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RMM General Meeting Minutes – April 2014

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RMM General Meeting Minutes – April 24, 2014 (April 2014 Meeting)
 
Start Time: 6:35PM
Total in Attendance: 20
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
    • Sign up at www.rochestermoviemakers.org
    • 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:
RMM Writers Group

  • Next meeting is Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 6:00PM, LOCATION TBD (no longer Pita Pit)
  • Bring outlines, short scripts, or first ten pages of feature for reading and discussion
  • All skill levels welcome
  • Sign up to receive updates on RMM Writers Group’s Facebook page

RMM Executive Board Meetings

  • Next meeting is Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 6:00pm at The Little Theater Café
  • Open to anyone

RMM Auditions

  • Film auditions and casting event for Summer Shorts Productions
  • Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Wilhelmina Rochester (http://www.wilhelminarochester.com/)
  • Writers/Producers/Directors can submit scripts to read for your film, but will also have prepared sides for ages 10 to 70, male and female
    • 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
  • Sides are posted on Auditions website www.rochestermoviemakers.org/events/auditions
  • E-mail Wayne Coughlin ( wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org ) or Mike Boas ( mike AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org ) to schedule an audition appointment
  • Passed around Auditioners Fact Sheet, Producers Fact Sheet, and Flyer

 
Upcoming Projects:
Ken Rhodes – Inbox (35-page short film, dark comedy)

  • Originated from “Junk Box” webisodes
  • Needs lighting crew member, a second cinematographer, and location scout
  • Looking for cubicle space and airplane hangar as sets
  • E-mail Ken at sales AT str82vdo DOT com for more information

Mike Boas mentioned needing location agreements, insurance, and permits for street shooting – mentioned www.rochestermoviemakers.orgas a source for template forms and agreements
 
Patrick Montanaro – The Dead Deads Screening

  • Screening of Werewolf House’s The Dead Deads will be on Friday, May 2, 2014 at 7:00pm at the Little Theater
  • Also plans to enter it into Horror Film Festivals

 
Ben Doran – “Tapes” (live action web series)

  • About characters that decide to pirate blu-rays using VHS tapes
  • Has actors already, but is looking for any crew help

 
Mike Boas – Hero of the Underworld (feature-length film)

  • Tom Malloy project with Jon Vincent directing and Mike Boas as AD and editor
  • Trying to get rough cut by end of May
  • Need to raise additional funds for post-production
  • Set up an www.indiegogo.com campaign

 
Other Announcements:
Noel Bastien – Co-Op Working Space Query

 
Curt Markham – Update on Animated Feature

  • Produced stop-motion animated film over 20 years ago, and is now digitizing and re-mastering it from the old Super8 film
  • Re-recorded all voices and added soundtrack
  • Screened it recently at Rochester Brainery to positive reception
  • Will soon be completing a full HD transfer with Taylor Whitney at Preserving the Past (http://www.preservethepast.com/)
  • Will also be adding sound effects and an original score

Speaker:
Nicolette Hart from Wilhelmina Rochester (www.wilhelminarochester.com)
Background

  • Wilhelmina Rochester is one of twelve Wilhelmina affiliates in U.S.
    • Represent 300 models/actors, and they are all networked with other Wilhelmina affiliates
    • Can get any demo reel for any Wilhelmina client instantly through “Lightbox”
  • Wilhelmina Rochester‘s goal is to get Rochester clients “up and running” with demo reels, headshots, and proper knowledge to succeed in acting/modeling
  • Also have casting, dressing rooms, and make-up rooms that anyone can rent out
  • W Evolve is the teaching branch of Wilhelmina Rochester
    • Just starting out, but they plan on teaching classes on acting/modeling, including auditioning
    • Have access to great NYC instructors
    • All clients must go through the W Evolve “process” before Wilhelmina decides if they will represent the actor/model
  • Wilhelmina Rochester will also help writers/local filmmakers by hosting table reads with their actors
    • “Good actors will make a lousy script better, and will also give feedback to improve it”
  • Tips on Auditioning
  • Prepare by reading the audition sides to know the character
    • Should be able to look up during key moments, instead of just reading script the entire time
  • Prepare by learning background of script, as well as filmmaker
    • Read the full script (if available), as well a synopsis and writer’s other work
    • It’s sometimes helpful to know what phase the script is in (draft, finished, etc.)
    • Know the context and relationships between characters
    • Ask the producer if he wants any improvisational performances
      • Allows you to potentially add more ideas at the audition
  • If reading from a monologue, it should be theatrical and related to the project being auditioned
  • Should you dress up for audition?
    • It depends on who is casting and what kind of audition it is

