All posts by Daniel Quitério

Film, theatre, and TV buff. Blogger and former senior film editor. I ❤️ NY. Twitter: @dan_quiterio
Comedy, Film Festival, Short Film, Television

It’s Funny Because It’s True: SNL “qua” Sketch

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There are few SNL sketches that will top “Schweddy Balls,” based on my personal tastes and sensibilities. That sketch, perfectly written by Ana Gasteyer, is so multi-layered, so well performed, and just plain hilarious.

And then there was “Short Film” (watch here).

No, “Short Film,” which aired on last week’s Emily Blunt-hosted episode, does not top Gasteyer’s and Molly Shannon’s NPR-set sketch, but it comes pretty damn close—again, per my personal tastes and sensibilities (it’s likely not everyone’s cup of tea).

Continue reading It’s Funny Because It’s True: SNL “qua” Sketch →

Anatomy of a Short Film, Film Festival, News, Short Film

“In-Kind” Accepted into International Film Festival Manhattan 2016

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I’m thrilled to announce the official selection of my short film, “In-Kind,” with International Film Festival Manhattan! The film will screen in New York City on October 20. For more information about its making, view the “Anatomy of a Short Film” section of this site.

Coming Soon, Drama, Film Festival, Independent Film, Narrative, Poster

“Christine,” Starring Rebecca Hall: The Film I Should Have Written

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On the occasion of the poster release for new film Christine, allow me to tell you a brief story about why doing means so much more than just talking.

Some years ago, I happened upon my college’s Wikipedia page. As I scanned over the “Notable Alumni” section, one name stood out to me—one that I didn’t recognize: Christine Chubbuck. I clicked on her name and found myself reading this story of a troubled woman whose tragic actions shook the world of live television. I happened to think about her again just last year when a psychotic man gunned down a reporter and her cameraman during a live feed in Roanoke, Virginia.

Continue reading “Christine,” Starring Rebecca Hall: The Film I Should Have Written →

Academy Originals, Behind the Scenes

The Making of Movie Titles

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If you’re like me, you often watch a film’s opening titles and consider their relevance to the movie’s story and characters. I love good design. It only stands to enhance a film, showcasing both style and substance. And truly great design becomes iconic.

Dive deeper into more areas of film through the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Academy Originals video series.

Animation, Awards, Comedy, Narrative, Oscars, Short Film

Short Film: “Geri’s Game”

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Winner of the 1998 Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated, this Pixar classic was written and directed by Jan Pinkava. If nothing else, it’s proof that one isn’t necessarily the loneliest number.

Actors, Awards, Drama, Narrative, On My DVR, Preview, Television, Trailer

On My DVR: HBO Movies

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HBO has long been at the forefront of quality TV movies. Among this year’s offerings are three based on real people, two of which are based on Tony-winning plays. Each is primed for Emmy consideration.

All the Way

Following up his Oscar-nominated performance in Trumbo and four Emmy wins for portraying Walter White on Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston reprises his Tony-winning role of LBJ in this TV adaptation of the 2014 Tony-winning Best Play. I caught this Robert Schenkkan-penned play on Broadway—liked it, but didn’t love it. Schenkkan adapted his own work for HBO, so I’m curious to see how he interpreted this story for a different medium.

Logline (courtesy of IMDb): Lyndon B. Johnson becomes the President of the United States in the chaotic aftermath of JFK’s assassination and spends his first year in office fighting to pass the Civil Rights Act.

Director: Jay Roach
Screenwriter: Robert Schenkkan
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie, Melissa Leo, Bradley Whitford, Frank Langella
Runtime: 132 min.

Continue reading On My DVR: HBO Movies →

Academy Originals, Behind the Scenes

Conservators up Close

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Conservators don’t receive enough credit for the painstaking and important work they do to preserve our film history. Get a peek into the art and science of preservation with this brief video, a part of the terrific Academy Originals series.

Awards, Oscars

Happy Birthday, Oscars!

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Today is the 87th anniversary of the first Academy Awards ceremony on May 16, 1929. The ceremony took place in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (a stone’s throw from the current site of the Oscars, the Dolby Theatre) and honored films released between August 1927 and August 1928. About 270 people attended the private dinner. Unlike today, winners were announced three months in advance. Here’s a quick snapshot of the ceremony:

Cost of a Guest Ticket: $5 (or $69 by today’s standards)
Number of Statues Awarded: 15
Length of Ceremony: 15 minutes

Outstanding Picture: Wings 
Unique and Artistic Picture: Sunrise 
Directing (Drama Picture): Frank Borzage (7th Heaven)
Directing (Comedy Picture): Lewis Milestone (Two Arabian Nights)
Actor: Emil Jannings (The Last Command, The Way of All Flesh)
Actress: Janet Gaynor (7th Heaven, Street Angel, Sunrise)
Writing (Adaptation): 7th Heaven 
Writing (Original Story): Underworld 

Other awards were given for Cinematography (Sunrise), Art Direction (The Dove), Engineering Effects (Wings), and Writing (Title Writing) (Joseph Farnham); Special Awards were given to The Circus and The Jazz Singer.

Coming Soon, Drama, Independent Film, Narrative, Preview, Trailer

Official Trailer: “The Birth of a Nation”

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Written and directed by actor Nate Parker in his feature directorial debut, The Birth of a Nation tells the story of former slave Nat Turner (played by Parker), who leads a liberation movement to free slaves in Virginia in 1831. The film also stars Armie Hammer, Gabrielle Union, and Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley.

The Birth of a Nation is this year’s big Sundance hit, winning the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award, and notably shattering a sales record at the Festival by selling distribution rights to Fox Searchlight for $17.5 million. With a fall release date of October 7—and with a powerhouse indie distributor in Searchlight, which also released recent Best Picture winners Birdman (2014) and 12 Years a Slave (2013)—it’s bound to ride high through next year’s Oscars. So perhaps #OscarsSoWhite will finally be a thing of the past.

Anatomy of a Short Film, Short Film

Short Filmmaking: From A to Z

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And this is oversimplifying the process! Support short filmmakers.

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