Filmmaker Appreciation Dinner Sponsored by
Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine
Special screening of "CONCERT"
by Richard Warren Rappaport

 The film "Concert" was borne out of a live acoustic solo concert benefit performance. Our purpose was to develop a documentary that addressed the question as to why artists create their works and, in this case, what drives an artist to write a musical composition, whether it is based upon political, social or personal reasons.

In this respect, our goal was to provide an introspective and reflective story of the genesis of original music, its importance to the creative process and the significance of the message to be delivered. To accomplish that, we conducted a series of interviews during and following the concert on why each song was composed and what the artist meant to convey to the listener.

In the end, we wanted our audience to understand the texture that lives within a musical composition, the mosaic of stories that unfold in each song, and the artistic relevance of music to our world. We hope that in "Concert," we’ve accomplished that goal.

The Director

Richard Warren Rappaport is a BMI recording artist, songwriter and publisher.  He has performed his original music live on television, radio and onstage, and at numerous events in support of the arts, including the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and the Steinway/BMI Music and Arts Showcase series.  His recordings have been played in film and on television and radio.  His soulful composition, Louisiana Way, was in the soundtrack of the CBS Television Movie of the Week, The Madam’s Family: The Truth About the Canal Street Brothel.  His ballad, Sail Into The Sun, charted into the Top 20 on the national Adult Contemporary Charts.  And his pop tune, Great Rock ‘N’ Roll, became the theme song for the television show Hello Hollywood.  He is also a prominent entertainment attorney and is chair of the ABA’s annual International Legal Symposium on the World of Music, Film, Television and Sports.  He has had numerous articles published and has lectured extensively in entertainment law.  He has produced for television and has been an on-air personality, hosting American Law, a series of television vignettes on the law.  He also co-produced and co-hosted the television show Hello Hollywood, now on iStudioi.com.  He believes in the importance of ongoing discussions on topics and issues facing the entertainment industry today, and supports the film, television and music industries and emerging and established talent within it  He is active in civic, community and charitable organizations in South Florida, New York and Los Angeles, and is completing his first book, STAR: Finding Artistic and Commercial Success in the New Entertainment Industry, to be published by ABA Publishing in 2013.  “Concert” is his first film.