María Laura Ruggiero attended the 6th BERLINALE TALENT CAMPUS in Berlin this past february. After passing a selection of 3300 applicants from 120 countries, she was selected as Young Talent by the Berlinale for the second time (which is extremely unusual) and she was also selected to attend the Talent Project Market 2008.
Out of 172 submissions, SeirenFilms´s feature film project “Arches” was chosen by an international jury to be part of Talent Campus Film Market. The project was one of the 11 Talent Projects presented in the official Project Catalogue, alongside the 25 “regular” Official Projects of the Berlinale Co-Production Market. The catalogue was sent to approximately 350 participants of the Berlinale Co-Production Market (financiers, sales agents, producers who were interested in becoming involved in the selected projects) prior to the event.

If you wish to get a short version of the Talent Project Market Catalogue, please click here or check out the Press Section for the complete catalogue.

The Berlinale experience was amazing and we´re processing all the screenplay requests as fast as we can. We wish to thank Kathi, Sonja,Steffi, Marjorie and everyone at the BTC for their constant support. You´re amazing! A special thanks goes to José Nolla, our dear mentor.

Thanks for reading and please don´t hesitate to contact us if you´re interested in “Arches”. See you out there!

Primeras imágenes de diseño conceptual de la película “Laika, Albina y Muschka”.

SeirenFilms se encuentra aún en la fase de diseño de producción y guión. Siendo este, un cortometraje a realizarse con técnicas mixtas de animación, el momento de la investigación es clave para lograr deslumbrar con un film mágico y sensible.

La historia de estos “Perros del espacio” es sólo el puntapié inicial para un recorrido fantástico sobre la experiencia terrenal ¿Qué es la humanidad? ¿Qué nos hace únicos en nuestra sensibilidad? ¿Qué nos espera más allá del olvido?

La producción se traslada en Diciembre a la costa atlántica para realizar tomas macro de los personajes principales en escenarios naturales que simularan un firmamento plagado de misterios.

“Laika, Albina y Muschka, memorias de espacio exterior” próximamente!

New picts of “Laika, Albina and Mushka”.

The animation film is still in pre-production. Research stage is key for this short animated film that will include different techniques such as 3D, stop motion and 2D animation.

The story of these “space dogs” is just an excuse to delve into the human soul and sensibility. ¿What makes us part of humankind? ¿What makes us unique? ¿What’s waiting for us on the other side of moon?

SeirenFilms production team will spend summer by the beach, designing some macro shots of our main characters in space. We’ll keep you posted on the development of these very special shots.

“Laika, Albina y Muschka, memories from outer space”

A SeirenFilms production

Written and Directed by M.Laura Ruggiero

Coming Soon!

San Franciscan Filmmaker Ria Fay-Berquist is visiting Argentina and SeirenFilms. Here’s an extract of our chat with Ria sharing her unique South American experience and dreams about her first feature “The Mothers”.

Why did you decided to come to Argentina?

I had been invited by someone who’s writing process I really jive with. I was very curious about South America too, never having been here. Of course, it also keeps with the tradition of writing in short spurts in the southern hemisphere. The first draft was written in Australia.

How are you enjoying the local lifestyle?

I am going to miss, painfully, mate at 4 o’clock. There is also an abundance of ice cream shops here, which is the sugar addict’s equivalent to living in front of an opium field.

Most exciting event since you landed in South America?

The natural disaster warnings that turned out to be a man selling fish. Definitely.

Tell us a little bit more about the project you’re working on right now and the recent evolution of it.

It’s called The Mothers and it is sort of a meditation on power, but from a low-income perspective. It’s a story that is extrapolated somewhat from my early childhood experiences, but ended up needing a great deal of clinical and legal footwork. I spent the (North American) summer doing research at a residential treatment center for boys near Chicago, and have been to some conferences and done quite a few interviews, including one with an InterPol detective. I was recently invited to submit the script to the Berlinale Talent Campus’s Script Clinic, and have high hopes for that. It is my first feature, and I am hoping that the second, third, fourth, and fifth will be much more strategic. I wrote the first and second drafts and now I am writing the treatment. My mom tells me that when I was a baby I went from sort of scooting around like a sea lion to standing up and walking one day. She had to teach me to crawl after I had already learned to walk. That speaks volumes about the way I work.

What are your plans for the future regarding The Mothers. Plans? Dreams? Expectations?

I have quite a few talented people who have signed on to the project, and some others that I am working on recruiting. I am really excited to see what kind of collaboration that will emerge from this. I am still aiming to shoot next summer. The main plan/dream/expectation is that it will all come together simply and beautifully - it will be a film that we can all be proud of and that I will want to see thrown into the world.

