short film

RMM General Meeting Minutes – October 2014

rmm

October 30, 2014
Start Time: 6:30PM
Total in Attendance: 25
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:

  • Made individually around the room
  • Announced resignation of Treasurer and Secretary Chris Hazenbush

Upcoming Events:
RMM Executive Board Meeting

  • Second Thursday of each month
  • Next meeting is Thursday, November 13, 2014
    • Put out call for new Secretary and Treasurer
    • Any interested parties should come to the board meeting for more information

RMM Writers Group

  • Next meeting is Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Animatus Studios
    • 6:00pm to 8:00pm
    • Currently working on logline challenges
    • Looking to switch back to Crossroads Café soon

RMM Mind2Movie 2015

  • Thursday, January 22, 2015 – Sunday, January 25, 2015
  • Mentioned that this year, you can opt to have the environment as the character so the film can also be entered into Fast Forward Film Festival
  • Secured Scott Fitzgerald, Karl Goldsmith from the Rochester Finger Lakers Video Office, Michael Gamilla from Image Out Film Festival, and Rebecca Delaney from Fast Forward Film Festival as judges
  • Tentative showing date at Cinema Theater is February 9, 2015

General Meeting Date Changes

  • November meeting is now on Thursday, December 4, 2014
  • December meeting (White Elephant Party) is on Thursday, January 8, 2015

Upcoming Projects:
Pancho Lane – Columbia One (documentary film)

  • Documentary about the first Peace Corp group in 1961
    • Involves the history, training footage, and follow up fifty years later
    • Ends with reunion party in 2011
  • Needs assistant editor
    • Wants to have it done by the end of the year
  • E-mail Pancho at ethnoscope AT yahoo DOT com for more information or visit his website www.docfilm.com

Liz Lehmann – Sharknado Spoof

  • Needs sound person for filming on November 1, 2014
    • 9:30am to 12:00pm
    • 1 actor, 1 scene, 2 shots
  • Has equipment, but needs a sound monitor

Chuck – Skin Deep (short film)

  • Short film with heavy visual and make-up effects
  • E-mail zeroonefilms AT rochester.rr DOT com for more information

Jake Baird – Fast Awake (short film)

  • 30-page script
  • Needs all cast and crew, except for music composer
  • E-mail jakemppbaird AT gmail DOT com for more information

 
Speaker:
Peter Kiwitt – “The Dangers of Reasonable Compromise”

  • Background
    • Teacher at RIT (directing)
    • Worked in the film industry in LA for 20 years
    • Recently finished shooting Purple Heart and will be shooting another film soon
  • Top lessons learned from shooting Purple Heart
    • Don’t underestimate how hard it is to make a film
    • Don’t underestimate how hard it is to get an “ok film” to a “good film” or a “great film”
      • It’s very difficult to get it from 80% there to 100% there
    • Study what you shot to learn and make your next shots better
  • The Dangers of Reasonable Compromise
    • Everyone has to compromise, but it’s dangerous
    • Simple compromises early on can become bigger issues later
    • Example: had to compromise on a glass breaking scene, but it changed the emotional impact of it
    • Example: had to make a fight scene less intense, but it changed the emotional buildup of the character
      • Result: had to rearrange the scenes in post for it to make sense
    • Always “listen to the tickle” in the back of your head
      • Even if you don’t understand why
      • What will hurt you later on is what you don’t consciously recognize while your filming
      • Little decisions can sometimes make a big difference
  • Additional filmmaking tips
    • The first cut should be the movie you wrote, then start cutting the movie you shot
    • Get multiple takes, look for the best moments in everything, and cut to get as many of those good moments as possible
    • Keep writing the script until you get it perfect, then shoot
      • Should take up to at least 7 drafts
    • Always cut the best movie you shot
      • Should take at least 7 cuts
    • The Director should cut with the editor for the last cut
      • Cutting requires a sense of rhythm and flow
      • Need to feel it
    • You can always make something work in editing
    • Story still matters
      • So many filmmakers/content out there, but how much of it is really great?
      • Very hard to make something truly great

 
Screening:

  • Chris Hazenbush – Can’t Weight
    • Screened his short film

 
Networking:
 
End of Meeting: 8:30PM
 
RMM General Meeting Minutes – October 2014 (Word Doc)

RMM General Meeting Minutes – September 2014

rmm

September 25, 2014
Start Time: 6:35PM
Total in Attendance: 23
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:

