Month: February 2010

Categories
Truly Free Film

Remember To Never Forget: Communication For Producers

I have a lecture coming up on Communication For Producers. Seems to me before one can communicate they need to know what needs to be expressed. This is that list.

Why do you love this movie?

You are making the director’s movie. (which isn’t the same as doing everything the director wants).

You are trying to make the best movie possible.

You will make the movie profitable.

You will get the movie seen. You will find the film’s audiences.

The producer works to create the right environment for all.

You appreciate people’s good work & hard work.

You have chosen to be here and know others have chosen that too.

People like to be led. You are here to provide leadership.

People like to participate. Provide opportunities.

Anyone can follow a plan. What can you do to provide inspiration?

Calm = clarity What do you need to do to reduce stress so all see clearly?

Why will they believe you? How will they follow you?

Categories
Let's Make Better Films

Places To Film: Abandoned Asylums

Environmental Graffiti does a great job sourcing fantastic locations to film. Check out their latest post on Abandoned Asylums and just drool with desire to take your cameras there. These are some of their selections but take the full tour.

Categories
These Are Those Things

Wanted: A Lifetime Subscription To Michel Gondry’s Work

If we could, we would subscribe. Michel’s work is so consistent, so mind-blowing. So joyful. So inventive. If we could bestow a “World Treasure” certification we would. He and his work would certainly have their own wing in The Ted Museum.

I can honestly say I have never learned how to see the world differently as well as I did the time I got to spend by Michel’s side as he directed “Human Nature”. He sees the world — and how to rearrange it — like no other.

Even a young mind absorbs this is something else afoot, with Michel’s brain. My son watched his work at a very young age, and holds him, like Charles Chaplin, as someone who does it all quite brilliantly — and makes the world a better place to live as a result.

This is his latest video:

Categories
Bowl Of Noses

A Trip Into Outer Space

What?  Are you waiting to become an astronaut?  Think Doctor Who is going to come and take you on a journey?  Heck, No!  Let’s start some space travel right here, right now.  All it takes is a click.

Categories
Truly Free Film

Looking For Solutions

Sabi Pictures – Zak Forsman and Kevin Shah – have done a three part series (so far) on this year’s Park City and filmmakers’ efforts to get their work seen and appreciated. They do very nice work. Check out all the episodes on Vimeo.

NEW BREED PARK CITY – Exploring the Solutions, Part 1 from Sabi Pictures on Vimeo.

Categories
Truly Free Film

You will laugh, you will cry…

Oh, we know this story, don’t we? Get’s me every time, even when it’s robots telling it instead of my friends and collaborators — which isn’t to say there aren’t some well-deserved happy endings either.

Check out the other episodes too. There are five of them.

Hat tip: Chris Monger
P.S. Watch “Temple Grandin” which Chris co-wrote on Sat 2/8 on HBO. I would, if I had cable or the DVD…

Categories
Truly Free Film

Ten Things We Should All Do On Our Productions

1. Be a mentor to someone. This is more than just hiring interns. It is about really educating someone, giving them access to experience.
2. Do something “the better way” instead of the easy way. We make ethical excuses in order to say money, but we need to focus on the big picture.
Avoid 15 Passenger Vans as they are the most dangerous vehicle on the road.
Provide housing when someone has worked an excessive day.
Recycle bottles and cans.
Print less. Use less paper.
Email Call Sheets
Provide production packages (shooting schedules, breakdowns, lists, etc.) on line.
Crew Lists as Address Cards so they can instantly be in one’s phone.
3. Remember that everyone is first and foremost a human being and not just a worker drone.
Learn everyone’s name and what they like to do. Remember that everyone is working together.

Help them stay in contact and participating in the world around them: provide news updates at Craft Service; provide absentee ballots during election periods; encourage petitions for favorite causes;
4. Keep the crew updated as to the progress of the production — through post and release.
Recognize they make the movie; treat them as partners.
Via email updates during post and release.
5. How can you have the movie actually help improve the world?
Can you generate charitable items that could raise money? Can you collect signatures on petitions for particular causes? Can you educate your cast and crew? What can you do with the completed work that will make this a better place?
6. Can you help out another filmmaker with your film? Invite another artist to film a doc about the process.
7. Stay focused on what the movie needs and don’t get distracted by the thrill of 100 new friends.
8. Show your appreciation. Feel it. You wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for your cast, crew, and financiers.

9. Think health & saftety. Provide healthy food all the time. Have a medic on set, even if not required.
10. Follow the 20 New Rules Prior to Production so that your film might have a chance in this hyper-competitive marketplace.

Fine print: I try and set the bar high. I can’t say I always succeed myself.