A Fork in the Road to screen THIS WEEK at the Manhattan Film Festival in NYC!

A FORK IN THE ROAD , a film about the unexpected routes we take toward redemption and family recognition the road of life, will be screening as a part of the Official Selection of shorts at the 2010 Manhattan Film Festival in NYC!

The short, written, produced and directed by Heidi Philipsen, which features acclaimed Michigan actors, Grant Krause, Barbara Coven, Matt Andersen and Shelby Howe, will be screening on Thursday, July 22nd, at 7:45 p.m..


All Manhattan Film Festival screenings are to take place at Symphony Space on the upper West Side of Manhattan.


http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/6314-manhattan-film-festival-the-things-we-carry-?source=calendar


and use promotional code RAC102 for a $2 discount, which makes tickets purchased in advanced only $8!

A FORK IN THE ROAD's official premiere with the New Filmmakers' Series at the Anthology Film Archives in New York City!

A FORK IN THE ROAD -- the short film written, produced & directed by Heidi Philipsen-Meissner, and starring Michigan actor's Grant Krause, Barbara Coven, Matt Anderson & Shelby Howe will be screening this month (JUNE 10th @ 6 p.m.) with the New Filmmakers series in New York City at the Anthology Film Archives.

For more detailed information on tickets, directions and times, visit either the New Filmmakers or Anthology Film Archives web sites, by clicking on the title links above.

You can also check out the film's official web site for details:

www.aforkintheroad-themovie.com.


Hope to see you there!

New Film Web-site

Check out the official web-site that accompanies this Blog: www.aforkintheroad-themovie.com for a glimpse at the official trailer, news and notes, as well as festival/screening info and where to buy your copy on DVD!

A Fork in the Road and Coffee Break Films on Women's Film Network

For immediate release

"A Fork in the Road," the first of three short films in a trilogy leading up to a full-length feature, written, produced, directed and filmed on location in Ann Arbor, Michigan by Ypsilanti Township native Heidi Elizabeth Philipsen-Meissner, is to be exhibited and distributed online through Women's Film Network in late summer 2008.

"I'm really excited about distribution through the Women's Film Network, where (Women's Film Network helmer) Adriana Shaw is creating opportunity for female film-makers to have their works brought to the public. This is an incredible opportunity for me and my film to gain exposure -- a film-maker's dream," said Heidi Elizabeth Philipsen-Meissner about the exhibition/distribution plans.

The award-winning, fifteen-minute short, which was a part of the official, student film selection at the Reel Women International Film Festival in L.A. this past March, is about a family man, facing financial ruin and self-defeat, who discovers that true success in life has nothing to do with money, but rather love and respect from family and friends.

"A Fork in the Road" is a completely Made in Michigan film, featuring local talent Grant Krause, Barbara Coven, Matt Anderson and Shelby Howe, local cinematographer Joshua Roth, and film editor Marc Drake; filming was on location both in Ypsilanti Township and at the Northside Grill on Broadway in Ann Arbor.

Distribution

Stay tuned for news about distribution!

Tales from Reel Women International Film Festival in Los Angeles

I'm back from the Reel Women International Film Festival in Los Angeles, C.A. -- what a trip, what a time! I'll write more, for now, however, take a look at the photo (that's me!!!)

Reel Women International Film Festival

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL
REEL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The fourth annual Reel Women International Film
Festival, featuring films directed by women from all
over the world (including H.E. PHILIPSEN), will open March 7th with Reservations,
directed by Aloura Charles. Set over a night in a New
York hotel, Reservations unexpectedly connects the
lives of several strangers in startling moments of
passion, friendship and hope. A reception will follow
at the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

Academy Award winner Helen Hunt's directorial debut
Then She Found Me serves as the Festival's centerpiece
presentation. Adapted from the novel by New England
Book Award winner Elinor Lipman, the film follows
April Epner (Hunt) and her touching journey to
happiness after separation from husband (Matthew
Broderick) and the death of her adopted mother.
Academy Award nominee Bette Midler also stars as
exuberant talk show host Bernice. Reception to follow
at Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

With films from 17 countries, the Reel Women shorts
presentation sheds light on a variety of social and
political issues. In Migration, internationally
acclaimed director Mir Nair (The Namesake) examines
the AIDS crisis in India. Ghosts of Abu Ghraib
director Rory Kennedy looks at how the Iraqi prison
abuses in the fall of 2003 still remain etched in our
national consciousness. In Bling, director Raquel
Cepeda travels with hip-hop artists on an emotional
journey to Sierra Leone where they meet face-to-face
with victims of conflict “blood” diamonds. Featuring
interviews with Kanye West, Big Daddy Kane and
Jadakiss, Bling is a riveting documentary that teaches
the audience the real price of diamonds.


