Utah is getting a lot of love from the film world this week, and one piece that caught our attention tells of the struggle of Beijing artist Ai Weiwei, who last year was detained for 81 days by the government due to his belief in (and actions of) freely expressing himself.
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Well, that job is made even harder for films with no best moments in, or are just so cheesy that they instantly convince millions of people to NEVER see that movie. With all the seasonal talk of “Best of the year lists”, Oscars, Awards and the like, we’d like to remind you of some of the reasons why 2011 sucked. If nothing else, purely to encourage you to check out your local independent filmmakers and movie screenings.
With tag lines such as “The Inspiring True Story” and audio snippets of “he gives us hope”, you could be forgiven for almost thinking that this is the life of a paralympian or a Political prisoner of the 1960s. Alas, no, it is that of tiny popstar, Justin Bieber. Wait, the life story of a 16 year-old? Yep.
Adam Sandler ups the stakes in the ‘people who used to be funny now making incredibly bad movies’ category. If there were any jokes in the movie, they sure kept them out of this trailer.
Remember we just said how cutting a trailer is even harder for films with no strong moments? Yeah, that. Something about a letter, and a wedding, and a contract-stipulated topless scene. However, the worst thing about this, is that there is still another sequel to come.
Penguins go gangsta rap? Selling ‘Sexy Back’ to a pre-teen market? Even if singing animated characters hadn’t already been done 100 times over, here is a classic lesson in how not to do it.
Not wanting to be too much of a Scrooge, here’s a brilliant example of how to make a dazzling trailer.
Take a best-selling comic book and much-loved prequels, add Christopher Nolan’s haunting industrial visuals and a Hans Zimmer soundtrack, and boom. Trailer magic.
by Lee Jarvis.
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We take great joy in spreading the work of our members; one such recent discovery is from Media Match member Steven Fischer. Steven Fischer is a two-time Emmy nominated writer/producer whose live action and animated work includes scripted narratives, documentaries, industrials, and TV programs for Nextel, Maryland Public Television/PBS, TV Asia, AmeriCorps, and National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. He has taught storytelling at the college level and spoken nationally on creativity at Script DC, St. Thomas University, American University, Hollywood Shorts, Maryland Film Festival, Show off Your Shorts Film Fest, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and The Creative Alliance.
In 2011, Snag Films released ‘Old School, New School‘, a piece by Fischer featuring conversations with six-time Oscar nominee William Fraker, actor Brian Cox, jazz legend McCoy Tyner and Tony Award winner Emanuel Azenberg among others. A prime discussion piece for filmmakers and creative souls everywhere, ‘Old School, New School‘ is an intriguing blend of psychological topics, touching on how someone can realize their full creative potential, what kinds of environmental influences may provoke or restrict their creativity, the affects that risk has on a person’s creative progression, the fears and justifications of taking risks.
The film itself was made because Fischer wanted to learn about his own creativity and how he can become a better storyteller. It led the filmmaker on a journey to search for answers. He explained to Snag Films in a recent interview, “I made a documentary asking the question how can an artist grow creatively, because I want to know. It’s an extension of many conversations over many coffees I’ve had with artist-friends and mentors. We’d get together in a café and talk about life and art and philosophy, why things happen the way they do, why people are the way they are, and, of course, how we could achieve our dreams.”
You can watch the intro to the documentary below, and click further to watch the full 33 minutes, courtesy of Snag Films.
Written and Directed by: Steven Fischer
Producers: Steven Fischer, Diane Leigh Davison
Directors of Photography: Chris Cassidy, Phil Rosensteel, Scott Uhlfelder
by Lee Jarvis.
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Online video website Vimeo has just announced that they are to hold their first ever video festival and awards event. In contrast to other online video sites, Vimeo focuses on original content, quality production and editing, and allowing users to share their work with groups of their peers.
Having just celebrated their fifth anniversary, Vimeo will launch the Festival + Awards in New York City on October 8-9, 2010 at IAC Headquarters and the SVA Theater. The Festival promises to “bring the world of online video to life like never before”, with two days of screenings, education, panels, installations, parties, and more. Line up, activities, speakers and of course, parties, will be announced shortly. Submissions for the awards are now open, and categories include….
