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Does Film Education Ruin Your Movie?
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Greetings!
 As a young Cherokee boy, living a nomadic life endlessly walking The Trail Of Tears in pilgrimage, I could only dream that one day I would get to clean Elliot Grove's shoes. But that dream came true the day he mixed his emails up and made me Festival Producer. It's a pretty wide-ranging role and covers all kinds of fun (and some boring) things (and those shoes don't clean themselves).Last year was my first as Producer and it wasn't like anything I've ever experienced before, and in a good way, mostly. Submissions are open so send us your film and join us for the next one. And if you like watching, not making, films, then we want you too. Joe PearshouseFestival Producer+++STOP PRESS+++Charity Relief Screening for Haiti victims
On the 26th February at 2pm, Revolver will be hosting a special charity screening of Ghosts of Cite Soleil at The Electric Cinema, Portobello Road.
The event promises to be a truly memorable occasion with a flood of stars, a Q&A and an auction of film memorabilia, with donations from Sienna Miller, Ridley Scott and Danny Dyer.
All are welcome for a minimum donation of £15 (which includes all drink and popcorn). Tickets can be purchased at: www.justgiving.com/haitiscreening
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It's happening in New York!
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Finally, after months of procrastination
Thanks to loads and loads of good will from filmmakers in New York, we are thrilled to be able to offer a range of events in the city. Boozin' N' Schmoozin' on Monday March 8th at 7pm Rattle 'N' Hum, 14 E 33rd St between 5th and Madison. It's a free event. Bring your business cards and network!There are courses planned in April too. |
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TV LAB
This course looks at the essentials of story structure in television drama.
Students bring a project to the class, which will be workshopped in the
group each session, from its intitial 'idea stage' to the writing of
individual scenes.
By the end of the course each student will have a proposal or treatment
for their television drama idea. (This can be an idea for a series,
serial, single drama, two-parter, etc.)
Session one: Film and television
· What's similar, and what's different, about writing film and television drama?
· A review of 'three act structure' and how it applies to television.
· What makes a good 'television idea'?
· Series, serial, or single drama?
Session two: How British television drama has changed
Session three: The first episode
Session four: Episodes in a larger structure
Session five: A, B, C etc storylining
Session six: Writing treatments
Session seven: The final class will be entirely devoted to workshopping students' projects
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Hands on Super 8mm Workshop
Synonymous with the 1970's and home movies, the wonderfully
evocative super-8 film medium is enjoying a renaissance within
independent film-making!
During this intensive practical Masterclass you will learn and interact
with all of the key aspects of shooting with this unique medium,
including selecting & using super-8 film stocks, super-8 camera
operation, practical cinematography (including exposure, & basic
filtration), hand-processing, manual telecine transferring and digital
capture of footage and much more.
Day One: Saturday 9:30 - 6pm
Learn the basics of Super 8mm camera and shooting techniques and then shoot your very own Super 8mm film.
Day Two: Sunday 9:30 - 6pm
Learn a practical hands-on method for home processing Super 8mm film
stock and discover the practical ways of transferring the exposed film
onto digital tape and a computer.
Participants will be provided with Kodak Ektachrome 64T super-8 film
stock and processing chemistry will also be provided.
What? Hands On Super 8mmWhen? Saturday/Sunday 10/11 April 9:30 -6pm Where?
10 Craven St Rehearsal Rooms How Much? £250 + VAT + £50 materials fee Premium Members get a 15% discount Call us on 0207 287 3833 or Book Online HereRead on... |
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Are you into Submission?
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Submissions for the 18th Raindance Film Festival are now OPEN.
Do it, you disgusting pervert.
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Writer's Foundation Certificate
Write a great script and guarantee your entry straight at the top of the film industry.
Part 1 of 5 - The Story
Wednesday, March 3rd
It is
important to understand how to break down your story and how to develop
it into something an audience will want to see. What really happens in
your story? Finding the central character. What kind of story is it?
Part 2 of 5 - Compelling Characters
Wednesday, March 10th
By understanding each character you will be able to develop your story. The central character must be complex and unique. Other characters must be memorable and provocative.
Part 3 of 5 - Building Your Story
Wednesday, March 17th
How to build
on a great story or scene. How to give texture to the story. This may
be the difference between whether you will elicit emotion and
engagement in your audience or not. Creating atmosphere, tone and
rhythm.
Part 4 of 5 - Writing Compelling Dialogue
Wednesday, March 24th
How to read a script. The importance of proper formatting. Why is comedy important and how can you find it?
Part 5 of 5 - Pitching Skills Workshop
Wednesday, March 31st
Pitching is
one of the most essential skills needed for a successful career in the
film industry. It is also one of the least considered by new entrants
to the industry.
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Live!Ammunition!
The famous pitching panel returns to Toronto on the evening of Wednesday 28 April. This is your chance to pitch your idea for a movie to a panel of industry professionals who have the ability to greenlight your film. Don't miss out! What? Live!Ammunition!When? Wedensady April 28, 6:30 - 9pm Followed by networking drinks Where? Downtown Toronto How Much? $10.00 (Free to Raindance Canada Premium Members) ++++ Here's some good news for filmmakers!Production Spending Soars in OntarioProduction spend is up 40%!
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What's going on in the office
The role of the artist is to challenge the status quo, and the latest issue of Film & Festivals looks at films and filmmakers out to subvert the commonly perceived view of the world. These include Chris Atkins on Taking Liberties, Robert Kenner and Eric Schlosser on Food Inc. and Brent Leung on his controversial film, The House of Numbers which premiered at Raindance. There are also festival previews and reviews, and regular columns from industry insiders. Read it online now
UK Rights Sold
Good news for everyone and congratulations to all the cast and crew of The Dinner Party, as the UK rights have been sold to Spencer Pollard of Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment in the UK. First release will be to UK cinema's in a few months (Opening date to be confirmed shortly).
AUS/NZ Rights Sold
Peter Castaldi of Pack Distribution has bought the Aus/NZ rights to The Dinner Party with a cinema release planned for the middle of the year 2010. (Opening dates to be confirmed shortly). THE DINNER PARTY will screen at the Ritz in Sydney at 7:00pm Tuesday the 2nd of March.
DESIRE, which debuted at Raindance Film Festival is part of the Official Selection of the Belgrade Film Festival:
18.00 Wednesday 24th February Belgrade Cultural Centre, Knez Mihailova 6/I. Director Gareth Jones looks forward to welcoming those of you attending the festival.
Member Frank DaSilva writes:
Long time again. Just want to give you some heads up about my film project.
An article about myself and the EARTH 2.0 film project was published on
page 7 of the Film & Festivals magazine (see Reel People section).
As you can see - I did mention RAINDANCE FILM, as you guys helped me a lot!! :)
Online version (pg 7) - click on the link and flip the pages:
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With filmmakers all over the world reading this newsletter, there is bound to be someone, somewhere that can help you.
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Now in its 16th year, the CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF) is the premier venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America. The WSFF offers one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world, presenting over $60 000 in cash and prizes. As one of only three festivals in Canada accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®, winners of the Best Live-Action Short and Best Animated Short are eligible for the Academy Awards®; while the WSFF's Canadian award winners are eligible for the Genie® Awards. (UK filmmakers take note: we are also an accredited qualifying festival for the BAFTAs.)
In addition to screenings, the WSFF draws buyers, distributors, industry delegates and filmmakers together from across the globe. The Short Films BIG IDEAS Symposium, offers essential professional development opportunities in a series of seminars, panels and workshops on the art and commerce of short filmmaking. Boasting the largest marketplace for the sale and acquisition of short films in North America, which is attended by buyers, distributors, and programmers, the Festival Business Centre offers an unparalleled opportunity for filmmakers to advance their careers.
Online Entry is available through www.withoutabox.com or for a downloadable entry form.
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Future Artists - Presents a Year of Direct Action, with Two Events in early March in Manchester.
(1) 'Media Hype @ Nexus Art cafe - Tueday March 2nd 2010, Manchester, UK
Content distribution, get the Artists PAID!
Future Artists present's an evening with Manchester digital pioneers http://www.myebook.com , this is one of the leading platforms for DIY Distribution, set to transform the publishing and digital content world, and they are based in MANCHESTER!!
A must for anyone self publishing, creating digital content, advertising, promoting themselves or involved in DIY distribution.
Myebook is User friendly, Free to use, and you can sell your content, 90% going to the artist*.
FULL INFO here Tickets are limited
(2) 'Actors Guide to Survival @ Nexus Art Cafe'
Friday March 5th, 7pm, Manchester, UK
Come join us for the DVD launch of the latest future artists film, the 'Actors guide to survival', with a screening and Q+A by director Mark Ashmore.
And then for an evening of networking and discussion on what is happening in the NW fringe for actors/directors/writers/producers, for the first time ever Nortpartof.org, 24/7 theatre, actingclass.co.uk, hartshornhook productions, filmonik, and the Salford film festival all in one room to tell you what they are doing and how to be part of it!!! a one stop shop for the NW creative player!
MORE INFO and TICKETS here
Can't make the event, get the DVD here
further info e-mail Mark.ashmore@futureartists.co.uk
More info on Future Artists and what we do. Remember - support your community!
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Hi Everyone
I'm looking to produce and shoot a 2 - 5 minute short film to
submit to submit to the Cannes Short Film Corner (Cannes Film
Festival). Please let me know if you are interested and what skills you
can bring to the table ie sound, lighting, cameras, writing, directing
actors, props, wardrobe, make up hair etc. We will also need extras so
whilst from a crew perspective there will be limited spots, however if
you are keen to come along and see how things work on a shoot (possibly
see what not to do) please let me know. I have the location, we will
shoot at a house in SW London near Clapham/Wimbledon. Food will be
provided.
The plan is to shoot in 4 weeks (on the 20 & 21 March)
and to edit in the 3 weeks after that. Submissions open on 25 Feb and
close 16 April. I'm only looking for people who can really commit
and wont let us down.
Please also let me know your availability on the 20 & 21st March. I
look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes Daniella
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Interested? Take a look at our listings
Got an ad you want to place? Send it in free if you're a Raindance Member
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Freestyle - the latest film made
Ondene (Lucy Konadu) is beautiful, talented, and destined to study law at Oxford if she gets the required A-Levels. Nothing less will satisfy her domineering mother, Hyacynth (Suzann McLean). When a basketball court is set up near her private school, Ondene is charmed by a charismatic, good-looking freestyle basketball player, Leon (Arinze Kene), and they decide to enter a competition.
From a deprived background, Leon dreams of going to university and needs to win to pay his way. Ondene deceives her mother to be with him, and romance blossoms, only to be crushed when Hyacynth finds out. Balancing her future prospects and her newfound passion, Ondene has to make tough decisions about her family, education, and the man she loves.
Featuring a fresh cast including Alfie Allen and Colin Salmon, plus a
hot UK urban soundtrack selected by Bashy, Freestyle is an exciting,
funny and heartwarming story that showcases the best in new British
talent.
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through Film London's Microwave
See the latest low-budget gem from the scheme that brought you Mum & Dad and Shifty. Saturday 27th February Ritzy Brixton 4pm - 6pm Screening followed by Q&A with director Kolton Lee and cast members Lucy Konadu and Arinze Kene. TicketsTuesday 2nd March Stratford Picturehouse 8pm - 10pm Screening
followed by Q&A with director Kolton Lee, cast members Lucy Konadu
and Arinze Kene, plus music supervisor Bashy (star of forthcoming films
Shank and 4,3,2,1) TicketsWhat do the makers of Shifty and Freestyle have in common? They all attended Raindance's weekend workshop: Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking |
Blog of the Week
And speaking of Oscar...
The Oscar nominated screenplays in one place.
Things We Like
Filmmaker Sean McConnville sends this from Toronto, where he awaits the final funding greenlight for his 2nd feature, The Car: "I just read an amazing book on film financing that I want to highly recommend you buy and read. It's called BANKROLL. A New Approach To Financing Feature Films. By Tom Malloy. You can get it at Amazon. It's inspiring, practical, and written by someone who actually does this for a living (has raised $15,000,000 for 3 movies in 2 years). Please read! I promise you will be glad you did if you are currently seeking financing for any projects. Sean's debut feature, Deadline starred Britanny Murphy on one of her last screen appearances. New Sitcom, New Audience
Just starting out in comedy? Writer and performer Dave Cohen reckons
the rise of the audience sitcom showcase is good news for you.
For many years the only way to become a professional comedy writer was
to win a place at Cambridge University. Join Footlights, watch your
mates become performers and BBC producers, then just wait for the phone
to ring. Read on...
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Raindance.tv
Love can happen anywhere--even on London's transportation system! In Danny Spring's ' Help,' an unlikely pair enters an amorous relationship via a train station's help point. Then, two strangers make a profound romantic connection in Archie Ticktin's ' The Train'! |
Review: American Hot Babes
When browsing through movie titles, do you ever come across one and
think 'Nobody's going to watch that. Why didn't they put some thought
into it?' Well, somebody has to watch these films, if only to warn
others about them. My expectations were set low, and just barely met. Read the review: |
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Too much film training can kill your film
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When you're first starting out in filmmaking it can seem like another world, and a bit of guidance can really help you get started. But beware. There are a lot of dangers to be aware of when you're looking at which training course would be right for you, and this article outline some of the dangers and how to avoid them. Read the full article Why Film Education Can Ruin Your Movie |
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The Raindance Festival Team
Suzanne Ballantyne
James Burbidge
Frederica Byron
Julian Chapelle
Mackensie Dohr
Mike Ellis
Elliot Grove
Katie Kilmartin
Rory O'Donnell
Joe Pearshouse
Chris Presswell
Xavier Rashid
Amelie Thille
Chris Thomas
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That's all folks, have a good day.
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