Each year since inception, the New Hampshire Film Festival is proud to present professional development and educational opportunities for filmmakers, screenwriters and film enthusiasts. Here is this year’s roster of workshops and panel discussions:
›› Young Filmmakers Workshop (Annual)
›› Guerilla Distribution: From Pre-Production to Exhibiting
›› Future Now: New Media and the Modern Filmmaker
›› Marketing & Distribution: Standing Out in the Competitive World of Independent Film
›› Cinematography for Directors
›› Producers Panel
›› The Business of Screenwriting
Individual Workshop Tickets are $10, excluding the Young Filmmakers Workshop. Free entry to all VIP, Weekend and Day Pass holders. All workshop descriptions are below. See, meet and learn at the New Hampshire Film Festival!
YOUNG FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP*
www.johnherman.org//theeye/?p=30
The Young Filmmakers Workshop (YFW) is the featured youth program for the New Hampshire Film Festival. For the past six years, young filmmakers have joined for an intensive full weekend study of the movie making process. The program is one part film school and one part film making challenge.
This year's special guests include: special effects expert and developer of Lord of the Rings Online, Douglas Applewhite; film producer Tracey Becker (Finding Neverland, upcoming: Losing Jerry); Tufts University film professor and author of The Savvy Screenwriter, Susan Kougell; Steadicam operator and creator of Steadishots.org, Afton Grant; and the cast of the improv comedy troupe Stranger Than Fiction. The weekend is led by New Hampshire filmmaker and artist John Herman.
Students enjoy interactive lectures, movie screenings and the production of an original movie
whose premiere screening is held during the festival. Past students cherish their experiences
with the YFW and many have gone on to study movie production in college and beyond.
* Advanced registration required for the Young Filmmakers Workshop
Participants range from 14 - 18 years old. Students are provided dinner on Saturday and Sunday.
Price for the full weekend is $150. Space is limited so register early!
Tentative YFW schedule:
Friday, October 12 from 6 PM - 8:30 PM
Saturday, October 13 from 9 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday, October 14th 9 AM - 8:30 PM
Click here to register ››
‹‹ top
GUERILLA DISTRIBUTION: FROM PRE-PRODUCTION TO EXHIBITING
Presented by the NH Film and Television Office
Portsmouth Public Library
Friday, October 12th
9:00am-11:00am
 In a recent article in Movie Maker Magazine Francis Ford Coppola said “The movie business is NOT a good business to be in. You can have the money to finance your own movie, the actors can all love you, and if you don’t control the distribution, you are DEAD!”
It is about control
Everything is changing – the people who make music are cutting out the middle man and going straight to the consumer, filmmakers are looking at new ways to distribute their own films and everyone is trying to find ways to make a buck in this new marketplace. In this panel we will explore some of the ways that filmmakers are working with both traditional and non-traditional exhibitors to screen their film.
Panel:
Jay Craven – Kingdom County Productions
Peter Shanelaris – Independent filmmaker / Great Northern Video
Stephen Dignazio - Executive Director, Colonial Theatre
Bill Millios - Back Lot Films
Ben Anderson - Founder / Director - Wolfeboro Folk Concert Series
Moderator:
Van McLeod – Commissioner, NH Dept. of Cultural Resources.
‹‹ top
FUTURE NOW: NEW MEDIA AND THE MODERN FILMMAKER
Portsmouth Public Library
Friday, October 12th
1:30-3:30pm
The cinema world is changing with the advent of interactive technologies. Years ago, a filmmaker needed a miracle to get noticed.
Now filmmakers make names for themselves online, and even Hollywood is seeking its new talent on the web. Join our panel in an exploration of the creative and cultural intersection of film making and New Media.
Topics may include social media, remix culture, the evolving potential of web distribution and promotion, convergence of media devices, the evolving standards of production values, and the closing gap between filmmaker and audience. The future of film making is now. Bring your ideas and questions to share.
Panel:
›› David Tamés, Filmmaker & Media Technologist
www.Kino-Eye.com
David is an award-winning filmmaker and media technology consultant who has worked in a variety of roles on numerous independent film and new media projects. His latest projects include REMEMBERING JOHN MARSHALL, a short documentary about the late ethnographic filmmaker, and SMILE BOSTON PROJECT, a profile of Boston-area artist Bren Bataclan and his free-art project. David recently worked as Project Manager on MIT TechTV, a video sharing site for the MIT community and currently works as a freelance producer, videographer, or editor, and advises clients on the use of video on the web.
