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Doc & a Drink

“Watch a documentary & grab a beer.”

Category Archives: Washington D.C

August 12, 2011 Live it : DC Beer Week 2011 (starts Sunday)

Everyone who is anyone should check out DC Beer Week this week (starting Sunday Aug 14th).  There are TONS are specials around the city.  Click the link below  for a map and calendar of events. Note: MIDWESTERNERS check out the specials on Wed (below).

DC Beer Week 2011 | DC Beer – Washington DC, Beers in DC, Beer, Bars, Craft beer, homebrewing, happy hours, beer tastings.

Here are a few highlights…

MONDAY AUG 15th : Ladies’ Night – Ladies Drink Beer for Free – 4pm
Belga Cafe – 514 8th Street SE, http://www.belgacafe.com

TUESDAY: AUG 16th:  All About Brews Trivia Night – 7pm

Bread & Brew – 1247 20th Street NW, http://www.breadandbrew.com
Think you know about beer? Put it to the test during Bread & Brew’s special all-beer trivia. Great prizes and beer specials all night long.

WED AUG 17th : Midwest Brewery Night at Smith Commons – 5pm
Smith Commons – 1245 H Street NE, http://www.smithcommonsdc.com
Smith Commons will be featuring breweries from a different region of the country for four different nights during DC Beer Week. Wednesday will feature breweries from the midwest. $5 pints, $15 bombers, and $5 regional themed small food pairings. The tentative brewery list for Wednesday includes:

Colorado
Avery Brewing Co.
Boulder Beer
Oskar Blues Brewery
Ohio
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Michigan
Bells Brewery Inc.
Founders Brewing Co.
New Holland Brewing Co.
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Missouri
Schlafly Beer
Utah
Epic Brewing Co.

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June 22, 2011 Silverdocs: Free

I’m all about experiencing Silverdocs.  It’s simply a great community event.  Sometimes I feel like jumping into the sold out screenings and sometimes I like to go to the less popular events.  One of those events is the FREE lunch screenings.

What are you doing for lunch?  You could be multi-tasking.  These shorts are lovely.  Most of them are well done and under appreciated by the masses.

Shorts Programs at AFI Silver during Lunchtime (noon): FREE

WED / June 22 @ Noon

THUR / June 23 @ Noon

FRI / June 24 @ Noon

*It’s a different group of shorts everyday!

(just walk in and ask for a ticket – I walked in 10 minutes early without a problem.)

For more information:  http://silverdocs.com/

 

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February 21, 2011 TIVA Event: Workflow for the AF-100 and 7D Cameras

This was my first TIVA event.   I didn’t even know they existed.  I’m a WIFV member but, this event was also promoted to “us” in addition to the TIVA members.  It cost $20.00 for non-members.  And I will note that it’s $100.00 to join the group, for a year,  at the basic level.  Overall – I was extremely impressed.  The food and mingle session was fantastic.  They had a good beer selection and variety of munchies.  Everyone was very friendly and approached me as a new face.  And above all these factors – the presentation was spot on.

For more about TIVA : http://www.tivadc.org/

On to the main event….

Summary:

DSLR and AF100 WORKFLOW
Presented by Matt Gottshalk & Matt Nagy
With the DSLR look appealing to more and more filmmakers, and with the
introduction of Panasonic’s AF100, dealing with these cameras’
sometimes unwieldy video formats and sound issues is often more
difficult than it seems at first glance. This seminar will hit on
pre-production considerations, field techniques, and finally how to
deal with this in the edit room, whether you’re editing on Final Cut,
Avid, or Premier.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took many good notes comparing the AF-100 to the 7D cameras.  The presenters pointed out differences that I never even considered.  They actually had so much information for us on the work flow – we didn’t get to the post production presentation.  Maybe they will have a part 2?!

If you are into this topic I would approach the presenters.  They are reachable in many ways twitter, facebook, websites….

