Scott Hamilton Kennedy (who studied theater in college) was Oscar-nominated for his documentary "The Garden." His first film "Ot: our town" chronicled a student production of the classic play. And yet it was still a surprise when the exclusive Los Angeles County High School for the Arts allowed him inside to shoot "Fame High." The director says: "We live in a culture that puts a very high premium on fame. The idea of overnight success, exposure, and acclaim are aided by glossy reality television and a celebrity-obsessed populace. 'Fame High' is the counter argument to this illusion. It shows the unending hours of training and discipline needed to hone one’s craft." What he'd like audiences to get out of the movie: "Embedded in our story are compelling characters and entertaining performances while also subtly showing the absolute importance of art education, especially in public schools. Many today young...
- 4/18/2012
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
The Tribeca Film Festival is known for bringing some of the best documentaries in the world to New York City each spring. The 2012 festival, running April 18-29, is no exception. Back Stage highlights some of the docs in this year's lineup that were made with actors in mind."Fame High" The World Documentary Competition includes the world premiere of this coming-of-age feature which follows a group of struggling students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts from the uncertainty of freshman auditions to a triumphant senior graduation performance. By capturing the onstage and behind-the-scenes drama, competition, heartbreak, and achievements of these young artists, director Scott Hamilton Kennedy shows that reality can be even more inspiring than an episode of "Glee.""Fame High" premieres Saturday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. Kennedy's "The Garden" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2009. "Ot: Our Town," his.
- 4/17/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Daniel Lehman)
- backstage.com
Tff alumni director Scott Hamilton Kennedy (Ot: Our Town, Tff 2002) was nominated this year for an Academy Award for his latest doc, The Garden. A multi-layered story that weaves together communal initiative, green politics, urban sustenance, and democracy for all, The Garden chronicles the triumphs and struggles of a 14-acre (!) community garden in post-1992-riots South Central Los Angeles. As a model for the power of documentary filmmaking, Kennedy was asked to take part in the American Documentary Showcase, sponsored in part by the U.S. State Department. Upon his return, Tribeca Film asked Kennedy to share the story of his initial trip to Indonesia, which took place earlier this summer. Scott petting elephant at Borobudur Temple. Note the Tff hat! Photo credit: Lauren Oakes/Ads Indonesia, May 28-June 14, 2009 On May 28, 2009, I departed from Los Angeles on a two-week journey to Indonesia, where, through the American Documentary Showcase (Ads), sponsored...
- 8/4/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
Yesterday came the yearly announcement from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as it extended 134 invitations to several artists and executives "who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures" read the press release. Of course all of them can decline, but I wouldn't necessarily expect that to happen as all who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2009 to the Academy's roster of voting members. "These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," said Academy President Sid Ganis. "It's this kind of talent and creativity that make up the Academy, and I welcome each of them to our ranks." The list follows below and reading around the best analysis I saw of it came from Nathaniel Rogers at The Film Experience who, among other things, pointed out the addition of longtime Darren Aronofsky's...
- 7/1/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued invitations to 134 members of the film community to join the group. There were a maximum of 166 open slots to fill this year, but the various branch committees endorsed fewer candidates than were proposed to them.
Hugh Jackman, who hosted the most recent Oscar show, has been invited to join. So have Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, James Franco and Michelle Williams. The list even includes a number of comic performers like Michael Cera, Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd.
Voting membership in the organization has held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception at the Academy's Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills in September.
"These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," Academy president Sid Ganis. Said. "It's...
Hugh Jackman, who hosted the most recent Oscar show, has been invited to join. So have Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, James Franco and Michelle Williams. The list even includes a number of comic performers like Michael Cera, Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd.
Voting membership in the organization has held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003.
New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception at the Academy's Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study in Beverly Hills in September.
"These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world," Academy president Sid Ganis. Said. "It's...
- 6/30/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Politics, power, greed and the working class take the focus of Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s Oscar-nominated doc, “The Garden.” A follow up to his film, “Ot: Our Town,” Kennedy’s film lays out how backroom deals, land developing, green politics, money and corruption intersect with working class families who rely on this communal garden for their livelihood. “The Garden” exposes the fault lines in American society and raises crucial and challenging questions about …...
- 5/8/2009
- indieWIRE - People
Politics, power, greed and the working class take the focus of Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s Oscar-nominated doc, “The Garden.” A follow up to his film, “Ot: Our Town,” Kennedy’s film lays out how backroom deals, land developing, green politics, money and corruption intersect with working class families who rely on this communal garden for their livelihood. “The Garden” exposes the fault lines in American society and raises crucial and challenging questions about …...
- 5/8/2009
- indieWIRE - People
Politics, power, greed and the working class take the focus of Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s Oscar-nominated doc, “The Garden.” A follow up to his film, “Ot: Our Town,” Kennedy’s film lays out how backroom deals, land developing, green politics, money and corruption intersect with working class families who rely on this communal garden for their livelihood. “The Garden” exposes the fault lines in American society and raises crucial and challenging questions about …...
- 5/7/2009
- indieWIRE - People
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