Building Permits and the Timing for Fire Rebuilds Questioned   

LA. Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference at the one home under construction in the bluffs area of Pacific Palisades. The home owners and the build were on her right.

At the May 19 L.A. Mayoral press conference held at 15256 DePauw Street in Pacific Palisades, Mayor Karen Bass said, “Rebuilding is underway – crews are working everyday to remove debris in the Palisades and expedite the timeline to get families home. Thanks to their work, the City is issuing new permits every week, rebuilding is underway across the Palisades, and our recovery effort is on track to be the fastest in modern California history.”

When reporters were allowed to ask questions, this editor asked, with all the empty lots that surround this home, why is this the only one that is being rebuilt?

Bass did not have an answer but introduced this editor to LADBS General Manager Osama Younan.

There were nearly 7,000 homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire and according to Realtor.com, as of May 16, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety had only issued 30 permits.

CTN sent questions and letters received from readers to Younan at the Department of Building and Safety.

Devin Myrick Public Information Officer for LADBS reminded CTN that Bass, through Executive Order No. 1 had established a One-stop Rebuilding Center which was supposed to provide residents access to information and to file city permits. “Nearly 2,000 people have been served here so far,” said

If 2,000 people had been served, why only 30 permits? CTN had been told by architects/builders that guidelines keep changing and wonder if the city can get on the same page for rebuilding and have it written down.

Myrick said the guidelines for the executive order are on the website and that changes have been made to the implementation guidelines to make them more lenient for rebuilding. https://dbs.lacity.gov/2025-los-angeles-wildfires-information.

An architect suggested to CTN that “property owners should also be allowed to rebuild their home as a two-story residence if it is no larger than 110% of the previous size and meets all current legal height and setback limitations. This would alleviate so much of the subjectivity when reviewing the applications. As written in the current design guidelines, there is too much detail that is not necessary.”

Myrick replied “Property owners are absolutely able to rebuild their home as a two-story residence, and they may exceed 110% of the previous size provided the project complies with all current legal height and setback limitations. In such cases, projects are permitted to meet or exceed the 110% threshold. A key factor for Executive Order eligibility is footprint, not square footage.

He clarified that the Mayor’s executive order aligns with the allowances granted in the Governor’s Executive Order N-4-25.

“Projects that exceed 110% of the prior structure’s footprint or height are not considered Eligible Projects under the executive order or the Governor’s Order,” Myrick said, and added “LADBS continues to expedite all plan reviews, and any project that complies with applicable LAMC requirements can still be permitted through the standard review process.”

Initially, people who had detached garages and wanted to bring them to the front of the property were told that the garage square footage had to be counted as residential square footage.

An architect wrote to CTN,  “The design guideline language for the fire rebuilds should be revised to say that as long as a property owner is rebuilding their home and garage to be no larger than 110% of their previous respective sizes, they would be able to place them anywhere within the legal setbacks of the property and still be considered an ‘Eligible Project.’ I am willing to accept this technicality even in a single car garage scenario, where the property owner would only be allowed to rebuild 110% of that previous size.”

Myrick pointed out “There have been amendments to these eligibility requirements to make rebuilding easier.”

The new amendment reads, “Attached and Detached Garages. Relocating an existing detached garage and incorporating it to be part of the main dwelling as an attached garage is allowed and considered as an Eligible Project. The attached garage will not count towards the 110% footprint expansion provided the garage area is limited to a maximum of 400 square feet and is one story in height.” 

Another person emailed CTN “I’m one of the people who haven’t been able to get plan permits. We entered plan check a month ago and still don’t have permits–we have hired an expeditor.”

LADBS responded, “If an address can be provided, LADBS management will look into it and provide details on where the project is in the process.” CTN provided the address.

In the past, the turn-around timing for plan check submissions, first comments and follow-up comments for construction has lasted months and even longer.

Myrick said, “LADBS has been completing the initial plan review in 6 days or less for all Palisades plan submissions. While follow-up comments are not formally tracked, the Department maintains an internal goal of a 5-day turnaround for normal projects. Palisades projects are consistently being turned around within that timeframe or faster.”

CTN also had several questions that Building and Safety sent to Planning.

Will the Coastal Categorical Exclusion approval process remain as it is or will that be expedited? Currently, it’s a matter of weeks. City Planning responded that processing timelines have not changed regarding Categorical Exclusion cases.

