For the love of Film
One month ago I attended my first “meet-up” of local screenwriters and movie makers. Being a train-ride from NYC has put me within a local community of people with significant film making and screenwriting experience and those, like me, with no real experience yet but a lot of ambition to do so. The group seems to be evenly balanced between those who consider themselves writers (not me) and those who would be engaged in the production of the movie itself. I consider myself lucky that this group meets twice each month less than two miles from my home.
Another lucky find for me was the Madison Arts Cinemas in nearby Madison, CT. While we had independent theaters back in Wisconsin, Madison CT is a really great small town, along the shores of Long Island Sound with accompanying independently-owned book store, coffee shops, pet stores, boutiques and restaurants. As usual, my writing opened the door for me to meet and befriend the owner of the theater, Arnold, and really enjoy the business he’s created there.
Arnold was the one who suggested we join the Sunday Cinema Club – a way to preview movies and take part in the feedback/screening process with the production companies. We joined the group for a few seasons during 2006 and 2007, and dutifully showed up every other Sunday morning to his theater not knowing what movie we would see, but knowing that it would likely be a great experience, followed by a great discussion, usually led by one of the Yale film professors or another special guest from the movie itself.
Without this club and without Arnold’s passion for bringing the best films to Madisonians, I know I probably would have never seen amazing foreign and independent films like La vie en rose, The Diving Bell and The Butterfly, Pans Labyrinth, The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) and so many more. There have been a few clunkers as well (like Bonneville), but 90% of the time, we can go to a movie at this theater and simply enjoy the experience, regardless of what’s playing. And that’s not to say we’ve become Connecticut film snobs. We still go to the “normal” multi-screen theaters and IMAX to see films like The Dark Knight, but Arnold has really spoiled his patrons with great food, amazing sound and other appreciative audience members who seem to respect the idea that turning off your cell is actually a good idea when you’re trying to enjoy a true film experience.
And the film experience is what this is about: In my mind and in my heart, I believe that film represents that quintessential pinnacle of art. So much is wrapped up into a film production that requires passion and creativity to blend and mix in appropriate proportion. It all starts with writing of course, or at least a core story that needs to be told, but then quickly evolves to illustration, lighting, sound, casting, photography, music, cinematography, construction (set-design), location selection, make-up, costumes, acting, effects, scoring, editing, branding, marketing, distribution and promotion. And if one of these elements is off, the entire project may be jeopardized. Did I mention funding? How many amazing movies fail to see the light of day because it wasn’t promoted or distributed properly? Think about the last Academy Awards show you watched and how many of the films mentioned you did NOT see. Probably a majority. During these days when it’s easy for anyone with $100 video camera and YouTube account to post up videos, I believe that the appreciation for real quality productions is on the rise. The same thing happened during the great depression a generation ago (without YouTube of course).
But that wide range of creativity needed to create something like a three minute film short is still a daunting task. But one I’m really anxious to be a part of. While my wife is excited about the idea of running through the Rockies for six days straight, I get excited about the possibility of being involved in a full-length production in New York, Boston or even here in CT. I’ve already agreed to help scout for Diner locations in Middlesex County for this groups third short. And I volunteered to assist with sound and lighting so I can actually learn about these things from an experienced professional. Because this is a “no-budget” production, no one actually gets paid (including the actors) but it does encourage everyone to take part in every aspect of the movie making process. I can’t wait!
Shooting starts in October!
-pjc