We'd also like to congratulate
GEOFFREY FLETCHER ON HIS OSCAR FOR
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
FOR HIS SCREENPLAY FOR THE FILM PRECIOUS.
As well as being the first African-Amercan Male to receive this award! You make us proud!
We'd also like to congratulate
GEOFFREY FLETCHER ON HIS OSCAR FOR
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
FOR HIS SCREENPLAY FOR THE FILM PRECIOUS.
As well as being the first African-Amercan Male to receive this award! You make us proud!

You've had an animated idea for years, but you never quite thought you could pull it off.
Well, think again! Creating your own animated content is easier than ever, and Shawnee' and Shawnelle Gibbs, web series creators and producers, will help you discover your inner-animator. This workshop will provide attendees with hands-on information on how an idea can go from page to stage with little to-know budget required.
Techniques Explored: Flash Animation, Traditional Hand-Drawn and Stop Motion
OBS members Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs are an award-winning hybrid team with credits in writing, producing, and animation. They are the creators of the animated short film Ravishing Raspberry, and online animated series’ Adopted by Aliens and Old Ladies Driving, which have screened in film festivals across the country, as well as online, and television.
Shawnee and Shawnelle have been dubbed part of “The next generation of Filmmakers,” by The Oakland Tribune, highlighted in UVC Magazine’s, “Black Women Who Rock in Comics” issue, and have been featured filmmakers on BET.com. The Gibbs Sisters work in television during the day and are members of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Producing credits include Emmy-Award winning Top Chef, Emmy-nominated Project Runway, as well as contributions to Disney’s Emmy-nominated Wizards of Waverly Place.
LOCATION:
GOLDEN STATE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE BLDG.
MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM
1999 WEST ADAMS BLVD., LA, CA 90018.
FREE Parking in the rear of the building on Hobart Avenue off Adams Blvd.
PLEASE RSVP ASAP!
WORKSHOP FEE:
$10 -- MEMBERS
$15 -- NON-MEMBERS
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OBS 2009 Original Script Contest OPENS Fri., May 1, 2009
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Next OBS Meeting - Larry Wilmore
Writer/Executive Producer 10AM - 12:30PM Sat., May 2, 2009
Author of the book: “I'd Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts”
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Dramatic Read 10AM - 2PM Sat., May 9, 2009
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Special Screening “Dancing in September” - 7PM Thurs., May 14, 2009
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OBS Presents - A, B, & C - “A Breakfast & Conversation
w/Isaiah Washington” Sat., May 16, 2009
Actor/Producer/Writer/Humanitarian
9 – 11 AM
$45 Members /$55 Non-Members In advance
$55 Members /$65 Non-Members At the Door
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OBS On Tour Northern CA – UC Berkeley May 22 & 23, 2009
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Night At the Movies – Short Film Showcase 7PM Thurs., May 28, 2009
$7 per person
Featuring Films By: Lydia Martinelli, Patricia Tone, Filmmaker, Joyce Fitzpatrick, and more…
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WHAT FILM DO YOU THINK SHOULD WIN?
The day is almost here and there are Oscar parties planned everywhere. I happen to be attending the REEL Ladies Oscar Viewing Party @ Lola’s – you should join me. But when I accepted the invitation a incident came to mind. I’ll share…
Okay, so a few weeks ago I get invited to attend a screening of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons” @ WGA and of course there’s a Q&A to follow. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and did not at all feel the length.
I loved the premise and I thought Taraji P. Henson, as Queenie, was awesome. I was fasinated by the storyline, although there are those that say it was very much like “Forrest Gump” – but the interesting part to me is that I learned during the Q&A that the film was originally set in Baltimore – that got me to thinking -- to move the setting to New Orleans would have required quite a bit of re-write to make the characters fit the region and how they would relate to what was going on around them.
Another interesting point was that even though there was a mother/son relationship between Benjamin (Brad Pitt), and Queenie, there was great independence, a distance, if you will between the two characters also. Queenie seemed to have an understanding of who Benjamin was without knowing exactly who he was – and never curious as to where he came from. Queenie did show some traits of a southern mother, but it was stretched, for me. Benjamin never felt it odd or questioned that his mother was a different color; as he never felt it was too odd that he was old and growing younger -- that he questioned, but quietly accepted. And somehow the writer was able to sell it to the point the audience never thought it odd either, at least not the audience that I was viewing it with. I guess just “Curious” as the title indicates.
I have to admit, however, when Brad - OOPS! I mean Benjamin made it to the peak of his manhood (when he came of age), in that shirtless scene and the motorcycle scene; I was very happy! (Actually wanted to slap Angelina - but I came back, remembered it was Benjamin Buttons). ;-) Anyway, Benjamin was a very good looking man, better than Brad Pitt actually. But I digress...
I saw a few more things that left me with a couple of questions, but I’ll let it rest.
However, my question here relates to the “curious” question the audience was asked. Towards the end of the session the writer asked – “What is it about Slumdog Millionaire? I saw it, but I didn’t get it? Was it that good?” that was a bit funny to me and ”curious” – but then I saw it.
Both films have been nominated in the following categories:
Now, I didn’t understand that question until last night when I saw that last category.
So tell me what do you think?
Who should win in each category?
You can go here to see all the nominees:
OSCAR NOMINEES
http://www.oscar.com/nominees/?pn=nominees
Written by: Jennifer Williams
OBS at the 17th Annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival
