November 14, 2007 New Models for Online Distribution and Audience Development

Join us as we welcome Brian Newman, Executive Director of Renew Media in New York, and Joe Zina, Executive Director of the Coolidge Corner Theater. They will be presenting two new models for online distribution and audience development that you will not want to miss.

Brian Newman will talk about the upcoming launch of Renew Media's REFRAME project. Reframe is digitizing and bringing together vital media arts from independent filmmakers, artists, distributors, archives and other sources of independent and alternative media and making them available to audiences in new ways. With an emphasis on socially and artistically important media that connects viewers and furthers the dialogue on topics such as culture, economics and politics, the collection will include documentaries, independent features and shorts, foreign fims, educational work, video arts and vanguard cilnema. Many of these will be available for the first time.

Reframe invites distributors, archives, filmmakers and other owners of film and video content to become partners. Some benefits of Reframe:

• Non-exclusive: Reframe's is non-exclusive, allowing partners to continue distributing content directly or through alternative outlets;

• Free or low-cost digitization: Digitization from a video source is provided at no cost and a wide variety of formats can be supported. For projects on film, high quality digital telecine is offered at a discounted rate, the cost of which is deferred. This is an excellent solution for any artist or organization with content "stuck on the shelf."

• Digital formats: Reframe currently allows partners to distribute work through any or all of these methods:

• Variable pricing: For each title, partners have the ability to set numerous purchase and rental prices to accommodate the educational market and/or individual consumers. More importantly, we've tiered your return so that you get back greater percentages on higher price points, for educational pricing;

• Robust discovery platform: Reframe will launch with a polished website that will allow users to easily find specific titles, filmmakers or distributors, as well as browse to discover new works. .

• Competitive royalty rates and collective bargaining power: Reframe has negotiated a competitive royalty rate with its current partner, Amazon.

Joe Zina will talk about the Coolidge Corner Theatre's new internet broadcast player- The Coolidge Internet Theater. This new generation web site will enable our film community to use the power of the internet to enhance the film viewing experience at the Coolidge. It represents a new way of thinking about the elements of a comprehensive marketing plan for the release and distribution of your film.

Joe will explain the possibilities for this new way of working with the theatre, will clarify the future of "day and date" theatrical release and will explain how these newest technologies can work in tandem with everybody's first choice: viewing the film on a widescreen in a beautiful theatre.

DATE: November 14, 2007
TIME: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Bernard Toale Gallery, 450 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End
RSVP REQUIRED!! This is a FREE event, but, you MUST rsvp to attend.

TO RSVP email susi@documentaries.org. You will receive a confirmation from Susi that your seat has been reserved.

For links to more information and resources about distributing your work online and to further the conversation following the workshop, please join us on the Filmmakers Workshop network.

October 17th- Rough Cut Screening of "Don't Let Go"

Join us on October 17, as Filmmakers Workshop screens a rough cut of Abby Freedmans much anticipated documentary feature about the G-Clefs- "Don't Let Go".

The G-Clefs, a doowop group from Roxbury, began singing together in the 1950s, and with a few hits rode the first wave of the new music called rock 'n' roll. Although they didn’t become superstars, they were famous. Through disappointments, quarrels, and personal tragedies, something has kept them singing together for more than 50 years. “Don’t Let Go” explores the lives and music of these four brothers and their childhood friends, from their early days in rock 'n' roll, through their experiences as black entertainers in a segregated society, and into the present as they hit the comeback trail.

Abby Freedman has written, produced, directed, and edited two narrative shorts, "La Fleur de l'Age" and "Rita's Lucky Summer," both of which were screened in festivals nationwide. Her awards include: Missouri Video Festival, Award of Recognition; American Film and Video Association, Red Ribbon; New England Women in Cable, First Place; Retirement Research Foundation, First Place Owl Award, 1987; Athens (Ohio) Film and Video Festival, Honorable Mention. She has been a teacher at the International Workshops in Film and Television in Rockport, Maine and also taught many classes at the Boston Film/Video Foundation. "Don't Let Go" is her first feature.

Filmmaker Julie Mallozzi will moderate the discussion following the screening.

As usual, this is a FREE event- however, you must RSVP to susi@documentaries.org to confirm a seat.

Date:October 17, 2007
Time: 6:30- 9pm
Location: Bernard Toale Gallery
450 Harrison Ave, Boston

for more information please call 781-784-3627 or email susi@documentaries.org

September 19, 2007 Filmmakers Workshop

Join us on September 19 from 6:30 - 9pm as we kick off the fall series of filmmaker workshops with a rough cut screening of Gary Roma's "HANGING BY A THREAD".

