Clare Valley Film Festival

Top 2 Consumer Camcorders (under $2000) for Indie Filmmakers

2010-07-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

The Canon was chosen for its range of functions and amazing image quality for the price. The big plus for me is having an audio jack for an external mic, which most camcorders of this price range don't have.

The Flip is a camera you carry with you at all times for that spontaneous shot. The image quality is pretty good. Camcorders of this size are close to useless in low-light, but this one stands out.

Canon HV40 (~$1500-1700)
http://www.canon.com.au/en-au/For-You/Digital-Video-Cameras/LEGRIA-Video-Cameras/HV40

Exceptionally good quality image for the price
True HD 1080 24P
ND Filter - useful when shooting outside
Wheel for manual focus
Adjust exposure manually
Audio jack for external mic (big plus!)
Auto focus can be slow
Uses MiniDV tapes

Flip UltraHD (~$250)
http://www.theflip.com

For the filmmaker on the fly, a spontaneous interview or recce a location
Fits in your pocket!
Not full HD (1280x720), but good image quality for a camera this size
Shoot up to 120min of footage onto 8Gb internal memory
Great in low-light

Short Film Distributors List

2010-07-15T02:41:00.000-07:00

Raindance has found a useful up-to-date list of film buyers and broadcasters.

http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/short-film-distributor-list

Raindance: 7 Things To Do When You Submit Your Film

2010-03-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

Very good sound advice. Actually made me rethink how I submit films to festivals....

http://www.raindance.org/site/7-things-to-do-when-you-submit-your-film

Raindance How To Tips: The 7 Essentials Filmmakers Need To Make It

2010-03-11T08:14:00.001-08:00

Raindance has done it again. Great tips and advice.

Read it @ http://www.raindance.org/site/7-essentials-filmmakers-need-to-make-it

CVFF Top 3 Prosumer (mid range) Camcorders for Indie Filmmakers

2010-03-01T06:27:00.000-08:00

The Canon XL2 (~$4,499 online) is an amazing camera for any indie filmmaker, professional or beginner.

Easy access to all key controls on the body
Interchangeable lenses
Broadcast quality image
No Hi-Def

The Sony HVR-A1 (~$3,478 online) is small, but big on image quality.

Great for documentary makers, small and unintrusive
Key controls accessed through menu system, so can be fiddly
Broadcast quality image, although not great in low light
Hi-Def

The Sony HvR-Z1 (~$5,219 online), is the most popular prosumer camera on the market.

An all-rounder
Some key controls accessed through menu system, so can be fiddly
Broadcast quality image
Hi-Def

Next month: Top 3 Consumer Camcorders (under $2000) for Indie Filmmakers.

Out Of Sudan - Photo Exhibition

2010-02-26T01:40:00.000-08:00

Rob George: For the past year or so I've been working on a documentary about a Sudanese couple, Angelo and Mary Tat, who are friends of ours. Last year, Angelo went back to Sudan to help his family after his brother had been murdered in intertribal conflicts. I gave him a small camera and asked him to take as many photos as he could. I was hoping for half a dozen or so that could be used in the documentary. Angelo returned with over a thousand stills and many hours of low resolution video. And despite having almost no experience with a camera many of his photos are stunning.

As a result, I've organised an exhibition of Angelo's photos to be held in Werribee from March 25 to April 3. The launch will be at 7.00 on the 25th at the Wyndham Cultural Centre, 177 Watton Street, Werribee. A flyer for the event is attached. Profits from the sale of photos will go towards building a schoolroom in the village which has no schools or medical facilities and where the people are starving as a result of the tribal wars.

Also attached is a link to a youtube video promoting the event that includes a number of Angelo's photos together with an extraordinary video clip taken through the window of the truck he was in after it arrived at his home village.

Please feel free to forward the flyer and the link to anyone who you think might be interested.

I look forward to seeing you at the launch and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

All the best,

Rob George.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3uBsgbTq8I

Programme Launch is just around the corner!

2009-11-17T03:16:00.000-08:00

The Clare Valley Film Festival judging process draws close to completion and the Programme Launch is just around the corner

142 short films were submitted to the festival. The international category is represented by 20 countries: Sweden, Turkey, Finland, Hungary, UK, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Lithuania, Germany, Denmark, Israel, The Netherlands, Croatia, USA, Greece, Chile, Costa Rica, Tunisia and the Australian films from SA, NT, Vic, NSW and ACT.

The CVFF Judging Panel is busy assessing the films, which will create the final selection for the programme. The standard is very high, which makes the selection process challenging. Here are a few quotes from the judges:

"There is an incredible diversity of entries from all over the world - short comedies from Germany, experimental films from the UK, and social justice shorts from the US. It's been a pleasure to watch these mini masterpieces."
Fiona Gunn, National Film and Sound Archive, ACT
“The fabulous entries in the Clare Valley Film Festival not only take us from coastal England through urban Turkey to inner city Australia they also present us with a full spectrum of views of human nature: comic, poignant, tragic and absurd using the formats of drama, documentary and mime. The film makers are all talented and committed revealing an extraordinary wealth of ideas.”
Rob George, Prospect Productions, Vic
"I was really impressed with all these entries."
Paul Greenaway OAM, Greenaway Art Gallery, SA
"It is very very hard to go through this selection process. Each of these films is somebody's baby, not always perfect but always loved. I salute you all for putting your work out there."
Seeta Indrani, MashMosh Films, UK

Carolyn Choa whose credits include The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), The English Patient (1996) and Hero (2002) is coordinating the festival programme. Her extensive experience and creative eye will be a valuable asset in forming the themes and programme groupings for the festival.

