Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Maxima Alerta - Vive la Vida
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Feature Film by Hudson County Residents gets World-Wide Distribution Deal
(Jersey City, NJ) Jersey City resident and filmmaker Ruben Rodriguez and producers Cesar Orellana and Britney Godish are seeing their “horrific” dreams come to life as their independent feature film shot in Hudson County, New Jersey has received world-wide distribution. The film The Death of April was released October 27, 2015 by the Music Video Distributors studio. As NJCU graduates, from the graduating classes (in media), Cesar Orellana and Britney Godish are only the second set of students to have completed a feature film.
The Death of April, directed by Rodriguez and produced by Orellana and Godish, was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign and was released on DVD and Video On-Demand (VOD) on October 27th, 2015 by way of ITN Distributions. You can find The Death of April DVD at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, BestBuy, CDUniverse (http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=9943130)… and soon at Walmart.
With an indy cast that includes Katarina Hughes, Stephanie Domini, Adam Lowder, RayMartell Moore, Lucio Fernandez, and Travis Peters, The Death of April is a twist on the found footage genre and takes the viewer on a journey into the human psyche. It explores the world of the paranormal through the eyes of Megan Mullen, who believes she is being haunted by the ghost of April Fisher, a woman who was murdered in her apartment.
About INT
ITN Distribution, Inc. is a leading independent film distribution company that specializes in high quality, genre and star driven independent films for the domestic and international TV, VOD, DVD and theatrical markets. ITN releases 24 films per year with ITN's connection to all major retailers and rentals in North America, such as Redbox, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, Amazon and Video-On-Demand (VOD) outlets. ITN produces, distributes and acquires films worldwide.
ITN attends the following 12 markets each year: Cannes Film Festival, American Film Market, Berlin Film Festival-European Film Market, Hong Kong FILMART, MIP TV, MIPCOM, NATPE Eastern Europe, NATPE Miami, Toronto, Prague-World Content, Ventana Sur-Argentina and Busan, Korea The AsianFIlm Market
Review of “The Death of April”
More to come:
FILMMAKERS BRING HORROR TO THE GARDEN STATE
Jersey City, NJ – This fall, filmmaker Ruben Rodriguez and producers Cesar Orellana and Britney Godish will be bringing their unique take on horror to New Jersey once again as they go into production on their latest independent horror feature film project: Homebound.
“This will be our second feature film project shot in New Jersey,” said Brit Godish. “We are all from the Garden State and love to shoot in our beautiful backyard. Horror brought us together; we love the genre and want to bring the art of horror filmmaking home to New Jersey.”
New Jersey is currently known for a number of major horror movies: Friday the 13th, Alice Sweet Alice (starring a young Brooke Shields), Creepshow, Jacob’s Ladder, and Amityville Horror to name just a few.
Rodriguez, Godish, and Orellana hope to bring even more independent film and television productions to New Jersey through their production group: MojoCreative Group, LLC.
“We enjoy shooting our projects in New Jersey—Jersey has everything one could need to make a successful film,” Ruben Rodriguez stated. “We have access to great actors, amazing locations, and technical people willing to help us make our dreams a reality. We have shot and produced a number of television commercials and one pilot in the Garden State. However, Homebound will be our second feature film project. The first was a found-footage feature titled The Death of April that we shot in Jersey City and Bayonne.”
“I‘m thrilled that The Death of April is finally coming out on DVD,” Rodriguez stated. “It‘s a fun film with just the right amount of twists and scares to keep audiences entertained! That said, I’m even more excited about starting production on our new project. Homebound is definitely going to be a white-knuckle journey into the heart of fear with a smart edge to it.”
Homebound tells the story of two friends, Angela Hernandez (Paula Garces, of the Harold and Kumar movies, The Shield, and Devious Maids) and Jessica Dalle, who take a road trip to visit Jessica’s family and soon find themselves in a battle for survival at the hands of a sadistic psychopath who has invaded the family home.
Homebound will be shot in New Jersey and parts of New York. Principal photography on the feature is slated to begin in late November and will wrap in January 2016. Rodriguez, Godish, and Orellana all reside in New Jersey: Ruben Rodriguez in Jersey City, Britney Godish in Princeton, and Cesar Orellana in Union City.
The film’s star Paula Garces is also one of the executive producers on the project. For more than 20 years, Paula Garces has been breaking down barriers and opening doors for Latinos in Hollywood. The Colombian-born actress and producer was one of the first Latinas to star on hit daytime soaps like All My Children and Guiding Light and she paved the way for some of today’s biggest Latina TV stars with starring roles on hit primetime shows like The Shield, Defying Gravity, and Warehouse 13.
Friday, October 16, 2015
8th Annual NoHu International Short Film Festival
8th Annual NoHu International Short Film Festival
(Union City, NJ) The City of Union City will host the 8th Annual NoHu International Short Film Festival. The week kicks-off with an elegant Red Carpet event on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 7:00 PM, with the festivities beginning at 8:00 PM. The opening night event will feature live music by Nuevo Flamenco Guitarist, Jonathan Fritz; a Wine & Cheese Reception; and the World Premiere screening of the film "La Academia" Written & Directed by Antonio Landeo Vega. The director, producers, and many of the cast and crew of "La Academia" will be present on opening night.
The closing night festivities will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2015 with a Red Carpet at 7:00 PM and the ceremony commencing at 8:00 PM. The event will feature live music by The James Austin Trio; Banjoist Danielle Reid; a Wine & Cheese Reception; Screening of the winning short films & Awards Presentation; and special Guest Speakers including renowned Writer/Director Dan Goggin, who will also be receiving the “Key to the City” the highest honor given by the City of Union City; Broadway and TV producers Melissa Pinsly & Franklin Zitter; and music producer and owner of Water Music, Rob Grenoble.
Free Admission. Free parking on Monday and Thursday at the Colin Powell School inside garage, entrance on Palisade Avenue & 15th Street.
8th Annual NoHu International Short Film Festival
at the
William V. Musto Cultural Center
420 - 15th Street
Union City, NJ 07087
Festival Schedule
Monday, October 19, 2015
7:00 PM Red Carpet
8:00 PM Opening Night Festivities
Live Music by Nuevo Flamenco Guitarist, Jonathan Fritz
Wine & Cheese Reception
World Premiere Screening of "La Academia"
Written & Directed by Antonio Landeo Vega
Produced by Italo Lorenzzi Bolaños
Starring: Ivan Andia, Yesi Rodriguez, and Percy Malone
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
7:00 PM
Screening of "In Sickness"
Julius Kelly, Director
Judy San Roman, Executive Producer
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
7:00 PM
Screening of Short Film Finalists
Thursday, October 22, 2015
7:00 PM Red Carpet
8:00 PM Closing Night Festivities
Live Music by The James Austin Trio
Screening of the Winners
Awards Presentation
Guest Speakers
Wine & Cheese Reception
DAN GOGGIN (Writer/Director) came to New York from Alma, Michigan to study as a classical countertenor. He began his professional career singing in the Tony award-winning Broadway production of “Luther” starring Albert Finney. While appearing in a comic folk-duo called “The Saxons” he began writing. This led to scores for the off-Broadway musical, Hark! (in which he also appeared) , the Broadway production of Legend and two revues. Goggin received the 1986 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards given to Nunsense for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Music. His “nunless” musical Balancing Act has toured the U.S. and played in London and Australia. Nunsense and Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, both starring Rue McClanahan have been recorded for the A&E Television Network. Nunsense 3: The Jamboree toured the U.S. starring Georgia Engel and has been recorded for television at the Grand Ole Opry starring Vicki Lawrence. Nunsense A-Men! opened at the 47th Street Theatre in New York in June 1998 and has since been produced with “Laugh-In’s” Arte Johnson, impressionist Frank Gorshin, and Olympic Champion Greg Louganis. Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical premiered in October 1998, followed by a national tour starring Dody Goodman, Jeff Trachta and Dawn Wells. The Nuncrackers television special playing on the PBS network starring Rue McClanahan with guest star John Ritter, received and Emmy nomination for Best Musical Score. Meshuggah-Nuns: The Ecumenical Nunsense premiered in September 2002 and is currently out on DVD. The All-Star touring production of Nunsense featuring Kaye Ballard, Georgia Engel, Mimi Hines, Darlene Love and Lee Meriwether marked the 20th anniversary of the original show. In 2004 Dan’s “serious piece” The Traditional Latin Mass was recorded by cast members and friends. In 2005 Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue premiered and in 2008, there was a national tour starring Sally Struthers. Last year Sister Robert Anne’s Cabaret Class (A one-nun musical) and Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show opened. Most recently, the original Nunsense celebrated it's 30th Anniversary at the Saint Louis Muny featuring a cast of 50 nuns, 10 Broadway stars, and 19 children. Dan is currently working on the pilot for a new Nunsense TV Series. www.nunsense.com.
***
Nunsense is the first production by Frankenmel Films. Frankenmel founders Melissa Pinsly & Franklin Zitter were previously executive producers for director Ira Sachs’ latest film Thank You For Being Honest starring Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Ehle, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, and Paulina Garcia. Prior to this Melissa was an Associate Producer for Ira Sachs’ film Love is Strange and is a Tony award nominated Broadway producer. Franklin was previously Head of Production/Senior Producer for FlickerLab, an animation, design, and production studio based in NYC who’s clients included A&E Networks, AMC, Barnes & Noble Digital, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, The Colbert Report, HBO, Michael Moore, Nickelodeon, and more.
***
Rob Grenoble was signed to RCA Records as an artist and to BMG Music Publishing as a songwriter. He worked with producers Michael Barbiero (Guns N' Roses, Metallica, John Lennon & Yoko Ono), Scott Litt (REM, Indigo Girls) and Peter Coleman (Pat Benetar, Blondie). In 1982, Rob and his bandmates built the first Water Music. Since then Rob has worked with Beyoncé, Shakira, Allman Brothers Band, Dave Matthews Band, Esperanza Spalding and many others. The studio has won multiple Grammys, an Emmy and other awards. This year Water Music set a new record for consecutive #1 singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Song Chart with the Pretty Reckless.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Fernando Villalona & Maxima Alerta on one stage!!!