Can you come up with a quote, a line, a story that sums up what you´ve recently learnt in Buenos Aires, regarding your experience as a filmmaker?

I have been reading mythology since I’ve been here, and a book about Psyche and Eros, which was really interesting to me, personally. Now that I think about it — two things. One is Linda Segar’s autograph on the inside of my friend’s book that says, “Enjoy the process.” This writing is such a process. It’s like painting; you prime the canvas, then you do an underpainting, you continue to add layers and details until everything is there. Writing is a little more nebulous since the pictures only exist in your head. The second thing is a quote from Lily Burana’s website: “If you’re not scared, you’re not even in the room.” That’s Pam Houston. Fear is the ultimate creative accelerant. If you explore that fear and use the adrenaline to fuel your writing, you are doing tremendous service to your work-and your readers. That’s Lily Burana.

Final words to SeirenFilms?

Thank you/ Muchisimas gracias.

For more info about Ria´s work, please check out Prize Fight Films

“The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about understanding each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.”

Thanks to everyone that made the 2007 NATPE-FOX Diversity Program possible. It was an amazing opportunity for growth , a great place to nurture our dreams, hopes and beliefs. Thank you!
Thanks to NALIP, NATPE, FOX, Carole Kirschner and all the 2007 Diversity Fellows:
Bianca Biscaino, Phill Branch, Sheri Bryant, Leo Chu, Imani Dawson, Eric Garcia,Allison Hunter, Young Il Kim, Mildred Lewis, Mike Muse, Frederick Nnoma-Addison, Maria Laura Ruggiero, Kai Soremekun,Randolph Stirrup, Samora Suber, Tracy Taylor, Arthur Thomas, Donahue Tuitt, Monique Walton, and Lucy Wang.

For more info and great pictures, check out the SeirenFilms Gallery

Surfing Favela in South Africa!

Surfing Favela will be screening at the Fifth Tri Continental Film Festival 2007! Surfing Favela will screen in Johannesburg on September 17th and 21st at 6PM. It will also screen in Cape Town on September 21st and 24th,both screenings at 6:15 pm. For more detailed information, please check out www.3continentsfestival.co.za/

Surfing Favela en Sudáfrica!

Surfing Favela estará en el Quinto Festival de los Tres Continentes 2007 en Sudáfrica ! La película se proyectará en este festival con gran foco en los films de derechos humanos los dias 17 y 21 de Septiembre a las 6pm en la ciudad de Johannesburgo y los días 21 y 24 de septiembre a las 6:15 pm en Ciudad del Cabo. Para información más detallada, por favor visiten www.3continentsfestival.co.za/

Are you in South Africa?….Want to be our Special Reporter right from from the Screening Zone? Please email us for more info!

¿Estás en Sudáfrica? Querés ser nuestro reportero desde la zona de proyección? Mandanos un email para más información!

NATPE( National Association of Television Programming Executives) in partnership with FOX Entertainment extended a scholarship to one NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) member for the 2007 Diversity Fellowship Program.

Maria Laura Ruggiero was selected among a vast pool of applicants and will now receive an exclusive scholarship to attend this year’s National Association of Television Producer Executives bootcamp in Los Angeles, California! The NATPE Bootcamp is a great opportunity for emerging media-makers to hone their craft and establish important connections.

The goal of the program is to provide up-to-date information, case studies and coaching on best practices within the TV industry, so producers and writers from diverse backgrounds can better navigate this business and continue their career development.

Maria Laura Ruggiero will participate in a customized program of workshops and meetings with Fox Networks Group executives, Panel discussions, presentations and workshops on traditional and new platforms and genres led by working television executives and producers.

Seiren Films talked to Ria Fay-Berquist days before the launch of PrizeWriter, an interview based blog that promises some of the most interesting Film interviews and articles you could find these days.

Let´s hear what she has to say…

SF-What is PrizeWriter? And why did you decide to create this blog?

PrizeWriter is a ‘blogozine’, an interview-format monthly post that features conversations with filmmakers, artists, and writers. Like the official description says, we have a predilection for those who showcase the flair and rich inner lives of struggling/working-class folks around the world. I started it because I feel like socioeconomics and the culture or style that emerges from working class communities is very rich, and often is lost or dumbed down in outsiders’ interpretations (though not always). It’s particularly meaningful to me as someone who grew up struggling and is also an independent artist and filmmaker. I like and relate to the resourcefulness of people who have had to work very hard, or oftentimes sort of ‘invent’ themselves, in order to create their dreams — thus the PrizeWriter title, a play on Prize Fighters (amateur boxers).

SF-Tell us a little bit more about PrizeFight Films and your future projects?

