WINNERS:

Sable Jak
Mohammad Alkazemi
Margie Walker

One lucky winner, selected from the 2012 competition, who submitted during May, receives a free V.I.P. All-festival pass to the 2012 Moondance Film Festival event! Your V.I.P. All-festival pass will be at the festival box office, where you can pick it up.

MAY WINNER:

Vicki Bartholomew

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A MOONDANCER WRITES US!

“Thanks much, Elizabeth, for the acknowledgement (of receipt of my film submission). I wish all the (festival) administration departments (would) communicate with such speed. Life will be so cool for all…I guess most of them are busy chasing the so-called BIG names, under the umbrella of promoting so-called new talents. I am very impressed and excited to see your presentation, including the website, the look and feel, attitude, and style; that is what enticed me to enter (my) film in your festival.” ~ Rohit Gupta (India)

Symbol for the “OM” mantra (Believed to be the "Sound of the Universe") & for Ganesha, the elephant-headed God http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

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FILMMAKERS & COMPOSERS: DID YOU KNOW?

MUSIC IN FILM!

By Elizabeth English

Music! Ah, yes. The power of music in film. A feature film needs at least 30 to 40 minutes of music, which is one of the most important elements in a successful film.

A film score can be artfully used to:

AROUSE
MANIPULATE
FRIGHTEN
SOOTHE & CALM
AID IN TRANSITIONS
PUNCTUATE A MOMENT OR SCENE
COMMENT
MOVE THE PLOT ALONG
FOCUS & ARTICULATE
ADD A SENSE OF CONTINUITY
ADD INFORMATION
HEIGHTEN THE TEMPO
ADD DRAMATIC TENSION
ADD TO COMEDIC ELEMENTS
CHANGE THE MOOD
ADD CHARACTER
DEFINE A SCENE OR CHARACTER
ADD DIMENSION
GIVE THE FILM NEW OR DIFFERENT MEANING

And you thought only the film director, DP, editor, and the actors did all that?!

The major categories of a film score are:

THEME, such as the musical theme from James Bond films

SOURCE, as from a radio or a band shown on screen.

MOVIE SONG, as the music from “Titanic”.

UNDERSCORING, soft, “seen but not heard” music

DEVELOPMENTAL or NARRATIVE music, which adds to story as it unfolds, weaving in and out, through the film.

COUNTERPOINT MUSIC, adds to contrast, adds conflict

FORESHADOWING, sets up for the next scene

OVERTURE, the central core. Sets mood, sets time, sets location.

LEITMOTIF, which identifies a character or repeated action on screen, such as the scary tune in “Jaws”, when the shark is about to appear.

"Jaws", Universal Pictures, Steven Spielberg, director

Along with a good screenplay, directing, editing, camera-work, and great dialog, music is what really makes a film memorable! Composing film scores, arranging and selecting music are vital crafts and elements that contribute to making the “Dream Factory” world of the film believable to movie audiences!

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Ambition is just a dream with a V-8 engine.” ~ Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977)

“Lioness” photo by Nick Brandt

“I’ve always felt that the only way to survive was with dignity, pride and courage.” ~ Eric Clapton

Mahatma Gandhi’s glasses

“The people who shape our lives and our cultures have the ability to communicate a vision, or a quest, or a joy, or a mission.” ~ Anthony Robbins

photo by Adrian Davis

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” ~ Albert Camus

"Staircase", photo by Ralph Gibson

“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” –Louis L’Amour

“Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.” ~ Lydia M. Child

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THE GREAT MOONDANCE ROADSHOW COMING TO YOUR TOWN SOON?

Host the very best of Moondance films, professional workshops & popular networking parties in your community, anywhere in the US and in the world! You really can bring the Moondance Roadshow to your town. Contact Elizabeth English now at: moondancefestival@gmail.com to discuss the details and fabulous benefits of this unique opportunity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks a million to all of you Moondancers who have contributed this season and in the past! Without your support, we wouldn’t be here. And as our progressive, independent, pro-active voice reaches more people – via the art of film, writing and music, and providing encouragement, reliable information, critical thought and creative ideas — more audiences, artists and activists are entertained, informed and inspired.

The films, written works and music we receive reinforce our belief that for those artists, and for many of you, Moondance International Film Festival, with our mandate for integrity, the highest quality, and our mission, is an essential part of a progressive future.

Send in your entry now, and/or sponsor us, or donate whatever amount you can afford. Let other colleagues and friends know about Moondance, via your FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media accounts.

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY, AND/OR DONATE HERE:

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html

READ MOONDANCE SPONSOR INFO HERE:

AND DON’T FORGET:

The 2012 Moondance submission deadline is coming up!

Get your entry in NOW for this great opportunity

to showcase your talents and win the Moondance!

POSTMARK DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2012

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks a million for reading & subscribing to the Moondance news blog!

Please pass this news blog along to your friends & colleagues.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May1520120

MOONDANCE MID-MAY SPECIALS & NEWS!

“A good beginning makes a good ending.” ~ Old English proverb

SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE NEWS, INFO & ARTICLES OF INTEREST!

MOONDANCE ENTRY FEE DISCOUNT DAYS EXTENDED!

~ UNTIL POSTMARK May 31, 2012 ~

Moondance is extending our very popular Springtime Special opportunity! All films, scripts, written works and music submitted to Moondance and postmarked during the month of May can send in:

TWO ENTRIES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!*

*Pay the full entry fee for the first one, and send the second one (of an equal or lesser entry fee) for free. Spring Special discounted two-for-one entry fees are available only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva. All submissions postmarked during the month of May, are eligible!

AND! One lucky winner, selected from the 2012 competition, who submits during May, will receive a free V.I.P. All-festival pass to the 2012 Moondance Film Festival event! April V.I.P. All-festival pass winners will be announced in the next news blog!

3 EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY:

<http://moondancefilmfestival.com/pdfs/MIFF_FESTENTRYFORM.pdf>

<https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240>

(no discount, no two-fers)

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

Thanks a million for all the fine entries we’ve received so far!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MOONDANCE:

As Moondance’s founder, executive director & artistic director, I have had the rare pleasure of personally previewing and judging every single film, reading all screenplays and other written works, and listening to all music and film scores submitted to each of the annual competitions. I have selected all the films to be screened and all the winners in every category, and have done so, successfully, from the very first Moondance, in 2000. I do not travel to other film festivals looking for films to invite. In the rare event that a very special film is invited to be screened at Moondance, it is clearly labeled as “invited”, and it can have no chance of winning an award. Only submitted films have that opportunity. When submitting your work to the Moondance annual competition, you can be 100% assured that it will be carefully previewed and judged fairly. ~~Elizabeth English

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MOVIEBYTES.COM

lists Moondance as one of the top ten film festival competitions

worth the entry fee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MIFF DONATION REQUEST 2012

Dear Moondance Friends, In a time when politics and public policy, environmental issues, the poor economy, social justice, and equality for all, has become less about serious debate and deliberation — and more about sound bites, and the distortions spun out by the corporate media — Moondance provides a substantive and transformative alternative. The films, written works and music we receive reinforce our belief that for those artists, and for many of you, Moondance International Film Festival, with our mandate for integrity, the highest quality, and our mission, is an essential part of a progressive future.

