Civil War

WIFV/NE's Garden Shorts Series

2007-07-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be a part of a great group of women's films at the summer Garden Shorts Series presented by Women in Film in Television in Boston.

We will be screening outside, on July 12th, at dusk. Sounds beautiful...

Seattle's "Short of the Day"

2007-06-06T02:19:00.001-07:00

Just got word that CIVIL WAR has been selected as Short of the Day, and is available on FILM.COM, during the remainder of the Seattle Film Festival.

Please go here if you'd like to see it:

Short of the Day

First Boston, now CAMBRIDGE...

2007-06-06T02:17:00.000-07:00

I am excited to announce that CIVIL WAR has been invited to screen at the Cambridge Film Festival in the UK. We are part of an international short program juried by Philip Ilson.

The festival is July 5-15.

York College of PA Article

2007-05-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

http://spartan.ycp.edu/pages/current.php?id=894

C.C. Webster leaves her “Tracks” at YCP
By Andrea Lerew

The York College Humanities Department hosted its final event of the 2006 – 2007 Film Series on Tuesday April 17. The series was created to open up discussion and debate about films. There are generally six films per academic year and for each film, a guest scholar is invited to York College to present the production.

For thi s f ina l eve n t , writer/director C.C. Webster, who holds a masters in Fine Arts from the University of Columbia, presented two of her own short film productions, “Tracks” and “Civil War,” to the viewing audience in DeMeester Theatre.

“Tracks” is a 23-minute film that explains the importance of the “tracks” left behind by our deceased loved ones, such as an inherited junk car or a fingerprint.

The total cost of the film during the eight-month production process totaled to about $15,000.

The film “Civil War” is about a group of awkward, pubescent teen girls who seek out and exploit the weakest member during a field trip to Gettysburg Battlefield. The film illustrates the terrors of the all too familiar stages of adolescence.

In this film, Webster reflects on her experiences as an adolescent where she wondered if she would even survive her middle school years. “Civil War” runs about 15 minutes and had a total cost of about $37,000 to produce during its one-year production process.

After showing the films, a question- and-answer period took place for anyone interested in learning more about the films, the director herself or the industry of film production.

In this session, Webster revealed that she creates films with actors that she and the viewer will be able to relate to. Growing up in the working class, Webster didn’t know the life of luxury and she wishes to convey that homely aspect of her life through her work.

When posed with a question regarding why she got into the film industry she stated, “It was something I never even dreamed of. I never picked up a camera and made films like others did.” She went on to explain how her love of movies and her education at Columbia University took her from being an ordinary woman to a successful film director.

She was anxious as anyone would be about taking such a leap of faith as entering the industry of film — especially as a woman. “I got into Columbia [to study film] and realized, I’m in it and now I’ve got to do it.” Of course, money is always an issue among college students so it was no surprise when Webster was asked how she received funding for the making of her films.

She answered back, “If you got a good script, it doesn’t matter how much money you need to film it.

Just write your dialogue — just write it down. That’s the most important thing.” Not only did she share behindthe- scenes details about each film, Webster also gave a bit of advice at the end of her presentation for aspiring film majors; a bit of advice that all college students should follow being film majors or not. She stated, “The community that you make in the classroom is very important to your success. That’s where you make your connections and hopefully, you’ll be working with the people from that community later on.”

Florida Film Festival Article...

2007-05-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

http://blogs.indiewire.com/enzian/archives/012894.html

Head of the Class

In my 16 years of working on the Florida Film Festival--the first five as Selection Committee member and the last eleven as Programming Director--I have never seen such a dominant showing of formidable talent from one film school as we have this year. Those of you who attended Sundance are probably already aware of the extraordinary artistry displayed by Columbia University students and alumni, since 10 of the 71 shorts selected out of more than 4000 submissions all came from this one institution--remarkable!

Well that trend continues at this year's Florida Film Festival, ready to launch in just three weeks. While the numbers aren't quite as staggering as the Sundance percentages, 6 out of the 27 shorts in the American Independent Narrative Shorts Competition (selected from over 600 entries in that category) are all from Columbia. Yet only three played in Park City: Lilah Vandenburgh's BITCH, Sophie Barthes' HAPPINESS, and Moon Molson's POP FOUL. Our other three are just as good, yet didn't make it into the Sundance 10: Tobin Addington's DANCING GROUND, Benjamin Gray's THE HUNTER, and Julia Kots' NATURALIZED.

Not only that, but had the filmmakers struck a 35mm print like they indicated on their submission forms, we would also be playing two more outstanding works: Ian Olds' BOMB and C.C. Webster's CIVIL WAR. Unfortunately, by the time we found out that they were actually video only, our video shorts programs were all locked and confirmed. But it easily could have been 8 out of the 27 instead of 6, and either way it's unprecedented. And what's even more impressive is how diverse this group of films really is, with nothing really in common except their excellence.

There are a lot of fine film schools in this country, including a few right here in Florida, but what this group of student filmmakers from Columbia University has achieved can only be described as stunning. Hopefully you'll get to experience these fine films for yourselves.

--Matthew

Seattle Film Festival

2007-04-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

I am so, so thrilled to announce that CIVIL WAR has been invited to the Seattle Film Festival.

This is a really wonderful fest, and tons of great film, so I feel very honored.

Dates and times to follow!

Love that DIRTY water...

2007-04-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

We are going to Boston!

We have been invited to screen at the 2007 Boston International Film Festival, screening at the AMC Loews Boston Common on Sunday, June 10 at 11PM!

I'm definitely heading to this fest, and hopefully dragging some friends to the late night screening...

Staten Island Film Festival

2007-04-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

A New York Screening!!

Please join us at St. John's University at 300 Howard Avenue, in Staten Island for a screening on Saturday June 23, 2007 at 4PM.

Bare Bones International Film Festival

2007-04-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

OKLAHOMA!!!

We are screening in this great independent film festival on April 24, 2007 at 8PM at the Roxy Theater in Muskeegee, OK.

Another state to knock off the list!

Florida Film Fests!

2007-04-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to announce that CIVIL WAR has had a grand run in the greater Palm Beach area, screening at Delray Beach Film Festival and the Palm Beach International Film Festivals in April.

New Filmmakers Series

2007-02-22T17:26:00.000-08:00

Hello again...

I'm so excited because we will be screening again in New York!

CIVIL WAR has been accepted to the New Filmmakers Series, Spring Series, playing at the Anthology Film Archive.

We are screening on May 30, 2007 at 7PM!

DIY Film Festival and Convention

2007-02-04T18:09:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to announce that we are a finalist in the DIY Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA. CIVIL WAR will be playing at the Egyptian Theater this Friday, February 9th, 2007.

More details to come!

Twice "Dam'd"

2007-01-01T13:31:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm very happy to announce that CIVIL WAR is screening at the Dam Short Film Festival, in Boulder City, Nevada which takes place February 8-11, 2007.

TRACKS screened there very successfully last year, and I'm so pleased to be back again.

Looking forward to an exciting 2007 for CIVIL WAR!

SHOW-ME MISSOURI International Film Festival

2006-12-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Another fest to add, and I'm so pleased to say that DANCING GROUND, an amazing film made by my great friend and colleague will also be playing!

The “Show-Me Missouri International Film Festival” will be held February 21-25, 2007 in downtown Springfield, Missouri.

The Annapolis Experience...

2006-11-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Annapolis after what felt like a quick jaunt from the city, into what felt like Florida heat; muggy, very bright, and shocking. I'd found a great deal on a room at the Extended Stay America, in a cul de sac, called Womack Drive, across the 665 from the Annapolis Town Shopping Center--a Cape Cod style, cookie cutter mall with a Bed Bath and Beyond, an Old Navy, and an Amish Store among the other typical mall stores.