Will there be a limitation on SB-9 projects in the Palisades not only to protect density as the area rebuilds, but also an acknowledgement that evacuation with added density will be nearly impossible.

LADBS acknowledged that it does not have the authority to limit the number of parcels that are SB-9 eligible. Planning responded that SB 9 is a state program that has not been suspended and is therefore still applicable in the Palisades. Please note that any subdivision in the Coastal Zone requires a Coastal Development Permit.

 

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Eagle Scout Project: Cleaning the Canyon

Planting was one of the objectives for the project.

By HOLLY GOLDBERG SLOAN

Girl Scout Troop 223 from the Pacific Palisades, participated in a group project on May 10 led by Presley Travali, who is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. The Boy Scouts of America started accepting girls into their Eagle Scout program in 2019, and in 2021 the first female Eagle Scouts graduated.

To complete the program a scout must earn twenty-one merit badges, and complete a large-scale community service project, which demonstrates leadership. Presley Travali, a student at Palisades High School, picked Santa Monica Canyon for her project.

“For my Eagle Scout project, I focused on an area as close to the recent fires as possible, removing debris to help prevent future wildfires and protect the community,” Travali said. “It was important to me to take action where it was most needed and make a lasting impact. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and help create a safer environment for everyone.”

Travali met with local residents and decided to make her area of focus the divided section of Entrada, where trash and natural debris had built up.

That Saturday morning, Presley led a group of fellow scouts who clipped back foliage and planted drought and fire-resistant succulents. They painted sections of the existing wooden fencing and replaced one entire rotten section.

She raised the money needed for the project on her own and organized all aspects of the day. Travali will return for another full day of work on June 1. If you are in the area and see them, stop and tell them “Thanks.”

Presley Travali chose the Canyon to be a target for her community service project.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 223 weeded, planted and replaced a fence in Santa Monica Canyon.

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Palisades School Construction Updates

 

Allison Holdorff Polhill, senior advisor to LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin sent a May 13 update on the three public schools, Palisades and Marquez Charter Elementary Schools and Palisades Charter High School that were damaged in the Palisades Fire.

Temporary classrooms have been placed on the Marquez Elementary School campus.

MARQUEZ ELEMENTARY:

“The plan is to reopen Marquez ES on the Marquez ES campus sometime in the fall (or whenever the district and school community feel it is safe enough to return). We have had multiple community meetings with the Marquez school community. Many in the Marquez sending zone are relocating to their properties.”

The temporary campus will have 19 portable classrooms, administrative spaces, a library, food services and play space and is projected to open this fall. The rebuilt permanent campus will be an entirely new structure and will support the pre-fire enrollment of 310 students. Completion with 22 general classrooms, new library, no food services, new multipurpose room and office space is anticipated to be ready in the winter of 2028.

The classroom portables for Marquez Elementary School were on the school site when the photo was taken on Saturday, May 17.

In preparation for campus construction, soil sampling will be conducted and if necessary a soil removal plan will be prepared. When students return air quality monitoring will remain.

PALISADES ELEMENTARY:

At a May 7 Town Hall with school families and LAUSD, it was noted that at Palisades Elementary 199 families and 45 staff members were surveyed. It was decided that school will stay on the campus of Brentwood Science Magnet until the construction of Palisades Elementary is completed.

About 30 percent of Pali is still standing and replacement and repairs for that building is currently underway. New building construction on that campus will start in the first quarter of 2027, with buildings completed in the fourth quarter of 2028.

PALISADES HIGH SCHOOL:

Although Palisades High School is an independent charter, LAUSD is its landlord and responsible for the campus repairs.

Unfortunately, the baseball field was removed, leaving that popular sport at PaliHi no place to practice or hold games. There was space at the continuation school site below the stadium and the lot immediately below it, which also belongs to LAUSD, and could have held portables.

Portable classrooms have been placed on the Palisades baseball field.

Currently portable temporary classrooms are being installed on the baseball field off Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road.  The school could be opened in the fall as construction proceeds with the permanent classrooms, which are anticipated to be finished winter 2028.

Also, bad news for the football, soccer, softball, lacrosse and track teams, the replacement of the turf field at the stadium is part of Phase 2, which is slated for the first quarter 2027.

