On a perfect summers evening, I had the pleasure to photography Danny and Shikma’s engagement photos on the oceanfront. We’ve known Shikma for years, we’re so happy for her, and it was soooo easy to photograph this couple madly in love. Click here to view the entire gallery on FB.
Today’s edition of the “Virginia Pilot’s Beacon” featured a full-page color article on Jpixx founders Jon and Teviya Abrahams. The article, which can be found here, goes into the creative process of their award winning film “In Captivity” and introduces further insight on future developments. You can also read the text below:
By Sandra J. Pennecke
Virginian-Pilot correspondent
© August 1, 2012
VIRGINIA BEACH
Teviya and Jon Abrahams love to tell stories.
Their latest story, “In Captivity,” is a six-minute film that was named the winner of the 48-Hour Film Project.
The competition this year had more than 3,500 teams from 100 cities around the world submit films.
Participants are given a character (Tim or Tammie), a prop (playing cards), a line of dialogue (“There’s not enough time”) and a genre (superhero).
Then they have 48 hours to write, shoot, edit and score their film. Jon’s high school friend from Kansas City, Jim McCullough, joined with them on the project as one of the writers and special effects specialists.
Scenes shot across Hampton Roads – including the beach, Mount Trashmore and a parking garage in Norfolk – are seen throughout the film.
“It was a huge collaborative effort,” Jon said about the brainstorming, writing, acting and more.
“The 48 hours is like a double-edged sword because it forces you to get things done and make decisions, but it also forces you to make decisions as quickly as you can,” said Jon.
“In Captivity” was selected as the International Grand Prize winner at the Filmapalooza in New Mexico in March.
“I think one of the reasons we won was because it’s a very touching film and it really grabs you,” Teviya said. The film has a plot twist near the conclusion that deals with autism.
The film won Best Film, Honorable Mention for Directing, Best Editing and Best Special Effects.
At the end of May several members of the team – including McCullough, and Jon and Teviya Abrahams – traveled to the Cannes Film Festival.
Dressed in black tie and gown, the couple briefly walked the red carpet, attended screenings, met filmmakers from around the world, stayed in a villa in a nearby town, and soaked in the celebration.
“It’s an amazing feeling of validity that something I’m passionate about is recognized by people in the industry,” Jon said.
The couple met while both were attending the University of Missouri.
“We’ve always been a great team,” said Teviya, noting Jon plays the piano while she sings.
Teviya, 32, studied art education and Jon, 31, majored in photojournalism. They graduated in 2002 and it’s been a whirlwind of delving into the field, entering competitions and becoming parents to their son, Nova, who is now 14 months old. Jon works on video and photography with Jpixx Films.
This is not the first time they have entered the 48-Hour Film Project. They won for their film, “Passion Fruit,” in 2010.
Jon is busy working on his next big idea and said a feature film is in his future. They also plan to enter the Sundance Film Festival.
“We are on some kind of wave, a momentum,” Teviya said.
“What does this mean for our future, if this is something we can do in 48 hours?” Jon said.
Fans of “The Screen” – you’ve watched the episode, now is your chance to get involved with film-making at the ground level AND potentially come away with a once in a lifetime offer from Jpixx Films.
We need to continue to get our short film “In Captivity” out to the masses as we prepare to develop it into a feature-length film. At this time, all we are asking for you to do is to ‘share’ the link to the movie on Facebook. Jpixx will track ALL shares of the movie, and select one sharer at random to win the ultimate Jpixx-fan prize – a personalized greeting card video starring YOU or whoever you choose – created by Jpixx’s award-winning writing, editing and special effects wizards. We will collaborate with you one-on-one and produce up to 30 seconds of high-production video – at NO COST!
It couldn’t be more simple. Simply post the youtube link on your timeline, and you will automatically be entered. While you’re at it – you can go ahead and ‘like’ Jpixx on Facebook. We will close off the competition on August 17th – so don’t wait around – let’s get this movie out to the masses!
Apparently, we kept it civil enough to make it through the FCC.
Jpixx Films was featured on the season finale of the new indie filmmaking series, “The Screen” on Sunday night, which aired in scattered markets across the States and of course, online (see above). The team chatted with host Torin Scott about their award-winning film, “In Captivity” which won the 2011 International 48-hour film project competition earlier this year and screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Director Jon Abrahams, producer Jessa Gaul and actor Cory Evans represented the film – and spoke candidly about the film-making process, including the difficulties in making a film in 48 hours, how they accomplished their special effects and their experience at the Cannes Film Festival. Following the interview, “The Screen” proceeded to roll the world-broadcast premiere of “In Captivity” in its entirety. Abrahams followed the screening by announcing a unique giveaway to one lucky viewer who ‘shares’ the movie link on facebook (see details here).
