Milestone is Twelve

We are proud to announce that Milestone has made it into twelve film festivals!

This short film is finishing out it's festival year and we're excited to say that it has made its way across the country!

Here'a the list:
The Miami Short Film Festival 2009.
The Victoria Film Festival 2010.
The Durango Independent Film Festival 2010
The Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival 2010
The Women's International Film Festival 2010 in Miami
NYC Downtown Short Film Festival's Audience Choice Sreenings
The Method Fest 2010
The Berkshire International Film Festival 2010
The NYC Downtown Short Film Festival 2010
The New Jersey International Film Festival 2010
The Long Island International Film Expo 2010
The Albuquerque Film Festival 2010

You Can't Go Home Again...

But apparently - you can go back to college. This weekend, I found myself re-tracing steps I haven't taken for over a decade. There I was, back at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey to attend the New Jersey International Film Festival's screening of "Milestone". It's been MORE THAN A DECADE since I was last there... had I mentioned that? Longer than a two-term presidency. About the same length that CHEERS and BEVERLY HILLS 90210 were on the air. It took less years for WHAM! to create "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go" and then disband.

Ten Years.

As I think I mentioned in my previous entry, I'm not always the best at looking back, but surprisingly, visiting my old dorm (Go Demarest Hall!) and driving past my old off-campus house was awesome. Beyond some minor revisions, (why oh why do the grease trucks need to provide people with tables???), the campus looked pretty much the same. The weirdest thing about it all was that I felt as if I'd never left. Walking among the students around campus I felt like I was 21 again. Each block, each corner, brought back memories from school... 'this is where my friend drank too much for her 21st birthday'... 'this is where I made out with my date until someone interrupted us to ask for directions'... Whoosh... it all came flooding back.



I'll admit, I was prepared too feel affronted by the experience, but in actuality I relished it. Cooler than the places I visited was the people I got to hang with - one of whom I hadn't seen for many, many years. Swapping stories - who's pregnant, who's moving in with someone, who's getting a divorce (ahem...) was great. Like I had hoped, talking about my breakup, the changes in my life felt fine. It simply felt like my life.

Maybe I'm settling in after all...

Mini-Reunion at the New Jersey International Film Festival

I am not a lady who is big on reunions. My high school had a 10th year reunion and I was a no-show. My college, I'm sure, will have some kind of gathering of alumni of which I will likely not attend. It's not that I turn my nose up at those kinds of events, it's more that I simply find them overwhelming:

"Oh my god! Look at you!"
"No, look at you!"
"You haven't changed a bit!"
"I love your hair!"
"Look at your dress!"
"Holy cow, look at your ass!"


Now with the onset of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter it's like being at a reunion every single day of your life. It also hasn't helped that I've had friends who've had rather *interesting* experiences at their own reunions. One friend was so nervous that she got more drunk than she ever had before causing some embarrassing shenanigans to ensue, and another told me a story of their married friend being propositioned by an old and married boyfriend. So much drama! That's why I'm happy sticking to the odd (and sometimes weird) confessions of old classmates' status updates on Facebook.

However, when my short film, "Milestone" got into the New Jersey International Film Festival, I couldn't give up the opportunity for a mini reunion with some girlfriends from college - especially since the festival screens their films on the Rutgers campus! Did I mention that that's where I went to school? No? Whoops.

So this Saturday, I'm going to dinner and a movie with some old friends. Some of these ladies I've kept in touch with and others I haven't seen in a very long time. At first, I'll admit I was hesitant since I still have that lingering feeling of failure since the breakup of my marriage, but I've decided to push through it. My college experience was great - I had wonderful friends surrounding me for four years and that alone helped me get past my trepidation. I'm still figuring out how to integrate my personal setbacks into my life and I figure there's no better way to help me do that than by meeting up with some old friends... and having a couple glasses of wine.

Back from the BIFF!

Jess and I are back from the Berkshire International Film Festival and we had a fantastic time! Kelley Vickery, Lauren Ferin and Rachel Bronstein put on another amazing festival, packed with great films, awesome cocktail parties and an incredible welcoming community. Although we missed the Opening Night celebration, the second night we were able to attend the tribute to Patricia Clarkson, which was such a treat for me since she is one of my all-time favorite actresses (and “The Station Agent” is one of my all-time favorite movies). Her tribute included guests like Lauren Ambrose and Chris Noth as well as a packed house in the gorgeous Mahaiwe Theater. That will be a night I shall remember for a long time.