Phase 2 permanent construction includes 22 general and specialty classrooms with associated support spaces for the high school programs. It also will replace the buildings destroyed at the former Temescal Canyon Continuation School, and administrative spaces.

Other phase 2 replacements include the synthetic track and football field, ancillary football field buildings, football and baseball field lighting, baseball field, and storage containers throughout the campus.

Some parents had argued that Marquez Elementary should be reconfigured to become a smaller in-town middle school. LAUSD analyzed enrollment projections, demographic trends and the matriculation data and during the Town Hall said, “After thoroughly weighing all the information, we ultimately determined that none of proposed scenarios would warrant the construction of a new middle school. Marquez and Palisades will remain K-5 and Paul Revere Middle School has ample space to effectively accommodate students who reside in the Palisades area.”

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City Officials May Have to Answer for “Damning” Homeless Audit

By TIM CAMPBELL

The ongoing legal wrangling between the LA Alliance for Human Rights and the City of Los Angeles took a dramatic turn on Thursday, May 15.  Federal Judge David O. Carter scheduled in-person testimony to begin May 27 on the recently-completed report by the audit firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M).  As has been reported by several news agencies, the report was damning; auditors found neither the City nor LAHSA properly manage hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts, paying providers with no proof of performance.

In some instances, A&M found evidence of fraud, such as serving only two meals to people in shelters but charging for three and overstating the staffing levels at some shelters.  In addition, the report found the City could not prove its claim to have created more than 1,000 housing units, a story described in detail in LAist. A few days before the May 15 hearing, LAist also reported that two whistleblowers alleged LAHSA’s CEO, Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum ordered her staff to alter the statistics on Inside Safe, Mayor Bass’ hallmark homelessness program.

The City’s legal team has been doing its best to avoid having its officials testify in open court.  Many of the City’s objections are based technical objections to the plaintiff’s, (the LA Alliance for Human Rights), timing of its requests for testimony.

Remarkably, the City’s attorneys said Mayor Bass should be exempt from testifying because she’s simply too high up the organizational ladder.  Lesser officials have the same knowledge.  Judge Carter found that argument lacking, stating “The conversation has to ‘start at the top of responsibility.’” Just as she has tried to dodge responsibility for the City’s Palisades fire response, the Mayor seems to be trying to avoid answering for the many questions the A&M and other audits have raised.

She may be wise to avoid testifying. After a rushed March 27 appearance before the court, Mayor Bass made the outrageous claim A&M’s audit was just about “administration” while she was more concerned with “people.”

The statement was a perfect example of the hubris and deflection that have defined homelessness program leadership for 20 years.  The city attorneys’ argument to prevent Mayor Bass’ testimony raised an interesting question.  If she can appear at a press event and tout the supposed success of her programs, as she did last December, why can’t she describe that success in court?

As those who have been following the lawsuit know, the LA Alliance for Human Rights has been making the case for Judge Carter to appoint a receiver to manage the City’s, County’s, and LAHSA’s homelessness programs.

Judge Cater has properly proceeded cautiously, concerned that an unelected judge might appoint an unelected receiver to control billions in taxpayers’ dollars.  At the May 15 hearing, A&M’s lead auditor, Diane Rafferty, seemed to support the idea of a receiver, telling the court, “All of this needs to be looked at in a different way,” saying a review of the city’s homelessness services “needs to start from the ground up.”

So, how does scheduling hearings relate to the push for a receivership?  Keeping in mind Judge Carter’s cautious approach, he likely wants to be sure a receiver is the only option for true reform.

As the May 15 LAist article explains, the judge intends to take a deeper look at the questionable numbers uncovered by A&M and an earlier audit by the L.A. County Auditor.

If a deep dive into the numbers is coming, LAHSA, the City and the County have good reason to try to avoid a public hearing.  While City and County officials use controlled press events to tout supposed success, they have been much more reticent in responding to audits.  Besides Mayor Bass’ snide reference to “administration”, neither the City nor LAHSA have submitted responses to A&M’s report refuting its findings.

Holding hearings in court will force local officials to answer publicly for the reports’ findings.  Remember, these are the same officials who claim they are driving reform, such as the County’s Board of Supervisors’ decision to pull its funding for LASHA.