What do prison escapes, a shark attack, a marriage proposal, a car wash dollar bill change machine, the Guinness Book of World Records, military camouflage, and Frank Zappa's dentist have in common? Come see for yourself by viewing a rough cut of "Hanging By A Thread: A Dental Floss Documentary", a mouth-opening look at some unusual and creative uses of floss!

Producer/Director Jim Wolpaw will moderate our discussion.

As usual this is a free event. You MUST, however, have a confirmed rsvp to enter the doors. We will be limiting this event to 30 participants to maximize the feedback for the filmmaker. Please rsvp to Susi@documentaries.org and print out the return confirmation that you have a seat.

The workshop will be held at the Bernard Toale Gallery in Boston's South End at 450 Harrison Ave, Boston.

Join the community!

Filmmakers Workshop is taking a summer break from its monthly workshops at the Bernard Toale Gallery. But you can still get all the benefits from networking at the workshop by joining our online community. Join today!

June 20 Filmmakers Workshop is FULL!

Dear friends,
Within one short hour of the email invitations being sent out for Junes Filmmaker Workshop, the workshop was full. As you know, we need to limit the number of attendees to insure a successful rough cut screening for the filmmaker who is screening.

If you received a confirmed rsvp in your email-we look forward to seeing you on the 20th. If you have received notice that you are on the waiting list, rest assured that we will contact you if and when there are any openings.

We appreciate your continued support and interest in the workshops. Even if you can’t attend that night, we hope that you will continue to network with other filmmakers on the filmmakers workshop online network— and watch for special online events over the summer.

The workshops will be taking a break over the summer and be back in September. See you then!
Susi, Tracy, Julie, Megan

June 20 Filmmakers Workshop- Rough Cut Screening of "LUCKEY"

On June 20th, Filmmakers Workshop will present a rough cut screening of “LUCKEY", a documentary being produced by Laura Longsworth.

LUCKEY is a one-hour documentary about a paralyzed sculptor. In September 2005, as he was designing a three-story climbable sculpture for the Boston Children’s Museum, Tom Luckey fell through a window and damaged his fourth vertebra. The film begins a year after Tom’s accident. He has come through rehabilitation and is off his ventilator, but he is a quadriplegic and can move only his head. Determined to finish his sculpture, Tom forms a turbulent alliance with his son Spencer, an architect. They are best friends, but fierce competitors. The film follows the two men over nine months as they build Tom’s vision of an enormous work of public art that comes to life when children climb it. The film explores the raw and turbulent relationship between a father and son who fuel one another’s artistic ambition.

The workshop will be held at the Bernard Toale Gallery in Bostons South End. YOU MUST HAVE A CONFIRMED RSVP from Susi@documentaries.org in order to attend. The event is free.

Date: June 20, 2007
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Location: Bernard Toale Gallery- 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston

LUCKEY CREDITS

Produced and Directed by Laura Longsworth

Edited by Jean Dunoyer

Director of Photography, Boston: Stephen McCarthy
Director of Photography, New Haven: Ann Johnson Prum

MAY 16, FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP- "FILMMAKER/TEACHER"

This month at Filmmakers Workshop we're gathering film and videomakers who teach mediamaking at the college level for an informal roundtable discussion about issues such as:

- how do you balance being a maker and a teacher?
- what are the pedagogical/technical challenges of teaching film and video?
- how do the different film programs approach teaching differently?
- what local resources can we connect students with?

Six filmmaker/teachers will start the conversation, representing the film/video programs at BU, Emerson, Fitchburg State, Harvard, MassArt, MIT, and the Museum School.

Admission to this event is limited to 25. Priority will be given to film and videomakers currently teaching media production at the college level. Please rsvp with the name of the institution where you teach, and print out the confirmation email you receive -- you'll need that to be admitted this time.

FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP GOES TO THE IFFB!

WORKSHOP IS THIS SATURDAY- APRIL 28. THE WORKSHOP IS FREE, BUT YOU MUST PICK UP A TICKET AT THE BOX OFFICE.

THE REALITIES OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING
IFF Boston Panel Discussion presented by Filmmakers Workshop

How can you be an independent filmmaker and still pay the rent? Do you need investors? Fiscal sponsorship? A day-job? Join us as we hear from our panel of esteemed festival filmmakers to talk about their experiences. Covering topics such as fundraising, freelancing, budgeting, and distribution, our panelists will discuss the nuts and bolts realities of independent filmmaking.

