Local filmmakers celebrate “shmoovies”

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Originally posted on whec.com on 07/16/2012 10:54 PM

A group of local film buffs came together Monday night to celebrate their passion of filmmaking.

Rochester Movie Makers, a non-profit group, held their annual “Shmoovies” event tonight at the Cinema Theater in Rochester.

“Shmoovies” is a festival of locally made short films, all written, produced and filmed right in Rochester. The chairperson of RMM says Rochester is a great place for filmmakers looking to get started in the business. “There’s really no barrier of entry anymore to making film. The only barrier is the belief that you can’t do it for whatever reason. If you believe you can do it, you can do it,” Stan Main tells News 10 NBC.

Main says the goal of RMM is to bring local film fans together and to help one another out with their latest projects. RMM will hold its annual “Mind to Movie” 72-hour film contest in January. You can learn more about that, as well as more about the organization, on its website.

For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.

RMM General Meeting Notes – June 25, 2012

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Start Time: 6:37PM
Total in Attendance: 15
Location: Nixon Peabody LLP
Agenda:
Introductions:
Skipped
Upcoming Events:
Shmoovies
Time –Monday,  July 16, 7pm at Cinema Theater (corner of Goodman and Clinton)
$10.00 tickets, free for RMM paying/voting members
Tickets at door are cash only, PayPal in advance on website
Each producer gets two free tickets
Producer Meetings – by appointment only now
E-mail Stan Main (stan(AT)rochestermoviemakers.com) to set up time
Mind2Movie 2013
Tentative date – January 17-20, 2013
RMM Writers Workshops
July 8th and 15th (changed times) – Spot Coffee on East Avenue (updated location)
Podcast series beginning this summer – “tip, tricks, and techniques”
RMM Auditions
Posted online, e-mail Wayne Coughlin (wayne(AT)rochestermoviemakers.com) for info
Free for RMM voting members, $10 otherwise
Rochester Film Lab
Next meeting for directors is Wednesday, July 11 – 7:00pm at Animatus Studios
Contact Mike Boas (mike(AT)rochestermoviemakers.com) for more information
Upcoming Projects:
Fight with Love 2012 – Musical Theater Review to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS
Need someone to shoot/edit event (for free)
August 3, 4, and 5 at Geva Theater Center’s NextStage
Contact: Marguerite Frorey (benefitaids(AT)gmail.com) or Stan Main (stan(AT)rochestermoviemakers.com) to get in touch with Marguerite
Film Roundtable Meeting minutes available from June 8, 2012 meeting
Contact Stain Main (stan(AT)rochestermoviemakers.com) for minutes
Nora Brown announcement from Stan –
Be sure to vote to extend taxpayers’ break for filmmakers in upstate New York
Call Senator Robach to support bill
Requiem for a Beauty Queen
Two (2) spots open in Art Department to design sets
Need gym scene designed (after beauty contests)
Need makeshift dressing room area designed
Good entry-level job
Prop-wrangler needed
Script supervisor needed
Will shoot in one day (Friday or Saturday) probably at end of June
Contact Wayne Coughlin ( wayne(AT)rochestermoviemakers.com ) for info
Bury My Heart in Tonawanda
Now in post-production, and working in After Effects
Saberfrog – completed film by Curt Markham, feature DVD to go up on Amazon.com soon
Wants to re-enact the film’s journey and film it for marketing purposes
Wants to use social media to spread work/market as well
First showing of film: September 30, 2012
Then, a different showing each day in different cities on premiere route
Contact Curt Markham
curt(AT)pixelmander.com or www.saberfrog.com for more info
Guest Speaker:
Wayne Coughlin – “Playing Make Believe:  Stanislavski Demystified” acting presentation/event
Make = “to create”; believe = “to accept as real”
What is an actor?
Contribute to the piece
Knows the craft and character
Reveals inner world of character
How the audience understands what’s going on
Actor’s responsibilities
Create a reality the audience can accept
Know where the character fits into the film
Create bio/motivations behind action
“emotion drives physicality”
Needs of an actor
Body control practice
Speech, diction, and voice (vocal control/support, etc.)
Work on Shakespeare for practice
Understand use/misuse of props
Powers of observation and imagination
Indicating is bad – not part of the Stanislavski Method
It pulls audience out of the piece (internal vs. external emotions)
Concentration and willpower
Be in the moment by understanding character
Completed warm-up and improv exercises with willing participants
End of Meeting

RAVA 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

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Nick DiBella to show clips and have conversation about the filmmaking process…

We have an entertaining and educational dinner planned for our 2012 Annual Meeting with Nicholas DiBella as our guest speaker. Nick is a local filmmaker and has released a few films over the years. “Cherry Crush” was his last film. He is currently in post-production of his current film, “King’s Faith” which was shot in Rochester last summer.