Upcoming Events:
RMM Executive Board Meeting

  • Second Thursday of each month
  • Next meeting is Thursday, October 9, 2014
    • Put out call for new Secretary
    • Any interested parties should come to the board meeting for more information

RMM Writers Group

  • Next meeting is Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Animatus Studio
  • 6:00pm to 8:00pm

RMM Mind2Movie 2015

  • May change start date to Friday, instead of Thursday
  • Secured Karl Goldsmith from the Rochester Finger Lakers Video Office and Michael Gamilla from Image Out Film Festival as judges

RCTV Classes this Fall

  • Basics of Videography classes – Saturdays 1:00pm to 3:00pm
    • Can take on a rolling basis
  • How to Shoot a Talk-Show Format Show – started Tuesday, September 23, 2014, but can still join class
    • Will have this class again in February 2015

Johannes Bockwoldt classes at Writers & Books

RMM “372-Hour Film Competition”

  • New film competition for next summer
  • Teams have two weeks and three weekends to make an entire short film, five to ten minutes in length
  • A prop, situation, and character will be the same for all teams
  • Tentative Dates are July 18, 2015 – August 4, 2015

Fast Forward Film Festival Call for Entries

  • Submission window – October 8, 2014 (8:00am) through February 27, 2015 (11:59pm)

Upcoming Projects:
Dan Bauman – “Limitations”

  • Experimental nature video
  • Shooting in the Fall, needs an editor
  • Contact danbauman@netzero.com for more information

 
Speaker:
Neeti Fidurko – “How NOT To Make An Indie Film”
o   Teacher at RIT, musician, and promo/music video producer
o   Recently filmed “Who Would Jesus Date?”, which explores the question, “what if Jesus dated?”

  • Filming wrapped in July, currently in post
  • About 15 minutes long
  • Ten tips on how NOT to make an independent film

o   Be an auteur

  • The filmmaker as sole artistic vision
  • Instead, get people to help you and share the workload

o   Continue to work with people who miss deadlines

  • Especially on a low budget
  • Instead, get people that are prompt and responsible

o   Be a democrat

  • Instead, be a decisive director on set (even if you’re mean)

o   Change locations the night before the shoot

  • Especially for a special effects shot
  • Instead, stick to the shooting plan

o   Don’t check the monitor

  • Instead, always check it, especially if the camera operator is not experienced
  • It will allow you to catch focus/smudge/framing issues

o   Cast your friends

  • You can cast your friends, but AUDITION first

o   Shoot everything in three consecutive, 12-hour days

  • Too stressful
  • Instead, be more realistic with time and spread out if you can

o   Don’t have a production photographer

  • Instead, always get promo shots in addition to production/on set shots

o   Consider it work

  • Instead, have fun and don’t stress out on set

o   Save the worst for last

  • Instead, do the toughest shots first because you’re most fresh and awake

 
Networking:
 
End of Meeting: 8:30PM
 
Download the word doc: RMM General Meeting Minutes – September 2014

RMM General Meeting Minutes – August 2014

rmm

August 28, 2014
Start Time: 6:34PM
Total in Attendance: 30
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:

  • Made individually around the room

 
Upcoming Events:
RMM Executive Board Meeting

  • Second Thursday of each month
  • Next meeting is Thursday, September 11, 2014
    • Put out call for new Secretary
    • Any interested parties should come to the board meeting for more information

RMM Writers Group

  • Looking for a location to hold meetings on Tuesdays or Wednesdays
    • Perhaps a library
    • Will keep everyone posted through e-mail and Facebook

RMM Mind2Movie 2015

  • Announced dates set for event
    • January 22, 2015 through January 26, 2015

RCTV Classes this Fall

  • Starting tonight, class on how to film an entertainment variety show (Phythodd Remix)
  • Videography class – Saturdays in September
  • How to Shoot a Talk-Show Format Show – will also be happening this fall
  • Also, mentioned the Roc Co-Op for shooting TV shows
    • Join a group to help create a weekly TV show
  • For more information, go to www.rctv15.org

RMM “372-Hour Film Competition”

  • New film competition for next summer
  • Teams have two weeks and three weekends to make an entire short film, five to ten minutes in length
  • A prop, situation, and character will be the same for all teams
  • Looking for help on planning
  • Looking for feedback/ideas for improvements

