2007 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS!

So, after a long and competitive festival,
The Sundance Film Festival of 07
breaks records with sales to the motion picture industry.

Why?

Because there were so many excellent entries.

And, because I have this long complicated theory as to how the internet and streaming video sites like You Tube, Revver, Greenimation etc. have created a climate that's receptive to indie films as having commercial potential. But more on that some other time.

I was up late last night watching the Dailies on the Sundance Channel as they ended the 10 day event and had the good fortune to get glimpses of many, if not all of the following award winning entries.

It's really a banner year.

So, give it up for the following 2007 Sundance Award Winners:



Grand Jury Prize: Documentary
MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET)
Jason Kohn, director

Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic
PADRE NUESTRO
Christopher Zalla, writer/director

Audience Award: Documentary
HEAR AND NOW
Irene Taylor Brodsky, writer/director

Audience Award: Dramatic
GRACE IS GONE
James C. Strouse, writer/director

Directing Award: Documentary
Sean Fine & Andrea Nix Fine
WAR/DANCE

Directing Award: Dramatic
Jeffrey Blitz
ROCKET SCIENCE

World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary
ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS
Eva Mulvad & Anja Al Erhayem, directors

World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic
SWEET MUD
Dror Shaul, writer/director

World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary
IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON
David Sington, director

World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic
ONCE
John Carney, writer/director

Excellence In Cinematography Award:
Documentary
Heloisa Passos
MANDA BALA (SEND A BULLET)

Excellence In Cinematography Award:
Dramatic
Benoit Debie
JOSHUA

Documentary Editing Award
Hibah Sherif Frisina, Charlton McMillian
& Michael Schweitzer
NANKING

Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award
James C. Strouse, writer/director
GRACE IS GONE

Special Jury Prize Documentary
NO END IN SIGHT
Charles Ferguson, director



Special Jury Prize for Acting
(Split)
Jess Weixler
TEETH
Tamara Podemski
FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND

Special Jury Prize For Singularity Of Vision
Chris Smith, director
THE POOL

Special Jury Prize World Cinema:
Documentary
HOT HOUSE
Shimon Dotan, director

Special Jury Prize World Cinema:
Dramatic
THE LEGACY
Gela Babluani & Temur Babluani

Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking
EVERYTHING WILL BE OK
Don Hertzfeldt, director

Jury Prize in International
Short Filmmaking
THE TUBE WITH A HAT
Radu Jude, director

Honorable Mention In Short Filmmaking
DEATH TO THE TINMAN
Ray Tintori, director
THE FIGHTING CHOLITAS
Mariam Jobrani, director
MEN UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER BETTER
Marjan Alizadeh, director
MOTODROM
Joerg Wagner, director
SPITFIRE 944
William Lorton, director
T.O.M.
Tom Brown & Daniel Gray, directors

New Duvet or Giant Ugly Napkin?

Today's New York Times ran a story in Sunday's Business Section about a duvet cover that doubles as a bib for eating breakfast in bed. The product’s designers, Olga Bielawska and Astrid Schildkopf, came up with the idea in late 2005. They had sold approximately 20 through their own website, Missgeschickladylapsus.de and it is now being manufactured by a German company and is available in US sizes as well as European.

The fabric of the duvet has an nondetachable bib sewn into the top of it that can be unfolded and tied around your neck, thus keeping crumbs out from beneath the covers.

They opted for a red and white checked fabric, purposefully remniscient of a picnic tablecloth or an italian bistro. A bit of lace was added making it- as the designer described "evocative of the hearty, meat-centric breakfasts that a grandmother might make."

Here's The Article from Sunday's NY Times



Personally, I'd much rather invest in a nice bed tray like the one below by Offi.
Or better yet, get your lazy ass out of bed and eat at a table.



The author of the article declined to say whether or not they thought this new product genius or ridiculous.
It's clear where I stand, er....recline.

New Re-issue for Herman Miller

Mid-Century Modern Furniture is Still Going Strong.

Herman Miller has just announced the re-issue of the classic George Nelson Swag Leg Chair.




Hot off the presses from Herman Miller!

Herman Miller, Inc., Brings Back a Nelson Classic
January 26, 2007

Nelson Swag Leg Collection reflects growing appeal of mid-century modern design

First launched in 1958, the swag leg group by George Nelson is an expression of his philosophy that design is a response to social change. Now, almost 50 years later, Herman Miller is honoring Nelson's straightforward genius with the reintroduction of select swag leg products.

The timeless appeal of the collection has led to the revival of chairs, tables and an elegant desk that can be used separately or together in either a residential or office setting.

The collection is known for the distinctive design of its legs. Nelson insisted that they be metal, machine formed and pre-finished. Swaging--using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube--proved the best way to produce the legs, which are 16-gauge steel and have adjustable glides.

"The decision to bring the swag leg group back has been warmly received by the A&D community," said Gregg VanderKooi, Herman Miller product manager, Classics. "We think each piece in the group is exceptional, but the chair is the focal point and is getting an incredible response."

The chair's most notable feature is the separate molded seat and back. "Nelson wanted the chair to flex and move with the user," adds VanderKooi. "He also realized that the slit between the seat and back prevented heat build-up, even before this issue was on the radar."

The chair has received the most significant makeover, moving from molded fiberglass to an environmentally sustainable polypropylene to conform to Herman Miller's strict guidelines for sustainable design. The chair currently is available in white, but additional colors, including black and gray, or a combination of any two colors for the seat and back, will be available this spring. The legs are available in chrome, white, or a black finish.

The group also offers a choice of white laminate or walnut veneer for either the round or square table. The Nelson desk has been fitted with a cable access hole for wires, two pencil drawers, and cubby holes decorated with brightly painted hardwood dividers. Chrome legs are standard on the desk and tables.