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I Heard the Mermaids Singing - screening - THE COLUMBIA GORGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

2010-08-11T23:18:00.001-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing
Directed by Victoria Charters

Official selection

THE COLUMBIA GORGE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
August 18th – 22nd, 2010
Formerly known as the
"Washougal International Film Festival”

SCREENING – FRI 20th AUGUST, 2010 4PM Theatre A
Hilton Vancouver Washington
301 W. 6th Street, Vancouver, Washington, United States 98660

I Heard the Mermaids Singing DVD now available through Createspace for $11.99.

2010-07-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing DVD now available through Createspace for $11.99. DVD includes special features, including key cast, crew & composer bios, including the all complete songs used on the soundtrack, behind the scenes stills and more ... BIG thanks to everyone who worked on the film, and to Billy V Vaughn Studio
for Graphic Design / DVD Authoring & Andrea Russell, Optasia Graphics for Graphic Design.
I Heard the Mermaids Singing

I Heard the Mermaids Singing available on amazon on demand! Download for $1.99

2010-06-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing

DVD with special features coming soon!

I Heard the Mermaids Singing official selection WIFF 2010

2010-04-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

WASHOUGAL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (WIFF) is quickly becoming the "Columbia Gorge International Film Festival", a rapidly growing community festival with international appeal taking place in beautiful Vancouver, Washington on the Columbia River Gorge.

WIFF aims to deliver a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where filmmakers meet fellow artists and film fans and watch incredible films, all while enjoying the pristine Pacific Northwest. WIFF pays tribute to thought-provoking films that inspire individuals, artists, and the community, and honors the artists who make these moving pictures possible. The Festival presents a broad range of films representing current affairs and relevant topics that affect our communities. Submitted films will be evaluated on merits such as creativity, ingenuity, story, attention to detail, and the ability to challenge audiences and evoke emotions.

The Festival showcases local, national, and international creations across a variety of genres and categories. WIFF seeks to combine public screenings along the Columbia River with small forums that facilitate dialogue and exchange through the powerful language of film and the arts. Past winners have won cash prizes and have garnered great press, including exposure through a WIFF advertisement in The Hollywood Reporter. All screenings are also free to the public, expanding the Festival's reach and exposing films to a wider audience.

MERMAIDS at FISHBON EVENT LAB

2009-07-28T17:35:00.001-07:00

FISHBON EVENT LAB
Wednesday, July 29th at 7:00pm
at FISHBON PESCADROME 101 S. Quarantina

Independent Film Madness and BBQ

Victoria Charters, a successful actor in both her native Australia and the United States embarked on an adventure called I Heard the Mermaids Singing in 2007. As an independent short film the odds seemed long, but the script was good, written by playwright, casting director and acting coach, Michael Shurtleff, and the challenge of adapting the script, producing and starring in the film exciting. Over the last two eventful years she has gotten the film into more than 14 film festivals including Cannes and Philadelphia and literally done everything to market the sensitive love story. This Wednesday, we're in for a special treat. Victoria will screen the film at the Fishbon Pescadrome and give us a backstage look at the business of film in all its inter-related phases. Don't miss this one.

Here's a synopsis:
A loner (Kenneth Johnson, The Shield, Saving Grace ) meets a woman (Victoria Charters, Death of a Saleswoman, Jimmy Zip) outside a party, forming a connection in an instant. A classic & lyrical love-tale with a bitter-sweet twist, I Heard the Mermaids Singing is a short-film adaptation of a play written by legendary acting coach & casting director Michael Shurtleff who passed away January 28, 2007. I Heard the Mermaids Singing is an homage to him and his teachings which live on in our hearts & minds.

Before the presentation, Nathan will be at the helm for another magical Fishbon BarB-Que. Food goes on the grill beginning at 7, so bring something to share and join us for vittles before the event.

This one will be very fun, so bring libations to share and join us at the Fishbon Pescadrome, 101 S. Quarantina. in Santa Barbara.

Info: 805-453-5246 or check out the blog at:fishboneventlab

Philadelphia Independent Film Festival

2009-05-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Mermaids is official selection Philadelphia Independent Film Festival - June 25th - 28th, 2009. PIFF

2009-04-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing
@ Delray Beach Film Festival
Saturday May 23rd 1.30pm
Delray Beach Public Library

Truly a "filmmakers' festival," the DELRAY BEACH FILM FESTIVAL (DBFF) takes place in a relaxed, artsy enclave located on the picturesque coast of South Florida where enthusiastic and thoughtful audiences await. The DBFF brings high-quality independent short and feature-length narrative and documentary films - along with panels and workshops, concerts, contests, celebrities, and parties - to this sunny vacation destination, a village by the sea boasting a friendly, laid-back vibe.

