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Just returned from Hollywood to visit Alexander Payne finish “Nebraska”; Watch for my coming stories about what I observed
Just returned from three days in Hollywood with Alexander Payne to observe the final mix process on his highly anticipated new film “Nebraska.” It was quite the experience to see him and his team putting the finishing touches on the film. Those behind-the-scenes glimpses will inform coming stories I’ll be writing and posting here.
I was privileged to see the film in its entirety at a screening on the Paramount lot. It’s a superb work of cinema. With “Nebraska” Payne has gone ever deeper and richer in exploring the humanism that is his specialty.
The entirely digital film is being satellite beamed to Nice, France this weekend where it will be downloaded for its world premiere screening at the Cannes Film Festival. I fully expect this to be one of the most talked about films of the year and to have all sorts of accolades and nominations and awards come to Payne, screenwriter Bob Nelson, cinematographer Phedon Papamichael, music composer Mark Orton, actors Bruce Dern, Will Forte, Stacy Keach and June Squibb.
It’s hard to imagine there will be a more compelling looking film than this wide-screen black-and-white elegy. Much more to come from me about my Hollywood sojourn and the look behind the curtain that Payne afforded me of his creative process. I will be blogging about it and having stories published about it. All of my “Nebraska” material will end up in a new edition of my book, “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film.” The new edition should be out around the time his film is released, which is late November. You can order my book on my blog site, leoadambiga.wordpress.com.
Meanwhile, go to the link below to watch a clip from the film.
Related articles
- First Official Look at Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ (slashfilm.com)
- First Official Image from Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA Starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte (collider.com)
- ‘Nebraska’ Screenwriter Shares Thoughts On Cannes Film Festival Premiere (nathanvjohnson.wordpress.com)
- Nebraskans Hone in on Hollywood (variety.com)
- Good Time to Get Your Copy of the Alexander Payne Book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
Come to My Next Alexander Payne Book Signing: Saturday, May 11 at The Bookworm in Omaha
Come to my 1 pm signing this Saturday, May 11 at The Bookworm in Countryside Village. I’ll be signing my book, “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film.” I had a great response there the first time and I’m hoping to repeat the magic. This is a great time to get the book because it will be a valuable reference come awards season, when Payne’s new film “Nebraska” is contending for Golden Globes and Academy Awards. The book’s a great source of Payne trivia to impress your fellow film buffs with. It’s sure to be a valuable keepsake as his career continues to flourish and his standing in world cinema grows. The book’s been endorsed by Laura Dern, Leonard Maltin, Kurt Andersen, Dick Cavett, Joan Micklin Silver, and Ron Hull, among others.
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- Good Time to Get Your Copy of the Alexander Payne Book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Leonard Maltin: Must-See Indie Films This Month (huffingtonpost.com)
- First Official Look at Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ (slashfilm.com)
- Paramount Sets Release Dates For Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ and Platinum Dunes’ ‘Almanac’ (slashfilm.com)
Good Time to Get Your Copy of the Alexander Payne Book
When Alexander Payne’s new film Nebraska was recently accepted into the main competiton at Cannes, it signaled this black and white, wide screen comedy is going to be a festival heavyweight. Payne is very likely to be lionized to a whole new level. Get ahead of the wave and buy your copy of the only book about the filmmaker, Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective 1998-2012. I’m the author of this comprehensive look at one of cinema’s most original talents. The book is a collection of my extensive coverage of the writer-director of The Descendants, Sideways, About Schmidt, Election and Citizen Ruth. With his new film Nebraska the two-time Oscar-winner and his film are sure to be nominated for a slew of awards. My book is available via my blog, leoadambiga.wordpress.com, or at AlexanderPayneTheBook.com. It’s also available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com and for Kindle and all reader devices.
I Will Be Selling and Signing Copies of My Alexander Payne Book at the Feb 16 Author Fair
If you still haven’t made it to one of my Alexander Payne book signings, then stop by the Author Fair this Saturday. Feb. 16 at the downtown W. Dale Clark Library.
It’s like a speed-dating event for writers and litniks.
Dozens of writers, including me, will be plying our wares on the 4th floor from 1 to 4 pm.
Stop by our booths and take a chance on falling in love with a new book to curl up with at night. My book is “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective 1998-2012.”
Can’t promise curling up with an author. As for me, I’m spoken for (just in case if you were wondering). LOL.