When: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 5:30pm for Networking and 6:30pm for dinner and program
Where: Joey’s Pasta and Party House, 1789 Penfield Road, Penfield, NY 14526
Cost: $25 per person (includes full meal, presentations and discussion with filmmaker, Nick DiBella)

It is important to email me at president@myrava.com to let me know if you can make it.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Paul Tracy
President
Rochester AudioVisual Association
president@myrava.com
www.myrava.com

RMM General Meeting Notes – May 29, 2012

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Start Time: 6:32PM
Total in Attendance: 20
Location: Nixon Peabody LLP
Agenda:
Introductions:
Individual introductions
Moving Location – RCTV (not official yet, but very likely)
21 Gorham Street, free parking
Upcoming Events:
RMM Screenwriter’s Workshop
Alternating Sundays 12pm – Pita Pit on Alexander
RMM Executive Board meetings
Thursdays 6pm Little Theater Café
Next meeting – June 14, 6pm
Shmoovies
Show will probably be about 90 minutes long
Time – July 16, 7pm at Cinema Theater (corner of Goodman and Clinton
Can use credit card for advance ticket purchase only, otherwise $10 cash at door
Movies to screen are due to Derrick Petrush (derrick(AT)rochestermoviemakers.org) by June 30th
Visit website (rochestermoviemakers.org) for links to technical specifications
RMM Auditions
Posted online (rochestermoviemakers.org)
Viewing is free for RMM voting members only
Noel announcement – Greentopia Festival (http://greentopiafestival.com/)
Submit movies about sustainability
Upcoming late and “without a box” deadlines – June 4 and July 2
Projects:
Mike McFadden is now doing freelance audio for projects, contact if interested
mike(AT)mmmaudio.com
Patrick Jaouen – Turkish short for Schmoovies
May need an editor
Patrick.jaouen(AT)gmail.com
Stan Main/Mark Maira – Hundo Leeng
Shoots begin June 23 and 24
May need a PA or two, and sound help
stan(AT)rochestermoviemakers.org
Networking: 6:58PM
End of Meeting

Rochester Movie Makers Presents THE SHMOOVIES

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Join us for a night of RMM short films from the last year! The 2012 Shmoovies will screen at the Cinema Theater on Monday, July 16th, 2012. Last year was a full house and a great time. Stay tuned for advance ticketing information and save the date.
Rochester Filmmaker Submissions Open
If you are planning to submit a film for exhibition, please email wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org with the title and approximate date you can submit. See the Technical Submission Guidelines and Exhibition Agreement and Entry Form (release paperwork) on our website at http://rochestermoviemakers.org/shmoovies
No film can be shown without an Exhibition Agreement and Entry Form (release paperwork). The form needs to be filled out and signed by the copyright owner. Please fill out the schedule at the end of the Exhibition Agreement and Entry form as accurately as you can. We will be making programs and will use this info for that task.
Late entries can utilize the June 25th RMM Member meeting to hand in the film and form.
The Exhibition Agreement and Entry Form can be handed to Wayne at any Writer’s Workshop meeting, RMM General Meeting, arranged meeting so we have it by 6/30.
Films must be submitted to Derrick Petrush in the appropriate formats, and the form to me NO LATER than June 30th, 2012. Contact  derrick AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org to deliver the movie itself.
Here’s to another successful evening of great films!
 

Great First Pages

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RMM Writers Workshop: Great First Pages
This Sunday at the Rochester Movie Makers Writers Workshop, we’ll be taking a look at the first page of successful screenplays. During Oscar season, CBS News posted the scripts of many award contenders, and they can be a valuable resource for writers like us.
In reading the first page of these screenplays, I find it interesting to see how different writers solve problems. How does the use of language, grammar, character, and dialogue grab the reader’s attention and place him or her in the story? I’ve also noted structural quirks — how does one convey that a movie is a silent film, how are titles used, etc.
So visit the following page and download a few PDF files. Print out your favorite first pages and bring them along to our meeting for discussion.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/download-scripts-of-award-contenders/
As always, feel free to bring along your own work to share, too.
The RMM Writers Workshop is this Sunday, May 20, at noon at the Pita Pit, 311 Alexander Street, Rochester.
-Mike Boas mike(AT)rochestermoviemakers.org
 

