Filmmaker Fusion – Translating Stories to Screen
Coming June 19th! What is Filmmaker Fusion? Filmmaker networking with a purpose! Making professional contacts, referring and recommending fellow filmmakers, meeting new people and learning about a hot topic from a panel of industry professionals. The third Wednesday of the month, most months.
June 19, 2013 is the next in the monthly series called Filmmaker Fusion, hosted by 2012 Arizona Filmmaker of the Year Diane M. Dresback. June’s meeting will feature the topic “Translating Stories to Screen” and will feature local experts discussing things such as how to ensure a director sees your vision in a script and the role of a writer after the director accepts a script. Come find out answers to important questions such as,
“What is the relationship between directors and writers…from both perspectives?”
“How do I know if my script will translate well to the screen?”
“Are rewrite’s necessary?”
Bring your questions and talk to our panelists! AND…bring your business cards for networking with others in the local filmmaking industry and a door prize. Although you DO NOT need to be an IFP Member to attend any Filmmaker Fusion events, if you are an IFP Member, bring your IFP Membership card for a chance to win a special gift card!
June Panelists
- Gita Farid - Director
- Joel Kaye - Writer, Cinematographer
- John Kestner - Writer
- Julianna Feher - Writer
Get more general details about what the Filmmaker Fusion monthly networking meeting is all about!
Event Details
When: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Who: Directors, Writers, Producers, DP’s, Editors, Actors… Anyone interested in filmmaking!
Cost: FREE event – Open to the Public
Where: University of Advancing Technology, Room 136 (enter back of building by security) (2625 W Baseline Road, Tempe AZ 85283)
Bob Marquis wins Filmmaker of the Year
Bob Marquis wins Filmmaker of the Year at the 2013 Phoenix Film Festival.
Bob Marquis, a longtime IFP Phoenix member, was named the Filmmaker of the Year award by the Phoenix Film Foundation at this year’s Phoenix Film Festival. The Foundation singled out Bob for his award-winning work in film, as well as his extensive work in educating young people.
“It was completely unexpected,” Bob said. “I didn’t think I was in any way a contender.” With so many talented filmmakers in the community, Bob definitely didn’t have a speech prepared. On the contrary, Bob “… was completely blown away. It is quite an honor.”
Bob has been an active member of the Phoenix film community since he moved here in 2008. But his road to Filmmaker of the Year wasn’t a straight one. Bob didn’t set out to make films – he was an improv student at Detroit’s Second City when he fell in love with the art. He saw an improv group, Neutrino, that created a live improvised movie during their performances. Bob, who didn’t even own a camera at the time, was hooked. He bought a camera, licensed the idea, and started a Neutrino group in Detroit.
He met his wife, Jessica, while performing in Detroit. Together, they began making short films with friends. “Jess is a key part of my work,” Bob says, “I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
Even at the beginning of his career, Bob wanted to grow and learn. With each film he has made, he’s strived to try something new – including involving people who have never made a film before.
When Bob and Jessica moved to Phoenix, they found a community that provided them with many different people who were also making films – people they could learn from and with. The couple joined IFP Phoenix and began entering film competitions. They spearheaded the IFP Screenwriting group for a time, creating a space where writers could learn from each other and experts in the field.
Webb Pickersgill, a past Filmmaker of the year, says, “”What I love about Bob is that not only is he incredibly creative, but his creativity is contagious and he freely shares his thoughts and processes with our younger filmmakers.”
Awesome Guy, Bob Marquis’ award-winning film
Bob has not only developed skills behind the camera as an editor, cinematographer, and director, but also in front of the camera as an actor. Over the years, his films have won many awards. His latest film, Cordones, won a best editing award in the 2012 IFP Beat the Clock Challenge, and was was shown at the 2013 Phoenix Film Festival. Awesome Guy, a 2011 film, was an official selection in the 2012 Phoenix Film Festival and 2012 Prescott Film Festival and the 2013 Phoenix Comicon.
While Bob loves storytelling, he has found an additional passion- educating youth about film. To further that mission, he and Jessica founded Sailbear Labs,non-profit that strives to teach students ages 12-18 how to tell great stories through film. In addition to providing educational opportunities for kids throughout the year, Sailbear Labs is a partner with the Phoenix Film Festival, offering hands-on workshops and panel discussions each year.
Bob, Jessica, and Moxie Marquis at the 2013 Phoenix Film Festival.
Bob has been educating about film for years, including teaching at The Art Institute of Phoenix since 2008. His love for educating youth led him to pursue a new career in 2010. He is now a certified teacher and leads the digital film program at Metro Tech High School in Phoenix.