›› Kevin Anderton, Filmmaker, Midnight Chimes Productions
www.midnightchimesproductions.com
Kevin is an award winning short comedy creator from Boston whose work has been featured at film festivals, on the internet, on broadcast television, and on video phones worldwide. He holds an MFA in communications from Boston University and has worked on projects including David Breashears' KILIMANJARO: TO THE ROOF OF AFRICA and THE GOOD SON. Aside from creating over 60 short comedies since 2002, Kevin has 3 feature scripts and 100 short scripts, some of which have been considered by Saturday Night Live or licensed to local independent filmmakers. His shorts have been viewed on the Internet over 11 million times in 2007 and he recently signed a deal with Sony Pictures to provide exclusive content for their distribution network.
›› Steve Garfield, Media Maker
www.stevegarfield.com
Steve Garfield, a producer for the popular videoblog Rocketboom, is one of the Internet's first video bloggers having launched his own regular video blog on January 1, 2004. Steve produces "Vlog Soup" where he showcases other videoblogs, showing a wide audience the best of vlogs. With his wife, he produces the amusing domestic vlog "The Carol & Steve Show" about their married life. Garfield was the co-creator of the first Vloggercon, and a co-organizer of the first PodCamp held in Boston. He currently runs the Boston Media Makers, where he hosts local vloggers for a monthly meeting to share strategy, talk production and help one another out.
›› John Herman, Multimedia Artist & Teacher
www.johnherman.org
John Herman is an New Hampshire artist and teacher with a strong interest in collaborative work. He's a comedian, cartoonist, filmmaker, music producer, voice actor, writer, and a few other assorted things. Recent projects include: a collaboration with NH Public Radio aimed at empowering citizens to share their opinions about the presidential primary through New Media, a seven episode web docu-series pitting three families in a five month competition to conserve energy, and a twenty-five member New Media collaborative band made up of musicians from around the world. He is currently producing a dramatic web series shot entirely in NH, a stage show based on the Atoms, Motion, and the Void podcast, and a music video for the Italian pop band Turnpike Glow. John teaches media literacy at Epping High School.
‹‹ top
MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION: STANDING OUT IN THE COMPETITIVE WORLD OF INDEPENDENT FILM
Hilton Garden Inn
Saturday, October 13th
11:00am-1pm
In today’s competitive and saturated world of independent film learn from industry experts how to have your work stand out in the eyes of the media, a festival director, and national distributors. Learn from what has worked in the past, what these experts look out for, and a producer learned from going through the entire process.
Panelists:
›› Josh Green is VP of Distribution for Emerging Pictures. Green acts as a sales agent/producer's rep and is responsible for securing distribution (i.e. theatrical, home video, pay TV, network television, cable, foreign, etc.) for films either produced or represented by Emerging Pictures. On films for which Emerging Pictures acts as a distributor-for-hire for theatrical release, he plans and manages the distribution campaigns.
Emerging Pictures is a filmed entertainment company for the digital age. Representing the fusion of independent film methodology and the latest digital technology, Emerging Pictures will be a major supplier of original content to traditional media outlets and a pioneer in aggregating content for future delivery systems, including its own network of digital theaters that are being created inside of existing arts and science institutions--Emerging Cinemas. www.emergingpictures.com
›› Thom Cardwell, Executive Director, Philadelphia Film Society, produces the Philadelphia Film Festival and the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. He advises and speaks at the Memphis International Film Festival, the New Hampshire Film Expo and the Utah Arts Festival. He has been a panelist at the London Film Festival, a juror at the Austin Film Festival and a delegate at numerous festivals, including Montreal, Palm Springs, Miami, Washington, D. C. and Sundance. He spoke at the first-ever International Film Festival Summit in New York City in 2004. He began organizing film festivals as a college student at University of New England. He pursued film study at The New School, Villanova and Fordham universities. A working journalist for 25 years, he writes for many media outlets, including NotesFromHollywood.com. He received an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts in 2005.
›› Buzz McLaughlin recently moved from NY to the granite state to pursue his passion in independent film. After many years of running an off broadway theater as well as being a playwright, he is now the Executive Producer of “Either or Films” a production company that just last fall wrapped their first feature film, “The Sensation of Sight,” shot entirely in Peterborough, NH. The film was co-produced by Academy Award Nominated actor, David Strathhairn who is also the lead. The rest of the all star cast consists of Ian Somerhalder, Daniel Gilies, Scott Wilson, and Elizabeth Waterson. The Sensation of Sight was shot for just under a million dollars and is just the first of three features already in pre-production for Either or Films. The Sensation of Sight has just had its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
›› Erin Trahan is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on independently produced media. She currently edits NewEnglandFilm.com and is a member of a team that is re-launching the 30 year magazine published by AIVF, The Independent Film & Video Monthly. She has directed and produced her own films and helped others do the same. In addition, she has developed and led several film series and events for venues such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston Public Library, and the Girls' Coalition of Greater Boston.
