November 2008 Archives

Recently I bought a book called Post Secrets. It is a beautiful picture book of an art project where a man asked people to submit their secrets to him on a post card. The rules were simple: you secret could be about anything, as long as it was true and you hadn't told anyone. He also encouraged to use the card as a canvas to decorate it anyway you like. The result is hilarious, touching and beautiful.

It made me think that in each secret there was a short film waiting to happen. I thought I would share this with you to inspire ideas and stories.

Watch the video which tells you how the idea came about and has some examples of the secrets anonymous people have sent in and decided to share with the world.

Last week, we ran a funding assessment panel and we were reminded that there are some simple things you can do to make your funding application clearer for the people who are deciding who gets the grant.  Here are five tips that can help. More to hand as we think of them.


Make sure your synopsis agrees with your script or treatment.

The synopsis says your script is about the main character’s search to find her missing husband. In the script she never married. At some point, you and the writer had a shift of intention and haven’t adjusted your documents accordingly. Confusion for your assessors.


Make sure your producer’s statement and director’s statement agree.

The producer’s statement says this is a drama with dark comic elements, the director’s statement says this is an entertaining romp harking back to the screwball comedies of the 1930s. This is more or less a deal-breaker for an assessment panel. The director and producer either don’t agree on the film they’re making or they have poor attention to detail. Either way this doesn’t inspire confidence.


A synopsis is more than a logline.

You’ve worked long and hard on your snappy tagline. “Laughter has a new address” or maybe “You’ve got break a lot of eggs to make the world’s biggest omelette.”  You can see it on the DVD cover in 12-point Gill Sans Ultra Bold. However one line is only part of a synopsis. At least a paragraph detailing the story you want to tell is needed. The synopsis is a map of the story you want to tell. A panel will check the map against the script to get an idea of how clearly your final script is saying what you intended it to say.


If you are resubmitting your application, then recheck all your documents.

This means your budget, budget notes, synopsis and director and producer statements. Changes in deals, price lists, potential personnel and a hundred other details might have changed since you last submitted this application. Find these and make ‘em right.


Make sure everything is spelt and numbered correctly.

It’s cool that you have a relaxed attitude to spelling and realise that it is no indicator of intelligence or creativity. Couldn’t agree more. However making sure the application and the script or treatment is spell-checked and numbered correctly is very important. Making sure your script is formatted correctly is equally important. This is especially the case if the fund you are going for doesn’t have an interview component. Your paper document is doing all the talking for you. Getting spelling, numbering and formatting issues right is the equivalent of dressing up for a job interview. It shows care and attention to detail.

Yours Filmically

Production Support Team

A great deal has changed with film distribution. Peter Broderick spoke at SPAA fringe about the old world and new world of distribution. You can read his essay HERE

Hey - Check out local VJ's - VJZOO as they light up FTI with their projection performance at the opening of the Fremantle Festival - Friday 14th November, right outside FTI at Princess May Park.

VJZOO have been around for some time supporting and encouraging people insterested in VJing to get involved with their plug n play nights. check them out at www.vjzoo.com

Here are some sneak peeks from their rehearsal:

Last night the Luna Cinema in Leederville had a full house of eager punters to see the latest LINK initiative film, Til 3 Knocks.

Written and directed by Noah Norton and produced by Wendi Graham, the film is about a father’s desperate attempt to protect his daughter from time and death.

With much attention paid to production design, the film is set amongst the beautiful, eerie backdrop of the Australian bush. Til 3 Knocks is exquisitely shot, brilliantly acted, and has a deeply moving score. The passion and hard work of the cast and crew has paid off in this film - and all involved should be very proud of themselves.

You will no doubt be hearing more about Til 3 Knocks...

Until then, safe inside the box you bide!