“Milestone” was screened in a block of great films. I felt very honored to be among such good movies (some included: “Wasting Daylight”, “Breaking Boundaries: The Art of Alex Masket,” and “The Jacket”).

Overall it was a blast celebrating a movie with a friend I’ve known since middle school at a festival that just gets better and better. Be sure to check it out next year!

Pathway to a Short Film Panel Discussion

PHOTO: First order of business as director: keep cast and crew hopped up on caffeine.


So... We’re coming up on the Berkshire International Film Festival and I have some fun news – they’ve asked me to participate in a panel discussion about making short films! I’m so honored and excited that I was asked (and that I was even considered knowledgeable enough to participate). Since beginning “Best Laid Plans” my life has grown so much both personally and professionally.

Production on BLP is going on about 2 1/2 years now and looking back from where I was then, to where I am now, is fascinating. I wonder if it’s the same feeling journal writers get when they look back on entries from years ago. When I began shooting BLP, “Milestone” wasn’t even in my purview, nor was having the opportunity to direct a film for that matter. From the first day of shooting on the documentary, I had very little knowledge about the camera, relying heavily on my Director of Photography at the time. Now I can shoot an interview on my own if need be. I’m tackling the editing of the movie as well – which is also something I knew very little about then. Don’t misunderstand, I have LOADS to learn about the art of filmmaking from all angles, but I’m not sure I ever imagined I’d know as much as I do now.

And personally, as a result of the ordeal of divorce, my circle of people has gotten smaller; that circle is much richer now. My friendships mean more to me than ever before. They are deeper and more soulful, if you will. More than ever for me, friends and family have become synonymous and I don’t think I would have said that three years ago.

To bring all of this back to the panel, I think that one of the things I would offer to budding short filmmakers is to learn about every facet of how to make your film. If you’re not already a one-man band, learn a little about it all so that the experience is richer and you’ll walk away with more than just your movie. Also, surround yourself with the best people for you. A smaller, tighter group of people who are out to create the best film possible. You might fare better than having a huge crew that is less community and more individual-minded.

Other than that, you’ll have to attend the panel!

Film Festivals and Mikhail Baryshnikov

In just a few days I will be heading to The Berkshire International Film Festival with one of my closest friends (and an incredible artist and designer), Jessica. She’s driving us up there on Friday so we can check out 3 screenings of Milestone! This will be my second time going to this festival and I’m really excited I get to attend again! It’s always such a great feeling when a community comes out to support upcoming filmmakers and watch independent films they may not otherwise have the opportunity to see.

I’ve been really lucky – Milestone has gotten into 11 film festivals so far! The only unfortunate thing is that I haven’t been able to attend all of them. However, the ones I did get to go to were all amazing experiences. Here’s a short rundown...

The Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival was awesome for many reasons. The first was that I got to go with my sister, Karen who I never get to spend much time with. The second was that I was surrounded by other women filmmakers. It was an incredibly supportive feeling being in a town like Los Angeles – where the industry is still primarily run by men - to be surrounded by such great female artists. That was pretty cool.

The Method Fest, which ran at the same time as The Los Angeles Women’s Int’l Film Festival was also pretty amazing! In particular, the shorts program director, Derek Horne was awesome to work with. He was such an advocate for all of the movies and his enthusiasm began from the moment the film was accepted into the festival.

Then there was the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival. So... Although there wasn’t much traveling involved for this fest, it was great to be able to sit with friends and watch the film on a big screen! I was amped for a night in the city but found myself unprepared for what I experienced. Ummmm... Mikhail Baryshnikov was in the audience!! In case you’ve been living under a pointe shoe, Mikhail Baryshnikov is beyond the beyond in terms of dance. I grew up dancing and so I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know his name. Some of you may also know him from “Sex and the City”. I now know him from (and by “know” I mean saw), the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival! Living in NYC, you get kind of used to seeing famous people and it’s not that I’m jaded or anything like that, but when a well known person crosses my path, I tend not to go bonkers and ask for my boob to be signed or something crazy such as that. However had my parents not been in attendance that evening, I think I would have made my way over to Mr. Baryshnikov with one hand gripping a pen and the other pulling my shirt way down. But alas, my skin has not been branded and I’ve been able to shower regularly. I did, however, get to introduce my movie and, though the theater was packed with people, I looked at none of them. I only had eyes for MB. I was elated... He though, may have been a bit perturbed.

