AIVF Birmingham
Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers
 
Ezine Number 48, September 27, 2003
 
Auditions, casting calls
 
-sent in by Cariss Dooley
 
The producer/writer of the Ind. Film wanted us to hold:
another Open Call on Tues. Sept. 30th at the Fairfield Inn Mariott (they can come anytime from 5PM-7:30PM) in Greensprings at the Oxmoor Road Exit off I-65. 
There are still some lead roles open and lots of extras needed.  Need both Males/females in their 20's thru 30's.
 
We are also seeking Celebrity Look-A-Likes, ages 16 & up with special skills, and one client is casting for a Play that should be televised.  The producer of the Ind. Film plans to hold ONE audition on a Sunday afternoon.  Anyone interested should contact ACT (205) 491-3064
 
Location needed
 
-sent in by Jeanine Pope
 
I am seeking a cabin for the week-end of Dec. 12-14.
It is for a one day shoot of a short film that has mostly interior shots.
The cabin and exterior needs to look isolated and fairly rustic.
Will need to accommodate cast and crew for the duration of the shoot.
 
Easy automobile access and electrical availability a plus.
 
If you have anything like that or know of any place, please contact me at my email
 
Jeanine Pope  popessa@yahoo.com
 
Script Development Workshop
 
The next meeting of the Script Development Workshop will be 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 16 at Books & Co. in Brookwood Village. Bring a script you are working on and share it with like minded peers. At the last meeting someone brought their own feature length script. The meeting generally last to 9:00 p.m. although you are free to stay and talk till store closing. For more information contact Angela at angela@boang.com .
 
Disney Corp. lays off more artists
 
The list of artists fired or laid off by Disney seems to grow longer. Now, Disney studio artist in Japan have been given the axe. For more information go to  
Coming attractions
 
An animated series "Star Wars, Clone Wars" will be coming soon on Cartoon Network. For a downloadable trailer go to the following,
 
 
Regional Salon news, AIVF Atlanta
 
Each month IMAGE works in conjunction with the Association of Independent
Video and Filmmakers to sponsor informal, educational salons. These meetings
are free and open to the public. Salons are held the second Tuesday of each
month from 7pm-8:30 pm @ Red Light Cafe (553 Amsterdam Ave, off Monroe
Drive;  404/874-7828).  Food and drinks are available.  Visit their web site
for a menu:www.redlightcafe.com.
 
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
The Academics of Filmmaking
Did you know there's a full-service Digital Arts and Entertainment Lab in
Atlanta that specializes in everything from production to post-production of
16mm, 35mm, DV and HD with state-of-the-art software, a special effects lab
and an Audience Response Theatre? It's all part of Georgia State
University's Graduate Moving Image Studies program, where students
interested in that next level of filmmaking can participate in the latest in
cutting-edge technology. Join guest speakers Dr. Kay Beck, DAEL Director,
Elizabeth Strickler, Post-production Supervisor, Matt Rowles, Production
Manager, and George DeGolian, Producer-in-Residence, as we discuss the
academic side to filmmaking.
  
Workshops, classes
 
FALL SCHEDULE
The classes and workshops schedule is now on-line with full descriptions.
See the IMAGE web site: www.imagefv.org.  Please check periodically for new
information.
 
**NOTE:  CINEMATOGRAPHY 101 has been changed to Sat. 10/5 & Sun. 10/5
 
Upcoming Registration Deadlines:
 
ACTORıS AUDITION WORKSHOP - ***CANCELLED***
 
THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
Instructor: Evan Lieberman
Intimidated by the thoughts of heading up a short or feature-length
production from the director's chair? Don't be afraid to yell "Action!" with
authority! In this hands-on class, ease into the role of the director
through discussions of scene breakdown and on-set responsibilities, as well
as in-class directing exercises. With the class as your audience (and a
couple of actors at your disposal), you'll be able to direct a scene and
gain valuable on-the-spot feedback about what works and what doesn't.
Additionally, your peers will critique homework scenes filmed outside of
class in an effort to get you comfortable and confident enough to command
the best performances and improve your filmmaking skills. In-class exercises
will be videotaped and critiqued for class use; cameras will not be provided
for homework exercises.
Thursdays, October 2-October 23, 2003. 7pm-10pm. $150 members, $185 general
public. Registration deadline: September 30. Limited to 10 students
 

CINEMATOGRAPHY 101: BASIC CINEMATOGRAPHY
Instructor: Jim Kanter
This workshop will introduce you to the basic principles, technologies, and
techniques of shooting film. Topics covered include film vs. video,
understanding film stocks and processing, basic camera function and
operation, understanding lenses, setting exposure, using filters, basics of
shot composition, fundamental lighting principles, and set etiquette and
procedures. While no class can turn you into an accomplished cinematographer
in a weekend, it will get you started and provide you with the basic
knowledge you need to go out and start shooting film. It also serves as a
foundation for the more advanced workshops dealing with more specific
aspects of cinematography. Basic Cinematography is a prerequisite for our
film camera courses.
DATE CHANGE: Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5, 2003. 10am-6pm, both
days. $150 members, $185 general public. Registration deadline: October 1.
Limited to 12 students. *Sign up for both Cinematography 101 and
Cinematography 201 (at the same time) and receive a 10% discount!
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Mel Gibson Lends Hand To Bryan Hickox's

National 'Conquering Hollywood' Seminar/Workshop Tour

Atlanta, Ga., September 23, 2003Seven- time Emmy winning motion picture and television producer, Bryan Hickox, brings his nationwide 'Conquering Hollywood' seminar/workshop tour to Atlanta, Georgia October 17-18, 2003 at the Renaissance Hotel-Downtown.  Mr. Hickox has just Executive Produced a soon to be released film on the subject of racial reconciliation with Oscar winner Debbie Allen called "The Painting".  His tour is aimed at teaching film and television artisans how to best position, produce, write and act in edifying stories of value for the entertainment industry versus those of violence and exploitation. Another bonus to the tour is Mel Gibson's contribution of a four and a half minute clip of his upcoming feature film “The Passion” which will be screened at the seminar. The Passion depicts the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ. Mr. Gibson has put this clip together for the seminar attendees.

Joining them for Atlanta will be top Hollywood casting director and actor, Michael Stark, and
the multiple award-winning executive producer and director Richard Colla, who directed "Roxanne: The Prize Pulitzer" in Jacksonville.  Each of the seminar's instructors has been selected for their candor, comprehensive knowledge and contemporary understanding of the motion picture and television industry.

This screenwriting portion of the seminar distinguishes itself by giving attendees a “hands-on” approach to writing a salable, producible screenplay by selected faculty members of ACT ONE:  Writing for Hollywood. Also presented in each city will be keys to aspiring actors from one of the most sought after casting directors in Hollywood; instructions on how to “pitch” a television or movie project to the networks or the studio by two of Hollywood's most successful pitch masters, and learning how Hollywood has traditionally depicted people of faith, which will include screening representative selections from over 50 motion pictures.  

The seminar will also feature Hickox's exclusive presentation on the current influence of morality on major film and television projects profitability.  With the successful run of movies such as The Lord of the Rings, X-Men 2, Matrix Reloaded and Bruce Almighty, projects with morally conscious themes have been widely embraced by the American public and shown to be financially lucrative at the box office.  

Other cities to be slated for the 2003-2004 Conquering Hollywood Tour are Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit and Honolulu. Reservations and information can be obtained by writing the Conquering Hollywood Tour at The Jacksonville Production Center, 851 North Market Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202-2742 or by calling (904) 230-4192 or visiting the web site at www.entertainmentindustryseminars.com.  Save $50 if registered by October 3, 2003.
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From the National AIVF
 
Media Advocacy Day, Friday, September 26, 2003
 
AIVF members across the country are organizing visits to their Congressional
Representatives to ensure that they represent independent concerns when it
comes to funding independent media, protecting public interest policies, and
balancing copyright protection. While each visit is simple to participate
in, together they will send a message that cannot be ignored. Be a part of
our collective voice!
 
