NATV Supports “REZ”

Native American Television has decided to take its first steps into the public support for the short film entitled “REZ”. Filmed entirely on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota, this award winning film is the story of a character named Daniel Nightbird, who after he’s evicted from his family’s home, embarks on a desperate search to find a safe place on the reservation for himself and his young sister to live.

Starring a cast of local officially trained and untrained Native American actors, the approach to the production of “REZ” was unique in staying true to the roots of the story in casting, location, and all aspects of production.

NATV is choosing to showcase and support this film for many reasons, not the least of which include its core values and the display of the real life struggles that can and do so often occur for so many of our people.

With its breakout raw depiction of life on many of our reservations in the US, this is truly a film that will break many boundaries, as it steers away from the false narrative of what are the most commonly used themes for portraying Native Americans and the Native American community. This story shows the characters, first and foremost, as human beings.

“REZ” was in development for a little over six years before filming began this past August 2011, as it was inspired by the life and memory of writer/director Dominique DeLeon’s friend and college roommate. NATV is not the first to take notice of this work, as it is the winner of the 2011 Spike Lee Production Grant Award, and is in the process of being made into a feature film, one that already has widespread support in the film community, including Mr. Lee expressing interest in being the Executive Producer on the feature.

More details coming soon, on how you can help to spread the word and find out about the fundraising efforts to have the film “REZ” shown on your reservation, or in your local community.

Help NATV Support “REZ” by joining their Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/ontherez

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We here at team Rez wanted to thank you all for your continued support of the film and all your calls, e-mails and facebook messages. If you’re wondering why you haven’t seen Rez yet in a theater/town near you, the answer is simple: we’re still raising money! Making a movie requires an incredible amount of time and effort from everyone involved, and most of all it requires a lot of money! We’re going to be putting up a kickstarter page soon. For those who are unfamiliar with it, Kickstarter is a great platform that independent artists, entrepreneurs and inventors can use to raise money for projects and grow audiences for their material. We’ll be using it to raise money to pay for DVD duplication, an original film score, festival entries…and, probably most importantly, we’ll be raising money so that we can bring Rez to a theater near YOU. Starting this summer, we’d like to bring Rez out to theater audiences in Cass Lake, White Earth, Red Lake, Sisseton, Minnepolis and beyond. In fact, the more money we raise, the more places we can afford to bring this very, very special film.

Again, sorry for the wait. In the meantime though, you can help us simply by telling your friends about the film, showing them the trailer, and getting them to like our facebook page. Every little bit helps. We’re not a big budget Hollywood film, but we are a great film about real people starring REAL PEOPLE.

See you soon,

Team Rez

http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/and-the-winner-of-round-2-of-the-inaugural-shadow-act-digital-filmmaker-showcase-is

Or read on here:
Tara J. Ryan (Chickasaw/Choctaw) is President and Owner of Tijer Lily Co, Tara brings a fresh approach to Native American Entertainment. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Administration with honors, awards and many specializations including studies of the South American, Central American and Caribbean peoples, writing in all styles (Business, Creative, Script, etc.) and video production. She is a contributing writer and Advisory Board member for NativeVue Film & Media, with many of her pieces being carried by the Native Times, America’s largest, independently-owned Native newspaper and many other artistic publications.
Her efforts having been recognized both within and beyond her Native community for an exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and a cutting edge creative style, she never stops working to find new and better ways to accomplish her goals and those of her clients. Working with the finest managers, agencies, talent, and Native organizations throughout the US and Canada, she brings the experience of nine years of work specializing in Native American Entertainment and Media to every project.

Thank you Tara.

http://www.shadowandactfilms.com/FilmmakerShowcase/survey.html

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http://www.facebook.com/ShadowAndActDigital?sk=app_208195102528120

Peace and Happy New Year,
Special Boy Films

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