AIVF Jefferson County
Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers
Ezine Number 59, December 23, 2003
 
AIVF Jefferson County meeting
 
The next meeting of the AIVF Jefferson County Salon will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2004 at the Irondale Public Library. We will be continuing our discussions about the film industry and would like to hear about your film project. Since "Big Fish" will be in general release by that date, we may squeeze in some time to discuss it's impact on our film industry. 
 
The meeting is free to the public.
 
For a directions to the Irondale Public Library and to keep up with any last minute changes go to the Salon web page at http://www.reelscene.com/jeffcosalon.html   
 
Highlights of the Dec. 9 Salon meeting
 
Well the rain didn't keep everyone away this time and we had more attend than on the tornado laden Nov.18 meeting. Among those that came;
 
Jerry Voyles came to tell us about "The Invisible Friend". The audition on Dec.6 had over two hundred people brave the cold to come read for the parts. Production is expected to start the first weekend in January. When this shoot ends he has another movie "Bama Blues" planned to start. We also talked about the equipment he will be shooting with.
 
A producer who told us about some television series and a movie being filmed.
 
A writer who is planning to cast for a horror film in March.
 
A person looking to produce two other feature length scripts into movies.
 
Our discussion had an ebb and flow to the topics;
 
-a good bit of discussion about the local situation for financing films, pretty difficult,
 
-discussion about what's happening with our State and City concerning legislation for the film industry. The earlier incentive package needs to be rewritten. Lots of ideas on this topic. Example of one out of town movie filmed here. Local bar owner donated his establishment, crew came in, filmed and left. Bar owner discovered that liquor had been stolen and a Dale Earnhart light (increased in value since his death) was missing. 
 
-discussion about a 'film packager' for the State. 
 
-discussion about the City of Birmingham's film commission and how it operates.
 
-discussion about possible sites for a movie studio.
 
-discussion about the production directory planned for the web site and streaming video.
 
-the need for scripts to start production and develop our industry our selves.
 
and a whole lot more. The discussion went so well we didn't get a chance to see the trailers and TV spot for "Big Fish".
  
Script Development Workshop
 
The next meeting of the Script Development Workshop will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2004 at Books & Co. in Brookwood Village. Bring a script you are working on and share it with like minded peers. At the last meeting two people brought their own feature length script. The meeting generally last to 9:00 p.m. although you are free to stay and talk till store closing. For more information contact Angela at angela@boang.com .
 
 
 

Film Festivals

The George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival has a deadline of Jan.31, 2004 for entries.

Entry fees are
Professional:                 $20 
Faculty:                           $20 
College Student:           $10
High School Student:  $10 
Lion Club (K-8):             $5
Categories are
Full length narrative, under two hours
Short narrative, under 30 minutes
Music Video, 3-5 minutes
Animation 

The date for the Festival is April 15-17, 2004.

Send submissions to,
George Lindsey/UNA Film Festival
University Box 5151
One Harrison Plaza
Florence, AL. 35632-0001
For more information got to  http://www.lindseyfilmfest.com/

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CALL FOR SHORT SCREENPLAYS for the Inaugural Picture This: CSU/IP  2004 Screenplay Awards
-a program of Independent Pictures and Cleveland State Universary
 
For Immediate Release: December 23, 2003
 
Contact: Annetta Marion or Bernadette Gillota, Co-Founding Artistic  Directors of Independent Pictures, (216) 651-7315
 
Attention Ohio screenwriters and filmmakers: Cleveland State  University and Independent Pictures are sending out a call for  entries for the first-ever Picture This: CSU/IP 2004 Screenplay  Awards.  One winner will be chosen from each of three categories:  Best Screenplay, Best Student Screenplay and Best Screenplay on the  2004 theme, The Right to Privacy.  The competition is a project of  the Picture This: CSU Independent Film School, which is funded by the  2003 President's Initiative Fund, a partnership of The Cleveland  Foundation, the George Gund Foundation and Cleveland State  University.  All screenplays submitted must be for a short, narrative  film (maximum 10 pages).  One winner from the three will then be  eligible for 16mm production (pending funding).  Entries must be  received by January 15, 2004.  Winners will be chosen by March 15,  2004.  There are no constraints on genre, content, year screenplay  was completed or subject matter.
For complete guidelines and an entry  form, please visit the web site at
http://academic.csuohio.edu/kneuendorf/pictthis or
http://www.ohiofilms.com/.  Mail all submissions to: Picture This Screenplay  Competition, Dept. of Communication, Cleveland State University, 2121  Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115.  For more information, call  Independent Pictures at 216-651-7315, Cleveland State University at  216-687-3994, or email at OhioIndieFilmFest@juno.com or  k.neuendorf@csuohio.edu
 
Independent Pictures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1993. IP is the proud sponsor of the Ohio Independent Film Festival, Ohio Independent Screenplay Awards, Film Production Training Program, regional AIVF Salons, Fiscal Agent Sponsorship Program, Speakers Bureau, annual Director of Photography Workshop, and a variety of curatorial programs.
 