Related articles
- Alexander Payne Book News: Catch me on TV and Come to Signings (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ a Blend of Old and New as He Brings Indiewood Back to the State and Reconnects with Tried and True Crew on His First Black and White Film (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
Alexander Payne Book News: Catch me on TV and Come to Signings
On select dates this week and next you can catch an encore presentation of the “Consider This” program that features me talking about Alexander Payne and my new book about him. Producer and host Cathy Wyatt does a great job with the interview and with clips from Payne’s films. The half-hour fairly flys by. The encore Nebraska Educational Television telecasts are:
NET 1
Thur. Feb. 7 at 11 pm
Sun., Feb. 10 at 11:30 am
NET 2
Fri., Feb. 8 at 12:30 pm
Tue., Feb. 12 at 12:30 pm
In other news, I am signing the Payne book at the PS Collective in Benson on Thur. Feb. 7 after my 6 to 6:30 pm talk about freelance writing. I will also be signing copies at the Omaha Public Library Author Fair from 1 to 4 pm on Sat. Feb. 16 at the downtown W. Dale Clark Library.
My book, “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective 1998-2012″ is available wherever books are sold, (Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com). It’s available for Kindle, et cetera. You can find it at The Bookworm store in Countryside Village in Omaha.
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Biga Talks Alexander Payne and Signs Copies of New Book at Omaha Press Club
Biga Talks Alexander Payne and Signs Copies of New Book at Omaha Press Club
As a freelance journalist most readily identified with the alternative, even fringe publications I contribute to, it’s rare to get an establishment media platform of any kind. That all changes this week when I gig as featured speaker for the Omaha Professional Development Series at the Omaha Press Club.
My topic, of course, will be the many years I’ve spent covering Alexander Payne. He’s the subject of my new book: “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective.”
I promise you’ll come away knowing far more about the Oscar-winner, his methodology, and his place both in world cinema and in the pantheon of Nebraska film greats than you did before. You’ll also get behind-the-scenes observations and insights I’ve gleaned from visiting his sets and interviewing his collaborators, including what I glimpsed on the set of his new film, “Nebraska.”
Join me-
Thur. Jan. 17
5:30 to 7 pm
Omaha Press Club
1620 Dodge St., 22nd floor, old First National Bank Building
A no-host bar with hors d’oeuvres will open at 5:30 p.m. My presentation begins at 6 p.m., followed by open discussion and a book signing at 6:30. The cost is $10 for members and their guests, $15 for nonmembers and $5 for students. RSVP to 402-345-8008.
Whether you’re a fan of my blog or a Facebook friend or a media colleague or you’re just interested in everything about Alexander Payne, I invite you to join me for an evening of socializing and cinema chat. Hope to see you there.
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Upcoming Alexander Payne Book Events
A COFFEEHOUSE ALEXANDER PAYNE BOOK EVENT
The Alexander Payne book event tour continues…
Friday, Jan. 11
7-9 pm
…with a laidback gig at 13th Street Coffee & Tea in the Old Market, 519 South 13th St.
It’s the perfect venue for all you Beats and Hipsters. Have a cup of java as I talk about how I came to write about the filmmaker and why attention needs to be paid to him and his work. I’ll take questions and of course I’ll sign copies of “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film.” The book makes a great gift and should be part of any film lover’s library. The event starts at 7 pm. I’ll do my last signings at 9 pm. Join me for a night of coffee and cinema in the Old Market.
Be there or be square.
AN OMAHA PRESS CLUB ALEXANDER PAYNE BOOK EVENT
Your friendly neighborhood author-journalist-blogger discusses reporting and writing about Alexander Payne…
Thurs., Jan 17
5:30-7 pm
…at the next Omaha Press Club Professional Development Series. The Press Club is at 1620 Dodge St., 22nd flr of the old First National Bank.
I’ve covered Payne from the start of the Oscar-winning filmmaker’s career. My unprecedented access to Payne and his collaborators has resulted in a body of work available online. I’ve compiled the collection into a new book, “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective 1998-2012.”
The book is generating serious buzz, including an Indiewire exclusive in November. National film critic Leonard Maltin offers this: “Alexander Payne is one of American cinema’s leading lights. How fortunate we are that Leo Biga has chronicled his rise to success so thoroughly.”
Novelist and “Studio 360″ host Kurt Andersen writes: “I’d be an Alexander Payne fan even if we didn’t share a Nebraska upbringing: he is a masterly, menschy, singular storyteller whose movies are both serious and unpretentious, delightfully funny and deeply moving. And he’s fortunate indeed to have such a thoughtful and insightful chronicler as Leo Biga.”
