PRESS KIT

Festival 2011

Press Contact: Stacy Jones, Director of Publicity Press@HollywoodFringe.org Hollywood Fringe Festival 2011 www.hollywoodfringe.org June 16-26, 2011

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

Whats a Fringe Festival?

Fringe Festivals exist throughout the world as havens for underground and emerging arts scenes. The Fringe concept was incubated in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1947, eight performance groups appeared uninvited on the fringes of the exclusive Edinburgh International Festival. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has since grown into the largest arts festival in the world with hundreds of artists, thousands of performances, and millions of patrons every summer. It annually grosses over $100 million for the local economy and remains the biggest tourist draw in the UK. Fringe Festivals have since sprung up in dozens of cities across the world. Most Fringe Festivals are open and unjuried preferring lotteries, first-come-first-served, and findyour-own-venue systems to a formal selection process. This open means of programming fosters the work of both the well-established and the obscure; everyone has the opportunity to participate. Fringe Festivals nourish young visionaries by providing networking opportunities and production experience. They also provide large economic and cultural boosts for their hosting communities.

What is Hollywood Fringe?

The Hollywood Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of the emerging arts. Environments for the Fringe include both traditional and unorthodox venues; fully equipped theatres, street corners, clubs, bars, and places unexpected. Performances are self-produced by local, national, and international arts companies and independent performers. In the spirit of most Fringes, participation is open and uncensored. Hollywood is home to dozens of Los Angeles premiere theatres and clubs, making it the perfect spot for the festival. The neighborhood has always been a source of unapologetic opinion, underground mentality, and a deep passion for the cutting-edge. The Hollywood Fringe is an immersive festival worthy of the neighborhoods reputation. The Festival takes place June 16-26, 2011.

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

Where is the Fringe?

The Boundaries
Official venues for the first annual Hollywood Fringe Festival are located within one of the most iconic neighborhoods in the world: Hollywood, California, located in the heart of Los Angeles. The Northern boundary is Franklin Ave., running along the bottom of the Hollywood Hills and a block from Hollywood Blvd. Gower St. is the eastern boundary, near the Hollywood Forever Memorial Cemetery and studios with histories dating back to the golden years of Hollywood. Melrose Ave., a street famous for its boutiques and shopping, is the southern boundary for the festival. La Brea Ave., the western boundary, serves as a gateway to West Hollywood and contains numerous shops, restaurants, and venues.

The Venues
A Fringe Festival by its very nature can change in scope from year to year depending on the venues, places, and spaces that become involved. A Fringe event can be held anywhere, from a traditional theatre to a coffee shop, a club, or the street. Check out our map to see where our official venues are located. Once the festival is underway, the Fringe Guide will contain a map of venues and a listing of all events to assist participants and audience alike.

Why Hollywood?
With its central location and dozens of venues all within walking distance, Hollywood is an ideal home for the Fringe. Our focus is filling this square mile with art, adventure, and opportunity. With hundreds of theatres, galleries, and performance spaces outside of Hollywood, the Festival will no doubt expand beyond the borders of our first year. The journey begins in Hollywood.

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

The Registration Process

Registering for the Fringe is a three-step process. Step One: Create your Project Its totally free to post an idea on our websitejust create a project. It can be anything you might like to bring to the Fringe, there is no obligation. Add some thoughts, pictures, video: Whatever you need to articulate your idea. This is a public project anything you post can be seen by the Fringe world. Hopefully, it will attract some attention from members of the community who might be able to help by lending resources and assistance. Step Two: Secure Your Venue Ready to take it to the next step? Get ready to hunt for a venue. We have made this process easier by securing a list of Hollywood venues interested in hosting Fringe programming. When you apply, they will receive an email with your application information and a link to your project. Feel free to contact them directly once you have applied online. Already have leads on a venue in Hollywood? Register your own venue. Participants converting unlikely spaces into full-fledged Fringe venues is the lifeblood of the festival. You might also open your new venue to other fringe projects, offsetting your costs and expanding opportunities to other artists. See our article on finding a venue to learn more about this process. Step Three: Register with the Fringe You found a venue! Well, the hardest part is now behind you. One last step before you begin promoting your project: Register with the Fringe on our Website. Once your venue arrangements are finalized, you will receive an email with a link to register. Check out what you get with your registration fee. Fringe registration fees are $250 for paid, multi-performance shows and $175 for one-offs and free shows.