›› Carol Patten is the President, CEO, and Publisher of IMAGINE Publishing, Inc. She has lived and worked all over the world. She has also served as General Manager of Broadcast groups in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Las Vegas. Her film credits include THE SNOWFIELD, PRAY FOR POWER, FOLLOW THE BROCCOLI, SEASIDE SEDUCTION, CELTIC PRIDE, and THE CRUCIBLE, She co-produced THE ADVENTURES OF SPACE BABY & MENTAL MAN, and others.
Ten years ago she founded IMAGINE Publishing, Inc., a company that publishes IMAGINE, a monthly news magazine in print and online that is totally devoted to the business of film, television and new media production in the Northeast. For the last six years her most important work has been encouraging the political process in all six New England States to support our industry and to pass film tax incentive legislation that will make our region more competitive. Her goal is to make New England the number three production center in the country.
Carol Patton studied Communications, Philosophy, and Nuclear Engineering at the University of Arizona in Tucson where she grew up. She is the recipient of the Abraham Lincoln Distinguished Broadcasters Award and the Harvard College Dudley House “Harvey” Award for service to the film community; the Image Award for Vision and Excellence from Women in Film & Video, New England, she served two years as the President of American Women in Radio and Television. Currently, she is a member of Women in Film and Video, New England. She continues to work all over the world, but lives in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
‹‹ top
CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR DIRECTORS
Hilton Garden Inn
Saturday, October 13th
1:30-3:30pm
You're a director... or a producer for a director. You've been slaving away for years to make the film of your dreams, and now you're about to start shooting. How can you make things go as smoothly as possible with that cinematographer you're about to hire? How can you make sure your creative marriage won't end in an on set divorce? How can the two of you help each other to get those images in your head onto the big screen?
Come hang out with a DP for a while and hear his end of this crazy formula. Learn what a simple question like "can we use just primes for this scene?" really means to you, your ideas, and your budget.
If you've never really grasped the difference between a T-Stop & a "Double Down", if you'd rather walk the line than cross it, come to this workshop and we'll see if we can't all leave creatively hand in hand.
Instructor:
›› Patrick Cady grew up surrounded by cows, and now finds himself surrounded by cars in his home in Los Angeles. He proudly comes from an East Coast indie film background, having shot several films on locations all over the world including "Girlfight" for Karyn Kusama and "Sunshine State" for John Sayles. He has also shot the Bruckheimer TV show "Cold Case", the upcoming HBO show "In Treatment" and numerous pilots and commercials on both film and HD. His proudest project is his lovely daughter, directed by his fabulous wife Jill.
‹‹ top
PRODUCERS PANEL
Hilton Garden Inn
Sunday October 14th
11am-1:00pm
Start your day with a discussion alongside some of the leading producers in our industry today. Get the inside info on filmmaking from raising money, development, casting, assembling a crew, touring the festival circuit, and making some money back at the end. What is the difference between an Executive Producer, Co-Producer, Line-Producer, and Producer? Learn from their mistakes, triumphs, and wealth of experience.
›› Chase Bailey:
In 2002, Chase Bailey began working with the Los Angeles based film production company Mr. Mudd (John Malkovich) as a business and financial advisor. Paris Mudd Productions, the European based partner of Mr. Mudd emerged and partnered with Mr. Mudd. Chase Bailey, executive producer, leading the effort with Mr. Mudd began production on The Libertine in spring 2004, their first film together. The Libertine directed by Laurence Dunmore and starring Johnny Depp, John Malkovich and Samantha Morton. Art School Confidential, the second collaboration between Director Terry Zwigoff and Screenwriter/Cartoonist Dan Clowes.
In 2005, Chase started his own production company, Left Bank Films. His first production was Drunkboat, directed by Bob Meyers and starring John Malkovich, John Goodman and Dana Delaney. Drunkboat is due to be released in North America in early 2008. In Bloom, a collaboration with 2929 and director Vadim Perelman (House of Sand and Fog) starring Uma Thurman, Evan Rachel Wood and Brett Cullen premiered at the Toronto Film Festival September 2007.
Left Bank Films is currently in development on 3 major projects.
