“Six fantastic short films from talented filmmakers.”
– Chase Bailey, guest curator

Post film Q+A with the directors! Official Social Media Hashtag: #shortport

Portsmouth, New Hampshire – The Music Hall’s Wildcard Movie for March is Shorts in Ports, scheduled for Thursday March 18 at 7pm. The night includes six award winning short films that will be shown on the big screen: Crooked Lane, The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of The Suicide Brothers, The Toll, Sniffer, Ana’s Playground, and West Bank Story. Actors such as Keira Knightley, Rupert Friend, Ann Cusack, and Brett Cullen star in the films. According to Chris Curtis, Film and Outreach Coordinator for The Music Hall, “Our description of our Wildcard Movie series is: ‘Once each month. One night only. Rare, random, relevant. Expect Surprises.’ For the month of March, we decided to lean towards ‘Expect Surprises’ and we’ve brought in a guest curator – local filmmaker Chase Bailey of Left Bank Films. Come get a taste of local filmmaking and culture at its best with this exclusive opportunity to view all these remarkable films the same evening.”

Of the March Wildcard, Chase said, “I am pleased to present six fantastic short films from some talented filmmakers, all of which have won awards, including an Oscar and a Palme D’Or. We are excited to bring to you this opportunity to see all of these amazing films, together, that you might otherwise not get to see.”

In addition to the Oscar and a Palme D’Or, these films have received accolades at festivals around the country. At the end of the evening, the audience will have the rare opportunity to speak with many of the films’ directors and producers during the Q&A, providing the chance to get a more in-depth analysis of the films, and a real feel for the local talent that surrounds the Seacoast. In attendance will be film directors: The Toll – J. Zachary Pike and Marc Dole; Crooked Lane – Chase Bailey; Ana’s Playground – Eric Howell; and film producers: Sniffer – Glen Gardner (and Chase Bailey).

About the directors and producers

Chase Bailey, Guest Curator, and Crooked Lane
Chase Bailey is both a filmmaker and an artist with a passion for storytelling. The owner of Left Bank Films, based in Portsmouth, NH and Paris, France, he wrote and directed the paranormal short drama Crooked Lane, and has produced such films as The Libertine and The Life Before Her Eyes. As a painter, he currently has work being showcased in a traveling exhibit focused on artistic interpretations of the Dalai Lama.

Marc Dole, The Toll
Founder, CEO, Hatchling Studios, a multi award-winning New England based Animation and Interactive studio serving corporate and entertainment clients since 1999. Since starting in the industry, he has consistently pushed the merger of computers, video, film, and interactivity. Hatchling is a convergence of these skills and of talented artists and technicians that bring the projects to life.
Producer – “The Toll” – CGI Animated short mockumentary interview with a bridge troll. Winner of 9 Animation awards and 1 Comedy Award
Producer – “Endurance Challenge” – Webisode series starring voice actor Billy West

Zachary Pike, The Toll
Producer currently working on contract gigs while pursuing a new short, and possibly higher education. Former Creative Director, Animation, Writer, VP of Animation Services, Hatchling Studios. Worked on developing the majority of Hatchling’s properties for film and TV. Wrote and directed spots for Reebok, Liberty Mutual, NBC, Charmin, Signiant, and Duracell. Specialties include:
3D Animation, Directing, Screenwriting, and Creative.
Wrote and Directed “The Toll,” a mockumentary short that has attended over 60 festivals worldwide and won 10 awards.
Wrote and Directed Signiant: Media Rush, a trade show animation that won a 2007 Silver Create Award.
Co-Created, Wrote, and Co-Directed Hatchling’s Endurance Challenge: Mordred’s Isle, starring Billy West.

Eric Howell, Ana’s Playground
Immersed in film since the age of 10, Eric was a pioneer in the industry when his film The Interview became the first to be shot on film and debuted online. With Ana’s Playground he has taken a fresh look at the effects of war on children, bringing that awareness to the screen.

Trailer
Crooked Lane: http://www.viddler.com/explore/crookedlane/videos/40/

About Wildcard Movies
Once each month. One night only. Rare, random, relevant. Expect Surprises.

Tickets for Shorts in Ports
Shorts in Ports will be shown Thursday March 18 at 7pm. Tickets are $8.50 and can be purchased now at the box office (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, New Hampshire), by phone at 603.436.2400, or online at www.themusichall.org

Wildcard Movie Sponsors
BayRing Communications; Cocked Hat Ventures, LLC; Homewood Suites by Hilton in Portsmouth, NH; New Hampshire Public Radio; Hawthorn Publications

About Extraordinary Cinema
Great films. Enormous screen. Unrivaled ambiance. Knowledgeable Curator. Post-film discussions. An experience unlike anything else on the Seacoast. Featuring a new title every week between September and May; SummerFilm; the monthly Wildcard Movies, Screen Classics and KidsRULE! Movies; and the celebrated Telluride by the Sea each fall.

Chase Bailey gives Seacoast Online his 2010 Oscar predictions

Chase Bailey’s art makes the news

Can you spot Chase Bailey and other Crooked Lane alumni in this NH Magazine March 2010 layout?

He recently contributed to an artist’s tribute to the Dalai Lama. There is a lovely write-up of the exhibit by FIU here (with video). Chase is featured about 1 minute in.

We caught Chase on video and were able to get him to tell us more about his art in a previous post, or you can view at this link about Chase and his art on our Viddler channel. Enjoy!

Marc Dole, Crooked Lane’s Editor and Visual Effects, has signed on to Proper Manors as Post Production Supervisor.

Adrienne Montezinos, whom you may remember as Dr Leder in Crooked Lane, handled casting duties for Proper Manors with Pietro.

Continuing the collaborative nature of the film family here in NH, Michael has partnered with several other Crooked Lane alumni for his project. Marc Dole of Hatchling Studios (in charge of the film’s Visual Effects and Editing) has signed on as Producer.

Jessica Webb, who played “Bev” in Crooked Lane, has signed on as a member of the cast.

We’re excited to follow Michael’s progress in this dark comedy about a gifted psychic who misinterprets her clients readings.

She played Dorothy in Wizard of Oz at the Old Port Playhouse in Portland, Maine. The full write up of the play is found here.

She played Martha Cratchit, Fan, Want and a Servant Girl in A Christmas Carol at Old Port Playhouse, Portland, Maine (full article).

Gina was also the character Rosie in a direct to DVD movie that just premiered at Biddeford City Theater.

She’s currently rehearsing for her Middle School play and will be playing Jasmine in “Aladdin.”

Gina, we’re proud of you for stretching your acting legs this way!

More Information on Noa Seigel in Splinterheads

Noa played Ava’s daughter Morgan in Crooked Lane. Morgan goes missing at age ten after strange happenings with mysterious beings, treasure and more.

That’s right, we want to see your videos of true ghost stories!

Intrigued? You’ll need to go to the Facebook Fan Page to read the note and find out how to enter and all about the awesome prize and the rules for entry.

You can read the contest entry rules and information on the prize and how to win over here.

What are you waiting for? Get filming! Show us what you’ve got!