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

About the Company

The company behind the Hollywood Fringe Festival was founded in January 2005 with a singular mission: Produce new and provocative works by undiscovered artists for benefit of the community. Our inaugural production was The Hatchery Festival in Washington DC. Its mission to introduce new works was widely received as a critical injection of vigor into the communitys literary culture. The playwrights underwent an extensive dramaturgical workshop process to improve their plays, and prepare them for production. In recognition of our efforts towards community enrichment, we were awarded a grant from the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities. In June 2010, The Hollywood Fringe Festival launched its inaugural festival, filling over 17,000 seats in over 30 different venues throughout central Hollywood. We featured 186 distinct shows with over 800 performances. Approximately 10% of our festival was international with one third of all participants coming from out-of-state The 2011 Festival debuts on June 16 in Hollywood, CA. _______________ The 2011 Fringe Festival Staff Ben Hill: Festival Director Dave McKeever: Producing Director Kanchan Mattoo: Development Director Stacy Jones: Publicity Director Alexa Hanrahan: Support Director Jon Armstrong: Special Programs Director Gavin Worth: Art Director Abbie Wagoner Food & Beverage Director Ken Peterson: Visibility Director Nick Hill: Fringe Central Manager Meghan McCauley: Outreach Coordinator Elizabeth Steele: Volunteers Coordinator Ezra Buzzington: Fringe [film] Programmer

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

Press Release: The NEW Hollywood Fringe Festival Approaches

largest open-access arts festival in the u.s. launches june 16
Hollywood-- June 6, 2011 The Hollywood Fringe Festival (www.hollywoodfringe.org), now the largest uncensored arts festival in the United States, will present over 200 productions of theatre, dance, comedy, music, visual art, cabaret, film, workshops, and events at over 20 venues in central Hollywood from June 16-26. There will be close to 1,000 performances in total, including a number of free and pay-what-you-can shows. The central Fringe organization adds to the atmosphere by hosting an abundance of festivities including late night parties, jams, open mics, and more. Since its inaugural festival in 2010, the Hollywood Fringe has made some big changes to increase the scope of artistic opportunity for producers and audience alike, including a slew of new programs and a brand new venue for Fringe Central. Fringe Central has moved to Theatre Row! The Fringes new hub and central box office will be hosted at ArtWorks Theater & Studios (6569 Santa Monica Blvd). The new space includes four indoor stages, a cabaret stage, and the Fringe Beer Tent (also serving the Fringes signature sangria and daily specialty cocktails). Fringe Family, a program meant to help families find age-appropriate programming for their children, will introduce young people to the joys of live performance and encourage new works for all ages. Fringe Cabaret, taking place on June 20 & 21 in the Fringe Central tent, will be a place to see preview performances that cover the full range of what you might experience at the Fringe. Come in for a mix of selected segments of Fringe shows, including theater, comedy, dance, variety, cabaret and music. All presented in a fun, fast-paced show that showcases just what Fringe is all about. Fringe [Film] will feature eclectic, experimental, and bold work from both established and emerging filmmakers that push the envelope of the film medium. Several features as well as four collections of shorts will be shown June 16-26 at Fringe Central. The official lineup will be announced on June 8. Fringe Buttons, a badge to identify Fringe citizens, will be available for a $5 suggested donation. The Button provides discounts to over thirty local businesses taking part in the Fringe HotSpot program (see all participating businesses at http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/hotspots), access to the Fringe Central Tent and entry to Fringe-sponsored events (including jams, panels, parties, and workshops). Buttons can be purchased at Fringe Central or from any member of Fringes Street Team, a group of volunteers

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

stationed in the busiest Fringe zones to help people navigate the Fringe-iverse. Fringe Disco is a groovy dance party happening late-night at Fringe Central from June 16-26. There is no admission fee, but a button must be presented to enter.

