A terrific tribute to Kurosawa
The Shaman & Ayahuasca: LA Film Screenings
(June 17, 2010, 7:00pm and 9:15pm)
LOS ANGELES FILM SCREENINGS
The Shaman & Ayahuasca: Journeys to Sacred Realms
A film by Michael Wiese
Film Showings: June 17, 2010, 7pm and 9:15pm
Cost: $12
ORDER ADVANCE TICKETS: 800.833.5738
(best way to ensure you get a seat)
The Landmark Theater – Westside Pavilion
10850 West Pico at Westwood Blvd. (map)
Q&A after each showing with filmmaker Michael Wiese.
The Shaman & Ayahuasca: Journeys to Sacred Realms
Ayahuasca is a entheogentic or psychoactive vine-based plant brew that has been used for healing by shamans for thousands of years. It is widely known throughout South America for its healing and visionary properties that has, in recent years, caught the attention of the Western world. Ayahuasca is called a ‘plant teacher’ because it can heal physical, psychological and emotional blocks and through vivid visions take the patient to other realms and dimensions providing profound insights into human beings’ true nature and place in the cosmos.
Intrigued by these extraordinary claims, filmmaker Michael Wiese went to the home of Don Jose Campos, an internationally known Peruvian shaman or curandero, to experience first hand the healing and transformational aspects of Ayahuasca. Shot on location in the jungle and in the Amazonian river towns of Pulcallpa and Iquitos Peru, this 73-minute film documents the shamanic work and ayahuasca ceremonies of Don Jose Campos and includes the last filmed interview with internationally renowned visionary painter and former shaman Pablo Amaringo. Also included are interviews and an exploration of medicinal plants with famed biochemist Julio Arce Hildalgo. The film features the music of Peruvian recording artist Artur Menas Salas.
Indie Movie Making – Personal Creative Goals
May 12, 2010 by Michael Wiese
Filed under Blog
Indie movie making, also known as independent filmmaking, is much more about creativity and short films than Hollywood productions. Most indie movie making projects wind up being about social issues and documentary-style projects that are less fictional or at least reality-based fiction of some kind. An independent film can be anything that you want it to be, and you need to take stock of your personal creative goals in order to become successful in your film production. Low budget movies don’t have to be bad movies. In fact, some of the best movies ever made were done on small budgets. You just have to know how to make an impression and market yourself and your film.
When it comes to indie movie making, there are many different ways to increase interest in your projects. One of the best resources for low budget films and independent movies is the online viral video. YouTube is the perfect place to promote your indie movie making project, because you can show clips, trailers, interviews, and even just talk about your movie in the videos that you post. This will get people interested and help increase your traffic so that your movie gets more exposure.
These indie movie making projects are creatively independent, which means that all of the decisions are up to you. If you don’t want to compromise your filmmaking by giving into the whims of whatever Hollywood wants, you can count on independent films to let you have creative control of the entire project. Of course, an independent film is no good if it isn’t noticed. It’s nice to think that the satisfaction and accomplishment of getting a movie produced is enough, but that’s rarely the case. Every indie movie making project is an attempt to gain the most opportunities and interest possible in the hopes that the movie will be wildly successful.
Indie movie making is very personal and different for everyone. However, you need to take advantage of all of the resources that you can find so that you can make the most of your film projects,indie movie making projects, no matter what they might be. You can take your finished film to many film events and independent film festivals to have it shown in the hopes that it will generate a substantial following. Of course, if you don’t have the right foundation or take advantage of resources like YouTube to promote your you won’t get far at all.
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Filmmaking Book – Reading Up on Your Craft
May 12, 2010 by Michael Wiese
Filed under Blog
A filmmaking book will be your best friend if you are learning out to work in the entertainment industry. 20 years ago, there were no real books or resources on how to become successful in filmmaking or movie production, but today that has changed completely. There are plenty of different books available for you to choose from, no matter what you might be looking to learn. With so many resources at your fingertips, you can learn everything that you need to know about motion picture production, filmmaking, screenwriting, and more.
Take the time to research and find the best filmmaking book or books for your chosen field. You can learn all kinds of information and read as many books as you like. You can find a filmmaking book about networking and pitching ideas to potential buyers, as well as the basics of movie production, scriptwriting, and other aspects of the career. There are books that can teach you everything at once, as well as books that can teach you one thing at a time. With all of these options to choose from, it has never been easier to get your foot in the door of the elusive movie industry.
In the past, filmmaking book resources did not exist. You were only able to get into the prestigious Hollywood industry if you knew people, got discovered, or worked your way through the ranks by learning secrets as you went along. The motion picture production process was very secretive and the industry was exclusive, to say the least. Today, these things are still true, but with the right filmmaking book you have a much better chance of getting into this highly competitive industry if you are willing to take the time to learn.
Finding the right filmmaking book is a personal decision that you’ll have to make for yourself. Everyone has different ideas of what they expect from their research and education, and you might want to learn something different than others. If you are looking for a filmmaking book that exclusively deals with scriptwriting or screenwriting, for example, you will have to make a note of that as you are shopping for books. It doesn’t really matter which types of books you choose to work with, because there is something out there for everyone as long as you take the time to look. Learn everything that you need to know about video cameras, editing and distribution, filmmaking events, networking and more with a filmmaking book today.
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Michael Wiese Productions is the number one website If you’re looking for a filmmaking book and the best source for and screenplay books.
Visit http://www.mwp.com for more cutting edge tips and techniques on writing screenplays, indie movie making tips, writing screenplays and film screen writing. While your there be sure to join our MWP community.