The Festival offers an impressive line-up of activities for filmmakers and festivalgoers alike. The DBFF short film competition inspires teams of filmmakers from Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami to each complete an original short film over the span of the Festival. Each team is given the same original screenplay and is then tasked to shoot their interpretations in and around the Delray Beach. DBFF also offers workshops covering distribution, marketing, music rights, the latest and greatest in equipment and software, acting workshops, casting directors, screenwriting and film financing...not to mention cocktail parties every afternoon and parties every night. There are even free surfing lessons given by professional surfers and golf outings at some of the renowned area golf courses.

For more information visit DBFF

Mer has Mo legs ... Delray Beach Film Festival 2009

2009-04-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

Mermaids is official selection Delray Beach Film Festival - May 19-24, 2009 Delray Beach Florida. DBFF

We won!

2008-09-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing won Best Narrative Short at 2008 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival!

Here's to you, coach - article in the Erie Times-News

2008-09-26T13:09:00.000-07:00

Erie Times-News, Showcase, A&E magazine
Article published September 25. 2008 12:01AM

Here's to you, coach
Victoria Charters and Kenneth Johnson made 'I Heard the Mermaids Singing' as a tribute to their acting coach.
Preview BY DAVE RICHARDS, Staff writer, dave.richards@timesnews.com

The Skinny
"I Heard the Mermaids Singing," a short film co-directed by and starring Kenneth Johnson and Victoria Charters, will be shown tonight during the 8:45 p.m. block of films at the Great Lakes Independent Film Festival at Theatre 145, 145 W. 11th St. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Michael Shurtleff was a showbiz legend as acting coach and casting director.
He was the genius who cast Dustin Hoffman in "The Graduate. " He helped Barbara Streisand, Robert Redford, Bette Midler, and others land key roles on Broadway and in film.
He also wrote "Audition," a how-to bible for actors, which Australian actress Victoria Charters soaked up before she moved to Los Angeles in 1994. Upon arriving, she was thrilled to learn Shurtleff was offering acting classes and immediately signed up.
During one session, Shurtleff presented a play he'd written, "I Heard the Mermaids Singing." He chose Charters to play Sweetzer, the mysterious, free-spirited woman who meets her soul mate, Al. Charters liked the piece so much she began working with Shurtleff on a screenplay for a short film. Later, though, he decided he'd rather turn it into a feature-length project.
That was that, until last year when her mentor died. At Shurtleff's memorial service, she met actor Kenneth Johnson, who played Detective Curtis "Lemonhead" Lemansky on FX's "The Shield" until his character was killed off in season five. He currently co-stars with Holly Hunter in "Saving Grace."
Turned out that Johnson had studied with Shurtleff, as well. What's more, he had played Al, the male lead, during class.
You can guess what happened next. Charters and Johnson teamed up to make "I Heard the Mermaids Singing," a 24-minute short film, as an homage to their acting coach.
"We wanted to make a piece as a tribute to him, so this was the first thing that came to mind. It was a very impactful experience, the journey of this piece," said Charters, who studied with Shurtleff for two years. "It was a very sweet experience to revisit something we'd already worked on years ago."
At its heart, "Mermaids" is a love story with an O. Henry-worthy turn.
"It's a story of these two odd people who meet outside of a party and go on a journey together," Charters said. "I think one of the nicest descriptions of it came from someone who said it's a beautiful slice of life. It's a love story with a twist."
For a love story to work, chemistry is paramount. Luckily, Charters and Johnson had that.
After one director and then another backed out, they decided to co-direct. They shot it in just two days in scenic Santa Barbara, Calif.
"We rarely disagreed," Charters said. "Ninety-eight percent of the time we were linked up. It was very, very easy."
"I Heard the Mermaids Singing" has played 11 film festivals this year, including the Short Film Corner at Cannes. It also won a short film award at the Park City Film Music Festival.
"I will always cherish the experience of working on this piece. It was something I wanted to do for 12 years," Charters said. "We've had a great run with it. I hope Michael would be pleased."