Tips for Producers/Casting Directors

  • For character breakdown, don’t include things like hair color
    • Hair colors has nothing to do with acting talent
    • It eliminates the pool too much and limits who an agency can send

 
End of Meeting: 8:00PM
RMM General Meeting Minutes – April 2014 (DOCX)

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 – January 2014

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RMM General Meeting Minutes January 30, 2014 (January 2014 Meeting)
 
Start Time: 6:34PM
Total in Attendance: 32
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

 
Upcoming Events:
RMM M2M 2014

  • Announced all 19 teams that signed up completed their films on time
  • Screening and Awards Ceremony will be Monday, February 10, 2014 at 7:00pm at Cinema Theater

Executive Board Meetings

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

RMM Writers Workshop

  • Next meeting is Tuesday, February 4, 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

Script-A-Palooza

  • To be held during March 2014 RMM General Meeting
    • Script Competition for 10-page or less scripts (short films or excerpts from feature films)
    • Members vote for “Best Screenplay” award
    • Entrants are highly encouraged to attend a Writers Group meeting to pitch/read script and receive feedback

Speaker:
Avery Munger – “Pre-Production For Directors: Essential Tasks To Do Before Filming”
Background

  • What is a “Director”?
  • Definition: “A director is a person who directs the making of a film. Generally, a director controls a film’s artistic and dramatic aspects, and visualizes the script while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfillment of that vision.”
  • How involved is a Director? Arguable they spend the most time on a film – 20hr days are not unusual.

Director’s Role during pre-production mayhem

  • So what are the Essential Tasks
  • Create a Vision

Read the script!

  • For hired Directors this is a no-brainer and has to be done
  • For Writer/Directors – they usually think they can skip this step – mistake if they do
  • Why? Because they are already at disadvantage
  • too involved in the story for a fresh perspective and…
  • is difficult to have a gut (visceral) reaction like you would have reading someone else’s script

What do I do when I’m working on a film

  • Read the script as if it’s the finished film I’m watching – whether I wrote it or not
  • take lots of notes on the emotional responses I have on scenes/sequences/dialogue/characters
  • Many times I jot down colors, music, or other imagery that helps me remember and explain what my experience is
  • I use these notes to help determine the visceral core of the story and begin to formulate my vision from that

Do In-Depth Story Breakdown / Analysis

  • Simply: it’s what makes the story tick
  • For example: not the nuts & bolts, but the reasons
  • Not figuring out the props in each scene, etc.
  • this is done by the AD typically
  • Not figuring out the angles, locations, etc. that’s done later w/ the Cinematographer, etc.

What questions determine the reasons (or what makes it tick)?:

  • Who are the characters? what are their Internal/External needs in the story?
  • What are their obstacles and how to they adjust or overcome them?
  • What actions do they take in order to overcome the obstacles?
  • What is the A/B Plot, act breaks, sequences, etc.

What do I do?