We would like to say, “thanks a million”, to all of you Moondancers who have contributed in the past, and have submitted your projects! Without your support, we wouldn’t be here. With your support, we are getting stronger every day. And as our progressive, independent, pro-active voice reaches more people – via the art of film, writing and music, and providing encouragement, reliable information, critical thought and creative ideas — more audiences, artists and activists are entertained, informed, encouraged, and inspired.

Today, Moondance really needs your help to keep this vital mission moving forward! We need to meet our financial goals before we can produce the 13^th annual film festival.  Send in your entry now, and/or sponsor us, or donate whatever amount you can afford. Let other colleagues and friends know about Moondance, via your FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media accounts. Everything will help.

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY, AND/OR DONATE HERE:

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html

READ MOONDANCE SPONSOR INFO HERE:

Remember – We can’t do it without you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES:

Cynthia Butler, Moondance’s very popular reader will write a one-page critique and assessment of your submitted screenplay, stageplay, teleplay or up to 3 short stories. Check off the box for critiques on the Moondance entry form. The fee is a nominal $50 for each critique requested during the Moondance Springtime Special days!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BE SURE YOU’RE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR NEWS BLOG in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines, news, specials and happenings! Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MOONDANCER NEWS:

• Bangladeshi filmmaker Rubaiyat Hossain has won the prestigious Orson Wells Award for her debut feature film Meherjaan. The Orson Wells Award is given to a newcomer to encourage aspiring and independent filmmakers from all over the world to bring a new wave of talent and creativity to the art of cinema. The film has received critical appreciation and awards at various film festivals, like the Moondance International Film Festival, (where it also won for its film score). Excerpted from the online magazine OutlookIndia.com

• Writer/Director Dempsey Tillman has a flair for the dramatic, the supernatural, the fantastical. One of a growing number of young African-American writer/directors making their mark in the industry, Dempsey aims for his films to “look beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary.”  Dempsey got his start working alongside Hollywood’s most respected and successful directors of our time, including billion-dollar director Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), visionary Sam Raimi (Spider-Man franchise), Oscar-winner Robert Redford (Lions for Lambs), veteran Rob Reiner (Rumor Has It…) and groundbreakers Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), Justin Lin (Fast and Furious) and Michel Gondry (The Green Hornet with Seth Rogen) to name a few. Currently, Dempsey is at work on the feature film The Almighty, a supernatural thriller. The screenplay for The Almighty won the 2011 “ABYSS” award from the MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Please support Dempsey’s efforts to fund the production of his film at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1469627416/the-almighty

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WRITERS & FILMMAKERS: DID YOU KNOW?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: TITLES & LOGLINES

By Elizabeth English

Have a fabulous, unique idea for a movie? That’s wonderful, but you need to know how to turn your great story into a great logline. There is and always has been only one real secret to success in the entertainment industry. Tell a great story. Period. And you need to figure out how to tell that fabulous story in only 25 words or less! You need to learn how to get your script idea or film enthusiastically seen or read by an agent and then a producer, director and actors. Learn what they look for in a title and logline. Your first impression to these movers and shakers is all about the fine art of pitching your film or screenplay, your TV series concept or story idea, via your eye-catching title and logline!

TO READ MORE, CLICK HERE!

• SELL THE SIZZLE; NOT JUST THE STEAK!”

• GREAT TITLES:

• HOW NOT TO WRITE A LOGLINE

• WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

• ADAPTING YOUR LOGLINE TO YOUR READER’S OR VIEWER’S INTEREST

THE ONE-PAGE SYNOPSIS:

Generally, you should leave some mystery to entice the reader to read the screenplay. But a final sentence, such as, “But does she ever learn what happened?”, is too common, and overdone, leaving the reader feeling forced to read the script, which isn’t good. You need to entice a reader to want to read it. Sometimes, you can hint at or indicate the ending, while still leaving the reader interested and wanting to know what or how it is accomplished. For example, if you say “and he saves the town from certain disaster”, the reader wonders how he did it. If you say “she discovers her purpose in life”, the reader wonders what that purpose is, how she came to that conclusion, and what were the results. But only if the reader relates to, and is invested in, the characters and/or plot line by that time.

Elizabeth English

Mermaid7seas Productions

WEBSITE: www.mermaid7seas.com

EMAIL: mermaid7seas@gmail.com

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ARE DVDs OBSOLETE?

I recently read this: “DVDs are obsolete now.” So Netflix and everyone who watches DVDs on their TV or computer, uses Red Box, goes to a movie theater where they screen DVDs, or judges films on DVD for film festivals are all out-of-date, and are out-of-touch? Do people actually prefer to sit alone and watch movies on a 4″ or 8″ screen, with bad sound, bad lighting, and bad focus? As at YouTube, for example. Maybe the folks who say this have never seen a real movie on a big screen or on a DVD. They should consider comparing the quality of a film, both ways.

When filmmakers submit a film to Moondance via WAB, online only, no DVD, I do, of course, preview the film that way, but cannot really tell for sure if the film is that good or bad, even when I enlarge it to full-screen, because then it’s always slightly out-of-focus. I often then ask the filmmaker to send me the DVD, for a proper (and fair) preview. I would never allow my own films to be judged digitally online.

Films submitted to Moondance are judged on story & uniqueness, first, but without top quality in all other aspects (lighting, sound, focus, framing, direction, production values, editing, camera-work, acting, dialog, sets, costuming, music, & etc.), the film will not be selected. So, a DVD is the easiest way to show me, or any judge, what you’ve got, and how good your film really is! ~~ EE

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MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

MAGIC LAMP RELEASING

http://www.magiclampreleasing.com/

MAKING A GOOD FILM IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

Many independent filmmakers and producers spend years of their lives bringing their projects to completion, only to be stopped cold right at the finish line. All their hard work comes to nothing because of one simple fact: They Don’t Know How To Get Their Films noticed. What does it take to actually get your film into theatres? How do you attract the attention of top-level distribution executives? How do you know which festivals are right for your film?
What if you had a team of  world-class distribution & marketing professionals  working to bring your film to market? Founded in 2001 by legendary distributor Marc Halperin, formerly of Fine Line Features and Miramax Pictures, MAGIC LAMP RELEASING was created to level the playing field for the independent filmmaker.
With 28 years of experience, Halperin’s expertise has been key to the successful distribution of such films as Sex, Lies And Videotape, Repo Man, The Lost Hitchcock Films, Cinema Paradiso, The Crying Game, My Left Foot, Shine, Hoop Dreams, Truth Or Dare, and Dancer In The Dark, to name just a few.
A unique hybrid of distributor, sales agency, PR firm, consultant and production company, MAGIC LAMP RELEASING provides a variety of custom professional services for indie filmmakers, and has successfully promoted quite a few winning Moondance films. Contact Marla & Marc at: marla_magiclamp@me.com

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PUSH GIRLS TRAILER

WATCH THIS TRAILER!

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EARTH DAY PICNIC FOR THE PLANET!

Some of the folks at the Palmer Research Station held an Earth Day Picnic for the Planet on one of the coldest spots on the planet: Antarctica. Temperatures this time of year hover around 0 degrees C, but that didn’t stop them from enjoying some ice cream!