Clare Valley Film Festival celebrates independent film - films which are made with determination, talent and love. The festival’s motivation is to support and educate young people from South Australia’s regional areas in the art of filmmaking through a Master Class and Question & Answer Seminar with film industry professionals.

The final selection of films will be in the running for Audience Choice Award, Best World Short Film and Best Australian Short Film.

The programme launch is for early December 2009, so sign up at www.clarevalleyfilmfestival.com to be first to see the line-up.

10 Things a Filmmaker Needs Every Day

2009-10-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

Great advice. Read it at Raindance!

http://raindance.co.uk/site/10-things-a-filmmaker-needs-every-day

Plains Producer: International films at Blyth Cinema festival

2009-10-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

Writtern by Lisa Redpath from the Plains Producer

Blyth Cinema will roll out the red carpet when it hosts the first Clare Valley Film Festival next year. The festival will spotlight international and Australian film makers, and is the idea of London-based filmmaker and former Auburn man Chris Bishop.

Chris, who attended Clare High School, has formed a festival which has attracted more than 100 international entries and 30 Australian entries, also including a local competition...

Read more: http://www.plainsproducer.com.au/ThreadView.aspx?tid=23850

Jim Sweeney joins CVFF

2009-09-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

Jim Sweeney joins CVFF's Judging Panel.
(The Comedy Store Players, Who’s Line Is It Anyway)

The Sweeney - The Life & Work of Jim Sweeney (Film)
Watch the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA43e6V-J1c

Jim has been presented with The Granada Media Comedy Writing Award and the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First for his play Danny’s Wake. His latest work My MS and Me played to audiences in London and New York and was adapted for Radio.

http://www.jimsweeney.co.uk

Top 10 Low-Budget Filmmaking Tips

2009-09-03T01:44:00.000-07:00

1. Is there a story?
When writing a script it’s important to get feedback. Send your first draft to 5 people. Don’t send it to just friends, and include a professional writer if you can.

2. Keep it simple
If you’re making your first film keep it simple by using minimal locations, preferably one, and just a few actors. If you have a limited budget don't use special effects or crazy action stunts.

3. Plan, Plan and Plan
Budget – make a list of everything you need. Even if you’re borrowing the equipment, put it down.
Cast & Crew – use friends where you can or source from filmmaking websites and forums www.mrc.org.au/make-it/. Organise a shoot date and confirm with your cast and crew.
Location – Use your own house, backyard or garage, but if you’re using another location make sure you have secured it in writing from the owner or local council for the shoot date.
Storyboard & shot list – plan your shots. Draw diagrams or pictures to help illustrate the composition and sequences.
Schedule – Use your shot list to help organise your day efficiently. Group similar shots - it doesn’t have to be in chronological order. And give a copy of your schedule to your cast and crew.

4. Clearances
You need release forms for everyone: actors, music/artwork contributors, location and anyone else who produces content that appears in the film. Release form templates and examples download from www.dependentfilms.net.

5. Using actors
When making short films on a shoe string use friends or family. If you're a budding Tarantino you might be able to persuade a professional actor to be involved.
www.australianshortfilms.com/directory/actors
www.starnow.com.au
www.artsconnect.com.au/artists/actors

6. Equipment
Beg, borrow and be creative. Hiring equipment is an option. I particularly enjoy the Sony Z1 or the Canon XL-1s, but some domestic cameras can do the job! Use household lamps for lighting. A large sheet of white board could be a reflector. A broom stick for a boom pole. Be creative!

7. Invest in good sound
Bad sound can make a good short film unbearable. Hire a decent boom mic.
www.mrc.org.au/hire-it/catalogue

8. Feed your cast and crew
A happy cast and crew is a happy film set, and hopefully this will come across in your film. Include food in your budget: breakfast and lunch. Also snacks and drink during the shoot. Don’t forget the wrap party.

9. Post production
You don’t need an editing suite. Why not use iMovie or Movie Maker on your home computer. It’s hard to stay objective taking your own script to screen. Once you have a rough cut invite a few friends over to watch it and give you feedback. Also, watching it with others help you see it more objectively.

10. Getting your film seen
Find 5-6 filmmakers with films to screen and share the cost of hiring a cinema. Each filmmaker will invite their friends, so that's an instant audience.
Blyth Cinema Hire
www.mercurycinema.org.au/hire
Send your film to festivals. There are hundreds of film festivals worldwide waiting to screen your film.
www.mrc.org.au
www.britfilms.com/festivals (Information on more than 1300 festivals in over 80 countries with instructions on how to apply)

Add your own tips in the comments below.

