filmmakers

RMM General Meeting Minutes – February 2014

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February 27, 2014 (February 2014 Meeting)
Start Time: 6:37PM
Total in Attendance: 23
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:

  • Made individually around the room
  • Announced membership price of only $25.00 a year, and joint RMM/RCTV membership for only $65.00 a year
    • Voting members get free tickets and discounts to events
    • RMM is not in it for the money, and all of the membership fees go to keeping the group going

 
Upcoming Events:
Script-A-Palooza

  • To be held during March 2014 RMM General Meeting – March 27, 2014
    • Script Competition for 10-page or less scripts (short films or excerpts from feature films)
    • Members vote for “Best Screenplay” award
    • No money involved, but it is a fun night for all involved
  • Entrants are highly encouraged to attend a Writers Group meeting to pitch/read script and receive feedback
  • RMM will make a CALL FOR ACTORS before the event to get readers for the scripts
    • Will have a chance to read the scripts beforehand to give the best performance/reading
  • E-mail either wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org or mike AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org to either submit a screenplay or sign up to be an actor/reader for the event
    • Visit http://www.rochestermoviemakers.org/events/scriptapalooza for full rules
  • These scripts provide content for Summer Shorts Productions
  • This is a great opportunity for screenwriters to practice, receive feedback, and improve on their writing
  • Can use free Celtx software for screenplay formatting (https://www.celtx.com/index.html)

 
RMM Auditions

  • Film auditions and casting event for Summer Shorts Productions
  • Will be in late April/early May 2014
  • Writers/Producers/Directors can submit scripts to read for your film
    • Auditions will be videotaped and can be made available for viewing
    • E-mail wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org with sides or your screenplay ahead of time so actors can prepare using your script

Executive Board Meetings

  • Next meeting is Thursday March 13, 2014 at 6:00pm at The Little Theater Cafe

RMM Writers Workshop

  • Next meeting is Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 6:00PM at Pita Pit, 311 Alexander Street
  • Bring outlines, short scripts, or first ten pages of feature for reading and discussion
  • All skill levels welcome

 
Projects:
Greentopia Film Festival – Commissioning Short Documentaries

  • Greentopia will be commissioning three short documentaries to be shot and produced this spring/summer
    • Proposals need to be in by end of March and filmmakers will be selected by April 15, 2014
    • Each film chosen will receive $1000 and two all-access passes to the festival
    • More information and rules, visit http://greentopiafest.com/film/community-films/

Mark Logan – ARC (short film, thriller)

  • ARC is a short film about Special Agent Ivan Thompson and his mission to extract a high profile target from Russian mercenaries.
  • Currently looking for:
    • At least $400 in additional Indiegogo donations
    • Film extras – anyone who wants to be a soldier in the last days of shooting
      • Will need to be strong enough to hang/repel from a rope
      • Will be shot in front of a green screen in the next few weeks
    • Military wardrobe/costumes for the final shoot
    • Actors fluent in Russian to do voiceover work
      • Will be completed at RIT campus
  • Marc is a third year student at RIT
  • For more information e-mail Mark Logan at mloganvideo AT gmail DOT com or visit http://www.digital-reflex-productions.com/

Mark Logan – RIT student summer shorts

  • Producing student short films over the summer
  • Needs actors
  • For more information e-mail mloganvideo AT gmail DOT com

Adrien Esposito – Journey in Brookside

  • Writing a script about institutions for the mentally ill from the 1960s and 1970s
    • Needs help/assistance with structure and story of his screenplay
    • Contact adrianesposito AT rochester.rr DOT com for more information

Mike Boas and Wayne Coughlin

  • Announced a full-length film project to be occurring within eight to ten months

Empire Film Music Ensemble – Hochstein School of Music

  • University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music students will perform feature film music from the movies of Spiderman, Batman, and other superheroes
    • Will also have a visual component
  • Saturday, May 3, at 7:00pm