Buffalo Film Expo

 
Upcoming Projects:
Adrian Esposito – Disability Hollywood

  • Documentary about disabilities in Hollywood, and a history of people with disabilities in Hollywood
  • May need cameraman to shoot an Advocacy Group Meeting at Arc of Monroe County (http://www.arcmonroe.org/)
    • Will be screening Freaks and wants to get participants’ reactions on film
  • Doesn’t know date nor time yet, but wants to shoot sometime in September
  • Has camera to use
  • Contact adrianesposito AT rochester.rr DOT com for more information

Randy Huckabone – Eyes of Wild

  • Trailer for film was screened and cast/crew answered questions
  • One-take feature film completed on August 18, 2014
  • The film is about a creature that comes to a secluded campsite
    • Camera is the perspective of the monster
  • Rehearsed all day and shot the last take at night
    • Had to shoot a second time (on a second date) because GoPro cameras had too wide an angle when they shot the first time, and the footage came out too dark
    • Switched to Canon XE10 cameras for second, successful shoot
  • Film had successful Kickstarter campaign
  • Still need to do all ADR for sound
  • Plans on taking it to festivals and will preview it at Rochester Comic-Con on September 21, 2014

 
Speaker:
Derrick Petrush – “Improving Your Digital Filmmaking”
Five tips

  • Always shoot progressive scan
  • Shoot 24-frame
  • Always edit natively
  • Shoot the highest resolution you have available
  • Make a Master File

Always Shoot Progressive Scan

  • Get clean, full images every time
  • Easier tfilter and rescale later
  • Cleaner compression due ta less complex frame
  • The worse alternative is shooting interlaced
    • Conceived in the 1920s as a clever hack tincrease rate of images without increasing bandwidth needed for transmission
    • Image is split inttwfields of alternate lines that are drawn one after another
    • Suitable for broadcast and physical videdelivery media that displayed on CRTs
    • Interlace “combing” is inconvenient and unattractive on every other platform
      • Too jagged-looking
      • But broadcast TV is still working with 30i
  • How tuse progressive scan
    • Progressive Scan cameras will prominently announce this feature
    • “video” cameras are not necessarily progressive, and often are not
    • All “cinema” cameras are progressive scan, and will rarely offer interlace as an option for compatibility
    • Progressive scan modes will always be denoted with a “p” after their resolution indicator (e.g. 720p, 1080p)
  • Sometimes Progressive is isn’t full Progressive
    • Progressive imagery can be “stored” in an interlaced frame
    • Progressive scanning videcameras that must maintain compatibility with traditional videsystems may convert the image tInterlaced prior trecording (e.g. mini-DV, HDV, DVCPRO)
    • Progressive scan display modes are not supported in “video” display and transport, except for 720p, only in North America (for now)
    • Twork and edit in Progressive these conversions must be un-done beforehand

Shoot 24-frame

  • Standard Cinema frame rate
  • Directly compatible tCinema projection, Internet and Streaming, On-Demand services, Blu-ray, and DVD
  • Easily convertible for North American broadcast by Telecine process
    • So, you can shoot in 24p, but then teleconvert t30fps
    • Both technical and artistic reasons tdit this way (as opposed tshooting directly in 30fps)
  • Easily convertible for European broadcast by speeding up 4%
  • Shooting in 24-frame
    • The frame-rate is actually 24.00fps or 23.976fps, depending on platform
      • They are compatible, but not interchangeable
    • 24.00fps is standard for Cinema
      • Film and projection run at this speed
      • Very few videcameras shoot at this frame rate, but all true “Digital Cinema” cameras support it
    • 23.976fps is for NTSC broadcast compatibility, as it can easily fit int29.97fps via the Telecine process
    • The dropped frame came from the 1950s, when a one frame out of 1000 was dropped tmake room for color broadcast signal
      • This “drop frame” followed through intDigital VideBroadcast and transports for compatibility

Shoot the Highest Resolution You Have Available (within reason)