"I wonder how much a young Amish girl costs?" That's a bad joke I made as we poked around the area, checking out the chain restaurants, dollar stores, and Rainbow laundromats.

We went for lunch at a place called The Ram's Head on Main Street. And if you ever go to Annapolis you MUST not go there. Worst shrimp salad sandwich I've ever had. But, the bay was beautiful, and the cadets roaming around in uniform added to the overall "wealthy white-collar" feel of the place. They even knew what an "Arnold Palmer" was, which Erin said proved the Annapolis crowd are a sailing, golfing bunch.

That night was a kind of kick-off party in the old Annapolis High School, built in the 30's. It felt a bit like going to prom, as we walked down the dark hallway full of stars (each with the name of a film on them) and turned a corner to get our picture taken, down a flight of stairs to the gym, where a band was playing, "I Feel Fine," and there were makeshift bars and a buffet table. We sort of mingled, more talked back to the people who talked to us, ate some very fine finger foods, and made it home by midnight.

The next afternoon was our screening, in a block of "family" films. I was very happy to be part of a family film program, but kept thinking if families actually show up, how are they going to deal with the profanity and the tricky, "tied-to-a-tree" segment? Luckily, the only kids who showed up for the screening, seemed used to the profanity, and were very insightful, asking questions of all the filmmakers present during the Q&A.

This is the line-up of the program:

Elephant Days--a sweet, short documentary about the life and training of zoo elephants in the Portland, OR Zoo.
Fumi & the Bad Luck Foot--a crazy animated piece, funny and morbid, about a gilr and her bad-luck foot.
Shiner--a short narrative about two unlikely people finding each other under a bridge in lower Manhattan. Noah David Smith, the DP of CIVIL WAR, shot this film right before we started filming.
Civil War--hopefully no explanation needed.
Owensville--funny, little, narrative short made during the 48-hour film project, about a wannabe Mormon missionary.
The Wright Stuff--a playful mock-silent film about the Wright brother's and their involvement with Teddy Roosevelt and Fidel Castro.

Our trip back was a full 7 hour drive with non-stop rain, but we made it back in one piece, thanks to my trusty little Saturn.

Black Bear Take 2....

2006-10-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

My cohorts, Trevor and Erin at the VIP Party...

Just a taste of the house...look at all those swordfish, and salmon colored faux marble!

Grace Woodward, director of the Film Salon...

The Q&A, notice the bear in front...

Black Bear Film Festival...Take 1

2006-10-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

So, Montreal was a tough, cold, little vacation, and Erin and I were in need of some true recreation. We didn't think it would happen at the small festival in Milford, PA, but we truly had a great, relaxing, if not entirely surprising time. Throw any superlative out there, and Black Bear could be described as such.

I think a lot had to do with meeting Trevor Morgan, one of the stars of James Ponsoldt's film, OFF THE BLACK (www.offtheblack.blogspot.com). James is a near and dear friend, who's made a beautiful film premiering in New York on December 1st. GO SEE IT!!! It stars Nick Nolte and Trevor Morgan, and was a hit at Sundance this year.

Anyway, we knew Trevor was going to be there, and James had told us all to try and find each other. Seeing as the Black Bear Film Festival area stretched for about two blocks it didn't take long to pick Trevor out of the crowd, bombard him with questions, and make a plan to go the VIP party later that night.

Then we screened along a group of films from SVA, Temple, and NYU. We were in the good company of other Columbia films as well, and without being biased (which might be impossible) Columbia definitely stood out of the bunch. I was the only Columbia filmmaker there, so I gave quite an extensive Q&A after CIVIL WAR screened, and the audience was really receptive, and Grace Woodward, director of the Salon at the festival, spoke really highly of the film and the Columbia program, and got me talking about lots of things; casting, locations, script, ideas, upcoming projects, etc. Grace was an amazing host, and Erin and I were thrilled with our little hotel room, and the hospitality tent. And don't forget those free t-shirts!

When it came time to go to the party, we picked up Trevor, who immediately told us some amazing stories about local Milford girls, and his screening and Q&A for the film LOCAL COLOR. Trevor is a born performer, hysterical, and was absolutely the toast of the festival. When we walked into this VIP party, all eyes were on him, and it didn't take long to figure out why--it was a room full of men, who thought Trevor was the PYT of the evening. Now how do I describe this party, and this house?

Info about the house:

The Greek Revival style Dutch Reform Church was built in 1850. Its wooden colossal temple front with four heavy fluted columns mimics the stone architecture of ancient Greece. It was converted to a residence in 1957 and has been home to antiques dealer Doug Cosh since 1972. He has leased the property since 1986. Earlier, he operated his antiques business out of a structure at the nearby crossroads of Route 209 and Route 739 before losing it to a tragic truck accident and fire. As if rising from those ashes, he named his new business, in the slate-roofed carriage house, Phoenix. The shop features southwestern crafts.

In almost every aspect of his work Mr. Cosh chose to repair, rather than replace, as recommended by the Secretary's Standards. In the case of interior finishes, he opted for a decorative color scheme which complements the crafts items on display, creating a true "feast" for the eyes.

And when they say, "feast for the eyes," they are not kidding. Every single inch of this house is covered in decoration, faux marble, swordfish, mermaids, bear rugs, etc.

As Trevor said, it was like something out of a David Lynch movie--almost indescribable. There was great food, and open bar, and a myriad of hysterical people to keep us entertained. It was a time, that's for sure.

Film Pop Montreal Photos

2006-10-22T23:43:00.000-07:00

Pop Montreal

The pub where we saw the band, you can almost see Erin at the upper left.

I fit right in...

Drunk school boys at noon.

Montreal "Authentic" Francophone Bar Band

2006-10-18T03:40:00.000-07:00

When Erin and I were in Montreal, we had a strange, but fascinating time, including theft, serious falls, and even soda soaked jackets. However, after one particularly trying day, we happened upon a pub, where we had 2-dollar beers, and heard this amazing little band play traditional Quebecois music. For people who love French folksongs as well as Irish or old-time American fiddle tunes, Québec might be the closest thing to heaven. In the province, French settlers and their Irish and Anglo-Canadian neighbors created a rich traditional music. As Canada modernized and urbanized, this music was largely ignored by the rest of the world (and even by Québécois city-dwellers) until quite recently, when a resurgence of interest in the music created a market for professional musicians. (All this after one google search!)

It was such a wonderful experience. The entire place knew every word, and it was literally jumping.

So here's a taste of the band we saw. We don't know thier name, but we have this.

FESTIVALS

2006-10-17T23:50:00.000-07:00

A compilation of CIVIL WAR's greatest hits:

Columbia University Film Festival-Audience Choice Award, Lifetime Development Grant
Girl Fest Hawaii
Hermosa Shorts Film Festival
Calgary Fringe Festival
Twin Cities Underground Film Festival
Artsfest Film Festival
FilmPop Montreal
Chicago International Reel Shorts Film Festival
Annapolis Film Festival
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Black Bear Film Festival
NOVAC Louisiana Short Film Festival
Lake Forest Film Festival

Updates...

2006-10-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

October has been a month of festivals, fallen leaves, and just plain old falls as well. For the most part though, it has been way too much fun.

I'll be updating soon with pictures, anecdotes, and the long of the short of it, as soon as I can...

Lake Forest Film Festival

2006-10-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

The midwest is full of love!

CIVIL WAR has been selected for competition in the Short Live Action category at the 2006 Lake Forest Film Festival in Chicago. We will be screening on Sunday, November 12 at the Meyer Auditorium.