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE The 2011 Hollywood Fringe Guide can be seen online at www.hollywoodfringe.org/guide The Hollywood Fringe Festival (www.hollywoodfringe.org) is an annual celebration of the emerging arts. In June 2010, over 175 different artistic groups representing all genres of performing and visual art participated in the inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival, filling 17,000 seats in 30 different venues throughout central Hollywood. The event was called an artful feast by the LA Times, a roaring success by Backstage, and a triumph by LA Weekly. Environments for the Fringe include both traditional and unorthodox venues; fully equipped theatres, street corners, clubs, bars, and places unexpected. Performances are self-produced by local, national, and international arts companies and independent performers. In the spirit of most Fringes, participation is open and uncensored. KEY FESTIVAL DATES June 9-14: Fringe Previews June 15: Opening Night Party June 16-26: Hollywood Fringe Festival June 26: Award Ceremony & Closing Night Party Those seeking more information can contact the festival at support@hollywoodfringe.org. Follow @hollywoodfringe on Twitter or use the #hff11 hashtag to stay updated on festival news. -------------Press Contact: Stacy Jones Director of Publicity Press@HollywoodFringe.org Hollywood Fringe Festival 2011 www.hollywoodfringe.org June 16-26, 2011

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

Release: Hollywood Fringe Festival Announces Film Program

Hollywood-- June 8, 2011 The Hollywood Fringe Festival is expanding its artistic scope and reach by including another artistic discipline within its primary structure. Normally a Fringe Festival is primarily dedicated to presenting works of theatre and performing art. But in its second year, the Hollywood Fringe Festival is taking bold steps to be more inclusive of other artistic fringe disciplines present in Los Angeles, branching out this year to sponsor a venue dedicated solely to the presentation of fringe film. Programming Fringe [film] in its inaugural year is filmmaker and actor Ezra Buzzington (Hills Have Eyes, Fight Club, Clint Eastwoods upcoming J. Edgar). Last year I was lucky enough to serve on the Advisory Board for the first annual Hollywood Fringe Festival and also programmed and ran one of the anchor venues for the event. (Theatre of NOTE.). He says. This year I was honored to accept the position of Head Programmer for the film venue. Im thrilled that Ben Hill and Festival organizers possess the cultural wisdom to recognize that re-defining the meaning of fringe can be of great benefit to Los Angeles artistic community. Fringe [Film] will be presenting six feature films in several genres and 25 short films which are divided into four collections: SHORT DEVOTIONS (love stories), SHORT SNORTS (comedies), SHORT REVERIES (surrealistic visions) and SHORT ENIGMAS (mysteries, sci-fi, thrillers). The event will feature several world premieres, one US premiere from Australia and a number of LA premieres. The Centerpiece feature film is PURE SHOCK VALUE. It will screen four times during the 10-day event and is a world premiere from Los Angeles theatre director Domaso Rodriquez (Furious Theatre Company). Ticket prices for the event will be $10 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night screenings ($5 Monday to Thursday). Film descriptions are below.

CENTERPIECE FEATURE PRESENTATION:

PURE SHOCK VALUE. - Damaso Rodriquez (Centerpiece Film)* Los Angeles. Feature Dramedy. World Premiere. (TRT: 98:00 including short)

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

Three young Hollywood wannabes find their way through the low points and high stakes of movie-making in the real world when Fate delivers them a dream opportunity. Be careful what you wish for. It might just get you. I chose PURE SHOCK VALUE. as the Centerpiece Film for the first Annual Hollywood Fringe Festival [film] event for several reasons. Its aesthetic is raw and in your face, its budget is non-existent and the creative team behind the film is made up of L.A. Fringe theatre artists. (Furious Theatre) I wouldnt have chosen it, however, if it werent also brilliantly written, expertly executed and cleverly subversive.- EB * - Centerpiece Film will be preceded by the short film TUTE VOLLER KINDER - Seizure #1 by Jason Lind. A mind-blowing, balls-to-the-wall attack on the senses and sensibilities of the status quo. Not to be missed. PURE SHOCK VALUE: Friday, June 17th - 8pm Sunday, June 19th 6:15pm Friday, June 24th 6:15pm Saturday, June 25th 10:15pm

OTHER FEATURE FILMS:

THE DOCTORS WIFE Jonathan Duffy Australia. Feature Documentary. American Premiere. (TRT: 123:00) When his boyfriend is assigned the position of the only town doctor in the teeny village of Munduberra in rural Queensland, this Brisbane-based gay artist and filmmaker sets out to document their experience as a big city out couple adapting to very small town life. Im very proud to present the first showing of this film in the U.S. Jonathan is a multi-talented artist who lays bare all the raw emotions and fears inherent with being a stranger in a very strange land. A colorful cast of real life characters embody this film and Jonathan has captured them gingerly. -EB THE DOCTORS WIFE Saturday, June 18th 9:45pm ONE SHOWING ONLY!