The Vimeo Award: The Best Video Award will be selected by a group of judges from multiple categories and the Vimeo Awards staff. Winner will receive a $25,000 grant to produce new work.
Narrative: Live-action narrative fiction told through the medium of film/video.
Remix: A film/video that is comprised of elements such as sound and picture of other works which then combines them to become a metamorphic work.
Original Series: A periodically released collection of episodic content.
Documentary: Short films/videos that seek to document compelling actuality or reality.
Music Video: Short films/videos that accompany a complete piece of music or song.
Animation: A simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures or frames.
Motion Graphics: The use of the principles of graphic design to create a film/video using animation or filmic techniques.
Experimental: Short films/videos that experiment with new ideas, forms, techniques, and expressions that are often characterized by the absence of a linear narrative.
Captured: Videos that capture an artistic expression or performance.
Honorary Awards:
Digital Maverick: Honorary award for pioneering spirt in the world of online video.
The Feature Presentation: Honoring the vanguard and innovative release of unique feature film online.
The Vimeo Awards will accept submissions from June 3, 2010 – July 31, 2010 for a $20 (U.S.) fee per-video ($5 for Vimeo Plus members) at www.vimeoawards.com. Entrants can submit any original work as long as it has premiered online between June 3, 2008 and July 30, 2010 or has never been premiered anywhere.
For more information on the Vimeo Festival & Awards, head to http://vimeo.com/awards.
Lee Jarvis.
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I’ve become quite a fan of stop-motion video production. It can be quite a test to use it creatively, and fluidly, and when it is done well I find the results inspiring and often amusing. Here are seven of my favourites that I have discovered, feel free to share your own in the comments.
“Stop Motion” – The Last Laugh
Directed by Eriq Wities, see more of his work at www.OpenContent.tv The Song used is “Chase” by the band Partyline.
“Human Tetris” – Not so Noisy
TETRIS played by real human-beings sitting in an auditorium. Directed by the Swiss artist Guillaume Reymond in November 2007.
“Human Skateboard” – Sneaux Shoes Video
A unique, if painful, skate video.
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The Music:
Tres Gueros are three brooklynites led by the amorphous producer, Sleazy McQueen. Pulling together a joint of different but like-minded artists, Sleazy wanted to create a different soud than the usual house tracks. Instead You Go was the result. The vinyl release includes remixes from top nu disco names Anthony Mansfield and Neighbour, as well as newcomer Dave Allison. The digital package will include a bonus track from Sleazy McQueen, Leon Louder and a Dave Allison instrumental. The release will be out beginning of April on Wax and available at digital stores shortly thereafter.
The Contest:
With the success of combination of talent that went into the track, it only makes sense to open up the visual representation of the music to newcomers and fresh insights.
Download the original track here:
Tres Gueros – Instead You Go (radio edit) by Headtunes Recordings
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The Chicago Underground Film Festival exists to showcase the defiantly independent filmmaker. They aim to “promote films and videos that dissent radically in form, technique, or content from the ‘indie’ mainstream and to present adventurous works that challenge and transcend commercial and audience expectations”.
Held this year from June 24th until July 1 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, CUFF has a reputation of highlighting the quirky, abstract, even oblique and tangent works that other film festivals often overlook. This year’s move to summer dates means it will also avoid calendar clashes with other events, and their presence as the world’s longest running underground film fest means that this could be worth adding to your calendar.
If you think that your film fits the above description, then the final deadline is March 15 and any last minute entries cost $40. Check out the full guide and download an entry form from http://cuff.org/2010/guide.html
Although not a competitive festival, CUFF does present awards, in categories including Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Experimental, Animation and Music Video. There are also ‘Made in Chicago’ and ‘Audience Choice’ awards.
Keep up to date on the festival via Twitter, Facebook and Myspace.
Lee Jarvis.
