First I would like to thank everyone for the support of All About Dad, which has been extended to May 7th at the Camera 3, and if attendance keeps up it could be extended again. If you missed it read the Metro article that launched the theatrical run. Thank you to Halfdan Hussey and Cinequest for all the support on this film.Check AllAboutDadMove.com for updates Below, the cast at the Asian American Film festival where they won Big Awards, Best Director, Best Film

ALL ABOUT DAD isn’t the only film that’s been raved about. Check out Professor’s Sublett’s reviews of his film BYE-BYE BIN LADEN: “Those of you who asked about how the “Bye-Bye Bin Laden” world premiere went in Miami Beach this weekend might be interested in the following links to the coverage: Here is the link to the review of BBBL in the online version of the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel Here is the link to the Miami Herald weekend section online (the color picture of BBBL ran about six inches wide in the Herald’s print edition). Scroll down to “Comedy of Politics” to see the write-up. Here is the link to the entry for BBBL on the South Beach Festival website. Latest Award for BBB:

SATIRICAL CARTOON “BYE-BYE BIN LADEN” NAMED “BEST FEATURE” AT SOUTH BEACH INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL

The feature-length animated musical “Bye-Bye Bin Laden,” a satire about war, TV and religious excess at home and in the Middle East, was named “Best Feature” at the South Beach International Animation Film Festival, the festival announ ced May 7.

The film’s world premiere was at the festival, which is held annually in Miami Beach. The film was warmly received by a standing room only audience on its opening night, and was positively reviewed by critic Sean Piccoli on the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel website.

“Pop-culture references, one-liners and satirical, tuneful barbs,” Piccoli wrote. “Reframes the post-9/11 clash of Middle East and West as TV farce. One of the showstoppers is Mullah Omar singing I Hate TV.”

“‘South Park’ meets ‘The Daily Show,’” is how writer-director Scott Sublett described the film. “It’s a comedy with very serious things to say about war, Afghanistan, the media, women’s rights, and most of all religious extremism.”

The film’s cast of characters includes Bin Laden, Mullah Omar, and Jenna and George Bush. It’s narrated by the ghost of Mark Bingham (gay hero of Flight 93), for the edification of the post-apocalyptic roach-boy, Josh.

“Bye-Bye Bin Laden” is the first feature-length animation ever to be made at any university on planet Earth (a planet hilariously destroyed at the beginning of the movie). The film was made at San Jose State University with a student crew. Because animation is so labor intensive, “indie” animated features are rare – and independent animated features aimed at adults are even rarer.

Very big news from the BEA Festival. Kellie Rice – an RTVF graduate and current MFA student in the English Department won the national screenwriting competition and a scene from her script will be featured in Script Magazine.

Here’s an email Kellie passed on from Jenna Milly from Script Magazine:

“Hi Kellie

I'm the columnist for Script Magazine writing the feature, Scene Fix. Your script, Andromache, was selected by the BEA Student Scriptwriting Competition to feature in our magazine.

Here's how it works Two mentors, experts in the same genre as the proposed script, read a SCENE from the chosen writer's script (that's you). The liaison (that's me) provides the mentors with questions from you. The mentors consider the questions and respond with their critiques in writing. Afterwards, we publish the responses. The benefit to the writer is that your scene is featured with a short bio, and you have the chance to receive feedback from expert screenwriters in the same field. You also inspire others to critique their pages in a similar way. Thanks, Jenna Milly, Script Magazine

Here’s an email I requested from soon-to-be graduate David Tousley who graduates this spring and has wonderful news. “Hi Barnaby, Here's a clip for your newsletter: Recipient of the Randy Earle Award for Excellence in Production Design and Technology, David Tousley recently attended the United States Institute of Theatre Technology in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was able to meet with young designers from all over the country. Tousley also attended the University/Regional Theatre Association interviews held in Las Vegas where he interviewed with 11 different schools for graduate programs. David was given a full scholarship to UCLA's MFA program for Design in Theater and Entertainment Media where he will have the opportunity to work in both theater and film. Thanks Barnaby! -Tousley”

Beverly Swanson has news about her daughter Lauren:

“Hey Guys, Click this link, then scroll to 3/17 parts 1 & 2; Lauren is learning to anchor the news. She now has an internship at CNN, and has had two stories make air! They have offered her to produce and pkg. before her internship is up; they are "sooooo" impressed with what she knows from your classes at SJSU! The one in Spanish, she directed, along with several others, but credit is not given. Thanks guys--job well done, but then I had no doubts.Cheers, Bev”

Here some great news from recently retired Professor Randy Earl:

“Dear Barnaby, Let me repeat what I said in the email to Scott - I really miss you guys! One of these days, when the smoke begins to clear, I'll be down and we can have conversation over a cup of coffee or whatever. By the way, congratulations on "Dad" at the Cameras!

Here's a brief alumna note:

The members of Local #134, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.S.T.E.), honored SJSU / TRFT alumna Jan Musson with a Lifetime membership card on March 9, 2009. This is a significant honor for Jan as Local # 134 has only one other Lifetime Member, Neil Young. The membership is in recognition of Jan's contribution to the performing and media arts in Northern California over three decades and her support of the Local's members and objectives. Jan received an M.A. in Lighting Design / Theatre Arts in 1972 afterwhich she founded Musson Theatrical, Inc., one of the largest theatre, television and film supply and rental firms in Northern California and the West Coast. It was, in fact, one of the first firms in the U.S. founded and operated by a woman. Jan sold the firm in the mid-1990's and moved with her husband, Wick, to Goshen, KY, near Louisville, where she founded another Musson Theatrical. That firm was eventually sold and Jan is now fully retired although she is still a practicing lighting designer. She and Wick have a passion for travel and are on aship or train several times each year traveling around the world. The award was proposed by SJSU / TRFT alum Steve Kaplowitz, a member of Local #134 and General Manager of Pantechnicon, LLC. Have a great close to what, I hope, has been a good year for you! Cheers, Randy”

Here’s some positive feedback Ethel forwarded to me on Kathleen’s Normington’s Shakespeare collarboration with the English Department: “Dear Dr. Walker: I am writing to express my delight at the first performance (March 12th) of the Shakespeare Project--the collaboration between Kathleen Normington and myself designed to enhance the learning experiences of students in the TRFT and English Departments. My students and I were thrilled to watch key scenes from plays we have been studying performed so professionally by the students in your department. As part of the production, Kathleen included a scene that was still "in rehearsal" -- and allowed us to watch (and participate to some degree) as she worked with the actors on blocking and character. This exercise was particularly useful for my class, as we were able to see how subtle changes in gesture and inflection can alter character. After the performance, many of my students expressed their satisfaction at being able to see the plays "come to life," and judging from their written responses to the experience, they were able to come away with the understanding that every production (and indeed every performance) is an interpretation of Shakespeare and that these interpretations invigorate the plays for those of us who study them. I would like to thank you for supporting this project, and also to express my hope that such collaborative work might continue. Kathleen is a talented director and teacher. I look forward to working with her again. Once more, thank you for your support of this project. Adrienne L. Eastwood, Ph.D Assistant ProfessorDepartment of English and Comparative Literature”

Professor Glazer’s RTVF 170 B class has great news from student George Retelas: “Hi Amy, I wanted to let you know that Made Men which we created in your class premiered this weekend at the Sonoma Film Festival! The reception was great and we were one of only 3 student films screened. Here's a link to the site: Hope your doing well! -George

Keep the good news coming.

Be good.

Barnaby