David Fincher's Kickstarter Campaign

If you thought Kickstarters & Indiegogo fundraising campaigns were only for students, guess again. David Fincher, Eric Powell and Blur Studios created a Kickstarter campaign to help fund their new comic book-turned-animated movie, The Goon. Because Hollywood isn't too keen on putting money on original ideas these days, it appears they need some help funding a feature-length story reel based on Powell's script in order to persuade Hollywood to create this film. The campaign states, "Because this movie isn't a sequel or filled with dancing animals we'll need more to bust open the gates." Check out their Kickstarter campaign here.

So far the campaign seems pretty successful. Hopefully they achieve their goal!

When raising funds for thesis, make sure to start a Kickstarter or Indiegogo. They're free and may help you out significantly!

Looper Pre-Visualization

Like the pitch video for a Halloween remake that was posted a few weeks ago, here goes another pitch video - this time for Looper, before it became the film that plays in theaters now. It's interesting to see the process of a successful film being made, especially in its earliest stages. Check it out below.



When preparing to shoot your thesis film, it's important to visualize the look and tone of your film. Borrow visual aides from other films, drawings, photos, and anything that might help serve as a blueprint for both you and your crew during pre-production.

Fountainhead Project

Here is an example of promotion for your portfolio. Earlier last quarter, I wrote and directed a short scene in our sound stage. I did what all of you guys do for Directing the Actor - took a scene from a book / movie, rehearsed with my actors, then recorded the scene in our set. This video is what I showed at Alpha Channel this past September. This version is not quite finished, however I wanted to share this with you to demonstrate what you can accomplish with the resources you have. The crew were all alumni from the program. The equipment and location were done on campus. Click on the link below to see the film, if you missed Alpha Channel. Enjoy! - Eve

http://foutainheadproject.tumblr.com/

Michael Myers takes Driving Lessons

* WARNING - This video has graphic blood and gore, however it's hilarious. If you are squeamish, skip this one. Happy Halloween!

DFM Halloween Party!

Bring your best film/TV costume and your party shoes to the DFM Halloween Party on October 26th (5 - 8pm)!

 

The party will be held on the 2nd Floor (Cage, TV studio, and various hallways). Get your free ticket at the Cage. You MUST be dressed as a film/ TV character in order to attend. Music and refreshments will be provided! We will also be raffling off various prizes - don't miss out!

Alpha Channel Friday Screening

Thanks to the alumni, faculty, and staff that participated in the Alpha Channel Screening on Friday! Here are some picks from the show. Also, special thanks to Ryo, Ian, Melanie, Kallie and Josh who attended to support the students. Thank you!

Not All Movies Make It

As filmmakers we experience several road bumps along the way, and sometimes that road bump is getting the film made in the first place. SlashFilm posted a pitch video for a proposed Halloween remake by head Storyboard Artist and Animatics Supervisor at Marvel Studios, Federico D'Alessandro. Unfortunately, his proposal was turned down in favor of Rob Zombie's version on the horror classic. Check out D'Alessandro's amazing animatic short below:



Even Paul Thomas Anderson's new film, The Master, almost didn't make it off the ground. Anderson, an Oscar award nominated director, experienced trouble getting a studio to pick up his latest film. But luckily, the daughter of a multibillionaire CEO, Megan Ellison, decided to try her hand at producing movies that were considered "commercially challenging" and picked up Anderson's film. If the thought of a great director like Anderson experiencing trouble getting his film made isn't staggering enough for you, Orson Welles once faced the same trouble - and lost. Welles, arguably the best director of all time, once had an idea for a half-animated, half-live action adaptation of classic childrens book, The Little Prince. Unfortunately, after a rumored meeting between Welles, Walt Disney and his staff went awry, Disney refused to participate. Welles went off to do other projects and the film adaptation of The Little Prince never materialized.

Although a great story and creativity are the major driving forces behind a film, sometimes even those elements can fall short of getting the actual film made. Meeting the right people at the right time is a big factor, which is why networking can be as important to filmmaking as the story itself.

Short films > Feature films?

There's an interesting article on Hollywood and its lack of original story lines in feature films. This is explained quite simply; movies cost a lot of money to make, and studios don't like taking a gamble on a new idea. Thus, we're left with a constant stream of sequels and adaptations.

But what about new ideas and where do they fit in? This is where short films come in. Short films provide a different medium with more artistic freedom to tell a story.  Like the article points out, directors such as Spike Jonze and Chris Milk are experimenting with short films and trying out new ideas that perhaps would not be possible to do with a feature film. A quote by Jane Campion comes to mind - "..Short films are not inferior, just different. I think the short gives a freedom to filmmakers. What's appealing is that you don't have as much responsibility for storytelling and plot. They can be more like a portrait, or a poem. The great thing is that almost everyone ends up doing something creative with them, even those directors who then go on to make quite boring features."

Although most of us dream of making a feature film one day, maybe we should change our feelings on what many of us perceive as a limitation and embrace the short film. Someone once told me that true artistic freedom lies in film school; you're free to dream up any idea and make it on your own terms. Make your short film with that in mind and chances are that short will be more creative and original than what you see on the big screen.

Alpha Channel - The Photos

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the student screening last night! Special thanks to Ryo, Roz, and Josh for lending their support by being present for the students and their work. Nice to see some alumni came out for the event as well. I hope you all enjoyed the new space! See ya all on Friday for the Alumni/Faculty/Staff Screening!

Enter Your Short Film to Shorts Showcase!

Here's a chance for your short film to play on PBS!

Shorts Showcase is broadcasted on PBS into 18 million homes in Southern California. The show offers student filmmakers a venue to be seen by other film enthusiasts, producers, directors, etc. Their website, ShortsShowcase.com is known throughout the industry as the "24/7 Film Festival". A new short will be shown every week on PBS and daily at ShortsShowcase.com. The film that gets the most votes each month wins a prize and the top films of the year will be screened at their Awards Ceremony in April 20143. The submission deadline is September 30th.

Here is an interview with the Polish Brothers - a must-see for any filmmaker and s sampling of their benefits Shorts Showcase has to offer you:


Don't miss up on this! Fill out a submission form here.

Faculty/Alumni/Staff Screening

Friday Sept 21st is the Faculty/Alumni/Staff Screening. Students are welcome to get tickets! See what your instructors are making! - Click to the right for tickets

Below is the program.
Eve Okupniak - The Fountainhead
Zardon Richardson - Chief
Ian Fischer - Magritte Moment
Chris Conway - Carpool
More Alumni Submission to be confirmed! The post will be updated in the next few days!

Talk with Roger Deakins going digital.

This is a MUST WATCH for Cinematographers. Here is part two - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lh69p5g13Q&feature=relmfu

DFM Department Meetings

Attention all DFM faculty and students! We will be having DFM department meetings throughout next week (week 11)

Ask your instructors for details.