INDEPENDENT PICTURES' SPONSORS: Association of Independent Video & Filmmakers, Audio Visual Rentals, Cleveland Cardiovascular Research Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Free Times, Cleveland Public Theatre, Community Shares of Greater Cleveland, Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland Inc., Filmmaker Magazine, The George Gund Foundation, Hampton Inn, http://www.inktip.com/, Marriott Residence Inn, Media Design Imaging, Miller Beer, Northern Ohio Live, The Offset Theory, Ohio Arts Council, Sherwin Williams, Steen Editorial, United Labor Agency, West Side Cardiology Associates, the Ohio Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities
 
Independent Pictures
1392 West 65th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44102
(216) 651-7315
(216) 651-7317 fax
OhioIndieFilmFest@juno.com
http://www.ohiofilms.com/
 
News of "Big Fish"
 
From several other media outlets there's been news of the local premier and screenings of "Big Fish" over the past few weeks. The movie is suppose to open on Christmas Day so let's hope that a print will stay here in town. I did see the film at one of the promotional screenings and wrote a review (see below).
 
Also, from those same other media outlets, "Big Fish" is nominated for a Golden Globe Award. The Golden Globe is seen as a precursor to the Oscars.
 
HBO has been running a 'First Look' for "Big Fish". Starting on Friday night Dec. 19 the next showing will be Wednesday afternoon Dec. 23 at around 1:30 p.m. with addition showings during the evening. There will probably more showings during the next couple of weeks so please check you local cable listings for times. 
 
If you are able to attend the movie look for some of our local people in these scenes;
 
Jonathan Jackson, as 3 year old Will in bed listening to his father tell the story of 'the day you were born'.
 
Mark McWhorter, as the Army Officer who hands Sandra the notice about Edward Bloom being MIA.
 
Brian Kurlander, Paul DeMarco and Carl Endert, as Army parachutist,
 
Jim Brucke, as a spectator on the street during the bank robbery scene.
 
These are the ones I could find out at this time.
 
Review of "Big Fish"
 
A Hollywood expectation of a story might be something like, a car is coming down a straight road, it comes to an intersection, as it crosses a truck smashes in to the side and forces the car to change direction along the other road. Or, you have a story going in one direction, a dramatic event happens, the story changes direction and ends going in a different direction.
 
"Big Fish" happens this way, a car is coming down a straight road, it comes to a curve and slowly follows that curve around, around, around until it is going in a different direction. Read more at http://www.reelscene.com/other/bigfishreview.html  
 
AIVF D.C. Salon news
 
Editing Workshop
Final Cut Pro 4.0

For those interested in learning more about the craft of film
editing, this comprehensive two-day workshop will go through the
basics of editing with Final Cut Pro 4.0 to advanced techniques. 
Students will edit their own project from initial "log and capture"
to adding effects, transitions, image motion, and color correction. 
Students will work on their own editing system independently while
being supervised by a Final Cut Pro Professional.

Cost: $395

January 10th & 11th (Saturday & Sunday) 10:00am - 4:00pm

Limited Availability

Workshop is held at:
Imagination Stage (Media Department)
4908 Auburn Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland  20814

Call now to register: 301.961.6060
 
AIVF Atlanta meeting

Each month IMAGE works in conjunction with the Association of Independent
Video and Filmmakers to sponsor informal, educational salons. These meetings are free and open to the public. Salons are held the second Tuesday of each month from 7pm-8:30 pm @ Red Light Cafe (553 Amsterdam Ave, off Monroe Drive;  404/874-7828).  

Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Festival 101
It's that time again! Festivals, festivals, festivals! If you’re thinking of attending, submitting, or just interested in hearing about the circuit, here's your chance to get the skinny on all things festival-related. Join Producer/Director/Writer Milt Thomas (of CLAIRE fame), IMAGE Film & Video Executive Director Brian Newman and Festival Director Paul Marchant, as they discuss the ins and outs and dos and don'ts of festivals.

Workshops, classes
From IMAGE in Atlanta
 
The classes and workshops schedule is now on-line with full descriptions.
See the IMAGE web site: www.imagefv.org
Please check periodically for new information.

Upcoming Registration Deadlines:

INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING
Instructor: Michael Lucker

This introductory course, taught by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Michael Lucker, is the perfect starting point for those who want to learn the basics of writing for film.  Over six weeks, students will learn the fundamentals and philosophies of writing a professional screenplay.  Students will explore concept, character, plot, dialogue, and scene design, then apply their knowledge to a properly formatted fifteen page screenplay.
Thursdays, January 15-February 19, 2004.  7pm-9pm.

SOUND 101:  Location Sound Recording
Instructor:  Whit Norris
Bad sound ruins more independent movies than possibly any other factor…end of story.  Learn how to “sweeten” your filmmaking experience with an intensive hands-on workshop dealing with the theory, hardware, techniques, and aesthetics of recording sound for film and video.  Topics will include the nature of sound, human hearing, basic theory of audio, electronics, microphone selection, microphone placement, RF mics, synchronous records, SMPTE time code, mixing techniques, and on-set protocol. Demonstrated equipment will include mixers, microphones, DAT and Nagra recorders, and various pieces of support gear.
Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25, 2004. 10am-6pm, both days.

