New and Used Books

New and Used Books has a new sound!

The sound is that of singer/songwriter Tamar Berk. The song is
"Right with You" by Tamar Berk

Tamar Berk, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has been a fixture in the Chicago music scene since 1996. Her first band STARBALL gained recognition throughout the Midwest getting opening slots with The Cranberries, Local H, Uncle Kracker, Kristen Hersh, The Gas Giants, Kelly Deal, The Donnas, Jonny Polonsky, Kill Hannah, Ike Reilly and Chevelle, Dovetail Joint, Chainsaw Kittens and The Starlight Mints. From 1996-2001, Starball’s released 4 albums and toured throughout the east and Midwest. In 2001 Starball won the chance to perform live on Oprah’s Oxygen Network and received a grant to complete their last album ‘Superfans’. 'Superfans' is a summery pop-rock album chock full of Berk's charming takes on the roadblocks of life.Many of the songs from 'Superfans' have been heard on several shows for Showtime Beyond, ABC Family Channel, MTV Networks and Canada’s Chum Television. Tamar’s music has also appeared in several independent features including Temporary Girl by Lisa Kotin and an upcoming full-length feature “Sunday in the Middle of Nowhere”. Tamar songs appeared in many short films including “Scented”, “The Tracers” and “Harvesting Darcy” by Thomas Griffin in which she also plays the lead character. In 2002, Tamar was a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Today, she continues writing songs for placement in film and television, produces and writes for a number of artists in Chicago. But her main focus this year is completing her rock opera “Communicator”. She is also a proud new mother of a beautiful 1-year-old girl, named Tuesday.

Catch Countdown at The Studio in Chicago, Illinois December 10th!
The Countdown on MySpace!

Please also visit: http://www.tamarberk.com/, and http://www.thecountdown.net/.

Sources: http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=46213, http://www.thecountdown.net/ and http://www.tamarberk.com/about.html

Film Festivals

New and Used Books is being entered into a few 2006 film festivals. In preparation for this, the film is being re-scored. That means, dear fans, that I am looking for roughly a minute long song for the titles and credits. More updates coming soon!
Please also visit http://www.FavreMedia.com for more updates and information about my other projects.
~DEB

NEW AND USED BOOKS NOW ON DVD

Halleluia...I've finished with the first round of DVD's. Anyone who signed paperwork with me when we were in production should have their copy by the end of the week.
Possible Screening
I have submitted the film to my film school Gradfest. I will keep you updated as to when and were the screening is if the film is accepted. Thanks again everyone!

Today's Update

Tolkien Fans, here's a fun site that linked to us. Thought I would return the favor.
Thanks for the link Rose.
http://hobbitstohumans.com
As for New and Used Books
I smell DVD's. Exporting, recording, and possible release dates? Parish the thought...

Post Production Update--to the cast and crew

Hello everyone,

I know it's been a long time since I spoke to a lot of you. I had to focus on my 35mm project as well as family issues, but I'm committed to finishing this film as soon as possible. I just wanted to give you a post-production update on the movie. I'm also sending this to a few of my friends and family to update them on my latest project.

I have a first cut that was done in AVID DV 3.5. It looks really good. In fact, I am looking for a better editor to come along behind me and polish it. Which should give me just enough time to straighten out my DVD burning situation. My burner does not work--at least not the way it was supposed to. I hope to replace it with a new drive that will burn DVD's when the film is finished. I hope to also have production stills for you and a few other undetermined goodies.

I've also put up a weblog dedicated to the film. There are some pictures there, as well as some excerpts from my personal journal. Please visit http://bookmovie.blogspot.com If you have a personal site, drop me a note and we might be able to link to each other.

If any of you know a good, reliable editor that I might want to talk to, just call or email me. Thank you again for your hard work, and to those who came in to fill important roles on the day of production. It really meant a lot to me to be able to make this movie and I could not have done it without your help. I'm especially greatful to Joy and Kevin, who did a fine job portraying our characters. I thank Ryan Funk and Grover Austin from Lighting and Mike Hanly from Screenplays for making it possible for me to use Full Sail's soundstage and lighting gear. I also have to thank the Full Sail Prop Department for letting us use all those books! I'm really proud of this project, and I know you will be too. I'll keep you posted as I get nearer to the release.

Deb

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Producer's Journal

Candid tidbits straight from the producer's personal journal about the making of "New and Used Books."

Monday, March 21, 2005
WTF?
We finished our shoot. My footage is cool. On to post.However..

Saturday, March 05, 2005
Pre-Production CountdownWe're two weeks and counting until the shoot for my independent. So far things are going really well. I have an awesome crew. I just had 12 of them in my dinky apartment. I fed them and had them work on stuff. We talked about questions. I fired one guy and almost fired a second. My DP has been working really hard, and his competitor has been putting on the pressure. But my 1st AD called my DP and he's got a lighting plot and we're good to go. Now I just need my camera team to communicate with my DP and myself and the gaffer. And I need to be able to focus on the talent. I am wearing a lot of hats, but things are getting done. It looks like we're going to be just fine. Now I must tackle my storyboards with haste and tenacity to refine and communicate my vision...One in, one out. I guess that's the way it goes...While Books is gearing up to hit production, Passionate Maneuver is jumping into pre-production. I'm helping out the Art Department and I'm also on the camera team. FK YEAH, I AM. I'm excited about it. The director's had a hard weekend, but they're gonna come back with a good re-write and shot list and a clear vision for the project. And I have to give em props for that because I know how hard it is.

Thursday, February 24, 2005
Pre-Production--Used BooksGoing well. Today my team turned in their camera placement diagrams and their shotlist. ROCK ON DANNO! And my DP said he was going to work on the lighting diagram. All I need now is my set construction and the aquisition of all those friggen books...

Saturday, February 05, 2005 It's heavy, what is it?
the stuff that dreams are made of...Pre-ProductionWe're crewing up for a short that I wrote called "New and Used Books." You can start fetching my coffee...............NOW! JK Actually it's more like coffee flavored sugar and milk by the time I get it to taste like anything but, you know, chacun ses gouts. I have my Casting Director--jeez guess who already--and I'll be tapping the rest of them this week. OMFG is it good to finally be off my ass.

Friday, January 07, 2005
I have nothing serious or important to say...BORING I intend to do some real preprouction work on my script "New and Used Books" this Sunday. I think I have the perfect location for my book shop. Candyland, Baby. CANDY-LAND.I really just wanted to use this break time to check my email. And I see that I have none.

December 3, 2005
Started work on a new script today. Think it's going to be cool.