Filmmaking Books – Resources and Tools to Help the Process
May 12, 2010 by Michael Wiese
Filed under Blog
Writing a screenplay is not an easy task, by any means. Fortunately, there are resources available to help people who enjoy making movies, short films, and writing filmmaking books. MWP Filmmaking books are available in many different styles and types, enabling you to learn about a variety of filmmaking subjects including making movies, film equipment, film events, production, screenwriting, and other areas of the craft. Filmmaking books were not popular until about two decades ago, and the secrets of Hollywood were exactly that: secrets. Today, people who make viral videos on sites like YouTube can now learn how to turn their hobby into a career with the help of these books.
You can find filmmaking books on just about any topic that you could imagine, and utilizing these resources is going to provide you with a much better chance of a successful career in filmmaking. Filmmaking books certainly aren’t a golden ticket to success, but they are definitely a MUST for anyone who wants to learn the tricks of the trade of filmmaking or film books. Becoming a film book writer is no easy task and even those who simply ‘get discovered’ need to continue to perfect their skills by studying the masters.
Take the time to read up on the craft with the variety of filmmaking books that are out there and you, too, will be more successful in your career. Viral videos and internet sites like YouTube are creating the next generation of successful filmmakers, but when you want to take your talents beyond YouTube, you’ve got to know where to start. You can learn everything about the entertainment industry, film equipment and events, production and directing, screenwriting, and more when you read filmmaking books.
Filmmaking books will give you the chance to learn the subtle nuances of the industry. If you truly want to become a successful filmmaker or author, you have to combine your creativity and passion with the knowledge that it takes to become successful in such a highly competitive industry. There is no limit to what you can do with the right tools and resources, and filmmaking books are sure to give you plenty of the education that you need. Of course, taking courses can be helpful as well, but all the hints, tips, and industry secrets that you need to know can generally be found in the filmmaking books that you can buy through online bookstores like Mwp.com.
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Michael Wiese Productions is the world’s leading publisher of filmmaking books, screenplay books and screenwriting books and for many years has helped filmmakers and professionals in film screen writing and writing screenplays. Would you like learn more about writing film scripts? Learn how to dramatically improve your film script writing skills by claiming your FREE 8 part course at http://www.mwp.com
“Michael and I were in many team meetings that planned the overall "on-air" marketing strategy and program planning "glue" that is interstitial programming (tune-ins, animation, bumpers, promos, shorts, interviews, etc.). I worked closely with Michael, as program research director, in helping determine what the goals and success metrics of that programming were from consumer perspective. I remember specifically Michael's ability to accommodate the needs of so many different departments within Showtime leveraging the interstitial programming as an asset. I learned a lot from him, as well. His creative, executional and managerial insight were impressive and I recall in what high regard he was held.”
“Michael is a great documentary film maker!”
“Michael creates the best film making books in the industry, from creating a film concept to getting it sold, and all of the execution steps of working with actors, location, filming, and post production. The books are professional yet can also be used by aspiring film makers. Michael and his team including Ken Lee are well known in the film and publishing industry.”
“When I wrote my book about freelance writing for Michael's publishing shingle, he was always supportive, encouraging, and forthcoming. He is also an effective regular communicator and takes a personal interest in all of the projects that come to his company. Furthermore, Michael is an accomplished filmmaker - his HARDWARE WARS was a cult classic!!!”
“Michael is a smart, author-friendly publisher, expert in the field of filmmaking, who always looks for creative ways to put the leading titles on the market, and to promote those titles into a leading position in the market.”
“Michael is a life-changing publisher/director/producer who has great expectations and provides ongoing support and opportunity to all the people he comes in contact to and identifies as authors, friends, and/or filmmakers. He is an extraordinary human being who is always humming with ideas and sharing them with people in ways that enrich their lives and send them off in unexpected directions. Working with Michael and his right-hand man editor Ken Lee has been one of the best professional relationships that I've experienced. If you have a chance to take one of his seminars or be part of his circle in any way, drop everything and do it.” September 6, 2009
“Michael Wiese is a fabulous publisher. In 2003 he published my book, “First Time Director – How to Make Your Breakthrough Movie.” He was everything I would hope for in a publisher. Writing a book is a daunting task and Michael gave me much needed support every step of the way. He encouraged me and gave direction to my thinking, whenever it was needed. He told me what to cut out and what to compress. He helped me shape my ideas into a product that he could sell. When the book was done, he did a brilliant job of putting it out and promoting it. He provided me with a proof-reader who was a joy to work with, and who successfully eliminated every typo, misspelling and grammatical error from the manuscript. The cover art and design of the text and illustrations was classy and eye-pleasing. And Michael and his very savvy partner, Ken Lee, knew just how to market the book to its target audience. In addition, Michael has been unfailingly honest and fair in all of our business dealings. I have recommended him as a publisher to all of my colleagues in academia and the film industry who want to publish a how-to book on filmmaking. One, David Worth, has recently published a book through Michael Wiese Productions, and another, Ross Brown, has a contract with Michael and is currently completing his manuscript. They both report to me that my glowing assessment of Michael as a publisher is 100% accurate and thank me repeatedly for referring them to him.” January 18, 2009
“Michael is an inspiring speaker whose engaging style prompts new collaborations and enthusiasm. He works with a diverse range of excellent speakers and experts to provide great tailor-made training solutions. He is a pleasure to work with.” January 11, 2009
“Michael is an astute publisher who knows how, with his colleague Ken Lee, to take care of a writer and promote his work in innovative ways. Working with him has been a very pleasant learning experience. I highly recommend him in any of his endeavors.”