PASADENA STUDENT FILM AWARD 2008
Charles R. Uy
"Moonrocks & Lighter Fluid."
USC School of Cinematic Arts
The City of Pasadena, California is pleased to announce the results of our first annual Student Film Award contest. The contest was organized by the Pasadena Film Office to recognize the quality film projects created by students using Pasadena locations.
Charles R. Uy's USC School of Cinematic Arts Graduate Thesis project, "Moonrock and Lighter Fluid" was selected as the winner. "Moonrock and Lighter Fluid" is a short family drama about a boy’s effort to reconcile a family tragedy and honor the memory of his sister by building a rocket ship. 90% of the seventeen minute film was shot on location in Pasadena with a Sony Alta-Vista F-900 camera.
Pasadena Filming and Special Events staff viewed the submissions and selected the three best films to be reviewed a panel of Pasadena residents with successful film industry careers, which chose the winning film:
Rod Lurie wrote and directed the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominated political thriller "The Contender.” His latest film, "Nothing But the Truth," will be released later this year. He lives in Pasadena with his wife, Gretchen, and his two children, Hunter and Paige.
Steven Culp is an actor who has worked extensively in theatre, film, and television. His many credits include “Thirteen Days,” “Desperate Housewives,” “The West Wing,” “The Emperor’s Club,” “JAG,” and “Star Trek: Enterprise.” He lives in Pasadena with his wife and two children.
Jim Maceo is a production supervisor/location manager whose filmography includes “Sister Act,” “Man on the Moon,” “I Y Huckabees,” “Laurel Canyon,” and “All The King’s Men.” He has lived in Pasadena, California since 1989 with his wife, a public relations and marketing executive, and their two children.
The two runners-up in the competition were USC student David Greenspan's “Yokai,” and Chris Sanagustin’s AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women project, “Fleece.”
With the success of this year’s effort, the Pasadena Film Office is planning a deadline for the next Award submissions on August 1st, 2009. Only legitimate student projects shot at least partially in Pasadena with valid filming permits qualify. There is no entry fee.
Parties interested in sponsoring the Pasadena Student Film Awards are encouraged to contact Kristin Dewey at the Pasadena Film Office at 626-744-3964.
More information regarding director Charles R. Uy and “Moonrock & Lighter Fluid,” including a trailer, can be found at www.moonrockmovie.com