CINEMATOGRAPHY 101:  BASIC CINEMATOGRAPHY
Instructor:  Jim Kanter

Before you begin your own film project, learn the basic principles, technologies, and techniques of shooting film. Topics covered include film vs. video, understanding film stocks and processing, basic camera function and operation, understanding lenses, setting exposure, using filters, basics of shot composition, fundamental lighting principles, and set etiquette and procedures. While no class can turn you into an accomplished cinematographer in a weekend, it will get you started and will provide you with the basic knowledge you need to go out and start shooting film. It also serves as a foundation for the more advanced workshops dealing with more specific aspects of cinematography.  Basic Cinematography is a prerequisite for our film camera courses.
Saturday and Sunday, January 31 and February 1. 10am-6pm, both days.
Arts Grants

Student Entries Invited for VSA arts Playwright Discovery Award Program
 
 Deadline: April 15, 2004
 
 The VSA arts ( http://www.vsaarts.org/ ) Playwright
 Discovery Award program is designed to challenge middle
 and high school students of all abilities to take a closer
 look at the world around them, examine how disability
 affects their lives and the lives of others, and express
 their views through the art of playwriting.
 
 Two scripts are selected for professional production at
 the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Award
 recipients each receive a $1,000 scholarship award and a
 trip to Washington, D.C., to view the production. To be
 eligible for the  program, playwrights must be a middle or
 high student (grades 6 through 12, or equivalent) and a
 citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. Entries must be
 original, unproduced, and unpublished.
 
 VSA arts also offers the Playwright Discovery Teacher
 Award to recognize middle and high school teachers who
 creatively bring disability awareness to the classroom
 through the art of playwriting. One teacher will be
 selected to receive funds to purchase playwriting
 resources and a trip to Washington, D.C., to be honored at
 the Kennedy Center.
 
 For complete program guidelines and to download a resource
 guide on developing students' playwriting skills, see the
 VSA arts Web site.
 
 
 
 Please visit the New Voices site for application
 instructions and eligibility criteria:
 http://www.aed.org/newvoices
 
 Or send an e-mail to nlopez@aed.org. The deadline is
 January 12, 2004.
 
 National Dance Project Announces Production Grant Guidelines
 
 Deadline: April 2, 2004
 
 Administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts
 ( http://www.nefa.org/), the National Dance Project
 (NDP) provides grants for the production and touring of
 contemporary dance work by regionally and nationally
 significant artists in the United States and abroad.
 
 NDP Production Grants provide funding for the creation of
 new dance work that will tour nationally. Funds support
 a project's development through the time of its premiere,
 covering costs related to producing the work. Grants
 generally range from $15,000 to $35,000 and are awarded
 to between fifteen and twenty dance projects annually.
 The program is highly competitive.
 
 Grants are awarded to dance projects based on nominations
 NDP receives from presenters, artists, artist managers,
 and agents. In selecting projects, NDP considers scale,
 geography, and the representation of diverse ethnicities
 and artistic forms.
 
 All projects nominated should make possible the creation
 of regionally or nationally significant work that will
 eventually tour; offer the potential to engage and diver-
 sify audiences; explore collaborations within and across
 disciplines; and involve creative and dynamic partnership
 with one or more presenter partners in the development of
 the work.
 
 See the NEFA Web site for compete program guidelines,
 application procedures, and forms.
 
 
 High School Artists Invited to Compete in Americans for the Arts Poster Contest
 
 Deadline: February 13, 2004
 
 High school students interested in a design career are
 invited to enter the Poster Design Scholarship Competition,
 sponsored by the Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts
 ( http://www.americansforthearts.org/ ).
 
 Students will create original poster artwork that
 expresses the slogan, "Life is Better with Art in It."
 More than $200,000 in scholarships will be awarded, with
 the first-place prize-winning student receiving a $25,000
 scholarship to study design at one of thirty Art Insti-
 tutes locations throughout North America.
 
 The competition will take place in two stages: a prelim-
 inary competition to be held at Art Institutes locations
 in the United States and Canada in March; and a final
 stage in April featuring winners from the preliminary
 competition.
 
 The first-place winner and all preliminary competition
 winners' work will be used in a promotional calendar for
 Americans for the Arts, to be distributed to high schools
 across North America. In addition, Americans for the Arts
 will create an online gallery of all scholarship winning
 artwork on its Web site and will use the first-place
 winner's poster in national marketing materials.
 
 The contest is open to graduating high school seniors
 interested in pursuing a career in design. Students must
 submit an original poster design, a current high school
 transcript, and a statement describing their design
 process and why they  want to attend an Art Institute
 school.
 
 For further information, see the Americans for the Arts
 Web site.
 
 
Script Rewrite
 
The movie "Adaptation" is not the first to show the process of a story transformed in to a script, but a lot has to do with who is doing the rewrite. To see what can happen click on Story Rewrite.  
 
If you would like to respond with any comments, updates, announcements, blurbs, quips, jibs, exhortations or advice, you can contact,
 
Ezine Editor, aivfbham@bellsouth.net