All 12 residents of tropical Palmyra Atoll (including 4 from a visiting vessel) attended this “floating” Picnic for the Planet on Earth Day.

http://blog.nature.org/

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A UK MOONDANCER WRITES TO US:

“Elizabeth English and the Moondance film festival have been an amazing support to me as a filmmaker. In the last two years, I have had four films win awards at Moondance. She is professional, inspiring, and sets high standards on the films she allows through to the festival. This means that is it always a feast of interesting, artistic and affecting films. Elizabeth is always encouraging, but also challenges us as filmmakers to be the best we can be. She supports us in bringing work of integrity to the screen. I am a writer and award-winning director. I have just written and filmed a short film which we are in post-production on, and which we will be submitting to Moondance this year.” ~ Lou Hamilton (UK) www.createlabproductions.com

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

Maurice Sendak has left us, and has gone to where the wild things are.

Maurice Sendak portrait by Annie Lebowitz for Vanity Fair

Maurice Sendak (June 10, 1928 – May 8, 2012), an American writer and illustrator of children’s literature. He is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are

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Illustration by Maurice Sendak, “Where the Wild Things Are”

“An artist’s work always offers another way of seeing the world; it is almost painfully generous, that an artist turns herself inside out, and offers that up to the gaze of strangers.” ~ Dominique Browning / SlowLoveLife.com

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“If we face our unpleasant feelings with care, affection, and nonviolence, we can transform them into a kind of energy that is healthy and has the capacity to nourish us. By the work of mindful observation, our unpleasant feelings can illuminate so much for us, offering us insight and understanding into ourselves and society.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese-born Buddhist monk, teacher, author, and peace and social justice activist http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/9074.Thich_Nhat_Hanh

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“Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us.” ~ Robert Redford

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“Human minds yield helplessly to the suction of story. No matter how hard we concentrate, no matter how deep we dig in our heels, we just can’t resist the gravity of alternate worlds.” ~ Jonathan Gottschall, author of “The Storytelling Animal”

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THE GREAT MOONDANCE ROADSHOW!

Host the very best of Moondance films, professional workshops & popular networking parties in your community, anywhere in the US and in the world! You really can bring Moondance to your area. Contact Elizabeth English now at: moondancefestival@gmail.com to discuss the details and fabulous benefits of this unique opportunity.

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Thanks a million for reading & subscribing to the Moondance news blog!

"Box Garden" sculpture by Amy Leigh, photo by Dominique Browning

Please pass this along to your friends & colleagues.

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May120120

HAPPY MAY DAY FROM MOONDANCE!

Welcome to the early May edition of the Moondance news blog!

SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE NEWS, INFO & ARTICLES OF INTEREST!

Tulips, Central Park, NYC, photo by Dominique Browning, www.slowlovelife.com/

“By plucking its petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.” ~ Rabindrath Tagore

MOONDANCE ENTRY FEE DISCOUNT DAYS EXTENDED!

~ May 1 – 31, 2012 ~

By popular demand, Moondance is extending our very popular Springtime Special opportunity! All films, scripts, written works and music submitted to Moondance and postmarked during the month of May can send in:

TWO ENTRIES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!*

*Pay the full, higher entry fee for the first one, and send the second one (of an equal or lesser entry fee) for free. Spring Special discounted two-for-one entry fees are available only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva. All submissions postmarked during the month of May, are eligible!

AND! One lucky winner, selected from the 2012 competition, who submits during May, will receive a free V.I.P. All-festival pass to the 2012 Moondance Film Festival event! April V.I.P. All-festival pass winners will be announced in the next news blog!

3 EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY or ENTRIES:

<http://moondancefilmfestival.com/pdfs/MIFF_FESTENTRYFORM.pdf>

If using Acteva, please remember to go to the MIFF entry form, print it out, fill it in, and send it along with your submission!

<https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240>

(no discount, no two-fers)

If using WAB, please write your WAB tracking number on your submission!

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

Thanks a million for all the fine entries we’ve received so far!

MOVIEBYTES.COM

lists Moondance as one of the top ten film festival competitions worth the entry fee!

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES:

BE SURE YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR NEWS BLOG in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines, news, specials and happenings! Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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ADVICE FROM A TREE

By Ilan Shamir

Stand tall and proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long-term , go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance:
The energy and birth of spring
The growth and contentment of summer
Give of your fruits and shade to others
The wisdom to let go of leaves in the fall
The rest and quiet renewal of winter
Feel the wind and the sun  , and delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
Learn from the mystery of the stars at night.
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures: Earth, fresh air, rainfall, snows, moonlight
Be content with your own natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!

Sweet Chestnut tree, Wikipedia photo

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8 Tips on How to Write a Great Story!

Author photo: pitch.com

WRITING ADVICE FROM KURT VONNEGUT:

1. Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.

2. Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.

3. Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.

4. Every sentence must do one of two things-reveal character or advance the action.

5. Start as close to the end as possible.

6. Be a Sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them-in order that the reader may see what they are made of.

7. Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.

8. Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To hell with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.

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MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“I’m so pleased you’re still Moondancing. You are so passionate about it, and so committed. You are really an inspiration. What you do is so much grander and so much a festival. I have to send you massive congratulations on what you have achieved.” Jennifer Ussi, Australia, Moondance winner, “The Unique Oneness of Christian Savage” short film

“This is such a good deal. Moondance is a great place for screenwriters because they have several opportunities to network with filmmakers in local restaurants.” ~ Vicki Bartholomew

“I’ve attended a few Moondance Film Festivals over the past 7 years. It’s a great, intimate Film Festival with Elizabeth English at the helm. I love the idea that it’s a smaller festival, and that we have unlimited access to the speakers and VIP’s, but not regimented by the event!!!” ~ Vera Holman

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DID YOU KNOW…?

The Pulitzer Prize board did not name a winner in the editorial writing category and, more notably, declined to name a winner in the coveted fiction category, for the first time in 35 years. “The message from the committee to any author who published a novel or short story collection in 2011 seems to be: Sorry, you’re just not good enough.” ~ Stephan Lee, EW.com

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MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

Saving Dolphins & Whales – Protecting the Oceans

BlueVoice.org is an ocean conservation organization founded in 2000 by Hardy Jones and Ted Danson. Its mission is to protect dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals and to raise popular awareness about the plight of the oceans. BlueVoice has fought to end the slaughter of dolphins in Japan and to expose the harmful levels of toxins in the marine environment, including mercury, PCBs, and persistent organic pollutants, and their impact on both marine mammals and humans. In an effort to leverage the power of the Internet in the cause of preserving and restoring the oceans and its creatures, film and television star Ted Danson, a highly respected ocean activist, has joined film producers, environmentalists and digital technology partners to launch BlueVoice.org.

MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL SPRING SPECIALS!

2012 MID-APRIL BLOG

SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE NEWS, INFO & ARTICLES OF INTEREST!

"Narcissus", by John Waterhouse

MOONDANCE SPRINGTIME SPECIAL DISCOUNT DAYS!

~ April 1-30, 2012 ~

In celebration of spring, all films, written works and music submitted to Moondance and postmarked during the month of April can send in:

TWO ENTRIES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!*

*Pay the full entry fee for the first one, and send the second one (of an equal or lesser entry fee) for free. Spring Special discounted two-for-one entry fees are available only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva. All submissions postmarked during the month of April, are eligible!

AND! Three (3) lucky selected April entrants will each receive one V.I.P. All-festival pass to the 2012 Moondance Film Festival event!