Bob has had a pretty stellar start to his career, and he has even bigger plans for the future. His goal isn’t to make feature films or move to LA; he wants to “be a solid example of someone who consistently creates quality work and tells original stories.” Jessica reinforces this, remarking that Bob has three driving principles: creating an inclusive community of artists, inspiring people to express themselves through film, and remaining open and receptive about his own work.
It is these traits, along with his solid body of work that led the Phoenix Film Foundation to name Bob Filmmaker of the Year. You can follow Bob’s continuing journey at his website, www.bobmarquis.com, or at www.sailbearlabs.org
New Pricing Announced!
IFP Phoenix is proud to announce that we are changing our pricing structure to allow filmmakers more options. We now have 5 pricing tiers, as well as a group rate for schools and universities!
Arizona’s filmmaking community is thriving– be a part of it by joining IFP. Visit our member benefits page today to join now.
And if you are a current IFP member- don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you! Anyone with an up-to-date membership will have an extra 3 months added to their term.
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Breakout Challenge Results Are In!
The Criteria
We skipped the traditional Prop, Line, and Genre criteria. Instead, we want to inspire your team by providing you with just a THEME. What is a theme you ask? It is the underlying message of your film, separate from your story, genre, and dialog. It is the heart of any story. In addition to a film, teams were required to deliver a trailer, digital artwork, and marketing materials too.
The Prizes
Guaranteed Admission to the Phoenix Film Festival
Free submission to:
- Carmel Film Festival
- Seattle True Independent Film Festival
- Prescott Film Festival
- Santa Fe Film Festival
- BendFilm Festival
- Vegas Indie Film Fest
- FilmStock
Free submission to:
3rd Place
Free submission to:
The Teams
9 teams competed, submitting 9 short films in a variety of genres. Thanks to everyone who came out- it was a great challenge.
- THE SISTERS OF ST. MARY’S – Premium Blend
- A DAY ON BLEAKER STREET – Resonant Films
- THE RECIPE – Cat3 Productions
- SECOND CHANCES – LJR Productions
- I DON’T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME – Running Wild Films
- MISSION CONTROL – Save the Airways
- SHINY – Studio Gaijin
- BAD DAY – Locked Horns Productions
- THE FACE OF INNOCENCE – Jump Ship Productions
The Winners
- Best Film: Mission Control
- 2nd Place: The Face of Innocence
- 3rd Place: A Day on Bleaker St.
- Audience Award: The Face of Innocence
- Best Actress: I don’t Even Know Your Name – Honda King
- Best Actor: A Day on Bleakers St. – Seth Gandrud
- Music: Face of Innocence – Nile Popchock
- Best Technical: The Face of Innocence – Robert Garcia
- Best Story: Mission Control – Brandon Nazari
- Best Director: I Don’t Even Know Your Name – Michael Coleman
- Best Poster: Mission Control
- Trailer: The Face of Innocence; JP Frydrych & Robert Garcia
- Best Ensemble – The Cast of Bad Day: Keylor Leigh, Bill Wetherill, Trent Wilson, Lindsey Marlin, Steve Briscoe, Eli Godfrey
IFP-Phoenix announces new leadership
We’re very excited to announce our new Program Directors for IFP-Phoenix. TJ Houle and Aaron Kes will be assuming the roles of co-directors of IFP-Phoenix. They’re just getting started but they’ll be reaching out to the film community to see what you want IFP-Phoenix to be. From there you’ll be seeing new programming to go along with Filmmaker Fusion and the IFP-Phoenix Filmmaker Challenges. Read below to get to know TJ and Aaron more and stay tuned for what they’ve got in store for you in the upcoming year.
TJ Houle
TJ is a Phoenix native with a BA in religion from ASU and an MPA from Troy State in Alabama. She has a day job in finance, volunteers with Hospice of the Valley, and enjoys reading, being outside, and hanging out with her husband and other loved ones. She has worked on several previous film projects, and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of the process. She served as 2nd AD on The Blacksmith and The Carpenter, and co-wrote, produced, and directed the short documentary The Revolution that Isn’t with Aaron Kes. Her latest project was a short film, La Lucha. She is always looking forward to the next challenge.
Aaron Kes
Aaron Kes is a graduate of the Film School at SCC. His first professional experience came in the way of editing and production work for Emmy winning director and producer Rees Candee at Candee Productions. Other notable forays into the production arena were as producer on the 35mm short film The Blacksmith and The Carpenter, locations assistant on the Universal feature Take Me Home Tonight, and associate producer on the HD short Out of Focus which is making it’s premiere in December. His focus has now switched to directing and he finished his newest short film La Lucha in October.
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Breakout Challenge – January 2013
We have some awesome filmmakers here in Arizona and we want to help your film break out and get seen all over the world! You’ll have more than just a final film to submit, but we’ll help make resources available to you, so you can take your time and do it right!