Can’t wait who I’ll run into in the Berkshires!

Two More Festivals for Milestone

OTL's short comedy, Milestone, is making its way to two festivals that have a strong connection with the filmmaker, Julie Tortorici.

First up is the New Jersey International Film Festival, which screens their movies at Julie's Alma Mater, Rutgers University. Then the film heads to Long Island, where she was born and raised, and will screen at the Long Island International Film Expo.

We're so excited to bring Milestone to both areas and hope you'll join us at the screening!

MILESTONE Has Passed the Test!

After receiving high marks in the Downtown Short Film Festival's Audience Choice Screenings, we've made it through to the final round! Join us on Friday, April 30th at 8P for a screening of Milestone at the Duo Theater. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: Downtown Short Film Festival 2010.

We're Heading back to the Berkshires

Milestone is headed to Massachusetts and the Berkshire International Film Festival! This is one of our favorite festivals and we're so proud that we're headed back there again!

The community really comes out for this fest and the surrounding area is really beautiful. So, if you're in the area, or looking for a nice weekend getaway, check them out and go see Milestone! The Berkshire International Film Festival

Reel Women Love Milestone

We wanted to pass on the word that the Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival has accepted our short comedy, Milestone into their 2010 festival!

This will be a Los Angeles premiere! If you're in LA, be sure to check this fest out!

The Los Angeles Women's International Film Festival.

Milestone to visit Durango, CO!

OTL's latest short comedy, "Milestone" is making its way across the country. Its next stop? Durango, CO. Alicia and I had the pleasure of attending this festival a few years ago and we had an amazing time! If you've ever wanted to visit Colorado, I highly recommend this festival. It takes place from March 3-7 but for more information, check out their site at: The Durango Independent Film Festival

Great News for Milestone!

We just got word that Milestone will be crossing over the border into Canada for the The Victoria Film Festival this January. Our very own, Alicia, has been to Victoria, Canada and has been talking about how beautiful it is there! So, if you happen to have a hankering to get out of town at the end of January, go and check it out!

Milestone Gets Into a Film Festival!

Milestone is an official selection of the Miami Short Film Festival! The festival is in it's 8th year and will be held this November. It's awesome!

Check it out at: The Miami Short Film Festival

What's Next for Best Laid Plans?

So... now that Milestone is finished and being put out into the world, now that I've been to Africa to volunteer as I always dreamed about... now that I visited an old friend in Hibernia, I am left with figuring out how to close ye ol' documentary. Do I simply say my equivalent of "good night and good luck" and move on? Do I end things in a more shock value way by say - mooning the audience? Throw a party? Run naked through the streets? There are just so many options...

But in thinking about it - this documentary is not about exposing an issue. It's not about illuminating a cause that had previously gone unnoticed. This is about what you do when your life takes a turn that you hadn't planned on. Hopefully many people can relate to the idea and, I'll admit, on my best days I hope someone somewhere sees the documentary and feels a little better. But I know that this isn't a story that is going to save the world. Believe me, I totally get that. So, if it's not a story that gives out ideas and arguments and then backs up said arguments with interviews and what-not and then ends, then how does the story culminate? How do you finish a storyline - when - in actuality my story isn't (unless a piano drops on my head) finishing? I'm closing one chapter and diving into a new one. So what is it that would send that message? And frankly, I don't think mooning people sends that message. What then?

SKY DIVING!

Nothing says throwing yourself into what's to come like jumping out of a moving plane! Throw caution (along with your body) to the wind!

That's it! That's next!

Holy shit!

Kung Pow Wow in the Windy City

Our super short film, KUNG POW WOW has been accepted into the Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Festival. This is On the Leesh Productions first film festival in Chicago and we couldn't be more excited about it. Baseball, thick crust pizza and OPRAH WINFREY! C'mon - it's awesome!

Thanks Chicago!

Milestone is DONE done!

Milestone is finished! The dvd has been burned, duplicated and put into fancy cases with artwork and everything! And to all of that I say... Phew!

