MFF News and Updates

Atlanta premieres "Arabia"!

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:54:00 +0000

On February 17, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History held a private premiere of Arabia. The evening featured special guest and film advisor Robert Lacey who introduced the film and signed copies of his new book Inside The Kingdom. Arabia opens in Atlanta on March 12.

Robert Lacey (center) and guests.

Robert Lacey signs a copy of his new book Inside The Kingdom.

Inside the Fernbank's 315-seat IMAX Theatre.

Robert with guests.

Robert with Museum President and CEO Susan Neugent.

Boston Museum of Science Premieres "Arabia"

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:55:00 +0000

Film co-star Hamzah Jamjoom with the winner of the book Inside The
Kingdom.

Belly-dancing at the premiere!

Hamzah with Museum of Science COO Wayne Bouchard.

Display of Arabian art.

Guests could get their hands painted with henna!

Happy guests!

On Location in Saudi Arabia

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Spacecam operator Ron Goodman (left) in the Royal Saudi Air Force
military helicopter used to capture the aerial shots.

Director of Photography Brad Ohlund

The Spacecam takes off!

Prayer service at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah.

Inside the Prophet's Mosque

Sunset at the Prophet's Mosque.

On Location in Arctic Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:46:00 +0000

Nearly there. Only 120 miles left to Coldfoot.

Our base camp for 5 weeks--Coldfoot Camp.

Camera assistant Rob Walker monitors the camera gear.

Getting the Beaver Dehaviland plane ready for aerials.

The IMAX camera is mounted to the wing.

Greg works on the camera lens.

Pilot Dirk Knickish--one of the best.

Working like a charm.

Caribou aggregate on the Hulahula River!

More caribou!

The beautiful Chandalar River.

The camera department's new headquarters in the

foothills of the Brooks Range.

Filming Leanne Allison and Karsten Heuer.

Filming scenics along the KoyukukRiver.

Rob preps for the next shot.

Taking a break to warm up. Shaun, Rob, Greg, Karsten,

and Leanne.

Jack and Brad waiting for caribou to cross the Kongakut

River.

Mama and her baby, just a few days old.

Van Gogh - Preview the CD soundtrack

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:50:00 +0000

The much-anticipated CD Soundtrack to the award-winning Van Gogh: Brush With Genius will be available starting late May.

Click to listen to/download the song “Orsay”

or

Preview the entire soundtrack at the iTunes store

Arabia—What Theatre Directors Are Saying

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:39:00 +0000

“This film is brain candy. It reveals and de-mystifies a region that those in the West little understand.”
-- Anita Kern, former Dean of Science
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta

“A worthy and timely introduction and appreciation of Arabian history, culture and science.”
-- Jim O’Leary, Director, Planetarium/IMAX Theatre
Maryland Science Center, Baltimore

“Overall, it’s looking great! Very rich visually and informationally.”
-- Michele Canto, Director of Marketing & Business Operations
Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull

“I think it will be a very important film.”
-- Stephen Kovac, Director of Visitor Services
Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh

“Great progress so far! I think the film has evolved in the right direction.”
-- Gordon Stalans, Director of Finance
Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga

“Arabia presents a concept of brotherhood and understanding that’s rarely seen.”
-- Tony Hardy, IMAX Theatre Manager
Pink Palace Museum, Memphis

“Greg MacGillivray, more than any other filmmaker, shows great concern for public opinion to put a quality product in theatres.”
-- Doug Link, Theatre Manager
Esquire IMAX Theatre, Sacramento

“The importance of uncovering the mysteries of such an influential people and place has never been more relevant.”
-- Jules Dykes, VP of Marketing
Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta

“MacGillivray Freeman Films has a reputation for excellence in educational documentaries. They are perfect stewards for the delivery of this exciting and important subject matter.”
-- John Lewis, Director of Theatres
Texas State History Museum, Austin

Arabia Production Shots

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:06:00 +0000

Filming a butter lamp ceremony in front of a Nabataen
tomb at Madain Saleh.