Go to http://www.aivf.org/mediaadvocacyday.html to learn how to set up or to
join a delegation in your own community.
 
Senate Votes to Repeal Media Consolidation Rule
 
On Tuesday, September 16th, the Senate passed a resolution of disapproval (S
J Res 17) introduced by North Dakota Democrat Byron L. Dorgan to
void the FCC's decision in June to permit media conglomerates to own more
television stations and newspapers - sometimes in the same city. The success
of this vote is a huge victory for AIVF members and media advocates
nationwide. AIVF will keep you informed as legislation moves through the
House of Representatives. Congratulations and thank you to all who responded
to the last Action Alert!
 
 Problem getting rights to copyrighted material for your film?
 
The Center for Social Media at American University's School of Communication
and the Program on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest (PIPPI) at
Washington College of Law are launching a new research project into the
problems that filmmakers have throughout the creation of their work with
rights issues and how the current state of intellectual property laws
affects
filmmaking.
 
 
For more information about AIVF media advocacy visit:
http://www.aivf.org/advocacy/
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Management techniques
 
If you have some time on your hands or you've been planning that second career as 'Evil Overlord' you may have asked yourself, 'why have so many evil world domination plans failed'. As the implementation and administrating of 'evil plans' may lead to an oversight of the fundamental basics you may want to review the pitfalls of the other 'Evil Overlords' and learn from their mistakes. 
 
A few tips of the trade can help you with the morale of your 'Legion Of Terror' or how to better deal with those meddling do-gooder hero types who come to upset your hard earned years of subjugating the masses. Now at http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html  you can take advantage of the experience of your fellow 'Evil Overlords'.
 
Sample tips:
 
I will not grow a goatee. In the old days they made you look diabolic. Now they just make you look like a disaffected member of Generation X.
 
I will dress in bright cheery colors, and so throw my enemies into confusion. 
 
I won't require high ranking female members of my organization to wear a stainless-steel bustier. Morale is better with a more casual dress-code. Similarly, outfits made entirely from black leather will be reserved for formal occasions.
 
I will hire a talented fashion designer to create original uniforms for my Legions of Terror, as opposed to some cheap knock-offs that make them look like Nazi Stormtroopers, Roman footsoliders or savage Mongol hordes. All were eventually defeated and I want my troops to have a more positive mind-set.
 
My Legions of Terror will be trained in basic marksmanship. Any who cannot learn to hit a man-sized target at 10 meters will be used for target practice.
 
All bumbling conjurers, clumsy squires, no-talent bards and cowardly thieves in the land will be preemptively put to death. My foes will surely give up and abandon their quest if they have no source of comic relief.
 
All naive, busty tavern wenches in my realm will be replaced with surly, world-weary waitress who will provide no unexpected reinforcement and/or romantic subplot for the hero or his sidekick.
 
My vats of hazardous chemicals will be covered when not in use. Also, I will not construct walkways above them.
 
I will not interrogate my enemies in the inner sanctum -- a small hotel room outside my borders will work just as well.
 
I will hire a team of board-certified architects and surveyors to examine my castle and inform me of any secret passages and abandon tunnels that I might not know about.
 
My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.
 
My main computer will have their own operating system that will be completely incompatible with standard IBM and Macintosh powerbooks.
 
Once my power is secure, I will destroy all those pesky time-travel devices.
 
Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free unlimited Internet access.
 
To learn more about how to make your evil world domination plans a success, go to
 
Thanks to Peter Anspach at http://www.eviloverlord.com
 
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