Bios:

Matt Gottshalk is the owner of McGee Digital Media, a visual
communications firm based in Alexandria, VA. As an award winning
DP/Editor, Matt was one of the first in the DC area to embrace
shooting video with DSLRs in both corporate and broadcast
environments. Matt co-authored the best selling book; “From Still to
Motion, a Photographers Guide to Shooting Video on Your DSLR”, and has
taught classes on Digital Cinematography at NAB for Future Media
Concepts.  You can learn more about Matt at www.mcgeedigitalmedia.com

Matt Nagy wears many hats as a Senior Specialist, Video Production at
the American College of Cardiology. He produces, shoots, edits, and
designs motion graphics for member-focused content. Most people know
Matt as a motion designer and one of the co-coordinators of WIFV’s
Animator’s Roundtable, but he has shot numerous projects on the RED,
Varicam, and DSLRs on both greenscreen and in the field. You can find
samples of Matt’s work on his website, www.matthewsnagy.com

5 out of 5 Cheers

— REVIEWER: Becky Beamer

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February 13, 2011 RFD Party : Re-Cap

Katy and I attended the “Our City Film Festival” Opening party last night.

The musician – Christylz Bacon –  played a set and he was unbelievable. Seriously – check out his website: www.christylz.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stella sponsored the event and the beer was flowing nicely…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 out of 5 Cheers.

 

— becky beamer

February 11, 2011 What are you doing this weekend?

Doc & a Drink is going to the “Our City Film Festival”.  Our first stop is the opening night party tomorrow (Saturday). It’s open to the public — Join us!

It’s at RFD’s (810 7th St, NW) and everyone knows RFD’s has an excellent beer selection.  Katy and I will be interviewing some of the local documentary filmmakers.  It’s going to be a blast.  It’s only 12.00 and all the money from the festival goes back into the organization.  Buy your tickets online – they will sell out! See you there (8-11pm).

**** Celebrate the opening of the film festival with filmmakers and VIPs.

Enjoy beer specials, great raffle give-aways, and performances by

Grammy nominee, Arts and Humanities Council of Washington grantee

and subject of past OCFF film, Blue Line…

Then – this Sunday – is the main event.  The films are all about D.C. The festival is only on Sunday, at The Goethe Institute (812 7th St, NW).  For ticket information and a full schedule check the website:  http://www.yachad-dc.org/Home.shtml

AND – just added — is the closing event with the D.C Cupcake Girls…

Georgetown Cupcakes’ Sophie and Katherine will be special guests,

screening TLC’s Second Season of DC Cupcakes,Our City

hosting a Q&A, and cupcake decorating contest at the finale.

ONLY 10.00 to attend.  Buy tickets here.

 

5 out of 5 Cheers.

-becky beamer

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February 8, 2011 Local docs at “Our City Film Festival” Feb 13

Totally Local at the “OUR CITY FILM FESTIVAL” Feb 12-13

Local docs are always fun – it’s fun to live somewhere that people make movies about. Makes you feel kind famous to see places you know in film.  Plus later when you meet the filmmakers you can have a real conversation about your city – and it’s not all awkward. I heart that.  Local docs = awesome.

And this weekend you can see some at the Our City Film Festival.  We got a sneak preview – and we’re stoked. Our City Film Festival is a fund-raiser for Yachad – a local organization that helps to rebuild and repair DC communities.   So, you can come watch movies and support your community.  Lovin’ your work!

So here’s your guide to the Film Festival for doc fans.

Saturday night, February 12 – opening party at RFD’s.

Local Grammy Award winning Hip Hop Artist Christylez Bacon performs.

Drink specials = Doc & a Drink will be there!

Sunday, February 13 – A full day of films at the Goethe Institut at 812 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.   Docs in Progress Screenings

Docs in Progress is a local group that teaches individuals the skills they need to tell their own stories.  (They taught me how to edit with Final Cut Pro – for the record).   These films will be “in progress” looking for some feedback – so you’ve got a chance to help some people craft their films and get involved in the community.

1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – is the Doc Block – “Our Docs”

Totally local filmmakers making films about

With local filmmakers including

“Community Harvest” – made by a pair of dudes from “Meridian Hill Pictures” ( how local can you get?) about a community garden in Columbia Heights.   Longer post on them later.   Photo above.

“Touch, Pause, Engage” – about the first African American high school rugby team – in NE Washington.  Director Jonni Masella.

“The Washington Redskins: Winning Years” by Walter Gottlieb.

Walter is one of those names I’ve know I’ve heard somewhere but just can’t quite place.  He’s an active WIFV contributor, a filmmaker with decades of local experience.  Very excited to see his work.

Then there’s a super awesome Closing Party

At 7:30 – 9:00 pm. With the ladies from the show “DC Cupcakes” (man, I can’t stop hearing about this show lately.) which I unfortunately, I have a condo board meeting and will miss – but if you can go – you can get CUPCAKES!

