October 2007 Archives

This week I had the great pleasure of being a guest at a very forward thinking, modern, public high school in Perth.   I was visiting a group of 60 or more Year 8 students who are making a series of documentaries during this term.   Over the course of a few hours we talked about stories, the concept of the truth in documentary, the history and future of documentary films, tips for filmmaking, audience interest and so many other things about the filmmaking process.  

I asked the students, how many of them had a video camera at home, it was about 80 percent.     
I asked how many had a mobile phone with a camera, it was nearly everyone.
I asked who had made a film already, again it was around 80 percent.
I asked who had posted a film to a share site such as YouTube, 60 percent responded in the affirmantive.

When you stop and think about it the average age of the emrging filmmaker is dropping fast.   No longer is the up and comming new filmmaker a 25 year old or even a 20 year old, at FTI we see talented 15 year olds trying to get a look in.   Now if you think about funding schemes, training opportunities, production initinatives and entery level industry jobs, how many of these doors are available to the youngest of filmmmakers?

As students progress through primary and secondary education now they are regularly exposed to vision editing, using video cameras, and flash animation.   Each year the level of expertise held by an average Year 12 student will continue to rise.   So should we make all the restrictions on funding programs, courses and the rest be removed?   There is a certain logic that says 'Yes'.

However, there is another more obvious challenge.   Do 15 year old filmmakers have anything to say?   This is debatable, as many 20 year old filmmakers often make a plethora of angst filled films about tortured souls.   Maybe the real question is how do you challenge a young filmmaker to think beyond the norm and to present ideas and thoughts in a more creative context.

This is going to be one of the big challenges for screen educators and support agencies in coming years, finding the methodology and tools to work with the youngest of filmmakers and bring out the best in them.  

One great opportunities for young filmmakers that is specifically for them and already in existence is the 'Document Your World' competition at the Australian International Documentary Conference.   Teams of young filmmakers get a chance to pitch their ideas to ABC's JTV, in front of an audience  of experienced filmmakers and a panel of esteemed filmmakers.   I got the chance to see this in action at AIDC 2007 and the ideas put forward by the different teams were great.    It's brilliant to see that it will be back for AIDC 2008 which is being held right here in Perth.

For more information on this exciting initiative, visit www.aidc.com.au/marketplace/documentyourworld or the Hero Project at  www.directingthehero.com

       

With only a few hours to go, most people have crossed the finishing line ahead of schedule and completed their 24 page comic.    People have begun to take on a zombie like appearance and the chit chat has increased dramatically as new friendships are made.

The sun is up and is streaming through the windows, making everyone squint slightly.

This is only the second time I've been at FTI at 2am in the morning, the other time involved Fred Schepisi and an indecent amount of red wine.  

Thomas Carter is the first participant at our event to finish his comic.   With hours of time to spare.   Thomas comic is called 'Killing Scott McCloud', kevining being the founder of the 24 hour comic day.   Thomas wouldn't let us know if Scott survives or not.








Jess McLeod was the second participant to finish just a few minutes behind Thomas.   Jess's comic is about a Superhero Secretary.










Jimmy Anstie began making his comic on his laptop computer but then reverted back to handdrawing and inking when he realised he would not have enough time.   Now back on track he's working on piece that is a silent comic.








Artist Michelle Buginski is slowly working away at her contribution that is a journey of self discovery.

At 22:00 we are heading towards the half way mark and everyone seems very relaxed.   It's interesting seeing all the different ways that people work, some people have chosen to work around big tables, other prefer the light desks, some just like to lounge on the couch.  

The group were excited to recieve a message from animators Tim Merks and Roseline Lau who were part of the team at this event last year.   Currently working on an animated TV series in Tasmania, Tim and Rosie have been following todays progress through our Facebook and Blog updates.    Tim and Rosie's message was read outloud in the Main Hall and posted on the noticeboard.

Every few hours we have been adding news from other 24 Hour  Comic Day sites,  such as Lapland,  Indonesia and Athens.   We've even downloaded, printed and distributed some of the comics made in other locales that have been posted online.

The photo's below show the scene at 22:00.

At 8pm we have had a break becasue the pizza arrived!   Now repleshed by pizza and coca cola and deep discussion about which is the best printing company for comics in Perth,  the artists are all back at work.    Some have raced ahead and look set to finish early, while others have done some sums and realised their productivity may need to improve.












It's always a challenge for any artist in a commerical environment, the balance between quality and quantity, the time you have to do it and the time you wwwould like to take to do it.   Observing the 24 Hour Comic Challenge is seeing that thought process on fast forward.

Linda Foote is currently studying design at Curtin University, she transfered across from the art program for her final year.    Her comic for the 24 Hour COmic Day Challenge is about time travel.   Linda's a bit worried that she is currently two and half pages behind and may run out of time at her current work rate, some creative solutions might be required.   She assures me there is only a slight feeling of panic setting in.