PrizeFight Films is similarly themed. In fact, PrizeWriter came out of a desire to converse with and showcase other people who were doing the work that I felt connected to, or inspired by. People who were telling the kinds of stories that fell outside of that hackneyed ‘tale of lack’ that we often see framing low income people’s lives. The typical stories of struggling communities that are saved by the (usually white, wealthier) hero from outside - cinematic or narrative imperialism. People often save and change their own lives, through a much more interesting internal process. We don’t just sit around being dysfunctional thinking about what we don’t have until Clark Kent passes through! Haha.. Anyway. I have two major stories in development. One is a story about a fourteen year old girl who is struggling to cope with the loss of her father, and running into a lot of trouble with violence. She befriends a young man who becomes sort of a surrogate male figure to her, but eventually unearths some things in his history that have directly affected people who are dear to her. The crux of her development sort of hinges on how she is able to feel personal power without violence, even in situations where an outsider might see it as being warranted. The second one is a love story - but all details on that are top secret!

SF-Who is going to be featured in the next Prizewriter interview?(Crossing fingers here…:))

It’s a surprise! Tune in at the beginning of each month, or click this link to subscribe

Check out PrizeWriter at http://www.prize-writer.blogspot.com/

SeirenFilms abrió su nuevo sitio en Myspace. Visiten www.myspace.com/seirenfilms y unánse a la comunidad Seiren en Myspace!

SeirenFilms has just created its new Myspace site. Check out www.myspace.com/seirenfilms and join the Seiren Community in Myspace!

Want a SeirenFilms Dvd? Check out our site www.seirenfilms.com and register to win an exclusive SeirenFilms Dvd! All you have to do is register and we´ll be giving away free DVDs as part of the SeirenFilms new site launch during the months of June and July. Registering at Seiren Films is free, simple and will give you access to special content and discounts! Check it out now! www.seirenfilms.com

¿Querés ganarte un dvd de Seirenfilms? Visitá nuestro sitio www.seirenfilms.com y registrándote estarás participando del sorteo de DVDs de Seiren Films! Solo tenés que completar el formulario con tu información y estarás ya participando del sorteo. Registrarte en SeirenFilms es simple, gratuito y te dará acceso a contenido premium y descuentos. Registrate ya en www.seirenfilms.com!

El seminario de Linda Seger en la Argentina fue todo un éxito. Una excelente organización dio la bienvenida a un importante número de asistentes deseosos de participar de un seminario de calidad Internacional. “Como convertir un buen guión en un guión excelente” tal como el nombre de su reconocido libro, fue el tema principal que se desarrolló en las jornadas del viernes y sábado en el Cine Gaumont.
Linda Seger resultó una oradora incansable, clara y con una predisposición admirable, explayándose sobre sus propios conceptos con precisión y utilizando distintos ejemplos de diversos films que ilustraban sus teorías.
Desde ya, resultó muy interesante su postura frente a la idea de estructura cinematográfica sosteniendo el uso de la misma desde su perspectiva clásica, aún en estructuras no convencionales.
En mi propia experiencia con otros consultores de guión, es importante resaltar su posición sobre la forma de estructurar películas ajenas a la cultura Hollywoodense, siguiendo aún los lineamientos aristotélicos pero con una grata amplitud para comprender las diferencias culturales de cada país, sus fortalezas y flaquezas, tiempos de desarrollo de conflicto y su resolución de acuerdo a patrones sociales, históricos y culturales.
Desde ya, desde Seiren Films, queremos agradecer a Linda Seger y su organización local por hacer posible nuestra presencia en este interesantísimo Seminario.

Seiren Films will be launching a new and improved website very soon. You´ll be able to register, watch videos, and gain access to exclusive information. Polls, Newsflashes, Articles and updated information about Seiren Film´s projects are the new addition to this site. Keep on checking the blog for more news!

We´re posting a short video that documents the visit of singer Jack Johnson to Rocinha and Sao Conrado, home of Surf Instructor Bocao and the stars of Surfing Favela. Surfrider Foundation Brazil made this visit possible during Jack´s recent brazilian tour.Check out the video here
“According to Surfrider’s representative, Sergio Mello,the meeting of Jack Johnson and Bocao´s students was a very emotional and inspiring encounter. The children were “stoked” and “in heaven” meeting Jack, who spoke with them about the importance of having dreams and determination in their struggle against all odds. Jack said the next time he was in Rio he would spend some time there, and would like to surf with the children from the school. The kids couldn’t stop clapping with their enthusiasm. Jack definitely made a difference in the lives of these children, simply by giving them love and attention.”

The complete Surfing Favela team is proud to be helping to raise awareness about the Favela situation and we´re all extremely happy to be able to bring joy, laughter and smiles to our Favela Friends. Thanks Jack Johnson! Thanks Surfrider!