Acclaimed actress Laura Dern, the star of Payne’s first feature, “Citizen Ruth,” offered: “Leo Biga has beautifully captured Alexander’s incredible journey in film for us all to savor.”
Hear more from me on Jan. 17. A no-host bar with hors d’oeuvres will open at 5:30 p.m. My presentation begins at 6 p.m., followed by open discussion and book signing at 6:30. The cost is $10 for members and their guests, $15 for nonmembers and $5 for students. RSVP to 402-345-8008. Hope to see you there.
Related articles
- Laura Dern Endorses My Alexander Payne Book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Dick Cavett is the latest luminary to endorse my Alexander Payne book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Another sweet endorsement for my Alexander Payne book… (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- More Alexander Payne Book News: WE MADE INDIEWIRE!!! (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Alexander Payne the Subject of a New Book (sys-con.com)
- Alexander Payne book news (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
New Alexander Payne book events for December and January
New Alexander Payne book events for December and January
My book “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film” is getting crazy good endorsements (see below).
Come out and support the project at any of the new talks and signings I am doing in December and January. It would mean a lot to me to have you stop by. And for all of you Facebook friends I haven’t met in person, consider this a special invitation to make that happen. I look forward to signing copies of the book for each and every one of you.
The book makes a great gift for the film lover in your life.
UNO Criss Library
60th and Dodge campus
Thur. Dec. 13
6:30-8:30 pm
Greek Islands
3821 Center St.
Thur., Dec. 20
7-9 pm
Rose Blumkin Home
323 So. 132nd St.
Wed., Dec. 26
Noon- 1 pm
13th Street Coffee & Tea
519 So. 13th St.
Fri., Jan. 11
7-9 pm
Omaha Press Club
First National Bank Bldg., 1620 Dodge St., 22nd Flr
Thur., Jan. 17
5:30-7 pm
Here’s what others are saying:
“Alexander Payne richly deserves this astute book about his work by Leo Biga. I say this as a fan of both of theirs; and would be one even if I weren’t from Nebraska.” – Dick Cavett, TV legend
“Alexander is a master. Many say the art of filmmaking comes from experience and grows with age and wisdom but, in truth, he was a master on day one of his first feature. Leo Biga has beautifully captured Alexander’s incredible journey in film for us all to savor.” – Laura Dern, actress, star of “Citizen Ruth”
“Alexander Payne is one of American cinema’s leading lights. How fortunate we are that Leo Biga has chronicled his rise to success so thoroughly.” – Leonard Maltin, film critic and best selling author
“I’d be an Alexander Payne fan even if we didn’t share a Nebraska upbringing: he is a masterly, menschy, singular storyteller whose movies are both serious and unpretentious, delightfully funny and deeply moving. And he’s fortunate indeed to have such a thoughtful and insightful chronicler as Leo Biga.” – Kurt Andersen, novelist (“True Believers”) and “Studio 360″ host
“Leo Biga brings us a fascinating, comprehensive, insightful portrait of the work and artistry of Alexander Payne. Mr. Biga’s collection of essays document the evolution and growth of this significant American filmmaker and he includes relevant historical context of the old Hollywood and the new. His keen reporter’s eye gives the reader an exciting journey into the art of telling stories on film.” – Ron Hull, Nebraska Educational Television legend, University of Nebraska emeritus professor of broadcasting, author of “Backstage”
Related articles
- Dick Cavett is the latest luminary to endorse my Alexander Payne book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Laura Dern Endorses My Alexander Payne Book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Alexander Payne book news (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- More Alexander Payne Book News: WE MADE INDIEWIRE!!! (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ Comes Home to Roost: The State’s Cinema Prodigal Son is Back Filming Again in his Home State after Long Absence (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
Dick Cavett is the latest luminary to endorse my Alexander Payne book
“Alexander Payne richly deserves this astute book about his work by Leo Biga. I say this as a fan of both of theirs; and would be one even if I weren’t from Nebraska.” - Dick Cavett
Dick Cavett is the latest luminary to endorse my new book, Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective 1998-2012.”.
“Alexander Payne richly deserves this astute book about his work by Leo Biga. I say this as a fan of both of theirs; and would be one even if I weren’t from Nebraska.”
Thanks, Dick. Some background: I’ve written extensively about Cavett over the years and those stories can be found on this blog.
