Richard Lewis: Video Telegram for Paul Quarrington
October 27, 2009
A comedic tribute to Paul Quarrington by Canadian actor / director Richard Lewis, shot on the Montreal set of Lewis’ next feature film, “Barney’s Version.”? The clip was shot to be screened at the live event “Life in Music, Words, and on Screen” produced by BookShorts on behalf of Humber College and the International Festival of Authors, and took place in Toronto on Oct 24, 2009.? Richard was the director of Quarrington’s multi-award winning feature film WHALE MUSIC, adapted from the author’s own novel of the same name; Quarrington also penned the screenplay. In celebration of Quarrington’s life and work and as inspiration for more brave artists crossing genres, join the Quarrington Arts Society – info at www.quarringtonartsociety.ca .?
Robert Lantos: Video Telegram for Paul Quarrington
October 27, 2009
A tribute to Paul Quarrington by filmmaker extraordinaire Robert Lantos,? captured on the set of his next feature, “barney’s Version.” The clip was created expressly for screening as part of the live celebration “Life in Music, Words, and on Screen” produced by BookShorts? on behalf of Humber College and the International Festival of Authors (Toronto, Oct 24, 2009). Mr. Lantos has become a seminal member of the Quarrington Arts Society — for more about this initiative to further the careers of multi-talented artists of page, screen and stage, visit www.quarringtonartsociety.ca
Pavane reviewed at NXNE
July 2, 2009
@ NXNE: Pavane
By Kate Xian
Preceding feature documentary Depeche Mode: They Came From the Posters on the Walls, Pavane, written and directed by Paul Quarrington based off his novel The Ravine is a beautifully simple short film filled with subtext. On the surface, lounge bar piano player Jay and challenging patron Phil seem to be strangers butting heads when it comes to song selection. But as the conversation progresses, and with slight nuances abound, we come to realize that these two have a much deeper and darker relationship than first thought.
With music as its anchor, the film is cut with minimalist yet very telling animation about the brotherhood between Jay and Phil and loss of innocence in a deeply dark way. And the events of that unforgettable day have left an immense weight on the both of them right into their adulthood.
Female patrons Gail and Kim provide comic relief to the heavy themes while the animation gives the film just a touch of lightness among its weighty content. Produced by past JXM Feature of the Month, Judith Keenan of BookShorts and Quarrington successfully create a film filled with backstory and character in a matter of minutes.
See the original review at Jaded Expressions Magazine
NB: There was also a mention of the film screening on “Dutch Touch Radio” on June 13.
Pavane Featured at NXNE June 18
June 10, 2009
North By Northeast Music and Film Festival, June 17-21, 2009 will screen Filmmaker/Musician/Author Paul Quarrington’s short “Pavane”
Thursday, June 18 @ 7:00pm NFB Studio
150 John St, Toronto, ON M5V 3C3
Screens with
* City Sonic: Barenaked Ladies at Ultrasound Showbar | Peter Lynch 2009
* Depeche Mode: The Posters Came From the Walls | Jeremy Deller, Nick Abrahams 2008, Canadian Premiere, Documentary, Feature
Pavane Wins Platinum Award at WorldFest Houston
May 30, 2009
Pavane TX Theatrical Premiere – April 18, 2009
WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
PLATINUM REMI AWARD WINNER
“Pavane” has won a PLATINUM REMI AWARD at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival! The film was shown April 18, 2009 in the “Digital Shorts Remi-Award Winning” Program, 3pm, and featured in the WorldFest 2009 program that will be given out to all the attendees, and distributed to film festivals all over North America. For updates www.worldfest.org
Big “Pavane” news! An airing on CBC and an invitation to the Houston Worldfest!
March 4, 2009
Big news, and you heard it hear first!
On April 5, 2009, “Pavane” will air on CBC’s Canadian Reflections, which–and I quote–features the best Canadian short films from eminent directors across the country. Nice words, indeed, even if I am now something of an eminence grise. (If you check out their webpage, you might notice a little photo of the beautiful Kari Matchett holding up a microphone to the somewhat more grizzled David Fox. That’s a still from my film “Moon & Mann.”)
Also… BookShort producer Judith Keenan and I are very thrilled to announce that the film “Pavane” has been invited to the very prestigious Houston Worldfest! The 42nd annual edition of the festival takes place April 17 through 26. Houston, we have landed! (I suspect I’m not the first person to use those words in this context.)
“Pavane” is going to Chicago!!
February 5, 2009
BookShorts honcho Judith Keenan (I’m using Variety magazine lingo here, seeing as we’re discussing movies) and writer/helmer Paul Quarrington are pleased to announce that their short film “Pavane” has been accepted into the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest.) Mike Phillips, the programing director, was very complimentary: he called our film “a great demonstration of how much life and backstory one can fit in a short running time. I think it has more to say than most feature-length films.” Now THAT’S what we like to hear!
Oh, and here’s a little update. We ourselves are going to Chicago, and whilst there, I am going to be part of the CIMMfest All-Star Blues Jam Band, which will feature legendary bassist Robban Hagnas from the Finnish group “The Wentus Blues Band.” Porkbelly Futures have shared the stage with this fine band before, at last years Canadian Music Week. Robban is an excellent high-energy musician, so I better start practising and bolting back the Red Bull.
This is going to take place at the Awards ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Centre, Sunday March 8th.?
Nino Ricci & Paul Quarrington Review Moving Stories Films 2008
November 18, 2008
Curator Paul Quarrington speaks with Moving Stories Film Advisor Nino Ricci about the?page-to-screen film adaptations represented? in the Moving Stories Films 2008 program, including Quarrington’s own adaptation of his novel The Ravine as the short film, Pavane.?
Their review includes these films: A LETTER TO COLLEEN Dir. Andy London; THE CAVE: Dir. Michael Ramsey; NO BIKINI: Dir. Claudia Morgado Escanilla, PAVANE: Dir. Paul Quarrington, THE GARGOYLE Sei?s Story: Dir. Bert Kish.?
Shot live on location at the Vancouver International Writers Festival for BookShorts Literacy Program.? For more information about Moving Stories Film Festival, visit http://www.movingstoriesfilmfest.com
Moving Stories Wraps Cross-Country Tour: Toronto Last Stop Nov 26
November 10, 2008
With a shout out to our presenters coast to coast, 600 audience members enjoyed the inaugural screening program Moving Stories Films. ?Our Special Guests on stage along the way included Randall Maggs, Andrew Davidson, Gary Thomas, Rachel Peters, Irene Duma, and Ivan E. Coyote. Filmmakers Ken Tsui and Brittany Junek were specially commissioned to produce a BookShorts film based on David Chariandy?s novel ?Soucouyant,? which premiered during the Vancouver presentation.? Thanks to our presenters THIN AIR 2008: Winnipeg International Writers Festival; St. John?s International Women?s Film Festival; Ottawa International Writers Festival Fall Edition; WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival and Vancouver International Writers Festival.
UPCOMING TORONTO DATE:? NOVEMBER 26, 2008 - GLADSTONE HOTEL Pressented by THIS IS NOT A READING SERIES, Pages Books & Music.? Reserve in advance by email, judith@bookshorts.com
Paul Quarrington on Adaptation – Part 3
October 1, 2008
Thoughts on the process of adapting books to screen
By Paul Quarrington
In my previous post I talked about the role of a filmmaker’s personal expression as well as the challenge of selecting which specific aspects of the printed material to explore.
In a short film?especially in a BookShort, based on a full-length book?this process is accentuated. The filmmaker must be able to cut to the heart of the matter, to find the single aspect that speaks across both media. I liken this process to distillation.
The next challenge for the filmmaker is how to deliver this distillation. The delivery of a piece of creative writing relies on the interaction of three important components: Voice, Narrative and Subtext. These ingredients and their integration must also be considered when writing the recipe for a film adaptation.
In my upcoming posts I shall explore these considerations – samples included!