Surfing Favela played in the Byron Bay Film Festival in Australia. Here´s what people have to say about our movie.

“Byron Bay is an Australian mecca for surfers. Byron Bay Film Festival’s surf film nights have become a highlight of the festival for local audiences. The surf films screened focus on issues beyond catching the perfect wave and Surfing Favela was a perfect example of this, a colourful surf film with strong social commentary full of engaging personal stories which inspired an appreciative audience. Surfing Favela played to a full house and was very popular both with the audience and with our judges”

Thanks J´aimee for your Review

Soon we will post new reviews from our Australian tour.

Surfing Favela is screening at the Byron Bay Film Festival in Australia next Tuesday 13th.
We´re competing for best Surf Film, if you´re in Australia, please show your support and go check out our movie. For more info, take a look at the Byron Bay Film Festival Site

Surfing Favela será proyectada en el Byron Bay Film Festival en Australia. Aquí les doy la información:13 de Febrero- 7:00 PM Byron Bay Film Festival Byron Community and Cultural Centre 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay ,NSW 2481. Australia Costo: $12
Para Más información, miren el sitio del Festival de Byron Bay

Jack Johnson, the Popular pop singer and surfer got together with our Surfing Favela Friends (Bocao and the kids) creating a great collaboration.

Rocinha kids got to see JJ show and were invited to hang out at the Copacabana Palace hotel with the Singer. The meeting took place with the help of the Brazilian branch of the Surfrider Foundation and Jack Johnson moved by the favela situation, donated Ten thousand dollars to Bocao and the Surf School.

Please check the links for more information

NOTA O-DIA 29-11-2006.pdf

NOTA O-DIA 03-12-2006.pdf

Jack Johnson, el popular surfer y cantante norteamericano, visitó a nuestros amigos de Surfing Favela (Bocao y la garotada) creando una especial colaboración entre ellos.

Los chicos de Rocinha tuvieron la oportunidad de ver el show de JJ y fueron invitados a conocerlo en su suite del Copacabana Palace. La reunión se llevó a cabo con la ayuda de la filial brasilera de la Fundación Surfrider y emocionado con la situación carente de los niños de la escuela, Jack Johnson, realizó una importante donación de diez mil dolares que ayudará sin duda a mejorar la situación de nuestros amigos de Rocinha.

NOTA O-DIA 29-11-2006.pdf

NOTA O-DIA 03-12-2006.pdf

Seiren Films recommends the following screenwriting seminars:

THE CHARACTER MAP SEMINAR Saturday, November 4, 2006.This interactive workshop will show you how to create characters that leap off the page, how to chart a character’s emotional journey from fade in to fade out, and how to solve your most difficult character problems in six simple steps. You will learn the key questions that motivate a character’s story actions and create the powerful internal tensions that define a character’s personality. Make your characters more vivid, active and alive through this innovative mapping process.

THE ONE HOUR SCREENWRITER SEMINAR Saturday, November 18, 2006.This inspirational workshop will show you how to make the most effective use of your creativity, how to use a proven method of incremental progress to finish your script in an easy writing flow, how to snap your story structure into focus and how to create deeper emotional connections with your characters. Learn how to turn your life, experience and emotions into powerful fictional stories. Make your screenplay resonate with real authenticity and truth with these unique writing tools and techniques. Visit Emotional ToolBox or the UCLA site for more information
If you are not familiar with Laurie Hutzler´s work, click here to read more about this fantastic screenwriter. Don’t hesitate to check out her site and sign up for her amazing newsletter. It’s full of great information for screenwriters.

We´re finally launching a myspace blog for Surfing Favela. Please add us to your friends and start leaving comments!

Surfing Favela in Myspace

 Surfing Favela
A Film Written and Produced by
Tomás Crowder and M.Laura Ruggiero
Direction and Cinematography by:
Natalia Bacalini and Maximiliano Ezzaoui

Focused on a slum or “favela” in Brazil, where millions of people live in extreme poverty, young surfers defy the environment’s limitations by choosing the surfing lifestyle over the never-ending cycle of local violence, corruption and drugs.
“Surfing Favela” is one of the Ten Finalists of The Fuel Experiment, sponsored by FUEL TV and it was the only Latin American Project to reach the Top Ten.

Pretty soon we will have more info on future screenings and events!
more info?Festivals? Press kits? surfingfavela@seirenfilms.com

April 11-23,2006

The 8th Edition of the Buenos Aires Independent Film Festival will take place during April in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires,Argentina.

Seiren Films will be participating in different activities such as conferences and promotional meetings, as well as business meetings organized by ENIFILM.

 If you wish to contact a Seiren Films agent during the Festival, please contact us at: info@seirenfilms.com

More information about the Festival http://www.bafici.gov