  • First, I do a “Character Study” on each of the primary (lead & significant supporting) characters in the script – creating a “Character Spine”
  • Next, I do a “step outline” of the plot and the setups & payoffs throughout the script
  • I use to carry around a small steno pad with all these notes, but nowadays, it’s an iPad, Laptop, or phone
  • use these notes on set if necessary – hopefully the prep I’ve done will help the talent and bring out those great performances

Do an In-Depth Screenplay Logistical Breakdown

  • Just a note: This is typically done by the Assistant Director or a breakdown service. However, for many of us as Indie Directors usually need to wear many hats, so this is something you should at least try once for familiarity of the process.
  • So, what does a logistical breakdown look like?
  • First step, marking the 1/8ths for determining the length of a scene or sequence of scenes
  • valuable for Line Producer and AD for scheduling the shoot and time allotted on sets, locations etc.

Using breakdown sheets you’ll determine:

  • The number and types of actors required
  • How many scenes each actor will be in and the total length of their performances
  • The requirements, number and types of locations
  •  The number and types of stunts, special effects, visual effects
  • What special costumes and makeup will be required
  • What props are required

Collaborate w/ the Cinematographer (DP) and other creative crew

  • This one is essential.
  •  Frankly… you’re not doing your job as a director if your only collaborative communication with your DP is on set before you roll on each setup – not doing your film a favor either
  • A good DP will have done their own analysis and breakdown of the script and characters and may be able to contribute to improve and enhance your initial vision. For example:
  • how shot choice/lens choices affect story
  • how lighting and color pallets affect the audience perception of story

When working with your DP…

  • Convey your vision, mood, etc.
  • together, decide on the shots you must have
  • storyboard complex scenes
  • Discuss color, lighting, textures, costume, sets vs locations.
  • Determine what shots need special equipment.
  • Determine what shots involve VFX (if any) and bring in the VFX Supervisor to discuss

This is also where you would be meeting with your Prod Designer/Art Dir, Costumes, etc. discussing the same things above
Blocking/Rehearsals

  • Does this sound familiar?
  • “I have no time or money to rehearse!” I suggest you’ll have less time & money if you don’t rehearse
  •  “I want spontaneity from my actors” The lack of spontaneity is likely due to the exhaustion & frustration on set more than the fact they have rehearsed the part
  • My experience is that you get better performances when you rehearse scenes because they (the Actors) have had more time with the character by the time shooting begins
  • “I can fix it in post!” Not to sound harsh, but this is lazy filmmaking and can potentially cost more

Beside what I just mentioned… Why rehearse?

  • everyone goes onto the set the first day with a shared understanding of your vision
  • with tight budgets you’re dealing with 2-3 takes vs. 19+ marathon as you explain the characters and their objectives on set
  • You are not doing the bad habit of “dump-truck directing and providing your editor with 19+ takes of one shot
  • and you save money by shooting less days and being in post-production less time

Producers like Directors that are efficient and stay within preordained filming timelines and budget requirements – in other words, it won’t hinder you when looking for your next directing opportunity.
Final Thoughts
The most effective directors work by

  • being well prepared
  • having a strong vision
  • share that vision
  • encourage the crew and actors to participate in the process by each contributing their best effort and creativity.

 
End of Meeting: 8:00PM
Click below for the minutes in DOCX format:
RMM General Meeting Minutes – January 2014
 

RMM General Meeting Minutes – January 31, 2013

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(January 2013 Meeting)
 