 
Speakers:
Mike Boas and Wayne Coughlin – “8 Simple Rules for Storytelling on the Screen”

  • The Eight Rules:
    • “An ounce of reality is worth a pound of dreams”
      • Need to clearly communicate
    • “Write Simple Stories & Complex Characters”
      • Emotion drives the characters more than plot
    • “Write with Authenticity”
      • Story needs a journey
    • “Identify & Articulate the Film’s Spine”
      • Film’s “spine” needs a “statement of purpose”
    • “Identify & Articulate the Character Spines”
      • Characters’ “spines” need to be authentic with a beginning, middle, and end
    • “There’s Nothing New Under the Sun”
      • Overview of the different story situations used throughout history
    • “The Foundation – The 3 Act Structure”
    • “Don’t Break the Rules Just Because They Are Difficult to Follow”
      • Understand the rules fully before breaking them

 
End of Meeting: 7:45PM
Click below for the minutes in DOCX format:
RMM General Meeting Minutes – February 2014

RMM General Meeting Minutes – June 27, 2013

rmm

Start Time: 6:36PM
Total in Attendance: 30
Location: RCTV (downstairs location)
Agenda:
 
Introductions:

  • Made individually around the room

 
Upcoming Events:
Shmoovies

  • September 9, 2013 at Cinema Theater
  • Includes films such as Requiem for a Beauty Queen, Mirror Lake, Freedom Fighter, Step 9, and  Hundo Leeng
  • Wayne Coughlin made an announcement for Call for Entries to fill 2 or 3 available spots in the program
  • Deadline to send entry in is August 12, 2013

RMM Writers Workshop

  • Next meeting is Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 6:00pm at Pita Pit, 311 Alexander Street

Rochester Film Lab

 
Announcements:
Saby  Reyes-Kulkarni

  • Teaching upcoming RCTV class on Garageband

 
Speaker:
Billy Powell – Wilhelmina Rochester (http://www.wilhelminarochester.com/)

  • Spoke about Actor Representation and Modeling inRochester,NY
    • Founded U.S. Talent 20 years ago, then merged with Wilhelmina and joined a strong network of many different agencies
    • Provided extras for The Amazing Spider-Man 2
    • Currently represent sixty to seventy actors/actresses
    • Does a lot of commercials, print work, and industrial films
    • Can work with acting “types”, but prefers trained actors because they are professional and are better to work with (show up on time, etc.)
    • Wilhelmina Rochester also teaches modeling and acting at their studio (by audition only)
    • Hold auditions before deciding who to represent
      • Actors need to provide own head shots and video reels (professionally edited, one to three minutes in length)
      • Hold auditions every two weeks
      • Most actors are non-union in this area, and can negotiate ad hoc waiver deals for actors to act in SAG productions without actually joining
      • Wilhelmina Rochester works on a commission-based business model
      • Wilhelmina Rochester can help with local productions
        • Can hold castings at their location
        • Try to work with local filmmakers as long as deals are fair
          • For example, some will work for no money, as long as it’s a good project that will help enhance their video reel or give them more experience
  • Can contact Billy for help with film casting, even at a no-budget level

Upcoming Projects:
Randy Huckabone – Shadow House

Nate Sorrentino – Humans vs. Zombies Film Series

  • Series is expanding and the audience demand is present
  • Needs sound mastering, effects, and sound editing help (Post and Foley)
  • Contact nsorrent10 AT gmail DOT com for more information or to get links to view his finished trailers

Noel Bastien – Urban Development

Walter Tasbas – Bigger Than Bigfoot

  • Family/Drama Feature Film project
  • Looking for general help with film (acting and camera operator are most important)
  • Also needs funding for project
  • Looking to shoot October through December 2013
  • For more information or to help out, e-mail waltertasbas AT yahoo DOT com

