Arts & Events
PlayGround’s first Film Festival of local playwrights shows in Berkeley on May 24 & 26.
PlayGround has teamed up with film makers to transform five of their award-winning scripts into short films including one animation.
Next week, you can see these at the Elmwood Theatre on College near Ashby on Thursday, or at Zaentz Media Center on 10th Street on Saturday.
The Film Festival features five short films adapted from short plays originally developed and premiered at the Best of PlayGround Festival, created by teams of local filmmakers, writers, actors and technicians.
PlayGround partnered with “Dances with Light” to inaugurate the PlayGround Film Festival.
Each playwright adapted their own work for the screen.
The featured short films include:
The Beginning by Tom Swift (Brian Tolle, filmmaker. On a cold dark night two naked strangers struggle to connect.
Ecce Homo by Jonathan Luskin (Jonathan Luskin /Mark Leialoha/Flying Moose Pictures, filmmakers), Two vaudevillians in love confront the new technology of the movies.
The Etymology of Zero by Katie May (an animated short; Seth Podowitz, filmmaker)
A feminist fairytale: Rapunzel locks herself in a tall tower and concocts a story of an evil stepmother to focus on her blossoming love of mathematics and avoid the attentions of a young prince.
Wednesday by Daniel Heath (Jennifer Arzt, filmmaker): A couple decides to liven up their evening one ordinary Wednesday with a question-and-answer drinking game. A few drinks in, Eve asks Robert a question that puts their marriage to the ultimate test.
Reunion by Kenn Rabin (Gregory Runnels and Mark Runnels, filmmakers) is a story of a convicted sex offender, recently released from prison, who finds a new home with Deb, a woman determined to stand up for his rights and live down her own past. (Rabin’s documentary and feature credits include PBS’ “Eyes on the Prize and Vietnam: A Television History,” Sean Penn’s “The Indian Runner,” George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck,”, Steven Soderbergh’s “The Good German,” and Gus Van Sant’s “Milk.” )
The Berkeley screenings will be at:
- Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, 2966 College Ave on Thursday May 24 at 7pm and 9pm
- Zaentz Media Center/Fantasy Studios, 2600 10th Street on Saturday May 26 @ 6pm and 8pm.
In San Rafael, at 32TEN Studios (formerly the George Lucas Theater) on Fri May 25 at 8pm.
For the complete schedule and tickets, visit http://playground-sf.org/filmfest
Since 1994, PlayGround has been a leading incubator for some of the Bay Area’s most promising new playwrights. It has premiered 110 original short plays by 57 Bay Area emerging playwrights through its Monday Night PlayGround staged reading series at Berkeley Rep and Best of PlayGround Festival.
PlayGround has also commissioned 41 new full-length plays and supports the premiere of many of these works in partnership with Bay Area theatres through its innovative New Play Production Fund.
PlayGround alumni include a who’s who of the Bay Area’s best up-and-coming writers, including Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Aaron Loeb, Geetha Reddy, Daniel Heath, Ken Slattery, among others, with many having their first professional production through PlayGround.
PlayGround has teamed up with film makers to transform five of their award-winning scripts into short films including one animation.
Next week, you can see these at the Elmwood Theatre on College near Ashby on Thursday, or at Zaentz Media Center on 10th Street on Saturday.
The Film Festival features five short films adapted from short plays originally developed and premiered at the Best of PlayGround Festival, created by teams of local filmmakers, writers, actors and technicians.
PlayGround partnered with “Dances with Light” to inaugurate the PlayGround Film Festival.
Each playwright adapted their own work for the screen.
The featured short films include:
The Beginning by Tom Swift (Brian Tolle, filmmaker. On a cold dark night two naked strangers struggle to connect.
Ecce Homo by Jonathan Luskin (Jonathan Luskin /Mark Leialoha/Flying Moose Pictures, filmmakers), Two vaudevillians in love confront the new technology of the movies.
The Etymology of Zero by Katie May (an animated short; Seth Podowitz, filmmaker)
A feminist fairytale: Rapunzel locks herself in a tall tower and concocts a story of an evil stepmother to focus on her blossoming love of mathematics and avoid the attentions of a young prince.
Wednesday by Daniel Heath (Jennifer Arzt, filmmaker): A couple decides to liven up their evening one ordinary Wednesday with a question-and-answer drinking game. A few drinks in, Eve asks Robert a question that puts their marriage to the ultimate test.
Reunion by Kenn Rabin (Gregory Runnels and Mark Runnels, filmmakers) is a story of a convicted sex offender, recently released from prison, who finds a new home with Deb, a woman determined to stand up for his rights and live down her own past. (Rabin’s documentary and feature credits include PBS’ “Eyes on the Prize and Vietnam: A Television History,” Sean Penn’s “The Indian Runner,” George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck,”, Steven Soderbergh’s “The Good German,” and Gus Van Sant’s “Milk.” )
The Berkeley screenings will be at:
- Rialto Cinemas Elmwood, 2966 College Ave on Thursday May 24 at 7pm and 9pm
- Zaentz Media Center/Fantasy Studios, 2600 10th Street on Saturday May 26 @ 6pm and 8pm.
In San Francisco, the Festival shows at Thick House on Tue & Wed May 22 and 23 at 6pm and 8pm), (where the 16th annual Best of PlayGround Festival short plays is currently running Thu-Sun through May 27).
In San Rafael, at 32TEN Studios (formerly the George Lucas Theater) on Fri May 25 at 8pm.
For the complete schedule and tickets, visit http://playground-sf.org/filmfest
Since 1994, PlayGround has been a leading incubator for some of the Bay Area’s most promising new playwrights. It has premiered 110 original short plays by 57 Bay Area emerging playwrights through its Monday Night PlayGround staged reading series at Berkeley Rep and Best of PlayGround Festival.
PlayGround has also commissioned 41 new full-length plays and supports the premiere of many of these works in partnership with Bay Area theatres through its innovative New Play Production Fund.
PlayGround alumni include a who’s who of the Bay Area’s best up-and-coming writers, including Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, Aaron Loeb, Geetha Reddy, Daniel Heath, Ken Slattery, among others, with many having their first professional production through PlayGround.
