Easy guide to production
Chris J. Russo is an award-winning writer-director whose films screened at Sundance, on Showtime, PBS, IFC, LOGO, and are available on NETFLIX. For the last decade, she’s enjoyed an exciting career with KODAK, working closely with studio execs, cinematographers, producers, directors and indie filmmakers on hundreds of TV and feature productions from Hollywood to Hawaii to Utah to the Pacific Northwest. She has moderated numerous film festival panels and filmmaker forums, using her in-depth understanding of production to help filmmakers understand capture mediums and workflows. Russo has recently left the corporate world to focus on her own creative career, while continuing to put her technical expertise to work as a Post Production Supervisor on feature films. When not immersed in the business of film, she can be found climbing 14ers, cycling centuries and catching waves.
There was lots of "love" going on in the room today at the Hollywood Post Alliance 11th Annual Tech Retreat, held at the Hyatt Grand Champions Conference Center in Indian Wells, CA. Drawing from the entertainment industry's top technologists, visionaries and creators, the Tech Retreat is a forum to … [Read more...]
It was a star-studded evening at the 26th Annual ASC Awards last night in the Hollywood and Highland Grand Ballroom. The Awards honored the previous year's outstanding achievements in cinematography, highlighting categories in both television and feature films. The black tie evening began with a … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) What I find refreshing about Slamdance films in general, is the sense of raw, rough-around-the-edges filmmaking, made with a sense of purpose, not too overly self-aware or polished. "Faith, Love and Whiskey" reminded me of what a true, independent film is -- … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) Rested and ready to get back in the swing of things, today I focused on seeing films. I was at the Sundance Box Office early, to see if I could get any extra tickets. As the festival week goes by, there is much more ticket availability since the popular first … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) US Dramatic Competition film, "Midddle of Nowhere" was one of those films you don't see coming -- a film that moves you unexpectedly because you become so invested in the character's journey and will to triumph. I was pleasantly surprised by the assured direction … [Read more...]
Day Five took an unpredictable turn for me this year -- a first in my nine year history at Sundance -- where I did not see one film, did not go to one party, and did not leave the comfort of my condo, due to the terrible chest cold and cough I've tried to fight off without success. I'm sorry to … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Ruso (doddleNEWS) On the opening night of the Sundance 2012 Film Festival, "Hello I Must Be Going" premiered to a sold-out Eccles Theater. One of the US Dramatic Competition Features, the film is a dark romantic comedy with characters you don't often see portrayed in a love story. … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) I've known the folks over at the Utah Film Commission office for several years now. Back when I used to work for Kodak, I would service all the productions in the state, working closely with the commission to make sure I knew about all the projects shooting in their … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) There are many reasons why people descend on Park City. They come to celebrate and support a film they have in the festival, distributors look for films to buy, sponsors attend to promote their services to the indie market, and some people even come to to watch … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) With SLAMDANCE 2012 in full swing, here is Part 2 of my interview with Josh Mandel, Programmer Narrative Features Committee, where he talks about the movies to see at this Slamdance Festival. What SLAMDANCE films are you really excited about this year? I’m … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) One of the great things about coming to Park City is meeting all of the interesting filmmakers who have traveled from all over the world to screen their films. While attending Outfest's 16th Annual Queer Brunch at the Grubsteak on Sunday, I met the director, … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) I'm staying in Deer Valley this year for the first time, so I'm relying on public transportation to get me to the Transit Center where I generally have to connect with another bus to get to a theater. This means I have to get up super early if I'm going to one of … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) With the Sundance festival in full swing, I began my Friday morning with a screening at the MARC Theater, formally known as the Racquetball Club, of the US Dramatic Competition Feature, "Hello I Must Be Going." A lovely little dark comedy with characters you don't … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) First of all, congratulations on your promotion to Co-President of Film Independent. That’s extremely exciting. How will your role change from being Director of Artist Development? Thanks Chris! I'm thrilled to be doing this together with Sean McManus as … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) Playing the sidewalks of Park City all week at Sundance 2012 for your listening pleasure is the punk-bluegrass sounds of BRAMBLE, a three piece acoustic group hailing from Salt Lake City. Keeping the street lively with foot stomping mountain music, Bramble adds to … [Read more...]
By Chris J. Russo (doddleNEWS) Opening up the Sundance Film Festival this year was the highly anticipated documentary, "Queen of Versailles," by director Lauren Greenfield, which features billionaires Jackie and David Siegel in a "rags to riches to rags" Amercian Dream story told in epic … [Read more...]