We should rightly suspect their sincerity, especially in light of the fact the people overseeing Measure A’s new revenues are the same ones who run the current programs that have wasted hundreds of millions of dollars over the past several years.

Can we really expect these officials to implement the fundamental changes needed to restore the public’s trust in the effectiveness of LA’s homelessness programs?  If local officials can’t explain how their programs provide substantial assistance to the unhoused, and what systemic reforms they intend to implement, then perhaps we’ll be one step closer to a receivership.

Posted in City, Homelessness | Leave a comment

Special Show to Raise Money for PaliHi Theatre Program

Annika Johansson (left) in a scene from “Legally Blonde.”

One night only, “Showstoppers!” will be performed by current Palisades High School students and alumni at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, at the Paul Revere Auditorium, 1450 Allenford. This musical theater night will be a great way to enjoy some of the finest talent on the Westside, while supporting the arts.

PaliHi Visual and Performing Arts teacher Cheri Smith wrote: “Come join our current Pali artists as well as many of our cherished alumni, (so many talented faces from the past years of Pali), to celebrate the resilience of our young artists and raise funds to meet our program needs! We really need your support so please get your tickets now.

“Our alumni performers list is growing by the day, and our current students are excited to share their show tunes with you, with music from Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown, Little Show of Horrors, Kiss Me Kate, Legally Blonde and more.

It sounds like it will be a perfectly delightful night.

The Palisades Fire forced the school to find rehearsal space for its spring musical Legally Blonde and the performance venue was changed to Santa Monica.

Smith, who directed Legally Blonde said, “The show was an amazing celebration of the resilience of our Pali performing arts community! The spring musical took place against all odds with both virtual rehearsals and meetings at numerous in person locations on the Westside. Pali’s unbelievable talent was on full display in this collaboration between the theater, choral music, instrumental music and dance programs. Audiences were on their feet, responding to the celebratory energy pouring from the production. Bravo Dolphins!”

If you missed the show and the actors, here’s another chance to hear and see some great performances. Tickets are available at https://gofan.co/ .

Sam Jacobson performed in the spring musical.

 

Posted in Arts, Palisades Fire, Schools | Leave a comment

Residents to Discuss Safety with Councilmember Park

All residents are invited to RSVP and join Councilmember Traci Park at a Zoom safety meeting at 4 p.m. on May 22, to discuss security and access transition with the opening of Pacific Coast Highway at the end of May, per Governor Gavin Newsom’s instructions.

Will the streets be opened into Pacific Palisades? Will checkpoints disappear?

CRIME UPDATE:

This editor heard about a burglary call last week and reached out to Pacific Palisades Senior Lead Officer Brian Espin. He responded “I have limited information. California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to a burglary radio call.

“Our Los Angeles Police Department helicopter was overhead and guided CHP to possible suspect,” Espin said. “The individual was an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. CHP placed the individual under arrest.”

The intruder gained entry to the home via an open window.

Today, May 20, the owner of a home at 302 Mesa came home to check on the ongoing remediation and saw someone in her house.

The resident called 911 and then called Canyon resident Sharon Kilbride. Although police are by the checkpoints, they are not allowed to leave.

Kilbride also called the beach detail officers, who were close by and responded within five minutes. About 20 minutes later the 911 officers arrived. The individual refused to come out of the bedroom and a door had to be kicked in and the suspect was arrested.

It was learned that the suspect entered through an open window. The home does not have cameras nor a security company. It is recommended that people not currently living in their homes, take appropriate measures to ensure their homes do not become residences for squatters.

This squatter locked himself in the bedroom and a door had to be broken down to extricate and arrest him.

Posted in General | 3 Comments

Additional Trespassing Signage Information for Palisades Homes and Lots

“No Trespass” information and other little known LA laws.

Councilmember Traci Park’s office is coordinating with Palisades residents and Block Captains/Team Palisades to begin distributing Trespass Arrest Authorization forms. https://housing.lacity.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Trespass-Arrest-Authorization.pdf

These forms authorize the Los Angeles Police Department to enforce trespass laws on your private property. The Council office strongly encourages everyone to complete and submit this form and to post “No Trespassing” signs on your property.

Here’s how you can submit your form:

Drop-off Option: Forms can be dropped off at the American Legion Post (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). A secure drop box will be available.

