Tell Your Story | Training, Equipment + Production Support for Filmmakers

WELCOME TO METRO SCREEN'S WEEKLY eNews – 06 March, 2008


Congratulations to all those who attended the Speed Networking event last Tuesday, we hope it spawns many new projects

New course in Creative 3D and CGI announced, see below >>

Pitch for your share of $15,000 in kind funding, apps close Mar 28 see below >>

SCRIPT EDITOR/PRODUCER CONSULTANT
Meet with Professionals about your Project
Metro Screen offers you the opportunity to have your scripts and treatments assessed by industry professionals. Choose between a script editor and producer for a one hour or longer face-to-face meeting about your next project.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to be given sound advice on what does and doesn’t work. Gain tips, insider knowledge and give your next project the best chance of achieving success whether it’s a short documentary or a feature film.

For costs and eligibility contact us on 02 9356 1818 or email metro@metroscreen.org.au or http://www.metroscreen.org.au/projDevServ.html

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METRO SCREEN PEOPLE
Tutors, Mentors and Filmmakers
Metro Screen has added a few new pages to its website for your enjoyment. We have a Metro Screen People page and a Metro Screen tutor page both clickable from the right coloum on the home page.

These pages give an insight into the array of talented people who make up the Metro Screen filmmaking community.

Highlight from these pages:
DONNA CHANG (Mentorship recipient)
What has been your highlight so far at Metro Screen?
The support from my mentor, Sam Jennings, and the Metro Screen Project Manager, David Opitz, was incredible during the process of making 'Glory'. Their advice and knowledge I found invaluable, especially when trying to wade through the often intractable swamp that is low budget filmmaking!

People http://www.metroscreen.org.au/profiles02.html
Tutors http://www.metroscreen.org.au/profiles.html

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METRO SCREEN NETWORK PITCHING SESSION
Apply to Pitch before March 28
Pitch your way to $3,500, $2,500 or $1,500 worth of credit to Metro Screen’s equipment and resources. Make a five minute pitch to our Network members, persuading them to support your vision!

There are a maximum of FIVE pitching places, so get in quick. Three films are already in production from the first pitching session in February this year.

For the pitching submission form and terms & conditions please contact the Network Coordinator, Michael Chrisoulakis on network@metroscreen.org.au

To book your place in the audience contact metro@metroscreen.org.au

Event: Tuesday, April 1st, 6.30pm – 8pm.
Location: Metro Screen, Paddington Town Hall, Cnr Oxford St + Oatley Rd, Paddington

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INDIGENOUS TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Apply for a short course today
The Indigenous Media Training Scholarship offers Indigenous people in NSW the opportunity to apply for a free place on a Metro Screen training course. The Scholarship is funded by the NSW Film and Television Office.

Before applying for the Scholarship, you will need to decide which course you wish to participate in. Metro Screen has a wide variety of short courses for everyone from beginners to working professionals.

If you would like advice on which course is best for you or more information contact our Training Department on 02 9361 5318 or email training@metroscreen.org.au or http://www.metroscreen.org.au/training.html and click Scholarships on the left side menu.

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DIGITAL MICRO MOVIE [BEGINNER]
Starts March 7
Kick start your filmmaking career with this intensive, hands-on introduction to all elements of production. Make a short drama in 15 hours from initial idea to final film. In groups, you will script and storyboard your ideas, shoot using our broadcast-quality digital cameras, then edit your work in our Final Cut Pro 6 edit suites. All participants will rotate through key crew roles while learning basic screen language, lighting and sound techniques.

Special Feature: Participants will receive a DVD of all productions made.
Non accredited training Fri [Eve] + Sat & Sun [Day] 15hrs | 07/03 – 09/03 | $495 / $575 non-members | 12 places

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SONY ONE DAY CAMERA COURSE [BEGINNER]
Starts March 15
Learn key camera operations and functions, including framing, exposure, white balance and focus as well as camera handling techniques, lighting techniques and an overview of the High Definition format. An excellent introduction to camera operation, this course is the first stepping stone to becoming a skilled cinematographer or shooting your own short films.

Non accredited training 1 x Sat [Day] 6hrs ] | 15/03 or 28/06 | $220 / $260 non-members | 12 places

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INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING [BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE]
Starts March 3
Learn the essential skills required for screenwriting. Develop an understanding of effective storytelling, dialogue and industry standard formatting. Learn how to hone your story concept into work that is compelling and unique. Develop solid techniques to help with characterisation and discuss genre and plot types to help improve your work. Throughout the course participants are encouraged to present their story ideas, which are discussed and developed in class.

