NEWSLETTER, April 2012 Edition

Hi there!

Check out our summer courses.

Spring and Summer Filmmaking Classes

Spring/Summer Filmmaking classes at Hart House are now on sale.

Writing, Directing, Editing, Hands-on Exercises, Lights, Camera, Sound.

Everything you need to get started as a filmmaker.

Register: Details and registration at www.harthouse.ca/classes. You can also register in person at the Hart House HUB.

NSI Online Short Film Festival

Short filmmakers: you could win up to $4,500 in prize money through the National Screen Institute’s Online Short Film Festival. Film submissions are being accepted until Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 4:30pm CT.

Get submission details

The NSI Online Short Film Festival is a year-round 100% Canadian short film showcase with new films uploaded every week.

Films that meet award criteria are eligible for the $2,500 Shaw Media Fearless Female Director Award; $1,250 A&E Short Filmmakers Award; and the $750 Bite Comedy Award. Read more about the awards.

Following each call for films, entries are considered by a jury. Awards are presented four times a year.

Films must not be longer than 30 minutes. The shorter the better. Drama, comedy, animation, short documentaries, sci-fi, horror, music video and experimental films are all eligible and must be Canadian. There is no submission fee.

Martin Scorsese’s 39 Foreign Films Filmmakers Should Watch

This week a filmmaker published a list of foreign films that Martin Scorsese had recommended to him. How many of these films have you watched?

1. Metropolis (1927)
2. Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922)
3. Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler (1922)
4. Napoleon (1927)
5. The Grand Illusion (1937)
6. The Rules of the Game (1939)
7. Children of Paradise (1945)
8. Open City (1945)
9. Paisa (1946)
10. La Terra Trema (1948)
11. Ladri di biciclette (1948)
12. Umberto D (1952)
13. La belle et la bete (1946)
14. Tokyo monogatari (1953)
15. Ikiru (1952)
16. Shichinin no samurai (1954)
17. Ugetsu monogatari (1953)
18. Sansho dayu (1954)
19. Tengoku to jigoku (1963)
20. Il soliti ignoti (1958)
21. Rocco e i suoi fratelli (1960)
22. Les quatre cents coups (1959)
23. Tirez sur le pianiste (1960)
24. A bout de souffle (1960)
25. Bande a part (1964)
26. Il Sorpasso (1962)
27. L’avventura (1960)
28. Blowup (1966)
29. Prima della rivoluzione (1964)
30. Le Boucher (1970)
31. Week End (1967)
32. Koshikei (1968)
33. Handler der vier Jahreszeiten (1971)
34. Angst essen Seele auf (1974)
35. Die Ehe der Maria Braun (1979)
36. Im Lauf der Zeit (1976)
37. Der amerikanische Freund (1977)
38. Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle (1976)
39. Aguirre, der Zorn des Gottes (1972)

Cheers,
Moe Qureshi
Newsletter Editor

Note: Get this newsletter by filling out your email address on the right side of this page or our homepage.

Newsletter Jan 2012

WORKSHOPS
FREE Filmmaking classes for Film Board members. Learn cameras, sound and lights beginning February 2. Sign up at the HUB while seats are available. Details for these and more filmmaking classes:www.harthouse.ca/classes

VOLUNTEER CALL
Volunteers needed for the following positions:
- News letter editor
- Screening Coordinator
- On-line Film Challenge Coordinator
- Farm Project Producer
If interested contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca

PRODUCTION HELP
Production help needed for various Hart House video projects. If interested contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
U of T Film Festival deadline for submissions is March 2. Details: www.uoftfilmfest.ca

Can you make a film in 74 hours? The Hart House Film Challenge issues a new challenge very Friday at 10am.www.harthousefilmchallenge.com

Film Board Newsletter – September 21-11

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Fall Screening Party
Last Call for Submissions We have room for more shorts for our Screening Party on September 21.
We will consider shorts of any length or genre, but priority will go to work by Hart House Film Board members and members of the University of Toronto community, and the shorter the submission the better the odds we will screen it. Details at our website.