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008309259924

I Heard the Mermaids Singing - nomination

2008-09-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

I just got news from 2008 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival that I Heard the Mermaids Singing has been nominated for Best Narrative Short.
Thanks everyone for all the love and support that you have been sending my way. So much awesome correspondence today!!!

Naperville Independent Film Festival

2008-09-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

Mermaids has been selected for Naperville Independent Film Festival,

September 24-27, 2008 in Naperville, IL. www.naperfilm.org

Thursday September 25 12.15pm
Comedy Shrine – B
22 E. Chicago Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540

Great Lakes Independent Film Festival

2008-09-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing, official selection of 11 film festivals 2008 next screening at Great Lakes Independent Film Festival. www.greatlakesfilmfest.com

Thursday September 25 8:45PM
Theatre 145
145 West 11th. St.
Erie PA
(814) 873-5069

www.iheardthemermaidssinging.com

Palm Springs International Shortfest & Market

2008-08-28T14:34:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from The 14^th Annual Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films & Film Market (Palm Springs ShortFest) … and a little catch up on the top short films made this year, and with fellow filmmakers, programmers and distributors …

I Heard the Mermaids Singing was in the market and available for viewing along with every short film submitted to the festival (they received over 2,700 submissions for consideration this year), so it was available to watch on DVD in private screening booths similar to the Cannes Short Film Corner. Only the environment is not the French Riviera, it’s the desert in August which for us coast-dwellers is a little bit of a challenge I must say!!! The desert certainly has its charms, and I like to go the desert in the winter to warm my bones – not usually in the height of summer. I’m still recovering from the heat as I’m finding out are all my fest going buddies. If Cannes is the United Nations of film, the Palm Springs ShortFest has to be the Burning Man of the short-film fests.

Highlights for me were two of the opening night films Life’s Hard (La Drumul Mare) from Romania, a hilarious look at the exploits of a young thief who tries to car jack a young woman and the antics that ensue and Manon on the Asphalt (Manon sur le Bitume) from France, a birds eye view of her own death from the dying Manon.

Other highlights of the fest for me included a Masterclass with actor and 2008 Palm Springs ShortFest juror Bill Pullman – or as he entertainingly described it a “Servant-Session in Cognitive Behavior”. He actually managed to give the entire audience an experience of what it’s like to be the actor in a movie … some Lost Highway moments there … I also attended a Screening/Masterclass with cinematographer William Fraker – screening was Rosemary’s Baby, which he shot and it was a treat to see this beautifully crafted film screened on the big screen … 40 years later.

I Heard the Mermaids Singing now has a DISTRIBUTOR

2008-08-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

Please direct all distribution/broadcasting inquiries to:
Jessica Klement, Ouat Media
jessica.klement@ouatmedia.com
t: +1 416 979 7380 ext. 2115
f: +1 416 492 9539
www.ouatmedia.com

Mermaids signs a distribution deal

2008-07-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

I am in final negotiations for a distribution deal for my short film I Heard the Mermaids Singing.

and don't forget to join us for our
Upcoming screening!

22nd Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival

Mermaids is screening in competition in the

SHORT FILM PROGAM – Take Two

Sat, Aug 02 12:30 PM

Hatt Hall @ Napa River Inn, 500 Main Street, Napa, CA 94558

Join filmmakers and cast members for a Q&A after the program

Mermaids at Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival

2008-07-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Upcoming screening

22nd Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival, July 22 - August 3, 2008.I Heard the Mermaids Singing is screening in competition in the

SHORT FILM PROGAM – Take Two

Sat, Aug 02 12:30 PM

Hatt Hall @ Napa River Inn, 500 Main Street, Napa, CA 94558

Join filmmakers and cast members for a Q&A after the program

Mermaids @ReelHeART

2008-06-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

I Heard the Mermaids Singing screened last night 6.18.2008 at the The ReelHeART International Film Festival, in Toronto, Canada.