Now we're onto the film festival world! I feel like I'm back applying to college again... will they like me? Will I fit in? Will I like my roommate (okay, maybe not so much that one, but the others definitely still apply). It's so hard to know what is going to excite someone about a short film - other than it not being awful. Granted I've been to a number of film festivals, but to tell you the truth, there's never really seemed to be any rhyme or reason to the films that were chosen. Sometimes they'll put the films into themes: like comedies, thrillers, experimental etc., but other than that, there was always a broad range in production value, story content and length.

So where will Milestone be seen? Who knows? But I can't wait to find out!

Thanks to everyone involved!

-jules

Milestone in Post Production

The short film I wrote and directed, titled, Milestone is very close to being finished. Alicia is furiously editing it and Banana Whale is providing the music, and there’s color correction happening, and foley being added...all sorts of fabulous post-production things are occurring. So, that means it will soon be reaching its finished line; which is thrilling for me!

I’ve been getting asked a lot about what the experience of directing was like and usually I respond with very short answers like ‘I liked it,’ or ‘I learned a lot’, or some sort of something that was positive but general and allowed the person to get on with their life. Lately however, while sitting with Alicia and going through the fine tuning process I’ve realized something... The biggest thing I’ve learned about directing is that the number 1 thing you need to do is surround yourself with people who are both honest and smarter than you. It can be hard to see the forest for the trees when you are listening to your own words and watching performances that you’ve directed. As I expected, there were moments that I would’ve done differently if I had to do it over again and there were lines that, once they moved from the page to the screen were no longer necessary. While I, on my own, could’ve sussed some of these things out, the fact that I had Alicia sitting there with me, offering her thoughts and concerns helped immensely. With her editor’s eye she was able to not only offer suggestions, but was actually able to put those suggestions into the video so I could see them in action. That was amazingly helpful!

So... to all of you newbie directors out there like me... do not operate as a one person show – surround yourself with people that think like you – only better, faster and smarter. You’ll thank me later!

Screening of Kung Pow Wow

The Berkshire Film Festival was abuzz with activity as it took over the Triplex and Mahaiwe theaters in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The whole community came out to support the event. This year marked their third annual Student Film Festival. Over thirty shorts were submitted by five Berkshire schools. It's amazing how much technology has improved and allowed access to people at a much younger age. Most of these films shared director credits, but isn't that what it's about when you're starting out? There's so much to learn from each other.




Over the years, the Berkshires have become a hot bed for the arts. Mass MoCA is considered one of the premiere museums of contemporary art in the country. They're featuring a major exhibit on Sol LeWitt until 2033, so that gives you some time to get there. Sol LeWitt is an artist best known for his giant works that take over a room - you can see one of his rooms at MOMA if you're in New York.

Jacob's Pillow is a dance company started in 1933 by Ted Shaw and is the only dance entity in the US to be declared a National Historic landmark for its significance and its contribution to America's culture.

The Berkshires features many play festivals including the best known -Williamstown. This summer they're putting on some tremendous works including: Sam Shepard's True West starring Rob Corddry and his brother Nate directed by OTL friend Danny Goldstein; Quatermaine's Terms by Simon Gray, starring Tony Award - winner Jefferson Mays and The Torch-Bearers by George Kelly directed by Dylan Baker.




It was great showing Kung Pow Wow in my home state. I do miss Massachusetts and consider myself a New Englander through and through. Getting to screen on the home front allows for your family to be in attendance. Friday night, I attended with my Godmother, Robbie Burr and on Sunday my cousin Libby Bolognia and our dear friend Leanne Jolin joined us.




We were in a solid block of films. Julie wrote in about a few films perviously so, I will just touch on a few more.




Local filmmaker Sanjiban filmed a documentary of sorts called Animal Tricks. Over the course of his summer, he filmed himself teaching a variety of tricks in his backyard with chipmunks. It was hilarious in it's simplicity and the best part - Sanjiban was in attendance carrying a stuffed chipmunk on his shoulder.

Another notable film was called The Last Page. One of the longer of the shorts, clocking in at 21 minutes - The Last Page is the story of a tortured writer struggling to find the perfect ending to his latest story. While taking a break from writing, he is catapulted into a bizarre series of events; each event pushing him further away from finishing the last page. Written by Kevin Acevedo and Matt Akey and Directed by Kevin Acevdeo, The Last Page offered a clever formula that began with the audience watching the last moment in the script and then realizing, as it moved backwards and things were erased, that the writer was deleting the story from his computer in the hopes of finding the perfect ending.

Writer/Director Jack Herbert's The Hero's Journey was a genius use of a gimmick to allow for a very low budget film. The story focuses on Sam as he's looking for enemies in his home. He documents his search with his home video camera. What he captures on the camera is more than he or his mother planned. I was really taken with the idea of making a low budget work to your advantage. This film could not have been shot on a higher end camera.

The last film I'd like to mention is Monty Diamond's The World Trade Center in the Movies. The World Trade Center appeared in over 60 films of all shapes and sizes during their 27 year history They played starring roles in films like The Wiz and Trading Places or served as background - a recognizable part of the Manhattan landscape - in many others. Monty Diamond was a location scout in New York who worked with the Trade Center frequently. He put together a musical reminiscence of the Towers in a short film. It was a very moving tribute.

Thanks to Lauren and everyone at the festival! We hope to see you next year!

Off to the Berkshire International Film Festival

Alicia is headed to The Berkshire International Film Festival (www.biffma.com) to see screenings of Kung Pow Wow. Coming on the heels of a great review from the BERKSHIRE LIVING MAG, we're thrilled to see an audiences reaction to this movie!

For calendar information click here: Calendar.

Be sure to check it out!

A Feature Film? No, A Feature Article! (Part 2)

Okay, so where did we leave off? Somewhere in Worcester, I believe.



2006 took On the Leesh back to Worcester, Boylston to be exact. During the summer, we shot our first feature, For Belly. We needed a beautiful suburban setting that would work for Franny's house. Catch - we didn't want to spend a lot of money. Shooting in NYC is great, but people have seen it all. Most places know the drill and require a big paycheck. In Worcester, there is still some mystery associated with shooting. They welcomed us with open arms.

After Nancy asked about growing up in Worcester, Nancy and I went on to discuss the way that I switch hats from our creative projects to our corporate videos. Not so ironically, our first corporate videos were for companies based in the Worcester Area. Sue Zecco's grooming shop, the Pampered Pet is in Paxton Massachusetts (Nancy knew her - guess Sue is more famous than just her Super Styling Session Fans!), and Premier Optical on Lincoln Street were our first clients. With a personal connection, Sue and Gary were wiling to take a risk on us while we were so green. Cut to May 2009. We've produced 23 videos for Sue with plans to shoot more this summer.

Back to changing hats - it's pretty seamless. We have final cut with all of our creative projects. With our corporate videos, we have clients. I have to say, it's nice to give up some control. We have been able to build a nice partnership with our clients. They trust that we will lend our expertise to anything, but use those skills to push their project further. Since we have so many open projects, we bounce back and forth frequently, and it's a nice and welcomed change of pace.

As the interview progressed, her questions shifted to a focus on making a living in the arts. To be honest, I feel a big pull between the necessities of business and the desire to make something artistic. When I'm wearing my pure editor, director or cinematographer hat, I focus on the task at hand - the "art," but as a producer my life is filled with numbers budgets and schedules. It's so easy to get caught up in the details rather than focus on the art itself. I spoke to Nancy about a job that I had in publicity when I first moved to New York. I worked for a much bigger company helping to organize events, promotions and publicity for films throughout the company. In addition, I worked the New York City premieres. It was easy to forget the "art" when you're booking $5,0000 plane tickets to have the actor cancel the press tour at the last minute due to "illness," when apologizing to a press panel when your actor is 3 hours late because he "over slept," or booking a hair/makeup artist that costs $11,000 just for your lead actress to step onto the red carpet. Don't get me wrong, I believe that publicity is invaluable -- without it, people won't hear about the project. However, it's easy to lose the art in producing.

Entertainment is important. When I step back and look at it, I know that the most important thing that we can is to create something that can help someone through their day, alleviate any burden, make things a little easier through laughter or escape. If we've done this, than we've done our job.

I remember Jess told me a story that her teacher John Logan told her in college. This story is I cling on to as I balance budgets and negotiate the cost of film stock.

Overall, I couldn't ask for a better interviewer than Nancy Sheehan. I look forward to seeing the feature printed. In a surreal act of fate, I will be home this weekend. (I'll be traveling to the Berkshire International Film Festival to represent our film Kung Pow Wow.) The T&G will be delivered to my dad just like every other morning for the past thirty years. I'm not gonna lie, as I pass the paper to my dad, it will make me smile.