Clubs Offer a Look at 'The Best Films You've Never Seen'

Clubs Offer a Look at ‘The Best Films You’ve Never Seen’

By DIANNE BATES

Feb. 1, 2001 12 AM PT

Independent films are everywhere these days. Cable TV, the Internet, and . . . Vynyl in Hollywood? Yeah, the nightclub Vynyl is the latest to join a small group of clubs that have been putting cinema on tap--a pretty good showcase idea if you consider the industry heavyweights who might stop in for a nightcap.

“Real Cinema: The Best Films You’ve Never Seen” happens bimonthly at Vynyl. Presented by GreenDogFilms, this series features domestic and international short films, followed by panel discussions, DJ house music and promotional giveaways. Recent panel participants included Robert Steven Rhine, writer-director of “Vinnie and Angela’s Beauty Salon and Funeral Parlor,” and Lisa Lindo, co-founder of ACME Talent and Literary.

February’s lineup will feature female independent filmmakers. “By focusing on women in film, we’re shining the spotlight on a group that doesn’t always receive the kind of attention that it truly deserves,” said Jason Gurvitz, GreenDogFilms CEO and founder. “As an independent company, our passion is to create an audience for such pioneers and provocateurs.”

Santa Monica’s Temple Bar offers “First Monday Films” monthly, hosted by Indiespace.com. Following a warm-up band, the two-hour presentation features four to eight independent short films on two screens. Filmmakers pay a $10 fee to submit their under-30-minute film for consideration. Discussion with directors, actors and producers follows the screenings.

Actor-director Norwood Cheek has been presenting “Flicker” every other month at Spaceland in Silver Lake for the last few years. Cheek likes to mix it up a bit, offering Super 8 and 16-millimeter films by students and mainstream Hollywood names alike. The show is followed by informal discussion and networking.

Just like Sundance, without the frostbite.

* “Real Cinema: The Best Films You’ve Never Seen,” Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at Vynyl, 1650 Shrader Blvd., Hollywood. (310) 822-8311. $7. https://www.greendogfilms.com.

* “First Monday Films,” Feb. 5, 7 p.m. at Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 399-4349. $5 suggested donation. https://indiespace.com/firstmondayfilms.

* “Flicker,” Feb. 27, 9:30 p.m. at Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake. $5. 21 and older. (323) 464-8082. E-mail: Flicker@mekons.com