What The F*ck Should I Write About?

http://genrehacks.blogspot.com/2015/08/what-fck-should-i-write-about.html

FA Screening At The Echo Park Film Center on Monday, December 15th!

Films and Filmmakers - that's what it's all about!

Filmmakers Alliance screens amazing short films by LA-based filmmakers who are always in attendance at the Echo Park Film Center.

Please RSVP HERE!

Come out and see the incredible work being done by our amazing LA filmmaking community and support the great work that the EPFC people are doing, as well. The center is a volunteer run organization that offers fantastic super 8mm film classes, youth classes, and much more, so we do ask that you donate $5 on the RSVP page or make a donation at the door to help keep the Center going.



There is a brief Q&A after each film, not to mention complimentary food & drinks. So come on out and watch, eat, drink, connect and enjoy!

Please RSVP HERE!

The Line-up:

Kekasih
9 min., color
Director: Diffan Sina Norman
While pursuing his late wife, a botanical professor encounters a divine presence that will transform him forever.

I'm A Mitzvah
19 min., color
Director: Ben Berman
A young American man spends one last night with his deceased friend while stranded in rural Mexico. Starring Ben Schwartz (Parks and Rec, House of Lies) and with music by Stephin Merritt!

Me + Her
13 min., color
Director: Joseph Oxford
When Jack and Jill of Cardboard City are separated by Jill's untimely death, Jack goes on a journey to mend his (literally) broken heart.  

Catherine
13 min., color
Director: Dean Fleischer-Camp
Catherine returns to work after a hiatus.

Cruising Electric (1980)
2 min., color
Director: Brumby Boylston
The marketing department green-lights a red-light tie-in: 60 lost seconds of modern movie merchandising.

Person To Person
18 min., color
Director: Dustin Defa
A man tries to get rid of a stranger who won't leave his apartment.

Total Running Time: - 74 Minutes

Please RSVP HERE!

Hope to see you all there!

Criterion's "All That Jazz: Fosse Time" - Several years of film school in 14 minutes

My buddy George Zaverdas sent me Criterion's excellent appreciation/analysis of Bob Fosse's - and editor Alan Heim's - editing/filmmaking style as realized most fully in their under-appreciated film "All That Jazz" - one of my personal favorites. Check it out. It's several years of film school in 14 minutes.



I remember when I first watched the film, thinking "This is f#@*ing brilliant!!....And Sandahl Bergman might be the sexiest thing I've ever seen!!" :)

The film is out now on Criterion: http://www.criterion.com/films/28561-all-that-jazz. I couldn't recommend it more highly. Oh, and I LOVE Criterion!!!

Digital Bolex Grant for Women Cinematographers Now Receiving Applications

My friend, Elle Schneider works for this company and is probably behind this fabulous idea. Support your women in filmmaking! The gender bias in filmmaking is embarrassing (as is the racial one) . Props to Digital Bolex for taking a step to do something about it!

Digital Bolex Grant for Women Cinematographers Now Receiving Applications
Reprinted from Indiewire By Inkoo Kang 

Cinematography is one of the film industry's least equal fields. In the last five years, women accounted for just 3% of all cinematographers among the 250 top-grossing films.

In what might be the only current effort from a film tech company to address gender disparity behind the camera by offering female-specific grants, the Digital Bolex Grant for Women Cinematographers is now accepting applications.

To read the full story, click HERE.

To go directly to the Digital Bolex grant page, click HERE.

FA Seminar Series: Oct. 18th - Demystifying Camera Technology

Canon and Samy's Camera Present The Filmmakers Alliance Seminar Series:

Demystifying Camera Technology

with Alex Buono

Saturday, October 18th
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Canon Hollywood Professional Technology And Support Center
6060 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028

YOU MUST RSVP HERE:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demystifying-camera-technology-tickets-13272421169

Noted cinematographer/lecturer Alex Buono (SNL, Bigger Stronger Faster) presents a seminar geared toward a general, non-technical filmmaker audience to help us better understand how to make the right camera choice for our projects and best utilize the technologies available to us.  Subjects covered include:

• bit depth

• color subsampling

• compression codecs

• dynamic range

• dual-pixel focus assist

• image sensors & debayering

• 4K versus 2K

• 4K workflow

If you're terrified by or ignorant (or both) of any of these terms, this is the seminar for you. All of the info will be presented to you in a way even your grandmother can understand (assuming your grandmother is not the former Larry, now Lana, Wachowski). Give yourself the gift of deeper insight into arguably the single most important tool in succcessfully developing and executing your film's visual strategy.

