Independent Film Quarterly Magazine

Independent Film Quarterly

by Tanya Irwin , Friday, September 19, 2008

I CONFESS, I'M addicted to magazines.  I can't go anywhere near a newsstand or bookstore without coming away with at least one.  So seeing a free pile of magazines sitting anywhere is practically like hitting the lottery -- or at least winning on a scratch-off ticket.

I was up in Traverse City, Mich. earlier this month at the Traverse City Film Festival hanging out with my "good friends" Madonna and Michael Moore when I spied a pile of IFQs sitting on a table in one of the theater lobbies. Score!

The cover is intriguing. A black and white photo of a female who looks like a cross between a young Deborah Harry and Nico is set against a pink background. The issue is billed as the "Cannes Special Edition."  Even though Danny Glover is the only name I recognized on the cover (I'll admit it, I like movies but I'm no art film aficionado) I figure maybe I'll know who some of the people are after reading about them. And maybe I'd learn something I didn't know from perusing the usual bourgeois entertainment zines.

As it turns out, the cover model is Emmanuelle Seigner, who appeared in "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly," which I have heard of.  She's married to legendary director Roman Polanski. Penned by Nicole Holland, the interview is Q&A style and while it's decently written and somewhat interesting, I couldn't help but cringe at some of the "questions." I use quote marks because in several cases they aren't so much questions as statements of fawning adoration. Obviously the interviewee is a big deal in the film industry, but the tone of the article struck me as unprofessional and amateurish.  I felt more like I was reading a high school newspaper than an internationally circulated magazine.

If that were the only such article in the 64-page magazine, I could give it a pass. But wait, there's more. We move on to another Q&A piece by Nicole  Holland, this time with Asia Argento, whose father, Dario Argento, is a big-deal director in Europe. I've never heard of either of them or their movies, but the four-page piece is much the same as the first piece.

Moving along, there's another three-page Q&A by Nicole Holland, this time with Cecile De France, another actress I've never heard of.  She was in a French movie with Gerard Depardieu. Finally, someone I have heard of. I'd been starting to feel seriously un-artsy fartsy.

The magazine describes itself on its Web site as "one of the fastest growing Film/Art & Society magazines featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with celebrated iconic figures in film, music and pop culture. IFQ invites  you to experience this avant-garde film and pop culture movement."  The  advertising statistics sheet states that the target audience includes "producers, actors, directors, musicians, artists, film distributors, record  labels, entertainment attorneys, dub houses, film labs, film festival directors, music festival directors, art festival directors, editors and the general public alike." I'm guessing they skew fairly young since the magazine has a profile on MySpace.

IFQ can be found in select Barnes & Nobles, Borders, Books-A-Million, on 3,000 newsstands nationwide and at domestic and international film, music and art  festivals and related events. It has controlled circulation mailings that  are sent to industry leaders, trade shows, music festivals, art festivals and film festivals, domestic and international.

Every article in the magazine is in Q&A style.  While I don't mind that formatting as an occasional alternative to the objective third-person narration, it becomes grating after a while.  Unless the person is a really big deal, I don't think it's necessary to preserve every single word they say.  Spare the reader the gory details and get to the point. Exercise your competence as a writer and spin a tale that draws me in.  Otherwise my take is that the writer is just being lazy or doesn't know how to write an actual story.  But maybe to the 20,000 readers of this magazine, all of these interviews ARE with big-deal people.  In which case, I guess all I can say is, "Enjoy."

MAG STATS
Published by: Disticor (Newsstand Distributor); Publisher and Editor in Chief: Stuart Alson
Frequency: Quarterly
Web site

Post your response to the public Magazine Rack blog.

See what others are saying on the Magazine Rack blog.
Tanya Irwin is Deputy Editor of MediaPost. She can be reached at tanya@mediapost.com.

Magazine Rack for Friday, September 19, 2008:
http://blogs.mediapost.com/magazine_rack/?p=526

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Oilmen Happy Over Conflicts Dividing Electric-Drive Vehicle Industry

PLUG-IN ELECTRIC CAR RACE GETS TENSE

Consumers can help pick the tomorrow's winners by completing the on-line "Join the Plug-In Revolution" survey.

PAPILLION, NE, April 17, 2008 - Electric sports car builder Tesla is suing electric luxury car builder Fisker, claiming the latter stole company trade secrets. GM and Toyota are sparing, directly and via surrogates over to the relative merits of their competing plug-in electric car strategies. The furor over California's supposed retreat on its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate continues to spiral with "conflict of interest" charges against one of its Air Resources Board members.

At stake is a rapidly evolving, multi-billion dollar global market for the next generation of electric cars, which use little or no petroleum, promising to reduce the nation's dependence on imported oil. Propelled by intensifying concerns over national security, climate change and resource depletion, carmakers large and small are racing to develop and market three classes of electric-drive vehicles: Plug-in Hybrids, Extended-Range Electric Vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles.