Chris Hazenbush and Nicki Pierce – I Just Can’t Weight

  • Short film read at RMM Script-A-Palooza
  • Announced that accomplished Producer Avery Munger has accepted the role of Director and Charlie Smith will be scoring the short film
  • Scheduled to shoot in August 2013

Donald O’Brien – POV Experimental Short Film project

  • Looking for boom mic operator
  • E-mail aboutafilm AT gmail DOT com for more information or help out

Wayne Coughlin – Walking…

  • Mockumentary
  • Looking for: Experienced 2nd Assistant Director
  • E-mail wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org for more information or if interested

 
Networking: 7:30PM
 
End of Meeting: 8:30PM

RMM Newsletter June 22, 2013

rmm

(edited 6/26 to fix date of meeting)

RMM Member Meeting Thursday, June 27th

The next RMM Member meeting is Thursday, June 27th at 6:30pm, RCTV Studios, 21 Gorham Street.  Map to Meeting
This month there will be opportunities to work on several short and feature length films being shot in the Rochester area as part of Rochester Movie Makers Summer Shorts and other projects.
In addition, the RMM Speaker this month is Billy Powell with Wilhelmina Rochester, a modeling and talent agency.  Billy will talk about how to acquire representation and what representation can do for you.  He will also talk about Wilhelmina Evolve Fashion Arts Studios both their facilities and their acting training programs and how that benefits filmmakers.

Smoovies, September 9th at The Cinema Theater

Shmoovies 2013 is coming September 9th at 7pm to the Cinema Theater.  The lineup of films from last year’s RMM Summer Shorts, so far, includes:
Hundo Leeng 
Requiem for a Beauty Queen 
Mirror Lake 
Freedom Fighter 
The Interview 
Step 9
Submission deadline is August 19th.  Films need to be delivered to Derrick Petrush by then and he is accepting prints now.  Derek AT RochesterMovieMakers DOT org .
Entrance to Shmoovies is free for RMM Voting Members and only $10 cash at the door.  You can charge tickets in advance at www.RochesterMovieMakers.org starting in August.

Write Your Own Film Score with Garage Band

If you have an interest in learning how to score your own film, Garage Band is an amazing Mac based program that can permit even those of us with limited musical skills to compose.  RCTV is offering a series of Garage Band workshops.  The first class is free and there is a charge for the following three hands-on, in-depth classes.  ($33 for RCTVembers, $40 for non-members)  Classes start Wed. July 10

Freedom Fighter Debuts Today (Saturday)

RMM Filmmaker Mary Willkens Film Debut TODAY,  Freedom Fighter debuts at the Pittsford Cinema today (Saturday 6/22) at 11am.

Tom Malloy Update

Tom Malloy has a new web educational series on on how to raise money for films:http://www.filmfinanceguide.com

Rochester Movie Makers White Elephant Holiday Party

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Normally, Rochester Movie Makers Member meetings are the last Thursday of each month. The December meeting is being postponed to 1/3/13, the first Thursday of January. This will be the last Member meeting prior to the RMM Mind2Movie 72 Hour Film competition. This meeting is a great place to meet other filmmakers, crew and talent that can make your Mind2Movie Team stronger.
In addition, at this meeting, RMM will host our 6th annual White Elephant Holiday Party. Here’s the deal: Bring your least favorite gift from the holidays, wrapped and place it on the gift table. You will then have a chance to exchange that gift for something potentially more exciting (or potentially more embarrassing). This is the most fun meeting of the year and you are invited.
What’s more, normally admission to participate in the White Elephant Exchange is $10, but this year the amazing RMM Executive Board has voted to make this a NO ADMISSION FEE event! Just bring a gift (value $10 or more) wrapped if you want to participate in the White Elephant gift exchange and or come and just enjoy food and drink compliments of your wonderful RMM Executive Committee.
In addition, there will be another RMM Member meeting the last Thursday of January, 1/31/13. All member meetings start at 6:30 are held at the RCTV Studios, 21 Gorham Street, across from the Genesee Brewery.
RMM Mind2Movie 2013 72 Hour Film Competition Update
It’s not too late to give the best gift of the year with a RMM Mind2Movie 72 Film Competition! Regular registration runs through 12/23/12. The fee is only $50 per team. Late registration is $75 per team.
The Dates for the competition are January 17th-January 20th. All the completed films will be shown at the Cinema Theater on South Clinton Ave on February 2nd. There are cash prizes for First Place, 2nd Place and a special RCTV Award for best editing.
This year’s judges include, The Brew’s Brother WEASE, WHAM TV’s Doug Emblidge, WXXI’s Bob Smith, WARM 101.3’s Tony Infantino, and Animatus Owner Fred Armstrong.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mind2Movie
To Sign up for Mind2Movie 2013
Happy Holidays from RMM!
Stan Main
Chairperson, Rochester Movie Makers