  • There are a number of different resolutions available
    • 480 (NTSC), 576 (PAL), 720p, 1080, 2K, 2.7K (Arri Alexa), 4K (RED One), 5K (RED Epic), 6K (RED Dragon)
  • Shooting at higher resolutions than your finish resolution allows for:
    • Increased image quality and decreased noise (supersampling)
    • Flexibility in reframing
    • Ability tremaster ta higher resolution in the future
  • However,
    • Big frame rates take up big data, and require fast computers and a lot of processing power
    • Shooting 5K for something that will only ever be seen on SDTV is unnecessary
    • Shooting 5K and assuming you will have finished 1080 prints twork with by the end of the day is very difficult tdwithout money
  • That being said, shooting 4K for 2K or 1080 broadcast mastering is fantastic
    • Don’t feel bad about shooting in 2K
  • Use your best judgment, and balance time, quality, and money

Always Edit Natively (or in a Production-friendly codec)

  • Edit in a workspace native tyour camera (e.g. DVCPRO-HD)
  • Use an intermediate/working codec like Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD
  • Some codecs cannot be worked in natively, such as most variants of MPEG
    • For example, H.264 is very tough on your computer just tplay the footage
  • Processor time can be spent on effects and faster response time
  • If you shoot in a non-edit-ready format, you must transcode prior tediting
    • “Pre-flighting”

Make a Master File

  • Your final, fully-rendered, finished movie in a single file
  • Should be created in your working codec for minimal processing and faithful reproduction
  • Easily and efficiently able tbe converted for finishing and distribution
  • You can then make different versions in an encoder from the master file much more easily
    • The movie is already rendered and all processor time can be devoted to conversion

Also, don’t forget sound
 
Networking:
 
End of Meeting: 8:30PM
 
RMM General Meeting Minutes – August 2014 WORD DOC

RMM General Meeting Minutes – July 2014

rmm

July 31, 2014
Start Time: 6:34PM
Total in Attendance: 39
Location: RCTV
Agenda:
 
Introductions:

  • Made individually around the room
  • Stan Main announced Ric Hooker will be stepping down as RMM Treasurer, and Chris Hazenbush will be taking over as Interim Treasurer
    • Board presented Ric with Award of Recognition for his service as RMM’s Treasurer, Greeter, and Membership Coordinator

 
Upcoming Events:
RMM Writers Group

  • Meetings now on alternate Thursdays at RCTV
  • 6:00pm to 8:00pm
  • Next meeting is August 7, 2014 and August 21, 2014

 
Upcoming Projects:
Stan Main – RMM Director’s Forum

  • Television program on RCTV
  • Looking for Directors
  • Shootings on Mondays, airs on Wednesdays or Thursdays
  • Contact stan AT rochestermoviemakers DOT org for more information

Adrian Esposito – Disability Hollywood

  • Documentary about disabilities in Hollywood
  • May need cameraman to shoot an Advocacy Group Meeting at Arc of Monroe County (http://www.arcmonroe.org/)
    • Will be screening Freaks and wants to get participants’ reactions on film
  • Doesn’t know date nor time yet
  • Has camera to use
  • Contact adrianesposito AT rochester.rr DOT com for more information

Brian Page – Once in A Good Many Million Times

  • Shooting a film in Angelica, NY
  • Set in the 1800s
  • Looking for crew and actors
  • Looking for props, a horse-drawn carriage, and horses
  • Shooting during the last two weekends in September and the first weekend in October
  • Will have an Indiegogo campaign in late August
  • Contact empirefilmny AT gmail DOT com for more information

Hayden Freedman – short film

  • Having sound problems with mic (hissing noises)
  • Needs help recording clean sound

Neeti Fidurko – Who Would Jesus Date

  • Comedic short film, 20 minutes
  • Current in pre-production and will be shooting in a few weeks
  • Needs the following crew:
    • On-Location Sound Recorder
    • Gaffer (lighting)
    • Make-up Artist
    • Location Scout

Curt Markham – “The Search for Silverspear”

  • Restored film that Curt made in high school
  • Needs
    • Voice Over actors for some characters
    • Sound Effects crewmember
  • Hopes to have it done by the end of the year (2014)

Rebecca (Becca) Delaney and Brandonne Rankin – Fast Forward Film Festival Call for Entries