3 EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY:

<http://moondancefilmfestival.com/pdfs/MIFF_FESTENTRYFORM.pdf>

<https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240>

(no discount, no two-fers)

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder,_Colorado#Film

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MOVIEBYTES.COM

lists Moondance as one of the top ten film festival competitions

worth the entry fee!

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PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES:

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Please check out our MIFF listings on Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondance_International_Film_Festival

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SCREENWRITERS, YOU NEED TO READ THESE

MOONDANCE E-ZINE ARTICLES!

First Impressions: Titles & Loglines

How To Get An Agent: What Agents Want, (and Don’t Want), to See

Creating Character & Characterization in Screenplays

The Field of Dreams – Conflict as Metaphor

The Making of a Hollywood Film – A Guide for Screenwriters

21 Things You Should Do To Get Your Screenplay Rejected

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MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“I was a Moondance screenplay finalist, around the year 2000. It looks like the festival has really grown and is going strong. Congratulations! Just wanted to let you know that somewhere along the way since Moondance I switched from writing screenplays to writing novels, and something great happened; my novel Grace Grows is being published by St. Martin’s Press. It will be out next October. I wanted to let you know that I appreciated your encouragement about my writing, and I persevered.” ~ Shelle Sumners www.shellesumners.com

“I have been searching for a female-centered venue to send my MOW teleplay, and your site keeps coming back hard – as the only one that has such a strong focus on the use of female positive, and non violent conflict resolution – so fitting. I often say – name me one war started by a woman.” ~ Gregory Terlecki, Toronto, Canada

“As a Screenwriter I feel it’s very important to support film fests! Moondance is one to watch and participate in. It’s events like this that allow true talent to shine through.” ~ Stacy Shawtee Arcangel, Intuitive Edge Consulting

“Moondance!  It is a remarkable blog.  It is chance to reach coast of your dream.” ~ Marina Albert, Freelance screenwriter, Melbourne, Australia

“Elizabeth English is Executive Director for one of the best film festivals around, the Moondance Film Festival. Since she’s been at the helm, the festival has grown tremendously. She makes herself readily accessible and disseminates information thoroughly and in a timely fashion. She’s great at coordinating and a team leader.” ~ Kvachenyuk-Boretsky Alexander hired Elizabeth as a Writer/Editor in 2010

I worked directly with Elizabeth at Moondance International Film Festival. She is a detail-oriented person. Personable, On Time, Creative. ~ Sonya Alexander, Journalist/Editor/Proofreader/Screenwriter/Producer

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DID YOU KNOW…?

photo by Dominique Browning, "Slow Love"

Many people around the world feel strongly that their particular place—home, neighborhood, area, village, town, city, state, province or country—is superior to any other place, and that as residents of this place, they have a unique history, customs, accents, lifestyles, beliefs, traditions, or concerns that are different from, and better than, those of other places and people.

The Moondance film programs are always well rounded, entertaining, and enlightening, highlighting diverse cultures, opinions, and stories. We welcome individual expression and are committed to presenting diverse points of view. Moondance aims to entertain, increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, provide forums for deliberation, and strengthen ties between a large variety of international audiences.

The long-term vision of the Moondance International Film Festival is to preserve and revitalize our intangible heritage, cultivate creative diversity, develop an intercultural dialogue, and stimulate this creative resource. Our mission is to present a vibrant and growing collection of films, writings, and music, which is an ideal means for communication across perceived boundaries of place, culture, race, age and gender.

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WIRELESS INTERFERENCE: THE HEALTH RISKS OF RF-EMFS

By Christopher Ketcham, excerpt from “Earth Island Journal”, May/June 2012

The health risks of RF-EMFs, the radiation from cell phone towers and other media technology, are not entirely known, though early signs are troubling. We all live in range of cell towers now, and we are all wireless operators. As of October 2010 there were 5.2 billion cell phones operating on the planet. We now live in a wireless-saturated normality that has never existed in the history of the human race, and the effects of EMFs on human beings are largely untested. Read more: http://www.utne.com/environment/rf-emfs-zm0z12mjzros.aspx#ixzz1rviVTWzZ

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THE MOONDANCE ROADSHOW!

Host the very best of Moondance films, professional workshops & popular networking parties in your community, anywhere in the US and in the world! You really can bring Moondance to your area. Contact Elizabeth English now at director@moondancefilmfestival.com to discuss the details and fabulous benefits of this special opportunity!

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~~~ MERMAID7SEAS PRODUCTIONS ~~~

www.mermaid7seas.com

Mermaid7seas Productions, an enthusiastic Moondance International Film Festival sponsor, annually, now offers reading services, critiques, coverage and edits to all Moondance writers & filmmakers, composers and to production companies and agencies, at a special discount price!

Focusing on the elements crucial to creating a compelling and readable script, or a winning, marketable film or film score, our helpful comments will allow you to concentrate on solving the problems that will make your material move toward receiving a CONSIDER or a RECOMMENDED from a studio or prodco reader, and will assist in advancing your script or film up toward WINNER in competitions & film festivals. An advantage of this low-cost critique service is that we will help you prepare your project before sending it to producers, agents, managers and others who may have requested it.

COVERAGE & CONSULTATION WILL ADDRESS THE  FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:  Theme, Premise, Genre, Concept, Story, Plot, Subplots, Subtext, Principal Characters, Cast-ability, Relationships, Depth of Characterizations, Dialogue, Exposition, Syntax, Conflict, Action, Scene, Humor, Tone, Attitudes, Pace, Flow, POV, Marketability, Audience Appeal, Interest, Visualization, Transitions, Balance, Titles and Loglines, Screenplay Evaluation or Film Evaluation!

Visit the Mermaid7seas website and contact Elizabeth English now, to get your script or film ready to win any competitions and/or enthusiastic attention from buyers! Mermaid7seas@gmail.com

MERMAID7SEAS CLIENT TESTIMONIALS:

I have just finished my second screenplay, using the methods and the writing secrets you exposed me to on my first screenplay. Your critique of my work was dead-on. Your common sense, no-nonsense approach brought out the details and cut out the fluff, added deeper characterization, improved the dialogue, added to the action sequences, and made the story move forward. I’m very proud of both scripts, neither of which could have been so well-written without your insight, suggestions, professional coverage and massive edits. I am confident that I have achieved a higher plane of writing quality since your evaluation and help with the necessary re-writes. My first screenplay, which we worked on together, is already being considered by a major production company. Thank you so very much! ~ Mike L. Edwards

“Quality, Productivity and Creativity! You’re in good hands when you work with Elizabeth.” Sam Archer, Samali Music Publishing

“I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Elizabeth – she is a consummate professional, whose passion and unique vision inspires others to excel.” ~ Mike Arsuaga, author with five books under contract

www.mermaid7seas.com

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MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

http://backtotheroots.com/our-story

Mushrooms Offer Solutions for Environment and Economy

Utne Reader article excerpt by Suzanne Lindgren 04/09/12

It turns out the fungi kingdom is capable of fixing some of our species’ biggest environmental gaffes, and boosting the economy while it’s at it. Paired with a little human ingenuity, mushrooms could be our ticket to a viable future. Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez instead opted to invest in closing the food-to-soil loop. During their final semester, the young men began growing mushrooms in a bucket of used coffee grounds. With a little legwork and a $5,000 grant from UC Berkeley, they soon had a deal to collect grounds from a west coast chain, Peet’s Coffee, in which they would grow mushrooms for northern California Whole Foods stores. Soon their company, Back to the Roots, was making money for both grounds collection and mushroom sales. Read more: http://www.utne.com/environment/mushrooms-offer-solutions-for-environment-and-economy.aspx#ixzz1rZZ9pMf9