FORGIVING THE FRANKLINS Jay Floyd Los Angeles. Feature Comedy. LA Premiere. (TRT: 98:00)

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

The Franklins are Bible-belt Christians who, after a car crash induced coma in which Jesus Christ himself removes their inhibitions and their piety, must re-examine their previously held beliefs in the face of smallminded friends, neighbors and relatives. I saw this film at its Sundance premiere in 2006 and was thrilled when it crossed my desk for this festival. The film exemplifies fringe by, if nothing else, its having been made on the most shoestring budget imaginable. (The end credits last about 20 seconds as there was no crew to speak of.) Yet, the mastery of the camera work, acting, editing and all post-production elements belie the films meager resources. And besides, the films hilarious. -EB FORGIVING THE FRANKLINS Sunday, June 19th 8:15pm Saturday, June 25th 6:15pm

SCREAM OF THE BIKINI Kiff Scholl Los Angeles. Feature Comedy. (TRT: 99:00) SCREAM OF THE BIKINI is a 1960s action-spy-thriller by acclaimed South American director, Fernando Fernandez. Filmed somewhere in South America in 1966 and poorly translated and dubbed by Germans, this unintentionally funny James Bond meets Barbarella love child plumbs the seedy depths of the international fashion model/psycho-killer underworld with a boldness that only a gun to the head can provide. Writer Bill Robens and director Kiff Scholl capture lightning in a bottle through their clever use of cinematic techniques popular in mid-century filmmaking while acknowledging the demands of a modern audience. Produced on a minuscule budget, SCREAM OF THE BIKINI should be studied by young filmmakers everywhere who have unfundable dream projects. -EB SCREAM OF THE BIKINI Friday, June 17th 10:00pm ONE SHOWING ONLY!

THE STEVE PROJECT Greg Wall * Los Angeles. Feature Documentary. World Premiere. (TRT: 80:00 - including short) Filmmaker Greg Walls character study of Steve Kessler, longtime village idiot/savant of the historic Fairfax

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

District. Funny and harrowing, the film captures the Beckettian characters who loom in the shadows of strip malls. Greg Wall is the Phillip Glass of filmmakers. THE STEVE PROJECT is not an easy film. Its challenging in both its style and substance. His use of muffled sound, blurred images and repetition of theme might be problematic when viewed through standard, established film makingrules or teachings. But, if one remains open to the journey Wall takes us on, one is rewarded with an overwhelming sense of gentle, but targeted thematic and aesthetic dissolution. -EB THE STEVE PROJECT will be preceded by another Wall documentary LIONEL & COOKIE, wherein the filmmaker quietly examines the erosive, day to day existence of two mated lions at the Los Angeles Zoo. THE STEVE PROJECT Saturday, June 18th 8:00pm ONE SHOWING ONLY!

TRIM Ryan Bottigliari Los Angeles. Feature Dramedy. (TRT: 95:00) A misguided personal trainer struggles to clean up his life after hes sued by one of his clients, knocks up two different women and suffers a major heart attack. A raw, edgy, brutal and funny look at what life is really like in LA. Im thrilled to program TRIM because it captures a kind of LA that I, personally, like to see lampooned. The self-entitled, self-obsessed, self-centered wannabes that float around the fringes of Hollywood and make up its underbelly. Theres really nothing redeeming about any of these people. And I think they deserve a voice. -EB TRIM Thursday, June 16th 10:30pm Saturday, June 25th 8:15pm

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

SHORTS PROGRAMS:
SHORT SNORTS
TRT: 75:00 A collection of 6 short comedic films: UNCLE TOMMYS DIRTY LIMERICKS (STRANGE INJUN) Tommy Beyer A one-minute limerick that is filthy. Seriously. Its filthy. THE BIG DATE Christopher William Johnson A silent film that follows a down-on-his-luck suitor as he searches for the perfect woman. YARD SALE Anika Poitier Sometimes a yard sale isnt just a yard sale. LET ME BE FRANK (BETTYS CONFESSION) Frank Crim A priest hears a confession that surprises him. DEAR HOLLYWOOD - Michael May/Julisa Smith A young actress, right off the bus, discovers that Hollywood is not the glamorous cityfrom the glory days of classic, silent cinema shed expected. NOTHING IS COOL Chris Punsalan Americas most infamous hipster band is chronicled by Europes most ostentatious filmmaker. SNORT SHORTS Sunday, June 19th 10:15pm Wednesday, June 22nd 10:30pm

SHORT DEVOTIONS

TRT: 68:00 A collection of 5 disparate tales of love (or something similar): WRONG GUY RIGHT Oliver Marshall What is real and what is facade for a young woman longing for love while demanding truth?