Special Concert by legendary singer
Fernando Villalona in Union City
& Featuring one of the best known fusion reggaeton groups from Cuba, Maxima Alerta
(Union City, NJ) The City of Union City, Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners cordially invite the community to a special concert by legendary singer Fernando Villalona on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, NJ. The concert will also feature the US premiere of one of the most popular reggaeton fusion musical groups from Cuba, Maxima Alerta. Admission is free. Doors open at 5:00 PM and the concert will begin at 6:00 PM.
(Please note: general admission; space is limited; first come first served; preference to senior citizens and Union City residents; no alcoholic beverages allowed; and no big bags allowed.)
Free parking at the Municipal Parking Deck located on 23rd Street between Summit & Kerrigan Avenues.
Fernando Villalona in Concert
featuring Maxima Alerta
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Doors Open at 5:00 PM
Concert at 6:00 PM
Union City Performing Arts Center
2500 Kennedy Boulevard
Union City, NJ
Free Admission
Fernando Villalona, the first artist named "El Mayimbe" (born in Loma de Cabrera, Dajabón Province on May 7, 1955, Ramón Fernando Villalona Évora), is a Dominican merengue singer that began singing in the early 1970s, his popularity started to grow by the late 1970s and has not declined ever since. Fernando began singing at a very early age and became popular after participating in "El Festival de la Voz", an amateur TV talent show. After that, merengue icon Wilfrido Vargas hired him to be part of his group Los Hijos del Rey[1] but Fernando and the group would soon be separated after his popularity became larger than the group itself. He would then go into a period of drugs and isolation but never stopped singing, recording some of his best music during that period. In 2012, Villalona recorded "El Color de tu Mirada" with American singer/songwriter Victoria Daly. The music video was directed by Rene Brea in the Dominican Republic. It went to be nominated for "Best Music Video" at the Soberano Awards in 2013. Villalona began recording two singles with Latin sensation, Olga Tanon. Recording began in April, set to be released on her upcoming album.
Songs such as "Tabaco y ron", "Celos,", "Te Amo Demasiado,","La Hamaquita", "Dominicano Soy," "Sonámbulo," and "Carnaval" among others became popular in the 1980s. "Quisqueya," "No Podrás," "Música Latina," "Retorno," and "Me he Enamorado" were some of his biggest hits in the 1990s. In recent years he has had some health problems making performing a difficult task. But besides the fact that he has not been able to perform frequently, he probably still is the most important merengue singer in Dominican history. He was married to Evelyn Jorge a woman of Puerto Rican origin and they have a daughter named Paloma.
***
Maxima Alerta Biography
All over Cuba, young people listen keenly to radio programs featuring reggaeton and their favorite group, Máxima Alerta.
It all began in Santa Clara, a busy city in the center of Cuba, where Ray Machado aka “El Italiano”, the lead singer, musical director, and composer for most of the songs of the group, developed the group.
In 2003 Máxima Alerta exploded on the scene, hitting radio and television stations with two songs, "Cast pa 'front' and “Adegüello 1895" which very quickly became popular throughout the country. Thanks to these successes, in 2004 they delivered their new album “Llegaron los Alertas”, recorded at Abdala Studios owned by renowned singer/composer Silvio Rodriguez with the French company Lusafrica, and joining their catalog and sharing the stage with popular groups such as La Orquesta Aragón, Polo Montañez, Anacaona, Isaac Delgado, Osdalgia, among others.
In 2005 Máxima Alerta was nominated to Cubadisco as “Best Album Rap, Dance and Hip Hop” which garnered the group great popularity both nationally and internationally, as well as topping the charts. Later in 2009 the group returned to the top of the charts with the song "La Figura" recorded with the group Gente de Zona.
Later in 2011, they released the CD “Alertas para Todos”, recorded and produced by Nando Pro in Havana, Cuba. This is an album containing fourteen tracks, of which six feature special guests: Yulien Oviedo and Dantes (Charanga Habanera); Alexander Delgado y Randy Marcos (Gente de Zona); Sisto Llorente "El Indio" (Orquesta Aragón); and Alain Daniel and Ramón Lavado (El Chacal). The CD also features a song dedicated to one of the greatest Cuban baseball players, Victor Mesa.
The group has crafted an intense and dynamic signature sound. This fresh sound is a fusion: elastic bass lines, powerful programming, catchy choruses sung in unison with warlike ardor, counterpoints that owe as much (if not more) to rap as to reggae or Latin beats… it all comes together to showcase voices that drive themselves mercilessly, to unleash a verbal bombardment of exceptional skill and intensity but at the same time accentuating the flavor and influence of Cuban music.
In October of 2015, Máxima Alerta will arrive in the United States to a swarm of eager fans waiting to hop on the musical train that is on track to take over the music world.
The rest is history to be written.
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