Club and Committee $5 Lunch – Wednesday September 21 – 11am-2pm Hart House Great Hall. We’ll have a table. Come out and say Hi and ask us questions.

Screening Party – Wednesday September 21 – 7:00 to 10pm Hart House Quad. Reception with hor’s oeuvres and cash bar at 7.

Screening will begin at 8:30. Everyone welcome. Free admission.

NEWS

1. Hart House Film Challenge
Too busy this weekend? A new challenge is posted every Friday. No more excuses. Enter as often as you like.

Web: www.harthousefilmchallenge.com
Email: filmchallenge@harthouse.ca

2. General Membership Meeting
The Film Board will hold a general membership meeting on September 26 at 5pm. Check the HUB for room location. The Agenda: Film Board events for the coming year and ways for members to get further involved in the Board.

3. Volunteer Videographer needed
Hart House is looking for someone to video tape a poetry reading on November 23 at 7pm in the Hart House Music Room. The event will feature beat poet John Giorno and Professor George Eliott Clarke and will run 90 minutes to 2 hours tops. Interested parties should contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca.

4. Grants
A few Grants are available for Fall, 2011. Grant applicants should follow the instructions as outlined in Small Production Grants for Individual Members. The deadline to apply is October 31.

CLASSES

1. Fall Filmmaking Classes
Fall Film Classes now on sale. http://www.harthouse.ca/classes.
Several classes are FREE to Film Board members so act fast.

FILM FESTS & SCREENINGS

1. So You Think You Can Pitch?
Bring out your best film ideas at the 6th Annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and Charles Street Video pitch competition – So You Think You Can Pitch?! Two winning filmmaking teams will walk away with prize packages that will help them kick-start and/or finish their short film. The two prize packages include $1500 in cash, of over $10,000* for the Emerging Category and $18,000* for the Established Category in production and post services, and a one-year membership at Charles Street Video (CSV), and a distribution option through Ouat Media.

2. Damming Fluxus Call for Submissions
Filmmaker honourariums will vary based on which festivals accept the program, and are not guaranteed. There is NO ENTRY FEE. We have online and hard copy submissions open now until September 30, 2011.
Digital Submissions: Go to: www.dammingfluxus.com – fill out the online entry form and submit a digital copy of your film to our drop box.

3. Vancouver Women in Film Festival – VWIFF 2012
Does your film have women in at least three of the key creative roles (one woman may serve in more than one role): Writer, Producer, Director, D.O.P., Lead Actor, or Lead Animator / Editor?
Was your film completed after January 1, 2010? If so, we want to see your film! Submit today!

4. Manhattan Short Film Festival
This is the first year the MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL will be showing its film finalists in CANADA! The prestigious festival only showcases the TOP 10 short films from around the globe, across 6 continents, and in over 250 cities! ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25th 2011, JOIN US AT CARLTON CINEMAS (20 CARLTON STREET) IN TORONTO. SHOWS AT 2PM OR 7PM. It’s the FIRST GLOBAL film festival, takes place in ONE week, and voters decide on the winner that is announced in NYC on Sunday October 2nd, 2011. More information can be found at www.ManhattanShort.com. Finalists from previous years have gone on to be Oscar-nominated! This year we’ve included Canadian entrant, “The Legend of Beaver Dam”! Tickets $10. On Sale starting this week at the box office!

5. Pleasure Dome presents Community Action Center
A video by A.K. Burns and A.L. Steiner in Person! Saturday, September 24th, 8pm Doors/ 8:30 Screening/ After-party with DJ Colin D 10pm -12am. Tickets at the door: $8/ $5 Members & Students @ St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St.- http://www.pdome.org. Co-presentation with Workman Arts and Feminist Art Gallery (FAG). Gallery Exhibition @ FAG, 25 Seaforth Ave., September 24 — October 29. Opening Saturday, 24th 3 — 6 pm. Walk through with Steiner and Burns Sunday 25th 2 — 3 pm.