To purchase tickets and view the complete festival
line-up please visit www.reelwomenfest.com

A FORK IN THE ROAD's official international premiere at Reel Women International Film Festival

A FORK IN THE ROAD will be celebrating its first, official international festival premiere at the Reel Women International Film Festival in Burbank, California at the Laemmles Music Hall 3 on Saturday, March 8th, 2008 during the 5:30 p.m. festival showcase of international student films (for more details, click on the link above.)
As quoted on the official festival web-site,

Reel Women International Film Festival founded by
Diana Means was established to honor and advance the
careers of accomplished and emerging women filmmakers
by providing them a forum to showcase their films in
the heart of the entertainment industry. Our goal is
to help increase opportunities for women of diverse
backgrounds to share their stories with the world.

Described by Back Stage West as a “Must-attend event
for all women in the entertainment industry,” the
festival presents narratives, documentary animation
and student short films directed and written by women.
The festival’s programming reflects the festival’s
further commitment to use visual media to heighten
awareness of critical social and health issues
impacting women globally.

Screening location is as follows:
Screening Location
Laemmles Music Hall 3
9036 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Welcome!

You've found the official Blog site for the short, narrative film, "A Fork in the Road," by Heidi Philipsen. Please feel free to check out the site for information regarding cast and crew, as well as the latest news surrounding this short-little-film-with-the-big-heart.

If you haven't watched "A Fork in the Road," don't stray -- a trailer is on its way!

Sincerely,

Heidi Philipsen, writer/producer/director, "A Fork in the Road"

November 17, 2007: National Survivors of Suicide Day

This past weekend was the official date of National Survivors of Suicide Day, as announced on the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention web-site (click on the title link above).

As you may, or may not, know, "A Fork in the Road," is based upon a true life story -- my family's.

When I was in my first year in college, my father attempted suicide by turning on his car in the closed garage of our suburban home.

Coincidentally, my younger brother came home early from high school and found our father before it was too late. He saved him by accident.

According to NFSP, "every 16 minutes, someone dies by suicide."

My film "A Fork in the Road," is for everyone who has thought of suicide and their loved ones -- for "every 17 minutes," as the NFSP also stated, "someone is left to make sense of it."

I tribute my first film to my brother, Kjarsten, and my father, Dale.

Heidi E. Philipsen

"A Fork in the Road" Wins "Best Screenplay"

A FORK IN THE ROAD won the award for "Best Screenplay" during the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan's annual Student Film Festival graduation ceremonies, staged at the beautiful Emagine Theater at Foutain Walk Mall in Novi, Michigan, Tuesday, October 2nd.

The film, also nominated for "Best Director" among a select group of six individuals, representing the best of M.P.I.'s 2006/2007 student body, was previewed that evening to an audience of 350.

Other awards that evening include:

Best Director Chuck Grady

Best Cinematography Patrick Elliott

Best Editing, Hyun Suh

(Best Screenplay, Heidi Philipsen)

Best Art Direction, Chuck Grady

"A Fork in the Road" One of Six Films Nominated for MPI "Best Director" Category

Tentative Screening Order for 2006-07 Student Film Festival based on a 730pm start. Remember the graduation ceremony starts at 630pm promptly.

Forever in Time. director Chuck Grady (29 min) 730pm

A Fork in the Road. director Heidi Philipsen (18 min) 8pm

The Horseman. director. Michael Back (30 min) 820pm

A Very Ordinary Love Story. Director Hyun Suh (11 min) 8:50pm

PSA. director Perri Keys (10 min) 9pm

Schizophrenia. director Sam Kadi (30 min) 910pm

Wierd Side of the Bed. director Dave MClaren (12 min) 940pm

Halloween, Devils Night. director Dallas Struble (8 min) 955pm

My Brother My Savior. director Dean Stallworth (14 min) 10pm

UnThinkable. director Bethany McMahon (13 min) 1015pm

Journal of Nathaniel Jenkins. director Alexa Courtney (12 min) 1030pm

Fanatic. director Sarah Benedict (9 min) 1040pm

Script Ninja. director David Corlett (9 min) 1050pm

Rush Tango director Dee Derusha (35 min) 11pm

Prism director Josette Vardmann (10 min) 1135pm

Fumes. director Robert Tesh (15 min) 1145pm

Beautiful Lucy. director Terenace Centofanti (10 min) 1210am

Room 106. director Kyle Linford (21min.) 1220am

Fate Foresight and Innocence. director (5 min) 1245am

Prologue to Tomorrow. director Adam Haller (10 min) 1250am

The Movie that almost wasn't. director B Daren Payne (12 min) 1am

Aliens Kidnapped the Easter Bunny. director Adam Maslowsky (7 min) 110am

Keep in mind that the opening ceremony could run longer and the screenings may not start until later. But this is a close running order.

