BREAKING CONVENTIONS: A FILMMAKER'S DIY REALITY
Breaking Conventions: A Filmmaker's DIY Reality
Written by Florence Touliatos
(published by ELAN Québec - 05/03/2013)
Written by Florence Touliatos
(published by ELAN Québec - 05/03/2013)
Low-budget filmmakers these days can afford to take risks and explore new artistic territory outside of the classical Hollywood narrative. Independent filmmakers are no longer dependent on major studios to provide them with the tools they need to produce a film as they can now interact with the global filmmaking community and acquire inexpensive, high-end digital film equipment available at the consumer level. Small production companies and filmmakers can obtain the resources they need to produce entertaining films at a fraction of the cost. The collapse in funding for the arts has prompted the community to come together and create productive collaborations.
Patricia Chica
However, in today’s current of digital media, it is harder for filmmakers to find any funding. They are now forced to innovate. “One man army” scenarios, with filmmakers practically doing everything themselves (scriptwriting, filming, directing, recording sound, lighting, editing, building props, doing hair and makeup, costume design, etc.) is a way to cut costs considerably. Rebellious filmmaking tactics yield their fair share of failure, but sometimes, bending the rules is the only way to make things happen.
Take Patricia Chica’s Ceramic Tango. Patricia Chica is an award-winning director from Montreal who specializes in psychological dramas, thrillers and edgy documentaries. She is a strong believer in “do-it-yourself” (DIY) ethics, a supporter of innovative film, and an advocate for artists keeping creative control over their work. Lately, Patricia’s spoken on behalf of Wapikoni Mobile at the Oaxaca Film Festival, been assigned as the Montreal delegate at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, and been appointed as new spokesperson for Montreal’s Mascara & Popcorn Film Festival. She also does creative photography and music videos, helps artists in their development, and participates in a slew of other projects. She takes on so many commitments like these (mostly all collaborative, non-paid work) because they are tied to her filmmaking career and eventually lead to (paying) contracts.
Unlike the typical HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention film, Ceramic Tango is part dark fantasy, part horror, part psychological drama. Patricia applied for government funding at all levels and was rejected. She then built her own campaign from the ground up. She invested her own savings, used her personal credit cards and withdrew her RRSPs. It’s a story that rings all too familiar these days. “It was such a challenge to finance the film. On a technical scale, I had to do a lot of the work myself because, unless people want to do volunteer work, hiring help costs money. It also required me working on it full time for 10 months. At times, I was scratching my head trying to come up with new ways to find money to pay a portion of the services and try to survive, basically. But my strong conviction that this story had to be told and my team’s indie spirit are what kept fuelling me.”
“Going with your gut” and counting on friends and family will only take you so far. A project needs to have timeless viability, whether it’s artistic, technical, a powerful message, originality, elements that will garner greater interest and generally transcend one’s network or go beyond a circle of friends.
Using social media is also proving to be very valuable as fans follow a filmmaker’s personal adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. “Make some noise, create a brand, one that's tied into your own personality and values,” says Patricia. Publicity leads to recognition and fans keep the buzz going. That too is part of what running a business and being self-employed is all about.
It isn’t uncommon these days to find filmmakers dabbling into acting, then back into filmmaking, offering coaching, photography, getting more involved in the community, accepting internships within festivals, working on several, mostly unsalaried projects and doing promotion and public relations work for other artists.
After editing was complete, Ceramic Tango won a grant from the ACIC Filmmaker Assistance Program at the National Film Board of Canada. The film will now be shown at the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and several other international festivals.
“Making a good movie is just the beginning,” Patricia says. “Filmmakers that want to be heard must adopt a more aggressive approach. The new wave of filmmaking is about standing out, being yourself and reflecting that attitude throughout the whole filmmaking process. It starts in pre-production and continues during promotion of the film.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Ceramic Tango will premiere to a Montreal audience at Cabaret Cleopatra (1230, Saint-Laurent blvd, 2nd floor) on May 3rd at 8pm.
RSVP HERE:
Florence Touliatos is the director of the Mascara & Popcorn Film Festival. Now running in August, Mascara & Popcorn showcases film and artistic projects with a counterculture feel. For the first time this year, Mascara & Popcorn launches an international competition as part of its global outreach. The festival rolls out from August 15th to the 18th 2013 and is still open to film submissions. www.mpfestival4.com
Low-budget filmmakers these days can afford to take risks and explore new artistic territory outside of the classical Hollywood narrative. Independent filmmakers are no longer dependent on major studios to provide them with the tools they need to produce a film as they can now interact with the global filmmaking community and acquire inexpensive, high-end digital film equipment available at the consumer level. Small production companies and filmmakers can obtain the resources they need to produce entertaining films at a fraction of the cost. The collapse in funding for the arts has prompted the community to come together and create productive collaborations.
Patricia Chica
However, in today’s current of digital media, it is harder for filmmakers to find any funding. They are now forced to innovate. “One man army” scenarios, with filmmakers practically doing everything themselves (scriptwriting, filming, directing, recording sound, lighting, editing, building props, doing hair and makeup, costume design, etc.) is a way to cut costs considerably. Rebellious filmmaking tactics yield their fair share of failure, but sometimes, bending the rules is the only way to make things happen.
Take Patricia Chica’s Ceramic Tango. Patricia Chica is an award-winning director from Montreal who specializes in psychological dramas, thrillers and edgy documentaries. She is a strong believer in “do-it-yourself” (DIY) ethics, a supporter of innovative film, and an advocate for artists keeping creative control over their work. Lately, Patricia’s spoken on behalf of Wapikoni Mobile at the Oaxaca Film Festival, been assigned as the Montreal delegate at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, and been appointed as new spokesperson for Montreal’s Mascara & Popcorn Film Festival. She also does creative photography and music videos, helps artists in their development, and participates in a slew of other projects. She takes on so many commitments like these (mostly all collaborative, non-paid work) because they are tied to her filmmaking career and eventually lead to (paying) contracts.
Unlike the typical HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention film, Ceramic Tango is part dark fantasy, part horror, part psychological drama. Patricia applied for government funding at all levels and was rejected. She then built her own campaign from the ground up. She invested her own savings, used her personal credit cards and withdrew her RRSPs. It’s a story that rings all too familiar these days. “It was such a challenge to finance the film. On a technical scale, I had to do a lot of the work myself because, unless people want to do volunteer work, hiring help costs money. It also required me working on it full time for 10 months. At times, I was scratching my head trying to come up with new ways to find money to pay a portion of the services and try to survive, basically. But my strong conviction that this story had to be told and my team’s indie spirit are what kept fuelling me.”
“Going with your gut” and counting on friends and family will only take you so far. A project needs to have timeless viability, whether it’s artistic, technical, a powerful message, originality, elements that will garner greater interest and generally transcend one’s network or go beyond a circle of friends.
Using social media is also proving to be very valuable as fans follow a filmmaker’s personal adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. “Make some noise, create a brand, one that's tied into your own personality and values,” says Patricia. Publicity leads to recognition and fans keep the buzz going. That too is part of what running a business and being self-employed is all about.
It isn’t uncommon these days to find filmmakers dabbling into acting, then back into filmmaking, offering coaching, photography, getting more involved in the community, accepting internships within festivals, working on several, mostly unsalaried projects and doing promotion and public relations work for other artists.
After editing was complete, Ceramic Tango won a grant from the ACIC Filmmaker Assistance Program at the National Film Board of Canada. The film will now be shown at the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and several other international festivals.
“Making a good movie is just the beginning,” Patricia says. “Filmmakers that want to be heard must adopt a more aggressive approach. The new wave of filmmaking is about standing out, being yourself and reflecting that attitude throughout the whole filmmaking process. It starts in pre-production and continues during promotion of the film.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Ceramic Tango will premiere to a Montreal audience at Cabaret Cleopatra (1230, Saint-Laurent blvd, 2nd floor) on May 3rd at 8pm.
RSVP HERE:
NOW HIRING! / NOUS EMBAUCHONS!
Our little festival is growing at fast pace. We are once again looking for fun and talented interns (full time and part time) to join our organizing team.
This will be exciting for anyone who wants to combine love of cinema with employment. If you've worked in event planning, film production or in arts and entertainment and would like to gain festival experience, drop us a line.