BLOGS

1. Rick Palidwor’s Blog
Read more about the HHFB, film projects, film recommendations, and more …

Film Board Newsletter – August 23-11

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Volunteer Opportunities – Clubs Day
Friday September 9 is Clubs Day and the Film Board will have a table in front of Hart House from 11am-2pm. Volunteers are needed to attend to the table and promote the Film Board. If interested please contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca.

NEWS

1. Hart House Film Challenge
A meeting will be held on Monday September 12 at 5pm outside the Film Board office for any members interested in working on the Hart House Film Challenge. All members welcome.

Too busy this weekend? A new challenge is posted every Friday. No more excuses. Enter as often as you like.

Web: www.harthousefilmchallenge.com

Email: filmchallenge@harthouse.ca

2. Club and Committee $5 Lunch
Wednesday September 21 is a Clubs and Committees $5 Lunch in the Great Hall. Volunteers needed to help promote the Film Board from 11am-2pm. If interested please contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca.

3. Screening Party
Volunteers needed to help organize our September 21 screening party: receiving submissions, compiling screening disc, preparing program notes. If interested please contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca.

4. General Membership Meeting
The Film Board will hold a general membership meeting on September 26 at 5pm. Check the HUB for room location. The Agenda: Film Board events for the coming year and ways for members to get further involved in the Board.

5. Volunteer Videographer needed
Hart House is looking for someone to video tape a poetry reading on November 23 at 7pm in the Hart House Music Room. The event will feature beat poet John Giorno and Professor George Eliott Clarke and will run 90 minutes to 2 hours tops. Interested parties should contact rick.palidwor@utoronto.ca.

6. Grants
A few Grants are available for Fall, 2011. Grant applicants should follow the instructions as outlined in Small Production Grants for Individual Members. The deadline to apply is October 31.

CLASSES

1. Spring Filmmaking Classes

Fall Film Class schedule will be posted sometime in mid August and classes will run from late September to late November. Registration, beginning soon, can be found here: http://www.harthouse.ca/classes.

FILM FESTS & SCREENINGS

1. So You Think You Can Pitch?
Bring out your best film ideas at the 6th Annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and Charles Street Video pitch competition – So You Think You Can Pitch?!

Two winning filmmaking teams will walk away with prize packages that will help them kick-start and/or finish their short film. The two prize packages include $1500 in cash, of over $10,000* for the Emerging Category and $18,000* for the Established Category in production and post services, and a one-year membership at Charles Street Video (CSV), and a distribution option through Ouat Media.

2. Damming Fluxus Call for Submissions
Filmmaker honourariums will vary based on which festivals accept the program, and are not guaranteed.
There is NO ENTRY FEE. We have online and hard copy submissions open now until September 30, 2011.

Digital Submissions: Go to: www.dammingfluxus.com – fill out the online entry form and submit a digital copy of your film to our drop box.

BLOGS

1. Rick Palidwor’s Blog

Read more about the HHFB, film projects, film recommendations, and more …

Film Board Newsletter – June 22-11

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Summer Grants

A few Grants are available for Summer, 2011. Grant applicants should follow the instructions as outlined in Small Production Grants for Individual Members. The deadline to apply for a Summer 2011 grant is June 30. More …

NEWS

1. Hart House Film Challenge

Can you make a film in 74 hours? Every Friday at 10:00am a new challenge will be posted. Films must be uploaded by noon the following Monday to be eligible for prizes. An advance schedule of genres and special themes is posted.

Too busy this weekend? A new challenge is posted every Friday. No more excuses. Enter as often as you like.