ReelHeART Schedule

Upcoming screenings

Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival, July 24 - August 3, 2008

Central Florida Film Festival, August 29 - 31st, 2008, in Kissimmee, Florida

off to Cannes May 14-24

2008-05-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

Mermaids has been selected for the 61st Festival de Cannes,
to be featured in the Cannes Short Film Corner, May 14-24, 2008

Will post from there.
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en.html
http://www.shortfilmcorner.com/

Mermaids updated festival information

2008-04-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

Victoria Charters, Kenneth Johnson

@ Methodfest 2008

Mermaids updated festival information

Upcoming screenings

Sweet Auburn International Film Festival, May 7-11, 2008 in Atlanta,GA
Cannes - Short Film Corner, May 14-24, 2008, in Cannes, France
The ReelHeART International Film Festival, June 16-21, 2008 in Toronto,Canada
Central Florida Film Festival, August 29 - 31st, 2008, in Kissimmee, Florida

Past screenings

Park City Film Music Festival, January 17 - 27 2008, in Park City, Utah
Kent Film Festival March 27 - 30 2008 in Kent, Connecticut
Method Fest Film Festival which runs from March 27 - April 3, 2008 in Calabasas, CA

Awards

WINNER Silver Medal for Excellence in the short film category, Park City Film Music Festival

Mermaids updated festival information

2008-03-19T04:26:00.000-07:00

Park City Film Music Festival, January 17 - 27 2008, in Park City, Utah (premiere screening)
WINNER Silver Medal for Excellence in the short film category, Park City Film Music Festival
(upcoming) Kent Film Festival March 27 - 30 2008 in Kent, Connecticut
(upcoming) Method Fest Film festival which runs from March 27 - April 3, 2008 in Calabasas, CA
(upcoming) Sweet Auburn International Film Festival, May 7-11, 2008 in Atlanta, GA
(upcoming) The ReelHeART International Film Festival, June 16-21, 2008 in Toronto, Canada
(upcoming) Central Florida Film Festival, August 29 - 31st, 2008, in Kissimmee, Florida

I Heard the Mermaids Singing @METHODFEST/KENT

2008-03-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

Our short film I Heard the Mermaids Singing (TRT:24:42) is making a bit of a splash on the film festival circuit. We are screening next at:

Method Fest Film festival

http://www.methodfest.com/

Friday March 28th - 9:45P in Shorts Program 1 – “Sexual Healing”

Carlson Family Theatre, Viewpoint School

23620 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302

Please come support us if you are in California- we have a 400 seat theatre to fill!

At the same time we are playing on the East Coast at:

Kent Film Festival, held in Kent, Connecticut

Saturday March 29^th, 12:00 noon

Community House / Theater 2

Synopsis

A loner (Kenneth Johnson, The Shield, Saving Grace ) meets a woman (Victoria Charters) outside a party, forming a connection in an instant. A classic & lyrical love-tale with a bitter-sweet twist, I Heard the Mermaids Singing is a short-film adaptation of a play written by legendary acting coach & casting director Michael Shurtleff who passed away January 28, 2007. I Heard the Mermaids Singing is an homage to him and his teachings which live on in our hearts & minds.

I Heard the Mermaids Singing in post

2007-08-30T05:01:00.000-07:00

It’s official! CONGRATULATIONS to us :-)

We are now in post-production for our GORGEOUSLY shot, executed and performed film -
I Heard The Mermaids Singing.

Victoria Charters - as Sweetzer, Kenny Johnson - as Al

Victoria and Kenny:

Our lead-actors are Kenny Johnson and Victoria Charters.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0425543/

http://www.kennyjohnson.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153559/

http://www.victoriacharters.com

Three of us: from left:
Victoria Charters - lead-actor/filmmaker
Karla Shelton - producer, 1st AD, line producer
Kenny Johnson - lead-actor, actor, actor!

I Heard the Mermaids Singing

2007-08-25T06:26:00.000-07:00

We are currently in pre-production for a short film "I Heard the Mermaids Singing".
We are so lucky and delighted to have the very talented Kenny Johnson starring in this production with me.

I Heard the Mermaids Singing

A lyrical love tale with a bitter-sweet twist,

I Heard the Mermaids Singing

is a short-film adaptation of

a play

written by

legendary acting coach & casting director

Michael Shurtleff

who passed away January 28, 2007

but lives on in our hearts and minds

I Heard the Mermaids Singing

is an homage to him

intended for submission to

Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2008

Produced by:

Victoria Charters

Karla Shelton

Starring:

Kenny Johnson

Victoria Charters

Sweetzer

Casting Director

Michael Shurtleff

www.iheardthemermaidssinging.com

For more information please contact:

Victoria Charters

Firehorse 5 Films

C: 323.363.0572

victoria@victoriacharters.com

www.victoriacharters.com

Karla Shelton

Travelingbear Productions

C: 818.414.4314

H: 805.682.3934

karla@travelingbear.org

This beautiful Mermaid was given to me by my coach Wendy Spiller when we first started working together.