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

LET ME BE FRANK (BRENTS CONFESSION) Frank Crim A young man gets good sex tips from an unlikely source. NOW OR NEVER Angie Hill Four mismatched couples come across an underground parlor game which reveals their innermost sexual desires and relationship expectations. UNCLE TOMMYS DIRTY LIMERICKS (TISSUE) Tommy Beyer A one-minute limerick that is filthy. Seriously. Its filthy. WANTING ALEX Chris Akers Petes in love with his roommates girlfriend, Alex. But she is madly in love with the most effeminate heterosexual heartthrob since that guy from the Partridge Family. Weve all been there. SHORT DEVOTIONS Saturday, June 18th 6:30pm Tuesday, June 21st 10:30pm

SHORT ENIGMAS

TRT: 68:00 A collection of 7 odd, little brain puzzlers. THIS IS THE PLACE Jacob Strunk On the shores of the Salton Sea, a disenchanted killer gets friendly with the locals while clashing with his superior. UNCLE TOMMYS DIRTY LIMERICKS (SISTER MYRA) Tommy Beyer A one-minute limerick that is filthy. Seriously. Its filthy. WINNER TAKES ALL Camille Carida A self-involved, but seductive beauty engineers his two lovers to fight over him. Literally. LOVE CHILD Ward Roberts A newborn baby reeks havoc on a young couple who didnt know just how much baby wanted its bottle. MAD SIGHT Ric Perez-Selsky A widowed older woman rents out a room to a young man. But, when she begins having flashbacks of her husbands murder, she must learn to face the past without losing her sanity.

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

LET ME BE FRANK (GERALDS CONFESSION) Frank Crim A man wonders why his girlfriend is less amorous lately. SINGULARITY Shian Storm Two men, bloodied and trapped in a garage try to figure out exactly who is attacking them. And why. SHORT ENIGMAS Thursday, June 23rd 10:30pm Friday, June 24th 9:45pm

SHORT REVERIES

TRT: 75:00 A collection of 8 surrealistic films TENANT Kiff Scholl An older couple, while attempting to rent a room to a recently unemployed mergers andacquisitions manager, learn both the ins and outs of contract negotiations and the ups and downs of human dynamics. LET ME BE FRANK (ESTHERS CONFESSION) Frank Crim A woman confesses her dubious sins. DESERT IS THE DIRT HEART Lake Sharp An hallucinogenic fever dream of one womans survival and transformation. Burning Man meets Cat Ballou. PSYCHE ON MELROSE Douglas Van Bebber A family of three gets in over their heads when they hit the latest trendy restaurant in Hollywood where you are served a healthy dose of therapy with a great meal. A SHORT SPRING Nicole J. Adelman A visual study of opposition, unity and dualism. UNCLE TOMMYS DIRTY LIMERICKS (BAYOU JIM) Tommy Beyer A one-minute limerick that is filthy. Seriously. Its filthy. SUMMER OF THE ZOMBIES Edward Beasley A politically correct young woman must make peace with her reality changing after shes attacked by zombie. PRONGHORN Guy Zimmerman A one-way trip into the dark heart of the great American West.

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org

The Hollywood Fringe Festival

biggest arts festival in the west June 16-26, 2011 | Hollywood, CA

22 Hollywood Venues 200+ Producing Groups 1,000 Performances

SHORT REVERIES Friday, June 17th 6:30pm Monday, June 20th 10:30pm Friday, June 24th -- 8:15pm -------------Press Contact: Stacy Jones Director of Publicity Press@HollywoodFringe.org Hollywood Fringe Festival 2011 www.hollywoodfringe.org June 16-26, 2011

PO Box 93325, Hollywood, CA 90093 | info@hollywoodfringe.org | www.HollywoodFringe.org