RMM General Meeting Notes – April 30, 2012

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Start Time: 6:30PM
Total in Attendance: 21
Location: Brighton Public Library
Agenda:
Introductions:
Individual introductions
Upcoming Events:
RMM Producer Meetings
Every Thursday, 6:00pm at the Little Theater Cafe
Come to get help/help out with shorts and other productions
RMM Executive Board Meetings
Second Thursday of every month, 6:00pm at the Little Theater Cafe
Rochester Film Lab
Second Wednesday of every other month, 7:00pm at Animatus Studios
Next meeting is May 9, 2012
For critique and discussion on editing and directing
RMM Writer’s Workshop
Sundays, 12:00pm at the Pita Pit (East and Alexander)
Next meeting is May 6, 2012
For education and critique/feedback on screenwriting
RMM Auditions
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9:30am – 1:00pm at “The Space” at Hungerford
http://thespacerochester.com/
Open audition call for Summer Shorts, student films, and other projects
DVD will be made of auditions for directors to use for casting all year long
Monologue-type sides have been created for those auditioning
Shmoovies showing
July 16, 2012 at Cinema Theater
Set up: 5:45
Box Office open: 6:15
House open: 6:30
Show start: 7:00
Treasury Report:
By Ric Hooker
Projects:
RMM Director’s Forum – Stan Main, producer/shot at RCTV
Put out a call for a director to interview for May 7, 2012 production
stan AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org
Requiem for a Beauty Queen project – Wayne to produce from Joe Nellis script
Needs Production Designer to design backstage set/costumes, etc.
wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org
Hundo Leeng – Stan Main to produce from Mark Maira script
Needs: Assistant Director, Boom Operator, Composer, two Pas, Script Supervisor
Actors Needed: “Lance” (20s,) “Brandon” (30s,) “Caroline,” “Dave,” and “Driver”
Scheduled Times:
Rehearsal #1 May 15, 2012, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Rehearsal #2 May 22, 2012, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Rehearsal #3 May 29, 2012, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Rehearsal #4 June 5, 2012 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Rehearsal #5 June 12, 2012 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Optional Dress June 22, 2012 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Shoot Dates June 23, 2012 – June 24, 2012, 8:00am – 6:00pm
stan AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org
Bury My Heart with Tonawanda update
Started filming this weekend at Genesee Country Village and Museum
http://www.gcv.org/
Shoot is going very well so far; very impressive production
http://espocinema.wordpress.com/
Networking: 7:03PM
End of Meeting

RMM Writers Workshop meets 4/29 and 5/6

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Don’t forget, RMM Writers Workshop meets Sunday, April 29 and Sunday May 6!
Noon – 2pm at the PITA PIT, 311 Alexander Street, Rochester.
Print and bring along a few copies of the latest script or outline you’ve been working on! We’ll also be discussing what writers/producers should do to prepare for Summer Short auditions May 5.
We’ve taken a few weeks off from meetings, so we’re getting back in the groove by meeting two weeks in a row. That’s right, we’ll also be meeting May 6, same Pita Pit time, same Pita Pit channel.
To get plenty of useful screenwriting links, be sure to join the RMM Writers Workshop group on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/rmmwriters/
See you soon!
-Mike

RMM General Meeting Notes – March 26, 2012

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“SCRIPT-A-PALOOZA”
Start Time: 6:30PM
Total in Attendance: 34
Location: Law Offices of Nixon Peabody
Agenda:
Introductions:
General intro from Stan Main, skipped individual introductions
Upcoming Projects:
RMM Auditions – available for everyone to use for shorts and films
Date TBD
Shmoovies 2011 showing – at Cinema Theater
Need new meeting space – put call out for suggestions
RMM Producers Meetings – will be on-going on Thursdays in April
Little Theater Café,  6pm
Greentopia (announcement by Noel Bastien)
New Film Festival
Looking for sustainability-themed shorts
Early deadline: April 2; Regular deadline: May 1; Late deadline: June 4
http://greentopiafestival.com/
Bury My Heart With Tonawanda
http://espocinema.wordpress.com/
Starting shooting April 27
Looking for a man to play a dinner guest for Saturday, May 19th at 2:00pm
Need a costume assistant/tracker to monitor all costumes and production assistant on
April 29, April 30, may 3, May 5, May 6, May 7, May 12, May 13, and May 19
Script-a-palooza:
Rules announced by Wayne Coughlin
Circle favorite on score sheet, voting members’ votes count three times
Nine scripts read in total
Script-a-palooza readings

  1. The Upgrade – Mike McCourt
  2. Eyes Still Closed – Michelle Cardulla
  3. Requiem for a Beauty Queen – Joe Nellis
  4. Bear River – Marty Naparsteck
  5. Hundo Leeng – Mark Maira
  6. Kiss Me, You Fool – Hank Shaw
  7. The Story About Troy – Dave Buttle
  8. The King of Cups – Mike Boas
  9. The Intervention – Wayne Coughlin

Winners:
1st place – The King of Cups – Mike Boas
2nd place – Hundo Leeng – Mark Maira
3rd place – The Upgrade – Mike McCourt
Networking
End of Meeting