Start Time: 6:34PM
Total in Attendance: 23
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:
Individual around the room
Mentioned $25 membership and $60 RCTV combined membership
Upcoming Events:
Mind2Movie 2013 – 72 Hour Film Competition
Premiere Screening Event Monday, February 4, 2013 at 7:00pm
Tickets at door at 6:15pm (cash only) or online at www.rochestermoviemakers.org via PayPal
Tickets are $5 each, free for members
Event at Cinema Theater on South Clinton
RMM Summer Shorts: Script-A-Palooza
At March General Meeting (March 28, 2013)
Ten screenwriters will do readings of ten-page (or less) screenplays
Vote to determine winner of Best Screenplay
RMM Writers Workshop
Next meeting is Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 6:00pm at Pita Pit, 311 Alexander Street
Will give help for Script-A-Palooza scripts
Rochester Film Lab
For directors/editors
Next meeting is Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from 7:00pm to 9:00 at Animatus Studios, 34 Winthrop Street (http://animatusstudio.com/main/home/)
Sign up for newsletter and e-mail list at www.rochesterfilmlab.org
RMM Executive Board Meetings
Next meeting is Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 6:00pm at Little Theater Cafe
Upcoming Projects:
Bill Gurnow – Nashville Music-Based Movie
Daughter (Kate Lee Gurnow) is singer/songwriter in Nashville, and is beginning to develop film based off of a song she has a demo of called, “White Face Mountain”
Wayne Coughlin suggested he write an actual outline or script of the story first and bring it to RMM Writers Workshop to develop further
After story is written, he may need camera operators, crew, and script consultants
For more information, contact tbirdgoo(AT)aol.com or visit www.kateleemusic.com
Mary Wilkins –
Needs experienced DIT Saturday, February 9, 2013 for shoot
Shooting on new 4K cameras, so DIT must have experience with data wrangling
 
Networking:
Nothing to note
End of Meeting:
7:50pm

RMM General Meeting Notes – January 3, 2013

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(December 2012 Meeting) and White Elephant Party
Start Time: 6:41PM
Total in Attendance: 22
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:
Individual around the room
Upcoming Events:
Mind2Movie 2013 – 72 Hour Film Competition
Thursday, January 17 – Sunday, January 20
Last day to register is January 12, 2013
Eleven teams registered so far
Flyers were made available for people to grab and post around town
Gave out general information about judges, prize amounts, dates, and rules
Announced that winning film will play at High Falls Film Festival (http://highfallsfilmfestival.com/)
RMM Executive Board Meetings
Next meeting is Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 6:00pm at Little Theater Cafe
RMM Writers Workshop
Next meeting is Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6:00pm at Pita Pit on Alexander
Other Updates:
Can now sign up on website for both RMM membership and RCTV group discounted membership
Upcoming Projects:
Pasquale (Lou) Carrozziere and Laurence Genovese (Genozziere Productions) – Dead Red
Feature horror film, need people to help out with production
Handed out flyer advertising for the following cast/crew openings: director of photography, additional make-up artists, sound score, gaffer, set builder, production assistants, art director, wardrobe, best boy electric, grips, and zombies
Also announced kickstarter campaign will be launched from January through March 2013, and shooting will probably start in June.  Contact omnientaccess (AT) hotmail.com or visit www.omnientertainmentgroup.com for more information
Patrick Jaouen – Live music show for RCTV
Look for music/sound people for “rockumentary”-type show
Will tape live performances and interviews with performers
Four-hour shoots
Contact patrick.jaouen (AT) gmail.com for more information
Networking:
Nothing to note
White Elephant Party:
Approximately 8 – 10 gifts, very successful
Speaker:
Michael Del Rossa, Founder of Multivision FX (www.multivisionfx.com), an LA-based Special Effects and Make-Up production company
Part of web series Bite Me and is up for an IWATV award
Takeaways:
Internet is new frontier for independent work
If you have the money to produce, why not make it palatable to many people, as opposed to just yourself?
It’s much more impressive to reach many people than just a few
Can be done in any genre
Creativity doesn’t need to have a lot of money, and sometimes small-budget ideas are better than the big-budget ones
Always want to keep the ball rolling and move on to next project
Before moving to LA, make sure you have money first to live off of, be prepared, and network before arriving
Filmmaking is a warzone game of chess
Trailer:
Bury My Heart With Tonawanda – Espocinema Productions
End of Meeting:
7:50pm

RMM General Meeting Notes – November 29, 2012

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Start Time: 6:32PM
Total in Attendance: 40
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
Introductions:
Individual around the room (many new members this month – very encouraging)
Reminder about membership
$25 a year, free events or reduced price on fees
Qualify for reduced rate on RCTV membership ($60 for both)
Ric gave update on new database software for tracking membership
Upcoming Events:
RMM White Elephant Christmas party (December General Meeting)
Moved to January 3, 2013 (from December 27, 2012)
Mind2Movie 2013 – 72 Hour Film Competition
Thursday, January 17 – Sunday, January 20
www.rochestermoviemakers.org has last year’s films for viewing
Flyers were made available for people to grab and post around town
RMM Executive Board Meetings
Next meeting is December 13, 2012 at 6:00pm at Little Theater Cafe
RMM Writers Workshop
Next meeting is Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 6:00pm at Pita Pit on Alexander
Rochester Film Lab
Next meeting is Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 7:00pm at Animatus Studios
Contact Mike Boas ( mike AT rochestermoviemakers DOT com ) or visit www.rochesterfilmlab.org for more information or to be added to mailing list
RMM Summer Shorts
March 2013 General Meeting is Script-A-Palooza
Upcoming Projects:
Zachary Welch – Pilot for Cooking Show (paid)
Current in development
Need crew (may be paid positions)
Contact zacharyjwelch AT gmail DOT com for more information
Jay Kaliyamurthy – Return
Short film, already shot
Look for editor, dubbing studio/professional, and female lead actress (20-25)
Contact jayamurugan AT yahoo DOT com or call (585) 733-6364 for more information
Karl Obine – three (very) short comedies (untitled)
Currently in development
Needs actors (not a lot of time commitment needed)
Contact karlobine AT yahoo DOT com for more information
Eric Maira (Werewolf House) – The Dead Deads
Horror film, currently in development, shooting in January
Need gaffers/lighting help
Pasquale (Lou) Carrozziere and Laurence Genovese (Genozziere Productions) – Dead Red
Feature horror film, need people to help out with production
Speakers:
Pasquale (Lou) Carrozziere and Laurence Genovese (Genozziere Productions)
Gave overview of company (Omni Entertainment Group) and showed demo reel and teaser for upcoming film Dead Red
Takeaways –
Omni Entertainment Group has 300-400 open projects and is broken up into many different subsidiary companies
They do physical production and post production work
Script, story, and characters are more important than special effects
(see The Rope vs. Sucker Punch)
Eric Maira and Patrick Montanaro (Werewolf House Productions)
Screened edited version of recent shoot footage for The Dead Deads
Takeaways –
They are serious about making films here
Trying to do “different” types of productions because they feel low budget doesn’t look right as a feature film
End of Meeting:
7:45pm

RMM General Meeting Notes – October 25, 2012

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Start Time: 6:33PM
Total in Attendance: 22
Location: RCTV
Agenda:Introductions:

Individual around the room

Reminder about membership

$25 a year, free events or reduced price on fees

Qualify for reduced rate on RCTV membership ($60 for both)

Upcoming Events:
Mind2Movie 2013 – 72 Hour Film Competition
Thursday, January 17 – Sunday, January 20
www.rochestermoviemakers.org has last year’s films for viewing. Early registration going on now ($25 for members/$40 for non-members to sign up). Mike Boas passed around flyers for event to hang up

RMM Executive Board Meetings

Next meeting is November 8, 2012 at 6:00pm at Little Theater Cafe

RMM Writers Workshop
Next meetings – Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Then goes back to bi-weekly schedule
Rochester Film Lab
Next meeting – Wednesday, November 21, 2012 (Animatus Studios)
Contact Mike Boas (mike AT rochestermoviemakers DOT com) or visit www.rochesterfilmlab.org  for more information or to be added to mailing list
RMM General Meeting
Next Meeting – Thursday, November 29, 2012 (RCTV)
Upcoming Projects:
John from RCTV – Sitcom
Needs co-writers, director, lighting, and camera
Trying to get five 15-20 minute episodes
Left early; did not receive contact information
Alicia Hill – For You, Anything (feature film)
Shoot is scheduled for the teaser
Lighting and camera help is needed
Abh4uproductions AT gmail DOT com
Werewolf House – The Romantics
Shooting on November 18
Need old lady to act
Contact Stan Main (stan AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org)
Patrick Jaouen – rough cut of project
Would like advice on the rough cut
Stan suggested going to next Rochester Film Lab
Announcements:
Noel Bastien – www.keepindievisible.com
Started by Rich Angell and John Maggio
Goal: to save art house theaters after mandatory digital projector conversion
Mary Wilkins – shared her experiences at Maine Media Workshops and VSW classes. Shot on film – $25 to shoot three minutes; $30 for Kodak to develop roll of film
http://www.mainemedia.edu/
http://www.vsw.org/
Networking:

