So what about The Avengers makes it such a cultural phenomenon?

The Avengers is the latest in number of successful blockbusters that demonstrate the values of courage, leadership, and honor. The heroes of the film–Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, and Thor–are defenders of freedom, rallying to protect the people of earth from tyrannical rule. They embody the core American ideals of liberty.

The film’s enormous success says a lot about our country. Americans still uphold these values. They want to see films that honor rather than demonize those who step up and defend our free way of life.

No surprise, Hollywood deems The Weekly Standard horrid enough to appeal to the villain in The Three Stooges: The Movie.

Wise guys, eh?

Can’t make it to the screening? Don’t live near Milwaukee? Still want to have a part in honoring these WWII veterans?

Write to them.

The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight organization is now collecting thank you cards to hand-deliver to each WWII vet in attendance at the event.

For instructions on how to get involved, visit Facebook.com/ThankYouCardsForFieldOfHonorVets and “like” the page. They will update their Facebook fans soon with the mailing address in which to send your letter. Email any questions you have to Thank_You_Vets@WI.rr.com.

Watch the announcement video for the premiere below, and learn more about the film at StarsandStripesHonorFlight.org.

What’s the best way to ensure a successful a Kickstarter campaign? How do I self-distribute, or digitally distribute my film well? What should I post on my Facebook page as opposed to my Twitter feed? What if I’m not on Twitter?
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Engage your audience.

Seems simple enough, yet many people–filmmakers or not–fail to see that simply posting content relevant to your project or career will not necessarily engage an audience and get them interested. Just throwing a trailer up somewhere will not ensure that many people will watch it, especially when you are competing with a wealth of viral videos and blog posts that are crowding everyone’s Twitter and Facebook feeds.

So now that filmmakers have a focus, how should they go about achieving that engagement?

1) Be a person. First and foremost. No one wants to connect with at spam bot, or with something that seems like a shameless self-promotion.
[...]
2) Join the conversation. Documentary filmmakers are in a unique space in the digital realm in that the subjects and issues they deal with typically already have a strong community and dialogue online. Tap into those conversations, not by simply saying, “Watch my doc!” but by posting your interests and viewpoints, maybe giving some anecdotes.
[...]
3) Try transmedia. If you think it is suited to your project, tap into transmedia strategies and the possibility of expanding your stories over multiple platforms.
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4) Fish where the fish are. On the subject of distribution, La’Bassiere said she’s worked with too many filmmakers who want their film to be on every platform and everywhere.
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5) Don’t sell something people can’t buy. Your Twitter feed should never look like this: “3 weeks till our film is on iTunes!,” “In 3 weeks you will be able to get our film on iTunes,” “Excited for our film?,” “Another week down, you will have it soon.” In other words, don’t talk at your audience. Instead give them something to do….Audiences want to be prompted with an action, not with a wait.
[...]
6) Ask your audience. Filmmaker Gary Hustwit explained that many times he has tweeted or posted asking people “Hey Portland, what’s the best indie theater by you?” or “Should we have a screening at this theater, or is there some place cooler?” which then sparks dialogue about your film screening and builds an engaged audience that will be ready to go when you finally announce your screening.

Check out the full article at PBS.org.

Despite its growth, however, China remains a highly restrictive market for foreign film distribution. They limit the number of foreign films screened in their theaters each year, so partnering with Chinese production companies has become the ticket for American studios wanting to get a piece of the Chinese market.

When releasing their work in China, American filmmakers are expected to self-censor or have censorship imposed upon them. In the recent remake of Red Dawn, for example, MGM digitally transformed the invading army from Chinese to North Korean, for fear of offending the Chinese censor. Even Cameron’s own Titanic found itself on the wrong end of the censor’s knife when, for its 3D re-release, China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television removed an artistic nude scene “out of consideration of building a harmonious ethical social environment.” Such edits clearly have implications for forthcoming Hollywood blockbusters released in China–and even for the kinds of films that American filmmakers are willing to make.

With this in mind, Cameron insists that his forthcoming Avatar sequels meet the censors’ approval before solidifying the deal. Considering the magnitude of the Chinese market, he anticipates a big payoff if that condition is met. “There are economic advantages,” he notes.