Inside one of Madain Saleh's ancient tombs.

Filming in the historic district of Jeddah.

Recreation of a Nabataen village at Al Ula.

It takes four men to carry the 3-D Solido IMAX camera.

Director Greg MacGillivray has a face-to-face encounter.

Sunset in the Arabian desert.

Brad Ohlund On Location

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:32:00 +0000

Loading film for a shot of Madain Saleh in Saudi Arabia.

Measuring light levels at Madain Saleh.

With longtime assistant cameraman Jack Tankard.

Scouting locations in the Arctic Circle.

At Everest Base Camp in 1996.

Join us at the OR Show

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:03:00 +0000

MFF and film partners Teva and Outside Magazine are hosting two special screenings of Grand Canyon Adventure on January 23 at the annual Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. Grab your paddle and come join us!

To The Arctic: Promo Clip

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:02:00 +0000

On Location Under the Arctic Ice

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:01:00 +0000

Scenes from an 11-week shoot last summer in Canada’s Arctic Archipelago for To The Arctic, MFF’s upcoming film about global climate change (spring 2011).

Not all coral reefs live in tropical waters. Here, healthy coral reefs under the Arctic sea ice form a kaleidoscope of colors.

A cable to power their lights is the filmmakers’ only lifeline under the ice. To get underwater, they must first descend through a hole in the ice that is three feet thick.

Cinematographer Bob Cranston said this was the hardest underwater shoot he had ever conducted. The frigid water (29° F/ -1.67°C ) made his hands so cold it was hard to grip the IMAX camera.

Bob Cranston and Adam Ravetch maneuver the 350-pound IMAX camera to film a slow-moving Greenland shark. Greenland sharks are native to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean around Greenland and Iceland.

An elegant female narwhal swims in her native Arctic waters. Female narwhals don’t generally have the long tusk that is typically associated with narwhals.

Van Gogh - What Preview Audiences Are Saying

noreply@blogger.com (MFF News) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

“Nothing I have ever seen has so transported me into another time and place so effectively… would love to see this available to students I teach.”

“Being surrounded by the art was breathtaking, a real emotional experience.”

“One of the best movies about an artist and the work I have seen.”

“You were able to get closer to the paintings than you can in real life.”

“A fabulous documentary.”

“Especially enjoyed seeing the detail of the brushstrokes.”

“I felt like I was in the painting .. amazing to see such important works in that great detail.”

“I was surpised at the detail visible of the paintings… it brings art I may never see to me.”

“Very entertaining.”

“Beautiful choice to bring to IMAX – the concept of art on such a close and large scale was brilliant.”

“For art lovers and art students this is a marvelous film that will be greatly appreciated. For the common man, the colors and visual delight of the film will capture just enough.”

Royal BC Museum, Victoria, Canada

“Profound and enlightening.”

“The images were stunning… I really liked that the film was cultural one, rather than a sport or natural history film (not that I don’t like those, this was just a very nice change. The film really shows what it takes to be an artist, the time, passion and commitment… this would certainly provides viewers with an appreciation for culture and art.”

“It is so fascinating to hear the story in the first person.”

“I thouroughly enjoyed seeing van Gogh’s works up close so that you could study and appreciate his brush strokes and color composition… it was a beautifully filmed and composed film… people who would see the film would me incredibly moved by it.”

“I thought the film was brilliant, and I don’t say that lightly… although it may be true that his life was dramatic, I think that this film chose (wisely) to tell the important story – the one about his art… I like seeing the globby splats of paint on the canvas and imagining that he wasn’t stingy with the paint because Theo was providing him with all ne needed… seeing the colors up-close was amazing as well.”

“As an artist, I most appreciated the segments during which the narrator read passages of Vincent’s letters describing the technical aspects of a particular work, or a general artistic theme, juxtaposed with stills of the painting.”