  • A new film festival/event in connection with Andy Stern and his Lost Bird Project (http://www.lostbirdproject.org/about)
  • WXXI, The Little Theater, and RIT/Pollution Prevention Institute are premiere sponsors
  • Goal: to connect the viewers in some way with the environment – must inspire people to do something about climate change
  • The Festival will be local (Rochester) films only, but the festival will then move to other cities
  • Will be held on Earth Day 2015 and will span three days
  • Submission window – October 8, 2014 (8:00am) through February 27, 2015 (11:59pm)
    • Can submit multiple files
    • Each film must be five minutes or less in length
    • No entry fee
    • Submit on website www.fastforwardroc.org
  • Cash awards will be given in three categories:
    • “Most Inspiring, Compelling, and Engaging”
    • “Most Unique Perspective”
    • “Strongest Call to Action”
  • Jury Panel includes:
    • Enid Cardinal
    • Deborah Dickson
    • Jack Garner
    • Todd McGrain
  • Films may be aired on PBS at a later date
  • Website www.fastforwardroc.org will be live October 1, 2014
  • Contact Rebecca AT fastforwardroc DOT org for more information

 
Networking:
 
Speaker:
Johannes Bockwoldt – “Reading Phillip Seymour Hoffman”

  • Gave short excerpt from his upcoming class at Writers & Books
  • Screened Love Liza
    • Hoffman brings life into awkward characters
  • Screened Ray
    • Works from  the inside, out
    • Studies the characters and finds the truth behind them
    • “Representational actor” vs. “Presentational Actor”
      • Foxx vs. Hoffman
        • Foxx is more of a representation of Ray Charles, whereas Hoffman does more analysis of his character at every single moment
  • Played sound clip of Doubt with the screenplay displayed
    • Good writing mixes with good acting
    • Drama and tension builds in the excerpted scene
    • “Good writing creates a great acting opportunity”
    • Drama is Conflict
  • Played sound clip of Savages with the screenplay displayed
    • Another example of drama as conflict
    • Hoffman gets to the truth of a character and the truth of the script
  • Also explored excerpts from Uta Hagen’s works on acting
  • Hoffman – actors explore themselves and others, which can be burdensome

 
End of Meeting: 8:15PM
RMM General Meeting Minutes – July 2014 WORD DOC

RMM General Meeting Minutes – June 2014

rmm

Rochester Movie Makers General Meeting 6/26
Attendance- 17
*Introductions
New Business

  • Wayne announced that the Writer’s Group will no longer be meeting at Crossroads Cafe due to their short hours in the summer. They will have to find yet another place to have the next meeting which is July 9th from 6pm-9pm
  • Stan announced that Johannes B. is holding a class called “Reading Phillip Seymour Hoffman”
  • *Stan also mentioned that he received info from Matt Ehlers that he will be shooting his film “Vows and Rites” in September. They have been casting and gathering funding. He says that hopefully we will be able to get either Matt or Producer Mitch Goldman to one of our meetings soon to get more infer and see what opportunities it holds for RMM members.
  • Because of the success of the 72 mind to movie competition, we (RMM exec board) are considering a new event to be held in the summer tentatively titled the “384 hr fest” which would be approximately 3 weekends. Opened the floor for questions/comments: Curt said he didn’t like the idea of all the teams having the same judging criteria (props, line). However, Stan said it levels the playing field and Wayne said that the the criteria will be very general so that it will help the filmmakers to be more creative in their interpretation. Stan mentions that the winning film may be judged on having the audience vote for their favorite. Rachel likes the audience award as it will encourage people to bring friends and have people stay for the duration of the program. Stan then showed the mock-up of the two potential trophies, in which the winner’s names will be inscribed.

Projects

  • Wayne says he is shooting an anthology series titled “On the Verge,” which consists of 3 stories all with a common theme. He has no shooting date set, but is looking for a sound person (doesn’t have to have equipment, but some sound experience), props and a costumer.
  • Curt mentions that he and Liz Lehmann are working on a film titled “Elevator Pitch.” They will be shooting in August. All crew positions are open and they just need to cast one more part.
  • Cara D’emanuele is the casting person on an ongoing sitcom called “The Church.” They are on the lookout for writers and crew people for all upcoming episodes.