Plug-in Hybrids are essentially internal combustion engine vehicles that offer electric-only driving ranges from 10-30 miles. Vehicles in this class will include the next generation Toyota Prius and Saturn VUE, both in development and slated to be available sometime around 2010.

Extended-Range Electric Vehicles are predominately electric cars with onboard internal combustion engine generators that recharge the large batteries, giving the vehicles significant range beyond that of their battery pack. This class includes the Chevy Volt, Fisker Karma and Tesla Whitestar, that latter two now locked in the clinches of a legal boxing match.

Battery Electric Vehicles are traditional, battery-only cars that are charged exclusively by an external electric power source such as the grid or a home owner's solar panels. These vehicles include the Think city and Nissan Denke, the former available for sale in Europe and the latter to appear in America sometime after 2010.

Fortunes and careers are being wagered in this high stakes gamble to become the environmental vehicle leader of the 21st Century. Who will win with which technology is yet to be seen. At last count, there are nearly 20 different electric car programs currently in development by manufacturers in North America, Europe and Asia.

The Plugin.EVWorld.Com (http://plugin.evworld.com) on-line survey is giving consumers the opportunity to express their preferences and concerns about the cars of the future. The survey takes only a minute to complete and those completing the survey will be rewarded by a FREE downloadable Thank You gift worth $10. To date, more than 1,100 people have completed the survey.

"Join the Plug-in Revolution" is sponsored by EV World (http://www.evworld.com).

On-line since 1998, EV World is recognized as one of the leading Internet information portals on sustainable electric-drive vehicle technology, public policy, investments and people. For further information, please contact us at 01 (402) 339.9877 US Central Time.

Contact Information:
Bill Moore
EV World.Com, Inc.
Editor in Chief
P.O. Box 461132
Papillion, NE
United States 68046
Voice: 402.339.9877

Laser Hair Removal Threatened by Common Dangers

New Route to Hair Free Skin - But Are You At Risk of Serious Complications?

In the USA in 2007 nearly 1.5 mil. laser hair removal procedures were carried out. Shockingly a staggering 19.9% of patients undergoing these procedures experience complications. LaserHairRemoval-Info.com was founded in 2005 to provide consumers with little-publicized information on laser hair removal, and is launching a new book aiming to bring the knowledge needed by consumers out from behind the locked doors of the laser clinics and places it firmly in the hands of those that need it.

New York, NY, September 12, 2008 -- Success of Laser Hair Removal Threatened by Increasingly Common Dangers and Widespread Ignorance.

The removal of unwanted hair using lasers is becoming increasingly commonplace; in the USA in 2007, nearly 1.5 million laser hair removal procedures were carried out1 and shockingly a staggering 19.9% of patients undergoing these procedures experience complications2.

Increasingly consumers are having to take their fate into their own hands and perform the research and investigation necessary to ensure that they receive the appropriate treatment rather than relying on the dubious expertise of some of the laser hair removal clinics, many of which are not operating under the direct supervision of a qualified doctor or dermatologist.

"I never want to go near a laser again," says former laser hair removal patient Andrea (age 43) of Brooklyn, New York. After undergoing treatments totaling $2,900 in cost over the course of a year, Andrea has now reverted to shaving her unwanted body hair as the treatment was almost completely ineffective. "The wasted money, although it is a lot of money to me, is irrelevant compared to what I have suffered in pain and embarrassment undergoing treatment after treatment which initially had no effect at all and then when the laser strength was increased resulted in sore, unsightly burns."

Now a brand new report has been created, aimed squarely at consumers who want to get laser hair removal without the risk of side effects or ineffective treatment. Readers can download this free insider report, Top 10 Must-Know Tips on Laser Hair Removal, from http://www.laserhairremoval-info.com/download/booklet.htm. This no-nonsense guide will help patients to avoid the fate experienced by Andrea and ensure that they get the right laser hair removal treatment for their specific circumstances.

"Be prudent and selective when evaluating your options for any possible cosmetic procedure," advises dermatologist Gary Monheit, MD, president of the ASDS.

Patients must realize that just because a laser clinic near their home is offering treatment for a good price doesn't mean that this particular clinic possesses the expertise or the equipment to safely and effectively treat their skin type. The knowledge offered in the newly published book: Insider Secrets of Laser Hair Removal (available from September 2008) gives consumers the ability to understand the whole process of laser hair removal and how it will apply to their own physiology and specific goals.

LaserHairRemoval-Info.com was founded in 2005 to provide consumers with little-publicized information on laser hair removal. The site offers a range of articles, research materials and message forums for people considering this life-changing treatment.