6:56pm – 7:10pm


Lecture:
Mike Boas – “Magic Burros and Graying Hair: Rotoscoping with After Effects (and Flash)”
Discussed using rotoscoping (drawing around objects) tools for 3.14 and Bury My Heart with Tonawanda using Adobe Flash and Adobe After Effects
Brief Takeaways –
After Effects – draw circles from Adjustment menu and push it over the object using key frames, create softer edges using feather tool with masks, can change modes to see the different effects, can use two masks at once to cancel out space (which is easier for movement)
Flash – better to use (sometimes) because different shapes can be painted more easily than with After Effects circles, export lower resolution shots into Flash to work quicker, use key frames to move objects, can export back into After Effects, PNG files are a good export format because they contain the alpha channels in them.
General – keep playing around with things until you find what you like, fantasy shots can “suspend reality” and not have to be perfect or plausibly done, and online forums or free tutorials are helpful when stuck – http://www.lynda.com/, http://creativecow.com/,  http://www.videocopilot.net/, and www.youtube.com.
End of Meeting:

7:35pm

RMM General Meeting Notes – September 27, 2012

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Start Time: 6:33pm
Location: RCTV
*Stan welcomed everyone to the meeting and we went into Intros. There were several new faces at the meeting this week.
*New Business-
-The RCTV membership is $60/year and the RMM membership is $25/year, but now it’s $65/year for both!! And new classes are enrolling now.
-The Directors forum is now online at www.speedhumppictures.com
-The next writers group meeting is weds. 10/3 at the pita pit at 6pm
-M2M is registering teams online at the RMM website. The early registration fee is $25/the regular deadline is $45.
*Projects-
-Mary Wilkens discussed the Rockport, Maine Media Workshop. She said they have production design classes as well as other film related workshops. It’s pricey but well worth it because of the professionals that teach the classes.
-Curt is looking for anyone who can help find people with promoting his film “Saberfrog” in the cities/locations he shot the film (Hartford, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo.)
-New member Alisha Bell is looking to shoot a teaser trailer for a feature film called
“For You, Anything.” She is looking for a cameraman, DP, looking to cast, and a promotional photog. Her website is www.abh4uproductions.wix.com/abh4u
-New member Jose Casada is looking to shoot a PSA style 2 min short. There is little dialogue and strong visuals with good sound design. He is looking for a crew for a 1 day shoot. Location is at a old school boxing gym with character.
*We broke for networking.
*The second part of the meeting was the conclusion of this year’s “Shmoovies.”
End Meeting

RMM General Meeting Notes – August 30, 2012

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Start Time: 6:32PM
Total in Attendance: 28
Location: RCTV
Agenda
Introductions:
Individual around the room

