Tag: Jameson First Shot

Uma Thurman joins the Jameson First Shot campaign

The very beautiful and talented, Uma Thurman has signed on to be apart of the Jameson First Shot Campaign for 2014. The campaign, which has already seen Hollywood big wigs, Kevin Spacey and Willem Dafoe participating in, will be entering into its third year now and this time it’s with the lovely Uma.

So, to all of you aspiring filmmakers out there, best you start thinking about your short film concept. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and who knows what other doors might open should you be the chosen one. You could follow in SA-born, Neill Blomkamp‘s steps and becoming an internationally acclaimed director.

How do you enter then? Well you need to submit a script of no more than seven pages to www.jamesonfirstshot.com by the 2nd of January 2014. The judging panel, made up of Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti of Trigger Street Productions and of Uma will then sift through all of the entries and a winner will then be selected. Remember to be original, creative, funny and entertaining when you put your script together.

Interviews: Jena Dover and Nyasha Zimucha

The Jameson First Shot campaign was an absolute ripper. It’s a great initiative, which gives aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to get their work out there not only to a local audience, but a global one too. Thanks to actor Kevin Spacey, his business partner Dana Brunetti of Trigger Street Productions and of course the folks at Jameson. I was on the red carpet at the weekend chatting to some of the stars about their thoughts on the campaign and of course their other projects. Here’s my interview with the awesome Jena Dover:

I also chatted to business woman, Nyasha Zimucha about her trip out to SA. Check this out:

More interviews to follow. Stay tuned.

Pics: Jameson First Shot premiere

Clint Brink and others Stars on the Jameson First Shot red carpet premiere.
Josh Lindberg and Zuraida Jardine at the Jameson First Shot premiere
Kevin Spacey at the Jameson First Shot premiere.
Pearl Thusi at the Jameson First Shot premiere
Liezel van der Westhuizen at the Jameson First Shot premiere
Winner Hanneke Schutte poses for photographers alongisde Kevin Spacey
Actress/ model and advocate Jena Dover at the Jameson First Shot premiere

Spacey back in SA for Jameson First Shot premiere this weekend

On Saturday I’ll be heading through to the Jameson First Shot red carpet premiere. This is the second premiere of its kind and I reckon it’s going to be lots of fun again. Last year, the campaign gave aspiring and upcoming filmmakers the opportunity to be mentored by Hollywood A-lister Kevin Spacey, his business partner Dana Brunetti thanks to the team at Jameson. It was sound a resounding success that the decided to do it once again and this year the team has enlisted the help of another Hollywood giant, Willem Dafoe.

South African filmmaker Hanneke Schutte was chosen as the winner this year. She flew over to the US, where she made her film, SAVING NORMAN (previously PING PONG WITH MR YONG) and we’ll be getting to see that film on Saturday evening. I’ll be on the red carpet taking pics and video. So follow me on Twitter: @JasonVonBerg, on Instagram or check back here for more interviews.

It promises to be a festive evening once again and big up to the team at Jameson for getting involved in such a lekker campaign.

Jameson First Shot is back

Listen up aspiring film makers, the Jameson First Shot campaign is back. Last year the folks at Jameson together with Kevin Spacey, his business partner Dana Brunetti and their production house Trigger Street Productions went in search of a talented script writer/ director. In addition to looking in the US, they opened it up to the South Africans and the Russians. The campaign was so successful. So much so that they’re doing it again. All you need to do is upload your SEVEN PAGE SCRIPT to www.jamesonfirstshot.com. Entries close on the 1st of January, 2013.

You can also have a squizz at their Youtube account: www.youtube.com/jamesonwhiskey. Spacey starred in each of the three short films made, but this year he hands over his acting duties to a just as a good an actor in the form of Willem Dafoe. Spacey will still be involved, but in more of a mentoring role. Rad huh? On being involved in the campaign again, Spacey said: “In the first year of the competition we found three outstanding filmmakers and as a result we made three incredible films. Everyone’s expectations are extremely high for the second year so the entrants for 2013 have a lot to live up to and, if it’s possible, they have even more pressure on them to write a great story and direct an amazing film. We know the prize we’re offering is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; now we need to find the talent who are worthy winners. Willem is going to be a fantastic addition to the First Shot team and I can’t wait to see what people write for him – I hope entrants come up with something completely unexpected.” So if you have hopes of getting a big break in film, best you get your thinking caps and your creativity on.

Last night the event was launched at a swanky Italian restaurant in Johannesburg. I was there as were many celebs. Check out the pics below: