Tag Archives: just do it

My gift to you

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I recently read a post by Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros titled Don’t Worry that your Film might be Rubbish.

In it she relates being asked:

“Why do you make these small films that no one sees when there is so much to watch on TV or Cable or online? What is the point when everything else is so much better?”

She counters with these reasons:

  • It’s fun!
  • It’s never been cheaper to make moves, so now is the time to experiment and ‘fail and fail again.’
  • You will learn from your mistakes which allows you to make better films next time.
  • It’s all about the journey and not the end result.

“Film, especially when you don’t have money or movie stars or permits or even a car, is art, and you should expect to create bad art for a little while at least, before you can create great art. And even then, sometimes the reason something is made is more important than how technically brilliant it is.”

She concludes with this:

“As very independent filmmakers, with no one to challenge us, we have the opportunity to achieve something that means something, if only for us and those we choose to work with.”

My take: this view really speaks to me. Not because my films are rubbish, but because I believe meaning can be existential. Too often society, influenced by the media, equates value with budget. However, no-budget films can have more to say and impart more meaning than many million dollar movies. My hope is that we figure out more ways to reward artists for sharing their visions with us. And this is my gift to you: an entreaty to carry on filmmaking — because I believe what you do is important and has meaning.

NSI Drama Prize Deadline: November 27, 2012

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Tuesday, November 27, 2012, is the next deadline for the NSI’s Drama Prize.

“NSI Drama Prize is an ambitious training course for producer/writer/director teams looking to make their first or second dramatic short. It provides emerging filmmakers with a year of professional support and training in the various stages of filmmaking while they develop and produce a short film (maximum of 10 minutes in length). Up to four teams of aspiring Canadian filmmakers will be selected.”

If successful, you will:

  • “work with an experienced story editor to polish your script;
  • receive customized training delivered by industry experts in writing, directing and producing;
  • receive up to $10,000 in cash to go toward making your film;
  • receive approximately $20,000 in services to go toward making your film which includes equipment, film stock, post-production facilities, closed captioning, insurance, legal counsel;
  • receive air travel and accommodation costs to attend the week-long bootcamp in Winnipeg;
  • explore the world of social media marketing, transmedia and multi-platform strategies and find out how they can extend your personal brand, generate buzz for your film, help you fundraise and expand your audience; and
  • receive access to an established industry professional who will act as your mentor, offering advice, expertise and support.”

The entry fee is $100. If your project is selected, each team member then needs to cough up $1,500 for tuition.

So is it worth it?

Probably.

Your $100 gets you thinking seriously about your project.

Your $3,000 – $4,500 tuition gets you $10K in cash, $20K in services, lots of training and networking.

My advice? If you have a project you’re passionate about, apply with a two person team. (Keep in mind the Producer and Director cannot be the same person.)

Hey, it’s only $50 a head and you’ll whip your project into shape.

And if you’re not selected, just shoot it anyway with the money you would’ve spent on tuition!