Panelists:

* Joe Swanberg, director of HANNAH TAKES THE STARS
* Michael Tully, director of THE SILVER JEW
* Linda Hattendorf, director of THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI
* David Redmon & Ashley Sabin, directors of KAMP KATRINA

Moderator: Megan Gelstein, Filmmakers Workshop
THE REALITIES OF INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING
DATE: Saturday, April 28, 2007
TIME: 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
LOCATION: Jimmy Tingle Theatre, 255 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144
COST: This is a free event, but it requires a ticket. Tickets can be picked up at the Somerville Box Office starting April 20.

For complete listings and to purchase tickets please visit the festival website.


Independent Film Festival of Boston

Join the Filmmakers Workshop Online Forum

Even if you haven't been able to attend a workshop, you can now participate online. Sign up today for the new online workshop at:
http:filmmakersworkshop.ning.com

The discussions are already beginning for the March workshop! See you there!

March 21, 2007: Trailers & Sample Reels

Filmmakers Workshop: Trailers & Sample Reels
March 21, 2007 - 6:30 pm
Bernard Toale Gallery
450 Harrison Avenue, Boston's South End

This is a FREE event, but we do ask that you rsvp in advance to Susi@documentaries.org.

One of the most challenging things about making a film today is raising money, particularly for development activities. Most funders want to see work samples before they will support media projects. So, the first part of the challenge for filmmakers becomes funding production for the sample reel even before their stories are clear. The next challenge is to determine what and how to present the material so that funders will respond with a check. There are so many things to consider: How long should it be? Show an entire cut scene or just samples of a variety of materials? Add music? What about graphics? Do they want a trailer or a rough cut?

At this month's workshop, with the help of moderator Llew Smith ("Forgotten Genius"/Nova) of Vital Pictures, we present three filmmakers who are looking for input to refine their sample reel to raise money and to gain distribution for their documentary projects.

Far Out: Life On and After the Commune - Daniel Keller, Charles Light & Jen Gilbert
Using historical material, footage gathered over decades and frank contemporary interviews, Far Out: Life On and After the Commune will trace the story of several members of two sister communes founded in the summer of 1968, the Montague Farm in Montague , Massachusetts and Total Loss Farm in Guilford, Vermont. Co-Producers/Directors Daniel Keller and Charles Light are the founders of Green Mountain Post (GMP) Films (www.gmpfilms.com). They have been making films about social and political issues for over 30 years and were both connected with the Montague Farm. Co-Producer/Director Jen Gilbert is a first-time filmmaker who brings with her experience with several media projects as well as 10 years working in large-scale project management and fundraising.

Animas Perdidas - Monika Navarro
Animas Perdidas (Lost Souls) is the story of a young Latina filmmaker documenting the emotional journey of her uncle, a military vet deported to Mexico, and uncovering the secrets of her family's past.  Against the backdrop of increased attention to the U.S.-Mexican border, Animas Perdidas explores national identity and ties, the lives of immigrants, and what happens after deportees are sent to a homeland they don't consider home. Producer/Director Monika Navarro is a Filmmaker-in-Residence at WGBH. This is her first documentary film, funded in part by an Emerging Artist’s Grant from the City of Ventura Cultural Council for the Humanities. Monika is a first-generation Mexican-American and was raised in Southern California.

Lorraine Hansberry Documentary Project - Tracy Heather Strain, Randy MacLowry
Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) is the author of the groundbreaking Broadway smash A Raisin in the Sun. This multiplatform media project includes the first feature-length biography about the trailblazing artist, activist and intellectual who became an international celebrity at 28 years old, and died just six years later during the run of her second Broadway play. Director/Producer Tracy Heather Strain and Editor/Producer Randy MacLowry are principals in Yellow Jersey Films, Inc. and The Film Posse, LLC.

March 21, 2007 Schedule
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm Refreshments & Networking
7:00 pm -7:15 pm Workshop Updates
7:15 pm - 9:00 pm Filmmaker Screenings & Discussion

January 17, 2007 Workshop

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the rough cut screening on January 17. It was SRO at the Bernard Toale Gallery that night-- and the crowd (pictured above filling out questionaires after the screening) was completely engaged in Gerald Peary and Amy Gellers' rough cut.