A recent article in the Economist broke down the Chinese production deal–and censorship concerns–for Iron Man 3:

Dan Mintz, head of DMG Entertainment in Beijing and co-producer of “Iron Man 3″, describes China as both Hollywood’s saviour and its worst nightmare. Co-productions will not necessarily be filmed in China. The key is that Chinese producers will provide funding. But co-produced films are scrutinised by censors at both script and post-production stages. Films must comply or risk being bounced from cinemas, which would be business suicide in a market where nine-tenths of revenue comes from box-office receipts (in America, it is closer to 30%).

These regulations could also include censoring films with ideological messages that may be seen as critical of communism or favorable to a free market system.

MPI’s forthcoming documentary State of Control reveals the extent to which the Chinese-state controls other forms of communication, particularly the media. The film follows two American filmmakers as they travel undercover into the most conflicted regions of Tibet, documenting those who are risking their lives to peacefully protest against the oppression of the Chinese police state. They soon discover they have been targeted themselves, and are flung into one of the largest and most intensive internet security breaches to date–affecting Google, Yahoo, and many other U.S. companies.

Watch the trailer and learn more about State of Control at TheMPI.org.

Duncan Scott, filmmaker of the forthcoming MPI documentary Inside the Mind of Ayn Rand, serves as a screenwriter and creative consultant for the film, and is among those completely immersed in production this April. Twelve to fourteen-hour days are the normal for him–and as a long-time Ayn Rand scholar and enthusiast, he is eager to see this film on the big screen.

Duncan recently sat down with Reason‘s Brian Doherty to talk about what it was like working with Rand personally on the re-edited and restored version of We the Living, which his company now owns and distributes:

Scott says he never experienced any of Rand’s legendary wrath during their brief period working side by side in the early 1970s, and he questions the conventional wisdom that Rand’s imperious desire for control would have made it impossible to truly finish a filmed Atlas if she were still around to interfere today. “She responded tremendously well to people who were reasonable and rational,” Scott says, “so it would depend on the people she was working with.” Though Rand felt burned to some degree by all her experiences with film–even the 1949 Fountainhead, which she wrote and made sure was shot as she wrote, was ultimately edited against her will and left her feeling dissatisfied with the final result. Rand’s openness to a filmed Atlas, which she tried to write various versions of herself, from feature film to mini-series, would, Scott thinks, “depend on the people who wanted to make the film and her trust in how they would handle the property.”

Scott was brought to this project partially for his decades of experience in the world of Objectivist ideas and Randian film; while he has a long career working as assistant director on non-political films, including Woody Allen’s Zelig and Sidney Lumet’s Deathtrap, he also has kept his hand in the world of libertarian and Objectivist documentary film, and is working on a huge Rand documentary now as well.

The “huge Rand documentary,” MPI film Inside the Mind of Ayn Rand, will be the first ever feature-length film that explores the full range of Rand’s ideas. The film will lay out the tumultuous events of Rand’s life while exploring her ideas and their relevance to the fundamental issues facing America today.

Learn more about Inside the Mind of Ayn Rand and watch the teaser video for the film at MovingPictureInstitute.org.

As a Marine captain-turned-filmmaker, Brian Iglesias, 34, relies on a veritable “laundry list” of military skills to run his production company, Veterans Expeditionary Media.

But when Iglesias first began looking for a job in film or television, hiring managers failed to see the value of his 14 years of active duty.

[...]
Then, after nearly a year of futile job searching, Iglesias was struck with the realization that he would have to “create my own opportunity.”

“The door wasn’t opening, so I figured I’d knock it off its hinges and do it myself,” he says.

For Iglesias, this meant enrolling in Syracuse University’s Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans for a crash-course in business ownership, and teaming up with Anton Sattler, a fellow Marine infantry officer and aspiring filmmaker.

Together, the duo decided that Iglesias’ idea to make a documentary about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign — a seminal Korean War battle — had real potential.

“Every Marine is told about this battle,” says Iglesias. “It’s legendary. So we thought, a lot of these guys are still alive. Let’s get their stories. Let’s capture it.”

