The Superblog 5000

Tags: Directors, Film Festivals, Filmmaking, Movies, Networking, Screenwriting, Toronto or Canada

Just got in from the Raindance Canada event, 99 Minute Film School, with Elliot Grove- a Toronto-native filmmaker who founded the Raindance film festival in Britain.

In short, the seminar was pretty damn good. Mr. Grove certainly has the knowledge and experience to break down the film “industry” (or business, rather) into an easily understood entity that seems small, yet not impossible to break into if you play your cards SMART. He’s actually quite a funny guy and not in the least bit shy (he opened with a nice jib at a Bush/Blair gay conspiracy) or reserved, so it was a very comfortable seminar. Starting from the END and working his way to beginning, Elliot went through the steps required to get your film headlining the big festivals. I learned some very interesting techniques on marketing and press kits first; the importance and use of press quotes and reviews, “the trades”, different types of synopsis, self-marketing yourself as a genius, how to make your “press photos” work for you (and why), the importance of festivals and film markets as “buy and sell” conventions, etc… his experience allowed him to very casually break down the things to expect (including helpful tips) when applying and attending these events. The greatest part was that he explained WHY these things are done, instead of just saying “you should do this”. Having an understanding of WHY allows your to create your own HOWs.

Moving backward, he then began talking about the importance of screenwriting and storytelling… which was refreshing. While I had enjoyed his breakdown of the business, let’s get real- it’s a CUTTHROAT business with little sympathy for artistic merit if it doesn’t sell. But when he started talking about shooting formats and storytelling, the bright and cheery side of filmmaking surfaced. I completely agree with Mr. Grove when he says that cinema is the most powerful art-form in existence. Films DO have the power to change the world. A film can help one culture understand another by the underlying portrayal of the HUMAN experience that we ALL share- something which is all too important in this ass-backwards world.

After the seminar was over we watched two trailers from local directors with short Q&As afterwards, covering some pretty interesting takes from other directors. There was also a raffle, but since I didn’t win anything, whatever.

So in conclusion, I’ll list a couple tips that stood out, but if you’re interested, Raindance Canada and Elliot Grove are having a full-length 2-day seminar this weekend that will go more in-depth and contain much juicier info. It’s too expensive for me (and besides, I’m shooting stuff this weekend), so perhaps YOU can go and give me all your notes!

MAIN TIPS:

1. Create a movie BACKWARDS. Start with an idea, then figure out how you will market it, think of post production, then your format, and then write the script. This way, you write to what you can shoot, you’ll shoot what you can edit, and you’ll end up with something that can sell.
2. Read the Trades. Keep abreast of what is going on in the industry, who is working on what, etc.
3. Choose your shooting format based on your story. Some stories are better on film, some on HD, some on cell-phone cams. Don’t go to film because film is film- let the format SERVE your story.
4. Screenwriting and a good script are the MOST important part of the process. You should already know this.
5. Call yourself a “brilliant fucking genius” or a “revolutionary” or a “upcoming megastar” in your press kit (in your own words, of course), because “FAME” is manufactured- and if you want to be “discovered” and whore all the press, why not manufacture your own image?
6. Festival Programmers and Film Acquisition Agents are the only two types of people who can get you discovered. Find out who they are and what they like. They’re the people you need to sell your movie to the most.
7. There are 3 reasons for submitting to film festivals: Winning Awards (prestige), Reviews and Interviews (press) and being seen by Acquisition people.
8. The internet is opening up new avenues for Indie Filmmakers to distribute films online… check out things like Joost which use peer-to-peer technology allowing you to watch features streaming, or Revver, using Ad-based options to make revenue for content creators.
9. There really isn’t a lot of competition at the top with the big-wigs, but there sure is a large wad at the bottom with the indies! This means you have to STAND OUT with an ORIGINAL idea! Don’t copy Hollywood- REINVENT it!
10. Don’t say “I WANT to BE a filmmaker”… go out and make a fucking film! BE A FILMMAKER! Do it! You can’t win if you don’t try!

Anyway, that’s some of what I gleaned. I recommend going to any Mr. Grove seminars if they pop up, because he really does a great job at inspiring and teaching. I would’ve gone up and met him, but I have strep throat or something- my glands are all swollen, it hurts to talk, swallow, eat, drink and breathe. That being said, I must confess my love for keyboards which eliminate the need for talking (Steven Hawkings is one lucky bastard). Now I’m going to bed, and hopefully when I wake up tomorrow I’ll feel half better.

Oh yeah… happy Halloween.