And although I STILL haven't been to Chicago, I've already planned on going to the Annapolis Film Festival that weekend. This is their first festival, so it's a nice feeling to be chosen.

NOVAC Louisiana Short Film Festival

2006-10-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

Down to the Crescent City!

CIVIL WAR has been selected to screen at the NOVAC Louisiana Short Film Festival next weekend, October 21-22, 2006.

I just found out today, or I'd be checking out JetBlue tickets and heading down.

Invitation to Black Bear Film Festival

2006-09-27T23:36:00.000-07:00

CIVIL WAR has been invited to screen in the Film Salon at the Black Bear Film Festival in October. The festival is set in the mountains of Milford, PA. It feels nice to be screening again in my home state. Check back for dates!

www.blackbearfilm.org

TRACKS clip in Columbia Film Glossary!

2006-09-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

I just was told that my previous short TRACKS is listed in the School of the Arts, Columbia Film Glossary with a few other select films. The cool thing, is that you can check out a clip from the film.

http://ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/filmglossary/soa.html

Happy watching!

FYLMZ!!!

2006-09-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

There is a great new spot, where you can not only be a part in a short film competition, but you can watch CIVIL WAR anytime on your computer.

The site is called Fylmz, and it is a competition, as well as a venue for filmmakers to get their films shown.

Please go to http://www.fylmz.com/ and watch CIVIL WAR, and vote for it and the other shorts on the site!

Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

2006-09-16T22:20:00.000-07:00

On our way to sunny Florida, and something my grandparents will be THRILLED about, we have been selected to screen at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

It will be screening sometime between October 21 - November 12, and thanks to the fares on JetBlue I'll be trying to make it...

Annapolis Film Festival

2006-09-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

We are an official selection, IN COMPETITION! at the 2006 Annapolis Film Festival in Maryland, November 10-13.

I'm so excited...it looks like I'll be able to make the weekend in MD. Check out the other films selected at:

http://www.annapolisfilmfestival.com/home.htm

Chicago International REEL SHORTS Festival

2006-09-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

Mad love from the Midwestern States, CIVIL WAR has been invited to screen at the Chicago International REEL SHORTS Festival at the end of September.

The festival will run:

Friday Sept 30 at 3pm to Sunday October 1 at 9pm

At the:

DAVIS THEATER
4614 North Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 784-0893
http://www.davistheater.com/

I've never been to Chicago and wish I could go...

Film POP!

2006-08-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

C'est vrai! We are going to Canada again, but this time to one of my favorite cities, Montreal.

We have been asked to screen at The Film Pop festival, which starts October 4th and ends on the 8th. THIS is a weekend I might just have to take a drive north.

Cast and Crew

2006-07-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

CAST

Sam......Samantha Bilinkas
Amy......Miryam Coppersmith
Anne.....Colby Minifie
Steph.....Kimberly Parente
Pretty.....Samantha Zane
Troy.....David Benger
Mr. Elicker.....William Peden

CREW

Written and Directed by C.C. Webster
Produced by Erin Moore
Director of Photography Noah David Smith
Edited by Diana Oliva Cave
Casting by Julie Schubert
Original Score, Tim Starnes

Unit Production Manager......Averie Storck
1st Assistant Director......Zoe Gregory
2nd Assistant Director......Tobin Addington
Script Supervisor........Ashley Patterson
1st Assistant Camera........Morgan Sandler
2nd Assistant Camera.......Joe Anderson
Camera Assistant........Jobiana Gabrielli
Key Grip........Tom Petersen
Production Designer.........Dusty James
Costume Designer........Linda Janota
Sound Recordist.......Matthew Ryan
Sound Designer........Derek Somaru
Music Supervisor........Erik Mattox
End Theme.......Erik Mattox
Hair and Make-Up.........Angie Seise
Craft Service.........Sue Chan
Extras Coordinator.........Danielle Wolfe
Assistant to Producer........Tess Monaghan
Production Assistant........Alicia Cartwright
Production Assistant........Philip Kral
Production Assistant........Tess Monaghan
Production Assistant........Max Norton
Production Assistant........Bryant Rolfe
Production Assistant........Miranda Sajdak
Production Assistant........Nora Schaffer

