July 2008 Archives
Hail Filmmakers,
There are a number of things happening at the Institute, and this week, the biggest of them involves Animation. So if you’re of the animated persuasion, listen up.
NICK SHORTS
FTI, ScreenWest and Nickelodeon are proud to partner to provide up to six teams the opportunity to produce innovative animated short films for first run broadcast on Nickelodeon Australia.
Nick Shorts will provide an opportunity to showcase original work produced by Western Australian animators on a National level on a range of Nickelodeon’s platforms (including Nick TV, Turbo Nick and Mobile). This initiative will help develop the skills of local animators and provide them with the possibility of developing concepts which if successful may be considered for further development by Nickelodeon International.
Under the thematic heading ‘Nick Shorts’, this initiative invites Western Australian individual or animator teams to produce 1 to 3 minute animations that must be suitable to be broadcast as a ‘stand alone’ product but has enough character(s) and thematic appeal that has the potential to be developed into a long-form animation series with international appeal. The finished product must be suitable for a Nickelodeon audience and be eligible for a G classification.
The Project Coordinator, FTI's Yvette Coyne said, "The emphasis is on original and innovative characters that could be great in their own 3 minute animation, with the potential to be developed into an awesome new animated series. This is an amazing opportunity!"
To find out more about this scheme download the guidelines below and discuss your idea with Yvette Coyne.
FILMMAKERS AT LARGE
The FTI helps to produce a number of projects every year, however, after these projects are completed it is the producers of these works that have the difficult task of getting festivals, buyers and audiences to sit up and notice.
The OOMPF funded short DOGS RUN LOOSE AROUND HERE will be included as part of this year’s Sydney Underground Film Festival (September 11-14). The film was written and directed by Michael Hoath and produced by Tenille Kennedy.
Filmmakers Alex McArthur and Gregg Johnson both have films in Round Two of the Moonlight TV Short Film Festival. DOUBLE OR NOTHING was directed by McArthur and written and produced by Johnson. The film was made as part of the FTI’s Advanced Diploma in Screen (Video Production) Course in 2007. Johnson wrote, produced and directed his film PERSPECTIVE. McArthur and Johnson are both FTI graduates and are actively pursuing their independent filmmaking opportunities.
Go to the Moonlight TV site to check out the films and if you like them, you can vote for them. Round Three entry details are also on the site.
The Round One winner of this festival was the Raw Nerve funded WA film CLOUDS, written and directed by Will Faulkner and produced by Annabelle Fouchard. See the story here.
Yours Filmically,
The Production Support Department
There are a number of things happening at the Institute, and this week, the biggest of them involves Animation. So if you’re of the animated persuasion, listen up.
NICK SHORTS
FTI, ScreenWest and Nickelodeon are proud to partner to provide up to six teams the opportunity to produce innovative animated short films for first run broadcast on Nickelodeon Australia.
Nick Shorts will provide an opportunity to showcase original work produced by Western Australian animators on a National level on a range of Nickelodeon’s platforms (including Nick TV, Turbo Nick and Mobile). This initiative will help develop the skills of local animators and provide them with the possibility of developing concepts which if successful may be considered for further development by Nickelodeon International.
Under the thematic heading ‘Nick Shorts’, this initiative invites Western Australian individual or animator teams to produce 1 to 3 minute animations that must be suitable to be broadcast as a ‘stand alone’ product but has enough character(s) and thematic appeal that has the potential to be developed into a long-form animation series with international appeal. The finished product must be suitable for a Nickelodeon audience and be eligible for a G classification.
The Project Coordinator, FTI's Yvette Coyne said, "The emphasis is on original and innovative characters that could be great in their own 3 minute animation, with the potential to be developed into an awesome new animated series. This is an amazing opportunity!"
To find out more about this scheme download the guidelines below and discuss your idea with Yvette Coyne.
FILMMAKERS AT LARGE
The FTI helps to produce a number of projects every year, however, after these projects are completed it is the producers of these works that have the difficult task of getting festivals, buyers and audiences to sit up and notice.
The OOMPF funded short DOGS RUN LOOSE AROUND HERE will be included as part of this year’s Sydney Underground Film Festival (September 11-14). The film was written and directed by Michael Hoath and produced by Tenille Kennedy.
Filmmakers Alex McArthur and Gregg Johnson both have films in Round Two of the Moonlight TV Short Film Festival. DOUBLE OR NOTHING was directed by McArthur and written and produced by Johnson. The film was made as part of the FTI’s Advanced Diploma in Screen (Video Production) Course in 2007. Johnson wrote, produced and directed his film PERSPECTIVE. McArthur and Johnson are both FTI graduates and are actively pursuing their independent filmmaking opportunities.
Go to the Moonlight TV site to check out the films and if you like them, you can vote for them. Round Three entry details are also on the site.
The Round One winner of this festival was the Raw Nerve funded WA film CLOUDS, written and directed by Will Faulkner and produced by Annabelle Fouchard. See the story here.
Yours Filmically,
The Production Support Department
So what’s this ‘Perfect Match’ thing?
What are the FTI up to now?
We don’t have to date do we?
Yes, we’ve heard it filmmakers. But we’ve also heard you say that you’re looking for a Producer. This is the number one frequently asked question in Production Support.
Where are all the Producers? Directors? Writers? Crew?