Web: www.harthousefilmchallenge.com

Email: filmchallenge@harthouse.ca

CLASSES

1. Spring Filmmaking Classes

Hart House offers a full complement of entry-level filmmaking classes to help kick-start your career.  Are you a filmmaker? Find out at Hart House. (Hart House also offers classes in Music and Personal Empowerment Through the Arts.) Registration now open at http://www.harthouse.ca/classes

FILM FESTS & SCREENINGS

1. Manhattan Short Film Festival
This is the first year the MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL will be showing its film finalists in Toronto! The prestigious festival only showcases the TOP 10 short films from around the globe, across 6 continents, and in over 250 cities to 100,000 viewers! It’s the FIRST GLOBAL film festival, takes place in ONE week, and voters decide on the winner that is announced in NYC on Sunday October 2nd, 2011. To submit your film(s), please do so by July 31, 2011. More information can be found at http://www.ManhattanShort.com. Take a peak at some of last year’s finalists – they were certainly magnificent and one went on to be Oscar-nominated! More …

2. Toronto Urban Film Festival (TUFF) 2011
TUFF is looking for the best one-minute silent films from across Canada and around the world. Over $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the winning films.

Submission deadline is July 15, 2011. Submit your film before June 1st and avoid the $10 entry fee. Fees rise to $15 on July 1st. More …

3. Pdome.org Screening
Minority Report: Representing Gays, Lesbians and the Sexual ‘Other’ in Sexploitation Films; Lecture & Screening by Eric Schaefer > Sat, June 25, 7pm @ CineCycle, 129 Spadina Ave. More…

BLOGS

1. Rick Palidwor’s Blog

Read more about the HHFB, film projects, film recommendations, and more …

2. Message from the Technical Coordinator

Hi!

Summer’s here and school’s out. A great way to spend the summer is getting a bunch of friends together and make some movies! Head over to http://hhfilmboard.com/loans/ and book gear.

I believe in bi-winning. My philosophy: there’s big wins like flash light kits and new cameras which require big-win resources (time, money, etc.), there’s small wins which require less resources and then there’s disproportionately-sized wins, or bi-wins. I like these cause then we win here and win there. We win here by getting a big win, but also win there by using less resources. The best thing about these is we get a whole bunch of them and if a few don’t work out, it’s ok. Failing forward.

An example of this sort of bi-win is the Equipment Guide. When you go over to http://hhfilmboard.com/loans/ and click on the name of the piece of equipment, you are taken to the relevant section of the Equipment Guide where you can learn more about the equipment. This is now one of the most popular pages on our website. It is a bit barebones at the moment but in the coming months it will be expanded with more information, after having determined that people actually like it.

On the equipment side, earlier this year we bought three things I hope will be bi-wins: the Comer on-camera light, the Roadrags portable folding flag kit and a wired lapel mic. So far the Comer has been a major success, with some members using this amazingly small and powerful light as their sole source of light, especially for interviews or night-time run-and-gun shots. The roadrags kit hasn’t gotten much traction and the wired lapel mic is just now becoming available to members. So, one bi-win, one sorta fail and one without results, but that’s ok, because for the price of a single new light kit, we were able to get three amazing pieces of gear that’re light, portable and reliable.

Unfortunately, people often overlook bi-wins cause they’re not sexy. Big wins are sexy. Small wins can be sexy and alluring, but bi-wins can be disproportionately helpful but no one says, “check out this new equipment guide page with useful information” or “check out these awesome reflectors” or “the monopod can now stand by itself using this stand that is screwed into the bottom”.

An example of an unsexy but important bi-win that you will see is a new focus on portability. We’ve replaced the new Lowel Kit case with a case with wheels and added another Omni. The old lowel case is being sold off or thrown away and it’s contents will be moved to the new Lowel Kit case. Future purchasing decisions will be more sensitive to the single-person shoot, especially if you have to lug everything in the subway or by foot. We’ll buy more light-weight gear in the future, especially LED fixtures like this 7 lb contraption that puts out as much light as 1k fresnel (which is a LOT of light), and is 2′ x 1′ and fully dimmable and variable colour temperature: http://www.coollights.biz/clled1200-1200-bicolor-panel-p-142.html. Future cases will have wheels, shoulder straps or backpack straps. Our existing cases are being made more portable through shoulder straps and a fleet of dollies.

If you’ve got some things you think might be good bi-wins, email me. If you have suggestions, comments or criticisms feel free to send them to tc@hhfilmboard.com.

Happy Shooting!

Ammar Ijaz
Technical Coordinator
Hart House Film Board