Not a month later, Iglesias and Sattler had cashed in their savings and embarked on an eight-month journey around the country to interview 128 of the battle’s veterans. Along the way, they relied on the kindness of fellow vets, friends and strangers for warm meals, couches to crash on and even cash donations.

According to Iglesias, “people believed in what we were doing” — so much so that he and Sattler decided to form their production company around their first project. “We knew that we were going to continue to do this past this film.”

But the first order of business was several months of editing and post-production work in preparation for premiering their finished product, “Chosin,” at the 2010 GI Film Festival. The film ended up selling out its first night and winning best documentary, and has since been screened all over the country and optioned for a Hollywood feature.

“We kind of hit gold,” Iglesias says. “Our mission was to celebrate these heroes, and we did that. It was pretty rewarding.”

Bolstered by their initial success, Iglesias and Sattler have gone on to produce several commercial spots for veterans organizations and a trio of small-budget narrative films, and they recently started work on a military-themed animated movie. This past year, they also produced the pre-taped content for the NYC Veteran’s Day Parade and assisted with the live broadcast.

[...]
Now, as the company continues to grow and is finally turning a profit, Iglesias finds himself busier than ever, with a balance of script writing, industry networking and financing. But if the workload is substantial, so are the rewards.

“As an infantry officer with a film degree, my qualifications were pretty narrow,” he says. “But I answered that call. The best part about it is that I am what I’m supposed to be.”

Congratulations to MPI fellow Michael Galinsky on his Guggenheim Fellowship award!!

Guggenheim Fellowships are awarded each year by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to exceptionally talented scholars and artists. Approximately 5% of applicants are selected for these prestigious grants.

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Michael is co-director, along with Suki Hawley, of MPI’s critically acclaimed, Oscar short-listed documentary, Battle for Brooklyn. Watch the trailer and learn how you can arrange a screening in your area at BattleforBrooklyn.com.

Zadek, an ardent advocate of liberty himself, praises Fisher’s work in film and his contributions to Reason.tv.

Listen to the segment here.

MPI fellow Nicholas Brennan will screen his short film, A Marine’s Guide to Fishing, at the Palm Beach International Film Festival on Friday, April 13, at 6:30 PM. The event will be held at the Lake Worth Playhouse Stonzek Theatre.

For tickets, click here. For more information on the film festival, click here.

To learn more about the film, visit AMarinesGuide.com.
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MPI fellows are an exceptional group of rising, freedom-oriented filmmakers whose work is making an impact and helping to advance liberty. For more information on MPI’s Fellowship Program and to read profiles on some of our fellows, including Nicholas Brennan, visit MovingPictureInstitute.org.

MPI fellows Dan Hayes and Clay Broga will premiere their new documentary Honor Flight at Miller Park in Milwaukee on August 11.

Tickets to this event are available at StarsandStripesHonorFlight.org. Over 10,000 tickets sold in the first two days, so get your tickets now–and don’t miss out!

Honor Flight tells the story of Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, a nonprofit group that sends WWII veterans to Washington, DC, to see the memorial built in their honor. Watch the trailer and learn more at StarsandStripesHonorFlight.org.

If you haven’t seen the documentary CHOSIN, please do! In the most compelling of ways, through the voices of the Veterans themselves and the film clips available, it tells the story of one of the bitterest battles fought during the Korean War … a grueling 18 days in sub-zero temps … and a deciding point in the war.

It’s time that everyone heard about it. Saw it. It’s way past time that we acknowledge what these amazing Veterans went through in the name of freedom. 

Last Thursday night, I attended the screening at Heroes Night Out. Some time back in February, Global Austin contacted TexVet to discuss ways of showing this magnificent documentary.

[...]

Thursday evening, I was surrounded by Veterans of multiple eras – beside me at right was my dad, 91-year old WWII Army Veteran. On my left sat my husband, Coast Guard Vietnam era Veteran.

On all sides, OIF/OEF and Vietnam Veterans. And to the far right, sat young men and women who had recently enlisted in the Marines.