Lee Heslop is a vetran of the 24 Hour Comic Day event, he's says he's still figuring out what the comic he's writing today is about, but it involves two kids and an alien like Tiki God.

Lee used to work with Edward J Grug III on a comic called 'Timmy the One Legged Peasant Boy' that used to be published in 'Pelican' the student magazine of the University of Western Australia.   He has also published 'The Fine Art of Breaking Leases' and was part of the compilation 'The Hell I Was"


 

At 6pm the weather changed and it began raining outside, which sent the tribal drummers from the park outside running for cover.   The peaceful sound of rain on the roof seems to have also caused the cartoonists to realise that they are making good progress, and conversations have begun sprining up around the room.



Artrage's Luke Milton, the organisor of the event is creating a comic himself.   At 6pm he is well into page 9 of 24 of a tale involving a goblin, fuelled up on V he is making good progress.   Luke's had a busy week leading up to the event, he is featured in today's newspaper, has been interviewed on many local radio stations and is rersponsible for bring everyone together. 


 

Well we are six hours into the event and there is a lot of concentration in the room.   There is a family event outside in the park and local drummers are playing the bongo's, which gives the room a stange and tense atmosphere, as if a tribe of pygmi's may invade at any minute.

Local comic book artist Edward J Grug III is working hard on his contribution.   Last year Grugg was one of the artists featured in the offical publication so it''s great to see him back again.   Recently Grugg has been working on the comic 'Henry and Gil' which you can view online.

The international 24 Hour Comic Day has begun in Fremantle, the only official Australian location for this event.   Here's the deal, artists have just 24 hour to create a 24 page comic.   The Australian event began at 10:30am and a deadly silence has setttled over the Film and Television Institute as the artists begin their work.

There's not much to report so far, lots of artist drawing away, some on paper, some using laptop computers, some plotting out where to go, while others have launched straight into it.

The artists are spread over three rooms at the Institute, the Animation Lab, the Main Hall and the Conference Room.    There is gentle music playing and the sound of pencils scratching.  

Feature Film Director and Producer David Elfick visited a screening of his film 'Love in Limbo' at FTI this week.    The well known filmmaker is currently in Perth producing the feature film 'Two Fists, one Heart' and took time out from his hectic schedule to share his experiences from his long career with members of the Institute.


  

This morning before heading down to FTI I stopped by a carpark swapmeet and came across this old projector from the 1950's.   

It's an intriguing device.   It came with 10 roles of 35mm film that are inserted into the bottom of the projector and then hand wound through with the red button, the film rerolls into the top metal arm.It came with the full set of instructions and all it's labels were intacted.  

So what is it exactly you may be asking?It's a Roama Projector model 5A from 1953, made by the Maxcraft Projection Manufacturing Company and distrubuted by the Boyd Trading company of 131 Lennox Street of Richmond Victoria.  


There were 36 films available for purchace either in a set of six or individually.   Eight of the ten films that came with my purchace are from the 36 available, the ninth was an advertisement for the series and the tenth was from another collection.   The paperwork for each of the films from the Maxcraft collection was also included.

A new online forum for Australian based animators has been launched.    Alternatively you could also start conversing in the FTI forums.

Even though 'Ratatouille' is still in cinemas the promotion for the next PIXAR film 'WALL-E' has begun.   Check out this teaser.    

Last year following the ScreenWest strategic planning session I posted about a the new business models that digital downloads create.    At the time the British band Arctic Monkeys had just hit the big time after building up a loyal fan base through their wensite, free downloads and love performances.

Now there is a similar example from the other end of the spectrum, Radiohead, arguably the biggest band in the world have just finished their new album a few days ago, they don't currently have a record contract.   Instead they are offering it for download off a website,   How much does it cost?   As much as you think it's worth.   It's up to you how much you choose to pay.

Radiohead certainly aren't the first musicians to utilise this methodology, last year Imogen Heap released her album through a similar strategy.   The important thing here is that a huge band is trying out this methodology - the ultimate test of whether it works or not.

When Director Stephen Soderberg experimented with different release and distribution models with his film 'Bubble' many people were very quick to dismiss it as a failure.   'Bubble' was available online, on DVD and in cinemas on the same day.    The problem was that 'Bubble' wasn't a big enough film to really test the model - it's a short art house film with no famous people, in fact it uses all non-actors.   

The real test for this model is when a BIG film is released in cinemas and DVD's at the same time.   One of those Brad Pitt or Superhero films.

This only works for Radiohead because they have an established fan base, they are one of those bands who have fans who will buy their album and then listen to it.    This can work for film too though, brands can be built around actors, characters and some genres.

What films would you buy online?    and how much would you be willing to pay?   Feel free to add you thoughts in the comments section.