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

WELCOME TO METRO SCREEN'S WEEKLY eNews – 13 March, 2008


Congratulations to Metro Screen’s filmmakers on their successes, see below >>

Discounted members tickets to the Michael Hauge event, see below >>

Jump Start final funding round now open, 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:
LUCI TEMPLE (Mentorship recipient)
How did you become involved in Metro Screen?
I first joined Metro Screen because I'd been to a few industry talks hosted by Metro Screen, and noticed that with membership came a free script consultation. I figured it was a good way to get professional advice at an affordable price. Since then I've continued to make use of events, the eNews is essential reading, did a Digital Micro Movie course, and made a short film earlier this year through the Raw Nerve initiative.

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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INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING [BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE]
Starts April 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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PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT [BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE]
Starts May 3
This accredited, in-depth course will demystify the role of a Production Manager, providing you with the confidence and skills to run any scale of production. Learn how to manage all aspects of a shoot including budgets and expenses, call sheets, schedules, contracts and awards. Participants receive comprehensive course notes and production templates.

Tutor: Heather Oxenham. With over twenty years of experience on both commercial and independent productions, Heather’s credits include Erskineville Kings, Kiss or Kill, Floating Life and Sebastian and the Sparrow. Sexy Thing, produced by Heather, was in the official selection for competition at Cannes Film Festival 2006.

Accredited training 6 x Sat [Day] | 36hrs | 03/05 – 07/06 | $570 / $670 non-members | 15 places

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SOUND RECORDING [BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE]
Starts May 3
Learn how to operate sound recording equipment to ensure quality sound on set or location and eliminate errors during the shoot. Using broadcast quality sound equipment, you will participate in practical exercises, recording sound in a variety of environments. Discuss the sound problems encountered by filmmakers and sound recordists and the best ways to tackle them.

Accredited training 2 x Sat [Day] 12hrs | 03/05 – 10/05 | $395 / $465 non-members | 12 places

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FINAL CUT PRO FUNDAMENTALS [BEGINNER]
Starts May 3
Taught by an Apple Certified trainer and following Apple’s ‘Pro’ training syllabus, this course is designed for beginners looking to edit professional quality video using Final Cut Pro 6. Learn to perform basic editing functions while familiarising yourself with the user interface. Topics include basic setup, adjusting and customising preferences and settings, capturing video and audio, various editing and trimming techniques, audio editing, finishing and final output, as well as more advanced functions such as filters and motion tools.

Special Feature: Fees include an Apple FCP 6 course manual valued at $74.95.
Non-accredited training 3 x Sat [Day] 18hrs | 03/05 – 17/05 | $590 / $695 non-members | 15 places

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YOUNG FILMMAKERS APRIL WORKSHOPS
Starts April 16

Metro Screen Young Filmmakers
April workshops run from the 16th to the 18th.

We’ve revamped our school holiday program to focus more on core filmmaking. This means Metro Screen Young Filmmakers will be tutored by highly qualified young industry professionals in a fun, yet skills directed environment. AND receive a Certificate of Competency outlining the skills they’ve attained in the Young Filmmakers Workshops.

Workshop A: focusing on production and directing skills.
Workshop B: focusing on screenwriting and postproduction skills.

Wed, Thur + Fri |10am – 4pm | 16/04 – 18/04 | $295
For full course details and to enrol please contact Metro Screen.

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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
This is a complimentary event

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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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METRO SCREEN’S SUBSIDY FUND JUMP START
Final Round for 2008
Applications close for this round June 6.
Offering $45,000 in subsidy to film and screen productions in NSW annually. Jump Start can provide you with subsidised access to reliable, sort after equipment, current technical facilities and production support.

Applying:
• Applicants must download documents from the Metro Screen website   http://www.metroscreen.com.au/jumpstart.html
• Must be current Metro Screen members $60 or $40 concession for 12 mths.

For more information please contact Metro Screen’s Project Manager David Opitz on 02 9361 5318 or d.opitz@metroscreen.org.au or check out the Metro Screen website at http://www.metroscreen.org.au

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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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CREW WANTED
Paid Work
A Professional crew is wanted for a short film to be shot in either mid-April or the start of May 2008 (TBC). This will be a four day shoot. Crew needed are, DOP, Lighting, A Production Designer and Decorator, Continuity Girl, Costume Designer, Props Handler, Boom Swinger and Fight Chorographer.

This is a low budget project, but there are some financial reimbursements attached to different departments and crew roles. Please email myself your interest and CV.

Contact: Mark Zimmerman
Email: marzimmerman@hotmail.com
Mobile: 0409 715 797

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SHOOT THE PLAYER
Bloggers Wanted
“Shoot The Player” is an online music video project. We are looking to turn www.shoottheplayer.com into a good-looking interactive, dynamic word press blog. Can you make a blog that doesn’t look like a blog? We’ve started the process but our skills are limited. Get in touch if you want to be part of exciting new online film exhibition forum and you know about word press and blogging. We value your skills & will pay. Nerds, don’t be shy!