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~~~ LATE JULY ORGANIC SNACKS ~~~

Barnstable, Massachusetts

A bag of Late July organic chips, on the beach at Cape Cod

Late July Organic Snacks is a family-owned and operated company that cares deeply about family and the integrity of our products. Not only are all our products certified USDA organic, and proudly wear the organic seal, but on any given day, you can find three generations at work, including eight year-old Stephen and four year-old Benjamin. We all hope you enjoy our snacks! As a small, independent, organic brand we truly appreciate it every time you choose to purchase one of our products. Visit us at: http://www.latejuly.com/ and http://www.shoplatejuly.com/

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.~ Havelock Ellis

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Here is the test to find out whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you’re alive, it isn’t. ~ Richard Bach ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

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Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you will have ceased to live. ~ Mark Twain

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Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness and love never decrease by being shared. ~ Buddha

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Photo by Marion Post Wolcott, 1940

“Pilgrim, do not spend too much time planning your journey, for you may learn of so many hazards that you might decide not to go.” ~ Source Unknown

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Thanks a million for reading & subscribing to the Moondance news blog!

Please pass this along to your friends & colleagues.

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April120120

MOONDANCE SPRINGTIME SPECIAL DAYS!

SPRING AWAKENINGS! Trees are blossoming, green sprouts are everywhere, flowers are coming up, birds are singing, honey-bees are buzzing, the weather is sunny and warm, and the skies are blue again! It’s time to get over those winter blues! And now is the time to send in your films, written works and music to Moondance for your big chance to win at the 2012 film festival!

