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FilmChurch

The FilmChurch podcast

Ruining the movie since 2020

Celebrating cinema one scene at a time. Learn filmmaking concepts, explore vignettes of film history and discover new releases at festivals.

FilmChurch is a podcast exploring filmmaking concepts, saluting cinematic artistry while examining and investigating the moviemaking process.

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FilmChurch podcast artwork: a neon FilmChurch sign on an Art Deco cinema marquee reading Coming Soon, Season 2, above a moviegoer whose daydream bursts into the sky.
An old admission ticket from the Dept. of Moving Pictures. Form 27B/6, application for admission, number 002020. FilmChurch. Feature: Season 2, coming soon. Purpose: ruining the movie since 2020. Admit one.Stamped: approved for viewing, in triplicate.

Latest episodes

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Episode 9 · April 30, 2021

Hands On A Hardbody (1997) With Craig Hennecke

Get ready for a long, sleepless journey as my guest Craig Hennecke and I unravel the documentary Hands on a Hardbody (1997).  You Gotta Have the Mettle: Legendary Texas doc 'Hands on a Hard Body' keeps on truckin' - Screens - The Austin Chronicle https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/2013-04-19/you-gotta-have-the-mettle/ Longview Police Hardbody Contestant article https://www.kltv.com/story/3856620/longview-police-say-hardbody-contestant-killed-himself/ Bugbee's BEST BUY to BEHOLD on the BIG SCREEN:  Honeyland (2019) https://honeyland.earth Honeyland follows the life of Hatidže (HATIJUH) Muratova, a loner beekeeper of wild bees who lives in the remote mountain village in Macedonia. The documentary follows her lifestyle before and after disruptive and destructive neighbors move in next door. Movie Magic Minutes:  Robert Flaherty - Nanook of the North https://www.kanopy.com/product/nanook-north-0 Film School Fact: Cinéma Vérité, Direct Cinema Cinéma Vérité: Defining the Moment by Peter Wintonick - NFB https://www.nfb.ca/film/cinema_verite_defining_the_moment/ The six primary types of documentaries - Videomaker https://www.videomaker.com/article/c06/18423-six-primary-styles-of-documentary-production Check out Film Church on the web: https://filmchurch.org

1 hr 38 min

Episode 8 · April 4, 2021

Forced Perspective & The Gate (1987) With Jesse Gee

Never speak the words and be ready to blast the demon king as my guest Jesse Gee and I break down the movie, The Gate (1987). A young Stephen Dorff takes on the gate to hell and all its minions as it opens in his backyard. As a late 80s flick, be ready for hair-sprayed bangs and neon fashion and some amazing practical camera and costume effects. Smoke Cookies– Roger George Special Effect: https://rogergeorge.com/products/smoke-cookies Forthcoming Film Festival: Panic Fest   The fest kicks off April 8th and runs through the 18th 2021. You can pick up a $135 Virtual pass for all films and panels. https://panicfilmfest.com/tickets/ Movie Magic Minutes: Alice Guy-Blaché The Paris Review  -  The Forgotten Mother of Cinema https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/12/07/the-forgotten-mother-of-cinema/ Alice Guy-Blaché - Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Guy-Blach%C3%A9 Alice Guy Blaché – Women Film Pioneers Project:  https://wfpp.columbia.edu/pioneer/ccp-alice-guy-blache/ Film School Fact: Forced Perspective  Great video: Forced Perspective in Lord of the Rings │ Scale a person to Hobbit Size with Practical Effects : https://youtu.be/p-GIo3J8Slg Check out Film Church on the web: https://filmchurch.org

1 hr 47 min

Episode 7 · March 28, 2021

Framing the Shot & THX-1138 (1971) with Dominic D'Angelo

Take a trip inside the world of wires and computer controlled civilization in the 1971 release of THX-1138, the first feature length film by George Lucas. An experimental sci-fi excursion to a future society governed by consumerism and android police officers. Join Jeff Bugbee and Dominic D'Angelo and ponder the mostly avant-garde film from the early 70's. Forthcoming Film Fest:  Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFFF)   April 06th  through 18th - www.bifff.net/ Movie Magic Minutes and Women's History Month:  Thea von Harbou - https://wfpp.columbia.edu/pioneer/ccp-thea-von-harbou/ Film School Fact: Framing the Shot - Camera Shots https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_shot Check out Film Church on the web: https://filmchurch.org

1 hr 28 min

Episode 6 · March 20, 2021

Rule Of Thirds & The Honeymoon Killers (1970) With Megan Bugbee

If you like true stories and true crime, lend your ear to our discussion about The Honeymoon Killers from 1970. This film was written and directed by Leonard Kastle and was made in 1969. It is based on the story of the Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez serial killing spree in the late 1940s. Forthcoming Film Fest March 1st through the 31st: athenafilmfestival.com For Movie Magic Minutes and Women's History Month, we learn about the life and times of filmmaker, Alma Reville. https://wfpp.columbia.edu/pioneer/alma-reville/ The Film School Fact covers the Rule of Thirds. Great Article: https://www.cgdirector.com/rule-of-thirds-in-film/ More on the filming of Honeymoon Killers: https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/20/movies/behind-the-filming-of-the-honeymoon-killers.html "Forces of Attraction" Music by Scott Holmes under Creative Commons license https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes#contact-artist Check out Film Church on the web: https:filmchurch.org

1 hr 41 min

Sam Lowry: Give my best to Alison and the twins.

Jack Lint: Triplets.

Sam Lowry: Triplets? My how time flies.

Brazil (1985)

Before the podcast

From 2017 to 2019 FilmChurch screened films outdoors in a Portland front yard.

The screening archive →