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A Film Festival Set In A Virtual World? | Independent Film Blog

FILM FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE MAY 18-15th 2012

Independentfilms.com is partnering with the Monaco Charity Film Festival to host the first film festival in a virtual world.

This will undoubtedly be a truly unique distribution experience for independent filmmakers.  Setting the festival in an online world completely accessible across multiple platforms including mobile devices will allow content to be delivered and shared like never before.

“This year we are integrating the Monaco Charity Film Festival into a virtual, 3D world accessible anywhere there is internet access. The “virtual” festival will premiere the same time as the physical festival and will cross publicize submissions from Independentfilms.com and the Monaco Charity Film Festival. “

Check out this FAQ for more information including submission info and keep checking independentfilms.com for updates.

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Short Film Interview: Behind The Smoke | Smoke Short Film Directed By Gabriel Bisset Smith | Circalit

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GABRIEL BISSET-SMITH

Recently, I posted a short film entitled ‘Smoke’ from director Gabriel Bisset-Smith.  He was kind enough to provide more insight behind the scenes.

SMOKE from Gabriel Bisset-Smith on Vimeo.

Tell me about the Circalit Screenwriting Competition you held and what led to the selection of Smoke by Stuart Curran?

The competition was for the Circalit writing community to the write a five minute short in response to my film, “Thrush”. There were over two hundred entries and I read of all them. The scripts were pretty diverse and it was really tough picking the winner but Stuart’s had everything I look for in a short. It was simple, moving and had a really cool visual concept.

What was it about the script that inspired you?

Not to be clichéd but it was basically the writing. Good characters and a lovely central idea. When I first read the script I knew it was something special. It’s a simple idea that’s easy to shoot but with a really neat twist.

What advice would you give a filmmaker looking to find a screenplay using Circalit? (Or for aspiring screenwriters in search of directors.)

Trust your instincts and have a good idea of the type of work you’re looking for. If you are looking for something in particular then get in touch with the guys at Circalit and they can put out a brief for you as well.

What inspired the look and style of the film?

The script and my director of photography Graham Turner!

Planning a film that’s told in reverse requires a unique approach. What challenges did you face during the pre-production process?

We just had to be really clear on the story and effect we wanted to have. The film is less about plot and more about conveying an emotion.

What was life like on set?

I had a great team and used actors I’ve worked with before so it was fantastic. Boring I know, but the only fight that broke out was over who wanted the last muffin.

A film like Smoke relies heavily on the execution on set but most importantly in post-production.  How did it all come together?

I edited it myself which was actually easier than you think thanks to the great script, and then my friend Gwilym Gold composed an awesome soundtrack.

What did the complete experience of making smoke teach you as a filmmaker and artist moving forward?

That you don’t need a big budget or a completed script to make an ambitious and engaging piece of work.

What’s next for Smoke?

Film festivals.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on a couple of feature films and developing some new plays. I’m also rehearsing my comedy act Guilt and Shame for next year’s Edinburgh festival.

Special thanks to Gabriel Bisset-Smith.

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iPad Links For Filmmakers, Screenwriters & Movie Lovers

The iPad has changed the way we communicate, enhanced the way we share information and represents an evolution in many forms entertainment.  Movies are no exception.  Whether your a film fan watching the latest releases or a filmmaker using the iPad’s vast library of creative tools, it’s a truly  remarkable device.

Screenwriters have access to brilliant mobile apps to craft their tales.  Illustrators can create storyboards with powerful drawing and image authoring programs.  Movies can be planned, shot, edited and shared with one device. 

Directors, Producers, Designers, Photographers, Musicians…  Artists.

With the announcement of The New iPad, Apple has raised the bar for film fans with 1080p video, an amazing new Retina display and updates to their core creative apps like iMovie and Garage Band.

iPad = Creativity

FILMMAKING

What Apple’s Announcements Mean For Film Geeks

iPad 2: Good & Bad News For Mobile Filmmakers

25 Cool Ways Filmmakers can Use an iPad

Film Makers Turn to iPad for Interactive Storytelling

7 Ways the Apple iPad will affect Filmmakers and Creatives

Movie Mount turns your iPad 2 into a serious video-making machine

Make Movies With Apple iPad

Turn Your iPad Into Filmmaking Device

iPad & Filmmaking

iPad For Filmmakers, Hopefully

iPad for Filmmaking, Day Six Report

SCREENWRITING

iPad your screenplay: FDX Reader vs. GoodReader

John August and Co. Release Final Draft Script Reader for iPad

How screenwriters will use the iPad

Screenwriting. Craft a cinematic masterpiece on the iPad

What I Do With My iPad Part 3: Read Screenplays

PRE, POST, RESOURCES & MORE

What I Do With My iPad Part 1: Storyboarding

Avid Studio takes iPad video editing to the next level

10 Great Sites for Watching Video on Your iPad

Why the iPad 2 Will Be My Mobile Video Studio

Hands On With iMovie For iPad

Apple iMovie for iPad 2

APPS & APP REVIEWS

22 Filmmaking Apps for the iPad & iPhone

8 iPad Apps for Brilliant Writing

Apps For Serious Filmmakers

Top 10 iPad Apps For Student Filmmakers

iPad App Roundup: 6 Television & Movie Apps

Apps For Cinema Artists

Apps For Making A Movie

THE ATHLETIC NERD ARTICLES

Why The iPad 2 Is The Center Of My Creative Universe

Review: Celtx for iPad

Screenwriting Stuff I Carry Around Every Day

iPad & The Screenwriter

Top 6 Apps For Movie Nerds

8mm Vintage Camera Review

FINAL THOUGHTS

I use my iPad non stop.  It’s with me wherever I go.  I read book and screenplays on the bus.  I write scripts during breaks at work.  I’m constantly connected to my websites, blogs and social media account.  I watch movies, short films and documentaries.  I create.