Featured Speaker
Brie Merkel – Works at the Little Theater. She and several others including cinematographer JR Kraus and Eric Maira are working on a short film titled “Adam Imitating Art.” The story is about a delivery boy who is mistaken for a film director at a film festival. They wanted to explore the world of film festivals and the interesting characters that it can produce. They will be shooting from August 27-31 and still have crew positions available (they still needs PA’s, camera assistant, and extras). They are in the middle of a kickstarter campaign to raise $19,000 which will cover the cost of the film as well as pay for cast and crew. Kickstarter link is https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/861280802/adam-imitating-art
Trailer
Curt Markham showed a short trailer for his restored film that he has been working on – “The Search for Silverspear.” He would like to find people to do additional voice over work for some of the characters as well sound effects. However, some people thought that it was cool that he did all the voices himself and it works towards the kitchy-ness of the piece. He hopes to have it done by the end of the year.
RMM General Meeting Minutes – June 2014 DOCX

RMM General Meeting Minutes – April 2014

rmm

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

rmm

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 – July 25, 2013

rmm

Start Time: 6:36PM
Total in Attendance: 33
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
  • Stan Main made an announcement for Call for Entries and set out flyers for members to take
  • Patrons will be able to buy tickets online or at event with cash or credit card

RMM Writers Workshop

  • Next meeting is Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 6:00PM at Pita Pit, 311 Alexander Street
  • Bring outlines, short scripts, or first ten pages of feature, and discuss

RMM Executive Meeting

  • Next Meeting is Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 6:00PM at Little Theater Café

Rochester Film Lab

Upcoming Projects:
Nate Sorrentino and Anthony Marotti – Humans vs. Zombies YouTube Series

  • Series is expanding and the audience demand is present
  • Needs sound mastering and sound effects help (Foley Artist)
  • Also need spokesmodel/actress for the trailer
    • Needs to be the “face” of the series; nice “pitch person” and recurring character
    • 18-25, female, physically fit, well-spoken, and good personality to interact with investors
  • Shooting Trailer ASAP, and other full episodes later in the year
  • Contact nsorrent10 AT gmail DOT com for more information or to get links to view his finished trailers
  • Contact Anthony Marotti at amarotti AT iti-now DOT com for more information on investing and acting

Jonathan Povoski (J.P.) – Rochester Comedy Documentary Project

  • Producing a documentary exploring stand-up comedy in Rochester, NY.
  • Currently in the research phase, gathering information and setting up formal interviews.
  • Looking for a second shooter and a sound engineer (prefers one with at the very least a shotgun and a Lavalier microphone (wired or wireless))
    • Currently has one shooter, but wants to have two (with a sound engineer) for the seven days that we capture an evening at each of the various venues.
  • Dates are not set but, but at least one evening for each day of the week (i.e. a Sunday night, a Monday night, etc.) for the various venues in town as well as six or seven days of interviews.
  • Contact jonathanpovoski AT hotmail DOT com or call (940) 220-1939 if interested

Chris Hazenbush and Nicki Pierce –Can’t Weight

  • Short Film (7-12 minutes running time, estimated)
  • Shooting dates – Saturday, August 24, 2013 – Sunday, August 25, 2013
  • Looking for Art Director to gather props and set up scenes
  • Also looking for Grips and Pas during shooting days
  • Contact chris AT rochestermoviemakers.org for more information

Tom Barker – The Story of the A.C. Gilbert Co. remake and Simple Gifts

  • Remaking a film produced thirty years ago about the company that created Erector Sets
  • Also filming Simple Gifts, a story about organic farming that will be entered in the 2014 Greentopia Film Festival
  • For both projects, a development assistant/script consultant is requested to help develop and hone the scripts for both of these projects
  • Contact tbbeqa AT mac DOT com or visit www.tombarker.net for more information

Randy Huckabone – Shadow House  Feature Film

Announcements:
Avery Munger – RED EPIC Camera for rent

  • Just purchased a new RED EPIC Cinema camera and is renting it out (along with him) at very competitive/reasonable rates
    • Comes with all necessary components and Avery’s expertise in using it
    • Contact avery AT threelightpictures DOT com for more information

Walter Tasbas

  • Suggested RMM start fundraising and shooting RMM-lead feature film (one a year)
  • Stan Main and Wayne Coughlin suggested discussing it at Executive Board meeting
    • Logistical issues prevent the board from taking on such projects, and RMM is set up as an educational cooperative, not for fund-raising

Speaker:
Nick DiBella – writer/producer/director of many films, including Cherry Crush and (most recently) King’s Faith