Fiona Gunn from National Film and Sound Archive joins CVFF

2009-08-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Fiona Gunn from National Film and Sound Archive joins CVFF's Judging Panel.

Fiona has worked for the past four years in the areas of collection access, copyright and cinema programming at the National Film and Sound Archive which collects, preserves and provides access to Australia's historic and contemporary moving image and recorded sound culture.

For the past fifteen years, Fiona has worked in event management, administration and marketing at organisations such as Film Victoria, the Australian Film Institute, John Paxinos and Associates (with clients and organisations such as the National Screenwriters' Conference, the Australian Director's Guild and Screen Hub), the Australian Film Festival in Dublin, Queensland Cinematheque and the Brisbane International Film Festival. Her studies have included filmmaking at Griffith University - Queensland College of Art and law at Macquarie University.

National Film and Sound Archive
www.nfsa.gov.au

New logo for CVFF

2009-08-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Nahum Ziersch has kindly designed a brand new logo for CVFF. Tell us what you think in the comments.

Nahum Ziersch was born in 1977 and grew up in the Clare Valley in South Australia. From a very young age he knew he wanted to draw for a living, surrounded by very artistic parents who encouraged and nurtured his passion and saw a future for him in drawing. As a kid he would watch Astro Boy in his PJ’s, devour comics and create his own imaginative worlds, drawing crazy characters. Nahum graduated from the University of SA in 2000 with honours in Visual Communications and currently works full time as a freelance artist in Adelaide, working with both Australian and overseas clients. While his main areas of work include editorial, advertising and educational illustrations, Nahum still has a mad passion for creating quirky, expressive characters.

Greg Pulford joins CVFF

2009-08-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Greg Pulford of gp architects joins CVFF's Judging Panel.

Greg is an architect with a practice in Clare, and he has lived and worked in the Clare Valley for nearly 30 years. He is also a founding member of the Independent Arts Foundation of South Australia , Clare Valley branch, of which one of the main activities is the Film Club.

The Film Club meets once a month at Blyth Cinema, where we watch the selected film for the month, then adjourn to the Blyth pub, for a meal and lively discussion about the film.

Blyth Cinema to host inaugural Clare Valley Film Festival

2009-08-03T04:03:00.000-07:00

NAN BERRETT
29/07/2009

The red carpet will roll out in January when the Blyth Cinema becomes the hub for a biennial film festival aimed at encouraging young moviemakers to hone their skills.

The brainchild of former Clare High School student and filmmaker Chris Bishop, the festival will inspire and educate young people from the State’s regional areas in the art of film-making.

Mr Bishop, who now lives in London, said there were a number of reasons that lead him to initiate the Clare Valley Film Festival.

“I hope the festival will act as a hub for networking and supporting regional film,” he said.

The festival will host a workshop, questions and answers with industry professionals and a competition all aimed at skill development and sharing film industry knowledge.

Read the full editorial at www.northernargus.com.au

Rob George joins CVFF

2009-07-23T05:21:00.000-07:00

Rob George of Prospect Productions joins CVFF's Judging Panel.

A graduate of the University of Adelaide Rob has worked in film, TV and theatre for over 30 years. Rob’s first play, “Prompt” swept the pool at the Clare One Act Drama Festival in 1973. His other early works included the award winning stage-plays “Errol Flynn’s Great Big Adventure Book For Boys” and “Percy and Rose” and a number of successful short films made for the SAFC. In 1988 he had major success with “Captain Johnno” a children’s telemovie made with the ACTF that won an International Emmy Award. Rob also wrote the feature “Fair Game” which has recently been revived thanks to “Not Quite Hollywood”. In the early 90’s Rob wrote and produced the mini-series “The River Kings” which was a finalist at Banff. In the late 90’s Rob Wrote and produced the family feature “Selkie” and the feature “Passion” starring Barbara Hershey was adapted from his stage play. Rob moved to Melbourne in 2000 to work on long-form TV and was story editor on “Something In The Air” and “MDA” as well as script editor on “Blue Heelers”. More recently Rob was story editor on the French animated series, “The Odd Family”, co-wrote, directed and produced the documentary “Fearless” with Mark Poole and in 2008 co-wrote and produced “Lovers and Haters” a stage play about Don Dunstan for the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts.

Prospect Productions Pty Ltd, St Kilda Victoria
www.prospectfilms.com

Call for Entries!!!!

2009-07-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

Call for Entries: Clare Valley Film Festival 2010. All beginners, emerging and experienced filmmakers please send in your short films. Submission is free!

Deadline for submissions is 3 October 2009.
Please read carefully the guidelines before submitting your film.

For full details and entry forms go to http://www.clarevalleyfilmfestival.com/submit.htm

Seeta Indrani on Radio Adelaide

2009-07-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

Seeta Indrani was interviewed on Radio Adelaide's Drive Time programme by Jonathan Brown to talk about CVFF's Call for Entries and filmmaking Friday 17 July 2009.

Radio Adelaide is also a CVFF's Media Sponsor. It's exciting to have Radio Adelaide 101.5FM as a festival partner!

http://www.radio.adelaide.edu.au/