I guess what I’m trying to say is…  The iPad is neat.

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iPad, iPad 2 review screenwriting, filmmaking, blogging, movies, indieTwo years ago, I got my iPhone and it instantly tripled my productivity by allowing me to keep up to date on my screenwriting and blogging.  I could write anywhere I wanted and I did.  Being able to craft blog posts while riding a subway actually had me looking forward to my journey to work each day.  For the last few months, I’ve been working really hard on a ton of projects in order to begin 2012 with a clean slate.  So far, it’s looking like I’ll be able to hit my deadlines and I have my iPad 2 to thank for that.

MY NEW CREATIVE COMMAND CENTRAL

I’ve had my iPad for a little over a month now and in that time, I’ve accomplished a ton.

  • -The Athletic Nerd has a whole new design with brand new content created on the much easier WordPress for iPad app.
  • -I’ve finished all the work leading up to the launch of my brand new blog which will be online later this week.
  • -I finished editing my short film thanks to notes and shot lists I created using Apple’s Pages app.
  • -I’ve also been using Pages to create outlines and breakdowns for a number of projects I’m hoping to begin next year.
  • -I’ve written 3 brand new short screenplays during my breaks at work thanks to the awesome Celtx screenwriting app.

Check out my full review of the Celtx app here.

  • -I’ve grown accustomed to using Flipboard, Twitter, Facebook and more to increase my social reach online which helps boost traffic.
  • -A full browser experience has helped me stay up to date on all the movie news that inspires me on a daily basis.

Click here to read my Top 6 Apps For Movie News

I’ve only had the device for a month and it’s changed everything.  Let’s face it, being able to read my daily news, post a new article online and revise a new screenplay before I get out of bed each morning is a nice touch.  There are a million tiny reasons why the iPad 2 is amazing but for me, it all boils down to productivity.

My biggest fear before I purchased my iPad 2 was whether or not typing would hinder me.  I’m happy to report that after a slight adjustment period, I’m firing out posts at a decent pace and hammering out new screenplay pages.  The iPad is fast, convenient (not too mention cool) and integrated easily into my life.  From a filmmaking perspective, the iPad has a number of amazing tools I plan to take advantage of whenever I begin my next project.  Until then, I’ve been having a ton of fun messing around with iMovie, the iPad’s camera and my dog.  But beyond that there are apps for every aspect of production.

Filmmaker IQ has a great rundown of 22 fantastic apps for filmmaker.

Stick figures still count for those of us who can’t draw but still need to create storyboard.

The Athletic Nerd Screenwriting Blog

When I started discussing the need for an iPad, many people (myself included) wondered if it was just a big iPhone.  I’m here to tell you it’s absolutely true and it’s wonderful in every way.  The iPhone is still my number one source of communication but when it comes to creative outbursts, I now have a tool that has everything I need to express my thoughts and share my work.

I’ve already compiled an album of graphics and posters I’ve created.  Soon, I’ll have all my movies & trailers loaded into the device to show people.  Presentations, demonstrations and conceptual meetings will never be the same again.  Indeed, it’s only been a month but my iPad 2 has taken a firm grip on my creative routine and enhanced every aspect of it in the process.  Sometimes, you just don’t have enough time at home to finish everything you had hoped to accomplish that day.  With the iPad, I’ve been able to sneak in more and more work on road trips, breaks and any other moments when inspiration strikes.

It has truly become the center of my screenwriting, filmmaking and blogging universe.

This post was written on my iPad.

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Short films, trailers, independent film

Have you watched a short film today?

AN ALGORITHM POWERED SHORT FILM
whiteonwhite:algorithmicnoir

I stumbled across this project on Twitter.  Director Eve Sussman and Rufus Corporation created a film that literally changes every time you see it.  Project whiteonwhite:algorithmicnoir uses a series of film elements and a computer system assembles a brand new experience in real time with each viewing.  Nuts.

Here is one instance of the film:

Check out their site here.

For more check out this article.

THOUGHT OF YOU

Beautiful animated short by Ryan Woodward.

Click here for more.

BEAR

Directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada.  Fantastic special effects.

BEAR from Carlos Lopez Estrada on Vimeo.

ANA’S STORY

The story of a woman trapped in a life of drugs, abuse and prostitution.

THE WEAKER SEX

A one take short film directed by Fotis Valentzas.

SCREENWRITING LINKS

INDIES UNCHAINED | Unchained Resources: Screenwriting

MY BLANK PAGE | Enjoy the little successes along the way

EASY MOVIE MAKING | Show Don’t Tell: Visualizing Internal Conflict

Don’t forget to check out 100+ Awesome Screenwriting Websites

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