Positions available:
SUBMISSIONS ASSISTANT - NON PAID
(PART-TIME employment, from mid-April to June, internship)
MARKETING ASSISTANT - NON PAID
(FULL-TIME employment from May to July, internship, possibility of PERMANENT paid work)
SUBMISSIONS ASSISTANT
Responsibilities:
- Receiving, processing and cataloguing all submissions, including creating and maintaining accurate records (contact info, background info on filmmaker or film production team), must know how to use search engines and online resources and tools;
- Communicating with submitters, providing information and trouble-shooting advice as necessary;
- Liaising with our Project Coordinator on a regular basis;
- Creating notification letters.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- Excellent written skills (French and English) for drafting and translation;
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends;
- Must have a portable computer, internet, and work from a virtual office.
MARKETING ASSISTANT
Responsibilities:
- Assisting with regular publicity production, including but not limited to: website and social media account updates, press release production, helping with publishing articles on the web;
- Assisting with advertising: movie trailers using flash elements (CGI, 2D, 3D), videos with sound and motion graphics, graphic design;
- Assisting with preparations for fundraisers by soliciting donations;
- Securing venues, technicians and suppliers, coordinating activities related to venues before and during the festival;
- Following up with potential exhibitors, sponsors and partners, sending out packages, proposals, offers and agreements.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
- Excellent written skills (French and English) for drafting and translation;
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends;
- Must have a portable computer (video camera an asset) and work from a home office;
- Liaising with the Festival Director on a regular basis;
- Must know how to use word, indesign or photoshop, video editing software (flash elements, motion graphics);
- Database and website maintenance experience an asset;
- Experience in marketing and organizing events an asset.
**************
Notre festival prend de l'expansion! Nous cherchons des stagiaires passionnés et talentueux pour joindre notre organisation.
Pour tous ceux qui aiment le cinéma et qui voudrait ajouter une expérience fructueuse et enrichissante à leur C.V.
Postes disponibles:
ADJOINT(E) AUX SOUMISSIONS - NON PAYÉ
(poste temps partiel, de avril à juin, stage)
Responsabilités:
- Traitement et classement de toutes les soumissions, y compris la création de rapports précis (information sur les contacts, sur le cinéaste ou l'équipe de production); le candidat doit savoir utiliser les moteurs de recherche, les ressources et outils en ligne;
- Communication avec les postulants, leur offrant infos et conseils au besoin;
- Rester en étroite liaison avec notre coordonnateur de projets;
- Création de lettres et d'avis d'acceptation de projets.
- Excellentes capacités en communication;
- Excellent maîtrise du français et de l'anglais;
- Capacité à travailler des heures flexibles, y compris les weekends;
- Doit avoir un ordinateur, accès à l'internet et un bureau à domicile (télé-travail).
ADJOINT(E) MARKETING - NON PAYÉ
(poste temps plein, de mai à juillet, possibilité de poste salarié permanent)
Responsabilités :
- Aider avec la production de publicité, y compris mais pas limité à des mises à jour de notre site web, la production de communiqués de presse, capable d'éditer et publier nos articles sur le web;
- Capacité de produire des vidéos avec effects (CGI, 2D, 3D), incluant son et mouvement;
- Aider avec les préparations pour les collectes de fonds en sollicitant des dons;
- Garder le contact les techniciens et les fournisseurs, en coordonnant les activités liées aux locaux réservés avant et durant le festival;
- Donner suite aux ententes avec les exposants potentiels, les commanditaires et partenaires, préparation des propositions de partenariat, offres et contrats.
Requis pour ce poste:
- Excellentes capacités en communication;
- Excellent maîtrise du français et de l'anglais;
- Capacité à travailler des heures flexibles, y compris les weekends;
- Doit avoir un ordinateur portable (caméra video un atout), accès à l'internet et un bureau à domicile (télé-travail);
- Doit communiquer avec la Directrice du festival sur une base régulière;
- Doit maîtriser word, indesign or photoshop et un logiciel d'édition et de post-production (flash elements, motion graphics);
- Maintenance de bases de données et de site web un atout;
- Expérience en marketing et production d'événement un atout.