Big "Fork in the Road" Pre-screening Party!!!

Come one, come all to the Pre-Screening Party for A Fork in the Road!

When: October 2, 2007
Where: if interested, write me at aforkintheroad.themovie@gmail.com

What time: 4:30 - 6 p.m. (Doors to the Emagine Theatre in Novi, Michigan open at 6 p.m., seating is limited, so be on time!)

We'll have DVDs and munchies and a lot of fine convo for the soul!

We've come a long way, babies, let's celebrate!

HEP

ADR and A Fork in the Road

When,in the confines of a student production, excellence and attention to detail can only go so far, and sound is left to some poor soul who was never meant to do sound and will probably never be responsible for it again in his life, all hope is not lost. No. There is a last-minute quick fix solution called A.D.R. -- Audio Digital Recording.

Thus, A Fork in the Road has embarked on the quest to fix a bit of an audio glitch with our friends Derek and Marc at RSM studios.

Cheers to you, mates! We'd be lost without your talents.

H.E.P.

Four Days Until Picture Lock!

Support A FORK IN THE ROAD when you shop!!!

Have you ever wanted to make a donation to your favorite cause, "A Fork in the Road - the Movie," but didn't know how? Short on cash, but you still want to support local, independent (or student) film? Well now you can support my first big film - A FORK IN THE ROAD - every time you shop online.

Start Shopping!
It is easy if you shop via iGive.com! This Web site makes it possible for everyone to donate toward the making of this film every time they shop online. Simply go to http://www.iGive.com and register your name and address, then click on "A Fork in the Road - the Movie." It's free and there is no obligation.

Once you register, any time you shop at stores like Timelifevideo.com, Lands'End.com or JCPenney.com, a percentage of what you spend will be donated to A FORK IN THE ROAD if you go through the iGive.com Web-site. There are currently over 450 merchants who participate, selling almost anything you can imagine.

Imagine, you can order movies and make a donation to us at the same time. What about shopping for that special birthday or holiday? Need office supplies? Well, iGive.com has over 50 different stores to choose from! How about doing your grocery shopping AND making a donation at the same time? The next time you shop online, you can also make a donation to "A Fork in the Road the Movie" IF you shop through iGive.com AND use "A Fork in the Road - the Movie" as your designated community arts cause.

Now any time you buy something online through one of the authorized merchants listed on the iGive.com Web site, you can also be helping to cover the student film costs and strengthen indie film in Michigan at no extra cost to you!

Post Production

Marc Drake, our editor-at-large, is bringing the various shots from principle photography for A FORK IN THE ROAD to life. Couple his 10-years-plus accumulated skills and talent with the music from JILL JACK for the soundtrack and we should be good to go...

Thanks, again, to all of our actors and extras for making the production days moments to remember.

Best,
HEP

That's a Wrap!

As of 10:05 p.m., June 11th, A Fork in the Road has successfully completed principal photography and production. Now onto post-production and putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. More news and photos soon.

THIS JUST IN:

Sponsors for A FORK IN THE ROAD:

Here's a list of our sponsors --
Neva Hodge Lemorande
Beverly Arneson
Dale and Judy Philipsen
The Northside Grill in Ann Arbor

Interested in sponsoring? More info on "How To Sponsor" below!

Technology's Triumphs and Tribulations

We will be rescheduling our final day of principal photography for next Monday, June 11th at the Northside Grill in Ann Arbor, due to a technological glich we experienced today with the Panasonic HD Digital Harddrive.

In short, it froze.

There are many great advantages to shooting in HD, as opposed to film -- it's cheaper, many times faster and more efficient -- EXCEPT for in cases when the software goes haywire.

"Should have had a back-up." Ahhhhhh, yes. Right. The old "be prepared for everything" or "combat conditions" point. Well taken.

But at $1200 for a hard drive and $75 per p-2 card, the back-ups can become huge financial hick-ups as well.

Maybe film "ain't" so expensive afterall!

In any case, another great saying goes, "when you fall off the horse, you get back on."

I like that quote the best.

See you on Monday, June 11th!

HEP
Writer, Director: A FORK IN THE ROAD

New Official Email Address!

We now have a spanking new email address for all correspondence related to our film, A Fork in the Road: aforkintheroad.themovie@gmail.com. Feel free to contact Heidi Philipsen, the Producer/Director with any inquiries regarding Extras Casting for our June 4th final shoot in Ann Arbor at the Northside Grill, interest in sponsoring A Fork in the Road, or information about our premier film showing with post showing gala.