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*** $5000 Scholarship Up for Grabs ***
theWHO: Aspiring filmmakers, producers, videographers and on-camera personalities
theWHERE: theWit Hotel, downtown Chicago’s hottest multifaceted hotel, home to:
* ROOF, one of America’s Top 10 Rooftop Bars (Sherman’s Travel)
* cibo matto, Best New Italian Restaurant of 2009 (Chicago Tribune)
* State & Lake, a seasonally driven new American restaurant
* SCREEN, theWit’s $1 million digital high-definition theater
* Spa@theWit, a stylish and invigorating spa experience
theWHAT: A search for Chicago’s best and brightest up-and-coming film and video production talent, with a chance to win $5000 and employment by theWit Hotel from March to December 2010 as in-house producers. Winners will put their skills to work creating lively monthly video “webisodes” that chronicle – with plenty of wit and personality – the exciting nightlife, live music, food, film and spa events taking place continuously in the hotel, plus celebrity cameos, local artists, downtown cultural events, colorful characters and more. theWit Hotel prides itself on being “more experience than hotel,” and your work will shine a spotlight on that unique mantra!
theHOW: Each production team must include one videographer/producer and one vibrant, effervescent on-camera “host.” Each duo will submit a 60- to 90-second demo reel that demonstrates its production capabilities and camera work, as well as the creativity, personality and interactive interview style of the on-air host. Please thoroughly review the guidelines below for more details on submission requirements and the selection and notification process.
theWHEN: All entries must be received or postmarked by February 5, 2010 for consideration. Finalists will be notified via e-mail on February 15, and winners will be announced on February 24.
For guidlelines, entry info and more details, please check out http://www.thewithotel.com/webisodes/
Lee Jarvis.
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Beyond the Pedway is a series of videos by Tim Jahn on creative businesses based in Chicago. In this episode he chats to Chris DeWinter, Whitney Alexander, and Chris Palese of Teletech Video, a video post production and duplication company that specializes in converging new and old media.
For more info, check out http://www.beyondthepedway.com/teletech-video#more-408
Lee Jarvis.
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The Chicago Convergence + TechThursdays@OfficePortCHI Present…
HP Envy Music Video Edit Challenge
A free social, challenge and networking event – open to the Public
The Challenge
* Three editors will compete using a HP Envy laptop with AVID editing software.
* Each HP Envy desktop will contain labeled folders with the building blocks for the video.
* The folder will contain select music, video and sponsor files (to be revealed to contestants prior to event).
* You must create your music video from the files provided.
* You may use any features or software found on the HP Envy to contribute to the finished product.
* You must give your music video a title.
* You must agree to have your finished product published.
* You surrender any rights to the finished product.
* A panel of judges (Thought Equity Motion, Resolution Digital Studios, TRAX Records) will select the winner.
Chris Ross, Corinne Gilliard and Paul Walerow have been selected to be the three editors who will compete to produce a finished music video in front of a live audience in 30 minutes. The winner will receive an HP Envy Laptop.
The event is FREE, open to the public, and attendees will be entered in a drawing for 2 free tickets to NATPE Market & Conference (National Association of Television Program Executives), Jan. 25-27, at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas $1700 value.
Where? OfficePort CHI, 9 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 (map)
When? Thursday, Dec 3rd – 6:30-9:30pm. Event is Free and Open to the Public. Free food and cocktails (doors open at 5:30pm)
The Chicago Convergence partners with NATPE for a live streaming event; day prior to the Music Video Challenge
Indie Production for the Multi-Platform World
Los Angeles cocktail reception & session will be live streamed by Stickam.
Streamed event shown at Music Video Edit Challenge on Thursday, Dec 3rd in Chicago.
Where? Held at Writer’s Boot Camp offices (Bergamot Station in Santa Monica California)
When? HPEnvyWednesday, December 2, 2009 from 6 – 8 pm
Panel Discussion
Sure, studios and media giants are producing programming for multiple distribution outlets, but so are the independents and they’re stronger and mightier than ever with the advent of new and inexpensive production tools. How has the game changed for indie producers and creators thanks to changes in consumers’ video consumption? How do you produce on a budget and incubate projects on the Web? And what is the endgame? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear from experts on the challenges and opportunities in online video production.
Lee Jarvis.
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