Online Upload: We’ve created folders categorized by specific areas within the Palisades. You can upload your signed form to the folder corresponding to your area. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y4fdK9PicwS2OJYkyGKPTE3CGI4P7vVe?usp=sharing

In-Person Submission: You may also take your signed form directly to the West LA Police Station or the nearest LAPD station to your location.

 

OTHER LA LAWS:

On a more humorous note, a resident who has posted a “NO Trespassing Sign” on his property wrote that while he researched trespassing, he found other laws on the books that need to be enforced.

  • 41.16: No person shall throw, blow or otherwise scatter on any street, sidewalk, restaurant, café, theatre, place of amusement or other public place any snuff, or any substance which injuriously affects the olfactory nerves or which causes sneezing or coughing or otherwise injuriously affects the person.
  • 41.29: No person shall operate or play any hand organ or hurdy-gurdy in, upon or along any street or sidewalk.
  • 41.47: No person owning, controlling or having charge of any bathroom or water closet room shall permit any person to use such rooms for any purpose other than toilet purposes.
  • 41.53: No person shall occupy, use or bathe in any tub or tank in any public bath house at the time such tub or tank is being occupied, used or bathed in by any other person, or occupy, use or bathe in any such tub or tank if the bathing water has been used by any other person.

The resident wrote, “More annoyingly is the requirement to file, in person, the authorization at West LA police station. I went to Pacific station and was told to file my authorization at West LA.

“Oh, and they put the form in a binder so when an officer radios in the officer working dispatch can look it up. LAPD has virtually no automation as ~80% of the budget goes to personnel costs which include salaries, benefits, and overtime. Let’s pray Pacific station doesn’t burn down like the Palisades,” he said.

Then added, “And remember, in Los Angeles it is illegal to have a pet crow, toad, snail, bat, kangaroo, or capybaras (largest rodent native to South America).”

 

 

Posted in City, Palisades Fire | 3 Comments

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Gives $3.2 Million for Wildfire Prevention

Santa Monica Mountains

 

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy announced on May 13 that it has awarded $3.2 million in State funds to Los Angeles County and Ventura County Fire Departments to implement wildfire prevention programs.

The grants, unanimously approved by the Conservancy and its Advisory Committee at its May 12 meeting, include $2.2 million to Los Angeles County Fire Department and $1 million to Ventura County Fire Department.

The Conservancy was allocated $31 million from Proposition 4, which passed in November 2024 for watershed improvement, wildfire resilience, chaparral and forest restoration, and workforce development.

The proposition authorized $10 billion in debt to spend on environmental and climate projects, with the biggest chunk, $1.9 billion, for drinking water improvements. The bond prioritizes lower-income communities, and those most vulnerable to climate change, and requires annual audits. Repaying the money could cost $400 million a year over 40 years, a legislative analysis said.

The State Legislature enacted an early action measure and signed into law by Governor Newsom in mid-April that allows the Conservancy to use Prop 4 bond funds for urgent wildfire prevention and resilience efforts.

Senator Ben Allen and Assemblymember Jaqui Irwin, who are legislative participants on the Conservancy and whose Districts were highly impacted by the January 2025 Palisades fire championed early action funding.

“My community has seen firsthand the devastating effects of wildfires,” said Senator Ben Allen, author of Proposition 4. “We have been working with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy with a sense of urgency to get these Prop 4 dollars to work as soon as possible.”

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin. “Wildfire experts from both the Los Angeles and Ventura County Fire Departments continue to work hard to ensure the safety of residents living in these areas however, their safety will be greatly enhanced through additional wildfire mitigation and the much-needed fuel reduction plans funded by these grants.”

In January 2025, the devastating Palisades, Eaton, and Kenneth wildfires underscored an urgent need for wildfire and climate resilience efforts to address the growing severity of fire seasons in Southern California.

The Conservancy is an active member of the Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Alliance, an umbrella group of government agencies groups convened by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath to address environmental and community safety problems related to wildfire in the Santa Monica Mountains.

(Note: The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is a State Agency established by the Legislature in 1980. Since that time, it has helped preserve more than85,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings. Its mission is to strategically buy back, preserve, protect, and restore pieces of Southern California to form and interlinking system of urban, rural, and river parks, open space, trails, and wildlife habitat that are easily accessible to the general public.)

