Waiting for the accountant to finish up the paper work on the dissolution of Film North. Heard from the IRS regarding a missing tax return, but haven’t heard back from the accountant regarding this. Have transferred my own domain to another host. On Facebook if anyone wants to contact me.
March 1 – 8, at Salem, Massachusetts
The Salem Film Fest is presented at CinemaSalem in Salem, Massachusetts. This is the largest documentary Film Festival in New England. In addition to the films, there are many other events including several that are free. Go to http://salemfilmfest.com for more information.
The fun, free event will feature a top-ten countdown format presenting the best 10 films entered in the contest by young filmmakers from around the Commonwealth. The top three winners will receive cash awards of $100, $50, and $25. It is scheduled for Thursday, March 1, 7 pm at CinemaSalem, One East India Square Mall, Salem, MA .
This year, 45 films were submitted. Hundreds of individuals were involved in all levels of production. The students hail from 17 high schools or arts programs, including Barnstable High School, Beverly High School, Bishop Fenwick High School, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Danvers High School, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, King Phillip Regional High School, Landmark School, Marblehead High School, Oasis Film Institute of Lynn, Plymouth North High School, Sharon High School, Shepherd Hill Regional High School, Shrewsbury High School, Swampscott High School, and the Real-to-Reel Film School at Lynn Arts.
Each year the numbers of filmmakers involved increases and the quality of production improves. While all genres and topics were allowed, starting with next year’s 2013 event, the competition will accept documentary films only.
Another meeting tonight on the Salem Film Fest that takes place from March 1 to March 8. Hope to find out some of the filmmakers who will be coming from around the globe to attend. You can see some trailers at http://salemfilmfest.com/. Lot of activities in addition to showing films. Students have up to February 1 to enter the Five-Minute Student Film Contest.
While a lot of filmmakers realize that films are a collaborative effort, they don’t always know that the distribution and promotion needs to be one too. As independents, the only way you can have the clout of the majors is by joining together. This is against the nature of many independents. Sharing and helping each other may be the only way that many will survive.
How flexible are you? What would you do if one of your main actors didn’t show up? Do you have a backup scene that you could shoot? What if you lost power and didn’t have enough batteries to power a shoot? What if a piece of equipment gets broken or stolen? What if you didn’t plan well and didn’t have enough tape or cards? What if some of production crew didn’t show up? Would others be able to replace them?
These are some of the things you might run to in a shoot. Do you have your backup plans? Are you able to make instant decisions? Do you have enough cash to help? Cash can sometimes be key if your shooting in a production friendly environment. When you are in rural areas, you will find it harder to find or buy necessary supplies. Did you make friends with other filmmakers in the area. Maybe they can help you or give you advice.
Did you ever have a happy error? When Linkedin sent out invitations to most people in my inbox, I rediscovered a lot of people I forgot. While a lot of time errors cause problems, sometimes something good happens. Maybe you take a wrong turn and discover a scenic view or a good restaurant. Perhaps you didn’t mean to do something, but it comes out better than you hoped. It could be a shot or lighting. Maybe you met new people while looking for someone else. You went looking for some item, and found something you desired more at a better price.
A big question that many of us have is how long will the media that record on last. While film was great, there was still deterioration after many years. Sometimes it was the film color stock or maybe the actual film cellulose. Videotape and different magnetic media doesn’t last forever. There are different experiments to come up with media that will last our lifetime and beyond. Now we can only try and have backup and keep checking.
With the lack of attention of most viewers, do we have to try for perfection? Will more than adequate improve market share? Are the costs devoted to achieve perfection pay off? Is compelling information or a story the most important?
I believe the venue determines the quality necessary. If the production is meant for viewing over the internet or a smart phone, you don’t need the best quality. Even television shows usually don’t get our undivided attention. There are too many things happening around the home. Movies meant for big screens and theatres usually do require better quality, but even then there could be exceptions. A slapstick comedy might be one. What do you think?