Non accredited training 6 x Thu [Eve] 18hrs | 03/04 – 08/05 | $341 / $400 non-members | 15 places

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DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION PATHWAYS [OPEN TO ALL]
Starts April 8
Do you have a good idea for a doco but don’t know where to start? Develop your understanding of documentary production pathways; from the initial research and development phase right through to marketing and distribution. This course will help you hone your documentary ideas, focusing on both creative and practical aspects of documentary filmmaking, including storytelling techniques as well as preproduction planning.

Non accredited training 5 x Tue [Eve] 15hrs | 08/04 – 06/05 | $325 / $385 non-members | 15 places

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CREATIVE 3D AND CGI [OPEN TO ALL]
Starts April 12
Engage with the concepts and techniques involved in the creation of 3D computer graphics and CGI. Where once virtual sets, 3D graphics and virtual cameras were relegated to being ’special fx’ they are now very much mainstream production tools used in all manner of cinematic media – film, TV, new media, animated, live-action and documentary. This course will give students hands-on practice creating 3D graphics and engaging with the possibilities of CGI, providing the opportunity to consider the broad range of possibilities for future projects.

Non accredited 2 x Sat [Day] 15hrs | 12/04 – 19/04 | $250 / $295 non-members | 15 places
Location: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo

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SONY HVR Z1P HDV CAMERA
This camera records HDV, DVCAM and DV in both PAL and NTSC. Footage shot in HDV can also be directly down converted to SD from the camera, allowing backwards compatibility to the standard definition DV environment. With 3x 1/3inch 1080iSuper HAD CCDs [16:9], a Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar “T” lens and 2 XLR inputs which can be independently operated at mic or line level.

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STUDIO SPACES
Sound stage dimensions: 8.5 x 10mW x 4mH, chroma key green cyclorama, three phase power [30A] black curtains, air conditioning. 6 x 4K soft lights on lighting grid, risers, sandbags, c-stands, flats also available, blondie lights available for studio $20 each per day, green room, kitchen and make-up facilities available.

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G5 FINAL CUT PRO EDITING
Quad 2.5Ghz Power PC G5 offering terabyte storage options and choice of HDV/10bit SDI or component input and output. This suite can be hired with a HVR 10U HDV edit deck to facilitate HDV editing or talk to facilities staff about arranging other formats such as Sp Beta, DVCam, DVC Pro or Digi Beta. Available 24hrs a day, equipped with kitchen and bathroom facilities.

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METRO SCREEN EDIT CAFÉ
Metro Screen offers an economic editing solution with our “Edit Café”. Catering for competent editors, with their own storage and cameras who just need a G5 iMac station equipped with Final Cut Pro Studio to continue their project.

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NEW MEDIA SERVICES
Metro Screen’s experienced facilities staff offer a range of specialist new media services such as digitising to external hard disc, digital file transfer to tape, DVD authoring, video file compression and stills captured from video. Metro Screen can also encode your media for delivery on multiple platforms including web streaming, PowerPoint, mobile phones, iPod, DVD, CD, tape, MPEG or QuickTime in PAL or NTSC. This will allow you to post your media on your own website or on one of the many free sites such as YouTube or MySpace, or send your media via email, mobile phone or iPod, author a DVD or simply archive to tape.

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COMPLETE SERVICE
From concept through to completion, including scripting, shooting, post production and delivery of your promotional media or re-style and diversify your existing footage by updating the content of existing footage with new graphics, stills, voice-overs and music or convert your existing footage to new formats. Provide services for DIY through professional gear and postproduction facilities to produce your own promotional media.

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SCREENING OF NEW INDIGENOUS FILMS
Lester Bostock Indigenous Mentorship
For the last year four filmmakers have worked with industry mentors to produce new films.
Metro Screen is hosting a complimentary screening of these works.

Each filmmaker is provided with equipment, post-production facilities a $2,000 budget and an industry mentor.