Membership is the Key! Now is the best time to become an IFP Phoenix Member, trust us! Discounts on team registration and on all upcoming workshops and seminars. Membership will quickly pay for itself, and continue to pay for itself if you plan on participating in other IFP Phoenix challenges and seminars/workshops over the next year!
Registrations for this challenge are reduced price: $20 for IFP/Phoenix members, $40 for non-members.
Kickoff begins January 3rd, 2013 - Are you tired of having to sacrifice quality in order to crank out a short film in just 48 hours? So are we! The Breakout Film Challenge from IFP/Phoenix concentrates on taking your time and getting the best possible quality from your short film.
IFP Phoenix welcomes all filmmakers from all corners of Arizona to compete in the first ever Breakout Film Challenge. Novice, hobbyist, professional? We want to see your best! In fact, most Arizona film schools and colleges are currently in session, making this competition a perfect opportunity to make a film for the competition that satisfies a course requirement. But as an added benefit, that film will also be guaranteed screening and possibly win prizes which include submission to film festivals across the country. No better way for student filmmakers to break out!
Kickoff Location: FILMBAR - 815 North 2nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Time: 5:00pm Industry Mixer; 6:15pm Kickoff Announcements
The Criteria
We are skipping the traditional Prop, Line, and Genre criteria. Instead, we want to inspire your team by providing you with just a THEME. What is a theme you ask? It is the underlying message of your film, separate from your story, genre, and dialog. It is the heart of any story.
Also, you’ll be delivering more than just a final film for judging. You’ll have to deliver a trailer, digital artwork, and marketing materials too.
So What Makes it so Challenging?
With minimal requirements, what makes it so challenging you ask? Make a film that will get Arizona noticed! Can you make a film that will get the attention of filmgoers and gain the respect of other filmmakers across the country? That is a challenge! If you succeed, you’ll not only make a name for yourself, but you’ll help all of Arizona succeed in building a stronger film community.
What is the Schedule for This Competition?
Registration: Taking registrations anytime before or during the challenge
Kickoff: January 3rd, 2013 @filmbar
Films Due: January 27, 2013
Screenings: February 7th, 2013 @Phoenix Art Museum
This time table allows even the busiest day-job filmmaker time to plan and execute on a quality short film. A suggested schedule for the participating teams is as follows:
Suggested Production Schedule
- January 3rd : All teams are all given the details about the “themes” being required for this challenge. Your creative process begins immediately. Need help with ideas? Attend the screenplay seminar the next day with Howard Allen!
- January 9th : by this time your screenplay should be taking shape, perhaps a few drafts into it. You’ll want to put your casting call out and begin scheduling actors to be in your film. Begin preliminary producing for locations and crew.
- January 11th : Casting should be decided. Your final script, locations, and crew should be close to being locked down. All final details are solidified before production begins. Some teams may be shooting already by this weekend.
- January 12th – 19th : Teams will be in production.
- January 20th – 25th : Teams will be editing their finished films. Visual effects added, music composed, title sequences rendered. Film trailers are also being edited during this time too.
- January 26th : Final post-production audio is mixed and rendered, final color correction is completed and rendered. Last, not least, your marketing package is put together with trailer, key art, and write-ups.
- January 27th : Final films and marketing materials are submitted by midnight, for competition eligibility.
What Must be Delivered
Our deliverables are all geared to help you get your film out to film festivals. We want you to get your films OUT there, these will help you succeed.
- Your completed film, using your chosen theme.
- A :30 sec teaser trailer.
- Digital artwork for a standard-sized movie poster.
- Digital artwork for a promotional postcard.
- Marketing package including WAB requirements: synopsis, cast/crew bios, directors statement
What if I JUST heard about this and still want to make a film?
You can still make a film if you didn’t register by the January 3rd kickoff! We’ll send you all the details that you need to make a quality film. Your deadline will still be the same as the other teams, so you’ll have more than just one challenge to overcome, but we know you can do it! Heck, we’ve seen you do it in 48 hours, so don’t tell us that a few weeks late start is really going to set you back.
We Encourage Helping Each Other!
You heard it! We would love to see our local filmmakers help each other out on multiple films. Perhaps you direct your own project, but then decide to help as the cinematographer on someone else’s film, and then do some visual effects work for yet another team? Actors have shared this secret for years, why not crew? But wait… why would I help someone compete against myself? Simple: either way you WIN. What we all need to realize as Arizona filmmakers, is that contributing your skills to any project that succeeds is a success for the entire Arizona filmmaking community. Not to mention that by helping other teams, you are networking and learning to make valuable relationships and connections that can lead to future filmmaking opportunities! It’s a win/win! Our only word of advice: if you are participating on multiple teams, be forthcoming with this information with the teams you help.
More Information
Contact the Filmmaker Challenges Director, Keegan Ead
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