MOONDANCE SPRINGTIME SPECIAL DISCOUNT DAYS!

~~~~ April 1 – 30, 2012 ~~~~

In celebration of spring, all films, written works and music submitted to Moondance and postmarked during the month of April can send in:

TWO ENTRIES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!*

AND! Three (3) lucky selected April entrants will each receive one V.I.P. All-festival pass to the 2012 Moondance Film Festival event!

3 Easy Ways to Submit Your Entry:

<http://moondancefilmfestival.com/pdfs/MIFF_FESTENTRYFORM.pdf>

<https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240>

(no discount, no two-fers)

Thanks a million to all those talented people who sent in their entries for the Moondance March Madness specials!

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

http://www.artopportunitiesmonthly.com

MOVIEBYTES.COM

lists Moondance as one of the top ten film festival competitions

worth the entry fee!

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES:

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A HAPPY MOONDANCER WRITES US:

“I’m delighted to share that my play ‘Nuclear Family’ (which won the Moondance Atlantis Award for Best Stageplay 2011) and has already been produced in festivals in Adelaide, London and Edinburgh, will have its New Zealand premiere in July this year, very exciting. Needless to say, the Moondance laurels happily accompany the graphics in our poster. ~ Desiree Gezentsvey

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MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

http://www.nature.org/

On the weekend of Earth Day, April 22, people around the world will celebrate the planet we live on, the food that it provides, its natural habitats, and the people and animals with whom we share it. There are many ways to participate:

1) Attend a Picnic — The Nature Conservancy is holding picnic events all around the world — from Melbourne, Australia to Boulder, Colorado. Locations are added weekly, so check out our map to find events in your area

2) Host a Picnic — Don’t see an event near you? Host your own picnic and invite family and friends. Your picnic could even help us set a world record

3) Donate or Fundraise — Help us protect green space, and the lands that provide our food and clean water. Make a donation, or turn your picnic into a fundraising event!

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THE MOONDANCE ROADSHOW!

Host the very best of Moondance films, professional workshops & popular networking parties in your community, anywhere in the US and in the world! You really can bring Moondance to your area.

Contact Elizabeth English now at director@moondancefilmfestival.com to discuss the details and fabulous benefits of this special opportunity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MERMAID7SEAS PRODUCTIONS

www.mermaid7seas.com

Mermaid7seas Productions, an enthusiastic Moondance International Film Festival sponsor, now offers reading services, critiques, coverage and edits to all Moondance writers & filmmakers, composers and to production companies and agencies, at a special discount price!

Visit the Mermaid7seas website and contact Elizabeth English now, to get your script or film ready to win any competitions and/or enthusiastic attention from buyers! Mermaid7seas@gmail.com

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SIMPLE LIVING MANIFESTO:

IDEAS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE!

By Leo Babauta

A simple life has a different meaning and a different value for every person. For me, it means eliminating all but the essential, eschewing chaos for peace, and spending your time doing what’s important to you.

It means getting rid of many of the things you do so you can spend time with people you love and do the things you love. It means getting rid of the clutter so you are left with only that which gives you value.

However, getting to simplicity isn’t always a simple process. It’s a journey, not a destination, and it can often be a journey of two steps forward, and one backward. If you’re interested in simplifying your life, this is a great starter’s guide!

CLICK HERE: ZEN HABITS http://zenhabits.net/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/

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DID YOU KNOW…..?

1. Many US Republican senators and congressional representatives oppose the Violence Against Women Act!  This landmark legislation has provided support to domestic abuse survivors and has given prosecutors the resources to convict violent abusers — but Republicans refuse to renew it. The same Republicans, with their apparently radical, anti-women agenda, also have been said to refuse to allow any women’s voices to be heard on their all-male panel about contraception. Go to www.credoaction.com for more info & to sign the petition.

2. The rhino is being hunted into extinction and could disappear forever unless we act now. Shocking new statistics show 440 rhinos were brutally killed by poachers last year in South Africa alone. Fueling this devastation is a huge spike in demand for rhino horns, used for bogus cancer cures, hangover remedies, supposed male sexual enhancement, and good luck charms. So far this year, one rhino has been killed every single day in South Africa. Horns now have a street value of over $65,000 a kilo — more expensive than gold or platinum. The situation is so dire that the threat has even spread into many world zoos, which are now on red-alert for rhino-killing gangs! Let’s raise a giant outcry to push for new protections to save rhinos from certain extinction. We must demand a complete ban on all rhino trade — from anywhere, to anywhere — when countries meet at the next crucial international wildlife trade summit in July. Please SIGN THIS PETITION now, to take immediate action to help save the rhinos! http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_rhinos/?tta

Dürer's Rhinoceros, in a woodcut from 1515

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

photo by N.A.

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

“Listen, can you hear it? Spring’s sweet cantata. The strains of grass pushing up through the snow. The song of buds swelling on the vine. The tender tympani of a baby robin’s heart. Spring!” ~ Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, “Wake Up Call”, 1992

photo by S.V.

“You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. ~Douglas MacArthur

House in Orlando, Florida where Jack Kerouac lived and wrote "The Dharma Bums"

“Popular opinion is, of course, a form of feedback and, as such, implicit peer advice. ~ Jack Kerouac

Don Quixote ink drawing by Pablo Picasso

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ~ Pablo Picasso

“I love the way cherry trees writhe and gnarl as they age, the way they bear their scars. These trees have a great deal to teach us about wabi-sabi*, a Japanese aesthetic of beautiful imperfection. I visit this particular tree frequently. It looks like it is trying to say something.” ~ Dominique Browning, text & photo: Slow Love Life blog, http://www.slowlovelife.com/

Wabi-sabi represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete”. Characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, asperity (roughness or irregularity), simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy and appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes. Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect. (info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi)
Hagi ware Japanese tea bowl, 18th-19th century, Freer Gallery of Art

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MORE RECOMMENDATIONS:

This music & video will surely make you smile and tap your foot! Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, Stuart Duncan, Yo-Yo Ma, and vocalist Aoife O’Donovan perform “Here and Heaven” from the album, “The Goat Rodeo Sessions”. The Goat Rodeo Sessions is an ambitious and groundbreaking project that brings together four string virtuosos: world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, fiddler Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and mandolinist Chris Thile, with female vocalist Aoife O’Donovan. While each artist is a prominent figure in his or her own music sphere, they have come together as a unified ensemble on a most remarkable and organic cross-genre project. This music and video will make your day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-BkhEF1d5U&feature=player_embedded

Art Opportunities Monthly (AOM) This is the list professionals trust, and is a carefully screened art opportunities list for traditional and contemporary artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, printmaking, book art, computer art, collage, weaving, fiber, textiles, ceramics, papermaking, mixed media, photography, computer art, monoprint, pastel, performance art, drawing, enameling, wood carving, crafts, jewelry, installation art, new media, public art, gouache, watercolor painting and every other visual medium. It is for those working in any style or geographic location.

http://www.brainpickings.org/

Brain Pickings has a free weekly newsletter, and people say it’s cool! It comes out on Sundays and offers the week’s best articles. Brain Pickings is the brain-child of Maria Popova, a cultural curator and curious mind at large, who also writes for Wired UK, The Atlantic and Design Observer, among others.

••••••

Info on email etiquette:

http://tedchris.posterous.com/help-create-an-email-charter

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks a million for reading & signing up for the Moondance news blog!

Please pass this along to your friends & colleagues.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

March2720120

PITCH & NETWORKING SUMMIT: sign up now!

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY :

The upcoming InkTip.com Pitch & Networking Summit!

Complimentary Pitch & Networking Summit Passes!
The top-three writers who pitch the most companies will receive a full refund of their pass purchase!

To Enter:

1) Register at http://www.inktippitchsummit.com/?page_id=5

2) Email us with a list of the companies you pitched after the Summit.

3) The top-three writers who pitch the most companies will be refunded their pass purchase price! It’s that easy!

InkTip also guarantees a 100% refund if you’re not completely satisfied with the experience.*

Dear Screenwriter,

The more producers who see you and your scripts, the better the odds of selling your screenplays – and achieving your dreams.

It is a number game, period. There is no escaping this fact.

At other pitch events, you are able to pitch an average of 8-12 in a day, and that is absolutely not enough.

Only at InkTip’s Pitch & Networking Summit, will you have the opportunity to personally meet and pitch an average of 30 companies (producers, agents and managers) – all in a single day.

The first two Summits broke all the records: already resulting in three films in production, and more than double the number of options, sales, writer hires and reps than ANY other pitching event (more than 50+ deals confirmed).

If you miss out on Pitch & Networking Summit III, you’ll have to wait months before the next one; so take advantage of this opportunity, before it is too late, to jump start your career.

Go here to register: http://www.inktippitchsummit.com/?page_id=5

Some of the most recent companies among the 340+ to confirm include:

ABC Studios
Fremantle Media North America’s Bogner Entertainment | Soccer Mom, Trailer Park of Terror
Broken Toy | House M.D. (TV), CSI: NY (TV), The Cape (TV)
Comedy Central
Conundrum Entertainment | Hall Pass, Shallow Hal
Dallago Films | Turistas, Crazy/Beautiful
Deep River | Meet Dave, Little Miss Sunshine
Eclectic Pictures | The Death and Life of Bobby Z, Homeland Security
Fedora Films | The Client List (TV)
Fortune Films | Punisher: War Zone, The Wendell Baker Story
GMI | Death Race, Open Water
Indomina Media | Devil’s Playground, Bodyguards and Assassins
Infinity Media | Just Friends, Capote
Informant Media | Crazy Heart, Hysteria
ABC/Disney’s Junction Entertainment | National Treasure
Kopelson Entertainment | Twisted, Joe Somebody
Mad Hatter Entertainment | How to Train Your Dragon, The Strangers
Sony Pictures’ Mike Wittlin Productions | The Chief, On the Inside
Mosaic | Step Brothers, The Other Guys
Muse Entertainment | Catch Me If You Can, The Kennedys (TV)
NBC Studios
Nu Image | The Expendables, Brooklyn’s Finest
Panoptica Productions | staff credits include: Law & Order: SVU (TV), First Blood, The Shooter
Paradigm Agency | major agency
Robert Cort Productions | Save the Last Dance, Runaway Bride
Roundhouse Entertainment | staff credits include The Bucket List, Hairspray
Southpaw Entertainment | August Rush, Brooklyn Rules
Tower Hill Entertainment | staff credits include Lucky Number Slevin, The Butterfly Effect
Winkler Films | Trespass, Home of the Brave
Yari Film Group (YFG) | Crash (TV), Street Kings
Zenescope Entertainment | The Island
Zero Gravity Management | Management/Production Co – Running Scared, The Canyon

New studios, production companies, agents, managers and professionals are signing on every day!

Register here: http://www.inktippitchsummit.com/?page_id=5

Moondance and InkTip.com have been partners for many years, and InkTip.com donates free promotions for all of Moondance’s winning feature screenwriters each season!

•••••••••••

Don’t forget to take advantage of Moondance’s March Madness entry fee discount days, good only for submissions postmarked by March 31!

Scroll down here to see more info on this!

And be on the lookout for the upcoming

~ ~ MOONDANCE SPRING SPECIAL ~ ~

in the April news blog!

March1720120

MOONDANCE MARCHES ON!

GREAT ENTRY FEE DISCOUNTS IN MARCH!

Spring is in the air!

MOONDANCE NEWS:

1. Special discounted entry fees are available only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva. All submissions postmarked during the month of March, are eligible! More info below…