Films screening include:
"Blind Date" by Rowena Lawrie. Mentor: Samantha Saunders
"Kick it to Me" by Melodie-Jane Gibson. Mentor: Catriona McKenzie
"Flowerboy" by Daniel Randal. Mentor: Dean Francis
"Who are You?" by Mark Macmillian. Mentor: Alec Morgan

When: March 25, 5pm – 6pm
Where: Chauvel Cinema, Paddington Town Hall

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VIEW SHORT WORKS FOR YOUR MOBILE
Sydney Songlines Workshop
Metro Screen and the City of Sydney

Participants were asked:
What makes a city is its people. What gives a city life are the people who’s daily adventures, horrors, love’s and history are played out amongst its architecture and natural features.

Participants mapped their personal experiences and relationships in and with the city.
Download their films, put them onto your mobile or watch them online http://www.metroscreen.org.au/digiContent.html

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JOY’S WORLD
TVS Sydney
Volunteers are required to digitise old VHS tapes into electronic files and an editor with experience in Adobe Premiere 2.0 is needed to edit “Joys World”, a TVS half hour variety program at least once a week.

Please send your CV if you are interested.

Contact: Joy Hruby
Telephone: 9666 8287
Email: me@joysworld.biz

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OFFICE ASSISTANT
Paid Work
We are seeking an Office Assistant to help with our database maintenance, filing of location info, keeping our office organised (stationary orders, updating files etc.) and on occasion photographing potential locations. The position is mainly office based, however would suit someone with own car as driving can be required when looking for new locations. The position will initially be 25 hours per week (hours negotiable) with the opportunity to work more and learn more in busy periods. Would suit Film and/or Photography student.

Please email your cv with a covering letter by Friday 7th March. 5pm

Contact: Daniella Watson
Email: daniella@viewfinderlocations.com.au

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VIDEO PORTRAITS
Participants Required
In association with the Japan Foundation I will be presenting an exhibition of new video works for a 3 & a half week gallery season in May. One of these works will be a series of video portraits called "Saving Face". It will be set up very much like a photographic portrait except it will be video. My goal is to get a wide cross section of the community from the very young to the elderly and all nationalities.

I will provide each person with a copy of their portrait to use as they wish.

Contact: Peter Humble
Mobile: 0422 933 171
Email: peterhumble@optusnet.com.au
Website: www.jpf.org.au/02_events/facetnate/index.html

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CREW CALL
AD’s Required
AD required on no budget (at the moment) feature film. Shooting in July. Possibly a few scenes shot in April. Probably involving surreptitious shooting in public places and heaps of pre-production work.

Also 2nd AD needed to assist the overworked 1st AD and possibly 3rd AD to assist the 2nd. A daunting task but one that would be worthwhile if we can pull it off.

Contact: Nick Forster
Mobile: 0405 039 453
Email: dandiprawn@hotmail.com

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FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
DigiSPAA
“DigiSPAA” is a digital feature film competition presented by The Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA). The winner, who will be announced at the SPAA Conference in November, will receive a $15,000 cash prize and $20,000 worth of post production sponsored by Movie Network Channel plus a guaranteed screening on the Movie Extra channel. On top of this, the winner also receives a 1 year subscription to the Movie Network and return airfare and free registration to the prestigious CineMart International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Entries open: 18 March 2008
Deadline: 19 September 2008
Website: www.spaa.org.au

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ENHANCE TV ATOM Awards
Call for Entry
The “EnhanceTV ATOM Awards” are at the forefront of the development of Australian screen culture, with particular emphasis on documentary, new media, short film and educational/vocational productions. Schools are encouraged to enter projects and showcase the skills and talents of their students. Producers are encouraged to enter the awards to gain high profile exposure for their projects; for both it is an opportunity to further media-making careers through networking and relationship building with like-minded practitioners at the Awards ceremony.

Entry Deadline: 10th June 2008 at 12 noon
Entry forms can be downloaded at: www.atomawards.org

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EYEWORKS IDEAS INITIATIVE
Deadline 31 March
“Eyeworks” is a leading television and film production company with offices in 11 countries. Recently “Eyeworks” Australia opened in Sydney and is now opening its doors to Australian producers with fresh television program ideas. EWA is currently accepting submissions for reality, comedy, factual and entertainment television programs. Successful submissions will be optioned and further developed by EWA, then pitched to Australian and International networks.

Deadline: 31 March 2008
For more information visit: www.eyeworkstouchdown.com
Telephone: 9555 1695

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ARTSHUB VIDEO CONTEST
Deadline 30 April
This is your chance to win a brand new Ipod Touch and the chance to gain exposure for you and your work by it being seen by over 13,000 Arts Hub member subscribers and nearly 400 affiliated Arts industry businesses, organisations and institutions. Make a 3 minute or less video short about something you find great about Arts Hub, how you found your dream job through us, or how the site has helped you as a creative industry job seeker. This can be animation or anything diverse that you can think of.

