AIVF Birmingham
Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers
 
Ezine Number 42, June 16, 2003
 
Auditions for "Bone Digger"
 
Auditions are Saturday, June 21 from 2:00 - 5:30.  Call backs are June 22 -- Same time
The location is the Birmingham Public Library -- Central Branch
Corner of 21st St & 6th Ave. No. 
We will be meeting at the 1st Floor Conference Room.
 
Bone Digger is a Independent short suspense film shooting in late July, ideally.
 
Role #1 -- 1 Petite, youthful female age 18-25.
Role #2 -- 1 Physically imposing male (tall, large, tough, etc...any combination of these -- or someone who can express toughness like Joe Pesci in Casino, Good Fellas, etc.)
Ideally, the male is 35 - 55, but if you know of any good male actors from the early 20's on up, then bring them along to read for the part, too.
 
Pages of the script are available for review...
 
Questions: contact Jeannine Pope
324-4539

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
 
In a casual conversation with a unnamed Sidewalk source it was metioned that the Microshort contest of last year will most likely not be repeated this year. The unnamed source said that there mat be another contest announced as early as July in addition to the current high school competition. Keep checking there web site for developing details.
 
Script Development Workshop
 
The next meeting of the Script Development Workshop will be Thursday, June 19 at Books & Co in Brookwood Village. The meeting is from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. although you can stay and talk until closing. For more information contact Angela angela@boang.com .
 
Workshops in Atlanta, Georgia, from IMAGE
 
SUMMER SCHEDULE
The classes and workshops schedule for Summer are now listed with full
descriptions on the IMAGE web site: www.imagefv.org.  Please refer to site
for information.
 
Upcoming Registration Deadlines:
 
INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING
Instructor: Michael Lucker
This introductory course, taught by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Michael
Lucker, is the perfect starting point for those who want to learn the basics
of writing for film. Students will not only learn the fundamentals of
writing a professional screenplay, but will also learn to use the medium as
a means of self-expression. Over eight weeks, students will learn proper
format and presentation, learn to view movies as tools to improve their
writing, write a 15-20 page screenplay excerpt, and get a first-hand
knowledge of the industry and how to break into the business.
Thursdays, June 26-August 14, 2003. 7pm-9pm. $195 for IMAGE members, $225
general public. Registration deadline: June 20, 2003. Limited to 12
students.
 

LIGHTING FOR FILM & VIDEO
Instructor: Jim Hunter
This one-day workshop will provide a basic overview of the science,
logistics, and tools utilized in lighting for motion pictures. A combination
of lecture and hands-on orientation will focus upon the performance of light
and the role it plays in cinematic story telling. Students will be
introduced to the wide range of instruments that make up the
cinematographers palette. Additional topics also covered will include grip
equipment, metering, and important safety and electrical concerns.
Saturday, June 28, 2003. 10am-6pm. $150 for members, $185 general public.
Registration deadline: June 25, 2003. Limited to 12 students. Class will be
held at PC&E, 2235 DeFoor Hills Road, NW, Atlanta.
 
From National AIVF
 
On June 2nd, the FCC voted 3-2 to raise the national broadcast ownership cap
to 45% and to drastically relax cross-ownership rules in local markets.
These changes will diminish the amount of serious local journalism and
reduce the ability of Americans to receive information from many points of
view. After this decision, a single company could own eight radio stations,
up to three TV stations, the cable company, and the local newspaper in one
city. The marketplace of ideas will have fewer vendors. The FCC's action
represents an unprecedented failure to protect the free flow of information
upon which democracy depends.
 
Thanks to the amazing efforts of AIVF members and other concerned citizens
thus far, the FCC¹s decision can be overturned. TOGETHER, WE CAN REVERSE
THE FCC AND PROTECT THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION.
 
On June 19, The Senate Commerce Committee will consider legislation to
restore reasonable limits on media ownership in order to uphold the
principles of diversity, localism, and competition in media. Senate bill
1046, introduced in May by Senator Stevens, and co-sponsored by a bipartisan
group of thirty Senators; amends the Communications Act of 1934 making it
explicitly illegal by federal law for the FCC to allow broadcasters to own
more than 35 percent of the national market. The Dorgan amendment reinstates
newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership restrictions. It is important that these
bills be voted out of committee and onto the Senate floor.
 
Please contact your Senators and Representatives to urge their colleagues on
the Commerce Committee to reverse the FCC's action.
 
Consumers Union, the organization behind Consumers Report, has constructed
an online action center where you can draft a letter for your
representatives and email or mail your support for these two actions. A copy
will be sent to the Commerce Committee.
 
 
If you would like to do more, consider the following actions:
 
1. Contact the whole Senate Commerce Committee asking them to overturn what
the FCC did and vote S-1046 out of Committee on June 19. Information on the
Senate Commerce Committee:
http://www.senate.gov/~commerce/about/membership.html
 
2. If you can only contact one or two Senators, contact the Committee
Chairman Senator McCain to encourage him, and contact Senators Hutchinson
and Lott to thank them and ask them to maintain their support. You can also
contact Senators Burns, Fitzgerald, Nelson and Smith on the Committee to
urge them to reverse the FCC decision.
 
3. If you live in the Texas, Mississippi, or Montana, write a letter to the
editor of your local paper. Congratulate Senators Hutchinson, Lott, and
Burns for supporting this issue.
 
Remember that mailing or faxing a letter will speak louder than an
email! Show your legislators your commitment to diversity and localism!
 
For more information on media ownership issues, visit the Consumers Union
media advocacy page at: http://capwiz.com/consumersunion/home/
 
MediaReform.net has created a page that brings together a number of
information resources and avenues for actions. It lists the positions of
many legislators, and makes it easy to contact your senators:
http://www.mediareform.net/congress.php
 
The New York Times has built a special section about the media ownership
rules:  http://www.nytimes.com/pages/business/businessspecial/index.html
 
The article "FCC Votes to Ease Media Ownership Rules" from the Washington
Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3076-2003Jun2.html?nav=hptop_
includes a sidebar with links to ownership rules and all the FCC
Commissioners' statements.
 
Salon.com has been covering this issue for the past few years:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2003/05/23/powells_fight/index.html
 
For more information about AIVF media advocacy visit:
http://www.aivf.org/advocacy/

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If you would like to respond with any comments, updates, announcements, blurbs, quips, jibs, exhortations or advice, you can contact,
 
Ezine Editor, aivfbham@bellsouth.net