With over 30 years of experience in the networking and IT industry; Chase Bailey sits on the board of several technology companies and is an advisor to many Venture Capital Funds.
Chase splits his residency between in Portsmouth, NH and Paris France.
›› Tracey Becker:
Tracey Becker is an independent film producer living in Venice, California. She has developed a TV series for Dustin Hoffman and his Punch Productions; consulted on Glamour Magazine short films by Jennifer Aniston, Bryce Dallas Howard and Trudie Styler; developed Alan Arkin's newest directorial effort, "Chrysalis"; and associate produced 2005's 7-time Academy Award nominated film, "Finding Neverland", which she developed from Allan Knee's stage play "The Man Who Was Peter Pan". She is currently producing "Hysteria" with Sarah Curtis ("Mrs. Brown", "Charlotte Gray", "Run, Fat Boy, Run"), and the New Hampshire-set "Losing Jerry" which will be shot in the spring, with Mitch Ganem writing and directing.
›› Mark Constance:
Mark Constance is a partner in a713production with his wife Bethany. Mark produced the film, "The Sensation of Sight" and is in pre-production on "Losing Jerry" which will shoot in the spring of 2008. Mark's directing projects include 2 upcoming music videos and "The Foresome", a pilot that will shoot in October , and "Medillia's Lament" written by Eliot, Maine's Jody Clark. His producing slate includes Michael Kimball's dark thriller, "Green Girls", "The Book of Hard Things" and "Diary of a Jealous Man" to be directed by Viper Comics scribe Jason Burns, which hopes to shoot in Portsmouth in late 2008. A member of the Director's Guild of America since 1993, he began his career as an Assistant Director and has worked on the films "Terminator 3", "Being John Malkovich", "Charlie's Angels", "Red Eye" and "Bad Boys II" to name a few. Mark and Bethany have returned to New Hampshire to live[although they still have a car in Los Angeles!!!] and together have co-produced Eliya-Quaye, 7 and Caleb, 4.
›› Glenn Gardner:
Glenn Gardner has produced a number of short films and a feature film in Bergen, Norway where he ran a production company. He is a graduate of the film program at Boston University and Columbia University in NY. In 2006, his short film "Sniffer" was awarded the Palm d'Or for Best Short Film at the Cannes film festival.
›› Lance Greene:
Lance Greene acted in and produced numerous theater and film productions in New York City and Boston, and he appeared in WAR OF CHINA’S FATE, a World War II film shot on location in China. He played troubled twin brothers Aidan and Terry O’Toole in the well received BACK TO BEFORE by ON BROADWAY wrirter/director Dave McLaughlin at the Boston Center for the Arts with Robert Wahlberg (The Departed and Southie). He acted in the original theater production of GOD WILLING at The Burren in Davis Sq., Somerville, MA., and later produced this play to critical acclaim in New York City. Lance was the lead in the award-winning short film KILLING TIME. He plays Billy O’Toole in ON BROADWAY and also worked as a producer. Born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lance now resides in New York City with his wife Britta Wierich and their children, Riley and Aidan.
‹‹ top
THE BUSINESS OF SCREENWRITING
Hilton Garden Inn
Sunday October 14th
1:30-3:30pm
"You've worked hard to learn everything you can about what it takes to write a screenplay. You've polished that dialogue, worked to develop compelling characters, and you've got a story that is absolutely riveting. Shouldn't that be enough? Shouldn't the product speak for itself? You'd think so. But we're talking the entertainment BUSINESS here. Your script is a property... it's a commodity that needs to be sold. What can you, as the writer, do to hasten the possibility of collecting an actual check for your very hard work? "The Business of Screenwriting' will take you through the ins and outs of the rollercoaster ride of the NON creative side of screenwriting."
Instructor:
›› Diane Lake has been a working screenwriter since 1993 when she sold her first story idea. Since then, she has been commissioned to write screenplays for Columbia, Disney, Miramax and Paramount, as well as various independent producers. Projects currently in active development include Distance, the story of the French Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot, under option by Blue Collar Films; Chandler, a film noir set in 1930s Los Angeles, being packaged by Roth/Arnold Productions; and A Thousand Cranes, an epic love story set against the backdrop of the bombing of Hiroshima in WWII, being packaged by Digital Domain Studios. Diane's film, Frida, opened the Venice Film Festival in 2002, and was named one of the 10 best films of the year by numerous top 10 lists, including The National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. Frida was also nominated for 6 Academy Awards in 2003. Diane is a professor of screenwriting at Emerson College, and has previously taught screenwriting for UCLA's acclaimed Writer's Program.
‹‹ top |