Stay tuned for some behind the scenes action from the shooting of the show. In the meantime, like Jpixx on Facebook and follow them as they begin development on their first feature-length film.
Jessa, Cory and Jon were fortunate to get the opportunity to appear on the new TV series about short films called, “The Screen,” filmed in Columbus, OHIO. On the show, we talked about “In Captivity” and discussed some behind-the-scenes moments from the filming, and the travels that followed. The road trip was a blast, and the taping of the show went smoothly. On the way back, team Jpixx filmed this music video to pass the time. Stay tuned for more photos and a link to the show as it aired.
There are a lot of photos floating around about our trip to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Below, I’ve included some of the photos, and I’ve tried to add a bit more caption info for those who are interested in reading.
To try and sum it up in a few words, the trip was life-changing. All vacation-picturesque-travel-w-friends tidbits aside, the festival itself is the mecca of filmmaking. And I only got a taste of it. It’s kind of like a gigantic all-you-can-eat buffet, and I used my first trip to sample a little bit of everything. We walked the red carpet, visited the Short Film Corner, strolled through the Film Market, toured the back streets of Cannes, lounged with producers and executives in outside bars, partied with filmmakers from around the world, and we somehow managed to find time to eat and sleep throughout the week.
If there’s ONE thing I learned, it’s this. There’s a lot of talented filmmakers out there, and there’s a lot of people working in this industry – and Jpixx is certainly right there in the mix. I know what we are capable of, and it’s completely in our hands whether or not we do something worthwhile.
Enough preaching, enjoy the photos. And if you can’t get enough, there are quite a few more on Jpixx’s Facebook page here and Katie B’s blog here.
Bon Appetite!
The next volume of the Nova Chronicles takes us through Nova’s first birthday and includes travels through Baltimore, New York, Vancouver and New Mexico.
If you haven’t already seen it, check out the FIRST video here to see how it all started.
After all these years in existence, Jpixx finally has an official demo reel to showcase. Using music from Blip Blip Beep (shout out to Hampton Roads local Kayce McGehee), this particular reel focuses mainly on directorial projects.
With Nova’s FIRST birthday falling on Teviya’s FIRST mother’s day – this video seemed like the perfect combination of subject matter. Check out this compilation of Nova West Abrahams – From birth to 4 months. (hopefully the first of a very long series:)
“A few selects form our engagement shoot at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. “
From Malcolm & Raynelle – Engagement Shoot, posted by on 4/19/2012 (10 items)
Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher
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“Shots from the HOT music video “Day & Night” – starring D*Nik!”
From D*Nik – Day & Night Music Video, posted by on 2/22/2012 (14 items)
Generated by Facebook Photo Fetcher
After winning the Hampton Roads 48 Hour Film Project two years running, Jpixx films broke onto the international stage by winning BEST FILM at the 2011 Filmapalooza in Taos, NM – thereby securing a special screening at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival in France. Amidst heavy competition from powerhouse cities from around the world (London, Paris, Shanghai, LA, NY) “In Captivity” also took home awards for BEST EDITING, BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS and an Honorable Mention for BEST DIRECTING.
Check out the facebook page here.
For more information about the 48-Hour Film Project, visit here.
(This version has been slightly modified to include additional slowmo footage and additional score. All special effects were present in the original submission).
Credits:
Director/Writer/DP/Editor – Jon Abrahams
Cassanova – Isaac Gay
Dexter – Cory Evans
Tammie – Chloe Steinberg
Caretaker/Production Assistant – Jessica Dodds
Resident 1 – Alex Whittemore
Resident 2/Location/Casting – Jennifer Lynn Martin
Passer-by 1 – Andrew Harmon
Passer-by 2 – David Springstead, Sr.
On-Call Actress – Desiree Connell
Assistant Director/Effects Supervisor/Writer – Jim McCullough
Producer/Make-up/Costume – Jessa Elizabeth Gaul
Music Composition – Dennis Latina
“AFFOR Typography” & “Nightmares and Realizations”
Music Composition – Nakia Madry of the Fuzz Band
“Got no Strings – Instrumental”
Sound Design – Brady Goodman
Art Director – Ray Buchanan
Assistant Editor – Derek Sipple
Color Grading – Nathan Liebold
Boom Ooperator – Katie Buchanan
Initial Sync – Alton Chavis
Story Consultants – Jason Tostevin, Sheryl-Lynn Makela, Jeff Livengood
Casting/Writer/Craft Services – Teviya Abrahams
Title Consultants – Al Gainey, Brandi Gainey, Shikma Gurvitz, Danny Rubin
Special Thanks – O’Brien et al. Advertising, Digital Dreammakers, Baby Nova West Abrahams
This film was made for the 48 Hour Film Project
www.48hourfilm.com
www.wordpress-626181-3432695.cloudwaysapps.com
Jpixx Films 2011