PAYPAL ENTRIES FOR THE 2013 MASCARA AND POPCORN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Complete the entry form *HERE* when using this application and process your payment with Paypal (Paypal field below). Canadian residents can submit their entry and do payment via PayPal (submit after reading the rules for entry, consult guidelines and submit via Paypal).
ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES:
Early Deadline: June 1st, 2013 - $15.00 (US)
Regular Deadline: June 15st, 2013 - $20.00 (US)
Late Deadline: June 30th, 2013 - $25.00 (US)
Extended Late Deadline: August 1st, 2013 - $40.00 (US)
Regular Deadline: June 15st, 2013 - $20.00 (US)
Late Deadline: June 30th, 2013 - $25.00 (US)
Extended Late Deadline: August 1st, 2013 - $40.00 (US)
Download the entry form *HERE*
SUBMIT YOUR FILM TO THE 2013 MASCARA AND POPCORN INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITION
Taking place this year from August 15th to August 18th, 2013, MASCARA AND POPCORN presents its international competition, accepting entries from around the world. We strive to support independent film, promote all types of thought-provoking dark art and human passions to the extreme: horror, experimental, post-apocalyptic, film noir, dark comedy, horror comedy, dark fiction, dark fantasy, dark animation, dark science-fiction and most dramas.
PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR SUBMISSION: Short Films
Short movies COMPLETED AFTER JANUARY 2011 can be submitted
Best Cinematography
Best Acting
Best Screenplay
Best Makeup and Special FX
Best Animation
Best Horror-Comedy
Mascara and Popcorn’s “Weird and Wonderful (WW)"
Mascara and Popcorn’s “Extreme, Experimental, Exceptional (EEE)”
Mascara and Popcorn’s "Audience Choice"
Mascara and Popcorn’s "Best Short Film for 2013"
Films chosen by our selection committee will be screened to compete at the festival on August 16th and 17th. Should your film be selected for the competition, you'll be notified in writing. Winners be announced on August 18th after jury deliberation. Prizes will be awarded. Consult our website soon to find out more about our awards show.
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING A FILM:
- Foreign language films MUST be dubbed or subtitled in English or film will not be accepted. Unless the original language of the submitted film is English, all screeners must be subtitled in English. Non-subtitled films will not be considered.
- If you want to submit your film digitally, .MOV / .MP4 / .MPEG / .AVI or any digital video format that is easy to work with to info@mpfestival4.com with your name and address, your email address, and the film’s title and running time and your PAYPAL tracking number appearing on the entry form. Please be clear as to what sharing program you are using for your film submission (Dropbox, Sendspace, Dropsend, WeTransfer, etc.)
- Please ensure that all screeners are complete and work correctly before submitting.
- All films must be clearly labeled on the DVD.
- Include Title of Film, Run Time, and contact Email on DVD Screener.
- We require all entrants to submit films in a paper DVD Sleeve. When packaging, protect the DVD in a padded envelope.
- We do not accept works in progress unless if you can give the festival an exclusive world premiere.
- Do NOT send us physical press kits, posters, or marketing material with your entry. Digital versions of press kits and promo material are not necessary but accepted. We'll ask you to provide us promotional material once your entry's been selected for the competition.
- All entries selected grant the festival the right to use audio, video, and still images for promotional materials. The festival will request artwork or promotional material for use on the website once the film is accepted to screen.
ONE PROJECT PER ENTRY. WE DO NOT ACCEPT ONE ENTRY FOR MULTIPLE FILM PROJECTS. EVERY FILM PROJECT SUBMITTED REQUIRES AN INDIVIDUAL ENTRY.
ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES:
Early Deadline: June 1st, 2013 - $15.00 (US)
Regular Deadline: June 15st, 2013 - $20.00 (US)
Late Deadline: June 30th, 2013 - $25.00 (US)
Extended Late Deadline: August 1st, 2013 - $40.00 (US)
Regular Deadline: June 15st, 2013 - $20.00 (US)
Late Deadline: June 30th, 2013 - $25.00 (US)
Extended Late Deadline: August 1st, 2013 - $40.00 (US)
PAYPAL ENTRIES:
Complete the entry form *HERE* when using this application and process your payment with Paypal (Paypal field below). Canadian residents can submit their entry and do payment via PayPal (submit after reading the rules for entry, consult guidelines and submit via Paypal).
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