Rochester Movie Makers Newsletter August 2012

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The next RMM Member meeting is Thursday night, 6:30pm, August 30th.  The Member meetings have been moved to the last Thursday of every month.  The RCTV location offers RMM and RMM members a lot of potential.  The facility is centrally located next to the Genesee Brewery downtown.  Link to a map and pictures of RCTV.
    
RCTV offers a selection of classes in Television Production, Final Cut Pro training, Documentary Filmmaking and others.  RMM Voting Members ($25 per year) can become a member of RCTV for an additional $40 per year (normally $60 a year).
RMM Shmoovies 2012
————————————————————————-
Almost 2 hours of locally produced films showed at the 2012 RMM Shmoovies to a close to sold out house.  Thanks to everyone who acted in, directed, produced, crewed the films and thanks to everyone who came out to support these local filmmakers.  The RMM Board would like to encourage local filmmakers to use RMM crew and talent.
Shmoovies 2013 will offer opportunities for paid RMM Voting members to have their films shown on the Cinema Theater Screen (or equivalent).   Non – voting members will pay a small fee or join the organization.  If you are a local producer, be sure to attend the monthly member meetings.  There are always talented folks looking to help with local productions.  If you are working on a late summer/fall film, get help at any RMM meeting.  Current projects and oppportunities are available at the end of this email.
       
RMM Screenwriter Workshop
————————————————————————-
The next RMM Screenwriter Workshop is this Sunday August 26th Noon to 2pm at Spot Coffee.  Bring your ten page short film screenplays or the first 10 pages of your feature and get a group read and feedback on your work.
Rochester Film Lab
————————————————————————-
The next RMM Film Lab is Wednesday September 12th at 7pm.  The Film Lab is for producers and directors who want feedback on their short or feature films prior to completion.  For information visit RochesterFilmLab.org.
Projects
————————————————————————-
Rachel Foley is shooting a short film in September.  Auditions for several acting roles.  Audition is on the RIT campus, Gannett building, 2nd floor, Room 2258. It will still be on August 24th, from 2-6pm. Contact is Christar at kxw7800 AT rit DOT edu , or Rachel ref2788 AT rit DOT edu .
Benjamin Disinger is shooting a budgeted film 9/15-9/23 8am to 8pm.  They are looking for location exteriors and interiors.  Classic early 1900s exterior, a kitchen with gas burner stove, a dining room with open window lighting, a living, bedroom, bathroom and hobby room.  If you can help or know someone who can contact Bree Murcko bmm6319 AT rit DOT edu .
Mind2Movie 2013 SAVE THE DATE
————————————————————————-
Mind2Movie, the 72 hour film competition is scheduled for 1/17/13-1/20/17.  This is the most amazing promotion RMM does.  Start building your teams now and get ready to make short films in 72 hours and watch them on the big screen a week later!  Cash prizes and great judges are assured!
Stan Main
Chairperson, Rochester Movie Makers
585-313-3070
stan AT RochesterMovieMakers DOT org

Local filmmakers celebrate “shmoovies”

rmm

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

rmm

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