Contact: Amelia Tovey
Mobile: 0404 563 082
Email: aatovey@gmail.com
Website: www.shoottheplayer.com

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CAST AND CREW CALL
Rima
Cast and crew are required for shoot 19, 20, 26, 27 April. “Rima” is a 10-minute short film about a young woman whose career and greatest passion is creating art on cars. Despite a constant struggle to earn recognition for her talents in a traditionally male dominated sexist industry. Rima’s greatest challenge so far, is dealing with the idea of family betrayal.

Contact: Judex
Mobile: 0413 458 019
Email: judex@judex.com.au

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FREELANCE PRODUCTION STAFF
The Weather Channel
We are seeking Producers, Production Assistants and Technical Directors to undertake freelance work from end of March through to end of June. “The Weather Channel” is Australia’s only 24/7 television channel dedicated to delivering weather information on demand via its digital service ‘Weather Active’ as well as providing added value via its liner broadcast. The Weather Channel is owned by XYZnetworks and is broadcast on the Foxtel, Austar and Optus subscription television platforms.

Please send your CV if you are interested.

Contact: Patty Bianco
Phone: 02 9956 6222
Email: pattyb@weatherchannel.com.au

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NAFA SHOW FEST 2008

HD & 35mm projection at Show Fest 2008
Entry Form and full terms: www.nafa.net.au/festivals
See the second page of the entry form for full technical requirements

Entry Deadline: 24 March 2008
Festival Date: 28 April 2008

Time: 6.00pm to 8.45pm
Location: Greater Union Cinemas, Westfield Bondi Junction

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LATIN FILM FESTIVAL
Ends 16 March
Check out the latest offering of features and documentaries from deep in the Amazon Rainforest to the high altiplanos of the Andes. In its third year with 6 international guests, discussions and master classes over 10 days in Paddington and Western Sydney. Tickets are available now through Moshtix. All Eastside arts sessions are only $5. The Sydney Latin American Film Festival is a non profit organisation that raises funds for projects in Australia and across Latin America.

For full programme and more information visit: www.sydneylatinofilmfestival.org

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MICHAEL HAUGE
Story Mastery Seminar Tour
Michael Hauge is generally regarded as one of the best, if not the best, script consultants working in Hollywood today. He is author of Writing Screenplays that Sell, and has spent the past 20 years as an expert advisor on writing and story structure who consults on projects for Warner Bros., Paramount, Disney, Columbia, New Line, Joel Silver Prods, CBS and Lifetime, Morgan Freeman, Val Kilmer, Robert Downey Jr and Julia Roberts to name a few.

When: 17 May 2008
Where: The Chauvel Cinema, Paddington
Cost: $195, $150 Metro Screen members

Bookings & Info: www.epiphany.com.au
Telephone: 9572 7222

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FILM PREMIERE SCREENING
14 March
In 2004, US Pharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences, the University of California ,the University of New South Wales & the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation were involved in setting up a drug trial on 960 sex workers in Cambodia. This is the sex workers story. Bring blankets and cushions for outdoor screening (rain venue on Centre) Catch 428 bus from Central Bus Station or Newtown Station, plenty of parking.
From 6.30pm BBQ (Vegetarians catered).

When: Friday 14 March
Time: 7.30pm
Where: Addison Rd Centre, 142 Addison Rd Marrickville, grassy area behind great hall.
Information: 9564 1277

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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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MENTORSHIP SUCCESS
St Kilda Film Festival
Films produced through the 2007 Multicultural mentorship and Raw Nerve mentorship programs have been selected for competition at this years St Kilda Film Festival and the South African International Film Festival.

‘Pigeon Men’ by Marryanne Christodoulou made through the Multicultural Mentorship program [in St Kilda]. A group of men obsesses with the sport of pigeon-flying take us into their strange world.

‘Aunty Beetlenut’ by Natasha Henry made through the Multicultural Mentorship program [in St Kilda]. A diverse group of Papua New Guinean women gather to partake in a timeless ritual.

‘Beneath The Tides’ by Jacqueline Archer made through the Raw Nerve mentorship program. [in St Kilda and the South African Film Festival]. A woman on the brink of giving up decides the conclusion to her fate-ridden tale.

If you can’t get down to Melbourne for the festival there’s no need to worry, as Metro Screen will be hosting a screening of the films made through the Multicultural mentorship program in early April in Sydney.

For more information on the Multicultural Mentorship and Raw Nerve program please contact Metro Screen on 02 9356 1818 or metro@metroscreen.org.au | http://www.metroscreen.org.au

Metro Screen congratulates its latest filmmakers.

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