Election Reminder – Treasurer and Chairperson are up
September is the official voting meeting
Reminder about membership
$25 a year, free events or reduced price on fees
Qualify for reduced rate on RCTV membership
Upcoming Events:
Mind2Movie 2013 – 72 Hour Film Competition
Thursday, January 17 – Sunday, January 20
www.rochestermoviemakers.org has last year’s films for viewing
RMM Screenwriter’s Workshops
Moved from Sundays to Wednesdays (every two weeks)
Next meeting – September 19, 2012 – 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Send Wayne Coughlin (wayne AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org) ideas for additional workshops (actor, etc.)
2013 Shmoovies – next July
Start creating/submitting movies now
CHANGE: $25 fee to submit movie, but comes with a free RMM membership
Rochester Film Lab
Next meeting for directors is Wednesday, September 12 – 7:00pm at Animatus Studio
Contact Mike Boas (mike AT rochestermoviemakers DOT com) or visit www.rochesterfilmlab.org  for more information or to be added to mailing list
RMM Executive Board Meetings
Second Thursday of each month, 6:00pm at Little Theater Cafe
Upcoming Projects:
Call of Duty: Undead
Buffalo project – non-for-profit film with profits to benefit wounded veterans’ fund
Need: producer, soundtrack artists, extras, make-up artists, cameramen
Wants to utilize Rochester and Buffalo communities
Started shooting August 4th, 2012; shooting until January 2013
Shooting mostly in Buffalo, but also in Rochester
Completely separate story from video games, but trying to get Activision’s attention
Trying to get big stars/Chuck Norris to cameo or fundraise
Visit www.callofdutyundead.com or e-mail Alexander Ivicic at hotironproduction AT live DOT com
Premiere of short film, “The Last Drop of Oil”
Little Theater on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Screening before The Last Oasis
Curt Markham project – Saberfrog – 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
Needs publicity people for marketing campaign
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 DOT com or www.saberfrog.com) for more info
Dead Red (feature film) – “Walking Dead meets Alien”
Cast and crew needed
Shooting in 2013
e-mail genozziereproductions AT gmail DOT com for more information
Julio Montavo project – Broken
Faith-based film – serial killer who kills Christians
Started shooting in August 2012
Needs extras
Liz Lehman projects – two shoots at end of September/early October
Cast and crew needed
E-mail liz AT trilliumfilms DOT com for more information
Stan Main project (Speed Hump Pictures) – Music video
Shooting in October
Watched first half of Shmoovies 2012: 7:23pm
End of Meeting

Local filmmaker organizes a club

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By Matt Klein, writing for City Magazine on June 26th, 2007

Stan Main: Hoping to tap into the local film community.

The amateur filmmaking scene has changed dramatically since the dawn of the YouTube age; now a lone person with a camera can reach millions of viewers. But there’s still strength in numbers, and here in Rochester, Stan Main has put out a casting call for all area “movie makers” – aspiring writers, directors, actors, composers, set designers, etc. – hoping to get people interested in all aspects of movie production to join his club.
Main, 53, who works for Clear Channel Radio Rochester, founded the Rochester Movie Makers Club with the thought that Rochester didn’t have anything of the kind, and that he and others who share his passion for film could benefit from coming together to discuss and work on projects. “My goal would be to really tap into the film community in the Rochester area, and to have fun – and not necessarily in that order,” Main says.
The club is inspired by his first movie-making attempt, at a film school called the Austin FilmWorks in Austin, Texas. Each student came with a script on the first day, and the class voted on which films they would make. Being behind the camera was an experience: “It does change the way you appreciate films; it changes the way you view films,” Main says. He wants to give Rochesterians a chance to do the same. Though the Rochester club’s website has only been up for a few weeks and membership is currently limited, Main envisions a large group, where people can exchange ideas or work on projects collectively.
Main generally prefers on-the-fly amateur film, and has posted a few YouTube videos himself. But he thinks that through planning and production, the club could open the door for better work. “Most of the stuff that people post on YouTube is ‘Hi, I’ve got a camera, I’m gonna go film something today,'” he says. The new club could help people makeYouTube videos, he says, “but make them so that they’re more than just a camera and somebody ranting and raving about whatever.”
The club is recruiting on its website at www.rochestermoviemakers.org; he wants to start meeting later this summer and hopes that “by next year we’re in a position where, when the weather breaks, and you’ve got this gorgeous scenery here – because it’s just great to film here – that we can take time and film.”