PressPlay Cinema, LLC

Illuminate: A Film Festival that Shines a Light on Untold Stories

Lights, camera, action! 🎬 Calling all visionary filmmakers and creative souls! 🌟

Are you ready to showcase your talent and inspire audiences worldwide with the power of your art? Look no further! Our highly anticipated film festival is fast approaching, and we can’t wait to witness the magic you’ve crafted on the silver screen.

Starting from August 1st, our festival will become a vibrant hub for new artists to shine and captivate hearts. We believe in the true potential of every filmmaker, and we invite you to take a leap of faith and share your unique stories, perspectives, and emotions through the lens.

Whether you’re an emerging talent or an experienced maestro, this is your chance to make waves in the film industry. Imagine the thrill of seeing your masterpiece projected onto a big screen, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts and industry professionals eagerly awaiting to be moved and inspired.

But it doesn’t stop there! Our film festival is not only about recognition; it’s a platform for growth and collaboration. By entering your film, you’ll gain valuable exposure and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion. Who knows? Your next collaborator or producer might just be waiting in the audience!

So, grab your camera, follow your passion, and let your creativity soar. We firmly believe that the beauty of filmmaking lies in taking risks, pushing boundaries, and daring to inspire. It’s time to make an impact, to ignite conversations, and leave a lasting impression on both hearts and minds.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of something truly extraordinary. Submit your film to our film festival starting August 1st, and let your art transcend boundaries, spark imaginations, and change lives.

Visit our website for more details and submission guidelines. Together, let’s create cinematic magic that will be remembered for years to come! ✨🎥✨

Click this image for online film festival submissions.

Scene Study: How To Guide

Here at PressPlay Cinema, we want to set you up for success, so we have put together a series of steps to follow how to study a scene for film:

Video Source: Jeddle

Read the script: Before you start studying a scene, it’s important to understand the context and overall story of the film. Make sure you’ve read the script thoroughly before diving into the scene.
Identify the objective: What does your character want in the scene? What are they trying to achieve? Identifying your character’s objective will help you understand their motivations and actions throughout the scene.
Analyze the dialogue: Look at your lines and try to understand the subtext behind them. What are you really saying in the scene? What is left unsaid?
Determine the stakes: What are the consequences if your character doesn’t achieve their objective? Understanding the stakes will help you bring more emotional depth to your performance.
Study the other characters: Look at how they’re reacting to your character and how your character is reacting to them. Understanding the relationships between characters will help you build a strong foundation for your performance.
Explore the setting: The location and environment can have a big impact on the scene. Take note of any props, lighting, or other elements that can help you immerse yourself in the moment.
Rehearse: Once you’ve analyzed all of these elements, it’s time to rehearse the scene. Work on developing your character’s emotional arc and building a strong connection with your scene partner.

By following these steps, you can effectively study a scene for film and deliver a powerful and authentic performance.

Video Source: The Thespian Acting Engineering

The Meisner Technique, EXPLAINED

Video Source: Montes Method

The Meisner technique is a popular acting method that focuses on the actor’s ability to truly listen and respond to their scene partner. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to practice and perfect it:

Start with repetition exercises: This involves two actors standing face to face and repeating back simple statements to each other. As they continue, they begin to add more emotion and depth to their responses.
Work on physical actions: Meisner believed that actions are an essential part of acting. Practice physical actions that can help you better connect with your character and scene partner.
Create imaginary circumstances: Imagining different scenarios and situations can enhance your acting skills. Create imaginary scenarios to give yourself a strong context for your emotions and actions.
Explore emotional preparation: Being in the moment is important to the Meisner technique. Learn how to tap into your emotions and use them in your performance.
Practice active listening: The Meisner technique emphasizes the importance of really listening to your scene partner. Practice active listening by paying attention to their words, tone, and body language.
Develop a strong sense of presence: Acting requires a strong sense of presence and awareness. Practice being fully present in the moment and focused on your scene partner.

By following these steps, you can gradually improve your Meisner technique and become a more skilled actor.

Video Source: The Houde School of Acting

We found a space for you to start your training now. CLICK HERE! Courtesy of The Meisner Technique Studio.

Another example of the meisner technique by Sanford Meisner himself.

Video Source: Contemporary Arts Media

The Lost | by Joe Moya

PressPlay Cinema had the chance to speak with Joe Moya, an independent author and film enthusiast. Joe has published an interesting book we felt intrigued to get to know more about; this is why we grabbed our paper and pen and reached out to Mr. Moya, you guys deserve all the tea. Mr. Moya accepted a brief interview with us, and we’re happy to share it here with you.

PPC asked: Is this a horror story?

JM answered: It is a horror story, but it also has elements of action and romance.

PPC: Can you briefly describe the evil Vicki faces?

JM: The evil Vicki faces is a powerful elder vampire, gifted with powers bestowed upon him by Satan himself.

PPC: Sorry to see people had divided opinions about your book in the reviews, one of them, called your book, “misogynistic”, can you help us understand why they might’ve felt that way?

JM: I know exactly why those reviews are there. I had a clash of opinions about politics in social media, and an hour later these fake reviews show up on my book page. I know they’re fake because they mention nothing about the book or the story. It was just funny how one fake critic called it “misogynistic”, even though the main character is a strong intelligent woman!

PPC: What was the thoughts process or inspiration that lead you to create this story?

JM: The inspiration came to me in 1993, and I finally was able to finish and publish the book in 2018. I was talking with a comic artist about doing a graphic novel, and when I asked him what he had in mind, he said he always wanted to do a vampire story. 5 minutes later I basically had the entire story in my head.

PPC: We heard you are looking to turn this book into a feature film, talk to us a little bit about that.

JM: I’m working with a local producer to make a film adaptation of my book. I’ve already written the final script based off the book. Once we can secure funding, we will start making the film.

PPC: What are messages that are carried on in the film?

JM: I can’t say there are intentional messages in the film, but my beliefs and values come through in my writing. So I guess the message would be that love is stronger than evil.

We thank Mr. Moya for his time and his honesty, this is indeed a story worth reading, get yours now!

Actor’s Dilemma: Demo Reels|Tips and Strategies

When casting directors watch actor’s reels, they are looking for a few key things:

Acting Range: It’s important to show your range as an actor by showcasing different roles in your reel. Whether it’s comedy, drama, or action, make sure to highlight your versatility.
Professionalism: A well-produced reel shows that you take your work seriously. Make sure the quality is high and the editing is well done.
Authenticity: Casting directors want to see the real you. Avoid overacting or being too dramatic, be genuine and natural instead.
Storytelling: Your reel should tell a story. Start with a strong opening, build up to a climax, and end with a memorable moment. This will make your reel stand out.

Video Source: Wondershare Filmora Video Editor

Here’s a step-by-step guide for creating the perfect reel:

Choose Your Best Scenes: Go through all your footage and select the best scenes that showcase your acting range. Choose scenes with a clear story, strong acting, and good production quality.
Edit Your Reel: Edit your scenes together to create a cohesive story. Keep it short and sweet, no longer than 2-3 minutes.
Add Music and Sound Effects: Adding music can enhance the mood and emotion of your reel. Use sound effects to make your scene more realistic.
Get Feedback: Show your reel to actors, directors, and producers you trust for feedback. Take constructive criticism and make improvements if necessary.
Share Your Reel: Once your reel is complete, share it with casting directors, agents, and production companies. Use social media and online platforms like IMDb to promote your work.

I hope this helps you create the perfect reel! Good luck!

Video Source: Will Westwater