We’re hoping to lure you out with this brilliantly planned get-together slash event. It’s about letting people know who you are and what you’re interested in making. And that’s where all the Perfect Match stuff comes in. And because we can’t resist a kitsch telly show from the 1980s.
The reality in the cinema will be a little different. No Greg Evans, Debbie Newsome or Dexter the Robot (at least not yet…)
But what you will have is an opportunity to present a concept, an idea, some inspiring images or maybe yourself. This is your chance to grab the spotlight for up to three minutes. And just to break the ice, the first couple of these presentations will be by Yvette and myself.
After this part of the evening we will adjourn to the hall where we will run the ‘speed dating’ part of the evening. You will actually have an opportunity to speak with everyone in the hall one-on-one about your idea or yourself in a little more detail. We’ll be timing this, just like the real thing.
Sounds a bit daunting, but the emphasis here is breaking the ice and getting to talk to someone you may not have spoken with otherwise. And the best part is that it ISN’T real dating. (No walk of shame the next morning…)
After the speed dating will be a chance to mingle and have a drink. And here’s where you can exchange ideas and contact details in your own sweet time. With any luck you’ll find someone you can work with on your or their next project.
It’s something a little different from Production Support and the FTI. Please join us in this new event and let’s see what happens.
SPEED DATING FOR FILMMAKERS
FTI Cinema,
92 Adelaide Street.
6.30-8.30 pm, 14th August 2008
So how does it work?
1. Get up and say what you’re all about, filmically. What kind of projects are you keen to work on? What inspires you?
2. While you do, up to 24 images (submitted previously) will be powerpointed behind you on the cinema screen. You have between 2 and 3 minutes to pitch your concept, doco, drama or yourself.
3. The images can be films you’ve made. Or pictures that inspire you. A location you want to use. A character you want to portray. ANYTHING! Think of this as your dating video – we wanna know what you are about!
4. Mingle after the presentation. In true speed dating style, we’ll be there with stop watches making sure you all get a chance to meet eachother.
5. This is an open forum aimed at getting creative minds thinking…and connecting. Don’t be shy :)
6. Adjourn to the hall and do 1 in 1s for two minutes at a time.
7. Talk, mingle, drink.
If this sounds like you, then register your interest with your relationship counsellors Yvette yvette@fti.asn.au or
Phil jengkane@fti.asn.au.
See You There
Phil Jeng Kane
Production Support Department
Continue reading Speed Dating Without Guilt.
LEGACY, directed by Grant Sputore and produced by Poppy Dowle & David Smith, is an FTI funded short film. Funded under FTI’s LINK initiative the short film had its debut screening last night at the Astor Cinema. The audience was filled with industry professionals, cast, crew and family and friends.
It is a story set in Australia 1943. On leave from the front Donald makes one last attempt to save his brother from the life their father has unwittingly prepared for him. It’s a touching film, beautifully shot with excellent production design values and brilliant performance.
Also worth noting is the very informative website this team has created as part of their marketing strategy legacyshortfilm.com. I am sure it will come in handy when Legacy takes over the film festival circuit.
Be prepared to hear a lot of news about Legacy, as this team has really achieved something special.
Well done to all involved - you’ve made us proud!
Yvette
Greetings Filmmakers,
For five years the Institute had a Members' Production Group (MPG). They gathered, networked, wrote, voted, argued, produced, directed, acted, edited, lit sets, scouted locations and created a number of short drama films and even a couple of documentaries.
It was my pleasure to be the Institute's liason for the Group. Okay, not always a pleasure. Sometimes I was rather cranky, especially when things went wrong - as they invariably do in low budget filmmaking. At this point an MPG-er would usually help me to see my way clear to making things run smoothly again. And this was the essence of the Group at its best. The MPG was a collective that contained a rotating cast of smart, enthusiastic filmmakers who were a repostory of knowledge and advice.
But the world changes and so do the needs of a new generation of FTI members. Sadly, the MPG has now been wound up. I'm sorry to see it go and have had some truly unique experiences in the last five years. I hope other ex-MPGers can say the same. AFter looking at the future needs of FTI member filmmakers, I think it has become clear that some new ideas and strategies are necessary to take us further.
One last word to this extended crew that was the MPG since 2002 - I am getting closer to completing the DVD of MPG material - so please watch this space.
Members Film Unit
Now, on to a different kettle of fish, a horse of a different colour - please choose your metaphor. The MFU does not, cannot and should not be considered a straight replacement for the MPG
Here's the pitch.
Join the MFU
Are you looking for an opportunity to work with other filmmakers, make creative projects and build up your skills in camera, sound, lighting and editing?
The Member's Film Unit (MFU) is a new program at FTI that will provide opportunities for new and experienced filmmakers to create interviews with local filmmakers for distribution on the FTI website, promotional advertisements for major screen events in Western Australia such as the WA Screen Awards and the Fremantle Outdoor Film Festival and other film community projects.
First meet: 6:30pm Monday 14 July
Register your interest by contacting Production Development Officer Phil Jeng Kane via email and come on down to FTI.
What this new group can be, we will begin to work out on this Monday night.Oh yes, and there will be Cheezles - in a medium sized bowl. Incentive.
After the meeting you might like to join the gaming fun of 'Btye Club' in the Cinema.
Yours Filmically,
Phil Jeng Kane
Production Development Officer
ABOVE: A 2006 photograph of the MPG in the FTI Hall.
BELOW: Cheezles