Posted in Accidents/Fires, Environmental, Palisades Fire, Parks | 3 Comments

Letter: Rebuilding Myths and Realities

Large portions of the Palisades needs to be rebuilt.

As a Pacific Palisades homeowner who lost our home in the January fire, I feel compelled to speak out about the widening gap between the City’s public promises and the reality many of us face as we try to rebuild.

Our family was already in plan check before the fire. We are not developers. We’re not adding density. We’re simply trying to rebuild our home—one that is larger than the original—and return to our community. But because our design exceeds the 110% threshold defined in Mayor Bass’s Emergency Executive Order No. 1, we’ve been excluded from nearly every support system designed to help fire victims recover.

That arbitrary cap has become a barrier. We’ve been denied access to the Self-Certification Pilot Program (Executive Order No. 6) and—most frustratingly—we’re being told to pay full permitting and plan check fees, even though Mayor Bass’s April 25th executive order states clearly that those fees should be waived for homes damaged or destroyed in the wildfire, including those already in plan check. That waiver language includes no mention of a 110% cap. Yet the City is now applying one.

We’ve been stalled for months. Despite stamped engineering plans, a cleared lot, and ready contractors, our project has been caught in subjective interpretation and red tape. Our assigned LADBS plan checker rejected a code-compliant design because he “didn’t like the approach.” One revision even required a raised deck with open space below it—a known ember trap. This isn’t enforcement. It’s obstruction.

Councilmember Traci Park stated publicly that homes over 110% would face “a longer review,” not exclusion from support. But that is not what’s happening. The message we’ve received—through delays, denial of fee waivers, and policy loopholes—is that slightly exceeding an arbitrary number means you’re on your own.

If the City truly wants to support fire victims, it must extend meaningful, consistent support to all displaced homeowners—not just those who fit neatly within a percentage cap. Otherwise, Executive Orders 1 and 6 become symbolic gestures that leave families like ours behind.

Darcy Bieber Maki

(Editor’s note: Circling the News shared this letter with Osama Younan, general manager for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, who responded “Thank you Sue, we will definitely reach out to Darcy to help.”) 

Posted in City, Palisades Fire | 2 Comments

2025 Film Festival Tradition Continues: Winner Announced

These were the award winners from the 11rh Annual Revere Film Festival.
PHOTO: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

The 11th Annual Paul Revere Film Festival was held on May 16 continuing an event that was started by a former parent, Lisa Robbins, to allow students a chance to tell a story.

Annually awards are given in six categories: 1) live action, 2) animation, 3) documentary, 4) music video, 5) public service announcement and 6) commercial. Judges pick 1st, 2nd and third place in each category.

“I continue to volunteer with the festival because I love helping students bring their creative talents to the big screen,” said organizer Susan Fitzer. “The event provides a wonderful opportunity for our Paul Revere community to come together and celebrate the art of storytelling through film.”

On the night of the event, filmmakers walk the red carpet and view their creativity on the big screen.  Every student who enters a film, receives a gift and raffle baskets this year were donated by Warner Brothers, Family Guy, American Dad, Sony Pictures Animation, DreamWorks Animation and Skydance Media.

A few years ago, “we introduced the Lisa Robins Spirit of the Festival Award,” Fitzer said, noting that the award is chosen by us volunteers and “we usually award it to the film we feel embodies the Spirit of Paul Revere.  We love picking it each year.”

This year that award went to Always Look For The Helpers, which was created by Mr. Wechsler’s Yearbook Class.

LIVE ACTION AWARDS:

“Invisa Man Goes Wrong” was done by directors Ali and Jalil Jackson and Nahum Mulu.
PHOTO: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

First Place went to Imaginary Friend directed by Pugliese Schwartz. Second went to Invisa Man Goes Wrong and third to Mark Williams Falls Back, Directed by Austin Geiger and Peter McCarthy.

“This is the second time I’ve been a judge at The Paul Revere Film Festival and I find it inspiring to watch the creative minds of these students,” said Tia Nolan. “Their imagination is refreshing and it’s a joy to watch their young filmmaker minds at work.”

Nolan is a feature film editor. She began her career in the early 1990’s moving up the ranks from apprentice editor to assistant and finally to editor. She got her big break editing Bewitched (2005) with Nora Ephron and from there she built a career in comedies with films like Friends with Benefits (2011), Annie (2014), How To Be Single (2016), I Feel Pretty (2018), Superintelligence (2020) and Thunder Force (2021).