  • Spoke about what he learned about producing King’s Faith
  • Background
    • Got start at Kodak – borrowed 8mm and 16mm film cameras and starting making short films with family and friends
    • Entered films in “Movies on a Shoestring” film festival in Rochester
      • Showtime picked up “best of show” film, “Sweet Surrender”
    • Then started making short films for Kodak to promote new film product
      • First projects with big budgets
    • Next, started writing to get better at it
      • Read successful scripts and learned how they turned into great films
      • Used them as a “blueprint” for a successful feature film
    • Wrote query letters to producers directly when studios refused to read his scripts
    • Would also fax updates to agents he knew in the hopes of getting signed
    • Eventually sold a script to Warner Bros., and “all the doors opened up”
      • Sold eight scripts total in his career to date
    • Advice: Story is only as good as who is attached to it
      • For example, three of his scripts went into turnaround after being sold and have not yet been produced
    • Tries to write four screenplays a year
  • King’s Faith – Fundraising and Pre-production
    • Wanted a “deeper experience” for teens than in his successful Cherry Crush
    • About a teenager who finds faith while in prison, but temptation keeps luring him back
    • Did want to do a “Faith Movie” but soon realized that his script was of that genre
      • Also, there is a huge, Christian market hungry for Christian films
      • People in the Christian community want to see this movie
    • Is hopeful he can also return investors’ investment with this film
      • Has never seen this happen with a typical independent film, but thinks he can do it in the Christian market
    • Put together a polished, bound Business Plan to give to investors
      • Used realistic, similar movies as examples of box office successes to show this was a good investment (didn’t use huge blockbusters like My Big Fat Greek Wedding because those are unrealistic expectations)
      • An impressive Business Plan will “wow” investors
        • More details will also allow one to speak honestly and from a position of knowledge
      • Projected he would make 1.2 million dollars (including foreign and domestic sales)
        • Based on that, he budgeted for $750,000 ($600,000 shooting/$150,000 marketing)
    • Set up LLC and Private Placement Memorandum (filed with FCC) with attorney to legitimately raise money
      • Fundraising plan includes information on legal structure of investing, risk involved, and other legal issues)
        • Wanted to make investors feel comfortable and happy
        • Even set up weekly/monthly meetings with investors to keep them in updated (now they want to re-invest in new projects)
    • Also made a video teaser component to the investor pitch when he hit an investment wall
      • Added an extra level to the film experience
  • King’s Faith – Production
    • Much more organized than Cherry Crush
      • Cut scenes into strips and laid out to organize shooting schedule and continuity
      • Can save a lot of money by shooting in an smart, organized way
  • King’s Faith – Distribution
    • Tested his film about five times around the country and tweaked after each time
      • Had questionnaire for viewers to fill out
      • Allowed him to fix issues with the story or with characters to make the film better
      • Also tested music and tweaked that too
    • Two biggest questions from distributors – “Do you like it?” and “Would you recommend it?”
      • Scores were 90%/87% “yes” by end of screening (65%/45% is benchmark)
    • Once that data base available, distributors were more willing to take on the film
    • Advice: can’t think of theatrical release as a money-maker
      • Theaters and distributors take out too much to leave any room for producer profit
      • Instead, break up all revenue streams separately and control the deals with distributors
      • Faith Marketing (Christian bookstores) and General (RedBox, Target, Netflix, Wal-Mart, etc.)
      • Also needed foreign, but used Sony Provident for faith and foreign
    • Sony worked well by getting TV deals on Christian TV (UpTV – http://www.uptv.com/), including premiere events put on by the TV Channel
    • Also decided to try theaters, now that other avenues were working
      • Decided to do a controlled, word-of-mouth campaign in a few select cities
      • Opened in thirty-eight markets, and a buzz was created
      • Is hopeful of a $100,000 box office return
    • Generally, they were able to use success data as leverage to get better deals
      • Got better DVD cost deals, etc.
    • Was able to get e-mails addresses through website, and will blast e-mails when DVD is released to boost sales
      • Doing a TV premiere before DVD launch generated a good buzz that worked out for them
    • Made “production guides” for distributors to keep all parties on the same page
      • Project Management was key to distribution success
      • Cover as many holes as possible to retain control and avoid sinking
    • Distributors withhold 35% of your money for “restocking” fees when DVDs are returned unsold
      • However, they do it for digital too, so be aware and specify which parts of the deal have the money withheld for restocking
    • Advice: don’t let distributors take advantage of you, give you blanket deals, or give you advances on your money (you will never see any more than that advance)
  • Film Festivals
    • Only entered in one, and it didn’t do well
    • Tested much better with specific, Christian audience, as opposed to general public

 
Networking: 8:00PM
End of Meeting: 8:45PM

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 General Meeting Notes – November 29, 2012

rmm

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