So that’s what we’ll be doing next weekend!

You?

-5 out of 5 cheers

–Katy Jones

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January 30, 2011 Washington D.C Film Festival Next Weekend

Doc & a Drink is very excited to be included in a press screening for the “Our City” Film Festival.  We are getting a sneak peek on Thur but everyone else can go to the events next weekend.

It’s all about community.  The Fourth Annual Our City Film Festival at The Goethe Institute will screen award-winning films that capture all facets of DC including music culture, community gardening, sports and race relations.  All proceeds from the festival go toward Yachad’s programming.  Yachad (meaning together in Hebrew) works to bring communities together through service.

I encourage everyone to mark their calendar.

SAT & SUN Feb. 12th & 13th

The Goethe Institute / 812 7th St NW

For More Info Visit: OUR CITY FILM FESTIVAL

NOTE:   Docs DO go well with beer!  Opening Night Party at R.F.D.’s will showcase musical performances by Christylez Bacon and

other surprise guests.

November 12, 2010 The New Theater in Town. West End Cinema.

If you haven’t heard – there’s a new theater in my town.  And it ain’t no traditional multiplex.  It’s an art cinema – do you know what that means?  IT SHOWS DOCUMENTARIES!!!! In addition to other indie art films, this theater has a quite impressive line-up of documentaries, and it’s only its first month in existence.

Conveniently located at 23rd and M Street NW, Washington, DC – West End Cinema promises to help enrich the local art film scene.  We went out to see a film there last weekend and I loved it.  A nice, intimate feeling – fancy beers on tap, friendly service, and oh yeah, documentaries on screen.  Sweet.

I still love E Street Cinema, and it remains to be seen if the market can hold two art movie houses in one town, but I have faith.  We are DC.  We like our entertainment smart.  We like our local businesses healthy.  We are one of the largest documentary film communities in the country.  I can’t wait to see more movies!

–Rock it.

–Five out of five cheers

–Kathleen Jones (Katy J.)

June 16, 2010 Silverdocs is NEXT WEEK ….. hollllllla

The D.C area’s best documentary Film Festival and arguably one of the most anticipated events of the year invades Silver Spring next week.

Everyone should take advantage of the access to the hippest – hottest and hard to find docs.  Check out the long – the short and the conferences.

And, as if that wasn’t exciting enough, Doc & a Drink will be giving the weekly play by play as official bloggers of the festival.

Bookmark these blogs for the inside scoop:

http://silverdocs.wordpress.com/

http://www.docandadrink.com/

Inside Scoop of the Week: Many of the evening shows are selling out. Buy your tickets today online!

Highlighted Doc of the Week: MEN WHO SWIM

I’m really looking forward to a doc that features Men Synchronize Swimming.  To learn more check out my blog for SilverDocs.

Cheers and Beers — becky

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March 2, 2010 Field Trip for FEB …. SOLD (the film)

documentary becky beamer Doc and a Drink

On February 24th Doc&aDrink “took it to the streets” and attended a screening of SOLD:Fighting the New Global Slave Trade.

WIFV hosted the screening at the Jack Morton Auditorium, The Documentary Center, The George Washington University.  What a fantastic venue!  The auditorium has extra screens for those positioned on the outside of the theater, lots of leg room, and excellent space for a speaker.

From the filmmakers:

Our hope is that SOLD: Fighting the New Global Slave Trade will do more than just expose the darkness of slavery today. There are already so many films that document what is wrong with the world, exposing us to image after tragic image, adding to our collective compassion fatigue.

The challenge has been to balance the bleakness with hope. We want people to be outraged by the problem but also to be inspired by these three extraordinary abolitionists. Each of them battles a different virulent variety of slavery, with humor, grace, righteous anger and unflagging determination.

The film was just well done.  Not too long and not too short – just the right time.  This doc boast good videography -  mixed with interesting interviews – and stock footage.  But – the most impressive thing about this documentary is the characters involved.  I was drawn to the stories of the victims and lifted-up by the volunteers who are risking their own life for child victims of the slave trade. Yes, the topic was serious but I wasn’t sad when I left my seat in the auditorium.  Instead – I was uplifted and moved towards actions.  AND that’s the point.

For more information about the film and how you can help :  http://soldthefilm.com/

4 out of 5 Cheers.

Becky

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