His kind words join those of fellow world-class creatives:
“Alexander is a master. Many say the art of filmmaking comes from experience and grows with age and wisdom but, in truth, he was a master on day one of his first feature. Leo Biga has beautifully captured Alexander’s incredible journey in film for us all to savor.” – Laura Dern, actress, star of “Citizen Ruth”
“Alexander Payne is one of American cinema’s leading lights. How fortunate we are that Leo Biga has chronicled his rise to success so thoroughly.” – Leonard Maltin, film critic and best selling author
“I’d be an Alexander Payne fan even if we didn’t share a Nebraska upbringing: he is a masterly, menschy, singular storyteller whose movies are both serious and unpretentious, delightfully funny and deeply moving. And he’s fortunate indeed to have such a thoughtful and insightful chronicler as Leo Biga.” – Kurt Andersen, novelist (“True Believers”) and “Studio 360 host
“Leo Biga brings us a fascinating, comprehensive, insightful portrait of the work and artistry of Alexander Payne. Mr. Biga’s collection of essays document the evolution and growth of this significant American filmmaker and he includes relevant historical context of the old Hollywood and the new. His keen reporter’s eye gives the reader an exciting journey into the art of telling stories on film.” – Ron Hull, Nebraska Educational Television legend, University of Nebraska emeritus professor of broadcasting, author of “Backstage”
The book, released through Concierge Marketing Publishing Services and my own Inside Stories, may be previewed at www.facebook.com/LeoAdamBiga.
Available via Amazon, Barnes and Noble and for Kindle and other e-Readers.
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- Laura Dern Endorses My Alexander Payne Book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- More Alexander Payne Book News: WE MADE INDIEWIRE!!! (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Screenwriting 101: Alexander Payne (gointothestory.blcklst.com)
My Next Alexander Payne Book Event Comes to Florence
Looking for something different to do on your Tuesday night?
Then come to my next Alexander Payne book event:
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6:15 pm,
Florence Branch Library, 2920 Bondesson St., Omaha
Your favorite Omaha writer talks about “Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film – A Reporter’s Perspective”
I am just returned from the set of Payne’s new film, “Nebraska,” and I will share my impressions of that production. My highly praised book about the filmmaker and his work will be available for purchase. It’s only $19.95. I will personally sign copies.
The book makes a great gift for the movie lover(s) in your life.
Get yourself a copy of the book and find out why it’s receiving such generous praise as this:
“Alexander is a master. Many say the art of filmmaking comes from experience and grows with age and wisdom but, in truth, he was a master on day one of his first feature. Leo Biga has beautifully captured Alexander’s incredible journey in film for us all to savor.” – Laura Dern, actress, star of “Citizen Ruth”
“Leo Biga brings us a fascinating, comprehensive, insightful portrait of the work and artistry of Alexander Payne. Mr. Biga’s collection of essays document the evolution and growth of this significant American filmmaker and he includes relevant historical context of the old Hollywood and the new. His keen reporter’s eye gives the reader an exciting journey into the art of telling stories on film.” – Ron Hull, Nebraska Educational Television legend, University of Nebraska emeritus professor of broadcasting, author of “Backstage”
“Alexander Payne is one of American cinema’s leading lights. How fortunate we are that Leo Biga has chronicled his rise to success so thoroughly.” – Leonard Maltin, film critic and best selling author
“I’d be an Alexander Payne fan even if we didn’t share a Nebraska upbringing: he is a masterly, menschy, singular storyteller whose movies are both serious and unpretentious, delightfully funny and deeply moving. And he’s fortunate indeed to have such a thoughtful and insightful chronicler as Leo Biga.” – Kurt Andersen, novelist (“True Believers”) and “Studio 360 host
I am counting on my Blog followers and Facebook friends to come out and show support.
Hope to see you there.
Media Alerts:
•I will be doing a live appearance on WOWT during the 4 pm news today
•KIOS Radio is airing a segment about me and the book at 7:30 am and 4:30 pm today
•Check out Indiewire’s feature on the book at-
Related articles
- Laura Dern Endorses My Alexander Payne Book (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Alexander Payne book news (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Another sweet endorsement for my Alexander Payne book… (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- More Alexander Payne Book News: WE MADE INDIEWIRE!!! (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
- Alexander Payne’s ‘Nebraska’ Comes Home to Roost: The State’s Cinema Prodigal Son is Back Filming Again in his Home State after Long Absence (leoadambiga.wordpress.com)
Alexander Payne: His Journey in Film