2. All entries submitted during Moondance’s March Madness days will receive 5 free movie tickets at the 2012 film festival!

3. WRITERS: Moondance is the only US film festival competition that accepts written works in several languages other than English! The following foreign languages are accepted: German, French, Africaans, Dutch, Spanish! These works will be read & judged by professional writers who are native speakers of those languages!

4. Moondance has added a new competition category to our extensive list! You may now submit screenplay treatments. See the note below for details.

5. Host the very best of Moondance films, professional workshops & popular networking parties in your community, anywhere in the US and in the world! You really can bring Moondance to your area. Contact Elizabeth English now at director@moondancefilmfestival.com to discuss the details and fabulous benefits of this special opportunity.

6. In our continuing success of promoting top-quality original filmmaking, writing and music composition by talented artists from around the world, the Moondance International Film Festival is very pleased to announce that our festival competition has brought in great submissions, in all genres and categories, from Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, the UK, the US, and Venezuela! SEND IN YOUR ENTRY NOW, TO REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY!

_______________________________________________

SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE ITEMS OF INTEREST:
1. CALL FOR ENTRIES INFO
2. COMPETITION CATEGORIES
3. CRITIQUES
4. MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS
5. THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
6. HOW TO SUPPORT MOONDANCE

MOONDANCE 2012 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES GOING ON NOW!

Don’t miss out!

SEND IN YOUR 2012 MOONDANCE SUBMISSION NOW

AND GET IN ON THE

MOONDANCE “MARCH MADNESS”

DISCOUNTED ENTRY FEES

Only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva. All submissions postmarked during the month of March, are eligible for these special low-cost entry fees:

FEATURE FILMS & FEATURE SCREENPLAYS: $50 (save $25!)
SHORT FILMS & SHORT SCREENPLAYS: $25 (save $50!)
ANIMATION FILMS & SHORT STORIES: $25 (save $50!)
MUSIC VIDEOS, FILM SCORES & 1/2 HR. TV EPISODICS: $25 (save $50!)
ALL OTHER CATEGORIES: $50 (save $25!)
OPTIONAL FEATURE SCREENPLAY CRITIQUES: $50 (save $25!)

PLUS: All submissions entered during Moondance’s March Madness days will receive 5 free movie tickets at the 2012 film festival! That’s a $50 value!

3 Easy Ways to Submit Your Entry:

1. MIFF Entry Form

<http://moondancefilmfestival.com/pdfs/MIFF_FESTENTRYFORM.pdf>

2. Acteva Online Entry

3. Withoutabox.com

<https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240>

(no discount)

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE FOREST!

_______________________________________________________________

COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

ANIMATION FILMS
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
FEATURE FILMS
FEATURE SCREENPLAYS*
FILMED TV PILOTS
LIBRETTI*
MUSIC VIDEOS
ORIGINAL MUSIC & FILM SCORES
RADIO PLAYS
SHORT FILMS
SHORT SCREENPLAYS*
SHORT STORIES*
STAGEPLAYS*
TREATMENTS** (new!)
TV EPISODICS*
TV PILOT SCRIPTS*
& more…

*Written works in the following foreign languages are also accepted: French, Spanish, German, Dutch & Africaans. These works will be read & judged by native speakers.

**Screenplay treatments: No more than 10 pages, double-spaced, or 5 pages, single-spaced. Please include title, logline & short synopsis.

MOVIEBYTES.COM Lists Moondance as

“one of the top ten film festival competitions worth the entry fee!”

_______________________________________________

BE SURE YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR NEWS BLOG POSTS by email in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines and happenings! Announcements will be on the Moondance website, and in the news blog. Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

_______________________________________________

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES:

Cynthia Butler, Moondance’s very popular reader will write a one-page critique and assessment of your submitted screenplay, stageplay, teleplay or up to 3 short stories. Check off the box for critiques on the Moondance entry form. The fee is a nominal $50 for each critique requested during Moondance March Madness days!

_______________________________________________

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

Excerpts from an article by Utne Associate editor Margret Aldrich

This spring, in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle, seven acres of underused land will be transformed into the nation’s largest urban “food forest”—a community park planted with a cornucopia of produce that visitors are encouraged to harvest and eat, for free. It will be an urban oasis offering a variety of edibles: apples and blueberries, herbs and vegetables, chestnuts and walnuts, persimmons and Asian pears. Built around the concept of permaculture, it will be a perennial, self-sustaining landscape, much like a woodland ecosystem in the wild, creating a system on public land that combines the concepts of urban farms, orchards, and natural forest. To read more, click here: http://www.utne.com/The-Sweet-Pursuit/The-Incredible-Edible-Forest-Beacon-Food-Forest-Seattle.aspx#ixzz1odtdZO3I

________________________________________________________________

LITTLE PHONE BOOTH LIBRARIES

Excerpts from an article by Utne Associate editor Margret Aldrich

Obsolete phone booths are turned into mini-libraries, and passersby are encouraged to take a book or leave a book from the improvised bibliothecas which are reminiscent of the Little Free Libraries born in Wisconsin or the Phoneboox found in the UK. (This) project, will encourage an increased sense of local camaraderie, (with) more people in the neighborhood sharing, talking, and just having a heightened awareness and sense of engagement with their surroundings. The little phone booth libraries marry whimsy and practicality in every way. Nestled between used copies of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Middlesex, the existing payphone remains fully functional—just in case one of those 17 million cell phones runs out of juice. To read more, click here: http://www.utne.com/The-Sweet-Pursuit/Little-Phone-Booth-Libraries.aspx#ixzz1odwHg3CI

_________________________________________________________________

A MOONDANCER WRITES:

“Great job with the March Madness MIFF newsletter. Looks good! The discounts are very attractive and I really like the inspirational quotes.” ~ Cynthia Butler, Moondance reader & critiques maven

_________________________________________________________________

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

Walt Whitman birthplace, Huntington, NY

The flux of the soul is happiness,

here is happiness,

I think it pervades the open air,

waiting at all times,

Now it flows unto us,

and we are rightly charged.

~ Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist & journalist (1819-1892)

_________________________________________________________________

“If you have a library and a garden, you have everything you need.” ~ Cicero

Garden shed photo, Melissa J. Will

_________________________________________________________________

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~ Anne Bradstreet (1612 – 1672)

_________________________________________________________________

Diogenes, by Gerome

On creativity: “When Alexander the Great visited Diogenes and asked whether he could do anything for the famed teacher, Diogenes replied: ‘Only stand out of my light.’ Perhaps some day we shall know how to heighten creativity. Until then, one of the best things we can do for creative men and women is to stand out of their light.”~John W. Gardner (1912 – 2002)

_________________________________________________________________

Painting by Vladimir Kush

“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money. It lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of the creative effort.” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945)

_________________________________________________________________

Cornwall Path photo by Michael Wiese

“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no worthy goal to reach.” ~ Benjamin Mays

_________________________________________________________________

“…and those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane, by those who could not hear the music.” ~ Friederich Nietzsche

_________________________________________________________________

MOONDANCE FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS:

Right now, Moondance really needs your help to keep this vital mission moving forward. We need to meet our financial goals before we can produce the 13^th annual film festival.  Send in your entry now, and/or sponsor or donate whatever amount you can. Please let other colleagues and friends know about Moondance, via your FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media accounts. Everything will help!

DONATE HERE

OTHER OPTIONS & MOONDANCE SPONSOR INFO: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html

Moondance Mermaid, by Elizabeth English

Please forward this news blog to your friends and colleagues!

March420120

MOONDANCE “MARCH MADNESS” CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

2012 MIFF “MARCH MADNESS”!

Boulder, Colorado, winter scene

SEND IN YOUR 2012 MOONDANCE SUBMISSION NOW

AND GET IN ON THE

MOONDANCE “MARCH MADNESS”

DISCOUNTED ENTRY FEES

Only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva. All submissions postmarked during the month of March, are eligible for these special low-cost entry fees:

FEATURE FILMS & FEATURE SCREENPLAYS: $50 (save $25!)
SHORT FILMS & SHORT SCREENPLAYS: $25 (save $50!)
ANIMATION FILMS & SHORT STORIES: $25 (save $50!)
MUSIC VIDEOS, FILM SCORES & 1/2 HR. TV EPISODICS: $25 (save $50!)
ALL OTHER CATEGORIES: $50 (save $25!)
OPTIONAL FEATURE SCREENPLAY CRITIQUES: $50 (save $25!)

PLUS: All submissions entered during Moondance’s March Madness days will receive 5 free movie tickets at the 2012 film festival! That’s a $50 value!

3 Easy Ways to Submit Your Entry:

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

Click here to start your own petition

COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

FEATURE FILMS
SHORT FILMS
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
ANIMATION FILMS
MUSIC VIDEOS
FEATURE SCREENPLAYS*
SHORT SCREENPLAYS*
ORIGINAL MUSIC & FILM SCORES
STAGEPLAYS*
TV PILOT SCRIPTS*
FILMED TV PILOTS
TV EPISODICS*
SHORT STORIES*
LIBRETTI*
RADIO PLAYS
& more…

* Written works in the following foreign languages are also accepted: French, Spanish, German, Dutch & Africaans. These works will be read & judged by native speakers.

MOVIEBYTES.COM Lists Moondance as

“one of the top ten film festival competitions worth the entry fee!”

BE SURE YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED TO OUR NEWS BLOG POSTS by email in order to be kept up-to-date about all of the Moondance deadlines and happenings! Announcements will be on the Moondance website, and in the news blog.

Wallace & Gromit, Aardman Animation

Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES: Cynthia Butler, Moondance’s very popular reader will write a one-page critique and assessment of your submitted screenplay, stageplay, teleplay or up to 3 short stories. Check off the box for critiques on the Moondance entry form. The fee is only $50 for each critique requested during Moondance “March Madness” days!

* SCROLL ON DOWN FOR MORE ITEMS OF INTEREST:

MOONDANCE MISSION:

To enhance the quality of life within the world community by providing important and meaningful cultural events, with innovation, professionalism and an absolute commitment to excellence.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

Angelina & Alison, photo by Nick Anastasiadis

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” ~ Hal David, lyricist

_______________________________________________________________

“Borea” Painting by Waterhouse

“The Universe constantly gives us feedback through synchronicity of  events and through subtle signs, symbols, and messages throughout  our everyday life. Such messages mirror to us where we are on the  path of alignment, our consciousness journey, and help us see  where we may be obstructing our own progress. Although sometimes we may feel like we are taking a detour, or  we’re getting side-tracked by life’s circumstances, we may actually  be right where we need to be, and life will find a way tell us. Through the messages we receive, we are being nudged towards reality and peace.”~ Lynne Forrest

_________________________________________________________________

Photo by Mustafa Ozer / AFP / Getty Images

“LET US SHAPE OUR FUTURE, NOT WAIT FOR IT!” ~ A sign posted outside the Discovery Center for children, in Damascus, Syria 2012

_______________________________________________________________

“Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not need anything in return. It asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.” ~ Rabbi Michael Strassfeld

___________________________________________________________

"Window Box" painting by Lorna Kanter

“There’s a new type of alarm clock on the market! It makes no noise. It just uses lights, and gets brighter and brighter until you wake up. I already have one of these. It’s called a “window”. ~ Jay Leno

________________________________________________________

Still photo from Walt Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland”

“The world is not just in the center of the frame.” ~ booklet of advice for the filmmaker & guides to life, by Roger Sherman

MOONDANCE FRIENDS, SUPPORTERS & SPONSORS:

DONATE HERE!

OTHER OPTIONS & MOONDANCE SPONSOR INFO: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html