MUSIC VIDEO:

I Get Those Tardies Every Time directed by Eli Rokhsar won first; Leave the Door Open ASL, directed by Eli and Logan McCune took second; and You’ve Got a Friend in Me by Mr. Wechsler’s Yearbook and Journalism Classes took third.

Helping to judge music was Fred Coury, who is best known for being the drummer for multi platinum band CINDERELLA for 30 years. He is an award-winning composer for both film and television. In addition, Fred composes music for sporting events and arenas, including all the music for the Los Angeles Kings.

Organizer Fitzer said, “We try to get judges from different entertainment industry disciplines each year, but Fred Coury loves it so much, he has asked to do it every year.  So Fred has been a judge for the last 9 years!”

Also judging this year was Aaron Kenny is an Australian Film and Theater composer based in New York City. He is a music assistant to Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken. He has had the pleasure of working on the songs and scores to the live-action Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid, as well as working with Stephen Schwartz on the score to Wicked – Part One.

DOCUMENTARY AWARDS :

Marina del Ray was the subject for Aaron Goldberg, Sandro Prilusky and Gabe Smith.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

In first place was Alpacas! that was directed by Austin Geiger, taking second was Marina del Ray directed by three students Aaron Goldberg, Sandro Prilusky and Gabe Smith. Third place this year went to Palisades Fire Documentary directed by GG Bostic.

Another judge was Jana Sue Memel is Executive Vice President of Schools of Entertainment at the Academy of Art University, where she also teaches screenwriting, and directing. Films Jana has produced have won three Oscars and have received an additional eight Academy Award nominations. She has produced, written, and/or directed over a hundred short films, thirty feature-length films, documentaries and television.

ANIMATION:

Director Emma Mack with actresses Zoe Milam and Olive Milam.
PHOTO: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

First place went to A Cool School Movie directed by Emma Mack, second went to How Spicy Food Takes Effect on Your Body by Melanie Lee and third was a movie directed by August Brancato called Schrodinger’s Terms & Conditions.

“All the submissions showed so much creativity and inventiveness. Their uncensored joy in storytelling inspired me!” said Brian Pimental a long-time animation veteran whose credits include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, A Goofy Movie, Tarzan, Enchanted, Bambi 2, Lego 2 and most recently Spellbound and Flink’s Pigeon Problems.

Also judging was Lisa L. Silver a mom and a seasoned animation feature film editor. She has been working in film editing for 35 years honed her storytelling skills while editing shorts and feature films during her first 15 years at Walt Disney Animation (Emperor’s New Groove, Mulan 2, Cinderella 3, Winnie the Pooh, various Tinkerbell projects and the Academy Award winning Paperman).

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Austin Geiger                                                                                              PHOTO: RICH SCHMITT/CTN

In first was Teach Resilience, directed by Austin Geiger. Second place went to Don’t Trash Revere by Mr. Vial’s Screenwriting and Film Making Class. Third place Exercise Is Important directed by Brianna Reyes.

More judges include Phillip J. Bartell and Lori Korngeibel. Bartell, ACE, has edited a number of films and television series, including Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, Disney’s Haunted Mansion, To All The Boys I Loved Before, Bad Hair, and Dear White People.

Korngeibel is an Emmy Award winning producer with 30 years’ experience and has worked on Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Lilo & Stitch and Dreamworks Animation’s Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon. Her other Animation credits include the Oscar Winning “Spirited Away.” Her live action films include Armageddon, Maleficent, Cruella, and Disney’s “The Haunted Mansion.” She has also produced several documentaries such as Disney+’s Waking Sleeping Beauty and Howard.

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Glacier Water directed by Ethan Nedjati took first; Drop Stop directed by Eli Rokhsar was second; and third went to 3 Reasons Why To Go To Italy, directed by Ariana Zolfahari.

Judge Gabe Sachs is a writer and producer who has worked on many television projects including Freaks & Geeks, Just Shoot Me, Undeclared, Life As We know it, 90210 and The Night Shift. He co-wrote the feature films Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. Sachs is an alumnus of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His creative partner is writer/director Jeff Judah with whom he co-owns Sachs/Judah Productions.

 

 

 

 

 

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