Contact Information
LaserHairRemoval-Info.com
Ingrid Preube
49-531-577497
ingrid@laserhairremoval-info.com

 

Farmers Insurance Claims Mobile Claims Units Ready to Help Customers

Farmers Insurance Claims Teams and Mobile Claims Units Ready to Help Customers Suffering Damage from Hurricane Gustav

LOS ANGELES-- September 01, 2008 --Farmers® Insurance Group of Companies claims teams are preparing today to move into areas stricken by Hurricane Gustav. Once the areas are identified, the teams will deploy along with 2 Catastrophe Claims buses and 5 Customer Care Claims Vehicles.

"Our claims personnel and fleet of claims vehicles are gearing up to assist our customers in Louisiana, Texas and any other areas suffering damage from Gustav," explains Paul Quinn, Assistant Vice President of Claims Communications for Farmers Insurance.

The Mobile Catastrophe buses are equipped with state-of-the art satellite communications equipment; claims stations; water, supplies; laptop, satellite telephone capability; and have a built in grill to serve meals to Farmers' customers and others in need.

The Customer Care Claims Vehicles are smaller versions of Farmers claims buses and are ready to assist with claims and supply needs of Farmers' customers and others in need.

Note to Media: A press release listing exact locations of the claims vehicles will be issued as soon as locations are selected. For questions or information at any time, please contact the Farmers Media Team listed above.

Farmers Insurance customers who have suffered damage should contact their agent or call Farmers' 24-hour-claims hotline, 800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

"Farmers' customers who have moved to evacuation centers in Texas, Louisiana or other states, should keep the HelpPoint number handy if needed, when they return to their homes.

Foremost Insurance customers should file their claims by calling: 1-800-527-3907.

Flood victims who have flood insurance should contact the National Flood Program at www.floodsmart.com

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers® is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.

Contacts

Farmers Insurance Group
Jerry Davies, 213-400-4459
jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com
or
Michelle Levy, 512-791-7445
michelle.levy@farmersinsurance.com
or
David Bishop, 850-228-8997
david.bishop@farmersinsurance.com

Residential Solar Shade Structures Create 1.4 Kilowatts

Solar Power to the People: Modular Residential Solar Shade Structures Created by Envision Solar

LifeTreeT and LifeShadeT Solar Kit-Build Structures Offer Stylish Outdoor Living Space

LA JOLLA, Calif.-- September 01, 2008 --Envision Solar, the La Jolla, California based firm best known for its award-winning design of the Solar TreesT in Kyocera's landmark Solar GroveT, has expanded its product line of photovoltaic shade structures to include two "flat-pack" easy to install modular shade structures, each with eight solar panels providing 1.4 kilowatt of clean energy.

The LifeTreeT is a single post steel structure with a cantilevered canopy, and the LifeShadeT is a four-post structure made of Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sustainable wood. Both are an attractive and functional application of solar power that provides recreational shade, without a requirement for a complex and invasive rooftop installation. The structures are shipped in easy to assemble components and include solar power modules, micro-inverters, and access to an online real-time tracking system to monitor production of clean energy. The structures are anchored in post-holes by concrete, in much the same way that basketball hoops or flagpoles are installed, and a local electrician can connect the AC wiring from the structure to the house meter.

At a price point of $15,500 for the LifeShadeT and $18,500 for the LifeTreeT, these new products offer a lower cost solar power option for homeowners and businesses. Envision Solar designers have focused on modularity as an important goal, because it offers price efficiency and accessibility to clean energy to more people. CEO Robert Noble adds, "We are committed to massive retail deployment of this product in a flat-pack format for local assembly and installation."

In addition to their attractive design and low price, The LifeTreeT and LifeShadeT products offer state of the art technical features; they were designed specifically for photovoltaic modules made by Suntech, and both the LifeTreeT and the LifeShadeT are equipped with "micro-inverters" from Enphase Energy. Micro-inverters convert the energy from the sun into usable alternating current at each module, eliminating the need for a bulky inverter on the side of the building at the meter and making connection to the meter a less costly undertaking. Enphase Energy also offers online access to a real-time monitoring package so that owners can track their clean energy production.

Noble describes the company's mission to employ the principles of sustainable design to innovate in the solar power sector: "We see renewable energy as an architectural element that be integrated into our spaces and our lives."

About Envision Solar International, Inc.

Envision Solar International, Inc. is a turn-key, solar integrated building systems developer. The company's mission is to provide aesthetically pleasing photovoltaic systems to increase the worldwide use of renewable energy. Led by a group of visionary architects, builders and engineers, Envision Solar transforms heat-absorbing parking areas into beautiful, efficient solar power plants. Learn more about us at: www.envisionsolar.com.

Contacts

Envision Solar
Pamela Stevens, 858-768-5151
pstevens@envisionsolar.com