EXTRAS

Omika Jikaria
Emma Granowitz
Ileana Estevez
Billy Estevez
Angelica Suárez
Stephanie Mckenna
Justin Vanderharten
Mark Bolduc
Danielle Bolduc
Josephine Zoumanigui
Vicotria Prieto
Francesca Toscano
Samantha Clifford
Charlie Gomez
Javier Amaro
Ronuierys Batista
Howard Stephens
Jenny Bilinkas
Marisa Monacelli
Rachel Laurilliard

THANK YOU

Gettysburg National Military Park
Pennsylvania Film Office
The Quimby Farm
Van Cortlandt Park
Materials for the Arts
Roberta and Robert Bissell
Lydia Cavallo
Dary-Ferguson Family
Bette Gordon
Dan Kleinman
Eric Mendelsohn
Evan Moore
James Ponsoldt
Tyler Ramage
Maureen Ryan
Colin Spoelman
Annika Webster
Al Zaleski

Artsfest Film Festival

2006-07-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

We had a packed screening of the film at Artsfest this year, (last year TRACKS won best local film...) and we were the last of 4 films in the program. We actually played ON Memorial Day, but there was still quite a crowd.

The first film was a music video, locally made in Harrisburg, and the next film was a wry, funny little mockumentary with Ed Helms (Daily Show) called Zombie-American.

It's great to be anonymous in a crowd when you watch your film. We could hear the people behind us reacting to the film..."Was that honey?" "I don't know, but I liked it."

A few people came to talk to me afterwards which is always great, and like I've heard from so many women and girls, a story similar to Civil War has happened to them, or they have felt like Sam on more than one occasion.

Twin Cities Underground Film Festival

2006-07-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

We are hitting the midwest!

Civil War will be screening on Friday September 1st, in a section of Horror/Thriller films, which is very, very exciting.

The Twin Cities Underground Festival is held in Minneapolis, and there's a slight chance I'll try and go.

Calgary Fringe Festival

2006-07-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

Anybody going to Canada?

We will be screening at this great fringe festival in Calgary on Mon. Aug. 14th at 1 pm and Thurs. Aug. 17th at 10 pm. Lots of August screenings!

This is one I'd really love to go to, but I have to keep making the doughuts...

Hermosa Shorts Film Festival

2006-07-30T19:40:00.000-07:00

We will screen at this fairly new festival, and as luck would have it Erin will be in the area to go, along with a throng of friends and family.

The film will screen on Saturday, August 12 at 1:20PM at the Hermosa Playhouse.

It will be great to have a West Coast screening and to hear what Erin's friends and family have to say.

Girl Fest Hawaii

2006-07-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

Aloha, and here we go...

Civil War has been accepted to screen at Girl Fest Hawaii on Sunday, September 17th at 4PM.

I'm very excited to be part of this festival of theater, dance, art, music, and film. They are a unique festival in that their mission is to change peer culture in order to prevent increasing violence against women and girls through education, entertainment and positive representation of women.

Welcome!

2006-07-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

Since winning the Lifetime Development Award last year, making it through pre-production, then a very rainy shoot, to screening at the Columbia University Film Festival, and winning an IFP Audience Choice Award, it already feels like such a long journey, but I guess it's really just starting...

My friends are so inspiring, not only are they great filmmakers, they also get into fabulous film festivals and markets, and send me to webpages which I unabashedly steal from.

I love that I've been involved in such wonderful films, and hope that the future for CIVIL WAR will be as fruitful.

Things so far have been going well, and I can't wait to see what else might happen.

If you are reading this, you were probably a part of this film, and if you were, you know you should know by now that you have my heartful gratitude.