Deadline: 30 April
Website: http://tinyurl.com/2q88m5

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SHORT FILM COMPETITON
Deadline 31 March
Do you want the chance to get a short film broadcast to a national audience on triple j tv? The Inaugural nation-wide triple j tv with The “Doctor Blink And You Miss It” Film Festival is calling for entries. Films can be any genre and any subject matter with the only requirements being they must be G rated and exactly one minute long (no more, no less).

Website: www.abc.net.au/triplej/tv/comps/blink.htm

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DEATH DEFYING ACTS
Directed by Gillian Armstrong
When famous escape artist Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) arrives in Edinburgh and offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave, a beautiful but deceptive psychic (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and her young ‘sidekick’ daughter (Academy Award nominee for Atonement, Saoirse Ronan) take the challenge. As Houdini spends time with this mysterious woman, he is beguiled by her charms, and what begins as a con evolves into a far more complicated and dangerous affair.

Releasing March 13, 2008
View the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sowjvln82TA

To win a double in-season pass simply email Katrina on k.beck@metroscreen.org.au with ACTS in the subject and be sure to include your full name and member number.

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BOO HOO FILMS LAUNCH
10 March
Come and celebrate the launch of “Boo Hoo Films” for 2008. Screening local and independent productions. Light refreshments will also be provided.
RSVP by Friday 7 March

When: Monday 10 March
Time: 7.30pm
Where: Madame Fling Flongs, Level 1, 169 King Street, Newtown (Above Soni’s Nwtown)

Email: enquiries@boohoofilms.com.au
Mobile: Cass 0410 513 176
Mobile: Matt 0432 213 785

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ARTSLAW WEEK SYDNEY
FREE Seminars and Workshops
The Arts Law Centre of Australia with the support of the City of Sydney is presenting a series of free seminars and workshops for Sydney based artists, arts organisations and other creative people.

Featured seminars include:
• Running Your Arts Business: copyright and protecting your name
• Legal issues for filmmakers
• Arts and technology: what you can and can’t do!
• Freedom of expression
• Intellectual property for community and not for profit organisations

Most sessions will be held at the Rex Centre (Kings Cross), and are free.

When: 31 March to 5 April

Website: www.artslaw.com.au
Email: artslaw@artslaw.com.au
Phone: 9356 2566

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WIFTI
International Short Film Showcase
Presented by WIFT NSW this is Australia’s exclusive screening of the “International Short Film Showcase” featuring nine outstanding short films which will screen in twenty WIFT Chapters around the globe to celebrate International Women's Day on 7th March. Together, the nine short films finalists in the Showcase have garnered over fifty international awards.

For Bookings contact: wowfilmfestival@nsw.wift.org
Phone: 0402 246 601
Further information: www.nsw.wift.org/wow

To win a double pass to this sure to be excellent event please email Katrina on k.beck@metroscreen.org.au with WIFT in the subject. Please be sure to include your full name and membership number.

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POPCORN TAXI
Lars and the Real Girl
Popcorn Taxi presents this exclusive first look at Toronto Film Festival favourite “Lars and the Real Girl”, a quirky and heartfelt comedy written by Oscar nominated scribe Nancy Oliver and starring Academy Award nominated Ryan Gosling as Lars Lindstrom, a loveable introvert whose emotional baggage has kept him from fully embracing life. The event includes Q&A with Director Craig Gillespie.

For more information on the event visit: www.popcorntaxi.com.au

When: Wednesday 12th March 2008
Time: 7.00pm
Where: Greater Union Cinema, Bondi Junction
Address: Level 6, 500 Oxford Street, Westfield Bondi Junction
Rated: M
Cost: $18 / $15 Concession and Metro Screen Members

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KINO 11
17 March
Kino 11 invites all filmmakers to bring their newest projects along and screen them to our always enthusiastic audience. If it’s your month off, come along, see what it is all about and cheer on the others. It’s always bound to be all sorts of fun and you can always take on a challenge film. For more info or to register a film, contact us now. The event includes films, home-made food, music and live entertainment.

