Author Archive

Cross Streets #4 – Willow & Friant

Join Roque and Bryan as they explore the city of Fresno
one cross street at a time in this ongoing web series.

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Cross Streets #3 – Belmont Loop

Join Roque and Bryan as they explore the city of Fresno
one cross street at a time in this ongoing web series.

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Tonight! Fresno Filmmakers Alliance mixer at Victory Grill

Another month, another chance for you to get out and meet some fellow filmmakers, exchange information and get started on making that film that will take you and Fresno to the next level. Or… maybe just have some fun. It’s going down tonight at Me ‘N Ed’s Victory Grill in Granite Park starting at 7pm and going until 10pm. So pack some business cards and make sure to say hi to myself and Brodiemash. We’ll be the nerds at the air hockey table. Wait, is there an air hockey table there? Damnit, alright, pool table perhaps.

Remember that horribly depressing documentary “Fresno: A City Reborn”?

Last August, the Downtown Association screened a copy of the rare 1968 documentary film “Fresno: A City Reborn” which was commissioned by Victor Gruen Associates, the architectural company responsible for designing the Fulton Mall. The film spoke of urban renewal and preventing suburban sprawl, and how Fresno was a model city for taking steps in the right direction. Hindsight is a bitch.

Feel free to re-live that day by watching the 20-minute film again on YouTube. Or if you couldn’t make it to the screening, here’s your chance to see it for the first time. On the plus side, there’s some really great imagery of the Fresno of the ’60s.

Spanish-language film series coming to The Tower Theatre

In a few short weeks a new local film series called CineAméricas will begin showing Spanish-language films every Sunday afternoon at The Tower Theatre. Armida Espinoza, founder of the film series, says her inspiration to create CineAméricas came from childhood memories of spending hours watching Mexican cinema at the old Azteca Theater in Chinatown. Espinoza hopes to recreate the same memorable, family atmosphere with her new venture at The Tower. Films will play at noon and 3pm every Sunday. Tickets will cost $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children. The film series kicks off on Sunday, February 21, 2010 with a screening of the Uruguayan film “El Baño del Papa” (The Pope’s Toilet). Check out the trailer above and visit www.cineamericas.com for more info.

Cross Streets #2 – Fresno & G

Join Roque and Bryan as they explore the city of Fresno
one cross street at a time in this ongoing web series.

Win tickets to an advance screening of YOUTH IN REVOLT

UPDATE: Comments are closed! Thanks and enjoy the film!

What a better way to ring in the New Year than with a free movie screening?! DumbDrum.com just scored some tickets to a sneak preview of YOUTH IN REVOLT (Rated R), and we want to hook you up! Just leave a comment on this post! The first 15 (unique) commenters will receive a ticket. The screening will take place Monday, January 4th at 7:30pm at Regal Manchester Stadium 16 in Fresno. Winners will be contacted by email. Check out the trailer below and the synopsis after the break.

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Dem Reviews: Sherlock Holmes

Me: “Does your depravity know no bounds?”
Guy Ritchie: “No.”

Sherlock Holmes is a mediocre flick. I think the worst part is that the marketing campaign made it out to look like an action movie. That is what initially turned me off. We’re all at least somewhat familiar with the literary figure Sherlock Holmes, and this movie isn’t him. So I was rather surprised when there were only one or two big action scenes in the entire flick. Holmes did break out his ninja skills, but not very often. The rest of the film was rather slow and uninteresting. Read more…

City film commission ops now under Creative Fresno

As you may have heard, the Fresno Film & Entertainment Commission was eliminated recently due to cuts in the city’s budget. There was some question moving forward who local and outside productions would turn to if they needed permits or other assistance while shooting within city limits. In the past, the county film commission handled this, and alternatively you could get in touch directly with various city departments (e.g. PARCS if you wanted to film in a city owned park).

But today, the city has agreed to a different, unique solution. A partnership has been formed with the local non-profit organization Creative Fresno, and from here out they will take over all film commission related operations. Film permits and filming on city property will remain free. Ray Arthur will remain in charge of operations as commissioner, an unpaid position. However, he has accepted another job within the City of Fresno.

Very good news for local filmmakers and our local film scene!

Cross Streets #1 – First & Shields

Join Roque and Bryan as they explore the city of Fresno
one cross street at a time in this ongoing web series.

(Does your computer not like HD? Click here instead.)

The DUmb #20 • Now in 3D!

So we decided to do something special for the 20th episode of The DUmb, and unfortunately it involved our ugly mugs: VIDEO!!! That’s right, not only do you get to listen to our heavenly voices, you get to see the lovely faces that go along with them. What a treat for you. Joining Brodiemash and Bryan as a guest on this visceral visual venture is none other than local corporate videomaker Andrew Toschi.

So sit back, relax and grab some popcorn as we discuss the following…

• Elimination of the Fresno Film & Entertainment Commission.
• A Swede Fest 4 recap & some minor Swede Fest 5 deets, we challenge Alan Autry to come out.
• Andrew tells us about his upcoming LOST project & we call out for writers for Dumb Drum.
• We talk about old downtown Fresno movie theaters & porn took over in the past.
• A quick talk about drive-in movie theaters in the valley.
• We announce our Rogue Festival plans & talk about the film component of the fest.
• Avatar and will it live up to the hype. And will Bryan see it in 3D?
• Andrew tells us about his URL fetish.
• A Wes Anderson film discussion occurs.
• Bryan reveals his next mission in life: coming up with a better name for this century.

And if you’re not in the mood for the boob-tube, here’s a link to the audio only version. But c’mon, that’s no fun.