The day's schedule:
11:00 a.m. - Doors open (networking, refreshments)
12:00-12:15 - An overview of Canon in cinema with Tim Smith
12:15-1:15 - Alex Buono Demystifies camera technology
1:15-1:30 - Q&A
1:30-2:00 - Networking, Wrap-up

All attendies receive a $50 gift card from Samy's Camera to be disbursed at the end of the seminar.

YOU MUST RSVP HERE:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demystifying-camera-technology-tickets-13272421169

IMPORTANT NOTE: Attendance is free, but space MUST be reserved in advance!! In fact, due to LA's notorious RSVP attrition, we've intentionally opened up more seats than are available, so seating can ONLY be guaranteed to the first 75 who arrive - even if you RSVP'd.

Parking is on street, but there should be plenty of it!

See you all there!!

Win An Executive Pass To AFM 2014!

THIS MONTH’S COMPETITION:

September's Filmmakers Alliance competition is dedicated to the American Film Market.

Win An Executive Pass to AFM 2014!

Here's what the pass gets you:

• Access to Show Floor & Screenings
• Tickets to the AFM Conference Series
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the Loews Hotel
• One year membership to AFM365™, the AFM's Online Community
• Access to the AFM Filmmakers Lounge at Le Merigot Hotel
• Access to the Industry Conversations Series (until full)
• Invitation to an AFM Orientation with AFM Managing Director

Here's how you win:

1. Simply post a single-paragraph essay of why you MUST be at the AFM this year on the Facebook Competition Page. No longer than 100 words (but shorter is always better) - NO EXCEPTION.

2. Include the following hashtags #FilmmakersAlliance, #AFM in your post (does not count against your 100 words). 

3. Generate likes for your post.

4. The top ten posts with the most likes by Midnight, October 10th, 2014, will then go to a judging committee and the best essay among them WINS!!

Simple as that. So, the sooner you start, the better.


NOTE: YOU MUST BE A BONA FIDE MEMBER OF THE FILMMAKERS ALLIANCE TO PARTICIPATE (Facebook "membership" does not count)! If you aren't a member yet, sign up HERE!

10 Reasons Why Your Low-Budget Film Will Never Get Financed and 38 Reasons Your Script Isn't Getting Recommended By Readers

Interesting read. Elementary, but still essential, realities.

http://info.sapphirecapitalpartners.co.uk/blog/ten-reasons-why-your-low-budget-film-will-never-get-financed

And good info to put your script up against.

http://nofilmschool.com/2013/11/38-reasons-screenplay-isnt-getting-recommended-script-reader/

Taken together, a good reality check for your project.

Win A Screenwriter's Package!!

July's Filmmakers Alliance competition is dedicated to SCREENWRITING.

The month's prize is a Screenwriter's Package including the following :

* A ONE HOUR SCREENWRITING CONSULTATION WITH SEAN HOOD. 

* A copy of FINAL DRAFT 9 (the latest version of Final Draft - $249 value).

* A copy of DRAMATICA story development software ($269 value)

* A professionally organized TABLE READ of your completed script utilizing top-notch actors.

Here's how you win:

1. Simply post a single-paragraph synopsis of your feature film idea on the Facebook competition page. No longer than 100 words (but shorter is always better) - NO EXCEPTION.

2. Include at least one or all of the following hashtags #FilmmakersAlliance, #GenreHacks, #FinalDraft and #Dramatica in your post (does not count against your 100 words). 

3. Generate likes for your post.

4. The top ten posts with the most likes by Midnight, August 15th, 2014, will then go to a judging committee and the best synopsis among them WINS!! 

(Additional information/material may be requested prior to committee's final decision)

Simple as that. So, the sooner you start, the better.

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A BONA FIDE MEMBER OF THE FILMMAKERS ALLIANCE TO PARTICIPATE (Facebook "membership" does not count)! If you aren't a member yet, sign up HERE: 

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL: 

- Get $80 off the full copy of Final Draft and $31 off the upgrade (32% off both products). 

- Also, get Dramatica Story Expert, Dramatica Pro, or Movie Magic Screenwriter for $99 (up to $150 savings per product).

Discount code is available for all products on the FA's community page. Offers good until close of competition: August 15th.