When: Monday 17th March
Where: Chalkhorse Gallery, 56 Cooper Street, Surry Hills
Time: 6.30pm
Entry: $10, free for filmmakers

Email: kino@thefestivalists.com
Telephone: 9281 5608

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THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE
Giveaway for Wednesday 12th March
Martin McDonagh's pitch-black, blood-spattered comedies of the grotesque, set in rural Ireland, have won him a reputation as the Anglo-Irish version of Quentin Tarantino and in 2006 he won an Academy Award for "Six Shooter" (Best Live Action Short Film).“The Beauty Queen Of Leenane” is as dark and twisted as the very bogs of Galway. A wickedly funny domestic drama with a stunning conclusion.

March 6th to March 15th, Seymour Centre Downstairs Theatre at 8pm.

Directed: by Maeliosa Stafford
Featuring: Maggie Blinco, Sandra Stockley, Michael Gupta & Patrick Connolly

To win a double pass please email Katrina at k.beck@metroscreen.org.au with QUEEN in the subject and be sure to include your full name and membership number

www.wildfiretheatre.com

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DVCPRO CAMERA
AJD 200 DVCPro Camera DVC Pro 25 Camcorder utilizing 3 FIT 1/3\\ chips to attain a 500 line resolution picture. Signal to noise is 60db or better. A choice of 8 shutter speeds and 6 gain selections permit the operator to work in a variety of lighting conditions. Comes with base plate and beaten metal hard case.
PRICE: $1000
Metro Screen | Call 02 9356 1818 and speak with Ian Andrews or Ingrid Rowell 9am – 5pm

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LENS
T14 x 5.5 Fujinon lens, to suit 1/3” CCD
PRICE: $1500
Metro Screen | Call 02 9356 1818 and speak with Ian Andrews or Ingrid Rowell 9am – 5pm

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DVCPRO DECK
AJD 650 DVCPro 25 Deck component i/o, TC i/o, 48Khz Balanced audio i/o, Supports DVC Pro 25 record/playback and DV/DVCam playback, RS422 control.
PRICE: $2000
Metro Screen | Call 02 9356 1818 and speak with Ian Andrews or Ingrid Rowell 9am – 5pm

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BEYER DYNAMIC MICROPHONE
The MCE 86 N(C)S Beyer dynamic "short" shotgun condenser microphone designed for the rigors of studio and on-location video and film production, The MCE 86 N(C)S has a balanced XLR-style connector (hypercardioid) pickup pattern, equipped with a XLR-style connector, which means that you can use long cable throws without fear of increasing the noise. Comes with cradle with 1/4” thread for attachment onto boom pole.
PRICE: $300
Metro Screen | Call 02 9356 1818 and speak with Ian Andrews or Ingrid Rowell 9am – 5pm

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POWER MACS
G3 400 various ram configurations $100 ono
Metro Screen | Call 02 9356 1818 and speak with Ian Andrews or Ingrid Rowell 9am – 5pm

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SONY A1PHDV CAMCORDER
For Sale
SONY A1PHDV Camcorder for sale. $2800 including professional light, monopod, batteries and charger and hard case.

Sony A1PHDV Camcorder with 3 batteries, charger, Manfrotto Monopod, HVL-20DMA dual Sony light and hard carry case. 1.5 years old. Total value $4500.00. Will sell for $2800.00

Features:
CMOS based
3-megapixel sensor
Wide-screen Hybrid LCD monitor
Balanced audio, XLR inputs x 2, SMPTE timecode
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T Lens
Format HDV, DVCAM and DV (4:3 or 16:9)
On-board down conversion to output SD or HD
Still image capture
On-screen histogram

Contact: Kristy Brown
Mobile: 0405 618 080
Email: redonbrown@hotmail.com

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MY QUEER CAREER
Winners
The 15th Mardi Gras Film Festival presented by Queer Screen has opened for another year with over 1,000 people filling the City Recital Hall for the Official launch.

Sophie Hyde’s "My Last Ten Hours With You" won the award for Best Film in the My Queer Career short film competition, and the prize was presented by SBS’s Anton Enus. The film plays out the final night of Mark and Jeremy’s relationship as they struggle to find a way to say goodbye, and stars Joel McIlroy and Toby Schmitz.

Craig Boreham’s coming-of-age gay vampyric tale "Love Bite" won the I.Q. award (Independent Queer Film-maker).

Congratulations to Craig Boreham Mtero Screen’s Facilities Coordinator
www.queerscreen.com.au

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