~~~ EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY: ~~~

Would you like to host the very best of Moondance films & workshops in your community, anywhere in the US and the world? Bring the Moondance Roadshow to your area! Contact Elizabeth English now at director@moondancefilmfestival.com to discuss the details and fabulous benefits!

_________________________________________________________________

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

Watch these amazing underwater videos!

Go full-screen & enjoy the music, too!

FIJI & BALI

http://bubblevision.com

_____________________________________________________________

change.org

Mahatma Gandhi

START A PETITION – MOBILIZE SUPPORT – WIN CHANGE

Change.org is a non-partisan organization that empowers anyone, anywhere to start and win campaigns for social change. Every day, people who start petitions on Change.org win meaningful change using the most easy-to-use & powerful grassroots organizing tools on the web. A few examples of successful campaigns at change.org:

The “Saudi Women for Driving” Coalition petitions U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton to support women’s driving rights. 22,000 people join after Clinton declines public support, gaining media attention. In the light of media coverage, Clinton reverses her stance and becomes highest-ranking official to publicly support women driving.

Molly Katchpole, a 22 year old nanny working two jobs, starts a petition asking Bank of America to drop an unexpected new $5/month banking fee. 300,000 people join, gaining national media exposure and driving customers to leave Bank of America. In less than 1 month, Bank of America announces it will drop its new banking fee, as do all other major national banks.

After international outcry from over 100,000 people across the world, the beginning of the end is here. The end of women suffering physical and emotional abuse including sexual assault and torture in Ecuadorian clinics trying to “cure” them of being lesbian.

After hearing from more than 82,000 people, Chase Bank called off foreclosing on 78-year-old grandmother and civil rights activist Helen Bailey.

McDonald’s finally responded to the 100,000 people (and groups like the Humane Society of the United States) who told the fast food giant to stop sourcing pork from factory farms using inhumane “gestation crates,” (cages so small that pigs can’t move or turn around). McDonald’s told all of its suppliers yesterday to start phasing out the cages — an earthquake for the food industry.

Have something you want to change?

_______________________________________________________________

El Sistema: Fighting Poverty, Armed With Violins

Venezuela’s program of social uplift through classical music.

NY Times photo

El Sistema’s aim is to address a depressingly universal problem: how to remove children from poverty’s snares, like drugs, crime, gangs and desperation, and to instill values that can come from playing in ensembles: a sense of community, commitment and self-worth. All instruction and instruments are free. No child is turned away, teaching is done in groups, and many of the instructors have passed through El Sistema themselves (and are thus committed to the movement). El Sistema also has choirs and programs to teach instrument-making and repair. (Excerpt from a February 16, 2012 New York Times article, by Daniel J. Wakin)

________________________________________________________________

DON’T FORGET: SEND IN YOUR 2012 MOONDANCE SUBMISSION NOW AND GET IN ON THE MOONDANCE “MARCH MADNESS” DISCOUNTED ENTRY FEES, only via the Moondance official entry form and Acteva.

_______________________________________________________________

Please forward this news blog to friends & colleagues,

and check out the Moondance website for more info!

February1420120

MOONDANCE MARCH MADNESS!

MOONDANCE’S MARCH MADNESS!

We can't stop this dancing until we meet our goal of 1000+ submissions!

SEND IN YOUR 2012 MOONDANCE SUBMISSION NOW AND GET IN ON THE MOONDANCE MARCH MADNESS DISCOUNTED ENTRY FEES, only via the Moondance official entry form or Acteva. All submissions postmarked from February 15, and all of March, are eligible for these special low-cost entry fees:

FEATURE FILMS & FEATURE SCREENPLAYS: $50 (save $30!)
SHORT FILMS & SHORT SCREENPLAYS: $25 (save $55!)
ANIMATION FILMS & SHORT STORIES: $25 (save $55!)
MUSIC VIDEOS, FILM SCORES & 1/2 HR. TV EPISODICS: $25 (save $55!)
ALL OTHER CATEGORIES: $50 (save $30!)
OPTIONAL FEATURE SCREENPLAY CRITIQUES: $50 (save $25!)

PLUS: All submissions entered during Moondance’s March Madness days will receive 5 free movie tickets at the 2012 film festival! That’s a $50 value!

3 Easy Ways to Submit Your Entry:

Check out the Moondance website for more info!