In front of me, a Korean War Veteran who had fought in the CHOSIN battle, sat close to his daughter during the screening, sometimes leaning against her … sometimes leaning his head into his hands.

[...]

We shed tears. We clapped. We yelled. It was an amazing documentary that “Rotten Tomatoes” had given an over-the-top 95% – we’ve never seen one rated so high.

You can download this documentary from Netflix now. It will be worth your time and money. Trust me.

[...]

All I can say is … that the experience was pretty overwhelming, because at the end of a long day … we drove over to see the screening, feeling very tired.

But we drove home feeling inspired … and very blessed to live in this great nation, filled with people willing to die so that others may be free.

Watch the trailer and learn more about the film at FrozenChosin.com.

Parents all over New Jersey that are unsatisfied with their local school district will now have the opportunity to send their children to better schools, with programs that are a better fit for their children’s needs. And children will be able to learn in a smaller academic environment where they have a better chance to excel and stand out.

This long-awaited expansion is widely supported. “We knew there would be interest in this program because of enrollment trends,” said Frank Belluscio, spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Last year, 42 states considered or enacted some form of scholarship tax credit. Even in Iowa, where an official school voucher program isn’t in place, “school choice is popular and it’s possible,” says Andrew Campanella, director of National School Choice Week.

Released in 2009, The Cartel has been at the forefront of this education reform movement that is now sweeping the nation. The film has been seen by legislators, school choice advocates, teachers, education policy groups, and parents in dozens of states where school choice is on the legislative agenda. It has reached tens of millions more on video on demand, in theaters, and on DVD.

In New Jersey in particular, The Cartel is hailed for effectively addressing the problem and contributing to the public discussion about education reform. Governor Christie emphatically praised the film, saying, “when I saw The Cartel, it helped mold for me the final outlines of what I wanted to do if I were lucky enough to become governor.”

Visit TheCartelMovie.com to learn more about this award-winning documentary, arrange a screening, and find out how you can get involved. Watch the trailer below and buy the DVD on Amazon.com.

Learn about Choice Media and watch more video coverage of shocking and infuriating stories from students, teachers, and administrators from around the country at ChoiceMedia.tv.

MPI filmmaker and creative council member Duncan Scott, director of the forthcoming MPI film Inside the Mind of Ayn Rand, recently joined the Atlas Shrugged II production team.

Check out the teaser trailer below and share your thoughts!

Fox 5 News in Baltimore, Maryland, also did a story on the film. Watch that video here.

Museum of Government Waste is a quirky, eye-opening new documentary that takes a look at outrageous federal government spending through the eyes of an average American. Watch the teaser trailer and learn more about the film at TheMPI.org.

Hammer & Tickle, a witty documentary about the use of jokes and humor as a means of dissenting from state authority in the Soviet bloc, is soon coming to Amazon. Stay tuned!

The film was featured this week on Fox & Friends, where filmmaker Ellen Hubbard discussed wasteful government spending and the journey of pursuing an actual museum devoted to government waste:

The film was also featured this week on CNN. CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield was tickled by the idea of such a museum and said she would go and take her kids to it! Watch below.

To learn more about Museum of Government Waste, visit MovingPictureInstitute.org.

Former MTV Networks executives John Papola, Josh Meyers and Lisa Versaci have launched Emergent Order, a content development, production and post-production company in Austin, Texas on the heels of their viral successes, “Fear the Boom and Bust,” and “Fight of the Century.”

The videos feature famous (and long dead) economists John Maynard Keynes and F. A. Hayek debating their competing economic theories on the causes and cures of the financial crisis and recession. Both videos have been translated in numerous languages by fans and are used in high school and college classrooms in the U.S. and around the world, from Hong Kong to Slovenia to Peru. Additionally, news outlets including NPR, BBC Newsnight, The New York Times and The Economist Magazine have covered the videos or used them in their own reporting….

Read the full press release here.

John will be speaking on SXSW’s inaugural Digital Domain panel with other media experts on Sunday, March 11 from 11am-12pm at the Austin Convention Center in the Austin Suite. Read more about John’s work and watch the videos at EmergentOrder.com.